Get yourself a good cookbook, one with details of how to cook as well as nutritional information. The selection in your favorite book store or our catalog is terrific. Some of the ones we started with were Laurel's Kitchen, The New York Times Natural Foods Cookbook as well as subscriptions to "Vegetarian Gourmet", "Vegetarian Times", and "Spectrum " magazines.

 Be more aware of what's in the food you choose to eat. Read labels and avoid foods containing chemical additives and preservatives. If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it.

 Take pride in your pantry and stock a good selection of whole grains, one at a time.

 You might try rice first. Basmati white rice has a lighter texture. As you gradually change into Basmati brown the taste will be nuttier but still lighter than brown rice. Brown rice will be the next step; short grain is stickier, long grain fluffier. Choose the rice according to your favorite dish.

 Next, gradually add whole grain breads. Berlin Bakery Breads are a nice introduction to a whole wheat bread since they have a light texture. When you are ready to try baking your own breads, bread machines are wonderful.

 Then begin adding other whole grain products, like pasta. Semolina is processed wheat which is lighter in texture but whole wheat will provide the whole grain nutrition. Lupini is a complete protein with the flours of a legume and semolina combined.

 Eventually you may want to add other whole grains like millet, buckwheat, barley, triticale, bulgur and quinoa. Introduce one new grain at a time to your family and give them some time to get adjusted.

 Save empty glass jars because you'll need them for storing nuts, seeds and dried fruits. You'll use these as energy reserves when snacking time comes around, as well as in muffins, salad dressings, dips, pastry, etc.

 Legumes are another natural food important to the natural food cook. Stock up on lentils, kidney beans, chick-peas and limas at first. One cup of raw beans usually makes 2-3 cups of cooked beans. Later add black beans, pinto and maybe soybeans. Soybeans are a great alternative to meat, but you have to get used to their taste.

 Be experimental with seasonings and flavorings too. There are so many herbs and spices to use to enhance flavors as well as a multitude of blends for any occasion.

 Natural foods that do not contain preservatives need proper storage. Store grains, beans, flours and cereals in a cool place (below 65 degrees). Flours should be refrigerated. Because oils and oil-containing products will become rancid from prolonged exposure to heat, light and air, keep nuts, seeds, nut butters and oils in tightly sealed containers in cool dry place or refrigerator. Glass containers are best for sealing and seeing their contents.

 Basically in storing your food safely remember to avoid heat, light and exposure to air. Keep moist foods moist and dry foods dry. Label containers with contents and date. Rotate your stock so you use up the old before replenishing. Don't dump new stock on top of old in the same container. Inspect regularly for weevils, moths, and other pests.

 Now you are ready to use our catalog that is filled with wholesome natural foods for you. Open it and it will open your door to a world of color, flavor and health . . . enjoy!

STARTING A CO-OP

 We found that a small group of families getting together was fun and even educational. But the problem was that small co-ops had small purchasing power. Minimums were often more than anyone needed, so many items weren't purchased.

 Large co-ops with many families took care of most of the purchasing problems, but created something of a political bureacracy to control who's-gettin'-what. Work requirements very often increased and it wasn't as much fun.

 On top of all this family members were geting more "regular" jobs and children were growing up, changing many a family need. It seemed like there just wasn't enough time any more time.

 Morningside grew out of a need to make co-oping fun again by making it practical for small groups to get back together.

 By summing together the orders of many individuals and groups, we all get the purchasing power and lower prices of a large group- without the hassle associated of meetings, work requirements, and structuring an organization.

 Also, Morningside created an automated accounting system that takes care of all the accounting and billing (explained in more detail below).

 Today, your group can order from Morningside with no minimum size order. Purchase just about anything you want in almost any quantity and receive individual billing for each family. In addition, for those of you requiring UPS shipment, by grouping families' orders together, the shipping per family is considerably reduced.

 Now pickup time becomes a sharing time again . . . kids, foods, recipes! Open your packages to see what others are trying. It's almost like a party every month!

 To set up such a group here are some things you should do.

 Someone needs to coordinate (we call this person Mother regardles of sex) either on a permanent or rotating basis. This person needs to be able to receive all the packages and provide a place for the pick-up. There must be at least one account under which an invoice can be created with subtotals for each person or family. Each family must have its own catalog or have access to the Internet. . . so each family knows when the orders are due and when to pick up orders. We prefer that the orders are coordinated through Mother, but we're always available for questions about food, products, storage, recipes, etc.

 Families can have their own account with Morningside or have sub acounts under a master invoice. In the latter case There is only one billing for an account but the families need to purchase their own paper catalogs separately ($3.00) unless they have access to the Internet. If families want to save the "split charges" we will ship the whole quantity (say, a 25 lb. bag of beans), bill each family for the portion they want, and the families split the item themselves. (see the section on Combos under Ordering Instructions)

 Each month (every four weeks, actually): At the time orders are placed, each family gives a blank check to Mother made out to Morningisde (write: "for deposit only" on the back side of the check under endorsements). Checks are not filled out or deposited until the day the goods are shipped.

 On the Sunday before shipping the order, Morningside calls Mother with a total for each family (including shipping). Mother needs to notify each family and remind them of the pick-up.

 Each family picks up orders at Mother's and has a great time!.