We are so excited to introduce you to our featured guest blogger! Meet Patsy Culp, Chief Celebrator and Founder of &Celebrate. She is the queen of living in the moment and our guide to learn how to “Live Every Day Like a Celebration!” Whether you need a reason to find the silver lining or have a desire to be inspired, Patsy can show you how to celebrate the small stuff! Read on to learn her top tips for celebrating Valentine’s Day!

Live your WHOLE life,

Shannon + Meg

Love is in the air this time of year. Whether you are in a romantic relationship, or you long to be, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the ones you love – yourself included. Perhaps you’ll choose to honor the ones you’re celebrating through a gift of flowers, handwritten notes, or simply spending quality time together.

One of my favorite traditions is setting the table for two on Valentine’s Day. I started to do this long before my husband and I first met, as a way of celebrating myself (and providing the Universe with a hint that I was open to receiving a romantic partner). Funny enough, when that guy finally showed up years later, our first date fell on the weekend of Valentine’s Day. (We’re celebrating six years together this week!)

Set your table for two, six, or one – jazz it up, add a little sparkle, and most of all have fun with it! Each theme was built using everyday tableware and decorations I’ve gathered over the years. By simply featuring different tableware and centerpiece elements, you can instantly change the vibe of the room. The possibilities are endless!

I hope these Valentine’s Day tablescapes inspire you to treat yourself and those you love to a wholesome meal, some chocolate covered strawberries, meaningful conversation, and most importantly, champagne – because after all, sometimes having a bottle of champagne in the fridge is reason enough to celebrate.

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Feeling inspired?  Ready to shed the winter weight, kick your sugar craving, or conquer your kitchen this Spring? Be an Early Bird and enroll now for our next session of Beautiful University!  Reserve your spot today and save $40 off the regular price, but hurry class starts February 23rd and this deal won’t last long!  Check out what Patsy and other Beautiful U alumni are saying 🙂

Ever think your grandma was talking nonsense when she suggested home remedies for your everyday ailments? That may be the case with standing on your head to rid yourself of hiccups… but there are some that actually work! Well Grandma Ruthie had plenty, here are her top 6 uses for the retro home remedy Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).

So what is ACV?

ACV, apple cider vinegar, is a type of vinegar made from cider, the result of crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid then adding bacteria and yeast. After 2 rounds of fermentation, the concoction is turned into vinegar by acetic-acid forming bacteria. It’s usually amber and resembles apple juice.

Why does some ACV look like apple juice that’s been left out too long?

As the Gerson Institute explains, unpasteurized, raw, organic ACV has “mother of vinegar,” or what we lovingly refer to as “the good stuff.” Mother of vinegar resembles the strand-like sediments in Khombucha and contains the raw enzymes + gut-friendly bacteria that promote healing.

But first, some background…

I was lucky enough to grow up spending time with my grandparents each week. My Grandma Ruth taught me a LOT, in fact, she was one of the inspirations behind Whole Food Love!  Ruthie possessed endless knowledge of frugal, ingenious life hacks (before they were popular). Below are some of her pearls of wisdom: home remedies with Apple Cider Vinegar, which is quickly making its way back into mainstream.

 

Ruthie’s Top 6 uses for ACV 

1. Goodbye Bland! The sweet + sour taste of ACV gives an instant “zing” to otherwise bland foods. Use 1 Tbsp. on your next salad or quinoa bowl for a zesty addition. ACV lowers glucose levels and contains enzymes that help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Daily intake of acetic acid in ACV is also linked to weight loss via an increase in satiety.

2. So Fresh and So Clean! Move over Pinesol, here’s an ACV cleaning solution that will leave your kitchen smelling like a basket of freshly picked delicious apples (not lemony bleach). Simply mix 1 part ACV with 1 part water to create a chemical-free, non-toxic, anti-bacterial, odor-absorbing and cheap DIY cleaning solution. Spray on hard surfaces and wipe with a cloth: use freely in the kitchen, bathroom and on hardwood floors!

