tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913785097252398982024-03-13T12:30:37.231-07:00Adams Middle School CSANews and food and ecology errata for the participants of Adams Middle School's CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. CSA boxes are distributed in the heart of North Redondo Beach's Artesia business corridor.
Produce supplied by (mainly small, mainly family, mostly organic) farms throughout SoCal. About 75% come from Tanaka Farms of Irvine.Madison School CSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14986468528179066325noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-22510916916858805102014-09-18T18:14:00.000-07:002014-09-18T18:14:53.151-07:00New Location!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp2wpbhtf58/VBt8bFtxXjI/AAAAAAAABWc/Q2Su8QLyu4U/s1600/Panelas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp2wpbhtf58/VBt8bFtxXjI/AAAAAAAABWc/Q2Su8QLyu4U/s1600/Panelas.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow umbrella against blue skies, at Panelas Brazil Cuisine today</td></tr>
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We have moved! Well, the drop-off point for our CSA boxes has, anyway. Now we're retrieving our boxes from <b><a href="http://www.panelasbrazil.com/" target="_blank">Panelas Brazil Cuisine</a> </b>on the corner of Robinson and Beland, next to Dale Page Park. There's good parking, and it's even walkable for some of our families. Better yet, there are nice tables and umbrellas outside the shop (see photo). So buy a juice, a little meal, or some nice Brazilian pastries, and take a nice break while you bag your Tanaka goodies. (The goodies today included figs and pears--beautiful, beautiful fruit this week, it must be autumn.) The owner of Panelas has children in the Redondo schools, and is happy to support our fundraiser, so return the favor if you can. (They also have lovely dinners for takeout--maybe grab a potpie while you're there, make a salad from your box contents, fruit for dessert; sounds hearty and easy too, right?)<br />
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Do you have friends who haven't tried the <b><a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/about-csa/" target="_blank">Tanaka CSA program</a></b>? Maybe they tried it years ago, but it is far more convenient now. Tell them how easy it is to customize your schedule, set up an automatic payment or a vacation hold on the website; tell them about the small and large boxes, and the new mini-box. And be sure to tell them about the new pickup spot!Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-70206751497450987642013-06-29T09:17:00.000-07:002013-06-29T09:17:14.314-07:00The demise of Google ReaderWhat are you using instead?<br />
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I've tried several, but find idiosyncrasies in each one that I don't like.<br />
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Right now, I find <a href="http://cloud.feedly.com/">Feedly</a> and <a href="http://theoldreader.com/">The Old Reader</a> the least irritating. TOR is a real shoestring operation and their servers are swamped. Consider sending them a donation so that they can add servers. It looks the most promising (for the way I like to use RSS readers, YMMV).<br />
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I also signed up for Bloglovin and claimed my blog, but I am not sure I recommend that service.
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9108849/?claim=f8nagycaprz">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>badmomgoodmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-58332628805001323072013-03-22T19:27:00.001-07:002013-03-22T19:27:06.463-07:00Komatsuna!Wondering what those leaves are in your box this week--the ones that aren't spinach, or kale, or lettuce, or beet greens, or cilantro? Turns out they're <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komatsuna" target="_blank">komatsuna</a>, or Japanese mustard spinach, aka <i>Brassica rapa</i>. Use them like spinach, or any other green. <a href="http://eatingappalachia.com/2008/12/09/komatsuna-greens-in-ginger-almond-miso-sauce/" target="_blank">Here's a good-sounding recipe</a> that specifies komatsuna.Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-76663840111567220412013-02-09T08:53:00.000-08:002013-02-09T08:53:22.957-08:00Roasty Toasty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chilly days in Redondo Beach. Hail, rain and wind might send you snuggling under a blanket, or turning up the thermostat. But here's another way to keep warm: roast some CSA vegetables. Photo above, a bowl of roasted radishes and red beets from the recent box. They're lovely just like this, or use them in a soup or salad. (You can also roast the carrots, of course.)Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-2147173604776188812013-01-11T19:51:00.002-08:002013-01-11T19:51:39.008-08:00The Bonus in your CSA BoxSo, this week, we got celery, carrots, apples, peas, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi, turnips... hmmm, what am I forgetting?<br /><br />The GREENS! On the tops of those kohlrabi and turnips, on the stalks of the broccoli, leaves that are just as tasty as spinach and chard... and cook pretty much the same way. It's like a bonus dish in every CSA box. While they're still fresh from the box, cut the stalks off your kohlrabi (or turnips, or radishes, or beets...). Strip out the ribs of the leaves. Wash the leaves well. Saute in a little oil, add garlic (or salt and pepper), maybe toss in some pine nuts if you have them handy. As an added benefit, now your kohlrabi (or turnips, or radishes, or beets...) are easier to store, and will take one less step in the preparation.<br /><br /><a href="http://localfoods.about.com/od/cookinggreens/ss/Types-Of-Cooking-Greens.htm" target="_blank">Here's a photo guide</a> to the greens you might be missing. And here's a photo of my kohlrabi/turnip/broccoli greens from this week's box (as prepared for my lunch today):<br />
