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Events in North Carolina

Celebrating #NationalVodkaDay with #NC ‘s own @OakleeDistill #BootsVodka #TroopStrength 

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Boots Vodka Troop Strength | ‘Vodka with Traction’

Hey Vodka lovers, time to celebrate! October 4th is National Vodka Day and I want to tell you about a delicious vodka made by Oaklee Distilling Co. called Boots Vodka Troop Strength. Based in Wendell, NC., founder Lee Browne has created an unique vodka distilled using sweet potatoes and corn!

Boots Vodka Troop Strength at Yelp Triangle Made Event | Oaklee Distilling Co. Founder, Lee Browne with Leslie Heigh, Founder of SobeSavvy.com

I had the pleasure of meeting Lee recently and tasting Boots Vodka at the Yelp Triangle Made Event. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it neat! Lee served it chilled-shaken,not stirred-for guests to try and advised that this spirit would serve well in vodka forward cocktails, such as this classic: B&B Vesper 

-Add 2oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin, 1oz. Boots Vodka Troop Strength, and 1/4oz. Cocchi Americano to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

We learned that Boots Vodka is milled, distilled and bottle filled at Troop Strength, which identifies it as 90 proof. That’s a slightly higher proof than the usual vodka product. No wonder it’s known on the vodka market as a “Vodka with Traction”.

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | ‘Boots Up’ Cocktail Recipe

After trying Boots myself, I thought the vodka was earthy, pleasing to the palette and would be something my husband and I could serve to both our male and female friends. Since Fall is here and the time is near to start cozying up due to cooler temps, I thought I would warm you up with a fun recipe post for a cocktail made with Boots Vodka. Ladies and Gents, I present to you the Kinky Boots Martini! 

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | Kinky ‘Boots’ Martini


KINKY ‘BOOTS’ Martini

In a shaker combine 1-1/2oz. Boots Vodka Troop Strength, 1/2oz cranberry juice, 1/2oz. fresh lemon juice and add a splash of grenadine for more red if you wish (like in the Broadway musical play ‘Kinky Boots’, Red is a sexy color! ). Shake with ice until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Below are a few events Oaklee Distilling Co. will be attending if you would like to meet with them there and try Boots for yourself! 

  • 10/6 and 10/7 – Wendell Harvest Festival — Wendell, NC
  • 10/19 – Little River Ducks Unlimited Banquet — Wendell, NC
  • 10/21 – Rex Hospital Gala — Downtown Raleigh

Also here’s the website if you’d like a little more info: http://www.oakleedistilling.com/

I highly suggest you make plans to tour the distillery and taste some of Oaklee’s vodka, now available in North Carolina and Virginia. This season, enjoy the above recipe made with Boots Vodka Troop Strength and let me know in the comments below⤵

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED BOOTS VODKA OR SWEET POTATO VODKA? WHAT IS YOUR FAVE VODKA COCKTAIL?


Cheers!

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | Distilled from sweet potatoes and corn and bottled at Troop Strength

#Raleigh Event |10/18 @Whiskey_Kitchen #SupperClubNumber2 + Giveaway 🍴

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Whiskey Kitchen | Supper Club No. 2 | SobeSavvy.com

What’s the first country that comes to mind when you hear the word Whisky?Ireland? Scotland? How about Japan?! Yes, the Japanese have quietly been making and distilling top notch whisky now for almost 100 years. The Japanese brand Yamazaki has a single malt that actually won “World Whisky of the Year” in 2014. 

Got your attention yet? Good! As I have a special announcement about a fun foodie event you do not want to miss! The renowned Whiskey Kitchen is holding their second large scale celebration of whisky and food with a curated selection of rare Japanese whisky. Here are some additional details:

YOU’RE INVITED ~

WHERE: Whiskey Kitchen , Raleigh

WHAT: Supper Club No. 2 |An Evening of Whisky, History, Food and Celebration

WHEN: October 18, 2017  | 7:00 – 10:30 pm

Purchase Tickets >>>> Here 

SobeSavvy Giveaway:  One lucky SobeSavvy reader will be randomnly selected to win a pair of tickets to this exclusive one night only event. Click on this link >> here << and follow the instructions to enter. Contest ends on Monday October 9, 2017. 

* There is a chance to enter via social media as well. Be sure to follow @SobeSavvy on Instagram for details as well as during the event photos and recap! * 

Whiskey Kitchen | Supper Club No. 2 Event

Join me and others as we raise our glasses to Japan’s finest offerings at Whiskey Kitchen! I am excited to learn more about Japan’s reinterpretation of a spirit I enjoy at a restaurant that always serves inspired cuisine with a southern flair. Hope to see you there! 

“Gannbatte Kudasi“..that means Good Luck in Japanese !

