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LOCAVORE

Dave and I like to spend our Saturday mornings at a local coffee shop, Swede Hollow, and then at the St. Paul Farmer's Market.  We do this routine so often that our favorite server at the Hollow knows what we order.  Two medium dark roasts, two slices of bacon artichoke quiche, and one cranberry white chocolate scone.  I've always dreamed of having someone know my "usual," so this gives me more joy than is really comprehendible.

Also cool is the fact that the Hollow uses ingredients from their own garden in their dishes.  So, we're eating local.

From there, we take in the market.  It's quite a beautiful place with all of the flowers, vegetables, and fruits.  Every week I say that we should bring a camera.  We never do.

Since Dave does most of the cooking at our house, I let him lead in the choices, but I do insist on a few supplements now and then.  This week we left with beets, green beans, raspberries, new potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.  All local and chemical free.

We also pick up a freshly butchered half chicken and some chicken brats from a local farmer and his family each week.  They don't know our usual order yet, but they do recognize us.  The young boy always makes a good case for trying their bacon.  Like he has to try very hard.  

We sort of fell into this routine.  I won't lie to you, we were in it for the cranberry white chocolate scone at first.  The market became part of the routine when we simply remembered it was going on one day.  Now, after a year of doing so, we go back because it feels sort of amazing to sit down for dinner and realize that everything on your plate is locally grown.  And it tastes good too.

Being a burgeoning locavore does have its drawbacks.  I'm typically very happy and excited at the start of the market and then ready to punch the next person who bumps into me by the end of it.  I never punch anyone though.  I just swear a lot.  But whatever.  We're doing our part to support local growers and eat healthy.