CSA: Fresh Forks

You may recall last year when I excitedly started telling you about my experiences with my very first CSA.  You may also recall, that those updates abruptly stopped.  That was because things turned sour with my CSA farmer rather quickly and while I stuck through the entire season, it was wrought with hostility and frustration - nothing that I felt like writing about nor sharing with you.  What I took away from that experience is the importance of thoroughly investigating any CSA in which you intend to enter into a contract with.

(Perhaps you came to the party late and have no clue as to what a CSA is; check out CSA Season is Upon Us! to catch up.)

I thought twice about joining another CSA this year, but I was determined not to let one farmer's misdealings deter me from a potentially great experience.

Yesterday I received my first bounty from my new CSA, Fresh Fork & I am so thrilled that I reconsidered!!! I know, I know, it's still early, but I have a really positive feeling about these guys.  This time, I actually talked to people who have participated in their CSA program in the past - all who had nothing but good things to say.  In fact when a friend of mine had to back out of her agreement due to logistic changes, she received a full refund - no questions asked.

 Who is Fresh Fork?

First of all, they cater to omnivores, vegetarians and vegans!  Say what - isn't a CSA all vegetables and fruit?  Not with these guys - they pool area resources to provide tasty treats each week such as: pasture raised chickens, sweet pea & basil pasta and vegan burgers!  Plus at pick-up they were selling Ohio Maple Syrup, dried black beans by the pound, salsas and cheeses all à la carte.

They are high-tech!  You can get everything you need from their robust website.  They send out weekly email newsletters with topics ranging from farming techniques to recipes and preservation techniques.  They even give you heads up of what you're getting and ideas on what to do with it!  Plus, Fresh Forks maintains a blog, to keep you in the know.  They also have digital tablets at the pick-up to keep track of things!  Très efficient.

Fresh Fork Market was started by Trevor Clatterbuck, along with four other Case Western students, 4 years ago while still in college.  They are committed to sourcing only the best local, artisanal products. Working directly with the producers to bring food from the farm to customers in a very short time; assuring  the freshest products available.  Their mission - "...to be the first, middle, and last name of local foods. We will bring the freshest local ingredients of the highest quality straight from the farm to your fork."

My First Bounty!

My bag was so full, I needed the help of a friend to carry it!  To tell the truth, I was kinda overwhelmed by everything I got and am at a lost for what to do with some of it, but I do have a few ideas...

Check out what I got, keep in mind this is a small, vegan option:

Just a portion of my bounty!

• 1 head broccoli - Hoff's Chinese Broccoli Noodles
• 1 bulb kohlrabi - ???
• 1 bunch collard greens
• 1 quart strawberries - already gone!
• 1 bunch red Russian kale - hello Mr Juicer!
• 1 bunch garlic scapes
• 1 head green leaf lettuce - Hoff's Chinese Lettuce Wraps
• 1 bunch radishes - hmm...
• 1 quarter lb bag of pea tendrils - ???
• 2 lbs hothouse tomatoes
• 1 lb shelled peas - making Pea & Pesto Soup!

While I may be at a loss for what to do with some of these things, Trevor's got me covered with the first CSA Newsletter for 2012.

CSA 2012 Season

For 22 weeks, Fresh Fork will provide fresh and local foods of the highest quality.  Each week, you can expect to get a center of the plate item, side dish type items and a selection of produce that pairs nicely with those products.

Have I peaked your interest?

Although this CSA officially started June 6, there is still time to get in on the action.  Check out their online registration page for CSA packages and payment options, review their pricing, find out if they have a drop-off location convenient for you.

Yeah, I have a good feeling about this one...more to come.

I Got My CSA Back!

The Hoff

What a Novel Concept

Check out this short, 2-minute video from Dr. John McDougall in which he breaks down the differences between the Asian Diet Vs. the Western Diet.

Cleveland CSA: Central Roots

That's right...it's CSA season again!!!

