Summer time, Summer time!

It's Summer Time!  . . . Not quite, but soon!

Besides the earth moving under the feet of Japanese citizens, there's lots of happenings in this part of the region too! Farmer's Markets! Festivals! Barbeques! Beach and Pools! Weddings! Family Reunions! and more activities abound!

Did you hear . . . 
If you hear any noise it's just me and boys!  . . .  Get a glide in your stride and a dip in yo hip!

The "Mothership Connection" will be landing at Merriweather Post Pavilion June 5-7 . . . A great line up of contemporary jazz and R&B performers will entertain thousands at the 23rd Annual Capital Jazz Fest! In addition, on Saturday and Sunday over100 micro small businesses will share and sell handcrafted and other unique products in the marketplace!  If you have tickets to attend the sold out event, take the time to support micro small businesses! www.capitaljazz.com  . . . By the way, the marketplace is coordinated and managed by yours truly!
If you are like me -- running around like a chicken, there's much to share . . . 

I am not sure where to begin . . .  Let's start with this tall pitcher of Watermelon Sangria . . . A fellow Pinterest pinner pinned (repeat three times after a few glasses!) this beverage on one of her boards.

Oh so refreshing . . .  And almost just in time to harvest local watermelons! Just in case you need to know when the best time to enjoy those juicy melons, on this side of the land (DC, Maryland Virginia), melons are ripe and ready to eat around July.

How about a glass of water infused with fruits or vegetables! A great beverage after an invigorating workout or relaxing massage . . .

For a non-alcohol beverage try Coconut Lavender Lemonade . . . The ingredients alone sound refreshing! And the color is so very inviting!

And while I am on the topic of seasonal . . .  Here's a list of seasonal fruits and vegetables in the DMV . . .

June and July

Fruits . . . Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Melons, Peaches, Plums, Raspberries, and Rhubarb

Vegetables . . . Asparagus, Snap Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn (yellow/white), Cucumbers, Eggplant, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes

Get ready, get ready, get ready! 

Mark your calendars!

Buy Local Week is July 18-26!

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to support "2015 statewide Buy Local Challenge Week." 

Anyone and everyone . . . Citizens, local farms, markets, restaurants, stores, wineries and more may participate! 

Send a note and let me know that you and your family and friends will participate by sending a ‘Comment’, 'Like' or ‘Post’ the Buy Local  (BLC) on your social media pages! Support your local grown food provider in your community!

And here's an update about Roots & Stems Community Farmers' Market . . . We were off to a good start at the Fort Washington location until an unfortunate thing happened  . . .  As some folks say, "there is a reason for everything - perhaps?"  Meanwhile, I am working on finding and securing a new farmer to anchor and support the other creative and talented vendors . . . Reinvented Elegance, Wilhoit's Roasted Nuts, Garmer's Garden, and other new and inquisitive business folks. I am sticking to my mission! God will make a way!  To be a conduit that will  offer access to local healthy foods to nearby residents.

Meanwhile, the Roots & Stems market located at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is in full swing! I am honored to help support the employees achieve greater health as well as provide opportunities to micro small business owners. And what a great opportunity for Maryland residents! Come out and pay your water bill in person . . . We are there every Wednesday. While you are taking care of important matters, support our market vendors!

Jenny's Market

-- http://jennysfruitandvegie.com/aboutus.htmlt 

Zoe's Vegan Delights

-- http://www.zoesvegandelight.com/

The Baker's Table 

-- Homemade pasteries, cakes, breads, cookies, tarts and more

Helping Hands 

- - Nutritious made to order fruit smoothies

Pong's Orchard 

-- http://www.pongsorchardmd.com/

Spaces are available!

If you or other business owners are interested in selling and sharing local food or skincare products with the WSSC and other neighboring business employees, let's connect!  New proprietors are always welcome to sign up and join the other vendors. 

And while we are talking about beets! Oh, I mentioned them above . . . Those deep red root vegetables are in season . . . 
So, how do you eat your beets? The best way . . . Eat them raw! I had a bowl last night as a snack!

Interestingly, I have found that many people do not like beets, but when they understand the beneficial nutrients to beets, they will soon change their thinking!  Found this list on www.eatlocalgrown.com/article/TopTenWaystoeatbeets

• Easy to eat: Beets can be purchased from the market and stored for days in the refrigerator. Simply, slice couple of beets and store them in the refrigerator. Every time you feel hungry or feel the need to munch something, have the beets you saved earlier. No cooking required and cold beets taste good as well.
• Beets fight cancer. Studies show beet juice inhibits the formation of cancer-causing compounds, particularly in the colon and stomach.
• They prevent heart and vascular diseases. Beet greens and roots contain the phytochemical betacyanin, which reduces levels of the homocysteine, an amino acid related to heart and vascular diseases. Plus, compounds in beets dissolve inorganic calcium deposits that cause arteries to harden.
• Beets guard against Alzheimer's and dementia. Nitrates in beets open the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the brain, which can help prevent cognitive disorders in older adults.
• Beets are good for your eyes. The lutein and zeaxanthin in beets support macular and retinal health.
• They help lower blood pressure — and prevent clotting and inflammation.
• They help you exercise longer. Researchers at the University of Exeter in the U.K. published a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology (Aug. 6, 2010), reporting that a nitrate in beet juice increases stamina and makes exercise less tiring, allowing people to exercise 16 percent longer.
• Beets are good for your skin. Beets contain vitamin A, which maintains healthy skin and mucus membranes as well as protects against lung and mouth cancers.
• You can have beets in the raw form as well as boiled, steamed or sautéed forms. You can also have the juice of fresh beets. However the juice of beet has a very strong taste and may not be like by all, but beet juice is an excellent health tonic. You can mix beet juice with carrot juice and apple juice to reduce the strong taste.
• Beets are natural blood cleanser and colon cleanser. 

 So, that will do for the moment . . . I will bid you a fond farewell . . . For now . . .

Phyllicia M. Hatton, M.Div.

Market Master . . . And more!

Let's connect and do more to help God's people . . . Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or just plain ole e-mail . . . phyproductions123@gmail.com