THE BEST GARDENING BOOKS
Last week we brought you a DIY post via our gardening guru, Carmen Johnston. Today we share part two of our garden series -- Carmen's pick's for the best gardening books. These beautiful, educational guides can be utilized by both the skilled gardener and green thumb novice. See her original post here. Enjoy!
[1] I love the unique and innovative images in Nicolai Bergmann’s Florescence. It gives me all the permission I need to break the rules.
[2] Private Gardens of Georgia by Polly McLeod Mattox and Helen Mattox Bost. The stunning gardens captured by Erica George Dines are truly something to see for yourself. Flipping through the pages and seeing the private gardens photographed in this book is like being invited on a secret tour of some extraordinary world.
[3] A kitchen counter classic: “Heirloom Fruits & Vegetables” by Tony Musgrave and Clay Perry. I am so inspired to grow my own fruits and vegetables every time I flip through these delicious-looking pages.
[4] “Flowers” by Carolyne Roehm is a beautiful book from beginning to end and a staple in my coffee table collection.
[5] The Complete Garden Handbook is a must. The information is incredibly useful, but the illustrations are my absolute favorite. I just love the simplicity. Such a stunning approach to educating first-time gardeners and seasoned experts alike.
[6] “The Layered Garden” by David L. Culp is a key ingredient in my collection, one that every gardener needs. I am often an advocate for breaking the rules when it comes to gardening, but layers are to gardening what salt is to cooking–add a little bit here and there and, just like that, everything looks better. I could not possibly offer you better proof than the photos in this book.
[7] Always save the best for last! “On Garden Style” by Bunny Williams. Bunny is famous for her incredible designs. She swears that the key to a successful garden is good bones. I couldn’t agree more! Over the years, my collection of gardening books has really grown into something I adore. Each book has a special place in my heart and each book meets a specific need. Every now and then I flip through the pages of one of these books and find new insights and inspirations each time. Through this series I hope to share some of that with all of you. Let me know which one is your favorite!
All images (c) of Haley Sheffield Photography.
DIY: BRING GARDENING INSIDE
Slowly but surely (so slowly in the South) there has been a hint of crisp + cool fall air, which summoned our curiosity on how to creatively transition our freshly minted green thumbs with the change of the seasons. Our go-to gardening guru is the talented Carmen Johnston of Nectar & Co. so we are sharing her original post below on how to bring gardening inside for effortless entertaining.
One of my main goals for this blog is to make gardening accessible for everyone. I am passionate about making people passionate about gardening. Being surrounded by beautiful plants is such a blessing and I want everyone to experience that. How exactly does today’s post do that? Well, I am offering you 3 Ways to Bring Your Garden Inside for Effortless Entertaining. I like to call each of these glass gardens.
For each of these glass gardens I am using clippings of Soft Caress Mahonia. We planted tons of it in our side yard to hide the hideous air conditioning units. I had no idea that I would fall in love with this foliage, but I did and now I can’t get enough.
This first glass garden could not be any easier! Simply fill a glass bowl with water and then submerge a few sprigs. Feel free to move them around until you are happy with the placement. Such an easy way to bring some green into your home when it is your time to host!
I really love this next glass garden because it turns your foliage into a work of art. I purchased these glass frames from HomeArt several years ago. You can use them to bring any corner of your home to life. Just place a few sprigs between the glass and then get ready to impress your guests.
This might be my favorite glass garden yet! Simply take the framed clippings that you have just created above and lay them flat for place settings or serving trays. They will add an element of elegance to any surface surrounded by guests.
Side Note: I have recently kicked my coffee drinking habit and have switched over to tea. There is nothing like a hot cup of tea on a cold day. My favorite is chai tea with fresh ginger and honey. Mmm... so good!
All images (c) of Haley Sheffield Photography.
MASSAGE + WELLNESS WITH MANDY MILLER
To fall in line with the theme of our previous post on holistic maternal wellness, today we are featuring the amazing and multi-talented, Mandy Miller of Mandy Miller Massage. Mandy is hands-down one of the most passionate women we have had the honor of meeting and whether during a massage session or while listening to her coach a client through some pre-birth questions, her love for her work shines through.
