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any CSA members? |
Click here to read our frequently asked Diet and Nutrition questions.
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Community supported agriculture.
"...there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." "We're children of a fighting race that never yet has known disgrace." (The Soldiers' Song, Irish national anthem) "Every day above ground is a good day." (Chef Justin Kennedy of New Orleans, on Chopped) Please visit my blog: www.cuisinequests.blogspot.com/
| current weight: 389.0 |
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I am not in a CSA, but started doing the Bountiful Baskets co-op a few months ago and LOVE it. We get tons of fruit and veg every week for $15, and I usually add on the veggie lover's basket for another $8.50. The only reason I haven't joined the CSA is that I grow my own large veggie garden, so I don't want to purchase a bunch of the same produce that my garden is producing in a given week, but I might look into whether I can get things from CSA that I don't grow myself.
Nothing's ever gonna' stand in our way again. ~Wilco
| 0 Days until: High Desert Half Marathon |
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Oooh...thank you Wohlford, for the suggestion of chard chips! I'm totally doing this!!!
So many great ideas here!!
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I was unbelievably lucky. My CSA doesn't charge in advance, and you only pay for the boxes you actually get. Also, I found out about them totally by accident. As I was pulling out to go to work one morning their truck pulled into my apartment parking lot. I visited their website that afternoon and was hooked! I can't imagine not being a member now.
"...there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." "We're children of a fighting race that never yet has known disgrace." (The Soldiers' Song, Irish national anthem) "Every day above ground is a good day." (Chef Justin Kennedy of New Orleans, on Chopped) Please visit my blog: www.cuisinequests.blogspot.com/
| current weight: 389.0 |
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I had never been able to afford to buy into a CSA, so I was very excited when I discovered The Produce Box offered in NC. It is all local NC grown food from a variety of farmers across the state. The great thing about this is that the only upfront cost is $18.00 for your boxes - you exchange an empty box for a full one. Then you pay for each week - anywhere from $18 for the smallest box to $26 for the organic box. And you can skip a week with no penalty. The price includes delivery and tax. As with others I have been "forced" to explore new-to-me foods and have enjoyed the experience. When I end up with too many veggies I make veggie soup and freeze for the winter. Thanks Chef Meg for the recipe. Making soup keeps the veggies out of the compost! www.theproducebox.com
| current weight: 210.0 |
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We joined a few years ago. At first it is hard to adjust to getting the box and managing to eat it all in a few days. We get a weekly box and I try to eat what is in it as soon as possible, since mostly it won't last all week. Like greens and such, they haven't been treated or refrigerated so they won't last like the veggies from the store. Then there is the whole deal with trying to match up the veggies and recipes. But once you get past all that, it is like auto-meal planning. You will be eating whatever is in the box. Plus you figure out how to put extra veggies in dishes, like working chard into meals you wouldn't normally add chard to. We get alot of carrots in our boxes and grated carrots can be added to almost anything {meat loaf, burgers, stews, marinara sauce etc} I am grateful I have a cuisinart to grate up the little dears. Also, once grated they can be frozen and then added to soups, stews, sauces, etc. So now I am used to the process and actually use up the box weekly. It is about an hour a week to clean and store the box once it comes, they are not all packed up clean and pretty, so it takes a little time. But you just get into it all and it works out great. Feeding your family organic, fresh food is a joy. If you have fussy eaters, (I was one as a child) you just have to focus on the positive and if they don't eat it, freeze it and eat it later. I am so glad my mom didn't force us to eat stuff we didn't want to try (turned out I did have a food allergy) and she just figured we would eat when we were hungry enough. No snacking was allowed. No candy or coke in the house. She was really positive about it and never caused a fuss. If we didn't like one thing, there would be something we did like, such as salad or something. We weren't punished or anything. Mom just kept her gourmet skills in check & served us plain food that we liked.
| current weight: 160.0 |
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Pickled kholrabi and putting it in a chicken salad are great ideas, I just tried it in a stir fry last night and was happy with the way it came out!
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Come join our Spark team.... CSA. Thread URL: http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_messageboard_thread.asp?board=0x57305x48942836
| May Minutes: 714 |
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I'm going to try and start a team around CSA. I 'm not very techi, so it will be a challenge. Kohlrabi- I found a recipe on sparkrecipes for pickled kohlrabi. Very yummy. I have also stir fried it like water chestnuts, which was good and crunchy. This week I got a beauty of a swiss card, and some great romaine lettuce. My enjoyment of the CSA is going up!
| May Minutes: 714 |
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This is my second year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. As far as the greens, I lightly blanch them, cool them and put them in freezer bags for the winter. I eat my greens all year round!! I get a lot of greens since I have a garden in my yard and plant greens in additon to the ones I get from the CSA. It was wonderful, last year, once the memebership year was over, they sold veggies up until after the new year. It is expensive up front but it does pay for itself once you compare the price of the veggies you buy in the supermarket. This week we are getting CORN...and I love kohlrabi...
