To Market to Farmers Market to buy some Capital Kettle Corn

(Gabriella’s Corner at the Market)

This Saturday in May we visited the Silver Spring Farmers Market

http://freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/silver_spring.php to buy

some fresh produce (local veggies and fruits) and we found JC Clark owner of Capital Kettle Corn http://capitolkettlecorn.us/ a local business that supplies once in a while treats to everyone!! Sugar is okay in moderation...

Gabriella interviewed him and found out that he purchases his corn from a local source usually within a 150 mile radius and it has no GMO very important!! His source is one of the only corn sources locally that does not have GMO’S. (Genetically Modified Organisms)

 JC expressed to Gabriella the importance of supporting the environment with sustainable food and how getting it locally from the only local producer of popcorn the Chesapeake Bay food shed is important. Rather then having to have it come in from as far as the Midwest or California which could take 4-5 days which of course causes more gas emissions and pollution !!

His efforts of buying local also supports local farmers so that they can get a fair shake at earning a living and continuing to grow and supply healthy locally grown food to everyone!!! Which is healthier!!

 The flavors are very unique and creative Gabriella’s favorite was the chocolate and cinnamon flavor. Delicious. Delicious…..Thank you JC for enlightening us!!! We enjoyed learning from you!

By till later…Eat Well Be Well!!

K

I Scream You scream We all Scream !!! Home Made Banana Ice Cream!!

(Gabriella’s Corner at School Nutrition and Fitness Event)

We did it!! Home Made Banana Ice Cream as part of the "Retraining the Taste Buds" Summer Sweet Treats Segment for 5 Flavors of Chi

 YEAH Vita Mix Blender you made us proud!!

Thank you Ms. Baity.? For your support and for inviting us!!

RECIPE  FOR ICE CREAM  IS BELOW!!!

We had our puppet Chef Alfonso making his appearance debut and dancing for anyone and everyone!!

The health benefits of Almond milk, Rice milk and Agave were discussed by Gabriella and Mom. Samples of the ice cream were given out to everyone!!

Pedramin Valzari  a (nutritional consultant/Holistic Wellness Counselor) that works with us had yummie-licious banana cake with banana frosting samples made with all organic ingredients and coconut oil.

They were gluten free and vegan. She discussed the differences in the agave sweeteners vs. refined sugars health wise and the benefits of using coconut oil instead of traditional cooking oils.

 The therapeutic benefits of her ingredients were discussed with parents, students and faculty and her information was greatly appreciated!!

Hand outs were made available with the cakes ingredients, health benefits and recipe, at the table for everyone.

The health benefits of one of the many wonderful essential oils used in the cake from do’terra http://doterra-essential-oils.com/cinnamon-essential-oil essential oils was discussed also.

The recipe is as follows below:

Banana Ice Cream

Serves 4 -6 people: use food processor or vita mix blender and blend until creamy serve right away

5-6 very ripe bananas peeled and frozen ( freeze overnight 1 inch pieces in plastic freezer bag)

1 cup ice

1cup almond milk or soy milk( vanilla flavor)

2 tablespoons agave sweetener or honey

1teaspoon vanilla

Enjoy!!

Capcs 2 Pal Breakfast !!! Pink What !!! Pink Slime !!

Capcs 2 PAL Breakfast

5 Flavors Of Chi attended the last Pal Breakfast for the school year hosted by academy leader Mrs. Tanya Morgan. She is absolutely the best!!

Thank you for having us and for all of your support Mrs. Morgan.

We introduced the Initiative again to parents attending the breakfast. They received Go Mambo sample packets again thanks to Go Mambo!! They also received Safety Food Shoppers Guides.

The ingredients and benefits were listed on a handout flyer. We discussed the programs focus and goals.

Also touched briefly on why educating children at a young age on the importance of eating healthy and developing habits at a young age are important. The Pink Slime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_slime controversy was talked about and discussed Yuk!!!

We discussed the state of our health nationally among children (mainly the obesity epidemic) and adults and the overall food system in general and why it needs to change.

