Gettin' Goodies and Givin' Gifts

Before I get to the goods, I'd like to thank everyone at my local farmers' market for a great season! They did an awesome job! As I was leaving the market, I saw this historic marker. It just reminded me of the importance of tradition and eating local foods.

For dinner, I made this killer whole wheat angel hair pasta dish with baby bellas, spinach, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, and some parmesan cheese. Instead of tossing, I was able to use some leftover spinach from a spinach salad that was getting a bit wilty and transform it into this yummy dish!

So, almost every other day for the past couple of weeks, a new package has shown up at the door. Getting fun stuff in the mail is so exciting (well, I could certainly do without the bills and junk mail). I thought I'd share:

Package #1:

I participated in a Twitter foodie chat to raise money for Share Our Strength. (Sounds totally nerdy but they raised a ton of money in the process!) I ended up winning a Food Network swag package including some great cookbooks, a Food Network apron and t-shirt. Maybe I'll go as Rachel Ray for Halloween!

Package #2

I admitted my naughty coffee habits and got this great mug and bag o' beans. What a great deal! Thanks coffee amnesty!

Package #3

MOO cards - Being a Foodbuzz Featured Publisher, I was able to get a free set of 100 business cards sent to me for free! I'm so excited to trade these with new blogger friends at the Foodbuzz Food Festival next weekend!

Package #4

Kristina from Stonyfield sent me some more coupons to try some of their Greek yogurts. Stonyfield has also agreed to make donations to the NOFA conference. Stonyfield is SUCH a giving company that realizes their role in the community. Purchase Stonyfield products whenever you get the choice. They are the jam!

This morning, I used my new French press coffee maker to make a cup while carving my pumpkins. (Apparently, I was a "maxxinista" at TJ Maxx buying kitchen gadgets. Does anyone else find that TJ Maxx commercial incredibly annoying?) French press coffee is so delicious because it doesn't allow the coffee to "cook" like in a drip maker and get bitter. Here are the highlights:

Put one scoop of fresh ground beans in French press and add boiling water.

"Steep" for 4 minutes.

After 4 minutes, press the coffee grounds to the bottom. Slowly.

Pour coffee into mug. I enjoyed with chocolate soymilk. This was holy moly good.

OK - Now onto the winner of the PRIZED PUMPKIN GIVEAWAY! Thanks for sharing all of your great stories of food and tradition in your family.

But first, I need to tell you all something. During trick-or-treating, I definitely was "that house." I gave out some leftover individually-packaged sharp cheddar cheeses. To all of my doubters' surprise, all the kids loved it! The teenage beggars that came around dug down in the bowl to find a piece of candy, but for the most part, the cheese was superior to the candy. See? Trick-or-treating doesn't have to be all about junk food and sugar highs. Take that, Hershey's.

Ok, now to announce the giveaway winner. The random comment generator chose Pam's comment as the winner. Congrats Pam! Email me your mailing address to afeteforfood@gmail.com to receive your pumpkin-riffic prize!

Pam said...

Great post Jess and Congratulations...very cool award! Love the giveaway...hope I win...lol!!!

How have you made less-than-healthy family traditions or recipes more healthful?

I have been incorporating more raw into our diets...like using a pumpkin pie raw recipe, but using 100% pure pumpkin instead of baking my own, but using a nut crust and the rest of the ingreds. raw...really good. My sister and her boyfriend love it! or making Falafal with a can of Organic chickpeas and the rest of the ingreds. raw, then dehydrating them.

I also have really changed up my food lifestyle to include a lot more healthy picks...more fresh fruit and veggies...makes me think better (more focused), feel better, and have more energy to exercise. I love the feeling of all the health blogs to go to for inspiration...like your's Jess...thank you!

Enjoy!

Tomorrow, I'm heading to the Boston Vegetarian Society's annual festival. Should be a great time. I'll be meeting up with other Boston bloggers who will be there as well. Shoot me an email if you'd like to meet us!