Go Green with Organic Lollipops for Halloween

I saw this article on msnbc today and wanted to share it with you.

Halloween takes on a shade of eco-friendly green

Businesses respond to growing demand for organic trick-or-treat options 

By Jennifer Alsever (msnbc.com contributor msnbc.com contributor)

If you are like most Americans, you'll spend about $20 on Halloween candy this year. That is, unless you're like Jennifer Boyd-Mullineaux. 

When trick-or-treaters come knocking on her door in Westport, Conn., the 40-year-old mother will drop something different into their bags this year — boxed organic raisins, agave sticks, seashells and herb-seed packets. She doesn't mind spending slightly more on them than she would on candy.

"I just feel like candy is unnecessary," says Boyd-Mullineaux, a physician's assistant who has two children, ages 7 and 9. "You see the incredible volumes of candy collected — knowing that no one should eat that much — and it just goes into the trash. It just doesn't seem responsible to us."

Boyd-Mullineaux's house may not be that unusual. She's among a small but growing legion of parents across the country who are going green this Halloween — handing out alternative treats, carrying reusable trick-or-treat bags, making their own face paint and decorations and swapping used costumes.

Organic businesses leap on bandwagon The shift has opened a big door for makers of organic products that for years sat on the sidelines while mainstream companies reaped the rewards of the $5.8 billion Halloween market.

"A lot of moms are frustrated," says Corey Colwell-Lipson, founder of the nonprofit Green Halloween, which offers online tips and helps organize green events around the holiday.

"We try to save money. We try to have a small footprint, eat healthy food," she says. "Here is this holiday. It costs a lot of money. It creates a lot of waste. It's food that I don't want my kids to touch with a 10-foot pole."

Joining those moms are 50 zoos and aquariums across the country that will hand out mini organic granola bars and fruit leathers — instead of traditional chocolate — to the millions of kids who visit their annual Halloween celebrations. In the past, a large zoo might have given away 150,000 pieces of candy.

Organic food makers have seized the opportunity. Just this year, Annie's Homegrown launched a new line of trick-or-treat-sized organic fruit snacks. Then there's salty-snack purveyor Snyder's of Hanover, which this year came out with Halloween treat bags for its pretzels; Nature's Path, which introduced bite-sized organic crispy rice bars; and LaraBar, which started making mini granola bars — all for Halloween buyers.

Whole Foods, too, dove into the Halloween season with unusual zest after years of letting mass merchandise retailers collect those sales. The chain beefed up Halloween signage at its 270 stores and even partnered with some companies to develop new products.

"Whole Foods went crazy for Halloween in a way they never have," says Maria Emmer-Aanes, director of marketing at Nature's Path Foods. "I think that people are dying for alternatives."

Nature's Path has already sold out of its gluten-free Halloween bite-sized bars. Now the Canadian company is talking about making a Halloween variety pack for next year.

That demand for healthier alternatives extends to candy as well. Halloween sales have doubled this year for organic lollipops made by Yummy Earth, a Ridgewood, N.J., candy maker. Four years after founder Rob Wunder created the suckers for his organic-fed toddler, they are sold in 40,000 retail stores, including mainstream outlets like Publix Super Markets and Babies R Us. The lollipops don't use high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives or color dyes. 

"We sell over a hundred million lollipops a year," says Wunder, who declined to give sale figures for his 60-employee company. "People are sick of yucky stuff that they can't pronounce in their treats."

The growth shouldn't be surprising. Organic foods and the green movement are both flourishing, despite the economic downturn. One-third of consumers now buy organic products monthly, driving a $24.9 billion organic food and beverage market.

Offering more than organic treats The green Halloween sales extend beyond treats. San Diego-based EnviroSax recently launched a line of reusable trick-or-treat bags, following success by competitor ChicoBag, which has been making Halloween bags for five years.

ChicoBag holds annual children's art contests and puts the winning designs on its Halloween bags. The Chico, Calif., company sold out of its $6 bags this year and expects to sell 80,000 of them next year. "Interest keeps multiplying," says Wes McMahon, ChicoBag marketing director.

And while Americans are still expected to spend some $2 billion this year on new costumes, about 40 percent of consumers will simply reuse last year's costume or make their own, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Some like Boyd-Mullineaux are organizing free costume swaps, in which people bring a costume and trade it out for another one.

