How the Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers' Market Is Making Local Organic Foods More Accessible

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There is a food crisis in America. In 2020, the USDA estimates more than 38 million people lived in households that were food insecure, meaning they lacked consistent access to nourishing foods. As the pandemic has caused jobs to be lost and precarity to become a greater reality for more and more people, lines to soup kitchens and food banks have swelled over the last year and a half, covering miles of ground as more than 60 million individuals sought the assistance of free or reduced food programs. Across the country cities are teeming with contrasts: On one corner of a neighborhood, a farmers’ market abounds with shoppers who can afford to buy fresh produce. On the other corner, a mother struggles to keep her children fed. (And many Americans with a need for food assistance do not qualify for federal programs, such as SNAP.)

These grave facts sit in juxtaposition to the harsh realities on the other end of the US food spectrum: Nearly 40 percent of our food supply gets wasted, meaning sustenance that could have nourished people instead rots in landfills. In addition to the severe issues, swaths of the US are defined as food deserts, areas where residents have very few, or sometimes no, access to affordable, fresh, nutrient-dense foods. “Disproportionately found in high-poverty areas, food deserts create extra, everyday hurdles that can make it harder for kids, families, and communities to grow healthy and strong,” states the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

As a media and educational platform that explores food and how it impacts our lives, we cannot look away from this reality. We have an obligation to fight this. To do our part. In this light, we will be amplifying the voices and endeavors of those who are on the front lines working to eradicate the existence of food insecurity and hunger. There is serious work being done to build larger awareness around the gaps in the food system, all led by steadfast workers that stem from various walks spanning various industries, from the restaurant world to the nonprofit sector. In our new series, Prima for Good, we’ll be spotlighting organizations and individuals doing just this. Up first: The Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market, which you can learn about below.

Our conversations around food need to expand. It is imperative we recognize that with every recipe created, every restaurant visited, and every farmers’ market shopped there are people lacking equity and access to the most basic human right. We hope this series helps to build stronger awareness and understanding of the fight we must fight until every person has unobstructed, life-long access to fresh food.

 

Prima for Good Spotlight: Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market

  

Thirteen years ago, the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association founded Fresh Approach, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between access to fresh farmers’ market offerings and low-income customers across the Bay Area of California. Over the years, Fresh Approach’s programs have evolved in various areas, including community gardening and urban agriculture; nutrition education; and fresh food access—which includes their Mobile Farmers’ Market program, an endeavor they started in 2013.

The Mobile Farmers’ Market concept is simple and positive: Take the freshest, seasonally picked produce grown by local farmers and bring it to nearby communities (mainly those that are low income and lacking access to fresh foods) at affordable prices—with a 50 percent discount offered to those who qualify for federal assistance benefits (or who identify as needing the benefit). A pint of organic locally picked strawberries, for instance, goes for $1.50.  “Every week, we’re providing really high-quality, California grown produce that’s better than anything nearby,” Fresh Approach food access program director Andy Ollove tells us.

When we spoke with Ollove, he told us about the plight of too many people across the US not having access—either financial, geographical, or both—to fresh produce. He says the concept of putting nourishment on wheels to bridge the gap is one he’s seeing have a continued promise. “In the last few years, the mobile farmers’ market model has been quite successful and replicated around the country,” he says. “We are actually working on beginning coalitions around mobile farmers market groups in California and have other partners nationally.”

But like any non-profit proves, the mobile farmers’ market project—albeit promising and positive—is not a sustainable business model and therefore requires grant-funding and activist minds to keep it running. While the federal program has been helpful for shoppers on CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, Ollove says those programs only help about 30 percent of the Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market shoppers. This requires Fresh Approach to continuously fundraise to be able to subsidize the remaining 70 percent of its customers who need food or financial assistance.  

Considering this, Ollove says shopping locally at your farmers’ market and finding those who are “facilitating the connections between the local farmers and the low-income populations'' is a critical way to support the efforts of nonprofits focused on food equity. “There are groups like us scattered in every city in the country, at least small and mid-size cities,” says Ollove. “There all in the same ecosystem of improving the food system toward access.”

  

To learn more about Fresh Approach and their Mobile Farmers’ Market, as well as ways to support their work, visit freshapproach.org.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

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While the origins of this beloved dish are widely contested (some say it was created in Britain, others say its roots are firmly planted in India), the fact remains that this hearty meal has won countless hearts because of how cooking it in a tandoor oven lends it a smoky, layered flavor. Our variation calls for a slow cooker oven, which allows for the same richness from the ghee, tomatoes, and fresh onions to meld together to make this slightly sweet, complex, indulgently rich meal.

This recipe yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS


  • For Tikka Masala:
  • 3 lbs chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 can tomato paste (6 ounces)
  • 1/2 can full fat coconut
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • For Cauliflower Rice:
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • For Tikka Masala:
  • 1.3 kilograms chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 120 ml chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 can tomato paste (170 g)
  • 1/2 can full fat coconut
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • For Cauliflower Rice:
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Put all ingredients except the coconut milk into a slow cooker or dutch oven and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours stirring every few hours.
2. Add coconut milk and stir.
3. Use the grater attachment on a food processor to chop cauliflower into rice.
4. In a skillet over medium heat, add ghee, cauliflower rice and sea salt.
5. Cook for 5 minutes or until rice is soft.
6. Serve Tikka Masala over top of cauliflower rice.


 

Leek and Potato Soup with Fresh Thyme

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Each bite of this hearty soup abounds with a layered complexity: the creaminess of the potatoes; the springy, onion-y notes of the leeks; and the bright green finish of the thyme. Find your deepest soup bowls and fill to the top. Drizzle with olive, top with sea salt, and serve with your favorite crusty bread (ours will be gluten-free) for a perfect winter’s night dinner.

