Eric Webster Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty

It's been a long time since I've written anything here.
So I'm going to ease in slowly and try to build up a head of steam again. The 16-months have been months of tremendous change in my life but I'm back and hope to a regular read for you once again, if you'll have me.

So today, I thought I'd share the recipe that has been in big demand when I take a loaf of zucchini bread anywhere. Because I planted several zucchini plants in my garden, and it's been a great growing season in Grand Rapids, I've had an abundance of zucchini to share, to eat, to bake into bread. Here's a photo of the zucchini and zinnias (in the Z section of my garden)

The recipe comes from my Aunt Margaret, one of mom's two sisters who are still around to share great stories and recipes. When I talked to her on my birthday a few weeks ago, and told her the story, she said that she believes that this one was originally my mom's. That made it even more special for me.

It's very easy, very tasty and when you see the ingredients, it has no great health benefit.. But it has a cup of zucchini per loaf, how can that be a bad thing?

So I offer it here for your taste buds.

Zuchini Bread

Beat 3 eggs until thick. Beat in 2 cups sugar, 1 cup oil, 1 TBSP vanilla. Beat well.

Stir in 2 cups loosely packed grated zucchini, 2 cups flour, 1 TBSP cinnamon, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp baking powder. Add 1 cup walnuts (raisins optional).

Bake in 2 greased bread pans @ 350 for 45-50 minutes.

Sprinkle tops with cinnamon sugar.

Cool 10-minutes, remove from pan.

Because I knew three people in the small cast, because I'm a big fan of Woody Guthrie's music, and because I've felt that over the years I've not attended live theater in Grand Rapids Mi nearly often enough, we went to see a delightful performace last evening.

Staged in an intimate setting with large screen slide shows at either side of the state to provide context, this show was fun, moving, troubling, laugh out loud funny, well up with tears touching all at the same time.

With a small but very talented cast telling stories about Woody's travels, passions and music, wrapped around many songs (most that I was not familiar with) had us leaving the theater with a warm glow and a lot to talk about.

The relevance of the lyrics has not diminished over the decades, they still address aspects of modern society that can be a source of head scratching. The harmonies were rich, the voices strong. A wonderful quartet playing a wide variety of string instruments add to the fun. Themes of job loss, foreclosure, big business vs. worker issues could be taken from today's headlines.

The cast includes: Annie Beals, Glen Danles, Keenan Foley, Tim Foley, Amy Standel, and G.M. "Bud" Thompson.

Tickets are available for Friday and Saturday evening performances and Sunday's finale matinee. Call the box office at 616-234-3946.

After the show we enjoyed some wine and small plates at Corez- but that's totally another post. Stay tuned.

A week or so ago, I was having coffee with a friend on Saturday morning when she mentioned that she'd had the most amazing dinner the night before at Bloom in downtown Grand Rapids. She pulled the restaurant's website up and handed me the computer. I was immediately intrigued and impressed. It was a very creative menu that offered combinations that triggered my appetite.

Finally last evening that same friend and I met for dinner. It was as delightful as I'd hoped it would be. I was greeted warmly and seated immediately. Gwen, our server, and I had a chance to talk a bit as I waited for my dinner companion to arrive. She was very knowledgeable about the preparation of the offerings and checked with chef to help me quietly steer clear of dairy.

The menu has appetizers, in-betweens (small plates) and entrees. After our bottle of wine was served, we ordered the seared scallops, ham hock, dried apricot, pork rind, sage appetizer. I opted for the whitefish, kale, white beans, smoked turkey wing broth, my companion was so taken with the sirloin steak, roasted parsnip, swiss chard, w/ "hollandaise" that she broke her own rule and ordered it again.

We noticed that one of the signature drinks was based on a bacon-infused bourbon. It was an image that had us scratching our heads as to how that would be accomplished. Some images that will haunt me ran through my head, of a drink with a floating bacon fat layer. Gwen graciously brought us a sample of the bourbon and we sipped and swirled and picked up the subtle bacon flavor with a touch of maple and a slightly salty aftertaste. Next time, I'll have to order the signature drink...

