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Don't wait for people to be friendly. Show them how.
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~Unknown
Did you start your summer revolution? I hope that you have been inspired by food advocate and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, and all of his food activist groups. We all have the power to take control of our health by eating fresh produce and cooking healthy meals in our homes!
One of my personal summer revolutions is to eat produce that is in season and locally grown—it's healthy for me and our earth! For instance, think about tomatoes. Many of the tomatoes we buy in a grocery store have been shipped in from Florida, where they were picked before they were fully ripe in order to endure long travel. By the time these tomatoes get to our neighborhood stores, they have lost roughly 30% of their nutritional value and have generated significant carbon emissions from the cross-country transport. It's healthier for us and kinder to the planet to purchase locally grown tomatoes from a farmer's market, or to just grow our own! Tomatoes are easy to grow and they don't take up much space. Google "upside down tomato planter" and you'll see what I mean!
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Best in Health!
~Amy Crews~
Natural Health
Expert
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Featured Story
Wild vs. Farm-raised Fish
Varieties of fish don't just differ by name, but also by country of origin and how they are cultivated: either on a "farm" or in the wild. Many people choose to purchase farm-raised fish because they're generally less expensive than fish raised in the wild. But there are some important differences between farm-raised and wild fish that, when eaten, have very real health implications.
In short, wild vs. farm-raised fish are essentially two different animals. On most fish farms, thousands of fish are crowded into small areas that make for unhealthy living environments. In these tight compartments disease can spread quickly, so the fish are regularly injected with antibiotics to fight disease. Farm-raised fish are also fed grain, which is unnatural for many specifies of fish. (Salmon, for instance, are carnivores; they feed on mackerel, sardines and krill in the wild.) The combination of an unnatural diet and high levels of antibiotics results in drastically reduced levels of omega-3 fats in farm-raised fish. As we know, one of the primary benefits of eating fish are these important omega-3 fats, which help to lower blood pressure, improve insulin production for diabetics, and may also help to combat depression.
I urge you to visit The Environmental Defense Fund for the latest health information about a wide variety of fish and other seafood.
I would love your feedback and questions. Please find me for further discussion on twitter @eatlivelaugh.
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Recipe of the Month:
Warm Vegetable Salad with Curried Almonds
Watch the video here to follow along with making this month's featured recipe.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes. Note: overnight time needed for dressing
Ingredients:
- 3 medium shallots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons plus ¼ teaspoon sugar, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1/4 cup blanched and peeled almonds
- 3/4 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed
- 1/2 cup sugar snap peas
- 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 finely chopped tablespoon chives
- 4 cups mâche or baby spinach
- Coarsely grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
Directions
- In a saucepan, bring the shallots, red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a simmer over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat and let the mixture stand for 20 minutes. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Toss the almonds with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and toast for 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1/4 teaspoon sugar and the curry powder. Transfer to paper towels and reserve.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Working with one vegetable at a time, blanch the asparagus, broccoli rabe, sugar snap peas and snow peas in boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes each. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Place the drained vegetables in a large bowl and add ½ teaspoon olive oil, the white wine vinegar, lemon juice, chives and pickled shallot mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, add the mâche and toss gently to coat.
- Divide the salad among 4 plates and scatter the curried almonds between the vegetables. Sprinkle each salad with cheese and serve.
Via of Sous Chef Series
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In the News...
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We all know that cigarettes and smoking are bad for our health, but Americans continue to smoke. Tobacco is the leading cause of premature and preventable deaths in the U.S.
In an effort to help Americans quit smoking, the FDA announced that cigarette packages will soon display larger and more graphics about the hazards of smoking. The hope is that these warnings will make people think twice before they purchase a pack of cigarettes. You can read more about the changes to come here as well as additional articles that talk about the health risks of smoking.
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Giving Back
TOMS is by far one of my favorite charitable organizations. They have long had a "one-for-one" model, which means that for every pair of shoes purchased from TOMS, a child in need gets a pair of shoes. It's a great feeling to know that as you walk around in your pair of TOMS shoes, someone else in the world is wearing a new pair as well!
A couple of weeks ago, TOMS announced their next one-for-one venture and I couldn't be more excited. Now, with each pair of sunglasses you purchase, you help give sight to a person in need. What an amazing impact one purchase can make on the lives of others! I bought a pair for my husband and me on the day of the announcement. Each time I put on my sunglasses, I love knowing that someone else in the world is now able to see again—or maybe even for the first time.
Summer is in full swing. Who wouldn’t love a new pair of sunglasses that come with added bonus of changing a life?! Please visit TOMS.
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Action Items
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- Watch the video of this month’s featured recipe for a fun guide to make a delicious meal this summer
- Make a difference unlike ever before by giving someone their eyesight back through the purchase of a pair of sunglasses
- Check out the DietsinReview.com blog for the latest in health and fitness.
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Weekly Articles
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Forward to a friend
It's such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.
Also, if there is something you are interested in learning more about or would like me to feature in an upcoming newsletter please contact me.
Eat, Live Laugh newsletters are intended for overall general wellness. If you have condition specific concerns please feel free to contact me.
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