This recipe yields 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 russet potatoes, quartered
  • 4 leeks (white part), roughly chopped
  • 4 cups bone broth
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (½ teaspoon dried)
  • 6 russet potatoes, quartered
  • 4 leeks (white part), roughly chopped
  • 950 ml bone broth
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (½ teaspoon dried)

Directions

1. In a large dutch oven, heat ghee over medium heat.
2. Peel and quarter the potatoes.
3. Add potatoes, leeks, celery, bone broth, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a low boil for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
4. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth then add the coconut milk and blend again.
5. Allow the soup to simmer another 20 minutes or until it has thickened to desired consistency.

 

Broccoli White Bean Soup

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The secret to this velvety soup? The addition of coconut milk and ghee, which both lend a buttery creaminess to the slow-cooked onions and broccoli.  Everything comes together in the immersion blender, leaving room for additions or subtractions to your liking. We love ours topped with red pepper flakes, but fresh herbs go just as nicely. 

This recipe yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb broccoli florets
  • 1 can white beans (cannellini) or ½ cup dry
  • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 3 cups bone broth + more for desired consistency
  • 1 cup kale (or spinach)
  • ¼ cup coconut milk
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 450 g broccoli florets
  • 1 can white beans (cannellini) or 64 g cup dry
  • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 710 ml bone broth + more for desired consistency
  • 128 g kale (or spinach)
  • 60 ml coconut milk
  • 32 g parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions

1. In a dutch oven over medium heat, add ghee, onion and garlic and cook until translucent and fragrant.
2. Add broccoli, kale, white beans, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, parsley, sea salt and pepper. Turn heat down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes until broccoli is tender.
3. Use an immersion blender to blend down to a soup consistency, add coconut milk and more bone broth as needed for desired consistency.
4. Lastly, add red pepper flakes. Omit for those sensitive to spicy food.

 

The Simplest Act that Can Change Your Life

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Whichever way we choose to communicate, the power of the written word is indisputable. That’s because the act of writing things down, with our hands clutching a pen and the ink drenching the page, is a practice that elicits a specific response in humans. Recent research suggests that the physical practice of writing—not texting, not typing, not voice-noting—is linked to stronger memory recall and higher brain activation. (Professor Kuniyoshi L. Sakai, a neuroscientist at the University of Tokyo and the author of a 2021 study on physical handwriting has been quoted saying that “paper is more advanced and useful compared to electronic documents because paper contains more one-of-a-kind information for stronger memory recall.”)

Writing down your thoughts—or goals, or ideas, or lists—is also a means that helps you bring ideas to life, author and life coach R.A. Leslie tells us. “It’s a visualization,” says Leslie, who bases much of her coaching work on journaling. (Leslie taught a journaling workshop for our first HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summit this past summer.) “You concretize things when you write them down. You get clarity—and your subconscious will actually obey what your conscious mind is telling you.” Leslie’s theory shows that by putting something to paper, the thought becomes real which in turn causes “your subconscious to obey what your conscious mind is telling you.”

So, if you seek to eat more vegetables: Write it down. If you desire to cook at home more: Jot it on paper. If you yearn for more organization and clarity: Go analog. “Whatever your goal is, if you want to be healthy, want to feel a certain way, want to follow this plan to feel better and healthier, writing helps,” says Leslie.

It also works from the other end of the spectrum. Meaning, if you lack the motivation to do something that you know would be great for you, writing it down can “trick” you into doing that actual act, says Leslie. “It’s really about telling your mind what it’s going to do.”

These reminders of how an exercise that is so simple yet so transformative intrigues us—particularly because we’ll soon be launching a PrimaFoodie tool that harnesses this power. (More on this very soon—stay tuned!) In the meantime, here are three more reasons to consider picking up the pen or pencil more often:

#1: It is fast. Sure, we’ve become so used to tapping a quick note to ourselves on our phones, but jotting down an idea with our entire hand is usually much swifter than relying only on our two thumbs. This is why Leslie is always prepared. “I have a piece of paper and a pen with me all the time.”

#2: It is easy. There’s no pressure to jot things down perfectly, says Leslie. Do it in your style and your way, whether this means dedicating a full hour to journal, using a consistent planner, or quickly jotting down random handwritten notes. The key is to write with no parameters. “This is something that should be pleasurable and enjoyable.”

#3: It is the beginning of something bigger. What is the bridge between our thoughts, goals, and dreams and their reality? Leslie says it is the act of immortalizing the idea. “The [aspect of] writing it down is the first step to really feeling and doing what you want.”

 

Stay tuned here and on Instragram for our upcoming PrimaFoodie launch that incorporates this simple, life-changing skill.

Our Food System is Corrupt—and One Massive Part Is the Pet Food Industry. Here’s What We Need to Know.

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By Stacey Lindsay

It was the early 2000s in San Francisco. Diana and David Vogel were living in the Mission District, and a food renaissance was happening. “Everybody wanted to know where their food came from,” says David. “They wanted to know about their farmer, the sources—and we were there and wrapped up by it all.”

At the time, Diana was working as a dog walker and in a pet store, and David was in the pet food manufacturing business. The couple, who were pet owners and submerged in what Diana calls “a dog community,” started thinking: Humans wanted to know about the how and why and who behind their food, but what about what went into their pets’ meals? These questions were fueled by their first-hand understanding of the unethical aspects of pet food manufacturing, from the heinous inclusion of meats (and parts) from euthanized animals to plastic ingredients. (One recent study found high levels of potentially toxic metals in various conventional dog foods.) 

There is also the ubiquitous issue of greenwashing: providing misleading information to trick consumers into thinking a product is more natural, sustainable, or overall healthy than it truly is. “That was frustrating for us early on,” David says of the cryptic marketing of pet food. “You see the bag, you’re going to fill it, and you know that’s just not in there.”

