Life is a Process

Many of the basic tenets of biology, particularly that of evolutionary biology, rely on substantial genetic diversity in the gene pool. Sadly, in big agriculture, those folks have totally forgotten some of those basics. The FDA, as well, is closing its eyes to basic biology. Our fields are filled with monocultures of plants (corn, soybean, wheat). GMOs are increasingly finding their way into our food, in spite of sufficient evidence to convince the Europeans that GMOs should not be eaten. Today, the FDA in all its wisdom has deemed it safe to munch on cloned animals. Remember, this is the same bunch of patronage appointees who decided that Vioxx was safe - then changed their minds after people died and a few lawsuits were filed.

Now, I’m off to hunt down (figuratively) a new supplier for my local, organic, grassfed beef and hogs, and to see if my supplier of super tasty local organic pastured chickens has her 2008 order form up yet.

Not specifically GFCF but worth borrowing, perusing, and buying maybe. I found this at TJ Maxx some time ago for about $4 (who can beat a cookbook WITH PICTURES for that price?!).

Cook’s Library: One Pot.
ISBN 0752599526

Some of the recipes are of the type “dump in the pot and let simmer for a few hours” while others are quick (within 30- minutes or so). Every recipe has a picture, a difficulty rating, time for prep and cooking time.

Most of the recipes are easily converted to GFCF if they aren’t already. Most also require broth of sorts (”bouillon” is specified but it is a weak bone broth, recipe included in the front matter). The only ones that look tricky to convert would be beef and tomato gratin (what’s a good substitute for ricotta cheese?); chicken lasagne; cheese and vegetable chowder; and a few other cheese dishes. There are a few that have a biscuit topping but I bet that would be easy to do still without using wheat flour.

Lots of curry dishes!. Venison, rabbit, and lamb dishes. Bizarre fish recipes (angler fish, mullet, cuttlefish, squid). A few pasta dishes (but Tinkyada comes in handy or rice in place of orzo/risotto). But again, if you’re trying to sneak more broth into the kids, almost every recipe requires broth and some amount of simmering.

I had forgotten about this book for a while and only last week I stumbled on it. I used it for almost every meal this week and might even have to use it again for next week.

Indiana parents are trying to get a midwifery licensure bill onto this year’s state legislative agenda.  The Indiana Midwifery Taskforce is holding a rally from 9:30am to 1:30pm on January 24, 2008 at the Statehouse in the Rotunda (200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis).  Bring kids, grandparents, eccentric relatives, signs (but NO sticks to hold up those signs), a wireless laptop if you have one.  Decorate your car with midwifery slogans and signs.  Learn some songs.  For those who homeschool, this is a good opportunity to teach your kids about how a bill becomes law.

The basic premise of this legislation is that it would allow Certified Professional Midwives to offer legal homebirths to expectant parents.

I don’t know how this slipped past me. I knew that in the realm of personal care products (e.g., shampoo, soap, hair colorings, etc.), the term “organic” is not well regulated. That is, anybody can claim that such a product is “organic” even if it really isn’t. Enter the USDA. As of 2007, the USDA has a “USDA Organic” seal that they are now allowing for use (when conditions are met) for personal care products. Indeed, the Organic Consumers Association has quite a bit of this information on their website: Coming Clean: Organic Integrity in Body Products.