I thought it would be fun just to write about why I love being a part of a CSA program. Sometimes I think people believe it's going to be too much work to figure out what to do with the veggies and fruits in the box or that it's more expensive than going to the store. Yes it does take some getting used to cooking with what you have but what I've found is that it forces me out of my comfort zone and I explore more cookbooks and recipes. There's even an app for your iphone and ipad from Real Simple where you can plug in the ingredients you have on hand and how much time you have to cook and it will give you recipes. I mean you can't get much easier than that. So if your pantry and fridge are stocked with some basics - pasta, breadcrumbs, rice, chicken or veggie broth, olive oil, vinegars, beans, canned tomatoes, parm. cheese, feta cheese, milk then you can make just about anything. So for me being a part of a CSA is just fun! I get to be creative and I know that the food I am eating was just picked within 24hrs. This may not seem like a big deal but most of the nutrition content of food is gone within a few days of being picked. So how much nutrition is left in that apple that's been sitting on the grocery shelf and before that in the back room and before that on a refrigerated truck and before that in the cold storage of a warehouse?
You can taste the difference that the freshness makes...just ask your kids. Do an experiment...get carrots, apples, celery, and lettuce from the store and then do a side-by-side blind taste test and see what they choose...then ask them why they chose it. Kids have no biasis and are open books - they will tell you the harsh truth. I am curious, let me know how your experiments go. I will do the same and get back to you!
Another reason I really love being a part of a CSA is that I know where my food comes from, I can meet and have a conversation with the people that grow the food we eat. That's awesome! That connection alone makes a huge difference in how I prepare, eat, and enjoy my food. Having a connection with your food growers is an amazing gift! If you haven't already done so give your farm a call or send them a message to let them know how much you love your produce box and what you've made with it. Nothing makes them happier than to know you love their food as much as they do!
I came across this little 5 minute video on you-tube about what it meanst to be part of a CSA....hope you enjoy!
Create a delicious life for you and your family!
Leslie
2011 is bringing lots of "VITAL" Changes to the Beach Cities!
Last week was very exciting for everyone here in the Beach Cities of Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach....the Vitality City Initiative had it's big kick-off and lots of amazing focus groups for residents, business owners, teachers, etc to participate in. We are blessed that Healthways and Blue Zones have teamed together to form this amazing 3yr program called Vitality City...they will be working with our local Beach Cities Health District to institute programs designed around what our citizens want. We were chosen to be part of their pilot program and will receive fantastic overall "well-being" benefits as a result. Here's just a few of the changes that will happen over the next 3 years:
Improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure - it will be safer to walk and bike to school, work, and around the beach cities School and workplace policies - for better nutrition choices and wellness plans Healthy Plant-based cooking classes Restaurant menus will have healthier choices Opportunities to improve social connectedness through walking groups, volunteering, purpose workshops, community gardens
This is a huge undertaking and I commend and applaud and completely support the Vitality City Plan. I urge all of you to become involved. You can register at www.vitalitycity.com and sign up for focus groups that you want to give your opinion on. That's the great thing, your voice counts ...so let it be heard. If you can't make a focus group then fill out their online feedback form to let them know what changes you want to see in your city! Join Vitality City on facebook and keep yourself updated to upcoming events and focus groups.
The goal of this plan is that we will live longer, healthier, happier lives as a result of the vitality city plan. Yeah! And even better...our kids will live longer, happier lives! Click here for more media info on the plan. Did you know that the residents living in the 5 Blue Zones studied around the world lived an average of 12 years longer than us! I certainly want to live 12 healthy and happy years longer as a result of this plan.
Did you know that in 2005 it marked for the first time in American history that our kids future was worse than their parents? Previous generations (before 2005) could always say their kids would be better off than their parents. This is devistating news to me. I will do everything in my power to make sure my kids will have a bright and healthy future. This is the very reason I started Farm2Table Connect, I wanted everyone in my community to have an easy way to get healthy farm-fresh produce. I hope you are enjoying our program...help us spread the word to others in your community or even friends and family in other areas! We will help connect them with their local farm...we're growing and have many new farms in CA and other states that are interested in reaching all of you.
Send your friends, family, and neighbors a message through our site and invite them to participate. The more the merrier!
I will keep you all updated on the progress of the Vitality City and how we can all help bring healthy change to our cities!
