FRESH Revisited

In case you missed it when we had our screening back in June, there will be a screening of Fresh: The Movie on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital on Rt. 611 in Warrington.

The program begins at 6:30 with the screening of the movie followed by a panel discussion.  But come early to taste some samples that I'll be making using local ingredients (Southwestern Butternut Squash Soup and Honeyed Apple Slaw).  You'll also be able to talk to and get information from the other panelists from Tussock Sedge Farm, Just One Seed organic farm, The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance and the nutritionists of Healthy Directions (from the Health & Wellness Center).  The Coffee Scoop from Pipersville will also be offering tastings.

If you haven't seen the film and are interested in supporting local farms and businesses, don't miss it!  You'll leave energized about changing the food culture in our country.

Registration is required and they're almost filled up, so don't wait.  Call 215-345-2121 and come out for a fun, informative and inspirational evening!

Fresh Thanks

I just want to thank everyone for making "Take Back Your Kitchen: A Screening of Fresh: The Movie" such a huge success last night at The County Theater.  We sold out the theater--we were thrilled with that.  And I think (and hope) that everyone there had a good time, was energized by what we saw on the screen and got a little bit more informed from our panel of experts.

A huge thank you to our panel: Lynne, Henry, Tom, Christy & Ryman.  What a great group to hear from about celebrating our local foods!  They did a great job working to promote the event, as well.  Also thanks to the staff at the theater--especially Chris Collier, who really helped to make this thing happen.

It was quite a day for me.  My dad, Jake & I went to the Phillies game.  It was scorching hot, but we survived by drinking lots of water.  The breeze helped, too.  With the Phils leading 12-2, knowing that I had to get to the event, and when we saw the storm coming through Center City, we decided (about 5 minutes too late, it turned out) to leave. 

As we walked to the car, the storm hit.  Maybe you saw it on the news--straight line winds of 75 mph, incredibly heavy rain, hail, the works.  I had poor Jake on my shoulders and just kept yelling to him to keep his eyes shut and that it was going to be all right.  When the hail started, I had to walk backwards so we weren't getting pelted in our faces.  It was raining so hard, you literally couldn't see to walk.

We made it to the car--finally--and Jake was pretty shaken up.  For good reason.  He's OK now.

Then the ride home began.  Took forever to get out of the parking lot, 95 South was closed, so we tried to go on the Schuylkill, but the wind had blown over a tractor-trailer and it was backed up.  Tree branches everywhere.  What a mess.  MB met us in Doylestown with a change of clothes for me--I could not have been any wetter--and I somehow changed in her car (don't ask).  We walked out of the stadium at about 3:30 and I walked into the theater at 6:40.  That's a long drive.

But we made it through and Fresh was a success.  So thanks again and maybe we'll do something like this again someday...

Musings

Hi.  Sorry it's been so long since I've posted.  I'm sure all 4 of you readers really missed it.

Monday was Mary Beth's birthday.  We had ordered some arbors to be made out in Amish country when we were there in May and decided that since we had to pick them up, MB would get her free Shady Maple Smorgasbord birthday meal while we were at it.  We made it with about 6 minutes to spare for breakfast.  We brought a camera to take a picture of our overflowing plates, but to be honest, we forgot.  I believe that there's actually cholesterol floating in the air there and that impaired our thought process. 

The food is pretty good, though.  Just not very good for you.  I had a western omelet; bacon; some sort of quiche thing that looked somewhat healthy (had veggies), but hidden inside was a sausage patty; lotsa bacon; French toast strips; turkey and pork sausages; turkey bacon; creamed dried beef (SOS) over hash browns; and more, I'm sure.  Oh, did I mention bacon?  MB had 2 huge plates of SOS & chocolate chip/blueberry sweet potato pancakes and other sundry breakfast foods.  It's a wonder we didn't just keel over right there. 

We did find a bunch of nice local veggies for us and for the cook day I did yesterday.  One guy even had his own tomatoes!  I've waited so long for real tomatoes. 

I'll be doing some cooking demos at the Ottsville Farmers' Market on Friday from 3-7PM.  Lots of great stuff there--including a great chocolatier, some incredible seafood, veggies from Blooming Glen Farm and others, and much more.  I'll be making some stuff using the things being sold at the market.  The market is located at Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd (Rt. 611) in Ottsville.  Come check it out.  I'll also be appearing at the Indian Valley and Plumsteadville Grange Farmers' Markets throughout the summer (3 dates at each, including Ottsville).  I'll write a post with those dates soon.

Don't forget the screening of Fresh: The Movie at The County Theater in Doylestown, June 24, 7PM.  Check out my previous post for more information about the film, our discussion panelists and how to register for the event.  It'll be an enlightening, fun and energizing evening.  Tell your friends!  We want to fill that theater!

Fresh

A couple weeks ago, I wrote briefly about an event taking place on June 24--a screening of the Fresh: The Movie.  Here's some more information.

The film will be shown at The County Theater in Doylestown at 7:00 PM.  It profiles farmers, thinkers and businesspeople who are trying to change the food culture in our country to forge healthier, sustainable alternatives to agri-business. 

Following the film will be a discussion with experts in local vegetable farming, cattle farming, locavore dining and more!  Included in the panel will be myself, Lynne Goldman of Bucks County Taste, Ryman Maxwell of Down to Earth Cafe, Tom Murtha of Blooming Glen Farm CSA, Henry Rosenberger of Tussock Sedge Farm and (possibly) more.  Share your thoughts on these topical issues and have your questions answered by people who are doing these things right in our area.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance by going to www.countytheater.org/store (click on "event tickets").

Even if you can't attend, you can help us to spread the word by telling people about it.  If you'd like a poster to post or share via email, let me know and I'll send one out to you.  It should be an informative, thought-provoking and fun evening.  Hope to see you there!

Musings

A few things on a beautiful Friday afternoon:

On Thursday, June 24, I'll be part of a group sponsoring a screening of Fresh: The Movie at the County Theater in Doylestown.  It's a film about people who are trying to change the way this country eats--through natural and healthy farming.  It will make you realize how good food really can be if we just do things the right way.  After the film, there will be a discussion with a panel of experts--local farmers, restaurant owners and more.  Should be a fun and informative evening.  Mark your calendars and keep your eye out for more information.

I'll be taking part in the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce's Business EXPO next Tuesday, May 18.  The event takes place from noon to 6:00PM at Quakertown Community High School, 600 Park Ave, Quakertown, PA, 18951.  Stop in to check out what local businesses have to offer.  And be sure to stop at my table for some free samples--Cranberry Orzo Salad and Bacon/Corn Johnnycakes--and to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter and for a chance to win a $25.00 Dinner's Done gift certificate.

Did you know that TastyKake now has Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes with DARK chocolate?  Mmmm...

Go Flyers!