Good morning friends!
I have to imagine that on a holiday weekend AND a Sunday to boot, no one is checking out blog posts today. And if you are, why? Read fast, then get outside for some fresh air!
We have another busy day planned so I’ll be brief this morning. But I had to post about our visit to the Taste of Colorado yesterday. Mainly because we were so disappointed. And then because the minute we arrived, we were reminded that we are disappointed EVERY year and somehow always FORGET that part!
The reason why is because none of the vendors are really doing true “TASTING” items. It would seem if you are going to the “Taste of Colorado” you’d get purchase little TASTES of a number of items on different restaurant menus so that you can then fall in love with their food (or not) and either purchase a full meal on the spot, or maybe consider going to their restaurant in the future.
But most of the vendors were only selling full plates of their real food and then “TASTE” portions of one dessert. For example, at one vendor it was a taste of chocolate fondue, at another a brownie pop. Well thanks but no thanks – I’m pretty sure I know what melted chocolate and brownies taste like! But hey that Indian Vegetarian Taco would be a GREAT thing to taste – why don’t you let me buy a small portion of that? If I eat a full plate, I’ll be too full to try any OTHER vendors. It just seemed like they were missing the whole point.
Or maybe we were! Who’s to say?
So ultimately, Cory and I only bought one platter that came with a lumb crab cake, a slider and a melon cucumber gazpacho “shot”. He ate the beef slider and I took the crab cake with gazpacho. The verdict? Meh. Nothing spectacular, and mighty salty.
With our few remaining food tickets (I won’t even rant about why the food tickets are a total scam) we “tasted” a mini cupcake in margarita flavor (which I wanted to try in honor of my awesome baking friend ALLISON who also makes margarita cupcakes) and something like a rice crispy treat but made with Trix cereal. We were in and out of the whole place in about an hour. Between the crowds, the insanely loud live bands, cigarette smoke no matter where you were, we were ready to leave almost as soon as we arrived.
Ten or twelve years ago, I may have enjoyed that scene. Now, not so much. I prefer peaceful, quiet gatherings that don’t shock the senses. I’ve already put a reminder on my 2012 calendar for Labor Day weekend not to go, so that we don’t get sucked into it again like we have the last 3 times.
The rest of the day’s eats were pretty uneventful and eaten without photos. I shared a green smoothie in the morning with my friend Jen who came over to do a Tabata workout with me. We did straight arm planks, side planks, tabletops, curtsey lunges, temple static squats, rows, step ups/extensions, and hamstring/glute bridges.
I also ate my leftover BBQ seitan with some of the coleslaw for my dinner, a Coconut Cream Pie Larabar for a snack during the day, and a handful of dry cereal with decaf coffee in the late evening.
It felt like a BUSY BUSY day and today’s going to be another one! I will have to try to remember to get some great pics from the wedding. Whenever Cory and I get dressed up for something, inevitably I take pictures of everything and then forget to get a good shot of us in something other than our everyday casual clothes!
Today’s question: have you ever been to a “Taste of <anywhere>” and if so, how was your experience?
Have a SUPER SUNDAY everyone! See you next time!
– Shari B. =)









#1 by Jen on September 6, 2011 - 8:29 pm
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I go to the Parker FM and it is a lot of fun! Not huge, but lots of vendors – we really enjoyed it and since it is downtown Parker we can grab a coffee at the local coffee shop and saddle up the dogs and make it a nice little family outing
Have you been to the Lone Tree one?
#2 by Shari B. on September 7, 2011 - 7:36 am
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Hi Jen – yes, I’ve been to the Lone Tree one. I think the mistake I make is that I often go too early in the year when there’s not a lot of produce and then I just get discouraged so I don’t go back. I will make a SOLID effort to go this weekend. I’m putting it on my calendar right now!
#3 by Joan on September 5, 2011 - 9:31 am
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We used to love to go to the ‘Taste’ both here and in Seattle but for EXACTLY the reasons you menitoned we quit going a few years back. Plus the food really isn’t healthy for that matter. And each ‘taste’ was $5 and up which is too costly for tasting lots of differing cuisine styles…plus you get STUFFED too soon even if you split plates…and as you pointed out, CROWDS and smoke ARGH! Such a curmudgeon I’ve become! haha
I wish they’d serve taste portions at the fair too, there’s always many things I want just a little of.
Joan recently posted..Summer Zucchini Relish
#4 by Shari B. on September 6, 2011 - 11:36 am
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Joan, I’m totally with you – I feel ‘curmudgeonly’ as well!
#5 by Jen on September 4, 2011 - 12:38 pm
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I have been to the taste of colorado, but have not been in years. I agree – the crowds are crazy and tix are a complete rip off, I would rather skip it! I think going to a farmers market and truly tasting people’s whatever is much more fun!
#6 by Shari B. on September 6, 2011 - 11:43 am
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Hi Jen – I totally agree with you! the tix ARE a rip-off! I need to go to more Farmer’s Markets. Do you go to Parker or Lone Tree?