Today most ice creams are synthetic from start to finish. The next time you are tempted by a luscious looking banana split sundae made with commercial ice cream, think of it as a mixture of antifreeze, oil paint, nitrate solvent, and lice killer.
But these days, between farmers markets, organic fruits appearing in more supermarkets, and online sources, sour cherries are back in my freezer and tucked into or poured over a whole lot of delicious dishes. And at our age, sour cherries can be a real blessing with loads of antioxidants and welcome relief for sore joints and arthritic pain.
Rhubarb Renaissance (Minnesota Historical Society Press) by Kim Ode introduces more than 50 practical recipes, concoctions like rhubarb corn fritters, spiced couscous with rhubarb and figs, rhubarb-bacon compote, and rhubarb ketchup.
The United States is the second largest pear-producing country in the world, and Oregon and Washington comprise the nation’s largest pear growing region producing 84% of all fresh pears grown in the United States.
What does appear to do all the artery clogging are grains and sugars – i.e. CARBS. And for all of us who thought eating low-fat foods would keep the weight off, are finally getting it that since we started eating that way, obesity has soared.
In addition to tips on cooking once for several meals, there is a helpful overview of bean soaking and cooking methods with pros and cons, and quick-cooking charts for dried beans and lentils.
The gluten-free diet is one of the fastest-growing health-related food trends among manufacturers, restaurants and even celebrities including Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rachel Ray.
According to Dr. Edward Howell, a noted pioneer in enzyme research, people who eat an enzyme-poor diet face a shorter life span, illness, and lowered resistance to stress of all types. Fallon adds: Whole foods give good health; enzyme-rich foods provide limitless energy.
According to a recent study in the September 2011 Advances in Nutrition, research summarized the beneficial effect of apples and apple products on weight management, bone health and digestive health. In addition, the antioxidants found in apples may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes.
In the midst of these dark winter days, miserable cold and flu season, and the even darker times of a sluggish economy, a chicken in your pot and the healthful, delicious broth it creates is one the brightest foods you can make.