When Is Organic Necessary?

Search Amazon.com for organic food books

A report issued by the President's Cancer Panel endorses eating fruits and vegetables without pesticides to reduce your risks of cancer and other diseases.  A group of scientists and policy makers came up with two lists, a “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean 15,” which will help consumers figure out when to buy organic.  The produce on the Dirty Dozen list tested positive for as many as 67 different chemicals, while the Clean 15 had little or no pesticides.  These lists were assembled using data from the US Department of Agriculture on the amount of chemicals that remained on non-organic fruits and vegetables after washing them.  This research is disheartening to say the least.  Many Americans can't afford to buy organic, and we shouldn't be afraid to eat an apple, or strawberries sold at the supermarket. Surely we can do better.  Hopefully, the report is sounding an alarm to change the way we farm and harvest produce in our country.  Meanwhile if you want to be safe, buy “certified organic” from The Dirty Dozen list.  Also in my family, we stick to eating fruits and vegetables that are in season. Another option is to buy local.

The Dirty Dozen: Buy Organic celery peaches strawberries apples domestic blueberries nectarines sweet bell peppers spinach, kale and collard greens cherries potatoes imported grapes lettuce

The Clean 15: No Need to Buy Organic onions avocados sweet corn pineapples mango sweet peas asparagus kiwi fruit cabbage eggplant cantaloupe watermelon grapefruit sweet potatoes sweet onions

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Eat Healthy One Step At A Time

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In the last year I made several changes in what I buy at the supermarket.  I  eliminated processed foods and have changed the way I think about food preparation.  The idea is to make healthy choices without feeling deprived.  Sometimes you need light snacks and no fuss fare when you don't have a lot of time to cook.  And realistically, you need a few treats too.  Still, being aware -- coupled with small changes, make a difference in what you eat (and spend).  I stopped buying three grocery items this year.

I gave up soda and switched to drinking ice tea.  If I find myself at an outdoor function on a hot August night, I'll probably drink a can of Dr. Pepper to quench a thirst, but I no longer keep sodas in my refrigerator at home.  And I don't miss them.

Also, I  stopped buying bags of frozen french fries, one of my favorite cheat foods.  [Nachos may be my first love, and potato chips are not far behind.]  Instead, I cut up fresh white or sweet potatoes, brush them with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake them golden brown in the oven.  It still only takes 30 minutes.  And eating a handful of nuts usually satisfies a potato chip craving.

Another food item to go is canned soup.  When I don't plan ahead and use dried beans, I buy cans of pink, pinto or navy beans.  It's just like opening a can of soup, but without the thickeners and preservatives.  Simply add water, season to taste and simmer for 5 minutes.  What could be easier?

Another lighting fast soup to prepare is healthy miso.  Buy miso paste in a tub at the supermarket, or health food store and microwave a tablespoon of it, adding water, seaweed and vegetables.  Delicious!

Once you get used to eating real food, it tastes much better, at least that's my experience.  And unprocessed food costs less.  Lately, I favor steel cut oats, quinoa and millet, so boxed cereals may be next on my hit list [except for Raisin Bran once in a while].  Have you given up a grocery item recently?

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Creamery Creek Goat Milk Soap, A Review

Recently I tried a brand new soap made from goat milk.  It was mild enough to test on my face. Bursting with freshness, the soap is super moisturizing and scented with essential oils.  Listing pure and all natural ingredients, it doesn't dry or irritate my skin, not even on my face.

The soap is made in small batches by the Shumway family on a farm in Lindon, Utah from their very own herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, a breed they have raised and studied for over 10 years.  According to their website, these miniature, not to mention adorable-looking, goats produce milk that is 4% - 9% higher in butterfat than other diary goats.  The richer butterfat makes a high quality and ultra creamy soap.  Goat milk is rich in amino acids and vitamin A, which nourishes the skin.  It contains caprylic acid, which gives it a low PH balance, more like the skin's natural PH balance.  The Shumways make soaps, leaving in the glycerin.  In commercial soaps, the glycerin is usually removed and used in more profitable products like makeup.

