Happy St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. From leprechauns to the color green I am getting into the spirit this week.

 

To start with I used my Grandma Elsie Jacobsen's linen and embroidered table cloth. 

Don't ya just love the green and black stitching?

You've seen it before, on the other side are pink and white flowers.

 

I know it's simple, but I wanted to show off the table cloth.

Yep those are faux artichokes, we are actually having soup.  The dishes are The Mill green transfer-ware in green.  Richard and I bought them in Sonoma, CA at the Church Mouse Antique Store.  We have a setting for four.  Alfred Meakin from Staffordshire England.  And the chargers are wooden.  The cream plates are vintage Metlox Poppytrail Antique Grape.  They came from my grandma Ellen Heinz, and I have the whole set of them.

I looked around the house to find "this and that"  Here is a tray of items that have green in them.  This is set up ready for tea.  This afternoon I have two neighbors stopping by and I'm inviting them to join me for tea and some cookies.  Don't you love the cake top couple.  It is sitting on top of one of the cake stands I made. check out my blog entry http://jotraveler.blogspot.com/2011/06/odd-pieces-of-china-laying-around.html  This is the wedding topper that was on my mom and dad's cake 54 years ago.  Did you notice the odd spoons are from Ireland. They are travel spoons one collects on their travels.  The linen napkins are hand embroidered with matching flowers to the tea pot.

This is the back, I like that it looks nice all the way around.  The cabbage soup terrine was found at a garage sale.  I use it in the winter for soups.

Here I decorated the room in beaded garland I bought last year at Joann's for 45 cents a bag.l  I also used the shamrocks I purchased three years ago for a party.  It's fun to decorate when you use what you already have.

Lastly I put out the oldest thing I have in my house.  This green pitcher and two tall glasses came from my grandma Elsie's family.  They made it through the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and the six moves that I made.  I love how delicate they are and the charming painting of a woman and man with outreaching arms.  I framed that St Patrick's Day card and below you will see I added antique books, gloves and perfume bottles.  The pearls are 1950'd, but I liked the way they look on the silver tray.

 I decided to make rice crispy treats for the laddies.  I have some shamrock clover design cookie cutters, and two colors of green sprinkles.  FUN!  So easy to make, you can make some too:
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz. about 40) regular marshmallows
OR
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups  Rice Krispies cereal
Canned frosting or decorating gel
Green decorating sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add rice krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutter coated with cooking spray cut into shamrocks. Decorate with frosting and decorating sugar (if desired). Best if served the same day.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Dress A Girl Around The World - Directions to make the Pillow case dress

Volunteering just plain feels good!   This Project will give you more than you can imagine...satisfaction knowing you are doing something special for a young girl.

http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/ imagining a world in which every girl owns at least one dress.

Volunteers armed with their sewing machines make dresses out of pillow cases for girls in developing countries.  Here I am sewing with a few hundred of my friends as we make these dresses for those in need.  And have a blast while doing it!

How to make the Pillow Case Dress:

Using a new or gently used pillowcase, cut along the top of the pillowcase (where it is sewed together--opposite of the open end). This will become the top of the dress. Lay the pillow case flat and measure J-shaped armholes at the top corners (3 to 4"X 3 to 4"-depending upon how big the pillowcase is--king sized for bigger girls, etc.) Make casing by turning the top of the cut edge under ¼ “ and then another ¼”. Iron in place—it needs to be wide enough so that 1/4" to 1/2" wide elastic pieces will slide through easily. Sew close to the edge. Repeat this step for the back of the dress. You should now have a casing on both sides at the top of each side of the pillowcase. Cut 2 pieces of ¼” or ½” elastic, each 7 inches long. Attach a safety pin to one end of one of the cut pieces of elastic and pull it through the casing using caution not to pull it too far. Sew across each end of the casing to hold the elastic in place. Repeat this step for the other side. You should now have a gathered top on both the front and back of the dress. (Make sure you remove the safety pin). Using double-fold bias tape, cut 2 pieces approximately 32-34”long. These will bind the armholes and become the ties at the shoulders, so they should be long enough to tie a bow at the top. Fold one tie in half to find the center and line it up with the center of the armhole--then work outward from there to both sides. Pin the open ends of the bias tape over the raw edges of the armhole--the ties will extend evenly over each top. *Special Note on the ties: Packaged bias tape is folded not quite in half lengthwise. When you get ready to sew it on make sure the narrower half of the tape faces up. That way you will be sure you are always catching the underside of the tape, even around the curves. Beginners should sew one side at a time--open up the bias tape and attach to armhole--then fold it over and sew again--this will insure that the ties are attached properly with no gaps. Fold the raw edges of the ends of the bias tape inside and when you sew along the tape you will catch those also. Tie your ties and your dress is finished! Tip: We added pockets and are placing panties in the pocket.  You could also add photos, prayers, blessings, or the prayer dolls inside. Click here for a printable version of this pattern (pdf format).   Check out the Photo Gallery to see what other members have created. (I made these two, and three more!)

