100 Calorie Garlicky Sweet Potato Soup

As most of you know I am a local food broker and as most of you don't know I am also a Personal Trainer. I feel that the two titles play a very important roll in peoples lives. Promoting local food is so important not only for our economy but for our health. Knowing what food is available and when it is available helps you plan meals which can not only be nutritious but also delicious. As a personal trainer I help guide people in the right direction when is comes to being healthy, staying fit, and enjoying good nutritious food.

This year my focus is to bring my two worlds together. Each week my blog will consist of food recipes using local artisans, seasonal items, nutritious ingredients or quick commercial break workouts. I hope this blog brings good information and ideas to those who buy local products, make local products, or just want to live a healthy and fit lifestyle.

100 Calorie Garlicky sweet potato soup

1 roasted garlic bulb

1 onion chopped

10oz of uncooked sweet potato peeled and chopped

4 cups of low sodium chicken broth

4 oz of string beans finely chopped

pepper

low fat Greek yogurt

1 tbsp fresh chives

In a heavy bottom pan put in 1 tblsp olive oil and add the sweet potato, onion and cook for 5 min. Add the stock and bring to a boil, cover with a lid and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 min. Add green beans and the roasted garlic and simmer for another 10 min. Once everything is cooked pass through a blender or food processor and return to your rinsed out pan. Serve in your 4 soup bowls and swirl a spoonful of Greek yogurt and diced chives on top and ENJOY!

The 5 W’s of Running Yumminess

WHO: Yum Runnerz is a food brokering service, what does that mean? Fjiguratively speaking we RUN YUMMINESS..........

WHAT: We seek out artisans in the Austin and surrounding areas who have a uniquely crafted food item that may need some extra help with contacts. Ever wish you could be in two places at once, with two extra hands? Yum Runnerz is the second person, second place, and second set of hands. We have quality relationships with those who are looking to buy local foods.

WHEN: When you buy from a local source through Yum Runnerz you are supporting 2 local businesses. The artisan and Yum Runnerz. We look and seek out quality products and pair them with the right buyer, always keeping in mind what the buyers are looking for and what the artisans goals are.

WHERE: AUSTIN, TEXAS BABY! Just to name a few of the biggest supporters who have purchased Yum Runners artisans items; Four Seasons, Trio, Greenling, Farm House delivery, New Flower, Callahans, Fresh Plus Grocery, House Wine, Royal Blue, Thom's Market, Wheatsville Coop, Black Star Coop, Zax, Jack Allens Kitchen and Uncle Billy's Brewery.

WHY: The best W of the 5, WHY? Why not? When you buy local not only does it stimulate and help support our local economy but it teaches our next generation where things come from. Buying local helps us control what we put into our bodies which in turn keeps us healthy. Without the help of Yum Runnerz you might miss out on an amazing local food item or a place to put your amazing local food item. Austin needs you and Austin needs Yum Runnerz.........

Thank you to the buyers I have worked with, buyers I continue to work with, and those I will start working with.

Tis the season to make your New Years resolution.....make it a promise to buy local!

See you next week!

Yum Runnerz Day on The Farm

Yum Runnerz was looking for a way to contribute to the Austin community and the local movement. A few weeks ago, we traveled to east Austin to the home of a Youth Launch program called Urban Roots. This is a youth development program that uses sustainable agriculture to help the lives of young people and to increase the amount of healthy food available in Austin.
The friendly staff, as well other volunteers, was welcoming and willing to teach us the ropes. The program has a several students that help maintain the farm during the week and Urban Roots will recruit about 30 students to be apart of the program next year. Urban Roots sets out to teach young people the value of working together in order to serve a community through sustainable farming. They also strive to show young people how to eat and cook healthy food.
Yum Runnerz learned that working on a farm sure does make you appreciate the convenience of picking up food at a grocery store. We picked spinach leaves that were being sold to Wheatsville and pulled weeds surrounding planted carrots.
In addition to some fresh squash, Yum Runnerz took home some unique skills and a strong admiration for the Urban Roots program. By the way, if you go to Wheatsville, be sure to pick up some spinach leaves. They were picked with great skill, of course!
If you are interested in volunteering for Urban Roots, their Web site details a calendar of events.
For more information of Yum Runnerz, you can visit www.yumrunnerz.com or contact Dana McCoy at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.

The Lone Star Spirit

Traveling along I-35, most can tell when they are near the Austin City Limit sign; perhaps they hear live music, spot the UT tower, feel the hot air, or even smell the barbeque. That is Austin’s unique atmosphere; it makes it an exceptional place to live and a wonderful place to visit.

The city’s “Keep Austin Weird” motto and its support for small businesses are what give Austin its local flavor. This has several implications, but to Mary and Chris Halenza, it meant their family business had a chance to survive.

The Halenzas are an average Central Texas couple by day and kettle corn fanatics by the weekend. In an effort to add an extra income, as well as a little spice to their life, this couple established Lone Star Kettle Corn in February 2007.

The duo dreamed of seeing their homemade kettle corn on the selves of local grocery stores. For three years the Halenzas went to fairs and carnivals in the Austin area promoting their product, but they were soon ready to move into the retail sphere. The full-time working family handed the job of selling over to Dana McCoy, the owner of another locally grown business, Yum Runnerz.

Dana is local food broker, who set out this year to follow her foodie tendencies and take on the job of helping small food artisans in the Austin area grow their business. Living in Austin, where the influence of local business is celebrated, spurred Dana’s desire to explore honest-to-goodness food and create Yum Runnerz.

“I focus on specialty foods, but locality is most important,” Dana said. “At Yum Runnerz, we believe buying local is beneficial for so many reasons, including helping the small guy compete with the big guns.”

The Halenzas’ dream quickly came to life after Dana picked up the company. Lone Star was already in Motley Menagerie Tea Room in Kyle and with the determination of Yum Runnerz, Lone Star Kettle Corn was in six more stores within months. This Texas-spirited product can be found in both Royal Blue groceries, Callahan’s General Store, both Newflower Farmer’s Markets, and is available with Greenling’s Organic Delivery.

Mary said, “When we are asked where people can find us next, we are able to say ‘anytime at the following locations...’ and the customer is excited to have our kettle corn between our events.”

The couple also does popping demonstrations of their kettle corn in front of some of these locations. These are a fun way of displaying the process of producing the corn in a huge kettle.

“Their kettle corn has a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors,” Dana said. “The added Mexican vanilla is their secret weapon.”

The Halenzas hope to open a storefront one-day and possibly get involved with such Austin festivals as ACL or SXSW.

“It is my dream to see Lone Star Kettle Corn be the next craving people seek out in Austin,” Mary said.

The story of these two small businesses depending on each other represents the spirit of Austin, the local movement, and the ability for small businesses to thrive within a large city. The local businesses in Austin are what make it special; without them, the city might be more like… Dallas.

Holiday Season Pralines, Southern Style

With the many end-of-year corporate parties, holiday weddings, seasonal celebrations, and a fabulous New Years coming up, ‘tis the season for great food, and lots of it! This is a guaranteed busy time and with every good beginning there has to be an even better ending: DESSERT!

What better way to end an amazing meal than with a hand crafted dessert made in the heart of Austin with a real “N'awlin’s” twist? If you are a chef, caterer, or in the hospitality industry and you are looking to source a specialty item that will put the finishing touches on an evening, authentic New Orleans style PRALINES are a sweet treat.

The Christen's Gourmet Pralines’ company is originally from New Orleans and moved to Austin after Hurricane Katrina. Their pralines are made fresh daily from the finest ingredients and every batch comes out of the kitchen hand stirred, dipped, and sealed. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives and all natural ingredients, which help give the pralines their rich and creamy taste.

They can come "dressed" for every occasion. The labels can even be tailored to an event. There are 20 different flavors available with the most popular flavorings being the original, chocolate, and bourbon.

Whether you use the pralines to accompany your own dessert or use it as a holiday dessert for an event that you may be catering for, add this scrumptious authentic Southern treat to any occasion. It is even acceptable on small budgets! Now, that's southern comfort at its best.

