Menuism: Farm To Table: An Emerging Menu Trend

by Jennifer Nordwall, Guest Blogger for the Menuism Dining Blog

Many restaurants these days are reverting back to local farms to gather the freshest ingredients. Seasonal menus, based on what is available at peak harvest, are offered at more and more places -- connecting how we eat with what is locally grown. Certainly, this is not something new, but an emerging trend taking hold in places from big city restaurants to your neighborhood favorite. Finding out how to choose a restaurant that supports local farmers will help you start thinking globally and sourcing locally.

Why is it important?

Food that has to travel to your plate does not contain the same nutrients as fresh vegetables grown closer to home. To keep food from deteriorating during transit time, some produce must be picked before it has the chance to fully ripen. This means that it can miss out on absorbing vital nutrients from its surroundings during this critical period. The average travel time for the 16 most common fruits and vegetables is just under 1,500 miles. Aside from this, 39% of fruits and 12% of vegetables were imported from other countries. This travel time can cause produce to lack the nutrients that would be present if it was picked closer to home and allowed that time to spend ripening on the vine.

So what can you do to ensure that you are getting the freshest meal packed with nutrients when you chose to dine out?

Check out your local farmers' market

A farmers' market is not only a great place to buy wonderful produce, artisan cheese, local honey, and hand crafted beer and wine, but a great place to ask questions about what restaurants are sourcing from the suppliers. Find a favorite local artisan cheese maker at the farmer's market? Let your favorite restaurant know about them by bringing in their card the next time you dine.

Visit your local farm store

Many local farms have roadside stands or even more established stores that are open year round (depending on what part of the country you live in). The offerings are typically what is being picked at the farm, but may also include local beef or chicken, artisan cheese and fresh farm eggs. Talk to the person behind the counter to find out what restaurants are also shopping here or have weekly deliveries from the farm.

View the menu

If local food is being used, chances are it will be highlighted on the menu. Take some time to look over menus online before choosing a restaurant. Often, credit will be given to the farm, creamery, or artisan. Sustainable seafood is also typically highlighted with "harpooned" swordfish or "wild-caught" fish.

Get involved

Join your local Slow Food movement. This will put you in touch with like-minded people, who also agree that food should not only taste good, but benefit the community and the environment.

The local food movement is gaining momentum. In order for farm to table to continue to expand and grow, consumers have to continue to demand local produce and foods at restaurants. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Related Links from the Menuism Restaurant Blog:
? Dining Out, BrokeAss Style
? Table Manners, A Southerner's Perspective
? Wine Etiquette FAQs, the Restaurant Edition

Farm to Table: An Emerging Menu Trend originally published on the Menuism Dining Blog.

Jennifer Nordwall is a contributor to Everyday Health and its healthy living, nutrition and calorie counter tools. She visits her local farmers' market every weekend.

?

Follow Menuism on Twitter: www.twitter.com/menuism

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Menuism/farm-to-table_b_2052404.html

bulls heat goldman sachs brandon carr knicks coach encyclopedia britannica pi white lion

Patriots roll past Jets 49-19 with big 2nd quarter

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) ? Tom Brady couldn't believe what happened. Neither could Bill Belichick, nor the rest of the New England Patriots, for that matter.

They were up 7-0 on the New York Jets one minute, and 28-0 the next. Literally.

Three touchdowns in 52 seconds. That was all it took to send the high-scoring Patriots to a 49-19 victory Thursday night ? and put the bumbling Jets on the verge of seeing their season slip away.

"It all happened so fast," Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo said. "I've never been part of anything like that, but I'm glad that we were on the right side of it."

Brady threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Patriots (8-3) took advantage of five turnovers and used a 35-point second quarter ? including the three TDs in less than a minute ? to cruise past the Jets (4-7).

"That was quick," Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. "They were some of the quickest scores I've ever seen on any level."

New England's 35 second-quarter points tied for the fourth-most in a quarter in NFL history. After a scoreless opening period, the Patriots then went on a touchdown spree despite holding the ball for only 2:14 as the Jets kept giving the ball away.

"I was unfortunately on the other side of that in a Pro Bowl where they scored on a fumble, then an interception," Belichick said. "It doesn't take a lot to score like that ? defensive touchdowns, special teams, they can add up in a hurry.

"Nothing surprises me in the NFL."

The Patriots jumped on a poor decision by Mark Sanchez, who ruined a nice drive by keying in on Jeremy Kerley on second-and-6 from the 23. Steve Gregory read the play the whole way for an easy interception.

