If ever there was a time to consider purchasing locally grown and sourced products, this is it. Prices on most goods and services have skyrocketed, driven in large part by soaring fuel prices and uncertainty about where the country's headed. As an example, the price of wheat has soared 100% in the past six months!
Significantly more money recirculates in Lancaster when we buy from locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses. More money stays in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other Lancaster businesses as well as Lancaster's tax base.
Food is a great place to start, especially here in Lancaster where it's fairly easy to buy locally sourced items. With our county's agricultural bounty, we have many opportunities to buy locally grown and produced grains, dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables. By doing so, we'll be helping preserve the environment, we'll increase the nutritional value of what we eat (food loses "the good stuff" the longer it's out of the ground) and we'll be strengthening Lancaster by investing our food dollar close to home. Only twenty cents of every dollar, when buying at a large supermarket, go to the grower. Eighty cents go to various middlemen. Cut them out of the picture, buy your food directly from your local farmer or farmer's market and keep 100% of your hard earned money in Lancaster.
Sounds like an easy way to make a big difference!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Asparagus On My Mind
Welcome, Spring!
Looking out my window, watching the barely there snow flurry, actually makes me think of spring - in my native Chicago, not Lancaster. Living on the east coast for 15 years, I have come to appreciate what spring is really about. In the midwest, spring exists only on the calendar. In actuality, we went from a blistery winter directly into a blazing hot summer. Here in Pennsylvania, it is truly amazing to see how color comes back into our lives - the flowers peeking out of the ground, the buds on the trees, the grass is really green again, and vegetables and fruits are once again fresh and LOCAL.
All this leads to my "thing" for asparagus. Sure, it's available at the supermarket practically year round. And, to those of us who buy it, it actually tastes okay. But let's be honest ... why put up with okay when you can have locally grown, in season spectacular? Add to the equation that spectacular asparagus is only available for a few short weeks, somewhere between late April/early May to "when it's done." It's one of the first official markers that tells us spring is not only here, it's here to stay. It's for real.
Now you understand why Essen's Asparagus Festival pushes the limit on spring's arrival. If I waited for its actual entry into Lancaster, you might miss the chance to try out new ways to eat it until you're sick of it. Which is one problem I look forward to every spring. Welcome home!
Looking out my window, watching the barely there snow flurry, actually makes me think of spring - in my native Chicago, not Lancaster. Living on the east coast for 15 years, I have come to appreciate what spring is really about. In the midwest, spring exists only on the calendar. In actuality, we went from a blistery winter directly into a blazing hot summer. Here in Pennsylvania, it is truly amazing to see how color comes back into our lives - the flowers peeking out of the ground, the buds on the trees, the grass is really green again, and vegetables and fruits are once again fresh and LOCAL.
All this leads to my "thing" for asparagus. Sure, it's available at the supermarket practically year round. And, to those of us who buy it, it actually tastes okay. But let's be honest ... why put up with okay when you can have locally grown, in season spectacular? Add to the equation that spectacular asparagus is only available for a few short weeks, somewhere between late April/early May to "when it's done." It's one of the first official markers that tells us spring is not only here, it's here to stay. It's for real.
Now you understand why Essen's Asparagus Festival pushes the limit on spring's arrival. If I waited for its actual entry into Lancaster, you might miss the chance to try out new ways to eat it until you're sick of it. Which is one problem I look forward to every spring. Welcome home!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Kidding Around
Many clients have asked why I don't have more kids cooking classes, especially during the school year. The answer lies in one of the fundamental values of Essen: I have young, school-aged children and want to be around while they grow up. To bring Essen to other kids would require me to be working primarily when my kids were home - after school, evenings and weekends.
However, so much of what we learn from each other through Essen has do with what we're passing along to future generations. The balance that I've decided on for now is to connect with kids for a couple of weeks in the summer with Essen Kinder Kids Cooking Camp. Also, look for Essen Kinder Classes during the '08-'09 school year on select school holidays. Lastly, Essen's community service, year round, is devoted to educating kids in a hands-on format how to make good food choices and ways they can bring that experience and learning home.