Green with Envy...

I recently visited a good friend's home where I discovered the perfect green colored kitchen.  I wanted to go home and paint my whole house green!  Well, not really, but it did make me think about where I could use green. 


Don't you love the color green.  Green harmonizes it creates the perfect combination of the passivity of blue with the vibrancy of yellow. It is considered the most restful color to the eye, and of all the colors, green is the one in which the human eye distinguishes the widest range of shades.

Green represents nature in nearly every culture.  It can be seen in the new life that comes in the spring and in the lasting color of evergreens.  BioPulse states, 
(http://www.biopulse.org/color.html)
green is used as color therapy for relaxation and balancing the nervous system.  Green represents money.  Green has also represents fertility, love and sexuality in many cultures.



Dark green is associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy.
Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealousy.
Aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection.

Olive green is the traditional color of peace.








I thought I'd share some green pallets I've seen that inspire me.

When choosing a green be sure to put it on the wall in the room it will go.  Greens can look very different when they are in sunlight or shade.


Decorating with green is easy and fun. You will never go wrong using this fresh and relaxing color palette.  Do you need some "Green" in your home?

Wool Stadium Blanket Re-Do

This week I found an old wool blanket from the 1970’s in the back of my closet.  It was way too florescent and bright for me.  So I found an old box of denim rit dye and toned down the bright colors.  I love the bright yellow mellowed to a chartreuse green. This is a great example of a re-do,"Re-use."    

Here are examples of technique for maximum convenience and especially for large items like this blanket.

How to dye in Top-Loading Machines

1. Fill machine with enough hot water for fabric to move freely. Refer to the chart below for the right amount of dye to add. Pre-dissolve powder in 2 cups of hot water. Add pre-dissolved powder or liquid to hot dye bath.
2. Wet fabric in hot water. Uncrumple and add to dye bath.
3. Set machine for extended wash cycle. Fabric should be in dye bath for at least 30 minutes before rinse begins. (You can reset your washing machine before the rinse cycle begins for extended wash cycle.)
4. Rinse in cold water until water runs clear. Wash deep shades in warm water with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly in cool water.
5. Dry item in dryer or hang to dry.
6. Clean washing machine using highest water level with hot water, detergent and 1 cup chlorine bleach using complete wash cycle. Clean lint traps. Plastic or rubber machine parts may be tinted but will not stain laundry.

For Front-Loading Machines (including HE models)

GETTING STARTED

The settings and options of various front-load washing machines vary among manufaturers. Even though there are slight differences among differing manufacturer's wash settings, they are common in that they all introduce water to the tumbler once the garment is placed inside. They allow a time period to introduce detergent (or dye in this case), and they all finish with a spin cycle.

It is important to use the washer's hottest water setting. Additionally, a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes is recommended to obtain a satisfactory dyeing.

Because front-load washers have built-in heaters to maintain the washer's temperature and the water to fabric ratio is relatively high as compared to top-load machines, deep rich colors can be achieved using Rit dyes.

DYEING WITH RIT DYE

Follow the package or label instructions as you normally would. There are two exceptions to the package's instructions when using a front-load washer. Once, it will be necessary to place the wet fabric into the washer before beginning the dye cycle. Second, when dyeing with Rit powder or liquid dye in a front-load machine, it is necessary to pre-dissolve the dye into four cups of very hot tap water. Once dissolved, pour the dye solution into the washer's dispenser at the appropriate time you would add detergent. After the dye solution has entered the washer, it will be necessary to flush the dispenser with another four cups of very hot tap water.

