We love vegetables. And we’ve already eaten all of our loot from Saturday’s market!
Time for another visit:
This market was located on the other side of town in a nice park. It was a lot smaller than Saturday’s, but still had plenty of stuff.
I wasn’t happy about biking there because of the dark clouds looming (call me wicked, but I do melt in rain!) but I am ALWAYS happy once I’m riding my bike. Just the thought of riding throws me off! We biked about 20 minutes across town and I was so glad we did.
Now I will be the first one to tell you how much TLC goes into local produce and how dollars spent at the farmer’s market go towards more valuable things than the produce you come away with.
But my GOSH did $30 disappear quickly tonight. $14 flew out of my wallet on just tomatoes (like 4 lbs of them 😳 ), green beans and eggplant at one stand. I used to be able to get a full week’s worth of veggies for the same price. We’ve been on a grocery budget cutback ever since the Thanksgiving Challenge of yesteryear. No more than $200 / month, TOPS. And we’ve done a really good job (thanks also to the help of a baking husband and blog swag.) But I think I’m going to loosen the reigns just a bit. Charlottesville is all about really great local food, and I’ve never gotten to play at farmer’s markets like I can here. And this week so many of our meals have been nearly 100% local ingredients. It’s totally worth spending a little more.
On our way home, we got rained on again, so we decided to duck into a conveniently placed restaurant we’ve been wanting to try: Continental Divide.
There’s no signage – just "GET IN HERE"
But on the inside, it was very nice!
Thirst overcame us and we ordered a margarita. Not as good as a Spice-a-Rita from Mono Loco, but still very good. I’m acquiring a taste for them!
Salt and all
To eat I ordered the Bean + Cheese burrito, which came with a nice tomato sauce and rice.
They were filled with portabello mushrooms and yellow peppers.
I’d love to write: "After just one of these i was stuffed," but in reality, i could have easily demolished both. But to follow the ole Japanese saying of stopping when you’re 75% full, I ate one and most of my rice and left the second for lunch. Simply noting this because being an intuitive eater sometimes means mentally stopping before you want to.
That is until the pumpkin muffin arrives 🙂
This guy came with my meal and was a bit late coming out, so it made a great dessert. I split him with Matt.
Matt’s pork tacos were out-stand-ing!
This afternoon I loaded up stock to take over to Jess’s to make her some recovery oatmeal.
She enjoyed a nice sampling of each nut butter on top of her whipped banana chia oats 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better soon Jess!
Before we departed for the market, I nibbled on half an Alliebar to tide me over. LOVE these and it’s my last one!
A little bit of work left to do and then it’s chillax until bedtime. Nite!
Evan Thomas says
You have to admire any restaurant that says “get in here”, as long as it isn’t at the back of an alley.
I’ll definitely go crazy at the farmer’s market sometimes. I know honey from a local farmer isn’t 100% necessary, but it tastes soooo good!
Stacey says
Glad you had a good bike ride! Guff. I can’t imagine spending $30 at a farmers market! That seems expensive, but I guess it’s easy to do when there is a lot of tasty produce sitting around just staring at you 😀
Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) says
What a great favor. I’m a big fan of packing up oatmeal components when traveling; it makes you feel excellently prepared — at least, for breakfast — no matter what the rest of the day might bring. Kind of like carrying around a piece of home to evade homesickness, in a bizarre way!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I hate veggies, but I love margaritas!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please says
I’ve been having a hard time saving money at farmers markets lately too. But 4 lbs of tomatoes is worth it, right?
Tina says
I love that statement that being an intuitive eater means sometimes stopping before you want to because you know you’re body is satisfied. I think that is one of the biggest indicators of someone in control of their relationship with food. Awesome!
And I’m surprised the local food is more $$ there. Here, it usually is cheaper or at least very comparable. Still adds up though.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
What a great friend you are! You know the price is the hardest part of local fresh food. We are a family of 4 on one income. Budget is the one thing that can’t be messes around with. Your dinner looks delicious. I hope you two enjoy your evening!
Chelsea says
I find that about a lot of exercise..the thought of it sometimes throws me off, but as soon as I am doing it I am so happy that I started. Money goes so fast at farmers markets, but I agree with you about sometimes local food is so so worth it! Glad you are enjoying the food there!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Lol, yeah, I often overspend at farmers’ markets too– there’s just so much good stuff!!
What a sweet oatmeal recovery kit!
Maggie says
#1: Love the sign. “Get in here” = brilliant.
#2: Love that Matt is wearing a Magic Hat t-shirt. Yum!
#3: Love the Wednesday night margarita. Plus salt. 🙂
Liza @ Health Nutting says
Farmer’s markets ARE so expensive! But I agree, local food is very important.
And btw, that peanut butter you showed here and before looks amaaaazing!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
It’s impossible not to spend too much at a farmers market – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have that problem! I want EVERYTHING!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
You’re such a great friend. I would definitely be calling you if I just had surgery. They sounds great 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I always travel with oatmeal too, pre-mixed with stevia, cinnamon, and protein powder. It’s such an easy thing to make and a healthy option when there’s not much else to choose from! Glad you had a good bike ride. That pumpkin muffin looks delicious!
Hannah says
Aw, you’re such a nice friend! And sharing your amazing new nut butters too… that’s generosity!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I think we have the same pair of shorts! Sounds like Jess has a great friend!
Heather says
love that, “get in here” lol!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
what a nice friend you are 🙂
Re the cost of local produce, it is so worth it isnt it!? Just the taste difference is enough to make me always choose markets over the supermarket. Esp with tomatoes. Supporting local farmers is the other perk. Good work!
Heidi xo
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Some of the best restaurants don’t have flashy signs (or any signs) at all!! My favorite one here simple says “Eat here”. Like hmmm..thanks for taking the thought process out of it! 😀
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
You’ree too cute in your bike helmet 🙂
I agree- local veggies are worth a little more, a taste a LOT better!
& mm… margarita.. get in my belly!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I love what you said about intuitive eating. There’s a fine line between “Hey, I really want this” and “Hey, I’m still hungry for this.” I’m still trying to find the balance!!
Local produce is definitely worth the extra dough 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Can’t go wrong with pumpkin muffins and margarhitas!
Brittany says
Ahh… it’s almost time for all things pumpkin. That pumpkin muffin has me wanting to go buy a can of pumpkin tonight. 🙂
Laura (Starloz) says
Oh oh, mexican burrito. thats what i want, yummo
barefootgirl says
“get in here” .. I love it!!
I used to allow myself $20 at the Farmers’ market each week, but found that sadly, I left with far less than I had expected.
My hubby & I joined a CSA this year ( thus my blog) we are loving it!! Granted, we spent a lot up front, but the amount of produce that we are receiving is amazing!! All organic and local. For the last 2 weeks we have received over 20 pounds of tomatoes ( some heirloom)!!
And there is something very exciting about not knowing what new veggies you will get from week to week…
Just a thought.. perhaps you could do some research for next year. we are oven the moon happy with our decision to join our CSA… I can’t imagine us not doing this again..
and you ARE a great friend… what a great gift to give your healing friend!!
Katryn@RampantCuisine says
Totally can relate…groceries add up fast…especially when they’re fresh! It’s worth it though!
Camille says
That’s a rockin burrito!
Enjoy the rain! At least it is nice and cool for you guys!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I’m always yapping to my mom about how thrifty you are. “Kath and Matt don’t use AC…Kath and Matt bike everywhere…”
We are one thriiiiiiifty family too and it’s nice to have someone else to make me feel normal 🙂 Food can get expensive but for people who love it so much, it’s worth it. I would gladly give up clothes and shoes for food, ya know?
You sure make those AllieBars last!
Kim says
Oh how I wish we could go without AC.
Thankfully ours doesn’t cost much extra each month and what it does cost is totally worth it. Our condo is south facing and my bedroom has been 108 degrees in the summer. We leave it off at night and when I get up in the morning it is already 80 degrees in our living room. Yuck!
Dynamics says
I say splurge on the tomatoes before they are gone. Next year you will save money when you grow your own.
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Enjoy all the farmers markets, but your right, it’s kinda spendy but worth it. did you bike in flip flops? That seems uncomfortable.
Kath says
I’m used to it by now
Heather says
I agree that Farmer’s Markets are sooo expensive but I think the produce I walk away with tastes so much better.
Look into a CSA – we have saved a lot of money with ours this summer!
Simply Life says
that burrito looks delicious! We stick to a food budget (grocery and going out) and it makes a HUGE difference when you really pay attention to where you’re spending and where you can save!
Erin says
We are in Northern California and I do most of my shopping at the farmer’s market. I spend $50 a week for a family of five. We come home with 3 or 4 giant bags full of produce. The difference in price is incredible. I think people would be more inclined to eat local if it were more affordable.
Kirsten says
Love farmers markets. Where I live in Japan the farmers market isn’t more expensive than grocery stores, actually it’s less expensive. Buying local is a really small movement so most of the people who go are not going to pay more for local veggies. Plus most of those farmers sell to the supermarkets here. The farmers just get a higher cut of the profits this way.
Gree says
This is such an exciting time to eat from Farmer’s Markets, everything is just bursting! I do think CSA’s are more affordable than the market, though if we shop around we can usually make it out of ours under $30.
Lindsay says
That dinner looks so good! Jealous! Love that huge bowl of tomato sauce with yours…
emily says
Chillax made me smile, my husband and I say that all the time!
Paula says
You spend only $200 a month on groceries? That is excellent. Is that for food only? When I think grocery bill, I include other items I pick up at the grocery store outside of food items. I would assume eating out is not included in this $200 dollars is it? Share some secrets with rest of us as our grocery bill never averages $50.00 week. It is great you support the farmer’s market! It is so important. Our supports an “eat local food” challenge every summer.
Christena says
Oh, this is a good idea! There are just two of us in my household and our grocery bill is at least double yours. I do know that we buy more meat than you & I’m sure that’s a large part of it. I would like to see a thrifty grocery shopping post, though!
Erin says
Third-ed! I think I’m a pretty thrifty grocery shopper but I’d love some more tips and suggestions on how to stretch dollars further while buying delicious, nutritious food.
Liza says
I’m wondering the same thing. Is eating out included in your $200 budget? If so, impressive!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
lately i’ve been going to the farmer’s market just as it’s closing – you can get amazing deals!
Erin says
I have absolutely no veggies or fruit in my apartment right now — I really need to get my butt to the grocery store but I have so many leftovers, I’ve been picking at that all week. Love the farmer’s market but I can’t wait for my CSA baskets to start next month. 😀
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
What a hilarious place: Get in Here. I’d go for sure!
Thanks for sharing that “stop when you are 75% full” idea — that sounds like an awesome way to eat, because it takes my stomach a while to catch up and before I realize it, I’m stuffed!
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
I really wish we had a great farmer’s market around here. Unfortunately we only have one on Tuesday night and there’s not much variety. :/ BUT, it’s better than nothing I suppose. 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
all i want in life now is a restaurant with a “get in here” sign…PERFECT!
Esse says
You gotta get the fresh veggies while you can! Yum on the pumpkin muffin. While I don’t love fall (summer all the time!) – I do love pumpkin. It has such a comforting taste. Yay for the new products in the Kerf Shop!
Chelsey says
i can’t even believe how much money i spend on produce alone. ::sigh:; but it’s worth it!!
Jess says
Thanks for the oatmeal TLC today! Twas delicious! I’m one lucky girl! Thanks a million!
Wei-Wei says
I think it’s “hara hachi bu” which actually means 80%. I wouldn’t have been able to stop at the first one and just “nibbled” my way through half (or more) of the second one. Will you ever do a series on intuitive eating?
RJ says
aaah you beat me to it! I wanted to let Kath know that she can have an extra 5%. 80% all the way!
Kath says
Ha!
I feel like I put little intuitive eating tidbits in throughout – it’s hard to sit down and write a big post at once. But I’ll think about it!
Laura @ Blogging Over Thyme says
That restaurant looks delish! I think I’m going to be coming down to C-ville sometime soon to visit UVA nursing school, so I really can’t wait to try some of the restaurants you’ve so nicely previewed for me 🙂
I love farmer markets, even if you sometimes spend more money than you think you should/will! Definitely worth it, it really has effects that go way beyond just your own kitchen.
SallyH says
Lots of great notes in this post. The 75% full advice, and your grocery budget. For my family of 3, we spend $125 a week (my son has dairy allergies so some of our products are simply more expensive than typical items) but we only go out (generally) 1 night a week and buy lunch 1x a week. I do spend money on a bottle of wine or a 6-pack of beer 1x a week. So I do wonder, if it isn’t too personal, how you manage your eating out/alcohol budget too.
SallyH says
Oh, and I second the request for more thoughts on intuitive eating. And how that differs, maybe, from how you used to eat. I finally found those Biscoff cookies you talk about and bought them for my office today. I probably at 12 of them dipped in my coffee. (Really good, and they remind me Anna’s Ginger Thins which you should try if you haven’t.) I’d love to eat more decadent foods in smaller portions more often, but have a very hard time at eating small amounts of anything. If the cookies are in my house, I will eat 3x what I should.
janna @ janna's keeping it real says
with a sign like “get in here”, you HAVE to know it’s going to be good. that is fantastic! he he he
I love the intuitive eating portion of this (and many of your posts). I often struggle with this, but blogs like yours really help reinforce this very important aspect of eating! Plus, who likes being *stuffed*!?!
Nicole @ yuppie yogini says
Spending your money of locally grown, organic food is probably one of the best things you can do for your body and the environment. I wish someone could come up with an equation to show how much money one saves when buying local & organic due to lower medical bills, etc… That would make food shopping such a different experience.
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
I can’t imagine spending only $200 a month on groceries (although I wish that were the case)! Granted, most items in NYC are far more expensive than other locations, but I didn’t realize there was that much of a difference. Does that include non-food grocery items (TP, paper towels, soaps, etc)?
Kelly says
It definitely does depend on market. I lived in Boston for years and recently moved to Chicago and also have family in Minnesota. I’m always amazed at how much cheaper groceries are in Chicago in Boston and in Minnesota than Chicago. Gotta love cost of living variability.
marla says
You and Matt are having such fun daily!
When will Matt open his bakery ?Is it a while off to go yet and if so how is he keeping busy or is he going to enjoy a few months off work after his crazy bakery hours recently?
You guys must be really amazing budgeting your life.I can’t imagine the expenses with
moving and waiting to open a new biz. I am truly impressed !
Anyways you two are a cute couple bicycling to dinners etc 😉
jaclyn@todays lady says
Money does go fast at the farmers market!! But I think it’s well worth it, there are much worse things you could be spending money on!!
Those burritos sound so good!! I know what you mean about sometimes stopping eating before you want to. It’s so easy to just let yourself go past being comfortably full with good meals like that 🙂
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
Kath, Haven’t checked out your bloggie in a while…
Just saw your new header – awesome! So pretty! 🙂
Marina says
Yumm, your dinner and that dessert look awesome.
I don’t like spending too much money on fruits and veggies, because I know that they can be cheaper, but sometimes, you just have to give in. We all need are healthy food, right? 🙂
Jac says
Veges are getting expensive nowadays..
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
food shopping is so expensive these days, but when you can find locally grown produce its totally worth spending that bit extra the taste difference from that to the mass produced stuff in the supermarket is amazing!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Farmers Markets can definitely cost a little more than normal, but you’re right. SO, so, SO worth it! Every penny is worth it. 😀
Lauren says
Fun day! I love the restaurant sign – very clever and unique.
I am so impressed that you and Matt were able to stick to a $200/month grocery budget for so long. I typically spend between $100 & $200/week (for my husband and me)! I completely agree with you that local, organic, healthy foods are totally worth spending more on. Since I spend so much money on groceries, I cut back in other areas – I suppose I place whole foods pretty high on my priority list 🙂
Yay for pumpkin! Boston store shelves have been bereft of my favorite fall ingredient for months now, and I’m hoping for a re-stock soon. I see many pumpkin muffins, oatmeal, pancakes etc. in my near future :).
MelanieF says
200$ a month is impressive. We spend 80$ a week on groceries and we eat out 1 x per week. I would say we spend around 400$ a month on groceries and eating out. Sometimes, it might be a little bit more, depending on our activities.
