Have you ever heard of the Slow Food movement?  The notion is nothing new, but in the current economy people seem to be embracing the philosophies of “slow food” more than ever.

We’re all examining our spending habits and paying closer attention to diet and lifestyle choices.  A slow food approach describes a shift in attitude away from fast food and toward savoring what we eat.  Americans are showing more interest in knowing exactly what they’re eating and where their food comes from.

I would say I’m a pretty healthy eater – I pay attention to what I buy, where it’s grown, how it got to the shelf, etc.  I would NOT, however, say that I am the kind of person who luxuriates in what I eat each day.  I’m not quite cramming it in absentmindedly at every meal, but it does require focused attention on my part to slow down and appreciate each bite.  I blame motherhood for this unfortunate turn of events.

So, if you’re like me and wish you could visit that place where you fully attend to the eating moment (at least aspire to do so), take a summer day to drop by a farmer’s market and pick up local veggies for a stir-fry or local fruit to toss on some yogurt.  Take a look at some of the yummy recipes (and cooking demos) on how2heroes.com, take a deep breath, and TASTE.

Come on down to the Whole Foods Market in Providence on Waterman Street on Sunday, July 19 from 12:00-3:00.  Indigo Rabbit will be there with free cookie samples from 1:00-3:00 as part of the annual block party!

They’re closing down the street and featuring RI Rock Gym’s rock wall, watermelon eating contests and so much more.  We hope to see you there!

If you don’t find yourself in Providence on Sunday, come eat FREE cookies at Roche Bros, West Roxbury on Friday, July 17  from 4:00-6:00 and at the Whole Foods Market in Hingham on Saturday, July 18 from 12:00-2:00.

Come see us at the Whole Foods Market in Swampscott today, July 10 from 4:00-6:00 and at the Whole Foods Market in Newtonville tomorrow, July 11 from 12:00-2:00.

What summer BBQ is complete without Indigo Rabbit cookies???

Can you tell how much we love giving away free samples of Indigo Rabbit cookies???

Come join us at the Whole Foods Market in Framingham, MA on Thursday, June 18 from 4-6.  Dads, Grampas, Great Grampas – all will love these wonderful treats for Father’s Day (don’t tell them how nutritious they are!).

We’re giving away yummy free samples again – this time at the Whole Foods Market in Brighton, MA on Saturday, June 13 from 11-1.  Come munch and shop.  Load up on Indigo Rabbit cookies for Flag Day!

Take a look at a kitchen favorite for me and my girls on Cafemom.com!!!

Here’s a recipe my kids and I love.

3/4 cup flax meal (1/2 cup flaxseeds before being ground up in my coffee bean grinder)

2 mashed ripe bananas

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

You can also add dried fruits or chocolate chips if you like (about 1/2 cup)

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Beat banana, sugar, oil and eggs at meduim speed of a mixer until well-blended.

3. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to wet mixture, beating until well-incorporated.

4. Stir in mix-ins’ if desired.

5. Pour batter into loaf pan coated with cooking spray and bake at 350 for 55 minutes or until inserted toothpick or knife comes out clean.

6. Cool 10 minutes in pan on wire rack.  Remove, cool some more and EAT.

We love it plain or with a little butter. 

Enjoy!

We hear about these healthy fats on the news, in our favorite magazines, on-line, everywhere.  Omega-3 fatty acids are useful in our bodies for cell health, regulating heart rate and carrying fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and oxygen into our cells.  They help maintain healthy skin and hair (who doesn’t want that??), protect our organs and provide a sense of satiety after meals.  A diet high in Omega-3’s will have more lean muscle, lower body fat and better health. 

The best place to get these fatty acids is from fish, flax, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, canola oil and soy. 

Flax is a favorite of mine.  You can find flax seeds, which are about the same size and shape as sesame seeds but have a more toasted color.  If using the seeds, make sure you grind them first so your body can absorb all those nutrients – a coffee bean grinder works great.  I like to sprinkle this flax “meal” on my cereal or yogurt.  I even mix it into turkey burgers and meatloaf and bake it into my banana bread! 

Flax oil is also available in stores and can easily be mixed into salad dressing, ketchup and even smoothies – the kids will never know!  Don’t heat the oil form, though.  Heating flax oil rids it of its nutritive benefits. 

A common adult “dose” of flax meal is 1 1/2 tablespoons per day.  For the oil, a guideline is to use 1-2 tablespoons per 100 pounds of body weight per day.  Kids can take in a bit less than these amounts.

Give flax a try.  I’d love to hear other ways people incorporate it into everyday dishes, so let me know your fantastic ideas.