INGREDIENTS
4 heads of baby bok choy
2 Tbsp lemon juice or orange juice
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (not minced)
2 Tbsp fresh herbs (such as dill or sage), finely chopped
Sea salt and pepper
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar or tamari
Romano cheese, grated (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Slice heads of baby bok choy in half length-wise (leaves to stem). Soak in cool water for 10 minutes to perk them up and remove any grit hidden inside. While heads soak, heat olive oil in small frying pan. Add thinly sliced garlic and stir until just golden brown (about 1 minute). With a slotted spoon, remove garlic to a paper towel and take pan off heat.
Take baby bok choy out of water and gently shake/pat dry. Slice off upper dark green parts of the leaves from the lighter heads. Coarsely chop leaves and set to the side. Brush both sides of heads with garlic-infused oil. Place with cut side up and sprinkle with lemon/orange juice, salt and pepper and herbs.
Place seasoned heads on pre-heated grill with cut side down. Cover grill for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove cover and turn heads over. There should be a nice golden color starting to appear. Drizzle balsamic vinegar or tamari over cut sides of heads. Cover again for 5 minutes.
In the meantime, on the stove, heat up the remaining oil in the small fry pan. When hot, add chopped baby bok choy leaves and salt and pepper. Stir constantly until wilted, but still very green (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and toss in fresh herbs if desired.
Remove cover on grill and turn heads one last time back to the cut side. Remove from grill when fork-tender.
To serve, put heads on plate and top with leaves and a sprinkle of cheese if using. Add more balsamic vinegar or tamari if desired.
Green Earth Organics Inc. is a home and office certified organic grocery and natural product delivery service. We have a wide selection of 100% Certified Organic fruit, vegetables, and other grocery products. We also carry a growing list of environmentally friendly products that make it easier for our customers to tread lighter on our planet. This blog offers exiting information on organic food and healthy eating habits.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tomato and Mozzarella Quinoa Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp water
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 oz mozzarella, cubed
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and water. Place tomatoes and mozzarella in a bowl and drizzle them with vinegar and oil mixture. Marinate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Allow to cool, then add to tomato and cheese. Toss well, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp water
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 oz mozzarella, cubed
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and water. Place tomatoes and mozzarella in a bowl and drizzle them with vinegar and oil mixture. Marinate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Allow to cool, then add to tomato and cheese. Toss well, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pitted and sliced black olives (optional)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely cubed or crumbled feta
DIRECTIONS
Cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to package directions. Allow to cool.
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Gently toss the quinoa with the olives, cilantro or parsley, and cherry tomatoes. Add the olive oil dressing and toss again. Add salt and pepper to taste and gently stir in the feta cheese.
Some variations on this salad: kalamata olives instead of black olives; parsley instead of or in addition to cilantro; adding diced red onion, canned artichoke hearts, and/or diced bell pepper, etc.
3 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pitted and sliced black olives (optional)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely cubed or crumbled feta
DIRECTIONS
Cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to package directions. Allow to cool.
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Gently toss the quinoa with the olives, cilantro or parsley, and cherry tomatoes. Add the olive oil dressing and toss again. Add salt and pepper to taste and gently stir in the feta cheese.
Some variations on this salad: kalamata olives instead of black olives; parsley instead of or in addition to cilantro; adding diced red onion, canned artichoke hearts, and/or diced bell pepper, etc.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Radish Dip
INGREDIENTS
5-6 radishes, washed and trimmed
3 oz plain chevre or cream cheese
3 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp apple juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Place radishes in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add remaining ingredients. Puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with crackers, chips, or fresh raw vegetables.
5-6 radishes, washed and trimmed
3 oz plain chevre or cream cheese
3 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp apple juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Place radishes in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add remaining ingredients. Puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with crackers, chips, or fresh raw vegetables.
Baked Radish Chips
INGREDIENTS
10 radishes, cleaned, tops removed, and sliced very thin
1 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp paprika
DIRECTIONS
Steam in microwave for 5 minutes, or in a steam basket on the stove for about ten minutes. Put in bowl with spices and mix well.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, flip the chips, and bake for another 10 minutes.
10 radishes, cleaned, tops removed, and sliced very thin
1 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp paprika
DIRECTIONS
Steam in microwave for 5 minutes, or in a steam basket on the stove for about ten minutes. Put in bowl with spices and mix well.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, flip the chips, and bake for another 10 minutes.
Green Beans in Garlic Sauce
INGREDIENTS
1 lb green beans, whole
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp minced garlic
Sea salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Over medium heat, boil the green beans in a 10-inch skillet, until they are just tender.
Drain the beans and return to the skillet.
Add the remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 2 or 3 minutes.
Used as a side dish, this recipe makes about 4 servings.
1 lb green beans, whole
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp minced garlic
Sea salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Over medium heat, boil the green beans in a 10-inch skillet, until they are just tender.
Drain the beans and return to the skillet.
Add the remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 2 or 3 minutes.
Used as a side dish, this recipe makes about 4 servings.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Get involved by donating books!
The Reading Tree is an international non-profit organization whose mission is simple: To spread the joy of reading by collecting donated books and distributing them to children who have few or none.
The Reading Tree distributes the donated books to local early learning and elementary school age children through social service agencies in the community such as the Children's Miracle Network, B.C. Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs and other literacy programs.
For the month of June, we would love your help with our book drive. All types of books are suitable for donation - new, used, hardcover and paperback. Simply leave them in your empty bin so we can pick them up and have them donated for you.
The books are out there. Thousands upon thousands end up in landfills each year. You can help us use these books to change the lives of kids in your community - and around the world.
The Reading Tree distributes the donated books to local early learning and elementary school age children through social service agencies in the community such as the Children's Miracle Network, B.C. Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs and other literacy programs.
For the month of June, we would love your help with our book drive. All types of books are suitable for donation - new, used, hardcover and paperback. Simply leave them in your empty bin so we can pick them up and have them donated for you.
The books are out there. Thousands upon thousands end up in landfills each year. You can help us use these books to change the lives of kids in your community - and around the world.
Frankenfoods: Not a Joke After All - Join Us in Taking Action
Genetically modified foods are making news again, and not in a good way. Rather, they are making headlines that truly earn their nickname of “Frankenfoods”.
Here at Green Earth Organics we never, ever sell foods with GMO (genetically modifed organism) ingredients. Food that is 100% certified organic, by law in Canada, cannot contain GMOs. In addition, we are active in organizations that provide important opposition to the GMO-dense agenda of international agribusiness giants.
Attack of the Killer Genes
New scientific evidence proves that the same genes that “modify” their plant or animal hosts can “modify” the DNA of the animals that consume them—including humans. Here is some of the latest news that we only wish was science fiction. This article, which we have condensed for your convenience, can be read in its entirety on http://www.responsibletechnology.org/.
GM corn and cotton are engineered so that they produce their own built-in pesticide in every cell. This pesticide, called Bt, is produced from the soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt has been used safely by organic farmers and others as Bt bacteria spray for natural insect control. Genetic engineers insert Bt genes into corn and cotton, so the plants do the killing.
However, the Bt-toxin produced in GM plants is thousands of times more concentrated than natural Bt spray. Designed to be more toxic, it has properties of an allergen. It also cannot be washed off, unlike the spray.
Studies also confirm that even the less toxic natural bacterial spray can be harmful. When used to kill gypsy moths in the Pacific Northwest, about 500 people reported allergy or flu-like symptoms. Some had to be admitted to the emergency room.
Indeed, farm workers in India handling Bt cotton are now reporting these same symptoms that are related to BT cotton farming. According to GM food safety experts, and Monsanto’s own research, changes in the immune status of GM animals are "a consistent feature of all the studies."
