tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26246626195583246142024-03-13T05:23:58.276-04:00Divine Finds in Western NCQuit my job, left friends and family and followed my husband from The OC to WNC at the start of a snowy 2009 winter. After just a month, I'm excited to find an abundance of artisan food and everyday products. Over the next year I plan to find and blog about any of the fresh, organic, free-range, artisan and small scale local producers I visit. Suggestions welcome! Can't wait to find something yummy!Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-33054072678239609112010-09-26T14:52:00.000-04:002011-03-26T14:52:34.360-04:00Cane Creek Organics CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8__W1hBp1ngkIZ27GY6PJRH0ulOqQ5mWCX2KwEQKzNbsSoUs5kLK3lNm-5CXCqn6tPZFmpHLt4kkgU2MVVlK5EaRsXqhtqGcKss_XhTmSLLCoQihvUfQlU2lWJviQXGrOgJggFvkoMU/s1600/2010+09+19+0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8__W1hBp1ngkIZ27GY6PJRH0ulOqQ5mWCX2KwEQKzNbsSoUs5kLK3lNm-5CXCqn6tPZFmpHLt4kkgU2MVVlK5EaRsXqhtqGcKss_XhTmSLLCoQihvUfQlU2lWJviQXGrOgJggFvkoMU/s320/2010+09+19+0977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weekly CSA box from Cane Creek Organics</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">The first time I heard about Community Sustained Agriculture (CSA), or the concept of subscribing to a weekly box of vegetables during the growing season, I was skeptical. Really? You can’t just go to a specialty produce store and get the best produce from the area? Then I moved away from Southern California and it’s many conveniences (including Plow Boys market in Fountain Valley). The move also opened my eyes to how my convenient lifestyle left my exposure to “the bounty Mother Earth provides” very limited; pathetic even. I was a tomato, asparagus, bueberry & banana addict. Nutritious? Yes. Tasty? Yes. Exciting week after week? No.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the 2010 season, I decided to embrace the wonders of greens, heirloom tomatoes and okra. Using an analytical calculation, I explored what CSA's had to offer, as well as the concept of organics and what it really means to spend a little more to get something with more bite-for-bite satisfaction, produced using sustainable methods. If you still deem organics as inefficient, extravagant and even unnecessary, get with the program. If you are on a budget, joining an organic CSA is a way to help ensure you get a diverse sampling of foods at a set cost.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For $24/ week, I was able to subscribe to a box of veggies that covered my family of two adults, one toddler and a next door neighbor (who shared with us, bringing our cost to $16/week). Think that is too much to spend on produce each week? Then you are probably not eating enough! The USDA guidelines say women should be eating approx 2.5 cups of vegetables and 1.5 cups of fruit daily. For men it is more. That equals 28 cups of produce per woman, per week. Just try to match the CSA's variety and volume of produce (fresh, so it actually still contains the nutrients you are seeking) for less at the grocery store. And forget about the specialty grocers!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In WNC, we are so fortunate to live in a location with the highest per capita number of family farms in the country. There are an average of half a dozen CSA’s you can choose from within a ten mile radius of your home. With so many choices, you may wonder how to narrow the selection. Well here are the attributes I looked for in my selection process…</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Number of Members</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Number of Years</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Distance of Farm</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Distance of Pick-Up Location</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Growing Methods</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Produce Included</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Number of Weeks</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Payment</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Alternative Buying Options</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Other products offered</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal">Since I had no first hand recommendations to go by, I chose to look at the three CSA’s closest to me, with the largest scale production and longest history; however, I also recommend considering small scale farms, if you have the opportunity to talk to other members or meet the farmers themselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the end, I chose the FDA certified organic farm, with the farmers I had previously met, even though the price tag was the steepest and the length of the season was the shortest. This family had the longest history of farming and could offer lower fat meats with my order. I did bemoan missing a weekly subscription for flowers, but I’ve always got Fisher Branch Flower Farm at the Asheville City Market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNskaaFCBFXRR90cHAumYqKZ2TcBjf9FrOUuQjdpPo3Dr8ieGFs4uXGMQqNWiXATSKl_qZ02lhgmUbLISvdms_26Ow7BFXcL8BxdWvtuAaGX5WAzf2bLq9-FeG_OJV1uqstPdrvSMuftQ/s1600/IMG_01552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNskaaFCBFXRR90cHAumYqKZ2TcBjf9FrOUuQjdpPo3Dr8ieGFs4uXGMQqNWiXATSKl_qZ02lhgmUbLISvdms_26Ow7BFXcL8BxdWvtuAaGX5WAzf2bLq9-FeG_OJV1uqstPdrvSMuftQ/s320/IMG_01552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, parsley, yellow squash and peas are some of the weekly box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">During the 23 week season, I’ve made some of the best greens I've ever tasted. Just some of the things we've sampled: broccoli, basil, three different cabbages, two different mustard greens, Swiss chard, multiple kales, romaine, green and red lettuces, radishes, spring onions, acorn squash, blueberries, spaghetti squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, heirloom tomatoes, okra, string beans, corn and tons of new potatoes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The decision to join a CSA was one I do not regret and I, in fact, enjoyed immensely. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>The pros: try new foods, learn new recipes, eat the freshest most nutritious and flavorful foods, guarantee you will incorporate these new foods in your diet or feel terrible about throwing them away & explore the countryside or City Market on your pick-up day (We especially enjoyed picking up at the City Market on Saturdays. Lots to see!).</li>
<li>The cons: if you travel a lot, you'll miss your box or have to give some away, you may get intimidated by the variety of vegetables and need more time to plan meals.</li>
</ul>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-1912404620361081992010-07-15T16:12:00.005-04:002010-08-20T11:27:59.585-04:00Fisher Branch Flower FarmI'm an amature gardener, but being new to the Eastern US, Southern region and mountain climate, I have no idea what to grow or where to grow it. To avoid wasting a lot of time and money on planting flowers that may make me more sad than glad, I've given myself the year off. Instead of feeding my inner 'anal rententive' gardener (thank you Preble), I’ve been sitting back to enjoy a week by week introduction to the flora and its various stages of bloom. As Spring progressed in WNC, I knew I had to find a regular supplier for weekly cut flower bouquets. I found my favorite in Fisher Branch Flower Farm. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peonies are one thing East has over West.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrzF5xzz-VJ9K5Gbe9NPL9Cq-PwBPtX72a61eaWEj-vqxdweytdMWrz6CfBmzmixiUDEndLCrN12f-GV_QmaMvfaoMP-PynyDB3UGC9CbFF_-5bq_g2w22r2wVMYDJwM3qh16Fqm7TiI/s1600/IMG00201-20100612-1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrzF5xzz-VJ9K5Gbe9NPL9Cq-PwBPtX72a61eaWEj-vqxdweytdMWrz6CfBmzmixiUDEndLCrN12f-GV_QmaMvfaoMP-PynyDB3UGC9CbFF_-5bq_g2w22r2wVMYDJwM3qh16Fqm7TiI/s320/IMG00201-20100612-1148.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer's flowers in your home may make <br />
giving up the outdoors to avoid bugs and humidity slightly less annoying.<br />
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</tbody></table>Jennifer Miller runs her flower farm out of Marshal, NC and sells her loose flowers, as well as a variety of seasonal bouquets, at the Asheville City Market. She is very popular, so get there early for the best selection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66FsCUeGUvNcsEEPH_kqENa92W734oE7q2EdR60bOCycie2UvYEPNA-ywgYI3NOfUo54xpqp8eIUZW6NVAx2C_ws5MbK_xK1sBUku5PKn7D8L8tf6zB3jzIocXGDzJUIIj9BGyu5JC0M/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66FsCUeGUvNcsEEPH_kqENa92W734oE7q2EdR60bOCycie2UvYEPNA-ywgYI3NOfUo54xpqp8eIUZW6NVAx2C_ws5MbK_xK1sBUku5PKn7D8L8tf6zB3jzIocXGDzJUIIj9BGyu5JC0M/s320/IMG_0140.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super lacy Hydrangeas feel so Springy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B9hbM3-ScEdFOlpTAGgAR7um-9wWjiac-xINNHxKu_GqQYIf7Trah1ncTzUyGBcDFeRFwXZS9Ajilg3Q8vaAJ7b4f5LtHfd1il-cqT9ztzbcnIlBncTRqCoKyW0lrJH_WIDfgKburSY/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B9hbM3-ScEdFOlpTAGgAR7um-9wWjiac-xINNHxKu_GqQYIf7Trah1ncTzUyGBcDFeRFwXZS9Ajilg3Q8vaAJ7b4f5LtHfd1il-cqT9ztzbcnIlBncTRqCoKyW0lrJH_WIDfgKburSY/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Week after week, I'm impressed with the variety and creativity of Jennifer's bouquets. Her attention to detail in presentation sets her apart. The bouquets are well trimmed, stems cleaned and wraps colorful, yet still earthy. They look equally pretty enough to give as a gift as they would in a crystal vase.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVG1Edwx9Zz_GBi3d1G5n8LWZlILPALz9zZIVW4l2TN_1Xc6A3OJFut8VMF3h9C90MxUNkhAKPjri5Q67TqXJcD-7rw_AMCi0uACOQyUs1Pb7i0UHQzLf0K5Na3usLpc9i_z5tZotRi0/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVG1Edwx9Zz_GBi3d1G5n8LWZlILPALz9zZIVW4l2TN_1Xc6A3OJFut8VMF3h9C90MxUNkhAKPjri5Q67TqXJcD-7rw_AMCi0uACOQyUs1Pb7i0UHQzLf0K5Na3usLpc9i_z5tZotRi0/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer sunflowers and glads bring the sun indoors, but not the heat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48QAa27q2iVScEGlwLxFbJ6dW2Gx9vwqBtTi3ILchHuhyD9YI2lxBOgDpUuiX_o-wqOOG2Uz9yodPaEZwGUQr_SZPS6fI0V0ZTJ-XvjjNvALrDpib4szJJksO9sP2TsHcbqpoyUU5YIU/s320/IMG_0662.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer's arrangements always make me smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In general, I get a full week out of my bouquet and her prices are reasonable at between $6-$15 an arrangement. She offers a subscription to weekly arrangements, as well, and is available for weddings. In the late Fall, she creates holiday wreath arrangements.</div><br />
