Quick Bites

The buzz about beer

Have you got the craft beer buzz? No, not that kind of buzz, but rather the buzzwords that brewing companies use to sell their products: balanced, hoppy, juicy, floral, sour, or wet-hopped.

Consumers know why they choose a craft beer, such as unique flavors (48 percent), high-quality ingredients (48 percent), and not mass-produced (33 percent), according to a recent Nielsen CGA marketing survey.

But as the number of flavors and styles has multiplied, the language used to market craft beers also has expanded. For example, over the past four years, the number of products labeled barrel/wood aged, sour, or citrus has increased dramatically, resulting in sales growth for those categories, Nielsen says.

Despite that trend, however, it’s still the more conventional craft beer terms that drive sales. Across the consumer spectrum, Nielsen says, marketing words such as drinkable, independently owned, and traditional are more likely to influence purchases than words like sour, funky, piney, and hazy. Sounds reasonable. Who wants a funky-tasting beer?

CLERMONT

Hearthealthy eating class

Proper nutrition and eating habits that promote a healthy heart are the focal points of periodic community classes at South Lake Hospital. The free classes are led by a registered dietitian, and guest speakers may include registered nurses talking about cardiovascular health or exercise physiologists demonstrating heart-healthy exercises. Spouses and caregivers of visitors are welcome.

The next class is scheduled from 9:30amnoon Sept. 19 at National Training Center classrooms on the South Lake Hospital campus, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. To register or for more information, call 352.241.7109.

NEW

MOUNT DORA

Party in the train car

Magical Meat Boutique, a trendy British pub and restaurant at 112 W. 3rd Ave., Mount Dora, has a new addition on its property—a refurbished train car hailed as the Flying Scotsman, which pays tribute to the express passenger train service that operates between Edinburgh and London, the capitals of Scotland and England.

“We just want it to be super fun,” says Kate Barnard, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Phil. The couple wants the train car to have its own identity as a place for private parties, late-night cocktail lounge on Fridays and Saturdays, a Sunday roast (the traditional British main meal), and possibly a future site for a murder mystery theater.

A simply delicious idea

Food lovers can celebrate Florida foods, cultures, and recipes through a book and an educational course. “Simply Florida: A Taste of Flavors from the Sunshine State” is available for $12 from the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences website, ifasbooks.ifas.ufl .edu. “Simply Florida” also is featured in the UF/IFAS Extension Service’s yearlong Roots Up series, which explores the journey food takes on its way from the farm to the fork. Each session provides an overview of agricultural production, selection tips, cooking techniques, and tasty recipes. The theme of the September class is “Fall into Veggies.” Register online at ufrootsup.eventbrite.com, call 352.343.4101, ext. 2719, or visit the Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares.

Treat yourself and lose weight

Slimming World is a company that works on the premise that people can lose weight by making simple lifestyle changes. These three unconventional strategies were inspired by members of Slimming World:

Fill up on pasta! Though it has become the enemy, pasta is filling and helps people avoid reaching for less nutritious options later. Try this tasty recipe for green bean pasta, slimmingworld.com/recipes/green-bean-pasta, and enjoy eating a hearty meal.

Eat treats! Banning desserts and treats often leads to abandoning a diet due to feeling deprived. While Slimming World recommends fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and grain, there’s no reason to avoid the occasional indulgence like layered banana pudding, slimmingworld.com/recipes/layered-banana-pudding, when there’s a need for sweet.

Make movement magical! Don’t feel you have to hit the gym for exercise. Enjoy family walks, fun play time with movement, and move more around the house. If you get hungry from exercising, try Slimming World Fries, slimmingworld.com/recipes/slimming-world-fries, as a snack.

Savor cup of joe

Sept. 29 is “Coffee Day” just in case you need an excuse to get out of bed to savor the most beloved beverage enjoyed worldwide. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies show coffee may have health benefi ts of protecting against Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.

TAVARES - LEESBURG

Make mine crunchy

Got a yearning for your favorite taco? These great restaurants celebrate Taco Tuesdays:

Eduardo’s Lokos Tacos, 226 W. Alfred St., Tavares, 352.742.1181

Tijuana Flats, 10300 U.S. Highway 441, Ste. 101, Leesburg, 352.343.3337

LEESBURG

Calling cookbook lovers

Love collecting or browsing through cookbooks?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 1103 North Blvd., Leesburg, is a great place to fi nd a variety of cookbooks at a great price—many for under $4, including “Against the Grain” by Nancy Cain, which features extraordinary glutenfree recipes made from allnatural ingredients.

EUSTIS

No need to whine on Wednesday

1884 Restaurant and Bar knows how to make hump day a little easier—Wine Down Wednesdays! “We give a free bottle of house wine with the purchase of an appetizer and two dinners,” owner Leigh Ann Teems says. “Or you can get 5 percent off any bottle or $3 a glass during happy hour.” Wine Down Wednesdays is from 5-11pm at 1884 Restaurant and Bar, 12 E. Magnolia Ave., Eustis, 800.856.1884.