Name(s)?
Al

Where do you live?
I live in Coral Gables

How long have you lived in the area? 
I am a native Miamian. Born and raised.                                                                  

Please share about what you do for a livelihood or what keeps you busy during the week?
I am retired from Miami Fire Rescue. When I was 18, I was fascinated by fire, I was like a ‘little arsonist’. So, it wasn’t a coincidence that I ended up in the field.

After I retired, I jumped into coaching cross-fit – it was around the time when cross fit first started in Miami. A lot of meal plans would come through our gym which led to an opportunity for us to create and offer our own licensed plan. Now, I am an account manager for Perfect Fuel Meals which is a meal plan for athletic lifestyles.  It’s a 40-30-30, based on the Dr. Barry Sears model of 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. When you select your meals online, you see your daily intake numbers and can set goals. Based on your mission, you can adjust your individual program.  

My goal is teaching people how nutrition is their medicine. Through food, we are treating the cause rather than the symptoms. People can change their lives through what and how they eat.

How often do you come to the market?
I try to go every week – because I am addicted to your turmeric tonic. I need my fix. And, now that you are in the Gables during the winter, I can walk.

Do you have a market ritual? If so, please describe.
Normally I’ll go to you first. Then, I’ll visit Sydney for his flowers. He’s such a hardworking genuine guy and his flowers are spectacular. I’ll get flowers for my girl – and they will last for two weeks. I always get kombucha from Buster and then I’ll usually go to the honey and produce vendors.

What’s your favorite thing to buy at LNB Grovestand and why?
Turmeric tonic and the new Super Turmeric Concentrate.

While I was coaching, I really hurt my back. It was a significant back injury that began my journey with pain management. My first two doctors said – Surgery, Surgery – and I said, you’re not the guys for me.  Through a lot of friends and networking, I got to the right doctor. He has helped me through exercise and food. The inflammation was wreaking havoc on my nerves and muscles. I learned about turmeric through Laird Hamilton and Gabriel Reece and started making my own concoction – before I discovered you.

Yours is way better than mine and a lot less messy. I feel like I’ve gotten tremendous results.

What have you made with ingredients bought at LNB Grovestand?
At least three times a week, I’ll make yellow jasmine rice. I’ll cook the rice with the turmeric tonic, curry, salt, pepper, ghee and a little onion and fresh cut garlic. It’s smashing, and we love it.

I’ve been experimenting with the Super Turmeric Concentrate. Today, I grilled some veggie burgers and topped it with a tablespoon of concentrate, a slice of tomato, salt and pepper. It was delicious.

I’ve also used the Roselle Concentrate on my yogurt.

What’s your favorite thing to buy at other stands at the market?
Sydney’s Flowers and Buster’s Kombucha.

A favorite activity I enjoy with my kids?
I have two boys, one’s about to turn 23 and the other is 20 years old. The older one and I work out a lot together. He’s super physical. My younger boy, is very creative and we have a wonderful time hanging out and having great talks about life.

The best deal at the market is:
The eggs! I always find those eggs to be so much richer than the ones you get at the stores.

I wish the market had:
I wish it had more farms, more variety and I would love to have a mid-week market so that we don’t have to shop for the whole week.

Most-frequented local restaurants and what dish to order:
Some of our favorite haunts – Green Gables Café on Alhambra. They are open for lunch and have a diversified menu. There’s never a bad dish – I usually get one of the specials.

Café Vialetto – off of Bird and Le June – The chef/owner is the most endearing, loving man and makes you feel like you’re at your brother’s house. Normally we get the pasta of the day – which he makes fresh. He makes great salads. I’ll order without opening the menu just by talking with him about what I am in the mood for.

Izakaya for Japanese, and Blue Collar for old fashion comfort food -they have a great veggie plate.

For special occasions, I go to: 
We like to get outside – get away from social media and head to the beach or the park.

Do you have a family recipe that you would be willing share?
Refried chickpeas. I take softened chickpeas and sauté them with a little olive oil. (Not too much – as I don’t want them to get mushy.) I’ll cook them over high heat with a lot of spices – harissa, garam masala, curry, salt, pepper. Once they have color, I will squeeze a whole lemon on them. After the juice evaporates, take them out and then deglaze the pan with a little wine and ghee. I’ll add fresh cut ginger, garlic, orange/red peppers and onions (or leeks). Sauté that and at the last minute add chopped tomatoes and return the chickpeas. It’s on point! Everybody loves it – and it’s quick.  

Rainy-day activity:
Oooh, I love to roll in the sheets with my girl. I don’t know if you can print that 😊 

The most romantic spot around:
I’m a water kid – so I just love the water. My girl and I love to go to Matheson Hammock. We’ll bring a comforter, our sheltie – Bella, and hang out by the water. It makes for a nice morning or evening.

Do you participate in any community or philanthropic events that you would like to share? 
The owner of our gym is the cofounder of the Wodapalooza. It’s a fitness festival – we draw athletes from all over the world. Over 500 people volunteer to help.

I am the co-chair of the adaptive athlete’s division. It has become a full year of planning and prepping for the event. When you work with these athletes, your cup is filled with so much love and passion – pure love. When I started with them, I took for granted that I am able bodied – and able to get around every day. These athletes are really competing and it’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen.

Do you own your own business or offer a service? Would you share a pitch about yourself or company with the community?
Check out PerfectFuelMeals.com.  Feel free to give me a call. I am there to help and explain what we do.

We deliver prepared meals Mondays, Wednesday’s and Fridays. You select meals online and we deliver them in the middle of the night – like little elves. When you wake up, your bag is waiting with the meals you selected.

Is there a question that you would like to ask the LNBs?
Not really – I get to talk with you a lot. I’m spoiled.

Is there a question that you would like to ask the community?
How can we get more farms to come to the market?