Not Just Cooking News

Some very exciting news for us at

Not Just  Cooking!!! 

                                  
Some of you may know I started a job through a temp agency and was just hired as a permanent employee. Well, the company has a new Wellness Coordinator. Her name is Michele, a/k/a Well Michele. With over 5000 employees, Michele quickly realized she needed some help so she formed a Wellness Advisory Committee - right up my alley! We had a brainstorming meeting just this week.  During the meeting someone mentioned they do healthy food demos on the weekends so I followed up by mentioning Not Just Cooking. As a result, and to make a long story short, we received approval to do food demos during lunch time beginning in June! Michele will also push for more healthy foods and beverages in the cafeteria. One suggestion I had was a Trail Mix bar. I am so grateful that this company is interested in the health and wellness of its employees.  I know there are ulterior motives, but these ulterior motives are worthwhile and healthy ones!  What a great way to have more focused and effective employees while reducing the cost of insurance (as long as employees start taking responsibility for their health and life)!  Pass the word - this could be contagious! Jamie Oliver - we might have to team up!

We regret to say that our Not Just Cooking event at All About Vitamins for People and Pets on May 1st has been postponed. The owner needs to reschedule. It looks like it may be some time in June now. We will update our blog with the new day and time, post it on Face Book and send out an email.

We are in the process of finalizing our Not Just Cooking distribution list and would like to include all who are interested. If you would like to remain on the list there's no need to do anything. If you don't want to, then please respond to me via email, otherwise if you're on the list, you'll continue to be on it we receive further notice from you. The last thing we want to do is bother anyone so please let us know if you're not interested at this time. No hard feelings, we understand. We'd love to add anyone who is interested in Not Just Cooking, so if you know anyone who would be interested in being on our distribution list, please have them email me.

We'd like to find out who is interested in receiving our Not Just Cooking newsletter. Because they do take time to prepare, we'd like to get an idea of who would be interested before we continue with them. Our first newsletter came out last winter and we were thinking of doing one each quarter. However, we'd first like to know if this is worthwhile to all of you. So please email me and let us know.

Even before we started Not Just Cooking it was not unlikely for me to receive phone calls and emails from people who need help with diet due to weight problems, disease or just because they want to be healthier. I meet and talk to so many people who don't know where or who to turn to.  They go to their doctors and ask for help but they are either given wrong information or are given none at all.

If anyone is suffering or isn't sure where to turn, please don't hesitate to contact me. I don't give medical advice but I can give advice on how to strengthen a compromised immune system and how to maintain it.  I also have many resources including names and phone numbers of Naturopaths, Chirpractors and Integrative Medical Doctors, including one who is a cardiologist.  Also, Martindales Natural Food Market in Springfield, PA and Fran at All About Vitamins for People and Pets in Cinnaminson, NJ are also great resources.  If you have a question about health, diet and nutrition, they either have an answer for you or can point you in the right direction.

We are also in the process of preparing a presentation to Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield, PA so that we can book an event there in very near future. More on that when it's confirmed though we know it will be on a Saturday. This, too, will be posted on our blog, on Face Book and an email will be sent out.
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Pampered Chef
As you may already know, Pampered Chef products are available through me without hosting a party.  However, if you host a Not Just Cooking class, you not only get your class for free but you also will get 10% off Pampered Chef products for as long as I am a consultant, as do those who attend the class!  Please contact me for our Pampered Chef Spring catalog or visit the main Pampered Chef website.  Then just give me call at (610) 764-1371 or send me an email.

