Tag Archives: organic

West End Vancouver Farmers Market

West End Farmers Market  Saturdays, June 1 – October 19, 2013
9am – 2pm each week
1100 Block of Comox Street across from Nelson Park at Mole Hill

After reading more health books, I realized how much toxins are really in our daily food, and how it is affecting us, unfortunately in a negative way. I’ve been able to eliminate eating canned foods, frozen meals, and processed snacks. My appetite has been pretty good, meaning that I don’t get that empty stomach feeling between meals, craving for food, especially sugar.

I had switched from eating ‘normal, regular’ gum, to sugar-free gum (make sure it’s not sugarless! There’s a difference between sugar free and sugarless. Sugar free means it’s free of sugar. Sugarless means there’s just ‘less’ sugar) However, all of them had aspartame, which I have read some negative reviews on, so I’ve switched to a gum that contains no aspartame. I thought it would be expensive, but surprisingly, a pack cost on $1.29 (contains 10 per pack) – not bad. By the time of this posting, I have completely gotten rid of my gum addition. I no longer chew gum at all, so now I have 3 packs of non-aspartame gum just sitting on my shelf. I guess it’ll come in handy at one time or another, and it’s not something that would go bad.

Last but not least, eating fresh vegetables and fruits that are organic! This can be pricey…so don’t try to go all organic overnight. It can be overwhelming, for you and your wallet. Try buying them when they are on sale, or even better, if you have a yard, why not start growing your own?

If you don’t have a yard, or not well enough to garden, then you can go check out the Vancouver Farmers Markets around Vancouver and Lower Mainland. Check out their website at eatlocal.org to see other locations, dates and times.

idearabbit-farmersmarket3

idearabbit-farmersmarket

idearabbit-farmersmarket2

European Breads Bakery: Wheat-free & Gluten-free

European Breads Organic Crepe Cafe & Bakery on Urbanspoon

A new bakery opened up awhile ago in downtown that sells wheat-free and gluten-free bakery! I found out about them on some deal sites, they were doing 50% discounts, so I jumped right in on the opportunity. European Breads Bakery has been open for many many years at the 4326 Fraser St location. But they’ve opened up another one in the heart of downtown on 1262 Burrard St. (and seems to go with the name European Breads Organic Crepe Cafe & Bakery). This location doesn’t seem to have good ratings. Not sure if it’s because it’s still new (and only 13 voted), or since it didn’t seem to have a lot of variety. (but then again, I haven’t been the the one on Fraser, so can’t really compare)

Ratings (out of 5)
Location:
 carrot3carrot3carrot3  (it’s great for those that live near Davie and Burrard are, but perhaps not so much if you come by car…)
Cost: carrot3carrot3carrot3 (I think reasonable for the quality, natural ingredients, and care they put into making food gluten-free) A loaf costs about $4-5. Apple rice muffin is $1.95 + tax = $2.18)

Customer Service: carrot3carrot3 (meh. It’s alright. Definitely not like a Starbucks service. I find most of the time I walk in, they don’t acknowledge me, or ask me what I want, they may talk to each other while I’m waiting at the counter right in front of them)
Stock: carrot3 I’ve gone there 5 times which 3 times, they were out of the muffins I wanted. They don’t have a lot of variety at certain times…
Tastecarrot3carrot3carrot3carrot3 the rice muffins are great!!! One muffin I believe has only 2.8 g sugar, and it’s certified organic. Warm it up in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

idearabbit-bakery

Mary’s Organic Crackers

Mary’s Organic Crackers are organic, wheat-free, and gluten-free crackers! There are no added oils or fats. It’s also Vegan and dairy-free! (manufactured in own dedicated wheat-free, gluten-free, nut-free facility)
It says it’s super crunchy – well, it really is! Very crunchy and light. (does tend to get stuck between your teeth though…)

idearabbit-maryscrackers

For those that haven’t started the sugar-free, eating healthy diet, this cracker will likely seem very bland. But those of us, who’s eliminated a lot of artificial flavouring from our foods, this is a cracker where you’d be able to appreciate the flavour of brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds and sesame seeds! They’re very good! I’ve become addicted to them.

Available flavors: Original, Caraway, Herb, Black Pepper, and Onion.
Cost: around $5-6 per box
Taste Rating (out of 5): carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot  Price for Value (out of 5): carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot