May Happy Hippy Mama

Hi All-

It is officially spring...I think lol!  I am so beyond excited about the warmer weather and sunshine.  I am looking forward to gardening and visiting farmers markets.  I am also gearing up for the May Whole30 and the promise of yummy local fresh foods is definitely keeping me motivated.

For those of you that missed last months column, I invited readers to join me in a month-long spring reset, by doing a May Whole30.   Whole30 is a 30-day clean-eating plan designed to clean up your eating habits by cutting out foods that might be having a negative impact on your health. Yes, I am talking about the foods that are super hard to give up: dairy, sugar, grains, legumes, and alcohol. But, please trust me when I tell you it is worth it! Visit The Happy Hippy Mama page on Facebook to see more information, and join the group Happy Hippy Mama and Friends do Whole30.  Doing a Whole30 with the support of a group is an amazing experience and I strongly encourage you to give it a try.

Now, let’s go back to my earlier excitement about gardening and Farmers Markets.  Fresh local foods are prolific in the greater Cleveland area. We are blessed with a number of ways to fill our baskets and fridges. Farmers Markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, and Open Air Markets top my list.  

I have highlighted a few local options below.  

Farmers Markets-

Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow– Countryside kicked off its 16th year of hosting farmers’ markets in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on April 20.  Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. through October 26, 2019, Countryside will bring dozens of Northeast Ohio’s best farmers and food producers to 4040 Riverview Road in Peninsula. This season, 73 vendors, including 12 new ones, will be participating in the market, selling fresh, seasonal, local produce as well as meats, cheeses, eggs, grains, baked goods, handcrafted gifts, and much more. In addition, according to their website, you “can enjoy live music, weekly cooking demonstrations, and children’s activities facilitated by Spring Garden Waldorf School beginning June 8th.” For more information, check out their website at http://www.cvcountryside.org/.

Tremont Farmers’ Market–  Tremont Farmers’ Market is starting its 14th season on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the historic Lincoln Park in Cleveland, Ohio, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market is under new management and is welcoming back old vendors and booking new ones. Come for the wonderful local fresh food and baked goods, but stay for the music and chef demos.  Visit the market Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tremontfarmersmarket/ for more information.

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) -

Community Greenhouse Partners- CGP is located at 6527 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44103, and consists of one hard shell greenhouse and five soft shell hoop houses.  Community Greenhouse Partners is excited to offer a CSG (Community Supported Greens) program once a week. Shares can be picked up starting Sunday, May 12, 2019, and will go through the week ending Saturday, October 5, 2019.  Weekly pickup locations include: The Coit Road Market on Wednesdays or Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1p.m., the Tremont Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the LEAF CommunityFarmers Market on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and at Community Greenhouse Partners, 6527 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44103, Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are 50 shares available at a cost of $200 per share.  Participants will receive the following: 2 full heads of various types of lettuce, 1 bag of other salad or cooking greens (arugula, kale, spinach, etc) and 1 box of Sunflower or Pea Microgreens each week.  Deliveries are available for an additional $4 per delivery. For more information about this unique program, check out their webpage at http://communitygreenhousepartners.org/.

Open Air Markets-

Cavotta’s Garden Center and Urban Farm Market– Cavotta’s opens April 22, 2019, Monday- Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cavotta’s is located at 19603 Nottingham Rd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44110, and has something for everyone: annuals, vegetable plants, perennials, hanging baskets, over 150 varieties of tomatoes, herbs, statuary, fresh eggs, honey from bees raised at the property, vintage items, and now a bar you can visit for a glass of wine while you shop. (The wine bar will be open Thursday-Sunday during business hours, May-October.)   The owners share their space with goats, chickens, and rabbits, many roaming freely on the property and greeting visitors. For a unique oasis in an urban area, visit Cavotta’s. While there, pick up a few vegetable plants to try your hand at growing your own local produce. The small cost of the plant is worth it when the fruits of your labor grow. For more information and to hear about special events, visit their website at http://www.cavottas.com/.

Coit Road Market–  The Coit Road Market (often referred to as the Coit Road Farmers Market) has been an anchor on Cleveland’s east side since 1932, with a mission of providing access to affordable, locally grown farm fresh products to the residents of Greater Cleveland. This is a year-round indoor market located at 15000 Woodworth Rd near East 152nd and Noble Rd. East Cleveland, OH 44110.  “Situated at the heart of one of Cleveland’s most challenged areas, the Market offers an oasis of green, fresh and nutritious foods, from produce to baked goods, local cheeses to free-range meats. More than 20 vendors serve thousands of customers year-round providing one of the region’s few winter markets. Customers can meet the grower or preparer and know the source of the food and how it is processed” boasts the market’s website.  The market hours are Saturday (year-round) 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday (June to Oct) 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit the market website for more information http://www.coitmarket.org/.

If these local options excite you, check out the full article I wrote about fresh local foods at:

https://wishcleveland.com/a-fresh-look-at-local-fresh-foods/

This Months Mantra:

I change my thoughts I change my world.

Let's keep the conversation going on Facebook or by email at HappyHippyMama@yahoo.com.

Until next time…

Namaste :)





Emily Holody

A Peninsula, Ohio, native, Emily Holody is a stay-at-home mother and freelance writer with a degree in Sociology from Kent State University. She has a background in mental health and social work, loves yoga, all things outdoors, and lives in Euclid with her childhood sweetheart and their family.

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Volume 10, Issue 5, Posted 10:36 AM, 05.05.2019