New Found Appreciation of food
Some of the things I am taking more time to prioritize during this pandemic have to do with food. I have always enjoyed cooking with fresh, local ingredients as well as growing my own vegetables. During this time, running out to the grocery store is not a quick easy thing. This pandemic has made me realize the importance and joy of growing my own food as well as making due with what is available to me. I'm sure you've all been feeling the desire for a last minute vegetable without having to go to the store. Growing your own food is a great way to help the earth and it is also very handy at a time like this.
1. Taking time to bake from scratch: According to the demand for flour and yeast, I, along with everyone else in Toronto, am baking. Neighbours are passing around sourdough starters and sharing recipes.
2. Start a vegetable from a vegetable. I've had success starting carrots, onions and potatoes. For carrots simply place the top in a dish with a little water. Green won't take long to sprout up.
3. Starting seedlings indoors: I dug out the left over seeds from last year and started some herbs indoors. When the weather gets warmer I'll be ready to move them outside. Greens (lettuce etc), strawberries, tomatoes and herbs are some examples of things that grow great in a patio pot. Due to the huge amount of shade at my place I put tomatoes in pots and then move them throughout the day to follow the sunshine.
4. Shade tolerant vegetables : I'm itching to get outside and start a garden. I don't know about your yard, but mine is surrounded by trees and houses. I do not have a full sunny day and so many vegetables do not fully ripen. I have had better luck with veg that are more shade tolerant like: kale, herbs, green beans, carrots, beets and leafy greens.
5. Spring Harvests: I have been eating lots of dandelion salads. The young tender leaves are one of the first things ready to eat in spring. Dandelion leaves are packed with vitamins.
I hope you are well. I look forward to continuing to help move our community towards sustainability with you all in person.
Becky