Week 2 from Intervale Family Farm’s CSA (in Westhampton, MA) we received:

• flower bouquet
• lettuce
• summer squash & zucchini
• carrots
• eggplant
• cubanelle or italian frying pepper
• cucumbers
• garlic
• cherry tomatoes
• new potatoes
• jalapeno
• sweet corn
• kale (didn’t use in time – went bad):
• bunch of basil (didn’t use in time – went bad):
• arugula (didn’t take)
• herbs (didn’t take)

And this week we received:

• flower bouquet
• lettuce
• sweet onions
• carrots
• kale
• eggplant
• cubanelle or italian frying pepper
• green beans
• cucumbers
• chard
• leeks
• broccoli
• garlic
• jalapeno
• tomatoes
• cherry tomatoes
• red potatoes
• sweet corn
• summer squash & zucchini
• arugula
• herbs/basil

And with that fresh picked goodness I’ve made:
Tuesday

• Garden Vegetable Soup Recipe
  (farm leek, onion (didn’t have enough leek), garlic, carrots, potatoes, green beans, corn & i added kale)
  
• Refrigerator Dill Pickles with Syna (left out spring onion this time)
  (farm pickling cucumbers, garlic)
  
• Caprese Salad
  (farm tomatoes)
  

I’ve also started picking up farm eggs, Hillman Farm herb & garlic goat cheese and Mapleline Farm milk each week.

Planned:

• Gazpacho Green Beans
• Cucumber Salad with Sweet Thai Chili Vinaigrette
• Oven Baked Rosemary Potato Chips
• Punjabi Baingan Bharta – Punjabi Style Eggplant
• warm salad of roast beets, lentils & balsamic onions recipe

This week from Intervale Family Farm’s CSA (in Westhampton, MA) we received:

• 1 flower bouquet (pictured above)
• 1 large head of romaine lettuce
• 6 summer squash
• small bunch of beets
• 6 ears of corn
• 1 medium sweet onion
• 8 carrots
• 1 lb swiss chard
• .25 lb arugula
• 5 slicing cucumbers, 5 pickling cukes
• 1 lb green and wax beans
• 1 small bulb garlic
• some basil, mint & chives
• kale (forgot to grab; bummer – i would have made Crispy Kale Chips)
• new potatoes (forgot to grab)

And with that fresh picked goodness I’ve made:
Monday

• Salad
  (farm arugala, romaine, cukes, carrots, onion)
• Cucumber Salad with Sweet Thai Chili Vinaigrette
  (farm cukes and onion)
  
• Garlic Green Beans
  (farm beans and garlic)
• Sautéed Swiss Chard With Garlic
  (farm chard and garlic; i added the greens from the bunch of beets, too)

Tuesday

• Salad
  (farm arugala, romaine, cukes, carrots, onion)
• Easy Dinner Parmesan Zucchini
  (farm zucchini)

Wednesday

• Refrigerator Dill Pickles with Syna
  (farm pickling cucumbers)
  
• Raw Corn and Zucchini Salad
  (farm corn & zucchini)
  
• Organic version of Sweet Corn Ice Cream
  (farm corn)

Friday

• Basil Tomato Soup (recipe below)
  (farm basil)

Basil Tomato Soup Recipe – 9 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (26.46 oz) carton Pomi Chopped Tomatoes*
• 1 (26.46 oz) carton Pomi Strained Tomatoes*
• 20 oz vegetable broth
• 18 fresh basil leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 3 Tablespoons butter

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
2. Add basil and sugar, and reduce heat to low
3. stir in cream and butter and cook until butter is melted

*Many of us are concerned about BPA these days, and with the chemical lining most metal cans as well as jar lids, where to find BPA-free canned tomatoes is a frequent question. If you’re not into putting up your own (with BPA-free canning lids), then Pomì might be the answer.

I am lucky, blessed, really.

Each day I

• wake up to the sweetest alarm: my almost 4 year old daughter
• enjoy a calm, un-rushed healthy breakfast with my whole family at the dining room table
• work from home on my dream career: children’s photographer
• am grateful for free part-time childcare from my parents and mother-in-law
• eat a natural, whole foods, vegetarian dinner with my whole family at the dining room table
• relax in my cozy home
• read stories and snuggle with my daughter
• go to sleep next to the love of my life in an always cozy bed

In addition, each Wednesday is family day with Jim and Syna.

Each Friday night is date night with my husband. (We’ve been together for 19 years.)

Each Saturday is family date night with Jim and Syna.

Each Sunday is family breakfast with my dad’s family (whoever decides to show – 4-15 people)

I have nothing to complain about. Truly. And I worry about others. Most of the world doesn’t have it nearly as good as I do. I feel extravagant, even when I appreciate what I have and do what I can to minimize my impact on the planet.

