Foodview: Italian Double Potato Soup

Spicy, but not too spicy. It definitely leaves a tang in your mouth!

The crisp crunch of roasted almonds scattered on top contrast well with the thickly creamed texture of the soup. The somewhat sweet taste from the yam coupled with the filling texture of the Idaho potato worked sensationally well to make a flavorful and filling dish.

The flavor is most potently tasted in the soup's  celery, onion, and fresh basil, the fresh basil giving a hint of Italian taste to the blend. The recipe calls for Italian Sausage, but we've held off on that for all you vegetarians out there. Looking at the ingredients on this post, the soup is vegan friendly as well. :)

It has a texture equivalent to curry, but undoubtedly tastes like a spicy potato soup. With an almond cream base, it's satisfyingly thick. With whole, fresh basil leaves put into the pot, it's very bold in flavor. If you're into spicy food, give this a shot. It may not be the hottest thing out there, but it'll make your forehead shed a tear or two.

It's my recommendation to get it with some bagel chips and hummus to finish the meal off with a cool taste in your mouth.

Words to describe this soup are: spicy, bold, thick, potato-ish, slightly sweet, and heart-warming. Oh yes, my friend, heart-warming. Especially on a cold and dreary day would I recommend this pot of potato-goodness :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie with Icing

This big-as-my-head brownie was staring me down all day long, so I taught it a lesson - by eating it!

Rich in density, but not overpowering in sweetness, this delicacy of gluten-free is best shared by two people if it's eaten after a meal. Like I said, it's big. Plus it's very dense, which is how a brownie should be in my opinion.

Its sweetness is most potently found on top with rich white frosting and a smattering of dark chocolate chips. The texture of icing with chocolate chips is incredible, the most sensational part of the dessert! The brownie itself would have seemed, well, naked without it.

If you find yourself face to face with this sweet opportunity, you may want to give it a shot. They make a lot of delicious and unique edibles here at the Moon, often times exercising a, "Hey, let's give this a shot!" attitude in the kitchen. This is good because new pastry ideas come out of the blue, but if they're really sensational, they'll be gone in the blink of an eye. Let me just say that they aren't surprised when someone comes in and buys all of the cookies on display!

Many a restaurants claim to to have freedom and creativity in the kitchen, but only in Harvest Moon has this journalist actually seen it done. Bon Appetit.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: BBQ Chicken Flat-Bread Pizza

On the newly created evening menu, on the bottom left corner, you'll find a list of our signature flat-bread pizzas. I recently had the opportunity to try the BBQ Chicken Flat Bread Pizza, which was served on a warm chopping board as opposed to on the usual plate. If it's the evening time when flat breads are available, and you don't feel like ordering the usual, go for this very abnormal and sensational meal, if you're brave enough that is!

Thick grilled chicken strips full of flavor and crisp turkey-bacon went well with the cooked apple slices which left a complementing tartness to the toppings. On top of that was the crunch of red onion, the sweetness of oven roasted tomato, and the elating sensation of smoked Gouda cheese. The oven crisped the flat-bread perfectly, so you're in for a treat if you like eating the crust of your pizza, especially as you wipe up the remainder of the pizza's sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. The serving was contently filling and diverse in its toppings. I mean, apples? Really? I didn't know that apples could go on pizza. But if someone were to ask me if I would order it again, "heck yes" would be an understatement. It was pleasingly diverse in its flavors and textures. Its like the UN of food. Mmmm, delicious, delicious UN. :-)

Words to describe this meal are: odd (in a good way), diverse, sweet (apple and BBQ), and satisfying (the density of the chicken and bread were perfectly filling). The highlight of the evening menu may be the cocktails for some, but its the flat-bread pizza for me! Recommended.

~The Harvest Crier~

See also: Health and Creativity

Deal: Muffin Date Madness

Our dearest blog-readers,

Through the rigors of deep statistical study and analyses, it has come to our attention that you are awesome. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read our delectable posts. As a form of appreciation, we at HM would like to tell you about a little deal we're going to be doing specifically for you!

Who doesn't like a warmed up chocolate chip muffin with a tall glass of almond milk? Who doesn't like the plump muffin top glistening with soft and sweet flavor? Who doesn't like- Well, I'm getting a little carried away with myself. The point is that people love muffins and we love people. Therefore we have decided to begin what we would like to call,

THE MUFFIN DATE DEAL

which will be taking place all of March and possibly the months to follow! The deal is quite simple with only two rules behind getting the discount:

~Rule #1: You must mention THE MUFFIN DATE DEAL to the cashier upon ordering if you would like to receive a discount on any muffin of your choosing.

