Drink Review: Hot Chocolate

Well, readers, the oppressive summer heat has loosened it's grip and tell-tale evidence of Father Christmas' fast approach is in the air. Coolness has descended outside, and the time is nigh for snow! Doesn't the cold air just make you think of things such as cozy blankets, warm ginger bread men, crackling fireplaces, roaring camp fires, scarves, hats, mittens, coats, and Christmas! Yes, my friends, these are a few of my favorite things. :)

While playing Christmas music is obviously forbidden until the day after Thanksgiving, Hot chocolate made from real cocoa is welcomed for as many months as you can drink it enjoyably. I took the opportunity and wrapped my hands around a steaming cup of hot chocolate today and, typing and tasting, I recorded my thoughts...

The chocolate-laden steam and semi-sweet drink had a rejuvenating and heavenly warmth to it. It is recommended for dipping cookies in if that's how you like to dance, or for having with a side of Turkish Delights for those of you who've seen The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And as a personal preference, I suggest it being made with steamed almond milk.

For keeping cozy, and for the sake of a wonderful winter experience, I recommend this delicious drink by furnishing it with adjectives such as: warm, sweet calming, satisfying, and dark.

~The Harvest Crier~

Saturday Night's Oktoberfest

Well, I can honestly say that if you weren't here on Saturday night, you missed out on one heck of a party. The cold of October gave way to an Indian summer, causing Harvest Moon to throw open its doors and let the perfect evening temperatures aerate the cafe. The sound of a skilled live musician and grown-up laughter enchanted the night and drew the crowds in to see what the hubbub and hullabaloo was all about.

What an outsider would have walked into was a gathering of people spilling out of a trendy, quality, and classy brick building. Behind the counter one would find black-clad staff working like bees in a hive, and Mr. Brian himself humoring those at the bar with his Brian-like-antics and impeccable conversational skills. All around would be a mix of old and young enjoying samples from the various vendors as well as some house-made hors d'oeuvres straight from the kitchen, not to mention Harvest Moon classics like the Bison Burger or the Hummus and Olives Appetizer.

Even with an OSU game going on at 9pm, the turnout was exceptional. It seemed from my standpoint that not many ordered their tickets in advance; rather, most strolled in and bought their tickets at the event itself. The draw seemed to be the people enjoying themselves on our awesome patio; credit also should be given to the live-musician, who will receive a shout-out on our Facebook.

The laughter and samples poured out abundantly and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Even Art Studio 7.5 was open during the event. I would say that this Oktoberfest played itself out very well, and I would implore you to check out the Moon's next wine-tasting event, lest you be square.

~The Harvest Crier~

Cocktail Review: "Frostbite"

Harvest Moon stands behind its values not only when serving you delicious food, but also when crafting its one-of-a-kind cocktails. The rare and refreshing use of real ingredients has made an impression on me once again. Our new fall/winter cocktail lineup made it difficult for me to choose which one to review first, but the frost that greeted me this chilly morning helped me to narrow it down. "Frostbite", a crisp blend of Hendrick's Gin, house-made rosemary syrup, and freshly-squeezed lime and ruby red grapefruit juices will have me staying for another. It's that good! The pale green-white liquid, captured in a delicate chilled martini glass and garnished with a sprig of fresh rosemary is magical. The rosemary, of course, is unmistakable and lovely. But, if you linger long enough, you'll taste a hint of rose that is unique to the Hendrick's Gin. It's truly a winter's night dream.

Whole Grain Harvest Pancake Experiment

Hey there, blog readers. Just wanted to write to you a blurb about recent happenings in Harvest Moon.

This morning, I was able to sample a new menu item that the kitchen is experimenting with. There are many who love our heavenly hotcakes, recently popularized by a Columbus Parent article. Now the crew is experimenting with a whole grain pancake which is rumored as being called the Harvest Pancake. Here are my thoughts:

This morning being drizzly, this whole grain flap jack had a cozy taste and a hearty feel to it - a perfect warming food for the colder months ahead. I could definitely feel the textual difference between this and the heavenly hotcakes, myself preferring whole grain much more. I do hope they perfect and keep this new slant on an olde tyme favorite.

Hard-to-place flavors akin to vanilla and maple tickled my palate, but that was probably just the mouthwatering syrup I poured all over the top of the pancake. Delish!

~Your Friendly Neighborhood Harvest Crier~

Draft Beers

Dear beer lovers,

I am not a beer person, but just for you, I made sure to sit at the bar this afternoon and sample each of Harvest Moon's beers on tap. And to my credit, I really enjoyed one of them particularly- the Rare Vos Belgian amber ale. But come in and choose your own new favorite!

Smuttynose, Finestkind IPA (New Hampshire)
Qualities: light, crisp, citrus, hoppy

Lagerhead's Smokehouse & Brewing Co., Tyranny APA (Ohio)
Qualities: cider color, hoppy, bitter

Ommegang, Rare Vos Belgian Amber Ale (New York)
Qualities: fruity, sweet, mellow

Magic Hat Brewing Company, Ourtoberfest Hex Amber Ale *SEASONAL* (Vermont)
Qualities: malty, dark, hints of toffee and caramel

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, Siberian Night Imperial Stout, (Ohio)
Qualities: smoky, very dark and rich

Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

The evening life of Harvest Moon is steadily growing and the timidity of the dinner crowd is giving way to a growing population of night owls.

A good glass of wine or a frosty draft beer is best complemented with either a hearty meal or a quality dessert. The dessert featured here, the Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, would excellently complement a drink of some kind. Actually, a tall cold glass of Thirsty Dog Siberian Night is the bartender's recommendation.

Thirsty Dog Siberian Night

A fluffy slice of decadent chocolate cake covered with rich chocolate/peanut butter frosting and speckled with the sharp sweetness of peanut butter chips - this photograph says it all. It's a towering dessert of chocolate and peanut buttery goodness. The layer of thickly rich icing tucked in the middle of the fluffiness is to die for!

Now I warn you, it's pretty sweet, so perhaps it's best to split it between you and your sweetie. With darkly sweet frosting and PB chips both on top and inside the cake, it's sure to satiate your most stubborn sweet-tooth.