So Diana and David did a radical thing. They began making dog food from scratch with whole, local ingredients—organic produce, humanely raised grass-fed raw meats—right in their San Francisco apartment and selling it to their surrounding community.

That is the creation story of Diana and David’s progressive raw dog and cat food company Smallbatch, which officially launched in 2005. It started small with 15 loyal customers and now is available nationwide via direct orders and local pet shops. “The worlds of food and quality and pets just made a lot of sense,” says Diana, who constantly fields emails and calls from customers that range from comments on how switching to pure pet food helped their pet overcome ailments to inquiries about all the hidden additives and fillers in dog food.

That transparency is key to what Diana and David do, and it’s what they advocate for daily. The issue with pet food is multifaceted, and, in many ways, parallel to issues with the broken food system. Feeding pets high-quality, humanely raised meats and organic produce are critical for good health. The same goes for avoiding potentially harmful ingredients that serve little to no nutritional value and only stretch a product so the company can make a bigger profit. “Where there’s profit, there’s always compromise,” says David. “And it happens in every sector of the natural food space—and pet food has a lot of gray areas. There’s no ingredient police.”

That is why Diana and David push for people to know what goes into their pet’s food—and where it’s sourced and the values of the company creating it. Here they offer us some main takes on what to know and what to look out for when sourcing pet nutrition. 

Because knowing the story behind our animals’ food is, in many ways, activism toward a more transparent food system at-large—for both humans and animals. 

#1: Ask questions. Diana and David cannot stress this enough. Pick up the phone or send a cold email to a company and ask about their sourcing, their practices, and their values. If a company is hesitant to offer detail, take this as a red flag. “We’ve even had store owners asking for receipts,” says Diana about their sourcing questions—which they happily hand over. “So when in doubt, trust your gut.”

#2: Look for wholesome ingredients. These include real meat that is ethically and humanely raised (not factory farmed); produce that is organic (ideally), and pure whole-derived supplements.

3#: Avoid cryptic fillers and additives. There is technical oversight of the pet food industry from the FDA and AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), but the main concentration goes toward making sure there is adequate nutrition present in the food with little to no regard for manufacturing and sourcing standards.  Also, the FDA doesn’t even “get involved until something is wrong, or until something needs a recall,” says David. So this leaves many gateways for adulteration and the inclusion of cheap, unethical sources of food and additives.  To steer clear of this, Diana and David recommend vetting ingredients and avoiding the following: factory-farmed meats, meat that has been mechanically separated (a huge problem in the raw pet food world, says David), pink slime, animal discards, synthetic preservatives, and synthetic vitamin packs.

#4: Don’t fall for the jargon. Greenwashing is real. And it’s everywhere. This goes for pet food. Human food. Personal care items. Beauty products. Everything. So just because something is deemed organic, natural, or—in the pet food world—raw, doesn’t mean it should be accepted as the absolute most humane and healthy choice. Go deeper and ask questions about the sourcing. “Marketing is sometimes genius,” says Diana.

To learn more about Smallbatch, visit smallbatchpets.com.

More resources:

The Truth about Pet Food

The Cornucopia Institute

 



10-Minute Bliss, an Eye-Opening Documentary, and More PrimaFavorites

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We’re always looking to inspiring brands, services, projects, and changemakers that make life more beautiful. Here’s a look at what’s educating and intriguing us this fall.

(And if you love what you find here, be sure to check out all of our PrimaFavorites—and more!—in the newly opened PrimaShop.)

PrimaFavorites Autumn 2021 Edition

Green Chef

“I recently subscribed to a weekly meal-kit home delivery. As someone new to home cooking, I find the recipes easy to follow, especially because some items are already proportioned. This makes cooking less intimidating and decidedly more enjoyable for a beginner like me.” —Emila Akrapovic, Associate Marketing Project Manager

Balmuda Toaster

“A game-changer. This toaster uses steam technology to create the perfect flavor, texture, and aroma for every type of bread. The science is in the use of steam, which heats more rapidly than air and locks in the bread’s inner moisture, leaving the surface toasted to a golden brown finish with a moist inside. It has five specific modes to cater to whatever you are toasting or baking. The result is breads and pastries that smell, taste, and feel like they’re fresh out of the oven.” —Nichole Perkins, Founder and CEO

Wilding Gua Sha

“Lately, I’ve really been into Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese beauty technique. I use the Wilding Empress stone to give myself a 10-minute mini facial. It boosts circulation, helps with lymphatic drainage, and even de-puffs swollen eyes. It’s a wonderful way to slow down and sneak in some relaxation and self-care time.” —Adrienne Levy, Creative Director

‘The Next Thing You Eat’ on HULU"

“In this brilliant documentary series, David Chang, the lauded chef and revolutionary behind the Momofuku restaurant group, is looking ahead at what our experience with our food, as well as the means of how it’s made, will be like in the future. In the first episode, Chang explores how our food gets into our homes, be it by automated robots in Hollywood or via dabbawala, a cyclist-run delivery service in India. He takes a close look at automation and the role machines—both large and small—will have on our food system at large. This is merely the surface of what Chang explores and I can’t wait to see what else he reveals. I’m grateful for how both fascinated and uncomfortable I felt watching this. Chang is asking the questions about our global corporate food system that need to be asked.” —Stacey Lindsay, Editorial Director 

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

“This book is a must-read read for all CEOs, execs, and bosses—women and men alike. Kim Scott covers personal relationships, gender, politics, and much more. Her message—to care deeply and challenge directly—is so relevant.” —Nichole Perkins

P.F. Candle Co.

