Opening Week at the Farmer's Market

Photo by Angela Tague

I've been waiting all winter. The farmer's market is open!

Day one was soggy and slow. But, a sunny second day brought out flocks of people and tons of fresh produce, plants for the garden and even a face-painting booth.

So, what's in season in May in the Midwest?

You'll find lots of fresh greens including kale, arugula and several varieties of lettuce. I also spied multiple vendors with green and purple asparagus. The rhubarb was plentiful and if you love kohlrabi, radishes and turnips, there were no shortages of root vegetables on the tables.

At my local market there are also several non-food vendors. Today I saw a face-painting booth, a musician singing, a wood crafter selling cutting boards, a local winery offering samples and a jewelry maker displaying one-of-a-kind necklaces. You never know what you'll find at the market!

Do you shop at a local farmer's market? Why or why not? Tell me in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Holy Guacamole! That's a Lot of Produce for $15

It's no surprise that a good chunk of my whole foods diet comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out Bountiful Baskets opened a pick-up site in my neighborhood. I think I signed up within 30 seconds of the announcement.

What's this fresh produce program all about?
If you haven't heard about Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op (BBFC), they're a volunteer-run, grassroots organization working to get fresh healthy food to you! The program offers whole fruits, vegetables, artisans breads, organic produce and other surprise goodies for a modest contribution. Conventional baskets are $15, while an organic option is $25.

Want to learn more? Check out the BBFC website for more details and to learn how to sign up.

What's in the basket?
Here's the good part. Take a peek below at what I received in my first basket. Mind you, the cost was just $15 for all of this fresh goodness. (Plus a $3 first timer basket fee and $5.50 shipping fee to cover fuel expenses.)

• 7 bananas
• 6 oz. blueberries
• 1 lb. of strawberries
• 8 nectarines
• 1 bunch of celery
• 5 limes
• 10 green apples
• 7 Roma tomatoes
• 3 red bell peppers
• 8 red potatoes
• 4 long green peppers - Poblano peppers?
• 2 spaghetti squashes

I'm estimating this amount of fresh vegetables and fruits would have cost at least $40 if purchased at the grocery store. But by participating in a co-op, I'm able to get rock bottom prices on healthy food. Nice!

Have you ever participated in Bountiful Baskets or a similar food co-op program? Tell me about your experiences in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

It Smells Like Summer in Here!

Strawberries! Photo by Angela Tague

Half awake and blurry-eyed, I took my 9-year-old puppy out for a potty break at 4:something a.m. As I waited around in the kitchen for her to finish her duties, I wasn't sure what it was, but a sweet smell filled my nostrils.

Then it hit me. I left 4 lbs. of fresh strawberries out to dry after a good thorough washing.

If you never need a natural air freshener, try leaving a bunch of strawberries out! I was lucky enough to snag them on sale for $1.28 per pound at Fareway, so I had to stock up. No, I won't eat all of these in the next few days. Most of them will be sliced and frozen for future smoothies and strawberry sauce for shortcake.

How do you like to use up extra fresh produce? Do you can, freeze or preserve it another way? Please share in the comments below. I'm always looking for smart ways to save fresh produce.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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