Monday, November 19, 2012

Post 37 Monsanto Blues

Even though Prop 37 didn't pass this go round, it achieved many positive results.  Awareness on the subject of what GMO's are, and why they are not labeled has increased dynamically.  We are on the road to a better educated consumer base and that is always a good thing.

Genetically Modified Organisms have been in development since the mid 1940's when it was discovered that DNA can be transferred between organisms.  GMO's have been on the market since 1994 when a tomato called Flavr Savr was introduced.  A gene was introduced into the tomato to slow it's ripening.  There was controversy surrounding paste made from those tomatoes in England, the tomato itself was delicate  and didn't transport well.  It was not a commercial success and was off the market by 1997.

Basically there are two main routes for GMO introduction, either a resistance to disease or a resistance to herbicides.  So far, and at this time, most of the GMO's in the general food supply are in highly refined foods.  Yet another reason to avoid the Standard American Diet [SAD].  The corn for high fructose corn syrup, the soy for refined soy oil & soy fillers, sugar beets for cheap alternative sweeteners, low quality canola oil, etc.  Most of what we eat in its natural state, even sweet corn and eda mame soy beans are not GMO.  But be vigilant.  In the summer of 2012, GMO sweet corn appeared in Walmart & even some farm stands across the country.  If we're not careful, it won't be long before the phrase "Come and get it, Dinner's on the table" morphs into "Dinner is hot and round up ready too!"

Round Up Ready Corn

The best way to know that your produce is GMO free is to buy organic.  If a product is organic, it cannot contain GMOs.  Many soy products including tofu and miso are organic, and many others are clearly labeled 'Non GMO Soybeans.'  Always be a label reader.

You can also look at the stickers on produce.  Codes beginning w/ 3 or 4 are conventionally farmed produce.  When the first number is 9, the produce is organic.  When the code starts w/ 8, the product has been genetically modified.

We shouldn't freak out about GMO's.  Surely there is some amazing science to come out of this research and development.  BUT, we should educate ourselves and make our own informed decisions as consumers.  And when labeling comes back on the ballot again in the future we should study the new propositions and make educated decisions on how we want to cast our vote.

Long before the debate on GMO labeling came about, we had a fine old adage to live by.  Knowledge is power.  True then, perhaps truer now.

At Avanti Cafe, our kitchen is free of GMOs -- To the best of our knowledge and as far as we know, and always has been .......  Since labeling isn't required, we can only make the firm statement that we make every effort to be well educated on the subject and to reject known GMO's in our ingredient and production list.  We request product information pertaining to GMO's from our suppliers and expect full disclosure across the board.  We make every effort to be as organic, natural and local as possible and to use as much locally grown organic produce as we can.  We use all organic eggs, milk, cream and half and half.  We make our own organic ricotta and feta cheeses.

We've said it before and we'll say it again, we have never used any high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors, sweeteners or frankenfood ingredients.  It's not what we are all about.

Here are some links to help you continue your GMO education process.

What is GMO Food?

How to avoid GMOs

http://www.nongmoproject.org/

You'll find Avanti listed on the participating retailers list

NonGMO Participating Retailers

Here are the commitments to non GMO soy from the three fine sources of tofu products we use in the Avanti Kitchen

Mori Nu Tofu Non GMO

Nasoya non GMO, scroll down

Wildwood Natural Principles


Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat Live & Party Well 

As we say, eat w/ us several times a week and it’s likely you’ll become healthier than you already are!  And your taste buds will love every minute of it too. How many restaurants can legitimately make that claim !?!

Blog Post by Chef Mark Cleveland
Chef / Owner Avanti Cafe

Avanti Café  is a vegetarian & vegan friendly restaurant with many gluten free options [including our famous gluten free pizzas] in East Side Costa Mesa California [bordering Newport Beach].  Everything is custom made in house using the freshest ingredients.  We support local organic farms such as South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano using their fine produce in our dishes and hosting a Community Supported Agriculture site every Thursday.  We serve highest quality artisan beers in bottle and on tap, organic, biodynamic & sustainable wines, by the bottle and glass.  All of our desserts are made in house using organic whole grains, flours and sweeteners.  Always organic eggs & milk.  We make our own organic ricotta & feta cheeses in house and smoke organic mozzarella w/ bourbon soaked oak and chamomile.  Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County.
Avanti Café on facebook   AvantiCafe on Twitter & Pinterest

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Flavor & Nutrition Alchemy

Every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM until 4 PM, here at Avanti Cafe, on our brunch plates you'll find a delicious organic brown rice medley to start your weekend day w/ a flavor & nutrition blast.  But did you know that there is a lot of alchemy going on in each pot of the tasty nutritious grain ...


