Relief from autism, allergies, asthma?

Is it possible that a little jar of Heirloom Tomato Compote is the answer to the world's health conditions?

The label says that this compote is naturally cultured, full of beneficial micro-organisms. Those beneficial micro-organisms hardly ever get the press they deserve. So let me make an attempt to correct that. It would start like this:

Yes, Jadzia, there is a trill inside of you. More exactly, there are a few trillion trills inside of you. And they have to be there for humans to live. The symbiotic relationship means that those little micro-organisms need us as much as we need them.

And keeping a strong, healthy colony of trills is important for relieving such pesky problems as asthma, allergies and yes, research has hinted that autism may benefit by a diet high in pro-biotics, the scientific name for the trills.

The thing is, this colony keeps the immune system company. They talk to each other. They listen and respond to each other. So when the immune system gets OCD about something minor, the collective pro-biotic community gently slaps it upside the head and tells it to stop over-reacting. And the above mentioned maladies are just of few of the conditions helped by active cultures in our food. Chronic inflammation (without cause), IBS, and over 80 auto-immune diseases have been known to improve when the diet is augmented with pro-biotic rich food.

So can a little jar of Heirloom Tomato Compote be the answer to the world's health conditions? Not by itself, certainly, although it is an amazing way to add to the variety of pro-biotic intake. It is great on sandwiches or as a garnish on foods, although it is so good that I eat it straight out of the bottle.

Do yourself and your trills a favor. Stop by Cali's Natural Foods and get a jar or two. Long live the trills!

Thumbs up for Cali's Basil Walnut Pesto!

I was one of the first people to nab a tub of Cali's Basil Walnut Pesto. Made famous from the Tuesday night all-you-can-eat pizza night at Sage's Cafe, I figured that I would enjoy it as much as I do whenever I indulge in the pizza at Sage's.

I was wrong. I didn't enjoy it as much as I melted, oozed and decided that I would rename the kitchen from whence it sprang: it is now dubbed 'Heaven.'

So what is it that makes this pesto so amazing? Is it the ingredients? The way it is made? Hard to tell. I imagine that something this delicious has to be made by someone who loves to cook - - as opposed to someone like me, who doesn't like to as much. The mix of ingredients blend so well together that it brings pesto to a level of fine art. Fine art that you can use to paint all over pasta, pizza, or that amazing 7 grain bread from Vosen's, also available at Cali's.

I am now hooked. Cali's Basil Walnut Pesto is now a staple in my kitchen.

Hemp seeds the protein debate...

One of the reasons I love having nuts and seeds around the house is that you never have to worry about having 'milk' for recipes. Throw a handful of nuts or seeds into a high speed blender with some water and you have 'milk.'

Hemp seeds are wonderful for that purpose. They blend up smooth and creamy, and very little need for straining. Add a touch of agave or a few dates and you've got a very pleasant tasting drink.

The best thing about hemp seeds is that they are considered to be one of the few food sources that have all the nutritional requirements for human life. And many people have fears of not getting enough protein.

Without getting into too much detail, which is available with a little study, the human body doesn't really use protein. All protein that comes into the body is broken down into amino acids, and the body then takes the amino acids and builds the kind of protein that it needs at that time. The body can wear itself out breaking down proteins; so much easier on the body to eat foods high in amino acids.

Like hemp seeds! Flax seeds are a second best option, then I'm told by southerners that certain kinds of tomatoes mixed with okra are another choice. Okra is not one of my favorites, although it is good to know where to get amino acids!

Use hemp seeds plain as a snack, as a milk drink, as garnish on deserts and smoothies. They are used as easily in areas you would use walnuts or other nuts or seeds. They are just a bit smaller!

Do something good for yourself today. Enjoy some hemp seeds!

The location of Cali's Natural Foods used to be a part of a distillery. Not your usual run-of-the-mill location for a food store. Although, Cali's is not a normal food store. The location is part of the allure that Cali's gives in overall experience.

If you are planning a first time trip to Cali's, here are some visual clues to help you find the location. The address is 389 West on 1700 South, Suite C. Which is in the side of the building, not on the street-front locale.

This picture is taken from the parking lot of Costco, the one on 3rd West and about 1800 South.

The camera here is pointed north, and the building that you see is where Cali's is located. Just a plain, white building.

There is a driveway from Costco which goes out onto 1700 South. Here is a picture of what you see from that angle.


Cali's is in the building on the right hand side of this picture. The entrance is on the opposite side from this little street/driveway, so the very next driveway to the east/righthandside is where you would turn to go into Cali's parking lot.

If you are going west on 1700 South, here is the view of what you would see.




These are just some visual clues for you as you undertake the treasure hunt. And it is a fun trip to Cali's. Lots of fresh, organic produce, bulk organic grains, seeds, nuts, oils, vinegars and sweeteners, herbs and spices. It's like going to Disneyland, you can't see everything in the store in just one trip. So come back again, soon!

Proud of their Produce!

One of the first things you notice as you enter Cali's Natural Foods is the produce refrigerators. My initial reaction was that they are going for a more eclectic approach, more basic, down to earth. I didn't think much about it.

Until I overheard talk about it. Turns out that there is actually a very good reason for all those vibrant looking fruits and veggies to be displayed the way they are.

First, they are kept in a refrigerator. That helps to keep the temperature constant, at a lower level than what is normally acceptable for humans. Other grocery stores keep their veggies in an open-air cooler, which might have a temperature that is cooler down at the bottom, although up at the top, they also have to keep humans in the store to buy things, which means a little warmer climate.

Next, the veggies that need water to stay fresh are kept in water. This keeps the veggies alive... and well, better tasting! If it is all about the quality of the produce you buy, live veggies are the way to go.

According to Chard, the produce manager, they keep growing, too. He says that when he turns the cilantro he notices the new growth since the last time he talked to it. Chard used to work in a 'normal' grocery store, and claims that when produce came in one day, they were already tossing it out the next. At Cali's, produce stays alive and beautiful much longer.

This basic, down-to-earth approach is a brainchild of owner, Ian Brandt. He has been working for years on discovering the inner personalities of each fruit and veggie in order to preserve their vitality and life. It is his goal at Cali's to have the freshest organic produce available, and is always looking for ways to improve on what he knows. Because of his efforts, we all benefit by having at our fingertips the freshest, organic produce to put on our own tables. Thanks Ian!