Thursday, October 28, 2010

Green Earth Organics Toronto: Ontario Rosemary Rutabaga with Ginger-Roasted Pear...

Green Earth Organics Toronto: Ontario Rosemary Rutabaga with Ginger-Roasted Pear...: "Ingredients 4 pounds Rutabaga, peeled, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin Olive Oil 1 tablespoon fresh Lemon juice..."

Ontario Rosemary Rutabaga with Ginger-Roasted Pears

Ingredients
4 pounds Rutabaga, peeled, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh Lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh Ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
3 firm Red Pears (about 1 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
5 tablespoons Butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Rosemary
Preparation
Cook rutabagas in pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F. Oil large rimmed baking sheet. Combine oil, lemon juice, ginger, and sugar in large bowl. Add pears; toss to coat. Spread on prepared sheet. Roast until tender, turning pears every 10 minutes, about 35 minutes total.
Drain rutabagas; return to same pot. Mash to coarse puree. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates, 5 minutes. Add cream, butter, and rosemary. Mix in pears and any juices from baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. Cover; chill. Rewarm at 1-minute intervals.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

ALMOST PERFECT By Valerie Hould-Marchand

Commonly referred to as “the poor man’s meat“legumes have nourished people for thousands of years. The consumption of legumes dates back more than 11 000 years. To this day, they are a dietary staple in many parts of the world. Their ability to absorb the flavours of other foods, herbs and spices makes them a valuable addition to any diet. Not to mention, they are incredibly nutritious and will give you long-lasting energy.

Legumes are high in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, iron, calcium and are naturally low in fat. In fact, a few servings of legumes every week can help people suffering from diabetes by keeping the blood sugar levels under control. And like most complex carbohydrates, they provide a gradual supply of glucose instead of a quick surge like most simple carbohydrates. They are also known to considerably lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent colon disorders.

These little nutritional darlings pack more protein than any other plant-derived food, and they won’t break your budget!


A BAD REPUTATION

So why aren't you eating more of them? They sound perfect right? Well, almost perfect... Unfortunately, they are infamous for causing intestinal distress and flatulence. This can be an unpleasant side effect and a valid concern.
Don’t worry, I have a few tricks.

1. Start slow! Build up a tolerance for legumes by eating small amounts, then gradually increase your intake to a full serving. Chewing well is also an important step as it encourages your body's own formation of the enzymes necessary for proper digestion.

2. Soaking legumes in water overnight makes them easier to digest. When morning comes, rinse your legumes and use fresh water to cook them in.
Soak 1 cup of legumes in 4 cups of water.

3. Try adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the water before serving. The vinegar will help break down the protein chains and indigestible compounds.
A squeeze of fresh lemon can do nicely as well.


4. Adding sea vegetables, brown rice or fennel seeds while cooking your legumes can also reduce gas and bloating.


So next time you pass them in the grocery aisle, reach for the fresh or dried legumes, and add them to your favourite dishes.

FUN FACT

A peanut is not actually a nut.
Despite what their name implies, peanuts are technically a member of the legumes family. And besides providing you with key nutrients like protein, selenium and vitamin E, they have recently been found to contain resveratrol, a phytonutrient found in red wine that has been shown to help reduce heart disease.


Until next time,

Heal yourself
Heal the planet

References:
Alive Academy-Natural Health Fundamentals
Prescription for dietary wellness, Phyllis A. Balch,cnc

Monday, October 25, 2010

Pomegranate, Gold Beet, and Orange Salad

Makes 4 first-course servings
4 medium Gold Beets
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup blood orange juice (from about 1 blood orange)
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses*
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
3 blood oranges, peeled, cut into1/4-inch-thick slices
1 cup pomegranate seeds (from one 11-ounce pomegranate)


Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beets in roasting pan and toss with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover pan with foil; roast beets until knife easily pierces center, about 50 minutes. Cool. Peel beets and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges.
Whisk orange juice, pomegranate molasses, vinegar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl to blend. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Place onion in small bowl; cover with cold water. Soak onion 1 minute, drain, and squeeze dry in kitchen towel. Add beets, onion, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds to vinaigrette in bowl; toss. Season salad with salt and pepper.

Our Gift Baskets

This season GEO is happy to introduce a fine selection of organic gift baskets, including everything from a fruit only in small or large, to the breakfast basket for the person who is an early riser. We also have an organic gourmet basket for ones who love to cook. Our baskets are delivered free of charge if they fall on schedule. If you need a special delivery day or time we will happily accommodate for a $5 delivery charge. Keep us in mind for your gifting needs and send your message of appreciation in organic food, because who doesn’t love to eat? Each basket includes a GEO original recipe suited for the products in the basket. This basket is everything pink and delicious to spoil yourself and $7 from the sale of each basket go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The basket is made of certified organic bamboo and includes pink organic bamboo salad tongs, Cocoa Camino 65% raspberry chocolate and 60% Theobroma raspberry chunk chocolate. It also includes gluten-free gourmet goodness GIRLNOLA and is filled to the top with the finest selection of seasonal organic fruits

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Mousse aux Fraises (Strawberry Mousse)

1 pound strawberries, plus 6 small ones for decoration if you wish
juice from 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
4 egg whites
pinch of salt
In a blender or food processor, puree strawberries with lemon juice and sugar.
In a mixing bowl beat cream until it is stiff. Gradually and gently mix the whipped cream with the berries.
In another mixing bowl beat egg whites with salt until stiff. Mix one cup of egg whites into berry and cream mixture, and then gently fold this back into egg whites.
Pour the mousse into individual serving dishes and decorate with a strawberry. Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Makes 6 servings.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Stinking Rose By Valerie Hould-Marchand

It is no secret that garlic is a superfood. In fact, it has been praised since ancient times as a cure-all medicine. Garlic was not only placed in the tomb of Pharaohs, it was supposedly given to the builders of the pyramids to enhance their strength and endurance. Ancient Greeks and Romans also recognized the strength-enhancing qualities, whose soldiers consumed garlic before going off to war. Science, however, was slow to catch up with its well deserved reputation.

