Ditch the supermarket. It’s market time!

Like most people I have a pretty busy schedule that doesn’t allow as much ”me” time as I would like. Between working full time, cooking, working out, trying to maintain some kind of social life, cleaning, shopping & this blog it’s a wonder I’ve got a full head of hair!

I have managed to find a little zen amongst all the noise though by ditching my local supermarket for the organic farmers market. You can’t even imagine how big an improvement this has made on my life. The feeling of community is wonderful, talking to the growers, seeing the same friendly faces every week, children playing, touching & tasting. It gives me a feeling like “this is how life is meant to be”

Clockwise from top left: The markets, "my banana man", yummy lady finger bananas, Relish Organics stall

Shopping at the market allows me to eat fresh, seasonal organic produce quite affordably. This weeks purchases included: curly kale, broad beans, zuchhinis, navel oranges & beetroot from the “big veggie tent”. Dark chocolate & rolled quinoa (which I used in a super healthy banana cake I am posting tomorrow) from the Relish Organics stall.

Yuuuuum. The smell when I took the lid off was amazing!

 Not convinced yet? here’s my top 5 reasons to swap to farmers markets:

1. No enormous ques! Yes you still have to line up sometimes but not for nearly as long & if you only have one or two items they usually let you jump the line.
2. You spend less money. I have almost eradicated the impulse purchase from my shopping bill. We’re all guilty of grabbing a candy bar or a magazine while we’re out shopping. Do you need it? No! I once worked out I was spending over $700 a year on impulse purchases.
3. It’s less stressful. Sure you have to get up early on a Sunday to do it, but that’s a part of the beauty. Your weekend seems to go forever because you got up at 6:30am on Sunday morning to “get the good stuff” You call breeze around & pick what you like at your own leisure. It’s less crowded, you’re outdoors enjoying the sunshine, you can bring the kids & let them play outside.
4. It’s better produce. It’s completely fresh, you know where it comes from & that never includes cold storage. I find it lasts longer too.
5. You meet people. Can you honestly ever remember making a friend at the grocery store? I make new friends every week at the farmers market.

Greens are good

The markets are a constant source of inspiration for me. I never decide what I am going to make that week until I have been to market. Those pumpkins look nice huh? I wonder if I could make a cake out of them?

Take a little time for you ladies, it will make you happy…. promise!