Potato Gnocchi: A Primer

(Number of times the word "gnocchi" appears in this post, including the title and this sentence: 24.)(Rejected suggestions for post title: "Gnocchi Dokey," "Gnocchi Country for Old Men, " and "Point of Gnocchi Return.")I love gnocchi. For lunch, for dinner, for breakfast - doesn't matter. In fact, if a survey was administered, and four out of five dentists preferred gnocchi to other Italian foods, I would pummel that fifth dentist until he acquiesced to gnocchi's inherent goodness. (Or, maybe I'd just feed him more gnocchi. That "pummel" thing is pretty violent.)For those unfamiliar with gnocchi, they're little pillows of potatoes and magic,...

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Posted in: Mains,Pasta,Sides,Vegetarian

Corrupt legislation designed to benefit corrupt corporations against the public interest

Along the same lines of protecting telecommunications for their illicit role in spying on citizens.Forcing drug companies to publish negative trial results ‘is against law’David RoseAn election pledge to require drugs companies to publish full details of clinical trials for medicines cannot be fulfilled because it is illegal under EU law, the Government has admitted.Psychiatrists and health campaigners renewed a call yesterday for all data on the effectiveness of medicines to be published after a review of clinical trials concluded that antidepressant drugs were no more effective than a placebo for patients suffering from depression.The pharmaceutical industry is encouraged to publish findings of all clinical trials online but is still, to a large extent, allowed to regulate itself. Critics...

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Heart Health, Heart Risk

On a daily basis I work with people who have complex and complicated health conditions. I see things that few see in my process of uncovering what may be the best approach for a client, based on their biochemistry, doctor's diagnosis (or even too often, no dx), and other factors.Generally I rely on nutrition, the use of supplements and herbs. I may use or suggest other therapies, especially for the emotional and spiritual component so important for health. I am partial to energy medicine and homeopathy, but it seems few people choose this approach, at least in the US where it is mostly unknown.As I always tell people, natural healing takes time. There is a lot of coaching on my part because people are used to a pill for a symptom so they seem to feel better.Feeling better is not always...

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CHG Favorites of the Week

Blog of the WeekMotherload: The Mom Advice BlogBeautifully designed and wonderfully informative, Amy Clark's parenting blog reminds me of a grassroots Real Simple in the best possible way. AND, it doesn’t just apply to Mommas. The kidless can still find it very handy to have around.Comedy of the WeekI Drink Your MilkshakeThis is one of those polarizing SNL sketches that half the world will love like its their grandma, while the other half decries it as infallible evidence the show is on the decline. Either way, Bill Hader’s Daniel Day Lewis impression is scary good.Organization of the WeekPartners in HealthLast year, I read the best biography...

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Posted in: Links

Save Money on Seasonings: MYOM (Make Your Own Mix)

The more I learn about saving cash on food, the madder I get with myself when I knowingly waste money. While this holds true for every aspect of grocery shopping, it’s double the fury when it comes to McCormick-style seasoning packets. Why? Well, almost any pre-packaged spice mix, rub, or powder can be made at home for a fraction of the price. Oftentimes, it’ll taste better, too.Case in point: I’ve been running out of chili powder for almost a month now. It occurred to me several times to buy some, but always in places like the Q Train or the bathroom at Barnes and Noble. Finally, last Wednesday, I couldn’t wait any longer. My Turkey Chili with...

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Posted in: Buying Food,Cooking,Frugality

Tuesday Megalinks

Madame X at My Open Wallet has an ongoing series called New York Stories, in which Big Apple residents describe the specifics of their financial situations. She was kind enough to post my entry as lucky #13. If you get the chance, take a look, and/or browse at the 12 other mini-biographies. Taken together, they’re a pretty accurate representation of what it’s like to survive and thrive (and eat – don’t forget the eating) in the city. And with that ...A Calorie Counter: The Beginner's Guide To Diet, Nutrition & Healthy EatingWow. Just a superb, easily digestible (haw) breakdown of basic dietary requirements for those looking to get on a more...

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Posted in: Links

Depressed people can improve without chemical treatments

A very good study and an important one for sure. With so many events surrounding the use of the SSRI calss of drugs this study tells us a very important thing; people can improve without dugs.For people like me it is important support for the benefit of the work I do, especially when it applies to uncovering the nutritional deficiencies leading to depression.The long time benefit of a sound food plan and the orthomolecular approach, now with some 60 + years of use, study and effectiveness without side effects and murderous incidents, we can certainly offer more hope to people suffering with depression and other mental health concerns. I feel as good about this study as I did in the 70s when I refused to participate in ECT at the psych hospital where I worked. An unsettling move for vested...

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Hawaii attempts what failed in New Mexico-BAN ASPARTAME

Already banned in the Philippines, Hawaii may become the first state in the US to ban neurotoxic aspartame. A previous effort in New Mexico failed. During the heated debate, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson allegedly accepted a $10,000 contribution from Ajinmoto, a company that manufactures aspartame.I am for this ban. If you are trying to stay healthy, you want to avoid it at any cost.From the Hawaii Reporter:Health Concerns Warrant the Removal of Aspartame Products Should Be Removed from Hawaii Marketplace By H. J. Roberts, M.D., 2/25/2008 8:43:47 AMI strongly urge the removal of aspartame products from the market in Hawaii, based on clinical observations and extensive corporate-neutral research on aspartame disease for over a quarter century. The medical and public health basis for...

