I read Simple Mom on a somewhat regular basis. Recently I was browsing through the menu of her most popular posts, and I saw this: 11 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget.

I already do some of these things, but #7, ” Invest in a Community Supported Agriculture program,” caught my eye.

If you’ve read some of my recent posts, you know that I am a first-time gardener and I am totally excited about it. This year I planted my first “real” garden and I am growing tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley (all from seeds), peppers, watermelon and basil (all from plants). Last night I literally rushed home after work to see how big my baby cucumbers have gotten (about 1.5-2 inches long right now)!

I can’t always make it to area farmer’s markets. So this got me wondering what kinds of CSAs are in my area.

I found out there’s one a town away. I’m signing up this afternoon. I’ll be missing the first few weeks, but they are prorating the cost for me.

This is what last week’s share consistent of:

1 head romaine lettuce, 1 head Napa cabbage, 1 bunch leeks, CHOICE: broccoli raab, tatsoi or mizuna, 1 bunch salad turnips, CHOICE: spinach or swiss chard, 1 lb fava beans, CHOICE: cilantro or dill

I have no idea what tatsoi or mizuna are but I’m stoked! (Insert pause here for Google search….typing…..searching…. OHHHHHHH.)

Mizuna, from Calendula & Concrete

There is a volunteering requirement involved… I’m looking into that. If I won’t be able to volunteer my time because of child care conflicts or work there is also a “work buy-out” option.

Stay tuned.