If you’ve been following along on my 2016 goals, you’ll see I am continuing on the less is more, simpler lifestyle…
2015 was all about eliminating processed foods from our diets (okay not ALWAYS, sometimes a dirty water dog in Central Park is necessary).Then we looked into removing chemicals – from dish soap to shampoo. Then we started removing plastics and adding bamboo to cooking utensils and trading in our teflon skillets for healthier options for both us and the environment – cast iron.
So, now that we’ve got a pretty good handle on understanding food, it’s time to figure out WHERE that food is coming from. We all know that fair trade is great for coffee and chocolate, but a new word emerging on the market? SINGLE ORIGIN.
WHY SINGLE ORIGIN
I just LOVE what the The Real Co. is doing and more food retailers should take note. It is a global food company that partners with farmers and growers around the world who don’t have an established mainstream route to distribute their produce, allowing them a way to share their commodity with the world. Growing up as a farmer myself, I can appreciate the need for a direct line of food to consumer like this. Think about it:
- you’re receiving non-gmo, organic and/or vegan and fair trade certificated products
- you’re supporting a local farmer, who can offer the minimum standards of living and working conditions for their staff.
- you’re helping them utilize their land and local environment in an ethical and sustainable way.
- you’re supporting their local community, whether it be through the creation of jobs, tourism or any other tangible means.
WHAT TO MAKE
Using simple single origin ingredients mean you can use less in your cooking – because they help flavor food in a natural way. Whether it’s raw sugar cane in your coffee, pink rock salt to season your stir fry or non-gmo basmati rice, these staples in your pantry will make a difference in your meals, the environment (since they are sustainable!), and in the lives of small farmers worldwide.
My favorite dish lately is concocting rice bowls. Pairing plain rice with protein-packed toppings can make for a fulling, healthy and satisfying dish, especially in the winter when you want something hearty! Right now my favorite way to top them is with brussels sprouts (in season!) and black beans to even out greens, carbs and protein. I like to add organic, raw local cheese since you know I am a dairy lover, and depending what else is in season like avocados, herbs we grow in-house (like cilantro!) or even fruit. Listen, brussels with cranberries and rice is phenomenal and all in-season!
[yumprint-recipe id=’8′]
WHERE TO BUY
You can get all of The Real Co. products directly online as of now. Come on, you’re ordering your food online anyways! Plus, the prices are competitive with anything you would buy at your local store. The Real Co is also available nationwide in numerous stores in every state (The Market in California, Natural Grocers, ShopRite, Fairway Market, Westerly Natural Market, Kings, Balducci, Kroger and Healthy Goodness), and also on Amazon.com; Healthygoodness.com.
A full list state by state is available at TheReal.co.
TRY FOR YOURSELF
Want to taste test the difference in single origin ingredients? The Real Co. has graciously offered to send one loyal reader a stacked package of goods including:
- The Real Co Organic Raw Cane Sugar, x2 8 oz Bag
- The Real Co White Basmati Rice, x2 16 oz Bag
- The Real Co Himalayan Pink Rock Salt, x1 20 oz Shaker.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment below on which item you’d love to try first and why.
- Tweet this: Learn why #singleorigin foods are better for you (and Earth) AND win a package of @therealcous w/@Missstephanieb http://bit.ly/1RUJyxN
- Follow @missstephanieb and @TheRealCoUS on Twitter
- Follow @missstephanieb and @TheReal.Co on Instagram
- Extra entry: leave a comment on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/FootballFoodandMotherhood/posts/660511180718542
Winner will be chosen on Valentine’s Day – February 14th. You must be 18+ and live within the United States to qualify to win.
the Himalayan Pink Rock Salt because it is such a strong salt and very flavorful, you only need a little bit
dlatany at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/694507116023848960
dlatany at gmail dot com
I left a comment on your facebook page
dlatany at gmail dot com
As a vegetarian going on six months- I CANNOT wait to fill my pantry with all of these foods!
I haven’t tried Himalayan Pink Rock Salt yet so that’s what I’d want to try first.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/LAWRTW/status/694512741101363200
Followed on IG & Twitter
And commented (and shared) on FB
I’d like to try himalayas pink salt. Always go for organic foods, whenever possible
I have the pink salt and love it. I would love to try the basamati rice because I bet it would be a family favorite.
Here is my tweet:
https://twitter.com/SavvyMomNYC/status/694565412411981825
I follow you both on Twitter and Instagram
tweeted: https://twitter.com/ZMDarling/status/694695890041311232
I would love to try the basmati rice with a yummy curry!
commented on FB as Wendy Sweepins
I love basmati rice so that’s the first Real Co food I’d try.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/sweephappy/status/694779639361703936
I follow on twitter @sweephappy
I would like to try the The Real Co White Basmati Rice because basmati is my favorite type of rice.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/694862314705657856
I commented on FB as Cynthia Conley
This looks like everything that I love in a meal! Ordering my groceries now and going to attept this recipe!
I would like to try the Basmati Rice because my family enjoys rice dishes for dinner often.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
that curry!!
Himalayan Pink Rock Salt would be nice to try. Thank you
I never cared about food sourcing until I had a kid. Now I see how important it is to follow the trail, we cannot trust the big companies to protect us, all they care about is money. We are responsible to do the research to find the healthiest foods for ourselves and our kids! Thanks for this!
Mitch
This looks delicious – and as a parent, I couldn’t agree more. We have to know the source of where our foods come from.
Yummy! Would love to try your recipe! We are big rice eaters.
I would like to try The Real Co Himalayan Pink Rock Salt first.
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THE RICE!!
i followed on twitter
https://twitter.com/whitetrashtrish/status/697620818906509312 i tweeted!!
i would like to try the The Real Co White Basmati Rice first. i just got a new rice cooker so i am on a rice kick!
https://twitter.com/fdp4life/status/697813196053344259
instagram follower susansmoaks
I would like to try the The Real Co Himalayan Pink Rock Salt first.
i would love to try the himalayan salt. i’ve always wanted to try this!
i tweeted https://twitter.com/snarkbiscuit/status/698613946744487936
following you both on twitter @snarkbiscuit
following you both on instagram (buttmuffin)
I would like to try the The Real Co White Basmati Rice, x2 16 oz Bag first. I have not tried that kind yet.
tweeted : https://twitter.com/W810forHim2/status/698649667521744896
Followed @missstephanieb and @TheRealCoUS on Twitter. @w810forhim2
Followed @missstephanieb and @TheReal.Co on Instagram. @w810forhim
Commented on Facebook post as Linda Bradshaw
Awesome! Linda you’re the winner of the giveaway! Can you shoot me an email? Stephanie [at] footballfoodandmotherhood.com!
I responded to your message through facebook this morning. Sending email in a few minutes. Thanks!!
I would love to try the Himalayan Pink Rock Salt because I have never tried it before and I love cooking with new ingredients.
Followed both on Twitter as @njsunbunny
Followed both on IG as njsunbunny
I would try the white Basmati rice.
I’d like to try the Himalayan Pink Rock Salt because I love the Himalayan Pinks I have tried and I have heard about so many benefits.
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
Follow on Instagram dddiva62
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
Follow on Twitter @DDDiva62
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
Tweeted https://twitter.com/DDDiva62/status/698820449371721728
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
Left a comment on Facebook.
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
I’d love to try the basmati rice because I have a chicken and rice recipe I want to try.
https://twitter.com/surveylisa/status/699045224258084864
followed on instagram and twitter my ig handle@lisabreece my twitter handle @surveylisa
I would really like to try their Basmati Rice. We eat a lot of rice dishes and Basmati is one of my favorite kinds of rice.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/sweepstakingkas/status/699070752465645568
I followed on Twitter, Kayci Stanley @sweepstakingkas.
I followed on Instagram, Kayci Stanley @kaycistanley.
I would like to try the White Basmati Rice. It sounds yummy.