Brady then led the Patriots on a 15-play, 84-yard drive that was capped by Wes Welker's 3-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the second quarter.

Things got out of hand in a hurry a few minutes later.

After New England recovered a fumble by Shonn Greene, Brady threw a swing pass on first down to Shane Vereen, who zipped down the left sideline untouched for an 83-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 with 9:43 remaining in the opening half.

The Patriots were back in the end zone moments later after Sanchez fumbled on second down as he fell when he slammed into right guard Brandon Moore's backside. Gregory picked up the ball and ran it 32 yards for a score to put New England up 21-0 with 9 minutes left.

And, the Patriots weren't done.

Joe McKnight, one of the league's top returners, fumbled the ensuing kickoff on a hit by Devin McCourty. Julian Edelman grabbed the ball out of the air and scooted 22 yards for yet another score, making it 28-0 with 8:51 remaining in the half.

"That was crazy," Sanchez said. "I've never seen anything like that. This is a team you can't turn the ball over against because they make you pay. That was a great display of that today."

Disgusted Jets fans were chanting for Tim Tebow to play before the second quarter of this Thanksgiving showdown was over, and booing as the team left the MetLife Stadium field at halftime.

"Shoot, I don't blame them for booing," Jets coach Rex Ryan said.

New England, which beat Indianapolis 59-24 on Sunday, scored four touchdowns in just over 6 minutes, helping Belichick become the eighth coach in NFL history with 200 career victories, including the playoffs.

"There's no coach I'd ever want to play for than him," Brady said.

Edelman also caught a 56-yard pass for a score before leaving with a head injury, and Stevan Ridley ran for a touchdown as New England set a franchise record with 108 points in a two-game stretch.

The Patriots improved to 19-0 in the second half of the season since 2010. They were 8-0 that year and last year, and are 3-0 this season after the midway point.

Meanwhile, the Jets allowed their most points since giving up 52 to Miami in the 1995 season opener, and will likely have to win their remaining five games to even have an outside chance at the postseason.

"Discouraged? Of course," Ryan said. "I'll put it to you this way: We're about as wounded as you possibly can be, but we're not dead."

New England was without star tight end Rob Gronkowski, out a few weeks after breaking his left forearm against Indianapolis. It didn't need him ? not with the Jets fumbling and stumbling around.

Brady finished 18 of 28 for 323 yards before leaving with 2 minutes left in the game. He reached 3,000 yards passing for the 10th time, becoming one of six players to accomplish the feat. He also passed Dan Fouts for 10th place on the career passing list.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez returned after missing three games with a sprained ankle and had two catches for 36 yards.

Sanchez was 26 of 36 for 301 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Tebow didn't play at all ? revealing after the game that he has two broken ribs ? and stood on the sideline with a cap on throughout despite the occasional chants for him to get some snaps.

It looked as though this one might be a close as both teams missed opportunities to score in the opening quarter, including Stephen Gostkowski going wide left on a 39-yard field goal attempt for New England. The Jets were hoping to boost their playoff hopes and keep some momentum going after a 27-13 victory at St. Louis on Sunday that snapped a three-game skid.

The Patriots had other plans, sweeping their AFC East rivals for the second straight season.

"We did a good job," Vereen said, "of putting the hammer down when they were down."

NOTES: Edelman left the game early in the third quarter on a helmet-to-helmet hit by LaRon Landry on an end-around during which he fumbled. Belichick would say only "we'll see," when asked about the injury. ... Jets WR Clyde Gates also left with a head injury in the second quarter after a hard hit from Kyle Arrington. ... Jets WR Chaz Schilens didn't speak to the media after the game, saying he had also suffered a head injury. ... Ridley was called for a chop block in the end zone midway through the third quarter, giving the Jets a safety.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/patriots-roll-past-jets-49-19-big-2nd-092123735--spt.html

etta james at last john king obama sings al green heidi klum and seal ohare airport etta james songs east west shrine game

Video: New site claims Obama won election by fraud

Don't be fooled! Great camera deals are harder to spot on Black Friday

While there are plenty of deals and discounts to be had on TVs, phones, laptops and other tech products, camera-wise, there aren't a lot of reasons to wait in line until midnight after Thanksgiving dinner. That's because the year's best cameras ? many of which are rounded up here ? simply aren't subject to fire-sale pricing.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/49923344#49923344

mickelson how to tie a tie sweet potato recipes the sound of music celebration church new york auto show 2012 tulsa

Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season

Black Friday got off to its earliest start ever as the nation's shoppers put down their turkey and headed straight to the malls.

Stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving that's named Black Friday because it's traditionally when they turn a profit for the year. In fact, generations of shoppers have made Black Friday rituals of going to bed early after munching on turkey and pumpkin pie so that they can head out to stores early the next day.

But Black Friday openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years as stores have experimented with ways to compete with online rivals like Amazon.com that can offer holiday shopping deals at any time and on any day. And this year, crowds gathered across the country as stores such as Target and Toys R Us opened on Thanksgiving evening, while retailers from Macy's to Best Buy opened their doors at midnight on Black Friday.

About 11,000 shoppers were in lines wrapped around Macy's flagship store in New York City's Herald Square when it opened. Joan Riedewald, a private aide for the elderly, and her four children ages six to 18, where among them. By the time they showed up at the department store, Riedewalde had already spent about $100 at Toys R Us and planned to spend another $500 at Macy's before heading to Old Navy.

"I only shop for sales," she said.

Retailers are hoping that the earlier openings will help boost sales this holiday season. It is unclear how many shoppers took advantage of the earlier openings. But about 17 percent of shoppers said earlier this month that they planned to shop at stores that opened on Thanksgiving, according to an International Council of Shopping Centers-Goldman Sachs survey of 1,000 consumers. Overall, it's estimated that sales on Black Friday will be up 3.8 percent to $11.4 billion this year.

The earlier hours are an effort by stores to make shopping as convenient as possible for Americans, who they fear won't spend freely during the two-month holiday season in November and December because of economic uncertainty. Many shoppers are worried about high unemployment and a package of tax increases and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff" that will take effect in January unless Congress passes a budget deal by then. At the same time, Americans have grown more comfortable shopping on websites that offer cheap prices and the convenience of being able to buy something from smartphones, laptops and tablet computers from just about anywhere.

That's put added pressure on brick-and-mortar stores, which can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenue during the holiday shopping season, to give consumers a compelling reason to leave their homes. That's becoming more difficult: the National Retail Federation, an industry trade group, estimates that overall sales in November and December will rise 4.1 percent this year to $586.1 billion, or about flat with last year's growth. But the online part of that is expected to rise 15 percent to $68.4 billion, according to Forrester Research.

As a result, brick-and-mortar retailers have been trying everything they can to lure consumers into stores. Some stores tested the earlier hours last year, but this year more retailers opened their doors late on Thanksgiving or earlier on Black Friday. In addition to expanding their hours, many also are offering free layaways and shipping, matching the cheaper prices of online rivals and updating their mobile shopping apps with more information.

"Every retailer wants to beat everyone else," said C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group, a research firm based in Charleston, S.C. "Shoppers love it."

Indeed, some holiday shoppers seemed to find stores' earlier hours appealing. "I ate my turkey dinner and came right here," said Rasheed Ali, a 23-year-old student in New York City who bought a 50-inch Westinghouse TV for $349 and a Singer sewing machine for $50 at a Target in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood that opened at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. "Then I'm going home and eating more."

Carey Maguire, 33, and her sister Caitlyn Maguire, 21, showed up at the same Target about two hours before it opened. Their goal was to buy several Nook tablet computers, which were on sale for $49. But while waiting in line they were also using their iPhone to do some online buying at rival stores.

"If you're going to spend, I want to make it worth it," said Caitlyn Maguire, a college student.

By the afternoon on Thanksgiving, there were 11 shoppers in a four-tent encampment outside a Best Buy store near Ann Arbor, Mich., that opened at midnight. The purpose of their wait? A $179 40-inch Toshiba LCD television is worth missing Thanksgiving dinner at home.

Jackie Berg, 26, of Ann Arbor, arrived first with her stepson and a friend Wednesday afternoon, seeking three of the televisions. The deal makes the TVs $240 less than their normal price, so Berg says that she'll save more than $700.

"We'll miss the actual being there with family, but we'll have the rest of the weekend for that," she said.

While some hoppers appreciated the early start to the holiday shopping season, some workers were expected to protest the expanded hours. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has been one of the biggest targets of protests against holiday hours. Many of Wal-Mart's stores are open 24 hours, but the company offered early bird specials that once were reserved for Black Friday at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving instead.

The issue is part of a broader campaign against the company's treatment of workers that's being waged by a union-backed group called OUR Walmart, which includes former and current workers. The group is staging demonstrations and walkouts at hundreds of stores on Black Friday.

