The Cost of Steak

Check out this great commentary in the LA Times called "The Cost of Steak: Factory farms produce cheap meat, until you consider the reivers of sewage, the contaminants and the superbugs" by Paul Roberts, author of the book "The End of Food."

View it at : http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-roberts23-2008aug23,0,1032529.story

Stevia-sweetened diet soda

For those of you familiar with my blog and writing, I don't recommend the use of artificial sweeteners (more info here). Well, for those of you who really want a diet soda, Virgils has just come out with a stevia-sweetened diet cola. It has 6 calories and no artifical sweeteners. I tried it and it tastes pretty much like the diet soda I remember from my soda drinking days.

Help eating more fruits and veggies

Check out this web site: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/ . There are ideas for getting your kids to eat more fruits and veggies plus fun recipes to make with kids. Also, recipes for locavores (those trying to eat local produce) - plus some good links.

It's Official!

I just signed a contract with Book Publishing Company to publish my new nondairy,vegan ice cream cookbook. The plan is to have it out in time to make ice cream in summer, 2009! I'm very excited about this book--it's a comprehensive book of ice creams, sherbets, sorbets plus lots of yummy ice cream cakes, pies, bars, sandwiches, popsicles, sauces, toppings, and mix-ins--all completely dairy-free!

Is cow's milk necessary for kids?

Though I differ with many dieticians, I don't believe kids need milk after they're weaned. My two daughters drink only water and they are strong healthy girls. We get our calcium from almonds/almond butter, kale and other leafy greens, brocolli, blackstrap molasses, beans and legumes, tofu, sea vegetables, and lots of other plant sources.

Here's a good article about cow's milk and calcium: http://mothering.com/sections/experts/palmer-archive.html#cowsmilk

Cultured Foods

Naturally cultured or lacto-fermented foods contain enzymes and bacteria that help digest food and eliminate wastes. They also build up friendly bacteria in the intestines that aids digestion, supports your immune system, and increases the propagation of vitamin B12.

For more info on these nutritious foods like yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, and lacto-fermented pickles, check out this article in VegFamily Magazine: http://vegfamily.com/whole-family/helpful-bacteria-cultured-foods.htm