Our Newly Found Gem~~Portia's Cafe

                                                           OUR NEWLY FOUND GEM

It's hard these days to go out to lunch and not feel like you have to add on extra minutes of cardio that evening because of the choices you had. Sometimes we all really truly want to eat healthy but just can't come up with enough places that fit those needs. Portia's cafe off Indianola between Morse and Cook is that gem you were looking for. From the thoughtful and welcoming decorations, to the friendly service, you will find many reasons why it pays to eat local. The flavors are surprising and the meal an experience. The list of items gets you asking questions, wondering what things like "cashew butter" or "spanako rice wraps" truly are...but the staff puts your anxiety at ease and the product far outweighs the expectations. Everything is made to order--how do you know?, well, you can just look behind the counter for that confirmation. There is a simplicity to everything, not overdressed, overstuffed or over-spiced. There is a thoughtfulness to the food that one finds refreshing. Eat Local, Support Portia's!

 http://portiascafe.com/Menu.html

Westerville Field of Heroes~ An Honest Reminder

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/pages/video.html?ooid=1veWIxYzoCk92kpBK4wn7515ITY6R3fj&cmpid=share

It seems that holidays unfortunately lose track of their intended purpose. We have become programmed so that the worker in us sees "day off," the shopper in us sees "holiday savings," the kid in us sees "play day of fun," and the parent in us sees "finally get the whole family together day." While there is nothing wrong or hurtful about these emotions it just seems that the whole meaning behind the day can be muddled with the thoughts of everyday. So how to respect and celebrate a holiday while still living in today's world? It seems like Westerville has come up with an honest way to honor and create a symbol of reminder. If you drove by Cleveland Avenue across from the Westerville Rec Center over the holiday weekend you witnessed the Fifth Annual Field of Heroes tribute. While the world continued to move by at its usual busy schedule (to and from work, to and from school, to and from practice) the eyes couldn't help but wander to the 3,000 8 foot flags perfectly lined and flowing in the wind. As one maintained their speed while passing, you got glimpses of individuals browsing its many rows. Whether direct family members or sympathetic Americans; in those brief seconds you got a piece of the extent and dept of the holiday. It may not directly effect us all on a personal level, but it very much affects us all on a communal level. Thank you Rotary Club of Westerville for providing   that visual symbol for us, for accurately naming the Field of Heroes, and for allowing us all to say our bit of thanks. Whether in the three seconds it took to drive by, the five minutes it takes to walk by, or the hours it takes to give tribute to each individual flag and name of our veterans.

Jimmy V's Patio

 Our Lunch in the Garden of Jimmy V's
If you are looking for a spot to break for lunch or to enjoy dinner we suggest the beautiful patio at Jimmy V's in Westerville. Today on a team outing we met one of the owners Mario who was elbow deep in mulch as he welcomed us to sit, relax and eat....and that we did. As we waited for our Hummus, Greek Salads and lunch special of Veggie Quesadillas we admired the amount of love and thought that went into Mario's flowers.We askedhim if his home looks as amazing as this. He replied, "I act like this is my home." This got us thinking about the concept of home (since it's usually always on our mind anyway). Homes need creators, they need visionaries  they need people that look at old faded wallpaper and see the potential in making something that is meaningful to them. We admire the home Mario created for us today, while sipping on ice tea and listening to the water flow down the outside walls. Now.... we must go back to work.