Day 10: The Big "O"rganic

Hey farmer farmer
Put away that d.d.t. now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!

- Joni Mitchell, "Big Yellow Taxi"

Today's first foray into organic potatoes brought perfect brown spots and smaller spuds. They weren't pushing a pound per potato, and they actually had a strong earthy smell. All the organic produce at our Kroger was on sale this weekend and the store was packed. It was bumper-cart shopping amidst the organic broccoli and apples which, on sale, were still 10 for $10. There's demand though. People want to eat food with fewer chemicals and more taste and diversity. And these potatoes made great fries.

It's a primal right to eat the fruit of the earth in its real form and not some doctored version that has chemicals running through chlorophyll. We need to reclaim the food we eat in all its forms right down to the simple seeds. Just today, deep inside a mountain on an island in the Arcitc Ocean a band of Norwegians locked away 2 billion seeds in a "Doomsday Vault" to safeguard them in case of a disaster - natural or man made. These are the commodities worth saving when the big stuff hits the fan. Funded by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and Norway, the vault will house everything from wheat and rice to many other crops that farmers no longer sow in their fields. It's as unreal as science fiction, but it's purpose is very real: to secure the "raw materials of agrictulture."

Here, we're trying to secure our own diet and its raw materials. We're eating better - more natural. And eating real and organic isn't just some new food trend. It's really the right way to relate to our food. It is the big "O." As the generic Kroger supermarket brand Private Selection says on their marketing materials, "Organic for everyone!" We're all about it. As one little family, we're getting back on the right track, and it does feel good ... even if the kids ask me if I put ear wax in our dinner.

Menu:

Breakfast: Whole wheat toast, yogurt, raspberries and OJ with fish oil.

Lunch: Bakery baguette, cheddar cheese, strawberries, carrots and milk. Aidan had his PB on whole wheat, potato chips, grapes, craisins and one small dark organic chocolate coin with four ingredients that I threw in for a "treat."

Snack: Aidan's best friend is a six-year old voluntary vegetarian, and his mom made us the most delicious all-organic brownies with carrots and spinach! I will get the recipe and post! Patrick loved them. Aidan was uncertain and gave the rest to Patrick.

Dinner: Ground sirloin burgers on fresh bakery kaiser rolls, oven fries with olive oil and kosher salt, green beans with balsamic vinegar and pepper and milk.

Nugget o' the Day: "These green beans taste like ear wax." - Patrick. I said, "At least it would be natural." He ate one small bite. It takes at least 10 times before a kid may even eat, let alone, enjoy a food I remind myself. We're workin' on it ...