Showing posts with label Juliana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Juliana. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Juliana's Spring Valley Middle School Reflection

I'm very happy with the way today's presentation at Spring Valley Middle School went, both the kids and us learned some great things. The kids got to learn about the 100 mile diet, local food, how far our food travels and how lucky we are to live in an area so rich in food production. We got to learn about how much middle school aged kids know about food and where it comes from. We also got to see their "greenhouse" closet and bistro.
Walking into the classroom, we knew right away this wasn't an ordinary room and there wasn't ordinary learning going on. One boy was standing on a table posting art t the wall, two kids sat upstairs in a loft area doing homework, one girl was working on a model for an outdoor classroom and another boy was mixing beats on a mixer. We were warmly welcomed and introduced to all the kids. Instead of having them all come to us we visited them in their stations and started talking about where we were from and why we were there. Eventually, once the kids were comfortable with us, they gathered around and we began a small group discussion about food. The kids seemed genuinely interested and gave us their full attention. We explained that the average meal travels around 2000 miles from the farm to our plates. Then we talked about what it means to eat locally from farmers in our area. Te kids shared about field trips they had been on to farms in Kelowna. We talked about their favorite foods and what foods they grow in their classroom greenhouse. The grew peppermint, kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, peppers, and parsley. The foods are grazed on by the kids in class and also used in their bistro. We got to try their quinoa salad with their peppermint and parsley.
During or discussion we gave the kids a map of BC with the foods that are grown in BC on the map in pictures. The kids loved the map and this sparked some more great discussion. One boy loved seeing that the Okanagan has Llamas and kiwis. The kids could see how lucky we are to live in such a rich area where local food is plentiful. We also showed them areas on the map such as Bella Coola that are food deserts.
Next we tried some local apples from Vernon which were a huge hit with the kids. We also showed them and let them try watermelon radishes, sunchokes, white radishes, and celeriac. None of the kids had tried any of these vegetables before and were pleasantly surprised once we finally convinced them to try them. We spent an extra half an hour after our discussion watching the kids run their bistro, they were so excited to show us what they work on everyday.
Overall, this experience was extremely positive and I feel that the kids took home a good message about how eating locally is good for the community, the environment and your own health!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Juliana Reflections and the Future

I am really glad we did this challenge! I feel like even in a week, my eating habits have improved, I feel healthier, I have more motivation at the gym, I have more energy, I got to meet people in the community who make my food. My food had a face this week and that feels nice. My food was environmentally sustainable this week and that also feels nice! I was forced to try new things like parsnips, and also I have beets still to cook that I never got around to. I don't feel that a week of doing this has made us experts but it has opened my eyes to the possibility of this diet as a permanent lifestyle. I feel like we're just getting started and already the week is over. I still have tons of local veggies to finish up. I was surprised to be wrong about the cost of eating locally. I know it would be different if I had a whole family to feed but the vegetables and fruit I bought were often at par and even cheaper than buying them from Superstore. Milk, eggs and other proteins especially cheese were more expensive but they last a single person quite  while. My suggestions for anyone who wanted to give this a try would be...

1. Try to recruit some friends....It was amazing to have Meghan and Amy to do this with because we could give each other tips on where to find certain things, recipe ideas, moral support and encouragement. Together we could also reach more people and spread the ideas of the 100 mile diet further.

2. Start in Spring or Summer....Start when the markets are open and thriving so that you don't get discouraged by a lack of variety! If you start in the spring or summer then you'll be way more prepared to successfully make it through the winter with canned goods, jams, dehydrated foods etc.

3. Try new things!....Don't stick to your usual shopping list, try new vegetables, you'll learn a new skill and might even find something you really enjoy eating! Like beet leaves, edible flowers, dandilion leaves, parsnips etc.

4. Plan & Prepare....Make sure you set enough time aside to meal plan and prepare foods so that you have a few things to take on the go such as Meghan's pumpkin seeds or nuts. Try making homemade granola bars or easy things to grab when running out the door. Have your veggies pre-washed and chopped so that meals wont take too long and make you feel like you're always in the kitchen.

5. Meet the people who make your food... Don't just buy your local produce from the supermarket, go to the farmer's markets and orchards, farms etc and meet the people who make, grow and produce your food. They often have neat stories and your food becomes more personal. This enforces your reasons for doing the 100 mile diet and promotes success! It is also community building and easier to recommend a face to your friends than an item in a grocery store.

6. Read "The 100 Mile Diet"....This was a great source of comfort and knowledge for me as we went through a week of many adjustments and hard choices. It feels good knowing that sugar cravings and frustrations are part of the process and Alisa and J.B are vocal about their struggles but they succeeded and you can too. They also have amazing recipes and food ideas. Their stories will make you laugh and encourage you to keep going. It is also a resource you can recommend to your friends who are interested in what you are doing.

