Blog Worth Sharing: Good Eats, Good Inspiration

Community Gardens

Gardening together is one of the most rewarding activities that a community can do, and getting dirty for a great cause excites everyone! I have yet to see a grumpy gardener--there's something to that; being outdoors and working the soil brings harmony and healing to everyone and it's ripe with educational benefits. To see your child learning about proper planting techniques or petal formations from a lifelong, avid gardener is to witness one of the sweetest teaching moments ever!

All around us there are planting opportunities for our families and our communities and many people just don't realize how easy it is to get your neighbors growing together. The process doesn't happen overnight, but very few rewarding endeavors do. Our own MdTL garden expansion is thanks to an energized and determined parent who decided to pose the question and start a dialogue with the City of San Rafael. So the next time you're walking around your neighborhood, take special note of the empty lots, or vacant strips of land--the smallest of gardens can yield an incredible amount of wholesome, fresh food. The American Community Garden Association has great tips for how to do this in your neighborhood. STARTING A COMMUNITY GARDEN

Parent Love

I am fortunate everyday to witness parents who are nuts about their children. We talk about our kids and their incredible absorbent minds; the care, respect and inspiration that they deserve and require. When I see another parent at drop off, I recognize their joyful exhaustion from it all--good parenting requires a lot.

And so today, my thoughts gravitate towards parents and parent love--and the care, respect and inspiration that we require. The ability to be good to one's self has an impressive array of benefits and lasting results. The friendly reminders below are as much for myself as for every one else.

• Do something for yourself first thing in the morning, before rushing to get the family dressed, fed and packed for the day. Even 10 minutes of exercise--old school jumping jacks, push ups and squats--or a quick run around the block, even a short yoga circuit can drastically change your outlook for the day. Plus, 10 minutes warms up your entire system and energizes your cells :)
• Eat well. Whether you are at your desk or on the go most of the day, raw ingredients keep you on your game, providing invaluable micronutrients that on-the-go parents need. Incorporate nuts and seeds for long lasting energy. Try ginseng in the afternoon rather than coffee. Ginseng stimulates the immune system and gently energizes your mind and body. It also controls blood sugar and cures anxiety and stress.
• Lay on the floor at least once a day with your family--outdoors is best, but even on the living room floor works. It's fun, and literally grounding for everyone!
• Change up the evening routine. Have leftover nights where everyone gets to choose a different dinner. Everyone likes a little choice now and then.
• Take at least 10 minutes for yourself before bedtime--not reading or watching television, not emailing or talking on the phone. 10 minutes of reflection, stretching, exercise, struggling through the guitar song that you are still learning to play. What we do right before we go to sleep, greatly impacts how we sleep.

That's it for now. Just a few little reminders for us all. Of course there are many, many things not on this list--like laughing at yourself at least twice a day.

Happy Tuesday!

Kale Power

Looking for super nutrient dense foods to feed the family is a rewarding endeavor; it's also an efficient way to feed those you love. Kale is one of the healthiest foods imaginable. There seems to be no end to its nutritional attributes. Packed with  (1) antioxidant nutrients, (2) anti-inflammatory nutrients, and (3) anti-cancer nutrients in the form of glucosinolates, it's truly one warrior of a vegetable. Kale is incredibly easy to grow and loves Marin County.

When cooked properly, kids love it--when sliced thinly in salads with apples--they devour it. Here are two recipes to get you jazzed about Kale. Keep kale in mind for all of your recipes: soups, sauces and casseroles.

Family Kale Recipes by Jen Genova

Kale and Walnut Pesto
makes 2 cups, enough for about 2 lbs of pasta
1 bunch of kale
1 tsp olive oil, plus 1/2 c
1 c walnuts
1/2 c grated pecorino
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper
1. Lightly steam the kale (no more than 5 minutes).
2. In the meantime, heat teaspoon of olive oil in a small pan and use to toast the walnuts, stirring frequently. The walnuts are done when they turn golden brown and are fragrant.
3. Place steamed kale, toasted walnuts, pecorino and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Puree as you slowly drizzle remaining 1/2 c of olive oil in a thin stream. Pesto is done when it’s pureed and creamy. Stir in salt and pepper to taste.

