Ya’ll know I love to eat…
Fresh food, greasy food, spicy food, sweet food, salty food, crunchy food, any food that nourishes my mind, body, and soul.
My love of food always has me seeking out new brands, trying new things, uncovering new sources of inspiration, and updating my “favorites” list. Oftentimes you can find me wandering the aisles of my favorite natural and specialty grocery stores. Weird? Maybe. But I love the creativity and innovation that fill the shelves. Not to mention all the opportunities to nourish my body and learn about other cultures.
Food is a connection to other people and places. I love that one walk through a store can bring flavors and spices from every corner of the world, right to my home. A store offers endless possibilities of meals and recipes, trials and errors. All of which can be shared, or laughed about, with friends and family. In high school, a literature analysis book mentioned that sharing food, or breaking bread, with another person is one of the most intimate things you can do. That has always stuck with me, as it emphasizes the beauty and importance of food, and its delicate role in our lives.
Fortunately for me and my love of food and grocery stores (sad for my waistline), I work in the food industry. So it becomes part of my job to wander the aisles, check brands, pricing, and packaging (hello, market research!). Not a bad perk of the job! Plus, I get a firsthand introduction to up-and-coming brands and products through food shows and friends in the industry. I love how connected and intertwined the food industry is, people are constantly sharing what new products they’re loving, and encouraging you to try new things.
With that said, my love for food runs deep and it plays an important role in my home. I get excited to feed my loved ones, share, and experiment. I love nourishing my body, and supporting companies and brands that matter. I love the story that comes with each product I purchase. As a self-proclaimed localvore (check out I’m a localvore.), you will notice many of my favorite foods have a story, and are produced close by in Northern California.
Food brings happiness, and we could all use a little of that right now – so keep reading to find out what is filling my cupboards and fridge these days! Don’t forget to have your shopping list close by to jot down all the things you need to add…
1st on my list of current faves – Good Culture Cottage Cheese! I love cottage cheese because it is a wholesome, minimally-processed food with no additives, and is ultra creamy and mild. I particularly love Good Culture Cottage Cheese because it has a touch more protein, is a bit more acidic, and seems to have more curd than other brands. I love to eat this as part of my breakfast or as a morning snack to settle my stomach. My favorite is to add a little salt and pepper. I keep telling myself I need to add some fruit and other yummies to it, but I can never stray from the plain ol’ goodness…
Chocolate, okay, sweets… are my favorite food group (no shame!). So I love tasting and trying anything dessert related. I love it even more when I find it is made locally (hello, I’m a Localvore!). This TCHO chocolate is made in Berkley – just around the corner (okay not quite around the corner, but within a few hours drive)! The chocolate in itself is tasty and creamy, but add in the espresso flavor… total winner. I am a dessert and cappuccino kinda gal, so you can imagine how much I love this. It is the perfect pair in my mind.
In case you didn’t take me seriously when I said sweets were my favorite food group, here we are again. I. Love. Chocolate. This time it’s Honey Mama’s! This chocolate is (also) ah-mazing. I keep a few bars in the freezer for a cold treat. Not only is this ultra creamy and decadent (and the flavors are delightful, they hit every taste bud), but I really fell in love with the quality of ingredients. I love that the chocolate is made with locally-sourced, raw, and sprouted ingredients. Not that I ever feel guilty about eating chocolate, but if I did, the ingredients on these would erase that in a quick minute.
Coffee – my morning (and afternoon) jolt! I love supporting local businesses, which is just one of the reasons to keep this Lost Coast Roast Cold Brew in the fridge! I feel more connected to local products, and find them to be higher quality. I love Lost Coast Roast’s emphasis and passion for the environment and sustainability. I grab this cold brew when I need an afternoon pick-me-up – add some ice, protein powder, a dash of milk – wah-la! Healthy, and a boost of energy!
Granola – one of the most versatile foods, ever. And the easiest to eat nibble after nibble. I love to snack on it right out of the bag, add it to my yogurt, with an apple and peanut butter, or on a rice cake with peanut butter. Just writing this is make me hungry… I usually like to make my own granola, but knowing how much I love everything else Los Bagels makes, I couldn’t walk away from a bag of this. And I’m glad I didn’t! Rich and tasty, and plenty of crunch.
Alexandre Family Farms – I think I may have, probably, okay most definitely, have mentioned how much I love their products! Not just the milk (although a treat to myself when I am shopping in Eureka is a bottle of their vanilla or chocolate milk), the half and half and yogurt are must-haves. I make sure to get a bottle or two of the half and half when I am shopping on the coast! Not typically a yogurt fan, I do love their’s. It is ultra creamy, rich, and I know it is the highest quality. It pairs perfect with some fruit, and what? Yep, you guessed it – granola! This family farm is near and dear to my heart, and I know how much love and care they put into their farm and animals.
