Take the Eat Local Challenge!

Want to improve your health as well as the health of your community? Then take the eat local challenge!
Just visit http://www.eatlocal.net/ to download your scorecard!
It's super easy; for just a week spend 10% of your grocery budget on locally grown food, try one new fruit or vegetable per day, and preserve in-season foods to enjoy later in the year.
The site even has a list of when certain fruits and veggies are in season and helpful hints for preserving food.

Make the commitment today, and do what's best for your body and the environment!

Spice Up Your Family Dinners

Are you tired of the same ole' cooking that Mama makes? How about make a meal for her, But, not just any meal, make it organic. There are hundreds of simple ways to eat healthier and reduce the amount of Genetically Modified Foods in your diet. To view a list of hundreds of these easy to prepare organic foods from Organic Authority click here.

Local food options are just around the corner!

Hello organic lovers! Here is an oppertunity you do not want to miss out on. Decatur farmer's market offers locally grown produce, dairy products, flowers, and many more fresh and sustainable food items. It is an open air market that is open year round. So take advantage of the gorgeous weather we are having an check it out! They are open on most Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 10-1pm. Don't ignore this conveniently close oppertnity to help our planet :)

Click here for more information!

Interview with Daniel Morrison

Our group was lucky enough to speak with the owner of Sprig, Daniel Morrison, about organic food and buying locally. Morrison decided to open a restaurant supporting locally grown food because "It just helps everyone out and reduces the Carbon footprint." For Morrison, buying local just makes sense because "Why would you buy food from a farm 2000 miles away when you can get it at a farm in South Georgia 100 miles away?" In addition to being locally grown, all of the food at Sprig is also organic, protecting hungry patrons from genetically modified ingredients. On the subject of GM food, Morrison referred to Monsanto as "The evil giant" and lamented that "If you get anything soy, you're pretty much screwed" due to Monsanto's tight control over the industry. Organic food guarantees that consumers are eating "The best thing[s] for them." Morrison condemns the large corporations that inject chemicals and antibiotics into their meats and crops, divulging that "They say they aren't pumping hormones, but everyone knows they are." Thanks to organic restauranteurs like Morrison, we can all enjoy a delicious meal without worrying about the safety of our food.

More Sprig

Hey everyone who has the time to read this blog...
Well the other night I went to Sprig with my group for this English assignment. I've been there before and it has always been excellent (I had a pork chop with garlic mashed potatoes and winter greens=great.) The thing that made it even better was that it is all ORGANIC and all LOCAL. For the less educated and/or stubborn members of society (cough cough Ashley) this means that it is a whole ton better for you, the environment, and the local economy. When we eat local we reduce our carbon footprint on the world and we can get more "green" by eating the neighborhood greens. If you don't believe me then get this example about how local products are better for you. Honey is possibly one of the best foods out there for you; it's nearly medicinal and it tastes great. What makes this even better is that when you eat local honey you get more of it's beneficial properties because the local plants that it uses to make the honey are partially transfered into you honey. So eat local and all that please, Im not writing any more because it's Friday and I've already spent too much time on this post. Don't forget to write your essays, because I plan on procrastinating and it's not a very good plan in the long run...

Help Our Economy and Your Diet

Shopping at organic food markets boosts the local economy of a community and improves the health of its citizens. The community saves money on gas at the same time that the food does not begin to rot due to long trips in trucks or on trains. To view a list of farmer's markets in Atlanta click here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliemaynor/2539937014/

Sprig is Impressively Fresh and Delicious

Sprig is an organic restaurant in Oak Grove that serves delicious organic, locally grown food. When I first walked into Sprig, I immediately noticed the chalkboard on the wall that lists the local farms from which Sprig purchases its food; I knew I could trust this restaurant to support local farming and maintain the integrity of food. Kate, Emma, Harrison, and I shared pan seared chicken, shrimp and beef fettucinne, porkchops, and a hamburger. We all commented on the incredible flavor of the food, amazed by the fresh taste of the vegetables, shrimp, and meat. We were very comforted to know that the food we were eating was organic, safe, and fresh and that the animals had been humanely raised, cage free. The prices were slightly high, but the great food is definitely worth the cost. I will definitely return to Sprig to enjoy some more awesome organic food!

Sprig is Heavenly!

I HAVE TASTED HEAVEN. What does heaven taste like? It tastes like Mozzarella Grit Cakes, Surf and Turf Fettucinne, and Gooey Chocolate Butter Cake.
These were my favorite dishes I sampled at Sprig restaurant on Lavista Road. Don't get me wrong, everything was delicious, but I those three were truly delectable.
Sprig restaurant is one of a kind, offering delicious organic food grown right here in Georgia. You have not tasted the best until you have tasted Sprig.

Kudos to Sprig!

I would highly recommend Sprig as restaurant that is convenient to the Oak Grove area, delicious, and most importantly organic!  As I speared my fork into the tender pan seared chicken I couldn't help but feel proud knowing that the chicken had lived a happy life.  That's right, all of the food served at Sprig comes from local farms with high standards.  Although a tad pricy, all the food was tender and flavorful.  I noticed a surprising difference in the tomato sauce served with the fried mozarella grits compared to typical tomato sauces. It tasted fresh, as if the tomato had been very recently picked off the vine.  The freshness carried over to all the food we enjoyed at Sprig.  I can't wait to go back and try something else! Kudos to Sprig for delicious, safe, farm-friendly food!

Trip to Sprig

                                            So yummy!

Absolutely loved this. The chandelier is made out of milk bottles!

                                        Awwww I feel like we really bonded over that dinner:)

Warm Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad!

Do you ever get tired of your typical leafy-green salad? You know, the kind that's only edible tasty if you drench the zero calorie vegetables with pounds and pounds of corn-made vinaigrette Ranch dressing?
Well, NeighborhoodNibble has a solution to spice up your salad needs.
Rather than using that Publix Baby Spring Mix salad kit, substitute it for quinoa. Quinoa is a grain that is packed with all nine of the essential amino acids. This protein enriched salad that will keep you energized and alert for the rest of the day.

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 38 minutes

What you'll need:
1 cup quinoa, well washed and drained
1 3/4 cups of water
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, cut into half-moons
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 carrot, sliced into tiny pieces
2 1/2 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 ounces of crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Combine quinoa, water, salt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil; then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. While quinoa cooks, toss onion, celery, carrot, and broccoli with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt to taste. Spread in a single layer in baking dishes or on baking sheets. Roast in oven 20-25 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, a single pinch of sea salt. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons of oil oil
5. Place quinoa and vegetables in a large bowl. Stir dressing and pour over mixture; toss to coat. Season according to your liking. If needed/wanted, sprinkle the crumbled feta.

Bon Appetite!

http://newhope360.com/recipes/warm-quinoa-and-roasted-vegetable-salad

Flash Mob - Marin Farmers Market

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swisschef/5077220310/sizes/m/in/photostream/ by LCB Glenn
BUY LOCAL/ ORGANIC FRUIT!!