9/26/2009 9:47:00 PM
Food frenzy in Prescott
Weekend wares offer everything from steak and tacos to organic fruits
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Les Stukenberg/
The Daily Courier
The Rose Restaurant had some delectable desserts at Saturday's Taste of Prescott. |
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Doug Cook/
The Daily Courier
The Raw Spirit Festival was more Danny Garris' appetite on Saturday. |
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As Danny Garris bought several bags of dry organic food under a tiny white tent at Watson Lake Park early Saturday afternoon, hundreds of other folks feasted on signature American eats under much larger canopies a few miles away at the Taste of Prescott.
Garris, of New Bern, N.C., was trolling around at the fifth annual Raw Spirit Festival under a hot Indian summer sun when he spotted the Vivapura booth, where the barefooted Christopher Cowen of Patagonia, Ariz., and his associates were selling their patented organic fruits, nuts, trail mixes and peanut butter, among other spreads.
While his attention turned to trying the newest in health food, those at the Taste of Prescott sampled more traditional fare from 37 local restaurants and vendors, including chicken, tacos, steak, pasta salad, pizza and meatballs. Beer and wine were served as well.
Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Americans love their country so much - the melting pot contains such an intriguing variety of choices, particularly when it comes to food and beverages.
Nonetheless, one theme both of these events had in common was generosity, yet another treasured value.
To gain entry into the Taste of Prescott, each person donated canned goods and paid $1 per entrée or drink item.
For the ninth straight year, all proceeds from the Taste - including a raffle at the Frontier Village shopping center on the Yavapai Indian Reservation -benefited Yavapai Food Bank, which relies heavily on these contributions to stay afloat during the busy holiday months.
In 2008, the food bank took in $23,000 worth of food and raffle ticket money from the event, a figure that includes the $5,000 the Yavapai tribe donates each year. Much of the money is spent on turkey dinner boxes for the less fortunate during Thanksgiving.
"The most fabulous thing about it is that this is their (vendors') gift to the community," said Ann Wilson, Yavapai Food Bank's executive director. "We've been going week to week on trying to have enough food. This will start replenishing our shelves big time."
Linda Thein, director of marketing at Bucky's and Yavapai Casino, which sponsors Taste of Prescott, said her group borrowed the idea from other cities in 2000. In its inaugural year, 10 to 15 restaurants participated - and it's grown steadily every year since.
"The tribe's Indian Day is the day after the autumn equinox," she said. "In the tribe's spirit of giving, we created this to give back to the community through the food bank."
Meanwhile, the vendors at the Raw Spirit Festival encouraged individuals to live peacefully while concentrating on boosting their physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing by eating right and exercising. The fest concludes today.
Garris, who four years ago said he had arthritis so bad he could not raise his arms above his head or bend down, believes raw organic food has saved his life. At the time, he thought he might become confined to a wheelchair. Garris went on prescription medication and gained 215 pounds.
"I walked away (from the doctors) with no answers," said Garris, a devout Christian. "So, after years of reading, I began to read about raw food and I started fasting. And my pain went away, just from fasting."
Garris eventually went on the "Hallelujah Diet and Lifestyle," which he says, "teaches Christians why Christians get sick."
"I went to Hallelujah Acres in Shelby, N.C., and they introduced me to the raw food lifestyle," he said. "And since then, my arthritis is gone and my dad's prostate cancer is gone (by being on this diet)."
Today, Garris says he has lost 60 pounds and changed his entire life thanks to a raw food diet consisting primarily of dry fruits and vegetables.
"I'm into eating good foods and learning what not to eat and why not to eat it," he said. "When you change your diet, starting today, in two days your taste buds change and your skin, in four weeks, starts to glow. In one year, if you stick with a raw food diet, your body rebuilds completely down to the bone marrow."
Now that's food for thought.
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Posted: Monday, September 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Cosmopolitan
And one of the last American icons goes the way of Detroit. I'll remember a good T-bone I used have in Arizona. But have no fear, we have cattle in Europe and I will send you some good cuts.
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Dbl Standards
My my Mike, got a problem with vegans? I love a good steak, but I've never seen someone so full of fear and vitriol on people who choose to eat vegan and/or organic foods. Did a veggie attack you as a child? Oh and by the way, genetics is a BIG factor in how long someone lives. Glad to see your grandma lived a good life, but let go of some your hate, or you'll give yourself a heart attack.
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Ellen
We went over to the Raw Spirit festival this morning. $69 to enter! !!!!Are they crazy? The newspaper should have included this little fact.
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Mike
She said the doctors originally told her she has had Hepatitis C since birth. However, her current doctors say there is no way to tell how she got it. Since her surgery, Ashley is anemic. "My doctor wants me to eat lots of red meat and vegetables," she said.
Crazy quacks.
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Mike
How did a wonderful story about community and sharing turn into a rant about dry fruits and vegan craziness? My grandmother lived 101 years on beef and chickens she killed herself. Heartier stock was never produced. I have never had a sick day in 40 years, and I'm going to eat some sausage as soon as I can. Mmmm...
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Article comment by:
sue
I LOVE Taste of Prescott--It's a fabulous event--I've been for the past three years and my friends and I have had some great times sampling some great food--I only suggest that they expand their seating--Another tent or perhaps tables and chairs outside?--See you next year--
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