A New Twist on Smoothies

What a wonderful World Down Syndrome Day 2019 we enjoyed here at Pathfinder Village last week!  Thank you to all our Pathfinder Produce patrons who came by to help celebrate our market’s 6^th anniversary … it was a fun day at the market, with some out-of-town visitors, produce special sales, decorations and some fun blue-and-yellow mini-treats from the Pathfinder Bakery. 

Every market day is special at Pathfinder Produce …  we offer a great selection of fresh, tasty produce, and feature our online ordering service …Pathfinder Produce, we’re ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.

Last week we explored smoothies during our Otsego Academy Leadership Week with students from the Colgate COVE.  This week, my colleague, Sally Trosset, continues this theme with some refreshing smoothie spin-offs you may try.

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As ski fanatics say on a sunny day after a snow storm, “it’s a bluebird day!”  Not a cloud in the sky and the sun is shining bright!  I can almost smell and feel the warmth of spring, which means outdoor activities!  Spring is also the time to dust off my blender for yummy smoothies!  I noticed the local coffee shop has put away their soup bowls and crock pots and seasonal smoothies are back on their menu.

While the tried and true strawberry banana smoothie is always a refreshing, safe and healthy treat, I’ve decided to step up my smoothie game and venture in fruit-and-vegetable combinations.  I might even try an acai bowl, a treat my daughters recently discovered. 

What is an acai berry?  They are small fruit native to Central and South America and are considered a superfood because of their high antioxidant levels. They’ve definitely become a trendy ingredient!  You can find packets of acai berry puree in the freezer section of many grocery stores, either with the frozen fruit or the cans of frozen juice. Just break up your acai packet into pieces, toss it into the blender with the other ingredients and you’re ready to go! 

An acai bowl is a blended mixture of acai berries and other fruits. It is essentially a smoothie made with fruit, acai berry puree and yogurt that’s served in a bowl and finished with a fun and colorful variety of toppings.  It is a perfect healthier option for breakfast, lunch or snack time as long as you keep the toppings healthy!  Topping choices include honey, granola, coconut flakes, almonds or fresh fruit, but really, anything goes!

I plan on checking out the recipes from wellandgood.com.  Another place to find more traditional smoothie bowls is bluediamond.com.  If it’s your desire to stick to the classic smoothie, check out, lalymom - spring-smoothie-recipes, or greenblender.com.  I found many recipes describing light, tropical flavors with easy to find ingredients like carrots, raspberries, and spring mix lettuce. 

Happy blending, happy smoothies and happy spring!

Sally (and Lori)

Happy WDSD 2019!

