The Founding Farmers

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If you’ve visited Washington, D.C. and haven’t stopped at a restaurant called “The Founding Farmers” then you must return. This is one of my favorite restaurants and there are not many like it. It is a farm to table restaurant however they go farther- the owners are the farmers! They genuinely want their customers to enjoy a good meal with honest, high-quality ingredients. They take a step farther than local and organic foods and aim to obtain ingredients with the highest quality, most natural and smallest carbon footprint. Family farmers want to protect the land- the soil, the air, and the water- all of which contribute to the quality of the food.

The name of the restaurant is a tribute to the Founding Fathers of America. It is supposed to represent the celebration of our land as well as a “cheers” to the founding fathers of our country. Most of our founding fathers owned land around Washington D.C. and shared their harvested foods with others.

The menu is clearly listed for those with allergies or dietary restrictions like vegetarians and vegans. Their multiple breads are my favorite- especially the Brie, onion jam bread with sliced apples. The have hand-made pastas. When I go to this restaurant I imagine going to George Washington’s house for dinner- such a home-y feel.

My favorite part about this is that you would not even realize it’s a farm to table restaurant by glancing at it- the décor is nice, the ambiance is classy, they have round tables- great for groups; the restaurant is all around wonderful.

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Charlie Trotter, Laura Flippin and Chicago for my 30th

Guest Post by Bonnie Flippin:

For my 30^th birthday I went to Chicago with my sister Laura Flippin. We chose Chicago as our destination because I hadn’t visited before. My sister Laura had been many times and always raved about the city.

My Birthday is in August so the weather was AMAZING. I remember saying to Laura “ who wouldn’t want to live here if the weather was like this all the time!” Our trip included going to the art museum, seeing the massive Lake Michigan, lots of shopping and just general girl time with my sister Laura.

Laura planned a few special events for my birthday weekend, which included: A White Sox game (with flying Elvis’s jumping out of a plane at the end) and dinner at Charlie Trotter’s famous restaurant.

 I was so saddened to learn of Charlie Trotter’s passing earlier this year. Laura and I actually met him that night at dinner and because it was my birthday he gave us a tour of the kitchen, several Charlie Trotter cook books (signed of course) and a Charlie Trotter baseball cap for both myself and Laura! He was such a nice guy and the food was incredible.

Below are a few photos of my sister Laura and I in Chicago… and of course please note our photo with Charlie Trotter 

My sister, Laura Flippin, and I in Chicago for my 30th

Laura and I getting a tour of Charlie Trotter's restaurant

Laura and I with the late, great, Charlie Trotter

Laura Flippin after the White Sox game in Chicago

Digestion

MindBodyGreen is one of my favorite websites to frequent.  I usually find something that peaks my interest here.  I am constantly trying to learn new methods of eating healthy or finding new workouts.  This one article about digestion intrigued me. Chia seeds, coconut oil, ghee, Alaskan Salmon, zucchini, Bone broth, and Lacto-fermented vegetables are all foods that apparently boost digestion.

Chia seeds reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol.  Coconut oil is one of my favorite things.  It’s solid at room temperature and turns to oil with heat.  I find this fun to use. It contains properties that can improve digestion and boost energy and metabolism.  Sometimes I even rub some of this on my body as oil.  I usually think of fat when I think of ghee but apparently it is clarified butter without the sugar and lactose that come along with other milk fats.  Zucchini has a high fiber content and acts as a mild laxative. Lacto-fermented vegetables include foods like pickles, kimchee and sauerkraut, which have high levels of probiotics. These break down metals and other toxins that can be found in the body. All it takes is salt, a vegetable and filtered water! My next project in the kitchen will be to make my own lacto-fermented vegetable!