Need Holiday with Flavor Ideas! Green & Vegan .. Check this Out

CHEF MAYRA’S MENU, FRESH52 Farmer’s Market, SUNDAY, October 24, 8:30 am to 2:00 PM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

CHEF MAYRA’S MENU, FRESH52 Farmer’s Market,

SUNDAY, October 24, 8:30 am to 2:00 PM

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

This weeks Recipes will be posted on the site from Vegan Chef Mayra www.fresh52.com



fresh52 farmers & artisan market is a lively, friendly, open air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate their community.

Every Sunday morning the market features choice vendors with pesticide free seasonal produce, freshly baked goods, gourmet olive oils, salsas, spices, sauces,nuts, handmade modern craft, artisans & more!

On select dates you will find Special events, Live entertainment, Chef Demonstrations THIS week VEGAN CHEF MAYRA, and Free Kids Craft Parties with Handmade in Vegas, our local Etsy group.

Join the market and make some extra cash! Show off your hidden talents,expose your crafty skills, and have FUN while making some money. Space is available for farmers, artists, chefs, musicians, performing artists,non-profits,kids activities and more.

fresh52 Inaugural Fall Harvest Festival featuring Live Entertainment, Costume Contest...Kids & Pets, Booth Decorating Contest, FREE Kids Art Park, Games, Raffle, Prizes, Kids trick or treating to the booths, pumpkin pie eating contest, and More!


***Signup for the Pie Eating Contest*** NOT VEGAN BUT WILL YOU LIKE TO TAKE COUPLE OF PIES ???
on YELP


Schedule of events:
8:30AM-2:00PM-Kids Trick or treating to the booths. Go to the Easy to Be Green booth for FREE Recycled Fabric Trick or Treat Bags
• 8:30AM-2:00PM- Vote for your Favorite Vendor Booth in the fresh52 Booth Decorating Contest. Ballots will be in the Goodie Bags given away at the opening of the event & at the fresh52 Booth for those of you that come later. All Ballots will be turned in at the fresh52 booth.
• 9:00AM-12:30PM- Minute to Win It Games for all! Prizes will be awarded. Grab your friends and come out and compete for the Grand Prize!
• 10:00AM-2:00PM Slider Truck will be at fresh52 selling their gourmet Sliders. If you have not had a chance to slide thru and grab a bite, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!
• 11:30- Chef Mayra will be doing a special holiday cooking class. Demos will go on throughout the day. Come out and taste the various dishes that she will be preparing.
• Pet Costume Contest- Winners will be announced. Be sure to show up before 12:15 and sign up at The Culinary K9 Booth.
• 12:45- Kids Costume Contest- Winner will be announced. Sign up is at the Happy Baby Booth before 12:30
•1:00YELP is hosting their first Pie Eating Contest at fresh52. Watch as these fierce giants consume as many pumpkin pies as they can in 10 minutes!



CHEF MAYRA’S MENU, FRESH52 Farmer’s Market, SUNDAY, October 24, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm:
FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL
8:30 to 10:00 AM Breakfast Dishes
10:00 to 2:00 PM Brunch Dishes
Vegan Chef Mayra’s Fall Harvest Menu
Showcasing all the Farms Produce & Products

BREAKFAST DRINKS & DISHES
Yummy small samples

***The Romantic CHAI** with Red Chai Delight .. Using Almond and Coconut Milk

**Caribbean Dream** Using Almond and Coconut Milk
Coconut Crave
**Chocolate Symphony Chai Using Almond and Coconut Milk
Chocolate Bar ~

***For after 11:00 AM cold drink dispenser ~prepared Island Spice ~
Depending on the berries !!! lot's of rain this week " Berry & Coconut Smoothies" smoothies might change
TBA ---With Hemp Protein


FALL BRUNCH Small Yummy Samples
Quinoa Pasta with Zucchini spaghetti
With a Fresh Farm Roasted Peppers & basil Walnut Pesto with vegan Rice Parmesan

With a Kiss of Cranberry Chutney by
“A Fabulous quick meal light - full of Flavor Perfect for the Fall

*********************************************************
COOKING SHOW 11:30- 12:30 pm
“Spice Pears"
Recipe from Grandma’ Shirley Teas

Chef Mayra Ginger & Sage Roasted Winter Vegetables
Oven or Grilled
********************************************************


Featuring “Tea Soup “Recipe by Grandma Shirley Teas
Avocado, Broccoli, apple, add strawberries and a dash of Lemon
A Side Salad “A light Veggie Delight ‘adding CHEF Mayra Flavor
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette by Simple & Healthy Side Dish
“Full Of Flavor, Herbs, Zing and Citrus”

Chef Mayra Cauliflower, Garbanzo Bean & Butter Nut Squash curry
Served With Sage & garam masala Basmati Rice
This Dish will be served with the Famous” Cranberry Chutney” by

