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Sourcing locally is a commitment that is both rewarding and frustrating for a chef.

When my wife Lori and I started White Oak Gourmet — our home meal delivery service in suburban Chicago — 13 years ago, it was quite difficult to source organic and local. It is easier now, but challenges remain.

Up until just a short time ago, we had to chase down our chicken order on the truck from Gunthorp Farms, an Indiana producer of pasture-raised livestock that built its business around purveying directly to leading Chicago restaurants. As they did not deliver in our area at the time, we would sometimes have to meet the driver at Lula Cafe or behind Frontera Grill.

Occasionally we have what sometimes feels like clandestine meetings to pick up orders from our farmers in the alleys behind restaurants such as Floriole, Hopleaf and The Bristol in Chicago.

Drink a glass of olive oil every day – the Mediterranean way to a long life by Tim Spector, theconversation.com October 9  I felt nauseous and dizzy. My attempted one week of following the intensive olive oil diet was not going well. It was eight in the morning and on an empty stomach I had only finished half of the small glass of golden liquid specially chosen by my Spanish friends as the smoothest Albequina variety of extra virgin olive oil. Dipping crusty warm bread into it before an evening meal is one thing. Drinking it neat in the morning was another. For...

A sprouted grain is the beginning of a grain seed's life cycle, before it becomes a mature plant. Given just the right temperature and moisture conditions, the outer layer will split open and a young shoot will sprout out of the grain, releasing vital nutrients and enzymes stored inside. Grain seeds are similar to long-term storage packages, designed to keep their goodness locked inside until conditions are right to grow a new plant. According to the Whole Grains Council, the sprouting process can increase the amount and availability of some vitamins (notably vitamin C) and minerals, making sprouted grains a...

We came across an interesting story in The Atlantic recently. It discusses vitamins versus vitamin supplements. It says what we've believed all along; you can get all of your nutritional needs if you eat whole, unprocessed foods.  Read More from the Atlantic. . . 

  The Local Food Party of the Season! March 20, 2015  7:00 - 9:30pm UIC Forum725 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60607  Join us as we serve tasty bites to support the Good Food Movement and FamilyFarmed.org  You'll mingle with other local food enthusiasts at  Localicious!  The party pairs family farmers with chef-driven restaurants for a sampling of homegrown cuisine and craft beer, wine, and cocktails.   Celebrate the farmers who grow our food and the chefs who transform it! When: Friday, March 20th from 7:00-9:30pm Price: $95 at the door,  $80 in advance!