"Finish each day
And be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and
Absurdities have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can."
by: Ralph Waldo Emerson
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My daughter is in one and I love the things she gets!
Sue
Lost 100 pounds with the Zone 17 years ago and have kept it off!
You can see photos of my favorite meals and snacks here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd3
52/SueK24/
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First year with a CSA and I am in LOVE. We're vegetarians in my house so I find that even though it was an upfront cost for the season, we're saving a ton of money because produce is expensive in the grocery store (if only tofu grew on trees at my CSA...) We've become pretty aventurous because we are receiving items that we never would have purchased. Garlic scapes? Yes please! (apparently they're delicious to grill, but I find myself putting them in stir fry and in with my eggs mostly). Never had had a radish in my life and I love them. And the beets! Roasted to perfection and delicious cold on top of all the salad we're eating since right now we're getting lots of greens.
| Pounds lost: 37.2 |
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Kholrabi ideas: I have enjoyed ours just cut into sticks to snack on. Also thought I might substitute them in Meg's chicken salad recipe in place of the jicama....
Gardengirl54
Healthy by choice, not by chance!
| current weight: -0.5 under |
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YES and I love it. We get so much food, it is crazy! But it isn't always like that. This is my second year participating in a CSA. Last year it was more of a co-op that sourced from many different farmers and auctions, not quite as feel good as a sole source farm. This year it is one farm with a quite large production. Instead of getting specified amounts of whatever they have available that week, they have an "unlimited" quantity of whatever is available that week, which is usually between 10 to 15 items. That way I don't get stuck with okra every week for 3 weeks. So if I want to load up on zucchini and go on a canning spree, I can do that. We have essentially become vegetarians this summer. I love it.
Starting Weight
1/3/13 - 164.2
1st Goal Weight
2/1/13 - 154
2nd Goal Weight
3/1/13 - 148
Final Goal Weight
5/3/13 - 140
| current weight: 158.6 |
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This is my third year as part of a CSA. I absolutely love it. I feel good about supporting local farmers and feel healthier eating all the goodies. We had a rough year last year because of a lot of rain, but this year had been amazing. I found a farm that I am in love with. This is their first year opening up to the public in the CSA format and they are wonderful, friendly and helpful. Always give me ideas of how to cook the less popular items.
Does anyone have any kholrabi recipes they can share? I don't really know what to do with it except raw in a salad.
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Thanks for the awesome explanation! Sounds fun to participate in a communal farm. Unfortunately, in my small-town we don't have such a thing.
It Is What It Is.... :)
| May Minutes: 1,390 |
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CSA originally stood for "community supported agriculture" and the idea was that you were buying a share of a farm. You pay upfront and share in the bounty but also the risk. You get a 'share' - typically a box - of what the farm produces on a regular basis, such as weekly. The model has changed somewhat in the past decade (as you can see from comments here) and it's not always just one farm with many members.
I've belonged to CSAs for at least 10 years. In our previous house, we had a big garden, but our current yard gets almost no sun so gardening wasn't going to work. When i first took the plunge, I did it so I would be more adventurous about veggies - and boy did that happen! Not only do we eat MORE vegetables than before, we eat more VARIETY. We also eat less meat during the summer, and go to the grocery store less often, so I think the savings balances out. I do still go to the farmers market for fruit - and corn (my farmer doesn't grow corn - her fields aren't big enough to grow enough corn to supply her entire membership).
For those of you trying to add more vegetables to your diet, either through CSA or gardening or other sources, I recommend "From Asparagus to Zucchini: Cooking Farm Fresh Seasonal Produce." Another good cookbook that is organized by veggie is "Vegetables Every Day" by Jack Bishop. If you want a more international flair, my all-time favorite cookbook is "World Vegetarian" by Madhur Jaffrey. I have loved probably 98% of the recipes I've tried from it (and I've tried a lot of them). With these 3 cookbooks at hand, almost nothing in my weekly share box leaves me stumped (except salsify. We got salsify this year and I never did figure out what to do with it, even though our farmer gave us ideas.)
Also remember that you can blanch and freeze many veggies as a way to deal with an overabundance - e.g. freeze some greens or tomatoes or whatever and use them in soups during the winter!
Edited by: CAMELSAMBA at: 7/11/2012 (11:47)
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There are several here in Northern California. The one I belong to operates year-round AND delivers.
