Entries (RSS)
« TALLY HO & RED ROOSTER | Main | ON THE HOMEFRONT »
January 6, 2008
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEW YEAR: PROJECT #2
PTF is kicking off the new year with another project - challenge. Interested in participating? Okie dokie, here’s the challenge….
In our society, growing food yourself has become the most radical of acts. It is truly the only effective protest, one that can - and will - overturn the corporate powers that be. By the process of directly working in harmony with nature, we do the one thing most essential to change the world - we change ourselves. ~ Jules Dervaes ~
100 Foot Diet - Growing Closer to Home: A Lifelong Challenge
It wasn’t that long ago (1940s) that people planted Victory Gardens when it became necessary for them, due to wartime shortages, to grow their own food. Now, it’s our turn
If you want to fight against peak oil, climate change and our consumerist culture, then join us and start a living protest right in your own back (front) yards. Be the change, live the solution! Use your yard (or balcony or porch steps) not only to grow food but also to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life.
There have been 100 mile diet and other eat local challenges. PTF’s homegrown revolutionaries are upping the ante by reducing the mileage to a few steps - to right outside your back or front door.
The challenge is simple. Beginning as soon as you can, prepare a meal at least once a week with only homegrown vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, dairy products or meat, using as few store bought ingredients as possible.
The purpose is plain - the waging of an all-out fight against the forces that keep you dependent on the system of petroleum fueled food. The degree to which you rely on today’s artificial corporate structure determines the extent of your vulnerability. Resolve to lessen your dependence on outside food sources.
The result is revolutionary. As you take back responsibility for your food supply, you’ll experience the empowerment and fulfillment that comes from learning the basic skills of providing for yourself and your family.
Let’s sow the seeds of victory and get our hands dirty to fill our plates. Plant a VICTORY GARDEN today!
:: Guidelines ::
A meal must be comprised of food grown on your property or garden plot (literally or figuratively within - 100 feet - of your front or back door). If non-homegrown ingredients are needed, then we suggest following these modified locavore guidelines
If not from BACKYARD, then Locally produced (PTF’s addition)
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.
:: Getting Started ::
Plan what food you can grow. Your first meal might only have a few herbs from small pots growing in your window or sprouts sprouted in a jar. In northern climates, January is a good time to plan for spring gardening (think seed catalogues!). Look around where you live and locate a space to plant a small garden. If you sow a variety of vegetables and fruit, soon you will have enough ingredients to prepare a full meal!
:: Moving Forward ::
Once you have planted your garden and have prepared a weekly homegrown meal, consider how you can expand your “farm,” increase your garden’s productivity, and, thereby, cook more homegrown meals per week. Then take a further step on the path to independence and victory by learning to preserve your garden harvest.
:: Keeping Track ::
Keep track of your progress. If you wish, once a week you are invited to leave a comment with a link to your website or, if you don’t have a website, to describe your meal in the comment box and let others know of your progress.
:: Participating ::
If you like to take part in this challenge, post in comment box below. Participating on the internet? Feel free to use the ‘100 foot’ icon if you are a taking part (remember to “save as” to not use our bandwidth ) and link to this challenge here Spread the homegrown movement: share, email, post this challenge - the more people participating the better.
By planting a Victory Garden means:
- More nutrious food & better health
- Food security
- Improving quality of life
- Saving money
- Reducing food miles, fuel & energy dependence
- Reducing excessive packaging and effects of climate change
HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION
Declare victory against climate change and corporate powers that be. Take control over the quality of your food and improve your health and immediate environment.
View our inspiring video on YOUTUBE - HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION >>
Join this Victory Garden Challenge, create and inspire new organic gardens.
Spread the seeds and sow the word - let’s grow the future.
Let’s start right here, right now and remember this growing challenge should fun!
{Note: look forward to 100footdiet.org website launch!}
(3 votes)
Loading ...
Topics: 100 Foot Diet, Challenges, Posts by Anais | Tags: EM, Energy, gardening
RELATED POSTS:
- 100 FOOT DIET/VICTORY GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
- VICTORY GARDEN-100 FOOT DIET CHALLENGE
- 100 FOOT DIET HIGHLIGHTS
- 100 FOOT DIET/VICTORY GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
- DIGGING FOR VICTORY
January 6th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hey Gals and Guys,
Just letting you know that I’m on board for the 100 ft. challenge! I’ve been preparing for this for a couple of years, now I’m ready to go full force. My goal is 4-5 meals per week with an attempt at continuing through the winter. That’s the challenge here in Indiana. I’m still using the Solar oven I bought from you. 2 days ago it reached 300 degrees very easily!! Thanks for all you do, and for giving us a great challenge!! Talk to you soon.
