Author Archives: mary

About mary

Mary is a retired digital librarian and is a mother of boy-girl twins. She got her kids cooking early, when all they made was a mess! Today, they are both very proficient in the kitchen and are great cooks! It was a relatively painless process getting to where they are now. She shares her strategies in this website.

Toxic Strawberries: What’s the big deal?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by mary

For many years, strawberry growers have been dousing your strawberries with methyl bromide, a toxic fumigant that has caused many health problems for farm workers, pregnant women, and others who live near strawberry fields. It was used to kill pests … Continue reading →

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Drying Fruits at Home

Posted on February 2, 2012 by mary

Quite a few years ago, we bought a food dryer.  Our initial idea was to dry fruits and other foods for camping and hiking. Fresh fruits are tough to take along on a backpacking trip or to store if you … Continue reading →

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Slow Food, USA

Posted on January 27, 2012 by mary

Slow Food USA is a network of members who share a way of thinking, a way of eating, and a way of living. It is people who believe in the strong connections between good, wholesome food (and the pleasure we … Continue reading →

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Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria in Pork

Posted on January 24, 2012 by mary

We have a new report of current research with some alarming news! Published January 12, 2012 from the online science journal PLoS ONE (that’s the Public Library of Science), this research continues the frightening story of dosing our meat supply … Continue reading →

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Please Join Efforts to get the FDA to Require Labels for GMO Food!

Posted on January 19, 2012 by mary

The Environmental Working Group is one of several excellent nonprofit groups who need our help in demanding that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration require labeling of genetically modified foods.  What does it hurt to label the food? We all … Continue reading →

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Processed Food with the Most Trans Fat

Posted on January 11, 2012 by mary

The nonprofit organization Food, Inc, shared this research on the commercial processed food that contains the most trans fats.  Recall that trans fats are the fatty acids that increase the risk of coronary artery disease by raising levels of bad … Continue reading →

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Michael Pollen’s Wisdom

Posted on January 11, 2012 by mary

There is a link to another great *short* piece by Michael Pollen in the form of a question and answer interview.  Some of the gems of wisdom that he discusses at great length in his books are encapsulated in this … Continue reading →

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Tropical Romaine Salad

Posted on December 8, 2011 by mary

This simple salad incorporates three tropical tastes in a base of Romaine lettuce. Kids will love the sweet fruits and coconut—better for them in their whole fruit form than any juice will be.  If the fruits gets them eating salads, … Continue reading →

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Corn Sticks

Posted on November 29, 2011 by mary

This is a variation on corn bread but made in a cast-iron mold for corn.  If you don’t have one, another cast-iron mold pan or even a muffin pan will do but you may have to adjust the cooking time, … Continue reading →

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Easy Corn Bread

Posted on November 29, 2011 by mary

This is an easy corn bread recipe that kid can make with a little help from Mom or Dad. Thanks to The Best of FamilyFun Cooking and Parties cookbook for this great recipe. Find the book at Amazon.com.  Serves 6-8. … Continue reading →

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