We’re all becoming a little more aware of what ends up on our plates these days. But even as we shop for the locally raised, highest-quality and healthiest options, keeping up with latest terminology and classifications can be a bit perplexing.

To shed some light on the matter we asked Brandon Frohne, Nashville chef and mastermind behind the Forage South pop up, to share some wisdom on how to navigate our weekly grocery run.

Know the Lingo. Here are some key phrases to know and understand when shopping at the local market:

Conventionally raised – Likely farmers will use pesticides and are working to yield the highest return on the land.

Genetically modified – Genetic engineering modifies a crop’s DNA in order to increase growth speed, resistance to disease and pests, and more.

Organic – For food to be considered organic according to the USDA, it only needs to contain 70% organic ingredients. If you’re looking for 100% organic, look for that on the label.

Cage Free – A method where animals, such as chickens, aren’t kept in a cage and have a small amount of space to move around – although it still may be indoors.

Free Range – A method of farming where the animals are allowed to roam freely or have access to the outdoors instead of being contained in any manner.

Pasture raised – This ensures that humane living conditions are followed and the animals are being fed an organic diet. Pasture raised eggs taste better, and studies show they have more nutritional value.

Hormones. Often, domestic farmers use hormones, antibiotics and poor diets to increase profits. These additives speed up the growth cycle and fatten up the animals they are raising, and the faster they raise the animals, the faster they can make money. Some of these hormones contain carcinogenic additives which are linked to various types of cancers. When shopping for protein, go with what’s been pasture raised. That way, you’ll get a higher-quality, better-tasting and more nutritious meal.

The Outside Aisles. If you’re trying to eat healthier, shop on the outside aisles of the grocery store and avoid the inner aisles. Better yet, shop at your local farmers’ market. At all costs, stay away from foods that contain hydrogenated oils.

Look At The Barcode. Read food labels in the supermarket. You will notice on produce there typically is a bar code, if the bar code number starts with a 4 then it was more than likely conventionally raised. Genetically modified produce typically begins with an 8 and organic produce will normally contain a 5-digit barcode and start with the number 9.

The Dirty Dozen. There are certain foods that are worth paying the extra organic premium, because the non-organic versions have the highest pesticide residues. Start with these twelve items: Apples, Celery, Strawberries, Peaches, Spinach, Nectarines, Grapes, Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Lettuce, Kale and Blueberries.

The Clean Fifteen. You can choose the conventional, less expensive option of the products containing the lowest amount of trace pesticides: Onions, Mango, Corn, Pineapple, Avocado, Peas, Asparagus, Eggplant, Cantaloupe (domestic), Kiwi, Cabbage, Watermelon, Sweet Potatoes, Grapefruit and Mushrooms.

Photo by Jeremy Keith

When Tim Tyndall retired from being a university science professor, he needed a hobby. So “Dr. T,” as he is known around the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, put his botany, biology and chemistry expertise to use by making soap in a shed in his backyard. That pastime, which began in 1997, now churns out more than 130 different kinds of soap – one of the largest varieties of the handmade product in the United States.

Now trading under the banner of The Blue Ridge Soap Shed, the master soapmaker always starts from scratch and insists on using raw ingredients in his original recipes. It may seem like an unusual hobby for a mountain man, but it’s a functional craft to Dr. T – following the Appalachian heritage of making traditional Grandma’s Ole Lye Soap, which was at one time the primary means of hygiene in the area.

Based on the sheer number of variations made by the former scientist, you can imagine they offer some unusual soaps. There are practical versions to keep away bugs, soothe poison ivy rashes, combat hard-to-treat skin conditions and even remove strong food odors for cooks. And while they have plenty of pleasant regional scents with names like Fresh Mountain Air and Carolina Kudzu, they specialize in understanding that men don’t want to smell like roses or lavender.

Being his own test market, Dr. T created an entire selection of handmade soaps just for men. He offers a first-aid soap with Tea Tree Oil, the Hardworking Hands bar made with cornmeal grits to get out the grime, Gentleman Caller with goat milk that lathers up for shaving, and Cabin Fever with a light woods scent with herbs and resins.

Whatever you need from a good bar of soap, odds are Dr. T is pouring it into one of his chunky blocks. Available for about $5 each from his website: The Blue Ridge Soap Shed.

In recent years, the modern man has come to the rightful realization that there’s nothing wrong with feeling comfortable, looking good and just downright taking care of himself. Unfortunately, the marketing and hygiene industry warped that view into that misguided “metrosexual” deal, often producing men’s products whose advertising budgets dwarfed any investments in actually making a high-quality, male-formulated product. We deserve better.

