farmer’s market

Last Updated on April 15, 2025

Yesterday I got rockstar parking at the Farmers Market.

A local honey vendor I like (but was my second favorite) has a new orange blossom blend, which is now my new favorite.

The adorable tomato guy with the most gorgeous, best-tasting tomatoes was there. I didn’t even have to wait in line. I can see, feel and taste the love these tomatoes exist in. They are a gift that keeps on giving. I love when food is this way. It makes me beyond happy.

I didn’t see the Japanese couple who I bought the most amazing Koji Chili Oil & Kinzanji Miso from last time, but just thinking of them & remembering how I want to buy these 2 things as a gift for everyone because I can’t imagine life without them now…made me happy.

I made the decision to buy 2 bouquets of flowers. It felt like a big splurge. As I was about to pay, a random man came up, bought them for me, and walked away. Cool!

I saw the ex-wife of a boss I had years ago. I hadn’t seen her in probably 15 years. I hesitated to say hello, but then decided to call her name. It was such a sweet exchange. She seemed so genuinely happy to see me and hear about my life.

I asked the date farmer how she likes to eat dates and how many she eats a day. It was such a fun conversation. She limits herself to 4 usually and likes to stuff them with a bit of Mini Babybel cheese from Trader Joe’s. The kind in the red wax. I’m going to try that. I eat 2-3 a day and sometimes add honey peanut butter and a walnut.

I decided to spend the money I saved on flowers on a grass fed, grass finished steak. This means the animals eat grass their entire lives. I had a great conversation with a ranchers daughter about her dad’s favorite cut, Coulotte Steak. I decided to try it. I’ll let you know how it is.

Sometimes I spend more at the Farmers Market than I do at the grocery store. If the amount of money was the only metric, I probably wouldn’t go to the Farmers Market. But as my Financial Guide client, Beth Crittenden, recently pointed out, the true cost of something is related to the true value of it and how it impacts my life. This hour at the farmers market was an incredibly rich, vibrant part of my day, my week actually. The nourishment I received in friendliness, genuine conversation fueled by love of food, earth, animals, and health, and tiny miracles of generosity blew my mind before even having one bite of the food I bought. These warm feelings impact me in such a positive way.

As I refreshed my altars with lovely spring flowers, gently arranged my tomatoes and prepped the dough to make focaccia to enjoy them with, I noticed the carry over effect of how calm, warm, and relaxed I felt. Not every Farmers Market trip is this magical, but the potential for this magic and more is always there.

I’m grateful for people who grow and sell food with love. I value that so much. I add all my love when I prepare the food, then it’s off the charts. I receive so much more nourishment this way.