Chowder Mania

One of the best ways to kick back on a cold winter day is to sit in front of a fire with a hot crock of chowder. Nestled in a cozy chair, instant comfort seeps in with every spoonful.

My hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY ran with this idea fifteen years ago when the Convention and Tourism Bureau started the Chowderfest—a fun day where local restaurants create unique and tasty chowders. They serve cupfuls of these hearty soups to hungry patrons for one dollar. The idea is to try as many chowders as possible then vote for the one you like best.

February 2, 2013 was the big day when more than 20,000 chowder hounds invaded the streets of downtown Saratoga searching for their favorite. It's not just the common New England or Manhattan clam chowder varieties either. Take a look at some of the offerings (and there were 65 more to choose from):

 Chicken wing chowder with a chicken wing on top (Dango's) 

Paella Chowder (Gaffney's)

Reuben Chowder (Irish Times Pub and Restaurant)

Brownie Batter Chowder (Plum Dandy)

African Sweet Potato Chowder (The Wine Bar)

 

 

Of course, I was there with husband, Keith, and good friends. What a kick back day! My favorite chowder: Balinese style seafood chowder with sweet potatoes, tomato, coconut milk, & ginger at Sperry's, but to be fair to the other restaurants, I was full after seven, or was it eight cups. With over seventy restaurants participating, I missed quite a few. Yes. We do like to eat in Saratoga Springs. 

 

YUM!!!
 

Even though the chefs in town offered their culinary best, the festival isn't all about chowder. It's about people turning off the TV and computer, getting out of their homes, gathering as a community, and having plenty of fun. Take a look:
 

   Caroline Street is closed to cars so people can walk freely 

without having to worry about traffic.
 

No one minds waiting in line at Chowderfest—a chance to

chat and meet new people.

    Who needs an inside table on a February day in upstate New York?

After all, cold weather & hot soup go together!

 

 

Soup servers at Scallions keep the customer satisfied 

and happy.

  A group taking a rest at one of the many outdoor fire pits in town.

And there's more than chowder. These bloody Mary's look 

like a meal.

Friendly bartender at Jacob & Anthony's isn't too busy to smile.

 

The snow didn't even push people inside.

Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau staff member,

Angela LaTerra helps to make sure everyone has a great time.

How many people walked the streets of Saratoga Springs on February 2 searching for the best chowder: over 20,000.

How many cups of chowder served? The numbers aren't in yet, but if everyone had seven cups like me, that equals 140,000. Quite sure the final number will come in much higher. 

 

Who was the winner?

 

The Parting Glass with their triple seafood chowder.  

Don't know if this is the recipie The Parting Glass used, but it is a seafood chowder from Galway, Ireland...supposed to be delicous. Check it out:  http://ourladyofsecondhelpings.com/2012/03/13/seafood-chowder-on-galway-bay/

A great winter kick back day in Saratoga and I wanted to share it with you. What's a popular fun day in your hometown? I'd love to know.

    

Have an Alice Kind of a Day!

 

Happy Birthday Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Didgson:  Jan. 27, 1832 - Jan. 14, 1898), master of literary nonsense. I love your creations, especially Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Jabberwocky.  

 

 

From a young age, Dodgson wrote poetry and short stories. In July 1855, he said, "I do not think I have written anything worthy of real publication, but I do not despair of doing so someday." In 1965, he published Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Macmillan Press) under the pen-name of

Lewis Carroll.


Have an Alice Kind of a Day with Lots of Adventures!

 

 

 

 



 

What to do About an Unhealthy Nation?

I was waiting in line to check out books at the library last week when I overheard a conversation about a study on Americans and health. The news was bad. The U.S.A. was ranked seventeenth on a list of seventeen countries in the area of fitness. That’s right—dead last! I needed to learn more, so did a Google search when I arrived home. Here’s what I found:

According to Livestrong, seventy-nine percent of Americans are overweight or obese. With the exception of some tiny island nations, the United States is the fattest country in the world. We all know what that means—more heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc. I’m not passing judgment. After all, losing fifteen pounds is once again on my list of New Year’s resolutions.

That being said, I’m puzzled by the fat epidemic in my homeland. Most people don’t want to be overweight and most people know what to do to maintain a healthy weight. It's pretty simple: don’t take in more calories than you burn; eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; limit the amount of fat and sugar that you eat; exercise. If we have trouble following these guidelines, we have plenty of tools to help us with the battle of the bulge including apps, programs like Weight Watchers, gyms, and books. Just look at what I saw when I entered Barnes & Noble the other day:

In fact, as I write this, there are ten diet books on Amazon’s top fifty list including the number one spot, Shred: The Revolutionary Diet: 6 weeks 4 inches 2 sizes by Ian K. Smith. The #40 spot is The Virgin Diet: Drop 7 Foods, Lose 7 Pounds, Just 7 Days by JJ Virgin. Those darn titles make dieting sound so easy, but it can’t be. Otherwise we’d all be thin.

What's the problem???

The conclusion from this non-expert is: American food tastes so darn good and it’s so available. It makes us feel good. It helps us celebrate. Cooking luscious treats for those special people in our lives makes us happy. Surprise a loved one with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies when he/she comes home and be rewarded with a smile and a grateful hug. That doesn’t happen when offering a bowl of celery sticks.