In many cases immediately after adding the dye solution, the garment may have a mottled appearance. This appearance will become level as the dyeing process continues.

ADDING SALT

If salt is desired when dyeing a cellulose material, the salt should be pre-dissolved into four cups of very hot tap water, added to the dispenser, and thoroughly flushed with another four cups of very hot tap water after the dyeing has proceeded for about 10 minutes.

IMPORTANT

• One package or one-half bottle dyes 1lb. dry weight or about 3 yards of medium fabric to a medium color. Never use more than a total of 4 packages or 2 bottles of Rit Dye. Depending on your washer's brand, the dyeing may be slightly darker than the color represented on the package or bottle.
• For most washable fabrics. Not recommended for 100% polyester, 100% acrylic, 100% acetate or fabrics with special finishes, rubber backing, washable only in cold water or labeled Dry Clean Only.
• Use Rit Color Remover before dyeing fabric to a lighter or different color.

CLEAN UP

Clean washing machine immediately after dyeing has completed using the hottest water setting. Since the machine automatically weighs fabric to determine the water level, be certain to place 3-4 old towels into the washer along with detergent and 1 to 2 cups chlorine bleach. Wipe spills with chlorine bleach solution. Plastic or rubber parts may be tinted but will not stain laundry.

 

Final project, a much more tones down, yet striking wool blanket to keep in Richards truck for added warmth this winter.

So what do you have that could look even better top dyed a new color?

How are you "GREENING" your lifestyle?

I'm looking at new and different ways to green our home environment.  When Richard and I built our home nearly five years ago we implemented many home energy and energy saving ideas.We’ve adopted the philosophy, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!” Part of “making it do” has included refurbishing our outdoor teak wood patio set, painting old picture frames black to hang on a family photo wall, silver tea pots into lamps, making sheets into duvets and other such home projects.

As for re-use, check out the pictures below of great reuse items...

Reuse a plastic basket to store your ribbon without a tangle

Reuse wine glasses and votive candles

Reuse old shutters or panels to add privacy to your garden area

Reuse an old wood display cabinet, keeping a color theme to store miss matched and special treasures

Reuse two bookcases adding a top to store books magazines or Fabrics in this case.  Makes a great desk area.


 What are the things you are doing to re-use and be more energy efficient?

Central Valley is the source for healthy fresh garden salads

Central Valley Year Around Salads

The Central Valley of California has a wonderful reputation as having the best and fresher fruits and vegetables. In fact this area of California has been known as "The Food Basket of the World"

In 1880 irrigation was introduced to central valley to be one of the future biggest AgriculturalValley in the World.  Today it is known for their great supply of vegetables. oranges, peaches, garlic, tangerines, tomatoes, kiwis, hay, alfalfa and numerous other crops that have been harvested with great success.

Why not try your hand at growing a few fresh seasonal salads:

If you're looking to celebrate the garden-fresh goodness of California’s Central Valley bounty, toss together a crisp and refreshing salad.

Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course, just 1 cup of leafy greens counts as a daily serving of fruits and vegetables. Try and eat what’s fresh and in season. And for any salad....

Try these healthy and fresh Central Valley add in’s!

• Raisins

• Sunflower kernels

• Water-packed tuna

• Melon balls

• Diced apple

• Almonds

• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

• Mandarin oranges

• Water chestnuts

• Berries

• Sliced peaches or mango

• Chopped avocado

A few of my favorites!

Yuba Ranchers Salad

• 2 heads romaine lettuce (about 1 1/4 pounds total), torn into bite-size pieces

• 2 cucumbers (about 1 3/4 pounds total), peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into thin half-moon shapes

• 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced

• 1 1/2 cups pitted Kalamata olives

• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

• 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, cucumbers, onion, and olives. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Drizzle with vinegar and oil; toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Stockton's Fresh Ranch Dressing

1 Cup Buttermilk

1/3 Cup Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons chopped Fresh Parsley

1 Small Clove Garlic -- minced

1/2 Teaspoon Granulated sugar

1/2 Teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 Teaspoon dry mustard

1 Pinch pepper

Preparation:

In small bowl, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, parsley, garlic, sugar, dillweed, mustard and pepper. Cover and refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Clovis - Strawberry Summer Salad

Not all salad greens are created equal, however. In general, the darker the leaves, the more nutritious they are. Dark greens are usually loaded with beta-carotene and often supply far more vitamins and nutrients than iceberg lettuce. The addition of mixing in spinach will help your ___. Also seasonal fresh strawberries help boost your vitamin ___ White onions add are sweet onions and add to the sweetness of this salad.

Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped

• 2 bunches fresh spinach - chopped, washed and dried

• 1 pint fresh California strawberries, sliced

• 1 sweet white onion, sliced

Poppy seed Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

• 1/3 cup white sugar

• 1/4 cup milk

• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Add on’s

Slivered almonds or candied walnuts

Directions

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, spinach, strawberries and sliced onion.

2. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, milk and poppy seeds. Shake well and pour the dressing over salad. Toss until evenly coated.

Davis Pear and Blue Cheese Fall Salad

Ingredients

• 1 bowl mixed field greens torn into small bite size pieces

• 1/8 cup sliced red onion (optional)

• 1 Bartlett pear, cored and sliced

• 1/4 cup chopped candied pecans

• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Sweet Salad Dressing

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup walnut oil

Directions

1. Place the salad greens in a large bowl. Add the red onion, pear, pecans, and blue cheese, and toss to mix evenly.

2. To make the dressing, place the maple syrup, vinegar, mayonnaise, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a blender, and blend thoroughly. With the motor running, slowly pour in the walnut oil. Blend until mixture becomes creamy, about 1 minute. Pour 4-6 tablespoons at a time over salad mixture, and toss to coat greens evenly. Serve immediately.

3. To make candied pecans warm brown sugar over flame and stir in pecans, sugar turns to liquid then pull from heat (be careful not to burn sugar) and lay out pecans on wax paper separating them with wooden spoon.



Persimon and blood orange, both Placer County specialties

 Auburn’s Autumn Persimmon Green Salad

Dressing

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons walnut oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Salad

1 small bunch green leaf lettuce, torn into 2" pieces

1 large bunch watercress, stems removed

6 ounces mixed baby greens

2 medium persimmons, peeled, halved and thinly sliced

1 Blood red orange

Honey Walnuts

3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Directions:

1.In a small, heavy saucepan, boil orange juice and orange peel over medium high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk in vegetable oil, walnut oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and cinnamon.

Richards famouse Sugared Walnuts To make the honey walnuts:

In a small fry pan over medium heat, sauté walnuts until hot, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Drizzle with sugar, quickly stir, and remove from heat. . Transfer nuts to a plate to cool and separate as you go the nuts so they do not stick together.

Place all greens in a large salad bowl and toss together. Add dressing. Toss to coat. Top with persimmon slices. Sprinkle salad with walnuts

Hemet's Fresh Broccoli Salad

This is a broccoli salad with real California raisins and local sunflower seeds, and a dressing made with Miracle Whip Salad Dressing and sugar and vinegar. Sweet!

• 1 bunch broccoli, cut up

• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onions

• 1/2 lb. bacon cooked, crumbled

• 1 cup raisins (I didn't use quite so much)

• 1/2 cup diced celery

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Dressing:

• 1 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing

• 4 teaspoons sugar

• 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

PREPARATION:

In a large serving bowl, combine broccoli and other salad ingredients. Mix dressing ingredients together, pour over salad ingredients and toss gently.

 Year Around - Bakersfield Mexi-Cali Salad

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

• 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and well drained

• 3/4 cup chopped seeded tomato

• 3/4 cup chopped peeled jicama

• 3/4 cup fresh corn kernels, uncooked (or frozen or canned)

• 3/4 cup thinly sliced radishes

• Half a ripe avocado, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese

Dressing

• 1 clove garlic

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 1/4 cup honey

• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

• Pinch of salt to taste

• 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl .In separate bowl, mix dressing ingredient

2. Place the garlic clove, and into a food processor or blender; pulse until the garlic is finely chopped. Pour in the lime juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, and salt, add the cilantro leaves; pulse a few times to blend. Turn the food processor or blender on, and slowly drizzle in the olive oil until incorporated into the dressing. Season to taste with salt before serving.

3. Pour dressing over mixture and toss again.

So Now try it, go on out and make yourself a garden fresh salad.. Then tell me your favorite recipee

Think Green this Earth Day!