What makes this soap so gentle and moisturizing is its pure emulliants like goat milk, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter. It has vitamins and triglycerides that clean the skin without robbing it of moisture.  At Creamery Creek, all soaps are made from fresh (not powdered) goat milk.  The Nigerian Dwarf Goats are milked daily at the farm.  And each bar of soap is poured, cut and molded by hand.

I sampled (and loved!) eight of the 40 plus, generous-sized soaps: Lavender Oatmeal, Coconut Lime Verbena, Tea Tree Oil, Honeysuckle Kiss, Blueberry Scrub, Dragons Blood, Peppermint, and Red Clover Tea. At $5 each, the bars are thick, dense and a substantial 6 oz – 7 oz.  Unlike commercial soaps, they don't leave a residue in my tub, or on my skin.  They leather up and last a long time.  Count on these soaps to live up to their claims. You won't find a better soap at any price..

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Protecting Your Skin

Want to start a movement?

The average adult has 20 square feet of skin. It's the body's largest organ. May is an ideal month to think about skin cancer prevention. Many hospitals have free skin cancer screenings to kick off skin cancer awareness. But if a hospital in your area doesn't offer the screenings, it's time to find a dermatologist, who will check your skin. In my opinion, preventative medicine is the single best investment you can make in life. Doctors can't explain why one person develops skin cancer and another doesn't, but they do know it's the most common form of cancer, and it's on the rise. In the United States, one in five people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in his or her lifetime, and melanoma is more life threatening than other types of skin cancer.

There are six steps you should take to protect yourself from skin cancer:

1. Limit your time in the sun, especially between 10 am – 4 pm.

2. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and UVA/UVB protection, even on cloudy days.  And, use a generous amount -- a shot glass portion, about 2 tablespoons.  A family of four should go through a bottle of lotion every 3-4 days, according to skin doctors. It should be applied every 2 hours throughout a sunny day.

3. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

4. Wear hats. I sometimes wear a visor on the hottest of days because it's cooler than a hat, but hats are better.

5. Avoid tanning beds like the plague. Never go near one.

6. Examine your skin every month after a shower. (I don't do this, but I should.)

Here's how to examine yourself:

1) Stand in front of a mirror, raise your arms and examine your body front and back, then the left and right sides.

2) Bend your elbows. Look at your forearms, the back of your upper arms and palms.

3) Next, look at the back of your legs and feet, your soles and in between your toes.

4) Use a mirror to examine the back of your neck and scalp.

5) Finally, check your private areas too.

Call your doctor, if you notice a suspicious mole or lesion.

Personally, I wish parasols would catch on in the 21st century.  When you think about it, isn't it a good idea?  A light dainty, or dark manly umbrella to cool and protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.  Right?  Envision portable shade that lets a soothing breeze through.  I don't want to be a lone eccentric on this.  If just 20% of the population carried them, I would too.  C'mon people!  Let's start a movement, called the Parasol Public ... or perhaps, the Parasol Pedestrians.  It's the smart thing to do, and we'd look younger than the rest of the population.  Who's with me?

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Watches, Tales And Sprouts

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The last time I needed a new watch my intelligent and stylish European Mother said, “Oh, don't buy one. I have a nice watch!  I'll send it to you.”  A few weeks later, it arrived and, indeed, it was a very nice watch, just what I was looking for:  1) trim on my wrist; 2) with numbers, making time easy to tell; and 3) an appealing design.  The watch had a vivid blue, round face with bright red and yellow accents and a matching blue leather band.  There was only one drawback:  Plainly, it was a Superman watch.  But when I mentioned this to my mother, it became clear that she didn't know who the heck Superman was.  The conversation went something like this:

Mom (Sounding very pleased):  Did you get the watch?

Me (Puzzled):  Yes, it's a nice watch, but it's a Superman watch.

Mom (Without a hint of comprehension):  “No it isn't.”

