Camana Bay Farmer's Market

One of the beneficial outcomes from embarking on this cleanse is that I've become more aware of the sources of local produce here in Grand Cayman.

Along with trying to incorporate more organic foods into our diet, the Clean book encourages the consumption of local produce, since these provide the highest source of nutrients, as they bypass the whole long-distance distribution network. Also, you get to know who actually grew the food you're eating, find out about growing practices, and ensure you're only eating what's actually in season.

My go-to place for local produce is the Wednesday Farmer's Market in Camana Bay.

Located across from Digicel from 12-7 every Wednesday.

Although I do most of my grocery shopping on the weekend, it's nice to make a mid-week run to fill my fridge with the island's freshest produce.

I'm currently addicted to raiding East End Garden & Gift's large produce stand. From their nursery in Bodden Town straight to my dining room table, I've been enjoying things like kale...

...herbs, such as fresh basil and multiple varieties of mint...

...Asian long beans, butternut squash, flowers-that-I-don't-know-the-name-of-but-assume-are-edible...

...and interesting Caribbean fruits like starfruit. 

The stand is run by two super helpful guys; Patrick, on the left, is the owner, and can tell you everything from how something was grown to when it was picked to how to prepare it. And although I'm forever asking pesky questions about vegetables I don't recognize, he always seems happy to answer.

I mentioned in my last post that NS requested a boost of protein in his daily Clean lunches, so this week I decided to buy one of EE Garden & Gift's free range young chickens ($5/pound). Into the slow cooker it went.

It's the easiest, moistest chicken recipe ever: 

• Rinse the whole bird and dry with a paper towel
• Place in the crock pot
• Pop an onion in the cavity
• Coat the outside with olive oil (or butter, if you're not cleansing)
• Season with salt, pepper, and oregano (or whatever you like)
• Drizzle with some lemon juice
• Cook on low for 8 hours until the chicken literally falls off the bone when you poke it with a fork

Post-cleanse, I'm looking forward to the free-range eggs, sold for $4/dozen.

Recently, EEG&G has also been showing up from 9-1 on Saturdays at the same location, so I can stock up on local veggies twice a week. Score!

I enjoy poking around the rest of the Farmer's Market over my lunch break on Wednesdays. Aside from the produce, there are also soaps and lotions...

...a natural smoothie station...

...and, one of my favorites: The Organic Bread Lady.

We've been off gluten (and pretty much all baked goods in general) for the past three weeks, but this chalkboard has been guilty of tempting me to call a cheat day.

I didn't cave. Although the freshly-baked loaves were begging to jump into my produce bag.

As I mentioned above, organic produce has also made a bigger appearance in our shopping basket. The organic produce at the Farmer's Market is a great start, but I have to supplement with other grocery stores. In the next post, I'll have photos from the best organic market on the island. 

Just my opinion. But I've been scouting.