3. Shine On! Who doesn’t want a smooth, shiny mane? ACV can be used as a conditioner replacement! The vinegar helps remove excess oil and dirt while balancing you hair’s pH. ACV seals the cuticle, clearing dandruff + greasy build-up and soothes an itchy, irritated scalp. After shampooing, mix 2 Tbsp. ACV with 8oz. of cold water. Stir to combine and pour over wet hair. Let sit and rinse with cool water. Try this a couple times per week for best results.

4. Easy, Glowing Skin! ACV can be used as a cleansing astringent and antibacterial, although any condition involving inflammation and irritation will benefit from this simple home remedy. After using a gentle cleanser on your face, soak a cotton ball with ACV and apply directly to skin (can also use this as an all-natural aftershave).   For extra detoxification, use ACV astringent morning and night before applying sunscreen.

5. Goodbye Sniffles! As soon as you feel a sore throat or flu symptoms, make some ACV tea! Combine 8 oz. boiling water with 1 Tbsp. ACV in a coffee mug. If desired, sweeten with a drop of honey and sprinkle of ground cinnamon. ACV tea is great for draining mucous, soothing a sore throat, and even warding off colds (thanks to the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties).

6. Sunburn Forgiveness! We’ve all learned that lesson, multiple times in fact. The one where we forget to put on sunscreen, have a blast one summer day and then pay for it the rest of the week with red, uncomfortable sunburn. There’s a trick Grandma Ruthie showed me that I have employed more times than I can count: Soak a handkerchief in ACV and apply directly to sunburned skin. It will feel cold at first, so leave the soaked handkerchief on for 1-2 minutes. Like magic, remove the handkerchief and feel the heat! Follow-up with copious amounts of lotion and your sunburn will fade without peeling.

Try one or try all! Let us know with a comment what you think 🙂 Have another ACV remedy? Share it in the comment section below!

 

Live your WHOLE life,

Shannon + Meg

 

*Consuming ridiculously large amounts of ACV can have some side effects (250 ml each day for years)…So don’t go overboard (obvious? Yes)!

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news… so I let this Mark Twain quote do it for me! Most New Year’s Resolutions fail! (Too soon?) Forbes.com reports that only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s Resolutions (for various reasons which we’ll get to in a bit). Here’s the thing, our resolutions have been failing for over a century: Mark Twain’s above quote is from January of 1863!

I don’t like setting myself up for failure, and I know you don’t either. So why do we continue to make resolutions? Psychology Today reports that people make resolutions as a way of motivating themselves. That seems valid, but PT goes on to say that people who set such resolutions aren’t ready to change their habits, especially bad habits, and that accounts for the high failure rate. These resolutions are also often unrealistic.

I’m just as guilty as the next person. I LOVE fresh starts, the idea of starting a year, blemish free and keeping it without mistakes used to excite me beyond belief. I say “used to” because I suffer from “Failure to Launch” syndrome. For most of my adult life, I would spend December eating whatever Christmas cookie crossed my path, telling myself it was fine because I would start eating better in January. Then my mind would run wild with the thought of how much weight I would lose come January and how much more attractive, popular, and better I would be by then. Spoiler alert: I was NOT part of the 8%.

In my case, as soon as I messed up once, I was done. There goes my fresh start, my blemish-free year and my motivation for continuing. I learned, through much trial and error, that shooting for the moon can be psychologically daunting. I’ll share some insights I use with my individual clients: The best route is to switch your focus and make your resolutions positive, tangible and simple.

3 Steps to your Resolution Makeover 

1. Let’s start with positive. When we base our goals on deprivation or the removal of something (that is proven to bring us happiness, joy, contentment) we set ourselves up for failure. I like to phrase my goals/resolutions in a positive way. Here’s an example for someone who wants to “Eat Healthy” in 2015. Instead of saying “don’t eat any junk food” switch it to “I will eat more healthy foods.” If you slip up and have a piece of junk food at 10am, you’ve already “failed” and the rest of your day is ruined. In switching your resolution to a positive, you can go the whole day without eating “healthy food” and as long as you choose some for your last meal of the day you’ve met your goal. Invite feelings of success!