When friends call to invite us out for dinner, do we choose the new place that sells cauliflower broth or that restaurant that makes incredible chicken wings? Are any of us disciplined enough to consistently make the healthy choice during that moment of temptation?

The obvious answer is, “No,” and that is why we are a fat, unhealthy nation.

In fact, I was just at the YMCA cranking away on the elliptical and what was right in front of me on a theater sized TV? Barefoot Contessa enticing me with lemon bars. Take a quick peek at this video of a chef making a decadent artery clogging treat:  

 

Couldn't believe a health facility offered its members this viewing option. It made me want to head over to the gourmet food market in town, that really does make fantastic lemon bars, after my workout, but I didn't.  

I truly am going to try and gear up to get rid of that final fifteen pounds in 2013. I know I will look and feel better. It should take me about two months if I’m stellar about diet, exercise, and swear off the Food Network for a little while. Will I have moments of temptation?

 Without a doubt.

 Will I give in sometimes?

 Very good chance.

But I really don't like being from the unhealthiest nation in the world. With all of the resources available, I should be able to accomplish this deceivingly simple goal. What will be my biggest challenge?

Probably beer (or wine) and pizza on Thursday night with my husband at our favorite Italian restaurant. Do I really have to order the vegetable salad with oil and vinegar? Maybe if I take that 5:00 a.m. boot camp class before work, I can have one or two of the smallest slices in the pan? What do you think?

When, or If, you diet, what’s your biggest challenge?   What food generally wins when tempting you to take a five minute diet break?

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:

Had to share this excerpt from my novel, A Stop in the Park. The female lead character, Jamie, uses peanut butter cups to help her forget problems. Here's part of a scene where she confronts the sweet, little morsels:

"Jamie needed comfort so she went to the vegetable bin in the refrigerator, seized the bag of peanut butter cups, and headed to the living room to work on her puzzle. She walked a few feet then stopped.The wise woman was back. Will that candy make you feel happier if you eat it or if you put it back? 

"Hmm," Jamie said.

She held the bag up and looked at it.What would happen if she ate them? All of the sugar and hydrogenated oil would clog up her arteries, she'd gain more weight, and she'd feel sad again five minutes after she devoured the treats.

What would happen if she put them back? She'd keep her blood flowing, maybe lose weight, but she wouldn't get a five-minute break from distress, and she really needed a five-minute break from distress. The flimsy plastic felt cold on her fingertips. Jamie shivered. A minute passed, or was it ten minutes? Whatever, it was long enough for beads of sweat to form on her forehead. Her throat felt heavy, like it had been plastered with cement. She couldn't swallow. Jamie darted to the kitchen sink, set the peanut butter cups on the counter, and filled a glass with water. She gulped and gulped until the glass was empty; then she breathed in and out. For the love of God, she was having an anxiety attack over candy."—

Peggy Strack

A Stop in the Park



     

         

The Gift of Two Hours

It was a typical work day morning. Woke up early. Spent some time writing. Checked my email and Facebook feed. Looked out the window. Yay! Snow!

As many of you know, I work for a school district, so my next step was to check the school closings. Yay! A two hour delay!

What does that mean to those of you who aren't lucky enough to experience this joy?

It means...

...no blizzard, which warrants a full day off, but the snowfall is heavy and you shouldn't be driving on slippery roads quite yet.

...my employer wants me and my students home until we can safely venture out.

...one more cup of coffee.

...a little more robe and fuzzy socks time.

...several more words added to my new novel.

...a slower beat to my day.

...a smile.

I wish all employers would give their employees the gift of two hours on a snowy morning. It sends a message of caring and respect. It sends a message that all of those urgent issues can wait two hours. The time is yours to do whatever you like.

What would you do if you were just handed two hours? 

A Fun Video With Many Great Snow Images:

    Let it Snow!

Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day

January 11 is the official Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day and I'm celebrating! After a summer rain, my young sons and I would often take puddle walks. Max and Greg, wearing bathing suits and water shoes, would squeal in delight as they jumped in puddles that pooled at the end of neighbors' driveways. It's one of my favorite memories of cherished days with my little ones. Just because Max and Greg are now 22 and 24, doesn't mean the fun has to stop.

 Max stepping in a puddle at the end of our driveway 22 years ago.

Don't worry! Low traffic street and Mom was close by.

Here's what I found out about this obscure celebration day:

Not much.

Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day is undoubtedly a day just for mischievous fun. After all, any kid knows that splashing and jumping into puddles is a blast. And, when that results in splashing a friend, your joy is complete. 

Let's be real though. In many parts of the world, including mine, it's not stepping in a puddle kind of weather. We could alter the rules, however, and step in snow. I mean, snow is just cold water. And even if you can't find a puddle or snow, the idea is to step away from the seriousness of your life and into a bit of fun. Go for it!

 Greg & Max step in snow 

In celebration of this day, I'm having a weekend sale and offering A Stop in the Park for $.99 as a Kindle download from 1/11/13 - 1/13/13. After all, my book does emphasize that in the contemporary world we need to slow the pace of our lives and yes, have a little more fun.

$.99 Kindle Downloads

January 11-13, 2013

Already have a copy?

Gift a Friend!

 

Click Here:  http://www.amazon.com/A-Stop-Park-ebook/dp/B0099U26PY

 "A man is getting old when he walks around a puddle instead of through it."

                                                                                                                   R.C. Ferguson