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<br />Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-47196785730531214292013-01-11T11:03:00.001-08:002013-01-11T11:03:59.585-08:00Adams Middle School Wellness FairAdams Middle School is hosting their second annual Wellness Fair this Saturday, January 12, 2013 between 10:00 and 13:00 in the cafeteria.<br />
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Join us. I'll be there, sharing the bounty from a seasonal box, including samples of <a href="http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-strawberries.html">winter strawberries</a>.badmomgoodmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-75321369723077040642013-01-11T10:59:00.001-08:002013-01-11T10:59:12.768-08:00Japanese turnipsA member asked how to cook the white Japanese turnips in this week's box. Japanese and Chinese turnips can be used interchangeably in recipes. They differ in form factor (size and shape), but their tastes and textures are very similar.<br />
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Try <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2009/10/diakon-soup.html">this Daikon soup recipe I posted in 2009</a>. Although I did not mention it in the recipe, you can save the turnip greens, wash and chop them, and add them in just before serving. <br />
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Turnip (and beet and radish...) greens are nutritious and delicious so I hope you are using them in your cooking.<br />
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Penny made a soup with her white turnips and greens in the past. <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2009/10/did-you-know.html">See the lovely picture</a>.<br />
<br />badmomgoodmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-21136880230192835012013-01-07T14:01:00.000-08:002013-01-08T17:55:39.323-08:00Winter strawberries are coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSClI4GR8CE/UOtEo_DY5aI/AAAAAAAAGgM/1T6e_XKeEuE/s1600/WinterSB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSClI4GR8CE/UOtEo_DY5aI/AAAAAAAAGgM/1T6e_XKeEuE/s320/WinterSB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I just got news from Tanaka Farms that super sweet (ambrosial is not an overstatement!) <a href="http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-strawberries.html">winter strawberries</a> will be in this week's Tanaka Farms CSA boxes. <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/adams-csa-faq-2011.html">Sign up now</a> to eat your veggies, and strawberries, and support your local schools.<br />
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UPDATE <br />
Eileen, CSA manager at Tanaka Farms sends this update: <br />
<blockquote>
I spoke too soon about the strawberries being in the boxes this week. One of our strawberry patches suffered damage from the crows. The birds were eating many of the strawberries. We do not have enough strawberries for this week , we hope to have more in the next week or two.</blockquote>
badmomgoodmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-11133461665948160292012-09-22T11:44:00.000-07:002012-09-22T12:12:55.823-07:00Panko Wax Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't like wax beans. I don't like their color, and they don't have much flavor--they seem like a wasted opportunity. But we got a box of wax beans in our last CSA box, and I can't see letting them rot away without at least trying to eat them. So I coated them with cornstarch, egg, and panko flakes, and fried them up, like I sometimes do with cauliflower or green beans. Not bad; I definitely ate them all without complaint. <br />
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PS--I believe this is the 100th post at the Adams Middle School CSA blog.Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-92066364536246736772012-06-04T08:49:00.003-07:002012-06-04T09:08:25.209-07:00Radishes on the Grill We got some big, beautiful radishes in the CSA box this week. Big, like
they almost looked like red potatoes. But they were definitely
radishes. I don't love the taste of a raw radish, except in small
amounts, shredded into a sandwich maybe. So, I tried <a href="http://eatingwitha.blogspot.com/2011/08/grilled-radishes-easy-summer-side.html" target="_blank">an online recipe</a> for cooking my radishes on the grill (we were grilling other vegetables anyway).<br />
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It was certainly easy to prepare. This is the packet before grilling:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyga36qqizk/T8zXMO2nFcI/AAAAAAAABGc/qwFjokB2fO0/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyga36qqizk/T8zXMO2nFcI/AAAAAAAABGc/qwFjokB2fO0/s320/IMG_2503.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raw sliced radishes, bits of butter, snipped dill, salt, and pepper, in foil</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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And this is the packet after grilling:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szC1Z-Eaks0/T8zXR5aW_GI/AAAAAAAABGk/UFD-k5UOK4k/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szC1Z-Eaks0/T8zXR5aW_GI/AAAAAAAABGk/UFD-k5UOK4k/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooked sliced radishes, right off the grill</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Cooked radishes are very mild in flavor, and benefit from extra spices and herbs; and next time, I'll probably add some garlic. But it's a nice side dish, and a colorful change of pace.Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-5462612086351452562012-03-22T09:20:00.000-07:002012-03-22T09:20:35.539-07:00World Water Day 2012By coincidence, our CSA delivery day this week falls on the <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/">UN's World Water Day 2012</a>, <br />
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<tr><td width="2%"><img alt=" " height="1" src="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/images/pix.gif" width="30" /></td> <td class="yellowlinks" width="95%"><b>There are 7 billion people to feed on the planet today and another 2 billion are expected to join by 2050. </b>Statistics say that each of us drinks from 2 to 4 litres of water every day, however most of the water we ‘drink’ is embedded in the food we eat: producing 1 kilo of beef for example consumes 15,000 litres of water while 1 kilo of wheat ’drinks up’ 1,500 litres.</td> <td width="3%"><img alt=" " height="1" src="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/images/pix.gif" width="17" /></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td><img alt=" " height="15" src="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/images/pix.gif" width="1" /></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td width="4%"><img alt=" " height="1" src="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/images/pix.gif" width="30" /></td> <td class="yellowlinks" valign="top" width="48%">When a billion people in the world already live in chronic hunger and water resources are under pressure we cannot pretend the problem is ‘elsewhere’. <b>Coping with population growth and ensuring access to nutritious food to everyone call for a series of actions we can all help with:</b> <br />
<ul><li>follow a healthier, sustainable diet;</li>
<li>consume less water-intensive products;</li>
<li>reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost!</li>
<li>produce more food, of better quality, with <br />
less water.</li>
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</tbody></table>As citizens of an arid basin surrounded by mountains on one side and the Pacific ocean on another, most of our region's food and fresh water is imported over high mountain passes. Ironically, less energy may be required to truck vegetables from the Central Valley over the El Tejon pass aka "The Grapevine" (4160') than to grow vegetables locally inside our basin with water imported via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Aqueduct">aquaducts reaching ~750'</a>?<br />
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Why? Because water is heavy and crops need water nearly continuously throughout their growing cycle.<br />
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Worry not about what your CSA box does to your annual carbon budget. Farmer Tanaka employs ultra-efficient drip irrigation, often in conjunction with plastic row covers that minimize evaporative losses from the soil, AND <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html">he uses reclaimed water from the Irvine Ranch Water District</a>. <br />
<blockquote>On my farm here in Irvine we use a drip irrigation system on our crops that puts the water right in the root zone so as to use our precious water as efficiently as possible with no runoff. We also use reclaimed water supplied by the IRWD (Irvine Ranch Water District) who produces the cleanest and safest reclaimed water in the country.</blockquote>Using reclaimed water gives the added benefit of not adding salts to his soil. Gardeners in this region may be familiar with the heavy load of salts in our "hard" water. If we irrigate regularly with hard water and the water evaporates or is taken up by the plants, you may notice a white powdery substance left behind. That's the salt building up in the soil. (Even if you are not a gardener, you can see the white calcium salt deposits in your kitchen and bathroom.)<br />
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If the winter rains do not come to flush the salts away, gardeners and farmers need to deep water (often repeatedly) the land to flush the salts away artificially. This is very water intensive.<br />
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The reclaimed water is so pure, it doesn't have the salts found in freshly-imported river water. Thus, Farmer Tanaka can drip irrigate just the amount needed by his plants, without worrying about poisoning his fields with salt.<br />
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What does that mean for your CSA food? It may have a lower carbon and water footprint than even food you grow in your own backyard*.<br />
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* Residents of north Redondo Beach get about half our water supply from local aquifers, which are replenished with reclaimed water from West Basin Water District's Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo, California. <a href="http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-action-day-2010-our-water.html">Read a report about a visit to the facility</a>. You can also learn more in <a href="http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-action-day.html">walking my watershed</a>.<br />
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Unfortunately, pumping the water into the ground and then pumping it back up uses energy and loads the water up with salts. I'd much rather use the cleaner reclaimed water directly from the plant, but the general public is still resistant due to the "eww" factor. I hope you will be a vector for getting the truth out.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-86966269595994364102012-02-14T20:46:00.000-08:002012-02-14T20:48:10.748-08:00Winter CSA soupFarmer Tanaka sounds almost apologetic in <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html">his weekly newsletter/blog</a>.<br />
<blockquote>I know some of you may be getting a little tired of the cool season crops, but soon the season will be changing. The weather has cooled off to enjoy those soups and casseroles that you can make with the great winter veggies!</blockquote>Actually, I never tire of a bowl of soup and some crusty bread. I found this boule at Trader Joe's. After crisping it in the oven at 350F, I cut a circle at the top, hollowed out the inside and ladled in the soup.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0Onbi4gf0/TzsxpPo-JLI/AAAAAAAAADQ/D05Ueja5Ooo/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0Onbi4gf0/TzsxpPo-JLI/AAAAAAAAADQ/D05Ueja5Ooo/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="296" yda="true" /></a></div>This was a real "clean out the fridge" type of soup. I made chicken stock with the carcass of last week's roast chicken. Then I added two sausages, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, radishes, broccoli stems (with the tough outer skin removed), potatoes, a can of diced tomatoes and herbs from the garden. I also threw in some precooked, frozen and then thawed kidney beans. <br />