7. Support Restaurants who serve local...Many restaurants in Kelowna serve local foods, support these as a way to treat yourself to not having to cook. Raudz downtown is known for using foods that are in season and from farms in Kelowna. The Train Station pub on Clement uses almost exclusively local foods including beef, cheese, ice cream and beer.

8. Eat by the Canada Food Guide...Make sure a Amy did, that you are eating enough of the different food groups so that you don't become lacking in nutrients. It is important to eat a variety and not just what is easiest or cheapest.

9. Don't sweat the extra bucks....Spending a little extra on certain items is a reality of this lifestyle but there are things to think about, for example you'll probably not be eating out as much which saves you money such as forgoing the daily Starbucks or Timmy's run or grabbing a treat at the mall, you will be losing weight which can also save you money depending on your lifestyle, and you're giving to your community which gives back to you.

10. Finally, tell people about what you are doing....this is a movement and it doesn't help the environment or the community if only one person is doing it, it's a group effort. Having said that, it doesn't take everybody doing it to make a difference. People responded really well when I told them what we were doing and expressed interest in making changes that would be better for the environment and the community. Maybe you'll inspire someone to eat not within 100 miles but within BC at least, or maybe within Canada, every little bit helps.

Juliana Day 6 and 7

I got over my sugar cravings and breakfast probably helped. I had a wonderful smoothie with Dutchman milk, a raw local egg, local raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. This breakfast goes down easier than the oatmeal but keeps me full for a shorter time. I'm also used to putting bananas in my smoothies for sweetness which I miss.

For lunch I was at my parents' house and scrambled for something local. Nothing. Nothing in their house was local except  a box of apples in the garage from my Grandma's tree in Summerland. So I recruited my sister and we did some peeling! I made a delicious apple sauce. I was hungry soon after. I think Meghan has the right idea, lots of small meals throughout the day. My suggestion if we'd been doing his for longer would be to at least carry a ziplock of nuts in my purse to help between meals. Dinner was leftovers once again as I raced off to work.



On Day 7 I awoke to make a tasty omelet with spinach and feta cheese. For lunch we were invited to Jake's parents' house and we had to eat what was made for us...homemade pizza which tasted amazing! This of course was not local but I couldn't ask my mother-in-law to specially make my meal especially since it was a spontaneous invite so I couldn't even bring my own ingredients. Spontaneity does not partner well with the 100 mile diet! For supper I steamed some broccoli, carrots, parsnips (which I have never tried before), and sauteed up some mushrooms and Chicken. This was accompanied by fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. I definitely taste a huge difference in the flavour of some of the vegetables that are organic, local, such as the cucumbers. They were long, English cukes but had a tougher skin than usual and   a far stronger aroma of fresh cucumber. They tasted more bold than the ones I typically buy from Superstore I was really surprised.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Juliana Day 5

Today I went back to oatmeal for breakfast. The one nice thing about it is that it keeps me really full for a long time! It was tempting today to put cinnamon and sugar on top. I really noticed the sugar cravings kick in today. I was craving sweet things like never before, I was even craving juice and I don't even like juice. I noticed that keeping super hydrated helped to curb the cravings slightly. Today was also a leftovers day, I had my crock pot stew for lunch. I'm not sure if it was the cravings getting to me today or what but I was not into it today. I really wanted to give up today just like when you have a bad day on a diet but I pulled through right until dinner. I was rushed to get to work and I needed dinner but I'd already had leftovers and was completely unable to eat the same thing yet again. I quickly scrambled some local eggs with cheese on top. I put it on top a non-local bun:( I needed the carbs for work, I just couldn't serve all night hungry. I felt so guilty but I'm using the failure to see where the weakness was in my planning and preparation and realize that was it, my planning for today was weak due to a lack of time. I would really recommend that anyone who wanted to successfully complete a long period of time on "The 100 Mile Diet" needs to set aside a proper amount of time for preparation, we obviously started this at an inconvenient time as small markets are closing up, and produce is becoming more scarce. A good time to start this diet would be in the spring or summer. I've also found that the more people you tell he more advice you get and the more tips about where to find the best local food. For example my mom told me about a great butcher in Summerland who you can buy half a cow or a full cow. She usually goes in on one side with another family. It works out to $1.79/lb and that includes all types of meat (t-bone steaks, sirloins, ground beef) A quarter of the cow fills up a freezer and  a half of meat and costs $300. Another lady I know told me about some great markets on Gordon street. The more people you talk to the more advice you get and the more people begin to think about making changes to their own food choices. So, I failed a little bit today but the importance of planning and preparation has been reinforced for me. Tomorrow is a new day:) Thank you Mary for the canned tomatoes!

