Farmers Markets and Quinoa for Breakfast

I've said before how the produce in the fall is my absolute favorite. My sister, E and I went to our neighborhood farmer's market this weekend to check out the harvest. Not being too far into Autumn there was still an abundance of apples, squash, eggplant, greens and pumpkins!

Shopping at your local farmer's market has a plethora of advantages. Often prices are lower than those in the supermarket since there are no shipping or packaging charges. Also you can get to know your farmers and get a better understanding of where your food is coming from and what type of practices they use in keeping your food safe and healthy. Many small local farms don't have the money or time to get certified organic but still abide by those standards, so get to know a little bit about your produce, meats and cheeses. Bringing your children to the farmer's market may also spark there interest in eating a little healthier. I bring E in a backpack and let her look, touch and taste whatever she can. She may be a little young still to connect the dots but, getting them involved at a young age by letting them help choose the vegetables for the week could jump start a life time of healthier eating. Farmer's markets also usually boast crafts, baked goods and food vendors which can be a lot of a fun! Be sure to always pick up something you've never tried before you may find a new favorite. Also be sure to bring small bills and your reusable bags! (They will love you for it!)

From the market, we brought home, apples, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, a Halloween cookie and a sugar pumpkin. I decided tonight to get a little creative with the apples and some quinoa I still had in the pantry.

You've heard me talk about quinoa before. The super seed, a complete protein, loaded with vitamins and mineral, but did you know you could eat it for breakfast? Here's my take on oatmeal, quinoa style!

Apple Cranberry Cinnamon Quinoa Oatmeal

1/2 Apple, peeled, cored and diced small (Granny Smith, Macintosh, Honey Crisp, any cooking apple)
1/4 Cup Dried Cranberries
2/3 Cup Quinoa
1 1/3 Cup Water
1 Cinnamon Stick
1/8 tsp Nutmeg
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Your choice of milk for serving.

Put water and quinoa in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add apples, cinnamon stick and nutmeg. Lower the heat to medium and keep at a simmer. Cook for 10 min and add the dried cranberries and brown sugar and stir. Continue to keep at a low simmer and cook for an additional 10 minutes until quinoa is soft but still got a little bite and water is absorbed. Portion "oatmeal" into appropriate size containers for your toddler (or just go ahead and eat some yourself!) and keep refrigerated until serving. When ready to serve heat in the microwave with milk, to the consistency you like and eat!

The Heart of Autumn

Me in an Apple Tree, ironically 4 years ago yesterday in Windham, NH.

 Russell Orchards in Essex, Massachusetts

Fall evokes a feeling in me I cannot begin to describe. Autumn brings about so many memories of warmth and self-comfort. In my opinion, the definition of Fall should be “the time of year that calms our heart, warms our soul and spices up our life.” As a new mom, I can’t wait to share this feeling with my daughter. Carving pumpkins, apple picking, drinking cider, and visiting the farm as a family makes it all the better. Russell Orchards in Essex, MA is my favorite apple orchard. I have some pretty fond memories there. Eating cider donuts, sampling apple cider and visiting the petting zoo are some of my favorites. In close second would have to be Smolack Farms. I worked there one October making cider donuts for field trips that came the next day. I got to be there by myself after hours and fry off hundreds of cinnamon sugar coated pillows of heaven. There may have been a few that fell off the belt, if you know what I mean!

Fall harvest is by far my favorite of the year. In early September you have the last of the corn and tomatoes from summer. Late September starts apple season and October brings squash and pumpkins for carving and eating. Apples are a great source of fiber for the body. Having an apple as a snack makes you feel full for not a lot of calories. Also, one medium apple is considered one serving of fruit, which sets you up for a good day of fruit intake. Pumpkins and other orange squash such as butternut, acorn and hubbard contain the antioxidant beta carotene which translates as vitamin A in the body. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, also antioxidants that contribute to retinal health. Iron, zinc and fiber are also worth mentioning. So use apples and winter squash in whatever you can this season! (Don’t worry I will be posting recipes throughout the season.)

Don’t forget about the fairs! Fairs make me think of middle school. We went every year to either the Topsfield or Deerfield Fair in Massachusetts and we always ate way too much food and bought really dumb things. But that was the fun of it, the fun of being a kid, it doesn’t matter! As an adult you learn to control yourself (but a little indulgence won’t hurt.)

I know this wasn’t a typical post of mine but I had to let you know my love for Autumn before I could go about the rest of the season testing recipes and such. Just know that all my heart and soul goes into my fall recipes and I hope to enlist E to help me this year since we are in Florida and don’t get to do some of my favorite Fall activities. There is absolutely nothing like Fall in New England. I miss it! How do you spend your fall? What’s your favorite fall time recipe?

For all you New Englanders, put a on a sweater, grab a cup of cider and pick an apple for me, won’t ya?

Happy Autumn Everyone!