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A Garden of Cocktail Delights

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Get your hands dirty!

Spring has finally arrived! The days are getting longer, the ground is thawing, and the weather is getting warmer. It is the proper time to clean out the house and to have to start tending to the yard. The first order of business will be to clean up all the leaves and sticks that have accumulated over the cold winter months. Then it is time to get the garden, or gardens, ready. If you are one who plans everything out before heading to the nursery, make sure you consider what you may be drinking during the spring and summer months. You can have all the ingredients you need for warm weather sipping within your reach, fresh and ready for muddling, infusing, and otherwise flavoring your cocktails.

All liquor, no matter what you are drinking, is in some way plant based. While you may not have room to grow corn, agave, or wheat, everyone has a small plot of land that they can put a few herbs in. Maybe a strawberry plant or two. This garden can be the base for your special gin-like concoction. Possibly a delightful blueberry or mint infused simple syrup or liquor. Many of the bitters and amari that are so popular in the modern cocktail movement have dozens of herbs and other aromatics infused in them. Jagermeister, one of the best-known liqueurs, has no less than fifty-six herbs, roots, fruits, and spices. You may not need THAT many in your garden, but it can’t hurt to have a few very attractive, easy to grow options.

Fruits

I can see some strawberry syrup, strawberry vodka, strawberry shrub…

Strawberries – Is there anything that says summer more than a ripe strawberry? Perfect for garnishing and infusing, these juicy treats go with pretty much anything. They are a relatively hardy plant that can grow almost anywhere. They prefer a lot of sun but can make it with some shade. Because of their rapid growth, you need to give them room if you are planting them in the ground. If you plant them too deep, they will not grow at all. Maintain them, and strawberry plants will produce fruit for roughly four years.  Plant them while there is still a chill in the air, then wait for them to flower. A month later, enjoy the fruits of your labor. Do not put them in bed the first year with flowers. The fight for resources will not go well.

Raspberries/Blackberries – Both pop up a little earlier in the season than strawberries do; they are almost the harbinger of fresh fruits. They will also grow rapidly, so they need room AND a good trimming. Let them go too far, and they start to turn into thickets. They do not enjoy lots of water, so be sparing when you give them extra watering. Missing the spring planting season is not a big deal; they will be fine if you plant them in summer. You can plant them anywhere in the garden, except near the tomatoes. Tomatoes can leave diseases that these berries can pick up. Speaking of…

Tomatoes – These are fruit. Keep that in mind. They are also a little sweet. If you grow them right, you can have fresh tomato juice for brunch Bloody Marys, or maybe make some tomato water. These guys are going to take a little more work. You are going to need a trellis or some method to get them off the ground and keep them clean and growing well. Like the other fruits, give them plenty of room to grow and lots and lots of sun. Unlike the berries, do not plant them too early. Cold is not their friend at all. Pro hint: plant the stem deeper for them to grow more roots and you to get more tomatoes.

Vegetables

Rhubarb is amazing, offering a tart crispness to cocktails.

Cucumbers – I could almost write “see tomatoes” for how to grow cucumbers. They want something to climb on, want warm soil, but they like much more moisture and fertilizer than the tomato. Throw some mulch on top of that soil to keep that water in, and you will have happy cucumbers. Perfect to muddle into a refreshing gin cocktail or use as a garnish.

Rhubarb – Hear me out. A simple rhubarb syrup, or making a batch of bitters with a little rhubarb as part of the mix, is a delight to have in your repertoire. Rhubarb growing is another early indicator that spring has sprung. This is one plant that enjoys the Ohio winter. More freezes of the ground can produce more stems. All rhubarb needs is fertilized, wet soil, plenty of sun, and some room to grow. Take care of this celery-like vegetable, and you can expect savory delights for up to eight years. Do NOT eat the leaves.

Herbs

Mint – You know that you’ll be having juleps and mojitos when it gets warm. There is no excuse for not having scads of mint in the garden or around the house. Growing these in pots and keeping them well trimmed is the best way to check their growth. Left to their own devices, they can take over a yard. Maybe the next yard. Possibly the world. Mint is aggressive when it comes to growing, but shy when it comes to the sun. Keep them in in the shade if possible. To get even tastier Kentucky Colonel in your harvest, trim the flowers when they start to appear. That will encourage more leaf growth. Which means more juleps for everyone.

Maybe I promised you a herb garden. Just not a rose garden.

