Food

This section includes pieces related to food products

WATCH FOR THIS PROTEIN BAR

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As I have been in the food and fitness spaces for many years, I am always looking for ways to take better care of myself, my friends and family, and my Matt’s Meals fans.

Among the mentors I have found are longevity guru Peter Attia and all-around science stud Andrew Huberman.

So when both of them recommended a new protein bar, I jumped on it even before they were released to the public to make sure I could tell others first.

For decades, the protein bar space has been ruled by a handful of glutenous Goliaths. Fortunately, thanks to Peter Rahal – inventor of Rx Bar (which is still a favorite!) – there is now the new David bar to – as the young people say – slay them all.

In addition to having an amazing 28 grams of protein, David bars have only 150 calories (a full 75% of which come from the protein, making them a great way to get your gram-per-pound a day), at most 2 grams of net carbs, and – get this – no gluten and no sugar!

Oh- And did I mention they are easily among the best-tasting protein bars around?
Whether I enjoy a cookie dough bar before a workout, a fudge brownie bar before a big writing assignment, a cake batter bar before I talk about my book on the Ivy League, or a blueberry pie bar…whenever, the bars taste like the flavors they claim and not like they were just flavored to taste like them. Even the pastry-like consistency is a step up from most other bars, which can resemble eating chalk or dried spackle.

Protein is key to muscle growth, weight loss, and many other bodily functions and personal goals. If you want to ask for the best one by name, get to know David.

NUTS TO NIBS

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I was recently back at Boston Public Market for their annual Harvest Party and there is a lot of news to share!

In addition to hosting one of the largest pumpkins in the area, the carnival-themed fair offered guests opportunities to try their luck at various games and to enjoy free samples from many of the Market’s vaunted vendors.

In addition to such carb-y faves as pizzas from the Bagel Guild, popovers from The Popover Lady, and hot pretzels from Hearth & Hug that came with a mustard I wanted to bottle and take home, there were also fall-spiced popcorn from Curio Spice, mouth-watering sandwiches from Beantown Pastrami, and the widely-distributed but rarely bested ice cream from Crescent Ridge!

One of my favorite discoveries, however, was that Q’s Nuts (which has supplied many of my author talks and presentations of my book on the Ivy League with their delicious and nutritious snacks) was expanding their menu of offerings not just into more new creative flavors of fresh and healthy almonds, cashews, peanuts, and more, but into superfood-worthy cacao nibs!

While Q’s has been a favorite source of protein and energy (and also of gifts for family and friends), they are now adding addictively-delicious roasted nibs to their ever-expanding menu of tasty treats, making a visit to the Market or to qsnuts.com even more worthwhile!

The BPM Harvest Party means that winter and the holidays are around the corner. What better time to stock up on delicious nutritious snacks that CAN last through the season but that you will probably devour the day you get them?

Fortunately, Q’s always has new flavors and ideas coming so reordering is not only easy but required.

GETTING A DELICIOUS BOOST

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As I have been in the health and fitness world for so long, I am well aware of the benefits of adding creatine to your fitness regimen.

In addition to fueling your muscles, Creatine also helps keep them hydrated and supple, and has also been shown to support cognitive function and energy production.

For many, however, the major obstacle to getting Creatine in their bodies is getting Creatine in their bodies.

As most Creatine supplements come in the form of a chalky powder, it can be unappetizing and difficult to ingest and integrate into your diet.

That is why I was so thrilled to find Boost Nutra’s ATPerform (pronounced A-T-Perform) creatine gummies!

In addition to using the highest-quality ingredients that are custom manufactured and processed under strict health and sanitation standards, the founding friends at Boost Nutra made sure to add a number of other beneficial ingredients – including mind-helping nootropic L-Theanine, energy- and metabolism-boosting vitamin B-12, and the recovery-boosting antioxidant powerhouse black currant – and to remove any GMOs, dyes, and toxins, including sugar!

The result is a delicious vegan-friendly gummy that can be tempting to eat as a snack and that has benefits no matter when you enjoy it.

Whether or not your day begins with a high-intensity interval training or a low-key stroll through the park, Creatine has benefits to offer and with the help of Boost Nutra’s ATPerform gummies, it is more appealing than ever!

NOT FOR THE BIRDS

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As fans of Matt’s Meals may know, I am an olive fan. And while I am able to enjoy the best olive oils from food friends at Brelundi and the Greek International Market (which also has an impressive olive bar), I had never been such a fan of the pimento that is often placed inside the hole where the olive pit had been.

During a recent trip to Savannah, I came to see and taste how surprisingly satisfying this Southern staple was.

