Breakfast on the Go

By Peg Ashbrock

 

Are manic mornings the norm at your house? Everyone going in separate directions, things being forgotten, and no one with a smile on their face while they run out the door towards the day ahead?

 

We’ve all had those mad-dash mornings when eating a healthy breakfast is the last thing on our mind. We’ve also heard nutritionists telling us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies show eating breakfast increases your metabolic burn rate, makes you feel full longer, and keeps you from eating as much at night.  “After last eating dinner the night before, your body goes on a 10-hour fast until breakfast, so eating breakfast gives your brain the fuel it needs to stay mentally alert,” explained Chrisy O’Connor, RD,LD and owner of Personal Newtrition. “It’s like a fire; you have to keep throwing logs on it to make it work.” (more…)

Coupon Savvy Shoppers Save Big $$$

By Peg Ashbrock

 

Coupon clipping is back in style. With soaring fuel prices and rampant inflation we’re all looking at ways to cut corners. At the grocery food prices have already risen over 6% so far this year with no end in sight. So why not look for ways to save?

 

More than 86% of U.S. consumers use coupons; shoppers last year saved $2.6 billion just by using coupons, with the average coupon user saving about 11% on their grocery bill.

 

Where to Find Coupons

Coupons have been around since 1894 when Asa Candler, the druggist who bought the formula for Cola-Cola, began giving out handwritten tickets for a free glass of his new fountain drink. They became a staple in American households during the Depression in the 1930s, and as supermarkets sprouted across the country the coupon tradition continued. (more…)

Cincinnati Area Bed and Breakfast Inns Welcome Travelers

By Melissa Haller

 

 

Earlier this year, Linda Diller and her husband took off on a renewing and romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day, but they skipped the stress of traveling. Well, unless you count the mile they drove from their Cincinnati home to Six Acres Bed and Breakfast in nearby College Hill.

 

There, the couple relaxed all weekend while Six Acres owner Kristen Kitchen set up massages, served fresh fritters and fruit, and offered up some friendly conversation. “It was totally fun and awesome,” Diller remembers fondly. “Six Acres is a historic site, and it’s lovely.” (more…)

The Hills of Brown County

By Peg Ashbrock

Just two and a half hours from Cincinnati in south central Indiana, is one of the most scenic areas in the Midwest. The hills of Brown County Indiana come alive especially in the fall; the charming arts community of Nashville welcomes you to the perfect spot for a weekend adventure.

 

Indiana’s Most Visited Park

The area is home to one of Indiana’s most visited park, Brown County State Park, as well as the Hoosier National Forest, and Yellowwood State Forest making it the perfect destination for fall. Millions of Midwest families visit the area each year; camping, hiking, riding horseback and enjoying the natural beauty of the rolling hills of southern Indiana. October is the most visited time of the year. (more…)

Transforming School Lunches

 

By Peg Ashbrock

 

Roasted Lemon-Sage Tilapia.  Moroccan Meatballs with Vegetable Couscous. Tamarind Barbecue Chicken. This is not the cafeteria food you had at school growing up. Mac and cheese and fried fish sandwiches, or chicken nuggets and fries. That was the school lunch of the 80s.  Today’s lunch ladies have transformed the school lunch line, and guess what, the kids (and teachers) love it.

 

“It was time for a change,” said Jan Alford, food service director at The Seven Hills School. “We had gotten in a rut and we knew it was time to lighten up the menu.” Four years ago the school board brought in well-known local Chef Jimmy Gerhardi to work with Jan and the cafeteria staff to overhaul the kitchen with the goal of eliminating fat, and improving nutrition. It worked so well they won a national award from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, The Golden Carrot, for their great-tasting, healthy lunches. (more…)

31 Ways to Celebrate October

By Stacey N. Dunaway

 

Preparing for Halloween doesn’t have to be scary; it can be a scream. Here are tips for every day in October so you and your family will never run out of ways to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve all month long.

 

1 –Blockbuster movies like Ironman and Joker usually lead costume trends. Get the list of top costumes for 2008 at www.costumzee.com.

 

2 – Rent a movie classic like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the family-friendly Hocus Pocus.

 

3 – Tell a spooky tale. Get some ideas at www.halloweenghoststories.com (more…)

Great Places to Enjoy Right Here in Your Hometown

By Peg Ashbrock
Summer is the best time to play tourist in your home town. It’s the time to explore places that you’ve never been, and find out just why so many of your family and friends like to visit. But I’ll bet there are places right here in your hometown that you’ve never checked out. What are you waiting for-get out and explore!

Exploring Downtown

Start at Cincinnati’s front door, Fountain Square, with activities day and night. Marvel at the restored Tyler Davidson Fountain and let the kids chase a few pigeons. Fountain Square is also the starting point of the Queen City Tour, those purple signs that lead you all over the city exploring. (more…)

Add Yours to My List

By Peg Ashbrock

I’ll list some more of my favorite local weekend wanderings, but I want to know yours too. Email me at peg@intouchzine.com with your suggestions for a fun place to vacation right in our own backyard.

