Happy Spring from Anita!đ¸
Anybody else get a smile on their face remembering larger than life, Julia Child ? If you donât remember her, check out the hilarious, feel -good movie âJulie and Juliaâ
âMastering the Art of French Cooking âwas published in 1961, followed by the PBS cooking series which showcased her authentic personality. This was groundbreaking territory for American households knoshing on jello salads and canned peas. Julia Child inspired a new generation of home chefs.
âIf you can read, you can cook!â she proclaimed!
And if you live far from a grocery store, itâs inevitableâŚ
My fast food loving brother was dismayed to learn he has a gluten intolerance, which was causing all kinds of problems and required a total change in diet.
He has taught himself some simple meals without all the unhealthy ingredients he used to love. Although he hasnât tackled French cuisine ( yet ) he now prepares home cooked meals every night and has completely erased his IBS symptoms!
One of the great things about cooking from scratch is knowing exactly what is going into that casserole. I just noticed the other day, on a package of tortillas, in teeny tiny print âBio Engineered Productâ.
The definition is âfoods that contain detectable genetic material modified through lab techniques which cannot be created through conventional breeding or FOUND IN NATURE!â It's a chemistry experiment out there!
Our own US Dept of Health âNIHâ website states:
âThe biggest threat caused by Genetically Modified foods is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.â
I know Iâm not putting that in my spaghetti sauce!
Buying farm fresh food, with the least amount of added ingredients and preparing them yourself can save money and save on medical problems later on.
Growing your own can be even better, my little asparagus patch is a springtime delight. Those tender green shoots are as unexpected as winter blooming crocus buds peeping through the snow.
Sadly, my busy flock managed to breech the garden walls and I found them cackling with glee, pecking lettuce and plucking each hard won little asparagus spear.đł
However, I was pleased to find a whole bundle of organic asparagus at the store this week for $1.50 ! Also in season are tangerines, sweet mandarin oranges, broccoli, spinach, kale and lettuce.
The outer aisles of the grocery store are key to finding basic fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and dairy products. I am still amazed at how much food you can afford if you avoid those tempting inner aisles filled with sugary cereals, packaged boxed dinners, chips and soft drinks.
Break out your favorite cookbooks and get inspired!
Bon Appetit!
I would like to see home cooking become a new trend. Throughout my life I have seen restaurants become more and more popular options for meal. Inflation (and it is the same in western Europe) this has led to higher prices and lower quality. I believe restaurants are also a major factor in increasing obesity levels. I have learned that I cook better than the restaurants I can afford to eat at.
Always healthier and tastier to DIY -- and it doesnât have to be complicated. Fresh ingredients and good seasoning are key.
Having a hubby diagnosed with Crohnâs has forced me to look at all food labels and question ingredients when eating out (a very challenging situation, except for CA where the restaurants have a book detailed with each selectionâs ingredients).
Happy to hear that your garden is growing, even if your hens are getting the benefit!!