Craig
January 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I’ll happily join in, though my garden is just getting started. I do know where to find locally grown items until we have enough produce to make complete meals, however. This will be inspiring and FUN. What a great idea!
January 6th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
What a great challenge — sign me up. I recently invited my son and his girlfriend to a “from scratch” dinner with me every Tuesday, with the idea of getting them used to eating foods that don’t come out of cans and packages. Yes, I know I’m to blame for this state of affairs — I’m a recent convert to fresh, organic food myself, and my son has been less than impressed so far. My goal is to grow and cook foods that he will like so much, he’ll be asking for them. Thanks for the nudge!
January 6th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Fantastic challenge. Like Craig in Indiana, I’ve been prepping for this for a couple of years - building gardens and trying to get my soil just right. This evening in Phoenix, I’m eating veggie soup prepared with homegrown herbs and greens - oregano, garlic chives, parsley, dill, chard, arugula - (the rest is from the farmer’s market).
I would add to your challenge that you share that meal with as many people as is feasible to “spread the word”. I know my soup was enjoyed by my parents and a neighbor.
You guys are inspirational - thank you for all your hard work.
Jennifer in Phoenix, AZ
January 6th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Btw — I just nominated Path to Freedom for the Bloggies’ Best Topical Blog award [since there wasn’t an environmental or gardening topic available]. I hope other readers will go do the same because the Bloggies are a great way to spread the word to people who might not find PTF otherwise. Here’s where to go:
http://2008.bloggies.com/
January 6th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Excellent idea! I’ll be signing on as well…I live in a housing co-op in Michigan and have very little space available to me (last year I planted in containers in a 100 square foot deck and planted in 100 square foot of back garden area), but I had pretty amazing results in 2007 given how shady and small the plot is. This has long been a goal of mine (I can usually manage a 100% home grown salad and partially home grown main meals), and as I am getting a little more gardening space this year I am looking forward to this challenge!
January 6th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I will try this challenge. I have been growing vegetables in my Ohio yard for the last couple of years. It seems my garden improves a little each year. Getting the soil just right is the trick and I plan on putting in at least a couple of new beds this year. I do not like the thought of herbicides, pesticides, or hormones in my food. This is the perfect way to avoid this - just grow it yourself. Your website has inspired me for the last 1 1/2 years. I have faithfully followed your journal and your site is my home page. I accept this challenge with enthusiasm.
Carol - Southern Ohio
January 6th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I want to take on this challenge. I have been searching today for locally grown bulk food items; that is, grains, seeds, legumes and nuts. I live around San Diego. Do you or other commenters know where I might try to order bulk?
January 7th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Hmm… What a great idea for you to promote this!
Was thinking I wouldn’t join in at first, because we can’t make each and every morsel eaten a homegrown one (like I think we should), and I don’t like the idea of people watching me eat at all — but you aren’t asking for all that much, so sign me up! Just one meal per week (which we already try to do) plus you are giving some additional leeway for purchasing to make it easier too!
And I’d like to encourage everyone out there reading this to go ahead and sign up! What a great way to create better habits!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:44 am
LOVE the poster! Can you blow that up into a full page .pdf for use in possible community challenge??
Also LOVE the power-to-the-people fist with shovel.
SUPERB graphics!!!
January 7th, 2008 at 9:45 am
We are in! We have been planning on launching our own victory garden in protest of the Iraq war and over consumption anyway, so this is awesome.
We are going to be using the Square foot gardening method on our homestead. We are currently designing the blocks in which to grow our bounty and should be starting our tomato seeds in the next couple of weeks.
Namaste
January 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’ll give it a try. My fruit trees are starting to produce, and I am hoping for my asparagus to take off, so I will have some early spring stuff, not just waiting til full summer for my veggies to take off.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’m up for the challenge and I’m going to start today. I’ll be blogging about it at my garden blog: http://www.alamedagarden.blogspot.com.
Can you post or otherwise make available the HTML for the two icons? I was able to get the HTML for the movie, but when I view source code for the icons, it appears to be the source code for the movie, not the icons.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Sign me up!!! I think this is wonderfully, if for no other reason to make us more aware of where our food comes from. I’m planning on growing more this year so this will fit right in. Come on seed catalogues! I hope to plant fruit trees this year as well. Even tho those won’t produce for some time, I’ve got to get them going. Thank you all for all of your wonderful inspiration. Good luck to us all!!
Mia - Eastern Shore of Maryland
January 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Sign us up. Here is Maine we are still eating this years potatoes, home canned tomatoes and frozen veggies. Our plans for our garden include growing amaranth, dry beans,and buckwheat.. now if our little hens would lay some eggs…
February 11th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I’m in, and I put a link on my site with the banner. This sounds like fun.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I love this idea! Weve been very very slowly working toward producing some of our own food. Were really at the very beginning and have a tiny yard–but count us in!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Hello there, we are in western Colorado and are up for the challenge! I have a large garden space and will be putting in berry bushes and incorporating some of my front lawn this year. We will be building a chicken arc and getting our own eggs on board as well. Thanks for the motivation.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Good timing - my seed order just arrived, and I have vowed to make my garden plot productive this year. I’m in\!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I’m in, provided I can do it as 100 yard challenge! I don’t want to have to move my poultry coop.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Groovy, groovy, groovy. I can’t tell you enough how spirited and cool your site, efforts and call to action is. As an aspiring urban homesteader, there are moments when you feel decidedly out of sync with the world around you. So to learn of your efforts, and see this burgeoning community unfold, is very soul gratifying. I’ll take the challenge, join in the movement and cheer it’s march forward\!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Ok, sounds interesting! Will give it my best shot. We may have some interesting meals at first! I will give the seed catalogs the twice over\!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I’ll be joining in! My garden plot is a bit more than 100 ft away (it’s in a community garden that’s more like 2 blocks away), but that still counts, right? :)I just wish, wish, wish I could raise my own chickens, too. That adventure will come some day when I’m not living in an apt on a suburban college campus!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’m joining in on this challenge. I have a small raised bed garden and plan on adding 2-3 more beds this year. There’s nothing better than sitting down to a meal of foods fresh from the garden.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’m in! You can see my pics here: http://s189.photobucket.com/al.....ild/Garden 2007/I just started 140 tomato plants and about 200 peppers. Will wait for night time temps to stabilize to plant the rest. I miss my hens. No
t allowed although no one really complains and I might get more soon. :)I just harvested yesterdays lunch from my Greens patch. Thanks for being here. J
February 11th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I’m in. We grew just a few things summer and have some winter stuff in the garden right now. Not much but it’s somewhere to start. Gotta run and plant my cane berries.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Great idea! I am starting with seeds very soon, and this is a great goal to keep in mind for my urban, container garden.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I’m starting a new blog while in the “winter garden.” A better time to begin thinking about the 100 foot diet doesn’t exist
February 11th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Greetings from Wisconsin! My family will gladly join you - this will be fun. OK, here’s our first 100% homegrown meal (in January, no less): scrambled eggs, sauted sweet potatoes, and herbal tea. Yum!
I plan to keep track of “food miles”, and if I grew it (either in our backyard or at our community plot a mile away) I’ll count zero miles. Much of our food comes from a CSA that is about 20 miles from our home, easily within the 100 mile diet, but not homegrown. I can already see that there will be a hungry period sometime in March when the stored food will be gone and local isn’t growing yet, but I’ll plan better for March of ‘09. Thanks for all you do, PTF! Keep up the good work!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I’m in! My challenge is in remembering to do succession planting so that not everything come ready at once.
Where do we report back? I’m not very computer oriented.
Nancy
February 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
What a wonderful idea! I won’t be able to do it with the frozen ground, but this summer, I plan on implementing this at home.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
But of course I’ll take the challenge! The poster and link back is on my Xanga site already. You folks are such an inspiration, thanks for all the hard work and putting yourselves out there for us to learn from. Eating from my little garden tubs is one of my life’s great pleasures…
February 11th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I’m in - this is inspiring that so many people are up to the challenge and want to take control of where & how their food is grown.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Great idea! We’re in. As a family we’ve just started composting. We’re preparing beds and searching for seeds. My husband grew up on farm in rural Illinois so we’re preparing for urban chickens this year too.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
We’re in! Our goal for the past 3 years has been to “do for ouselves”. Slowly and steadily we’re building our land. This year we’ve added ducks and a new garden bed! Very happy to take prt in the challenge!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Love this challenge!!!
Yes, count us in. I’m getting my soil just right to start our vegie garden in Sierra Madre and the herbs are in full swing.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
We are lucky here in Nz as we have all our summer crops growing…makes this challenge easier to start
Can’t wait to find out what the next challenge is!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I’ve got my seeds, my sons built me the chicken house, we’re converting more of our backyard to garden. i’m SO ready to go
February 11th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I’m in for sure! I’ve been so inspired by your family and all you are able to accomplish on your small space. I say be the revolution! I look forward to sharing trials and experiences with all the others on the bandwagon. What a great way to build community, even accross the globe! I’ll be blogging about it throughout the year at http://apaetoday.blogspot.com, hope to here from you all!
