Get Your Omega-3’s Conscientiously

Posted: July 17th, 2010 by Rob

Fried smelts with Old Bay seasoningIf you make some adjustments to your mindset, you can get all of those essential fatty acids from fish that everyone recommends you eat, while still eating responsibly. You don’t have to buy up farmed and over-fished seafood in order to get the nutrients you need. There are alternatives to salmon, which can be either farmed offshore in pollution-heavy processes, or are in some cases wild-caught in overextended fisheries. That’s not to say that all salmon is problematic – US farms that use tank methods rather than offshore ocean pens are better, and certain wild fisheries are sustainably managed. However, if you’re buying sustainably caught/raised salmon, it should be fairly expensive. Here’s a way to get those same dietary benefits much cheaper, and guilt-free. The key is eating lower on the aquatic food chain.

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food52 Recipes – Less Science, More Creativity

Posted: May 7th, 2010 by Theresa

food52 (http://www.food52.com/) is an interesting website where home cooks can enter recipes in weekly theme contests. I am excited to try some of the winners.

Does maple syrup need to be refrigerated?

Posted: May 7th, 2010 by Theresa

Published February 1, 2005 – Cooks Illustrated

Does maple syrup need to be refrigerated?

Because of its high moisture level and lack of preservatives, maple syrup is a perishable food product that is susceptible to the growth of yeasts, molds, and bacteria. Refrigeration not only helps maple syrup retain its flavor but prevents microorganisms from growing as well. Unopened, maple syrup will last several years stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it will keep six months to a year in the refrigerator.

But as maple syrup can be pricey, it can make sense to buy it in large quantities when seasonal. For long-term storage, we wondered if storing syrup in the freezer would work as well as refrigeration. We froze half the contents of one bottle of syrup, refrigerated the rest, and then conducted a comparative tasting. The syrup stored in the freezer never froze solid and, once warmed, was identical in taste to the refrigerated syrup. (The syrup never froze because of the high concentration of solids in the liquid–in this case, the sugar.) At most, the syrup will become thick, viscous, or crystallized during freezing, but a quick zap in the microwave will restore it so well that you would never know it had been “frozen.”

Quote of the Day

Posted: April 26th, 2010 by Theresa

You can tell how long a couple has been married by whether they are on their first, second or third bottle of Tobasco. ~Bruce Bye

Crappy School Lunches – This is News?

Posted: April 22nd, 2010 by Theresa

http://www.examiner.com/x-40968-Richmond-Healthy-Living-Examiner~y2010m4d20-Obese-children-are-a-national-security-threat-according-to-military-group

Banana-Cinnamon Breakfast Smoothie

Posted: April 12th, 2010 by Rob

Here’s a really tasty way to use up over-ripe bananas and have a quick and low-fat breakfast on the go.  Dunno about you, but we always seems to have the last banana or two of a bunch go over-ripe, so instead of tossing them, I’ve been peeling and freezing them, keeping them  in the freezer until needed.

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana , cut into chunks
½ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
1 cup soy milk or lowfat milk
Ground Cinnamon

Blend banana, milk, and yogurt until smooth.  Add a healthy pinch of ground cinnamon and blend again to combine.  Pour into glass and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Substitutions:

  • Replace vanilla yogurt with plain yogurt + 4 teaspoons honey
  • Replace half the frozen banana with frozen berries
  • Replace half the banana with frozen mango puree

Enjoy!