April Specials:

Cranberry Microfiber Towel FREE with $60 purchase! Item # GU30
Mother's Day Special Trifle Bowl - $29.00  Item #GU31

We apologize that we don't have the Pampered Chef website up yet...time is a luxury these days but it's on Things To Do list! So if you would like to place an order, just contact me.
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Planting a Vegetable Garden this summer?  
Here are some Gardening Tips:

• May is the month to begin planting most vegetables outside here on the East Coast. Plant carrots, lettuce, potatoes, corn, beans, and peas. Start with either a seed or a plant. 
• In mid to late May (some people use Mother's Day as a time line) you can plant in the ground tomatoes, squash, cucumber, pumpkins and peppers. These are warmer weather plants.
• Grow an organic garden. Martindale's Natural Foods sells organic seeds. Home Depot does as well. You can find organic vegetable and herb plants at Whole Foods Market, Home Depot and maybe even Trader Joe's.
• It's important not to use pesticides, herbicides and pesticides or chemicals of any kind on your fruit and vegetable plants, even believe it or not, on your lawn (think about walking on it in bare feet, babies and animals). As popular and as great as Miracle-Gro seems, it is a fertilizer laden with chemicals. It's unhealthy for us to eat foods grown with chemicals. Not only that, but these chemicals will spoil your soil. 
• If you've used pesticides or chemicals on your garden, it takes three years without using them to get your soil healthy again and considered organic.
• When planting vegetables, create rows of hills or mounds and plant in the hill or mound so that there's a slight valley between rows. Planting this way is good for drainage and keeps roots from getting saturated in case of heavy rainfall or watering. You can also plant on flat ground creating a well around each plant.
• If at all possble, water your vegetable garden with filtered water.  Click here and here for websites that offer garden hose water filters for sale.  And check out this gardening website for tips, ideas and products.   Ooooh - here's wonderful Kitchen Garden Planner.     
• Don't water your plants after the sun has gone down or during mid-day when the sun is at it's hottest. Watering in the hot sun can cause your plants to burn. Watering after the sun has gone down can cause mold. Watering early in the morning or after dinner is best.

I love the idea of going out back to pick fresh vegetables and herbs for our meals. So here's to growing a healthy garden this summer and eating the fruit (and vegetables) of our labor!

We are grateful and so appreciative of the support and encouragement we recieve. 

Thank you so much from all of us at Not Just Cooking!

Healthy blessings to you and your loved ones,

Lisa
(Rich and Janelle, too)

Jamie Oliver's Sneak Preview - In the school cafe

Take a look at this short video...french fries count as a vege?  Did I hear that right?

Genetically modified soy or Extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil?

Soy has been the craze for many years in the health food industry and in health food stores.  Now it's become much more mainstream.  Genetically modified soy, which is mass produced and accounts for almost all of the soy used in food products, has entered the markets and many of us weren't even aware of it. 

Coconut oil, which is an extremely healthy food had it's reputation ripped apart by those who wanted to find a cheaper way to produce processed foods and make higher profits.  Not based on any truth, coconut oil was said to cause heart disease and high cholesterol, which is untrue and unfounded.  

In order for food manufacturers to provide us with foods that bring in high profits, they had to find ways to not only produce the products at low cost but also to smear the reputations of foods that have been proven for centuries to promote good health and strong immune systems, and coconut oil is one of them.  

I learned my lesson well!  After being on Synthroid for 11 years for hypothyroidism, I was led to find out about coconut oil.  Coincidence?  No way!  This was the path that God led me on so that He could show me that I was accepting lies.  It took some time and it took breast cancer to make me to listen and to believe the opposite of what I was conditioned to believe.    After changing my eating habits and consuming coconut oil (2 Tbsp per day) my thyroid was healed.  I no longer need Synthroid, which by the way is a synthetic hormone, or any thyroid drugs or therapy.  It has now been 4 1/2 years since I've been off of it! 

It is truly by God's grace and His love that I found out about coconut oil and that He has healed me with what He created to be beneficial to our bodies which are His temples!  All the more reason we should be mindful of taking care of the bodies He has designed for us, don't you think?

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5

Blessings,
Lisa

From the TODAY SHOW: Food for Thought - Understanding Labels

What's behind common food labels? 


This is a great video from the Today Show.  Their guest, Urvashi Rangan, the director of technical policy at the Consumers Union, is right on.  Two things she explains is the difference between "All Natural" and "Organic" and the truth about trans fat labeling. 

