Markets

Bistro Blends: Gourmet Balsamic Vinegar

HiSHe — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:22:51 +0000

Holy smokes, this stuff is delicious! I picked up some Blackberry and Heirloom Balsamic Vinegar from Bistro Blends of Napa Valley, and it is the most flavorful and refined blend you’ll ever taste. It’s best if you go to the farmers market and get a taste of all their gourmet blends, like their Basil Garlic Parmesan Oil, perfect paired with seafood. If you can’t catch them at a local farmers market, buy a bottle from their online store. Promise, you won’t regret it.

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Bistro Blends
Website: www.bistroblends.com

Fat Uncle Farms: Almonds

HiSHe — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:01:47 +0000

“Changing the world, one almond at a time.”

Love it! Grab a bag next time you’re at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market. They also have almond butter: it’s like peanut butter, but a much thicker blend. And FYI, they sell it online via their website so check them out.

Also really adore their logo. I want to be just like “Fat Uncle”, totally at leisure.

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Fat Uncle Farms
Website: funclefarms.blogspot.com

Givens Farms

HiSHe — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:49:58 +0000

You’ll get nothing but friendly service from Givens Farms at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market or at the Hollywood Farmers Market on Ivar.

Joelle… Fantastic Olive Oil

HiSHe — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:40:01 +0000

JOËLLE OLIVE OIL
Website: www.joelleoil.com

Rosie’s Green House

HiSHe — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:21:33 +0000

For those of us who don’t have a green thumb, lets not give up hope. Look at these sweet blooms! I hear they’re low maintenance. I haven’t bought any, as I just managed to kill three potted plants of herbs, but I’m warming up to trying again…

Peacock Family Farms: A little spice and some nuts

HiSHe — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:39:42 +0000

Lavender On My Mind (Santa Barbara Lavender Farm)

HiSHe — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:24 +0000

My recent day trip to Santa Barbara included a quick drive-by a lavender farm, hoping to snatch a pouch of this aromatic flower or maybe some oil. Upon my arrival, there was a quiet stillness in the air… though quite peaceful, there weren’t any blooms to tickle my senses. (I seem to forget that there’s a season for everything.)

I must wait for summer, for the air to be filled with the soothing scent of lavender, where the farm fields are all burgeoning and at peak in July. For now, here’s a sprinkle of last summer’s luscious harvest, and of course, from the farmers market.

Santa Barbara Lavender Farm, Santa Barbara Farmers Market © Shiela Hizon

Rancho La Vina – Walnut Oil Anyone?

HiSHe — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:17:27 +0000

I stopped at the Hollywood Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago and recognized a familiar face that I had seen at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market — Rancho La Viña. The decadent walnut oil they sell, La Nogalera Walnut Oil, is unique, rich and so nutty, I can’t wait to put a recipe together… or maybe, I’ll just borrow one from their website.

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Rancho La Viña
Website: www.rancholavina.com
La Nogalera Walnut Oil
Website: www.lanogalerawalnutoil.com

They were also featured on the Los Angeles Times.
[Click here to read article]

On The Road, Part 1: En Route to Santa Barbara, Seacliff

HiSHe — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:44 +0000

I’ve been on a hiatus with my postings. As much as I would like to say I was on a sabbatical, my only reason is that life and work proceeded to take over my hours until I finally looked at the calendar and realized 2011 is of yesteryear.

Clearly seeing that I needed to take a deep breath, I started 2012 with a nostalgic meandering drive through Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), and headed for Santa Barbara.

My dear friend Katie gave me a coin that’s ‘HEAD/HEART’. The Head is usually the driver for me and the Heart always takes a back seat… But this time, I let the Heart run free. When it crossed my mind to exit at random points, I got off without thinking twice and without someone countering my initiatives. The lack of planning (and companion) was rather liberating.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to check out Seacliff/Rincon Beach. With my eyes wide open, I admired all the campers in their trailers, the surfers dotting the ocean, the occasional sprint of a dog chasing the waves, the salty breeze that Californian’s can’t live without… Each passing minute pumped new life into my soul.

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Dear Reader,

Whatever you’re doing, pause for a minute. Take a deep breath.

Oh Honey

HiSHe — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:22 +0000

Meet James Reese. He’s a beekeeper. (He can help you if you have a bee problem.) But let’s talk honey. Their honey is a delicate taste of goodness that’s sure to compliment any tea or biscuit.

MelJess Bees
Natural Raw Honey
Murrieta, CA
(Contact them via LocalHarvest find out which Farmers Market you can catch them at.)