Me (Even more puzzled):  “Yes, Mom, it is.”

Mom:  “No ... no it's not.”

And clearly she was getting annoyed, thinking she had sent me such a smart timepiece, only to hear me find fault with it, some defect she didn't understand.

Mom:  “It's not a Superman watch.  It's an Armitron watch!”

That's when it hit me how culture and conditioning shapes our ideas of attractiveness.  If you grow up in the United States and see a Superman logo, you instantly know you're looking at an “S” and a “shield.”  But if you grow up in a country without Superman, what you see is pretty, primary colors and an engaging design.  Your mind doesn't automatically make the connection with Superman.  My exchange with my Mom was fascinating.  I've been wearing the Superman watch for a couple of years now, and my Mom still looks at it and says, “Boy, that's a nice watch!”

This weekend, I finally bought another everyday watch.  I found it at an Earth Day fair, and it's for occasions when I can't sport a super hero.

My new watch is from a green company called, Sprout.  When I put it on, the first thing I notice is how light and comfortable it is.  There is a choice of six bright colors, and it comes in two sizes, big and small.  The watch is constructed of renewable materials.  The dial is made of bamboo; the case and buckle of hard corn resin; and the strap is a soft, organic cotton.  It also has precision quartz movement and a durable mineral crystal face with silver hands and black Arabic numbers.  It runs on a mercury free-battery and at $30 retail, it's a steal.  Plus, the watch comes with a bit of clever marketing.  The packaging converts into a mini grass garden.  After removing the watch, you'll find a small plot with seeds, that you slide into the box, water, then place in a window for a little greenery indoors.  Makes an adorable gift.

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Fish, Good Or Bad?

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Fish is a nutritious source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids.  A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces inflammation and heart disease.  Fish is great for your brain and eyes also.  Many doctors suggest eating two 6 ounce servings per week.  More isn't recommended because all fish has traces of mercury.  While healthy adults have the ability to eliminate mercury from their bodies, children, women who are pregnant and women who are breast-feeding need to avoid certain types of fish.  And just to be safe, it's best that all people avoid fish containing higher levels of mercury, most of the time.  Usually, larger and older fish have more mercury, while smaller and younger fish have less.  So which fish should you eat?  The Environmental Defense Fund has a best and worst list: 

Best Anchovies Crab, Dungeness Mussels Farmed Oysters Herring, Atlantic Catfish, USA Mackerel, Atlantic Sablefish/Black Cod Salmon, wild Alaska Sardines, Pacific USA Shrimp, pink Oregon Striped bass, farmed Sturgeon, farmed Tilapia, USA Trout, rainbow, farmed Tuna, USA, Canada – light has less mercury, but you can safely eat albacore (white) once a week

Worst Chilean, sea bass Grouper Orange roughy Rockfish, trawl Shark Swordfish, imported Tilefish, Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic Tuna, big-eye/yellowfin Tuna, bluefin

If a fish is not listed, it's mercury content is somewhere in the middle.  Make sure your fish is not undercooked.  The fillet should be tender and flaky, with no transparency.  Canned tuna and salmon are super values and an excellent way to get some fish into your diet.  All canned salmon packed in the USA is wild Alaskan, which is low in mercury.

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Celebrate Earth Day

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Today marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, a day – and in some places a week – set aside to appreciate our planet and learn how to take better care of it.  Many communities have become more eco-friendly, implementing programs to make it easier for residents to recycle glass, metal, paper and plastic.  Doing our part is simply the right thing to do, and as I learn more, I want to do more.  

Here are a few steps, I've taken over the last year:

1) Switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs, except for one reading lamp.  The trick is to make changes gradually that you can stick with, as opposed to, all at once.  Small measures make a big difference collectively.

2) When possible, I use salt, vinegar, baking soda and borax as household cleaners over commercial products, containing a multitude of chemicals.  Washing windows with vinegar and water really works! So does unclogging a drain using baking soda, vinegar and hot water. Click here to read how.