GM soy and corn are potent allergens -- each contain new proteins with allergenic properties, leading some scientists to theorize that the US epidemic of food allergies and asthma is a casualty of genetic manipulation.
Large Numbers of GM Animals are Dying
In India, animals graze on cotton plants after harvest. But when shepherds let sheep graze on Bt cotton plants, thousands died. Investigators said preliminary evidence "strongly suggests that the sheep mortality was due to a toxin. . . . most probably Bt-toxin." In a small follow-up feeding study by the Deccan Development Society, all sheep fed Bt cotton plants died within 30 days; those that grazed on natural cotton plants remained healthy.
In a small village in Andhra Pradesh, buffalo grazed on cotton plants for eight years without incident. On January 3rd, 2008, the buffalo grazed on Bt cotton plants for the first time. All 13 were sick the next day; all died within 3 days.
Bt corn was also implicated in the deaths of cows in Germany, and horses, water buffaloes, and chickens in The Philippines.
In lab studies, twice the number of chickens fed Liberty Link corn died; 7 of 20 rats fed a GM tomato developed bleeding stomachs; another 7 of 40 died within two weeks. Monsanto's own study showed evidence of poisoning in major organs of rats fed Bt corn.
And the Really Bad News: GMOs Remain Inside of Us
The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function.26 This means that a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives.
Warnings by Government Scientists Ignored and Denied
Scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned about all these problems even in the early 1990s. According to documents released from a lawsuit, the scientific consensus at the agency was that GM foods were inherently dangerous, and might create hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfer to gut bacteria, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged their superiors to require rigorous long-term tests. But the White House had ordered the agency to promote biotechnology and the FDA responded by recruiting Michael Taylor, Monsanto's former attorney, to head up the formation of GMO policy.
That “See No Evil” Policy is Still in Effect Today.
Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki has said, "The experiments simply haven't been done and we now have become the guinea pigs." He adds, "Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,' I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying."
If other GM foods are contributing to the rise of autism, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, allergies, reproductive problems, or any other common health problem now plaguing Americans, we may never know. In fact, since animals fed GMOs had such a wide variety of problems, susceptible people may react to GM food with multiple symptoms. It is therefore telling that in the first nine years after the large scale introduction of GM crops in 1996, the incidence of people with three or more chronic diseases nearly doubled, from 7% to 13%.
Of course, since Canada and the US are linked in so many ways, this is potentially bad news for Canadians as well.
Take Action to Avoid GM Foods
There are some things we can do in our everyday lives. People can stay away from anything with soy or corn derivatives, cottonseed and canola oil, and sugar from GM sugar beets--unless it says organic or "non-GMO." There is a pocket Non-GMO Shopping Guide, co-produced by the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety, which is available as a download, as well as in natural food stores and in many doctors' offices. It can be downloaded at their website: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Non-GMOShopping/Shopping
By insisting on non-GMO brands, as you do by being a conscientious supporter of organic foods and Green Earth Organics, we in North American may be able to force the food industry to respond as they did in Europe, by removing all GM ingredients.
Here at Green Earth Organics we never, ever sell foods with GMO (genetically modifed organism) ingredients. Food that is 100% certified organic, by law in Canada, cannot contain GMOs. In addition, we are active in organizations that provide important opposition to the GMO-dense agenda of international agribusiness giants.
Attack of the Killer Genes
New scientific evidence proves that the same genes that “modify” their plant or animal hosts can “modify” the DNA of the animals that consume them—including humans. Here is some of the latest news that we only wish was science fiction. This article, which we have condensed for your convenience, can be read in its entirety on http://www.responsibletechnology.org/.
GM corn and cotton are engineered so that they produce their own built-in pesticide in every cell. This pesticide, called Bt, is produced from the soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt has been used safely by organic farmers and others as Bt bacteria spray for natural insect control. Genetic engineers insert Bt genes into corn and cotton, so the plants do the killing.
However, the Bt-toxin produced in GM plants is thousands of times more concentrated than natural Bt spray. Designed to be more toxic, it has properties of an allergen. It also cannot be washed off, unlike the spray.
