Connecticut

Avon Prime Meats

July 12, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Rocio Olivares – General Manager, Avon Prime

Shop Small – Shop local – shop with the friendly team at Avon Prime Meats located in Avon, Connecticut! You know I am a huge fan of shopping local, supporting my community, and selecting the best foods for my family to eat. Shopping at Avon Prime Meats covers all three of these categories! With a large selection of quality prime meats, gourmet grocery products, prepared foods – as well as fresh local produce and baked goods, they really have it ALL!! When we first moved to Connecticut, my mother-in-law introduced us to their location. She is obsessed with the marinated steak tips and we eat them at her house frequently! Living close by in West Hartford, we make stops by the Avon shop to pick up specialty cuts and local treats when preparing for special dinner’s at home! Last week I was able to catch up with General Manager, Rocio Olivares, to take a deeper dive behind the scenes of our well loved community Butcher, Grocer and Caterer!

Chances are you’ve heard the terms Prime, Choice, or Select, when referring to cuts of beef. Maybe you’ve even noticed the grading shields on packages of beef you bought at the grocery story. But, do you know the difference between the 3? It can definitely be confusing, but Rocio and her knowledgeable team are able to help you select what you need to prepare the perfect meal factoring in tips on cuts to select, preparation tips, and dietary needs with an on-site Nutritionist as part of her team!

Where to start at Avon Prime? With the Butcher of course! Only quality meats are selected from this skilled team! Overall, beef is graded into either Select, Choice, or Prime, with Prime being the highest of quality. We have to look at a few things to help define this – quality, tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and the amount of usable lean meat on the carcass. Avon Prime carries a large selection of Premium and Prime cuts bringing you some of the highest quality- all natural beef to choose from.

This shop is pure magic and offers more than quality beef! Prepared items or take out meals are available in the cooler sections! Some favorites I found include: Chicken Marsala with Wild Mushrooms & Garlic Herb Zucchini Noodles, Kale & White Bean Salad, and Rainbow Chard with Garlic Scapes, are prepared daily by in-house chefs! The kids love sitting on the cow bench in the front of the store while I pick up items we need.

Specialty items and sales are featured in the shop weekly, but a few things I picked up on a recent trip included a killer Tomahawk Steak and Copper River Salmon. Minimal preparation needed for both of these beautiful delights because they are perfection on their own. Salt and pepper to both sides of the Tomahawk and into the smoker it went. After a nice slow smoke, we performed a reverse sear for a perfectly pink and tender Rib Eye dinner! As for the Copper River Salmon (known as the worlds best Salmon), wild harvested from Alaska’s renown Copper River, we took care and brushed it lightly with butter and seasoned with salt & pepper baking it at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes for a heart healthy meal.

One of my favorite parts about Avon Prime beyond the quality meats is being able to truly shop from some of the areas local farmers and artisans alike. Some of my favorite CT locals that can be found here are: Sweet Fever Cakes, Hartford Baking Company, Brewery Legitimus, Browns Harvest, and Tulmeadow Farms. If you are a food lover local to Connecticut, or just passing through, take a moment to pop into Avon Prime Meats! You can pick up a sandwich at the deli counter, grab some meals to-go, or pick up groceries to make an awesome quality meal at home. If you are making a dinner for 2 or hosting a holiday party, a knowledgeable team member will be happy to help you plan accordingly.

Avon Prime Meats is located at 395 West Main Street Avon, CT www.avonprimemeats.com

Noujaim’s Bistro

June 22, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

My Mom vs. Chef George – June 2019 Crab Cake Challenge

Challenge Accepted!!! When Chef George Noujaim of Noujaim’s Bistro said he made the best Maryland Crab Cakes, I took this statement to heart. For a Maryland girl who loves her Mama’s cooking and grew up eating plump handcrafted Maryland Blue Cakes, this was a bold statement!! Standing strong on his word, Chef George took on my mom head to head for a Crab Cake Challenge in his Bistro located in Winsted, CT.

