Stephanie Rischard

I wanted to do some research today regarding one of my favorite foods groups...cheese.  I am huge fan of all things cheese, but there is something to say about those lovely goat products out there so I dug around for information on Cypress Grove today.  Mary Keehn is the founder of Cypress Grove and the creator of one of my favorite cheeses, the Humboldt Fog.  Mary's adventure started off with two goats...then more goats..which meant a lot of milk and a newfound passion for making cheese.  The business has now been around since the 80s and they are 'American Humane Certified'.  Cheese please.  

Today I completed an online energy audit of my home.  It's helpful to see the energy usage breakdown and no surprise to me that the majority of our household usage is dedicated to AC.  We have not had many cool days here on the Gulf Coast.  Since we don't own our home it's a little tough to contribute to all the possible ways of saving, but I do feel that I spend an unnecessary amount of time running certain appliances like the laptop and television.  I have a couple of books that I haven't finished reading yet...I think it might be nice to pick them up again and keep the digital entertainment to a minimum at the end of the day.   

I spent some time researching one of my favorite local vendors today.  Made with love in Sarasota, Sharon Juraszek is seen frequently at our store stocking her cultured veggie products under the name 'Fermentlicious'.  When she's not seen at Lucky's she sells at our Farmer's Market every Saturday in addition to other cafes, restaurants, and small markets in Sarasota.  One of my favorite products of hers is the 'Sacred Seed', but I am a huge fan of sauerkraut as it is.  What I find unique about her fermentation business is Sharon's ayurvedic approach.  She creates her ferments with intent to heal by way of raw, organic products, locally sourced as often as possible.  Consuming fermented foods is known to improve digestion, immunity, energy, and mood to call out just a few!

I try to start my days off with a smoothie.  Today's has almond milk, banana, date, cacao, maca powder, cinnamon,  and cayenne pepper.  I love the kick of the cayenne - I feel that it gives me an extra pep alongside my morning cup of coffee.  Cayenne stimulates the circulatory system and pairs well with the sweetness of the other ingredients.  

During the challenge so far I have planted a celosia, 3 pineapples, and an angel trumpet tree in my yard.  The angel trumpet looked in pretty rough shape when we got her last week, but is just starting to show new growth! 

This morning's juice of choice is full of kale, spinach, parsley, cilantro, cucumber, and celery.  It's got quite a bite that I think would balance well with lemon, apple, or ginger next time.  

Today I decided to research one of our woman-owned business partners, Brooke Henzel, owner and chef of Vegan Heavenly Delights.  She started her nut-based cheesecake treat business as a way to promote a healthy plant-based lifestyle for herself and to share with others.  Starting off small, she now has product currently in 18 Lucky's stores in the FL region as well as other 'green markets' across Florida.  Woohoo!

Starting the day off feelin' green with 'The Assunta' smoothie - apples, lemon juice, kale, spinach, banana, and kiwi!