****Chef Mayra will have available some of her “Public Recipes” for the Menu dishes**



•Fresh•
•Mouthwatering taste & flavor•
•Seasonal•>
•Support small family farms•
•Protect the environment•
•Highest nutrient content produce•
•Variety•
•Locally grown•
•Community•

Go Vegan IS about LOVE for ANIMALS, YOU -PLANET

Here is a Great Fall Idea for your Autumn fever

Chef Mayra Any Special Occasion Roasted Fall Vegetables

• Make it Organic if Possible Time 35 minutes
• Serves 8

Wha'Cha NEED

• 1/4 cut apple butter
• 1/4 cup expelled pressed canola oil
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, Diced
• 2 cups butternut squash, diced
• 2 cups red potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 1/2 cups baby carrots
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Wha' You DO:

---

• Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees
• In a large bowl, whisk apple butter and canola oil until smooth.
• Stir in all vegatables, including garlic, until well coated.
• Line baking sheet with recycle foil. Arrange vegetables in a single layer.
• sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and golden.
• Love to you !

Happy NOV 1 2010

November 1 is World Vegan Day, a celebration of people who don't eat meat. Or eggs. Or cheese. Or mayonnaise. Or honey. Or whey. Or gelatin. Or anything that comes from or includes an animal. Nor do they use any clothing, accessory or object made from an animal. No leather, no wool, no pearls, no ivory-keyed pianos. The animal-free holiday began in 1994, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society.

Veganism is an extreme form of vegetarianism, and though the term was coined in 1944, the concept of flesh-avoidance can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies. Vegetarianism is first mentioned by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos around 500 BCE. In addition to his theorem about right triangles, Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species, including humans. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism also advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.

The meatless lifestyle never really caught on in the West, although it would sometimes pop up during health crazes and religious revivals. The Ephrata Cloister, a strict religious sect founded in 1732 in Pennsylvania, advocated vegetarianism — as well as celibacy. The 18th century utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham believed that animal suffering was just as serious as human suffering, and likened the idea of human superiority to racism.

The first vegetarian society was formed in 1847 in England. Three years later, Rev. Sylvester Graham, the inventor of Graham crackers, co-founded the American Vegetarian Society. Graham was a Presbyterian minister and his followers, called Grahamites, obeyed his instructions for a virtuous life: vegetarianism, temperance, abstinence, and frequent bathing. In November 1944, a British woodworker named Donald Watson announced that because vegetarians ate dairy and eggs, he was going to create a new term called "vegan," to describe people who did not.

Tuberculosis had been found in 40% of Britain's dairy cows the year before, and Watson used this to his advantage, claiming that it proved the vegan lifestyle protected people from tainted food. Three months after coining the term, he issued a formal explanation of the way the word should be pronounced: "Veegan, not Veejan," he wrote in his new Vegan Society newsletter, which had 25 subscribers. By the time Watson died at age 95 in 2005, there were 250,000 self-identifying vegans in Britain and 2 million in the U.S. Moby, Woody Harrelson and Fiona Apple are vegans. So is Dennis Kucinich.

Strict veganism prohibits the use of animal product, even if it isn't food, but like any lifestyle choice that ends in "-ism," there are plenty of people who cheat. The vitamin B12 is found almost entirely in animal products, so many vegans eat fortified food or take a vitamin to get the right amount. And while American vegetarianism has broken free of its philosophical and religious roots, becoming an accepted health choice — many restaurants offer vegetarian options and most dinner party planners now ask "is anyone vegetarian?" before planning the menu — veganism is still tied to the animal-rights movement and is out there on the fringe.

Vegans can be as strict or lax as they want to be in their food choices: the International Vegetarian Union's website includes vegan-friendly reminders about baking pans greased with animal fat, grain cereals that include animal-based glycerin, and sugar refined with bone charcoal. Then there's raw veganism, which is an offshoot of veganism in which none of the food can be cooked. Take that a step further and you get "mono meals," the idea that the stomach should only digest one type of food at a time. Basically, if you eat it, there is probably someone else out there who won't.

10/17/2010 We're launching The Business of Alchemy webinar series

http://www.lovesalchemy.org/Events.html

Oct. 17, 2010 We're launching The Business of Alchemy webinar series (aka our practitioner development program) this month to help healing arts practitioners take their business to the next level. If you've been wanting to reach more people without spending lots of time and money, you'll love this teach-the-teacher resource at LASC. We'll start out with a FREE online segment called Leveraging Your Divinely Inspired Creations. We'll discuss tips and tools that will show you how to create multiple services and streams of income from your existing teaching tools. Click here for the link to watch online or listen by phone.

http://www.lovesalchemy.org/LASC-mission.html#

World Vegan Day is November 1st

http://www.worldveganday.org/

http://twitter.com/#!/worldveganday

October may be Vegetarian Awareness Month, but what do you do when you feel that it's time to take your diet and lifestyle to the next level? That's where World Vegan Day comes in. Celebrated on November 1st, World Vegan Day is the culmination of World Go Vegan Week, which has been observed during the last week of October since 2005

World Vegan Day was established in 1994, the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society. Today it is celebrated all over the world by vegans who wish to spread the word about the benefits of a plant-based, cruelty-free lifestyle.

