Entry bubble Vegetarian Awareness Month

By: Jess | October 22, 2009 | Category: Health

Fruits and vegetablesI know to many Americans the thought of living without meat seems practically impossible. But there's an entire group of people in the country who do it and love it. Vegetarianism has many forms, from the super flexible flexitarian, who eats meat on occasion, to the extremely strict vegan, who doesn't buy any product that was tested on animals or contains any animal products.

The North American Vegetarian Society dubbed October as Vegetarian Awareness Month to teach people some of the benefits of not eating meat. Don't worry, the group isn't trying to convert you. It just wants to show you that it's possible to go a day, a week or even a month without eating meat and still have plenty of yummy and healthy options.

Personally, I consider myself a flexitarian. I only eat meat if it's served to me or if I'm at a restaurant and the vegetarian options aren't that great. Or on that rare occasion when I just want a turkey sandwich. For me it wasn't a big moment when I realized eating meat was wrong, or anything like that. Touching raw meat in the kitchen just kind of grosses me out.

So in honor of Vegetarian Awareness Month, I present you with a challenge. Check out some of the great vegetarian resources from USA.gov and explore some vegetarian recipes and lifecycle information available. Pick a recipe and try it. You might be surprised to find that a diet based in fruits, vegetables and healthy grains tastes better than you expected.

Do you consider yourself a vegetarian? 

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Entry bubble Experimenting with new recipes

By: Jess | March 12, 2009 | Category: Health

Vegetables in a bowlWhen I was thrust into the real world after college, it was my first real opportunity to cook my own meals. As a health nerd, I had a couple recipes that I knew were nutritious, but after making grilled chicken with vegetables or salmon with broccoli hundreds of times, the recipes started to get boring and I was craving something different.

Often that meant I would hit the salad bar at my grocery store or order a veggie hoagie from a sandwich shop. While still nutritious, these on-the-go meals started to make a dent in my budget.

In honor of National Nutrition Month, I'm challenging myself to try at least one new recipe a week. This week I made a vegetarian stir fry that I found on a friend's blog. Next week I might try some of the heart-healthy recipes from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. In my quest to put lots of color on my plate, I'll definitely explore recipe options from the the Centers for Disease Control that focus on creating meals around fruits and veggies. And of course, I'll check out meal options from the United States Department of Agriculture as I try to put as much variety in my menus as possible.

If this sounds like a challenge you are up for, I'd love to have you join me. If you're worried that healthy cooking is going to be too expensive, you can check out tips for cooking thrifty meals that are still healthy. Nutrition.gov is another place you can turn for healthy eating guidelines.

If you know of any other great nutritious recipe sources please feel free to share in the comments!

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Entry bubble Shopping at Local Farmers Markets

By: Nicole | May 30, 2008 | Category: General

Yesterday, when I stepped outside to walk my oversized puppy, I discovered a lovely sunny evening. As we wandered down the path, I was greeted by the distinct smell of fresh cut grass and the sweet scent of honeysuckle. Summer is definitely just around the corner. Sure, that means blistering hot days and relentless humidity, but it also means extra hours of sunlight and the occasional perfect evening.

I have another reason to be excited about summer: it’s the season for fresh produce. Farmers markets should be regrouping across the country, offering fresh local fruits and veggies, as well as dairy and meat products. The USDA farmers market search can help you find nearby markets and their hours of operation. Many of these markets begin in April or May and continue though November. Some places are lucky enough to have year-round markets.

Produce Stand

Gov Gab bloggers have written before about the benefits of organic gardening and cooking with locally grown foods, but many folks (like me) can’t grow a garden. For us, there are farmers markets.

Rest assured, there are lots of rewards for buying local produce in this time-honored fashion. You can support local farmers, especially those who practice organic, humane, and sustainable farming techniques. You won’t have to worry about a middle-man taking most of the profit, and you can make more informed decisions about what you buy. In addition, you’ll be helping the environment. Conventional stores often transport food from distant regions, which is expensive and requires additional fuel, especially if the food needs refrigeration.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll get to experience the wonderful flavor of fresh-picked fruits and veggies. One of my seasonal favorites is fresh asparagus (with a hint of butter). What’s yours?

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