Recently in Food & Drink Category

[Above: FDA, FBI & LAPD agents raid Rawesome private food club in Venice, CA.]

The people of Venice, CA slept soundly last night after authorities broke up a major criminal cartel that had been operating in their midst. Raw milk and cheese lord, James "Rawesome" Stewart, and his accomplices, Sharon Ann Palmer and Eugenie Bloch of Healthy Family Farms LCC, were arrested yesterday following a raid on premises in the predominantly metro-hippy, hipster-hippy, genuinely hippy, and wannabe hippy beach district.

The multi-agency action -- a collaboration between the FDA, the FBI and the LAPD -- is part of a major government crackdown on healthy food. Agents had successfully scored illicit cheese and dairy products on several occasions during a year-long undercover sting operation centered around Rawesome, a members-only organic produce speakeasy operated by Stewart out of a location at 665 Rose Ave. After consuming the goods they obtained, the reduction in allergy and asthma symptoms in the operatives involved provided probable cause for the warrant required for Wednesday's armed raid.

[Above: No Mango Left Behind]

The search warrant, which was issued by the appropriately name Ms. LeCavalier, called for a thorough search of all rooms, attics, and basements of the single story property, plus the surrounding grounds, garages, vehicles, storage areas, trash containers, freezers, refrigerators, and outbuildings. A Girl Scout who was just selling cookies in the wrong place at the wrong time was also asked to turn out her pockets, but only string and a compass was found.

The document also called for samples to be taken, and that the remainder of the controlled substances be seized and destroyed according to State of California "health" codes. Highly trained law enforcement agents therefore dilligently poured the exceedingly fresh milk down drains, and loaded organic produce and whole food onto a truck for off-site destruction as several members of the local homeless community looked on. However, Mrs Tovey, a sprightly pensioner from nearby Marina del Rey, escaped with several mangoes in her hemp handbag before all the fresh food could be removed from the site. She is wanted for questioning in relation to this matter.

Computers, receipts, phone records, a 2007 crumpled Baywatch calendar, and other documents were also seized, as were membership records and documents pertaining to The Right To Choose Healthy Food campaign. Authorities will be contacting members of the raw milk prohibition-busting club over the next few weeks to not-so-gently remind them that The Right To Choose Healthy Food doesn't exist, and that the First Amendment right to make and distribute pamphlets about it is going the way of habeas corpus.

Talking of which...

Los Angeles prosecutors allege Stewart is guilty of conspiracy to supply fresh food, and is being held on $123,000 bail, with no possibility of using bonds. Furthermore, given Stewart's Mr. Big status in the raw food underworld, authorities have taken the unusual step of requesting proof of the legitimacy of any funds posted to ensure proceeds from a secret stash of contraband unpasteurized Camembert are not used to spring the kingpin. Palmer has been charged with 9 counts of producing fresh food, and her part-time associate, Bloch, is charged with three counts of conspiracy to do so.

[Above: Eugenie Bloch's husband, Thomas admits his wife if guilty of selling organic poultry and eggs.]

During the search of the Rawesome premises, authorities were hoping to find evidence that the illegal substances had been smuggled across state lines so they could pursue additional felony charges. However Westsiders know how hard it is to smuggle themselves East of the 405 at the best of times, so unfortunately for law enforcement officials the chances that the easily spoilable raw materials made it to La Brea, never mind the Arizona border are slim to none.

The three arrests had nothing to do with a massive recall of turkey produced by food giant Cargill, but since it happened in the same week The Los Angeles Times thought they'd mention it in their coverage of the raid just so they had a legitimate reason to use the word salmonella, since there was disappointingly no evidence that any goods produced or distributed by Stewart and Palmer had caused illness or were tainted by the pathogen (unlike that of the Minnesota-based food giant, whose dodgy meat is responsible for at least one death, and numerous cases of serious illness).

The manufacture and sale of unpasteurized dairy products is technically legal in California, however, thankfully a whole host of virtually unobtainable licenses and permits are required, which by and large puts a stop to the disgustingly healthy practice of consuming the stuff. But Stewart contends that since he wasn't operating a public retail establishment, his members-only club wasn't covered by the small print, which law enforcement officials are too understaffed and busy to read anyways. It's therefore good to see that rather than taking the time to define the grey areas of the law, government officials are cutting to the chase and taking a firm stance on worryingly healthful consumables, which have the potential to seriously dent the much-maligned healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

"Praise the lord that in these economically challenged times, the government is allocating significant resources to this issue," said a Republican who asked not to be named before rushing off to check the value of his Big Ag and Pharma stocks.

