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We at the Babbling Brook are excited about today’s opening day of the Delaware Farmers Market. For us, it feels like the start of the summer season, even though summer is officially a month away. Willow Brook is a proud sponsor of the farmers market, and the organization that operates it, Main Street Delaware. What do we love about the farmers market, and why do we support it? Here are just a few things:
We all have our favorites at the farmers market, don’t we? For example, I (Cathy) always look forward to locally-grown berries. Christina makes a beeline for the fresh baked goods and the tomatoes. Troy, our new CEO, says his favorite is apples. What is yours? I’ve found that even if you don’t have a particular fondness for the fresh foods, you can always find other treasures: handmade soap, flowers, gourd birdhouses, knitted and crocheted items, etc.
Speaking of fresh food, I want to acknowledge the Willow Brook culinary teams on all three of our campuses. Even during trying times of Covid, labor and food shortages, and spiking costs, they have held fast to the importance of the Willow Brook Way of dining: outstanding service, quality ingredients and presentation, and most importantly, creating delicious meals that people like and want to eat. Have there been struggles? Oh, yes. But the commitment and dedication is there.
I don’t know about you, but the Babbling Brook can’t wait for the delicious fruits and vegetables of summer to hit plates in the coming weeks! (Note: Willow Brook residents and family guests, if you love plant-based food year-round, you’ll be delighted to know that Willow Brook has dedicated vegetarian menus at its restaurants—just ask for one!)
Still need convincing about getting out to your local farmers market this season? According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.” Read the full article here for more information. You simply can’t go wrong with more vegetables and fruits in your diet!
Here in central Ohio, we are slated to have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. We hope you have a chance to be outdoors, feel the sunshine, and bask in the beginning of the warm-weather season. Our challenge to you? Enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits this weekend—bonus points if you get them from the farmers market! We’ll sign off today with two simple recipes for you to try. Let us know in the comments if you make them, or if you are able to visit a farmers market this weekend!
Fruit salad This recipe is about as easy as it gets, and it’s delicious! Mix together fresh fruit in a bowl, and serve! The Babbling Brook’s favorite fruits are red and green grapes, sliced strawberries, red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and pineapple, but use whatever fresh fruit you have available. Chopped apples, kiwi, mandarin oranges, and banana are also great choices. This salad should be deliciously sweet as is, but if you need a boost, a sprinkle of sugar or a drizzle of honey should do the trick. (Just remember, according to doctors, infants under one year of age should not consume honey.)
Corn salad Thanks to Kaitlyn, the Delaware Run dining supervisor and events coordinator, for sharing this recipe!
2 cups corn (fresh or frozen is best!)
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely diced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
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Yum! Thanks! We just picked up a nice loaf of sourdough bread!