MelanieF says
We are only my BF and myself…and a furry little cat!
Sara says
magic hat- reppin’ VT. love!
R @ Learning As I Chop says
$200 a month? Wow. Amazing.
Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) says
I’m certainly jealous of your farmers market adventures. One question…how do you haul the loot back on your bikes? Just curious. This is why I don’t ride my bike to our local market.
Kath says
Matt wears a backpack and takes the heavy stuff and I put the gentle stuff in a bag in my bike basket. We have smashed some things though 🙁
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I totally agree that it’s worth it to spend a little bit more on local produce. It always tastes so much better too! 🙂
anne says
Great post Kath!!
My husband and I also aim to only spend $200 on groceries/month. Eating out (minimally) is additional. People think it’s impossible but we eat really well and are both really active. Although our local farmers market generally sells produce cheaper than our grocery stores,
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
Only $200 a month??
My husband and I easily spend $300/mo. Of course, we don’t eat out much either (once, maybe twice, a week, and rarely more than $20 in a sitting). And since we both work full-time, I don’t have time to bake my own bread, so expensive Food For Life bread it is! Plus, my husband is a Food Vaccuum. He now works in agriculture/manual labor in the intense Texas 100 degree heat. He’s always had a high metabolism, but now it’s just insane! He’s already at the lower end of his healthy weight range, so he doesn’t need to lose any more weight!
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Your burrito came with a pumpkin muffin?? Interesting restaurant, haha. The food looks really good though.
Your grocery budget is very impressive- where you do fit in certain staples that might cost more $$ though? Like olive oil, etc.
Jazz says
Grocery prices definitly depend on where you live, I love visiting the States for the cheap food! In Canada a lot of products are DOUBLE the price!
Clare says
So true, Jazz. I was wondering if any Canadians were going to weigh in on this. We’re a family of five and even though our children are small and don’t eat a ton yet, $200 of groceries would last us less than a week ( and we’re vegetarians). I think that farmers markets are not as abundant here too ( or at least not where we live). I’m sure that having one close by would bring our grocery bill down as I find we make very frequent trips to the store for fresh greens, fruit etc. and then a few extra things find their way into the cart 😉 Looking forward to preschool/school starting up again so I can go grocery shopping ALONE;)
Rachael @ Houston Health Blogs says
Wow only $200 bucks a month… there are just two of us but since I don’t get much free swag and only buy organic produce our bill is over $400 easy. Dang. I need to “re-look” at it I guess.
Angharad says
I completely agree that it’s worth spending a little bit more money for the value I get out of going to the farmers’ market and supporting local farmers/getting super fresh produce. It’s such an experience you’re paying for on top of the goods themselves!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I love mid-week farmers’ markets. The veggies from Matt’s little garden should help offset your costs a bit 🙂
I’m assuming the $200/month is for groceries only, and does not include eating our a restaurants?
Jen says
Maybe now that Matt does not get free bread (and free meals at GH each shift) your budget for groceries might increase a bit? Your $200 average is probably from before you lived in C’Ville?
Kath says
No, we still won’t buy bread. He’ll make it at home.
Kathryn says
Just curious…do you cover intuitive eating somewhere on your blog? I’ve heard you reference it several times but I don’t know that you have covered is as a topic. I’d be very interested in your thoughts.
Kath says
Just bits and pieces. Although I think I wrote a review of the book…I’ll look for the post
Kath says
Found it!
https://www.katheats.com/too-much-to-say/
Kathryn says
Great! Thanks so much.
Jordan says
It’s so hard for me to let go of my money for farmer’s market produce. We are usually so wasteful with it. I’m bad with meal planning and am happy to give that up to eat out. 🙁 It’s such a strain on our budget and bellies. I’m trying to fix that though!
Amber K says
I can’t imagine being able to do $200 a month. That is AWESOME! My husband and I spend more like $500. Dang food intolerances and liking mostly non-processed foods. When I buy certain items I have to go with some expensive brands to not eat a million chemicals. And organic produce? Ouch! But it’s worth it.
Sara says
I find local farmers’ markets to actually be more cost effective–plus the feeling of supporting a local farmer, citizen and business–plus your community–is indeed priceless!