the girly network

Buying Local Goodies For Under $10

As promised on Blog Action Day, I went to a Farmer's Market in Queens today.  I checked out the Jamaica Farmer's Market.  Although it didn't have a great selection (only a handful of vendors), I was very happy with my purchases. 

Farmer's Market in Jamaica, Queens  GR for the girly network

 
Local veggies at Jamaica Farmer's Market                         Produce I purchased for under $10  GR for the girly network

I bought organic apples, red potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and onions for $7.80.  That's way cheaper than buying organic produce at my local supermarket.  For about the same amount of money, I buy 2 organic green peppers and a bag of organic galas for $3.99 each at Stop & Shop.  Eating organic is not cheap but buying from a farmer's market can actually save you some cash.  Also, it's nice to know that I just supported the little farm from Upstate NY and NJ.

My only disappointment today...I was craving a yummy apple or pumpkin pie and I didn't find at the market.  Maybe next week, when I check out a different Farmer's Market, I'll have better luck.  Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. 

Jamaica Farmer's Market

90-40 160st

Jamaica, NY

Climate Change

When I think of climate change...I have to confess, I'm overwhelmed just by the thought of it.  There's no debating that global warming is here and we're all contributing in one way or another. 

I guess the best approach for me is to think of it in simple terms.  If you look at some of the tips that the experts suggest we do to help climate change, like buying energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, walking more/driving less and buying your produce from a local farmer's market...it's do-able.  Some of these tips even lead to a healthier lifestyle.  So, why are more of us not doing it?  Can 1 person really make a difference?  With any major issue, the problem may seem so enormous that our "little" action may seem insignificant. Well, the truth is that we're in this mess together and my choices, along with yours, will certainly make an impact.  Think of it this way...not only are you being kinder to the environment and in some instances, supporting your local economy, but how you spend your $ is a constant vote to what will be placed on the shelves.  Let's be realistic...nothing is more powerful than that dollar you're spending. 

So this weekend, in honor of Blog Action Day, I will go to a Farmer's Market in Queens to get my fruit and veggies, instead of my local supermarket.  BTW, I found a thorough list of farmers' markets in NYC at CENYC.  Hey, maybe I'll even bring my mother along and start a trend.  I know I won't save the earth alone but I can certainly do my small part.

What will you do to help climate change?

Nice Summer Meal at Wafa's

 
  Wafa at her lebanese eatery            gr for the girly network

We stumbled upon Wafa's by mistake, when my hubby and I took a nice long Sunday walk in our Queens neighborhood.  While we were strolling on Metropolitan Avenue debating on where to eat, Ruds spotted a "mediterranean" sign and we decided to give it a shot.

 

From the exterior, it looks like a casual establishment.  It's a tiny joint, with a couple of tables outside.  Once you enter though, there's a certain charm to the place.  Maybe it's Wafa's (the owner) warm smile welcoming you to her new eatery or the fact that once you're sitting down at one of the two tables, you'll feel like you're in Wafa's kitchen, telling her what you're in the mood for. 

 

We were certainly in the mood to chow down.  We ordered some hummus, a falafel and a lamb shawerma.  The hummus ($5) was delish.  It's fresh and has a homemade taste (nothing like the one I get at the supermarket, this is superior stuff).  I ordered the lamb shawerma ($7.95) because I wanted to be adventurous.  I figured, it's my first time trying lebanese food, so might as well try something new.  It's a pita sandwich with lamb, lettuce, tomato and tahini sauce.  The lamb was seasoned differently from what I've had in the past...almost like a minty flavor.  It was okay, but certainly not my favorite.  The falafel though...will NOT disappoint you.  It was so good...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  This falafel is presented more like a pita wrap...with just the right amount of salad, fried balls of chick peas, spices and pickles...at the right price ($5).  FYI- if you don't like it spicy, consider ordering the hot sauce on the side.  Otherwise, if you're like me, who ocassionally likes to feel my mouth on fire, then go for it. 

Finally, we had the Baklava.  I'm not a big fan of this crispy dessert...it's normally too sweet for my taste...but Wafa's was absolutely yummy.  It wasn't overly sugary.  It was simply perfect.

