Rapunzel, Farmers Market & a Weekend Recap
Hey guys! The majority of the weekend I have felt like Rapunzel locked away in a tower. Ok, so maybe it’s a self-imposed lock-down. And maybe my hair really isn’t that long. But let’s just go with the analogy ‘cuz I sure do love it! 
Source
Hmm girl in Ivory Tower does actually seem rather befitting of a grad student…
Thankfully, I did have some company!
He’s so studious, just like his mama!
Despite my self-imposed exile, I did actually get to have some fun this weekend! Yes, yes I did leave my house if only for a few hours to meet up with my friend/co-worker/fellow masochist student at our local farmers’ market. I hadn’t been to a farmers’ market in like 5 years, so I was stoked to check it out and to see if shopping there would be a viable option for me.
The scenery…
And the thing that made me cry a little inside…
Have you guys ever had a pupusa? They are an El Salvadorean dish that’s like a tortilla pancake filled with beans, cheese and whatever else you’d like. Yes, I just said like a tortilla pancake with beans and cheese inside…can you even wrap your head around how good they must taste?! Back in the day I would get like three in a sitting. Mmmm. This time, I decided against getting one seeing that they are a) high cal, b) possibly made with lard, and c) from a company called La Gordita Feliz which means “the happy fat chick” in my translation. I’m just sayin’…
What did I end up with? Four white peaches at $2/pound came out to about $4.00, some yellow zucchini at $1.00, a pack of strawberries for $4.00 and some Mom’s Greek products, shown below:
Cilantro & Jalapeno Hummus — Yum, but not amazing.
Black Bean with Chipotle Harissa – You had me at black bean. More Yum than Cilantro & Jalapeno.
Taboule Salad — Too dry, sorry.
I hate to be a Cranky McCranky Butt, but those Mom’s products were 3 for $10.00, which, given my pathetic budget, is way too much mula. Given the price of the fruit and veggies and above products at the Farmers’ Market, I’d have to say, I truly cannot afford to shop there for my staple foods. If you saw my handy-dandy grocery price comparison list here, you’d notice that I typically get peaches for $1.49/pound and I get 32 ounces of Tribe Hummus for $4.99 at Costco, whereas at Mom’s it would be $10.00 for 24 ounces. That’s $0.16 an ounce versus $0.42, or almost triple the cost. To be fair, I will say that there are some very loyal supporters of Mom’s and it is always nice to support local mom and pop companies. If you can afford it. Check out the review of Mom’s on Chowhound.com here to see much more positive, happy, shiny people than me talk about Mom’s.
Even though I have got to be one of the most annoying people to be around given that I’m both frugal with my money and frugal with my calories, I must have at least one redeeming quality b/c my friend stuck around long enough for us to go to lunch.
We ate at Rock Bottom Brewery where I had the Santa Fe Salad without added chicken. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly delicious!
it came with Tempura-battered banana peppers. At first I was like, “ugh, why do they have to fry the peppers” blah blah blah whine whine. Then I ate one and quickly shut my mouth long enough to continue gorging on the masterpieces I had originally dissed.
We then went to check out my friend’s local coffee shop and study spot where I will soon be joining her for study dates (don’t worry boyfriend I still love you, but I’ve got to spread my wings sometimes..;)
I know I’ve found a spot near and dear to my little hippie heart when the chalk calendar has MFA readings and folk music listed 
September Goal Update
You saw here where I said I wanted to do cardio 5xs a week, strength training 3xs a week and yadda yadda yadda, right? I’ll tell you about it in tomorrow because this post is waaaaaay too long and I’ve gots to study!
In the News
- Science Daily’s, “That Late-night Snack: Worse Than You Think” (9/7/09) here — Apparently if we eat at night when we’re supposed to be sleeping, our bodies are inclined to hold on to the calories. I think this is bogus, sorry. I think this is one of those cases where tests on mice do not translate to humans. Booya!
- Science Daily’s, “Why Cry? Evolutionary Biologists Show Crying Can Strengthen Relationships” (9/7/09) here — I don’t know about you guys, but I’m printing this one and keeping it handy so that next time I start bawling and my boyfriend is dumbstruck by it, I can tell him I’m taking one for the team and doing it for the sake of our relationship. BUAHAHAH!
Give-Away Round Up
- Three different give-aways: Win a $100 gift certificate for jewelry to inspire your active lifestyle, win a gift certificate to a boutique for children’s clothes and/or win 25 personalized/custom cards/invites here
How are you guys spending labor day? Do you feel your local farmers’ markets are affordable? Do you have a favorite study spot? Favorite local coffee shop?
<3, The Cranky One
Tags: chowhound.com, farmers market, grad students, Greek food, grocery price comparison, Mom's products, pupusas
8 People have left comments on this post
I love going to the farmer’s market but definitely not to save money. I like going there because the food is local and I can get organic, but yeah, I totally agree that if you shop wisely at the supermarket you can certainly save money.
I love my local starbucks. I usually only meet one friend there and we always have the best conversations so maybe that is why!
Good luck with the study!
girl I might be hitting your kitty up for some tutoring lessons
good luck with all your workie and have a great labor day, Annabel!
p.s. have you tried the breakfast cookie yet?!?! hope my email clarified things a little bit
I haven’t actually ever been to a farmers market. I do try to get as much of my grocery list as I can from the local store. Its a little more expensive but the food lasts longer without spoiling, so I think it evens out.
Farmers markets can be hit or miss with price. Sometimes it is much less to purchase items there than the bigger grocery store. Sometimes it is worth paying more because the product is better. Sometimes it isn’t.
My favorite thing to get at farmers markets is cheese. I love fresh cheese and will pay a little more for that.
The only coffee shop that is open late enough around here is Starbucks, and we go there, but prefer other places. We have breakfast at the other local coffee shops and sit to read the paper or just chitchat.
OK, I am thoroughly hungry after all those pics!!!!! Hole cow, YUMMY! And I LOVE the cat pic!!!!
As for the night eating thing, I am with you. My feeling is it is what & how much people are eating at night. Usually, it is mindless eating & too much of it. To each their own though!
Good luck with school!
I have a few farmers markets in my area and some are more expensive than others. The cheaper one I find a lot more affordable but I do, on occasion, shop at the other ones too (they are on different days – that’s why). For the most part, yes, it’s much cheaper to shop at a grocery store, but I do like supporting local farmers and talking to them about their produce. Luckily I’ve been able to stay within our budget while still doing so. It meant less meat on a weekly basis and a little more planning.
I love love love dips…you are making me hungry! I agree you have to be careful at the farmers market -it can get really pricey! can I get a rss through email on your site ? or just feeds?
1 Trackback(s)