Getting ready for the Farmers Market

Truth be told, getting ready for the Farmers Market was not fun. It was really hard for me to figure out what permits and licenses I needed to have to legally participate. It was hours on the phone and hours pouring over paperwork and figuring things out. Here in Cheyenne anyway, it is a mess. I am hoping it will be worth all the fuss. It was frustrating because I am giving all of my time to making my Whole Foods Binder System fantastic, and all of the hoopla took away from that time. Oh, well. Moving onward and upward.

I juiced and mixed smoothies for 4 hours the morning of the Market. If I am going to have a job, then I'm glad this is it!

I made apple juice, carrot juice, apple carrot ginger juice, lemonade with stevia, lemonade with honey, a strawberry smoothie and a blueberry smoothie.

I put them in coolers with ice and packed up all of the tables and other paraphernalia I would need.  I was more prepared than I thought I would be. Thank goodness for that! I could not have just run home for more supplies! Thankfully the things that did not get brought were provided by my good friend Verena who is very thoughtful.

I used my Jack Lalane juicer. It is not a high end juicer but I am very pleased with its performance. I have used nicer ones, but I couldn't be happier with the one I have. It is fairly easy to clean and does a good job extracting the juice. There is a bit of pulp that makes its way into the final product, but I have seen that with more expensive juicers too. I just put a paint strainer over the rim of my pitcher and do a final straining before I drink it. That works good.

I put all of the pulp from juicing in our chicken coop. They can eat what they want and the rest decomposes and makes a nice fertilizer mixed with chicken droppings. I don't feel like there is any waste this way. Some people save the pulp and put it in baked goods. I don't take the time to bake very often and I don't want my freezer filled with pulp, so it becomes chicken fodder.

I did good at the market. Juice is a good thing on a hot day for people who are conscious of what is going into their bodies. Soft drinks would be cheaper but they detract from health rather than adding to it.
I was so busy there that I did not take any pictures! I really meant to but it just didn't happen. Next time...
I learned a lot and found which juices were popular, so next week will go even more smoothly. It is worth it after you get all of the requirements done.
Happy Healthy,
Elisa