LIKE: Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn

Oh! Sweet readers, I know it’s enormously self-indulgent to list your LIKES on what’s ostensibly a food blog, but then again, it’s kind of enormously self-indulgent to keep a blog in the first place. And I am nothing if not enormously self-indulgent (also: a lapsed Catholic). So … um … here are some LIKES.LIKE: Tom Waits’ first album, Closing Time. Holy schmoly. The Husband-Elect and I have been listening to this non-stop for the past week. It’s gorgeous and sad, and Waits’ voice doesn’t yet sound like he swallowed a handful of gin-soaked gravel. Due warning: while lovely, don’t play Closing Time when you’re sad/unemployed/nursing a breakup....

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Posted in: Mains,Sides,Vegetarian

Curried Brown Rice with Tomatoes and Peas. Plus, the Worst Date Ever!

About four years ago, long before the Husband-Elect and I started sucking face, I went on a series of interweb dates. Overall, it was a good experience. Sure, a few nights out were painful, but most of the guys were relatively harmless - nothing to see a psychiatrist over. (P.S. If a dude answers the question, “What was the biggest lie you ever told?” with “I do,” … run, don’t walk.)However, there was an exception.During that heady year, I went on the worst date in recorded human history. I'm not kidding. I tell people about it, and they're all, "You win." The story's a long one, so I'll try to condense it a bit.I: eat breakfast with guy; watch...

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Posted in: Mains,Sides,Vegan,Vegetarian

Veggie Might: Esquites (Divinely Roasted Corn)

Penned by the effervescent Leigh, Veggie Might is a weekly Thursday column about the wide world of Vegetarianism.It’s been a highly politicized year for corn: High-fructose corn syrup wars have been raging, and Food, Inc reminded us that American farmers mostly produce corn that feeds livestock and the agri-industrial complex.But let’s forget all about politics for today. It’s summer; the sun is shining; and, if you can stand the humidity, it’s high time to talk about corn that people eat.Corn is a nearly perfect food. It’s sweet; it’s savory; and it can be cooked a million ways. I’m always on the lookout for a new way to use corn, and New York...

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Posted in: Sides,Vegetarian,Veggie Might

HFCS Toxic to Bees, Toxic to You

Formation of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in Domestic High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Its Toxicity to the Honey Bee.If you heat High Fructose Corn Syrup if becomes toxic hydroxymethylfurfural which can break down into other more toxic components.Since HFCS is found in almost every item at your grocer, it may move you to read labe...

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Posted in: bees,HFCS,high fructose corn syrup,high fructose corn syrup dangers,honey bees,natural health news

More Vaccine Reading - Be Informed!

Vaccine-Induced Disease Epidemic OutbreaksMisinformation Linked to Explosion of Swine Flu in US SchoolsManipulating Date to Create FLU Pandemic Massachusetts Compulsory VaccinesVaccinations: Deadly Immun...

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Posted in: flu,swine flu,vaccine

Why You Should Say NO to Annual Screening Mammogram

"Being exposed to worrisome amounts of radiation from medical scans that increase the risk of cancer, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.They said the cumulative risk of repeated exposure to radiation from medical scans is a public health threat that needs to be addressed."Complete articleThe above is a quote from an article about cumulative exposure to radiation. While the report refers to x-ray and related radiologic exams (like the dentist or chiropractor), cell phone, wi-fi and microwave cooking radiation exposure should be included in this group.At the very least this supports the argument first proposed by John Gofman, PhD, MD, that annual...

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Posted in: Cancer,mammogram,radiation

Reader Request: Defining “Healthy”

Every Monday, I pen a cooking column over at Serious Eats called Healthy and Delicious. Usually, those meals are produce focused and naturally low-calorie, meaning there’s little hubbub over nutritional value.Here at CHG, we follow pretty much the same model. It says so right in the FAQ: “Nutrition-wise, we concentrate mainly on recipes with lower calories and fat, and often find those dishes naturally contain more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than most others.” (Yay FAQ!)Occasionally, however, I’ll post a Quick and Easy Apple Tart or a Light Macaroni and Cheese, and the health aspect comes under scrutiny. Sometimes, it’s from readers, and other...

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Posted in: Health

Tamoxifen link to second tumors

Many years ago now, Dr. Samuel Epstein of Chicago raised serious concerns about Tamoxifen. Perhaps more people should have been listening.More people should be listening to the fact that annual screening mammogram promotes breast cancer. (Suggestion: Request Thermography)Long-term use of a common breast cancer drug may hike the risk of developing a deadly second tumour, a study suggests. Tamoxifen, given to thousands of British women, prevents tumours being fuelled by the sex hormone oestrogen, and stops them returning after surgery. But a US study links use of the drug to a four-fold raised risk of developing a more aggressive, difficult-to-treat tumour, not dependent on oestrogen. However, women are strongly advised not to stop taking tamoxifen. " Women should be reassured that the benefits...

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Posted in: chemotherapy,Dr. Samuel Epstein,Tamoxifen

Tuesday Megalinks

Amateur Gourmet: Dinner at El Bulli, the Greatest Restaurant in the World30 courses, none of which I’ve ever seen in my life, all presented in awesome comic book form. So neat. (Thanks to Serious Eats for the link.)The American: The Omnivore’s Delusion - Against the Agri-intellectualsAn American farmer fires back against Food Inc., Michael Pollan, and pretty much everybody else who’s like, “the food system is messed up, yo.” It’s nice to get an opposing point of view. (Thanks to Casual Kitchen for the link.)CNN: Muppet DiplomacyNothing to do with food, everything to do with Kermit. Why drop bombs when you can send in Fozzy the Bear?Consumerist:...

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Posted in: Links

TV Drug Ads, Celebrities and FDA Propaganda

UPDATE: May 27, 2010 - FDA Adds Liver Injury Warning to Diet DrugWASHINGTON -- The weight-loss medication orlistat, marketed both by prescription as Xenical (120 mg) and over-the-counter as Alli (60 mg), will carry a warning about the potential for severe liver injury, the FDA announced ... full story http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/tb/20310 UPDATE: August 25 - FDA probes liver damage with weight loss pill alli----------------------------------------------------------------------Originally posted 2/13/09As we shall see over comings months the stimulus package is not going to be all you think it is because of smoke, mirrors and an ever expanding bureaucracy.Not too far removed from the stimulus issue is how TV ads for drugs push up profits for Big Pharma.One...

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Posted in: alli,consumer health,drug ads on TV,FDA,GSK,natural health news,Pfizer,Wyeth

Tyler Florence’s Mojo Marinade (for Chicken, Carne Asada, etc.)

Hi everybody! I’m back, and catching up to everything I missed while I was away. Prodigious thanks to both Stan and Leigh, who covered during my absence.While things are a little hectic right now, they should be up to speed soon. In the meantime, I give you Tyler Florence’s Mojo, a lively, tasty Tex-Mex-style marinade for chicken breast and flank steak. Alas, since it’s nearly impossible to account for how much oil the meat will retain, there are no nutritional calculations (though the price math is still listed).If you’re hankering for a solid side dish, check out Avocado and Corn Salsa over at Serious Eats. I posted on it today, and can absolutely...

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Posted in: Dips and Sauces,Mains,Meat and Fish

PROMISES, PROMISES: Indian health care's victims

UPDATE: 24 August - New Indian Health Head Works to Heal AgencyGannett News Service - Aug 23rd, 2009WASHINGTON - Growing up in Rapid City, S.D., Yvette Roubideaux remembers visiting the local Indian Health Service clinic - and waiting. She never saw the same doctor twice and often heard relatives gripe about the poor care they got.As a young, Harvard-trained doctor, she worked long days at an IHS rural clinic in Arizona with half the staff it needed. It was some 30 miles from the nearest hospital and far removed from medical school, where she used state-of-the-art equipment and learned the latest techniques.Now 46, Roubideaux is in charge. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe member is the first woman to run IHS, an agency that still lacks much of the money it needs to make sure all its patients get adequate,...

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Posted in: IHS,IHS fails in health care delivery,Indian Health Service,natural health news

It's SICKNESS Care, Not 'Health' Care

Dick nails the issue pretty clearly, although I added a note re: health clubs and medicare.From Dick Fojut, 8-22-9 The label "HEALTH"-CARE is false, misleading. The label should be SICKNESS-CARE" This so-called "HEALTH CARE REFORM" debate is entirely about SICKNESS CARE At a 1992 nationally televised "MANAGED (Medical Insurance) CARE" conference, attended by Sen. Bob Dole and Hillary Clinton (both Big HMO/Big Insurance shills in my opinion), a gutsy guy in the audience, from a small Minnesota HMO, spoke out honestly, attempting to correct all speaking at the conference: "WE DON'T GIVE HEALTH CARE, WE GIVE SICKNESS CARE"He stated the truth - but was quickly ignored. How did the misleading label "HEALTH" CARE replace SICKNESS CARE? Decades back, clever Public Relations people in the...

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Posted in: natural health news,sickness care

Scientist Issues Swine Flu Vaccine Warning

Does virus vaccine increase the risk of cancer?The swine flu vaccine has been hit by new cancer fears after a German health expert gave a shock warning about its safety.Lung specialist Wolfgang Wodarg has said that there are many risks associated with the vaccine for the H1N1 virus.He has grave reservations about the firm Novartis who are developing the vaccine and testing it in Germany. The vaccination is injected “with a very hot needle”, Wodarg said.The nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals and "we do not know if there could be an allergic reaction".But more importantly, some people fear that the risk of cancer could be increased by injecting the cells.The vaccine - as Johannes Löwer, president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, has pointed out - can also...

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Posted in: natural health news,swine flu,swine flu vaccine,vaccine risk and cancer,Wolfgang Wodarg

More on Gardasil's Lack of Logic

This mainstream media report raises some valid issues to the concern of parents everywhere, and joins in the large collection of Natural Health News articles on Gardasil and vaccine issues.Gardasil Researcher Speaks Out(CBS) Amid questions about the safety of the HPV vaccine Gardasil one of the lead researchers for the Merck drug is speaking out about its risks, benefits and aggressive marketing. Dr. Diane Harper says young girls and their parents should receive more complete warnings before receiving the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Harper helped design and carry out the Phase II and Phase III safety and effectiveness studies to get Gardasil approved, and authored many of the published, scholarly papers about it. She has been a paid speaker and consultant to Merck. It’s highly...

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Posted in: CBS News,Diane Harper,Gardasil,HPV,natural health news

Veggie Might: Peach, Tomato, and Basil Salad, a.k.a. Salad Redeemed

Written by the fabulous Leigh, Veggie Might is a weekly Thursday column about all things Vegetarian.Like most people, I hate to waste food for fiduciary and children-starving-in-Africa-and-right-here-at-home-reasons. So when I improvise in the kitchen, I stick to a few basic tropes:garlic + greens + beans ginger + vegetable + grain lemon + vegetable + pastaThey all = awesome, and the mixing and matching make me feel like there is variety in my diet.Recently, I picked up some fresh fava beans from the farmers' market. They were a special treat because they were A) expensive and ii) I'd never had them before. Once home, I browsed my cookbooks for...

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Posted in: Desserts and Snacks,Sides,Vegan,Vegetarian,Veggie Might

GUEST POST: Observations from a Novice Cook

Kris is on vacation. Today's post comes from Stan Laikowski, who sometimes writes or says funny things. He has a brand new blog here: www.bedstan.vox.com. He is always a husband and dad.My young self had big plans for my adult self. I had always seen myself as growing into a jack-of-all-trades, without the “master of none” part. With little effort, and even less time commitment, I was to be a phenomenal drummer, clutch jump shooter, and cutting edge film director. Skate boarder. Novelist. Jet setter. The list goes on. The dusty Tama Swingstar drum set that I finally threw out a few years ago tells a different story, as does the pile of notebooks...

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Posted in: Cooking

The Dangers of Osteoporosis Drugs

UPDATE: August 25 - Feedback from a fluoride based Fosamax user whose bones seem to be crumbling before her eyes. I am a femur-fracture survivor...bilateral. The right leg broke in March, the left one in July, 2009. I also suffered a compression fracture at L1 in May.I was given Fosamax 10 years ago as a preventive measure. Now I am worse than I would have been 20 years down the road. I cannot begin to tell you that there are women breaking a leg everyday! And they do not know why. It was through the fact, that the orthopaedic doctor who took my emergency case on the first leg, had just received some information about the bilateral fractures. If you held my x-ray up against several other womens, you could not tell us apart!I hope you continue to write and correspond about this important subject....

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Posted in: Boniva causes femur fracture,Dr. Dach,natural health news,osteoporosis,Sally Field

Canadian Community Proclaims Electrosensitivity Month

The City of Colwood on Vancouver Island (Canada) are proud to announce that the City has proclaimed August as Electromagnetic Sensitivity Awareness Month. This is a first for Canada, as it joins many other countries in recognizing this new environment-related illness.from GreenMuzeIn an unprecedented move, the City of Colwood on Vancouver Island in western Canada, has declared August Electromagnetic Sensitivity Month (EMS). Although a first for Canada, many countries around the world recognize that EMS is a chronic illness with a hypersensitive reaction to electromagnetic radiation for which there is no known cure. Symptoms of EMS include dermatitis, acute numbness and tingling, arrhythmia, muscular weakness, overwhelming fatigue, headaches, sensitivity to light and severe neurological problems.Colwood...

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Posted in: electromagnetic sensitivity month,EMF,Medical News Commentaries,microwave radiation,mobile phones,natural health news,WI-FI