Mary Pat Tifft, a Wal-Mart employee in Kenosha, Wis., who is a member of OUR Walmart, started an online petition on signon.org that has about 34,000 signatures. "This Thanksgiving, while millions of families plan to spend quality time with their loved ones, Wal-Mart associates have been told we will be stocking shelves and preparing sales starting at 8 p.m.," she wrote on the site.

OUR Walmart said workers walked off their jobs in stores in Dallas, Miami and Kenosha, Wis., on Thursday. But a spokeswoman for the group did not immediately give numbers on how many workers participated.

For their part, retailers say they are giving shoppers what they want. Dave Tovar, a Wal-Mart spokesman, said that the discounter learned from shoppers that they want to start shopping right after Thanksgiving dinner. Then, they want to have time to go to bed before they wake up to head back out to the stores.

Still, Tovar said that Wal-Mart works to accommodate its workers' requests for different working hours. "We spent a lot of time talking to them, trying to figure out when would be the best time for our events," he said.

------

D'Innocenzio reported from New York City. Krisher reported from Ann Arbor, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/black-friday-kicks-off-holiday-shopping-season-062412719--finance.html

San Diego fireworks steve nash july 4th higgs boson Malware Monday First Row Sports American flag

Project Audio Visual Expands Its Maintenance Coverage to Pan ...

Berkshire, United Kingdom, November 22, 2012 ?(PR.com)? Project Audio Visual, a leading online designer and retailer of audio visual and video conferencing systems, recently signed up with two of their clients to undertake the maintenance of their audio visual equipment at various locations throughout Europe.

Project Audio Visual has been offering maintenance to a UK customer base since the formation of their business in 2003, and having previously completed many installations throughout Europe, Asia and Africa, the audio visual specialist has now taken the first steps into offering maintenance coverage to their clients? locations abroad; starting with two of their largest current clients.

A spokesperson for Project Audio Visual commented: ?With one client operating within the financial sector and the other within the medical sector, it is of the upmost importance to keep their audio visual and video conferencing equipment in full working order to allow for the smooth running of important meetings and conferences.

?It is essential that should any faults arise, Project Audio Visual can dispatch an engineer to site quickly to fix any faults and get the system working again. We are able to do this by using fast transportation routes to mainland Europe, and utilising the support of our many partners throughout Europe.

?We believe that the main reason we have been able to secure these contracts is down to the high-quality of service we have consistently offered to our clients in the UK, and we look forward to further extending our services on a worldwide scale in the future.?

For more information on Project Audio Visual?s video walls and audio visual products, please call 0118 918 0180 or visit www.projectaudiovisual.co.uk.

About Project Audio Visual:
Project Audio Visual design, supply, install and maintain audio visual, video conferencing, video wall and audio visual control systems for corporate, education, retail and domestic clients. With over twenty years? experience and a knowledgeable, customer-focussed team, Project Audio Visual are acknowledged experts and leaders in the audio visual industry.

Contact:
Mass Lambresa
Unit 2, 58 Portman Road
Reading, Berkshire, UK
Zip: RG30 1EA
Tel: 0118 918 0180
Email: mass@projectaudiovisual.co.uk

Contact Information:
Project Audio Visual
Mass Lambresa
0118 918 0180
Contact via Email
http://www.projectaudiovisual.co.uk/
Unit 2, 58 Portman Road
Reading, Berkshire, UK
Zip: RG30 1EA

Click here to read the full story: Project Audio Visual Expands Its Maintenance Coverage to Pan European

Press Release Distributed by PR.com

Source: http://tech.rambergmedia.com/project-audio-visual-expands-its-maintenance-coverage-to-pan-european/

nhl playoffs masters 2012 masters the borgias shroud of turin warren sapp the masters

Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes | Devour ...

Meatless Monday is a global movement, a way of life. It?s not a campaign to turn everyone in the world vegetarian or vegan; in fact, many involved are meat-lovers. Eating less meat has been proven to reduce the risk of disease, curb obesity and has important environmental impacts, too. Will you join us in giving up meat, just for one day a week?

Truth is, vegetarians don?t have it all that bad on Thanksgiving. It may be Turkey Day and all, but everyone knows Thanksgiving is all about the sides, and many of the best ones are meatless. The only thing you need to keep in mind if you?re cooking for vegetarians on Thanksgiving or are going meatless yourself is that sometimes meaty ingredients lurk in vegetable dishes like soups and casseroles. If you?re doing the cooking, you can easily substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock, and if you?re a vegetarian guest at a meal, just ask a lot of questions ? those bacon-braised Brussels sprouts might be a favorite side for everyone else at the table, but you might want to skip it.

