LOCAL SOURCE OF CHILLS.

ALL THINGS LOCAL, HEALING, HEALTHY, GIVES-YA-THE-CHILLS GOOD. I'm committed to documenting the good I've discovered during my healing process. However daunting it's been, it’s brought me to this very spot in life. I want to share all things that give me the chills - from Sunday morning farmers markets surrounded by local, organic produce…to cool spots and savvy ways around the city that support a responsible lifestyle. SF has provided me with such local support on my path to wellness, and I can't wait to share all that I'm continuing to learn. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-31174213-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[localchills-blog]

The Perfect Alkalizing Lunch

An alkaline body is a happy body, and my Saturday lunch put a really big smile on my face.  

Alkalizing foods will allow the body to function at its optimum level, slow down the ageing process, lower your cancer risk, drastically improve your energy level, brighten your skin, and help to fight off free radicals.

Inversely, an acidic body "decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness."

Ok, ok ok. The ingredients!!!

Organic Sweet Potato and Greens Bowl

1 small organic yam

1/3 cup of organic, soaked and sprouted quinoa

4-5 organic rainbow chard leaves

1/2 organic avocado, chopped

Sprinkled organic nori

Each element of this meal is warming, soothing, and super super alkalizing.

And some more reading for you...a site I found with an awesome and thorough list of alkaline vs acidic foods: 

http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

[localchills-blog]

Healing and Tightening and, yes, All Natural.

I use this face mask once a week and feel like I have left a spa every single time.  It's pretty amazing, and the ingredients will knock your organic socks off!!

I began seeing Skin Remedy owner, Justine Kahn about a year ago.  Her skin care boutique prides itself in their integrated green approach to holistic skincare, and uses all natural and organic ingredients in every treatment and lotion that touches your skin. 

Every (incredible) visit to Justine's shop, she refills me with her Green Kale Mask, which is featured here on Refinery 29... Go SR!!!!

http://www.refinery29.com/homemade-beauty-products#slide-18

I come home with her powdered kale/colloidal oatmeal mixture, and have my way with it at home! 

I mix one scoop of Skin Remedy's Kale mask powder, 1/2 cap of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, a dollop of organic honey, and a tiny splash of organic aloe vera juice.  You want just enough ingredients to create a smooth paste to spread over your skin.

This ultra-healing (the aloe! the honey!) and anti-bacterial (ACV! Colloidal oatmeal!) mask brightens, tightens and is super blemish fighting.  I use it right before bed, or even a couple of hours before I'm out the door to show off my glow!

You can find Justine on Sacramento and Spruce in Laurel Heights, San Francisco.  She's an inspiration to me!

http://skinremedysf.com/

[localchills-blog]

SHOP SEASONAL - Hey, It's February!

What I'm buying, preparing and cooking with during the month of February?  Green smoothies sweetened with apple, brussel sprouts roasted in coconut oil and chili flakes, and my last fix of winter squash in soups and atop organic arugula salads. Ohh but there's so much more to enjoy. Here's the list of Bay Area seasonal specialties you should stock your fridge with over the next month. Apples Arugula (1st month!) Asparagus (1st month!) Beets (YR) Bok Choy (YR) Broccoli (YR) Brussel Sprouts Cabbage (YR) Carrots (YR) Cauliflower (YR) Chard (YR) Collards (YR) Garlic (YR) Grapefruit Kale (YR) Lemons  Lettuces (YR) Onions (YR) Oranges Spinach (YR) Squash, winter (last month!) *YR = year round crops Teaser.  What can you look forward to lining the farmers markets asiles in the next few months?  My mouth is already watering.... Artichokes! Strawberries! Avocados! Peas! Shop Seasonal lists are based on information from the "Buy Fresh Buy Local: The Eater’s Guide to Local Food”. Bay Area, 4th Edition).

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Check out the hot fuchsia shade of these rainbow chard stems. This eye popping color needs to be bottled into a (toxic-free) nail polish or lipstick tube S T A T!

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Chilly Friday night at home and the oven was in full use! Organic chicken thighs roasted in lemon with roasted root veggies and wilted lemon kale. Spices used: cayenne, garlic and thyme.

[localchills-blog]

A year has passed living in my very own place, and could not be more grateful. Living on my own, I have been the sole decision-maker of what foods and products to bring into my home, which is extremely empowering and rewarding.

A particularly great purchasing decision I made while decorating my...

[localchills-blog]

Headed to a sunny poolside for the weekend and packing my favorite sunscreen. I love this product and this brand. DeVita makes 100% vegan, paraben free cosmetics that are certified organic, gluten sensitive safe, and contain no GMO’s. Just really clean, all natural, super safe ingredients.

...

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Starting this book tonight. Should be an informative read on innovation and theory around reinventing food policy and bringing healthy/sustainable foods to all populations.

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Product rec! Product rec! This is going to be a staple in my makeup bag for quite some time. The brand is Josie Maran and she fills the white space in the all-natural but high quality makeup marketplace. Lets be honest….a non-allergenic, non-toxic foundation that actually offers coverage and...

[localchills-blog]

World Renowned Heart Surgeon Speaks Out On What Really Causes Heart Disease

It is going to take big name doctors like this guy here to change the school of thought and overall care of traditional doctors and medicine.  We must begin to agree on processed food being the culprit and whole foods being the cure.  

