LOCAL HARVESTS - Local Pick-Your-Own Fruit Orchard in the Antelope Valley of Southern CA

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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I am a strong supporter of getting at least produce that is relatively locally grown.

Of course, I live in California, a major agricultural state. When I shop locally, I make a point of watching where the produce comes from and I usually make a point of buying locally, which for me means California or maybe Mexico.



I make another point of not buying anything from a different continent - including Central America and South America and Europe, etc. I really think it is funny when the local stores here in the Antelope Valley of Southern California have fruit and vegetables from Chile -- just saw some green grapes last Friday, but they were from Chile, so I put them back.



One of the reasons I think it is so funny is that the Antelope Valley of Southern CA is agricultural and there are various orchards and even a few vineyards and other agricultural business right in our own valley.



I personally know of a small Pick-Your-Own fruit orchard a few miles from where I live in the east Antelope Valley.



I've been getting fruit from there during the season when they have fruit for years now -- and my personal experience is that you can't compare the fruit you can pick fresh off the trees there to anything you can buy at any grocery store - or even any of the farmer's markets or fruit stands that I have been to.



Of course, I prefer to pick my own, though I sometimes get the pre-picked fruit they have available also (for those who can't or don't want to pick their own). When you pick your own, you get it ripened on the tree to the level of ripeness that you like.

About the first 4 weeks of the picking season each year, they have 2 varieties of apricots. Now apricots are one of my favorite fruits of all time -- and I could never find ones in the stores or markets that taste as good as theirs -- but I am picking right off the tree!! I pick as much as I can during the weeks they have them -- then some I halve and pit and put in the freezer before they go bad -- after all I can only eat so much!! I remember that last year I still had some in the freezer in September.



They have different varieties of Peaches starting about early July through about mid-October.



They also have Plums and Pears and lots of varieties of Apples!!



This March, I still had a few of their apples in my refrigerator from last fall (they had lasted a long time) -- I was not supposed to be eating fresh, raw fruit at the time -- so I cut them up to make apple sauce in my crockpot and it was so yummy!!

IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE ANTELOPE VALLEY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- OR WILL BE PASSING THROUGH, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOP BY AND PICK A PAIL OF FRUIT (OR MORE!).


There are various Pick-your-own Orchards in the Antelope Valley.


I have found out that this year they expect to open sometime mid to late June with Apricots - and they expect a plentiful crop. That is an estimate - they open when they have fruit that can be picked. You can call - at this time of year they either have a message on their answering machine or whoever answers the phone will know what is happening.

IF YOU LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, CHECK http://www.localharvest.org TO SEE WHAT LOCAL FOODS YOU CAN FIND WHERE YOU LIVE. 


 I JUST CHECKED AND FOUND Morgan Botanicals from Tehachapi, CA who I am now following on Twitter.



I'll bet if you check it out and try it, and maybe even do some comparisons, you'll find that local fruits and veggies taste better than others that travel long distance.



It is also better environmentally - as no travel means no carbon emissions from transporting the food (this is called eating low carbon).



My fresh herbs in my own container garden in my yard taste better than any dried herbs could taste and, since I snip off the plant when I want to use them, they are better than any fresh ones you can buy in the stores!!



For the best fruits, vegetables -- and meats, if you can find them -- GO LOCAL!!






Ruth

Quick, Easy, Pretty Healthy Lunch!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


I like to get a bit creative with my cooking and stay healthy -- but when I am busy doing things all day and I don't have something already cooked in the refrigerator, I need to come up with a quick solution -- especially in the middle of the day for lunch.

On recommendation from a doctor years ago in the 1990's, I avoid using that apparently convenient appliance, the Microwave, for cooking foods, because of what those waves do to the foods when they cook it.

So, some time back I discovered this neat electrical appliance by Black and Decker that doubles as a Rice Cooker and steamer, with a good-sized steam basket. It is the Black and Decker Home 16-cup Multi-use Rice Cooker Plus, Model RC436 -- and I love it -- and now I don't know how I would live without it -- LOL!! I use it not only to make rice and steam things, but to make soups and meat and veggie dishes, etc., etc., etc.!!

So, a fairly quick lunch to throw together and just let cook is the following all steamed in the steamer basket of this Rice Cooker Plus!!