“I love P.F. Candle Co.’s candles, especially their Los Angeles scent which is not too overpowering. Their candles are 100 percent soy wax based, paraben-free, and phthalate-free—and I love how they also donate a portion of their profits to charities.” —Emila Akrapovic

10-Inch Dutch Oven

“This is a true one-pot pot. Right now I’m making vegetable noodle soup in it: Sear your meat, sauté your vegetables, pour the bone broth over it. Bon appétit.” —Nichole Perkins

Faherty Paloma Duster

“I use this sweater as a lounge robe around the house and with a simple jeans and t-shirt around town.  It is so warm and cozy. Although I live in LA, it has a very Aspen vibe to it, which makes me feel like I’m in the mountains.” —Adrienne Levy

Levels Blood Glucose Monitor

“The most interesting things I’m learning from this monitor are: How many different foods cause a blood sugar spike for me. (And wow, portion size really does matter!) What stress does to blood sugar. And the impact of movement, like walking after carb-heavy meals, cannot be underestimated.” —Nichole Perkins

Butternut Squash "Steaks"

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Creating a vegetable ‘steak’ sounds like it would involve scientific magic. Quite the opposite. Searing and baking the butternut squash just right, so it still has ample texture to hold up to the butter sage sauce, is the secret to this dish—which makes for an incredible side or delicious main dish.

This recipe yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 butternut squash
  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 12 fresh sage leaves
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground cloves
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 1 butternut squash
  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 12 fresh sage leaves
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground cloves
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ½ lemon, juiced

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit / 175 degrees Celsius.

2. Cut the top and bottom off of a butternut squash, then cut the neck off from the bulbous base. Peel the neck and slice into 4 rectangle slices or “steaks”. 

3. In a pan, heat coconut oil on high heat. Add butternut squash “steaks” to the pan. Sear squash on high for about 5 minutes per side, until they are golden brown. Watch them closely, flipping as needed, to avoid burning.

4. Add ghee, sage leaves, salt, pepper, garlic, and cloves to the pan. Use a basting brush to rub the ghee and herbs on the squash. Then place in the oven for 10 minutes.

5. Every few minutes, open the oven and baste the squash with the butter sage sauce.

6. Cook squash until fork tender. Then remove and serve, pouring the remaining butter sage sauce over the squash and squeezing ½ lemon on top.

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Coconut Pumpkin Soup

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Autumn’s answer to a perfect weeknight meal (and next-day lunch): a place to marry one of our favorite seasonal squashes with rich coconut milk, warming spices, and ghee. When the weather is chilly, there is nothing cozier than a big bowl of this soup. 

This recipe yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pumpkin pie pumpkins
  • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of ghee
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 cups bone broth or vegetable stock
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 pumpkin pie pumpkins
  • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of ghee
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 475 ml bone broth or vegetable stock
  • 120 ml cup coconut milk
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit / 200 degrees Celsius. Cut the tops off of 2 pumpkin pie pumpkins, and clean out the seeds. Next, cut them in half and place them face down on a parchment lined baking tray. Roast them in the oven for about 30 minutes or until fork tender. Remove from the oven and let them cool.

2. In a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until fragrant.

3. When the pumpkins are cool enough to touch, peel off the skin, and add them to the onion.

4. Add broth, coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper.

5. Using an immersion blender, blend all the ingredients together until it makes a smooth creamy consistency. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors. Add more broth as needed for desired consistency. 

Tips

**Always save pumpkin seeds for roasting. They are great in trail mix or for a salty snack.

**Add apple cider vinegar in small increments as needed, maximum 2 tablespoons. Make sure to taste test before adding more.

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Turkey Pumpkin Chili with Nutmeg & Cinnamon

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Folding these two quintessential fall spices into this hearty meal brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes and pumpkin. Turkey is our preferred protein here, but organic ground chicken or beef works, as does opting for only vegetables. The finished result is a chili that is incredibly layered and satisfying. 

This recipe yields 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pumpkin pie pumpkins
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 yellow pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 28 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 cup bone broth
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 pumpkin pie pumpkins
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 900 g ground turkey
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 yellow pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 28 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 170 g tomato paste
  • 240 ml bone broth
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 can black beans

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit / 200 degrees Celsius. Cut tops off of pumpkins and clean out the inside, saving seeds to roast later for a fall snack. Cut pumpkins in half and brush the inside with coconut oil and a pinch of sea salt. Place face down on a baking sheet lined with parchment and roast for 30 minutes or until fork tender. 

2. In a large dutch oven, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Add peppers and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until peppers are soft.

4. Turn the heat up and add ground turkey. Mix until all the turkey is browned.

5. Reduce heat to low and add tomatoes, tomato paste, bone broth, and all the spices. 

6. When the pumpkin is finished, take it out of the oven and let it cool. When it’s cool enough to handle, remove the skin and cut into small cubes. 

7. Add pumpkin and black beans to the pot and stir. 

8. Serve with toppings of your choice. Avocado and leek crema are our favorite. 

Tips
**Another pumpkin technique is to peel pumpkin when raw and cut into cubes. Add coconut oil and sea salt and roast for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

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Here’s Why a CSA Can Change Your Kitchen Game

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The main appeal of a CSA box delivery is straightforward: Each week, a bounty of fruits and vegetables (and often meats and eggs) arrives at your door. They’re fresh. They’re local. They’re in season. What’s not to love?

But take a closer look, and the benefits of joining a CSA—which stands for Community Supported Agriculture—greatly exceed mere convenience. This box of goods cultivated by a local farm provides another way to support conscious small producers and ensure the freshest produce lands in your kitchen. Simply put, it can be a game-changer.  

The 5 Upsides to a CSA Box

#1: Local Farmer Support

We think of a CSA as the delivered version of the farmers’ market. The fruits and veggies that land here are local and  from smaller farmers within your region. This proximity eradicates the middle players, which means the profits go into the farmers’ pockets. Signing up for a CSA box will open up your knowledge of local farms in your area.

