Goma Ae

As far as condiments go, this is my all time favorite to put on spinach, kale or asparagus. You can buy this already made, but the flavor is not as good.  It is a great source of calcium and  iron, nutrients most people do not get enough of if you do not eat meat or make bone stocks.

1 cup sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon salt
a black iron frying pan

Get your pan medium hot, add sesame seeds….keep stirring until they start popping.  They will start popping like popcorn.   Careful, watch closely as they will burn fast.

Let them cool, add them with the alt to a blender, pulse until ground fine but be careful as over processing will turn in into tahini!

Keep in a jar and use as a condiment.   You can also add water and use as a sauce, adding a little Tamari if you want.

Asian Sesame Asparagus

1 bunch of thin asparagus
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
toasted black sesame seeds
Bragg’s Liquid Amino’s or Tamari

1)  Heat Dutch Oven or deep black iron skillet medium hot.

2)  Slice each asparagus spear in half lengthwise. When pan is very hot, add sesame oil.  When it begins to smoke add asparagus.  Toss them in oil and then spread them out so that as many as possible are touching the bottom of the pan.  Then leave them alone, do not stir…for about 4 or 5 minutes.  They will begin browning on the edges. 

3)  Toss them again, place lid on pan and let them cook about 3 or 4 more minutes; you want them al dente and still bright green.

4)  Splash in Bragg’s or Tamari and stir quickly.  Remove from heat, stir in sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Study in Rats Shows High-Fructose Diet Sabotages Learning, Memory

ScienceDaily (May 15, 2012) — Attention, college students cramming between midterms and finals: Binging on soda and sweets for as little as six weeks may make you stupid.

A new UCLA rat study is the first to show how a diet steadily high in fructose slows the brain, hampering memory and learning — and how omega-3 fatty acids can counteract the disruption. The peer-reviewed Journal of Physiology publishes the findings in its May 15 edition.

"Our findings illustrate that what you eat affects how you think," said Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, a professor of neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a professor of integrative biology and physiology in the UCLA College of Letters and Science. "Eating a high-fructose diet over the long term alters your brain’s ability to learn and remember information. But adding omega-3 fatty acids to your meals can help minimize the damage."

While earlier research has revealed how fructose harms the body through its role in diabetes, obesity and fatty liver, this study is the first to uncover how the sweetener influences the brain.

FULL ARTICLE….

More Empty Recommendations on Junk Food Marketing to Children

Treehugger published this article outlining why money wins every time when we try to get legislation passed to limit. or at least improve content, in  marketing to children.  They summed up the article by saying;  As Jeff McIntyre, policy director for the advocacy group Children Now told Reuters: “We just got beat. Money wins.” That’s why it’s irrelevant how many more recommendations or deadlines come from the Institute of Medicine or any other panel of experts on how to “accelerate” progress. The only thing getting accelerated is lobbying dollars into politicians’ pockets. And kids’ poor health.

Read the whole article HERE….

BUT, aren’t we looking at this bass akwards?   WHO is in control here?

My recommendation is to put the power back in the hands of people who SHOULD be in charge!   PARENTS!    Yes, turn off the TV, and stock your house with healthy foods, set an example, eat right, get outdoors with your kids…

Unless your kids have jobs and cars…YOU are in charge.

It doesn’t matter WHAT they legislate. 

Double Bacon Liver Pate

From Common Sense Homesteading

There is no way to meet all of your nutrient needs without eating some organ meats.  Here is a recipe with liver that tastes awesome!

Because it’s easier to get some people (like my kids) to eat liver if it’s paired with bacon, today we have the recipe for Double Bacon Liver Pate.  This recipe is adapted from a post at Cooking Traditional Foods, a site that features lots of great recipes for healthier fare.  Before you say “Yuk!” because it’s liver, just remember everything’s better with bacon. 

Double Bacon Liver Pate Recipe

12 slices bacon
1 Tablespoon butter or coconut oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (or one small can mushrooms)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chicken livers
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
2 Tablespoons mayo
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (less to taste – the bacon may add enough salt)
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a heavy skillet, fry the bacon until barely crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings in the pan. Turn the heat to low. Add the butter and sauté the onions and mushrooms for 15 minutes, or until completely limp, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring some water to a boil. Add the chicken livers, return to a boil, cover, and remove from the heat. Allow to stand for 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly.  This gentle cooking method keeps the liver tender.

In a food processor, pulse the drained chicken livers until ground. Add the bacon, onion and mushroom mixture, and remaining ingredients, and pulse until well combined.

Serve with celery and bell pepper sticks or crackers.

To Read the rest of the post which explains why you need organ meats in your diet- CLICK HERE.

Asian Sweet Potato Salad

This is one of my favorite sweet potato dishes!

4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled, diced in 1 inch cubes
2 medium red peppers- diced medium
1 bunch scallions- sliced thin, diagonally
1 bunch cilantro- chopped coarsely
1 1/2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon fresh ginger- grated with ginger grater, use juice also
2 limes- juiced, use zest from one in salad (use microplaner for this)

1)  Toss potatoes in butter, roast in 374 degree oven until edges are browned

2)  Toss with all other ingredients, let sit about 30 minutes before serving.