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Seasonal food in the City!

So, what are the best days to shop? You will want to ask your produce department. They’ll tell you, and that’s the day you will want to shop. You can also ask them the actual time they will be stocking the fresh produce. It all depends on the time they receive the delivery. That way you’re getting the freshest produce you can get in the city and getting your money’s worth. Look, it’s expensive to buy organic produce! 

Ultimately if we all had our own gardens we would all have fresh organic seasonal produce, because organic has to be seasonal. Now do people grow indoors and manipulate the food chain? Yes. So that’s why you may find strawberries at the store in the winter months. Is winter strawberry season? No. Do the strawberries taste like nothing around winter? Yes. Pay attention to that, because your body is. 

Be in tune with your food people, so again if you’re in the produce department ask. 

SEASONAL PRODUCE LIST

I provided you with a fall seasonal produce list below because I want you to have the freshest, the juiciest, the most nutrient dense fruits and veggies you can get. If you get them in the season you will actually feel the benefits too. These are seasonal produce for a reason because at that time of the season this is the nutrients that your body actually needs. How cool is that, mother nature is so amazing! 

FALL PRODUCE

• Apples
• Bananas
• Beets
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Collard Greens
• Cranberries
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Grapes
• Green Beans
• Kale
• Kiwifruit
• Lemons
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Mangos
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Peas
• Pineapples
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Radishes
• Raspberries
• Rutabagas
• Spinach
• Sweet Potatoes & Yams
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips
• Squash

Yellow or Orange colored veggies have carotenoids, alpha carotene, beta-carotene and beta-caroteniods, which provide us with vitamin A and are a powerful source of antioxidants. Therefore offering us protection against aging and chronic diseases by preventing oxidative damage.

• Skin / Sun Damage
• Eye health / Good Vision
• Longer life

List of Seasonal Yellow and Orange Veggies:

• Corn
• Squash
• Yellow peppers
• Yellow potatoes
• Golden Beets
• Pumpkin
• Yellow Beans
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes & Yams
• Squash

Check out these wonderful spices that compliment the flavor of pumpkin season!

• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• All Spice
• Cloves

On October 22nd, 2021 it's national nut day!

Did you know that pumpkin seeds contain important minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc (good for vegetarians and vegans), copper, and manganese.

Other great nuts to celebrate this month are; Sunflower seeds, flax seeds, cashews, pecans, peanuts, pinenuts, pistachios, and walnuts.

• October 20th, 2021 (Hunter's Full Moon)
• November 30th, 2021 (Beaver Full Moon)

This months blog is in the works!

FAMILY + FRIENDS + FEAST

Get hands on with your menu this holiday season. 

This Thanksgiving we're going Italian!

Stay Connected with how to recipes by checking out my YouTube channel. 

Let's pay attention to the excretory systems this month and learn about the body's function of excretion, the bodily process of discharging wastes. 

ORGANS OF THE EXCRETORY SYSTEM ARE:

• SKIN
• LUNGS
• LIVER
• GALLBLADDER
• URETERS
• URETHRA
• LARGE INTESTINE
• KIDNEYS

Your body uses water in all it's cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it's important to rehydrate by drinking and eating foods that contain water.

You need water to digest your food + rid of waste. We have so much to talk about this month. Make sure to follow @olivianoelskitchen on instagram.

FUN FACT:

• men need approximately 3.7 liters of water a day (15.5 cups)
• women need approximately 2.7 liters of water a day (11.5 cups)

• CUCUMBERS
• CELERY
• WATERMELON
• CANTALOUPE
• STRAWBERRIES
• ICEBURG LETTUCE
• TOMATOES

This month the Full Moon is on November 30th, 2021.

Just as we've been harvesting food and packing our pantry's for the winter months, as do the beavers. The full moon in November represents just this as the beavers begin taking shelter in their lodges after storing enough food for winter. 

Keep an eye out for this year's November full moon it's going to be accompanied by a partial lunar eclipse. 

FUN FACT:

• How much would you weigh on the moon?

Just multiple your weight (it doesn't matter if it's pounds or kilograms) by 0.165. You'd weigh about 80 percent less!

MOON WATER HOW TO:

What is moon water? As the name suggests, moon water is simply water that has had time to sit under the light of the full moon. The water essentially soaks up moonlight. Choose a container to fill with water, preferably spring water. If you have a specific intention or goal in mind that you are looking to manifest with the moon, definitely let that be known to the moon water. If you plan to drink your moon water, make sure the water you use is safe to drink. 

Next you want to set your container of spring water out under the moonlight or in a window ceil. 

You can say an affirmation or a prayer. 

You can add crystals to your moon water ritual. Placing the crystals in or around the area. Make sure the crystals are meant to put in drinking water and make sure to remove them before you drink.

Once everything’s in place and your intention is set, simply leave the container overnight in the moonlight. In the morning it’ll be ready for however you want to use it! Simple as that! 

This is a fun and magical ritual that can be added to tea, applied topically, added to bath water, or sprayed in the home. 

Each season you can incorporate new vegetables into your kitchen. In doing so you provide your body with nutrient specifics to that season. Everything is a cycle and food is no different. This winter make sure to eat healthfully by providing your body with a spectrum of immunity-boosting phytochemicals. 

See the shopping list recommended of organic seasonal fruits and veggies that thrive in cold weather below.

DECEMBER SHOPPING LIST:

• CITRUS – Winter is citrus season!

• BRUSSELS SPROUTS – Brussels Sprouts are considered the mini cabbage, providing us with vitamins such as VIT K which is great for bone, heart, and brain health. Brussels Sprouts have an ANDI score of 490.

• PARSNIPS– Parsnips are great for digestive health.

• KALE – Kale thrives in cooler weather and is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. Packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and powerful plant compounds. Kale provides your body with VIT A, C and K. It’s rich in vitamin B, calcium, copper, manganese, potassium and magnesium. Kale has anti-inflammatory effects and Kale also has a high ANDI score of 1000.

• RED CABBAGE – Helps reduce the risk of heart disease providing your body with vitamins and minerals such as VIT C, A, K, B, manganese, and potassium. Cabbage has an ANDI score of 434.

• COLLARD GREENS – Collard greens are a bitter green offering you calcium, VIT B, C, iron, magnesium and manganese. Collard Greens provide vitamins and minerals that can help in reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Collard Greens has an ANDI score of 1000.

• RUTABAGAS – Rutabagas are a great option for heart function, muscle contraction, and blood pressure providing you with vitamins such as VIT C, B, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese.

• RADISHES – Radishes are rich in vitamins and minerals such as VIT B and C as well as potassium. Radishes can help to keep inflammation in check and is great for cancer fighting.

• PARSLEY – Parsley is good for memory loss and age-related changes in the brain as well as helping with inflammation in the brain. Parsley is packed with VIT K, C, A, iron, calcium, and potassium.

As we all know cold & flu season is upon us so a great way to boost your immune system is through seasonal fruits and vegetables. Now remember you can eat or drink your veggies. A great way to prepare veggies is by steaming them, juicing them, and or you can even provide yourself with a nutrient dense vegetable broth. If you noticed I threw in a few ANDI scores too. An ANDI score is a ranking for the nutrient value of many common foods. It measures food on the basis of how many nutrients the food/fruit or vegetable gives your body for each calorie consumed. Eating a variety of organic plant foods is essential to good health. 

WINTER SHOPPING LIST:

• APPLES
• AVOCADOS
• BANANAS
• BEETS
• BRUSSELS SPROUTS
• CABBAGE
• CARROTS
• CELERY
• COLLARD GREENS
• GRAPEFRUIT
• KALE
• KIWIFRUIT
• LEEKS
• LEMONS
• LIMES
• ONIONS
• ORANGES
• PARSNIPS
• PEARS
• PINEAPPLES
• POTATOES
• PUMPKIN
• RUTABAGAS
• SWEET POTATOES
• YAMS
• SWISS CHARD
• TURNIPS
• WINTER SQUASH

FUN FACT:

Helpful supplements for the winter /cold & flu season are:

• Vitamin D
• Zinc

Both are not easily found from food.

WINTER TIP:

Click the link below and learn how to make Grandma's Elderberry Immune Support. This class will teach you all about how to make your very own organic elderberry syrup.

This is the last full moon of the year! The weather is getting colder and has truly started to grip us with its chill. 

• The COLD FULL MOON is on Saturday, December 18th, 2021.

The most magical time to celebrate our Full Moon is during the twilight, right there between the sunset and moonrise. The cold moon is exactly what she exudes, bright moonlight for celebrating the frigid conditions of this time of year. This will be the longest night of the year and is also the "Moon before Yule" in which you can read all about below in the article titled CELEBRATE + YULETIDE + SIDE DISHES.

COLD MOON FUN FACT:

A little Moon Folklore is if a snowstorm begins when the moon is young, it will cease at moonrise.

FULL MOON RITUAL:

Try this full moon ritual …….Draw a moon on the paper. 

