The Victory of the Garden part 1

In  restaurants there are an unlimited supply of farm fresh vegetables every week.  From greens, to okra, to the sweetest peaches.  All you need is a phone and a person can get whatever they want delivered right to the restaurant door.  While everything in the restaurant doesn't always fit into the Primal Bohemian philosophies of eating well, the convenience of delivery can't be argued with. Unfortunately for those of us in the rest of the world, farm fresh vegetables delivered to your door are not an option.  Many of us are lucky if we can seek out farmers markets and find the best stuff to put into out primal lives.  And yes, of course grocery stores have nearly everything you need to eat well on the primal bohemian journey, but you have to be vigillant about where it comes from, is it organic, fair trade, an equal housing lender etc. etc. etc. What other options are there though? For myself, and many of my fellow Primal Bohemians,  we have gone back to the vegetable garden!

When we talk about gardening, it is not about lily's and roses.  We are talking about vegetables.  Of course there are a lot of things to consider before you plunge into the world of growing what you eat.  Concerns about space, climate, soil, and even what to grow all come into play, but if planned accordingly, you can provide your Primal Bohemian lifestyle with a significant chunk of produce for your eating well habits. 

It is easy to get carried away with thinking about what to grow.  We all want carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, squash, okra, zucchini,  peppers, and huge amount of other things.  It is helpful to step back and start somewhere else: herbs.  An herb garden is a great way to test your green thumb.  It can be done inside or outside.  Takes minimal attention, and will drastically improve your primal meals.

I suggest starting with  a small herb garden with a mix of parsley, basil, chives, cilantro, and mint.  You will need a single box of about 4 feet long and 8 inches deep for this many plants, or an individual pot of 8 inches deep for each plant.  Whether inside or outside, the plants will need plenty of sunlight and water.  It is helpful to have some shade throughout the day to prevent the herbs from getting sun burnt if outside.  If you follow the basics of water, light, and some good soil, these herbs will produce a plethora of product to add to sauces, salads, and all your other Primal Bohemian meals.  Of course there is more to this gardening thing, but you have to start somewhere.  Look back for part 2 soon.  So who has an herb garden? Post your thoughts to the comments.  As always,  eat well. Play Hard. Give back.
-JPS   

Eat Well. Salsa verde

There are few things better then a fresh salsa.  Salsas pack intense flavor, lots of nutrients, and can take just about any dish to the next level.  Not to mention they fall right into a key element of The Primal Bohemian lifestyle-simplicity.    

I came across some fresh tomatillos at the farmers market and couldn't pass up grabbing them.  If you have never had a tomatillo it is NOT a green tomato.  Although they both are from the nightshade family, the tomatillo is more of a giant gooseberry then a tomato (if you are unfamiliar with a gooseberry, that is for another post).   Slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and even slightly slimy, tomatillos are a staple in cuisines of Mexico and South America.   And if you like fresh green salsas, I suggest grabbing some and trying this great salsa verde out! 

You can make this salsa verde either in an oven or on a grill.  The grill will add some nice smokey notes, but the oven will give a deeper, more compound flavor.  

For 1 large jar of salsa you will need 3 tomatillos (they come wrapped in a light skin, peel this off before using), 2 jalapenos, 1 bunch of green onions, a tablespoon of cumin, some coconut oil, and a pinch of salt.  

In a mixing bowl, coat all of the vegetables lightly in coconut oil.  Sprinkle with salt and cumin.  If you are going to grill the vegetables, do it over medium heat until everything is lightly charred.  If you choose to use the oven, preheat an oven to 350 degrees and let everything roast for 10 minutes.  

Once cooked, take all your vegetables and put them in a food processor or blender. Blend until a desired consistency is reached.  If you like chunky salsa, keep it chunky! If you like smooth salsa, keep it smooth! If you do not have a food processor or blender, you can use a mortar and pestle (or you can make one yourself with a heavy wooden spoon and a bowl).  Let everything cool down and enjoy.  

Salsa verde is great on pretty much all meats and vegetables.  You can use it to top already cooked items or cook items right in it.  It can also be a great addition to marinades.  Have questions? Let me know in the comment section.  

Until next time.  Eat well.  Play hard.  Give back.  -JPS

   

Off and Running

It has taken lots of time, constant thought, and the persistent push of many, but finally the Primal Bohemian is taking off.  The idea is simple; to  create a space where the Primal Bohemian lifestyle can be viewed, shared, and discussed by like minded people as well as anyone interested. Part recipe share, part food education system, part anecdotal medium, part health blog,  and overall primal living think take, the Primal Bohemian is a community that aims to promote a primal lifestyle while having a great time doing so.

With the simple mantra "Eat Well. Play hard. Give Back" the Primal Bohemian hopes to spread the word of the primal world.  So what are we really talking about? Well, it can be a bit complicated, and there are many who have put countless hours into explaining it in much more depth then is necessary here.  But in a nutshell, a primal lifestyle one that focuses on a specific diet, fitness routine, and other  choices similar to that of our hunter gatherer ancestors. It has also been referred to as a paleo, neolithic, and/or a caveman lifestyle. No, we will not ask  anyone to put on loin cloths, forgo modern civilization, and start gathering their own food (although foraging is a great way to exercise and a great primal activity).   If you need more info check out  www.marksdailyapple.com, www.paleoomg.com, and www.robbwolf.com for some great background reading, products, and articles on the primal lifestyle. 

For those already in the know, get ready.  Its time for a new primal community.  The Primal Bohemian community!  See everyone soon.  Eat well. Play hard. Give Back.
-JPS