While this peanut butter and chocolate treat isn't available today, we may be able to convince Nathan to make it again if we get enough comments about it. Are you a fan of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake? Have you had a slice yourself?

~The Harvest Crier~

Drink Review: Conrad's Margarita

The other night, I dined out at a Mexican restaurant. After ordering a gigantic margarita, I decided that I needed to try out our local Harvest Moon's "Conrad's Margarita".

My immediate impression of the Conrad's was how, well, real it tasted. Gone was the sugary mixture of last night, and hello fresh! This crisp, Himalayan salt-rimmed cocktail is created with freshly squeezed lime juice, house-made simple syrup, Jose Cuervo's gold tequila from the Blue Agave plant, and a splash of Cointreau.

You can definitely tell when a margarita is hand-spun...and when it is poured out of a spicket. This is where it's at folks. Bienvenidos!

The Benefits of Juicing

You have undoubtedly seen photos of Harvest Moon staff members pouring a rich colorful blend of juiced fruits and veggies into a skinny glass or convenient to-go cup; you most likely know that their juicing machine is always available morning, noon, and night for their beloved customers, but do you know the benefits of juicing?

Consulting The Garden Herb Shop, they gave me these points to consider when pondering the question, does juicing really make a difference? The answer was a resounding yes, and here is some reasoning behind their answer:

1. Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables, which is important because most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your bodies ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to "pre-digest" them for you, so you will receive most of the nutrition, rather than having it go down the toilet.

Consider it like an organic IV that puts the nutrients directly into your bloodstream. If your body is in dire need of nutrients, drinking juiced veggies is the best option.

2. Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. If you are a carb type, you should eat one pound of raw vegetables per 50 pounds of body weight per day. Some people may find eating that many vegetables difficult, but it can be easily accomplished with a quick glass of vegetable juice.

Eating a plate of vegetables is much easier said than done, right? The way is made easy by juicing.

You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. Many people eat the same vegetable salads every day. This violates the principle of regular food rotation and increases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food. But with juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.

A person's approach to vegetables may be indicative of how health conscious they truly are. It is my opinion that the person who is truly health-conscious will, in part, gorge themselves on a broad variety of veggies. Peas, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, all kinds of beans, eggplants, cabbages, olives, onions, asparagus, artichokes, garlic, peppers, spinach, squashes, turnips, and anything else I forgot to mention. There is a great list of veggies out there with numerous nutritional benefits (including protein) that unfortunately get overlooked.

Do some research for yourself and give it a try. I implore you to also come into Harvest Moon and try a juice or two before you spend the money on a juicer (You can watch them juice it yourself!), and be sure to talk to The Garden Herb Shop folk about juicing as well. 

ABC News on juicing
Livestrong on juicing
NaturalNews on juicing

Until next time.

~The Harvest Crier~

Chai Tea

The weather outside has been kinder to us the past couple of weeks than it has been for the majority of the summer it seems. Now that the chilly months are faintly knocking on the door, you may be wondering what the GHS has to warm us up. Won't be long until we're wrapping ourselves up in bundles of scarves and hats and sweaters and the like. So what treat do we have to drink during the colder seasons?

Kelley pointed me to a shelf on her "wall de teas" in the herb shop. The shelf included these four types of chai tea on them:

~Rooibos Chai (rooibos, cinnamon, ginger bits, cloves, cardamom, fennel, aniseed)
~Green Tea Chai (green tea -Sencha -daarjeeling, cinnamon, ginger bits, cloves, cardamom, fennel, aniseed, almond flakes, rose petals, vanilla bits)
~Chai Black Tea (black tea, ginger, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cloves)
~Kama Sutra Chai (black tea, ginger, coriander,cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, rose petals, jasmine, lavender blossoms)

Come and check them out sometime soon. I strongly recommend, for the colder months especially, the comforting warmth of chai tea with organic honey and milk poured into it. On a cold winter's day, what else could you ask for?

~The Harvest Crier~

Cocktail of the Week: Stone Fruit Martini

One morning a couple of weeks ago, a gentleman came in for breakfast and ordered four Screwdrivers (vodka and orange juice). What resulted was a brainstorming session between our owner and the bartender to create an all-new breakfast cocktail menu! One of those creations is being featured as the "Cocktail of the Week".

It's called the Stone Fruit Martini - our own spin-off of the more commonly known "Seabreeze". A combination of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, house made simple syrup, Cointreau, and OYO's Stone Fruit Vodka is mixed and nestled perfectly in a chilled martini glass.

The bartender sugared the rim, and after pouring the peachy-pink colored drink, she spritzed and torched a grapefruit peel right over the cocktail! Quite exciting! My first impression was that this is definitely a breakfast drink, or otherwise for anyone who really loves juice. Grapefruit and vodka are the prominent flavors. A cool and refreshing initial sip finishes with the bite of the vodka on the back of the tongue.

Speaking of the vodka, OYO's Stone Fruit Vodka is their newest addition to this Ohio-made line of specialty spirits. It packs a punch with Montmorency cherries, sweet peaches, apricots, almonds, hibiscus, Ohio's finest wildflower honey, and Ohio's soft red winter wheat - in short, it's definitely a treat worthy of coming in and trying a shot or two by itself!

Red Wines

Among the countless wines on the rack for sale at Harvest Moon, the cafe pours nine of those represented by Wine Trends. Tonight, I tasted each of the four red wines:

Mark West, Pinot Noir

California

A basic, red table wine, this Pinot Noir is simple and will go well with any food you might order at the cafe. It is a top-seller here as well for those who want to take a bottle home.

Montes, Malbec

Chile

This wine has a beautiful, rich color. It begins as a mouthful of berries and ends with a dry finish. Interestingly to note, Chilean wines are an up and coming surprise. Most Malbecs are made in Argentina, but Chile shares the Andes mountains that receive fresh air, crisp water, and fertile soil - resulting in a real treat. Goes well with meat. Try something new tonight!

Guenoc, Cabernet Sauvignon

California

My favorite taste of the evening, this Cabernet Sauvignon went down sweet and easily. It had a distinct, fruity scent, and caused my tongue to tingle with delight! Perfect with chocolate and meats.

