The "Keep it Local" Challenge

Challenge starts tomorrow!

If you have any questions/concerns post them in the comment section below.

Have some tips/suggestions/fab ideas?...post below

Wanna just wish everyone good luck?  Below...

Check back here on Monday for all the good eats...

erin

Bounty

So this morning I went to the Green City Market in Chicago and this is what I brought home with me:

 

• Oakleaf green lettuce
• Duck eggs - (the farmer told me they are a bit richer then hen eggs)
• gala apples
• fresh raw velvety Wisconsin cheese
• pecans!?!

• Scallions (that smell amazing - kind of butter-y??)

Now this right here is one kick ass salad in the making.  Anyone who is worried about what they can find local should rest easy - because if I can find this in Chicago after a dark and cold winter, you'll be amazed at what you can find.

So another couple tips before the challenge begins:

1. Start taking a look at your local grocery store to see what they already carry from local farmers, stores like Whole Foods have signs up for their local produce.  But don't be afraid to ask the grocer if they stock fruits/veg from any local farmers
2. Check out www.localharvest.org to see when your farmers market begins

3. Try something new!  I've never had duck eggs, but asked the farmer what the difference was and received a 3 min. explanation of all the different ways he likes to eat them (he likes his soft-boiled, but his girlfriend likes them hardboiled...)

5 days til the challenge begins...

happy eating

Erin

Why eat local?

{Looking for the rules?}

There are loads of reasons to try eating locally. 

Environmental:

"If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That’s not gallons, but barrels."
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (2007) p. 5

*"local" doesn't necessarily mean "organic" so while you're eggs might be from a local producer - they may also be factory farmed.  If organic is important to you, pay attention

Community:

Purchasing foods grown locally helps support your community. Not only by feeding money back into your local economy, but by creating relationships among neighbors.  Plus it gives you a reason to explore your home turf. You are going to be surprised at what you find and who you meet if you really get out there and explore.

Taste:

Food grown locally tastes better!  It's fresher by several days if not weeks, it's seasonal to your region.  So the flavors can be fuller and fresher as well.

Fun:

I personally love the farmers market season, I love the earthy smell of dirt and vegetables that fills my bag and then my home each week.  I love meeting the farmers and daydreaming of how their days are spent out on the farm.  I love finding new foods grown locally.  And I love cooking. 

What about you?  Why are you thinking about eating locally?

Welcome new and returning challengers!!!

Whether this is the first time you are joining the "Keep it local" challenge or the fourth time - you are going to have fun and eat well!  You'll get to know your community, your local farmers and your local business a little better, you'll be entertained by your fellow challengers from all across the country; and hopefully you'll be inspired to make eating local a permament part of your routine.

Spring is a great time to be joining the challenge b/c fresh produce is just starting to return to the markets and farmer's markets all across the country will soon be re-opening for the start of the season.

Here is what you need to know about the challenge:

1. The challenge starts September 1st and ends September 27th (4 weeks) 
2. You will prepare one meal per week of the month made from all local ingredients

3. Every Sunday during the challenge you will send me an email with a write-up of your meal (most important - where the food came from)  Plus a photo of the meal itself!

What counts as "local"?

• Preferably within 200 miles
• I let you make your own requirements so you could go with "anything from within my state" or "anything from within my region" or if you are super serious you could go with "anything I grow myself!" or "anything within my city".  You get the idea...

• Condiments such as: vinegar, oil, spices, ketchup etc...do not have to be local.

So are you up for the challenge?

Send me an email to let me know you'll be participating: erinmloughlin@gmail.com

Please leave any questions, comments or tips for other challengers in the comment section below...

See you in September!!

Erin

(new to the challenge?  scroll down to see what happened during the past 2 challenges...)