The Denim Diaries by Kami Gray

In fact, here in Oregon, we only have about two weeks left to enjoy farm fresh, local organic strawberries. That’s okay. Up next are raspberries and blueberries. It’s going to be a great summer. A few miles from my home is Sauvie’s Island — home to farm after farm of seasonal offerings. A friend and I ventured out (adorable puppy Lyra in tow) to score a couple of flats of Oregon’s finest strawberries. We picked Hoods, Honeyoyes, and Shuksans and while the taste difference is subtle, I’m partial to the Shuksans; cool name, a tad prettier, easier to pick, and the sun came out while we were picking them. Organic strawberries are not only attractive and delicious, they are superstars when it comes to your health.

Did you know?

- A mere cup of fresh strawberries will see to it that your daily requirement of Vitamin C is effectively met. In fact, they contain more vitamin C in them than many citrus fruits. When ripe, these berries are also rich in flavanoids.

-The two most abundant flavanoids present in strawberries are quercetin and kaempferol. Recent research done in strawberries suggests that this flavanoid duo has the potential to prevent the “bad” (LDL) cholesterol from oxidizing. Thus the arterial walls are saved from disruption. No wonder, strawberries are treasured even from the ancient days for its unique medicinal value.

-Strawberries are rich in ellargic acid. This acid is actually common to all the other cousin berries such as raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, grapes, cherries, walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts. Ellargic acid is found to perform the scavenging role of eliminating the harmful cancer-causing chemicals after binding them together. It also effectively brings down the binding of carcinogens to DNA. This ultimately leads to reduced risk of cancer in cultured human cells that are exposed to carcinogens.

-Strawberries are high in fiber, folate and potassium. Strawberries are a natural means of reducing the risk of coronary ailments. They also play a positive role in regulating the blood pressure level.

-One cup of fresh strawberries supplies our body with protein and carbohydrate. It also contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

Information provided by www.magazine.ayurvediccure.com

It’s also farmers’ market season. Go to eatwellguide.org and enter your zip code to find the freshest, tastiest, and healthiest food vendors in your area.

Mine says denim can be worn for every occasion. I’m either in jeans or in my fluffy pink bathrobe. I like all kinds of jeans (except capri style…they make my legs look short). My friend Karyn has a blog called DenimID…a place where people can express their own unique denim identity. She’s also in development on a custom line of denim where customers get to design their own back pockets. I’m so down with that. Another cool thing she is doing with her denim line is donating 10% of her profits to an organization she’s involved with called Room to Read that has four outstanding and worthwhile core programs:

• Reading Room Program - We establish libraries and stock them with local language children’s books published by Room to Read, donated English language books, games, furniture - everything that is required to establish a child-friendly learning environment.
• Local Language Publishing Program - We source new content from local writers and artists and publish high-quality children’s books in the local language and in English. These books are then distributed throughout our network of schools and libraries so that children have access to books in their local language and in English.
• School Room Program - We partner with local communities to build schools so that children can learn in a safe environment.
• Girls’ Education Program - We provide long-term scholarships to girls so they have the opportunity to go to school.

As an author, denim lover, and firm believer in education, I applaud and support Karyn’s efforts wholeheartedly. 

Me and Karyn: friends since 7th grade - no clue what I found so amusing...

Last Thursday, the superstar advertising agency, Wieden and Kennedy in Portland, Oregon held an art exhibit featuring work from 100 Wieden and Kennedy employees from around the world. The exhibit is part of an on-line auction and all proceeds go to Room to Read. The turnout was great…likely due to some seriously great art, but offering free cocktails from a local distillery called House Spirits certainly didn’t hurt! I sampled their aquavit which is made from anise and caraway seed…outstanding! Here’s a peek at the exhibit:

And here’s me (below) in my denim identity for the evening…all black and mysterious (in keeping with the artsy atmosphere), but worn with a trench coat since this is Portland, Oregon in the springtime, which means a downpour can unexpectedly occur at any given moment. The hat isn’t for the weather…that just means I didn’t feel like washing and styling my hair. Room to Read is looking for volunteers around the world. Click here to learn how you can get involved. Karyn is also looking for volunteers for her Portland chapter.  I’m doing it! Come join us!

Since I blogged about Dr. J’s column on calorielab.com yesterday, I decided to put the “Buy Local” spotlight on his hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Go Gators! This was not an easy city to find healthy, organic local food products in! Plenty of import/export products, but that doesn’t count as those items must be shipped which costs money, resources, and the local economy doesn’t get the full benefit of each transaction.

Just a reminder…the point of my “Buy Local” posts are to discover some great foods you can buy that are made in your own backyard so as Wired magazine reminds us, “giant refrigerator trucks belching carbon dioxide,” don’t have to transport that food a great distance to you.

If you missed Los Angeles, California or Portland, Oregon and live there or may be traveling there, be sure and check out those posts – Lots of good local, organic, healthy foods.

Here’s the scoop on where to find the fabulous organic products made in Gainesville that are pictured above:

Sweetwater Coffee – Union St. Farmer’s Market

Florida Crystals Brown Sugar – The Fresh Market

Lakewood Lemonade – Publix Supermarket

Kopali Banana Vinegar – Ward’s Supermarket

Rosas Farms Barbecue Sauce – Rosas Farms

Local Harvest Eggs – Heirloom Country Farms

Live in the Los Angeles area? Discover some great foods you can buy that are made in your own backyard so as Wired magazine reminds us, “giant refrigerator trucks belching carbon dioxide,” don’t have to transport that food a great distance to you. Buy Local!

I chose Los Angeles as the next city to put the “Buy Local” spotlight on for completely self-interested reasons, like…I’m going there this week.  I did have to go a little outside of LA to find organic wine, but just up to the Santa Ynez Valley (I would love to hear from someone who knows of an organic winery that also has good wines in the greater Los Angeles area.) I put the spotlight on Portland, Oregon last week. 

Here’s the scoop on where to find the fabulous organic products made in Los Angeles that are pictured above:

Moroccan Mint Green Tea – Zen Zoo Tea –  Zen Zoo Tea (Hollywood)

Jonathan’s Truffles – Compartes -  Compartes (Brentwood)

2006 Syrah Rose – Sunstone Wine –  Bristol Farms (Hollywood)

Six Grain Bread – Oliver’s Artisan Breads –  Gelson’s (Hollywood)

Angel City Coffee – Groundwork –  Whole Foods (Fairfax)