@cuz: Ok, ok, I’ll let go of the “idiot” title and allow it to represent the Food Network 30 minute chefs, etc. :) Thank you so much for sending me the link to this article – it was really interesting, and I enjoy the conversations it brings about amongst the readers of my blog! I can’t help but think that your comment about chard remind me of The Omnivore’s Dilemma – I’m sure you’ve read that book, right?

@BB: Thank you for the reminder that slow and fast aren’t accurate descriptions! I think Dharma’s here in SC is a perfect example of fast healthy food. I love the idea of a high rise garden! I also love the amazing food that comes out of your ground level garden!

The economy seems to be encouraging people to grow some of their own food. I like that. I also saw a plan for a high rise garden that could be made from any tall building with vegies growing throughout! A new concept of community gardening when your garden is on the 14th floor! I prefer mine at ground level.

one of the things i love about your blog is that you are beautifully “normalizing food” and making recipes extremely accessible. when mr. petrini refers to any “idiot with a spoon”, he is referring to the celebrity of those who land on the food networks of the world. what was born of the slow food movement is everything you’re doing- slowing down and replacing the need to eat now and on the go with the enjoyment of the process.

in response to btz: organic food has come a long way in being affordable and attainable within our communities. whole foods market has done a crappy job of making the food seem way too expensive and suitable only for the rich. it’s a racket. i could break down the true costs of not eating organically/locally that go well beyond your pocket book…but i’ll keep it on the positive. it’s important to deeply understand that by supporting farmer’s markets and strengthening the presence of smaller farms in your community, you’re making the food more accessible and the prices, cheaper. there are so many regulated, governmental taxes and costs associated with organic farming. these farmers are constantly butting their heads up against the walls of huge corporate farms who are dead-set against them taking any more slice of the pie. by making these farmers stronger, their ability to fight the anti-small farm aspects of the farm bill will be wider felt. by voting and taking a stand with your dollars, you are voting for the local, passionate-about-the-food-he/she-grows farmer who had dedicated his/her life to making food accessible and enjoyable.

i can’t tell you how much more i enjoy cooking knowing that the chard i’m using was grown a small town away by a farmer who’s hand i’ve shaken.