This time of year, we see an abundance of healthy and delicious local produce at the farmers market and road-side stands. When I was at the farmers market yesterday, I picked up a basket of fresh, juicy peaches. They are one of my favorite summer fruits!
During the hot summer seasons, many people enjoy lighter meals and snacks.
When you’re looking for a delicious light and healthy meal or snack, there are a number of things to choose from. For me, I enjoy the powerful and nutritional simplicity of a smoothie bowl. A tightly arranged grouping of carbs, proteins and antioxidants can help you fuel your day properly. Smoothie bowls are a great option to help you feel energized throughout the entire day.
Not only is this bowl packed with delicious flavors, but it delivers a healthy dose of all sorts of nutrients that your body needs. The proper nutrition and fuel to help you power through your day.
Peaches are high in a variety of trace minerals. this tasty fruit aids several different systems in the body, such as eye sight and the nervous system.
In addition, they have many positive effects on blood health due to their iron content and its role in blood cell formation. Furthermore, the black and blueberries are extremely high in antioxidants. They have a strong effect on the skin and general health. Overall, this smoothie is a heavy promoter of cardiovascular health because it also lowers blood pressure and helps to lower cholesterol.
What Goes in It
¼ cup of water or fresh pineapple juice
¼ cup fresh orange juice
1 ½ cups frozen peaches
1 banana
½ cup blackberries
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
Local Raw Honey
directions
Blend the juices, banana and peaches. Pour the liquid into a bowl and top it with the berries, walnuts and hems seeds. Once it is arranged the way that is pleasing to you, drizzle the bowl with a thin line of honey zig zagging in a pattern that creates a grid. ENJOY! ?
Do you have a favorite smoothie bowl or peach recipe? I welcome you to comment below.
Growing up as a child, I loved picking farm fresh, ripe tomatoes right off of the vine. I didn’t care if they were washed or not. I would bite into them and enjoy the sweet, juicy and oh-so-fresh taste! I wouldn’t need any salt or pepper. Just a sweet, juicy and ripe tomato.
Even as an adult, I still enjoy those simple pleasures and load up every time I see them at the farmers market. I love checking out and learning about the different kinds. If you see one that looks unfamiliar to you, I encourage you to check it out. There are so many wonderful varieties.
Even though I love all kinds, I use roma tomatoes with a lot of my dishes. This one in particular pairs well with roma tomatoes. They have less seeds and are not as soft, so they prepare well and combine the flavors and textures nicely. Throw in a little olive oil, seasoning, some feta, fresh basil, and you have a spectacular dish.
I love taking this dish to events, picnics, parties and get together’s. I love making it at home as well. It’s delicious with some healthy pita chips or veggies while relaxing on the deck with a chilled glass of vino. With the holiday approaching, this dish would make a lovely appetizer at your event or picnic. I also add it to my chicken dishes and zoodle recipes. It’s always a crowd pleaser.
1 container of feta (I love the Mediterranean feta from Wegmans)
Small handfull of fresh basil
3 Tablespoons of dry Italian Seasoning (or half of a seasoning pack if desired)
Organic extra virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
Wash and dice all of your tomatoes. Mix them in a bowl with the feta cheese. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over your ingredients. Combine and mix in the seasoning. Lay your ingredients out on your serving tray. Sprinkle a small amount of seasoning on top. This may be more than the three tablespoons.
*I recommend you taste as you go and adjust accordingly. This is a very simple dish, but some prefer more of less of the seasoning, oil and feta.
*The same goes for your fresh basil. I love basil, so I chop up a small amount and sprinkle the dish with this fresh herb. It’s just as delicious without, so don’t worry if you don’t have it or don’t love it. I do love to garnish the ends of my dish and create a farm fresh display (as shown above).
Chill to combine flavors before serving. I recommend a chill time of one to two hours, but it’s not necessary.
Serve alone, with veggies or organic pita chips. ENJOY!
IF YOU MAKE THIS YUMMY DISH, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS OR ALTERATIONS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE in the comments section BELOW.
Summer is the perfect time for farm fresh watermelon popsicles!
Summer is officially here and the weather forecast is calling for a HOT weekend here in Maryland. When I think of summer and hot days, it reminds me of the pool, summer foods and fun with family and friends. I love fresh watermelon on hot summer days. Even better…cool popsicles made with fresh melon.
I love to make popsicles because they are fun, easy and a great way to enjoy your fresh fruits. If you have kiddos, I recommend getting them involved in the fun.
There are so many options for this tasty, healthy treat. You can turn so many drinks and fruity concoctions into a frozen popsicle. Experiment with it and have fun!
Popsicles take about 5 to 6 hours to fully freeze, so you want to allow time for the freezing process. We make ours the night before or early the next day. I love a cold, juicy popsicle in the middle of the day when it’s nice and hot! If you’re like me, I recommend that you prepare yours the night before.
You can find popsicle molds in many home stores, the dollar store, online and where kitchen items are sold. When shopping for your molds, I recommend looking for BPA-Free molds. Dishwasher safe options would be great for quick and easy cleanup.
As I mentioned before, you can create a ton of options for your popsicles. The popsicle will taste just like the drink or mix, so make sure it’s oh-so-delicious before your start pouring. I suggest sticking to natural sugars like fruits, instead of adding sugar filled ingredients and junk.
Do you have a favorite mix for your summer popsicles? I would love to hear what you think about this recipe.
Watermelon Popsicles
Serves 6 to 8
4 cups seedless watermelon (no rind)
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon honey
BLEND THE INGREDIENTS: Blend the watermelon, lime juice, and honey in a blender. Pour the mixture into Popsicle molds and place in the freezer until solid.
I’m so excited to visit my favorite farmers market this weekend! When the market is in season, I spend every Saturday (sometimes other days too) morning shopping local and conversing with the farmers in our town. I love learning from the farmers and hearing more about their farming practices. If you wonder how your food is grown and picked, don’t be afraid to ask. Farmers love to share and provide knowledge.
Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive a small percent of the price of food we eat? Most of that cost goes towards distribution, marketing, processing and retail.
There are several reasons why I love to shop at the Farmers Market! Not only do I love shopping local and from small businesses, but I love the quality of farm fresh food. I am so blessed to live near many farms, so when the fresh and nutritious food is in season, I load up! Here are several reasons why I love to shop Fresh and Local at the Farmer’s Market.
1. Helps the environment
Eating and shopping local saves a large amount of packaging waste, energy and fuel, which is needed when shopping globally. In addition, farmers commonly use organic or sustainable growing methods, so your food is not dowsed in chemicals and harmful sprays. Good land stewardship is supported by buying sustainable products.
2. Support the economy and your local farmers
When we shop at the local farmers markets, we are contributing to the success of new and smaller farms. In addition, we help to preserve the farmland in our area. I would much rather give back to my town and the farmers than shop from a store and get produce from “somewhere.”
3. It’s great for your family
Our family has developed a tradition of going every Saturday. We have so much fun and look forward to it every week. When you share this experience with your family, you’re not only spending quality time with them, but your getting them involved. Kids love to pick out their own items and take them home to prepare. Plus, there are many markets that have pets and farm animals for children to enjoy. Don’t forget to bring your puppy dog! Farmers markets are usually pet friendly too!
4. Saves money
When you shop at the farmers market, you get much more value for your dollar. You’re cutting out the middle man and saving more money. Not to mention, free shipping! I love to load up on my fresh produce, prep and freeze things for the winter. I love that I can get 3 peppers for $1 when a bag of organic peppers in the store is much more expensive. I cut them into strips and freeze for stir fry dishes and other meals. I also freeze them whole (tops and insides removed) for stuffed peppers. There are many ways to save money while enjoying all of these other benefits.
5. Get involved with your community
Farmer’s markets often bring friends and family together for conversation, education and activities. Many farmers markets hold community events, demonstrations, play music and share education about the food. As I mentioned before, farmers love to talk about their produce and share tips. We have one farmer at our market who primarily sells tomatoes. I’ve never seen so many kinds of tomatoes in one place. I love talking with him because he shares recipes for making fresh salsa and tomato, mozzarella and basil dishes. Their energy and excitement exudes when they talk about dish ideas. I love it!
6. freshly picked and in season
Have you ever picked a fresh, ripe tomato right off of the vine and bit in? It’s an amazing experience and SO delicious! That’s another thing that I love about the farmers markets. The food is fresh off the farm and usually brought to the market within hours of picking. When we get our produce from other areas where transportation is required, it’s usually picked too early and covered in junk for preservation. Which one do you find more appealing and appetizing?
7. Treat your senses
Not only do farmers markets provide a fun and energetic environment, but they usually provide a delicious one too. Many vendors and farmers have samples for you to try their delicious goodies. Anything from sauces to salsa and meats. I encourage you to explore the different foods and senses that bring you closer to the farms and nature. Shopping from the farmer’s market offers a variety of nutritious foods that are in season and readily available. It’s fun to try new things and experiment with new dishes.
8. custom sizing
Have you seen the movie “Father of the Bride? If so, I am sure you remember the scene with the hot dog buns. It still cracks me up when I think of it! Seriously, go over to YouTube and see what I am talking about. Hysterical!
When you shop from the market, you are in control of your own sizing when it comes to buying produce. If you need two carrots for a recipe, you can’t go to the store, rip open a large bag of carrots and take two out. Well, I would not recommend it anyways. At the farmers market, you can choose if you want two carrots or twenty. Most food is either weighed, sold in bunches or sold individually.
