Why athletes hit up farmers markets for whole foods
By Karin Norby
We’re summer people, there’s no better way to put it.
So, it’s natural that we obsess (literally) over the change of seasons and the things that come with it. Today, we’re talking farmers market season, folks.
Whether you’re doing Alchemy 365 Challenge or not, run don’t walk to your nearest farmers market.
Why, you ask? Here we go…
1. Let’s be real, as athletes we eat a lot. And, at times it feels like you go to Whole Foods 2x/day stocking up on greens for your smoothie, vegetables for your eggs and whatever random beverage you snag at checkout. If you don’t believe me, go to Whole Foods Hennepin after a 6PM A20, everyone is wearing Alchemy gear.
So, break up your food shopping routine, we dare you. Go to the farmers market next weekend, meet your farmer, stock up on real, whole foods that have zero packaging beyond the tote you bring to toss them in.
2. Let’s talk produce diversity. Girl could eat a bunch of kale everyday of her life but as amazing as kale is, that limits one to only the nutritional benefits and prowess of kale. Why stop at kale? There is a wide world of greens out there – mustard greens, swiss chard, bok chard, broccoli rabe – and you get to see it allat the farmers market.
Katy and I scooped up mustard greens at the market yesterday and both looked at each other like … “can we put this in a smoothie?” Juicing or throwing in a smoothie is the ultimate default. But, my advice to you, pick up a cookbook that walks you through a different set of vegetables. My favorite, The Art of Simple Food, by Alice Waters. It walks through the greens by season – like OK, cool.
3. We like things that shake up the norm. Farmers market gets you outside, it gives you a deeper connection to your food and it’s a meaningful way to approach the food that you eat. This is the food that fuels your workouts. That’s a big deal to us, and we think it’s a big deal to you too.
4. The local favorites. This wouldn’t be complete without a list of our local favorites in the Twin Cities, right? So, here we go.
- Mill City – Saturdays // gorgeous view, impeccable selection
- Linden Hills – Sundays // I am bias because this was my first job out of college, but this market is pure magic and you will see the most beautiful families in Minneapolis.
- Saint Paul // Sundays // Can’t forget about our East Side crew, maybe you back to back it with a Saints game.
- Downtown // Thursdays // Relocated due to construction to Government Plaza. If you work downtown, no brainer, walk there. If you don’t work downtown and are afraid of anything downtown, go. Live park your car. We won’t tell anyone.
Farmers markets you guys, it’s time. When you buy vegetables with dirt on them – you’ve hit gold.
Karin Norby is a coach and Studio Manager at Alchemy North Loop. In her spare time this summer you can find her on near a body of water sipping kombucha.