More coffee! And is that Alexandre Family Farms Heavy Whipping Cream I spy? Yes! (For an extra decadent coffee I will use heavy whipping cream in lieu of half and half.) This Humboldt Bay Coffee Company Camping Blend is my favorite everyday blend. It doesn’t have a bitter kick, but is strong enough to get me going in the morning! I really love the flavor on this blend, and it doesn’t hurt that it is roasted locally!
Crunchy things. Snacks. Crunchy snacks. More favorites. (I sound like my Grandmother, everything was her favorite food!) In all seriousness I am a major snacker and I love crunchy foods. Knowing that, I try to plan for healthier options. Which leads me to these Lundberg Rice Cakes. They are made locally (and some of their quinoa is grown in Humboldt – how awesome!), are organic, and have minimal ingredients. I love to slather on some peanut butter and top with granola or semi sweet chocolate chips for a sweet afternoon treat!
Everything these days is hemp, so I was a bit hesitant to jump on the hemp seed heart bandwagon. But what was I thinking?! These are awesome. They are a great source of protein, omega 3s and 6s. They are easy to add to smoothies, shakes, or other snacks. Another great one to keep stocked in the pantry! I use Bob’s Red Mill Hemp Seed Hearts because they are easy to find, and a quality brand I trust.
‘Booch, a delicious anytime drink! Ya’ll know how important I think gut health is, which is just one of the reasons I drink and love kombucha. Kombucha is flavorful and fermented, it’s bubbly, and contains probiotics and living cultures. Trilogy is my go-to flavor, but when I’m looking for a summery-inspired sip, I reach for the Watermelon Wonder. Because they are carbonated, they are a great (and healthier!) replacement if you drink soda. I also love that I can get GT’s Living Foods kombucha at Walmart in the large bottles – a cost savings and easier than having all the small bottles filling up the fridge!
Did your momma tell you to make sure you get your fruits and veggies?! Live Life Juice Company in Chico makes this easier, and tastier, than ever! While not everyone can jet over to Chico daily for their juice fix, I encourage you to look for a juice bar in your local community! Not only does it take the hassle and mess out of doing your own juicing, but their blends and mixes will give you new inspiration for your own recipes! I love that Live Life Juice Company is local, they have a bottle return program (yay sustainability!), they turn fruits and vegetables into treats, and they have delicious raw and vegan baked goods in their store! I love trying something new each time.
Almost as much as I love sweets, I love good drinks. And this Olipop is a serious addiction. I have mostly stuck to the Root Beer (because it is so delicious, I just keep going back to this one), and the flavor is great. I think it tastes just like traditional soda, but is good for your gut! It contains prebiotics and fiber, only two grams of sugar, and a whole can (of the Root Beer) is only 35 calories! A perfect warm afternoon cool down that you can feel good about. I really need to up my game and try some over ice cream…
Did someone say gut health?! Another product I love for its fermented, gut-boosting qualities. I am a sauerkraut fan as-is, but this Pickled Planet Beat Kraut is my fave! The flavor is so palatable and tasty. I add it to just about everything (namely my breakfasts) for a little boost of flavor, acidity, and gut nourishment. The bright, beautiful color of it doesn’t hurt either… #eattherainbow
Love me some chips and salsa! To be completely honest I try not to keep too many chips in the house, because with this Rita’s Salsa, I will take down the whole bag. I love the spice, flavor, and fact that this salsa is made locally! I add it to eggs, burritos, tacos, and anything else that needs a good kick. Salsa is one of those things that should always be in your fridge, and what better salsa to have the Rita’s?!
Last but certainly not least, my beloved Tomaso’s! This local company is great, and you can always find me adding it to my cart when I’m shopping on the coast. Their pesto is creamy and fresh, and a much better flavor than generic brands. I keep it stocked in the fridge so I can quickly top it on my breakfast eggs, or whip up an easy pasta or chicken dinner. Their traditional pesto is my go-to, but I’ve also used their pesto alfredo sauce (genius), and their spicy pesto. They also make marinara and salsa verde… I need to try them all!
Well, folks, there you have it. (Some) of my favorite foods! Tag me in what you create with these magnificent foods, and let me know what your favorites are! I am always up for learning about new foods, new brands, and how to better nourish my body. I love learning healthy swap outs, and getting new recipe and flavor inspiration. I want to continue purchasing more local brands, tag me in your favorites!
Let’s allow food keep us connected. XOXO Beer Squad.
Beer in a Martini World 