Bee Pollen and Rose Gardens

PORTLAND! 

 Just a weekend in Portland under my belt and what adventures I've had already! My favorite so far have been the views during my abysmally slow jog through hills of rain and cold.  Above a shot of the lovely Rose Garden, and below, the surrounding woods I ran through. That felled, mossy log made me so happy!

I also went to the Winter Farmer's Market at Shemanski Fountain, where I met lots of great farmers, bakers, sundry vendors and a kick ass soup shop.... annnnddd the bee pollen man.  This apiarist enthusiast was hocking honey and bee pollen between a butcher and baker stand (I still laugh at that) and, as I'm quickly learning, I should have been able to judge his crazy level based on the state of his facial hair. 

He had a long, wiry, explosion of a beard on his face with streaks of long white hairs driven throughout it. He showed off the raw honey and then the bee pollen, explaining that it was the reason he never got ill ("except the occasional cold") and that he had just finished a two month fast, wherein he only ate bee pollen and only drank water. IN FACT! One of his two meals a day is just bee pollen. It's 40% protein. It's so good for you. Don't put it on your face if you have sensitive skin.

I had a delightful time all in all, and ended up with bee pollen, fresh carrots, onion, salad mix, acorn squash, leeks, fresh scones and two quarts of soup for under $30. 
(Special thanks to Boyco Foods for letting me share my first impression of your stand and the delicious bee pollen. Similar kudos to Delphina's Bakery, Souper Natural, LLC., and Gathering Together Farm)

http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/

My tiny studio apartment is sure to be a great prepping area for me to get outside more often and enjoy this lovely city!