All posts filed under: healthy cooking

in search of fall colors in san francisco

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One of my favorite activities is walking. Of course I do it mostly for exercise but when I am walking in a more leisurely pace, it is so I can just take in the outdoors. Fall is especially a wonderful time to take a leisurely walk, because if you happen to live in a city where the leaves turn color, it is probably one of the most rewarding walks you will experience (at least for me).  However, in San Francisco we are not fortunate enough to experience the fall colors because, outside of the parks, we are mostly treeless and the type of trees we do have, they do not change colors. When I worked at Stanford University six years ago, I had the pleasure of walking the campus every morning before work and in the Fall, I was able to enjoy the colors while I shuffled through the fallen leaves.  As a matter of fact, there are benches strategically placed along tree-lined pathways and if you are bold enough to sit on one of them on …

kitchen musts from a modern design perspective

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There are many sides to my interior design taste but there is only two sides to my requirements and those are: STREAMLINED and FUNCTIONAL. I am a sucker for European design and will always opt for their products as a result of it rather than conform to most things in the states. Although, slowly as always but surely, the states are incorporating  “some” modern design styles while manufacturing their products. Anyway and either way, the reason I prefer a more streamlined approach to design (in this case appliances and other kitchen gadgets) is because  of the way the product makes a statement without being over the top. So, without further ranting and raving, I have included below my kitchen musts. The products can be found on Outinhome.com, Lamp-stylehue.com and LIMN.com.

chef at heart and gastronomy

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I love food and admire anyone who is able to cook, and  although I consider myself a pretty good cook, I prefer watching others do it more.  With that said, one of my favorite French word  gastronomie (gastronomy: the art and science of good eating) is probably what I live by.  I do not like to rush through a meal and will spend a good amount of time making sure what I put together and where I eat satisfy my artistic pallete. I must admit, I have had the great pleasure of tasting some of the best cuisines around the globe and of course have followed some great chefs on television throughout my life. First my mother and aunts, then in the old and golden days I watched Julia Childs and Jacques Pepin on television, then thought Betty Crocker was the most amazing, and admired  Mrs. Fields Cookies founder (Debbie Fields) and loved  (still do) See’s Candies Chocolatier. But in the last decade or so gourmet cooking became the in thing to do and thanks to …

Challenges of Travel After 40

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Recently my husband surprised me with a vacation to celebrate our union of 25 years and of course to take note of my unmentionable birthday. He asked earlier this year what I wanted to do to celebrate this glorious year and I told him I wanted to vacation with him since we hadn’t done so for over 9 years. First of all I want to say how I truly appreciated his plans and efforts to make the vacation happen. We were challenged throughout the year in more ways than one to materialize the getaway but in the end and I mean very end, three weeks before the actual vacation, he was able to put something together for us. I was hesitant and worried about making it happen because of the current “American dream/nightmare” we are all experiencing in this land of opportunity and with that in mind, vacation was the last thing on the list of issues to tackle in 2010. But he convinced me that it was important for us to do this in order …

salon de the – parisian tea salons

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A must, while in Paris, is of course the Salon De The (Parisian Tea Salons).  It seems over the years there is one erected  in every street corner, but then again it could just be that I happen to notice alot more of them since I have become an avid tea drinker myself. These tea salons are the most charming and exquisite places to be seen in and to meet up with friends as well as experience the most amazing cuisine and creative and a delicious array of desserts . The history of the Tea Salons go way back and if you happen to be in Paris, make it a point to have dinner there at least one night out of your stay and don’t forget to leave room for dessert while enjoying your cup of tea. Once again, I have included photos of the ones I stumbled upon while walking the streets of Paris and just a note, there are actually coffee table books available in French bookstores about the Salon De The(s) just …

a walk, two bottle of red, and a cupcake

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While in Los Angeles, I had announced to my travelling companions that I intended to walk every morning since I was accustomed to the habit while at home. They laughed at me, but decided to partake in the adventure no less since they noticed how serious I was about my daily ritual. One morning I drove up to Griffith Park and decided to tackle the five-mile walk toward the Hollywood sign. I put my i-pod on as usual and began trekking. My companions decided to converse and walk while taking photos, making the climb up the course much more difficult. I kept looking back only to discover the gap between them and myself getting further and further apart. I shrugged and continued my trek until I could no longer see the two of them. I stopped midway atop the mountain and waited for them. After a long while, they showed up and announced they could not continue on the five-mile trek since they both felt flustered and exhausted and in my opinion completely bored. They asked …

venice beach for the woman over 40

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In the 80’s every time I was in L.A. I had to visit Venice Beach and be part of the madness. In the 90’s not so much. I used to refer my student travellers to visit Venice Beach but I stayed away. In the early part of this interesting decade, I had the wonderful opportunity to work and live in L.A. so occasionally I drove down to Venice and checked out the interesting transformation taking place but didn’t have the chance to see the finished product/project before leaving L.A.  So with this visit, I was determined to drive down  to Venice and check on the progress and sure enough as I parked my car and walked towards Main Street, I quickly smiled to myself because I knew I would love the results as I plotted my walk down the street. Suburban Venice has transformed into a wonderful place for the older crowd (especially women over 40) to visit and actually consider spending a few days there in order to enjoy shopping, get a facial and …

my playground

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Going to my favorite playground for a week to kick off the 4th of July celebration and of course play tourist and a celebrity all wrapped up in one. I do this once or twice or even three times a year, it’s a fun and quick escape from it all, especially if you are on a budget. So, happy 4th Americans and for all the tourists visiting the U.S. this week, enjoy our version of Patriotism with bbq’s, fireworks and the old red, white and blue cupcakes and popsicles.

dean and deluca – my very own disneyland

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Walking through a Dean and Deluca Store is like being in Disneyland for me. I have dreams about it the night before my trip to Napa, then when I am there,  I make time to visit the store no matter what, walking through every aisle as if I had never been there before, annoying my other half each time. Finally after having either a pastry or a gelato, I leave the place feeling sad just like any kid would do. On Saturday I made a stop at Dean and Deluca as usual and experimented with my camera in oder to show you what I am talking about.  Enjoy the photos and remember while you are in Napa be sure to stop by the store. View all

birthday celebration in Napa

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I love going to Napa and will find any reason to take a trip up North for the day. When asked what my plans were for my birthday this year since I wasn’t able to go to Paris, I immediately knew it had to be a day in Napa. Anyway, I spend the entire day Saturday visiting my usual wineries and having a picnic at V.Satui, followed by gelato at Dean and DeLuca marketplace, then a stroll through the quant town of  Yountville. But then although my heart was set on having dinner at Napa Styles Bottega restaurant  in Yountville,  we ended up at Il Fernaio in Burlingame instead. The evening was most  enjoyable for me thanks to my  family and lots of  amazing champagne.  My special birthday was celebrated in the most memorable way with the most important people in my life. I couldn’t ask for anything more.