how to really love a child

food delight of the day

walter harvey's heritage tomatoes from market with backyard garlic & basil, maison coté unrefined salt & pepper and a whisper of olive oil.  oh my!

getting to know your food - GATES FOUNDATION INVESTS IN MONSANTO

we often talk about knowing where our food comes from - the importance of connecting with those growing & producing our food.  it is also important to understand the ownership & who is controlling our food.  check out the link for more information on the bill & melinda gates foundation $23.1 million investment in monsanto.

http://www.seattleglobaljustice.org/2010/08/for-immediate-release-gates-foundation-invests-in-monsanto/

trout lake farmers market

i will vending at the trout lake farmers market this saturday, august 28 9am - 2pm (see events page for full details).  i will have my foodie photography (framed photos in local reclaimed wood, postcards, photocards & magnets).  i will also have my community letter writing project on the go.  pop round, say hi, add a few lines to a group written letter, and rediscover the fine art of letter writing!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145411618825515

quick & easy summer dinner

quick & easy summer dinner

organic fraser valley patty pan squash, tomatoes, onion, backyard basil, oregano & garlic, unrefined salt & pepper
slice & layer in a casserole dish.  cover & pop into over preheated to 350.  bake for 30 minutes, remove cover and bake for another 10 minutes.  top with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and serve with salad.  side of brown rice goes nicely as well.

philosophy of living

"I have done my best: that is about all the philosophy of living one needs." ~Lin-yutang

big sugar

Big Sugar explores the dark history and modern power of the world’s reigning sugar cartels.

Using dramatic reenactments, it reveals how sugar was at the heart of slavery in the West Indies in the 18th century, while showing how present-day consumers are slaves to a sugar-based diet.

Going undercover, Big Sugar witnesses the appalling working conditions on plantations in the Dominican Republic, where Haitian cane cutters live like slaves.

Workers who live on Central Romano, a Fanjul-owned plantation, go hungry while working 12-hour days to earn $2 (US).

the true cost of food

wondering about the benefits of eating locally & the *true* cost of food? check out this animated short by the sierra club

 

fava bean crisis averted

mondays are a highlight of the week for me.  it is the day i receive my csa (community supported agriculture) box from the farm.  fraser common farm in aldergrove, bc to be exact.  i've been with the csa for several years now, and love it.  each week my refrigerator & soul is filled with farm fresh nourishment.  i eat locally & seasonally, support some of my favourite local farmers, and know exactly where my food is coming from.

i was excited by the fresh fava beans that arrived this week.  i immediately shelled them & put them on to cook.  they don't take long to cook, i like them still quite firm.  so, when i was distracted by a whole shelf of books falling from their usual perch on one of my bookcases, they overcooked.  tragedy!

removing the beans from their skins, i found they were far softer than i would normally cook them to.  but they were still tasty.  hmmm... i simply mashed them in a bowl with fresh lemon juice, unrefinded sea salt and some fresh garlic from the farm.  presto - a tasty fava bean dip.  delicious!