"People are inspired by the idea," says Green Halloween's Colwell-Lipson. "You're saving money and getting something new to you. And it's green, which is icing on the cake."

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My Fantastic Forties....

Now that I'm well into my early 40's I can honestly say that life is in fact better than my thirties. (Well so far anyway). I feel better than I did then; I try to take care of myself by doing the following: stay out of the sun, get my daily allotment of sleep, keep alcohol to a minimum, avoid too many processed foods, take my barrage of vitamins, and supplements (including fish oil), and eat fresh foods and vegetables. Regular readers know I am an advocate of organic foods, primarily to reduce the amout of pesticides I consume. But more recently, I have been particular about certain types of proteins we eat. For example, I now try to eat wild caught salmon, grass-fed beef, free range eggs and free range organic chicken. I've read that grass-fed beef has as many omega 3's as wild caught salmon and is actually pretty good for you. Who knows for sure. If I had just one piece of advice to someone, I'd say eat less processed foods. Anything pre-made, from a box or fast food. Oh and whatever you do, avoid high fructose corn syrup ("HFCS"). It's bad. I mean really bad. Eat regular sugar before HFCS. Don't get me wrong, from time to time I splurge and eat junk food. But I don't let it be part of my regular routine. Pay attention to what you eat. Read labels. If you can't pronounce it, google it. As the saying goes, your body is a temple. Well now you didn't come here for me to lecture you so I'll stop here. Here's hoping for another 41 years- at least! In fact I hope to live to over 100, like my great grandfather Luigi.
-Rick Rockhill

If its not one thing, its another...

When it comes to pet food nutrition, I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable. After 12 years of working in the pet specialty industry, pet food is something I do know well. However when it comes to people food, I'm not quite as well-versed. There are so many differing opinions, latest research, fads, personal preferences and facts that I can't keep up. As a consumer segment, I'm what marketing folks refer to as a "foodie"- someone who loves good food, fine dining, preparing fresh food from scratch and hosting dinner parties. I subscribe to several cooking magazines, enjoy experimenting with recipes and find that a glass of wine helps it all taste even better. Aside from being a foodie, I am also a major advocate for organic foods, including animals raised free-range, without antibiotics or growth-hormones. All that being said I tend to think I know how to "eat healthy". So why do I think I'm not well versed in human food? For the longest time I have been trying to eat more salmon to increased my intake of Omega 3's, and also consume less beef. I recently found out that farm-raised salmon is not necessarily all that beneficial at all, because they are often fed grain based flakes, which deliver fewer beneficial omega 3's and more omega 6's which are not good in high doses. Apparently the trick is to only have wild caught salmon, which consume krill and other naturally occurring things in the open sea. Problem with that is the darn mercury gets you. Or at least that's the issue with Ahi tuna anyway. Now I hear that grass-fed beef can actually be best for you anyway. I used to think that whole wheat anything is better than white bread. Now I hear than any wheat products can be bad. Apparently carbs/sugars are the source of all evil. Milk and cream are supposed to be better than Soy milk. Butter is better than margarine. Olive oil is apparently dangerous to cook on high heat. Low fat stuff isn't necessarily all that good for you if the sodium levels are too high. So that rules out just about anything processed, pre-made or things that come in a box. The one thing I do still believe in is organic foods. It stands to reason that consuming fewer chemicals and pesticides must be better for long term health. So I guess the lesson of the day is to find organic foods that are low sodium, not processed, free-range, grass-fed or wild caught. If its not one thing that will get you, its another. A psychic once told me I'd live to at least 87. If I only live to 86 because I can't lay off the occasional Klondike bar, so be it. There's no way I'm giving up pasta, pizza or chocolate either. Well that's all for today's rant. I'm going to go have some organic strawberries now.
-Rick Rockhill