Hello everyone, welcome to Pathfinder School Spirit Week and our lead-in to World Down Syndrome Day on March 21!  Each day this week, our school students will be celebrating a different theme – Green & White Day, Pajama Day, Wacky Wednesday, and Crazy Sock Day.  On Thursday, many of us at the Village will be donning our most-colorful socks to celebrate the contributions of and individuality of people who have Down syndrome.  We invite everyone to wear colorful socks and take a picture to share on Pathfinder’s Instagram page using the tag #pvcrazysocks! Plus on WDSD, we’ll be marking our 6th anniversary of Pathfinder Produce!  That day at our Edmeston market at the Village Commons from noon to 5 p.m., we’ll be featuring festive decorations and 5% off all produce items!  Plus, we’ll showcase some other items and some blue & yellow 21-cent baked goods!  You won’t want to miss this great day at the market! Thank you to all who have supported Pathfinder Produce, which not only brings fresh, nutritious foods to our local families, but also provides wonderful work and community engagement opportunities for members of our Pathfinder Adult Day Services.  We’re justifiably proud of how these individuals set-up and staff our market each week; we’re also eager for the delivery of our new Mobile Market vehicle, so that we may expand the market into other communities.  Pathfinder Produce … we’re rooted in community! You can learn more about all the goings on March 21 through our interview on WZOZ FM with Leslie Ann (10 min.) ***
Last week, the students of Otsego Academy hosted their annual Leadership Week with students from the Colgate University COVE Program (Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education).  It was a very busy week, focused on shared experiences, exploring how people of different abilities may be leaders, and trying new skills and adventures.  The entire week was organized around the theme of “making a kaleidoscope” with students adding component statements about leadership onto a poster that was organized into concentric circles. Some of the activities centered around teamwork and food: The students all enjoyed their lessons in pizza making with Rosario Baio of New York Pizzeria in New Berlin, who’s a great instructor.  Some of the students had never made their own pizzas before, so they felt a great sense of accomplishment as they learned how to roll out the dough, add sauce and toppings, and come up with a winning pie.  Otsego Academy’s resident pizza-maker, John M., was a great leader too, in showing novice pizza makers how to make a colorful and tasty pizza. At another colorful food activity, the students collaborated to use produce from the Pathfinder Produce market to make “kaleidoscope smoothies.”  Working as teams, the students prepared and combined all types of produce into tasty and nutritious drinks.  By far, the most popular ingredient was pineapple, but some of the students also enjoyed adding strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, carrots, and spinach to their drinks.  Thank goodness the dorm has a strong “workhorse” blender, which could handle even the toughest veggie fibers.
While visiting during the preparations, the Colgate students all agreed that they probably don’t eat enough fruits and veggies while at school, but they all indicated they try to eat a balanced, healthy diet.  “We have a smoothie bar at campus, which also helps, as you can always make your own smoothie,” said Jenna, a member of the women’s soccer team.  “They always have great berries, so it’s a treat to come here and make smoothies using fresh pineapple.” Otsego Academy student Kate teamed up with the two seniors, Jazmin and Monica, visiting Pathfinder during the Smoothie session.  The women combined four types of oxidant rich berries with spinach, banana and almond milk to make a very tasty, but not too heavy drink.  As they enjoyed their smoothies, Monica, who’s from L.A., laughed that it was hard not to drink hers quickly because it was so good.  Jazmin, who is from Miami and who participated in last year’s Leadership Week, agreed and noted that adding spinach to a smoothie was a new experience for Kate. “I want to be Popeye!” joked Kate as she enjoyed her drink and flexed her biceps.  “I don’t make smoothies often, but it’s a treat when I do.” Until next time, find opportunities to make foods with friends, and enjoy! Happy World Down Syndrome Day and ROCK THOSE SOCKS! Lori	A special shoutout goes to Usman, who helped everyone make their smoothies by using his muscle and a special pineapple corer to provide enough of the sweet, golden fruit for everyone.  He made it look easy … now I have to buy one of these handy gadgets for when I get fresh pineapple for my family.

Vote for Veggies!

Good afternoon!  We hope you can join us for our next delicious Pathfinder Produce market, Thursday, March 14 from noon to 5 p.m.  We’ve got the greatest tastes around, and you can’t beat our friendly, helpful assistants, all members of our Pathfinder Village Adult Day Services.

Also, for shoppers in the West Winfield area, Pathfinder Produce will be hosting a special “Showcase Market” at the Federated Church, 452 East Main Street, on Monday, March 18. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This market is open to the public and is a test run for expanding services through our new Mobile Market.  Of course, folks in Edmeston and Morris can take advantage of our online ordering system too … just cruise over to our website and put in your order for delivery at either pick-up location.

This week promises to be very busy -- spring sports are already starting!  Here at Pathfinder, we’re hosting our annual Otsego Academy Leadership Week with students from Colgate University’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE).  The week after that is our lead up to the market’s sixth anniversary celebration and World Down Syndrome Day on 3-21!

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Vote for Veggies!

As a college student, I had the opportunity to intern for a semester in Albany for a SUNY-run newspaper that focuses on state government, “The Legislative Gazette.”  We cub reporters were put through our paces learning about law-making processes, getting immersed in politics, and churning out a weekly edition (which everyone in government read).

It was a great experience and taught me many skills that I still use: Even to this day when I hear of a bill that interests me, I will research it to learn more.  This process is easier than ever with online access to the bills of both the Senate and Assembly.  One note, the Senate site has “an app interface” where one may indicate if they approve or disapprove of any given bill, with links for sharing on social media; the Assembly site is a bit clunkier to use and doesn’t allow you to vote yay, nay, or share.

Recently I read a Facebook post by State Senator Jen Metzger of Rosendale (D-42^nd District), the new Chair of the Agriculture Committee, of the passage of Senate bill S00252 that would make it easier for school districts to buy more locally grown produce as part of their lunch programs. 

“What a great idea to support our own local agriculture!” I thought.  I also wondered why we haven’t been doing this until now, but it was good to see that the bill had advanced from its first reading to the Local Governments Committee to the floor vote without any dissent. The Senate Bill was sponsored by Senator Timothy Kennedy of Buffalo (D-63rd), with co-sponsors Senator Rachel May of Syracuse (D-53^rd) and Sen. Patti Richie of Oswegatchie (R-48th).

