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Food and Drink

Amaranth: Efficient Native Grain

March 27, 2006

Amaranth is an ancient plant whose seeds can be ground or popped — they have a sweet, nutty flavor. The ancient Aztecs considered Amaranth a “super food”. It was an important part of the empire’s crop base, and was fed to runners and warriors because of its reputation for providing large bursts of energy and [...]

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Pure Aluminum Bottles By SIGG

March 17, 2006

If you are looking for a drink container which has a completely inert lining, you might try SIGG Bottles from Switzerland. These bottles are extruded from a single piece of pure (99.5%) aluminum. They are strong, lightweight, and do not contaminate their contents with phthalates, Bisphenol-A or other potential toxins. The liner is a food [...]

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Criollo Chocolate: Efficient Food of the Gods

March 16, 2006

In its pure state, chocolate, or cacao, is quite nutritious, and inspires eudaimonia. There are number of varieties of cacao. Almost all commercial chocolate is made using beans of the Forastero Group. Another more prized cultivar, Criollo, is used by the top chocolate makers around the world. It is less bitter and more aromatic than [...]

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The Healing Powers of Peppers

March 15, 2006

Chile peppers contain one of the most effective curative substances in the world — capsaicin. While many people enjoy eating hot and spicy food they are not aware of the therapeutic properties of chile peppers. The authors of The Healing Powers of Peppers present a wealth of scientific and medical information, including personal testimonies about [...]

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Efficient Organic Rum

March 14, 2006

There are three organically produced rums on the market today. Currently, they are only available through dealers in the U.K. However, some specialty retailers in the U.S. are starting to offer these rums too.
Papagayo Organic Rum comes from Paraguay, it has organic ingredients giving the rum flavors of vanilla, ginger and even a hint of [...]

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Efficient Native Flavor: Sassafras

March 13, 2006

Authentic root beer owes it distinctive flavor to Sassafras, a tree native to the eastern U.S. The root or root bark of sassafras can also used to make tea. The leaves are used for thickening sauces and soups, and when dried and ground are known as filé powder, a spice used in Cajun, [...]

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Very Efficient: Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

March 9, 2006

Virgin coconut oil is one of the healthiest foods out there, and it’s also a great cooking oil. A company based in the Philippines called Tropical Traditions produces an organic virgin coconut oil. It can be purchased online from Tropical Traditions or PureSweeteners. This coconut oil is unrefined — fresh coconut meat is shredded (wet [...]

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Efficient Native Flour: Mesquite

March 7, 2006

Not many people know that the pods from the mesquite tree can be ground into a flour. It’s a traditional Native American food — the flour has a distinct warm and spicy flavor. The mesquite tree grows in the desert regions throughout the world, and it can be found from central Texas to southeastern California [...]

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Heirloom Beans: Efficient Flavor

March 6, 2006

Heirloom beans! These are special bean varieties that have been passed down by generations of growers. The beans have their own distinct flavors and heritages. For example, here’s a description of the “Tongues of Fire” bean:
A cranberry-type, mottled beige and brown marked bean grown from a seed variety originally collected from Tierra del Fuego, [...]

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Raw Cacao Butter: An Efficient Dessert & Skin Moisturizer

March 3, 2006

Raw cacao butter — this is the pure oil of the cacao bean, extracted using a cold-press technique — the temperature stays around 104 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of 300 degrees which is the norm. The oil is edible and possesses a rich, delicate chocolate aroma.
You can add a piece of the cacao butter to your [...]

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Maca: An Efficient Energizer & Aphrodisiac

February 28, 2006

Maca is becoming popular around the world as a tonic that enhances strength, fertility and energy. Maca (Lepidium meyennii) is grown in the Andes Mountains of Peru, it looks likes a large radish, and botanically it is indeed related to radishes and turnips. For approximately 2000 years maca has been an important traditional food in [...]

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Agave Nectar: Efficient Sweetener

February 23, 2006

Agave is that succulent from Mexico used to make tequila and mezcal. But agave nectar is also an efficient sweetener. The nectar is about 90% fructose. Unlike the crystalline form of fructose, which is refined primarily from corn, agave syrup is fructose in its natural form. It has a low glycemic index, meaning your body [...]

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A Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides

February 22, 2006

Consumer Reports recently published a guide (subscription required) detailing which fruit and vegetables contain the most pesticides. They recommend always buying organic when purchasing the following fruits and vegetables: Bell Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach and Strawberries. Their report was based on the free Shopper’s Guide to [...]

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MetaEfficient: Microgreens

February 8, 2006

Growing microgreens is a metaefficient way to have attractive, flavorful greens available for salads and garnishes. Top class restaurants use freshly cut microgreens to liven up their dishes. Microgreens are tiny plants, no more than 8 to 14 days old.

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Most Efficient Food Storage Bags: BioBags

January 31, 2006

The most efficient food storage bag are BioBags. These bags are similar to plastic bags, but they are composed of corn-based bioplastic. Unlike conventional plastic, the bioplastic âbreathesâ without leaking, allowing heat and moisture to evaporate, which keeps food fresh longer. They are also GMO-free, 100% biodegradable and compostable. Note: The bags are labelled “Food [...]

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Efficient Sprouting: The Sprout Bag

December 20, 2005

In the growing world, it doesn’t get much easier than sprouting. It’s a easy way to grow fresh ingredients for your sandwich or stir fry. It takes only about 6 to 7 days for sprouts to grow. People often assume sprouts are best grown in jars. But jars were never designed for sprouting. According to [...]

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Pure Aluminum Bottles by SIGG

October 29, 2005

If you are looking for a drink container which has a completely inert lining, you might try SIGG Bottles from Switzerland. These bottles are extruded from a single piece of pure (99.5%) aluminum. They are strong, lightweight, and do not contaminate their contents with phthalates, Bisphenol-A or other potential toxins. The liner is a food [...]

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Soymilk Maker Reviews

September 15, 2005

Do you spend a lot of money on soymilk? You may want to try out a soymilk making machine — these devices allow to make fresh soymilk in your kitchen. We found a good review of the different soymilk machines out there by Vickilynn Haycraft on her site Real Food Living. Apparently the SoyaPower machine [...]

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Best Wines Under $10

August 18, 2005

Here are the best wines that can be acquired for under ten dollars, according to the New York Times. About their selections, the critics say:
We tasted 12 whites and 12 reds, and picked our top 5 of each. Of the whites, three of the five were made from the sauvignon blanc grape. A fourth tasted [...]

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Organic Vanilla Beans from Papua New Guinea

July 27, 2005

These organic vanilla beans are grown on co-op plantations dotting the Coastal Mountains of Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea. The remote farms grow their beans without the use chemical fertilizers or artificial additives. The beans are sun dried and then air-freighted every week from Papua New Guinea. They are available Amazon.

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