While we caught up a bit, chef sent out a smoked scallop taster that was beautifully presented and delicious. If this was an indication of the way this evening was going to go, it was going to be a good night!

Each dish was delightful, flavorful, pleasing to the eye and palate. The timing was perfect for our leisurely pace, and Gwen was helpful and attentive without being intrusive.

Their website describes their mission statement much more eloquently than I could:

"here at bloom we are really into food, probably too much. we have a strong passion for ingredients and techniques that drives us to create the best possible meal for you, the diner. our focus is on progressive american cuisine with an emphasis on high quality, organic, local and natural products. not only do we like to make good food, we like to make food that is good for you, this just makes the world a better place. beer, wine, and creative cocktails are also a love of ours. our list features a lot of small estate grown wineries, as well as a great selection of artisan american beers. so please come and dine with us, enjoy yourself, feel free to ask any questions, we love to talk. food and drink is our passion, and we wish to share that passion with as many people as possible."

They absolutely deliver on those promises!

Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. There is on-street and lot/ramp parking nearby. It's just around the corner from Civic Theatre, up the block from St. Ceclia'sand down the block to the Leed Certified Grand Rapids Art Museum. While a reservation wasn't necessary last night, I would predict that as the word spreads about the high quality of food that's being served at Bloom, that won't be the case.

Appetizers from $6-12, In-Betweens- $12-16 and Entrees $21-26 with a menu that changes regularly to reflect the best, freshest ingredients available on that day.

Give Bloom a try, and tell them that you read about it on Eric Webster's blog. Know that I do not receive any compensation from any of the businesses that I highlight in this blog.

Floating Away My Stress at "Just Relax Floatation

Grand Rapids, MI

When my February Grand Rapids Magazine arrived there was an article entitled "Floating Free" which caught my eye. It was about a business a few minutes away from my house that has Floatation tanks (a.k.a. Isolation tanks or Sensory deprivation tanks). I'd heard of these tanks and seen them in the movies, but did not know of any in my area, so I was intrigued.

The article said that these 8' long, 4' wide tanks have 12" deep water that contains 800-1000 pounds of Epson salt and is maintained at 93.5 degrees (skin temperature). This concentration of salt helps your buoyancy, is rumored to be great for your skin, to help you deeply relax and to have some healing properties.

The article said that Just Relax Flotation was located at the Oasis Hot Tub Gardens on Alpine Avenue so I googled to find out a bit more about the whole concept of floatation and about Just Relax specifically.

A quick call got me a call back from Lucas Harger, the owner of Just Relax (which is only related to Oasis by the space they occupy). Lucas was very helpful and informative. He filled me in on the benefits a bit more and explained that there were two floatation tanks in private rooms that are equipped with private bathroom and shower. Towels are provided and he's on hand to give you the 411 when you arrive. Then you lock the door, shower off and climb into the tank for at least a 1-hour float.

From what I've read and heard, it's a very mentally and physically relaxing process, and proponents say that it's similar to the deep relaxation that a great massage produces. Given that my last massage therapist was the one you may have heard about in the news.. You remember, the woman who tried to hire a hit on her CA based, married boyfriend's wife. (As an aside, it made me happy that she hadn't taken a shine to me!!) But that's another story.

I booked an appointment for that evening and arrived not quite knowing what to think, but eager to find out. Lucas gave me a tour, and Floatation 101. He has a wide variety of music that he can pipe into the tank for some or all of your stay or if you prefer, you can bring your own cd and he'll pipe that in. Once he was sure I had no questions, he left, and I got ready to float.

The music was softly playing, it was all as described and after a few minutes I was floating in the center of the tank in total darkness as bit by bit the stress of the day vanished. I re-discovered that my shoulders are the place where I carry my stress, as they were the very last area to let go. But wow what a feeling when they gave it up. Because I meditate on a daily basis, I didn't expect to have difficulty getting rid of the chatter in my head, but the newness of the experience made that more of a job than I anticipated. But even that was gone by (probably) midway through my 1st float.

When my hour was up, the music gently let me know it was time to wiggle my toes and prepare to shower off and go back out to face the world in a much relaxed body.