"...there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." "We're children of a fighting race that never yet has known disgrace." (The Soldiers' Song, Irish national anthem) "Every day above ground is a good day." (Chef Justin Kennedy of New Orleans, on Chopped) Please visit my blog: www.cuisinequests.blogspot.com/
| current weight: 389.0 |
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We are part of our local CSA - it only started in January 2011 and we pay out monthly. As we came in at the beginning we actually paid for the first 6 months without seeing any produce which sometimes feels frustrating when others join now and pay the same but I guess I just have to think of the good we're doing. We are a family of 4 but two are picky preschoolers, this has meant that my husband and I eat lots of veg which has been good for us. Now we plan meals around the veg in the fridge not the meat :-) and I've started being more innovative - the other day we had swede wedges instead of potato and last night we simply had oven roasted broccoli with a lean pork steak (I'd been for a run so wanted the protein). There've been many good suggestions for greens - one of my favourite quick meals is to fry up an onion, some garlic and chilli in a little oil (I like olive) whilst cooking some pasta. Throw in the greens with the pasta for the last couple of minutes and then drain and toss with the onion/garlic/chilli mix. (This idea originally came form Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Veg Everyday). You can add a bit of parmesan if you have the calories available. Stir-frying is also great for any greens. I used to do a standard organic veg box but I love the community spirit of the CSA. We take the kids there and because it's still expanding we've learnt how to graft apple trees and build hedges and we're hoping to have bees on the site next year. It's really exciting to see it develop.
| Pounds lost: 12.6 |
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BRIGHID3
Posts:
30
7/10/12 8:59 P
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Kale chips - they're addictive. It sounds strange but I have to pace myself or I'll eat a whole 11 x 13 pan of them. I've been making a mixed greens sauce based on a pesto recipe. In a food processor, I chop nuts (almonds usually because they're less expensive than walnuts or pine nuts here), then add garlic cloves and chop them too. I then add greens (lots of mizuna lately plus parsley leaves, spinach, arugula, etc.). I add lemon juice and olive oil. (Same California Olive Oil Ranch as an earlier person mentioned.) Oh, and if you run out of olive oil, melted butter can be substituted for about half or grapeseed oil. Then I add a couple of small handfuls of shredded parmesan and some salt. Because I've had so many greens, I've been freezing extra sauce in silicone muffin cups and , once frozen, put them "pucks" in freezer bags for another day. I'm definitely going to be trying a chard frittata soon!
| current weight: 140.4 |
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CHLOEMINOR
SparkPoints: (5,841)
Fitness Minutes: (12,916)
Posts:
39
7/10/12 5:19 P
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Even pie crust is better with a little acid; balsamic vinegar or buttermilk, for instance. ...Maybe not a Diet and Nutrition comment, except that I believe *when* anyone eats pastry, it should be really, really good.
| May Minutes: 1,430 |
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Yes, this is our 2nd year with a CSA and I love the one we are doing this year. It's all organic and the quality is superb. We have greens coming out our ears!!! Love trying the new stuff and super good favorites. Freeze anything you can't eat fresh so you can enjoy it this winter!
Gardengirl54
Healthy by choice, not by chance!
| current weight: -0.5 under |
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This is our second year in a CSA and we love it. Last year I discovered this recipe when we had too many greens. www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=2
28 It works well with pretty much any type of greens you have. It now a frequent dinner in our house. I love the challenge of trying to use all of the ingredients and trying new veggies. I never had garlic scapes or kohlrabi before we joined the CSA. It's well worth the money for us.
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I found a great CSA through localharvest. There were a lot of choices here in NorCal. The one I picked delivers to my door, and I chose every other week deliveries of a combined fruit/vegee box, since I'll be the only one eating most of the food. I can also create a list of up to 12 things I don't want in my box (like iceberg lettuce). I like to saute my greens with garlic, pepper flakes, a little pancetta or bacon, and some red bell pepper. I always chop the stems and saute them with the garlic & bacon instead of throwing them away, then add the leaves at the end. Really good.
Carolyn
Happy to be on my way to a healthier life!
| current weight: 182.0 |
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We get a small vegetable box and a fruit box. The kids go to town on the fruit. My husband picked up the boxes last week and the Baby Boy saw the blueberries through the hand holes and demanded blueberries immediate and they killed the pint in one sitting. I am lucky, I get to customize my veggie box, so we get salad mix every week, and I try to mix it up. Chard frittata is a favorite but we are branching into different applications of chard.
| current weight: 228.4 |
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I belong to a CSA and just love it. I have tried so many new fresh foods! I'm 65, and I can honestly say that in the last month I've had at least 5 veggies I've never tried in my life! Herbs are great too!
You can't get the brass ring on the merry go round if you don't reach for it. Go for it. I know you can!
Call me Judi, please
I'm Warriror Ninja. Feel the Power of Pink!
I'm a Ninja in training for my new belts!
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, think thin, feel it, do it!
