Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Molto Vegas Farmer's Market

In case you had not heard, there is a new-ish farmer's market in town that is geared toward supporting local farms and growers. While not all of the vendors are from Las Vegas, or from Nevada for that matter, this farmer's market seems to be as local as it gets for those of us that don't grow all of our own food. Can't make the market on Thursday? While researching the origins of the market, I read that there is a putative Saturday market in the works (I will update as soon as I hear back regarding my inquiry). It is no secret that Las Vegas is not exactly in the forefront of the Slow Food movement but this is certainly a step in the right direction!

Where: 7485 South Dean Martin Drive, Suite 106 (a half mile north of Blue Diamond Road on the west side of the street).

When: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for the general public

You can also follow them on FaceBook!

Happy (Slow) Shopping!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Roasted Fennel and Sweet Potato

This was sooooo yummy and even easier to make.

http://bostonchef.blogspot.com/2007/03/roasted-fennel-sweet-potato.html

Enjoy!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Earth Hour is Saturday!! Join us

This is just a reminder to turn out your lights at 8:30pm on Saturday, March 27 (tomorrow)for ONE HOUR to participate in Earth Hour.

For more information, please visit
https://www. myearthhour. org/community

Lights will be turned off or dimmed on the Las Vegas Strip during that hour.

Two universities, 62 businesses, 19 organizations, Clark County, The City of Las Vegas, The City of North Las Vegas and The City of Reno have all pledged to participate in Earth Hour!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Bountiful Baskets ORDER TODAY

You can place you Bountiful Basket Orders starting at 9am!
Don't forget, they go FAST!!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Jade and Pearl Order Still a few more days!!!

I have been extra busy this last week so you still have a few days to put in your Jade and Pearl Orders. I plan to get the order totaled up in the next few days, so get your orders in ASAP!!!! This is the company that sells Sea Sponge Tampons and the Amazing P-Style as well as many other wonderful items (mostly for women). See more on the Jade and Pearl Info Page for more details!

AZURE COMING TONIGHT 8:30pm

The driver will be here at 8:30pm. If you will not be able to help unload, you MUST CALL ME, or your items will be left in my garage and will NOT be temp controlled. You will be able to pick them up at my convenience!
My address is on your Azure Order, call if you need help finding it. And the driver will have a copy of your order so you won't need to bring one.
Thanks,
Keslie
869-2609 hm
418-9970 cell

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Azure Arrival Date

To all of you who placed an Azure order,
I just spoke with the driver and he said "It is looking like they will make it here Monday Night". Of course things can always change ;) So, I will be calling him on Monday around noon and he said should have a more precise time for us! See you all next week!
Thanks,
Keslie

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Where's all the FAT???

Here is some information about the Nutritional Value of Grass Fed Beef FAT! First is a response from Ryan at Bar 10 Ranch about requesting more fat left on our beef and then is some information about why the fat is actually more healthy than the meat. Please read all of this and then do your own research. I don't know much mroe than this, so please don't ask any questions! I don't have the time to do the research myself, but would love for you to all leave a comment if you find more info!
Thanks,
Keslie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are absolutely right, the fat is where all of the fatty acids, vitamins and minerals are deposited. There has been and continues to be a stigma about fat in red meat. But as you found out, the fat from healthy grass fed animals is one of the most important elements in our diets and is full of many of the vital nutrients that we need to keep our bodies healthy. And please understand that grass fed beef is generally leaner than grain fed beef. However, there is fat in all of the cuts that you are getting. Some roasts are leaner cuts than others, but still have inter-muscular fat. A lot of the inter-muscular fat in grass fed animals is transparent, unlike fat from corn fed cattle that is very white.

Now, that being said, we have to cater to the general public if we want to survive as beef producers. Most people are still under the false idea that fat is bad, that lean beef is better. So we have cut our beef accordingly. If you guys want more fat in your beef, we can accommodate that, but it has to be in ½ to whole beef amounts, and needs to be specified prior to our slaughter dates so we can have them butchered that way. Until more people catch on, I have to cut the meat as I am doing to appease the crowds, if you know what I mean. To this day, I get comments about our beef having too much fat, believe it or not.

So, you have 2 options:

1) Order at least a ½ beef individually and store it in your freezer. We do our butchering from July to December. I would need to know how you want your beef processed prior to our butchering dates. Also, I would need a deposit, ½ down, ½ upon delivery to the market.
2) Find like-minded people that want lots of fat on their beef and order together. If you want a year around supply of beef, you will probably need to make 2 orders a year, 1 in July/August and 1 in December. Once it goes into my freezer, I really don’t have any way of keeping it separate, so it would come boxed up and you would have to divide it up amongst your group. This also would require a deposit.