Senator Metzger wrote, “I’m happy to report that today (March 6), the New York State Senate unanimously passed Senate bill S252, which makes it easier for public schools to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce by eliminating the cap on local purchasing and allowing public schools to specify a regional preference in their bid and procurement requests.”

“Fostering strong farm-to-school connections is good for the health of our children and for our local agricultural producers and distributors who will benefit directly from this expanded market,” she added. “My long-term goal is to see all of our New York schools serving fresh, locally-sourced vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, and the passage of S252 brings us closer to realizing this.”

So, now that it’s cleared the Senate, the bill has been sent to the Assembly and has been referred to its Local Government Committee.  I expect that the bill will also have strong support in the Assembly and that it soon will advance to the Governor for his signature.  While nothing’s certain in government, it’s good to see that our state legislators want to put more locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables into our school students’ lunches … it’s a step in the right direction. And who knows, it may even encourage students to make better choices.

Until next time, vote for veggies!

Lori

WDSD & Winter Salads

Hello everyone!  We’re gearing up for another tasteful market at Pathfinder Produce at the Village Commons.  Stop on down from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays to get the freshest fruits and veggies around. 

Below, my colleague Sally Trosset shares some updates about World Down Syndrome Day and some delicious ideas for salads to round out your winter and early spring meals!

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March, the longest month of the year, is a transitional month. If we can get through March we’re in the home stretch to warmer and sunnier days, flowers blooming and green grass.  Daylight savings is just around the corner on March 10th and the first day of spring follows on March 20th. The light evening hours that daylight savings brings is always a welcome change. 

Campus activities at Pathfinder Village pick up in March as well. Near and dear to our hearts is World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st. WDSD has been observed since 2006 and it received official recognition by the United Nations in 2012.  “3-21” was selected as the celebration date as it represents the triplication of the 21st chromosome, the genetic cause of 95% of occurrences of Down syndrome.

WDSD is also Pathfinder’s unofficial welcome of spring.  Falling on a Thursday this year, our Pathfinder Produce Market will be in full sixth-anniversary celebration mode!  Balloons at the entranceway will give way to door prizes, raffles, and our signature assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.  As a special treat, the market will offer special baked goods from the Pathfinder Bakery and Cafe.  A WDSD discount will be given on your purchases at the checkout register as well!

In addition, Pathfinder invites you to wear crazy socks on WDSD to raise awareness of the abilities of children and adults with Down syndrome.  We invite you to join in the fun by posting a picture of you wearing your crazy socks on our Facebook and Instagram pages. On Facebook, “like” our page then send a picture to us through Messenger.  On Instagram, “follow” our page, pathfindervillageinc., and post your picture with the tag, #pvcrazysocks. Please post respectful pictures; it’s about spreading joy, creativity, and awareness! 

Our residents and students at Pathfinder and Pathfinder School will enjoy weeklong WDSD activities with School Spirit Week and other activities (March 18-22).  Our Otsego Academy students will get a jump start to WDSD with their 9th Annual Colgate University Leadership Week (March 11-15).  This is a popular, week-long immersion filled with team building and leadership activities and workshops for our Otsego Academy and visiting Colgate University students.

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Winter salads might get a bad rap when you compare them to their spring and summer counterparts, but they can be just as delicious and addictive.  When topped with the right items and delicious dressings, winter salads can be a nice and nutritious transition meal to spring and summer foods.  While spring is only a few weeks away, it can be weeks before the full effects of the season are felt in our area. Some of my favorite winter salad ingredients include spinach, arugula, beets, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts.  Served with spaghetti squash, quinoa or a hearty whole grain bread, these bright colorful salads are guaranteed to make you feel better at this time of year as we tire of comfort foods with subdued colors.

Don’t be fooled by these salads either.  Following are some colorful salad ideas that will please the eye and palette; these recipes are hearty, filling main meal salads that you can look forward to after a long day at work or school.

• Winter Salads
• Everyday Seasonal Salads
• Bright Colorful Winter Salad
• Winter Salad Collections
• 6 Hearty Salads - Food & Wine

A big fan of arugula, my personal favorite is the Mushroom-Fennel Salad found in the Winter Salad Collections link.  Mushrooms, goat cheese, walnuts, and arugula offer blends of textures, colors, and flavors. With a side of bread or sliced baked chicken added to the salad, it is definitely a satisfying meal.

Make sure to mark your calendars for 3-21 and come celebrate with us at the Pathfinder Produce Market.   Pick up your salad ingredients, grab a special “3-21” treat, and show off your crazy socks!  We look forward to seeing you all on this special day!

Sally (and Lori)