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07.30.2005 :: Locavores Gone Loco?
Perhaps my "eat local" goals that I posted the other day were a little over the top. The idea of a challenge made me a little crazy. I figured I could list my daily menu and find alternatives for everything. Enthusiastic? Obsessive? Realistic? A little of this and that and not so much of the other.
The reality of what I'm getting from this challenge is a better sense of my community. This is a big deal for me, because by default, I tend towards living a rather hermitic life. I like silence and privacy. I'm not a big fan of social gatherings except with trusted friends and family. I don't have children, so I don't have an automatic entry into the life of my suburban neighborhood. For me, venturing out and participating is my local challenge. And I'm finding there's alot of inherent reinforcement in the local food community.
The lady who bakes the whole wheat challah bread at my local farmer's market is the same lady who sells me the bread. We talk about what she's planning on making next week. At the raw cheese booth, the other breadmaker and I politely and laughingly bicker over who gets the last block of sharp cheddar (he got it last week!). There's a reassuring sense of community that I'm finding in this quest for local food that is feeding something deeper than my hunger.
So my goal becomes more refined. Eating locally is my challenge to become a part of my community. Talking to strangers. Exchanging ideas face to face. Trying something new. My goal is not to replace every item in my kitchen nor to establish an elaborate new food lifestyle. It's just me finding my own place.
Homemade blueberry scones (recipe from Barbara at Tigers & Strawberries). Made with blueberries that I bought at the Peninsula Farmer's Market this morning. The berries are from Blue Jaye Farm which is located about 13 miles away from my house.
Posted by Mary on 07.30.2005 AT 02:10 PM
Comments
What an admirable goal that you have set for yourself. I see myself in you in so many ways. If not for the kids, I would have very limited contact with the outside world.
The blueberry scones look amazing. Is that a cup of coffee next to the plate? Or green tea?!? ;)
Posted by: Annie on 07.30.2005 AT 05:53 PM
I'm just gearing up for the local foods challenge. I already incorporate some local goods into my family's diet, but I could certainly do more and learn more as well. At least it's a place to start - right? Kudos to you for taking the challenge!
Posted by: Kathy on 07.30.2005 AT 08:28 PM
Am so glad to see you listing resources for your area...I'm just an hour or so south and have family in the Kent/Ravenna area so I will be checking some of them out my next visit! Any awesome, shouldn't be missed LYS to share?
Posted by: Jill on 07.31.2005 AT 10:57 AM
Good for you! It is difficult to move into unfamiliar places. The scone looks delicious!
Posted by: Angi on 07.31.2005 AT 12:07 PM
That scone looks delicious.
One reason I am so excited about the Eat Local Challenge is that everyone is putting their own interpretation on their goals for the month, and yours are fantastic ...
Posted by: jen on 07.31.2005 AT 05:21 PM
"It's just me finding my own place." I like that sentiment, Mary. Hey, maybe your "place" is in food photography?!
Posted by: Kerstin on 07.31.2005 AT 05:55 PM
Great photo. It made me hungry. While doing this challenge, I am beginning to understand the word "challenge", which is fine - I'm not complaining. I took heart from your comments.
Posted by: Dianna on 07.31.2005 AT 09:11 PM
I feel a similar way about going out in the world and interacting. I tend to be sort of a hermit too. When I had kids, I was like, "Oh my gosh, now I'm gonna have to go out and smalltalk with strangers!" Playdates, social kid stuff, that sort of thing. I just like my peace and quiet. But I find, the more I go out, the more I like it.
I like how Barbara tells one to "wash your hands" in her recipe!
Posted by: Leigh on 08.01.2005 AT 09:24 AM
Finding your place... well said, me too.
You may be interested in this site about the Slow Food movement.
http://www.slowfood.com/
Posted by: Paula on 08.01.2005 AT 10:24 AM
Glad you liked the scone recipe--I have also made it with red raspberries (fresh) and they turned out really well, too, though of course, more of them broke when I kneaded them into the dough. In hindsight, I think what I will do if I use raspberries again is to divide the dough into half, flatten one half of it into a circle, sprinkle the raspberries over it, kinda push them into the dough, then cover with the other half of the dough and squish it down, pinching the edges a bit to close up the seam, then finishing the recipe as written.
That way, not quite so many berries would be crushed.
Posted by: Barbara on 08.01.2005 AT 11:20 AM
It's fun to hear about your 'eat local' experiences and I'm printing the scone recipe as we speak...it looks yummy. thanks for linking/sharing. :)
Posted by: michele on 07.30.2005 AT 05:52 PM