My Mom’s Maryland Style Blue Crab Cakes!

My Mom working her magic in Chef George’s kitchen where the two of them whipped up 28 plates (56 Crab Cakes) in a blind tasting for customers on June 21st, 2019.

Mom’s Traditional Maryland VS. Chef George Lebanese Fusion

Set in the heart of Winsted, CT you can find a cozy Bistro filled with love and life from owner and Chef, George Noujaim! His sister, Noha, is a burst of sunshine working away hand crafting treats like Kibbieh, Maamoul and Baklava! Kibbieh, is made of bulgur (cracked wheat) stuffed with ground beef, onions, and spices!

George’s sister, Noha, handcrafting Kibbieh!

In the main dining room you will find local artist’s creations, treasures from Lebanon, and often live entertainment! Dining with Noujaim is more than tasting a meal packed with traditional Lebanese flavors, it’s a meal crafted with passion, love, and a story behind each dish coming out of his cozy space. Chef George steps from behind his kitchen to greet his customers and takes time to remember what’s most important about enjoying a meal … the good company that should follow.

The Crab Cake Challenge was no disappointment to anyone who was able to reserve a table for this sold out event! In the end, both Chef George and my Mom brought passion and love to every deliciously handcrafted Crab Cake that left the kitchen! Two very different style’s of Crab Cakes but, again I say, “Don’t mess with this Maryland Mama who knows her way around a traditional Crab Cake!” Winner Winner Mama’s Crab Cake Dinner!

Noujaims Bistro is a Restaurant with Lebanese heritage located in the heart of Winsted, Connecticut. Chef George offers both catering, take out, and reservations for dinner – all information can be found here!

Fun for All Foods – A cupcake Story free from the top 8 allergens

May 28, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting two Connecticut Moms, Tiffany and Jenn, who are on a mission to make ALL kids feel inclusive at special events- even if your child has a top 8 allergen! The mission that started the joint venture was simple. Separately, they were two moms who scrambled to find specialty bakeries, or out-there recipes to accommodate the food allergies of their children. After searching and researching the market, they found nothing that totally worked for them. Tired of creating large batches of cupcakes for one child where the rest ended up in the freezer or eventually the trash, and totally burnt out on running to a specialty store to pick up one cupcake, they decided to take matters into their own hands! They spent a year working with high quality ingredients in their home kitchens to develop custom cupcake kits that are safe for kids, fun to make, and convenient for parents!!!

A custom cupcake kit?? It’s an absolutely brilliant idea when you think about it!! A kit that is fun, interactive, tastes amazing for everyone, and best of all, includes EVERYTHING you need to make 2 or 20 cupcakes!!! That’s right, these ladies thought of everything and I was not surprised because they are moms on a mission!! They created the Duo Kits to create two cupcakes (so no more freezing leftovers or wasting them) or a Party Kit of 20 cupcakes for those larger events or to take to school!! All kits include: the cake mix, frosting mix, disposable frosting bag, the cutest oven-safe baking cups, mini wood spoons, handy carry box/bag and an allergen display sticker so everyone knows who the treat is for and what’s in it! These ladies really nailed it in making something that not only tastes great, but that allows everyone to be inclusive at an event.

Darren and Lillian baked this chocolate Party Kit of 20 for Sunday dinner and we served them to the family. If you don’t know this about Italian families, they can be brutally honest – especially when it comes to food. Everyone at the dinner loved them not knowing they were baked without gluten, dairy, or eggs!! You can read more about Tiffany & Jenn and purchase Fun for all Foods products here.

Face It – Med Spa

May 21, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Glowing from the inside out and no I’m not “expecting,” but I did just have a HydraFacial at Face It – Med Spa here in central Connecticut! What’s a Med Spa you ask? I had the same question for Anita Wolf, RN and Owner of this beautiful spot tucked away in West Hartford’s center! From my visit with her I learned this, a Med Spa is much like a blend of a traditional day spa and a medical clinic in one. They offer services and procedures from licensed medical professionals typically only found at a doctor’s offices. Although it was a relaxing experience “like a spa” there was a highly technical piece that went with every step of the experience – yes, even for a facial!!