Four Vines, Zinfandel

California

Wow! This red Zinfandel made me pucker for sure! As our bartender put it, the best and perhaps only word to describe it is "spicy". I couldn't agree more. If you're ready for an adventure, test it with chocolate and pretty much any food!

Drink Review: White Peach Sangria

Summer is still here, and Harvest Moon's new patio has been approved for alcohol consumption! Our summer cocktail menu, crafted by renowned mixologist, Chris Dehlavi, utilizes only freshly squeezed juices and house-made syrups, as well as beer, wine, and spirits that you won't find most other places. Think handcrafted, signature, unique, and totally natural - and those are the kind of cocktails that Harvest Moon delivers!

My first alcoholic beverage to review is the White Peach Sangria. Fruit-filled with a sunset-colored hue, this sangria is both beautiful and irresistible. The bartender combines Bacardi Rum with Cointreau (orange liqueur) and our New Age Mascato. She then squeezes in fresh orange juice and and Harvest Moon's house-made peach syrup (created in the kitchen from loose leaf peach tea straight out of the Garden Herb Shop). Seasonal fruit is muddled into a white wine glass and topped with ice, and you're well on your way to the Caribbean!

The initial flavor that will hit your tongue is the intense orange that both the Cointreau and and the fresh juice contribute. Then the satisfying bite of rum completes the sip. Come and try your own while it's still summer!

Foodview: Asparagus Flatbread Pizza

I love pizza! Nothing beats a good slice of oven toasted bread, a clobbering of flavorful seasonings and veggies, and a blanket of warm cheese melted over top of it all. Most certainly, a movie must happen simultaneously! Pizza + Couch + Movie = Awesome!

Of course, there is that knowledge that major chain pizza's have a tendency of being not good for you.  And oh the dilemma that betides you when you see cheese sizzling on top of a brick-oven toasted crust that has those pockets of air underneath the crunchy and soft dough. It's so delicious looking, but can your waistline take it? Why are the good tasting things commonly the worst things for you? If only there was someone who would provide the world with a healthy and equally delicious version of pizza! Won't somebody save us from this oppression?!

(climactic music)

Well, readers, Harvest Moon has answered such a call with their delicious selection of flatbread pizzas. Here is the list of choices:
The BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza,
The Truffled Mushroom Flatbread Pizza.
The Meatball Flatbread Pizza (made with bison meatballs that is),
and The Asparagus Flatbread Pizza, which I have just tried.

Here are my thoughts on the latter, The Asparagus Flatbread Pizza...

The highlight of the pizza, hence the name, is the asparagus on top, softened by the cooking process- but not like the stick of mush an overly-steamed asparagus becomes. Rather, the signature ingredient is warm with a little crunch. In addition to the asparagus are diagonally sliced green onions and chopped chunks of juicy red tomatoes, both putting a punch of fresh flavor into your bite. The veggies were patterned on top of the asparagus pesto spread over the thin, toasted bread. The crust is crisp and slightly darkened, which is how a pizza crust ought to be in my opinion, concluding each piece with a satisfying crunch at the end. And of course, to quite literally top it all off, there is a sprinkling of goat cheese crumbles as well as Parmesan cheese.

It's excellent as a meal for one, perhaps two, but it can also serve a party of people who want just a little something to go with their drinks. Now there's an idea! Or you can get two to go and have awesome pizzas while watching a film. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Savory Scone

For months, dear readers, you may have seen photo after photo on the Facebook page of all different kinds of sweet scones. Savory scones, on the other hand, have been chilling out quietly at home not making an appearance at HM at all. Well recently, the kitchen has tried its hand at baking savory scones and I was able to sample one for myself. I haven't had many scones in my day, so I'm in no way a connoisseur of this triangular treat, but I'll give you my best recollection of it. Unfortunately, it was not gluten free, but I imagine that a gluten free option will be available soon. :)

It was appetizing just looking at it! I picked it up and took a bite of the acutely angled end. It had a warm, soft, and doughy texture, like the consistency of a dinner biscuit. The colorful flecks peppering the scone turned out to be tomato and basil and added a touch of herbal taste. For its many colors, I thought it was going to be loaded with huge pieces of veggies or something, but that wasn't the case. The colors serve more as a added touch of seasoning flavor, with the most evident on the palate being the soft dough.

I deem it an excellent breakfast bread. A heated up savory scone with your favorite cup of tea or a cold cup of milk is an idea highly recommended.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

This past week, after the flurry of blues and ribs fanatics subsided, the Harvest Moon kitchen staff busied themselves with lunch specials truly elating in their uniqueness. They've put aside their BBQ stained garments from last week (there were a few BBQ entrees in honor of the event) and rolled up creative sleeves to make some new inventions of esculent proportion. Feeling a little hungry and having a desire to write, I took a look around to see what could be blogged about. Moments before, I heard some elderly ladies raving about a lunch special: The Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. They got it in a wrap, so I decided to follow suit and get mine in a wrap too, because remember... I hate salads.

There are four ways you feel after you eat a meal, in my opinion. Either you're wanting, you're satisfied, you're full, or you're stuffed. I would put this meal somewhere between me being satisfied and me being full. It'll be enough for some and more than enough for others. It seemed that so many ingredients were stuffed in and pouring out of the herb & veggie tortilla. In regards to flavor, aside from the warm white chicken breast and a kind of spring mix wrapped about the tender meat, the unique taste came from the house made Caesar dressing which had no small hint of garlic in it. While other seasonings were in the dressing which smothered the soft meat and lettuce, garlic was the main taste entering my mouth. A kind of cheese I couldn't identify was sprinkled throughout the wrap too, and it was impossible to not notice the green olive halves in the wrap as well. While my taste buds don't appreciate green olives, my personality does (if that makes any sense! I hear they're good for you). The wrap had these delicious house-made croutons in it, which gave the meal its satisfying crunch. Highly recommended.

With the Caesar dressing, a little bit went a long way flavor-wise, so be careful if you ask the chef for an extra helping of dressing. You don't want the guy clear on the other side of the cafe to know what you ate for lunch!

