Farmer's Markets are for Making Friends

One of the most profound differences between farmer's markets and grocery stores (besides the obviously locally grown/made vibe) is the strong social aspect. Grocery stores are less social, most people adhere to the "ignore everyone else" pretense. Farmer's markets are inherently social, where growers, producers, chefs, musicians and discerning shoppers mix and banter, sharing pieces of themselves as well as exchanging goods and money.


Here's my new friend Mauri and I, Mauri is all positive energy!! She is the artist behind Sistahs Vintage Aprons (www.sistahsvintageaprons.com) in Albany, NY. I will be rocking Mauri's colorful and feminine aprons in my cooking videos for youtube.


If you've never been to a farmer's market, a well-rounded, well-established one, such as the Schenectady Green-Market is a lovely way to be broken in (held all year, inside Proctor's until the weather warms up, then in front of City Hall, centered right around the fabulous and hip Jay Street).


Happy exploring! Love~ laura

You should know about GMO's

The Audacity of Genetically Modified Foods

"Does it bother you that we consumers are largely unaware that 70 percent to 80 percent of the [non-organic] processed foods we buy contain GM ingredients? We are 'largely unaware' because these foods are not labeled - even though 90 percent of Americans want them labeled and think that we have the right to know what is in our food. The biotech industry fights labeling viciously because they know that, if GM foods were labeled, many would refuse to buy them as is the case in Europe."

- "The Audacity of Genetically Modified Foods," Bruce Robinson, May 8, 2011

  



We are truly living in a precarious time in regards to food. We have never been more ignorant, more hoodwinked and more harmed by any major industry as we are by industrial agriculture. We need to know the truth about our food. Please read on and research more. Stand up and speak out if you don't think its right! Part of the yogic life is practicing deep honesty with ourselves and others, and yoga is a science of removing ignorance. As long as we remain ignorant, we are not in control and cannot make conscious choices for ourselves and our families. We cannot help support the sustainability of the earth and fellow human and animal life. Once our eyes are opened, we can never again be tricked so deviously.



The industrial agriculture system has chocked out most small farmers and farms and replaced them with huge fossil-fuel and chemical-based factory type farms. They utilize extremely destructive methods environmentally, including widespread use of Genetically Modified plants and animals. This whole system of agriculture destroys the natural fertility of the soil by poisoning the soil eco-system with chemicals. The soil production comes via these chemicals that poison groundwater and degrade the soil further. Over time more and more chemicals are needed to grow because the soil is literally dead.



Most people fall for the deceptive labeling practices used, which include happy looking animals, small family farms, and phrases like "natural" and "humane". None of these tricks or claims are truthful or regulated by law. Nothing could be further from the truth.



Natural agriculture, that which is truly sustainable, uses no chemicals. It utilizes age-old techniques for enriching the soil community and producing maximum crop yields. Techniques include composting,





 Learn about the food industry's deceptive, dangerous and destructive practices, especially the company Monsanto, which controls most of the crops grown in this country.




http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm 







from http://www.bnet.com/blog/food-industry/forget-the-royal-wedding-prince-charles-crosses-the-pond-to-denounce-factory-farming/3039



by Michelle Warner




 Just days after the hullabaloo of his son William’s wedding, Prince Charles delivered a rousing speech on the evils of industrial agriculture in Washington this morning — instantly turning himself into a new icon in the battle over modern agriculture and its impact on the environment, human health and animal welfare.

Speaking at the Washington Post’s “Future of Food” conference, the Prince called the large-scale, non-local, chemical-intensive, oil-shackled system of food production “no longer as viable as it once appeared to be,” earning him hero status among the assembled sustainable food advocates. In a tweet, Grist’s Tom Philpott called him a “lucid big picture thinker.” (That’s one indication, at least, that Charles may have better luck with this endeavor than he did with his ill-fated critique of modern architecture).