Poppin' Some Holiday Cheer

Perfect for the family to munch on as they wait for turkey time this Thanksgiving: Popcorn. Perfect as a mingling snack as you listen to your intoxicated colleagues ramble at the company Christmas party: Popcorn. Perfect for a birthday party, New Years’ gathering, a football game, or any special occasion: Reel Popcorn!

Reel Popcorn is a family owned and operated gourmet popcorn shop located in Southpark Meadows in South Austin. With a selection of 47+ savory, candied, and specialty flavors, Reel Popcorn represents true customization. Whether it is a kick-off snack of orange and vanilla popcorn to help those Texas Longhorns bring in a touchdown, or blush and bashful, the colors of a wedding, Reel Popcorn has the tin, bag, box, or bucket for any occasion.

Reel Popcorn offers a Holiday Mix bag of Cherry, Green Apple and Vanilla flavors. This blend is a bright and colorful addition to any bash. The White Chocolate Candy Cane flavor is great for any Christmas party.

The Rocky Road flavor is a delicious combination of caramel, pecan, almonds, cashews, marshmallows, white chocolate, and milk chocolate. Companies can always buy sample bags to give out for employee appreciation or customer appreciation.

Some other Reel flavors include the Savory flavors of Creamy Dill, Loaded Potato, Wasabi Ranch, BBQ, Cheddar, Pizza, and even Cinnamon Toast; the Candied flavors of Grape, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Orange; the Specialty flavors of s’mores and toffee almond; and any flavor mix you can think of. This is only a small portion of what Reel Popcorn can make.

In addition to the specialty “Texas Longcorn”, Reel offers Aggie Corn, black cherry and vanilla, and Cowboy Corn, blueberry and vanilla. Reel can pop any corn in the colors of your favorite team!

Reel Popcorn is having their 2nd Anniversary Celebration this Sunday, Nov. 14th from 12-6 pm. Come celebrate the history of the company and the Master Kernels’ passion for popcorn as they are sure to have some money-saving deals.

Reel Popcorn also offers a unique addition to special occasions: a Popcorn Bar. This is similar to a drink bar, but instead of alcohol, would include a variety of colors and flavors of your choice to suit any party’s theme.

Gear up for the holiday season with specialty popcorn from Reel Popcorn. We invite you to mix and match flavors until you find your favorite!

For more information on prices and flavors for your next group event, contact Yum Runnerz at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.

Locally Crafted Oils and Vinegars

Amidst the hill country and down through wine country, Spicewood Foods Company crafts infused oils and vinegars to meet the needs of chefs and citizens alike. Yum Runnerz is currently selling their products.The company imports the oils and vinegars and infuses them locally. With prices like ours, most can’t turn it down. We are offering a Barrel Aged Balsamic Vinegar with a bottle price of only $10.75 for 8.45 oz. This bottle has been aged 12 years and every person that has tasted it gets wide-eyed and excited to taste more. This represents, without a doubt, the great quality of these oils. This price and ounces runs for all of our bottles.

We offer a White Truffle Oil that will add a strong flavoring to any dull meal. Currently the Four Seasons is using this oil in their macaroni and cheese dish. Although this is an essence of truffle, the right price and lingering flavor has made this oil the most popular.

We also have, in order of popularity, fig balsamic vinegar, tangerine-orange balsamic vinegar, and even strawberry balsamic vinegar. Like I said before, the look on people’s faces when they taste these products speaks to the quality taste.

We are offering a lemon infused olive oil and roasted garlic oil as well.

Last week, I made honey mustard dressing with the Spicewood Truffle Dijon Mustard ($4.75/jar). I mixed the mustard with red wine vinaigrette and honey. This perfect combination of Dijon, an intense truffle taste, and a light honey savor, is just right for a salad topping.

I also made faux fried chicken strips rolled in the Truffle Dijon mustard, coasted in crushed corn flakes and baked it. This is a great healthy alternative to fried chicken.

Any of these oils and vinegars are perfect additions to desserts, dressings and the like.

A minimum order of a case (6 bottles) is required and the bottles can be mixed. For more information or to sample these oils and vinegars contact Yum Runnerz at foodiemccoy@gmail.com or go to http://www.yumrunnerz.com/.