Tag Archives: Shop Local

I haven’t yet used any Fadra’s optional topics of the day, but this one I can’t pass up: Where are you lacking trust in your life? (examples: church, government, work, family, etc.)

This past week I’ve been very emotional, mostly due to the rollar coaster ride of feeling of my cat Matilda disappearing for six days and my old man kitty having to be put down on on Wednesday. It would be an understatement to say I was a basket case.  Well, in this emotional state I talked to a couple friends and my hubby about the state of the country, mostly the state of our food supply because it at time enrages me.  I’ve educated myself for years about our food, it’s a really long story that I will only touch on, but it began with my passion for animals almost 20 years ago and I wanted to learn exactly how our food got from farm to table.  That was bad news….  A lots happened since then (the part I won’t get into here) but now there is so much more I know about food as  a whole and it sickens me what our government (FDA, USDA, etc.) allows in our food system.  I absolutely have NO trust in them AT ALL to feed us healthy food.  Right now heads of Monsanto are running the FDA and USDA, this is very sad and scary and we the people are going to have to take matters into our own hands by seeking out locally grown fruits and vegetables, finding our local farmers and ranchers for our grass-fed, free roaming meats and dairy products to ensure they are nutrient rich and not laden with chemicals, pesticides and hormones.  Many other countries have banned these things from their food, yet the US will not. I don’t know what the reasons are, we can speculate a number of things from lobbyists to big business to not wanting to change due to layoffs. Whatever.  I just feel that EVERYONE in this country should have the ability to walk into any grocery store and not have to worry about what’s in their milk, on their oranges. To me it’s very sad.

This is just a snippet of how I feel on this topic but you can clearly see that I don’t listen to the government about what’s good for us in the food department. Better re-think those Got Milk ads!

Times Up!
This has been my Sunday 5 minute Stream of Consciousness.

Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
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* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Since moving here to East Bradenton, we have really been enjoying the many local farms and ranches. One we’ve been to several times is Hunsader Farm which is only 10 minutes away from our home. We’ve gone to pick strawberries and tomatoes a few times now, once the kids and I picked 22 pounds of strawberries for our housewarming party. We freeze them for smoothies, eat them whole, make sweet treats. I took great pleasure making home-made tomato sauce twice now, blanching, peeling, squooshing, cooking… So many dinners to eat up the fresh sauce. Love it!

Thought I’d share some of the love!

If you want to find local U-pick’s or Farmer’s markets in your area, just click HERE and HERE!

Common site with today's agribusiness. Image from propankitchen.com.

Factory-farm chickens.

I don’t even know where to begin.  The state of our food today so deeply saddens me, and concerns me. I worry about the future of food for our children, their children, so on. I believe that it’s our responsibility to make the world a better place for future generations and I’m afraid we’ve failed and are moving too slowly to recover our mistakes.  We are in such a deep whole, it’s going to be a difficult climb out.  I know there are movements that are working hard to make strides in the right direction, thank goodness.  Here at home we’re doing our best and constantly moving towards doing better, a little at time as to not get overwhelmed.

I’ve always been one to educate myself about the environment, where our food comes from, etc.  Years ago I read everything I could get my hands on about Factory Farming, how the animals are treated prior to getting to our table, how this industry effects our planet.  It’s appalling. One book I really took a lot away from was Mad Cowboy.  To read a story about a man, a fourth generation cattle rancher turn Vegan, was uplifting & inspiring. I believe everyone should be educated in the process of how our food comes to the table. I also believe that we shouldn’t have to be worried about what toxic chemicals or genetically modified crap is in our produce, it just shouldn’t be there. The Americans’ need for low food costs have COST us plenty more in quality of life and medical bills. We need to WAKE the heck up and start nourishing our bodies with food, good food, whole food. Can’t tell I recently watched Forks over Knives can you? Most of the information in this incredible documentary wasn’t new to me. Though the statistics were jaw dropping. I had myself convinced prior that as long as I looked for sustainable, grass fed, free-roaming, humanely slaughtered, wild, etc., animals than I could still eat them. I was a vegetarian years ago for ethical reasons and caved after my kids were born out of ease. I beat myself up a bit about this and would like to head back in that direction, though I find my will power has decreased since then. My husband and I are finally in a place that we’re ready to begin the big changes. Though compared to the typical American diet, we’ve done good, eating very little red meat, mostly poultry and fish, lot’s of veggies, etc. This isn’t enough. We know that.

As a people we need to seek out our local sources, grow what we can. We have to be in control of this, no one else is watching out for us. The government is supporting big industry, like Monsanto, unfortunately it’s all about big business. The small farmers are suffering. Go to your local farmers market on weekends, they’re spreading rapidly and can be found in most large and small communities now (Click HERE to find one near you). SUPPORT THEM! Join a CSA. Do whatever small part you can. I’m not one to throw in the towel because it seems hopeless, it IS hopeless if you do that. We the people must demand changes!

If you’re interested in learning more about your food, the future of food and what you can do about it, here are some links to articles, documentaries and groups that can help.

