Jacob was watching Everyday Food over the weekend and decided to tackle a simple dish. It was a mixture of Isreali couscous, mushrooms and onion sauteed in olive oil, and dried cranberries. A generous sprinkle of black pepper and sea salt was added table-side (but not on Matilda's portion). It was delicious, filling and pretty.

Dishes like that that make me think I can do this vegetarian thing. I'm constantly amazed by the amount of vegetarian possibilities, and how tasty the concoctions can be. The only problem is getting the energy up to actually cook...

Thanks for cooking, Jacob! We'd be eating frozen pizza 7 nights a week without your culinary skills.

In preparation for our summer of veggies, we ate an entire package of salami for dinner last night. Considering the substantial heartburn that I experienced soon after, I'll remember this experience and remind myself of the pain and discomfort during those dark summer days when I crave all things meaty.

Matilda, on the other hand, does not show the slightest interest in eating animal flesh. She's my guide for the summer; stuffing green beans into her trap with glee and begging for bananas each morning. I've spent the last 16 months as her teacher, now it's her turn!

The countdown begins: The first farm share drop-off is June 13. That's less than a month until my cheeseburger cravings will be allayed by bean burgers. Oh boy!

Love and kisses,
Laurie

My husband, Jacob, and I decided to join a farm share this summer. The amount of fresh vegetables and fruit coming our way each week got me thinking: Why not go vegetarian for the summer? We eat very little meat at home as it is, so it doesn't seem like such a stretch. That said, I'm a huge cheeseburger freak--can I stay away from Hamburger Mary's for the entire summer?

Other than joining the farm share, my motivation is more serious: I'm eager to teach our daughter healthy eating habits and to help her understand where her food comes from. As city-dwellers we are disconnected from the process of farming, and as each year passes I feel less and less connected to my rural upbringing. As a child, I knew where apples came from because I helped pick them, and, how tall corn can grown, and what it is like to skate on a frozen cranberry bog. At the very least, Matilda will get to visit the farm that we have a share in and understand the origins of that delicious fried green tomato.

I have to admit, this project intimidates me to no end. Thus this blog, a place where I can write about the summer and try to keep on track with this idea. If nothing else, it'll be fun to look back over these posts and laugh at myself.

Let the veg-ing begin...

Laurie