Saturday, July 26, 2008

Fabulous Coleslaw

Well, the stuffed cabbage leaves didn't turn out so well. I guess I didn't boil the cabbage leaves long enough before I stuffed them. Even after being in the oven 30 minutes, they were still a bit tough. However, I used the other half of the cabbage and made coleslaw and it was FABULOUS! The whole family loved it. Here's the recipe:
COLESLAW
2 C Cabbage (cut thin and then rough chopped after that to make it easier to eat)
1 Carrot (I shredded it with a vegetable peeler and then rough chopped the strips)
1/4 diced Vidalia Onion
The Dressing:
1/2 C mayonnaise (in the South, we love Duke's)
1 TB White wine vinegar (you can use plain white vinegar or rice vinegar instead)
2 tsp evaporated cane juice (or sugar)
1/2 tsp celery seed

Toss the veggies together, mix the dressing and then toss the veggies with the dressing. FABULOUS! It tasted great as soon as I made it and the next day so this is a great make ahead recipe. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Atlanta Farmers Markets

Here is a current list of farmers markets in Atlanta. Take a field trip and enjoy what's out there...

Decatur Farmers Market

Wednesday's 4pm-7pm
Open Year-Round Location
We have moved to the
Bank of America parking lot
163 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030 at the corner of Commerce Dr. and Church St.

Atlanta State Farmers Market - 404-675-1782
16 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, GA 30297
At 150 acres, the Atlanta Market is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. It features a garden center, wholesale and retail activities, and is a major marketing hub and distribution point for fresh produce in the Southeast and throughout the country. The Atlanta Market also has a restaurant, welcome center and USDA Federal-State office.
Open: All year

Farmers Market at Spruill Gallery - 770-394-4019 - Spruill Gallery
4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA
Open: August thru December - every Wednesday - 8 am to 1 pm

Green Market at Piedmont Park - Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta
Open: Saturday mornings, mid-April through mid-October from 8 am - 12 pm.

Morningside Farmers Market - 404-444-9902 - 1393 North Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA
Open: Saturday Mornings - 8 am – 11:30 am during end of April through December.
Accepts WIC Coupons

Your Dekalb Farmers Market (and recycling center) (404)377-6400
3000 E. Ponce De Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030

At the intersection of E. Ponce De Leon Avenue and Laredo Drive, 2 miles inside of I-285 off of Exit 40 (E. Ponce De Leon).

The Decatur E7 Marta Station is also located nearby.

Opening Hours
Store: 9am - 9pm
Business Services: 8am - 5pm

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Alpharetta Farmers Market

Today our family headed out to the Alpharetta Farmers Market. It's in "downtown" Alpharetta. Being a lover of the real downtown, Atlanta that is, I feel a bit odd using the term "downtown" to describe a few cross streets 5 miles from my suburban home. At any rate, that's where we went. We showed up around 12:30. Since they close at 1:00, we had half an hour to mingle about before they started to pack up. Now, we're just getting started with our farmers market up here so it doesn't take long to cover the 15 or so booths currently participating. However, it is well worth your time. The kids love it. I was so proud of Lindsey when she chose and organic brownie for her treat of the day over a snow cone made of ice and colored sugar syrup (odd item for a farmers market).
We mingled around, made a few purchases of fresh produce and made note of items for a future trip (organic olive oil and home grown honey). As one farmer was packing up, he held up a huge cabbage and asked me "do you eat cabbage?" I quickly responded, "SURE we do". He handed it to me and said "here have a cabbage". Thank you! Instead of lasagna, I think I'll be making stuffed cabbage leaves this week. Note: when going to the farmers market, stay until closing time. You never know what a farmer would rather leave behind than cart back. It was a fun morning.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Step #10: Enjoy!

Congratulations, you made it to step #10. Now that wasn't so hard was it? Remember, organic living is supposed to make our lives richer by giving us a healthier body to work with. It feels good knowing you’re more in control of what you’re consuming. I think you'll be amazed at how your family will continue to adapt and thrive as you enjoy your new Everyday Organic Lifestyle. © The Everyday Organic

Friday, July 4, 2008

I forgot to read the label...

Ok, I admit it. I forgot to read the label. We were at the organic food store-you know the one, and I saw their brand of organic peanut butter. Normally I buy natural peanut butter from the grocery store down the street. Their store brand choice only has peanuts and salt. Ok, so it's not organic but it's all natural and only $2.50 a jar.

Back to the organic peanut butter. So I notice it's $2.56 and I think "wow, that's the same price as the non-organic brand at the other grocery store. Wonder how they can do that". Put it in the cart, buy it, bring it home.

A few days later, I open it and all of us are amazed at how creamy it is. Even my husband made a comment. Ya, what gives? The natural peanut butters usually take a bit more muscle work to blend back in all the oil that seperated. I turn the jar over and read the label. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. The ingredients say: oganic dry roasted peanuts, organic PALM OIL, organic pure CANE SUGAR, sea salt. NO WAY. NO NO WAY. PALM OIL? What? The peanuts aren't oily enough.

That explains it. They added palm oil and sugar which means there are less peanuts so they can sell it so inexpensively. I'm going back to my other grocery store next week for the $2.50 jar of peanuts and salt.

So don't feel bad, even veterans at label reading get tired and slip.

Oh, did we eat the peanut butter? Ya, and I have to say, it tasted really good...