Hi There,
If there's one thing I'm serious about, it's making sure my family has access to the healthiest foods I can provide - especially when it comes to cooking fats. We literally buy cases of fresh-pressed olive oil every year.
It's rich in the same healthy fats you find in avocados, and it's also loaded with polyphenols and other nourishing plant compounds that support cellular health. And the higher the quality, the more antioxidants you'll find, too.
But, you really have to pay attention to where you get it. That's because adulteration is a huge issue in olive oil production. A few years ago, researchers at UC Davis discovered that many of the extra virgin olive oils you find at the supermarket don't even qualify as extra virgin when analyzed in a lab.
This is why I work so hard to connect you with some of the best producers I can - whether that's spices or grass-fed meat, or seriously good olive oil.
Here's what I look for:
- Independent Lab Certification. Labs analyze oil samples to determine authenticity and quality. So, you can feel assured that you're purchasing an authentic (and high quality) oil.
- Environmentally Friendly Harvesting. I like supporting family-run farms that work in harmony with nature. For example, there are farmers who like to attract and protect songbirds that nest in their olive trees during migrations. They return the favor by acting as natural pest control.
- Ethical labor practices. These same dedicated small farmers uphold the highest standards in local agriculture, treat their workers fairly, and produce some of the most flavorful, 100% pure extra virgin olive oils on earth.
- Cold-pressing. With cold-pressing, producers gently press the olives at low temperatures to extract their oils. That means less risk of damage to the oil and less oxidation.
- Small-scale producers. Rather than mixing olive oils from many different farms and reselling it through countless middlemen (that's how adulteration can happen), I favor buying from small, single-estate producers who've been independently recognized as being among the most respected artisanal farmers in the world.
One of the places I like is the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club. Every few months, they'll send you a set of three unique extra virgin olive oils direct from award-winning small-scale growers all over the world. The olive oil is independently tested to ensure both quality and authenticity.
I worked with them to get you a deal, too. You can get a full-sized bottle for $1 through this referral link. They only open up a few times a year (following the olive harvest), so make sure to sign up before Saturday, July 31.
Peace + Wellness,
Jenny McGruther, NTP
Nourished Kitchen
P.S. If you do decide to try the club and snag that bottle (it's such a good deal!), you can continue getting olive oil shipped to you. And if you try it and decide it's not for you, just cancel and that's fine, too.
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