What is a vegan? What is veganism?
Why are you Vegan?
Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs,dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines. Most vegans also avoid the use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool.
Vegan refers to either a person who follows this way of eating, or to the diet itself.
Although there is some debate as to whether certain foods, such as honey, fit into a vegan diet, if you are cooking for other vegans, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid these foods.

http://www.worldveganday.info/ << href="http://www.chefmayra.com/show.html">http://www.chefmayra.com/show.html
Now featuring *Chef Mayra's Dessert Menu in their Cafe" starting November 2009
Watch Chef Mayra Live Every Wednesday @ NOON (PST)
TV SHOW* Internet/ Steaming Cooking/A Conversation with the Vegan Chef.

Have you see this? Glass Walls Documentary

Glass Walls Documentary
We are currently in post-production for our first feature-length film. Glass Walls is a guerilla-style documentary that tells the true story of three people who agree to do one thing: change what they eat. For six weeks, these meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers from different backgrounds adopt a vegan diet and a whole new way of thinking about food. The physical impacts of the lifestyle are noticeable, but it’s the emotional changes that are truly profound. Watch this rough promo piece for a hint of what’s to come…

   
Chef Mayra, The Doctor of Flavor

Go to Chef Mayra's event web site:
www.ChefMayra.com
Watch Chef Mayra Live Every Wednesday @ NOON (PST)
TV SHOW* Internet/ Steaming Cooking/A Conversation with the Vegan Chef.

Fibromyalgia: Seven foods to avoid and The Chef Suggested recipes

Fibromyalgia: Seven foods to avoid

While there may not be a single set of dietary guidelines that are right for all fibromyalgia patients, there are certain foods, or food groups, that appear to make a difference for a significant number of people. But remember, avoiding these foods is not a guarantee that your symptoms will change. Also, avoiding one group may offer benefit while another may make no difference at all. Nevertheless, the experts WebMD talked to agree that eliminating at least some of these foods is worth a try.

1. Aspartame (NutraSweet). All the experts WebMD talked to agree that for a large majority of people with fibromyalgia, foods sweetened with aspartame could exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms.

"There is a pain receptor in the nervous system known as NMDA," says McNett. "When pain turns from acute to chronic, it involves opening the NMDA pain receptor. Aspartame, which is classified as an excitotoxin, helps to stimulate this event." He also says people with fibromyalgia appear to already have overly active NMDA pain receptors, making them more susceptible to the stimulation.

In one study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2006, experts found patients with fibromyalgia did have an increased expression of NMDA receptors in their skin. This indicated a general increase in activity of peripheral nerves.
Researchers found that, when patients with fibromyalgia avoided aspartame as well as the flavor enhancer MSG, they felt better overall.

Other artificial sweeteners such as stevia do not appear to have the same effect as aspartame.

2. Food additives including MSG (monosodium glutamine) and nitrates. MSG is an additive or flavor enhancer that's found in many processed and frozen foods and in some Asian cuisines. Experts say it can intensify pain symptoms in many individuals. Like aspartame, MSG is classified as an excitotoxin and has the same potential for affecting NMDA receptors.
"A lot of people who don't have fibromyalgia can't tolerate nitrates or MSG very well. But one of the hallmarks of this condition is that it amplifies unpleasant reactions,"

3. Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates. There is no clear evidence that cutting out simple carbohydrates -- like sugar, cake, or white bread -- will have an impact on fibromyalgia. What it can do, though, is reduce symptoms of chronic yeast infection -- a fungus that thrives on sugars and may be a secondary condition contributing to the pain of fibromyalgia. This theory, however, is still being debated by experts.

"Cutting out sugary foods, particularly high fructose corn syrup, can make a difference in these patients,". "And that's independent of any weight loss that might occur when they stop eating these foods."
Cutting out carbonated beverages sweetened with fructose may yield even more noticeable results. That's because the carbonation, he says, causes a metabolic reaction. This reaction results in much more sugar pouring into the blood much more quickly.

4. Caffeine -- including coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. Because it is considered a stimulant, many fibromyalgia patients turn to caffeine-rich beverages as a source of energy. But McNett says the boost you get is false -- and can quickly exacerbate fatigue.


"The problem with caffeine is that the 'up' is relatively brief and transient," "And it's followed by substantially longer and deeper sedative effect."

Because people with fibromyalgia are already tired,those sedative effects can be much more powerful. "They are starting off from a point of fatigue, so the sedative qualities are amplified -- leading to a much deeper and long lasting sense of fatigue."

The good news is that cutting out caffeine can make a difference within less than a week. "Most patients begin to see a difference in their fatigue level almost right away"

5. Yeast and gluten. Although these are two separate food substances, they frequently appear together -- particularly in baked goods like cake, donuts, and bread. For this reason, cutting out one, usually means you are cutting out both. That can actually yield two separate benefits for people with fibromyalgia.

