Hello again everyone

We had a really fun August meeting. First we had another new member join us, we love having all these new opinions and ideas! Thanks again for our newest two members for coming out and joining us. This month’s book led to not only an interesting discussion about the book but also about local farmers markets, organic/local food suppliers, local gardens, and where to get more information about all of these new ideas.
We all liked the book but for different reasons. Some thought it was a good read while others liked the message but not so much how the book was written. A few of us would have liked more stories about the family themselves, and we all agreed those were some of the most interesting parts of the book. In discussing the book we decided we must try making our own cheese sometime! Maybe another book club get-together?! In fact all of the recopies from the book sounded delicious. Here is the link to AMV website where all the recipes from the book can be found

http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/Recipes.html

And here is the link to Ricki Carroll’s cheese making company. The site has recipes, kits, books etc.

http://www.cheesemaking.com/

The Slow Food movement is a way to connect people and learn more about eating locally. Hawaii has several chapters that has had events such as; How to find, cut, and cook local fish. And making your own chocolate from cacao beans.

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/local_chapters/#Hawaii

Poamoho Organic Produce is a farm on Oahu that has been chosen by Whole Foods to supply its Hawaii stores. You can buy directly from them or find their produce at farmers markets and stores around the island. Their website has more information about this and what is in season.

http://www.poamoho-organic.com/index.html

Just Add Water is an awesome agriculture program on Oahu & the big island. Different organic farmers participate in selling their products here. But the best part is you can buy “boxes” to be delivered to you (or a specific pickup point) depending on what’s available on local farms. You can choose from options like; salad greens only, fruits only, mix, gourmet mix, family size, and eggs. Ranging in price from $4-30. Their website can be found through this link

http://www.just-add-water.biz/index.htm

Another great option for finding locally grown food is using the People’s Open Market program. This program has farmers markets around the island. Here is the schedule of these markets

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/programs/pom/sked.htm

Finally if you haven’t gotten enough information on the subject we were lucky to have timed our book pick with the Kapolei library’s, Key Ingredients: American by Food. This traveling exhibit by the Smithsonian will be at the library September 2 through October 18. There will be programs every Tuesday and Saturday dealing with topics like; where to find local produce, how to grow your own food, how to prepare local food, and favorite local recipes. Here is the link to the Library’s handout on the exhibit as well as two articles from the Honolulu Advertiser

http://www.librarieshawaii.org/pdf/KI+flier_lds[1].pdf

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080901/NEWS25/809010327/1239/neighborhoods0603

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/GETPUBLISHED/808190370/1239/neighborhoods0603

After all that information I have just a little bit more. Our next meeting will be September 28th at 3:00pm at one of our member’s homes. This will be the second time she has been kind enough to invite us out. This time we will be meeting with another book club to discuss “Audition” by Barbra Walters. Directions will be sent out closer to the meeting date. Think of what you would like to bring to share, about a week before I can start an email listing what everyone has decided to bring so we don’t overlap too much.

Happy Reading and can’t wait to see you all in September!