***

The Consumer Wellness Center is collecting donations for a legal defense fund for James Stewart.

For more information on our government's war on raw milk watch Farmageddon, and read our interview with the film's maker, raw food and small farm advocate Kristin Canty.

**UPDATE**

At his arraignment at the Los Angeles County Courthouse on Thursday August 4, James Stewart's bail was reduced to $30,000. He was released on Friday on condition that he no longer engage in the sale of unpasteurized milk and cheese. (He's not even allowed to give away raw dairy and eggs, and Rawesome is subject to warrantless searches at any time.) Victoria Bloch was released without bail. Worryingly, both Stewart and Bloch were only allowed to leave police custody on condition that they sign a waiver agreeing to give up their First Amendment rights and refrain from talking to anyone about the case. (They can't email, Facebook or Tweet about it, never mind talk to the press!) Sharon Ann Palmer is expected to be arraigned on Monday, August 8 in Ventura County. The delay is apparently due to transportation issues. Rawesome is currently closed, and, Healthfreedoms.org reports that the case "is now going to be handled by an 'environmental crimes' prosecutor from the FDA." Meanwhile, despite being responsible for 76 salmonella-related illnesses and one death, the owners of the company responsible, Cargill, continue to enjoy their life and liberty.

Government agencies involved in the year-long action again Rawesome include the FDA, the California Franchise Tax Board, the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch and the department's Division of Measurement Standards, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, the Ventura County Department of Public Health, the LAPD, and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. In related news, having maxed out our nation's spending limit, America's credit rating has been downgraded, and when it comes to the issues surrounding raw dairy, Democrats and Republicans are uniting in favor of less government intervention.

There will be a series of special screenings of Farmageddon at the Electric Lodge cinema on Saturday, August 20 (see details). Proceeds will go to the Rawesome Community Fund.

"This is really a civil rights issue."
- Kristin Canty

America devotes an inordinate amount of resources to its wars on controlled substances; namely its wars on drugs - and raw milk. Yep, you read that right. The prohibition of alcohol may have ended in the US in 1933 with the passage of the Twenty-First Amendment, but it's still alive and kicking when it comes to unpasteurized milk.

The retail sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in the vast majority of states, and though some states do permit direct farm sales and/or herd shares, federal laws prohibit the sale and transport of raw milk across state lines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers unpasteurized milk or cream -- and any uncooked products made from it, such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream -- to be categorically unsafe. Their official line is that "raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to you and your family."

However, by their own figures, a mere "800 people in the United States have gotten sick from drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk since 1998." When you compare those numbers to the statistics on alcohol and cigarettes - which can be bought legally in all 50 states - the government's position on the sale of raw milk appears to be inconsistent to say the very least. And the discrimination against raw dairy is even more profound when the health benefits are taken into consideration. But while the fight to decriminalize other controlled substances grabs headlines and galvanizes support, few are even aware of the prohibition against real milk. Kristin Canty, a small farm advocate from Massachusetts, hopes to change that with her compelling new documentary, Farmageddon: The Unseen War on American Family Farms.

Canty didn't set out to make a film, merely to heal her son, who suffered from asthma and severe allergies. When traditional medicine failed to help, she embarked on a voyage of discovery that led her to raw milk. While fighting to heal her sick child, she also had to fight the seemingly unreasonable and intransigent attitude our government has towards healthy-minded boutique farmers who produce this hard to come by commodity in the face of much adversity. Frustrated and angered by reports of raids, and shocked at the increasing ferocity of the persecution of those who were doing nothing more than producing fresh food, Canty was compelled to expose the truth. For her, it wasn't just about the disparity in treatment between big agriculture (whose factory methods have actually been responsible for the majority of serious food scares in recent years) and the mom & pop organic and sustainable operations, but an issue of a mother's right to choose healthy food.

Read my exclusive interview with Kristin Canty on SuicideGirls.com.

In this month's edition of Scott Ian's Food Coma column, Anthrax's hard rocking viticulture expert talks about the rather unlikely wine-pairing event he's been asked to participate in. Ian's pal, restaurateur Joe Bastianich, who is Mario Batali's partner in an eatery empire that includes the hip NYC gastronomic joints Babbo, Del Posto, among others, is organizing a wine tasting evening that pairs wine with the music of Led Zeppelin.

