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local
It was a joy to work with Robin…
“When my husband of 34 years died I lost my interest in cooking. Instead I began relying on quick frozen organic entrees and dinners. After three years I decide to improve the quality of my diet, so I contacted Robin Mallery. Robin helped me create a more nourishing and healthful diet that took my busy teaching and consulting schedule into consideration.
It was a joy to work with Robin. She is knowledgeable, supportive, intuitive, and warm. I highly recommend her as a Heart Healthy Coach.
Through lifestyle counseling, the sharing of her delicious and healthy family recipes, and an informative and fun “field trip” to a local whole food market, I have shifted to an eating plan that is healthy, delicious, and swiftly prepared. The key to swift and healthy meal preparation for me has been Robin’s 90-minute Sunday afternoon food prep model, a strategy that assures quick and delicious high quality meals throughout the week. I consider my leisurely Sunday afternoon food preparation time as self-indulgent “me” time, and enjoy chopping, baking, and sauteing against the backdrop of classical music and a glass of wine. I also love the fact that a nutritious and delicious dinner is ready when I walk through the door every night of my work week. It’s as if I finally have that personal chef I have always coveted, only it’s me!” —Patricia J., Nevada City
Posted in From our clients... | 
Tags: healthful diet, joy, local, nourishing, organic | 
No Comments »Robin Recommends…Grass Valley Grains
Grass Valley Grains
Services: Grass Valley Grains is a one-man farming and milling operation, founded by Reed Hamilton, a 25-year resident of Nevada County. Reed uses organic methods and materials to grow grain crops on a fifth-generation farm in Wheatland, California, where there is abundant flat land. He turns the grains into flour or meal using his own stone mill in Grass Valley.
Reed founded Grass Valley Grains as a way to provide a source of wholesome, locally grown grain and grain products to local consumers. Reed’s choice to grow grains comes from having grown up on a grain farm and because he loves bread, which he believes is such an elemental food! Reed is committed to growing food in a way that builds the soil and produces nutritious crops without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He wants to educate people about the properties of what they eat and the many grain crops that are available besides wheat, and wants his customers to be a community of friends who share an understanding of what it takes to produce this food.
Robin’s Thoughts: Grass Valley Grains is an asset to our community and example of the commitment to quality, organic food that provides health benefits to our bodies as well as to the planet. The variety of grains that Reed grows, wheat, rye, oats, barley, corn, beans, teff, and amaranth, can be milled into flour or meal, or they can be used whole or cracked.
Reed sells grains, flour, and meal by phone for individual orders, and through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Soon, web sales will be available. Several local restaurants use the grains and flours from Grass Valley Grains as a staple ingredient of the healthful and delicious meals that are served.
Contact Info
Web: http://www.grassvalleygrains.com
Email: reedhamilton38@yahoo.com
Phone: 530-273-8818
Posted in community, professional services, Robin Recommends... | Tags: community, Grass Valley Grains, local, organic, Robin Recommends... | No Comments »Live Healthy Nevada County
On the second Friday of the month, a group of volunteers meet at the Briarpatch Community Room to discuss, plan, create strategies, and share their enthusiasm for introducing, reinforcing, and supporting locally grown and sustainably cultivated foods into our county schools. I am honored to be a new member of this Food and Nutrition Action committee.
Much has been accomplished in the nearly two years of the committee being in existence. And so much more needs to be accomplished…which in no way reflects the energy of the committee, but more so the common government/county agency logistic and implementation challenges that arise. Not that it slows down this group–they persevere, brainstorm, research the successes and the work of other counties, and cheerfully maintain forward motion with their mission.
This intention of enhancing the health of our community, and of the planet, by connecting local farmers to schools, planting organic gardens on school campuses, facilitating assemblies for the students to cook/taste/understand locally grown foods and the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices, is a noble intention, indeed. As our entire country is making small steps towards eating well, Nevada County is enjoying the benefits of the many dedicated volunteers on this committee, as well as those involved in other county projects that support eating real food.
If you have a chance, consider volunteering: the school closest to you will either have a garden already or one is in the works to be planted–even if you don’t have a child attending school–jump in to support our next generation in Nevada County.
Robin Recommends…THINK LOCAL FIRST
THINK LOCAL FIRST
Nevada County Foothills
EAT. SHOP. GROW. GIVE. LIVE.
