We hosted a FOOD INC screening & potluck on Sunday night and you can too - in your own home!

Tomorrow night at 9 PM (April 21) PBS POV will air FOOD INC in its entirety and is encouraging folks to host a potluck too

Here are some ways you can help (I've taken the liberty to copy from via the POV website )

1. Share your recipes — Enter your best potluck recipes in the comments section of our recipes page so that viewers and potluck hosts can check them out.

2. Feature POV's Food, Inc. potluck party on your site — Encourage your readers to host their own potluck parties on April 21 (or from April 22 to April 29, when the film will be streaming online). Post about the potluck and link back to our party kit and checklist. Then, have your readers who hosted potlucks tell us about their party for a chance receive free gifts — including autographed books from Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, a DVD of the film, coffee from Equator Coffees, coupons for free Amy's Kitchen products and more!

3. Host your own Food, Inc. potluck party and blog about it — We would love to feature bloggers who hold their own potluck parties in the next few weeks as examples to viewers who are interested in doing it the night of broadcast.

4. Get the word out — Tweet/Facebook about the POV broadcast of the film and the potluck and let your friends, family, fans and followers know how they can hold their own potlucks. We'd love it if you used the hashtag #foodincparty when you tweet so that we can track, retweet and respond to your messages.

Here is a sample tweet that we encourage you to retweet if you're short on time.

FOOD, INC. airs on @povdocs (PBS) 4/21. Host a potluck and talk about food issues? http://to.pbs.org/a4Q1BT #foodincparty

Go to POV website and sign up

Our Film & Food Event

Here's what went down at our screening Sunday Night

Nearly 80 people attended our local screening of FOOD Inc in Pasadena Ca

The food spread was incredible and delicious.  Folks were encourage to bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible).

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.

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.

Folks were also encourage to bring something "HOMEGROWN" to trade and swap at the Freedom Gardens table

Good food, good times

Fellowship, networking - growing community

People crowd around the Freedom Gardens table - there were herbs, worm compost, fruits, plants, veggies and more to swap!

Justin demonstrates making soil blocks with the soil block maker

Jordanne talks about keeping citified farm animals

I explain how to use ollas/clay pot irrigation in the garden to conserve water

Farmer D introduces FOOD INC

Film was followed by a pop quiz and very thoughtful discussion.

Thanks to all who participated and the amazing food spread - great job everyone.  Not to mention, thank you to our wonderful volunteers who pitched in - couldn't have done with without you.

Last but not least, we also want to thank PBS POV for choosing Path to Freedom's "Little Homestead in the City" to be a participating blogger/site for this national event.

To view more photos from this event go to our FACEBOOK page

WHAT: Screening of FOOD INC Local Food Potluck, Produce & Seed Swap
WHEN: Sunday April 18 (6  PM - 10 PM)
WHERE: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA  91103
COST: $10.00

RSVP  - click here  (note we went back to our simple rsvp format)

You asked for an event; however,  if we do not get enough folks attending this event we will have to CANCEL this one and reconsider hosting ANY other Film & Food Nights in the future

Even if you have seen this film before - consider this event an opportunity to support any future events.  Spread the word, invite friends and family.

The success of this event is up to you!

Monterey Bay/Asilomar, EcoFarm Conference Jan 20-23

Before the conference started, we needed a place to stay for night or two before we were given our designated rooms on the conference grounds and were blessed with a place to stay beachside. (A big thanks to the Bakke family who made this possible.)  There we rendezvoused with friend and farmer, Sergio, who stayed the night with us and who also was there to attend the conference for the first time.

We did get a chance in between raindrops to take a small walk along the beach which was nice.

The 2003 EcoFarm Conference is where Farmer D gave his very first urban homesteading presentation.  Seven years later, we were back - to cover all that has happened here on the homestead.  The topic was perfect: "Big Rewards from Small Spaces."

Unfortunately, the rain just wouldn't let up - just went where there was a break, another deluge would drench the conference grounds.  Wave after wave of rain pelted the coast from the huge storm that covered the whole state of California.

So we couldn't really enjoy walks on the beach (bummer) but instead spent most of our time indoors - talking with people at our booth in the Exhibit Hall, checking out a few talks, attending plenary sessions with Wes Jackson, Eliot Coleman and Frances Moore Lappé,  taking part in the ever-fun seed swap (where we loaded up on more seeds) and hanging out in the dinning hall listening to some wonderful conversations about farm life.

At the farm conference, we met Chris of Chauffin Family Farm, who saw the film in Nevada City and invited us to visit their farm (will take a rain check on that, thank you!).  Thanks, Chris, for the wonderful and engaging conversation - not to mention the jar of olive oil from your farm.  You'll definitely be hearing more from us!