2. Ok, now let’s make this goal simple. Instead of thinking of all the healthy food items you can have throughout the day, narrow it down to one that you know is healthy + you enjoy eating. An obvious choice would be vegetables. This is a simple change that will keep you on track and make this goal that much more realistic!

3. Great progress! Lastly, we need to make sure the goal is tangible. What do you picture when you think eating vegetables? A salad, a side dish, a smoothie? Eating vegetables is just a little vague…If we attach a reasonable, tangible quantity to this goal it would sound something like this “I will eat 1 cup of vegetables every day.” See how much different that feels? Now I’m thinking of a cup filled with pretty, fresh, tasty veggies!

So basically this example shows how you can go from “I won’t eat any junk food in 2015” to “I will eat 1 cup of vegetables every day in 2015.” This will help build a healthy habit, and switch the brain to think of opportunities where you can get your vegetable fix. Eventually, the cravings for junk food will lessen and you might even lose weight, as an awesome side effect! I guarantee you’ll feel healthier too!

Self-improvement is a shared American hobby! Share your resolution makeover in the comments section below! This will give you the bonus of accountability, making your resolution public (a huge motivator).

Live your WHOLE life!

Shannon + Meg

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We often need reminders of this! I made the mistake of going to Costco today to pick up a few things (mixed nuts, sparkling water, and purified water) and was slammed with a holiday hurricane of stressed out shoppers charging through the aisles and grabbing samples by the handfuls! There was no joy and the samplers were far from jolly. It just felt like rush, rush rush! As I left the store I managed to get out of the packed parking lot dodging cars vying for my spot and got into bumper to bumper traffic. By the time I got home, I just wanted to relax! What is it about the holidays that makes everyone so crazy?

The atmosphere at the store was hectic, and the samples were overly complicated, standardly boring pre-frozen pastry type appetizers. I felt bloated just looking at them! I was in charge of bringing an app to our family Christmas, but wanted to do something fresh + simple that would be tasty and also leave everyone light on their feet. Plus, it had to fit in with my party-dish rules:

1)   Affordable– So you can spend the savings on a kick-ass grab bag gift

2)   Healthy– to balance out all the 7 layer cheese dips and sugar coated sugar cookies

3)   Simple– these aren’t the Top Chef finals

4)   Festive– ‘Tis the season!

I started googling holiday-themed dishes and was disappointed with the results: overly-rich or food-dye sugary options. Dr. Mark Hyman wrote a great article about how to get through the holidays without feeling sick and gaining weight while eating at restaurants. There was a ton of great advice in there and it inspired me to create my new favorite holiday recipe!

Reminding me of my mom’s holiday cranberry wreath, hung over our fireplace each year, the “Caprese Christmas Wreath” is simple with just 3 ingredients, costs less than $10 and takes about 10 minutes to assemble- start to finish. Plus its really cute and was the first to go at my last party!

Ingredients

10.5 oz cherry tomatoes

2 oz. organic fresh basil leaves, stems removed

8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls packed in water, drained

assorted toothpicks

(optional) Balsamic vinegar for dip

 

Directions:

1)   Using a strainer, thoroughly rinse the fresh basil leaves under warm running water and pat dry with paper towels. Repeat with cherry tomatoes.

2)   Arrange the basil leaves, stem facing in, around the edges of a plate. The plate size will determine how large your “wreath” will be.

3)   Grab those toothpicks! Spear 1 mozzarella pearl, next add a basil leaf (torn or folded in half), followed by a cherry tomato. Make sure the toothpick does not poke the cherry tomato through and come out the other end. Repeat.

 4)   Using the Caprese toothpicks, start assembling a ring on top of the basil you laid out on the plate (exposed toothpick side facing inward). Once you’ve created a circle, start the next ring, just inside of the first one. (Our plate allowed for 2 rings, before all the exposed toothpick parts were touching in the center).

5)   Tear any leftover basil into pieces and use to cover the exposed toothpicks in the center of the wreath. Top the torn basil pieces with additional mozzarella pearls.