Tell us your name: Mandy Miller
Hometown + Current City: Valdosta, GA and Macon, GA
What roles do you take on in your business? Licensed Massage Therapist / Labor Doula / Childbirth Educator / Yoga Instructor
Inspiration for running your own business? I grew up in a family business where my parents showed me the ins and outs of what it took. I knew I wanted to be my own boss and after 9 years I decided it was time.
What is the goal of your company? My goal for my business is simple: I want to bring comfort and support to my mamas and my daddys, making their birth experience a wonderful one and taking all the stress out of the process of birth for them. As far as massage goes, I want to bring peace and pain relief to my clients, giving them a place where they can rest both their minds and their souls.
Describe yourself in one word: BUBBLY (kinda like champagne)
Personal mantra or quote: "Life is not about finding yourself its about creating yourself."
Favorite indulgence: A wonderful mimosa.
Favorite exercise and how long you have been doing it: YOGA! I've been practicing for a few years.
Go-to pose: Currently, I am loving either dancer or tree pose. I love balance poses since I am always looking for balance in my crazy life!
BREASTFEEDING: THE ART + ACCEPTANCE
Since beginning IFF, a sentiment shared by Haley and myself is to let our images speak for themselves with little intrusion from our personal opinions. Yes, blogs are supposed to be safe places for soapboxes but I am a pretty strong-willed, stubborn, opinionated gal and didn't want my mouthy, journalistic tendencies to overshadow our intent of creating a virtual haven centered on health and wellness. However; we have recently decided to allow guest bloggers to share their stories. Personal, perspectives by way of meaningful conversations are always appreciated, no matter which side of the spectrum you fall on a hot topic.
With that said, we are thrilled to spotlight our fine-feathered friend, Jessica, and her baby boy Walden, as she gives insight in to motherhood with her piece titled: The Art + Acceptance of Breastfeeding.
Like so many of us, my breastfeeding journey didn’t come without its trials and tribulations. While producing milk came naturally, the world didn’t revolve around it. Being a working mother, I spent more time pumping away than actually nursing my son directly. I can now boast I’ve pumped in Atlanta parking decks, while driving down the interstate and at Regan International Airport, home of the infamous “sad nursing room.”
But now, as my supply matches my dwindling demand from my son, who is just over one-year-old, my heart is heavy. We haven’t quite closed our nursing saga, but I already find myself missing it.
No longer pumping, I relish in our quiet nursing sessions, nuzzling his soft whisp of hair, rubbing his still-so-small feet, staring down at this natural marvel of nourishment, where I was able to produce just what he needs, when he needed it the most. How many times I find myself nodding to the whispers in my head – it does go by so fast.
As August declares National Breastfeeding Month, there is no shortage of information on breastfeeding and its many benefits, for both baby and mother. Each ounce of that liquid gold is priceless when we can produce it.
But I was also surprised at the benefits the breastfeeding FAQs didn’t include – namely, the determination and willpower I would gain along the way. My body had never been more of a temple than when I was breastfeeding. And there were many times I needed to find that inner-strength to make it work like we did.
There was also the protective passion I developed for other mothers as well. I was surprised at the fire that lit in me over society’s notions of breastfeeding. Was this really debatable? Do we really find something so natural to all mammals so uncomfortable to us humans?
As the #normalizebreastfeeding waved its flag, I proudly saluted its stance. Whether we breastfeed or not, whether we are parents or not, whether we are a mother or a father, we have an obligation to kindness, humanity and our own human kind to rid any sort of discomfort in the act of a mother feeding a child.
I remember the frustration I felt as a new breastfeeding mom when I saw a man go jogging by without his shirt on – his useless nipples on full, sweaty display without so much of a second thought. And here I was filled with anxiety on nursing my son in public, blanketed with a hot apron cover and wearing the right amount of buttons so that our skin-to-skin nurturing was well hidden.
There is something fundamentally unfair with our double-standard of women’s chests. The same breast that nourishes us is prized more for its sexualization. A low-cut tank top is better accepted than an unsnapped nursing tank. A cat nursing her kittens makes us stop and aww. A woman doing the same will cause disapproving clucks. Why? Because society deemed our breasts trophy animals for all of the wrong reasons, and its innocence was somehow lost.
