Ugh

Pictured here: the Redman House field, farmed by Stephen Pedersen. Wintery skies are beautiful on the coastline.

Not only did I not Eat Local yesterday, but I had a Thanksgiving dinner that I hope I never have to replicate. Factory-farmed turkey with a maple syrup glaze and factory-farmed bacon strips. Russet potatoes, mashed with WATER (I am not making that up), served with butter made with garlic powder. Macaroni and cheese. (? For Thanksgiving?) Gravy from a can (I didn't touch it). Green bean casserole with fried onions on top and, I believe, chunks of peanut butter inside. The sweet potatoes were good in a nostalgic way. At least they tasted good. Non-organic cranberry sauce. Two Buck Chuck on the Table, along with Jack Daniels and two kinds of Coke.

It goes without saying that nothing, not a thing, was organic or natural or real.

I was allowed to bring deviled eggs, and I topped them with a little of the Spanish smoked paprika. I called it "bacon dust" to avert their suspicions, and they were a wild success. In fact, I left some eggs undusted, and those were untouched.

(Bob's family is very close-minded about new foods, and regard me as a complete flake or an unbearable snob. They are suspicious of people who don't eat food from boxes. Kraft is normal. You get the pictures.)

No leftovers—no turkey sandwiches, nothing. No Turkus Americanus. I am as blue as Ralphie's old man.

Sigh.

I'm sick with a hacking cough today, and am under the gun trouble-shooting not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE Macintosh computers while we play shuffle with stepdaughters.

Not a happy camper right now. The consolation: a vat of French onion soup with all organic ingredients on my stovetop. The house smells good. I think. (My breathing isn't working so great today, either.)

For better reports on people who were able to participate in the Eat Local 100-Mile Challenge for Thanksgiving, go read about the finalists and judges at Treehugger.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “The opposite of bravery is not cowardice but conformity.” —Robert Anthony

Thanks for visiting.

Comments

[Lydia]

Oh, Tana, the head cold is just adding insult to injury. Suffering through a mac-and-cheese Thanksgiving is hard enough. Get well soon....

[ammello]

you're not the only one! yuck! i at least talked them into going to a 'decent' [read not denny's] place to eat. however, i'm under no illusions that it was even near to being organic. opted for lamb in a merlot sauce and there was real, fresh squash as a side! i was absolutely amazed!

what kept me well was knowing that i had picked up 'my pig' from justin on wednesday evening. in chatting with justin and jim, i mentioned how weird my family thinks i am when it comes to GOOD food....and yet they raised me to be that way. my dad always raised a steer and was very particular about its feed: meaning it was grass fed. we also raised our own fruit and vegetables. not organic but certainly farm fresh...and picked ripe and fresh to eat.

while my parents think i'm weird for being so selective re food, i'm finding myself thinking they're weird for no longer being particular.

annette in boulder creek

[Michele]

Now that's a good story - and I think a common one when one spends one's T-Giving with family members! I believe I had the same dinner as you - LAST year. Couldn't face it again this one, so made my own with other granola orphans...free range fresh turkey, spelt bread herb dressing, etc. Feel better!

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Get better, you! Your soup sounds like just the tonic after that dinner...xox

[Teresa]

I went through the very same thing at Thanksgiving lunch with my family. So I went home and whipped up an all-organic, very-nearly-entirely-local dinner for me and my sweetie. Take two was so much more enjoyable.