Basil – You are already growing tomatoes, right? Add a little sweet basil to that plot of land, and you have plenty of flavors covered. They not only taste amazing together, but they also grow well together. You can plant them in pots while it is still cold out, then transfer them to the soil when it warms up. As the stalks get taller, they will start to flower. Like mint, trim the flowers when they start to emerge. Then bruise them up with some strawberries for a vodka infusion.

Rosemary – This potent herb can provide a refreshing burst of flavor to cocktails. You do not need much muddled into a cocktail to get that flavor going. Another easy grower, put it in the sun and stand back. This little herb will grow as much as you will allow it. It is a low maintenance herb to have. When the soil around it gets a little dry, give it some water, but otherwise do not worry about it much.

Sage – Delicious, and not just for cooking. It goes well with many fruits, especially citrus. Citrus is the soul of many cocktails, and sage and citrus work well together. Throw in some gin, and you have the base of an excellent cocktail started. This plant will sit nicely with the rosemary and the strawberries, so grow them all together. It loves our Midwestern weather and will thrive in this mild climate. It grows out, not up, so this is another one that needs a wide berth. After five years, digging it up and planting a fresh plant is recommended.

Mint juleps for all the days of the summer!

This is by no means a complete list. Dill, lemon verbena, thyme, and many other herbs can be added, depending on the flavors that you love. Marigolds, violets, and roses are edible and can offer some lovely garnishes to your cocktails. They may be useful additions. If you are looking at the long game, apple trees and grape vines will grow in this area, so you can start on those now and see some results in five years. You can even grow your lemons indoors if you have the patience, the vessel, and a window with good light.

The variety of things you can do with these plants is extensive. Even if you do not have a plot of land to call your own, you can use one of the community plots of land that Five Rivers MetroParks offers. Many herbs and flowers can also be grown indoors so that you can put fresh mint in your cocktails all year round. While the weather is nice, head out into the yard and get your hands dirty. Spend a little time getting your garden ready now, and you’ll be enjoying a strawberry basil lemonade cocktail right out of your backyard.

Trying To Get Healthy? Keep It Simple To Start.

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Jason arms foldedI’ve worked as a personal trainer and fitness coach all across this country, from New York to Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. As I return to my roots in the Dayton area, I’ll be using this space to write about health, wellness, and lifestyle with an eye toward the practical, the sustainable, and the efficient. Probably the most important thing that I’ve learned over the last ten years in an exploding industry is that health and fitness have become needlessly complicated for busy people. My goal in my work and in this space is to fix that.

So let’s get started.

If you’re the average American—meaning, you don’t eat the right combination of foods, you don’t get enough exercise, and you’re overweight—then you should start your fitness journey as simply as possible.

What to Put in Your Face: Vegetables and Water

When it comes to healthy body composition, your goal is to find nutrient dense foods as opposed to calorie dense foods. Vegetables are nutrient dense foods packed with things like vitamins and minerals but not calories. They also are full of fiber, which has been shown to play an important role in everything from immune health to digestion. Chances are if you fill half your plate with vegetables at every meal (yes, including breakfast) and eat slowly, you’ll have a built-in portion control.IMG_5368

 

The rest of your plate should be a combination of a good, lean source of protein like chicken if you’re a meat eater or beans if you’re not; a healthy fat like olive oil or avocado; and a small amount of a starchy carbohydrate like rice, potatoes, or bread (if you must).

And of course, like your grandmama said, drink more water. It will help with proper body function and it will help you avoid mindless consumption of things like soda. If you’re struggling to drink enough, try this: fill a glass of water and put it by your bedside table. When you wake up in the morning drink the entire glass.

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What to do with Your Body: Lift, Walk, Love

Many people mistakenly believe that they need to run, bike, jog, dance, or somehow cardio their way to a better body. They buy Fitbits and sign up for brutal bootcamps and hire trainers to kick their butts like they see on reality television. They do all of these things because they believe the goal with exercise is pain and sweat. But if you’re a busy person with limited time, your primary goal with exercise ought to be to build as much muscle mass as possible.

Why? Simply put, the more muscle mass you have, the higher the rate of your calorie burning while at rest. People say they want to lose weight, but more often they’re really looking to be leaner. They want to look good naked as opposed to only looking good with their clothes on (the dreaded “skinny fat” aesthetic). Looking good naked requires muscle.

If you’re doing weight-bearing exercise twice a week then you’re already giving yourself a fighting chance of having the body you want. But cardiovascular fitness also is important, so you should try to walk—preferably outside, and preferably with a loved one—several times a week. Outside because it’s more interesting and you’ll get valuable vitamin D from the sun exposure. With a loved one because strong social ties and stress reduction are important foundations for lifelong fitness.

Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t complicated, but that’s not the same thing as easy. Incorporating these simple changes into one’s life is difficult enough. Don’t distract yourself with gadgets, juice cleanses, and diets. Sustainability and efficiency are built upon a foundation of the basics.

Who’d You Rather: EL TORO or El RANCHO GRANDE ? **+Win Free Dinner **

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Chicken Fajitas from El Toro

Chicken Fajitas from El Toro

Again, Food Adventures asks who’d you rather get it on with.  This time a plate from El Toro or a plate from El Rancho Grande?

In this battle for the border, we know Daytonians are picking sides and drawing their line in the margarita salt.  Comment below on which of these two Mexican Restaurants you like better and why !  One winner will be chosen at random and will win dinner with  The Food Adventures Crew at their favorite, either El Toro or El Rancho.  You will act as a referee for us as we also invite our biggest critic, the witty Michael R Hawk !  Let the insults fly !

Now, before you Dayton foodie purists jump all over our white cheese sauce…  We love Mexican Restaurants Taqueria Mixteca (feature article) and Taco Loco (feature article) as our personal faves.  Since we have featured those more obscure restaurants that most people have not been to, we decided for a more familiar fight…

Sound the bell, it’s time to rock the pinata !

First off, margaritas are chick drinks, so we will let the girls sound off and fight it out over who has the best margaritas of the two places.

Both places have fantastic service and tie in that category.  The tacos, and chimichangas are impossible to tell apart.  Also, the desserts like flan and fried ice cream are pretty much the same at both locations.

Del Mar Trio - Ragu's all time favorite

Del Mar Trio at El Rancho Grande features Lobster, Shrimp and Fish

As for everything else.. Here is how the Food Adventures judges saw it.

 

JAX’S VOTE:  EL TORO

— Jax says “The Salsa at El Toro is Better.”  The taste and chunkiness is second to none.  This gives El Toro an early knockout in my book.

— Hungry Jax says “El Toro’s Fajitas Reign Supreme.”  The fajitas at El Toro are the best.  I love fajitas.  Whether you get, steak, chicken or pollo (fish) fajitas, they are very filling and huge portions.

— Jax says “El Toro Gets the Slight Edge in Carnitas Tacos and Enchiladas.  To put it bluntly, these two restaurants have a bunch of dishes, that under the cheese sauce, none of us can tell apart from each other.  I like pork tacos and enchiladas, and El Toro is better by the slightest of margins, and the consistency is good across the 9 locations.  So, El Toro gets my vote by low blow.”

 

THE BIG RAGU’S VOTE: EL RANCHO GRANDE

El Toro beef tacos

Beef Tacos from El Toro (we added their terrific salsa)

—The Big Ragu says, “The Del Mar Trio dish at El Rancho Grande is the champ of both menus.  A must eat! Grilled lobster, tilapia and shrimp served on a fajita plate? FIGHT OVER !

— The Big Ragu says “El Rancho has Pacifico beer on tap.  I have never seen that beer anywhere in my life, other than in bottles.  Also, they feature Negra Modelo on tap.  The other place is too punch drunk to beat that!”  El Rancho Grande has similar draft beer choices at the 8 locations from North Dayton to Middletown.

— The Big Ragu says “El Rancho’s Chilles Rellenos are a deal maker.”  Stuffed with cheese, these huge poblano peppers are melt in your mouth delicious.  Stick a fork in them, they’re done!

 

Sound off and tell us which one you like, here is your chance for a free Food Adventure !

 ***** FREE DINNER WITH THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW *****

LET’S HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE !  It is now your turn to comment on “Who’d you Rather : El Toro or El Rancho Grande?”

Pacifico Clara on Draft? YES ! YES ! YES !

Pacifico Clara on Draft at El Rancho Grande? YES! YES! YES!

Hold onto your sombrero, muchacho!  One person who comments on the story below will win dinner at their favorite, either El Rancho Grande or El Toro with Food Advntures!  They will be joined by Food Adventure’s biggest critic, Michael R. Hawk, for an interesting evening of fun and food.

 

Want to see our WHO’D YOU RATHER stories over the past 3 years?  Click on the individual links below !
Who’d You Rather?  FRICKERS or ROOSTERS? 

Who’d You Rather?  CHIPOTLE or QDOBA?

Who’d You Rather?  FIVE GUYS or SMASHBURGER?

 

Check out our photo gallery below for some great photos of El Toro and El Rancho Grande offerings.  Dont’ forget to join the thousands on Facebook who “like” Food Adventures by clicking HERE !

