It's hard to be thankful, but...

(I apologize, this is a longer entry than usual. If you are impatient or in a hurry, I encourage you to move to the end and at least watch the video)

Normally, I write about food and typically, today would be a great day to do just that. But I don't think that today is about food. In my opinion, today is about pausing to open our eyes and recognize all that we can be thankful for.

It's much easier today, and everyday, to think of all that do don't have. (Especially this year) I'd be lying if I tried to tell you that this has been an easy year. 2009 will be known forever for it's financial crisis. Whether you rich or poor you are not immune to it's effects. We also face the ever present decay of our environment, a continuing war with terrorism, disintegration of values and integrity, swine flu, and to top it off, a Democrat led government (for my republican friends). These problems are just the tip of the ice burg. Once we scrape the surface, we find that each of us has our own personal battles that we face each and everyday.

I pause to remind myself that it's much easier to focus on what's wrong with our lives and the world, than it is to think of what's right.

Today, although it's hard, I challenge You and Me to remove the veil and witness first hand all that we are thankful for.

Giving thanks is a choice. We must redirect our wandering minds and stop listening to the lies.

Today, I've made the decision to give thanks, even though it's hard. Here are just a few of the things that I am thankful for:

- I'm thankful for each relationship that I've experienced this year. I've felt so much growth because of the people I've shared fellowship with. My life is good because of the brothers and sisters in it.

- I'm thankful for my family who's been willing to support me. They brought me home this holiday to celebrate with them.

- I'm thankful for turkey, whether industrial or local, and all of the people who have slaved over bringing Tom to each of our tables.

- I thankful for the three car accidents I've experienced in the past two months - I'm alive.

- I'm thankful for my story, though it's full of ups and downs, it's uniquely mine and a gift from the creator whose full of grace, as is yours.

- I'm thankful for awe, wonder and hope.

Here are two stories that make me thankful.

1. What Makes the Taureg Happy? A video about the Taureg of Niger, Africa.



2. The Traffic Signs of God. The goodness of a few New Yorkers.


May You, Me and Everyone in between make the decision to give thanks today (and enjoy good food!)

Marketable market ideas

I visited the firehouse farmers market in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, PA. this past Saturday. While I was there, I interacted with most of the vendors and some of the patrons. Below are some ideas inspired by the market in Pittsburgh.

Food sampling:

Slow Food sponsored food sampling

Prepare recipes on small butane burners for market patrons. See Example.

Request donations. Otherwise, the food is purchased with the SF chattanooga chapter's budget.

Local chefs will cook the samples voluntarily (provided ingredients by SF), with the hope of lots of free advertising.

Shop with a chef:

When a chef, or famous foodie is purchasing food, a volunteer will follow with a chef's hat attached to a long stick.

Patrons follow and glean from the chef's expertise.

Market Ambassadors:

Collect a contingent of supports to walk to the market each week.

Their sole role is to make people feel comfortable.

They can connect with food, recipes, farmers, friends.

Market Manager:

Connect local food support and create an ambassador network.

Connect with the slow food chapter.

Collect payments from farmers.

Keep everyone on the same page.

Event planning.

Connect with local churches, to encourage "local" potlucks. At least one ingredient from the market.

Win dinner for two:

Have an auction or raffle for dinner for two.

The winner walks with chef or farmer to pick meal.

Cooked and served for two, at farm or restaurant.

Recipe Book/Club:

Beyond that, have each farmer show one recipe a week with their food.

It's simple, Start Eating.

All the farmers want is for you to enjoy their food. 

The farmers don't have to do anything. 

It's up to us and all we have to do is eat. 

Go to the atm. 

Find change in your car. 

Buy eggs for breakfast. 

Buy ingredients to make tacos for dinner. 

Start eating today.  

4:00 - 6:00 pm 

Main Street Market 

between Broad and Market

I'll be in Pittsburgh this week. 

Next week, I'll meet anyone who's interested in the market at the market. 

I'll give you a tour and introduce you to the farmers that I know. 

Go make a taco!

Are you not sure what to do with all the "stuff" you'll find at a Farmers Market? Today, go buy a bunch of vegetables and make tacos. Sure, you'll have to supplement your recipe with grocery store products, like tortilla, rice, and beans. However, you'll find the market can supply you with most of the goodies you need.

Eggs from River Ridge Farm or SCF.
Meat from RR or SCF.
Veggies from all of the farms.

I'm making tacos tonight. Are you up for the challenge?

On another note, I missed last week. That does not mean I was not at the market or cooking. Last week I bought a chuck roast and cooked my first roast ever. It tasted amazing! I used a recipe suggested by my boss, Paul. Cooked it the night before, with salt, pepper, tomatoes, herbs de provance, and made a roasted tomato sauce to complement it. Before it was enjoyed, I put it back in the oven for another hour. If I can do it, you certainly can!

I hope that You, Me and Everyone In Between enjoys good food this week!

Start with an Egg

Ever since college I've wanted to save the world! This desire has manifested itself in multiple ways. At times it was Africa or even the environment that I tried to resuscitate. Either way, I have a voice within me that shouts out loud, that whatever I'm doing must have a greater purpose. (And it should be massive and most of the time un-accomplishable.) 

I started my journey to save the world, in the poorest country in Africa, and now I'm advocating small farms in East Tennessee. I want to say that I'm beginning to realize that I can have the greatest impact on what's in front of me, and change the world by changing the world I see outside my bedroom window. I say "I want to say", because it's so much easier to chase after the loftier goals, it's more sexy, so to speak. I've also got to face my temptation to look good doing good. 

