First I would like for you all to take a moment to marinate in the weather forecast for the upcoming days here in the Raleigh, NC area. If you don’t live around here, it’s okay to be jealous and if you do live around here, it’s okay to do a backflip into a hurkey to celebrate. I would be the last person to judge you.
With that being said, the weather is phenemonal and it’s going to be staying that way for a while since fall is here as of today (and we all know my love of fall). I literally can’t wipe the smile off of my face. One of my favorite things to do is go to the NC Farmers Market on weekends. Let me explain why it’s something that sucks hours out of my life and I don’t even notice (or care for that matter).
Photo Courtesy of http://www.preppygirlgreen.com
So that photo is just showcasing one gabillionth of the Farmers Market here in Raleigh. It’s basically 30,000 square feet of awesome sauce. The amazingness isn’t just limited to shopping local fruits and veggies either. They have a seafood market, flower and plant market, three different restaurants, a meat market, bakery, cheese market, craft market and whoa…let me stop. My head is spinning. This is precisely why you can get wrapped up in the entire experience. There are many reasons to shop at a local farmers market. Two huge reasons are to support the local farmers and just knowing that you are getting the best in quality and freshness. The produce is there for you in its peak picking time, so you can’t beat that with a stick. That in and of itself is reason enough to go. They always say you should eat an array of colors on your plate…and let me tell you what…the farmers market is pretty much a rainbow.
So here is what I’m going to do. I’m going to challenge you all to make your own Farmers Market basket. I’d like for you to fill it with some veggies, fruit, bread, cheese, etc and then cook off of it for a week. Here is an example of what it could look like:
Photo Courtesy of http://www.millcitytimes.com
Doesn’t that look delicious and healthy? Your meal ideas could be endless. I’m freaking out because I can’t wait until next weekend when I plan to go stomp all over the Farmers Market. Seeing as though Camden is nationwide, just like with my cupcake scouting, I’m going to scout out your Farmers Markets. I know. You love me for it.
I have one last question…what are you doing still sitting here?! Off with you!
