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Category: Food – General

National Iced Tea Day is June 10th: How Do You Take Yours?

National Iced Tea Day is June 10th: How Do You Take Yours?

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Yes, because we don’t have enough days to recognize various aspects of life, this coming Thursday, June 10th is “officially” recognized as “Iced Tea Day”.  I doubt if there will be any parades.  There won’t be a special doughnut at your favorite shop or commemorative attire offered at your local department store, but some ambitious marketing intern has somehow convinced the powers-that-be that THIS is what America was missing.  A day to celebrate iced tea. So be it. So the…

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The Dinner Party: Old School Cool

The Dinner Party: Old School Cool

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This year for Valentine’s Day, my wife and I had a small dinner party (calm down, COVID enthusiasts, there were only six of us, and we’ve all recently been tested).  Three couples, a nice dinner in our home, and some after-dinner games and conversation – all very simple, yet we had a marvelous time. I was thinking today that this used to be a common thing (and I mean decades ago, not merely since the pandemic made everyone a prisoner…

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The Thanksgiving Turkey – An Annual Challenge

The Thanksgiving Turkey – An Annual Challenge

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For home cooks all over the country, the most important meal of the year is just three weeks away.  Sure, Mom, Dad, or Grandma can occasionally burn a pizza, undercook some vegetables, or even hammer that fish in the oven from time to time and all will be quickly forgotten – but screw up the Thanksgiving Day turkey?  The family will talk about and remember that indiscretion for years to come. That’s a lot of pressure on the host, and…

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Fall Food Trends 2020: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Fall Food Trends 2020: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Food trends come and go (remember when everyone was excited about fondue?) and 2020 is no exception – even with all of the stress involved with the pandemic.  There have been a lot of new food trends this year, so it’s time to take a look at them (and of course, give my totally biased opinion about each one). Flexitarians You had your meat eaters, you had your omnivores.  There were vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans.  Now comes the “flexitarian” –…

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Living in the Moment: A Travel Mindset to Embrace

Living in the Moment: A Travel Mindset to Embrace

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I’ve had the good fortune recently to be able to reconnect with my younger brother and his wife (who live on the West Coast).  He and I have shared some good conversations, and one of the topics that has come up is future plans and what we think the next five, ten, or even twenty years will bring to our lives. We’re both at the age where friends in both of our personal circles have unfortunately started to pass away,…

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Summer Tomatoes: A Seasonal Treat

Summer Tomatoes: A Seasonal Treat

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I love to eat “seasonally”, which means enjoying the fruits and vegetables that are in their prime growing and harvesting months.  In today’s society, we’ve become so accustomed to having everything available to us at all times of the year that we often miss out on enjoying nature’s bounty when its rewards are at their most fragrant, flavorful, and in most cases, economical. For example, let’s talk tomatoes (which are in their prime as we speak). Sure, you can buy…

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My Plant-Based Diet – A Nine Month Check-In

My Plant-Based Diet – A Nine Month Check-In

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If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you may recall that I switched to a plant-based diet back in November of 2019.  To be clear, I did this for my own personal health reasons, as the data I’ve looked at shows that a meatless/dairy-free diet has some significant health benefits.  I don’t go around shaming other meat-eaters, waving signs, or attending PETA rallies.  I’ll also still eat meat from time to time (if it’s the only option available or…

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The Food & Beverage Business: COVID-19 Edition

The Food & Beverage Business: COVID-19 Edition

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I’ll admit, due to the pandemic, it’s been a summer to remember (or forget, depending on your point of view).  With all of the social distancing, rules, and just plain fear of catching the COVID-19 virus keeping customers away, running a business during the past six months has been anything but easy. Today, I’ll focus on restaurants and other food eateries, one of the hardest hit sectors in the recent economic downturn.  ‘Business Insider’ recently reported that as many as…

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So, Things Are Slowly Starting To Reopen in Our Economy: What Does That Mean, Exactly?

So, Things Are Slowly Starting To Reopen in Our Economy: What Does That Mean, Exactly?

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Many states are beginning to slowly ease back on restrictions and business closures they imposed as a result of the coronavirus and pandemic mitigation efforts.  Here in Maryland, we’ve just entered the beginning of “Phase Two” of the economic “reopening” plan, which allows most retail locations, restaurants, and other businesses to resume operations (albeit with several caveats and restrictions).    As the recent lock-downs as a result of COVID-19 start to expire, what exactly does that mean for our future experiences…

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Garden Check-Up: How’s It Going So Far?

Garden Check-Up: How’s It Going So Far?

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If you’ll recall, I made the decision to put out a garden this year, and have been dutifully tending my 26’ x 5’ plot in the Clear Spring Community garden ever since.  I’m also happy to report that after a slow start (where I thought I might be this year’s only tenant), three more of the six remaining plots have been claimed, so at least I have some gardening neighbors. I’m still working from home most days of the week,…

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