All You Need To Know About Stock!

     So, I didn't really know what stock was for until I went to culinary school. My mom makes a great chili and vegetable soup! She uses water to increase volume in her soups. Stock can add a lot of flavor that you wouldn't get otherwise. It can make a recipe so flavorful without adding salt and calories in general. At college, we always made our stock, naturally. However, looking at the stock's  ingredients these days in the super market is crazy to me. They have added so much extra junk that is going to harm you more than help you. I want to help you make your money well spent at the grocery store.

Ways To Use Stock:

• Boiling pasta

• Poaching an egg

• Soups calling for water

• Sauces calling for water

Main Ingredients For Stock:

• Chicken Bones (if Chicken stock)

• Beef Bones (if Beef stock)

• Onions

• Celery

• Carrots

• Tomato Paste

• Herbs

Quality Stock Brands:

Medford Farms

In Oregon, there is a really cool farm that not only makes great stock with real ingredients such as celery, onion, carrot, tomato paste, and herbs. This farm also takes in troubled kids and let the m come to work in the farm. The non-profit program is called Kids & Critters Inc.

Organic Imagine

This brand has a really neat website! They will let you build recipes with their products, and they also have online coupons you can print out. Imagine understands the value of organic vegetables in their products.

Harris Teeter Organic

This is my favorite super market! I do so well with their double back and triple back coupon honorings. HT have a wide variety of all-natural and organic products; their new organic stock is one of them! This is totally different then just Harris Teeter brand. 

Kitchen Basics

There website is very informational including the history of stock. This brand understands that they cannot consider themselves quality when they add artificial flavorings and bulking ingredients.

Rachael Ray

Ok, this one I'm pretty surprised about simply because Rachael Ray irritates me with throwing salami in this and that. Her stock is not organic, but it does not contain artificial flavorings and bulking agents.

     So, why doesn't Progresso and Swanson make my list of quality brands?Progresso has added yeast and artificial flavorings. Swanson contains less than 2% of vegetables when vegetables are one of the main ingredients in a natural stock.

Hint: When you are reading labels in a grocery store, and you sometimes come across a label that is hard to read. Somehow the font is different, the color makes your eyes jump, and you get tired with the big words.... The company does this on purpose! They are hiding things from you. This is no mistake. They are marketing geniouses!

     If you find a brand that is not on here, flip it over. Check the ingredients! If you find bulking agents such as wheat gluten, salt, milk and/or egg yolks, you are not holding a quality container of stock in your hands! Cage-free, Free-range, and Low sodium are all clues that this brand cares about their consumers! Read your labels my friends! I hope I have made your stock purchasing easier. Enjoy your grocery shop findings!

Recipe: Creamy Potato Soup

     This is a recipe I just throw together really so to post a recipe is a little difficult. I use the cooking process of how they teach us to make soups at Johnson & Wales and add my own flair. So, here is my personal recipe for potato soup! Enjoy!

Before Getting Started: I have some hints for you!

Hint #1: When using potatoes in your soup, get those on the stove while you prep other ingredients to be most time proficient!

Hint #2: Cut potatoes all one size. I personally cut them in half and then in half again. Just make sure they are all a similar size.

Hint #3: Start potatoes in cold water to cook evenly.

Hint #4: Buying quality stock is important! Using organic keeps your soup staying natural. There is so much junk in stocks and broths these days! Check the ingredients!

Stock Ingredients Should Be: Bones, Onions, Leeks, Carrots, Celery, and possibly Tomato Paste.

Ingredients:

• 5 lb. Bag of Yukon Gold Potatoes (must be this type)

• 1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 lg. Yellow Onion

• 16 0z. Celery

• 3 cloves Garlic

• 1 stick Butter, Unsalted

• 32 oz. Organic Vegetable Stock

• 16 oz. Heavy Cream

Method Of Preparation:

1. Wash, peel, and cut potatoes in quarters. Throw them in the pot with cold water.

2. Potatoes should boil for 20 minutes or until mushy.

3. While potatoes are boiling, set out heavy cream and stock so it doesn't go in the soup cold.

4. Peel celery to remove that fibrous outside and slice onions. Set Aside.

5. In a large saute pan, Put your 1 or 2 tbsp. of oil and heat to medium heat.

6. While sauteing, I like to use the garlic press and press 3 cloves into the onion and celery saute.

7. After onions are translucent, let cool for a couple minutes and then puree in processor. This works as a thickener and great for adding flavor when cooking for consumers who aren't a fan of vegetables will be dining with you!

