We all have likes and dislikes.

I will candidly admit that some of my own “dislikes” have not necessarily been backed up by “research”.  Case in point – rice and beans.  I have always viewed myself as someone who cannot stand such a combination.  Had I ever tried it?  No.  Had I ever prepared it myself?  No.  I recognized I was behaving less than my age and decided to do something about it.

I tried my sister-in-law’s recipe for Rice and Beans (she gives credit to the newest edition of “Joy of Cooking”).  Now I LOVE rice and beans.  Who knew???  Truly an epiphany.  Now such a basic (and healthful – and easy – and ecomonical) dish is part of my world.  Thank you generous sister-in-law! 

I will share her genius with you.

Heat in a large saucepan:

2 Tbsp olive oil

Add:

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 habanero pepper, seeded and chopped, or 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes or powder to taste

Cook, stirring, until tender, 5-8 minutes, then stir in:

1 cup diced tomato

2 1/2 cups water

1 cup long grain rice

1 tsp salt

Bring to a boil, then stir in:

1 can black beans, rinsed

Cover and cook over medium-low heat until water has been absorbed into rice, about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat, allow to sit for 10 minutes, then enjoy!

Make your way to Whole Foods Market in Fresh Pond, Cambridge from 3:00-6:00 tomorrow for free samples of your favorite Indigo Rabbit cookies.

We’ll also be at the Whole Foods Market in Bellingham on Sunday from 12:00-3:00.  See you there!

Following the pregnancy of my second child my body seemed to head into novel territory.  And, no, I don’t necessarily mean certain physical elements of me headed in unforseen directions (well, mostly not).  No, what I mean is that one result of that pregnancy and birth was an evident “lactose intolerance”.  Yogurt, cheese, pizza, ice cream, cow’s milk – you name it – no longer okay with me.

A recent piece in USA Today asserts that less than 40% of adults retain the ability to digest lactose post-childhood.  Researchers believe that “lactose intolerance” is no deviation, but rather “what’s really weird is the ability to continue to drink milk”.

Hah, I’m no weirdo!

Many restaurants are becoming increasingly aware of food allergy issues and are getting better at publicizing allergen information in their facilities and on-line.  There is still more to be done.

Take a look at this piece in the Orlando Sentinel about the challenges faced by people with food allergies when they go out to eat   The piece discusses how many restaurants are now publishing information on allergens and some are even providing special menus, but eating out can still be pretty scary for those living with food allergies.

(Oops!  The link to this article seems to be broken.  We will see if we can find it in the archives).

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times highlights new research suggesting that early exposure to certain allergens could help protect kids from developing food allergies.  Click here to take a look.

Get those kiddos off to a terrific start for the school year!  Include delicious, healthful, allergy-safe goodies from Indigo Rabbit in their lunch boxes.  The convenient grab n’ go pouches are great for the backpacks, sports bags, even those cute little pencil cases!

Leave those preservative-laden ”100 calorie packs” on the shelves and pick up some scrumptious Indigo Rabbit cookies so your kids get the taste they want and the nutrition they need to make the most of their school day.

If you’ve got college students in your brood, send along a care package they’ll LOVE filled with their favorite varieties of Indigo Rabbit cookies!  They AND their roommates will be the hit of the dorm.

NO high fructose corn syrup

NO hydrogenated oils

NOTHING artificial

You can PRONOUNCE every item in the ingredient list

Make sure you try every delicious flavor

Heavenly Chocolate Pillows, Seriously Cinnamon Almond, Gingerlicious, Luscious Lemon Chewies, Perfectly Peanut Butter

Make sure those kiddos get off to a great start at school this year.  Leave those preservative-laden “100 calorie” packs on the shelf and include delicious, healthful, allergy-safe Indigo Rabbit cookies in their lunch boxes instead.

Get yourselves over to Donelan’s Market in Littleton for $1 off on each box of Indigo Rabbit cookies!  The promotion is running through the beginning of school.

I have a friend who is pregnant now and is REALLY concerned about preventing her little one from developing food allergies. Alas, avoiding the big 8 allergens during those 9 months doesn’t make a significant difference.

The American Academy of Pediatrics makes the following recommendations for infants with strong family history of food allergy:

1) Exclusive breast-feeding for 6  months

2) Use of hypoallergenic formulas when not breast-feeding

3) Maternal dietary avoidance of peanuts and tree nuts during lactation and consideration of avoiding eggs, cow’s milk, and fish

4) Delayed introduction of cow’s milk until 12 months of age, eggs until 24 months of age, and peanuts, tree nuts, and fish until the age of 3

5) No maternal dietary restriction during pregnancy, with the possible exception of peanuts.

To read more, visit http://foodallergies.about.com/od/foodallergybasics/f/infantallergies.htm

We know calcium is a must when it comes to building strong bones.  Unfortunately, many kids, teens and adults aren’t getting enough.

What if I can’t stand the taste of milk?  What is I’m lactose intolerant?  What if I milk allergy?  Will milk products make me fat?

Learn clear answers to these and many other questions, plus a guide to calcium rich foods, at http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/calcium.html.

Let’s all get our bones safer – even those of us over 30 who are watching bone density!

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.