In the case of yeast, some doctors say it fosters the overgrowth of the yeast fungus in the body. This overgrowth may cause or exacerbate much of the joint and muscle pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia. Research, though, has yet to confirm this link.

Gluten can exacerbate a condition known as gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance, frequently results in a variety of stomach ailments and other digestive problems. It also is associated with fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia.

"I have seen people with and without fibromyalgia experience enormous positive changes in their health by simply cutting out gluten products,"

6. Dairy. Be they low fat or high fat, some experts say, dairy products -- particularly, milk -- have been known to drive the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Avoiding these products may help some people turn their health around.

7. Nightshade Plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplant. There are over 2,000 species of plants that that can be listed under the category of "nightshade." Those which are edible comprise a group that some say can trigger flares of various types of arthritis, including fibromyalgia.

"I have seen clients who do much better when they cut these foods out of their diet,". We're not sure why, but it seems to work in a significant percentage of fibromyalgia patients." At the same time, these vegetables are among the most nutritious. So if they don't trigger your fibro pain, don't ban them from your fridge.
A final word - Nutrients and the power of a healthy diet

Avoiding certain foods may help individual patients better cope with their disease. however, that most can also benefit from an overall heart-healthy approach to good eating.

"When you are eating a heart-healthy diet - one low in saturated fat, high in the fresh fruits and vegetables that don't cause you problems, your body is going to work in a more healthful way, ".

And while, she says, this won't necessarily reduce your fibromyalgia symptoms, it can help to reduce the risk of other ailments that can only compound your health issues.

"When your body is healthier overall," "you may be better able to cope with any disease, and better able to respond to even small changes you make."

One small study published in the journal Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2001 found that patients who ate a vegetarian diet consisting of mostly raw whole foods did see a reduction in their fibromyalgia symptoms.

What can also help, he says, is a high potency vitamin supplement as well as supplements containing omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids -- which are also found in foods such as fish oil, flax seed, walnuts, some fortified cereals, -- are the "good fats" that have been shown to have an impact on inflammation.



The following clip is from the documentary "Living With Fibromyalgia" (http://www.LivingWithFM.com) and includes some basic tips on how to live with this chronic pain condition.

Tomato Chickpea Soup, Easy Vegan Soup for Stove Top or Slow Cooker

4 - 6 Servings:

The chickpeas can be soaked overnight, brought to a boil and finish cooking in the crockpot. If you use canned beans, use organic**drain and rinse them first. This thick, rich.
Serve with Rice Sesame Crackers


Ingredients:

* 1 cup dried garbanzo beans, OR 2 16 oz Organic cans, drained & rinsed
* Bean cooking directions below
* 6 ripe plum tomatoes
* 2 - 3 large carrots
* 2 stalks celery
* 2 celery stalks, diced
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 tsp cumin
* 2 tsp spicy paprika
* 2 large bay leaves
* 1 Tbsp raw cane or turbinado sugar
* 1 Tbsp tahini
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 organic can tomato paste
* 4 Tblsp olive oil
* 2 Tblsp dried basil, or 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
* 2 Tblsp Braggs liquid aminos
* 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley or cilantro

How To Cook Garbanzo Beans*

1. Sort and clean the dried beans
2. Soak the beans in hot water for four hours, or overnight in cold water
3. Drain and rinse
4. Place in medium saucepan, cover with cold unsalted water
5. Bring to boil uncovered, boil for ten minutes, skim the foam
6. Stove Top: Cover and simmer for 2 hours
7. Pressure cooker: 9 minutes at high pressure
8. Slow cooker or crock pot (large size):
After boiling and skimming the beans, cook for 6 - 8 hours covered on low.

Soup Directions:

1. Dice tomatoes, carrots and celery
2. Add to beans and bean stock with bay leaves, basil, salt,
tomato paste,tahini, and sugar
3. If using organic canned beans, drain and rinse, then add 4 cups water
and 2 veggie cubes
4. Heat olive oil on medium low
5. Peel, core and mince the garlic cloves, and brown in the oil
6. Stir the cumin and paprika into the oil and heat for five minutes
7. Add 1/2 cup hot water to the spice mixture to make a smooth paste,
then transfer to the beans and veggies
8. Stovetop: Bring to boil, simmer covered for one hour
9. Crockpot: Turn heat to high, cook for 2 hours
10. Blend soup with a blender stick, or in batches in a blender
11. Add Braggs, fresh minced herb, more salt and pepper to taste

Serve with Rice or Barley! YUM !