I suspect that if you're my age, you will face similar challenges. There are plenty of books out there stating my generations desire to save the world and that, in fact, we will actually have an impact. You may not want to save Africa or the environment like me, but I'm sure you have a desire within you to do better for our planet and it's people. 

I challenge You, Me and Everyone In Between to start saving the world with an Egg. Not just any egg, obviously. Today, bring four dollars and some change to the Main Street Market and buy one dozen eggs. Your choice has many implications... 1. You're voting. Not on a ballot, but with your money, for safe healthy food in Chattanooga. 2. Local Economy. The money you spend goes directly back to the community of Chattanooga, not some far fetch community hundreds of miles away from here. 3. Environment. These eggs came from forty minutes away rather than forty hours, which means less fossil fuel wasted. 4. Africa and other poor countries. By buying local you make a choice not to support major industrial food corporations, who abuse and take advantage of poor workers with poor working conditions in our country and other countries. 5. It taste better and anyone can cook an egg! 

The world's not going to change until we change. We can complain about the government or the industrial supply chain, but they're just feeding the masses what they ask for. Change starts with you, me and everyone in between and it starts right now in front of us. 

Disclaimer: I still buy food from the industrial food chain. It's practically impossible not to. If together as a society, we decide to spend our money differently, I hope that in the years to come, it will be possible to live off of your local food economy, only. That would change the world. 

How to use the Market

I've realized that both you and me can over complicate stuff. The market's actually a very simple concept. People have been growing and exchanging food for thousands of years. Today, I feel that it's necessary that I write about how to use your local farmers market.

Go in with this mindset...
I'm not replacing a grocery store with a farmers market.
I don't have to spend a lot of money.
This is much more of a relational experience, than a shopping experience.

Simple Steps...
1. Visit your favorite ATM and take out the minimum withdrawal amount.
1.a If you don't want to visit your favorite ATM, grab whatever change you can find. (in pants pockets, between sofa cushions, under the car seat)
2. Drive, walk, bike, scooter to your local market.
3. Make one lap around the market before you spend a dime.
4. Pick one booth and strike up conversation with the farmer. Tell them, "This is my first time to the market, what do you suggest I buy with $x.xx and how do you suggest I cook it"? Chances are, this will lead to further conversation. I guarantee the farmer will exchange conversation with you.
5. Don't leave until you've spent all of your change or minimal withdrawal.

Today, I forgot my wallet and all I have is six bucks. I'll buy my standard dozen eggs from SCF. With the extra two bucks perhaps I'll buy okra or a pepper, maybe a squash.

Just go to the market and spend some money! Enjoy good food. Don't buy too much, you'll overwhelm yourself. Don't be afraid to talk to the farmers, they're actually some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

See you there!

Excuses

Recently, I've found a few excuses to not eat well. I'll be extremely transparent. Rather than you accusing me of being a hypocrite, I'd like to confess first.

1. I'm too busy. I'm in a new season of life. With this season has come a fully loaded schedule. I'm working long hours. When I get home, I don't have time to cook, let alone buy groceries. I have three squash sitting in my fridge that I bought at the market 3 weeks ago. It's a shame, I was going to stuff them with tomato and cheese, then bake them!

2. No one to eat with. Because time doesn't expand as my schedule expands, I've had less time to invest in relationships. Before, I was cooking for friends frequently. Now, I'd rather not go to great lengths to cook for myself. Give me left overs or a taco from the local tienda!

3. It's expensive. Not only does it take time, but it also takes money to eat well. I want to pay off my debt, I want to cut cost in whatever way possible. And because of this, I skip a meal here or there, or I go extremely meager in my eating.

These excuses are misdirected.

1. What if eating well made me a more efficient worker or a less cranky friend? Or, my mind could solve problems better when it had the proper sources of energy?

2. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. (In my opinion) Eating a meal is an amazing venue for a relationship. Serving a friend by cooking for them, gives me life. I'm recharged in these moments of fellowship over an awesome meal. (Much more than eating, quickly, leftovers, so I can move to the next task) On top of that, life should be balanced between work and play.

3. It's an investment not an expense. Invest in your health. Build a strong foundation now so that when your older you can live better for it. You can also impart on your children healthy eating so they can live happier lives.

I'd like to repent from my unhealthy eating. I've become my own target audience. I'll write more as I press on!

For now, may You, Me & Everyone In Between enjoy good food with good people.

Stop Focusing on the Cow

Photo from bossie.

There is a group of farmers in the world that believe it's more important to pay attention to their pastures than their animals grazing. I'm no expert on farming and would never pretend to understand this concept. However, I think I understand at least the surface of the concept.

If the grass is good, the cows are happy. Cows were created to eat grass. If the cows are happy eating good grass, then they're pooping on the grass. If the cows are pooping, the chickens are pecking through the poop for worms and all sorts of goodies. If the chickens are eating, then they're obviously happy and obviously pooping. If both the cows and chickens are both happy and pooping, then the grass is fertilized with the good stuff and the cycle continues. It all depends on good grass.

This farming jujitsu of sorts is metaphoric and inspires me to ask how can the concept can be applied to my life? (not so much poop though) How much of life am I spending focused on the cows when I should be focused on the grass? What is the grass?

Just a thought this week.

Welcome to Polyface Farm

I've wanted to visit Polyface Farm ever since I read about it in The Omnivores Dilemma. This past weekend I had the opportunity to, while on a pilgrimage up to New Jersey for my friend Anthony's wedding. Charlottesville, VA was the halfway between Jersey and Chattanooga, so I stopped there to visit my great friends, Noel & Nafret. I knew that Polyface was close to Charlottesville, so I said to my self, why not? On my way back from Jersey, I met Noel in Swoope, VA, the home of Polyface Farm. (I should mention that I somehow got lost in the small town of Staunton, VA - it's the closest town to Swoop - I couldn't find my way out, that caused a slight delay)

In today's entry I'd like to walk you through my experience at Polyface, including the delicious meal provided by Polyface. I'll try not to be too wordy and let the pictures do the talking.

Above: Polyface sign greeting visitors. The farm is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, pretty much dislocated from everything. I don't know that I've ever been so far removed from life as I know it, in this country, like I felt driving into the far reaches of the Shenandoah out to Polyface.

Bill Keener of SCF here in Chattanooga knows Joel Salatin (the celebrity farmer/owner of Polyface). He told me that if Joel was in, which it wasn't likely, I should say hey. Turns out he was there! Joel was selling food from a small building next to the slaughter house. He wore a contagious smile along with a few dabs of blood, from killing turkey, on his cheeks. Noel, Joel and I shared brief small talk including why everything he does illegal and why twenty-somethings (my generation) have a perception that buying from a farmer is too expensive, or cooking the food is too hard.

Above: Joel sent Noel and I out to the pastures. We encountered the turkey first. They roamed a large plot of grass freely, and seemed pretty happy about that.

Above: Take note of these chickens, you'll see a cooked version later. The chickens are in these coupe like contraptions that move in rotation over the pastures. Basically, from what I understand, the chickens eat up the grass, peck through cow poop, and leave a bit of their own poop. It's all apart of the rotational farming happening at Polyface.

Above: You can see the poop left by the chickens. Fertilization!

Above: Some more birds, free roaming, along with an invention that Joel created as their coupe.

Above: Noel and I eventually came to a wooded area near the end of the farm. We stood for a few moments, then heard strange noises coming from within the wooded area. All of a sudden a pack of pigs galloped towards us, snorting. It was hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh. When I was a kid I was introduced to a pot belly pig at the local church festival. Ever since, I've wanted one. This is just one of the many pigs that greeted Noel and I.

Above: The slaughter "house"... It has no walls. Any visitor to Polyface can see the killing in progress, if they show up at the "right time". Noel and I just missed the crew killing turkeys. I'm not going to lie, I was sad that we missed the slaughter process. This, to my knowledge, is the only stage of the food preparation process that I've not experienced. I'll understand and appreciate what I eat, even more, if I witness the killing of an animal. I want to visit a local butcher shop in South Pittsburgh, TN. I'll write about my experience.

Above: Amazing country! I took this picture from my car, driving away from the farm, on my way to Charrlottesville, VA.

Above: Polyface chicken! mmmm! So good! I can still taste it! I stuffed the chicken with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, and lemon - cooked at 375 for about an hour. I'll be honest, I'm much more comfortable cooking veggies. I was a bit intimidated to cook a full chicken for five other people. Luckily, my roommate, Joseph, hooked me up with solid advice. And, one of the guest is a "food architect", and coached me along the way. (I forgot about thawing the chicken. Therefore, dinner was about two hours late.) Along with the chicken, we enjoyed steamed beats, sauteed beat leaves and stems, and sauteed squash with onions and red pepper flakes. Though the meal was delayed, it still tasted incredible! (it was accompanied by great conversation) A few months ago I couldn't cook!

May You, Me and Everyone in Between enjoy good food, together with good people, from good places, like Polyface Farm!

Don't listen to your mother.

Last year my friend Austin and I were sent to NYC with no cash, no cell phone, just a few layers of clothes, and a bus ticket. (One of our mentors thought it'd be fun to actually follow what's written in Mathew 10.) I'll spare you all the details, if you're interested in learning more, see link... Anyways, Austin and I were introduced to a man from Bangladesh named Joshi. He ended up being our host for the week (AKA worthy man - Mt. 11). New friends that we met in Manhattan led Austin and I to Joshi. They told us to take the train out to Queens, look for a white jeep wrangler and a Bangladeshi man. The very first thing that Joshi did, when we met him, was extend his hospitality. Aus. and I found ourselves in a neat little Bangladeshi resturaunt in some corner of Queens. Joshi picked out our food and we shared from the same plate. Joshi then told us that it is his cultures tradition to eat with their hands. And here's where I introduce the topic related to food this week... Eating with my hands, sharing the same meal with others turn out to be the most memorable meals my life.

Here are a few others that I remember...

In college, again with friends from South East Asia and from the Middle East, I had a meal during the Muslim Ramadan holiday. We all stayed up until just before sunrise and had an amazing fusion meal of from Jordan/India/Korea/Bangladesh. Right before sunrise we all shared the incredible meal together. We sat in a cricle without silverware (as far as I can recall). After we ate, we then fasted from sunrise to sunset and broke the fast together. The fast was difficult being that the scent of the food lingered on my hands throughout the day.