My fellow mothers, try to cherish this sacred, primal, precious art of breastfeeding. Don’t be afraid to demand your comfort to be the mother you want to be, in public spaces, in your work place, in the eyes of those who don’t yet understand.
And to everyone else, let us recognize those demands as powerful. Let us support the act of breastfeeding as simply normal.
Finally, for those entering their own breastfeeding journey, here are the simple tips I learned along the way:
Find a breast friend. Tap into your sage circle of mothers and find the one whose situation mirrors yours. For me, it was my mentors who had both deftly scaled the corporate ladders and nursed like the super moms they are. If they could do it in spite of their schedule and executive demands, I certainly could, and it helped immensely to have their support and encouragement.
Don’t put a time limit on it. Sure, we all want the year that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, but it can be less and it could be longer. When you put a deadline on it, it leans more towards another looming task in an already over-demanding world. This really is a journey that’s to be taken one day at a time. You know that old saying, “It’s not how fast you go, it’s how you get there”? Well, I can’t think of anything more appropriately applied than nursing.
Nurture yourself. Breastfeeding is a perpetual give and take where every woman’s body takes on the demands differently. Don’t be afraid to prioritize yourself so you can remain the ultimate source of nutrition for your baby. Muster the courage to meet your own demands, from creating a pleasant nursing environment to relinquishing some of the other baby duties, from bottle washing to burping, to a partner. My husband graciously stood by our “I feed, you clean” mantra. After all, it was the least he could do to make up for what Mother Nature left off of him.
DIY ESSENTIAL OIL LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Hopefully by now you're an avid IFF follower and are familiar with our recurring DIY series; a collaboration with Anna Liesemeyer from In Honor of Design. If not, then see here and here (no hard feelings) ;) Check out our repost from IHOD below!
I have been trying to find ways to integrate essential oils into our lifestyle more since there are hundreds of benefits from them. I was already using this detergent recipe (which literally comes out to 1 cent per load!). I added a few essential oils to enhance the smell but also reap the health benefits. Have you all seen Lindsay Coletta’s work yet? She is an all star when it comes to floral design and she styled this shoot for me! And you might be able to guess by how beautiful these photos turned out that the photography is by Haley Sheffield. My dream team! - Anna
Ingredients:
Lavender or Lemon Essential Oil
Balance Essential Oil blend
1/2 c. Borax
1 Bar Soap (I use Fels-Naptha or Ivory)
1 c. Baking Soda
5 Gallon Bucket
To use as gifts, head to Hobby Lobby in the bottle section for those pictured above! You can add some lemons and flowers to complete a gift basket:)
Instructions: There are several versions for the base detergent on the web, but this is what I have found most successful.
1) Grate your entire bar of soap with a cheese grater.
2) Boil a teapot of water and add 5 cups to a pan. Add your grated soap bar. Stir over medium with a wooden spoon until fully melted.
3) Fill your 5 gallon bucket with hot water and stir in the borax, baking soda, and soap mixture till dissolved. Use a giant ladel or spoon to stir.
4) Add in several drops of each essential oil you choose to use. This will enhance the smell and benefit stress and anxiety relief!
5) Fill the rest of the bucket with cold water and stir again. Cover and let sit overnight.
6) In the morning you will have a gel type liquid. You may need to stir it up before you use each time.
GOLDA KOMBUCHA
Launched in 2013, Golda Kombucha is an Atlanta-based business creating oak-aged kombucha tea. Hand-crafted in small batches, the tea is fermented in an American white oak barrel which enhances the health benefits and provides a unique tart flavor. Named after Golda Glasgow, the 92 year-old grandmother of brewer and creator, Melanie Wade, Golda Kombucha is made with the same recipe passed down through each generation. The tea is currently sold at many of the Atlanta Farmers' Markets ($4 off if you bring your Golda Growler) and can also be found at The Mercantile -- the only Kombucha growler site in Atlanta.
GK has grown tremendously and quickly and recently began a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their expansion - we hope you will take the time to check it out and support this incredible local business!
Name: Melanie Aurelia Wade, Atlanta, GA
Business: Golda Kombucha
Mission: To provide readily available kombucha tea + its benefits to Atlantan's and southerners-alike.
Personal Mantra: "Take me as I am, 'cause I can't stay long." - Tom Petty
Pick a Superfood: Tomato Soup!
