January 2009
Getting your fruits and vegetables:
How much is enough?
by Jill Irwin
How many times did you hear “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” while growing up? It’s true. Increasing scientific evidence shows the preventive health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables — lots of fruits and vegetables. Perhaps we should start saying 10 apples a day keeps the doctor away.
PCC announcements
(January 2009)
Announcing a new gluten-free database search on the PCC Web site, discontinue of inserting the printed PCC Cooks catalog in the PCC Sound Consumer that's delivered to member homes, and a local produce program for students at Van Asselt Elementary on Seattle’s Beacon Hill.
Shopping and eating on a budget
by Eli Penberthy
No doubt the financial meltdown is causing us to rethink spending on even the most basic necessities — and food is no exception. Some people are choosing more economical meats (indeed, sales of Spam are skyrocketing), while others are eating out less frequently; 45 percent of Americans report cutting down on the number of meals they ate out in 2008.
Recipes from the January issue
Experienced home cooks are masters at making delicious, healthy and economical meals from simple ingredients. Try these hearty recipes from PCC Cooks instructors: Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans) · Sausage, Lentil and Greens Soup · Spinach Salad with Grapefruit.
Watchdogging organic standards and the devilish details
by Goldie Caughlan, PCC Nutrition Education Manager
Each time a revision of a guideline, rule or other regulatory action is proposed by federal agencies — including the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — it’s published in the Federal Register. The clock immediately begins ticking against whatever deadline is stated for the public to file any comments or raise objections, the public’s only opportunity.
The value of organic certification
by Pamela Coleman
All natural? Non-GMO? No antibiotics or hormones? Aren’t they just as good as certified organic, just a little less costly? No doubt, when buying food the savvy shopper faces a dizzying array of labels and choices. Feeding the family never has been so complex.
What's new in store — January 2009
Learn about the products that are new to PCC in January. You'll find kefir from Redwood Hill Farm, Pizza from Rising Moon, rice grown by cooperatives in Thailand that are fair trade, and several new fruit juices.
Notes from the Cellar
Snake oil
by Jeff Cox, Wine and Beer Merchandiser
Throckmorton calls ’em the way he sees ’em. A rose is a rose, a spade is a spade and snake oil is snake oil — even if conventional wisdom says it’s holy water. Just the other day, as a few camrades were plotting a future bacchanal, the conversation drifted to Walla Walla and its allocated, anointed icons.
Seasonal produce
Great grapefruit
The first fruits of this year’s crop are already dark and robust, a sign that the grapefruit this season will be superb. Peel a heavy, plump grapefruit and inside you’ll find a succulent fruit bursting with health benefits.
The first farm: January harvest and a forecast
by Kia Kozen Armstrong
The New Year on the Dungeness Delta brings Brussels sprouts, kale and super-sweet carrots to our tables — as well as gratitude for such bounty to our hearts and busy hands. While many other farms wound down a while ago for winter, our crew at Nash’s Organic Produce is digging deep into a cold, wet harvest season.
Changes in agriculture · Facebook feedback · Choices in sugars and sweeteners · Global warming and food choices · Campaign for safer cosmetics · Eat local campaign
Washington state organic survey · New NOSB chair · EU allows deviant fruits and vegetables · California town banning big-box grocers? · GM corn affects reproduction in mice · Stevia a legal sweetener? · GM papaya · Pet health · High blood pressure and potassium · Correction to "Who owns the seed supply?"
PCC wins Employer of the Year · Juicing: Future of Health lecture · Healthy Living demos in January · Master Composter training · Helping the hungry · PCC Cooks
Talk to the Board · Board meeting report · 2009 board candidate slate · Public policy work