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AK_SHARPES, I saute pattypan squash in a little butter by itself or with other summer squash. Sometimes I include onion. YUM! I love it!
I can do it!!
| Pounds lost: 5.0 |
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i would love to join a CSA. will hopefully next spring. I have wanted to for a couple years but sadly the idea gets tossed away in the rush of other things going on in our house.
"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. "- John Burroughs, essayist and naturalist
"Your stomach shouldn't be a waste basket. "
- Anonymous
"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease." - Buddha
"Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else."
Margaret Mead
“The mighty oak was once a little nut.
| current weight: 130.8 |
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Oh, the question was about greens. I use this recipe with spinach but it was meant for kale. I toss this with cooked pasta but it was just meant for the greens themselves 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1-2 tbsp. olive oil 1/4 cup. grated parmesean Red pepper flakes to taste (I omit these) Toss with boiled or sauteed greens like kale, chard, or spinach Delish!! For carrot, radish, or beet greens, we just chop them up and mix them in a salad with a less bitter lettuce like romaine. Good advice, whoever said to add something acidic to bitter greens. I'll try it.
Edited by: HOLALOLA at: 7/9/2012 (12:41)
| Pounds lost: 12.5 |
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I live in a big city and we have a CSA web site with tons of options. You can customize your order completely. You can get a box 1, 2, 3, or 4 times a month, large or small, fruit or veg or mixed. They even have one called an "easy" box with stuff you don't need to peel or chop, like apples, berries, cherry tomatoes, etc. for people who don't have time to cook. There's another one for people who like to juice their items and it has stuff appropriate for that. The list of available items is online every week and you can choose less kale and more strawberries if you want. It's delivered directly to your home and your credit card is billed monthly instead of all at once upfront. You can refer a friend and both you and your friend get a discount that month. They use produce from several area farms so there's more variety available. Many of my co-workers are doing this. I haven't yet, only because I have another thing going already, but if my current option runs out then I would absolutely use this. I grow a few tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers on my city apartment balcony, but it's not enough to keep me completely fed in organic produce.
| Pounds lost: 12.5 |
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I just used all of my CSA Swiss Chard this weekend using this recipe. http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/2011/09/food-from-the-past/ Swiss Chard, garlic, scallions, tomatoes... yum.
| current weight: 154.0 |
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Honestly, I think the "add something acidic" rule applies to everything you cook and I get mad at my husband when he doesn't follow it - it really does balance out the flavor well. I add a tablespoon or so of either balsamic or red wine vinegar to pretty much everything I cook. Most of the time, you can't taste it but it makes the other flavours stand out so well. It's especially necessary in a mushroom gravy. My husband thinks that just because he doesn't like vinegar he shouldn't add it to things. Silly man! I add it even to sweet things and he never knows ...
| May Minutes: 0 |
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Was a CSA member for many many years, but cancelled my membership this year. I like supporting my local farm, but the cost was too much for what we got. Farmers markets are more economical for us and we get to pick what we want.
"Fall seven times, get up eight." - Japanese Proverb
Sandra
| current weight: 155.0 |
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CHLOEMINOR
SparkPoints: (5,841)
Fitness Minutes: (12,916)
Posts:
39
7/8/12 1:56 P
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A little more on *why* CSAs work the way they do: In a lot of places, farmers go into debt every year for the inputs to farming (seeds, fuel, fertilizer, planting labor) and just hope that the harvest and the market is good enough to pay it off -- with the interest. A bad weather year can wipe out a farmer forever. This is one of the reasons good farmland gets turned into housing developments -- it pays off the debt. People who want local fresh produce figure they can help by smoothing out the risk. We pay in advance, in time to cover the inputs, and get a share of what comes ripe, as it comes ripe -- in a bad year, it's lettuce and lambsquarters, in a good year it's cornucopia. Lots of people really like putting in some hours on the farm, too, especially if they don't have a big garden or if they want their kids to know what it's like. Crop insurance and farmers' markets fill many of the same functions, but CSAs can be very friendly and personal. My favorite one sent a weekly page of recipes that neatly used up that week's produce -- in the order it needed to be used -- I don't know how they found time to work it out as well as harvesting the food.
| May Minutes: 1,430 |
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GRIZ1GIRL : A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a program where you pay ahead for fruits and veggies and receive a box/bag of them every week (or however often your CSA is offering). You typically do not get to choose what you receive, but the food is always super fresh and it can be a real bargain depending on your CSA. For instance, I joined a CSA last year that was ~$300 paid in advance (in December) and I picked up my share every Tuesday starting in May at the farm for 22 weeks. There was WAY too much food for my husband and I to eat so we gave some to friends and family who greatly appreciated it! You receive a great variety of fruits and veggies, which pushed me to try new ones. It is a great concept if there is one offered near you. :)
Edited by: SHUDSON103 at: 7/8/2012 (12:37)
| current weight: 165.2 |
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I am guessing a CSA is some kind of community garden/food co-op? It would be nice if someone would explain what a CSA is. We don't have them here in small-town america...if people want fresh produce they GROW THEIR OWN. Simple.