Think Green!

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22nd… and we can think of no better time to start doing what we can to protect the environment and make the world a better place for future generations. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly tips for better health and sustainable living. We’d love to hear more ideas from you, so please share!

• Instead of driving everywhere, consider walking, biking or using public transit when you can.

• Carpool whenever possible.

• Keep your tires inflated. It saves fuel and tires, and it lowers emissions.

• Doing lots of traveling and commuting? Offset your carbon footprint at www.carbonfund.org.

• Plant a tree! They absorb carbon dioxide, provide shade, help control water run off and are a natural habitat for animals.

• Let your grass grow longer. Don’t over-water your lawn. Plant native or drought-tolerant plants.

• When gardening, use natural predators instead of pesticides, which are harmful to the environment.

• Get a push mower for your lawn. Traditional gas mowers are terrible for air quality and the environment. If a push mower isn’t a feasible option for you, consider purchasing a plug-in electric model.

• When you’re done mowing, keep your clippings. They make great mulch.

• Get rid of your leaf blower. These too are awful for the environment. Try a broom, or a rake, instead. (Plus, it’s great exercise!)

• Be particular about the fish that you eat. Many species are over-fished, which can have a devastating impact on the ecosystem. Visit www.seafoodwatch.org to learn about sustainably harvested fish. Also, learn more about high mercury content in some seafood species.

• Buy shade-grown coffee to protect bird habitats.

• Think globally, shop locally. Try to buy organic, locally grown food rather than food that has been transported across long distances.

• Shut your blinds or curtains during the day to keep your house cool, reducing the use of air conditioning

• Lower your thermostat in winter; raise it in the summer.

• Turn the lights off when you leave a room.

• Replace your light bulbs with LEDs. They have a much higher lifespan than ordinary bulbs and reduce energy consumption

• Conserve water. Don’t let your faucets run. Run the dishwasher only when it’s full. Collect rain water in barrels and use it for your plants.

• Switch from disposable to reusable products: cups, plates, shopping bags, storage containers.

• Switch from paper napkins to cloth napkins.

• Donate, barter or re-sell items that you no longer use.

• Use environmentally friendly cleansers in your home.

• Reduce, reuse, recycle!

• Avoid buying products that are packaged for single use—such as drinks, candy, etc). Buy in bulk and keep things in reusable containers.

• When purchasing new appliances, make sure that they are Energy Star efficient.

• At the office, use bleach-free, recycled paper and environmentally friendly soy-based ink.

• Volunteer for the environment. Work locally and globally to save natural spaces, reduce pollution and prevent urban sprawl.

• Buy clothes that utilize natural, sustainable and earth-friendly resources.

• Hand wash rather than dry clean whenever possible. If you must dry clean your clothes, go to a dry cleaner that uses nontoxic chemicals and cleaning techniques.

• Do laundry only when you have a full load. Washing requires lots of water and energy, so only do it when necessary. Use the lowest possible temperature possible. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergents. And line-dry as much as possible.

• Teach your children to love and care for the planet.

Cold Weather Gardening -- Guest Blogger, Jenna Strain

Gardening in Wyoming?  

You are probably laughing right off your chair -- most people here even do when I mention my plans.

It's too cold.

It's too windy.

Poor soil quality.

Too few growing days.

Lean your head over to the right to check our soon-to-be plants...

I hear all these things, yet I have decided to keep on keeping on.  Armed with styrofoam cups, crappy soil and various seed packets I have decided to give this gardening gig a whirl.  Who knows what will happen.  Yesterday (later than planned) we decided to plant our seeds.  We have garden beans, beats, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers and squash.  We chose seeds with a growing period of 60 days or less.  We planted them in cups and have set them on our kitchen table next to the window.  We are hoping to see some sprouts in the coming weeks.  We also got onions and strawberries (frost tolerant variety), which we will plant in a month or so directly into the garden.  We are cleaning out a large planter in our backyard.  Clearing our years (and years) of neglect.  

There is a chance that nothing will grow, but we are hoping to at least have a few fresh veggies on our plates this summer.  Wish us luck!

Buy Local

As I am becoming increasingly more interested in my health and about where our fresh food comes from, and how it was grown, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is becoming a more and more popular alternative for getting high quality food from a trusted local farm.

Currently many families in my area are participating in family farm's CSA, Farm Fresh To You. By joining a CSA program families are connecting directly to the farm getting organic, fresh fruits, nuts and vegtables. These boxes of in season locally grown foods contain regular deliveries of nutrient rich, mouth watering, organic produce delivered directly to farmers markets or central locations for pick up. We order the smallest box and I get a box every two weeks. I love the variety and quality and feel the produce lasts much longer than that I have bought in the past in the supermarket.

See how it works or why join Farm Fresh To You.

Food for thought

Eating local foods is better for you, for the environment, and for your taste buds. Every summer I order a local CSA box to encourage me to eat local an eat smart


1. Local Foods Are Fresher (and Taste Better)


Local food is fresher and tastes better. Think you can't taste the difference between lettuce picked yesterday and lettuce picked last week, factory-washed, and sealed in plastic? You can.






And fresh food It lasts longer too.

 2. Local Foods Are Seasonal (and Taste Better)


It must be said: Deprivation leads to greater appreciation. When does a cozy room feel best? When you've come in from out of the freezing cold. Fresh corn in season tastes best when you haven't eaten any in 9 or 10 months--long enough for its taste to be a slightly blurred memory that is suddenly awakened with that first bite of the season. Eating locally means eating seasonally, with all the deprivation and resulting pleasure that accompanies it.


3. Local Foods Usually Have Less Environmental Impact


Those thousands of miles some food is shipped? That leads to a big carbon footprint for a little bunch of herbs. Look for farmers who follow organic and sustainable growing practices and energy use to minimize your food's environmental impact.


4. Local Foods Preserve Green Space & Farmland


The environmental question of where you food comes from is bigger than its "carbon footprint." By buying foods grown and raised closer to where you live, you help maintain farmland and green space in your area.


5. Local Foods Promote Food Safety


The fewer steps there are between your food's source and your table the less chance there is of contamination. Also, when you know where your food comes from and who grows it, you know a lot more about that food. During the e. coli outbreak in spinach in 2006 I knew the spinach in my refrigerator was safe because I knew it was grown in Yolo County by a farmer I knew, and, as importantly, that it didn't come from Salinas County where the outbreak was. (The knowledge would have worked in reverse too: if the outbreak had been in Yolo County instead, I would have known to throw that bunch of greens and scrub down the fridge!)


6. Local Foods Support Your Local Economy


Money spent with local farmers, growers, and artisans and locally-owned purveyors and restaurants all stays close to home, working to build your local economy instead of being handed over to a corporation in another city, state, or country. Since the food moves through fewer hands, more of the money you spend tends to get to the people growing it.






To make the biggest local economic impact with your food budget, seek out producers who pay their workers a fair wage and practice social justice in their business.






7. Local Foods Promote Variety


Local foods create greater variety of foods available. Farmers who run community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), sell at farmers' markets, and provide local restaurants have the demand and the support for raising more types of produce and livestock. Think Brandywines, Early Girls, and Lemon Boys instead of "tomatoes."






8. Local Foods Create Community


Knowing where your food is from connects you to the people who raise and grow it. Instead of having a single relationship--to a big supermarket--you develop smaller connections to more food sources: vendors at the farmers' market, the local cheese shop, your favorite butcher, the co-op that sells local eggs, a local café that roasts coffee.

 http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/local-food-tips-47052805

Where to buy local:

From your local farms – Go to www.eatwell.com or www.localharvest.org to find local sources of everything from fruits and vegetables, to meat and dairy products. Your entire dollar goes to the farmer, and your get more value for your dollar.


From local supermarkets or co-ops that sell locally grown food – New Seasons, Market of Choice, and your neighborhood co-op prioritize selling locally grown food.

At your local Farmers’ Market – Get to know your local farmers and find out about the best deals every week from the people who know the best. A good tip is to look at what is most abundant – the simple laws of supply and demand mean that produce is usually the best deal when it’s at its peak.

At a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm – Buy a share in a local CSA and get local produce delivered to you every week for less than you’d pay at the store! Go to www.localharvest.com for more information.

 At the end of every week, with the left over veggies I make a quiche or pot pie or soup or salad.  I try to use up eaverything and that saves me money!

Eating right make Richard and I Happy and Healthy!