Juliana Day 4

Yay Day 4! Today I started off the day with a delicious smoothie (milk, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and a raw egg, all local of course) It tasted like I was having dessert for breakfast which was a nice treat. It was just nice to have something different from oatmeal. Alisa and J.B's rule is that if they traveled they could bring home something from within 100 miles of where they were staying. I have a bottle of vanilla extract from Mexico that I bought from a market and brought home so I put a tsp of that in my smoothie as well.

Lunch had to wait until after school again so I was starving!!!! I tried Amy's little "bread" things she made from local flour, honey and buttermilk, they were actually so good!!!! The carb taste was so comforting. That's the thing with cutting grain out of your diet, it feels like you're never eating comfort food. When I got home I made goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts with steamed broccoli and carrots and some mashed potatoes.

For supper I sauteed up some mushrooms and cut up some fresh tomatoes. I put this with goat cheese over lettuce, topped it with local alfalfa sprouts and had that for dinner. I was hungry all night though so I should have included some more protein. My clothes are starting to feel really loose.

Ryan Donn

Getting into the spirit of local, I downloaded some local music to listen to with dinner. Ryan Donne is amazing! I also took the bus to work:) Tomorrow my goals are to get a bit more protein and eat a little more so I'm not so hungry.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Juliana Day 3

Wow, I just looked at Amy's pictures of her dinner skewers! I'm going to start eating at her place I think...
So, I officially cannot eat plain oatmeal another day, I did today and I'm done, no more. I think I'll try to make a berry smoothie like Amy's been doing, I have local raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries frozen from this past summer. For lunch I did another stir fry with the usual suspects, lots of local veggies etc. I was so disappointed today because I got to the farmer's market at 1pm, thinking they were open until 3 or so, but they actually close at 1 so I missed it:(


For dinner I threw some things together in the crock pot and it turned out amazing. I took a recipe I have used before for Tuscan Beef Stew and made it into Kelowna Pork Stew. I used local garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, red wine, pork, onions, and basal. It was delicious:)

My husband made cookies today which was cruel, they smelled so good, but I abstained.  I also really wanted a cocktail after work so I visited the Old Train Station Pub where they have only local beers on tap, a local wine list, and even local vodka! (the vodka tastes like crap on its own but in a mixed drink you cant tell) The train station's bartender was amazing and showed me things on the menu that I could order which are local, the list was extensive, they even have ice cream from Carmelis, the goat farm in Kelowna.

One thing I've really noticed about doing this project is that it has made me aware of other things in my life that I could be reforming. I've been thinking about my decisions more carefully and seeking alternative choices. For example, I've been planning on surprising Jake with a trip to Vegas for his birthday this year, we all know that Vegas isn't best known for its environmental friendliness. I found however that many hotels even some of the larger ones have won awards for green practices and positive environmental choices. The Bellagio was one of them and they even have a special conservatory garden. I don't know if they grow food there I'll have to look into it more carefully. I was also extra sensitive to the amount of driving I've been doing lately and wondered if I should try doing a year without a car. So, my point is, is that doing something like the 100 mile diet has made me aware of other things in my life that I could change to promote a greener lifestyle.

Today in "April" of "The 100 Mile Diet" book, I really got into. This book is such a great read because its kind of like a diary of their lives not just an account of their food consumption. Alisa is quite humorous as well, she includes stories from her life that have shaped the way she eats, cooks, shops for food, etc. I started thinking about the way I've been raised on food...every meal had a vegetable or salad, a protein and a starch with a glass of milk. Some variation of this was what we ate almost every night. My mom used to can everything, jam every berry, dehydrate multiple fruits and occasionally make homemade bread. When I look at how they eat now, I don't think my mom even still has her canning pot. She hasn't made jam since the 90's and Sun Rype sells fruit snacks so why bother? For my mom it has become a convenience factor and as she has concentrated on her career she has stopped loving to preserve and plan with food. I'm in that stage of my life where I'd really like to learn to can and jam etc, I wonder if I'll lose that like she did? Can I keep local food a greater importance to me than convenience? The other change that led to the death of the canning, jamming, supermom is the move we did to a brand new house. We went from a house with hazel nut trees, a huge walnut tree, a massive cherry tree, an apple tree with over 10 varieties grafted onto it, a pear tree, an Asian pear tree, a nectarine tree, an apricot and a peach tree, a really big plum tree and a large space for a garden where my mom grew corn, sunflowers, beans, peas, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkins, yellow watermelon and even popcorn! The new house has a lawn the size of a garage and you're only allowed to have a certain kind of tree in the yard. This is sad. One year after we moved, the new owners cut down almost all of our beautiful fruit trees, my mom cried. They had fed us for so many years, been part of our lunches, our gifts, our time together pruning and raking and making bonfires out of the prunings and it was hard to look inside the big backyard and see a flat space with a lot of grass but no character.


