The old USDA "food pyramid," which was our government's official recommendation about how we should eat, is still useful, but only if you turn it upside down.  USDA once put the grains at the base of the pyramid, implying that should be the basis for every meal. Instead, Dr. Al Sears says the main course of every meal, and therefore the base of the pyramid, should be high-quality protein. This should include red meat, fish, poultry and eggs.

Meats are the base.

Eating more protein than your body needs sends it the ancient message "the hunting is good" and it's okay to burn more carbohydrates for energy rather than storing them, Sears says. Recent research has shown a high-protein diet increases the blood level of a substance called PAI-1, which then directly inhibits the production of body fat.

This lean ground beef burger is seasoned to perfection unlike any other burger. It will keep them asking for the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/4 cup honey mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 slices Swiss cheese (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns

Directions

1. Mix the ground beef, onion powder, honey mustard, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the burgers, turning occasionally, to desired temperature, 15 to 20 minutes for well done. Top each patty with a slice of Swiss cheese shortly before removing from the skillet; serve on hamburger buns.

Do not forget to take advantage of the 40 pound $25 discount by ordering 40 pound combinations of beef, lamb, pork, butter, goat, shrimp and raw cheese.

This is our way of saying thank you for purchasing in volume. This can be any combination of products totaling 40 pounds and does not have to be specific to any category. Each 40 pound interval will yield the discount. For example, 80 pounds of product will yield a $50 discount and a 120 pound purchase will yield a $75 discount.

Our new format enacted in April 2005 requires a $75 minimum purchase and a 7 pound minimum combined purchase of beef, lamb, pork, nutraceuticals, gourmet rabbit, soap, organic shrimp, grass-fed goat, grass-fed bison, raw cheese, single piece poultry, and butter.

The issue is the bulk chicken and ten pound cheese bundles originate from separate cold storage centers where those products are produced. It is not efficient to ship one package of beef as a stand alone item when the balance of the order originates 400 miles away.

The shopping cart will keep track and remind you if you are under the 7 pound limit for a combination of beef, lamb, pork, raw cheese, butter, goat, shrimp, soap and single honey bottle purchases. Red font will appear under the shopping cart if you are under the minimum price or pound requirements.