Kale Chips
1 bunch kale
canola or olive oil, for cooking
good-quality coarse salt
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Wash kale and dry it in a salad spinner or between tea towels. (Extra moisture will keep them from getting nice and crispy.) Cut or pull out the tough stems, tear the leaves into chip-sized pieces and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and toss with your hands to coat well; arrange in a single layer and sprinkle with salt.
Roast for about 10 minutes, until crispy and starting to turn brown on the edges, but not too dark. Serve immediately or cool completely and store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Serves 6.

Help Bay Area Families in Need This Holiday Season

By Natalie Quinan, mommy to Shane (almost 5 yrs old) ~ Aspen Class

After a recent play date, I surveyed the devastation around our house and in particular my son’s room. Five boys in any small space can create fun chaos and quite a mess. Every toy box had been overturned and their contents strewn out about the room. We were so grateful when mommies and kids were thoughtful in helping with the clean up. But, that’s when it hit me. I realized I couldn’t even see the floor, as the toy piles were so dense, they blocked out the carpeting. We have too many toys. How many does any one kid need to be happy? Do we really need the entire Thomas the Train collection with working bridges and sound effects? My son Shane had the same realization.

So we decided to do something about it.

I shared with him that some little boys and girls are sad because they don’t have toys, food, a house; and some don’t even have a mom and dad. The look in his big brown eyes was of concern and sadness. Then he declared, “well, mommy this is an emergency! I have a solution! I can give them my toys! I want to go and share!” And there it is folks! I was so proud. He got the lesson of giving.

So together we just cleaned out his toy chests (which were bursting at the seams) and I asked him to point out the toys he still loves. We went from toy bin to toy bin in his room, plus a toy chest located in our living room, and made two piles: an “I Love Pile” and an “I Could Do Without Pile.” Suffice to say, the “I Could Do Without” pile was pretty big.

We’re now ready to deliver our “gifts of fun” to several needy organizations.

Shane told me that his heart “got so big” and I looked at him and told him that mine did too. It feels good to share.

Since, I’m not an expert, I have included a few links on great articles about lessons in giving and how it creates confidence and compassion in a child.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/lessons-in-giving/

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/share-your-thoughts-the-gift-of-giving

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/raising-a-caring-and-compassionate-child

If you would like to take this opportunity to teach your child about giving and kindness, please find a list below of Bay Area non-profits that could use toys and other donations. Marin charities have been and continue to be blessed by its generous Marinite community. However, many Bay Area non-profits (in SF & the East Bay) have a resounding need for food, coats and blankets.

Please know that it is always best to call before dropping off any donation to confirm the current needs and that every item must be in very good condition and clean.

BANANAS, Contact prior to donation drop off. Likes getting high quality children's items, including clean stuffed animals, games, toys, etc… that they distribute to home day-care facilities (most of which operate on a very low budget), as well as needy families. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 658- 7353 * www.bananasinc.org

Bay Area Women's and Children's Center services families, children, women, esp. in Tenderloin Please call in advance to arrange a drop off time and confirm items to donate. They will accept women's and baby/children's clothing and small household items. (415) 474-2400, 318 Leavenworth, San Francisco, CA 94102 www.bawcc.org

Books for the Barrios, accepts clean stuffed animals, children's books, games, puzzles, art materials, and working computers. This organization has sent over 9 million books to the most remote areas or “barrios” of the Philippines. 2350 Whitman Rd, Suite D, Concord 94518 * Phone is 925 687 7707 * www.booksforthebarrios.org.

Compass Community Services, a homeless shelter, family resource center, early childhood education/childcare, and other services for families desperately needs: Diapers, travel sized toiletries, new socks and underwear for children & adults, arts & crafts supplies, canned and other non-perishable items. 
WISH LIST: www.compass-sf.org/get-involved/donation-wishlist Please see website link for more information and for questions, contact them through a form available on their website: www.compass-sf.org * 995 Market St. San Francisco, CA

Help a Mother Out, dedicated to increasing access to diapers for families in need. Diaper "bank" is located in San Francisco and provides diapers to over 22 agencies in the Bay Area. Drop off location for diapers and wipes: Natural Resources (1367 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA) www.helpamotherout.org

Holy Family Day Home, provides affordable, high-quality early educational childcare in a stable and nurturing environment. Desperately needs range from diapers, toys & educational supplies, clothes, dry goods/non perishable items. Drop off times are between 10am-3pm M-F, they ask to call ahead to confirm. WISH LIST: www.holyfamilydayhome.org/getinvolved/wishlist.html * 299 Dolores Street, 415-861-5361

Koret House, is a
home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns. Needs are mainly household and food items. Contact: (415) 476-8321 or (415) 514-6660 to discuss or arrange donation.
WISH LIST: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/?p=wishlist

Oakland Children's Hospital donations of toys and supplies help supplement the activities and entertainment provided to the patients of Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. Especially needed items are for teens and babies and they primarily accept NEW items that have been in a smoke-free environment. They will accept gently used books and DVDs (rated PG-13 and under) for their Red Book Cart program. Both inpatients and outpatients (in the waiting areas) can read the books while in the hospital, and if they like the book, they’re welcome to keep it. For more information and to schedule a delivery call (510) 428-3471, Extension 2, or visit http://childrenshospitaloakland.org/join/join_other-donations.asp

St. Anthony Foundation, accepts toys, clean stuffed animals, clothing, furniture and housewares 1185 Mission Street (at 8th Street)
415-241-2600 www.stanthonysf.org

Women's Daytime Drop-in Center at 2218 Acton St., Berkeley, 548-2884. Offers services for homeless women and their kids. They can come during the day and get showers, meals, counseling, and a supportive, warm place off the streets. They manage to get some of their clients into homes and jobs. Call them first and see if they can use your kids' stuff. They recently added a playroom/classroom.

A Student Gardener

I get asked a lot, always by non gardeners, how I find the time to grow so much yummy food. In a world that seems to gobble up one's day before it begins, gardening is my ultimate defense. Once your healthy soil is in place--compost being key in creating healthy soil--gardening is truly about planting seeds and waiting for the magic; with very minimal effort.
Gardening gives back. Simply it is one of the greatest changes that you can make for your health, sanity and family. Every minute that I put into my garden, creates an opportunity for nourishment. Whether it's watching two hummingbirds playfully swoop through the air; pinching a crisp, sweet bean off at the end of a long day of work; or witnessing my children creating a secret world of dirt, sticks, waterways and dried flowers--gardening restores my weary self and brings a sense of wonder and purpose to each and everyday. Sure there are days where we just don't get down to the garden, and I am not always the best person to tend to my crops, but right as rain, my garden just goes on growing and even in neglect, the tomatoes keep on ripening.

So the question that I now always ask is, how can you not garden? Even a small patch of fresh herbs can be life-changing! Start the journey, dive in, make the mistakes and become a student gardener! Long may I be a wonderful work in progress, and master of nothing indeed.

~Amy McKelvey

Film Night San Anselmo

Free and Fabulous Family Summer Outings:
Saturday, August 27 - Creek Park in San Anselmo

Showtime: 8:00 PM

A Fair to Remember

The Gravenstein Apple Fair is sponsored by Sonoma County Farm Trails, a non-profit organization created to support sustainable agricultural diversity in Sonoma County through the promotion of its members’ products via on-site sales.

2011 Apple Fair Dates
August 13th (10am-6pm)
August 14th (10am-5pm)

Admissions Information

* Adults $12
* Seniors $10
* Youth 6-12 $5
* and kids under 6 FREE.
* Tickets will be available at the door, no advance ticket sales.

http://www.gravensteinapplefair.com/

The Collaborative Path Opens

"We live in a fast-paced society. Walking slows us down." ~Robert Sweetgall

Last weekend we bundled up and set out to finally explore the restoration of the Cal Park Tunnel (for passenger rail), and the bicycle-pedestrian path linking San Rafael to Larkspur. We started the path in San Rafael at Anderson Drive and then walked to Larkspur Landing and back. If you are driving to the path, I would recommend parking at Larkspur Landing and then walking/riding to San Rafael and back as parking on Anderson is limited.

Most families that I know love to walk and ride together and this is a great spot to do just that. The kids can ride ahead in plain sight and squeal with delight as they come upon the 'massive' Cal Park Tunnel.

There are many options for turning this into an even longer route if that is what you're after as well : Marin County Bicycle Coaltion TrailLink.com

The tunnel is open seven days a week from 5am until 11pm. The total length of the pathway is just over a mile.

Family Summer Vacation in Sunriver

We had an amazing time at our family vacation this past summer in Central Oregon at a place with boundless natural beauty. It is called Sunriver which is just miles from Bend, OR. Sunriver is an ideal spot for the family who is interested in spending loads of time outdoors even in the summer heat.

Mind you, this is a bit of a journey from the North Bay. If you have very young children and are encumbered by two bikes and plenty of gear on the car's rooftop, be prepared to make lots of pitt stops and visits to rest areas. For some this journey would take 8 or 9 hours from the Bay Area. However, it took us upwards of 12-13 hours to arrive in Sunriver and another couple of hours to get our children to bed after a very long road trip. But, it was worth it. Our daughter, Lorelei, still talks about Sunriver. During the first days of school, Lorelei asked me when we could go back to Sunriver as we sat watching two black crows gaze at each other in the trees behind the school.

For the family whose interests are in spending as much time in fresh clean air as possible, there is an enormous bike path which runs along a river and dips into valley surrounded in so much natural grandeur it is hard to believe. We biked just about everywhere we could with two small children sitting inside of the Chariot. They were remarkably quiet on these biking excursions; maybe it was all the trees and the river or perhaps, they were just subdued by the summer heat.

We also went canoeing and spotted a very spirited osprey who we tried to catch a closer glimpse, but never were able to get close enough. My husband, an avid mountain biker, took a full day to go on "one of the best mountain biking trips to be had" on the West Coast. Also, there are yin yoga classes for those of us interested in taking it to the mat. In this self-contained "compound"of sorts , there are lots of peaceful moments to be had in a wonderfully private place.

There are also several outdoor pools, kid friendly eateries and unlimited activities. On a visit to the Nature Center one day, we got very close to a 6-week old baby falcon who was being nursed back to health. We also met 4 different owls, including a white barn owl. We were informed that one of these owls can actually hear a human heartbeat even before the human gets close enough to look at the owl!

For those who love horses, there are stables with ponyrides for the 2-and-up crowd and horseback riding for adults. Finally, no Sunriver is complete without a trip to the old-fashioned candy store which would make even Willy Wonka proud. I can now see why my husband and his family went to Sunriver quite often growing up. I am sure we will be back for more outdoors fun and a vanilla malt in our future days...

All the Best,

Loren

Down to Earth at Green Gulch Farm

The San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC) at Green Gulch Farm (GGF) holds a children's program on the first Sunday of the month (unless GGF is in retreat). Their web site has details on the GGF schedule, including information about the children's program and their coming of age program.

This last Sunday, I had a nice day with my daughter Maisy. It was very busy with lots of families for a warm, sunny day at the green dragon temple.

At a little after 10 am, roused by the resonant bellows of the large green dragon bell, we sat at the front of the zendo awaiting the darma talk. This week we listened to a wonderful fairytale about an incarnation of the Buddha as an ox, known to his master by the name Great Joy.

After our short dharma talk (about 15 mins), we left the zendo and meandered into the garden for a brief ceremony to offer and receive blessings of Jizo Bodhisattva, protector of children and travelers. Then, in walking meditation, we made our way into the farm to get our hands dirty in the potato patch.

We all pulled potatoes from the soil and placed them into large boxes. The children were able to keep a potato; we took ours home for our Sunday dinner. This was a rare and wonderful experience for the children to learn about the source and preparation of raw food, from the soil to the dinner plate.

After the potato digging, we made our way back to the garden. Maisy has been raising caterpillars for the past few weeks. On Sunday, we released our butterflies into the GGF garden, where there are plenty of colorful, aromatic flowers. Lots of kids were excited to see them released. It's a magical moment to see the butterflies leaving their home and fluttering off into the garden.

The children's program includes a light morning tea of juice and muffins. The kids often enjoy playing on the small playground equipment in the garden. Maisy is especially fond of the monkey bars, proud to show off her new talent for swinging.

The GGF kitchen offers a reasonable vegetarian lunch at noon. We had a nice lunch of soup and salad (well, I had soup and salad, Maisy had some bread and a bit of soup).

It was a lovely day with my little girl :-)

Blessings,
Darren Weber

Green Tip: Community Supported/Shared Agriculture (CSA)

How can a school community come together to learn about the importance of local, organic food and support our local farms?
What if, instead of getting a news magazine every week, you got a big box of produce from a farmer down the road, a box of fruits and vegetables picked that very morning, bursting with flavor and nutrition? That's what you get when you subscribe to a CSA. To find out more about how a CSA is all about community, health, ecology, families learning, and the seasons, please keep reading!
What is a CSA
A CSA is also known as "subscription farming." You buy a subscription from a local farmer just like you buy a subscription to Time or Newsweek. But instead of receiving a magazine each week, bi-weekly, or monthly, you receive a "share" of fresh, locally grown or raised fruit and/or vegetables. Some farmers also offer CSA subscriptions for farm-fresh eggs, and/or meats.
While new in name, Community Supported Agriculture hearkens back to an earlier time -when people knew where their food came from, ate in harmony with the seasons, and enjoyed a delicious, healthy diet of pure, fresh foods.

CSA is about Community and Ecology
CSA subscribers don't so much "buy" food from particular farms as become "members" of those farms. CSAs provide more than just food, they offer ways for eaters to become involved in the ecological and human community that supports the farm. The Earth is a living Being and the actions of every individual have an effect on the whole. The soil is the basis of all human life and the quality of its care and health affect not only the people who eat the food today, but also those who will depend on the soil in the future. Even though less than 1% of our population is engaged in farming, the proper tending of the environment is the concern and responsibility of every individual. It is in the consumer's interest that farmers are supported so that they can grow the highest quality, most nutritious food while preserving the highest environmental quality and soil health.

CSA is about Health
Healthy soil means healthy food. When no herbicides, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers are used, ground water pollution and toxic residues on food are avoided. CSA gives consumers the chance to choose how their food is grown. Eating locally grown, freshly harvested food is the basis of a healthy diet and is recommended by health-care professionals. CSA offers the opportunity for you to reconnect with rhythms of nature by eating produce when it is in season. People who join CSAs find a meaningful way to reunite with the Earth and a community and discover a kind of spiritual nourishment which they have been missing.

CSA is about Seasons
"In season" is what CSAs are all about. The grocery store knows no seasons. It is disconnected from Nature. Sure, you can buy tomatoes in January-but who wants to eat cardboard tomatoes? That sorry tomato was picked green 2000 miles away and weeks ago, then blasted with ethylene gas to make it turn red just before it landed in the produce section of your store. What we have gained in convenience, we have lost in flavor, freshness, nutritional value, and human connection-to each other and to the land.
Changing your diet to eat with the seasons is something that happens naturally when a larger portion of your food begins to come from a garden

CSA is about Families and Fun
Families with children are welcome at CSA gardens. A number of CSAs host local school groups for nature study or art classes in the garden. CSAs are about strengthening a sense of community. Most CSAs have a newsletter to let people know what's going on in the garden, share recipes, and announce things of common interest or concern and social events.

CSA is about Learning
CSAs also act as training centers for young people who wish to learn the skills of farming and management of CSA operations. These "hands-on" trainings are called "apprenticeships." In addition, CSA members often volunteer their time to work in the garden so that they may informally learn about horticulture or other gardening skills.

*Excerpts above from www.illinoisfarmdirect.org and www.biodynamics.com

More Information
Books about CSAs:
Farms of Tomorrow Revisted: Community Supported Farms – Farm Supported Communities by Trauger Groh and Steven McFadden
Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture by Elizabeth Henderson

Films:
The film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, documents the resurrection of a family farm through its conversion to a CSA model.

Looking for recipes to enjoy some of these fresh and occasional unfamiliar vegetables?
www.eatwell.com

Resources
www.biodynamics.com
www.fullbellyfarm.com
www.marinsunfarms.com
www.greenlivingtips.com

Post by Cleary Vaughan-Lee

SHUTTER RELEASE 1.1

The 2009 MdTL HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Here are some pictures from this rollicking event . . .