*Contest has ended. Congrats to Andrea Bates ! Hope you enjoy !*

WHISKEY KITCHEN

201 W Martin St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

Looking for a place to celebrate #NationalDrinkBeerDay on 9/28 ? Head to @PourTaproom #Durham #NC

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Beer Lovers Rejoice! September 28 is National Drink Beer Day and I am excited to share my experience of a local place where you can celebrate: Pour Taproom Durham! Located in Bull City, I recently mentioned how my husband and I checked out this spot during our staycation in downtown Durham and we loved it!

 

At Pour Taproom, you can literally sample over 60+ different beers, wines and ciders on tap. That’s like enjoying the variety you would at a beer festival but with a tasting room atmosphere, except it is Self Serve! That’s right, this new (opened in June 2017) self-pour taproom allows you to get it yourself, no bothering-the-bartender necessary.  We appreciated the touch screens above each tap, which gave tasting notes as well as a ‘Beer Pouring 101’ instructional how-to.

Start a tab and you will receive a computer bracelet which allows you to pour yourself any amount of any tap in the room. They charge by the ounce, so never have a full glass of beer you don’t enjoy. I loved the fact that I could try some beers at my own pace and amount, as well as the freedom to explore new tastes and varieties. Pour Taproom Durham features a curated selection of the finest Durham’s local craft brews, as well as regional, national and international favorites.

We got to meet Dan Enarson, a Durham resident and Co-Owner/General Manager of Pour Taproom Durham. I learned that this taproom is owned by four friends, who spent the past decade working as aid workers among refugees and communities affected by war and disaster in places like Darfur, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda. 

 “We found that whether you’re sitting under a tree with a group of elders in a remote village or visiting the home of local friends, you’re going to get served a drink. It might be water, fermented milk, or a warm beer, but you always drank, and it was always good.”        “We believe it can be a sacred thing to share a drink in community, and it’s universal to want to connect in that way,” Enarson said.


Pour Taproom Durham has outside seating available, but we chose to sit inside the bright, airy 2,250 square foot space. There are some communal tables, which encourages conversation with Durhamites and visitors alike who enjoy experiencing the best of craft beer, cider and wine. Rest assured you can grab a bite to go along with your drinks of choice. They have a great menu to compliment their on tap selections. We tried a delicious tasting board of salami, cheese and brie! Yum!

SobeSavvy Tip: A kids’ snack menu is available, and per their “What’s On Tap” community board, kids eat free on Sundays! Yay to kid-friendly places! 

So now you know where to go for National Drink A Beer Day, Sunday Funday or any day when you want to enjoy community and relax with a drink. Bring family, friends and your thirst for some amazing beers to Pour Taproom Durham!  Cheers! 🍻

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POUR TAPROOM DURHAM

202 N. CORCORAN ST., #200  *(ground level of Unscripted Hotel)

DURHAM, NC 27701

{Open from noon to late night seven days a week}

For more information, visit pourtaproom.com/durham/ or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

To see more SobeSavvy.com photos of Pour Taproom Durham..see here.

Celebrate #FirstDayofFall with #EndofSummer Sips made with @BedlamVodka #bringthebedlam

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, however all pictures and opinions are 100% my own.

If you attended the NC Restaurant & Lodging Expo or followed my stories on Instagram, then you know that was an amazing event to meet vendors in the restaurant, food service, lodging & hospitality. While there I got to sample and learn about Bedlam Vodka who is distilled and bottled by Graybeard Distillery in Durham, NC. After one sip, I knew I had to help spread the word about this amazing Vodka via my Spirits/Beer blog, as well as share some of my favorite #SobeSavvySips cocktail recipes (crafted by favorite at-home mixologist, my husband).

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Before I share two cocktail recipes that will have you dancing like the bottle of Bedlam in the above video clip, let me tell you the number one reason we found this vodka to be enjoyable. It is so S.M.O.O.T.H! There was no burn and very smooth to drink. Per the company and as printed on the bottle: “Vodka Need Not Burn” 

Bedlam Vodka “Vodka Need Not Burn”

How is that ‘no burn’ possible you ask? Bedlam Vodka is distilled from rice instead of wheat or potato. Designed from an Irish vodka recipe handed down over a few generations of Scott Russ’ family, this spirit is sure to elevate any vodka cocktail recipe you may have already in your repetoire. Speaking of recipes, brand director/bartender Jesse Cortez, mixes the versatile vodka into unique drinks that are unexpected and delicious. Be sure to follow Bedlam Vodka on Instagram for inspiration!

#BringtheBedlam | Bedlam Vodka

We have tried Bedlam Vodka in two cocktail recipes that I think everyone over 21 would love:  Moscow Mule & Thyme for Fall Martini

RECIPES

Bedlam Vodka | #SobeSavvySips Moscow Mule

MOSCOW MULE

PREP 5mins TOTAL 5mins

This perfect all-year round drink is a classic, easy to make drink that only requires 3 ingredients. Invest in some His and Her copper (a favorite autumn color) mugs and enjoy!

