While our zucchini is a little behind schedule with the annual anticipated fog, we’re in full swing of spring here. However, we’re able to source some from our neighbors down the road. Bringing together local organic produce for you is the whole concept behind the CSA program, so I try to get a wide variety of veggies to incorporate into our diets. I’ve been missing zucchini big time so I’m happy to have it back this week.
How do you break your fast? Do you lean sweet or savory? I’ve found the best way to go heavy on veggies overall is to intentionally start with including them in my breakfast. A savory breakfast seems to work better for me to keep me craving more veggies the rest of the day. I freeze zucchini and avocado chunks for smoothies, I’ll make a frittata with broccoli, onions and kale and portion it out for the next few mornings; savory oats are another favorite. Balancing blood sugar is the name of the game here. Fueling our bodies so it can withstand stressors of the day. Stress alone can throw off our blood sugar, so helping our bodies by starting off with some deep nutrition loaded with vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats can help us perform our best. Quality matters! Organically grown fruits and veggies, pasture raised meats and healthy fats are really important upon which to base your menu. Ditch the processed foods and oils – we’re happy to help pack your fridge with the farmacy.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS ROMAINE LETTUCE CILANTRO SWEET SPRING ONIONS STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS GREEN CURLY KALE HASS AVOCADOS BROCCOLI GREEN ZUCCHINI from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, SALAD MIX, STRAWBERRIES, CARROTS, BROCCOLINI
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS ROMAINE LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS GREEN ZUCCHINI HASS AVOCADOS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE HASS AVOCADOS RED CABBAGE BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS FENNEL STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
In light of unreasonable government legislation being brought down on organic farming many of you have reached out to me asking the best way we can move forward. I’m still trying to figure that out myself. Good Agricultural Practices(GAP) Audits under the guise of “food safety” is an insurance measure farms of all sizes have to implement if they want to see their produce in any store, and we are unsure if this is going to affect farmers markets in the future. I’ll continue this discussion and will let you know of any actionable items. Implementation of these regulations behind closed doors, without any real notification to the public can potentially quietly strangle out small farms.
On a brighter, sunnier note – we are getting into the full swing of spring. Birds have taken up residence all over the farm with old and new nests securing their future families. Strawberries have really gained momentum ripening and with their intensely sweet and aromatic flavors, they are definitely a favorite. We have extra available in our CSA store if you’d like to add some more and our fruit expansions will also be loaded with them.
One of my favorite things to recommend to clients as a health coach is to crowd out processed foods from their diet. I think when we’re told to avoid or quit something, it’s human nature to be drawn to that. But when you start your day eating more veggies, your body starts to crave them, your energy increases and it’s easier for other healthy habits to fall into place. What we eat is truly medicine and can uplift our whole day. I hope this box of farmaceuticals breathes life into your week. From our farm to your body- enjoy.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS BABY SPINACH from JAYLEAF FARMS SUGAR SNAP PEAS STRAWBERRIES BROCCOLI SWEET SPRING ONIONS from SUNRISE ORGANICS LACINATO KALE RED BEETS EASTER EGG RADISHES RED BUTTER LETTUCE BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, SALAD MIX, STRAWBERRIES, CARROTS, GREEN BEANS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED BUTTER LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS BROCCOLI BABY SPINACH
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES RED CABBAGE BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS LACINATO KALE STRAWBERRIES ITALIAN PARSLEY
FRUIT EXPANSION: STRAWBERRIES x 2 LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED BUTTER MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
Massaged Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Ingredients: Kale Salad 1 bunch curly kale 1 Tbsp olive oil ½ cup pecans* ⅓ cup chopped green apple ¼ cup fresh parsley ¼ cup sliced red onion Tahini Dressing ¼ cup tahini 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp raw honey pinch of salt 3-5 Tbsp water (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Bake It Paleo)
Broccoli Quinoa Salad
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups cooked quinoa (equals 1/2 cup uncooked) 2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tbsp olive oil 1/8 tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper 3/4 cup carrots (diced) 3.2 oz broccoli (chopped, steamed for 5 minutes) 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped) 1/4 cup frozen peas (thawed) 1 oz baked bacon (finely diced) 2.5 oz avocado (peeled, seed removed, sliced, about 1/4 medium-sized avocado) (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Healthy Recipes 101)
