School may be in session, but it’s still Summer here in Central, Illinois! The temps were a little mild last week, but they’re warming back up this week so I’m not ready to break out the soup pots and hearty meals just yet! We love to make our meals light and from the freshest ingredients we can find and this time of year is perfect for that! Lots of veggies are in season, so that means they are more affordable and if we’re really lucky, we have a kind friend or neighbor drop off a little of their bounty for us to share!

family-market

But, if we need a fresh veggies – we head to our local Farmers Market! I just LOVE walking around our market and checking out all that there is to offer! From raw local honey to berries and melons to cucumbers and peppers – the Farmer’s Market is full of deliciousness! You can even get fresh baked bread and treats, homemade soaps, flowers and homemade pasta. YUM!

soap

 

veggies

flowers

What we like to do when we head to the Market – is to each pick an ingredients and make a meal from them all. This gets the whole family involved and excited about preparing and eating it. The kids sometimes pick something new to them or they are just a little more excited to eat what we make. When everyone has a hand in a meal from the beginning, it’s always a good thing!

tomatoes

This week,  we picked up some miscellaneous veggies – tomatoes, big and small; cucumbers and corn. Plus we got the ingredients for our Saturday night dinner – A veggie pasta! We purchased the entire meal fresh!

pasta

Garlic Herb Pasta with Squash and Zucchini and Feta Cheese and a fresh baked Crusty Loaf of Bread on the side! It was delicious! There’s just a huge difference in the taste of a meal when it’s all fresh! AND when you shop local – you are supporting your neighbors and your community! That’s a WIN in my book!

sign

So, the next time you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, how about check out your local Farmers Market or neighborhood store. You’ll be helping out someone and you’ll have a great family adventure!

 

 

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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