A Trip to the Farmer’s Market May 29, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Sustainable Living, Vegetarian Recipes.comments closed
Since our CSA membership ended for the season last Saturday, we headed to the Bradenton Farmer’s Market this morning (last day of the season) to see how far a $20 investment in our local economy would take us.
Answer: a long, long way!
Here’s what we got for $20: 1 head of crisp iceberg lettuce * 2 green peppers * 1 red pepper * 3 ears of just picked corn * 4 cubanelle peppers * 4 ripe tomatoes * 1 seedless watermelon * 1 cantaloupe * 1 pineapple * 1.5 pounds of green beans * 1 quart of hydroponic grape tomatoes * 1 head of celery * 1 quart of plum tomatoes * 1 bunch of Swiss chard
What a haul!
As soon as we got home, I cut up the watermelon and the cantaloupe ~ filling six 6-cup containers with juicy chunks of red and orange melon ready for noshing at a moments notice.
The rinds went into the compost bin.
After a quick rinse, I sautéed the Swiss chard with olive oil, crushed red pepper, and garlic salt, then stirred in a box of Near East Brown Rice Pilaf (following package directions) to make a yummy vegetarian casserole to toss into the freezer for later this week.
I sliced one of the locally grown tomatoes to make a PBLT on whole wheat toast for lunch.
What’s a PBLT?
Peanut butter, lettuce and tomato ~ the PB is salty and crunchy (like bacon) and marries well with the LT.
The result: my favorite summer sandwich.
BFF made himself a grilled “Panini” with Vermont cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, and slivers of red cubanelle pepper.
Since the melon wasn’t chilled yet ~ we enjoyed a juicy Valencia orange with our sandwiches.
For dinner tonight:
Pasta Primavera (angel hair pasta and herbs with sautéed zucchini, summer squash, carrots, and onions), corn on the cob, steamed green beans, and chilled melon.
What a wonderful kick off to Memorial Day weekend!
Plus, when we open the refrigerator, it looks like a Farm Stand moved in ~ with lots of healthy anti-oxidants, vitamins, and fiber in all colors of the rainbow . . . all thanks to our hard-working local farmers, with some help from Mother Nature.
Vegetables . . . it’s what’s for dinner!
Related posts: Tiny Green Thumbs Workshop * Join a C.S.A. * Health Benefits From Greening Your Life * No Impact Man: Gradual Change
Don’t Wait To Get Hit By A Bus May 29, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Magick & Mystery, Mindfulness.comments closed
The Universe often knows better than us what we need . . . and leads us gently in that direction.
If we ignore our Spiritual impulses, nudges become pushes, and pushes become shoves.
When we don’t focus on changes that are long overdue, Spirit can be as insistent as a toddler experiencing the “terrible twos.”
The good news:
1) Spirit only shoves us in front of the proverbial bus as a last resort ~ and only if it is in our best interest.
2) When we hit rock bottom . . . there is no place to go but UP.
Quote: Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go – purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything – whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out. ~ Tina Turner
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: A Beacon In The Dark * Winks, Whispers, and Nudges * Sail Without Fear
The Power Of Awesome! May 29, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Books & Movies, Gratitude, Happiness.comments closed
I’ve added a new blog to my blogroll ~ 1000 Awesome Things
Neil Pasricha started his blog in June 2008 to focus on positives . . . when life seemed filled with negatives.
Now, his blog has millions of admirers and he’s got a book to brag about as well!
To Buy The Book:
The Book of Awesome (Amazon)
To Join The Countdown:
More information about the Author:
Neil Pasricha never imagined that writing about the smell of gasoline, thinking it’s Thursday when it’s really Friday, or wearing underwear just out of the dryer would amount to anything.
A self-described “average guy” with a typical 9-to-5 job in the suburbs, Neil started his blog 1000 Awesome Things, as a small reminder — in a world of rising sea levels, global conflict, and a troubled economy — of the free, easy little joys that make life sweet.
He certainly didn’t anticipate that his site would gain a readership of millions of people, win two Webby Awards (“the Internet’s highest honor” according to The New York Times), be named one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Sites, or become a place where people from around the world would come to celebrate the simple pleasures of daily life.
#786 Getting recognized for doing something you love . . . PRICELESS!!!
Book and blog = awesome reminders of the power of positive thinking + the power of NOW!
Related posts: We See The World Behind Our Eyes * Good Vibrations * The Pursuit of Happiness * The ABC’s of Happiness * Brave New Adventures * Happiness ~ Check it Out * The Last Lecture * Attack of the Killer ANTS
Spirit Lights The Way 