P~
February 11th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Wonderfull challenge! I’m in!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Been working on locally obtained veggies/fruits for quite some time.
Growing a fruit garden on a mere 18 x 8 foot “piece of dirt”. Two hydroponic hand-fed units supply our favorite Hungarian Hot Wax Peppers. Herbs are grown in pots everywhere on our no-mow yard.
A generous neighbor has donated a 5 x 30 “piece of dirt” that neighbors have gathered to add their eggshells/coffee grounds/veggie-fruit scraps. Picking lettuces/onions/potatoes most every other day.
You are such an inspiration!
Blessings~
February 11th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Not sure it’s something I can do personally with my garden in the early stages and no CSAs nearby, but I’ll include the icon and link it to your challenge.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I’m in! I am not sure how I am going to manage to get a whole meal out of my 100sqft garden. I guess I should increase the garden size! I can say that I have about mastered the art of the 100 mile diet, though it’s much easier to do if you eat vegetarian.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
No garden yet, as we’re trying this year to move to land! But we have things in pots and I LOVE the idea of the 100 ft eating challenge!!! So excited about it that we’ll join the challenge and do what we can while in limbo…even small efforts can be delicious
February 11th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I’m in too. Right now,ready to use, I have lettuce,radishes N.Z.Spinach,herbs & dried garden greenbeans from 07. Lots more plants coming up,even tomatoes. I grow Bananas & have a Papaya tree & a Lemon tree, all producing. I have heard that green Papaya can be prepared as a vegetable so I am going to try that.
Frugal in Mexico
February 11th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Love this challenge. This is only the beginning as I will pass this on to friends and family. We started with organic gardens about 8 years ago; then the chickens joined us. Now we are looking at goats. Isn’t this fun?
February 11th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Great start to a new year. We are starting from scratch in our new garden, small but will be 90% edible. The last 3 years in Berry Cottage have proven that you do not need acreage to make this happen so we moved to our village shop which has a small garden behind it. Sign us up….we will share how we get on.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I am so in! So far we are talking a pile of seeds and dreams and what was canned from last summer.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I’m in!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
i am sooooo on board here! i’ll be linking to the challenge as well!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
we are luckily able to chisel our little garden plot out of our corner of the ozarks.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
i’ve linked to the challenge on my blog. also, i’m hosting a giveaway for garden seeds from heirloom acres seeds. signups end on the 15th of january. might help some folks get started on their spring plantings!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I would like to participate but will probably have to wait until this summer as all I have left from the 2007 is a freezer full of zucchini and tomatoes
February 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
After much discussion, our family is in.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Our family would like to take on the 100 foot diet challenge. We are from Canada and are under about 5 feet of snow. It has been a mild winter and I went into my greenhouse yesterday and found that the lettuce, the celery and the leeks from last fall are starting to sprout… I plan to take advantage of this and add on to some of the things that we stored away for the winter. Congratulations on starting this wonderful challenge and on all your work inspiring others to take control of their lives…
Isabelle
February 11th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
The first week’s meal is posted here:
http://humblelabor.blogspot.co.....oot%20Diet
February 11th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Count me in! I’m already on the way with a freezer and root cellar full of food we raised over the summer! I can’t start planting until late spring, since I’m in Montana, though. Guess this will give me inspiration to get that greenhouse up and running!
Great idea to post your menus from the week. I think this really helps everyone trying to eat to local food to find their way.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hi, I just wanted to let you guys know that I posted my week two 100 foot-ish meal on my site. I can’t wait until winter is over so I can start making these meals less “100 Mile” and more “100 Foot” in content. All we have growing currently here in Michigan is lemon thyme and parsley, and there’s not a whole lot you can make out of just those two ingredients.
We’ve finalized and ordered half of our 2008 seeds, and are still discussing and deciding on the other half, with as many close to 100% home grown meals as possible being our aim. We’ve had some very interesting discussions as a result. Thanks again for this excellent idea!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I’m diggin’ this challenge. I just posted my first 100 foot diet meal (mostly back yard).
http://greenbeandreams.blogspo.....in-it.html
Plant on!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Count us in - we were already planning to try growing all our own veggies this year! Great idea!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
http://wildsidehome.blogspot.c.....local.html
This week’s update…
February 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
We’re in!
My wife is very involved in the local farmer’s market and we have been thinking of this for awhile.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
We’re still eating last years veggie. This afternoon for lunch we had vegetable soup with green & yellow beans, tomatoes, onions and corn.
