In The Kitchen: Adding New Purpose To Your Cooking Routine

I have always known that I have an affection for healthy food, a fascination for the origin of where organic produce is grown and harvested, and a love for experimenting with new recipes and flavors, but I have come to notice that time and lack of energy from a full schedule eliminated space to explore and grow in these passions. Cooking became more of a chore, gardening was a no-go since we weren't at home long enough to sustain it, and sometimes just picking up dinner from the Erewhon food bar was way easier than thinking about what to whip up. Not to mention, the task of cutting veggies and doing dishes just seemed daunting and anything but enjoyable.It's like a new world has opened up during this quarantine time. Cooking has become what I look forward to every day, our garden is thriving, the local farm we discovered is my happy place to buy organic and biodynamic produce + support a small business, and dishes seem like a breeze. I have been cooking almost every night with the windows open and the Florida Georgia Line radio playing, and Jase sometimes is creating the most beautiful cocktails next to me with freshly squeezed watermelon and orange. I am more intentional about using the produce we have because not many other options like we had before are available, and I have such a strong desire to feed our bodies with nutrition to keep our immune systems strong!I started a Master Class and Alice Waters is inspiring me to plan meals based on the ingredients I get from the farm, and it has brought about this whole new light and intention to cooking and meals! This time is truly bringing new purpose to what used to be a mundane activity. Now I cook out of necessity for health, conserving the produce we have, and it has allowed so much space for creativity. Who knew that I would develop a new excitement for making homemade salsas from the pretty tomatoes or roasted carrots from the cookbook I never had a chance to look through? There are truly so many silver linings in this time of unknowns, sadness, loss, and confusion. Embracing them makes every day a little brighter!How has this time added to your cooking routine?I'm excited to share with you over the next few weeks a few of the things I'm doing in my kitchen right now as a part of my In The Kitchen series – things like how to maximize your produce, what to grab when shopping, growing your own greens, and more.Follow along with me here, or at my Instagram where I often post a meal I'm cooking or kitchen must-have I'm loving. xShop My Look Here: Top, skirt, sunnies

Bone Broth: Why It's Amazing

A major positive to living in Los Angeles these last few years is the benefit of discovering health practices that were not a part of my life prior to. I started uncovering the cause of my intense fatigue a few years ago, and along the way, through my reputable naturopath to the magical tonic bar at my go-to grocery store, to my recent leaky gut healing plan from my functional medicine doctor, bone broth has been a key word that keeps coming up.I personally steer clear of meat, so I love that I can supplement protein from bone broth. It is rich in minerals that support the immune system and contains healing compounds that are easy to absorb. Here are a few: collagen, magnesium, iron, calcium, glutamine, phosphorus, sulfur, glycine, bone marrow, potassium, zinc, gelatin and proline. The collagen in bone broth heals your gut lining and reduces intestinal inflammation + the abundance of minerals and amino acids reduces arthritis and joint point. Not to mention, it boosts the immune system in major amounts, boosts detoxification, and maintains healthy skin. Wowsers.Bone broth has become like my coffee. I love putting a spoonful of coconut oil in mine to add extra fat and calories + adding fresh ginger is super yum too! Food is so powerful, and I love that God created these things to help our body run as it is intended.My extra favorite thing to use bone broth for: veggie stir fries and soups! Who's with me in this cold weather? It is so cozy and super easy to make, smells delicious, and feeds your body with endless nutrients. Bone broth for the win! P.S. A key thing when using this is making sure it is good quality. Here is what  I use and recommend:Owl Venice: their chicken and vegan mineral broths are staples in my fridge.Kitchen Witch: I recently purchased this brand. I loved the gelatin in it because it aids to further healing of the gut.Kettle and Fire; Brothee; Epic: I haven't personally tried any of these, but I have heard great things!