Showing posts with label farmer's market. Show all posts

Make Your Produce Last



If you hate buying produce only to find that it’s gone bad before you’ve had a chance to enjoy it, employ some techniques to keep your food fresh as long as possible! 

  • Join a CSA (check out Ploughshare Farm if you live in Minnesota) or shop at your local Farmer's Market. (Use Local Harvest to locate one near your area)  Produce usually gets picked the morning of and it's fresher so will last longer! Most store-bought produce is shipped across the country. 

  • Store your sweet potatoes, garlic, and onions in a dark, cool place. 


  • Delicate greens and celery should be eaten within a few days. Keep them in a bag until it’s time to wash them, and then wash them in cold water. You can do the same with other greens, like kale, but the heartier varieties will last a little longer in the refrigerator before you get around to eating them. 


  • Uncooked asparagus will stay fresh for three to four days in the refrigerator. The secret is to keep the vegetable cool and damp. Store spears upright in a container with the stems wading in an inch of water, then cover loosely with a plastic bag.

  • If produce is close to spoiling throw it in the freezer and use in your smoothies! CLICK HERE for my favorite smoothie recipes! 
(Tip: You can make smoothies ahead of time and freeze them! Just move one from freezer to fridge each night so you have one ready to go first thing in the morning. Just give it a stir!)



  • Do not cut up produce until you are ready to eat them. They start losing nutrients after they are cut and will go bad sooner. 




*Please be sure to follow me on Facebook for more holistic health and wellness tips! 




Copyright, 2016, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
asparagus CSA farmer's market
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More Healthy Apps (for your phone not mouth)



Farmstand- Targets the closest farmers markets in your area. It’s often hard to pin down when a farmers market opens and closes; Farmstand lists times, locations, and shopper reviews.




Fooducate- Use in the grocery store to make healthy choices and avoid chemicals in food.



GoodGuide- Ranks food (and other products, from home goods to apparel) on a health, environment, and society scale of 1 to 10. The app also offers a comprehensive list of certifications awarded to products.



ShopWell- Helps you decide what food products are best for your diet. Based on your personal data (age, weight, gender, and dietary restrictions), the app lists products that will help you meet your goals.




True Foods- Makes it easy for users to search its extensive database of food brands with no genetically modified ingredients. The app also offers tips and tricks on how to avoid G.M. ingredients.

*Want to learn more about how to make healthier choices while shopping? Join my small group grocery store tour Wednesday, January 28th in Uptown Minneapolis. CLICK HERE for more details and to register!   Don't live in the area? CLICK HERE and scroll down to check out the online nutrition packages I offer.



Copyright, 2015, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
app award chemicals
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Local Healthy Options!! There are a few- SURPRISE

It has been quite the transition moving back to Northwest Iowa after having easy access to organic and natural foods 5 blocks away in Minneapolis!! I have been searching and there are some great natural options in the surrounding areas.

Grocery Stores:

Wilder Thymes Natural Foods- Spirit Lake, Iowa (this is where I work a few days a week) :-)


Bulk items, snacks, drinks, spices, cooking ingredients, frozen, dairy & gluten-free foods, personal care items, natural cleaning supplies, local/organic beer and wine from all over the world! From Lisa's Lil Bakeshop come sandwiches to go, baked goods and take and bake entrees, and a wide selection of fruits, vegetables & herbs when in season from the organic farm in Wilder, MN.





St. Peter Food Cooperative- St. Peter, Minnesota

I've stopped here a few times on my way back from Minneapolis and LOVE IT! I buy wheatgrass here when I can and they have a very large bulk section and a fabulous deli with fresh foods and a sit down area where you can enjoy your meal!







Pomegranate Market- Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Reminds me of the food co-ops in Minneapolis! Check it out the next time you head to Sioux Falls shopping. Pack a cooler so you can take some food back with you!





Hy-Vee- a few organic and natural items (any location) - I'm not a huge fan of large corporate businesses, but do get a few things there since my office is right next to it! LOL!


New Shoots Farm Store- Emmetsburg, Iowa

I haven't ventured here yet but I've heard great things and they have grass-fed beef! Bakery, store, and cafe.
Restaurants:

Rabab's Neighborhood Bistro- Spirit Lake, Iowa

They have some gluten-free options and fresh made from scratch items! Cute little place and Rabab is a sweetheart!







The Wine Bar and Art Gallery- Arnolds Park, Iowa

I met the owner at the beginning of the summer-love her!  Nice, chill place to have some wine and they serve some healthier, gluten-free appetizers. The art gallery is attached which features local artists' work!
Local Organic Farmers:

Guritz Produce Farm-  Near Superior, Iowa

They offer fresh, organically grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, as well has fresh cut flowers, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and rabbits. Also find them at the Spirit Lake and Spencer Farmer's Markets! 





Iron Wind Certified Organic Produce- Graettinger, Iowa

Contact Rebecca Masters directly 712.790.3029.  She sells her produce in the Ace Hardware parking lot on Wednesday evenings!


Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com
Emmetsburg Estherville farmer's market
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Tips for Saving $$ on Organic and Natural Products



Sometimes it is hard to get alot of discounts when shopping for natural and organic products.

Here are a few tips I have to save some dough:



1. Produce that is most contaminated by pesticides are called the “dirty dozen”. The “dirty dozen” that should always be bought organically are:

• Celery
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Nectarines
• Bell Peppers
• Spinach
• Kale
• Cherries
• Potatoes
• Grapes

However, produce such as asparagus, onions, cabbage, bananas, mangos, avocadoes, and produce where you do not eat the peel have a lower chance of not being contaminated. Therefore, you can buy the non-organic versions of these produce and still reap the healthy benefits. And remember to buy what is in season!

2. Become a member of a food cooperative- get member specials and deals, case discounts and a dividend at the end of the year!!

3. Shop in the bulk section-cheaper and less packaging! Better for the environment! Re-use your containers! I even buy my shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel in bulk sometimes.

4. Email organic/natural companies of products you love and ask them to send you coupons!! I just received a few coupons in the mail from Jason after telling them I love their Powersmile toothpaste!! Some websites even have coupons you can print off and use.

5. Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Costco (if you have a large family to feed)-large variety of natural and organic food. I have even found frozen organic broccoli and some quinoa pasta I like at Cub Foods at a great price. Comparison shop for the best deals!!

6. Buy local-check out the Farmer’s Markets and local farms in your area. If you have a farmer’s market near you, start exploring. Get to know the vendors and learn how they grow their food. They may not be certified organic, but if their food is grown locally and without pesticides, it is worth buying. Making friends with the vendors can lead to discounts in the near future.

7. Shop for most supplements online-I have found the best deals and prices shopping online. You can even get free shipping on most orders over $50. I have realized the supplement mark-up is huge after working at a natural food store. This has been the best option for me with my small budget.
bulk foods farmer's market frutis
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