Best Vegetable Markets in South Florida!

Deerfield Beach 


Rather than spend the high prices for veggies that travel thousands of miles and waste tons of gallons of gas to get to you, shop at local vegetable markets. They get most of their products from local farms, and have incredibly low prices, and lots of specials. In Deerfield close to Boca Raton, I go to J & J farms, check out the map below.


J & J Farms


Located in Deerfield one of the best places to get vegetables. Even if it is not close to you it's worth the trip. Buy $80 worth of veggies (Publix pricing) for about $20, all the produce is locally grown as well. They have fresh bread and other products like Olive Oil and Honey.

View J & J Farms in a larger map
J & J farms

Miami 

In Miami I go to Sergio's Vegetable Market Downtown. It is in an area where restaurant chefs go to get all their fresh produce and shelf products, so the prices are absolutely amazing!! Especially if you're looking to buy in bulk. Check out the surrounding area for other markets where rice and nuts are sold for very low prices.

Sergio's Vegetable Market 

Great place for low price fresh veggies! It's where chefs go to get their fresh produce, they open at 3 am! and close at 3pm, not open on Sundays.

View Sergio's Vegetable Market in a larger map




For more information on other markets throughout South Florida check out these links:

• Florida Farmers Markets Directory
• South Florida Farmers Markets
• Florida Community Farmers' Markets

NIFTY TRICK #13


Support your local farmer and save tons of cash by not buying vegetables and produce from large supermarkets, they are usually low quality and have travelled way too far, thus they need to be sprayed with many chemicals to maintain their freshness. By shopping at local markets, you are supporting the local farming community. 


Think big and buy small! =)

How To Live Forever!!

The average American life expectancy is about 79 years, ranking somewhere in the middle on the list of average life expectancies. Yet Japan has the highest average with 82 years, with an emphasis in the Okinawan region where living to 100 is normal. These people have a very unique diet and that is probably to thank for their many years. 

Here's some interviews of people who  range in age from 105-115! Some of their advice includes maintaining a consistent regimen and exercising regularly.


Here's a few other tips for a long healthy life:

• Eat lots of leafy greens.
• Eat Fish, read this article about a new study on the benefits of eating certain types of fish.
• Eat citrus.
• A diet high in Flavonoids is imperative.

Read up on the details of the Japanese diet, that concentrates on lots of vegetables and lean proteins like fish, almost no meat and barely any fast food or dairy. Here's a typical day in a Japanese diet. 

Refer to this chart below for a healthy balance diet based on the Okinawan way of life.

If you want to learn more about anti-aging lifestyles, check out this site.


NIFTY TRICK #12
Try eliminating all processed foods from your diet, and replace them with vegetables or grains. Keep everything in moderation.


=)

Have You Heard Of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? It is a huge swirling mass of broken down plastics that have converged through centuries of pollution in the center of the Pacific Ocean. There is even a Wikipedia page about it.

 

The black portion represents the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

 Surprising Facts About Ocean Pollution

•  The Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be twice the size of the United States.
• Some areas are called 'dead zones' where nothing lives because the water is lacking oxygen.
• 90% of the pollution is plastic
• Almost every marine organism in Oceans is contaminated by man-made materials.
• Plastics block sunlight which can hinder algae production.

Currently, we use Landfills to dispose (or 'hold') our trash. Yet only 20 years ago we loaded all our garbage on cargo ships and dumped them directly into the ocean. Little did we know all the toxins and harmful material would not 'disappear' as we imagined it would; these methods past and present are to blame for the high amounts of ocean pollution.

Check out this comprehensive site about oceanic pollution. 

Check out this map below of landfills littered throughout South Florida. Landfills can contaminate water supplies, always recycle toxic materials as to assure this doesn't happen.

View Larger Map

Unfortunately, all of these plastics and other trash break down into very small micro pieces, and cover the surface of the water, like a 'plastic soup.' Is our pollution changing the ecosystem of the Ocean as we know it?

NIFTY TRICK #11

Use glass and paper materials (cardboard cartons) whenever possible,  avoid plastics completely! Trash always makes it way to some sort of body of water even when it is disposed of properly, diminishing the usage of plastic can help alleviate this problem in the future.

And of course, DON'T POLLUTE!

Let's work together to keep the most precious resource of our earth clean and safe!

Stay Wavy ;-)

Substitute Rice And Pasta For Quinoa!

The ancient Incas called this grain 'gold' for a reason. Quinoa has many healthy properties, and has a mild nutty earthy flavor, as well as a unique texture. It is rich in protein, calcium, and fiber, and many other nutrients and low in calories making it a healthy switch for other carbs in your daily diet. It is also gluten free. Quinoa slowly releases it's carbohydrates as we break them down, making us feel fuller longer.

Read more on it's benefits here.

It's easy to prepare, check out these awesome quinoa recipes.

