"The Good Life" depicts a chance meeting between a fisherman in a small town and an MBA who thinks big. (thanks to Anais with Path to Freedom)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Early Summer Garden Photos
We're closing in on the end of the first month of summer, and the gardens are blossoming. It feels as if we are really on the cusp of something. This week the squash, cucumbers and tomatoes are trickling in, but soon they're going to explode!
Here are the gardens as of a few days ago. If you'd like to revisit some older photos so you can see the progression, look at the "See How We've Grown" post from late May.
Recommended: Real Food
I've read several books and seen some great movies about local eating, so I wasn't sure if this book would have something new to tell me. It turns out that it has - I've really learned a lot. The author explores the worlds of milk, meat, oils (especially interesting for me - I didn't realize the hazards of vegetable oils), and produce. She explains what "real food" looks like, and gives lots of science to back up her ideas. It's helped inspire me to look harder at what I eat, and move my meals closer to real food and away from "fake" foods. I got this book from the library, and I'm sure they have more copies available!
Meet Your Farmers: Judy
Judy has been living in Sunnyside with her dog, Hailey, for the last 5 years. She joined Heirloom Gardens to help her diet become more local, healthy, and economic. She loves gardening, but enjoys it more when she can work with a group. Judy enjoys cooking, but keeps things simple. Lately she's been cooking lots of tofu and greens because of all the spring veggies she's receiving in her share. Judy just returned from a trip to L.A., where she got to visit her new nephew for the first time. She also enjoys hiking with Hailey, riding her mountain bike, and working on her home remodeling project.
Recipe: Fried Herbed Polenta
This is adapted from a recipe by Faith Stone of Shoshoni Yoga Retreat. Polenta is known in the south as corn grits, and it can be purchased in the bulk section of Whole Foods. I would guess that they also sell it at Sunflower, although I haven't checked. Ghee is clarified unsalted butter. It is popular in traditional Indian cooking, and it is also used for sauteeing in fine dining restaurants. They do sell ghee in Indian grocery stores, but it's much cheaper and easier to just make your own.
1 cup polenta
3 1/2 cups boiling water
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch of pepper
Dash of pepper sauce (like Tabasco)
Handful of chopped fresh herbs (oregano, parsley, tarragon, savory, thyme, or basil)
2 tsp ghee or olive oil
1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Additional ghee or olive oil for frying
Add polenta slowly to boiling water, whisking. Bring back to a boil, whisking steadily. Add salt, pepper, pepper sauce, herbs, olive oil and cheese, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Pour into a buttered bread loaf pan and chill until solid (about 3 hours). Slice the polenta cross-wise (like bread) and lightly fry. Serve alone or with fresh tomatoes or marinara sauce.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The End of the Day at the Market
We've been selling our veggies at the Highland Farmers' Market for about 6 weeks now, and we're having a great time. We have several "regulars," who visit us every week for a bag of the salad mix or a multi-colored bunch of beets.
We are most definitely a micro-farm, but at the beginning of the market we do have our bounty. The table is so full we can hardly find space for our brochures, and we have 4 coolers full of extra bags of greens.
We are fortunate enough to sell just about everything we bring with us, so by the last hour of the market our supplies have dwindled significantly. Brian took these pictures 30 minutes before the market closed, in his dual role of official-photographer/fabulous-husband-who-helps-load-the-truck.
Usually at the beginning of the market we're quite busy and focused on getting everything set up, but soon we'll remember to bring the camera and take a "before" picture. For now, enjoy these "afters."
Invitation to FREE screening of "Food, Inc."
On Saturday a woman stopped by our farmers' market table to issue an invitation to a free screening of "Food, Inc." I saw this movie recently, and I think it presents important information about our current food system (and possible alternatives).
Here's the info --- you're all welcome to attend.
Tuesday, July 14th at 7:30
Chez Artiste Theater
2800 South Colorado Blvd.
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