Types of CSAs: More than Just Veggies

Comments

Many people have heard about CSAs, or community supported agriculture. One of the biggest hesitations about joining a CSA program is the idea of a “fixed” menu of foods that you get each week — even if they are things you don’t like. But, did you know that there are several types of CSAs? The variety includes everything from the types of food in the CSA to how hands on you’d like to get with your produce. CSAs can also help support charitable efforts or economic development projects. Thus, you weekly spend on healthy foods has an even greater benefit for all. Here’s some of the options available. Continue Reading…

Five Good Reasons to Support Local Family Farms with a CSA

Comments

There’s over a foot of snow outside my door but its time to start thinking about vegetables! Not just the seeds to plant before the last frost (when I can find the ground again), but March and April are also the months to sign up for a CSA. Continue Reading…

Italian Wine Takes Over San Francisco, Part 2: Tre Bicchieri 2013

Comments

As magnificent and fun as the Slow Wine tasting was, the Tre Bicchieri event a few days later made it seem like a country barn dance in comparison. Continue Reading…

Plant.Learn.Grow

Comments

Vegetables and herbs are sprouting up in schoolyards across the United States. Raised soil beds and vine-covered lattice are replacing asphalt courtyards and chain link fencing. The emergence of gardens on the campuses of primary and secondary schools across the country can largely be attributed to the revolutionary work of organic, sustainable food pioneer Alice Waters. Continue Reading…

The Beauty of Grass Fed Beef

Comments

Everyone has most likely indulged in a juicy, fresh off the grill, hamburger topped with all of the fixings, including extra ketchup, all while piled on top of a fluffy, white, sesame seed topped bun at some point or another. As the late summer BBQ images are starting to cumulate in your mind, did you ever once look at the ground beef package prior to devouring the luscious burger? Continue Reading…

Where to Eat: Operacaffe Food Truck in San Diego

Comments

Without a doubt, the gourmet food truck scene is one of the hottest trends rolling right now in the gastronomical world. Between the TV offerings of, The Great Food Truck Race on The Food Network, and Eat St on The Cooking Channel, to President Obama tweeting about his fave truck in D.C., (D.C. Empanadas) you just can’t get any more au courant with a hopefully, long lasting fad. Continue Reading…

Italian Wine Takes Over San Francisco, Part 1: Slow Wine 2013

Comments

For Italian wine lovers, last week was epic in the city of San Francisco.

First came the Slow Wine 2013 tasting event, which brought together over 50 producers, all of whom are featured in this year’s Slow Wine Guide. The guide, which was first published in English last year by Slow Food Editore, is something of a counterpoint to the controversial 100-point rating system employed by folks like Robert Parker. In the Slow Wine Guide, much attention is given to winemaking practices from vine to glass, focusing on sustainability. Wines are not scored by number, but described and put into the context of the Italian wine landscape. Continue Reading…

Moving? Don’t know where your wine opener is? I’ve got you covered.

Comments

I recently relocated. Beyond what fit in my truck around the carrier for one oversized, excessively furry cat, all of my posessions spent a few weeks under the guardianship of Wheaton van lines. Stumbling into the Trader Joe’s in my new city, desperate for a brief respite from my environs–which looked like Hoarders after the movers left–I zombie-shuffled my way to the wine aisle. And then realized I had no idea where my wine opener was. Now what was I going to drink? Continue Reading…

Farm-to-Farm (or Composting)

Comments

Think of this as the farm-to-farm movement, or composting. Picking up fruits and vegetables, incorporating kitchens, tables, and sporks, and heading right back into the soil, the act of composting has been biodegrading since prehistoric farmers roamed the earth. Continue Reading…