Services: The THINK LOCAL FIRST program is creating local living economies throughout the Western Nevada County, working to ensure that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and environmental quality as well as long-term economic prosperity. Through celebratory events, marketing of local independent business, networking, local buying guides and coupon books, and other educational efforts, THINK LOCAL FIRST seeks to foster support for the business and people that make the communities of Western Nevada County special and strong and grounded in personal and community relationships.
The purpose of THINK LOCAL FIRST Nevada County Foothills, is to increase public awareness, through public education, of the benefits of Thinking Local First in the following areas: Retail, Agriculture, Arts and Music, Community Capital, Energy, Land Use, Manufacturing and Waste Management. This is accomplished by organizing and facilitating a network of locally owned, independent businesses in the Western Nevada County Foothills, encouraging community membership, publishing stories and ads in different publications, radio and TV public service announcements, promoting events, speaking at events and information booths at various events. The founders of THINK LOCAL FIRST envision a just and sustainable global economy comprised of local living economies that enhance community life and natural systems, and promote social fairness and economic vitality.
Robin’s Thoughts: THINK LOCAL FIRST Nevada County Foothills is a collaborative effort of local business and community leaders to support the success of businesses within our own community. The mission of creating a sustainable business structure that encourages local dollars to be spent on community businesses and professional services demonstrates forward action that will lead to a thriving Nevada County business culture.
Included in the benefits of joining THINK LOCAL FIRST, is the discount you will be offered by member merchants. When you see the THINK LOCAL FIRST logo in the window of a business, simply present your membership card — and enjoy the discount, as well as knowing that you are supporting local Nevada County businesses.
Contact Info
Web: http://localfirstfoothills.org
Email: various board member emails are available on the website.
Posted in professional services, Robin Recommends... | Tags: business, community, local, sustainable | No Comments »Robin Recommends…Ike’s Quarter Cafe
Ike’s Quarter Cafe
Proprietors: Ike and Adrienne Frazee
Services: Ike’s cuisine is that of Louisiana, New Orleans to be specific. They chose New Orleans because the food is warm, tasty, and delicious, in addition to reflecting the melting pot that is New Orleans, with a Cajun foundation, and diverse ethnic contributions.
Ike’s is certified with the Green Restaurant Association, as is reflected in their choice of free-range meats, and organic flours, grains, produce, eggs, and dairy products. The to-go containers and cutlery are recyclable and biodegradable. At Ike’s, the belief is that good quality food and the attitude in which it is prepared makes for a happy belly.
Robin’s Thoughts: From the lovely outdoor patio, to the friendly atmosphere, to the amazingly diverse menu with many items being vegetarian variations on classic New Orleans style dishes, Ike’s is one of our community’s favorite restaurants. I love that the veggies are organic and local–my favorite is the gingered greens. Last time I had lunch there, the grilled tempeh, mushroom, and gorgonzola sandwich was rich with fabulous flavors and textures. Ike’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner–they are busy most of the time, allowing you to settle in for a good visit with your meal mate.
Contact Info
Web: http://ikesquartercafe.com
Phone: 530-265-6138 Address: 401 Commercial Street, Nevada City, CA
Email: ikesquarter@att.net
Posted in Eat, restaurants, Robin Recommends... | Tags: Eat, local, Nevada City, organic, restaurant, sustainable | 2 Comments »Robin Recommends…The New Moon Cafe
The New Moon Cafe
Proprietors: Peter Selaya, Buzz Crouch
Services: A love for food and community led to an infusion of our resources and talents to create The New Moon Cafe. We are fortunate to still be serving food in an ever expanding community. Creating a place that honors international culinary influence yet relates to our mountain town remains our greatest desire. Big city dining with a small town atmosphere and lots of love. Sophisticated, comfortable and thoughtful. Our welcoming community supports the local, natural and organic foods that we’ve been lucky enough to use since the warmest of beginnings.
Robin’s Thoughts: I have enjoyed numerous superb meals at The New Moon Cafe! There are so many details to rave about: the friendliness of the wait-staff and their knowledge of menu subtleties as well as of the wine list; delectable flavors of the varied entrees offered, with a focus on organic, local produce and meat and including several vegetarian choices; the sinful (but smartly portioned) desserts; and our special window table…The New Moon is where John and I go to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other distinctive occasions.
Contact Info
Web: http://thenewmooncafe.com
Phone: 530-265-6933 Address: 233 York Street, Nevada City, CA
Email: mail@thenewmooncafe.com
Posted in Eat, restaurants, Robin Recommends... | Tags: Eat, local, Nevada City, organic, restaurant, wine | No Comments »
