“Mother Grain”
by Lauren, June 23, 2009 | Permalink
Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is often referred to as the “Mother Grain” in Bolivia where it has nourished the indigenous people for over 5000 years. Packed with amino acids, iron and other minerals, quinoa makes a nutritious side dish (or entree if you prefer to get your protein from plants rather than animals). Quinoa has become a godsend to those with celiac disease who can not digest gluten and anyone looking for delicious ways to include more whole grains in their diet (OK, quinoa isn’t exactly a grain but it cooks up like one).
Readers who have already become pros at cooking quinoa and memorized its nutritional stats are probably wondering what could make it worthy to blog about. Well, have I got news for you! Whole Foods Market now sells Fair Trade certified quinoa. Alter Eco(TM), which offers a complete range of Fair Trade products, has partnered with a cooperative in Bolivia to support sustainable development in addition to ensuring that quinoa growers get a fair wage. They have invested a portion of their profits in organic farming methods, certification programs and a processing facility which allows them to export their product directly.
To get the complete culinary story of quinoa, check out the Whole Story blog.
And to taste some delicious quinoa, stop by the “Taste of Allston Village” this Sunday, June 28 where the Brighton store will be sampling Pineapple Quinoa Stir-fry!
The Hidden Cost$ of Food
by Lauren, June 16, 2009 | Permalink
I had the privilege of attending a preview showing of “Food, Inc“, the latest documentary which exposes the country’s industrialized food system (it is being released nationwide this Friday). The film touches on the major issues - or more accurately: “problems” - with the production of food (and suspicious substances you find in the grocery store and fast food joints that masquerade as food) in the United States.
If you a devoted Whole Foods Market shopper and hip to buying unprocessed and organic food, then you are probably already aware of the topics covered in “Food, Inc” including the genetic modification of corn & soy and Monsanto’s domination of the seed industry, CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations), deficiencies in governmental oversight of food safety, and the impact of conventional farming on our health and the environment. However, I still encourage you to go see the film because it is so well-made and reinforces the need to talk about the issues & take action.
As a Whole Foods Market team member, I was really disturbed by the vignette of a poor family in California that must skimp on their food purchases to make ends meet. While the father spends over $200 a month on his diabetes medicines, he can not justify spending $1.29 for a head of broccoli. Rather, they visit the fast food drivethrough where they can get $1 hamburger for each member of the family to eat in the car on the way home. The mother wants to buy fruits and veggies in the supermarket; but she doesn’t because for the price of two pears, she can get more filling fare for her children at the drivethrough.
I feel very fortunate to work for Whole Foods Market where I have fantastic access to fresh, organic food. I rejoice when organic kale goes on sale for $1.49 a bunch. I’m mindful of how much I spend so save cash by buying fruit that is in season and cooking at home. Most farmers markets in the area open this week and I look forward to purchasing awesome food this summer direct from the grower/producer. I expect to spend more for certain items at the market like free-range eggs, local melons and heirloom tomatoes. But I do so knowing that I am getting more nutrition in every delicious bite.