His Royal Highness has been a champion for sustainable agriculture for many years, but this is his first major speech on the subject in the U.S. Citing his concern for future generations, Charles argued for food systems more in sync with nature:

Soil is the foundation of world civilization, the health of nations….But soils are being depleted, demand for water is growing ever more voracious and the entire system is at the mercy of an increasingly fluctuating price of oil…In some cases, we are pushing nature’s life support systems so far they are struggling to cope with what we ask of them…If we do not work within nature’s system, then nature can not be the sustaining force she has been.

This sort of thinking — that industrial farming is ruining the environment and isn’t a good solution for feeding the developing world’s exploding population — is exactly the criticism large farm groups are gearing up to debunk. Trade groups representing the pork, chicken, beef and egg industries and the growers of corn, soy and sugar have formed the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and are planning a PR campaign starting in July. Here’s their message:

Consumers should realize and understand that U.S. farmers and rancher share their values and are committed to producing safe and nutritious food in a way that protects and enhances the environment, responsibly cares for animals and contributes to our larger community.

Some of those same industry groups, plus lots more, have teamed up to create another alliance — the Alliance to Feed the Future — though it’s not clear how these two groups will overlap since they’re both in the early stages.



Another presenter at the conference — Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation — argued that “the survival of the current food system depends on widespread ignorance of how it really operates.” The food industry professes to disagree. Both the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and the Alliance to Feed the Future are based on the idea that once Americans learn the story behind their food, they’ll realize farmers are people too and that everything’s OK.



But as we’ve seen before, when the food industry decides to open up its barn doors, the picture the public gets isn’t always complete. Big Ag is smart to try and counter some of the negative publicity with heartwarming stories of third generation family farmers. But with half of all Americans admitting concerns about genetically engineered foods and 80% of moms saying they’re concerned about antibiotic use on farms, it’s going to take a lot more than slick PR campaigns to turn the tide of public opinion.

For that, the industry is going to have to adopt actual change — using a lot less antibiotics, fewer GE crops and raising animals with a humane amount of space in which to live.

Reading THE CHINA STUDY May Just Save Your Life!

Two years ago, dear friends of mine found out I was eating some dairy again and highly recommended that I read The China Study. I remember the strong feelings they shared about the book. I ended up turning vegan again of my own volition, and filed the book recommendation in my mind, but didn't seek it actively.

My veganism floundered & flopped in the face of 9 months of heavy nausea & strong aversions to my favorite dietary staple: beans. I drifted far and even for the first 6 months of Finn's life we've been using local cheese, milk & eggs.

I am always seeking ways to reduce our impact on the earth, so after much deliberation, we decided to go vegan again. I will share in another post the difference between "grocery store vegan" & "whole foods vegan", but we decided on a whole foods vegan lifestyle.

I finally felt the pull to read The China Study, for added inspiration. I deeply wish that I had only read it 2 years ago. It may have given me the power to have eaten even better for my baby & my self.

The China Study is loaded with the results of numerous studies, all professional and scientific, scholarly studies. Each study provides more & more weight to the theory that Western diseases (obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders & more) are link to animal fat and protein consumption.

The correlation was so strong between cow's milk protein consumption and tumor growth that they literally could turn tumor growth on & off like a switch by raising and lowering protein levels!

We are told meat, milk & eggs are important for our health, so how can it be that they are killing us slowly? The meat & dairy industry have BILLIONS in clout to advertise, advise government recommendations & more. Oprah Winfrey was sued by the meat industry when she did a show on factory farming & said "that's enough to keep me from eating another hamburger again", because special laws are in place to protect the beef industry from libel. That violates freedom of speech, as guarenteed by our constitution!

I have heard of people adopting an organic, wholefood vegan lifestyle, using herbs and surrounding themselves with positive people & attitudes and curing their own cancer. I have seen a video years ago about this. The China Study helps me to remember & to believe.

The China Study talks about studies and through sheer bulk of such information, it provides a startlingly strong case for at least trying a whole food, plant-based diet for a month.

Please don't take my word for it, PLEASE READ THE CHINA STUDY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

I will say that in switching from a vegetarian to a vegan diet, before reading The China Study I noticed that my energy is better, I feel more clean & well, and my metabolism has picked up. I am not deprived, and by eating whole vegan foods, as the book states, you can eat whenever you are hungry, you can trust your body once again.