~Rule #2: The discount you receive will be based on the time of the month you come in!

March 1st-10th: 10% off any muffin,

March 11th-20th: 20% off any muffin,

March 21st-31st: 30% off any muffin.

And that's it! Come on in, mention the deal, and you'll get a discount off your muffin! There's no limit to how many times you use the deal during the month, just make sure you mention it when you order. If you don't, the discount won't apply. This deal won't apply to any defenseless little muffins you've consumed in the past. We can't give refunds for the muffins you've vanquished already.

Good luck, muffin eaters.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Turkey Tango

Encapsulated in crunchy toasted wheat bread, the Turkey Tango sandwich was an excellent balancing act of hearty, flavorful turkey and whole, crunchy vegetables. Accented by the spicy Chipotle Mayo sauce on both breads and the delicious taste of provolone cheese, the adjectives I would knight this valiant sandwich with are firey, lean, and healthy.

If you're wanting to get your veggie on with the healthiest selection on the menu, I'd recommend the Hummus Wrap. If you want to satisfy the carnivore within you with a good serving of red meat, I'd recommend either the West of "Philly" Beef or, even better, the Harvest Beef Burger. But if you're wanting a mix of the two, getting a satisfying serving of meat without skimping out on the veggies, go for the stately stride of dancing with the Turkey Tango.

Shredded turkey thickly stuffed in between the bread, tomato and cucumber bringing a touch of freshness to the meal, spinach and sprouts christening the platter with nutrition, and Chiptole Mayo spicing up the dish make the Tango a well-rounded sandwich. I know you've heard of a well-rounded person, but a well-rounded sandwich? Yes! It's flavorful, healthy, filling, and spicy. It's the kind of sandwich you'd want asking your daughter to prom, if sandwiches could talk that is. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: The Harvest Beef Burger

I wouldn't recommend eating it on a first date or anything. Like all great and delicious burgers, it has a tendency to get smothered all over your face no matter how clean you try to be. Really, go for something safe like a bowl of soup! There's some dating advice for you!

Today's unveiling of the beef burger at Harvest Moon gave me an opportunity to not only take pictures, but to also try a beef burger for myself, and let me tell you that it was manly! It was a manly burger that filled me to the brim with tasty whole beef.

A warm kaiser roll did its best to encapsulate the towering stack of ingredients. Underneath the top bun was a hearty serving of onion practically spilling out to the side of the burger. Below that were thick slices of tomato and a layer of fresh green lettuce.

But it's not like you would order this burger because you are just dying for some lettuce! You want meat! Let me say that this burger will most certainly satisfy the caveman in you!

Underneath the fresh garnishes of onion, lettuce, and tomato is a smokey flavored, crisply textured layer of turkey bacon, charred to perfection. Underneath that a layer of warmly soft aged-cheddar melted into the thick and moist beef patty, the most filling constituent of the meal. To put a kick in it, the chef decided to put a layer of spicy chipotle mayo underneath it all. Thanks guys. :)

Nothing concluded the meal better than having some kettle chips on the side. It supplemented the burger perfectly. Who can resist a burger and some chips? Top it all off with a Virgil's Root Beer in a chilled glass bottle and you'll be sittin' pretty. Enjoy.

Adjectives for this meal are: manly, beefy, smokey, filling, and spicy. Good job, Harvest Moon.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Hummus Wrap

Going down the list of Harvest Moon's menu items, you'll find yourself with a plethora of deliciously healthy and healthily delicious options. One thing I've come to see is that the Moon heavily prides itself as the healthier option around these here parts, and it's not hard to believe when you look behind the counter. They juice a carrot upon your order, and you're able to inquire about the ingredients and be satisfied with a shameless listing of what's in your entree!


I decided to try the healthiest looking thing on the menu: The Hummus Wrap. I ordered it swaddled in the spinach tortilla with a lush side salad complementing it. Now, to be honest, I'm not a salad kind of guy, so I couldn't appreciate it as well as others, but I will say that its crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers made it the freshest salad I've ever had. And this is coming from the guy who doesn't like salad! The house dressing it came with enriched the salad with the flavor it needed to be much better than just a side of raw veggies. Very healthy.