Veggies with Lemon Sauce

The original recipe designated Brussels sprouts, but I'm sure many veggies would be good with this.
Ingredients

* 3 cups Veggies
* 3/4 cups Vegetable broth
* 1 tsp Olive oil
* 1 clove garlic
* 2 Tbs Vegetable broth
* 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch (tapioca, arrowroot?)
* 1/2 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
* 1 Tbs lemon juice
* 1/8 tsp pepper
* 2 tsp snipped fresh dill weed

Directions

1. Wash and trim veggies.
2. In a medium saucepan combine veggies, 3/4 cup broth, olive oil and garlic.
3. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
4. Simmer, covered, for 7 to 10 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender.
5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a serving bowl.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the 2 Tbs broth, cornstarch,
lemon peel, juice, and pepper.
7. Gradually add lemon mixture to hot broth in saucepan.
8. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
9. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
10. Stir in fresh dill weed.
11. Pour lemon sauce over veggies.

Makes 6 side dish servings.


Fried Tofu with Bok Choy

This dish can be adjusted for mild to spicy taste buds and tastes great no matter how you season it!
Ingredients

* 1 package extra sprouted firm tofu
* 1 bunch bok choy - Chinese celery
* 1 egg replacement
* splash water
* 1/2 - 1 cup sorghum flour
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* 1/2 cup white wine or water
* 1/2 dozen fresh garlic cloves
* 1 fresh jalapeno

Directions

1. slice the tofu into approx. 2" x 1" x 1/2" squares
2. Follow the instructions for the egg replacement with splash of cold water
3. soak tofu pieces in vegan egg wash
4. coat in sorghum flour
5. get skillet very hot, add all but 1 TB of olive oil
6. slice garlic and fry in oil till tender, remove to side
7. fry floured tofu in hot oil until brown, turn and remove when done
8. wash and slice bok choy, add to hot skillet with wine or water
9. cover tightly and reduce heat to simmer
10. after bok choy is parcooked remove cover and simmer until juices reduce
11. put cooked bok choy in serving platter with fried tofu and garlic on top
12. rinse skillet, turn heat up high and cook off the water droplets
13. slice jalapeno, add TB of oil and fry quick till browned
14. serve jalapeno on the side - frying this way removes most of the heat
15. wash hands thoroughly after handling raw jalapeno

Tofu is a fat free rich source of calcium. It A big hit.


Homemade VEGETABLE PESTO PENNE PASTA
( or Elbow, Or Fusilli Any Brown Rice Pasta shape will do )

12 oz. Tinkyada brown rice penne

1 jar of gf sun-dried tomato pesto or use homemade (it only requires a couple tablespoons)

1 cup of fresh green beans

2 or 3 new potatoes, medium sized, diced

Directions: Prepare the green beans and potatoes. Boil together for about 12 minutes or until tender. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Toss the green beans, potatoes, and pesto together in a large pot or dish. Serve with soy parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.

NICE and EASY

Add the spaghetti sauce.

Chef Mayra

Public Speaker, Event,Booking & Information Line 702.722.0113

http://MyChefMayra.com/ News Letter

Connect Chef Mayra a.k.a Dr Flavor:

LinkedIn| Facebook| BlogSpot & TV/Radio Show | Ning | Twitter | BlogSpot

Why Organic, Why Animal Free & Why Green?

Why DO I need to buy Local or Support the Local Vendors?

Why buy local?
There are countless reasons why buying local food is both rewarding and delicious, including enjoying the taste of fresh food, improved health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, support for family farms and rural communities, and ensuring animal welfare.

There is also significant peace of mind in knowing where our food comes from. One of the biggest benefits to buying food locally is having someone to answer questions about how it was grown and raised. What goes into that loaf of bread? Can we be certain that the hog that is now bacon lived a life without suffering? How do we know those jalapeños are salmonella free?

Developing a relationship with local farmers gives us an "in" with our local food system. At farmers' markets we can get answers to questions like: When do tomatoes come into season? How might I use celeriac? Often, we can take a tour of the farm our food comes from. Some farmers are thrilled to share their knowledge and experience with their customers. Ask about the challenges your local farmers face and what they are doing to address them. It doesn't have to be complicated. Ask about the weather! Any farmer will be pleased to talk about how the growing season is going and how that affects the food they grow. Knowing local farmers can go a long way to simplifying buying local.

Another significant reason to buy local is to keep food miles to a minimum. "Food miles" refer to the distance a food item travels from the farm to your home. The food miles for items in the grocery store are, on average, 27 times higher than the food miles for goods bought from local sources.1

In the U.S., the average grocery store's produce travels nearly 1,500 miles between the farm where it was grown and your refrigerator. About 40% of our fruit is produced overseas and, even though broccoli is grown all over the country, the broccoli we buy at the supermarket travels an average of 1,800 miles to get there. Notably, nine percent of our red meat comes from foreign countries, some as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Our food is trucked across the country, hauled in freighter ships over oceans, and flown around the world. A tremendous amount of fossil fuel is burned to transport foods such long distances, releasing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and other pollutants that contribute to global climate change, acid rain, smog and air and sea pollution. The refrigeration required to keep our fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats from spoiling during their long journeys burn up even more fossil fuel. In contrast, local and regional food systems produce 17 times less CO2.4

Economics of local
The significant difficulties of earning a living wage as a farmer are often masked by headlines about subsidies and record high crop prices. In reality, farmers are earning less producing crops these days than they did in 1969, despite the fact that American farmers have almost doubled productivity over the past four decades. Farmers aren't just earning less, current prices do not even cover the cost of production. Until just recently the difference between farm income nationwide and what it cost to grow and raise American crops could be counted in the billions. To make ends meet, and often to get health insurance, more than half of American farmers work a second off-farm job

Buying locally or directly from farmers can dramatically increase a farmer's income. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener's Association published a study that demonstrates what would happen if consumers shifted 1% of their purchasing power to buy locally grown products: farmers would see a gain of 5% in their income. Even better, buying direct from a farmer sends 90% of those food dollars back to the farm. Increasing farm income means more money can be spent locally by the farmer to run their business and home, helping keep the local economy alive.

Annually, Americans consume more than $600 billion9 in food. In most communities today food is purchased entirely at a grocery store or market, with only about 7% of local food dollars staying in the community.10 The other 93% of the modern food dollar travels to pay processors, packagers, distributors, wholesalers, truckers and the rest of the infrastructure that a global food system demands, a stark comparison to 40% in 1910 by contrast, 40% of food dollars spend remained in the local economy.11 When more food dollars stay in the community, through buying local, they are transformed into thriving main streets and local jobs.

If you can't buy local...
While some people may enjoy the challenge of an all-local diet, it doesn't work for everyone. If products are not available locally or regionally, look for items produced in the United States. Remember—local means as close to home as possible, in some cases that may mean oranges from California or Florida, rather than Chile or Israel.

When shopping for more exotic ingredients like chocolate, coffee or bananas, look for products labeled "Fair Trade" or "Rain forest Alliance Certified." The fair trade label means that farmers and farm workers in developing nations receive a fair price for their product, work directly with buyers, and prioritize sustainable farming methods without forced child labor and the use of a dozen of the most harmful pesticides. To be fair trade certified, products must be grown by small-scale producers who are able organize themselves in either cooperatives or unions. Fair trade products and companies are certified by independent third parties like Trans Fair USA or Fair Trade Labeling Organization International. Companies selling fair trade products have also shown commitment to helping the farmers they work with develop long-term sustainable communities and businesses.

Rain forest Alliance labeling follows standards set by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN, formally known as the Conservation Agriculture Network) that are designed to promote tropical conservation. Products with this label are grown with environmentally responsible management practices including integrated pest and disease management, soil and water conservation. This standard also includes requirements for fair labor practices and good community relations. The Rain forest Alliance Certified label standards have been tailored to crops in specific regions. The standards specify that waterways must be protected with buffer zones and monitored for contamination. Workers must be paid minimum wage and have the right to organize.

Both of these labels are third-party certified, which means that independent inspectors ensure farmers' compliance. Since products like coffee and chocolate are difficult to grow in the United States, labels like these can be a good alternative to buying locally.

What you can do
Join the growing movement of consumers around the world who are making a little extra effort to find food raised nearby. You might be surprised to learn how many farms there are in your area. If you're not sure how to find them, just enter your zip code into the Eat Well Guide. You can also find out what foods are seasonal in your area by checking out our state-by-state listing of seasonal food.

Start small and don't expect to change all your eating habits overnight. Commit to purchasing one thing locally each week or each month. Once you see how easy it is and you enjoy the great taste, you'll surely go back for more!

Community supported agriculture (CSA) programs
CSA provides a direct link between local farmers and consumers. Each season, members purchase a share of a farmer's crop before it's planted. This allows the farmer to pay for seed, water and equipment upfront, so s/he is less reliant on banks and loans. Each week during the harvest time, usually June through October, the farmer delivers great tasting, healthy food to the members at pre-determined locations. In some instances, members pick up their share directly from the farm.

By purchasing a share in a farmer's crop, you share in the bounty. In good years, you will get more; in not-so-good years, you won't get as much. It's a great way to try vegetables you might not normally eat—or might never have heard of! Most CSA programs provide vegetables and fruit, though many also offer other products.

To find a CSA program in your area, visit the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. If you can't find a CSA program in your area, start one! Just Food, a nonprofit organization based in New York City, helps start CSA programs in all five boroughs.



Farmers' markets
A great way to buy local is to shop at farmers' markets, where you can ask the farmer how the food was raised and produced.

Buy Local Challenge
The Buy Local Challenge is simply a pact you make with friends, family members or co-workers to eat locally. You can be as lenient or as strict as you like - from agreeing to cook one meal with local ingredients to eating only local food for one month (now that's a challenge!)

The key is to engage others in a conversation about eating locally, and what better way is there than to try it yourself? Share your experiences, swap recipes, and discover new foods! Then visit Sustainable Table's forum, The Parlour, to talk about your experiences.

If you would like to use this as an opportunity to educate others about local, sustainable food, show them The Meatrix films, or visit the Sustainable Table web site for information you can print out and share.