Sewer Sludge?  Find out how this is used in non-organic food.


Watch this quick and very informative video.

Jamie Oliver, The Naked Chef, goes to school

Is your child being properly nourished at the school cafeteria?

There are Many Uses for Pampered Chef's Twixit Clips - Here's one of them!

Watch this video clip and see how one mom used her Pampered Chef Twixit Clips!

Not Just Cooking Open House and Classes

Thank you to all of you who attended our Not Just Cooking open house. It turned out to be a great time and a beautiful day, although to do all that we planned really required a weekend stay! It was obvious that there was just too much to do and talk about in four hours. But, our goal was to prove to you how very delicious healthier foods are and how beneficial it is to put into our bodies foods that will nourish and strengthen our immune system instead of foods that cause it to break down. We believe we accomplished that.


NOT JUST COOKING Classes are here!

So, now that we’ve had our open house to kick off Not Just Cooking, we are ready and at your service to offer a wide variety of classes. If you don’t see one that fits your needs, one can be tailored to suit them.

Pampered Chef products will be featured during our food demos and will be available for purchase at a 10% discount for all those who attend a class. This 10% discount will even be extended to you after you’ve attended a class as well (as long as Lisa continues to be a consultant).

Not only do all of our classes include food and beverages but everything will be fresh and organic including our skin care products (though non organic may be subsituted when organic is unavailable). In addition, all of our classes stress the importance of building a strong healthy immune system through a permanent healthy diet, a new mindset and life style changes. Below is a brief description of our classes so far:

1. THE SAMPLER Class: This class underpins the theme for all of our other classes.  It offers a brief summary on the classes we offer and explains how diet alone is not the end-all.  Though dietary changes are necessary it's the mindset and lifestyle changes that are most important and most difficult.  And how will you stay focused and encouraged to keep going?  This is an area we found to be difficult.  It's not easy to continue on when people are discouraging you or encouraging you to go back to your old ways, patterns and habits, or when they minimize the benefits of organic and healthy foods.  They may mean well and even think they are helping you (and some do it for worse reasons) but as Rich put it, "You may sometimes feel like a frog in a bucket trying to get out while all the other frogs are grabbing at your legs trying to pull you back in".  We're not going to lie to you.  It's not easy.  But we will be there support you through those rough spots and encourage you to keep move forward; one reason we are offering these classes. 

Blind taste testing will be part of this class to show you the vast difference between organic and "real" food versus non-organic and processed food.  Will you be able to tell the difference?

2. FOOD PREP Class: As in most of our classes, this is a hands-on but more in-depth as far as food preparation.  In this Food Prep class you will learn how to prepare some healthy recipes while we demonstrate some excellent Pampered Chef products.

Whether we prepare a full meal or an array of snack foods and treats, this class will be sure to please all palates.

3. JUICING Class: In our Juicing class you will learn how to make fresh juice, learn the basics of using a juicer and get an idea of what the benefits of juicing are. This is an ideal class for everyone, especially for those who have compromised immune systems and get sick often or are currently dealing with illness and disease.

Juicing is better than medicine and works to strengthen your immune system.  Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to replace your daily supplement.  When we drink fresh juice, we are truly nourishing our bodies and giving it the fuel it needs to fight off and ward off infections and disease before they take over your whole body.

4. ELIMINATION Class: Our Elimination class points out the importance of waste elimination and goes into some details about cleansing our insides.

5. DIGESTION Class: The Digestion class outlines the basics of why enzymes are so important and how digestion plays a key role in our health.  You will gain an understanding as to why proper digestion is so important to your immune system.  We can assist our bodies to properly digest our food.  There's more to the digestion proces besides consuming a healthy diet.  Digestion is also affected by the speed in which we eat, how well we chew our food and what our emotional state is while we're eating and even afterwards.  Years ago this was not an issue because eating and having a meal together with family and friends took priority.  Today with our fast paced lives, we are faced with eating and running or eating on the run.  Though we may feel and believe we are accomplishing more, we are actually causing more harm in the long run.   

