Beacon Zero Waste Garden Tour June 9 2012

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Are you going to the Beacon Zero Waste Garden Tour on June 9th? It looks like some blog readers are going to be on the tour as featured gardens! Philomena? Jill Rubin? Exciting!

According to the tour's official flyer found in the city calendar page, the City of Beacon Conservation Advisory Committee presents a garden tour of 6 local residents with an emphasis on organic vegetable, ornamental and native gardening, compost and organic pest management. The tour will encourage neighborly knowledge sharing to assist in organic gardening efforts. The tour is on Saturday, June 9, 2012 and tours begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and will meet in the DMV parking lot (223 Main Street) 15 minutes beforehand.

Their Facebook page has recent news and snippets of gardeners planning. We may even see some beehives, and I'm sure we'll see some chicken coups as well. I'm going to try to walk the tour, are you?

Crown Maple Syrup Makes for Good Valentine's Gift

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We had pancakes on Saturday, so hubby got his gift to me out early - a nifty bottle of Crown Maple Syrup that he found in the East Village. And guess what? It's made right here in Dutchess County, NY! The marketing tag on the bottle boasts of using "breakthrough processing technologies" to make "quite possibly the purest maple syrup on earth". Funny, I don't picture technologies when my dad would boil down sap into syrup in our woods growing up, but sure! ;)

It's very yummy, and tastes like maple sugar candy. A lighter flavor. I am a maple syrup snob, and bring my own into restaurant who serve imposter corn syrup. Both Homespun and Vintage Cafe serve real maple syrup for their beeakfasts. And Homespun @ Home also sells it. Not this brand, but another.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Yummy, Soup from the Homespun at Home

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Homespun at Home
Here I am - at home, enjoying a taste of Main Street from Homespun @home at my desk while I 'preneur (a term we entrepreneurs use instead of "working"...it's more fun). Today's soup selection is New England Clam Chowder. We bought it frozen and just thawed it out in a pot (we don't microwave...unless in an office or someone else's house). Smells delicious. Am dipping buttered/salted white bread from Beacon Natural Market, a little broccoli, and I'm good to go with this delicious and easy lunch!

Ella's Bellas is Back and Delicious!

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I knew these cookies from her days at Bank Square when we first moved here, and was so sad when the lemon bars and other treats went away. Little did I know then they would be opening up in a storefront all their own down the street on Main Street! If you're walking Main Street, headed towards the mountain, Ella's Bellas will be on you left, just before the antique shops and galleries begin. Stop in for a sea salt cookie (get a glass of milk), peanut butter cookie, lemon bar, other goodies, or a whole lunch! I was only in for a moment so did not read the menu, but saw fresh, yummy salads and soup. Yummmm.

If you've been there and tried things, please tell us your favorites in the comments below!

View from The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls on the Patio

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We late-lunched with our Cold Spring friends yesterday at The Roundhouse patio at Beacon Falls, and yes, the view is that great, and the sound of the waterfall transports you to yet another side of Beacon. Don't let those empty tables in the picture fool you - it was quite packed while we were eating, and our party and those around us have finished and aren't sitting there anymore.

Yesterday was a most ideal Saturday: started at Crumb for an early chicken sandwich lunch on their back garden patio while I did a little mom-preneur work while my husband watched Ruby. Then moseyed on down to Bank Square for a lovely iced vanilla latte to cruise through the rest of my work, then received a text from hubby that we were all meeting at The Roundhouse and that he was already in the parking lot to pick me up, followed by a quick stop at Vintage Cafe for a delicious grilled cheese and fruit cup for young Ruby whose daddy thought she could order off the sophisticated menu at The Roundhouse, followed by a trip back to Vintage for pie because it looked so good when I was picking up the grilled cheese.

But I digress, as you want to read about The Roundhouse! Very Manhattan and minimalist - so far. The views are amazing. No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, you will gaze at something pleasing. Either the Beacon Falls, or the bar which is a dark brown wood (very modern and clean looking), or the sloping side of Main Street since the restaurant is nestled into the river bed, or the rugged construction look of work being done to round out the old building structure for the real future restaurant.