I've been blessed with two experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa. One in Niger and the the other in Mali. In each place, at each meal we had the option of silverware. But my friends and I were in the middle of the desert living with the Tuareg tribesmen, why use silverware? I remember eating bread made in the sand and goat that was slaughtered a few feet away from where we sat. Again, all of us, Tuareg and Americans, ate from a common table with our hands. Though we could barely understand each other, we found ways to communicate and share the wonderful experience we each other. I feel like laughter usually companies these meals as well.

I have sooo many memories of eating with my hands. Even this week, the last 5 days, I can't recall using silverware, other than buttering bread with peanut butter or cheese. I love feeling the sensation of warmth or cold and texture of the food. There's nothing like licking your fingers of the excess olive oil, egg yoke, cheese, salt and pepper. On the last two occasions where I prepared a local meal, I enjoyed the meal with my hands. Last week, my roommate and I cooked up Lamb Chops, Beats, Squash with onion and red pepper flakes, beans, and potatoes. I choose to eat with my hands and it brought me back to the previously mentioned experiences above. I think that the flavors mix on the surfaces of my finger tips to create unique tastes. As I thought about what to write today, I couldn't resist challenging ya'll to stop listening to your mother, drop your silver ware, and eat your food with your hands! (The challenge does not include burgers and fries from McDonald's). Go to your local Market!

I'll leave you with that. Next week I will write about my visit to Polyface Farm in Virginia. In the meantime, I hope that You, Me and Everyone In Between enjoys great food, together, with your hands!

Withdrawal Syndrome

Weddings have forced me to drive all over the south and north east coast this summer. Don't get me wrong, I love weddings, especially the three so far this summer. Though, I will say that after missing the Main Street Market last week, I was feeling withdrawal. Of course, I was missing out on the good food during the last week. But I also missed out of the cool fellowship that occurs at the market.

Today I set out to overcome my withdrawal. Somehow I managed to get by without buying groceries this week (lots of granola, good friends who cook, and peanut butter). I had a whooping sixty dollars to spend at the market! Technically, since my budget ends on Friday, I have sixty bucks for food for the next three days! Anyways, I was ready to spend some money on some amazing food.

I did my usual, I bought some eggs and went on my rounds. I usually end up walking two rounds and shopping at each tent at least once. As usual, conversation was struck up by either the farmer or myself. Along with the conversation, I tasted an amazing yellow watermelon, cold figs, and a new taste, tomatilla. All told, by the end of my time my bags were full and I'd caught up with my good friends. I eliminated my withdrawal syndrome and spent almost fifty bucks on this market excursion!

At the market today I realized one reason why the farmers market is such a happy place. Think about an artist. An artist works hard through each aspect of the creation process. Blood, sweat, and sometime tears go into a project. An artist feels great about his or her creation when complete. But the real joy comes from sharing. Ain't that true with all aspects of life? I believe this to be true with farmers. They work with whatever nature throws at them, rain or shine. They do all that they can possibly do to reap a harvest. To some extent they only have so much control. They can do everything "right", but there's no guarantee. Each growing plant is a miracle. Sure, the farmers could keep their crops to themselves. But I think the act of sharing brings them joy. I know it certainly brings joy to me and as you walk through your market I'm sure you'll witness the joy I'm speaking of.

I encourage you to partake in the goodness of the Main Street Farmers Market! Next week I'll write about what I've done with the food found in the picture above. Until then, I hope that You, Me and Everyone In Between enjoys good food and fellowship.

The Happiest Place in Town...

That's right! I declare the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh, the happiest place in Pittsburgh. Why?

1. Libations and cheers.
Alcoholic beverages (in moderation) can make people happy. If you're not talkative, you may become talkative. You start laughing, and your worries disappear for a few moments. On top of that, every 30 - 45 minutes there's a drinking chant/cheer. The bond you form with your fellow drinkers is sure to give you a warm feeling inside. I should also mention that the sweet aroma of beer being made directly next to you is also enough to make you smile.

2. Eating together.
Though you're not eating the same dish, it feels like you're extra closer to fellow patrons. Since your closer, you may want to sneak and try your neighbors Schnitzel. I found myself eating off of my moms, dads, grandmothers, and sisters plates. We all have to eat and, inherently, I think we all have a desire to relate. The Hofbrauhous brings people around a common table to relate, give thanks, laugh, and enjoy life with good food.

3. Culture.
Though German culture is not frightening, (like going to a cafe themed on Djibouti food), it's still different enough to give you a new and unique experience. I think it helps that it is actually an authentic German chain. There are only two or three in the USA! I asked the Beer Master what he was doing and he simply stated, "I making ze beer". The Hhaus actually has authentic Deutchlanders making beer and creating a vibe! And I should also mention that there is a large amount of German descendants in the Burgh. I think that once we enter the HHaus space we inherently become more like Germans, celebrating life, people, beer, and good food.

The HHaus is enough of a reason for me to go back to Pittsburgh (on top of my family n'at). It's interesting that (in my mind) the HHaus is the happiest place in Pittsburgh. It's also ironic that it's happier than Kennywood (PGH's amusement park, which I went to the day before). I resolve and conclude that good traditional food and beer has a major part of my proclamation of Happiest Place in Pittsburgh. And.... (Drum roll please).... I think that a farmers market can also be one of the happiest places in your town for many of the same reasons as the HHaus. It's a place to relate, tell stories, laugh, eat traditional food to your region, connect, etc... Your house can be one of the happiest places on the planet if you share the joy and creation of a meal provided by your local farmer with close friends. (Don't forget local libations)

So, as I break my own tradition of writing on Wednesday (and for that matter skipping the Market, as I was en route from PGH to Chatt), I sign off with a chugging countdown in German. 

eins - zwei - drei !Zopa!