8. Potatoes then need drained and put back in the stock pot. Add the butter (& turn your head).

9. After butter is pretty much melted, turn the heat to low/medium, mash potatoes, and add puree.

10. Slowly pour in stock and let the ingredients get warm. Let simmer for a few minutes. Then add the heavy cream. Then keep warm and serve!

     I like to add a little sour cream to mine. We had grilled cheddar cheese whole wheat sandwiches with it last night. I suggest crackers with maybe a sprinkle of chives. Have fun with it! Let me know what you think!

Recipe: Chewy Granola Bars

I finally have what I think is a perfect granola bar. I like them to where I feel like I'm cheating and need a cup of coffee or glass of milk. I like chewy with a crunch and has a rich peanut butter taste! So, if you like that then you will love these!

     Remember to grease the wax paper. Ha! I probably would have enjoyed then more if I wasn't picking wax paper out of them all week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

• 1/2 cup Organic Blue Agave Nectar (or Honey)

• 1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup

• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

• 1-1/2 cup Rolled Oats

• 3/4 cup Wheat Flour

• 1/4 cup Ground Flaxseed/Bran (optional)

• 1 tsp. Seat Salt

• 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds 

• 1/4 cup Organic Dried Cranberries

• 1/4 cup Wild Dried Blueberries

• 1/4 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds

Method Of Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. 

2. In hot water, let cranberries soak to soften.

3. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl on medium speed.

4. After combined, add the syrups.

5. On low, add the oats then flour then flax or bran and season with salt. Taste test the dough.

6. Cover pan with wax paper and grease the paper. Choose an oil or butter.

7. Spatula the dough evenly into the pan. Add everything but chocolate chips on top.

8. Se timer for 20 min and watch from there. When it is golden brown around the edges it is done. The center will be a little doughy immediately so set aside and let cool. Add chocolate chips and press into the bar.

9. Pour a glass of milk and enjoy! Tastes great the next morning with a cup of coffee.

Hint:  Cutting while warm seems to be easier. Enjoy!

Serving Size: 8x8 size pan

Approximate Prep/Bake Time: 35 min.

Hope you enjoy! And let me know if you find your own renditions and how those work out!

Skin Care Series, Part 5

So, I hope that you hold your head high when looking for your skin care products! You can't be fooled! You know how to read a label and what will harm your skin. I hope you can take the tips I shared and put them to use! I hope to hear good reports in the next few months as you notice a healthier looking you!

Here are more ingredients that can really give you healthier skin!

Sea Buckthorn Oil- Hippopae rhamnoides meaning "tree that makes the horse shine" got its name from before the 12th century. It cured weak, sick horses, and later was found to be a berry all about skin rejuvenation. It is one incredible shrub providing over 100 nutrients including linolenic acid (fatty acid), vitamin A, vitamin E, carotene, flavonoids, polyphenols (condensed tannins), and traces of iron, copper, magnesium, and selenium. This combination neutralizes free radicals.

Cupuacu Butter- Amazon originated, this tree comes from the chocolate family! Love it already? It is similar to that of cocoa butter. This absorbs water extremely well. This can replace linolin in skin care products. It prevents signs of aging and is rich in sterols (cell membrane in plants). It also provides protection to over-exposure to UV rays.

Acai Berry- Let's just get one thing straight. It's pronounced ah-sah-ee. Okay, I just had to

clarify. This is named the #1 Super Food in the World. This has the highest measure of antioxidants hundreds of points higher than cranberries. These berries grow on palms in the Amazon Reserve. They are naturally wild, and they have quality fatty acids, vitamins, B1, B2, B3, C, and E. The berry also is rich in minerals like phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and essential fatty acids. This is so great. When you drink it, to reap the full benefits make sure it was cold-pressed for maximum nutrition.

Pomegranate Extract- This is a super food as well. Great for your skin and hair, this is rich in antioxidants. Using this or eating more of this can decrease stress levels and increase your intake of polyphenols and anthocyanidins (pigment that gives dark fruit their color).

Soap Bark- An evergreen karite tree known for its medicinal purposes. It reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and even improves the capillary circulatory and that improves tissue re-oxygenation.

Lemon Oil- This is known for being a natural astringent and anti-irritant. It balances overactive sebaceous glands that lead to oily, blemished skin. When used in hair care products, it adds

shine. When used in hand care, it treats brittle nails. When used in skin are, it clears and enlivens the complexion.

