Many of you have probably seen that dorky commercial that involves a person eating something and that food item becomes animated and starts thrashing it's ingestor.  I hate that commercial, it's UGLY!  But, it is true, your food can hurt you.  Many people suffer from food allergies, digestive issues and other possibly related illnesses.  It's imperative that every food consumer understands that they have a responsibility to themselves and those that they serve, know safe food handling and practice those proceedures.  You can save a life and it might be yours! 

Okay, now that I've provided you with my public service announcement....I want you to take the time to really read over the following information on the link I provide you today.  It's one thing to practice your own safety standards but, "who's minding the store", so to speak.  If the food is entering the market already contaminated and the public is non the wiser, what then???  There SHOULD BE REAL SAFEGUARDS in place but, maybe that's just being naive.  Who is REALLY protecting our food market safety?  What is being done?  What is not working?  Who even cares?  Food consumers, nowadays, must be knowlegable and proactive, otherwise, we're fair game for exploitation and fraud.  And, I personally, do not believe the NEW FOOD SAFETY bill is just about protecting us, the consumers.  When you can, get a copy and read the thing.  The people who signed it into law probably DIDN'T read it at all!!

Bon Apetit!

http://www.grain.org/article/entries/4230-food-safety-for-whom-corporate-wealth-versus-people-s-health

I found another one so I can't resist passing it on so that I can do my part to educate others as to the controversies regarding GMO's.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/why-arent-g-m-o-foods-labeled/?ref=geneticallymodifiedfood


Bon Apetit!

I can only apologize for not attending to my blog lately.  We are dealing with many issues related to my parents' health and keeping up with managing their affairs.  It's a bit distracting from all the other things I would like to be doing.

Chef Roland is keeping quite busy working with a local non-profit in developing their baking/culinary program for rehabilitating persons.  It's an awesome program.  We have managed to work in a few outside projects and I will hopefully have pics up soon.  In addition, we will be involved in some private culinary classes, some culinary presentations and helping with our church to develop their concept for gardening/culinary/food preservation classes.  Though we live in a very rural area, I can't believe how many opportunities keep popping up in the most unexpected places. 

We are also looking at the possibility of collaborating with two local venues to present culinary classes to our immediate community, with the idea that we will possiby start our own small cooking school nearby.  Lots going on.

In the meantime, I am persisting to find what I can regarding the GMO/hybrid/Mansanto connection.  I hope you find the link I've included to be interesting regarding an article that ran in the NYTimes.  As you read the article, especially take note of the reference to how Mansanto is brought into this article.  I really wish their could be some kind of public pressure that could be organized and brought to bear on Mansanto and the FDA.  Any political activists reading this???

I would love to hear back from some of you as to what your thoughts are on this most important subject of GMO labeling. 


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/why-arent-g-m-o-foods-labeled/?ref=dining

Bon Apetit!







 

Since I've referred to Mansanto in various articles and links I've posted, I thought I would give you a link that, I think, gives a very good overview as to why we should be concerned about this corporation and how it is negatively impacting our world.  Here's the link:

http://www.naturalnews.com/030967_Monsanto_evil.html


http://www.naturalnews.com/030913_Monsanto_suicides.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/030406_GMOs_survey.html


http://www.naturalnews.com/030940_Bill_Gates_Foundation_genetics.html

I've already admitted to you all that I'm the food/cooking novice in the family.  Maybe that's a good thing?  You know, they say that "too many cooks spoil the broth" and I know that for sure, I don't want to have to compete with Chef Roland in the kitchen.  But, I decided that this year, I'm going to put it on my "list" to start trying my hand at various dishes, with the intention of cooking Christmas Dinner for my family (if any are brave enough to come) next year.  I've been reading over some recipes, seeing which ones I'll try first and have found one for my soup and one for my first course that I'm not going to reveal until I know I can succeed.  I'll keep you posted as to my progress!

One of the recipes calls for sultanas and when I come across a food word that is new to me, I like to pass that information on to those of you who are Gourmet Beginners, like me.  The new word is "sultanas" and even if you know what they are, I think you will find the link I'm using to be informational and entertaining.

I did manage to make a couple of different kinds of cookies for the holiday that I am gifting to others (if I can manage not to eat them all up) and think they are a bit different than the usual fare I see others preparing.  I made chocolate shortbread and thumpprint cookies with apricot preserve centers.  They are delicious, if I may say so without bragging.  They're simple enough and I found the recipes in a magazine.

If you would like to share stories or comments about your christmas cookie experiences this season, please submit them via our blog comment box and I'll be happy to post them.  Sometimes the stories are just as good as the cookies, if not better!

Definition of Sultanas:  http://www.ochef.com/676.htm

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & Bon Appetit!