As for the Hummus Wrap, it too was tightly packed with raw veggies, crisp and fresh. Yet it also had some very filling constituents in it which made the wrap more of a complete meal. When biting into it, you'll indubitably feel the crunch of cucumber, lettuce, and tomato. You'll also notice soft, semi-melted provolone cheese, sauteed mushrooms and peppers, and of course, at the center, Harvest Moon's renown home-made hummus.

Hummus in the making

In case you didn't know, hummus is quite good for you. Its ingredients are chick peas, olive oil, cumin, garlic, lemon, sesame seed oil, oregano, and roasted red peppers. In my opinion, the hummus wrap is the best way to get your fill of veggies, especially when nicely packaged in the lean green spinach wrap. Veggies are to be consumed daily, common sense says, and the hummus wrap is the best way to do that and look cool in the process. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

6 Kinds of People

In the very first post done for HM, I outlined the attitude and ambiance of this place, calling it The Culture of Harvest Moon and the Garden Herb Shop. I would like to expound upon that culture a little more by describing the different kinds of people who come into our humble brick building.

Understand that we're not writing negatively about anyone. In fact, we're not writing about anyone specifically. Instead we're writing about the groups of people that come traipsing into our shop and restaurant. If you take time to watch people, you'll notice that they have a lot of similarities. You may read this and start laughing, only to stop and think, "Hey, that's exactly what I do!" Don't worry, we're not keeping tabs on you, people are just funny in the sense that they can be categorized into groups that transcend the parameters of ethnicity, age, gender, religion, and social status. So check this out and ponder which one you may be.

The Dr. Oz Disciple: "Dr. Oz said," is usually how your conversations begin in the Garden Herb Shop. You've made a point to listen to professional opinions pretty regularly, like the morning news. You like to keep up with Oz as well as other professionals because you know that he's done more studying than you. Your personality is more trusting of authority than others, enabling you to follow the rules with great ease and delight.
And no, we do not carry Raspberry Ketone. :)

The Athlete: You usually stroll into the Moon some time mid morning, wearing one of four things: running shorts, short running shorts, tight running pants, or some sweats. You grab your supplements, food, and drink with a quiet confidence of, "Oh yeah. I'm awesome," and everyone can see it on your face. Nothing feels better than pushing yourself on the trail or in the gym and then grabbing some food. And if you can mention the number of reps you did this morning while telling the cashier your order, that's a plus.
Because you're awesome.

The Blur: You're in and out with your cup of coffee faster than it takes to read this sentence! :)

The Usual: "Just gettin' the usual," you say placing your quart of dairy-free milk-like beverage on the counter. You enjoy frequenting Harvest Moon multiple times a week, maybe even a day, because of its relaxed environment where people can sit around and talk freely. Because you're so relational, you prefer to come here, and may even go out of your way making sure to pick up your regular dose of socializing. You're cool. See you in about 5 minutes.

The Newby: The delicate look on your face as you hesitantly stand in the middle of the Herb Shop gives you away as a newb almost immediately. You've just recently turned over a new leaf and have firmly decided to eat right henceforth. But you don't know what you're doing and would prefer it if someone came over, put their hand on your shoulder, and filled you in. Hilariously, you could be told that you need to supplement your diet with organic bumble-bee elbows, and you'd probably believe it. It's okay. We were all there at one point. You're fine. :)

The BOTTOMLESS Bottomless Mugger: Just a bottomless mug is apparently all you're sustaining on. You're probably too cool for normal people food, paying no attention to the steaming hot platters others are enjoying. You've discovered the secret to living off of the bean, enabling you to work on your laptop or smart phone unhindered. Who needs to chew when you've payed for a bottomless mug? I'm sure there's an app for that. :)

So there you go. Think about it an see which one you are. Perhaps you're a whole different animal not mentioned in this post, or perhaps you're a blend of two different ones described here. But then again, perhaps I've just described you perfectly! Now wouldn't that be funny?

~The Harvest Crier~

The Best Trail Mix Ever!

Nothing sounds more invigorating than taking a hike on a clear, beautiful day. And nothing is more fitting for hitting the trail than hitting your appetite with some delicious trail mix. But there's something even more appetizing about trail mix than the chocolate chips or M&Ms scattered throughout the bag. What if I told you that there was an optimal trail mix recipe for your blood type? "You're crazy!" you may say. Well thank you, but let me share with you why the Garden Herb Shop has come to sell unique trail mixes.

The Garden Herb Shop sells trail mix "A/AB", "B", and "O" for each corresponding blood type. They sometimes sell trail mix type "A", but because "A"s and "AB"s are so similar in what is beneficial for them, they usually mix the two together.

