What I Know, Read More, Ask Someone, Go There

After deciding to focus my unit 2 bundle on Green Smoothies, I began the process of brainstorming my idea of a Smoothie Cafe. Sure, there are plenty of coffee shops, sandwich delis, and etcetera on Aquidneck Island, however, I decided a hole-in-the-wall, quality Smoothie Cafe could be a successful place of business, in Portsmouth. I decided I had to figure out a location where I felt the shop would do best. Portsmouth currently features a green-grocer type of store, as well as some small cafes, vitamin/supplement shop, and small similar boutiques. In my opinion, the town seems to be quite health-conscious, with two gyms, Clement's Marketplace (which features a large selection of organics and health-conscious foods), and the other listed shops above. Though a smoothie shop is a bit of a business-risk, I do have confidence that the benefits of the shop would make it a success in the town's environment.


I grew up in a very health-conscious household. Organics and healthy eating have always been a part of my family's lifestyle. My mom has always been a runner, I was always involved in dance and horseback riding, & being active, as well as my younger sister. My dad has always been a great cook, and my mom has always focused on the benefits of incorporating healthy shakes, fresh foods, organics, cage-free white meats (cage free means the animal ran free on a farm, instead of being raised in a factory mass-produced cage). A few times a week my mom makes everyone in my house carrot juice. Doesn't sound or look pleasant, however, the combination of fruits and vegetables make the juice extremely delicious. Considering my mom's excellent literacy in the kitchen, I spoke to her to further my knowledge regarding the types of fruits and vegetables to include in my healthy-smoothie endeavor. We narrowed down the extensive list of options to some of the best nutrient-rich and tasty options. We visited the local market, Clements, to pick out the freshest and most ripe produce options. I also picked up a can or two of peaches and pears (for times sake). She oversaw the smoothie-making process.

I did some research on the qualities and benefits that natural foods possess. Though I had prior knowledge to these benefits, I was surprised to discover the extent of these nutrients. Many of the fruits and vegetables that are available for purchase at grocery stores have many healthy attributes to human health. I researched some smoothie recipes, some of which I hadn't thought of throwing together to make yet, and was surprised of some of the seemingly odd combinations. I visited Clements Marketplace and purchased a variety of both organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables (because Organic is often quite expensive, purchase when possible, it's not 100% necessary to receive the benefits of consuming produce). I purchased fresh Kale, Pineapple, Banana, Ginger, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cherries, and Peaches. Canned fruits are okay in a pinch as well. Because most of them come canned in syrups and juices, choose the "lite syrup" alternative or ones soaked in their own fruit juice. They can be rinsed pre-smoothie. I will be documenting my smoothie-making process and creating a recipe for this bundle which I will photograph and provide the recipe.

Bundle 2 Brainstorm: Healthy Smoothies

 For this unit on Food & Drink, I was thinking about focusing my reading and writing around smoothie's. As a person who has an interest in health and healthy eating, I find it natural to want to write about healthy eating and drinking options. I've become quite fond of healthy smoothies and protein shakes, that can be easily incorporated into any diet, on any budget, and for virtually anyone. I've become addicted to "Kale Smoothies", smoothies that incorporate greens and fruits into one simple meal that is delicious and healthy. I'm excited to further explore this topic, and expand my topic on this idea of healthy smoothies, cleanses, smoothies as meals, and the benefits of these foods to one's body.

Image per 'Caveman Gourmet'

Post Bundle 1

After reviewing all of the feedback I received from my two group mate's, I decided to go over what I thought needed to be changed, and what I felt was appropriate as is. I received positive feedback from both of my group member's, with helpful advice suggesting elements that they thought should be altered or moved around.