Spicy Broccoli Carrot Noodle Stir-Fry
(This is a perfect recipe to add spinach and snap peas into) Ingredients: FOR THE SAUCE: ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 2 tablespoons sriracha 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon water 2 large cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons cornstarch FOR THE STIR-FRY: 10 ounces uncooked whole wheat spaghetti 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced 2 cups bite-sized broccoli florets 2 cups peeled and sliced carrot 1 cup raw cashews, roughly chopped chopped cilantro, for garnish sesame seeds, for garnish (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Cook Nourish Bliss)
Stir-Fried Sugar Snap Peas and Radishes
Ingredients: 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed 5 or 6 small radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced 1 tablespoon coconut or avocado oil (i don’t recommend vegetable oils) 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar 1/2 tablespoon Soy Vay Toasted Sesame Dressing Salt to taste Sesame seeds for sprinkling on top (optional) (Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Cinnamon Society)
It’s been a whirlwind of a week. The farm routine seems to speed up as the weather gets warmer and the days, longer. I’m definitely missing that hour of sleep but I’m constantly invigorated by this work that I love so much. I’m in the midst of building new chicken coops, thinning peach trees and trying to figure out where to install a barn owl box I purchased.
To revisit last week’s post, I’m centered on how I can make the biggest impact on our farm’s ecosystem in a positive way. The laws that I mentioned come from a high up government office where the individuals are out of touch with daily happenings on a farm, especially organic ones, and aren’t considering long term impacts on our planet. While these laws have been in place for at least a few years, they are really hitting our farm hard now. (Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Audits | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)) In my eyes, if you’re treating the soil with respect and ultimately being a steward of the land then mother nature takes care of the rest. As new government laws seem to trickle down to our farm and more and more inspectors visit and call for the removal of animals, compost and common sense further away from farming, I can’t help but push back. I have no choice but to raise my voice in concern for our farm and farms that are even smaller than us and can’t afford to bring new machinery and ultimately more employees on just to check boxes on a list. I lean more towards putting my energy into balancing our ecosystem. It’s going to take some major grass roots to help people understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Go straight to the source of your food. Shop your local farmers markets and thanks for supporting our CSA program.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS SALAD MIX BABY SPINACH ITALIAN PARSLEY RED CABBAGE SUGAR SNAP PEAS from SUNRISE ORGANICS STRAWBERRIES HASS AVOCADOS from SAN ROQUE GREEN GARLIC KOHLRABI BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, RED LEAF LETTUCE, STRAWBERRIES, CARROTS, ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS SALAD MIX STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS HASS AVOCADOS RED CABBAGE
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES RED CABBAGE BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES STRAWBERRIES ITALIAN PARSLEY
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED LEAF MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
There’s an expected lull on the farm right now. I always predict it when it’s freezing and raining outside, but the effects of that weather come months after not being able to consistently plant because it’s too muddy or we get sudden mildew on the plants because of the heavy fog.
I’ve talked about Food Safety in the past. You can read more here (Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Audits | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov) Although it claims to be voluntary, and not free, the threads of our farm can’t function if we don’t comply. We will no longer be able to sell our products wholesale and there’s a possibility this might extend to farmers markets in the future. I can’t help but spread the word on this subject as it mostly happens behind the scenes and consumers tend to know nothing about it. The theory of GAP is, in my eyes, turning farms into sterile environments, chlorinating the water, dictates excessive hand washing, bans reusing boxes and no box can ever touch the ground. Really, a box unable to touch down on organic soil? Those are some of the rules behind “food safety.” Clearly, they aren’t remotely concerned with the health of our soil, the biodiversity we create that works in harmony with our ecosystem or our complex composting system. The rules and regulations simply create a job for someone at the farm to simply fill out paperwork and check off boxes. It’s hard for me to sit behind the scenes quietly so I appreciate this blog as an outlet. I’m not sure if there’s a solution as the Federal Government has already been implementing this for years and we’re apparently the last to either sign up or shut down.
