12 Weeks of Healthy Food

I've come to think of the 12 Days of Christmas as the 12 Days of Overindulgence. If your schedule has at all resembled ours, we've been eating and drinking more in the last few weeks than we have in the previous few months combined. It's time to get back into a more regular routine for meals. It's time to resolve to eat healthy in 2012.

We, at Daisy Mae's Market, are doing our part to encourage you to develop some healthy eating habits. For the next 12 weeks, we will feature one especially nutritious fruit or vegetable each week. We'll write about it; we'll tweet about it; we'll share recipes using our healthy food of the week. And best of all, with a $15 purchase on any Tuesday-Friday at our Findlay Market location or delivered to you, we'll be giving you that week's featured fruit or vegetable absolutely FREE.

So make your resolution now...Resolve to plan your meals better. Shop at Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market or place an order for Daisy's Delivery of fresh produce. Prepare healthier foods for you and your family in 2012. Make it a Happy, Healthy New Year! 

To be added to our email list for weekly updates that include our 12 Weeks of Healthy Food promotions, send your email address to daisymae@daisymaesmarket.com. 

Findlay Market Gift Certificate Bonus Bucks

Did you know Findlay Market offers gift certificates in $5 denominations that are redeemable at any Findlay Market merchant, indoors or outdoors? You can order online through the www.findlaymarket.org website or purchase at the Findlay Market information center. These gift certificates are great to give and to get any time of the year but are especially rewarding now because Daisy Mae's has enhanced the benefits!
Tuesday through Friday in January and February, each $5 Findlay Market gift certificate will be worth $6 in fresh produce at Daisy Mae's. Redeem as many as you like...You can even buy more to replenish your supply. We're offering this unique reward not only to thank our loyal customers, but also to encourage new visitors on weekdays in the winter months. We get a little lonely on cold days when folks forget that Findlay Market is a year-round destination. We're thinking (and hoping) that by offering an extra incentive to shop throughout the week, we'll help spread the word that Findlay Market is open every day except Monday.
Neither rain, nor snow, now sleet, nor gloomy days will keep Daisy Mae's from providing the Cincinnati community with fresh fruits and vegetables. Visit us on the Race Street end of the market house under our covered, heated tents.

When Work is Fun

Mr. Daisy Mae loves to cook. I've learned a lot from watching him in the kitchen over the years. Sometimes I take my turn at the stove...But for the most part, I prefer to watch and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of his labor.
I, on the other hand, love to play with my computer. I'm amazed by the power of this small machine. I can find the answer to any question within seconds, communicate with people around the world, create photo albums, and play music whenever the mood strikes. Needless to say, when I got an iPhone a year ago, I felt like I had another computer right in the palm of my hand...Double my pleasure!
Recently, while Mr. Daisy Mae was having fun cooking up some brussel sprouts, I was playing with the camera on my phone. Today I played a little more with the pictures, and now I have something to show for all my hard work. Isn't it great when work is fun?

What's Up, Doc?

Maybe nothing's up with the Doc if you've been eating your carrots. Yes, carrots are the featured item for Day 11 of our 12 Days of Healthy Foods. Bugs Bunny loves 'em and so do we!
Carrots are high in Vitamin A and also a good source of Vitamins K and C, dietary fiber, and potassium. Just like Mom said, carrots really can help you see better. The beta-carotene gives them their color and also helps convert Vitamin A in the body to improve vision...especially at night. Carrots are also an antioxidant, and numerous studies show that carrots reduce the risk of certain cancers. In one study, one carrot per day cut the lung cancer rate in half. Now I'm not saying that carrots are a cure for cancer, but I certainly don't see anything harmful in eating a few carrots each day.
Raw carrots are great for snacking or in salads. But did you know by cooking carrots you increase the nutritional benefits? Cooking breaks down the cellular nature of the carrot so the body can absorb the nutrients better. So if you're looking to cook up a carrot dish tonight, here's a delicious recipe for Glazed Carrots that I recommend. Stop by Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market today (1/15/11) and receive a free bag of carrots with your $15 purchase.
That's all, folks!

So What's With the Straw in the Berries?

