Buy LOCAL: Two Great Events Saturday!

Your Saturday morning errand schedule might be tight, but there's no reason not to support two events happening in the Pasadena community. Both events are located mere minutes of each other.

On your way to the local grocer, stop by and support local artisans who have baked for the Bake Sale for Japan. The nearest location for Pasadena-area residents is at the Chef's Center in Pasadena, 45 N. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena. Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves has donated some goodies, plus there's delicious breads, cookies, and other sweets for sale. Proceeds from the event go directly toward Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. The sale begins at 10 a.m.

You'll be thanking us in July if you buy LOCAL and purchase your tomatoes and other delicious fruits and vegetables from Ardenwoods Edibles and Winnetka Farms. Meet the farmers behind this one-day-only sale as they host a seedling and seed sale from 8 a.m. to noon. Ardenwoods is located in Pasadena (email me for address info). There is no entry fee to purchase your locally grown starter plants.

So stop by, sniff some basil and fresh tomato greens, taste some jam, and say hello!

Local Fruit?

Although I served as the messenger for this story, the intent is clear: if you live in the Pasadena/Altadena area and have time and/or fruit that needs gleaning from your trees, the Arroyo Time Bank wants to hear from you!

Tons of fruit are going to waste in our region. Let them help serve nutritious, delicious fruit and juice to some of the areas neediest families.

Send them an email at ATBFruitHarvest@gmail.com, and see how you can make a difference.

Bake Sale for Japan

Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves, along with other local artisans, will be participating in an old fashioned bake sale to benefit the Japanese Tsunami and Earthquake victims. The Bake Sale for Japan event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2.

If you are in the Los Angeles region, please check out any one of the 27 host sites for the event. The funds raised will benefit a Japanese aid group called Peace Winds Japan.

Mothercluck's items will be sold at the Chef's Center of California, 45 N. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena. If you know anyone in the 'hood, please encourage them to support this tremendous cause.

Together, we can make a difference to help those in need.

Buy Local! -- SALE This Weekend, Sat., April 2

Meet the farmers behind Ardenwoods Edibles and Winnetka Farms as they have a seedling and seed sale from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 2. Ardenwoods is located in Pasadena (contact me for address info). 

If you buy local, you'll KNOW where your starter plants come from! Start from beautiful, organic, HEALTHY seedlings and you will eliminate the problems you might face later this summer. Plus both nurseries carry varieties you won't find elsewhere -- guaranteed!

Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves also will be selling their delicious, small batch jams. Stop by, shop, taste some jam, and say hello!

Food for Thought

Delicious meal worms for the chickens. Gone in seconds.

I really do need to begin harvesting my own maggots.

Suggestions anyone?

Good Stuff to Eat! Altadena Urban Farmers Market

So proud to be affiliated with the Altadena Urban Farmers Market! If you are in the Los Angeles area, shop locally and attend the monthly market which is held at Zane Grey Estate in Altadena. February's market will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., this Sunday, Feb. 20.

In addition to Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves, there will be vendors selling natural, organic chickens, bacon, eggs (yes, I'll have a few dozen to sell), artisanal bread, gluten-free products, amazing greens, and starter/edible plants for your own urban homestead.

If you care about where your food comes from, stop by and meet other like-minded homesteaders.

Logo is courtesy of artist and illustrator Joseph Schuldiner, whose book Pure Vegan is due out in early 2012.

The Girls Are Back!

Nothing like having three fully functional girls back in action after the winter months. It was the first time that we had hens fully recover from a molt and produce eggs.

It just goes to show that when you start with a healthy flock that's fed a good diet, magic can happen.