Adjectives for this special include but are not limited to: varied, green, seasoned, garlicky, tasteful, and healthy. It was like a hand salad, you know, a salad you can pick up and eat with your hands. :)

Well that's a wrap on this post (ba dum tss)! See you next time.

~The Harvest Crier~

Of Health and Hot Dogs

Have you ever heard someone make the statement that such and such a thing is bad for them, but they would eat it anyway? While I never said that hot dogs were bad for me out loud, I always thought it in my heart as I chowed down on one. As I began working for the Moon, as well as The Garden Herb Shop, I've become increasingly aware of the truth about food... including hot dogs: Danger, Will Robinson, danger!

Because I was told how bad the unnatural ingredients of some hot dog brands are (and you'll know an unnatural ingredient when you read one on the back), I turned my back on my old life of hot dog consumption completely. I went cold turkey and told someone that I would not touch a hot dog from that point on. It was a long, hard, trying, challenging couple of... days. Then someone told me about hot dog packages with a list of ingredients on the back that don't sound like Vulcan or Klingon (hot dog packages that don't have ingredients such as butylhydroquinone on them). They told me about Applegate and Hebrew National hot dogs.

Sold at The Garden Herb Shop

There's a number of articles out there that say a variety of things about our sizzling pink friends. Instead of linking said articles to this post, I'd rather explain to you, dear reader, my simple reasoning behind why I'm ultimately endorsing the hot dog brands at the bottom (aside from the fact that Hebrew National tastes good and Applegate tastes delicious!)

First,when it comes to controversial issues, there is usually an abundance of blog posts, articles, websites, books, and internet forums for both sides of the argument. With hot dogs there doesn't seem to be such a balance. The overall consensus is, "Hot dogs are bad for you." High sodium and harmful preservatives are two common cons to the good ol' frank.

Secondly, I asked myself a simple question: Would I rather eat (that means put into my very body) hot dogs that have Sodium Erythobate in them or not? I would rather go without the mystery ingredient personally. :)

Now, we know these hot dogs to be better than the average dog nutritionally, but what about taste? As I stated earlier, Applegate tastes amazing. Hebrew National is up there as well, but I recommend Applegate for your next cook out. I found out that The Garden Herb Shop sells Applegate, so for those of you who happen to live in the Downtown Canal Winchester area, that's another plus to switching over. :)

Applegate Hot Dogs
Hebrew National Hot Dogs

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Watermelon Lemonade

Walking into the sanctuary of cool air conditioning at Harvest Moon, I escaped from the wrath of the early afternoon heat. Outside the sound of tents being pitched and vendors preparing for Blues & Ribs could be heard, but inside HM it was much more quiet and relaxed. I walked into the kitchen to see if there was anything picture-worthy going on. By happenstance, I happened upon the happening of our chef making watermelon lemonade! "Watermelon lemonade?" I thought, "I've got to try this!"

It was most certainly a mixed taste of watermelon and lemon. The lemon did a fine job of pepping up the drink, while the watermelon mellowed it out, giving it a good balance. Due to the color, my initial thought was that it would be rich in the flavor of watermelon, but while watermelon does have a flavor to it, it is called watermelon (92% water, as a matter of fact). Thus it gives the drink an overall refreshing feeling of being like a cool glass of water with a kick of flavor to it!

Refreshing, cool, colorful, well flavored, and quenching, I would behoove you to try one in today's heat.

Hey, has anyone ever noticed that melon and lemon have the same letters in them?

~The Harvest Crier~

The Health Benefits of Neem

Have you ever wondered if there was a pill that delivers an overall benefit to your health? You know, a pill you can take that will effect everything from the hair on the top of your head to the nails on your toes? There is, actually, and it's called Neem.

Neem is such a plant that holds a variety of benefits often overlooked in which the times we find ourselves. These days, it's easy to get a drug prescribed over the counter for one specific ailment, but no company has the audacity to say that they've developed the wonder-pill that can do everything but make you younger. While Neem won't make you younger, taking it does a provide a long list of other benefits for you. The benefits of Neem are so wide that it would be hard to classify what to use it for specifically.

A way to look at the Neem supplement would be the way an athlete looks at push ups and how it uses so many different muscle groups. In the same way that the push up is an all encompassing workout for the upper body, so is the Neem supplement for the body's health. With its numerous benefits for one's health, with a positive, well documented reputation, and with a lack of side effects, it makes you wonder why Neem isn't prescribed by most doctors as a supplemental basic.

Some of the benefits are:
~relieves dry skin,
~acts as an immune boosting agent,
~serves as a mosquito repellent,
~and much more!

Perhaps a daily dosage of Neem is a good place to start in healthy living. Like push ups, the benefits of Neem are most felt with consistency, so do your research, and if you have more questions but want answers from a resource more personal than your computer, ask someone at the Garden Herb Shop.

For study on the the subject of Neem, check out these links:
 http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-benefits.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/neem-uses-and-benefits-74423.html
http://www.neemfoundation.org/neem-articles/neem-in-health/neems-medicinal-uses.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/75202-neem-benefits-skin/
http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/12/10/neem-oil-a-natural-acne-cure/

~The Harvest Crier~ 

Summer Wine Tasting Event (7-21-12)

Well, Saturday night, this blogger found himself working some later hours than usual. At 6pm, HM became a gathering place for quite a crowd of young, old, and in-between. Most dressed up a touch for the occasion, sporting a collared shirt, yet still wearing shorts (hey, it's July), while others just came in the usual tee and jeans. The place filled up from one end to the other with the chatter and laughter from people enjoying themselves as they sampled the variety. As the sun began to set and the cooler night-time air crept into town, the doors to the cafe were propped open, bringing a refreshing air to the gathering.

Prior to the masses filling up the cafe, the vendors of the wines, beers, and spirits we carry came and set up their displays on our high tops. Those represented were...