Over the next couple of months, I'll be "cooking for energy" with the upper grades at The New School of Lancaster as a kickoff to their "Go For The Greens" week, hosting a mini cooking class at the Lancaster Jewish Community Center in conjunction with their Purim Carnival (think of a combination Halloween/Mardi Gras celebration) and working with the Junior League at the Boys & Girls Club. While the location, the client age and the audience may vary, the message is the same - good food simply prepared keeps people together. Try some today.
However, so much of what we learn from each other through Essen has do with what we're passing along to future generations. The balance that I've decided on for now is to connect with kids for a couple of weeks in the summer with Essen Kinder Kids Cooking Camp. Also, look for Essen Kinder Classes during the '08-'09 school year on select school holidays. Lastly, Essen's community service, year round, is devoted to educating kids in a hands-on format how to make good food choices and ways they can bring that experience and learning home.
Over the next couple of months, I'll be "cooking for energy" with the upper grades at The New School of Lancaster as a kickoff to their "Go For The Greens" week, hosting a mini cooking class at the Lancaster Jewish Community Center in conjunction with their Purim Carnival (think of a combination Halloween/Mardi Gras celebration) and working with the Junior League at the Boys & Girls Club. While the location, the client age and the audience may vary, the message is the same - good food simply prepared keeps people together. Try some today.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Dinner Day?!
I love January. I've had just long enough of a break from routine, which I abhor, that I'm actually craving it. The absence of daily doing combined with family vacation time enable the idea part of my brain just long enough to actually gel and begin to formulate fresh thoughts, or at least put old concepts together in new ways. My social calendar is empty. I'm fresh, I'm ready to go and I'm ready to catch up.
It seems I'm not alone. Did you know that in 2002 the legislature of Pennsylvania designated the second Saturday of January a national holiday, "Invite Your Neighbor to Dinner Day" or "Dinner Day" for short? The website states, "invite your neighbor to dinner as a celebration of the values that make America a terrific place to live. Ask a neighbor you've never met or one you've only waved at, but never taken the time to get to know. Take a moment to break some bread together in one of your homes or out on the town. Either way, be sure to build a bridge to your neighbors and take down any fences that have kept you apart."
It feels sad to think that we've become so isolated as a society that someone felt the need to create a state holiday just so he could have the "excuse" to invite people over to dinner. While one part of me thinks "What is our problem?" another voice knows where this guy in Bucks county is coming from. Long before I created Essen, I just loved to cook - because it was creative, because it was relaxing, because it tasted good and because it brought people I liked together. But over time, I would entertain less often. It seemed to be uncool to put time into preparing for people you care about. People almost felt uncomfortable or put out that you would do something nice for them. And over time we'd all see each other less often. A conversation in a noisy restaurant will never compare to a relaxing chat across my kitchen counter.
Now, I didn't wait for the Smiths of Bucks county to give me permission to have friends over for dinner. I got sick and tired of overpriced and unhealthy restaurant fare. And I missed really talking to my friends. Today, I often find January is one of our busier entertaining months. I can call friends with last minute invitations and they're usually free. And, boy, are they ready for simple food and honest conversation. No stress, no fuss - with or without permission from the Commonwealth.
It seems I'm not alone. Did you know that in 2002 the legislature of Pennsylvania designated the second Saturday of January a national holiday, "Invite Your Neighbor to Dinner Day" or "Dinner Day" for short? The website states, "invite your neighbor to dinner as a celebration of the values that make America a terrific place to live. Ask a neighbor you've never met or one you've only waved at, but never taken the time to get to know. Take a moment to break some bread together in one of your homes or out on the town. Either way, be sure to build a bridge to your neighbors and take down any fences that have kept you apart."