3) I put more thought into why I buy stuff and have learned to live with less.  Now I must have a valid reason to bring new things into my home.  If you have $20 burning a hole in your pocket, why not deposit it into your bank account, or donate to a cause you believe in?  Saving for a rainy day, or making this world a better place for another person pays greater dividends than buying material things you don't need.

4) I'm slowly giving away clothes and household items I never touch.  Do you (like me) wear favorite outfits time and again, while the bulk of what's in your closet never sees the light of day?  Usually, if something -- whether it's a second raincoat, an extra skillet, or a spare vase -- is tucked away in a closet, it goes unused.  Lately I'm asking myself:  Should I keep an object, if I have to move another object to get to it?  I've decided to give many of the things, that hide behind other things away to friends and charities who can use them. 

And guess what?  I'm not depriving myself.  It all adds up to lessening my carbon footprint and living a simple life of greater purpose.  Care to join me?  Calculate your carbon footprint here, and Happy Earth Day.

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Dear Readers,

Blogger updated it's operating system.  But now some stuff has a mind of its own.  Bugs to work out.

Yikes!  Please bear with me.

Homemade Monster Cookies

Search Amazon.com for baked new frontiers in baking

Saturday was a chilly and cloudy afternoon.  But the nippy weather was my motivation for turning on my oven to satisfy a cookie craving.  The recipe I chose to make comes from "Baked: New Frontiers in Baking," by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.  Rightfully called "monster cookies," they are one part chocolate chip, one part peanut butter and one part oatmeal.  The next time I'm asked to bring cookies to a pot luck dinner or tea party, I'll make these again without altering a single ingredient.  Saturday's version was delicious too -- a tad healthier and less sweet -- and I certainly had no trouble eating too many of them.  But you just know that LOTS of butter and M&M's make cookies all the more divine.  You just know it!  Below is the original recipe, with my changes, outlined in blue notes.

Monster Cookies
-Ingrediants:

½ cup all-purpose flour


1 tablespoon baking soda


Pinch of salt 

5 ¾ cups rolled oats


1 ½ sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes. [I reduced the butter (from 12 tbsp) to 2 tablespoons and used drops of water for moisture when mixing.]

1 ½ cups firmly packed light brown sugar


1 ½ cups granulated sugar


5 large eggs


¼ teaspoon light corn syrup  [I used honey.]


¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract


2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup (6 oz) M&M's [I omitted the M&M's and substituted unsalted peanuts to make a peanut nutty batch that was less sweet.]

Directions (from the cookbook):

1. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together. Add the oats and stir until the ingredients are evenly combined.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until smooth and pale in color. Add the sugars and mix on low speed until just incorporated. Do not over mix. Note: I mixed the ingredients by hand.

3. Scrape down the bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth (about 20 seconds) and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the corn syrup and vanilla and beat until just incorporated.

4. Scrape down the bowl and add the peanut butter. Mix on low speed until just combined. Add the oat mixture in three additions, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.

5. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for 5 hours. [I put it in the freezer until I could work with the dough. I didn't have 5 hours.]

6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. Use an ice cream scoop with a release mechanism to scoop out the dough in 2-tablespoon-size balls onto the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the baking time, until the cookies just begin to brown. Let cool on the pans for 8 to 10 minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. [I scooped the dough in 1 tablespoon sized balls and was careful not to handle them too much.]

8. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Yields 40 cookies [or 70 smaller]. Enjoy!

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Zac Posen Designs For Target

Zac Posen and friends, who are wearing his "Posen For Target" fashions

In a slow economy high fashion designers must be just as resourceful as consumers to stay afloat.  Nowadays you can put together an ultra chic wardrobe at very affordable prices.  Another celebrated name to hit Target is Soho born designer, Zac Posen.  His line is available from April 25th through May 30th.  For a decade this 29 year old wunderkind has dressed stars, including Naomi Campbell, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow.  He has a flair for drama and is best known for ruffled, party gowns and cute, sultry, short dresses that retail for thousands of dollars a piece.  The majority of articles in his Target collection range from $40 to $80 and look very similar to his haute couture line.  He says his inspiration is to give a girl the best summer of her life!*

In Manhattan a special pop up store opens 10 days before the collection launches at Target nationwide.  It runs for 24 hours, starting at 11 p.m. on April 15th through 11 p.m. on April 16th and takes place at 481 Eight Avenue.  What a great opportunity to pick up a fun, trendy outfit for a reasonable price.

