The Weekly Mix: Celebrating Family, Sustainable Greens, and Delicious Recipes
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! This past week has been an absolute whirlwind of excitement, brimming with unforgettable moments and inspiring discoveries. It truly feels like every week brings new adventures, but this one has been particularly special. From welcoming a new bundle of joy into our family to exploring cutting-edge sustainable farming, there’s been no shortage of things to celebrate, learn, and share with you all.
A Joyful New Arrival: Welcome to the World, Cayla!
The most thrilling news of the week is undoubtedly the arrival of my very first niece, Cayla! My other sister’s baby decided to make an early grand entrance, arriving a full three weeks ahead of schedule on Monday evening. It was quite a rapid arrival, with barely enough time for them to make it to the hospital! Thankfully, both Cayla and my sister are healthy, happy, and now settling in comfortably at home, bringing immense joy to our entire family. The speed of her birth just adds to the incredible story of her arrival. We’re still pinching ourselves at how quickly our family is growing, with two new additions arriving less than three weeks apart. The house is buzzing with happiness and a profound sense of gratitude for these precious new lives, marking a truly blessed period for us all.
An Eye-Opening Tour of Gotham Greens: Revolutionizing Fresh Produce
Beyond the personal celebrations, I had an incredibly insightful experience yesterday, thanks to a fantastic opportunity to tour Gotham Greens in Chicago. I joined several local food bloggers for this behind-the-scenes look at their operations, and I must say, it was nothing short of impressive and genuinely inspiring. For those of you in the New York City or Chicago areas, you might already be familiar with their exceptional greens and herbs. I’ve been a loyal customer myself ever since moving here, especially for their incredible basil, which truly elevates any dish with its vibrant flavor. The entire tour was a revelation – if you missed my Instastories today, you definitely want to check them out for a visual glimpse into their innovative world!
I’m so passionate about what Gotham Greens is achieving that I simply have to share some key takeaways, and let me be clear, this is not sponsored. My enthusiasm stems purely from a deep desire to champion food companies that are making a real, positive impact on our food system and offering genuinely superior products to consumers. It’s truly inspiring to see a company dedicated to both quality and sustainability.
The Problem: Wilted Greens and Excessive Food Miles
One of the biggest frustrations for any home cook is buying a box of “fresh” greens only to find them wilted, slimy, or simply past their prime within a day or two of purchase. It’s a common pet peeve, and there’s a good reason for it. Most greens sold in supermarkets, especially outside of West Coast growing regions, are already 7-10 days old by the time they reach your refrigerator. This extensive journey from farm to plate, often involving thousands of miles, significantly compromises their freshness, nutritional value, and shelf life. The quality degradation is noticeable, leading to unnecessary food waste and a less enjoyable culinary experience.
Gotham Greens recognized this pervasive problem and set out to revolutionize how fresh produce, particularly items with the shortest shelf life, reaches urban consumers. Their mission began with a commitment to providing genuinely local, sustainably grown produce to regions of the country that historically couldn’t grow them year-round, such as the bustling metropolises of Chicago and New York City. This vision addresses both the consumer’s desire for fresh, high-quality food and the environmental challenges associated with long-distance food transportation, making a significant step towards a more sustainable food future.
Innovative Solutions: Hydroponics, Urban Rooftops, and Unwavering Sustainability
Since 2009, Gotham Greens has been at the forefront of hyper-local food production, demonstrating how ingenuity can transform urban landscapes. They ingeniously rent out urban rooftops, transforming previously unused spaces into vast, state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouses. These are not just any greenhouses; they are pioneering examples of the world’s first true urban gardens, bringing year-round farming directly into the heart of the city, significantly reducing the “food miles” associated with traditional agriculture. The sheer scale and efficiency of these operations are breathtaking. The greenhouse pictured above, for instance, spans approximately 2 acres and stands as the largest urban rooftop farm globally. What’s truly incredible is its efficiency: it produces a staggering 30 times the yield of a traditional soil-based farm of the same size, while using only one-tenth of the water. This represents a monumental leap in sustainable agriculture, conserving precious resources.
Their commitment to sustainability goes even further, encompassing every aspect of their operation. Gotham Greens operates on 100% renewable energy, meticulously recycles all irrigation water to prevent waste, and maintains a strict zero-pesticide policy. Instead of relying on harmful chemicals that can damage ecosystems and human health, they employ a clever and natural approach to pest management. This involves introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs, which act as natural predators to keep unwanted pests at bay. This holistic and environmentally conscious method results in greens that are not only incredibly fresh and delicious but also exceptionally clean and pure, providing peace of mind to consumers.
The Gotham Greens Difference: Fresher, Tastier, and Community-Focused
The immediate benefit of this hyper-local approach is unparalleled freshness. Their greens can be harvested, packaged, and delivered to local grocery stores all within the same day. Imagine the monumental difference that makes to the crispness, vibrant color, and intense flavor of your salad! If you’ve ever tasted greens from Gotham Greens, you’ll immediately understand why it’s a game-changer for your culinary creations. Their produce elevates simple meals, and I can confidently say your “salad game” will never be the same again, truly transformed by the superior taste and texture that only ultimate freshness can provide.
Beyond providing high-quality produce to consumers, Gotham Greens also embodies a strong sense of community responsibility. They actively partner with and grow produce for vital organizations like Chicago’s Greater Food Depository and various other food-based charities and outreach programs. This commitment ensures that fresh, nutritious food reaches those in need, further cementing their role as a truly exemplary company that cares deeply about its community and the broader food landscape. If you spot any of their products at your local grocery store, I wholeheartedly encourage you to pick up a box – you won’t regret experiencing the difference in quality and taste!
Whole30 Update and Other Musings
On a slightly less joyful note, I encountered some major technical difficulties yesterday, which unfortunately prevented me from posting my latest Whole30 update as planned. Womp, womp indeed! I know many of you are following my journey with interest, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Rest assured, I’ll be bringing you my latest thoughts, insights, and my comprehensive two-week update on the Whole30 program this coming weekend. Keep an eye out for it – I’ll share all the highs, the unexpected challenges, and everything in between as I navigate this dietary reset!
A huge thank you goes out to Teri of NoCrumbsLeft for meticulously organizing our incredible Gotham Greens tour this week. Her passion for food and community is infectious. If you’re not already following her on Instagram, you absolutely should! Her cooking Instastories are not only incredibly informative, offering practical tips and delicious recipes, but also wonderfully entertaining and inspiring, providing a daily dose of culinary creativity and joy.
Culinary Adventures and Quirky Discoveries
In other news, as we’re deep in the midst of finalizing our exciting travel plans for Japan, I stumbled upon a rather unique cultural phenomenon that sparked my curiosity: owl cafes are a thing! Yes, you read that right – think cat cafes, but instead of felines, you’re surrounded by owls. It’s an intriguing concept, though I’m still processing how I truly feel about it. Part of me is fascinated by the sheer novelty and the chance to interact with these majestic birds, while another part has ethical questions about the welfare of the owls in such environments. It’s certainly a discussion point for our trip planning, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
This week also brought some delightful culinary experiments into my kitchen. I whipped up these fantastic spicy coconut mussels with lemongrass, and they were an absolute revelation. I seriously need to make mussels for dinner more often! They are incredibly flavorful, with a wonderful aromatic broth, and surprisingly quick to prepare, making them perfect for an elegant yet fuss-free weeknight meal. I might or might not have indulged by pairing them with these unbelievably easy homemade fries (prepared without peanut oil for a lighter touch, of course, balancing out the indulgence). The combination was simply divine and incredibly satisfying!
Speaking of salads, have you had the chance to try my roasted beet salad with orange and avocado yet? If not, please do! It’s a burst of vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and delightful textures – perfect for brightening up any meal. In fact, I might have another incredible salad recipe coming your way next week, because the one I’ve been enjoying lately has been, quite literally, one of the best dinners I’ve had in weeks. Prepare your taste buds for something truly special, refreshing, and packed with wholesome goodness.
On the more practical side of life, we recently “bit the bullet” and invested in this amazing spot cleaner. And wouldn’t you know it, approximately 24 hours later, our beloved furry friend (a certain dog, who shall remain nameless but whose antics are legendary) decided to throw up on my office carpet. In that moment of frantic clean-up, I have never been more thankful for a purchase in my entire life. It was a true lifesaver, tackling the mess quickly and efficiently, proving that some investments, though seemingly mundane, are absolutely worth every penny when you need them most!
For those with a sweet tooth or a penchant for unique breakfast treats, let’s talk about sandwich scones. Yes, you read that correctly – scones transformed into delightful sandwich form. Imagine light, fluffy scones filled with a delicious sweet or savory filling. They are, without a doubt, the best kind of sandwiches. Yep. A truly creative and delicious twist on a classic, perfect for brunch or an afternoon tea.
In what might be seen as a slight rebellion against my current Whole30 restrictions, I enthusiastically embarked on a new culinary project this week: starting a bread starter! The journey of sourdough baking is a deeply satisfying and meditative one, and I’m incredibly excited to nurture this living organism into delicious, crusty loaves. For any fellow aspiring bakers looking to dive into the world of artisanal bread, I highly recommend two foundational cookbooks that have literally changed my bread-baking game: Tartine Breadby Chad Robertson and this other fantastic bread baking guide. I’ve read both cover to cover multiple times, gleaning countless tips and techniques. While you’re at it, be sure to watch the fascinating ‘Air’ episode of Cookedon Netflix – it offers profound insights into the magic and science of bread, making you appreciate every slice even more.
Even though I feel like I’ve consumed more eggs in the past few weeks than in my entire life thanks to Whole30, I still found myself genuinely excited by these clever “put an egg on it” ideas! The versatility of an egg to elevate almost any savory dish, adding protein, richness, and visual appeal, is truly remarkable. These ideas offer fresh inspiration for making even simple meals feel special and hearty, proving that eggs are truly a kitchen MVP.
And finally, for your upcoming weekend celebrations, especially with St. Patrick’s Day still in the air, I highly recommend whipping up a simple yet decadent chocolate Guinness cake, or even better, my own festive two-layer Guinness Stout cake with Baileys cream cheese frosting! It’s the perfect way to conclude a festive week and indulge a little. The rich, moist cake paired with the creamy, boozy frosting is an absolute dream. Go on, you deserve it – treat yourself to a slice (or two)!
And with that, I’m signing off for this week’s mix. I’d love to hear your thoughts on anything and everything mentioned – whether it’s sustainable farming, your favorite new recipes, your take on ethical travel experiences like owl cafes, or even just what you’re excited about this weekend. Drop all your comments below! I hope you all have a truly wonderful, relaxing, and delicious weekend.