-- 2 chicken thighs, with or without the skin (up to you)
-- a bunch of basil leaves spread out over the chicken thighs
-- 2 cloves of garlic, cut in half (this actually should be optional if you don't want the garlic smell from lunch)
-- a half of a medium-sized onion, cut in quarters or other piece of vegetable in similar size
-- some soy sauce
-- some chili powder
-- any other herbs or spices you want to use - fresh or dried
-- a little salt either while cooking or put on after cooking
-- freshly ground black pepper after cooking

I put enough water in the main bowl of the Rice Cooker Plus for steaming for a while, but keep the level below the steam basket bottom. I make sure the Rice Cooker Plus is plugged in and warming up at this point. I arrange the chicken thighs and pieces of vegetables in the steamer basket. If you have the skin still on the chicken thighs, it is supposed to be better to put the halves of garlic cloves under the skin for cooking - some may not want to clook with garlic for lunch, but I like the taste of garlic and I like the cloves when they are steamed, so I use them in cooking this. Then I sprinkle a little soy sauce and the chili powder over the chicken and vegetables and put the Rice Cooker Plus on Cook.

Then you just leave it cook and steam until the chicken is at the right level of tenderness for you. Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. I like my chicken well-cooked to a very tender level.

Go off and do the other things you need to do and leave it -- then come back -- and you have a healthy chicken and veggies lunch!! I'm not sure how long it takes to cook the chicken as I just run in and check it until it is just right.

Also, for those of you who insist on having some carbohydrates with your meals, which I hear some people do, throw in the steamer basket a couple of smaller potatoes, pricked with a fork at the beginning!! Boy the potatoes will come out just yummy!!

And with it all in the steamer basket and not in the water, the meat and veggies keep most of the nutrients in them while cooking.

A quick, easy, pretty healthy lunch for a busy person!!


Ruth

IT'S A NEW YEAR!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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It is a New Year - I was still up last night at midnight when it became 2009 and I thought - so now it is the new year and I am looking forward to some new things!!

One of the subjects frequently mentioned this time of year is New Year Resolutions.

Well, I am all too often making resolutions about different things and I live by some resolutions all the time and it doesn't have to be a New Year to make them!!

Actually, for some reason or reasons, this New Year I am hopeful of some good changes in some areas of life that I care a great deal about.

And one of the things I am grateful for is, of all things, that I found and got on Twitter!!

I am http://twitter.com/rssdesigns on Twitter.

I have found that Twitter is a great place to find out information and to communicate and make fast originations about things I want to make known publicly.

I have found some good connections through Twitter - and have found some people who are doing some really good things!!

The world and the Internet are vast -- I have found that checking the Profiles of people/groups on Twitter, I can find people with common interests and goals and connect up!!

You can do fast, quick posts, Direct Message, Reply, Follow -- and do it whenever you want or can! If you haven't tried it, you might want to!!

I am expecting some changes in our world in this New Year -- some facing up to realities and one of those is that this planet can physically only handle so much and we need to re-organize and restructure life on this planet so we can live here.

I put this on Twitter and I am going to say it again:

We all need to live within our means and do our very best to have an ecological footprint for one person.

Well, I am not sure - but the last time I took a "test" for my ecological footprint, it was pretty close to 1 person.

But I don't drive and primarily use public transportation, I do my best to buy "local" foods (within a 200 mile radius -- like I told someone at a local grocery store where they had cherries from Chile -- I don't buy food from overseas), I grow my own herbs and at times some veggies and, during the months when it is available, I get my fruit from a local orchard where I can pick it if I have time.

Now I am going to be concentrating on make children's clothes and other "wearables" in natural cotton yarns (Peaches and Creme worsted cotton in white and ecru). Watch for these in my shop, http://www.rssdesignswearables.etsy.com/ .

If you want to make some New Year Resolutions, go right ahead!!

But I believe in making them all year round -- as needed!!


Ruth

GREATEST SUMMER DRINK

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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I live in a high desert in southern California - the Antelope Valley. In Spring, Summer and Fall, the temperatures can get quite high - I believe that this year we already had some days in the 100's - it has gotten up into the 90's this week.

So with the heat -- and it being dry as deserts usually are -- your summer drinks are important.

Some recommend filtered waters -- which are a good idea, but I prefer drinks that have some kinds of supplements in them - like teas and juices.

But I have found that the greatest summer drink is green veggie juice -- the best is freshly juiced by yourself in your own juicer. Yes - I said green veggie!!

I particularly stress the green veggies, because they really are refreshing and they have minerals, phytochemicals and chlorophyll in them -- which really help out on those hot days.

I have a juicer - an Omega, which I have had and kept in good condition for a number of years.

So, I can make a fresh batch whenever I feel like it -- and include whichever fresh veggies I have on hand.

For instance, I made some yesterday and included the following veggies:

celery
radishes
cucumber
jalapeno
green bell pepper
red bell pepper
parsley
broccoli stalks (as in not the florets - the stalk part)

Oh, a couple of the veggies are red (radishes and red bell pepper), but they are in the same "family" -- and I have read up about the different veggies and they are good for vegetable juices.

