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Youth gardening for the Youth Farm + Market Project

I know my posts have been a bit food-heavy lately, but I just can’t help myself when the growing season is this good. So along those lines, I just have to mention a fantastic event this evening, from 5-7 p.m., to kick off a worthy project aimed at getting youth involved in the farming process, and bringing their locally-grown, organic produce to St. Paul residents.

Head over to the West Side’s El Burrito Mercado this evening for appetizers, and to learn more about the Youth Farm and Market Project. The project connects urban youth with their communities and the field, getting them digging in the dirt and enjoying the results of their hard work!

The youth do the planting, harvesting, and delivering of the produce. It’s a win-win for kids who learn more about the food supply and for St. Paulites who get to buy tasty, fresh veggies. Hope to see you at the kick-off tonight!

What: Happy Hour for the Youth Farm + Market Project
Where: El Burrito Mercado, 175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, 55107
More info: (651) 227-2192
When: TODAY! 5-7 p.m.

From ripe, juicy raspberries and vibrant, crisp green beans, to bacon, eggs, bread, and cheese, there isn’t an edible essential I can think of that you can’t get at the downtown St. Paul Farmer’s Market this time of year. Happily for my taste buds and cooking pleasure, the growing season is in full swing. I dream of firing up the grill and throwing on chicken breasts marinated in fresh herbs, grilling zucchini, roasting sweet corn and slathering it in butter, and making from scratch blueberry ice cream—made entirely from locally ingredients. The crazy thing is, it’s possible! It isn’t always easy be a locavore living in Minnesota, but in July and August, it’s incredibly simple.

So why not try eating local for one week? August 2-8 is National Farmer’s Market Week and in my house, we’re marking the week by taking the Eat Local Challenge. Inspired to try it, too? Pledge your commitment here. (continue reading…)

The newly remodeled Mediterranean restaurant, Shish, on Grand Avenue.

I don’t really want to share my favorite new, healthy place to eat breakfast because, well, the emptiness of the café is rather nice at the moment. But you would really be missing out if you didn’t check out Shish in the A.M.

That’s right, I’m talking about newly remodeled and redecorated Shish, the Mediterranean grill and café on Grand Avenue. The one that’s often busy for lunch and dinner, but for breakfast? Not so busy. At lunch and dinner you’ll get your usual, delicious options like mousaka, falafel, gyros, spinach pie and the super tasty Kefta burger (ground beef, parsley, onions, spices, and topped with feta and grilled tomatoes). But let’s talk breakfast!
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As usual, there are lots of ways to enjoy St. Paul’s spectacular summer days this weekend and into next week. Here are a few of my recommendations to get you in the water, on the trails, or digging in the dirt.

Storytelling at the Night at the Fort event, after a day of paddling.

Saturday, July 25
• If you’re not already paddling in Saturday + Sunday’s Mississippi River Challenge, at least go and cheer on those hard-working folks and splash your toes in the water. You can also register to kayak or canoe last-minute and in person, at the Coon Rapids Dam. You’ll be paddling 22 miles each day, but keep in mind that you’ll be paddling downstream. The Saturday paddle ends at Fort Snelling with overnight camping, a great big dinner, live music, and tons of fun. Buy your ticket for Night at the Fort now!
• Kids and their families will love the Junior Ranger SeedStarter program at Cosby Farm Regional Park. You’ll learn about native plants, why they are important, and how to care for them. You’ll even get to take home a native plant so you can care for it yourself. In September, those plants will be transplanted into restorations on the banks of the Mississippi River. Sign up by calling Ranger Rebecca at 651-290-3030, x229.
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Avid bikers, joggers, and dog walkers have been enjoying St. Paul’s paved path along the north side of the Mississippi River for a while now. But last month, a stretch of that path officially became the first signed section of the Mississippi River Trail, known as the “MRT” for short.

Cyclists celebrating the first signed section of the Mississippi River Trail, a stretch of paved path in St. Paul!

The MRT, which follows the river from its headwaters in Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, provides about 3,000 miles of on-road bicycle trails and pedestrian pathways. I personally think it’s an honor for St. Paul’s 17-mile (or so) stretch of trail to be the first official part of the MRT!

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We’re in the thick of summertime now, and there is a lot to do. Here are a few of the upcoming activities to add to your active + outdoor planner:

Saturday, July 18 — Bike With a Ranger, starting at Harriet Island
Meet at downtown St. Paul’s Harriet Island Regional Park at 10 a.m. for an 8.5-mile ranger-led bike ride along the Mississippi River. The trip starts promptly at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. It’s free, but registration is required: (651) 293-0200

Saturday + Sunday, July 18-19 — Geocaching 101 at Fort Snelling
Always wondered what this whole geocaching business is all about? Head to Fort Snelling for one of two, free hands-on trainings at either 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. (each day). Call to register—these workshops fill up super fast: (612) 725-2724. A limited number of GPS unit will be available.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE…

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While it is tempting to stay home when a rare rainy day (unlike today, but much like the other day) interrupts our perfect Saint Paul summer, we have been grabbing our swimsuits and heading over to the renovated Oxford Community Center, home to the Jimmy Lee Rec Center and the new Great River Water Park (just off Lexington south of I-94).

