Butternut Maple Parfaits

Instead of the same ol' same ol' (aka "sweet potatoes") this year, we are serving winter squash in a fresh and funky way: as parfaits. Tradition meets whimsy for a bohemian delight...
I like to cube butternut squash and cook with a blob of coconut oil in a large pan on the stovetop. A fat free option is to bake halves on a cookie sheet lines with foil - but hey, it's the holidays and I love the sweet coconutty undertones from this healthy oil...
Once the squash is cooked and mushy, mash in a dash of pure maple syrup. Spoon the squash into a parfait glass until about half way full. In a small bowl, whisk together plain greek yogurt and more maple syrup, then spoon over the squash. Layer more squash, and top with a dollop of the yogurt mix. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or granola.
Wala! A way healthier option for your holiday (or any day) meals than the marshmallowy stuff of yesteryear!

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Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically Modified Foods scare the hell out of me. Especially the insertion of bacterial genes into crop DNA that makes the entire - yes EVERY CELL of the plant - poisonous to an entire family of insects. Bt is a bacteria used to control caterpillars. I use it in my garden SELECTIVELY if I have caterpillars destroying a crop. But when the gene is inserted into a plant's DNA, then that whole field of cotton, corn, or whatever, is poisonous to ALL caterpillars (including the ones that become butterflies!).

Here is a guide to IDENTIFYING GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS in the grocery store. I will use this and be certain to NEVER give the growers who use this technology my money. The following was copied from Howard Garrett (A respected Dallas Garden Expert and speaker):


"Many consumers don’t realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled. That’s because the FDA has decided that you don’t care if the tomato you are eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather. Some consumers may not be concerned with eating “Franken Food”, but for those who are, here is how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you’re buying are (GM) genetically modified.

For conventionally grown fruit (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.


Example: A conventionally grown banana would be 4011. An organically grown banana would be 94011. A genetically engineered banana would be 84011.

These tips are especially important now that over 80% of all processed foods in the US are genetically modified. Many countries in the European Union have been banning GM products and produce. They include Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg. However in the US and Canada, food manufacturers are not required to label if their food is genetically modified or not. "

Here are some of Howard's guidelines for steering clear of GM foods in your diet, if that is your choice ...

Here is a link to Howard Garrett's Website page about avoiding GM foods.

FIGHT THE POWER:)

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Running for all the Wrong Reasons - a guest blog on Elizathon.com

It isn't every day I would put a photo of myself in a swimsuit 'out there' for the world to see! Like many American girls, I grew up with a list of insecurities regarding body image, being 'thin', and looking like the glossy images I saw in magazines... so brace yourself, here it is...gulp. Ok, so maybe I will put it at the bottom of the post, just so you have time to change your minds:)

Not too bad for 43 I guess...and only willing to let dear friend Heather snap the shot a few weeks back while we were sunning, funning, wine-ing and dining in the garden because of, well, the wine-ing part of the afternoon.


How many women (and men) around the world spend endless and unsatisfying hours at the gym or on the track or in front of a fitness video? I used to be one of them; logging mile after mile with a head full of self judgement. This is my topic for a guest blog on Elizathon.com, a blog for "real-world" runners who are out there for the RIGHT reasons: a joy for self expression through physical activity. I love Elizathon for its approach to running, Elizabeth sees running the way I see gardening: as something 'real people' can achieve!

It wasn't until I found gardening that 'exercise' became tolerable for me. I can spend hours sweating, lifting, moving, digging, bending and stretching without a second thought or moment of self-consciousness: the way it was meant to be!

Which leads to a new topic: just how much exercise IS gardening? I bet there is a website out there with a calorie counter to log various garden chores... But I gave up counting calories about the same time I gave up the gym membership and started gardening... :)

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