Many folks have asked me about local farmers markets, where to find a directory, and my recent “Pedals to Produce” bike ride, organized by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.

Here’s a helpful directory to local farm stands and farmers markets on the Georgia Organics website, integrated with Google Maps so you can find a market near you!

It’s a great time for fall season veggies like root vegetables, cabbage, kale, collards….Ode to the Brassicas!

Wok 'n' roll Sushi class

Healthy Spring Rolls & Egg Rolls!

Tuesday, June 22, 7pm, Demo & Tasting at Cook’s Warehouse (Brookhaven) ASIAN NOODLE CRAZY! $40

Wide or skinny, stir-fry or soupy, we’ll cover our favorite noodle-based dishes that you can make at home with a variety of ingredients that leave room for authenticity and creativity. Sample dishes (subject to seasonal variations) include Margaret’s Homestyle Chinese Spaghetti, Japanese Miso Noodle Soup, Singapore Curry Noodles. Come ready to twirl and slurp and be entertained in a state-of-the-art culinary facility. Register www.cookswarehouse.com or call 404-949-9945

————————–

HANDS-ON COOKING CLASSES at Buford Highway Farmers Market, $15

Thur July 15–Creative Sushi (Black/Brown Rice, Veggie, Calif, Trad’l)

Tues July 20–Homestyle Springrolls (3 varieties)

Thur Aug.5–*NEW TWIST* Wontons & Dumplings!

Tues Aug 24–*NEW*  Wild About Rice! (Demo, tasting, rice cookers, Asian rice +more)

Classes are  7-9pm at 5600 Buford Hwy Farmers Market, cost $15 and include learning, making, and eating plus plenty of  kitchen & shopping tips, cultural learning, Chinese Southern Belle “Buddha-to-Bubba” family stories, plus $10 store gift card! Register and pay with Bill 678-873-7447  or customer service desk.

Come EAT, SHOP & LEARN with us!

————————————–

SATURDAY EXPRESS DEMOS  1-4pm – Popular topics  (subject to change) — Free, drop-in, get a sample, tips, recipe & shopping list–all in 10 minutes! Location:  5600 Buford Hwy Farmers Market, Doraville, GA 30340

July 24–Express Sushi

July 31–Asian Noodles!

Aug 21—Stir Fry Tips!

Aug 28—Homestyle Springrolls

The ad says “the perfectly designed outdoor eating utensil.”  I would beg to differ!  I keep 2 in my purse (for me and guest, they fit together well) and use it routinely at restaurants/cafes/fast food (when alternative is disposable), ice cream shops, Taste of Atlanta, traveling (car, bus, plane, boat). It’s durable, handy, easy to clean and comes in fun fashion colors.

Last time, I bought a batch of 20 and gave them away as spontaneous gifts. Wonderful affordable, portable gift for kids and adults.  My nieces and nephews are learning about sustainability and environmental conservation in school and they love theirs!

Buy Sporks here and give the gift that keeps on eating!

Tuff Mug by Zojirushi

My friends have joked that I was more upset when I lost my Tuff Mug than when I lost my keys. I’ve been a loyal Tuff Mug fan since 1994 when I moved up north for graduate school. Throughout the fall and winter, it was my constant companion. And now that I’ve discovered it for icee slushies in the summertime, it’s my year-round buddy! When I carried it in the breast pocket of my parka, it was, literally, the only thing that would come between me and friends!

These are the reasons why I love my Tuff Mug, by Zojirushi (Japan).

• It keeps things very hot for a long time (several hours with patented thermal vacuum technology)
• It has a cool little storage compartment in the lid to keep your tea bag (or a vitamin).
• It lives up to its name. Mine has been dropped, rolled and bounced.

There is one drawback. It’s not a hand-warming mug. It’s so well insulated that the exterior metal layer never changes temperature, cold or hot. When I want a hand warmer, I grab cheaper look-alike versions.  Everything has its purpose!

Asian Dumplings_handout – History/Shopping List/Recipe

Thanks to Buford Highway Farmers Market (and Bill) for being a great host for the class.

Asian Hot Pot Party Handout/Shopping List

**JUST ADDED: WED, APRIL 22, another Hands-On Dumplings Class, 7-9pm. Register/pre-pay now to grab a seat!

• Popular dishes made simple, healthy and homestyle
• Learn about Asian culture, history, travel
• Fun, interactive with tips, tasting and BHFM gift card!

* Curious, overwhelmed or intimidated by Asian markets?
* Want to learn about popular Asian produce, products and shortcut tips for making authentic, healthy and fusion Asian meals at home?
* Do you enjoy new food, cultural, travel and shopping experiences?

Join mother-daughter Chinese Southern Belles (and Atlanta natives), Natalie and Margaret, for a popular, fun, unique, interactive culinary and cultural experience!

Tour highlights include:

-Fresh Asian Fruits & Vegetables
-Oodles of Noodles
-Mad About Rice
-Some Like It Hot – Spices!
-Kitchen Tools & Pantry Essentials
-Chinese Hot Pot aisle
-Asian Snack Attack
-Food Court tasting

Price: $40 per person, 2 hours, includes all materials, samples, food court. (Students, kids and group discounts available)  Minimum 10 participants for private group bookings.

Sign up 10 friends and organizer gets 25% off! Great for birthdays, clubs, company teams or visitors.

*   *    *    *    *

Featured in Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cook’s Warehouse, Taste of Atlanta, Whole Foods and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Natalie and Margaret enrich their tours with Buddha-to-Bubba family stories from China to America’s Deep South and their passion for international travel, diversity, healthy living and sustainability.

By sharing their tips and tales, Margaret and Natalie hope to add a fun fusion touch to the kitchen, a cross-cultural dimension to Atlanta’s immigrant history, and a shared sense of community through the celebration of food, family and culture. Opening Minds, One Mouth at a Time!

Follow Natalie’s cross-cultural and food adventures on www.chinesesouthernbelle.com and Facebook and Twitter!

Tour/instructor/media questions: info@chinesesouthernbelle.com or call Natalie 404-494-0088