Nifty Trick #10 

Always choose Whole Grain or Whole Wheat whenever possible, making this choice when selecting bread and pastas can greatly increase your fiber and grain intake which is a staple in any healthy diet. For example, instead of using white rice, make the switch for brown rice.

Here's a list of whole grains and why you should incorporate them into your diet.

Stay whole and healthy!

Why You Should Have House Plants!

A lot of people have plants inside of their living space, but have you ever stopped to think why? Well, there are actually many healthy benefits to keeping living plants indoors!

NASA did a study in the 80's about the removal of toxins from confined spaces by common house plants, their results showed that most types of house-plants are actually very successful in cleansing chemicals like

Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Trichloroethylene from the air. Formaldehyde can be found in many types of foam insulation and cleaning products. Benzene is a solvent found in paints, and Trichloroethylene is a chemical used in paints, adhesives, inks, and varnishes. Check out this list of NASA's most beneficial house plants.

Here are some benefits of Indoor Plants

• Remove pollutants and carbon dioxide from the air and increase circulation.
• Improves mental health and overall mood.
• A few house plants is equal to the power and effects of a humidifier.
• Helps rid the air of cigarette smoke
• Prevent allergies, especially in children where exposing them to plant allergens at an early age can help them build immunities.
• Help fight colds and clear congestion. 
• Fragrance from blossoming flowers & herbs (for cooking too!)
• Other specialty plants like Aloe Barbedenis & Wheatgrass provide other benefits

Some plants are poisonous for pets though, check out this list to make sure you're not endangering your friend. 

Check out these other sites for growing guides and further information:

• Guide on how to make your own terrarium. 
• Growing guide on mother in law's tongue
• Cactus growing guide, let's face it, a cactus is easy to take care of!
• More benefits of house plants.

Nifty Trick #9 

Start out by growing fresh herbs in your house so you can add them to salads and many other recipes! There is nothing like freshly picked herbs to add to any dish. Check out this great guide for growing and drying herbs. Also, read up on this fresh basil pesto recipe!

Stay fresh =)

Must-Watch Documentaries!

Top 5 Environmental Documentaries
Check out these entertaining and informative documentaries about our changing times.


1. The Story of Stuff
This is a wonderful documentary (only 20 minutes!!) about Planned Obsolesence and it's current effects on our world's environment and society.

You may also want to check out their site, it has plenty of interesting information and documentaries concerning other topics.




2. FOOD, Inc.
If you want to think about the food you eat in a way you never have before, try watching this film. It may make you reconsider your future food choices.



The entire film is available on Instant View Netflix. Here's the Food Inc.'s website.


3. Transcendent Man 
A film about a man who is trying to break the confines of mortality and achieve living forever. Whether it is possible or not, the ideas presented in the film are very intriguing because technology is advancing exponentially.
You can watch the entire film on Hulu, or go to their site to buy it. This film is also available on Instant View Netflix.
Here's the trailer:






4. The Light Bulb Conspiracy
This is about the history of our evolving market and the forces of competition within it. Very interesting and unique material.





5. What In The World Are They Spraying?
This is a controversial documentary on the topic of ChemTrails and Genetically Modified Food Sources.
Here is the trailer:

You can watch the whole film on YouTube.


Nifty Trick #8
Start getting your news from Independent News Sources. They are unaffected by mass media and cover interesting and unusual topics. Here is a comprehensive list of Independent News Sources.


Stay informed!

Goin' Banana Fries!

I call em' that because you're going to be goin' Bananas for this recipe because it's so simple, low price & delicious! They taste somewhat like potato fries but more flavorful, and healthier!

Green Plantains are a tropical fruit, and when they are green, they are unripe and bitter and need cooking to be enjoyed. They are something like a root vegetable in this state. You have probably eaten them as Plantain Chips, or tostones. 
Check out what health benefits Green Bananas have!
Here's a nutritional breakdown of Green Plantains. 


Cooking & prep time: 25 minutes


Ingredients:
2 Green Plantains (One makes about 10 fries)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Fancy Sauce:
Mayonnaise
Ketchup 


Preheat the oven to 350
Make slits on the outer skin, it is very tough since it is not ripe, peel back all the skin.
Cut the banana in half, then cut in long thick pieces, like fries!
Grease a baking pan with olive oil.
Toss the Banana Fries in about 2 tbsp of Olive Oil and put them on the pan. (Less oil tends to make them a bit dryer.)
Sprinkle them with plenty of salt, and a dash of pepper.
Cook for 20 minutes.

Banana Fries with Fancy Sauce. They have a very delicate Banana flavor
and a kin to the taste of potato fries!  

Nifty Trick #7 

Shop at Ethnic markets rather than big name grocery stores. They have all the usual items plus a huge selection of unusual fruits and vegetables, as well as spices and rare packaged foods. The prices are also MUCH LOWER! I got 4 huge green plantains for $1! Explore the world through the food offered at these markets!

GO BANANAS! =)