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My energy analysis differs from the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_green_lantern/2009/06/how_to_buy_the_greenest_beans.html">green lantern's analysis</a>. I buy beans dry from the bulk bins at Whole Foods or Sprouts and then cook them in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-NS-ZCC18-10-Cup-Cooker-Premium/dp/B000A7NN4I/ref=sr_1_23?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1329279889&sr=1-23">Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker</a>* on the "brown rice" setting. Rice cookers use less energy than stove-top cooking--and this one is especially frugal with energy. Moreover, the timer setting let's me presoak the beans overnight and cook them late in the afternoon the next day so they are ready for me when I get home from work. I always cook more than I need and store the leftovers in one-pint portions. <br />
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Take advantage of kitchen thermodynamics; cool the beans on the counter (to warm the kitchen in the winter, or cool them outside during the summer), then move them into the freezer. Thaw them ahead of time in the refrigerator. Your fridge is the ice box and the beans are like any other block of ice. In effect, you are recapturing the energy that went into freezing the beans. Cooking dry beans in bulk and freezing for later can be much more energy (and cost) efficient than using canned, pre-cooked beans.<br />
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* You can buy the Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker at an excellent price at the <a href="http://www.marukai.com/gardena-en.html">Marukai cooperative store in Gardena</a>. You need not be a member to shop there and the sales tax supports our local community. If you must buy it online (at a higher price), may I suggest that you first go through <a href="http://www.redondo.org/depts/library/default.asp">the Redondo Beach Library site</a> before clicking on the amazon link? This way, our community may not get the sales tax, but at least the library will get a share.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-52996264104036989092012-02-12T21:49:00.000-08:002012-02-12T21:49:44.029-08:00Use what you have compostables binRedondo Beach residents received new green (compostables) bins last week!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eVQjrOLcEc/TzifHjIenEI/AAAAAAAAFiA/xkeuV6Jl0jw/s1600/GreenBin.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708487479730805826" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eVQjrOLcEc/TzifHjIenEI/AAAAAAAAFiA/xkeuV6Jl0jw/s320/GreenBin.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Note that we are allowed, for the first time, to put kitchen waste in with the yard waste.<br />
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It means another bin in the kitchen, but we are able to divert half our kitchen garbage to the green bin now. The city does not allow plastic bags in the green bin. So I lined it with a brown paper bag.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDppCv2R00Q/TzifHhH4nKI/AAAAAAAAFh0/VkpIWND1Ka8/s1600/GrayGreenBin.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708487479191444642" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDppCv2R00Q/TzifHhH4nKI/AAAAAAAAFh0/VkpIWND1Ka8/s320/GrayGreenBin.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>The city passes out free bins, but only during my work hours.<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong></strong></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Free Residential Food Scrap Container</strong></span>To help you set-up a collection system for the new Curbside Compost Collection Program, the City of Redondo Beach Public Works Department is distributing kitchen counter-top collection containers at no charge. Simply come by the Corporate Yard at 531 N. Gertruda Ave., Redondo Beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday to pick up your container.</span></span></blockquote>Should those hours be inconvenient for you, too, try a local restaurant. My kitchen compostables bin came from <a href="http://ricethings.net/">Rice Things</a>, a favorite neighborhood restaurant for Japanese comfort food. They buy soy sauce in these containers. If you are a regular there, ask them to save you a bin. <br />
<br />
(A neighbor says she buys cat litter from Costco in similar lidded bins.)<br />
<br />
When our old trash can broke, I bought a new one and repurposed the cracked shell of the old one to collect our commingled recyclables. I downloaded a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_symbol">recycling symbol graphic from wikipedia</a>, printed it out and taped it to the old bin.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tpYGRM3pio/TzifHUQp8TI/AAAAAAAAFhs/LTkWJ7iAXF8/s1600/BlueBin.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708487475738571058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tpYGRM3pio/TzifHUQp8TI/AAAAAAAAFhs/LTkWJ7iAXF8/s320/BlueBin.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 301px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>The greenest thing is to use what you have.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-16563767637556573052012-02-09T16:17:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:24:22.653-08:00Asian Guavas<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2C0XAyiAFw/TzRihBfsnRI/AAAAAAAABEE/fLHj-tGYQD0/s1600/Video%2BSnapshot-151.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2C0XAyiAFw/TzRihBfsnRI/AAAAAAAABEE/fLHj-tGYQD0/s400/Video%2BSnapshot-151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707294947261848850" border="0" /></a><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What is this week's mystery item? The Asian guava--from an organic grower in Fallbrook. Here are Farmer Tanaka's comments from </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html">the Tanaka Farms CSA blog</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">:</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;" class="size12 Helvetica12" ></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;" class="size12 Helvetica12" ></span><blockquote style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;color:#000000;" class="size12 Helvetica12" >You will probably have some little green things in your boxes this week. They are Asian guavas. They can be eaten when they are hard or soft. The seeds, try not to bite down on them, just swallow them whole. A little salt and or lime and they are good to go. We got them from an organic grower from the Fallbrook area. I will post a bio about him when I get a little more time.