Iconic food to try in Ohio

Ohio isn’t dubbed the “Heart of It All” for nothing.  The nation’s seventh most populous state is filled with a good diversity of culinary tastes and traditions, and it’s almost criminal not to dig in and find what it’s all about.  Here are some of its iconic food offerings to try and indulge in.

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Buckeyes

Let’s kick off this mini-list with Ohio’s signature homemade candy, which consists of peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.  It resembles the nut of the buckeye tree, by the way, earning this very name.

Cleveland-style barbecue

Mabel’s BBQ isn’t one to be missed for its “characteristically Northeast Ohio flavor,” according to Food Network.  Michael Symon’s barbecue joint uses indigenous fruitwoods such as apple and cherry, and the main event finds a great ally in European-rooted sides such as broccoli salad and spaetzle and cabbage.

Chili dogs

Tony Packo’s along with other excellent chili dog joints offer an epic gastronomic moment with a wide range of options.  The hotdog joint also has a famous bun museum to visit.

Goetta

Find yourself anywhere near Cincinnati? Dine on goetta for breakfast and taste the difference with this German-inspired delicacy that’s made of steel-cut oats and ground pork.  Sliced thin and griddle-cooked, it’s crispy and represents all that’s good in the world.

Corned beef sandwich

If you’re from Ohio you’re likely to have a soft spot for corned beef sandwich, which is at its best at Slyman’s Restaurant.  This downtown Cleveland eatery is arguably the best one can locally find as far as corned beef is concerned. 

George Ammar sets out to try new restaurants in Ohio. Despite the many restaurants in the area, he still considers Fleming's Steakhouse as his favorite. Learn more on this page.

Finance Trends To Watch In The Coming Years

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While the financial sector is already being reshaped by the huge success of small business lending, there are many other factors that are expected to have more impact on the industry as we near the 2020s. Some of these emerging trends are driven by new technologies and the corresponding entry of tech giants in the industry.

One trend to pay close attention to is the rise of cryptocurrency. Even as more regulatory and security measures are being put in place, digital money like Bitcoin and Ethereum are bringing the concepts of cashless and direct transaction to a new level. Many large retails and services now accept cryptocurrency, from Shopify and Amazon to Newegg and Microsoft.

In effect, traditional banks are shifting to more mobile and online platforms to improve customer relations. And as they build more online infrastructures, banking institutions are seeing the crucial role external application programming interfaces or APIs will play.

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The World Economic Forum predicts disruptive technologies to affect the financial sector more in the coming years, evidenced by the increased role of tech companies in both supplying digital infrastructure and competing with insurers and banks. For example, part of Amazon’s changing business positioning is to supply services to financial companies. A lot of these companies are slowly becoming dependent on these tech providers.

On a more customer-oriented note, innovations in artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning should further improve client support, allowing banks to better streamline operations and offer customized services based on chatbots and deeper analytics.

Businessman George Ammar is a fitness practitioner, health enthusiast, and a lover of sports and action movies. Follow thisTwitteraccount for related posts.

Cleveland Musings: Is There a Team That Can Beat Golden State?

Now that the NBA Finals are over, and there are rumors once again about Lebron leaving Cleveland, it’s only prudent to ask if there’s a team that can beat this Warrior team. Now, take into consideration the overall impact Lebron will have on the team and its system if he joins a team like the Rockets or the Thunder or the Celtics. Lebron might be better off joining teams that aren’t as established, with him coming in as the missing piece. Teams like the Knicks or the Grizzlies could benefit greatly, and with him there, they could pose as a legitimate threat to the Warriors.

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Here are the teams though (without Lebron James) that could give the Warriors a run for their money in the 2018-2019 season.

Houston Rockets

One win. That was how close the Rockets got to beating the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. For six games, both teams blew each other out. If there’s a team that can match the Warriors’ offense, it’s the Rockets. And they defended the Dubs pretty well, too.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have Anthony Davis, the third best player in the league next to James and Kevin Durant. The Pelicans and Davis showed that the Warriors may have difficulty against a big-man-oriented team.

Boston Celtics

The surprise package of the 2018-2019 season. It’s anybody’s guess how the team will play once they have both Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving back. But with what the team showed in the past playoffs with an excellent system under Brad Stevens, they could prove to be a surprise for the Dubs as well.

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George Ammar hails from Cleveland, Ohio and is a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Learn more about him here.

Dig in: Where to eat in Ohio

Ohio’s food scene is a bustling and ever-growing one, given its status as the country’s seventh most populous state and therefore, a rich array of culinary traditions and offerings. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the restaurants and gastronomic spots that this Midwestern state has to offer its guests.

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Mabel’s BBQ: Offering a distinct Northeast Ohio flavor, Mabel’s serves anything from giant beef ribs rubbed with pastrami spices to Eastern European-oriented sides such as broccoli salad and spaetzle and cabbage. 

Slyman’s Restaurant: The biggest fans of corned beef sandwich will find a home in this place on Saint Clair Avenue, which delights diners with sandwiches stacked high with well-seasoned corned beef. 

Metropole: Chef Jared Bennett’s menu – at least most of the items on it – are cooked in a custom-built fireplace, and guests can marvel over its perfectly charred NY strip steak or black grouper with Weisenberger grits, charred fennel, and chorizo jam. 

Swensons Galley Boy: Akron’s contribution to the drive-in culture since 1934 is a notable one, mainly composed of a Galley Boy, onion rings, and a creamy chocolate milkshake. Try the Galley Boys, a sandwich made up of twin diner-style patties, melted cheese, and two special sauces inside a soft bun. 

Rennick Meat Market: If you happen to be in Ashtabula, discover this gem of a restaurant that whips up such a creative take on the roasted chicken, pork schnitzel, and grilled hanger steak. 

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When he has the time, George Ammar sets out to try new restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite the many restaurants in the area, he still considers Fleming's Steakhouse as his favorite. More Ohio reads here.

A Primer On Intermittent Fasting

People have come across many diets and fitness fads throughout the years with some gaining popularity over others. Here’s a closer look at intermittent fasting.

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Contrary to popular belief, intermittent fasting is more of an eating schedule rather than a diet. It simply creates a distinct time for feasting and for fasting. This comes in a variety of schedules such as 8/16, 6/18, or sometimes 2/7. 8/16 and 6/18 means one should only eat within 8 or 6 hours a day and avoid eating for the remaining 16 or 18 hours. The 2/7 schedule means eating only 500 – 600 calories per day twice a week. 

The logic behind this eating schedule mimics a time when food wasn’t readily available. Fasting has been present long ago and is even part of major religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism. 

The science behind intermittent fasting is solid. When the body is in a fasting state, human growth hormones skyrocket up to 5 times as much compared to a regular three times a day feasting pattern. This improves fat loss and muscle gain. 

Insulin levels also drop significantly, making it possible for the body to burn stored fats. This increases the body’s metabolic rate up to 14 percent.

According to studies, people have shown 3 to 8 percent weight loss in a period of 3 to 24 weeks. People also lost 4 to 7 percent of their waist circumference, indicating that intermittent fasting helps do away with harmful belly fat. 

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George Ammar is a fitness practitioner and resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Learn more about health and fitness by visiting this blog.