May 17, 2012

Money for Nothing: The High Cost of Convenient Food

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by Sam Mitchell Free lunches may be elusive. Unhealthy ones are anything but. Anyone can walk into (or easier yet, drive up to) McDonald’s, and three minutes later, be gorging themselves on a Big Mac, a pile of fries, and a Coke. If getting up from the couch seems like too much effort, a pizza [...]

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How to make the most of your CSA box: Leafy Greens

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by Erin Johnson Tip #1 The predominant veggie you get in the spring is greens, both cooking and salad. I won’t address making salads – don’t think you need my help with that. However, many people are challenged by cooking greens and I hope this primer helps you. Leafy greens: collards, kale, mustards, chard, spinach, escarole, [...]

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Seasonal Table: Crème Fraiche and Honey Panna Cotta

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by Sylvie Rowand / Photography by Molly McDonald Peterson Blanc-manger, panna cotta or molded cream, the idea is similar. Gelatin is added to milk and/or cream infused with herbs, spices or nuts. The end result? A simple dessert perfect for a picnic (if made and left in small Mason jars), or served with mixed seasonal [...]

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A Mother’s Day Ode to My Gardening Inspiration

Mavis Johnson with great-grandson Miles; another generation of gardening?

by Sandy Johnson My mother was the original master gardener. She may not have the formal certificate but she’s got street cred. Her vast garden fed a hungry family of eight year-round, and inspired a love of gardening in all six of her children. Oh, we whined when we were sent out to weed, a [...]

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Close Encounters of a Bee Kind

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By Amanda West / Photos by Amanda West Last Saturday I attended my second beekeeping class. I continued my fascination with bees as I learned more about ‘husbanding’ this tiniest of domesticated creatures. Honeybees cannot live without human interaction: an outbreak of a parasite called the varroa mite in the last decade effectively wiped out [...]

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Consumed by Food: Can the Obesity Epidemic Change the Way We Eat?

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by Sam Mitchell We’ve got a big problem. Even bigger than the overuse of weight-related puns when talking about the American obesity epidemic. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held its second annual “Weight of the Nation” conference — a gathering of political leaders, health professionals, and concerned citizens intended to highlight [...]

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The Secrets of Bees

Happy Bees on a Frame - making honey

By Amanda West/ Photos by Amanda West I’ve always thought bees were mysterious and wonderful. And when I began to pursue my interests in local and sustainable farming, I considered bees as probably the smallest animal husbandry option available. Later, when I found out at this year’s Rooting DC garden event that urban beekeeping was [...]

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Tomato Mania: The gateway drug of gardening

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by Sandy Johnson If I had to strip my garden to one item, it would be the tomato. I am stupid in love with tomatoes, and am counting the days for the first heavenly bite of garden-grown fruit. But one must be patient – 60 days for the Juliet, 80 days for the Brandywine, etc. [...]

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A Chicken in Every Pot

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by Amy Saltzman / photos by Amy Saltzman My mother has never followed a recipe in her life, but I’ve only recently realized this condition is hereditary.  In my family, we have a running joke that every time my mom brings something new to the supper table, she says, “I’m trying a new recipe!” and [...]

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Market Report

Monday's farmer's market lunch:  a Mountain Top Bleu omlet served with coppa on toast

by Martina White Spending a beautiful morning at a farmer’s market is just about my favorite thing to do, so Sunday I set out for the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market from my home in Reston.  I was not alone in that thought.  It was bustling! I love this market in particular because it’s great for people watching.  It attracts [...]

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