#2: Fresh and Seasonal Produce

A CSA’s fruits and vegetables come from local farmers, not from across state or nation lines.  This means everything in terms of freshness because the produce is plucked at peak ripeness, not weeks prior to make up for long ship and grocery store display times. It also ensures the bounty you get is always in-season.

#3: Endless Surprises and Discoveries

The seasonality of a CSA box is like an evolving game of guess-the-vegetable. Aside from the consistent produce stalwarts, like squashes in fall and stone fruits in summer, you never totally know what you’re going to get each week—which is part of the fun. This mystery is also a way to discover heirloom varieties and relatively unknown and obscure produce that rarely (if ever) makes it to the grocery store shelves. (Note: Some farmers are getting more active on Instagram, thus updating their CSA box devotees on what produce to expect that week.)

#4: Meal-Time Inspiration

We admit: The unknown aspect may be a bit daunting, particularly if you don’t know how to cook a certain vegetable. But rather than thinking that you must create an entire meal out of a rutabaga, think more in terms of additions and swaps. A few PrimaFoodie favorite for unique veggies includes: making fresh “noodles” from celeriac root to pair with your favorite sauce; lightly steaming kohlrabi and topping with ghee and sea salt to go with a main protein; and adding any starchy vegetable to a purée to top a turkey leg. (If you’re seeking more ideas, send us a note on Instagram!)

Getting Started

Every farm operates its CSA program uniquely, meaning the offerings, schedule, costs, and delivery methods will vary. To ensure you find a CSA box that fits what you’re looking for, consider the following

  • Do some sleuthing—this can mean asking friends or inquiring with farmers at the farmers’ market—to catch wind of available and respected CSA box delivery options near you. LocalHarvest.org is an excellent online directory for finding nearby CSA farmers. Simply input your zip code to their directory to find local options near you.

  • Inquire—just like you’re at the farmers’ market. Before opting into a CSA delivery, make sure the farm is aligned with your values. Don’t be shy about calling, emailing, or sending a message via social media to ask about their farming methods and how they treat their animals. Some farms also let you opt in for one box before committing to something regular.  

Southwest Sweet Potatoes

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A zesty blend of cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and clove lends big-time flavor to this hearty vegetarian meal. (And we say “meal” as the sweet potato packs a satisfying and nutrient-dense punch.) Black beans offer additional protein, while the cherry tomatoes give a juicy sweetness. We love ours drizzled with Primal Kitchen Cilantro Lime Dressing & Marinade.

This recipe yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 can black beans (or ½ cup dry)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 can black beans (or 64g dry)
  • 15g fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and bake them for about an hour or until you can easily pierce with a fork.

  3. In a skillet on medium heat, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for five minutes or until onions are fragrant.

  4. Add zucchini, yellow bell pepper, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, and sea salt. Cook until vegetables are soft.

  5. Add cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and black beans and cook for another 2 minutes.

  6. When the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and cut halfway down the middle. Using a fork, fluff the inside of the potato to make room for filling.

  7. Scoop the vegetable-bean filling into each potato. Garnish with fresh cilantro and drizzle with Primal Kitchen Cilantro Lime Dressing & Marinade.

TIPS

**If you prefer roasted vegetables, toss onion, garlic, zucchini, and yellow pepper in olive oil and spices. Lay them flat on a cooking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove from the oven and toss with cilantro, beans, and cherry tomatoes before adding to the potatoes.

Classic Stuffed Peppers with Cauliflower Rice

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Stuffed Bell Peppers: This is one of our all-time favorites for when the temperatures drop. The red peppers and vegetables get sweeter as they bake, rendering this dish a cozy, comforting meal for fall. We love using organic beef for its protein and richness, but opting for vegetables only is just as satisfying.

This recipe yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 head of cauliflower, finely processed into rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 6 bell peppers
  • 450 g ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 head of cauliflower, finely processed into rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 170 g tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit / 190 degrees Celsius.

  2. Cut a thin slice off the top of all six bell peppers and clean out the inside, disposing of the seeds and membranes. Place them face up in a glass baking dish lined with parchment paper. Set aside.

  3. Make cauliflower rice using the grater attachment of a food processor. Pulse until its a fine rice-like consistency. Set aside.

  4. In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, onion, garlic, zucchini, carrot and ½ tablespoon sea salt. Cook until onion is fragrant and zucchini has softened.

  5. Turn up to high heat and add ground beef and the remaining sea salt. Once beef is browned, add tomato paste.

  6. Lastly, add cauliflower rice. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

  7. Fill each bell pepper to the top with beef and vegetable mixture.

  8. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes or until peppers are tender.

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Stuffed Acorn Squash

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In the same family as butternut squash, pumpkin, and zucchini, acorn squash is a versatile winter vegetable that is a staple on our family’s table this time of year. Acorn squash has an appetizing nutty flavor and a dense nutritional profile, which is high in vitamins B and C as well as potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Ground pork provides plenty of protein, essentially creating a meal in a bowl with this SIBO-friendly, low FODMAP dish. 

This recipe yields 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2-4 acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon ghee (or cooking oil of choice)
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 fennel bulb, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons mustard powder
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2-4 acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon ghee (or cooking oil of choice)
  • 450 g ground pork
  • 1 fennel bulb, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons mustard powder
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar


DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit / 190 degrees Celsius.

  2. Slice squash in half vertically to create a boat shape, or slice off the top to create a flower-shaped bowl. Scrape seeds out with a spoon .    

  3. Take a tablespoon of coconut oil in the palm of your hands to slightly melt it and spread it on the inside of the acorn squash. Add a pinch of salt if desired.

