Eating Local and Organic

Do you ever think about the food you eat and where it comes from?  Does it even interest you at all?  I tend to feel proud of myself whenever I purchase wholesome, healthy food - such as chicken, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables.  I thought I was buying the best food I could for my family.  What I didn't realize, was how oblivious I was about where all this "good" food came from and how it got here.

I watched a documentary last week that has made me much more aware as a consumer, and has got me asking lots of questions.  The documentary is called Food, Inc., an American film, directed by Robert Kenner.  This wonderful documentary has opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking.  The film is based on farming in the United States and the industrial production of meat, grains and vegetables.  It shows how "in the dark" consumers are about food and how it is produced. 

After seeing this film, I promised myself three things:  First,  I am going to pay more attention to the food I buy.  Next, I want to know where my food comes from.  And lastly, I want to buy local  (whenever possible) and purchase more organic.  I want the food industry and big corporations to know I care about my food and what I eat.

I don't want our cows injected with hormones, in turn, tainting our beef and milk.  Despite international concern, the USA and Canada continue to allow the hormone injections!!  
I could go on and on about this documentary, but I'd like you to see it for yourself.  If you have Netflix, you can watch it on there.   It is so important that we, as a society, become more aware of the food we are eating.  We are being kept in the dark and we need to know the truth about what is really happening behind the scenes. 

Enough of my ranting...

On the weekend, Nuno, the girls and I went to our local farmer's market in downtown Barrie, inspired and on the lookout for local, fresh ingredients.  I bought some organic kale from one vendor and came across another vendor who sold organic chicken and other meats.  She told us about her farm store, Nicholyn Farms. 

Lucky for us, it was only 10 minutes north of Barrie. So we took the short drive.   If you click on the link above, you will see that they are a family operated business, certified organic, and raise all their animals locally without growth hormones.

We weren't sure what to expect.  We were so pleased with the quality and selection! 
Here is Annabel pushing the grocery cart with some of our goodies...

organic chicken, turkey breast, spaghetti squash and milk!

I will definitely be shopping here more often.  I am not saying that all my groceries will be organic - the cost is definitely higher - but I will make an effort to purchase organic more frequently.  I want the food industry to know that natural, drug free food is important to me. 

"You must be the change you wish to see in this world"

- Mohandas Gandhi

I roasted the organic chicken for Sunday night's dinner.   This is a photo of the chicken just before it went into the oven.

2 1/2 hours later...crispy skin, moist, delicious, aromatic chicken. 

I made a delicious gravy with chicken stock, the pan drippings and a touch of cream.

Turkey breast with roasted carrots and stir-fried kale.

I must tell you how absolutely delicious this chicken was.  You could really taste the difference in the meat and even in the crispy skin! 

This is the spaghetti squash I roasted on Monday evening for our spaghetti dinner...

I cooked up my homemade tomato meat sauce and used the spaghetti squash to replace actual "spaghetti".  And now it's low-carb!

I don't think I'll ever enter a supermarket and look at food the same way again.  When I look back, I think, how was I so unaware of the food I was consuming?  The important thing is that now I know.  Knowledge is power.  I will be making better food choices in the future and will be visiting farmer's markets more often.  I can't wait for Spring!  I'm looking forward to fresh, local asparagus in May and supporting our local farmers and community! 

Happy Thursday, dear friends!   I appreciate and love reading your comments!

Have a healthy, happy rest of the week!  xo