Today at the Detroit Rotary luncheon, our speaker inquired as to what my business is, and when I mentioned that I publish Natural Awakenings magazine she gave my very favorite reply: “I love that magazine!” We’ve just recently celebrated our second anniversary issue and I am continually delighted to note more and more positive sentiments about the magazine. They are truly heartwarming, and I never cease to be amazed that this type of positive feedback always seems to find me on the days I need it most. This magazine, our message and, of course, our readers are so important to me that sometimes the lines between work time and personal time become blurred. So many of us, myself included, need a gentle reminder not to let work consume us from sun up to sun down, which can quickly become a routine habit if we let it. Whether it’s enjoying a midday break out in the sunshine, sharing a picnic with family on the weekend or simply curling up with a good book, we can all benefit by placing a priority on enjoying the simple pleasures of summer. I’m happy for reminders to “live simply,” which is the message our July theme brings.
Living a more simple and balanced life is best accomplished by having a great network, and I’m thrilled to welcome some new professionals to our Wayne County Natural Awakenings team. Angela, our brand new virtual administrative assistant, is off to a great start and we now have grad student and business consultant Patti managing the dated and ongoing calendars plus the classified ads section. ‘Calendar@naturalawakeningsdetroit.com’ is the email that will go directly to Patti, and we’re taking this opportunity to implement some changes that will help this important part of the magazine to improve and grow.
This is the time of year when local farmers markets are in full swing. I was impressed to read the statistic from Local Difference, a project of the Michigan Land Use Institute, which states that if we all spend $10 a week on local farm foods, our regional economy will grow by nearly $5 million a year. This is pretty powerful, and something we can all do to boost the local economy. If you’re anything like me, you probably find it hard to limit yourself to spending only $10, especially considering the amazing variety of goods and products available each week at the farmers markets.
More and more entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity to grow their own small businesses by selling to the farmers market clientele. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at something entrepreneurial, this might very well be a low risk way to see what you can do. Be sure to read the article on pg 43 to learn more. There is also some great information available from the Michigan Farmers Market Assoc. Visit their website at MIFMA.org.
I hope you get a chance to get outside and enjoy the sunshine during these lovely days and nights of summer. If you get a little bit to much fun in the sun, be sure to check out Heather’s newest product, ‘Aloe Sun Soother’ from Dirty Girl Farms. Rest assured, you’ll be able to pronounce all the ingredients on the label with ease, and the soothing properties of aloe will ease the pain and discomfort of summer sunburns. I Sure wish I knew about this about a month ago. It seems like I always start out with a little bit of a burn to kick off the summer season.
Please be sure to join us at the end of the month when Chef George Vutekis, former head chef and owner for over two decades at the Inn Season restaurant in Royal Oak, will be visiting our area. His cookbook, Vegetarian Traditions is one of my personal favorites. He will be at the Allen Park Farmers Market, at 7101 Park Ave, just off of Southfield Rd, on Friday, July 29 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm. Saturday, July 30, he’ll be at the Shelby Farmers Market which is located at 49965 Van Dyke Ave, between 22 & 23 Mile Rds. This market is held on the front lawn of the historical Packard Proving Grounds from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in Shelby Township. This wonderful automotive history site, complete with Albert Kahn designed buildings open for tours, is also a great spot for an impromptu picnic. Chef George’s last stop will be on Sunday, July 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Warren Farmers Market. This market is located in the City Square Park, on Van Dyke between 12 and 13 Mile Rds., directly across from the GM Tech Center. The park has a lovely fountain that shoots up jets of water and entertains kids of all ages for hours on end. I hope that you can join us for one or more of George’s appearances. I believe that you will find some new energy and enthusiasm to take home to your own kitchen.
We’re so blessed in Michigan with our diversity of seasons and so many amazing food choices.
Bon appetit!
Mary Anne
