Calling All Cooks!

In the last week, we've doubled the size of Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market. We now occupy the space on both sides of the Race Street entrance to the market house. You'll recognize our display tables, rainbow umbrellas, our smiling faces, and fresh produce, but you'll also see that we're introducing some new items at Daisy Mae's. Whether you cook for fun or you take it as seriously as the Iron Chef, we'll have more specialty items to spice up your recipes. You'll see fresh produce from near and far. You'll find ingredients for cooking your favorite international dishes as well as things you need for that good, old-fashioned homemade soup. We'll experiment with different items in the next few weeks to see what's popular with you, our customers. If there's something you'd love for us to carry, just let us know.

Here's a list of some of the items you'll see this weekend at Daisy Mae's:
Diakon Radishes
Bok Choy
Snow Peas
Lemon Grass
Sugar Cane Batons
Cactus Leaves
Tomatillos
Dried Peppers
Chayote
Yucca Root
Purple Yams
Meyer Lemons
Endive
Arugula
Bunch Radishes, Beets, and Parsnips
Leeks
Fennel
Rutabaga
Coconut
Plantains
Jicama
Bean Sprouts
Thai Basil
Asian Pears
Ugli Fruit

What's in Your Lunchbox?

Yes, I had a Flintstones lunchbox, but I don't miss school lunches. Maybe it was just one too many bologna and cheese sandwiches back in my elementary days, or maybe it's because I never really did figure out what was in those things the lunch ladies called hamburgers. I didn't thrill in making lunches for my own kids either. I was not one of those moms who made smiley faces out of sandwiches or who surprised my kids with homemade treats. School lunch was school lunch--take the money or the brown bag...just make sure you don't forget your homework!
Looking back I realize I probably should have done better...It's so easy to include healthy foods in a school lunch. Nothing packs quicker or easier than an apple, banana, or orange that comes in its own "wrapper." Some may find oranges difficult for little fingers to peel, but you can "quarter" them and put them in a plastic sandwich bag, and the kids will find out right away that food is fun. (Admit it--you know you've put an orange peel in your mouth to make the monkey face!) And then there are grapes..so easy to eat and almost like candy if you freeze them ahead...and strawberries that have their own "handle"...And don't forget the veggies. With store-bought dipper cups of peanut butter or ranch dressing, celery sticks and baby carrots take on a whole new meaning.
So this year, make it your back-to-school resolution to include more healthy foods in your kids' lunches. We've got everything you need at Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market. It will be quick and easy for you...and oh-so-good for them.
Stay Healthy!

Transitions

Wow! A lot has been happening since my last post. First, part-time job #3 ended for me (on good terms, mind you). The owners of the company are nearing retirement and so are passing the torch to the next generation. There will be a period of reorganization before a new company is formed so the time was right for me to move on.
Next, our #2 kid is off to college. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I have a sudden interest in the Gamecocks. For the near future, you'll find my sports allegiances shared among the Reds, Bengals, Bearcats, and Gamecocks. By the way, Mr. Daisy Mae has the only wife in town who prefers ESPN to HGTV.
Finally, opportunity has knocked for Daisy Mae's Market. The space adjoining our current location on the Race Street end of the markethouse at Findlay Market has come available. We've decided to "double our pleasure and double our fun." We'll maintain our current space on the right side as you exit the markethouse, and we'll also operate the fresh produce stand on your left as you come out the door. We installed additional tables today and will start to fill out the new space in the next few days. We hope to be fully stocked and staffed by the weekend. (And you'll see a lot more of me around the market!)
Things may be a little different during this time of transition; however, not everything will change. We'll still be the only full-time, year-round fresh produce merchant at Findlay Market, and we'll continue to be passionate about serving you, our loyal customers.

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. -Anonymous

Watermelon Time!

We have been getting some great watermelon at Daisy Mae's Market this summer...both seedless and seeded. It's fun watching people thump them, smell them, lift them, and turn them to try to pick "a good one." Everyone has their own techniques, but the experts at the National Watermelon Promotion Board say a watermelon should be "heavy for its size" since it's about 92% water. They say to turn it over and see if there's a creamy, yellow spot where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun. Whatever your method of choosing a watermelon, you're sure to enjoy the refreshing taste and health benefits of this summertime treat.
Most people think of just cutting a watermelon into wedges or cubes, but here are some more recipes to try with watermelon. And how about the simple idea of just freezing pureed seedless watermelon into cubes to add to summertime drinks? Talk about your taste of summer...