Food Inc.
Forks over Knives
Ingredients
Food Matters
The Future of Food

Slow Food, USA
Non-GMO Project
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (School Food – demand better)

Mad Cowboy (links to books & documentary)

Current Monsanto article – Washington Post

Tell Obama to Cease FDA Ties to Monsanto!
Watch This!

Anything written by Michael Pollen!

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Well, so much for me being on top of Mother Earth Month.  So busy with a charity event, the 3rd Annual 4th Street Dreams hosted by Tanya Sharkey Photography and WildSugar Photography. We bring together restaurants from up & down 4th Street in St. Petersburg, along with many other great businesses, to raise money for the Children’s Dream Fund.  We’ve been busy bees getting this thing put together.  We even have great children’s activities this year including Sophie’s Face Painting, an animal balloon artist and airbrush tattoo artist,  two story tellers, Olga Bof with Cheeky Monkey’s Books and Toys and Suzin Carr author of “I Choose” and “I Choose Too” and hoop dance with Be Hoopful!

I’ve also officially paired up with WildSugar Photography, Teresa Wilds has moved into to the studio with me, she specializes in the most amazing newborn, baby & child photography which is a perfect compliment to my specialties of pets, high school seniors & head shots/modeling comps.   We’re so excited, so much going on.

Well, that’s it for today, don’t forget about Earth Day this Friday the 22nd! Do something good for the earth, if you haven’t already this month and I’m going to really try to get some earth friendly info posted this week!

4th Street Dreams Event Info:

April 28th
6-10p
2720 4th Street North, St. Pete 33704
10+ restaurants, kid’s activities, music, beer, wine
supporting local business, fun for all
raising money to support a wonderful local charity!

For more information call Tanya at 727-424-0236:-)!
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The Jewelry edition!  Only I’m not generally into diamonds, gold and fine jewelry from Tiffany’s, ha.  Yes, I can respect it’s quality and think much of it IS pretty, just mostly not for me.

So for what I’ve found that’s more fitting to my style I turn to Etsy!
Tribal Syle
A place where cultural tribal adornment meets modern day life. She has taken earrings, originally made for gauged ears, split them and inserted a sterling silver post. Making them available for people who have always admired this tribal style, but could not make the commitment of stretching their ears.

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Phrenological Fyndes (local to St. Pete)
A combination of many elements, old and new; luxe and edgy; smooth and textured and re-purposed into unique Cuff Bracelets.

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Sora Designs
Vintage and repurposed jewelry.

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Lesley Tinnaro (local to St. Pete)
Making jewelry is her passion. Using sterling silver and age old techniques, she embraces hammering, sawing, soldering and sanding the metal into the vision in her head.

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Oh, so many!  Here are some more (local St. Petersburg) Etsy and non-Etsy shops for great jewelry!

Madeline & francine
Nested Yellow
Nature of Art Gallery & Boutique
Talk of the Town
Little Brooklyn

Happy shopping:-)!
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Do you have foodies in your life, or maybe the at home gourmet? Do you struggle with how to gift them? Here are some ideas!

1. Travel to Tokyo 2. Butters of the World 3. Salt Cellar 4. Salted

*Travel to Tokyo,  or gift all the essentials one needs to bring Tokyo, Japan, Thailand and many more to your table with Destination Dinners.

*Butters of the World, HELLO:).  Happy Dance.  This assortment includes butters from England, Denmark, France and Belgium. Found on-line at Cooking.com.

*Salt!  I love my salt cellar purchased years ago, but this one from White Forest Pottery, is simple and beautiful!  *Note:  Locally, did you know that the St. Petersburg Clay Company has a large selection of items for sale by all of the artists!  If you haven’t been, it’s a must see!!

*Salted: A Manifesto on the World’s Most Essential Mineral and with Recipes!! Written by Mark Bitterman. His love of salt began after eating a sublime steak at a relais on a trip to France.

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Local gifts for the foodie:-)

*Check out the heat at Intensity Academy! An all-natural specialty sauce company based here in Tampa Bay! Go get sauced!

*How about specialty oil and vinegar?? Have you experienced Kalamazoo? They carry the freshest and finest 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Specialty Oils from award-winning producers around the world. Located at 449 Central Ave. Downtown St. Pete!

*You also can’t go wrong with unique gourmet and specialty items at the Saturday Morning Market! Everything from Jams to Spices, cheese and pasta can be found, so think out of the mall and go enjoy this beautiful weather and shop!

More gift ideas coming soon!

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These beauties found at the new Fresh Market in St. Petersburg, FL.

I grew up eating these nutty buds stuffed with seasoned bread and dipping the leaves in butter sauce.  I haven’t yet been able to convince my own family of their yumminess. I just figure they’re missing out, the sense of satisfaction one receives upon reaching the heart, their loss. But artichokes are more than fun to eat they are a healthy choice as well.  They are rich in fiber, and one medium artichoke can provide us with 3.5 grams of vegetable-based protein, a boost of Vitamin C, folate and potassium. Only 60 calories and zero fat, yee haw!