I know that I am putting a lot back on you guys, but until people get educated about the fat and change their mindsets, I have to continue to cater to the majority. I appreciate you guys and all that you do for us and I am sure that every member of your buying group appreciates the work that you put into coordinating the bulk purchases. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks again.

Ryan West
Bar 10 Ranch
www.bar10.com
www.bar10beef.com
800-582-4139

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Below is an excerpt from the article, "It's the Beef" written by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD, 2000-Jul-30 (http://www.westonaprice.org/It-s-the-Beef.html)


The beef industry has been forced to be apologetic about its product because it's very difficult to get the fat out of beef. You can reduce the fat content by using hormones, but you end up with a product that is tough and tastes terrible, not to mention full of hormones. Beef producers need to recognize that the fat is the most important part of the beef, rich in components that promote good health and that help you utilize the nutrients in all the other parts of the beef. In addition to vitamins A and D, fat contributes many important fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid, an antimicrobial fat that protects us against pathogens in the gut. If you want to be sure that you don't get foodborne illness from your hamburger, use full fat ground beef.

Fat also provides a substance called conjugated linoleic acid or CLA, at least it does if the animals have been on green grass.31 CLA is a substance that protects us against cancer and that promotes weight loss—that's right, fat can make you thin, if it's the right kind of fat.

And the right kind of fat is also saturated fat which, in spite of what we've been told, plays many important roles in the body chemistry. The scientific literature delineates a number of vital roles for dietary saturated fats—they enhance the immune system,32 are necessary for healthy bones,33 provide energy and structural integrity to the cells,34 protect the liver35 and enhance the body's use of essential fatty acids.36 Stearic acid and palmitic acid, found in beef tallow and butter, are the preferred foods for the heart.37 As saturated fats are stable, they do not become rancid easily, do not call upon the body's reserves of antioxidants, do not initiate cancer, do not irritate the artery walls.

In fact saturated beef fat is one of the most useful fats in the culinary repertoire. As it is very stable and doesn't go rancid when heated to high temperatures, it's perfect for frying. While we don't recommend a lot of fried foods, we know that our children and grandchildren are going to eat them. Fast food outlets used to fry their potatoes in healthy stable beef tallow. They were crisp, tasted delicious and provided many important nutrients. But the phony cholesterol issue has forced these outlets to switch to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is known to cause a host of chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, bone problems, infertility and autoimmune disease.38

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Whole Foods Pulls Raw Milk From Shelves

WHOLE FOODS PULLS RAW MILK FROM SHELVES
Whole Foods has announced that they will be removing all raw milk from their shelves in California, Washington, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The reason given is that Whole Foods' insurance company has decided it will not cover liability for perceived health issues with raw milk until a satisfactory nationwide safety policy for raw milk has been demonstrated. It is important to stress the fact that this action is not a reaction to any safety problem caused by raw milk.

It is EXTREMELY important to let Whole Foods know how you feel about this decision by emailing them at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/contact_submit.php. Then patronize smaller health foods stores and markets that still carry raw milk. Not only has Whole Foods stopped providing Nature's perfect food, they have created a severe financial hardship for the farmers who in good faith have invested in raw milk production for Whole Foods markets. If you phone the dairy that has provided raw milk to Whole Foods, they will be able to provide you with the names of stores that still carry it.

Would you Drink Raw Milk?

RAW MILK POLL
There is a poll being taken asking whether you would drink raw milk. If
you would like to vote, please visit: http://www.jsonline.com/polls/87239557.html.

The poll says:
Legislators are debating whether to allow the sale of unpasteurized milk, which advocates say has health benefits but others say can be risky because it can cause food-borne illnesses.

Bountiful Baskets ORDER TODAY

As of 10:30am there are 39 Conventional Baskets available at the North Las Vegas Drop location. If you want to place an order do it soon!
Nevada Produce Order Page

Monday, March 15, 2010

New Produce Co-op Drop Locations

There is a new basket Drop Location near Durango and Lone Mountain. For now they are only offering Conventional at that location, but I would guess it won't be long until they are offering Organic as well.

Produce Basket Co-op

Notes: We do NOT run this co-op, but do participate in it.
Please AFTER YOU HAVE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE and looked over their website
http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/
If you still have questions please contact the owners of the coop at:
TanyaAndSally@BountifulBaskets.org
or
Sarah at s_porty7@yahoo.com

What is it??
Bountiful Baskets is a way to use collective purchasing to get high quality food at prices usually reserved for grocery stores and restaurants. Save money while you work together cooperatively within your community.