Brunch rice ready to cook:

To every pot of rice we add the nutraceuticals reishi mushroom and nopales powder.

Reishi has been prized for centuries in traditional Asian medicine as a potent immune booster, cardiovascular support & allergy alleviator.

Reishi Benefits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingzhi_mushroom

Nopales provide anti oxidant support and are thought to reduce the risk of diabetes

Nopales Benefits
http://www.livestrong.com/article/115063-nopal-cactus-health-benefits/

Our famous Avanti Golden Oil incorporates the ultra famous powerhouse root Turmeric

The Mighty Turmeric
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/turmeric-health-have-a-happy-new-year_b_798328.html

as well as the lesser known but surely mighty fenugreek which is reputed to assist in cholesterol reduction and healthy skin & has been known to aid in good digestive health for centuries in Ayurvedic philosophy.

Learn about fenugreek
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/turmeric-health-have-a-happy-new-year_b_798328.html

While our Avanti Brunch Rice is not spicy to the tongue, we do include two types of hot chili in the rice mix, red & yellow chili peppers, not to mention red sweet pepper powder as well.  As they are simmered in the organic brown rice cooking pot, they release flavor and nutrition, but not much heat.  According to Chili Pepper Madness, the benefits of chilis are numerous.  Notably, it has been reputed for years that chilis are potent blood purifiers.

Chilipeppermadness
http://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-health-benefits.html#.UFN7j47R30c

Next we have the dried green herbal powerhouses.  Who knew regular use of dried herbs keeps us healthy and fit --- Well most folks in the medical professions from the beginning of time until the beginning of the 20th Century knew for real.  Then the industrial revolution took over everything including the doctor's office and we lost the ability to see medicinal value in anything other than pills, tablets and capsules.

Oregano is a powerful anti oxidant, anti bacterial and anti fungal herb and is thought to reduce pain

Oregano's benefits
http://www.gardeningchannel.com/health-benefits-of-oregano/

then w/ thyme we have vitamin K & the ability to increase healthy fats

A stitch in thyme
http://www.gardeningchannel.com/health-benefits-of-oregano/

Savory, also in the mint family has many of the same properties and is thought to be an appetite suppressant as well.  Eat a hearty Avanti Brunch, then a light dinner peoples

Savor your Savory
http://www.farmerjohnsherbs.com/Topic/13-savory-nutritional-health-info.aspx

Mexican oregano is a New World native and actually in the verbena family.  It was known to the native peoples to boost the respiratory system and contains similar volatile chemicals to its European name sake hence the similar flavor.

Mexican Oregano
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_oregano

So you see, while our delicious brunch rice medley may be vegan and gluten free, it's packed w/ vitamins, nutrition, flavor & the alchemic knowledge of the ancients, each day being confirmed in new ways by ultra modern science.  You really can 'Spoon your way to excellent health!'

And here it is in all its flavorful & health giving glory paired w/ a extra favorite seasonal brunch special, Ratatouille Omelet Brunch. Come taste it this Sat & Sun too.  South Coast Farms heirloom eggplants are at the peak of harvest flavor right now.  Brunch is every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM till 4 PM.


Ratatouille omelette.  Oo La La, organic eggplant, tomato & summer squash, garlic too.  Served w/ our famous rice and beans and multi-grain toast.

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat Live & Party Well 

As we say, eat w/ us several times a week and it’s likely you’ll become healthier than you already are!  And your taste buds will love every minute of it too. How many restaurants can legitimately make that claim !?!

Blog Post by Chef Mark Cleveland
Chef/ owner Avanti Cafe

Avanti Café  is a vegetarian & vegan friendly restaurant with many gluten free options [including our famous gluten free pizzas] in East Side Costa Mesa California [bordering Newport Beach].  Everything is custom made in house using the freshest ingredients.  We support local organic farms such as South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano using their fine produce in our dishes and hosting a Community Supported Agriculture site every Thursday.  We serve highest quality artisan beers in bottle and on tap, organic, biodynamic & sustainable wines, by the bottle and glass.  All of our desserts are made in house using organic whole grains, flours and sweeteners.  Always organic eggs & milk.  We make our own organic ricotta & feta cheeses in house and smoke organic mozzarella w/ bourbon soaked oak and chamomile.  Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County.
Avanti Café on facebook   AvantiCafe on Twitter & Pinterest