Burien Farmer's market opens!

One of my favorite things is our local Farmer's Market. This year, especially, because my Business partner, Kellie, (an accomplished seamstress) and I are going to hopefully, have a booth there. Our business is called Hammer and Stitch, (I'm Hammer, she's stitch). Anyway our plan is to be at the third week of every month selling crafted items. So hopefully see some of locals out there this year. But Back to the Market... Opening day is cool because, for me at least, it marks the beginning of spring, the onset of Summer. I picked up some duck eggs, fresh asparagus, some OMG! Balsamic vinegars and some beautiful white radishes. It turned into this dinner for me: Duck Egg omelette, with roasted Asparagus and a green salad with Raspberry Balsamic vinegar. Quite tasty, quite good. And farm fresh!

Farmers' Market Opens Today!!!

You know, what's the big deal about farmers' markets... I go there and can never find any Farmers to buy.

O.K., I know that is not what Farmers' Market means. But I always wanted to use that line in a post. Cheap attempt at humor. So sue me.

Anyway a sure sign of spring, the Burien Farmers' Market opens today!!! Just in time , I am down to my last bar of handmade soap! And boy I need pasta! (I hope the pasta ladies are back... their chocolate pasta makes the best dessert with a little raspberry or blackberry jam mixed in) And it will be great to see all my favorite vendors for another season of local bargains galore! Romeo will have new places to mooch, get to see his buddies, and I will be overindulging on Czech pastries and corn on the cob!

June is National Fruit and Vegetable Month

Summertime and the eatin' is easy when you can graze your way through the stacks of fresh produce now available in grocery stores, at farmers' markets and, if you are fortunate, at nearby roadside stands.

Did you know that June is National Fruit and Vegetable month? Me neither. And, just in time, the federal government has issued new dietary guidelines for Americans to follow in selecting foods that promote good health. Not surprisingly, the fifth edition of the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" emphasizes a balanced, moderate diet that includes a variety of food choices, particularly grains, fruits and vegetables. For more information on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visit www.usda.gov/cnpp/. According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), more Americans than ever -- 28 percent -- are adjusting their eating habits to achieve healthier lifestyles. The ADA national public opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 reported 84 percent of those polled said diet and nutrition are personally important to them. More information on the survey is available at www.eatright.org/ . Fun information for kids and teachers about the National 5 a Day for Better Health program is available at 5aday.com

And speaking of Fruit and Veggie Month, Out Of Office blog has a template for making your own garden markers. And of course this is the time of year for garden recipes!!! Like Tomato Pie, or Garden Skewers.

No 'poo before No 'poo Was Cool!

Going bald at a young age gave me some advantages- 1- I can and do cut my own hair which simply involves a hair clipper and extremely short cut and saves me at least $10 a pop per haircut(the going rate last time I visited a barber- You get no discounts for having less hair!) . And you know, I have been all about "No Poo" since my hair fell out. Never made sense to spend alot of money on shampoo, conditioner since I didn't have hair- so I started using the same soap I would shower with. Recently it dawned on me... "I was no poo before no poo was cool!" Never thought going bald would give me an eco-advantage! But I listen to everyone talk about the shampoo issue... "Have you tried baking soda for shampoo?... What about my hair... Does Vinegar as a rinse make you smell like a salad bar... What's in my shampoo???...WHat the hell are Parabins??? AAAGH"... Blah Blah Blah.

Well anyone who reads this blog should know I am a believer in Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps. You can use this stuff for everything. I use it to wash my body, my hair, my dishes, my dog. Recently I made the transition from the liquid soap to the Bar version. It doesn't last as long but I didn't have to worry about that pesky plastic bottle either. Recently I have discovered locally made bar soaps that are hand made and good for the skin. The skin, you know, is the largest sex organ on your body. You should treat it nice! Anyway I digress! The two products are Ballard Organics, made in the Ballard area of Seattle, and Lilie De Vallee, made in Samamish, Wa. I get the Ballard Organics at the Eat Local store here in Burien, and found Lilie De Valle at the Burien Farmers' Market. The list of ingredients in Lilie De Vallee are simple: Oils of olive, Coconut, Vegetable Palm and Castor, Grapefruit Seed, Extract, Jojoba, Shea Butter, Herbal Ingredients, Distilled Water. And the ingredients in Ballard Organics is similar: Saponified Organic Palm, Coconut, Olive and Castor Oils, Organic Cocoa Butter, Essential Oils, non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin -E). I have not tried any as shaving soap yet, but those ingredients sound better than the Colonel Conk's shaving soap I use now for shaving, and at least they are wrapped in paper.

