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LET'S GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET
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"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy local. And that's kind of the same thing."
━ Unknown
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GETTING READY FOR MY MORNING FARMERS MARKET RUN
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I love the farmers market! It’s a glorious celebration of life, growth, and potential, and quite honestly my favorite place to be. I enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds, as well as the opportunity to cook with the season. Each market has a heartbeat of its own, and I feel so alive the moment I enter. The early morning air infuses the atmosphere: it’s like nowhere else, so free, alive, and full of joy and excitement.
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THE FARMERS MARKET IS FULL OF FOODS IN EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW
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I arrive as it opens and watch the vendors complete their setup. This also happens to be the time when local chefs arrive, so it’s fun to see which produce they’re eyeing. Chicago chefs arrive early to grab specialty mushrooms, Chinese greens, beautiful breakfast radishes, and everything in between.
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BEAUTIFUL MEDLEY OF FRESH MUSHROOMS
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I always strike up conversations with chefs and farmers. Foodies are the best kind of people! I love to hear more about what each farmer is growing, what they’re excited about, and the best way to cook it. I appreciate the tips and knowledge that come from their deep appreciation of the earth’s gifts.
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I’m lucky to have split my time between Chicago and California for many years. Both have thriving farmers market communities. Some of my favorites are the Green City Market in Chicago, the St. Helena Farmers Market in Napa Valley, and the Hollywood Market in, of course, Hollywood.
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EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH MY ZESTY GARLIC-TAHINI AVOCADO DRESSING AND MARINATED RED ONIONS
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While I enjoy an old school farmers market that solely offers local, in-season fruits and vegetables, I must admit I really like markets that offer a treasure trove of beautiful local products. I’ve found cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk feta, and Butterkase cheese, which makes a delightful grilled cheese sandwich.
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SEASONAL VEGETABLES WITH OLIVES, CUCUMBERS, BABAGANOUJ AND HUMMUS
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Some farmers markets have amazing baked goods. In St. Helena, there’s even a stand that features gluten-free desserts and breads, and another with the best local hummus you’ll ever have. Farmers markets offer treasures like maple syrup, beautiful black garlic, jams and jellies, pickles, giardiniera, and craft hot sauce.
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SOME WONDERFUL FARMERS MARKET FINDS
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Believe it or not, last summer I found the most marvelous tie-dyed dress there. I loved it so much that I asked the artist to create a few custom-dyed dresses for me. Where else but the farmers market?
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AN UNEXPECTED FARMERS MARKET FIND
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Eating in-season produce is one of the best ways to support local farmers, the planet, and your own body. Make it a mission to find your local farmers market, introduce yourself to the farmers and growers, and cultivate farmers market friendships. The farmer friendships I’ve formed over the years have deeply enriched my life.
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SCRUMPTIOUS LUNCH WITH VEGETABLES AND EVERYDAY ROAST CHICKEN BREAST
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Froggy is one of my dear farmer friends. I met him many years ago at Chicago’s Green City Market. We are connected by our mutual love of onions, and he took the time to educate me about what a real shallot is. I’ve loved learning about the different kinds of mushrooms, from Lion’s Mane to Maitake to Trumpet. If you'd like to learn more about Froggy, you'll be happy to know I've had him as a guest on my podcast twice! Click here and here for each of the episodes.
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ONE OF MY FAVORITE FARMER FRIENDS
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Beth at the Green City Market is from the Green Acres Farm in Indiana. She’s been one of my favorite farmers for years. She’s my age, and this year she retired. She was a friendly face that I looked forward to seeing each summer. I will miss her and her Chinese greens.
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TREASURES FROM THE FARMERS MARKET
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I’m always excited to see what’s ripe each week. Spring lettuces are truly a gift, as are baby carrots just out of the ground, ripe blueberries, and sweet corn in August. When my kids were little, we’d occasionally come home with huge stalks of Brussels sprouts or lima beans. Yes, they were a bit more labor intensive, but I valued showing my kids what real food looks like.
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WHOLE30 GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PLATTER WITH PISTACHIO PESTO
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My favorite approach does not involve a list or a plan. I like to get whatever looks fantastic and make a farmers market lunch with it. This was our Saturday ritual when my kids lived at home, and it was even better when they accompanied me, tasting samples and helping pick out produce. Each bite of a farmers market lunch tastes like sunshine and infuses eaters with the warmth of summer.
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PERFECTLY RIPE PEACHES
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Some of my favorite farmers market feast ingredients include:
- Baby potatoes boiled with a little butter
- Sautéed vegetables like asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Whatever’s in season, like fava beans, English peas, and roasted sweet potatoes
- Cashew Crema, hummus, and babaganoush take a feast to the next level.
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IN-SEASON FOOD MADE EASY
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We’re heading into summer, so it’s time for an adventure! If you don’t have a local farmers market, stop at a farm stand or local farm, and let us know what you think!
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OUR BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW PITCHERS
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For Pride Month, we have this brand new special pair of a Small and Large Rainbow Pitcher! These are limited edition for this month only, so click here to get shopping. Pitchers are great not only for Magic Elixirs, but also as décor, vases, organization, and so much more. I love having them in the kitchen and around my home, and I’m so excited to share this Rainbow set with you!
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THERE'S SIMPLY NOTHING LIKE A COLONY CO BAG
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I like wearing my Colony Co Crossbody Sling Bag to the farmers market. I bring along plenty of their Reusable Produce Bags (because I can’t say no to beautiful produce, and I can say no to single use plastic bags). I put my fruit or veggies right into a Reusable Produce Bag, let them weigh it, drop it into my Sling Bag and move happily along. The Sling Bag is designed so I can carry a lot of stuff comfortably, which is fantastic because, as you can imagine, I really load it up when I shop at the farmers market. Use this link or the code NOCRUMBSLEFT to get 20% off your Colony Co order!
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CALIFORNIA GROWN AVOCADO MERCH IS THE COOLEST
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Have you heard of anything more fantastic than merch that celebrates California avocados? Well guess what...we're giving some away! To enter, click the link here, like the post, and enter as many times as you want. Let’s go!
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25 POUNDS DOWN ON MY YEAR OF HEALTH
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Part of my health includes prioritizing rest and working smarter. This week I’ll have an opportunity to work remotely and spend a week with my kids, their dad, and some close family friends. During a family week, my focus isn’t on weight loss. It’s all about feeling my best and being replenished in another way.
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MARY RUTH'S LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL
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Here’s what I always take with me when I travel, because I’m not cooking my own food every day: digestive enzymes and liquid chlorophyll from Mary Ruth. I’m also bringing along charcoal, which helps if I have a reaction or sensitivity to a food. I’ve been a longtime customer, and now I’m a brand partner with Mary Ruth—I love everything they do! Use this link to shop and the code TERI20 will be applied automatically for 20% off your order!
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FARMERS MARKET SOUP
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This new soup is the perfect dish to make with your farmers market finds! Its full of fabulous in season vegetables, and it’s just the warm hug you need after a special day exploring your local market. Click here for the recipe. Let’s Go!
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