Brothers Drake
Rockmill Brewery
Middle West Spirits
Wine Trends


and they represented themselves very well. While I left at 10pm, word is that HM didn't close until midnight. It was a good time with lots of really positive feedback from those who came. To answer the question of whether or not we'll do it again... we most certainly will. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Farmer's Market: Brian's Bakery Magic

Walking around the Farmer's Market this past Saturday, I approached a vendor in order to take a picture of the baked goods they had for sale. The lady behind the table told me that she was a reader of the blog and saw that I had posted an article on Beulah's Bake for U2. She told me that she enjoyed the blog and wanted to get Brian's Bakery Magic out there for the world to see as well. I received a cinnamon roll and a slice oof Mama's Pound Cake from her, sat down, and dug in it with my laptop open next to me. These are my thoughts...

Cherry Pecan Cinnamon Roll

I bit into a layer of very sweet icing first, then into the warmth of cinnamon laden baked dough. Inside the roll was what seemed to be a cherry jelly as well as bits of dried cherries and roasted pecans. The bread was stiff enough to hold the cinnamon roll's contents inside without being so hard as to break your teeth on it! The pecans seemed roasted and went well with the cherry flavoring. The icing on top, which may have also had a hint of cinnamon in it, also went well with the mix. While it kind of fell apart on me toward the end, that was okay, it was still mouth-watering and delicious. Perhaps it would be best to have it warmed up and eaten with a fork.

I don't cross many a cinnamon rolls in my day, but I could tell that this one was unique in flavor due to the cherry and pecan. It was pretty sweet, so definitely don't have it for breakfast or in place of a substantial meal! Instead, it is suitable for a well-portioned dessert.


Mama's Pound Cake


Nor do I have much experience with pound cake, so this was kind of new to me as well. It had a strong vanilla taste and, while the cake slice was dense, it was very soft and sweet. I'd recommend it with a cup of coffee or perhaps some milk from The Garden Herb Shop.


In conclusion, quality is still found just around the corner... You simply need to know where to look. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Brian's Bakery Magic
7336 Old Creek Lane
Canal Winchester, OH
43110
(614) 829-6114

Foodview: Almond Joy Frescante

During the bustle of what I would call an unusually crowded Monday lunch hour, I saw that they were making a frescante behind the counter. I waded my way through the hullabaloo of the crowd and snapped this pic for you to see.

I was able to taste and assess a Almond Joy Frescante for myself soon after. As with all the other food reviews I've done, I would taste a little, type a little, taste a little more, type a little more. Here's what I thought as I tasted and typed:


Coffee, evident in every sip, was accompanied by a few other flavors which made up the Almond Joy experience. Contrary to what I thought, the coconut was not the prominent taste of the treat, it was chocolate mixed with something else. At first I thought it was vanilla in the thickened, cold, drink, but it was actually almond, hence the Almond Joy. Almond mixed with a light hint of coconut and a delicious dosage of decadent chocolate made for a new and interesting taste which I would rate up there with the Buckeye Frescante.


It was a whole new flavor which I encourage you to try if you haven't already. While I've never tried chocolate almond milk, I imagine that the Almond Joy Frescante is somewhat of a similitude. It's really difficult to compare something to it because it's pretty different. Almond, chocolate, coconut, coffee, whipped cream... it was awesome!

~The Harvest Crier~

The Grab'n Go Market at Harvest Moon

If you're like me, your day is pretty busy most of the time. Sometimes all you want for lunch is something small and quick, nothing elaborate or big. You don't have to come to Harvest Moon and wait for a Summer Salmon Sandwich, only to be able to take a bite or two before rushing off to your next meeting. Instead, you are now able to enjoy some quick fixes designed for the not-so-still folk who have places to go and people to see. If you have somewhere to be but you're absolutely starving, The kitchen crew has prepared some options just for you. :)

Next time you come in, look for the deli-case close to the register and you'll find an assortment of quick snacks that you'll be able to take with you, such as veggies and dips, some fruits and cheese, or a perfect parfait in a easy to-go form. There's also some juices available such as pineapple-coconut or your good old fashion orange (organic orange juice, that is!)

So take a look for these options next time your in. You may be in and out in a flash, but we would still like to serve you what we can to fuel your busy lives. Be sure to also take a look at the snacks The Garden Herb Shop has as well. Just ask the staff and they'll be able to point out a plethora of choices to you.

I've learned recently that just because a meal has to be quick, doesn't mean it has to be unhealthy. Some healthy choices for a quick mid-day meal are...

~nuts,

~trail mix,

~a bag of veggies,

~non-sugary granola,

~ dried fruit.

But think twice before you take a bite. Because our bodies are 75% water, feeling hungry may be indicative of actually being dehydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself going.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Chai Frescante

A new frescante came out to help keep you cool this summer. For those of you who love chai tea, you'll have even more of a reason to come to the Moon.

Chai tea is okay for me, meaning that I don't absolutely need chai tea to live (I'm more of a green tea kind of guy). In fact, I don't think that chai tea ever struck a good cord in me. I tried it once, maybe twice, but that's about it. In college it seemed like the popular drink to have, but that band wagon totally missed me by a couple million miles.

However, when someone presented me their Chai Frescante with whipped cream practically spilling out of the top, offering it for me to try, everything about chai in my mind was totally redeemed in one sip.

It wasn't a pungently spicy drink like one of my chai experiences, rather it was cool and sweet with plenty of flavor, so flavorful that I could drink the entire thing! But I didn't, I gave it back :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Farmer's Market: Bake 4 U2

Despite the pummeling the downtown was getting from Mr. Sun last weekend, a pretty good crowd showed up at the door of not only Harvest Moon, but also The Farmer's Market which took place just down the street from the cafe. For a couple weeks now, I've been scoping out the market with lens in hand, taking pictures of all the delicious produce available there. One of the stands closer to High Street was labeled Bake 4 U2 and was set up by a very pleasant lady named Beulah M. Robinson. She greeted me with a smile and I returned the favor, motioning to the small brick cafe behind me.  I explained to her what it was I was doing walking around with my camera and how Harvest Moon wants to help the other local businesses.
   