I've got a new kid on the block to tell you about, Central Roots!

Now in their second growing season, Central Roots is currently accepting applications for their 2012 CSA until June 20, 2012, which will run weekly from June 22nd through December 21st.

Matthew Pietro, Sarah Sampsell & Todd Alexander    

Don't let the newbie status scare you off, Central Roots is growing a lot of stuff, over 60 varieties of  produce & they know their stuff!

Who are they?

Sarah, Todd, and Matt founders of Central Roots have a love for Cleveland and a passion to grow, eat, and sell healthy food!  Their goal is to make healthy food hassle free.


What makes them special?

Central Roots is committed to producing nutrient-dense, flavorful vegetables and fruits.  They utilize a practice called ‘integrated pest management’, in which they confuse insects and disease to reduce or altogether eliminate the need for pesticides and fungicides. What does that mean for you?  No chemicals!

And um, they are farming under the skyline of downtown Cleveland - that in of itself is just cool!


Where are they?

Central Roots actually has two farms, one at the Ohio City Farm: West 25th and Franklin Avenue (CSA pick-up point) and one at the Thackeray Avenue Orchard: East 59th and Thackeray Avenue.

They also have a food stand at Ohio City Farm: West 25th & Franklin Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 each week; Friday & Saturdays, 9am - 3pm, June - November.

For more info, check out the CSA page on their website or their blog!

Got questions?  Give'em a shout!

Keep It Healthy!
The Hoff

Shout out to Wendy of the Earth Day Coalition for passing this info along!

Event: Cleveland Screens Vegucated

"Vegucated is a feature-length documentary that follows three meat-and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Part sociological experiment, part science class, and part adventure story, Vegucated showcases the rapid and at times comedic evolution of three people who share one journey and ultimately discover their own paths in creating a kinder, cleaner, greener world, one bite at a time."

When: Thursday, June 7, 2012
Where: Big Dog Theater: 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 (2nd floor of historic Centrum in Coventry Village)
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (reception with vegan food samples at 6:00 p.m.)
Cost: $8 in advance (Paypal), $10 at door (cash only)

For more info, click here.

"Vegucated is one of the most effective films I’ve seen about the myriad reasons everyone should consider a vegan diet." – Moby

Check out the trailer!

Christmas in May!

I can't help but say that I am rather disappointed by this month's KLUTCHclub box - it is very skimpy to say the least.  For the record, these boxes are the size of a shoe box - I had envisioned something a tad bigger.

More Coconut Water - yippee!  April's box was much more impressive!

The May KLUTCHclub Box contains:

• Hydroxatone’s Instant Effect 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer - seeing as I have no wrinkles, I gave this one to my mother (a leading cosmetic expert) to test out.  Verdict: She likes it, she really, really likes it!  Works great under the eyes and for those little crows feet - smooths perfectly, even covers those pesky dark circles.  She asked for more.
• ONE Coconut Water "Will help you miraculously replenish electrolytes after those hot, summer workouts!"  Verdict: I still don't like Coconut Water and this product hasn't changed my mind.  The juice box packaging was cute and convenient.
• Moving Comfort Sports Bras - I received a coupon for $25 off any purchase from Moving Comfort and one to give to a friend.  Aside from bras, this company also sells tops, bottoms and accessories for the sport minded.  Prices appear to be between $36 - $50 per bra, with free shipping on orders $50 and over.  Verdict:  I attempted to make a purchase and my coupon was not applied, no reason given.  I suspect it was because I was attempting to purchase a sale item.  Frankly I thought I was getting a free bra, not a coupon, very disappointing.
• YogaDownload.com: This site allows you to download or stream all types of classes from office yoga to prenatal yoga to pilates and even meditations.  Prices vary from $.99 to $14.99 for either one time plays or to download permanently.  There are also four levels of monthly memberships to choose from if you really get into it. Verdict: The preview feature is useful to determine what it is that you want. With my one free download coupon ($10 value), I opted for a meditation, seeing as I have difficulty keeping focused.  I really liked Journey To Deep Relaxation by Ananga Sivyer.  It's an 11:30 minute guided meditation designed to deliver you into deep relaxation, perfect for after work.
• thinkThin bars - since both bars contain dairy, my boyfriend volunteered to try them, but I'm beginning to feel guilty about him consuming all this dairy given the known health issues. Verdict: The thinkThin® Creamy Peanut Butter Protein Bar was very bland, imagine a watered down Reece's Cup. The Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts bar was bland as well, did not pack a chocolate punch despite the bottom being coated in chocolate.  Overall this bar was overwhelmed with nuts.
• KLUTCHclub Water Bottle - it's plastic, that's really all I have to say about it.

