Being a self-titled "Foodie" comes with hobby-related hazards; this hazard include, sedentary lifestyle, high BMI, risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure. As a result of my
[caption id="attachment_196" align="alignleft" width="141" caption="Working on the previous days over indulgence...well worth it"]
[/caption]self-inflicted gluttony and gastronomic appreciation, I write this blog post on my smart phone while pumping away on an exercise bike at 24-hour Fitness .
But...once I finish, right next door is one of my favorite and most affordable food markets "Mission Ranch Market"! For those of my readers who are not familiar with this family owned and operated Persian market, let me provide you a guided tour. From the outside, it is ho hum looking strip mall neighborhood market feel. But when you walk inside, you are transported to the neighborhood Persian market. The market is broken in a couple main sections
a) Center Store: Contains standard dry goods aand plenty of Persian, Central Asian and Mediterranean packaged-goods. Prices are reasonable.
b) Dairy Section - Great Selection of yogurts, cheeses, milks including Rose Milk.
c) Frozen Foods- Again you will find standard grocery fare but some Persian and Med items as well. I saved the best sections for last...
d) Butcher Shop- Has a large selection of Fresh Cut
meat and Seafood, many items you will not find at Ralphs, Whole Foods or even Gelsons. For example, there are 4 types of lamb cuts available including shanks, leg, ground (great for lamb burgers and kabob and sometimes steaks. The Butcher case also features about 10 cuts of beef, chicken breast, ground chicken, hearts, veal....you name it. The Seafood selection is small, but always 
fresh.....there is always fresh Salmon Steaks and whole white fish for sale. As a point of interest, all their meat is Halal certified. For those of you who are not familiar with this standard it is a mark of exceptional quality and handling (similar to Kosher standards)e) Produce - This is the star of the market They have a very large selection of produce, including many foodie favorites like parsnip, beets, rhubarb, kale.
The best part is that the produce is generally 50-60% cheaper than the chain grocery stores. My favorite section is the herb rack and the refrigerated herb section. here you 
can get large bunches of herbs for only 50 cents to one dollar. Great Deal and better selection!f) Service Deli - Good selection of Boar's
Head Meats and Cheese, 6 types of olives and cured meats, as well as pre-prepared items like Dolma's and Stuffed Spinach Patties.
g) Bakery - Features fresh baked (often still very hot) flat breads at very cheap prices.
Between 4-7 pm there is a steady stream of people stopping by for their daily order of flat breads, often pulled straight from their open oven. A must trye) Take-Out Restaurant - Grilled to order kabob and veges. The service is just acceptable, but you have to
remember that you are not in Gelson's. They are not trying to be rude, but rather this is how business is conducted in this culture. Remember, be polite and respectful and you will be treated respectfully back. Please do try this take-out Persian food, I think it is the best in Orange County. You will be pleased.There is my dime tour of the Mission Ranch Market. If you like to cook and do not want to pay full price, then try this market. It is heavily patroned and respected by the local community both Persians and non-Persians alike. Give it a try, you might save some money and may need to sign up for the 24-hour fitness next door if you eat too much of the fresh-baked flat bread....I did.
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