sugar & olives

Sugar & Olives is in its third year of serving ‘farm to family’ style, and its tucked away location draws a steady and curious crowd.

The converted factory space sits on a side street in Norwalk, Connecticut, and without a sign or any evidence that it’s a restaurant, it has become a local favorite for private dining, cooking classes and a swanky spot to sit, eat and enjoy some tasty food.

Want to know where your food is from? Just ask and they’ll tell you—or look it up on the iPad menu. Each guest gets one so they can choose their meal, and search for more information as they wish.

Vegetables, fruit, poultry, shellfish, dairy and eggs are gathered from farms within CT, while grains and other items are sourced regionally from the Hudson Valley to Vermont. Sweet and savory as the name Sugar & Olives implies, with a focus on flavor and simplicity, allowing each item to shine.

The sustainable build-out and best practices of this small shop has earned it three stars with the Green Restaurant Association. The efforts to keep a tiny footprint include waste reduction, pre- and post-consumer composting, recycling, a water filtration system with zero plastic water bottles on the premises, and a rain barrel to boot.

Special thanks to jennifer and cristina, store manager west hollywood, for the inside scoop!

recipe: cristina's smoothie

photo by: anathea1 frozen banana
2 tblsp lecithin
2 tblsp cold pressed flax oil
1 tblsp bee pollen
8 oz aloe juice
8 oz unfiltered apple juice
1 packet of Green Vibrance
optional: 1 tblsp coconut oil

hints:
1. to blend it well, let the banana thaw a smidge.
2. if you’re not a banana lover, substitute with frozen grapes, strawberries, blueberries or ice.
3. other optional ingredients: protein powder or kale leaves.

Thanks to cristina, store manager west hollywood, for this submission.

sunlight = vitamin D

Did you know that vitamin D is produced naturally in the skin when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays? Similar to a steroid in molecular composition, vitamin D circulates as a hormone and promotes healthy bones and muscles while boosting the immune system.

According to research by the Mayo Clinic, it’s believed that “vitamin D may offer protection from type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune system.”

The trick is getting enough rays for a good supply of vitamin D, but using sunblock as protection against too much sun—if you’ll be in direct sunlight for an extended period of time. It’s all about balance—and getting outdoors.