Grokfeast on the Shores of Lake Erie
On September 8th I asked my readers to host picnics and to send me the results. The following is one of 27 amazing submissions, the best of which will win an entire cow, courtesy of US Wellness. Vote for your favorite on October 8.
The Cleveland Groks got together on a rather chilly and windy Saturday afternoon for good food and some serious monkey business on the shore of Lake Erie. Our VIP guests included gorilla and squirrel, and although we were rather tempted to eat them, they made for good conversation and the girls got kind of attached to squirrel, so their lives were spared. We had much better grassfed meat, anyway! MeatMe216 hit the drum while the flames seared the meat, and after all were fed, it was off to the field for a few rounds of Frisbee. Then – to the playground with gorilla! Squirrel decided to stay behind to guard the leftovers. We climbed, ran, balanced, and swung all over the elaborate playground at Lakewood park, which features a climbing wall, ropes, balance beams, tires, swings, and of course – monkey bars! Gorilla gave his share of Lifting Heavy Things by giving the kids of the playground some gorilla back rides. Then, batty chased gorilla into a tree, and we called it a day.
The Feast

- Curried Cauliflower
- Apple and Beet Salad
- Grilled Zucchini
- Grilled Whole Chicken
- Grilled Steak of many, many cuts and sizes
- Lamb Burgers
Recipe: Kale Salad

- 1 bunch of kale – rough chop
- 1 clove of garlic – minced
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 carrots – grated
- 1/4 red onion – thinly sliced
- 1 cup snowpea shoots
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 4 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp liquid aminos
- Small piece of peeled ginger
- 4-8 tbsp evoo
Coat baking sheet in coconut oil and roast sunflower seeds and garlic at 350 until golden.
Steam the kale.
Dressing – blend sesame oil, rice vinegar, liquid aminos, evoo and ginger. Combine and toss.
The Tribe

- Forum member Shannon, her husband and 2 daughters
- Forum member MeatMe216, 2 of his friends (in picture), then 4 more of his friends!
- Forum member batty and her S.O.
- VIP Guests: Gorilla and Squirrel
Subscribe to the Mark’s Daily Apple Newsletter and Get Challenge Updates All Month Long




First comment – all the food looks awesome! Great job!
Okay…that squirrel is kinda freaking me out. Other than that looks like a fun time!
squirrel freaked me out, too. but his personality is endearing.
menu looks great!
Awesome job as usual batty.
Does Gorilla hire himself out for parties and functions? I was thinking it might be a better option than the face painting fairy…?
That’s also great that you got to include meatme216!
PS. I am now a banana/avocado convert- you were right, it’s very tasty. The kids are a little less thrilled though.
gorilla is available for grokfeasts, bar mitzvahs, skate parties, and general gorilla antics. for an extra fee, he’ll do your laundry.
glad you liked the rolls! as for the kids, just tell them they are radioactive ho hos
Gorilla seems a little more in touch with his “primal side” but the rest of you don’t look like you’re too far behind!
What, no Moose?
Made me homesick, to think of a cool, midwest Fall day outside…
Looks like you had a fabulous day. Loved the look of the food spread out on the table. Espcially the grass fed beef.
man, i live 10 minutes from Lakewood…where was my invite !?
These people look very poor. They shouold win the cow
Hey meatme216, I live in Cleveland Heights! This looks like it was a lot of fun.
I saw the pic of you tossing a frisbee. Do you play Ultimate? I’m in the Cleveland Disc Association fall league.
Nice squirrel.
Hahaha! That gorilla suit is totally awesome!
great day! cleveland primals grok:) thanks guys
That there’s a lovable buncha rogues. 3 cheers for Clevo!
Cleveland Groks?
My hometown. Also made me homesick.
kale salad looks awesome! such vibrant colours. I wish I had someone to play frisbee with…
The girl holding the squirrel cracked me up!
Great touch with the gorilla!
Aww, some of my favorite forum members. Some day I wanna visit Cleveland… I’m “only” 5 1/2 hours away, maybe it could happen.
Kale Salad with beast on the grill, good stuff.
That salad looks REALLY good. I’ve been hankering for some greens; now I know how to get them!
Love the gorilla! The Kale Salad also looks delicious!
Looked like fun! I love kale salad, although I’m a fan of “wilting” it via olive oil and keeping it raw.
Nice job. Cleveland Groks!! ….isn’t that the old Ian Hunter song?! or for the youngin’s–from Drew Carey’s sitcom?…..
These are brave little girls who would ride on the back of a gorilla.
That squirrel is creepy yet priceless
Lamb burgers? Sounds amazing