San Diego Farmer's Market

Good Day Everyone,

How relaxing and entertaining is it to slowly meander through a weekend Farmer's Market? That's what my boyfriend and I did last weekend, so I just thought I would share some pictures to encourage you to attend your own local market.

There is always a wide variety of different delicious breads at the farmers markets, and they are very fresh. Fresh veggies are always present at the market, and its great because sometimes you can purchase them right from the person who helped grow them! That's local, and a good way to be green.

Of course, what would a morning or a farmers market be without chocolate!? The different kinds of chocolate available for sale at the farmer's markets are often impressive.

We also came across a fantastic discovery....chocolate peanut butter! That's rights, so good, and they also have caramel and a few other flavours.

I always try and make room in my basket for the fresh flowers they sell at the market. The price is right and they are beautiful. The last ones I bought lasted for over a week and looked great on my kitchen table.

And last, but certainly not least, perhaps the best part of the Farmer's Market you ask? All of the adorable dogs and puppies the join their owners to check out the good deals and maybe even find a tasty crumb or two left behind by those walking and eating.

All of the dogs and puppies actually encouraged me to start yet another blog called 'The Dog Blog'...if you'd care to take a look visit: http://anniekathleen.tumblr.com/

This is the Farmer's Market in Little Italy right downtown in San Diego. For a list of Farmer's Market's all over San Diego, please visit:

http://sdfarmbureau.org/BuyLocal/Farmers-Markets.php

YOGURT & FRUIT

What better way to start the day than with a bowl of yogurt and fruit?! Some of my personal favourite items to add to my yogurt are strawberries, grapes, bananas, granola, and cinnamon.

Low fat plain yogurt is one of the healthiest options. The flavoured varieties of yogurt often have a lot of extra sugar added, and why bother when you can add your own fruit! If you haven't yet acquired a taste for plain yogurt and find it a bit sour, try adding some all natural maple syrup for sweetness. I have found that sometimes you have to try a few different brands of the plain yogurt to find one you like because they all taste a little different.

Also, a healthy source of protein and an easy quick snack is Greek Yogurt, you can do all the same additions as with regular yogurt, but its a bit more substantial.

If you have lactose sensitivities yogurt can be a great alternative for some people. And of course, if you are taking antibiotics, yogurt is an excellent way to restore all those healthy bacteria in your digestive system.

Spicy Quinoa

Quinoa is my new favourite healthy grain! It is gluten free, super easy to make, and delicious! So I thought I would share a quick recipe I came up with this evening. And because I made this one up as I went, the measurements are approximate...I don’t think they need to be exact for the desired effect.

Quinoa                          ½ c.

Water                            1 c.

Garlic Clove                 2 large cloves

Red Pepper                  1/2
Jalapeno Peppers (canned) - good scoop - depending on your desire for spice!

Mushrooms                  4

Celery                          2 small stalks 

Sesame oil                   approx. ¾ tbls.

Olive Oil                      1 tbls.

Boil quinoa in water according to directions on package. Once cooked add pressed garlic, followed by red pepper, jalapenos, mushrooms (white button or any other kind of your choosing), celery (all chopped). Then add sesame oil and olive oil to pot. Stir until thoroughly mixed, replace lid of pot and let sit – 10 to 15 min. And that’s it! Scoop onto plate and enjoy. Suggested paring: Lightly seasoned chicken breast and corn on the cob, perhaps a glass of white wine.

Almond Butter Maple Cookies

I just cooked up some of these delicious cookies and I think they may be one of the best smelling cookies I have ever baked. I live in a small loft bachelor suite and the entire place has the best cookie waft floating around it after my little cookie escapade. 

Now, onto the cookies themselves....I suppose a brief intro. into why I chose this recipe. I LOVE food and especially treats. However, I also enjoy being fit and healthy and have decided to start this blog as proof to myself and others that both can be enjoyed and achieved. So, I am constantly on the look out for tasty, yet healthy, treats. 

Tip: I realized I didn't have a device for Almond Chopping mid-recipe, at first I tried a coffee grinder (I do not recommend). Then I realized I could just chop them myself with a knife and cutting board, result: nicely chopped almonds, pictured above.

Almond Butter Maple Cookies

These cookies have a perfect mix of sweetness and crunchiness. Almond butter raises the fat numbers, but most of this comes from beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids.

1/2 cup (125 mL) almond butter
1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup, No. 2 or No. 3
3 Tbsp (45 mL) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla or almond extract
1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).

In large bowl, mix together almond butter, maple syrup, oil, and extract.

In separate bowl, blend together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in almonds.
Refrigerate dough for at least an hour.

Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls, place onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and flatten to about 1/3 in (0.8 cm). Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. 


Tip: Make sure to be cautious about timing as they can burn quickly, I found on my oven 10 min. was the absolute max they should have been kept in for.

Yields 12 cookies.

Each cookie contains: 188 calories; 4 g protein; 12 g total fat (1 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 19 g carbohydrates; 2 g fibre; 51 mg sodium

source: alive #340, February 2011

Please follow this link to the site where this wonderful recipe originated:


http://www.alive.com/recipes/view/69/almond_butter_maple_cookies?cpage=1