Glaser Farms farmer’s market

Locally grown Organic foods on the rise

Grasping a handful of compost in his hands, Gus Jones analyzes the texture, color and smell of the soil and wonders why would anyone farm any other way than organically.

Jones, 32, is the farm manager at Paradise farms in Homestead, a five-acre organic farm that specializes in micro greens, edible flowers and dehydrated mushrooms. The farm also serves as a part-time restaurant that offers farm to table dinners.

“We have only ever farmed organically,” Jones said. “It’s easier. What is difficult is to put on a biohazard suit and spray carcinogens on your crops and tell people to eat it.”

Jones, who has been a farmer for eight years, has noticed the rise of consciousness in consumers who choose to buy organically and hopes that this is a trend that becomes permanent.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Organic food sales make up over three percent of total U.S. food sales and based on data from the Nutrition Business Journal, U.S. sales of organic products were $21.1 billion in 2008 and will reach $23.0 billion at the end of 2009.

Organic products have long been available at natural food stores, such as Whole Foods, and at local farmer’s markets, but with the rise of popularity in this product, consumers can now shop at their local Publix and find the same organically grown products. With a range of vendors selling these products, consumers are at times left wondering what exactly certifies organic and what farm are these foods coming from.

To be certified organic, farms and businesses must pass an annual inspection based on USDA standards that show that the product and soil is free from pesticides, synthetic chemicals and other harmful materials.

At Paradise farms, Gus and other volunteers follow the national standards listed by the USDA by using a systems approach to farming that utilizes compost, crop rotations and companion cropping, in order to get the most nutritious product possible.

“If you eat an organic beet, it will be more nutritious for you than a non-organic beet, because the fertilizer has been cared for,” Jones said. “All the nutrition is in the soil. Farmers used to eat a spoonful of soil and get their vitamins that way; you get rid of the middleman.”

“To me there is nothing more pleasurable than to be able to pick up a fruit and eat it and know that it’s not covered with any pesticides,” said Gabriele Marewski, owner of Paradise farms. “I think as cancer and diabetes rates rise, people are making connections with what they eat.”

Marewski, 51, who started her farm 10 years ago and only sells to local chefs and restaurants, believes that popularity has risen in locally grown produce and in the health benefits of organically grown foods.

“It’s all about local, that’s why I don’t ship my products,” she said. “I always tell people ‘Who’s your farmer?’ I believe it’s important to form those connections with those who grow your food.”

In 2002, Miami-Dade County had 36 organic farms producing $1.9 million in sales. With this enormous agriculture community, a vast majority is exported to other states, but with the gaining popularity of organic foods, local farming as a means of obtaining these foods is on the rise.

“People should start knowing their farmers,” Jones said. “Farmers are valued members of the family and of the community. In the past, people would choose their farmers like people choose their doctors now.”

Like Paradise farms, Glaser farms, located in Miami-Dade County, puts a strong emphasis on organic farming. Stan and Tracy Glaser, husband and wife and owners of the farm, have been sharing their products with the community every Saturday for over 20 years at a farmer’s market in Coconut Grove.

“Growing organically is what its all about,” Stan Glaser said.

With a wide array of organic products, such as heirloom tomatoes, kale, bananas, mangos and other fruits and vegetables, Glaser feels like having a product like this available to the public can open to their eyes to eating healthier and to making better food choices.

“We started out small, when no one was doing this,” he said. “The market has grown over the past few years and it really speaks to the consciousness of people and how they’ve realized that food plays a role in their health.”

For those who visit the farm, like Karen Smith, going out of her way to come visit the Glaser farmers market is not too much to ask if she can stock up on a large quantity of organic foods. For her, it’s all about local products.

“When I see local, I go for the local,” she said. “There are so many struggling farmers. It’s important to support the local economy and farmer’s markets just like these, which give people access to great organic food.”

Cycling is about more than just sweat

Inside a close-knit group of athletes in Broward County, lies a society of competitors, where drama is often ensued in friendships and relationships, but when it comes to their love for cycling the drama is left behind, as the bond of the sport is impenetrable and difficult to break.

Hermosilla whips around the track in a 2008 cycling competition

Those who join the sport of cycling are unique, dedicated and quite often misunderstood.

They travel in packs, donned in bright helmets and jerseys, with their bodies crouched over their bikes as they pedal ahead on the paved streets of southern Broward County, often before the sun ever comes up.

“It takes a lot of dedication to stick with the sport,” Hermosilla said. “I don’t know many young college students that would give up a Saturday night to wake up at 5 A.M. on a Sunday to ride over 30 miles on a bike. It’s a passion.”

The sport of cycling is unknown to most young people. Every sport has their figurehead; golf has Tiger Woods, basketball has Kobe Bryant, cycling has Lance Armstrong. Armstrong, with his battles with cancer and his multiple Tour de France wins, has shined a spotlight on the sport of cycling and his fame has introduced throngs of people to the sport.

Along with Armstrong’s influence on the sport, cycling has become a popular amongst those who participate in triathlons, due to cycling being a main component of the competitions.

That’s how Pembroke Pines resident Nicole Hermosilla became involved with the sport.

“I got tired of just going to the gym and I wanted to push myself more, so I began competing in triathlons,” Hermosilla said. “Cycling just became a passion of mine.”

