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Five Tips for a Successful Trip to the Farmers’ Market

by Stephanie

Five Tips for a Successful Trip to the Farmers’ Market

(Photo Credit: Erik Scheel)

Going to the farmers’ market can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming.

Where should I go first? What should I buy? Is it organic or not?

Before I get started I want to tell you why I love farmers’ markets so much: most times they are the best of both worlds–local and organic.

Eating local and organic is the best option for our health.

Food doesn’t travel miles and miles to get to us and although they’re not always certified (it’s expensive to get certified!), many small, local farmers do not use pesticides on their produce. You have to ask though because just because it’s local, doesn’t mean they don’t use them.

This is also the cheapest way to get good-quality produce and you’re supporting a farmer in your general vicinity instead of BIG AG (AG = Agriculture) in Mexico or California.

Local and organic is the bomb (do people still say that??).

Ok. I’ve compiled some tips to help make your trip to the farmers’ market fun and successful:

1. Pack Bags and Cash.
This one might seem a bit obvious, but you want to make sure you pack cash! I don’t carry cash very often anymore so I have to make a special trip on the way. If you can, get some smaller bills and change because the vendors might not always have change for bigger bills.

Don’t forget your bags! Vendors will always have bags, but I find they use a lot of plastic so bring your own.

2. Walk Around First.
Before you start buying produce at the first stall you see, walk around the whole market first. Assess all of the vendors, what they’re offering, how many people they have working there, where they’re from and if they offer organic or pesticide-free produce.

Walking around will also give you a chance to compare various price points and figure out where you want to spend your money. It will also give you a lay-of-the-land so that the next time you walk around you will be more comfortable about approaching your vendors of choice.

3. Farmers’ Market = Seasonal Produce.
Every year when I go to the market on the first weekend, I’ll admit, I’m a bit disappointed. Why? Because I have it in my head that the market will be bursting with all sorts of produce and things to buy, but it’s never the case.

Think of a farmers’ market in the same way as you do seasonal produce: There is a time for everything.

The first weekend will likely have lots of light, leafy greens like spring mixes and mustard greens and potentially some greenhouse options, but that’s about it. The earlier the season, the fewer the options.

This a good time to give you a bit of a warning: early on you might see a vendor with a big table with loads of produce that might not be in season. Some of these stall vendors buy direct from the Food Terminal and might not always be local or in season.

The food terminal is our friend of course, but it’s important to ask lots of questions and try to support the smaller farmers at the market first.

4. Buy First; Search For A Recipe Later.
Farmers’ Market season is the best time to try something new. If you see a weird looking veggie get it! You can be guaranteed that Google or Pinterest will help you find a recipe for it.

This week I got wild leeks (otherwise known as ramps) in my veggie box. When I first started getting them I had no idea what they were or how to eat them. But a little search told me they’re delicious in a pesto so this week I made pesto using spinach, wild leeks and parsley and served it over fish (pesto is a great way to amp up fish by the way!).

Step out of the box and try something new. In fact I challenge you to do this every week.

5. Meat, Cheese and Flowers, Oh My!
One of my favourite vendors at my local market is a woman who sells beautiful flower arrangements from La Primavera Farms in Dundas, Ontario. I try to get something from her every week or two because I love having fresh flowers in the house.

Also don’t be afraid to try the fish, meats and cheeses. Again, you’ll be getting the freshest options and items you won’t find in a boring old grocery store. I love trying these goat cheeses from Cross Wind Farm and getting some fish for the weekend. There’s also a woman in my neighbourhood who sells jarred pantry items (the chilli sauce is delicious!).

That’s about it! What are your favourite things to get at the market?