I’ll be adding some pictures of the flower farm after my next trip to Marshall.<br />
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I bought mine at Asheville City MarketJennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-43981590916186099752010-06-26T09:17:00.000-04:002010-08-20T10:47:53.248-04:00Christopher's Garden (The Gnomon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I finally got to work on my front yard this month and ended up spending a lot of time at Appalachian Creek Nursery. On one of my visits, owner Jeff Seitz introduced me to Christopher Mello who runs an urban sculpture garden in West Asheville. They convinced me to check out Christopher's Garden when I was next in West Asheville. The day was a little rainy, and added a bit of gloom to my pics in a purposefully dark garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the garden begins near the studio.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the features of the garden are the blue glass bottles amid the tree branches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this manhole cover garden stairway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost your marbles? They may have ended up here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little spooky in the photo, <br />
even more so when you stand surrounded by the circle of these shovel people.</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Open to the public, located on the corner of Westwood and Waynesville Avenue off Haywood Road behind the Rocket Club and the bio-diesel pump. </div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-87303487171362849932010-06-10T11:18:00.000-04:002010-08-20T10:50:07.913-04:00Foothills Family FarmsMy lovely neighbor, Rose, tipped me off to this jewel when she told me that Black Mountain’s Johnny B switched gears this season from operating his Sprouts Café to having a Wednesday afternoon Sprouts Market. A small affair, with just a few complimentary vendors, you can buy all you need for a fresh, local grown dinner. (Try the NC caught fish Johnny sells. It has been an education on Eastern aquatic life!)<br />
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Our favorite find of the market is Foothills Family Farms’ pork shoulder roast. It is not the most expensive cut of meat and, when prepared, not the most distinguished, but it gets a 9 on the Mike eating noise meter. I slow cooked mine with two cans of Coca Cola and a little last minute prep to make a tender, caramelized pulled pork that beats anything at any restaurant I’ve had so far. Simple cooking with an excellent piece of pork is the key!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen pork sholder in the slow cooker with two cans of coke. Cook on low for 6 hours.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Pull the pork from bone and fat. Add fat and juice to pan for reduction, till glaze forms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKSNY7G5iEC7_pZAkMvpR7mCWSEGV0F76HePZ_T1tzPnX83_gfCWcY0auZI4bDwB2VhuDodxsxoruiaHrftM0TxYNHJCkFYQWF0Asio7coJ8a5LM1VGE2VcH_lXCb-FWNwvwGlVIpbv8/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKSNY7G5iEC7_pZAkMvpR7mCWSEGV0F76HePZ_T1tzPnX83_gfCWcY0auZI4bDwB2VhuDodxsxoruiaHrftM0TxYNHJCkFYQWF0Asio7coJ8a5LM1VGE2VcH_lXCb-FWNwvwGlVIpbv8/s320/IMG_0673.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Add drained glaze into pulled pork.<br />
I usually refrigerate over night and remove the seperated fat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I’ve tested this recipe twice, so I know the first shoulder was not a fluke.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Foothills Family Farms is made up of a coalition of Old Fort family farms who "believe that by providing fresh, sustainably grown foods we can significantly contribute to a better quality of life for our farmers, consumers, neighbors and land." I’ve seen them at Sprouts Market on Wednesdays 3-6pm and at the Black Mountain Tailgate Market 8am - noon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I bought mine at Sprouts Market in Black Mountain Wednesdays 3-6 pm.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-83950796561837055082010-04-26T15:25:00.005-04:002010-04-27T07:40:15.723-04:00Pisgah Brewing Company<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of our favorite repeat haunts this winter has been Pisgah Brewing Company's tap room. Music, atmosphere and great beer give mommy and daddy a place to feel like adults, while the toddlers dance and play (before 9 pm). Last weekend I finally got a chance to snap some shots of the place before the masses descended to enjoy beer and blues. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYxIvWF26WCcP9rP5b5jNVM3nHJSPDDb2hJot9BSjJFXWsnngx-DRRLHwR9EHCidSnU0E24QWhOlM31ybS5rWX5-Bu4gytnqolKTjCwnroP0i5FivKa4E63TC-yKAj4rIwtwvHceWank/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYxIvWF26WCcP9rP5b5jNVM3nHJSPDDb2hJot9BSjJFXWsnngx-DRRLHwR9EHCidSnU0E24QWhOlM31ybS5rWX5-Bu4gytnqolKTjCwnroP0i5FivKa4E63TC-yKAj4rIwtwvHceWank/s320/IMG_2872.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An unassuming front to Pisgah's brewery/tasting room</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll always remember my first visit to the brewery. Off Old US Hyw 70, in an industrial park, Mike pulled into a parking lot with half a dozen cars, but no other signs of life. I tentatively followed him through an office door, into a manufacturing facility, then, finally into what is the warehouse style tap room. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjxR0KkmngN1A3wPFvwuEfBARK-yLMgT3wa7ZkNGdxGePzxm38vFSCmYJv1od2QapQiJxrOD0iKSktUO2cFH0-N9qiDACyny_f2p-3uVlU9Gp5LbrsRW2vHu5NSJ5nEOvJKngN0FCYyc/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjxR0KkmngN1A3wPFvwuEfBARK-yLMgT3wa7ZkNGdxGePzxm38vFSCmYJv1od2QapQiJxrOD0iKSktUO2cFH0-N9qiDACyny_f2p-3uVlU9Gp5LbrsRW2vHu5NSJ5nEOvJKngN0FCYyc/s320/IMG_2848.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Belly up to the tasting bar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I was pleasantly surprised to find a dozen patrons, enjoying music and a pub-like atmosphere. College students, professionals and families made up and interesting mix and made me feel more comfortable about taking my baby to a bar. The tap room is lined with local artists' work; some for sale to fans. An upright piano backs one wall, oposite a stage and sound system near two roll-up bay doors. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMOsmb8HvYGlshyGbmIoWD6bcjR3WqflQsb4dFqN60x3DRNAM7hogL4WO9-DcdaKjU_BZSkaq7Wn5jAsrdzprbKyi1Rx4FNG72twaR0c95UvHWy5MmzqIowH2gxK5Jw1iuk6pMt5hx9s/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMOsmb8HvYGlshyGbmIoWD6bcjR3WqflQsb4dFqN60x3DRNAM7hogL4WO9-DcdaKjU_BZSkaq7Wn5jAsrdzprbKyi1Rx4FNG72twaR0c95UvHWy5MmzqIowH2gxK5Jw1iuk6pMt5hx9s/s320/IMG_2850.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When Emma isn't tickling the ivories, she loves to trip the light fantastic. What a ham.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that Spring has sprung, the bay doors have opened, transforming the pub into a beer hall. Picnic benches and a fire pit can be enjoyed while food is prepared on the resident BBQ. It smells like heaven and the price is right. Every once in a while the game room is open, housing a pool table and old school video game.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkbmLsqgieRZiVtU4kfJnPn46kUPuZ6hLqZgEB7TUePZhs1Xp6PYOLawseUzyUwC0wj1h5MtefPjYK9JnXbRmIroZ851lZvXdO-ICpW34v3VfEuswEZwA6IjJkpQxhxHEERoPZi7__9g/s1600/IMG_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkbmLsqgieRZiVtU4kfJnPn46kUPuZ6hLqZgEB7TUePZhs1Xp6PYOLawseUzyUwC0wj1h5MtefPjYK9JnXbRmIroZ851lZvXdO-ICpW34v3VfEuswEZwA6IjJkpQxhxHEERoPZi7__9g/s320/IMG_2860.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The back patio.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">On to the reason for Pisgah Brewing: the beer. The greater Asheville area is home to about a dozen micro-breweries and has recently attainted the prestigious <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-241-Beer-Examiner~y2009m5d8-Beer-City-USA-poll-results-announced-and-an-indication-that-beer-matters">BeerCity USA</a> title. Its easy to become a beer snob after just one season. Three months here and I lost the last of my lingering interest in commercial beers (with the exception of the ritualistic Natty Light, my FEMBAs), now tasting only chemicals and forced carbonation. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives and our consistent favorite is Pisgah Brewing's Pale Ale. We buy it by the double growler, to enjoy at home.