It is the season of gift giving. Trying to figure out what to buy someone can add extra stress to an already hectic time of the year. Over the past several months, I have been enjoying several things that I wanted to share with you. They are all gustatory, affordable, unique, and local, with the exception of one item.
Recently, one of the regulars at the clinic brought me a bag of what she referred to as “really special” rice. I was not sure what she meant until I tried it. This rice is heavenly, and indeed, special! First, it cooks very quickly and the pearlescent color whets the appetite. The taste is light, flavorful and delicious; it is slightly sweet and deeply nourishing. You can get it from the Sunday farmer’s market in the marina. Its origin is Japanese and the Koda family produces this organic white rice named Kokuho Rose. It will make you want to cook and dream up all the combinations of vegetables and protein to have with it—though simply eating it with butter is truly ethereal. White rice is extremely good for the stomach/spleen in Chinese medicine, calming stomach fire (acid reflux), and supporting the earth element, which is the source of our post-natal qi. However, those with elevated blood sugar should make sure to combine with protein and vegetables if they decide to incorporate white rice into their diet.
Since we are talking about grains, let me tell you about Gusto Bread in Long Beach on 4rth Street. This is a truly special panadería. You can taste the love and care in the breads and pan dulce. The balance of flavors is stunning and the texture unbelievable. In October, I was lucky enough to have one of their Pan de Muerto’s, a specialty for the season celebrating Day of the Dead. It was unlike anything I have ever eaten. This bread was infused with a delicate flavor of fennel and citrus that played off of the vanilla bean sugar on top. It was perfectly balanced—not too sweet—and deeply satisfying. Their conchas are exceptional, as are the cookies. Really, everything I have had so far is remarkable and I have only been there two times! So if you want to give someone a special treat for the holidays, a gift certificate, a baguette, or a mixed box of some of their specialty breads and sweets, I guarantee it will be most welcome. They have a great website, so take a look to find out more about this Long Beach gem!
Further afield than Long Beach, I have been enjoying dates from the Coachella Valley. They are called Joolies and have become a staple for me as a great snack on my long bike rides. Rather than eating a gel or gu, these dates serve the purpose of good fuel, with significant doses of potassium and magnesium to keep cramps at bay during sustained exercise. In regular cooking, dates work well to contrast with bitter greens or cruciferous vegetable salads. Instead of raisins in a recipe, consider using dates! They also have a wonderful website that contains many suggestions on how to use dates for healthy snacks and as part of your meals. In addition to plain dates (though there is nothing plain about them) they offer dark chocolate covered dates with sea salt or infused with blood orange—a really special treat. You can find Joolies online or at your local Vons supermarket.
Moving into the high desert, I recommend Joshua Tree Coffee Roasters. They are making superb coffees in fun pink bags! For the coffee snobs in your life, you can’t go wrong getting them a bag from here. The Breakfast Bliss is my current favorite, though I have had several of their other roasts. You can find it at Mother’s Market in Signal Hill (and possibly other locations of this grocery store) but you can also order from them online. If you find yourself out there, stop by the shop!
While you may enjoy delicious coffee in the morning to start your day, turning toward sleep, you can enjoy a warm cup of cocoa with NightLight, adaptogen mushroom cacao mix. It is a comforting evening beverage that includes chaga and reishi mushrooms along with L-theanine; it is plant-based and does not have any added sugar. It’s a great thing to soothe you into sleep. I have been using it for awhile now and it definitely helps me fall asleep. I carry it in the clinic but you can also find it on their website.
There are so many other great local businesses and brands offering up unique items to share with your family and friends. I am always happy to hear what’s bringing you joy!