6)   Finito!

Place additional toothpicks next to your Caprese Christmas Wreath for guests to use. This appetizer is great on its own, or complimented with balsamic vinegar as a dip option.

 

We wish you a HAPPY + HEALTHY Holiday season!

Live your WHOLE life,

Shannon + Meg

 

***Still looking for the perfect gift?  Give the gift of a healthy New Year!  Who doesn’t want more energy + slimmer waistline + money saving tips!  Check out what our Beautiful University alumni are raving about!  Sign up today to lock in our Early Bird rate and get your free BONUS gift :)***

 

I’m back in Chicago for a week and was greeted by the familiar December weather- cold and windy (although not as extreme as in years past)! My first night back I already noticed my skin drying out, a combination of being on a plane and the windy weather. My go-to beauty fix for dry skin doesn’t come from a department store or even a drug store…It’s actually from the grocery store…and costs less than $1.

My favorite esthetician told me about this super simple facial mask that works wonders on dry skin. She explained that avocados are “Mother Nature’s skin moisturizer.” Here’s a recipe for a DIY Avocado Glow Facial Mask that will leave your skin feeling miles away from the winter weather!

All you need is:

1 ripe organic avocado

1 Tbsp. organic honey

You should be able to find both of these ingredients at your local grocery store. Now why would you want to smear green avocado goop all over your face? Because avocados are considered a “beauty food” for good reasons- they have:

–       Phytonutrients, that are great for skin when applied topically

–      Oil that is similar to our skin’s natural oils and keeps us glowing

–       Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which help maintain healthy skin

–       Healthy essential fatty acids that help prevent premature wrinkling

–       Oils that work internally towards the surface of the skin, soothing deep muscle inflammation

Here’s how to get your glow!

Step 1:           Remove makeup and wash your face with warm water and soap or your favorite cleanser.

Step 2:           Peel and pit your avocado. In a small bowl mash the fruit with a fork until smooth. Add in the honey and mix together until it forms a paste.

Step 3:           Using clean fingers, apply mixture to your skin, being careful to avoid the eye area. Leave on for 20 minutes.  CAUTION: you may resemble something closer to a disney creature than your beautiful self!

Step 4:           When the time is up, wash the mask off using lukewarm water.

Step 5:           Pat your face dry and notice your newly soft and nourished skin!

Healthy “food inspired” beauty products are all the rage right now. You can find cucumber eye cream, apricot scrub, blueberry overnight repair, and moisturizing avocado facial masks. You can actually increase the powerful benefits by using the food in its whole form (and its usually way cheaper). Our DIY Avocado Glow Facial Mask will improve skin tone, plump up wrinkles and remove excess oil.

We hope you enjoyed this WHOLE FOOD skin remedy! Let us know what you think in the comments below.

 

Live your WHOLE life,

Shannon + Meg

I have this sign hanging up in my room, and this week it’s especially relevant. I’m not sure why these trendy signs with obvious/yet meaningful quotes resonate so much with me…in fact my brother-in-law thinks they are ridiculous, at one time he counted 8 “quote” signs in my house…

I’m totally guilty of losing perspective every so often and getting dragged into the daily grind, focusing more on what I have to do in the next hour than being grateful and recognizing what I have (hence the sign as a nice reminder). Regardless of your current situation, it really is worth remembering that there IS always, always something to be thankful for. I’m thankful for all the amazing people in my life (family, friends, my boyfriend and yes, my pup as well).

The best way I can show my gratitude for the special people in my life is, you probably guessed it, through food. Food is definitely my universal language! I know I’m not the only one- this month’s issue of National Geographic magazine covers “The Joy of Food.” Whether it’s a dinner date, lunch with co-workers, class picnics, birthday cake or an ice cream social, the power of food is present. It can forge relationships, bury anger, celebrate and provoke laughter. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s apparent just how important the role food plays in holiday celebrations. What other reason could you have for slaving away in the kitchen for day(s) to prepare something that will be consumed and gone within a matter of hours? Food doesn’t just add to our celebrations, it’s the main course!

