Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Barbara Kingsolver's Book Encourages Buying Local

Even a simple carrot can be a miracle
I recently finished the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - A Year of Food Life,
by Barbara Kingsolver, with contributions by her husband Steven Hopp and daughter 
Camille Kingsolver. The book chronicles the family's experience with growing
and eating only locally produced foods for an entire year. A best-selling author, 
Kingsolver documents the challenges of not purchasing food that has been shipped
hundreds or thousand of miles before ending up on the kitchen table. Overwhelming
the positives of their experiment far outweighed its difficulties and taught the 
entire family to truly appreciate how the food that they eat is grown and how 
it makes its way to becoming breakfast, lunch or dinner. 
 
I personally appreciate being able to buy imported food items that are not grown
in  the United States, but I sometimes take this ability for granted. The book 
has taught me to consider source location in my decision-making when grocery 
shopping. Reading nutrition labels are important, but so to is knowing how far
an item has traveled before arriving on the self. This not only effects a
product's freshness, but also has ramifications for the environment and the
local economy. When I was looking for citrus fruit that other day, I was surprised
to find that almost every fruit item i picked up was shipped from overseas.
Even the oranges were imported when California or Florida oranges are certainly 
in season this time of year. 

Along with instant communication, we have also become a society that expects
instant gratification with out culinary desires. Most of us in the United States have
come to expect that fresh fruits and vegetables will be available at the grocery store
year-round. This perpetuates a disconnect between what we put into our bodies and
understanding what really goes into producing that food by the farmer. If one chooses
to buy only local foods then one also commits to eating only those foods that are in 
season. This leads greater appreciation and sincere gratitude for
crops as they become available. Asparagus, which is the topic of the second
chapter of the book, is one vegetable which, even as a child, I looked forward
to eating in May. Now it is on store shelves year round. I am not sure how this occurs, 
but removing the anticipation for one of the first vegetables to become available in
the spring somehow takes away its uniqueness. 
 
December Asparagus
Another expectation of American consumers is that we want our food to be cheap. 
According to Kingsolver, Americans spend a lower proportion of their income on 
food than people in any other country. I acknowledge that I am a cost conscious
shopper and will travel to multiple stores for a less expensive product. It is, however,
important to realize that the price that rings up at the register does not
always reflect its true cost. In the United states taxpayers fund large-scale
food production and distribution through government subsidies that keep those
prices on the shelves low. Further, we are all ultimately paying the price for resulting 
damage to the environment by large industrial scaled farming practices. 
Soils are being depleted of their nutrients which results in continual application
of fertilizer. This in turn leads to excess nutrients that cannot be used by the crops
to run off the land and eventually end up polluting rivers, lakes, and 
the ocean. Another example is with genetically modified crops that have resulted in the 
need to use stronger and stronger pesticides to combat the chemical resistant bugs
and weeds that have resolved, resulting in unintentional harm to non-targeted species
such as honeybees and butterflies.
 
Even though most of us do not have the time, nor own enough land for growing all of our food,
most of us can make more responsible choices when we do our shopping. This book is not telling
us that we all have to become farmers, but it does encourage the reader to become more aware
of where our food comes from before it ends up on our plate. 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Winter is Officially Here

Sunday marked the winter solstice at 6:03 PM in New England. This is when the sun reached its most southerly path in the horizon. It will now start gradually moving northward. On the spring equinox, its path will be directly across the equator and will continue moving northward until the summer solstice. I previously wrote about the sun-setting times, so mentally I have already started feeling more daylight at the end of the day. But now, officially the daylight hours will be increasing with each passing day.

As we know, the winter solstice officially marks the beginning of winter on the calendar. In November, it was easy to look or walk outside and feel that winter was upon us. Not so much this week, when the forecast for the next five days is supposed to be forty-plus. Frosty will definitely be melting and Santa may have some difficulty landing his sleigh.

I do look forward to the shorter days of winter in that it provides an opportunity to get rejuvenated indoors. As much as I love being outdoors, my body, mind and soul welcome some down-time to do things that otherwise during the longer days of summer there never seems to be enough time. I hope to read a few books, catch up on newspaper and magazine articles, watch TV, and take in a few movies. I won't feel guilty either, because I know in a few short weeks, the garden and the trails will once more fill my days.

There will also be time to try out new ideas in the kitchen. The following is a simple to make recipe that is packed with protein and fiber. It is made with sweet potatoes, which are plentiful at winter farmers markets.  

Sweet Potato Quesadillas (3-4)

1 -15 ounce can navy or small white beans
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
1 small cucumber in sliced and quartered
1 pound sweet potato (about 3)
1/2 teaspoon cumin; dash salt
3-4 whole wheat flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups baby spinach chopped
2 scallions sliced
3/4 cup mixed cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese
Plain yogurt or sour cream
In a bowl combine beans, half the chopped cilantro, lime juice, pepper. In a separate bowl combine cucumber, radishes and remaining cilantro. Set aside.
- Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Boil for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and coarsely mash, add salt and cumin.
- Spread potatoes over half of each tortilla, top with beans, spinach, scallion and cheese. Fold over and cook on George Foreman grill or cast iron skillet, until cheese is melted. Cut in wedges and serve with cucumber salsa and yogurt or sour cream.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Currier and Ives Cookie Tour


My son, his girlfriend and I enjoyed a beautiful day on Saturday. We visited the southwest part of the state, traveling to twelve different locations as part of the Currier and Ives Cookie Tour. It was a great holiday activity and provided an opportunity to discover new places that I hope to return to in the near future. For on Saturday we were on a tight time line in order to visit twelve out of the fourteen participating sites. We successfully accomplished this by 4:00 PM and were able to enter into a raffle for a $100 gift certificate. Even though we didn't win, it was fun just the same. We started our tour in Peterborough at the Little River Bed and Breakfast which is conveniently located just outside of town on the Nubanusit River. They provided us with a list of participating shops and inns along with a general map. We had a little difficulty finding some of the stops without a GPS, but managed to locate all but one of the facilities. The following is a sampling of a few of the places we visited. All provided a cookie with an accompanying recipe. Some places provided warm drinks and appetizers as well. One place, had so many visitors that they had to replace their homemade cookies with store bought - a testament that it was a successful event.

Our second stop was the Peterboro Basket Company whose history dates back to 1854 when Amzi Childs began making baskets in a building off of Depot Street. Their factory outlet store is in the same building as their current and only manufacturing facility at 130 Grove Street.






After that we headed west up to the Benjamin Prescott Inn, a very quaint Bed and Breakfast on top of hill with plenty of open space surrounding it.
The tree's shadows extend the length of a beautiful backyard at the Benjamin Prescott Inn in Jaffrey
We continued on towards Rindge and encountered another pleasant surprise - The Shadowledge Art Studio where Mr. and Mrs. Claus greeted visitors. The entire room was set up with life like statues and Christmas displays. A variety of handmade clothes and gifts were for sale, including t-shirts, doll outfits and stuffed animals.

Collecting our cookies
It was all Christmas at the Shadowledge Art Studio in Rindge
The Inn at East Hill Farm is a fully working farm which is apparent upon entering the property where donkeys and cows roam the fields. In addition to being a family resort offering complete accommodations the farm also provides overnight educational opportunities for youth in grades 5-8, providing hands on experience related to farming and sustainable living practices. 
Below: Square and Contra dancing are popular activities at the farm.



We ended our day back in Peterborough for some warm sandwiches and drinks. A dessert was not necessary as we each still had plenty of cookies left in our tins. It was nice to have spent a day out and about with good company and I love the fact that if you look you can always find new things to experience, even just a short drive from home.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Winter Market in Southern New Hampshire

Last weekend, I decided to take a drive south and check out the Salem NH Farmers Market.

Similar to the Concord Winter Market, it is held at a year round greenhouse and garden center. It is open on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. On this Sunday, the Lake Street Garden Center was busy with lots of people coming in to pick out their Christmas tree. Many of the visitors I saw were from Massachusetts and had driven north to pick up a New Hampshire grown tree. Of course for some, it may have only been a ten minute drive across the border.

The garden center was decked out in holiday attire both inside and out presenting a very festive atmosphere.

Even though the parking lot was quite busy, many customers did not venture inside after loading their trees into their trucks or on their roofs. This was their loss as there were many holiday gift ideas inside, in addition to the fresh meats, produce, dairy products and baked goods that were part of the farmers market.

Poinsettias always brighten any room

In the greenhouse, these container cherry tomatoes looked ripe for the picking
Who doesn't like chocolates?


There were lots of root vegetables. Since I had never tried a black spanish radish before the vendor let me take one home for free. It can be eaten sliced fresh in a salad, or cooked to add flavor to soups and stews. They are also known for their medicinal properties in aiding digestion.


Black Spanish Radish. Simply peel, slice and enjoy!

Of course the best part of visiting farmers markets is preparing and enjoying the food once you get home. That night we had stuffed acorn squash with rice, kale and maple toasted walnuts, with fresh greens and sourdough bread. 


