OBESITY and HBO

A recent article stated that with obesity moving off the radar screen, there is a promise of a new obesity drug. 


The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 42% of American adults will be obese, including 11% defined as "severely obese" by 2030.  Ironically, this report coincides with the news that the Federal Transit Administration is going to start testing the breaking and steering capabilities of buses due to heavier riders.  Months before, the Coast Guard lowered certain ferry boat capacity limits for the same reason.

HBO aired a 4 part documentary called Weight of a Nation:

Consequences
Choices
Children in Crisis
Challenges

HBO has also developed a website and Facebook page designed to help people get involved in the solution.  Their clever subtitle:  To win, we have to lose."

http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/

check it out!!!!

PS:  The REAL question is:  WHY won't people just eat more nutritious foods (Dr. Fuhrman / Eat To Live) and STOP eating the snacks and horrid fast food?  NO drugs necessary!  Adapt a better life style.

FOODSCAPE CONTEST BY JUNE 15TH

One of my favorite magazines, Eating Well is sponsoring a FOODSCAPE contest.  The question is:  "How does your edible garden grow?"  The magazine is asking how you creatively grow food in your backyard (or terrace).  At stake is a $500 gift certificate to Gardener's Supply Company and more.

The deadline is quickly approaching: June 15th.  Winners will be announced on July 1st.  For the details on how to enter and the requirements go to:

http://www.eatingwell.com/

look under the heading: FOOD NEWS AND THE COMMUNITY

TOMATO PEACH SALSA

cherry tomatoes from the garden

INGREDIENTS:

2 ripe peaches, diced

1 1/2 to 2 pints cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/4s

1/2 large red onion, minced

1 yellow sweet pepper, diced

cilantro to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbsp. white vinegar

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

1/4 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 limes, juiced

DIRECTIONS:

In a food processor, puree about 3/4 cup of the whole baby tomatoes. 

Mix together the peaches, the blended tomatoes, the diced tomatoes, red onion and pepper.  Season with the cilantro, salt and pepper.

Add the vinegar, agave nectar, oil and lime juice.  Stir all together and let sit a bit to blend the flavors.



serve as a salsa or as a cold soup / gazpacho

UPDATED GARDEN PROGRESS

These plants are going crazy!  The word in our neighborhood is; you can't grow tomatoes.  AND last year, I didn't, despite all of the money and effort.  Totally up for the challenge, I'm trying again and so far so good.  I'm always holding my breath.   A few of the cherry tomatoes have already been consumed.  YUM

CHECK OUT THE GARDEN PROGRESS

tomato plants in earth boxes

my new BUSH tomatoes

hidden zucchini / can you spot it?

more earth box tomatoes

cherry tomatoes ripen early

YES, the occasional tropical flower in my garden

limes growing nicely

eggplant, 2 kinds

background, radishes and pole beans

pole beans, already harvesting

the basil garden

SUMMER'S GARDEN / the good, the bad and the ugly

I got an early start this summer (late March) and the garden is already producing.  This yard is a cook's delight.  My garden is the epitome of organic field to table.  Already I have juiced, grilled, sauteed and roasted.  Here's a few of the early pictures.

first of the zucchini

first radish crop

carrot from hell / left in the ground way too many months

YIKES!  and this came from a seed?

veggies ready for roasting

another combination of roasted vegetables, includes the garden greenbeans

Nancy's Italian zucchini  / previously posted

NANCY T'S ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Nancy, Marlboro's best school secretary ever, showed me this one.  It's quick and delicious.  Serve with some whole wheat pasta.

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium onion, cut into cubes
2 medium zucchinis, cut into large cubes
2 cans chopped tomatoes, with basil, oil and garlic
1/4 cup red wine
fresh basil and oregano
1 tsp powdered veggie broth
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper


DIRECTIONS:

Put all ingredients in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, cover and simmer till all the flavors marry and veggies are soft.  Serve atop a good thick whole wheat pasta.

Mixture ready to cover and simmer

PICKLES

These garden "mistake" cukes ended up making a great snack that involved NO cooking.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cold water
1/3 cup wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. sea salt
2 tsp. sugar
5 whole peppercorns - fresh
fresh ground pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 lg. bunch fresh dill
about 6 pickling cucumbers

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the above in a bowl (then later transfer to a mason jar) OR a lg. zip lock baggie.

Cut each pickling cucumber into halves.  Cut both halves into thirds.  You can also cut and discard the ends then slice the cucumbers for "chip" pickles.  Do NOT store in a metal container.

Add sliced cucumbers.

These only have to sit 2 days in the fridge to season.  The flavor variations are endless.  They are quick and taste great.  I have a batch brewing right now with sliced red onion and even more dill.

the mixture for "pickling"

fresh dill from the garden

cut properly and ready to marinate