I'm Still Hungry
Boyfriend and I often have the same conversation after a particularly delicious dinner out or at an event where the food is a little bit fancier but the portions are smaller. It goes a little something like this:
Me :"Man, that was good"
Him: "Yeah, mine was delicious."
Me: "You're still hungry, aren't you?"
Him: "Yep, I'm starving."
His activity level and general lifestyle means that his food consumption is anywhere from three to four times what anyone else around him is eating, if I had to eye-ball it. I also love to eat although I have tried and I can NOT keep up with him. What I'm getting at is that our grocery bill directly reflects this high level of consumption and even with just two of us it is impossible to get through a full week with only one grocery trip. To add a few more requirements into the mix, we want to eat as much local food as possible, we prefer organic, dairy does not sit well with Boyfriend's belly, and we are avoiding gluten with the exception of beer (see previous post) and baked goods on special occasions (can't help myself). A lot of energy goes into finding what we need for groceries and a lot of money too but he and I agree that what we are paying now for groceries is hopefully helping us cut down on medical bills later.
I spontaneously had the day off (not complaining!) and didn't make myself a to-do list like I normally would so I've been playing it by ear. As is so often the case, my day with the pup quickly became about food. I took him to the dog park this morning but none of his friends were there so he roamed while I compulsively organized lawn chairs and dog bowls. Then, we were walking back through the parking lot towards the car when I noticed a farmers market. So far, the only farmers markets that have stood up to my expectations since moving to New York have been Union Square and Jackson Heights which are a hike. Many more have been disappointing and depressing. So I was skeptical as I approached the white tents. It turned out to be middle of the road since it wasn't awesome but it didn't totally suck either. Perhaps I should outline what I think an acceptable farmers market is characterized by.
First, there must be at least one vendor selling vegetables and assorted produce to make it even worth the stop since that is what most of our diet is composed of. Also if there isn't any produce at a farmers market, it might as well be called a craft fair. Second, the amount of produce must exceed the amount of baked goods and granola because we don't buy that stuff unless it is to be gifted to someone else. Third, the produce should be locally sourced. I didn't come to your open air farmers market on a Saturday morning sans coffee to purchase Mexican tomatoes coated in chemicals that aided them in surviving their journey north. Fourth, somebody has got to be selling me some farm fresh eggs from free range happy chickens.
Now, since we have had such a hard time meeting these criteria since we moved to Long Island, the next few are for bonus points. If the farmers market has a vendor selling fresh, local fish or meat, we will find you and we will come. Additionally, if the farmers market has someone serving me a hot locally roasted cup of coffee to enjoy while I sift through produce, major bonus points. If my dog is welcome to join me and vendors are happy to give him scraps, winner winner chicken dinner. Lastly, if I can shake the hand of the person who grew, raised, butchered, caught, or gathered my next meal, game over. I didn't purchase anything at today's market since I didn't have my wallet on me but I'm glad I got to peak around. If I ever had a Wednesday off again, I'd swing by the Christopher Morley Growers Market.
We needed a few things for meals so later in the day I popped around the corner to Youngs Farm which has truly been a diamond in the rough. It is about three minutes or less from our house and well stocked with produce grown on site or from farms on Long Island. I got a dozen eggs from Armstrong Farm in Locust Valley, NY as well as some lettuce, onions, garlic, and heirloom tomatoes. If I was going to break my own rules, they have an amazing bakery. I mean, heavenly. There is also a ready-to-rock cooler of iced coffees made each morning so props to Youngs for keeping this customer happy and caffeinated while she shops.
When a farmers market or a farm isn't an option we go commercial and head to Whole Foods which is an entire post in itself so I'll save that conundrum for another time.
Me :"Man, that was good"
Him: "Yeah, mine was delicious."
Me: "You're still hungry, aren't you?"
Him: "Yep, I'm starving."
His activity level and general lifestyle means that his food consumption is anywhere from three to four times what anyone else around him is eating, if I had to eye-ball it. I also love to eat although I have tried and I can NOT keep up with him. What I'm getting at is that our grocery bill directly reflects this high level of consumption and even with just two of us it is impossible to get through a full week with only one grocery trip. To add a few more requirements into the mix, we want to eat as much local food as possible, we prefer organic, dairy does not sit well with Boyfriend's belly, and we are avoiding gluten with the exception of beer (see previous post) and baked goods on special occasions (can't help myself). A lot of energy goes into finding what we need for groceries and a lot of money too but he and I agree that what we are paying now for groceries is hopefully helping us cut down on medical bills later.
I spontaneously had the day off (not complaining!) and didn't make myself a to-do list like I normally would so I've been playing it by ear. As is so often the case, my day with the pup quickly became about food. I took him to the dog park this morning but none of his friends were there so he roamed while I compulsively organized lawn chairs and dog bowls. Then, we were walking back through the parking lot towards the car when I noticed a farmers market. So far, the only farmers markets that have stood up to my expectations since moving to New York have been Union Square and Jackson Heights which are a hike. Many more have been disappointing and depressing. So I was skeptical as I approached the white tents. It turned out to be middle of the road since it wasn't awesome but it didn't totally suck either. Perhaps I should outline what I think an acceptable farmers market is characterized by.
First, there must be at least one vendor selling vegetables and assorted produce to make it even worth the stop since that is what most of our diet is composed of. Also if there isn't any produce at a farmers market, it might as well be called a craft fair. Second, the amount of produce must exceed the amount of baked goods and granola because we don't buy that stuff unless it is to be gifted to someone else. Third, the produce should be locally sourced. I didn't come to your open air farmers market on a Saturday morning sans coffee to purchase Mexican tomatoes coated in chemicals that aided them in surviving their journey north. Fourth, somebody has got to be selling me some farm fresh eggs from free range happy chickens.
Now, since we have had such a hard time meeting these criteria since we moved to Long Island, the next few are for bonus points. If the farmers market has a vendor selling fresh, local fish or meat, we will find you and we will come. Additionally, if the farmers market has someone serving me a hot locally roasted cup of coffee to enjoy while I sift through produce, major bonus points. If my dog is welcome to join me and vendors are happy to give him scraps, winner winner chicken dinner. Lastly, if I can shake the hand of the person who grew, raised, butchered, caught, or gathered my next meal, game over. I didn't purchase anything at today's market since I didn't have my wallet on me but I'm glad I got to peak around. If I ever had a Wednesday off again, I'd swing by the Christopher Morley Growers Market.
We needed a few things for meals so later in the day I popped around the corner to Youngs Farm which has truly been a diamond in the rough. It is about three minutes or less from our house and well stocked with produce grown on site or from farms on Long Island. I got a dozen eggs from Armstrong Farm in Locust Valley, NY as well as some lettuce, onions, garlic, and heirloom tomatoes. If I was going to break my own rules, they have an amazing bakery. I mean, heavenly. There is also a ready-to-rock cooler of iced coffees made each morning so props to Youngs for keeping this customer happy and caffeinated while she shops.
When a farmers market or a farm isn't an option we go commercial and head to Whole Foods which is an entire post in itself so I'll save that conundrum for another time.
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