Makes 1 drink

YOU WILL NEED

A half of lime

2 ounces Bedlam Vodka

4 ounces cold ginger beer

Ice

DIRECTIONS

●Squeeze lime into a copper mug
●Fill glass with ice then pour in the vodka and ginger beer
●Garnish with a lime 

Bedlam Vodka | #SobeSavvySips ‘Thyme For Fall’ Martini

THYME FOR FALL Martini

PREP 15mins TOTAL 20mins

This cocktail is inspired by a recipe called The Salty Dog . I’ve made some variations to suit my taste. For example I prefer a sugar rimmed martini glass while the recipe calls for course salt around the rim. This tasty, thyme-infused drink calls for gin in some recipes, but my husband thought Bedlam Vodka would go well in this light, citrusy, herbal cocktail. He was right!

This recipe calls making a Thyme Simple Syrup with these ingredients: 1/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water + 8 sprigs Thyme

*The Cocktail Novice has a great guide for infusing herbs in simple syrups , that you can check out >>here.*

Makes 1 martini drink

YOU WILL NEED

2 oz. Bedlam Vodka
3 oz. Freshly Squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juice
½ oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
½ oz. Thyme Simple Syrup
1 Tbsp Sugar, For Glass Rim
1 Grapefruit wedge

DIRECTIONS

●Combine Vodka, Juices, Thyme Syrup and Ice in a Cocktail Shaker
●Shake Well
●Sugar the rim of a Martini Glass
●Strain Cocktail Into Martini Glass
●Garnish with a Thyme Sprig &      Grapefruit Wedge

Bedlam Vodka is available in NC ABC Stores plus bars and restaurants across the state.  Also, those of you in SC and GA can also enjoy the smooth taste of Bedlam Vodka. This company has plans of going nationwide, and to #bringthebedlam to everyone! Be sure to follow http://www.bedlamvodka.com to see what locations they will be in next!

Bedlam Vodka Cocktails

Hope you enjoy these 2 cocktail recipes and are inspired to go out and buy Bedlam Vodka and toast to the first day of Fall! 

Cheers!

Recap|Open House @HubbsCornMaze + Enter Giveaway to win #familyfun day! #10yearsofhubbs #VisitNCFarms

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On Tuesday, September 19, 2017 SobeSavvy.com was invited to join Media, Corporations and County Officials to Hubb’s Farm & Corn Maze Open House with Lunch on the Farm. It was my first time visiting their farm, located in Clinton, NC, and I (along with my guest Cecilia from Food Diary of a City Girl) had a blast! Take a look at the youtube video below to see how we all embraced our inner child at the Open House!

https://youtu.be/n0thUhdNNUY

I’m giving one lucky reader a chance to have a blast with their family and win a ‘Crops of Fun’ day this Fall at Hubb’s Farm and enjoy their upcoming family events. (Keep reading for details on how to enter the giveaway.) But first let me share with you why Hubb’s Farm should be on your to -do list of Fall Fun activities.

Hubb’s Farm ‘Crops of Fun’

Hubb’s Farm 10th annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze is under way with two new additions to the popular attraction – Paydirt Pete’s Treasure Mine, where visitors “mine” for treasures, and a mini zip line. During the open house, we all had a chance to experience all the activities but mining for treasure was unique. I not only hit ‘paydirt’ but got to take the gemstones I learned about and discovered home with me as a nice souvenir.

Paydirt Pete’s Treasure Mine at Hubb’s Farm

  

Mini Zipline at Hubb’s Farm

The 10-acre corn maze promotes this year’s theme: Carolina Gold Rush, celebrating the discovery of gold in America, which occurred in North Carolina. Hubb’s Farm bills itself as “Growing Crops of Fun,” with activities that include a pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn hayride, a double-barrel 17-foot giant slide, a giant jump pillow, Rope Mountain, Cranky the Combine, Animal Acres, “Crops of Fun” Play Land, Toddler Town, Giant Sand Box, House of Corn, Human Foosball, the Hubb’s Express Train Ride, a covered picnic area and more. I especially appreciated how clean the farm was and how thoughtful they were to include a ‘Baby Hubb’ area for new moms to have a comfortable place of their own!

The Baby Hubb at Hubb’s Farm

Now that you know some of what to expect at Hubb’s Farm, make plans to attend the Fall Festival event, held each weekend through Nov. 11 with the farm opening on Fridays from 6-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon-10 p.m., and Sundays 1-6 p.m. In addition to the fun themed weekend activities, Hubb’s Farm promotes education with school tours for kindergarden-3rd graders in the fall and spring. Each school tour includes educational elements from history to math.

Events at Hubb’s Farm

Themed weekends include: Hay Bale Festival, Sept. 23-24; First Responders’ Weekend with Blood Drive, Sept. 30-Oct. 1; Thank A Farmer Weekend and Overalls Pageant, Oct. 7-8; Pirate Invasion, Oct. 14-15; Freedom USA Weekend, Oct. 21-22; Scarecrow Express and Halloween at Hubb’s, Oct. 28-29; Tough As A Farmer Competition, Nov. 4; Smashing Pumpkins Sunday, Nov. 5; and Last Dance, Nov. 11. 

