Today is Wilbur's birthday! He is official one year old today (and if he was actually a true one year old, would probably be pushing around different foods on his plate, completely afraid to try them).
This is actually so exciting for me. In one year I have published a book, started a blog (ok, posted a few times, but I DO plan on getting better!), watched my book sell over 300 (!) copies, read at libraries, preschools, farmers' markets and even elementary schools! I have been recognized on the street as "the author that wrote that dragon book" and have loved every minute of it. And that is just one year! The beauty of Wilbur is that he is pretty timeless. The topic of local eating is still a hot one, and trying to get children to try new foods is an age-old dilemma that I look forward to helping with.
I am already looking forward to National Nutrition Month in March, and am setting up some readings in the area. I will be sure to pass them along as they come up.
Until then, it is my goal to continue to promote farmers' markets as a great source of community and wonderful food, and to pass along kid and family friendly recipes and tips over the next year. I hope you will continue to join me on this journey...it truly is just beginning.
Before I go, a favorite Winter Farmers' Market of mine has started up again, and it is wonderful. If you are local, check it out sometime this season--you will NOT be disappointed!
http://www.russellsgardencenter.com/wayland_winter_mkt.html
Showing posts with label local eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local eating. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2013
Sunday, June 24, 2012
New beginnings
Hi all,
Long time no see! Hope you are all doing well. I have been busy trying to work more healthy eating into my family's routine. I have to tell you, I was pretty impressed when I figured out that our family went from January 19th until June 12th without visiting McDonald's. As a busy mom of two children, I'm quite proud of that accomplishment! Instead we had sandwiches, fruit and veggies, sometimes chicken nuggets and other "fast" food. It was more of an effort and I can't say a lot of it was gourmet but at least I knew where it was coming from and what kind of ingredients I was feeding my kids.
One of the other changes in our family is that my husband recently changed his eating habits. He has stopped eating wheat, sugar, dairy and legumes. I am not up for that yet, but I have concentrated more on "eating clean" (five ingredients or less in a packaged item). One of the benefits I did not foresee was that we suddenly had more fresh frutis and veggies in the house---because that is a pretty big staple in his diet. That trickled down to myself and the two kids and I have FINALLY realized if I have the healthy food (strawberries, red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, melon, etc...) prepared and ready to go, the kids will eat it!! I know it isn't always as simple as this, but it can't hurt to have those foods in your house. Always keep them within easy reach, ready to eat. Again, I know this sounds simple, and I have read this advice oodles of times before, but for some reason this time it stuck!!
I am so excited that farmers' market season is (finally) upon us! Our local market starts next week, and there have been other ones in Westford and Acton that have already started. The food just looks so good! Sometimes I will see a fruit or veggies that I know I don't love, but it just looks so good I feel like I should try it! This past week we made roasted brussel sprouts. They were great! Definitely going to add that to our dinner repertoire. The kids weren't as keen on it, but maybe someday...
If you want to try them the recipe is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html.
Have a great week!!
Long time no see! Hope you are all doing well. I have been busy trying to work more healthy eating into my family's routine. I have to tell you, I was pretty impressed when I figured out that our family went from January 19th until June 12th without visiting McDonald's. As a busy mom of two children, I'm quite proud of that accomplishment! Instead we had sandwiches, fruit and veggies, sometimes chicken nuggets and other "fast" food. It was more of an effort and I can't say a lot of it was gourmet but at least I knew where it was coming from and what kind of ingredients I was feeding my kids.
One of the other changes in our family is that my husband recently changed his eating habits. He has stopped eating wheat, sugar, dairy and legumes. I am not up for that yet, but I have concentrated more on "eating clean" (five ingredients or less in a packaged item). One of the benefits I did not foresee was that we suddenly had more fresh frutis and veggies in the house---because that is a pretty big staple in his diet. That trickled down to myself and the two kids and I have FINALLY realized if I have the healthy food (strawberries, red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, melon, etc...) prepared and ready to go, the kids will eat it!! I know it isn't always as simple as this, but it can't hurt to have those foods in your house. Always keep them within easy reach, ready to eat. Again, I know this sounds simple, and I have read this advice oodles of times before, but for some reason this time it stuck!!