So what to do from here? It’s always been so important to support your local farmers, but now more so than ever – get your produce straight from the source. Thanks for being a part of our CSA, spreading the word and shopping at your local farmers market.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE LACINATO KALE STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS BABY SPINACH from JAYLEAF ORGANICS BROCCOLI from CAPAY ORGANICS SWEET POTATOES SWEET SPRING ONIONS from SUNRISE ORGANICS ARTICHOKES from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, ROMAINE LETTUCE, STRAWBERRIES, CARROTS, RED BEETS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED leaf BROCCOLI STRAWBERRIES SUGAR SNAP PEAS BABY SPINACH
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES RED CABBAGE BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS FENNEL STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: CARA CARA ORANGES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
It’s always hard to predict how heavy rain is going to be until it actually comes. When you live and work outside it can be a bit of a gamble. I definitely lost this weekend as we got really heavy, nonstop rainfall. When the clouds pass and the sun shines through, I am always so thankful for the beauty that surrounds us. I’m hoping all this rain ensures a productive fruit crop this summer from our orchard.
Spring is here despite the very wet weather. I need to reiterate that your strawberries had to endure the rain – so it’s probably best to enjoy them first. We have a few different pea crops that landed at the same time- how springy is that?! You can eat the sugar snap peas as you’re shelling the delicious English peas from Tutti Frutti farms, down the road from us in Buellton. We’re starting to get creative with beets and cabbage as we go through the crops. Cabbage seems to be abundant for a few months, but will soon disappear. Take advantage of the versatility of this veggie and the sheer abundance of health that it brings. It can be enjoyed raw in salads, fermented as sauerkraut or kimchi, steamed, stir-fried or added to soups and stews.
In between reorganizing and cleaning chicken coops, rotating animals to new pastures and tackling mounds of paperwork that organic farming has become in keeping an unprecedented amount of records, I’m looking forward to some sunshine this week.
Our bread lady is on vacation next week so grab a loaf of bread in the store if you’d like one (limited quantities available).
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS RED BUTTER LETTUCE RED BEETS SUGAR SNAP PEAS ENGLISH PEAS from TUTTI FRUTTI GARNET YAMS HASS AVOCADOS RED CABBAGE COLLARD GREENS STRAWBERRIES BIG BOX ADD: SUGAR SNAP PEAS, RED LEAF LETTUCE, CARROTS, CAULIFLOWER from TUTTI FRUTTI, ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED BUTTER LETTUCE SUGAR SNAP PEAS STRAWBERRIES AVOCADOS COLLARD GREENS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLE RED CABBAGE BUNCHED SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + CARA CARA ORANGES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
I want to talk gut health. Did you know that the state of your gut can impact not only your physical well-being but also your mental health? When I think about hormone imbalance, auto immune health and many other whole body topics, everything points to the foundation of gut health. Having a diverse and thriving microbiome is a strong foundation for your overall health.
When I wander grocery store aisles, I find myself gravitating towards the same familiar foods week after week. Do you? That’s why I’m so passionate about the diversity our CSA program offers. It’s not just about providing you with seasonal, locally grown produce—it’s about expanding your culinary horizons and nourishing your body in new and exciting ways.
With over 75 different varieties of organic fruits and veggies available throughout the year, our CSA subscription ensures a wide range of nutrients, flavors and colors with every box. From vibrant summer tomatoes to hearty winter squashes and everything in between, each week is packed with goodness that supports your gut health and overall well-being.
Let’s embrace diversity in our diets and commit to prioritizing gut health together. Plus, trying new foods can be a fun and delicious adventure! Who knows, you might discover a new favorite vegetable or recipe that becomes a staple in your kitchen. Here’s to vibrant health and culinary exploration!