We are excited about sketching out this years garden. We are starting to receive the seed catalogs in the letterbox.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
It’s our Wet Season here which is a real challenge for this first time tropical gardener. We had a Category 2 cyclone the week before last, a storm front that dumped 25 cm of rain on us in a few hours at the weekend. but my eggplants are doing well at the moment, basil always grows at this time of the year, the lemons are almost ready…so I can definitely do something
February 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m in, but want to make a suggestion. You say check out the seed catalogs, and I do but if you can buy your seeds or plants locally for what you want do that instead the next time you’re out anyway. Don’t make a special trip. Farmer’s markets are a good place to find vegtable and herb plants. So you are suporting local farmers.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Our family is in……for so many reasons, plus, will be a very wonderful way to walk the walk a little more with our nonschooling family. Glad to have found you on the web! Our chicken coop is ready and waiting, and garden plans are being made, tho’ we’ll have to wait a bit longer here in NE Wisconsin. I would also like to grow more mushrooms, am going to try some in the basement as well as increasing the number of shitake logs out back.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Here is our menu for week 2:
http://humblelabor.blogspot.co.....eek-2.html
February 12th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Sign me up too. I was planning to resurect my apartment patio herb box and add another box this spring to supplement our wonderful CSA and local farmers market intake.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I’ll be coming on board as soon as gardening and U-pick season begins. I didn’t get much canning and preserving done last year, but this year I intend to put my new steam canner through its paces, and the freezer has been cleaned out so there’s room for the next summer’s harvest.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:48 am
I will definitely participate but will have very little to use until the spring and summer when our climate allows my garden to produce as well as the local farmers. Right now all I have from last summer is frozen zucchini and frozen tomatoes.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Count us in…all the way from Barbados, W.I. Love your site.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:49 am
I’m all for the 100 foot diet! After finding the PTF website a couple of years ago, it crytalized a germ of an idea that we had to be more self-sufficiant on our city lot in the middle of a million+ city. Last year was our first, we produced about 300 pounds of produce. This year we’ve branched out to more varieties, and the chicks that I received for a birthday present last year are old enough to start producing eggs any day now.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I can’t wait to start the 100 foot diet challenge this week. I don’t have much growing right now. I will be eating winter squash for a few weeks until things get going again in the garden. I have big plans for growing enough to eat 3 or 4 100 foot meals each week, maybe even more. I’ve been getting my seed orders in the mail and can’t wait for a short break in the rain so I can get some planting done. My back yard is ½ acre and I am really trying to make the most of it. Your website is a continual source of inspiration for me.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I am going to give this a shot. We have plenty of cabbage and broccoli. I have lettuce, spinach, mustard, etc. I trade eggs for plants. Very cool. We can do this
February 12th, 2008 at 5:51 am
I wrote about our second partly-homegrown meal tonight:
http://rebbyribs.livejournal.com/170971.html
Fresh Spring Rolls with peanut sauce.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Sign me up! We still have last years strawberries left and some canned pears. Can wait to get going on this!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:52 am
The latest 100′update from here:
http://wildsidehome.blogspot.c.....nuary.html
February 12th, 2008 at 5:53 am
I just found this! I live in Southern California. I have several purposes in this project: 1 science project for kids on sustainable living. 2. raw food lifestyle. I am VERY new to gardening. I may not hit 100, but I can try. I think this should all compliment well. I started seeds indoors: peppers, tomatoes, also kale, mustard, cilantro, arugula,lettuce, dill, cucumbers. I am not too sure if I started things too soon or too late. I’ll find out. I will be blogging on the site posted as well.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I’m just starting and have posted my first, pitiful! attempt at 100 foot diet. Things can only improve from here!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Please add me, too. I’ve got seeds started for lettuces, lentil sprouts in the cabinet, and my own Meyer lemons and Key limes have been delighting us with breakfast marmalade, syrup, and Moroccan preserved lemon. I’ve been reading more on Permaculture, and have added Russian olive, Greek myrtle, several more blueberries and raspberry/blackberries, cardoon, tangerine, comfrey, yarrow and lavender to my edible landscaping on the Florida Gulf Coast. Coming in March are pomegranate, persimmon, highbush cranberry, artichoke, quince, and black currant.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Here’s my latest post:
http://alamedagarden.blogspot......-diet.html
February 12th, 2008 at 5:56 am
This is a great idea so please add us in.
We probably won’t be able to do 100% off the property but the guidelines you have set should make it all reasonably attainable.
Be back with the meal shortly.