It Is What It Is.... :)
| May Minutes: 1,390 |
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You asked about cooking greens. The best advice for greens I ever got was from a chef. He said always add a splash of something acidic for strong greens to cut the bitterness they can have. So it depends on the flavors you are going for but add one of these: lemon juice lime juice balsamic vinegar rice vinegar white wine apple juice plain white vinegar You don't need much...just a bit while you are cooking it. Also...try kale chips! Google that for many versions but your whole family might be intrigued enough to try it :D
"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars. You have a right to be here."
| Pounds lost: 0.0 |
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I joined an organic CSA this year. We're half way through our second box. It was just over $400 to join, paid in 3 instalments over the season. I haven't bought much to subsidize the box. Sure we don't have things that we are use to having, but thats part of the reason I joined the CSA, to learn about seasonal produce. I see it as a challenge. Your recipes sound so good. I've always steam my greens and use them as a bed for my meal, nothing fancy. Oh, and I've made kale chips a couple times since kale has been in abundance. The husband actually requested some the other day. The fact that he voluntarily asked for green things is a huge deal :) Someone mentioned a CSA team, clearly there is a desire for it. Has anyone made it yet?
Train because you love your body - not because you hate it.
~ Girls Gone Strong
| Pounds lost: 7.0 |
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MADDUXCR
SparkPoints: (15,922)
Fitness Minutes: (22,033)
Posts:
195
7/8/12 9:17 A
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We don't have CSAs in the desert unfortunately. I know my friends in the NE are getting sick of rain - CSAs do great in those areas.
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I'd love to do this, but.... 1) There aren't any CSA's in the right direction for me to drive to on a weekly basis here. 2) I'm one person - the half-shares I've noted are really geared for a family of two. I don't want to intentially-compost. Yes, I could share with someone else but those others I know interested in this sort of thing (at work) live in different directions themselves. 3) I'd probably end up with more carrots and brussels sprouts than I'd ever care to eat... On the other paw, I frequent my farmer's markets -- I live equidistant between two of them and tend to alternate them. during the summer months when both are open. I love snagging up new and unique veggies -- purple kolhrabi last weekend, for instance. I also grow some of my own food -- sugar snap peas, kale, mustard greens and raspberries are available this moment -- but I have too much shade to do my own gardening extensively. Sometime in the future when I move (which is planned) I may well join a CSA.
Edited by: CEDARBARK1 at: 7/8/2012 (09:11)
Got rid of the ticker cuz my scale decided to flatter me unduly. I haven't re-gained, just got a better, honest, scale. Just because you steam it, doesn't mean you can't add herbs and spices. (A gripe at those insipid restaurant "healthy choice" menu selections.) My blog: goatsandgreens.wordpress.com
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Yes. I just joined two weeks ago. Its nice to have a variety of veggies already selected for the week. I'm already trying new foods.
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jer 29:11
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Philippians 4:12-14
| Pounds lost: 21.0 |
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Given that we have a 3500 square foot garden on our 3/4 acre lot, I am not allowed to shop at our local Farmer's Market. We grow our own. I had not heard of CSA before reading posts here, but it is not available in our community. With my husbands love of vegetable gardening, I don't need it. But I love the idea! We also have eight apple trees and two plum trees. We have freshly made, frozen applesauce 12 months of the year! We do have a community food co-op that brings in loads of fresh produce. I do not use it due to the time each member has to put into it. Instead, I head out to the garden.
| current weight: 112.4 |
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I shop at the locally grown food stores. Well--some!
Deb
The Home in Your Heart...where mind and body touch one another.
www.thehomeinyourheart.com
| current weight: 145.1 |
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AKIRAA
Posts:
24
7/7/12 9:36 P
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We eat a large kale, chard, collard, mustard green and spinach salad almost every day now. My husband used to used to hate vegetables. Now I know he just hated fake olive oil! I recently learned that almost all "Extra Virgin" olive oil is fake! Even the stuff from Italy. I thought I was getting essential fatty acids and antioxidants and all I was getting was empty calories of fat. :( It's both disturbing and good to know about . I will add a link for the website for more info about olive oil. You can get California Olive Ranch brand, an authentic extra virgin olive oil, at Fred Meyer or Safeway. I use it for stir frying and sauteing. Fred Meyer had a nice artisan oil (freshly pressed!) from Chile I use on salads. The artisan oils are costly, but with these oils, we enjoy all vegetables and greens! My dressing recipe: 1/4 teaspoon. salt 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon mustard 1/4 teaspoon honey 1 Tablespoon Modena balsamic vinegar (this kind is not too astringent) 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil. We use this for about 6 cups of greens. I plan my whole day's fat calories around this dressing. I have found that the full 3 T of olive oil makes it possible to enjoy even the most bitter types of greens. liztagami.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/losing-
virginity-olive-oils-scandalous-fraud-
and-how-to-protect-yourself-from-it/
| current weight: 160.0 |
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NO, but I am thinking about joining.