So why is it that we sell these varieties? According to Eat Right for Your Blood Type, a book series by a very influential Peter J. D'Adamo, differing blood types function optimally on differing foods. What may be toxic for one will be beneficial for the other, believe it or not.

Therefore, the Garden Herb Shop makes mixes from either beneficial or neutral ingredients according to D'Adamo's blood type diet. Reason being because we all process food differently and not everyone's cut from the same dietary cloth. If you are a type "O", take the type "O" blend of trail mix on your way to the hike. It will be composed of ingredients either beneficial or neutral to your blood type.

For further details on the blood type diet, get a hold of the Eat Right for Your Blood Type, which we sell here at the Garden Herb Shop. We've concluded its legitimacy and encourage others to follow it.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Turkey & Apple Sandwich

Having apple on a sandwich has always something I was leery about. I mean, it's an apple! It belongs on a chopping board with a jar of peanut butter on the side, right? How could you even think about putting it in the context of two pieces of bread? Well, I've heard rumors that apples and cheese go well together, and when I found out that my favorite kind of cheese, swiss, was included in the ingredients of this scrumptious sandwich, I decided that it probably wasn't too bad.

"Not too bad," does the Turkey & Apple no justice. It was actually... great! It was pleasantly complex in its conglomeration of  flavors. You could fully taste the soft and shredded turkey breast copiously stuffed in the sandwich. You could satisfyingly taste the swiss cheese and the layer of apple strategically placed next to each other in the sandwich, thus making a to-die-for combination of flavors which hit your palate on the same time. A final touch of character is added to it when one tastes its sweetly homemade honey mustard which goes satisfyingly well with the tender turkey and toasted whole wheat bread. Add to this some lettuce and sprouts and you have the beautifully made Turkey & Apple.

Definitely try some apple and swiss cheese together on its own if you haven't already. It's good, but its only a sliver of the experience you'll get with this sandwich. The highlight of the sandwich is that it takes some very simple household ingredients (Wheat toast, honey mustard, turkey breast, apple, swiss cheese, lettuce, and sprouts) and ingeniously mixes them into a party of potent flavors. The flavors aren't overpowering, but bold and rich.
It held more turkey in it than I imagined, and therefore was satisfying. It wasn't overly filling like its bigger brother, the West of Philly Beef, but it did hit the spot.

~The Harvest Crier~ 

Foodview: Green Energy

Don't be deceived into thinking that this drink is your run of the mill liquefied lettuce-head (we all know how enjoyable that would be, right?) The Green Energy drink fills the mouth with a very sweet and tangy taste! Its ingredients are kale, kiwi, pineapple juice, banana, and dates.

-Kale: One large leaf was put into the blend, hidden by the more ostentatious ingredients. A brief researching of this leaf has shown me that its benefits include lowering cholesterol, lowering the risk of certain types of cancers, and helping detox the body. (source)

-Kiwi: The eccentric and fuzzy kiwi, the hairy kid of the fruit class, was also thrown into the mix. It came in second place in regards to potency of flavor. Its health benefits include a copious supply of Vitamin C, as well as phytonutrients which protect your DNA. (source)

-Pineapple Juice: Pineapple is another rich source of Vitamin C. Its tropical flavor put a real tartness in each sip, definitely taking first place in the flavor experience. Its perks include potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.

-Banana: The banana assisted the Green Energy drink by providing a fuller taste and a thicker texture, making it quite filling. I feel that it toned down the spike of tartness that may betide a person if they solely drank the pineapplejuice. The banana is like the big, benevolent kid in the class, the one who keeps everyone in check. Its benefits include potassium and protection against atherosclerosis. It can also prevent high blood pressure and, of course, has a lot of Vitamin C. (source)

-Dates: Tiny morsels of diced goodness were found throughout the Green Energy drink. It's meaty texture gave the drink more character. It added to the fruity experience while simultaneously toning down the overall tartness! The positives of dates are numerous and include benefits for your heart, your metabolism and your digestive track. (source)

I liked it, simply put, and would recommend it for someone who is in a little bit of a rush and doesn't have time for a full on lunch. It's no turkey dinner, but it may tide you over until you have a clear opportunity to eat, you know, solid food. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Health and Creativity

It seems that the times have come where the individual needs to, on a daily basis, sift out truth from the lie-laden advertising bombarding them at every moment. Being healthy doesn't mean eating like a weight-conscious rabbit or anything. Nothing is as easy and simultaneously as depressing as settling with the lie that the best nutrition comes in the form of a bland pill. But the possibilities are endless as to how you can make nutrition and deliciousness into best buds. It comes via the road of creativity. You just have to set your foot on the path and see how far you can go!

