Easy, Delicious Local Supper Idea

Tonight's menu was straightforward:

Steamed greenbeans (some from our modest garden and some from the CSA) with butter (Trickling Springs Creamery) and lemon and pepper;

Baked potatoes (garden/CSA) with butter (TSC).

My late night snack, which I will retire to in a few minutes will be two slices of rustic french bread (Lulu's Breadbox), red raspberry jam (Granma's jam house in Bittinger, MD-- not quite local) and some tea (definitely not local).

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." -- Douglas Adams

Believers In Exile

I'm in the middle of John Shelby Spong's latest book "Jesus for the Non-Religious." The name doesn't do it justice. The book is really about the search for a historical Jesus of Nazareth. The author, John Shelby Spong is a retired Episcopalian Bishop and outspoken advocate for change within the Christian church. He was an early supporter of civil rights; women's rights; and the rights of gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual people.


Believers in exile is what he calls himself and those of us who have become disenchanted with the church. While some find his questions threatening, many of us find them liberating and reaffirming. I'll post more complete reviews of his books as time permits. For now let me say that if you are frustrated with the church's lack of progress on social and environmental issues; if you can't abandon your sense of reason in the face of dogma like creationism, monotheism, and supernatural miracles; and if you are bothered by the church's insistance on a literal reading of the scriptures then you should take a look at one of Spong's books. In all of his books Spong brings out thoughtful discussions about Christianity and conveys to the reader important facts, thoughts, and hypothesis that have been available to biblical scholars and theologians for some time.

"Jesus for the Non-Religious " A search for the historical Jesus. Spong begins by analyzing the mythical themes surrounding Jesus and then searching for the historical person who inspired his followers.

"Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture" Exactly what it sounds like. Spong brings biblical scholarship to the layperson, taking apart the common literal interpretations that often defy logic and offers us other ways to think about these texts.

"Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers In Exile" In this book, Bishop Spong makes his case for why Christianity must change in order to remain relevant.

"A New Christianity for a New World: Why Traditional Faith is Dying & How a New Faith is Being Born" This book is basically a sequel to "Why Christianity Must Change or Die."

I grew up in the Lutheran church and have spent many years searching for meaning that goes beyond the platitudes that I hear coming from the church. I think Bishop Spong has made an important contribution to that search. He has made some of the biblical scholarship and theology of the past 200 years accessible to lay people (something the church itself has never done, prefering instead to leave us languishing in the theology of the middle-ages), and he has brought a level of reason, honesty, and questioning to the discussion that can be difficult to find in a field as emotionally charged as religion.

Local Farmer Prosecuted By State

A Newville farmer is being prosecuted by the State for selling raw milk without a permit. Police and officials from the Department of Agriculture raided Mark Nolt's farm in Newville, Pennsylvania confiscating thousands of dollars in product and equipment and threatening Nolt with jail if he did not stop producing raw milk.

Here's the story from WITF:
"Support voiced for midstate farmer being prosecuted for illegally selling raw milk 08/23/2007Scott Gilbert(Newville) -- Some Cumberland County farmers are rallying around one of their colleagues who's being prosecuted by the state for selling raw milk without a permit. Agriculture Department officials recently raided the farm of Mark Nolt in Newville, confiscating unfinished product and packaging. Authorities say Nolt had sold the milk and products made with it even after his license expired about a year ago. Jonas Stoltzfus, a neighbor and customer of Nolt and fellow producer, says recent highly-publicized crackdowns on raw milk farmers are misguided. 00006_stoltzfus1.mp3 The state says the milk is regulated because it can be harmful if it's mishandled. But Stoltzfus says that factor is outweighed by the need for consumer choice, adding he supports Nolt for defiantly selling the milk without a permit. Stoltzfus is organizing a rally for this Saturday at noon at Nolt's farm at 401 Centerville Road in Newville."

The Sentinel covered the story and has some great input from local people in support of Mr. Nolt: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/08/18/news/news632.txt

Here's a second story just published in the Sentinel that at least partially answers one of my questions below: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/08/23/news/news581.txt

Supporters of Mr. Nolt are organizing a rally on Saturday at noon on his farm: 401 Centerville Rd. Newville, Pa. 17241. Please bring a dish to share for a raw milk product picnic, signs, posters and a friend. Media coverage is expected.

