Green Your Diet with this Raw Sweet Treat: Pistachio Balls

Three simple, raw ingredients for Pistachio Balls

It's that time of year again, when we start to seriously think about our diets and health. If you are an aspiring raw foodist, you may have fallen off of the wagon ane are trying to get back on. I have a sweet, nutty and green way for you to kick-off your efforts. Pistachio Balls. This wonderful and simple recipe was discovered on a website I learned about today on NPR's "Travel with Rick Steves" show. Sasha Martin created the blog, Global Table Adventure with a wonderful goal, travel the world to appreciate other cultures, without leaving your own dinner table. How is this possible? Follow the blog to learn more. Now, back to the Pistachio Balls. This wonderful, green nut (red back in the day) has always been my favorite nut treat. I used to derive such pleasure in picking open the pryable shells and popping its contents into my mouth - red fingers and all. I recently discovered the amazing taste and aroma of pistachio oil, which tastes as great on salads as it does on organic Yukon Gold potatoes. Ground pistachios, pistachio oil, lime juice, salt and chopped parsley, makes an amazing and super healthy and green raw treat. Now through this wonderful blog, I have discovered a raw treat which uses only three ingredients, pistachios, dates and coconut (optional). Now for the piece de resistance - pistachios are really good and healthy for you aaaannnd they actually block the absorption of bad fats in other foods you may consume...you know like those leftover treats. Pistachios contain phytonutrients, which are substances which help to fight cancer. So here is the recipe for your enjoyment...love the pics. I'm going to make these this weekend. Can't wait to pop some of these green goodies in my mouth!

Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act, Pinch Yourself

Michele Obama is the star of this video (check out her chic flower pin), which highlights the signing of the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act. Allows more funding for healthier lunches, better nutritional information for parents on lunch foods, better quality ingredients, more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. local food options and will encourage school gardens. Is this really happening? It's happening - the Greening of America! Good ole common sense is ruling the day again. Perhaps now, with healthier food, our kids can move up to 24th place in academic performance among our 30 industrialized nation peers. Ya yuh!

Employee Engagement In The White House Kitchen

Sam Kass, a 29 year old University of Chicago alum with a degree in history, is the personal chef of the first family and a White House food initiative coordinator. Not only does he prepare fine meals for the Obama's, but he also advises policymakers on initiatives ranging from the local food movement, to farmers markets to healthy school lunches. This is truly a first for the White House in terms of fully engaging all of the skills of its employees as well as a great example of how we should not allow our job titles or educational background to limit our contribution to our careers or our community. Read more about him here and be sure to checkout the recipe at the end of the article. I shared a while back that as part of a sustainable design course project, I am redesigning (on paper only - for now) an urban high school exterior (my old high school) to create a sense of place as well as to make it more sustainable. One concept that I want to incorporate into the design is the establishment of an urban farm on the campus grounds as well as fruit trees for shading and food. The produce could be used in the school lunches and sold at farmer's markets. How exciting would that be?! Sound crazy? There is actually a high school in urban Philadelphia that is already doing this. Read about Martin Luther King High School to get a feel for the possibilities. Anyway, this is something, based on the article about Mr. Kass and the White House's food initiatives, that I believe could be implemented at schools across the nation. Now that's something we can all sink our teeth into.

The First Lady and The Food Network

Mark your calendars for January 3rd, when a special day of food and fun with the First Lady airs on The Food Network. The Iron Chef tv show will air a special episode in the White House garden and kitchen, which will feature Bobby Flay, Mario Batala and Emeril Lagasse. Bam!! Michelle Obama is not playing when it comes to getting the word out to our kids and families on the importance of good, healthy eating. She is such an inspiration. I know that many of you have your own community food initiatives, so read this article from the NY Times, it will make you laugh and encourage you to keep on keepin' on (I'm so old school)! Check out her colorful outfit in the photos.

When Picky Eaters Grow Up

When Picky Eaters Grow Up - Well Blog - NYTimes.com It really mystifies me when a parent tells me that their kid won't eat vegetables. Who is in control here? No wonder kids are blowing up these days and suffering from all kinds of adult diseases. Poor babies. Their parents need to grow a pair. This article outlines what can happen to a child as an adult, but offers hope that as a responsible adult, the picky eater can make wide food choices.