Map of Hubb’s Farm

It was a pleasure to meet Tammy and John Peterson, who started Hubb’s Corn Maze shortly after the birth of their son, Luke, 10 years ago. Tammy grew up on the farm, but John had never been to a corn maze. “We are creative people and we were asking ourselves, ‘What can we do for a youngster?” and also, we knew there was a lack of things to do in Sampson County. We wanted something for families to do.” Being the creative people that they are, the corn maze evolved into “Crops of Fun,” a whirlwind of entertainment activities involving three seasons – fall, Christmas and spring. 

Tammy Peterson speaks to media guests during Hubb’s Farm Open House

          
SobeSavvy Tip :  Make sure to shop for your pumpkins while on the farm. They have many varieties and great prices!

Pumpkins for Sale at Hubb’s Farm

Now that you have learned about how great Hubb’s Farm is, check out the giveaway details:

#SobeSavvyGIVEAWAY – One reader will win (1) Family Pass Silver-good for a one day visit to Hubb’s Farm Fall Festival and Corn Maze Sept. 16- Nov., 11, 2017
Click>>HERE<< to enter. Contest ends 9/27 and winner will be chosen randomly. 

#SobeSavvyGiveaway to Hubb’s Farm for the day!

For more information, contact the farm at http://www.hubbsfarmnc.com . I look forward to returning with my family and hope you are inspired to check out Hubb’s Farm, one of the state’s largest agri-tourism farms, this Fall! Don’t forget to spread the word and enter the giveaway.

GOOD LUCK! *Giveaway has ended. Congrats to K.Massey and family! Enjoy!*

Hubb’s Farm

10276 US Hwy 421 N

Clinton, NC 28328 

info@hubbsfarmnc.com

910.564.6709

Special thanks to Hubb’s Farm for hosting us and partnering with SobeSavvy.com to facilitate this awesome giveaway!

Leslie H. ,Founder SobeSavvy.com ~Posing with Pumpkins at Hubb’s Farm

Where to Stay in #DowntownDurham your next #Staycation | @TheDurhamHotel #Durham #NC #Travel

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The Durham Hotel located in Downtown Durham

Downtown Durham’s renaissance has been in full swing now for over 5 years. New businesses and restaurants seem to be opening on a weekly basis. A number of trendy boutique hotels now gives visitors and staycationers plenty of choices. One problem that I have noticed is that most only do one thing at a high level. Great bar but no vibe. Great vibe but the hotel lacks good service and room quality. Fun poolside scene but I don’t want that scene RIGHT outside my door. I have found the answer to this dilemma. That answer is found at The Durham Hotel. My husband and I spent the night there recently and experienced everything this wonderful hotel had to offer. SobeSavvy Tip: pack your camera and capture great views of the city from The Durham Hotel’s rooftop. 

Sunshine + Staycation Smiles at The Durham Hotel


ACCOMODATIONS

King Deluxe Room | The Durham Hotel

Per their website their 52 rooms ..”Feature modern interiors and local collaborations, the rooms at The Durham have been designed by Los Angeles-based firm Commune to be warm and residential, making guests feel right at home in our downtown Durham hotel.” Indeed our room was stylish, spacious and minimal in a comfortable sense not spartan. It had an airy west coast feel to it. 

 BATHROOM AMENITIES

Bathroom Amenities | The Durham Hotel

 

I can tell alot about a property based on the quality of their bath products. Here at The Durham Hotel, guests can expect bath robes & slippers along with red flower bath products. If you are unfamiliar with red flower, they use essential plant oils and is an all natural product. I really enjoyed how gentle and moisturizing the soaps and lotions were as well as the scent.

ROOFTOP

Rooftop Views of Bull City | The Durham Hotel

After check in we headed up to their rooftop area, which coincidentally is called what else, “The Roof” of course ! They explain this wonderful area as ..” The Roof at The Durham is a year-round gathering spot for guests and locals alike, offering one-of-a-kind panoramic views of the city. Here you will find original, handcrafted cocktails, extensive wine and beer offerings and a seasonal raw bar and small kitchen menu.

Rooftop Bar and Dining | The Durham Hotel

We enjoyed a ‘Sunday Funday’ sunset while sipping on cocktails such as the ‘Airmail’~made with rum, lime, honey and prosecco~served in a flute! The bartender was amicable and service overall was great. I am a seafoodie, so ordering from the raw bar was a must. I enjoyed freshly shucked oysters and even tried a speciality one called ‘The Durham Oyster’. If you love raw oysters, definitely make plans to enjoy some while dining on the rooftop.

Dine at The Rooftop Raw Bar | The Durham Hotel

Perfect for intimate gatherings and large groups, the breezy 3,000 sq ft. layout features an indoor bar, covered and open-air lounge seating, as well as a penthouse with its own patio for private parties. The hotel also hosts its own calendar of events, making the rooftop the perfect destination every night of the week.

