Starbucks Double Shot, Extra Foam Cappuccino- Hold The TOXIC Chemicals

I stopped by my neighborhood Starbucks this afternoon to get a caffeine boost for my Sunday afternoon hike. As I was waiting at the coffee bar I was greeted by this sign:

http://www.watchdogsblog.com/photos/prop65.jpg

What in the world was acrylamide? I had never heard of it before, but I was intrigued, so I came home and looked it up and this is what I found: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2004-1/2004-1-03.htm

Acrylamide is a neurotoxin/carcinogen that is showing up in many of our processed, fried, roasted and baked foods. It is of major concern because of its long term ingestion and exposure is linked to cancer, neurological disorders and infertility. It turns out what we don't know, may in fact hurt us.

http://justmeint.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/acrylamide_top_202.png

Here is some more information on Acrylamide and California's Proposition 65:

http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/p65faq.html

http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/p65faq.html

http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/foodcontaminantsadulteration/chemicalcontaminants/acrylamide/ucm053549.htm

http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/ChemicalContaminants/Acrylamide/ucm194482.htm

Daily Giggle

There is Freedom...

There is FREEDOM in knowing that this journey is much simpler then I made it out to be.

That I will NEVER spend a single cent more buying into another diet fad, shake, meal bar, meeting, or false promise.

That I will never have to count another CALORIE again, EVER.

That weight loss is the byproduct and NOT THE FOCUS of living a balanced and healthy life.

That I will eat REAL FOOD that my grandmother, great grandmother and her mother would recognize.

That eating is an ADVENTURE to be explored and not feared.

That spotted and and 'aesthetically challenged' produce may in fact have the best FLAVOR.

That buying farm fresh local & organic is worth the investment in myself and my FUTURE.

That good clean water is DELICIOUS!

That foods taste best NAKED-without labels .;)

That local family farmers are the true ROCKSTARS of this generation.

That Mother Nature is the true MASTER CHEF.

That buying food that spoils is a GOOD THING.

That I feel great when I fuel my body with food and NOT CHEMICALS.

That I can COOK WELL without the use of either a can opener or a microwave.

That when I buy local I vote with my dollar and support my COMMUNITY .

That cooking with wholesome ingredients is the truest expression of LOVE for myself and my family.

That this is MY LIFE and I will do everything in my power to nourish my body so that I can PLAY HARD, LAUGH OFTEN AND LIVE WELL!

The Journey Without Shortcuts

The Journey Without Shortcuts

(exerts taken from a poem by Melissa Wagner)

The Journey traveled without shortcuts, is a journey worth taking. For there are no shortcuts, to any place worth going. The destination does not matter, but the Journey to it does. So travel hard, and travel well. Choose your companions wisely. Never look back, always move forward. But don't forget either. In the Journey of life, There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

Delicious Summertime Recipes

Assorted Fruit Popsicles*I am going to try my own Lavendar- Honey with Greek Yogurt Popsicle that I have been dying to MAKE!!!:)

http://www.ladiesinwaitingbookclub.com/2011/06/week-2-popsicle-recipes-fruit-based.html

Vegetable Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vegetable-Summer-Rolls-105012

Seafood Guacamole

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=13772566

Fish Tacos

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fish-Tacos-352976

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spicy-Grapefruit-Margarita-366454

Watermelon Sangria

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/watermelon-sangria-cocktails-2007

Honeydew, Cantalope and Proscuitto Salad

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Honeydew-Cantaloupe-and-Prosciutto-Salad-366311

Butter Lettuce, Chicken and Cherry Salad

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Butter-Lettuce-Chicken-and-Cherry-Salad-365669

Ancho Mole Steak Sauce

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/grilled-steaks-with-ancho-mole-sauce

Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Coconut Rice

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spicy_garlic_shrimp_with_coconut_rice/

This Is NOT Goodbye....

