Making the Most of This Food Experience

I am not a gardener.  I dream of having an incredible garden.  But with my postage stamp, shaded back yard, I have not had much success.  I do have a few patio pot veggies, and I have my herbs!

I love my herb baskets!  Each Mother's Day weekend, I go to the nursery and pick my herbs for the season. This year, I was even more excited to buy my herbs!  Fresh herbs have made a huge difference in the taste and quality of my meals on the Ideal Protein protocol.  I chose my herbs this year with future meals in mind. I bought cilantro, sweet basil, sage, thyme, chives, and some chocolate mint to sweeten my water!   This year I got an extra treat - I found this HUGE rosemary plant.  I can see chicken skewers on rosemary sticks and lots of rosemary and garlic pork tenderloins.  (Anyone need a rosemary start for their garden?) 

Being on Ideal Protein's Protocol requires you to eat a lot of lettuce, veggies, and meat. It lends me to think even more about the importance of eating well - eating organic when possible, and buying local.  More and more I try to buy local, and I am excited about buying a "cow" with some friends.  We found a local VA farmer who slaughters their own grass fed Angus cows.  I'm excited to stock my freezer with a 1/4 of a cow soon.  (Still looking for someone to get the last quarter of the cow.  Let me know if you're interested.)  

Interestingly, I just started reading a book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  It's a story of a women and her family's goal to only eat what they themselves grew or was grown locally. One year of drastic food changes changed this family in more ways than they expected.  It's a story of inspiration, of agricultural education, and of conviction.  I've only just begun the book, but I think it's very timely to read this story as I make drastic food changes in my own life.  I thought it would be fun to throw out a challenge to see how many people are willing to read the book as they walk through this weight loss, life changing experience.  Leave a comment if you are willing to pick up the book and give it a try.  ( Hint: Half.com  is a great place to find inexpensive books.)

Finally, for those of you interested in buying local.  Here are a few farms that might be worth checking out:  South Mountain Veggies, Fox Hollow Farm, Wagon Wheel Ranch, Martin's Angus Beef, Larriland Farm, Butler's Orchard