Community Supported Agriculture groups are local farms that sell directly to community residence as produce (eggs, cheese, meat too) is harvested.  Usually each week you can pick up a box of whatever goodies the farm grew and gathered that week, take it home and savor home grown fare.  Talk about fresh, local, delectable and sooo good for you. 

When I first heard about CSAs, I thought being from a small town in Michigan there was no way there would be programs like this in my area, but when I went to the website http://www.localharvest.org/csa/    it pinpointed exactly where these farms are and there were several in my area.  There is even a farm here that has a side garden that the kids are welcome to pick from so they can bring their buckets and pick beans, peas, tomatoes, raspberries, blueberries etc themselves.  It’s such a great way for our children to understand where our food comes from and stay connected to the earth.  Even if you don’t want the commitment of a weekly pick up, many CSA’s are flexible and even have “you pick” options so you can bring the family out to pick fresh fruits and veggies as much or little as you want.  It’s a great, inexpensive outing for everyone, and the kids absolutely love it!

If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to check out the CSA’s in your area. Find the one that works for you and enjoy the bountiful fresh and delicious real food from your local land.  Happy eating!!

In the O offices

Vogue offices!

Teen Vogue offices

Rodale-publishers of Prevention/Women

I also got to meet and spend some time in a cute little organic café called Grounded with Simon and Ainsley who are helping me with my website.  We talked business, writing, vegan, family and tattoos.  How cool is that?

Me Simon and Ainsley

But the highlight of highlights  for me was seeing my brother and his family and meeting my new little nephew “sweet baby James” for the first time.   How much more Pure can you get than this?

Sweet Baby James...

All in all, I learned so much in New York.  I met many amazing, diverse, intelligent individuals. I was able to get my passion and my product in front of people who know and influence lots of people and that helps me really get word out about the Pure product and Pure life I am so passionate about. I am amazed at how far we’ve come and thrilled to think of what might be next for the Pure Bar…let the journey continue!

Taking a break -soaking up the sun...

The ancient Mayans used dark chocolate for fertility as well as for hightened  pleasure during intimacy and would consume large amounts (50 cups) before parties.  The Aztecs also revered dark chocolate for its powers of erotic stimulation.  Call me crazy but I’m always inclined to think that when ancient cultures are convinced of something there must be truth to the matter if for no other reason than the years of trial and error that went into these assumptions. 

When you think of it, there is definitely something sensual about chocolate, the taste, the texture, how it melts in your mouth, so it does seem to make sense that it would stimulate those sensual feelings.  But what is the chemistry behind this and should I avoid eating too much of a good thing so to speak?

Dark chocolate comes from the cacao beanwhich is a plant and has the same antioxidant qualities as other dark leafy plants.  The bean is filled with flavonoids which are pigments that act as antioxidants and give plants their rich colors (thus the idea that the more rich in color the plant the more antioxidants). 

So the question is, how if at all do these flavonoids tie in to the big O??

Well, here’s the good news, besides relaxing blood pressure and reducing cholesterol, these flavonoids stimulate the production of “pleasure nuerotrasmitters” the chemicals in your brain that also get released during pleasurable experiences from intimacy to laughter with friends.  These pleasure chemicals (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) also act as antidepressants in your mind -bonus! 

OK so now you’re relaxed, feeling pleasure, and blissful while eating chocolate.  I’m thinking that could put a woman in the mood.  Unless of course I have a gut ache, so where to draw the line?

The best way to get the most benefits and least bad stuff (refined sugar, dairy, saturated fat) is to eat chocolate as organic and minimally processed as possible.  Dark cacao nibs are the best and rawist form of chocolate, but if these are too intense just go for the darkest chocolate you can handle. 

From my experience, you will enjoy the dark chocolate and its hard to overeat the really dark chocolate. 

So there you have it.  The bottom line is, from my camp anyway, “Yes” chocolate can be an Aphrodisiac! So eat, savor, and then…well the rest is up to you

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Saugatuck Dunes Trail

 One of the things I love about spring is the reemergence of the smells of nature.  After a long stale winter, the fragrance of baby grass and new flowers, and tiny leaves fills the air.  It’s the perfect time to get back outside, celebrate and remember how important our connection with nature is.  My favorite part of last night’s hike was taking deep breaths of spring air and listening to the sounds of the season.

One of my favorite spring trees in Michigan- the Tulip Tree

The sunset wasn’t half bad either!

Lake Michigan Sunset

I was always taught growing up that there are 2 main ways to grow spiritually.  One is through the study of theology and the other through the experience of nature.  It is so important for us to nurture our souls by taking time to be outside, and teaching our children to do the same.  Take a deep breath, feel the breeze on your face, and enjoy your weekend!