The waitress was apologetic while setting our table with paper and plastic dining tools, explaining that they aren't the real deal yet, with their "makeshift" kitchen in the back, you can see as you walk down the steps descending onto the patio. It might be the best makeshift kitchen around, as it churns out scallops with a touch of bacon in a cream sauce, fried pig (this had a fancier name I cannot remember). I get the feeling from their Facebook page, that the menu changes weekly, or at least from time to time with fresh, seasonal specials. They offer craft beers and artisanal cocktails, yet we went with an easy bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I didn't get to gaze at the drink menu, as I was arms full with Ruby.

So far, The Roundhouse is kid friendly (although you'd want to go there to relax and enjoy the view) in that Ruby could run up and down the steps, yet wanted desperately into that kitchen. I saw two mom-friends, with kids, meeting friends and family. Menu-wise, it's pretty sophisticated (or, the version at 2:30pm is). Even the fries had an upscale cheese squiggle on them, and were delicious. There is a cheeseburger, but we haven't tried it yet. I had the scallops, and my friend the tuna ceviche and fresh tomatoes.

Our takeaway was that The Roundhouse was definitely going to be an "it" place to be, where you'll need reservations. They don't take reservations yet and are very accommodating. Their Facebook page already has 1200 fans who are very involved with the page. Another good sign. This is absolutely a place you want to come to relax and enjoy a cold drink or bottle of wine with friends in serenity.

Sweet Mamas is Soul Food in the Raw

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Sweet Mama's serves raw, vegan and organic living desserts and savories to NYC and the Hudson Valley. Their non-dairy, gluten-free cheesecakes, brownies, pies, lasagnas, pizzas and other edibles are made with the finest ingredients and attention to the principles of raw food preparation. You can find the woman behind Sweet Mama's, Katherine Key, walking around Beacon, usually going to or from her friend, Marla's Kale Kitchen, on Verplank (the house you see with the garden of a variety of luscious leaves growing in front).

I'm on Sweet Mama's email list, which means I get tempted with her affordable raw meals at least once a week. I'm not a vegan, and prefer butter whenever possible, and am a total carnivore, but these raw meals sound too good to resist! And are very affordable.


SAMPLE SWEET MAMA'S RAW MEAL PLAN
Soup:  Vegetable Bisque.......$3/8oz
Lunch: Pest or Marinara Pizza with sprouted buckwheat crust, walnut cheese, red peppers, onions and black olives..........$6
Salad: Sprouted Quinoa Mixed Greens Salad with Critrus Vinaigrette...........$4
Dinner: Ginger "Stir Fry" with Cauliflower Almond "Fried Rice".............$8
Snack: Sour Cream n Onion Kale Chips........$5
Dessert: Cran-Rasberry Cheesecake (dairy free)...............$4


WHERE TO FIND SWEET MAMA'S:
(this list does not include all of her locations, and she does deliver)

  • The Juice Spot @ 33 Garden St carries Sweet Mama's savories & cakes and their own house-made specials.
  • Poughkeepsie Farmer's Market! It's at the entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson, Fridays 3-7pm. Sweet Mama's will be there each week selling slices of raw & vegan Fruit-Topped Cheesecakes, Walnut & Sprouted Lentil Burgers, Sweet Root Rosemary Flax Crackers, Fruit Leather and MORE!
  • Integral Yoga Natural Foods, Live Live and Life Thyme in NYC is carrying Sweet Mama's raw organic desserts, cookies, crackers and more.

Contact Katherine at Sweet Mama for details, to order a delivery, or to get her newsletter: sweetmamasny@gmail.com.


Summer S'Mores Without a Campfire

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This is a delicious S'mores recipe - without lifting or burning a finger. It's the no-work s'more that even a small kid could make.

Ingredients:
- 1 graham cracker
- chocolate chips
- sun on an 85 degree day

Take out your graham cracker. Sprinkle the desired amount of chocolate chips on it in a position in which they can melt. Unless you have central air conditioning, chances are your chips are already soft, unless you keep them in the fridge.

Place loaded graham cracker in direct sunlight outside on a porch or other surface, and wait. Check on the chips after 5 minutes. They may not look melted, but try to spread it. Once the chips are soft and warm, you have a nice little s'more waiting to be eaten!

Pairs well with a chilled glass of Pinot Gris. :)

Workin' from Crumb's Back Patio

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It's a welcome relief from yesterday's heat wave! In doing my coffee shop hop for my mobile working, the Crumb guys suggested I try the back patio when I mentioned wanting to work from their chairs out front. Now I'm really going to be a squatter for even longer!! Good thing they have so many yummy things to eat, plus delicious coffee. Today's order: almond chicken sandwich and a trusty chocolate chip cookie.

I know I've been quiet on the blogging front and the Where Is This? contest! We've been relaunching our company's website and brand, so I've gone dark while that happens in order to stay focused on producing those designs, collateral, and emails that need attending! Please come visit us: www.preneur.net. We are hooked on small business, all the more reason I love working from shops here on Main Street!!

New Raisin Oatmeal Cookies at Bank Square

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I don't know what's going on here, but there is a shortage of chocolate chip cookies on the west end of Main Street. For today's work session, I've gone to Bank Square Coffee to have a decaf and a chocolate chip cookie, but alas, they are out, as was Crumb yesterday. The locals must have devoured them all on the unexpectedly sunny day this past Sunday.
This is a good time to test the oatmeal raisin cookie and tell you about Bank's new baker, Nature's Pantry Kitchen. The oatmeal raisin cookie is big and round and soft, with a spot on touch of cinnamon. The raisins aren't overpowering, and it's not too oat-y. There is another backup option for those who crave chocolate chips of a chocolate chip scone which looks pretty good, but I haven't tried it yet.
The blueberry muffin is a serious competitor to The Coffee House's. Bank's has a nice crumb topping, maybe an inch in thickness? And the blueberries are huge! And pop in your mouth. They are in the entire muffin, not just the top.
Ok, off to start my work session on this rainy day!

Chocolate Caramel Tart at Crumb

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Warning: do not make this chocolate caramel tart at Crumb a daily habit, or you will really need double doses of Bootcamp at Hudson Valley Fitness.
Ruby and I visited Crumb today because I endured Bootcamp this morning. Ok, that's a lie. I did go to Bootcamp, but I do have a daily chocolate chip cookie habit, Bootcamp or not. I figure if I carry Ruby to the cookie source, I'll have worked off a fourth of it.
Make no doubt, this chocolate caramel tart is serious. Rich, dark chocolate. Sweet caramel, almost roasted in flavor, sitting atop a sturdy crust that yes you can pick up, and doesn't require a fork (only do this in the privacy of your own home). A party of four could easily split this after an accomplished shopping stroll down Main Street with a Crumb latte, or paired with a rich red wine from Artisan Wine Shop across the street.
Once again, Crumb is Yumb.

Elisa's for Lunch on the Road

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Elisa's, on Rt. 52 and 84 was actually the catalyst for me starting this blog. I'd been meaning to do it for a few months but hadn't. When I stopped in there one snowy Sunday for milkshakes for my hubby and me, I learned about their pasta dishes - cooked to suit! Using vegetables from their organic garden that they had packed into the freezer. I was overcome with their enterprising spirit and pride for their cooking, that I started the blog right then when I got back in the car.
Confession: I have yet to try a pasta dish, but their window sign advertising "PASTA DISHES" always left me craving on when we drove by. You have to call a day ahead so that they can get the ingredients, especially if you want clams, shrimp, or other seafood. I get my pasta fix at Brothers and Eleven in Fishkill, so we'll see how this compares.
But. For now, I can tell you that in addition to milkshakes, they can make you a grilled cheese with onion rings, a burger, hot dog, and various other items (no cold cuts). You can eat at their tiny counter, outside on a picnic bench, or in your car in the parking lot. And if you're like me, you can do a little phone business while you eat and your baby naps. My business parter over at Collective-E and I were able to answer a few email questions for an interview (she typed, I chomped).