She loved the idea, and gave me a complementary lemon cake for photographing her stand. I thanked her then, but not nearly as much as I would have if I knew at that time how delicious that lemon cake was. So, Beulah, I hope you get to read this food review because it's all about the treat you gave me. :)

The lemon cake was perfectly moist and spongy, not hard and yet not crumbly. It had a soft lemon taste to it, making me think of it as an excellent cake to have with a cup of hot tea or a glass of cold milk. The lemon flavor and the moderate sweetness were well balanced. It's moistness retained by the cake texture made it stick to your fingers a little bit like any good soft-pastry should. I mean, you could eat it with a fork if you wanted to, but eh...

It was more tart with lemon than sweet with sugar, which made it a cake with character. As I said, I recommend it with tea, or a nice tall glass of cold almond milk. Adjectives to describe this cake are as follows:
~tart,
~sweet,
~soft,
~moist,
~and homey; yes, homey. It was like something fresh out of grandma's kitchen. Beulah, you've definitely made a grandson out of me. :)

She's also famous for her mini-pies, so perhaps I'll have to give those a shot next. A licensed baker, and a real sweetheart, I'd encourage you to visit Beulah at Bake 4 U2 next time you're in the area for The Farmer's Market.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Chocolate Covered Cherry Frescante

In case you haven't noticed - it's pretty hot outside! Now, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't really like drinking anything but water, however, on very rare occasions, I'll get a fiercely fierce hankering for something other than H2O. I decided to be creative and ask the crew for a Chocolate Covered Cherry Frescante in honor of the heat stroke I feel I'm going to get every time I step outside. While the Chocolate Covered Cherry Frescante isn't technically on the menu, I figured they could make my special request out of the kindness of their big, super-duper hearts :)
And they did.

It was heaped with a mound of whipped cream on top and lines of chocolate syrup on the inside of the glass. The foam and cream nearly spilling over the edge of the chocolaty chalice made for a very formidable looking drink. The tall glass full of the milkshake-like consistency proved thick-yet-drinkable as I stabbed my straw down to the bottom. The drink was cool to the touch and chilling to the taste. It was perfect for when the weather makes it feel like Mordor outside.

The name probably gave this away, but it tasted like a chocolate covered cherry (duh, right?) with a hint of coffee to it (if you don't like coffee, you can ask them to make it without). The taste of chocolate covered cherries reminds one of a certain day in February - Valentine's Day. Perhaps this will be a good drink to have then with your significant other.


So I barely finished this toppling tower of fit-for-king frescante set before me, and when I finished it, the first inclination I had was to get to some place warm. Appearently it did the trick, because stepping outside sounded like a pretty good idea in light of my goose bumps. "But I can't do that," I thought to myself. "I have a blog post to write!" And so here I am enduring this cold while all the lucky people get to enjoy the +90 degree weather outside. Too bad for me. :(

~The Harvest Crier~

(Foodview on the Buckeye Frescante)

Save the Town (District Representative Anne Gonzales)

Sitting at the desk in my apartment, I could hear the roar of a diesel truck firing up and pulling through the historic square of Canal Winchester, the guttural grumble of a motorcycle engine rolling by, and the occasional blast of music coming from someone's sound system as they just made it through the yellow light turning red. After shuffling some papers and getting myself ready, I picked up my phone and dialed the number for our District Representative, Anne Gonzales, who I had spoken with before in order to set up the interview.

After a few rings, the friendly and go-get'em voice of Anne broke in, "This is Anne Gonzales."
"Hey Anne," I said leaning back in my chair. I reminded her of my name and who I was with. "Do you have time for our scheduled interview?"
"Yes," she said, and with that I silently fist pumped.

I explained to her the Save the Town series I'm doing, briefly telling her of my interviews with Pastor Stuntz, Pastor Long-Higgins, and Mayor Ebert. She seemed very pleased with the whole agenda, requiring no entreating to answer the prepared questions, which interested her. We dove in immediately.

"Well," I began, "I'd like to start with this question...What can a town do to fix its economy or make it better if it's already doing well?". I asked this because she was speaking very highly of Canal Winchester and its residents.

"Canal Winchester is doing well. Mayor Ebert and the town council are doing a wonderful job. It's because they have vision and direction for where they want to lead the town. They also focus very much on economic development, bringing business into Canal and creating jobs for the people. They are forward-thinking leaders."

I nodded in ponderous thought. It seems that no matter how old people are, they are on the lookout for someone to lead them. When a person stands up to take responsibility and call the townspeople toward a vision, it does the town good.

"Cool...What are the qualities, the trends, you see in successful towns? What do they have in common?" I asked.
"Strong leadership, passion, and care for the town. The town needs citizens who take pride in it and take responsibility. Service organizations do great things, and they need people to volunteer for them. Service above self."
"Pretty much, the mayor can't do it all on his own?"
"Correct," she said.
"Hmm."

"How can a town best market itself?" I asked.
"Outreach via social-media, conferences, events, and the Chamber of Commerce." This was concordant with what Mayor Ebert told me when he listed the thousands of people that events such as Art in the Park, Art Stroll, and Blues and Ribs Fest bring to our town.

"Last question: What character quality do you wish to instill in the people to a greater degree? If there was one character quality you would capitalize on, what would it be?"
"Be passionate," she began. "Be passionate and care about your town. When you care about something, when you love something, you'll take responsibility." So true.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Summer Salmon Sandwich with Tomato Mozzarella Salad

These warmer months have been rather eventful for Harvest Moon. First, the Bison Burger took the menu board, next the Summer Salmon Sandwich was presented, and finally, the grand renovation took place. All of these changes yielded an incredibly positive response from HM's beloved customers.

Catching up with the new menu items, I ordered myself the Summer Salmon Sandwich along with the newly created Tomato Mozzarella Salad. I could feel my eyes getting healthier every second I looked at it! I mean, don't just look at it, look at it!

Refreshing celery and flaked salmon were mixed with a slightly sweet sauce and made into the pink spread of this rare sandwich. A juicy red tomato slice, curls of potent onion, and crisp lettuce made the meal even more nutritious, not to mention giving it a satisfying crunch in every bite. The texture of the spread itself was somewhat akin to tuna fish, but the taste was far more superior than stuff out of a can. The only way I can explain its taste is that it reminded me of the sea. It was real salmon! The turkey bacon gave it a good touch of flavor as well, complementing the fish with a more savory sensation. It wasn't as heavy as something like the Bison Burger, especially if you take out the turkey bacon, making it the sandwich to go for if you're thinking to yourself, "I'm not too hungry, but I want something fancy for date night at Harvest Moon."