</span></blockquote>Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-89985135631489949352012-01-18T19:18:00.000-08:002012-01-18T19:20:31.537-08:00Sea creature?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XfZe0QXSgFA/TxeLWD143rI/AAAAAAAAADA/tCUZu5b078U/s1600/BHend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XfZe0QXSgFA/TxeLWD143rI/AAAAAAAAADA/tCUZu5b078U/s320/BHend.JPG" width="278" /></a></div><br />
Is this a cuttlefish?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4xCuEw_QqY/TxeHoMH-SPI/AAAAAAAAACs/VAuIbtrL_4c/s1600/BHside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4xCuEw_QqY/TxeHoMH-SPI/AAAAAAAAACs/VAuIbtrL_4c/s320/BHside.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
No, it's a citrus fruit called Buddha's hand!<br />
<br />
Just one finger makes a lovely <a href="http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/buddhas-hand-dressing/">vinaigrette as shown here</a>.<br />
<br />
It was not in your CSA box. But, I share my hyperlocal garden bounty with other area gardeners. Right now, my Meyer lemon tree is groaning under the weight of many lemons. I traded a few for this Buddha's hand.<br />
<br />
I can't use the entire thing, so I am offering up chunks of this to other CSA participants. Email me if you would like some. I also have Meyer lemons, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves to share.<br />
<br />
Better yet, drop by the <a href="http://www.adamsmiddle.org/cms/news_item?d=x&id=1324976864148&group_id=1244185264156&return_url=1326942762275">Adams Middle School Wellness Fair</a> this Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at (where else?) <a href="http://www.adamsmiddle.org/">Adams Middle School.</a><br />
<br />
I will be there. Stop by to say hello and pick up some hyperlocal Buddha's hand, Meyer lemons, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves!AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-75590687784172183562012-01-12T18:10:00.000-08:002012-01-21T09:19:08.235-08:00Green Cauliflower the Size of my HeadNot even a tiny exaggeration...<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6687490103_9b8d843311_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 451px; height: 339px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6687490103_9b8d843311_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In today's box.Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-61771552773479517782011-12-15T21:20:00.000-08:002012-01-21T09:19:08.236-08:00Fried Green Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6MeL-XyUIE/TurUCJogZlI/AAAAAAAAACk/K6K4aLxxMys/s1600/260555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6MeL-XyUIE/TurUCJogZlI/AAAAAAAAACk/K6K4aLxxMys/s1600/260555.jpg" /></a></div>Way back in October, <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html">Farmer Tanaka lamented</a> that, when the weather turns cold, tomatoes will remain green forever. I wrote him that I want to find green tomatoes in my box this winter. He obliged and subscribers received some in our boxes today.<br />
<br />
All recipes has a recipe for <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Way%20back%20in%20October,%20%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html%22%3EFarmer%20Tanaka%20lamented%3C/a%3E%20that,%20when%20the%20weather%20turns%20cold,%20tomatoes%20will%20remain%20green%20forever.&nbsp;%20I%20wrote%20him%20that%20I%20want%20to%20find%20green%20tomatoes%20in%20my%20box%20this%20winter.&nbsp;%20He%20obliged%20and%20we%20got%20a%20bunch%20in%20today%27s%20box.">Best Fried Green Tomatoes</a>. It's very similar to <a href="http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2006/05/fried_green_tom.php">Crazy Aunt Purl's Fried Green Tomatoes</a>. But I prefer the CAP link because she provides step by step photos.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-20489631015431512342011-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:002011-11-10T07:00:20.308-08:00More about helping Japanese FarmersBack in June, the Orange County Optimist club youth organized the <a href="http://walkthefarm.com/">Walk the Farm</a> fundraiser to help Japanese farmers affected by the earthquake and tsunami last April. See the <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2011/05/walk-farm-to-help-japanese-farmers.html">post publicizing this</a>. I stopped by the OCO website for further news about the project. They have met and <a href="http://walkthefarm.com/Recipients.html">identified two groups</a> that they would like to help. <br />
<br />
This is Takao's strawberry greenhouse after the tsunami. Of his original cooperative of 28 small family farmers, four were killed, 19 are missing and presumed dead, and the remaining five have reconstituted their coop. They plan to farm again, when they are able. Right now, much of the farmland is covered in salty water and the money will be used for living expenses until they get back on their feet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_YaJ16lOpA/TrrXMaj0adI/AAAAAAAAACc/Klw7kzylk9k/s1600/2011_0603AG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_YaJ16lOpA/TrrXMaj0adI/AAAAAAAAACc/Klw7kzylk9k/s320/2011_0603AG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They are also considering helping a cooperative of peach growers that cannot sell their fruit due to radiation concerns. If they don't continue to water and take care of the mature peach trees, they will die. It takes electricity to run the water pumps and electricity takes money. Moreover, the farmers need to cover their living expenses while waiting until it is safe to sell their peaches again.<br />
<br />
