Stop in for breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or dinner. They do it all – plus more – at the Mystic Market. If you stand long enough at any of the counters trying to make a decision about what to order, don’t be surprised if you hear an unsolicited testimonial, such as “Just pick anything. It’s all good.”
For breakfast, there are rolls of every description with lemon and poppy seed reputed to be among the best. No matter what the name, the size is the same: extra large. Two can easily share one of these muffins. Try a danish, which come in a variety of flavors and are also popular. Fresh baked bagels can be topped with everything from butter to sliced smoked Scottish salmon, cream cheese, red onion and tomato. Cost ranges from a low of $1.59 to a high of $7.95 for the salmon topping.
While doing the breakfast run, it may also be practical to get lunch-to-go at the same time. The array of choices is impressive. French baguette, rolls, pumpernickel, rye, wheat, spinach, sundried tomato and white tortilla are bread options. As for fillings, there’s almost nothing that is impossible to find. Small and large grinders are also offered. You can also get a Gourmet Boxed Lunch with a choice of a Sandwich or Wrap with Pasta Salad, Fresh Cut Fruit, Mystic Chips and a Jumbo Cookie for $12.95!
Soups at the market gained a wide following. Made fresh daily, they range from an incredible New England clam chowder to a delicate carrot-ginger blend. Enjoy a salad with the soup and feast on such items as Grilled Chicken Caesar, Antipasto, Greek, or the East Market Salad with Goat Cheese or Gorgonzola.
Dinner menu items include an extensive selection of fine foods prepared fresh daily. Some favorites are Sautéed Chicken with Boursin Cheese and Spinach, Veal Creole, Grilled Red Snapper with Mango Salsa, Vegetarian Brown Rice Pie, and Grilled Fillet with Wild Mushroom Jalapeno Demi-Glaze.
A Mystic Market cookie is a must. One of the largest can be relished any time of day or night. It’s true by many accounts: “They’re all good.”
You can also view Mystic Market’s complete menu online at www.coastalgourmetct.com.
Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For the specials of the day, call 860.536.1500 for Mystic Market West (Rt. 215) or 860.572.7992 for Mystic Market East (Rt. 1).
Angela is beating the heat in her pal Dennis’ backyard with some fresh produce. She is prepping a fresh, shrimp stew, which her adopted Ecuadorian family taught her how to make. It includes shrimp, cilantro, green plantains, yucca and choclo (giant corn).
by Angela Olsen
photo by Dennis Johnson
Phew Readers! If ever there was a time to get in touch with one’s “natural beauty” it’s now. My skin does not recall what it feels like to towel off completely, don makeup or moisturizer since the last installment of this column. Although it makes following the rules of Patti Stanger’s book Become Your Own Matchmaker a bit more challenging, it certainly allows time to flirt with the “real me.”
I think of Chris Rock, my favorite comedian who says that women are “Masters of the lie, the visual lie… Look at you. You got on heels, you ain’t that tall. You got on makeup, your face don’t look like that. You got a weave, your hair ain’t that long.” Well, the secrets are out this month, and that’s no lie!
There is a freedom in “outing” the lies, not to say that they are crippling, but rather, because of what they reveal in other people, men to be specific. This is what you’re going to see every day at the crack of dawn. If it scares you, it’s best you know now and head for the hills!
The other day, a lovely woman, friend, and sailor, Diane McAllister reminded me that I declared to the world in the last Resident that I was contemplating taking a lover. She ribbed me, as I found myself in a bit of a jam with some, perhaps, uninvited male attention; or at least overwhelming for the time and place. Mama Mia!
So, people are asking me, did I take the plunge? I’ll never tell.
What I will share is that in the spirit of natural beauty and summer heat, I find that this notion of attraction to the opposite sex is by far more intuitive than I ever imagined. I have my witch’s brew of the perfect man, but that does not mean if he exists, I’ll have that feeling.
I met someone who looks great on paper: educated, served our country, brought me out of my element and got me walking after midnight in downtown Mystic.
However, when the rubber met the road, those pheromones just didn’t spark. The chemistry was lackluster.
Patti tells clients that the, well, male does the picking when it comes to attraction to the opposite sex. I will be paying close attention to my dog, and hopefully learning a few tricks! Stay cool. Stay hydrated!
Dr. Tracy Lewis’ latest book, The Truth About Angels: Hollywood Versus The Bible, is her response to the portrayal of angels by Hollywood.
by Maren Schober
Wouldn’t we all like to know the answer to that question? Many of us believe in angels but hear all kinds of conflicting ideas about who they are and what they do. Some folks even have personal encounters with angels. Author Dr. Tracy Lewis of Tulsa, OK is one of these people.
Tracy’s latest book entitled The Truth About Angels: Hollywood Versus The Bible, is in response to her belief that most of the information being presented today about angels by Hollywood in films, television and in music is far from the truth.
“I started writing this book in 2005,” Dr. Lewis declares. “I believe that Holywood producers, actors and writers continuously misrepresent angels in their films. I wrote this book as a theological discourse and response to movies and television shows taking liberties with the Bible and with God. I simply want the Truth about God and His magnificent angels to be made known. God is my source of inspiration. I have a genuine love for Him, His Word, and for people. Whenever I write, the topics are always issues close to my heart.”
What can one learn about angels in this author’s book? Plenty!
“The story has three parts. In part one, I present short summaries of past movies and television shows that focus on angels. I point out the fallacies in each film.”
“In part two, I tell the truth about angels from a theological perspective and provide scripture references for facts such as angels only assume human forms, angels fight for God’s people, angels are not omnipotent, and angels are too numerous to count. This section includes an Angel Quiz for my readers and provides in depth answers to the most asked questions about angels.”
“In part three of my book, I offer several outlines for readers that can be used in study groups , theology classes, youth groups and Sunday School classes.”
One night while driving home through a long dark tunnel, Tracy experienced something extraordinary.
“I was exhausted. It was late at night and very dark. As I proceeded to drive across the bridge between Virginia Beach and Hampton, I could see the Hampton Tunnel approaching in the distance. When I entered the tunnel, I remember being in the left lane. The the next thing I remember was a stern voice saying, ‘Wake up!’ The sound of the voice startled me awake! I opened my eyes and gasped loudly as I sat up and quickly grabbed the wheel of my truck. I realized that I had fallen asleep at the wheel, yet I was even more startled by the fact that I was now driving out of the tunnel exit into Hampton. I was also in the right hand lane! I kept replaying over and over what happened. I began to cry as I thought of what could have happened, and then my tears turned to laughter and shouts of joy! Needless to say I remained awake for the rest of my drive.”
“An angel saved me that night. He woke me up, and he even guided my truck through the tunnel. Many times since then God delivered me at the hands of His angels.”
Blueberries are shallow rooted plants, and prefer a PH of 4.6 to 4.8.
by Gene Henson
As anyone who has grown, or has attempted to grow a vegetable garden this summer knows, nothing is absolute when it comes to Mother Nature. Right now though, is a fine time to get ready for next year, when it comes to starting a good berry patch. Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, while requiring a moderate amount of care, can fill the gap between flowers and mainstream veggies, when some variety is wanted in the home garden. Who doesn’t like blueberry pie? Blueberries are native to the US, and indeed, in the great state of Maine, they grow wild and are a cash crop to be reckoned with. However, a small homeowner’s garden will be enhanced with one or two blueberry bushes which, given moderate care, will produce more than enough crop for an average family.
It’s best to begin a blueberry patch at least six months or more before you intend to plant. There are many varieties to choose from, but make sure that the plants come from a reputable grower.
Blueberries are shallow rooted plants, and prefer a PH of 4.6 to 4.8, but they will do all right in soil that’s 4.0 to 5.0. As with any soil, it’s important to get it tested beforehand. Amend the soil with good organic matter, like well aged cow manure several months before planting. This will go a long way toward promoting healthy plants that will produce for years.
Raspberries do better with some support, like a trellis. Growing them in front of a south facing wall is good; well drained soil is important, as they require a lot of water during their growing season. They like a PH of 5.6 to 6.2. Because they carry a root rot known as Verticillium, do not plant raspberries where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and egg plant have been grown within four years. Also, destroy all wild blackberry and raspberry bushes within 600 feet of where you intend to plant yours. This is to prevent cultivars prevalent in wild bushes from infecting new plants.
Strawberries prefer well drained sandy soil with a PH of 5.8 to 6.2. Work in composted cow manure a few months before planting to give the new plants a head start.
There are many different varieties of berries which will do well in a home garden; the particulars are outside the scope of this article. However, a trip around the internet, and some questions posed at your local garden center will put you on the way to enjoying something different in gardening.
Gene Henson is a University of Connecticut certified Advanced Master Gardner.
