Wednesday Brings Organic Goodies

In June, my husband and I joined a 60 member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group.  For those of you not familiar with this concept, it's basically a way for consumers to buy seasonal food directly from a local farmer.  Each week, members pick up their "shares" of produce.  This particular group that we joined, farms organic veggies, and offers broiler shares, free range eggs, chevre shares, and so much more! Our membership is good for 18 weeks - taking us all the way through October (mmm squash season!) 

Since joining the CSA, I now look forward to my mid-week hump! The advantages of joining a CSA are numerous:

1. Eat ultra-fresh organic veggies, daily!
2. Exposure to new vegetables which calls for opportunity to experiment with new recipes.
3. Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows my food and get an inside look as to how my food is grown.
4. Save time and money on a trip to the grocery store - save these trips for the winter!
5. Be a part of something bigger than you!  I love supporting local farmers who contribute their growth of goodies right back to the community. 

Shared Risk
It's important to note that when joining a CSA, most likely that will mean that you are agreeing to "Share the Risk".  Basically, this means that if the Farmer has a poor harvest - perhaps a hailstorm takes out all the crops, or a drought leaves few for the taking - then you will only receive what is available.  However, using that name notion, if the farmer has an amazing harvest and is left with an abundance of vegetables, then you will reap the benefit of receiving more than your "share".

Thankfully, we have been blessed with quite an amazing harvest this season... 

He's a glorious God indeed!

My CSA share this week consisted of organic tomatoes, red potatoes, carrots, muskmelon, scallions, sweet corn, and freshly picked basil!

Organic!  So Fresh & So Good!

Tastiest Carrots EVER - I love their petite size too!

Couldn't resist diving into this mouthwatering muskmelon! 

Looks like I will be whipping up a batch of fresh pesto with all of these luscious greens!

Mr. Miles enjoys CSA day too!  Tried to sneak an ear of corn from the share....
although he's blaming the monkey! :) 

Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride!

MSF

Paula Red's Grilled Chicken Salad for Two

I love harvest time in Michigan.  In the area in which I reside, I'm surrounded by local growers...literally a half-mile either direction and I have access to the bounties of Mother Nature's goodies.  Secretly, it makes me feel like a kid in a candy store (as the saying goes) every time I stop by the local stand...which is about twice a week....okay, three! :) 

I just love making meals knowing everything is mostly freshly hand-picked right from my backyard! 

Paula Red's Grilled Chicken Salad for Two - in this case, Mr. & Mrs.

Spinach

1 Paula Red Apple (soooo good!)  -

1 Cucumber

1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes - cut in halves

1/4 Cup of Raw Pumpkin Seeds
1 Grilled Chicken Breast - chopped in bite sized pieces (I like my chicken raised with love thus I only buy local!)

1/4 Cup of All Natural (organic) Honey Mustard Dressing (read the label friends) - and remember a little goes a long way!

Combine all together - shake...shake...shake - then divide it up on a plate. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm! It received my husband's stamp of approval! 

 Raised Locally with Love:  Paula Red Apples, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Raw Pumpkin Seeds, and Grilled Chicken Breasts....yum!

Just another angle of Michigan flavors combined!

Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride!
Mrs. Skinny Fat