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS GREEN ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS ITALIAN PARSLEY GREEN CABBAGE RED BEETS GREEN LEAF LETTUCE LACINATO KALE BROCCOLI from CAPAY ORGANICS GREEN GARLIC BIG BOX ADD: RED BUTTER LETTUCE, CARROTS, ASPARAGUS, BLUEBERRIES, HASS AVOCADOS
JUST the BASICS: GREEN LEAF LETTUCE RED BEETS CARROTS BLUEBERRIES ASPARAGUS LACINATO KALE
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLE GREEN CABBAGE BUNCHED SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES LACINATO KALE CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES x2 LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED BUTTER MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
Hope everyone had a nice, albeit rainy and cold weekend. The local mountains even received some snow! We’re picking strawberries for our CSA boxes from our farm, John Givens, this week, but they should be eaten pretty quickly. As if you needed a reason to eat them right away. We’re still on the coattails of the winter season and this is prime time to reach out to neighboring farms to supplement our CSA program to have the variety we have come to rely on here in Santa Barbara County.
Local fisherman Davey is offering his sustainable, wild caught Alaskan salmon for sale as a farm pickup option on April 3rd. If you’re interested in placing an order and picking it up at the farm order check out his website: https://www.nancyjeanswildsalmon.com or reach out to him at 360-821-1708 Check out his Instagram (hyperlink) https://www.instagram.com/nancyjeansalmon
If you live in the valley, feel free to connect with me for pick up at our Buellton farm.
Be good to each other, no foolin’
CSA Contains: CARROTS BROCCOLI from CAPAY ORGANICS HASS AVOCADOS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS ASPARAGUS from DURST FARMS RED BEETS RED CABBAGE GREEN LEAF LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES BUNCHED SPINACH BIG BOX ADD: ROMAINE LETTUCE, CARROTS, ASPARGUS, BLUEBERRIES, CILANTRO
JUST the BASICS: GREEN LEAF LETTUCE HASS AVOCADOS STRAWBERRIES BROCCOLI CARROTS BUNCHED SPINACH
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLE RED CABBAGE BUNCHED SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES STRAWBERRIES CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
I was happy to connect with Sunrise Organics based in Buelltonfor our strawberries starting this week. This puts us about a month ahead of schedule. Jesus, the owner, was our foreman at John Givens farm for about 36 years. Partnering with Sunrise is like a family reunion. It’s nice to have a reason to reconnect with old friends over good food!
We’re finally able to plant a lot on the farm. Peppers, corn, zucchini and more are going into the ground. We’re still stretched for variety however. Even though it’s technically spring we’re still living in the winter as far as crops go. It always takes a little while to catch up with the seasons, which feels nice when we head into winter, but a little harder coming out the other side.
Lots of greens are in the CSA boxes this week. Make sure to enjoy the arugula first as it seems to be the most delicate of the lot. Spinach can follow or freeze it for smoothies. Collards and beet greens tend to be a little heartier. Share a meal with friends, family or just have a cozy meal at home this week. Happy Springtime to all.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS from SUNRISE ORGANICS RED BEETS GREEN CABBAGE COLLARD GREENS RED LEAF LETTUCE ARUGULA STRAWBERRIES from SUNRISE ORGANICS BABY SPINACH GARNET YAMS BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: ROMAINE LETTUCE, CARROTS, STRAWBERRIES, BROCCOLI from CAPAY ORGANICS, HASS AVOCADOS
JUST the BASICS: CARROTS RED LEAF LETTUCE STRAWBERRIES BABY SPINACH GREEN CABBAGE GARNET YAMS
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES LACINATO KALE GREEN CABBAGE CILANTRO CELERY BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + STRAWBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
My apologies for not adding recipes to the blog last week. After I took my Health and Wellness Coaching board exam on Monday, a workload on the farm was waiting for me on Tuesday and it felt overwhelming. On the bright side I’m done with my exam and should know the results in about 6-7 weeks. I also made a mistake and ordered pints of blueberries instead of half pints. That was a costly mistake, but I hope you enjoyed them. We’ll continue to look forward to half pints moving forward. I was wondering!!
