Budding chemist? Scientist?...Dishwasher?

One of Oliver's most favorite activities these days is to pull a kitchen chair up to the sink and get busy playing with measuring cups and spoons, funnels, mixing bowls, strainers, ladles -- and water of course. He can do this indefinitely it seems, as long as he is provided with new tools every so often.














In the last three pictures he is helping Hugo wash limes for ginger ale.

The worst that has happened so far is some water spilled on the floor and some very wet clothes. I think it's cute how he is so focused and industrious at the sink. :)


-Posted from my iPhone

Breast cancer prevention

I'm not sure why, but breast cancer prevention has been on my mind lately. Perhaps because I am frequently reminded that there are a few key things we can do (but DON'T!) to help reduce the risk.

This excellent segment on Fresh Air yesterday prompted me to finally post about this important topic. I recommend listening in rather than reading the summary. The link is below:

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/14/131760656/a-breast-oncologist-diagnosed-with-the-disease#commentBlock

A few things not mentioned in the interview, to my chagrin, are:

1) deodorant! what we put on our underarms, particularly after shaving but really any time, is not to be overlooked. Cancerous breast tissue that has been removed has been found to have high levels of aluminum, the active ingredient in virtually all commercial deodorants. Ladies, it's time to make the switch! See my recipe for healthy, effective deodorant made entirely from food-grade ingredients.

2) bras! see this enlightening article about bra wearing and breast cancer risk. I was recently shopping for a new bra and was appalled, as always, by the prevalence of underwire styles. These bras are particularly harmful because the underwire, whether metal or plastic, severely restricts lymph flow and the removal of toxins from the sensitive underarm and breast areas. The best thing is to choose a looser, less restrictive style of bra and wear it as little as possible.

3) last but not least -- birth control pills! Oh, the harm we are doing to ourselves with oral contraceptives and other medication hormones -- it makes me so sad just to think about it. As you will learn if you listen to the Fresh Air segment, breast tissue continues to grow and develop into a woman's 20s, which is often after the time that a woman first begins taking the Pill. This means that the breasts are particularly sensitive to environmental factors during this time. Furthermore, breast tissue can continue to grow and develop from the estrogenic effects of the Pill (I suspect this is why so many women experience breast growth with the Pill), which makes a woman more susceptible to abnormal breast growth, and cancer. See my posting on the Fertility Awareness Method, read The Garden of Fertility, and consider using the withdrawal method (in a committed relationship) for pregnancy prevention. I think the two methods used together cover all the bases. :)

And one more thing -- sugar, as well as alcohol, can greatly increase the growth of abnormal breast tissue. Remember, tumors and cancerous growths LOVE sugar!!!

The good news is that you can take a few easy precautions now to decrease your risk later on.

12/18 cooking class report: Women's Health for the Childbearing Years

A few pictures from yesterday's class in Park Slope:

































The menu included:
-fish broth (wild red snapper)
-cashew-crusted pastured chicken livers with white wine-butter reduction
-lactofermented vegetable medley
-cream-top raw milk yogurt
-raw cacao treats
-kombucha

Participants also enjoyed cashew-sunflower crackers, whole wheat sourdough bread, and grass-fed raw butter. Everything was pronounced delicious!

Check my downloads page for the 38-page packet from this class.

Heavenly cabbage

This has lately become one of my very favorite winter side dishes. Cabbage cooked with pastured bacon fat (or lard) and chicken broth, and served with butter, is incredibly delicious. And since pastured pork fat is super high in vitamin D it's an excellent choice for winter!

I recently saw a traditional Norwegian recipe for cabbage and mutton that called for half a head of cabbage per person! Maybe their heads of cabbage are smaller than what we have here, though honestly if the cabbage is really good you could probably eat quite a bit of it. This recipe is based on the premise that each person will eat about 1/4 head of cabbage, so make sure you get a nice-sized one.


1. Place a large pot over low heat and add several tablespoons pastured bacon fat (or lard).

2. When fat is beginning to sizzle, add the right number of well-washed (or peeled) potatoes for your family, sliced thinly in 1/4" slices. Saute potato slices in fat, adding more as needed. Season with a sprinkling of unrefined sea salt.

3. As potatoes are cooking, remove the outer leaves from a medium head of cabbage. Quarter, core, and cut in large bite-size pieces. When potatoes are beginning to brown, add the cabbage slices and stir.

4. Wash & cut up about 10 medium carrots. Add the carrots to the pot and stir. Add several more tablespoons of bacon fat or lard, as well as another sprinkling of salt.

5. Pour in about 3-4 cups of homemade chicken or pork broth; the broth should come about halfway up the vegetables. Cover tightly with a lid and allow the vegetables to simmer and steam until tender, stirring occasionally.

6. Season to taste and serve topped with raw grass-fed butter alongside pork chops, ham, or roast pork.

Bon appetit!

- Posted from my iPhone

Back in the composting saddle again!

I am pleased to announce that thanks to our new chest freezer I am once again composting all our vegetable, fruit, and eggshell waste -- which is quite considerable! The freezer gives me the space to store everything until I can drop it off at a church garden (where the pastor has a small compost operation) on 68th St. and 3rd Ave. here in Bay Ridge.

Here is what I dropped off Monday night on my way to my food deliveries:






- Posted from my iPhone