The Gourmade Guide

So many of us, here in the South, eat mainly for pleasure. It has even become a kind of status symbol, eating out instead of eating at home. Few restaurants offer food designed to keep us healthy; we know that. They mostly want to satisfy our taste buds and keep us coming back for more. What is the cost to our health?
In the later part of the last century, as a result of so many medical advances, scientists proudly declared, that by the year 2000, they expected that all illnesses would be eradicated. The reverse has happened; we have more illnesses and others have become widespread and are occurring at younger ages than have previously occurred. Sure, we can blame the government for not protecting us from some of the hazardous materials in our environment, but we need start considering our own choices.

It is not too late to make changes! I started making the changes, I always knew I would have to make some day, when I began caring for my Mother in her final years. Everything I did for her, I also did for me and both our healths improved. It did not take long to correct the years I disregarding good health practices; through mainly diet changes. It was a challenge I began to enjoy. I searched out information from knowledgeable friends and the books I could read. Now it is so much easier, to find the information we need to know. We even have AI to help educate us!
One of the most important changes we can make is to start including more organically produced (always NonGMO) crop and animal products in our diet. You can go to this website to learn what is required of anyone producing or handling food labeled Organic. www.organicproducenetwork.com/regulatory/organic-certification-requirements-strict-usda-standards “Organic is one of the most heavily regulated and closely monitored food systems in the U.S…” from OPN, Organic Produce Network.

We are blessed in this great country to have access to so many organic products. I can find organic apples, potatoes, citrus, salad ingredients, beef, chicken, dairy and eggs, peanut butter, pasta, prepared sauces, even canned and frozen products. I have found one of my favorites: pizza! Every year, the list keeps growing and the prices are coming way down. What are you waiting for?

Jackie Bossé,  Gourmade Meals In Your Home

The following ingredients was told to me by a friend from church back home. I was looking for something easy and delicious. All ingredients can be organic!

FRESH TOMATO PASTA SERVES 4
2 -3 T. OLIVE OIL
4 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
1 28OZ. CAN TOMATOES, DICED (you can use garden fresh tomatoes)
1 T. DRIED BASIL, CHOPPED
S & P
1 16 OZ. BOX OF PASTA
PARMESAN CHEESE
BOIL WATER FOR PASTA AND COOK ACCORDING TO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS, DRAIN. WHILE PASTA IS COOKING, COOK GARLIC IN A SKILLET WITH OLIVE OIL UNTIL THE GARLIC IS SLIGHTLY GOLDEN. IMMEDIATELY ADD TOMATOES, THEN BASIL, COVER AND CONTINUE COOKING FOR 15 MINS. SEASON WITH S&P TO TASTE. SERVE OVER PASTA, TOP WITH PARMESAN CHEESE.