GlitterShit

I found them!!! Beans +Flour

2007-04-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Two regularly used items in our diet have been found. Thanks to other bloggers[Marc + Tea] for posting them on your sites.

Local flour->Full Belly Farm : www.fullbellyfarm.com

I emailed them to see how to order if not part of their csa. They carry wheat flour every week at the berkeley farmer's market on tuesdays. I'll be there tomorrow.

Full Belly Wheat Products

Full Belly grows Sonora and Federation wheat. Sonora is a light wheat, and Federation is a light red wheat. Full Belly flour is wonderful in cookies, cakes, and pancakes. For a successful bread add a small amount (up to 8% to achieve the ideal protein content of 14-15%) vital wheat gluten flour, too. A small amount of enzyme active barley or wheat malt (0.3% of the total flour) will also improve bread. Sprouting the wheat will create the same effect as a purchased enzyme or malt. The wheat is ground on a stone mill grinder that preserves the bran and wheat germ. Sonora wheat was brought to California by Spanish missionaries and grown in and around the missions circa 1820. It was grown in Sonora, Mexico in the 1770's.

Fresh, stone-ground whole wheat flour. Sonora (soft, white variety) or Federation (semi-hard variety) in bags of any size at $1.00 per pound: 2-pound, 5-pound or 10-pounds.

Wheat berries for soups and cereals (or sprouting for wheat grass!), also in 2-pound, 5-pound or 10-pound bags at $1.00 per pound.

Local Beans: Rancho Gordo in Napa http://www.ranchogordo.com/

Rainbow Grocery and Ferry Building Farmer's Market both carry them. Check their website for other locations...I'll be picking up some next time in SF

Woo Hoo!!!!

The Food Trail

2007-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ok... so in preparation for this months challenge I'm beginning to record what I purchase, cost, product info, etc. Yesterday I went to Whole Foods in Berkeley after gardening at a berkeley clients home. I normally don't shop here too often but I wanted to try Raw Milk. I knew they carried a local variety plus I was in the area

Summary--> Whole Foods Amount spent $53.23

Casa Sanchez Tortilla Chips $3.39
Casa Sanchez Roja Mild Salsa $3.39

I've been buying their products for years. Kind of a san francisco institution... Locally processed. Their website says they get corn from california and buy their vegetables from south san francisco farmers market. I can't trace back further from there. But I feel good about their products ---> https://www.casasanchez.com/

Santa Cruz Organic Orange Mango Juice $3.00+ $0.08 bottle deposit

Company started in santa cruz. Can't tell where they get their fruits from now. I'm trying to reduce my corn syrup intake. This doesn't contain any like many other fruit juices.

http://www.scojuice.com/

Organic Pastures Raw Milk [1/2 gallon] $7.99
I went to whole foods for this product. I read about the benefits of raw milk on one of the eat local links.
http://www.realmilk.com/
http://www.organicpastures.com/

This product is quite costly but local and they seem to treat cows well. Normally I buy Clover milk or sometimes Strauss.

Strauss Whole Milk Vanilla Yogurt [32 oz] $2.99

Local and pretty darn good. I've been buying Pavel's yogurt more recently because it's made in oakland but Strauss was on sale this time

http://www.strausfamilycreamery.com/

Uncle Eddies XLG White Eggs 2 dozen @$2.49 each

Preparing for easter egg dyeing. Local from petaluma. No website that i could find. I really should be buying from our local egg lady...Those eggs are so colorful you don't really need to dye them

Soy Sausage w/ Apples+Cranberries $3.99
from EL Burrito Food Product Inc in Industry, CA

I've been on the hunt for a good vegetarian sausage for years. Still have yet to find it. Never seen this before so gonna try.
http://www.elburrito.com/

Organic Dole Bananas 99 cent per lb $1.92

Although some family's have banana trees in the bay area, I don't have any friends who have them. Our yard wouldn't support one i don't think. The recent winter freeze also severely damaged the ones here...and this is one food that I can't give up. There is some debate on the ethics of Dole going organic. I need to pay attention to other banana companies offered here too.

http://www.dole.com/
http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/profile.cfm?id=215

Organic Yellow Onion $1.99 lb $2.25
Organic Garlic $4.99 lb $0.60

Comes from mystery farm. I really need to start growing my own onions and garlic.

Olives bar $9.99/lb $5.19

No idea where these came from. I suppose i can ask next time i'm there. I just can't stand canned olives after eating good ones.

