by admin | Jun 12, 2013 | Grown Up
You’ve probably seen signs around your town or articles on the internet encouraging you to consider buying locally produced goods. In our busy world, it’s much easier to run the local supermarket and gather everything we need for a week rather than taking the time to visit local markets. At times, our budgets or lifestyles don’t allow us the luxury of buying local but if they do, here are a few reasons that you might want to take the whole family to to the market this summer:
- Meet local farmers – At most markets, you’ll meet men and women who are actually working on the farms or have part ownership in the land. They can give you insight into the produce and how it’s grown and tips for cooking produce that might be new to you.
- Samples – At most local markets, you’ll find everything from beekeepers who produce their own honey, to fresh salsas and jams, local yogurt and even some area farm-to-table restaurants. Often they’ll provide samples of their food. It’s a great way to get your kids to try new items.
- Entertainment – Beyond the people watching, these markets have live music, activities for children or even local artists displaying their work.
- Community – Because most farmer’s markets are set up within the local community, it’s a great time to connect with friends and neighbors.
Do you have a great farmer’s market in your community? We’d love to hear more.
by admin | Jun 11, 2013 | Educator
Have you ever visited a berry farm and tasted the deliciousness of fresh picked berries? If not, check to see if there is a farm close to your home. Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are just some of the berries that are in season from June through August. Take your children along for an educational, fun adventure that includes a sampling of these tasty foods!
Call or Email Ahead – Double check that the berries are ready to be harvested by calling ahead to your local berry farm. Weather conditions or other factors influence the growing of berries, so make sure that the berries are ready before heading over.
Prepare to be Outdoors – Pack lots of water and plently of sunscreen. Wear athletic shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking. You will be outdoors so dress according to the weather. Also, wear clothes that can be stained or get dirty. When berry picking, it’s likely that you will get some of the berry juice on your clothing!
Pack a Picnic Lunch – There may not be food nearby, so make sure you bring some lunch with you. Pack a picnic lunch with whole grain sandwiches, lean meats, and cut up veggies. Enjoy these fresh foods in the sunshine, and talk about what kinds of foods you want to make with your berries while eating your healthy picnic lunch.
Know Which Berries to Pick – Before picking, ask someone who works at the farm to explain what types of berries to look for. Explain to your children what a ripe berry looks like so they know which ones to select. Typically, ripe berries will be uniform in color and can easily be pulled away from the rest of the plant.
Bring your Camera – Take pictures to document your fun summer day trip. Also, send them to us at [email protected]!
by admin | May 29, 2013 | Grown Up
In this day and age of high-impact workouts and regimented exercise programs, simple things like taking a walk can easily get overlooked. As winter fades and our days get longer, talking a walk as a family is a great way to get some extended time together at the end of the day. So, enjoy a healthy family dinner, have the kids help with the clean up and get outside! (more…)
by admin | May 22, 2013 | Grown Up
Summer is almost here! It’s important to continue healthy behaviors that you have developed over the school year in the summer months. The OrganWise Guys make it easy for you with a one page summer tip sheet. (more…)
by admin | May 15, 2013 | Grown Up
Annually, the third Wednesday of May is National Employee Health and Fitness Day, but the entire month of May is also devoted to creating a healthy workplace environment. The importance of living a healthy lifestyle, including eating nutrient-rich foods and exercising, extends beyond just your physical well-being. A person who takes care of themselves physically is generally a more confident and productive employee. So, celebrate this month in your workplace by incorporating fun activities that promote health and wellness! Here are some fun ideas you can begin to integrate this month and throughout the year: (more…)