It's not too late to donate to OCO. They are a US-based non-profit and all donations are tax-deductible.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-54841797956740885582011-11-09T11:30:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:30:09.997-08:00The Science of CookingThe Harvard Series on Science of Cooking lectures are now available online.<br />
Visit the <a href="http://www.seas.harvard.edu/cooking">lecture series website</a> for links to the series on both iTunes U and YouTube.<br />
<br />
Who knew that the pressure cooker is a spinoff from Boyle's experiments with vacuum? Although, I guess it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise. <br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sJe3iPV1mTs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-90683966824828138372011-10-20T09:34:00.001-07:002011-10-20T09:37:55.891-07:00Vegetable Music!?So you get your CSA box, and much as you love them in theory, you really can't face another root vegetable. It happens. But who says you have to eat it? Some of the items in season this time of year can be carved into a small jack-o-lantern; or sketched as part of a still life; or become an edible musical instrument.<br /><br />What now?<br /><br />Sure, edible musical instruments. Daikon ocarinas. Carrot panpipes. Check it out:<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N5aUz9cDaCY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-28751436249247982532011-10-04T12:24:00.000-07:002012-01-21T09:19:08.236-08:00Stuffed Pattypan SquashThe little green UFOs in the CSA box two weeks ago? Pattypan squash. They're lovely, but we got a lot of them, and one of the best ways to use a lot of something is to stuff them. It's easy, and it's pretty (if you're a visual eater). The stuffing can be almost anything you like or have handy. I'll show you how I made this batch:<br /><br />1. Wash the squash.<br /><br />2. Cut the stem end of the squash so it's flat to sit on the baking pan. Then hollow out the other side; don't worry about the hollow being pretty, it'll be hidden. Keep the pieces that come from the hollow space! If you cut through the bottom, don't worry, just replace the piece that fits in the space best. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCiJXWmbOR4/TotfifEO3oI/AAAAAAAABAo/x463LxcvWK8/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCiJXWmbOR4/TotfifEO3oI/AAAAAAAABAo/x463LxcvWK8/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659722402780601986" border="0" /></a><br />3. When you have them all hollowed out, place on a cookie sheet:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qR-Y2nMnaCg/Totf-k3v-OI/AAAAAAAABAw/6ZiqyQhHRXo/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qR-Y2nMnaCg/Totf-k3v-OI/AAAAAAAABAw/6ZiqyQhHRXo/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659722885375195362" border="0" /></a>4. Now make the stuffing. This time I combined leftover rice, 2 chopped jalapenos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, four small CSA tomatoes, cumin, some garden herbs, and the chopped bits of squash that came from the hollowing out step. But you can stuff them with anything, really! Look around online, there are plenty of ideas. Mix up the stuffing, and scoop it generously into the squash on the cookie sheet:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjRJng5xtT8/Totg6ChIaBI/AAAAAAAABA4/YPjgnDNj0Sw/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjRJng5xtT8/Totg6ChIaBI/AAAAAAAABA4/YPjgnDNj0Sw/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659723906945673234" border="0" /></a>Bake the stuffed squash in a 350 oven until the squash is tender and the filling is warm through and melty--probably 20-25 minutes for this version. I broiled a little at the end to get a little hint of browning on top...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R0_16ubGoY/TothhB234dI/AAAAAAAABBA/GTQz1RC6NUE/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4R0_16ubGoY/TothhB234dI/AAAAAAAABBA/GTQz1RC6NUE/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659724576783327698" border="0" /></a><br />If you have leftover stuffing (I did), it works just as well to stuff a zucchini or a bell pepper. I had two of these with a bread roll for a very happy lunch today, and the rest we'll have tonight at dinnertime.Penny L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102296070193780691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-14108852637724008832011-09-29T16:50:00.000-07:002011-09-29T16:57:56.456-07:00CSA Day October 8<blockquote>Dear CSA subscribers,<br />
In appreciation for your support, CSA members and their immediate families are invited to join us at Tanaka Farms on Sat. Oct . 8th for our Fall CSA Day.<br />
<br />
We'll have some of our grilled veggies for you to sample. Also that afternoon there will be complimentary wagon rides around the farm and petting zoo admission for our CSA members.<br />
<br />
For more details and to RSVP for the event , please go to <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://csaday.com/" target="_blank"><u>CSAday.com</u></a></span><br />
<br />
We hope to see you soon!<br />
<br />
The Tanaka Farm Family<br />
<br />
Tanaka Farms<br />
5380 3/4 University Drive<br />
Irvine, CA 92612</blockquote>This is also a good time to pick out your Halloween pumpkin.AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-11933989991285016622011-09-24T19:20:00.000-07:002012-01-21T09:19:08.237-08:00What to do with basilA subscriber asked for some suggestions on how to use the basil that came in last Thursday's box. <br />
<ul><li>You can use it in sauces and soups.</li>
<li>Snip off the end of the stem, put the cut ends in a cup of water and store them in the refrigerator with a plastic bag over the leaves, <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2010/10/no-more-soggy-cilantro.html">just as you would store cilantro</a>.</li>
</ul>Here are a few recipe suggestions.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: blue;"><b>Tomato-cucumber salad:</b></div><ul><li>chop some tomatoes* and cucumbers*</li>
<li>dice some sweet onions*</li>
<li>chop some basil leaves* </li>
<li>(optional) add minced garlic </li>
