Friday, May 28, 2010

Monkey See Monkey Do - Peeling Bananas the Monkey Way

Most of us have grown up peeling bananas the human way; Stem side first. This is easy if the banana is ripe, you have nails, or a knife. However have you ever tried to peel a banana only to have the stem fold and not brake apart from the rest of the peel. This usually bruises the top portion of the banana.

If you have ever spent any time watching monkeys eat bananas, you know that they do the peeling quite differently. They peel it from the base side. Hey if the pros do it this way, why shouldn't we.
Since watching this video, my life has been forever changed. I now peel my bananas the monkey way, and am nery again frustrated with a banana that won't peel or becomes bruised by my effort.



Thursday, May 20, 2010

CSA - Produce Box

We received our first produce box of the season. Boy am I excited. Recently I have become more aware of where my food comes from. Aware of the bad farming practices, the dangers of pesticides and genetic alternation of our food. Aware of the negative effects food has on our health and environment. Our family made a decision to put forth an effort to "eat better". Eating better does not simply mean what types of food we eat but where we get our food, and how it is grown. Spending more money on quality food is worth it. I rather not have cable TV, or wear designer jeans, in exchange for local organic food.


Our CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, comes from a small farm in New Castle California: The Natural Trading Company. Up here the growing season is too short and no farms exist. However just down the hill from us plants flourish. The farm is within 100 miles of us, and we get a box delivered once a week. Pick up locations are grouped. In today's box we received: arugula, squash, spring garlic, spring onions, Kale, sugar snap peas, lettuce, pea shoots, bok choy, kohlrabi, naval oranges, gala apples, and ruby grape fruit. Eating has become an adventure!

Find a local CSA in your area, and start reaping the benefits.