As March unfolds, we welcome the delightful promise of spring – longer, warmer days, and a vibrant rejuvenation of nature with greener surroundings. This transitional period often brings a renewed sense of energy and an ideal opportunity to refresh our habits, especially concerning our health and well-being. The arrival of spring symbolizes growth and renewal, making it the perfect backdrop for cultivating healthier lifestyle choices.
In the United States, March holds a special significance as National Nutrition Month, an annual observance spearheaded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This impactful campaign began in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and was extended to a month-long celebration in 1980 due to overwhelming public interest in nutrition. Throughout March, the initiative encourages everyone to “learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.” It’s a fantastic time to delve into understanding what truly nourishes our bodies and how these choices ripple out to impact our planet.
The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month, “Fuel for the Future,” emphasizes the critical link between personal health and environmental sustainability. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics highlights that “Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment.” This powerful message underscores the importance of mindful consumption – selecting foods that are not only beneficial for our bodies but also for the health of our planet. Their website offers a valuable resource of 50 practical ideas to engage with National Nutrition Month, from organizing food donation drives and practicing mindful eating techniques to initiating school vegetable gardens. These suggestions provide actionable steps for individuals and communities to embrace a more sustainable and nutritious lifestyle.
In the spirit of National Nutrition Month and its “Fuel for the Future” theme, I am delighted to feature a curated list of exceptional businesses dedicated to producing delicious, wholesome, and sustainable food products. It is an honor to lend my support to these companies, who are paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable food system. I warmly invite you to explore their offerings and join me in supporting their invaluable missions.
NoBull Burger: Crafting Wholesome Plant-Based Goodness
NoBull Burger stands as a testament to the power of wholesome, plant-based eating. Last year, I shared my enthusiasm for these delightful, handcrafted, 100% plant-based veggie burger patties, which are lovingly made with organic, high-quality ingredients and a profound respect for our planet. I am thrilled to announce that I have become a NoBull Burger Brand Ambassador, a role I embrace with genuine excitement, given my admiration for their products and philosophy.
The inspiring journey of NoBull Burger began in the kitchen of Chef Crissanne Raymond. Her initial motivation was to create nutritious and delicious veggie burgers for her young daughters. What started as a family endeavor soon blossomed into a local sensation. The exceptional taste and quality of her meatless patties quickly gained popularity among family and friends, and word spread rapidly throughout Charlottesville, Virginia. The overwhelming positive response laid the foundation for what NoBull Burger is today – a brand synonymous with authentic, delicious, and sustainable plant-based alternatives.
Today, Chef Raymond’s vegan burger patties are readily available nationwide, offering convenience without compromising on quality or flavor. They come in five distinct and mouth-watering gluten-free varieties: Original, Savory Mushroom, Sundried Tomato, Spicy Italian, and Madras Curry. Each NoBull Burger patty is meticulously crafted, packed with approximately 10 grams of plant-based protein and essential vitamins. Importantly, NoBull burgers are not designed to imitate meat but rather to celebrate the rich flavors and textures of whole foods. They represent a true, real-food veggie burger experience, a philosophy I deeply appreciate and advocate for.
Last year, I experimented with the NoBull Burger Savory Mushroom patties to craft a truly memorable veggie burger. These patties, made from organic green lentils, brown rice, quinoa, chia seeds, white and shiitake mushrooms, and spinach, provided a fantastic base. I started by generously spreading homemade pesto inside a freshly baked bun, then layered it high with my favorite ingredients: thinly sliced onion, ripe tomato, crisp cucumber, fresh sunflower microgreens, and vibrant red Swiss chard. For a creamy, flavorful topping, I opted for a blend of sour cream, finely chopped sunflower microgreens and lovage, a touch of ketchup, and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. The aromatic notes of basil from the pesto, combined with the distinctive taste of lovage in the topping, beautifully complemented the rich umami of the mushrooms in the patty. The delightful crunch from the fresh microgreens and chard added an extra dimension of texture, enhancing the overall freshness and deliciousness of this gourmet veggie burger.
More recently, I integrated NoBull’s Sundried Tomato patties (featuring organic green lentils, brown rice, onions, chia seeds, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and spinach) and Spicy Italian patties (made with organic green lentils, brown rice, tomatoes, onions, spinach, sweet peppers, chia seeds, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a blend of Italian herbs) into vibrant salads, such as the one pictured below.
This particular salad boasted an exciting mix of radish champion and sunflower microgreens, crisp bell pepper, creamy avocado, and fresh spring onions, all tossed in a light lemon-based vinaigrette. The NoBull Burger patties, conveniently air-fried for just 10 minutes and then torn into succulent chunks, were an ideal addition, infusing the bowl with delicious vegan goodness. I especially savored the fresh and aromatic flavors imparted by the generous medley of organic Italian herbs – oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage – found within the Spicy Italian patties. The versatility of these patties truly shines through, offering a wholesome and flavorful boost to any meal. This highlights their commitment to delicious, wholesome, and gorgeous versatility in plant-based eating.
NoBull Burger is more than just a food company; it’s a brand that genuinely prioritizes health, wellness, and mental well-being through proper nutrition and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Their products exemplify how delicious food can also be incredibly good for you and the planet. Stay tuned for more exciting and delicious dishes featuring NoBull Burger – there’s always something new and inspiring on the horizon.
Jovial Foods: Bridging Ancient Grains and Modern Wellness
Continuing my exploration of nourishing and delightful culinary preparations, I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Jovial Foods, a brand deeply rooted in family, health, and ancient wisdom, to create the exquisite pasta salad shown below. Jovial Foods has carved a niche in the market by offering allergen-friendly, ancient varietal, and artisan foods, all produced using time-honored traditional methods that preserve the integrity and nutritional value of their ingredients.
The story of Jovial Foods is one of love and determination, beginning in 2010 with founders Carla Bartolucci and her husband Rodolfo. Their journey started when they discovered that their daughter’s persistent health issues were linked to a sensitivity to modern wheat and gluten. This revelation sparked a quest for answers, leading them to “look to the past for answers, they discovered a nearly extinct ancient grain called einkorn, nature’s original wheat.” In einkorn, a grain that predates modern hybridized wheat, Carla and Rodolfo found a wheat their daughter could not only tolerate but thrive with. Realizing the immense potential of einkorn to help other families facing similar challenges, they were compelled to bring this ancient grain back into widespread use. Thus, the Jovial brand was established with a clear mission: to address the growing concerns of food sensitivities and provide wholesome, delicious options. As eloquently stated on the company’s website, “Jovial is all about family, feeling good, celebrating life, and showing love with good food.”
From these humble, yet profoundly meaningful beginnings, Jovial Foods has grown into a respected brand renowned for its commitment to quality and health. Today, their product range includes organic pastas made from brown rice or einkorn, einkorn flour, wholesome crackers and cookies, premium beans, and jarred organic tomatoes. Each product reflects their dedication to purity, traditional artisan methods, and superior taste, making them a trusted choice for those seeking nutritious and delicious food alternatives.
To create the visually appealing and incredibly flavorful pasta salad pictured, I utilized Jovial Foods’ certified organic gluten-free brown rice mafalda pasta. This unique pasta, with its distinctive ribbon shape, provided an excellent texture and a wholesome base for the salad. I tossed the perfectly cooked pasta with a generous amount of fresh pesto, adding a vibrant herby dimension. To this, I incorporated succulent, garlicky buttered baby shrimp, crisp bell pepper, and sweet corn kernels, creating a medley of flavors and textures. The salad was then finished with tender homegrown microgreens for added freshness and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, which introduced an irresistible savory crunch. This careful combination of ingredients ensures a harmonious balance, making every bite a delightful experience.
The smooth, comforting texture of the pesto-infused pasta, beautifully complemented by the crunchy, vibrant pepper and the sweetness of the garlicky shrimp and corn, created a truly satisfying culinary experience. This dish perfectly embodies the spirit of National Nutrition Month, demonstrating that healthy eating can be both profoundly delicious and incredibly enjoyable. It’s about savoring wholesome ingredients that nourish the body and delight the palate, aligning perfectly with the goal of making informed and healthful food choices.
La Brea Bakery: The Art and Benefits of Sourdough
As a devoted enthusiast of sourdough breads, a topic I have explored in depth in previous writings, I can attest to its unique appeal. Sourdough-based breads are widely regarded as a healthier alternative to those made with conventional yeast, boasting higher concentrations of essential vitamins, minerals, and potent antioxidants. The traditional long and slow fermentation process inherent to sourdough not only imparts a distinctive complex flavor and rustic visual appeal but also bestows a myriad of health benefits. These include a beneficial lowering effect on blood glucose levels, enhanced digestibility of gluten, strengthened immunity, and a prolonged feeling of satiety, thanks to its rich soluble fiber content. Beyond its nutritional advantages, sourdough bread is remarkably versatile, making it an ideal choice for any meal throughout the day – from breakfast and lunch to dinner, snacks, and even dessert. Its robust character also makes it an exceptional pairing for fine cheeses, craft beers, and exquisite wines.
While I continue to refine my own sourdough baking techniques and deepen my understanding of this ancient craft, it is incredibly reassuring to know that the market offers delicious and nutritious sourdough options from esteemed bakeries like La Brea Bakery. Their commitment to quality and tradition ensures that exceptional sourdough is accessible to everyone.
La Brea Bakery’s story is as authentic as its breads, commencing in 1989. The pastry chefs at the acclaimed Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles found themselves unable to source artisan bread that met their exacting standards. Driven by a vision to create superior bread, they embarked on a year-long journey of perfecting a signature recipe. Their dedication resulted in a bread characterized by a caramelized, golden crust, a soft, airy interior, and a beautifully rustic appearance. This exceptional artisan bread was so outstanding that it led to the opening of La Brea Bakery on La Brea Avenue, quickly establishing itself as a culinary landmark. Today, La Brea Bakery enjoys nationwide distribution, and its reputation as an excellent purveyor and producer of quality artisan breads is undeniably well-established, rooted in its foundational commitment to excellence.
The true magic and success of any sourdough bread, of course, lies in its starter. La Brea Bakery’s proprietary starter, described as “the signature ingredient in every single loaf of La Brea Bakery bread,” is meticulously crafted from scratch. It’s a living ferment made with just flour, water, and wild yeasts carefully harvested from the skins of organic grapes. This natural and traditional approach ensures that each loaf carries the unique depth of flavor and character that discerning sourdough enthusiasts crave.
I recently had the pleasure of trying La Brea Bakery’s Country White Sourdough loaf, and I was instantly captivated by its wonderfully sour flavor, hearty crumb, and exquisite golden crust. This particular loaf is proudly non-GMO certified and vegan, completely free from artificial additives or preservatives, aligning perfectly with a wholesome eating philosophy. Its pure ingredients and traditional preparation make it a standout choice for those seeking both flavor and health benefits.
I utilized this robust and incredibly scrumptious sourdough bread to create several delectable sandwiches. One of my favorites was an open-faced sandwich featuring creamy goat cheese, vibrant sweet peppers and tomatoes, an abundant layer of fresh microgreens, and a drizzle of premium extra virgin olive oil. The crispy-chewy texture of the sourdough was utterly addictive, making it genuinely challenging to stop at just one slice. My entire family adored it, and I particularly cherished the satisfaction of knowing they were enjoying a wholesome and nourishing meal. With the constant demands of daily life, I don’t always have the time or energy to bake bread from scratch. In these moments, I deeply appreciate the delicious convenience and wholesome quality provided by La Brea Bakery, allowing me to serve my family the very best without the extra effort.
For an in-depth exploration of all things sourdough, including its fascinating history, numerous benefits, and versatile applications, I highly recommend visiting La Brea Bakery’s comprehensive website. Furthermore, La Brea Bakery is excited to celebrate National Sourdough Day on April 1st with a host of delicious recipes and special promotions, making it a perfect occasion to dive into the world of sourdough. Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway on my Instagram channel to mark this special event. All rise for sourdough? Absolutely, yes please! It’s a culinary staple that truly deserves celebration.
Red Star Yeast: Elevating Home Baking with Essential Fermentation
Beyond its fundamental role in fermentation, yeast possesses a remarkable array of nutritional benefits and properties that are increasingly recognized for their positive impact on human health. Research highlights yeast’s potential in preventing infectious diarrhea, treating mycosis, improving digestive comfort, and even showcasing promising applications in dermatology and ophthalmology. Rich in B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, nutritional yeast is a versatile ingredient, while active dry yeast, used in baking, aids in creating digestible and flavorful fermented foods that can support gut health.
When my schedule permits the joy of home baking, I often turn to a few cherished bread recipes that utilize active dry yeast, which I have previously shared with my readers. These recipes consistently yield wonderful results, making the effort worthwhile. I ensure a generous supply of active dry yeast is always on hand in my fridge, not only for breads but also for a variety of delightful sweet preparations. Over the years, Red Star Yeast has been my unwavering baking ally. My loyalty runs deep, often leading me to purchase it in bulk from The Restaurant Depot or Amazon. I recently had the exciting opportunity to sample a wider range of Red Star Yeast products, and I am eager to showcase the delicious creations that resulted from this exploration.
To craft the exquisite olive bread pictured below, I followed the highly acclaimed no-knead recipe posted by Living Traditions Homestead on their YouTube channel, with the simple yet impactful addition of chopped Kalamata olives. The olives’ characteristic brininess permeated beautifully through this rustic, crispy-chewy loaf, creating a truly remarkable flavor profile that was a delight to experience. The ease of the no-knead method combined with the rich flavor of the olives made this bread a standout.
You may recall my ongoing endeavor to diversify my baked bread repertoire by incorporating a wider variety of flours. The sight of several enticing rye breads showcased on social media recently reignited my search for the perfect recipe. Up until that point, while I had long intended to bake rye bread, the recipes I encountered often called for ingredients that were not consistently stocked in my pantry. What I truly needed was an approachable recipe with a relatively short ingredient list and straightforward potential substitutions. I am thrilled to report that I have finally discovered it, marking a significant milestone in my baking journey! The rye bread recipe shared by Chef John Kirkwood on his YouTube channel has garnered rave reviews, and it’s easy to see why. The ingredients are simple to find, the instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the final product is nothing short of incredible. The recipe originally featured treacle/blackstrap molasses, but I opted to use honey instead, and the bread still turned out absolutely amazing, albeit with a slightly lighter color than depicted in the original video. Its rich flavor and dense texture make it a delightful addition to any meal.
My affection for yeast extends beyond savory breads; I also adore its role in desserts, particularly in creating homemade strudel. The vegan pumpkin & papaya strudel pictured below represents a recent re-imagining of my family’s cherished strudel recipe, which I initially shared on the blog several years ago (you can find the pumpkin version here and a ricotta version here). While simplifying the preparation steps, I meticulously preserved the foundational principles that make this recipe so special. For instance, the dough remains sugar-free and yeast-based, reflecting its economical origins where my family had a limited number of ingredients at their disposal.
This particular version of the strudel incorporates pumpkin pie spice into the filling, infusing it with an abundance of warm, comforting autumn flavors. These are gently sweetened by a homemade pumpkin puree and tender papaya bits, which were a last-minute, no-waste addition of dried fruit. You have the flexibility to use any dried fruits you prefer, and they can be re-hydrated for about 30 minutes in water or rum, if desired. However, in my experience, this re-hydration step isn’t strictly necessary, as the dried fruits naturally absorb moisture and become wonderfully juicy during the baking process, nestled within the rich pumpkin puree. This thoughtful combination creates a dessert that is both flavorful and mindful of sustainability.
This recently re-imagined recipe, which skillfully utilizes Red Star Yeast active dry yeast for the perfectly risen dough and Selefina pumpkin spice pie blend for its aromatic filling, can be found in its entirety here. It’s a testament to how traditional recipes can be adapted to modern tastes and dietary preferences while maintaining their delicious essence.
Are you celebrating National Nutrition Month by making healthier food choices or exploring sustainable brands? I’d love to hear about your experiences and favorite tips in the comments below. Let’s continue to fuel our futures, one delicious and wholesome meal at a time!
*Disclaimer: While I received complimentary products to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed here are genuinely my own and reflect my honest assessment.