Also, Frances Moore Lappé signed a copy of Diet for a Small Planet for us. On the shelf here on the urban homestead, we have an old and tattered copy from the 1970s, so now we have a new, autographed copy (sweet!). We brought greetings from John Robbins, who is long-time friends with Frances Moore Lappé. She and her daughter, Anna, also work together - yet another example of passing a legacy to the next generation.

Saturday morning was time for Farmer D's Urban Homesteading presentation, which drew about 200 people to Merrill Hall, the main conference venue. (We didn't check the Chapel so don't know how many were there listening in to the live feed.)  The presentation must have been a popular one because when we got to the desk to pick up a CD of the talk, the stack was all gone!

Farmer D opened the presentation with a screening of the ever-popular Homgrown Revolution. We don't know quite what it is about this simple film-that-wasn't-supposed-to-be-a-film.  One of the EcoFarm vendors told us that her husband was in tears at the end of the film - it touches something deep down in people.

Farmer D then talked about what we had learned over the 20+ year urban homesteading experiment, especially when it came to front yard edible gardening (very timely with the bad PR some of these projects are getting - I'll touch on that in a later post).  Lots of people were taking detailed notes. He emphasized that

"Change happens slowly, but you must start now-small can be beautiful and productive"

Perhaps in our spare time (huh) we can have our friend Dan put up the entire talk on YouTube....lots to do!

On the last day of the conference, the sun finally came out - but, alas, it was time for us to go.  We all headed down to the beach after lunch for quick walk - the air, ocean and sunshine were mesmerizing.

We all were extremely tired - don't know why (actually,  in my case I think it's because of the sheets - yep, sleeping on bleached sheets something we aint used to here the urban homestead) and it's hard to be on the road moving from place to place.

Not to mention the worry of how things were at the urban homestead and Sergio's farm with one of the biggest storms we've had in years.  Thoughts of the long drive home brought us back to reality, and we said goodbye to the sand and surf.

With such a land based lifestyle, even when on the road, there's never really time off - your mind wanders back to the farm/homestead as you wonder what's going on and the projects that await your arrival.   We, and even farmer Sergio, were on the phone calling home - wondering the same thing: "How are things there - animals, garden OK?"

At the closing plenary session there was, shall I say, an "interesting" exchange with Elliot Coleman and Gary Hirshberg (of Stoneyfield) Definitely raised some interesting questions though we saw both sides seemed we sided more with Coleman.

Did leave us with a lot to think about - the future of food and organic agriculture.

Now for some photos!

Ahhh, the majestic ocean

Jordanne, me and Sergio enjoy a walk in the beach

Pelicans

Justin and Sergio wonder if they should bring some of the kelp home for their gardens

Enjoying the sand, surf and blue skies

Boardwalk

Welcome!

No better place to have a conference in the world than Asilomar!

Jordanne, Justin and Sergio checking out the tables of information

Justin and Sergio intently listen to a lecture about beneficial plants and insects.

Three farmer's hang out - Sergio, Chris & justin

Meeting up once again with Frances Moore Lappe

Jordanne & Sergio listen in on a talk in the lovely Chapel

Eating together

Hanging together

And now for the most anticipated event of the conference - seed exchange

Justin, Sergio and Jordanne check out tables full of all sorts of seeds

Justin and I fill up envelopes

Nothing makes a farmer happier more than seeds.... well, perhaps rain and a bumper harvest.

Man hands! Pen and little envelopes in hand, Justin fills up on seeds

Farmer D gives his presentation

Saying our goodbyes to all the wonderful folks at Nevada City Wild & Scenic Festival (read all about it in case you missed it!), it was time to mosey down the mountain to a little one stoplight town nestled amongst the pines, Meadow Vista, where we were to meet up with a Freedom Gardener for a social potluck.

After nibbling all day at the film festival, what a wonderful sight to see - the table full of homemade/homegrown food.  The food spread was awesome! Thanks to everyone who brought a homemade, delicious dish - there was even some flavorful home brewed beer via the folks at Foothill Home Companion - perhaps she'll be blogging about our visit soon!

Looking around the roomy and well-organized kitchen, I couldn't help but wander over to the pantry that was lined with lovely glass jars (that looked like mine) filled with staples.

Feeling right at home, we spent the night in an adorable "Mary Janeish" bedroom and woke up to the sound of Julia hand grinding coffee and whipping up a batch of cornmeal waffles (delicious and very filling).  Thanks!

