Comments on: Eat Local Challenge: I need your advice

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 03:22:12 +0000

We’ve been making a lot of grilled pizza this summer with mozzarella from a local creamery, homemade whole wheat dough, and whatever veggies/herbs we have from the farmer’s market or our garden. I’m vegetarian, so I don’t have any suggestions re: the meat. However, there are lots of great things you can do with beans in the summertime. We use our crockpot to cut down on the heat in the kitchen when preparing beans. One of the ways we use these beans is to make a black bean dip with garlic, olive oil, ground spices like cumin and cayenne, cilantro or parsley, and lemon juice. It’s great with local chips from our farmer’s market or homemade tortillas.

By: Hyacynth

Hyacynth — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 01:48:44 +0000

I’m taking your challenge and blogging about it tomorrow! We’re doing about 80 percent local and the rest I’m not micromanaging because I don’t like to stress about buying bananas at the store when the kids are salivating for them. And we all know you can’t find locally grown bananas in IL

Chips: Kale is in season for us, so we’re doing kale chips. Also, salsa because our tomatoes are in. And cucumber and tomato salad tossed in garlic, lemon, sea salt, apple cider vinegar and olive oil is SO good. Again with the 80/20 when it comes to seasonings and salt and citrus, which have historically always been imported.
There’s one recipe from Lexie’s Kitchen that is awesome — it’s the Bacon and Kale one. I’ve also been buying fruits while in season locally and freezing them. Maybe that’s cheating, but it’s still local.
Last thing: we love burgers topped with garden cucumbers and zuchini and yellow squash sauteed in butter with sea salt or Herbamare.

By: Holly

Holly — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:38:11 +0000

I can’t imagine doing it unless I had access to a variety of meats. Luckily, we can get beef, pork, chicken, and fish weekly at our farmer’s market. (as well as eggs, of course). I would call that chicken farmer again!

I was going to recommend making your own tortilla chips, but I see Brandy already covered that.

By: Brandy

Brandy — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:11:14 +0000

I make my own tortilla chips. It’s not really that hard. If you’re ok with buying non- local masa, then at least you’re minimizing your processed foods. Also, kale chips are crunchy & tasty! And I don’t know if you can get local peas or chickpeas, but those are crunchy & yummy roasted in the oven.

By: Merissa @ Little House Living

Merissa @ Little House Living — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 00:38:00 +0000

For snacks, I’ve been drying fruits for my “sweet” cravings. And for my chip/crunchy cravings I make cheese crackers, I make tiny piles of shredded cheese on a cookie pan and then bake them until the edges get crispy. Once they cool down they get firm. So yummy!

By: Shannon Brown

Shannon Brown — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:05:48 +0000

First, if those peaches aren’t too horrible, turn them into a peach crisp. Even marginal peaches shine then. Here’s a recent recipe of mine: http://enjoyingglutenfreelife.com/simple-summer-fruit-crisp-gluten-free-grain-free-dairy-free-vegan-scd/
Second, consider making chips out of veggies such as beets, local potatoes, kale and others.
Third, think about what you’d like to eat then Google your area and see if you can’t find sources for it.
Fourth, go fishing

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:58:13 +0000

Here is my famous zucchini casserole. It is an easy and perfect way to eat locally: http://blessedandbusy.blogspot.com/2012/06/bountiful-summer-zucchini-casserole.html