April 2009 Newsletter: Delicious Dates

Hi Everyone,

Well the year is certainly flying by, and we are starting to see the seasonal changes in the organic fruit and veges coming through our warehouse.  Summer and stone fruits are coming to an end, with an abundance of apples and pears hitting the floors, as well as the first root veges...

Sad as it is to bid farewell to those delicious summer fruits, eating fruits and veges with the seasons is a healthy way to get the variety of nutrients you need over the year. Its natures way! Our organic mixed boxes are a healthy, convenient and FUN way to meet your weekly fresh produce needs.

As usual, our newsletter contains some interesting nutrition info, a great recipe, and a new regular section "Naturopaths Corner".  Hope you enjoy. Thanks for your interest in sustainable farming and healthy eating...

Adam, Leonie and the Team at OrganicFood.com.au

Delicious Dates    

Wouldn't it be great to find a snack as delicious as chocolate but healthy? Well look no further than dates. Fresh organic dates are absolutely delicious, but even better have some excellent nutrition qualities:

• Dates are high in dietary fiber, low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and contain more potassium than bananas making them an excellent heart food
• Dates contain naturally occurring sugars such as fructose, glucose and sucrose to provide quick energy and are readily used by the body. Dates are a perfect energy boosting snack
• Dates contain a variety of B complex vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B5 and 6. These vitamins have a variety of functions that help maintain a healthy body
• Magnesium is essential for healthy bone development and for energy metabolism. One serving of dates provides  a great source of magnesium

Who would have thought something this delicious could be this good for you? You can order some fresh organic dates in our online shopping aisles.

Grocery Product of the Month

This is a wonderful, healthy and filling natural muesli from Kialla Foods. Many of our regulars wont touch another muesli! A great way to start the day...

Grown, stored and milled free of chemicals, GMO Free, certified organic by ACO (Australian Certified Organic). Contains 20% or more of a variety of certified organic fruit that may consist of sultanas, raisins, bananas, currants, apricots and pears.

Check out the breakfast cereals in our online shopping aisles.

Naturopaths Corner: Food as Medicine 

This weeks contribution comes from another big fan of our fresh organic produce, naturopath Stephanie Hamilton, who practices in a clinic in Yeo Street, Neutral Bay. Stephanie has kindly contributed some general info about using "Food as Medicine" in relation to digestion issues.

Foods to help digestion 

Bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and indigestion are all symptoms of poor digestive function. By introducing certain foods, these symptoms can be prevented.  

Papaya, pineapple and kiwi fruit (Certified Organic of course!) contain naturally occurring enzymes to support protein digestion. Eat these fruits with or after meals.  

Organic Yoghurt (Cow, Sheep or Goat) contains beneficial bacteria that help to regulate digestive function and promote a healthy bowel.  

Organic Rocket, endive and bitter greens stimulate digestive function due to their bitter taste. They promote the secretion of gastric acid and enzymes needed to properly digest food.  

Fibre based cereals (such as oats and whole grains) help keep the gut healthy by regulating bowel movements and create a great environment for beneficial gut bacteria.  

If your gut is feeling a bit irritated or your digestion is not working as well as you would like it to, Organic Herbal Teas are a simple but great way to get yourself feeling fantastic in no time! Try chamomile, fennel, lemon balm, ginger, peppermint or dandelion root.     

Thanks a lot Stephanie, interesting stuff. If anyone wants to discuss this info, or any other naturopathic issue, please email Stephanie directly at stephanie.naturopath@gmail.com.

Recipe of the Month

This months recipe again comes from Georgina, a customer in Sydney, and also talented chef who offers fun and informative cooking classes via her business Simply Sumptuous Foods. Mention www.OrganicFood.com.au when you book, and Georgina will give you 10% off the price of your class!

Roast Vegetable Strudel  

Serves 4. You will need:

• 100g Pumpkin
• ½ Sweet potato
• 2 Field Mushrooms
• 1 Spanish onion
• 1 Zucchini
• 6 Garlic cloves peeled
• 60 ml Olive Oil
• ¼ tsp dried Thyme
• ¼ tsp dried Oregano
• ¼ tsp dried Basil
• Salt & Pepper
• Fresh Filo Pastry
• 30g Butter (melted)
• 20g Polenta

Pre heat oven to 200 degrees Peel and cut in to strips the Pumpkin, Sweet Potato and Zucchini. Peel cut in to wedges the onion and mushroom.   

In a bowl combine the olive oil with the herbs and seasoning. Add the chopped vegetables to the bowl and mix through.  Spread the vegetables on to a baking tray and roast in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from oven and allow to cool.  

Take 1 sheet of filo pastry and brush with melted butter, place a second sheet of filo pastry on top and pat down. Sprinkle a little polenta on to the bottom 3rd of the pastry then top with a selection of the roast vegetables and roll up half way. Brush the remaining edges of the pastry with butter and continue to roll up the pastry ensuring that it is stuck down.  

Place the strudel on to a baking tray and brush with melted butter. Cook in oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.  

Any Questions on Home Deiivery Shopping?  

Any queries at all about our home delivery shopping service in Sydney or Melbourne, please email info@organicfood.com.au or call us on 9967-9967 (Syd) or 9818-8606 (Mel).  

Thanks for supporting the environment and organic farmers.  

The Team at www.OrganicFood.com.au