Eat local. Support local. Buy local.
Years ago my father sent me an email higlighting the importance of buying locally made (or made in Canada) products & ingredients as much as possible. The main reasons of course being - keep our economy alive, support local workers in order for them to keep their jobs, maintaining & creating jobs (super important) and it feels (and tastes so) good!
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| Eat with ALL of the colour!! |
Since then I've passionately maintained that motto especially in my own community (west end Toronto): markets, stores, restaurants, salons and shops! There's nothing better than getting to know people and their stories - where they came from, where their business ideas came from, passions, dreams - the whole lot! Myself as an entrepreneur and business owner - I definitely appreciate my city and community supporting me and my efforts. I could go on about this for days...anyway this leads me to one of my MOST favourite things to do: shop for FOOD at markets.
Trust me take an hour, get on your bicycle and ride to YOUR nearest farmers market!
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| Swoon. |
Here's some of Toronto's best East to West courtesy of Toronto.com (If you don't find one near you on this list - hit link for entire listing!)
East Toronto.
East Lynn ParkJune5 – October 16
Days: Thursdays
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: East Lynn Park
Neighbourhood: Woodbine
Year round
Days: Saturdays; Sundays June 21–November 1
Time: Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. starting May 3; Sundays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Neighbourhood: Rosedale
East York
May 12 – October
Days: Tuesdays
Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: East York Civic Centre
Neighbourhood: East York
Leslieville
May 17 – November 1
Days: Sunday
Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Jonathan Ashbridge Park
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
Fairmount Park
June 3 – October 21
Days: Wednesday
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Fairmount Park
Neighbourhood: Upper Beaches
Withrow Park
May 23 – October
Days: Saturday
Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Withrow Park
Neighbourhood: The Danforth
West Toronto.
May 23 – October
Days: Saturday
Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Junction Train Platform
Neighbourhood: The Junction
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market
(You can find me here!)
May 5 – October 27
Days: Tuesday
Times: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
The Stop’s Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Saturday
Times: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the summer
Location: Wychwood Barns
Neighbourhood: St. Clair West
My Market Liberty Village
June 1 – November 27
Days: Sunday
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Green P on Hanna Ave.
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
Dufferin Grove Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Thursdays
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Dufferin Grove Park Rink House
Neighbourhood: Dufferin Grove
Montgomery’s Inn Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Wednesday
Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Montgomery’s Inn parking lot
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke
Sherway Farmers Market
May 8 – October
Days: Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Sherway Gardens parking lot
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke
Sorauren Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Monday
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Sorauren Park
Neighbourhood: Roncesvalles
Then when you're back & snacky & hot... make my Very Berry Watermelon Smoothie - super hydrating and cooling for the perfect summer breakfast or snack!
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Very Berry Watermelon Smoothie
(gf, vegetarian)
What you need:
1/2 small watermelon
1 cup mixed berries (strawberry, rasp/blue & black)
3/4 coconut water (water works too)
1/4 cucumber
1/4 cucumber
1 tsp raw ginger
2-4 mint leaves
3 tsp fresh parsley
1 cup fresh greens (spinach, kale, chard)*
1 tsp bee pollen
1 tbsp hemp hearts
1/2 lemon (I keep skin on)
1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
What to do:
Blend blend blend. Add extra liquid if needed. Finish with extra berries or hemp hearts! **Can be made without greens to keep pink BUT better for digestion to include! Nom nom nom. Enjoy. xox
BONUS IDEA:
Here's a super simple salad that I made for Josh and I yesterday après market - using hormone-free chicken & some of our own Urban Rooftop Garden that we're fortunate to have! **Salad is dressed with OLIVE THAT! extra virgin olive oil & fresh lemon juice!
Here's a super simple salad that I made for Josh and I yesterday après market - using hormone-free chicken & some of our own Urban Rooftop Garden that we're fortunate to have! **Salad is dressed with OLIVE THAT! extra virgin olive oil & fresh lemon juice!
| Arugula, cucumber, tomatoes, blueberries & dandelion! Easy peasy and oh so pretty!!! |
Enjoy darlings & happy wknd! LMK if you visit a neighborhood market this weekend!
xox
rbn.
