Local foods are the key to sticking to Obama administration’s new dietary guidelines

Today the Obama administration released new guidelines for Americans to eat by. Generally speaking, the guidelines aren’t that groundbreaking: Eat fruits and vegetables, don’t eat too much meat, cut the junk foods and sugar. Sounds easy, but applying these rules can be hard! Nobody wants to eat broccoli all day, and sometimes a hamburger is… well, important! How do we make a shift in our lifestyle that is not only comfortable, but actually enjoyable?

Kale and Winter Squash Strata [recipe]

I am a huge fan of breakfast, I  wish we could have breakfast meals all day long!  It is one of the main reasons I wanted to get chickens, in order to have fresh eggs every day.

Winter Squash Tacos [recipe]

We make rice and beans and tacos all the time.  We have even changed the way we make them to incorporate the seasons.  So in the height of summer, our tacos are all dressed up with tomato salsa, colorful peppers, fresh garlic, lots of greens from the garden, and cilantro piled high!  This Autumn we figured we would just keep experimenting with our tacos to keep them in season too.  We have had great success with black bean and sweet potato with onions and other root vegetables.  This week the abundance of squash let me try tacos with squash too!

Winter Squash Long Grain Risotto [recipe]

Risotto has always been a favorite of mine but it always seems daunting, maybe I need the right rice, don’t I need cream? And white wine? I don’t have time to make this, do I?  But this time I didn’t get hung up on arborio rice and found a way to make do with what I had in the cupboard!

An Old Hen Braised in Dark Beer: Cooking Coq au Vin, but with beer and a laying chicken [Recipe]

Coq au vin is traditionally an old rooster cooked for many hours in wine. We don’t have any old roosters in the freezer, but we do have a few old hens. That could work. But you know, it would really be a wasted opportunity to only modify one component of the classic coq au vin recipe.

Thanksgiving Wild Blueberry Cranberry Sauce [recipe]

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday in our country focused primarily on traditions,  food and family.  Brian was interested in trying to spatchcock and roast the turkey, so, of course, I got very excited about what will adorn it.  I was given free reign over the cranberry sauce and some other side dishes.  And while, the staples of the meal have their place, why not try a few new side dishes or a new twist on an old favorite?  

Sweet Chocolate Pearple Cake [recipe]

PEARPLE?  Pear and Apple (pearple) are showcased in this lovely chocolate bundt cake.  We were gifted some beautiful pear tree drops from a hundred year old tree in South Tamworth.

100% Local Meal – Pan-seared London Broil With Sautéed Swiss Chard and Spring Onions and Maple Glazed Spring Carrots

It has been so inspiring to walk around the farmers’ market on Saturday mornings.  I like seeing all the beauty around us, but, it is even more fun to play with the vegetables, meat, and dairy and create meals for our family.  The best part about these meals is that I can picture the fields, I know the farmers’ faces and strong hands. The added bonus that with local amazing food like this, I can feed my family AND support my local economy! This local support not only bolsters community and keeps the market going, but ceases the need to support food shipped from thousands of miles away on trucks. 

5 Best Things to Buy At Early Season Farmers’ Markets

The leaves are green! The birds are singing! The sun is bright and warm!  Spring is shifting to summer and that means the farmers are coming out of the woodwork to share their goods at your local farmers’ markets!  But hang on, tomatoes won’t be ready for weeks, what on earth is there to actually buy at these first markets, anyway? 

Roasted Winter Vegetable Medley

At this point in winter and early spring, we are scavenging and scrounging at the bottom of the root cellar for those last good looking carrots, potatoes, parsnips, beets, and root veggies.  And what else can you do with them? Here is my favorite recipe which can be modified to your tastes or what is in your cupboards.