Eating Healthy to Stay Active part 1 - grocery shopping

Staying active is essential, and with so many different ways to do it locally, there's no reason for it to be a boring chore. However, when it comes to all-around health, "working out" is only half of the equation.

In order to stay at (or get to) your peak physical health, and in order to stay moving, you need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Every day our facebook feeds are inundated with posts about miracle foods, "amazing" diets ("Watch what this woman eats for 3 weeks - you won't BELIEVE the results!!!"), and folks like Dr. Oz and David Wolfe telling us what new toxin we have been unknowingly ingesting.  All of this may seem daunting - information overload - but really, it comes down to 2 things:
1. What works for you? What healthy foods do you enjoy? If eating healthy is a chore and makes you miserable, you'll never stick with it.
2. Moderation - someone probably told you at some point that there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing." This goes for pretty much anything - too much of anything is not good for you (for example, you cannot have a diet consisting entirely of bacon. As tasty as that would be - and as low carb - it definitely would not be healthy).

Whether you're palio, vegan, low-carb, pescatarian, or any combination thereof, Buffalo and WNY has tons of amazing places where you can get healthy food to prepare for your meals!  And if you're concerned with sustainability and keeping your eating habits "green", this is the perfect time of year to hit a farmers market for some great locally-sourced products (the less we have to truck things in from out of town, the smaller our carbon footprint is!).

Photo from The buffalonews.com 

Taken by Charles Lewis

In Buffalo:

• Broadway Market - A perennial favorite, this Buffalo staple is open year round - Monday thru Saturday from 8AM until 5. Known for their holiday fare around Easter and Christmas, they have a diverse selection of local products in all seasons. They also have the benefit of being in-doors. 
• Clinton-Bailey Farmers Market - this market is open from May until the end of October, so you'll be able to get everything from tulips to pumpkins! Their hours are 7AM until 6PM (but they open early on Saturdays at 6AM). Not only do they have standard fare with fruits and veggies, they also have jams, baked goods, maple syrups, plants, a butcher, and baked goods. 
• Downtown Country Market - open as of May 12th, you can visit this market on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10AM until 2:30 (great for those that work downtown). They have all kinds of vendors with a wide variety of products including lip balms, cards, art, pierogis, fudge, dog treats, and candles, along with the standard farmer's market fare. 
• Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market - this is a great option for weekenders, open from 8AM until 1PM on Saturdays. They have over 30 vendors, and frequently have special events like live musical performances and wine tasting. 
• Kenmore Farmers Market - starting June 18th, this market will be open on Saturdays from 8AM until 12:30. Keep an eye on their link for more information as we get closer to their opening. 
• North Buffalo Farmers Market - Open Thursdays from 3pm until 7pm, this is a perfect after-work option to get some shopping done (starting on June 2nd). This market, in addition to fresh fruits and veggies, will be a regular stop for OG Wood Fire Cuisine's food truck for delicious fresh-made pizza. 
• South Buffalo Farmers Market - held at Caz Casino in Caz Park in South Buffalo, this market operates on Sundays from 9AM until 1PM (starting June 5th). Their vendors include crafters, baked goods, donuts, dog goodies, honey, clothing, and coffee, among other things. 

Photo from williamsvillefarmersmarket.com

Northtowns:

• Clarence Hollow - starting June 4th with their full market, they will be open from 8AM until 1PM on Saturday mornings. Right now, however, in May they will have vendors offering hanging baskets, vegetable plants, and other specialty garden items. 
• Williamsville - Open Saturdays from 8AM until 1PM, this market has moved to Island Park. Need some warm Alpaca-wool socks? You're in luck - one of their vendors is Alpaca Play Pen, and these are their specialty!

Southtowns:

• Bipperts Farm Market - based in Elma, this market is open daily (M- 12:30 until 6, T-F - 10 until 6, Sa - 10 until 5, and Su - 12:30 until 5). Check them out for fresh flowers, honey, syrup, various meats, baked goods and, of course, local fruits and veggies.
• Blasdell Farmers Market - With a new location right newar Ilio DiPaolo's, this market is open Wednesdays from 9AM until 2PM (a great lunch-time stop for those that work in the Southtowns). 
• Hamburg Farmers Market - Open Saturdays from 7:30AM until 1PM. 

Niagara County:

• North Tonawanda City Market - Open year round, this market is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 7AM until 11PM. A historic market, this location has been open for 108 years. Everything from plants to eggs to dairy is available here. 
• Niagara Falls City Market - Also open year round, you can visit them on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9AM until 5PM. They have no online presence, but they are physically located at 18th St and Pine Ave in Niagara Falls. 

What are you waiting for? Get out there and eat!