We're off to the Adirondack Mountains this weekend to do some camping and much missed hiking. Hopefully the weather stays nice and the black flies stay at bay.
When we return we'll let you know how it went, along with an update on our first box of CSA produce and what we've done with it so far.
See you next week!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relatively new socio-economic model of food production, sales, and distribution with the goal of increasing both the quality of food as well as the health of the land on which the food is grown while simultaneously reducing some of the potential financial risks for farmers.
As a shareholder, we pay for produce in advance of the growing season, providing the farm with the necessary capital to help cover the anticipated costs of farm operation and the farmer’s salary. In return, we get weekly shares in the farm’s bounty – fresh, local, organic produce! The farm that we became a shareholder in is Grindstone Farm located in Pulaski, NY.
We just purchased a 3 week share from the farm as a sort of test drive. This is part of the Spring Share and then we can decide if we want to do the Full Season Share which is 20 weeks for $565 or the Academic Share which is 8 weeks for $250. Most likely the Full Season Share is out of our price range, although I think we'd save money in the long run if we went with it. Right now with our diet having changed to mostly organic foods we spend between $80-$100 a week on groceries, most of that expense seems to come from produce. It seems wrong that eating healthier is more expensive--maybe that's what's wrong with our country!
We get to pick up our box of produce every Thursday at another shareholder's house, just up the street from us. We are excited to see what will be in our first box and what we can make with it! You don't really know what you're going to get in the box all we know is that we'll get "seasonally available vegetables and a few fruits." The variety and quantities of what's in the box depend largely on Mother Nature. The farm does have a website that let's you put preferences as to what fruits and veggies you like--we have a couple on our "Never Send" list--but really it just depends on what grows. You can also use the website to add extras to your box, such as eggs and meat.
We're really excited about this latest endeavor--I really think it will force us to eat more vegetables and ultimately, eat healthier.
What's in Jamie's Pantry?
I've read through our new Jamie Oliver cookbook and was intrigued by his list of things you should always have in your pantry (or cupboard, as the Brits say). His philosophy behind cooking is that its fun, easy, and exciting, and by stocking up with his list of basics, you have a good groundwork to create some delicious meals whenever the mood (or the good deals in the grocery store) strike you.
You can find the complete list here, but I've made a list of the things that we still need in our own pantry.
-Dijon Mustard
-While Grain Mustard
-English Mustard
-Sesame Seed Oil
-Peanut Oil
-Red and White Wine Vinegar
-Self-rising Flour
-Whole Wheat Flour
-Superfine Sugar
-Oatmeal
-Maple Syrup
-Almonds
-Mixed Seeds
-Crackers
-Chicken, Veggie, and Beef broth
-Pesto
-Curry Paste
-Dried Chillies
-Bay leaves
-Fennel Seeds
-Egg Noodles
-Canned Garbanzo Beans, Cannelloni Beans, Kidney Beans, Tomatoes, Tuna, and Coconut Milk
-Olives
-Anchovies
-Quick Cook couscous
-Coriander Seeds
-Cumin Seeds
-Chili Powder
-5 Spice Powder
-Frozen Peas, Fava Beans, Green Beans, Corn, Fruit, Shrimp, Pie Crusts, Filo dough, and puff pastry
Heather says we don't have the room for all of this stuff, and I suppose for now we'll probably buy what we need for each recipe and build a stock of ingredients over time, but I think the idea of having a well stocked pantry is pretty ingenious. I think my grandmother knew this as she is apt to buy something before she runs out so she always has a backup. My mother is the exact opposite and usually only buys what she needs.
I think I want to be of the well stocked variety.
We have life!
We have some growth in our garden :)
When we left for DC last weekend we had nothing, and we were beginning to wonder if we had done something wrong--if there wasn't enough sunlight, or there was too much water. Afterall,we thought we'd see our first growth in about 7 days.
Perhaps we buried our seeds a little too deep and they had to really work to get to the surface, but when we got back Sunday night we had little green things popping up all over our vegetable bed.
We have sprouts for parsley, basil, two rows of peas, squash, and cucumbers. A couple of mounds didn't produce any sprouts so who knows what happened to those seeds, but we have a good crop that will hopefully bear something worth eating in the coming months.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Food With Integrity
The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy. With both of us working long and odd hours it's hard to sit down to a meal together. We don't like to go out to eat, but when life gets hectic, sometimes it's the only option. There really aren't that many options for restaurants that serve healthy, organic, locally grown foods, especially in Syracuse. When we do have to go out we try and eat at local restaurants--at least that way we're supporting the locally owned businesses, even if the food isn't local.
