newsletter, spring 2009

Hi Everyone,

As spring arrives, our thoughts drift to the hope and promise of the season. Although we're facing major challenges in our world, turbulent times can offer opportunity. Maybe we will become clearer about what we value (vs. what we buy). This could be the time to build a new economy which would better serve us all, like investments in sustainability and people. For example, every dollar spent locally has three times the effect of a dollar sent to distant corporate headquarters. May we all, including our leaders, be inspired to seek creative and worthwhile solutions. To use a seasonal metaphor “To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao-tsu

A new book proposing such positive alternatives is Agenda For A New Economy: From Phantom to Real Wealth. The author, David C. Korten, is also co-founder of YES!, a non-profit magazine building a just and sustainable world. The magazine is definitely hopeful, “can do” and solutions-oriented. The spring issue, “Food for Everyone: How to Grow a Local Food Revolution,” is devoted to food topics. You can get a free trial copy of this magazine by requesting one through their web site, click here. You can also get a complimentary copy of Korten’s excellent book with a paid subscription! Visit this link to read a short summary of his ideas.

We have made some updates to our website, including home page icons which take you directly to local food and sustainability resources: ASAP, Slow Food, Mountain Tailgate Market Association, Organic Growers School, WNC Green Building Council and Sustainable Asheville. Visit www.lenoresnatural.com and click on the icons in the left column.

The "groundwork" for spring classes has begun…we’ve ordered seeds and planted the scrumptious and nutritious vegetables that we will feast on in our April and May classes. These classes feature raw and living foods preparation and registration starts now!

Food Preparation Classes

Live Foods Three-Class Series  (Fee $150 • Single Class $55)

• April 11: "Whip It Up" Raw foods overview with preparation using a blender. Recipes include a yummy Breakfast Pudding, Sensational Smoothies, Divine Green Goddess Dressing, Salad Secrets, and a Dreamy Chocolate Dessert. Superfoods like Chia and Hemp Seeds will be featured. Enjoy a garden tour, too!
• April 18: "Crank It Out" Juicer and food processor techniques highlighting Green Juices, Sprouting, Patés, Sandwich Stacks, Lettuce Roll-ups, Hand Rolls and Naturally-fermented Ruby Red Turnip Pickles.
• May 2: "The Heat Is On" Focus on dehydration techniques with Sprouted Onion Bread, Dragon Flax Crackers, Thai Patties, Carrot Almond Spread, Kale Crunch and simple menu planning.

Tasty Treats and More (Class Fee $55)

• May 9: Home-Made Tahini, Italian Carob Bliss Balls, Sun-Fired Tomato Crackers, Almond Granola,  Perky Pickled Salad and Almost-Salmon Pate´
  
  Seating is limited to 14, so send in your class fee to register early! And, if you know of someone who would be interested in coming, please pass this e-mail on to him or her.

Tidbits

• Changes to the website reflect the focus on raw and living foods classes.
• You can now purchase the recipes for any of Lenore’s vegan cooked food classes. For more information, see the Complete Class Listing.
• Lenore’s Natural Cuisine and Sublime Soups are available at substantially reduced prices (includes shipping). Find out more at this link.
• The Organic Growers School is now being offered on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 & 22. It is a phenomenal bargain for anyone interested in organic gardening. Lenore will be sharing a booth in the exhibitors’ area, so stop by and say hello!
• Save yourself some of the time and money you spend on your lawn by converting a portion to an edible vegetable garden. You will be amazed what change this small step will make in your life. We have done this to our front yard where we now grow much of our food. Come to class and enjoy a tour of our terraced gardens with Farmer Joe.
• Eliminate unwanted and wasteful mail order catalogs that show up almost daily by visiting Catalogchoice.org. It really works.

DVD Recommendation

“A Man Named Pearl” is a documentary that tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar. It is a subtle and intriguing film that is certain to open hearts and minds. It offers an upbeat message that speaks to respect for both self and others, and shows what one person can achieve when he allows himself to share the full expression of his humanity. Stirring and profoundly uplifting, "A Man Named Pearl" offers a captivating window into the life a man who turned obstacles into breathtakingly beautiful possibilities. This film will be shown at the Weaverville, NC library on Tuesday, May 12th at 7 pm. No charge.

For a Better World

Did you know that 14 plastic bags contain enough petroleum to drive a car a mile. Save the world OneBagAtATime.com.

How much land area does it take to support your lifestyle? Take a quiz to find out your Ecological Footprint, discover your biggest areas of resource consumption, and learn what you can do to tread more lightly on the earth. To start, go to www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=calculator or www.myfootprint.org

Nutritional Facts

• Dr. T. Colin Campbell's The China Study is the largest medical study ever done on how diets cause disease: 80 million Chinese were studied for over 20 years.
• Campbell reports: “There is much compelling research indicating that plant protein is the healthiest type of protein.”
• Significant findings: lower rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and diabetes occur when consuming not more than 15% fat and a plant-based diet, consisting of about 10% protein (only 10% of overall calories).
• More findings: Cancer is turned on by consumption of animal protein, including cheese, eggs and milk, and turned off by consumption of plant protein.
• Come to class to learn more!

Raw Food Tip

A key to optimal health is maintaining an alkaline condition in the body. A simple and tasty way to do this is through juicing vegetables. We start every day with a large glass of fresh juice, including lots of dark, leafy greens. This is also a smart way to use leftover scraps from raw fruits and vegetables, too.

Product Recommendation: in search of the best tools, gadgets and ingredients

Glass Lock containers came out last year and, next to glass canning jars, they are the most practical food storage containers that we’ve found yet. They are easy to open, yet airtight and are available in three shapes from 1.7 to 8-cups. We really like the square and rectangular shapes which make maximum use of space.  Dehydrated bread stores perfectly in the 8-cup rectangles and blueberries freeze conveniently in 2-cup squares for smoothies and puddings. 

For more information on the product, click on the image at the right. They are available in many kitchen and department stores like Kohl’s or Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Quotes

“A gardener is one who believes that what goes down must come up.” – Anon

May we all be as one,
Lenore & Joe Baum www.lenoresnatural.com
828-645-1412

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