O'Mama Report

Some juicy tidbits from April's O'Mama Report:

The White House Garden Goes Green It is official: Michelle Obama's garden at the White House will be an organic one. The garden will serve as both a source of the Obama family's food and as an educational tool, says the First Lady, who anticipates family involvement in its upkeep.

Obama Celebrates with Organic Spirit Organic wines are making their way into homes across the country, including the White House. At its first black tie event under the Obama Administration, the White House hosted members of the National Governors Association, to whom it served an assortment of organic wines.

Organic Gets a Boost in Washington The appointment of Kathleen Merrigan as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is good news for organic, according to Sam Hurst of Gourmet magazine. Author of the groundbreaking Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which established the stringent standards that have come to define the organic system, Merrigan has been hailed as "the moving force behind the development of federal organic standards" and is seen as a solid choice to represent the organic perspective in the U.S. government. Gourmet

Seed Sales Blossoming
 Recent changes in the economy have led to drops in sales across the board, but not underground, according to a recent report released by the National Gardening Association. The report found that seed sales are on the rise, thanks to a 19 percent increase in the number of households planning to grow their own food in 2009. Read more

Digging In: Getting Started on Your Organic Garden As with any project, one of the hardest parts of planting an organic garden is getting started. Yet this doesn't have to be the case. By following just the few simple steps listed here you can get your organic garden off the ground and ready for a successful gardening season. 

A Taste of Spring

Bake this cake for your neighborhood dogs and celebrate the coming of spring and Earth Day:

Ma Snax Superior Treats Carrot Calendula Earth Day Cake for Dogs

Makes one 8” cake or 6 or more cupcakes

1 cup organic whole wheat flour

1 cup organic unbleached wheat flour

3 medium carrots, grated

2 cage free organic eggs

3 ounce canola oil

3 ounce raw honey

2 ounce unsulphered molasses

2 tablespoons crushed dried calendula flowers

1 tablespoon carob powder

1 tablespoon organic flax seeds

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon organic ground ginger

Combine dry ingredients, set aside.

Mix eggs, carrots, honey, molasses, canola oil in bowl of electric mixer.Add combined dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.

Place batter in prepared cake pan or paper lined cupcake pan.

Bake at 325º for 18 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool.

Decorating suggestions: ice with organic peanut butter mixed with honey or organic cream cheese/yogurt mixed with honey.

Note: cake freezes well.

Serve to lucky dogs!