Getting Ready for Summer---Book suggestion for eating healthier...

There have been lots of changes this past year.   I know we haven't posted through the winter but life gets in the way sometimes.   Theresa and I are still committed to eating healthy and we hope to be at the Chatham Borough's Farmers Market this year...we just won't be there until later in the season.   I have been thinking for awhile on how to approach this blog.   I have told you how we started and all about our burgers..so what is next.

In my other life I have a children's book blog.   While children's books are a passion with me I also love books in general.   I thought I could recommend some books that helped me get on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Before Theresa and I started our veggie burger business we did some research.  I started with a book.

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan really changed how I looked at what I ate.  I liked his tag line: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.  He explained how a supermarket is set up and that we should shop the perimeter, the center has mostly processed foods.  There were many lessons in the book ---most I knew I could follow.  I liked how he didn't make me feel like I had to do everything in his book to the letter....I felt that he encouraged small changes which I could do.   I started eating yogurt and fruit for breakfast, I no longer put artificial sweetener in my coffee and I learned to stay away from High Fructose Corn syrup(I know the commercials say it isn't bad for you but I'd rather stay away as much as possible).  I still eat my favorite cookies but I try not to eat too much.  This book taught me to make small changes to be healthier.   I do feel better and know that this book helped.   It is a great place to start for living a healthier life....Happy Summer!

Chatham Farmer's Market Recap October 8, 2011

Red Lentil Roasted Vegetable Hummus

Yesterday was a beautiful day at the Chatham Borough Farmer's Market.  It started out cold (and dark) but ended with warm and sun.   These last two weeks were quite successful for us and we wondered if it was because we were in a our old spot from last year.   Either way it was fun seeing everyone and spending time doing what we love.  We had two special sides to with our veggie burgers yesterday.  Theresa makes an awesome Red Lentil Roasted Vegetable Hummus that we always sell out of.   I always hope we have at least one container left over so that I can take it for myself.   Of course this never happens so I cheated yesterday and kept some aside (albeit a smaller container) to take home.   So good---I had it on whole wheat bread as a sandwich....I love have hummus' sandwiches.  

Theresa also experimented with making a Veggie loaf (think meatloaf without the meat)....they are mini loaves and perfect for one person.  I had it for dinner with a baked sweet potato.  I liked it because it didn't need bread and it had nice simple veggie flavors.   She is going to bring more next week...I am also trying to convince her to make the Hummus again.....it is a popular item.   See you Saturday!

Autumn at the Chatham Farmer's Market

"The best laid plans.....often go astray"  ----we were supposed to set up our usual booth at the Chatham Borough Farmer's Market last Saturday but due to unforeseen circumstances had to pull out at the last minute.   Luckily they can fit us in this Saturday October 1st .....which means we will be at the Market for the next three weeks.   I am actually glad that we are coming this Saturday as it is World Vegetarian Day!  We are bringing our burgers and a side which Theresa hasn't decided on yet....she is after all the Master Chef!  So we hope to see you there......

At the beginning of the summer I met Allison Fishman author of You Can Trust a Skinny Cook .  She is the one who gave me the Kale Chips recipe.   Anyway I found this recipe for Marinated Tomatoes on her website.   I don't think she will mind if I share it here.   I think they would be great with our Veggie Burgers....enjoy!

As seen in You Can Trust A Skinny Cook

Recipe by Kay Teagardner

• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
• Greens of 1 scallion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1. Place the tomatoes in a resealable container. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, parsley flakes, scallion greens, oregano, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour the marinade over the tomatoes. Cover and marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
2. Allow the tomatoes to come to room temperature before eating.

Chatham Farmer's Market Recap August 20, 2011

I am so glad we decided to set up shop at the Chatham Farmer's Market last Saturday.   It was a beautiful day vs the unsettled day we might have had tomorrow because of the hurricane.   Another reason I was glad we went last week is because it was Heirloom Tomato Day....the Market had a contest and everyone had some sort of Tomato product to sell.   We had a delicious Tomato Chutney....which people were excited about.   I love how chutney is so versatile.   I use it as a side or like a relish and I have even cooked with it.   It goes great in an omelet.  I did feel sorry for the girl who got chosen to dress up like a tomato...she was quite the good sport about it.

Since we won't be at the Chatham Farmer's Market tomorrow (we will be back next week Sept 3rd) I thought I would post a great recipe I found on the Simply Recipes website  that would make a perfect side dish for any of our burgers.   Hope you enjoy!

Tomato, Onion, Avocado Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 3-4 fresh large tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 2 avocados, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Red wine vinegar (a good, strong red wine vinegar)
• Extra virgin olive oil (the best quality)
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Place a layer of sliced tomatoes on a large serving platter. Arrange the slivers of red onions and the chunks of avocado over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with parsley, garlic, and oregano. Drizzle red wine vinegar and olive oil over the platter. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve immediately. Do not refrigerate.

This Saturday August 20th!

This has been a busy few weeks.   I never did get a chance to write a recap of our last Chatham Borough Farmer's Market stint.   We weren't expected back at the Market until August 27th but we have had to change our plans....family is visiting so we needed to swap dates.   We will be at the Market this Saturday August 20th instead.   I am actually glad we changed our dates because this Saturday the CBFM is highlighting the versatile Tomato!  Theresa has made a wonderful Tomato Chutney as our Special Side of the Day~ It smelled so good while it was cooking.   We will have our burgers too so we hope to see you THIS Saturday from 8am until 1pm at the Chatham Borough Farmer's Market!

Chatham Farmer's Market July 23rd recap

Well after a few weeks off we returned to the Chatham Borough's Farmers Market this past Saturday.   It was probably the hottest day I have ever experienced at the market.   According to the market organizers the traffic was much lighter than it had been....I don't doubt it....we were broiling.   Luckily our stand was right across from the water fan that the market supplied....every the breeze kicked up we got a nice little spray of water in our direction.   Really cool (pun intended).....


We knew it was going to be hot so Theresa whipped up some of her Peach Salsa as our side of the day.....we gave out samples that people loved. I then took the leftover bit of samples home with me and put it on some broiled swordfish for dinner....so delish.   I loved how she added a bit of mango to liven it up.   The heat notwithstanding it was nice to get a "warm" welcome back....we'll be there next Saturday too....

Returning to the Market

I can't believe the summer is in full swing.   This heat has been incredible.   Theresa and I had a really nice vacation with the family----our early trip to Long Beach Island, NJ.   It was fun....no where near as hot it is now which was a good thing.   We were back cooking yesterday getting ready for the Chatham Borough's Farmer's Market ----we are again in our new spot at the top of the market.   It has lots of shade which will be great since this heat wave will still be here.  

Theresa was so happy to see abundance of NJ Peaches that she decided to make her delicious Peach salsa this week to accompany our veggie burgers.   It is so refreshing...especially in this heat.   My mouth is watering just thinking about it.....See everyone Saturday!