<li>(optional) add cubed mozzarella aka home-style cheese (the kind you buy in a ball)</li>
<li>season with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>* all items contained in last Thursday's box! </li>
<li>I would have added a photo of this salad, but our family already demolished it. </li>
</ul><div style="color: blue;"><b>Bruschetta:</b></div><ul><li>pre-warm oven on the broil setting</li>
<li>set a rack right under the broiler element (or use a BBQ) </li>
<li>chop tomatoes, onion and basil leaves</li>
<li>mince garlic </li>
<li>add olive oil </li>
<li>mix</li>
<li>season mixture with salt and pepper and let steep for 10 minutes</li>
<li>brush sliced bread with olive oil</li>
<li>put bread under the broiler for 1-2 minutes</li>
<li>remove bread from the oven</li>
<li>cut bread into serving-size pieces (if needed)</li>
<li>top with tomato-basil mixture</li>
</ul><div style="color: blue;"><b>Antipasto platter:</b></div><ul><li>slice beefsteak tomatoes and mozzarella</li>
<li>arrange on platter with (optional) salami or proscuitto</li>
<li>top with chopped basil</li>
<li>drizzle olive oil over platter</li>
</ul><b style="color: blue;">White bean spread</b> (especially fast with a food processor):<br />
<ul><li> process a few garlic cloves</li>
<li>add basil leaves and pulse </li>
<li>add cooked white/canneloni beans and olive oil and pulse</li>
<li>stir in salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>serve over bread</li>
</ul>AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-24176821273714921322011-09-22T20:34:00.000-07:002011-09-22T20:34:25.295-07:00Nature's packing materialA subscriber asked Farmer Tanaka, "Why so much kale?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYfNMGKrt5s/Tnv9NwSno5I/AAAAAAAAAB8/hDOYnonSlBM/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYfNMGKrt5s/Tnv9NwSno5I/AAAAAAAAAB8/hDOYnonSlBM/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Because it is a perfect packing material that is nutritious and yummy to boot! Whenever the boxes have many objects that roll around or need cushioning, Tanaka Farms adds leaves of washed kale to keep everything in good shape. <br />
<br />
Consider using the kale in <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2010/04/kale-and-white-bean-soup.html">kale and white bean soup</a> or in <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2010/04/southern-greens.html">sauteed southern greens</a>. You can add the turnip greens, too!AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-891378509725239898.post-78909613541248681282011-08-27T13:37:00.000-07:002014-09-19T06:34:35.481-07:00Adams CSA FAQ 2011<b>UPDATE: As of September 2014, we have a different pickup location (Panelas Brazil Cuisine). The parts of this FAQ that mention Neighborhood Grinds may be inaccurate for our new arrangement. </b>The rest of the FAQ still applies.<br />
<br />
This FAQ supercedes the <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/2010/10/adams-csa-program-faq.html">2010 FAQ</a> because there have been so many changes to the ordering system.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKdYsLCt0kM/TllJmUUPOAI/AAAAAAAAABs/37oF7KWBfo8/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKdYsLCt0kM/TllJmUUPOAI/AAAAAAAAABs/37oF7KWBfo8/s400/IMG_5131.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
<br />
Large box on the right, small box on the left.
<br />
<br />
<b>What?</b>
<br />
Boxes of local (So Cal) produce, ~75% from <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/">Tanaka Farms</a> (TF) of Irvine. All of the produce is unsprayed; some are certified organic, others are grown using organic methods but not certified. Small boxes typically contain ~8 different types of produce and the large boxes contain ~12 types. There may be multiples. E.g. a type of item may be one head of lettuce or half a dozen apples. Each box contains produce with at least $20/$30 retail value.
<br />
<br />
<b>Where and When?</b>
<br />
Boxes are delivered every Thursday, typically between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, to <a href="http://neighborhoodgrinds.com/">Neighborhood Grinds</a> (NG) at 2315 Artesia Blvd, Unit 1 (the northwest corner of Mackay and Artesia). NG usually sends out an email announcement when the boxes arrive. Boxes can be picked up any time before NG's closing time of 10:00 PM. If you don’t have access to email during those hours, you may call Neighborhood Grinds at (310) 371-0900 to check if the boxes have arrived.
<br />
<br />
<b>How much does it cost?</b>
<br />
$30 for a large box, $20 for a small box. There is a $3 per box delivery fee for all pick-up locations other than directly at the farm in Irvine.
<br />
<br />
<b>Why should I pick up at Neighborhood Grinds instead of Whole Foods?</b>
<br />
You pay the same whether you select the Adams PTSA/Neighborhood Grinds location or Whole Foods. However, if you order select the Adams PTSA option, the PTSA receives 10% of the box price to help us fund valuable school programs.
<br />
<br />
Moreover, Neighborhood Grinds offers the most flexible hours, allowing pick ups of up to 10 PM for those who work late hours. You'll be supporting local schools and independent businesses at the same time.
<br />
<br />
<b>Logistics</b>
<br />
Automated reminders go out the day before delivery (on Wednesdays for Thursday deliveries). Often, NG will send out emails announcing box arrivals. Boxes can be picked up any time between that announcement (typically 11 AM to 1:30 PM) and 10 PM NG closing time. To save yourself a trip to return the cardboard box to NG, leave the box there; bring your own bags to carry your produce home.
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<b>Why?</b>
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To teach our kids what grows seasonally in our region. To increase the economic viability of small family farms amid suburban development. To economically buy organic and unusual produce. To save time and money. To lower the chemical input into our soil, our water table and our bodies (both the consumers’ and the agricultural workers’). To lower the carbon footprint of your food. And, of course, to raise money for the Adams PTSA.
