My First Co-op!

A few weeks back, while John was still in the hospital, my sister-in-law told me about a food co-op she'd become a part of.  She showed me pictures of fresh fruits and vegetables and I thought it looked awesome. She sent me the link to Bountiful Baskets. 

I signed up for the first time this week. It was pretty easy. The way it works is you sign up online on Monday and pay for the basket. It's clear that there are no refunds or returns, if for any reason you don't show up, they donate the leftover food. I signed up, paid my money and got my receipt. I was ready for my Saturday pick up.

The pick up is in the parking lot of a local mall. I wasn't sure where to go, but after a little driving aimlessly and the use of my iPhone compass, I found the SE corner. My sister-in-law showed up in time to join me in line.

They have rows of baskets lined up. The first time you sign up, you pay a one time basket fee. We were about twenty minutes early. It gave us a good spot in line.

It was exciting in a geeky sort of way to watch them load up the baskets.

I watched as grapes and blueberries made their way into the basket. Then celery and red potatoes. Finally the line opened up and I gave my name and got my basket number.

I filled two grocery bags full of fruits and vegetables.

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My sister-in-law got a bonus pack for chips and dip and shared some avocados, peppers and a tomato. Also the fresh cilantro.  (I see some guacamole in my future!)  The rest was in my basket.  It is more than enough to get us through two weeks.

There was a little fruit I didn't recognize, so I cut it up and John and I gave it a try.

It was about the size of a plum.

It had a hard little pit.

It tasted like a cross between a peach and an apple. It wasn't fuzzy and not real sweet.

I have a lot of fresh food to try out.  But I think it is a great deal for all the fresh food you get. I will try to post my attempts!

Due To Illness, The Part of Chef Will Be Played By Jo.

It has been a long time without a blog.  Life gets in the way.

Since February 24th, life got crazy. John went to the hospital for a quick in and out procedure. The plan was two nights in the hospital, a week off from work and then business as usual.

Yeah, didn't quite go that way.  

It is now almost four months later. John just got out of the hospital ten days ago.  It was a scary and stressful time. Now,.John is on the mend, but still very weak physically. Anyone that knows me, knows that John is the chef of the family.  I've never been one to enjoy the process of cooking. While he was in the hospital, when I wasn't eating hospital food, I was hitting fast food or the deli at the grocery store. But it isn't the same as home cooking.

Now that John is home, I have to do the cooking. In the past if I was cooking, I either was alone in the house or had John's expert hand on my shoulder or his advice in my ear. But now he is in the living room, on the mend and I am in the kitchen.  He still gives advice, but its not the same as when he takes over and made it right. Or when I get to be in the living room and get a fully realized meal like magic.

So I am in charge. I have to do all the things that are no fun for me. I have to shop for groceries, make the meals and clean up.  I know most people do this daily, but my husband has kind of spoiled me all these years.

I need to make some high protein meals to get his muscles strong. Lots of veggies to keep him healthy. And make it all taste good.

Wish me luck!