  4. Place squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.

  5. In a large skillet, heat ghee.

  6. Add ground pork to the pan and cook over medium heat.

  7. Add chopped fennel, fennel seeds, mustard powder, and red wine vinegar and cook for approximately 10 minutes.

  8. When squash is finished cooking, remove from the oven. It is cooked when the squash is fork-tender the flesh has a nice light brown caramelization.

  9. Fill squash with pork mixture and serve fresh and warm.

TIPS

**Acorn squash is a flavor that compliments many different kinds of meat. Ground beef or bison would work just as well as pork. 

**If storing, keep the squash and filling in separate containers to avoid getting soggy.

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The PrimaFoodie Guide to Conscious Small Brands: Boston Edition

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If you’re not from or familiar with Boston, this city will surprise you. It’s a metropolis small in geographical size (the city and surrounding region is about 90 square miles) yet abundant in ideas that shift the world. Some of the world’s greatest think tanks and universities call this New England town home, as do thousands of careerists from all fields.

But what adds such a layer of surprise to this city is its humility. Boston doesn’t brag (except when it comes to sports) but it certainly produces. Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, blue-collar employees, white-collar employees, advocates, and activists all lend a vibrance that makes this city one of the most productive and unique. Here you’ll find a consistent swell of small-scale conscious entrepreneurs, innovative (and inclusive) food producers, organic farmers, and dedicated artisans creating goods that are clean, sustainable, and nourishing. Our round-up here highlights just a few of our PrimaFoodie-approved favorites.

Boston Honey Company

As its name suggests, Boston Honey Company produces small-batch, local honey from established apiaries across Massachusetts. The bees are allowed to openly pollinate, thus resulting in various multi-flower varieties of the sweet sap. Everything is kept raw and unfiltered, from the hive to the jar, and is available at local New England markets and farm stands.   

Copicut Farms

If you were to visit this Dartmouth, Massachusetts farm you’d be greeted by hens freely roaming the property and cows grazing in acres of emerald grass. Everything from Copicut, from the pasture-raised meats and poultry to the organic vegetables, is grown, cultivated, and processed on the farm.  The family uses no pesticides on its grasses and offers certified organic CSA boxes for local delivery.

C&C Lobsters and Fish

Maine may get all the praise when it comes to East Coast lobsters, but the waters bordering Massachusetts easily rival in quality. This small family-run fishery has been sustainably catching local lobsters since 1982. Everything is sold the day of its catch, offering local citizens and restaurateurs some of the freshest fish and lobsters in New England.

Sweetness Foods

Will Hansen, the founder of this small frozen treat company, has brought the humble sweet potato to new heights. After facing health and weight issues, he went on a quest to clean up his diet and eat only real whole foods. This included hand-creating this creamy frozen dessert made with whipped sweet potatoes, maple syrup, chia seeds, grapeseed oil, and fresh fruit, spices, and nuts.

Riddle Brook Farm

Tucked in the Blackstone River Valley, a lush region that runs through southern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island, is Riddle Brook Farm: a quaint family-owned and run farm specializing in pasture-raised eggs, flowers, and gourmet oyster mushrooms. Their offerings, which are all humanely sourced and raised, are available at Boston farmers’ markets and local CSA boxes.

Follain

Nearly a decade ago, Tara Foley set out to change the beauty world by educating consumers about the need for more transparency when it comes to personal care products. So she opened Follain in Beacon Hill, a tiny apothecary that stocks 100 percent clean beauty, personal, and home products—and people came in droves. Today Foley has several Follain locations, as well as her own skincare line named after her boutiques.

Soluna Garden Farm

Just north of Boston, Soluna Garden Farm grows seasonal organic herbs and flowers, most of which is then incorporated into their natural vinegars, spice blends, and herbal teas. They make their specialty products at Food Evolution, a shared women-owned collective kitchen that focuses on food system education.

Langwater Farm

Langwater is another stunning family-owned farm in Massachusetts that produces organically grown (and some heirloom) vegetables and fruits that are on offer via CSA boxes and at Boston farmers’ markets. The family also puts their more than 80 acres to community use by offering seasonal public vegetable picking and a pumpkin patch every fall.

For further exploring, read our PrimaFoodie Guides to Austin and Portland.

From Ice Plunges to Dream Readings: What We Learned from our HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summer Health Summit

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At the risk of sounding cliché, it feels like just yesterday when we were producing our first virtual summit. Our small-but-mighty team (we’re looking at you Adrienne and Emila!) had boots on the literal and digital ground, booking talent and recording workshops, while Nichole was juggling interviews, partnerships, and all the like. There were moments where an hour felt elastic as we stretched it to fit in all there was to plan.

Now here we are, on the other side of the launch of the HEAL with PrimaFoodie Virtual Health Summit, feeling revitalized and empowered. This project was a lesson in gumption and kismet, and a reminder that when we follow our guts, and keep them healthy, great lessons unfold. We’re grateful to each of you who joined.

There were giant takeaways from this premiere event that amplified our minds, bodies, and souls.

  • For our mental wellness, we learned how to break free from toxic thoughts from Keren Eldad. We found essential time management skills for moving through our weeks with joy from Margot Janks. We benefited from a practice to help us tap into a “deeply respectful motivation” to be present from Elena Brower.

  • For our physical wellness, Dr. Jacklyn Tolentino informed us on symptoms of blood sugar and hormonal issues. Jennifer Ragazzo revealed exactly why a damaged gut impacts our entire bodily system (including our skin and emotions). Hilda Labrada Gore gave us one of the most impactful home tools to boost our energy, mood, and glow. (The effect it had on Adrienne and Emila was instant proof!)

  • For our emotional and spiritual wellness, Jennifer Swartley gave us the wisdom to acknowledge and breathe through burnout. Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh illustrated why creating inviting, warm, personal interiors can have immediate effects on how we feel. And R.A. Leslie walked us through a journaling practice to help us “critically think” about our lives.

