How to Navigate a Farmer’s Market

It’s the middle of Summer and every farmer’s market is bursting at the seams with fresh produce, poultry, flowers, and fish. While visiting a neighborhood farmer’s market can be intimidating, it’s also your best bet for finding local, farm fresh food for you and your family.

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However, sometimes it can be a tough place to navigate due to the crowds and multiple vendors. Bo and I thought it’d make your life a bit easier if we shared some of things we’ve learned over the past year while we’ve been visiting the Union Square Green Market on a weekly basis.

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1. Go early in order to find the best selection.  Yesterday we didn’t show up to the farmers market until noon and most of the seafood and poultry stands were already sold out. The key to finding fresh meat and seafood is showing up early in order to avoid crowds and have the best selection.

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2. If you want the best deals on produce and baked goods, go late. If you’re looking for good deals, then you should go as late as possible as many stands mark down their prices towards the end of the day especially on baked goods and perishable items like too ripe fruit or flowers.    IMG_3694 (640x478)

3. Make a list ahead of time. If you tend to overspend or get overwhelmed by the wide array of products, put together a shopping list ahead of time. This will allow you to focus on what you really need without getting distracted or tempted to spend too much money.

IMG_3728 (640x478) 4. Bring your own reusable bags! The great thing about reusable bags is that they can hold plenty of items without breaking. Yesterday we were stuck carrying five plastic bags filled to the brim with produce. It was awkward and we knew one could break at any minute. This fear caused us to walk all the way home with our first load of produce before coming back for more. It was a waste of time and very inconvenient! Next time we’ll go armed with multiple canvas bags! IMG_3695 (640x478) 5. Take a walk around the farmers market before you make your first purchase. There are multiple booths which carry the same items. Yesterday I compared blueberry prices at 3 different booths before discovering a 2 or $4 special on blueberry pints at the fourth booth! There are some great deals to be found at a farmer’s market but you have to search sometimes.

IMG_3700 (640x478)6. Bring plenty of cash and keep it easily accessible! Most farmer’s markets do not accept check or credit card. Therefore, you need to have plenty of cash, preferably smaller denominations, when heading out to the farmer’s market. The last thing a vendor wants to worry about is counting change for a $50 when you only spent $7.25. In addition, if you have to search for money in your wallet and pockets, the vendor and other shoppers will quickly grow aggravated. IMG_3705 (640x478) 7. Think twice about bringing your dog or stroller to the farmer’s market. While you’ll get plenty of sweet glances and stares, the space is often very tight and cramped between booths. You don’t want your dog to be responsible for knocking over a vendor’s prized tomatoes or running into a flower stand with your stroller. However, if you have no choice, then make sure to be aware of your surroundings and be respectful of other shoppers.

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New York City Marathon Training: Week 4

Happy Monday! I can’t believe the weekend is already over even though it was a wonderful 3 day weekend! In case you were out and about enjoying the sunshine, here is what you missed.

Cockles and Lamb

Thou Shalt Not Covet thy Neighbor’s Long Run

The Inn at Little Washington Double Date

Bo and I are officially a month into marathon training and so far things are going well.

IMG_2873 (640x478) The heat hasn’t kept me from averaging two outdoor runs per week, one long run and one tempo run. I’ve enjoyed runs with new and old friends alike, eaten four banana and peanut butter sandwiches so far, and have have only lost one toenail.

With 13 weeks left until the marathon, here’s how my mileage has progressed so far:

Week 1: 17 miles

Week 2: 21 miles

Week 3: 24 miles

Week 4: 23 miles

I was able to stick with all of my runs this week except the 2-3 mile shakeout that I was supposed to do yesterday. However, I did sprints as part of my personal training yesterday so it isn’t like I was lazy.

Monday: 4.8 miles split between a morning 5k and then the run home

Tuesday: Personal Training

Wednesday: 6 mile run outside

Thursday: rest day

Friday: 12 mile long run

Saturday: Personal Training

Sunday: 90 minute Vinyasa yoga class

It will definitely be harder to keep up with my schedule this week since I’m traveling to San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia! In hopes of keeping accountable, here is this week’s schedule:

Monday: 5 mile speed workout

Tuesday: Personal Training

Wednesday: 4-5 mile run in San Francisco

Thursday: rest day

Friday: 14 mile long run along Lake Michigan

Saturday: Shake out run

Sunday: Yoga

My goal this week is to get in each run and focus on eating well while traveling with colleagues.

Question: Have you run a marathon or a half marathon? If so, I’d love to feature you in my Wednesday series, Marathons+Moderation. Please email me or leave a comment if you’re interested!

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The Inn At Little Washington Double Date

Last night we enjoyed an Inn At Little Washington double date!

While we shopped at Eataly and The Union Square Farmer’s Market yesterday, Bo and I were inspired to cook in versus going out. The fresh summer vegetables inspired us to create a summer menu from a mix of Inn at Little Washington recipes.

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A few years ago, Bo and I discovered The Inn At Little Washington cookbook while visiting my aunt and uncle in Vermont. Her copy of the cookbook was loved and worn as she references it almost weekly for it’s delicious Southern dishes with a new American and fresh food spin.

IMG_3736 (640x478) Check out those amazing pictures!

Bo wants to cook as much as possible between now and August 15th. Instead of just cooking for ourselves, we decided that having a guest would make for a perfect Saturday night.

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Theodora and Bailey were our dinner date last night! IMG_3740 (640x478)

While Bo started in the kitchen I organized the house and made sure we had a nice dining area, fit for a delicious dinner.

IMG_3733 (640x478)Our kitchen looked like our own farmers market! There were fresh fruits and vegetables bringing color to every nook and cranny of our kitchen! IMG_3735 (640x478) A Fresh Summer Feast Menu

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Two dozen fresh Wellfleet oysters drizzled with fresh lemon juice

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Garden Tomato Salad with Grilled Red Onions, Fresh Basil, and Asiago Cheese

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Lightly fried Snapper

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Silver Corn Sauté

Unfortunately, none of these recipes are featured online but they do have some of their popular recipes on their site.

If you’re looking for a new cookbook to add to your collection, I can’t recommend this one enough. It is a cookbook that even a beginner chef can appreciate as it takes everyday ingredients, many of which are in your pantry or kitchen, to new levels. They are delicious straightforward dishes which will remind you why it eating seasonal and local meals tastes so right. IMG_3760 (640x478)

The entire meal, from start to finish, was delicious, fresh, and left us satiated.

It was such a pleasure sharing our Saturday tradition with a friend..

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