There was also a viewing of video excerpts from a educational health documentary.

The parents were engaged and interested in the information and message.

One of the parents wanted to start juicing right away which was great!!

It’s always a treat to inform and educate others!!! Especially when they get it and it helps them become aware of other choices!!!

Eat Well!! Be Well!!

K

Great Wolf Lodge’s Restaurant’s Chef Shops Locally !!

Great Wolf Lodge’s Restaurant’s Chef Shops Locally !!!

Hello there again!! We traveled to www. Great Wolf www.greatwolflodge.com and had a wonderful stay over the school spring break with our daughter.

We dined at their restaurant which we almost avoided because of we assumed it was the typical cafeteria style of unhealthy food loaded with loads of fats, lots of sugar, high sodium content and un-fresh produce with little to no nutritional value.

Boy! Were we wrong!! When I approached the maître d and asked if the food was local she asked me right away if I wanted to meet the chef. "Really I said"? Of course I would love to talk to him!!

Low and behold he was extremely friendly, forth coming about his produce and meats and excited about our interest in his food preparation and ingredients.

"Yes he replied the food here is locally purchased at our Farmers Market"!! So it is fresh every day with no chemicals etc. Yeah!! Thank you Chef Lopes. It was really a treat to dine in your restaurant!!!!

The Chef was very friendly and more importantly knowledgeable about the importance of eating locally grown; organic, sustainable foods .The food was superb!!

It never hurts to ask especially as it concerns your family’s health. If you want good food you have to ask for it and the supply will meet the demand!!

The power is with the people!! The end customer makes or breaks a business. Ask and you shall receive !!

Eat Well, Be Well

K

"Retraining the Taste Buds Segment" Why is this important !!

Today I am updating my blog with some of the most recent events attended by 5 Flavors of Chi “We Are the Why” Healthy Eating and Fitness Initiative. February 28^th we attended a Health Fair for Browne School Education Campus.

We talked to the parents, students and faculty about the importance of eating foods without chemicals due to over processing, preservatives, Gmo's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism (Genetically Modified Organisms and other flavor enhancers).

We also touched on the importance of reading labels when food shopping and what to look for.

Questionnaires were given out to individuals to fill out about family eating habits for general awareness.

We offered as part of our” Retraining the Taste Buds” Segment samples of alternative cheese puffs thanks to Pirates Booty www.piratebrands.com  generous contribution and donation.

Pirates Booty( aged white cheddar puffs) is a healthier rice and corn snack for kids and adults that is natural, trans fat free, gluten free ,chemical free and delicious.

 The kids loved it  We give our daughter this snack all the time .You can find these at Whole Foods, Yes Organic and other grocery chains that carry natural and organic products.

We also gave out sample packets for our “Retraining the Taste Buds” segment with a list of ingredients and general health benefits thanks to www.mambosprouts.com Samples of Green Tea, Sweet Tea, Basmati Rice, Nature’s Path Granola Bars, Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce, Seasonings, and coupons for Yogi Teas, Natural Essence sunscreen, and Santa Cruz Organic juices among other things.

 “Retraining The Taste Buds” is a segment of the initiative created to introduce healthier alternative foods to parents to be able to incorporate a healthier way of eating and lifestyle for their child.

Many parents in the population that we speak to do not have exposure to healthier products because of availability issues in their local grocery stores.

 Also more importantly, not having the awareness, that they should, be seeking out different products. One of the issues we cover first is why change is necessary and how to begin the process of having accessibility to those foods.

 Safety Food Shopping guides were distributed to parents thanks to the generosity of 
 www.centerforfoodsafety.org a local non-profit organization that advocates with great persistence food safety for the public  and other public safety environmental issues. I am so grateful for all of their hard work protecting us citizens.

There were also video excerpts on healthier eating for parents and students to watch.

Bye for now and  remember!! Knowledge is Power or you are at the mercy of other’s!!! Eat Well Be Well!!! Till next time…..