An amazing post that captures my heart on letting go of the fantasy. And finding the wonder of what it is truly.
My Mama's Love: Grieving marriage for the sake of happiness
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My Journey into Organic Living
I've always been a believer in homemade food. Wonderfully prepared, not ultra processed.... regional, seasonal foods.
Seasonal- Buying food that is in season from Farmers Markets ups not only the quality and taste, but eliminates the need to import foreign fruits and veggies that have been grown in questionable conditions and with liberal pesticide regulations. Would you eat from a fruit stand in Mexico? Not if you like the color of your drawers! Imported fruit is not much different.
*Seasonal is not forced to grow out of season... straining the earth even more by forcing it to produce year round.... God made the earth to rest in certain seasons. I have to say I saw watermelon in the store today. It's February.
Local- Though I cannot say I am 100%, I do attempt to remain as local on the majority of my produce and meats. Why?
*I support my local growers that grow quality products, and maintain a small family farms. I can see how they grow their produce, be assured of the passion that lives in a small family farm. Major farms are often owned by grocery conglomerates and subsidized to NOT grow by you and your tax dollars. (Walmart has started to offer organic foods in there stores... Exciting? The masses eating organic? NO! Walmart as the mighty evil is using their major $ and power to change the organic laws for EVERYONE! Basically, by the time they are done the item will no longer be organic because they want cheap and it takes more work to grow organically. They don't care about you.) A small family farm bases their existance on their foods and care about what they produce. They have dedicated a fairly non profitable to life to doing what they love. Local farms and food producers are crucial to a healthy and diversified economy. While dollars spent with large corporations almost immediately leave the community, dollars spent on local food products circulate within the community eight to fifteen times, drastically improving the value of your purchase.
*Economic Diversity. Diversified local economies are less susceptible to outside events (e.g. energy costs).
*Less Waste and Pollution
Local food means fewer food miles and dramatically reducing transportation, days of refrigeration, and tons of pollution and packaging. Unlike most food in the US that travels 1500 miles and from seven to fourteen days in transport to reach your plate, local food is usually harvested within 24 hours of the time you buy it. How fresh and healthy would you feel after a week on a truck?
*They often use native plants which saves a valuable resource that is becoming eliminated by hybrid, high producing, big farm products. Native seeds are virtually being eliminated. They are resistant to fungus, disease and many other conditions such as drought. Hybrid seeds rape the soil, overuse the water supply, and have NO resistance to disease or drought. What happens when we have a world wide disease that wipes out virtually all of the rice, wheat, corn and other items that we use daily. Overkill? Not really, it is HIGHLY likely! There are groups such as Seeds of Change that attempt to change this outcome by members and companies growing these native seeds to keep the stock alive. With the fall of the USSR thousands of seed banks fell apart and millions of seeds were lost forever. There is a reason that these seed banks exist, and government support of major seed stock is actually a good sign to realize the importance of this issue. Bottom line a native seeds grows in your area because it can be supported naturally by your area.
Did you know that the majority of the apples you buy at the supermarket have been in cold storage and are REALLY old? Yup. The good fresh ones get sent to Japan etc. Not at your local farmers market!
So why Organic?
* Well there are a million health reasons, but frankly I am just TIRED of being pumped full of hormones and pesticides. I am tired of ruining the natural balance of the earth.
I am not a tree hugger. I am not a vegan. I am realistic about the extended costs of Organic, Free Range etc. I am poor. ;)
So here is the steps I am taking.... thus far.
---I'm starting with the local, seasonal. NOT expensive! Farmers markets offer perfect veggies, and fruits inexpensively.
--- Find a egg seller, they are somewhere in every town. Keep your eyes peeled for a little sign that says says EGGS on the side of the road. They have their own chickens and most likely cannot use the amount of eggs produced. They are fresh, and cheaper than the super market. NO hormones! Roaming free range chickens! Easy.
--- If I buy produce that is not local...it happens... I like some of the flavors of the world! I buy organic, especially if I eat the whole thing.( i.e. I do not have to peel it first. )
--- Organic milk- easy. I can afford that. I have a friend who has only given her daughter organic milk since she started drinking it. I had not even considered the effect of all the hormones on such small children seriously.
They also are coming out with studies that adult acne is caused by the hormones pumped into our systems day after day.
Weight loss. My mother takes steroids for her disease. They make her instantly gain 50 lbs. She has passed 350lbs now. What do you think the steroids and hormones that are convincing a cow she is permanently with child do to your body?
--- It almost suprises me to say it, but cook, BBQ! If you can't be convinced to cook at least the majority of the week... Watch Super Size ME! It's not hard. Taco salad? Crock pot? Let it cook while you are away! Chicken? Spaghetti? Easy!
---Teach children how to grow food — Plant a vegetable garden with children and help them plan and prepare a meal.
In the future-
--- I will attempt to grow my own items, invest in a bison or a cow with a friend, and share the costs of raising it.
--- Grow my produce! I want to maintain my own garden. Organically. Shared garden?
--- Join a farm co-op! Lately it's become a popular and successful undertaking for farmers selling everything from dairy products to fresh produce. Co-ops allow family farmers to combine their efforts, avoid the retail market and earn more money for their products by selling directly to consumers. While farmers in co-ops take control of their business, they need to do more, like market their products, and establish a delivery system. These extras cost money. That means customers can sometimes pay more than they would at the grocery store. As the movement grows it will lower in cost. I thouroughly believe in the worth.
www.pugetsoundfresh.org
* Heres the breakdown-
You purchase a “share” from a farm, which
entitles you to weekly deliveries of fresh produce
throughout a designated season. You pick
up your share at the farm or at a convenient drop
off site. This arrangement gives you access to
the freshest produce available at reasonable
prices and a direct connection to “your” farm
and food source. Farmers benefit by having a
reliablemarket and a direct relationship with
their customers.
Some Links
THE MAJORS
When are things in season? I never know anymore when everything is at Safeway all the time?
Click here! http://smallfarms.wsu.edu/farms/harvest_schedule.asp
King County seasonal guide and farm finder! http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms
Farm Guide- http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/pdf/2006farmguide2.pdf
Washington Farmers Community Shares (i.e. owning a partial share of a farm) Guide- http://www.pugetsoundfresh.com/pdf/2006CSABroch.pdf
Groceries that Sell & Support Local Produce!
Whole Foods Stores-Organic Local Produce and millions of other things. America's FIRST certified Organic Grocier
HIS Garden & Bakery - 28 S.E. 12th St., College Place, WA 99324. 509-525-1040.
Orcas Home Grown Market & Deli- 8 N. Beach Rd. Eastsound, WA 98245. 360-376-2009.
Marlene's Market & Deli - 31839 Gateway Center Blvd. South, Federal Way, WA 98003. 253-839-0933.
Whole Foods Market - 3122 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, WA 98335-2124. 253-853-3684.
Central Market - 20148 10th Ave. NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370. 360-779-1881.
Sunny Farms Country Store - 261461 Hwy. 101, Sequim, WA 98382. 360-683-8003.
Lorien Herbs & Natural Foods Inc. - 1102 S. Perry St.., Spokane, WA 99202. 509-456-0702.
Pilgrims Nutrition - 210 N. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201. 509-747-5622.
Marlene's Market & Deli - 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, WA 98409. 253-472-4080.
Nature's - A Wild Oats Market - 8024 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98664. 360-695-8878. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
And of course the wonderful PCC's of Washington. http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/. The PCC Farmland Trust works to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. The Trust's focus is on large, functional landscapes of local, regional and statewide importance so protection can be extended to biodiversity and wildlife habitat as well as to farmers and farming communities.
The PCC Farmland Trust is an independent, community-supported 501(c)(3) land trust. It was founded in 1999 by PCC Natural Markets as a separate, non-profit organization.
Purposes
-Land for farming and wildlife.
-Livelihood for farmers and farming communities.
-Local, fresh organic produce
-Loyalty between people who grow the food and the people who eat it.
Links to sustainable farming
WSU -Calendar of courses if you are REALLY interested in sustainable farming
http://csanr.wsu.edu/calendar/index.asp
Seasonal- Buying food that is in season from Farmers Markets ups not only the quality and taste, but eliminates the need to import foreign fruits and veggies that have been grown in questionable conditions and with liberal pesticide regulations. Would you eat from a fruit stand in Mexico? Not if you like the color of your drawers! Imported fruit is not much different.
*Seasonal is not forced to grow out of season... straining the earth even more by forcing it to produce year round.... God made the earth to rest in certain seasons. I have to say I saw watermelon in the store today. It's February.
Local- Though I cannot say I am 100%, I do attempt to remain as local on the majority of my produce and meats. Why?
*I support my local growers that grow quality products, and maintain a small family farms. I can see how they grow their produce, be assured of the passion that lives in a small family farm. Major farms are often owned by grocery conglomerates and subsidized to NOT grow by you and your tax dollars. (Walmart has started to offer organic foods in there stores... Exciting? The masses eating organic? NO! Walmart as the mighty evil is using their major $ and power to change the organic laws for EVERYONE! Basically, by the time they are done the item will no longer be organic because they want cheap and it takes more work to grow organically. They don't care about you.) A small family farm bases their existance on their foods and care about what they produce. They have dedicated a fairly non profitable to life to doing what they love. Local farms and food producers are crucial to a healthy and diversified economy. While dollars spent with large corporations almost immediately leave the community, dollars spent on local food products circulate within the community eight to fifteen times, drastically improving the value of your purchase.
*Economic Diversity. Diversified local economies are less susceptible to outside events (e.g. energy costs).
*Less Waste and Pollution
Local food means fewer food miles and dramatically reducing transportation, days of refrigeration, and tons of pollution and packaging. Unlike most food in the US that travels 1500 miles and from seven to fourteen days in transport to reach your plate, local food is usually harvested within 24 hours of the time you buy it. How fresh and healthy would you feel after a week on a truck?
*They often use native plants which saves a valuable resource that is becoming eliminated by hybrid, high producing, big farm products. Native seeds are virtually being eliminated. They are resistant to fungus, disease and many other conditions such as drought. Hybrid seeds rape the soil, overuse the water supply, and have NO resistance to disease or drought. What happens when we have a world wide disease that wipes out virtually all of the rice, wheat, corn and other items that we use daily. Overkill? Not really, it is HIGHLY likely! There are groups such as Seeds of Change that attempt to change this outcome by members and companies growing these native seeds to keep the stock alive. With the fall of the USSR thousands of seed banks fell apart and millions of seeds were lost forever. There is a reason that these seed banks exist, and government support of major seed stock is actually a good sign to realize the importance of this issue. Bottom line a native seeds grows in your area because it can be supported naturally by your area.
Did you know that the majority of the apples you buy at the supermarket have been in cold storage and are REALLY old? Yup. The good fresh ones get sent to Japan etc. Not at your local farmers market!
So why Organic?
* Well there are a million health reasons, but frankly I am just TIRED of being pumped full of hormones and pesticides. I am tired of ruining the natural balance of the earth.
I am not a tree hugger. I am not a vegan. I am realistic about the extended costs of Organic, Free Range etc. I am poor. ;)
So here is the steps I am taking.... thus far.
---I'm starting with the local, seasonal. NOT expensive! Farmers markets offer perfect veggies, and fruits inexpensively.
--- Find a egg seller, they are somewhere in every town. Keep your eyes peeled for a little sign that says says EGGS on the side of the road. They have their own chickens and most likely cannot use the amount of eggs produced. They are fresh, and cheaper than the super market. NO hormones! Roaming free range chickens! Easy.
--- If I buy produce that is not local...it happens... I like some of the flavors of the world! I buy organic, especially if I eat the whole thing.( i.e. I do not have to peel it first. )
--- Organic milk- easy. I can afford that. I have a friend who has only given her daughter organic milk since she started drinking it. I had not even considered the effect of all the hormones on such small children seriously.
They also are coming out with studies that adult acne is caused by the hormones pumped into our systems day after day.
Weight loss. My mother takes steroids for her disease. They make her instantly gain 50 lbs. She has passed 350lbs now. What do you think the steroids and hormones that are convincing a cow she is permanently with child do to your body?
--- It almost suprises me to say it, but cook, BBQ! If you can't be convinced to cook at least the majority of the week... Watch Super Size ME! It's not hard. Taco salad? Crock pot? Let it cook while you are away! Chicken? Spaghetti? Easy!
---Teach children how to grow food — Plant a vegetable garden with children and help them plan and prepare a meal.
In the future-
--- I will attempt to grow my own items, invest in a bison or a cow with a friend, and share the costs of raising it.
--- Grow my produce! I want to maintain my own garden. Organically. Shared garden?
--- Join a farm co-op! Lately it's become a popular and successful undertaking for farmers selling everything from dairy products to fresh produce. Co-ops allow family farmers to combine their efforts, avoid the retail market and earn more money for their products by selling directly to consumers. While farmers in co-ops take control of their business, they need to do more, like market their products, and establish a delivery system. These extras cost money. That means customers can sometimes pay more than they would at the grocery store. As the movement grows it will lower in cost. I thouroughly believe in the worth.
www.pugetsoundfresh.org
* Heres the breakdown-
You purchase a “share” from a farm, which
entitles you to weekly deliveries of fresh produce
throughout a designated season. You pick
up your share at the farm or at a convenient drop
off site. This arrangement gives you access to
the freshest produce available at reasonable
prices and a direct connection to “your” farm
and food source. Farmers benefit by having a
reliablemarket and a direct relationship with
their customers.
Some Links
THE MAJORS
When are things in season? I never know anymore when everything is at Safeway all the time?
Click here! http://smallfarms.wsu.edu/farms/harvest_schedule.asp
King County seasonal guide and farm finder! http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms
Farm Guide- http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/pdf/2006farmguide2.pdf
Washington Farmers Community Shares (i.e. owning a partial share of a farm) Guide- http://www.pugetsoundfresh.com/pdf/2006CSABroch.pdf
Groceries that Sell & Support Local Produce!
Whole Foods Stores-Organic Local Produce and millions of other things. America's FIRST certified Organic Grocier
HIS Garden & Bakery - 28 S.E. 12th St., College Place, WA 99324. 509-525-1040.
Orcas Home Grown Market & Deli- 8 N. Beach Rd. Eastsound, WA 98245. 360-376-2009.
Marlene's Market & Deli - 31839 Gateway Center Blvd. South, Federal Way, WA 98003. 253-839-0933.
Whole Foods Market - 3122 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, WA 98335-2124. 253-853-3684.
Central Market - 20148 10th Ave. NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370. 360-779-1881.
Sunny Farms Country Store - 261461 Hwy. 101, Sequim, WA 98382. 360-683-8003.
Lorien Herbs & Natural Foods Inc. - 1102 S. Perry St.., Spokane, WA 99202. 509-456-0702.
Pilgrims Nutrition - 210 N. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201. 509-747-5622.
Marlene's Market & Deli - 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, WA 98409. 253-472-4080.
Nature's - A Wild Oats Market - 8024 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98664. 360-695-8878. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
And of course the wonderful PCC's of Washington. http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/. The PCC Farmland Trust works to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. The Trust's focus is on large, functional landscapes of local, regional and statewide importance so protection can be extended to biodiversity and wildlife habitat as well as to farmers and farming communities.
The PCC Farmland Trust is an independent, community-supported 501(c)(3) land trust. It was founded in 1999 by PCC Natural Markets as a separate, non-profit organization.
Purposes
-Land for farming and wildlife.
-Livelihood for farmers and farming communities.
-Local, fresh organic produce
-Loyalty between people who grow the food and the people who eat it.
Links to sustainable farming
WSU -Calendar of courses if you are REALLY interested in sustainable farming
http://csanr.wsu.edu/calendar/index.asp
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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