July 24 Update*****

Don’t let Summer slip away! try some of these great places before schools starts and everyone’s schedules get too crazy!

Play Tourist For Free

By Peg Ashbrock

It’s going to be another long hot summer and in just a few weeks the kids will be saying there’s nothing to do. Well, we’ve done the legwork for you and found 10 absolutely free places to go that won’t cost you a dime. Check our website, www.intouchzine.com for more local places to visit.

 

1.

Newport Aquarium, One Penguin Way, Newport. 859-815-1432. Every morning at 9: 15 a.m. (Memorial Day- Labor Day) catch the Penguin Parade of African Blackfoot Penguins up close and personal in their own personal Penguin Mobile. One lucky child gets to be the parade leader. Kids can ask the penguin’s trainers all those questions that kids love to ask and you don’t know the answers to. (more…)

Check These Out:

 

Got More Ideas? Send them to me and I’ll add your suggestions too. Send them to peg@intouchzine.com

Summer Weather Welcomes Walkers

By Peg Ashbrock
Now that summer weather is here, its time to lace up your walking shoes and get outside. Cincinnati recently was named the 10th best walking city in the nation, according to a survey by Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Are you a walker already? Great.
If you’re newer to the walking game, read on. Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise. It’s safe, simple, and doesn’t require practice. Many people start walking for health reasons. Some just like to get out and explore. Whatever your reasons, walking in Cincinnati has never been easier.
(more…)

More Great Places to  Walk

Your Neighborhood Farmers Market

By Peg Ashbrock

Whether you’re passionate about fresh ingredients, interested in eating ‘locally’, or just want to meet the farmers who grow your food, summer is all about shopping at local farmers markets. Cincinnati has so many choices all conveniently located within a few minutes of your home that you can try a new one every week and still not get to them all this summer.

 

Fun and Friendly

Why shop at a farmers market instead of your local grocery? Well they won’t replace your neighborhood grocer, but local farmers markets are a great place to shop. Whether you’re a gourmet chef or a young housewife with questions or somewhere in between you know where the food comes from-the grower is right there and you can ask them anything.  I suggest browsing the whole market first. That way you have a chance to see what each vendor offers and can organize your shopping list around what’s seasonally available. If you see a fruit or vegetable that’s new to you and want to give it a try, ask the farmer how to prepare it. For the best advice, ask how they like to cook it. Getting to know your local growers is not only informative, it’s fun. (more…)

Local Farmers Markets

Local Farmer’s Markets

 Butler County

 Brown’s Family Market

11620 Hamilton Cleves Road

Hamilton

513-738-0404

April-June

 Daily 7 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

 

The Feed Barn

9257 Cincinnati-Dayton Road

West Chester

513-779-1190

May-October

Saturday 9:00-1:00 p.m.

 

Station Road Farm Market

6749 Station Road

West Chester

513-777-3650

July

Daily M-F 10:00-6:00: Sat 9:00-5:00; Sun 12:00-5:00

 

Clermont County

 

Amelia Farmer’s Market

Auxier Trucking

1275 Ohio Pike

Amelia

753-9186

July-September

Sunday 12:00-4:00

 

Grailville Farm

932 Bannonville Road

Loveland

683-2340

June-October

Daily 9:00-9:00

 

Grant’s Farm

5552 Bucktown Road

Williamsburg

625-0638

March-December

Daily M-Sat.  9:00-6:00;Sun 10:00-5:00

 

Milford Farmer’s Market

Milford Shopping Center

1025 Lila Avenue

Milford

May-November

Wed. 2:00; Saturday 10:00

 

Mt. Carmel Farmer’s Market

Sports Page Café Parking Lot

453 Cincinnati Batavia Pike

Mt Carmel

July-October

Tuesday 2:00-5:30

 

Newtown Farm Market

3950 Round Bottom Road

Newtown

561-2004

Daily M-F 9:00-8:00; Sat 9:00-7:00; Sun 9:00-6:00

 

Pringle’s Orchard

2697 Pringle Road

Goshen

625-9866

June-December

Daily M-Sat. 10:00-6:00; Sun 1:00-6:00

 

Rouster’s Apple House

1986 State Route 131

Milford

625-5504

Milford

July-April

Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-6:00

 

Shaw Farms

1737 St. Rt. 131

Milford

575-2022

July-November

Daily 9:00-6:00

 

Wilfert Farms

3135 Lindale Mt. Holly Rd

Amelia

797-8018

April-November

Daily 9:00-6:00

 

Warren County

 

The Black Barn

1161W. Main Street

Lebanon

932-2093

Daily 9:00-7:00

 

Iron’s Fruit Farm

1640 Stubs Mill Road

Lebanon

932-2853

Daily M-Sat. 9:00-5:00; Sun 12:00-5:00

 

Hidden Valley Fruit Farm

5474 N. Ohio 48

932-1869

June-October

Saturday

 

Mason Farmer’s Market

Mason middle School Parking Lot

770 Mason Montgomery Road

Mason

229-8510

June-October

Saturday 8:00-12:00

 

Landen-Deerfield Farmer’s Market

3292 Montgomery Road

513-2063

June- October

Saturday 8:00-12:00

 

Lebanon Farmer’s Market

Sycamore at Main

Lebanon

228-3172

June- October

Thursday 12:00-6:00

 

Hamilton County

 

Farm Market of College Hill

Llanfair at Hamilton Ave.

