Why Voting With Your Wallet Is Hard (And Why You Shouldn’t Give Up!)

imagesVoting with your wallet is hard because there is such an illusion of choice that makes it difficult to know where your money is actually going. Now, I’m not a “know-it-all”…but I strive to continuously learn new things. One area I’ve learned a lot about over the past year and a half is my food – where it comes from, who owns it, what’s in it, and the larger biotech industry that’s changing it.

I often talk to my friends and family about how to change their habits to be more aware and how to influence change by voting with their wallets. I also constantly mention that we’ll never know everything – nor will we know it all once. We can’t compare ourselves to others, or judge ourselves too harshly for not eating completely organic or grabbing the (likely GMO) corn chips at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Continue reading

Summer Garden Series: Mint

IMG_5280When I was a little girl, I would play in my backyard and have the smells of fresh, wild mint accompany me as I climbed the fence into my neighbor’s yard. I remember my parents thinking it was something of a nuisance, but I always thought it was wonderful.

As I grew older, I discovered more uses for this herb than just pleasant smells (although mint candles, soaps, lotions and shampoos are still my favorite) such as in teas, salads, and sauces for lamb. It’s no surprise, then, that I decided to grow mint in my own garden, and that it’s now the focus of this next post in my summer garden series. Continue reading

Mint Mojito Recipe

IMG_5261I had my first mojito at a great restaurant and bar on High Street Kensington in London appropriately called “Cuba”. It was delicious, and I went back several times to watch how it was made – muddled mint leaves and limes, rums of all kinds, shakes, stirs, splashes of club soda…perfection.

I decided to learn how to make mojitos myself, and having fresh mint growing on my balcony has made it easier to try more often. 😉 Continue reading

Fresh Juice Friday: Carrot-Ginger Love

Plain carrot juice is yummy, but I felt like something was missing as far as flavor and nutrients.

I began experimenting a bit, then got inspired by a recipe I found online and so this delicious carrot-ginger juice was born. And while those are the main flavors, this juice also has leafy green like kale and spinach, fresh lemons, and apples. It’s one of my favorite juices that I make, and I have it a couple of times a week. Continue reading