May 17, 2008
 It’s time to rejuvenate the flavors of spring with an infrequently explored herb that’s finally sprouting up in kitchens everywhere: thyme.
Its flavor profile, characterized as minty and green, emulates the spirit of spring, making it an essential complement to the season’s most popular foods: seafood, asparagus, new potatoes, mushrooms, baby greens and lemons.
Thyme is a favorite among professional chefs and innovative home cooks, and Americans have begun to embrace it as a pantry staple. Sales have increased by 24% over the last few years as interest in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisines explodes. Thyme is a key ingredient in the Middle Eastern spice blend za’atar, as well as bouquet garni, Herbes de Provence and Jamaican Jerk seasoning.
Flourishing best in the Mediterranean region, thyme is cultivated in Spain and France. French thyme is considered to be the highest quality, but limited quantities are available.
The thyme plant is a small perennial in the mint family that grows about 18” tall, with very small leaves (about 1/4” long). The herb’s origin dates back to Ancient Greece, where it symbolized courage. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme-infused water to gain vigor, courage and strength. In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered a sprig of thyme on knights’ scarves for bravery.
It’s now incredibly easy to find organic thyme in mainstream supermarkets, as well as natural and organic food stores. Add it to your shopping list, and expand your family’s palate with yesterday’s featured recipe, Spring Thyme Salmon.
May 16, 2008
 Discover the flavor and versatility of thyme this season by test-driving our simple weekend recipe.
Spring Thyme Salmon is enhanced with a delicate marinade that’s quick and easy to make. The salmon fillet makes a beautiful, perfectly pink presentation when served whole, flecked with aromatic thyme.
Prep time is 10 minutes, marinating time is 20 minutes, and cooking time is 10 minutes.
All of the ingredients should be available at your local natural and organic food store.
Spring Thyme Salmon
Makes 4 servings
1/3 cup tangerine or orange juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon fillet
Mix tangerine juice, oil, thyme, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper in small bowl. Place salmon in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat well.
Refrigerate 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove salmon from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade.
Broil 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Recipe and photo courtesy of McCormick
May 15, 2008
 In It’s Easy Being Green, Crissy Trask has provided an excellent list of online retailers that specialize in natural and organic pet food, treats and accessories.
Naturespet.com is a virtual mini-mall, with a large selection of natural and holistic foods, treats, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, grooming products, first-aid kits and even anti-stress music CDs for pets with separation anxiety.
Only Natural Pet Store also has a wide array of natural, organic and holistic products. Top sellers include Newman’s Own Organics Adult Dog Dry Food, Only Natural Pet Herbal Defense Spray (a natural insect repellent) and Bones Galore Free Range Jumbo Curly Q’s (a treat from free-range cattle).
The motto at Planet Dog is “Think Globally. Act Doggedly.” Check out the company’s toys, leashes, collars, beds, travel supplies and gifts for dog lovers.
Spectrum sells natural and organic dog, cat and horse treats in flavors ranging from Mom’s Beef Stew and Braised Chicken to Lobster Bisque and Milk & Honey.
Look no further than Your Parrot Place for your parrot’s organic needs. Products include organic food, pellets, seed mixes and supplements.
Suggested Reading
May 14, 2008
 We continue our celebration of National Pet Month with some expert recommendations on where to find organic pet food, treats and supplies.
First up: OrganicAuthority.com Publisher Laura Klein, who has high praise for A Dog’s Life. The company specializes in 100% natural hand-baked dog treats.
The founders sought to develop nutritious recipes that contain only the finest natural, organic and human-grade ingredients, with no fillers, pesticides, preservatives or artificial additives.
Treats are available in several flavors, including Chicken & Barley, Peanut Butter & Honey, Vegetable & Garlic and Bacon & Cheddar. (My dog-niece will be jonesing for that last flavor.)
And here’s the coolest part: Your dog’s photo can be printed on the product bag. The site allows you to upload a photo, and bags will be personalized with a full-color image of your “fur kid.” Just allow an extra 1–2 weeks for processing.
You can click here to find a retailer near you, or order online through Amazon.com by clicking here.
Bone appetit!
May 13, 2008
Click here to read Part 1 of this story.
 If you have an overweight pet, there’s a new online tool to help you develop a comprehensive weight-loss program that focuses on proper nutrition and exercise.
As a first step, celebrity personal trainer and dog owner Gunnar Peterson recommends scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian to determine the best way to proceed. You should also set up regular checkups to monitor progress.
Next, log onto www.PetFit.com, which allows you to track results and stay motivated. Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the site’s tools include:
- A weight check that estimates a dog’s or cat’s ideal weight based on breed, size, age, current weight and a calculated body conditioning score
- A weight tracker
- A personalized calendar that charts progress and provides feedback to set and maintain goals
- A calorie burn chart, which shows how calories are burned during common activities like walking, swimming or strenuous play
The site also offers nutrition and exercise tips, including dog and cat workouts and feeding do’s and don’ts.
“The bottom line is to stop lovingly overfeeding, get out and exercise with your pets, and ensure their food has the right mix of nutrients,” says Peterson, author of The Workout: Core Secrets from Hollywood’s #1 Trainer.
Tune in tomorrow for a source list for organic pet food, treats and supplies.
May 12, 2008
May is National Pet Month
 It’s no secret that obesity is growing at an alarming rate in the United States. But look no farther than your own backyard to find the latest victims of this epidemic: your pets.
We’ve supersized Fido and Fluffy. An astounding 35% of the U.S. pet population— 48 million cats and dogs—are considered overweight.
Overeating and too little exercise are the chief culprits. Many pet owners contribute to poor nutrition without realizing it. Feeding a pet table scraps tops the list of faulty feeding habits. One ounce of cheese fed to a 10-lb. cat is equivalent to a human eating a whopping 3.5 hamburgers.