Studies also confirm that even the less toxic natural bacterial spray can be harmful. When used to kill gypsy moths in the Pacific Northwest, about 500 people reported allergy or flu-like symptoms. Some had to be admitted to the emergency room.
Indeed, farm workers in India handling Bt cotton are now reporting these same symptoms that are related to BT cotton farming. According to GM food safety experts, and Monsanto’s own research, changes in the immune status of GM animals are "a consistent feature of all the studies."
GM soy and corn are potent allergens -- each contain new proteins with allergenic properties, leading some scientists to theorize that the US epidemic of food allergies and asthma is a casualty of genetic manipulation.
Large Numbers of GM Animals are Dying
In India, animals graze on cotton plants after harvest. But when shepherds let sheep graze on Bt cotton plants, thousands died. Investigators said preliminary evidence "strongly suggests that the sheep mortality was due to a toxin. . . . most probably Bt-toxin." In a small follow-up feeding study by the Deccan Development Society, all sheep fed Bt cotton plants died within 30 days; those that grazed on natural cotton plants remained healthy.
In a small village in Andhra Pradesh, buffalo grazed on cotton plants for eight years without incident. On January 3rd, 2008, the buffalo grazed on Bt cotton plants for the first time. All 13 were sick the next day; all died within 3 days.
Bt corn was also implicated in the deaths of cows in Germany, and horses, water buffaloes, and chickens in The Philippines.
In lab studies, twice the number of chickens fed Liberty Link corn died; 7 of 20 rats fed a GM tomato developed bleeding stomachs; another 7 of 40 died within two weeks. Monsanto's own study showed evidence of poisoning in major organs of rats fed Bt corn.
And the Really Bad News: GMOs Remain Inside of Us
The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function.26 This means that a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives.
Warnings by Government Scientists Ignored and Denied
Scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned about all these problems even in the early 1990s. According to documents released from a lawsuit, the scientific consensus at the agency was that GM foods were inherently dangerous, and might create hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfer to gut bacteria, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged their superiors to require rigorous long-term tests. But the White House had ordered the agency to promote biotechnology and the FDA responded by recruiting Michael Taylor, Monsanto's former attorney, to head up the formation of GMO policy.
That “See No Evil” Policy is Still in Effect Today.
Famed Canadian geneticist David Suzuki has said, "The experiments simply haven't been done and we now have become the guinea pigs." He adds, "Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,' I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying."
If other GM foods are contributing to the rise of autism, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, allergies, reproductive problems, or any other common health problem now plaguing Americans, we may never know. In fact, since animals fed GMOs had such a wide variety of problems, susceptible people may react to GM food with multiple symptoms. It is therefore telling that in the first nine years after the large scale introduction of GM crops in 1996, the incidence of people with three or more chronic diseases nearly doubled, from 7% to 13%.
Of course, since Canada and the US are linked in so many ways, this is potentially bad news for Canadians as well.
Take Action to Avoid GM Foods
There are some things we can do in our everyday lives. People can stay away from anything with soy or corn derivatives, cottonseed and canola oil, and sugar from GM sugar beets--unless it says organic or "non-GMO." There is a pocket Non-GMO Shopping Guide, co-produced by the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety, which is available as a download, as well as in natural food stores and in many doctors' offices. It can be downloaded at their website: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Non-GMOShopping/Shopping
By insisting on non-GMO brands, as you do by being a conscientious supporter of organic foods and Green Earth Organics, we in North American may be able to force the food industry to respond as they did in Europe, by removing all GM ingredients.
The Gathering Place Pure Sea Salt
About The Gathering Place Trading Company
The Gathering Place is rooted in family, community and organic food. The company, owned by Lovena and Ryan Harvey and located on Cortes Island, British Columbia, is committed to organic farming, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Lovena and Ryan Harvey's first "Gathering Place" was a former hippie commune near Whistler, British Columbia. An idyllic location full of old growth trees, the couple farmed organically for five years, selling their fresh produce to local markets, grocery stores, and restaurants in the area. This was the start of their obsession with organic and was the genesis of the Gathering Place Trading Company.