** P.S.: I have a new Farmers’ Market Recipe Booklet with great ideas on how to use that produce! Get it here. **

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My brother-in-law Steve spent a large portion of o My brother-in-law Steve spent a large portion of our Christmas dinner sharpening my knives. I was so grateful, but also hesitant that I would cut myself.⁠
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When I started cooking with my newly-sharpened knives, I was in awe.⁠
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Sharp knives make all the difference when it comes to enjoying cooking. It's also safer if you can believe it.⁠
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With a sharp knife, you're less likely to push down harder on the knife trying to get it through an onion, for example.⁠
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It just slices through with little pressure. ⁠
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Dull knives leave room for error and slicing fingers (listen, I've cut a few fingers over the years...).⁠
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If you're having trouble enjoying cooking at home, I encourage you to either get a new knife (it doesn't have to be expensive), or get someone to sharpen your knives for you (call a Steve in your area!).⁠
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Take care of them with a little holder and treat them kindly. Having a sharp knife will bring you one step closer to love cooking at home.⁠
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xo⁠
Steph⁠
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#kitchenskills #cookingtips #easycooking #enjoycooking #inthekitchen
Keep Meals Simple Friends! I’ve said this befor Keep Meals Simple Friends!

I’ve said this before: keep your meals simple. 

Pick meals that take fewer than 20 minutes or less to cook so you’re not scrambling during the week to make dinner and keep the elaborate meals for the weekend.

Another idea is to choose a couple of veggies to roast on Sunday that you can use for various meals during the week. 

Roasted sweet potatoes are great with chicken thighs, but also taste fantastic in a frittata or taco. 

Cook once, eat twice (or three times).

Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and nourishing and it get easier over time.

I’m accepting new clients at @onehealthservices! DM me if you’re looking for meal planning and prep help. 

#mealprephelp #mealplanhelp #springrefresh #
Mondays are our busy nights. I have tennis (so fun Mondays are our busy nights. I have tennis (so fun!) and my son has soccer. ⁠
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That's why I make sure to make Mondays an easier night for dinner. ⁠
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Enter salads and bowls!⁠
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Last Monday, I made a salad bowl with arugula, leftover rice, olives, tomatoes, chicken, and feta, and wowee it was yummers!⁠
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By prepping ingredients, the kids can take what they want and leave what they don't want (eh-hem, tomatoes) and we have a meal full of elements that will keep us satisfied and nourished.⁠
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Need meal prep and meal plan help?⁠
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I'm currently accepting new clients @onehealthservices! DM me or visit the link in my profile here @lealoucooks to chat about custom meal plans.⁠
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#mealprep #mealplanning #health #naturopath #virtualappointments #realfood #wholefood #foodmatters #holistichealth #culinarynutrition
Do you like eating salad?

According to my hig Do you like eating salad?

According to my highly unscientific research, there are two types of people who don’t like to eat salad:

1. Those who think eating salad is boring.
2. Those who think that salad isn’t filling enough for a full meal.
3. Ok, one more… those who don’t like eating vegetables!

If you fall into one of the first two categories, I’m here to tell you that maybe… just maybe… you’ve been making salads wrong.

I know. People don’t like to be told that what they’ve been doing is wrong (I don’t like to be told that either) but I can guarantee you that salads can be fun and filling and it’s all in how we put them together.

We can do so much more to jazz up a salad and my favourite way to do this is to think of your salad bowl as a rainbow.

When you add the colours of the rainbow to your salad bowl it’s visually more appealing to eat.

The sky is the limit in terms of the colourful foods you can add to a salad.

Not only will you feel more energized by your colourful bowl (and you’ll want to eat it), you’ll be more energized because each of those colourful vegetables has its own set of nutrients that our bodies love and crave. 

Colourful produce = Energy!

If you’re looking for fun and nourishing meal ideas I’m accepting new clients with @onehealthservices. Book a session through the link in my profile here @lealoucooks

Happy Cooking!

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About Stephanie

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Hey! I'm Stephanie. I'm a Writer, Culinary Nutrition Expert and Cooking Instructor helping families cook nourishing meals. Read more about me {here}.

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