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Local, Legendary Food Adventures at 2nd Street Market – Part 1

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Some of the Best of Dayton, all in one place !

How about one building that combines some of the best cooks in Dayton and lines them up along the wall in their own vendor booths?  It’s not a dream, it’s reality in downtown Dayton.

This is the first of 2 Food Adventure  installments over the next few days, and both cover Dayton’s 2nd Street Market.  What a shocker, the first one focuses on FOOD !

The Big Ragu & Crew have become semi-regulars at the market over the past few years.  Some of our tastiest excursions have been in this treasure trove of great eats.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true for the market located on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street.  If you have never  stopped in, then you haven’t had some for Dayton’s best.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— A great place to grab a bite to eat and a unique place to do some Christmas shopping !!!  The official address is 600 E. Second St.

— The market is open 3 days: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm,  and Saturday 8am – 3pm.   The great offerings are overwhelming and coming here has become one of our Food Adventure addictions.

— Many vendors offer fresh fruit & vegetables.  Others offer freshly baked desserts and breads.  You want more?  How about cheeses, meats, spices, canned goods and more.  There are more local, fresh and organic choices here than anyplace we know of in Dayton.

The best tasting side you never heard of: Sweet Potato Quinoa from Chef Case

 

MUST EATS:

— THE SMOKED SALMON CREPE at CREPE BOHEME :  The Big Ragu will tell you this is the best place in Dayton to get a crepe.   Crepe master Sabine combines the smoked salmon with goat cheese, capers and grilled vegetables.  It is a symphony in your mouth.  Her secret is using the freshest ingredients around and flavor combinations that will knock your socks off.    Not a salmon fan? No worries..  choose one of the menu items or “make your own” crepe with various ingredients.  Prepare to be blown away.Honorable Mention: The crepe with Nutella, marshmallows and blackberries.  All the taste of guilty pleasure with not so much guilt.

— FAMOUS CHICKEN PANINI from THE CHEF CASE : Chef Joe Fish believes that using local ingredients promotes fresh flavor.  Here he works some magic with a whole herb grilled chicken breast and Artesian Basil Pesto.  The panini is made on fresh bread and pressed, thereby melting provolone and Parmesan cheese into gooey deliciousness.   The chef is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and creates some of the best tastes in town.  In fact, there are so many delicious menu items here that we have to give honorable mention to two more of them.  First, make sure you try a serving of the Sweet Potato Quinoa.   It is a healthy, flavorful side dish that not many people know about.  Trust us on this !  Lastly the MONTE CRISTO PANINI is a sandwich you need to get your hands on.  It is ham, turkey and swiss cheese finished with a pure maple syrup drizzle.  Give your taste buds a good value for around 7 bucks.

Peanut Brittle Cupcakes from Purely Sweet Bakery (click to enlarge)

 — THE DISTINGUISED DARBY at CHEEKY MEAT PIES: Who doesn’t love tasty meat and spices in a flaky crust?  Forget about calories, the taste is worth every mouthful.  This original take on New Zealand Street food is gaining a bit of a cult following in the Miami Valley.  “The Darby” verison is ground beef mixed with spices for a delicious combo.  The meat pies are hand held and made to be mobile.  Be careful when taking a bite, they are hot inside !  A friendly staff makes the experience that much more fun.  Honorable Mention:  The Dirty Bird Meat Pie is a tasty treat and a perfect bite “on the go” at the market.  It features chicken and a delicious sauce.  We can’t describe these fantastic meat pies, you just gotta try them !

— THE WASABI PEAS at THE SPICE RACK:   The Big Ragu can’t help himself.  He craves these, and you will too.  Dried peas, dipped in wasabi and sold by the box for only 2 bucks.  Perfect for snacking at home, but we warn you.. ADDICTIVE !  The spice rack has some many incredible items from Amish butter to incredible spice rubs.  Check this place out for some hidden treasures for the foodie in you.

— POLLO GUISADO at AREPAS and CO. : Braised chicken thigh (although we ask for the shredded white meat chicken instead), mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and green beans.  All of it is served over rice and plantains.  Finally pick from one of various sauce toppings drizzled on top.  We pick two (garlic and hot sauce) !  Get a friend to help you lift this plate and eat it.  HUGE PORTION !

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

— THE SHRIMP WITH HOT CHILI SAUCE at BAAN THAI NOI:  We are always pleasantly surprised with Baan Thai Noi’s dishes.  Our favorite is the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce.  Two skewers of grilled basil shrimp are served over fried rice with a side of shredded cabbage and a delicious spring roll.  The key to this dish is the sauce we choose to top the shrimp. The hot chili sauce is so sweet, with some heat and a whole lot of taste.  Don’t knock it til you try it, this one is  a sleeper !

