Good Food

Good food.  What is good food?  As I read yet another statistic about how our nation's health is worsening, I ask myself that question.  Is it food that is healthy? Perhaps, the good food label is only reserved for those dishes that are decadent or complicated to make or both.  Is it food only found in specialty stores of the expensive variety?  When I walk through the aisles of the grocery store, I try to discern which foods are good and which ones are not: it is both difficult and confusing.

The good food debate is gaining steam in America and it seems every interest group wants to own a piece of the conversation.  While some advocate for fresh, organic and minimally processed, others struggle simply to put food, any food on the table.  For those in the second group, categorizing food as "good" or "bad" seems out of touch.  It turns out we have a fair amount of food insecurity in our nation.  Your neighbor may not have access or be able to afford good food.  In this land of enormous plenty, that does not seem to make a whole lot of sense.  We want to eat what is "healthy", but the data is not so consistent or clear on what "healthy" is.  So what is one to do?  How can we tell what is good food?

For me, good food is tied to my early years living with my grandparents.  They had fruit trees, vegetables, and coconut trees in their backyard.  Grandpa went to the market everyday to get fresh fish, or meat, or whatever happened to be on the menu.  Everything tasted good, EVERYTHING: from the bittermelon dishes to the sweet coconut water, a gift from the trees in the yard.  Then there were the bananas, little, petite, picked the day we ate them, and most of all delicious.  As an adult, that is the "good food" I yearn for.  It is both a result of those happy years and the feeling that food that one witnesses grow and mature simply can't be bad for you. 

I have always tried to eat good food, but quality food is sometimes not affordable (especially when one is attending graduate school).  My father used to say, even when times were especially difficult, that the one thing he would not sacrifice was good food.  "I work, so I can eat well." He said, "Everything else comes second." That has always stuck with me.  The most basic reason to work is to be able to eat.  Without food, good food, one has difficulty getting on.  Now, as an adult, I can finally afford good food.  I can go to the grocery store and buy food, regardless of price, and not feel guilty.  (Don't get me wrong, I am not a billionaire and can't afford grass fed organic beef or Wild Alaskan Salmon everyday, once a month is probably what my budget will allow.)  It is liberating to be able to finally eat good food.  I am grateful I can do so, since I know that many of my country men and women cannot.

So yes, I fall on that end of the continuum that eats organic, mostly local, and minimally processed food.  I have lost 25 pounds on this diet of good food.  I don't worry about calories, or fat content, or points.  I simply eat good food.  My community supported agricultural (CSA)  farm allows me this decadence for 24 weeks out of the year.  I eat organic berries, squash, melons, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and a wide array of vegetables not found in grocery stores.  This food is picked the day I pick it up and consumed the week it is picked.  For the first time in all my years in the States, the food I eat tastes like the food I had living with my grandparents.  I cherish every morsel I put in my mouth, because good food is not a guarantee.  It can yanked from you like a good job.

When my 24 weeks are over, I still eat organic and minimally processed, but it is hard to eat local when it snows.  The CSA has a winter share, which perhaps this year I might be able to afford.  It would be amazing to have good food all year round.

All of us deserve good food.  We should not have to choose between a bag apples and a loaf of white bread because the apples costs more.  I like to think that I vote with my fork every time I choose the organic option.  Yes, it costs more, but at the end of the day, I work so I can eat.  Health is indeed wealth, and good food is the necessary ingredient.  With good food, and the good health that comes with it, I am already one step ahead.  This makes me wonder, how can we as a society demand good food?  This is America afterall, shouldn't we expect the best?  I don't have the answer to that question, I just know that we should all have access to good food that we can afford.  So the next time you contemplate what to make for dinner or purchase for consumption, ask yourself: Is this good food?

This weeks CSA bounty....

