What to Have for Dinner

 I couldn't have said it better:

http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/whats-for-dinner-5-questions-to-help-you-figure-it-out/

Turkey and Black Bean Soup

I posted this last year at about this time and since it is so cold, and all I really want to do is hibernate, I thought I would re-post it. I made the soup this evening and added a parsnip and a little chipotle pepper. Everyone was happy at my house

Turkey and Black Bean Soup: This is a staple at our house. It's easy to make, you can double recipe, it freezes and frequently it's something I give as a gift. Even Brian, my oldest and my sister, who claim they don't like beans, love this. The original recipe is from Cooking.com, but I have changed enough to call it my own.

The Recipe:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion chopped

1 lb ground turkey

1 tablespoon chilipowder

1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

several dashes tabasco

1 15oz can diced tomatoes

1 15oz can black beans

1 quart chick stock

10oz spinach, kale or other steaming greens, washed, stems removed

1. In a large stock pot or dutch oven add olive oil and ground turkey. Brown turkey until completely cooked. Remove turkey.
2. Add onion and saute over medium heat until translucent
3. Add turkey back to pot and add spices. Let cook for several minutes to allow flavors to blend
4. Add chicken stock, tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes
5. Add spinach or kale. Cook until wilted and serve.

Serve with at little parmesean as garnish.

Note:

I prefer Kale when I know I'm going to freeze this. The kale holds up better and doesn't get mushy.

A Tail of Two Cows, Happy Cow vs Nexium Cow

Once upon a time in lands that aren't so far away lived two cows. The first cow, Happy Cow lived on a farm in  rural Pennsylvania. Happy Cow ate grass as his relatives before him did. He roamed in the pasture, ate grass, left manure in the field to fertilize the soil and enjoyed the sunshine. Happy Cow had little stress in his life and acted as the herbivore he was.

Nexium Cow, on the other hand, lived somewhere farther west than Pennsylvania. We're not sure where, because it didn't say on the styrofoam package he came from. All we know is that he lived in a CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) with thousands of other cows. Nexium Cow had almost no room to move and was fed corn and soy so that he grew quickly and became obese. Nexium Cow had a constant upset stomach, called acidosis, because of the corn and soy he was forced to eat. Not his natural diet. All the acid in poor Nexium Cow's tummy makes it more likely that he will have the very dangerous E. coli O157 in his belly. When he goes to slaughter he has a more likely chance of contaminating his meat.

Happy Cow was at a healthy weight and had more omega 3, up to 400% more, 40% fewer calories and less cholesterol, saturated fat and about 90% less fat overall than Nexium Cow.  Since Happy Cow has been raised on pasture, has room to move, and doesn't have to stand in manure every day he is more likely to not need antibiotics and at least 60% less apt to have E.coli 0157 in his belly. Nexium Cow has a constant stream of antibiotics fed to him.

Happy Cow goes to slaughter calm, not afraid and is treated humanely.Nexium Cow - not so much.

I choose to eat Happy Cow. What do you choose?


NOTE: Nexium is a prescription drug for humans used to treat acid reflux. As far as I am aware it is not used on cows. I have used Nexium only for the purpose to relate how a cow might feel with all the acid in its stomach. In no way am I suggesting that Nexium be given to cows nor is there any malicious intent implied or otherwise towards the makers of Nexium or those who have taken it. I know many people it has helped.

Eating At Home and the Food Industry

 From the Huffington Post. Why eat at home just might save your life.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/family-dinner-how_b_806114.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=011011&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily+Brief