Escape the Mundane + Experience the Remarkable

Lunch at AJ Bombers in Madison WI

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Lifestyle

AJ Bomber's Madison

The crunch of the p-nuts under our feet rings familiar of a small town dive bar.

But the decor along the walls reflect a view of quality reminiscent of those unique destination restaurants I’ve seen only on the Travel Channel.

The cheerful waitstaff has me wondering how people can be so happy while working. And the bartenders are having seemingly far too much fun launching railed bombs filled with p-nuts to tables throughout the restaurant.

And as my business partner, Greg Hartle, and I take our seat in the booth, the confusion continues with a glance of the menu. How can the prices be this insanely low? Yet, I’ve heard only but good things, so I keep the faith.

With our friend Joe Sorge (who happens to own the place) at the table, he reassures us his staff has every guest in good hands.

Joe’s philosophy: Great food, consistent taste, served quick – matched with outstanding service and a fun experience – will create a happy guest every time. And while it’s simple to write, most restauranteurs I’ve met will never come close to achieving this formula.

But will AJ Bomber’s prove me wrong?
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How to Go Barefoot All Winter Long

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Lifestyle

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve worn socks and traditional shoes in the past 6 months.

Instead, I opt for Vibram Five Fingers, Reefs, or most usually, nothing at all.

In fact, this has been the case for at least 3 summers now.

But at this time of year – when mother nature starts to crap out buckets of cold snow on the Midwest – is when I face the unbearable reality: shoes & socks!

Not anymore!

The Solution for a Barefoot Winter

With the leaves changing colors and the temperature slowly losing its comfortable numbers, fall is clearly upon us.

As sad as I am to see summer go, I have new hope for an enjoyable cold season thanks to my buddy, Ian.
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How To Make The Perfect Green Smoothie

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Lifestyle

green smoothieTwo years ago, the book Green For Life completely changed my life and lifestyle. No joke. Before I read the book, I had a typical western diet and unfortunately, my health followed suit. I was constantly tired and constantly sick with colds, head aches and other illnesses. It was no fun and from my experience, this is a normal lifestyle for most Americans. After the second reading of the book in under a week, I was prepared to take the leap into my first green smoothie.

What Makes It Healthy?

In one word: Assimilation.

Our teeth and digestive system are not designed to harness the extraordinary benefits of greens, fruits and seeds to the fullest. For instance, if you watch our evolutionary siblings (primates) eat, they chew and grind their food for a very long time. This crushes the greens before swallowing. Since we usually fail to thoroughly chew our food, our digestive system cannot properly assimilate the nutrients. Therefore, most greens pass right through us. By blending greens, we simulate the thorough grinding action of primate-like chewing.

Don’t believe me? Head to the nearest zoo, check out a gorilla’s diet, then challenge the gorilla to a weight lifting contest… Good Luck!

My First Green Smoothie

I perused the aisles of Whole Foods and decided to buy some romaine, frozen strawberries, mangoes and fresh bananas. Against the recommendation in the book to have a good blender, I dusted off my $20 blender and added the ingredients. About 2.3 seconds into the blending, a loud clunk followed by smoke told me I should have bought a new blender. Undaunted I ordered a Vita-Mix – now extremely determined to make a green smoothie. [Read more...]

Ten Tips to Save $1000 or More A Year Buying Produce

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Lifestyle

fruits

“Vegetarian – that’s an old Indian word meaning ‘lousy hunter.’”

- Andy Rooney

Living healthy is an important variable in an entrepreneurial lifestyle. I try to eat as much fresh, raw and organic produce as possible. However, this is not cheap. By utilizing these ten tips you will not only save your health, you will save your wallet:

1. Buy flash-frozen fruits and vegetables

When it comes to buying fresh vs. frozen fruits and veggies the only consideration is the nutrient content. However, the small loss of nutrients in a flash-frozen fruit or green is insignificant and thus makes a great alternative for buying fruits, especially varieties that are out of season. Also, frozen fruits are ideal for smoothies.

2. Not everything needs to be organic

(prelude: while the fact that organic is always better for the environment, it’s just not always better for the wallet) There is a common misconception that all produce needs to be organic, while in fact there are many options in which non-organic will suffice if cash flow is tight. One such example is a banana in that the peeling helps protect the inner fruit from any pesticides or other harmful chemicals used in the growing and distribution process. Conversely, keep your items such as leafy greens, berries, and other produce that would have direct contact with the outside world should stay as organic as your budget allows.

3. Farmer’s markets

If you shop at your local farmer’s market, not only will you help save the environment and support your community, you can find extremely good prices. A tip to keep in mind is the later in the day you attend the market, [Read more...]