24 OCTOBER 2009

Want to be part of the largest grassroots climate action in global history? Check out this new animation from 350.org and visit their website to get involved.

MINI-HARVEST

Last night's mini-harvest has already been eaten, but I took a picture to remember it by. We had enough green beans to share between the two of us for dinner, a beet, a handful of fresh peas, herbs (oregano, thyme, basil, parsley), and of course, a variety of lettuces.

Dinner was whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce made with the herbs you see pictured and some frozen tomatoes from last year's harvest. We also cooked up the green beans and beet, and had a large, lovely salad. There's nothing better than eating straight out of the garden!

VINTAGE BLISS

I love old things. Homes, furniture, people, you name it. Old things have so much more character than anything you could buy new. Reusing items is easier on our planet than constantly buying new ones. I've made some fantastic finds at garage sales and D.I. recently, like the set of glasses shown above, and I've also been seeing a lot of great vintage items in the KSL classifieds and on Craig's List that I'd like to pass along. Here are just a few of the items available now in the Provo/Salt Lake area:

Vintage Couch $50

Vintage Desk $129

Vintage Metal Bed $95

Vintage Swinging Cradle $35

Vintage Nightstand $10

NO EXCUSE

"What happens on your plate represents your most important engagement with the natural world and the biggest impact you have on climate change. Meat eating in particular represents a tremendous amount of greenhouse gasses produced." - Michael Pollan

I know, I KNOW. You're right, Mr. Pollan. I should stop eating meat. I've known this for a while now, even tried to go veg once. I have a husband who willingly (NAY, HAPPILY) eats my vegetarian cookin' and who LOVES RICE DREAM. I have a garden full of happy plants that is already offering up it's bounty. I have a desire to lose 5-10 pounds.

In summary, I have no excuse. No excuse to order chicken tacos at Guru's when I could have the Good Karma pasta. No excuse to grill up a "hamburger" (what does that word even mean? ham?) when veggie burgers are so tasty. No excuse to lament limited sources of protein and a burgeoning backside in the same conversation.

I'm going to do this in stages and keep you all updated on my progress every week. First step, eliminate beef from my diet. No more beef. And by beef I mean cow meat. Beef is a word that humans invented to avoid thinking of cows while they're eating. So no more cows. Period.

I'm doing it. Here goes nothing. Wish me luck. If you want, you can join me. And what's more, please share your veggie tips with me. Recipes, whatever. Encouragement is what I need.

p.s. Do you have a Winder Farms account? Did you know that they have a most delicious squash ravioli that goes wonderfully with their cilantro pesto? If what you want is a flavor explosion in your mouth, look no further.

HUNGRY FOR CHANGE

Check out the trailer for Food, Inc., which appears to hammer home the same principles that Michael Pollan has been writing about. Unfortunately it's not currently playing in Utah, but you can click here to check showtimes in your area.

After watching this trailer I'm inspired to hit up the farmer's market. Have a great Saturday!

**UPDATE** Michael Pollan will also appear in a tv program on PBS, titled after his book The Botany of Desire. Click here to watch a preview.