Don't read me wrong- I am not giving up on Dr. Bronner. I am just giving Ballard and Samamish a shot.

SPRING IS HERE AT LAST!!!

After waiting all winter, the Burien Farmers' Market opened today. I feel like spring has sprung and we have all climbed out of our coccoons. It help that the weather was sunny and spring like as well.

Romeo and I perused the market and bought some handmade soap, some leeks and some tomato plants and some homemade fudge.

We also had lunch there. A BBQ hot dog and chips. Who could ask for more?

Spring is HERE!!!

After yesterdays profanity ridden post, I thought I would post on something a little more cheery. A sure sign spring is here is the return of the Burien Farmer's Market, to the city. This year
a local meat vendor will join the many returnees offering such food finds as local raw honey, handmade gluten-free pasta and fresh-baked goods.

Customers can enjoy an affordable al fresco lunch from the market’s hotdog cart, or relax at one of the market’s patio tables while catching live tunes by Eric “Two Scoops” Moore from noon to 3pm.

Romeo and I have waited all winter for the return of the market, so we will be glad to go this year! The first day of the market has a puppy fashion show, so who knows what Romi will wear?

Vending Machines go green

I was perusing the inter-web thingy came across this article in Yahoo Green about how in Switzerland, local farmers are taking their goods to consumers not through Farmers' Markets, but through vending machines. I started thinking about the vending machine at work known to me as The Wheel of Death- it has pre-made hot dogs, burritos, and muffins as well as pork chop sandwiches you get the picture. This machine could be stocked with better choices like fresh fruit, salads, soups and milk. But no not in my "health conscious" company-a company whose goal to go completely tobacco free, then sets up a manufacturing plant in South Carolina, in the heart of tobacco country, (good luck with that BTW)- Anyway I digress. When I went to Junior High, back in the '70's, there was one vending machine in the school- it dispensed apples. You put a quarter in and out came a nice crisp fresh apple! Nice to see this coming back. Of course, I went to high school and then there where candy machines, pop machines etc. etc., no apples! There are advantages to these vending machines as well- the farmer gets another outlet direct to the consumer, the consumer gets fresh farm products, and no middle man! Hopefully this catches on in the US.

Would you support this kind of enterprize?

Six packs, collapsible tables and stir fry

Another great day at the farmer's market! I got these neat plants packed in a pop bottle six pack- Corn, strawberries, pumpkins and mint by one of the vendors- the B-town blog even did a write up on her. Very cool re-use! Totally compostable! On the home front-Instructables sent out a newsletter and how to make one of these neat collapsible tables

to take to a park- I have some Plastic PVC Lattice strips- so I might try to make one with variations! I might use pvc tubing for the legs and use some PVC fittings to screw it into.

Finally- I used up the last of my chinese cabbage in a great stir fry- chinese cabbage cut into 1" strips, a handful of pea pods, some broccoli fried in a wok with some sesame oil and soy sauce at high heat topped off with some Chile oil- very tasty!

Holy Tomato Batman!- Robin Tomatoes

I was able to stop by the farmers market in Burien today, and one of the things I absolutely love this year is the selection of different vegetable plants I have found. Last week I got some "spaghetti" squash, This week one of the vendors had "robin" tomato plants- a small bush type "Heirloom" variety tomato not unlike "tumblers" or window box Roma's, so I bought a basket of them.

It is so nice to be able to find and buy different varieties of plants- I know the growing challenge is Seed to seed- but That is not always easy to do in a "square foot garden" and since I am the only one eating this stuff (Martin limits his diet to Broccoli and tomatoes and the occasional ear of corn). I know I could grow more and be a "Food Bank Hero" but I honestly don't have the time for a garden that size! It makes it more manageable for me. Anyway I am sure I will enjoy the robin tomatoes- I am guessing they got their name because they look like little robin's eggs in a bush! From what I have found on the internet they are good for growing year around indoors. I may have to try that! And if they are successful, I will keep the seeds for next time around- which might mean fall or winter!

