Last week I was invited to a Farmtable Lunch here in Philadelphia at Real Food Works. Real Food Works is a business unlike anything else I’ve encountered before. It is owned and operated by Lucinda Duncalfe, and clearly an outgrowth of her passion and commitment to healthy eating.   They offer subscriptions to people to […]

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  • November 8, 2013 - 3:10 am

    Larks - That sounds amazing. One of my favorite restaurants has a giant table in the middle of the restaurant where only family style meals are served. It’s amazing how much you connect with and learn about your neighbors!ReplyCancel

  • November 8, 2013 - 12:09 pm

    Real Food Works - Thank you for the lovely post! So glad you had a great time!ReplyCancel

Everyone I know has a body, and hardly anyone would consider themselves a winner in the body lottery.  When I walk down the street I often see a beautiful woman and think ‘I wish I could have that body’, but then, as if the magical gods who could actually make that wish come true, are […]

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  • November 8, 2013 - 3:23 am

    Larks - This piece was really great. Thoughtful and insightful. I’ve always had (what I imagine to be) run of the mill angst about my body but over the years I’ve managed to make myself almost numb to them. Now that I have a daughter of my own I wonder if I’ll have to open that can of worms again in order to help her as she goes through her own set of body image issues.ReplyCancel

    • November 8, 2013 - 9:09 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - I have been amazed, and many time caught quite by surprise as my own issues blindside me as I raise my daughter. I believe that we spend our lives grappling with the same issues over and over, deeper and deeper, and as Shreyl Crow says, “everyday, I get a little bit closer to feeling fine”.ReplyCancel

  It is summer in 1989 and I am walking west on Commercial St. one evening.  I pass a restaurant with the following written on a sign that runs the entire width of the buidling: ANNA ANNA ANNA WORLD’S BEST FOOD So of course I must have dinner there!  As soon as possible, because even […]

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  • November 5, 2013 - 1:35 pm

    Sheena - Roasted garlic sounds perfect, especially on a day like today. Thank you for sharing this sensory memory!ReplyCancel

    • November 5, 2013 - 1:41 pm

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Easy and yummy, a winning combo! I just had some for lunch!ReplyCancel

  • November 5, 2013 - 3:18 pm

    jhanis - I’m not a big garlic fan but my mom would love this!ReplyCancel

    • November 5, 2013 - 3:35 pm

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Even if you don’t like garlic, roasted garlic is a whole other thing, sweet and mellow. It might surprise you!ReplyCancel

  • November 6, 2013 - 2:55 am

    Lois Alter Mark - Seriously, I can not read your posts and look at your photos without drooling!ReplyCancel

  • November 8, 2013 - 3:16 am

    Larks - It’s so weird to think that now ubiquitous foods like roasted garlic spreads were once rare or novel. Very cool, well told story.ReplyCancel

    • November 8, 2013 - 9:11 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Yes, I recall when extra virgin olive oil first burst onto the scene in the US, though I hate dating myself…ReplyCancel

Roasted Garlic Pre-heat oven to 400° As many heads of garlic as you want to roast; if making as a first course, 1 head per person Roasted garlic will keep in refrigerator for up to two weeks.   Olive Oil Salt Pepper Make sure garlic heads will sit flat, which may require slicing off some […]

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Eating seasonally has many benefits, from getting the freshest ingredients, to getting those things at the best prices available.  Yes, this is one area in life when the cheapest stuff around is also the best quality, and how often does that happen?   If you are lucky enough to have access to a farmers’ market […]

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  • November 4, 2013 - 9:49 am

    Dan - Beautiful pictures, and a text to match. Keep it up!

    DanReplyCancel

    • November 4, 2013 - 10:14 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - thanks for the support!!ReplyCancel

  • November 4, 2013 - 11:02 am

    Rhonda @wine-y wife - I’ve had a few conversations with my youngest about why he can’t have Italian plums in December, figs in February, or clementines in July. He’s finally starting to get it…sometimes.ReplyCancel

    • November 4, 2013 - 11:39 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - What a testament to you that he requests such things! I’ve encountered plenty of 50 year olds who get cranky and demand to know why they can’t gt local, organic asparagus in January here in the northeast… Too many years working in retail grocery!ReplyCancel

  • November 4, 2013 - 4:48 pm

    Beth Ann Chiles - What lovely pictures in your post today!!! Makes me want to go to a farmer’s market and stock up on fresh stuff but alas—our farmer’s markets all ended in October so it is grocery store produce for me until the spring now.
    My favorite fall item right now are all of the wonderful apples. Tons of selections locally and all a delight.
    Coming over from YeahWrite—we are column mates!!! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • November 5, 2013 - 1:12 am

    Larks - One of our Sunday rituals is going to the farmer’s market. I’ve grown to love it and it’s really helped us cook and eat better. Learning to cope with seasonal ingredients was such an interesting curve. At first I was like “Chard, wth? I don’t even know what that is and that’s apparently all they sell in December that isn’t beige” but then we found all these great Italian recipes that rely on bitter greens. They’re pretty great. Yay for seasonal eating and farmer’s markets!ReplyCancel

    • November 5, 2013 - 9:22 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - I often take kale or chard and just chop it up and add it to other things I’m cooking, or just saute with some chicken stock instead of oil. My friend Char swears by massaging the kale before cooking, but I haven’t tried that yet.ReplyCancel

  • November 5, 2013 - 11:56 am

    Seasons Eatings | The Bloppy Bloggers Gazette |... - […] Eating seasonally has many benefits, from getting the freshest ingredients, to getting those things at the best prices available. Yes, this is one area in life when the cheapest stuff around is also the best quality, and how often does that happen?  […]ReplyCancel

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