Cooking At Home: A Toolkit

It’s not unusual to find yourself a little stuck when it comes to getting creative in the kitchen. At the end of a busy day, the go-to for many of us is to dine out or order in, and no one can argue the convenience that comes with this. Still, no one can argue that cooking at home comes with its own set of great benefits. That’s why we’re hoping that our round-up of some of our favorite NYC-based purveyors will inspire you to mix up your weekly menu and stretch your kitchen skills.

We spoke with some of the team of nutritionists we work with, and all agree that the control we have over selecting ingredients results in meals that tend to be lower in sodium, calories, and unhealthy fats when compared to restaurant preparations.

Want to book a one-on-one session with a certified nutritionist to refresh your approach to grocery shopping, balancing your diet, and meal planning? Contact fitnessconcierge@livunltd.com to learn more and get started.

Where To Shop For Quality Ingredients

Farm To People

Online Only

Farm To People is the perfect place to shop for those who want high quality ingredients, but don’t have the time to shop at the grocery store. Offering farm fresh produce, sustainable and ethical meat, dairy, and seafood along with artisan pantry staples, they deliver fresh ingredients right to your doorstep.

Down to Earth Market

West 110th Street + Manhattan Avenue, New York, NY

Every Saturday, Down to Earth brings local small-scale farms and food makers year-round to Morningside Park. Explore a diverse selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, seafood, cheese, milk, pickles, direct trade coffee, prepared foods, and much more.

Union Square Greenmarket

Union Square West + East, 17th Street, New York, NY

Located in Union Square, this expansive market offers a bounty of delights: freshly picked fruits + vegetables, heritage meats, award-winning farmstead cheeses, artisan breads, an array of cut flowers and plants, wine/ciders, maple syrup, and an abundance of other delights.

To find a farmer’s market near you, visit https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets .

Murray’s Cheese

254 Bleecker Street, New York, NY

For those who are looking for the finest cheese selection in New York City, Murray’s Cheese is a cheese lover’s dream.

The Meat Hook

397 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY

With excellent counter service and a huge selection of specialty meat options, The Meat Hook is an excellent butcher that will guide you through each and every one of their offerings, making cooking a particular cut easier on you.

Essex Market

88 Essex Street, New York, NY

Featuring a variety of small businesses that highlight fresh and quality food, Essex Market is a perfect pit stop to stock up on quality and artisanal ingredients.

Kalustyans

123 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Offering nearly every spice you can think of, Kalustyans is an excellent place to stock up on each and every one of your spices.

Instagram Creators To Follow

With so many talented chefs showcasing videos of their creations and recipes on Instagram, we came up with a list of some of our favorite accounts and influencers to help inspire you to cook creative, healthy and delicious meals for yourself.

@natsnourishments

@lahbco

@mob

@wishbonekitchen

@broccyourbody

@edeneats

@kittycoles

@cabbages.world

@aimeefrance

Cookbooks

Tender by Nigel Slater

Combining elements of a cookbook, a reference manual, and a gardening tutorial, Tender is an ideal starting point for anyone curious about adopting a diet centered around fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi

Essential for both vegetarian and meat eaters, celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty spotlights Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipes that every home cook can make.

Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden and Marth Holmberg

Winner of a James Beard Award for Best Book in Vegetable-Focused Cooking, Six Season highlights the evolving attributes of vegetables throughout their growing seasons.

Nopalito by Guzmán & Adimando

Nopalito by Guzmán & Adimando highlights Mexican cuisine, celebrating the versatile prickly pear cactus through traditional recipes and innovative dishes. With stunning visuals and insightful narratives, it invites readers to explore and embrace the vibrant flavors and rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry

Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry is a flavorful exploration of plant-based cooking, blending Afro-Caribbean flavors with vibrant, seasonal ingredients. With a focus on sustainability and health, Terry’s recipes inspire creativity in the kitchen while celebrating the diversity of vegetables in every delicious dish.

Salad for Dinner by Jeanne Kelley

Salad for Dinner offers a selection of creative and satisfying salad recipes that elevate greens into hearty, main-course meals, inspiring learning cooks to enjoy salads as a delicious and nutritious centerpiece of their dinners.

Salad Freak by Jess Damuck

Salad Freak features a variety of imaginative recipes that elevate greens into exciting, satisfying meals. With a focus on fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations, Damuck encourages readers to explore and enjoy salads as delicious, wholesome meals.

Eating Out Loud by Eden Grinshpan

With over 100 different Middle Eastern-inspired fresh and flavorful recipes, Eating Out Loud introduces readers to exciting flavors, mixing and matching simple, traditional ingredients in unique ways.