As for the Tomato Mozzarella Salad, my palate thoroughly enjoyed the chunks of soft mozzarella and the balsamic vinegar reduction dressing topping the spring mix. It had a sense of simple yet artisan elegance to it which gave the entire plate a high quality.

Adjectives to describe this meal would be: Crisp, fresh, refreshing, healthy, light-ish, and fishy (in a good way; imagine the smell of the clear ocean's water). While I still like the Bison Burger more, I recommend giving the Summer Salmon a go if you can.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Carrot Cake Muffin

Many a changes happen in life, big changes that you need to stop and really take time to remember. These changes include going from middle school to high school, going on your first date, going from being single to being married, and greatest of all, Harvest Moon acquiring a new muffin choice. Yep, that last one is up there pretty high.

I was plated a Carrot Cake Muffin while I sat at the bar. What inclined me to write a blog post on it was the bit of icing I saw peaking out of the top of the muffin. I mean, who can resist a muffin stuffed with icing, right? I pulled off a piece of the cakey top and gave it a taste. It had a light carrot taste in it with bits of actual carrot shreds. Piecing it apart revealed slightly moist bread with walnuts and raisins throughout. From top to bottom of this fluffy masterpiece, there was taste and texture that made it more than just a nice looking hunk of carbs. The bread was rich in taste, and a perfect portion for an afternoon treat.

 A narrow filling of sweet and nutty tasting cream cheese icing plunged itself into the center of the muffin. The amount wasn't too much, which is good considering I want to experience a muffin, not a water balloon filled with icing that will explode upon touching it. It's not a cream filled doughnut of death. The cream cheese goes a good three-fourths of the way to the bottom of the muffin, but again, don't eat it because you are just dying for a hearty fix of cream cheese icing; the icing is more of a touch, not the whole sha-bang.

With raisins, carrot, and cream cheese icing, I would say that the dominant adjective for this muffin would be sweet, maybe even sacchariferous. I mean, it's not a rush of sugar or anything, but it's not like you would want to eat one of these for breakfast. I'd recommend it as a snack to take back to the office with you, a snack that will make all your co-workers quite jealous. ;)

~The Harvest Crier~

The Medicinal Ginger Ale

If you haven't tried it already, I'd recommend coming to Harvest Moon and ordering a fresh ginger ale. What you'll see coming to you won't be something out of a tap, but something organically made right behind the counter by the staff. Organic is to say the least of this drink, seeing how the ginger syrup itself is made back in the kitchen from actual ginger root. Mint leaves and ginger syrup, along with a hint of lime, make for a well dressed beverage that doesn't have one-bazillion grams of sugar in it like its soft-drink-contemporaries.

It looks really good too. I'm about 97% sure that you'll feel like a rock star upon drinking it in public.

Lastly, doing a little research at The Garden Herb Shop showed some medicinal purposes behind incorporating ginger into your diet. It is said that for 2,500 years, ginger has played an important role in Asian medicine. According to Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, ginger has been known to help with the following:



~allergies and asthma,
~arthritis, bursitis, fibrocystic breasts, lymphedema, and pain,
~atherosclerosis and high cholesterol,
~cancer, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting,
~colds, influenza, and strep throat,
~parasitic infections,
~seizure disorders.

Do the research and get your hands on some ginger. It is important to take suggestions gingerly and look into things for yourself.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Carrot Ginger Soup

With stars in her eyes, chef "newb" (Keara) wowed all of us with her incredible creativity in the kitchen. She really did come bursting onto the scene. At one point, I saw her sitting vis-a-vis with Nate and Kelley at the interview table, then next thing I knew she was in the back flogging ingredients into delicious submission! In my opinion, she certainly has proven herself around here!

Last week, I was able to try one of her dishes. As I sat down at the sheen, reflective concrete counter of the Moon's new bar area with note-taking paper and ready pen, I was presented with a steaming bowl of Carrot Ginger Soup. It had a creamy texture with a bright orange color to it. Resting on the surface of the thick orange soup was a sprinkling of dried-cranberries (craisins) which I stirred into the soup with eager spoon.

Funny story, I once tried eating straight ginger simply because it looked healthy and I was hungry. I learned very quickly not to take honking bites out of ginger root systems and never have since then. Other than that tearful memory, I don't really have experience with ginger. And yet, I could detect a pleasant hint of it from the first bite to the last. The ginger and the carrot sensations gave me the slight impression of sweet potatoes, but not an exact comparison. While carrot is a sweet vegetable, it wasn't the sweetener of the meal. The carrots served as the base or body of the soup. It gave it a texture that made the bowl far more than just a serving of broth, but a thick, heavy soup perfect for filling you up on a rainy day. The ginger in the soup gave it a little bit of a bite, adding some character to the meal. It was the dried cranberries that served as the sweetening morsels and brought the taste and texture into delicious harmony.

Adjectives to describe this meal are as follows: filling, sweetened, colorful, different, vegetarian, comforting, diverse, textured, and warm. If you've been looking for a soup that will fill you up, you've come to the right place. Very good, and I was very full by the end.

~The Harvest Crier~

Save the Town (Pastor David Long-Higgins)

Apocalyptic morning clouds slowly floated over Historic Canal Winchester, marching to the drum of low rumbling thunder that echoed in the wind as I approached the door to David's United Church of Christ. I walked in and, being somewhat familiar with the building, headed straight for the pastor's office.

I remember meeting Pastor David Long-Higgins years ago not by going to his church, but by simply calling him up to talk about life and such. When I walked through the door of his office, he was still the chipper, insightful leader that he was then. I sat down and gave him the update on my life before motioning to the notepad and telling him of the reason why I scheduled the meeting. I told him of my interviews with Pastor Stuntz and Mayor Ebert, and how I wished to include him in this circle of advice on what the people can do to benefit the town.

