Get Growing!

Last year I didn't plant vegetables until the beginning of June.  At that time, I planted small plants and hoped they would provide me with a reasonable harvest.  They did not.  By the time my, one or two, peppers started getting larger, and my measly cucumber became a couple bites worth it was September and the sun had moved for the season leaving my finally flourishing veggies shaded and cool.  This will not happen to me this year!

On a warm day this past February I decided it was time to take action.  My plan was to successfully grow the vegetables I buy the most and do so inexpensively.  Taking the shortcut and buying small plants was not an option.  So, a week ago today I planted cucumbers, radishes, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, and snap peas in little peet cups that will serve as fertilizer when I plant them directly into my garden next month.  Delightfully, I already have some little sprouts!  The weather has been amazingly warm and sunny this past week so I have been able to keep my little ones outside during the day to reap all the benefits of the sun.  At night, since they are just on a cookie sheet (thanks to my co-worker, Kim, for that tip), I bring them inside and put them on the stove.  Yes, the stove.  Naturally, you would think I would put them on the counter but last year my husband, Kris tried to start some seeds on the counter and windowsill and our three little kittens nearly lost their residency because they nibbled all his sprouts while we slept.

Now is the perfect time to start your garden and do it economically.  With a few peet cups, bag of seed starter soil, seeds of your choice, cookie sheet, and a couple of minutes you can be on your way to a summer of fresh, homegrown vegetables.  Include your kids in the process.  They'll love getting dirty, watching the magic of growing things they planted, and most of all, eating veggies they grew and harvested!  I can't think of many things more satisfying and delightful than watching tiny seeds in dirt become green shoots and then food.

Happy, Healthy, & Delicious!

You don't have to be vegan, vegetarian, organic, raw, or whatever to eat healthy.  In fact, the previously mentioned dietary lifestyles can be VERY unhealthy without the proper knowledge.

Recently I came across the cookbook "The Happy Herbivore Cookbook".  Is it a vegan cookbook?  Yep.  Does it contain delicious recipes for anyone trying to put healthier side dishes on the table or have one or two vegetarian dinners a week?  Absolutely!  I mentioned this find to my cousin and to my delight, she already had it.  That got me thinking about my "Veganomicon" cookbook collecting dust on my shelf.  It's considered the bible (or encyclopedia, if you prefer) of vegan cookbooks.  It's introduction is almost a textbook lesson in food and nutrition, therefor, more than providing me with delicious meat and dairy free recipes, it taught me the importance of supplementing and substituting.

So, if you're looking to switch things up this year and throw in a few low-fat dinners throughout the week I highly recommend these two cookbooks.  Maybe your burger and french fries night will become southwestern black bean burgers with baked herb hash browns and tangy green beans.  It won't kill anyone to try something new and shine a delicious light on foods that may otherwise go untried.  And don't forget, kids are AWESOME helpers in the kitchen.  If they make it, they'll eat it...probably ;o).

An Apple A Day...

Right about this time of year, when the temps go down and you start trying to pull on your jeans, I need a little pick me up and a way to encourage myself to eat healthier both to ward off colds and flues but also, and very important, to slide into my beloved jeans easier.  Enter, THE HONEY CRISP APPLE!

This time every year the rush is on to gather up as many of these crisp, juicy, sweet, and all around delicious apples as possible.  With just the first bite my body sings.  I feel better both inside and out and all of a sudden I want to make better choices for myself.  It's the perfect snack, you will be full and satisfied for hours.  Try eating one of these, or any other variety, examples of nature's perfect foods every day for a week.  I just bet you start (or keep) making healthier decisions and feeling great!

Grab some at your local supermarket or, for some fall family fun, check out Garwoods Orchard in LaPorte, IN and U-Pick some yourself!  http://www.garwoodorchard.com/