Wow! Local seeds for my garden! The benefits are endless to having seed that has been produced in local soil. Alberta Nurseries and Seeds out of Bowden, Alberta, approximately 29 miles from our place. They are growers who do field trials to ensure all seed is hardy for our climate and can grow within our peak growing months. A producer who has been around since 1922, they have been able to specialize in certain species and have endless experience and knowledge about plants, trees and food production. I phoned for a catalogue the other day and spoke with a wonderful lady! She was very helpful and we got talking about the process of a 100 mile diet. She was most impressed with my ideas around food and children. We got a charge out of how children who get homemade cooking and baking always enjoy going to friend's house's to eat store bought cookies and Kraft Dinner. And vice versa, those who get store bought items generally hoover anything out of the oven! She felt compelled to tell me a quick story about when she was raising her young children. Her son went to school one day and she sent with him the usual lunch. When he returned home from school that day he let her know he did a trade and his friend wanted to know what that "brown" stuff in his sandwich. Minutes later, the friend's mother phoned and began to rant about how much her son LOVED the sandwich that had been traded, and could she please tell her what the "brown " stuff was! Well it took her a moment to realize it was Roast Beef from the night before that she had put in her son's sandwich... she quietly told this to the mother and was replied with "I guess I'll have to learn how to cook one of those!".
It is really a pleasure getting everyone's views/opinions and general thought on this project. We will be heading out this week for seeds. My girls are excited about helping pick out all the things they love! We have a greenhouse... just barely without a family feud! So we will be starting seeds soon! Can't wait!!
Welcome to my Blog! This is a first for me as i am generally computer illiterate. But with a little persuasion from friends and family and some help from a more computer savy comrade, i am well on my way to becoming part of the 21st century.
I lean a little towards the side of "hippy" when it comes to my lifestyle. People often raise their eyebrows when my husband Jonathan and I say we don't have cable television, iphones, or internet. Mind you we did have to cave and get an internet stick for Jonathan's business and this does seem to make more sense when one wants to start a Blog.
Fresh food has always been an issue for me. I'm sure it drove my mother crazy when i would constantly check expiry dates and refuse leftovers as a kid. My first five years were spent on a farm in Saskatchewan. My biggest memories seem to be of time spent raiding the crisp carrots and sweet peas from mom's garden. The smell of fresh buns filling our house. And of course, riding my horse in the wheat fields.
Warp ahead 26 years and i find myself wanting these very things for our three children. I find it crazy that I buy Canadian beef from a very American COSTCO. How many miles has that beef travelled to get on to our plates. Eating local seems to solve many problems occurring today. Of course environmental; the fewer miles travelled=smaller eco-footprint. It also supports producers who could be our friends, family or neighbors. And most importantly, for me, i know what I am putting into our children's mouths. Growth hormones, chemicals to promote longevity in food, and god knows what else is "added" for travel/taste. These things actually scare me. It was a little different when we didn't have kids. But now? now i am hypersensitive to what is in our food and how it affects their health, growth and behavior.
Having a background in Disability Studies, I worked with children of varying disabilities within their home and school environments. I really found that the parents who did their research and promoted healthy eating habits had better results with their child's behavior and overall health. This sometimes included limiting processed foods, removing sugars, and being generally more aware of food allergies occurring. I was able to SEE the difference with the children whose parents did the above and those who did not. This was one tidbit( along with many others) i chose to store for when i had my own children.
This will be an exciting journey for me. I look forward to all the ups and downs as well as the learning curve that is bound to happen.
Monday, April 5, 2010
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Horray,
ReplyDeleteThis has inspired me to begin my search. I have found local chickens and flour so far and I am getting really excited. I have now started looking at the labels of everything I buy to see where it came from.
Thanks so much for this.
Love you
I'm so excited to read more of your adventure. We have recently committed to buying our animal products regionally from certified organic, hormone-free, antibiotic-free farmers. Knowing that this food is coming from Grande Prairie and Camrose makes us feel a *relief* that I wasn't expecting.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see where you are able to find foods that you aren't growing yourself!
I'm lovin this. I share your concern but not your total commitment ;) We buy local a fair bit but sadly in the winter it's nearly impossible. The only vegie local year round is tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteWe raised our own egg hens and a few meat chickens last year and it was cool but we need many more birds to feed us meat lovin folks.
I discovered local grass raised cattle too which I'm sooo happy about. As we mostly have been eating buffalo for the past 3 years cuz we get it for free from Grampa ;)
I'm with you all the way on this one. And you've inspired me to look harder! And promote this more in our region (northeast Saskatchewan). You're awesome!