I really have enjoyed learning more about skin care! I am so glad we are in this together! Let me know about your finds in choosing your skin care products, and don't forget to check the make-ups websites out and read the labels.

You are in charge of your skin, and in this case, no one is going to look out for you like you look out for yourself! I look forward to doing more series in the future!

Skin Care Series, Part 4

I apologize for the delay in finishing the series. There were some family emergencies I needed to tend to. Thank you for staying tuned! Welcome to Skin Care Series Part 4!

As I said previously, I ordered Dr. Mercola's Certified Organic Body Butter Sweet Orange in place of my synthetic and chemical-filled body butter I was using before. I finished it out though I had one last hoorah before I tossed it in the trash. Already I am discovering what I thought was the feeling of true moisturizing before was simply petroleum sitting on the surface of my skin. So sad! 

Good news, this body butter I have now feels so different on my skin. It may sound silly, but I'm shocked at the difference of feeling moisturized. I feel rejuvenated, and I sound like a commercial. Ha! First, we must define the terms so we can all read through the ingredients without pulling out a dictionary every 3 seconds. Here are some ingredients I had to look up to understand their meaning.

Defining The Terms:

• Bioflavonoids- Powerful antioxidants

• Hesperidin- Crystalline Glycoside (found in orange peel)

• Apigenin- Type of Bioflavonoid (found in plants)

• Luteolin- Found in the Brazilian plant, Wedelia Paludosa is aids in disease prevention by having anti-inflammatory properties

• Quercetin- Phytochemical (found in apples and red onions) is a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols- Plant-derived nutrients that help lower cholesterol, increase immune system against cancer, improve urinary tract, and creates protective skin barrier 

• Squalene- Can be found in plants, vegetable oils, shark liver, and even humans produce it; it is a natural aid in cholesterol, a natural steroid hormone, and rich in vitamin D

• CoQ10- Strengthens heart, circulatory system, balances glucose levels, and improves energy

Here are the ingredients in my NEW Dr. Mercola's Certified Organic Body Butter:

Sweet Orange Oil- (India) A herb used for its essential oil. Rich in vitamin C. It also contains bioflavenoids like hesperidin that work in conjunction with vitamin C complimenting the antioxidant effects. All attributes of the orange is used. The peel contains phtonutrients like limonene which also provides antioxidants. This oil is so nutritious for your skin that it is used across the board for his skin care line.

Organic Shea Butter- (West Central Africa) This is an all-natural vitamin A cream. It is grown wild without the use of pesticides. It contains UVB protections as well as soothes the skin. It also can restore skin's natural elasticity. It allows your skin to absorb moisture from the air letting it stay softer longer. As a skin conditioner, it is high in unsaponifiables (type of fat).

Organic Cocoa Butter- Deriving from the cocoa bean, this also is a natural and ultimate moisturizer. It increases hydration, decreases skin roughness and scaling, supports UV damage control, improves blood flow, and vessel function. It allows skin to breathe while also putting up a thin barrier on the skin to seal moisture. It melts at body temperature allowing easy absorption. Also used in aromatherapy, cocoa butter has relaxing properties allowing you to relieve stress. It also known to boost your immune system!

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil- The ideal way to rejuvenate your skin! It protects against formation of damaging free radicals, and is also used to protect skin from blemishes, signs of aging, and overexposure to sun. It also strengthens skin's connective tissue. It removes your outer dead skin to make your skin smoother. It also penetrates to strengthen the deep tissues of the skin.

Organic Jojoba Oil- (Sonora Desert) This is a wax from a cold-pressed shrub called Simmondsia Chinensis. U.S. Native Americans use this to speed the process of healing and minimize scarring. It is very similar to the sebum your skin produces. It retains moisture and keeps skin's sebum producing which begins decreasing at age 20. For dry skin, it rapidly jump starts the sebum to produce more, and for oily skin, it slows down the sebum to give more balance to your skin giving it a silky feel. It also is nutritious in vitamin E, B-complex, Silicon, Chromium, Copper, Zinc, and Iodine. Its antioxidant properties give the body butter a long shelf life.

Organic Murumuru Butter- (Amazon Basins, Brazil) A wild plant that is extremely tough to harvest has prickly black spines all over the plant! It hydrates and

 moisturizes while allowing your body to retain water by creating a protective film. It also works to repair your skin's lipid barrier. It is rich in oleic acid which aids moisture retention. This is fairly traded and allows income for the region creating economic independence.

