This Month's Personal Food Challenge

So, by now most people have figured out that ocean conservation is a subject dear to my heart and I'm a big supporter of the Seafood Watch program.

A couple of nights ago, while out grocery shopping for dinner (Stone Crab claws with tarragon butter) I was pondering steaks, chicken and the like and realized that it's very unfair for me to be discriminatory in my choices of protein. What makes fish more necessary to be sustainable than cows and poultry? This whole thought was rounded out by Borders giant display of vegetarian cookbooks all supporting the ideal of a Meatless Monday. I don't think I need to go that far though. So, for this month, I'm going to see if I can enact a lifestyle change with the following rules:

1. Meat (chicken, beef, pork, seafood, turkey) must be from sustainable sources, free range, grass fed, etc.

2. The only bread I'm eating will be that baked by me...or a friend who so happens to have a bread maker.

3. No pre-made, frozen or packaged meals.

4. No fast foods that don't follow rule number 1 (thankfully there's Chipotle).

5. Try to make a weekly trip to the Farmer's Market for vegetables and beef.

So, there's a simple start with five things to follow. We'll see how it goes. In the end, if I get totally frustrated with natural meat shopping - there's always sweet potatoes.

Happy munchings all!

Savory Spot - Essence Bakery Cafe

Essence Bakery Cafe is certainly another one of those little gems of a find if you happen to be in the Tempe area. Open 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, it's the type of place you might head for a casual late brunch or lunch where you can be assured that your meal came from locally sourced products, grass fed beef and free range eggs.

Don't expect too much out of Essence's decor and ambiance. With so many small tables placed together in the room (though their paper origami flowers add charm), Essence does become very noisy and crowded by the peak of lunch hour. Try to arrange to either arrive slightly early or late to have a bit more elbow room.

My fellow diner on this visit had been so impressed with our visit to Scratch that she was happy to follow along for another lunch trip. She selected the roasted vegetable sandwich (sans goat cheese) and was raving about her sandwich choice of roasted red peppers, zucchini and eggplant for most of the meal. To represent the carnivores, I went with the Local Power Ranch Beef Hamburger and while it wasn't bad, I can't say I would rave about it. The beef had that great flavor that only grass fed has, however the cooks hadn't achieved a proper sear on it resulting in a gray soggy patty. (This is the second time this month I've had to discuss searing with people). With a too thin bun, it ended being a somewhat tasty mess.

Our main disappointment came in the form of a barely dressed salad of local greens. With what seemed to be a slight drizzle of local olive oil, some salt and pepper helped to improve the flavor a bit, but this is definitely where a nice balsamic vinegar would be welcome.

Essence is also known for their macaroons and typically have a daily selection of several flavors such as caramel, mint or hazelnut. Take a moment to indulge and share a macaroon while waiting for your lunch to arrive.

With more people seeking restaurants supporting local vendors and offering more sustainable diet options, Essence should be a solid lunch fixture for years to come.

Essence Bakery and Cafe
www.essencebakery.com
825 West University Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
480.966.2745