The Farmers Market

Today I went to the farmers market. Here in Halifax we have 2: an old one and a new one. I prefer the old one because it is less busy, has more old-fashioned interest and appeal, and most of the things I need. However, the new one is right on the waterfront and has a ton of windows so you get a really good view of the water and George's Island. It's not uncommon to see a ship go sailing by as you are shopping. The new one is also much more popular and has more vendors. I like to go to both, which is what we did today. We started out at the old one. I went really slowly and took my time as usual (thankfully my company didn't mind at all). I talked to most of the vendors and had some really great conversations. I highly recommend making that connection when you go to the market, you hear some really interesting stories and meet some really interesting people doing really interesting things. It just makes the experience that much more...interesting. My first purchase of the day was some German wine... of the rhubarb kind (insert wink here). I've been thinking lately about eating more local and in season, so I decided to get this beautiful organically grown rhubarb. I'm going to experiment with it and try to find some new ways of using it. The only experience I have with it is pie! I asked the lady selling it what you can do with it and she gave me some information on places I can look. She also said that you can have it with honey or sugar and that her father would have it with cream for breakfast! Fancy that. Anyhow, I will be experimenting so stay tuned for that experience!


I found the rest of my produce, as well as my free range eggs, at one booth. Which was great! Most of it was organic and they seemed to have everything I was looking for. I loved the look of this organically grown cauliflower. Often when I buy organic cauliflower it's already a bit browned and not as flawless looking as  these ones were.



 I also never realized how very much like a brain cauliflower can look. Not until I took pictures of it.


I found fiddleheads! They are in season right now and grow in abundance here in the maritimes. I've been hearing good things about their taste lately so I'm going to experiment with them as well. Again, stay tuned!


 They remind me of musical notes!


I've been wanting to find REAL butter for a while now and today I was successful! There is a booth run by a mennonite family that sells gluten free breads and baked goods etc... as well as their own butter. I purchased the unsalted kind. The lady said that she uses a blender to mix it to a desirable consistency. I asked about the entire process of making butter, but instead of trying to remember what she said I will just post this link to a clearer explanation: http://www.guppyhow.com/how-to-make-real-butter. Here is my butter:



If I decide to buy a nice loaf of bread at the market I go either to this German bakery at the old market that sells sourdough, yeast free bread, Julian's at the new market or another german bakery at the new market. Today I bought spelt sourdough bread from the latter. I wanted a picture of the whole loaf but I didn't think to take it until after I had sliced it and stuck most of the slices in the freezer for later. Fresh bread has a tendency to go bad quite quickly so freezing extends its life.



I tried half of my friends vegetarian sausage from an ethnic booth. It was made from lentils, parsley and other plant ingredients, and quite good. I also sampled some amazing jelly's and dips as well as some Rawthentic chocolate. Rawthentic chocolate is a local company that sells chocolate goods made from raw cacao and other natural raw ingredients.Check out http://www.rawthenticchocolate.com/ for more details. My and my friend purchased a fudge bar each, there was a 2 for 1 deal going. She got creamy almond fudge and I got Coconutty. Sooooo divine. I found it to be very satisfying and rich. With those kinds of desserts and treats you don't eat as much because it's very filling. Plus, many of the ingredients are actually good for you! Yay!


I enjoyed a spelt flour morning glory muffin and a whole wheat cinnamon bun as well. Mmmm...I love the market. Here is a picture of my very healthy purchases at the market today.





I love the market. I love the atmosphere, the people, the food and the idea. It's a great place to get fresh, local, organic and quality food and to feel inspired by people's creativity. So, find out where your closest farmers market is and check it out! They need your support. I'm so thankful for lovely, european feeling days, good company and good food.

Garlic and lemon juice

When it comes to cooking i've discovered that there isn't much you can't do with garlic and lemon juice. If a dish needs a little kick of flavor to make it complete, one or both of these almost always does the trick. Today, I made a dressing using dried parsley, basil, oregano, olive oil, and of course, garlic and lemon juice for my salad. I enjoyed the intensely fresh yet warm flavor. I've made this particular dressing before and I always find that it provides enough flavor to make a salad taste gourmet but not so much that it takes over the natural flavors of the veggies. It has a way of enhancing all of the flavors it comes in contact with. I use both almost every day. So, when in doubt, think garlic and/or lemon juice! Here is the salad I made.
     Haddock Spinach Salad


Haddock
Carrots
Spinach
Leeks
Dressing: oliveoil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tsp dried parsley, basil and oregano, grated garlic clove.