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveHMnpLtIjYLuYaxPdDgCqoRjIDogKe_4DlNfaL6Rfmg-4yBFVmJRdkekG19j84cQUibvH4rLgUfNlgkOHZUxRrpfegz_AG2cOrISuNtzhmgNGvelswZk_laZOFPfjD950FeF9xkFm1U/s1600/IMG_2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveHMnpLtIjYLuYaxPdDgCqoRjIDogKe_4DlNfaL6Rfmg-4yBFVmJRdkekG19j84cQUibvH4rLgUfNlgkOHZUxRrpfegz_AG2cOrISuNtzhmgNGvelswZk_laZOFPfjD950FeF9xkFm1U/s320/IMG_2856.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bring your empty bottles back for a credit toward your next growler!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, Pisgah released their limited production German Pilsner. We saw a growler at Earth Fare and snatched it up. I now regret not having bought every one of them. The tap room is sold out and the brewery may never make it again. It was delicious, well balanced and my favorite beer ever!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFQRCBVdq8ZbvgDLHeQXqujSSpP6CpQRP8FPxsDY6W5HBJnsAN0YFmRenmLjrYn_EJK0sM9uu1D-t2p9o2nbXN1aekurESPvgP8qJ677x9CNErt1y1Z2ogzqaJmY1XZ8ZNQZUtHeQP8g/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFQRCBVdq8ZbvgDLHeQXqujSSpP6CpQRP8FPxsDY6W5HBJnsAN0YFmRenmLjrYn_EJK0sM9uu1D-t2p9o2nbXN1aekurESPvgP8qJ677x9CNErt1y1Z2ogzqaJmY1XZ8ZNQZUtHeQP8g/s320/IMG_2870.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The tap room carries a few guest brews, including Lambic and Rootbeer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Pisgah Brewing beers are certified organic. Currently on tap: Nitro Stout, Pub Ale, Pale Ale, Porter, Solstice, Brown Ale, LEAF Amber, IPA, San Francisco Lager, Vortex I, Vortex II, Baptista Noel, Schwarzbier, Hellbender Barleywine, Endless Summer Ale, Valdez Coffee Stout, and Irish Red Ale. Limited production brews are added frequently. A few of the more popular, like the Pale Ale, can be purchased in growlers and 22oz bottles.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YAtAADeQXDej2c2s4lJEuDrQS2J0qWizF2AD2WVV7xFKZwRZnakwSjS2ZJ5Od918nNppEVeTZj4_wlp3N0oVkwHvcbvtxt1oITvr3rEKC6aQoyie3AiBo5f3a5G6gYsW422MvJkNmyY/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YAtAADeQXDej2c2s4lJEuDrQS2J0qWizF2AD2WVV7xFKZwRZnakwSjS2ZJ5Od918nNppEVeTZj4_wlp3N0oVkwHvcbvtxt1oITvr3rEKC6aQoyie3AiBo5f3a5G6gYsW422MvJkNmyY/s320/IMG_2871.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So many choices!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My advice to first timers is to sample as many of the house beers as possible, as all offerings are high quality and just yummy. Brewery tours are offered on Saturday's at 2 and 3 pm; an experience I'm looking forward to in the near future. Hopefully, one of these days, I can find a babysitter and enjoy the post 9pm entertainment!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmaMJcN1nesJc9Ehec4Z3KtT0a2sFN49cbN0db56KTsBUovaZL1gqFmWFYdOXz2s77shHxUks7gK0oYJqP2VAIfJgdyKAHy7ePIDspx8FByfC9GcFxtnDepMlFpTCsL53LW1u6LaVEGg/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmaMJcN1nesJc9Ehec4Z3KtT0a2sFN49cbN0db56KTsBUovaZL1gqFmWFYdOXz2s77shHxUks7gK0oYJqP2VAIfJgdyKAHy7ePIDspx8FByfC9GcFxtnDepMlFpTCsL53LW1u6LaVEGg/s320/IMG_2873.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A park-like setting near a stream is open on nicer days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We are looking forward to many more visits to Pisgah's tap room. Houseguests WILL be taken here!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought mine from Pisgah Brewing's Tap Room, Earth Fare, & a number of local tap rooms & pizza houses.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-81085568942024398892010-04-25T15:39:00.001-04:002010-04-26T17:34:15.940-04:00Faerie MadeI stumbled onto Faerie Made while browsing the shelves for local products at <a href="http://frenchbroadfood.coop/">French Broad Food Co-op</a>. It was actually the shnazy packaging that caught my eye. Pretty nice for small scale production. The soaps were nice and earthy, different from the competition and looked like they had some potential for future review. Then I saw their muscle ache rub; an item of which I was in sore need. I vowed to come back for a closer look, and off we went to the <a href="http://www.wolfememorial.com/">Thomas Wolfe Memorial</a> to enjoy some of the history of our new city.<br />
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At the end of our tour, I began chatting with our tour guide, Allen (an excellent guide), only to discover he was the Faerie Made owner's neighbor! He told me he always had some samples on hand and was happy to pass on a couple soap chips. He confirmed for me that Faerie Made really was a local, small batch, hand crafted business right out of Asheville. Now I was really excited about my muscle balm purchase!<br />
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Sans child and hub, I headed back to the Co-op and grabbed a stick of muscle rub, then prowled the shelves for more Faerie Made. There were facial lotions, many soaps, but none of the Cheeky Balm I had read about on the Faerie Made web site. The testimonials were pretty fantastic for that item, but there was an additional statement that it often sold out.<br />
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Then I saw it! I was so excited. Practical, so a justifiable purchase. Natural, so safe for baby. Another OMG best I've ever experienced: Body Oil Spray w/insect hating lemon eucalyptus & catnip (AKA Pester Me Not). This oil is so soft, so moisturizing, so light, so lovely scented that I want to wear it every day. Where I was before dreading the new experience of flies the size of my thumbnail and mosquitoes that drain one dry, I'm now looking forward to the excuse to spritz away!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlYJSBJLrsjvcuoH9zl10k8eLjroq-EQmdTL8QBDWtRineCLmgVKvNNc8VnOxyfbEsmDhCDBxlfBrsMpAf4md9F2Y-uSUkH6cXClbyA4XBa4PJirNJ8X7Tdk9FSFCxzEm-F78IXv-fYI/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlYJSBJLrsjvcuoH9zl10k8eLjroq-EQmdTL8QBDWtRineCLmgVKvNNc8VnOxyfbEsmDhCDBxlfBrsMpAf4md9F2Y-uSUkH6cXClbyA4XBa4PJirNJ8X7Tdk9FSFCxzEm-F78IXv-fYI/s320/IMG_2877.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bring on the bugs!</span></div><br />
Oh, and as for the Arnica Balm Muscle Rub? Skeptically, I ran the stick over my stiff neck and shoulders. I have to say, the scent was fabulous; sort of Eucaliptus and Mint. There was a slight tingle that faded away, then I went on with my day and forgot about it. Thirty minutes later I came across the container and realized I had full motion in my neck! Wow! I don't know how it works, but it really does. And no Ben-Gay smell! A winner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxoMcktQpvKn8VZGvXaz70g3awsGwO66C_r9QFAQDug8-crg25rkmNKvxTnW96INPRLSvV8q3769LIQAzB4wUJrZpVYN-cMzvGhQ76_q1wuxayBhhSh1g7GURTCrBwFaXUzjgV0082Aw/s1600/IMG_2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxoMcktQpvKn8VZGvXaz70g3awsGwO66C_r9QFAQDug8-crg25rkmNKvxTnW96INPRLSvV8q3769LIQAzB4wUJrZpVYN-cMzvGhQ76_q1wuxayBhhSh1g7GURTCrBwFaXUzjgV0082Aw/s320/IMG_2876.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I bought mine at The French Broad Co-op. <br />
Also saw it at Asheville City Market.<br />
Available online: <a href="http://faeriemadesoaps.com/">http://faeriemadesoaps.com/</a>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-8101465212562741262010-04-22T14:36:00.004-04:002010-04-27T11:13:51.758-04:00The Grove Park Inn SpaThis week I finally had some time to use the Grove Park Inn Spa gift certificate burning a hole in my purse. Many people have told me a Grove Park Inn visit is a necessary Asheville experience, but my mid-March drive-by revealed a lot of tourists and construction. My decision to wait till mid-April was prudent. The property was at its best, in preparation for the <a href="http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010304270023">Obamas' visit three days later</a>. After a week of rolling paint on raised garage ceilings and participating in Swannanoa’s Spring Cleanup, I was overdue for some massage therapy and decided to check out the resort. What followed was a surprising day lost in the fabulous caverns of The Spa. (I saw absolutely nothing else of the entire resort!)<br />
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The entry to the lobby is palatial. There is a sense of the American extravagance of an earlier time, now open to the masses for public viewing and appreciation. Avoiding the milling tourists, I speed-walked through the meandering halls to the Vanderbilt wing, took an elevator down the mountainside and entered a hallway of guest rooms. Signs guided me to the spa hallway, a rock lined, declining ramp tunnel that gave me flashbacks of waiting in line for Indiana Jones the Ride at Disneyland.<br />
The entry to the spa is flanked by a café and spa boutique. Both are quite large for a resort that already provides a number of dining options and shops, but made me quite glad I didn’t have to hike back out for a decent lunch! The front desk was friendly and efficient. The locker room concierge was very attentive, even though there were four ladies checking in at the same time. The locker room was very small and a bit cramped. My fellow spa-goers were average people, of varying experience levels. No resemblance to the Las Vegas spa divas. On the other hand, I feared I’d have to avoid some, like those casual travelers you strategically bypass in airport security lines. Armed with my comfy robe, I was prepared for a average experience.<br />
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HELLO! The facilities of the spa and the service from attendants knocked me right out of my mindset. My day was filled with many hours of one glorious surprise after another. I had to take notes at lunch just to remember every impressive detail, and I’m sure I’ll still miss some! It turns out that the clientele helps make this resort spa's experience better than average. People were extremely courteous. They actually obeyed the spa restrictions for noise! Really shocking. There was an odd aspect of modesty, but then there were no crazy exhibitionists to distract, either. There were lone ladies, like myself, getting away from our obligations; girlfriend groups; and romantic couples. Choosing a spring shower day was perfect, resulting in less than a dozen visible patrons, at any one time. <br />
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The spa is two-story, with the gym, café, shop, front desk, lockers, showers, and relaxation rooms taking up the top floor. Downstairs are four indoor pools, an outdoor pool, a mixed relaxation room and two gender segregated areas; the women’s side containing a steam room, showers, sauna, aromatherapy inhalation room and contrast pool, split into hot and cold. There are more than 40,000 square feet total, much of it lined with local Carolina rock. And more fireplaces than I could count; even by the pools! The pools contain salt/mineral water, rather than chlorine, and the tranquil music continues to them, providing underwater nirvana! Really... it was pretty fabulous.<br />
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My appointment was for a 50 minute deep tissue massage and my masseur’s name was Jeff S. Loved him! He was so nice, so informative, so attentive and I felt totally comfortable and relaxed the entire session. I was given a choice of the three GPI brand aromatherapy scents: detoxify (citrus), relax (lavender) or rejuvenate (mint). Difficult to choose, but I went with the mint & rosemary; divine! Little niceties included: the digital dimming light & temperature panel, the three way adjustable massage table and the patron tailored music. The massage was, without a doubt, the most effective I’ve ever had. Jeff is a miracle worker and the setting helped to relax me before he started, so I felt like I got the most for my 50 minute dollar. And to top it off, Jeff brought me a flute of champagne and a yellow rose, since I was there as a valentine’s day/anniversary present from my wonderful husband.<br />
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Making my way through the two relaxation rooms, one with an indoor, cozy feel, which allows low talking levels centered to a large stone fireplace. Since I was by myself, I decided to venture to the silent relaxation room, which feels more like a conservatory, with open windows and another stone fireplace. Spring showers tinkled outside. Blooming trees, with colors of white, pink, fuchsia and spring green peeked into the window’s view. Chirping birds were calling to each other. A subtle breeze periodically stirred the air. If that room doesn’t relax you, then you are just hopeless.<br />
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Though I could have stayed in my vegetative state all day, I figured I better get out there and enjoy the rest of the facilities. Try the cold tub, even if you only get your legs in, like me. Surprisingly energizing and prepped me for the steam room. I love steam rooms, and this was a winner. It had a perfect eucalyptus balance: not overwhelming, but enough to make my Carolina pollen bombarded sinuses revel!!! The temperature was perfect and no steam flow extremes. The inhalation room is a dry ambient temperature room with clean, pleasant air. Didn’t try the sauna.<br />
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Once you leave the gender specific area, you enter a mixed relaxation area with couples meeting and heading to the indoor pool area. Waterfalls fall from the central ceiling and fall into a lighted pond, creating white noise to cover the murmur of conversation. The cave-like entry opens to vaulted ceilings of rock and stone archways, housing the pools. The main pool borders windows with a view of downtown Asheville and the outdoor pool. To each side are grotto’s with small pools collecting falling water. Jeff suggested using the force of the waterfalls to work out neck muscle pain. But my absolute favorite was the lap pool.<br />
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At the very back of the cavern is a high ceiling grotto, rimmed by inset, dark enclaves where reclining spa chairs are paired near very low set lights. The whole feel was one of a European catacomb transformed for decadent rejuvenation. The pool itself could accommodate two swimmers comfortably, but no one was interested exercising while I was there, so I had the whole thing to myself! The underwater music was especially peaceful in this pool, as there were no jets or waterfalls. Swimming on your back, you can enjoy the notes while gazing at the three skylights cut into the high ceiling rock. True, the rock on the ceiling is necessarily fake, but they do a good job of making it look as real as possible. The composite material even allowed them to add tiny twinkle lights, which look like flecks of mica. The experience was like combining a deprivation chamber with virtual reality.<br />
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I pulled myself out of the pool, once again forcing myself to experience more, and headed to lunch at the café. Another Jeff was my server and, so pleasant to talk to about local foods and such. I chose the Chilled Seared Tuna wrap, paired with the suggested Soba Noodle Soy Salad. Yum! Everything was very fresh. I chose a local Highland Gaelic Ale. They did have a GPI Abbey Style Ale, and I wish I asked about that. The desserts sounded wonderful, but I had some swimming to do and passed. If you don’t wish to change from your robe, they welcome spa clients to remain comfortable. I decided to wear clothes while dining, though.<br />
Did a little more swimming and headed back to the relaxation room, where I proceeded to fall asleep. Turns out I stayed for just over 5 hours and could have easily found more to try. I regret not visiting the steam room again.<br />
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If I had one disappointment with the whole experience, it was that there was absolutely NO evidence of local products in the spa shop. High quality, local chocolate, skincare and wellbeing products are readily available and would give the shop an edge with spa tourists who also visit the competition.<br />
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This is NOT an exclusive spa. GPI has, however, created a comfortable, down-to-earth, yet luxurious experience that can accommodate a number of guests, making it accessible to anyone with the $80 entry fee (Monday-Thursday only). Reasonable for the experience. Go for the experience. Go for how it can’t help but make you a more pleasant person to be around. Stay for as long as you can! They are open from 8am to 9pm, that’s $6/hour to exorcizes our inner witch!Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-21139357600242650902010-04-16T10:00:00.002-04:002010-05-02T23:35:40.938-04:00Spice & Tea Exchange of AshevilleThe sun has finally decided to make a more consistent appearance in WNC. Equally wonderful, Mike has finally assembled our new grill! These two events signify the beginning of the outdoor cooking season and my liberation from the kitchen. <br />
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Yes, I love to cook, but spending every night learning the electric stove top was getting old. [Enter Mike with a new grill to break in and a ’ton’ more time without those pesky OC social obligations] I’m an opportunist, so I figured now was the time to encourage Mike’s cookout ambitions by focusing my WNC search on quality meats, rubs and sauces. <br />
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On Sunday we decided to take the family for a downtown Asheville walk and check out The Spice and Tea Exchange of Asheville. The company is a primarily Southeastern chain, with about a dozen stores, but is new to WNC. Their offering includes basically three things: fresh powdered & whole bean/pod/leaf spices, gourmet loose leaf teas & blended spice combinations used in cooking, barbeque and grilling. Shoppers have the option of buying in prepackaged 1 ounce packages or buying any amount in bulk. As most spices and teas originate from the East, they lack local products. But I believe they do an excellent job of providing fresh, quality compliments to WNC food. My delicious local meat and veg are best enjoyed with the freshest spices, rather than back-shelf, bottled flakes of unknown age.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmUfUY5Vx2qSZXDuBLGJPBv4YGI-6OezPd-uUvPkLXl9M3X16D_QdBRfMnrER2GI4vZK6NmG5MbQAf-BPKSr-0iC6WhQQl70IpsUV5bS_ldxHrOKO4kBw73E2PmQ8SsqsdV9k3Yqkwjw/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmUfUY5Vx2qSZXDuBLGJPBv4YGI-6OezPd-uUvPkLXl9M3X16D_QdBRfMnrER2GI4vZK6NmG5MbQAf-BPKSr-0iC6WhQQl70IpsUV5bS_ldxHrOKO4kBw73E2PmQ8SsqsdV9k3Yqkwjw/s320/IMG_2835.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 oz Mexican Mole, 1 oz Chocolate Black Tea & 0.5 oz Hungarian Sweet Paprika</span></div><br />
We met the very helpful Virginia, who was a wonder with Emma and had our troublemaker entertainingly distracted in a shop full of uniform glass jars, stacked on climbable shelves (a toddler's challenge). I’d advise giving yourself some time to really browse the shelves and sniff your way through the store (beware the Hickory powder, it fried my olfactory system).<br />
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We started at the blends, with the intention of buying a chicken rub. As Virginia guided us through the offerings, I realized my favorites were all for lamb and beef. The Butcher’s Blend was wonderful and I will be buying it for one of the beef roasts I procured at Cane Creek Beef & Poultry. The lamb seasoning has inspired me to find a local supplier. <br />