Alisa includes recipes throughout "The 100 Mile Diet" as well and emphasizes the difficulty it was adjusting to repetitive food and missing things she'd eaten almost everyday like bread. I could use some bread about now:)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Juliana Day 2

This is the second batch, and we ran out of the local cream



Jake is showing off some tasty local wine from West Kelowna
Today was my tricky day...Jake's Birthday! I stayed true to my 100 mile breakfast (oatmeal again) which was inconvenient today because I was running late and oatmeal is harder than cereal to eat quickly. I also didn't have time to prepare lunch which resulted in not eating until class on Tuesday (thank you Meghan for the local snack!!) For Jake's birthday dinner I brought over local peppers, onions, mushrooms, eggs, cream, and cheese for the quiche we had but a few other ingredients such as the flour, shortening, margarine, the pecan pie we had for dessert, etc were not local. If I was following Alisa and J.B's rules from "The 100 Mile Diet" book,  then I wouldn't have "failed" today because they even made the exception of eating what was prepared for them when invited over to someone's house.
Pecan pie the ultimate cheat

Ready for the oven!
Thinking about that makes me feel less guilty:) Tomorrow its back to business 100% though and it should be easy since I don't have school. I'm going to head to the farmer's market if I have time and pick up some more items and see if I can throw some more variety into the diet. Tomorrow's mission is to find eggs!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Juliana's Day 1

Day one isn't over until I'm asleep because right now I want to snack so badly!!! If only I had local crackers or rice cakes or something to put Carmelis goat cheese on I'd be set!
So day one went really well! Breakfast was tough because I have to have the same breakfast everyday to regulate my blood pressure which drops really low and makes me feel fainty. I usually have cereal but I found some oatmeal at Quality Greens from Enderby! So I had that with some Dutchman Dairy milk from Sicamous. Lunch consisted of a delicious vegetable stir fry and some  Little Straw Cuvee Noir from here in Kelowna. The stir fry had locally grown bok choy, broccoli, tomatoes, bean sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, onions and garlic! For dinner I had a pork steak from Vernon with baked goat cheese from Carmelis on top and some more steamed, local broccoli. I really missed having a homemade latte today but I have so much energy I feel like I don't even need it.
Yesterday, I did all my prep by checking out a few grocery stores that carry local foods such as Quality Greens and Choices Market. The girl from the deli at Quality Greens helped me find sausages from Vernon, they had a ton of variety. Their produce was extremely varied for locally grown produce and not any more expensive than buying imported produce. I definitely thought it would be a lot more expensive to stock up on local foods. At Choices, Manager Patrick gave me a tour of the meat, dairy and produce section pointing out all local foods, where they were from and what I could eat. He was extremely helpful with finding meats and milk. Carol in produce introduced me to the farms they have partnered with and it was really cool because they know their suppliers really well. The relationship really enforces the community building aspect of this diet and reminds me of the "100 Mile Diet" book by Alisa Smith and J.B MacKinnon that I am reading to supplement this diet with. The couple really get to know the people behind their food which creates some really need bonds and friendships. Tomorrow is going to be difficult because its my husband's birthday and I'm hoping I can be strong!! Wednesday I'll be hitting up the farmer's market and Urban Harvest to meet some of the local producers of the Okanagan's food so I'm really excited for that. Today was an easy day because I was home all day working on projects so I had time to cook meals and plan my eating schedule, tomorrow however I'll be in school for six hours and then going straight to my husband's birthday party so I'm going to have to be super organized to make it through the day on local food.

In addition to this blog I am reading through the "100 Mile Diet" as mentioned above. This Vancouver couple began the 100 mile diet because of statistics that were beginning to bother them. Such as the fact that our food travels an average of 1500-3000 miles from farm to plate! Their concern began largely for the environment and the effects of pollution from transportation including transporting food. The couple believed that it would be easy at first and so far they are just learning the challenges that are posed by only eating from within 100 miles. They do allow themselves a few rules, if they are invited to someone's house they eat what is made for them, if they travel they are off the hook and if they travel they can bring back food from a 100 mile radius of that spot. Realizing that they could no longer have the popular brand and snack foods, condiments or sauces they loved and when their first dinner cost over 100 dollars they seriously doubted if it was possible. I can't wait to read more:)