It feels sad to think that we've become so isolated as a society that someone felt the need to create a state holiday just so he could have the "excuse" to invite people over to dinner. While one part of me thinks "What is our problem?" another voice knows where this guy in Bucks county is coming from. Long before I created Essen, I just loved to cook - because it was creative, because it was relaxing, because it tasted good and because it brought people I liked together. But over time, I would entertain less often. It seemed to be uncool to put time into preparing for people you care about. People almost felt uncomfortable or put out that you would do something nice for them. And over time we'd all see each other less often. A conversation in a noisy restaurant will never compare to a relaxing chat across my kitchen counter.
Now, I didn't wait for the Smiths of Bucks county to give me permission to have friends over for dinner. I got sick and tired of overpriced and unhealthy restaurant fare. And I missed really talking to my friends. Today, I often find January is one of our busier entertaining months. I can call friends with last minute invitations and they're usually free. And, boy, are they ready for simple food and honest conversation. No stress, no fuss - with or without permission from the Commonwealth.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Giving Tree
Yes, yes, you've heard it all before - season of giving (but stay grounded as less is the new more), help those less fortunate, buy more stuff, keep it green and save the earth. How to make it all work for you?
Over the past few years, my family has gradually transitioned away from the receiving and more towards the giving. Notice the words "gradually transitioned." These decisions did not happen overnight, nor did the new actions. We try to keep reminding each other of the journey we're on towards being better stewards of our land and communities.
Now, let's be honest. This stuff is not easy to enact or to maintain. First, you can suddenly sound like your neighborhood prosthelytizer if all conversations around gift buying turn into your litany about how much waste is generated each holiday season with wrapping paper and ribbon. Second, it's amazing how a gift exchange can go sour when everyone fakes excitement at the sight of your unwrapped compact flourescent light bulbs. Third, we'd be lying if we said it's not fun to receive gifts. Of course it is. The question is, how much and from whom?
For me, I've tried a variety of simple ways to introduce a greater respect for our world into my family's gift giving traditions. As we celebrate Chanukah, a holiday that lasts for eight nights, we designate at least one night for others who are less fortunate and donate the money we would have spent on gifts for ourselves to a community-based organization. My kids are also asked at the end of the eight nights to donate one of the gifts that they received so a local child will not go without something special. This year we're adding a new change. My kids are very aware of the implications of their actions on the greater world in which we live. My son and I read in the paper about how much waste was generated through holiday wrapping materials. We decided together to ditch the paper; we'll reuse gift bags we've stashed from gifts we received to present our gifts.
Beyond my family, I've also tried to initiate a change in giving styles amongst friends, with varied results. A group that gets together to cook and eat routinely during the year has been doing a gift exchange for a number of years. A few years ago I suggested we take the $25 per person budget and donate the money to an organization working towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition. We could research different groups together and find one that suits us all. The group decided they enjoyed giving and receiving by and for each other. I struggled for a long time over what to do. These were supposed to be my friends. I prided myself on not making people feel uncomfortable and pushing my agenda on others. However, I had come to a point in my life where I felt very strongly against this type of exchange. It just seemed unnecessary to me. My solution? The first year I participated so as not to "rock the boat." The second year, I brought it up again and it was ignored. I lost sleep for a few nights until I came up with a solution that worked for me. I would donate the budgeted amount to a group working to end hunger and requested the others to do their gift exchange first. I would then join in for lunch once they were done. It seemed to make them feel more at ease and for now is something I can live with.
On the flip side, my book group also does a gift exchange. Last year I proposed we consider a change for this year. Since we all love to read, let's each bring a new book and give them to a local school to help promote reading in young children. The group embraced the idea. We're also going to exchange gifts with each other. Again, gradual transition. This definitely feels like something I can live with.
Over the past few years, my family has gradually transitioned away from the receiving and more towards the giving. Notice the words "gradually transitioned." These decisions did not happen overnight, nor did the new actions. We try to keep reminding each other of the journey we're on towards being better stewards of our land and communities.
