Edition 180

May 21, 2010

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

• Gone - Local Strawberries, we'll miss you, oh great strawberry
• New -Blackberries, from local farms, to ease strawberry withdrawals
• New -Mangos, from local farms...that's right, from local G&S Groves
• New -Cherry Tomatoes, from local farms, first of the season
• New -Cantaloupe, from non-local farms
• Gone -Fajita Meat, from local farms
• Gone -Sweet Potatoes, from local farms until end of summer
• Back - Chicken, from local dewberry farms. It's been a tough few months, but they're back in full supply
• New -Peaches, from local farms

Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children

So far it's correlation and not causation, but you may or may not be surprised that a new study says children with higher levels of pesticides in their urine had a much higher incidence of ADHD. Can you believe it's children with "higher levels"?! Shouldn't it just be with levels at all.

In our dreams, because 95% of children have pesticides in their blood and urine. The majority of these come from their diet. Organophosphates, one of the most common pesticides, is a known neurotoxin. So the ADHD link is not all that surprising.

Avoid pesticides! Shop Greenling!

Check out the article here

Join Greenling's Kiva Group!

If you haven't heard about it, Kiva's just about the coolest non-profit ever. You get to loan to low income entrepreneurs and make a tangible difference in lives and communities. It's person-to-person micro-lending.

Thanks to Mike Griffin for getting us started and donating $25 to Greenling to lend out. We're going to pass this forward. For the next week if you join our team and start lending ($25 or more) we'll give you 10% off your next order. So join our team & spread the Kiva love -

Greenling Kiva Team

Join Kiva, join Greenling's team, and let's fund entrepreneurs around the world.

The Thing About Peaches

The wonderful spring weather has brought us a normally dubious bounty that may be one of the most celebrated crops in Texas - Peaches!! My father grew some peach trees at our house and there are few childhood memories as crisp as biting into that super-ripe, homegrown peach. It explodes with juice that runs down your chin and all over your hand. I would always lick my hand not to miss one drop of its goodness.

Unfortunately, I have a little caveat about peaches. On average, they happen to be the most pesticide-polluted produce item you can possibly purchase. And I'm very sorry, but Fredericksburg peaches are not an exception. You will soon see huge displays in every store about Fredericksburg peaches, but unless they're certified Organic or you have confirmed natural growing with the farm, like Greenling's, there's a 96% chance you'll be eating pesticides (read the national study here- we've confirmed chemical use on several Fredericksburg orchards). It's partially because peaches have an incredibly thin skin so they absorb those chemicals like a ShamWow!

On the bright side, Greenling has certified Organic peaches from local Lundgren farm and a couple of other completely chemical-free orchards will start harvesting soon! Get them while they're here because the Organic peach season can be shorter than the chemical peach season.

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). Items with a (*) are only available in the Local Box:

In Local Boxes ($34.99) this week (May 24-28):

• Red or Yukon Potatoes - Various
• Mangos - G&S Groves
• Green Beans - Acadian
• Carrots - Acadian
• Blackberries! - Naegelin
• Broccoli Greens or Kale - Montesino
• Sweet Onions - Acadian
• Peaches - Lundgren
• Romaine or Radicchio - Wiley or Tecolote

Last Week's (May 17-21) Local Box Video:

In Farmstead Grilling Boxes this week (May 24-28)- Just Add Meat:

• Wheat Hamburger Buns - Sweetish Hill
• BBQ Sauce - Friends & Family
• Roasted Garlic Montasio - Brazos Valley

Order Here

Fresh, Prepared Meal Selection for this week:

Dish #1 - Spring Corn Soup w/ Green Tomato Relish(1 pint - serves 1 for lunch) - Deliciously simple corn soup, made with fresh spring corn from J&B Farms in Hondo, TX. First, we use all the flavor-packed corn cobs to craft a heavenly corn stock for the base of the soup. Spring onions, fresh garlic and herbs are sauteed until golden, and then the sweet kernels are stirred in and we simmer to bring it all together. The soup is blended until smooth and finished with a tangy green tomato and corn relish for a delectable soup any way you enjoy it, warm or chilled!

-Ingredients: corn, water, onion, garlic, tomato, olive oil, lemon, vinegar, cream, herbs, spices, salt, pepper

Dish #2 - Tomatillo & Green Chile Chicken Soup w/ White Beans(1 pint) - A comforting chicken soup packed with Mexican-inspired flavor. Tangy tomatillos and our homemade chicken stock build a base for tender pieces of Dewberry Farms chicken & white beans simmered with fresh green chiles. Stock it in your fridge for a quick lunch at home or take it along to work with any of our fresh salads.

