My Garden Plate

ADHD: Medical Condition or Diet Related?

There's been a lot of press lately around food and its connection to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With nearly 1 in 10 children affected by the disorder it's no wonder research studies would begin popping up. 

One popular question around the subject is whether or not ADHD should be considered a medical condition treated with prescription drugs. It's tough to say when so many factors (ie: genetics, age, gender) contribute to making each case so different than the next. Not to mention symptoms of ADHD such as hyperactivity, fidgeting, impulsivity and difficulty in performing tasks can easily be attributed to a child's young age. However, a recent study released on NPR suggests a change in children’s diets could be the solution.

According to Dr. Liddy Pelser of the ADHD Research Centre in the Netherlands, 64% of children diagnosed with ADHD are actually experiencing a hypersensitivity to food. Perhaps a simple change in a child's diet could help their attention span and focus. Results of this study showed dramatic improvements in the children’s behavior.

 

Shortly after the NPR study was released, another report from The New York Times was published stating that dyes in some popular foods like cereals and juices could be linked to symptoms of ADHD. The Federal government has considered reassessing whether certain foods should carry labels warning that the artificial coloring could increase such symptoms.

Articles like the two above have resulted in controversy around the topic with many calling the studies flawed and misleading. I definitely don't have the answers, but I do believe in food having a strong connection to our health and hope that we can find a solution to so many of the health concerns facing our children these days. 

Farm to Table...Literally!

You may have noticed more and more restaurants are serving up local farm ingredients, but have you noticed more and more farms are serving up dinner?

That's the idea behind Outstanding in the Farms and Dinners at the Farm, two organizations hosting series of dinners across the country celebrating local farms, food and community!

Carrot Juice a la Lulu!

One thing I always look forward to when going home to Miami is starting each morning out with my mom's freshly made carrot juice. It's one of the best things out there. So refreshingly sweet and healthy, it's the perfect start to any morning.

Coachella Survival Tip: Coconut Water

Coachella is a popular 3 day music festival in Palm Springs consisting of 100 degree weather and an endless amount of walking, dancing and boozing, leaving your body in dire need of hydration. So how did I survive this year's Coachella extraveganza you ask? Coconut water!

Two Girls and a Butcher Shop: Lindy & Grundy

 

Sometimes you wish for something so much that you can't believe it when your wish comes true. That's how I feel about the Lindy and Grundy Butcher Shop that just opened in West Hollywood.

This place makes me happy...VERY happy! 

Here are a few reasons why:

1. It's owned by two female butchers (awesome)...
2. Who were just legally married in Conneticut (yea!!)
3. They only sell local, pastured and organic products (you know I love that!)
4. They are former vegetarians (2 down, many more to go!)
5. They plan on hosting butchering classes (sign me up!)
6. They have experience working at Fleisher's and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in NY (can you say foodgasm?!?)

A Power Breakfast - Bircher Muesli!

If you haven't had the pleasure of trying this European power breakfast, I encourage you to drop everything you're doing and jump on a flight to Switzerland right now. Or, if you're like me, you can just follow the recipe below and enjoy this deliciously creamy breakfast in the comfort of your own home.

Know Your Power Foods!

Nothing makes me happier than a new cookbook, especially one with lots of pictures and little text! It's not that I don't enjoy reading, I just prefer letting the pictures inspire me. Sometimes it's nice not knowing exactly what goes into a recipe and improvising to create something all your own. 

A Father's Office Visit ... Finally!

Moving to a new city for me meant starting from scratch on the restaurant scene. One of the first things I did when I moved to LA a few months back was start a list of all the fun restaurants that the locals had recommended. On that list was good ol' Father's Office. Everyone I've met out here raves about this place and their amazing burger. 

Fast forward to a lazy (read: hungover) Saturday afternoon and I finally made the trek out to Culver City to try this infamous dish. Little did I know this so called burger joint turned out to be a chic gastro pub. Channeling their inner Anchor Man, the restaurant was covered in rich mohogoney and had over 80 beers and wines (!) on tap. I quickly learned I wasn't getting my greasy burger and milk shake fix here, but with menu items like pig ear and bone marrow I was willing to look past that minor set back. Remaining optomistic I quickly ordered the burger, fries and pig ear special...

Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia

This recipe was originally concepted as seared cod over a pea pesto puree, but when shopping for the ingredients I found the cod's market price to be a bit out of my weeknight dinner price range. So just like that, cod was out and the much more affordable tilapia was in. Tilapia is a nice mild, white fish that can easily stand up to being fried, grilled or baked. I chose to lightly coat the fish with corn meal for texture and prepared a creamy polenta to add contrast. Last I drizzled a roasted red pepper sauce around the polenta for a burst of flavor and color.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

There's nothing I love more than fresh produce from the farmers market on a Sunday morning. These red peppers I found last weekend were particularly beautiful that I had to take them home with me. Then I burned them. Well, okay I didn't burn the peppers, but I did roast them till they charred. This was the perfect base for my easy red pepper sauce. It's a real simple sauce that packs a whole lot of flavor. Try it at home some time.

Suggestion - Serve along side Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia and Creamy Parmesan Polenta