SON GCE Portfolio

The purpose of this Food For Thought Action Project was to trace the origin and evolution of a particular food. This process began when I was asked to interview a family member about a popular recipe that has been handed down over generations. Naturally, I looked to my maternal grandmother because the Lithuanian culture is heavily rooted in traditional dishes. My grandmother learned these recipes from her mother (my great-grandmother), who learned them from HER mother (my great-great-grandmother). My grandmother cooks many traditional Lithuanian dishes, but the one that stands out the most is 'saltibarsciai' - cold beet soup. Her connection to this recipe is very personal because it began as a means to an end, but evolved into a family favorite. The main ingredient of this dish is the beet - a red, earthy, and sweet root vegetable. Join me as I trace the origin and evolution of this unique and versatile food. ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺ Table Beets - Google Images

A garden is any space with soil where fruits and vegetables can grow. Simple, right? Well, I suggest you dig a little deeper. Think of what plants are...they are alive. All living organisms require unique things from the environment in order to stay alive. Imagine a huge farm where different varieties of fruits and vegetables are, randomly, placed - each plant needing different things from the environment in order to survive. Caring for that garden wouldn't be easy. When organisms are forced to compete, someone always loses. Plants are known to strangle or starve each other over something as simple as water. In order to plant a successful garden, you need to prevent competition and create a non-threatening environment. Plant companions are plants that grow well together. If plants need different things from the soil in an effort to stay alive, they will make good companions. Plants that don't grow well together are, most likely, competing over the same nutrients. The main focus