Favorite form of release: Riding my 1972 Suzuki motorcycle with my knees in the breeze.
Most rewarding aspect of GK? Seeing the look on customer's faces when I tell them my grandmother taught me the recipe and is still alive today due to her daily kombucha intake.
SWEET AUBURN CURB MARKET
Amidst Atlanta's bountiful harvest of community farmers' markets, one of our favorite everyday staples is the Sweet Auburn Curb Market. Rich in history, charm and flavor, Sweet Auburn was ranked by USA Today as the 16th Best food market around the world. The self-sustaining entity is comprised of 24 independently-owned businesses including eateries, retail shops and fresh produce. Atlanta residents and visitors can now enjoy restaurants such as Murphy’s, Grindhouse Killer Burgers, Bell Street Burritos, Sweet Auburn Barbeque and Arepa Mia. Find a listing of all current merchants here.
LITTLE FIVE POINTS CHIROPRACTIC
We first met Dr. Amy King of Little Five Points Chiropractic through the wonderful world of Instagram. Inspired by her teachings of love and light, we knew she would be the perfect person to spotlight on IFF. Amy learned her Elementary Education Degree from Ferris State University before completing her Chiropractic doctorate work from Life University. Outside of Chiropractic you can find Amy practicing yoga and exploring nature with her adorable dog, Bacon.
Tell us your name: Dr. Amy E. King, chiropractor at Little Five Points Chiropractic
Hometown + current city: I was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan until I was 18, but Ann Arbor has a huge piece of my heart. I lived and taught preschool there until I moved to Atlanta six years ago for chiropractic school. I currently live in my favorite neighborhood in Reynoldstown!
What is the goal of your company? As a chiropractor, my philosophy is that in order to be truly healthy, each aspect of our existence must be nourished. That means not only must we take care of our bodies, but also our minds and spirits. Chiropractic is a natural form of healthcare, which optimizes the function of our central nervous systems by removing interference within the important communication between our bodies and minds.
Describe yourself in one word: Lovetarian.
Health trend you are loving: I’m currently obsessed with Grand Slams from Arden’s Garden and the Acai Bowls with banana from Kale Me Crazy.
Favorite form of exercise: I’ve been practicing yoga for about seven years, but the last two years of my practice have been where I’ve experienced the most growth. A lot of that is due to the amazing yoga community in Atlanta.
Preferred pose: Pincha Mayurasana!
All photos (c) of Haley Sheffield Photography.
GARNISH & GATHER
Summer is the perfect time to celebrate food, family and friends. With Independence Day upon us, we can all use a little creativity and convenience with our dining prep -- so today we bring you gorgeous inspiration from our friends at Garnish and Gather. In their own words, what makes this Atlanta-based business so special is that they work with local farmers and food artisans to connect customers with the best produce and hand-crafted foods. We interviewed founder, Emily Golub, in order to share the Garnish and Gather story.
Tell us your name: Emily Golub, Founder of Garnish and Gather
Hometown + Current city: Atlanta!
Inspiration for beginning G&G? I started Garnish & Gather because I personally struggled to put a delicious & healthy dinner on the table during those busy week nights. I would get my weekly box of veggies from our local farm and then stare at some of the items for minutes on end trying to figure out what it was, and then what to do with it! I knew I wasn’t the only one out there who needed a little help in learning to eat seasonally, making it to my farmer’s markets, and even just the basics of putting a healthy dinner on the table during the hectic work week.
What is the goal of your company? We make ready to cook meals – so all the ingredients folks need for making a delicious home cooked meal in 20-30 minutes. All you need at home is oil, salt & pepper. What makes us so special is that we work with local farmers & food artisans in Atlanta to connect our customers with the best produce and hand crafted foods. Our chefs develop seasonal recipes that are not only healthy & creative, but fast. We love that our meals can help bring families & friends together in the kitchen and around the dinner table!
What makes you tick? Customer service is something I am very passionate about. I learned early on from my folks (who owned a successful chain of service focused retail stores) that the customers always comes first and its our job to make their experience as good as possible! I love service and I love trying to make the G&G experience just a little better each day. I get very energized by talking with our loyal customers – I love hearing about their experiences with G&G and what makes it a special part of their week. It helps us to know we’re on the right track.