  

Another Week

I had a lovely weekend.  On Saturday we went to Rehoboth beach in Delaware.  It is a charming place that still has an old time essence about it.  We got there in the afternoon and were able to sit in a lifeguard chair and watch the boardwalk under the stars.  If you want a formula for romantic/magical evening.  It is as follows: beach + clear night sky + slight cool summer breeze + the sound of lapping waves + some random person playing the guitar + charming boardwalk for gazing + your honey.  It really was a perfect evening.  We sat, listened, watched, and talked.  I recommend all couples give this a try.  After that perfect evening, we woke up early to watch the sun rise.  Another magical experience, no matter where you watch the sun rise, it is breathtaking every time.  It was cloudy, so the effect was different, but beautiful still.  There is something about summer that makes a trip to  the beach seem necessary.

Sunday we went to a Celtic festival at the Ren Faire grounds in Lancaster, PA.  As usual, we had a great time.  We listened to talented bands, ate great Celtic food (Hagis, deep fried eggs), and enjoyed looking at the wares of the craftsman who have booths at the Faire.  One thing I love about the Ren Faire is all the artisans who come and display their work.  To me this is the optimal way for goods and services to be made and purchased.  The quality of items made by craftsman don't compare to items made in China for mass market at big box stores.   I miss this kind of craftsmanship.  One positive  thing is that the internet has made it easier for artisans to sell their wares to a wider audience.  I suppose all things are cyclical. At some point we will return to a demand for quality over the lowest price.  Well, that's my hope anyway.

I also am including some pictures of the CSA I go to.  Just so all of you know what I go on about constantly.  The food is simply amazing! :) I am going to start theme week next week.  I was not prepared for it this week.  It doesn't look like I got the job at the place I interviewed at last week, despite the positive feedback.  It wasn't meant to be it appears.  I have another interview this Thursday, hopefully that one will work out.  If not, it is not the end of the world.  I really believe when it comes to things like this, things work out if they are meant to be.  Well, enough of my rambling.  I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

The CSA: Penny Pack Farm

 

 

Sunrise at Rehoboth Beach:

 

 

The Celtic Celebration at the Ren Faire

 

Dress: Express (thrifted)
Sandals: Calvin Klein
Purse: From India
Jewelry: Purchased at other Ren Faires 

CSA Time! :)

Well its that time of year again.  That's right I'm talking about the CSA (community supported agriculture).  My pick up day is Monday this year, which actually has been working out well.  It starts the week off on a positive note.  I LOVE the CSA.  This is one of the best decisions I have made (the other was adopting my dog  Maya).  The food tastes incredible, my community is supported, since it is an organic operation it is good for the environment (not to mention the savings in transportation), and as a bonus, the Mr. is finally eating his vegetables (he is not a fan of things that are green).  I find it to be incredibly relaxing as well.  Something about seeing the food being grown brings me back to what it is all about.  I have been pretty good about cooking things regularly (another CSA benefit), but this weeks things have slipped.  Work has been exhausting.  On the career front, I have an interview at another company on Friday.  I am very excited about this opportunity.  While I like who I work with, the promotion limbo has become frustrating.  (It doesn't help that I have been working above my job description without an increase in pay, recognition, or career benefit in a year and a half.)  That being said, I wasn't looking for another job, a recruiter contacted me and this company did work that would provide me some much needed experience in a different area.  I always say: "if opportunity knocks, you should at least open the door and inquire."  Whether it works out or not, it will help me brush up on my interview skills.  In general, I enjoy job interviews.  I find a good  interview is one in which both the employer and interviewee are both being evaluated to determine a good fit.  Anyway, here's hoping  it goes well.  Below  are pics of what I wore Monday and Today (Tuesday is not noteworthy).  As a bonus I added a recent picture of Maya sitting in her lookout chair (she looks out the window from this chair).

