• HOME
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • simple
    • meal planning
    • pantry
    • the basics
    • Air Fry
    • Pressure Cook
    • Slow Cook
  • joyful
    • hospitality
    • have a good time
    • foodie finds
  • food
    • appetizer
    • beef
    • chicken
    • dessert
    • drink
    • fish
    • lamb
    • salad
    • soup
    • starch
    • vegetable
  • NWAFOODIE
  • CONTACT
Simple Joyful Food

Eat happily

have a good time

How to eat fresh from the garden when you don’t have a garden.

June 5, 2018 2 Comments
How to eat fresh from the garden - main (c)nwafoodie

When I grow up, I want to eat fresh from my backyard garden. Do you have a backyard garden? Four years ago we moved into our home and started renovating. The inside is finished and while some parts of the outside are spiffed up, much of it still has a ways to go. Our backyard is wide open to any ol’ passerby, so the vanity in me wants it to be aesthetically appealing. Did I also mention we have a slope? And deer, fox, groundhogs and chipmunks? Thankfully, we have now moved into our outdoor renovation phase and once the hard-scaping is in place, let the gardens begin! Patience, Lyndi, patience.

Are we alike? Do you have aspirations for a home garden but not enough time, land, or whatever is needed to make it happen? It’s okay, because we have Plan B.

Plan B is buying locally what is farmed locally.

On Friday I ran around town and purchased groceries from here and there, all the while keeping my eyes peeled for local produce. Here’s a sample of what I found and I barely scratched the surface!

Walmart

I was happy to see that my local Walmart is calling out locally farmed produce. From cabbage to sweet potatoes to berries, I applaud this so stinkin’ much. Does your local Walmart have the same?

How to eat fresh from the garden - Walmart produce (c)nwafoodie

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - Walmart sweet potatoes (c)nwafoodie

 

Roadside Stands

As I made my way south to Whole Foods, I took the back road through Johnson and popped into a roadside stand. Not everything stocked was technically “local,” but I made sure to seek out the produce that was. It doesn’t take a lot of effort or time to go out of your way ever so slightly. I was in and out in five minutes flat.

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - roadside stand (c)nwafoodie

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - roadside blueberries (c)nwafoodie

 

Co-Op

After making my way to Whole Foods and stocking up on uncured peppered turkey bacon, I stopped into Ozark Natural Foods. They ALWAYS have an abundance of local items stocked and unique variations of the everyday produce. I’m proud of the way ONF takes care of the neighborhood.

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - ONF (c)nwafoodie

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - ONF turnips (c)nwafoodie

 

How to eat fresh from the garden - ONF greens (c)nwafoodie

 

These are just three ways to eat from the garden, even when you don’t have one. And while farmers markets are perhaps the most popular places to stock up, sometimes it takes just a little bit of exploring our backyard to uncover its delights.

Happy shopping.

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

Lyndi

You might also like...

Hey, don’t let your fresh basil go to waste. Make pesto and freeze it! “She brings her food from afar.” Don't throw away those fresh veggies - veggie drawer (c)thejoyofeatingwellA simple way to use up fresh veggies before they go bad.

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




  1. Kimberly Mitchell says

    June 8, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Another way to shop locally grown foods is through our new service at doslocosfarms.com and nwaonlinefarmersmarket.com. We deliver local produce right to your door!

    Reply
    • lyndi says

      June 24, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks, Kimberly! I enjoyed ordering from you guys!

      Reply

Looking for something?

hello + welcome

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogWell hello! Thanks for stopping by. I’m Lyndi Fultz and I have a passion for simplicity.

I believe that planning, prepping, and cooking meals can be a joy and not a daily dreaded chore.

Want to start eating happily? Join me as I encourage kitchen joy by focusing on simplicity.

Ready to get started?

Read more…

let’s connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

category search

Search by Year

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

simplejoyfulfood

Encourager of eating happily @simplejoyfulfood // local eats @nwafoodie

Lyndi Fultz
I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always hav I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always have a "little something" in the pantry to satisfy the little bit of sweet tooth that I have! After a zillion years of blogging, I can count on one hand the number of desserts that I've blogged about. So, when I do create a recipe and actually post it, I'm like, "Look at me, I'm a baker now!" hahaha Actually, it's not all about baking. For example, I just posted a recipe for Instant Pot creme brulee with a touch of lemon. Link in bio, of course! The ingredients are super simple and the pressure cooker makes it super fast and easy. Best of all? It is #lowcarb and #keto!
I don't know about you, but man I love a good sala I don't know about you, but man I love a good salad. The best thing about this salad (okay, besides the taste) is that the ingredients are sooooo easy to make ahead of time. That means you can dinner prep and toss this salad together at the last moment. As all good salad should do.⁠
The stars of this healthy salad are the hearty veggies: sweet potatoes and radishes. You’re going to roast them first. That’s right, roast!
A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong enough to sail on its own, yet perfectly willing to tag along with the main course. In fact, I think you’ll love serving this salad whenever you may have someone at the dinner table that is drawn to more-veggies and less-meat.⁠
⁠
It’s pretty isn’t it?
Savoring.⁠ Not rushed. ⁠ Not complicated. ⁠ Savoring.⁠
Not rushed. ⁠
Not complicated. ⁠
Special. ⁠
Eating happily is in the moments of a meal.⁠
⁠
Do I do this with every meal moment? I don't, yet I'm trying. And, when I do... it IS really special. Not special like, oooo look at this perfectly grilled filet with candles and fresh flowers. Instead, it's more like, hey - look at this moment we're enjoying  together or alone. It's about savoring, keeping it simple, and really focusing on the moment.⁠
⁠
I recently traveled and someone commented that they could never have me over because they would be embarrassed to cook for me because they don’t cook fancy. That made me sad and I was quick to say how much I focus on the simple things, the simple foods. The ones that aren't fancy! Honestly, mostly my food may look complicated but that's just styling. If you look at my pictures on my IG profile - or recipes on my blog - they're simple. Simple ingredients. Pecans. Beans. Fish. Martinis. :)⁠
⁠
If you ever need encouragement that you're on the right track by slowing down to savor, I'm here for you.
Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠ ⁠ Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠
⁠
A well-stocked pantry, that's what.⁠
⁠
I find that keeping a lean and purposeful pantry makes me breathe easier AND - ironically - makes me more creative in the kitchen. Have you ever felt that way?⁠
⁠
I am curious to know what are the top ingredients that you like to keep stocked in your pantry. 
⁠
I'll start:⁠
⁠
1) nuts for snacks⁠
2) canned diced tomatoes (for soup)⁠
3) small yellow potatoes⁠
4) spices⁠
5) pre-made sauces (for last minute assistance)⁠
⁠
Your turn!
Oh, hi!⁠ Are you striving to eat healthy and wan Oh, hi!⁠
Are you striving to eat healthy and wanting more veggies in your life? Maybe you keep saying, "I should eat more fish, or barley, or whatever." 

I'm curious, what ARE you saying you should eat more of?⁠
⁠
I'll start: 
I want to eat more fish.⁠

How I'll accomplish this habit goal: 
Buy the fish. Cook the fish.⁠
⁠
There, simple.⁠
Your turn.
Load More... Instagram

contact

lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

Copyright 2021 thejoyofeatingwell