Stirring the Senses

On the way to dinner the other night in Chicago, we passed a sign for this wonderful farmers market! Of course I begged my husband to bring me back early in the morning so that I could bring you some wonderful pictures! This is such a fun market because it's in the middle of Lincoln Park, yet there are huge highrises all around! Everyone seemed so relaxed and happy to be there, and the market was a steady beehive of activity! There were kids, dogs and amazing steel drum music everywhere, a serious midweek festival! I just love to find elements of the country in the city and everyday more markets are springing up everywhere! It's such a great way to shop for your food, supporting local organic growers and creating a wonderful community experience!

The La Jolla Farmers Market is really fun! Held every Sunday morning at The La Jolla Elementary School, it's a feast for all of the senses. It's magical watching the children run around the playground while you're feasting on crepes with your family, and then leisurely strolling around in search of the most beautiful flowers and the freshest herbs and vegetables!

The North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square, in Cleveland Ohio is my favorite place to spend Saturday Mornings! I shop, I eat, and catch up with so many old friends! Every week there is something new and wonderful, and absolutely nothing beats the education that you receive from the farmers. It's a great way to connect with the whole community, and treat yourself and your family very well in the process. This week, the first organic sweet corn had come in, and the most gorgeous blueberries that you have ever seen! I bought fresh garlic from the kids who run the city garden for the Cleveland Botanical garden, and a peach pie from an young Amish boy. I even had a wonderful gentleman selling the prettiest flowers insist upon gifting me with a beautiful bouquet! Magical things happen here! I love this market because it is beautifully managed, yet still retains all of the quality of a fun and frolicsome community greenspace. It's nestled amid the trolley tracks, and you get all of the buzz from the city, yet the feeling is completely organic! They have a wonderful website www.lkwdpl.org/farmersmarket/index.html where you can go to see the market schedule, get great recipes and just have fun!