We are at the beginning of quite an (CS)Adventure, and I think it's very fair to say we're still in the romantic stage. Optimism is the only thing we see in our future regarding this, and I can't help but wonder at what point we'll have our bubble burst. Feel free to start your betting now so you don't miss it!
Although our current situation might find us with a bushel half full, I truly believe this is important to document this time for when we are up to our ears in tatsoi and other insane things we've never heard of. We have never been as mid-west as we will be in the next 7 weeks, and that is a prospect worth writing about, contemplating, and taking us into the time of advent.
It is no wonder that the intrinsic value of the life cycle of food allows for many helpful analogies to life. We are all products of the Creator and while our relationship is symbiotic, we are able to connect on the level in much the same way as we are to others. That I am taking on this endeavor with my wife then, who I connect with in a way unlike any other human, is incredible.
Together in this time, we will learn to get a better idea of what it means to live more sustainably. While this is quite the buzz word these days, I don't want to give up on it yet. There is a reason behind it and I think it involves more than buying "green." In taking on this, we are becoming connected to the gifts of the area not the limitations of it. I think this will cause us to shift what we eat in different seasons and learn that simply because we are suburban Americans that does not give us the right to demand whatever we want whenever we want it. This will be a difficult process for us two banana fans(just had one today in fact), but bringing ourselves closer to production will shape the way we approach food. In order to eat my banana today, the only thing that is perfectly clear is that it was delivered on a truck and put out on display by a Meijer employee.
Through the CSA, we have already interacted with those that work on the farm and we are learning what projects they do throughout the year and what produce they were able to harvest that week. As we look into doing this again next year, we will be paying an amount up front which will enable the farm to take on another year of uncertainties.
Through all this, however, we are moving a step closer, but we are still not fully engaging with everything that goes into the daily life of a farmer. We are very aware of this and are excited for the lessons this will teach us as we one day get a house that has room for us to do some gardening ourselves. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from those that have gone before us and I eagerly await this whole time. We will be posting along the way(though not always this long!) of the different items we get and how we enjoy them. We will share what we have learned in this process and I'm sure many of the sentiments shared here will gradually shift over time as well. Even if this is only for us, I believe fleshing out these ideas will be a beneficial process for the two of us as we continue to learn about and from one another.
Just to give an idea of the first project with CSA food, we have a curry I put together! Many thanks to Justin Donner for teaching me the ways of the candy bar curry magic. It has served me well and it did once again.
Items used from the CSA in this dish:
Potatoes
Huge Onion
Unfortunately Evie could not have this because the curry sauce had wheat in it, but I think she's ok with it. I wear the curry pants in the family. She wears the mushroom ones.
-J.D.
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