In 1858, scientist Louis Pasteur was able to prove that garlic could kill bacteria. Garlic is now known to be a powerful ally in the fight against numerous health problems.


Nicknamed the "Stinking Rose", it is a member of the lily family and is a cousin to leeks, onions, shallots and chives. Garlic can lower blood pressure, treat infections and protect circulation. It is a natural antibiotic and stimulates the immune system.

SPECIFIC BENEFITS

As mentioned above, Garlic is effective in treating or preventing numerous medical conditions. Here are a few health-promoting actions of garlic :

-Acidophilus growth stimulant
-Antibacterial agent
-Antifungal agent
-Antioxidant agent
-Antiaging agent
-Antistress agent
-Liver-protective agent

The following health problems may be helped by garlic consumption :

-Allergies
-Bronchitis
-Cardiovascular disease
-Colds and flu
-Gastrointestinal disorders
-High toxin level
-High cholesterol

RECOMMENDED INTAKE

So how much garlic should you consume everyday? The recommended daily intake is one to two cloves a day.It can be taken in a supplement form, eaten fresh or used in oil. Don’t worry : making your own garlic oil is easy! Just add peeled whole garlic cloves to a quart of olive oil
( Rinse the cloves before soaking them in the oil ). I encourage you to experiment with the number of cloves that will satisfy your taste buds. The garlic oil will keep for up to one month in the refrigerator.

FUN FACT

Always crush your garlic and let it sit for at least one minute before you change its temperature or alter its pH balance. This will allow the alliinase enzymes the chance to work on behalf of your health by increasing the health benefits you receive from garlic.

And if you are worried about what your breath will smell like after consuming so much garlic, simply chew a bit of parsley or mint and the unpleasant odor will be history.

Heal yourself
Heal the planet

Valerie

Sources :
-Prescription for Nutritional Healing
-Prescription for Dietary Wellness
alive Academy

Green Earth Organics Toronto: Girlnola Breakfast Banana

Green Earth Organics Toronto: Girlnola Breakfast Banana: "We've just introduced this new GIRLNOLA, an amazing way to power your morning and energize your self for the day! Serves 1 Ingredients 1 Ba..."

Girlnola Breakfast Banana

We've just introduced this new GIRLNOLA, an amazing way to power your morning and energize your self for the day!

Serves 1
Ingredients
1 Banana
Pinch of Cardamom
Pinch of Cinnamon
3/4 cup of your favourite milk (coconut, rice, soy)
1 Tbsp Shredded Coconut
2 Big Spoons Of Gojinana Girlnola
Directions
Slice banana diagonally into bowl, sprinkle spices and top with milk. Top with Gojinana. An easy, healthy breakfast to enjoy!

Green Earth Organics Toronto: BUY TO VOTE!

Green Earth Organics Toronto: BUY TO VOTE!: "What’s the Problem? Every time we buy food we’re voting for the kind of food that we want. When we spend money, we’re telling the people who..."

BUY TO VOTE!

What’s the Problem?
Every time we buy food we’re voting for the kind of food that we want. When we spend money, we’re telling the people who feed us that we want more of what they’ve got to offer.
We now know that every purchase we make has an impact on the world around us, on the people that bring goods to our homes, and on our economy.

Do you want food that’s good for the planet around us? That respects the people that produce it, and that encourages economic growth here at home? Or do you want another kind of food?
What if the simple act of changing the way you spend $10 could help save the environment and support local farmers?
We don’t have to solve all the world’s problems at once. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. But by shifting just $10 a week to local sustainable food, you can make a real difference by voting with your dollars for fare that fair, healthier communities and good food for tomorrow. By shifting $10 per week, you can have direct, measurable environmental and economic impact…
What does it all mean?
When 100 people shift $10 a week for a year, they reduce greenhouse gasses (GHGs) by the equivalent of nearly 10 cars, and create 1 local job.
1000 people = nearly 100 cars worth of GHG reductions and 10 new local jobs
10,000 people = nearly 1000 cars worth of GHG reductions and 100 new local jobs
But what am I voting for?
When you vote for local sustainable food, you’re voting for:
• Local farmers and food production
• Reduced pesticide and fertilizer use
• Soil and water conservation
• Humane animal treatment
• Protection of natural species and their habitats
• Safe and fair working conditions
• Reduced energy use
So take the pledge to shift $10 of your weekly food spending to Certified Local Sustainable food. For fair that’s fair, healthier communities, and good food for tomorrow, vote with your dollars!

As a business we have made our pledge to offer at all times, food from at least 10 local farmers or food producers and you can tell how much you spend already by the percentage that is local on your bin. You can also find these items for sale in our 100km section to make it easy for you to find local. As always, everything we sell is certified organic!