I am so excited that farmers' market season is (finally) upon us! Our local market starts next week, and there have been other ones in Westford and Acton that have already started. The food just looks so good! Sometimes I will see a fruit or veggies that I know I don't love, but it just looks so good I feel like I should try it! This past week we made roasted brussel sprouts. They were great! Definitely going to add that to our dinner repertoire. The kids weren't as keen on it, but maybe someday...
If you want to try them the recipe is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html.
Have a great week!!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Adventures at the Farmers' Market!
So, I went to an indoor farmers' market on Saturday. This place was SO much fun!! It was the Wayland Winter Farmers' Market at Russell's Garden Center. http://www.russellsgardencenter.com/wayland_winter_mkt.html I found a ton of cool things to try and can't wait to go back! There were homemade marshmallows in all different flavors (I tried an orange flavored one on my hot chocolate--delicious!!) There is a place that makes and bottles their own root beer, another one that imports olive oil from Italy, and booths selling locally-raised meat, bread and pastries, cheese and also vegetables. It is definitely popular, so it may be a little crowded with kids, but as long as you know that going into it, they will have fun too.
What vegetable did I procure from this market, you ask? Kohlrabi. What??? Yes, Kohlrabi. It is a type of turnip (German Turnip). It grows above ground, but is similar in texture to root vegetables. The farmer told me it can take on the flavors of anything it is cooked with, so it is good cooked with things like pot roast and roasted chicken. It can be eaten raw, steamed or roasted. I was not so adventurous to try it raw, so I decided to roast it with garlic and olive oil. I peeled the outside of it, and cut it into "fries", looked kind of like french fries when I was done. Then, big moment came and I tried it when we sat down to dinner. It...really...wasn't that bad!!! It tasted similar to broccoli stalks, but a little milder. My husband said he thought it seemed like a cross between broccoli and cauliflower. Both kids tried it, my son wasn't crazy about it, but my daughter liked it! I will definitely try to work it into our dinners again sometime soon. I looked up the health benefits online, and found Kohlrabi is a good source of fiber, B-vitamins and numerous phytochemicals. Give it a try--you might find something new to add to dinners!
One last thing I wanted to mention about the market--the vendors there were all super-nice! I asked a lot of questions, and everyone was happy to take the time to answer each one. One farmer even gave me a free vegetable to try (Honey Nut Squash--ever heard of it? Neither have I!) I walked in very intimidated, but I was impressed how friendly and informative everyone was. So, I challenge all of YOU to try this as well. You may be surprised at what you learn or how much fun you have!
My goal this week for my family is a simple one, but one that often gets lost in the daily shuffle. I (along with the rest of my family) am going to increase our water intake. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a great week!
What vegetable did I procure from this market, you ask? Kohlrabi. What??? Yes, Kohlrabi. It is a type of turnip (German Turnip). It grows above ground, but is similar in texture to root vegetables. The farmer told me it can take on the flavors of anything it is cooked with, so it is good cooked with things like pot roast and roasted chicken. It can be eaten raw, steamed or roasted. I was not so adventurous to try it raw, so I decided to roast it with garlic and olive oil. I peeled the outside of it, and cut it into "fries", looked kind of like french fries when I was done. Then, big moment came and I tried it when we sat down to dinner. It...really...wasn't that bad!!! It tasted similar to broccoli stalks, but a little milder. My husband said he thought it seemed like a cross between broccoli and cauliflower. Both kids tried it, my son wasn't crazy about it, but my daughter liked it! I will definitely try to work it into our dinners again sometime soon. I looked up the health benefits online, and found Kohlrabi is a good source of fiber, B-vitamins and numerous phytochemicals. Give it a try--you might find something new to add to dinners!
One last thing I wanted to mention about the market--the vendors there were all super-nice! I asked a lot of questions, and everyone was happy to take the time to answer each one. One farmer even gave me a free vegetable to try (Honey Nut Squash--ever heard of it? Neither have I!) I walked in very intimidated, but I was impressed how friendly and informative everyone was. So, I challenge all of YOU to try this as well. You may be surprised at what you learn or how much fun you have!
My goal this week for my family is a simple one, but one that often gets lost in the daily shuffle. I (along with the rest of my family) am going to increase our water intake. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a great week!
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