6. SHOPPING Class: Our Shopping class takes you on a field trip to a typical supermarket and then to Martindale’s Natural Food Market in Springfield if you live in the Delco area or a natural food store in your area outside of Delco.  For this class, our meeting point will be a local supermarket.  Once there, you will be given a list items that you must gather in your cart.  You will also be given a list of ingredients that are not allowed to be in the items you put in your cart.  This will be quite an experience and open your eyes to what's really in the food you're buying and eating.  Understanding how to read labels will also be included in this class.  Even if you think you already know how to read labels you may surprised to find there's more to it.  Or maybe you'll share something with us that we aren't aware of.  Then after the field trip, it's back to he home of the host and/or hostess for discussion while we munch on some healthy refreshments.  Mmmmm.

7. NATURAL PANTRY Class: This class is for the strong willed people who are ready to make some changes.  The class will help you to understand what staples you will want to have in your pantry and which ones you need to toss, never to buy again.  Remember:  What you may think is healthy may be not so please don't be offended.  you may need to toss some items and forget about them for good!  It's really not that difficult once you make up your mind.

8. BODY CARE Class: Our Body Care class stresses the importance of using products on your body (including hair and nails) that will nourish and replenish. Most products sold in stores contain harsh chemicals , preservatives and dyes that seep into our skin.  Whatever you put on your skin will penetrate through it. Our skin is our largest organ.

This class will show you (and be hands-on) how to make your own skin care products using organic ingredients as they are available such as fruit, nuts (and other foods), oils, herbs, plants and supplements such as vitamin E.  These skin care products are healthy and nourishing and because there are no preservatives, colorings or additives that you can't pronounce, you can be assured that it's good for your skin.  We are also making skin care products available for purchase and we’ll take orders, too. If you buy a product and return the jar/bottle it originally came in, you can have it refilled at $1.00 discount (not including tins)!

9. NATURAL HOUSE CLEANING Class: Our Natural Cleaning Products class focuses on the toxicity of chemicals in your everyday cleaning products and even the effects the have on plant and animals, not to mention humans.

10. KIDS Classes: Kids classes will not only be enjoyable but also educational.  Because children are like sponges, it will be beneficial for them to learn at a young age, the importance of properly taking care of their bodis and how to go about it.  Kids ages 4-16 will learn the basics of how our immune systems work (age appropriate) and have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own stories about food.  This class will teach them things they won't learn in school.

In each class we will make healthy snacks and drinks they will want to eat and drink, and show them alternatives to preservative, dye and chemical laden snack foods.


We will also make a natural craft.  Some ideas includes homemade play dough with vegetable juice coloring, bird and squirrel food perches, and gardening, a rewarding experience and one that is truly amazing when you think about food coming from a tiny little seed and how it produces its own seed to be dried and saved for next year's garden! 

11. SEASONAL Classes: Our seasonal class of Vegetable & Herb Organic Gardening is right around the corner. We use organic soil and seeds. This is also a great class for kids!

Now that you get the idea of what our classes are about, here’s how it works:

1. Ask 5 family members and/or friends to attend the class.
2. Have the class at your house or ours.
3. The host/hostess is always free. Attendees pay a fee. Hosts/hostesses are free since they are the ones inviting the guests and following up with them to make sure they show up.
4. Everything is included in the per person fee (prices start at $25 per adult and $15.00 per child ages 4-16).
5. Classes will be held on Saturday afternoons and if necessary Sunday afternoons and will run for approximately 3 hours, children's classes may run a bit shorter.

We are looking forward to getting started and seeing you more often!

Have a wonderful week and prepare yourself for something new!

Contact us:
Phone: (610) 532-6594
Email:  LisaSmall@rcn.com

What's Really in your Food?

An article from MSN.  Any thoughts about this?  Email me to let me know.

Lisa

Enzymes from Raw Foods & Green Smoothie Recipe

Just about every morning for breakfast my husand makes our Green Smoothies thanks to my cousin, Cheryl, who introduced us to them. 