Cortes Island, British Columbia, is the current home of The Gathering Place and Lovena and Ryan's growing family. They live in a small community of seven children and seven adults on 22 acres of gardens, orchard, and forest. They are building an off-grid passive solar home and fuel their business vehicle with biodiesel that they make from used vegetable oil. Their three beautiful children — Kai, Tosh, and Asha — and time spent in nature and with their community help keep them balanced. Honouring their farming roots, gardens abound, as well as chickens and ducks!
The Gathering Place Antarctic Pure Sea Salt
The Gathering Place Trading Company has sourced the purest salt in the world! Originating from the unpolluted waters of the Antarctic, this sea salt is as nature intended it to be — pure ocean brine minus the liquid, with no heat processing, no extraction of minerals, and no refining or processing in any way.
Every three days the pure Antartic sea salt is hand harvested from the pans, with special scoops, to retain its perfect crystal formation. The salt crystals are then hand-sifted and weighed.
Research proves that humans need whole, clean ocean salt. Antarctic Pure Sea Salt contains 82 trace minerals and essential macronutrients that our bodies need for optimum functioning.
Green Earth Organics is thrilled to be offering The Gathering Place’s sea salt in convenient, reusable grinders and in bags of both coarse sea salt and fine sea salt.
ETA: The Gathering Place website
The Gathering Place is rooted in family, community and organic food. The company, owned by Lovena and Ryan Harvey and located on Cortes Island, British Columbia, is committed to organic farming, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Lovena and Ryan Harvey's first "Gathering Place" was a former hippie commune near Whistler, British Columbia. An idyllic location full of old growth trees, the couple farmed organically for five years, selling their fresh produce to local markets, grocery stores, and restaurants in the area. This was the start of their obsession with organic and was the genesis of the Gathering Place Trading Company.
Cortes Island, British Columbia, is the current home of The Gathering Place and Lovena and Ryan's growing family. They live in a small community of seven children and seven adults on 22 acres of gardens, orchard, and forest. They are building an off-grid passive solar home and fuel their business vehicle with biodiesel that they make from used vegetable oil. Their three beautiful children — Kai, Tosh, and Asha — and time spent in nature and with their community help keep them balanced. Honouring their farming roots, gardens abound, as well as chickens and ducks!
The Gathering Place Antarctic Pure Sea Salt
The Gathering Place Trading Company has sourced the purest salt in the world! Originating from the unpolluted waters of the Antarctic, this sea salt is as nature intended it to be — pure ocean brine minus the liquid, with no heat processing, no extraction of minerals, and no refining or processing in any way.
Every three days the pure Antartic sea salt is hand harvested from the pans, with special scoops, to retain its perfect crystal formation. The salt crystals are then hand-sifted and weighed.
Research proves that humans need whole, clean ocean salt. Antarctic Pure Sea Salt contains 82 trace minerals and essential macronutrients that our bodies need for optimum functioning.
Green Earth Organics is thrilled to be offering The Gathering Place’s sea salt in convenient, reusable grinders and in bags of both coarse sea salt and fine sea salt.
ETA: The Gathering Place website
Fennel and Orange Salad
INGREDIENTS
Dressing:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dry basil
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salad:
1 head lettuce, washed, dried, and ripped into pieces
1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 orange, peeled and segmented
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the sugar, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, and olive oil in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; set aside. Toss the lettce, sliced fennel, orange, onion, almonds, and cranberries in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to serve.
Dressing:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dry basil
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salad:
1 head lettuce, washed, dried, and ripped into pieces
1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 orange, peeled and segmented
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together the sugar, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, and olive oil in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; set aside. Toss the lettce, sliced fennel, orange, onion, almonds, and cranberries in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to serve.
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