Schnitzel Cordon Blue

My sis. and me. After two hefe weizen.

It cost too much!

It's hump day, that means it's time to head to the Main Street Farmers Market! (Or think about going to your local market wherever you live. For you Pittsburgher's, there's one on the Northside every Friday)

Today, I'm going to to tackle one of the biggest excuses people make for not going to a farmers market. Though, before I do that I'd like to show you what happened to my purchases from last weeks Main Street Market.

The photo above shows the tastiest pork chop I've ever tasted, compliments of Sequatchie Cove Farm and the excellent grilling skills of my roommate, Joseph Shipp. The pork chops were marinated in olive oil, fresh rosemary from the garden, and garlic from River Ridge Farm. (Marinate over the duration of one tennis match.) Along with the amazing chops we roasted potatoes, beets, onions, and celeriac together with olive oil and garlic. (350 for about an hour) To top it all off we sauteed the stems and greens from the beets. And I couldn't possibly forget to mention our local beverage of choice, George Dickle Tennessee whiskey. This local meal, derived completely from the market, was nothing short of amazing. This was not due to our skills, but because of the labor of the farmers and animals. Add fellowship between good friends, and you've got a meal.

Now for this weeks topic: It costs too much to buy food from a farmers market!

I'll be very clear and transparent about my budget and spending, with the hope that it may inspire. Disclaimer: I'm a single 24 year old dude. I have no idea what shopping for a family would be like. For the sake of reality and to avoid my inherent idealism, I'm going to direct this thought toward my fellow twenty-somethings without kids.

I make $12 dollars an hour before tax. After paying taxes, rent, cell phone, car insurance, tithe, etc... I have about $400.00 to spend during a two-week period. I must mention that I have $15,000 left to pay in college debt. I want to send as much of that $400.00 to debt, rather than extraneous spending. I say this only to show you that I have to pinch my wallet as much as the next guy/girl. I maintain an active lifestyle and manage to eat lots of local food on a tight budget.

A long time ago people used to give most of the money in their budget to fresh food. Not so much anymore. This old tradition has inspired my budget. Here is what my two week budget looks like...

Grocery (or market) - $120
Fuel - $24
Restaurant - $20
Entertainment - $15
(you don't need to spend money to enjoy life)
*

If I need anything else (tooth brush, shirt, deodorant, planned trip, etc...), I add it too my budget at the beginning of my two week pay period or I save up for it.

* Most of the time I exceed my budget. I just started keeping one about 4 months ago. You've got to forgive yourself if you go over. Just make sure you have the money to spend! Budgets are as much organic as they are logical. Give yourself time to build a discipline.

I spend $40 - $50 over a two week budget period at the farmers market. I started at $20 bucks each week. Note to self: You must stop at the ATM before you go to a farmers market! Most farmers don't accept plastic.

You don't have to replace your local grocery store with your local farmers market. Think of it like a bike. Yes, a bike is an effective way to save the environment. However, it's not possible to use a bike for everything. Or, we're not ready to use a bike for everything. The same goes for the market. Start small. Go to your banks ATM and take out the minimal withdrawal amount. (Mine's twenty bucks) Take that amount and spend it on your local market.

Here are some other short tips that have worked for me:

- Eat with other people. Yes, it cost more when you're doing the cooking. Eventually, you'll have people cooking for you as well.

- Don't buy too much meat. You really don't need that much and it's expensive.

- Eat simple, local meals. (And pack a lunch) All of my meals don't look like the one above. I usually eat the same breakfast and lunch everyday. For breakfast I cook local eggs and enjoy a side of Niedlov's bread or oatmeal from bi-lo. For lunch I make myself a peanut butter sandwich with Niedlov's bread. With my sandwich I'll have carrots, cucumber or tomato from the market. Sometimes, I'll take celery and put peanut butter on it. You should know that I do shop at grocery stores, I love apples, among other things, and my market doesn't carry them.

- Pick out simple recipes for dinners and cook for the week. I cook a lentil soup. Aside from the lentils, all of the ingredients come from the market. I store the soup for dinners that I don't have time to cook for.

- Start a budget.

- Take a risk. You may be like me, I never knew how to cook. If I couldn't microwave it, I wasn't buying it. Take a risk and challenge yourself to buy something you never heard of. Ask someone at the market what they do with it.

Lastly, I will state, farmers markets can be more expensive than the grocery store. And if you're not acquainted, the market can take time to adjust to. I think you have to ask yourself, "what do I value?" I've decided that eating good food is important to me and I've manage with eat my values on a small budget. That's not to say that my values are better than yours.

My goal is that You, Me and Everyone In Between realizes the importance of and partake in eating good, healthy, local food!

Cheers!

It's actually not that painful

I've been to the poorest country in the world and I live in the richest. In each place the people eat. Let's face it, we all have to eat. Even if we weren't required to, I think we'd still eat. I mean, who doesn't enjoy eating?

That is why I have selected food as the theme of You, Me & Everyone in between. (If you haven't noticed)

Each Wednesday I'll post a little note related to food.

Why Wednesday? The farmers market is on Wednesday. My goal is to encourage readers/eaters to taste something local. Again, if I can, you can.

Today, I'll write briefly about my first experiences with farmers markets.