Green Smoothies are quick and easy to make and they really do taste great!  We primarily use baby spinach as our leafy green ingredient and it's not even detectable amongst the sweet fruit. 

Green Smoothies pack a lot of nutrition and because the ingredients are raw and liquified, they are easily digested.  This means less wear and tear on your organs and body.  It's quite simple:  Enzymes in raw foods help our bodies digest our food so that our bodies don't have to make them for the digestion process.  You'll notice a difference in your steady energy and your ability to make it to lunchtime without snacking or nibbling beforehand.  

Try a Green Smoothie and see for yourself how delicious they are but more importantly, you'll just feel better knowing you're nourishing your body from the inside out!

GREEN SMOOTHIE

1 frozen banana, cut in chunks*
1/2 of an apple, cut in chunks or slices
2 soft dates, pitted
Large handful of greens (baby spinach seems to blend the best and have the mildest flavor)
1 cup water or more depending on how thick you like it

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Enjoy!

TIPS

• Use organic ingredients.
• *BANANA: 
• If banana is fresh, you can add 2-3 ice cubes in the water to equal one cup or add frozen berries or frozen pineapple instead of ice.
• When freezing bananas, cut them in chunks before freezing.  Just remember how many chunks equals one banana.  :)
• DATES
• Dates do not need to be refrigerated but I recommend using them up within a month.  If you plan on keeping them longer than a month you can store them covered in the refrigerater.  Refrigerated dates should be at room temperature when using them in smoothies.   
• GREENS
• You can add a smaller amount of greens and then gradually increase them each time if you have a hard time tolerated them at first.
• To get more nutrition, add 2 Tbsp Barlean's Flaxseed Oil (read about the benefits of Flaxseed Oil - Omega 3 fatty acid is one of them).
• Can add other liquid supplements

Not Just Cooking Open House Rescheduled

Our first

"Not Just Cooking" 

Open House

has been reschuleded for

Sunday, March 7th 2010 from 1-5pm   

We realize from our own experience and through conversing with many people that change isn't always easy. And for many, it’s downright scary. But fear is easily eliminated when a factor called "knowledge" comes into play.  That's where Not Just Cooking comes in.  We're here to help relieve the fear of the unknown by educating you about what we've come to learn and by assisting and encouraging you in making some necessary changes that will not only make your taste buds jump for joy but also revitalize you, inside and out!

There's more than just the physical wellness aspect of eating a true healthy diet.  You will also experience clarity of mind, better concentration and more energy.  You won't need that caffeine fix to keep you going - tried and really true!  And just knowing that you're consuming fresh, healthy whole foods and drinks will lift your spirits!

At our Open House, you will have the opportunity to sample not only organic, homemade food and drinks, but also homemade, organic and natural face, hand and foot products, which will also be available for purchase. 

We have you in mind for the Open House and have come up with ways to make your experience more than just taste testing.  For instance, you may be the next contestant at "The Price is Right" game hosted by Rich.  Guess which products are "higher" or "lower".  If you guess right, that item is yours!  Stop by Janelle's "Better Snack Corner" and munch on some snacks that you and your children will enjoy, and that you will feel better about serving.  Participate in Lisa's "Blind Taste Test" and see if your taste buds can differentiate between conventional and organic foods.  Of course, information about Not Just Cooking classes will be available as well as Pampered Chef products set at special prices for that day and other surprises and give-aways that are in the works!

So, come to our unique and informative Open House and learn how you can build a strong and healthy immune system.  There's more to it than you might imagine.

For the skeptics out there (and we know you're out there):  If you're a skeptic, that's all the more reason why you should join us at the Open House.  Come, see and taste for yourself.  We'll count on your feedback, which will be very much appreciated.

Feel free to bring a friend - just add them when you

RSVP by Saturday, February 27th 2010. 

We're looking forward to this day.  We hope you are, too!

Very truly yours,

Lisa & Janelle

The H1N1 Flu: What's really going on?