Unfortunately, I had difficulty matching the taste of the homemade cheese I enjoyed in Georgia until a company in Virginia called Birdie’s found out about my syndicated author interview show – “The Writer’s Block” – and generously offered to “sponsor” a show by sending their homemade pimento cheese for my audience to enjoy. They even included Snyder’s pretzels for dipping- How hospitable!

Having started as so many of Matt’s Meals’ favorite food folks do as a husband-and-wife team who sold their wares at the local farmers market, Birdie’s is now available nationwide.

And with flavors that range from their always appetizing traditional to recipes that add everything from dill and onion to garlic and parmesan to jalapenos and ghost peppers to a seasonal set with extra olives, it is easy to see how Birdie’s has been able to win over so many- including people who claim to not like pimento!

Let’s hear it for Southern hospitality…and Southern food!

GET FRESH ON THE CAPE SEPTEMBER 19

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While most of your friends may packed up their vacation houses by Labor Day, there are still plenty of reasons to go to the Cape!

One of them is a tasting event at Expressions Gallery in Chatham that will be hosted by Farmers to You on September 19 starting at 6:30 PM.

As the name implies, Farmers to You is a collaborative that works with over 150 farms throughout the region to bring everything from award-winning cheese and humanely-raised meats to pasture-raised poultry and eggs, organic bread, and milk that still has the cream floating on top of the bottle, and even creative prepared foods to over 2,000 patrons and locations throughout MA, VT, and NY.  

Among the featured foods and farmers at the Chatham event (which is free but for which registration is requested) will be sweet sauces from Butterfly Bakery (which is also the home of our favorite Fat Toad Farm Caramel!), upcycled crackers from Brewers Foods, Long Wind Farm‘s grown-in-soil tomatoes, Aqua ViTea kombucha, and cheeses from Farmstead Cheese Co. and Sweet Rowen Farmstead. 

In addition to fresh and delicious food, the event in Chatham will also offer the opportunity to discuss with Farmers to You founder Greg Georgaklis and to enjoy the refreshing visual produce of artist Steve Koppel.

Whether or not you can make the event, Farmers to You is always ready to serve through its enticing website (https://farmerstoyou.com), which offers beautiful pictures of every product along with the stories behind the people behind each one. It even has meal suggestions for those who might need a little encouragement with expanding their dietary palette. They also offer their own CSA and pickup or delivery in certain areas and are constantly growing- just like their products!

LOOK, MOM- NO GMO’s!

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I recently had the privilege of sharing my book on the Ivy League (www.lionstigersbulldogs.com) at the beautiful Barnes & Noble in Natick, MA (and will present it at B&N in Dedham September 14). And while I was thrilled to see a real bookstore doing so well and to meet all the people who came by to learn about my book and my syndicated author TV show, “The Writer’s Block,” I was also gratified to find that, just a few doors down was an amazing store that had only organic products, including many that I have discussed as part of Matt’s Meals!

Started (as so many great food companies are) as a one-person operation, Mom’s Organic Market is now in six states (including MA!) and growing fast.

Though it is part of a national chain, as Mom’s supports so many independent food makers (including our friends at Runamok and Effie’s) and still offers a full bulk food section that saves money and packaging (as do the recycling and composting stations in each store), as well as a large selection of carbon-friendly foods, I cannot help but try to help them! 

In addition to some of your favorite (or soon-to-be-favorite) brands of food, organic produce, and kindly-raised meats, Mom’s also carries a growing list of money-saving but just-as-delicious-and-nutritious private label items, a full retinue of organic beers and wines, supplements and health and beauty aids (including CBD products), and even clothing! 

What they do NOT carry, however are products made with over 250 ingredients that they have literally banned. Among these are artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and colors, dangerous oils and chemicals, products that pander to kids, and product-wasteful bottled water.

Thanks for lookin’ out for our health, Mom’s!        

A HOLE STRAIGHT FROM LOWELL!

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I started doing these segments in order to support independent food makers. While I love every entrepreneur I’ve worked with, I’m especially happy to talk about people who are making it in Massachusetts, especially if they are in the heart of the Massachusetts Miracle- my familial hometown of Lowell )where I look forward to seeing Victor Wooten as part of the Lowell Summer Music Series).

If they make some of the best donuts around? What could be better?!

And if all their donuts are plant-based? WOW!

With flavors that range from chocolate glazed with either coconut, pecans, or sprinkles (“Jimmies” to locals) to a rainbow donut that can brighten any day, Planted Donuts has something for everyone, regardless of their dietary restrictions or proclivities. 

By using all natural, often organic ingredients (that offer more protein than most donuts, by the way) and baking instead of frying, Planted is able to offer donuts that are not only delicious for everyone but have a lot more flavor and less guilt, making it easier to enjoy even more!

