Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Not Your Typical Tuesday - Chicago Farmers Market

This morning was a typical Tuesday morning. Wake up after hitting the snooze about 5 times which always makes me late but I will never learn. Fight my husband for space in the bathroom. After throwing my weight around in the bathroom it's off to fight my husband for space in the closet. We really should get a routine down so our morning are less hectic, what do you think? lol!

Walk the dogs, wait for the bus, get on the bus and deal with all the things that annoy me while riding the bus. Get off the bus and walk to work where I will be sitting in a cube for 8 hours. But wait, this Tuesday was different! As I was walking to work I spotted tents set up in a plaza:


Finally, after a very long winter, the Chicago Farmers Market in the loop are open for business! I don't think I can even put into words how excited I was to see such a wonderful sight. It's amazing how seeing some fruits, veggies and flowers can turn my Tuesday around!

My first purchases this year were some Rhubarb (which I have no idea what to do with) and Italian Garlic!


I was very happy to see one of my favorite stands. They sell all kinds of great canned items. I picked up a jar of dill pickles that I may or may not have opened the moment I bought them.



I also purchased some cheese:




Breakfast

I packed my breakfast today but once I got to work I decided I wanted something different. It was pretty cold and windy out so I needed something warm. I opted for a 1/2 cup of hash browns:



With, my favorite, Salsa Del Sol Jalapeno Hot Sauce:




Snack

My mid-afternoon snack ended up being what I had packed for my breakfast. Pineapple Chobani or as my husband says Cho-body. Cause you know Chobani makes Cho-body look and feel good! Okay, I will stop with the silliness!



Topped with some fantastic tasting granola:



Love this combination. The yogurt and granola are so filling!


Lunch

After shopping at the farmer's market I stopped by one of my favorite sandwich joints, Potbelly's. I ordered a Turkey with lettuce, onions, extra pickle, oil and hot peppers on my sandwich:



I don't usually include oil on my sandwich but this time around I forgot to tell them to hold the oil. I will not make this mistake again. I didn't like the taste or the greasiness the oil gave, my otherwise perfect, sandwich.

Happy Hour

My go to summer drink, Raspberry Vodka and Lemonade:


While enjoying my cocktail I had a half bowl of buffalo chicken soup:



Dinner

Started out really healthy with some lettuce, sunflower seeds, carrots and a vinaigrette dressing:


After the salad the health factor went downhill. A couple boneless buffalo wings were consumed:


As well as a couple slices of pizza with peperoni and green olive toppings:


What a busy day! One of those days where you do a ton but it feels like you accomplished nothing:(

Blog at ya later!

Question:

What do you make with Rhubarb?

I've never had rhubarb and don't know the first thing in preparing it. Any recommendations would be fantastic!

5 comments:

  1. Hey hey! Yayyy for the farmers market! I just love having fresh & local produce. I would have opened those pickles right away too!! Sounds like you had one fabulous on the go Tuesday! Maria at Two Peas and Their Pod has some great rhubarb recipes!

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  2. haha, hectic mornings!! Nick and I usually wake up about ten minutes apart, which is perfect to offset our routine so we don't have to fight for space.

    I very rarely buy rhubarb (in fact, I think I've purchased it ONCE!). I used it to make pie. Have you tried rhubarb pie?? Oh man, it's delicious!

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  3. Hiya! We have two big rhubarb plants that come back every year, and we've yet to use them. BUT we always give them to someone who will. My step-dad makes strawberry rhubarb pie, and our friends have made some really killer rhubarb crumble. I highly recommend NOT taking a bite of it raw - Dad Maun and I did that last year. BLECH.

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  4. Hey There!! I just found your blog and wanted to say hello since I'm a chicago blogger too!!! I love farmers markets, but the one closest to me is open only Tuesdays when i'm at work so I miss out big time! I love rhubarb strawberry jam. I bought a jar in Galena a few months ago and i can't seem to forget it. :)

    P.s. I'm hosting a giveaway for organic fair trade preserves! Does strawberry basil and blueberry merlot jam sound up your alley? :)

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  5. Good question-I've never had it! I love farmer's markets - they are always so much fun!

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