For my website, one member suggested changing the alignment of my site, centering certain things, and etcetera. The website template was changeable and was able to be fixed to my liking, however, the black title at the top was unable to be moved, font was unable to be changed, could not be removed, or centered. The toolbar was also unable to be centered, as suggested in my feedback. I feel those are minor changes that were suggested, however, without being able to be changed, I think the site works well as is. I feel as though I addressed the parties and events "page" idea throughout my site. Since parties and events are on a personal level, and are to be booked via phone or through the town hall, I don't think a parties page would be successful, it may be more frustrating to include it with people thinking they can reserve online or get in touch with someone regarding a party via the internet/website.

My brochure entry was an entry that was to be placed in a town visitors book, on a flyer, as an advertisement, possibly placed as a newspaper ad, and etcetera. My idea was not to make it a two or six fold brochure. I wanted it to be short and concise, with necessary information regarding the park usages, with contact information, and a few photographs that make the park appealing to the public. Also, if I had photographs of people using the park I definitely would have included them, but as I stated, its typically reserved privately for events, and the photos I took was during a walk when the park wasn't in use.

MY letter that I wrote's purpose was to talk about the positive elements that the park brings forth for the Portsmouth community. However, I wanted to make serious suggestions and be convincing in my ideas of change that could better the park for the community. I also wanted to stress that I am a sincere Portsmouth resident, and that I have a positive motive behind my writing this letter. I'm not an outsider coming in trying to make changes to the park. I feel as though I was successful and convincing in that sense, and hope to make the park more useful, and better its uses for the town of Portsmouth.

All in all, I felt as though this bundle exercise was effective in informing people of the various parks, monuments, and locations that some may not have known existed prior to this assignment. It needed you to be hands on and interested in learning more about these places and develop a passion for wanting to inform others.

Bundle 1 Screen Shots

Glen Park Placard

Letter to the town of Portsmouth

Website Screen Shots Above and Below

or click here to visit my Glen Park Website

Glen Park Travel Brochure Blurb

Bundle 1: What I know, Read More, Ask Someone, Go There

GLEN PARK 

As I began to brainstorm the possibility of endless topics within the theme of "parks & monuments" for WRT 302, I decided on pursuing the Glen Park as my research and project basis. The park is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and is a bit set back and hidden from the hustle and bustle of East Main road. Because I've lived in Portsmouth for 12 years, I've been to the park a few times, for horse shows, picnics, sporting events, and parties. For whatever reason, when I was trying to think of a place to write about for the project, Glen Park was first that came to mind. I visited the park to get a feel for things I wanted to touch upon, things I wanted to improve, suggest, and etcetera. I photographed the park as it is, and decided that I would include the photographs in my new website. I also spoke to a close friend's grandmother, Celia, a long time resident of Portsmouth, and a frequent visitor of the park. She said that the park has pretty much remained the same for many years, continues to be used for sporting games, events and etcetera, and has always remained a mainly Portsmouth-resident-only in terms of reserving the park for personal use.

There are a handful of parks in Portsmouth, some of which are insignificant, but I believe that the lack of information out there regarding the park was what drew me to it. The page located off of the Town of Portsmouth's website has little information, a few poor quality photos, and not much regarding the park hours and rules. The actual linked "Portsmouth Glen Park" website features a "this page no longer exists" message when clicked which I found quite unprofessional and lame considering the park is one of the only ones you can reserve for events within the town.

For my bundle, I have chosen to design a park placard, featuring a bit of information, (town phone number to reach more information, hours, rules, and etcetera). I have also chosen to create a website for the park, with some newer photographs and information for the public to view since the town has not updated their information in quite some time. I have changed my mind again about another item within my bundle and have chosen to write a letter to the town regarding tasteful and productive promotion of the park, as well as my suggestions for the new and improved website. Finally, my last portion of the bundle, part four, will consist of an entry for the Aquidneck Island travel brochure featuring a photograph of the park.  I have visited the park and taken new, higher quality photos that I will use for this project. I wish that the photos I took could have featured the park in use, as it looks quite bare when an event isn't occurring. I will post screen shots of these items soon within this entry or my next entry.