Organic Ride Bran Extract- This is where 65% of this grain's nutrients are. It contains over 100 known antioxidants. They are one of the best ways to consume vitamin E complex, vitamin B complex, and gamma-oryzanol (only found in rice bran). Rice bran also has phytonutrients like phytosterols, CoQ10, and IP6. It has also is known for binding oil and water together. For skin care purposes, it also promotes collagen formation, treats dry skin, has smooth spread ability, and a natural peroxide.

Organic Palm Oil- A nutrient dense oil containing antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A, tocotrienols (potent vitamin E). Vitamin E is the major soluble antioxidant in your skin. It also contains phytonutrients like phytosterols, squalene, CoQ10, and carotenoids. It is a renewable source that is also biodegradable and emits no carbon dioxide in the air.

Organic Aloe Vera Juice- The mot nutrition-packed and biologically-alive liquid on the entire planet. It has over 130 biologically alive compounds, 34 amino acids, and

 has an average pH balance of 4.55. It dates back to use in the days of Cleopatra. It soothes, supports immune system function, produces collagen and elastic, contains a powerhouse of minerals, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, folic acid and niacin, and it is an amino acid building block.

These are the top eight ingredients in the my NEW body butter! The other ingredients are:

• Purified Water

• Denatured Grain Alcohol- "Denatured" makes it undrinkable.

• Beeswax- This is a wax very similar to your own skin wax.

• Organic Soy Lecithin

• Xantham Gum

I am trying to choose early on what will aid my skin in maximum beauty. I am learning ingredients and sharing with you, my friend! Some other ingredients that are so amazing for your skin will be continued in Part 5. I want to break it up because it is so much information. I do not want you to feel overwhelmed. I am excited to learn what all is available and happy that you care for yourself as much as I do! Yay us!

Skin Care Series, Part 3

So, I hope everyone has been all the more conscience about washing their beautiful faces every night! It's like the easiest, one thing we can do! I myself am starting to get dry skin just because I feel so very convicted, and I refuse to use my petroleum lotion! My skin is something I never want to skimp on. I have been blessed with soft skin, and I intend to keep it that way! I feel like we all have great God-given features that we can appreciate about ourselves, in a healthy non-vain way. 

I have to say my body butter is costing more now because I am in the process of ordering the unscented organic body butter made by Dr. Mercola. I am excited, and I will let you know how I like it! 

Let's finish up this Skin Care Series with what we still need to know about skin care and cosmetics. You now know what to avoid. Now, I am going to tell you what to look for and why!

Nourishing Your Skin:

• Whether we are willing to opt for the organic body butter or not, we all want healthy looking skin! 

• It is ideal to use products that pride themselves on using natural ingredients. 

• Some brands to check out are: Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees (I use currently),

 Dr. Mercola's Skin Care (I am purchasing), Physicians Formula (what I use), Saffron Rouge, Just Natural, Organic Wear (what I use), and much more. These are the most budget-friendly and bang for your buck.

Reminder: Look for the natural ingredients! Look for things you can pronounce and spell. 

Alcohol is a bad example of what I just said. Although we can spell it, we don't want that. It strips your skin's natural mantle. It also makes you more susceptible to bacteria. So, other than alcohol, look for ingredients you can pronounce. 

If you've recently been making lifestyle changes to better yourself- inside and out i.e. joining the gym, choosing more fruits and vegetables then you can consider this a lifestyle change for your skin. It may take some patience. I find myself some evenings forcing myself to wash my face. It takes 5 minutes! It's just creating a habit requires a little bit of patience at first. Not to worry, a few months from now, you'll be so glad you have made this choice to work towards a better, healthier skin!

Why Is Organic Important?

• It's important to use ingredients that help maintain healthy skin whenever possible instead of harmful chemicals. You choose healthy alternatives for you and your family, and now you have healthy alternatives for your skin as well.

Defining The Terms:

• "Certified Organic"- Agriculture products that are grown and processed per the USDA's national organic standards. It also has been certified through  by USDA accredited state and private certification organizations.

This does have red tape to go through whereas all other skin care lines and cosmetics do not. So, of course there is a price tag that comes with the label.

When you see this label, it should mean to you: it has a specific set of standards set by the USDA, extensive paperwork has been filled out, agents review the paper work to oversee eligibility, inspectors conduct on-site inspections without notification, and check for compliance in organic farming. This is what you're paying for when purchasing "certified organic".

