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!

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

Make my own chilli powder...? Yikes

This week in my CSA share I got three stems full of cayenne peppers that were partially dried.  What the heck was I to do with dried peppers?  Well after a bit of research I decided to make my own chili powder.  I have been moving away from the traditional spices because there are all sorts of chemicals and preservatives in them.  I have bought a few organic spices that we use often (cumin, garlic, cinnamon and parsley).

1.  Cut off the tops of the peppers and take out the seeds (unless you want it really hot)

2.  I finished drying them in the oven.  They were partially dry already

3.  Shook out any remaining seeds :)

4.  Put them in the food processor and grinded to powder

 

5.  In a dry jar I added  (The jar on the left is the mixture, on the right is just the cayenne)

• 1Tablespoon cayenne powder
• 2 Tablespoons cumin
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon cloves

Happy First Day of Spring

Well it is finally here!  The first day of spring and I decided to 'spring clean' my blog to welcome in the new season.

I am excited to be on the verge of fresh local produce.  Trying to eat local in New York is very difficult in the winter.

This is my second year to attempt a garden.  What you see here is my pepper plant.  They take soooo long to germinate that you must start them early.  18 weeks is what my seed packet said. I didn't get any peppers last year.

I have a small raised garden.  It is one way to make the trip shorter from food source to table.  Gardens are alot of work though and I rely on my farmer's market and local farmers' road side stands more than on my little garden. There is a certain pride, however, when you can say you grew what you are eating.  Plus my sons get a kick out of it too.

How do you try to eat locally?

How do you try to eat locally?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

Food Inc. - Ignorance isn't always bliss

Photo by Kathleenleavitt licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Awhile ago I watched the PBS documentary entitle "Food Inc".  If you watch this movie it will change the way you look at food.  I am not saying that you will be moved to change the way you shop for food and eat it, but you will have to at least think about it more.  For me it was all about chicken! 

Photo by me'ntedogs licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

I now think of chicken as a once a week option not an every other day option.  I also appreciate eggs more and get mine from a local farm instead of the industrialized variety.  You wouldn't believe how much better they taste.  The yolk is so yellow and delicious.  Try some today! You won't be sorry.  AND maybe you will appreciate the little ole egg more too.