Compost It Launches Online Shopping Site

We now have a convenient site for your online shopping needs--compost.name.  We are adding new products as we go along so keep checking back to watch this site evolve.  We will also be adding more of our local vendors so friends and family can support our local economy from afar.  Thanks for supporting our little shop!

What's one more meat recall?

Click here to see source of photo

New York Firm Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Anyone who reads this blog probably already knows to buy local grass-fed beef.  Michael Pollin spoke about this strain of E. coli in the movie, Food Inc.  He said that this strain of E. coli mutated in the favorable environment of the grain-fed cows' stomachs.  Once one cow developed this strain, it can then poop it all over and because these cows walk around in each other's shittola all day on those nasty feed lots, the E. coli spreads around quite effectively.  Start buying local beef.  Increase demand for pasture-fed cows and this strain of E. coli won't be a worry to anyone.  Make sure the cows you eat are not finished on corn, either.  Grass-fed all the way.  To read more about the latest recall visit this USDA website. 

Two GREAT place to get more information is Thundering Hooves and Eat Wild

Must See Movie Food Inc.

This is a link to the movie, Food Inc. It is an important movie. Watch it! When you are done watching this movie you are going to probably want to know about our local food sources. Your local Slow Food chapter Land and Sea has a complete working list of local food sources including fresh milk, vegetables, meat and cheeses.

Food Inc. 1 of 2
Food Inc. 2 of 2

Carolyn Steel: How food shapes our cities

Please come to The Palace Theater in Friday Harbor starting today and see "Food Inc." The following 15-minute video also touches on the same subject. Thanks for staying on the cutting edge!

Fruit Flies

I have been getting a few calls about what to do about fruit flies. Many of us have unintentionally created a wonderful breeding ground for the proliferation of this species. It seems to happen at a certain time of year--now, for example.

In a nutshell, dispose of the rotting fruit, finish the wine, so the bottle can be rinsed and recycled, or cork and refrigerate the bottle, and begin the process of sanitizing your kitchen. Just start wiping and cleaning everywhere. This is a good time to clean on and under the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Don't leave rags hanging about, but wash them immediately in hot water. Take your compost out straightaway and make sure to cover your compost in between with a tight fitting lid. Make a funnel out of paper (cut a small portion of the tip off so fruit flies can enter, place it snugly in a jar and secure the paper with tape. Put a little of that wine or some balsamic vinegar in the bottom of the jar. Just cut the tip of the funnel so there is a very small entrance and secure it to the jar with tape. Once the fruit flies are inside they will be stuck. Be diligent. Leave no spot unturned in your cleaning regimen.

p.s. Take a moment to click on the picture and visit the word press home page for Bill Sharp and his art.

Steps Wine Bar and Cafe

Steps Wine Bar & Cafe Steps is a fantastic local restaurant that uses local food. Chef Surbaugh goes the extra mile when choosing food for his restaurant, and I don't mean mile in reference to petroleum footprint. He really uses the food grown here and around these islands. And then he creates dishes like no other. Madden is unique. We often find ourselves walking and interacting with individuals who are doing great things on this island or who have retired here after having done great things in the world. I think we may not know what we have here and the best way to show you is to have you read the testimonials from other people. I feel very strongly about spending money to help our friends and neighbors who are helping our friends and neighbors. I have watched Madden take time to talk to our island's youth. I have seen him take time out of his very busy schedule for the things that matter in life. Recommending this restaurant to your family and friends and visiting his restaurant occassionally or regularly will be a great investment on many different levels. Live in the moment and appreciate what we have while we have it. Just as you don't miss a wedding or a funeral, you must not miss dining at Steps Restaurant.

Continued Success of Reintroduction of Western Bluebird to San Juan Islands

Keep Those Sightings Coming In! (to see original email and source for this post, please click here)

Please report your bluebird sightings! While we know the locations of the active nests, observations of individuals, pairs, or family groups moving around the islands are very helpful for us to keep track of thier movements. Its also possible that any birds you observe have not yet been sighted this year. As always, if possible, try to spot the color bands on the birds' legs... it helps us identify individuals. Please report your sightings to the Western Bluebird Hotline at 360-298-2822 or after August 14 to Kathleen Foley at 360-298-1856. (Male Adult Western bluebird with leg bands: in the right light, the colors are unmistakable! (photo by Mark Gardner))