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Virginia pointed out various Southeastern regional offerings, as well as a number of traditional international blends. All are made on site from the franchise recipes. In the end, we decided on a complex & fresh mole blend that didn't even make the grill. Instead, I sauteed one diced onion and three chicken thighs cut into pieces, added chicken broth and the mole seasoning, then simmered while the brown rice cooked. It was excellent; a 7 on Mike's eating moan meter (Prime Rib bones being 10). Emma spit it out, but she's on a cookie fix...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ddOh_7vaIfhkBQryWffGhgMEOxenkdqp0_zEzfR3hWBnc2tiUSyw5T3_opAXfmIOCgl5_6atIRJAmHWNARgZAkLOF0C4U7e_WeFi31PXESBfbr7HhesgGjjlCHcNg-pbURs5HQOAU50/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ddOh_7vaIfhkBQryWffGhgMEOxenkdqp0_zEzfR3hWBnc2tiUSyw5T3_opAXfmIOCgl5_6atIRJAmHWNARgZAkLOF0C4U7e_WeFi31PXESBfbr7HhesgGjjlCHcNg-pbURs5HQOAU50/s320/IMG_2844.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken Mole, Brown Rice & Broccoli</span> </div><br />
Next we browsed the teas and found a chocolate black tea that smelled like heaven. Generally we stick with more traditional tea blends, but we recently had tea at the Biltmore Inn and fell for a Mighty Leaf Truffle tea. The Exchange's version is a simple, high caffeine, black tea with a touch of chocolate shaving. Smooth and slightly sweet. Don't drink before bedtime!<br />
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Finally, we came to the general spice section. From those selections you have the option to create your own blends or buy an individual spice in bulk. I’d say the quality and freshness are equal to the bulk spices I buy at Henry’s (Wild Oats/Whole Foods/Earthfare), but the selection is much wider and you have the benefit of Virginia advising you on food pairing. <br />
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Of course, I narrowed in on the Paprika selection. Since we travel to and have visitors from Hungary on a regular basis, I buy and use a great deal of the authentic, fresh spice of the Magyars. If you haven’t sampled some of my Hungarian cooking, you may be shocked to hear that authentic, fresh paprika from Hungary is not maroon brown, nor dry. The stuff they generally sell in the States is an abomination. You should be looking for a slightly moist, slightly clingy, bright in color powder that acts as a cornstarch-like thickener to traditional chicken & beef stews and tastes like a fresh, complex pepper puree. Skip the gritty, bland tasting deviled egg topper.<br />
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The Exchange had 3 or 4 offerings, which is the best selection I’ve seen in the US. I’m not sure from where it originates, but I tried the sweet paprika, which is the staple of Hungarian cooking. The consistency was about as good as the commercially made Magyar product I buy there, but not as moist as the homemade kind. The taste and texture have similar comparative values. Overall, it is a good supply of the fresh spice; while not being able to meet the qualities of homemade, it sure is cheaper than that flight to Hungary!<br />
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Overall, the store is inspiring to those who want to add a little science to their cooking. Even if you don’t like to cook, it can be an educational diversion. Just about everyone is going to find something they can enjoy and the 1 ounce packaging makes for excellent gift giving. I’d love to use them as hostess gifts as we dine at our new friends’ houses, matching blends to personalities.<br />
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I bought mine at The Spice & Tea Exchange of Asheville, downtown Asheville.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-61337667154445994162010-04-15T13:19:00.003-04:002010-04-17T15:09:27.165-04:00French Broad ChocolatesSo, Tuesday Mike and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. As we are still trying to lock down a mid-week babysitting situation, we saved the fine dining for the weekend. Mike, instead, planned a family oriented night ‘in’, spent sampling some of his French Broad Chocolate favorites.<br />
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We have visited The French Broad Chocolate Lounge as a family, enjoying their assortment of chocolates, brownies, cakes, cheese plates, local beers and French press coffee. My sister, Viki, and I even spent a girl’s lunch, there, doing some damage to our blood sugar levels. Mike spent quite a bit of time tasting the local Chocolatier’s offerings, during his few months of bachelorhood last year. The Lounge is a must on the Asheville visitors’ tour.<br />
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<a href="http://frenchbroadchocolates.com/about/family-resume/">Check out the owner’s back-story on their website.</a> They decided to own their own cacao plantation and café in Costa Rica for a few years, then searched for the perfect town to open their next venture, ending up in Asheville. They focus on quality suppliers and community ties.<br />
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So the whole reason I’m featuring French Broad Chocolate here is not actually for a chocolate, but because of the best cookie I think I have ever experienced: the chocolate dipped ginger cookie. Mike repeatedly told me that I HAD to try this ginger cookie, but I’d kind of overdone ginger during my morning sickness period, and it had sadly lost much of its appeal. Let me also be frank; he’s my husband and I only really catch half of the ‘advice’ he throws out. You won’t hear me say this often, but HE WAS RIGHT! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgXt_ZDknqP_2vG-reKW0UXG-fNRRxchQH6Kq1cVDTMm3Fn57zhLJf5vwoYKgFXK8eohzAloQkVDFvLnyT1UtqvGLhYFysZZ6ON0rcWWsy42OPJzNznpiM1GOkyiZYWb1ZpelGgTmDVA/s320/IMG_2817.JPG" wt="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookie is a 'best of'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">at an Asheville 'best of' shop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Yes, Mike was right about something. This cookie is remarkable! Crispy on the outside, you hit a chewy moist center as your teeth sink in. The ginger spice first tickles your tongue, then travels to your nose and sinus. It’s not overwhelming or really hot, like some ginger connoisseurs seek (though I like spicy-hot ginger). This is a mild cookie, with gingerbread complexity. They must use a quality molasses, as the cookie is not overly sweet. It reminds me of a good oatmeal cookie that leans to the snack category, rather than dessert. It becomes dessert, however, when you factor in the half dip of dark chocolate!!! Again, not too sweet, the chocolate coating adds more exotic flavor to the ginger.<br />
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I split my cookie with Emma. Mike refused to share even before the first bite. Unfortunately, our daughter has become a fan of fine foods (will probably order the lobster as soon as she can read a menu, like her Uncle Matt) and she screamed for more. She looooves this cookie as much as Mike and I do and I see I’ll have to stock our pantry with them whenever I can get to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. I really wish I hadn't split my cookie. I think I have to drive over there now and get more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwGKy9qwuilzZr1jKlaCBeDv2hBhHDeEFdD7ecm22cN0BDeZVFZ_w9m8zJVAjrSKDjvlzJjoUtbPdJ8Z50K3ymwf7-gC7MzVQOqEDOgrnBjug9KxtX63OB6PiR6yveFdxx98jwx0poI0/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwGKy9qwuilzZr1jKlaCBeDv2hBhHDeEFdD7ecm22cN0BDeZVFZ_w9m8zJVAjrSKDjvlzJjoUtbPdJ8Z50K3ymwf7-gC7MzVQOqEDOgrnBjug9KxtX63OB6PiR6yveFdxx98jwx0poI0/s320/IMG_2831.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">More Gookie!! More Cacklate!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I bought mine at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge, downtown Asheville.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-79693799875139068422010-04-14T16:00:00.002-04:002010-04-15T14:22:50.545-04:00Cane Creek BeefSo, I've been on the hunt for two things in the area of meat:<br />
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The first being a butcher. You would think you could find a good, old fashion, cut-in-front-of-you butcher just about anywhere in North Carolina, which is known for its whole hog barbeque. (I really miss Plow Boys!) Well, guess what... WNC is not 'that' part of the state. In fact, I've been reading that, until recently, it has been pretty difficult to even find a uniformly celebrated barbeque restaurant. I am guessing part of this is due to the fact that the "best" barbeque is usually homemade here. But equally responsible would be the fact that WNC is part of the Appalachian region, which has a very different history with meat. (Go see Dennis at <a href="http://www.nchistoricsites.org/vance/vance.htm">Vance Birthplace</a>)<br />
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The second thing I've been on the lookout for is a Community Supported Agriculture subscription (CSA). For those of you new to it, you pay a subscription fee at the beginning of the growing season to a local farm and they provide a box a week of fresh produce; whatever is in season that week. Great concept! I don't even have to think about shopping AND Mike has to at least try a few new veggies every week.<br />
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So, while <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/csafarms.html">searching the internet for the CSA's in my area</a>, I found one that also provided beef and pork, in package orders. Cane Creek beef is a byproduct of their dairy operation (young males born from their Holstein dairy cows), lean, veggie fed, & without hormones or antibiotics. I don't get the advantage of cut-in-front-of-me, but I do get a good variety of vacuum sealed fresh meat I keep in my freezer till I need it. And I know exactly where it came from and how fresh it is.<br />
