With the influence of cooking networks in our culture, the casual diner has become much more educated with expectations that force chefs to be more creative and develop unique flavor profiles that no one else has tried. These expectations have also carried over to both the craft beer industry and the gourmet ice cream industry as well.  At first glance, you might not think of pairing beer and ice cream together, but once people taste these combinations they can’t help but to notice how well the different flavors complement one another. Many chefs and brewers have partnered together to develop these combinations that seem to satisfy both the sweet and savory palates. The complex flavors they are incorporating such as coffee, fruits, spices and even chocolate all seem to pair well not only with the malt, hops and yeast but also with the cream in the ice cream.

I recently spoke with Laura Oldham, Co-Founder of the Columbus Craft Beer Alliance, who hosts several large events annually to showcase the growing craft beer industry, to give us her take on the surge of craft beer brewers and the unlikely pairing of beer and ice cream.

“Like with food, people are more conscious of what they are drinking and expect the quality of the ingredients going into craft beers to be just as important as what goes into their food. Many Americans live within 10 miles of a craft brewery, which gives the consumer the ability to see how the beer is brewed and with what ingredients," she stated. “Craft beer is generally made with traditional ingredients like barley and hops, but interesting and non-traditional ingredients are often added for distinct flavors, which provides limitless possibilities for the unique styles that can be created. Different styles of beer can be paired with a wide range of foods, including ice ream. Many restaurants are creating craft beer floats on their dessert menus for a twist on the traditional root beer float.”

Many brewmasters are creating ice cream flavored beer like New Belgium’s Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Beer. Frozen Pints has some unique flavors they have captured in the ice cream arena; Honey IPA, Brown Ale Chip, Milk Chocolate Stout. When I asked Laura what she thought may follow next in the food/beer pairing she stated that The Columbus Craft Beer Alliance is currently pairing craft beer and doughnut tastings for brewery tours throughout the city. I will be sure to check that out!

So....if you're like me you're going to "cheat" this coming weekend with all the Fourth of July picnics, parades, barbecues and camping, so you need to have a plan.  We have a big family get-together where we camp, play games, watch an outdoor movie and EAT! That includes the traditional S'MORES!!

For me, I'm already thinking of getting back and getting the bad food out of my diet. I do try to limit what I can, but even after a few slip-ups, I can tell a total difference in how I feel. Sluggish, tired, workouts not as great, feeling the need for more sleep than normal, headache, etc. This is all a repercussion of the sugar and increase carbs I allowed myself to consume!

My plan of action is getting back on my normal routine for sticking to a healthier eating plan. These are my main steps each week to living a healthier life:

1).  I prep! This means preparing my food ahead of time each week for each day. 

2).  I watch servings! For instance, healthy fruits and vegetables equals one fistful (that would be enough fruits and vegetables to amount the size of my fist), lean proteins one palm full, low sugar carbohydrates half a fistful and healthy fats the size of my thumb.

3).  I make sure I get protein every morning which keeps my brain functioning well throughout the day. This will usually follow or proceed a workout. Typically, I will consume a protein shake (one scoop of protein, half water, half almond milk, ice and two generous handfuls of spinach).  The bullet does its magic then "wha-la"! Super yummy!

4).  I do not eat after 6 PM!

5).  I will not have alcohol!

6).  I drink water generally with organic lemon juice. I drink half my body weight in ounces each day.  Tip: purchase a 40+ ounce bottle, make it up in the morning and drink on it all day!

Performing these simple steps can set you back up to being successful after a night or weekend binge!

One last thing, I get back on my workout schedule! Make workouts a must, just part of your normal routine! YOU - Body – Mind – Soul will be happier and function better!

Jennifer Seiler, MSN, FNP, AOCNP Hematology Oncology Nurse Practitioner

-J2 Wellness Center  

I grew up in a small suburb of Columbus and the 4th of July is very serious business in our town.  Two weeks out people start lining up their chairs on the parade route and even rope/tape them off so they are ready to go. There seems to be a “code” that is adhered to and the chairs seem to remain safe and sound until the big day arrives. A week out, the city will paint red, white and blue stars on the street and that is when you know that summer is officially here.  To outsiders and transplants this seems CRAZY and somewhat cult like.

Can you imagine waking up the 4th of July to a car with a foghorn outside your house yelling “wake up, wake up, time for the parade” as it drives through our streets.  Well, that is reality.  This small town parade has the OSU alumni band, floats and even small planes that advertise overhead.  On every corner there are parties with cookouts and alumni events, many getting ready for their reunions that typically happen that weekend.  It brings such a sense of community and traditions that continues year after year.  Family, friends, food……Happy 4th of July!

Father’s Day is always a tough day for me as I am sure it is for anyone who has lost their father.    This year with the launch of Bellisari’s, I thought I would reflect on what it means to me and try to look at it with a different set of eyes.

My father was probably one of the most talented people you would ever meet, extremely athletic, chef, master carpenter, party thrower extraordinaire and the most intimidating figure on two legs (at least from his six kids perspective). That man could have you shaking in your boots with a mere glance and catch you in a split second if you thought you could outrun the trouble you were in. Even if he was in the midst of cooking for a football team, the neighborhood or an entire Bahamian Island he would still have eyes in the back of his head to watch us.

I think that is why it is so ironic that our last visit together was so different. I had just had my first child, two weeks into it and had no clue what I was doing yet.  What I did know is that my son cried…a lot. At that point I did not know what colicky or sensory issues were.  I thought all newborns cried 24 hours a day.  Since our family could not go without a meal my dad said, “lets get out of the house and get some lunch”.  So he and I loaded up went to lunch and on the way home I remember as my son cried and cried my father reaching his large stature over the front seat rubbing my sons head and putting a pacifier in his mouth and calming my son so easily that I just sat there bewildered.  Wow, I thought, add that to the list of things I didn’t know he could do...but will always remember him doing.

Hold on tight to those daddy’s today…. times are fleeting. 

Happy Father’s Day

That one friend who doesn’t know how to cook….

We all have that one friend who can’t cook.  That one friend who brings a box of crackers and a block of cheese to the party. The one friend who never has a dinner party at their house because they wouldn’t know where to begin and would be way too overwhelmed.  You all know who you are and let’s talk about why you are that person.

I feel very strongly as a parent it is my role to teach my children their way around the kitchen.  I feel it lends itself to better eating habits, better socialization skills and a better future partner.  We all have days that we don’t want the mess or the aftermath of the kids “helping me” in the kitchen but remember that small amount of time and patients can eliminate that title of “friend who can’t cook”.

Start with simple things like kitchen safety, baking brownies, making pasta or even making scrambled eggs, soon those eggs can turn into a rustic frittata that your child is making for your Sunday family brunch.  Create cooking competitions in your kitchen and print out simple certificates for the winner.  It would take an hour out of your day this summer when you are looking for things to do and will create a child that adds grilled chicken and roasted peppers to their ramen noodles while they are away at college.  You never know what or who you may inspire so do your kids a favor and take the time!