Published Articles
Rewarding Resolutions // Coastal Grower, Winter 2023
“The new year harkens a renewed slew of resolutions - many of them focused on health and self improvement. Alongside those goals to stretch yourself personally, how about adding a resolution to give back this year? And there are tons of opportunities besides packing lunches at the foodbank or giving monetarily (although, those are fantastic ways to support your community)! Put your skills and time to good use through these incredible nonprofits, unique to our counties.” p. 10
A Social Situation // Edible San Luis Obispo, Summer 2023
“With a bright teal exterior emblazoned with a bear carrying produce in its arms, Bear City Social, owned by Shaun and Meghan Behrens, is a food truck that will make your head turn. It will make your tastebuds do summersaults too, but more on that later - let’s start with the name. The bear mascot was inspired by the town of Los Osos, which is Spanish for “The Bears.” And the produce is in reference to the foodtruck’s slogan “Farm-to-Street Scratch Kitchen.” Alright, we’re tracking along so far. So where does the “Social” part of the name come from? That, friends, is a little more nuanced, and it’s a story that is steeped in collaboration.” Pg. 36
Glamping is the New Camping // Coastal Grower, Spring 2023
“Spending mornings by the campfire, afternoons hiking among the redwoods, and evenings on lookout for shooting stars are all magical parts of connecting with nature while you’re camping. But sometimes, you don’t want nature for all 24 hours - for some of us, 16 hours will do just fine, with those remaining eight spent in a warm bed, out of the dirt, and with some good ol’ fashioned electricity. Maybe even (call me crazy) a hot shower that doesn’t feel like a community event? And I’m sure you’re not a fan of drying your face off with paper towels once you realize you forgot to pack your hand towel (I wish I didn’t know this). You, my friend, are looking for glamping (glam + camping), and luckily our counties have some stellar options.” Pg. 10
Meatless Myths: A New Era of Veganism // Edible San Luis Obispo, Spring 2023
“Whether concerns are tied to the environment, health or for animal welfare, a vegan diet has become increasingly popular in the United States. Veganism excludes all animal-sourced products, like meat, cheese, eggs, milk and honey. As a fellow bacon lover, the idea of fake bacon (or fakon, as it’s called) carries little appeal. But this myth of veganism – that the food is bland and dry – is being debunked one plate at a time by San Luis Obispo County restaurants that utilize fresh ingredients, decadent sauces and creative techniques to produce delicious food for every appetite.” Pg. 32
Get Into the Holiday Spirits for Spooky Season // Coastal Grower Magazine, Fall 2022
“It’s officially Spooky Season, and our counties provide no shortage of ways to get a little haunt and a little harvest, depending on what you’re after. Whether you’re looking for the best patch for the family, a little thrill, or full-blown chilling activity, you can find it all right here in the Monterey Bay area. ” Pg. 14
Tour de Tours // Coastal Grower Magazine, Summer 2022
“Finally. We are enjoying some of the longest days of the year, something I look forward to as soon as we turn our clocks back in October. It almost feels like time expands — there’s a little more margin in your day. And if you ask me, more daylight means more time to explore. All of those places you pass by during your day to day, the ones that you don’t have time for, those are the places you should finally visit. And maybe you're due for something beyond a visit — maybe you’re due for a tour.” Pg. 10
The Whole World In Your Backyard // Coastal Grower Magazine, Spring 2022
“What if I told you that you could travel the world without buying a plane ticket? That in one day you could go to Tuscany, Nepal, and swing by the Bermuda Triangle before nightfall? Oh, and the best part - it won’t cost you much. So these claims are 50% true - no, you won’t actually be eating pasta and drinking wine in the Italian countryside. But, the cool thing about these counties? We can get real close.” Pg. 12
Health For The Holidays // Coastal Grower Magazine, Winter 2021
“With the onset of cooler weather, larger holiday gatherings, and a lingering pandemic that hasn't allowed us to fully break up with 2020, health is of the utmost importance in the coming months. Thankfully, our counties have plenty of healthy options to choose from - and that includes choices for the mind, body, and soul.” Pg. 20
Secondary Main Streets Do It Better // Coastal Grower Magazine, Fall 2021
“We’ve all walked down Alvarado Street, eaten somewhere on Pacific Street, or been to a place called Ocean Avenue, but there are some secondary side-streets that are hardly the runner-ups. This summer, skip the crowded sidewalks, expensive parking lots, and long lines; instead, dig a little deeper and discover some communities that are a little less obvious but every bit as enjoyable.” Pg. 10
Getting Enough Sleep // L Life Blog, January 2021
“Getting enough sleep in today’s hyperactive world can feel like an elusive goal. Even when you get to bed at a decent hour, you stare at the ceiling recounting the day’s activities or scroll into the night on your phone. Sleep is an important component of your holistic health. Additionally, it’s one of the simplest way we can restore our bodies: all you need is a comfy place to lay your head to get started.”
Practice Gratitude With These 8 Daily Habits // L Life Blog, January 2021
“To practice gratitude is more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life: it is a mindset that transcends your situation. True, this is easier said than done, but cultivating positive mindful habits will develop your resilience while weathering some of life’s toughest seasons. It is also a vital component of your mental health and therefore your holistic health strategy, which can be tracked in the L Life app.”
How To Get The Right Amount of Exercise and Set Fitness Goals // L Life Blog, January 2021
“Exercise is known to be an important part of your holistic health strategy, but that doesn’t mean you are required to spend hours in the gym every day, run a marathon, or keep up with Steve in a CrossFit class. That said, the right amount of exercise is guided by a few fitness benchmarks, set by dedicated researchers who work for organizations like the American Heart Association.”
A (Partial) Local Buyer’s Guide // Coastal Grower Magazine, Fall 2020
“Our counties have countless incredible entrepreneurships that flavor the communities we call home. Here are a few selections (that are just a handful of many phenomenal properties!) that we have been enjoying during this quarantine-S.I.P.-Social distancing season.” p. 10
The Art of the Backroad Drive // Coastal Grower Magazine, Spring 2020
Psssst, this was my favorite article I wrote: “Back Road Drive / Noun: the state of driving without a particular destination; typically in a rural setting. After the cold cask of winter, we welcome spring with open arms. Sure, it’s still a little drizzly, but the sunny days slowly begin to outnumber the rainy ones and we start itching for the outdoors.” p. 16
Your Winter Staycation // Coastal Grower Magazine, Winter 2019
“Winter is settling over Monterey Bay, which means the crowds are heading home, beaches are clearing, downtown traffic is easing up, and our best kept secret – that crisp sunny weather – persists into the new year. If you were thinking of booking a trip, consider booking a winter staycation.” p. 10
The Benefits of Sourcing Locally // Coastal Grower Magazine, Summer 2019
“In the Bountiful counties of the Monterey Bay Area, sourcing locally is not a challenge. in fact, the biggest challenge is sifting through dozens of local growers, winemakers, cheese mongers, and honey makers to decide which ingredients you want to use.” p. 12
Pokémon Go Comes to San Benito County // BenitoLink, July 2016
“As the Wednesday Farmers' Market in Downtown Hollister came to a close, many of the locals still milled around the streets in search of something that cannot be found at one of the artisanal booths: Pokémon.”
Heritage Hog to Round Up Funds for Bolado Park // BenitoLink, August 2016
“The Heritage Hog, donated by local business McAbee Feed, rakes in tens of thousands in dollars annually at the San Benito County Fair.”