{Link up} Why I Blog

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog

Editor’s note: A few days ago I was catching up on one of my favorite blogs, Blonde Ambition, and came across today’s link-up. Leslie’s blog was one of the first I started reading and influenced my decision to start my blog. I thought this would be the perfect time to reflect on what this blog is and why I write it. Enjoy.

Let me be honest. Prior to sitting down to write this post, I hadn’t given much thought to why I really blog. To answer simply and without much thought, I’d say I blog because I love to write, but now looking back, I’d just say that’s why I began blogging.

Like many others, I became hooked on the blogging world by reading other people’s blogs. To me, they were like miniature versions of the stacks and stacks of magazines I constantly hoarded. Small parts of the web where I could go read about whatever topic I wanted – fashion, food, career, etc.

In the time I spent as a reader, I grew more and more interested in the topics of healthy eating and fitness. I learned a lot by following the posts of others and grew to want to add my own opinions to my own piece of the web. As a bonus, writing for the blog would strengthen the skills I was already using in my professional life.

After some thought, I decided I would write about food/health. I chose those topics mostly because I found myself talking about them a lot. Since this blog start a little over a year ago, I definitely say that’s evolved and is still evolving. However, I’ve made some wonderful blog friends and connections through this little healthy living blogs community and I can’t imagine blogging without them.

If I were to say why I continue blogging, it’s the community. It’s the readers (thank you). I enjoy connecting with others, sharing recipes, sharing fun events in our lives. I’m always learning from my peers in the blogging world and while I don’t think it’s wise to compare myself to others, seeing what others are doing inspires me to keep growing and striving to do all the things I want to do.

Blogging has helped me grow in so many ways and I’m grateful to everyone who continues to read, who tries a restaurant or recipe I suggest and I absolutely love reading all the comments.

Now a treat for all of you: I can’t share all the details just yet, but Conscious Kitchen is getting a remodel! I’ve been working with one of my best friends (she’s so talented!) on some new branding/design and it is just fabulous. Since I love y’all so much, here’s a little sneak peek.

I sincerely appreciate you stopping by today and have a great weekend!

To Market, To Haymarket

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog

Brew it and they will come.

Photo courtesy of Haymarket’s Facebook page

Settled in Chicago’s West Loop, Haymarket Brewpub is the only place you’ll find the namesake’s beers, and if the crowd early last Saturday night is any indication, craft beer drinkers don’t mind the journey. The beer flows easy through the tap handles, lights twinkle from the ceiling and a stool beckons you to sit down and stay a little while.

The brewpub boosts two large bars, a view of the brewing process and a noteworthy menu. Ordinary bar food? Not here. We found ourselves checking out Haymarket somewhat last minute before a Blackhawks game and it ended up being the perfect spot for a pre-game bite to eat and whistle-wetting. Not to mention, we were in good company. Lots of red and white jerseys.

After a short wait, we were seated in the back bar and dining area. I immediately felt as though I’d walked into a friend’s basement bar except this friend had a particularly impressive beer collection. Side note: Atmosphere is a huge factor for me when going out. Haymarket had it; If we didn’t have a hockey game to get to, I could have hung out there for hours sipping well-made brews and listening to the music. Two thumbs up for playing Mumford & Sons.

Let’s get down to it -

The beers: I tried two (when in Rome…), Aleister Double American I.P.A. and Banana Hammock Hefeweizen. I chose these brews because both styles are favorites of mine. The IPA was full of my favorite hop, amarillo which gave it a nice citrus flavor, yet it remained balanced and not overwhelmingly bitter. The hefeweizen tasted like banana bread, yum yum.

Haymarket Brewpub

The food: No surprise here, I chose the pulled pork. However, I was throughly impressed with their selection of BBQ sauces which represented all the best regions of BBQ. I went with a tangy vinegar-based sauce a la the Carolinas. It was phenomenal. Now I must figure out how to recreate it at home. On the side, I enjoyed the macaroni and cheese. The cheese sauce was unlike any I’d ever had (that’s really saying something). I think the “secret” ingredient was cinnamon. It took a little getting used to, but I rather enjoyed it.

Walking out of Haymarket felt a bit like leaving home. A little sad to leave, but happy knowing you’ll return at some point. Go for the beer, stay for everything else.

A Jar of Pickles Walks into a Bar…

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

Last Friday night started out like many do around here, full of good food and good beer. Our destination? Solemn Oath Brewery. Now, let me tell you. This place is the definition of cool. If Solemn Oath was in middle school, people would make mix CDs in its honor and trade their zebra cakes for a chance to sit at its table during lunch. (What these things aren’t cool anymore?!?)