Cook haddock in pan on stove top with water. Break spinach leaves into smaller peices and place in bowl.
Slice carrot and leeks thinly. Separate leeks. Prepare dressing. Cut haddock into small peices. Add veggies then haddock to salad and pour dressing on top. Yum!

And so it begins...

                    My name is Amberle (Am-bur-lee). I am an almost-graduated student of natural nutrition, and a soon-to-be holistic nutritionist. I love everything about food, especially nutritious food, the taste, the smell, the look, the feel, where it came from, how it was grown or raised, the atmosphere of where I get it from and of course what you can do with it. There are few things I enjoy more than a solid hour or three in the kitchen making delicious and beautiful food. I love:

* The joy of discovering a new kind of food to eat or a new combination that significantly broadens your meal options.
*I love finding the perfect loaf of bread at the market.
*I love wearing my apron (it's really cute).
*I love breathing in the smell of fresh herbs or freshly baked muffins.
*I love playing italian or french music while cooking.
*I love picking my food just before I eat it.
*I love being able to say," It's delicious aaand healthy".



            I've had quite the journey with food over the last few years. My diet has undergone ALOT of changes, and along the way I've learned many, many things that have really improved my cooking and eating experience. I know that there are alot of people out there who want to eat well but don't feel like they know what to make, or who have recently been told they need to eat gluten free, wheat free and/or dairy free and now feel like they have nothing to eat. There are health practitioners looking for a good resource to give their clients healthy recipe ideas and there are also those people who, like me, enjoy cooking  and know how to make healthy delicious food but want to know more and who gain inspiration from other people's recipes and ideas. This blog is for you all. I will update as often as possible, sometimes every day or every few days sometimes every week or every 2 weeks. I will post recipes, ideas, pictures and my musings on food related topics. My desire is to share my food experience with you and help you feel inspired to get in that kitchen, or get to that market, or get in that garden. I want to inspire you to be healthy and savor every bite of it.



So, with no further ado, here are some dishes I've created complete with how-to's and pictures! Once for each meal of the day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bon appetit!


Breakfast

  Apple Almond Breakfast Porridge

1 apple
Cinnamon
Almonds
Quinoa
Goat or amond milk
Maple syrup
*Raisins


Cook quinoa in boiling water. Approx. 2 cups  of water per 1 cup quinoa. Start at high heat, switch to medium heat when it's bubbling. Cook until most of water is soaked and quinoa is softened. Chop up apple and a handful of almonds. Pour approx. 1/2 cup of milk into a bowl. Add cooked quinoa, apple and almond chunks. Pour about 1 1/2 - 2 tbso of maple syrup, and cinnamon on top and mix with spoon. Mmmmm.....



 Lunch


   Sprouted Kamut bread with avocado, beet slices and goat cheese.

Two slices of sprouted bread (I will include a recipe for sprouted bread later)
1 avocado
Thin slices of red beet

Goat cheese

*Slice open avocado and scoop out flesh with butterknife, spread on bread like you would nut butter or jam

*Place thin slices of red beet on top of avocado

*Sprinkle goat cheese on top (Work a bit with your fingertips to get it to separate and sprinkle more)

Tada! Lunch!

Dinner 

  I call this Sweet Potato Soup


*Cook a piece or more (adapt to numbers) of boneless, skinless chicken breast
*Simultaneously chop up as many sweet potatoes, carrots, turnip, zucchini, onion, celery, fresh rosemary, fresh basil and parsley as you want
*Steamed the veggies in a big pot with some water and a cube or two of veggie bouillon, adding the herbs after 3 minutes or so.
*Chop cooked chicken into cubes
* Once the veggies are sufficently tender combine all the ingredients as well as a little sea salt and powdered dulse ( a dark purple coloured sea vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals that you can purchase in salt-shaker type form) into a food processor and processed it until it is a thick creamy consistency.
*Dip some whole grain bread in it, add some goat cheese into the mixture, and/or sprinkle some fresh parsley or cilantro on top.
*Serve and enjoy!