Animal agriculuture has been around 10,000 years, but humans hae been around for 200,000 years. We ate meat at times, but a token amount compared to the Western diet now. Mostly, we ate plants. Even with animal agriculture, we ate far less of our animal products, still a mostly plant-based diet. Eating excessive animal products was a sign of affluence and was known to be extravegant. That knowledge has been buried by the powers that be.

Please read THE CHINA STUDY and decide for yourself!

Slow Foods Revolution

Foodies & Environmentalists Unite!

The Slow Food movement, started in Italy to counter the emergence of fast food, seeks to preserve health in families, communities, cultures & planet through promoting a revolution in school foods, reformation in the way we look at nutrition, & protection for biodiversity in plants & farm animals.

Please give their website a peek!!

Since 70% of the water is used by agribusiness, most of the petroleum products go to farming & food miles constitute a lion's share of CO2 emissions in the US, simply by becoming a slow foodie, celebrating connection, taste & respect, the recreational gourmet can become vastly greener. Changing your eating & purchasing habits is a huge part of becoming sustainable. And by gum, its so much more delicious too.

So if you, like me, are embarrassed for those people who buy those tasteless grocery store tomatoes, or who refuse to eat fruits and vegetables out of season, you may already be well on your way to being a Slow Foodist.


Below how the Slow Foods website defines their slogan of "Slow Food is Good, Clean & Fair".


Good:

The word good can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Slow Food, the idea of good means enjoying delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals. The pleasures of good food can also help to build community and celebrate culture and regional diversity.

Clean:

When we talk about clean food, we are talking about nutritious food that is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies. It is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.

Fair:

We believe that food is a universal right. Food that is fair should be accessible to all, regardless of income, and produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

the local green market scene

We had an amazing shopping experience at the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market on north main street in Gloversville, across from the Glove Theater. If you live & or work to the west of Amsterdam I highly recommend buying your animal products here if you can't get them at the farmer's market. The manager very strongly focuses on the local scene. Very good selection, especially for the size. All items emphasive local sourcing, including the bulk grains, produce & baked goods. Best all-purpose green grocery store in the west. You can get nearly everything there, and Chris is enthusiastic to show you around & tell you where everything comes from!

In Amsterdam, Down To Earth has been the natural foods store for around 30 years. Dave is always kind, eager to special order & go out of his way for his customers. Especially great source for herbal tinctures, teas, homeopathic remedies, essential oils & bulk grains/beans. Also a source for Amsterdam's own Rullison Honey & Adirondack Maple Syrup from Fonda. Dave carries lots of supplements as well. If you are ever in need of a natural remedy for what ails you, ask Dave, and he'll have something good (and all-natural)on the shelf to suggest.


If you are east of Amsterdam, the Schenectady indoor farmers market is on
Sundays from 10-2 in the arcade/coffee area of Proctor's. Its not just food, but live music & more!

For the rest of the week & for those that live &/or work in Albany, the Honest Weight Food Coop is the largest, best stocked & labeled place around. You can get local animal products & a vast selection of health & beauty,medicinal & food items there. Prepare to be awed by the vast selection, helpful staff and buzzing community feel. It's a great big city co-op. Best all-in-one green grocery store in the east!

If you live and or work in Saratoga, on Phila Street, kiddie corner from Ben & Jerry's, Four Season's is a buzzing health-food store with some local selection, a microcosm sort of grocery/herbal selection, and a killer cafe. You simply must eat from their glorious fresh buffet of vegetarian delights, enough to healthfully satisfy any appetite. This is our number one place to eat in Saratoga, hands down. Their vegan smoothie is SO good, a refreshing Summer dessert, perfect to share with a friend!

Mohawkharvest.org

hwfc.coop

Schenectadygreenmarket.org

Besides growing our own & farmer's markets in season, we get 99% of everything else from Down To Earth and Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market and we're always satisfied.