Last weekend I stumbled across a new and exotic pod at the farmers market....a gargantuan bean pod that looked like it might have come off of the stalk that Jack climbed up to reach the Giant. And because I can´t resist new and exotic foods, especially ones that remind me of fairy tales, I had to ask the farmer all about it. Turns out...it was a fava bean pod! Not quite that exotic after all as it grows well here in our Illinois climate. You can get them now from Suttill's Ga

The Local Flavors farm-to-table dinner series, now in its 10th season, will kick off this June, highlighting locally-owned restaurants in Springfield, Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, and Bloomington-Normal with a commitment to sourcing from central Illinois farmers. The series provides central Illinois residents with the opportunity to experience a farm-fresh meal featuring the true flavors of Illinois while also supporting local businesses, sustainable farming, and their communiti

Meet the Proctor Family! They're a family of four in Bloomington-Normal trying their best to eat entirely local food one day each week, and they've graciously agreed to share their adventures. Follow Neal, Maggy, Lydia, and baby Adalyn as they shop, chop, dice, grill, and even grow local food this summer in an effort to not only eat fresh, wholesome meals, but to support their community, and live a little greener. Each week, they'll share their stories and their creations rig

Meet my new favorite breakfast: the salad. Move along french toast and pancakes, there's a new superstar in town. He's lean, mean, green, and packed with protein. I know salad isn't part of the conventional American breakfast foods, but you've never seen salad like this before. It's the kind you actually WANT to eat. The kind that will fill you up and won't let you down. Plus what could be better than getting in all of your veggies for breakfast? The actual recipe is pretty f

Meet the Proctor Family! They're a family of four in Bloomington-Normal trying their best to eat entirely local food one day each week, and they've graciously agreed to share their adventures. Follow Neal, Maggy, Lydia, and baby Adalyn as they shop, chop, dice, grill, and even grow local food this summer in an effort to not only eat fresh, wholesome meals, but to support their community, and live a little greener. Each week, they'll share their stories and their creations rig