Vanguard Communications, a public relations firm in Washington DC, developed their own Buy Local Challenge. Visit their Buy Local Challenge for ideas on what you can do.

Adopt a local farmer
You can use the Eat Well Guide to find a farmer or farmers' market in your area. If you find a farmer you like, "adopt" him or her.

* Encourage your friends and neighbors to buy the farm's products.
* Invite the farmer over for a sustainable dinner party and ask them talk
to your family and friends about what they do.
* Get your local supermarket to start carrying their products.
* Help get the word out about what good farmers they are!

Grow Your Own
Whether it's a plot in your backyard or a small window herb garden, growing your own food is a richly rewarding experience. Many towns have gardening classes, but it's easy to simply buy some seeds and experiment. The National Gardening Association has tips on getting started.( Ask me if you live in Las Vegas, Nevada)

If you live in an urban area and don't have land to plant on, you can often find community gardens that offer plots in exchange for some volunteer time. Visit the American Community Gardening Association for more information. And once you grow all that great food, learn how to can, freeze or preserve it.

The Next film is dedicated to our Planet ! Please watch 1:33 Min long
About the film !
***We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.

The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.

For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.

HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand

PPR is proud to support HOME
http://www.ppr.com

HOME is a carbon offset movie
http://www.actioncarbone.org

More information about the Planet
http://www.goodplanet.info

Website: http://www.home-2009.com





Chef Mayra
702.722-0108 Office

http://MyChefMayra.com/
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Why Organic, Why Animal Free & Why Green?

Folks Per @pslove request Twitter Fan ! Carrot Cake for Under $10.00 bucks. This Vegan Carrot Cake is very moist and delicious, excellent !!!

All Natural!
Now assuming your pantry already has some of these ingredients right?
This can be a very fun and under $10.00 Dollars ...
Depends on your pantry .. Maybe this is a great opportunity to re-do some of your pantry and bring in some natural ingredients. At the end you and your wallet will benefit!

One Layer: Using 9 x 11 rectangle Pan.
Chef Mayra's Vegan Carrot Cake
Ingredients:

• 1 cup non organic vegetable salad oil
• 2 cups organic brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup soy milk
• 4 cups unbleached flour (or all purpose flour)
• 2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
• 3 cups grated organic raw carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup organic raisins

Icing:

• 1 container (8oz) soy cream cheese (Available in the grocery store’s health food section)
• 4 cups organic confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
• ½ cup of soy butter (margarine), softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease and flour a 9” x 11” baking pan (use oil and coat with flour).
3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in medium sized bowl – set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl on low speed, mix oil and sugar, add water and soymilk. Mix well.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture on low speed until moistened, then mix on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in grated carrots, nuts, and raisins with wooden spoon and mix well.
7. Pour the mixture into baking pan.
8. Bake 1 hour.
9. Tip: Bake until moist but not raw in center. Insert toothpick into cake and when it comes out clean the cake is done.
10. Remove the cake from oven and let cool.

Icing:

1. In a small mixing bowl, on low speed mix soy butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Spread icing on completely cooled cake.
3. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Chef Notes:

***Here is My Round Version: You might want to double up the ingredients for the cake and icing for the round version.

I stack the cake with 2 or 3 layers using 8" size cake pans.

If you do not have pumpkin pie spice available, you can make your own by mixing the following:

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice

If you want to make a double stack 9 x 11 size cake just double the recipe .
Double everything "For the Cake and the icing. "
Use Icing as the filling.

***** great recipe if you want to use your carrot pulp after Juicing !! YEAH!

Again if you have a lot of these ingredients in your pantry , this is a great inexpensive cake.
All Natural, Organic and Vegan.

     Enjoy!

Chef Mayra

May 2009 News letter

Connect with me:

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Why Organic, Why Animal Free & Why Green?

save animals

save animals
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” -Mahatma Gandhi 3 years ago

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS

Preamble:

Considering that Life is one, all living beings having a common origin and having diversified in the course of the evolution of the species, – Considering that all living beings possess natural rights, and that any animal with a nervous system has specific rights,
Considering that the contempt for, and even the simple ignorance of, these natural rights, cause serious damage to Nature and lead men to commit crimes against animals,
Considering that the coexistence of species implies a recognition by the human species of the right of other animal species to live,
Considering that the respect of animals by humans is inseparable from the respect of men for each other,

It is hereby proclaimed that :

* Article 1
All animals have equal rights to exist within the context of biological equilibrium. This equality of rights does not overshadow the diversity of species and of individuals.

* Article 2
All animal life has the right to be respected.

* Article 3
1°- Animals must not be subjected to bad treatments or to cruel acts.
2°- If it is necessary to kill an animal, it must be instantaneous, painless and cause no apprehension.
3°- A dead animal must be treated with decency.