Kind Regards
Belinda
February 12th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Here in Northern Utah we aren’t growing a whole lot out in the garden, but I’ve been regularly sprouting in the house and this week went to my city counsel meeting with another neighbor of mine and voiced our support for a change in the city ordinance that would allow us to keep up to 5 urban chickens on our property. The support seems to be there, and I hope to be able to begin my clutch of hens very soon and be eating 100ft diet eggs by summertime.
Love reading all of your posts.
P~
February 12th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Please add me! I’m in East Tennessee and I’d love to be a part of this!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:58 am
I’d like to join too, although I am just a beginner at vegetable gardening. Surely even I can manage lettuce and sprouts though, if nothing else
February 12th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Sign me up, too! *waves hand frantically* We’re going to see just how much of our own stuff we can grow in our backyard this year.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Here is my first meal… not perfect but aiming in the right direction at least.
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....-diet.html
February 12th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Another week, another meal with some home-grown veggies.
http://rebbyribs.livejournal.com/172205.html
February 12th, 2008 at 6:02 am
We’re in, too! Posted your button on my site and we’re making plans to grow as much of our own food here as we can this year.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:03 am
What a great idea! We’re in. I just posted our first week’s menu at: http://agrarianjourney.blogspo.....lenge.html
February 12th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Our second 100-foot diet meal is posted here: http://agrarianjourney.blogspo.....eal-2.html.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I have to say it again, I’m soooo loving the new design! It looks realy fabulous, I especially like the harvest tally graphic.
I also wanted to let you know that this week’s 100 Foot Diet Challenge meal is up at:
http://vintageflapper.blogspot.....eal-6.html
Not mentioned in this entry, but totally without trying, we went all week last week eating only local and home grown ingredient dinners! I would definitely say this challenge is affecting our meal decisions for the better.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I will accept this challenge if I am allowed to include my Allotment within the 100 foot! It is actually about 1/4 mile away from home…!
Tonight we are eating broccoli, beans, potatoes and courgettes grown on my plot. The beans and courgettes are from the freezer as it is winter here and we have very few fresh veg at the moment.
I think I can commiot to more than one day a week right from the start.
A good challenge……!
February 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I am in! I cant wait until spring so we can get started! We have our seed catalogs and were almost ready for our first order from Johnnies!!
February 17th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Here is my second attempt, still didn’t quite make it but almost.
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....eek-2.html
February 17th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
My attempts at this challenge will be a bit sporadic until the garden gets going. But since the weather was balmy today and there are wild greens popping up, I put a 100-foot meal together today for lunch:
http://readingdirt.blogspot.co.....ruary.html
February 18th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Well, here’s my post for this week:
http://thesietch.org/mysietch/.....cal-local/
February 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I made my first 100 foot meal… It was yummy!!
http://www.wardroadgarden.blogspot.com/
I’m worked in the garden all weekend and I can’t wait to have more home grown veggies to choose from!
February 20th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Count me in!
February 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Another 100-foot meal for us here:
http://rebbyribs.livejournal.com/173517.html
This’ll be the last one for a little while, until our summer garden gets to a harvestable state.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
This will be my first time gardening in NW Pennsylvania. Garadened in CA in the 70’s and 80’s. We have retired here and am researching planting times. We do have a farmer’s market twice a week in season. My husband hunts in season so we always have venison throughout the year.
Am excited at finding this site and know that I can do it. Have been thinking about a raised garden since I am in my 60’s and bending over isn’t as easy on my body as it used to be.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hi guys,
Another 100 foot diet challenge meal post (complete with homegrown tomatoes!) is available at:
http://vintageflapper.blogspot.....eal-7.html
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Great stuff … you should see incoming links from my food blog soon http://nikas-culinaria.com where we talk about all things food and also some of the meals that come from our organic garden which has its own blog at http://humblegarden.com .. that will have the 100 ft diet logo soon.
We live in the snowy north so we do not have much besides some frozen tomatillos from last year’s garden so its not possible right now to show new meals from our garden .. there are plenty from last year’s
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
We’ve been trying to do this for the last few years but didn’t know there was a movement devoted to the effort till now. Some meals are 100% but not all. We’ll keep trying.
February 24th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I have posted my second homegrown meal!!!
http://veganruthie.blogspot.co.....s-and.html
More sprouts, woo hoo!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I think this is fantastic. I’m glad to see so many people signing up. I started doing something similar about 2 years ago, it’s always exciting to eat things that you (or your chickens) grew– there’s a lot of quiche at our house. I will start posting some homegrown meals onto my blog http://rachelstinyfarm.blogspot.com
February 26th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Well I made it… an entire meal actually meeting challenge guidelines.
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....eek-3.html
February 26th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I’m on board…and spreading the word along with my seeds to see what takes root.