As I went back to the lobby, I had another conversation with Lucas who confirmed my belief that repeated visits all the user to quiet that chatter and relax deeper much more quickly. An added bonus is purchasing packages of three floats nets you a 25% discount off the normal $40.00 charge.

The article I'd read indicated that there are clinical tests that have proven floatation to be highly effective in assisting with depression, fatigue, stress, chronic pain and injury. I don't need to overcome any of these conditions, but found the deep relaxation, the extra time with my brain quiet to be very pleasing. I'm planning to go again this week to see if the 2nd float delivers a more relaxing faster release of tension and chatter.

In his promotional handout, Lucas indicated the following benefits. (You'll have to judge for yourself the benefit you may enjoy).

· Relieves stress from sights, sounds & gravity

· Become weightless in 10" of water infused with 800+ pounds of Epson Salt.

· Epson salts soothe skin, draws toxins from the body and eases sore muscles.

· Floating releases endorphins- which reduce pain and promote a sense of well being.

· Enter a meditative state within minutes

· Redirect your mental and physical energy.

I do not receive any compensation for blog posts about local businesses. The opinions are just that, opinions. Your actual results may vary, void where prohibited.

Great Dining Values in Grand Rapids MI

For the last month or so, my daughter, Kirstin has been joining co-workers and friends for a burger and a beer after work occasionally. She's come home with a big smile on her face, and it's not a beer generated smile! It's that they've found an amazing place where Monday through Thursday from 4-6 pm they can get a ½ pound Angus beef burger with fries and a pint of beer. And it's no domestic bottled swill, it's interesting, hand-crafted, Michigan brewed beer. The price? $5.00. How can you beat that?!?!?!

So yesterday I had a day where I was all over town, catching up on photos, getting a new battery for a Sentrilock Keybox (the first one I've had to replace, and with a small Allen wrench it was an easy task, unlike some of the competitor's boxes, but that's another story). When I looked at my watch and remembered that I'd not pulled anything from the freezer to cook for dinner, I realized it was a great opportunity to see for myself Kirstin's burger and beer heaven.

She was pretty tickled when I called and told her that I'd pick her up at work rather than at the bus stop and that there was a Hopcat visit in her immediate future.

Located in the Arena District downtown on Ionia Street, we found a parking spot immediately (more confirmation that this was a good choice). We parked right in front of the Photography Room, which is a great gallery run by Brian Kelly, a local photo genius. Next time I'll go early to browse the gallery before my burger/beer feast.

The vibe is very cool. Hardwood floors, a huge, long bar with 48-taps. Interesting and unusual artwork on the walls, and great tunes played at just the right volume. Loud enough to get my head bobbin', but not so loud that I had to shout to talk to my daughter and hear her stories from work. A great mix of songs I've not heard in years, and others that I wasn't familiar with but would love to hear again.

Kirstin selected a Poet, a New Holland Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout- (brewed in Holland Michigan where their brew pub serves the best chili I've ever enjoyed) a rich, dark brew that's become her locally brewed favorite. After much waffling back and forth, I settled on a pint of 555- I.P.A. a smooth, slightly hoppy beer brewed by The Livery in Benton Harbor, MI. Then came the burgers! Grilled to order on a fresh bakery bun, juicy and flavorful. Traveling with the burger were lettuce, tomato, onion and the normal condiments and a pile of thin cut perfectly fried "Crack Fries" billed as being so good that they're addictive. I'm not generally a huge fan of seasoned fries, but these were not overpoweringly seasoned so while I'm not addicted, I did enjoy every bite.

Our server was prompt, knowledgeable, friendly and fun.

Hopcat has a full menu of interesting dishes, seems to be run by people with a passion for beer and fun. I'm certain that when I'm downtown and in need of a bite, or a taste of high quality interesting beer, I know exactly where to go.

If you're looking for a new spot, stop at Hopcat and tell them you read about it on my blog!

Located at 25 Ionia (at the Corner of Weston), Hopcat's main floor is non-smoking, but there's a smoking lounge upstairs and a patio when the weather makes that possible.

Photos from the Hopcat website