* Article 4
1°- Wild animals have the right to live and to reproduce in freedom in their own natural environment. 2°- The prolonged deprivation of the freedom of wild animals, hunting and fishing practised as a pastime, as well as any use of wild animals for reasons that are not vital, are contrary to this fundamental right.

* Article 5
1°- Any animal which is dependent on man has the right to proper sustenance and care.
2°- It must under no circumstances be abandoned or killed unjustifiably.
3°- All forms of breeding and uses of the animal must respect the physiology and behaviour specific to the species.
4°- Exhibitions, shows and films involving animals must also respect their dignity and must not include any violence whatsoever.
* Article 6
1°- Experiments on animals entailing physical or psychological suffering violate the rights of animals.
2°-Replacement methods must be developed and systematically implemented.

* Article 7
Any act unnecessary involving the death of an animal, and any decision leading to such an act, constitute a crime against life.

* Article 8
1°- Any act compromising the survival of a wild species and any decision leading to such an act are tantamount to genocide, that is to say, a crime against the species.
2°- The massacre of wild animals, and the pollution and destruction of biotopes are acts of genocide.

* Article 9
1°- The specific legal status of animals and their rights must be recognised by law. 2°- The protection and safety of animals must be represented at the level of Governmental organizations.

* Article 10
Educational and schooling authorities must ensure that citizens learn from childhood to observe, understand and respect animals.

Wake up to Breakfast!

Wake up to Breakfast!

Simple breakfast ideas for the vegan or non vegan. It's no secret that breakfast can be the trickiest meal for vegans when away from home. There are inevitably eggs or dairy in any menu option available. This is just another reason I adore having overnight guests, so that I may delight their awakening taste buds with yummy breakfast goodness that is 100% vegan. Let me take a moment to revisit a couple of things about "Eating Vegan." In starting the transition to a vegan diet, there are a few different strategies. Some people shift into a vegan diet slowly, starting with vegan 'analogues'— plant‐based foods whose taste resembles animal products. Others simply take out the animal products from their diet and replace them with plant foods with which they're already familiar. Still others concentrate on experimenting with entirely new vegan foods, often from international cuisines. Thankfully, there is no shortage of vegan foods to help make the transition. In fact, most of the food we eat is vegan, without us knowing it! Replacing Eggs There are several options, depending on what they are needed for. You may want to experiment. Here are some possibilities (each quantity is equivalent to 1 egg): • 1 tbsp. gram (chick pea) or soya flour and 1 tbsp. water • 1 tbsp. arrowroot, 1 tbsp. soya flour and 2 tbsp. water • 2 tbsp. flour, 1/2 tbsp. shortening, 1/2 tsp baking powder and 2 tsp. water • 50g tofu blended with the liquid portion of the recipe • ½ of a large banana, mashed • 50 ml white sauce A word of caution, however: approaching these replacements for meat, dairy, and egg by expecting them to taste identical will be setting yourself up for disappointment. The texture and taste of animal products is impossible to duplicate completely. That said, once you learn not to expect that same taste and texture you'll find the alternatives quite delicious in their own right! Breakfast ‐ Simple Meal Ideas • Cereal or granola with nondairy milk • Oatmeal or other hot cereal • Vegan Bagel or toast with organic jelly • Pancakes • Soy or coconut yogurt • Fruit smoothie • Vegan Crepes • Tofu Scramble • Vegan Waffles • Southwest skillets MORE Ideas! The essential daily basics, right? • Soya, Rice, Almond, Hemp milk: long‐life soya Rice, Almond, Hemp milk lasts for months and is as good as the fresh stuff, so you can keep it in stock. Use like cows' milk in any cooking. Great on cereal. Wake Up Smoothie! ½ cup of soymilk ½ cup of silken tofu 1/3 cup of creamy peanut butter 2 bananas, frozen 2 tbsp. of organic chocolate syrup Combine the soymilk, tofu, and peanut butter in a blender. Add the bananas, chocolate syrup, and ice cubes as desired. Blend until smooth. The Chef's Last Thoughts I like to start my days with fruit or smoothies. Some days I'm not really into more than that. Other days, however, the "growlies" take over and I need something really satisfying. Even when I'm really hungry, I'll still start out with some fruit. It never ceases to amaze me how many people do not eat breakfast! VEGAN or NOT Vegan. From trades‐people to service providers, executives to kids, real estate agents to bankers, they do not eat the meal that breaks the fast, the meal that would make them stronger, healthier and much easier to be around. I have found that people who do not eat breakfast are extremely cranky. VEGAN or NOT Vegan Some say they have no time. Well, if you have time to get dressed, you have time to eat something. Get up earlier to exercise, meditate and eat breakfast! A benefit from eating breakfast is that it helps you maintain or even lose weight and it is better for the brain, and me, especially if I have to talk business with you. So, do yourself, your co‐workers, your mate, your kids and your friends a favor. Eat breakfast! Stay Green, Lean and Sexy…With an "Animal Free" lifestyle ---------------- Now playing on iTunes: Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias - Breakfast via FoxyTunes