Summer For The Way You Live

With Summer coming to a close in a few weeks, we wanted to thank all of our friends who took us along on their awesome Oregon adventures filled with fun and delicious foods. From hiking trips, picnics, and kayaking, to golfing, and visiting state parks, we were able to see, first-hand, Summer For The Way YOU Live.

Now, let’s get out there and explore Oregon the way true Oregonians do!

Featured in this video:

@waz.wu
@perfectfooddays
@nevafindsfood
@olivia.adriance
@heathershomebakery

A kayaking adventure at Spring Creek

A couple of weekends ago, Richard and I had an amazing adventure courtesy of @MarketOfChoice! It’s no secret that we live in beautiful Southern Oregon, and one of the best-kept secrets around here is Spring Creek, a mere hour and a half from our house.

This beautiful creek springs up from the ground. It’s calm and crystal-clear waters are simply breathtaking. We snagged some of our favorite charcuterie goodies from Market of Choice and headed over to the river for a day of snacking and kayaking!

Instagram handle: @heathershomebakery

A golf outing at Emerald Valley Golf Club

I happen to be the type that is fortunate my sweet husband has soooooo much patience.  A cute outfit and plenty of snacks makes knowing I will be spending half my day hacking my way through golf course hazards much more bearable.

Grateful that @marketofchoice has all my favorite healthy snacks for eating on the go, we stopped in at their flagship Willamette Market, before heading out to the beautiful @emeraldvalleygolf club in nearby Creswell!

Here’s what we picked up:

• Grain-free chipotle barbecue chips by @sietefoods
• Prebiotic sodas by @drinkpoppi
• Paleo Kale Salad from the Market Kitchen @marketofchoice
• Organic trail mix by @shar.snacks
• Maple-glazed salmon jerky by @epicbar 
• Fresh sushi from the sushi bar @marketofchoice (I absolutely love their daily selection of handmade sushi!)

If you’re interested in trying a few of my favorite Market of Choice snack items, stay tuned for a little giveaway coming VERY soon!

IG handle for influencer: @olivia.adriance

A hike through Hoyt Arboretum in Portland

The other day, hubby and I took a hike through the Hoyt Arboretum, my first time but definitely not my last! I can’t believe this place is so close to us!

Besides being out and enjoying the Oregon summertime, my favorite part was getting to take a break, enjoy the peace and snack on my goodies from @marketofchoice.

I think summertime Oregon is officially my favorite time of the year! Head to your nearest Market of Choice, load up on snacks and head out to explore what this beautiful state has to offer!

Oh, and stay tuned!! I’m doing a giveaway so you too can enjoy a few MOC snacks this summer, for the way you live!!

IG handle for influencer: @nevafindsfood

Kick back and relax with a picnic at Portland’s Laurelhurst Park

Picnic season is upon us! Soaking up sunshine in the park, while snacking and sipping is one of my favorite summertime activities. @marketofchoice is your one-stop-shop for picnic essentials, from prepared foods to snacks by local makers. Here’s what I grabbed for a picnic in Portland’s Laurelhurst Park:

Hibiscus drinks scream summertime! Now available in cans, @hibisbloom is delightful on its own, or you can add your favorite spirit for a quick cocktail.

Made of shiitake mushrooms, Pan’s @mushroomjerky comes in several satisfying flavors. My go-to flavors are Teriyaki and Applewood BBQ. What are yours?

If you love @akadipdx, you definitely need to add @akadisauces to your grocery list. Great as a marinade for the grill, condiment for dipping, and dressing for summer salads!

The deli at #MarketofChoice offers plenty of clearly labeled vegan dishes. I brought a plant-based @thrillingfoods Bakon and @justegg frittata and Turmeric Broccoli & Kale Salad to enjoy in the park.

Convenient for traveling and summer adventures, @stasherbag will keep your belongings safe and dry. It’s handy for carrying snacks, too. Don’t forget hand sanitizer for your picnic! Grab a bottle of @alpineprovisions hand sanitizer, made with aloe vera and essential oils.

IG handle for influencer: @waz.wu

Explore Portland metro’s rivers, state parks

My absolute favorite thing to do in summer is to get together with my bestie and her kids, grab snacks, prepared foods and drinks from @marketofchoice, and spend the day exploring the rivers and state parks around the Portland metro area – Milo McIver State Park needs to be on your list! Here are a few of my favorite things to do, especially with kids, in the park. Head to Estacada Lake in the Riverside (not Riverbend) part of Milo McIver State Park, where you can rent kayaks and/or fish for lake trout.

Stop by the Milo K. McIver Memorial Viewpoint for the perfect picnic in a field overlooking the mighty Clackamas River and with views of Mount Hood in the distance. There are a ton of picnic tables, including one under a covered gazebo. After your picnic, be sure to check out Viewpoint Trail that runs along the river.