If I were to think way back to my first experience at a farmers market, it would definitely be on the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA. (There are actually farms in and near the steel town) I remember walking with my sister and mother through a parking lot full of farmers selling their food. I don't remember what we bought, or if we even bought anything. Later in life, my dad and I would park near the market's space before Pirate or Steeler games. For some reason, each time I'd pass the spot, I'd remember the first experience with my mom and sister. Oddly enough, an image of husks of corn and tents with farmers sporting beards wearing overalls vividly pops into my mind. I also remember looking up to everyone, I was quite young.

As far as I know, my second experience was at a farmers market last year in Falls Church, VA. I experimented with vegetarianism for a few months. The market seemed like a logical place to go. I remember thinking the food was priced higher than a grocery store. At the time I was living in community with some friends and I wasn't sure I could convince them that we needed to buy food from the market. (I mean, Sam's was way cheaper) Another set back was my lack of comfort in the kitchen. I had no clue how to cook what the farmers we're selling. End of story, I never bought anything and I never went back.

Fast forward to a month or two ago. Inspired by foodies in Chattanooga and reading The Omnivores Dilemma, I went back to a farmers market, the Main Street Market in Chattanooga, TN. As I entered the market I felt a rising anxiety. What was I going to buy? More importantly, how was I going to cook it? I was either too embarrassed or too proud to ask one of the farmers. (especially in front of other people) Eventually, in my anxiety I ended up picking out $20+ dollars worth of produce. I couldn't pronounce most of it, let alone cook it. I was facing buyers remorse! How do I cook Kohl Rabi!?

Luckily, Bill Keener of SCF stopped by the design studio the next day. In private, I asked, "How do I cook this stuff"? His reply was simple, almost too simple for me. He said, "just saute or steam them"! In my mind I imagined some complicated recipe, which was scary with my limited cooking experience. It took me a few cooking experiences to stop over thinking the process and just saute or steam (or bake). I wrote about and photographed my first experience cooking food from the farmers market. Here's a link...

I just returned from the Main Street Market and here's what I have to show. Now I just buys what's different or new and figure out what to do with it later, of just ask a farmer.

Two tomatos that I've never tried before... Green Zebra and the big ole' yellow one thanks to Signal Mountain Farm.
Eggs from SCF. Produced by chickens that spend their days roaming pastures near the cattle. (A morning necessity).
Zuchini compliments of River Ridge Farm.
Celeriac (which I'm told is great roasted with beets) from Crab Tree
Garlic from Crabtree
Pork Chops from SCF
Beets (which were a first last week) from River Ridge Farm
Onions from SCF

Quick note: For each purchase I engaged the farmer/seller in a discussion about the food I was buying and how to cook it. They had no trouble answering my questions. Not once did I feel as if I was annoying them. I didn't lose my pride either. In fact, I left the market quite rejuvenated from my conversations with the high spirited folks at the market selling food. Now it's time to nourish my body with great local food from Chattanooga!

It's also time that You, Me & Everyone In Between try a local farmers market.

May you eat extremely well this week!

Never cooked beets before

Baked Eggplant Sandwich
egg plant - signal mountain farm
four seed bread - niedlov's
onion - river ridge farm
tomato - crabtree

Sides
beets - river ridge farm (the greens and stem of a beet are amazing sauteed)
kale - williams Island
zucchini - river ridge
garlic: river ridge
shiitake mushrooms: sequatchie cove farm (so easy! saute with butter)


















Omelet:
eggs - sequatchie cove farm (pasture raised, free roaming chickens)
kale - williams island farm
tomato - crabtree farms
shiitake - sequatchie cove farm
onion - river ridge
zucchini - river ridge
egg plant - signal mountain farm
garlic - river ridge

If I can create these two meals, (which were amazingly tasty!) then you certainly can! I used to be intimidated by the market. I thought the food required "mysterious" recipes. I mean, I'm only learning how to cook, I had no clue what to do with the stuff I was buying. I remember being very anxious as I walked the market for the first time. Eventually, I started asking the farmers for their advice. I was shocked by the simplicity. Saute, Steam, or Boil. How could it be so easy? I thought I had to follow some strange recipe on epicurious?

Once you manage to saute, steam or boil your food, you can try to make other easy recipes like omelets and baked egg plant sandwiches. For my omelet I pulled whatever I could find from the fridge. First I sauteed it all, then I put it into the omelet. A friend of mine always says, "good ingredients make for good food". I'm definitely a believer in that statement, after these two meals. You'll also come to the light, once you try out the Main St. Market (or any market around the country).

You, Me & Everyone In Between has to eat. Why not eat good?!

Main Street Farmers Market
In between Market and Broad St.
Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:00 pm. (Get there early)
See you there!

Locawhat?

I have had a great desire to write about my new found passion. What is that Passion? Well, it's for something that every human being on this planet has in common. No one's immune to it and everyone needs it. Food.

You might ask, "D.J., why is food your new passion"?

1. My current reading of The Omnivores Dilemma by Micheal Pollan. Pollan follows the food chain from beginning to end. Frightening and liberating at the same time.

2. Living in Chattanooga, Tn. Here, I've found a group of friends who cares so dearly about the food we eat and how it gets to us. That includes one of our clients at widgets & stone, Sequatchie Cove Farm. At SCF they're raising food the traditional way. (Cows on grass, no hormones, free roaming chickens and pigs.) Often I ease drop on meetings between our creative director and Bill Keener(owner of SCF). I'm so grateful that I get to glean from his wisdom of food.

