Search Results for: blog visiting the farmers market

The Farmer’s Market Part II

As it turns out my daughter was fairing better than reported while I was taking my weekly early morning “mommy break” at the farmer’s market with my sister. I am not against taking the kids with me to the farmer’s market but being able to go by myself serves two purposes. First, I finally get a much needed break from my adorable children. Second, I am able to talk with the farmer’s about how they produce their food to ensure that I am getting truly local and chemical free products (it is shocking at how many vendors are not selling … Continue reading →

Having Fun at a Farmer’s Market

Now that the weather is warming up, farmers markets are springing up around the country. In warmer climates these massive markets are open year round, but here in the chilly Upper Midwest, outdoor farmers markets are seasonal (and the indoor ones are only held bi-weekly). Their fleeting appearance from May until October is one of the reasons they are so popular in my neck of the woods. Another reason produce-loving residents flock to farmers markets here is that they are just plain fun. When was the last time you took your children to a farmers market? My preschooler loves visiting … Continue reading →

Farmer’s Market Fun

My family is excited that the summer farmer’s markets have opened. Going to the farmer’s market is one of our favorite summer family activities. I like that my children get to see real farm families at work. Many times the kids are offered a sample of watermelon, peaches, local honey, or flavored popcorn. And my kids love samples. I like that we are eating corn that was picked in the wee hours of the same morning, and that we are supporting local farmers. The farmer’s markets are great places for trading recipes, too. I love talking and eavesdropping as people … Continue reading →

Visiting the Farmer’s Market

You seem them on every corner during the summer months. Well, at least around our area you do. But if not, check in the paper. They typically advertise them. Utilizing your local farmers market, or small fruit and vegetable stand is a sure money saver. These wonderful resources are stocked full of fresh, ripe produce in all types of varieties. From juicy, sweet fruits, to crunchy, healthy vegetables, all of our favorites are present. And there is no better time of year than summer to enjoy some of these treats! So how do you save money at a farmer’s market? … Continue reading →

10 Ways to Save on Your Next Trip to Hawaii

Last year, my then six-old daughter celebrated her 12th visit to Hawaii. However, to her, the Aloha State is more than just a top tourist destination, it’s also home to grandma, grandpa, and a huge network of aunts, uncles and cousins. I kid that she would have been marking trip number 20 if it weren’t so dang expensive to fly from Wisconsin to Hilo. Fortunately, once we land in the “Land of Aloha” we score free room and board. Bottom line: traveling to Hawaii is not cheap. However, there are ways you can save on your next vacation there provided … Continue reading →

Does Buying Organic Make You a Better Parent?

If you watched Monday’s episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” then you’d think the answer was: “Absolutely!” Take that Jon. Monday’s show featured Kate taking her kids to an organic produce farm run by an Amish family. Cameras captured Kate and her eight kids picking up fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers, corn and other veggies at “Henry’s,” then taking their goods home to make a “meal from scratch.” “It is pure joy when I can go to a produce stand and buy produce that has been picked that morning and it will land on my table that evening for dinner,” … Continue reading →

Summer Travel Deals in Paradise

Lodgings across the 50th State are offering spectacular summer savings to try to compensate for the sky-high cost of airfare to Hawaii. The following properties located on two of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands are currently offering special package deals to entice you to make the trip to the “Land of Aloha.” Take a look: MAUI The Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono, Maui is offering a special $150 rate through fall on all of its “green” rooms. The environmentally friendly lodging features water heated 100 percent by solar power; on-demand gas in the main Inn and rooms fitted with CFL (compact … Continue reading →

Where Did the Summer Go?

A week ago I complained to anyone who would listen that the local bargain store was clearing out sunscreen and no longer had the zinc oxide I wanted. I couldn’t believe they would pack away those products in the middle of July when the weather was still plenty hot and sunny. But there were boxes where they were packing up summer things and unopened boxes with school supplies. Yesterday I complained about all the back to school sales going on. I said things like “couldn’t they just let us enjoy our summer”, and “we’ll worry about that next month”, and … Continue reading →

Healthy Frozen Produce

Fresh vegetables and fruits are best, right? Only if you eat them as soon as they’re picked. As soon as fruits and vegetables are picked, they start to lose nutrients. So what’s better than fresh produce? Frozen produce! Freezing fruits and vegetables slows nutrient loss. Here’s an example: fresh broccoli loses more than fifty percent of its vitamin C content in just seven days. Frozen broccoli loses only ten percent of its vitamin C content in a year! Other good news? Some antioxidant and mineral levels actually INCREASE after freezing. Your best bet for getting the most nutritional impact from … Continue reading →

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite fiction authors. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life is a work of non-fiction. It tells the story of an experimental year as Kingsolver and her family became locavores. They grew and harvested most of their own food, and bought local organic food for the majority of the rest. It’s not fiction, but it almost reads like a novel. I became very interested in the happenings around the farm, wondering about the crops, how their youngest daughters egg business would do, and anxious to see if the turkeys would hatch their eggs. … Continue reading →