A Cookie Kind of Holiday

The best thing about cookies is they come in so many shapes and sizes, colors and designs, flavors and textures. You can dress them up however you like, you can make them in a hurry or take all day. The variety is endless and the eating is divine!

Local Foods Holiday Gift Ideas!

Buying local for Christmas is easy! Even more perfect for out-of-town friends and family who may miss their Ohio favorites. Don't see YOUR favorite on the list? Please add your own, this is just a small, small segment of what Columbus has to offer!

1. For some seriously ingenious sweets, check out Sassafras Bakery's gift packages menu.

http://sassafrasbakery.com/seasonal.html

2. Taste of Belgium sells waffles by the bagful. They're even good to eat plain!

http://authenticwaffle.com/

3. Honey makes a sweet gift--and it never expires! At least not at my house.... Honeyrun Farms just started selling on Etsy, prefect timing!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyrunfarm?ga_search_query=honeyrun+farm&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

4. Middle West Spirits makes some kick-ass vodka. Easy way to cross off the men on your list!

http://www.middlewestspirits.com/index.php/products/

5. For an obsessive cheese lover (like me), Oakvale Gouda is really worth the splurge. You may not believe me, but you should.

http://www.oakvalecheese.com/html/product_list___ordering.html

6. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: Jeni's Ice Cream makes a great gift, and it's pretty cool to receive a package that requires dry ice.

http://www.jenisicecreams.com/

7. Pattycake Bakery isn't just for vegans. Check out their Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pie, yum!

http://www.pattycakeveganbakery.bigcartel.com/

8. The Olive Orchard makes olive oil and other items perfect for gifting. Everyone needs olive oil, how can you go wrong?

http://theoliveorchard.com/

9. Though I don't think they have an online store, you could stop into Crazy Goat Coffee in Gahanna and pick up some beans, a mug, or a gift card for your loved one!

http://www.crazygoatcoffee.com/menu.html

10. Camelot Cellars makes a great variety of wines, and you can design your own label! I did this for a friend's birthday, and really enjoyed the experience.

http://www.camelotcellars.com/

11. Even though Cheryl's has gone big, they're cookies are still locally produced!

http://www.cheryls.com/

12. Sweet Thing Gourmet has my favorite jams. I like them because I don't even think about putting them on bread, they're just too good for bread. I like their brandied apricot on bananas and their hot raspberry jam with cream cheese on Nut Thins crackers.

http://www.sweetthinggourmet.com/gifts.html

13. Last but not least, it's not a local food but it's certainly local-food themed, you could always get them a subscription to Edible Columbus magazine.

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/columbus/subscribe/subscribe.htm

Edible Columbus Outtakes

Here are some extras from the December issue of Edible Columbus!
I really enjoyed working on this issue, I met so many hard working people in the Columbus food scene who are really dedicated to their craft. And the take-home goodies didn't hurt either!

Are All Burgers Created Equal?

No!
Just like burger's aren't all created equal, neither are pictures of burgers!
Why is food photography so important? Why would you want to hire someone to do it vs. buying a point-and-shoot and saving some $?
BECAUSE
You can't hear, touch, taste, or smell a photo of a burger.
The photo has to do all the work when you only have one sense at your disposal, and seeing is believing. If that burger doesn't look juicy, hot, sizzling, and downright mouthwatering, then who's going to believe that it is?
Let your photos reflect the deliciousness of your food. Hire a professional!

7 Reasons to be Thankful for the Recession

Whether you call it a recession, an economic downturn, or hard times, everyone has been effected, and rarely in a good way. While it's easy to look at the downside, I want to take a minute to look at the bright side. Here are 7 reasons I'm thankful for the recession.

1. Professional Wake-Up Call
Business has slowed down enough for me really look at what I've been doing, take stock of what I like and don't like, and the excuse I needed to change it.

2. More Food, More Fun
While business was rolling right along, I didn't have the time to cook, or even think about what I was eating. Now I'm eating healthier and better foods, reigniting my passion for cooking, and enjoying all of it a whole lot more!

3. Whole World View
I've always been passionate about the environment, that hasn't changed. But now that it's not just about the environment, but also about saving money, I've become more strict about my environmental choices, which makes me happy and proud. I buy props from garage sales and used stores, avoid buying new whenever possible. Not to mention saving on gas means saving money, too. Also, I've had the time to call up all those catalog companies and request to be taken off their mailing list.

4. Materialism Isn't Happiness
I've never considered myself a shop-o-holic, or anywhere close, but I've often found myself wondering if buying something would solve my problem before I'd consider a buying-free option. For example: organization. Instead of looking at my current organizational system and seeing what needed to be changed, I'd think "If I buy this shelving unit, would that help me be more organized?" The answer is often No. Instead, I started looking at it backwards--"Here are these 4 piles of things that need to be organized. What is the best way to do that? Do I currently own something that would help me? Do I need these things at all? Could I turn them digital instead of keeping the originals?" Then, if when I was done organizing, I decided a shelving unit would help, then I could go from there. Mostly, I found I didn't need it.

5. Expenses, Expenses, Expenses
I find that life is often a balance between time and money. If you don't have the time, you have the money. If you don't have the money, you have the time. So, now that I've had the time, I've carefully gone through my expenses and found small and large ways to save money. I lowered my cable bill by $20/month without losing any services. I return things I purchase if they don't fit/work instead of setting it in a corner until the receipt expires. I've fixed things that are broken instead of replacing them. I've canceled services I forgot I had, sold things I no longer use, spent hours lowering my health insurance by $100/month by switching companies, and so on. Now, when business picks up and I don't have the time for these things anymore, they'll already be done and I'll still be saving money!

6. Learning Isn't Just For Kids
I've been reading up on all kinds of things, like business practices, self help books, how to use Twitter to your advantage, cell phone manuals, all kinds of less-than-exciting stuff, but hey, I'm learning! It feels good to be empowered by knowledge. Now I can go forward in a more purposeful way.

7. Loved Ones
Instead of being caught up in work 24/7, I can take a few hours and hang out at my sister's house, go on a walk with my mom, go camping for the weekend, drive a friend to the airport...and do so without thinking how I should be at my computer retouching more images!

Now it's your turn, what are your reasons?

written by Catherine Murray

LYogaFlow--Yoga for Peace of Mind

You might look at these photos and say, "What do these pictures have to do with yoga?" Well, Natalie here is a new brand of yoga--she's all about mind, body and soul. I believe the slogan she was using during our photo shoot was "Sexy is the new Healthy", and she's right! Healthy is becoming sexy, and she is the perfect example. Through good nutrition, yoga and a healthy outlook on life, she's a stunning portrait of what every woman wants to be--healthy, happy and sexy! Check out her blog at www.LYogaFlow.com to find out about her Wednesday yoga classes in Columbus!

Issue 4, for Libraries!

Libraries are a huge help for me and my business: I borrow photo books, business books, hold meetings there, use their internet when mine goes out, I've even taken a few portraits at the library! Please vote yes for Issue 4, it's important!
http://nateriggs.com/2010/09/19/columbus-metropolitan-libraries-issue-4/

Not Just Another Wedding

Congrats, J&W!

Edible Columbus Fall Issue, available now!

The latest issue of Edible Columbus came out this week! We're so excited to get our second cover image published on Edible! There are some terrific recipes in here, the squash lasagna is fantastic, and the pumpkin soup is the best I've ever had!
Looking for a copy of your very own? Check out this link of locations!
http://www.ediblecommunities.com/columbus/blog/the-fall-issue.htm
Other locations: Tasi Cafe, The Refectory, Surly Girl Saloon, Due Amici, Barrio, Basil, Barcelona, Mezzo Italian Kitchen and Cotters at the Arena.

New Site Design, Coming Soon!

We'll be rolling out a whole new site within the next month, and we're really excited about it! There will be more information, more features, a newsletter option, testimonials, links, new portfolio images, and other great stuff! Check back in a few weeks to see all the changes!