The H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic is being called into question. A pandemic, which is world-wide as opposed to an epidemic, which is in a concentrated area, is usually very serious declaration or else there would be no need to alarm anyone.


The World Health Organization (WHO), back in April 2009, declared the H1N1 a pandemic. Did they jump the gun?

While it’s true that about 10,000 deaths have been reported due to the H1N1 flu, people also die from seasonal flu. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated that on average 36,000 people in the US die each year from seasonal flu. While it’s important to understand how to protect yourself from getting any flu or any illness/disease, is all the hype about H1N1 really necessary? According to Mark Strassmann from CBS News, it is. Click here to listen to Mark Strassmann’s report on H1N1.

In another report, Sharyl Attkisson, a CBS News correspondent and investigative reporter in Washington, DC, uncovered the facts about the H1N1 Flu.

Around September 2009, Sharyl received tips from people in different segments of public healthcare telling her that the CDC recommended that they stop testing for and stop tracking H1N1 flu. A cause for concern? Why would the CDC recommend they stop? The reason was either the flu was so serious that they didn’t want to cause panic or it wasn’t serious at all. This was what the people who contacted Sharyl wanted to know. So with that, she began her investigation. You can hear Sharyl’s interview with Dr. Mercola (a very reliable source) by clicking here.

While the flu can be fatal and is a serious matter, it’s important to understand the reason why we get sick. There are different theories about this, one which relies on the germ theory and one which relies on how strong or weak our immune system is.

The germ theory basically blames disease and illness on germs while the other recognizes that a strong healthy immune system will fight off the germs. So a good question to ask is, if germs cause disease then why doesn’t everyone get sick or diseased from them? The reason is as simple as this: A strong, healthy immune system will fight off germs and infection while a weakended or compromised immune system will not have the ability to do so. The germs will overpower the good cells which are not able to multiply quickly enough to fight the germs off. Because most medical doctors rely soley on the germ theory, they believe that medication, vaccinations and medical procedures are necessary while dismissing the fact that our immune systems were created by God to keep us healthy.

The reason why so many people get sick all the time and “catch” colds and other contagious illnesses is not because of the germs but because their immune systems are not healthy and strong enough to fight off the germs. This makes sense when you think about why some get sick and some don’t when exposed to the same germs at the same time.

I’d also like to ask this question: Shouldn't the government and the WHO declare a pandemic on death by healthcare? According to T. Collin Campbell, PhD in his book entitled, The China Study, 225,400 people die each year as a result of healthcare mistakes whether it be from medication errors, unnecessary surgery, hospital borne infections, adverse drug reactions, or other preventable errors in hospitals. The fact that this is not public knowledge or at the very least not “advertised” causes me to wonder why. How about you?  It  confirms the fact that "we, the people" are only given information "they" want us to know.  It also confirms the fact that the truth is being suppressed.  

Before we believe anyone or make any important decisions, shouldn't we know the facts? It is not enough to read the newspaper or watch the news. From these sources you will only get the information they want you to know. Not only that but some information is reported incorrectly. It is our responsibility to ask questions and seek out the facts for ourselves in order to make an informed and intelligent decision.

~ Lisa

Not Just Cooking Newsletter is finished!

It has been five years since I was diganosed with breast cancer.  It seems appropriate that after all this time of research and study on health and nutrition that I begin to hold classes on what I've learned, so far. 

In this last week I've been working on my first Not Just Cooking newsletter.  In it, I introduce my classes and give more detailed information about them.  I also included some health tips, a list of resources, a page for Pets featuring our feline friends and more. 

I will be emailing the newsletter out but you may not be on my list.  If you'd like a copy, please send me an email or call me, and I'd be happy to email one to you. 

I hope you will find my newsletter informative and helpful.  Please pass it on to anyone you would like to or make copies.  If you find a mistake, please let me know! 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and remember to always be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving day!

To your and health and mine,

Lisa
lisasmall@rcn.com
(610) 532-6594

2nd Unofficial Juicing Class

Had a great time today at my friend's house for my second unofficial juicing class.  She has a Jack Lalanne juicer that worked well.  She wanted to make sure she was using the juicer properly before she started on her new juice venture (by the way, if anyone has a juicer or is going to purchase one and has no clue as to how to use it, I give private juicing classes).  She chose to juice oranges, cranberries and apples. The juice was delicious but then again, how could it not be? We put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher and it made clean up easier.  Cleaning the juicer is important and getting the pulp out of the screen is not always an easy task.  I advised her to use a vegetable brush to clean the screen because the pulp gets stuck in the tiny holes.  The brush works wonders.  

We also discussed detoxing.  Detoxing the body (removing toxins) is a great way to, as my friend stated, start with a clean slate.  But before you start a detox, there are many things you need to know.  Detoxing can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing (yes, I have a personal story about this and learned the hard way). In one of my classes detoxing will be introduced and the prerequisites discussed.

Remember I will be having an OPEN HOUSE as I mentioned previously so that anyone who is interested will have the opportunity to come and find out about my classes (and sample some good food and beverages, too)!  I also plan to incorporate Pampered Chef products in my classes so that anyone interested can purchase them conveniently (you don't have to have a demonstration/show in order to make a purchase).  Pampered Chef specials and discounts will be offered to those who participate in my classes.  I also have some other ideas I'm working on but won't mention them until they are for sure!

Side Note:  Cranberries are only available seasonally in PA (usually in the Fall) so if you want to have them year round, freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.  This way the cranberries will be individually frozen and won't freeze in clumps.  When ready to use, take out what you need and give them a rinse under water.  Cranberries are  also great in smoothies!

~ Lisa
Email me at LisaSmall@rcn.com

Juicing/First Unofficial Juicing Class/Juicer Reviews

JUICING


Juicing is a major step towards building a strong immune system. For babies and children, it could make a tremendous difference in how often they get sick and how long an illness will last. The younger a baby or child is when fresh vegetable juice is introduced to them, the better! My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loves fresh vegetable juice and fresh fruit juice. She knows when mom-mom gets out the apples that she's getting fresh apple juice. She also guzzles down carrot and green juice which she's been drinking most of her short young life.

As for adults, it's important to realize that anything new may take some time to get used to but believe me, you will want to, especially when you see how much energy and clarity of mind you have, not to mention the elevation in your mood. Doing the most menial tasks are no longer drudgery.

JUICING CLASSES

I had my first "unofficial" private juicing class. We juiced all organic veges and apples. Some of the veges we juiced include carrots, zucchini, and collard greens that we had growing in our back yard. And oh, yes, a touch of lemon. For me, it was very exciting to see someone so interested in strengthening their immune system and going towards optimal health. My husband, Rich, also participated and he was very encouraged, too.

I have another private juicing class coming up that I'm also looking forward to. If you're interested in a juicing class or any one of my classes, including a shopping (reading labels) and new basic pantry class or cooking and food prep classes, please feel free to contact me. Anyone who has a class and has at least three but no more than five participants will get their class for free as a thank you. Brides-to-be and their bridesmaids are an exception to the five participant limit.

JUICER REVIEWS

Juicers can vary a lot in quality, longevity and price. The Norwalk Juicer, the highest priced juicer I've seen, goes for around $2400-$2500. It's solid construction of stainless steel and is a hydraulic press juicer. It is said that the Norwalk Juicer results in no oxidation, which means there's no spoilage (oxidation example:  an apple, when cut, turns brown). The company also claims that it extracts 50-100% more juice than other juicers thus saving money in the long run (http://www.nwjcal.com/).

The Champion Juicer, which is what my chirpractor, Ron Feinberg, my step-daughter and I have, can be purchased for around $200-$250 online (may or may not have free shipping) or may be purchased in some natural food stores. I love the Champion juicer.  To me, it's easy to clean and easy to use. The Champion Juicer has a 1/3 horsepower electric motor and uses the "mastication process", which means it chews the fiber and breaks up the cells of fruits and vegetables. It is said that the Champion Juicer's mastication process results in little oxidation though it is not good for juicing wheatgrass. If I were to purchase it again, I'd get the one in black (http://www.championjuicer.com/) .

