Farmers Uniting Around Football

Last week's recipe and the general play of da Bears were both very positive. Who knew that cranberries were a big deal in Wisconsin? Certainly not this blogger.

Perhaps we should look at the agricultural output of this week's opponent - the Arizona Cardinals. You may be surprised to learn they are the nation's leading producer of lettuce. In fact, 90% of all leafy green vegetables grown in the US between November and March come from Yuma, Arizona - just 190 miles from the home of the Arizona Cardinals.

In addition to corn, squash and heirloom livestock, Arizona boasts an assortment of heritage foods such as saguaro and prickly pear cactus as well as mesquite pod flour. Wonderful Sonoran dishes are popular including menudo, tamales,enchiladas, pozole, etc.

Of course the Cardinals weren't always in Arizona. More recently they were in St. Louis and, at the beginning of their history, they played in Illinois.The Cardinals and da Bears are the only two charter members of the NFL still in existence. Welcome home Cardinals.

What winning menu will you create this week? It's time to start planning and shopping Bears fans!