The organic experiment begins at Almost Fit

[Metroknow]

Today's post on Almost Fit is an introduction to my family's new experiment: We've started our own organic garden. It's been a project that we've wanted to try for some time now, so this year we finally made it happen.

My reasons for this are important: a) we'll eat better, and within a budget, b) we're imparting an important lesson to our children on where their food comes from, and c) I want to demonstrate that eating food without chemicals is possible and affordable - you just have to get creative.

It hasn't been easy by any means, but we are starting to see results. Last weekend when we went to the farmer's market, we found that it was unnecessary to buy greens - we've already got a burgeoning crop of spinach that we can barely keep up with. Likewise at my semi-regular trips to the grocery store. And I must say, our spinach is "greener" than any we get at the supermarket. Where this is most evident is around my son's chin when he finishes his little salad. (We've been fortunate with him in that he actually asks for salad - he must have gotten his Mother's genes there ;)).

As some IA folks know, I've also been baking organic bread - with great results (see my article here: Can you bake artisan bread like this? In 5 minutes?). Between these two things, we are already seeing a pretty good savings on eating organic foods. The bread is made with organic flour, which surprisingly is nearly the same price as non-organic. I am baking a loaf about every other day or so. The great part is I make smaller loaves, and when it's gone, it's gone. That has really helped to keep the portions in check, as it would be really easy to overeat if we weren't paying attention. But by baking daily, we really only have so much that we can eat in a day, and a small loaf is just right for all 4 of us to share.

I am, so far, loving this experiment for a variety of reasons. For me, one of the most personally interesting factors? Even with working the 7-day a week schedule I've been working over the past months, maintaining my writing (more or less at times), AND raising a 1+ girl and 3+ boy, we are still able to make the time to eat better. Of course, credit is given to my incredibly capable, patient, and hardworking wife, as she has picked up much of the slack while my head was buried in pixels.

It will be interesting over the coming months to see how our eating habits are interwoven with the crops we've planted in our little garden. We've had a kitchen garden for years now, but never a vegetable garden on this scale.

If you don't have the time or energy this year, swing on over to Almost Fit and do a little vicarious living. I've been doing that with exercise (ha!), and I think it's going to pay off. Or so I keep telling myself.

[Lisa Newton]

I love the idea of a garden. Years ago, I had one, too. I love the idea of getting your hands dirty, and there isn't anything like the taste of vegetables grown with your own two hands. It's work, especially when the sun starts to get hot in the summer, but well worth it.

What other things are growing besides spinach?

[Christine Braun]

We always had a large garden when the kids were growing up...saved us a bundle. My back doesn't like gardening so much now. We are in the process of making a raised garden that I can sit in a chair and weed. We have our own raspberry bushes. I make my own jam. Grocery store jam can not come close!

[Metroknow]

@Lisa: Our Master Gardener (meaning, ahem, my wife) is out and about this morning, but here is what I recall, in addition to spinach: Mesclun (4 rows), romaine, tomatoes (4 heirloom varieties), peas, corn (for the kids garden), beets, garlic, onions, potatoes, carrots, squash (several types), radishes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (for a couple of years down the road), and.....I know there are a few more. We also grow a bunch of herbs in our kitchen garden, like basil, coriander/cilantro, "parsley-sage-rosemary-and-thyme" (sing amongst ya-selves), and others.

We may have a tad bit of weeding to do in the coming months. Just a hunch. ;)

@Christine: The berries are one thing that we love about living in the Pacific Northwest. When we moved back from Southern California, we gave up year-round citrus, avocados, and lots of other good things, but we gained incredible local berry varieties. We went picking last summer as a family, and will definitely be doing so this year as well. Not to mention our own!

[Christine Braun]

It's a good thing that you don't live close...I would be over raiding! Reminds me of the time my hubby raided the neighbors garden. Helped himself to some broccoli. Brought it home, cooked it up and ate it with gusto. He fessed up to her a couple of days later. She just about died laughing. Seems the broccoli was infested with tiny green worms that camouflage themselves perfectly in the florets. She showed him. He turned green. Ummm...protein. LOL! I see you don't have any of that on your list.

[Metroknow]

LOL you have the best stories, Christine. That poor husband. First bread, and now this! :)

And actually, we may well have some broccoli. . .

Funny related story, along the "green" lines: In SoCal, we used to grow bell peppers. They grow very easily there with the heat. We went away for the weekend just as they were ready to be picked, knowing that when we returned they would be prime eating.

On our return, our housesitter/friend J. said that Sparticus, our dog (pictured on one of my blog entries here) had gotten into the garden and eaten a few things, leaving him quite ill. We couldn't imagine what it would be, as it was a kitchen garden + that we made safe for our toddler.

Turns out, he had eaten ALL of the bell peppers - the crazy dog loves 'em.

ALL equals 26 bell peppers. In an afternoon.

He was not so happy.

[David]

How do you find the time Metroknow to do all that you do? Be that as it may, what strikes my interest is--as here I am totally ignorant on the matter--has there or is there, any scientific/medical studies of the effects of organic v non-organic foods?

[Metroknow]

I will see if I can dig some up, and then post. it is a fiercely debated subject; however there is a key distinction drawn between organic foods and organic produce; produce in the studies I've read typically shows higher nutritional content, but it is very circumstantial (example: an "organic" fruit from China is far less likely to be nutritious after its journey here, in the states than even a conventionally grown one that is local). I'll do some digging.

[Christine Braun]

26 bell peppers? That must be a record! The poor dog!

[Christine Braun]

Metroknow...tag you are it!