"Led Zeppelin lends itself to wine; Hearty, robust reds match Page's raw riffs and Bonham's thunderous double bass pedal, while the band's lighter, more playful work calls for tamer, yet complex whites," explains Bastianich, who goes on to give an example. "We're pairing 'The Song Remains the Same' with two crispy acidic, chalky, mouth-tingling whites. Think about the opening guitar riff, that jangling makes me think of the bubbles rising in a glass of Champagne. We really captured the spirit of these wines, the acidity, their raciness, the treble. It's all about the treble."

Bastianich wine & Led event will be held on Saturday May 2 at Manhattan's City Winery (a music & wine venue which was the brainchild of Knitting Factory founder Michael Dorf). Scott Ian will be taking to the stage with Led Zeppelin cover band Six Foot Nurse to provide live music for pairing with the appropriate liquids.

Tickets rage from $55 to $75 and include 6 different pours paired with light bites. Click HERE for more info.

The Daily Mantra has a new favorite chocolate. It's a delicious and nutritious gourmet confection that borrows its name from the Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo.

The region is known for its macadamia nuts, which have been cultivated by the indigenous people there for centuries. The Woolloomooloo chocolate bar combines roasted & salted macadamia nuts with Indonesian coconut, and yummy hemp seeds. The well-balanced, salty-sweet mix is submerged in what the manufacturer calls "deep milk chocolate," which has all the smoothness of milk chocolate and just enough of the bitterness of dark.

As the label says, the "hemp seeds are the true secret weapon in this scrumptious bar." They're packed with beneficial omega fatty acids, amino acids, and minerals, which are said to soften skin, strengthen nails, and add shine and thickness to hair. (With the state of our nails, we need to eat a lot of this stuff!)

Our new love is manufactured by a boutique company called Vosges Chocolate, which was founded by Chocolatier Katrina Markoff. The company manufactures an inspirational range of unusual premium bars and truffles. The exotic flavors, which feature rare spices and flowers, are inspired by Markoff's extensive travels.

Markoff believes in maximizing the green factor while minimizing the guilt. Her Chicago kitchen is a certified organic manufacturing facility. She uses organic ingredients where possible, packages her chocolates in boxes made of 100% recycled paperboard, and purchases renewable energy to offset the electricity used in the manufacturing process.

If that's not enough yin with chocolate's slightly wicked yang, Markoff is a strong believer in the healing power of the dark stuff. She runs yoga and chocolate retreats (which sound like our kind of Nirvana), and has a range of confections that are blended according to the ancient medicinal principles of Ayurveda.

One or more of three special truffles (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are recommended according to the balance of your doshas. Click HERE to take a test to find out which type of truffle would best harmonize yours. You can order your prescribed dosha dose from the Vosges website. That's our kind of alternative medication.

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, and you certainly shouldn't judge a Central Coast wine by its label. For though there's not yet an official looking logo to alert consumers to their efforts, many of the region's winemakers are quietly adopting sustainable practices, making much of the wine from the area as good for the earth as it is for your spirits.

One such winery is Laetitia. Founded in the early 80s by French champagne house Deutz, Laetitia's breathtaking Arroyo Grande estate has since come under the careful stewardship of owner Selim Zilkha, and Lino Bozzano, who oversees the extensive vineyards. A third generation California farmer, Bozzano began his career by studying viticulture at college. His love of the land led him to become an early proponent of sustainable methods. Unlike the highly recognizable organic mark, the sustainable movement has yet to tightly bind its rules and put a stamp on them. In the meantime, like many farmers on the Central Coast, Bozzano participates in two voluntary self-assessments: the Central Coast Vineyard Team's Positive Points Program and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance's Code of Sustainable Winegrowing.

"There's three principles," says Bozzano as he explains the essence of sustainable practices. "Is it environmentally friendly or responsible? Is it socially responsible? And is it economically viable? Whenever we're looking at putting input into the ranch we're asking those three questions."

It could be argued that since the rules of organic farming are so rigid, sustainable practices make sense for such a delicate crop, and a winemaking process that is steeped in thousands of years of tradition. "I prefer sustainability over organic farming because sustainability takes in the whole ecosystem of your farm," says Bozzano. "The hardest part for me about organics is it's very limited, and it doesn't address wine quality in the same way."