So this year, we have guests flying in to celebrate Turkey Day! Our family is spread out across the country (and some overseas), so time to visit is precious.   Contrary to the reality of years past, Thanksgiving is meant to be a joy-filled time to spend and reminisce with family & friends, not a stress-filled couple of days. This year, as a vegetarian, I’m in charge of bringing a veggie side dish. While I thoroughly enjoy making “healthy” food choices, the same does not really ring true for some family-members – can you relate? So I had to find a dish that was what I call “undercover healthy” and trick people (for the better) with a delicious and tasty dish that didn’t scream, “I was made by a health conscious vegetarian.”

On top of that, I don’t want to get involved much with the craziness going on in the kitchen, I vow to be in and out in 30 minutes to continue playing with my nephew on his First Thanksgiving!

This simple asparagus side dish adds some greens to an otherwise neutral table (white bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey), and is topped with cheese to throw off even the health-food-averse guest. The feta cheese used in the Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Asparagus recipe is lower in calories than many other types of cheese. Plus it has a strong flavor, so you can use much less than other types. Asparagus is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and has been linked to help slow the aging process (BONUS)! Without further ado, here is the Thanksgiving friendly side dish!

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Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Asparagus

Ingredients (Serves 4-6):

2 bunches (about 40) asparagus spears

½ cup EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)

4 large cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. dried oregano

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

Sea salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 Tbsp. fresh Italian parsley, chopped

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1 lemon (for hand squeezed juice)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Over low heat, add EVOO, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Cook until garlic becomes golden and fragrant (about 7 minutes), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat to cool.
3. Chop the white ends off each asparagus and discard. Arrange tops in a single layer on a baking sheet. Top with cooled garlic and red pepper sauce.
4. Season with sea salt and pepper and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over asparagus.
5. Bake in oven for 12 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with parsley and top with lemon juice.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Sharing food has always been part of the human story. Something about sitting around the dinner table brings us closer together. So celebrate the role food plays in our lives and think about what makes you grateful.

If you’re looking for other Thanksgiving friendly recipes, check these out:

Garlic Parmesan Chickpea Poppers

Raw Spinach Hummus

Baked Pumpkin Seeds

 

Wishing you a Happy (& Healthy) Thanksgiving!

Shannon + Meg

 

It’s just the start of the holiday season, but if you’re looking for a way to STAY on track (and maybe even start your new year resolution early) check out Beautiful University, a Whole Food Love program which starts you on your journey towards a whole food lifestyle.   See what participants are saying!  Registration is open through November 30, so reserve your spot today!

 

We’ve all heard the phrase “You are what you eat,” but the latest research reveals that “who you eat with” may be just as important! You want to think as much about who you eat with as where you eat and what you eat. Social norms strongly influence the type and amount of food we eat as well as our exercise habits. This happens subconsciously, so your friends, family and co-workers may have more of an influence on your weight than you know!

Friends’ health decisions have a funny way of rubbing off on us (even if we don’t realize). The WHO (World Health Organization) lists friends as a determinant of health, as big a factor as genetics and income level! Smoking, deciding to get the flu shot, and taking vitamins are all contagious behaviors. But where our friends have perhaps the most influence is on how much we eat, drink, and exercise.

Without my friends I never would have completed a marathon, without my co-workers I never would have developed an affinity for Starbucks, and without my family I never would have explored my love for healthy cooking. Efforts to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle are influenced both positively AND negatively by people closest to you, including your friends, family, spouse, and even co-workers. Below are the Top 5 ways your social circle can influence your weight.

1)    Happy Hours and late night nachos

You had plans to hit the gym, but the rest of your co-workers decide to hit up Happy Hour to celebrate the end of the workweek. Your social circle influences your eating AND drinking habits! You don’t want to be the only one not going and the chances of you heading to the gym after a couple drink are slim to…well basically none. Alcohol is a notorious diet buster, not to mention the half price mozzarella sticks the group orders, and you can’t help but sample. BEWARE- If more than seven friends dine together, they will consume 96% more than they would solo (de Castro 1994). Normally light eaters consume more when munching with a group, while heavier eaters eat less when dining with companions. A long Friday night out with friends also makes it near impossible to resist late night nachos after a couple hours at the Margarita bar! Sound familiar?