Last Saturday we were trying to figure out a fast food place we could go to that would be a better choice along our journey for the Life More Abundant and we were stumped. We were driving down Erie Blvd when a light bulb went off--doesn't Chipotle serve sustainably raised food?!!? Our choice then became obvious--whenever we have to grab something really quick--in the fast food genre--we'll try go with Chipotle. They serve Food With Integrity. What that means is that they are conscious of where the food they serve comes from and as a company they only use ingredients that are raised with respect to animals and the environment.
Of course we won't eat there often--given that a chicken burrito has almost 900 calories--but if and when we do have to grab food on the go at least we can feel better about our choice.
Last Saturday we were trying to figure out a fast food place we could go to that would be a better choice along our journey for the Life More Abundant and we were stumped. We were driving down Erie Blvd when a light bulb went off--doesn't Chipotle serve sustainably raised food?!!? Our choice then became obvious--whenever we have to grab something really quick--in the fast food genre--we'll try go with Chipotle. They serve Food With Integrity. What that means is that they are conscious of where the food they serve comes from and as a company they only use ingredients that are raised with respect to animals and the environment.
Of course we won't eat there often--given that a chicken burrito has almost 900 calories--but if and when we do have to grab food on the go at least we can feel better about our choice.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A Common Theme
I was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning and they were talking about the quarter-life crisis, most notably in females. I'm not sure why the emphasis is on women, maybe by nature we are more apt to plan and dream and freak out if we haven't reached or discovered our goals by 30. Not being a male, I don't really know your side of it--leave a comment if you happen to have a clue.
In 2010 I followed the blog of a fellow R-MWC classmate and former co-worker which explored a breadth of topics surrounding quarter-lifers, and consequently touched on a common theme in blogs of many R-MWC graduates--the search for a Life More Abundant (case in point, this blog by another classmate, so titled Vita Abundantior).
What I find interesting in the common theme is that all of us understand the concept of living a Life More Abundant and are actively searching for it. While some of us are still searching, some of us have found it, and some of us thought we did, only to find out that our own definition of an an abundant life has shifted or changed. I think that's okay. I think part of the beauty of the school motto is that it gives us the power to direct our own life within an achievable and tangible framework. After all, each of us has our own personal definition of what an abundant life looks and feels like.
As for myself, I wouldn't say that I am having (or have had) a quarter-life crisis, and I don't think my wife has either. In many areas of my life I've trusted what feels right for me (regardless of what other people think) and that has led me through a natural progression of self-discovery. I'm married to a wonderful woman and about to graduate with a Master's degree in a field I love. However, as evidence by this blog, we are still reaching for our own path of satisfaction and happiness. I'm ready to settle into a career, move to a place that makes me feel alive and energized, and start a family (not necessarily in that order). I certainly feel like we are striving to live our life abundantly, healthily, and happily no matter where we are in our life, but I think we want it all.
Perhaps we're playing the quarter-life waiting game. Not waiting for life, but waiting for all of our hard work, energy, and passion to manifest into something extraordinary and fulfilling that can sustain us for years to come.
In 2010 I followed the blog of a fellow R-MWC classmate and former co-worker which explored a breadth of topics surrounding quarter-lifers, and consequently touched on a common theme in blogs of many R-MWC graduates--the search for a Life More Abundant (case in point, this blog by another classmate, so titled Vita Abundantior).
What I find interesting in the common theme is that all of us understand the concept of living a Life More Abundant and are actively searching for it. While some of us are still searching, some of us have found it, and some of us thought we did, only to find out that our own definition of an an abundant life has shifted or changed. I think that's okay. I think part of the beauty of the school motto is that it gives us the power to direct our own life within an achievable and tangible framework. After all, each of us has our own personal definition of what an abundant life looks and feels like.
As for myself, I wouldn't say that I am having (or have had) a quarter-life crisis, and I don't think my wife has either. In many areas of my life I've trusted what feels right for me (regardless of what other people think) and that has led me through a natural progression of self-discovery. I'm married to a wonderful woman and about to graduate with a Master's degree in a field I love. However, as evidence by this blog, we are still reaching for our own path of satisfaction and happiness. I'm ready to settle into a career, move to a place that makes me feel alive and energized, and start a family (not necessarily in that order). I certainly feel like we are striving to live our life abundantly, healthily, and happily no matter where we are in our life, but I think we want it all.
