Celebrate Earth day by doing something “green.” Plant a tree or perhaps some organic seeds to grow your own vegetable garden.  Become more aware of one of your daily habits that could be altered to be more earth friendly.  Do you or your kids leave the water running while brushing your teeth?  Do you recycle as much as you can (i.e. empty paper towel rolls, junk mail, even the envelopes with those clear plastic windows?)  Do you drive places you can easily walk?  Find a new purpose to an old worn out this or that.  I like to keep EVERY jar (those who know me are chuckling) from spaghetti sauce to almond butter.  I use the jars for my water that I carry around each day, to store dried beans or rice, to keep track of those extra nails and screws lying around in the junk drawer and most recently my husband needed a pencil/pen holder for his office, viola- I had the perfect jar for that!  Re-using old stuff, instead of buying new, helps to reduce the seemingly endless waste that we as Americans are accumulating on this planet.  The little gestures do go a long way.  One idea for this weekend, visit Purcellville’s “Painting Purcellville Green” event.  The goings on are this Saturday, April 24th from 10am-2pm at the Town Hall.  While your there visit the Purcellville Community Market.  A farmer’s market in conjunction with a “green” event- ah, sounds like a perfect day!  My son and I wandered around the market last weekend discovering some new farms and new treats.  Rob at Community Gardens offered my 15 month old some greens to gnaw on, which he enjoyed thoroughly.  He loved carrying around my fresh salad turnips occasionally taking a bite off the leaves.  Then on to Lothar, the German Master Artisan Butcher.  A few varieties of nitrate-free sausages and we were all set for our BBQ the next day.  He had wonderful suggestions to satisfy both the adults and children, boy was he right!  I thought there were sure to be leftovers we could have for lunch on Monday, but no such luck.  The fresh farm food was too good not to finish.  I love this time of year when you can make a complete meal with all local ingredients.  Check out the event and then create your own Earth day celebration with a “green” family dinner.  Some Community Garden greens, some chicken or beef from Dayspring farm or some sausages from Lothar.  Eating locally is a HUGE “green” gesture that is not only good for the health of the planet, but good for your own health!

On one of the first Spring days, the family and I got out to visit the farm we get most of our beef, chicken, lamb and pork products from, Fields of Athenry in Purcellville.  With the beautiful weather, sunshine, fresh air and plenty of animal sounds, I felt like we were on the set of Little House on the Prairie.  A horse greeted us soon after we parked in the drive way that leads to the farm.  Her name is Mary.  She’s a big, beautiful, un-intimidating horse who loves to be pet by the children.  My one-year-old son got such a kick out of her.  Then it was on to see the rest of the animals that call the farm home.  After the damage from all the snow, a lot of the animals were all living together.  It was like a mini Noah’s arc.  We were approached by singing goats, moo-ing sheep (I swear they were saying moo instead of bah…well maybe it was more of a moooaaahh) and busy chickens.  In the distance you could see the llamas, protecting and surveying the area.  There were kids everywhere playing among the animals and even bottle feeding a few of the baby lambs.  My son had his introduction to the humane raising of the animals that would eventually be dinner.  Wow!  I can’t believe I wrote that, it sounds so gruesome.  But I have come to terms with it.  If you believe in eating animal products as my family and I do, then I feel having a close eye on where your food comes from and how it’s raised can be a healthier approach to eating it.  I definitely do not want a tour of the “processing” plant, but to be able to come to the place where the animals are treated like family pets, fed their natural diet and roam and graze the fields, makes me feel better about the food choices I make for me and my family.  Being connected to where the food you eat comes from is always a good idea and gives you a much deeper appreciation for the food you eat.  Plus, I would like my child to understand the connection as well.  For now, at his age, it’s a fun and exciting place to come and play as well as to mimic the “cock-a-doodle-doo!” and other farm sounds.  Spring is a great time to discover and explore the many farms in Loudoun (both animal and vegetable), taste the freshness they offer and have a family outing that’s both educational and adventurous!