Personal mantra: A grateful heart is like a garden.
Photos: (c) Haley Sheffield Photography. Pictured: Emily Golub, founder of Garnish and Gather, beside Danielle Moore, VP of Community at Garnish and Gather.
SOUTHBOUND
Recently, we were lucky enough to do a behind-the-scenes shoot at Southbound -- a fresh, locally sourced, southern-inspired restaurant in Historic Chamblee, Georgia. This farm-to-table fine dining experience, set in a stunning space, serves as the perfect weekend eatery for brunch, lunch or dinner.
QUICK ABOUT: Located in a renovated mercantile factory on the train tracks, Southbound's food is a celebration of the farmer; paying homage to southern heritage through seasonal table bounty. Their goal is to create a bucolic combination of flavors that excite, but never overshadow the fresh, local ingredients. View their delicious menu here. Southbound is also available for private events as their century-old building is rich in both history and rustic elegance, lending itself well to a variety of functions and event designs.
THE DETOXINISTA
Megan Gilmore, Georgia-grown girl and current Los Angelian, is a certified Holistic Health Counselor, trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Based in New York City, Integrative Nutrition® is the largest nutrition school in the world. Her education has equipped her with a deep knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and the importance of preventive care, which she loves sharing on her blog detoxinista.com and in her new cookbook, Everyday Detox!
Tell us your name: Megan Gilmore
City? Kansas + Georgia and currently Los Angeles.
What is your business? I’m a greeting card illustrator by day but nutrition and healthy cooking has been a passion of mine for years so I created detoxinsta.com as a creative outlet to share my favorite recipes.
Inspiration? I grew up on a terrible junk-food diet which took me years to turn around. I did a lot of yo-yo dieting and found myself obsessing over food anytime I tried to count calories. I changed my focus to eating real, unprocessed foods which was a refreshing, welcoming change. My goal with the website is to make healthy living accessible and show people that eating well can be both easy and delicious.
The Creamy Almond Butter & Spinach Shake + the Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Shake were just a few of our favorites that we found on detoxinista.com!
Pick a Superfood: Hemp seeds! They’re my favorite form of complete protein to add to my morning smoothie.
Favorite form of release? Hiking! Los Angeles has beautiful hiking trails, and getting out of nature gives me the recharge I need after working on my computer so often.
Something you miss about the South: The people! It’s true that everyone is more welcoming in the southern states.
Greatest joy of beginning Detoxinista? Hearing that someone’s life has been changed because of something I’ve shared. If my recipes make just one person healthier, I feel like I’ve made an impact on the world.
All photos (c) of Megan Gilmore
THE PEACH TRUCK
In Fine Feather aims to be your go-to guide on Georgia's ever-evolving health and wellness community. During our blogging adventures the past few months, we have traveled all across the state to showcase the movers, shakers and makers of small business in health and wellness. Today's post, The Peach Truck, features our neighbors just north who share a love of our favorite Southern staple.
ABOUT: It all started when a boy from way down in Georgia fell in love with a girl from way up in the North. The blissfully happy couple moved to Nashville where the boy couldn’t wait to share everything he loved about life in the South. The city obliged with the heat and the porch, but after searching every single market, the boy couldn't find the big, rich juicy peaches he grew up eating. What became known as the “peach problem” only had one solution; driving over 300 miles to pick his girl the perfect Georgia Peach. Love at first bite. They then decided to share this love with their new city so they traded in their car for an old truck and sold fresh fruit by the bagful. Nashville fell in love too. Within five weeks, the city consumed over 10 delicious tons of peaches. Today the boy, the girl, and The Peach Truck happily share their peach passion with locals and fellow fruit enthusiasts across the country.
Name + City: Stephen + Jessica Rose. Currently living in Nashville, TN
Inspo for your business? The Peach Truck is proud to be the Nashville arm of Pearson Farm in Fort Valley, GA. I (Stephen) grew up eating peaches right off the tree so I knew what a peach should taste like. The summer of 2012, we brought our very first crop up to the city, set up with our truck in front of Imogene + Willie and the rest, as they say, is history.
Favorite peach-inspired recipe? Peaches have long gotten caught in the dessert category. They’re so much more diverse than that. The Peach Caprese salad is a summer staple at our house.