Now, let's be honest. This stuff is not easy to enact or to maintain. First, you can suddenly sound like your neighborhood prosthelytizer if all conversations around gift buying turn into your litany about how much waste is generated each holiday season with wrapping paper and ribbon. Second, it's amazing how a gift exchange can go sour when everyone fakes excitement at the sight of your unwrapped compact flourescent light bulbs. Third, we'd be lying if we said it's not fun to receive gifts. Of course it is. The question is, how much and from whom?
For me, I've tried a variety of simple ways to introduce a greater respect for our world into my family's gift giving traditions. As we celebrate Chanukah, a holiday that lasts for eight nights, we designate at least one night for others who are less fortunate and donate the money we would have spent on gifts for ourselves to a community-based organization. My kids are also asked at the end of the eight nights to donate one of the gifts that they received so a local child will not go without something special. This year we're adding a new change. My kids are very aware of the implications of their actions on the greater world in which we live. My son and I read in the paper about how much waste was generated through holiday wrapping materials. We decided together to ditch the paper; we'll reuse gift bags we've stashed from gifts we received to present our gifts.
Beyond my family, I've also tried to initiate a change in giving styles amongst friends, with varied results. A group that gets together to cook and eat routinely during the year has been doing a gift exchange for a number of years. A few years ago I suggested we take the $25 per person budget and donate the money to an organization working towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition. We could research different groups together and find one that suits us all. The group decided they enjoyed giving and receiving by and for each other. I struggled for a long time over what to do. These were supposed to be my friends. I prided myself on not making people feel uncomfortable and pushing my agenda on others. However, I had come to a point in my life where I felt very strongly against this type of exchange. It just seemed unnecessary to me. My solution? The first year I participated so as not to "rock the boat." The second year, I brought it up again and it was ignored. I lost sleep for a few nights until I came up with a solution that worked for me. I would donate the budgeted amount to a group working to end hunger and requested the others to do their gift exchange first. I would then join in for lunch once they were done. It seemed to make them feel more at ease and for now is something I can live with.
On the flip side, my book group also does a gift exchange. Last year I proposed we consider a change for this year. Since we all love to read, let's each bring a new book and give them to a local school to help promote reading in young children. The group embraced the idea. We're also going to exchange gifts with each other. Again, gradual transition. This definitely feels like something I can live with.
Monday, November 19, 2007
First Thanksgiving?!
Last week my son brought home a letter from school about the first Thanksgiving in 1621, where the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. It turns out the spirit of celebration and overindulgence are what remain of this First Feast; many of the foods we serve today merely connect us with the season and were not available in the early days.
Historians aren't completely certain what was included in the First Feast. Their research revealed a three-day bacchanalia focusing more on meats and far less on vegetables, a dramatic contrast from our modern-day meal. In addition, the colonists sugar supply had run down so cranberry sauce, pies and other sweet desserts were not on that menu. Here's a sampling of what you may have eaten at Plymouth Rock:
* Seafood: cod, eel, clams, lobster
* Wild fowl: wild turkey, goose, duck, crane, swan, partridge, eagles
* Meat: venison, seal
* Grain: wheat flour, Indian corn
* Vegetables: pumpkin, peas, parsnips, beans, onions, leeks, lettuce, radishes, corn
* Fruit: plums, grapes, an assortment of dried
* Nuts: walnuts, chestnuts, acorns
* Herbs & seasonings: olive oil, liverwort, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and pepper
You may notice there isn't a white or sweet potato in sight! Use of dairy was also limited as cows may not have survived the trip over and the goat and sheep populations were limited.
So what'll be on my family's table this year? We're "breaking with tradition" and will attempt to reconnect with our founders. We'll share chestnut soup, venison with a dried cherry and onion sauce, parsnip pancakes, mashed rhutabagas with frizzled leeks, hashed brussel sprouts, lettuces with fennel, grapes, walnuts and Gorgonozola (not native but oh, so delish!), walnut onion muffins, pumpkin ice cream sandwiches with ginger cookies and chocolate sauce (again, the nod to modern-day necessities) and a ricotta tart with a dried fruit compote.
