CSA Goods: Crate 6 and our chicks!

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Gotta luv-Community Supported Agriculture!!

I can’t wait to figure out something to do with the cherries and chocolate mint besides the obvious. 

What would you do with them?

Anyway, sorry, if I was going really fast… the boys were up from their nap and I didn’t want anyone to get upset with mama’s attention on the camera!

I didn’t mention it … but there was also zucchini, carrots and strawberries in the crate. Oh yeah!

And just so you know- our chickens are a little over 3 months now…

the 2 older ones are Henrietta and Dixie. They’re 2 years old… the other red/orange colored hen is Ruby, the black with white is Patsy, and the Arcana is named Lois!

Lois will lay greenish to blue eggs. Cool, huh!

Super excited about this summer’s, CSA experience, our own harvests and the Farmer’s Market.

Have you thought about joining a CSA?

What about visiting any local farms in your area? Our cherry farms are almost ready to open.

Do you have any farms near you?

Check out localharvest.org

There are so many reasons to join a CSA…

here are just a few:

* fresh ORGANIC food

* eat foods in season & local

* food borne illnesses are less

* support your local farmers!!!

Heart being a locavore! ‘

CSA Action: Numero Cinco & Just Say No, to Toxic Chemicals!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

We picked up another box load of organic veggies on Saturday…woo-hOO! So, the trip to the farm isn’t going to happen as mentioned… apparently this year they aren’t doing a Saturday farm day only a Friday. Friday’s are a work day and unfortunately for us that means we don’t get to participate. boo-HOO! lol!

O’well… it wasn’t meant to be. Were just thrilled that berry season is about to hit!!! Oh yeah, fresh, ripe, organic berries of all kinds. First up! Blueberries! 2.5 lbs. will be in next Saturday’s box. I couldn’t be more delighted… and say, did you know that blueberries are good to eat for allergy sufferers. YUP!

If you suffer from allergies, try adding in more bioflavonoids to your diet. Just recently, I did some reading up on allergies since it’s the season and we’ve all had sinus colds. Plus, after this last birth I’ve noticed a few food sensitivities. I’ve heard that pregnancy can cause this and getting older. Between the two, I’m sure some kind of changes are taking place.

You can bet, I’ll be finding some thrills on Blueberry Hill too! 

This weeks box included apriums.

A hybrid of an apricot (75%) and plum (25%)…

They’re really yummy, juicy and another great source of bioflavonoids!

As well as the wonderful grapefruit which was also included.

What else…

- Broccolli

- Cauliflower

- Clip Top Carrots

- Cabbage

- Potatoes

- Red Leaf Lettuce

- Romaine

- Thyme

- Mediterranean Squash

- Radishes

- Strawberries

In case, you haven’t heard, the latest reports regarding pesticide exposure; confirm an increased risk in ADHD – especially in developing children!!

Such bullshit! &

to make matters even more sickening…

California is about to give the okay to allow use of a chemical known to cause cancer!!

Be sure to visit this link and to sign a petition against the use of methyl iodide!

Doesn’t the name alone sound scary?!!

It’s so scary/sad when you think about all the families who are being researched because they live near farms that are sprayed heavily with chemicals and what it’s doing to these small towns.  Babies are born with defects… people are getting sick… it’s no wonder. Something that was once nutritious becomes highly toxic.  WTF! Why must we mess with nature?

This year the Environmental Working Group released a revised version of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists.

The adorable image below is known as  the  “Dirty Dozen”  cheat sheat and is available to download and print...

The Environmental Working Group  compiled a list of 50 fruits and broke them down with 50 being the worst!

Celery happens to be at the bottom of the list! yuk! I’m all about minimizing our exposure and  the cheat sheet, above, will help us remember which fruits and veggies to avoid; if you cannot purchase/harvest organically grown.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a natural health expert,  partnered with EWG and filmed a 3-minute video on how to use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen guide practically to buy organic produce.

A few hints from his video:

* reduce consumption of fruits and veggies from Dirty Dozen list

* buy organic whenever possible

* If you can’t get organic, avoid the Dirty Dozen all together and stick with the Clean Fifteen

Another reason why I’m happy we joined a CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture ).

wOOt!

Eat local, eat organic… & eat healthy!

Are you part of a CSA?

Do you wash your fruits and veggies to avoid chemicals?

Let’s hear it, RYD readers!

CSA Goods: Our First Crate Full!

Hiya peeps!

Today was our first CSA pickup from Abundant Harvest Organics and were feeling so pumped about our decision to eat more local and in season.  We’ve been talking about it for over a year now after I did a write up for the local paper. We didn’t have the opportunity to make the leap until now.