Perhaps we're playing the quarter-life waiting game. Not waiting for life, but waiting for all of our hard work, energy, and passion to manifest into something extraordinary and fulfilling that can sustain us for years to come.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Urban Gardening at its Finest
A few weeks ago, Heather decided that we should really take our 'buy local' mindset to the next level and start 'buying' veggies out of our own backyard. In other words, we needed a garden!
Only one problem--we don't own the yard where we live.
But we do have a side porch, so we decided to do the next best thing; build a planter where we could plant veggies.
Check out the pictures of our progress!
We measured our porch and decided that 6 feet by 3 feet would be a good start, did a little thinking about what we would need, then headed to Lowe's. After a little bit of first-time-home-improvement stumbling around the lumber yard, we decided to go with 8 feet x 3 feet because the lumber we liked came in a nice 8 foot length. A few other supplies later, such as a hand saw and some nails and we were piling the lumber in our car (it almost didn't fit!).
Back at home, armed with a hammer and some nails, we got to work. A little hammering later and we had a box!
A couple of weeks later we bought our dirt and started planting. Note to self--learn to calculate cubic feet; the guy in the gardening section told us we needed twice as much dirt for our planter as we actually did. Luckily, we bought two less bags than he recommended, but we still have two extra bags we'll have to put to use a little later in the season.
In our bed we planted parsley, basil, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, and yellow squash. We have some lettuce, beets, and zucchini that we didn't have room to plant, but we're going to buy a few round planters that we can put some other veggies in once the weather gets a bit warmer.
Finally we enclosed our new planter with some plastic fencing to hopefully keep our landlord's dog at bay. We decided to move the planter off the porch because we were worried about the water collecting under the planter and harming the deck and hopefully that was a good choice because its so heavy we'll never get it back up there!
With some daily watering and some sunshine (hopefully the minimal sun we get in Syracuse is sufficient), we should start to see some growth in a few short weeks!
Only one problem--we don't own the yard where we live.
But we do have a side porch, so we decided to do the next best thing; build a planter where we could plant veggies.
Check out the pictures of our progress!
We measured our porch and decided that 6 feet by 3 feet would be a good start, did a little thinking about what we would need, then headed to Lowe's. After a little bit of first-time-home-improvement stumbling around the lumber yard, we decided to go with 8 feet x 3 feet because the lumber we liked came in a nice 8 foot length. A few other supplies later, such as a hand saw and some nails and we were piling the lumber in our car (it almost didn't fit!).
Back at home, armed with a hammer and some nails, we got to work. A little hammering later and we had a box!
A couple of weeks later we bought our dirt and started planting. Note to self--learn to calculate cubic feet; the guy in the gardening section told us we needed twice as much dirt for our planter as we actually did. Luckily, we bought two less bags than he recommended, but we still have two extra bags we'll have to put to use a little later in the season.
In our bed we planted parsley, basil, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, and yellow squash. We have some lettuce, beets, and zucchini that we didn't have room to plant, but we're going to buy a few round planters that we can put some other veggies in once the weather gets a bit warmer.
Finally we enclosed our new planter with some plastic fencing to hopefully keep our landlord's dog at bay. We decided to move the planter off the porch because we were worried about the water collecting under the planter and harming the deck and hopefully that was a good choice because its so heavy we'll never get it back up there!
With some daily watering and some sunshine (hopefully the minimal sun we get in Syracuse is sufficient), we should start to see some growth in a few short weeks!
Roast chicken
I would say that my free range roast chicken and veggies was a 90% success. The final 10% was my fault, not the chicken's. I followed a very easy Jamie Oliver roast chicken recipe, substituted an orange because I didn't have a lemon, rubbed the chicken with dried thyme instead of fresh, and popped it in the oven. While it cooked I made up some potato wedges with mozzarella and thyme, from potatoes we got at the market, and popped them in the oven at the half way mark for the chicken.
I also snapped some fresh peas, but decided not to cook them since I was cooking for one (Heather had to work that night). They were delicious a few days later.
Finally, it was time to eat. The chicken looked and smelled amazing, but alas...I overcooked it.
I'm typically not bad at cooking meat--my mom usually overcooks meat a little bit, but I'm pretty good at making sure it comes out right. This time, I relied too much on the cooking time listed in the recipe, rather than really looking at the chicken during the cooking process. I just have to be more diligent, I guess.
So overall, a pretty good meal, but I'll have to try it again and make sure I do it perfectly! At least the leftover chicken has kept us stocked in lunchmeat for the week, which is a blessing since organic lunch meat is fairly expensive and we only buy it once every two weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)