Jul. 30, 2014:  A brand-new vendor arrived this past Saturday, Edenesque, which conveys the meaning of "going back to the basics of wellness and nutrition."

Chef Leslie Woodward decided in December of 2013 to form her own company and offer a few basic products that would help to prevent disease and strengthen the immune system  This new venture was sparked when Leslie was feeling quite bummed out from a common cold. The over-the-counter meds just made her feel "funny" and were not helping her to feel any better.

Recalling her mom's vitamin and wild herb cultivation while growing up in Detroit, she began an intensive study into natural remedies to common illnesses. After following her own holistic path, she discovered that she was healing more quickly and was not getting sick nearly as often as in the past.

Leslie is a graduate of the Orlando Culinary Academy's Le Cordon Bleu in Florida. She spent the next few years in Florida honing her craft and in 2005 she came to New York City to intern under the tutelage of Daniel Boulud of Restaurant Daniel. In 2008, she accepted the position as chef at the president's house at Columbia University, which she maintained for the next six years. Leslie is a certified sous chef, dietary manager, and fitness nutrition specialist and also serv saf certified.

Leslie just started production of her seven flavors of organic almond milk in April and is already a smash hit at the five farmers' markets she attends. In the next few weeks, she will be bringing wild-crafted herbal teas, which are harvested from their natural habitat in the Finger Lakes region. All the herbs are native and some have medicinal value. Cold-press juices are also available upon request.

I brought home a coconut/vanilla/honey and carob/date/maple almond milk and had to place brightly colored Post-it notes on them to warn others in the house that they were mine . . . and mine alone! I have been drinking almond milk for about five years now on the advice of my nutritionist, but I never knew it could taste so good. They are not just good . . . they're great!

It is such a nice surprise to savor something that is actually good for you! To think that what is in those little bottles is rich in monounsaturated fats, magnesium, protein, fiber, and vitamin E is amazing; and wait, there’s more! Almond milk helps to regulate body weight and fluctuations in blood glucose and reduces plasma lipids.

Please do not hesitate to stop by and speak to Leslie. She is lovely and so generous with her knowledge of ways to make you feel better. I'm sure we could all use some of that!

Pictured here:  Chef Leslie Woodward.

Photo by Mary Liz Mulligan, Market Manager, Bronxville Farmers' Market