Natural VS. Organic Turkeys

The centerpiece of many Thanksgiving traditions in the United States is a large meal that usually includes a large roasted turkey. Many shoppers are curious about labeling for turkeys in their local supermarkets.

“Natural” standards under USDA guidelines are not defined. According to the USDA, “natural” simply means “minimally processed.” Therefore, each manufacturer can define their “natural” process.

“Naturally Raised,” ensures animals were not given antibiotics or hormones- this label does not mean the animals have freedom, fresh air or sunlight. The term “Natural” has no relevance to animal welfare and merely indicates that the product doesn’t have artificial additives.

Most reputable organic companies that offer “natural” products don’t use artificial ingredients, chemical nitrates, growth hormones or antibiotics.  For example, Bell and Evans poultry uses the following guidelines for their natural turkeys:

• All vegetarian diet
• Raised without antibiotics
• No animal by-products
• No growth hormones
• No hexane gas
• No preservatives
• No artificial flavorings
• No fillers or extenders
• No hydrogenated oils
• No DDGS (distiller’s dry grains)
• No hexane separated soy bean meal

“Organic” standards for an organic label are clearly defined for all producers. The production process must be certified from start to finish through a yearly audit. This ensures that all of the criteria of the USDA Organic Standards are met.

USDA Organic is strictly managed through third party certification. Feed production, animal husbandry and processing materials and methods are strictly regulated.

• All vegetarian diet
• Raised without antibiotics
• No animal by-products
• No growth hormones
• No hexane gas
• No preservatives
• No artificial flavorings
• No fillers or extenders
• No hydrogenated oils
• No DDGS (distiller’s dry grains)
• No hexane separated soy bean meal
• Animals humanely treated
• Animals finished on farms
• Animals have fresh air and sunlight
• No breeding hormones
• Certified organic feed (no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers)
• Non GMO feed

Annual Pie Bake-Off Recipes

What is the classic American dessert? Pies! The appeal of pie is hard to describe - it’s more than just a dessert. There is comfort, tradition, and memories in every bite.

Classic standards, with unique ingredients, stand out in contemporary pie shops around the country. New generations of pie eaters continue to embrace traditions with a twist. Some would say a proper pie is made from scratch, with natural ingredients, which would earn your granny’s seal of approval.

Last week, our staff volunteered for our Annual Pie Bake-Off. We have 5 sample pie recipes from our Annual Bake-Off for you to enjoy with your families over the holidays. 

Apple Pie

(Vegan and Gluten Free)

Ingredients:

2 Healthy Grocer GF/Vegan Pie Crusts

2 Teaspoons Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons Tapioca Starch Flour

¼ Cup Unrefined Sugar

1 ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg

1/8 Teaspoon Allspice

1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt

6 Cups Granny Smith Apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)

1 Tablespoon Non Dairy Milk

1 Teaspoon Sugar (for sprinkling)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Peel and core apples. Slice into ¼ inch slices.
3. Place apple slices into a bowl of water and lemon juice, set aside.
4. Combine maple syrup, spices, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine apples to spice mixture.
5. Pour apple mixture into pie crust. Lay 2^nd crust on top, cut slits in the center for ventilation.
6. With a spatula, coat crust with non-dairy milk and sprinkle sugar on top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
8. Serve warm as is or with vanilla ice cream.

Chai Spiced Sweet Potato Pie

(Vegan and Non-Gluten)

Ingredients:

1 Healthy Grocer Vegan & Non-gluten Pie Crust

2 Medium Sweet Potatoes

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch (whisked together with ¼ cup cold water)

½ Cup Coconut Milk

¼ Cup Non-Dairy Milk (coconut milk, for an extra rich pie)

2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger

1 Teaspoon Cardamom

½ Teaspoon Nutmeg

¼ Teaspoon Cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Bake sweet potatoes by poking some holes in them with a sharp knife and either baking in the oven for about 45 minutes or microwave for about 8 minutes, checking every minute or so after the first five minutes. Either way, you want them nice and tender.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
4. Cut your sweet potatoes and let them cool for a few minutes. Scoop out the insides and place in food processor with all other non-crust ingredients. Process until smooth and scraping bowl as needed.
5. Pour batter into pie crust and smooth out with rubber scraper.
6. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set and remove from oven. Allow to cool and refrigerate before cutting.
7. Serve with coconut whipped cream (optional).

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Ingredients:

9” Healthy Grocer Unbaked Pie Crust

¼ Lb. Butter (melted and cooled)

1 Cup Sugar

½ Cup Flour

2 Eggs (well beaten)

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans, (nuts can be left out of recipe)

1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together in bowl. 
3. Pour ingredients into pie shell.
4. Bake 40-45 minutes.
5. The pie will be nice and gooey.
6. Serve warm or at warm temperature.

