Organic Food and Non GMO

Have you been paying attention to the news about our food supply? The more I learn, the more alarmed I become. Our food supply, in general, is in trouble. We are eating food that is pumped full of chemicals, additives, antibiotics, pesticides and preservatives. We no longer eat what our grandparents and generations before that ate. No wonder diseases including cancers, IBS, obesity, gluten and other allergies are so prevalent in our society. 

What can we do? We must try to buy organic, non GMO, free range, no antibiotics, no preservatives, no additives or anything artificial added! Food that has been raised humanely is a must as well as avoidance of most farm raised fish. This is not only extremely difficult but also is expensive. I find myself scouting out sources for "clean" food-fortunately I have stores around me that carry some good options including farmer's markets, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Central Market, and more. However, one must question-can we trust the labels? Even if vegetables and fruits are marked organic, does that mean they were also grown from non GMO, organic seeds? 

I have started a very small garden of my own. I would have a much larger one already if it weren't for my extreme fear of snakes. I have lots of non venomous garden snakes in my yard and the very idea of working in the earth in such close proximity of them makes me somewhat nauseated. However, I know I could grow things myself that would be healthier alternatives to many grocery store options, so I am studying organic gardening and similar resources. 

I may try some raised beds and add more containers to my gardening! Ha :)

 

Spaghetti Sauce

No one makes home made spaghetti sauce as delicious as my mom. She simmers all the ingredients together from scratch and it is amazing.  Of course, that's how most of us feel about our mom's cooking  :)

I did come up with a tasty sauce that I am sharing today. Here's how I made it:

In a large pot, pour a few tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of the pan and over medium high heat, add a chopped onion and three minced garlic cloves. Simmer for a few minutes and add chopped vegetables of your choice. My favorites include zucchini, summer squash, red bell pepper, artichokes and fresh spinach.

Saute the veggies for about five minutes then add 1/4 cup of good red wine. Simmer with 2 tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp Italian seasoning and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes. Adjust seasonings to taste. 

Pour one large jar of good spaghetti sauce into the pot-I use Muir Glen Organic. You can also use canned or fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce or paste as options.

I added 1/2 cup of cooked ground beef to the sauce and simmered til the spaghetti noodles, cooked separately, are done. 

*Add fresh spinach at the very end of the cooking and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese to serve.

Enjoy!