In fact, we raise our own lamb, chicken and eggs, buy pork from an organic producer and frequent the farm market outside of town. Fruit trees planted 2 years ago don’t produce enough, but we are sooo looking forward to the day.
Year-long veggies and preserving is my 2008 venture.
Great challenge! especially with the economy going the way it is.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Sounds like things are going well for all involved! We’ve got a few updates on the webpage, still waiting for the chicken women to lay their first eggs. My 11 yr old son has adapted better than I thought he would, he’s actually eating green salad from the garden that he helped raise, (w/o dressing even!) and has taken over care of the chicken women when he’s home. He tells anyone who will listen that we now raise our own organic food.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:43 am
This is a great idea!
We’ve been “eating from within 100 ft” for years, but never gave much thought to how much as compared to buying (other than me griping about why do we bother getting mushy pink tomatoes in winter!)
As it stands, most of our meat was raised locally, eggs are bought privately from a neighbor with chickens, and even though we are now five months removed from the last growing season, we still manage about five to seven servings a week from our garden (just finished lunch - some leftover brussels sprouts and butternut squash from last night’s dinner)
I plan on picking up seed potatoes, onion sets and all my seeds when we go to visit the in-laws.
Potatoes go in around St Patty’s day, onoins and greens by end of March.
I like the way you present this challenge. Realizing that not everyone can go the whole route, it is best to encourage people to do even a little, lest they be discouraged because they can’t do a lot.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I am sorry, I want to read these important things, but your dark type on dark background is too much for me.
Good web design is one of the keys to getting these important words out.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hi Michael, are you on firefox? We had a youtube video embedded in the post that if viewed on an outdated firefox brower without the right plugin installed can “break” the template. You might want to update your browser. In the meantime, we have removed the video.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
This weeks 100 ft diet update was on Monday.
Homegrown sprouts and homegrown and pickled beans and pickles were the foods of the week. This week I hope to start building a small greenhouse on our patio to allow starting of early season crops… Yeah spring is near!
P~
February 27th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I’ve been helping a friend, and he supplies all my seed needs. He has a small company and is a friend of many in the original seed savers association. If you grow his seeds, with the necessary isolation for some of them, you will be able to save them and use them year after year. I love the melons, and the squash, which I eat year around, and the greens, which I grow in my green house year around. Check into the site, http://www.synergyseeds.com and help the open pollinated movement by buying seeds from George !
February 27th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Hey there everybody!!
I haven’t posted anything since I accepted the 100 ft. challenge, however I wanted to let you know that I’ve been doing very well with it so far. I’m actually surprised how much dried, frozen, and canned produce I had from last years garden!!
I’m going to have to start considering getting my own blog to keep eveyone informed on my own path!!
Still think the world of everything you do…thanks so much!!
Craig
February 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
As I read your intro to 100ft diet, I thought I will do this, I can slide (lots of snow) out to the barn pick up a few Heritage Duck Eggs and make scrambled eggs with salsa.
Ground still frozen but I will order from our new resource Idaho Bounty, it is a great way to stay local. Thanks for making this a start for me and others.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I am reading a really good cookbook that would be a great boost to the 100 foot diet quest. I wanted to share the title with you: FRESH FOOD FAST by Peter Berley. [sub title says delicious, seasonal vegetarian meals in under an hour.] I like the authors writing style and the way the book is organized by season…not to mention the beautiful photography. The books lists for $39.95 but I found this title on the shelf at the library - what a lucky find. READ AND ENJOY.
I should also now take time to commit to the 100 foot diet challenge. I have spinach and lettuces ready to begin harvesting. As well as a few green onions. We have started our seeds indoors for herbs, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli and others. My family is so excited to be challenging ourselves to an even higher goal of produce this year. Thank you for kicking this off!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
p.s. I forgot to mention that we are a family of six in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I just posted about my 100-foot egg salad sandwich at: http://agrarianjourney.blogspo.....-meal.html. We’re swimming in homegrown eggs and milk right now so lots of our meals revolve around those. Amazingly, I found some greens still growing in our cold frame so one of these days, when the ice melts, we’ll pick a salad. Looking forward to spring, though, and more fresh produce!
March 6th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
More Zucchini but hey thats Autumn
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....-meal.html
March 10th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I’d love to join this, what a great idea! Keep me posted.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I’m going to commit to this too. We may start out small, but hey, you have to start somewhere right? This week at least we could have home grown chives with a meal.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I would also love to commit to your challenge. The ground here in SE Alberta is just starting to thaw, so I won’t have any veggies for quite a few months yet. We still have a bit of snow on the ground!
