Something Fresh

Have you ever come across some new music that you thought was so cool, everyone should know about it? Well, I’d like everyone to know about “Something Fresh.” Imagine a collection of recipes featuring fresh, local, in-season ingredients, accompanied by a CD of songs by contemporary folk musicians about each recipe. The songs are all kid-friendly and adult-fun, and tout the wonders of local, sustainable foods and culinary delights. Then imagine that the proceeds from this CD benefit a non-profit organization doing environmental sustainability work, and you have “Something Fresh.”

I discovered this album when I won a beautiful peyote-stitch beaded necklace from a craft blog giveaway, and the artist included a promotional live recording of Seth Bernard and May Erlewine (http://www.sethandmay.com/), some amazing folk musicians from Northern Michigan. I instantly fell in love with their music. One of the songs was all about greens and how delicious they are, and they mentioned this musical collaboration from their music collective, Earthwork Music and Seeds. Seeds is a Michigan based 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing socially and ecologically sustainable environments. They act as an educational and networking resource, fostering projects that are participatory and wholistic. Their primary focus is on projects that lessen our ecological footprint. After hearing my kids going all around the house singing the Greens song and asking for second helpings of kale at dinner, I was definitely into supporting this organization and getting myself a copy of this compilation.

The cover of the mini cookbooklet reads: “Music and food are both best when fresh and local. We are all honored to meet at this most natural crossroads, for what is better than picking your teeth to the sounds of smooth fingerpickin’? Through this project we are working to raise awareness about community supported agriculture (CSA’s), farmers markets, soil microbiology, small-scale independent businesses, adding local value to local commodities, eating with the seasons, and our favorite musician friends – but mostly we did it because it sounded like fun.” They also urge listeners to “Vote with your dollars! Put your money where your mouth is – buy local, buy fresh, and work at the crossroads of ecology and social justice.” I hadn’t even listened yet, and I liked it already. Then came the recipes. Hearty Greens Salad Dressing, Sukuma-wiki: Kenya-style Greens, Cucumber Curry, Morel and Wild Leek Turnover, Cherry Crisp, Bob’s Famous Tofu Spread, Local Raclette and Basil Pesto, Sassy Salmon with Rosemary and Lavender, Michelle’s All-time Favorite Kale, The Only Roots Recipe You’ll Ever Need, Veggie Rice and Beans with Fruit Raita, Polpettone, Golden Rutabaga Cheesecake, Apple Krap, and last but not least, a recipe for home compost. Just try to imagine, if you will, the songs for these recipes.

Our family is loving the music. The best part is that kids are enjoying it just as much as I am. They keep asking to listen to it, rather than the usual, “Mom, we’re listening to the Grateful Dead again?!” With songs like “The No Kale Blues”, “The Song of the Vegetarian Cowboy”, and “Back to the Roots”, what’s not to love? There’s one song about wildcrafting and harvesting the bounty. How often do you find a song about wildcrafting? Granted, the locale of the songs is Michigan, so folks here in Oregon will miss some of the local food references, but the sentiment of appreciating and supporting local food is pretty universal. Plus, everyone needs good music to rock out to in their kitchen.