On days when a cup of miso just won’t do I have a cup of organic, fair trade coffee.

Nothing beats a cup of freshly ground coffee for superior flavor.

And it feels good to know that it’s , fair [...]]]>

If you’re like me, you enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning…even if it’s only occasionally.

I’ve found this source of superb coffee from Costa Rico. I think the value is impressive too.

On days when a cup of miso just won’t do I have a cup of organic, fair trade coffee.

Nothing beats a cup of freshly ground coffee for superior flavor.

And it feels good to know that it’s , fair trade & organic….

NOW that’s a GREAT cup of coffee…

Why not order some today…..

Enjoy the video ……

Much of what we call “cooking” consists of opening packages, bottles and cans purchased at the mega low cost food mart, than assembling the ingredients   in a color by number   style and heating up the [...]]]> The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home,

yet many of today’s kitchens function more like the company break room.

There was a day when food was thoughtfully prepared from basic ingredients, most of which came from the local economy if not the backyard itself.

Much of what we call “cooking” consists of opening packages, bottles and cans purchased at the mega low cost food mart, than assembling the ingredients   in a color by number   style and heating up the results.

In this kitchen environment   the conventional range gets very little play time because the   microwave is stealing the show as well as the remaining health in the food being prepared.

Many cooking; shows, books, home party plans and trade shows marketing to middleclass moms, focus not on preparing truly healthy foods but on having family time around the table. That’s cool, but families should eat Well together, not just consume the latest combination of advertised food stuffs that the billion dollar food industry is churning out into the grocery markets.

The major thrust of all this is convenience. Voices, in the market place, are chanting that we don’t have the time, that we need a fast fix for our hunger, a time saver so we can get on with the important things in life like working, shopping and playing.

But seriously, we all still have the same 24 hour day as did  our  grandmothers,

not to mention a battery of labor saving devices at our disposal. So it’s really not about, not having enough time, but rather, what are you doing with YOUR time.

To further make the point that our food industry has gone berserk is all the controversial nutrition disinformation.

Are we really so gullible to believe that food products, created months   ago, in  food stuff factories , hundreds if not thousands of miles from our kitchen, are  really healthy??? So what if it doesn’t contain artificial colors, or artificial preservatives, is low fat,  all natural or even organic. It’s old, processed and there is a reason that it doesn’t spoil on the store shelf and in our pantry cupboard….there is nothing left to decay!  It’s already dead.

It is an empty harvest.. a ruse to make you think that you have when you don’t.. unfortunately you spent your money on their product didn’t you?

The money that you earned being too busy to cook for yourself..

Do you need these types of products??? Is it conceivable to live without cold breakfast cereal or the hot ones in the cute packages that come in all the nifty flavors that you just heat up in the M-wave?  Could you find the time to make your bread from flour you’ve milled yourself?

Are you even a little curious as to how to make it happen for you and your family?

YOU CAN!!!!!!  It isn’t hard. You just need to learn how , understand why and then you are off to creating your own Kitchen Counter Culture.

The mission of this site is to;

Show you the skills necessary in making the transition from grocery shopper to grocery maker,

Equip you with information that is critical for you to make truly informed choices concerning your food purchases.

Empower you to facilitate  health and wellness in yourself and the ones you love through “at home” food preparation.

And to have FUN;  learning ,creating and  cooking with your family, friends and neighbors..

I’m happy you’ve read this far…..  :0)

Now take the next step and

KEEP FOOD REAL!

Email me and we will set a time for you,  your group, or church to learn the why and the how to making delicious, nutritious food at home :0)

Blessings!

Judith Parker,  HN

judith@kitchencounterculture.com

I had a fantastic conversation yesterday with my good friend Deborah Cameron!

We are going to move ahead with….

Boise has the Boise Co Op and Nampa, the second largest city in Idaho, needs a Food Co OP to serve the west end and central valley residents.

We are going to try for a grant and also secure pledges from potential members. This is an [...]]]>

I had a fantastic conversation yesterday with my good friend Deborah Cameron!

We are going to move ahead with….

our dream project of a Real Food Co Op for our end of the Treasure Valley!

Boise has the Boise Co Op and Nampa, the second largest city in Idaho, needs a Food Co OP to serve the west end and central valley residents.

We are going to try for a grant and also secure pledges from potential members. This is an exciting project for both of us.

I welcome input from my readers as I embark on this journey. I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration and co facilitation… Like minded people can achieve more together than alone.

Deb Cameron had the very successful Henny Penny Market in south Nampa. She will be managing the new Co Op . Her management style is one of a team builder who has the gift of bringing out the talents of her employees. I have learned a lot from Deb over the years that I have known her. Her entrepreneurial spirit is based in integrity and a love for this community.

Deb has an eye for beauty and a passion for real food. I look forward to working and growing alongside this strong, gentle woman as we bring our dream to reality.

The Real Food Co Op will…

• Be a viable source for REAL FOOD  in the Treasure Valley area
  

• Provide wholesome food to low income people by accepting the Idaho Quest Card.

The Co Op will also offer educational programs such as….

• Eating healthy on a budget
  
• Artisan Bread baking
  
• How to prepare Grass Fed Beef
  
• Dinner from your back yard
  
• Cheese making
  
• Gluten Free Baking
  
• Raw Foods
  
• Organic and Sustainability….the truth
  
• Green Cleaning
  

And more….

To stay up to date on the progress of the Real Food CoOp become a Fan Of “Future REAL FOOD CoOp, Nampa Idaho” on FaceBook .

photos taken by me in Klamath Falls, Oregon At Night Fire Natural Foods (thanks guys)

I thought what would the kids want? …..what would bring comfort?…homemade mac and cheese was the choice. I would bake it in their oven.

My daughter helped tidy their house… Bill’s [...]]]> Comfort foods….I have gained a fresh perspective on this phrase.

Our dear neighbor, Bill passed away of heart attack two mornings ago. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who with his wife were raising four terrific grandchildren. Us neighbors rallied and began to prepare that evenings meal.

I thought what would the kids want? …..what would bring comfort?…homemade mac and cheese was the choice. I would bake it in their oven.

My daughter helped tidy their house… Bill’s wife, Evelyn, had been up into the wee hours the night before, baking holiday cookies… and the kitchen had been left undone..

I thought a tidy kitchen and the smell of good food cooking would bring a bit of sanity to their day.

The dinner: Roasted Chicken, Mac and Cheese, a lovely green salad with homemade ranch dressing, hot fresh bread, and a beautiful, homemade, apple pie for dessert.

There were three households involved in creating this gift. You could feel the love in the room when they sat down to eat their first meal without Bill.

I realized the importance of healthy real food during the grieving process.

The need for REAL food to nourish the body and the soul is what is called for.

The entire family felt the compassion and love that went into that very poignant meal. As the days have passed friends and the congregations meals team has kept the stream of home made meals streaming to their door.

What a precious offering of love this is; to bring food into healing situations such as this one.

The blessing of a gift real food is one that should never be taken for granted…and it should always be the first choice when sickness or crisis is the need.

When a friend said that she was sorry that this happened right before Christmas, Evelyn replied sincerely, “I have to stop myself from being selfish… Bill is having his best Christmas ever..”

Don’t worry Bill. We will make sure your family is well fed and loved through this holiday season and beyond…

~ Blessings ~

And ALWAYS

Keep Food REAL!

Judith