Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving), I received my first order from Farm Fresh to You. I have been so excited about this program for so many reasons. Primarily, I am happy to be part of a movement that promotes healthy eating by providing me and my family with farm fresh, locally grown, organic produce. Because they are grown organically and are shipped locally (I ordered the Valley Box) I am doing something that is good for the environment, by supporting the CSA I am supporting the efforts of local farmers to produce items that are better for our bodies and our planet and finally (last but not least) I am supporting the temple.
Do you want to know why I am so excited about this program? Why I keep posting it on my Facebook page and tell everyone I know at the Temple to please join in? It is not only because the Temple gets $15 for every order you make; it is because I really want us to achieve good health and feel good about ourselves. I cannot tell you how many times a week I get stopped by a mom as I run up and down the stairs at Aliyah in my workout gear. People tell me that they "do not know how I do it," that they "hate to exercise," that they wish they had the "determination, the desire, the will."
What I can say is there is no huge secret; you just have to do what you can and know that everything counts. Every time I hear that someone has been prescribed meds instead of exercise and diet for a disease that was largely caused by issues with weight management it kills me. I do what I do because I want my children to see me work hard at being healthy. I know that there are illnesses that we will not be able to avoid but I need to know that I have done everything in my power to avoid them. I would hate to think that my children will be saddled with my care because of my own negligence.
If you really want to get healthy and do something that is good for you, for your family and for the environment this might just be the perfect way to start - one step that might lead to many more healthy steps. All you have to do is order the box, cook the food and put it on your table. Voila! You are on the path to good health and that is something to be truly thankful for! So please join me in wanting to maintain healthy bodies, a healthy mindset, and doing our part to heal the world.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Are you what you eat? or Do you eat what you are?
I am so excited that there has been such enthusiasm about the prospect of getting fresh, organic, locally grown produce delivered to your homes.
I know that it is convenient and I know that it helps support the synagogue and those things are fantastic. It is also important to me personally on another level.
When thinking about and studying about Judaism and food, I came across the following quote: "Are you what you eat? or Do you eat what you are?" - meaning do we eat poorly when we feel stress, anxiety, when we have too many errands to run, when we are feeling down, overwhelmed, or fed up. In these moments, it is easier to give in to what is easy, what is fast, or what is tempting. The authors ultimate point is that we have to make habits out of eating "food" that is healthy, life giving, and nourishing and it can help us get through those tough moments. What would it be like if we focused on treating eating as a holy act, stopping for just a second to say thanks before we eat or drink and using those moments both as an exercise in gratitude and a chance for a few cleansing breathes that help us to unload some of the pressures of life and therefore feel a little more relaxed, a little more sane, a little more connected?
It is comforting for me to know that we are supporting a local farmer, that we know where our food comes from, and that we are helping to protect the earth. I am glad that we are beginning this journey together.
Have a great week and a fabulous thanksgiving.
Kol tuv ~ only good,
Rabbi Oren
Fresh Noshes N Fresh Thoughts
Temple Aliyah Religious School is conducting a fundraiser with a program called Farm Fresh To You. In a nutshell, you sign up online to have fresh, organic, locally grown produce delivered right to your door. They have many different packages to select from, and an elaborate list of fruits and vegetables that you can peruse and choose what you would like to include and exclude from your shipments each week. Just for signing up for 1 delivery, Temple Aliyah will receive $15. You can arrange for weekly, biweekly, or monthly deliveries to your home or office. There is no obligation, you may cancel whenever you wish.
What if you don't like vegetables? Shame on you! You can order only fruit or only vegetables, or a combination.
You say you have never even heard of something like this? Check out the website, Google CSA, pick up the food section of the paper. This is all the rage in the food world right now. Everyone is trying to "Go Green," and this is a giant step in that direction.
Please visit the website, http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/, to learn more and sign up. The Promo Code is 7794.
We have created this blog for the Aliyah Community to share experiences with this program. Recipes, thoughts and related issues and concerns are all welcome here.
If this is your first time even considering purchasing produce somewhere other than the grocery store, it is an easy way to learn about locally sourced produce, and looking outside the box to make a difference in our world. On the surface, this is a fundraiser for our religious school. But take a step back and look. If almost 1000 families purchase produce through a program such as this, think how much gas is saved in transporting fruits and vegetables across the world to land in your kitchen. Look how simple it is to increase the quality and variety of the foods you are serving to your family. You are helping the farmers in your own state support themselves. And this is a great state to live in if you are looking for a huge variety of produce year round!
I have received my first shipment this week. I ordered the valley box, which contained a variety of green leafy vegetables that I was not familiar with. The grapes included were divine, as were the citrus fruits. Since I enjoy cooking, I went right to my computer to find recipes and consulted friends for ideas for the items that I did not know what to do with. I will fill you in on what I made the next time I post, but suffice it to say, I am looking forward to my next shipment!
What if you don't like vegetables? Shame on you! You can order only fruit or only vegetables, or a combination.
You say you have never even heard of something like this? Check out the website, Google CSA, pick up the food section of the paper. This is all the rage in the food world right now. Everyone is trying to "Go Green," and this is a giant step in that direction.
Please visit the website, http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/, to learn more and sign up. The Promo Code is 7794.
We have created this blog for the Aliyah Community to share experiences with this program. Recipes, thoughts and related issues and concerns are all welcome here.
If this is your first time even considering purchasing produce somewhere other than the grocery store, it is an easy way to learn about locally sourced produce, and looking outside the box to make a difference in our world. On the surface, this is a fundraiser for our religious school. But take a step back and look. If almost 1000 families purchase produce through a program such as this, think how much gas is saved in transporting fruits and vegetables across the world to land in your kitchen. Look how simple it is to increase the quality and variety of the foods you are serving to your family. You are helping the farmers in your own state support themselves. And this is a great state to live in if you are looking for a huge variety of produce year round!
I have received my first shipment this week. I ordered the valley box, which contained a variety of green leafy vegetables that I was not familiar with. The grapes included were divine, as were the citrus fruits. Since I enjoy cooking, I went right to my computer to find recipes and consulted friends for ideas for the items that I did not know what to do with. I will fill you in on what I made the next time I post, but suffice it to say, I am looking forward to my next shipment!
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