The Mighty Veggie

Boo for Starbucks!They're not serving organic milk anymore.

Can you beleive Starbucks dropped organic mil from it's menu? The company *had* offered organic mil to it's customers since 2001 (According to Vegetarian Times magazine). However, "drinks made with organic milk have been a small percentage of total orders," said Michelle Grass, the company's senior vice president of global strategy.

As you guys know, people often purchase and request organic milm because of lack of rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone). Starbucks and others argue that regular milk also is rBGH-free but we know the truth. The Organic Consumers Association reminds us that Organic Milk is rBGH-free, but also requires that cows have access to a pasture and eat pesticide-free feed. So really.. Starbucks, just say what it is.. an excuse to cut costs. Is it so awful for us to expect you to serve only organic milk in the future?

Boooooooooo from me to Starbucks.

Garlic Green Pea and Goats Cheese Dip with Whole Wheat Pita Crisps

Garlic Green Pea and Goats Cheese Dip with Whole Wheat Pita Crisps Recipes

This is my at-home and I-don't-have-the-right-ingredients take on the Earls Restaurants Warm Feta and Spinach Dip. The real one has chopped spinach and artichokes with cream cheese, feta, mozzarella and provolone, served with herbed pita wedges. My one is a Garlic Green Pea and Goats Cheese Puree with whole wheat pita crisps.

Summer strawberry picking & storing tips!

Don't you just hate it when you get home from buying a fresh quart of strawberries only to find the ones in the middle or bottom are mushy and starting to grow that white fuzzy mold?

Here's my tips on how to buy and store fresh strawberries:

• Smaller and redder is better. A lot of jumbo strawberries look good but contain large air pockets and thus taste band. You want smaller berries that don't have the unripe white or green tips (or tops).
• Try to pick berries that look dry with leaves that aren't starting to wilt. You'll find that just by checking the bottom of the basket --- juice stains are a sign of crushed strawberries (and soon to be mold!).
• Buy organic: Strawberries are the dirty list for environmental havoc. They are on of the biggest of conventionally grown fruits and vegtables that contain the most pesticide residues


• Store strawberries unwashed in a colander in the fridge and rinse just before serving.
• Make these delicious strawberries last all winter long by placing the berries on a signle layer baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once they're ready you can transfer them into a freezer bag for long term storage (and winter smoothies!).