After spending a few hours researching Pennsylvania's raw milk regulations, I have a few questions that I can't easily find answers to.

What is the cost of a permit for producing raw milk in PA? Why was Mr. Nolt's permit expired? He had been warned on at least two occassions by the state. It sounds like an act of civil disobedience to me. Is there something inherently wrong with the state requirements or permitting process? Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that even allow the sale of raw milk products. At this point, wouldn't it be wise to follow the law? I believe peaceful protests and acts of civil disobedience are the responsibility of the citizens of a democracy, but what exactly is Mr. Nolt protesting?

When I look around at the condition of agriculture in Pennsylvania, my intuition tells me that there is something wrong. I see family farms struggling to survive and going under only to be replaced by shopping centers and developments. The only operations that appear to thrive are what I would call factory farms: those operations in which the animals (typically cows, chickens, or hogs) live in cramped, squalid conditions and are treated like machines that produce milk, meat, and eggs for our supermarkets. We have very few small-scale farmers who take pride in the quality of food they produce, care for their animals and consider themselves stewards of the land. My last questions: Is the state really protecting our health by prosecuting Mr. Nolt? Or is it protecting the financial interests of large-scale agribusiness by squeezing the little guy?

Breaking the Silence

Here is a documentary by John Pilger that I ran across on YouTube today. It is primarily about the Bush Administration's "War on Terror" but covers the role of the U.S. in many other wars over the past 40 years. There is some info that I haven't run across before, but most of the content is well known and confirmed. I liked this one in particular because it's well-organized and direct. He also managed to get interviews with some current and former administration officials.

This is a five part video.

Beethoven's 9th conducted by Leonard Bernstein

One of humankind's great moments; to hear this music created by Beethoven when he was deaf, conducted by Leonard Bernstein in Berlin, and perfomed by musicians from both sides of the Berlin Wall following its fall.

These are video recordings of the final movement from that historic performance and a brief interview with Bernstein about the concert. If the links don't work, go to youtube and do a search for "Bernstein ode to freedom."

Movie Review: Super Size Me

Documentary. Excellent. Filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, embarks on a one month diet in which he eats only food from McDonald's. The rules: He can eat only food sold at McDonalds; He must try the entire menu; He will only super size his meal if they ask.

As one might expect, the result to his health is disastrous. The effects are as severe as binge-drinking over a similar time frame. The diet resulted in severe harm to his liver, kidneys, heart and circulatory system, and mental and emotional health. What I found really astounding were the statistics regarding the increase of obesity in the U.S., particularly among children. Despite repeated efforts, no spokesperson from McDonald's agreed to be interviewed for the documentary. I don't understand why not. I'm sure they care about the health of their customers and stand behind their product.

While the experiment seems extreme, the film brings attention to two important topics: the disconnect between Americans and the origins and preparation of our food; and the influence weilded by large food corporations both in the halls of our government and through marketing. What looked like an innocent Big Mac before is now revealed to be a toxic fat bomb. The movie made me reconsider ever eating fast food again. Definitely worth watching, but plan on eating some veggies after.

Corporations Are People Too

They have feelings. They really care about us, and it hurts their feelings when we pass laws to prevent them from spraying sludge (a toxic chemical sewage brew) on farm fields, building gargantuan hog processing plants in our communities, and operating limestone quarries and asphalt plants within a few hundred yards of elementary schools.

Well, OK. That's an exageration. Corporations don't really have feelings, and the only thing that matters to a corporation is profit. Anyone who says differently is selling something. However, corporations are people, according to the U.S. Constitution. Not only are they people, but they are really a "super" person with rights that can trump the will of entire communities. They have at their disposal sums of money, so vast that you and I can barely dream of, which can be used to hire the best lawyers, to lobby legislators and other public officials to alter our democratic processes, and to pay fines for breaking the law as just another cost of doing business.

