Friday 30 December 2011

12 Terrific Resolutions for 2012!

1. Take your bicycle out of the shed. Use it more this year. If you don't have a bicycle, how about popping by I HeartBikes on the waterfront and renting one for an afternoon or take a drive out to Tantallon, visit the Bike and Bean, rent a bicycle and hit the the rails to trails track along the South Shore.

2. Eat your greens! All kinds... and while you are at it, eat yellow and orange and red and blue! The more colourful your diet the healthier you will be!

Have vegetables with a homemade low-fat dip for a snack.
Add extra veggies to casseroles, stews and soups.
Keep a bowl of apples, bananas and/or oranges on the table.
Have a side salad with a variety of leafy greens every day.
Bake with raisin, date or prune puree to reduce fat and increase fiber.
Add lettuce, onions, peppers, cukes and/or tomatoes to sandwiches.
Order veggie toppings on your pizza.
Enjoy fruit smoothies for breakfast or snacks.
Pack fresh or dried fruits for quick snacks.
Keep cleaned fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, ready for action.

3. Buy LOCAL! Purchase seasonal and local fruits and vegetables. Keep your money in your own community! As tempting as it might be to have strawberries in January, they have been imported halfway around the world at great environmental cost. Reasearch what is naturally grown in this area and you'll also rediscover the pleasure of meals changing with the seasons! Talk to your farmers at the market.

4. Spend more time outside! So many reasons to do so! Enjoy fresh air, local parks and gardens. Come visit our rooftop and soak up some harbour views. Your soul will thank you!

5. Stop sitting so much!!!! Scary new data!

6. Don't forget the little things. Switch your light bulbs, look for products made from recycled materials, buy energy efficient electronics and appliances, go paperless, conserve heat and water ( lower your thermostat and put on a sweater, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth)

5. If you are a meat eater, purchase happy meat. Animals that are free range, grass fed and antibiotic free. Better for them, better for you.

6. Get more Omega 3 into your diet! So many reasons why. Salmon is an excellent choice and flax seed too.

7. Stop stressing and start breathing! Breathe deeply for five minutes a day. To do it, stand or sit in quietly, close your eyes, and simply notice your breath, without attempting to modify it. Then try this:
Breathing through your nose,take a deep breath,as low into the belly as you can, pause,then exhale fully, pausing again. Make each inhale and exhale last for five counts. Do it five times. Eventually, work up to 10, 20, or even 30 breaths. Feel better?


8. Stay in touch with friends and family! Reconnect. They keep us grounded. Why not make plans to meet at the market? Have a bite to eat and catch up. xoxox

9. Take care of your teeth!
Your body will thank you. Good for more than just a pretty smile.

10. Volunteer!
Somewhere, there is an organization or person that needs YOUR help!

11. Learn something new. How to program the remote control, raise chickens, plant an herb garden, play harmonica! it is up to you:) You can start here.

12. Stop.... and.... smell.... the.... salty air! Life goes by altogether too quicky! Before we know it it will be time for 2013 thoughts. Have a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous year!

Photos: Shelagh Duffett

Friday 16 December 2011

11 days before Christmas!

Christmas is nigh! This is a print from one of our artists at the market, Shelagh Duffett. You can get LOTS of great gifts here at the market this time of year, as well as stock up on ALL your Holiday foodstuffs and delicious drinks and greenery and....so much more! Really you can do it all and fulfill your pledge of shopping locally.

Santa will be paying the market a visit tomorrow (Sat.). Keep a lookout for him between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, Dec.17 th.

We are also collecting gently used coats for the Salavation Army. Bring your warm coats to the market and put them in the box at the South Entrance near Noggins Corner Farm.

Do you have somebody on your list that is hard to buy for? Why not give them one of our MARKET GIFT CERTIFICATES! They come in denominations of $5, $10 and $25. All vendors will accept them. They can be purchesd at the main office upstairs or you can ask at the info desk under the main staircase.

We are OPEN next Saturday, Christmas Eve until 1pm !

On Thursdays, we now have live music to eat your lunch by. The Boulevard Eateries are open throughout the week every day except Monday. This Thursday on December 22nd it will be Modern Grass again. What a fun group!

And as always....Friday is our INTERNATIONAL Day. Enjoy food from around the world with our eclectic bunch of food vendors.

There are also a few craft vendors here these days leading up to Christmas, so pop by, have some lunch and enjoy a chat.

Thursday 8 December 2011

Sunrise and Moroccan Stew

These days it is easy to catch a sunrise like this at the market! We open at 7am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays. This Saturday, the sunrise is at 7:40 am. It is one minute later each day.

Perfect days for comfort food. This is a delicious Moroccan Stew, full of exotic warm flavours and not so exotic ingredients.
Market shopping list: beef, onion, garlic, parsnip, sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots

Slow Cooker Moroccan Beef Stew

1.5 pound stewing beef, chopped into bite sized pieces, 750 gr
1/4 cup all purpose flour, 50 mL
1 large red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 parsnip, chopped
1 sweet potato , chopped
1/2 small butternut squash,chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 28oz can tomatoes, chopped, 796 ml
1/2 cup raisins 125 ml
1 tsp grated fresh ginger 5ml
1/2 tsp cinnamon, 5ml
1 tsp cumin, 10 mL
1 tsp garam masala, 5 ml
pinch of allspice
pinch of nutmeg
1 Tbsp lemon zest
2 cups beef stock 500 mL* check after a few hours, may need to add some more.
Salt and pepper to taste
(1 cup each dried apricots and pitted prunes 250 mL) optional, add with veggies
Chopped fresh parsley
Slivered almonds

Directions:
1. Toss beef with the flour in slow cooker.
2. Add all veggies, tomatoes, spices and broth......stir.
3. Cook in slow cooker on high for 4-6 hours or until meat is cooked and veggies tender.
4. Top with slivered almonds and chopped parsley. Serve over couscous, rice or mashed potatoes:) Your house will smell fantastic. * you can also cook on the stove top, done when all is soft.*

Photos: S. Duffett