I Am A Subversive Plotter!

Here's a really good video about reasons for growing our kitchen gardens ...



Enjoy!

Why Garden?

I try to keep "Food Politics" out of my blog for the most part, but sometimes I come across something that is so well done and states in such sure terms why we need to be aware of what is happening in the food industry  that I just have to share it.



As Robyn points out in this excellent video; it's all about money ... there is only one thing that the food industry will understand ... when their profits start going down ... the government isn't going to do it for us (indeed, just the opposite, as seen by the recent go ahead for Monsanto GMO alfalfa) ... we need to vote with our pocket books and be willing to take the time to save ourselves and our children from those who put profit before the welfare of the people.

Seeing this video has firmed my resolve on a thought I had earlier this week.  I know now what my "One Thing" will be ... I am going to apply for WSU Extension Master Gardener training.

What is your "One Thing" ?

Eat Local...Buy Local....

There has been a lot of talk in the news and on the internet lately about eating local and the high cost of eating well.  I thought I would share my local answer to both problems....

The S and S produce stand is about four miles down the road from our home.  Note that the sign says that they take EBT Cards (food stamps). 

A beautiful display of pumpkins at the entrance to the produce stand.

This is Steve, owner of the stand in front of his fruit displays.  He buys as much of his produce locally, organic if possible, and direct from the growers to save money; a savings he passes on to his customers.  This year the stand opened on April 2 and will stay open, as Steve puts it "Until I have to wear long johns four days in a row."

These are a local wild mushroom available only after the first rains in the fall.  There are considered a gourmet delicacy and sell for $12.99 a pound in the stores.  Steve buys his direct from the forager and prices them so we can all enjoy a few.

Mostly local salad greens.

Many varieties of new crop, Washington State apples.

"Day Old" produce available for $1.00 a bag.  All still perfectly wholesome, just not as
pretty as the fresh stuff.

This was my haul for the day...I'm going to do some canning.  All for $29.75!!

In Michael Pollan's book, "Food Rules", Rule #19 says:

"It it came from a plant, eat it;
if it was made in a plant, don't"

I can't say it any better than that!

Deb

Product of Where??!!

One of my Facebook friends, Gordon Uyehara, posted some information about the American Food Industry that really upset me.  I used to drive from Federal Way to Seattle to shop at Whole Foods, because I thought I was getting better, healthier food and doing my part to "shop local".  So imagine my distress when I saw this:

Whole Foods "Organic" Food Made In China!!

I went to the Whole Foods web site to see if they had any information about this, but couldn't find any...what I DID notice is the VERY FEW of the products in our local ad mention the word "local" ( actually, only three...one of them was for beer and none of them were produce )...

But I did find something that made me chuckle on their website, a statement that said:

"If you don't know the story behind your food,don't eat it."

I agree with that!!  I'm going to be working more and more on being able to say "Product of Deb's Garden"...and I will be sharing my learning process with you here on my blog...

And remember...

"The best way to change corporate America is with your checkbook!"

Deb