Monday:
Top: H&M (thrifted)
Skirt: Don't  Know
Belt: Ralph Lauren (thrifted)
Shoes: Joey 

Today:
Dress: Nine West
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Earrings & Pendant: Self-made

Maya sitting on her lookout chair

Thank God Its Friday - Day 46

Finally, the end to this crazy week has arrived.  The temperature has dropped to the fifties today, which took a toll on the hands this afternoon as I was picking raspberries.  Although the week was hellish, it ended well.  I had a very productive day and actually met a deadline (I almost did the happy dance in my cubicle).  Now I am sitting comfortably on my bed, under the covers feeding my voracious appetite for current events.  I am going to a wedding tomorrow, something I am very excited about.  My dress has been fitted, the lovely Russian lady (Greta), is an excellent seamstress.  It was well worth what I paid her.  I have a couple of other things I am going to ask her to fix.  (I'm very loyal about who I purchase services from.  If you do a good job, I am not likely to take my business elsewhere.)  Well anyway here is what I wore today:  the top is Banana Republic, I don't what the brand is for the skirt (the label has fallen off), and the shoes are Nine West.

It's Only Tuesday :( - Day 43

I think the fall color is at it's peak this week.  All the trees seem to be some hue of orange or yellow on the way to work.  I was a good wife today and made 3 seperate cooked items (rice, red lentil soup, and green beans).  All turned out edible AND the hubs said they tasted good.  Success like this makes me almost want to try cooking something a little more gourmet (the key word here is almost).  There is only two more weeks of CSA left, which makes me kinda blue.  Today's post will be another short one.  I have work that I need to get from the office, yet again.  Just 2 more weeks and then I'll get a break from this craziness.  Anyway, here is my outfit for today:  the skirt is thrifted (brand is Axcess), the top is a.n.a, the belt is Ralph Lauren (thrifted), and the shoes are Hype.  As I list out these brands, I have to say some of the shoe brands have very strange names.

Indian Summer - Day 25

What a glorious day!  The weather was stunning: sunny, warm, with just a hint of a breeze.  Today was also CSA day, so naturally it ended well.  I absolutely appreciate those who do the job of picking our fruits and vegetables.  We have to pick certain kinds of produce (raspberries, cherry tomatoes, green beans, etc.) and it really is a calming experience at the end of the day.  Now, if one is doing this all day long in the hot sun, I imagine it is quite an unpleasant experience.  So to all those workers out there who pick our fruits and vegetables: THANK YOU.  Anyway, I can now wear one of my favorite khakis.  My closet seems to be the gift that keeps on giving lately.  Also, it is now late enough in the season that I can wear one of my favorite fabrics: velvet.  With that prelude here is my outfit for today: vest is Levi's, the tank top (yes it is velvet) is from New York & Company, the pants are American Eagle, and as usual, I can't remember where I got the shoes.

A Day at the CSA - Day 20

Today was another glorious fall day.  We spent part of the day volunteering at Harvest Fest for our local CSA.  CSA stands for community supported agriculture.  Essentially they are farm co-ops.  Members of a CSA pay a yearly sum and enjoy the crops that are grown for a certain number of weeks, typically this is the growing season in your geographic region.  Most CSA's use organic farming techniques (crop rotation, integrated pest management, no use of pesticides or herbicides).  My CSA raises organic produce and is only 5 miles from my house.  I was on a one year waiting list to get in and now that I have participated, it is by far one of the best changes I have made to my lifestyle.  I look forward to my weekly pick up and it is especially nice to know where my food comes from.  The food also tastes much, much better.  The Harvest Festival was fun, I manned the pumpkin painting station.  Young children are always a hoot.  This is what I wore:  The top is from H&M, the dress is from Marshalls, and I don't remember where I got the shoes.

Day 4

I got home late today since I went to a meeting for a community supported agriculture organization I belong to (the best decision I have made since moving here).  The meeting ran long and it was interesting to see the challenges that non-profit local food groups have.  There is something to be said to being part of a group of people committed to a cause.  I rather enjoyed the meeting, it was fruitful, but not work related.  It is too bad the my one hour commute (each way) limits this type of thing.  I long for the day when I can just walk out of my house and walk to work.  Seeing as I live in the suburbs, this is more a fantasy than something that will ever become a reality.  In the mean time I suppose I'll just have to make time.  Nothing is worth having if there wasn't some struggle to earn it I guess.  Anyway, this is my outfit for today.  I love the sweater vest thing.  The shirt is from H&M ($5 at the clearance rack), the skirt, shoes, and sweater vest are thrifted.