We're featuring Strawberries for Day 9 of our 12 Days of Healthy Foods. No one seems to know for sure where the word "strawberry" originated. Some think farmers used straw as mulch to prevent rot around the berries. Other people think that the berries were "strewn" on the ground and that term morphed into "straw." I just know that there's no straw in these berries, but nature has packed them instead with plenty of nutrients.
Strawberries are loaded with health benefits including Vitamin C. In fact, a serving of 8 strawberries contains more Vitamin C than an orange! The flavonoids found in the strawberries give them their red color and their antioxidant characteristics. Several research studies have shown that strawberries protect against inflammation, heart disease, and cancer. They also contribute to eye health, and the United States Food and Drug Administration states that strawberries may slow the decline of age-related loss of cognitive and motor skills. Best of all, strawberries are naturally sweet and low in calories.
Strawberries are delicious eaten whole, used in baking, blended into smoothies, and made into jams. But have you ever had strawberries as part of a green salad? It's a delicious way to break the regular salad routine.
If you visit Daisy Mae's Market today (1/13/11) at Findlay Market, you'll receive free strawberries with your $15 purchase. Pick up some spinach, too, and give this Spinach and Strawberry Salad a try.

Day 8 of 12 Days of Healthy Foods: The Avocado

The NFL playoffs are under way which means the Super Bowl is on the horizon. Did you know avocado sales go through the roof as football fans get ready to watch the big game? Yes, guacamole made with fresh avocados is the favorite game-time snack at hundreds of Super Bowl parties. (Pssst...Don't tell the junk food junkies this is actually a healthy snack...)
Avocados contain a variety of vitamins and minerals and are a good source of monounsaturated fat, the "good" kind of fat. Monounsaturated fats have been found to lower cholesterol and contribute to good heart health. Avocados also contain potassium, and the United States Food and Drug Administration states, "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke." Avocados are high in oleic acid which, in some research, has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. In addition, avocados contain more carotenoid lutein than any other common fruit, and lutein has been found to be an important element in preventing macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye diseases.
At Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market, we generally stock the traditional avocado grown in California, Mexico, and Chile (among other places). We also often carry Florida avocados. The Florida avocados are much bigger and shinier than the traditional, and they have less fat and fewer calories. The traditional avocado may seem creamier; the Florida avocado may be easier to slice. We suggest you try both to determine your favorite for your particular need.
Besides guacamole, avocados are great in salads, on sandwiches, and as an ingredient in salad dressings. If you've steered away from avocados because you weren't quite sure how to peel or cut them, take a look at this easy method. In several quick steps, you'll be ready to serve up a super healthy fruit.
Stop by Daisy Mae's today (1/12/11) and pick up a free avocado with your $15 purchase.

Banana-fana-fo-fanna!

It's Day 4 of our 12 Days of Healthy Foods, and we're singing the praises of the banana! Bananas are a great source of energy due to the sugar and fiber content. But don't worry---a medium banana has only about 100 calories (about the same as an apple) so it's still a good choice for a snack.
Bananas are high in potassium which is needed for proper functioning of the heart and nerves. Because bananas are also low in sodium, they're a good choice to help control blood pressure. In addition, bananas aid digestion and help absorb calcium needed to maintain healthy bones.
Researchers have discovered that the tryptophan in bananas may reduce depression. Another research study has shown that when bananas are a regular part of the daily diet, the risk of stroke is reduced by 40%.  Much work needs to be done before these studies are conclusive; however, bananas are undoubtedly one of the least expensive fruits that pack the most nutritional power.
Before the holidays, I made a Banana Banana Bread that I'd highly recommend. It's so easy to do and tastes delicious for breakfast or dessert. You'll find loads of additional banana information at www.chiquita.com. Make sure to check out the Chiquita Jingle...I'm sure it will bring back memories or inspire some budding artists.
And don't forget that today, January 7, 2011, is your lucky day at Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market. With your $15 purchase, you'll receive a free bunch of bananas. Now isn't that ap-PEEL-ing for all you banana lovers?

12 Days of Healthy Foods

January 5 is, for many, considered the 12th day of Christmas. Tradition has it that December 25 is the first day of Christmas and celebrations continue up until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Even if you don't recognize the 12 Days of Christmas, you may feel that you've just experienced your own 12 Days of Overindulgence. If your schedule has at all resembled ours, we've been eating and drinking more in the last few weeks than we have in the previous few months combined. It's time to get back into a more regular routine for meals. It's time to resolve to eat healthy in 2011.

We, at Daisy Mae's Market, are doing our part to encourage you to develop some healthy eating habits. Starting Tuesday, January 4, and for the next 12 days, we will feature one especially nutritious fruit or vegetable each day. We'll write about it; we'll tweet about it; we'll share recipes using our healthy food of the day. And best of all, with a $15 purchase, we'll be giving you that fruit or vegetable FREE on its featured day. 

So make your resolution now...Resolve to plan your meals better, shop at Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market, and prepare healthier foods for you and your family in 2011.
Check back here tomorrow to see what the 1st Day of Healthy Foods will bring!

Are You a DaisyMaeologist?

It's always fun when someone surprises me with a picture or a recipe of something they've whipped up with Daisy Mae's fresh produce. Our friend Tom recently did just that.
Tom is originally from Germany, but has lived in the U.S. for the last 6 years. I've become very good friends with him, both in real life and on Facebook. I tease Tom that he's quite the Renaissance man...but it's true. He can talk carpentry, software, politics, or home-brew with equal ease...and, in fluent English, no less!
A few days ago Tom posted the attached picture on his Facebook page. He had taken a study break for a "brain-food-veggie-snack." It looked like a lot more than a snack to me, but I loved the photo and the accompanying description of "green beans sauteed, carrots with french onions in butter, garlic, and lemon, topped with manchego and cherry tomatoes..." It's part of his "secret yummy nom nom place." So without really thinking, I called him "my favorite DaisyMaeologist."
Thus, I've coined a new term...DaisyMaeologist: One who makes creative things with our stuff. If you think food is fun, and you like to create dishes with Daisy Mae's fresh produce, you're a DaisyMaeologist. Maybe it's an old family recipe that just works well with our fresh veggies, or maybe it's a new combination you're trying for the first time...maybe it's even just cut up fruit in a bowl that looks pretty before everyone digs into it...However the culinary spirit moves you, if you're using Daisy Mae's fresh produce and enjoying the preparation and presentation, you're a DaisyMaeologist.
We're looking forward to meeting more of the DaisyMaeologists out there...We'd love to see a picture or hear about your creations. And from time to time, we'll even offer special deals just for you. So in honor of my new word, today (9/9/10), 10% off at Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market if you say you're a DaisyMaeologist!

All Parsley is Not Created Equal

Fresh herbs are "tricky" this time of year. At Daisy Mae's Market, we like to feature specialty items when we can. However, since we are an outdoor market, we have to be careful with what we stock. Yes, we have a covered stall with heater; however, many items are delicate and we'd rather not stock an item due to cold temperatures than buy something that we eventually throw away because it's damaged by the temperature.
Parsley is a good example. There are many kinds of parsley, but the most popular kinds are curly parsley and flat-leaf parsley. Curly parsley is most common but is usually used just as a garnish. Flat-leaf parsley is most often used for cooking. It is easier to cut and is more flavorful so the best cooks always choose flat-leaf parsley.
At Daisy Mae's, we try to stock flat-leaf parsley when possible. We find that it's most popular with our weekend shoppers so we tend to have it toward the end of the week. It doesn't make sense for us to buy flat-leaf parsley on Tuesday if we don't sell much of it until Friday. In the three days that pass, the parsley tends to wilt so why would we want to offer half-fresh parsley to our weekend buyers?
Our mission is to offer fresh produce and if it's in doubt, we believe in "full disclosure." If we think you need to use it the day it's purchased, we make a point of telling you. Produce is perishable, and there's no way to get around it. If you are looking for a particular herb, just call ahead (513-602-5601) and we'll let you know what we have available. Our supply meets your demand so feel free to let us know what you'd like to see at Daisy Mae's.

Fun with Fennel

We have had several requests for fennel lately. Fennel consists of a white or pale green bulb with stalks. The stalks have leaves near which flowers grow that produce fennel seeds. The bulb, stalk, leaves, and seeds are all edible and are commonly used in Mediterranean dishes as well as Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. The fennel bulb is a crisp, hardy root vegetable and may be sauteed, stewed, braised, grilled, or eaten raw. The seeds are used as a spice and are sometimes confused with anise as they are similar in taste and appearance. Fennel is high in Vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, and it is also thought to be a good antioxidant. Saute´ fennel with onions for a delightful side dish, or pair fennel with salmon for a perfect combination.

