Tag Archives: local produce

Shortening The Distance

Posted on by

8

Recently, I paid a first (of many) visit to Foragers City Grocer. I found out about it when I asked a good friend of mine–and fellow conscious eater–where to buy fish around  the city. The farmer’s markets weren’t happening for me that day since rain was in the air, but I did go to one of her recommendations: Foragers City Market. There are two locations actually. One in DUMBO and the other in Chelsea. I went to the Chelsea location, which is apparently smaller (note to self: check out other location when I find myself in Brooklyn). Despite the small size, I found what I was looking for.

Here’s a little foreword about them from their site:

Foragers City Grocer was born of the idea that our neighborhood in DUMBO lacked quality food options. Over the years we have built a unique, independently owned neighborhood grocery whose sole focus is on the pleasure that food should bring to the lives of our customers and to the producers that grow and make what we sell. Our goal is to always strive to shorten the distance both emotionally and physically between farm to fork.

They also have a restaurant in the store where you can enjoy a meal or a snack, and a wine store as well–Foragers City Wine.

I love admiring the variety that occurs in nature

Whether it’s the funky shapes, the brilliant and surprising colors, and sunspots. I love it all.

The mushrooms were a sight to behold.

I perused through their selection of artisanal and quality goods, quaint varyingly colored eggs, and their fish selection (my main reason for going there). This is a small location, but that didn’t bother me. Sometimes I love going to places that have a seemingly endless selection, but this felt more like a gallery than a museum. A selection of curated goods, and a place where quality makes the idea of quantity fade to the background. Being “new” to fish I didn’t feel overwhelmed with selection since it was quite small. I ended up taking the Alaskan Wild Coho salmon home with me, along with some other produce goodies.

Here’s an interesting article about the Chelsea location, and some features: Foragers City Market Coming To Chelsea.

These crimini mushrooms looked so earthy.

Things like this encourage me to seek out produce from local family farms or my own garden because the organic produce from the big farms just isn’t as inspiring. With that in mind, what else can one expect when something is mass produced? But there are days when I “need” something, there’s little time, and perhaps the market isn’t even running–that’s when I make a quick run to one of the corner stores (luckily there’s one that has a good selection). Those quick runs can be exciting though, and I appreciate how convenient it is to live in this setting. Then there are times when I go to the market and see questionable items and prices that make me think, “seriously?” Oh boy, I’m a picky produce shopper aren’t I? Let me get back on track…

The beautiful piece of Wild Coho salmon…
With its brilliant skin…

Now the question was, “what to make with these?”

Continue reading →

I am Worth It

Posted on by

23

Here’s a little reminder to all of you from my last post, in case you missed it!

I was contacted by Kroeger Herbs to give you all the opportunity to win a bottle of their Serenity and Healthy Gut herbal combinations. They were kind enough to ask me which of their products I thought you all would benefit from the most. I remembered in one of my past posts that many of you mentioned that unnecessary stress makes its way into your lives, and I also know that many of you also have some tummy issues; so I thought these two products would be great! Now here’s what you have to do to have a chance at winning (yoohoo!):

1. Go to their site and comment on this post telling me something you learned.

Additional entries (don’t forget to comment on this post telling me you did these things):

2. Sign up for their newsletter.

3. Follow them on Facebook.

4. Follow them on Twitter.

Make sure to get your entries in by Friday, August 27. Best of luck everyone!

They also generously offered me some to try for myself!

As a sculpture student and living in an urban area, I think the Energy Food and EnvironmentalX supplements will be very beneficial to me. And who doesn’t have moments of stress? That’s where Serenity comes in. I’ll let you all know what I think of these after I’ve had them for awhile.

Cold oats with warm hot cocoa made with coconut milk

In my eyes coconuts can do no wrong, especially when using their milk to make hot cocoa.

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm on cloud nine.

Bouncing around cloud nine = cooking mojo featuring farmer's market finds!

I cooked some onions and garlic with turmeric, then threw in some beans, tomatoes, and kale. Then when the heat was lowered was when the olive oil, shredded mango chutney, and tamarind chutney decided to join in on the party! Cilantro for garnish, but then I decided to eat it separately since it didn’t go well with this. The real stars of this though are those adorable tomatoes! I got a bowl of them at the market for $1.00.

Lately, I’ve been trying to make a more conscious decision about who my money is going to. This leads me to that realization that I may be spending a little more than usual. When I’m away at school, I feel like I’m on a financial… leash? But you know what? It’s one thing to be mindful of my purchases, but another to incessantly feel like I have to justify everything I get. While I was down in Florida, I didn’t feel this sort of pressure because my parents were there “okaying” everything. For instance, I bought organic things (dirty dozen, anyone?) and there was no second-guessing. This pressure I put on myself comes from me not having a job and being 100% financially dependent on my parents. A friend pointed out though that she’s in the same situation, but it’s not like she doesn’t work hard. She’s right, and I do work hard! Okay, so I’m going to stop rambling and leave it at that. Whatever. I am worth it. Not to mention, when I’m buying something straight from the farmer… well, it’s no longer just about me. It’s about community and helping one another in some shape or form.

Biked down to one of the local farmer's markets with a friend.

Some of the vendors have been doing this for decades (one of them for more than a generation) and they can use their own hands as scales--and I'm pretty sure they're not gipping me.

But back to tomatoes; they are also good for liver health. Tomatoes have a detoxification effect in the body. Probably it is due to the presence of chlorine and sulfur in tomatoes. ”Actually, in the United States, more tomatoes are consumed than any other single fruit or vegetable. Tomatoes far outdistance oranges, potatoes, lettuce, peas, carrots, and bananas!“Although in ayurveda they are generally avoided because they are a nightshade food, meaning they have aggravating qualities. Afterall, tomatoes used to be known as “wolf peaches”. Maybe that’s why the Italian men howl at all of the pretty ladies who walk by! Anyway, I had tried to reduce my tomato consumption, but you know what? I’m not the kind of person who strictly follows one philosophy. These are ideas, some of them make sense, and some of them will just never float my boat. But I also read that not all people in ayurveda are sensitive to the nightshade foods. However, people suffering from these conditions are advised to avoid them: arthritis, eczema, acid reflux disease, cystitis, lupus, and psoriasis. I also wanted to share an interesting article I found written by Junji Takano, a Japanese health researcher: “Tomatoes and Its Medicinal Properties“.

Goodies!

I need more plantains in my life pronto!

It’s funny how much more you appreciate something you haven’t had in awhile. A serious revival and a delicious reunion! I fried some plantains with beans, sea salt, thyme, shredded mango chutney, and coconut oil. Then I served over some romaine, and other veggies. Really simple. I realized that I use onions in practically all of my cooking, and I found out that they reduce kidney and liver damage associated with uncontrolled blood sugar level. I just don’t advise taking a bite out a raw onion bulb.

Recently, I decided to use my secret oat bar recipe and make something fun like muffins instead!

Proof that we eat with our eyes first, because these just magically seem to taste better!

I’ve already made a couple batches so I can just grab-n-go-go-go. My classes finally start up tomorrow and I am so excited! I have a Human Spirituality class in the early morning and a Contact Improv dance class right after. Wish me luck!