An organic thanksgiving

Here's an interesting news story - Apparently, Organic Turkeys are getting pretty popular.  Even though they cost twice as much - people realize that the turkey just tastes better.  If you don't eat organic for the health reasons, at least do it for the taste.  So all natural is good - no fillers and better tasting, but all organic is even better!  No pesticides and the Turkeys eat better too!!
There is also a local/organic thanksgiving challenge.  Readers are encouraged to buy and cook only local and preferably organic foods for thanksgiving, then report back.  My two dishes this year are a salad and the sweet potatoes.  Both of which will be made with as many organic ingredients as possible.  If not organic, then hopefully local.
I am really looking forward to this Thanksgiving.  I am also hoping to take part in a Thanksgiving morning yoga benefit in Santa Cruz.  It will be a fantastic way to start my day healthy so that hopefully I won't over indulge at dinner and will be able to enjoy the holiday.
I'll keep you posted on how it all goes.

Getting Back on Track - Going Clean

How many times have I said I need to get back on track?
I recently picked up a book that I haven't looked at in about two months (various reasons.. mostly busy) by Michael Pollan: In defense of food.  I read a good section of it on the plane back from Vegas, after killing my body with too much food and alcohol, and it really helped me get motivated to get back on track.  I knew I was going to have to detox a bit, but this really helped me.
So according to the book, here are my new rules for a bit:

1.  check the ingredients and understand every one of them 
• So if I have to look it up on my phone - that isn't good
• it has to be pronounceable
2. No foods with more than 5 ingredients
• The example Pollan gave was bread that had more than 5 ingredients - in fact around 40 total..that makes sense - but am I supposed to give up chocolate?  even my organic chocolate has a few more than 5 ingredients: Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Whole Milk Powder 
• Also I don't really know what Soy Lechithin is... Pollan talks about Soy and Corn being two ingredients we have way too much of in many forms.., but whatever, baby steps...I can't just cut everything out quite yet.
3. Don't buy anything incapable of rotting
• McDonald's fries do not rot - not that I eat at McD's, but they don't..eww!
• Also, if you have to wonder if it rots - don't buy it.
• I am extending this to expiration dates - if it doesn't have one or the date is super far in the future (canned goods? frozen foods?) don't do it.
4. Avoid foods that claim they are healthy
• no more lean cuisines, although I haven't had one of those in a while
• if you stick to healthy ingredients, your finished product will be healthy
• I like the line in the book - if food products claim to be healthy on the package they must first have a package
5. Get out of the supermarket
• I have always loved farmer's markets - the vibe and the food, so why haven't I been to one in months?  And the one or two I did go to within that time were amazing!
6. Join a CSA
• already looked into it.  Going to take the leap.  So excited, because sometimes you just can't get to the farmer's market but still need good organic food in the house, before going crazy.

So this is the plan, let's see how far I get...

Loco for Local!

Oh USF, good for you for getting on the bandwagon.  Even if that bandwagon is 10 x more expensive than the farmer's market!!  So, USF has started selling fresh local produce at the cafeteria!  Crazy!  Also stupidly expensive.  Though they know that the students don't care much about cost, mom and dad pay for the money on their id cards, so the kids just swipe away!  They also have certain meals that are made from produce grown within a certain amount of miles.  I have yet to try it, but good for you for trying to minimize your carbon footprint!  So I move into my new place this weekend!  So stoked.  Can't wait for fresh produce from farmer's markets!  And tofu, oh I have missed just eating tofu out of its box with soy sauce.  I know - weird.  I got use to making great delicious mostly organic stir fry and sandwiches before going to school, but now I have gotten used to take out and frozen foods.  Ugh!
Today's bus ride, besides crazy (some old homeless people were fighting and yelling...oh SF...) went through a farmer's market.  Had I not just been to the gym and starving I would've gotten off to peruse  the selection.  I am sure there have to be some better markets in SF than the one I went to, which has NO organic!  craziness...this is SF people!!  Live up to your green, hippie rep!
Off to do some homework.
ugh