Where do you shop for food?

RB: I just moved to Boulder, CO from New York so I am still figuring out my food shopping scene, but I think I’ve got it down.  I start my shopping with the Boulder Farmers Market, as I like to buy local as much as possible.  I then supplement at a local Boulder County grocer called Lucky’s Market.  It’s a small market with a focus on fresh and sustainably-raised food coming from local farms and artisans.  I also started shopping Door-to-Door Organics, which is an online delivery-style CSA program.  I imagine I’ll be purchasing more there during the winter months.  

Do you love food shopping or dread it?  

RB: I absolutely love it.  I particularly love going to the local farmers market. I love it so much that it is listed as one of my “hobbies” on my biography!

How often do you shop?

RB: I’m a weekend shopper as my weeks are extremely busy. I usually make it to the farmers market and Lucky’s once a week, with supplemental trips as needed.

How many do you shop for? Ages?

RB: It’s just my husband, Darren, and me.  He shops with me.  Yes, I am a lucky gal.  

How many times a week do you eat out? (based on 21 meals/week)

RB: On average, three times a week.  We both travel a lot for work, so we enjoy eating the majority of our weekday meals at home when we are home.  Weekend dinners and brunch are when we tend to eat out.

How do you plan your weekly meals? Create a spreadsheet of fly by the seat of your pants?

RB: We are spontaneous cooks. We each have our go-to options to make our routine breakfast items throughout the week.  We are fanatics for purchasing locally and seasonally so we tend to focus our meals around what’s in season. We never know how our meal is going to come together until we congregate in the kitchen right before cooking. I do a lot of batch cooking of the basics on Sundays, and these items either act as the foundation for or are the starter for our weekly dinners.  Lunches are often leftovers or pulling together the basics to make a meal.  

What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?

RB: Chocolate is always the most coveted food in the fridge for my husband.  He eats one or two squares of really good quality chocolate after dinner each night.  For me, I just found this awesome fresh, gluten-free pasta at my farmers market.  Fresh gluten-free pasta is still somewhat of a novelty, so I am thoroughly enjoying it.  

Do you believe in leftovers?  

RB: Absolutely!  Often times they are better the second time around.

What convenience product can you not live without?

RB: Salsas and hot sauces.  They are my go-to flavor enhancers when I don’t have the time to chop up herbs or make dressings, etc.  They make everything taste good, from eggs to green salads and grain dishes.  

What cooking utensil/piece of equipment/appliance do you live for?  

RB: I use my Vitamix and avocado slicer every single day.  I am also loving the old-fashioned hand juicer my mother-in-law gave me.  It’s the best way to get every ounce of juice out of citrus.  

When you hear the word “homemade” what is the first thing that comes to mind?

RB: Bread!  I have to eat gluten free.  Sweet gluten-free baked goods have become quite good, but savory breads still have a long way to go.  I prefer making my own gluten-free bread.  

How have your cooking/shopping habits changed over the last 10 years?  

RB: I am a much more adventurous cook.  Whereas I used to rely on cookbooks and recipes to make anything beyond the basics, now I just trust my judgment and wing it.  I used to hate shopping; it was just a chore to cross off my list. I now look forward to it and envision all the yummy meals I will make with the foods I’m buying.

What was the last meal you cooked from scratch?  

RB: A veggie frittata with sautéed greens.  Eggs and greens is my go-to meal when I need to make something quick, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

If one person could cook for you tonight, who would it be?  

RB: That’s a seriously hard question. Since you are asking about tonight and I’m in the mood for Mexican (which is not an uncommon occurrence)…There’s this authentic Mexican place near where I used to live in Westchester, NY called Boxcar Cantina.  They use fresh, responsibly-sourced ingredients from local farms and understand how to cook gluten-free.  They make this dish called Quatro Tacos–two organic chicken tacos and two Niman Ranch pork tacos (I order all pork). I am not a big meat eater.  In fact, I can think of only two items in which I order pork–BLTs and these pork tacos.  I don’t know exactly who makes them, but that’s who I want to cook for me tonight. Those tacos are to die for.  

What are you working on these days that you’d like to tell us about?

RB: A big part of my consulting business is working with the food industry to improve the food supply and environment so people can make healthier and safer choices.  I am relaunching my brand and website to better communicate this aspect of my business and am also starting a newsletter that is about great gluten-free living (which can be enjoyed by all).   A book proposal is also in the works.