On the outside of the moon write all the things you would like to let go of or the things you do not desire to continue carrying. Things like, anger, jealousy, self-doubt, stress, and negativity are some examples.

On the inside of the moon on the paper, write what you wish to manifest in your life. Some examples are love, patience, financial stability, new job, more inspiration, maybe healthy eating habits.

Next go outside under the full moonlight and set up a space for a moon ritual ceremony. This is where you will do a ritual to release and let go of things that no longer serve you. Bring your paper along for the ritual. For this ritual you will need a fire pit, make sure it’s set up in a heat safe sensitive area. 

Now start to visualize what you want to release and what you want to manifest as you hold your paper. 

As you release your desires to the fire toss your paper in, and say out loud to the moon allowing your intentions to be heard. 

What you’re doing is speaking your intentions into existence. 

Say out loud: “Goddess Luna bring light to my path.”

Then after you've tossed your paper into the fire give gratitude and feel abundance as the full moon brings light to your path.

Happy Full Moon!

Sagittarius  is ruled by Jupiter ~ The planet of abundance, spirituality, growth, and freedom. Fueled by wanderlust and thrill-seeking expeditions it's no wonder one of the organs associated with sagittarius people are the thighs, because they're always on the move. 

SAGITTARIAN KEY WORDS:

LAUGHTER

ADAPTABILITY

FLEXIBILITY

CHANGE

ADABTABLE

EXPLORE

UPLIFTING

SAGITTARIAN PLANTS:

ASPARAGUS

CHESTNUTS

SOYBEANS

SAGITTARIAN COLORS:

PURPLE

PLUM

DARK BLUE

BEIGE

BRONZE

Homemade gifts for Yuletide.

Want to try a new cocktail for the season? Spice it up with the EARTHY + TEQUILA MULE. This is a new favorite cocktail for our family, not only for taste but it will forever hold very special memories around family & friends. 

Try this spicy, smooth, yet earthy cocktail that will have you wanting more! 

1st add BOLS pineapple chipotle giving your drink the perfect amount of fresh juicy pineapple with a light peppery boost. 2nd add a fine tequila that is balanced with aromas like fruit and citrus also giving you a light pepper finish, such as patron. 3rd add the tangy taste of Rose's Lime juice made with real lime juice, and it's sweetened for ultimate mixability into your favorite cocktails. Then last but not least the ingredients of the Fever-Tree Ginger Beer incorporates three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast, they have created an award winning ginger beer that is absolutely fantastic. This drink is not too sweet on the palate and gives you a deep, long-lasting ginger character. Don't forget to serve in a copper mug. Why do I need a copper mug? A copper mug is a superior thermal conductor, so copper mugs respond to the temperature of what is inside, keeping it chilled or warm depending on the beverage. When serving a cocktail, copper mugs become cool, creating a chilling sensation when sipped. This is especially desirable in warm weather when cold drinks can easily melt. Copper mugs also seem to intensify the fizziness of the carbonation in cocktails, making for an extra refreshing sip. Many cocktail drinkers also say that the copper mug enhances the flavors of the spicy ginger beer and citrus. 

EARTHY TEQUILA MULE COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:

• 2 SHOTS BOLS PINAPPLE CHIPOTLE
• 2 SHOTS PATRON TEQUILA
• 1 SHOT ROSE'S SWEET LIME JUICE
• POUR THE INGREDIENTS OVER ICE IN A COLD COPPER MUG.
• THEN FILL THE REST OF THE COPPER MUG UP WITH FEVER TREE GINGER BEER. 
• FOR BEST RESULTS ONLY USE FEVER TREE GINGER BEER!

EARTHY TEQUILA MULE MOCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:

• 2 SHOTS PINAPPLE JUICE
• 1 SHOT ROSE'S SWEET LIME JUICE
• POUR THE INGREDIENTS OVER ICE IN A COLD COPPER MUG.
• THEN FILL THE REST OF THE COPPER MUG UP WITH FEVER TREE GINGER BEER. 
• FOR BEST RESULTS ONLY USE FEVER TREE GINGER BEER!

Stay Tuned for more Holiday Recipes!

What is Yule? Yule is a celebration of the winter solstice. It also marks the longest night of the year and therefore the return of the sun. In a nutshell we're celebrating the sun!

Because of this meaningful shift in seasons, the overall theme of Yule is about rebirth and renewal. Yule also guides us in the continuation of life. 

instead of focusing on consumerism, Yule gives us a connection to nature and the actual season. Yule gives us the opportunity to give thanks, let go of the past, and reminds us to look forward to what lies ahead. 

