What's for dinner in Phoenix in August...Eat Local!

Locovores. Have you heard the term? It's a movement that started in San Francisco. A group of people are trying to bring awareness to eating locally grown food. By eating local you're supporting the local economy, not heavily relying on big trucks to get your grub and it's healthier.

But I live in the desert. When I check out the local food wheel for San Francisco my mouth waters. What am I supposed to do in Arizona? Eat sand and wash it down with a cactus? (ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic.)

So, I should just go the local farmer's market, right? Not so quick. Just as important as looking for local organically grown food, is to select food that grows with the least amount of environmental impact for our area.  For example, strawberries take a lot of water to grow, not the best idea in the desert.

I've got good news. Knowing more about what you eat, where it comes from and how to balance your grocery bag- just makes you smarter. I've compiled a list of what's in season in August in Phoenix. Use this as a guide to help you the next time you're at the store. 

It's still at 3:00PM? Crunchy Salad

"I'm bringing a salad Rob! It doesn't have dairy." Is that the usual response when someone invites you over for a birthday party? A normal person would say, "Awesome! Thanks for inviting me. Can I bring anything?"

Last time when I was home, I copied a bunch of recipes from my mom's cookbook and I've been waiting to make this Crunchy Salad.

 

So, when I called on Saturday to make sure we were still on. I got a message back:

That's great Kee, but the party is next Saturday.

 

CRUNCHY SALAD

1 bag cole slaw

1 cup sunflower seeds

2 packages Oriental Ramen noodles

1/2 cup toasted almonds

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Wesson oil

1 cup white vinegar

Dump everything in a bowl, crunch one package of the Ramen, mix in two of the seasoning packets and chill for a bit.