By Contributing Author Sharon A. See
It’s no secret that I am a farmers’ market fan. For one thing, you just can’t beat the convenience of having all those fresh fruits and veggies all in one place. But, I overdo it sometimes. I can get carried away and come home with enough food to feed us and the neighbors. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. I certainly didn’t invent food storage, but through my own necessity I’ve come up with what I think are some really great strategies for preventing spoilage while promoting healthy eating in our home. I’ve been told that concern over how to keep fresh fruits and vegetables from spoiling is a reason why some people don’t shop at farmers markets as often as they’d like. I get that. Tossing away spoiled produce is a real waste of money. So, in this blog I’m going to share with you some really quick and simple ways to keep your farmers market produce fresher longer.
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By Contributing Author Sharon A. See
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, cherries, cranberries and grapes are just some of the wonderful berries that come into season this time of the year. And there are so many ways to enjoy them. Most are delish on their own and make a wonderfully healthy snack or top with a dollop of whip cream for a light summer dessert. Berries are naturally low in calories, fat and sugar so they complement any eating style. Adding a few servings of berries into your daily diet is great way to get some added nutrition with very few calories. Not all berries are created equal and each and every berry has their own unique health benefits. But, all berries do share a few common health benefits. They are little power houses of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids and fiber. Let’s take a look and see just how good for you they are. By Contributing Author Sharon A. See
Welcome back to the Monroe Farmers’ Market! We’ve missed you. The volunteers of the market have worked very hard this off-season to bring you a great market experience this year. We’re happy to introduce four new vendors who have joined the market. Three Bridges Coffee Shop from Shelton will offer hot and iced coffee and lemonade, muffins, cookies, quiches and breads. This N’ That Catering of Trumbull will provide ready to eat meals that include a variety of freshly made meatballs, fresh pasta, and sauces. Vic’s Guac Shop also of Shelton will be serving up freshly made guacamole. And for our furry friends, Best Buddies Biscuits of New Haven will provide biscuits, chews and jerky made from really wholesome ingredients. As with all our market vendors, these offerings are made with select locally sourced ingredients. For more information on these and all our vendors please our website for a complete vendor list. By contributing author Kris Louis
If you’re a parent, you’re probably aware that sometimes you have to get creative to get your kid to do certain things. Ask anyone who’s ever tried to tell a child that cough syrup was actually a new cherry-flavored soft drink, or that math can be fun. Those are tough sells, to be sure, but they still don’t rise to the challenge of getting children to eat and appreciate vegetables. Maybe you’ve tried to shape a potato like a meatball and cover it in spaghetti sauce, or tried to hide baby carrots under a heap of meatloaf slathered in gravy or ketchup. You do it with the best of intentions, but it’s folly because children have a sixth sense when it comes to being tricked into eating their veggies. If you’re contemplating giving up, take a look at some of these tactics that worked for parents who have been in your shoes. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
It’s hard to believe that another market season has come and gone already. Especially since it still feels like summer outside. Have you given any thought to how you’ll replace the farm fresh items you’re used to finding at the Monroe Farmers’ Market? I’m getting a little anxious just thinking about it. I can relate to the squirrels and chipmunks in my backyard who are feverishly storing nuts and seeds for the winter. I want to do this too! I want to go to the market on Friday and pack the car with tons of fresh, local food. But, that’s not really going to work. So, let’s talk about other options. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
This is such a great time of year for cooking with these healthy and flavorful vegetables. I’ve picked my ten favorite to share with you this week. I hope these turn out to be some of your favorites too! It’s soup season! Soups and stews make great meals in the colder months. And, they are particularly handy for busy families. You can prepare in advance and refrigerate or freeze until you need them. I add greens like escarole to just about every soup or stew and crock pot meal we make. I especially love escarole because it doesn’t have a particularly strong taste on its own, so it blends well in most any soup or stew. Escarole is also easier to digest than some of the other heartier fall greens so can be a good choice for young children or other family members with sensitive digestion. However, escarole is not a lightweight when it comes to nutrition. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. To up the fiber content even more and add a little protein, try a simple soup of escarole and white bean. Pair it with a loaf of Italian bread or a French baguette and you’ll have tasty, quick, nutritious meal for the entire family. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
Fall is upon us. But, there are still many more weeks of growing season and more Friday afternoon markets. You can expect to see selections at the market change from hot weather crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant to cooler weather crops like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Sweet pumpkins for cooking along with other squashes like butternut and acorn are already at the market. And, you can still find an abundance of green beans, onions, leafy greens, beets, corn, and other tasty veggies. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
There are so many wonderful fresh herbs waiting for you at the market. I picked a few of my must have herbs to share with you. In addition to adding fresh flavor to your favorite dishes, you can drink some of these herbs too. I’ve included some recipes for making herbal teas and for adding these herbs to enhance the flavor of your favorite tea or beverages. Basil Pesto is usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about basil, right? But have you ever thought about drinking your basil? You can create a variety of refreshing summer drinks with basil. Here’s a recipe for basil tea that’s great hot or cold. You can even use this recipe as a base and mix it your favorite black or green tea over ice with a wedge of lemon or lime. It’s very tasty and refreshing on a hot day. Or, you can add basil to fruit infused water for a refreshing summer drink. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
It’s back to school for the kiddos! And for most families this means a return to routines and schedules. Be sure to keep your Friday afternoon visit to the Monroe Farmers Market part of your back to school routine. There are still two more months of growing season with lots of nutritious fruits and veggies for the entire family. The market will be open on Fridays through the end of October. Healthy eating and nutrient rich foods are even more important now. With the beginning of school comes the need for increased immunity. Kids are inside together in close quarters for several hours a day. This means lots of germ swapping. Keep your kids healthy and their immune systems strong with farm fresh, nutrient dense foods found at the market. By Contributing Author: Sharon A. See
Being a health coach, I talk to a lot of people about healthy eating. The most common reason I hear from people who find it challenging to eat healthy is a lack of time. I’ve come to learn, that this is really more of a planning issue than a lack of time issue. We all have the same twenty-four hours in the day. What we choose to do with them makes the difference. I think we can all agree most things in life go better with some planning and forethought. The same is true for healthy eating and cooking. Do you know that by 4:00 pm on any given day, most families have no idea what they are having for dinner? That’s a recipe for disaster. I don’t know about you, but if I were to leave meal planning for the end of a long day when I’m hungry and tired, I’m not going make the best choices. So, in this week's article, I've picked three strategies to share with you. I use these and others with clients who feel they are time challenged when it comes to cooking healthy meals at home. Create Your Weekly Meal Plan This first step may not be what you think. This is different than and comes before menu planning. This is… |
AuthorThe Monroe Farmers' Market is open June–October and offers fresh, locally-grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods and hand-crafted specialty foods to Connecticut locals. Archives
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