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I don't belong to a CSA, but I do buy produce from our farmer's market to supplement what I don't grow in my own garden. The way I cook swiss chard is to boil it first, drain it, and either add a little butter (small amount) and eat it. Or, after boiling it, fry it in a small amount of olive oil and garlic. YUMMY! I also freeze it...par boil it, drain it good and put it in freezer bags. I have it all winter!
I can do it!!
| Pounds lost: 5.0 |
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Community supported agriculture = CSA
If you deal with High Blood Pressure try the DASH diet
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/gro
ups_individual.asp?gid=51260
| May Minutes: 120 |
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Colcannon is SO GOOD! Good idea to make frozen puree?? I like it. This is my 1st year in a CSA
If you deal with High Blood Pressure try the DASH diet
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/gro
ups_individual.asp?gid=51260
| May Minutes: 120 |
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This is my fourth year in a CSA (my third CSA). The first one I found on LocalHarvest and it was a drought year, which made it hard, but they harvested a weed called Lambs Quarters and put it in our box when they were at a loss for other ways to fill the box, and I am now addicted to Lambs Quarters. Delicious! I would have re-upped there, but we moved, and when I got the chance to join one here, I jumped at it, but it was hard to get to (I didn't have a car) and even though it was just a pick-up-from-the-porch deal, if I didn't get there in time, they gave my food away to keep it from being wasted. Now I'm in a CSA where I get a full share (there is just one of me) for 13 weeks for $325. I buy milk at the farmers market and eggs from my pastor and I stock my pantry with wheat and dried beans in the fall when they're in season. I go all summer without buying other groceries. For me, the up-front cost is great, 'cause I'm a school teacher and I don't get paid during the summer anyway. Oh, the question was recipes. Kale chips and collards already got brought up. I also like to make a soup I learned from a Chinese roommate years ago: he made broth just by boiling dried porcini or other strong flavored mushrooms in water, and then near the end he would throw in greens cut to confetti. Sometimes he gave it a splash of soy or an egg. I like to starch it up with a little root veggie (my favorite is rutabaga) or pasta, but just water, mushroom and greens is surprisingly flavorful. RACHELLELP - can I trade my radishes for your beets?!? The only veggie I don't care for is radishes but I love beets. I'll look for your CSA team.
| May Minutes: 1,711 |
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I did a CSA last year and it was great--lots of different organic choices. I learned about some new veggies and tried a bunch of new recipes. This year I didn't continue because I missed growing some of my own veggies. Plus, I rarely bought veggies last year cuz I had so many to use in my box, even when I shared some. I like going to farmer's markets and picking my favorites, even from our local organic market. I'm glad I tried it tho. Love the idea of supporting local farmers. Bok choy--I absolutely love the stuff. Mostly I stir fry it lightly (very little oil) or steam it with tofu or chicken and other veggies. Yum.
| Pounds lost: 44.3 |
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CAS20022
Posts:
11
7/7/12 12:38 P
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I love my CSA BOX. My husband got it for my birthday. We started with a big one but kept not eating all of it. So now we get a smaller one and shop for extra veggies. I bet if we had a family to feed it'd be great to get the large one again. I like the randomness and the variety. We also visited the farm where all of our box is grown. It was really cool and the folks were really nice and smart. It feels good to support. Have you tried shredded beets? They are great on a salad.
| May Minutes: 290 |
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What is CSA?
It Is What It Is.... :)
| May Minutes: 1,390 |
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Because of the CSA, I found out that I like radishes! Chop and add to coleslaw - yum yum! I also found out that I still don't like beets!!! I think we should start a CSA SparkTeam to share recipes, etc. Anyone in? I'll start it!!!
Rachelle
"Our running shoes are really erasers. Every step erases a memory of a past failure. Every mile brings us closer to a clean slate. Each footstrike rubs away a word, a look, or an event that led us to believe that success was beyond our grasp." John B
| current weight: 190.5 |
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I liked to cook my greens (collards mostly) in a pot with only water and a smoked turkey neck. It gives them plenty of flavor and salt without all the extra calories of a ham hock, etc. Sometimes I add some red pepper flakes if I'm feeling spicy!
