Feeding the World #FoodThanks

Thanksgiving, by far is my favorite holiday of the year.  Why?  Because there are no presents to buy, no pressure {unless your having dinner for 28 people}, just good food, family, friends and a time to really think about what you are thankful for in your life. 

Farmers top my list.  Farmers don't just stop working when there's a holiday.  They're still out there everyday, no matter if it's  raining or snowing in the winter or 100 degrees in the summer. Crops and animals need to be cared for and tended to on Thanksgiving, on Christmas, 365 days a year. 

Food doesn’t just happen. It takes an incredible number of caring, thoughtful, hard-working individuals to provide the three square meals we enjoy every day. From farmer to processor to truck driver to chef to retailer, millions work hard to provide our food.  

Imagine all the hands that go into producing the potatoes we use for our mashed potatoes,

or that pick our green beans and strawberries,

or plow our fields.

I give #FoodThanks to the farmers who help produce the many ingredients that go into all the goodies we bake.

Farmers Markets have really given us the opportunity to connect with the Farmer or farm employee on an individual basis.  How many 'man hours' did it take to produce this bunch of carrots?  I don't know either,  but I'm sure it's many.

I want my kids to know all the hard work that goes into producing the food we eat.  And they're learning.  Having a low-producing home garden this past summer helped them to understand all the care and time that goes into producing carrots and zucchini and that we may only yield a handful....which was the case for us this year.

And of course, we cannot forget these girls.  The girls that give us milk to help create so many of our wonderful dishes.  Without milk, there wouldn't be butter, ice cream, cream, yogurt, cheese, milk shakes......I give #FoodThanks not only to the farmers, and employees but also to the girls that give us milk.

So, I ask of you during thisThanksgiving holiday, to remember the Farmer and give #FoodThanks.

The first four photos, above by Google image


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Today, I Give My Thanks To The Brussels Sprout Farmer

Have you ever thought where Brussels Sprouts come from?  Neither have I, until now.  Why?  I was pondering on all the things I am thankful for in my life.  Of course the usual things came up....health, family, happiness......and then, the Brussels Sprout Farmer.  I realized, I have no idea where they come from and how they have come to originate in the United States......and I feel like I'm pretty connected with Ag!  This is a home school lesson, for myself.   I LOVE Brussels Sprouts.

According to my online friend, Wikipedia, Brussels Sprouts could have first been grown as early as the 13th century in what is now, Belgium.  Production of Brussels Sprouts in the U.S. began in the 1800's when French settlers brought them to Louisiana.  The first plantings in California's Central Coast began in the 1920's with significant production in 1940.  Currently much of the U.S. production, of several thousand acres are planted in the Central Coast of California.  With a total U.S. production reaching approximately 32,000 tons. 

Well, I now know, my home state of California is responsible for much of the production of Brussels Sprouts.  I am thankful for, not only the farmer, but all of the 'hands' that have a hand in growing and harvesting this nutrient rich, power house vegetable!

Here's how I normally go about preparing my Brussels Sprouts....

Cut each in half or quarters.  Place on a baking tray.  Add diced bacon, olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and...............

 Garlic Gold Nuggets.

Toss to coat.  I use my hands.  Roast in a 420 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes, turning a few times during the roasting process.

I make enough to last me through the next day so I can eat them with lunch, either heated up or tossed in a salad.  Oh so good, and the bacon bits, just top it off.

I think we'll be having these again on Thanksgiving.

With all the brussels sprouts eating, it should allow me the indulgence of Pumpkin Gelato.....right?!  Sounds good to me.  I specifically drove to one of our two Safeway's here in town that features a Gelato Bar within the store, for the sole purpose of their Pumpkin Gelato.  It's seasonal and it's back!  Get it while it's here!  After my brussels sprouts last night and after the kids went to bed, I immersed myself in this small bowl of Pumpkin Gelato.

No regrets.  I'm also thankful I decided to get my bum out of bed at 5 a.m. to go to my Boot Camp class that morning!

Happy Sunday!

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