Fabulous Farmer's Market Finds in May

Farmer's Market
Photo by Acrylicartist, Morguefile.com

Think it's too early to visit your local farmer's market? Think again! Sure the home-grown watermelons aren't ripe yet, and it's too early for fresh carrots, but lots of other whole foods goodies are ready to go.

My local midwestern market has plenty of hydroponic tomatoes, asparagus and leaf lettuce. The honey vendors are out in full force. And the egg and meat farmers have their local products for sale too.

My local farmer's market has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years. Whether it's the chilly start of market season or the fall wrap-up, craft vendors abound. From dried flowers and wood crafts to jewelry artisans and painters, there's always something to look at even if your favorite produce isn't in season.

And of course, the bakeries make decadent appearances all season long. To keep your sweet tooth happy and your healthy eating plan in place, opt for items made with whole wheat flour, raw honey, farm-fresh eggs and local milk.

Until next time,

Choose Healthy!

Angela
Whole Foods Living

Garden Pasta

If your garden has an abundance of end of the season tomatoes, try this quick late-summer lunch for two. This recipe is vegetarian friendly and loaded with healthy whole foods.

(Photo by Hotblack, Morguefile.com)

End of Summer Garden Pasta

2 Tbs. olive oil

6 sliced shallots (or 1 cup chopped onion)

2 Tbs. minced garlic

1 cup chopped green, yellow or red sweet peppers (whatever grows in your garden!)

3 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes, including the skins

3 cups cooked whole wheat pasta or whole grain rice

Measure olive oil into a non-stick skillet and warm to a medium setting. Saute sliced shallots, minced garlic and chopped peppers until the shallots are opaque. Add the chopped tomatoes and allow the mixture to simmer and reduce for approximately 10 minutes.

For a more hearty sauce, add 1 cup of sausage-flavored soy crumbles (I like the Morningstar Farms brand) to the simmering tomato mixture.

Spoon the sauce over a bed of whole grain spaghetti or whole grain rice.

Serve the pasta with a fresh tossed salad.

Until next time,

Choose Healthy!

Angela
Whole Foods Living

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Venturing Into a Whole Foods Diet

I must admit, choosing to eat whole foods hasn't been as simple as grazing a salad bar. To maintain proper nutrition, get enough protein in my (vegetarian) diet and feel full, I've had to learn about some foods that used to be foreign to me.

In the past month I've ventured into the world of cooking lentils, split dried peas and quinoa.

And, it was easy.

The hardest part was finding these items at the grocery store.

During my new food adventure, I must admit, my favorite recipe so far comes from Alton Brown, the host of the Food Network show "Good Eats." On the next cool evening, I highly recommend putting a pot of this soup on to simmer!

Alton Brown's Lentil Soup

Until next time,

Choose Healthy!

Angela