Ride With Thal: 2018-07-22

Last week Liz and I spun the wheels, hitting the road once again traveling to New London, Connecticut for the annual Ketofest. We spent a week helping out with festivities and sampling all kinds of tasty dishes.

Created and hosted by Carl Franklin and Richard Morris, Ketofest 2018 (second annual) is a festival promoting ketogenic food and wine, cooking, social activities, and talks by doctors and scientists.

If you have any interest at all in a better way of eating, it'd be worth your time to research ketogenic diets and foods. In my opinion, it's not really a diet as most of us think of as diets. It's just a healthy way to eat. I have yet to hear anyone mention or read any information on cutting calories or starving yourself to loose weight. In fact there doesn't seem to be a huge emphasis on weight loss. Weight loss seems to happen steadily by eating keto.

Is the vacuum sealer going to explode?

Volunteering for food preparation meant hours on your feet. But if you like to cook, it was an amazing experience to see how a fully furnished restaurant quality kitchen works.

Working With Real Chefs

Chef Quality Equipped Prepping Kitchen

Does This Look Like Diet Food!!

Sweet and savory breakfast muffins

Richard Morris and Chef Robert Ramsey

Pork Rind Pancakes

Chocolate Truffles

Pig Roast

Cheese Making with Pamela Zorn

Cooking Demonstrations

Participants In The Labsta Bisque

Have You Ever Been To A Bacon Bar?

I was fortunate to also squeeze in some local sites.

I found time to do a little exploring. New London may be Connecticut's hidden gem. This once bustling ocean port now has the feeling of a small town. As I talked to a local, I discovered New London had in recent history suffered as many communities have with losing industrial jobs, and has had issues with drugs flowing into the community. All of which is apparent.

There are many old vacant buildings. However, not dilapidated. These are really great looking old buildings. Some of which are under restoration while others are being occupied by small business.

To tell the truth, I did not notice the drug issue until it was brought to my attention. I did witness what the local said was an in progress drug transition. That said, I never once felt uncomfortable exploring the streets on my own (mostly on foot, alone). There is a huge constant police presence.

New London seems to be taking the artsy approach in their city's rebirth. There are multiple art studios and galleries. Paintings lining the sides of buildings down every street. I like the look of the local arts I saw.