The Durham Hotel’s Rooftop

HOTEL AMENITIES

There are many unique offerings this hotel offers which made it very appealing to book a stay here like complimentary Rooftop Yoga on the weekends to name a few. Here are some amenities that we were able to partake in:

  • 24 Hour Fitness Studio

24 hour Fitness Studio | The Durham Hotel

  • Business Center + Meeting Space 

24 Hr Business Center , Meeting Spaces, Conference Rooms | The Durham Hotel

  • In Room Coffee Service

In Room Coffee Service | The Durham Hotel

    Before we dozed off to sleep in the evening, we were sure to fill out our “coffee card” in the room and hang it on our door. The next morning, VOILA fresh ground coffer is delivered to your room. This is included with your stay at no extra charge. The in-room coffee features Durham’s Counter Culture Coffee freshly ground for guests to brew. This was by far our favorite of all the amenities! Both the ‘Apollo’ and ‘Big Trouble’ provided us with the coffee kick we needed to start our day. 

    BREAKFAST

    Continental Breakfast | The Durham Hotel

    Continental Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant featuring select complimentary offerings for hotel guests. Here is a list of the ‘made in house’ deliciousness they had available for us to eat:  

    • Durham Granola with yogurt 
    • Buckwheat Sugar Cake
    • Cheese Toast (Boulted Bread from Raleigh) 
    • Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Candied ginger scone
    • Date cakes with salted caramel 
    • Corn muffin preserved local fruit (gf)

    Breakfast as well as dinner is served in the restaurant on the 1st floor. They also serve Brunch on Sundays.

    The Durham Hotel Restaurant on the 1st Floor offers indoor and outside seating

    Overall, we enjoyed our stay at The Durham Hotel. From the customer service, to the cleanliness and comfort of the room, I would highly recommend this hotel to visitors and locals alike! It is in the heart of Bull City and convenient to hot spots like Pour Taproom (which I’ll be sharing more about later this week). We kept our car parked during our stay since we could easily walk to things to do in Downtown Durham. Before you check out, make sure to get a picture of the iconic Durham Bull, located across the street from The Durham Hotel. 

    Watch the video recap + room tour of our staycation at The Durham Hotel >>here. For more photos, take a look at this>>  Facebook album. I hope you enjoyed this post and if you are local will add The Durham Hotel to your Staycation Ideas list!

    THE DURHAM Hotel

    315 E. Chapel Hill St.

    Durham, NC 27701

    thedurham.com | 919-768-8830

    Hey #NC ,Celebrate #FiestaDeCamotes at #SweetArielleBakery and Enjoy 2 Amazing #SweetPotato Recipes 

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    Disclaimer: “Fiesta de Camotes” is a promotion of the NC SweetPotato Commission and was funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

    Photo Credit: Stacey Sprenz Photography.

    The Sweet Potato has long been a favorite staple in the homes of people from all walks of life. It is so versatile and can be used for a myriad of recipes and dishes. I personally love it in the form of a sweet potato pie or simply roasted. No matter which way you love your sweet potatoes, there is no doubt that this food needs to be celebrated for all its nutrients and health benefits. As the #1 sweet potato producing state in the United States since 1971, it is only right that we celebrate right here in the state of North Carolina. Here’s how+where you can celebrate:

    “Fiesta de Camotes” (translated to “Celebrating Sweet Potatoes”) is a month-long special event that invites us to celebrate the use of North Carolina sweet potatoes in Hispanic cuisine. From September 1 thru 30, 2017, twenty-two restaurants/bakeries will create and feature a dish that highlights sweet potatoes. Sounds delicious right?!

    Celebrating Fiesta de Camotes at Sweet Arielle Bakery & Chef Norma

     

    One restaurant that caught my tastebuds attention to visit was Sweet Arielle Bakery, located at the South Durham Farmer’s Market. Open from 8am-12PM, this wonderful bakery will “sweet” you off of your feet! This past Saturday, which happened to be Mexico’s Independence Day, I met Norma, owner/chef and mom to Arielle, along with her husband Paul at her beautiful booth at the farmer’s market. A wonderful array of cookies, pastries and savory treats were on display in her glass case, but also samples were available to taste. The both of them were very excited to introduce their customers to the featured sweet potato dishes made especially for #FiestadeCamotes.

    Saturday Morning at Sweet Arielle Bakery

    Two dishes available at Sweet Arielle Bakery in celebration of #FiestadeCamotes are: Sweet Potato Tamales and Atolito de Camote , which is a warm drink made with sweet potatoes. This beverage can best be described as “liquid sweet potato pie”. One sip and you will add this to your favorite fall drink list. In the words of my daughter (in the short video clip below)…it was SO good!

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    Next, I had the sweet potato tamales. It was the perfect balance of light sugar and flavors. The actual sweet potato was the star! On her website she states: “We never use sugar as a crutch, focusing instead on the quality and freshness of our ingredients and allowing the true flavors to shine.” That proved to be true once I had a taste of the delicious sweet potato tamales.