Here is an excerpt from their info page
About Bountiful Baskets Co-op
Bountiful Baskets is not a business. It is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit. We are up front and open about how things work. Our policies are as follows:

Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op is constantly growing to reach new areas through a large network of volunteers. We run at least every two weeks at each site. We are completely volunteer-run and make no profit. We have the following distribution sites and look forward to adding other distribution sites as volunteers are trained and ready to open them! Please see our home page for a complete listing of current sites. Cities marked with an * have 100% Organic sites available.

This is a Co-op
This is a grass roots, all volunteer, no contracts, no catch co-operative. Without volunteers this co-op wouldn't happen, so you will need to help as you are able. There are many opportunities to participate!


What Do You Get??
Each week, they are offer Conventional and Organic Baskets, see below.
Conventional Basket: $15 you receive approx $40-50 worth of produce.
Organic Baskets: $25 you receive approx $70-80 worth of produce.
Here is a sample of what you may receive in each basket
8 apples, 4 oranges, 7 bananas, 1 pineapple, 5 pears, 1 pack of strawberries, 6 potatoes, 1 head romaine lettuce, 2 packs of asparagus, 4 avocado, 2 butternut squash, 6 tomatoes, 5 potatoes

They also have add ons you can purchase along with your baskets such as bread, snack bars, pastries, Ethnic Cuisine Ingredient Packs, Cases of a particular type of produce and many others items. Each week new and exciting items are availble for purchase.

Ordering:
Order begins at 9am on the Tuesday before the pick-up date. The baskets sell out VERY QUICKLY, often by 10am, so go online http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ and order as close to 9am as you can.

Pickups:
Pickups times vary for each location. See Site Listings on the website for locations, times, delivery dates and which baskets (Conventional and/or Organic) are available.

Delivery Dates
There will be 2 deliveries, Week A (Durango/Lone Mt) and Week B (Sahara/215) and are as follows. More locations may be added soon.w
March 6th Week A
March 13th Week B
March 20th Week A
March 27th Week B
April 3rd Week A
April 10th Week B
April 17th Week A
April 24th Week B
And so on....

Azure Order Due Thursday

You MUST get your Azure Orders in by 4pm this Thursday, March 18th!

CLOSED - Maggies Soap Nuts



Maggie's Soap Nuts
We are running a ONE-TIME Co-op for Maggies Soap Nuts. We won't actually be placing the order until the middle of April, but thought we'd put the info up now so everyone has plenty of time to look it over.

I personally have been using soap nuts for over a year and I LOVE them. We use them both our regular laundry and our cloth diapers with fabulous success. I prefer to turn my soap nuts into liquid, or to purchase the pre made liquid. Making your own liquid is more cost effective, but does take some time.

Their laundry liquid is "The only detergent in the world with NO Synthetic chemicals."

For more info about Maggies Soap Nuts, check out the website at:
http://maggiespureland.com/

For Pricing:
Choose Maggies Soap Nuts Pricelist
To see the Liquid Soap Nuts label choose Maggies Liquid Label

To Place Order
On the homepage of the blog, click the link "Contact us for Google Login" if you do not already have the information to access our account for google docs.
Once you have the Username and Password:
Go to Google.com, click on “G-mail” on the top of the page.
Enter the Username and Password
Click on “documents” (upper left hand side of page)
Find the document called Maggies Soap Nuts Order Sheet.
NOTE: If you have a gmail account then share the document with yourself so you don't have to log in and out.

If you are not already able to access the google document, you can "Contact us to Participate" on the homepage of the blog. If you use already use a gmail account, you can "invite" yourself to use the spreadsheet from your personal email account.

How to Pay:Prior to us placing this order all totals must be paid IN FULL. Once everyone has put their orders on the spreadsheet they will all be totaled up and the totals will be on their respective spreadsheets in bold. You may pay in Cash or with PayPal: Funded or Credit/Debit card (you pay all fees) PRIOR to the payment deadline (to be determined and posted at a later time).
Please refer to the Payments Page for more details.

CLOSED - Jade and Pearl

Jade and Pearl
We are able to get Wholesale pricing from Jade and Pearl! This is an AMAZING website designed mostly for Women. I will be placing the order on March 26th! The price sheet says you need to order 12 of something to get the whole sale price, this does not apply to us, order as many of whatever you would like!

