Baked Chicken Recipe

This is my baked chicken recipe.  I have found that the type of oil you use on the chicken does make a big difference.  Olive Oil just doesn't do the trick.  It is great with Grape seed Oil.

1 organic/pastured chicken
1/2 cup grape seed oil
Pepper, Sea salt, garlic powder

Turn oven to 350 degrees.  Hold chicken and rinse in the sink.  Pull out any organs that may still be inside.   Put chicken in baking pan.  Add 1-2 cups water to baking pan.  Pour grape seed oil over chicken.  Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your liking.  Pop in the oven for 1 hour.  I start checking at one hour- but it usually takes about an hour and a half.  Use a meat thermometer and when it reaches 165 degrees it is finished.  Take out and transfer to a plate.  Use the leftover liquid for a marinade or cooking.  So good!!! I am off to the kitchen :)

Importance of Protein

I love Jordan Rubin's new book "Live Beyond Organic".  It is both inspiring and informative.  When I became a mission marketer I received amazing books and magazines written by him.  I keep them right by my nightstand and read a little before I go to bed each night.  He gets the big picture about diet and health.  I feel like I am his biggest fan, but I am sure that every other member of this team feels exactly the same way.

He talks about the importance of protein in Chapter 4 titled Primary Protein.  He states,"Protein ranks as the most important nutrient that your body needs- even more important than carbohydrates and fats.  If you don't consume enough protein your body will wither and become very weak- so feeble that you wouldn't have the energy to even hold this book to read.  Protein means "of primary importance" or "that which comes first".  They are the essential building blocks of the body, the foundation that the body relies upon to transport oxygen, contract muscles, transport electrons, and replace tissues.  Most muscles, organs, and hormones are comprised of protein.  Since the human body does not store proteins for later use, as it does with carbs and fats, you have to continually replenish the body's stores by consuming various protein- containing foods."
What are the best, most effective sources of protein???
-Organically raised, pasture-fed cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, and venison
-Pastured poultry and eggs
-Cultured dairy products derived from cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk 
- Wild caught fish

Sipping on Bone Broth

This morning was especially chilly for Florida.  I was prepared though.  Last night I made 2 gallons of bone broth just for this occasion.  Thanks to the Nourishing Traditions Cookbook I can make nourishing and delicious bone broths.  I couldn't live without this amazing resource!  Here is a what the book has to say about stocks:
"Properly prepared, meat stocks are extremely nutritious, containing the minerals of bone, cartilage, marrow and vegetables as electrolytes, a form that is easy to assimilate.  Acidic wine or vinegar added during cooking helps to draw minerals, particularly calcium, magnesium and potassium, into the broth....Modern research has confirmed that broth helps prevent and mitigate infectious diseases" (Nourishing Traditions p. 117).

Chicken Stock
1 whole free-range chicken (www.eatwild.com for local sources)
4 quarts filtered cold water
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 large onion chopped
2 carrots chopped
3 celery sticks chopped
1 bunch of parsley

Place chicken or chicken pieces in large stainless steel pot with water, vinegar and all vegetables except parsley.  Let stand 30 min to 1 hour.  Bring to a boil, remove scum that rises to the top.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 6-24 hours.  The longer you cook it the richer and more flavorful it will be.  About 10 minutes before finishing the stock add parsley.  This will impart additional mineral ions to the broth.

Let cool down.  Remove meat for use in other dishes.  I always strain it all into a big bowl and then pour the clear broth into my mason jars.  Through refrigeration, the fat will conceal and rise to the top.  Skim this off before use.

A few variations: I also like to add thyme and bay leafs.  I also add salt and garlic to add more flavor.  I do not always have carrots or celery, so I leave those out when making the stock sometimes.   You can keep 1 chicken going in the crock pot for a week.  Just keep replacing the broth and making more.  A very practical way to stock your kitchen with healthy bone broth!

Why buy pastured eggs locally?

Why should you buy your eggs from a local farmer that raises them properly?  Organic eggs from the grocery store are not great quality and therefore way over-priced.  This video helps answer those questions.  The industrialized "organic" eggy industry is out of control... just like everything else mass produced.

Scrambled Eggs : here

What is Publix GreenWise?

In my beginning days of eating healthy I would buy Publix GreenWise.  What is Publix GreenWise?  Doing a little research I found this little golden nugget.


Facts about Publix GreenWise Market Chicken:
1. No antibiotics and hormones are ever administered.
2. Raised entirely on a vegetarian diet, primarily corn and soy (Not Organic?!?)
3. Air- chilled for less water retention and a more natural flavor.
4. All Publix GreenWise Market Market Chicken is from Florida.

What does #2 really mean? All vegetarian diet means soy and corn, in this case.  Not Grass-fed or Green-fed.  Not even organic soy and corn.  Could it be GMO soy and corn?  My guess is YES!  I don't even want to think about the diet that these cows and chickens are being fed.  I am very glad that they are not using hormones and antibiotics, but what about vaccines and de-wormers?  You are paying twice as much money for something that is not twice the value.  Do not waste your hard earned money.  Buy local beef and chicken here.  Florida has some great farms where you can buy grass-fed beef.  We have been buying local beef for about a year now and it is so much better.

Or buy from Beyond Organics here to have it delivered to your door.  For now they offer hamburger and hot dogs.  They will be adding more products as they grow.  Remember know your food!