Eating Local - July 15, 2009

I am back from my amazing adventure and finally settled back into my routine.  I have been contemplating posting some musings on my excellent adventure, and I will at some point, but for now, I want to tell you about my dinner last night. It did not occur to me until I sat down to eat and looked at my plate that it was all local. The corn (grilled in the husk), romaine (used in a salad), and blackberries (made into an incredible crisp) were from the Krankies farmer's market (Tuesdays at 11 a.m.). The squash (brushed with garlic infused olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper), tomatoes and cucumbers (in the salad) were given to my husband, who is the principal at East Surry High School, by his Ag teacher, fresh from his garden. The steak, a beautiful beef tenderloin, was from Cross Creek Farm in Alleghany County, NC.  And, for those of you that think that local grass-fed beef is too expensive (mine was a gift), too tough (you could cut it with a fork and it melted in your mouth), and not flavorful enough (a tiny sprinkle of salt and pepper was all it needed), please get in your car NOW, drive to Sparta, NC, hang a right at Twin Oaks onto Highway 21, take a right on Nile Road, and go just a mile or so to the green barn on the right. Tell Colleen I sent you for the beef tenderloin, and give Ziggy, the five-month old pot-bellied pig in the yard, a pat.  You will NOT regret it. It really is not that hard to eat local, especially in the summer. Sometimes you may even do it by accident. And, my local meal supported local farmers, which supports our local economy, built relationships, and added, immeasurably, to my happiness.

Perhaps tomorrow some more musings on my trip.  I have just the hotel for you the next time you are in Stockholm ... .