Of course, these learnings are only a hint at all we covered and the amazing talent that took part. We also got cooking and baking in the kitchen, conversing about how we need to support regenerative agriculture, and the fascinating reasons behind why eating more nutrient-dense foods is an act of environmental activism. 

At the end of it all, we felt lighter and more positively charged than we ever have. We’re fueled to do this again. Stay tuned for more HEAL with PrimaFoodie summits in-the-works—and let us know if there’s anything you wish to learn about in the future.  

Our sincere thanks to each of our talented experts for their contributions: Britta Plug, Dr. Robin Currey, Jennifer Swartley, Farmer Lee Jones, Amanda Ramirez, Margaret Floyd Barry, Jennifer Ragazzo, Leah Ann Bolen, Barbara Stamis, Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, Michael Mansour, Laurel Gallucci, Seonagh Kummer, Elena Brower, Margot Janks, Jayne Williams, Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh, Belinda McCall, R.A. Leslie, Hilda Labrada Gore, Monica Ford, Keren Eldad, Abigail Wald, and Hitha Palepu,


The Plastic-Free Pioneers Making It Easy to Create a Sustainable Kitchen

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One of the longest-running missions we’ve been on at PrimaFoodie is to cut out the plastic in our homes, especially our kitchens. Continued research suggests that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen found in hard plastics, may cause certain cancers. Manufacturers have been producing plastics that are deemed “BPA-Free”, but research on the alternatives links them to similarly concerning health issues.

The workaround? We aim for glass and other non-plastic materials to store our leftovers, seeds, nuts, and any other food items. We’ve found that when you start in the kitchen, ridding plastic from other places in the home gets easier—and, thanks to these brilliant companies, even fun.

Package Free Shop

Since its opening in 2017, this Brooklyn-based online shop has helped to keep millions of pieces of trash out of landfills. Founded by Lauren Singer, the environmentalist known for the savvy blog, Trash Is for Tossers, Package Free Shop offers a range of non-plastic items from personal care to office supplies to pet grooming, all from independently owned brands aimed at reducing unnecessary packaging and waste. The site is a joy to peruse, and the kitchen section is abundant for its stainless steel containers, wood cutting boards, reusable straws, and the like.

Blisshaus

The Cadillac of pantry storage systems. Blisshaus, a collection of streamlined glass pantry jars and labels, is the brainchild of founder Wiebke Liu, a Germany-born, McKinsey-trained strategist with an intense passion for the intersection of efficiency and aesthetics. Liu created Blisshaus to be a multilevel option for creating a plastic-free kitchen. You can order their varied-sized jars to re-package your food items yourself. Or you can opt for their virtual or in-person kitchen makeover service, where a Blisshaus expert will walk you through the pantry organization process jar-by-jar.

Fillgood

More than a decade ago, Fillgood founder Stéphanie Regni took a class on recycling that changed the course of her life. She learned that the act of recycling, as well-intentioned as it is, is not a long-term solution for the copious amounts of plastics that end up in landfills. Her response to her realizations was founding Fillgood, an educational platform and online boutique that offers a range of plastic-free household items and refill options. The Fillgood kitchen section is an excellent resource for hard-to-find food storage staples like beeswax wrap, and welcomed discoveries including handmade dishwasher powder.

Honorable Mentions:

Zero Waste Store

The Refill Shoppe 

The Zero Market


The PrimaFoodie Short Guide to Creating a More Positive, Sustainable Home

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“The home should be the treasure chest of living,” French architect Le Corbusier famously said. We agree. Our environments have an immense impact on how we feel and function. No longer do we create homes for mere shelter: Our surroundings are keys to our wellbeing.

In truth, however, creating a home that is both a sanctuary and a supporter of a clean lifestyle might seem like a challenge—but it need not be. The smallest steps can lead to a space that invokes calm and positivity and supports a cleaner planet. Just as we might meditate or eat whole foods to care for ourselves, incorporating certain details in our homes and making specific changes can have a tremendous impact on our wellbeing. Here are four simple ways to get started.

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking to learn more about how our environments impact our lives, join Nichole, Sarah Chavez, and Marina Mizruh for their conversation on “Creating Your Optimal Space” at our upcoming HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summit. Tickets are on sale for one more day. Details here.

 

#1: Vet Your Home Cleaning Products

Even with the proliferation of clean, environmentally responsible household products, it is still easy to get despondent over the detrimental chemicals (and plastics) that some companies continue to use. But rather than getting overwhelmed, we can choose to take steps in the right direction. One of the smallest changes that can have the biggest impact on reducing toxicity levels in the home is to break free from conventional cleaning products. Avoid bleach and formaldehyde and instead aim for simple solutions made of pronounceable ingredients like vinegar, essential oils, and baking soda. (Branch Basics makes an excellent line of plant-based cleaners.) 

#2: Let There Be Healthy Light

Good lighting is one of the most impactful and affordable ways to breathe positivity into a home. By “good” we mean a mix of sources that are natural and sustainable. First, optimize natural light by keeping windows clean and unobstructed. A strategically placed mirror or glossy, non-VOC paint can also help to disperse natural brightness. Second, replace artificial light sources with LED bulbs. These use approximately 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and help to shave off 25 to 30 percent on electricity bills.  

#3: Aim for Glass and Cloth

Disposable materials, particularly plastics and paper products, are still nearly impossible to avoid. But until the giant corporations stop pumping out these products, the onus is on us to reduce the amount that enters our homes. We’ve found the easiest places to start are opting for glass storage and pantry containers, which don’t release any chemicals into food, and swapping paper towels for linen or organic cotton towels.

