Berry season is done (at least where I live in the valley) and all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it with jams, berry syrup for pancakes, tartes, and shortcakes. Now we're on to peaches, pluots (plum+abricots?),melons, and grapes!
And despite having exchanged one hot place for another in our move out west, at least this region is a beacon of hope for any foodie. We recently joined the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program called Abundant Harvest and it has been wonderful to not have to stand in the grocery store wondering what pesticides are on my food; plus, it has become a lot easier to eat healthy.
*minus the fact that these past 2 weeks we've gotten dozens of jalapenos and the only thing I know to with them is deep fry or wrap 'em in bacon! ha ...probably need to find some other recipes for those guys...along with a new unknown veg called Sorrel - What in the heck is that!?
anywho - Food in this country - yikes. I'll never forget Michael Pollan, food journalist, saying something to the effect of, "how far have we really come that we need people to tell us how to satisfy our most basic of instincts!? eating." Julia Child even mentioned how difficult it was to find quality food when she was comparing ingredients in the U.S.A. with the food overseas for her "cook-bookery" creation. So basically, the majority of Americans don't know what to eat and don't know how to find it. awesome
My personal conclusion, and I think you may agree, food is important. Good food is best. And even though it may be a little more expensive in the long haul, what is the cost?
I'm quite the hypocrite sitting in sunny CA next to Sunmaid Raisins, wine country, orchards and berry farms. A lot of the U.S. doesn't have all these amenities (like Kingsville TX..) but the best we can do is support local and organic - demand will hopefully win out making the supply a better product! My last thought is: Life's too short to eat bad food!