Siskiyou Cedar Soap [3.5 oz] $4.19
from Juniper Ridge in Berkeley

One of our more recent local finds which is becoming a staple in our house. Scooter found them at booth at grand lake farmer's market. Their incense is fabulous too. I want to try their teas and huckleberry jam next. I'm been hunting for huckleberry jam for awhile now!!! I've been wondering why no companies carry this local wild berry

www.juniperridge.com

Clif Bars 2 @ 99 cents each

http://www.clifbar.com/

Acme Bread $3.39

Good source of locally produced bread. My favorite bread is from Tartine Bakery but we're not in san fran that much anymore so this is good too

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/acme_bread_company.php

Bagels 4@69 cents

Can't remember the company name

- 10 cents for reusing bags

Ok, well that was somewhat tedious...hope it helps people in the challenge....gave me more to think about

Eat Local Challenge: April 23-29

2007-04-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend scooter and I are doing the eat local challenge for April 23-29th. This will be our first challenge where you eat local food within a 100 mile radius and within the american weekly food budget. For more info check out www.eatlocalchallenge.com

We've belonged to Terra Firma Farms CSA [http://www.terrafirmafarms.com/] for about 7 or so years. We were a drop host in the mission district of san francisco until we bought our house in oakland. So we're somewhat familiar with eating local and organic. We're both vegetarians too.

We'll be doing the $144/week since that is what the american budget is for two people per week. This seems awefully high though so I think we'll come in under budget. Does this number factor in alot of dining out/fast food? or maybe meat? I think we can do it for under $100. I'm sure some of our regular staples will cost more by buying locally but we'll find out.

As for exemption, I think that will be bananas, chocolate, flour, and tea. Scooter will probably be taking coffee as well. Although for these I'll try to find organic versions and locally processed versions if possible. I buy most of my chocolate from Berkeley based Scharffen Berger [www.scharffenberger.com] anyways.

My goals are to better prepare for the month long challenge in september. To find community both virtual and local who share similar values. To discover new local farmers + companies and the flavors they provide. I'm somewhat curious about the budget aspect but don't consider it a main personal goal of this challenge mainly since i think we'll be under the figure.

In preparation over the next few weeks I'm going to spread the word of the challenge and hopefully get a few friends to join. I've also been reading everything I purchase so I know exactly where it comes from and what foods i need to hunt for locally.

Paul

The Garbageman Strikes Again

2006-07-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

He got two of my sunflowers today...I don't understand how he knocked them over since the garbage cans weren't anywhere near the plants before or after he came....My datura is coming back from the roots....He killed that last month just before it went into bloom...sigh....

Beans!!!

2006-07-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Summer is well underway!! I harvested some of my beans today...Lima beans from my plants I rescued from Merritt's trash pile. And I have some purple "green" beans from Seeds of Change [Royalty Purple Podded Snap Bush Bean]. Not sure how to cook the fresh limas...time to google.. Yum!!

Abbott's Lagoon

2006-07-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

My native plant habitat class went to Abott's Lagoon at Pt Reyes last thursday. The variety of native and invasive plants was overwhelming. My favorite though was the Cobweb Thistle [Cirsium occidentale] as shown in the pic taken there. Annie's Annuals is rumored to carry it every once in awhile... I want one!!!

My First California Poppy

2006-07-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Scooter and I have been trying to find some plants that work in our front yard. Our house is so close to the street we put in corn and sunflowers to give us some privacy. The height didn't quite get where we wanted....well at least not yet. They're still growing even though the sunflowers are beginning to bloom.

In one section that the corn/sunflower seeds didn't do too well b/c of it being shaded out from the street tree, I scattered some california poppy seeds. They are common and everywhere but i was still excited to see mine finally bloom today. Now if only I can find the pink cultivar. I put some "moon glow" cultivar seed down too.

Farewell to Spring

2006-06-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Solstice Everyone!! I haven't posted in a few weeks since been busy helping some friends catch up with their garden maintenance clients. Plus Pride is just around the corner so getting things ready for Faerie Village. Maybe I'll see some of you folk out on sunday.

My california native Clarkia Amonea -->Farewell to Spring bloomed yesterday. I love how flowers respond to photoperiods...it was a perfect closing to spring for me. I hope it seeds well so we have more next year.

Danger in the Garden

2006-06-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on the ground weeding today for my summer internship at Merritt in the Oakland Hills. The day was pleasant...The soil was dry but loose so the weeds were coming up easily. I was shaded by a nice tree. Then all of a sudden I hear my supervisor yell, "PAUL, WATCH OUT!!" I see this creature running straight for me! I thought it was one of the dogs at first but then realized it was a buck with massive antlers. Luckily, I was able to move out of the way but it sure scared me. A visitor's dog had scared the creature so it was running out of the garden back towards the hills.