What can we do in the face of such behemoths? Organize. Learn about our government and take back our rights. Here are a few resources:

http://www.celdf.org/ The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. More than just an environmental organization. CELDF helps communities organize and bring power back to the people. If the links below don't work just do a search for "Democracy School" on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Nx9VxW0IA Intro to the Democracy School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Wwypc2Lvg Thomas Linzey of CELDF and The Democracy School Lectures in Seattle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuWf9e66K_M Richard Grossman Lectures in Seattle

Also check out the film "The Corporation." I haven't seen it yet, but apparently it addresses similar issues.

If anyone has other resources or ideas, make a post. Some people have said they've had trouble posting comments. I think all that you have to do is to set up a user account with Google (it's free). Then you will be able to log on and make a post.

Water Conservation Tips

These tips would have been a bit more timely at the beginning of the drought we're dealing with, but it's never too late to start making a difference.

1. When washing your hands, turn the water off while scrubbing and back on to rinse.
2. Don't leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.
3. Collect water from washing dishes, washing hands, washing vegetables, and other water at the sink to water outdoor plants.
4. Water outdoor plants in the morning or evening rather than in the heat of the day when more of the water evaporates.
5. Try landscaping with native and drought resistant plants.
6. Resist the urge to water your lawn.
7. Sprinklers aren't the most efficient way to water. A lot of the water you spray into the air evaporates before it ever reaches the plants. Try drip irrigation or soaker lines instead.
8. Try a water saver in the back reservoir of the toilet: a brick or closed water bottle to take up space. Just make sure that it doesn't interfere with the toilet's proper function.
9. If they're still clean, try wearing clothes more than once.
10. Flush toilets only when necessary: "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down." Or, even better, buy or build a composting toilet.
11. Shower or bathe when necessary and not out of habit. Try washing or sponge bathing only the essentials sometimes.
12. Use low-flow shower heads and faucets.
13. Fix dripping faucets.
14. Take shorter showers. Also try this: Turn the water on to get wet. Turn the water off when you lather up and put the shampoo or conditioner in your hair. Then turn the water back on to rinse.
15. Use rainwater to water your garden and flowerbeds. http://www.cwp.org/Community_Watersheds/brochure.pdf http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gardening/article/0,1785,HGTV_3546_2165903,00.html http://www.rainbarrelsandmore.com/
16. If you use the dishwasher, run only full loads.

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." -- LORAN EISELY, The Immense Journey, 1957

"All the water that will ever be is, right now. " National Geographic, October 1993

“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.” Lao Tzu, The Dao De Jing

Fabulous summer foods!

I hope everyone is having as much fun eating local summer produce as my family is. Lately, I've been getting our milk and cheese at Trickling Springs, bread and baked goods at Lulu's Bakery, veggies from our CSA and Maplewood Produce, and fruit from Shatzers Orchard and Maplewood. I have info on these other places elsewhere on my blog, and here's a little info on Shatzer's.

Shatzer's is not organic, but at least they're local. It still beats having fruit shipped from California. They are really friendly and have a little shop where they sell their fruit and other local items. Here's a map to their fruit stand on Rt 30 west of Chambersburg:Map of 2197 Lincoln Way W Chambersburg, PA 17201-8655, US

I'm still looking for a reliable source of local organic fruit. If anyone has any info let me know. I hope that I'll soon be able to check out the Windmill Farmer's Market in Shippensburg. They advertise organic produce.

If you're having trouble figuring out some new and different ways to prepare all these great veggies, here are some ideas.

Last night I made Eggplant caviar. Don't fear it has nothing to do with fish eggs. The dish is named for its texture which is like a coarse dip. Basically you bake an entire eggplant in oven at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Roast a few cloves of garlic in their skins wrapped in a piece of aluminum foil in the oven along with the eggplant. When done let the eggplant cool until it is cool enough to be handled. Cut the eggplant into slices and remove the skin, but be sure to get all the little bits next to the skin as these are some of the tastiest. Puree the peeled eggplant. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggplant, a handful of chopped parsley, 3 scallions or small onions, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, salt to taste, and garlic (just squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin into the mix). Mix and mash as thoroughly as possible. Serve with crackers or on slices of toasted baguette.

