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Let's play an end-of-summer drinking game you guys. You can play all the time, driving or not, in the morning, at work and the best part is that if you play you win every time. Go down to your local mass retailer, grab the prettiest water bottle you can find and hang on to that sucker all year long. Our drink of choice will be water, the most vital substance to life, and the only side effects* are glowing skin, healthy kidneys and a happy tummy.  Image from howstuffworks.com First, some reasons to play:
A person can live without food for weeks depending on their Body Mass Index. In a starvation scenario, body fat can be burned for energy but once it is expended the muscle mass begins to suffer. And, since many vital organs are muscles, expiration is usually next. Of course, this is assuming the person has access to water. Without it, however, things become far more serious. An average of 1.5 liters is lost daily in bodily fluids. On hot days, that volume accounts only for sweat and if you're not drinking enough, dehydration can set in in a matter of hours. It starts as a mild headache and lack of sweat, things that can can be easily brushed off. But with no water at all even the healthiest person would be in trouble after 4 days, and that's after the nausea, vomiting and shock. Even though water gets more advertising during the hotter months, it is by no means a seasonal beverage. You don't need the famous "eight glasses a day" since eating regular food will cover a chunk of that intake. Just remember that water is a calorie, fat, sugar, and sodium free way to keep healthy, something many other drinks can't say the same about themselves. Before you reach for a cup of coffee in the morning, do like the Italians and grab a glass of water. "But why if coffee is mostly water?" you might ask. Yes, but caffeine is a diuretic which is why every soda hater tells you that those drinks will dehydrate you. When you eliminate fluids, especially after a fast (which sleep is) you are missing some of the water needed to do the things in the above diagram, taxing your body first thing in the morning which won't help the rest of the day run smoothly. "But isn't fluid retention a bad thing?" Fluid retention is often caused by vitamin deficiencies, an excessively salty diet and many medications, and drinking water actually helps to get rid of it. Despite it's commonness, it's a symptom for more serious things as well, so it's not something to be ignored. Let's imagine a latte in the morning, a Coke with lunch, cranberry juice as a healthy refresher and some iced tea with dinner- the water goes right through you and what's left behind are fats from milk, sugars (natural or not) and caffeine. Try this instead: get that fancy pants bottle, fill it and drink some at a stop light, whenever Carly Rae Jepsen is on the radio (which, btw, is all the time), and during other quotidian events. Make up your own rules. Get your youngsters to play with you. Think of the cash saved from the aforementioned list of drinks. Let's say a latte is $2.50, a vending machine Coke and juice total $3.00 and a home-brewed iced tea is $0.50. That's six dollars a day, times five days in a work week, giving you a bonus $30 at the end of each week. Don't touch it for a year and now it's $1560, or a relaxing four day cruise in the Caribbean for two- meals included. That's right. Start now and next summer's vacation is paid for. *Too much of anything, even something as good as water, can be harmful. Don't overdo it or you run the risk of diluting your blood which can be fatal.  They say that first you eat with your eyes. Food can look wonderful but in the wrong hands, it could be a less than pleasant experience. Even then, in the hands of a professional, lackluster ingredients can't perform the same way that it's gourmet counterparts could. Still, this is only referring to the physical qualities of food, nutritional (and monetary) value is a whole other battle to be waged in the grocery. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Shopping is a crucial part of food prep, and not just because you need ingredients to cook. Food should not only taste good, it also needs to be good for you. Smart consumerism is often taken to mean getting the most bang for your buck, but as Kerrie Martin, a certified Holistic Health Coach, and Penny Capps, a certified Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer, want us all to know that when it comes to your health quality is far more important than quantity. As a part of their discussion series "Making Food Choices Count", the duo held a casual field trip at our very own market. The group was eager to explore, shop and learn more about the things offered by farmer's markets, as well as the buzzwords attached to them. So, armed with reusable grocery bags and a ton of questions, they got hands-on with their food. According to a 2010 statistic, 68% of flowers sold within the U.S. are imported, primarily from Colombia. Of those flowers grown in the country, 76% are grown in California. So, whenever you dash into your local grocery to get a bouquet on one of the many occasions the floral industry assures you need flowers for, they most likely traveled over 2000 miles in their short lives. And, if you've seen Maria Full of Grace, you know it's likely they weren't grown or processed in the happiest conditions befitting your flower necessitating event.
