newspaper pots

these were actually fun to make. i watched this video to learn how to do it and it was pretty easy once i got the hang of it.

T - tango leaf lettuce
LG - little gem romaine lettuce
RV - recreational vehicle, but in this case red velvet leaf lettuce =)

just checking in...

i returned last night from an amazing animal-friendly weekend in the Catskills. i attended a peace retreat focused on "food and spirituality" (through vegetarian eating) at Peace Village in Haines Falls, NY, then stopped at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary to visit the animals. i can't wait to tell you alllll about it but it's going to be a longgg post because i don't want to leave out any details! i promise i will work on it ASAP!

today i made newspaper pots for my lettuce seeds and created some yummy meals with my new spiralizer. posts of those will be up soon as well!

hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying their summer!

=)

garden update

i'm happy to say things are growing nicely. i picked my first eggplant a few days ago - was she a beaut! (thank you missy - i never would have tried to grow eggplant if you had not given me the plant!!!) unfortunately john and i are inexperienced charcoal grillers and the grilled eggplant tasted like it was marinated in lighter fluid, so we had to throw it out. =( next time we will cook it inside.
we've been enjoying bruschetta almost daily from our tomatoes.


i have two more eggplants growing...


and a tenant who lives amongst the eggplant leaves. he's there everyday, and i'm proud to say i'm no longer afraid of him. =)
(but after looking at that picture close-up i'm feeling a bit squeemish again! yee!!!)


the two cucumber plants are taking over the garden! i've been finding a lot of female blossoms...


and there's been a lot of pollination going on.
(look how fuzzy that bee is - i almost wish i could pet it!)


i have a feeling all of the cucumbers are going to come at once...


i'm getting ready for my first fall harvest. in the squares that appear to be empty i planted more carrots, radish, and lettuce. i really wanted to plant beets and spinach but could not find seeds i liked in the area, so those will have to wait for the spring. i bought three organic lettuce varieties on sale for 93 cents a pack - i am going to try starting them in homemade newspaper pots before transplanting them into the garden. stay tuned for those!

cooking with 'chini

i shredded three very large zucchini (as well as my knuckle) today to make a delicious dinner and dessert.

zucchini zips
to make, follow recipe for zucchini crab cakes. roll batter into small balls and flatten. coat with bread crumbs (i like panko but any will do) and fry or bake on oiled baking sheet at 400°, 15-20 minutes on each side (or until golden brown).

zucchini brownies
these were scrumptious - so rich and chewy. you can find the recipe here.
(i used coconut oil and topped with coconut flakes)