gross

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20019844-10391704.html

I'm just sayin....the farmers market is looking better and better by the minute.

Farmer's market

I went to the farmer's market this weekend. There weren't very many stands left open by the time I got there. It was pretty late. Plus the Razorback game was about to start. We found a stand with some potatoes, which is what we were looking for. The seller acted like he didn't want to give us the potatoes, then he ask "your not going to take these to the game and throw them at people, are you?" ummmmm...yeah dude. I'm going to buy potatoes from the farmers market so I can go to the Razorback game and throw them. Ugh. He made me so mad!!

Instead of throwing them, we made stir-fry and it was delicious....I should have saved that man some...and then thrown them at him!!

Recipes

I brought some left over vegetables to lunch today and let a co-worker try one of those carrots I was telling you about....she loved it!

It's National Guacamole Day!! Which I think is a fabulous idea...I might have to go get Mexican food tonight just to celebrate the holiday! I found out about this from a blog I subscribe to, and since it's National Guacamole Day, you can get a free coupon for Wholly Guacamole. Here is the website http://homegatinghq.com/wholly-guacamole

I also wanted to share some of the websites I like for organic recipes.
http://www.eatwholly.com/index.php?option=com_recipes&Itemid=217
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/
http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/
http://www.simplyorganicfoods.com/store.php?Screen=recipes

Well, have a great Guacamole Day!!

Love me some carrots

I got some baby carrots at the farmers market last weekend. It is so amazing how different these carrots taste from conventional carrots. It taste like a totally different vegetable. I had vegetables for dinner tonight. Yes...just vegetables.

My little adventure

When I went to California this summer, I was fully introduced to organic food. In San Fransisco, that's just what everyone eats. It's normal. Here in Arkansas, Wal-mart food and fast food is normal. I was interested in learning more about this "organic" food everyone was eatting. At first, I thought it was just a bunch of rich people who liked to gripe about stuff in their food. Come to find out, you don't have to be rich at all to eat organic....and they kinda do have a lot to gripe about!

As soon as I got back to Arkansas I started my research... you know, googling everything I could think of. I found "The dirty dozen." The top foods you should always buy organic. For instance...I love strawberries. I can eat strawberries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In non-organic strawberries, there are 54 total residues: 8 know or probable carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disruptor, 11 neurotoxins, and 12 developmental/reproductive toxicants. In organic strawberries, tere are 6 toal residues: 1 know or probable carcinogen, 2 suspected hormone disruptor, and 1 developmental/reproductive toxicants. I know I don't have a math degree or anything, but I know that 6 is a lot less than 54. For a list of the dirty dozen see http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214

After I learned that there were 12 developmental/reproductive toxicants in strawberries, I wanted to know more about this. I thought about all the little kids in my life that are being exposed to all of these pesticides. I found studies on children who eat organic food vs conventional food. I found a study that links ADHD to pesticide exposure. Yes, for all of you research people. One study. But it is a new topic and I'm sure there will be more studies to strengthen this conclusion. Here are a few links for that. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3058v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Bouchard+%2B+ADHD&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT

http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/study-links-adhd-to-pesticide-exposure-from-conventional-produce/

So, I begin my adventure...how do I do this? Back to google I go. I was worried about it costing more than conventional food. That's when I came on this blog... http://www.rebeccablood.net/thriftyo/2007/04/the_organic_thrifty_food_plan_1.html
This woman ate organic food on a food stamp income. Every blog I read, she had money left over each week.In her blog she talked about her local CSA...local CSA? What? Back to google. I found out that it was Community Supported Agriculture. I found the Arkansas CSA...thanks google. (what would we do without google?) I found out that they have a basket a month program. Huh? So, I continued reading. When you join the BAM program you not only get great food each month, you support farmers in Arkansas. So, that means your food doesn't go miles and miles and miles on a truck and you get organic deliciousness? SIGN ME UP! Here is the link if you are interested. http://www.arkansasfood.net/bam.php

I recieved my first basket last weekend. I was so excited!! In my basket: sweet potatoes, gallon of milk, shiitake mushrooms, brown rice, apples, pears, peppers, cucumbers, turnips, mustard greens, squash, jalopeno cheese, and sausage. I also bought extra a roast, ground beefalo, and 2 ribeyes. Whoa!

My first meal didn't end up how I wanted it to, but it was ok...the rice...I had some difficulty with the rice...to say the least. The ribeyes were not as good as they could have been, but again...it's ok. I'm learning. The sweet potatoes on Sunday were delicious....maybe because I smoothered them in brown sugar...ha!

I have also started going to the Farmers Market each weekend. Not only do you get great food, it is entertaining. Lots of music, animals, and activities to do each week. I love it! I also love the farmer's market flowers...so beautiful!

So, my adventure begins....