Back-to-School Mishmash

I know, I know. School has been in session for a few weeks now, but only in the last week or two have ALL the activities started. Which means swim team (Thursdays) and soccer games (Saturdays) have seriously impeded my desire to pay the Bellevue Farmers Market leisurely visits. On Thursday, I missed the Cantinetta demo and the eggs were long gone, but I managed to tear over for melons, grabbing the last Charentais. Since it was just about 7:00, the farmers were packing up and happily trading with each other, and I wished I had something to trade because I hadn't had time to stop at the bank and ended up writing five piddly checks.

In any case, if your life has become similarly hectic, keep in mind the BFM runs through Oct 14 (Thursdays) and Nov 20 (Saturdays). Now more than ever is the time for healthy, fresh, local food, considering the kids are getting the occasional nasty school lunch and the ubiquitous sugary "snacks" at soccer games.

Cool fall weather is the perfect time for homemade applesauce, so I whipped up the first batch of the season last night. Basically, take a few pounds of any variety apple (I used Gala, Honeycrisp and Gingergold), quarter them, and throw them in a covered pot with 1/3 cup water. Set your timer for 20 minutes. Then pass them, skin, seeds, and all, through a food mill. Sweeten to taste with honey and some cinnamon. We never have any left over, and I never find that I've bought enough apples!

Loki salmon is sounding better than ever, now that the FDA is holding hearings on whether to label genetically-modified salmon. This farmed Frankenfish, brand-named AquAdvantage, receives growth hormone so that it can reach optimum size in half the time. Yikes! I knew, from reading The Omnivore's Dilemma that farmed salmon ate corn and couldn't touch wild salmon for nutritional value, but really.

And then finally, filed under "Who Thinks Up These Studies?" I bring you an article on how Americans lack self-control in the eating and drinking department (!!! Stop the presses!!!). Study participants had to hold candy in their fingers and put it in and out of their mouths. Do not try this at home, folks, especially with your children at Halloween. Their conclusion? Make self-control fun! Play with your M&Ms, don't eat them! Ahhh...the inexorable advances of science...

That's it for now. In the meantime, mark your calendars for the BFM's Celebracion Cosecha on Thursday, 9/30. In honor of the harvest, Chef Jaime from Los Agaves will be making fresh salsas, River Farm will be roasting peppers, and a mariachi band will stroll the stands. Sounds like a night for dinner at the Market.