WE LOVE OUR Amazonian superfoods and Chinese herbs, but when it comes to recent trends in nutrition, nothing beats the ‘local’ movement! We get an over-sized thrill out of taking a trip to the farmers’ markets or making dinner sourced from producers within our own community. It would probably puzzle our great-grandparents, who knew no other way, but for many in our generation, being in touch with where our food comes from is something of a novelty! It’s in that spirit that we’re asking our friends and readers from around the country to share their favorite local resources with us!
This week, we’re lacing up our hiking boots and trekking to Boulder, Colorado, where the days consist of 
rock climbing, craft markets and eco-conscious eateries!
The City: Boulder, CO
The Local: Elana Rabin – Pilates instructor, thrill seeker, smile maker
Top Natural Grocery: Alfalfa’s! This place makes a point to carry as much local produce and products as possible. Everyone is so friendly and helpful!
Best Farmer’s Market: Boulder’s Saturday morning market, 8am-2pm. Don’t forget to check out Noosa Yogurt (I may be there dishing out samples of the best yogurt EVER), Udi’s Artisan Bread (I always stop and smell the goods) and definitely try a pupusa from Tres Pupusas (just try them!).
Top Outdoor Recreation Location: For rock climbing, check out Boulder Canyon (so much sport and trad climbing, your climber mind will be blown). For hiking, check out Chautauqua Park (hike to the top of all three flat irons, or do my favorite Royal Arch hike!) or Sanitas Mountain is a great, challenging (and not too long) hike with the reward of amazing views of Boulder and Denver.
Source for Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, wild fish or the like: When I think “Colorado meats”, I think beef. With that said, the best local meat I’ve found comes from Natural Homestead Beef. You can find it every Saturday at the farmers’ market! He personally takes care of all his cattle, doesn’t use any hormones or antibiotics and raises the cattle for the full 2 years! For poultry, I go for Wisdoms Natural Poultry. Another local company that offers poultry and eggs all season at the farmers’ market! They pride themselves on having stress-free chicks, so the products taste better – of course no hormones, antibiotics or preservatives! Chickens are raised, butchered and frozen in the same place and get to run free outdoors as much as they want!
Favorite local experience living in your city:
The Pearl Street Mall – about 10 blocks of boutiques, restaurants, bars and life! Every day this walking mall is scattered with street performers, artists and food carts (make sure to check out McDevitt Taco Supply’s famous taco stand between 13th and 14th). You’ll always find something to do on Pearl street.
Best local resource unique to your town:
Eldorado Natural Spring Water! This was named some of top quality water in the world! They use recycled plastic for bottles, deliver to homes and their historic swimming pool (with water fed directly from the artesian spring) and is only 15 minutes outside of Boulder!
Best local cheese/wine/bread artisan food source: Haystack Mountain is some of the best goat cheese I’ve had, super fresh and the farm is in Longmont, just 15 minutes from Boulder. Udi’s Artisan Bakery is a Denver-based bread company that makes the best fresh bread I’ve had. Find them at the farmers’ market, too! I don’t know about wine, but if you like beer, you are in the right place! There are at least a handful of amazing breweries scattered around the Boulder area. Some of best include Avery Brewing Company (with a tap room right in Boulder), Oskar Blues (Lyons), The Mountain Sun (downtown Boulder), Boulder Beer… the list just goes on and on!
Best gym/studio: The Pilates Doctor Studio, the pilates studio I work with!
Best restaurant utilizing local resources: The Kitchen – by far my favorite restaurant in Boulder (including their upstairs location and next door location). The Kitchen is super conscious about serving food and drink from farmers, ranchers and purveyors for the sustainable enjoyment of the whole community. They also compost, use wind power and eco-friendly packaging! They have also recently created a non-profit that donates a percentage of sales to support the planting of Learning Gardens.
Best juice bar/ favorite juice: Not gonna lie… I love the Pearl Whole Foods juice bar on 28th and Pearl. My favorite was always the Funky Monkey smoothie (banana, almond butter and chocolate soymilk), but I also go in for my ritual wheatgrass shot and they make a mean hot ginger drink for when you need to clear your system!
Favorite summer recipe from local resource: The new Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place in downtown Boulder is a mecca for health food nuts! This recipe has been a go-to for lunch and dinner this summer, when it’s so hot and I want something fresh but still filling. This is my take on their Raw Emerald Salad (gluten-free and vegan!):
Raw Emerald Salad
- 1 1/2 cups massaged kale,
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup shredded beets
- handful of sprouts (I prefer bean sprouts)
Lemon Cashew Vinaigrette
- 2-3 tbsp cashew butter
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- salt & pepper
- olive oil, poured into the rest until emulsified
At Shine they mix the massaged kale with the dressing until nicely coated, then toss the carrots, beets and sprouts on top! I might even throw some toasted sesame seeds on top. Get crazy with it!
How Do You Go Local?
Living local looks different in every city and we want to know all about yours! Give us the down-low on going local in your city and you could be featured next! Download our form HERE and return to us at hello@thechalkboardmag.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!
