Fozblog

Locavore Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, considered celebrating with a locavore meal. As previously discussed in our Oct. 8 blog post, a locavore is someone who eats food grown within approximately 100 miles of his/her home.

Several of the traditional Thanksgiving fruits and vegetables are currently in season in Missouri and will be the most fresh in markets. Apples and pumpkins will be the most ripe of the fruits in the next few weeks, but you might also find fresh grapes, plums and raspberries.

A large range of vegetables ripen during November and December -- beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, greens, horseradish, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and turnips.

And, "The Ozark Locavore" Sandy Clark, reminds us about Missouri's staple (and very available) -  black walnuts. They add a nutty crunch to holiday dishes as diverse as dressing and cookies.

Considered using fresh foods in your holiday meal. Locate markets sell organic foods, where you can also find meats and natural ingredients for dishes such as turkey, dressing and rolls. In the Springfield area, look for locavore items at Akin's Natural Foods Market and MaMa Jean's Market.

Photo credit: The turkeys at Little Portion Monastery Farm, Barryville, Ark. Photo used with their permission.

Where is it in the zoo? Part 2

This fawn is located in front of the white-tailed deer exhibit in the Missouri Habitats region of Dickerson Park Zoo.

Thank you to all of the readers that responded to the post asking where the fawn is located-- you were all correct!

Poison Dart Frogs

Approximately 175 species of poison dart frogs exist, and each species ranges in color and size. Poison dart frogs secrete a skin toxin as a defense against predators. The degree of toxicity varies from one posion frog species to another.

 
 

Where is it in the zoo?

This small statue is sometimes overlooked at Dickerson Park Zoo. Have you seen it? Where is it in the zoo?