I really like the "bite" that radishes and jalapenos give the juice!!

I still have some in the fridge -- I have been drinking it on and off ever since I made it yesterday afternoon.

I really recommend trying some on a hot day -- you might find it really refreshing. It is a bit bitter, but I like it!!

If you don't have your own juicer -- or you are running around in the heat -- try one of the juicing places and ask for green juice or celery juice or wheat grass juice (Jamba Juice has some).

Or if you have a Trader Joe's in your neighborhood -- or wherever you are -- look in their produce section for their "Essential Greens Veggie Cold Pressed 100% Juice Blend". I have grabbed one when I was shopping there - it s great!!

It is also a good way to drink your salad -- and get the vitamins, minerals, etc. -- for whatever reason you'd rather drink your salad than eat one.

I eat salads, too, as I love them especially with fresh herbs from my container garden -- my green veggie juice is in addition to salads for me!! Had one for lunch today - with fresh tomatoes-on-the-vine, fresh garlic, various fresh greens including parsley -- and fresh rosemary, fresh thyme and fresh basil from my container garden -- with just a little bit of salt and pepper -- and the green veggie juice for my drink - YUM!!!

Ruth

HOME GROWN CHERRY TOMATOES - YUMMY!! - IN MY OWN CONTAINER GARDEN!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread


My garden is quite small, but a couple of years back I found that the best way to get tasty fresh tomatoes was to grow your own!!

I don't eat too many of them -- only in salads some -- because of my diet and how I combine foods.

So, I decided to get some cherry tomato plants - and have my own fresh cherry tomatoes that I can just pick off the plant as they ripen!!

Bo-o-oy, do they taste good that way!!!

I have six cherry tomato plants in containers (yes - you can grow them in containers!) on the east side of my unit, so they get the full morning sun. My plants have blooms and little green tomatoes on them already - so I am just waiting for them to ripen.

If I take good care of them (which I plan to with watering every day), I figure that I should have fresh cherry tomatoes into the early fall before it gets cold. Our warm weather lasts well into September and sometimes into early October, so that will be quite a while!!

And I had some tomato seeds that sprouted -- now I have to see how they develop into adult plants. I am curious -- this is the first time I have ever tried tomato plants from seeds and I will see how they turn out!!

And getting my tomatoes from my own plants is great for doing a Low Carbon Diet!! No packaging, no transportation - all organic (the soil I use is organic!!) -- and on top of all that, they taste much better than anything from any grocery store -- at least they did in previous years!!

My spring-summer-fall container garden is developing and I just love it!!

I'll have some pictures later!!

Ruth

EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY #2 - CHANGE YOUR DIET & HELP REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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Well, this is a new slant on helping to do something about climate change. I had never read much of anything about it until today - and I guess this was a good day to learn something new about how I could help reduce climate change - it is the offical Earth Day, after all!!

Funny thing about it - it coincides with what I do to eat a healthy diet for me (healthy for my body, I mean, not just the planet).

"Low-carb" has an additional meaning these days.

"Low-carb" for years has meant eating a diet with carbohydrate grams of what you eat being below a certain level.

Well, this "low-carb" diet has a new meaning for "carb" - in this meaning "carb" means carbon and a Low Carbon Diet means a diet low or lower in contributing to carbon emissions. When the food production, transportation of the food and disposal of any of the food (and how) is calculated, foods have different carbon levels - there are are low carbon foods, or lower carbon foods and higher carbon foods.

Apparently meat - such as beef - and cheese - and some fish or seafood - are higher carbon foods, while poultry is a lower carbon food than livestock meat - and locally grown vegetables and fruits are really lower carbon foods. Locally grown fruits, vegetable - or locally grown anything - is lower carbon because there will either be no transportation - or very little.

Fruits and vegetable generally are a low carbon food, but those Dutch red peppers from The Netherlands are much higher carbon because of all the transportation from The Netherlands, which causes a lot of carbon emissions. Those Dutch red peppers (the sweet variety that I like so much) and that I have seen in some produce sections look gorgeous and delicious, but both the price and the fact that they came from overseas put me off right away and I wouldn't buy them.

On the other hand, going to the local orchard where you can pick the fruit you want off the tree yourself and put them in your own boxes or bags that you are re-using - and that taste many times better than the same kinds of fruit in the grocery store that came by 18-wheel refrigerator trucks - will really have a lower carbon level, because:

1) locally grown (no carbon emissions from 18-wheel refrigerator trucks!!!!)
2) hand-picked
3) no packaging because you pick it and can put it in your own recyclable, reusable container
4)very little waste because it tastes so delicious and you eat it ALL!!