After a lively and scrumptious breakfast, it was time to wake up the ladies (aka the chickens).  While the guys talked about bees and gardening,  we gals went out to meet the hens.   Jordanne checked out the cute chicken coop (it matched our house paint colors!). I was fascinated by the chickens wandering out in the rain looking for bugs in the yard.  I thought, "These ain't no So Cal birds scared of the rain!"  Our chickens are wusses.

Then it was time to tour their Freedom Garden - that included His and Her beehives -very cute.

Julia told us a wonderful story about her seed sowing (her first time starting off!).  Of all the seeds she ordered, our very own Freedom Seeds were the only ones that germinated! That made us proud indeed.

She and Gary also described going out to the garden to pick spinach for dinner - only it never made it into the house because it was so deliciously tender.

Before we left, Jordanne and I knitted a few rows on Julia's friendship scarf while we talked about goats, ducks, chickens and more.  We could have stayed with Julia and Gary for days, but it was time to head down to the coast.

Thank you, Julia and Gary, for your gracious and warm hospitality!

Driving down the mountain to the coast through torrential rains, we commented how this visit was very refreshing and nourishing to our souls.  What a joy it was to see you and your husband recount stories from your homestead, Julia!  It was like we bonded with a kindred spirit.

We even lamented that you weren't closer: "Otherwise we'd be up there every day!"

I strongly sense there are some baby ducklings in your future so look forward to hearing about the latest additions to your homestead.

The beach and our meeting with author and food advocate John Robbins up next.

But, first, some photos!

Awesome & colorful food spread.  Delicious!

Jordanne check out the colorful (green & brown) eggs from Julia's flock of hens while Julia buzzes about her kitchen with apron and 'Homegrown Revolution' tee

Group shot of Freedom Gardeners!

Homemade cornmeal waffles topped with local butter and homegrown blackberry preserves.

Julia's husband and handyman Gary give us a pet Fleaddle to take home.  "Fleaddle" now sits on the fireplace at the urban homestead.  Isn't he a cutie!

Julia shows us photos of her summer garden

Hey there, hennie!

Checking out the bees, er hive , since no bees were to be seen because of the rain

Breakfast club!

A woman's domain.  Girlie chatterings in the kitchen

Despite the rain and cold we did, though, enjoy a winter treat of homegrown tomatoes and cilantro and, of course - squash!

SATURDAY

Breakfast - homemade buttermilk pancakes
Dinner - homemade flour tortillas, homemade spanish rice with black beans and raw cheese

SUNDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - leftovers from Saturday dinner
Dinner - homegrown/homemade pumpkin soup

MONDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - leftover pumpkin soup
Dinner - homegrown salad with macaroni & cheese

TUESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homemade lentil loaf topped with homemade ketchup with organic rice
Dinner -leftover lentil loaf topped with homemade ketchup, rice with mashed homegrown squash

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - leftover lentil loaf topped with homemade ketchup, rice with mashed homegrown squash
Dinner - homemade flour tortillas, black beans, raw cheese, homegrown tomatoes, cilantro and homegrown/canned marinated green peppers

THURSDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - raw grilled cheese sandwich with homegrown/made jalapeno jelly, homegrown tomatoes/homemade-grown zucchini pickles
Dinner - homemade/homegrown herb pizza crust topped with homegrown tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and mozzarella cheese

FRIDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - raw grilled cheese sandwich with homegrown/homemade jalapeno jelly, homegrown tomatoes/homemade-grown zucchini pickles
Dinner - homemade/canned tomato sauce with pasta and parmesan cheese and homemade no knead bread

:: Field Hand Appreciation :: PB $10   Thank you for your support!  Would you like to support change for change - here's how.

The ash, smoke and heat are finally gone - for now.    What a difference a week makes!  These last few mornings and evenings have been cool - cool enough for a light sweater in fact.  So much more comfortable weather wise and not to mention one is now able to breathe better.

Lots of goings on in the garden - getting ready for fall and pretty soon the change of season will result in a complete change in menu so we are enjoying summer while it lasts.

Here's what we ate last week.

SATURDAY

Breakfast - homemade/homegrown blueberry pancakes
Dinner - homemade flour tortillas, homemade spanish rice (homegrown onions, peppers, tomatoes) with homegrown sauteed pepper and local avocado  and onions (from Farmer S) with raw cheese

SUNDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - leftovers from Saturday dinner
Dinner - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)

MONDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - left overs from potluck on Sunday
Dinner - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)

TUESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown lima beans and homegrown carrots with homegrown herb butter
Dinner - homegrown roasted eggplant, homegrown sun dried tomatoes, homegrown peppers, basil and pasta

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown green beans and homegrown carrots with homegrown herb butter
Dinner - fig tacos (homegrown figs, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro) with organic raw cheese and sour cream

THURSDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)
Dinner  -out

FRIDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch -  homemade, homegrown herb pizza crust topped with homegrown tomatoes, peppers, roasted eggplant and basil and mozzarella cheese
Dinner - homemade tomato sauce (homegrown garlic, celery, onions, peppers and tomatoes) with pasta and parmesan cheese

The summer garden is still puttering along and providing us with a bounty of good food.

SATURDAY

Breakfast - homemade/homegrown blueberry pancakes
Dinner - homemade flour tortillas, homemade spanish rice (homegrown onions, peppers, tomatoes) with homegrown sauteed pepper and local avocado  and onions (from Farmer S) with raw cheese

SUNDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - leftovers from Saturday dinner
Dinner - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)

MONDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - left overs from potluck on Sunday
Dinner - left overs from potluck on Sunday

TUESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)
Dinner - homegrown tomatoes, cucumber sandwich with homemade sauerkraut local cabbage (from Farmer S)

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown stuffed peppers (homegrown herbs, squash and organic rice) with homegrown cucumber and tomato salad
Dinner - homegrown stuffed peppers (homegrown herbs, squash and organic rice) with homegrown cucumber and tomato salad

THURSDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown stuffed peppers (homegrown herbs, squash and organic rice) with homegrown cucumber and tomato salad
Dinner  - homemade herb pizza crust topped with homegrown homegrown-preserved marinated peppers and homegrown tomatoes, roasted eggplants, basil, figs and mozerella cheese with homegrown tomato and cucumber, basil salad

FRIDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch -  homegrown avocado and tomatoes on toast with homegrown tomato and cucumber, basil salad
Dinner - homemade tomato sauce (homegrown garlic, celery, onions, peppers and tomatoes) with pasta and parmesan cheese

What: Film Screening of CONSUME THIS MOVIE! & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, July 19  (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10 (children under 12 are free) A small entrance fee is required to help pay for facility rental, dvd screening fee, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out the online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - local food potluck

7:00 PM - CONSUME THIS MOVIE! (80 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film Details

See this movie when you're happy to be alive. Check out this movie when you want to make a huge difference. Absorb this movie again and again for profound insights about all our lives. But - whatever you do - Consume This Movie!”
— Ed Begley, Jr., Actor

Are Americans too materialistic? Are we willfully trashing the planetary ecology in order to serve the desires and drives of the ego? And what, or who could be driving this powerful force of seduction? Consume This Movie takes a critical look at social injustice, peak oil, resource depletion and our deep need to feel connected to each other through what we choose to consume. This 80 minute documentary also examines the frenzied pace of fast-lane materialism that is beggining to burn us out. We Americans are just now beginning to yearn for a simpler life, but is it too late? Have we set in motion a runaway train that threatens to undermine the ecological, social and spiritual cornerstones that make the pursuit of happiness possible in the first place? Walk, don't drive to see this powerful documentary film, while supplies last!

Woven into this exploration are interviews with Dr. Peter Whybrow, American Mania, Juliet B. Schor, The Overspent American, simplicity guru’s Cecile Andrews and Duane Elgin, photographic artist Chris Jordan, advertising expert James. B. Twitchell and Post Carbon Institutes Julian Darley among others.

Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
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.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

What: Film Screening of ARE WE RUNNING DRY & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, May 24 (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10 (children under 12 are free) A small entrance fee is require as it helps pay for facility rental, dvd screening fee, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly, compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - local food potluck

7:00 PM - clay pot irrigation demo followed by film screening ARE WE RUNNING DRY (80 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film Details

“As in the rest of the world, significant water problems exist in the Southwestern states because of severe drought, urban development, agricultural uses and population growth. The overwhelming need to solve these issues in the United States and the world is crucial through education and planning. The severity of the American water crisis cannot be underestimated.”

Jane Seymour, Narrator, “Running Dry”

Nearly every state in the American Southwest is affected by a water crisis and is struggling with record dry conditions. On the heels of the American Southwest’s drought, and in an effort to raise awareness, The Chronicles Group with support from grants from the California Water Association, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Southern Nevada Water Authority and other public and private entities, Vegas PBS will present “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?” directed, written, and produced by Jim Thebaut, president of The Chronicles Group, a Los Angeles based non-profit public information/education film production company

Featuring narration from Emmy® Award-winning actress Jane Seymour, “The American Southwest:  Are We Running Dry?” is a definitive look at how the water crisis affects the American Southwest states and its escalating economic toll.
Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
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.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

With two baskets full of loquats and a bag of extra raisins leftover from the potluck on Sunday, I whipped up this very simple yet tasty loquat dessert. 

Everyone enjoyed it so I was glad I made enough for breakfast tomorrow.

Read more about growing and using highly nutritious loquats.