FOOD!  Now I always have been an eater like most, eating three meals a day, buying packages in the grocery store and approaching food in a superficial way.

So, I moved out to the Bay area two years ago and I have started to run into the topic of food frequently.  Whether it was the farmers market in Berkeley, the movie festival on food sustainability in Fairfax, or passing the local community garden-it became clear that people approached food way different out here. 

Berkeley is known for its talented chef base located in the city's Gourmet Ghetto.  Berkeley is the kind of town were showing up to a dinner party with anything but home-made is passe.  Its a bunch of foodies and small-time home farmers.  Because of their closeness to the process people really treat the whole experience differently. 

So I started eating less meat.  For about a month I experienced being vegetarian.  It really added a new layer onto what food meant and how it could be utilized.  Since then I have added back certain types of meat including poultry and fish, but eat them sparingly (3 times a week). 

For me, there was a shift in perspective towards food being fuel and the source of all communities, really taking the time to slow down and make different types of decisions. 

So, here are a few places to take a look.  I think curiosity often brings about unexpected changes...

Sustainable Fairfax 

A Modest Proposal for Eating ~SF Gate

What is Sustainable Agriculture? ~UC Davis

Slow Food ~ Non-Profit Organization

Here are is one of the quick receipt I have been making recently:

Spinach and Parmesan Pesto

Half a bag of spinach

1/2c-3/4c Extra V. Olive Oil

A small tub of fresh grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 walnuts

1 tsp. lemon zest

Use food processor or blender to grate the spinach and walnuts, slowly add olive oil to right consistency and then lastly add cheese and lemon zest.  Blend.

May add pepper to taste. 

I served it with brown rice and lemon/lime turkey burgers.  Really great way to get tons of good iron.

Enjoy.