Another Excuse for Me to Crow About Organic Foods

Labor Day typically signals the end of summer, the timing of which means for many people, less locally grown produce. If you buy produce at a farm stand, you have the opportunity to ask the farmer how he treats his crops and soil. You can ask if he uses pesticides or chemical fertilizers. As the growing seasons wind down and you are forced to buy produce at the MegaSuperGroceryStore, consider buying organic produce where possible. Also take a look at the country of origin for each item. Regular readers know that I am an advocate for organic foods and feel strongly that we should reduce the level of pesticides we ingest in our bodies. The benefits of eating organic foods are well documented. I won't make this post a lecture, but organic foods do not contain pesticides, synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, growth hormones, artificial colors, additives or preservatives, irradiation, or use sewage or sludge in farming techniques. You really don't want any of that stuff in your food do you? My great grandparents always had a huge garden, so we had veggies from their own yard. Very few people have time for that anymore, so we are more dependent on stores for everything. Things are different from 50-60 years ago- when a lot of the chemicals and pesticides weren't as prevalent in our food supply chain. We've also become more educated about the role these things play in diseases and cancer rates. I have made a lifestyle choice to buy as much organic product as possible, in an attempt to reduce the amount of bad stuff I consume. I figure the old adage "less is more" applies well here.

Since not everyone has a Whole Foods store nearby, or the major grocery store doesn't carry much in the way of organic produce there may not be many choices. If that's you, ask the grocery clerk or store manager to start carrying some organic produce for you. The challenge for most people will be that organic foods tend to be more expensive. So, if you can't afford to buy a lot of organic products, there is a short list of things that you can concentrate on to minimize your exposure to pesticides and all that other bad stuff I mentioned. At the very least, focus on seeking organic as an alternative for these foods listed below- they tend to have the highest amounts of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones:

Meat & Poultry- Even if it's not organic, look for "no antibiotics or growth hormones".

Milk- The fat in dairy products often has pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones.

Peaches-There are 45 different kinds of pesticides regularly applied to peaches, which have very delicate skin.

Bell Peppers- This vegetable has thin skin that does not serve as a barrier to pesticides

Celery- Has no protective skin, so the 29 different kinds of chemicals used to grow conventional celery go right into you with every bite

Strawberries- Nearly 500 pounds of pesticides are used per acre of strawberries. Be especially leery of strawberries imported from countries that do not have similar regulations for pesticide use.

Lettuce- Often contaminated with the strongest pesticides used on crops.

Potatoes- Amazingly have the highest levels of pesticide residue. Since they are grown in the soil, they can pick up any chemicals applied above ground that contaminate the soil and are absorbed by the potato while growing.

Tomatoes- Another delicate skin that is easily punctured, allowing the entire tomato to be contaminated.

So as Labor Day passes and the local farmstands close up shop in the next month or so, be on the lookout for organic produce, milk and meats. It may just contribute to a healthier life for you down the road.
-Rick Rockhill

A Quiet Night at Home...

A lot of my posts are about things I do and places I go: dining at gourmet restaurants, attending swank cocktail parties, visiting elegant hotels, and mingling with celebrities. But today I thought I'd share another side of my life: a quiet night at home. Yes, believe it or not, I do spend time at home. Some nights, there are no black-tie affairs or exciting events. Take for instance, last night. It was a quiet evening at home watching American Idol, with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But not just any PB&J sandwich, it was an Organic PB&J sandwich of course! (would you expect anything less? My laptop was just within reach, allowing me to alternate between TV, Internet, and the blog.

My Secret Recipe:

Above: Organic whole wheat bread, organic strawberry preserves, and organic peanut butter.

Above: Smear it all together and, voila! The perfect organic PB&J sandwich.
So I had a nice quiet evening at home. Me, my dog Koshimi, my cat Owen, Dr Wang, American Idol and my delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich. See, I am a regular guy.
-Rick Rockhill

Pancakes without the Poisons

Regular readers of this blog know that I am an advocate for organic foods. I believe that reducing our intake of pesticides, chemicals, growth hormones, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically modified ingredients can contribute to a healthier life over time. Plus, organic food production is more earth-friendly because it follows renewable resources practices to avoid stripping the soil over time.
I Want Pancakes...but hold the Poison
This past weekend I decided I was in a mood for pancakes, so I went to the store to pick up a few ingredients. I generally keep the pantry well stocked, and have all the basics for cooking and baking. I needed some fresh fruit, juice, and milk. I saw a box of organic buttermilk pancake mix. I glanced at the giant box of Bisquick pancake mix nearby, and my mind imagined that it was teeming with chemicals and bad things, and with that my mind was made up. My hand gravitated toward the box of organic pancake mix, which I rationalized when I saw it was also on sale! Excellent, I thought, organic AND on sale. I already had a bag of organic flour back home, but for some reason I wanted to use the mix. My mind was made up- this seemed like a much easier option for me.