Anita has a beautiful story and a long journey that has brought her to where she is today! As a Registered Nurse with over 20 years experience, she has been involved in the opening of 7 med spas including one of her very own! When I asked Anita what’s next for the future of Face It?? She gave me an unexpected response! During our conversation she explained to me how there are so many Med Spa’s out there who are not fully educated or practicing appropriately. Her dream is to open an educational training center in Connecticut where RN’s, MD’S and PA’s all new to the industry can join for medical aesthetics training.

If you’re local to the Connecticut area or planning a visit check out Face It and all the services they offer here.

Anita A. Wolf, RN & Owner – Anita has been an aesthetic medicine practitioner since 2004. During this time, she has performed thousands of skincare treatments, including advanced laser techniques and all forms of injection treatments. She is currently certified in over 22 aesthetic procedures. Anita is a sought-after instructor, having taught these procedures to Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, Physicians, Physician Assistants and Advanced Practitioners, and Registered Nurses across the United States. Helping women and men address skin problems and challenges — aiding them to feel more confident day after day — and providing a softer, more natural appearance is what Anita does best.

Chandelier – Boutique Fitness for Women

May 1, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

I had the absolute pleasure of spending time at Chandelier, a boutique fitness space designed for empowering women through fitness and health. The studio offers personal and small group training in Glastonbury, CT. I have never stepped foot into a “boutique fitness studio” and had no idea what to expect!?

The space itself was beautifully designed by Gursu, who is also the owner. I have two words to describe this studio, fresh + inviting!! A light and open space with beautiful hardwood floors, exposed beams, and foliage create a very comfortable environment. I was totally on board with the mid-century and minimalist vibe happening here!

Gursu is no joke! He uses a mix of science and tailored exercises to meet individual goals while incorporating cardiovascular training, strength training and flexibility into the workout! For the record, my arms were burning by the end of class! 🙂

He offers both private personal training, pilates, barre, and small group personal training services, which really makes it a perfect fit for anyone needing customized support in workouts! Walking into a ‘generic gym’ can be overwhelming – where to start, what equipment to use, how to use it? It can feel like a guessing game at times, especially if you don’t know what you are doing!! Chandelier removes all the guessing out of it. Gursu is by your side and together as a team you accomplish both physical and nutritional goals.

Making new friends and supporting each other in good health!

Chandelier’s Gursu Samancioglu, an exercise physiologist and personal trainer, has over a decade of experience providing lifelong, sustainable fitness and wellness habits in Boston and Connecticut. Gursu’s education background includes a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion as well as a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. Gursu also has experience working as an Exercise Physiologist at the prestigious Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which is Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospital in Boston, MA.

A special thank you to Chandelier for a wonderful workout and to Lumi for these beautiful photos!

There’s no place like home

April 16, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

I was born in Washington, DC and raised on a farm in the suburbs of Maryland! I’m a Nat’s fan through and through, but understand the necessity of yelling “O” louder than the rest of the parts when singing the National Anthem! I’m a lover of picking Maryland crabs while drinking a cold beer on a hot summer afternoon. I carry hot sauce and Old Bay in my purse at all times. Also, I can absolutely promise you square pizza does exist!! As a native Marylander, I will always be a southern girl at heart regardless of where that Mason Dixon line falls, but I have called myself a true Yankee for the past 6 years where Connecticut has been my home! After I married Jon, I never thought we would end up living in his home state of Connecticut …. but here we are with two kids who were both born in the city of Hartford! Together with pride, we are raising our children in this small, but great state!

