Chef E's Blog

Reclaiming Thanksgiving with Real Food Joy

Hey friend — Chef E here! Thanksgiving used to stress me out. Multiple family gatherings, mystery casseroles full of who-knows-what, and the pressure to “make up for it” the next day with a long run and a green juice. But not anymore. Now, I see Thanksgiving as one of the most beautiful opportunities to reconnect with what food was always meant to be: nourishing, joyful, and shared.

Reclaiming Thanksgiving with Real Food Joy

Why We’re Not Afraid of Healthy Fats at New Leaf Table

Hi friend — Chef E here! If you’ve followed New Leaf Table for a while, you’ve probably noticed that we don’t shy away from ingredients like grass-fed butter, coconut milk, or tallow. In fact… we celebrate them! I used to be afraid of saturated fat, just like many of us who grew up hearing that it was “bad for your heart.” But the more I studied food, cooked, and healed through real nourishment — the more I realized that the truth is far more nuanced.

Why We’re Not Afraid of Healthy Fats at New Leaf Table

What Food Freedom Means to Me

Hey friends — Chef E here! At New Leaf Table, we talk a lot about nourishment — but someone recently asked me: “What does true nourishment mean to you?” “And how do you define food freedom?” Here’s what I’ve learned:

What Food Freedom Means to Me

Why Everyone Gets Sick After Halloween (and What to Do About It)

Let’s talk about the real reason so many people start feeling run down right after Halloween. It’s not just "flu season"... it’s sugar season— and your immune system knows it. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies to holiday cookie platters, it’s a full-on sugar sprint for the next 8 weeks. And all that sugar? It slows down your immune cells for hours after you eat it. When you stack that with less sunlight, low vitamin D, more stress, and not enough rest — it’s the perfect storm for getting sick.

Why Everyone Gets Sick After Halloween (and What to Do About It)

Fall in Full Flavor: What’s in Season & How to Cook It with New Leaf Table

At New Leaf Table, we’re all about eating with the seasons. Not just because it feels right (hello, cozy fall vibes!), but because it’s one of the simplest ways to nourish your body naturally. Seasonal produce is fresher, richer in nutrients, and yep — often easier on the budget. But best of all? It’s absolutely bursting with flavor when cooked simply, the New Leaf Table way. So let’s celebrate fall the way it was meant to be — with crisp apples, hearty squash, earthy beets, and crunchy slaws that hit the spot and fuel your body at the same time.

Fall in Full Flavor: What’s in Season & How to Cook It with New Leaf Table

Souptember, The New Leaf Way

Fall is officially here — you can feel it in the crisp mornings, the cozy socks, and the sudden urge to make soup in every pot you own. And I’m here for it. Because soup season isn’t just about warmth — it’s one of the easiest, most nourishing ways to care for your body, naturally. A good soup brings together fiber, protein, healthy fats, and healing herbs — all in one spoonful. Around here, we like to think of soup as the original multivitamin — but delicious. At New Leaf Table, we build our recipes with that same intention. Every pot of soup or one-pan dinner is crafted to help you feel better after you eat — not sluggish or bloated or reaching for snacks 20 minutes later.

Souptember, The New Leaf Way

Let’s Talk Fall Treats, Sugar, and Smarter Swaps

Fall is here in full swing — the cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, pumpkin everything... and let’s be honest, a whole lotta sugar. From caramel-drenched lattes to spiced baked goods, sugar sneaks in fast this season. But here’s the thing: while I’m all for indulgence, I want to feel good after I eat. That’s why we’re big fans of using natural, mineral-rich sweeteners in the New Leaf Table kitchen — sweet options that actually nourish instead of deplete.

Let’s Talk Fall Treats, Sugar, and Smarter Swaps

Healthy Living Shouldn’t Feel Like a Full-Time Job

Hey friends, Chef E here! The pumpkins are out, Halloween is creeping in, and I’m reminded of something important: health isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what’s smarter. Most of us don’t have time (or the desire!) to cold plunge at 6 a.m., sip $15 mushroom lattes, and meal prep endless containers of chicken and broccoli. And guess what? You don’t need to.

Healthy Living Shouldn’t Feel Like a Full-Time Job