Back home I assembled all my organic ingredients: soy milk, eggs and vegetable oil. I had my secret plan to make the world's healthiest pancakes...

Drawing on my skills back from childhood chemistry class, I carefully mixed everything, precisely as indicated by the instructions.

OK they weren't perfectly shaped, but who cares, that made them more charming, I thought. Soon they were done-just in time to quell my gurgling stomach.

I added a touch of organic pure maple syrup, peeled an organic orange and I was good to go! It was a delicious breakfast and hit the spot. It sure is easy cutting out all those chemicals and junk. I am a culinary GENIUS! (cue evil laugh: Mmmmuuuhhhahhhaa!)

-Rick Rockhill

Blog Action Day: Help the Environment with Organic Foods

Today is "Blog Action Day", to focus on the environment. I decided to post about how Organic foods and products can help the environment. First, let me start off by saying that I am not a "tree-hugger" type. I have never thought of myself as an environmentalist by any measure. I first started to learn about the benefits of organic as I researched the organic dog and cat foods that are available. As a buyer for a large pet specialty retailer with over 900 stores, I had the opportunity to learn a great deal about organic foods. I learned that organic products follow strict USDA guidelines for farming techniques, ingredient procurement & handling, tracking and production; as well as being subject to independent agency certification. The benefits of organic foods are many: no pesticides, no growth-hormones, no synthetic chemicals, no antibiotics, no genetically modified ingredients, no artificial fertilizers, no additives, no food irradiation, and no chemical ripening.
As I learned about organic pet foods, I became more interested in buying organic foods for myself as well.

There are many environmental benefits of growing organic foods. The following points are from our friends at Wikipedia:
Organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides into the environment — some of which have the potential to harm local wildlife.

• Organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems, i.e., populations of plants and insects, as well as animals.
• When calculated either per unit area or per unit of yield, organic farms use less energy and produce less waste, e.g., waste such as packaging materials for chemicals.

And here is some great information from The Organic Center about organic products:

"People are recognizing the vital connections between diet, health, agriculture and the environment; how we use this information to make choices every day determines how the Earth is used.

• Credible scientific data regularly shows that organic production of food and other products promotes both environmental and human health.
• Citizens need credible, peer-reviewed scientific evidence on how organic products and systems benefit human health and the environment in order for more people to choose organic products and thus shift.
• Convert more land into organic production. Increasing organic production can protect human health and the natural world by reducing unsustainable practices including the widespread use and abuse of toxic substances.
• Consumers, civic organizations, government agencies, and the many businesses that make up the organic chain of custody -- from "seed to table" -- all benefit from having access to credible peer-reviewed scientific information about the organic "benefit." Each plays a key role in the promotion and proving of public and planetary health."

I'd like to reinforce one last point: organic crops support renewable resources and sustainable farming techniques, something that will benefit future generations for years to come.
So what can you do?
It's easy. Start buying some organic products. Most stores now carry a decent selection or organic products. Even if you buy a few organic items, you will help increase the overall consumer demand for organic, which over time will increase the number of farms that follow organic standards. Thanks for reading!
-Rick Rockhill

Today's Random Topic: Date Palm Trees

I frequently receive e-mails from readers asking about the palm trees in Palm Springs. I don't think of them much, since they are just part of our landscape. We have a row of palm trees along our property, and also several that regally frame the courtyard in the front of the house. But there are many varieties of palm trees. The Coachella Valley is known for Date Palm Trees which produce delicious dates. Even if you are under 70 years old, you may be surprised to know how delicious and healthy dates can be. Most dates contain no sodium or cholesterol, are a good source of fiber and are low in in calories.

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Dates were first introduced in the Coachella Valley in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries. However dates are the oldest tree crop cultivated, dating back 5,000 years when dates were considered a good source of nutrition to sustain desert people throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Dates are also considered a delicacy and served by European Royalty and Sultans in many countries. I know they look gross, but don't be grossed out, really.

So how do they grow, you ask? Well, in my commitment to provide interesting information on this blog, I visited a date farm where I saw thousands of Date Palm Trees with young dates ripening on the tree.

Above: The trees are planted to allow for workers to work between the trees for harvesting.