Visit the Clackamas Fish Hatchery, where you can spot young salmon jumping up the artificial waterfalls in the salmon pools. Later in the summer, you’ll be able to spot some huge mature salmon in the back. Dog Creek Trail, which is tucked behind the hatchery, is also fun to explore – we found snails and other critters there.

You all know by now that I love Market of Choice for how many local brands they carry, but they also have incredible items in their prepared food case that work magnificently for a picnic. I highly recommend their teriyaki chicken, which is so good cold and just perfect for a picnic. I also love that they carry pastries from @sparrowbakerypdx, and of course they have the best options when it comes to canned wine (aka mommy juice).

Market of Choice has a ton of great options to keep you protected from the sun and hydrated, including safe/mineral sunscreen, the best smelling hand sanitizer I’ve ever found, and a wide array of @hydroflask products, if you (like us) forget to grab water on your way out the door. IG handle for influencer: @perfectfooddays

Road-trip to Southern Oregon’s wineries

There’s nothing like a classic pairing of wine and cheese on a summer afternoon. Our Ashland Market teammates enjoy road-tripping through Southern Oregon’s beautiful Applegate Valley to visit some of their favorite wineries. First, there’s the lovely (and dog-friendly) tasting room at Quady North in Jacksonville to sample some handcrafted, small-lot wines. Next, enjoy more of the region’s terroir in the shade of oak trees at Troon Vineyard in Grants Pass. Then it’s off to visit one of Rogue Creamery’s shops in Grants Pass or Central Point for a bite of specialty blues, cheddars or curds. Or try one of their luscious Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Finish the day by swinging by Market of Choice in Ashland or Medford to grab some thick-cut ribeyes and all the fixins for a backyard feast. For dessert, we suggest cool and creamy Oregon-made Alden’s Organic Fruit or Yogurt Bars. Yum!

Summer fun is just a walk in the park

Kick back at a city park on a lazy summer day and let the good times unfold. Our Cedar Mill team enjoys George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego. This 26-acre park has plenty of space to explore, including a Memorial Garden and Willamette River nature trails. Paddle boarders can launch from a sandy beach, where swimmers and sunbathers while away the hours. Don’t forget your Badger Clear Zinc Sunscreen, available in your Market’s Whole Health aisles; it’s mineral safe and keeps your skin well-protected. When it’s lunchtime, relax on the beach and refuel. Toss a Frisbee and explore a little more before you head home to grill a delicious pork chop dinner. Find everything you need to cap off a great summer’s day at your Market of Choice.

Camping, hiking and fly fishing, oh my!

Summer in the Northwest is made for camping, hiking and fly fishing! Our Franklin teammates love to venture into the Willamette National Forest’s Middle Fork Ranger District, above Hills Creek Reservoir to enjoy all three activities. The wilderness beauty won’t disappoint. Youngs Rock Trail is among the many picturesque paths to explore. After hiking, kick back at camp with chips and salsa paired with a nonalcoholic beer. Then, watch time fly by during a few fun hours of fly-fishing along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. For dinner, whip up a delicious paella with ingredients from your Market. Dessert is a no-brainer, too: s’mores, of course! Remember, at the height of wildfire season, it’s always important to check for road and recreational area closures before heading out.

On Sauvie Island, it’s a berry good time!

Our West Linn teammates believe that summertime is all about relaxing and enjoying the fruits of the season. Pack some Picky Bars energy bars and Soma Kombucha, then head over to The Pumpkin Patch, a 52-year-old family farm on Sauvie Island, to pick juicy blueberries and blackberries—yum! Don’t forget your Portland Bee Balm; you’ll be helping bees, thanks to 1% of lip balm sales being donated to Portland beekeepers. Picked enough fruit? Visit the adorable farm animals before heading back to your mainland Market of Choice, the perfect stop to gather all the ingredients you’ll need to fix a delicious grilled chicken dinner. Save room for dessert! Umpqua Dairy’s vanilla ice cream topped with a homemade berry syrup is a summer classic!

Ply the waters at Fern Ridge Reservoir

There’s no better way to while away summer hours, say our Willakenzie teammates, than kayaking and lunching on Fern Ridge Reservoir. Whether using your own kayak or a rental – Oregon Paddle Sports or Eugene Marine offer rentals – you’ll need a Lane County Parks pass to put in at Fern Ridge Reservoir’s Orchard Point, Richardson Park or Perkins Peninsula Park. With sunscreen, hat and safety vest on, paddle out into this beautiful wetland habitat, home to a stunning variety of wildlife, including shorebirds and raptors. Savor your Market gourmet sandwich as you drift along Coyote Creek. Once out of the water, head to Alesong Brewing and Blending’s Alesong on the 5^th tasting room for a flight of brews and a souvenir glass. Back home, it’s time to relax and enjoy grilling and eating a mix of delicious goodies from your Market.

