I hope you stick around for a while, maybe even bookmark us.   NewNaturalista is here for you, providing the scoop on all those wonderful things out there that are good for US.  Among other hot topics and trends you’ll find:

Beauty trends that compliment all of the wonderful shades we come in

The best for our families

Eco friendly fashion

Food and nutrition that feed the mind and body

The quest to keep  spirituality grounded

Workouts that work our figures

The sight was founded by me, Tonya – a television reporter, wife and mother.   The reasons are simple.

I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting at 8 years old.  I remember it well, the overweight ladies glancing at me as I sat next to my mother — sad smiles and looks of pity.   Back then I liked to call myself “chubby” – the playground bullies called me FAT.

When we weren’t on a diet my mom and I were eating fast food.  McDonald’s was our poison, I graduated from a Happy Meal to a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal before I hit 10.  It was almost a rite of passage, I was growing up.  The first time I asked for the full meal deal I said, “Mommy I can eat the whole thing!”  And I did.

I’ve been on a pendulum of weight loss for most of my life.  I love all things fresh, but deep down I’ve always associated “good” foods, fruits and veggies…with deprivation and emptiness.  Cheese, pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream…indulgence and fulfillment.  This lasted well into adulthood.  I’d go on a diet and declare, “This is IT!”  The weight would go away and then slowly my “bad” habits would creep back up, late night take out calling my name.

Well – welcome 2010.  No more resolutions about losing weight. Instead serious self reflection and action.  Why do I have these feelings about food?   Why do many minorities find eating at the bottom of the barrel so fulfilling?   It recently hit me – way back when, we didn’t have a choice. We literally DID eat from the bottom of the barrel…making it palatable with a nice helping of fat and grease — and a dash of salt.  Today major corporations are getting rich off our taste buds, serving it up hot — while our waistlines get thicker and our health declines.

This year I’m looking forward to experiencing the journey to becoming a healthier me, for myself and my family.   No more scales.  No more “diet” foods. Good wholesome foods — and along with them, lessons on how to cook them.  New ways to get in exercise that’s not only challenging but fun!  I’m doing away with products with ingredients I can’t pronounce, instead using what is made from the earth.  I’m sharing what I’ve discovered, with you. We really have no more excuses right?   It’s a new year, a new me – The New Naturalista.

This is what we look forward to every Sunday, our West Seattle Farmers’ Market:

There’s always theme music, the flowers are lovely and the food is always delectable and fresh!  (Did you catch our daughter doing a jig?)  A Farmers’ Market is your best line of defense — the prices are often within reach and you’re getting the best there is to offer in YOUR community. (Think pesticide and hormone free.)

Check one out if you haven’t already — and kiss those expensive imports from the supermarkets goodbye!

ATLANTA

BOSTON

CHICAGO

DALLAS

DETROIT

FLORIDA

HOUSTON

INDIANA

KANSAS CITY

KENTUCKY

LOS ANGELES

MARYLAND

NEVADA

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

OAKLAND

OREGON

PHILADELPHIA

PHOENIX

ST. LOUIS

SOUTH CAROLINA

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON, DC

By: New Naturalista

“If they feed their children thai food in Thailand or curry’s in India, why do American’s believe bland food for their babies is better?” asks Shane Valentine, author of the Baby Cuisine Cookbook.

It’s an interesting question: Can babies really eat what we eat? Are we setting ourselves up for a lifetime of picky eaters by feeding them those convenient but “flavor challenged” jars of baby food?  Possibly, says Valentine.

He explained his philosophy to me during a sit down interview at his home in West Seattle.  ”The jarred food is bland, there’s no flavor so as a baby’s taste buds develop, they aren’t able to make those connections to flavors. They ultimately stick with what they’re accustomed to.”  In many cases that means bland, processed foods, (think mac & cheese and hot dogs!)

With this thought in mind Valentine who is a chef by trade, wrote the Baby Cuisine Cookbook.  ”Life happens at the table. You celebrate successes at the table. Even sadness,” he explains.  ”It’s a great bonding experience when they’re eating the same things that you’re eating.”

Chicken Parmesan

Sauteed Tomatoes

Along with recipes, the book has an easy to read outline on what foods are good to introduce to children at certain milestones. There are also vegan and special diet recipes. Whole Foods will begin carrying the Baby Cuisine Cookbook early next year, but why wait?

The Baby Cookbook

Shane and Chantal are offering our readers two books for $25 or 1 for $17 . Click on this link: AlinasCucina and enter code: NEWNATURALISTA for your discount!

Here are some other interesting facts from the Baby Cuisine Cookbook:

• Taste buds start and develop in utero.  Another great reason to choose a variety of good foods during pregnancy!
• This train of thought extends to breastmilk too.  Valentine’s resident medical expert Dr. Tamara Cullen says studies show the flavor of breast milk changes depending on what mom eats, so breast fed babies are exposed to a much wider palate of tastes than babies who are formula fed.
• When trying out a new food, remember it can sometimes take up to 15 introductions before a for a child will like it.
• When eating out, stay away from the kids menu.  Most items are unhealthy.  Instead choose a dish with a good variety, grab another plate and share it with your little one.
• “The best model is you.” says Valentine.  ”There are books out now about how to sneak in veggies, well if you introduce them early you won’t have to sneak them in!”

By: NewNaturalista

The title is called Grown in Detroit…and that’s all I needed to know to form my opinion. Before I had a chance to see it, I knew I’d love both the documentary and the Dutch couple who took the time to produce it.  I think most Detroiter’s have a deep respect and love for anyone who takes the time to tell our story.

Grown in Detroit is an hour long documentary about Catherine Ferguson Academy, a public school for more than 300 pregnant and parenting teens.  The girls grow organic vegetables, raise fruit trees, care for animals and tend to honey bees.  They eat what they grow and sell the extra harvest at Eastern Market in downtown Detroit.

This wonderfully produced documentary captures the essence of what’s taking place here – disenfranchised young, minority pregnant girls – producing life – in more ways than one.

Trailer ‘Grown in Detroit’ from Mascha Poppenk on Vimeo.