Brown Eggs are Local Eggs and Local Eggs are...OMG!

In recent months I have tooting of the horn of local farms, organizations and the eating local concept. This is something that if you continue to read this blog I will probably talk about even more in the upcoming months, since I have made a goal to start purchasing 50% of our groceries from local sources over the next few months.

One of our recent finds is Adams Farm in Athol, MA., or otherwise dubbed as "The Meat Farm" by my friend Stacy. Their meat is amazing and the prices are great. We have worked it that one visit will get us through a months worth of dinners. Along with their meat, we have picked up Eggs from them which come from Diemand Farms in Wendell, MA. Mad Dog picked up two dozen local eggs. When we got home we had a wonderful surprise! These weren't just eggs, these were SUPER EGGS! This caused Mad Dog to say that he thought we might have bought Ostridge eggs. Later when I took a look at the eggs I asked "What the hell size chicken did that come from?" I would also like to note that on more than one occasion, we have had double yokes from these Super Eggs.

When we went grocery shopping today, we needed to pick up a dozen or so, since we are down to our last 5 Super Eggs. This was a great disappointment when I got home and put them away. Looking at todays purchase I found myself unsatisfied. In the photograph taken above, the egg to the left is today's purchase and the egg to the right is the Super Egg. Both eggs were described as Large Brown Eggs, both were about the same price, but the Super Eggs were well - SUPER!

Another reason to shop locally. It's fresh, it's bigger and it's yummier!

100 Miles to Find Healthy Options

A while back I had mentioned the 100 Mile Diet which Mad Dog and I had learned about thanks to Planet Green. Mad Dog and I are planning on making a serious attempt at incorporating this into our life style in the next coming months. I will be honest I don't think we can completely go 100 mile, but we hope go as far as we can with the resources around us. 

Last summer we started with joining an CSA through Nourse Farm. We purchased a 1/2 of share and loved it. We tried new things and started eating healthier. This year we are talking about purchasing a whole share, but that will involve us being better about our selections and storage of the food. If we do purchase a whole share I'm going to look a more canning options this year.We also had planned on joining a CSF (Community Supported Fishery), but didn't in the end due to lack of communication form the organization. We are going to research this more and make another attempt this year. 

Another local options we have been enjoying for several years now, is Maple Syrup. Yes, we live in New England and this shouldn't be an issue when it comes the 100 Mile Diet, but more importantly we are helping a local business and a great friend. Our friend Patrick owns Occasional Creek Maple. We have watched his operation grow and have enjoyed our weekend pancakes with something special thanks to him and his family. Mad Dog is setting to pre-order our syrup for the year and we recommend you join us! 

Tomorrow we will take our next step in navigating local options, when we travel to Adams Farm in Athol, MA. We will be purchasing our first selection of meats from them. We'll be purchasing fresh, pasture raised, meat products with no added hormones or antibiotics.  The last part of the statement has never been a big concern to me, but if given the option at an affordable price I will take it anytime. We'll let you know how it is. 

This coming summer, I'm planning on taking full advantage of our local options and visits to meet the people who make those options possible. I also, want the kids to learn more about this as we go. I want them to try new things and learn about where the food we eat comes from.