Hello Bookworms.
Thank you Robin for introducing us to a diiferent view of the world of food. I am thankful that I have had this opportunity. I'm going to look into the eggs and try to get to the Farmer's Markets more often. The Art Cafe is also another new place to visit. It was great food, different and an opportunity to try something new. I hope to go back soon.

Love, Maria

We Begin Our Third Year!

             

We met today at the Art Cafe on South Broadway in Nyack to discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Nine of us - Irene, Nicole, Millie, Maria Pages, Maria Rego, Mary, Lourdes,Miggy, and I - managed to squeeze some time to talk about the book during this busy month of September. We discussed growing plants and vegetables in our own gardens. Some of us have changed our shopping and eating habits, at least a little.  Some of us have become more aware of the weather, and how it affects farmers and crops in our area. Mary reminded us about the miracle of the field of fireflies in the book. Maria R. made us laugh at her "t.v. dinner NYC stories" and her introduction to "real food" in Spain, with her husband and his family.


We went over some ways we could try to make a difference for ourselves and our families: 
      1. TRY to eat at least one meal per week from locally and organically produced meats and produce. This "would reduce our country's oil consumption by more than 1.1 million barrels of oil EVERY WEEK".
      2.  Find farmers' markets and local producers in your area - go to www.ams.usda.gov, www.localharvest.org, or www.csacenter.org
      3. When shopping at a grocery store or food co-op, or dining at a restaurant, ask about food origins, and request that locally produced items be stocked.
      4. Share your opinion with local policymakers at town and city hall meetings, school board meetings, and your own FAMILY EVENTS - encourage them to use local ingredients.

Remember, if your grandparents wouldn't recognize it, or it won't go bad in your refrigerator, don't eat it! Check out the website, www.cornucopia.org for information on best organic milk, eggs, and soy products to buy. Just because it packaged with "organic" or "natural", doesn't mean it's fit to be eaten, as Miggy pointed out.

Bon Appetit my friends! Choose wisely --- you can influence for better or for worse --- your family, friends, and loved ones -- as well as the animals and environment around us.

XXOO-
Robin