Many people don’t realize that part of our obesity problem in this country is tied directly to the USDA food guidelines illustrated in the Food Pyramid.  The current Food Pyramid was heavily influenced by the big agricultural companies (why you see so much emphasis on grains/bread, corn and soy).  For instance, the current guidelines for children barely contain any fats or oils, but loads of grains – which may be directly tied to our growing epidemic of adult-onset type II diabetes in children.  Children NEED fats and oils – in fact, we all do, but children most especially.   Our brains are 60% fat and 25% cholesterol and a child’s developing brain is desperate for fats for continued growth and development.

Well, if you would like to join us on Thursday, August 19 ,2010 at 6:00 at the Centreville Saute, you can find out more about what fats to eat and the great benefits of fats and oils.  Chef Bob Brown will be serving delicious appetizers after the class.  I will be talking about “So What Do We Eat Then?”  and will be presenting a food pyramid which is what people ate for thousands years before the USDA got involved and we all become sick.  To read more about the event and to register, please go here - which will take you to the Upcoming Events page on this website.

Local Food Beat was invited a week ago to the Metro Diner Cafe (next to Target in the new Parole Shopping Center in Annapolis) to meet the founder and chefs of the Metro Diner Cafes.  Here’s why I’m excited about Metro:  Chef Ype Von Hengst is committed to using only local, fresh ingredients when possible.  In fact, he has actually helped change the buying paradigm with Sysco.  He told Sysco he would just buy his own food from local farmers if Sysco was not willing to work with him on buying from local producers.  Before he knew it, Sysco was buying from local farmers.  Don’t ever doubt that one person can make a difference.  My meal was delicious and included, Chipotle Beef Sliders, Capri Salad, Napa Valley Spinach Salad, Crispy Jumbo Maryland Crabcakes (very good!), and beautiful cupcakes for dessert.  There was more food there, but that was all I could eat!  You can also feel good about eating chicken and/or beef because they will only serve anti-biotic and hormone free meat.  Also, their eggs and dairy (btw, they serve breakfast all day) are from Lancaster County.  I had to go back today and ordered the Banana Buttermilk Granola pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and bacon and it was all delicious.  Metro….we are so glad you are here and, more importantly, we are glad you are committed to food which serves the planet, the local economy and our taste buds.

 There is a free showing of Food, Inc. tomorrow night at The Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church in Odenton beginning at 7 p.m.   Local Food Beat will be on hand after the movie to facilitate a Q&A and discussion of the movie.  If you haven’t yet had the chance to view the movie, this is a great opportunity.

On Saturday, June 12th from 8:30 – 12:30 Local Food Beat will be joining dozens of other local vendors and businesses to join in on the Power of Fitness, a fun and fitness event which has been organized to help bring awareness to the benefits of exercise and wellness.  I will have a table and talking about the Local Food Resource List available free on my website, upcoming classes and answering any questions.  I will also have some Nourishing Traditions cookbooks for sale.  Finally, I will be offering a drawing for a 90 minute free consultation if you sign up for my newsletter.   The event will have a variety of exercise classes such as Yoga, Kukuwa, Zumba, strength and conditioning as well as the opportunity to sample health foods, receive a chair massage and much more.  In addition, there will be a major goodie bag given to ticket holders as you walk through the gate.  The whole morning is only $50 for your choice of classes and your choice of local food vendors including Punks Backyard Grill, Latin Quarters, Great Harvest Bread Bakery to name just a few.  If you would like a ticket, please email poweroffitness @ comcast.net or contact Teresa Giordana at 410-573-9393.  I look forward to meeting you.

BIG NEWS!! Local Food Beat has been asked to be the Featured Market Vendor for the June 2nd Sunday Green Market in West Annapolis.  So please stop by and visit me on Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  To read more about this monthly local community event, please go here.  Grow Annapolis will also be there with me.

I had a very interesting conversation I had with a friend in Texas.  She was telling me how her husband had bought conventional strawberries (rather than organic) and, as she had been eating a very clean diet (almost no sugar, organic, nutrient dense, local foods), she said she tasted something bitter with every bite of strawberry she had. She wanted to know if I thought that could really happen; i.e., if you clean up your diet enough, can you really begin to taste the bad stuff?  I told her that even a year ago I wouldn’t have believed it, but I believe it today in that I have had similar experiences (especially as I have eliminated about 90% of the sugar from my diet, I can really taste how sweet foods/sauces/condiments are that are not homemade.)  Then I received an updated Dirty Dozen list today.  This list is put out by the Environmental Working Group (become a fan on Facebook) and although strawberries are near the top, guess what was #1….CELERY!!  Who would have thought?!  Also, from the Environmental Working Group….just in time for summer, I received a list of sunscreens which were the most healthful to the most toxic.

Help save the Kent Island Fresh Market!  Here is a special message from Dr. Kristin Mowry of the Healing and Wellness Center of Kent Island:

Our weekly turnout is dwindling and you know what that means, the FRESH Market is at risk for closing!  This is sad because there is SO much more to come. The veggies will be in season soon and the more support that is here from you every week, the more opportunities that will come for everyone.   The first week, many of you came out and supported the farmers! However, with each following week the turnout has dwindled and the farmers are telling me that we need more people every week to make this worth their while.  So I ask you, please support this market.  Get your friends, family, co-workers, and churches here. Come on a weekly basis and be consistent with your presence. 

Well, I’m back from Little Rock, Alumni Weekend at University of the Ozarks, East Texas (Greenville) and Dallas.  I had 21 people at the Little Rock  cooking class and it was a smashing success. In fact, the Little Rock Whole Foods actually gave me all the food I needed for the class.  I already miss everyone.

Wonderful news….Sally Fallon Morell, author and founder of the Weston A Price Foundation, will be speaking for FREE tomorrow evening, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Washington College in Chestertown, MD.  She will be speaking on the dangers of  low-fat diets and urging us to return to a diet of traditional foods.  She will speak in the Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall, and this event is sponsored by the Anthropology Department and the Center for Environment & Society. Email Dr. Bill Schindler wschindler2@washcoll.edu for more information.

 Also, tomorrow night  Jamie Oliver’s Food Revoluntion has its final show tomorrow night (April 23).  I’m sad to see it end, but so happy with the discussion that has begun in this country about our children’s food.  It’s on ABC beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

And finally, here is a great link to a leaflet you can print off and pass out to friends and family: 10 Things Monsanto Does Not Want You to Know from Millions Against Monsanto.

Many of you don’t know this, but before I moved to the Chesapeake area I lived in Little Rock, AR for over three years.  So I am returning to visit friends and family this week and I thought while I was there I would contact some local Weston A Price folks to see about scheduling a cooking class.  Well, it has been a phenomenal endeavor and the class will be held at Eggshell Kitchen Co on April 15th at 7 p.m.  Heather and Sarah at Eggshells have been so helpful in getting this planned from over 1300 miles away.  The class was even written about in Hot In Little Rock.  Also, a special mention to Kelsey at the Little Rock Whole Foods. She ordered some special foods for me and will be attending as well.  Thanks to Lisa who is bringing her coconut oil, her Nourishing Traditions cookbook and some other items and to Rita for bringing chicken broth for us to taste and Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar.  Finally, a very special thanks to Carrie with Petit Jean Farms who will be donating some fresh cream and milk from their pastured animals. Petit Jean Farms is located in central Arkansas atop the beautiful Petit Jean Mountain.  It’s going to be a very special evening and I can’t wait to see everybody.