Please CLICK on photos to view full size



Post and Photos by Marc Finkel

OFF TO THE TREES

ROY'S REDWOODS is the perfect place for a family outing that's nothing short of awesome.
Tucked in just off of Nicasio Valley Road, this short hike is a gem of a gem.

A quick 15 minutes outside of Fairfax, you'll notice the cars lined up along Nicasio Valley Road. Pull in and head towards the slight slope down to the trail head (a handy port-a-loo is off to the right).

Once on the trial, within just a few feet, you'll find yourself already feeling like you're miles away. The long flat trail, and the wide open space, will have your little ones charging ahead with blissful abandon.

If you're traveling with a 5+ year old, you'll have no problem doing the entire hike. With little ones (3 and under) in tow, it's best to walk straight into the redwood grove for a magical picnic amongst the spectacular trees.
[Actually, with the poison oak in full swing and the dusty trails of the summer--it might be best to do just the short walk with the kids into the grove, saving the full hike for Fall or next Spring.]

The grove is incredibly inviting. There are logs to balance on and a cool serene setting provides a welcomed shelter from the sun. If you walk around to the right of the large cluster of sister redwoods in the center, you can easily climb inside this joined family of trees.

Our morning adventure energized the entire family and still left time for chores. Pack a lunch and fit the kids with backpacks and bandannas--and head off to the trees!

Simple pristine beauty with an abundance of wild life––right outside the backdoor.

Pizza Amore

A few years ago, dissatisfied with local pizzerias, I started exploring different pizza dough recipes. I purchased a pizza stone and peel, and committed myself to perfecting the scrumptious late night pizza of pre-kid blissful strolls in Florence.

I'd like to think that I was actually getting a little close, but, in truth––I was no where near my ultimate goal. Then, as life so generously does, a new friendship brought me right to where I'd been hungry to go, and saved my family from at least one hundred more 'not quite it' pizza nights.

I have now adopted this same friend's Friday night pizza tradition and have tinkered with the flour, substituting either 1/3 Whole Wheat or 1/3 Kamut, with great results. The current rendition, with Oat Bran generously sprinkled between the sauce and the cheese, is my new favorite.

One step that you absolutely can not skip is letting the dough ferment over night or all day. This is when the magic happens. The recipe is so easy that first thing in the morning I'll make a batch and come dinner time, I'm sprinkling the cheese and popping it in the oven. The less than 10 minute baking time makes it the perfect answer for hungry little 'when are we going to eat' mouths, and with a yield of 6 crusts--there's always plenty to share with friends. I love launching the weekend this way!

Mangia Mangia!

Peter Reinhart's Napoletana Pizza Dough Recipe

4 1/2 cups (20.25 ounces) unbleached high-gluten, bread, or all-purpose flour, chilled
1 3/4 (.44 ounce) teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon (.11 ounce) instant yeast
1/4 cup (2 ounces) olive oil
1 3/4 cups (14 ounces) water, ice cold (40°F)
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting

1. Stir together the flour, salt, and instant yeast in a 4-quart bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer). With a large metal spoon, stir in the oil and the cold water until the flour is all absorbed (or mix on low speed with the paddle attachment), If you are mixing by hand, repeatedly dip one of your hands or the metal spoon into cold water and use it, much like a dough hook, to work the dough vigorously into a smooth mass while rotating the bowl in a circular motion with the other hand. Reverse the circular motion a few times to develop the gluten further. Do this for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and the ingredients are evenly distributed. If you are using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes, or as long as it takes to create a smooth, sticky dough. The dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom of the bowl. If the dough is too wet and doesn't come off the sides of the bowl, sprinkle in some more flour just until it clears the sides. If it clears the bottom of the bowl, dribble in a tea- spoon or two of cold water. The finished dough will be springy, elastic, and sticky, not just tacky, and register 50 to 55F.

