Saturday Morning…Market Day!

June 20, 2009 (oops) posted one day late

I love Saturday morning…it means Farmer’s Market, a weekly ritual that began for me many years ago. I love that I know the faces behind the food that I eat. Market basket loaded with coffee mug, insulated bags to keep the produce cool, and empty egg cartons for my favorite egg vendor, with anticipation of what will be at the stands this week, I head to the organic community market.

Supporting local growers is so important. Knowing the source of your food in light of the tainted food scares of the last few years makes this even more important. By supporting local growers, I support the local economy, adding sustainability to my own way of living in this community. And this all makes me feel good and a contributing part of the bigger picture.

Enough soap-box…this has become my new favorite lunch salad:

Fresh spinach (two handfuls) – local!
1 Tbl feta cheese, crumbled or local goat’s cheese
¼ cup fresh blueberries – local!
1/3 cup cooked garbanzo beans
¼ cup coarsely shredded carrots – local! or jicama
1 chopped hard-boiled egg – local!

When in a hurry I dress this with 1 Tbl Newman’s Own Walnut Vinaigrette.
If time is ample…homemade blueberry vinaigrette made w/ my home-brewed blueberry vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, chopped fresh basil (from the garden), s & p

To make this dinner I add a portion of grilled salmon or chicken and a whole wheat roll or brown rice.

Now back to putting the produce away ... and maybe that salad.