Meet My New CSA

For months now I have secretly researched the CSA movement on the internet wishing for a Miami contact. I live in suburbia, the farms are a distant cry from my lifestyle. I have been longing for the fresh produce so many enjoy in more rural settings. Several weeks ago I visited a sustainable farm in an area south of the city. I found my farm. I signed up for their CSA and we are now a part of the real food movement tried and true. This photo is a glimpse of my gourment lettuce crop enjoying th morning sun. Every week for the next 6 months I will receive shares of the produce delivered to a family owned shop close to home. The farm is fully sustainable, grows heirloom tomatoes, lettuces, herbs and lots of other assorted vegetables. Their carbon footprint extends 45 miles from the farm. Their crops are mostly organic althought the farm is not organic certified, and many are grown in hydroponic green houses like these lettuce plants. Miami, being in the sub-tropics, grows the biggest collection of bugs that also love fresh produce. This is the closest I will ever get to home grown goodness many of you enjoy everyday. I am so ready for the change.

I'm Back and Baking

Meet my newest toy, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Machine. I cranked her up this morning and she made a 1-1/2 lb. loaf of Pesto Bread.  The house smells wonderful and my taste buds are already tingling.I know it's a little premature for Christmas but it will be a big part of my Christmas gift this year. I just couldn't wait with Thanksgiving just around the corner and lots of bread baking ahead of me with the Holidays. I can justify anything, just give me a second. I love the fact that the loaf pan makes a long bread like store bought brands. The machine makes up to a 2 lb. loaf which is great for when the whole family is around.

Boring But Tasty Bento

I have to admit that many days I am just hungry but uninspired. Today was was of those days. The bento is filled with healthy stuff but of the wrong color palate for inspiration. Missing are the red, and orange colors. Difficult to see from this picture the veggie straws are actually orange and the inside of the meat roll is red. Oh well...you win some and you lose some.

Ms. Red Bento

It's finally Friday bento is ready for school. It's been a long 5 days. Inside this adorable set of Ms. Red Riding Hood boxes I have placed homemade white pizza with Alfredo Sauce, steamed snap peas, cinnamon goldfish cookies and a shiny red apple. Very autumn like don't you think?

Half A Peck: Miami Style

As a child in New York State, our family was able to go to apple farms and pick our own apples off the trees. I know most families up North have this shared experience and it somehow defines Fall. In Miami, the Avocados are still forming and it's still hot outside. The closest I can get to apple season from New York is this tiny bag of apples I found at Whole Foods. They are delicious and trigger sweet memories of family fun.

Mini Cranberry-Orange Scones

Saturday was my day to bake up a storm. Although it is still warm outside mid-September triggers the desire for me to bake bread, quick bread, and all things bread like in form. It all begin with mini-muffins and now we have moved on to mini-scones. Inspired by bento sized objects my goal was to create tiny bite sized scones to pop into my boxes. These little goodies are cranberry-orange scones with glaze. I intend to store them in the deep freezer and thaw one at a time when needed or should I say desired.

Blazing Purple Potatoes Bento

I am working on my colors and packing this week. There is always room for improvement in this area of my bento boxes. This bento is filled with purple potatoes, turkey/cheese rolls, and corn with furatake. The second tier is two fat-free blueberry mini muffins, sliced cheese bits, green grapes and carrot slices for my snack bento. Since I stay at school from 7 until 5 three days a week I often pack a snack bento to hold me until supper at 7. The purple potatoes are a real treat. I sprung  them on my family for supper the night before with limited success. One teen tried them and ate two little ones. One teen could not get past the color. My husband stated that they were not bad if you pretend their not purple. Personally, I thought the flavor was really good. They have a  thin skin like a new potato and they are sweet like a red potato. Just goes to show you how powerful color is to our taste palate. I tried them out on my faculty today and most of the women were pleased with the taste. The male member couldn't consider eating a purple potato. He just turned up his nose and walked away.