We're also hosting our first annual Thanksgiving Backgammon tournament. My father, who is 90 years old, will be joining us and is an avid game player. What a great way for him to forge a new bond with his grandkids and create memories they will have of him long after he's gone. My husband's parents will also be here. We're not going to pass up this tremendous opportunity for each grandparent to share one of their most memorable Thanksgiving experiences with our children.
The results of the Essen Question o'the Month, "What's your favorite component of the Thanksgiving spread?," indicate many of you are ready for a change, too. It seems like few of us really care about the big ole bird. Overwhelmingly, respondents crave stuffing, gravy and soup. Now that's a meal I could put my hands and heart around.
At the end of the day, it's about the people. So this year, consider relieving some of the stress and mess. Get together with those you love, share your stories and the rest will take care of itself.
I wish you all a very memorable Thanksgiving.
Historians aren't completely certain what was included in the First Feast. Their research revealed a three-day bacchanalia focusing more on meats and far less on vegetables, a dramatic contrast from our modern-day meal. In addition, the colonists sugar supply had run down so cranberry sauce, pies and other sweet desserts were not on that menu. Here's a sampling of what you may have eaten at Plymouth Rock:
* Seafood: cod, eel, clams, lobster
* Wild fowl: wild turkey, goose, duck, crane, swan, partridge, eagles
* Meat: venison, seal
* Grain: wheat flour, Indian corn
* Vegetables: pumpkin, peas, parsnips, beans, onions, leeks, lettuce, radishes, corn
* Fruit: plums, grapes, an assortment of dried
* Nuts: walnuts, chestnuts, acorns
* Herbs & seasonings: olive oil, liverwort, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and pepper
You may notice there isn't a white or sweet potato in sight! Use of dairy was also limited as cows may not have survived the trip over and the goat and sheep populations were limited.
So what'll be on my family's table this year? We're "breaking with tradition" and will attempt to reconnect with our founders. We'll share chestnut soup, venison with a dried cherry and onion sauce, parsnip pancakes, mashed rhutabagas with frizzled leeks, hashed brussel sprouts, lettuces with fennel, grapes, walnuts and Gorgonozola (not native but oh, so delish!), walnut onion muffins, pumpkin ice cream sandwiches with ginger cookies and chocolate sauce (again, the nod to modern-day necessities) and a ricotta tart with a dried fruit compote.
We're also hosting our first annual Thanksgiving Backgammon tournament. My father, who is 90 years old, will be joining us and is an avid game player. What a great way for him to forge a new bond with his grandkids and create memories they will have of him long after he's gone. My husband's parents will also be here. We're not going to pass up this tremendous opportunity for each grandparent to share one of their most memorable Thanksgiving experiences with our children.
The results of the Essen Question o'the Month, "What's your favorite component of the Thanksgiving spread?," indicate many of you are ready for a change, too. It seems like few of us really care about the big ole bird. Overwhelmingly, respondents crave stuffing, gravy and soup. Now that's a meal I could put my hands and heart around.
At the end of the day, it's about the people. So this year, consider relieving some of the stress and mess. Get together with those you love, share your stories and the rest will take care of itself.
I wish you all a very memorable Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving Feast a Success
Thank you to the participants at last week's first annual Thanksgiving Feast Essen Class. We truly embodied the spirit of the season; we gave to each other by sharing tips, tidbits, fool-proof methods and shortcuts. We exchanged family stories and the history behind our individual traditions. We celebrated together. And today I am sending a generous donation to the Crispus Attucks Recreation Center to enable others who are less fortunate help themselves. We're establishing our own Essen traditions and defining community in its broadest terms. I'm looking forward to this becoming one of Essen's premier events through the years and already have roughly 105 ideas for next November. Again, thank you for your support and encouragement.
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