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We wanted to learn a little bit more about our Brooklyn Bicycle Co. community, so we created a section of our journal dedicated to some of the people we’ve been fortunate to call our customers.
Each month we will feature a different member of the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. community and share what makes them tick.
Read on to learn about the most recent member of our community spotlight...
Nicole Aandahl Blogger and Cook at 'Clean Soul Living'
I live in Virginia right outside of DC in a cool community with a university and lots of green. We have wonderful neighbors who take care of each other, and there is a great mix of young and old, families and college kids, and all races and ethnicities.
Are there other endeavors or projects that Clean Soul Living has lead you to take on?
I am starting a cooking school in DC for home cooks. The school will be farm-market to table focused, with an extensive kitchen garden on-site. The school is borne from my food blog, where I post recipes, interviews with farmers and fishers, information on CSAs, and some tips on living well and happy.
What are you most passionate about? What passions drove you to your chosen field?
That we take a step back, breathe deep, and appreciate all the gifts in life, even as difficult as that may be some times. I really want people to see that living a heathy life doesn’t mean rigidity or restriction, and that no body shape or weight is the single indicator of health or beauty. And clean eating means knowing where your food comes from and that it was grow or raised with care, and avoiding processed or “fake” food.
What impact has your bike had on your lifestyle?
We live in a very bikeable area, and I hate jumping in my car to run errands that are less than 5 miles away. There are a few farm markets and farms close to our house that I visit frequently, so I will be biking there from now on!
What are the top 3 places you bike to?
Farm markets and farms, the park with my kids, and to meetings in our community.
What does the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. brand mean to you?
I was looking for a bike but was not very impressed with what I saw. Then I saw one of your bikes at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market and closely checked it out! When I looked up your company and learned about your ethos and philosophy, I could tell that you really cared about your customers, community, and quality. I was ready to hop on!
Your blog posts tend to focus on the cultural significance of the food you're writing about. Are there any new cultures or dishes you've recently been learning about?
I explore soul food from all over the world, but have really just started learning to cook Japanese soul food. I have one recipe that represents a mashup of American soul food, Jewish Soul food Chinese soul food, and Thai. It’s a lime and ginger spiked chicken soup with sweet potato dumplings. Here you go!
Nicole rides a Willow 3 in Columbia Blue.
Photos By: Lauren Louise Photography
We build bikes for vivid lives—for taking adventures, reconnecting with old friends, discovering new neighborhoods and exploring hidden gems. Inspired by the streets of Brooklyn, our bikes are built for style, comfort, and durability. Made with top quality parts, crafted with care, and sold at an affordable price, your bike is yours for life. We scrutinize every component for maximum sustainability and performance, and every millimeter of the frame for ultimate comfort and style. We take pride in our process, in our products, and in the people who sell them.