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

Farmer's Market Run

Living near a farmer’s market is seriously such a gift. There is truly nothing like organic produce, grass fed meats, wild caught fish, farm fresh eggs, seasonal plants, natural beauty items, wild flowers, local honey, small business baked goods, and so much more!Not only is buying from the market a healthy option, but I love knowing that I am supporting local farmers and small businesses in my town. The more often you go, the more you get to know the people selling the items and build community with them, which is another gift of farmer’s markets.Not to mention, farmer’s market runs are so fun. I love making it a weekend routine and making plans to go with loved ones; it is an outing that is good for everyone. It breaks up the normal grocery market trips, too, which is nice. It is extra special to get home from the market and cook a meal or meal-prep with the fresh items that you scooped up!What about you guys? Do you love farmer’s market runs too? If so, what are you favorite things to buy? Let us know! Also, below are links to reusable bags to stock up on before your next farmer's market run. We love the fabric bags for produce and the canvas bags to load everything up in.[show_shopthepost_widget id="3179141"]