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After getting Mike's car serviced near the Asheville airport, I realized I was pretty close to Cane Creek Valley Farm and could check it out as a potential CSA. On a whim, I decided to call and see if I could get a pack of meat while I was there. (Mike finally found a grill and it was arriving any day. FYI: Barbeque is the method of very slow cooking on a low heat, where grilling is quick cooking on high heat. And when cooking outside, you are having a 'cookout'.)<br />
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Jeremy answered the phone from the field he was working. He very nicely asked if he could call me back, as he had to call in to see if there was a package ready for me. When I got the call back a few minutes later, he said they would put one together, ready in 40 minutes. The farm takes cash or check, so I had just enough time to find a no fee ATM (or face my accountant's wrath) and find my way to the farm (street signs can be hard to come by out here). Amanda made up my Package #1, which comes with 2 - 14oz. Rib-Eye Steaks, 2 - 5oz. Filet Mignon Steaks, 2 - 12oz. T-bone Steaks, 1 - 8oz. Flat Iron Steak, 2 – 2.25lb Chuck Roast, & 8 - 1lb packs Ground Beef (90/10).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0seBLuoItM6_edW5jbr1NGm52igSpbIU4vMqrWslb5pyO1DFNpp3-HFRvvXyInZe_z2VVlDYRxnNmrFLKWrJGsr1JswKNvWPbCz5-pxAfBsYht2zvArwzTO2hLJiKlbrb6hsKIlidc0/s1600/canecreek.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0seBLuoItM6_edW5jbr1NGm52igSpbIU4vMqrWslb5pyO1DFNpp3-HFRvvXyInZe_z2VVlDYRxnNmrFLKWrJGsr1JswKNvWPbCz5-pxAfBsYht2zvArwzTO2hLJiKlbrb6hsKIlidc0/s320/canecreek.bmp" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Cane Creek Beef Package #1</span></div><br />
The family was very nice and invited me to drive through the back side of the farm and see the dairy buildings, as well as the fields they were preparing. It was really exciting to see the farm and think about having your food come out of that soil. Especially after this winter of bad weather and lots of South American imported, tasteless produce. (Though it did save us from having to eat meat and potatoes all winter).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2ZRSI_G-O14SPU1aM1DWZwjtVn3YkeOXnVlDq4kbi1JZbqQp9EY_tcilIquAQPExtGGYRPPEa96egSYNFFm56Kk1a4YeZrHcZI3X-7i_N7w7cZR3bu4ncG9Jywa20aYUCxeXaEsxH34/s1600/canecreek1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2ZRSI_G-O14SPU1aM1DWZwjtVn3YkeOXnVlDq4kbi1JZbqQp9EY_tcilIquAQPExtGGYRPPEa96egSYNFFm56Kk1a4YeZrHcZI3X-7i_N7w7cZR3bu4ncG9Jywa20aYUCxeXaEsxH34/s320/canecreek1.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Cane Creek Valley Farm April fields, getting ready for planting.</span></div><br />
As for the meat, we started off with the hamburger, using it first for taco night then for hamburger night. Both times, we were impressed. We even bought comparative store brand for burgers and compared them. The Cane Creek hamburger is a lean 90/10 blend, but has a great combination of juiciness, flavor and melted fat. It in no way seemed dry or tasteless, where the store brand did both. I'm not a hamburger fan, but this gets my vote. I think the estimated price from the package total makes it an excellent buy.<br />
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Tonight we tried some steaks. I was going to wait to add this review, because as I was cooking the steaks on our new grill AND trying to watch Em AND folding laundry, I realized I probably ruined them with my inattention. But... they were so good! I don't know if it is just because it was my first steak in almost a year, but the juices were perfect, the fat was present, but well marbled and you still had a full flavor beef. <br />
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Cane Creek Beef is 14 day aged and each steer is processed individually, so all my meat came from one cow. You can see the rest of their process on their web site.<br />
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I had a filet and Mike had a ribeye. I seasoned them with sea salt and pepper only. I can't wait to try one of the roasts. I plan to buy some rub from Spice & Tea Exchange of Asheville for the occasion.<br />
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I bought mine from the source at the Cane Creek Valley Farm, in Fletcher, NC.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-68695327018464438652010-03-30T10:43:00.003-04:002010-03-30T11:41:39.720-04:00Goodnight Brothers Country HamOn a trip up to Boone a few weeks ago, we were told to stop in at the <a href="http://www.danlbooneinn.com/">Dan'l Boone Inn</a>. Yes, its touristy, but we are still tourists and we were trying to expose our Euro guest to Southern/Appalacian/Country. So why not stop at the home of Daniel Boone, Appalachian State University and Goodnight Brothers Country Ham for a big southern comfort food extravaganza?<br />
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The Inn serves the ham inside buttermilk biscuits. Mike loved these things! He thought the ham biscuits were the most wonderful thing he's tasted so far. I could tell because there were a lot of 'Mmmmms' and 'Ohhhhhhs.' (Coming from the midwest, he appreciates this cuisine over my Northern California vegitarian cooking.) Definitely salty, but so flavorful. I am not a ham fan - I will eat this ham, though. So I bought some at the Inn's little shop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHfTxjaShhL290tqefoH31hjA00YAPBafxnoGI4yAWQamZ1DY8xT0e70_xotrQt16J0WXJqu95ZJT355T9MhacxIZQdQudp8WJpHSwCjsabXK22izudxcy7wrlM24Mwo_bdDoWgA5cMM/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHfTxjaShhL290tqefoH31hjA00YAPBafxnoGI4yAWQamZ1DY8xT0e70_xotrQt16J0WXJqu95ZJT355T9MhacxIZQdQudp8WJpHSwCjsabXK22izudxcy7wrlM24Mwo_bdDoWgA5cMM/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simple instructions are to griddle each slice a few seconds on each side. Break the slice into smaller pieces and stuff them in the buiscut. I made my own drop biscuts and the duos were gone by noon. I had one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A well distributed product, with multiple brands in the region, Goodnight Brothers Country Ham is a new and wonderful WNC find for our family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought mine at the Dan'l Boone Inn Gift Shop.</div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-22177222245953857752010-03-29T20:23:00.001-04:002010-03-29T20:23:45.626-04:00Lusty Monk Mustard<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">This one is for my mom. She loooooooves hot mustard. Unfortunately, when she was here earlier this month we didn't get a chance to try it...</span></em><br />
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So, Mike and I like to take Emma out for 'Babies and Beer' on Tuesday nights at the downtown <a href="http://www.monkpub.com/">Thirsty Monk</a>, which is a two story pub serving American and Belgian brew. (Scott must visit) <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Some of the grub they serve includes fresh pretzels accompanied by The Lusty Monk's old-style, coarse-ground, amazingly yummy mustards. At first bite, I felt a little sting in the nose, then tears formed in my eyes about the same time my tongue started watering. When the sensations cleared, I knew I had to have more. My favorites were the 'Original Sin' and 'Alter Boy' honey which are hotter than the 'Burn in Hell' chipotle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM5nwtmPNN15JQkL9bREe5S6RgwMtKPDcJjOYwi9t0h3RrSSwYvxISLB17GUd_BtKtLDqzx4cqGllQrI5VskWg8pfMdmsVx2lgbRnnmi21Uawg4Fie_fKe9ZAo9zdrTSWPpjYZK-6r60/s1600/lusty+monk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM5nwtmPNN15JQkL9bREe5S6RgwMtKPDcJjOYwi9t0h3RrSSwYvxISLB17GUd_BtKtLDqzx4cqGllQrI5VskWg8pfMdmsVx2lgbRnnmi21Uawg4Fie_fKe9ZAo9zdrTSWPpjYZK-6r60/s320/lusty+monk.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Three mustards to the right are by Lusty Monk. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Almost didn't get the honey in the pic, it was going so fast!</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought mine at Thirsty Monk downtown Asheville.</div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-25772736438145239332010-03-28T19:37:00.001-04:002010-04-15T14:28:15.111-04:00Tribal Grounds (Cherokee)This is just a nice place to get away if you find yourself in Cherokee.<br />
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Decided to go in on a whim while heading out of town after our <a href="http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/">Museum of the Cherokee</a> visit. We almost drove by, but I pulled a quick turn into the new stripmall. I figured I would just pop in and buy a pound of beans for my arriving houseguests, so I left sis and baby in the parking lot to wait.<br />
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Too bad I didn't drag them in with me. The ambiance of the shop is clean with a woodsy, natural feel. The aroma of fresh roasted bean draws you in, rather than overwhelming the senses. I didn't get to kick back in the cosy back room, but browsed the one pound bag selection. They seem to keep just a few fresh bags out and let you know to ask if you don't see something you want. There is a very informative key to their roasting types and the baristas were friendly and fun to talk to.<br />
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Best of all, the coffee is excellent! I got a Deep Woods Roast (Darker) from the Bolivia Yungas. So it came down the most dangerous road in the world...<br />