Scared to choose them and cook them? Their is a really great article on how to choose, prepare and cook artichokes in the current Clean Eating Magazine.  It makes these prickly little critters a breeze to work with.  You can also find a nice guide here at Simply Recipes.

Guide to choosing:

1) Choose one that’s heavy for it’s size, no wrinkles running from the inside tip of the petals to the base.

2) Look at the stem. A blackened cut could mean it has been stored too long.

3) Avoid those with spongy brown patches.

Mangia!

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I’ve considered myself somewhat of a tree-hugger since, well forever. Unfortunately, this is one of the areas that I’m certainly Perfectly Flawed. This Going Green, is overwhelming. Where do we start, what can we do, can we really make a difference? The answer is YES, yes we can! Start small and be ok with the smallness of it, then add a little at a time, at your comfort level. Here in St. Petersburg, they are beginning recycling pick-ups again this October. So if you’re one of those that hasn’t been taking your recyclables to the drop off receptacles, now is your time!

Wish my fridge looked like this, ha.

There are many little things you can do, right now, to begin going green:

Turn off the water as you brush your teeth.
Change all your light bulbs to fluorescent.
Find local food by shopping Farmers Markets, etc.
Keep an eye on the thermostat.
Turn off computers at night.
Shorten your shower.
Use warm or cold settings on the washer.
Give things away.
Recycle. Reuse.
Go paperless (ex. pay bills online)
Plant a tree.
Inflate your tires.
Turn off your lights when not in use.

These are easier things, and no, I’m not doing them all (ha. I love a long shower), but I’m working on adding them to my daily routine. Don’t ever feel that you’re not doing enough. Every little thing counts. So regardless of if you only recycle or if you compost everything and are vegan, etc. What you’re doing is helping to make a difference.

If you’re really hard core, here is a list of 99 Skills for an Eco-Friendly DIY Lifestyle, Whoa. How many do you do? I have really good intentions but….

Here are some other sites if you’re looking to expand your Greenness.
Green Guide
The Daily Green
Care2
Planet Green
TreeHugger
Organic Trade Association
Eat Wild Find Local Food:-)

The Shrimp Boil Bowl.

Another Sunday at the PFFamily home.  We get the grill going and put a big pot on filled with water and Old Bay seasoning, salt, pepper and squeezed lemon halves.  Bring to a boil and throw in the ingredients for a shrimp boil!  Happy, Happy!

The best thing I love about this is, NO MESS, just throw old newspaper or paper grocery bags down on the table and go to it!  All the shrimp and crab shells can be thrown down and wrapped up at the end for easy clean up.

Ingredients:

Shrimp, raw in shell
Crab legs/claws (optional)
Red Potatoes
Corn on the cob ( we usually just get the frozen mini’s)
Kielbasa or Polish Sausage or Hot Dog  (they make nice chicken and turkey varieties now too)
Carrots (optional)

Don’t forget to melt some butter and have lemons sliced up to dip the shrimp and crab:-) Oh, and hot sauce too, may I recommend looking into Intensity Academy sauces. They are locally based here in Tampa Bay and use natural ingredients and are super good!

Tip: Place shrimp in a zip bag with some Old Bay prior to cooking. Shake it up and cover well. Just adds to the flavor later:-)
Enjoy!

Cannellini Bean Salad with Arugula.

I’m forever trying to come up with side dishes, searching all the cookbooks, food magazines and websites. Well, I have a standby ready at all times that is quick, healthy and so yummy. Oh, and versatile too!! It’s the Bean Salad. I make sure that I always have a variety of canned beans, olive oils and flavored vinegars in the pantry. Then all you need is a fresh herb and some salt and pepper and you’ve got your side dish!!

Bean options:
Cannellini
Garbanzo (Chick Peas)
Pinto
Kidney
Any small white or red beans
Black beans

As far as Olive Oil goes, I do buy good stuff for these salads, as it’s not being heated. Highly aromatic and flavorful. There are so many varieties and countries to choose from, just have fun with it. If you’re in St. Petersburg, FL, a good place to start is Kalamazoo Olive Company Downtown!

Vinegar:
I love the Nakano Brand rice vinegars. They have a great Balsamic blend and I’ve currently been using the Roasted Garlic as well.

Ok, to make this salad, grab a can or two of the beans (don’t be afraid to mix them if all you have is one garbanzo and one kidney bean can), rinse and strain them. Then chop up some tomatoes or not, then whatever herb you have on hand, cilantro and parsley are my favorites, but I’ve used Arugula (not technically an herb) and basil as well. I do love the peppery note the Arugula adds. You could use chives too! I then pour on my choice of vinegar and oil and some fresh ground pepper and sea salt, stir and viola! Side Dish!!

You can serve immediately or place in fridge until later. You may need to add a bit more vinegar just before serving.

As a shopper who supports buying locally, look for those independently owned specialty shops in your area.  If in the Tampa Bay area here are a few:

Rollin Oats Market & Cafe’
Kalamazoo Olive Company
V Spicery
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Messineo’s Gourmet Market

Andare mangiare!