Showing posts with label fresh produce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fresh produce. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Cully Farmers Market

 

The next best thing to having a garden of your own, is buying fresh produce from the Farmers Market. The Portland area has an abundance of Farmers Market. Buying from the Farmers Market pretty much guarantees that your buying fresh, local, and organically grown produce. Since, I now call Portland home again, I've decided to make it my mission to visit all the neighborhood markets.

My first trip was to Cully Farmers Market located in NE Portland. It's a small but lively market.  I found a stand (Mt.View Fruit Stand) with the SWEETEST cherries and BEST apricots I've ever eaten. Here's a few photos of the beauty I encountered...








Monday, June 10, 2013

shop.prep.cook with The Soanka's


I've been here, there, and everywhere in the community teaching cooking classes and delivering healthy lifestyle presentations. Now, I want to bring my passion for food and cooking right to you in your home. shop.prep.cook is a more personal experience. The way I see it, this is your food, you should have it your way. Having it your way means being involved in the entire process from meal planning to cooking. What I've learned is most people may want to cook at home but their busy lifestyles make it challenging, some are looking for new ideas, and others may just not know where to start. No matter where you are I want to help. I'm full of ideas and passion for home cooked food. 

About The Soanka's
As new parents and thriving personal trainers Derek and Christie Soanka were in a need of a little help. As personal trainers there job is health and wellness, but with their busy schedules sometimes they just don't have the time to prepare home cooked meals. I admire them for not being afraid to seek help and am honored to be the one to help them. They've also bought a few copies of my cookbook to give to some of their clients. They realize how important nutrition is in helping their clients meet and maintain their goals.
 
The experience
It was my great pleasure spending Sunday afternoon with Derek, Christie, and baby Olivia in their home.



After our consultation they decided to do their own grocery shopping with a customized grocery list that I provided. When I arrived at their home the counter tops were a sea of color thanks to the fresh produce.


After giving one my spiels about cooking and timing the meal.  Christie and I got to work prepping and cooking. Derek was nearby in their home office cracking jokes and baby Olivia was napping.



Christie admits she's not much of a cook but with me by her side was eager to learn. Her first task, boil water. Hey, you have to start with small steps.


With me coaching her Christie made the No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bars, Hummus, and Baked Sweet Potato Fries.



Olivia awoke from her nap so she joined in on the delicious, fun! I fed her, her first potato. She liked.



After a while Olivia wanted mama so Derek took over in the kitchen. Watch out!  I started him off by chopping the slaw and he helped make the peanut sauce. He loved the peanut sauce he said, "It's legit."



We spent the afternoon prepping, chatting, laughing, cooking and creating magic, food magic. Christie and Derek done a great job in the kitchen and can feel proud of the meals they prepared.  This week they'll have an array of home cooked tasty dishes they can reheat with ease -- Outside of the Box!

The Soanka's personalized menu:
Classics: Macaroni & Cheese
Dips & Sauces: Hummus, Peanut Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce
Snacks: Kale chips, Sweet Potato Fries, Crudités (raw vegetables)
Salads: Green Bean & Potato Salad, Black Bean Confetti Salad, Simple Slaw
Meat: Sautéed Chicken




Taste Testing Fun!

  
The Spread



shop.prep.cook

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Week 4 - Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box w/Chrisetta Mosley

Another week nourishing the desert...This week's session was all about fresh fruits and veggies!

On the menu: Fresh Vegetable Kebabs, Fresh Fruit Cups, and Quinoa Spinach Salad. 


Next week: OUTSIDE of the Box Healthy Snacks















Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Week 3: Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box w/Chrisetta Mosley



Tonight marked my third session with the group at Fruit Valley Elementary School. The first two weeks of the program we've been covering the basics -- how to plan and grocery SHOP. This session we started with a brief introduction on Beans & Whole Grains and then the fun part COOKing and EATing.

On the menu: 

Hummus served with crudités
Fruit Seed Wheat Berry Bowl
Brown Bag Popcorn with Honey Butter

The ladies enjoyed all the recipes. And music to my ears: They said they could and would make the recipes at home.  I love what I do!

Next week: Fresh Produce -- Fruits & Vegetables.


The Obesity Epidemic is REAL!

The evidence of an epidemic is everywhere.

· Two-thirds, more than 190 million Americans are
overweight or obese.

· Obesity-related diseases are a $147 billion dollar
medical burden every year.

· Childhood obesity has tripled in the last thirty years


Source: CBS News