 

Overall, I highly recommend this hidden gem.  Wafa's recipes, passed down from her mother, are a real treat.  It's tasty, cheap and homey.  Wafa, which means faithful in lebanese, will make you keep coming back...again and again.

 

Wafa

96-08 72nd Avenue (cross st Metropolitan Ave)

Forest Hills, NY 11375

(718) 263-2757

Let's Go Mets

   Mets game @ Citi Field                                                                                       GR for Girly Network                                                                       

I grew up going to Yankees games but as a Queens girl, I'm allowed to root for both teams (I never quite understood why you have to pick one over the other).  Yesterday, I was lucky to be at Citi Field, the Mets' new stadium, for the first time.  It's such a nice stadium.  I was up in the nosebleed section, but you can see everything clearly.  Hey, for $20 bucks, my seat was better than I expected. 

The truth is I can appreciate a good baseball game but only when I'm there to witness it myself.  I can't see myself ever being glued to the YES Network or SNY for any game.  I guess it's the whole experience that I love...the passionate, cheering fans...the hot dogs...the french fries (my weakness)...the 7th inning stretch and the excitement a "W" brings to the stadium.  The Mets did not disappoint us.  The final score was 3-4, in extra innings.  Oh, and the bonus was the 1st streaker @ Citi Field that stole 2nd base (see video below).  The stadium went wild for him.  He might've been the Mets' lucky charm, after all they were losing 'til then.  Good times.

Cheap and Tasty pt. 2

Ext. of Peking Duck Sandwich Stall in Flushing, Qns.                                                                                  GR for Girly Network

The other day my friend, Reg, and I decided to introduce our other friend, Shirley, to my favorite cheap duck spot, Peking Duck Sandwich Stall.  I was so hungry that I was debating in my head whether I would get this time 3 or 4 mini sandwiches...when I remembered that they advertised "duck bone" for $2.50.  I decided that since I was so hungry I would splurge for the "duck bone", not exactly knowing what that meant.  Reg and I figured it meant a piece of duck on the bone, like a leg. 

Reg goes ahead and places her order with the 2 ladies behind the counter.  Suddenly, they start talking loudly in Chinese among themselves as if they were confused.  After much debate, they hand over her order and she opens it to find 2 duck sandwiches.  "I ordered 1 duck bone, 2 sandwiches", Reg tells the lady as she hands her order back.  The 2 ladies are going back and forth again in Chinese and one lady signals for me to place my order. "1 duck bone, 3 sandwiches please", I tell the woman.  There's more Chinese debate and all I can understand in the midst of their excited conversation were the words "duck bone" in English.  They were baffled by our "duck bone" request.  Reg and I are now looking at each other not knowing what could be the issue.  "What exactly is 'duck bone'?", I ask.  So they call in a third lady to explain to us...with a little bit of body language.  She pulls, out of a bottom shelf, a tied-up supermarket plastic bag with what looked like a whole duck inside.  "Duck bone, duck bone", she yelled as she repeatedly banged it on the counter.  We had no idea what she was trying to communicate and even more clueless as to why this had become such a commotion.  All we wanted was more duck meat without the pancake and I couldn't understand why getting the advertised "duck bone" was so difficult.  With no resolution in sight, it was clear we had held up the line long enough.

I look back to see Shirley pacing impatiently and watching the scene from a distance (I think we were embarrassing her).  "Why the hell do you want "duck bone' and you don't even know what it is?", says an annoyed Shirley, who had gotten her sandwiches before the drama unfolded.  "Okay, forget the duck bone...just give us the sandwiches", I say to the woman behind the counter.  I walked away still intrigued as to what the hell had happened back there...but had resigned myself to leave the investigation for another day.

So, I'm at Sunday brunch yesterday with some friends and I share the "duck bone" story.  We're all cracking up at what a funny scene it was...all three of us in Chinatown, 2 of us holding up the line, 1 of us pretending not to know the rest...'til I was enlightened.  "I bet 'duck bone' is the carcass. They sell it to make soup...", says our friend Bharat.  Aha...it all makes sense now...the lady banging the bag with a duck skeleton on the counter was trying to tell me it was just bones.  I guess they knew we were after the duck meat after all.