Enter Otter Creek Outfitters, a straightforward line of products geared towards guys who actually get their hands dirty and also know how to clean up. It’s an offshoot of high-end, Nashville-based cosmetics line Therapy Systems, so you know it’s quality. And it’s the brainchild of James Rupley — a Nashville native and graduate of The Citadel and Tulane Law School who left an overly demanding lawyer job in Manhattan and returned to the South after realizing that life’s too short not to hunt and bass fish — so you know its claim to be for outdoorsmen is authentic.

“You can go into a cosmetics department, and there are hundreds of different brands and thousands of different products,” James said. “For most guys, their experience in walking into a store like that, it’s a sense of being overwhelmed. It’s impossible to tell what’s for women, what’s for men. We wanted to create a line that would almost be a beacon for men. They might not know anything about Otter Creek, but it’s definitely for guys.”

The message is sent loud and clear with designs from leading Georgia-based camouflage pattern maker Realtree, a different look not often found in medicine cabinets. “We wanted to create a line of products that would appeal to men aesthetically,” James told us, “but also have a line of products that do what they say the will, do it well and make it easier for guys to take better care of their skin.”

Their products include Duck Call Primer, an unscented lip balm, and Grit Happens, a scrubbing body wash that promises to remove “layer upon layer of sweat, dirt, oil, animal blood, gunpowder, bug spray — you get the idea.” Find them all on Otter Creek’s website.

After 26 years working behind the barber’s chair, veterans Pedro Zermeno and Scott Serrata set out to perfect the craft of classic men’s grooming products. Recently launched under the moniker Imperial Barber Products USA, the pair developed and tested a selection designed with performance and functionality in mind.

“We feel that shaving shouldn’t be a chore, rather something to look forward to a few times a week,” Pedro told us. “It isn’t an art, but rather a utility craft that warrants high-performance products that are simple, pragmatic and utilize cosmetic grade ingredients.”

The concept for the brand began out of need. As professionals in the industry, they didn’t feel there were existing barber products that used cosmetic grade ingredients, were made in America, worked properly and appealed to the guy who respects heritage and classic men’s styling.

“With Imperial, no corners were cut or time frames rushed during the development process. All products were laboriously tested and refined by our team of real barbers on real customers. We use only the finest components and strict small batch quality control for consistency and effectiveness.” All Imperial products are paraben free, sulfate free, silicon free and mineral oil free.

Following Pedro’s recommended five-step shave process, we tested the Imperial Glycerin Shave/Face Soap ($12), Pre-Shave Oil ($12) and Bergamot After-Shave ($10). The result was a smooth, close shave that left our face feeling clean and fresh throughout the day.

1. Pre-wash the face. Remove dirt and grime with Imperial Glycerin Shave/Face Soap.
2. Prep the beard. Apply one full droplet of Imperial Pre-Shave Oil and massage into wet beard to create a barrier between face and blade.
3. Lather up. Use Imperial Glycerin Shave/Face Soap to create a foam and massage into a wet beard.
4. Shave with preferred razor.
5. After-shave. Rinse face and apply a heaping of Imperial Bergamot After-Shave. Acts as an antiseptic, cools, tones, hydrates and restores balance by calming and closing pores.

The recently launched Imperial Barber Products shaving line is now available on their website, along with their specialized pomades, fiber grease and information on upcoming grooming products.

As we get closer to spring, most of us are already longing for more time outdoors. Others of us have yet to tackle that resolution to get back in shape. Whatever the motivation, it may be time to hit the pavement.

If starting a running regimen seems more daunting than just putting one foot in front of the other, here are a few tips on getting started from Lee Wilson, owner of the Nashville Running Company.

What’s the first step towards becoming a runner?
Before lacing up your running shoes, make sure to formulate a plan. Setting aside time to get out and run three to five times a week is essential. After all, this is meant to be a routine, and the best way to get there is to make your scheduled run time a habit.

What is the best pair of shoes to wear?
When selecting the right shoes, there’s a lot more to keep in mind besides the size. It is always best to be properly fitted for your running shoes. Understanding how one’s foot moves while running is important because everyone’s foot moves differently and therefore, everyone has a need for a different type of shoe. Because a runner’s shoes are the most important piece of equipment, don’t skimp on the purchase. Buying a top-notch pair of shoes is the best way to ensure maximum comfort and results.

What if I experience leg pain?
This is normal when beginning a running routine. As with any form of exercise, pain is to be expected. But over time, it should subside as your legs get stronger and used to the pounding. But if there is sharp, persistent pain over a longer period of time, you should stop immediately and seek medical attention. This could be an injury, and needs to be treated.

What else should we keep in mind?
Good nutrition is just as important as selecting the right pair of shoes. The food a runner eats is the fuel that carries them through their run. Incorporating a well balance diet can keep a runner going as they try to push themselves towards their goal. Before heading out, the key is to eat carbs. A couple hours prior to your run, make sure you eat a snack like fresh fruit, a grilled chicken wrap or even saltines. An even easier option would be to grab a Clif bar or power gel from Hammer Nutrition.

Photo by Jeff Dailey