While it is the responsibility of the U.S. of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure food safety, the agency’s broad guidelines can fall short of the minute details many consumers desire. Also, due to the size and workload of the USDA, reports on the safety of many food groups are few and far between. The last report […]
in the market now
Why Buy Organic? Part 1: Fruits and Vegetables
What is the big fuss about buying organic produce and organically grown meats, as opposed to those products that are conventionally grown? Budget-conscious buyers will usually opt for the lesser-priced option, which typically, but not always, is conventionally grown. Next to price, the problem becomes even more complex due to labeling and various standards for […]
Warming Winter Curry
There are as many different kinds of curries as there are cooks who prepare them. Once the basic sauce is prepared, nearly any combination of vegetables can be combined, meat added if desired, and a nutritious and delicious meal can be on the table in less than a half hour. Curry, which has become a […]
Sweet Potatoes
Is it a sweet potato or a yam? Much confusion abounds as to whether they are the same thing or not, and what, if anything, is the difference. Unless you visit an ethnic-foods market that imports vegetables from Africa, it is doubtful that the long, red skinned tuber offered for sale is a yam. Yams […]
Enjoying the Fall Flavors of Apples
Who doesn’t love the sweet, juicy crunch of fall’s first apple? It is as if all of nature has concentrated the best days of summer and the cooling nights of fall into one beautiful red, shiny gift that makes us happy to be alive. According to the Washington Apple Commission, six out of 10 apples […]
Watermelon!
The ubiquitous summer fruit that appears at nearly every picnic or beach party and is nearly everyone’s favorite must be watermelon! Those who come from hot-weather summer climates have memories of the sweet, succulent melon, sold at fruit stands and off the back of pickup trucks. Frequently, the melons were floating in a tub of […]
Wonderful Washington Cherries!
It’s cherry season in Washington, and this year’s crop is better than ever! Mother Nature provided a long, cool, wet spring with warm sunshine coming just at the right time to produce beautiful, shiny, plump and very juicy cherries. Bings and Rainiers are beginning to flood the market, and this may be the biggest crop […]
Late-Spring Vegetables and Mushrooms
As the days lengthen and get warmer, lighter meals are on the horizon. Quiche is a versatile dish that can be served for any meal of the day, hot from the oven or at room temperature. Fresh leeks are available most months of spring and are so adaptable, they can be combined with many other […]
Beets, Cabbage and (Dried) Cherries! Oh MY!
Visiting a health minded friend in Arizona recently, we were served a most delicious, crunchy and satisfying salad that utilized market-fresh ingredients. My friend, Linda, lives in a community where everything is trucked in, and seasonal items are not the focus of her supermarket produce sections. Even so, Linda served us a salad that was […]

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