An example of this I learned about a year ago:

We know that cocoa is rich in antioxidants, which are good for us, I mean, really good for us! We also know that chocolate, though it contains cocoa, is not good for us because it also contains processed, bleached sugar. Bad news! But what to do? Chocolate is irresistible, and it's not like people walk out of the office after a stressful day and think to themselves, "Man! I just need a mouth-full of cocoa powder right now!" If only there was a way to get the sweetness of sugar and combine it with the cocoa taste, thus making a chocolate sensation! Is there a way?

Yes! There is a way! Here's where creative thinking comes into play. All you need to put in the blender for a genuinely healthy chocolate smoothie is,
-1 banana,
-Oats (Quaker oats works fine),
-Peanut butter (optional),
-Almond Milk,
-Pure Cocoa,
-Ice.

You'll have to measure out the ingredients by trial and error, but the cocoa's taste and the sweetness of the banana will throw you for a very pleasant loop. I've given it to people who aren't very health-conscientious, and even they liked it, except for when I put too much cocoa in it accidentally. :)

The first step is to become knowledgeable as to what your body truly needs, and not what the freezer-food box says you need. The more knowledgeable you become of  nutrition, the more accurately you'll be able to make your own concoctions that both taste great and provide the nutrients your body may be starved of. The second step is to experiment and see what tastes good; just make sure you're using non-processed, whole foods. Lastly, don't box yourself in. Outside of Harvest Moon, I never heard of someone making brownies out of black beans, but it tastes good for being something outrageously weird!

Be creative, be slightly eccentric, be nutritiously experimental. It's what all the cool kids are doing these days. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: South Western Chicken Panini With Potato Salad

With chicken breast prepared to the point of perfect tenderness, a knife-spread full of cilantro pesto, a smothering of red onions and green peppers,  and a layer of melted provolone and cheddar cheese, the South Western Chicken Panini had a lot of kick behind its "just another sandwich" look. "Just another sandwich, boys," the panini says to the ever watchful eyes. Then blammo, it manhandles the taste-buds with crazy flavors!

Spicy is one of the first words that blazes into mind, followed by delicious. Don't get me wrong, it's not a run-home-and-cry-to-your-mother kind of sandwich, it just bites back a little when you bite into it. It's got spice, but not by sacrificing flavor. It appears that the dominant flavor of the sandwich comes from its cilantro pesto, which has a little bit of jalapeno in it, creating the kick.

The thick strips of juicy chicken breast were perfectly blended with the peppers and onions. The cheese was fantastic in its consistency. I wasn't a runny mess but held together in the sandwich quite well, providing stringy goodness in every bite. Sandwiching the cheese, peppers, onions, cilantro pesto, and chicken were two slices of toasted sourdough bread with what seemed to be a sprinkling of parsley on them.

If you like spicy food, go for the South Western Chicken Panini. The recommended side for this entree is the thickly diced potato salad, an excellent calming agent that brings balance to the meal and cools the tongue.

Spicy, unique, crisp, and mouth-watering. Give this innocuous-looking panini a try. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Vegi-Terranean and Bagel Chips with Hummus

Probably the best sandwich I've had at the Moon so far, the Vegi-Terranean was an excellent combination of different kinds of veggies for a flavorful Mediterranean experience in every bite! I'm not a fan of olives in the least bit, but this entree did an excellent job at taking gross tasting stand-alone ingredients and blending them into a fantastic lunch!

It's ingredients are: Wheat bread (yum), feta-spread (yum!), spinach (eh), green olives (umm...), and roasted red peppers (fantastic!). The bread was crisp and toasted on the outside with feta-spread on the inside of both pieces. After the spread was the layer of olive halves, thick and bold tasting. Past the olive halves was the leafy center of dark green spinach leaves, and right before the other toasted piece of bread was the layer of roasted red peppers which complemented the olive taste very, very well. Delicious!

If you're terribly apposed to olives, I wouldn't recommend this sandwich. If you think they're so-so, you should give this sandwich a try. If you are absolutely in love with olives, then stop reading, shut the computer, and start running to your nearest Harvest Moon. Don't worry about the car or even your shoes! Just keep running! :)

To complete the Mediterranean experience, I'd recommend getting some hummus that comes when you order the side of bagel chips. Top it all off with a Chai Tea Latte for a delicious and filling experience. Again, this was the best sandwich I've had on the menu, and the others were pretty darn good!