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</div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-28955857687657928232010-03-26T15:22:00.000-04:002010-04-15T14:28:44.191-04:00Ole's GuacamolesMy Facebook friends know I've been sampling what I call 'Appilacia-Mex' in search of something to make me feel closer to Southern California. Unfortunately for Mike and I, our sampling has included cheese laden beans and rice, unfried chimichangas with weird white sauce and ground beef enchiladas and tacos. Mike gave up --- but I persisted! (And all the locals kept telling me to go to Ole's)<br />
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I realize Ole's may not fall into the "artisan, small batch product" category. But its MY blog! And I'm excited about it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hb1_vn4tR48LsklAgBarQs1fcXWdSoe3NDHb3TTQweALNerMu67WwhyphenhyphenTPB3hRLwciU3ctojRbegeI0Gi1UEHMmb0kDLlfPVBtRAnpiiwWB1yJ7wsIGnlZk6w3oJMPMhnUZQyc-2XECA/s1600/carnitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hb1_vn4tR48LsklAgBarQs1fcXWdSoe3NDHb3TTQweALNerMu67WwhyphenhyphenTPB3hRLwciU3ctojRbegeI0Gi1UEHMmb0kDLlfPVBtRAnpiiwWB1yJ7wsIGnlZk6w3oJMPMhnUZQyc-2XECA/s320/carnitas.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You are looking at Carnitas. Yummy ones, too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And that is chunky guacamole, with bits of fresh onion, tomato and cilantro. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As it should be!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The service was amazing. The chips are fresh and housemade, but not <a href="http://www.lasbarcas.com/locations.htm">Las Barcas</a> good. Sorry. The salsa is of the roasted variety (my favorite) with fresh cilantro added, but little heat. They also have a bean dip (which may be part of the 'Appilacia-Mex' or I missed it in my thirty-some years living in Tucson/San Francisco/Long Beach/Huntington Beach) with a great chile bite.<br />
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My. Beer. Came. With. A. Lime.<br />
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The Carnitas meal I ordered was recommended and was cooked to perfection. Lean pork, deep-fried. Fresh pico de gallo. Shredded lettuce. The tiniest bit of queso on the beans. Red chile seasoned rice. Fresh. Simple. Well seasoned.<br />
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They had fish tacos on the menu. Baja style, even! And a dish with a mole sauce. So I'm super excited about my next visit. Can't wait to take Mike there. (Can someone expidite us some Las Barcas Chips?)<br />
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Viva Mexico in WNC!<br />
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Ole's Guacamoles<br />
100 S Ridgeway Rd<br />
Black Mountain, NC 28711<br />
(828) 669-0550Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-20878641339451200102010-03-25T14:04:00.008-04:002010-03-25T22:56:46.894-04:00Bee Sweet Honey & CraftsWhile surfing the web for a job and researching some of the region's companies, I stumbled upon the name, address and phone number for Bee Sweet Honey and Craft of Old Fort. True it sounds a lot like procrastination, but you have to admit, it also sounds like a good prospect for the blog.<br />
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So it was not until my beautiful and talented (and available) sister needed one more souvenir from her visit that I was able to check out Bee Sweet. My parents, Nancy and Dennis, were also out and baby Emma made for a party of five in the crammed rental car. We were on the hunt for a difficult to shop for sister-in-law, so the skin care items Bee Sweet offered sounded good.<br />
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I highly recommend you make an appointment if you are going to see Beth. She was so gracious in letting us drop in on her ... at her home! The house is about 5 minutes outside of Old Fort, which is basically a village or very small town, itself. Then we took a road into the wooded area about 2 minutes. It had only stopped snowing and raining a couple days before, so when we came to her drive, which seemed like a 45 degree angle of unpaved mud, we were a little hesitant. At the crest of her drive, a patrol car came into view. (At least if we were in the wrong place we felt safe?) I was really feeling bad now about invading her privacy and her, probably night patrol, husband's sleep. Did I mention Beth was also not feeling so well that day and STILL opened her place to us? <br />
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So Beth showed us some of the products she had left from last season, since the new honey season doesn't start up for a while. She uses a number of natural scents, but mixes her own Carolina Mist fragrance. We looked over her soaps, which are fresh in appearance and texture, moist and have a potent fragrance. She also had lotions and pointed out her lip balm, which is "the best you'll ever try". Well, after unpacking from our move and finding the some dozen sticks of lip balm I've bought and used once, I was hesitant. But she did say it was "the best" and I'm obviously a sucker for lip balm. Viki bought the lotion in Carolina Mist. I bought some Lavender soap for someone who looooves it, but shall remain nameless due to the girly connotation. (I'll make sure we get a review, though.)<br />
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So, the reason I'm adding Bee Sweet to the blog? Because it truely is the OMG BEST lip balm I've ever had. I chose the Raspberry and Cream. As soon as Vik and I got back in the Grandparent/child packed car we started passing around the goods. Everyone one was gaga over the lip balm! Viki even asked me to send her some in Hungary when the new season is out.<br />
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Bee Sweet makes their own honey from their own hives and bees, on the hillside of their lot.<br />
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I bought mine direct from Beth:<br />
519 CANE CREEK ROAD<br />
OLD FORT, NC 28762 <br />
828-668-7117 (call ahead)<br />
Handcrafted natural skin care products, beeswax candles, honey in season.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-21310174338265336222010-03-24T14:38:00.002-04:002010-03-24T14:56:26.917-04:00Looking Glass Creamery (Fairview)Looking Glass Creamery seems to be the closest goat creamery near me, so I specifically sought out some of their cheese. I was not disappointed. This is so fresh and smooth. I chose the plain, though they had a couple herb varieties. The cheese is very light, very creamy, so smooth, and really captures the delicious goatmilk flavor. I would pair it with greens or my roast beets. I could eat it every day. <br />
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I bought mine at Black Mountain Farmer's Market.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-36834822754902857102010-03-24T14:26:00.000-04:002010-03-24T14:26:54.652-04:00OakMoon Farm & Creamery (Bakersville)I love goat cheese. Not just because I'm allergic to the other kind, but more for the light whipped texture and subtle flavors of the fresh chevre and the robust cream of the aged version. My favorite salad recipe is a simple roasted beat with chevre and balsamic vinaigrette. For this reason, I am on the hunt for the best flavors and processes of goat milk creameries in the area. <br />
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Wandering through the Grove Arcade, I found a cheese shop that turns out to be the same cheese shop I shopped at in the WNC Farmer Market a few weeks earlier. The gentleman there was extremely helpful and I highly recommend that location for service! I explained my interest in finding local creameries and he suggested a few yummies. I ended up with two OakMoon goat cheeses. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ICE60SIiFJ4nJqERgh_G1KJNSplmjjcXlLObvRw_iIcXv2sIgnJLCO5MwXzLomWV4xeMjnexEZ45K1Oqf5FdGdl2a-qmU6dqsdFb4SlbJ2gOoUcYWQi0qLgfMr5YUkUqWQrirWZDiNU/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ICE60SIiFJ4nJqERgh_G1KJNSplmjjcXlLObvRw_iIcXv2sIgnJLCO5MwXzLomWV4xeMjnexEZ45K1Oqf5FdGdl2a-qmU6dqsdFb4SlbJ2gOoUcYWQi0qLgfMr5YUkUqWQrirWZDiNU/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" /></a></div>1) Mountain Mediterranean, which are labneh-style hand-shaped balls of goat cheese seasoned with herbs, garlic and drenched in extra virgin olive oil. Now I love labneh. Love to make it, love to eat it. This cheese was seasoned well, with fresh herbs, but it was just a bit too mild for me and not as fresh as my own. I imagine it was meant not to overwhelm the subtleties of the cheese. I liked it, but...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9NYrd83EULG2LlUrl8FnALcZ6cJsh-DARPi2dJtOCsg_zfIsx0tr6aJNb8ZWPYOb9KSAH7sE6xpHdGOtszdNj9Tr0aRIZHW4Bx-0GSyjGGpDuhbw6qiXienagQOleANi4xBVPCAFyR8/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9NYrd83EULG2LlUrl8FnALcZ6cJsh-DARPi2dJtOCsg_zfIsx0tr6aJNb8ZWPYOb9KSAH7sE6xpHdGOtszdNj9Tr0aRIZHW4Bx-0GSyjGGpDuhbw6qiXienagQOleANi4xBVPCAFyR8/s320/IMG_2567.JPG" /></a></div>...the<br />
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2) Sweet Chevre, is a fresh spread offered in various fruit flavors; I bought orange. Ohhhhh yeah! Its like whipped cream cheese, but really fresh and tangy with real fruit. The orange is excellent. I cannot wait to try the other flavors. <br />
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Usually I would have guessed I'd prefer the savory over sweet, but if you are looking for the right spread for a tea or ladies luncheon, you cannot go wrong with the Sweet Chevre. In general, the OakMoon cheeses had more tang than other goat cheeses I've tried in the area so far.<br />
