Eating off the ground: 10 second rule does not apply

These tomatoes are a gift from the compost I hand sifted and dispersed around the garden in June 2013. Now, in January of 2014 I am still able to harvest several tomatoes a week!  The tomato plant looks brown in color, but have no doubt, they are still very much full of life, and the fruits still ripen sweet on the vine.The color is not always red,  even the orange tomatoes are ripe it's just the color has shifted with the season.

My favorite thing to do is take a stroll through the garden, and check to see if any fave fallen. I always try to go for the ones that fall off the vine before I pick the ones still hanging on for dear life.

 Although these were still attached to the vine, the plant had fallen. I tasted one to explore the flavor. Just as I anticipated, sweet, rich, and dense in flavor. The skin gets thicker, in the winter months compared to the thin-skin summer days; yet, the flavors become more compact as the weather cools.

I love it! I think I'll make a salad tomorrow. I especially appreciate how healthy the seeds look, don't they look well developed? I almost feel bad eating them, rather than planting them, but rather than feeling bad I need to remind myself that more will come-no doubt about that!

Sometimes I wonder why people freak out when they drop food on the floor when they are inside a house, but when camping or gardening, most people (I would generalize) don't think twice about eating off the ground. I suppose I should just speak for myself and say that I LOVE eating off the ground. It makes me feel connected to what I'm eating, and I appreciate it more since it feels like an awesome surprise since I found it before any other garden dwelling critter. Don't get me wrong, I often get to the fruits after other creatures have began to feast; in which case I have to options:
1) I can share-maybe nibble on part of it and plant the rest
2) let it be- maybe it will grow many more plants right in that exact spot it fell, OR maybe the seeds will get transported to another location via the consumption and excretions of a bird OR maybe it will be consumed and the nutrients will transform themselves into the perfect soil for another plant to grow.

The arugula has been producing since about August 2013 (I planted it in July) and I harvest a little nearly every day. I try to add a hand full or two to my meals, either eating something on a bed of greens or adding it to the dish like a vegi burger or sandwich.

I planted the arugula from seeds that I collected when the last batch flowered and produced seeds. I intend to do the same with this once it goes to seed.

It's pretty awesome watching different plants go to seed. It's as if they are transforming right before your eyes, but in slow motion. The arugula flowers are edible, and rather spicy. I tend to not eat them because they are so beautiful I would rather stare at the elegant purple veins that course through the stark white petals, and let's be real--I would rather wait for the seeds! :)


My favorite salad is currently arugula, and tomatoes (from the garden) and dressed with a ripe avocado whisked with olive oil, balsamic, a pinch on pink salt, and a twist or two of pepper and maybe even some dried Italian seasoning. I like to whisk the dressing with a fork in a small cup before tossing it into the greens. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Mmmmm I dare you to try it yourself! It's simple but super dense and will keep you full of energy for hours.