Yesterday I picked up our first box of organic vegetables

through the CSA program at a local farm in Athens, WI.

http://stoneyacresfarm.net/

This is our first time participating in a CSA and I'm really excited about it.  There are so SO many reasons to buy good quality, organic, local food.  It took me awhile to come around.  I can remember one of the first times I became aware of where our food comes from; it was several years ago while shopping for treats to put in my nephews' vacation goodie bags for our annual Spring trip.  I noticed that some candy I was about to buy said "Made in CHINA" on the package.  That was enough to make me put back the imported candy and re-think what I was feeding the boys.  It also made realize that it's up to me to decide what's best for me to eat, that just because it's on the shelf doesn't mean it's nutritious...or even safe.  I'm concerned about the amount of young people diagnosed with allergies and noxious diseases.  I just wonder if we really know enough about the chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors added to food to make it look bigger, brighter and "taste better".  I've often questioned if my own various sensitivities are due in part to these artificial additives in food and even beauty products.  The more I read about the benefits of eating food that hasn't been processed, or is minimally processed, the better I feel about spending the extra money for (and taking the extra time to find) healthier food.  I'm not a jump-on-the-bandwagon type of person, believe me.  This has been a gradual awakening, a realization that I just feel better overall after swapping out the junk and being more aware of what I eat and the products I use.  My old favorite meal of strawberry Twizzlers and Sprite is now reserved just for very special occasions.  And that's ok.

I'd been thinking about joining a local CSA for several years, and the time was right for us to join this summer.  Here's a sample of what was in the first box I picked up yesterday:  lettuce, broccoli, radishes, Chinese cabbage, scallions, purple kohlrabi, bok choy, rhubarb, and a bottle of maple syrup.

I got to wander around the farm where the vegetables are grown.

Some of the vegetables are grown in hoop houses.

It was so steamy in there that my camera lens and glasses fogged up.

The farm also offers fresh eggs.

I made this stir-fry recipe last night:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/stir-fried-bok-choy-with-ginger-and-garlic-recipe/index.html

Today we are celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary!

June 14, 2003