One thing came to mind with all the hooplah surrounding the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Affordable Care Act to stand this week: rather than debate over the variables of the law, shouldn’t Washington (and every American for that matter) focus on eradicating The Western Diet? How is it that we are straying so far from the real issue? As a nation, we need to focus on healthier eating habits and taking some form of light exercise, instead of lining up like lambs to the slaughter for a veritable buffet of disease (type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, to name a few). Education is the best form of preventive medicine, but somehow we’re worrying about how and when to line the pockets of insurance companies. Furthermore, our government could save millions of dollars if people actually understood the implications of eating junk food everyday. Once again, politics has trumped prioritizing the health of our nation and education. I wholeheartedly support the idea of  providing healthcare for every citizen in our wonderful country. I believe that it is an absolute necessity and a right to have coverage which ensures a healthier and happier society. I also believe that as much as we provide access to health insurance, we should offer the same access to healthy drinking water, non-toxic soil to grow nutritious fruit and vegetables, healthier options for government subsidized lunches in schools for our children, and providing a foundation of early education in nutrition. How hypocritical is it to talk about the 4 food groups in class, then serve strawberry and chocolate flavored milk with lunch? Or schools that sell candy at 9:30 in the morning?

In the last few months, I have been swept into a sense of urgency over the health of our country. Apart from the recipes, there is so much to talk about when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. So much so, that I feel that it’s time to raise the bar of the site. What I’m talking about is not catering to people that already understand what it is to be macrobiotic, vegetarian, vegan, raw, ayurvedic or have a health food store within 5 minutes of their house. Food For Vitality will offer free information to help you on your journey to achieving a healthy body with ease. Have you ever heard of Acupuncture or Rolfing? What’s the difference between Kundalini and Iyengar yoga? What the heck is Dandelion tea, and what’s it good for? How toxic is the soil that we grow our commercial fruits and vegetables in? Ever tried meditation (that’s meditation, not levitation, ladies and gents)? Wouldn’t you like to know the answers? Why go to Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers and pay a king’s ransom when all you need to do is get closer to nature? You will to find it all here in the coming months, and it’s free! Rome wasn’t built in a day, so please give me a bit of time. I will get there! As the Buddha said, “all is coming.”

Vegetarian Kebabs with Smoky Tempeh

2  8 oz packs of tempeh, cubed
10-12 button mushrooms
medium red pepper and yellow pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
2 yellow squash, cut into thick slices
2  medium zucchini, cut into thick slices

Marinade
medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tamari or soy  sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
1-2 tbs smoke seasoning blend

1. Using a food processor, pulse the marinade ingredients to blend 5-6 times, keeping it a chunky texture.
2. Lay the tempeh in a rectangular baking dish (a lasagne dish will do), then pour on the marinade. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours.
3.  Strain the tempeh and set aside. Cut the vegetables, then thread onto the skewers with the tempeh.
4. Clean the grill, spray with cooking oil, then preheat to high for 3 minutes. Lay on the skewers and grill each side for 2-3 minutes then flip until evenly browned.

Makes 12 kebabs

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