meansoybean

In 2008, strong doubts were cast upon polycarbonate plastics and whether it was safe enough to be in contact with food. The culprit? Bisphenol A.

“Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate, which is used in many consumer products, including reusable water bottles and baby bottles. Bisphenol A is also found in epoxy resins, which act as a protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans.” – Bisphenol A fact sheet, Government of Canada

At that time, many reusable bottle makers came out of the wood work and consumers flocked to the SIGG range, which was supposed to be BPA-free. I couldn’t understand how they could make this claim. From my research, their bottles are made from aluminum, a material that needs an interior coating that’s commonly made from an epoxy. They said they used a water-based epoxy that was safe and that seemed to appease a lot of people. I still had my doubts. Aluminum should have as little contact with food as possible, and the thought of water sitting for any amount of time in extremely close proximity to epoxy was scary — no matter what the claims.

Why would anyone want to take the chance? Now it seems a lot people who trusted SIGG are now regretting it. I’m so glad I chose to go with Kleen Kanteen…

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This week I had a nice surprise: yellow potatoes and a cantaloupe melon! Other items in the basket included a Japanese eggplant, carrots, 2 heads of lettuce, yellow onions, red pepper, daikon radish, plus regular and cherry tomatoes. They were all quickly whisked away into the fridge, that’s why there’s no group picture.

I’m finding that the baskets this year are decent, considering the weather we’ve been served this summer. As a partner of my local farm, I share the risks and benefits with other partners who receive a weekly basket. Risks include stuff like weather conditions, or other “acts of god” that are out of the farm’s control. Of course, they try their best and will use all their knowledge and resources to ensure the best organic produce for the season.

Thinking of joining a CSA in the province of Quebec? Visit Équiterre’s website for a listing in your area.

Since basil isn’t as plentiful as I had hoped, see my scrawny container garden, I used one kale bunch from my organic basket to make pesto. Really green, fresh pesto — with 1/4 cup black olives, 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts, 2 garlic cloves 1 garlic clove and a smidge of stinky-strong vegan cheese. Whirl with olive oil and mix with pasta for an easy meal! Makes enough for 4 large servings

This is my 3rd year signed up with a local organic farm. Over the growing season, I get a small basket of produce once a week appropriate for 1 to 2 people. In all, I will get twenty baskets.

Check out this week’s bounty:
4 cucumbers, 4 unripe tomatoes, 2 bunches of kale, 2 beets, 2 red onions, cherry tomatoes, a bunch of purple beans, a patty pan squash and a Japanese eggplant.

Since it’s all picked and packed same day, I try to use as much of the basket as I can the first day.
So… what did I make?

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