Connecticut may be known as the insurance capitol, but really it has an incredible niche of small and innovative businesses! Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Paul O’Connor the CEO and founder of clothing brand ‘Pride of Connecticut’ A few years ago Paul set out on a mission to give Nutmeggers a true sense of local identity through CT-inspired apparel, events, and content that speaks to the greatness of the state we hail from. Situated between two of the country’s major metropolitan hubs (NYC + Boston), Connecticut is often overlooked as a state with its own unique identity. I had a chance to connect with Paul over a quick interview to understand how his passion began and how it has evolved in the first few years of launching this business.

Sarah: Where did it all start? – What inspired you to start Pride of Connecticut (POC)?

Paul: It all started while I was stuck in traffic driving on the Merritt! Well let me back up, I had the thought that led to the idea while I was attending college in Ohio. Being raised in Connecticut and going out of state for college, I was immersed by a new culture. If you lived in Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Columbus you had pride for living in ‘O-H-I-O.’ Living in this state, among others, after high school I was absorbed by areas of people that have a sense of passion for the state in which they live and I was seeing most of this pride through apparel. So let’s go back to the merit traffic, the thought was Connecticut has a very distinct perception across the country and I wanted to create a brand that helped to share all of what CT has to offer, not just what other people think about it. Connecticut is such a tiny state with so much to offer, why don’t we have state represented apparel like (I heart NY tees or script Ohio tees… or do we??? Wait, UCONN husky hoodies don’t count!! With this idea in my head, I started to conduct some market research only to find some small pockets of Connecticut had branded merchandise, but it was localized to a specific school or city. Overall, I was not finding an inclusive brand representing ALL of Connecticut!

Sarah: What has been the most rewarding part of running
POC?

Paul: The most rewarding part has been the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from everyone we come across. People are so happy to have the chance to represent their state in a unique and creative way with a brand new lifestyle company.

Sarah: What has been the most unexpected part of running POC?

Paul: The hardest part was figuring out my voice and messaging to break through the noise of social media in launching my idea. We have continued to grow organically in Connecticut showcasing the great diversity our tiny state has to offer. The most unexpected part of all of this was having artists and creators reach out to me for collaborations. To have an idea and a vision, but limited resources was certainly a little intimidating to start, but we’ve been able to bootstrap our way to this point which has been a great learning experience.

Sarah: What future plans do you have for the business?

Paul: Working to host a steady stream of stores to hold our brand. Also, more content around Connecticut showcasing our pride for the State.

Sarah: As a Connecticut native, what is first thing that comes to mind when you think of our tiny state?

Paul: Pizza!!! We have the best pizza in the country that no one knows about!!!! Also, diversity of our Location!!! We are close to skiing, the beach, lakes; we have great cities like Mystic, New Haven, Hartford, and great state schools – all at our fingertips. As kids, we used to take a lot of day trips on the weekends because you can access all of these amenities in around 45 minutes.

Sarah: Everybody loves food and it’s one of my favorite things to talk about – so I have to ask, what is your favorite CT home cooked meal?

Paul: Ha! I am not much of a chef, besides burgers and dogs on the grill I am not much use. But growing up we always had tons of seafood due to our location and the amazing local seafood spots. My Mom makes the best seafood dishes with veggies and brown rice. It that a really cliché Connecticut meal?? – that sounds like a pretty Connecticut meal doesn’t it, ha. When I am back in the area my favorite restaurant to eat at (because I can’t cook) is, Merritt Canteen in Bridgeport, CT – “it’s the best burger in CT.”

Paul O’Connor founded Pride of Connecticut in Spring 2017 after realizing the astounding lack of local pride throughout his home state. He was born and raised in Trumbull, CT – home of the 1989 Little League World Champions. Although he has lived in 5 states throughout his life, Paul’s passion for the great state of Connecticut has been strong since childhood, and only continues to grow. POC aims to represent all areas of Connecticut, beyond any one zip code; we encourage you to rep your CT Pride loud & proud for all corners of the state to see.

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