Farmer's Market Bento Box

I kind of get the Occupy Wall Street movement, but I have to admit that it's a bit overwhelming for me to grasp in it's entirety. I think I would need a double major in Economics and US History, plus I would need to read an unabridged copy of a thorough study of the financial crisis/meltdown (which sounds really depressing and boring) to make complete heads and/or tails of the what and why of everybody's ire. 

I do understand a part of what led to the financial crisis (although maybe "understand" is a stretch); mortgage loans, sold to investors in "tranches" with the AAA rated mortgage loans mixed in with the poorly rated, higher risk loans, converted to MBS (mortgage backed securities), and the debacle that followed when those loans defaulted, investors freaked out, etc). There are so many layers of fault, so many places where the system broke down - government policy, Wall Street, banking giants, etc. And I think that is part of what Occupy is about - starting a dialogue. Raising questions. Holding people accountable. Not just for how it started, but how it was handled after the fact.

Anyway, for the time being, I have to be content with occupying what I know how to occupy....the local Farmer's Market. I've always been an advocate of "local", taking at least my own (miniscule) spending power away from the big corporations and lobbyists, and supporting the local growers. So maybe I am part of the Occupy movement, in my own way. The giant food corporations (I'm assuming) are part of the 1%, right? I can't always do it, but I try to use my purchasing power "for the good", and make food decisions that are responsible as often as I can.

Speaking of food, Rob is not here for dinner. So this is my ideal "Farmer's Market Bento Box" meal! Maybe I should call it a Happy Meal/ It makes me happy to eat it, that's for sure. I wonder if this is why I was so much thinner before I met my husband?

Calamata Olives grown right here in Northern California, organic Brussel Sprouts from the Central Coast, and Smoked Gouda from Oakdale. Call me crazy, but this meal is pure indulgance! I'm sure it tastes better because it's local, but it feels better to.

So, what's my weight? Well, I didn't gain, so that's good! Especially after a week of out of town vistitors, week night parties, dinner out, etc. Could have been worse. Much worse!