Flagler Organics–February 1, 2011

Again I’ve been bad about my posts.  I actually have a few in mind other than the meal plan and Flagler Organics that I’ve been meaning to write.  But I’ve been so busy with life in general and tired when I get done with it that the last thing I want to do is get on the computer.  So I’m playing catch up with posts again this week!

Asparagus, Spinach, Green Leaf Lettuce (we used most of it for a salad with dinner last night. There is enough left for me to have a salad for lunch today)

Delicata Squash, D’Anjou Pear, Kiwi (these were for the missing ones last week), Celery, Cauliflower

Carrots, Pearl Onions (Red/White/Gold), Hass Avocado, Murcott Tangerine (this lasted 5 minutes–delicious!), Winesap Apples, Bananas

Flagler Organics–January 25, 2011

Lots of good stuff this week, too. I’ve decided to continue getting the single basket at least through February and then re-evaluate my decision for March.

We already used the tomato we got yesterday with last week’s cucumber to make a cucumber/tomato salad.  I plan on making the stir-fry tonight and include a bunch of ingredients from last week’s and this week’s baskets.

I wanted to give my beets to someone that would be more likely to use them, but I was convinced to try roasting them in a little oil and seasonings first before I start giving them away.  I caved and kept them.  I hope someone in the family likes them!

There was supposed to be a kiwi in our basket this week, too, but I guess they weren’t able to get them since I didn’t have one.

Broccoli Crowns, Romaine Lettuce, Curly Parsley

Red Beets w/Tops, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Orange Pepper, Roma Tomato, English Peas

Fairtrade Blueberries, Cara Navel Oranges, Braeburn Apples, Bananas

Flagler Organics–January 18, 2011

Wow!  I’ve been quite busy again and almost forgot to get this post out!  Hopefully, I’ll do a better job of it next week!

While I have been extremely happy with the organic fruit and vegetables from Flagler Organics, I have been debating whether or not to continue with the buying club for several reasons.

First, I feel that we have some weeks where I cannot seem to either find a use for an item or items, I’m just not ready for certain items, or I have too much of one item.  I’ve had some issues with food waste due to this and I hate to waste food.  Sometimes I have enough left over from the week before, then get more of the same item the next week, especially if it is an item I rarely use such as kale.  Just as an example, there may be times when all I need is a head of lettuce and some broccoli.

Second, it can get kind of expensive at $88 a month ($110 on months with 5 weeks).  The baskets I really want would cost me $100-$134 more a month than the single basket does now.  I would like the fruit only basket every week along with a salad add on basket every other week.  However, there is no way I could afford that much more expense right now with hubby out of work since Christmas.  Maybe when things get back on track.

Then I have weeks where everything is so good that I forget the reasons why I’m thinking about not continuing.  So nothing is set in stone yet…still haven’t made a decision one way or the other.

Kale, Green Leaf Lettuce

Broccoli, Green Beans, Cucumber, Bananas

Bunny Carrots, Garlic, Yellow Onions, Pineapple

Bosc Pears, Winesap Apples, Navel Oranges (though one ended up being all moldy within two days for some reason so I had to throw it out)

Flagler Organics–January 11, 2011

Due to the extremely cold weather in the southeast, there were some changes to our organic fruit and vegetable baskets this week.  We didn’t get the eggplant that was mentioned on the list yesterday, which is perfectly fine by me!  I liked the eggplant the last time we had it, but it’s not my favorite and I have no idea what to do with it.  So my menu plan for Saturday is going to be changed to pasta with broccoli and Alfredo sauce.  It has become one of my favorite combinations and I look forward to it on Saturday!

Here are the pics from this week’s Flagler Organics basket:

Green Kale, Green Butter Lettuce

Zucchini, Green Pepper, Broccoli Crowns

Sweet Potato, Raisins, Roma Tomatoes, White Grapefruit, Delicata Squash, Tommy Atkins Mango, Red Delicious Apples, Sunburst Tangerine

Flagler Organics–January 4, 2011

It’s taken me a while to post this for some reason.  I think because the boys just went back to school and we are all trying to get used to less sleep again.  I’ve been overly tired this week and a little slow on getting things done.

Rainbow Carrots w/Tops, Collards, Romaine Lettuce

Cauliflower, D’Anjou Pears, Hass Avocado, Braeburn Apples, Navel Oranges, Garlic, Red Potatoes, Portabello Mushroom, White Corn, Bananas

Flagler Organics–December 28, 2010

Today I went down to Flagler Organics to pick up my veggie and fruit basket, where I was able to meet Mirit and Andrea (another Andrea…how nice!).  It was great to be able to talk to both of them since I rarely see anyone from Flagler Organics at the location I usually pick it up from.

So today I’m going to not only show you pictures from what I received in this week’s basket, but an updated veggie and fruit board, and pics of the many lemons and oranges my mom brought over from my parent’s orange tree and my grandparent’s lemon tree.

Red Leaf Lettuce, Green Chard, Baby Bok Choy (Can’t you just picture this wonderful green chard and baby bok choy in the stir fry I have scheduled to make with shrimp tomorrow? Yum!)