Update - April 16th:  In his Target creations, Zac Posen gives you lots of embellishments, such as hip pockets, zippers, cute pleats and soft, yet substantial fabrics.  My favorites include the little ruffled dress above.  (Selma Blair has it on.)  The dress comes in two colors, red and black.  Wear it with or without the ruffle for two different looks.  The ruffle wraps around the bottom and is secured by snaps and hooks.  The [$80] dress is easy to slip on and makes every waist look small!

I also like a pair of sateen, black boot cut trousers [55% cotton], a matching jacket and a knitted tuxedo body shirt.  All 3 items are sold separately, but look spiffy together.  [Costs for the ensemble: $140.]  Zac Posen ... you are my new love!

*Paraphrasing from an interview Posen gave to Lucky magazine


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A Shoe Company On A Mission

Isn't Blake Mycoskie a hottie? [You know you're thinking it.]

This morning The Today Show featured a story on TOMS Shoes. Blake Mycoskie, its remarkable founder, is showing all of us how to make a difference.

Mycoskie started his company in 2006 because he wanted to do something to help children in impoverished countries who have no shoes to wear. The idea came after he visited Argentina and observed that without shoes, poor village children are susceptible to cuts and sores that are painful, plus dangerous if infection sets in. They also suffer from podoconioisis, a soil transmitted disease that gets into their systems through the soles of their feet and leads to very serious health problems. In addition to disease, Mycoskie noticed that barefooted children are not allowed to attend school. So he created TOMS, short for “Tomorrow's Shoes,” as a sustainable company with the important goal of donating shoes to those who need them. With every pair of shoes you buy, TOMS gives a new pair to a child in need.

TOMS Shoes are patterned after traditional Argentinean shoes. Often made of canvas with rope and rubber soles, they are light, airy and comfortable. There are 100 different styles, and many sell in the $45 range.

According to various media reports, to-date the company has provided over 600,000 pairs of shoes to children in the United States, South America and Africa. And if you thumb through celebrity magazines, you'll catch well known faces like Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley and Brad Pitt wearing their TOMS. You can find TOMS Shoes online and at Norstrom and Whole Foods.

Just in time for Spring

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Can Needle Flowers Improve Your Health?

For centuries Indian mystics believed lying on a bed of nails put the body and soul in perfect harmony. And as a child, I watched parodies of yogis sleeping on nails in sitcoms. Well as exotic as these images still are, there may be some truth in the ancient Indian practice. Doesn't it seem like everything old, becomes new again?

Nowadays in place of a bed of nails, what has become popular are acupressure, or Shakti mats. A standard mat contains over 6,000 spikes. (4,000 spikes are more intense; 8,000 spikes are less intense.) Lying on the mat is supposed to stimulate the nerve endings of your skin, which causes the body to release its own feel-good and wellness hormones, including endorphins and oxytocin. The claim is, this lowers your blood pressure and strengthens your immune system. Initially, you have to build up a tolerance for lying on the plastic needle points. Once you get used to it and use the mat for at least 20 minutes several times a week, the benefits are many. Users say they have more energy. It reduces stress and makes them feel relaxed, happy and centered. It eases pain, like back aches and muscle and joint soreness. It relieves headaches and promotes a better night's sleep.

I haven't tried an acupressure mat yet, but I know eliminating stress and keeping the circulatory system working improves your overall health, so I definitely have an open mind. Have you tried a Shakti mat? If so, tell us. Did it help you?

costs $39-$69

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