Did you know that 1/3 of the fresh chicken found in market meat cases has been synthetically saturated with amis of water, salt and other additives?  This process is designed to make naturally lean poultry meat juicier and more tender. 

Next time you are purchasing chicken read the label and especially the fine print.

A 4 ounce serving of enhanced poultry can contain as much as 440 mg of sodium.  That is one fifth of the 2,300mg daily sodium recommend.

LOOK for natural, non-enhanced poultry - "Contains 1-5% retained water."

INSTEAD of - "Enhanced with up to 15% chicken broth, salt and carrageenan."

You can also check the ingredient list and look at the sodium content on the nutrition facts label.

The sodium content should not be higher than 70 mg per serving if it is truly natural.
All the more reason to read labels on every food product!

I have to share how much my family loves Samira's Homemade hummus. 

My kids say it is so delicious and asked tonight, "Mom, why didn't we get more?"  They managed to eat all the red pepper hummus we purchased at the Belmont Farmer's Market today (I did partake in the eating as well!).  Not only do they make delicious hummus; but their own pita bread as well...next time you are in Belmont on a Thursday, stop by the Belmont Farmer's Market and meet Samira and Ragab.  You won't be disappointed not only in their product but their friendly personalities.

http://www.samirashomemade.com/about.html

They also sell their product at a number of other markets, check out:
http://www.samirashomemade.com/wheretobuy.html

Hi Folks...if you read the Roots & Sprouts Late Summer 2010 Newsletter, you might have seen my recipe for Berry Banana Bread.   OOopsy.  A bit of a mistake on a couple ingredients that will make a huge difference!!
The recipe below is correct.  (the typos were with baking soda and baking powder)

So sorry about that! 

Berry bread recipe...I tweek it every time with a different type of fruit added.

  

1/3 cup canola oil

 

2/3 cup sugar

 

2 eggs

 

5 -ripe  med size bananas

 

1 cup frozen rasp or blueberries or chopped cherries or strawberries

 

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

 

1 cup whole white flour

 

½ teaspoon baking soda 

 

¼ teaspoon baking powder

350 degrees.

Mix oil, with sugar and add eggs.  Mix to combine.

 

In a separate bowl mash bananas, add berries and ¼ cup of water.  Mix.

 

Add to oil/sugar/egg combo.

 

In a separate bowl mix flours, powder and soda.  Add to banana mixture.

 

Combine until smooth.  (Bananas should be slightly chunky along with

berries)

  

Pour into lightly greased baking pan or mini muffin tins.

 

Makes one large loaf or 24 min muffins.

 

Bake loaf for approx 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean in the center.

 

Bake muffins for approx 18 - 20 minutes. or until toothpick comes out clean in the center.

 

The kids love when I use black rasp with the bananas because the muffins are purple and they are delicious.