What's fresh for dinner?

It seems like I can't pick up a newspaper or magazine without hearing about yet another community promoting an "eat local" campaign. There's even a new name for people who promote eating locally-grown foods: localvores.

If this interests you, check out this cool website: http://www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/ from the Natural Resources Defense Council. You can enter your state and time of year, and it tells what types of local foods are fresh and available.

I just tried this for Vermont in late May, and found that I should be able to purchase artichokes, asparagus, and rhubarb. OK, asparagus and rhubarb are understandable, but artichokes? According to Wikipedia, artichokes are a perennial thistle (that sounds tasty!) found in the Mediterranean. They've been exported to California, which produces almost 100% of the artichokes grown in the US.

There's no mention of Vermont-grown artichokes here, so I emailed the website. I'll post their response.

The good news is that in early June I should be able to find strawberries, greens, potatoes, and boysenberries as well as asparagus, rhubarb, and those elusive artichokes.

Check out the website and find out what's fresh in your area.

I'm NOT the food police!

I was asked to write a blog about how I came to be an RD, and why I'm not the food police - even though some people may have that vision of RDs. Read my story here: http://www.peoplejam.com/blogs/im-not-food-police

I'll be interested in your comments!

Lynn

Lunch in Palermo

A buffet lunch in Palermo is different from any American buffet I've ever experienced. Fresh food, lots of vegetables, beautiful presentation - check it out here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMWEBHYNrnU

Cheap - and healthy - foods

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me they couldn't afford to eat healthy foods, I'd be rich.

Food and Health Communications just posted a handy chart that lists the cost per ounce of several different foods. You can use it to compare the value of the foods you routinely purchase by dividing the cost of the food by the number of ounces in the package. Simple and easy, right?

To compare, many packaged cookies, cookies, crackers and other processed foods that are high in calorie density and low in fiber are upwards of .30 per ounce! Shop store specials, look for store brands and compare unit pricing to find the best deals near you. And remember, the more you cook the more you save!

Rice .03 cents
Potatoes .03 cents
Bananas .04 cents
Cabbage .04 cents
Carrots .05 cents
Dried beans .06 cents
Apples .06 cents
Oranges .07 cents
Oatmeal, grits .07 cents
Pasta .08 cents
Yogurt .09 cents
Frozen veggies .09 cents
Peanut butter .09 cents
Soup .09 cents
Broccoli .12 cents
Tuna, canned .15 cents
Chicken breast .18 cents
Egg white .02 cents