My home grown fresh herbs are really low carbon - I grow them in my front yard in containers organically and when I want them, I just step outside and cut a few pieces off to put in whatever I am cooking. Locally grown, hand-picked as needed, no packaging and no waste at all!!

Check out this link for a "Low Carbon Diet Pocket Guide" by Bon Appetit Management Company: http://www.circleofresponsibility.com/uploads/documents/low_carbon_diet/8-1740_lcd_pocket_guide-final.pdf.

If you want, use their Low Carbon Diet Calculator at http://www.eatlowcarbon.org/.

Like I said, reading about the Low Carbon Diet - it coincides to some degree with my own personalized diet - lots of fresh vegetables and a moderate amount of fresh fruit - poultry, which is my main animal protein, is definitely preferred over any livestock meat like beef. The only real difference is that a doctor recommended wild alaskan salmon, which I understand is a fairly high carbon emission food because of how it is caught and transported, but I only eat a small amount of that.

So do two things - eat healthier for you and eat more low carbon for the planet.

Every day is really Earth Day!!

To a healthy environment for all of us --

Ruth

SPRING HAS SPRUNG - WARMER DAYS - TIME FOR A REFRESHING SALAD!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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A constant part of all of our lives is what we eat.

For a variety of reasons, I have watched my diet and what I eat most of my life - I have keen memories of this part of my life going back to when I was 8 years old.

For some reason, I eat differently at different times of the year. In the colder months, I eat a lot of warmer foods - especially soups and stews - made with fresh ingredients.

But in the warmer months, it is salads.

Not your normal everyday lettuce and tomato salad - oh that is way too boring for me - and besides it is not the best for me.

What I do in the warmer months is to try an keep a dish of some kind of chopped up salad in the refrigerator.

It varies - sometimes it is hotter, like a salsa, with mainly onions, tomatos, hot peppers (usually either jalapenos or serranos) and fresh garlic. But very often I have a dish of just the greener/non-fruit/non-carb vegetables chopped up - it is great to grab a few spoonfuls in a hurry for a snack or it goes great with just about anything - chicken, fish, a dish of organic brown rice and veggies, a rice cracker - but what ever it is with, it is refreshing.

For me the basic ingredients that are always in it are:

• fresh garlic
• fresh onion (either red or yellow or white or scalllions - what ever I have/prefer)
• fresh hot pepper (either jalapenos or serranos - but if I use serranos, I use less as they are HOT in anything even in small amounts)

But with these three ingredients (which are also very often the basis for a fresh salsa), you need other green veggies to offset their strong flavors (and, oh, keep the toothpaste and toothbrush close by!). Since I am making a green/non-carb veggie salad, the other ingredients, which vary depending on what I have and what I feel like, are:

• cucumber
• celery
• fresh broccoli
• fresh red, green, orange or yellow peppers (not the hot ones - the so-called "sweet" ones)
• tomatillos (rarely, but occasionally)
• cabbage (either red or green)
• radishes

Then come the fresh herbs - again depending on what I am growing (I grow fresh herbs in containers in my yard) - which really add some great flavor to the veggies:

• rosemary
• basil
• tarragon
• chives
• dill
• mint
• oregano

Then mix it all up (sometimes with some black pepper, too) - and put in the refrigerator, covered (I use covered glass dishes that I have collected over the years - I think it tastes better in a glass dish) - for a while -- and then you have a tasty snack/side dish availabe at any time -- until it is all gone.

I usually make a pretty good sized dish, so it lasts me at least a couple of days!!

And, if it is all gone - and I want a veggie to grab, there is always a stalk of celery or a few radishes or some slices of cucumber or pieces of fresh broccoli.

And sometimes, it all tastes the greatest when I mash up a rather ripe avocado and mix in some of the veggies with some red or black pepper and sea salt (small amount).

Maybe you would like to try it!!

I am going out all day tomorrow, so I am chopping up some of my favorite fresh veggies to make one of these chopped salads to take with me - and some stalks of celery, some radishes - and a fresh orange or two - along with some meat I cooked up today. Easy to take along and much better than just anything I could grab while I am going around.

EAT FRESH FOODS!! AND THESE SALADS ARE REALLY REFRESHING!!

KEEPING A BOWL OF CHOPPED UP SALAD IN YOUR FRIDGE, IT WILL BE EASY TO GRAB!!!

IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT, FOR SOME NATURAL SWEETNESS, YOU CAN TAKE A FEW SPOONFULS AND CHOP UP SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FRUITS (MINE TO EAT WITH SALADS ARE WATERMELON OR STRAWBERRIES OR APPLES OR ORANGE OR GRAPEFRUIT - OR A VARIETY OF BERRIES!!).

DIG IN!!

Ruth