Recent Posts in ‘Green Living’ 
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In Season Now: Summer squash, loquats and mulberries
Our fresh produce expert, Michelle Beck, gives us tips on what to do with all that summer squash coming into season now. Plus, ideas for actually eating ornamental fruits such as loquats and mulberries. Time to raid your neighbors’ yards!
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Inner city LA farmers put down organic roots in Buttonwillow
Four years after being evicted from their 14-acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles, these city farmers-turned-nonprofit cooperative have opened a new, 85-acre farm in Buttonwillow – and added Kern County to its mission to serve communities with affordable, accessible, organic, pesticide-free produce.
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In Season Now: Refreshing summertime beverages
The heat has arrived! Time to relax with cool, refreshing beverages. Here are some ideas for healthy drinks that go light on the sugar and caffeine, such as herbal iced tea and flavored mineral water.
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In Season Now: Apriums and Memorial Day barbecue ideas
With Memorial Day weekend ahead, it’s time to think about firing up that barbecue. Here are some ideas for healthy grilling, salads, and fruity desserts. Also, if you’re not into early apricot varieties, try apriums – a cross between apricots and plums – which are in season now.
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In Season Now: Cherries and berries
Columnist Michelle Beck delights us with sweet and savory recipes for all those juicy little fruits that are in season now. Early cherries are now available, as well as boysenberries, blackberries, olallieberries and marionberries. It’s a very berry time of year!
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Stage 5 is upon us! Tour of California comes to Bakersfield Thursday
It’s hard to overemphasize how big the Amgen Tour of California has become in the world of professional cycling. Bakersfield gets an up-close look at the best in cycling at the Stage 5 finish in front of Bakersfield College on Thursday, May 20. View videos from along the route and read the story by Jeff Nachtigal.
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In Season Now: Blueberries
They’re little and blue and burst with delight when you pop them in your mouth. This week Michelle Beck devotes her column to blueberries, which can be used in sweet as well as savory dishes, such as salads and as a sauce on pork or fish. She also offers several gluten-free pancake, muffin and baked dessert recipes for blueberries.
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In Season Now: Dill, salad greens, ginger chips
Dill is for more than just pickles. As the herb comes into season, try it in a variety of dishes such as salads, a pesto on fish or chicken, or in a number of Greek-inspired recipes. Also, columnist Michelle Beck gives tips on expanding your lettuce repertoire, using crystalized ginger, and trying new gluten-free products.
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In Season Now: Sweet, juicy strawberries
Now is the time to enjoy plump, ripe strawberries, and where better to buy them than right from the source? Columnist Michelle Beck shares her favorite fruit stand location, as well as some fabulous recipes.
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Earth Day column: Wild birds and organic lawn care
Our ‘In Season Now’ columnist Michelle Beck takes a stab at organic lawn care and lives to tell. Plus, it’s a case of birds gone wild at her aunt’s home, where rose-ringed parakeets have invaded in a bottlebrush blossom frenzy.