#4: Dedicate a Space for Calm

At PrimaFoodie, we view meditation as a vital practice for clarity, productivity, and overall self-care. The key to reaping the benefits is consistency—and what supports consistency is having a clean, safe, comfortable space to meditate. This doesn’t have to be an entire room. A quiet corner works just as well. Aim to keep any tools that support your practice, such as a meditation pillow, blanket, or mat, neatly in the area to avoid any obstacles coming between you and bliss.

For more ideas on creating a sustainable, healthy home, see ‘The Case for Keeping a Clean Fridge.’ 


3 Ways to Fight for a Healthier Food System

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First, the dark truth: We know the food system in the U.S. is broken. Copious food is left wasted each year while millions face food insecurity. People are sick from diet-related issues. Animals in factory farms suffer abuse. There is a lack of access to fresh foods. These examples, as well as the others we’ve written about, are unsettling.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that these issues are not natural occurrences. They’re entirely human-caused. You can’t look at any of these problems without seeing the direct line to the giant corporations set on one goal: profit. As dark as this is, acknowledging this fact opens the gate for the light: We can fight back.

We don’t say this lightly. Fighting the massive corrupt food system is a gigantic battle. Policies need to change, as do allowances for systemic corruption and moneyed lobbyists. But pushing back and fighting for a world in which the way we grow, source, and distribute our food is equitable and humane is a feat we cannot avoid—and it takes every one of us.

Considering all time and financial budgets, here are three ways to start.

1.)   Shop the farmers’ market. It’s more nutritious. It’s tastier. It’s even more fun. But that’s not the only reason we always tout shopping at your farmers’ market. Getting your produce, meats, and other goods from local farmers and purveyors means you’re putting dollars in their pockets rather than in the bank accounts of Walmart and Tyson. It comes down to supply and demand. Take the power out of the giants’ hands and back into those who care.

2.)   Shop small. It’s common and disheartening: You pick up an “organic” food item thinking you’re making the healthier choice. Then you look closely and see the name ‘ConAgra’ on the label. A handful of corrupt food giants have a monopoly on the foods available in markets, including those labeled as organic, natural, and the like. It can be hard to avoid these companies all together, but sourcing some staples from small, local, independently owned brands can help to take some wind out of the giants’ sails. It’s also a way to connect with your community. (Note: If you’re looking for tips on small brands to shop in your city, send us a note and we’ll sleuth some finds for our next Conscious Small Brands Guide.)

3.)   Support the organizations doing the legwork. A varied mix of non-profits and other organizations are working to fight corporate control and food injustice. The Institute for Local Self Reliance, which focuses on empowering local business, and The Human League, which fights for humane and just food practices, are two endeavors doing noble work. Supporting their efforts can come in many forms, such as signing up for their newsletters, following them on social media, making a donation, or signing a petition.

Curious to learn more about sustainable food systems? Join Nichole and ethnoecologist Robin Currey for their conversation on food resilience, local sourcing, and more at our upcoming HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summer Health Summit. Learn more and get your tickets HERE.

Bookmarked: 5 Recent ‘Wellness’ Articles Worth Noting

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We’ll read thought-provoking wellness wisdom anywhere our eyes land on it: in a magazine, on a favorite website, via a new study. But what constitutes “thought-provoking” likely differs for each of us. At PrimaFoodie, we seek wellness reporting through an inclusive lens: features that consider the truth that feeling good and living well must be accessible to everyone. Plus, wellness comes in many shapes and sizes. Even the act of keeping a streamlined kitchen, as this brilliant Remodelista feature below outlines, can be an act of self-care in and of itself.

‘How to Recycle’ via Doré

This headline may come across as reductive—but in truth, it’s anything but. The chain of recycling is complicated. The guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled vary widely between cities, states, and countries. This lack of clarity can push many to throw up their hands, but Tyler Simmons, the zero-waste coordinator for EcoAction, says it’s important to not give up. As he expresses in this interview, what we need as consumers is more clarity and the gumption to hold the large corporations responsible for the plastic they pump out.

‘Tending to Your Plants Is Really Tending to Yourself’ via Well + Good

Whether you have a massive kitchen garden or a lone houseplant, having some form of greenery in your living space offers a chance to foster a stronger relationship with yourself and the natural world. In this article and accompanying podcast, regenerative gardener Emily Murphy, plant doctor Maryah Greene, and licensed therapist Anita Yokota speak to the body, mind, and soul benefits that come from tending to plants.  As Yokota says, “research has shown that we are drawn to the color green because it's refreshing...and it de-stresses us.”

‘Confused about Chemical Safety?’ via The Credo Blog

It seems the word ‘chemical’ has gotten a bad reputation. We aim to avoid chemicals in our food, our skincare, and our household products. But when we take a pause to consider, everything—literally everything—is made of chemicals. It’s just that some are hazardous to our health. What we need to do is consistently educate ourselves on how to keep our radars sharp on which chemicals to avoid. This quick primer is a good place to start for personal care items.

‘The Healing Power of Play’ via The Good Trade

Remember recess? That chunk of time dedicated to free play somehow gets totally overlooked once we hit a certain age. This is unfortunate. Researchers tout the benefits of play, which can be any form of healthy, creative, self-indulgent folly, as being wider reaching that we may realize. As this writer sees, play can be discovered in overlooked places—and it may be a tool for the healing we need.

‘5 Clever Efficient Ideas from a Cookbook Author’s Home Kitchen’ via Remodelista

Your home should rise to meet you. And your kitchen? It must bend over backwards, at least in our minds. As Nichole has long said about keeping a clean pantry and tidy fridge, streamlining your cooking space isn’t solely about aesthetics. It’s a critical ingredient for keeping you inspired and calm so you continue to cook healthfully. This peek into cookbook author Amy Thielsen’s kitchen is fodder for creating an efficient and inviting space that works for you.