How does your garden grow?

Above is a picture of our garden at the house (my mother's house that is, not the apartment). We planted most of it about a week or so ago, and added more within the past few days. We have lettuce, a variety of tomatoes, my one lonesome sunflower, a variety of peppers, zucchini, squash, musk melon, watermelon, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, parsley, basil, scallions/onions, beans, chives, rosemary, etc. I think we have a pretty decent garden and I am excited for the tasty, fresh, wonderful feeling of eating fruits and vegetables from your own garden! Any friends live within a 1-2 hr (or less) radius, feel free to get some veggies from me :). 

I hope with the warm weather coming up, you are gardening or hitting up your local farmers markets! The weather is nice and you have no excuses as to why you can't support your local economy, even if it's just one thing...my philosophy is: every penny counts :). Also, remember to buy fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, especially if you are buying them from the grocery store, because there are so many issues that go along with buying fruit out of season! A great date or activity would be to hit up your local farmer's market or roadside produce stand and stock up on fresh in-season items...and helping small businesses...or perhaps going strawberry picking (and blueberry & raspberry when they are in season!) ...just an idea. But seriously, even if you have a small space, try and grow just one vegetable...like tomatoes...or lettuce! Trust me, it will not only make you feel better to get vitamin D while planting, you'll also feel accomplished when  you actually see and use the produce :).

I have been thinking...another way to support your local economy is to order stuff that is from local places. The other day, when I was in the southern tier (of NYS) for work, I was about 2 hours from wine country...and I looked at the wine list and saw all the fancy chardonnay's from California, then I saw the semi-local NYS wine and I of course picked that! Boy, I am glad I did! It was delicious! Can you sense my excitement? It also felt good to know I purchased something that was from in-state and didn't use much fuel to get here! So when you are out, look at the wine list and try one of the local ones--if available! I also encourage beer drinkers to do the same!! Try one of the locally brewed beers and support your locally economy...it's really simply. I'm not going to lie, every now and then we pine for something that is not locally grown--California avocados-ahem...and it is totally fine to get them, but I think we should all try our best to support our local farms and local economy. 

I am in the process of reading a book that discusses farming and ancient civilizations, with focus on the farm to table concept...I plan on incorporating it into future blogs! 

If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to post them! I love when I get them! Thanks for reading!

and also, hope you all had a great Memorial day :)

Back to Blogging!

I am sorry I have been absent from the blog scene for a few months, but I got extremely busy with school and just did not have the time or the energy to blog. So anyway, I Promise to blog regularly throughout the spring and summer, especially as I go on new food adventures.

 

So a few interesting things I'd like to catch you  up on...My blog is about being sustainable and supporting our local economy (among many other things), and I believe it is important to support your economy in anyway you can, basically don't go 100 miles out of your way to get some product, when there is a good chance that the product is available in your "own backyard". One sustainable concept I really like is--local restaurants supporting local artists (without charging them to display their artwork or commission free), there are several restaurants around that are following this trend...and what a great way to support your economy and your neighbors...instead of wasting gas to go to an art gallery in a far away land from some over priced, but well known artist. If you think about it we can be sustainable in many ways...not just with food! One restaurant that is following this trend is the Wine n' Diner in Albany! The food is great and the concepts are great...and one day we actually got to talk to the owner and he explained the concept of the restaurant, the featuring of the artists, and his inspiration for the meals. Wine n' Diner also has a featured local cheese of the week and let me tell you they are delicious on their burgers--I had a Black truffle cheese- which had black truffle shavings and oil in and on the cheese--and it was absolutely amazing...one of the best burgers I've ever had. While this restaurant is not a direct farm to table restaurant, it still has a great idea and seems to really believe in supporting the local economy/local home/ sustainability concept, which is great !!! This summer I plan on going to many restaurants that work to support their local economy in one way or another, especially with the farm to table movement. Sustainability is easy and more cost effective, the possibilities are endless, and it will help save our earth, so why not do it? I mean honestly...what is so hard to understand?!

I am also super excited, because I bought a book today that deals with the farm to table concept and agriculture in our country. I will definitely mention it in my blog soon!

So another great idea I came across and am doing with my family is doing a shared farm crop. Many local farms are selling shares of their crop in a co-op like fashion, which will give those who buy shares a variety of produce that is grown their. I think this is a great concept...and what is even better is the fact that the crops/shares that aren't sold go to the local food-bank, which is important--especially with obesity rates, unemployment rates, and the high number of people in our own community who don't receive adequate or nutritious meals. I think that everyone should have access to local and affordable produce, regardless of their life circumstances. I think this is also great because it is local and a large portion of the produce is grown organically and because it is local there is no need for pesticides. I also think it is great, because we are reducing our carbon footprints by not buying grocery store(and rather disgusting) produce from California or Florida or Mexico or somewhere in South or Central America. I'd rather get my produce from a local farm, with local roots, supporting a local cause. 

 

I also can't wait to grow our own garden, as we do every year. We always have tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, basil, mint, parsley, lettuce, eggplant, and peppers...I am hoping to grow some scallions/onions this year too...and I can't wait. I encourage you all to grow your own garden or become part of a community share...or do both, like my family and I are doing. Another great way to get fresh produce--especially if you don't have a backyard--is by joining a community garden, which can reap the same benefits of a personal garden...but ask around first!

 

Personally, I am excited for summer! I can't wait to explore more sustainable places and restaurants and also can't wait to share some recipes...I'm so glad I have a break from school, so I can get back to updating this and sharing my ideas and my encounters.

 

Lastly, I have an assignment for you. 

1) Do you know of any sustainable and/or farm to table restaurants in your area...and if so, can you please list them in the comment box? (I'd like to try them, if they are somewhat close by)...

2. Grow your own vegetables, visit a local farmers market, or look into becoming a share holder at a farm or a member of a community gardens...believe me, you'll see the benefits!

 

 

Hope you have a wonderful day!!