To be or not to be...organic

Well I have officially begun the trek towards what I call, a healthy approach to my family's future. I have started the transition of creating an entirely organic kitchen. No more processed, enriched, additived, preservatived foods. So far.....good. I have to admit this isn't the easiest process. I realize that I'm sacrificing the oh so sacred Kraft Mac N Cheese which I've held dear since childhood or BC's ever so decadent and buttery yellow cake which is oh so (gulp) moist and delicious and I'm embracing the new and unfamiliar territory of fresh and safe.

The reason for the change is twofold: for baby girl #1 and baby boy #2. I want to be around for a LONG time to enjoy my two kiddos and I know that something has to change. I'm no expert but from what I've been reading, this is a good lifestyle change to make. As I've been reading, the list of what's lurking in today's Western style food is shocking. In all the books I've read they are all saying the same things; toxins, free radicals, enriched, neurotoxin, and other things of the like. These don't sound to me, like things I want in my body or more so, in my kiddos' bodies. So we're making the switch.

Where to start? Me? I started with the spice cabinet, of all places, I know. But having been out of town for 6 weeks, it was the perfect time to start considering the only things in my fridge were a jar of strawberry jelly, pickles and an empty egg tray. Soooo, I planned my meals, processed food free and headed to Whole Foods. Here's what we tried and liked. We're two for three which I think is a great start.

Mixed Berries with Vanilla Bean Syrup
from Fresh & Quick 2010

serves 4

1/2 vanilla bean
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c water

Put ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer 7 minutes.

In 4 small bowls put



1 pint fresh raspberries

1 pint fresh blueberries

1 pint fresh blackberries

1/2 pint strawberries, halved



Pour about 3 T of syrup over berries and serve.



Yum!





Bison Burgers with caramelized onions and dates

from Grilling 2010



1 T Worcestershire sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 t ground black pepper

1 lbs ground bison

2 T olive oil

2 medium onions, sliced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 c chopped pitted dates

2 T dry red wine ( I subbed red wine vinegar)

sliced cheese, opt



In bowl combine Worcestershire, 2 cloves garlic, black pepper with bison. Do not over mix. Form into patties.



In skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and 6 cloves garlic. Saute 10 min or until onions are tender and golden. Stir in dates and wine. Cook 1-2 minutes further. Remove from heat, cover, and keep warm.



Grill patties to liking. Top with onion mixture.



This is FANTASTIC!







Lime Chicken with Tomatillo-Corn Salsa

from BHG June 2010



4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 c olive oil

juice and zest of one lime

1 T minced garlic (about 6 cloves)

1 1/2 t kosher salt

1/2 t black pepper

1 recipe tomatillo corn salsa

1/2 c sour cream

1 T Evoo



In bowl, combine olive oil, 2 T lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Marinate chicken 1-2 hours.



Grill to liking. Prepare salsa.





Tomatillo Corn Salsa



2- 1/2 in thick slices yellow onion

5 tomatillos (about 1/2 lbs)

1 ear fresh corn

1 med poblano chile

1/2 c packed cilantro leaves

1/2 t brown sugar



Because I like to grill, I grilled these on a piece of sprayed foil for about 10 minutes. Then I put all except the corn into my Blendtec. Pour into a bowl and stir in corn. Once chicken is grilled, top with sour cream and salsa. This was an EXCELLENT summer recipe. It's a new fave.



** I also like my salsa to have some heat or kick. This salsa had neither but the flavor was perfect. I'd recommend adding some jalapeno for some heat if you desire.