2)    Who’s up for a coffee break? Boss is buying!

Co-workers can unknowingly torpedo weight loss efforts. The seemingly endless office celebrations and corporate events provide a steady stream of sugary indulgence that can sabotage your efforts to eat healthfully. While coffee breaks and corporate parties can foster camaraderie, they entice mindless eating! Sitting at a desk for 8+ hours will make anyone ready for a break. Coffee breaks are often “boss-approved,” making it difficult to decline. You may not have needed that Starbucks run, but once suggested you’ll most likely participate!

3)    What is your perception of normal?

We are constantly comparing ourselves to the people that surround us. This extends to what we eat and what we think other people are eating. Is it normal to go out to eat every weekend? Order late night pizza? Go out to lunch with co-workers? It appears that conforming to informational eating norms may be a way of reinforcing identity to a social group. These findings appear to be true even when people eat alone. Your idea of what constitutes an acceptable meal is likely to conform to what and how much you think your peers eat on a regular basis. Chances are, you’ve been out with a friend and something like this happens: You notice your favorite pasta dish on the menu, but tell yourself, Oh, I really shouldn’t. Then your friend orders that Fettuccine alfredo, taking you by complete surprise! “Make it two,” you say- and you kiss your diet goodbye. Scientists suspect that social network influences (what its members perceive as normal and acceptable) are major factors in these decisions. This social interaction will eventually have an effect on the size of our waistlines, and our long-term health! Those who we share meals with have similar exercise habits and often influence our view of normal.

4)    Want to go for a run?

As a whole, social influence is positively associated with exercise behaviors intentions and attitudes. Social encouragement has a direct influence on exercise motivation and behavior. Couch potatoes are more likely to get moving and stick with activity programs if supportive friends are involved. Group cohesion and social interaction and positive reinforcement are strong motivators to starting and maintaining and exercise regime. The lacrosse workouts in college were much easier to survive knowing my teammates were right there with me. Training for my first marathon with friends made it that much easier to stick to the training plan! Multiple studies confirm that enthusiastic friends are essential to developing and sustaining healthier fitness habits. Close companions play a powerful role in molding fitness habits through social modeling- our tendency to mimic the actions of those around us. It all boils down to motivation and support. Experts suggest inviting friends to join you for a walk, exercise class or start training for a race together.

5)    Can we see the dessert menu?

Ever been out at a restaurant with friends and had this grand plan to stick to your “diet” with a salad? Then your pal next to you gets cheese fries as an app, something sparks within you and you think “eh it’s ok, she did it, so I’ll just get the Mac and Cheese.” How about when you’re satisfied and ready for the check when the waiter comes back with the dessert menu. You’re about to decline when your friend announces “brownie sundae with enough spoons for the table.” How can you resist? We may even be hard-wired to be influenced by our friends. We focus on what we see other people doing (like ordering that brownie dessert), not what we know is right for ourselves (opting for that salad).

The average person makes over 200 food decisions every day. Deciding what and where to eat are just two pieces of the dining puzzle- the third aspect is with whom. Individuals can undermine others’ weight-loss plans by encouraging unhealthy eating habits or sedentary behavior. Research has shown that a person’s chance of becoming obese increases by 57% if a close friend if obese, 40% is a sibling is obese, and 37% if a spouse is obese. While obesity seems to have a “contagious” element, so does physical activity and healthy eating!

Good or bad, friends shape thoughts, emotions, habits- and our physical bodies. Social support is linked to a myriad of health benefits ranging from improved mental health to a more robust immune system. The strength of these benefits is tied to the size of the social network, the emotional aspects it provides and the act of lending mutual support.