Words to articulate this edible experience are: bold, impetuous, light, healthy, and Mediterranean. I give it my highest recommendation!

~The Harvest Crier~

Long Life Starts With...

Activity and nutrition, my friends. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

When it comes to being active, one doesn't need to train as if they're planning on climbing Mt. Everest like, tomorrow or anything. Simply getting out there (or in there, for you gym membership holders) is the first step. It could be as strenuous as developing a workout routine with weights, or as leisurely as going for an evening walk. Remember that consistency always beats out quantity, so don't try to force yourself into becoming a gym rat that spends 25 hours of the day working out. In fact, unless you love pumping iron or running out the miles on a treadmill, trying to force yourself into the mold of Captain Bulging Neck Muscles may put negative stress on your body. But positively stressing your body can happen through doing some kind of physical activity, especially when it's something elating such as going for a hike, playing football, or riding your bike.


The question that everyone needs to ask is this: What is something that I enjoy doing and will also benefit my physical fitness?

When you find the answer, go bananas, even if it's something as simple as calisthenics or walking around the block. This is something the Garden Herb Shop wants to strongly emphasize: consistency always beats out quantity. So enjoy yourself in your physical activity. Life seems to go well when you learn to faithfully do little consistencies such as drinking plenty of water, getting the proper nutrients, and taking time to stay in motion.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Black Bean Burger with Carrot Salad

Meatless in nature, the Black Bean Burger is innocuous, harmless, to you vegetarians out there. If you order it, it is my strong recommendation that you complement the meal with a healthy serving of carrot salad. Carrot salad sounds gross to you, eh? Well that will change once you order it and bite into the crisp and crunchy noodle-shaped morsels of orange goodness!

The carrot salad was so intriguing that I just had to dive into it first. The carrot strips were coated in a honey curry sauce which held a taste similar to honey mustard, but not as pungent. To my delight, the honey curry did not make the carrots into a soggy mess. Instead, the salad was crisp and fresh tasting with a perfect touch of sweetness coming from its sprinkling of dried cranberries.

If you're interested in making your own "carrot noodles", simply buy some whole carrots from the store, take a potato-peeler, and have at it after giving those carrots a good washing. :)

The main portion of the meal, the Black Bean Burger, was sandwiched in a warm, slightly toasted kaiser roll with a patty made from black beans. Melted on top of the patty was provolone cheese which went well with the bean taste of the burger's "meat". Other enriching flavors in the meal came from the spread of mayo on the bread and a thick guacamole as one of the toppings (yum)! On top was crisp lettuce and slices of deep-red tomatoes, as well as some sprouts.

Overall it was a very veggie meal. It's not completely vegan, having some egg in the ingredients for the patty, cheese on top, and mayo on the sandwich, but very vegetarian. It's nutritional content, based on the ingredients in it, was undoubtedly very high. If you loath salads, but want to get your veggie on, consider the humble Black Bean Burger.

Words that come to mind are light, vegetarian, nutritious, fresh, and not-a-salad. Call it a salad-sandwich if you will. :)

~The Harvest Crier~

The Health Benefits of Red Wine

It has been said by many people that a glass of wine a day helps the heart, but is that true? What better place for one to find the answer than Harvest Moon Cafe and the Garden Herb Shop where the associates tout far more knowledge on health and nutrition than most coffee shops.

"I've heard doctors say," or, "I've heard that doctors say," or, "I heard someone tell me that their doctor said, that a glass of red wine a day helps the heart." You may have heard some of these lines in the past, but do you know the science behind it, or is it mere hearsay? In this informational age, it is imperative that we know how to discern for ourselves fact from fiction when it comes to everything, including health and nutrition, so that we aren't swayed into deep-fried, butter-battered, high fructose corn syrup glazed, "Just take this pill and your health will be okay" lies.

Hence the reason why the Garden Herb Shop has a plethora of books on the subject of nutrition. The goal behind this place is more than filling your coffee mug or selling you tea. The goal of the Garden Herb shop is not to fill your mind with facts about nutrition, but to fill your heart with a desire to seek out the knowledge of nutrition on your own. Their desire is to make the individual into a knowledgeable nutritionist.

So consider the information here, taken from the best sources your Cryer felt are available to us in order to answer the question: Is a glass of red wine a day good for the heart?

Mayo Clinic -Yes; red wine has antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol, which may help the heart. The staff of Mayo are not too quick to recommend that people start drinking alcohol if they aren't already, seeing how too much alcohol has an adverse effect on one's health. "Drink in moderation- or not at all." There is no evidence on their part that red wine is better for your heart than other forms of alcohol, but red wine does have a possibility of being the best choice. (Source) (Mayo Clinic Info)

Today Health - Yes; reduces the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and slows the progress of neurological degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. It is heavily emphasized that moderation is key and that too much alcohol will increase the risk of bad health. Again, do it in moderation or don't do it at all. The positives are that it raises good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), thins the blood, has antioxidants, prevents free radicals from causing cellular damage, and can potentially improve cardiovascular health. The negatives of wine are that it can increase triglyceride levels, which are associated with problems such as diabetes and also raises the risk of breast cancer. Lastly, it may be the cause of some migraines and it certainly has empty calories, which can cause weight gain. (Source)

Science Daily - Yes; raises good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), and contains resveratrol which has been found to lower blood sugar. Chocolate with at least a 70% cocoa content also benefits the heart in these ways. No negatives were given in this article. (Source) (Science Daily Info)

There are articles against drinking wine, and I would encourage you to look at them for yourself, but it is Harvest Moon's stance, and the stance of the Garden Herb Shop, that wine in moderation is beneficial.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: West of Philly Beef with Rosemary Chicken and Artichoke Salad

The renown lunch item around here is easily the West of Philly Beef. I've heard many a people talk about it, and so it was an easy selection when it became lunch time at the Moon.

Warm and juicy shredded beef sandwiched between toasted bread that flaked crisps when I bit into it. On top are plump strips of green peppers tucked under a blanket of delicious melted provolone.

The way the sandwich was put together made it surprisingly easy to eat, as silly as it sounds. The toasted bread and the melted cheese held the beef in perfectly and did a great job of holding everything together. Unlike the authentic Philly cheese steaks you may have had in the past, this Ohioan replica is not a dripping mess threatening to stain your sleeves and run down your chin. The beef is well flavored, juicy, and hearty without being a mess.

The side that I chose was the Rosemary Chicken and Artichoke Salad. The artichokes dominated the side and were drowned in a slightly sweet flavor. Also in the salad were onions, seasoned chicken, and strips of swiss. It gave a feeling of delicacy to the platter, which was again sprinkled with Parsley before given to me.

Wearing a suit? On your lunch break? Want to tide your appetite over with a little bit more than a Snickers? I would recommend the West of Philly Beef.

I would entitle this meal with words such as clean, beefy, seasoned, and well balanced when it came to the mix of meat, cheese, peppers, and bread.

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Chocolate Chip Muffin

I must confess that this sweet morsel caught my eye the moment I walked into the warmth of Harvest Moon. Before sinking my teeth into the fluffy goodness plumply encapsulated in a dark brown wrapper, someone gave me the strong recommendation to have it with milk. "Sure," I said  and they poured me a tall glass of almond milk.

Despite it's dark, cocoa induced complexion, the muffin itself tasted a lot less like cake and a lot more like, well, muffin! The soft dough wasn't packed with as much sweetness as my eyes imagined, which is good in light of how big it is (bigger than the average muffin). It's still sweet though; the sweetness was found in the chocolate morsels found not only on top of the muffin but all the way through to the bottom, definitely making it a dessert item.

 The tall glass of almond milk came in quite handy halfway through this delectable treat. It wasn't so much because it was dry, but more because it was a lot of bread. One of these plump pick-me-ups is $2.00.

I've come to see that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who eat their muffins cold and those who eat their muffins warm. I'd recommend this muffin warm for the full experience.

~The Harvest Crier~   

Foodview: Turkey Burger with Kettle Chips

"Turkey Burger?" you query with strange images of Thanksgiving and Uncle Bob's grill-out amalgamating in your mind. Yes my friends, Turkey Burger. Layer by layer, the turkey burger starts off with a crisp and warmed top bun. Fresh tomatoes cut into thick slices top the burger patty which held no hint of being processed in shape, taste, or texture. The top of the Turkey was covered in melted swiss cheese which seeped warmly into the meat resting on a bed of fresh green lettuce. Complementing the lean meat taste of the turkey and fresh garden texture of tomato and lettuce is a sweet tasting cranberry spread. :)

Not as dense as the last meal I had here, which was the Pulled Beef Ranchero, but the kettle chips finished off the meal with potatoes to spare. Before handing me the dish, parsley was sprinkled on top, adding a nice touch to the plate.