Till Next Month,

The Hoff

Coconut Oil: Yeah or Neah?

Many of you have been asking me whether or not I thought that Coconut Oil was healthy to use. I have been avoiding the topic, because frankly, I was as confused as you.

I once consumed Coconut Oil after reading many, many claims of health benefits.  To add to the confusion, I could only find this oil at a health food store!  However, I abruptly stopped when I started avoiding saturated fat for health reasons.

I have finally gotten into some actual scientific data on Coconut Oil and am ready to weigh in on the topic.

Here goes...

Coconut Oil:

• 100% fat
• Contains over 90% Saturated Fat, Lard contains 43%!
• Mono & Poly unsaturated fats (good fats) are overshadowed by the amount of Saturated Fat
• Contains no Omega-3 essential fatty acids (good stuff)

Lets look at nutrition...

1 tbsp Coconut Oil:

• 116 CALORIES (all from fat & stored as fat)
• 116 CALORIES FROM FAT
• 14 GRAMS OF FAT
• 12 GRAMS SAT FAT
• .8 MONO
• .2 POLY
• O CARBS
• O PROTEIN
• O CALCIUM
• O IRON
• O MAGNESIUM
• O POTASSIUM
• O SODIUM
• O ZINC
• NO VITAMIN A, C, E, B6, B12
• .1 MICROGRAM VITAMIN K

In fact, Coconut Oil pretty much mirrors lard from a nutritional standpoint - would you eat lard?


1 tbsp Lard:

• 115 CALORIES (all from fat & stored as fat)
• 115 CALORIES FROM FAT
• 12 GRAMS OF FAT
• 5 GRAMS SAT FAT
• 5.8 MONO
• 1.4 POLY
• O CARBS
• O PROTEIN
• O CALCIUM
• O IRON
• O MAGNESIUM
• O POTASSIUM
• O SODIUM
• O ZINC
• NO VITAMIN A, C, K, B6, B12
• .1 MICROGRAM VITAMIN E

So what do you think?

You don't need me to tell you that Coconut Oil has zero nutritional value and should be avoided at all costs.

And to quote the great McDougall, "The fat you eat is the fat you wear."

You Decide!
The Hoff

Sources:
T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition Lecture
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/508/2
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/483/2
The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall

Hoff's Vegan, Oil-free Pesto Sauce

If your Pesto ain't neon green, it ain't fresh!


Hoff's Vegan, Oil-free Pesto Sauce
Yields: 1 cup 
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 4 cups Basil
• 1/3 cup frozen Peas or 9 oz. fresh Spinach
  
• 2 tbsp Pine Nuts/Cashews/Any Nut
• 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp Braggs 
• 2-3 cloves of Garlic
• 2 tbsp Water

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth - 10-20 seconds
2. Mix with pasta or rice and serve

My2Cents: It may not look like a lot, but you will have all you need for 1 pound of pasta.  Pesto can also be frozen for later use.  Experiment with different types of nuts, such as walnuts or almonds.  If you don't have enough Basil or none at all, substitute Spinach to make up the difference.  Add a block of Tofu for a creamy Pesto.