It was much more informal than my previous interviews. The first thing that came to mind in my search for words was his quote which I shared with the others in my earlier meetings: "When it comes to doing ministry, don't think of it as sprinting. Think of it as running a long marathon."

"What's the marathon that one needs to run in Canal Winchester?", I asked with pen in hand. I was wondering what it was that all of the Canal Winchesterians needed to do to benefit their hometown. Essentially, what is the slow-and-steady that wins the race here? He understood the question and prefaced his answer with, "Jarred, before anything, I want to let you know that I don't claim any originality with what I'm about to tell you."

Humility, as does pride, shows in a person's life much easier than they may think, I thought to myself.

Talking with him was like being firehosed with information and insight. We took a lot of bunny trails to the point where we both stopped and wondered how we got on such and such a subject in the first place. But a consistent point that kept coming up was what Pastor David called the I/thou mindset. While there is so much more that the pastor and I discussed, I feel that this was of most importance to write about.

I/thou is a mindset where you actually see people as people and not just obstacles or means of personal gain. Opposite of I/thou is the I/it mindset, which is when you see another person and immediately start thinking about your time, your energy, your rights, your comforts, your will, and so on. An example is if you were walking down the street and see a homeless man sleeping on the bench where you usually like to sit. The I/thou mindset sees the man and thinks, "How can I help him? What does he need?", while I/it says, "That guy is disturbing me. Someone should tell him to leave." Do you understand the point? I/it doesn't see a person, just a problem. I/thou sees the person and the person's problems. If you have an I/it mindset, your heart will grudgingly ask, "What's this taking from me?", while the I/thou mindset asks, "What can I give?"

I don't mean to belabor the point, but this is a great answer to the simple question of, what can we do to make the downtown a better place? The life of a town is in its people, and if the majority of people hold this I/thou mindset that Pastor David and I discussed, what a difference that would make.

Recommended reading: I and Thou by Martin Buber

~The Harvest Crier~

Save the Town (Mayor Michael Ebert)

"Excuse me," I said sheepishly to the lady sitting at the desk in front of me. "I'm here for a meeting with the mayor at eleven. Do I just walk on in?"
"No, you do not," she said in a sort of matter of fact way, probably humored by my ignorance. I felt silly as she pointed me toward the front conference room. "You can wait in there and I'll let him know you've arrived." I walked into the front meeting room which had, like my last meeting, a long table situated in its center. Two of the four walls had windows displaying  the quite day to day living of Canal Winchesterians in the downtown area. The sun shone into the air conditioned climate as I twiddled my thumbs.

As I was preparing myself to be patted down by the mayor's secret service, in walked Mr. Michael Ebert with a casual business manner about him. I took off my hat and shook his hand. He held an experienced composure with hints of a country boy tucked into it, and was much less intimidating to be around than I initially expected. I mean, I never met with a mayor before, so this was kind of a first for me.

After giving him a brief explanation of what I do, why I do it, and how I do it, I dove right into my notepad and asked him the first question.

(Me) "What is Canal Winchester's greatest need? What is needed to make this town better?" 

(Mayor) "For everyone to keep their businesses and locations looking nice. If the town is clean and nicely kept, it will draw people to Canal Winchester. That means taking personal responsibility to pick up paper or other garbage you may see on the sidewalk when you're walking."

He also mentioned the locals promoting Canal Winchester, which interested me because that's what Pastor Wayne chimed on as well.

(Me) "Do you feel that there is a transition or needs to be a transition when it comes to helping and promoting the town? Is there a transition that needs to take place between an older model and a newer one?" 

(Mayor) "Well, I feel that that transition has already started. Having more events brings more people out to Canal Winchester."

He proceeded to name events in the past (Art in the Park, Art Stroll, Blues and Ribs Fest), and talked about the googols of people it brought in who before didn't know that such an enchanting town existed.

(Mayor) "You have an event that brings people who love art out to the town and then they find out that Canal Winchester has a jewelry store in its downtown area. 'I didn't know they had a jewelry store here!' they say."

At one point in the discussion, he mentioned his experience in Canal Winchester and how the downtown has changed. Back in the day, shop owners would shut everything up at about 7pm because no one was out. In recent years, it has come to be more lively in the evening. He attributed it to having more events, because some of them have been estimated to bring around 30,000 people. But there was an important note about events he mentioned that I asked him to expound on. He told me that no one event will draw everyone to Canal Winchester. That's why it's important to have multiple kinds of events taking place in town so that each in turn will draw its distinct kind of people in and lead them to discovering places like the jeweler, the antique shop, the gym, the art studio, etc. Apparently a 5k is being organized to take place in Canal on the 29th of September, an event called Courage and Conquer, which will draw runners into what they've been missing out on: Us!

(Me) "What can the businesses do to help the town?" 

(Mayor) "You mean help the government of the town or help the town itself in general?" 

(Me) "Both."

He gave a thought-filled look at the ceiling.

(Mayor) "That's a good question... Cooperation. They need to know to cooperate with us if we do something like shut down a street. The reason why we're doing that is because we want to improve things in town so that they get more business. I would say learning to cooperate when we do such things." 

(Me) "What about the people? What can the people do to help the town?" 

(Mayor) "Tell others about the town. For the commuters especially, those driving to Columbus every day, promote Canal Winchester to the people in the city." 

(Me) "Last question. Pastor David Long-Higgins once said to me in a meeting, 'When it comes to doing ministry, don't think of it as sprinting. Think of it as running a marathon.' What is the marathon run, the day to day action you would like people to do? What characteristic do you wish was instilled in every man, woman, and child of this town?" 

(Mayor) "Being courteous. Being nice to one another. Picking up the trash around town. The marathon is a good analogy because we're in this together for the long haul."

The interesting thing was that while I was all get-down-to-business-and-get-out in my approach to the meeting, he ended our discussion by taking time to ask about my experience, my schooling, and my travels. We ended up talking about government and the town for some time with small care for the clock. But I did have to end it and get back to work, so I thanked him, shook his hand again and wished him a good day. As I walked out the door, I the words that came to mind were, "He seems pretty cool."

~The Harvest Crier~