My Rewards
240 - New pair of jeans DONE 6/23/12
230 - New workout clothes
DONE 7/29/12
220 - New Kindle Music DONE 12/21/12
210 - New Weights DONE 11/29/12
199.9 - ONEderland is its own reward!!! DONE 02/15/13
190 - Get favorite jean skirt taken in so I can wear it. DONE 05/09/13
180 - Order my corset for the Ren Faire!
170 - Sexy red dress
160- NEW LIFE!
| current weight: 188.3 |
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This is my first year having a CSA membership. I am really enjoying it. I love picking up my delivery every Friday. It's very convenient as it is delivered to a home 5 minutes away from mine. It's a surprise each week. I have been getting lots of green, lettuce, beets, shallots, peas, sugar snap peas, summer squash, dill, cumcumber, and this week some kohlarabi. I am very pleased with the variety and the minimal cost. My quarter-share was less than two hndred dollars. I did volunteer to do 3 hrs during the summer at the farm. I am looking forward to going out his coming week to do some work. I also have the option to bbuy more produce at whole-sale price which will be great when I can my tomatoes. Each week I get a nice letter from the farm owner with some recipes. I have tried some different greens and have pleased. I will definitely rejoin next year. It has helped my budget too, I definitely spend less at the grocery store now.
2013 goal to lose 28#
| current weight: 157.2 |
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159.4 |
152.55 |
145.7 |
138.85 |
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AMK333
SparkPoints: (134)
Fitness Minutes: (40)
Posts:
1
7/7/12 7:25 A
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This is my first year too. We have 5 people at our house, and I bought a half share, just to get in and try it. It cost $290 and I pick it up at the farm myself.
I like the variety. There are root vegetables I and other leafy varieties that I don't grow in my garden.
On "farm day" I plan a stir fry, "big" salad, or roasted vegetables for supper. I stop at the grocery store on the way home and do the rest of my shopping then, after I know what's in my vegetable box. I haven't bought any additional vegetables. Just meats, dairy, and fish.
We eat about 75% organic so the CSA is cheaper, so far. I wish I bought the full share for $575, and got a box every week. I eat out of our small garden the other week. My family are good eaters. I live with skinny people!
I roast the turnips with carrots, onion, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, and potatoes.
I chop kale, and simmer it 15 minutes in an inch of chicken or vegetable stock mixed with a splash of cider vinegar, 1 t. sugar, and 2 T. of dijon. I keep a lid on it for about half the cooking time, then take it off, throw a handful of raisins or dried cranberries in to plump up, and let most of the liquid simmer off. Sometimes I'll add a handful of walnuts or almonds in too.
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My CSA offers half shares, which are around 350 for the season and offer the right amount of veggies for one or two people. We have fruit separate also and since we LOVE fruit we got a full share of that (less volume than a veggie share).
-Colleen
| current weight: 211.4 |
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I love a good stir fry. Green things are not safe around me when I have a stir fry in mind!
~Jess~
There are no shortcuts. No magic bullets. No secret spells. What works is hard work, dedication, and a daily dose of chocolate.
| current weight: 146.0 |
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We were members of a CSA but with just two of us were overwhelmed with the amount of food so we stopped but still buy heavily at the farmers' markets. Greens I cook this way: large dice onion (depends on the amount of greens), sauté in garlic oil or good olive oil, when transparent add washed, chopped greens. Again, you say how much, what kinds. Toss/turn to be sure all is coated and hot, add a few tablespoons of water and put a lid on it. Check for doneness in 3-5 minutes (large kale will take longer). Just before completely done you can add a bit of tomato sauce/chopped tomatoes. Serve with a bit of lemon juice or good balsamic vinegar.
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The first CSA I belonged to (which was fantastic) offered full working shares and half working shares, so if you have time but no money something like that might be an option. The full working share cost nothing, just time. The half working was half-price. I did find with that one that what we got more than covered the price. I kept an eye on the supermarket prices and it was definitely cheaper through the CSA. Just the tomatoes, peppers and basil alone would have cost more per week without the CSA! My current one ... meh ... probably not the case, we'll see what comes in the rest of the year. localharvest.org is the best place to search for them and you can see the prices and different types of shares.
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And I hear you on the cost...it is a big financial commitment upfront, though we're absolutely getting our money's worth week-to-week.
We're also volunteering on the farm, in the children's garden, and there are several rows of community vegetables up for grabs!
If money is holding you back, give them a call -- you may be able to exchange volunteer hours for produce!
I remember when I was a student and really struggling financially, I would go to the farmers market just before closing and get great deals on fruits and veggies!
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I'm loving all the good ideas!
I've been experimenting a lot with the greens, but it hasn't really worked out so well!! We've also been trying lots of recipes from the csa.
One of my favorite "new" recipes is great with squash or zucchini...and I've been using a variety of fresh herbs that I have on hand. It's very versatile!
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/07/recipe-for-easy-cheesy-zucchini-bake.html
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CHLOEMINOR
SparkPoints: (5,841)
Fitness Minutes: (12,916)
Posts:
39
7/6/12 3:30 P
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Caoutchouc -- it sure is pricey upfront, and risky, since you'd be taking on some of the cost and risk of being a small truck farmer. Someone upthread is getting all lettuce -- I'd check with the farmer whether that happens every year, or is happening to all farms in your region because of weather this year. They might well be happy for the feedback that you'd like more chard, kale, etc. instead. If local produce is affordable in season, buying it helps the farmers almost as much as CSA members, of course -- they need to sell it while they have it. It's harder to get everyone fresh veg than to get us all starches and preserved food. Joining a CSA was good for my family because of the commitment -- we'd paid for all those fresh veg, and by gum, we were going to eat them instead of going out for dinner again. Changed our habits.
| May Minutes: 1,430 |
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I hear you completely!!! I'm fortunate in that mine is set up through my company, so they just take it each pay period via payroll deduction. Trust me, I'm sure what I have with that is very rare. I had NO IDEA that some require hundreds of dollars up front!! Wow! Well, next best would be your local farmers markets!!
| Pounds lost: 2.5 |
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Sigh - I wish I could afford the upfront cost! There doesn't seem to be as many CSAs up here in Canada and the ones in my community require ~600$ upfront. Someday, maybe, but not as a poor student!
If anyone tells you you're not good enough, you're not smart enough, to give up your foolish dreams, if anyone ever tells you to quit -- you gotta make 'em wear a diaper on their mouth, 'cause man, they're just talking sh.t -- Shane Koyczan
| current weight: 210.0 |
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This is also my second year with a CSA (through my company, so I get it delivered right to my office building, a HUGE perk). I LOVE it!!! It's not JUST produce. We have 160+ farmers involved in our CSA. As such, we occasionally get milk (and last week, chocolate milk - YUM), eggs, honey, pickles, awesome local, all natural breads and other things you wouldn't think went with a CSA. I'm finding that this might be rather rare for CSAs, but am not sure, so would love to hear from others. Greens: I love mine just sautéed very simply with olive oil and garlic. You can also slip them into salads and soups very discreetly for those in your family who may not be as open to greens. I use Swiss Chard in omelettes instead of spinach. You can use them in stir-fries and casseroles too. We get LOTS of squash in our area - zucchini and yellow - so I'm learning all kinds of new ways to cook squash. Chocolate zucchini bread is AWESOME!!! I also take both kinds of squash, cut in half length-wise and top with olive oil, shredded parmesan/reggiano cheese blend and Italian seasoning and bake - YUM, YUM!!! Hope this helps. Would love to hear more from others about their CSA experiences/products.
| Pounds lost: 2.5 |
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We don't have that available here. But I love the idea of it!
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CHLOEMINOR
SparkPoints: (5,841)
Fitness Minutes: (12,916)
Posts:
39
7/6/12 2:33 P
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We love soup (not least because it's easy to make and reheat -- we have a pressure cooker) and a standard in our house is to bring the soup to a boil *without* greens in it, while finely chopping today's fresh greens; fill a bowl with the green confetti, pour the very hot soup over it, and the greens are cooked *just* enough. Nice thing about this is that we don't reheat the greens, which I don't much like. Also, those as need more calories can put in cheese or toast (or cheese toast). There are some wonderful recipes for chard or other stout greens from Provence; they're a little exotic, a little bit Mediterranean or ancient Roman, which changes up the week. Tourte de blettes, for instance. Farmer recipes, so they're more high-nutrition than low-calorie, but that can often be fixed up.
| May Minutes: 1,430 |
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CSA = community supported agriculture
You buy a "share" of a farm and receive a portion of what they produce every week. If the farm has a great year, you get a ton of produce. If the farm floods, you don't. Basically, you're sharing the risk and rewards of the farm.
I'm loving it!
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What does CSA stand for? Is it some kind of food co-op?
| Pounds lost: 20.5 |
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This is my first year as a CSA member, and I'm loving all the fresh veggies every week! It feels like a major accomplishment to cook and eat them all! (And we're a family of five!)
My biggest challenge have been the greens. Anyone have good tips for cooking greens? (i.e.: turnip greens, swiss chard, radish greens...)
For the first time ever, I'm planning my families' meals around fresh, organic produce, which feels so good! We're eating lots of leaned, grilled meats along with our veggies. Turnips are a new favorite, along with summer squash cooked on the grill.
Anyone else doing tons of veggie cooking this summer?
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