1000 Words: The Harvest, and Giving Thanks

We're a few weeks ahead of Thanksgiving and it probably seems like a simple concept to many, but where I come from fall and bringing in the crops is a big deal. Its a time to reflect, a time to celebrate the rewards of hard work, and a time to be thankful for anything and everything. Yesterday I was told that all of the crops are in on the family farm. Today I'm reminded how many things I have to be thankful for.

The Endorsement: Steve Jobs

People die every day. No one can avoid it, and who can say that one person is more important than another. Can anyone actually say that a president is more important than a father who worked his life away in a coal mine to provide a better life for his family?

That said, I do think we can learn from high profile people as we reflect on their lives. Steve Jobs created amazing things for the human race. Then he took those things and reinvented them by making them understandable and attractive to the masses. He pushed limits. He pushed his employees to create new ideas, and then make those ideas attractive and understandable. He paid amazing attention to detail. And on top of it all he was an iconic showman. He died way too young...there’s a lot we can learn from a guy like Steve Jobs. Carpe diem, people.

1000 Words: Moab, UT

The Endorsement: "I Hope Your Day Gets Better"

Someone once told me about the long-lasting impact negative encounters can have on people. You cut someone off accidentally and they yell at you, you have a bad encounter at work, whatever. It sticks with you, you retell the story and your blood pressure goes back up, etc. Well, I'm done with negativity.

While walking my dog the other day, I saw a biker get into it with a pedestrian. The biker was miffed and thought that he was "cut off" by the ped. The ped clearly meant no harm and as the biker was yelling choice words at the pedestrian while he pedaled off, the pedestrian politely yelled back:

"I hope your day gets better!"

Brilliant. Typically the yelling leads to more yelling and increased anger...and for whatever reason people gravitate toward the negative. But in six simple words this guy managed to make the biker feel bad for being so angry, actually said something nice in return, and didn't perpetuate the negativity. Far too often we're impatient, angry, wanting to pass blame, or just generally in a bad mood (myself included). My new goal is to never be negative again. Life's not that bad, in fact, its pretty short and sweet. I choose to enjoy it more.

Along those lines, I hope your day gets better!

The Endorsement: Be a Gentleman

Most of the content I put out on The Goat is original...but every once in a while I read something that combines great photos with nostalgia and a solid message. Which is why this deserves a couple minutes of your time:

The Polished Man: A few tips to make your life a bit more gentlemanly

What's Good: Spuntino

It’s no secret that I love the Italian lifestyle and pretty much everything that comes with it that doesn’t involve the terms “Jersey” or “shore.” Fresh veggies, cheese, cured meats, wine, pasta dishes, limoncelo, primo dishes followed by secondi dishes, more wine, espresso, three hour lunches followed by a nap, more cheese, Paninis, balsamic, seafood…I have one or more of those items daily – often 3-4 of those items daily (the nap, not so much). What I really appreciate is the simplicity of where traditional Italian foods come fromand how they are prepared. Most of the time we’re talking about centuries-old methods ofcuring meat, making cheese or cutting up homemade noodles. If its not broke, don’t fix it – which is what I appreciate about Spuntino in the LoHi neighborhood.

The little café doesn’t have a huge menu (it changes on the chalk board often), and virtually no pasta (that I’m aware of), but what it does, it does well. Spuntino literally means “snack” in Italian, after all. Paninis, bruschetta, soups, salads, flat breads, and deserts…lots and lots of deserts. Not only to they make their own tarts, tiramisu and gelato (go with the salted chocolate carmel), but they have somehow perfected an idea that I always had but never knew it – make anything and everythinginto popsicle form. From your normal strawberry and chocolate flavors, to some interesting combinations (French toast, toasted coconut) to the exotic flavors that I’m somewhat scared to try (avocado vanilla, blueberry cinnamon). If you dream up the flavor, I’m sure Spuntino could put it in popsicle form. The great part is that most everything on the desert menu is made daily, so the next time you visit, they’ll have some type of new goodness for you to sample or take home with you.

I like Spuntino for a variety of reasons: fresh food, interesting combinations, gelato (in the restaurant and pints to take home!), cool space in an old LoHi building, virtually unlimited desert options, wine on tap, and a friendly staff who just generally seems like they enjoy being there. And really, who wouldn’t enjoy earning a paycheck by serving snacks, deserts and wine? It’s like handing out smiles and hugs for a living. Grazie, Spuntino!

1000 Words: Camping

The camping season is coming to a close. The only good news is that ski season is on the horizon. Get outside, soon, and often.