Farmer's Market Frenzy

Living in California, the land of the organic and the crunchy, farmer's markets are nearly given holy reverence. Yet, I rarely went to them. Even thought there was one every day of the week, I just couldn't be bothered to go. To go to one, I would have to drive out of my way, push through the crowds, pay through the nose and STILL have to go to Trader Joe's for everything else. So I abstained from farmer's markets due to sheer laziness.

But now that I live in Philadelphia, this has completely changed.

First of all, it's actually now more convenient to get to the farmer's market. I leave my apartment, walk one block and I'm there. I still have to pay through the nose but now I only walk a block with my groceries. When I go to Trader Joe's, on the other hand, I have to trudge through 4 blocks. My laziness now tells me that any item I buy at the farmer's market is one less thing to haul back from TJ's. So farmer's market it is.

Second, the farmer's market allows me to indulge in my anthropological curiosity. I simply can't get enough of the Amish farmers. No one had told me that a secondary prize for following my husband out of Pennsylvania would be that I could buy tomatoes from real-life, honest-to-goodness Amish people. It's hard to describe my elation. Sighting celebrities in California, meh. Buying produce from young men wearing suspenders, priceless.

Third, I was not prepared for the quality of the produce. I don't know what the Amish farmers do to their crops but it is phenomenal. California organic farmers, take notice. Maybe if you spent less time growing pot and more time on your front, I mean, business, I would have gone to your markets more often.

A kind vendor scolded me for putting herbs in the refrigerator. Now they live free on my windowsill. I'm in awe of all I've been missing.

City of Brotherly Love and Food

I've left the laid-back, cool shores of Santa Barbara for the bustling history of the streets of Philadelphia.

Great things thus far:

• Stepping out my doorstep and being swept in to the tide of pedestrians.
• WALKING. Walking everywhere. 12 blocks? Super close!
• Food Trucks. Sizzling, wafting food trucks. I have yet to eat at one but I love knowing they are there. At any moment, I could have a greasy gyro in my hands.
• Lattes has around the corner!! I might have to go get me one right now.
  
• BYOB restaurants.

Not so super great things thus far:

• Not being able to open up windows. Open up a window and we are hit with the time-marinated stench of cooking grease, sweet and sour sauce and festering litter. Do I miss my ocean breezes?
• No wine at Trader Joe's. State laws prohibit the sale of booze at non-government stores. My grocery bill has been cut in half.
• Food.

Why is food not a super great thing? Um, because I want to eat it all. Talk to a local about can't-miss things in Philly and they will start on a food monologue. They will tell you about their favorite food trucks around the city... the crepe trucks, the pretzel trucks, the hot dog trucks, and, obviously, the cheesesteak trucks.

Next, the local will talk to you about the noodles in Chinatown, the trendy eateries in Rittenhouse, the gastro pubs in Old City, the fro-yo, the Amish pretzels, the merits of provolone vs. cheese whiz on Philly cheesesteaks.

Five minutes into the conversation and my mouth is watering. I want to EAT IT ALL. Forget the healthy eating plan. Forget the weight loss plan. Forget the ambitious budgeting. I want to eat buttery pretzels and gelatto until my arteries burst. Philly is not a city for the faint-hearted dieter.

This blog is primarily about healthy eating, nutritious and low-calorie recipes, weight-loss and fiscal responsibility. Am I already smelling challenges in this city? The sizzling falafels on the corner say yes.