We’ve downsized to 1 car, we got rid of cable television, we compost our food waste (and it’s most of it since we’re vegetarian) and recycle to the extent that our family of 3 “throws out” 1 grocery bag of trash per week, we telecommute, we used cloth diapers for our daughter, we bring our own reusable bags to stores and purchase items with limited packaging, we switched our heating system to a high efficiency solution, we shower every other day… We’re conscious of many of our decisions.

And yet we use so much. We have so much. We are never even uncomfortable. We have heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, food available 24/7, constant electricity, transportation, money, instant communication devices, we’re safe. Even on the coldest/hottest days, if I travel, I walk 30′ outdoors to my garage protected car, start it up, turn on the heat/air and I’m comfortably on my way.

It has long been my belief that to truly help others I must start with myself.

To put the world in order, we must put the nation in order.
To put the nation in order, we must put the family in order.
To put the family in order, we must nurture our personal life.
To cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.
- Confucius

But it doesn’t seem like enough when I have so much. And, really, it’s all by luck I ended up being born into my situation.

“There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

How do I stay happy when I am aware of so much suffering?

Also check out ☃ Simplify the Holidays for more ideas to help create a fun, festive, relaxed winter holiday season.

And if you’re looking for thoughtful personalized gifts to share with your loved ones, try some Homemade Gifts.

Then wrap them responsibly with Reusable Bags/Cloth Wraps. Each year billions of plastic bags end up as litter; reusable bags, such as furoshiki can help reduce the impact to our environment. Its versatility allows you to wrap almost anything regardless of its shape or size.

Have a wonderful winter!

The good news is that most of the side dishes on the Thanksgiving table are naturally meat free. Vegans usually have fewer traditionally made choices because of cream, milk or butter, but there are really tasty and readily available substitutes at most chain grocery stores.

Below you’ll find delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving menu with highly rated recipes including main dish, sides and desserts.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Pot Pie
substitute turkey with Chik’n Strips
and No-Chicken Broth for chicken stock
the veg safe frozen pie crust I use
with Vegetarian Apple "Sausage" Stuffing
or
VeganYumYum’s Thanksgiving
Seitan Roulade with Chestnut Stuffing

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Vegetarian Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Green Bean Casserole
Boston Market Butternut Squash
Turnip and Carrot Mash
Le Sueur peas
Corn Pudding
Pumpkin Eggnog Pie

Vegan Beer – Vegan Wine – Vegan Liquor

When I found out there was BPA in the liner I was not surprised. I was glad they made it public and that they offered replacements, which, to be honest, I think was going above and beyond for their customers considering what I have already stated. BUT, I took them up on it.

So, today I received my replacement credit for 3 bottles. Yes, I too had been wondering about it as it took a while. But I figured they had a lot of requests to handle. I could be patient for a new bottle. I went to order new bottles. They were selling out as I was texting my husband to find out which he wanted. I guess everyone got their emails today. I called customer service. Their mailbox was full. I’m sure with plenty of complaints.

OK, as to why I am writing this post:
SIGG, a responsible, ethical company is getting shit for a pretty minor issue. Does an actual “good” company deserve this kind of treatment and consequence? I really don’t think so.

· SIGG makes a well designed, good looking, environmentally friendly, reusable, 100% recyclable product.

· For the last 90 years, corporate headquarters have been based in the charming village of Frauenfeld Switzerland (not China) where SIGG employs (pays well and trains well) about 60 dedicated people. “With nearly a century of Swiss expertise and craftsmanship, we take tremendous pride in the quality of our product,” claimed Steve Wasik, SIGG Switzerland CEO.

· SIGG bottles are manufactured in an ecologically-friendly environment and are 100% recyclable after their very long lives. In fact, most SIGGs in Europe are still being used 10-20 years after purchase.

· SIGG is a proud member of this organization committing 1% of all sales to environmental causes. “1% For The Planet” is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging our resources to create a healthier planet.

More info at: TheWhoFarm’s Thank You Michelle Obama Project.

Check out how the White House organic garden is growing:

The White House Organic Garden
Michelle Obama dug up a patch of the South Lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets – the president does not like them – but arugula will make the cut.

Or better yet, become a weekday vegetarian. I’m not expecting everyone to give up meat all together. If you enjoy meat, eat it. All I’m asking is that you look into what you’re eating, how it effects the planet and it’s inhabitants, and to consider making a small change with a big impact.

“According to a report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.”

more

[via grist.org/screwearthday]


This post is entered in the Squidoo Earth Day Contest for the chance to win some great eco-friendly/organic products from Chartreuse. Check ‘em out.

“The time for “small steps” is long past. It’s time for people to wake the hell up.” David Roberts

Also, check this video out: