Winter Garden Harvest Festival

This Saturday is the first Winter Garden Harvest Festival. According to their website: “This outdoor festival will celebrate farm to table living, highlighting local farmers, artisans, food purveyors, and other important stakeholders in the region” The festival will take place in Downtown Winter Garden at 104 S. Lakeview Avenue from 9:00am – 5:00pm. For more information visit www.wintergardenharvestfestival.com.

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Farm Fresh Produce at Sanford Farmer’s Market

If you like farm fresh produce, the Sanford Farmer’s Market is a must see.  Here you will find everything from organically grown carrots and goats milk dairy products to local raw honey. (Locally made honey is a natural treatment for environmental allergies.) There are native plants and flowers sold by gardeners who give lots of great advice on how to keep your garden green. You will also find live music and lots of arts and crafts. Vendors offer a wide variety of products including jewelry made from recycled items like game tiles and bottle caps and hand-made clothes and purses.  The market is held in historic downtown Sanford Satuday mornings from 9am-2pm and Wednesday evenings from 6pm-9pm.  Hope to see you there!

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Farmer’s Market at the Plaza Theatre on Saturdays!

There’s a new farmer’s market in town. Those close to the downtown or milk district areas get the unique experience of a farmer’s market at the historic Plaza Theatre!

Farmer’s Market @ The Historic Plaza Theatre
Every Saturday from 9am-3pm

What: The Farmers Market will showcase a wide variety of produce from Florida farms sold by the farmers themselves; handcrafted jewelry, stained glass, paintings, handmade candles, soaps and oils; a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants; food and beverage; live entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Where: The Historic Plaza Theatre on Bumby Avenue!
425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

When: Every Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm, beginning November 14, 2009

Who: Vendors wishing to participate should e-mail information along with photos of proposed items for sale and their display to: plazafarmersmarket@gmail.com.

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Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Book Review

 

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

 

Everyone has reasons for avoiding certain foods, even if only to keep from eating those we dislike. Health issues, taste preferences, gastric reactions, allergies, and the all-important food appeal  are primary reasons for choosing to eat, or not to eat, a particular food. 

While much of the U.S. population uses convenience as a primary food choice criteria, some choose non-genetically modified foods, others opt for organic, and finally still others prefer to eat only those foods produced locally. 

So, what is the point in choosing to eat only locally produced foods? These answers and more are in the lessons of the warm and inviting book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. This story brings you into the fold of a rural farm family, spending a year producing much of their own food, and procuring the rest locally. 

Choosing to eat only locally grown foods is a commitment far exceeding that of not eating vegetables or avoiding dairy products or meat. Often, commitments to avoid foods are religious in nature. Author Barbara Kingsolver brings us to understand how her own family’s choice to eat local foods is much the same as a religious choice; it involves a belief system. 

Kingsolver and her family steadfastly believe that since the cost of foods imported from the likes of South America and Africa, goes largely to the petroleum industry for transportation costs, thus eating globally produced foods contributes to the demise of the small, family farmer. Their choice was to become closer to their food producers, buying only within their county or state, and producing as much of their own food as they could. 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:

A Year of Food Life

 The family’s adventure takes us through the calendar of food harvests, watching them eat and preserve as much of each crop as possible, until its season ends and another crop takes it place on the harvesting table. Kingsolver and her family were immeasurably innovative in finding ways to create foods that are not produced locally. For instance, they learned to make their own cheese and found many alternatives to old eating habits and favorite foods that were not available much of the year. 

A wonderfully inspiring book, Kingsolver, along with her family, craft an educational, yet charming snapshot of a year as a Virginia farm family. Whether you are a would-be gardener or have an interest in reducing your dependence on oil, this book will provide much food for thought, along with many recipes that became the staples of the family’s seasonal eating commitment. 

More Resources: 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle website

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Seasonal Recipes

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Saturday Morning Stroll in Winter Garden

Saturday mornings in historic downtown Winter Garden offer visitors the opportunity to exercise, explore and relax.  The West Orange Trail runs right through the middle of downtown on the center median of Plant Street.  The West Orange Trail is 19 miles long starting in Oakland at the County Line station going up to Apopka.  The Winter Garden station is at mile 5.  On Saturday mornings bikers and runners go zipping by safely in the center median.

If you don’t have a bike but would like to explore the West Orange Trail downtown Winter Garden has two bike shops and a running shop.  Winter Garden Wheel Works offers bike rental at reasonable rates (starting at $6 per hour with a two hour minimum).  You can rent a bike for each member of your family and if needed a trailer to pull your younger child.  They even offer rentals of tagalong bikes, a half-size kid’s bike that attaches to an adult bike.  Tri & Run of West Orange offers triathlon and marathon training programs and running shoes and clothing.  Both are located right on Plant Street  in the heart of downtown Winter Garden. 

Winter Garden also hosts a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.  It is located at the corner of Plant Street and Lakeview Avenue.  You can find fresh produce and plants and an array of other food and unique items.  I shop there each weekend and often save almost 50% on my produce purchase over buying in a grocery store.  I have always found the items to be fresh, colorful and tasty.  Bring your own shopping bags and green bags for things like small potatoes or tomatoes.  These are priced by weight and it helps to have green bags for each item.

Once you have gotten your exercise and produce shopping out of the way, it is time to relax.  There are many stores to explore and restaurants offering good food and outdoor dining.  Sweet Traditions is a French bakery and cafe offering a long display case of pastries and yummy breakfast and lunch items.  You will often see groups clad in biking gear dining outside the cafe.

Heading off Plant Street down Main Street be sure to check out Daisy’s Children’s Boutique.  Daisy offers many toys crafted from environmentally friendly and organic materials.  Along the way you will also discover Winter Garden Fencing Academy, Garden Music School and Winter Garden Feed & Seed.  Winter Garden Feed & Seed offers items to feed and care for horses and livestock.  They also have great deals on items for smaller family friends like dogs.  If you have not been in a feed store, definitely stop in and check it out.  They often have small animals like goats and chicks for sale and they have their huge pet pig in the back. 

Following Main Street will also take you to Boyd Street and the Central Florida Railroad Museum.  The Railroad Museum is free and offers a fine collection of Florida railroadiana.  It is operated by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and they also operate the Heritage Museum, History Center and The Garden Theater.  All of these wonderful resources are located right in downtown Winter Garden.  Be sure to click through the Hertiage Foundation link for information on locations and hours.

Kristy has one son and since his birth she’s been researching to find healthier ways to do things and live a life of less impact. In a city that is less than “crunchy” it has been an adventure and she hopes to share some of what she’s learned both here and at her store Wee Willie Winks where she offers cloth diapers and other earth/child friendly parenting solutions. She also hosts Cloth Diaper News.

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Local, Organic Produce at Victoria Park Farmer’s Market

Ava getting her hands on some local, organic produce.

I stopped going to farmer’s markets for many years because I was always disappointed by the lack of . . . well . . . farmers. But recently I’ve noticed local produce popping up at the various markets around town from time to time. While this is exciting to see, most of the farms I’ve come across have only sold one or two items. I found one selling tomatoes and another selling sprouts – both wonderful to pick up but nothing that gets my grocery shopping done.

So you can imagine how excited I was to finally find a local farmer with a 10′ x30′ tent full of produce. And not only produce, but organic produce! Meet E.T.’s Homegrown Produce from Grant, FL, one of the newest vendors at the Victoria Park farmer’s market. So far, I’ve found both their produce (quality and selection) and their prices to be excellent. The couple that owns the farm are incredibly nice, and they always indulge my son’s passion for gardening and my daughter’s love of baby eggplant and yellow squash.

In case you’re not familiar with Victoria Park, it’s a community in DeLand less than a mile off I-4 (exit 116) and its market is open every Sunday from 7AM to 1PM. The 20-minute drive from my home is well worth the effort to be able to load up on local, organic produce each week.  And while the rest of the market is still pretty small, there are several other vendors worth mentioning:

• Artisan Breads, selling a wide variety of partially-baked vegan breads, dinner rolls, bagels and more.

• Nature’s Select all-natural pet food and pet care products.

• Green Goods, a vendor selling organic, local plant starts (in homemade pots made from newspaper), gardening supplies and garden design services.

I’ve also seen a vendor selling all-natural pound cakes and another with a large bulk selection of raw nuts, dried fruit and other snacks there on occasion.

I’m so happy to have finally found local, organic farmers! Be sure to pay them a visit so they keep coming back!

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Great American Bake Sale

Saturday, June 6th, a local group of kids will be putting on a bake sale to help end childhood hunger in America.  They will have a booth at the Lake Mary Farmers Market.   Most of the goodies will be vegan, and all proceeds will go directly to a local charity that deals with childhood hunger.  Come on out between 8:30 and 1:30  and support these kids in their effort to help other kids like them.  For more information go to The Great American Bake Sale, or to  make a direct donation you can e-mail me at heidicrawford@gmail.com.  We hope to see you there!

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Sanford Farmers’ Market — Worth a Visit for Local Residents

I’ve been visiting the Sanford Farmers’ Market at least once a month for quite some time. It’s small, but I really love several of the vendors.  I figured I’d mention some of my favorites in case any of you live in the area and haven’t checked it out yet. 

Frederickson Apiaries of Geneva– Fantastic LOCAL Raw Honey

Handmade Soaps from the Young Family–My favorite is the “Spicy Sunrise” because of its fantastic smell and natural ingredients.  

Gramma Hart’s Heavenly Homemades–She sells homemade jams and soaps.  She picked the fruit for her jams herself here in the area.  Unfortunately, they are not organic, but at least they’re made with local ingredients.  I haven’t gotten a chance to try her soaps yet.

Beeswax Balm Company–I reviewed them a few months ago on the Green Guide. I enjoy the banana/coconut variety.

There’s a produce stand, but the fruits and veggies are not currently local or organic.  If you’re not worried about those two things, the prices are good.  I did find eggs and butter that are local. Visit the Sanford Farmer’s Market My Space page to view the list of vendors and current information.

I don’t believe our Sanford Farmers’ Market is as comprehensive as others in the Orlanda area, but it’s growing!  I wanted to get the word out so others will take the time to check it out.   If you decide to visit, you might want to try the last Saturday of the month since local art vendors will be there as well.

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Tropical Heat’s Organic Market in Lake Mary

I am very pleased to announce that there is new organic food store / deli in town! My husband and I stumbled upon this quaint little shop while driving around looking for somewhere new to have lunch.

Tropical Heat is owned by a mother and daughter team that you may recognize from both the Sanford and Lake Mary Farmers Markets. Laverne and Danielle opened shop about 5 weeks ago and are conveniently located on the corner of Country Club Rd. and Crystal Lake Ave. in the heart of Lake Mary.

The store is very clean and well organized. There is a nice selection of fresh, all natural and organic products including local produce, breads and dairy. Bonus: if there is a product that they do not have in stock, just ask and they will order it for you!

There are a few tables outside the front of the shop to sit and enjoy one of their delicious sandwiches or homemade soup. They also offer home-style meals to “grab and go”.

I am thrilled to have found them and couldn’t wait to spread the word!

Tropical Heat’s Organic Market

109 E. Crystal Lake Ave. Suite 109

Lake Mary, FL 32746

(407) 323-2128

http://www.tropicalheatsorganics.com/

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SPARKLE-Holiday Artisan Market

This Saturday, Dec 1st Dandelion Communitea Cafe will be hosting their annual Holiday Artisan Market.  This event will feature local and eco-friendly vendors as well as live music.  It seems like a nice way for our community to get some holiday shopping done while supporting our local artisans and merchants.  Among them 10,000 Villages, Vegetarians of Central Florida, High Integrity Foods, and more. 

SPARKLE is set to begin at 11am until 4pm.  Whether there to shop, browse, or simply enjoy the great music, this makes for a nice afternoon with your friends and family.  I’ll be there slingin’ my baby and supporting my friends. 

Michelle lives in Orlando with her husband and baby daughter.  She is passionate about pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.  She is a doula, lactation counselor, and Itsy Bitsy Yoga instructor.  You can also find her doing henna at various events.  She is a conscious and spiritual being.  Her dedication to spiritual evolvement led her to become an Avatar Master through which she is creating an “enlightened planetary civilization”.

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