Photo by: Zsuzsanna Kilian by jstarr

If you’re trying to stay in shape during the summer season and want to avoid spending money by eating out, then you’re in luck! There are hundreds—no, thousands—of health-conscious recipes to cook up that will help you kick those fast-food cravings. Eating healthy does not have to be looked down upon, can make you feel better about yourself, and can be as easy as taking a trip to the local farmers’ market. http://www.lawrencefarmersmarket.com

Lawrence has Farmers' Markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. There are even two markets on Thursdays, so you can find one convenient to where you live or work. Have a look at the map below.

With more than 80 growers, ranchers, fine craftspeople, and bakers, the farmers’ market is a fun and easy way to buy products such as sweet corn, herbs, melons, potatoes, and other seasonal produce.

Now, I know what you might be thinking … going to the farmers’ market is easy, but what on earth do I cook up when I don’t even know how to cook! The Merc's website at http://communitymercantile.com/ and the recipe archives Lawrence.com have many recipes to offer. Here are just 10 easy and healthy recipes that these sites have to offer.

Recipes from http://themerc.coop/recipes.cfm

1) Greek Bean Salad - http://themerc.coop/postdetail.cfm?id=263

2) Short Crust Pastry - http://themerc.coop/postdetail.cfm?id=179

3) Greens with Almond Ginger Sauce - http://themerc.coop/postdetail.cfm?id=167

4) Sweet Cornmeal Cake - http://themerc.coop/postdetail.cfm?id=189

5) Asparagus and Gruyere Tart - http://themerc.coop/postdetail.cfm?id=178

Recipes from http://www.lawrence.com/search/?q=recipe&search_type=all_results

1) Roasted Red Pepper Dip - http://www.lawrence.com/recipes/2001/nov/23/roasted-red-pepper-dip/

2) Strawberry Banana Smoothie - http://www.lawrence.com/recipes/2010/aug/31/strawberry-banana-smoothie/

3) Carrot Salad - http://www.lawrence.com/recipes/2007/feb/20/carrot-salad/

4) Mango-Semillon Ice Wine Sorbet - http://www.lawrence.com/recipes/2008/jul/08/mango-semillon-ice-wine-sorbet/

5) Hilary’s Faux Mojito - http://www.lawrence.com/recipes/2004/jun/01/hilarys-faux-mojito/

Besides going to your local grocery store or farmers’ market to buy fresh produce, CSAs (the acronym stands for Community Supported Agriculture) have become a very popular way for people to buy local and seasonal food from local farmers.

Here’s how CSAs work: The farmer will offer the buyer a certain amount of their produce (usually a box of vegetables). If you’re interested in buying the vegetable that the farmer is offering you, you can purchase the entire box or bag of vegetables directly from the farmer each week! There are several advantages that come along with buying produce through a CSA. You get the freshest produce available. You learn about new types of vegetables along with new ideas to cook. You get to visit the actual farm yourself to pick out what you want. You learn more about how farming works. And your kids might like these vegetables more than those from the grocery store! Depending on the CSA, some drop off produce at your home; others drop it off at a pick-up site.

In Lawrence, there are two deliver days. On Mondays, the regular size bag is delivered. On Thursdays, the economy-size bag is delivered. By going to this website, you can learn more about these pick-up dates, and sign up to join a CSA! http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr...

Staffer Sarah Henning joined a CSA and makes several recipes with her produce. Take a look! http://www.lawrence.com/weblogs/hennings-blog/

If you try any of these recipes, let us know how it works out!