In any event, let me tell you...the second time around, these $1 sandwiches are still delish.  They may not get a high Zagat rating for service...but the taste is all there.  You may just want to skip on the "duck bone".

Cheap and Tasty

 

 Ext. of Peking Duck Sandwich Stall in Flushing, Qns.                                                                                  GR for Girly Network

                         

If you're a duck lover like me...you'll enjoy this Chinatown joint in Queens.  It's not a Chinese restaurant...not even a take-out spot...it's simply a stand selling crispy duck mini-sandwiches for $1.  What can be more recession-proof than that?  They were sooo good, I had 3 of them for lunch.  I bought a Snapple and spent a total of $4.50.  How can you go wrong?

So whether you're in Qns or not (I think these are worth the trip from Manhattan --just ride the 7 train to the last stop)...these yummy duck pancake sandwiches are delish.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about them.

Peking Duck Sandwich Stall
Main St. and 40th Road
Flushing, NY 11355

Free...is my new favorite word

 
                                                                                                       GR for Girly Network

***UPDATE: This place is closed for renovation.  No word as to when it's scheduled to re-open.

In this economy, you better believe I appreciate the free things!  Here's another free WiFi hotspot in Queens:

Sonoma Cafe
116-28 Queens Blvd
Forest Hills, NY 11375
718. 268. 2216

"And I...will always love you" ...remember Whitney Houston singing The Bodyguard soundtrack?  Well, I can't get those lyrics out of my head, thanks to the instrumental version that's playing right now at Sonoma Cafe.  They have a cd with instrumental old-school jams here that they play over and over.  A little annoying if you ask me, but nothing your own ipod can't fix. 

The pros to Sonoma Cafe:

1. The owners are super sweet and friendly. If an old lady is ready to leave, they're quick to get the door for her. They greet you, they smile and they make you feel very welcomed.

2. You can hang out for hours and it doesn't seem to bother them.  Of course, I always buy something.

3. It's a spacious cafe with comfortable seating.  I go there all the time and I'm always surprised that it's not busier.  While I love that it's peaceful and quiet for my own selfish reasons, I'm concerned that it won't survive with dos pelones or a handful of people coming in. 

4. They have a nice selection of loose leaf teas. I'm a fan of the peach/mango one.  Their regular coffee is ok...it's actually not very strong.  I've also had their lattes...and they're good. I think the first time I came here I was comparing it to my 'tall skim latte' from Starbucks and I was a little disappointed.  Overall, their drinks are pretty good.

5. It's just an overall great alternative to the Starbucks that's up the block. 

One con:

1. I think they could use healthier selections on their menu.  They have really good cheesecake, but I can't have that too often.  Maybe they could sell some fruit? 

For my Queens peeps...

                                                                                                                                GR for Girly Network        

I'm a proud Queens resident and now that my freelance work is super slow...I've been spending more time in this wonderful borough. I've been looking around for FREE wifi spots in my neighborhood.  I noticed they're actually hard to come by!  So, I'll share with you my findings as I go along...just in case you're ever in my 'hood and need a place to log on. Here' s the scoop on Oko:

Oko Forest Hills
71-50 Austin Street
Forest Hills, NY 11375
718. 268. 6010

**It's a small cafe --brand new to the Forest Hills area...and I welcome it with open arms.  Up until 2 months ago, there was nothing like it.  Sure, there are 2 Starbucks within a 3-block radius, cute coffee shop with delish pastries on Austin St. (Martha's Bakery), but no cafe with free internet service. 

Here are the pros of this place, aside from the free wifi:

a) Mike, the friendly guy behind the counter
b) the music...how can you go wrong with old school Madonna?
c) brightly decorated --I'm loving the orange!
d) Organic tea/coffee, sandwiches, pastries and yogurt.  I've only had the green tea and a light version of a cheese cake (yummy!)...but so far so good.   
e) Sandwiches are $3 after 5pm.  Perfect for those of us watching our wallets.

The only con I found :

a) It's a small cafe.  It only seats about 12 people.