Is your mouth watering yet?  Well the good news is, the weekend is here and they are open !  Get yourself down there and stroll around the grounds and soon you’ll be tastin’ Dayton.

More Honorable mentions include:

The Cupcakes at Purely Sweet Bakery,  The Cabbage Rolls at Kolbs Bakery, The Jumbalaya at All Souped Up,  The Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) at Azra’s, and some good coffee at Caffeine by Carl.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention that their are numerous other fantastic farm vendors with fresh vegetables, honey, fresh maple syrup and organic milk.  Check them all out while you are there.

The 2nd Street Market is truly Food Adventure  paradise !!

In the market for some more from the “Miami Valley foodies ?”  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Check out some of our best photos yet  in the gallery below from our numerous trips to the 2nd Street Market over the years !!!

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Getting Fresh and Organic with The Food Adventures Crew

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Green B.E.A.N Delivers Fresh Fruit and Vegetables to Your Door

Farmer’s Markets are more popular than ever in a time when our country has an increasing desire for organic food products. People are more aware now than ever of the food they put into their bodies and are striving to improve their dietary habits.  Food Adventures is always trying new things.

You have seen the word “organic” placed on food labels, but what does it mean? Conventional foods can carry harmful pesticides and are fertilized with synthetic chemicals. Organic foods use natural fertilizers, devoid of synthetic pesticides. If you buy organic, you are decreasing your families’ risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Organic foods also help reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals that affect wildlife and water quality, and organic produce also protect one of our nation’s most valuable resources — top soil. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you are buying produce, and a reason why Farmer’s Markets have been so successful over the years.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to them.  Food Adventures is grateful for the farm markets in Dayton.

We would like to introduce you to Green B.E.A.N. Delivery.  Sort of a “Farmer’s Market on wheels.” Green B.E.A.N. was started up by three college
friends from Indiana University in 2007, Matt Ewer, Beth Blessing, and John Freeland.  Their common goal is to provide healthy, local food and make it more convenient, accessible, and affordable. B.E.A.N. stands for: Biodynamic, Education, Agriculture, Nutrition(Try saying that fast three times fast!).  Green B.E.A.N. is a grassroots effort; a network of farmers and artisans providing customers with organic and locally made products. John Freeland is the Vice President of Green B.E.A.N. Delivery and contacted us to try out what they have to offer.

Orders are Delivered in Green B.E.A.N Coolers

We went to the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery website and set up our accounts. We found the website to be easy to navigate and place orders.  They have various
produce bins ranging in price from $35 to $49. They also have a ‘break-room bin’ which helps encourage healthy eating in the office.  You can also customize your order by choosing from forty different items that are in season. We decided to let Green B.E.A.N. send us whatever they wanted…..mystery is always more fun!

When the time came for our delivery, we were greeted at the door by a big green bin.  Food Adventure time !!!  This was exciting — like having a farmer’s market delivered right to the front door.  We both opened our bins like kids open up presents on Christmas Day.  Inside sits a cooler with an ice pack so your produce remains cool if you have to work a long day.  We ordered the $35 bin and were impressed with the amount of produce received.  Some of the produce we received included: broccoli, carrots, celery, mangos, avocado, grapefruit, apples, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, lemons, spinach, green beans, onions, and pears all fresh and ready to eat! Green B.E.A.N. Delivery also has an option to add groceries to the bins.  Some of the items offered include: dairy, meats, eggs, cupcakes, bulk foods, and beverages.

Lots of Fresh, Organic and Healthy Items to Choose From

When you sign up for Green B.E.A.N, you can choose to receive your bins either weekly or bi-weekly and you can cancel your membership at any time. The bins can either be delivered or you may choose to pick them up. Delivery areas include: Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Louisville, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. If you don’t see your location on the delivery map, give them a call at (513) 761-BEAN (Cincinnati-Dayton) or (614) 352-2845 (Columbus). Check out the website for membership information, recipes, and the online store.

We were very impressed with the quality of produce that we received and highly recommend Green B.E.A.N. Delivery. We would like to thank John Freeland of Green B.E.A.N. for allowing us to take part in a delectable delivery.  We received some incredibly fresh produce delivered right to our front doors without a glitch! Give Green B.E.A.N. Delivery a try by contacting them at www.greenbeandelivery.com or by phone.  Try going organic to improve your health and buy local to help out our communities!

Have you used Green B.E.A.N. yet?  If  so,  please comment below.

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