OrganicAuthority.com - Organic Blog » vegetables

New UN Food Waste Recovery Program Targets “Ugly” Fruits and Vegetables

Jill Ettinger — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:47:39 +0000

Efforts to decrease food waste have led the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to launch a new campaign calling on new ways to utilize and sell "ugly" fruits and vegetables.

Is Kale the New Prozac? Vegetables Linked to Better Mood

Jill Ettinger — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:56:06 +0000

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health has found a connection between high blood levels of certain antioxidants found in plant foods and higher levels of optimism.

40% of All Cancers Are Caused by Things We Have the Power to Change, New Study Finds

Erin Shaw — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:24 +0000

The British Journal of Cancer recently published a review that links cancer rates in the UK to various lifestyle and environmental factors including diet, exposure to hormones and radiation, and tobacco and alcohol use, among others. While the reviewing doctors emphasize that lifestyle choices aren’t the only determining factor in cancer risk, it’s hard to ignore the indications of personal choice. Lead author of the review, Prof. Max Parkin, points out that cancer is not strictly in the genes, and that “over 40% of all cancers are caused by things we mostly have the power to change.”

Prince Charles Says Grow An Organic Garden

Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Prince Charles, who once admitted to talking to his plants, is now encouraging everyone to grow an organic garden; even a tiny garden can yield fruits and vegetables, reduce carbon and feed local birds and insects.

In 1980, Prince Charles purchased his country home, Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, with the intention of turning it into an organic farm and garden. Today, its acres grow fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, leeks, carrots and Brussels sprouts. Also grown are native and endangered plants like jasmine, crane's bill, yellow rattle, lilies and honeysuckle.

Iowa School Children Meet a Farmer

Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:00:30 +0000

Where does your food come from? If you say “the supermarket,” then stop reading and go sit in the corner. But the truth is a lot of people don't know where their food is grown, raised, cooked, whatever. That's why the Iowa City School District is taking time to introduce kids to farmers.

"We're looking to introduce the kids to their local farmers," a spokesperson from the Johnson County Local Food Alliance told the Iowa City Press-Citizen. "We want to make it fun because eating local is delicious and healthy."

Aussie City Dwellers Using “Urban Food Maps”

Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:55:37 +0000

If you live in a city, fresh fruits and vegetables can be hard to come by. Sure, most major metropolises have farmers markets and the stuff is trucked in from nearby farms, but, it's just not the same as a backyard garden.

Well, that's changing. More and more city folk are getting together and starting community gardens, take Sydney, Australia for example.

Michael Chiarello’s Roasted Winter Squash

Barbara Feiner — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 07:00:02 +0000

If you’re a fan of TV cooking competitions, you know cheftestants sometimes do themselves in by going overboard with ingredients. Judges remind them to simplify their dishes and allow natural flavors to shine through.

Chef Michael Chiarello, a finalist on the first season of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters and owner of Bottega Napa Valley, gets it. Simplicity trumps fussiness, and his food is clean and elegant. (Check out his recipes for Radicchio Salad and Home-Style Minestrone.)

As noted yesterday, the roasting process is ideal for winter squash, as the vegetable’s natural sugars caramelize as it cooks. Add some organic butter, salt and pepper, and you have an easy-to-prepare side dish for your Thanksgiving table.

4 Simple Ways to Prepare Winter Squash

Barbara Feiner — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:54:24 +0000

’Tis the season to buy winter squash at your local natural and organic food store or farmers’ market.

Whether you select the acorn, buttercup, butternut (above) or Hubbard variety, you’ll enjoy numerous health benefits, as well as a tasty entree or side dish.

Let’s review the four basic ways to get cooking.

1. Bake/Roast

This method is super-delicious because it caramelizes a squash’s natural sugars:

Super-Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

Barbara Feiner — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:08:22 +0000

Fall’s dynamic trio—a bowl of homemade organic soup, a tossed salad, and a loaf of crusty bread or homemade biscuits—is hard to beat on a chilly autumn evening.

Creating this filling dinnertime soup couldn’t be easier. Prep time is only 10 minutes, cook time is 20 minutes, and all of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store.

Enjoy!

Savory Vegetable Beef Soup

Makes 6 servings

1¾ cups organic beef broth 2 medium organic potatoes, cut into cubes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Parmesan

Barbara Feiner — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:15:14 +0000

If you’re squeamish about eating Brussels sprouts, we have the solution:

Learn to prepare them in cheftastic ways.
Add savory organic ingredients like lemon juice, fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese—three wonderful components of Tuscan cuisine.