Above: close up of the dates (still green) that grow and ripen on the tree.

Above: Shield's Date Farm in Indio is a local favorite for dates. They even grow and sell organic dates! (this is not a paid promo, I just wanted to mention where you can buy some delicious dates grown right here in the Coachella Valley).

-Rick Rockhill

Healthy Eating Series: Juicing For Life So You Can Look Like This Too

The last two weeks absorbed all of my energy, and I forgot to resume my new "Healthy Eating Series" posts. I can attest to the value of of healthy eating. Yes folks, that's right just by eating more fresh fruits and veggies you can look like the guy in this photo too.

Juicing and Smoothies are both a a great way to absorb the maximum nutrition and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. It's easy to do, and the vitamins and minerals go straight into your bloodstream.

I found some great content at the Soy Quick website with all kinds of information, recipes and ideas for juicing and making fruit smoothies. If you have never juiced before, you should try to use simple combinations to begin. The best choices to start juicing are with are carrot and apple juice. Even if you don’t like carrots or apples to eat them, this is the gentlest juice for beginners. It does taste great, and they are both a sweet produce.

Juicing watermelons in the summertime is another great addition to the carrot/apple juice combination. Watermelons also work very well for liver cleansing. Good bases for vegetable juices include carrots, rutabagas, parsnips, or other such vegetables. These vegetables actually taste quite sweet when juiced. A great addition to green juices is to use a tomato base.

And now, my plug for Organic Produce

Certainly, fresh fruit is always best to use for juicing, as they carry the most vitamins. Organic fruits and vegetables are better than non-organics. This is because they don’t carry all of the preservatives and pesticides that other fruits and vegetables carry. If you’re not able to spend the money on organic foods, then just make sure that you wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly with lukewarm soapy water. Here's another tip from the Quick Soy folks: You may scrub your non-organic carrots under cold water to remove the soil, but you should try to peel them to remove pesticides and fertilizers. So, if you want to look like this guy in the photo, eat more organic fruits and veggies. I'm sure it will work for you.

Easy recipes for Fruit Smoothies

Banana Shake
½ orange
½ papaya
1 banana
Orange twist for garnish Peel the orange and papaya, but leave the white pithy part on the orange. Juice together. Put the juice into a blender with a banana, add some ice if you’d like and blend until smooth. Garnish this tasty drink with an orange twist.

Tropical Smoothie

3 pineapple spears
½ papaya
1 kiwi Juice the pineapple spears and set aside. Peel the papaya and juice with the unpeeled kiwi. Put both juices into the blender with a cup of ice (add an ounce of rum if you’d like), blend and enjoy

-Rick Rockhill

Healthy Eating Series: Salads can make you can look like this too

In an effort to keep things interesting, I've decided to add a new bi-weekly feature to the blog. So today is the start of my new "Healthy Eating" series. The idea is to provide some eye candy along with a recipe for something healthy and good-for-you too.

Like most people from Palm Springs and San Diego, I try to spend as much time living outdoors. Salads are the perfect choice for lunch poolside or on the patio. Try this salad- I recommend buying organic vegetables, you'll be surprised how much more flavor they have.

MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD
This is one of my favorite salads and is also good with grilled fish or chicken. Use fresh, organic ripe tomatoes, it provides some fiber and a healthy dose of vitamin C too. Prep Time: 20 minutes- Makes 4 servings, 3/4 cup each

2 medium organic tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium head organic romaine lettuce
1 cup diced seedless organic cucumber (1/4 medium)
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin organic olive oil
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, scallions, parsley, olives, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; toss gently to mix. Serve within 1 hour.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 113 calories; 10 g fat (1 g sat, 8 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 328 mg sodium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (40% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv).0 Carbohydrate Servings

-Rick Rockhill

The Organic Center Gala Dinner

Friday night I attended The Organic Center Gala dinner, in conjunction with the Natural Products Expo weekend. I was a guest of Pet Promise, a growing natural dog and cat food brand. FYI, Pet Promise is available for sale at PETCO.

I must say, I like their vision: The conversion of agriculture to organic methods, improved health for the earth and its inhabitants, and greater awareness of and demand for organic products.

Their mission is to generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.