Fall Head Over Heels for Barr Creek Falls

Quench your thirst for the splendor of Oregon waterfalls with an easy in-and-out, 1.4-mile hike to Barr Creek Falls, plunging 240 feet into the Rogue River. Our Medford teammates love this hike! Located in the Rogue River Canyon of Southern Oregon, the waterfall plummets over a carved cliff surrounded by walls of petrified volcanic ash from the Mount Mazama eruption 7,700 years ago. One of Oregon’s tallest waterfalls, Barr Creek Falls shares the same rock cliff with Mill Creek Falls; both can be gazed upon from their respective viewpoints. Whether you make it a stop on your way to Crater Lake or just make a day of it, these falls are a summer bucket list must-do! Our team suggest bringing along MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Crème (SPF 30) for sun protection, as well as goodies to enjoy from your Market.

Surf’s Up for Good Times in Newport

Newport is the perfect coastal summer getaway, as our Corvallis Market teammates well know, so grab your sunscreen, towels, books, beach games and picnic munchies and enjoy one of Oregon’s true coastal gems. First stop: Agate Beach State Recreation Site, just south of Yaquina Head, where the waves beckon surfers and there’s plenty of shoreline to explore. Or simply sit back, relax and sip a sparkling wine while nibbling on delectable charcuterie snacks. Next, wander around Newport’s Historic Bayfront. Savor some saltwater taffy or take a tasting flight at Rogue Ales & Spirits’ Bayfront Public House. After an amazing day, visit your Market of Choice for all the fixings to grill a feast. Our suggestions for lunch and dinner:

Views Await At The Top Of Mount Pisgah

Our Willamette Market teammates in Eugene often venture out to a true hiking gem in our own backyard: Howard Buford Recreation Area, Lane County’s largest park at more than 2,000 acres. With 30 miles of trails, this natural playground includes Mount Pisgah Arboretum. You’ll need a day pass or an annual pass from Lane County Parks to display in your car window. Meander through seasonal wildflowers and grasslands, or climb into dense oak savanna and stands of Douglas firs, incense cedars and big-leaf maples. For the adventurous, a hike to the top of the 1,500-foot Mount Pisgah ends with a 360-degree view of the Willamette Valley, the coastal mountains and the Cascades. Back in town, relax with a flight of brews at ColdFire Brew Co and a Market-made gourmet pizza. Try our suggestions for your lunch and dinner:

COOLING MIST, TASTY BITES AT WAHCLELLA FALLS

Want an easy hike and a way to take a break from the summer heat? Lace up your hiking shoes and head to Wahclella Falls inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Our Belmont teammates love this out-and-back day hike through a slot canyon. It’s the perfect length, at 2.4 miles roundtrip, to pack in a delicious lunch from your Market. Along the trail, you’ll discover towering Douglas firs and not one, but two spectacular waterfalls along the grotto-like landscape. At the end of the trail, Wahclella Falls is a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch before you turn back. A Northwest Forest Pass or $5 National Forest Recreation Day Pass is required for parking and must be purchased in advance. After a great day-trip adventure on the trail, savor a wonderful grilled meal in your own backyard. Here are our suggestions for lunch and dinner:

Fishing & Food On The Upper Deschutes

Are you itchin’ to do some fly fishin’? Grab your gear and make your way to the placid currents of the Upper Deschutes River near Dillon Falls for terrific trout and summer steelhead. Our Bend teammates love this spot and suggest taking along lunch from your Market. When casting a line in this area, you’ll discover mature Ponderosa pine trees, jack pine stands and massive lava flows. Dillon Falls Day Use Area is perfect for a picnic and offers access to the Deschutes River Trail, a boat ramp and restroom. A recreation pass is required for parking and must be purchased in advance. After a fantastic day of fishing, enjoy a tasting flight at Bend’s Monkless Belgian Ales, which you can also find in our Beer & Wine Shop. Here’s what we suggest for lunch and dinner:

A Delicious Day at Dexter & Dinner After

What do you have planned this weekend? Our Delta Oaks team in Eugene says Dexter Reservoir is the place to be! Grab some goodies from your Market, spread out a blanket in the grass, and enjoy a picnic along the shoreline of Dexter State Recreation Site on the western edge of Dexter Reservoir, located 16 miles southeast of Eugene on the Middle Fork Willamette River near the communities of Dexter and Lowell. When you get there, you’ll find a picnic area and fire rings overlooking the water. There’s even an 18-hole disc golf course that winds its way through oaks and Douglas fir trees. Or just dip your toes in the water and watch the boats go by! Here’s what we suggest for your picnic lunch and dinner, for when you get home: