Just another Monday

I can't believe this is the 5th Monday we've been in the new house. Where does the time go? Why are there still boxes everywhere? And who is the toddler running around here that seems to have made our baby disappear?

I'll be writing more about this in the future, I'm sure. But, we've been really trying to eat more local, healthy, and unprocessed. We've got the localvore's collection of good reads including Animal Vegetable, Miracle, Omnivore's Dilemma, For the Love of Food, Michael Pollen's Food Rules, and I'm sure more will be showing up on our shelves soon. The more we read, the more we're convinced. In fact today I went to the grocery store (part of our Monday routine) and couldn't think of anything to buy other than yogurt, orange juice, and toiletries. Nothing looks like "food" to me anymore at the HEB. Anyway, part of the fun of eating local is that you are eating in season or planning how to eat non-seasonal fruits by freezing stuff when it is in season. Our general rule right now is that if we can get it local, we don't buy it at the store (even when it's not in season). So, our pizza love and pasta with marinara has to be satisfied when tomatoes, garlic, and basil are in season. Of course we would never make it through the winter without two of our favorite dinner meals sooooo what do summer Monday's look like? You got it, cooking down tomatoes for the winter. Subsequently every Monday we're eating pasta because you ABSOLUTELY can't have the savory smell of fresh garlic, basil, and tomatoes that has been slow cooked in your house without eating it for dinner. I get about 5 jars a week so we eat one and freeze four. This is our 4th week to do this and I have to say, I'm LOVING IT!!! I had store bought organic pasta sauce last week that cost a pretty penny but still lacked the flavor I'm getting spoiled too. Just look at the beauty of the process:

Juicy fresh ingredients:

Slow cooked to bright yummy sauce:

I'm not sure if we're crazy but for now, its a great challenge and yields very yummy results. Now, I'm off to mince some more garlic and chop some more onion for the freezer before those are out of season too! Oh and for those still patiently (thank you) waiting for pictures of the new house, there's a sneak peak at our counter tops :). I know, not much a peak but we're getting closer everyday to some pictures, I promise.

One last thing, if you have a local recipe you love, please send it my way!