Here's an easy way to try fennel:

Roasted Fennel Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 fennel bulbs (thick base of stalk), stalks cut off, bulbs sliced
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 400°F.

2 Rub just enough olive oil over the fennel to coat. Sprinkle on some balsamic vinegar, also to coat. Line baking dish with silpat or aluminum foil. Lay out piece of fennel and roast for 15-20 minutes, until the fennel is cooked through and beginning to caramelize.

Serves 4.

Findlay Market Myths

We continue to be surprised by all the misconceptions about Findlay Market. Here are the Top Myths that seem to circulate:
1. Findlay Market is hard to find or too far.
From most Greater Cincinnati suburbs, you can get to Findlay Market in 20-30 minutes. Check out the map showing easy access from I-71 and I-75.
2. Parking is a pain once you're there.
There are 3 FREE Findlay Market parking lots and over 400 parking spaces within one block. The main Findlay Market lot connects directly to the Market House via a covered walkway that opens into a unique courtyard area. The Findlay Market information office and several specialty shops surround this courtyard marked by benches, tables, and street entertainers.
3. It's dangerous. Findlay Market has two full-time uniformed "beat cops" assigned by the City of Cincinnati Police. These friendly, helpful police officers walk the market and are available to answer questions or help with any problems. In addition, other officers on bicycles or on patrol in the neighborhood are frequent sights. Findlay Market traffic attendants also help monitor the parking areas.
4. Panhandlers are everywhere. The Corporation for Findlay Market has a strict policy prohibiting panhandling at the Market. Anyone caught panhandling is reported to the authorities immediately.
5. There are a lot of "strange" people at Findlay Market. It's true that you will see people of every color, age, nationality, and socioeconomic background at Findlay Market...but isn't that a GOOD thing?

And last but not least, the biggest myth about Findlay Market is: It's only open on Saturday morning. That was probably true years ago when the market existed solely so that farmers could bring goods to sell on Saturday. If you didn't get there early, the farmers had sold everything and gone home.

Today Findlay Market is open Tuesday-Sunday year-round. (Yes, that's every day except Monday.) It's possible to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, pastries, gelato, waffles, prepared meals, tea, coffee, wine, and gifts from 9:00 am-6:00 pm on Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am-6:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am-4:00 pm on Sunday. Plan to come for lunch or a snack and plan to spend a few hours.

Help be a market myth-buster and spread the word about all the good things at Findlay Market. http://www.findlaymarket.org

A Little Rain Never Hurt Us

Today was our first rainy day since we opened at Findlay Market. Due to some excellent planning by Barry and Jeff, they set up our tents yesterday. We got lots of compliments about the bright colors and the cool effect. Barry thought people tended to linger longer and walk around the whole stand because the tents give you a "finished" almost-indoor feel. Traffic, in general, was down because of the rain...but I'm anxious to see how the weekend crowd takes to the new look.

No matter what, we're keeping our rainbow umbrellas...They've become our "signature."

What's the Difference between a Plantain and a Banana?

Yesterday Barry had a long conversation with a customer about plantains. The man had never heard of a plantain and couldn't believe it wasn't just another banana. For those of you who may not be familiar with plantains, they are nutritious and delicious like bananas but totally different.
Whereas a banana is a sweet fruit, a plantain is more starchy and is often treated as a vegetable. Native to India, plantains are very popular in Western Africa and Caribbean countries where they are often used like potatoes.
Plantains need to be cooked before eating. They are usually fried or baked, but the taste varies with ripeness. The less ripe plantains are greener in color and contain more starch. As the plantain ripens, it darkens to black and takes on a sweeter flavor.
Pick up some plantains next time you're at the market. Dare to be different and try something new.

Here's a simple recipe to get you started with plantains. "Tostones" make a great snack or side dish.

Recipe for Tostones
Serves 3-4

Need: 2 green plantains, oil for frying, and salt
1. Heat oil to 375 degrees.
2. Peel plantains and cut into 3/4" slices.
3. Fry in hot oil for 3 minutes. They should be light golden and semi-soft.
4. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
5. Maintain the oil temperature. After plantains cool (about 1 minute), smash them into flat rounds.
6. Fry the rounds in the oil for 3 minutes. They'll turn crisp and golden brown.
7. Remove plantains with slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
8. Salt to taste.

