Exploring Mass

So I have worked pretty hard in the past couple weeks to discover all of Massachusett's hidden gems, and this project is finally starting to come together. I'm not sure if I have the ideal format right now, but I have a google map where you find all of the markets/restaurants selected and then a list categorized in highway numerical order. Through this treasure hunt I have also found some really sweet websites I would like to share:

Farm Fresh: http://www.farmfresh.org/
This website is AWESOME. It shows all the local farms in the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts areas. Not only does it show local markets and farms, but it also shows you which restaurants get their ingredients directly from local produce. So I used this website for a lot of my off-highway choices. Also informs you of what veggies are in season and some other really cool info. I am really excited to try some of these places when I get out of the city this summer.

Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership: http://semaponline.org/
This page has some great info on why it's important to eat local, they also have "Farm to Table" dinners to bring people together and appreciate where your food comes from. This site actually linked me up to Farm Fresh. Also displays job and volunteer opportunities in the agricultural field.

Alright, so now I am also going to share a few places that I think everyone should try. If I haven't personally tried them yet they just sound so wonderful I can't imagine them disappointing anyone. So the Massachusetts honorees are:

Best Breakfast Joint:

Rte 91: Exit 2 (South)/ Exit 4 (North) - Three Cafe ☻☻ $$ (1.5 mi)
Cuisine: American, Breakfast, Vegetarian
Address: 684 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA 01108
Google Maps Directions to Three Cafe
What its got: delicious, fresh ingredients and locals rave about this spot for breakfast! They've got it all from blue cornmeal pancakes to vegetarian sausage. Stopping by for lunch? Come by for an interesting mix of salads, soups and sandwiches.
Hours: Wed - Sat 8 am - 3 pm Sun 8 am - 2 pm
Contact: 413.733.3332 or visit auntiecathies.com/3cafe/


Best Ethnic & Vegan Combo:

Rte 90: Exit 11 - Loving Hut ☻☻☻ $ (4 mi)
Cuisine: Vegan, Vietnamese/Chinese
Address: 56 Hamilton Street, Worcester, MA 01604
Google Maps Directions to Loving Hut
Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am - 9 pm, Sun 12 pm - 9 pm
What's it got: 100% Vegan food, but it's so delicious your carnivore friends will love it too! Has wonton, spring rolls, noodle soup, salads, eggplant curry and much more.
Contact: 508.831.1322 or visit lovinghut.us/


Best Place to Get Your Fair Trade Coffee Buzz On:

Rte 495: Exit 7A - Rockin K Cafe ☻☻ $ (5 mi)

Cuisine: Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea

Address: 14 Summer Street, Bridgewater MA 02324

Google Maps Directions to Rockin K Cafe

What its got: Vegetarian sandwiches, wraps, and soups from local farms and their very own garden! Also has fresh, fair trade coffee if you're looking for a buzz for the long drive. This place has something for everyone!

Hours: Mon - Fri: 8 am -5 pm, Sat - Sun: 10 am - 5pm

Contact: 508.697.8278

Please comment if you feel I've left any important spots out of Massachusetts. I'm sure I could find dozens more, but unfortunately I've got 48 other states to research. Connecticut will be next, wish me luck!

MyDorchester Night

So this new project is going to move a little slow until the end of June because I am co-leading the planning of a great event all of you should attend called MyDorchester Night. This is a community event celebrating civic engagement, culture and arts in Dorchester. There will be hip hop performances, food, awards, and lots of other fun stuff. I know this may not have much to do with healthy eating, but I must plug it everywhere I can and I think it does have a similar element as one of the reasons I started this blog.

I think it's really important to celebrate what your community has to offer. By taking an extra five minutes out of your trip to stop at a local cafe or farmers market you are taking ten or fifteen dollars that would have gone to a chain and putting it in the hands of someone from the community. So some of you may not live close to Boston and can not attend this event, but I would encourage people this summer to go a little out of your way to support your community, maybe attend an event run by a local organization or shop at the farmers market once a week. If everyone would take these very small steps maybe less small businesses would disappear. Sometimes it doesn't even save you money. I sure know that the Harvest Coop in Cambridge is much cheaper than the massive Whole Foods here,

so why is the Whole Foods always SO busy? Because people like what's familiar I guess...

So that is my lesson of the day, go out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather!

Here is a link to further details on MyDorchester Night