A few of my favorite foods...

I thought it was time to list some of my favorite food products or places to buy food.  Perhaps it might get some ideas rolling for new foods to try!

Taza Chocolate

I've talked a lot about Taza before, but it is worth saying again and again that this chocolate is unbelievably amazing.  With very basic ingredients (and no soy lecithin), the stone mill process gives it a great texture, and it has a rich flavor without being over-powering.  After eating Taza, I haven't wanted any other chocolate bars.  And while it's a little pricey (about $6.49 a bar), I find that a little goes a long way and satisfies my taste buds so I can make a bar last a long time.  (Proof:  I've carried a bar in my purse for almost two weeks and still have about 1/3 left!)  I always go for the 80% dark chocolate, and buy it at Tilly's or City Feed, but you can also buy it online -- even Amazon carries it!

Basil Infused Olive Oil

Basil infused olive oil was one of my latest and most favorite discoveries.  I absolutely love it for salads -- it gives a flavorful and refreshing taste, which is perfect for summer.  Give L'Olivier a try, although you can make your own (or find it in gourmet food shops).

Red Barn Coffee

Red barn is organic, fair trade, and a locally flavored coffee -- everything used to make the beans is found in Massachusetts (minus the beans themselves).  The Red Barn Blend is our standard go-to; it's a medium roast that has flavor without being too strong.  The Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is another great roast.  Their coffee is smoother than Starbucks and packs better flavor, in my opinion.


Apple Ice Wine
I discovered Still River Winery at the Natick Farmers Market. Apple ice wine is, well, made from basically frozen apples. While it's probably not technically "paleo," it's basically like drinking alcoholic apple cider/juice.  It's not as heavy as apple cider, but has a lot more flavor than apple juice.  Yum.  It's perfect for a Sunday brunch or a summer evening get together.

Radishes

For some reason, radishes have always intimidated me -- I never had much of an interest in eating them.  A trip to the farmers market changed my mind.  After speaking with Freitas Farm, I decided to buy a bunch and am now hooked.  Radishes give a great crunch to my salads.  I was worried that they'd have too strong a flavor, but I am happily mistaken.  Plus, they make any dish look more beautiful.

Chestnut Farms
Again, I've written about Chestnut Farms before, but their meat products are fabulous.  Most of the meat we consume comes from there, and we buy everything from pork chops, to sirloin, to on the bone chicken breast. A sustainable farm with grass-fed animals, their meat just tastes better -- like meat, if that makes sense.  Every time I now eat meat or poultry from the grocery store, I find it lackluster and flavorless.  Grass fed is definitely an experience worth having, both for the palate and the body.  For a great weekend breakfast, I highly recommend their sausage patties.  I never really liked sausage before, but Chestnut Farms has me hooked!  It has a great blend of spices and isn't greasy.

Dry Brine

One of my favorite Williams-Sonoma products, it's the fastest and easiest way to make a great roast chicken.  Slather some over a whole chicken or bone in breast the night before; leave it covered in the fridge over night, and roast the next evening at 375 degrees.  Voila!  Dinner is served.  It is a great accompaniment to the bone in chicken breast from Chestnut Farms.

Rosemary

Rosemary is just my all-time favorite herb.  Perfect for pork, poultry, sweet potatoes, sauces, red meat, a little rosemary goes a long way for giving food intense, refreshing flavor.  Fresh is the way to go.

Stonewall Kitchen Sea Salt

Stonewall Kitchen is a neat company from Maine that specializes in gourmet food products like spices, dressings, cake mixes, and marinades.  While a lot of their food isn't paleo, their sea salt is out of this world, and great for cooking.  Adding a pinch to any dish will help bring out the flavor.

Trader Joe's Creamy Almond Butter with Sea Salt

At first, I was skeptical of almond butter.  I don't love eating nuts, and I was always a big fan of the Skippy peanut butter.  But when I decided to be a cleaner, healthier eater, I decided to give it a try.  On a banana, on an apple, or just straight out of the jar, I now cannot go a day without my almond butter from Trader Joe's.  Weekly, I clear out the shelves!  It's perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.  I'm simply in love!