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White Tang: Cooking Light's Creamy Caesar Dressing

[Apologies to the estate of Jack London for the punny title. Ultimately, it won out over “The Call of the White-ld (Dressing).”]Having attended approximately 48,344 weddings in the last ten years, I’ve had my fair share of Caesar salads. (And penne a la vodka.) (And chicken francese.) (And “Butterfly Kisses,” which is not a food, but rather the most overplayed, maudlin piece of treacle in the entire history of music. I barf on Bob Carlisle.)Where was I? Oh yeah – Caesar salad. I’ve consumed many, and few have stuck out as anything more than “meh.” I’m not sure if that’s the nature of the dish (“It’s a Caesar salad. Whadja want, Lobster Thermidore?”),...

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Posted in: 15 Minutes or Less,Dips and Sauces

Help for those of us who are attacked

Natural health care professionals are attacked in various ways, and have been over more than a century. The core issue is control.Many doctors and others who are 'licensed' often are the main group attacked or subjected to abuses by licensing agencies and propaganda mills in efforts to discredit the work we do, and THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BENEFITS OF NATURAL HEALTH CARE. One long time advocate against these unfounded attacks by bureaucrats with no knowledge of the field is Tim Bolen.Tim is back with some new information about Barrett and his ridiculous group of alleged "quackbusters".What Tim has to say and the updates he offers is enlightening. His information may make you wake up to realize that the busters are the real quacks. The information they promulgate is not based in fact, yet...

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More reports on low cholesterol and cancer

Repeatedly we have found, on years of reviewing the cholesterol lowering drugs, that immune defense is lowered, leading to an increase risk of cancer.We have also reported on the impact of liver problems from these drugs and impairment of the detoxification process. This becomes a much higher risk is you are taking any dugs for acid reflux (GERD).Forewarned is forearmed. Fri Feb 22, 2008NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with very low cholesterol levels seem to be at increased risk of developing stomach cancer, Japanese researchers report.Some studies have linked low cholesterol levels to higher death rates from cancer in general, Dr. Kouichi Asano, of Kyushu University, Fukuoka, and colleagues explain in the International Journal of Cancer. "With respect to gastric cancer, a limited number...

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Cellular shows more damage

Cellphone radiation alters skin proteinsHELSINKI, Finland — Research in Finland indicates that protein in human cells is altered when subjected to cellphone radiation, but the health effects of such radiation remain unclear. The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority subjected a small area of skin on the forearms of 10 female volunteers to cellphone radiation — otherwise known as radio frequency modulated electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) — for one hour. The report found that biopsies from exposed skin showed alterations not seen in similar biopsies on non-exposed skin. Researcher Dariusz Leszczynski said “even if the...

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Turkey Chili with Beans: Comfort Me with Chili

Edited 3/26/10 to add: Hi there, folks from CNN! Hope you dig this chili. If you find it a bit complicated, this Easy Bean Chili recipe from Cook's Illustrated may be a good option.When you hit your 30s, you begin to find that your generation’s grandparents aren’t around so much anymore. Most have passed on, many are incapacitated, some are squeaking by, and a lucky few are still spry teenagers concealed behind nonagenarian wrinkles and Christmas sweatshirts. Age has to happen to everyone, I guess. The certainty of passing time is hard to comprehend, and I assume, even tougher to confront with anything resembling grace. But somehow, folks manage.My...

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Posted in: Chili,Mains,Meat and Fish

Leading to Weightiness; Light on what happened to the healthy pyramid

Everybody is hot on the track of increasing weight gain. I have my theories, and I'll be exposuing on it in the next issue of herbalYODA Says! Much has to do with food and its impact on unsuspecting people who beleive everything told them by government agencies, like USDA.USDA is the home of the Food Pyramid.Read a little about how USDA used something to lead you down a primrose path to health problems, only to benefit Big Agra.Another reason not to beleive all the current adds for cheap ingredients with high profit under the guise of 'probiotics' and 'plant sterols'.More here:The "absurd American food pyramid" - a dietary guide that first...

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CHG Favorites of the Week

Food Comedy of the WeekColbert: People Destroying AmericaMcDonald’s is underwriting good grades, giving kids cash for As on their report cards. Colbert digs deep and comes up with HILARITY.Mouth-wateringest Blog of the WeekWell FedThe author only posts on occasion, but OH, what occasions they are. I could inhale every morsel here and go back for fifths. Possibly sevenths or twelfths. Who's counting?Organization of the WeekCompassionIf any of y’all read Rocks in my Dryer last week, you know it was some solid, heartbreaking/heartwarming stuff. Shannon sponsored a little boy through Compassion, a Christian organization aiding kids in Africa, and...

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Posted in: Links

Food, Frugality, and Fighting Brand Loyalty

I have a confession. I’ve been writing CHG since last July, yet cooking healthily and staying on budget remain constant struggles. Though I’m learning, and hope you’re enjoying the journey, I’m ultimately not an expert chef, dietician, or personal finance guru.But I am a media professional. And I know a little bit about advertising. And I know that the brass ring of every ad agency in existence is brand loyalty. And I know that brand loyalty can cost a food shopper (you, me, us, etc.) a lot of cash.Today’s article focuses on that phenomenon. What is brand loyalty? When does it start? Why is it less than great? How can it be tamed? You might find...

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Posted in: Buying Food,Frugality,Health

Alcohol abuse continues to be in the news...

Here is another drug for what is a very large market, if you can get past side effects and related possible long term risks. It would be hard to tell because it will be pushed by drug reps before any long term large sample size studies are completed. I guess more of a search for guinea pigs.On the other hand here is my approach to the issue with herbs, proven in actual studies on campus at a big party school.New Herbal Remedy Developed for College Binge Drinking Can Help Reduce Campus Drinking and Associated Fatalities. Well known natural health educator and consultant, Dr. Gayle Eversole, Founder and Director of Creating Health Institute of Pullman, Washington, has taken an active role to prevent binge drinking and other risky alcohol related behavior for those away at college. November...

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