When I started this blog two months ago I would have NEVER imagined that I would get such a positive response, or that I would have found such a fantastic new hobby! Everyday has been an adventure exploring the world of 'all things food'. I feel like we have created our little corner in the ' blogosphere' of like minded individuals who love food, love to eat and love to eat WELL. This page has inspired me more then you will ever know, both personally and with my career as a chef, keeping me passionate about beautiful food and helping me to keep my menu's fresh and interesting. It has also given me a platform to 'geek out' with some of my nutritional studies- so THANK YOU! For those of you who don't already know, I am currently studying at the Nutritional Therapy Association and have my first big mid term and functional evaluation test in the middle of July. At this point, most of my energy and time will be focused on studying and preparing for my exam. For the next couple of weeks I will not be blogging or maintaining this site, but I would be THRILLED if you continued to share recipes and insights and your culinary adventures.Until we meet again, remember to balance out your life, take time for your health mentally, physicalyl, spiritually and emotionally. Remember eating healthy is more then just WHAT you eat its about HOW you eat. Be a smart consumer and a conscious eater, THINK about what you are eating. Choose whole foods that will NOURISH your body. Get in the kitchen and get creative, try new things, new flavors and new foods!

Happy eating!

Be well!

Cooking with Zucchini Ribbons: Gluten Free,Salads,Pastas,Panini's and Quiche!

I absolutely LOVE cooking with zucchinis and yellow squash! It has been nearly a year ago now that I eliminated ALL GLUTEN from my diet and cooking with zucchini's may be hands down one of my favorite gluten free finds and pasta alternatives ever! Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination and get you cooking with zucchinis.:)

You will need:

A wide blade vegetable peeler or a vegetable mandoline.

*Slice your zucchinis lengthwise to about 1/8-1/4 of an inch slices.

Warm Zucchini Salad with Goat Cheese, Pine Nuts and Italian Parsley

Brush your preheathed grill or cast iron grill pan with olive or coconut oil

In a bowl lightly dress your raw zucchini ribbons with salt, pepper, and diced garlic.

Place on grill and let cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until you get golden brown grill marks.

*Eat warm with with fresh goat cheese crumbles (or feta cheese) , toasted pine nuts and chopped italian parsley.

Picnic Perfect Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Dill and Walnuts

Lightly sauteed 8 whole zucchini ribboned with olive oil or coconut oil

Season with salt and pepper (3 minute total cook time).

Add 1 T. fresh chopped dill

1/4 T. of fresh lemon zest

3 T. of roasted and roughly chopped walnuts

fresh cracked pepper and salt to taste.

*Chill or serve room temperature.

Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Panini

For the Pesto:

1/4 cup of fresh herbs ( I use flat leaf parsley, mint and dill)

2 cups of spinach

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup of pine nuts or walnuts (toasted)

1 Lemon (zested)

1/2 fresh lemon ( juiced)

4 T olive oil

sea salt and pepper to taste

* you may add 1 t. of Balsamic Vinegar if you wish (* I love it!)

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth

To Prep The Veggies:

3 Zucchini's (ribboned)

1 Portobello Mushroom sliced lenghtwise in thin strips

I/4 red onion sliced lengthwise in strips

1 red bell pepper cleaned and cut lengthwise into strips

Ina bowl coat vegetables with pesto.

Lightly sautee vegetables in a pan for 3 to 4 minutes. ( or grill vegetables in a grill pan)

1. Select your bread. Lightly coat your pre heated panini press with olive oil.

2. Build your sandwich. Coat the inside of your bread with a thin layer of pesto. If adding cheese(this is fantastic with fresh or smoked mozzarella cheese, provolone or goat cheese).Place cheese on top of the pesto layer,* add fresh arugula or spinach if you wish layer your vegetables in the middle.

4. Cook sandwich for about 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is toasty.

YUM!!!

Other FANTASTIC IDEAS: Zucchini ribbons taking the place of your favorite pasta, lasagna or stuffed manicotti recipes!

http://www.wholeliving.com/recipe/zucchini-ribbon-lasagna

Zucchini Ribbon Quiche

http://www.food52.com/recipes/5447_zucchini_ribbon_quiche_with_roasted_grape_tomatoes

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fettuccine-with-Walnuts-Zucchini-Ribbons-and-Pecorino-Romano-235614

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/carrot-zucchini-squash-ribbons-recipe/index.html