Check out their website:
http://www.jadeandpearl.com/catalog/

FOR PRICING
View the Jade and Pearl Pricelist

TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
On the homepage of the blog, click the link "Contact us for Google Login" if you do not already have the information to access our account for google docs.
Once you have the Username and Password:
Go to Google.com, click on “G-mail” on the top of the page.
Enter the Username and Password
Click on “documents” (upper left hand side of page)
Go to the Jade and Pearl Order Sheet.
NOTE: If you have a gmail account then share the document with yourself so you don't have to log in and out.


How to Pay:

Prior to us placing this order all totals must be paid IN FULL. Once everyone has put their orders on the spreadsheet they will all be totaled up and the totals will be on their respective spreadsheets in bold. You may pay in Cash or with PayPal: Funded or Credit/Debit card (you pay all fees) PRIOR to the payment deadline (to be determined and posted at a later time).
Please refer to the Payments Page for more details.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

What to do with thoes BEAUTIFUL leeks??

Here is one recipe I love. We prefer to leave it a little chunky. We use a hand blender so we have more control over how chunky it is. I have also been known to add cream for a slightly different taste and texture to change it up a bit. Either way it's delicious!! ENJOY!!!!
Feel Free to add your own fav's or variations in the comments!

Creamy Leek-Potato Soup
Serves 4 to 6. Published March 1, 2010. From Cook's Illustrated.

Don’t fill the blender by more than two-thirds with hot soup; if necessary, process in three batches. You can also use an immersion blender to process the soup directly in the pot. Use the lowest setting on your toaster to dry out the bread without overbrowning it. A garnish is essential to add texture and flavor to this soup. We like Fried Leeks (recipe follows), crisp bacon bits, a dollop of sour cream, or freshly chopped chives. The soup can also be garnished with Garlic Chips or Garlic Croutons (see related recipes).


4 medium leeks , white and light-green parts halved lengthwise, washed, and sliced thin (about 4 cups), dark green parts halved, washed, and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 medium onion , chopped medium (about 1 cup)
Table salt
1 small russet potato (about 6 ounces), peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 bay leaf
1 (4-inch) sprig fresh thyme or tarragon
1 large slice high-quality sandwich bread , lightly toasted and torn into 1/2-inch pieces (see note)
Ground black pepper

Instructions
1. Bring dark-green leek pieces, broth, and water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; set aside. Discard solids in strainer and rinse out saucepan.

2. Melt butter in now-empty saucepan over medium-low heat. When butter foams, stir in sliced leeks, onion, and 1 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.

3. Increase heat to high, stir in reserved broth, potato, bay leaf, and herb sprig and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Add toasted bread and simmer until bread is completely saturated and starts to break down, about 5 minutes.

4. Remove and discard bay leaf and herb sprig. Transfer half of soup to blender and process until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and repeat with remaining soup. Return soup to saucepan and bring to simmer; season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with garnish.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Frontier Orders Ready!

The Frontier Orders are sorted and ready to be picked up.  I will be out of the house from around 10:15am until 2pm, but will be home for the rest of the day after that.  If you are also getting a Bountiful Basket this week let me know and I can bring your Frontier Orders with me on Saturday. 
Please call on your way:
869-2609 hm
418-9970 cell
Thanks,
Keslie

Beef Pick up TODAY!

If you ordered Beef, today is the pick up day!! See the Beef Page for more details. 

Monday, March 8, 2010

Streamlining Living Healthy in Las Vegas

In an effort to streamline this wonderful resource, from now any and all correspondences or information regarding the various co-ops we run will be handled through this blog. We are receiving lots and lots of emails and often have to respond with the same information. We will no longer respond to individual emails or inquiries regarding the co-ops. All the information necessary to participate in the co-ops and the ordering process are available on the blog. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog and one of the co-op organizers will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible! One of the organizers will be sending an email to the list shortly asking everyone to subscribe to the Living Healthy in Las Vegas blog. Thanks and we look forward to your cooperation in streamlining this process.

Please "Subscribe to this blog via email" on the left side of the Living Healthy in Las Vegas blog.

Monday, March 1, 2010

About Living Healthy in Las Vegas Co-ops and Buying Clubs

Hello and thank you for your interest our my co-ops/buying clubs. There are 3 co-op/buying clubs that support Natural, Organic, Green Living at reasonable prices. There is also have information for a 4th co-op that we participate in for Produce! Periodically there may also be some temporary or one time co-ops if and when there are find good opportunities. Information about all the co-ops will be posted to this blog. Many, if not all, of the co-ops will involve google documents. On the homepage of the blog, click the clink "Contact us to Participate" if you do not already have the information to access our account for google docs.

If you know someone who might be interested please feel free to direct them to this blog. Anyone interested in using the SW drop point for Azure Standard, MUST contact Keslie directly (through the "Contact us to Participate" link on the homepage of Living Healthy in Las Vegas).

