FARMER'S MARKETS FOR HEALTHY LIVING

PEACHES & GRAPES -SAN FEMO, ITALYThe pursuit of a life of style goes so far beyond the choices you make when you get dressed in the morning.   Every choice you make shapes the life you live today and the life you will live tomorrow.   One of the most important aspects to your well being is your diet.    Dietary choices probably have the most dramatic effect on the way you look and feel.   There is a glow that comes from healthy eating that no beauty cream can match.

Fruits and vegetables should be your best friends when you go shopping.   That part we know, right?  The new documentary FOOD INC. opens our eyes to an even more important choice we should be making before we hit the market.   We should all shop for certified organic food and shop at local Farmer's Markets in our community.

This is the most important thing we can do to support farmers and also to protect our own health and our food system from the corporate giants that have taken over the industry.

Even if the food costs more per item, the benefits to your health will save you money in the long run - as we all know that health care in the U.S. is beyond expensive.  Also, Americans eat too much food.  If shopping organic means it would teach us to eat a little less quantity for better quality, would that be a bag thing?

See the film, and choose wisely the next time you food shop.   Shop like your life depends on it, because it does.AUBERGINE - SAN REMO, ITALY

I found a great resource to locate the Farmer's Market in your area.  click ORGANIC to go to the interactive map.

Pictures of produce here are from the day I recently spent in San Remo, Italy.   My friends and I drove from Cannes to hit the market, as it is known far and wide for the incredible fruits and vegetables.

Here's to your health and your Life of Style!

FORAGERS FOOD MARKET IN DUMBO

FORAGERS MARKET - DUMBO, BROOKLYNIf you haven't heard of DUMBO by now - here is a formal introduction.   D-own U-nder M-anhattan B-ridge O-verpass -has been a magnet for artists and loft seekers for several years now.   With the best view of Manhattan, DUMBO looks like a movie set of a perfect NYC neighborhood.   If you're thinking of finding more space outside Manhattan  at a bargain rate - don't get excited.  That horse left the barn a long time ago.    Think BIG ticket apartments and all the trimmings that go with it.   Starbuck's - check.   Baby stores - check.   Dog sitting place - check.   Nannys walking babies around while mom gets a spa treatment in mid town - check,check,check.

While you might be rolling your eyes at this point, there are still a few bright spots that make this hood special.

FORAGERS MARKET is one of them.   Founded by 4 entrepreneurial artists, this food market is unlike any you find in Brooklyn to say the least.   The philosophy is to provide high quality food sourced by sustainable means and those that are produced locally and in season.   It is green meets your greens as you shop for brands you might not find in your local supermarket.    The prices are not cheap, but the quality and freshness will put a smile on your face.

My favorite feature is the salad bar.   Foragers has the freshest vegetables and tastiest salad dishes I've ever found under a glass shield.  The sandwiches and prepared dishes are great too.   They even have a fully stocked sushi section made on the premises by a dedicated sushi chef. 

The market is the perfect place to grab a snack or a full lunch and sit at a counter and people watch.   Make the trip to Dumbo to hit the galleries, Jacques Torres chocolate and just explore.  There is also a killer Bagel place right across the street!

Best part - for any borough-phobes (you know who you are!) - so easy.. you just take the F train and DUMBO is the FIRST stop outside Manhattan.  

Foragers also has a catering department for your next event! 

FORAGERS MARKET is Located at 56 Adams Street DUMBO , Brooklyn 718-801-8400

Tapas Terrific for Holiday Treats

I just returned from an amazing trip to Madrid, Spain.   While I could talk for days about all the wonderful sights I saw - lets focus on eating for a minute.   One of the best known dishes in Spain is the pre-dinner tradition of eating Tapas.   Tapas can refer to these delicious little open sandwiches that are overflowing with just about anything you can think of from shrimp, tuna, and crab to peppers, chorizo sausage, and cheese.   Why wait to go to Spain?  With the holidays approaching, why not think Tapas when you are entertaining this year?   The prep is so easy.   Any thick crusted bread will do.    Simply toast bread adding some olive oil and garlic and then get super creative with any combination of toppings.    This makes it so easy for guests who have likes and dislikes to choose their favorite. 

Tapas are not limited to being served on bread - there are endless choices.   For a great website offering recipes click here - Tapas Recipes.

There also something  fun about smaller portions and individual pieces that say PARTY!  Also, nothing goes better with Tapas than Cerveza.. aka a tall frosty Beer!