I was going to include a list of natural or certified organic ingredients that have a hundred reasons why you should choose them over the synthetics most of us use. However, this is getting a little long, and I don't want be overwhelming with information. So, Part 4 will include ingredients you want to have in your skin care and cosmetics! So, stay tuned! To be continued!

Skin Care Series, Part 2

Now more than ever we have to be cautious about what we eat, come in contact with, and even what we rub onto our skin. Frankly, it can be overwhelming! That's a reason I have created a blog. A blog full of facts, facts about how to better yourself inside and out! I want to create a website that is easy to get to, easy to read, and always factual.

I can attest that our family as a whole has been making much better food choices that past 2 or 3 years. We eat salads with nearly every meal. We always have fruit and vegetables on hand. We also typically have quality juices and so on. My point is, is that we have been changing eating habits. I think it's important to make lifestyle decisions slowly and purposefully. The whole topic of skin care is a newer passionate topic. Again, I did not start washing my face with organic skin care. After years of slowly making lifestyle changes, I am to my next upcoming change, using certified organic skin care and make-up. So, as we can continue onto Part 2, please know that any improvement is success!

Why Does The Beauty Industry Use These Hazardous Chemicals?

• Harsh chemicals are cheap. (ex. alcohol, bleach)

• Readily available (made in masses)

• Easy to dilute

Hurry! Run! Get your lotion and make-up to check!

This is not suppose to be depressing. After I saw that my favorite Bath & Body Works body butter had 5 of these ingredients... It was sort of sad. I will stick to spraying the body mist on my clothes.

If you choose to keep your skin care contrary to the chart above or choose to improve your skin in other ways. Here are some tips!

Achieving Healthy Skin:

Raw foods- These have the highest nutrient value rather than cooking. When cooking, use low fat methods such as steaming, roasting, baking, sauteing.

Omega-s fatty acids(list of foods in Part 1)- Not only will this give that healthy skin glow but gives your brain those healthy fats it needs to function.

Exercise- Perspiration lets toxins exit the body leaving your body detoxed.

My hairdresser was telling me the other day how important it is to put product on your hair while it's still wet. The product holds to the hair, and so when you are coming in contact with pollution, outside grime, and poor air quality, the grime grabs onto the product, not your hair. Your skin works the same way.

Take 5 minutes in the morning and evening to wash your face and neck! This will aid in maintaining that youthful glow. Along with whatever changes you make to your skin care and cosmetics.

Again, being more health conscience does not always require you forking out money. Here are ten ways to get active about skin care!

10 Ways To Better Skin!

• Use Warm Water- Hot water may potentially age your skin faster. Tap water is chlorinated. Chlorine cause oxidative damage. When chlorine is mixed with with hot water the rate of chemical reactions increase. So avoid hot baths as soothing as it may be. Hot water is not healthy for the skin.

• Use Safe & Gentle Skin Care Products- Use organic when possible. Your skin absorbs it all. Do not compromise your health or the health of your skin.

• Remove Your Make-up- Removing all the dirt and grime that you encountered will keep you glowing. By leaving the grime on your face, keeps toxins on your face longer.

• Sleep On Your Back- Gravity pulls on your face all day. At night, give your face a break. Sleeping on your stomach adds puffiness to your face.

• No Smoking- Even smokers will tell you it ages your skin and produces free radical production, sign of aging.

• Use Sunscreen- Even sunscreen should be checked against the hazardous skin care ingredients. Sunscreen has it's own harmful chemicals. Choose ocean potion or a natural sunscreen. Most have extremely harsh chemicals.

• Apply Skin Care with Warm Water- A warm face helps achieve maximum absorption to your products.

• Never Pull On Your Skin- Pulling or rubbing stretches the skin. Tapping for a few minutes to absorb is what is considered the correct way to apply products.

• Don't Expect Overnight Changes- People will probably notice before you do the changes in your skin. Do not grow weary, you are succeeding every night you choose to wash your face. Every little bit counts!

These are practical ways to improve your skin. Slowly consider if this is something you want to improve on. I encourage you to research it for yourself. Dr. Mercola has so much information. Look at other products.

Part 3 will include the nourishing botanicals that we need to look for when choosing skin care products, the benefits of organic, the beauty of keeping it natural, understanding plant oils' functions, and introduce new plants on the market that we can now get in skin care. Coming Soon!