Started by Lowell home baker Julie Freitas, Planted Donuts was first developed across the mighty Merrimack in Lawrence at the Revolving Test Kitchen but went on hiatus for a bit. 

On September 14, Planted will be relaunching at Sugar Baking Co. in West Roxbury. From 11-2, donut nuts will not only be able to taste Planted’s wonderful wares but also meet the makers of their ethical and exciting ingredients (Including Taza Chocolate) and get special donut discounts as well! 

If you miss the party, you can still enjoy Planted Donuts at Sugar Baking Co. every weekend (unless I get there first, of course!).

As the jingle says, there is a lot to like about the birthplace of the American Revolution and Planted Donuts is great example!!

STILL RUNNING

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While it has been a while since I checked in with our friends at Runamok Maple, they have clearly been amping up the creativity in the meantime.

In fact, not only have they come out with a slew of new maple-based concoctions that range from wood-fired syrups and syrups infused with everything from ginger to chocolate to pumpkin spice and the expansion of their popular Sparkle Syrup line, they have also added a set of syrups that work well as mixers and that make for extra-tasty cocktails when paired with your favorite tipple.

Speaking of mixing with alcohol, the folks at Runamok have added banana rum to their syrup and have even partnered with what maybe Vermont’s most popular pourable export – Whistle Pig Whiskey – to make a syrup that is all the proof you need of how great syrup can be!

As there are so many choices, picking a favorite becomes ever-more difficult. Fortunately, Runamok has multiple solutions to this sweet and sticky problem, including sets of smaller-sized bottles that allow and encourage tasting and experimentation and their popular Bottle of the Month Club that sends members a new bottle every month at a special price! If you are a wine and cheese or grilling fan, they also offer special gift boxes that pair perfectly with your other favorite foods.

While they may beknown for their maple mastery (as so many in their region are) Runamok has expanded further into another natural sweetener and now offers honeys that come from various regions and that is also infused with florals and botanicals that give their products unique notes that will harmonize well with any other food.

Apparently, running amok in quiet Vermont is a good thing!

BABKA BLUE-Y!

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Though I still miss Galit’s Treats in Newton Centre, the growing family of Bakey bakeries has helped ease the pain with their delicious menu of babkas and other bodacious baked goods.

I really can’t get enough of this place and have made their locations in Boston, Brookline, and Newton regular hosts for business meetings and social gatherings. I have also brought their colossal creations to many friends and colleagues and they are always a hit!

While many line up at Bakey for their freshly-made chocolate babka, I recently found an alternative that rivals this fan favorite.
Made with locally-sourced fresh fruit and evident love, Bakey’s blueberry babka is a sweet treat that is good from mouth to bloodstream. I often pick one up to nibble on (Who am I kidding? It is gone in a flash!) for dessert after enjoying one of Bakey’s great bowls and salads (like the scrumptiously healthy lentil and beet or chicken spinach) or when I am picking up treats for family and friends and have been known to buy more than one so I can enjoy one when I reach my destination.

While I heard that an apple babka is also in the works, you really can’t go wrong no matter what you choose!

If this latest addition to a line of glutened greatness that also includes Bakey’s famed broissants (babka-based croissants) and their nutrition-packed Muesli roll inspires you, perhaps you might want to try your own hand under the tutelage of Bakey’s master bakers at an upcoming class. On September 24 and November 6, challah will be the theme and December 4 will be the next babka workshop. All classes take place from 6:30-8:30 PM and tickets and information are available at www.bakeybabka.com.

FRITTER-ING AWAY ANOTHER SEASON

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Whether or not the Red Sox did enough at the trade deadline to make a real run this year. Fenway Park is always a great place to go and now the food selections are even better!

At the bottom of Lansdowne Street just alongside Loretta’s Last Call is a sweet speakeasy known as Back Door Donuts.

Based in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, Back Door started as a donuts-on-demand establishment that has enjoyed lines around the island for years. Now, Back Door has an entry point on one of the busiest streets in Boston (and will hopefully have more on the mainland soon!).

Whether or not you have tickets to the game, this heavenly hideaway is worth a visit – but only after 7, as that is when the magic begins and the Back Door officially opens!

From the legendary (and LARGE!) apple fritter and inspired locally-inspired Boston Cream to the ridiculously creamy buttermilk glazed and super-creative party donut (which can help after a party as well!), Back Door has a menu that is constantly being enhanced with new creations, all of which are baked fresh using the best (and most sweetly sinful) ingredients.

While the donuts may be more a draw than the game (When I last went, the Rangers walked two Red Sox players home and still almost won!), even fans of the other teams can enjoy, as Back Door also ships! So home or away, you can now enjoy the taste that used to be reserved for the privileged but that will surely be a home run for your favorite donut nut (Ahem!).