[localchills-blog]

Breakfast of Champions

LOVE these breakfast ideas via Mindbodygreen.com.

Two-egg omelet (or three egg whites) with lots of greens + ¼ avocado on gluten-free toast.

Sweet omelet: 2 eggs, one tablespoon of Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of ground flaxseed, cinnamon, frozen berries, ½ banana. Mix well. Fry in coconut oil.  

One or two boiled or poached eggs with sautéed spinach, onion, zucchini, and tomatoes, drizzle of lemon, plus ¼ avocado.

Ezekiel toast or unprocessed seed toast with three tablespoons of cottage cheese or ricotta, a piece of smoked salmon, ¼ avocado and sliced tomatoes. 

Sweet cottage cheese: Ezekiel toast with 3-4 tablespoons of cottage cheese or ricotta, and a drizzle of honey and cinnamon. 

Pan-fried mushrooms in coconut oil and thyme with goat’s cheese and herbs. 

Zucchini, mint and ricotta fritters. 

Gluten-free pancakes — a great weekend option.

Chia pudding: chia seeds soaked overnight in milk or water. Add fruits and yogurt of choice. 

Homemade sugar-free granola with 2-3 tablespoons Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt and a sprinkle of chia seeds. 

Smashed seeds and avocado with goats cheese and tomato on toast:  ½ avo smashed with lemon juice, Himalayan salt, mixed seeds and sprinkle of goats cheese and sliced tomatoes. 

Baked oatmeal: slow-cooked oats, cinnamon, berries, banana, coconut butter, nut butter and almond milk. Mix together and baked in the oven. Topped with nuts and berries. 

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Check out these beautiful Swiss Chard leaves.  HUGE!  An amazing source of vitamins K, A, and C, magnesium, potassium, iron, and fiber.  And....would be incredible for making gluten-free wraps.  

[localchills-blog]

Shop Seasonal: Month of May

April was a busy month! I'm excited to get back into routine, which includes my Sunday farmers market trips.  And the month of May could not be more enticing...there are tons of new fruit and veggie crops that will brighten market aisles, as well as my dinner plates.  

Here's this months list of what's in season!

Apricots (1st month!)

Artichokes

Arugula

Asparagus

Avocados

Basil (1st month!)

Beets

Blackberries (1st month!)

Blueberries (1st month!)

Bok Choy

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery

Chard

Cherries (1st month of only 2 months!)

Collards

Garlic

Kale

Lemons

Mushrooms

Nectarines (1st month!)

Onions

Oranges

Peaches (1st month!)

Peas

Potatoes

Radishes

Raspberries (1st month!)

Spinach

Strawberries

Summer squash (1st month)

Amazing list! Enjoy filling your fridge this month!!!!

[localchills-blog]

Home in Arizona and am so grateful that my family supports healthy eating and a whole food, organic diet. Roasted lemon basil organic chicken and roasted organic spring vegetables in garlic, rosemary and coconut oil. The epitome of comfort food.

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Mixing rain and sun during SF's magic hour  =   An ethereal glow, and yeah, some killer rainbows.  Local Chills, from my neighborhood and my roof.

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Did I go overboard at the farmers market today??

Nah.

And had this incredible farmers market salad for lunch to prove it.

Ingredients (all organic):

Local arugula and mixed greens

Sunflower sprouts

Chopped radishes

Baby cucumbers

Red onion

Dino Kale

Broccolini

Chopped cilantro

Apple cider vinegar / extra virgin olive oil / salt / pepper / garlic

[localchills-blog]

How to Shop: Eggs

So many labels.  How do we make the best purchasing choices at the grocery store when there are 10 different options to choose from?

Love this easy guide for buying the best eggs by Takepart.com; lists what to avoid, what to look for, and where to shop!

Cage-Free: This label simply means the absence of a cage. It doesn’t mean the absence of fences or enclosures in general. It also doesn’t guarantee that chickens have access to an outside area. Birds that qualify as cage-free can still be packed tightly into an overpopulated and darkened barn.

Free-Range: When chickens are free-range, they’re required to have access to the outdoors—but that may amount to a narrow patch of dirt. Access to it can be a tiny door cut into the back of the shed, which in an overcrowded barn stuffed with hens, the birds may not ever notice, let alone use.

Organic: This label dictates that the birds are antibiotic and hormone-free, in addition to being provided with access to the outdoors. Still, some organic farms abuse the system by housing their hens in overcrowded sheds—with a small, unused door. Under certain conditions, some may also make their chickens endure the painful process of beak trimming that’s common in factory farms.

Certified Humane: According the Humane Society, even this certification allows for farmers to house chickens indoors at all times if they choose, and also allows beak cutting. A similar term, "American Humane Certified" even allows laying hens to be caged.

Instead, look for Pasture Raised chickens.  "A label used increasingly by smaller, sustainable chicken farms to indicate that they legitimately raise their birds outside, on an actual pasture. Hens also enjoy access to shelter when they choose to take it, and they’re raised without the use of harmful chemicals or painful procedures."

Where can you find Pasture Raised eggs?

Whole Foods

Real Foods

Your farmers markets!

  Read more here: http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/03/28/ethical-eggs?cmpid=tpfood-eml-2013-3-30-eggs