Resources for natural and organic food

In my ongoing quest to continue to eat more natural and organic products, I am always on the look out for new local places to eat or shop at.

One of my favorite local restaurants Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen focuses on healthy, nutritional, local and organic ingredients. When you sit in the restaurant they have a wall sized chalkboard highlighting the products they are using and where they are from. Recently, they updated their website with a "meet the farmers" section. It is a great resource to find out where your food is coming from and in some cases, you can even go see the farm. How cool is that?

I recently went to Q7 to pick up some grass-fed beef. They are a farmer Duke's uses and not too far from where I live. We're not big beef eaters, but every once in awhile, I like to get some quality meat to add a variety into our diets. I follow a friends cooking blog, A Life From Scratch, and she always seems to have some good quick ideas that are healthy and easy, both are key since I really do not know my way around the kitchen.

If you're familiar with the weather in Chicago right now, you'll know its been more like spring instead of winter. I'm sure it will be short lived as the temperature is supposed to be at -2 tomorrow. But I digress.

We decided to take advantage and wanted to grill some steaks. I quickly looked at my friends blog and came across a recipe for Flank Steak Roll Ups. I made my way out to Q7 for some flank steaks -- bonus that they were on sale, picked up some other meat and went back home to fire up the grill!

Talk about a quick and delicious meal. I made mine sans mushrooms, but this was so good! I had some organic baked potatoes and fresh green beans on the side. Thanks C!

With the spring season right around the corner, farmer's markets will be popping up. Take advantage of your local farmers and restaurants and eat healthier and more natural!