 |
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||
Any day is a good day to eat chocolate as far as I'm
concerned - especially on
Valentine's Day, when heart-shaped boxes full of
cocoa-based delicacies can keep people (well, me)
happy pretty much from sunrise to sunset.
That's particularly true if the cocoa is produced organically. Cocoa powder is derived from cacao seeds that grow in pods on the cacao tree. The tree's botanical name, Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods," nomenclature with which I wholeheartedly agree. What does any of this have to do with the environment? The cacao tree grows in the rainforest. Ideally, cacao trees will be grown on small farms, in the shade, to keep rainforests intact and reduce pesticide use. Even better? Organic cocoa that is also produced according to Fair Trade principles, ensuring that farmers are paid a decent wage for their work and no child labor is involved. Online, at natural foods stores and food coops, and increasingly at local grocery stores, you can find organic, fair trade cocoa and chocolate. Here are some brands to look for: * Dagoba * Divine Milk Chocolate * Endangered Species Organic Chocolate * Equal Exchange * Green & Black's But which of these tastes best? I asked the moms over at Green Moms Carnival for their faves. Here's what they recommend: Got an organic or fair trade chocolate you love? Let us know! |
||||
|
||||
|
||
Is peanut butter safe to eat?
Consumers worry. Products containing peanut butter produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) were disovered to be tainted with salmonella. Over 488 people have become ill; six have died. The government has issued this list of products consumers should avoid. It is quite extensive and probably includes some of your favorite brands, so please review it carefully. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says so far, no brand name peanut butter sold in grocery stores is linked to the outbreak. Your Jiffy, Skippy and Peter Pan should be safe. However, the FDA also says you would be wise to avoid foods like processed cakes, candies, cookies and ice cream that contain peanut butter or peanut paste. The Kellog Co. voluntarily recalled 16 products, including Keebler and Famous Amos peanut butter cookies, because they contain peanut butter that could have come from the Peanut Corporation of America. What about the peanut butter treats you give your dogs? Pet Smart has recalled seven Grrreat Choice dog treats; many other pet snacks have been recalled as well (check the FDA's list). Meanwhile, I've heard from lots of moms who are making their own. Here's one recipe you can try: * 1 1/2 cups peanuts (lightly salted) * 1 tbsp peanut oil (optional) Blend in food processor until smooth. Store in covered container in refrigerator. Should last about two weeks. Prefer crunchy peanut butter? Set aside 1/4 cup of the peanuts. Process the rest until very smooth. Stir in the peanuts you set aside and process a few seconds more. |
||
|
|
|
By the way, if you want to pass this information along to a friend, just click on the Forward button right below my signature.
Talk to you again soon,
 Diane MacEachern
Big Green Purse
email:
diane@biggreenpurse.com
|
|
