The Winter Market at Horsefeathers, located at 346 Connecticut St., continues its successful run on Buffalo’s West Side from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Entertaining guests this Saturday, March 2, will be violinist David Adamczyk from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed by singer/guitarist Davey O. from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adamczyk has been entertaining crowds for several years at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market.

The market offers a wide variety of local food vendors selling everything from bread, spices, cheese, coffee, biscotti, cupcakes, cookies and eggs to vegetables, fruits, pasta,  salsa, dumplings, meat and wine. Customers will also find homemade soaps, all-natural dog treats and more.

More than 200 local women filled the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Buffalo on Valentine’s Day in honor of the American Heart Association’s annual Go Red For Women Luncheon.   Ladies were in a “sea of red” to help raise critical funds in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Today’s luncheon was chaired by Joyce Markiewicz, CEO and President of Catholic Health Homecare, sponsored nationally by Macy’s and Merck and sponsored locally by Catholic Health.

As guests arrived at the Women’s Wellness Exhibit, they were greeted with a reusable shopping bag, sponsored by Independent Health. Before the luncheon got underway, attendees had the opportunity to pamper themselves with mini manicures and hand massages, take advantage of screenings from Independent Nursing Care, and enjoy a healthy cooking demonstration.  

As I sat down to dinner with my parents the other day, I looked down at my plate of rice and beans, tostones and a pork chop and thought, "hmm, this would make a delicious vegan meal... without the pork chop, of course".  

Now traditionally, Puerto Rican beans are decidedly not vegan, as they are made with lard. However, just substitute the lard for some veggie oil and you're good to go. Not to mention it's way healthier for ya. I deviated from the norm even further by adding extra veggies, like carrots, spinach, or even peas, if you feel like it. Like all my recipes, feel free to make it your own. Let me know what you did different! 

About the rice. Any rice you prefer will do. My favorite is Jasmine rice. Again, not the traditional Puerto Rican choice, but its aromatic long grains just make me so happy... Either way, rice is very easy to make, just follow the directions on the package. And the beans: