Thursday, October 22, 2015

Gluten-free food festival hits Indy

By: Liz Biro | Source: http://www.indystar.com/

Freda Love Smith was a 19-year-old college dropout who’d left central Indiana for Boston when she became the drummer for the band Blake Babies. That was 1989. Twenty-five years later, Love Smith is the suburban mother of two teenagers, one of whom is headed to college. Love Smith thought her son should know how to cook. She started giving him lessons. Teachings took Love Smith back to her rock and roll career and food’s place along the way.

There was The Smiths’ song “Meat is Murder” that inspired Love Smith to become vegetarian. At her bakery job in college, Love Smith beat dough to the sounds of The Velvet Underground.

The cooking lessons and Love Smith’s experiences wind throughout her cookbook “Red Velvet Underground” (Agate Midway, 2015, $16). Its 45 flexitarian recipes can be adjusted to suit both vegetarians and meat eaters. Love Smith signs copies of the book 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Bookmamas.mas.

Ghoulish Halloween meal

Brains, Hearts and Other Parts is the title of a chef's dinner featuring assorted offal 6 to 10 p.m. Halloween night at Shoefly Public House. Costumes are welcome. Central Indiana chefs, including Aaron Butts of acclaimed Joseph Decuis in Roanoke, work with hearts, brains, livers and tongue, among other parts. The evening begins with a cocktail hour featuring passed finger foods and a welcome glass of champagne. Dinner follows with six chefs providing one course each. Cooks include Andrew Whitmoyer of Thunderbird, Allan Giannattasio of Shoefly Public House, Joshua Huffman of Sangrita, Ally Benedyk of Love Handle and Eli Laidlaw, formerly of the late Nourish. Repeal bartender Eli Sanchez oversees the beverage pairing for each dish. Tickets cost $80, do not include tips and are available online. Advance purchase is required. No food substitutions are available for this dinner.

122 E. 22nd St., (317) 283-5007, www.eventbrite.com

Taste Café delivery

If you like the food at Taste Café & Marketplace, get it delivered to your door via Green BEAN Delivery. The online natural and organic grocery delivery service offers fresh, daily-made food from the Broad Ripple cafe. The list of available items includes granola, hummus, albacore tuna salad, balsamic pasta salad, beet salad, classic chicken salad, farro salad and Yukon gold potato salad. Green BEAN Delivery members also have access to more than 1,500 grocery products sourced from local farmers and artisans each week. Green BEAN Delivery is a membership-based, subscription service with no sign-up or membership fees. Delivery is free with a $35 minimum order.

5310 E. 25th St., (317) 377-0470, www.greenbeandelivery.com

5 Paintings Housed in Indianapolis Museum of Arts by Famous Artists

For Real Estate Inquiries, Please Call, Your Journey Team:

Niki Fuller at 502-523-5554 / e: niki@YourJourneyTeam.com

If there is one thing I love to do when going to a new place is checking out their museum. All the history being housed to one place for everyone to see and have access to is just amazing. It's a place where you can get an inspiration, get lost in your thoughts and enjoy the beauty of the paintings that is around you. All museums have their own collection of pieces, paintings, and history. One thing is for sure, it will always amaze you no matter how small or big the museum is.

I love the section of paintings especially those that were made way back in 1600's by known painters. I just can't stop admiring the strokes, how detailed their work is and even more amazed of the staff that is responsible for conserving those artworks. My boyfriend and I would usually play a game as to home many paintings we can interpret and most likely discuss on what we are looking at. I know... It's kinda nerdy in a way, but it is absolutely fun and a way for us to have a different conversation aside from the news.

One thing that you can do when you are visiting Indianapolis, make sure to visit the 9th of the oldest Museum in the U.S. It is also where you can find one of the Love Sculpture and have your picture taken with it. It houses over 54,000 paintings, home to European, American, Paintings and sculptures, prints and photographs, contemporary arts, etc.

I took the liberty of getting the 5 Famous Painting in Indianapolis Museum. Here are the5 Paintings Housed in Indianapolis Museum of Arts by Famous Artists

1. Aristotle by Jusepe de Ribera

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org

History:

When Karl Eusebius, Prince of Liechtenstein originally commissioned this series in May 1636, the request was for a full dozen paintings. However, only the first six were ever delivered.

These were listed in a 1767 inventory as Aristotle, Plato, Crates, Anaxagoras, Protagoras, and Diogenes. The set was sold and scattered in 1957, although briefly reunited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992 for a Ribera exhibition.

From 1637 until 1957, the Princes of Lichtenstein retained possession of the painting. Then it was purchased by Dr. G.H.A. Clowes, who generously lent it to the IMA.^[3] The IMA officially acquired Aristotle in 2000, courtesy of the Clowes family, and gave it the accession number 2000.345. It hangs in the Clowes Pavilion with many other donations from that family. - source: https://en.wikipedia.org

2. Self-Portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt

He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers inEuropean art and the most important in Dutch history. His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age when Dutch Golden Age painting, although in many ways antithetical to the Baroque style that dominated Europe, was extremely prolific and innovative, and gave rise to important new genres in painting.

Yet his etchings and paintings were popular throughout his lifetime, his reputation as an artist remained high, and for twenty years he taught many important Dutch painters.

- source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Indy Chef's Best Pumpkin Dishes

Pumpkin Week: Indy chefs' best pumpkin dishes

Image source: www.recipes100.com

By: Liz Biro | Source: http://www.indystar.com

I recently received an email from trend watchers claiming pumpkin spice was on the outs. I don't think chefs in and around Indianapolis got the memo, and thank goodness for that. They're doing delicious, creative dishes with pumpkin spice and straight-up pumpkin this season. These are my favorites.

Pumpkin and pork tamales

http://www.indystar.com

I call this duo the “masterpiece mashup.” Order the pumpkin tamale ($1.99) and the hot and spicy pork tamale ($3.49) at The Tamale Place. When the pair arrive, put a little bit of both on your fork. The sweet pumpkin tamale tames the pork’s heat while elevating its meaty flavor.

The Tamale Place, 5226 Rockville Road, (317) 248-9771, www.thetamaleplace.com

Pumpkin red curry

Add caption:Image source: http://www.indystar.com

Soft pumpkin chunks melt against tongue-tingling, coconut-creamy curry. Water chestnuts add crunch. Tender broccoli, green beans, carrots, bell peppers and baby corn round out the fall rainbow. The dish comes with chicken, beef or tofu. $11.95.

Thai Taste, 5353 E. 82nd St., (317) 578-9722, www.thaitasteindy.webs.com

Deep-fried pumpkin

Source: http://www.indystar.com

Thick pumpkin slices are battered tempura-style and fried until soft inside and crispy outside. The thin, sweet cucumber and Bermuda onion salad served on the side is a little too mild for this soft-spoken dish. Ask for the sweet chili or sriracha sauce. $5.95.

Thai Taste, 5353 E. 82nd St., (317) 578-9722, www.thaitasteindy.webs.com

5 BEST Coffee Shops Around Indianapolis

5 BEST Local Coffee Shops Around Indianapolis

For Real Estate Inquiries, Please Call, Your Journey Team:

Niki Fuller at 502-523-5554 / e: niki@YourJourneyTeam.com

"Would you like to get a cup of coffee sometime?" Lol! The most subtle (not so subtle) way to ask a girl or a boy out. The "coffee line" which is so effective that we will be hearing this more in the future. Lol!

We all have our own preference when it comes to our morning coffee. Other's would like it black and sweet, other's prefer it with cream and for some they want is the best tasting coffee there is. If I can travel to just taste coffee, I will gladly do so!

I cannot explain what I love about my morning coffee, it's not a gourmet and expensive coffee. But, I cannot pinpoint the distinct taste of this coffee and I can't help but get 2 packets, place it in a really huge cup and drink it. Though, I think it tastes better with a hazelnut syrup. But one thing is for sure, it's a white coffee and I fell in love with it the moment I tasted that coffee.

I guess, this is one of those topics where opinion is highly subjective and depends on how a person want their coffee. Gourmet or not, we all need that morning buzz to wake our senses

and so that we can function right away before going to work.

I decided to come up with the list of coffee shops around Indianapolis area with High ratings. Here is the list of the 5 Best Coffe shops around Indianapolis.

1. Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company

image source: allyourfoodarebelongtous.blogspot.com

Location: 647 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Phone: +1 317-423-9697

Website: www.cfcoffeecompany.com

Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company is known for their really good espresso, friendly staff and for being a non-profit charity. Their store has that cool vibe wherein local artisans can display their work products such as pottery, leather journals, coffee bag- messenger bags and greeting cards. Local singer/songwriters perform and poetry is read.

2. Bee Coffee Roasters

Image source: travisestell.com

Address: 5510 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254

Phone: +1 317-280-1236

Website: www.beecoffeeroasters.com

They roast their own coffee beans! How cool is that?! Basically, they are taking coffee seriously just like how it should be. Bee Coffee Roasters is committed to the craft of the roasting and to the craft of the brewing. I cannot suggest anything from this place because everything just taste good (drooling)....

3. Hubbard & Cravens Coffee and Tea

Image source:www.yelp.com

Address: 11 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone:+1 317-295-2336

Website: https://www.hubbardandcravens.com

We all have our own preference for our coffee's and latte's, but one thing is for sure if they made it it's always good! They have 2 ways of pressing their coffee beans using clover and pour over. Try their pumpkin spice latte, they make THE BEST pumpkin latte ever!

Read more at www.yourjourneyteam.com

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Create your own Pumpkin Spice Latte

Image source: www.sheknows.com

Make a pumpkin spice latte at home

By: Amy Haneline Source: http://www.indystar.com

Sometimes that craving for a pumpkin spice latte hits you when you're in fleece pajamas, halfway through binge-watching the last season of The Walking Dead. You're not hitting the coffee shop anytime soon.

But don't worry, barista Toni Carr is here to help. She owns Strange Brew coffee shop in Greenwood and has a recipe so you can make a legit pumpkin au' lait yourself, no fancy espresso machine necessary. However, you will want to pick up a milk frother, and those run from $10 to $20.

Put those slippers back on and hit the kitchen.

DIY Pumpkin Au’ Lait

By Toni Carr, Strange Brew

Ingredients:

8 ounces hot pumpkin spice coffee

8 ounces warm milk

2 tablespoons pumpkin pie mix

Make it:

If you have it available, brew coffee with a pour over or a French press. If not, use a regular coffee maker. Mix coffee and pumpkin pie mix in a mug. Heat milk to about 140-160 degrees. Aerate and froth milk with a milk frother, such as the Aerolatte. Pour frothed milk into coffee.

*Optional: If you want to make it extra special, you can also make spiced whipped cream to top off your au' lait.

You'll need a whip cream canister and CO2 charger. Mix 8 ounces of heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon sugar and a pinch of ginger. Mix together and poor into whip cream charger. Charge with CO2 and top off your coffee.

Spike it:

Give your pumpkin au' lait a kick by adding a shot of coffee liqueur, cream liqueur, or cinamon whiskey.

5 Tax Benefits from Owning a Property

5 Tax Benefits from Owning a Home

For Real Estate Inquiries, Please Call, Your Journey Team:

Niki Fuller at 502-523-5554 / e: niki@YourJourneyTeam.com

Buying your first home is fulfilling feeling. Designing your own place, the privacy that you get and you can see where your money is actually going. There are a lot of benefits from owning a home that every home owners enjoy.

It's not the tax season yet, but I would like to make an early reminder for everyone what you can include or deduct for the tax season. If you are not going to hire a CPA for your taxes next year, better start to organize everything as early as now. Well, there are lots of holidays and parties going on for the rest of 2015 and we just want to let you know as early as now.

Include your Mortgage interest deduction.

The tax code allows homeowners to deduct the mortgage interest from their tax obligations. For many people, this is a huge deduction, since interest payments can be the largest component of your mortgage payment in the early years of owning a home.

Deduct your Property Tax.

Property taxes that you have paid for your primary residence and vacation homes can be deducted for income tax purposes.

If this is your first year in your home, check your settlement sheet when you closed the deal for the property and look for the additional tax payment data. Your share of these taxes is fully deductible.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Indianapolis Trick-or-Treat hours for Halloween 2015

Trick-or-treaters can also receive treats from their neighborhood firefighters and police officers by stopping by any neighborhood Indianapolis Fire Department station between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

This year, through the generous support of the Indy Public Safety Foundation, IMPD, IFD and IEMS will also be handing out red, white and blue glow bracelets to provide another level of safety for children as they trick-or-treat.

The bracelets will be available at:

• All IFD Stations (which includes IEMS ambulance crews)

• IMPD North District — 3120 E. 30th St.

• IMPD Southeast District — 1150 Shelby St.

• IMPD Southwest District — 551 King Ave.

If you are participating in this year’s Halloween festivities consider the following safety tips:

• Wear light-colored clothing short enough to prevent tripping, and add reflective tape

• Wear fire-resistant costumes

• Make sure children can see well through face masks

• Don’t wear masks or disguises into businesses

• Adults should accompany young children and children with special needs

• Go out in daylight hours if possible or carry a flashlight if you’ll be out after dark

• Motorists are reminded to slow down and be aware of their surroundings

• Only give and accept wrapped or packaged treats

• Examine all treats before allowing children to eat them. If you find a suspicious item, contact police as soon as possible at 327-3811; if injury is involved, dial 911

• Avoid props such as toy guns, which can look real

• Consider block parties instead of trick-or-treating

• Don’t fire guns — it’s illegal, and what goes up, must come down

• Check the weather and have appropriate dress under costumes in the event of cold temperatures

-Source: http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/news/local/article_1a833994-742f-11e5-be69-47dea3782387.html