How far did that come from???

Ok, so here is a work up of my produce in miles from my last shopping trip.  I was CRAVING fresh produce because it has been so long.  I broke down and bought some fresh fruit and veggies.

Sorry the pictures isn't perfect.   Even as an estimate it is crazy to see where the food came from, how far it traveled and how much that would cost me to drive.  AND THIS IS JUST PRODUCE.  I know all of that other "stuff" traveled quite a bit to get to me too.

Check out to the right, I have added an Amazon widget where I will place some of my favorite products that help me in my journey to eat healthy while being a full time teacher and mother of 2. First up is a book that really got me started on my locavore mission.  It is inspiring and fun to read.  Check it out!

Freezing Basil

So here is my first installment of my freezer series

FREEZING BASIL

Here is my basil plant.  It is sitting right on my kitchen window.  I picked off some of the larger leaves.

Stack the leaves so you can cut them into strips (Technically called chiffonade :)

Then put the strips into a freezer container to use later in soups, or my favorite, on top of pizza right after you pull it out of the oven.

Chance are you can get bunches of basil from your farmers market when in season.  Then just freeze and you can use them throughout the winter.  Mine lasted in these containers all winter.

Shopping trip

One major downfall of using a farmer's market is that if you are busy during the 5 hours it is open, once a week, than you don't get to go.  That's what happened to me this week so I was stuck getting everything from the grocery store.

 

I broke down and got bananas (organic at least) and strawberries.  Neither are at all local or in season but I was missing them terribly.

Using your freezer wisely

 

Microsoft clipart image

I am going to start a series on how I use my freezer.  I have some great ideas that I have been working on and I am ready to get even better during this spring and summer.

On my mission to try and eat local using my freezer will be critical because I live in New York and winter is sooooo long here.  As a matter of fact, it snowed last week here :)  I have never canned and I am a bit afraid of that process so I have come to rely on the freezer.

Mind you that I am a full time teacher and mother of 2 boys (4 and 8) so time is not plentiful.  I am going to attempt to show you how I will do this.  Wish me luck and follow along.

Meal Plan for a week

Meal Plan
Saturday - Homemade mac-n-cheese, brocolli, applesauce (my son's bday party)
Sunday - We have our Family Bible study where dinner is served
Monday - (my husband) Leftover Mac-n-cheese from party
Tuesday - Meatloaf & Mashed Potato Bake
Wednesday - Ham & Cheese Pannis with soup
Thursday - Quiche (check out this recipe) with green bean side (couldn't get bacon so ham will have to do)
Friday - Penne Pasta from Rachel Ray (I am attempting my own Walnut Pesto)

Locavore Shopping

Here are my groceries for this week as I try to live local.  I have the last of my CSA for winter from a local farm and my farmers market haul this week.  There was a stop at the grocery and, I admit, some weak purchases, but I am working on it.

CSA = Community Supported Agriculture 

My last pick up for winter. 

Apples, Chilies, Onions, Potatoes, Wheat Bread, Garlic, and Apple Muffins PLUS Oranges and Grapefruit ,
$33.00 (two week supply)

Farmer's Market stop - $33.00

Beets, Spinach, Lettuce, 2 bags Green Beans, 2 kinds of Cheese, Ground beef, Honey Wheat Bread, Cheese curds, Cookies, and Flour 

Grocery Store - $49.00

Peanuts, Goldfish, Applesauce*, Noodles*, Parmasean, Chicken Stock, Walnuts, Broccoli*, Organic Chicken, Ham, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Cheese*

*(For my son's birthday party)

Price total -$99.00 this week