Because we’re celebrating the sun, light is an important element for this celebration. Flickering candles, bonfires, twinkle lights, and the traditional lighting of the tree all represent this Yule celebration of the slow returning of the light.

A great way to honor Yule and the celebration is to do an exercise where you reflect on the year that has passed while looking forward to the year ahead. It’s a time of year for reflection, connecting to those we love, and spending sacred time in nature.

Also bringing the outdoors in,  like an evergreen tree. This is similar to our Christmas traditions.

Yuletide is much like celebrating Christmas & the new year. Yuletide starts on the first day of winter and ends on the first day of the new year. That's why it is said to celebrate the 12 days of Yule.

The first Yuletide celebration began long ago around 1475 in Germany. This was once a German tradition of celebrating the sun. Now having made its way to America most celebrate in the form of Christmas and New Year’s. Yuletide is more of a celebration of the season's as well as new beginnings, and whereas Christmas is of more a celebration of Christ hence Christ-mas and most of all has turned into a celebration of gifts and consumerism.

Most of us are so absorbed into the tradition of Christmas and consuming things that we forget the true meaning of life. Celebrating Yuletide is a beautiful way to bring back meaning in celebrating a new season, winter. Yuletide reminds us of the opportunity to focus on new beginnings. Much like we do when we celebrate the new year. It’s also a time to incorporate nature into your home, practice gratitude for abundance, and celebrate the returning of the sun. 

WAYS TO CELEBRATE YULE:

• SET UP A YULE ALTAR - A log can be used first as a Yule Altar, decorated with candles and evergreen boughs, before it burned on the evening of the winter solstice (the first day of winter). 

• RECITING PRAYERS AND AFFIRMATIONS TO WELCOME BACK THE SUN – You who are the source of all power, whose rays illuminate the whole world, illuminate also my heart, so that it too can do your work. -Book of Runes 

• PERFORMING CLEANSING RITUALS AND TREE BLESSINGS – Use seasonal plants and greenery to use in cleansing rituals such as pine, cedar, rosemary, juniper, and frankincense. Not only will these magical greens cleanse the home they will also provide you with a delightful holiday aroma. Also burning these greens represent good luck. 

• SEND A YULETIDE GREETING CARD TO THOSE YOU LOVE – A piece of thoughtful art handmade by you can be very meaningful. Photos to share are a wonderful tide as well.

• HAVE A YULE LOG CEREMONY – The old tradition of holding a Yule Log ceremony is a way to welcome back the sun. A log can be used first as a Yule Altar, decorated with candles and evergreen. Before it is burned on the evening of the winter solstice (the first day of winter, December 21st.) Originally it was a whole tree or large trunk that was carefully chosen, cut down and hauled to the house with great ceremony. Then the end of the trunk was laid on the hearth and lit with a brand from the previous year’s yule fire as the rest of the tree stuck out of the hearth into the room. The tree trunk was pushed for 12 days from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. At the end, the unburned part of the tree was extinguished and saved to start the fire next year. 

• FEASTING – Feasting is a great time to enjoy the process of cooking large meals and making festive drinks to share with family and friends. Traditional courses for Yule include ham, plum pudding, mulled apple cider, hot buttered rum, egg nog, wassail a punch made with spices and fruit juices used to make a toast “I drink to good health”, and a classic Bûche de Noël, a cake that represents the Yule log. 

• DATES OF YULE - The celebration of  Yule starts on the first day of winter December 21st, and ends on January 1st.

PLANTS OF YULE:

• EVERGREEN TREES – Evergreen Trees symbolize the continuation of life, as they remain full and bright while all other trees lose their leaves.

• HOLLY – Holly is a very sacred plant, holly is a symbol of protection. Holly represents the old solar year as well as the holly king who may have been a precursor to Santa Clause.

• IVY – Ivy is another reminder that life continues, as the plant lives on after its host plant has died. It is said to represent fidelity and loyalty. Hanging ivy around the home during this time of year is a way to symbolize the strength of family bond.

• MISTLETOE – Mistletoe stands for peacemaking and the end of discord. It also is thought to ward off evil for the next year. 

• BIRCH – Birch is a plant associated with rebirth, as it’s often the first tree to grow back in a forest that has burned.

Charcuterie is designed for bringing people together to enjoy simple but elegant food. It’s a trendy way to present food and the word charcuterie is a French term for a line of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, primarily from pork. French pronunciation “Shar-Coo-Tree.”

Food is about the taste and experience. You want to make sure you’re presenting and pairing a contrast of flavors to excite your guests taste buds. Consider a charcuterie board as edible art.