Azure Standard
They specialize in natural, organic, earth-friendly foods and products. They are based in Oregon and deliver to Las Vegas once per month. You can go to their website http://www.azurestandard.com/ to learn more about them and browse their products.

Frontier
They also sell natural, organic, earth-friendly products, but they do not sell "food". They specialize in Herbs, Spices and Essential Oils, while also carrying hundred of other brands you know and love at around 40-45% off retail prices! If both Azure and Frontier sell the item Frontier is cheaper most of the time.
Here is the link to their Catalog in PDF form, browse through it to see if you are interested. There is a list of manufacturers near the back!
https://wholesale.frontiercoop.com/whslpubl/FrontierWholesaleCatalog.pdf

Beef from Bar 10 Ranch in Utah
This is fully self-sustained ranch that has over 250,000 acres that range from the desert plateaus of Northern Arizona to the lush mountain pastures of Southern Utah. They sell Gourmet All Natural Grass Fed and Grass Finished Beef that is free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides.
Check out their website at: http://www.bar10beef.com/aboutus.amp

Bountiful Baskets
This is a new co-op that I am NOT running.
This co-op is amazing. You can get either a Conventional Produce Basket for $15(about $40-$50 worth) or an Organic Produce Basket for $25 (around $70-$80 worth)
They deliver every other Saturday at Spotted Leaf Park near Sahara and the 215. The pickup time is between 8:00-8:15am. Don't be late or they donate your basket!

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/wawkb-2.aspx

There will likely be more locations starting up soon as this is a very popular co-op!

Azure Standard


You go to their website (azurestandard.com) and open up an account. It is free. You will then fill your cart and checkout through them (NO COD's). They require a $50 minimum purchase per person. It will ask you what drop point you want your order shipped to. You will then enter the drop number of the location closest to you (see list of drops below). Typically, the orders have to be in by 4pm on the second to last Thursday of each month. Azure’s website has a schedule posted, we are Route K-5, or ask your drop person.
Once you’ve submitted your order, as long as the deadline has not past, you can go in and resume it and re-check out again. Remember, just because you ordered something, does not mean it will come on the truck. They pull the orders after the deadline and right before they load the truck.

The order will typically be delivered to your drop location the following Monday afternoon or evening. You will need to communicate with your drop person to know the closest times of delivery. We ask that if you are available, please come help unload the truck. The driver does not do it, so it's up to us! Communicate with your drop person. Some drop coordinators send emails to those on their drop. THE DRIVER’S SCHEDULE CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MUST LOG ON PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO SEE WHEN HE IS DUE TO ARRIVE AT YOUR DROP!! WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU ANY OTHER WAY.
We do understand that some of you work or have young children and will not know if you can help unload the truck until we know when it will be here. Unfortunately, most of us don't have fridge or freezer space to store cold or frozen items SOOOO if it turns out that you are unable to help unload and you want to order cold/frozen items, YOU MUST MAKE ARRANGMENTS PRIOR TO ORDERING WITH YOUR DROP COORDINATOR OR WITH A FRIEND TO PICK UP FOR YOU, OTHERWISE DON’T ORDER IT!!

LIST OF AZURE DROP COORDINATORS AND THEIR LOCATIONS:

These times are subject to change, there are no guarantees as to the exact time/day the truck will come.

Gayle

Drop Location: on Cheyenne & Tenaya near the 95 (Target parking lot) typically Monday afternoon (3-3:30 pm) delivery
PinkPeas
Drop Location: 3920 W. Charleston – Suite J (Northwest corner of Charleston and Valley View at the PinkPeas Business) typically Monday late afternoon (4-4:30pm) delivery
Call Azure for contact info
Drop Location: on Blue Diamond at Valley View (Target parking lot) typically Monday late afternoon (5-5:30 pm) delivery
Ronda-Call Azure for contact info
Drop Location: in Henderson near Horizon and Pacific at a residence typically Monday early evening (6 pm) delivery
For Las Vegas Area Azure Standard Drop numbers and Contact Information:
To get the Drop Number for the location that you wish to pick-up, please email us, via the Contact Us page. Be sure to enter Azure and the Drop Coordinators name in the Co-op/Organizer field.
For Instance if you want to use Gayle's Drop Location, type in:

Azure/Gayle


Your e-mail will be forwarded on to Gayle and she will respond to your e-mail within 48 hours.
Or you can call Azure Standard: 541-467-2230 and ask for information on open drops in Las Vegas and Henderson. They will give you a phone number that you can call for one of the drop persons.