farmers’
markets,
but I feel
over-whelmed by all
the options. How
can I tackle them
strategically?
a:
Don’t panic, we’ve got
your plan of action:- Eat first: Snack before you
shop—it’s the best way to rein
in impulse buys, and you won’t
be distracted by the crêpe and
tamale stands. - Go early: There’s a reason
chefs shop at sunrise—they
know the best stuff sells out
fast. Consider arriving even be-
fore the market officially opens.
There’s nothing worse than
watching that last bunch of
fresh chickpeas get snatched up.- Bring three bags: One for
sturdy produce—hardy fruits,
root vegetables, onions, garlic,
and brassicas like cauliflower
and broccoli. One for tender
lettuces, berries, and herbs.
One for dairy, meat, and eggs. - It’s not about the Benjamins:
Bring small bills—it’s easier for
everyone. - Do two laps: First walk the
entire market,
sampling, identify-
ing organic stalls,
comparing prices.
Buy nothing until
you’ve noted what
looks best, then
start loading up
the second time
around. - Experiment:
Once you’ve
stocked up on
iar to expand your cooking
repertoire. Purslane, fragile re-
gional berries, and knobby sun-
chokes are all gems you won’t
necessarily find at the super-
market. How to prepare them?
Visit sunset.com for recipes.q:
This is kind of embar-
rassing, but my family
and I always leave things be-
hind at hotels—sweaters, cell
phones, passports,
those corny souve-
nir shot glasses my
mother-in-law col-
lects. How can we
retrieve them
without resorting
to FedEx?a:
Try the
Roadie app
(roadie.com). It
connects you with
drivers who happen
to be heading yourway that very day (or the next)
and will deliver to your door.
Roadie offers insurance, real-
time tracking, and can even re-
trieve luggage you've left on the
plane. If that doesn’t keep your
mother-in-law happy, well,
you’re on your own.q:
I would love to im-
prove my home, but I
can't afford an interior designer
or a landscape architect. Help!a:
We feel for you! But
you don’t need a big
budget. Companies like Room
& Board, EQ3, West Elm, and
Rejuvenation offer in-store and
virtual design services. For
kitchens and bathrooms,
Kohler pairs clients with free
consultants who provide guid-
ance on everything from fix-
tures to tile and generate de-
tailed project renderings.
Wallet-friendly packages from
Homepolish.com and Decorist.
com let you find up-and-com-
ing designers who’ll mesh with
your personal style.
Similarly, Yardzen.com will
help you rethink your outdoor
space, with plans for as little as
$249 that include plant selec-
tions, firepits, pergolas, and
play areas. They’ll also help you
find a contractor and make sure
the work is done properly.q:
I just moved from
Brooklyn to the Bay
Area to edit a historic West
Coast lifestyle magazine, andQuestions compiled
by Kelsey Maloney.
Hit the Sunset team up
at [email protected]
or use #asksunset
on social.Ask a local farmer
Q. I enjoy free sam-
ples, but do I enjoy-
them too much? How
many is too many?
What’s an accept-
able number of free
samples to take?
a. Here’s a tip:
Many farmers
offer one sample for
tasting and one as
a thank-you after
purchasing—asking
for additional sam-
ples puts them in an
awkward spot.ask Sunset
10 JULY/AUGUST 2019 SUNSETILLUSTRATIONS^ BY^ CLARK^ MILLER