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Fish, fish and more fish.

June 24th, 2011

 

Last Wednesday, I was invited to attend the last of the Fresh Thoughts Sustainable Seafood Dining Series Dinners  at the National Aquarium in Washington DC featuring Chef Xavier DeShayes of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and Chef Susan Delbert of the National Press Club.  It was an outstanding evening of good food, conversation and education about the importance of eating legally caught (and local) seafood.  The hors d’ouevres included a raw oyster bar and clams and unbelievable local mini blue crab cakes made by Chef Delbert (I had way too many of those!).  The main course was, of course, Rockfish (line caught) with a local squash ratatouille.    The dessert….well, a picture is worth a thousand words on this.  We, as individual consumers, can support sustainable seafood choices which can make a difference in the fish populations and the overall health of our oceans.   One specific item we can do is to be able to spot when we think a restaurant may be serving illegal Rockfish.  Legally caught Rockfish will have tags and (most) chefs will usually retain the tags.  If they don’t have them it doesn’t mean they are illegal, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if only to raise awareness to the restaurant that at least one customer is aware and wanting to eat only legally caught Rockfish.  And remember the old adage if it’s too good to be true?  Well, it definitely applies to Rockfish prices.  If the price on that menu is the cheapest you’ve ever seen, watch out…it most likely will be illegally caught.  For more information on what other seafood should NOT be served, go here.  Visit www.seafoodwatch.org to obtain a  list of sensible seafood choices.  I keep a pocket shopping guide with me and often refer to it at restaurants if I’m not sure whether I should order the fish special or not.  As for local choices:  Two Oceans (Alaskan wild caught salmon, Rockfish); the Annapolis Seafood Market where you can purchase fresh and local caught Rockfish and crabmeat; contact Choptank Sweets or Circle C Oyster Ranchers Association for oysters; sustainably raised shrimp  visit Marvesta Farms.  Finally,

don’t forget about my Local Food Beat’s Local Food Resource List which lists a few more local seafood options.

Saturday May 7th…Wellness and Fitness Event

April 29th, 2011

 Join The Power of Fitness  on Saturday, May 7th for a wellness and fitness event extravaganza to include, Zumba, kickboxing, yoga, free blood pressure readings, jewelry/art, chair massage, and food vendors will be offering fantastic food including vegetarian and gluten-free items.  Plus Local Food Beat will be there discussing the benefits of coconut oil!  This wonderful day of pampering is only $40 per person, or 2 for $70. Tickets available on  www.thepoweroffitness.com.  For questions, please call 410-573-9393. Severna Park Community Center, 623 Baltimore – Annapolis Blvd.  9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Local Grass-Fed Beef Resources

April 22nd, 2011

When I began my own localvore movement nearly four years ago, there wasn’t any local grass-fed products to be found in Anne Arundel County – or at least any that I knew of.  Now,  My Butcher and More  who sells 100% natural, grass-fed jersey steer from St. Brigid’s Farm, is just down the street from me!  Mike Smollon, owner, also sells Trickling Springs milk and butter and some local pastured eggs.   I also want to introduce to you a pastured-based producer who I just heard about this past Sunday through the Southern Maryland Meats Program:  Zekiah Farms located in Bryantown, MD.  They are raising goats as well as chickens and beef.  Also, the Saturday morning Riva Road Farmers Market can now boast Allen Colhoun of Ivy Brand Farms , a 9th generation Anne Arundel County grass-fed beef farmer.  You can also find Allen’s meats at Homestead Nursery in Davidsonville.  More contact info for him is 443-221-1310 or  allen@surfnetusa.com.

Also, if you are in the mood for an old fashioned, ammonia-free hamburger, Leeward Market in Eastport has grass-fed burgers on the menu from beef that was raised in Anne Arundel County.  They also serve pastured eggs.  Leeward Market is located at 601 Second Street on the corner of Second and Chester.

If  you are what you eat (and I believe we are) and you want to keep your money in your local community, please consider buying local!  You can find a complete list of Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets and a Local Food Resource List here.

 

Do You Want Backyard Chickens? And Where to Find Local Eggs!

March 25th, 2011

Last year in April when I went back home to Texas and Arkansas to visit, 2 of the 3 friends/family I stayed with had backyard chickens! And in the year since then, I have had several friends in Anne Arundel County begin to raise their own backyard chickens. As a matter of fact, I picked up some fresh eggs a few weeks ago from some backyard chickens living in the middle of a residential section in Arnold.  Please email Shannon if you are interested in buying some eggs (she is looking for buyers).  Her email is shanditzy27@aol.com.  Her chickens are outdoors and fed soy-free grain.  Also, please go to my Local Food Resource List for a listing of other sources of local eggs.  Not on the list is My Butcher and More who sells eggs from The Hens Nest in New Windsor, MD.  They are grain fed (most likely not GMO/soy-free, but are pastured.)  I also know that Leeward Market in Eastport serves only free-ranging/happy chicken eggs as does The Wild Orchid Cafe.

Okay…now back to backyard chickens.  It seems there is a movement afoot to make this sustainable, local way of eating a law here in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. Mayor Josh Cohen is strongly in favor of chickens in the city of Annapolis and they would like to have folks show their interest and support.  I have pasted below a sample letter you can send to either your City Council or County Council member.  In the meantime, read this great article from Baltimore Magazine on the backyard chicken trend. 

Dear Councilman ______________:  My name is ________ and I am a resident in your district . I have been a resident in Anne Arundel County for _______ years and am disappointed to learn that as a responsible, tax paying member of your district, I am not allowed to raise chickens. You may be aware of the growing popularity of backyard chickens. As cultures shift to become healthier and families strive for sustainability, chickens are an ideal step in that direction. Chickens are quiet (far quieter than my neighbor’s dogs), clean (eat ticks, fleas and other nuisances from the soil) and produce fresh eggs that are healthier than store purchased eggs.

Can you support legislation to make a change in the current Anne Arundel County Code? The current code restricts residents with less than 40,000 square feet from having any chickens. I understand the need to maintain and set limits and would suggest following the trend of other communities. Many communities that have seen an increase in popularity for the backyard flock have set an upper limit on the number of hens (fewer than 12) and set a minimum distance to neighboring homes (such as 25′ in Baltimore city). These restrictions are very manageable.

A recent issue of Baltimore Magazine featured an article on this very topic (“Coming Home to Roost” by Michele McFarland, March 2011 Baltimore Magazine). I am confident you already have a lot of support from your constituents on this topic and encourage you take a leading stand. Thank you for your time and attention with this matter.”

Join the City Dock Community Garden

March 4th, 2011

Grow Annapolis is now accepting Plot Applications for the City Dock Community Garden in Downtown Annapolis. If you are interested in joining this garden, please submit your applications online by March 15th. Gardenerships will be given on a first come basis.  To read more about this great Annapolis project and to fill out an application, go here.

GOT (Grass-Fed) MILK?

February 25th, 2011

Milk is vastly different than what was consumed in the 1950’s.  Back then, cows produced 4 to 5 gallons of protein-rich milk with high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids (which are natural anti-inflammatories) and up to five times CLA  (conjugated linoleic acid) which boosts your immune system and is also anti-inflammatory.  Now, half of the milk in this country comes from just 3% of the dairy farms.  That is milk from confined cows who eat grains (corn and soy – usually GMO), have no access to exercise (whereas, a healthy cow should walk about a mile a day) and is producing between 8 to 10 gallons of milk a day due to artificial growth hormones. A cow is a ruminant, which means it should be eating grass and not grains.   Of course, these confinement dairy producers will tell you that the milk has the same health benefits as the grass-fed, pastured cow’s milk.  But I think common sense should tell you otherwise.

Well, there are more options than ever to get the milk you may remember drinking as a kid – starting with Trickling Springs in Chambersburg, PA.  You can find Trickling Springs milk, cream and butter at Graul’s, Whole Foods, The Dutch Market in Annapolis, Sun & Earth, and MOM’s. Trickling Springs uses milk only from happy, grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone free cows!

Would you like grass-fed, antibiotic, hormone free REAL GLASS BOTTLED MILK, (and many other products) delivered right to your house just like the old days? Well, it’s possible now in Annapolis thanks to South Mountain Creamery (Middleton, MD).   To read more about what they feed their cows, go here.

Natural by Nature (West Grove, PA) is one of my favorite products.  I use their Half and Half for my coffee.  They are organic, grass-fed and use a low –temp pasteurization. I buy this at Whole Foods and MOM’s.

And, finally…Snowville Creamery in Pomeroy, Ohio. A bit out of the 100 mile range I like to keep, but I’m so pleased with their philosophy that I wanted to include them.  Their cows are grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free and minimally processed.  You can buy this at Whole Foods, MOM’s and probably any health/whole food store in your area.

 Of course, on any of these milks, I would recommend that you drink the whole milk…why take out all the good nutrients (Vitamins A & D) that have been placed there by nature by drinking a low-fat or non-fat.

Politically Incorrect Nutrition: Debunking the Low-Fat Myth

January 27th, 2011

Well, let me begin this blog with an apology for NOT blogging reglarly the past six months.  Thus, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to blog at least once a week.  I have had a lot of personal changes (challenges and triumphs) since May of last year and am just now really coming into a more stable time in my life. 

Having said all that….Local Food Beat has a new class:  Politically Incorrect Nutrition:  Debunking the Low-Fat Myth.  Read what a student said:  “I attended your Politically Incorrect food seminar on January 8 and was fascinated by much of the material. The slides showing the progression of obesity rates from the CDC site was memorable, followed by your explanation of the impact corn and soy products have on the food system. As you recommended, I went home and watched Food, Inc. which is a very disturbing film. That convinced me to take your advice and try ingesting grass-fed animal products. I started this on Saturday and have already noticed a difference in: (a) the amount of food I eat which is so much less than before; (b) my mood is terrific; (c) my energy levels are fantastic; and (d) I am sleeping soundly without waking up at night.  What a difference! I was a little suspicious about your claim that you lost 20+ lbs just eating properly… Now, I understand how you did it. It really is true that you can easily control appetite when eating the right, but politically incorrect, foods.” GW

 I could not have said it better myself.  I lost over 20 lbs in 2010 without being hungry and/or depriving myself of good, nutrient dense food…and have kept it off.  I went from a size 10/12 to a solid size 6.

 The next class is Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 7 – 8:30 pm at my house (snow date is 2/17).  Due to space it is limited to 10 people.  Please go to Upcoming Events to register.  Upon registration, I will be giving the address.  Hope to see you!  Also, don’t forget that Local Food Beat has a facebook page.  I post a lot of good information including Winter Farmers Market info as well as local food and event information and related articles.

Save Our Raw Cheese! And Senate Bill 510

November 19th, 2010

Would you believe the following statement has actually been made by the FDA and is in the public record?   “The American people have no ”fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health” and “do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish”.   Senate Bill 510 may be one of the biggest threats to small producers and farmers than has ever been seen before.  The American Thinker had the following to say about the bill.  “Introduced by Dick Durbin of Illinois, the bill has moved through the usual phases of amalgamation and deal-making. The monstrosity advancing to the floor on Wednesday is not so much “food safety” as it is the decadence of the rights of small farmers, hobbyist food producers, garden-variety farmers markets, and your average small producer of foodstuffs. Under the rubric of safety, this Senate proposes a bill that establishes such new and sweeping powers over how you and I produce and consume foodstuffs that even the Pew Charitable Trusts are calling S510 a clear and present danger.” It is imperative that we call our Senators TODAY and MONDAY and ask them to vote AGAINST S.510.  I have already called twice this week.  Here are the numbers:  Cardin: (202) 224-4524 and Mikukski: (202) 224-4654.  If you would like to read more about this bill, please visit The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund’s website and read their talking points.

Now on to Who Stole the Cheese?!  And this really is all the same issue because small farmers and producers are being attacked from every direction.  There have been numerous farm raids in the past 6 months (including my own Amish farmer with just 36 cows). FDA officials have served warrants, knocked on farmers doors at the early hours disturbing unsuspecting local farmers, and demanded healthy nourishing foods to be destroyed without justified cause.  A great partner of Local Food Beat is Nourishing Creations, and Liz has written a great blog on the raid and I am reposting:

   ” ….our Amish Farmer was raided and spied on by agents earlier this year. He is a gentle peaceful farmer who cares for his farm and supports his family off of his land.  It infuriated me when I found out agents came to his farm, unannounced at 5 in the morning during “normal” business hours. The agents terrified his children and family. His children asked, “Is daddy going to jail?“   That’s when I broke into tears- because this kind, and peaceful man who raises his animals in a natural and healthy way- supports and provides food for many people- including my child who thrives on food and dairy from his farm.

We have to protect our local farmers who provide us the clean, health building foods that our families and our nation needs to be well- and to raise up a well formed and nourished future generation.  If WE don’t stop this from happening NOW, then who will?   We must ensure access to healthy local foods for ourselves, the farmers, and the future generation. We have the RIGHT to choose and EAT healthy nutrient dense foods!  No more bullying our farmers!”

Amen Liz!