A sure sign that spring is here

The Farmer's market in Burien will be opening next Thursday- A true sign that spring is here. Along with worms and fresh baked bread and fresh fruits and veggies. I can't wait.

I am hoping that "The worm mama" makes her return as I froze my little buddies(My Bad)- they are now total compost. And I have since moved the worm bin to the tool shed awaiting new tenants.

And I can't wait for tasty leeks to make leek and potato soup. And berries to make tasty jam. And this year I am going to buy a doggy blanket or jacket from the doggy blanket lady for Romeo, And a cat blanket for Sammy. And some more plants from the Alpine plant man. Yup, a good thing that farmers market!

What's the one thing that is a must buy for you at your local farmer's market?

Bakery- I found it!

I finally found a neighborhood bakery in Burien- The Danish Bakery, which has been there all my life, in Olde Burien. It is embarassing to walk in say "Hi! My first visit here..." "When did you move here?" "1962, when I was 2!"
The Danish Bakery in Burien was opened in the old part of Burien in about 1930 by a Danish baker. Johannes Pitzner purchased the Burien Danish Bakery in 1967. Mark Pitzner continued the family tradition in 1977. The Bakery specializes in carefully baked Scandinavian products including Danish pastry, pumpernickel, and various other breads, cookies, and decorated cakes. They serve coffee, espresso drinks, and cold beverages in a small cafe. They also have a fine assortment of hard to find imported Scandinavian goods such as imported jams, cheeses, chocolates, lefse, etc.
Finally fresh baked bread baked in Burien. Which is good. Cause I get tired of beer bread!
So lets see, found a local bakery, went to the farmers market today! Good day!

P.S. AFTER THE FACT- CHILE- I DID NOT EAT A BRATWURST AT THE FARMERS MARKET TODAY!

Burien Farmers Market - New Favorite thing!

Since I got a bit sentimental on jars yesterday, I thought I would go all soft again today and write on one of my other new Favorite things: The Burien Farmers' Market The Burien Farmers' market is held on Thursdays. They did a study and found an odd weekday would be better for their farmers' market as they aren't competing with other markets on weekends, and they could get more vendors (farmers) by having it on a weekday. For me it is great, as I don't go to work until after 2pm. There are always lots of different farms represented and different vendors. I bought my worm bin there and the redworms- that was cool because it saved me the gas to get the worms from Seattle tilth and I didn't have to mail order them. And since a CSA is not in my immediate future, I can get food supporting the ideals of the 100 mile diet. I would like to join a CSA, but finding one has been a problem. They usually prefer to serve and have drop offs in the Seattle city-west and or north but not south. I finally found a couple that drop off here, one about 4 miles away, one right around the corner from home but at a bad time (during work) and one about a block from work. But too late to join! So I get my Local produce at the farmers' market. And when I am there i get entertained. There is usually a Jazz Duo performing there and selling their albums, and artists. And I get to try new things! I made a leek and potato soup last night and loved it. I never had leeks before! So, I can say I love the local farmers' market. Find your local farmers market or CSA program here. Try one around you!

I Gots Worms!

I went to the Burien Farmers' Market today- and this gal who called herself "Worm-Mama" was there selling redworms and worm bins and castings- so I got a worm bin!I haven't ventured in vermicomposting yet, and haven't messed with raising worms since i was a kid and we tried to start a worm bin for fishing worms, (no one told me you don't need to water them with a hose and set the bin out in the hot sun to dry them off) but I thought Hey! I already compost- why not take it to the next level? More on my worm bin- The bins obtained from"Worm-mama" (or rather Worm-Mama's kids- she pays them to make the bins and collect worm castings from her big bins)- the worm bins are constructed from recycled plastic and have a tea tray and all the good stuff. She has easy instructions on keeping worms, where to put your bin etc. etc. I do so admire folks who take an idea, run with it and make a living at it! More posts on the bin later. You can contact her at sharon@worm-mama.com. But right now, I am going to enjoy some fresh asparagus I bought at the farmers market.