Red Beet w/Tops, Celery, Blueberries, Cucumber, Corn On Cob (I’m thinking about throwing the beet into the parsnip soup I want to make, but I’m not sure if that would change the taste and color too much.  I may need to find something else to use it for)

Grapefruit, Oranges, Apples, Pears, Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Onions

As usual…lots and lots of great food!  But wait there’s more!  Ha ha…I sound like an infomercial!  My mother dropped off a bunch of lemons and oranges from my parent’s orange tree and my grandparent’s lemon tree before Christmas, then brought more oranges at Christmas!

14 Lemons!

36 Oranges!

Don’t know what I’m going to do with all of these, but I’m sure I’ll think of something!  We’ll probably juice them all, then use the juice in smoothies, drink fresh squeezed, or use in some recipes.

Finally, here’s a look at my veggie and fruit board:

Can you believe I still have that carnival squash?  It still looks wonderful!  I wish I knew what to do with it though…I’m afraid it’s been more of a decoration than anything else.

Also, I keep on meaning to mince up a bunch of the garlic in the food processor, then put it in a container in the fridge with some olive oil to use during cooking.  We have so much of it even with how much garlic we use in everything!

Ideas and recipes are always welcome!

Weekly Meal Plan, Flagler Organics, and Christmas

I’m combining this week’s meal plan and the Flagler Organics fruit and vegetable basket posts into one due to the holiday week.  There is very little to talk about in regards to these so this made a lot of sense…at least for this week.

I’ll be going back to separate posts next week when everything returns back to normal, though I’m not really sure things are ever normal around here!

We are down to the last days before Christmas and therefore still trying to use up everything we can before having to stuff our fridge with holiday food.  We are getting there, but we still have some space to create.  So we are in an “everyone for themselves” mode when it comes to food.  I’ll make a few things from the freezer, but I want things gone from the fridge so someone better grab them before I throw it all out!  I start buying some of the holiday food tomorrow because of sale items at Publix, then the rest gets purchased on Friday!

I am so getting a fridge with a double door and freezer on the bottom the next time I need a new one! Every Christmas is a pain trying to fit all the platters of food, jugs of iced tea, soda, plus the items that are still good and can’t be thrown out that we keep in there!  I must laugh about it though or I don’t think I’d get through it…lol.

On Friday I will begin to make up trays of food to put out, dips will be made, and cookies baked.  Christmas meals are very simple in our house, though still take some planning.  We buy two Meal Wheels from Publix and add tons of snacks and sides.  This year my husband will also be making baked pasta.  We’ll have one for Christmas lunch with the family and the other will be left over for the weekend for us.

Knowing I pre-paid for the month and we would be cooking very little, I decided to have my Flagler Organics basket donated this week to someone that could use it better than I could.   It would go to waste otherwise.  I hope whatever family or organization gets it will enjoy the wonderful organic fruit and vegetables, and it helps round out this week’s meals making them more enjoyable and healthy.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Flagler Organics–December 14, 2010

Lots of good stuff this week as usual!

Broccoli, Spinach, Green Butter Lettuce (not my favorite type of lettuce, but my boys seem to like it)

Bananas, Green Onions, Ruby Navel Oranges, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Roma Tomatoes

Anjou Pear, JonaGold Apples, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Parsnips, Garnet Sweet Potatoes

The next two weeks I’ll be picking my baskets up at the Flagler Organics on site location.  I usually pick them up from the elementary school, but it will be closed for winter break until January.  This month I also decided to pay for the entire month all at once and so far that is working wonderfully for me!  Though I’ll need to find out the procedure for picking up my basket on site.  I’ve picked up before, but this will be the first time I’ve picked it up when I’ve pre-paid for it.  The only other time I picked up on site, I had to pay my weekly payment first, and even then I was a bit unsure of what I was doing.  But I am sure I will get the hang of it over time!

Flagler Organics–December 7, 2010

Green butter lettuce, green kale, rainbow carrots w/tops (Ignore the date and time on the pictures…it got all messed up for some reason.)

Bananas, satsuma mandarins, green pepper, baby bok choy, celery

Hass avocado, garlic, gala apples, red bartlett pears, green beans

I loved the green beans the last time so I’m looking forward to these.  I made them as a side by boiling until cooked, then tossing the green beans with some olive oil and basil.

I still have all the apples from the last three baskets–I am so amazed by how well they keep!–so I’m planning on making an apple crisp with them.  This is the recipe I’m going to try: Apple Crisp.  It’s meant to be for diabetics, which I am not, but I don’t think that really matters.  It sounds so good and easy to make, which I’m all about!

Flagler Organics–November 30, 2010

Since I’m a little behind this week, I’m going to just jump right into the wonderful organic fruits and vegetables I’ve received this week.  Sometimes pictures are all you need!

Green leaf lettuce, collards, broccoli crowns, yellow onion

Roma tomatoes, kiwi, bananas, Cameo apples, Atualfo mango, Ruby grapefruit

Yellow squash, bicolor corn, cucumber