WHY I LOVE SHOPPING AT FARMERS’ MARKET!!!!

Sorry folks I have been MIA (missing in action) for a while. I was out of town for the weekend and did pretty well sticking to my smoothies on Saturday. Then on Sunday and the following weekdays things didn't turn as expected and I just went on an eating spree. Sometimes when our mind is not in sync with the body, we end up making the wrong choices. Well,  I just did that! 

I was busy, stressed out, tired and out of groceries for the week. The only thing I could find in my pantry/refrigerator was a loaf of bread. So I had a piece of bread thinking eating some real carbs will actually elevate my mood. I did feel good for a while but that elevated mood didn't last very long. Only if I had all the ingredients for a smoothie I would have had one and felt great not just for a while but for hours. I was actually missing my grocery store and more so my farmers' market. 

Have you ever done your weekly grocery shopping from your local FARMERS' MARKET?

If you have then you will agree with me that shopping at farmers' market is not only a job you need to do every week to fill your grocery bag and your kitchen counter but it's an experience in itself. Farmers' market is a different world in itself; full of fun, excitement, greenery & freshness. I love the feel, the color, the smell and the taste of fruits and veggies that are plucked fresh from the farms and served to you. Most of the products available at farmers' market are organically grown which means:

1. 
   
   The products are grown locally and are not treated with harmful pesticides. This means organic foods avoid polluting water supplies, are healthier for the environment, and reduce human health risk.
2. 
   
   Nutrients are not lost during travel and storage.
3. 
   
   Local & organic produce does not need added wax or other preservatives
4. 
   
   Buying from local farmers' market you are helping your county's local farmers' and small businesses.
5. 
   
   Transporting food a few miles instead of thousands reduces fossil fuel emissions that contribute to global warming as well as affect final food prices and quality.

Environmentalists trying to protect our land have been warning us to eat organic for a long time but now science tells us that we need to eat organic to save ourselves. There is enough data that atrazine, a common weed killer used in non-organic foods is linked to disabilities in children, miscarriages, infertility, childhood obesity, ADHD, autism, asthma and diabetes to name a few. Maria Rodale, CEO of Rodale Inc. and author of the new book Organic Manifesto, points out, "the planet will be fine without us." We're the ones in trouble if things don't change. He clearly emphasizes the need to grow, buy and eat organic food.

By eating organic food your overall immunity and way of life will improve; thus you will save money by not going to the doctor and buying prescription medicine. In a nutshell it's a win-win situation.

If buying organic products is not always be possible due to availability, cost, or other factors, always always wash your fresh produce well with a simple solution that will help remove harmful pesticides from the surface of the food. I use this easy and simple recipe to wash my produce:

Fruit and Veggie Wash

• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons vinegar
• 1 cup of water

I usually combine all my ingredients in a large pan and then soak all the produce in the veggie wash for about five minutes. I then rinse my fruits and vegetables under running water for a while. The produce actually looks clean and is ready to use. If you like you can combine all the ingredients and store the wash in a spray bottle and spray it on vegetables and fruits before consuming. 

Back to Smoothie of the Day: 

I have been in an out of the house. When I am busy I like to go with my favorites like Kale, spinach, Pineapple, Apple and Strawberries with seeds like flax, chia and hemp. This combination tastes great and is easy to prepare without much cutting and chopping. 

On Sunday night my cousin invite me to her anniversary party at a very classy restaurant. The ambiance was great and the food looked awesome. I had a bit of the tofu and its was delish. The restaurant was generous enough to make me a smoothie. They converted one of their alcoholic beverages to a smoothie that I was able to enjoy. I don't recall all the ingredients but do know that it had mango and mint in it. A new combination for me but one I will be trying in my own kitchen.

A sort of healthy version of Mango Mojito

Confessions for the weekend and the week so far:

If I start writing my confessions for the last few days, I can actually write a book. So instead of going in the details I will just keep it simple and say that I made some mistakes and now I am just hoping that I don't repeat those mistakes for at least the next few days.

Gratitude for Day 17:

Earth Day was April 22nd.  Earth provides us with all our needs_food, water, air, land, space, produce, everything!We can never thank our Earth enough for all it has given us. But we can do our part in making sure that our Earth is a cleaner, safer place for us and our future generations. Reduce waste, Reuse, Replenish , and Recycle whatever you can. This is the only way we can show our gratitude to our beautiful Earth.

Prayers for Today:

I really need your prayers today. My dad is in the hospital and might have to be operated. His second brain surgery in less than 6 months. He is the main reason why I do what I do. Please pray that his surgery goes well and he recovers soon. If you think my blogs have helped you in the last few weeks then please keep me and my family in your prayers. I will be humbled and honored. 

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