But there’s good news: It’s not too late for our plump felines and chunky canines to shed a few pounds. With proper nutrition and exercise, cats and dogs can get down to their ideal weight and remain there—an important step toward enhancing overall health and well-being.
“The major factors of obesity are the same for people and pets: high caloric intake and a decrease in physical activity,” confirms celebrity personal trainer and dog owner Gunnar Peterson. “Many pet owners think that food equals love, but this is not the case. My dog Lennox would much rather wrestle with me than have a treat, and it’s a workout for both of us.”
Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of this story.
For Your Organic Bookshelf
Photo courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition
May 11, 2008
 Earlier this month, Lifetime Networks announced the results of its first FemiNation Poll, an ongoing research project on American women’s attitudes.
The survey of 2,000 mothers reveals how they feel about juggling career and parenthood, how they grade their parenting skills and how they plan to celebrate Mother’s Day:
- While virtually every mom said she makes sacrifices for her family, all that most want on Mother’s Day is a simple “thank you.” That said, 73% are optimistic about getting something, 82% expect to get a gift of some kind from their kids, and only 15% doubt their kids will get them anything at all.
- Almost 60% of working moms find it difficult to balance parenting and their jobs.
- Among “empty nest” moms, 88% are at least somewhat confident they’ll get a call today from their kids who don’t live at home.
- The most desired Mother’s Day gift (after a card) is “a day of no chores or responsibilities.” This tops jewelry by a 5:1 ratio. Only 3% indicated that jewelry is what they’d most like to receive.
- “Dinner at a nice restaurant” ranks as the gift that married moms would most like to receive from their husbands (19%). Go organic, guys! It’s not too late to make reservations.
- When thinking about their ideal day, most moms would rather relax at home (55%) than have a night out on the town (10%).
- Despite their hectic lives, more than 75% of moms grade their performance as above average. Today’s mothers believe their job is harder than it was for their moms. About 55% give their performance a “B,” while 23% feel they deserve an “A.”
May 10, 2008
 Swarovski Crystal has partnered with The Libby Ross Foundation to help empower women battling breast cancer through the charity’s yoga program.
Creative celebrities, including three mother-daughter teams, have joined the cause to raise funds for this unique program by decorating yoga bags with jewels. The bags will be listed through May 15 on eBay through eBay Giving Works, the dedicated program for charity listings.
Celebrity mother-daughter teams include Susan Sarandon and her daughter, Eva Amurri; Miley Cyrus and her mother, Trish Cyrus (see Miley’s design, right); and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere and her mother, Lesley Panettiere. Other celeb decorators include Courtney Cox Arquette, Martina McBride, Patricia Arquette and Cheryl Hines.
The goal of The Libby Ross Foundation’s OM Yoga Program is to promote healing and a sense of well-being for breast cancer survivors. The program provides support for women who have had or are undergoing surgery, radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer. In conjunction with OM Yoga Center in New York, the program empowers women to get back in touch with their bodies through breathing techniques and gentle movements.
“Swarovski’s gift this year will help us bring the yoga program to more women than ever before,” says Lori Ross, cofounder of the foundation. She founded it in 1999 in loving memory of her mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Ross, who lost her battle with breast cancer on July 24, 1998.
Suggested Reading
Check It Out! Visit the OrganicAuthority.com Online Store for eco-friendly yoga mats.
May 9, 2008
 For some eco-chic mother-daughter bonding, how about taking Mom for a natural manicure to celebrate Mother’s Day?
Many natural nail shops and spas offer gift certificates, and you can surprise your mother on Sunday with a pampering manicure/pedicure package.
Nails are an indicator of our overall health, and they’re not immune from stress. Some of us develop the nervous habit of biting or picking at our nails when we feel stressed. Others rub their fingers over their thumbnail, which can distort the nail plate, leading to a raised ridge in the middle of the nail as it grows.
Physical or emotional stress, certain diseases and chemotherapy can cause white horizontal lines to appear across our nails. Brittle, peeling nails are also a common side effect of stress.
“Sometimes, patients with nail problems are not aware that their habits or tics from being stressed out or nervous are at the root of their problem,” says Flor A. Mayoral, MD, a clinical instructor in the Departments of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine in Florida. “There are instances where patients self-inflict skin, hair or nail problems that go beyond what we normally expect from stress, and these patients often need psychological help to modify their behavior.”
In her practice, Dr. Mayoral finds it beneficial to give patients tools to help them cope with stress-related skin flares. For example, she teaches acne patients how to modify their treatment regimen to deal with flare-ups during stressful periods.
“Being in control of your situation can help relieve stress,” she says.
Sufferers can also follow these stress-busting tips:
- Learn to recognize the underlying problem that is triggering your symptoms and develop skills to help minimize the stress.
- Exercise helps release endorphins in the body, which can also reduce stress.
Suggested Reading
May 8, 2008
 Eating nine Big Macs a day may be fun for future cardiac patients—until a month later, when you’re 24 pounds heavier and it takes you more than a year to lose the weight.
Morgan Spurlock already documented this crazy gastronomic test in his film, Super Size Me. Regular folks like us can lighten our load by steering clear of fast food and opting for fresh, organic, bio-friendly fare.
Jaman, an online film site, is hosting a “Down Size Me” contest to make eating those leafy greens a bit easier on the wallet. Click here to write a review of Super Size Me, but act fast: The deadline is tonight. (Apologies for the short notice; the contest was just brought to our attention.)
The review that receives the most “I like this review” votes from readers will win a $1,000 Whole Foods gift certificate.
The winner will be announced on Monday. The contest is open to U.S. residents only.
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