A combination of environmental, health, and overall ethical issues have been weighing on my mind. Hubby and I watched "Fast Food Nation" over the long weekend. As a well-informed  food consumer (and former vegetarian), the film (although well acted and interesting) offered no new insights to me, but it was a reminder of the wonderful experience we had this summer buying so much locally-grown produce and locally-produced meat and dairy products from little shops and farmstands up near our Wisconsin cabin.

I would love to be part of a CSA (a food co-op supporting a specific local farm) but none in my area do winter shipments. I did get in touch with one local farmer in IL who does deliveries to my 'burb and hopefully we will be able to participate in her spring CSA, since we are up North for much of the summer.

The problem is: my family can be open to new foods but sometimes they are so PICKY, it drives me crazy. I love trying new vegetables, flavor combinations, recipes...but my husband is so anti-casserole, anti-soup, and anti-pasta that it makes meal planning difficult at times. (Ironically, he does have an adventurous palate, especially in terms of ethnic foods served here and abroad.)

With a CSA you get a big box of whatever is seasonal; so maybe before I invest in it (it ain't cheap!) I need to read this book to get an arsenal of recipes in order so I know what to do with the rutabagas that may arrive in my crate 'o veggies next March.