{ROAD TO THE 2012 FARM BILL} DC Part 1

Editor’s Note: So I’m back from my quick trip to DC for 2012 Farm Policy lobbying. There is so much to report on that there will be multiple posts on the trip, including MANY interviews with farmers & food advocates that were apart of NSAC’s Farmer Fly-In. I will also have an entire post dedicated…

{pantry 101} Guide to Using Vinegar

Vinegar is a cooking and baking staple that can be found in most pantries, but there are so many types of vinegars it is hard to know which one to use when. Everything from big jugs of distilled white vinegar to intricate glass bottles of artisanal aged balsamics are widely available, and with so many…

{recipe} Asian Greens Salad

Today I’m going to share my Asian Greens Salad recipe with you. In the winter I make this salad five nights a week, and we eat it for several months straight. We never tire of it. In fact, when autumn rolls around and the air gets crisp and cool, we start to hunger for it….

{FSC SWAPPERS} home sweet home

For the first time since the inception of the FSC Swappers, we have permanent homes for both food swaps. Not only that, but they are new in both locations. Home Sweet Home. Our business location in Saratoga Springs is the same, Common Thread Saratoga, but owner Ashely moved the store from the artsy Beekman Street…

{weekend reading} regulation station

{FOOD NEWS} The 2012 Farm Bill is the newest topic for The New York Times’ Room for Debate Series. (link from last week- so good that I’m keeping it up another week!) Thank you Celia from On Cardamom & Cast Iron, forwarded me an update to Seattle’s planned Edible Forest. Its an NPR story that…

{KNOW YOUR FARMER} why are you a CSA member?

Editor’s Note: I’m having some internet connection problem, so I apologize for the late posting time. If you are local PLEASE come out to talk to your local farmers today at NOFA-NY’s 2nd Annual CSA Fair. Its a great place to have a casual chat with your local farmer since there isn’t any retail produce…

{recipe & tips} Incorporating Chia Seeds Into Your Diet

Incorporating Chia Seeds Into Your Diet This year the Salvia hispanica, or chia seed, is popping up everywhere. This superfood is worth all of the hype, even if it somehow possesses some people to randomly break out into song about pets. The chia seed has many nutritional benefits. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, Chia is very…

{backyard-to-kitchen poultry} Rooster Nuggets

*Reader alert: The following story involves some general information on poultry processing (no gory details or photos, though). If you’d rather not hear more about how the meat my family eats came from real live animals, some of whom grew up in our backyard, stop here. If you do eat meat, however, I would encourage…

{FSC PODCAST} episode 01: new beginnings

UPDATE/Editor’s Note: As of 4pm today (LEAP DAY), we’ve been accepted into the iTUNES universe. Subscribe here or search for us in your iTUNES program by “From Scratch Club”.  You can listen to the episode right on this very post too! Just look for the ‘listen’ link below. Thanks for listening! -Christina Happy Leap Day!…

{cooking with kids} Tips to Keep You Sane

Some say that the kitchen is the heart of the house; the warm gathering spot where good food and laughter is shared.  Unfortunately, this warm, lovely place can sometimes turn into a battle ground when attempting to cook with your kids.  Flour goes flying, tears start pouring and mom/dad feel like shouting. I know that…

{weekend reading} Back in the Saddle Again

For those of you who’ve been reading for a year or so, may remember my weekly food politics/recipe link love post, {Weekend Reading} National Edition on Sundays and {weekend reading} Local Edition on Saturdays. Well, those Nationa; posts have been absent from the blog for almost a year, the Local Editions since October, and clearly,…

{weekend project} Citrus Granola Two Ways

I’m all about citrus season! Last winter was my first winter season preserving citrus. I dipped my toe in the kiddie pool with two variations on marmalade. A simple orange and a 100% ruby grapefruit. Both delicious… but I wanted more. {My Vin De Pamplemouse is a mix between Local Kitchen & Mrs Wheelbarrow’s recipes}…

{interview} When Roller Derby & Farming Collide

Recently I was able to interview two friends of mine, Ejay Carter and Kim Eisen, who are gearing up for the inaugural CSA season at R’Eisen Shine Farm. I am excited to share their story because although they are south of Albany, their CSA program will service people in the Albany area. Plus their CSA…

{recipe: stone soup} Making Something From “Nothing”

I have always loved the folk tale of “Stone Soup” because in it a delicious soup is created from meager ingredients.  I love the challenge of creating delicious food from not-so-obvious ingredients.  Over one year ago I pledged to stop buying grocery store meat and this prompted me to start purchasing whole chickens at the…

{NOFA-NY Winter Conference} farming, family style

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the NOFA-NY conference with Erika. From NOFA: “The theme of this year’s conference, The Cooperative Economy, gives us an opportunity to explore the current of cooperation that runs deep in our organization and movement and the hopes that we have for a more sustainable future“. The 3+ day…