Zero Proof for Summer Skin

Fresh fruits and veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that soothe inflammation and clear pores. Antioxidants reduce free radical damage in all areas of the body and help skin look smoother and younger. Vitamins A, C, and E boost skin health, elasticity, and luminosity. And an extra dose of hydration keeps everything glowing and supple.

Mix and match fresh ingredients or add in other antioxidant-rich superfoods to make your own elixirs. When it comes to achieving smooth, radiant skin from natural food nutrients, the flavor combinations are endless.

Plus, natural products such as certain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients may even help boost your skin’s inherent SPF. But that doesn’t mean you should ditch the sunscreen! Just rest easy knowing that your skin won't parch under the harsh summer sun.

Spicy ACV Lemonade

Raw apple cider vinegar has long been a skin-clearing staple. Like other fermented foods, ACV contains probiotics that work to keep your gut and digestive system healthy. It’s also believed to support the liver function and flush toxins from the body.

And lemon juice is loaded with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that decreases inflammation. That’s a one-two punch for your skin.

Recipe:

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• pinch cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon honey

• ½ lemon juiced

Instructions: Combine everything in a glass, stir, and drink

Watermelon Lime Spritzer

The miracle ingredient in this skin-clearing elixir is lycopene, a phytonutrient found in bright red fruits like watermelon. Lycopene has long been used in acne products because it helps reduce free radicals, soothes inflammation, and provides protection from environmental toxins that can cause breakouts.

Watermelon is also loaded with vitamin A, which encourages collagen and elastin regeneration, so your skin looks youthful and supple.

Recipe:

• 1.5 cups watermelon

• ½ lime juiced

• 2 slices lime

• 7 leaves mint

• 3 cups water

Instructions: Combine everything in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain out the solids, and enjoy the juice over ice with extra mint leaves for garnish.

Raspberry Aloe Water

Raspberries are anti-inflammatory powerhouses, thanks to flavonoids known as anthocyanins. They slow the signs of aging and reduce inflammation throughout the entire body—even in your skin.

Rich in fiber, they also improve digestion and encourage the body to expel toxins. A teaspoon of beetroot powder adds blood-boosting vitamins like iron and zinc and helps improve circulation. And hydrating, healing aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins that help protect and repair your skin.

Recipe:

• 1/4 cup raspberries fresh

• ½ teaspoon beetroot powder

• 2 cups coconut water

• 2 leaves aloe vera

Instructions: 1. Combine the raspberries and beetroot powder in a glass. Use a muddler to mash the berries and incorporate the beetroot powder. 2. Add the coconut water, then place the aloe leaves in the glass cut side down, so some of the juice runs into the glass. Either strain out the berries before drinking, or eat them for added beauty-boosting benefits.

Predicted Food Trends 2024

Each year the retailer Whole Foods forecasts emerging flavors, culinary influences along with anticipated top selling products for the coming year. The Trends Council is comprised of 50 team members including foragers, buyers and culinary experts. Without further adue, here is the list for 2024.

1. Put the “plant” back in “plant-based”

   The “veggie” is going back in your burger and labels are shrinking. New protien forward products with mushroom, walnut, tempeh and legumes in place of meat alternatives. Plant based milk labels will be simplifyed down to just two ingredients.

2. Use the whole cacao

   Utilizing cacao pulp has been practiced in other countries for centuries. Now students in Costa Rica are tackling this and other environmental issues. The pulp is being made into jellies and jams. In 2023 we saw cacao fruit powders as a new sugar alternative, taking advantage of the sweet, ambrosial flavor.

3. Buckwheat is back

   Buckwheat is gaining popularity as a cover crop that supports soil health. It is also a superfood seed containing protein, carbs and fiber. The best part - it’s naturally gluten-free. Soba noodles embraced the grain already, but watch for inclusions in plant-based milk, crackers and granola in the coming months.

4. Faux Fish gets Fancy

   Earlier in 2023 tinned fish and caviar gained popularity. Now plant-based seafood brands are bringing the texture and flavor to rival the real thing. Look for carrots to replace lox, mushrooms to replace scallops and root vegetable konjac in sushi rolls and poke bowls.

5. Water Stewardship

   The growing trend of regenerative agriculture promotes soil health initiatives that ultimately conserve water. Non-govermental organizations are showing support for farmed oysters, leveraging aquaculture to filter water and help restore coastal ecosystems. Lifestyle brands are promoting dry shampoos, shampoo bars and laundry detergent sheets.

6. Heat and Spice

   Peppers from around the globe are becoming mainstream with the temps getting hotter. Varieties like Scorpion peppers, Guajillo or Hungarian Goathorn Peppers are fresh, whole ground or pickled are now present. Botana sauces - a mildly-spiced, tangy and versatile sauce made with garlic and peppers as well as chili oils are popping up in the condiment isle. Watch for pepper-infused drinks like kombuchas, cold-pressed juices and smoothies and ready to drink beverages like canned tepache - a fermented beverage made from the peel and rind of pinneapple that is sweetened and seasoned.

7. Noodles

   Instant ramen is becoming better than ever. Watch for the preservatives and MSG (monosodium glutamate) disappearing from labels and these noodles going gourmet.

8. Women’s Health

   This year we saw hormonal remedies, estrogen management and sleepy girl mocktails making headlines. Brands are popping up that support periods, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and sleep. Food innovators are producing bars and snacks for cycle health.

9. Better boost

   Coffee is the long-standing morning tradition for many, but now we are seeing caffeinated drinks with natural additives. We will see more mushrooms and probiotics ingredients added to those drinks. Try searching for “clean caffeine.”

10. Little Luxuries

    We kinda love this one and are excited too see it make the top ten list. Treats, impluse buys and individual serving sizes can add joy on a budget. Things that come to mind for us are the fresh cookie jars on our deli counter in Ketchum, a bath bomb from the bulk jar at Natural Grocers or a gourmet afternoon tea.

For the love of organics: Maple Syrup

Gathering maple tree sap to make sweet syrup for food and medicine is an ancient practice created by the Anishinaabe, Haudenosauee and Wabanaki people of northeastern North America. From pancakes to salmon, the sweet syrup was and still is, used to cure meats, sweeten bitter medicines, and bring a warm sugary and woody flavor to breakfasts and dinners alike. The thousands-of-years-old tradition continues to offer a spoonful of maganese, potassium, and antioxidants with its syrupy sweetness.

There is a common misconception that organic and conventional maple syrups are the same - but that could not be farther from the truth. The organic certification includes an extensive list of requirements to protect biodiversity in the sugar bush (forest of maple trees) including other plants, animals and microrganism. In Vermont, these specs also include maintaining a range of young and old maple trees. Organic maple syrup certification means sustainably keeping whole forests biodiverse and thriving.

Did you know organic producers cannot use galvanized containers at various points in the process, which are known to leach lead? Conventional syrup producers often add synthetic defoaming agents as well as additives like antifreeze!

These are just a few reasons to choose organic and keep the nasty additivies, pesticides and heavy metals out of your maple syrup!