Friends may have our backs, but their health and fitness habits can literally shape our backsides. Chances are we’ve chosen our friends for reasons other than their exercise habits and we can’t choose our co-workers or family members. So what can you do to stay healthy?

• Put a lid on candies and sweet at work. Covering them with foil or a lid will curb mindless munching. Think out of sight, out of mind.
• View the veggies: leave these uncovered to promote healthier grazing.
• Socialize and celebrate without food. Go for a walk or attend a healthy cooking class instead.
• Limit happy-hour drinks/alcohol- there will always be another time that fits with your schedule!
• Avoid desktop dining. Aim to eat lunch away from your desk.
• Set an example: bring in healthier snacks like fresh fruit, and replace the candy with dried fruit or nuts.
• Strength in numbers! Join a program with your friends and co-workers that promotes healthy eating. Check out our next Beautiful University program starting December 1^st. (Sign up on our homepage for additional details and to find out more about Early Bird pricing).
• Tell your friends what specific support you need: suggest activities that don’t involve eating/help me avoid my triggers.
• Take advantage of a Facebook or Twitter account to talk about successes and challenges and track progress over time.
• Enlist a friend to be “on call” when temptation ensues or if motivation is needed.

Let us know what you PLAN to do from the list above? Have your own idea?- share it with us in a comment below.

 

Live your WHOLE life,

Shannon + Meg

 

Information obtained from Harvard School of Public Health and IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

We are so incredibly excited to introduce Ben Annotti, CEO and Founder of Pantry Provisions as our very first guest blogger! Ben will be sharing the ins and outs of Extra Virgin Olive Oils as well as an amazingly delicious Chicken Recipe that makes it easy to “Chef it Up” and will have you “Cooking In” rather than “Eating Out.”   Know where to put your dollar when purchasing quality olive oils by following Ben’s 3 simple steps. Whole Foodies receive 15% off from Pantry Provisions Online Marketplace when you enter the promo code WHOLEFOOD15.

Live your WHOLE life, 

Shannon + Meg 

First things first, I want to thank Shannon and Meg for inviting me to be a part of this blog. There is nothing more enjoyable then spreading some knowledge, experience and information about my culinary passions. My name is Ben Annotti and I am the Founder and CEO of Pantry Provisions, an online marketplace that features an Artisanal, Innovative and Essential collection of culinary products. Prior to founding Pantry Provisions, I worked as a Chef in restaurants across the country ranging from modern Asian in Chicago to a traditional steakhouse in the Hill Country of Texas. Each restaurant and location provided a new experience and education that I have brought with me to Pantry Provisions.

Among our collection at Pantry Provisions are a select amount of American Extra Virgin Olive Oil producers. While many oils found in traditional grocery stores are from the olive-rich countries of Spain and Italy, we have chosen to highlight a small amount of American small-batch producers whose passion is unparalleled. American Olive Oil production is currently experiencing the same rise in quality and popularity as the wines of the Napa Valley in the 1970s. Often looked down upon by the traditional European powers, American oils have increased their visibility by taking home many “Best In Class” awards at Olive Oil competitions across the world. In addition to supporting these small producers, we chose American Olive Oils based off their authenticity and our relationships with the team behind them. While many European oils are authentic and high-quality oils, there is a growing amount of fraudulent olive oils in the market. A study from the University of California at Davis placed 69% of imported olive oil samples labeled “Extra Virgin” as substandard. This means the oils were either doctored with lower level oils or mislabeled for marketing needs.

So, how do you shop for olive oil the right way? The most important step is finding a trusted retailer. That could be a local market in your hometown or an online marketplace like Pantry Provisions. It may also surprise you to find a local olive oil producer by you (we have oils from California, Oregon, Texas and Georgia). If you need help selecting a favorite producer, there are a number of Olive Oil certification groups out there; most notable among them is the California Olive Oil Council. They go at length to promote high-quality producers in California and list them on their website (http://www.cooc.com/seal-certified-oils/). Once you have found your retailer, here are three tips for selecting the right Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

• Varietal – Like wine, olive oils are made from a variety of olives that each has unique flavors and intensities. Generally categorized by intensity (mild, medium or robust) selecting the right oil can be solved by what your intended use is. Mild is ideal for dipping bread or accenting a fresh salad. Medium intensity oils are best suited for finishing pastas or soups. The big, robust oils lend themselves to cooking lamb, grilling fish and vegetables and pairing with balsamic vinegar.

• Shelf Life – Buying high quality olive oil is no different then many other perishable groceries; mind the shelf life! We take great care at Pantry Provisions to buy our oils directly from the producer in small quantities. This allows us to keep a hands-on approach to controlling our inventory and selling the best oils at the best time. At home, you can control your oil quality by buying from a trusted retailer or producer and purchasing oil in small quantities. Be sure to store your sealed bottle of olive oil properly, in a dark place where it will retain its flavor. It’s also important to note that clear bottles with a pour spout tend to let in a lot of sunlight and oxygen which can be harmful to the oil. I treat it like red wine, once I open the bottle the clock begins to tick and I generally like to use a bottle within 2 months.

• Price – True Extra Virgin Olive Oils are an expensive endeavor and the sticker shock can often drive many people away. Most quality oils fall in the range of  $22-30 for a 375 ml bottle. That being said, think how much impact one bottle of oil can have. High quality oil had a home on just about every dish that came out of my kitchens. Finishing poached Halibut, highlighting a Bibb Lettuce Salad and even topping house-made ice creams, Olive Oil can do it all. With the tremendous health benefits in mind, you can surely find a million uses daily to feature your favorite oil. Yes, the price can be high, but it’s worth its weight in gold.

Once you have brought your oil home, its time to cook with it. One of my staples in my professional kitchens was a traditional Italian Salsa Verde. This herbaceous condiment is the perfect vehicle for a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. In the recipe below, we have paired it with a Roasted Spatchcock Chicken rubbed with one of our new Small Batch Spice Blends. Be sure to visit Pantry Provisions and use promo code WHOLEFOOD15 to receive 15% your purchase! Hope you enjoy!

 

Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with Salsa Verde

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

Whole Chicken                                         3-4lb.

Barouni Extra Virgin Olive Oil             1 Cup

White Balsamic Vinegar                        ¼ Cup

Sugar                                                         ¼ teaspoon

Red Chili Flake                                         ¼ teaspoon

Garlic(Minced)                                       1 large clove

Mint(Chopped)                                         ¼ Cup

Basil(Chopped)                                         ¼ Cup

Chives(Chopped)                                     ¼ Cup

Jalapeno(Seeded and Minced)           1 small Jalapeno

Edo Spice Blend                                       2 teaspoons

Salt                                                              2 teaspoons

Peppercorns                                             ¼ teaspoon

 

Instructions:

To Spatchcock a Chicken:

1. Dry chicken well and place on poultry-safe cutting board.
2. Using poultry shears (aka scissors you can put in the dishwasher) and cut down either side of the backbone to remove completely.
3. With the skin-side facing upwards, push down between the two breasts to flatten the chicken to promote even cooking.

 

Salsa Verde:

1. Finely mince 1 large clove of garlic, 1 seeded Jalapeno and ¼ cup of each of the following herbs: Mint, Basil and Chives.
2. In a mixing bowl or mason jar add the herbs, garlic, jalapeno, white balsamic vinegar, red chili flakes, sugar and the remaining olive oil(3/4 cup or so) and mix well. Add sea salt to taste. I love doing this in a mason jar. It allows me to use what I need and then easily store the rest in the fridge for up to a week.

Cooking and Plating:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and set up the rack in the middle level of the oven.
2. On a sheet pan with a wire-rack, place the spatchcocked chicken skin side up and rub liberally with salt and pepper or one of your favorite spice rubs (we used our recent release, Edo, from our small batch series).
3. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and the juices run clear (about 35-45 minutes).
4. Allow the chicken to rest for 15 minutes and then break down into 8 pieces allowing your guests to pick their favorite light or dark meat.
5. Serve on a large plate with a liberal coating of the Salsa Verde to finish.