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Food People, Parent Picks: we ask our favorite chefs, food writers, and industry insiders who we interview in our Order Up! Series to share the products, books, and bites they can’t live without.
Small Bites:
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March is National Nutrition Month, and we’re celebrating by sharing our favorite tips, tools, and inspiration to make healthy eating feel a little easier — and a lot more delicious.
This week, we interviewed Sabrina Rudin, founder of Spring Cafe Aspen — a cozy, cult-favorite cafe known for fresh, feel-good food that makes you want to eat your veggies (without even trying). Sabrina is a mom of two, a recipe developer, and someone who knows firsthand how hard it can be to balance feeding a family with running a business. Her approach to cooking is all about simplicity, quality ingredients, and making healthy food taste really, really good — whether you’re blending up a smoothie or throwing together dinner from what’s already in the fridge.
⭐ What’s something we’d always find in your fridge?
A jar of homemade nut milk and broccoli sprouts. I make nut milk every couple of days — it’s one of those little habits that makes everything taste better, from smoothies to coffee to oatmeal.
🍲 What’s your go-to meal when you’re short on time?
Leftover rice and beans with sautéed veggies. I always have jars of cooked beans in the fridge — chickpeas, black beans — and I just throw together whatever vegetables I have on hand with olive oil and garlic. It’s simple but always hits the spot.
🥣 What’s a dish that feels like pure comfort?
My mom’s vegetarian lasagna. She used to bring it to me at college, and it’s still the thing I want when I need a little extra love.
🌟 Is there a kitchen tool you absolutely can’t live without?
A microplane — I use it for garlic, ginger, lemon zest — and a high-speed blender. If you’re going to splurge on one thing for your kitchen, I always recommend a Vitamix.
🍝 What’s your pantry MVP?
Tamari. I literally put it on everything — pasta, veggies, soups, broth. It’s such an easy way to make something taste better instantly.
🍳 What cooking gadgets make life easier for busy parents?
A really good blender and a set of non-toxic, non-stick cookware. If you have those two things, you’re pretty much set.
🔥 Are there any small brands you’re especially excited to support?
So many! I love:
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Seed and Mill Tahini— the best tahini out there
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Glaser Organic Farms — for nut butters, beans, and grains
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Fancy Peasant— incredible Greek olive oil and spices
📖 What’s a cookbook that’s really influenced the way you cook?
Melissa Clark’s “Cook This Now” completely changed the way I think about everyday cooking. It taught me the basics and gave me the confidence to cook without a recipe — something my mom always did but I had to learn for myself.
For whole-food, organic cooking, Amy Chaplin’s cookbooks are my Bibles.
🎁 What’s your favorite food-related gift to give (or receive)?
Always a cookbook. I love giving:
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The Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach
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Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman
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Cook This Now by Melissa Clark
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Weelicious by Catherine McCord (we ❤️❤️❤️)
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What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers
🍽️ Final word: If you’re going to splurge on one kitchen item, what should it be?
A Vitamix. I promise it will change your life. You can make smoothies, soups, ice cream — even refried beans.
Sabrina’s picks remind us that feeding ourselves and our families doesn’t have to be complicated — a few high-quality ingredients, a couple of great tools, and a little bit of know-how go a long way.
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Join the Conversation 🍽️
What are your kitchen must-haves or pantry staples? Do you have a cookbook or small business you’re always telling your friends about? Paid Subscribers can participate in our community and chat in the comments – drop your favorite go-to ingredients, must-have kitchen gadgets, and foodie gifts — we love hearing what helps make life easier in your kitchen.
