Who knew that you could "Check out the chicks" in The Economist? And the ladies they're talking about are causing quite a stir. With movies out like Food Inc., people aren't just becoming more educated about our food system, some are going one step further by raising chickens in their own back yards. And more of the media - such as The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and USA Today - are reporting the trends and resources.
Raising chickens has been something that my husband and I have been talking about doing for years, but with our travel schedules, there is no way we could responsibly do it ourselves, so we rely on the farmers market. I have to wonder, therefore, with the responsibility involved in keeping any animal, is this a trend that will end up like bunnies from Easter? Jack Shafer of Slate seems to think so. Of course, I hope not.
Either way, if you have the neighborhood or household infrastructure to raise chickens and want to do it now then check out www.BackyardChickens.com and organizations like Just Food: The City Farms in NYC or Mad City Chickens in Madison, WI. After all, there's nothing like a good egg.
Planning your 4th of July BBQ and want to offer your guests something special? Check out the varieties of marinated meats at Bi-Rite by Estancia. It tastes great, comes from a sustainable source and it's already marinating for you.
It's not what you know, but what you do with it that matters. The New York Times just revealed how Dr. David Kessler, the head of the FDA could not resist the allure of a chocolate chip cookie, as he tells it in his upcoming book “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite”. With my own multiple food sensitivities, detox regimes and travel schedule I have had to learn my own lessons when straying from the organic garden path.
Whether you are an emotional eater, trying to lose weight or want to be there for your kids when they get older, there are a zillion things you can do. I'm not going to pretend to know what is right for you, but I will suggest something simple that is working for me. First, breathe and feel grateful about something that makes you physically feel good. Then chop up some celery and carrots - easy foods that anyone can get - and munch on them. Chew them well. Taste how clean they are in your mouth. Feel how light they make you feel. Even imagine them growing in a garden.
Here are more tips on how you can make carrots and celery a habit:
Tip #1: Eat celery and carrot sticks before you go out to dinner with friends to fill up on fiber and nutrients. Tip #2: Do you like to munch on snacks? Then have them with you at your computer, car, or on a plane. Tip #3: Celery and carrots alone don't do it for you? Try an organic trail mix. Or add nut butter or cream cheese.
Practice begets new ideas and habits. And when you eat better, you feel better. You may not pass up every cupcake that comes across your path, but you do place yourself at an advantage with the fiber, antioxidants and nutrients. So remember to breathe, chop up some veggies and give yourself a pat on the back and feel grateful.
With the hurting economy and increasing gas and food prices, more people are starting to grow their own food. The June issue of This Old House magazine reported that about 43 million households have food gardens - a 19% increase from 2008. Whoa, Nellie!
If you want to build a garden, you have to have at least one rock-solid resource. Hands-down, this is the Western Garden Book. I prefer the older version, which you can get used for under $5 at www.Amazon.com.
Mr. Rogers may have never thought of doing this in his own neighborhood, but now you can! If you don't have space to grow your own veggies this summer, consider asking your friendly neighbor with a sunny backyard patch if he/she would let you build a box or keep some pots full of veggies. In return, you share part of your harvest. Not a bad deal, eh? To find someone near you check out Sharing Backyards, a grassroots non-profit that pairs local homeowners who will let you dig in their dirt.
Whether you're into Dirty Girl produce or you Scream for sorbet, you can tantalize your taste buds every Thursday now at the Ferry Building farmers market from 10-2.
You'll find a variety of sustainable ethnic "street" food stands, produce purveyors - definitely lots of yummy for every tummy. Check out the list of vendors and mark your calendars for a great mid-week food experience.
Growing up, I remember seeing my mom sitting on the couch with the newspaper wide open on her lap, clipping coupons like nobody's business. Things are no different today.
At the Lucky supermarket, you can find boneless skinless chicken breasts on sale for $1.88/lb., whereas at Mollie Stones in Pacific Heights a pound of organic chicken breasts will set you back $6.99. No doubt Lucky’s will save you money on the chicken, but the store will more than make up for it on middle-aisle items like desserts, cookies, candy, crackers, chips, dips, bottled water, soda, juice, frozen food, and condiments.
If you want to buy healthful food and shop smart, focus on fridge foods instead of pantry and freezer items, and buy organic commodity foods in bulk. When you cut out all the processed “stuff,” you can save enough money to justify spending more on pasture-raised meats, organic dairy, and locally and sustainably grown foods.
Next time you're at the store, take a good look at what's in your cart. You may be surprised by how easy—and even fun—it is to make better choices while saving money. With a rainbow of color in berries, peppers, tomatoes and other fruits and veggies - all bursting with color and flavor this season - you can say "leggo" to your Eggo.
Leave it to Hollywood. The "good food movement" is showing the way to a better food future in the just released movie FRESH by Ana Sofia Joanes. People from all income strata are given a message of hope and a way for better access to quality food with inspiring stories told by small farm advocates like Joel Salatin, industrial farmer George Naylor and urban farmer Will Allen.
You'll see the often unreported side of industrial food operations (which the industry and government arguably don't want you to see) and learn how traditional farming is actually more efficient, cost effectiveand environmentally friendly (not to mention more pleasurable for the farmers) than factory farming. Of course Michael Pollan of In Defense of Food and Omnivore's Dilemma fame makes appearances throughout sharing shocking statistics. Check out the video and go see it with someone you love.
No need to be a deer caught in headlights when it comes to knowing where your food comes from. CUESA, the non-profit that operates the farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, has two great games for kids that I bet adults will like too. One is farmers market "Bingo" and the other is a scavenger hunt. Check it out and have fun next time you go!
What better way to get to know your neighbors or give back to your community than with the gift of fresh food?
If you have a fruit tree, blackberry bush or even egg-laying chickens producing more food than you can eat, there are organizations popping up locally and across the country to keep your good food from going to waste. Check out this article in the New York Times about neighborhood foraging efforts across the bridge in Oakland.
Here are some ways to share your bounty or partake in someone else's nearby:
1) Post your excess bounty to your local friends on Facebook, email, etc.
2) Approach neighbors with fruit hanging off their trees. They may want you to take it off their hands.
3) Like to bake pies or can fruits? A great way to fill up your pantry and give as a gift to your generous neighbor.
4) Bring it to a school function as a fresh, tasty, healthier option.
If you want to buy healthful food and shop smart, focus on fridge foods instead of pantry and freezer items, and buy organic commodity foods in bulk. When you cut out all the processed “stuff,” you can save enough money to justify spending more on pasture-raised meats, organic dairy, and locally and sustainably grown foods. 
No need to be a deer caught in headlights when it comes to knowing where your food comes from. CUESA, the non-profit that operates the farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, has 
What better way to get to know your neighbors or give back to your community than with the gift of fresh food? 
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