9. YOU CAN BUY MORE THAN JUST FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Often times, we think of the farmers market as a place for fresh and local produce. Did you know that farmers markets provide so much more? There are usually a large variety of small businesses and vendors, such as wineries, candle makers, florists and many even have dog treats. I love to buy fresh, local raw honey from the market too. It’s what I use in my glazed carrots recipe. Click on the link for the delicious recipe. Honey Glazed Carrots
10. it’s just real food
I cannot tell you how much time I used to spend in the store reading labels. Half of the time, I either couldn’t pronounce the ingredients or didn’t know what something was. With farmers markets, you don’t need labels for broccoli, spinach, raw honey, tomatoes and kale. It’s just simple, REAL food! Instead out pulling out your hair trying to read your processed foods, stop on over to the farmers market for some nutritious farm fresh goodies!
i encourage you to check your local paper or online for farmers markets in your area. the usda has provided a great site for you to look up farmers markets close to your home. National Farmers Market Directory
Why do you love shopping at a farmers market? I welcome you to share in the comments section below.
Let’s talk about a dirty topic- toxic beauty and personal care products!
With spring in full swing and our bodies naturally wanting to cleanse, it’s important to consider potential toxic exposure.
Chemicals and toxins are not only in the food we eat and the air we breathe, but they are also present in our personal beauty products. Examples of, but not limited to, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, and makeup! The FDA not only poorly regulates our food industry, but does the same with our cosmetic and personal care products.
According to the Environmental Working Group, “Nearly 90 percent of the 10,500 ingredients the FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA or any other publicly accountable institution.”
Every day, we’re exposed to a ridiculous amount of toxins and chemicals. Many absorb through our largest organ, our skin.
Our bodies rely on healthy skin for both physical and emotional survival. Our skin is a waste remover (ridding toxicity), protective barrier, protector from injury, pleasure receptor, natural anti-bacterial and Vitamin D manufacturer. In addition, our skin is a large diagnostic tool. Our skin can show potential disease and early warning signs for illness. Needless to say, our skin is very important in life and we need to take the best care of it.
Using makeup that contains chemicals and toxins is not good for our skin. The toxic ingredients of makeup and personal care items cause a variety of ailments. They disrupt the endocrine system and may have been linked to certain cancers. Chemicals found in synthetic beauty products injure liver cells, irritate and penetrate the skin and are many times carcinogenic.
When switching to non-toxic products, keep it simple! Throw out any old products and switch to non-toxic ones. Chemicals and toxic ingredients like parabens are added to makeup to keep mold and bacteria from growing on the packaging. However, these toxic ingredients lead to disruption in the endocrine system and cause several illnesses. Other ingredients to watch out for are Phthalates, Synthetic Colors, Triclosan, Toluene and Propylene glycol.
A common ingredient in many products is Fragrance. This ingredient is common in perfume, cologne, body wash, conditioner, shampoo and many moisturizers. Formaldehyde is another popular ingredient that’s linked to skin irritants and harm to the immune system. In addition to many of the products listed above, it’s found in cleansers, eye shadows and nail polish.
The chemicals in sunscreen products function as a sunscreen agent. These chemicals are easily absorbed into the skin and are linked to disruption in the endocrine system. Some common names are BAPA, benzophenone, avobenzone, ethoxycinnmate and homosalate. According to the EWG, of the 1,400+ sunscreens tested, only 5% met their safety standards and over 40% were listed as potentially contributing to skin cancer. Spray sunscreens may be convenient and easy to apply, but they may also provide additional dangers.
To make sure that you are using toxic-free makeup and personal care products, read the labels carefully. Choose products that contain natural and safer ingredients. Find products that you trust and feel safe using. Education and research is key! Just because you’re spending a ton of money on a product, it doesn’t mean that’s a good quality product. Check out websites such as EWG’s Skin Deep and GoodGuide
In addition, create a list of all the personal care products you use. As you use up products, start replacing the toxic ones with natural products. Make sure to scan through everything – face lotion, night cream, face foundation, lipstick, face powder. Choosing the right toxic-free makeup can help ensure you and your skin are as healthy as possible.
Research or avoid cosmetic brands because a good percentage of cosmetic brands contain harmful substances. Remember that your skin is the largest organ of your body and very sensitive. Make sure to double-check makeup and cosmetics before buying and applying something on your body.
It is also very important to avoid trusting a brand. There are many instances where the labels or name brand are the result of clever marketing. Just because you invest in products promoted and advertised well, doesn’t mean that they are good for you.
When it comes to your makeup and other products, it’s very important to make a wise decision. Choosing now to switch to non-toxic personal care products is one of the first big steps to better health. It’s impossible to completely eliminate toxicity in our day-to-day life, but you can make simple changes for better health today! Educate yourself, consider possible toxic exposures and drink filtered water. Avoid foods with additives, chemicals, hormones and antibiotics. Shopping organic when possible will impact your health a great deal too!
I like to make many of my own products using ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic coffee, organic lemon, essential oils, filtered water and so forth. Consider what you can switch out and make yourself.
I would love to hear your feedback! Have you discovered ingredients lurking in your products that you didn’t know were there? Have you started making adjustments towards improving your own health?