I am a self-described picky eater, so I am going to use this challenge to try and broaden my horizons a bit. Thanks for such an inspiring website. Sometimes I can’t understand why everyone isn’t doing this…it makes so much sense!
March 12th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
We would love to commit to this challenge as well. We live in the mountains at 6200 ft and gardening can be difficult but we are trying. We can’t plant until the end of May, but we do have some things left from last year and we have 6 goats adn chickens for milk and eggs. So we will be able to do something at least. We are also shopping at our local organic store that buys from local farmers and I have a friend with a large garden and he graciously shares his bounty with us. This is a great challenge and I hope we are up to it.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Ok I am in! This is going to be great and help me focus more on where our food is coming from (hopefully most from the backyard). It is also something to look forward to doing in that with gas prices and grocery prices so high it’s depressing. Focusing on something like this is just the cure! Thanks again for doing this and all the inspiration.
Amy
March 14th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Ok I am in! This is going to be great to help me focus on what we are eating in each meal (hopefully most will be from our backyard or the farmer’s market when it opens). With gas and grocery prices too high this is something positive I can focus on instead of getting depressed about the state of the country. Thanks again!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....eek-4.html
March 19th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I’m in when we start growing in Ohio, looks like our meal in June will be strawberries, followed by raspberries in July(the birds planted these), then our veggies will start coming, ’til then we’ll make omelettes from our chickens, smothered in maple syrup from our maple trees. We made four gallons of syrup in March that we may be able to trade for local stuff. Thanks for what you do Dervaes family, Woody
March 19th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I’m in when we start getting strawberries in June, until then we can live on eggs from our chickens smothered in maple syrup from our maple trees. Thank you Dervaes family you have inspired our family. Peace be with you!
Woody
March 20th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I’m in!
-Robin
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I’ve posted our first week’s meal here:
http://www.beautifuleachday.blogspot.com
March 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am
My two daughters, husband-to-be & myself just moved from Eugene, OR to Cave Spring, GA. The entirely edible landscape we left behind in the city of Eugene will be missed but, our new homestead in Georgia has beautiful soil - not the red clay I was fearing. We have already planted many types of veggies & berries (even blue pumpkins from Italy). We have been planning this year’s victory garden since last summer and living outside of a town with not one fast food restaurant makes eating healthy homegrown meals an easy-to-do reality. We love the path to freedom site. My girls even keep egg-tallys and want to weigh all our produce this year. Happy Eating!
March 25th, 2008 at 8:21 am
A little late, but I would like to join in. Our first meal was simple — tea and zucchini bread. We should have enough of last summer’s garden in the freezer to last us until this year’s garden starts producing!
March 25th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Its starting to get a little cooler and beans have made it back onto the menu.
http://belindas-simple-life.bl.....eek-5.html
March 26th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
OK! I’m in! I was thinking about making some cinder block raised beds in my back yard (I rent an apartment) and the next day stumbled across your challeng. Fate! I’ll chronicle the adventure on my blog…
March 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
We are joining in, as well, and will get started when our garden is up and going in a few weeks.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
i’m in! currently working on a website to keep track of it all…..will pass it along once it’s up. keep up the great, great work!
March 27th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Here in KY we are just getting started with our growing season and are getting down to the last of the jars in our pantry, but there is still enough for a few more homegrown meals!
Here’s what we had for dinner tonight:
“Homestead Stew” made with foraged wild garlic, homegrown tomatoes, homegrown pinto beans, homegrown green peppers, homegrown sweet potatoes, homegrown pumpkin, homegrown basil, a homegrown hot pepper, and a touch of homegrown maple syrup.
“Foraged Salad” made with foraged chickweed, foraged yellow dock, foraged shepherd’s purse, fresh homegrown cilantro, and garnished with dandelion blossoms and violets. Served with a vinaigrette made with organic raw apple cider vinegar, organic honey, and oil.
Cornbread made with homegrown eggs and sweetened with homegrown maple syrup.
I love this challenge! Thanks so much!!
BTW, there is a site with wonderfully clear pictures of wild edibles, for anyone interested in learning foraging. http://www.foragingpictures.com/ Happy growing (and foraging)!! Anne
March 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I just posted about this week’s meal at: http://agrarianjourney.blogspo.....-week.html. It’s pretty slim pickings in the Midwest in late March, but we’ve got eggs coming out our ears…
March 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I posted a bit here:
http://thesietch.org/mysietch/.....rwintered/
March 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I’m in! Tomorrow I get started putting in my “Victory Garden”.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I’ve posted about our second week’s meal here:
http://www.beautifuleachday.blogspot.com
Egg-o-rama!!!