Cranberry Pear Tart Pie

(Gluten Free)

Ingredients:

9” Healthy Grocer Non Gluten and Vegan Pie Crust

6 Tablespoons Butter

2/3 Cup Sugar

¾ Cup Ground Almonds

2 Teaspoon Gluten Free Flour

1 Teaspoon Cornstarch

1 Egg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

½ Teaspoon Cinnamon

¼ Teaspoon Cardamom

3 Whole Bosch Pears (ripe)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. For the almond cream: combine the butter and sugar in a food processor until smooth. Add the ground almonds, flour, and cornstarch being sure to process after the addition of each ingredient. Add the egg, vanilla, and spices and process until the almond cream is well combined.
3. To assemble the tart: Spread the almond cream evenly onto the bottom of the crust. Thinly slice 6 to 8 pear halves crosswise. Scoop each half onto a spatula and slide it onto the almond cream in the center of the tart, placing the wide end of each pear toward the edge of the crust. Gently press down on the pear to fan out the slices forming a circle of pear spokes in the center of the tart.
4. Pour the cranberries over the almond cream and arrange evenly over the tart.
5. Bake the tart for 50-60 minutes or until the almond cream is puffy and golden.
6. Cool tart on a wire rack and serve at room temperature.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

1 Ready Made Graham Cracker Crust

4 Large Eggs

2 Cups White Sugar

6 Tablespoons Cornstarch

¼ Teaspoon Salt

¼ Cup Cold Water

¾ Cup Fresh Organic Lemon Juice

1 ½ Cups Boiling Water

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Separate eggs, placing whites in bowl for mixing and refrigerate. Place yolks in another bowl and set aside in refrigerator.
3. For Filling: In heavy sauce pan stir together 1 ½ cups white sugar, cornstarch and salt. Pressing out all lumps. Gradually stir in, in this order cold water, lemon juice and egg yolks, beaten. When mixture is smooth, stir in boiling water.
4. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken and bubble. Continue cooking, stirring until thick and bubbly for 1 minute longer.  Mixture should drop from spoon in thick smooth sheets. Remove from heat and stir in unsalted butter. Stir until melted.
5. Stir for 1 minute to slightly cool and then pour filling into baked pie crust. Let filling cool to room temperature before beginning meringue.
6. For Meringue: Remove egg whites from refrigerator and using a mixer with whip attachment, beat on high until stiff peaks form when whip or beaters are stopped and raised.
7. Continue beating on high slowly adding ½ cup sugar. Continue beating until stiff pointy peaks are formed. Spoon meringue all over to cover filling completely leaving natural swirls and peaks.
8. Place in oven for 4-6 minutes or until delicate brown. Let cool. ENJOY!

Real Cinnamon, Healthy Benefits

Cinnamon has a long history, both as a spice, and as an herbal remedy. Available throughout the year, the fragrant, sweet and warm taste of cinnamon is a perfect addition to winter recipes for soups, stews, hot beverages, baked goods, hot cereals and fruit.

Cinnamon can be found in powder form, as well as rolled, dried sticks. Cinnamon sticks will last for up to one year stored in a tightly sealed glass container away from light or heat. The powder form will last only half of this time, but has a much stronger flavor.

                  

Cinnamon comes from the brown, inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum native to the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia. Ceylon cinnamon is most commonly used in the Western world and Cassia cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon originates from southern China. 

Cinnamon's unique healing abilities come from the essential oils found in its bark which may help to reduce inflammation, fight bacteria and maintain healthy glucose levels. It is also known for it antioxidant properties.

Cinnamon is often referred to as an "anti-inflammatory" food. It may help to lessen inflammation with the ability to help lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes.

Cinnamon may help to slow the rate at which the stomach empties after meals. This reduces the rise in blood sugar after eating to help maintain normal glucose levels.

Cinnamon is an excellent source of fiber, calcium and the trace mineral manganese which may help with antioxidant effects.

Due to cinnamon’s anti-microbial properties it is often used in gum and oral hygiene products as a mouth freshener.

Cinnamon essential oil can be applied to the skin or added to baths when combined with carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado.

Cinnamon essential oil also can be inhaled after sprinkling a few drops of the oil onto a cloth or tissue, or by using an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer. Cinnamon essential oil may help with energy, headaches, and focus.

Here are some delicious tips to incorporate cinnamon into your daily diet.

• Drizzle flax seed oil onto whole grain toast and then sprinkle with cinnamon and honey for a healthy snack.
• Simmer cinnamon sticks with soymilk (or other milk substitute) and honey for a delicious warm beverage.
• Adding ground cinnamon to black beans for burritos or nachos for a unique, delicious taste.
• Sauté lamb with eggplant, raisins and cinnamon sticks to create a Middle Eastern inspired meal.
• Add ground cinnamon when preparing curries.

-Mona Claypoole, Director of Marketing