Edition 176

April 23, 2010

• Local Box Contents
• News & Updates
• Recipe Corner
• Greenling Tidbits

• Short Supply - Local Strawberries, due to the rain
• New - Cookie Mixes, local from Homestead Gristmill
• New - Fresh Garlic & Dill, from local farms
• Gone - Meyer Lemons, til August
• Coming Soon - Summer Squash, from local farms
• Back -Butter, from Way Back When

Welcome the Newest Addition to the Greenling Team

Last Friday I was writing the newsletter and got that call - 'my water broke.' What ensued was a week-long journey to bring a new life into this world. He had a rough start and is still in the NICU, but at this point I think it's just so he can flirt with the nurses. Daxton Pierce Arnold is his name and he told me to tell everyone hi and that he can't wait to meet you all at a soiree soon.

Drop Point in Marble Falls

Do you know anyone who could use Greenling but lives out in the Marble Falls area? We have an opportunity to drop baskets at a natural food store, but need a minimum amount of orders to do it.

If you know anyone out that way please send them to our website and ask them to enter their zip code and give us their contact info. We'll collect all of the info and try to create enough interest to send some local, organic love to the hill country!

Farmer-Hero - Purple Goose Farm

Tim Weisheit knows his eggs. On Purple Goose, his ranch in Buda, he raises ducks and geese, but not without asking for something in return. Fostering an environment of mutual benefit, Weisheit cares for his birds in exchange for three things: egg laying, bug and weed control, and poo production.

Starting with just two ducks, Weisheit has grown his now large flock on his sustainable, chemical-free land. The birds lay eggs available through Greenling. They also earn their keep by eating bugs, “trimming” (and eating) grass and weeds, and providing much-needed natural fertilizer, which has actually reconditioned the soil on the farm, creating a healthy growing base for fruits and veggies. Duck varieties include the Toulouse, Pilgrim, Saddleback, and Chinese. African and Embden geese also roam around.

Shaq, Weisheit’s most photogenic goose, was rescued from a family who just couldn’t handle a goose’s attitude. He spends his days picking at bugs and strutting around the farm.

Fruit also grows on Purple Goose’s ranch. Wine grapes, once only comprising two vines on the land, now abound in rows. After experimenting with wine grapes, Weisheit grows both common and less well-known varieties, always planting and pruning, trying to cultivate the perfect grape.

Figs, ripe and juicy in the summer, are available in the summer through Greenling. Keep an eye out and try some for yourself.

For more information on Purple Goose Farm, please check out purplegoosellc.com.

This Week's Box Contents & Local Items

Here's what will be available from local farms on our website this week (the best selection of local produce in the state - guaranteed):

In Local Boxes ($34.99) this week (Apr 26-30):

• Spring Onions - Acadian
• Cilantro or Parsley - Tecolote
• Spinach - My Father's Farm
• Carrots - My Father's Farm
• Kohlrabi - Ringger or Tecolote
• Salad Mix - Montesino
• Broccoli Greens or Kale - Texas Natural
• Citrus - G&S
• Garlic - Tecolote
• Beets - Ringger or Tecolote

Last Week's (Apr 19-23) Local Box Video:

In Farmstead Boxes this week (Apr 26-30):

• Chocolate Dr. Kracker - Dr Kracher
• Mascarpone Cheeze
• Sweet or Zhi Tea

Order Here

Fresh, Prepared Meal Selection for this week:

Surprise! The Dishalicious guys were helping execute the Slow Money events (which were awwwweeesoome) so they didn't get us the dishes, but Candy should have them up tonight

Produce from Local Farms

• Herb, Asst. - Pure Luck
• Herbs, Basil, Live - Bella Verdi
• Sunflower Sprouts - Groovy Greens
• Lettuce, Baby - Animal Farm and My Father's Farm
• Lettuce, Bibb - Bella Verdi
• Meyer Lemons - G&S Groves
• Kale - Naegelin
• Mars Orange - G&S Grove
• Grapefruit - G&S Grove
• Limes - G&S Grove
• Green Leaf Lettuce - The Farm Patch
• Romaine Lettuce - The Farm Patch
• Red Leaf Lettuce - The Farm Patch
• Spinach - Naegelin
• Baby Spinach - Animal Farm
• Green Shallots - Lundgren and Acadian
• Pea Shoots - Bluebonnet
• Watercress - Bluebonnet
• Artichoke - Miguel Farm
• Celery - Finca Pura Vida

