Interested in Eating Whole, Natural, Nutrient-Dense Food?

If eating raw, living, fermented foods is your idea of good eating, and if nutrition, health and green living appeal to you, then you will definitely want to check out RealFoodMedia.com.

The other day I mentioned that I came across a wonderful new food blog called TheNourshingGourmet.com. Well, after writing that post, it came to my attention that that particular blog was part of a healthy food blog network at RealFoodMedia.com. It's like a one-stop shop for getting the best information on turning your typical kitchen into a place where whole, natural, nutrient-dense foods are a staple.

After reading some of the articles on the site, you will actually think that making your own sourdough bread or kombucha tea from scratch isn't so scary. In fact, after reading Food Renegade--one of six health bloggers on RealFoodMedia.com-- describe step by step how to make kombucha and its SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast), I am now convinced that I can do this. For those who never heard of kombucha, it's fermented sweet tea that some natural health advocates claim can boost the immunity and fight many of the effects of aging.

Anyway, after reading what these health food bloggers have to say, I feel inspired to take my cooking and eating to a whole new level. I hope it does the same for you!

Eat Cherries, Melt Away Waistline

Every day a new super fruit makes headlines, and now cherries are getting their day in the spotlight. It seems this red, tasty fruit is packed with major antioxidant power that helps with weight loss--specifically shedding the fat around the stomach--according to research from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center.

The lead scientist of the study believes the antioxidant anthocyanins in tart cherries is responsible for turning on a fat-burning enzyme.

The animal study also found that tart cherries lower the risk factors for heart disease as well as reduce cholesterol and inflammation.

Additionally, a 2007 study conducted at the University of Granada in Spain found that melatonin--another antioxidant found in cherries--plays a role in delaying the effects of aging because it neutralizes the oxidative and inflammation process.

To help whittle your waistline, you can eat just a cup of this super fruit a day to shed belly fat. Best of all, you can find dried, frozen or juiced tart cherries year round.

New Food Finds: Palm Sugar & Nourishing Food Blog

A couple of great finds I want to pass along.

First, since I gave up processed sugar more than six years ago, I am constantly on the prowl for the latest and greatest natural alternatives. Recently, at Whole Foods I came across Big Tree Farms SweetTree Organic Coconut Palm Sugar. It has the lowest glycemic index (GI) of any natural sweetener, which is 35 (agave nectar has a GI of 42). So far I've used it to replace cane sugar in a couple of dessert recipes, including brownies and apple crisp. It has a slight caramel-like flavor, which is not over powering so it blends in well.

It's produced from the nectar of the tropical coconut palm blossoms found in south-east Asia (but it does not have a coconut flavor). You can even find palm sugar sold in round cakes in Asian food stores.

Sweet Tree's evaporated version only recently hit the market. While you can find it at Whole Foods, it should be popping up in other health stores because last month United Natural Foods began distributing it nationally. It's also now available at Amazon.com.

Since we are on the topic of healthy foods, I also want to share with you a great site I just came across for health-conscience foodies--especially those who want to eat gluten-free and dairy-free. The Nourishing Gourmet is a fantastic blog, which offers both healthy recipes and inspiration to eat better. Kimberly Harris is the author, who really has a passion for preparing the kinds of foods our bodies were created to eat. I think anyone on the quest for better health will benefit from checking out her blog.