3. Just being a connected person. I like to know the story behind things, whether it's a person or food.

4. Spirituality. It's said that our bodies are temples and we must take care of them. Literally, I am what I eat. If I eat junk (food loaded with additives, preservatives, and things I can't pronounce), I feel like junk. If I eat healthy food, I feel great! I'd rather chose the later and eat the food the way God created it, way back when. Think about it, the food at the farmers market isn't much different from the food that Adam and Eve enjoyed. (stolen idea from Micheal Pollan)

I'd like to share two meals with you, that I had today and yesterday. I wasn't trying to, but I became a Locavore. For the day, I became a locavore, because everything I ate was from the Chattanooga region. (Think about, all of my money went back to Chattanooga!) At the Main Street farmers market, I met the handlers of my bread, and the growers, sowers, and pickers of my Kolirabi, Radish, Kale, and Cabbage. I had stories! I knew where this food was from.

I was a bit trigger happy at the farmers market. I ended up buying a whole bunch of stuff I didn't know how to cook. (Perhaps, an omnivores dilemma?) Luckily, yesterday, Bill Keener came in and alleviated my intimidation of my food. He said, just saute it or steam it or make a salad of it.

So here it goes, my local, healthy, story filled meals. The connected persons (me), dream meal. If only I had planted and grown portions of it. (I did nibble of a bit of arugula that I'm growing at one point) Joseph (my roommate and co-worker) and I shared this meal along with great fellowship.

Napa Cabbage, Kolirabi, Niedlov's ciabatta bread, Radish, Kale

Dinner is served! Ciabatta bread toasted and served with olive oil and Joseph's grown rosemary, Sauteed kale and kolirabi greens w/ touch of lemon, cabbage salad with kolirabi and radish, steamed kolrabi, kale, cabbage, and radish.

mmmm!

Pasteur raised eggs from Williams Island Farm

Look at the color of the yoke!

Toasted Ciabatta, Pasteur raised egg, home grown rosemary, and local Chattanooga water with a touch of homegrown mint.

On top of being a locavore, I rode a bike to work today and yesterday. I'm not boasting about any of this. My hope is to encourage and inspire others to try. It's intimidating at first, but, if I can do it, you certainly can!

Cheers!



















UPDATE: Drinking local beer from the Terminal Brewhouse, for lunch. Beer counts too! For those outsiders, that's lookout mt. in the background. The intersection you see is Market and Main. I'm enjoying the local beer on the Terminal's green roof.

A challenging life worth living.

The recent death of the Former President of La Roche college inspired me to think about what makes ones life valued by others? 

After leaving La Roche College, many people criticized Monsignor Kerr for driving La Roche college into debt. I understand there may be truth to that statement. It's no secret that La Roche college has been in the red for many years. 

Now, as I witness the mourning of Monsignor Kerr's death, I only hear words of affirmation and gratitude for the many ways he's had positive influence on other peoples lives. 

The reactions I've heard to Monsignor's death, or I should say his life, have instigated many thoughts in my mind. I wonder if at the end of our lives we measure, (or others measure), not so much the calculable accomplishments like a failing business or having made CEO or President. Rather, what if it was, indeed, about the lives we touched or had a positive influence on? 

In my opinion, the latter is a much more challenging life to live. It means that we must put others before ourselves. 

Today, I salute Monsignor Kerr. I will remember the man who lived his life trying to put others before himself.  The way he lived his life has dramatically changed the course of my life and lives of many others (for the better). 

Why do I do this?

Recently, my neighbor in Pittsburgh told me of a development firm in Pittsburgh, PA with brilliant mission statement, "we make money slow". At widgets & stone, where I work, our mission begins with "design the right things, design the things right". These two vision statements resonate with me, especially as I wonder what the vision or purpose of You Me and Everyone in Between is? I can't help but want to steal both of those statements and make them mine! Yet, they're completely different fields than I am in. I don't plan on using the blog for my design career or to make any money.

There's something to be said about discipline, depending on the habits that it forms. I believe that you must form the right discipline for yourself. (I tend to be too far fetched) Elite marathon runners have a much different discipline than someone like me training for a half marathon. If I started where they are, I'd never get anywhere. Eventually, I'd burn out and end up upset at myself for not reaching my outlandish goals. Seth Godin writes one blog a day every day. I wish I could do that, but to tell the truth, that would not be fair to you. You'd end up reading mostly sub-par entries the would fall short of serving you. Seth can do it, I can't, right now.

I would be lying if I told you I didn't want to achieve some fame from this blog. If I'm honest, I'd tell you that I think this blog actually has some potential. But, if my blog doesn't "make it" amongst the billions of blogs out there, at least I can rest in the fact that I know that I enjoy what I am doing. I take great pleasure in the process of writing an entry every week or so. In fact, for me, it's much more than writing, it's about sharing experiences in life. I especially enjoy sharing what I glean from the incredible people I cross paths with.

My Uncle from Kansas once said, "plant seeds and pray, that's all you can do". When he first shared these words I hesitated to accept them. I was younger and thought that I had even more control over life than I do now. As I grow I begin to recognize the wisdom within his words.

If I had a mission statement or discipline for You Me and Everyone it would go like this, "To plant ideas when I have ideas".

I'll continue to write as long as I'm having fun*. You're welcome to participate. I hope you do.

*I met with a man at The Manchester Bidwell Training Center who said, "D.J., let me tell you something, never do something unless it's fun".