The best way to make sure there are veg-friendly dishes at the Thanksgiving table is to make some yourself. The host will appreciate the gesture, and you won?t starve; everyone will have reason to give thanks. I personally wouldn?t recommend a tofurky; they scare me, frankly. Your best bet is to make something mainstream that everyone will love ? but make lots; you can count on the other guests gobbling up whatever you bring along with the meatier parts of the feast.

A Healthier Take on Dressing

You can make a vegetarian version of stuffing or dressing, but face it, the more you fill up on heavy bread dishes, the less room you?ll have for pie. Make a brown rice salad instead; serve it warm, cold or at room temperature.

Get the Recipe: Autumn Rice Salad With Dried Fruit and Nuts (above)

Go Big and Go Fancy

This is likely the only dish that?s sure to upstage the turkey ? and probably the pies and sides, too. Move over Turducken, there?s a new ?ducken in town: sweet potatoes surrounded by stuffing, leeks and packed into a squash.
Watch How to Make it: Veg-Friendly VeggieDucken

Dessert Meets Side Dish

There?s no meat here, but there?s plenty of buttery, spicy, crunchy, dessert-like topping on these sweet potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Candied Yams With Gingersnap Crunch

Surefire Crowd-Pleaser

I make butternut squash soup every year for Thanksgiving; it?s become the part of the meal that everyone looks forward to. I make the same soup recipe each year, but vary the toppings each time. This year it?ll be ginger cream and a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans and candied ginger.

Get the Recipe: Squash Soup

Vegetarian Main or Meat-Lovers Side

Rachael Ray?s hearty lasagna is loaded with butternut squash and pumpkin puree, plus escarole and lots and lots of cheese. It will serve as a main course for vegetarians, but you can be sure everyone else at the table will load some onto their plate next to the turkey and sausage stuffing. To make this recipe completely meatless, use vegetable stock instead of chicken.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Lasagna

More of Our Best Thanksgiving Vegetarian Recipes

Share your tricks for going meatless on Thanksgiving!

Tags: Meatless Monday Thanksgiving Thanksgiving side dishes vegetarian vegetarian Thanksgiving

Source: http://blog.cookingchanneltv.com/2012/11/19/vegetarian-thanksgiving-side-dishes/

monsanto dr seuss birthday jennifer garner jennifer garner romney michigan derrick williams railgun

How You Can Generate Profits From Buying And Selling Forex ...

Usually do your finest to handle danger in Currency trading. Hazard administration is far more vital than income targets. Keep in mind that a person significant decline could fully demolish your investing account, so it is vital that you simply often adhere to this rule if you need to be successful and continue with Currency trading.

When buying and selling during the overseas trade current market, allow your gains operate providing you securely can, but you should not let your greed prevent you from remaining cautious. If you have created a substantial financial gain on a trade presently, withdraw many of the income from that trade to diversify into another thing. It is possible to hardly ever reveal to each time a presented industry could possibly crash.

Just take benefit of four-hour and regular charts to the currency trading sector. As a result of technological innovation and easy communication, charting is available to trace fx correct all the way down to quarter-hour intervals. The problem with these short-term cycles is always that they fluctuate wildly and reflect an excess of random luck. Stick with for a longer time cycles to avoid unnecessary anxiety and wrong pleasure.

Always manage your threat. The Fx market is tricky and it may turn on you in a heartbeat.? Create cease loss amounts to help keep your self from dropping your shirt in the downturn.? In case you are producing a profit, pull the financial gain outside of the market and leave your preliminary financial commitment.

Ahead of buying and selling, make certain that your finances are to be able and that you are able to afford to engage in trading forex. You don?t want your finances to generally be the issue that decides in case you have to enter and exit. Without the correct funding powering you, you can truly be in a very jam in case the market can take a horrible turn.

When investing during the foreign trade sector, it truly is significant to cut your losses short as soon as they occur. It can be tempting to permit losses run while in the hopes of recouping a number of what you have lost, but this will rarely pan out. Offer in a point that you simply deem an acceptable risk, and move ahead.

marketing with alex

Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/finance/how-you-can-generate-profits-from-buying-and-selling-forex

jacoby ellsbury jacoby ellsbury lionel richie kenny rogers avatar the last airbender david wright cory booker