I heard the Chairman of Petsmart speak at a press conference this week. He said, “Folks, these are not tough times. This is the new normal.” With uncharacteristic pessimism but dependable pragmatism, I picked up my blackberry and tweeted his comment to my followers.
All posts tagged CSA
Spring Cleaning
Here in the desert the days are teetering between hot and cool. Just when I think summer temperatures are here, a cold front blows in and puts me back in sweaters. Growing up in Colorado, springtime was a bit different. I watched for the first crocus to lift it’s head against the late spring snow and my grandmother would announce that it was time for spring cleaning. Spring cleaning wasn’t just dusting and running the vacuum. It was the deep cleansing that eliminated winter cobwebs and sometimes sent a pile to the thrift store.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayr/ / CC BY 2.0
I have to admit that I haven’t kept up the ritual but when I do, it’s deeply satisfying. I love the feeling of having an organized closet or a clean car. It’s so nice to purge unused items that have collected over the past months or even years. I think it causes me to sleep better. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on April 27, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/04/27/spring-cleaning/
A Food Ministry
“I’ve been feeling sluggish and have little energy,” a friend shares. My mind races ahead, “get gluten out of your diet.” Another friend, battling cancer, tearfully explains her last doctor visit. Again, I think, “add turmeric to your daily supplements.” I don’t say either of these comments aloud for I’m not a nutritionist or a dietician but inevitably wherever I am, my conversations to turn food. Am I being called to a Food Ministry?
Jamie Oliver; Chef and Activist
I was contemplating this question when KateBart posted a recent TED talk featuring Jamie Oliver on her facebook page. I’d seen the Naked Chef before but when I watched his passion and heard his message, my heart was pounding. Jamie’s TED talk is 20 minutes long, but if you haven’t seen it, please schedule some time to watch.
Jamie is clearly living a food ministry. If you are not inspired by his message, I believe you will at least admire his determination. I’m certain that part of this calling is what attracted me to CSA initially. What are you being called to do?
Posted by Tammy on March 27, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/03/27/a-food-ministry/
The Green Deluge on St. Patrick’s Day
There are times when I can’t stand the thought of one more batch of sauteed swiss chard. Arizona winters produce an abundance of leafy greens; kale, chard, spinach, arugula, mustard, mizuna, collards, and the green tops of kohlrabi, beets, and turnips.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenorton/ / CC BY 2.0
I do enjoy them and the fact that they’re an immense reservoir of calcium and vitamin C places them high on my personal consumption list. I sneak them into lasagna, roll them into tortillas, mash them into potatoes, use them as wraps for interesting appetizers and seek out other family-friendly recipes. Regardless of my own preference, week after week of greens is challenging for me and for other CSA participants. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on March 17, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/03/17/the-green-deluge-on-st-patricks-day/
Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Things to do with a Few Extra Minutes
My conference call ended 5 minutes early. A neighbor called to say that she’ll pick my son up from baseball practice. The casserole is in the oven a bit earlier than I’d planned. Each one of these situations has freed me for the next few minutes – I have precious unexpected downtime. From my earlier post this week, my son’s prioirty list caused me to think about visible reminders. Granted some of it is in the giddyness of realizing that I’m finally getting through to him! But what do we do and how do we prioritize when we find an unanticipated few minutes? Here’s my short list that you can modify, add to, or delete.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhilung/ / CC BY 2.0
Posted by Tammy on March 3, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/03/03/tammys-top-ten-the-t3-report-things-to-do-with-a-few-extra-minutes/
It’s all Part of the Plan
My thirteen year old son is going to kill me for this. When I found this note stuck to his bedpost today, I was both tickled with the content and delighted with his process. He’d set goals or at least objectives for himself and his behavior. A series of blog post ideas immediately began popping off inside my head. So, I’m starting with the big picture – the notion of personal planning.
Posted by Tammy on February 28, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/02/28/creating-an-annual-plan/
Getting Back to Our Roots
Another election season is firing up. I know because of the steady stream of email and calls coming in “a strong candidate for the District 3 Congressional seat” “support my reelection so I can further work that I’ve begun” “conservative democrat who will bring change”. Each one is attempting to define their personal brand as they enter the political contest. I don’t get terribly involved but I do watch with interest. In one particular election, an incumbent is fighting hard to reestablish herself as a strong local leader. She’s a dynamic woman with vision and talent and during her first term, that often led her away from the community to larger state and national platforms. Exposure that was good for her political future? Hopefully, but also exposure that took her away from the citizens that had put her into office. Now, she’s working diligently to remind others of the reasons she was originally elected. She’s trying to reclaim her roots.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ansison/ / CC BY-NC 2.0
Posted by Tammy on February 21, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/02/21/family-heritage-elections-writing-personal-memoir/
On the Beeten Path
They say opposites attract and when I consider the relationships in my circle, it seems true. Not for me however. My beloved and I are “two peas in a pod” sharing common interests like a love for the outdoors, good design elements, independent film and a love of food. His comes from a mother with extreme kitchen talent. I, on the other hand, find solace in dishes with deep spices that feed my love of travel even when I’m at home. And, we have common dislikes; poverty, mean people, lost baggage and beets.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trubble/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
Posted by Tammy on February 14, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/02/14/love-relationships-tenacity/
My 1st Month – Sharing Lessons in Blogging
I might’ve called this post “On Being Grateful”. Every week, with my CSA delivery, farmer Kelly provides an adventurous recipe that uses fresh produce. She’s passing along her learnings. Over the past month, I’ve received countless warm and welcoming encouragements from readers and stoppersby. I can’t thank you enough and so I’m taking a moment to share what I’ve learned during blogging. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on February 10, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/02/10/my-1st-month-sharing-lessons-in-blogging/
Tammy
A wife, a mom, an executive, a certified leadership coach and a breast cancer survivor. I love learning and I love to write and I'm often fascinated with the life lessons that come from my kitchen. Focusing on community-based Placemaking is the way that I work towards creating a healthier planet.
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