Happy Trails!

Posted on August 25, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

My husband Christopher and I love to hike. That’s why we were excited to explore The Hyde Park Trail in Dutchess County, New York.

A 16-mile trail system, encompassing local parks and a nature preserve, wends through the Town of Hyde Park.  Superimposed upon this network of trails, however, is “The Hyde Park Trail”, which refers specifically to the nine-mile through-trail, linking several National Historic Sites: Vanderbilt Mansion; the homes of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt (Val-Kill), FDR’s Top Cottage and Roosevelt Farm Lane.    Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Hikes, Hudson Valley, Travel, Wellness | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pick of the Late Summer Crop

Posted on August 19, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

Ahhh….the days of summer are passing ever so quickly. Why?  How?  I ask these same questions every year. At the start of summer, it seems we have all the time in the world.  Eight weeks later—we find that we’re fast rolling toward a season’s end.  So, while I can, I’m indulging in a last passionate fling….with late summer produce. Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Stands, Farmers' Markets, Local Food | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Awash in Local Suds: Terrapin’s NY Craft BeerFEST

Posted on August 12, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews

Despite a rainy Saturday afternoon, spirits were high at the recent New York State Craft BeerFEST, hosted by Terrapin Restaurant in Staatsburg, NY (Dutchess County). It was a sold out crowd…

2011 NY Craft BeerFEST

Continue reading →

Posted in Beer + Cider, Hudson Valley, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spa Therapy: Lavender Fields Forever

Posted on August 11, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

Lavender Fields sugar scrubLavender Fields sugar scrub (back)

Complimentary beauty products tend to expire on my dresser—unopened.  This lack of curiosity, I attribute partly to my no-fuss, no-frills approach to grooming: other than sunblock and lipstick, my face is naked.  The other reason? I have hyper-sensitive skin that often reacts even to hypoallergenic-labeled products.

Then, I recently received two samples from Lake Austin Spa Resort’s new LakeHouse bath and body lines: the “Lavender Fields” Body Scrub and the “Gifts of the Garden” Shea Body Butter.  It just so happens that I love lavender.  I had never used a body scrub at home (too lazy!), but one sweltering afternoon, after an especially taxing week, I decided to make it an event.  Complete with husband and cocktails…       Continue reading →

Posted in Eco-friendly Products, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Thirst-quenching Summer Tonic

Posted on August 7, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews

Lillet Blanc and Tonic

This summer’s relentless heat and humidity has stretched into August, a happy reason to sip some cooling “silly season” cocktails.

The ideal summer drink should “invigorate, restore, refresh or stimulate”— Webster’s literal definition of “tonic” — but without a high alcohol content, which can make you feel hotter than it already is. And, naturally, it should also bring some compelling flavors to the palate.

The Americano (see previous post) achieves this.  Another one of my favorites is a Lillet and Tonic.     Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Spirits + Cocktails, Wine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

St. Andrew’s Café: Green Kitchen Back Story

Posted on August 4, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

St. Andrew's Cafe: two star green certified

St. Andrew’s Café, one of five teaching restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America’s leafy campus in Hyde Park, New York, became Dutchess County’s first two star certified green restaurant in 2009.  My husband and I recently enjoyed a lovely meal here; see my Rural Intelligence review.  But, what does being “green” mean for chef-instructor Dwayne LiPuma, an associate culinary arts professor, who oversees the student-staffed restaurant?? LiPuma shares the back story…    Continue reading →

Posted in Hudson Valley, Restaurants | Leave a comment

Cheap Thrills: Produce. Produce. Produce.

Posted on July 22, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

Montgomery Place farm stand heirloom tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes at Montgomery Place Orchard farm stand

Easy, healthy summertime eating is ripe for the picking at farmers’ markets right now.  A bright note in a still-floundering economy, farmers’ markets offer real value—both dollar-wise and nutritionally.  We value this farm-to-plate connection.  And with rising food and fuel costs, we don’t take farmers’ markets for granted.

For nearly three decades—starting with the Union Square farmers’ market—greenmarket farmers’ markets have been a local food resource throughout New York City.  More recently, farmers’ markets have spread throughout Dutchess and Columbia counties in the Hudson Valley, as I reported in my New York Times article.

It’s all good.  We are particularly enamored with two stands… Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Stands, Farmers' Markets, Health, Hudson Valley Farms, Local Food, New York City, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Americano Cocktail: Italian for “Refreshing”

Posted on July 19, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews

Americano Cocktail, upstate-style

If you like the Negroni,  try its “parent” cocktail, the summer-friendly Americano…. Continue reading →

Posted in Spirits + Cocktails | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Growing Organic, Against Odds

Posted on July 14, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Breezy Hill Orchard Farm Market in Rhinebeck

My husband and I were happy to discover Breezy Hill Orchard Farm Market, a new local and organic food market housed in a charming historic building in Rhinebeck village, Dutchess County.  Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Products, Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Farms, Local Food | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gingerbread in July

Posted on July 5, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews

UD_Sorghum Gingerbread

I love a good gingerbread.  And not just at Christmas.  To me, it’s cake.  That’s why I bake my gingerbread in a round cake pan—IMO, square pans are for brownies and bar cookies.

After a recent visit down South—West Tennessee, to be exact—I was inspired to make a gingerbread with sorghum and buttermilk, two ingredients associated with traditional southern baking.

The result?  A moist, ginger-nuanced, fresh-tasting cake that is frankly irresistible.

Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health, Home Baking, Travel, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments