Why do organic plums taste so good?

[Susan Otcenas]

Wow, that's a huge CSA share, Susan! Do you split it with other people?

Nope. Jeff & I eat a diet very heavy in fruits & veggies. It wasn't always that way; once upon a time I rarely bought "green things". But I have far more respect for my body these days, and what I ask of it. A diet composed of not much more than meat, starches and fats was not healthy and was making us both fat.

Now I have vegetables at nearly every meal, breakfast included (I made a kick@ss omelette this morning with spinach, mushrooms, basil, chives & feta, most ingredients being from the CSA). Some evenings I make nothing BUT veggies for dinner. Big piles of cauliflower, broccoli, squash, kale, seaweed, zucchini, etc., with my favorite ginger-miso dressing for some zing. Maybe some beans or quinoa on the side. We still eat meat (sometimes), but it's no longer the centerpiece of the meal.

I can't say that I get through 100% of our share 100% of the time, though. A few weeks ago we got 4 heads of lettuce. Didn't quite make it through all of those. I have 3 kholrabi in my fridge that I haven't decided what to do with yet; need to figure something out before they spoil. (Last year I did a kholrab-cabbage-carrot slaw that was pretty tasty.) I don't always get through all the cabbage we get. But the vast majority gets consumed pretty readily.

One thing I've found to be very important is to spend at least one evening per week cleaning, cutting and prepping the veggies. I don't want to have to go home after work and wash & chop stuff just to make dinner. By the time I get home, I'm HUNGRY and I need to get something on the stove quickly, before I either a) make a bad food choice instead (a la "screw it, I'll just make a pot of pasta; the veggies can rot!") or b) toss my hands in the air and go out for sushi.

[sookiesue]

We also prioritize organic, local food in our budget. We recently evaluated our expenses and realized that we do spend a lot more on food than most families probably do, but like GLC we also consider it an investment in our health and especially the health of our children, and a step in the positive direction in taking care of our planet.

In working on our budget, we decided to cut out going to restaurants except for a few special occasions and we are saving money by buying food to make at home, even if the food is more expensive, organic choices.

It does make me a little sad when I hear other people talk about how they 'can't afford' organic foods, but they drive large trucks around town or go on many fancy vacations each year. They really CAN afford it, it's just not a priority. There's a difference.

I really wish that healthy food was more easily available to those who truly have financial struggles, and I think that if there were more people who supported - in fact, demanded - organic or at least local and sustainable farming, that could eventually turn the tides and help make it accessible to everyone.

Think of the long-term health benefits to the population if everyone had access to fresh fruits and vegetables every day!

[Veronica]

NerdFitness had an interesting post about priorities today.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Susan - if you ever have cabbage that you won't use, call us! Cabbage is a staple in our diet now and we can only grow so much due to space (and aphids).

[Blueberry]

I have a farmer who grew napa cabbage just for me She sold it well, but there were always 2-3 large heads waiting for me in season. It'll be back in the fall. Homemade kimchi, cabbage salad (use instead of lettuce), various sautes, etc, etc. LOVE cabbage!!

[GLC1968]

I have a farmer who grew napa cabbage just for me She sold it well, but there were always 2-3 large heads waiting for me in season. It'll be back in the fall. Homemade kimchi, cabbage salad (use instead of lettuce), various sautes, etc, etc. LOVE cabbage!!

We use the regular head cabbage as 'noodles' in about a billion different recipes. And the leaves make great taco 'shells', too!

[Susan Otcenas]

NerdFitness had an interesting post about priorities today.

The bit about not enough time to clean the house...ouch.

[Veronica]

The bit about not enough time to clean the house...ouch.

My excuse was I killed the vacuum. My new vacuum came today - darn that Amazon Prime!

Sometimes NF is just geeky. Other times it really resonates with me.

Veronica

[Adventure Girl]

My excuse was I killed the vacuum. My new vacuum came today - darn that Amazon Prime!

Is it a Dyson?

[Veronica]

Is it a Dyson?

LOL

No.

Veronica

[Blueberry]

The bit about not enough time to clean the house...ouch.

Oh I'll say it - riding my bike is much more of a priority than cleaning my house. Keeping my house model clean: not a priority. Keeping my house sanitary = a priority (no dirty dishes in the sink; minimal mold in the bath, etc.).

[GLC1968]

. Keeping my house model clean: not a priority. Keeping my house sanitary = a priority (no dirty dishes in the sink; minimal mold in the bath, etc.).

I love your strategic use of the word 'minimal' here!

My house is rarely clean for more than a couple of hours at a time when company comes over. With three large dogs, a cat, a farm, surrounded by farms constantly in harvest of one thing or another AND construction going on in all three bathrooms, the deck and the kitchen...clean is a dirty word in my vocabulary.

I'm happy when I'm clean. Screw the house.

[Blueberry]

I love your strategic use of the word 'minimal' here!

Heh. I clean it - it comes back pretty quickly (stupid claw foot tub with 2 shower curtains will do that). With 3 felines - same thing. The dog is in residence at my dad's until cooler weather (at least) - but 3 felines, 2 people and all the bikes in the house is bad enough....

[sookiesue]

i love your strategic use of the word 'minimal' here!

my house is rarely clean for more than a couple of hours at a time when company comes over. With three large dogs, a cat, a farm, surrounded by farms constantly in harvest of one thing or another and construction going on in all three bathrooms, the deck and the kitchen...clean is a dirty word in my vocabulary.

I'm happy when i'm clean. Screw the house.

++++1!

but two kids, two cats, one dog, and not as much construction.