Between winter mud, which slows planting down to a halt and a missed round of planting carrots, we’re really stretched thin this week for items in our CSA boxes. We’ve reached out in gratitude to neighboring farms. Being able to support local, organic neighboring farms continues to align with our mission to create food security for our community and generate a working relationship. We’re able to give them back all their boxes to create a truly minimal packaging experience.
I want to highlight cabbage this week. I think it’s one of those humble vegetables that doesn’t carry the glitz and glam of say a tomato or strawberry, yet so versatile and delicious raw in slaws or topped on a taco, roasted in the oven to sweet perfection or cooked for a quick and healthy stir fry. I made a bunch of sauerkraut this weekend. It’s a short prep that results in deliciousness a few weeks later and an easy way to add a boost of nutrition to your day. Feeding your gut microbes fermented veggies really help the good bacteria and yeasts in your body thrive which in turn helps foster a healthy immune system and more. Add a scoop to your salad, use it as a side or topping, or enjoy it as a snack on its own.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS from SUNRISE ORGANICS RED BEETS GREEN CABBAGE BROCCOLI from CAPAY ORGANICS BABY SPINACH RED BUTTER LETTUCE LACINATO KALE BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS SPAGHETTI SQUASH from SUNRISE ORGANICS ITALIAN PARSLEY from SUNRISE ORGANICS BIG BOX ADD: RED LEAF LETTUCE, CARROTS, BLUEBERRIES, FINGERLING POTATOES, LEEKS
JUST the BASICS: RED BUTTER LETTUCE CARROTS RED BEETS BLUEBERRIES BROCCOLI BABY SPINACH
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES FENNEL GREEN CABBAGE ITALIAN PARSLEY CELERY BABY SPINACH EUREKA LEMONS
FRUIT EXPANSION: GOLDEN NUGGET TANGERINES + BLUEBERRIES LETTUCE of the WEEK: RED BUTTER MUSHROOM MIX: SHIITAKE + OYSTERS from WOLFE FARMS
As we turn the clocks forward this spring, winter feels short to me. I’m not sure why we actually move the time around anymore, and even though I don’t enjoy it at all I try to just roll with it.
After many months of studying, I’m taking my Health and Wellness Coaching Board Exam today so I’ll add recipes to the blog tomorrow. It’s been my passion to help people find their inner strength and purpose and leverage that in a purposeful way to discover their highest potential. I hope as a certified coach I will be able to make a difference while undoubtedly tying in the components of the farm and healthful eating.
Signs of spring have been popping up all over the place. Take a moment of pure gratitude for our weather which seems so forgiving and nurturing to the food we grow on most occasions. The chickens are always one of the first signs when they start picking up production, then asparagus spears and ripe red strawberries start to appear. It will be a while before there’s enough to include in our CSA boxes, but it’s a sure sign we’re on the path to all the variety that warm weather and longer days will bring.
Be good to each other.
CSA Contains: CARROTS BABY SPINACH BROCCOLI BLUEBERRIES from HOMEGROWN ORGANICS GREEN LEAF LETTUCE LEEKS from TUTTI FRUTTI LACINATO KALE GARNET YAMS RED ONIONS RED RADISHES BIG BOX ADD: ROMAINE LETTUCE, CARROTS, BLUEBERRIES, BOK CHOI from SUNRISE ORGANICS, BUTTERNUT SQUASH
JUST the BASICS: BABY SPINACH CARROTS BLUEBERRIES ROMAINE LETTUCE RED ONIONS BROCCOLI
JUICE FEAST: CARROTS x2 ROMAINE LETTUCE FUJI APPLES LACINATO KALE BLUEBERRIES BABY SPINACH CELERY FENNEL CILANTRO
FRUIT EXPANSION: BLUEBERRIES + FUJI APPLES LETTUCE of the WEEK: ROMAINE MUSHROOM MIX: A MIX FROM GOLDEN STATE PAPAYA