Saturday, December 6, 2014

2015 is The International Year of Soils

http://blog.thegreenplate.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/SoilNG.jpg

Friday, December 5th was designated as World Soils Day and marked the kick-off of the 2015 International Year of Soils. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations will be spearheading this effort, which has been in development for the past two years.  It is hoped that by educating about and promoting the importance and value of soils that the following objectives will be met:
  • Raise full awareness among civil society and decision makers about the profound importance of soil for human life;
  • Educate the public about the crucial role soil plays in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development;
  • Support effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources;
  • Promote investment in sustainable soil management activities to develop and maintain healthy soils for different land users and population groups;
  • Strengthen initiatives in connection with the SDG process (Sustainable Development Goals) and Post-2015 agenda;
  • Advocate for rapid capacity enhancement for soil information collection and monitoring at all levels (global, regional and national).  
 The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service with it's global partners have identified monthly themes to accomplish these objectives. To see what these themes are and to read about the resources that are available for January's theme "Soils Sustain Life" go to the Soil Science Society of America's page at https://www.soils.org/IYS. For more information on the first World Soil Day, including a link to a complimentary screening of the video Symphony of Soil go to http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/world-soil-day/en/. Finally, to get you in the mood for the upcoming year watch Ed Norton is The Soil.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Shorter Days





I admit that I am not a cold weather person, but what bothers me more about winter are the shortened hours of daylight. I find waking up in the dark and then leaving work after dusk to be depressing. This is why when the temperatures dip below freezing and the daylight hours diminish, I find myself looking forward to the winter solstice and the gradual increasing daylight that follows. However, there is already good news that for most of us in the United States, that is that the earliest sunset (by the minute) has already occurred. For central New Hampshire, the sun set at approximately 4:11 PM on December 3rd and will remain at that time until December 16 when it will set a minute later. Of course the days will continue to shorten with the sun rising later in the mornings until December 28th, but I will appreciate and savor the extra seconds and then minutes at the end of the day, giving me hope for the arrival of spring. If you would like to track the sun or moon rise for your location go to http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php.


Monday, December 1, 2014

First Snowstorm

Wednesday we received our first winter snowstorm.  Even though the storm had been forecasted a few days in advance, it still came as a surprise this early in the season. Especially since recent mild temperatures led to some complacency about winter arriving any time soon.

What a Difference Two Weeks Makes!

November 16

November 30

Peaking during the afternoon of the busiest travel day of the year, made this storm particularly problematic in New England. Many travelers left a day earlier or postponed their trip, to avoid being on the road during the worst of it.


Driving on the Roads Wednesday Afternoon was Treacherous
The snow was not light and fluffy, but very heavy being mixed with sleet and rain. In the evening you could stand outside and hear large branches crashing down in the woods. We were fortunate since we were not hosting Thanksgiving. Our contribution, an apple pie, had just come out of the oven before the power went out. The weather remained cold for three days following the storm, which made for nice pictures, but the added weight was not good for many trees and shrubs. Already I can see that there will be lots of spring clean-up to do.

Some of these bent birches may survive, but others have actually split in two and will need to come down
We have a lot of white pines in our woods and these, in particular, took a beating.  Throughout the neighborhood many came down completley, causing power outages by landing across wires; or more serious damage if a vehicle or building happened to be underneath.

Extreme weather events are very humbling and put into perspective how vulnerable we humans are. We become more appreciative of basic necessasities such as shelter, heat and water. Out in nature, plants and animals struggle to survive during severe winters and many do not. Downed trees can be a nuisance when they block a trail, but when there is no reason to remove them, they actually provide numerous benefits to wildlife and overall forest health. 


Dead logs and brush piles provide shelter for birds, small mammals and amphibians. Insects feed on the decaying wood and its moist environment is the perfect environment for mushrooms and other fungi. Downed trees provide cover for the forest floor, protecting the soil and preventing erosion. Although severe winter weather can have dire consequences to our homes and may damage our cultivated landscapes; out on the wild they are simply a part of the natural processes of nature from which new life will inevitably return and thrive.

And the Sun Always Returns!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Locally Made Products Abound

One benefit of the shorter days and frozen ground is that I have more time to explore nearby localities and see what local farmers and suppliers have to offer. During the growing season, any spare time I have is spent cultivating my own garden. Once we start harvesting, we typically have enough produce to satisfy our own needs, and therefore, don't frequent farmer's markets often in the summer. But, since last week we finished the last of our broccoli and kale, I can now appreciate what others may still be growing with more sophisticated methods such as greenhouses and high tunnels.This past weekend, in addition to visiting two winter farmer's markets, there was also a plethora of craft shows around the Merrimack Valley. Here there was an abundance of locally made crafts, including organic products such as jams, jellies and salsa. 

My first stop was after work on Friday. I drove out to the Weare Farmers Market which is open on Fridays during the winter from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Old Town Hall. Products can be ordered ahead of time on-line at the link above. I picked up a bag of fresh greens from Warner River Organics and a jar of "Wickson Crabapple Jelly" from Webster Ridge Farm.

Brandon Sussman, Webster Ridge Farm offers free samples from a variety of sauces and preserves

On Saturday, there was definitely not a shortage of craft fairs to get holiday shopping started. There were at least four in Concord alone. The pictures below is a sampling of what was on display at the 9th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Rundlett Middle School.
Cool T-shirts from Just Be Products, LLC
Thistle's All Natural Zucchini Salsa
After checking out the shows in Concord, I headed north on I-89 to Warner. Dave and I purchased our first home here, so I have a special fondness for this town nestled amongst the Mink Hills. If you like covered bridges, there is a nice one as you enter into town from Exit 8.




Warner offers a wonderful winter market on Saturday mornings. It is located within the Kearsarge Business Center - which also houses a flea market offering a variety of antiques, crafts and unique items. If you go, plan some extra time for browsing among the many treasures.



I purchased some celeriac from Kearsarge Gore Farm and have been very pleased with its flavor in salads and sauces.


After Warner, I continued up I-89 to New London. New London is worth a visit any time of the year. Bring your camera as there are some fantastic views. It is home to Colby Sawyer College, a small liberal arts school founded in 1837 and offers a quaint downtown with shopping, restaurants and cafes. In the summer you can enjoy a variety of hiking trails or take in a play at the New London Barn Playhouse, the oldest continuously operating Summer Stock theater in New Hampshire with the first showing in 1934. In the winter you can cross country ski on trails operated by The Pine Hills XC Ski Club or, if you prefer downhill, Mount Sunapee in Newbury is just over ten miles away. My destination was Spring Ledge Farm which offers baked goods, organically raised meats, dairy products, produce, plants and gifts. Here I picked up some sweet potatoes and a recipe for Sweet Potato Fries which I am looking forward to making. There was plenty of color displayed outside and inside the greenhouse.
Good thing this ornamental kale is cold hardy
Poinsettias come in a variety of colors
It was a beautiful day to be out and about and I am thankful to live in an area that offers so many opportunities to enjoy the fruits of nature year- round.




Friday, November 21, 2014

Benefits of Fallen Leaves

In northern New England, if you haven't raked your leaves by now, you probably aren't going to. Certainly if you leave near the Great Lakes, that window of opportunity has passed!
South Buffalo Neighborhood, November 19, 2014 (weather.com)

Monday, November 17, 2014

Winter Farmers Markets

The end of October marks the end of outdoor farmers markets in New England. Fortunately, many local farmer's market organizations now offer indoor alternatives. The offerings are different, as fresh greens are replaced with winter squashes and root vegetables. Fresh meats were plentiful at the Winter Farmers Market at Cole Gardens in Concord, NH on November 1st. This included grass fed beef from several vendors and one vendor selling frozen organically raised chicken. I selected a pound of ground beef and frozen chicken breasts.





The atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable. The indoor venue was a nice respite from the drizzly conditions outside. There was even live music which promoted a relaxed atmosphere and encouraged browsing amongst the booths as well as the fresh plants that were for sale in the greenhouse. I bought a couple Peperomia plants to add some greenery indoors this winter.

Different varieties of Peperomia plants


Other offerings included maple syrup, honey, jams, numerous baked goods, locally roasted coffee, dairy products, sweets, dog treats, hot soups. My favorite stop of the morning was the New Hampshire Mushroom Company. I bought a Bears Head (Hericium erinaceus) mushroom (photo below.) It was delicious, sautéed in butter then served with a tomato sauce over angel hair pasta.

The following weekend I visited Hopkinton, NH and another winter market. The Contoocook market is also held on Saturdays throughout the winter. It is held inside the Hopkinton Town Hall. Hopkinton is a quintessential New England Town which is worth a visit at any time of the year. Although much smaller than the market in Concord, I was able to buy some fresh greens, including celery and a loaf of cheddar baked bread.

Site of the Contoocook Winter Farmers Market




After visiting the market, I drove up to Gould Hill Farm. In the fall, the orchard is bustling with apple pickers, but today it was very quiet. The view, as always is fantastic and the aroma of freshly made doughnuts is irresistible - I bought a half a dozen - they literally melted in my mouth. The store and bakery will be open until December 21st, so if you are in the area stop by for some holiday shopping or to indulge in the variety of baked goods that are prepared daily.


Inside Gould Hill Farm




And outside
 This weekend, I hope to visit a couple other local farmers markets in Warner and Weare - both towns in which we have previously lived. I'm looking forward to see what is offered.