Why Wait for Oktoberfest? Let's Do Febfest!

Welcome to February, surely the grayest and dullest of months in Cincinnati. The holidays have past, the Super Bowl parties are over, and it's still a few weeks until the Reds head for spring training. Some years ago, we decided we needed a way to break up the boredom of winter. Mr. Daisy Mae suggested we get together with friends who also have cabin fever and share traditional German food like we all love during Oktoberfest. We'd call it "Febfest" and share some Gemütlichkeit when we really needed it…during the blah days of February.
Twenty years later, the tradition continues. We get most of what we need from Findlay Market including cheese from Gibbs or Krause's, and sausages from Kroeger & Sons. We use Daisy Mae's own potatoes for homemade potato pancakes, and finish off the meal with an apfelstrüdel baked with crisp Granny Smith apples. Of course, no Febfest is complete without German-style beer so we support our neighbors at Christian Moerlein brewery or Rhinegeist right here in our Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. For those who prefer wine, we pick up a bottle or two from Market Wines at Findlay Market.
It's really easy to have a German celebration with the help of local Cincinnati small businesses. You should try it! Shop locally, celebrate internationally, and have fun with good friends, good food, and good drink.

S.L.O. Food

The Findlay Market Opening Day parade signals the official start of spring in Cincinnati. It signals the end of the winter doldrums and the kickoff of the upcoming Cincinnati Reds baseball season. The anticipation leading up to both the parade and the Opening Day Reds game can be felt throughout the community, and it's a thrill every year to share the excitement with old and new friends. 

Not only are we excited at Daisy Mae's Market about the start of the Reds' season, but we're also excited about the start of another fresh produce "season" at Findlay Market. We have our core staff ready to spring into action, and we've added a couple new faces that you're sure to enjoy meeting. We've also expanded our specialty inventory, and you'll now find a rearranged space featuring S.L.O. Food...Specialty. Local. Organic. You'll find more ethnic and international foods, local jams and butters, dried fruits and snacks, seasonal and local produce, and, of course, organic produce. We'll be rolling out new items each week so you'll want to follow our Facebook page, Twitter feed, or subscribe to our weekly e-news to stay in the loop. 
Things are always happening at Findlay Market, and we're always trying to stay fresh in our approach. Plan to stop by soon. After all, isn't it time you S.L.O. down? 

Free Kiwi Slooper!

Every now and then, you run across something that you just can't wait to share. I recently learned all kinds of great things about kiwis from the California Kiwifruit Commission. I already knew the kiwi was among our most nutritious fruits--more Vitamin C than an orange, as much potassium as a banana, high in fiber, and rich in beta-carotene and flavonoids. I also knew that you should look for a semi-firm kiwi when selecting one to buy and that you should store your kiwis in the refrigerator if you're not planning to eat them right away. But I also learned a bunch of interesting stuff about the history of the kiwi, where and how it grows, and possible uses for the kiwi. Make sure when you visit the site, you watch the 4-minute YouTube video.
But the real reason I couldn't wait to write this post is that if you hurry, you can get a free slooper! You don't really need a slooper for slooping the kiwi, but if it's free, why not order yours today? And while you're waiting for it to arrive, get to Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market and stock up on this delicious and nutritious fruit.

Mom Was Right About Oranges

I've always told my family to drink lots of orange juice when they feel a cold coming on. I'm pretty sure I got that wisdom from my own mother who probably got it from her mother. As it turns out, it's not an "old wives' tale" or "old moms' tale" after all. Oranges are loaded with health benefits.
A single orange can fulfill about 100% of the daily requirement for Vitamin C, and research has shown that the flavonoids, or plant nutrients, found in an orange are potentially beneficial to the human body. The flavonoids trigger enzymes that fight disease so oranges really do offer immune support. In addition, studies have shown that the white part under the peel of an orange may be a good antioxidant.  Additional research says that oranges may lower cholesterol, prevent ulcers, improve eyesight, and help with digestion. Since they come in their own little package that's easy to peel, oranges are a handy snack and can serve as a quick thirst quencher whether eaten whole or squeezed for the juice.
You'll find lots of creative recipes that use citrus fruit on the Sunkist website. You can get everything you need at Findlay Market to make many of those recipes.  If you shop on Thursday, January 6 and spend at least $15 at Daisy Mae's Market, we'll even toss in some oranges for free. I'm tempted to try Blood Orange and Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad...If you try it before I do, let me know what you think.