Adjectives for the Harvest Moon Turkey Burger are: lean (turkey), seasoned (patty), warm (bread), simple (design), and complete (portion).

~The Harvest Crier~

The Tea in HisTory

Said to have originated in China some time during the 10th century BC, tea's native cradle was in the lush foliage of East and Southeast Asia. It became popular in China during the Qin Dynasty in the 3rd Century BC, and then, during the Tang Dynasty, spread to Korea and the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan.

Here is a snapshot of tea's continuing popularity and expansion throughout the centuries:

10th Century BC- Earliest recorded consumption,

3rd Century BC- Common drink (Qin Dynasty),

1st Century AD- Became widely popular and spread to Korea and Japan (Tang Dynasty),

16th Century AD- Imported to Europe (Portuguese expansion),

1660- Tea reached Great Britain

19th Century AD- Tea became widely consumed in Britain, and spread to western nations. From there it spread to many other nations.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea)

Everyone acknowledges that they need to live healthier, but there is a fine line between agreeing with something and walking according to it. An excellent first step to making lip service into life-praxis is to start with small consistencies. Small consistencies make a bigger impact than flash in the pan resolutions to do a 180.

A first step I would recommend is in the form of a simple cup of tea. Teas offer a wider variety of benefits than coffee, effecting everything from your memory to your digestive track. A psychology blog proposes that one's mind is also effected by tea consumption. It's also my personal opinion that tea has a great effect on emotions, and more than just relieving levels of stress.

At one point I learned this life-principle that the simplest answer has the tendency of being the right one. How much simpler can it get than tea?

~The Harvest Crier~

Foodview: Pulled Beef Ranchero

Pulled Beef Ranchero

As I sat down to this steaming dish, someone told me that the meal of my choosing was also known as, "The man's meal", but my taste buds were crying like little girls as they beheld the richness of flavor known as the Pulled Beef Ranchero.

This is a food review on one of Harvest Moon's breakfast items. At the tail end of the A.M., I asked one of the employees if they could whip up this entree that I saw a customers order earlier. This was my experience:

As I plunge my fork into the meal, I stirred the sour cream, black beans, and green onions into the generously portioned mouthwatering beef that tenderly pulled apart with the effortless twist of a fork. Underneath, at the base of the platter, were the fluffy scrambled eggs and skillet potatoes which went perfectly together with the other ingredients. This made for a flavorful and filling meal rich in enough protein to put a Madison firefighter into a food coma. And for those of you who want even more flavor, add the zippy salsa on top. It wasn't my favorite aspect of the meal, but still very worthy of recognition.

Keywords to describe this meal would be: filling, seasoned, flavorful, and possessing a slightly spicy quality.

~The Harvest Crier~

The Culture of Harvest Moon and the Garden Herb Shop

Upon stepping into the old brick buildings of historic Canal Winchester, one cannot help but feel the palpable sense of small-town culture created by the folks in these-here parts. Harvest Moon is no different. Tucked into the heart of Canal, this cafe and its herbal shop counterpart are sheltered by the corner building across the street from the chiming clock of the Town Hall. This location used to be a sleepy little grocery store by the name of Conrad’s Market, but time has exchanged Conrad’s for a corner cafe which now serves delicious and health-conscientious delectables.

The culture here in Harvest Moon and the Garden Herb Shop is to serve drinks, snacks, supplements, and meals with a heart for health. One doesn’t need to stay long to notice the plethora of nutritional knowledge the servers here possess, especially when it comes to the Garden Herb Shop. “It’s like an educational experience,” one told me as I was learning about Ph levels in water. I never knew that water had Ph levels until I started working with these guys! The store shelves are stacked not only with food for the body but also for the mind with a library of nutritional reads, ruminations on how to be more health-focused and how to possibly revive that New Year’s resolution you left in the dust a couple of weeks ago. 

It’s places such as Harvest Moon and the Garden Herb Shop that I would recommend in these pessimistic-riddled days of bad economy. You can’t change the nation, but you may be able to improve your hometown by getting a delicious Turkey & Apple Sandwich and a Chai Latte from Harvest Moon, or maybe some local honey from The Bee Man. Not only that, but you’ll be able to eat from a much healthier menu, and who would feel guilty about that? Helping the local economy and eating healthy are happily married in these quaint settings.

~The Harvest Crier~