urban acres

hey dallas, have you heard of urban acres?

it's an organic food co-op in the heart of the bishop arts district. they are committed to providing local and organic food to dallas. almost like a mini farmers market. i'm just waiting for some free time to make a little visit to their shop!

p.s. they've got a rockin' blog packed with info, recipes, and articles on healthy eating.

yellow = yum!

for the longest time i've been a big believer in skipping out on the yolk when ordering and cooking anything with eggs. the yolk is the bad part, right? wrong! i've been missing out on extra protein and nutrition.

check out what the lovely ladies at healthy eats think about that yellow center. eat up, egg lovers!

just eat organic!

this video sums it up. need i say more?

"i have been crucified with Christ and i no longer live, but Christ lives in me. the life i now live in the body, i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

galatians 2:20

sweet treat

i have a very large sweet tooth. if it's sweet, i'll take it!

so to satisfy my cravings of sweetness, i think i'll make this recipe today. i have made it in the past, and my goodness is it good!

{healthier} crispy rice treats

(thanks to my favorite healthy chef, ellie krieger)

ingredients:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 style chunky, natural-style peanut butter
• 6 cups of brown rice cereal
• cooking spray

directions:

1. combine honey and peanut butter in a large pot and heat over medium heat.
2. add brown rice.
3. stir until combined and sticky.
4. press firmly into 9 x 13 in pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray (with wet hands to avoid stickiness).
5. let cool, then chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
6. cut and serve!

these are great because they remind me of rice crispy treats, without all those calories and high fructose corn syrup! enjoy!

"'though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

isaiah 54:10

quinoa

i have a new foodie obsession: quinoa

it's this grain that is totally delish!! super healthy and loaded with protein, this little seed is now on my favorites list. every time i see a recipe with this in it, i have to try it!

so far, giada has made my favorite. (added bonus that it allows us to use up all our home-grown herbs)

Quinoa & Herbs

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken stock

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 cups quinoa

Dressing:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons lemon zest

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

For the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, add the chicken stock, lemon juice and quinoa. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes.

For the dressing: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, parsley, thyme, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa and toss until all the ingredients are coated. Transfer the quinoa to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

"come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!"

proverbs 7:18

p.s. thanks letincelle for the yummy picture

p.s.s. in order to sound really sophisticated when on your next trip to whole foods, pronounce quinoa like:

KIN + WHAH

sweet dreams, sugar!

i, meredith lockhart, am vowing to stay away from refined sugars for 30 days.

i have been reading up on all the negative effects of refined sugars, and it's just atrocious! this website has compiled a list of several reasons why cutting back on the processes stuff is healthier. consuming a lot of refined sugar can lead to:

tooth decay

diabetes

obesity

osteoporosis

impaired immune system

fatigue

headaches

arthritis

depression

(you would think the first 8 effects would lead to # 9, right?)

now, i am a big believer (not always a follower) of eating everything...but in moderation. but i want to do a little study on how cutting out the refined sugars in my diet helps me to be healthier.

want to join me? start by cutting out the big jars of refined sugars in your baking and read your nutrition labels!! look for anything that has:

sugar

high fructose corn syrup

aspartame

acesulfame-k (twice as sweet as sugar)

sucralose

dextrose

cyclamate

saccharine

with the rather large sweet tooth that i have, i will be looking to healthier substitutes, like honey, agave, applesauce, and maple syrup, to sweeten up my baking.

"may the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

1 thessalonians 3:12

p.s. this artist is selling the above vintage poster, from the world wars.

read up more on how to make the cut.

use these exotic sweeteners to get your fix.