So I started thinking about the sun-dried tomato thing. Rather than trying to find an outside sunny window and building a drying rack ... or using the oven (8-10 hours in a low temperature oven is not very "green." Not to mention the fact that it would probably add $35 on my gas bill). So, I bought a dehydrator. It's a table top thing. (T even checked the amperage and it's SUPER low.) IT IS THE COOLEST THING! I was an obsessed woman this weekend, slicing and drying everything I could get my hands on. First it was apples. I even gave my old fashioned slicer/corer thing a work out, making perfect apple rings. These babies dry fast. 
Then I moved on to tomatoes. Sliced Romas. I'll freeze them for now--then rehydrate this winter, add some olive oil and fresh Feta or Asiago cheese and garlic for a great pasta toss ... or put them in soups. We'll have apple pie for dessert or apple pastries.
Next I'm going to try bananas and some other fruits, onions, garlic. Then I'll do some herbs. This is just too much fun. Come to the greener side, friends ... there are ways to boycott all those veggies and fruits being drop shipped from other galaxies WHILE saving money, too! I just know there are many more ways we can become self sufficient again! Next up: find a Rosie the Riveter shirt bearing the "We Can Do It!" slogan. ;-)