Taste great in garlic dip!

First Saturday

What a great Saturday at Findlay Market! The bright sun and warm temperatures brought out the shoppers. Everyone was so nice to us. We met so many people---probably won't remember all the names, but we'll remember the faces. We ran out of business cards so I expect we'll have lots of new followers on Twitter.

Speaking of Twitter...There was a "TweetUp" at the market today. It was really amazing. If you're not familiar with the concept, someone organizes a meeting place and sends out a Tweet via their Twitter account. In this case, it was to meet at high noon at Taste of Belgium at Findlay Market. Several vendors got involved and offered 10% off to anyone who mentioned the TweetUp. We offered free Stoplight Peppers, but unfortunately we were so busy we ran out of those before the tweeters arrived. We substituted with another "lovely parting gift" (as one of my new twitter friends said), and everyone went away happy.

Need More Hours in the Day

It didn't take us long to learn time flies when you're having fun. When we're setting up by 8:00 am and driving home at 6:00, there aren't too many hours left for taking care of the accounts, picking up produce, making signage, etc...not to mention laundry, meals, and normal stuff here at home. Good thing we've got a pretty good team.

We quickly found out the EBT (food stamp machine) is critical. We have applied for the machine, but it still could be a few weeks before we get approval. So many people are using food stamps these days, and if they don't see our "Sorry, EBT machine coming soon" sign, they sometimes have everything in their bags and are ready to pay before they find out we don't take the "card" yet. People are pretty understanding though and promise to come back...so hopefully we can build the "cash only" business so that once we get the machine that will feel like icing on the cake.

More About Opening Week

This is all pretty exciting. Barry said he met quite a few young professionals today who regularly shop at Findlay Market. He's made a point of asking people where they live...Clifton, Price Hill, Walnut Hills, the Findlay Market neighborhood...It will be interesting to see if things change on the weekend and more suburbanites make the trip downtown.

Barry and Jeff are really enjoying talking to the customers. Most of the time the conversation turns to cooking and recipes. Barry has a great idea---We're going to encourage customers to contribute to this blog by submitting their favorite recipes. I'm making some flyers to distribute with our contact information and a reminder to share some cooking tips. Could be fun!

First Day at Findlay Market

The weather cooperated beautifully. It was a crisp, clear fall morning so set-up went smoothly. We arrived about 7:00 am for the 9:00 am opening, and since it was the first day, it took us most of that time to arrange the items and set the prices. Most of the produce was already on the carts in the trailer so all Jeff had to do was roll the carts down the ramps. We actually had about 65 items today---a few more than we had room for on the carts. But the Findlay Market folks were very welcoming and offered us the use of several rolling tables as well.

A few customers stopped by before we were actually opened including our first customer--a woman named Rosa. She was thrilled with the sweet potatoes so I thought I'd share her picture.

One Step Forward, and then...

On Tuesday, Barry went to a zoning meeting. He spent over an hour convincing the 6 member board to issue a variance for our permanent produce market location. The main obstacle was the "open-air" feature. The board was concerned that any change in the zoning would be in place forever---thus, opening the door to all kinds of velvet Elvis sales, etc. should we decide to leave. When the vote was taken, 4 voted for us and 2 against. We were ecstatic.

Two days later, the head of the building department (who was at the zoning meeting and voted FOR our market) called to tell Barry that they had made a "procedural mistake." Even though we were told to go through Zoning, he said we should have presented our proposal to the Planning Commission first. He apologized and was obviously embarrassed to have been selected to be the messenger, but there wasn't much he could do.

Unfortunately, the Planning Commission doesn't meet for another month...pushing things back again...

In the meantime, we've established a couple more contacts with vendors so hopefully that will keep our foot in the produce door for a while longer.

Expanding Mobile Produce Service

We're still here. We have applied for the zoning permit for the permanent location, been rejected, and now have re-applied. Of course, the Zoning Committee only meets once a month so we have to wait until the mid-September meeting to hear anything.
In the meantime, we've been trying to expand our mobile services. Barry and Jeff are still delivering twice a week to the vendors at Findlay Market. The next phase is to start selling to independent restaurants in the Cincinnati area. We have a few leads and will be targeting the sandwich/deli shops and the Mexican restaurants. After all, tomatoes and peppers are our specialties!