American Black Nightshade

2006-06-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

Solanum americanum.....I bought one at a nursery during the Bring Back the Natives garden tour last month. I added it to my spooky witchy section of my garden. The old goth part of me...... My plant is beginning to get these white flowers....then i noticed the same flowers in other places of my yard. Looks like the plant is native....to my yard.....how funny...

American Black Nightshade Site:
http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H355.htm

Miss SourPuss at Filoli Gardens

2006-06-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

Well now!! A nice birthday for my bf was in the works for today. We planned to have a picnic at Filoli Gardens then go over to the Sunset Idea House... I've been wanting to check out Filoli for years ever since I got on a botanical illustration junk mail list. And now I never want to go back!!! Miss Sourpuss who volunteered as a greeter at the ticket counter couldn't scowl enough at us. She glared at our makeshift picnic basket... No lady....Toto isn't in there. No picnicing allowed...we weren't the first couple to think up the idea. Many others were there with coolers + baskets as well. Why can't Filoli designate an area were people can picnic? Anyways, I was left unimpressed....

Sunset wasn't much better. $10 to see a crappy building so you can buy their stuff....Like paying to go to Ikea...sheesh....

At least I was able to purchase a weird yellow popcorn looking plant at Filoli....Calceolaria integrifolia

If you must-->

Filoli Gardens
www.filoli.org

Sunset Idea House
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/marketplace/package/0,20869,1143425~844996,00.html

Yard Birds

2006-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

One of the most enjoyable parts of gardening is seeing the wildlife it brings. Recently, some friends and I were chatting down in our "meadow" area of the garden. A bird that had eyes like a jay or siouxsie flew down next to us. S[he] strutted hir stuff by hopping around near us. No Fear! I later looked up the markings in my Bay Area bird pocket guide to discover it was a Cedar Waxwing....or possibly a Bohemian Waxwing but I couldn't decipher which one. Even though the little bird was brave, it didn't get close enough to peer under it's ass.

Now if it would just scare the mockingbird away. The car alarm mock calls are driving me batty

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.html

Magical Mystery Mini-Potatoes

2006-05-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

So I'm trying to get all my veggie seedlings into the ground. I started a bunch of seeds indoors back in februrary/march to be ready for when the rains stopped. Well, they stopped so i tried acclimating the little guys to the outdoors. Unfortunately, the rains began again while I was on a funeral trip to michigan. All the seedlings died except some sorrowfull corn and sunflowers. I planted those in the strip between the sidewalk and street. I'm pretending i'm in berkeley!! Those little guys are now finally beginning to recover

Today I was digging up my old crop area from the winter season. My brussel sprouts bolted and my potatoe plants died a month ago in the rain. To my suprise I found about 30 mini-potatoes in the ground...so exciting.... i think i'll let them grow some eyes then plant again...Any suggestions? Although scooter [the bf] wants to cook them up tonight....i admit i'm a little afraid of them.

I'm Back!!!

2006-05-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

We'll it's been months since my last post. Things have changed. My boyfriend and I moved to Oakland in october which put a dent on my art studies. I took a break during the move but kept my mushroom cultivation class at merritt college. The school is only about 5 minutes away instead of driving/barting back into san franisco with all my art supplies. Anyways, I fell in love with the Landscape Horticulture program in the fall. I took some more horticulture classes plus an intermediate mushroom cultivation class during the spring semester. I ended up working in the landscape maintenance field currently. We needed some extra $$$ since our new house is sucking us dry.

I had forgotten about my little blog until a fellow landscape student gave a presentation on her garden one....and it has inspired me to put down whats happening in my garden, with my art projects and with my life again. I look forward to sharing/getting tips.

Robert Bechtle @ SFMOMA

2005-03-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

Fought through war protesters to get to faerie coffee this afternoon. Met Jokie at 3 Dollar Bill Cafe. Talked to Teddy Bare for a few minutes about the Faerie Village project @Pride this year. Took long route in order to avoid protesters on the way to MOMA. Renewed my student membership for $25.

Wasn't expecting bechtle exhibit to interest me but i was somehow intrigued. Well, his self protraits were hot! Woof! Plus i started realizing that the subject matter wasn't about the picture of suburbia in front of you. It's something more hidden. Removing the identity of objects. Just squeeze your eyes shut a tad, I realized that they seem more like Diebenkorn. The colors and smoothness seem like Thiebaud. The bay area figurative school influenced him alot. Need to hunt down some more about him. I was too cheap for the exhibition book. Plus his sunlight reflections and pools of water are creepy. Just think of Poltergeist 3 when CarolAnne's cousin gets sucked in the pool in the garage.

Lots of cute cubs at moma. cruising is always fun when you get bored of the pics.