In what she refers to as a male dominated sport, Hermosilla finds that being one of the few women in her riding groups works to her advantage, because it allows her to meet eligible bachelors that are interested in the same hobbies.

Meeting hot new bachelors is one of the many reasons why Hermosilla enjoys cycling

The uneven ratio and the camaraderie amongst her and her fellow riders keep her dedicated to cycling.

At first glance, Hermosilla never entertained the idea of cycling, because she always viewed it as a sport for older people with her father being the prime example. But through her triathlon competitions, cycling began to intrigue her, which led her to investigate it further. Her search began at a bike shop in Davie.

“Well first, I needed to buy a professional bike,” Hermosilla said. “I came across this shop in Davie and I purchased my bike from there. They told me about local group rides I can join on the weekends. After my first group ride, I was hooked.”

She mentions that the shop is filled with young 20-somethings and that the place is more than just a shop, but a place to hang out before and after rides.

“You go there to buy new equipment and to often get your bike repaired,” Hermosilla said. “You end up just hanging out there, because as riders we have to visit so much. We eat breakfast there, clean our bikes there, socialize and meet new people. It’s one of the main reasons why I stayed involved with the sport, because it is a great way to meet single athletic men.”

When she started the sport, Hermosilla was single and saw the male dominated sport as a selling point, rather than a drawback.

“I’ve met a lot of people in the industry thanks to the shop,” she mentions. “I met my boyfriend of four months just by visiting the bike shop and becoming familiar with the sport.”

“The opportunity to meet driven, educated young people through the sport is high,” said David Julien, another Broward county cyclist. “It’s like a meat market. I see new people joining everyday. It’s a great way to meet people that are dedicated and feel passionate about athleticism.”

Cycling, has recently seen an influx of young people joining the sport, is not geared towards one age.

The cycling group, both Hermosilla and Julien ride in has an age range from 22 to 60 years of age. Along with diversity of ages, there is also diversity in cultures and ethnicities. This isn’t a sport that attracts one particular type of rider, but it does attract the dedicated and weeds out those that use the sport as a passing fad

“It’s expensive and requires a lot of dedication, time and money wise,” Julien said.

Hermosilla adds that most of her riding group consists of wealthy students and young professionals.

Having spent about $5000 on the sport, Hermosilla mentions that it’s an expensive hobby, but a rewarding one.

Posing next to her Fuji racing bike, Hermosilla says having the proper equipment is key in competitions.

The camaraderie between riders in Julien and Hermosilla’s group is evident, but within this tight-knit group of competitors, the competition of the sport often spills over onto friendships and relationships and creates tension.

“There have been occasions where guys will fight over girls and the intensity of a ride or a competition will escalate the argument,” Julien said. “We’re so close that we often fight like brothers and sisters, but at the end of the day any animosity is left at the shop and we suit up and ride. We watch out for each other.”

With all of its positive points, Hermosilla is glad she began cycling and uses it as a supplement to her workouts.

“It’s a great way to stay in shape,” she mentions. “The gym is good, but cycling brings a lot more structure. The people who compete in this sport do it because they are passionate about it. The reasons go deeper than just wanting to lose a few pounds. You do see results, but its one of the only ways I’ve been able to maintain my weight without feeling like I’m really working.”

“I recommend this sport for anyone seeking a challenge,” Julien said. “Go to a bike shop and ask around. This sport is more complex than most people think.”

The Mission and The Reason

 

It's always better to workout with a friend. It's fun, interactive and keeps you motivated and dedicated.

As a college student, I struggle with finding time between studying and class, to find time for myself and for fitness. Throughout my four years in college, I have realized the importance of fitness and nutrition and how finding a s few spare moments to integrate some exercise or take time to prepare a healthy meal will benefit the body and mind in the end.

 

As I stroll through my college campus, its easy to see the unhealthy choices some students have to make either because of time constraints or lack of knowledge. We all have heard of the Freshman 15 .. its called that for a reason.

I was someone who was overweight. I was able to drop 14 lbs during my third year of college due to simply educating myself on nutrition and finding ways to incorporate some sort of fitness and movement into my life. Being unhealthy isn’t something you have to live with. Educating your mind and body to make better choices can only benefit you in the long run. I always say.. if I can do it.. You Can Do It Too!

So I introduce you To Be FIT: Fitness, Insight, Time. 

I believe these three cardinal rules can keep your body and mind in shape. 

Fitness is essential. You need to keep the body moving. Exercise your body and brain. This is the secret to a long healthy life.

Insight into the foods you eat and make food work for you, rather than against you. Look inside yourself and realize that you can do it and a better, healthier you is possible. 

Time is essential. Yes, we all wish there were more than 24 hours in a day to fulfill all of our daily tasks, but if you look at your routine carefully, you find that by consolidating activities you can be more time efficient leaving time to take of yourself. Take the time to workout for at least 15 minutes a day. Take the time to prepare yourself a meal, rather than become a lackadaisical slave to the fast food chains. But most importantly, take some time for yourself. 

I will post ideas and tips to keep your body in shape; from simple moves you can do while sitting in a chair to more developed moves in a gym. I will post recipes and new innovations in the health food market, as well as tips to become more time efficient. 

Take this journey with me to a better your for the present and the future.