Is it spring yet?

Lachanette Tucker, Aakofii Designs (20th Annual Capital Jazz Fest)

Or is it summertime?

I cannot tell with the barometer going up and down from one week to the next . . . But there is no doubt, lots of folks are or will be experiencing upcoming seasonal outdoor events which are already in full swing in cities and towns across the United States!  If you've enjoyed attending these festive events in the past, I am certain you will find several farmer's markets and festivals in a  city or country near you!



Soon, everyone will be in the groove and walking in rhythm, experiencing crowded venues, people bobbing their heads to music and barbeque filtering the air. Not to mention, vendors at festivals and markets engaging potential customers to purchase their lovely one of kind items. And of course, folks fussing about how hot the sunshine is -- but everyone loves the sunshine!

Timbuktu (jewelry designer/maker), 20th CJF

That reminds me . . . During a recent visit to the island of Nassau in the Bahamas (October 2012), I was honored to be one of twenty-four ministers conducting a site inspection to determine the possibility of hosting the members at this destination for a future Religious Conference Management Association's (RCMA) annual conferences.

It is a joy to capture images and experience how indigenous people live day to day in the islands. I have visited this island often - about 10 times,  and I always take the time and visit with the residents on the island. The view never becomes too familiar so I snap a few photos of the food vendors nestled under the bridge; leading to the Atlantis Resort located on Paradise Island. 

If you have ever seen photos or visited the Atlantis up close and personal, you will agree that there is a vast contrast between the food vendors and fishermen compared to the visible wealth a few minutes drive over the bridge. 

These industrious natives fascinate me. Every morning they rise, venture to the space under the bridge, set up their 10X10 area and spend the day awaiting customers. Selling produce and seafood is the primary means these dedicated people earn their wages. The folks sell locally grown produce collected from the nearby cluster of islands in the Caribbean. Not to mention the abundant selection of fresh seafood (snapper, grouper conch, crabs, and more) caught each morning. Throughout the day, the island residents head to the vendors under the bridge to pick up their fresh produce and seafood for the family supper that day.  Needless to say, the best selling item is conch! Conch fritters, conch chowder, conch salad, steamed, smoked, jerked, rolled, spicy, raw, cracked conch, conch and more conch!  Yummy!

Now back to the U.S. . . . While watching the television program, Foodies DC, a fabulous restaurant tour around the Washington region, I am always in awe to discover the number of new and old restaurants located in my hometown. Not to mention, savoring the delicious dishes with my eyes promising that one day I will venture to one of the many restaurants that serve appetizing meals -- one day.  A warning to all; some of the dishes the chefs prepare could clog up one's arteries! Best of all, I am tickled that many of the chefs make an effort and go out of their way to purchase sustainable and organic produce from local farmers. And doing so, the food is more flavorful  . . .  Locally grown produce makes all the difference in the world! 

Recently three organic restaurants in the District of Columbia received certification for preparing healthy organic meals to diners. I have had the honor of dining at one of them, Restaurant Nora a few times. The establishment is known as, "America's first certified organic restaurants." Another healthy and sustainable restaurant is Founding Farmers located on the 1900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. According to their web site, "the flagship location in Washington, D.C. is the city's first LEED Gold Certified restaurant. It's also a Certified Green Restaurant and offsets its annual greenhouse gas emissions through Carbonfund.org. Their Montgomery County, Md. location, also a Certified Green Restaurant, is fully powered through wind energy."

While writing about cooking with organic produce . . . On one of my recent excursions to the Colonial Farm in Accokeek, MD, I learned how to cook the old fashioned way!  A method way before I learned how my beloved grandmother cooked and baked on a wood and coal burning stove.

It was a good thing these dedicated volunteers did all of the cooking; I thought they would expect me to dress in Colonial garb . . . You know, the full experience . . . Cooking in a log cabin, on top of burning logs in cast iron kettles was interesting, but I just wanted to be an observer.  By the way, I also discovered that John, the original owner of the little house where these folks were cooking the meal is buried under the bricks. Rest in peace . . .

Just in case you are wondering, these two folks are stuffing a head of cabbage with ground beef seasoned with natural herbs and spices. To hold it together, they wrapped it in cheese cloth, placed it in the black kettle pot, tucked it deep into the fireplace, and let it cook for about three hours or more . . . Talk about slow cooking. They also made a dish with cucumbers stuffed with sauteed onions, a tossed green leaf salad and a dish made with mushrooms.  

If you peek under the table, you will see where John was buried. Ummmmmmm.

American Market @ National Harbor 

Located on American Way

Opening soon!  

May 4th - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visit often! Every Saturday! Rain or Shine!

A new project is on the horizon!  In addition to the small business publication that is moving forward (submissions are still being accepted), I am writing another book that will be filled with lots of great healthy information and recipes. If you are interested in submitting a favorite recipe that you are willing to part with, please send it along to phyproductions123@gmail.com.

There's one catch . . . You must create your dish using produce purchased from one or both of our farmers. So, if you are in the area, when you are ready to make that special dish, stop by the farmer's stand, tell them that the ingredients you are purchasing will be used for your dish and send me a note. Oh, in addition to the recipe and directions, you will have to take a picture of the dish! So don't consume it before you snap that picture. Include your name and the name of the recipe.

Farmers and Specialty Food Vendors

Tyson's Farms

Miller Farms

Allie and Trish Sweets

Big Poppa's Kettle Corn

Boordy Vineyards

GoneGreens (dishes with greens)

Gourmet Spices by Joni (dips/sauces)

G's Pierogies

Havana Banana Breads

Puddin’ (bread pudding)

The Sweetest Surrender (sorbet)

Wilhoit's Roasted Nuts

Artisans

Beads by Persia (jewelry)

Big Mama's Blessing Candles

Canvas Photography by Klaire

Casazza Designs (jewelry, hats)

Elements One (jewelry, travel candles)

ET Textiles (handbags)

Habeebah's Herbals (skin and hair products)

Holley Blue Jewelry (silver)

K. Lynn Creations (ornaments, pillows)

Millie's Scented Rocks (aromatherapy)

NativeGrind (long boards)

Reinvented Elegance (jewelry, greeting cards, mosaics, ornaments, using recycled items)

Relaxing Arts (original watercolor, acrylic paintings, giclee prints, note cards, colored eggs, tea cozies)

Sugalump Boutique (children’s hair accessories)

Terry (recycled handmade accessories)

FEATURED American Market Vendor - G's Pierogies

After one year of collaborating with their partners in Pennsylvania, Christopher and Arthur, owners of G's Pierogies will be cooking up authentic tasting Pierogies of Polonia right here in the DC area! G’s Pierogies is expanding its business and will be one of the newest additions to the American Market! These delicious handmade Pierogies are created from a secret Polish family recipe and are made from scratch using the highest quality ingredients. They are sautéed using whipped butter and oil along with traditional fried onions. The puffs filled with goodness will be one of the hits at the market this season.

 
Look for other American Market vendors in future Blogs where we will feature all of our artisans. Creative people offering the best to our visitors; reflecting quality handmade products and produce on behalf of their returning and new customers.

In closing . . . Folks who hang around me at least a minute know that in addition to loving all of God's beloved, two of my favorite things are  . . . Babies and puppies! Adorable!

Meanwhile, we will see you around soon . . . American Market or at the Capital Jazz Fest!  And please stop by and visit us on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, So Maryland, So Good, NGFN, Fresh Nation, USDA, MD Department of Agriculture, The Patch, and more!

Thank you for reading and spreading Joy!