My personal journey to explore the benefits of a slow food culture within my own household has bloomed over the last couple of months. Either the timing was right, or making the choice inside my mind opened a door to a world of opportunities that I just hadn't paid enough attention to before. Or both. But I'm having a great time pursuing this adventure.
I met so many wonderful, like-minded individuals yesterday, who have been brave enough to join the food revolution and try to educate the masses about the benefits of locally grown and organic food. And they provide the quality food items to back up their beliefs.
I first read about Linda Soper-Koltan, the owner of the new Green Gourmet to Go in Black Rock, at the CTBites blog a week or two ago. (If you haven't discovered the CTBites blog yet, go NOW. It's a wonderful resource.)
She was delightful to talk to - very passionate about her new career. I learned her shop has now opened as of this week and I can't wait to go check it out.
Catch A Healthy Habit is another place I keep hearing about. They had all kinds of information available and wonderful samples to try. My favorite? The Himalayan Honey Chocolate Mints. Yum! (Do you really expect anything less from this chocoholic?)
We picked up a map to all the local farms in the area that offer their goods to the public. You can download one here.
Stacia, the owner of Stone Gardens Farm, offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to people who want to receive delivery of fresh, in-season produce. They raise happy cows and pigs too, and you can purchase a portion of their animals for fresh meats as well. (You can pick up your goods at their farm or they have convenient drop off points in Westport, Fairfield and New Haven.)
The Fairfield Cheese Company was in attendance giving samples of their amazing cheeses. This is one of my new favorite places. I'm so excited about my participation in their upcoming Cheese 101 class.
This is where I'm torn. I've seen this brand of milk in many local heath food stores and I stand at the display debating back and forth about supporting local farmers or opting for the organic brands. While they're both good choices, I always end up choosing the organic brand. Has anyone tried this milk? What's your opinion between local and organic dairy products? I'd really like to know.
Last but not least, my education wasn't complete until I picked up copies of three books I've been meaning to read for awhile: Food Rules and In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, by Michael Pollan and You Are What You Eat: The Plan That Will Change Your Life by Dr. Gillian McKeith. On such an icy overcast weekend for late March, I'm looking forward to curling up on the couch with some tea and learning all about this journey I'm on.
3 comments:
There should be no thought to your decision about local milk or produce, compared to factory farmed organic products. When all local land is gone and growing houses we will have to rely on the huge corporations that run the organic food industry. Don't be fooled by the fancy package your lettuce comes in. The word organic is completely distorted by big money.
I'm Carol K.'s sister and was also at The Food Expo yesterday. You might be interested to go to the Fairfield Library's website and sign up for some of the emails. They have a lot of "Green" events, especially at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library. There will be a "Green Cleaning Products" demo on April 24th. I met this lovely South African woman at "Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe". She has done much research and desires to share how we can have chemical-free, inexpensive cleaning products. Here's her website: http://www.greentimeconsulting.com/Green_Cleaning_Products.html
oh so happy I lead you to the expo. i wish i could've been there too. one question... what happened to my chicken parm/fast food loving friend beth?!!!!!!!! i am so impressed with your new interest in food. hope to join you on your explorations some time soon.
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