Beef - Grass v. Grain

So, what is the difference between beef from a cow that is grass  fed versus a cow that is grain fed?  Did you know there is a difference?

Without going too much into animal rights/environmental/political stuff, I'm just going to give you a quick low down on grass fed vs grain fed beef, and why grass fed is the way to go.

1.  Grass fed means that a cow is eating certified organic grass for it's entire life.  Grain fed cattle are generally fed grass at first, the switched to grains to fatten them up before slaughter.  This is one reason why grass fed cuts are leaner than grain fed.  Recently, there are organic farmers that are switching grass fed cows over to organic grain to provide a more flavorful cut.  I personally don't even want that!  I want strictly grass fed.

2.  Cows are supposed to eat grass.  They graze. Grazing is the life for a cow!  Happy cows!  Think about it:  If you were a cow, and had to stand all day with your face in a bucket of cheap grains (corn), would you be happy?  And if that's not a good reason, here is a few things you can find in "feed" for grain fed cows: municipal garbage, candy, chicken feathers...  Feeding cows grains makes them sick, and ultimately kills them.

3.  Grass fed beef has more vitamin E, and a better Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acid ratio.  Higher 6 to 3 ratios have been linked to increased cancer risk, heart disease, allergies... Lowered risk for depression, schizophrenia, ADD, and Alzheimer's disease has also been found in increased omega 3 consumption.

4.  It tastes better!  It really does!

I'm just scratching the surface of they many reasons why grass fed is better than grain fed.

I know that when you are shopping for that Organic Grass Fed Beef, the price might keep you from buying it, and instead you'll pick up the cheaper, commercially produced beef.  I understand that.  But, considering that a person should really be limiting their red meat consumption anyway (blog post for another day!), why not invest a little extra money in something that is far superior in quality and is better for you!

Keep a close eye on your Sprouts ad - they will periodically have their Organic Grass Fed Beef on sale.

For more interesting facts on the benefits of grass fed foods, visit www.EatWild.com.

***UPDATE***


I just finished watching the movie King Corn - which I highly suggest - goes into the details of this exact topic.  Go get this movie!  Or, if you have Netflix, you can watch it online right now!

Enjoy!

Cauliflower Rice

A couple of people have asked me lately how to get more veggies into their meals.  Here is one of my favorite things to do with veggies.

Confetti Cauliflower Rice

Most people have heard of cauliflower rice.  You take a head of cauliflower, chop it up, throw the florets in a food processer, and viola!  You have a rice-like substance made from a veg.  You can use it in place of rice in many dishes.

But to use it as a side dish, spice it up by adding the following:

*Bell peppers - red, green, yellow, orange (you will need the equivalent of one bell pepper).

*Celery - two or three stalks

*Onion (I use about a 1/2 an onion)

*Broccoli (optional...but I like it)  As much as you want to add.

*Garlic - one or two cloves

Use any or all of these.  Season with salt and pepper, or lemon pepper, to taste.  Use sodium-free chicken or veggie broth when cooking - or use a bit of chicken or beef bouillon and a couple tablespoons of water.

How to prepare it:

• In a food processor, chop cauliflower until it looks like rice.  Remove and set aside.
• Now use the food processor to chop all the remaining veggies.
• Heat olive oil in a pan and add all the veggies and spices.  Cook covered over medium heat until veggies begin to "weep".  This is when I will add the bouillon. 
• When is it done?  Personally, I just stick my fork in, get a bite and see if it tastes "done".

It's low carb, low cal, and it's delish!

Do You Read Labels???

I went to my local Safeway this morning and checked for myself. True story. READ LABELS!!!

A message from one of my favorites... Leigh Peele

For more of Leigh Peele's awesomeness, check out her website:

www.LeighPeele.com

Aspartame is now AminoSweet

If you are like me and are not a fan of Aspartame, you need to know this.

Beware – Aspartame Has Been Renamed ‘AminoSweet’

Posted using ShareThis

Kiwi Fruit - ridiculously good for you

Oh, Kiwifruit - how I love thee...

It is so good for you, it's almost ridiculous that all this goodness comes in such a small package. This fruit, native to South China, is one of my favorite fruits. It is a GREAT source of potassium, dietary fiber, vitamins A, E, and C - all powerful antioxidants, and beta carotene. And of course, with these nutrients comes prevention and/or improvement of many diseases: asthma, cancers, blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, eye disease, cholesterol.... It's a super fruit, for sure!

To select in a store (prices fluctuate - sometimes I can find them at Sprouts 5/$1. Although, right now they are 3/$1), find ones that aren't rock hard, but not mushy - those will be good. To eat, peel the fury skin with a knife or a carrot peeler. Slice and enjoy!

Here is the low-down on our fury little friend:


1 MEDIUM KIWI FRUIT

• 46 calories
• .3 g fat
• 1 g protein
• 252.3 mg potassium
• 2.6 g fiber
• 11 carbs

wikipedia.com
kiwi-fruit.info
sparkpeople.com
hort.purdue.edu

Bitter, party of one...

I was sitting here listening to an online hour long talk given by Michael Pollan at the Authors@Google event in March, 2008 and he made a good point - there are people who complain that a dozen eggs at a farmers market costs $6. While that sounds expensive, if you break it down and have 2 eggs for breakfast - that's a $1 breakfast. With a piece of toast, you add mere pennies to that. This is considerably less than one would spend at any fast food joint and FAR better for you. Good point, Michael Pollan.

Let me tell you how this all got started.

Monday, August 31, I was listening to NPR's Talk of the Nation and they were interviewing Charlotte Allen. Her article titled, "Keep your self-righteous fingers off my processed food", had just appeared in the Opinion section of the LA Times. In this article, she took issue with those who believe in spending their dollars on items that are better made, healthier, local, and possibly more expensive. She says that what they do, and what they tell others, is "impossible." The resentment oozed through my speakers....... Hear it here.

What caused my brain to nearly explode was her thoughts on farmers markets and "real" food, and her shots at Michael Pollan. I'm no expert on the man, but I have listened to several interviews with him, and own a couple of his books and what he says makes a lot of sense and I try to follow the logic of what he says in my own families food choices.

One of her sticking points is Pollan's advice to not buy anything you see advertised. His point (which apparently she missed along with several other issues - like why corn is also high up on the not-so-good list, or that you not EVERYTHING has to be bought organic) was that broccoli, for example, doesn't have an advertising budget... and it's better for you than most anything that does have money to advertise.

Her example of the Haagen-Dazs ice cream which advertises only 5 ingredients - which is something Pollan says you should be looking for AS A GUIDELINE to purchasing food - is ridiculous. Yes, it only has 5 ingredients - BUT IT'S STILL ICE CREAM!!

Another example she gives:

• "...the strawberries at the Safeway probably aren't going to be that great because they've been shipped from California. But if you don't have the money for boutique strawberries, why not have strawberries, period? They're pretty good. They're not so bad."

That's a selling point if I ever heard one...

But here is one thing she states in her article. She asks, "What's wrong with low prices? If you don't care for the quality, well, as my mother always says, you get what you pay for." I couldn't agree more.

For a good read, check out this from the LA Times.