Category Archives: Uncategorized

A pool, a sandy playground, two dune climbs and two beach visits later, we’re a bit sun-kissed and happily lodged beach side on the sleepy end of Ludington, Mich. We made our way up from Holland by hugging the coast as much as possible. That route up Shoreline Trail (B-15) took us through blueberry patches,Continue reading “Michigan Day 2: Sandy & Sun-Kissed”

More on the Great Plastic Bag Standoff today from the Chicago Tribune’s blog The Stew. Apparently, the Mayor’s office is behind anti-plastic bag renegade Henry Brockman 100 percent. Indeed, they’re ready to roll out a pilot program to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags and discourage farmers from supplying plastic unless it’s the expensiveContinue reading “Chicago to Discourage Plastic at Farmers Markets”

After we learned that my nephew would be released from the hospital today (Yay!) and that the iFarmer’s late afternoon meetings had been canceled (Yay!), we had a new set of get-out-of-town vacation goals. We wanted to be on the road by 4:30 (iFarmer), without feeling rushed (VFG). We hit the 290 on-ramp at 4:29Continue reading “Virtual Farmgirl Hits the Road”

For those of you who think you don’t like beets, I’m going to ask you to erase the memory of all the dull canned or pungent pickled versions you’ve ever tasted. Then do this: roast some fresh beets from the local market. A hot oven, plus a little coarse salt, pepper and olive oil willContinue reading “Can't Beat (Roasted) Beets”

Having spent a good bit of time in a hospital this week, I was drawn to this story in the Green Bay Gazette about the Aurora BayCare Medical Center’s effort to “ruin the image of hospital food.” How are they going to do that? They’re one of the latest of 125 health organizations to takeContinue reading “Greening the Hospital Cafeteria Menu”

I’d known for a while that the Chipotle was working to use locally grown and raised produce and meats, but I missed until a tip from the iFarmer’s Twin led me to see on Ethicurean that sustainable farmer extraordiniare Joel Salatin was supplying one of the local chains. According to the Washington Post, the CharlottesvilleContinue reading “Fast, Local, Naturally Raised Food”

Critics of Henry Brockman, a local farmer who recently began charging for his plastic bags at the Evanston farmers market, might find solidarity with this organization: SaveThePlasticBag.com. Yes. It’s a real group and it’s suing Los Angeles, which has moved to phase out plastic bags and encourage the use of paper or reusable bags. MyContinue reading “Plastic Bag Lovers Fight Back”

I’ve signed the American Farmland Trust’s Keep it Local pledge. I think the pledge is a great idea, a way for us urbanites and suburbanites in particular to make a commitment to buying local. This should be easy to do during the summer, when farmers markets are a stone’s throw from my house and office.Continue reading “Pledging to Buy Local”

A cool summer breeze and break in the humidity made for a fine evening outside. And this gave us a chance to try the refreshingly sweetWild Blossom Meadery & Winery’s Green Apple Riesling that we bought at our church’s winter market. It’s pretty good. Not saccharine, but more of a true dessert wine compared withContinue reading “Perfect Evening for Supper in the Outdoor Kitchen”

Getting buggy this summer. I don’t think these Future Farmkids would ever get tired of catching, then releasing lightening bugs.