Summer Eats

why eat seasonally?

I am sipping on a coconut matcha latte - new obsession bev - and dreaming about the produce right now. June produce is superior. If you aren’t taking advantage of it yet pls go to a farmers market this week! Like we have

• Cherries

• Heirloom Tomatoes

• Strawberries

• Figs

• Mango

• Corn

• Melon

• Berries

• Zucchini

• Avo

• Peppers

I AM HUNGRY. Seasonal eating is amazing, for many reasons but I wanted to share more in depth WHY it is. I started falling more in love with seasonal eating in college, I wrote this lil article for my school newspaper, and just continued my love ever since!

Why Seasonal Eating?

1. It tastes better. When food is grown locally and in season, it is fresher because it is picked at it’s peak ripeness and takes less time to get from the farm to you. It is also more nutritious and grown naturally, which gives it better flavor and texture!

2. It is better for the environment. I love the farmers market because you know exactly where your food came from. But what about the plastic wrapped cucumbers in your grocery store? How long did it take to get those from the plant into your hands? Oftentimes it takes long distances, car rides or plane rides (gas emissions, packaging) to get to where it is now. In addition, seasonal food is typically made without chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers that damage soil health and the environment.

3. It costs less. Seasonal eating is better for your wallet! It is more affordable because it is much more abundant. If local - it is also grown straight from the farm and into your hands, so the cost of storage and packaging is cut down.

4. It is more nutritious. Foods grown naturally, in season and locally are grown properly. Since they are not using artificial ripening methods and no chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, etc, they become much more nutrient dense.

5. It provides you with a diverse amount of nutrients. Seasonal eating is the best way to get a diverse amount of nutrients into our diets! Diversity in the diet is key for a healthy microbiome/gut health. By eating seasonally, we naturally are switching it up between lots of different plants and eating the rainbow.

6. Supports local farmers. Supporting our local farmers helps support the community and local economy as a whole! When you buy from local farmers that use ethical farming practices, it also helps better the environment, sustain the land, prevent deforestation and protect our natural resources!

I also highly recommend checking out Community Supported Agriculture’s in your area! It will connect you with your local farmers and send you a huge box of seasonal produce weekly, monthly, whatever you choose, for an incredible price! And other than that, my fav Sunday activity is going to the farmers market and chatting with farmers!!

WHAT I’VE BEEN EATING

1. Organic pasture raised eggs fried in BUTTER (french butter I brought from France it is unreal…) + Force of Nature beef sausages (these are UNREAL). So juicy and delicious + an amazing source of nutrients and protein. I love all of their stuff because it is regenerative and just tastes fantastic.

2. Snack plates galoreeee. A random assortment of things I love all thrown on a plate is my fav because it is minimal effort but always hits every craving! Here we have some snap peas, avo, saurkraut, pickle mustard, rotisserie chicken and CHERRIES. I cannot stop eating cherries, they are so good right now. I have been dying to go Cherry Picking at Tenerelli Orchards, going to try and go next week if you are So-Cal based, come!

3. Yogurt bowls. This is one of my top cravings in the morning. Typically a big dollup of greek yogurt, and then seasonal fruit here we have strawberries and mango, some strawberry jam, cereal and granola, bee pollen, honey and topped with a lil raw milk. So delish.

4. Loaded toasts. Is there anything better?? I just top it with whatever I am feeling - cottage cheese, cucumber, sauerkraut, dill - heirloom tomato, mustard, lots of salt pepper and EVOO. And of course, cherries :)

5. Deconstructed Lasagna Bake. This is suchhh a good way to use all those amazing seasonal summer squashes. It also lightens up the dish so much!

6. Salmon Bowls. This was my crispy rice salmon bowl and wow I could eat this for the rest of my life soooo much flavor.

7. Pizzaaaa. Is there anything more quintessential summer than ordering pizza to-go and eating it outside during sunset with your friends ??? I have been, slightly, addicted to this sourdough pizza from Ghisallo. It is SO good and the salads are also incredddible. My fav is the Radicchio one but you really cannot go wrong with any. Also get the olives ofc.

8. Ice Cream Nightcap. Ever since being in France and getting gelato every night post-dinner this has become my new fav ritual lol. Ice cream is a health food - cream, milk, egg yolk, maple or honey. Homemade is my fav, but I also have been loving Strauss Organics - the maple cream flavor is to die for and then I do that in a bowl with the vanilla bean and dutch chocolate. Topped with some EVOO and salt….chefs kiss.

9. Coconut butter + raw honey + salt. Ok I know this sounds so weird but I love it soooo much. It tastes amazing and it is an INSTANT energy booster. I have been doing this combo + matcha before my workouts and it is the best pre workout ever.

Plssss let me know if you try any of these! Lots & lots of more seasonal recipes to come this week and fun summer creations. Share what you have been making in the chat! I love seeing all your guys stuff it is the bestttt.

Hope you have the best Sunday ever! Get some sun on that beautiful face! XO - Ella