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I bought mine at The Big Cheese at the Grove Arcade.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-38751347439460412452010-03-23T15:03:00.003-04:002010-03-30T09:54:06.858-04:00Farm & Sparrow Bakery (Marshall)I'm SOOOO excited!!! I just had the greatest croissant in my life. Yes, I do travel to France, and Austria (origin), too! But, unless I'm just overdue for a trip (entirely possible), Farm and Sparrow's croissants are magical. <br />
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Let me tell you first that after buying a loaf of their market bread to test and just grabbing the croissants on a whim, I was already thinking I was going to skip over talking about an already well known regional brand. <br />
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Then, as I opened the bag of two croissants, I noticed they were very dark in color on the outside, almost burnt looking. I was really pissed I didn't get to see the merchandise before buying. Then I took a bite. Oh my. Oh wow! I can't even take a picture of the one I ate, cause it was so gone, so fast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRyAqeiuIhrEf9m1qN_5WUarz-AysNL0oSRx8Qy_buVMmffA553P6KZHPkMxBq_Ubkf-0W5ldXho0-jNTW8p5okcJfd4aKi488TNF9oi2O8TwDiKyn9hVRYrGUdSnWtym141bYx7xF74/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRyAqeiuIhrEf9m1qN_5WUarz-AysNL0oSRx8Qy_buVMmffA553P6KZHPkMxBq_Ubkf-0W5ldXho0-jNTW8p5okcJfd4aKi488TNF9oi2O8TwDiKyn9hVRYrGUdSnWtym141bYx7xF74/s320/IMG_2594.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mmmm. Had to go back for more so I could get the pic.</span></div><br />
The texture on the outside is light and flaky to the touch, but baked to a darker color, which turns out to be almost a caramelized bottom. The inside is denser than expected, but still layered and moist. The flavor is more about the grain taste of the flour, rather than the butter. If anything, the butter or whatever fat they use, is milder than I would expect. Eating it was an experience that I was not expecting, but I have to tell you that if you are in the area, buy these croissants and if you are visiting, you are getting them for breakfast. <br />
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I wonder if Mike will even get a taste of the second one. Hmmm.<br />
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I bought mine at Earth Fare Market in Asheville.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-24905372692894505162010-03-22T15:38:00.000-04:002010-04-15T14:29:25.403-04:00Black Mountain Chocolate Factory (Swannanoa)While I'd been eager to see the factory operations, the weather just hasn't been cooperating with my schedule, so I gave in and bought some Black Mountain Chocolate Factory offerings to taste and offer my guests this late winter. Hopefully I can make arrangements with owner Dave to post some pics on the production process, soon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYCAE4220RH6T2PuilacL9Kzh0hSEEZid32sYKreFd-EIK72AenfEFBxD-Wn6eNhkbjiMu-IomHY7fIgJjiZNGFBLv8qsciBD6UpKq2n50p7pmO7XwMSPSNu6IEgGoedXWEe7gJ89aTs/s1600-h/2010+03+05+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYCAE4220RH6T2PuilacL9Kzh0hSEEZid32sYKreFd-EIK72AenfEFBxD-Wn6eNhkbjiMu-IomHY7fIgJjiZNGFBLv8qsciBD6UpKq2n50p7pmO7XwMSPSNu6IEgGoedXWEe7gJ89aTs/s320/2010+03+05+140.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div>I tried the Tasting Drops, which are organic (exception being the Venezuelan) and 70% cacao; the only two other ingredients being organic cocoa butter and organic sugar. Three flavors are available, originating from Venezuela (my test), Nicaragua & Dominican Republic. David produces small batches using small batches of beans, so the taste reflects the distinct beans of the origin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD77f91QHEI1JpI57wNR99jJv_wI8h_DrrHCoUyIydL0YV00JGZIb2ZImH7nM4JMB6zyrH4rYhQLNVUB1Ztpd3ihr3gyThXod7iqmLx2NzB-4TMtfKjMAAKSkdu1Ggs88prLiaR0OMLvc/s1600-h/2010+03+05+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD77f91QHEI1JpI57wNR99jJv_wI8h_DrrHCoUyIydL0YV00JGZIb2ZImH7nM4JMB6zyrH4rYhQLNVUB1Ztpd3ihr3gyThXod7iqmLx2NzB-4TMtfKjMAAKSkdu1Ggs88prLiaR0OMLvc/s320/2010+03+05+138.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div>When you open the tin, you get a little tasting guide, which tells you "Don't Chew It!" Too late! But the second drop gets the attention it deserves. You hold the drop in your mouth and let it melt, tasting the strong roasted flavor of the cacao. Yum! This is how I prefer my chocolate to be served. Its not very sweet, but still rich. You can appreciate the flavors and the chocolate itself. Its more like savoring fresh roasted coffee than eating candy.<br />
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I'm going to look for some of his other products this year, but I definitely recommend the Tasting Drops. I keep mine with my coffee and they have lasted quite some time.<br />
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I bought mine at Black Mountain Natural Foods.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-72675720323986307942010-01-13T23:25:00.004-05:002010-03-25T14:37:36.773-04:00Dynamite Roasting Company (Black Mountain)Yay! Our first adventure! Emma and I were on our way back from the new house to our rental today when I decided to stop at the local coffee roaster in Black Mountain. <br />
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It’s on the highway just as you enter town coming from Swannanoa, so I pass it almost every day and almost crash trying to sniff the incredible aroma. Housed in a cute little red trimmed cottage, it sits between a mobile chef trailer (run by a former local executive restaurant chef) and a seasonal hot dog stand (looks promising for those who eat them...I don't), all connected by a gravel drive. Lots of tables and chairs on the back porch for warmer weather.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOu5ZX3MJeWaMuED8_RcpoHZe2azryaik44C_aJb_w45QFPw-o0hX85bdmTjfZo1vClruELm6o7UIrCw9XdYrgp6T-3zdANMT8NP6oof8C74Czq8zOszr7lUHcJCEQoOXatqq41RIqww/s1600-h/IMG_2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOu5ZX3MJeWaMuED8_RcpoHZe2azryaik44C_aJb_w45QFPw-o0hX85bdmTjfZo1vClruELm6o7UIrCw9XdYrgp6T-3zdANMT8NP6oof8C74Czq8zOszr7lUHcJCEQoOXatqq41RIqww/s320/IMG_2169.JPG" /></a></div>As you enter the cottage, you see the six foot roaster, looming right in front of you. Tables and chairs are littered around the monster. We must have hit the 'un-coffee' hour, because Em and I were the only customers. A few minutes later an older lady came in to "find out what was going on here" (coffee?) and a man came in to get a refill in his own coffee mug (he was pretty excited about the Sumatra).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkkRhfzp0P-BeAbzUhzSkL_AqMz_QpZB4wWI28jnrsMO37clgK3P0HbLUIzuf08iY9_xfU14bmLOJZGuqh32nktI1Ox1z1sw91CZsxEpwf4Bmme3MMFrtnh32snRkCxVMcLMBtNwMYBs/s1600-h/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkkRhfzp0P-BeAbzUhzSkL_AqMz_QpZB4wWI28jnrsMO37clgK3P0HbLUIzuf08iY9_xfU14bmLOJZGuqh32nktI1Ox1z1sw91CZsxEpwf4Bmme3MMFrtnh32snRkCxVMcLMBtNwMYBs/s320/IMG_2166.JPG" /></a></div>So the menu has about 10 selections of beans by the pound, mostly free trade and organic certified. After one sniff in the jar, I chose the Suplicar Clemencia Dark Roast; their most popular, I was told. This coffee seriously smells so good, I think I'll buy some just to scent my house! I'm sniffing the bag as I write. I want some now, but I decided to get beans and wait for the moving truck to bring my grinder on Friday... So, Emma and I will be visiting tomorrow morning for a cup. My plan is to work my way down the list and never buy coffee from the grocery store again. If you visit, I will be taking you here!<br />
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Chatting up one of the owners' wives, Margaret, I found out that her husband and his friend are Old Fort locals who decided they couldn't find a local cup of coffee to their liking and decided to roast their own. And thank goodness for them!<br />
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You can order by the pound from their online store. Or wait for Christmas 2010.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-_0p4wYvMn1HsxODcdIBSqWSktR4jwrPzdEcphM79Kj_m4iHtha2lNVlo9K57c8QsnBjPSNrjGeqXW9p-7Tjrddy36tN7niGPcOPdcb1Jb4QIdwG_o1lpUzQYXnoe44yb5uWomtO5bA/s1600/roasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-_0p4wYvMn1HsxODcdIBSqWSktR4jwrPzdEcphM79Kj_m4iHtha2lNVlo9K57c8QsnBjPSNrjGeqXW9p-7Tjrddy36tN7niGPcOPdcb1Jb4QIdwG_o1lpUzQYXnoe44yb5uWomtO5bA/s320/roasting.jpg" /></a></div>Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624662619558324614.post-74442946890984438152010-01-13T22:41:00.005-05:002010-03-25T14:33:53.536-04:00Old Red Barn Co.The Goat Milk Soap from ORB is why I wanted to start this blog. Emma and I were shopping for stocking stuffers in Black Mountain one blustery afternoon and found the yummiest, melt-in-your-hands soap I'd ever encountered. I'm not an expert on soap making, but I have a weakness for collecting nicer soaps in my travels; this one made me gaga. Some of my lucky ladies got a bar in their stocking. <br />
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I'm hoping to visit the goat farm when it warms up and I'll post pics and, hopefully some video! <br />
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The sage and blackberry was my favorite this season, but the flavors change. They also sell sugar scrubs. Their ingredients are simple and very fresh, using natural vegetable oils and butters combined with goat milk. I can't wait to move into the new house and 'spa'!!!<br />
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I bought mine at Mountain Spirit Gifts in Black Mountain. Say "hi" to Belle the shop dog.Jennifer M Bullmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08957050573053675502noreply@blogger.com1