Olivia's Outside of the Box Cheese Crackers

As you know I'm a huge proponent of real food, Outside of the Box. You also know that I believe it's really important to feed kids real food as soon as they can start eating it.  For the past couple of months, I've had the pleasure of helping Derek, Christie, and Baby Olivia with healthy, simple meals. Baby Olivia is a really good eater: Beets, avocados (her fave), carrots, pretty much all veggies, fruits, and even quinoa. Realizing that she may enjoy a cracker now and again. I decided to show them how to whip up her very own cheese crackers -- no Goldfish or Cheez-Its -- Outside of the Box goodness. She really enjoyed them and so did we.

Recipe forthcoming in the second edition of "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box."

Eat Outside of the Box: Spring Salads

I spent my Saturday afternoon sharing my love and knowledge for REAL food OUTSIDE of the Box with the community. Before I could make it home good, I received this email from one of the attendees: "Thanks for the terrific presentation and FOOD today." ~Diana R. You're welcome Diana, but the pleasure was all mine.

Thanks to everyone who came out -- YOU are officially OUTSIDE of the Box! Extra-special thanks to Teresa Torres for taking such good care of me and Ryan Ellis too. I ♥ the public library system, especially Cascade Park Community Library.
 
I could kick myself for not getting a photo of the wonderful display of books and information -- after all this was a library program: Copies of both my cookbooks for loan (641.563 MOSLEY), flyers for hearth of Vancouver and Vancouver Food Co-op, Dirty Dozen/Clean 15, and of course a plethora of food related books/dvds. 

 

OUTSIDE of the Box: Clark College Winter '13

Yesterday, I delivered back-to-back lectures for Health 100: Food and Your Health. This time at the snazzy new Clark College campus - Columbia Tech Center. What can I say, I get around. 

Over the course of two weeks, I delivered six lectures to more than 125, Health 100: Food and Your Health students and a lecture for Health 104: Weight and Your Health, 30 students.

My goal was to arm the students with grocery shopping motivation, kitchen basics, and of course,  show them how simple it is to whip up fresh, real food that is enjoyable.

Here's what Veronica says about the experience: "...It fills the gap between theory and practice, allowing students to apply the content they learn in class to advance their health – in a most delicious way."

At the end of each class, I asked if they (students) could prepare the dishes that I demonstrated to them. They all answered yes they could and promised they would. I did what I sought out to do -- I OFFICIALLY helped more than 150 students step OUTSIDE of the processed food box. Doing what I love, loving what I do!

Thanks to the Health Department of Clark College for calling on me to do this fun, but important work. Extra-special thanks to Veronica Brock, Erin Staples, and Kristen Myklebust for having me in their classes.

Here's a look-see at the delicious fun!

Lecture 1: Weight and Your Health 
February 4th

Lecture 2 : Food and Your Health 
February 13th

Lecture 3 and 4: Food and Your Health 
February 14th

Lecture 5: Food and Your Health 
February 19th

Lecture 6 and 7: Food and Your Health 
February 21st

Outside of the Box: Chili

I'm on a mission to share my love for good, real food -- Outside of the Box with you. Today, I whipped up spicy, hearty chili served with Cilantro Lime Rice. In less than 1.5 hours I created this meal and that's with me talking and entertaining. The cost was less than $25 and I used premium goods. So, see it's simple and inexpensive to eat OUTSIDE of the Box!

 

 

Hey, you! There's no food in your grocery cart

I cringe when I'm grocery shopping and I peek in someone's cart to find an assortment of packaged so-called food - CRAP. The sad part is I'm almost certain the person is not aware that they aren't buying food. Sometimes I have a suspicion based on the selection of crappy items in the cart the shopper feels as if they are buying healthy items (e.g. Yoplait yogurt, Nutri-Grain waffles, diet soda - really). This so-called food was produced in mass quantities in a production warehouse. It can't be healthy or good for you. Please just take a minute. Pause. Think about it.

Food companies makes lots of claims about their products being healthy, but here's the truth of the matter -- most are not. This is advertisement at it's finest folks.  If you are buying mostly items that are packaged in a box or container, and can be purchased with coupons than you are more than likely not eating food. Coupons are just another form of advertising. Ingenious advertising. Oh and warehouse giants such as: Costco. Shake my head. Pharmacies, gas station convenient stores.  Oh my goodness.

Sorry, to burst your bubble. But, real food: Fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, lean protein, nuts, and seeds - don't boast any claims to be healthy or fat-free. Real food speaks for itself. Besides, farmers of real food don't have the advertising dollar to make such claims. You won't find coupons in the Sunday paper for real food and there is no buy one get one (BOGO) free deals on Kale.

So much to say about this HUGE subject. I'm running out of time this morning though. I promise we'll revisit it soon, real soon.

Mark your calendars!
Saturday, April 21st, 1-4 p.m.
Cascade Park Community Library
FRESH The Movie
After viewing the film we will discuss our thoughts...It's time to really start thinking and caring about our food and the environment.

Food snob

I've been thinking...I'm a food snob. Yup, I said it. A while ago, I wrote a blog post, "Grocery Shopping No-Nos" in which I was not ready to admit to my snobbish ways, but as time has progressed my snobbishness has increased.  The way I see it, there is nothing wrong with me turning my nose up to packaged, highly caloric, so-called processed food. 

I've decided to take a stand. I say no to the crap that dominates the aisles of the supermarket. I stay clear of food that is advertised and put together in fancy little packages with a long list of ingredients mostly preservatives, and sugars. For goodness sake, I do not let strangers prepare my food. I prepare and eat fresh, whole food that you can picture growing in it's natural state (Thanks, for that one Michael Pollan).

I'm willing to pay the price for my health and well-being up front. I make my health and food a priority. I take the extra-time I need to shop and prepare food. Real food. I really don't see any other way. So from this day forward, I proudly declare myself as a food snob. Heck, I'm even contemplating starting a food snob movement: A bunch of health crazed folks purchasing, growing, preparing, and eating fresh, whole food.  Hmm...stay tuned.