Really Missing the Farmers Market

 

Photo: "Healthy Food" by Spin Diva

I suddenly came to the realization that eating organic, market-fresh, good for me fruits and vegetables was going to be nearly impossible here in GiTMO and I am disappointed because this is, after all, a tropical island where things are supposed to grow abundantly year round.  So yes, my expectations were a little on the high side.  In the Dominican Republic, where I was born, we had just about everything we needed or wanted to eat growing all around us.  Not in GiTMO.  It seems that this beautiful weather comes with it's own set of consequences.  We have warm mornings, hot afternoons and cool nights in the Winter - everything gets about 20 degrees hotter in the Summer; however, we have the pool, the beaches and the AC to keep us cool.  Overall, it really is beautiful, every single day.  So what's the problem?  It doesn't rain.  The ground is dry, vegetation is scarce and the water is tightly controlled.  That's insane, how we could be surrounded by water (albeit, ocean water) and have such arid, dessert-like terrain.  That really stinks!!

I really miss the open air, farmers markets.  If you have them in your area, learn to appreciate them, visit them often and enjoy the real flavor of the foods you eat.  Unless one exists on base that I don't know about, it looks like I will have to depend on the food that we get at the Commissary (not always the freshest or bestest), frozen fruits and veggies (very limited options) and growing my own (Yikes!), I don't have the greenest thumb but maybe out of necessity I will acquire one, who knows. Will most likely be consulting my mother-in-law frequently in matters of the garden.

This makes being a semi-vegetarian very challenging but I'm up for it and will have to see what creative recipes I can come up with using only what's available to me from the produce and frozen isles; at least until something starts to grow in my own garden.  As for the dry goods I think I can make do with what we have. Many different types of grains are not available but I'm sure I can get someone back home to send me a box of goodies with things like Eight O'Clock Colombian Whole Bean Coffee (hint, hint), Quinoa, Bulgur Wheat, Barley and Sea Salt.  

In the mean time I will continue to climb that hill, get back in the swing of things with Spinning and Swimming.  The kids are spending a lot more time outdoors and because we are in such a small base there really is no competition or try-outs for sports, the kids just join a team and play "competitively" for fun, so we're looking at tennis, soccer, swim lessons and volley ball.  I'm really excited to get all that started. 

I hope you have resolved to not make resolutions this year; instead, put your time and energy into staying active, eating well, and enjoying life indefinitely!!

Stay Well,

For more GiTMO adventures check this out:  http://lifeingtmobay.blogspot.com/

Comments

[Lance]

Yikes! Sometimes we don't realize what we have until it's gone. On the sports front, very cool about your kids being able to join right in and play!

[Life coach]

Really Missing the Farmers Market... Cool post...

[health information]

I miss it too and it's been a while since I visited your blog but your still giving me a lot of new information and I know I miss a lot of thing when I'm gone some I'll just keep on reading those things I missed.

[Janice Lynne Lundy]

Dear Ms. Spin Diva,
Our mutual friend, Lance, suggested I pop in here. That you had commented on Audra's site and that you were reading my book, Your Truest Self. I just wanted to say that I am honored and blessed that you are doing so. Thank you! And to read that you feel it is helping you rediscover yourself is simply wonderful. You made my day. Let me know if I can support you in any way. May you believe, breathe and be well!

Blessings,
Jan Lundy
www.awakenedliving.com
www.awakeisgood.com

[Sara]

I just came to your site from Audra's site. You're right, I should appreciate the fresh vegies and fruit I get regularly at the grocery store. The only time I've experienced what you're talking about was in Switzerland and their markets in the late winter are absent many vegies and fruits, but it didn't compare to shopping at the Commissary. Thank goodness you sound like a creative and persistent person -- I think you'll figure out a way to make those healthy meals!!!

I liked what you said about the kids playing. To me, that's the best kind of play...just pick up and everyone joins in:~)

[Terie]

Hi Janice. I'm so honored to have the author of this awesome book visiting and leaving a comment. This is so exciting :-) I'm just glad to have found you because the timing was perfect. I will continue to read and see what I find within me. Thanks again for visiting. Many blessings to you as well.

[Terie]

Sara, thank you for being here. It is very challenging sometimes to make do with those little things we no longer have. It's a valuable lesson for us all, even my kids are realizing this. The other day my youngest daughter said "can't we just get some of those panda puff cereal from Trader Joe's?" Ummm no. I'm still doing my homework on how I can get things to grow in my sandy, salty back yard.

Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment.
Terie

[Terie]

Hey Lance. Thanks for coming over, I wish I had coffee to offer ;-) Yes, I do agree that the best way for kids to learn sports and sportsmanship is to let them play, regardless of their skills. They will get better and soon learn but they first need a chance and encouragement. They seem to have a lot of that here!!