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Life in the Kitchen with Carlos Stetzelberg - Rush Bowls


By Natalie K. Pollock

Staff Writer


In the former J. Foster’s ice cream building at 894 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Carlos Stetzelberg began making healthy fruit bowls and smoothies, as well as a Bow Wow bowl for dogs, when he opened in June of 2021. This location is the second one for Carlos and his wife Arzu, who run a successful business on Front Street in Hartford as well.

The all-natural ingredients, topped with granola, honey or other choices, appeals to customers seeking a healthy alternative for fast casual fare. But some of his earliest visitors were disappointed to find that the owners were not selling ice cream, a tradition in town for many years.

The new Rush Bowls was closed until the end of the pandemic, and the owners choose this location because it offered the ability to sit outside. They did not close their Hartford store because it was convenient for essential workers downtown. So many other food operations were closed at that time, and it became difficult to find healthier food options.

The Stetzelberg couple has lived in the Hartford area for 20 years and have two daughters ages 17 and 14. The family currently calls Farmington their home.

They came to the area so that Arzu could pursue a master’s degree in economics. During those years Carlos was employed in the insurance industry in asset management for non-American customers. His roots are in Spain and Germany.

There were always other things he wanted to do besides working in insurance. A scuba diving accident put him in a wheelchair for a month, and he used that time to plan his next steps.


Q. How did you come to the decision to open a Rush Bowls franchise?


A. I always had a passion to have my own operation, something for me. I then began learning about food intolerances and how devastating they can be. We had some family issues with that and learned how to avoid certain foods to decrease levels of inflammation. This concept helps to turn [that learning] into a reality. I also learned about teenage preferences from my daughters.


Q. How would you describe the cuisine of your business?


A. Our products are meals. In Simsbury people love the bowls and smoothies as a delicious summer treat, but they are also realizing that they fill you up like a meal, so they have been coming back for breakfast, lunch and dinner.


Q. As a franchisee, what did you gain from buying a franchise and what do you do on your own?


A. I learned that having a budget is important. But once I understood that, I could see that it could be easily converted to something that tastes great and is also nutritious. I source all of my own local ingredients and products. And the Rush Bowls owners are keen for our input. When I suggested a warmer product for the cold months made with steel-cut oats and almond milk, they let me offer it. It has chia seeds and flax seeds and is topped with fruit, nut butters and honey. It’s my recipe. If I have an idea, it needs to go through a process to show it fits the brand. I am very happy with Rush Bowls and see them as partners. I value what they add. And I look forward to expanding and adding maybe three or more stores.


Editor’s note: Rush Bowls was founded by former Wall Street executive Andrew Pudalov in Boulder, Colorado. Franchising since 2016, the company currently has 33 restaurants operating in 19 states.


Q. What is the most popular dish at Rush Bowls?


A. The Beach Bowl is the most popular. It’s acai with mango and banana. It is popular year-round. There is a misconception about acai. It is very bitter, so you have to eat it with something, not alone. A lot of [operators] do not disclose what they put in an acai bowl. Acai has a lot of potential to grow and become a staple in our diets. I want to help people to move toward healthier choices.



Q. What is your personal favorite at your business?


A. Green Rx. It’s a smoothie made with avocado, matcha, spinach, guava, and coconut milk, but it is possible to substitute ingredients [if you want to add more sweetness for example]. There are no secrets here. We blend everything in front of the customer.


Q. What is the one food preparation technique that everyone should know?


A. Blending versus juicing. In juicing you throw all the fiber away. If there is one thing we can do as a country to improve our health, it would be to add fiber. We do not reach recommended levels. So we should make sure to eat the whole fruit. You can concentrate some ingredients such as kale with juicing and that can be of interest. Juicing is especially good for fighting some kind of sickness.


Q. If you could take any celebrity chef out to dinner, who would it be and where would you take them?


A. Chef Jose Andres (Spanish-born founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen). I would like to ask him about food crises here at home in many school cafeterias: how to make healthy food more accessible and affordable for every neighborhood.

I donated 150 smoothies to nurses at Hartford Hospital and then we did fundraising, one-to-one, so we could give more. And for the Hispanic Council that is teaching 35 families healthy eating, I am giving a voucher when they finish their class related to what they have learned, for a whole family of five.

I would ask Jose Andres how to organize [mass feeding] and I would bring him here to ask him what we could do better.


Q. Do you have a favorite cookbook?


A. I like German baking cookbooks, like Cakes and Baking. I made a Black Forest Cake for my daughter’s birthday, gluten-free. My mom made amazing cakes. It’s all about the ingredients – pure butter, [the best] sugar, etc.


Q. What do you like to cook when having guests to your home?


A. I like making paella for guests. People have to be ready to eat when the dish is at its prime. In the U.S. people usually think the reverse. Paella is always good for a photo.


Rush Bowls is located at 894 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. (860) 310-4983; rushbowls.com.






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Valley Happenings

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Saturday, February 22, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or in advance at AVFD Headquarters, 25 Darling Drive, Avon (Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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