Handcrafted

Today I write to share with you the accomplishment of one of my long time goals. Since graduating college in 2007 I've wanted to create my own thank you cards. Over the years I've created simple stationary printed from an ink jet. Usually, I run out pretty quickly. If I don't have stationary on hand, letters won't be sent. I probably owe at least thirty people thank you cards from the last three years. Sorry, if you're one of those people.

Two important events occurred in the completion process of my very own stationary.

1. Hearing Denver Moore, co-author of Same Kind of Different as Me , speak in Atlanta. Rather than describing his story, you should just buy and read the book. Anyways, humble as he is, all he said when he spoke, in front of the largest crowd to support the homeless in Atlanta's history, was "In this life we only keep what we give". I immediately knew that that quote must appear on my stationary.

2. Accomplishing a completely separate goal, learning how to letterpress. The letterpress is an amazing machine that creates a handcrafted design. I actually did not use a computer for any part of the process of completing my stationary! Hard to believe in 2009, right? I set all of the lead type (Stymie) by hand. I wanted to use Archer, but Stymie was the only organized and complete alphabet that we have at the studio. I used some French paper left over from old projects at the widgets & stone studio. All told, my stationary cost me zero dollars. I spent under seven hours setting the type and printing the cards and envelopes. Hopefully, when received, my stationary will make someone smile.

Another goal of mine is to hand write letters more often. Hopefully having 100 cards on hand will encourage letter writing. It's important to note that most of history is taken from letters. I started reading Team of Rivals about Abraham Lincoln's unique/diverse cabinet by Doris Kearns Goodwin. She found most of her information from reading letters that the men sent home to their wives.

I'm not writing for a historian 100 years from now to read. But history has inspired me to handcraft personal letters of gratitude to those who have given to me in some way. When I receive a letter amongst all my junk mail, I smile. It's a letter not asking anything of me, like the rest. In so many ways it's a celebration of a memory had. In this world of constant fear of the future, never recognizing the present, and forgetting the past, I believe it to be good practice to reflect and share what we are thankful for.

I'll be in Pittsburgh for the next week to run a half marathon with my sis and to spend time with the family. Talk to you next week!

D.J.

Mile 6: Plagued with Ideas

I've dedicated this post to the big three ideas or visions that I don't know how to implement. Recently, a friend challenged me to start by picking one. To me that's like picking one child over another. I confess, if any of these are to see the light of day, I'm going to need some help. Or, I need you to tell me that none of them are worth the dip. 

As you read, think about the wisdom coming from the 99% conference. 

"It's not not about ideas, it's about making ideas happen". 

"Reduce everything you want to do into a series of steps that you can do right now". 

- Jason Randal 

And away we go... 

I Am The Wall: A Holy Land Project

This idea was inspired by my trip with a close friend to Israel. Simply put, I have a dream of creating a diverse network of people, who are open to understanding each other and reconciliation, on both sides of the wall that divides Israel. Typically, the wall has negative implications on both sides. What if the wall stood as an example? What if it was transformed into a beautiful metaphor? The wall stands because of there are many parts that hold it together. Using the number of networking tools, provided by the web, a group of people can form a "metaphorical" wall that stands against oppression of any kind and deadly traditions of hate that exist. Oppression, in my opinion, includes extremism and hate of another culture or religion. Not only is it important that Israelis and Palestinians connect. The world also needs to connect with the people living in the land of Israel. I envision people allowing themselves to form an opinion, not based on what the news and media depicts, but through actually interacting with a Jew or an Arab, etc... 

Steps:

- Revise written vision statement

- Show vision statement to Palestinians and Israelis

Culture Within Your Own Country

Here's another social network project that I thought of last week. I thought of this because I miss the amount of diversity I encountered during my days at La Roche College. A day didn't go by where I did not interact with someone not native to US soil. I actively participated in cultures different than mine and I miss that. 

So here's my idea... A social network where people of different cultures can connect specifically for the reason of learning and trying to understand each other through a cultural experience. Picture this: I want to go to a synagogue, but I'd rather know a member of the synagogue and go with them and then discuss the experience afterwards over coffee or tea. Or, I'd like to eat Ethiopian with an Ethiopian and converse about growing up in Addis Ababa. Do you catch my vision? In the end the experience awards both sides. As an American I have the pleasure of immersing myself in learning, experiencing, smelling, tasting, or listening to a new culture, and the person of the culture has a pleasure of sharing their story with pride. (I admit that the genius's at OOOOBY  inspired this on as well)

Steps:

- Start visiting places in Chattanooga by myself or with friends and build relationships

- Blog about the experiences

Chattanooga, "Sprout Fund" to build interest in neighborhood specific public art. 

First, you should visit The Sprout Fund website or Mural Farm.

Essentially, I love the effect that murals have had on communities in Pittsburgh and Philly. I'd love to see that same process duplicated in Chattanooga (with a Chattanoogan touch of course). I'm not entirely interest in designing a mural. However, I'm extremely interested in helping artists like Sean LaRose create beautiful work that the community can appreciate. Currently, w&s art director, Joseph Shipp, and I have a dream of a painting a mural on the back side of the studio. 

Steps:

- Examine the Pittsburgh Model (and other cities like Philly) 

- Write to other cities for advice

- Brainstorm with Joseph and Sean

- Pull in other advocates

- Find funding

Please feel free to criticize or volunteer to help with any of these visions. Comment below or email me.