October 11th, 2010

One of the more discouraging results of  “nutritionists” misguided emphasis on eating low-fat and cholesterol free foods is infertility…now happening in younger and younger women.  Cara Bergman is the founder and owner of Stillwater Fertility Clinic , Maryland’s Natural Fertility and Women’s Care Clinic in Severna Park, Maryland.  Cara has given numerous talks about the importance of nutrient dense foods especially for pre-conception and for growing children.    Here are Cara’s top ten foods to eat to enhance fertility and the top foods to avoid.

 Top 10 Foods to Enhance Fertility

 

1. Bone Broth – old fashioned chicken soup made with the bones.  Add a splash of vinegar to the water so that the nutrients come out of the bones and into the broth. 

2. Liver - especially from grass-fed animals.  Eating liver once a month provides nearly the same nutrients as eating red meat every day of the month.  

3. Lacto-fermented Vegetables - if you haven’t tried these, read more about my favorite brand Fab Ferments

4. Fermented Cod liver Oil – If you only take ONE supplement ever, it should be fermented cod liver oil in my opinion.  It is an excellent source of Vitamin D among other things.

5. Wild-caught Salmon high in Omega 3′s -

6. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea – Great uterine tonic.  Good to drink throughout pregnancy.

7. Greens - especially wild greens like dandelion.

8. Kefir - both yogurt and kefir have beneficial bacteria.  The difference is that the bacteria in yogurt is transient – it will do good things and then leave your system where as the bacteria in kefir colonizes and continues to fight off pathogens in the gut.

9. Nettles tea – look for this in health food stores.  It supports the adrenals and helps your body build blood.

10. Grass-fed meat  – Animals need to be outside eating a natural diet to be healthy. 

Top 10 Food to Avoid

 

1. Trans-fat - it will say “partially hydrogenated oil” on the label

2. Margarine - is usually made from rancid oils and is full of chemicals.  Butter (especially from grass-fed animals) is a much better choice.

3. Soy – the only soy I recommend is fermented soy and only in small amounts.  However, if you have any thyroid problems or if you are trying to conceive, it is best to avoid all soy.  Most is genetically modified and the estrogen-like compounds may disrupt the endocrine system.

4. Fat free or low fat dairy – most low fat milk has powdered milk added to it which has oxidized cholesterol. 

5. Enriched Flour = White flour + synthetic vitamins.  Whole grains that are soaked or sprouted are better.

6. Sugar - one of the most harmful (and addictive) substances in our diets 

7. Sodas - especially diet sodas – some fertility clinics will not even work with people until they go off of artificial sweeteners.

8. Coffee - depleting to the adrenals.  In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are responsible for reproduction. 

9. Vegetable oils – including canola oil – most are genetically modified and rancid.  They are also usually too high in Omega 6′s which creates an Omega 3 / Omega 6 imbalance.

10. MSG - it is given to rats to induce obesity.  Will show up as “hydrolyzed yeast extract” or “autolyzed yeast extract” or many other pseudo names.

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October 11th, 2010

Because I do advocate eating animal fats (and lots of them), I am often asked what I think about a plant-based diet alone.  I am not an advocate of a solely plant-based diet because I think we were made to consume meat.  The one caveat to that is I want the animal I eat to be allowed to be in its biological distinctiveness; i.e., a cow on a grass, a chicken grazing outdoors, a pig rootin’ around in oak trees.  My personal conviction is that I don’t eat meat from an animal whose biolology has been manipulated for profits. For example:  A confined chicken kept in light 24/7 so they continue to lay eggs or a dairy cow that is fed hormones so it can be milked 600 days straight and then die.  I want no part of that. But there are (now) hundreds of farmers who are committed to raising animals on pasture (grass fed), feeding them a diet that is appropriate to their kind, and killed humanely – and that is the kind of meat and dairy products I consume and purchase.

I am often asked a lot about the book The China Study in which the author, T. Colin Campbell, states: ”Eating foods that contain any cholesterol above 0 mg is unhealthy.”  If you know anything about brains and neurons, you should find that statement downright frightening.   Our brains are 25% cholesterol and 60% fat and our nervous system depends upon fat and cholesterol.  In fact, we can’t even make Vitamin D (which is a steroid hormone as well as a vitamin) nor can we make our sex hormones unless we have cholesterol.  Your liver does make the majority of the cholesterol that you need (if it’s functioning properly..and most are not), but it is crucial to obtain the rest of your needed cholesterol (about 15%) from food.  Well, Chris Masterjohn has done THE work on answering Dr. Campbell’s book and I recommend you go here to read more.  Dr. Mercola also has a good review of The China Study as well. Both Dr. Mercola and Chris Masterjohn also have facebook pages which I highly recommend you “like.”  They both post a wealth of information.

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