TRENDS FOR 2023 Health Food

Rarely do we think about what is trending in the world of food and drink, but there are organizations that study this issue constantly, including Whole Foods, Innova Market Insights and even Martha Stewart herself. The current trend seems to be towards a focus on healthier eating due to an interest in sustainable agriculture, climate change and possibly as a result of correcting those bad habits acquired during Covid lock down.

In the drink space, mocktails, or virgin cocktails, have become more and more popular for health reasons, even spawning a number of new establishments devoted exclusively to alcohol-free night life. This trend expands well beyond Shirley Temples and there is an emphasis on alcohol free cosmopolitans, margaritas, mojitos and other more original creative drinks. As an example, Whole Foods points to yaupon, a caffeinated plant, to be brewed for tea and also used in new mocktail creations. Also growing in popularity are milk substitutes like oat, soy, almond, and even potato. They are typically lower in fat, sugar and are also cholesterol free.

In the world of foods, there has been significant and growing interest in nutrition and sustainability. We will be interested in more natural less processed foods as well as more traditional ethnic menus. Plant based foods will be a growth area as the number of vegans has increased significantly and most of us have cut down on meat consumption for health and environmental concerns. We will want more locally produced ingredients due to interest in climate change. There is actually a new word for this - glocal. Think global and eat local!

Plant based pasta made from chickpeas, cauliflower and zucchini are already popular but new ones made from hearts of palm and green and other more original creative drinks. As an example, Whole Foods points to yaupon, a caffeinated plant, to be brewed for tea and also used in new mocktail creations. Also growing in popularity are milk substitutes like oat, soy, almond, and even potato. They are typically lower in fat, sugar and are also cholesterol free.

In the world of foods, there has been significant and growing interest in nutrition and sustainability. We will be interested in more natural less processed foods as well as more traditional ethnic menus. Plant based foods will be a growth area as the number of vegans has increased significantly and most of us have cut down on meat consumption for health and environmental concerns.

We will want more locally produced ingredients due to interest in climate change. There is actually a new word for this - glocal. Think global and eat local!

Plant based pasta made from chickpeas, cauliflower and zucchini are already popular but new ones made from hearts of palm and green

Looking for an elegant and classic wedding venue to celebrate your big day? Country clubs are ideal for a variety of reasons.

Here are some reasons why country club wedding venues are among our favorites.

It’s a classic venue.

A country club wedding has long been a time-honored tradition for couples with family ties to a members-only venue. Childhood memories of playing tennis or learning to expertly hit 18 holes can add sentimental meaning to a country club wedding. A country club also provides a familiar, picturesque venue. Expansive green spaces pair up with a stately ballroom to offer a magazine-worthy setting for a large indoor-outdoor wedding. Not a member of a nearby club? Some clubs are open to the public for events, while some private clubs will allow non-member weddings if the couple is “sponsored” by a member—meaning you just have to know someone who can connect you with the club’s in-house wedding planner.

It offers a one-stop-shop.

Like a hotel, a country club often has many wedding services on-site. Catering, flowers, linen rentals and even the wedding planner may all be available for one package price that can reduce planning time and stress. All you have to do is worry about finding the perfect country club-appropriate wedding attire for you and your wedding party.

It’s a great place to have a rain backup plan. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of getting married in an outdoor ceremony—but then the skies open up right before you walk down the outdoor aisle. A country club offers the peace of mind of a rain plan with multiple ballrooms, dining rooms and other suitable indoor venues that can work as a stand-by on your big day.

It can accommodate many sizes of weddings.

Those aforementioned outdoor spaces, ballrooms and dining rooms also mean a country club can accommodate a variety of wedding sizes. Want an intimate wedding for 20? That gazebo in the formal gardens might make a great place for your I Do’s. Is a wedding for 250 of your friends and family more your style? Many country clubs can host very large weddings in their wow-worthy ballrooms, too.

Two words: lawn games

Those green spaces can do a lot more than hold chairs for your wedding ceremony. The large swaths of grass at a country club are a great space to entertain your guests with classic games like croquet, bocce ball and corn hole. And don’t let the golf course go to waste! A round of golf for your guests should definitely be in order at some point during the wedding weekend.

Bianco, Katie (2017, March 8). 5 Reasons to Get Married ... at a Country Club [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/5-reasons-to-get-married-at-a-country-club

It is important to revisit one’s estate planning periodically, as both circumstances and laws can change without notice. If you do not have an estate plan, it is time to create one. You probably have more assets than you think.

First of all, estate planning is an opportunity to designate who will receive your assets upon death or incapacitation. It will also allow you to designate a guardian for your children. With the advice of counsel, your plan will manage assets to minimize estate taxes, gift taxes and any other tax issues. And most importantly, a good estate plan will avoid disagreements between heirs and probate which can be time consuming and expensive.

Begin with an assessment of all your assets, including your home and other real estate, art, collections, vehicles, and jewelry. List your checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, IRA or 401 accounts and ownership interests in any businesses. Estimate the value in order to divide among your heirs.