Brock Cahill

I’ve always considered myself fairly knowledgeable when it comes to different styles of exercise; however, I am realizing I knew far less about yoga than I thought.  I took my first yoga class about a month ago at YAS in Venice, CA.  It was fairly challenging, not like my hard core gym workouts but great for my balance, muscles I don’t normally use and stretching.  I could keep up with the instructor and at the end of the class I felt good about my workout and ability. 

This week, I was invited to join some friends at another yoga class with instructor Brock Cahill AKA “The Gravity Cowboy”  Um, just visit his website to see what this man was doing in yoga.  Absolutely mind-blowing, and humbling for me.  I felt like I was in the Sesame Street song “Can you guess which one just doesn’t belong…”  This class was so incredibly challenging and one of the best workouts I have ever had.  It brought my respect for yoga as a body sculpting technique to a whole new level.

Brock Cahill

Then, last night I trekked over to Updog Yoga in West Hollywood.  They sell Pure bars so I went to bring them some more bars and also check out a Yoga class run by my friend Stephen Weigand    

The studio is beautiful with two walls of windows facing Santa Monica Blvd and mirrors on the others.  Stephen played great music from ACDC to Black eyed peas to Jason Derulo.  It was incredibly upbeat and motivating.  I sweated more in that class than in any workout I’ve ever done and the interesting part is that today I am mildly sore all over but not uncomfortably so.  It is such an evenly dispersed workout.  And very soothing for the mind also as there is a meaningful spiritual/meditative component to yoga.

yoga

If you haven’t tried yoga for one reason or the next I would highly recommend it as a change of pace that will work your body so beautifully and differently then any other sport.  I am definitely a convert and look forward to “practicing” much more.

Pure Bar Beach Cruisers

It was so much fun to see all the buzz that the bikes created at expo…they drew so much attention and simply made people smile.  It was especially fun to see the looks on the winners faces when they were told they won a beautiful new beach cruiser!  Everyone loves a colorful new bike!!

Our first winner choose the Chocolate Brownie Bike

Chocolate Brownie and Cranberry Orange bikes

It just got me thinking of how small things like a bike ride can add so much joy to your life.  I love to take my bike down the path from Venice to Santa Monica and beyond and breathe the ocean air, watch all the people enjoying life and look at the majestic mountains.  I also love riding my Daisy Bike in Michigan down South Shore drive to the little red lighthouse where I can set up my chair and enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan. 

Shore of Lake Michigan

 It may sometimes be hard to get motivated, but I never regret my rides and always feel refreshed and energized after them.  Spring is finally here and it is definitely bike riding season.  So get the bikes out of the garage, dust them off after winter and go experience the joy of a nice long ride!!

Venice-Santa Monica Bike path

I first have to apologize for being so quiet on the blog lately.  There has been a lot going on behind the scenes and we had the exciting opportunity here at Pure Bar to unveil some very exciting changes at Natural Products Expo West 2010.

But wait!  Before you worry, we have not changed the actual Pure bar.   It is still certified organic, kosher, gluten free, simple, whole, raw ingredients and really moist and chewy-yum!  We have not altered the ingredients or the formula.  We have only given Pure bar an external makeover because we all know it is already Pure in heart and soul J.

Why the external makeover? 

We thought it was time to create more vibrant and colorful eye-catching outerwear for the Pure bar that really communicated to the consumer who and what we are…simple, raw, organic with so many amazing attributes.  We wanted to better convey our spirit of commitment to organic and fresh, our love of delicious, real, whole food and the brand’s fun personality.  And of course our dedication to create the most delightfully moist chewy flavorful bar possible which has always been what sets the Pure Bar so far apart from the others.

That’s not all!  We are going to be expanding the Pure Bar line in 2010 to include some new bars and new profiles, so I will keep you updated on that as well.

I don’t want to leave you totally hanging though so here is a peek at our new logo…

 and our new Box Fronts you’ll see on the shelf….

Thank you as always for all of your support.  We hope you are as excited about the new look as we are and hope you keep enjoying and sharing the Pure Bar!

Stay tuned, more to follow….

Eat more ethnic food!  But why, you say? 

In his book “In Defense of Food” Michael Pollan talks about the lost culture of food in America.  One of the disadvantages to our melting pot in this country is that our food habits have become jumbled and confusing.  We rely more on marketing and big food companies to dictate how, what, and where we eat and less on our cultural heritage –diets that have been refined over hundreds of years to give our bodies what they need.

For example, the typical Mediterranean diet consists of lots of vegetables, olive oil, yogurt and vegan protein sources like garbanzo beans.  Traditional dishes passed down from generation to generation have been perfected over the years to give the body the balance of nutrients it needs.  Also these traditional dishes have not been corrupted by unnatural and artificial ingredients.  The same can be said for traditional dishes of Japanese, Mexican, Indian, Ethiopian, Thai cuisine etc–you get my point.

My recommendation is that you do an online search and add some of these wonderful ethnic dishes to your repertoire of recipes.  It’s a win-win situation.  You have more choices for dinner and eat healthier while you’re at it!

Here’s a couple to get you started:

Baba Ganoush: a traditional Lebanese “hummus” like dip made with roasted eggplant instead of garbanzo beans.  It has a unique smoky flavor and is accompanied by cold pressed olive oil, raw garlic, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. It’s beautiful and so delicious.

2 roasted eggplants

2 tsp tahini

2 large garlic cloves

2 lemons

¼ cup olive oil

Pinch sea salt

¼ cup pomegranate seeds

this is shown without pomegranate seeds but its prettier with!

Preheat oven to 450 broil.  Poke holes in the eggplant with a fork. Roast eggplant (skin on) until they are soft and skin is crispy.  Let cool and scoop insides into a food processor.  Add tahini, pressed garlic, olive oil, sea salt and squeeze lemons over mixture.  Blend until smooth adding more olive oil or a touch of water if needed to get mixture smooth.  Spoon into serving bowl, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and serve with cut pita bread.

Vegetable Curry: I love curries of all types.  This is a veggie one I like but you can be creative and substitute all sorts of veggies –whatever suits you.

½ a large onion

2 cloves pressed garlic

Head of cauliflower

2 large real carrots (not the precut and washed ones for goodness sake)

½ pound of fresh green beans

¼ cup olive oil

2 tablespoons curry

2 tablespoons tomato paste dissolved in1 cup water

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Sauté the onion and garlic in 2 tbsp of the olive oil until caramelized.  Add vegetables, curry powder and rest of olive oil.  Sauté for 5 minutes.  Add tomato paste and water mixture, salt and pepper to taste and simmer until vegetables are soft but not falling apart.  Serve over white basmati rice.

There are no excuses for not keeping and loving this New Years Resolution.  Cheers everyone! J

“So is all your Christmas shopping done?” 

And every year it’s the same answer in my head. 

“Are you kidding me? Have not even started thinking about it.”

And aloud,

“Oh I’m getting there.”

So I’ve done myself a favor and spent some time researching what I think are cool and still environmentally friendly gifts for the special people on my list. Hopefully this helps you too.  Here are my 7 fav ideas:

1)      www.organicwinecompany.com  The Organic wine company has an amazing selection of organic wines as well as cool varieties of vegan and biodynamic wines.  You can join their wine club and get several months of wine sent to your “giftee”.  P.S. one big bonus of organic wine is far less the headache…trust me.

2)      www.preserveproducts.com  Preserve products makes chic tableware products for the home from 100% recycled plastic and 100% recycled paper products.  What I love about these products is that they are designed well with trendy colors and cool angles.

3)      www.arborday.org We partnered with the Arbor Day foundation this year with our Buy 3 (Pure Bars) Plant a Tree Campaign.  It was tremendously successful and I would recommend joining the tree cause for the holidays.  With fun programs like “text for a tree” and “holiday tree card” (where every card plants a tree) they make giving a tree fun and hip.  The Arbor Day Foundation is easy to work with and definitely green!

4)      www.ecobedroom.com/shop/bedding.html  This eco-friendly company out of California makes cozy organic bedding of all shapes sizes and colors.  Want a cool gift?  Give a silky blanket made of 100% sustainable bamboo!

5)      www.tomsshoes.com  If you haven’t heard of Tom’s Shoes you’ve got to check them out.  It’s a great story, and for every pair of shoes you buy, they donate a pair to a child in need.  As they grow, their styles get more diverse and attractive so you actually do want to wear a pair of these comfy shoes J Buy a pair for someone on your list and yourself while you’re at it.

6)      www.greentoysinc.com  Made from recycled plastic and environmentally friendly materials these classic children’s toys are great gifts for the kids on your list.

7)      www.thepurebar.com  Of course I couldn’t leave these out!  Made with certified organic, simple ingredients Pure Bars are a tasty green gift.  Order a box of Cherry Cashew and a box of Apple Cinnamon (Christmas colors) and give by the box or stuff into stockings for a yummy and healthy green gift!

Happy shopping –Oh in case you didn’t notice, all these gifts can be ordered from the comfort of your own couch, my kind of shopping!