RULES:

Quality ingredients matters!

Creating a bountiful board takes a bit of effort. You want to choose your charcuterie; pork products. Then start to add the proper cheeses, sauces, dips, seasonal produce, texture, and garnish. You will also need your canvas; a board.

CHARCUTERIE AND SPREAD OPTIONS:

Sauces

Dips

Honey

Jam

Jelly

Mustard

Hummus

CHARCUTERIE OPTIONS:

Soppressata

Calabrese

Mortadella

Prosciutto

Genoa Salami

CHEESE OPTIONS:

Aged + Hard

Firm

Soft

Crumbly + Blue

Creamy

Nutty

Tangy

Metallic

Roasted Aromas

CHEESE MILK TYPES:

Cow

Goat

Sheep

Alternative

SEASONAL PRODUCE:

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

FOOD TEXTURE:

Crackers 

Toast

Soft Artisan Bread

GARNISH:

Edible Flowers

Fresh Greenery

Rosemary Sprigs

Olive Branches

With February’s Charcuterie Pairing Menu your guests are sure to be enjoying every bite. Check out the charcuterie blog!

Follow us on Social Media for extra tips and clips on how-to-methods with this month’s recipes! 

This months recipe line up:

• Watermelon + Aloe Juice
• Celery + Cucumber Juice
• 3 Green Salad
• Summer Squash BBQ

Let's talk about honey. On August 21st, 2021 it's World Honey Bee Day!

Leo season is full of such life and vitality. Leo is ruled and influenced by the sun which only makes sense. As we roll into August we know this month completes Summer and we begin to move towards Fall. 

August represents Summer in it's fullest form physically, mentally, and emotionally. As we gather feel good rays from the sun; warmest month across the nation, we mix that with good food and exercise equalling a feel good factor. Sunshine provides us with Vitamin D which is great for calcium absorption, immune function, and protecting bone, muscle, and heart health; so get outside and soak up that sun. 

Look for NEW recipes at www.olivianoelskitchen.com  all recipes are inspired by the season. Go to the cooking show tab to view more. 

Stay Tuned for this months Wellness Wednesday, Live at Lunch with special guest Sabrina Summer a certified yoga instructor. Read more about our special guest at  www.breathofsoul.com - Where the Connection to Your Highest Self is Encouraged!

Each season you can incorporate new vegetables into your kitchen. In doing so you provide your body with nutrient specifics to that season. Everything is a cycle and food is no different. 

SHOP SEASONAL:

• APPLES
• BRUSSELS SPROUTS
• GARLIC
• GRAPES
• ONIONS
• PUMPKIN
• RASPBERRIES
• SWEET POTATOES & YAMS
• TURNIPS
• LETTUCE

School's in and here are a few seasonal tips for your family! 

This is Virgo season which means we are hyper aware of details. Key words to express and pass to our children are remembering to exude kindness to our family, neighbors, and friends. Be gentle and supportive to all in this season of change. May we enjoy the colors this month has to offer with olive greens, tans, cornfields, and caramel tones giving us such beauty. Find space to ground on this earth and soak up those electrons, earthing is a wonderful way to reconnect the human body to the earth's surface. By grounding on the earth we soak up electrons giving us great health benefits too. 

May we continue to learn and educate ourselves always. 

HOMEMADE AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS: 

• PEANUT BUTTER BALLS no sugar
• Apples
• DILL DIP with Veggies

We will be learning how to can fruit jelly this month. 

Stay connected by jumping on Instagram, this provides you day to day recipes, shopping lists, and keeps you current on events happening throughout the month.

The most magical time to celebrate our Full Harvest Moon is during the twilight, right there between sunset and moonrise. The harvest moon is exactly what she exudes, bright moonlight for harvesting the summer crops. The harvest moon ushers in the season of Fall representing "hearth and home." You need to be clearing space in your pantry and preparing yourself for winter.

Celebrating our Goddess Luna to the fullest may look like clearing out clutter, both physical and emotional. This is how you may consciously connect with the energy of the harvest moon. By clearing you open up a pathway, or channel, for energy to help manifest desired changes in your life. Just as seasons change from summer to fall you are also changing and making room for new beginnings to harvest. When you do this in conscious harmony with the energetic rhythms of the moons cycle, you can truly amplify the magic a season has to offer. 

Plan a Full Moon Party for any moon! During a full moon is the most powerful phase of the entire lunar cycle. This is why many find this day to be magical and potent for manifesting important goals. 

"Harvest Moon Bring light to my path."