Finally we’ve done so and now were committed each Saturday to pick up a large crate at 10AM.

We happened to be early birds today and from this we gained that “extras” were available for our taking.

Score!

We are not sure whether this will happen every week but it sure was a nice start!!

Here is the glorious bounty …

Doesn’t look like much but we did the tally and …

the contents contained…

1 bunch of  chard

1 bunch of spring onion

1 bunch of carrots

1 bunch of beets

3 cabbages (2 green + 1 red)

4 potatoes

5 baby artichokes

29 brussels sprouts

10 tangelos

9 lemons (eureka & meyer)

2 rutabagas

2 leeks

extras

2 green heads of cabbage

4 tangelos

4 potatoes

A pretty nice pickup of  organic fruits and veggies, don’t ya think?

We initially thought we’d be sharing a crate but we’ll easily eat up every ounce of healthy goodness a large crate contains.

Mmm!

If you have a CSA pickup in your area, check into it.

Support your local farmers- eat local, seasonal, organic foods..

all while helping to protect the planet for future generations to enjoy!

Yesterday, as I walked into the kitchen, I spotted our Italian herb sprouts popping up in their container.

They all sprouted but one and it took them exactly one week to say hello! 

Today, has been great the weather not so much! It’s windy and nasty out.

But, that didn’t stop us from taking a drive out to our local conservation district to check out what native plants, shrubs, trees and flowers we will be planting in our front yard.

We are hoping to dig out the lawn and plant edible flowers and pretty much have a water wise front  yard.

I did take some video footage but I don’t have much time to upload it…

to say the least, we came home with a California native elderberry bush!!!

super stoked.

Elderberry syrup and wine here we come!

yum. yum.

There are so many benefits to supporting local businesses and growing plants, trees and flowers  that thrive well in your area.

It puts a lot of things into perspective.

Were connecting ourselves with nature and community.

It’s magical.

I’m grateful for our CSA pickup and can’t wait for din-din because we also get to enjoy our homemade sauerkraut ( 6 days old)

YAY! 

Hope you’ve had a lovely Saturday!

Oh!  if you have a rutabaga recipe you’d like to share… feel free! 

Our trip to the Ananda Marga Organic Peach Farm

On Sunday, the hub Baby C and I drove out to the Ananda Marga Organic Farm in Lake Hughes, Ca. Which is not a far drive from our home whatsoever! The Ananda Marga Organic Farm was part of our local farmer’s market. Last weekend was the final market until next June.

I really liked the opportunity of having fresh locally grown produce at my disposal on Saturday mornings. This was the first year our town did anything like this and I thought it was successful. It was nice chatting with the farmer’s and their wives and getting to know the person who is growing the very food on your plate. It’s actually quite interesting to have a conversation with some of farmers. Especially, the ones who are growing their produce organically.

I’m sad the market was over but happy  I was able to meet and greet the local farmers each Saturday! After doing my normal chitchatting I found out the Ananda Marga Farm is open year round to visitors. I had no idea! Finding this out made my entire year. I’ve known about the farm for quite some time but did not know you could buy produce from them directly. I thought you had to be part of the CSA.

Which was definitely one of our goals this year- to get on board with Community Supported Agriculture through Abundant Harvest Organics. I’m still working on it though and visiting the Ananda Marga Farm has given me some inspiration to get something started ASAP. I haven’t really found anyone receptive enough to take on half of the load with us- but still working to find others interested in sharing a box. Keep your fingers crossed for us because it’s the next best thing to growing your own!

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Meatless Monday: Raw Recipes

As you might know, I’ve been delving into the world of the raw foods diet. The more and more I read the more and more I’m eager to try out new recipes and go to the raw side of the moon. LOL! Most of the recipes are simple and easy. I don’t want to get discouraged so we do quick, easy and of course tasty meals. I’m finding that all raw meals are tasty and look amazing when put together.

Going raw is very beneficial for the planet. By only consuming a plant based diet you are leaving all the methane gas that cows produce (and plenty of more things) at the door. Not only that, but you’re supporting local farmers by eating more organic and local fresh fruits and veggies. It’s no secret that we need more greens in our diet as well as nature’s candy- fruit!

I love raw food dishes because they’re colorful and the fresh herbs add depth to dishes. It gives you a whole new perspective on texture and taste. They say variety is the spice of life!! In the raw foods diet you’re getting a variety of fresh fruits and veggies everyday for each meal. There are numerous health benefits that it’s great for: Weight loss, Diabetes, Eczema, body odor and plenty more.  I want to glow and smell like strawberries!!!

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