The Organic Boy

Knock Knock. Who's there? Organic Food!?

2011-11-16T12:51:00.001-08:00

How awesome would it be to get groceries at your door step? I know it may sound ridiculous but I stumbled upon (literally) an organic grocery store in NY that would deliver your groceries right to your doorstep.

Is this a great idea? Does ordering your groceries online make you an anti-socialist? I'm not trying to create a debate about this issue but I do not agree with a delivery process for your groceries. For those who know the organic boy, I am an adventurous one. I am no slow poke waiting around especially when it comes to buying food. That's why I never buy a lot of groceries. I am so indecisive of what I want that I end up spending more money when I have a grocery list than just exploring and finding something eye catching for lunch or supper.

But to get back on track, I think going to the market store is a way to be social. The first couple of weeks when I started to get into organic food there was a lot of watching and learning going on. Every time that I went into the store I would watch other customers buying habits. I later would ask that person why they chose that product and talked to them about my experience. I really do appreciate the store's idea of making it more convient for the customer but this ruins the whole expierence of going out and trying new food items and meeting new people. Here is something you can't get from delivery:

Went to Roots Market the other day on main with the intent that I was just going to get some almonds and a banana for lunch. I stepped into the market place and could not walk past the main cooler without looking at the sandwiches and unique salads. I usually have a little route that I do everytime where I walk past the cooler then see what soup is out and if I decide soup is not the right choice I head back to get some almonds. This time I was stopped by another customer who asked me if I have ever tried the Mediterranean salad and I had to say no because i never did. Well, that soon changed after he grabbed a half pint I knew I had to try it.

Food is important. Finding the right food is even more important. Eating organic food is a choice.You are what you eat.

The Problem and Solution
The issue I found with the delivery system is missing the social atmosphere of the markets.You have no oppurtunity to see the environment around the store niether try any free samples that are available. Exploring the web and exploring the world are two separate things which hold to their own advantages and disadvantages. I believe it is better to do your organic shopping outside of your house. See what other eaters like yourself are getting into and be different. Remember no limitations are holding you back from exploring the world of organic food.

Stay Wholesome Eaters
The Organic Boy

The "Mean" Black Bean Soup

2011-11-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

Sorry I have not posted a blog in a while. Being a full time student and working two jobs really takes up a lot of your time. But no worries! I had an opportunity to try out a new organic black bean soup the other week and have been excited to show it to you all. This is a great recipe for those of you who enjoy a "kick" for your tongue and looking for a new healthier side dish or simply a soup to warm you up.

I had the opportunity to make a video but unfortunetly the sound is not working so I will try to get that fixed and post it as soon as possible. Another note to add is I have an official Twitter and Facebook account for you to visit. I plan on posting images of different products or articles that I find would be informative for my viewers. Simply add a new tab on your page and follow @theorganicboy and look up facebook/theorganicboy to join my social networks. NOW!

So before I start explaining this amazing work of art I dished up, I first want to thank the Garden of Eatin Black Bean soup recipe for giving me a little guidance in creating my dish. I also would like to thank the new local Public Market in waterloo, IA for providing all the vegetables I needed and the Hy-vee health market for the rest of my organic ingredients. ( I usually prefer The Roots market but I was closer to Hy-vee)

I decided to call this "mean" because I added three different peppers in the mix to give it some boldness. If you do not like spicy food I would use everything else except for the peppers. I'll just let you know that this is not for the kind hearted. My friend Riley enjoyed the soup but could feel the impact of the peppers. It was quite entertaining to see him enjoy the soup while at the same time he is wiping his forehead and turning red due to the spiciness of the soup. Just remember if you do not want that extra kick then I would put no more than one pepper in the mix.

Alrighty, now its time to list the ingredients.

1- Whole Organic Carrot
1-Local Jalapeno pepper
1- Local Habanero pepper
1- Organic Bell pepper
1- Local Serrano pepper
1- Local Onion
1 Tbs-Organic garlic
1- Organic potato
1 Tsp- Organic cumin
1 Tbs- Pepper and Salt
14.5 Fl oz- Organic Chicken Broth
1 can- Organic corn
4 cans- Organic Black Bean

Alright so now for some further directions. First you will want to cut up all of the vegetables and try to get the seeds out of the hot peppers. With the can beans and corn you will want to strain and remove as much water as you can. Once you have finished with these task it's onto the blender.

1. Take 14.5 FL oz of thee Organic chicken broth and add into the blender. Add about three cups of the black beans and then on your blender there will be a bottom called "Puree". Puree the ingredients to your desire or at least till everything is blended.
2. Put your vegetables in a large pan and start to cook them up. Again cook until your desire. I like to lightly cook my vegetables so I can save as much taste as possible.
3. Add in the mixture from the blender and cook till a boil. Once it begins to boil add in the rest of the beans and corn.
4. Once you have brought the soup to a boil, reduce to simmer and add in the garlic and seasonings. Stir and keep watch of your soup as it develops into something magnificent.

5. While your soup is simmering, heat up your ciabatta bread in the oven to go along with your soup. If your not a bread person I suggest buying Garden of Eatin Red Hot Blues. They not only taste delicious but will change your life.

6. Last and final step. After about ten to fifteen mintutes of letting the soup settle, grab a bowl, spoon and BIG glass of milk because you are about to embark on the "Mean" Black Bean soup.

Hopefully you have a little direction in creating this soup. I haven't had much time to create any other fancy recipe but I am looking forward for my thanksgiving break to whip out another meal for you all. Until then, I hope you have fun with this and keep following me on Twitter and FB to find out what is in stored for my next blog. Shampoo? fruits? nuts?

Keep it wholesome my eaters
The Organic Boy

Introducing The Organic Boy

2011-10-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

Remember the saying "you are what you eat"? Well let's just say my early college years didn't treat me to kindly. I started to become a deep, fat fried, greasy food monster. My participation in college festivities on the weekends didn't help with matters either. Not only did I have to invest in larger clothing but the effects of greasy food started to take a toll on my body. Acne and oily skin became noticeable problems as did my personality. I didn't care what went in my belly. It wasn't until around my junior year in college that I knew a healthier lifestyle needed to happen.

So I decided to become a vegetarian. Weird I know. How does someone go from munching down on burgs & tacos to a vegetarian? A lot of determination and willingness to start fresh. This was my new journey to figure out what a healthy lifestyle meant to me. So how did I start?

My knowledge about being a vegetarian was next to none. I figured fruits and vegetables was my only meal choices. I felt like a complete stranger in the vegetarian world so I decided to do a little research. It wasn't until after my research that the word "organic" became part of my vocabulary. Why didn't I hear about organic food earlier? I figured the majority of wholesome eaters knew about organic food way before the age of twenty, but I didn't want my level of experience to slow me down! I knew taking on this new healthier lifestyle by myself was going to be worth it in the end. And by myself I sure did! After being a vegetarian for almost a year, I started to feel good about what I was eating and enjoyed trying different foods.

Even though I enjoyed being a vegetarian,I didn't want to be constricted under a label. I realized that I cared about organic and what I was putting in my body rather than being vegetarian. I left the vegetarian world with a great respect to those who choose to be vegetarian or vegan. I am the organic boy. I am a beginner and a learner. I intend to help others who are just like me. I have learned a lot in the past couple of years and hope to share my wisdom and thoughts to those who care about what they eat. Don't be afraid to ask questions about your food. It is time for you to begin your new organic lifestyle with the organic boy. If you are what you eat than why not be organic?

The Organic Boy