Tucked away from the street lights and big city blocks, Solemn Oath Brewery is nestled (much to my excitement) in the Chicago ‘burbs. Breaking the mold that is cookie-cutter suburban restaurants/bars, the brewery occupies just enough warehouse space for beer lovers to grab a drink or two at the bar while enjoying the scenery. And that scenery? That’s beer being made in the background.

Okay, okay. Back to the pickles. Most Friday nights hopheads and malt aficionados alike have reason to bring their appetite to Solemn Oath. Each week a food truck glistens in all its glory outside the brewery doors. Lucky for me, a born-again cheesehead, Toasty Cheese was serving up any hot and melty combination of grilled cheese you could think of. I went veggie.

Sourdough bread loaded with fresh veggies (bell peppers, asparagus) and creamy goat cheese. Once I picked it up, I didn’t put it down until it was all gone. Nom, nom, nom. It washed down seamlessly with the Skinny Jeans are Ridiculous (yes, that’s the name of the beer) and a pickle.

A free pickle. Big shot out to the friendly folks at Puckerd Pickle Co. (Chi-town made!) for creating a memory I’ll never forget. I can honestly say Friday night was the first time I’ve ever eaten a pickle straight out of the jar… at a bar.

Revisiting Panera Bread

Posted on December 11, 2012 by danapeters21

Whenever I eat at a Panera Bread, I’m flooded with happy, nostalgic memories. I can remember sitting at the “hidden” table with good friends in high school, laughing endlessly. I remember traveling to the off campus Panera in college to escape studying and homework. Though at different stages of life, there was a common thread in these trips. Most, if not all, involved a comforting bowl of soup.

Lucky for me, I was invited to participate in a DailyBuzz Tastemakers program and got to learn a little more about Panera Bread’s soups. What impressed me most was their commitment to quality ingredients – something I can’t praise enough. It tastes like homemade every time and I know a lot of people agree. I often hear people say they really want soup and are heading to Panera.

Last week I decided to get a You Pick Two meal for dinner. I ordered the Broccoli Cheddar soup and the Steak and White Cheddar sandwich. Admittedly not the healthiest of meals, but I do love cheese – haha! The sandwich wasn’t my favorite – just not what I expected, but the soup was perfect. Just as good as I remembered and that’s saying a lot. Actually, I think it tasted a little better knowing there was no homework waiting for me when I got home!

What are your favorite Panera eats?

Disclaimer: As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker Program, I received a gift card to Panera Bread to sample their soups. All photography and opinions are my own.

Restaurant Review: Birch & Barley, Washington DC

Posted on November 13, 2012 by danapeters21

One of the things I like best about traveling is eating. You’re probably thinking, you like eating everywhere… why is this shocking? It’s not, but hear me out on this one. I enjoy eating while traveling so much because, to me, food is deeply connected to culture and allows you to learn an invaluable amount of information about the people around you.

When you walk through the doors at Birch & Barley, located in Logan Circle in Washington DC, it’s liking walking through the doors of your coolest friend’s house. You know the one, the one who has Apple’s newest device the day it comes out and scores an invite to every important grand opening in your town.

A unique, modern atmosphere features an open kitchen (nothing to hide here – highly respected!), endless tap handles and candlelight, not in the romantic way. I suppose it could be romantic, but when visiting with our group of four, it was more like we were let into a secret society where the focus was solely on us, on our meal.

If you could have been a fly on the wall during said meal, you’d probably have heard a little something like this:

- “Oh this is so good… try this!”

- “This is delicious!”

- “Best french fry I’ve EVER had!”

True story. You know a meal is to-die-for when you lose your words, when all you can come up with to describe what you’re eating is so good… and you say it repeatedly. Admittedly, what drew us in to Birch & Barley was not the food, but rather their extensive craft beer list (priorities, people). To say their beer list is big is an understatement. On any given day they are serving up 555 different selections. This restaurant loves its beer – the staff is knowledgeable and can give suggestions based on your taste or what you choose to eat. In fact, our meal started with a complimentary taste of beer.

Next came the best bread “basket” you’ve ever seen or tasted for that matter. A bread board featuring three different types of rolls. The best part? There were 4 of each – one for everyone!

You can really tell when a restaurant/chef is proud of what they’ve created… and we certainly felt that at Birch & Barley. We were generously brought these stuffed risotto balls to try. They were the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.

Since we weren’t expecting the risotto dish, we also ordered a fig and prosciutto flatbread, which again was phenomenal. The sweetness of the figs combatted the saltiness of the prosciutto. I could have ate this as my main dish… but then there was the chicken and waffles.

Mmmmmm…. Where was I? Oh yes, chicken and waffles. Crispy fried chicken accompanied homemade waffles and pecans. I’m a sucker for anything that is salty-sweet and boy oh boy did this dish fit the bill. Thinking about it makes me want it again… see for yourself.

Last, but not least… (hey go big or go home!) was dessert. Warm lemon pudding cake (cake baked to order, say what?!) and a Chai Cheesecake. I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

Well now that I’m completely famished, I’ll leave you to your regularly scheduled day while I go contemplate how feasible it would be to fly out to DC for dinner one night this week.

Washington DC: Hurricanes & Unforgettable Eats

Posted on November 12, 2012 by danapeters21

It seems only appropriate to (finally) blog about our trip to Washington DC since yesterday, November 11, was Veteran’s Day. A very special thank you goes out to all the men and women who serve our country, both past and present. Even though the title of this post may suggest otherwise, our trip was rooted in the history, patriotism and ambition that fills our nation’s capital on a daily basis. Being in DC, it’s hard to not be inspired by what’s going on around you and what has come before.

That being said, the food in DC did not disappoint. The weather on the other hand, well, kind of did. Yes, we were scheduled to leave the Monday Hurricane Sandy made its way up the East Coast. Due to a canceled flight, our memorable trip ended with one of the most interesting memories, a road trip from Virginia to Illinois (and eventually to Wisconsin for our friends). All things aside, I know we are fortunate to have made it safely out of the storm and I can only hope for the best and quick rebuild for those who lost so much during this natural disaster.

And now back to our regularly scheduled ogling over food. First up? Arguably one of DC’s most popular dessert stops – Georgetown Cupcake. Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Red Velvet, Milk Chocolate Birthday Cake, Chocolate Hazelnut and Coconut. The verdict? The cupcakes are as delicious as they look and the frosting on these treats steal the show.

Red Velvet was my pick and it had big shoes to fill – I’ve eaten more varieties of red velvet cake than I’d like to admit. However, the cream cheese frosting was exactly on point and the cake was the perfect mix of chocolate and vanilla flavors.

One of the perks of traveling to a different region of the country is eating the local cuisine and being near the coast meant oodles and oodles of fresh seafood! I’ll be honest, I handle fish and shrimp pretty well, but beyond that, I’m not really adventurous when it comes to other ocean delicacies. So big news: At J Paul’s in Georgetown I tried my first oyster! And I’d definitely try another… fresh of course. Our oysters were a mild variety and topped with lemon, horseradish and a red wine sauce making the actual oyster flavor almost nonexistent.

Keeping with the seafood theme, I thoroughly enjoyed this crab cake sandwich. Let me tell you, the slightly spicy, slightly tangy Cherry Pepper Remoulade made this dish. Thinking about it makes me want one… right… now.

As most of you can probably imagine, I’m not usually at a loss for words, but I was absolutely blown away by Busboys and Poets. If you are ever in DC, do yourself a favor and check it out (there are a few different locales around town) because I don’t think my words will do it justice. We headed here for lunch by taking a suggestion from a kind stranger on the metro (if you ever read this sir, thank you, thank you, thank you!). Not only does this restaurant/coffee shop/bookstore, serve to die for food, the ambiance is unparalleled elsewhere. It has a unique, welcoming vibe that makes you wish you could stay there all day long.

Pictured – falafel and sweet potato fries

Whew, I know this was a lot… I could go on and on about this trip… so I will. Stop by tomorrow to hear all about Birch & Barley.

I Love this Bar… and Nachos

Posted on October 22, 2012 by danapeters21

I’d definitely classify myself as one of those people who is rarely at a lost for words. I’m full of opinions and random thoughts; however when it comes to these nachos… I become speechless. Partially because I’m too busy stuffing my face with incredible goodness and partially because I just can’t think of a better way to describe them than Oh. My. Goodness.

This weekend I was lucky enough to visit a restaurant/bar I’ve been desperately wanting to go to for longer than I’m willing to admit. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill is the perfect combination of down home country and delicious cuisine… including the previously mentioned nachos. Piled high with patriotic red, white and blue tortilla chips these nachos feature the old standbys, cheese, beans, guacamole and pulled pork.

Yes. Pulled pork… and some of the best pulled pork you’ll eat at that. Perfectly tender, perfectly sweet and spicy – served on a platter that could easily serve a small army. A true testament to its size – we couldn’t even finish all of it in two different servings.

By now I’m sure I’ve made a strong argument for the nachos themselves, but here’s the real kicker – a rockin’ live band playing country cover songs. My night was complete. I’m a sucker for a good band that I can dance and sing along to – yes, I’m that person in the bar. All that and the fact my beer came in a mason jar made me incredibly happy. Toby Keith’s was a small escape from the big city lights of Chicago and its suburbs… a little bit of down home right in our backyard and you bet I loved every single minute of it. Cheers to a little bit of the south in northern Illinois!