-Ingredients: chicken stock, tomatillo, chicken, onion, garlic, green chile, white bean, chickpea, celery, spices, herbs, salt, pepper

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
• Lettuce, Red Romaine - Wiley Farms
• Kale - Naegelin
• Mars Orange - G&S Grove
• Grapefruit - G&S Grove
• Romaine Lettuce - The Farm Patch
• Spinach - My Father's Farm
• Carrots - Acadian
• Red Swiss Chard - Acadian
• Radish - My Father's Farm
• Green Shallots - Lundgren and Acadian
• Pea Shoots - Bluebonnet
• Watercress - Bluebonnet
• Peaches - Lundgren
• Mangos - G&S Grove
• Gold Beets - Ringger Farm

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
• Giant Green Garlic - Green Gate
• Spring Onion - My Father's Farm
• Red Beets - Tecolote
• Corn - J&B Farm
• Green Cabbage - Naegelin
• Collard Greens - Naegelin
• Mustard Greens - Naegelin
• Cilantro - My Father's Farm
• Kohlrabi - Ringger Family Farm
• Blackberries - Naegelin Farm
• Flat Leaf Parsley - Animal Farm

Events & Local Food Happenings Around Town

San Antonio Greenling Soiree

-May 22nd, 6pm

-Bismark Studios (map)

Super-cool venue for this Local food Potluck. Bismark Studios is San Antonio's premier North Side Gallery in the Stone Oak area. As usual, we invite you to bring a dish made with local ingredients and the dish voted the best by attendees gets a free Local Box! Greenling will also bring libations and cheer. Come meet other Greenlings and enjoy the local food harvest.

Check out more here

Fundraiser for Paul Robbins & Austin Environmental Directory

-May 26th, 6pm

-Barr Mansion

Come join the environmental community as we hold a "ROAST" & fundraiser to honor longtime, award-winning activist Paul Robbins and the recent publication of the 7th Edition of the Environmental Directory.

Since 1977, Paul has been a tireless advocate, activist, and author. From drafting Austin's first conservation plan, to helping defeat the 1988 incineration project at Hornsby Bend, he is one of the true founders of our city as we know & enjoy it.

Check out more here

Organic Baby Food Making

-May 28th, 9am and 11am

-Mad Hatters Tea House (map)

Make Mother’s Day last all month! NEVA face+body presents a Pregnancy Care event this May. Join Greenling.com and Well Seasoned Catering for an organic baby food cooking class. Learn how to turn fresh, local and organic ingredients into nutritional nomz for your baby. To RSVP, please call 210-212-4832.

Slow Money National Gathering

-June 9-12

-$295

-Shelburne Farms, VT (link)

Come to Shelburne Farms, a working farm and forest and National Historic Landmark -- a setting uniquely imbued with the history of capitalism and a nonprofit organization dedicated to forging a new future through sustainability education, creating social enterprises and strengthening local food systems. Enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Champlain. Meet thought leaders and change agents from around the country who are joining in this exciting project: designing capital markets that go beyond extraction and consumption all the way to preservation and restoration… starting with food and soil fertility.

Austin will be well-represented with Mason going, Jerry Cunningham of Coyote Creek, Melanie McAfee of Barr Mansion, Scott Price (formerly Whole Foods), Randy Jewart of Resolution Gardens, Scott Collier and Joanne Marino of Slow Money, and more!

Learn More & Register Here

Fun on the Farm - Farm Camp

-June 14-18 or 21-25, 9am-3:30pm

-$250 (siblings $225, some scholarships available)

-Green Gate Farms

Would your child like to explore a farm, get dirty, learn about nature, be a farmer? Is your child ages 7-11? The Green Gate Farms Farm Camp is for you! Kids will spend mornings working with farmers in the fields and taking care of animals. Afternoons will feature workshops taught by local farming experts. How cool is that? There will be tons of fun activities and also time to just explore the farm.

Learn more here

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Outstanding in the Field

-Oct 10th(sold out) & 12th

-$200/ticket

-Boggy Creek Farm

Speaking of OITF, the tickets in the Farm To Plate auction item are to the sold-out October 10th dinner. OITF is a world-wide touring event featuring the best food in the world prepared by the best chefs in the world. Carol Ann Sayle and Larry Butler are long time friends of Outstanding in the Field. Back in 2004 on their first cross-country farm dinner tour, they made their last stop in Austin and found the welcoming embrace of Boggy Creek. They return this October for 2 dates only. Chef James Holmes of Olivia is their guest chef. Get your tickets for Oct 12th soon as they sell out quickly.

Learn more here

Recipe Corner

Grilling Butter

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter - softened
• 2 teaspoons dry seasoning
• 2 tablespons chopped fresh seasonal herb
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Place prepared butter in a small bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Butter can also be frozen for 2 to 3 weeks. Defrost in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.

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.