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<b>How do I sign up?</b>
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<a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/">Tanaka Farms</a> has switched to a new online ordering system developed by <a href="http://www.farmigo.com/">Farmigo</a>. Simply visit the <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA.html">Tanaka Farms CSA information page</a>, click on the red tab to read the <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Policy.html">CSA Policies</a>, then click on the green "New Subscribers Join Here" button at the right.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3jY23BARlo/TllHBFTAkbI/AAAAAAAAABo/OR7y4kNAOHk/s1600/TFCSA.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3jY23BARlo/TllHBFTAkbI/AAAAAAAAABo/OR7y4kNAOHk/s400/TFCSA.png" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645621691812975026" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 314px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
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Select the Adams Middle School/Neighborhood Grinds pick up location. Then click "Next Step" on the green button at the top.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQkJeCZIyRk/TllHAyNDFiI/AAAAAAAAABg/STAnQxoe74g/s1600/NewSubs.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQkJeCZIyRk/TllHAyNDFiI/AAAAAAAAABg/STAnQxoe74g/s400/NewSubs.png" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645621686687700514" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 210px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
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Select large or small boxes, weekly or every other week (EOW) options. To save on shipping, many families order a large box every other week. Select EOWA or EOWB and look in the right column for the date of the next delivery for that schedule. Although the sign ups are for a recurring schedule, vacation holds and changes are quick and easy (see changing options section below).
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_4lYCqCnBI/TllHA3ZAlnI/AAAAAAAAABY/m2dnPMePA_w/s1600/SelectBox.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_4lYCqCnBI/TllHA3ZAlnI/AAAAAAAAABY/m2dnPMePA_w/s400/SelectBox.png" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645621688080045682" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 248px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
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Click "Next Step" and enter your payment information for debit upon receipt. Although you can pay by either credit card, or electronic payment through your checking account, keep in mind that farming is a very low margin business and Farmer Tanaka can use the 2% fee more than the credit card companies. ;-)
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Once you are a subscriber, your account page will look something like this. It will contain your options, order history and payment history. Note that boxes are charged AFTER the delivery. There are no refunds should you forget to pick up your box so don't forget!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OZ8Bd6MU3U/TllHAdKJwJI/AAAAAAAAABQ/YafECP0GWX8/s1600/FarmigoScreen.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OZ8Bd6MU3U/TllHAdKJwJI/AAAAAAAAABQ/YafECP0GWX8/s400/FarmigoScreen.png" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645621681038409874" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 211px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
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<b>Changing your order option</b>
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Life happens; you go on vacation or go through a period when you cook less often at home. Farmigo and Tanaka Farms have thought of that.
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<ul>
<li>You can put a temporary vacation stop on your orders. Click on the "Vacations" tab on your member screen, and enter the days you will be on vacation. Box delivery will automatically be suspended during those days and you will NOT be charged for the time away.</li>
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<li>You can change your subscription option by selecting "Change Subscription" under the summary on the right column. From the following screen, you can change box sizes, quantities, or schedules.</li>
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<li>If you want to put your account on indefinite hold, contact the Tanaka Farms CSA program managers, at <a href="mailto:CSA@tanakafarms.com">CSA@tanakafarms.com</a> so they can put your account on indefinite hold status. While you are on indefinite hold, you will not receive boxes or be charged. They can also delete your account if you choose.
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<li>You can make on line changes to your account on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (On line orders can not be changed 4 days before delivery; our deliveries are on Thursdays, which means changes to your account are not allowed M-Th.)
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<br />If you need to must changes on M-Th, please contact <a href="mailto:CSA@tanakafarms.com">CSA@tanakafarms.com</a> or 949-283-0487 so that they can make the change for you. Remember, they cannot change orders at the last minute, but they can change your options and put you on vacation hold while the website is locked down. </li>
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<b>What is this and how do I use it?</b>
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Part of the fun of the CSA program is the unusual varieties of produce that the boxes contain. We get heirloom or specialty produce not normally seen at grocery stores.
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<li>Check <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA_Newsletter.html">Farmer Tanaka's weekly blog page</a> for what might be in your box that week.</li>
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<li>Find recipe ideas through your web engine of choice, from the <a href="http://www.tanakafarms.com/CSA-Recipes.html">Tanaka Farms recipe page</a>, or the <a href="http://madisonschoolcsa.blogspot.com/search/label/Recipes">Adams School CSA recipe pages</a>.</li>
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<li>If you don't know what an item is or how to use it, email <a href="mailto:adamsschoolcsa@gmail.com">adamsschoolcsa@gmail.com</a> and ask. </li>
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<li>Cook improvisationally. If you have a recipe that calls for leaves from one member of the Brassica family (Kale, Swiss Chard, Beet Greens), you can successfully substitute another.</li>
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<li>Save scraps. Don't forget to use the tops of root vegetables. Turnip greens, beet greens and onion tops are nutritious and tasty in soups or sautes. Carrot tops are too bitter to eat, but they make wonderful centerpiece fillers (see below).
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<br />Trimmed pieces of veggies can be saved in a container in the refrigerator or freezer along with bones and meat and cheese trimmings. When the container is full, make broth!</li>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZXsTluFrEc/TMBhht3_UgI/AAAAAAAAEts/SCMVQK2_zPM/s1600/EdibleBouquet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZXsTluFrEc/TMBhht3_UgI/AAAAAAAAEts/SCMVQK2_zPM/s400/EdibleBouquet.JPG" height="387" width="400" /></a>AdamsSchoolCSAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016464073391605362noreply@blogger.com0