2. Sprinkle flour on the counter and transfer the dough to the counter. Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with baking parchment and misting the parchment with spray oil (or lightly oil the parchment). Using a metal dough scraper, cut the dough into 6 equal pieces (or larger if you are comfortable shaping large pizzas), You can dip the scraper into the water between cuts to keep the dough from sticking to it, Sprinkle flour over the dough. Make sure your hands are dry and then flour them. Lift each piece and gently round it into a ball. If the dough sticks to your hands, dip your hands into the flour again. Transfer the dough balls to the sheet pan, Mist the dough generously with spray oil and slip the pan into a food-grade plastic bag.

3. Put the pan into the refrigerator overnight to rest the dough, or keep for up to 3 days. (Note: If you want to save some of the dough for future baking, you can store the dough balls in a zippered freezer bag. Dip each dough ball into a bowl that has a few tablespoons of oil in it, rolling the dough in the oil, and then put each ball into a separate bag. You can place the bags into the freezer for up to 3 months. Transfer them to the refrigerator the day before you plan to make pizza.)

4. On the day you plan to make the pizza, remove the desired number of dough balls from the refrigerator 2 hours before making the pizza. Before letting the dough rest at room temperature for 2 hours, dust the counter with flour, and then mist the counter with spray oil. Place the dough balls on top of the floured counter and sprinkle them with flour; dust your hands with flour. Gently press the dough into flat disks about 1/2 inch thick and 5 inches in diameter. Sprinkle the dough with flour, mist it again with spray oil, and cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap or a food-grade plastic bag. Now let rest for 2 hours.

5. At least 45 minutes before making the pizza, place a baking stone either on the floor of the oven (for gas ovens), or on a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven as hot as possible, up to 800F (most home ovens will go only to 500 to 550F, but some will go higher). If you do not have a baking stone, you can use the back of a sheet pan, but do not preheat the pan.

6. Generously dust a peel or the back of a sheet pan with semolina flour or cornmeal. Make the pizzas one at a time. Dip your hands, including the backs of your hands and knuckles, in flour and lift I piece of dough by getting under it with a pastry scraper. Very gently lay the dough across your fists and carefully stretch it by bouncing the dough in a circular motion on your hands, carefully giving it a little stretch with each bounce. If it begins to stick to your hands, lay it down on the floured counter and reflour your hands, then continue shaping it. Once the dough has expanded outward, move to a full toss as shown on page 208. If you have trouble tossing the dough, or if the dough keeps springing back, let it rest for 5 to 20 minutes so the gluten can relax, and try again. You can also resort to using a rolling pin, though this isn't as effective as the toss method.

7. When the dough is stretched out to your satisfaction (about 9 to 12 inches in diameter for a 6-ounce piece of dough), lay it on the peel or pan, making sure there is enough semolina flour or cornmeal to allow it to slide. Lightly top it with sauce and then with your other top- pings, remembering that the best pizzas are topped with a less-is-more philosophy. The American "kitchen sink" approach is counterproductive, as it makes the crust more difficult to bake. A few, usually no more than 3 or 4 toppings, including sauce and cheese is sufficient.

8. Slide the topped pizza onto the stone (or bake directly on the sheet pan) and close the door. Wait 2 minutes, then take a peek. If it needs to be rotated 180 degrees for even baking, do so. The pizza should take about 5 to 8 minutes to bake. If the top gets done before the bottom, you will need to move the stone to a lower self before the next round. if the bottom crisps before the cheese caramelizes, then you will need to raise the stone for subsequent bakes.

9. Remove the pizza from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Wait 3 to 5 minutes before slicing and serving, to allow the cheese to set slightly.

Makes six 6-ounce pizza crusts and is perfect for freezing!

GROWING THE FUTURE

Farming Families of Marin
Feb. 13, 2009 – Jan. 2010

"Since the first pioneers arrived to homestead in the mid 1800s, farming has been a way of life in Marin. Growing the Future traces Marin's ranching and farming roots through today. Marin’s farmers were innovators and problem solvers as they faced the many challenges of farm operations. Today’s farmers are equally innovative and their stories are inspiring and diverse."

For information about visiting farms check out FARM VISIT for a listing by county, crops, season, and growing techniques.

Marin History Museum 1125 B Street San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 454-8538 Museum Hours 11am–4pm, Tuesday – Friday and 2nd & 3rd Saturdays of each month