Bozzano maintains that some of his sustainable practices may even be more earth friendly than the ones demanded by organic codes when the big picture is taken into account. He cites the issue of spraying versus mechanical weed control as an example of this new thinking. The mechanical methods favored by organic farming require more tractor passes, and therefore use more fuel and spew out more CO2. So which is better for the planet? A well-chosen, minimally or non-toxic herbicide? Or oil-powered, mechanical methods? Where possible Bozzano chooses to take the third way, and uses the best of all worlds (traditional, organic and sustainable) to do what's best for the earth, what's best for the wine, and what's best for the dedicated team that makes it.

The Daily Mantra took a scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Laetitia to get better acquainted with their grapes, both in the glass and on the vine. As we toured the vineyards with Bozzano, he pointed out many of the sustainably-minded practices that lie behind each bottle of Laetitia's wine.

The Daily Mantra finds it amazing what American's will pour water on and call tea. Even worse are the over-packaged, and over-priced wizened pieces of bitter foliage that masquerade as so-called fine teas, and are sold by some of the biggest names in the beverage world. We recommend you give your taste buds a treat, and invest in some real fine tea. Two of our favorite tea purveyors are Tokyo's Lupicia and Paris' Palais Des Thés, which both have excellent online stores.

For a simple, yet stunning green tea, try Palais Des Thés' Gyokuro, from the Japanese province of Uji. Only the tenderest buds are selected and handpicked for this delicate tea, which, when brewed, is the most vivid of jade greens. If you're looking for something a little more exotic, try their Thé du Hammam, which was inspired by a traditional Turkish recipe; a Chinese green tea base is infused with orange flower water and green date pulp, with red fruits and exquisite rose petals adding a delightful scent and color. For something a little lighter try Thé Des Alizes, a green tea mixed with white peach, kiwi and watermelon, which is refreshing when served either hot or cold. Lupicia also offers some exceedingly good teas. We like their delicately scented Vietnamese Lotus tea, and their two high grade Jasmin teas. Their Jasmin Dragon Pearl tea is made from new shoots thick with white hairs from the Tailao Mountain in the Fujiang province of Japan, and their light and fragrant Chinese Jasmin Chun Hao is a staple in our cup.

While you're shopping, ween yourself off un-eco-friendly (and more expensive per cup) tea bags, and pick up a decent tea pot to brew your loose leaf tea in. Make sure the pot you choose has a removable strainer, so you can take the leaves out before your tea gets over-brewed and turns bitter. Bear in mind, many of the finer teas only need to be immersed in hot water for as little as 30 seconds, depending on the type of leaves. And since all the teas we've recommended have not a hint of bitterness when correctly brewed, leave off the sugar and don't even think about milk. Finally remember, tea is more than a drink; it's a ceremony, a treat and a time. Find a china cup you like and savor the moment along with the tea.

Image from left to right: Jasmin Chun Hao, Thé du Hammam, Jasmin Dragon Pearl, Gyokuro, Lotus Tea and Thé Des Alizes

The Daily Mantra has always felt that chocolate is a medical necessity for women once a month. Sadly, our health insurance company doesn't see eye to eye with us on this issue, so we don't get any preferred provider HMO or PPO discount on our monthly supply. Luckily the folks at Charles Chocolates understand our needs, providing an essential monthly shipment service for their PMS assortment, which costs $18 for a one-off fix, $98 for a 6 month prescription and $185 for a year's worth of monthly doses.

Charles Chocolates are a San Francisco-based company, owned by chocolatier Chuck Siegel. The artisan chocolates are made with the finest ingredients. High cacao chocolate (with more of the PMS busting compounds us chicks require) is mixed with natural and organic ingredients, which are locally sourced where possible. The confections contain no artificial preservatives and must be consumed while fresh. The intense flavors challenge the palate, blurring the lines between bitter, sweet and saltiness.

This month our PMS supply included caramelized almond clusters in a rich and creamy 41% chocolate, roasted pistachio and candied lemon clusters bathed in a 70% bittersweet coating, and a mocha java bar made with real beans and 65% bittersweet chocolate. Needless to say, after taking our prescribed medication, we're feeling much better.

For PMS prescriptions shipped right to your door go to: http://charleschocolates.com/pms.html