The Omega Juicer has various models. One of my brothers and my husband's workplace both have an Omega Juicer which I believe is around the same price as the Champion, give or take depending on the model. My brother and sister-in-law enjoys his and my husband said he likes the Omega better than the Champion we have at home (he has something to compare it to). I just heard from my sister-in-law that my niece now has one! The Omega Juicers are said to do well with wheatgrass and very fibrous produce (http://www.omegajuicersdirect.com/).

My daughter has a Sunbeam/Oster Juicer that we picked up from Walmart for around $60 a few years ago which seems to do the job at a great price. It may produce more oxidation than the better brands/models but if you're just starting out, this should work out fine.  It's a good idea to put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher for easier clean up (the inexpensive gallon size bags that require a twistie tie) (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sunbeam+juicer&oe=&cid=9666516366415302486&sa=title#p ).

My other brother and a friend of mine both have a Jack Lalanne Juicer. My brother is very happy with this juicer and has had it quite a few years now. My friend is just starting out on hers but is excited to get started.  I've used this juicer and it's easy to use and clean.  Again, it's a good idea to put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher for easier clean up.  These juicers range in price from $100-$150 depending on the model and if you purchase it on the official website. You may get it for less if you search the web (http://www.powerjuicer.com/).

If you're interested in the Champion, Omega or the Green Star, which is also popular and a good brand from what I've heard and read, check out this discount online store http://www.discountjuicers.com/juicers.html.

Here's to juicing your way to better health for your body, mind and soul.

~ Lisa

Not Just Cooking classes are forming!

Not Just Cooking classes are forming now.  Classes will include a presentation, printed materials and/or a CD, ingredients for recipes, prepared snacks and drinks to be taste tested by participants.  You will also be privy to Pampered Chef specials (see below)!

All snacks, drinks and ingredients will be organic and/or in their natural state, raw, free-range, free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics, unheated (or heated only up to what is still considered raw) and/or unfiltered (exceptions may apply if an item is not available though the highest quality I can find will be used).  Classes may be tailored to fit the person or group though there will be an extra charge for this due to the extra time it will take to prepare for it.

Here are some examples of what you can expect in the classes:

• The Immune System
• Reading Food Labels
• Organic and Sustainable Farming
• Pesticide-Free and Certified Organic
• Hormones and Antibiotics in Animals
• Free-Range
• Juicing and Enzymes
• Fiber
• Raw Foods (Dairy, Honey, Nuts, Seeds etc...)
• Raw Food Diet
• Vegan vs Vegetarian
• Benefits of Coconut Oil
• The Diet that is Destroying the Health of our Pets
• and more!

Because many people are afraid of what they don't understand, I will periodically host an OPEN HOUSE to display Real Food products from Gluten-Free to Vegan (this encompasses Non-Vegan/Vegetarian, Vegetarian and Raw food items)!  This way skeptics can see and taste for themselves how delicious real food is and how it's meant to be.

In addition, because I will be using Pampered Chef products in the classes and to make it convenient for class participants, I will be offering Pampered Chef products in case anyone would like place an order.  I have been using Pampered Chef products for many years.  They are excellent products, a great value, and I highly recommend them.

Finally, to round all of this out, I have a list of resources which includes local natural food markets and co-ops, books, videos/DVD, and Natural and Integrative Practicioners in PA and NJ who I have either been a patient of, met or have come highly recommended.  This list will be given to all class participants.  If you find that you need or are looking for a natural practioner other than what is on my list of resources, please let me know and I'll be happy to try and find one for you.

Here's to a disease-free and healthy life,

~ Lisa Small
   Contact me at:
   Phone:  (610) 532-6594
   Email:  lisasmall@rcn.com

Also, visit http://www.kitchencousins.blogspot.com/ for upcoming events!