    Chef Norma’s Sweet Potato Tamales are a delicious way to celebrate Fiesta de Camotes

     

    After dining here, I must say no one is more passionate about making and sharing their wonderful dishes created from NC sweet potatoes than Sweet Arielle Bakery. I highly suggest you give yourself a treat today in the form of a sweet potato and try any of the amazing #FiestadeCamotes recipes found >>here. Make sure to make your way down to Sweet Arielle Bakery this Saturday at the South Durham Farmers Market to get some of those delicious Sweet Potato Tamales before I eat them all!

    Leslie Heigh, Lifestyle/Food Blogger + Founder, SobeSavvy.com celebrates Fiesta de Camotes at Sweet Arielle Bakery in Durham, NC

    For more information on the Fiesta De Camotes promotion event, visit website (www.ncsweetpotatoes.com). Don’t forget you have until the end of September to celebrate thruout NC. Share with your family & friends and discover new places to dine, great recipes to try and the many ways to enjoy NC sweet potatoes!

    Lots of Good Vibes Only + #FamilyFun @ColorVibe5k in #Raleigh ~ Race Recap #colorvibe5k #tumeyummies

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    The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh~SobeSavvy.com Recap

    I couldn’t think of a more fun way to spend a bright,warm Saturday morning than to join thousands of colorful spirits in the Color Vibe 5K run in Raleigh. My family and I, aka #HeighPartyof3, were thrilled to experience this event, as it was our second 5K together. If you saw my #SobeSavvygiveaway for this event, then you know how everyone in the community gets excited for this event! We got there early and joined others in a Zumba warm up class. We danced and did some awesome moves to stretch our muscles out prior to the main event. Here is our “Before” the run + our shirts are still clean picture:

    The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh “Before”

    It was such a festive atmosphere at the Triangle Town Center. They had a little Color Vibe Village with all sorts of run related merchandise and also Yum E Tummie drinks to enjoy. Plenty of water was on hand and bananas to fuel us up for the run. You can also check out #tumeyummies on social media to see fun run pics before and after the race!

    Say Tum-E Yummies! ~The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

    It was time. We all lined up in waves as the DJ pumped the tunes and WE WERE OFF !! This course basically took us around the entire perimeter of the huge mall parking lot with some turns along the way. While I chose to wear sunglasses (you get free ones with your Color Vibe shirt as part of your registration swag), my husband actually prefers a different kind of eyewear. SobeSavvy Tip:  Sport a pair of swimming goggles to make sure the color dust stays clear of eyes and contact lenses!

    Let the Fun Begin~The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

    Our little one, aka #outandaboutAva, now age 6, is on her way to becoming a road race veteran. She did a pretty good job setting the pace for us! This is an untimed run and meant to be fun, so walking, jogging, dancing are all welcomed along the course. At some point, she got carried and treated to a piggy-back ride but hey that’s what any Dad would do for his daughter!

    Run, Jog, Walk, Carry~ The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

    The color stations were a blast..LITERALLY! Yellow,Blue,Green,Purple,Pink..the powdery color dust comes of easier than you think, so embrace it! Tum-E Yummies also handed out wipes at the end of the race, but it’s best to cover your car seats in towels and/or change your tee if you want to protect your car for the ride home. But really, it was so fun and getting dirty has never been easier. The color powder is biodegradable and washes out pretty easy!

    “COLORS” The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

    This was a well organized event and I would suggest you get out there and do this fun run with your friends/family. The Color Vibe Good Vibes Tour 2017 does a great job at merging fitness and fun, something me and my family enjoy doing together! WATCH video from our fun run with Color Vibe 5K Raleigh Good Vibes Tour 2017>here.  Be sure to go to their website >>http://www.thecolorvibe.com/ to see what city this fun run/walk event is coming to next!

     Hope to see you there next year!💜🏃💚

    The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh ~”After”

    Highlights from @HopscotchFest #Hopscotch17 #VisitRaleigh |A #soNCsavvy Recap by SobeSavvy.com

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    This past weekend, SobeSavvy.com was out and about in Downtown Raleigh for Hopscotch Music Festival. If you saw my recap from last year Hopscotch 2016, then you know this is a fun festival for music lovers that is not to be missed!

    Official Guide 2017 Hopscotch Music Festival           

    This year for #Hopscotch17, there were 120 Bands and Four Days of shows playing at the large outdoor main stages in Raleigh City Plaza, Red Hat Amphitheater, but also perfomances at The Basement inside the Raleigh Comvention Center plus day parties at the local clubs/bars. The festival features music for everyone in almost every genre: rock, hip-hop, metal, folk, electronic and more! For me, that’s what makes Hopscotch unique because it’s not genre based and does not cater to one specific type of music. It appeals to those of us who believe music is universal and all are welcome to enjoy it in the city of Raleigh!

    Hopscotch Festival partners with Visit Raleigh to put on an amazing 4 Day Music Festival   

    Downtown Raleigh and its many venues makes this the perfect place for this festival because once you park your car, you can literally just “hopscotch” all around downtown and take in the acts. We downloaded their fantastic interactive app that allows users to customize their own music festival acts they want to see. 

    Sort by venue or performer ,open up a calendar and set reminders for who, what, where,when to go see your fave artists on the HOPSCOTCH MUSIC FESTIVAL App

    I decided to share our highlights on Hopscotch 2017 based on the venues and the people, performances and festival fun we saw at each place. Take a look and I hope you are inspired to go next year!

    Raleigh CONVENTION CENTER (Wristband City, The Basement, Official Merch, & Flatstock) 

    #Hopscotch17 | Inside the Convention Center

    The Convention Center serves as the command center (in my opinion) for the festival. Here is where the festival fun begins after you pick up your wristbands from Wristband City (which allows you entry to see acts at all the venues). This is also the place where you can buy swag from the official Merch Market or even a cool piece of poster art from Flatstock. Hopscotch made great use of the convention center by creating a new venue space called ‘The Basement‘. An Exhibit Hall was transformed into a indoor club with a cool vibe complete with two full bars, a great sound system and plenty of dance space. Here is where we saw performances from Har Mar Superstar, Lee Fields and the Expressions and Kaytranada.  Watch a video recap >>here<< of their performances and if you want to see more photos, check out my facebook album. 

    #Hopscotch17 | Friday Night in ‘The Basement’

    CITY PLAZA

    #Hopscotch17 Snapchat Filter + City Plaza

    Just a couple of blocks over from the Convention Center at 400 Block Fayetteville was the City Plaza stage venue. They had all sorts of vendors/booths to buy and sample food and drinks. We had some great samples of IPA beer at the Goose Island Tent to get our party started!

    #Hopscotch17 | Beer Sampling at City Plaza

    On Friday, we saw Future Islands ,who hails from my hometown of Baltimore,Md. They are a synthpop band whose performance in 2014 on The Late Night Show w/David Letterman gave them national exposure and a expanded fan base. They rocked the plaza with their energy and passion! 

    #Hopscotch17 | Future Islands at City Plaza

    Saturday we returned to City Plaza for Big Boi hailing from A-T-L Georgia! The now iconic group OutKast was the soundtrack of my younger years, so I was very excited to see one half of that dynamic duo. He was joined by producer Sleepy Brown, who is a great artist in his own right. He ran thru a medley of OutKast hits like “So Fresh and Clean”, “Rosa Parks” and “Ms. Jackson” to name a few. Big Boi has not lost a step since their heyday. He rocked the mic as the hip hop legend that he is. Many of us rapped along to every lyric and turned the City Plaza venue into one big outdoor hip hop party!  

    #Hopscotch17 | Big Boi, along with Sleepy Brown, performs

    See video clips of the performances by Future Islands and Big Boi at City Plaza >>here.

    LENOIR STREET PARTY

    #Hopscotch17 | Ice Cream Competition + Food Drive + Lenoir Street Party

    Hopscotch’s inaugural Lenoir Street Party was not only fun, but family-friendly. We went on Saturday for the Ice Cream Competition, which was held Saturday, September 9 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Gate 3 of Red Hat Amphitheater. The event was sponsored by the Carolina Hurricanes and their Homegrown Series which focuses on local artists, apparel designers, chefs, and musicians. The Winners were:

    • Lumpy’s..won for Best Regular Ice Cream
    • Mama Birds..won for Best Vegan    
    • Maple View ..won for Best Gluten Free! (I had some of their ‘Wolfpack Praline’ and it was soooooo good! Trophy worthy!

    #Hopscotch17 Ice Cream Competition

    The Lenoir Street Party which ran all weekend, was also where Hopscotch ran their 2017 Food Drive. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle offered $5 off festival apparel and a chance to win 2018 VIP passes with a non-perishable food item donation. This food drive also featured a life-sized cartoon art installation and can sculpture by Paul Friedrich, all sponsored by Coastal Credit Union.

    #Hopscotch17 Food Drive

    Beer & Wine, Spirits sampling booths were there but our daughter #outandaboutAva had the most fun traveling back in time to try 3 soda flavors of 1893 from the makers of Pepsi Cola and crafted in the Carolinas. We got some cool wooden like sunglasses and enjoyed some photo booth fun!  Lots of interactive tents and food trucks made this a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon.

    #Hopscotch17 | #1893PepsiCola Photo Booth Fun with #outandaboutAva + her Nana + her Dad

    RED HAT AMPHITHEATER

    #Hopscotch17 Venue Red Hat Amphitheater 

    Red Hat Amphitheater is Raleigh’s premier outdoor concert venue and this is where headlining act Solange set the stage ablaze with her stellar performance! Solange had what I like to call the album of the summer. Entitled “A Seat At The Table”, this album features songs filled with affirmations of self love, positive messages and healing.

    #Hopscotch17 Snapchat Filter + Solange

    Her show combined what Hopscotch is all about: Music & Design . Her entire band and backup singers dressed in red gave us a what look and felt like a solar experience!

    #Hopscotch17 Solange and her band

    #Hopscotch17 Solange gives Raleigh a Solar Eclipse

    #Hopscotch17 | Solange sings her hit ‘Cranes in the Sky’

    She sang a good portion of her Grammy award winning album and also a few of her classics from her earlier albums. “Cranes In the Sky and “Don’t Touch My Hair” were fan favs. Her self choreography was a combo of soul/funk moves with a dash of disco. It was almost retro in it’s feeling and felt totally authentic and free, as seen here in my Instagram video:

    She took all in attendance on a ride and none of us wanted to get off.

    See youtube video recap of Solange >>here << and thank you for reading. Bravo to Hopscotch Music Festival for another wonderful year!

    @FeedtheDialogue #FeedtheDialogueNC Dinner + Discussion at #18Seaboard | Recap 🍴

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    “Food is more fun when you know where it comes from”…

    I could not agree more! That’s why when SobeSavvy.com got invited to Feed the Dialogue’s exclusive Media Event on Thursday, September 7th at 18 Seaboard, I was excited to join them for a night of food, farmers and fun. 

    Feed the Dialogue is a non-profit organization who’s mission is to “reconnect NC with the foods we eat and the farmers who feed us”. They are passionate about educating North Carolinian’s about our farmers, and the food they grow across the state. This foundation bridges the gap between consumers like us and farmers. So when I received the invitation (see below), I knew I had to go and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about the food being featured at a restaurant I enjoy here in Raleigh, NC !

    Guests were treated to wine from Jones Von Drehle Winery plus a complimentary five-course dinner followed by a panel discussion hosted by Lynda Loveland from WRAL.  Three of the farmers, who’s products were featured during the dinner, as well as Chef Jason Smith of 18 Seaboard (who prepared the meal) served on the panel. 

    In preparation for the upcoming panel discussion during the dinner, we were asked to pass along at least one question that you’d like for the panelists to answer. The panelists for the evening:

    • Dr. Richard Bonanno | Associate Dean, CALS  Director of NCCES 
    • Lynda Loveland |WRAL 
    • Scott Farms – Lucama, NC ( If you #lovesweetpotatoes, check out Scott Farms for recipes, tips, tricks and more)
    • Moore Brothers Beef – Lumberton, NC (family owned, beef is all natural, non gmo, cattle is grass fed, renowned for their quality of beef) 
    • Sweet Pea Urban Gardens-Micro-Greens – Raleigh, NC 
    • Executive Chef/Proprietor Jason Smith |      18 Restaurant Group

    Here are some of the questions I presented for the panel:

    Question for Scott Farms:

     1. How many varieties of Sweet Potatoes do you grow on your farm and can you explain some of the differences between the varieties?

    Question to entire Panel:

    2. Do you feel the term “farm to table”  is being overused in todays restaurant industry?

    Question to Chef/Proprietor
    Jason Smith

     3. When deciding on a new menu addition, what one criteria is most important?
     
    Question to Dr. Richard Bonanno


     4. In your opinion are there some fruits and vegetables that buying organic is simply not worth the extra cost ?

    The panel did not have the opportunity to answer all questions, but here are some answers/quotes from the evening that I took away from the experience.

    • Shared ownership plus value..that’s what the whole ‘farm to table’ movement is about
    • Local is local no matter what size your farm is
    • Don’t be afraid to ask the person who’s growing your food were there any pesticides used
    • Moore Brothers Beef is known for having the best quality of beef because their cattle are grass fed and then finished in feed that the farmer creates himself. The feed is 100% vegetarian. 
    • Farmers are an interesting breed. They’re not in it for the money, they do it because they love it & take pride in what they do.


    Also, listed below is the menu + photos I took for the evening:

    MENU

    Course 1

    Heirloom Tomato Salad + Candied Cashew + Sweet Potato Sorghum Vinaigrette 

    Course 2

    Oyster Beignet + Cotija + Crystal Cane Syrup + Purple Sweet Potato Buttermilk Puree 

    Course 3

    Beef Carpaccio + Sweet Potato Vichyssoise + Pickled Muscadine + Shishito Mignonette 

    Course 4

    Butter Poached then Cast Iron Blackened Ribeye + Smoked Hominy + Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato + Pickled Crimson Okra + Burnt Tomato Vinegar

    Course 5

    Sweet Potato Hand Pie + Salted Beef Fat-Buttermilk Ice Cream + Lemon Verbena 

    I had a great time and learned alot at the Feed the Dialogue dinner and panel discussion. The meal at 18 Seaboard was amazing and the people I met (food writers, food bloggers, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and media) , who shared in this experience were wonderful! If you want to see more from the event, check out the hashtag : #FeedTheDialogueNC 

    For more news and information about animal care, antibiotics, environment, food choices, food safety, food security, gmo/organic, health/nutrition, and trade practices here in NC, follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or website here>> Feed The Dialogue NC.