Task 30 - Out Post Farm (Holliston, MA)

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (21/20)

Restaurant: Out Post Farm

Website: http://www.outpostfarm.net/

Rating: 5-stars

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I have been craving turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce which lead me to ask around the office for suggestions. Almost unanimously everyone at work pointed me in the direction of the Out Post Farm.

Run by Adrian Collins, the Out Post Farm is not your typical farm stand. In addition to growing fresh produce like apples, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, squash, and much more on fifty acres they also have a small deli which makes and sells sandwiches and baked goods. While I didn’t stray far from the sandwich menu I did notice that they also have a great selection of hot foods too. The menu is mostly bird centric with turkey and chicken being the main ingredients but there is some other options. There are no seats inside so plan on take out, or if the weather is warm enough enjoy the picnic tables out front.

Craving a sandwich I settled on a #2. If you want a turkey sandwich that reminds you of the one your mother makes then you are in for a treat. My mother is a pretty good cook so it’s a tall order to compare. As described the sandwich looked and tasted like it was made with love by a mother for her child. I couldn't have been more satisfied both in quantity of food and taste. The sandwich had just the right ratio of stuffing and turkey to cranberry sauce and bread.

They offer 6 different bread options from the usual suspects like white and wheat to more unusual options like oat nut and 12 grain. They also have wraps for those looking to cut the carbs.

With all of that said if you are looking for a gourmet sandwich this isn't the place for you but if you’re looking for a tasty sandwich that's sure to satisfy then give it a try.

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

This morning while I was putting together my lunch for the day I noticed a few to-go-containers. Given that I am currently in the middle of my month long quest to not eat out I realized that those containers had to be at the very least 15 days old.

It got me thinking I need to clean out my fridge. Funny enough when I got to work and signed online I noticed that today is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. I was curious what the origin of this day was but I wasn’t able to find too much information other then suggestions that Whirlpool originally promoted Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day starting in 1995 and was planned for the third Wednesday in November. In 2000 when the e-cards gave it the fixed date of November 15^th which has stuck since. In 2004 Whirlpool declared April 4-10 Clean out your refrigerator Week but it seems to have been too late to change the date.  I also found other speculation that it was created just in advance of Thanksgiving to allow room for holiday leftovers.

Why is it important to clean out your refrigerator? The answer is simple. Food like everything has a shelf life even if refrigerated or frozen. The food is only safe and health to eat as long as it is stored properly. Proper storage is the most important thing. Improperly stored foods can become rancid or oxidize, making them more dangerous and can lead to other food spoiling or losing its flavor or texture.

Before I grab my gloves tonight to remove the potential biohazards in my fridge I thought I might share some interesting refrigerator facts.

1.    The ideal refrigerator temperature is between 34-40 degrees

2.    Food experts say that fresh poultry, homemade dips, ground meat etc shouldn’t be stored in the fridge for more than 2 days.

3.    Do not store food in the refrigerator in paper bags instead all food should be covered with foil, plastic wrap or in airtight containers.

4.    Some foods can stay longer in a fridge then others and they include raw eggs and cheese.

5.    Never put a hot pan or hot food in the fridge because it can raise the temperature of the fridge beyond the ideal levels. This can cause other food to spoil as a result of the warmth it releases as it cools down.

So guess what I plan to do tonight. That’s right I am going to clean out my fridge. There are a few suggestions on cleaning out your fridge. It doesn’t just involve removing the expired items.

1.    Take everything out of the fridge.

2.    Wash down and disinfect the inside walls of the refrigerator, the shelves, the draws and along the door seal.

3.    Wash everything going back in even the outside of jars;

4.    Vacuum both under the fridge and behind the fridge. Over time dust bunnies accumulate and can reduce the efficiency of the refrigerator.

So guess what I plan to do tonight. I am going to clean out my fridge of anything that is past its prime or nearly there that I don’t plan to use anytime soon is out for good. Wish me luck that I don't run into any USO's (unidentified shriveled objects).

Update: Statue of Liberty

While you may have ready my previous blog entry about visiting the Statue of Liberty I thought I might give an update since it is now closed

Marking her 125^th Anniversary the Statue of Liberty closed for renovations on October 28th. While closed to the public can visit Liberty Island but not the Statue of Liberty. Instead we get an opportunity to see views of the statue and of its surrounding from EarthCam web cameras.

Broadcasting from the torch balcony which has been closed to the public since 1916 the public can enjoy live HD streaming video of New York Harbor and the downtown Manhattan skyline including the Freedom tower rising from Ground Zero.  We also get to see unique views of the Statue herself.  Take a moment to explore: www.earthcam.com/.