College Hill

542-0007

June-September

Thursday 3:00-7:00

 

Nativity Church Tailgate Market

5935 Pandora Avenue

Pleasant Ridge

June-October

Monday 3:30-6:15

 

North Minster United Presbyterian Church

703 Compton Road

Finneytown

June-September

Friday 3:30-6:30

 

Northside Farmers Market

Hamilton Ave at Lingo St.

Northside

706-5401

June- September

Wednesday 3:00-7:00

 

Wyoming Farmers Market

Wyoming at Van Roberts

Wyoming

761-6263

May- October

Tuesday 3:00-7:00

 

Hyde Park Farmers Market

US Bank Parking Lot

3424 Edwards Rd

Hyde Park

June-October

Sunday 10:00-2:00

 

Lunken Airport Farmers Market

Wilbur Road off St. Rt. 52

East End

May-October

M-F 3:00-6:00; Sat 9:00-3:00

 

Madisonville Farmers Market

4760 Red Bank Expressway

Madisonville

272-3650

June-October

Saturday 9:00-1:00

 

Mt. Washington Farmers Market

6136 Campus Lane at Beechmont

Mt. Washington

June-October

Thursday  3:00-7:00

 

Turner Farm

7400 Given Road

Indian Hill

561-8426

July-December

Tuesday 9:00-dark; Wed & Fri 2:30 to dark, Sat at Findlay Market

 

Hollmeyer Orchards

3241 Fiddlers Green Road

Western Hills

574-0663

January-March; June-December

M-F 9:00-6:00; Sat 9:00-5:00; Sun 1-5:00

 

St. Jude Church Tailgate Market

5928 Bridgetown Road

Bridgetown

859-491-6140

July-September

Wednesday 3:30-6:00

 

Northern Kentucky

 

St. Therese Church Tailgate Market

2516 Alexandria Pike

Southgate

July-October

Thursday 3:30-6:00

 

Boone County Farmers Market

Burlington Pike between Limaberg Rd and Camp Ernst Rd.

Burlington

859-586-6101

June-October

M-F 9:00-6:00; Weekends 7:00-7:00

 

Dixie Farmers Market

Erlanger Baptist Church

116 Commonwealth Ave

Erlanger

April-October

Thursday 3:00-6:00

 

Campbell County Farmers Market

709 Monmouth St

Newport

859-572-2600

Saturday 9:00-12:00

 

Northern Kentucky Regional Farm Market

5^th Street at MainStrasse Visitors Parking Lot

(Between Philadelphia and Main)

Covington

859-431-1500

Tuesday 3:00-6:30

Saturday 8:30-2:00

Cincinnati Reads & Writes

By Peg Ashbrock

Do you like to curl up with a good book? You’re in good company; Cincinnati has recently been named one of the most literate cities in the U.S.

Lots of Choices

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is the second busiest in the nation, loaning more than 14.9 million items last year.  (more…)

 Tea

The New “Hot” Drink

By Peg Ashbrock

There’s no shouting ‘decaf grande skim latte, or medium mocha macchiatos’ in a tea room. While the world of coffee is fast; the ritual of tea is slow and relaxed. The coffee craze that created shops on every corner and new words into our lexicon is now getting some company as their clientele turns its fashion eye to tea. (more…)

Findlay Market

Where Cincinnati Eats

By Peg Ashbrock

As Ohio’s oldest continuous operating public market, Findlay Market is one of Cincinnati’s most cherished destinations, and yet, surprisingly so many local residents and visitors here have never visited this Over-the-Rhine gem. If you claim any trace of being a ‘foodie’, you really have to visit on a Saturday morning; the market virtually vibrates with activity. (more…)

Try Something New

By Melissa Haller

If dozing on your couch is the only item on your to do list, it’s high time to get out of your comfort zone. So take safety precautions, prepare wisely, and try one of these 10 ideas to usher in an invigorated, empowered you:

Take AimDiscover your inner huntsman by renting a bow and arrow, getting instruction, and spending time on the archery range at Target World. www.targetworld.net; (513) 772-3343. (more…)

America’s Newest Pastime

By Peg Ashbrock

Does sipping a fine wine, tasting some delicious food and enjoying a relaxing atmosphere appeal to you? Then try visiting some of the many regional wineries in the Greater Cincinnati region. (more…)