Not quite the beginning

So the deal was that I would work on the cookbook over the winter months. It's usually a lot quieter in my life then because I'm not out playing the garden. But guess what? Not only did I run into the fact that the local food providers are hiding during the winter months so I couldn't find the support from them I was after, but family and work stuff kept getting in the way.

I'm pleased to say that our local Dairy Educator, Barb Dickenson, is all over this project. But what is life when we need someone to educate us about dairy? (And this isn't a negative comment about you, Barb - it's a comment on the state of our food knowledge and caring.)

Folks - we have to get better at understanding our food and learning how to enjoy it again. There's so many store-bought solutions to feeding ourselves and our families, but seriously, how much salt does one person need to consume? Never mind all the mysterious chemicals on the ingredient list. If it isn't in English - I'd be wary of it.

So the cookbook....it's called "Right under your nose". This version is focusing on Lambton and Kent Counties. Lots of wonderful things to choose from to highlight - where to start, where to start.

And thank so much to Bluewater Beef, a local beef producers cooperative, and Field Farms, a great organic pork producer, for joining the ranks of support. I'm sure they're wondering whatever happened to getting the book published before the spring.

So at this point - I have the cover, author notes and a few apple recipes in place. With the beautiful spring weather and having harvested my first asparagus from the garden, we'll be hitting the book hard and heavy now. And finding those producers who need to be promoted in the book but spent the winter hiding in the house.

If you have astonishing recipes you'd like to share, send them along. You'll get credit in the book plus a great mention in the blog and on Facebook if your recipe is used. Watch here for the test recipes and you can let your opinion be known whether they should be included or not.

Be kitchen brave! Eat well!