The water park’s main pool is a big one—perfect for getting that heart rate up with a good lap swim. The water park also sports a zero-depth entry pool for the kids (and kid-like adults) with waterfalls, slides and even an eagle that squirts water.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE…

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Still planning your outdoor adventures this weekend? Check out the colorful and lively dragonboat races this weekend at Lake Phalen during the Dragon Festival. The two-day festival promotes the 2,400-year tradition of dragon boat racing, which is tons of fun to watch, along with a weekend full of fantastic Asian food, music, dance performances, and free canoe rides. Enjoy!

What: Dragon Festival

When: Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. each day

Parking: Parking on-site is extremely limited, so you’re encouraged to park at one of three off-site lots and use the free shuttle. The three parking sites are: the Metro Transit station at Highway 61 and County Road C, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Building at 1430 Maryland Ave E in St. Paul, and at Gustavus Adolphus Church at 1669 Arcade St N. Click here for maps and more information.

One day I was walking the path along Mississippi River Road when I spotted a barely noticeable break in the trees to my right. Curious, I leaned in to see more. A path! After a few more steps through the densely wooded space, a beautiful stone staircase unfolded before me, leading me down 102 steps to what felt like a hidden, shady retreat enhanced by the soothing purr of a stream. Sounds like some sort of dreamy fairytale, right?

To be honest, I thought I’d discovered a secret nature hideaway. There was no one else around. I practically expected leprechauns to pop out from the lush, vibrant green forest.

Turns out, it was the “Hidden Falls” portion of St. Paul’s Hidden Falls Regional Park. Not so secret after all! Still, when I brought my husband back a few days later, he confessed that in his 15+  years of living here, he’d never visited this particular part of the park.

As I continued wandering down the path, I came across the small, spring-fed “waterfall.” It was more like a trickle, but pretty nonetheless, and I’m sure it gets going in the springtime. The trail ends here and makes the perfect spot for a secluded picnic. Heading the other direction along the stream, I passed two gigantic bonfire pits— where I plan to return to with friends sometime—more lush green, and more beauty, until the path opened to a wide, grassy meadow dotted with big, old trees. This was the more publicly-known area of the park.

Up ahead I saw a parking lot where people in-the-know had simply driven in through the park’s north entrance off Mississippi River Road. Apparently I came in the back way—and in my mind, the more adventurous and scenic way.

Hidden Falls Regional Park feels like a one of St. Paul’s most scenic outdoor gems. Between the picnic areas, paths that wind along the Mississippi River and connect to Crosby Farm, a boat launch, and endless stretches of beach along the river, you could spend hours here just exploring. Or lounging in the grass. Or fishing for walleye, which I saw several folks doing. Or skipping rocks, like my husband did.

Now that I have discovered my not-so-secret secret hideaway, I’ll be back again and again. I’m sure I’ll see you there, but shhh—don’t tell too many people.

Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park, 1415 Mississippi River Blvd. S., Saint Paul, MN 55116

As someone who has lived in a lot of different states and cities, I’m continually impressed by the sheer number of active and outdoor options in St. Paul. Whenever I’m stuck for something to do or somewhere to go, I pull out a list of local parks or the city’s bike-hike trail map and always find a new place to go, or am reminded of an old favorite.

Today was one of those days. My 1-year-old just didn’t want to nap, so rather than fight it or do the same old thing in our backyard, I packed up my baby, my baby carrier and set off for a good, long walk.

I drove down Summit Avenue until it dead-ended at a parking lot on Mississippi River Road. From here, choose your direction. You can walk, run, bike, or rollerblade on the flat, smoothly-paved trail that runs both north and south along the bluff.

I prefer heading south toward the Ford plant. The right side of the trail is packed full of trees, and if you stop to peer through the densely-packed leaves, you’ll see the steep drop leading down to the Mississippi River. (Come back in late fall and you’ll have an expansive river view.) Benches perched along the trail make great spots to take a water break with your SIGG. High-end dream homes with perfectly manicured and landscaped lawns line the left side of the trail, on the other side of the street. Sure, there’s some traffic on the road next to the trail, but one of the things I like about urban trails and parks is the juxtaposition of gorgeous nature scenery and the “alive” feeling of people going about their business.

Today we walked 1.8 miles to the Ford Dam Scenic Overlook, which comes up shortly after passing under Ford Parkway. By the time you turn around and walk back, you’ve completed a nearly 4-mile walk! If you keep heading south/southeast, the trail meets all the way up with Hidden Falls Regional Park, and beyond that, with Crosby Farm.

After working up a sweat, I couldn’t pass up my craving for Izzy’s ice cream on the way home. What I love best about Izzy’s (aside from the ice cream obviously) is that it caters to one of my worst traits: my indecisiveness—especially when it comes to choosing just one flavor out of 20-something really amazing flavors. For the un-Izzied, here’s how it works: when you order a single or double scoop, you get an Izzy on top. An Izzy is a mini scoop just right for sampling a second flavor. My all-time favorite flavor is salted caramel, but their sorbets are tantalizing, too, so an Izzy of the coconut sorbet was just right. So much for all those calories I just walked off!