Restaurant Review: Muldoon’s

Posted on October 16, 2012 by danapeters21

Some of the best wisdom I’ve ever heard, I heard in an Irish pub… and it came in the form of a quote on a menu.

There is no love sincerer than the love of food. — George Bernard Shaw

To some degree, I believe the above is true. Food (for me at least) can be easily associated with memories and can bring people together. So as you may have guessed, I will now associate Muldoon’s in downtown Wheaton, IL with this quote. And that’s okay with me because the food is good.

Muldoon’s has been a popular spot for us to eat for the past year or so, but recently their menu got a reboot and it is better than ever. Unique combinations of foods and preparations, starting with this appetizer – Cream Cheese Balls.

They were unlike anything I’d ever tasted – very heavy on the bacon. We dipped them in ranch and a cocktail-type sauce. They were fun to try, but I’m not sure I’d order them again. They were a bit overwhelming!

For dinner I ate a stuffed burger with blue cheese and more bacon (don’t judge). If you’ve never had a stuffed burger, be prepared. The filling is hot when you bite into it! The burger was really tasty – the perfect amount of blue cheese. It was really big though and I didn’t finish it – especially after those cream cheese balls.

In true Irish style, I washed it all down with a good ole Magners Cider.

What are your favorite pub eats?

Restaurant Review: Five Guys

Posted on September 18, 2012 by danapeters21

If you’re looking for a “fast-food” burger that tastes like a backyard barbecue, Five Guys is your place. Started as a family burger joint in 1986 located near Washington DC, this restaurant serves up freshly-grilled burgers every time you order. On top of that, your burger gets made exactly as you wish… yep that’s right, every time. See, here’s where the backyard barbecue thing comes in to play. When you order your burger you get to choose any toppings you want from a fairly extensive list and it doesn’t cost a dime extra. That’s right. Free toppings.

Mmmm… doesn’t that look tasty? Believe me it was. Now here’s a little more information to know before you go. The regular burgers come with two 1/4 pound patties which was a bit too much for me so I ordered a “little” cheeseburger, ya know, only one patty. And if you go, you must MUST try the french fries. We opted for the cajun variety (yum!), but the potatoes are really the stars here. The fries are freshly cut and the right amount of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

If all of this doesn’t convince you to give Five Guys a try, how about this? Free peanuts while you wait.

The Best Biscuit You’ll Ever Eat

Posted on September 13, 2012 by danapeters21

The best biscuit you’ll ever eat. That’s surely a bold statement, but I’m convinced if such a thing as the perfect biscuit exists, you’ll find it here. Welcome to Loveless Cafe!

Sorry about the squinty eyes!

I’m not even really sure where to begin when talking about this most delicious home cookin’ restaurant in Nashville, so please excuse me if this post goes astray (cue party like it’s 1999 music)…

I’ll guess I’ll start that the beginning – you guys, I found a brochure for this place in our hotel lobby and saw it was featured on Food Network, which in my book is like getting a personalized blessing from the Pope. And to top it off, Paula Deen and Martha Stewart raved about it… I mean these are some powerful women. So we hop in the car and make the approximately 30 minute drive from downtown Nashville to Loveless. We get there and see a bunch of people hanging around as well as a series of other buildings which ended up being, among other things, the cutest little store and a smokehouse complete with the most delicious smells.

Smokehouse complete with people sitting in rocking chairs

Anyways, we made our way up to the front of the line to get to the hostess stand and are told the wait for two people is a modest 1 hour and 45 minutes… I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped to the floor! I’ve never heard of a wait time that long for a restaurant… and no one seemed to mind. Well, no one except us. Curse of the north I suppose, always on the go. Luckily, as we sadly made our way back to the car, a kind lady told us you can order food to go and it’s up in about 15 minutes – so that’s exactly what we did. And this is what we got:

Steak biscuits (yes, that is beef tenderloin. Thanks for noticing.) and hash brown casserole. The meat was soft and simply flavored, but the biscuits were what made this meal. Buttery, flakey, golden and oh. so. good. It was the kind of meal that you can taste in your mouth for awhile after eating and you can relive it over and over again.

As if it wasn’t enough that the food was probably some of the best homemade cooking I’ve ever had, they have this awesome little store where you can buy a taste of Loveless to bring on home with you. They have everything from preserves, biscuit mix, bacon, bacon-flavored popcorn… the list goes on. The best part? You can order online! Even though I bought my fair share of goodies, I’m sure I’ll be back in spirit via the website to get more tastes of the south. Who wants to come over for breakfast (and dessert)?

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Disclaimer: As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker Program, I received a gift card to Panera Bread to sample their soups. All photography and opinions are my own.

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