Local Thanksgiving

Here's a great article on 'green turkeys', found on thedailygreen.com.


http://green.msn.com/Articles/article.aspx?aid=289>1=10628

And kudos to the Seattle PI, who has taken to publishing fairly regular articles on local/organic foods and sourcing. Here is a great article on where to get what for your Thanksgiving feast.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/339468_thanks14.html

The Rules

My intent for this is not to be a pedantic raving loon, but to give it a try, see how it goes, and have fun with the challenge of planning meals, supporting the local economy, reducing fuel consumption, 'go back to basics', build a support network, meet new people, and try new things. I'm not trying to change anyone's behavior but my own, and therefore will allow myself one meal a week where I don't have to think about it or talk about it.

The Rules:
1. Starting timeframe: 3 months
2. Eat locally grown organic food
3. Use up what's already in the cupboards, fridge, freezer (throwing it out is wasteful)
4. I get 3 exceptions: coffee, chocolate, and one (and only one) special ingredient each week
5. I get one 'exception' meal per week (makes dating a lot easier, they can find out after date#3)
6. This goes for all consumer goods, including dog food, soaps/cleaners, etc.
7. I will endeavor to keep shopping trips to 'once a week'

The class is tonight, so may have some tweaks as I learn more. Headed to Ballard Market today for first week groceries.

Farmers Markets in King County

Okay, it's cheating, but here's a really good site listing all the local farmers markets in King County. Most notable are the Ballard Market and University Market, which run each week, all year long. And then of course we are blessed to have the Pike Place Market with it's amazing selection and view.
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/farmers_markets_list.asp?countyID=4%3BKing&weekday=Any
Actually, check out their whole site -- includes harvest schedules, local farms, and much, much, more!
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/

Listing of organic/local produce restaurants 8/23/07

Hmm... let's see... can I attach a link in this blog? Here's a list of Seattle restaurants that feature local produce and organic foods... Check them out!
http://seattle.citysearch.com/roundup/39915/

The riot begins... 8/22/07

Saw Gabriel (Claycamp / of Culinary Communion) at the Wilco show last night (coincidence?), and told him about the blog. Of course he's excited, and so the momentum begins. My friend Andrew's parents grow wheat and lentils in eastern Washington. Not organic, but local! I didn't realize lentils were grown in WA. He said he'd bring me some next time he went home. Kewl - love lentils! Will have to ponder how flex I want to be on the organic vs. local rules... stay tuned on that. Funny how it's true, when you begin something it takes on it's own energy and things start to align to support it. Looking forward to discovering how this will unfold.

And so it begins -- Aug 21, 2007

So I'm getting all excited about learning how to do this (i know, lame start). I'm finding a void of knowledge and resource info about EATING LOCALLY AND ORGANICALLY, so it is my intent to create a place to capture what I find.



I'm taking a 250-MILE DIET CLASS through CULINARY COMMUNION (dotcom) in September, and hope to 1) learn more about it, 2) gather resources to support a year long experiment in eating locally & organically, and 3) create a community of other participants so we can all support each other.



Watch here as this site unfolds... Info I intend to gather:

* Resources: where can you shop to find fruits, veggies, dairy products, grains, meat, honey, oils, herbs, spices, wine, beer, seeds, soaps/cleaners, bio-diesel, and shrooms.

* Site parameters: Walla Walla = 218 miles; Vancouver BC = 117 miles; Spokane = 230 miles; Eugene OR = 249 miles (yay, pinot!)

* My rules of engagement

* Create a Trade/Barter site

* Document Market schedules and vendors

* List restaurants and stores which fit 'the rules'

* Recipes & tips (food, cleaners, techniques, etc)

* Lessons Learned - daily log on the experience

* Community chat (may need to move the site to incorporate some of these features)

I look forward to all positive feedback you may have -- no haters please. :)