Four Favorites in July

My Four Favorites series is back and I’m introducing a new theme to these monthly installments of my favorite finds.

The four Bs. A book, a blog, a brand and a break.

These are a few things I’ve come across this month that I’ve enjoyed so much that I must share. 

Book:

I received a review copy of Pig Tales: An Omnivore’s Quest for Sustainable Meat by Barry Estabrook a few months ago and my nose has been in it during every reading break since. I thought I knew what to expect from the book, and in some ways I did.

I knew it would prompt me to take a deeper look at the sources for our pork. This is something I held in top priority when we lived in Kentucky, but that I’ve found more challenging over the past year or so. I needed this reminder of the importance of it. 

But this book brought with it a few things that surprised me. I appreciated the balanced, drama-free way the content was presented, especially in the first few chapters. It’s very factual and up front. It gives a revealing peek into the pork industry, the life of pork farmers and the lives of pigs. Just like any industry, there is good and bad. 

What I wasn’t expecting was to leave this read with a new appreciation for the pig. I thought my appreciation had already reached its peak.  I eat pork, I like pigs, and I greatly appreciate the sacrifice they make for nourishment.

Most people I know who don’t eat pork avoid it simply because they think pigs are filthy. Okay, fair enough, but pigs are smart. Man, are they smart! I really enjoyed this side of the book — the research studies and pig habits that reveal their intelligence. Regardless of whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian, this book will greatly deepen your knowledge about the pig and our food system. 

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Blog:

I feel like I discover numerous awesome blogs every day. I never get tired of exploring all the amazing work out there. Lately I have been loving the vibrant, nourishing recipes and stunning food photography at Flourishing Foodie. You must give it a visit. You’ll most definitely pin some recipes to try later. 

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Brand:  

A few months ago we had an exciting addition to the East Bay area. A new Whole Foods opened in Dublin. While I don’t spend a lot of time in Dublin, we do drive through enough that I appreciate the option to swing in and stock up on my favorites. 

This new location has some super cool options, too. It houses Dublin Vine, a wine tasting and tap room that also serves pub-style food. The store also features a 28-foot pizza venue, a Nona Lim noodle bar and a barbecue bar! I know you’re not supposed to shop for groceries when you are hungry, but I think visiting this Whole Foods might be the exception. Go very hungry. You’ll want to try it all. 

I couldn’t make the media event for the opening, so my kind contacts there sent me a box of goodies that are available at the store. One thing in the box was Spicy Ginger Shrub from Shrub & Co, a local company based in Berkeley. Oh, my goodness, this stuff is good. Spicy, tangy, a little sweet. I have been loving it in soda water and have added it to a few cocktails as well. 

This was my first opportunity to try Shrub & Co and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for their other flavors. If you can get your hands on some, buy it with confidence. I am a huge fan! 

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Break: 

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that my favorite thing is a travel break. Since we moved to California, extended vacations have partially been replaced by long weekend travel because we have so much to see in this State. There is so much to explore! 

At the top of my list is Lake Tahoe. I never expected to enjoy it so much, but I was completely blown away. And probably not for the same reason most people are. We aren’t much into winter sports (yet). We visited in the fall, when the Aspens were at their absolute peak for foliage. 

It was jaw-dropping. So much so that I made it my first post in the re-lauch of my travel blog, The 3 Star Traveler. You can find the post, Fall in Lake Tahoe, and a lot more photos there. 

Discloser: The products and books featured in this post were sent to me free of charge for review. I was not required to post about them and received no additional compensation for doing so. This post contains affiliate links. 

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