Further Adventures on the Farm

Another farm day and another day to celebrate the joy, bounty, and beauty of the natural world. Spoken like a true tree hugger.

It was an animal day. Maybe the multi-legged creatures came out to comfort me, knowing that I had yet another run in with a cockroach. This time it was crawling on the wall behind me in a local restaurant. At least it wasn't making for the proverbial gold.

But for whatever reason, all the animals came out to play. On my way to pick my U-Picks (herbs this week. Fresh lemon balm and chamomile for tea - WAHOO!) I saw a beaver. Just hangin' out on the farm. And then I went for a walk and found the farm's animal rescue program, where they rehabilitate wild animals who are found sick or injured. I saw a red fox, a cottontail rabbit, a groundhog, and a skunk. It was pretty much one of the coolest afternoons ever.

And, when I got home, I had lots of cooking to do. I understand now how "primitive" peoples concentrated only on meeting their needs - shelter, food, pleasure. If you spend the whole day farming, then you have to spend the whole nite cooking and preparing those foods. I have so much chard it's coming out my ears.

What surprises me, though, is how worried people get about cooking and diets and such. I mean, I know I get anal about eating my kale every day, but there are so many people out there so stressed about what vitamins to take, how many servings of what kinds of grains to eat, etc. Here's my very scientific theory about eating healthy. Go to a farm and get lots of fresh vegetables. Cut them up. Eat them raw or stick them in a pan with oil. Add desired sauce. Serve over brown rice or whole wheat pasta or in a wrap or in a soup or whatever. Eat. Yum. Occasionally eat some tofu or peanut butter (preferably right out of the jar - mmmmm!) or some other protein type food. Wash everything down with lots of water. As my family says, "Easy Peasy Chucky Cheesey."

Course, that said, my whole night has been spent "slaving" over a hot stove. And I still have lots and lots and lots and lots of rainbow chard to use. Pretty, but boy! is that stuff prolific.