Drinks

This Kombucha Brand is Committed to Giving Back to First Responders

May 9, 2019 by SacFoodies

Organic hard kombucha brand, Flying Embers, announces their commitment to support fire safety programs and First Responders during Wildfire Awareness Week, taking place from May 6th through 12th, 2019.

Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California in 2016, by Bill Moses, Co-Founder of KeVita Probiotic Drinks. Accompanied by a team of passionate entrepreneurs, Flying Embers set out on a mission to create innovative botanical brews that boast practical benefits.

In 2017, the massive Thomas wildfire threatened to destroy Ojai, Ventura, and the surrounding areas, as well as the home brewery of Flying Embers. For three days and nights the Ojai community banded together with the brave firefighters to fight the wildfires and thanks to their efforts, we were kept safe. During the course of the ordeal we witnessed first-hand the courage of the firefighters and were inspired to pledge 1% of their revenues to regional fire safety programs and First Responders.

“Experiencing the Thomas Fire in 2017 firsthand, has not only brought us a special appreciation for life,” says Bill Moses, “but it has also taught us the importance of teaming with our community. This experience has defined our brand and mission to support fire education and prevention organizations and those First Responders who risk their lives for their communities.”

Flying Embers has initiated this pledge with the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council. WIlliam Castagna, their Board President, acknowledges, “The generous financial support we received from Flying Embers could not have come at a better time. With the Thomas Fire’s devastating effects still fresh on our minds, the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council is being called to action by our community more than ever. These funds have provided a crucial boost to our capacity-building and community service efforts.”

Flying Embers Hard Kombucha uses the ancient alchemy of fermentation to create a better-for-you alcohol sparkling tea made with an adaptogen root blend. It is organic, gluten-free and zero sugar. Flying Embers’ current line of three flavors includes Ancient Berry (with elderberry, goji, and raspberry), Ginger & Oak, and Lemon Orchard (with lavender, mint, and ginger).

For more information on Flying Embers and locations where the Organic Hard Kombucha is sold please visit FlyingEmbers.com, follow @FlyingEmbersBrew on Instagram, or find them on Facebook.

New Year, New Food Goals

February 7, 2018 by SacFoodies

By Jessi Gunn
It’s one month into 2018 and I don’t know about you, but my resolution went out the window weeks ago. I made a resolution to read more, sounds easy, right? Turns out a busy schedule and all my favorite TV shows coming back (I see you, Grey’s Anatomy!) doesn’t make for a whole lot of free time to curl up with a good book.
That being said, one thing I am trying to stick to, beyond the first month of the New Year, is a 2018 food goal! This year I am trying my hardest to branch out with what I cook at home. I want to try new flavors and ingredients, both in my own kitchen and when I am out to dinner. I checked in with some of my FleishmanHillard coworkers to find out what their 2018 foodie goals are!

Some of our favorite foodie moments of 2018…so far!

Gabby – “My food goal is to try one new restaurant every month, and I am already off to a hot start! Recent crossed both South and Moxie off my list.”

John – “More variety, less sugar”
Alexa – “My food goal is to focus on clean eating – natural ingredients to help me feel healthier.”
Shelly – “Try new recipes! We got a start at it last weekend with a new cheesecake recipe…it was wonderful/dangerous. And, a yummy pork chili recipe that actually had coffee and raisins in it. Not a combo I would expect, but it was good!”
Liz – “My 2018 food goal is to experiment more in my own kitchen and cook at least one new recipe a month, from scratch. It might not sound like a lot, but it is for someone like me who rarely turns on the oven!”
Christine – “My 2018 food goal is to eat more plant-based meals. And cook at home.”
Harrison – “To make at least one new Instant Pot recipe per month! I’m obsessed with it and I can’t wait to explore all the possibilities of the appliance.”
Amanda – “My food goal for the year is to be more mindful with food – listen to my body, not my cravings.”
Laurel – “I want to make my own kombucha!”
Cheyenne – “Breakaway from my normal choices and take culinary adventures in both cooking and dining out.”
Niño – “Read more nutrition facts labels and really know what I’m consuming.”
Brandon – “My food goal is to eat as many locally sourced foods and food products as possible!”
Sidney – “My main food goal is to bring my lunch from home at least 4 out of 5 days a week. My secondary food goal is to stop ordering Postmates”
Do you have a 2018 food goal? Let us know in the comments or on our Instagram @SacFoodies or Facebook.

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Sac Burger Battle 2017

October 24, 2017 by SacFoodies

Burger. Battle. Burger. Battle (Sing this to the tune of “Jaws”). Do you ever have that dream where you’re surrounded by battling burgers? No? Oh well. Either way, a very real and non-dream Burger Battle took place at Sacramento’s Cesar Chavez Park this September, and SacFoodies were on the scene to report back.

The most incredible part about Sac Burger Battle 2017 (besides the burgers, obviously) was the camaraderie and overall joyous atmosphere. Everyone working the booths was laughing, slinging jaw-dropping burgers and taking the time to chat with attendees. The booths were set up so that there was plenty of room to maneuver, grab drinks and chat with your friends. ALSO, the plates provided came with a built-in drink holder! We had never seen a plate like this before and were dumbfounded – it meant you could hold your plate and drink in one hand while grabbing as many burgers as possible with the other – but we digress. Read on for our top choices from the throw down:
Laurel:
My absolute favorite burger (which comes as no surprise to anyone that knows me) was from South. It managed to be both soft and crunchy and ended with a nice pickle-y tang.

The burger from South featuring fried chicken skin

Cheyenne:
It was seriously hard to pick a favorite, but the way that the flavors of the Nixtaco burger mingled together, helped it step about in front the of the rest! The meat was cooked to perfection, the bun held up with all of the delicious ingredients.
Jessi:
My favorite burger was from Bacon and Butter! Their burger had bacon two ways, blended into the patty, and on top! Paired with crispy shallot rings and black garlic aioli, it was a 10/10 from me. I even went back for seconds!
Between the craft beer, cider and cocktail selection, Sac Burger Battle boasted an impressive array of local beverages to choose from. And between the three of us we have a cider, beer and cocktail enthusiast, so it was the perfect mix of drinks!
The proceeds from this event went to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, which dedicates itself to finding cures to Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. As much as we love food and drinks, we especially love eating and drinking for a cause. It was moving to see the community come together for such a worthy cause and showed the power of the food and beverage community in Sacramento. Over the past 6 years, Sac Burger Battle has raised over $200,000 for the foundation! If you’re inspired to contribute, you can still buy the official Sac Burger Battle t-shirt, with all proceeds being donated to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Hands down, Sac Burger Battle 2017 was one of our favorite events of the year to date. We got to eat delicious burgers, try craft drinks of every type of drink and commune with our fabulous foodie friends. Our only complaint? We got too full to try every burger! Guess we’ll have to keep trying burgers all over Sacramento . . . we really are dedicated to our work :).

We hope you all get the chance to attend Sac Burger Battle next year, but for now, make your very own Burger Tour around Sacramento! All restaurants who participated are listed below – let us know what your favorite is!
To learn more about the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, click here.
To learn more about Sac Burger Battle, click here.
To check out @BurgerJunkies (Sac Burger Battle Founder and burger enthusiast extraordinaire), click here.