After having my photo taken upon entry, I was served a glass of Organic wine (Pinot Noir), which I must say was quite good. During the cocktail hour, I mixed and mingled with many pioneers of the organic movement, and leaders in the industry. Senator Tom Harkin was there, and made some popular remarks about sustainable farming and renewable resources. (see below)

Dinner was delicious, it was an entirely organic dinner. Organic Center Board Member Anthony Zolezzi was emcee and host for the event. Anthony brought his passion and energy to the event and kept the audience excited. There were "giants" from the natural industry speaking all evening: manufacturors, farmers, ranchers and retailers, all committed to the Organic movement.

Above left: Anthony Zolezzi speaks, above right, Discovery Channel host Sara Snow addresses the audience.

Above: The enchanting Melissa McGinnis and Jason Altieri pause for a moment while enjoying their organic meal.

-Rick Rockhill

Natural Products Expo West

This weekend I am attending the Natural Products Expo West, a huge trade show for natural, organic and holistic products. Closed to the public, this event attracts over 43,000 retailers, buyers, distributors and manufacturers of food, skin care, supplements, pet supplies, clothing and beverages. It is the largest such event in North America and is the mecca for all things natural.

Like any trade show, it is about vendors trying to sell their lines to retailers and distributors. This show is interesting because it has such a diverse group of attendees and participants. It was at this show last year that I was personally motivated and inspired to start buying organic foods whenever possible. I am far from a tree-hugger (quite the opposite in fact) but I have come to appreciate the value and benefit of the organic industry.

While at the Expo, I had a chance to chat with Dr Andrew Weil, health guru and giant in the natural industry.

Above: Dr. Andrew Weil autographing his books for the attendees.

Above: Some of the booths had music, fun, and colorful displays


Above: In case you think the natural expo is all just boring stuff for hippies, there was plenty of entertainment on hand to attract people to booths: from hula girls in grass skirts, to belly dancers.
Above left: Everything from Organic soaps to above right: organic and holistic pet food from Castor and Pollux (brands Natural Ultramix and Organix)

Above left: Even more fun, with "Bessie the organic cow", and above right: a serene Japanese garden with a bamboo forest...
-Rick Rockhill

The Saturday Seven: Reasons to Buy Organic Stuff

This weekend I am attending the Natural Products Expo West Convention in Anaheim CA. It's a huge trade show with all kinds of natural and organic products. The more I read and learn about organic, the more it interests me. I'm sort of a cross-over organic shopper, but now more and more of the foods in my kitchen are organic.

I thought this would make a perfect posting for The Saturday Seven: Reasons to Buy Organic Stuff

1. No pesticides

2. No antibiotics or growth hormones

3. No artificial colors or flavors

4. No preservatives

5. No geneticially modified organisms

6. Supports sustainable, renewable farming techniques

7. Minimal processing to preserve vitamins and healthy benefits

-Rick Rockhill

Macaroni & Cheese: Comfort Food Series Part II

This week brings part two in my series on comfort food. This week is on Macaroni and Cheese!

Quite honestly, I grew up thinking that mac-n-cheese was junk food. All I knew was that it came out of a box from Kraft, and other than cereal, most boxed/prepared foods were never available at home. So it wasn't until adulthood that I branched out and tried mac-n-cheese at an overpriced steakhouse as a side dish. AND I LOVED IT. I never knew the pleasures of this warm, gooey and delicious dish. I confess, I have still never made it from a box. I buy fresh, organic cheddar cheese, and organic pasta elbows. Sometimes I throw in other cheeses for more flavor, but cheddar is my favorite.

So go ahead, treat yourself to some Macaroni and Cheese this week for dinner. And think of me, the Palm Springs Savant as you savor the warm goodness on a cold winter night. Even if you make the boxed kind from Kraft, its still comfort food to me!

And now, for a limited time, I am pleased to include a FREE RECIPE for you to make Mac-n-Cheese right in your own home!


ORGANIC MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE
2 cups uncooked elbow organic macaroni
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) organic butter
2 1/2 cups organic Cheddar cheese
2 large free range eggs
1/2 cup organic milk
paprika, for the top

PREPARATION:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
Cook macaroni in boiling salted water, following package directions. Drain well; return to pot.
Shred the Cheddar Cheese and set aside.

Add butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk.
Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until well combined. Spoon into the greased pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.Serves 4 to 6.
-Rick Rockhill