Eating Locally with Malcolm & Sally

Malcolm (left) and Sally (right) dining together

Malcolm and Sally are two mini-lop rabbits.  My wife and I got them from Sweet Meadow Farm in Sherborn.  They love organic hay, fresh fruits, and vegetables.  At one time they ate better than we did.  But, all that changed when we moved to Natick.

We used to drive to Sweet Meadow to buy their organic hay.  During one of our visits we noticed delicious looking produce that was just harvested.  We fed the bunnies the fresh food and they danced for joy.  We wondered if it tasted different to them.

On trips to local supermarkets we began to  look for locally grown vegetables to feed our rabbits.  After eating the just-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables, Malcolm and Sally would jump and dance around.  In time their fur became shinier, they became more energetic and most importantly they were happier and healthier.  If eating local fare could do this for our bunnies, then surely my wife and I should give it a go.

Exploring near our home we discovered an abundance of farms selling healthy and delicious foods straight from their fields.  What we could find locally inspired the meals we ate.  Shizuka apples, summer squash, asparagus,Vidalia onions, milk, and eggs came home with us and appeared on our dinner table.  We learned that some farms not only sell what they grow but also what nearby farms grow.  Visiting one farm may allow us to get food from all over Natick and Sherborn in one stop.

Every fresh ingredient made our meals tastier and healthier.  We could literally taste the difference using organic and/or locally grown food instead of stuff shipped across the globe packed in preservatives.  We began to see changes in ourselves like we did with Malcolm and Sally.  Both of us lost weight, were more energetic, happier, and healthier.  Not only was the food delicious but it was good for us too.

Now whenever we are faced with choosing between something shipped from overseas and something grown nearby we just think of Malcolm and Sally excitedly dancing.

Here are a few of Malcolm and Sally's all time favorite foods.  Why not share these with the bunny in your life?

• Ginger Gold and Shizuka apples
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Red leaf lettuce
• Dandelion greens
• Parsley

-JR