What has been the greatest reward about beginning PT? We often sit back and talk about how shocked we are at our lives. We get to do what we love, work with people we love, and add to the flavor of our city. We couldn’t be more fulfilled doing something other than we are right now.
Favorite part about the South: The people. Anytime you get a little ways out of the city, you’re reminded of the pace of life that so many people live. It’s an exhilarating reminder to slow down, and take in the simplicities of life.
Photos by: Jamie Clayton.
LITTLE BARN APOTHECARY
At IFF, we are lovers of shopping local and discovering new Georgia-based brands. During a trip to Atlanta's Root City Market, we were introduced to Joshua Morgan and Brad Scoggins, creators of Little Barn Apothecary. Founded in Stone Mountain just earlier this year, Little Barn has already made a big name for themselves as they were recently featured in Vogue, Elle and InStyle as one of the Best Natural Beauty brands. They are stocked in shops in 15 + states as well as Panama and Canada along with online carriers such as Urban Outfitters.
Joshua is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Brad grew up in a farm community in Cordele, Georgia. Currently, they live in Stone Mountain, Georgia and create simple and plant-based apothecary goods from wild-harvested, certified organic ingredients. Right now, LBA carries nearly three dozen small-batch items, including soaks, washes, scrubs, oils, balms, salves, naturally scented air waters, and more.
In 2012, Josh and Brad began researching botanicals and experimenting at home with recipes for simple self-care products. They shared some of the items with friends and family, who responded with enthusiastic requests for more! After expanding the line to include today’s core selection, they debuted Little Barn Apothecary to the public. The idea was born from a passion to create unique formulas as a substitute for the chemical-laden skincare that’s so prevalent today. Together, they love educating people on the benefits of using herbs and botanicals. From recipe testing to packaging design to shipping, Josh and Brad handle each step of the process. They select ingredients not only for their intoxicating scents but for their unique healing properties.
Making use of the South’s long growing season, Joshua and Brad grow most of Little Barn Apothecary’s ingredients in their backyard garden or source them from nearby farmers markets. By committing to whole and certified organic ingredients, Little Barn Apothecary creates goods from scratch that are 100% safe, naturally potent, and highly effective.
“The goal of Little Barn Apothecary is to be an everyday and affordable brand that feels like a treat. We believe in the power of nature and want to bring luxurious, natural options to the market. Our brand is a reminder to slow down, enjoy daily rituals, and keep it simple. ”
PEACH DISH: PART II
Earlier this week, we gave you a behind-the-scenes test kitchen tour of PeachDish, a southern-infused, internationally-inspired meal delivery service based in Atlanta, Georgia. While Part I highlighted the careful planning and prep of each package, Part II is a peek in to our very own delivery! The two recipes were so simple yet creative and flavorful. Our favorite part was how each farm source was listed within the recipe guide. See all of the wonderful creations below:
“OUR STORY BEGINS WITH HARDWORKING FARMERS AND PASSIONATE ARTISANS. TOGETHER WE’RE UNCOVERING A NEW SOUTHERN CULINARY HISTORY.”
“WE DRAW INSPIRATION FROM INGREDIENTS THAT ARE LOCAL AND SEASONAL. SIMPLY PUT, WE BELIEVE IN FOOD THAT IS GOOD, CLEAN AND FAIR. ”
“EVERY BOX IS AN ADVENTURE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT RECIPES FROM THE SOUTH AND BEYOND. ”
“WE BELIEVE THAT COOKING AND SHARING A MEAL WITH LOVED ONES IS ONE OF THE MOST PLEASURABLE THINGS IN LIFE. ”
PEACH DISH: PART I
This week we are SO very excited to bring you a two-part post with our friends at PeachDish! What is PeachDish? They are a national meal-delivery service that every week offers four different seasonally-inspired meals. Two are vegetarian, and two are animal protein-based and each package includes two servings of two of the week’s delicious meals. Feeding more than two people? You can amp up your quantities of one or both meals and there are no membership fees as you only pay when you receive a delivery.
For Part I, we got a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour and sat down with PeachDish President, Judith Winfrey, to discuss the ins and outs of creating this successful Atlanta-based business.
Tell us your name: Judith Winfrey, President and Owner of PeachDish.
Hometown + current city: Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
Inspiration for managing your own business? Sharing good food with the world. We are a business comprised of people who love good food and community. We exist to share quality recipes, ingredients and dishes with you. We have a goal of serving 400,000 good meals a week and want to show the world the best that the south has to offer – chefs, artisans, farmers, and makers.
What drives you? Authenticity.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of beginning PD? Working with the brilliant, dedicated team of professionals who share their joy and passion with PeachDish every week. It is humbling to lead such a talented team of bad-asses who care so deeply about giving our customers an outstanding experience. From our Chef, to our Ops Manager, to our packers, to our tech team, our photographer, our customer service and marketing teams. Everyone brings their A-game and they are genuinely motivated by the idea of sending quality to your door.
Additionally, hearing from people whose lives have been improved because of the quality product we offer. We introduce them to incredible new culinary experiences. We share thoughtful ingredients and intelligent techniques. We make their lives easier, healthier, fresher, more convenient and delish. We help them face life’s changes, challenges and difficulties with grace. When I get a letter from a mother of two whose husband has recently had a stroke, or a family with an autistic son who loves to cook and looks forward to PD every week, or a newlywed who feels emboldened by the culinary confidence PeachDish imparts, it touches my heart and lets me know I’m doing the work I’m meant to be doing.
Photos: (c) Haley Sheffield Photography. Pictured: President Judith Winfrey, Chef Seth Freedman, Photographer Lizzy Johnston, Marketing Coordinator Caroline Clements and IFF co-founder, Tess Harper.
FINDING BALANCE WITH FRIENDS
From our latest post, you'll know that at IFF, we have amped up our yoga and meditation methods. For inspiration, we called upon our fine feathered friend, Lisa, and fellow friend and instructor, Kayley, to talk through the (literal) ups and downs of at-home yoga and how pushing personal limits through pose and breath helps us find our balance on the mat and in life. We love these two beautiful, intelligent women for sharing their honesty about the not-so-glamorous in-between moments of filming their personal practice (but of course we only showcased their best sides below.) Be sure to follow them on instagram at @murphy_lisa_a and @kayqui. PS thank you Macon for the gorgeous lighting and backdrop!
Tell us your name: Lisa Murphy, soon-to-be Lisa White (Shout out to my love, Ryan!), proud mom of Tacocat.
Hometown + current city: I’m a Military brat but most of my growing up years were spent in Warner Robins and I currently live in downtown Macon.
Inspo for healthy choices? I’ve always been very active but consciously making healthy food choices has become a focus for me in the last couple of years. I’m inspired by the desire to feel good, to be strong and to fuel my body wisely so I can live this life to the fullest. I want to stay as active as possible for as long as possible and somewhere along the way I’d feel honored to be an encouragement to others as well.
Personal Mantra: "Life is all about balance."
Preferred pose: Without a doubt, handstands! If I’m upside down I’m happy.
Favorite forms of exercise: I run, I bike, I lift weights, I do yoga and I’ll try anything if you show me how. I became serious about yoga last summer when I met my instructor Kayley Squire from PureBalance Yoga in Macon. She is inspiring and absolutely the reason why I decided to really focus on my practice. I love running for the mental challenge and feeling of accomplishment it brings. Weights have been incredible for developing my body and taking me from weak to strong. Yoga combines the mental and strength aspects of those two activities and adds balance and flexibility. It’s also incredibly freeing. There’s no finish line, no stopwatch urging you to go faster, no numbers or any other form of measurement. That allows me to enjoy it for the journey that it is and not some end result.
JUST HERE FOR THE SAVASANA
Recently at IFF we have been taking our yoga practice more serious by joining a studio in the city along with an at-home guide via the YogaStudio app. I've been at it for a few years and Haley is a bit of a neophyte so we are learning the ins and outs of meditation and strength training together.
It is impossible not to immediately become aware of the benefits of yoga once you begin so we wanted to share a few of our favorite yogi tools to help inspire your personal practice! And let's be honest, there's no greater incentive that those last few minutes of Savasana heaven. #Namaste.
IFF BEAUTY: DIY ESSENTIAL OIL LIP SCRUB
A few months back we brought you a DIY Body Butter session with Anna Leisemeyer of In Honor of Design. This week we want share a DIY Essential Oil Lip Scrub recipe!
Via IHOD: I am learning to work essential oils in to different aspects of our day-to-day life. I have a lot to learn though so I was relieved when I found out my friend Casey Wiegand has a site dedicated to all things essential oils! There are some excellent ideas on the blog, she hosts classes, and shares recipe ideas on her new Essential Oils instagram account. I am in! Also, I use Peppermint for this recipe. However, you can substitute with your favorites like lemon, tangerine, etc.
Essential Oil Lip Scrub
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 C. raw or turbo sugar
1 Tablespoon Vitamin E Oil (optional)
2-4 drops essential oil (I suggest wholesale prices)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and store in an air tight container.
Rub into lips and wipe off with a washcloth.
Finish with lip balm of choice.
Florals by Lindsay Coletta // Photos by Haley Sheffield // (Original post here)
OCMULGEE TRADERS: GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD PEOPLE
As you can see from our recent posts, we love Macon. And although we have a handful of Atlanta-centered posts on the horizon, we couldn't wait another minute to share about one of our go-to spots, Ocmulgee Traders. Nestled on Poplar Street in downtown Macon, the business combines an upscale urban grocery market with an upstairs cafe and bar.
The city-meets-country interior design along with the colorful collection of produce + artisan products is swoon-worthy enough but more importantly Ocmulgee Traders represents another step in the right direction for downtown as they become a more vibrant, sustainable community.
Maconite (and all-around good guy), Steve Bell, owns the store with his wife, Laura.
The store is bountiful in #GeorgiaGrown + #MaconMade products.
King of Pops + beer growlers for your more indulgent days.
TASTE & SEE COFFEE WITH MELODY JOY
Taste and See Coffee Shop and Gallery, located on Poplar Street in downtown Macon, offers a unique coffee house environment. Whether you need somewhere to sit and blog or sip brew with friends, Taste and See is the spot. They offer a delicious variety from Counter Culture Coffee made by professionally-trained baristas; everything from classic coffee to housemade specialty beverages. From the early stages of menu-planning, Taste and See was determined to offer high quality, natural and pure ingredients. A portion of each day is spent making fresh syrups and sauces. They do not use any synthetic sweeteners, chemicals, or preservatives and only serve organic coffee, milks and organic nondairy milks. In addition, they use raw organic cocoa powder, raw agave nectar, local raw honey and raw cane sugar.
Since "April showers" is a very real thing in Georgia, we decided to enjoy a particularly greyish day by curling up on the plush couches at Taste with our friend Melody of Melody Joy Designs to talk coffee, community and how she keeps healthy with a busy bee calendar of traveling!
Tell us your name: Melody Joy Munn
Hometown + Current city: I was born in Tampa but consider Chicago my hometown since I moved there early on. My current city is Warner Robins, GA. God has given me wonderful friends in this area and it is definitely a calm escape from my delightfully exciting life of traveling.
Biz inspo? My business is called Melody Joy Designs. I am a web and graphic designer. I absolutely love re-branding businesses and helping startup companies become more well-known. My inspiration is definitely the fact that my husband Christopher (Munn Brothers) has many creative talents as well and we are able to spend quality time traveling and working alongside each other on different projects.
Coffee community: My coffee journey started when I was in elementary school. I would sneak coffee at my grandpa’s all of the time. Through college it became more of a “tool” for studying and staying awake during my all-nighters. Present day, it is important to me because I have “matured” in my coffee choices and can taste more of the notes of the beans and blends. While traveling, I am able to try some of the best coffee around the country; Chicago, New York, Savannah, and Atlanta have some of my favorite shops. As my taste for coffee improved, I realized that I needed less flavoring, sugar and cream. I now make my coffee black at home and only have lattes or blended drinks at my most favorite spots. Black coffee not only tastes cleaner but leaves you feeling better. I have definitely noticed a difference in not only my waistline but my budget as well.
Describe yourself in one word: Joyous (my personal mantra is to always choose joy.)
Favorite form of exercise: I enjoy running and swimming. Well, I enjoy the results of running more than the actual running, of course. Even with a busy schedule, I try to make time for it a few days a week.
Pick a Superfood: Blueberries. My husband makes the best blueberry pancakes!
Taste and See Coffee, owned and operated by Brian Nichols and Kevin Reaves.