Defining The Terms for the Meat-Eaters

I all the time get asked what's the difference in organic, natural, cage-free? It's so awesome that everyone is asking questions! Why would you want to pay more for a label that doesn't even make sense to you? Cage-free for example: Well, I thought the cute baby chickens are on a field with hills where the sun always shines brightest and Belle from Beauty & The Beast sings and feeds them! Well, at least that's what I have always pictured when I purchased eggs. Turns out, only 35% of the land in the United States is used for animal grazing. Then that raises my next question..... How is the U.S. #1 in the top 6 of biggest cattle production? The answer is America has the capabilities to get things done fast! The faster you can get it to the consumers the better! This is the American way. Since 2002, there has been a health-conscious rise. People now want to know what were eating, and the more you know, the more you're all of a sudden not that hungry!

I wanted to compile a lot of the grocery store terms that have you leaving with a warm fuzzy feeling and an extra $2 out of your wallet or maybe just the contrary, you don't see the hype of paying extra for something that is "organic".

FREE-RANGE & FREE- ROAMING-regulated by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
• This is not regulated for cows, pigs, sheep or goats. So, if you see this label on any of those then it is at the farmer's discretion.
• This is only regulated for birds.
• This means that the birds will be confinement however they are allowed access to the outdoors. This doesn't mean they will everyday.
• This can include having thousands of livestock in a single-warehouse like structure, a "grow-out shed" leaving the animals to stand on fecal matter and breathe in toxic fumes to kill the bacteria being produced.

CAGE-FREE
• This is not regulated. Again, this is at the farming company's discretion.
• This title can include livestock being severely crowded.
• This does not protect newborn male chicks. Farming company's who specialize in egg-laying hens often do away with the newborn male chicks; because, there is no use for them in their production. The methods of killing are not regulated. Thus, whatever is convenient to the industry which includes suffocating, gassing, grinding, as well as other procedures. This infuriates animal rights activists.

GRASS-FED-regulated by the USDA
• Cattle must be fed grass instead of grains and soybeans
• Cattle can be confined.
• Label does not equate grazing in a pasture.
• Look for small print on the package "grain finished". This tells you it spent time in confinement.

NO ANTIBIOTICS-regulated by the USDA
• Does not permit the use of any kind of antibiotics

NO HORMONES-regulated by the USDA
• USDA does not permit any use of hormone use in any birds or pigs. So, all birds and pigs are hormone free.
• Any other kinds of meat with this label is at the farming company's discretion.

ALL NATURAL-regulated by the USDA
• There are no artificial ingredients or colorings.
• This is minimally processed.
• This definition can be used for every all natural product not just meats.

FARM-RAISED-regulated by the USDA
• There are use of hormones, anitbiotics, and cages.
• There are no strict regulations for proper fish handling.

WILD-CAUGHT
• Regulations are being implemented and details are being voted upon.
• The National Organic Standard Board label wild-caught as organic. They are working to set strict regulations on fisheries amounts and procedures.
• Also, the NOSB are working on using wild-caught to be used for fish meal for the farm-raised fish.

These terms are defined by a Johnson & Wales lecture by Chef Bolinger in January 2008 in my class, Skills of Meatcutting.

I hope this helps with reading labels next time you are at the meat counter! I realize it is much easier just not to think about it. I understand it is sometimes costly. My personal standard is if I cannot afford the quality meats, I opt for beans, legumes, nuts for my protein. Also, I have began using coupons as much as possible! I am getting a lot of my coupons from the Grocery Game. Choose wisely!

Recipe: Winter Salad

This is a great winter salad! I created this when I was doing my ex-ternship at the Greenbrier Sporting Club. Part of schooling at Johnson & Wales includes a 3-month internship  and you must create a dish that is suitable for the menu at the place you are working. This was my dish I introduced to the resort.

It consists of grilled Grannysmith apples with apple cider caramel sauce & the salad has Earthbound mixed organic greens, dry roasted walnuts, dried cranberries, cranberry tuille cookie (optional), thin slices of butternut squash, and a wedge of Humboldt Fog cheese. The greens are dressed in bacon and apple cider vinaigrette.

Apple Cider Caramel Sauce

Tuile Cookie

Bacon & Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Variations could include substituting the squash for sweet potato and/or the Humboldt Fog to a cheese that is more popular like a chevre. To purchase, I would get my ingredients at Trader Joe's simply because I always am impressed with their dried fruit, produce, and artisanal cheeses, and nuts.