The ecological trend which has emerged makes these facts well known and a group which has made this a big point in their lives are those in the midst of wedding planning. From growing their own to crafting them out of old maps, more and more creative couples are seeking earth-friendly alternatives for their wedding decor. As beautiful as they are, some of us aren't as skilled as others in paper folding technique or posess the requisite combination of discipline and determination to even try. Coming from someone who has never successfully folded a napkin let alone a crane, it's unrealistic to think that a couple just weeks away from the Big Day would see this as a viable option. So. What then? Hothouse flowers are by no means on the same level of "corporate evil" as blood diamonds but more environmentally sensitive folks might unwilling to be indifferent to the situation, especially when it's for something as significant as a wedding. Apart from traveling directly to the source, eager planners can come down to the market. Talk to our friendly flower people, Magali (whose tent resembles a florist's shop complete with hanging baskets and orchids) and Billie (who brings two truckloads of fresh, local wildflowers every weekend without fail). Their arrangements are stunning representations of our region's flora; beautiful both as a dining room centerpiece or sailing through the air towards the single ladies at your wedding. Take a bunch home this Sunday- we're sure you'll come back later when birthdays, Valentine's Days and other special days roll around.  Sensationalist reporting may have scared you into believing that the sun is nothing but skin cancer waiting to strike you and the only way to prevent it is using SPF 100 (which, if you read this article, is really just kind of overkill). In reality, the sun's UV rays are the main producer of Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin which isn't overabundant in nature except in foods high in Omega 3s and those fortified with it such as milk, cereal and good ol' OJ. Vitamin D is largely responsible for the proper mineralization of bone but also promotes the absorption of calcium, also a big contributor to the skeletal system. In the 19th century, studies were performed on patients with rickets and found that doses of cod liver oil, the best edible source of Vitamin D, were able to reverse the effects of the disease and in 1930 milk began to be fortified with it. With that, rickets, which was known for its telltale bone deformation, became as irrelevant to the modern world as scurvy. Whenever cases are reported today it is usually in people who spend a majority of their day indoors (homebound individuals, office workers, video gamers), and those with darker skin as the higher levels of melanin block some absorption of the sun's rays. A recent study published by Kaiser Permanente has also shown that women over 65 who had insufficient levels of Vitamin D tended to gain more weight than those who kept their Vitamin D at adequate levels as they aged.
Now don't get us wrong; we are in no way promoting gallivanting about in the sun all day- you don't need much exposure to get your fill and besides, sunburns and melanoma are serious reasons to refrain from such activities- nor are we defaming the name of sunscreen (in fact, sunscreen is the only "beauty" product which does prevent premature aging and it should be a part of everyone's daily toilette). But you remember how overuse of hand sanitizer bred super resilient bacteria, right? If the infamous "they" are saying something, it's probably as fact based as a rumor. Do your research too. Don't forget "everything in moderation", protect yourself and especially kids who are more susceptible to sun damage, and absolutely do enjoy your time outdoors this summer. The school year comes to an end and the summer gets into full swing! It's great to see everyone coming down to the market every Sunday morning! If you were not previously aware, there is often someone from WEFM at the white tent at the west end (the most fitting place of course) of the parking lot ready to answer your questions or just chat, in Spanish and Japanese too! Every weekend there is a cooler of water for sale and a bottle of sunscreen for your use at our table so come on by! We have recieved some questions lately and thought to answer them here so they are more easily viewable by all. Too often, skin care is placed under the umbrella of "Beauty" rather than "General Health". Skin, however, is the body's largest organ and the first line of defense for the rest of them. It is able to convey the goings-on of your insides by becoming warm if you are fighting and infection, developing a rash to alert of an allergy, etc... Yes, even the unsightly zits that "totally ruined high school" were little notices from your epidermis that the potato chip diet wasn't the most nutritious and to maybe grab an orange instead. Despite the aesthetic issues which take precedence a lot of the time, do remember all those times your skin has let you know what was up and devote some of the same attention given to your heart, liver or lungs. Especially now as the sunny weather becomes a bigger part of our leisure time, take a moment to reflect on how well you treat your skin considering how hard it works for you. So, after you find a gift for your dad or grad, pick up a little something for that special layer of cells which will take the heat for you while you're at the beach. June is National Dairy Month! Started in 1937 to counterbalance a surplus of milk, the holiday came to be observed by visiting local dairy farms, sharing favorite recipes and, of course, consuming lots of dairy products! Whether you prefer it as yogurt, ice cream or a classic cheese you're guaranteed to be doing wonders for your own health. And if you're trying to get ready for bikini season, milk contains nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight and is also an excellent source of protein to follow a good workout. If now you're picturing a delicious grilled cheese or a tart berry parfait, keep reading. In case you missed it earlier, this season we are excited to instate a new series showcasing our vendors in the many facets of their lives. Here you’ll learn more about the person on the other side of the table, their motives and a little about their rich history which led them to be a part of the WEFM community. In its basest description, the West End Farmer's Market is just that- a market, a commercial center. However, we know that produce and money are not the only things exchanged here. Our vendors are worlds in themselves; travelers, backyard farmers, musicians, artists, parents, all of whom have more to offer than baked goods and handmade jewelry. So, it’s time we were all properly introduced. It will be extremely difficult to choose only one thing for your mom at the market. There are so many great, terrific artists: I am going to list a few than give you a little more info about a few. See our vendor website for the complete list.
FLOWERS & PLANTS Magali's Plants Billie's Flowers De L'Arbre trees and planters JEWELERS: Bella Tierra: Ernie creates splendid sophisticated pieces from large semi-precious stones and minerals House of Glass and Stone: One of a kind, exquisite - can't even describe Arts of Asia: Rich brings back fair trade jewelry and scarves from Asia. Knock your socks off! Kalinka Malinka: Lovely, polished and unique Marietha Mayen: A favorite at the market Marietha's creations are colorful and fun. Paper, Scissors, and Clay: Patrice makes bright cheerful earrings and bowls from paper bits. Sparkle Designs: New jeweler Christina makes matching earrings, bracelet, & necklace sets. Stone Blue Designs: Another new jeweler whose brightly colored earrings catch your eye right away OTHER STUFF: Free Mind Photo: Ian Bellamy is new to the market. Make an appt for a photo session or buy a photo card from him. Pottery in Bloom: Also new to the market, Gabriela specializes in wheel-thrown potters in a variety of designs and colors. Who can resist! See you at the market! |
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