Last week, some friends were discussing how obsessed people are getting about food. Gluten free, dairy free, allergen free, raw, cooked, local, seasonal, organic, sustainable grown, grass fed, low sugar, high saturated fat….when you say it all out loud it does sound a bit nuts! One friend asked me if, as a nutrition professional, I felt this is a good thing or a bad thing and my answer was that while some folks may be getting a bit too specific and unnecessarily restricting their diet, I am thrilled that individuals are noticing what they are eating, are becoming more aware of what they put in their mouths and are asking questions as to where their food comes from. Even if we all have become a bit too high maintenance, I am so happy that we are asking these important questions.

 

So…when I saw this very disturbing article in the New York Times, I just got sad. I knew there were some issues with olive oil, but I did not know it was this bad. I honestly didn’t want to pay attention because it felt overwhelming. 

 

In a moment of panic, I asked my dear cousin Maia Hirschbein, an olive oil expert (how lucky am I!!!), and she gave me some scoop. You must check out one of her workshops (click here) if you are in the area….and here is what she had to say about choosing olive oil:

 

“I generally recommend choosing California olive oils both to support local producers, and because I know that the oil is high quality and extra-virgin. Price is not always an indicator of quality; the best oils are often expensive because they are more complex and costly to make. I always have two extra virgin olive oils in my kitchen: one mild oil that is less expensive to cook with like California Olive Ranch, and one more complex oil that I use to finish dishes and never heat, like Frantoio Grove. Opt for darker glass bottles and buy in smaller quantities. Once you’ve opened a bottle, use it within a month.”

 

The wonderful Chef Samin Nosrat also has a great write up on how to choose olive oil which is very helpful. Check it out and be a smart consumer.

 

So yes to high maintenance, making smart decisions about what you eat and eating good food from wholesome origins. 
Yes to high maintenance!!!!