Produce from Local Farms

• Microgreens, Arugula - Bella Verdi
• Microgreens, Broccoli - Bella Verdi
• Mushroom, Crimini - Kitchen Pride
• Mushroom, Portabella - Kitchen Pride
• Mushroom, Shiitake - Kitchen Pride
• Mushroom, White - Kitchen Pride
• Potatoes, Sweet -Naegelin
• Red Radish - My Father's Farm
• Daikon Radish - Green Gate
• Green Garlic - Green Gate
• White Spring Onion - My Father's Farm
• Onion, Yellow - Naegelin
• Arugula - Acadian
• Baby Arugula - Acadian
• Green Cabbage - Naegelin
• Tomatoes - Village Farm
• Broccoli - Various
• Collard Greens - Naegelin
• Mustard Greens - Naegelin
• Cilantro - My Father's Farm
• Kohlrabi - My Father's Farm
• Strawberries - Poteet Farm
• Baby Bok Choy - Animal Farm
• Flat Leaf Parsley - Animal Farm

Events & Local Food Happenings Around Town

In The Kitchen w/ Nina & Andrew

-Saturday, May 8th

-11am - 1pm

-$65

-Sicolas Kitchen (map)

The first in a series of cooking classes with Chef Andrew Brooks (spiritedfood.com) and certified Health and Nutrition Counselor Nina Beucler (ninabeucler.com). Nina and Andrew will be joining forces in the kitchen to provide valuable information about the most nutritious and delicious ways to prepare meals with fresh local produce from Greenling!

Your health IQ is bound to increase as well as your kitchen skills. Full meal will be prepared and served along with the sale of Greenling Local Boxes to go home and test out the recipes yourself. Seating is limited.

See the .pdf flyer here and reserve your spot by emailing ninabeucler@sbcglobal.net or calling 512-560-6925

Austin Green Living Expo

-April 23-25

-Austin Convention Center

This even struggled in the early years to gain credibility in the green community and deliver real value, but they've been working hard and last year was a great event. Hundreds of eco-service providers and Sustainability products on display showed Austin that there is a bustling green industry in this town. I think this is officially the largest Sustainability event in town. And Greenling will be there this year! We'll be hard to miss with the Banana Car making an appearance at the show. They still let in some people who I think shouldn't be there, but they're easy to just walk past. Come out and support Austin's green businesses while listening to informative sessions and super-cool demos.

See more & buy tickets here

Earth Day New Braunfels

-April 24th

-Free

-Landa Park Dance Slab

Come out and enjoy a day filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family! Let the kids enjoy games, arts & crafts, and special demonstrations for them. Meanwhile, you can learn how to live a healthier, greener lifestyle that will benefit your family, your community, and your planet! There will be prize giveaways and live entertainment throughout the day! Don't miss out on the fun! Get active, get outside, and get involved in your local community!

Learn more here

Recipe Corner

Local Box Sautè

Ingredients

• kohlrabi
  
• spinach
  
• carrots
  
• green onions
  
• garlic
• butter
  
• salt & pepper (or cholula)
  

Instructions:

This simple sauté can create a very tasty main-course dish or a side to most meats. Slice or dice the veggies. Start sauteing the kohlrabi, garlic and carrots first. Heat on medium until they begin to tenderize. For a super-sustainable dish, keep the carrot and kohlrabi tops, they can be thrown in too! Add the spinach and onions and cook until wilted. Just before serving, fold in some butter (to taste) and sprinkle with salt and pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy dish. Waiting to the end to add the butter really brings out the velvety flavor and texture and accentuates the mild flavor of the kohlrabi. All ingredient quantities are flexible.

For More Recipes Check Out The Eating Out of the Local Box Blog. Also make sure to become a fan of Greenling on Facebook to get weekly recipes from Woman With A Whisk & The Best of Thymes food bloggers.