Amanda, Kate + Kanz and I made plans to visit the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market this morning. It’s about that time of year.
I woke up at 7 (just before my alarm!) to have breakfast before we were on our way. I had plans to do yoga, but got distracted and ran out of time.
For breakfast I used a container of Oikos I got with a $1 off coupon from a blog reader. I’ve had Oikos before, but boy was I pleasantly surprised by its texture this time. It was like a fluffy buttercream icing! It’s pricy, but I think I’ll be inserting this into the variety loop more often.
I served the yogurt with a bunch of fruit and granola. There was about a cup of mango on the bottom, plus a half cup of strawberries, about 2 tbsp Mix My Granola, 1 tbsp flax, 1 tbsp wheat germ and a small spoonful Barney Butter.
I can’t get enough of these flowers!
I always talk myself out of buying flowers because they are expensive, but they really do make me so happy. And I think there are a number of studies that correlate indoor plants with mood lifts!
The Charlotte farmer’s market is not that great. It’s hard to get to (who wants to take an interstate to get to the market!?) and it’s not that pretty compared to others I’ve been to around the country. But there were a good amount of local farmer’s today. I did think it was VERY expensive. So really, I could walk to Harris Teeter, which stocks a good amount of local produce that is labeled, or bike to EarthFare and probably come out with more local produce for less.
But you gotta go for the experience a few times at least.
This was the best asparagus I have ever seen!
I was roped into purchasing a super fresh and delicious goat cheese from this farm. I am still having trouble getting over how much I paid, but I was handing over the dollars before I could think twice. Errrrk.
I better savor every bite!
I had a few tastes of cheese on pretzels and this pumpkin muffin sample
Friends!
We came home with this exciting bunch of asparagus
A giant bag of mixed kales
And the goat cheese, which came with 2 garlic cloves.
My heart goes out this morning to Jenna and her family on the loss of her brother John 
life coach jen says
I love farmer’s markets, but only when they are reasonably priced! Still looks like a good time, though.
Kate the Baker says
Lucky you – our farmer’s market doesn’t open until next week. I am actually thinking of opening a stand this year to advertise and sell my baked goods.
Mmm…goat cheese. If it’s fresh, local, and delicious, I’d say it’s worth the $$.
Weekly Bite says
I LOVE the farmer’s market!! I am super picky on what I buy though… it can be a tad on the pricey side 🙂
Bec says
Those flowers are amazing!
brandi says
glad you found a few things. ours doesn’t have a great selection yet, either, but it gets better as the spring/summer come along.
i got some baby kale at ours last weekend – it’s so cute and tiny!
Lisa says
The farmer’s market in my college town is year-round, but it really only picks up in April. It’s pretty fun! If you avoid the fancy-shmancy microgreens, you can find pretty good deals. Fresh basil is ridiculously cheap!
Farmer’s markets don’t get really good until late summer – corn on the cob time!
ellie says
beautiful flowers! Farmers markets are so much fun- my local one had to shut down so am hunting out a new one!
meagan says
i always get roped into buying the pricey goat cheese too! this same lady is always at the end of the farmer’s market and has -samples- and i taste and all of a sudden, 10 bucks is gone. poof. your post made me laugh in recognition! 🙂
Melissa says
Gorgeous flowers!! Our farmer’s market opens next weekend — can’t wait!! 🙂
Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) says
The market looks beautiful! Our markets open the first weekend of May. So excited to bring more local back into my life.
Help Meghan Run says
Looks like fun, Kath! Love the yogurt bowl this morning.
Marissa says
Looks like a lot of fun!
Jessica says
your jean jacket is really cute, and I’ve got to get a “No Onions” shirt for my brother in law.
haya (living and learning) says
farmers markets ARE a bit expensive, but it makes me feel okay knowing that all my money is going right to the farmer who is standing right in front of me, chatting about my day/weekend/etc and the beautiful weather. the farmers at my market become my friends over the seasons and the years and i am happy to support them, even if it means a little more of my money for food.
i know how hard it is to run a small, healthy farm and be profitable and so i commend them for their awesome work and do what i can to help keep them going.
when you shop at the grocery stores, even if it is local produce, a big chunk of what you pay is going to the grocery store.
thepinkpeppercorn says
In any which way, it is a beautiful and delicious morning!! Love the flowers too. Don’t even get me started on the asparagus!
Danica says
I LOVE the farmers markets – they are so fun and it honestly looks like you scored some awesome stuff. I bet you LOVE the cheese and it is worth every penny 🙂
K says
I love the farmers market!! Sorry about the goat cheese – sometimes they do have some ridiculously expensive things 🙁
grammie2maddie says
Kath
I rarely buy fresh flowers, for I, like you, find them pricey. But each time I do I LOVE them. My Mother (who is no longer in her earthly home) always said they are food for the soul – and flowers really are! We should buy them more often, and p s – yours on your table are just beautiful!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
I love Farmer’s Markets! I would want to buy everything! 🙂
Run Sarah says
The flowers look wonderful – I need to buy fresh ones more often!
Kath says
grammie2maddie ,
Great advice 🙂
K
Heather says
Oikos is my all-time favorite yogurt! I just love the texture and flavors. You might want to give the vanilla and honey a try. Sweetened, but barely, and SO good.
Farmer’s markets are always fun to walk around, but I agree that they are a bit expensive. It’s fun just to get ideas of new foods to try and to make. I like to bring a notepad and pencil along and jot down ideas while I’m walking. So fun when the weather is nice!
Kate says
I shop almost exclusively at the two farmer’s markets within walking distance of my home in the summer (they also sell dried beans, meat, bread, pasta, dairy products, etc.) and have found that the price varies a bit with the seasons. In the peak growing season I can come home with tons of fresh vegetables for much less than at the grocery store.
The cheese and meat are always expensive, but I like knowing that they come from local producers using sustainable practices so the extra cost is worth it to me.
sarah says
fresh goat cheese is soooo worth a little extra money. It’s amazingly delish! Enjoy!
Michelle Hisae says
What vibrant colors at the market! We’re all thinking of Jenna.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
LOVE the farmers market! so happy that we’ll have more of them now that the weather is getting so nice! Those flowers are so beautiful!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Gorgeous breakfast and flowers. I LOVE Farmer’s Markets…so fun!!
Erin says
GOAT Cheese! Erin adores goat cheese.
Ah, I bet it’s worth every penny.
Sally says
The farmers market looks like it was fun to go to. I hope you had fun. Those flowers really are beautiful!
Kerry says
Hey there! I’m in Charlotte, too – out Matthews way. In fact I go to the Matthews Farmer’s Market. Much smaller than Char-Regional, but I love it. And all local farmers!
This post would be great for the Farmer’s Market Report. I hope you’ll consider submitting it: http://toeverymeal.blogspot.com/2009/04/farmers-market-report-april-27th.html
ps. I’d adding you to my GoogleReader!