Tonight we had omelettes with sauteed onions, garlic, tomatoes, summer squash, and cheddar cheese (all mixed into the omelette). Then we had fresh peaches for desert.

Some nights we have ratatouille, which is basically just grilled (or sauteed) veggies drizzled with olive oil and italian herbs.

As tomatoes are beginning to kick in, I often have tomato sandwiches and some fruit for lunch.

I'll occassionally post a recipe for seasonal foods. I love to cook, but I know not everyone enjoys searching for that perfect recipe.

Here's a good start. The Wilson CSA has a weekly newsletter and includes some great recipes. http://www.wilson.edu/wilson/asp/content.asp?id=815

Beating the Heat

It is a little known fact that homo sapiens require a very narrow temperature range for survival. We thrive between roughly 20°C and 24°C (68°F - 75°F). A degree or two warmer or cooler and we begin to wilt like flowers in the scorching sun or enter the beginning stages of hypothermia. At least that’s what you’d believe if you examined how most homes and offices manage their heating and cooling.

There are two clear reasons why how we use our heating and air conditioning matters. The first is economic, and the other is environmental. There are a few other potentially more important reasons, but let’s start with those two. The economics is easy. Electricity costs hard-earned money. Air conditioning requires electricity. The more you use air conditioning the more of your hard-earned money goes to the electric company. The environmental impact is directly related to electricity generation. As energy demands spike, electricity generators increase their production and, therefore, pollution. Remember, power generators are among our dirtiest polluters.

My other reasons for disliking AC are related to how air conditioning may affect our culture. Before the days of central air, I remember spending Sunday evenings sitting on my grandparents’ front lawn with my family. We’d talk to neighbors and friends when they passed by. It’s only anecdotal evidence, but I suspect that air conditioning may contribute to a culture in which individuals are increasingly insulated and alienated from one another. My other concern is about what happens to a culture whose every whim is satisfied. Yes, some people with medical conditions truly need AC. For the rest of us, I think it would do us good to experience a greater diversity of temperatures. I find that when I spend too much time in the air conditioning, I have more difficulty working outside in hot weather and become more susceptible to minor illnesses that seem to be related to shifts in the weather. I also share Teddy Roosevelt’s concern that many of the comforts of modern life are making us weak and less independent.

So where do we start? Nobody (unless you’re as crazy as I am) wants to just turn off their AC. Here are the highlights from a few sites that I'll link to below.

Set your thermostat as high as is comfortable during the summer.

Use a programmable thermostat. Allow the AC to turn off or the temperature to go up when no one is home. You’ll save more than maintaining the same cool temperature 24/7.

Turn off the AC and open your windows in the evenings and mornings when it's cool outside.

Close your windows and draw the shades during the day to keep the sun from heating up your home's interior.

Drink lots of water.

Rest during the heat of the day, and plan physical activity for the cooler mornings and evenings.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Eat light and eat what's in season locally. Fruits and veggies are exactly what your body needs in hot weather.

Use the stovetop or oven less.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/air_conditioners.html U.S. Dept. of Energy website.

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html Great website on energy conservation. This page is on cooling.

http://financialplan.about.com/od/savingmoney/a/CoolingCosts.htm?terms=save+on+cooling An about.com page on saving money on air conditioning.

Great Local Food Articles

Joel Salatin, farmer and writer, published the following article in Mother Earth News about eating locally. The article begins with a great section about eating local meat and eggs in season. Most of us non-farmers have no idea that there is even a season for meat and eggs. Mr. Salatin goes into great detail about that topic and offers tips on finding and eating local produce as well.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Whole-Foods-and-Cooking/2007-08-01/Seasonal-Eating.aspx

By the way, two easy places to get local eggs in the Chambersburg area are Trickling Springs Creamery and The Wilson/Fulton Farm CSA. I've also noticed Trickling Springs carries some local beef.

Here's another great article that Mr. Salatin linked to at the end of his article. This one describes methods of storing and preserving local foods for the winter.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Whole-Foods-and-Cooking/2007-08-01/Fresh-Local-Food-All-Year.aspx