Sunday, January 31, 2010
Resveratrol
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tour of Europe
You guys requested Italy pictures and a re-cap, so here it is!
Even I am envious of my adventures after looking back at these pictures! But I must remind myself (and you guys!) that I did endure a long-distance relationship across the world for 2 years. While our adventures were far and few between, these pictures capture the time my husband (fiancé at the time) spent traveling and eating around Europe during 2007 and 2008.
During my engagement, I am blessed enough to have traveled to:
Italy (Milan, Rome, Venice, Pisa, and other small cities)
Switzerland (just for shopping!)
France (Paris and Nice)
Greece (Athens and the islands of Poros, Hydra, and Aegina)
Spain (Barcelona)
United Kingdom (London)
We lived in the first floor of this villa…
And ate our meals at this table…
…which were prepared in this kitchen…
The villa was in hiking distance of this waterfall…
And I walked this route to the gym each day…
And travel pictures in no particular order…
Athens, Greece
Greek Isles — had to take a picture with the bullbaby!
Pesto Calamari Tortellini (drooool!)
BIGGEST LEMON EVER!
Dinner on the Venice Canal
Paris, France — Eiffel Tower at Night 
Gelato in Italy — I always got the “Viagra” flavor because I thought it was funny. I know, I’m soooo mature
Poros Island — a HUGE thumbs up to fresh seafood (even though I’m not a HUGE octopus fan!)
Switzerland outlet mall shopping — Gucci “Big Bird” jacket = 900 Euros (~1450 USD) – bargain! ..maybe to those who don’t shop at Target…
We used to go on runs together in Italy and hubby would always beat me. Sometimes, I came home to jugs of water and sweet notes in the entry way 
[I let him beat me!]
Lago D’Orta, Italy
My love for mussels only grew into a PASSION!
Cruising to the Greek Isles on a perfect, sunny day!
I’m ashamed to admit that MY husband consumed pepperoni and FRENCH FRY pizza. Regardless of his pizza selections, Italian pizza is something everyone should savor at some point in life. Deeelicious!
Don’t judge…wine was cheaper than water! No lie!
Nice, France in November…gorgeous!
Paris, France – Notre Dame Cathedral
Pisa, Italy – My buff, buff hubby!
Venice, Italy – my favorite Italian city
I developed a love for photography though my skill is very minimal…
We also had our engagement pictures taken in Italy on top of Sacro Monte, a mountain in northern Italy. We lucked out in having such gorgeous, one-of-a-kind engagement pictures!
Ahhh….what a wonderful time it was! I can’t wait to get back over the pond someday!
Reminder: Don’t forget to enter the Larabar Giveaway! 5 chances to win, 3 winners! Don’t miss out! Go here!
Heather is having a fun Giveaway (which includes a Larabar!)! Go here to enter!
Q&A nutrition questions can be sent to PreventionRD@gmail.com!
Question: If you could travel just ONE place in the world RIGHT NOW, where would you choose to go?
For food lovers around the world, it's a shock
For food lovers around the world, it’s a shock: The Spaniard Ferran Adrià, has been celebrated for years as the best cook on the planet, takes a creative break.
He will close his restaurant “El Bulli” at the Costa Brava from 2012 on for two years and do not serve meals more. Cold, the kitchen will not be there yet, because to be the inventor of the airy foam food from the trap in the “Bulli” working on new creations. After the surprising announcement of the 47-year-olds on the Eating-convention “Madrid Fusión” was on Wednesday but the question in the room: Is this a retreat in installments, or rather the beginning of a new cooking revolution?
Adrià admitted candidly that he has thought about quitting. At first I wanted to make 2012 with particular conclusion. I work 15 hours a day to 333 days a year. And that would last 25 years. “He finally think of his family, added the three-star chef. “I too have the right to a normal life.” Then, however, was clear to him that it bears a great responsibility towards the world of gastronomy and his loyal team could not let them down. What is certain is that in the “Bulli” nothing will be as before. “We will serve dinner again in 2014, but in what form, is still not clear.” Perhaps there would be only a very few places in the restaurant.
Already come into the restaurant in the small bay of Roses Montjoi in the north of Barcelona just a few to benefit from foods such as hazelnut oil-soaked Champignonhüte, ragout of new almonds, tomato sorbet or frozen parmesan air with muesli. Receives two million requests, “El Bulli” annually, but only about 8,000 guests earn one of just 50 tables in the restaurant, which has already been elected four times by the British journal “Restaurant Magazine” the best gourmet temple in the world. The menu will cost around 250 euros – without wine.
The restaurant, whose cuisine is reminiscent of a chemistry laboratory, long open only six months a year. Of 15 June and 20 December is running the 2010 season. The rest of the time spent by “alchemist” Adrià order to invent new dishes. The restaurant was opened in 1962 by a German couple. Back then it was really not much more than a beach bar which was frequented by swimmers and divers. “El Bulli” is called so because the couple named his bulldog so. The team took it to Adrià 1984th
Whither the gastronomic journey of self-taught Adrià now is, is uncertain. The Catalan has hinted that he would like to spend some months in China. Some time ago he had declared that the next revolution would cook from Asia, probably from Japan. At that time he also announced, “the technical” excesses of which he himself helped shape Avantgardküche conclusion must be made. “I want to explore new frontiers,” he said. That he could lose in search of culinary inspiration perhaps his three Michelin stars, he care less: “I have received in my life, more awards than I could ever have dreamed.”
ROMANCE AT THE ROUGE
To enter the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa is to enter a place of sophistication, where authentic style and design blend seamlessly with the romantic backdrop of Sedona… one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The hotel’s Mediterranean design features extraordinary spaces including a magnificent fountain courtyard with carved stone columns, lit from within, whose glow highlights the dancing waters of the entrancing entryway.
Intimate and beautiful sitting areas, placed thoughtfully throughout the grounds, attract two for a moment’s respite.
High above beckons another extraordinary space, The Observation Terrace, perfect for viewing Sedona’s famous red rock formations and, after sunset…the most romantic setting under a sky blanketed with twinkling stars.
The 77 guest rooms, including suites and spa guest rooms, boast dramatic colors, rich fabrics and sensual Andalusian motifs. Sumptuous linens caress you after a day’s exploration into Red Rock Country. Depending on room choice, amenities can include walk-in Centurion Rain Showers with dual shower heads, soaking tubs, gas fireplaces and red rock views. All guest rooms feature plush Turkish bath towels, lush robes, bath amenities and WiFi.
For Valentine’s Weekend REDS Restaurant will be featuring food, wine and dessert for two.
For Valentine’s Weekend the Spa at Sedona Rouge will be featuring the Pas De Deux (also for two).
Picture it – a flickering room with candles a massage and bathing ritual that begins with a sensual couples massage and ends with a candle-lit, bubble bath for two.
The spa features seven outstanding spa guest rooms, ten spacious treatment rooms, a Spa Gift Boutique and Tranquility Lounge. Set apart from the hotel, The Spa at Sedona Rouge is elegant, modern and inviting.
The spa offers an array of phenomenal wellness services such as Ayurvedic healing therapies and lifestyle programs, yoga and other specialties. World class massage, facials and signature body treatments are a part of the many services offered.
Therapists spend time with each spa guest to accommodate their needs prior to each treatment. Treatments are unique and customized to ensure the guest’s complete relaxation and rejuvenation. Most of the exclusive Spa guest room accommodations and the Spa Suite feature deep soaking hydro tubs in the living area and are perfect for Valentine’s Day Weekend!
Sedona, from the natural to the mystic, from the deep blue sky to the red, red ground.
Something is written in the red rocks. Something extraordinary has been written in Rouge and is waiting for you to experience at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Chef's Corner with Adam Votaw of Atwater on Gore Creek
Meet Chef Adam Votaw of Atwater on Gore Creek at the luxurious Vail Cascade Resort and Spa! journeyPod goes behind-the-scenes in Chef’s Corner with some of the country’s most esteemed, critically-acclaimed, award-winning (and naturally, our favorite) culinary masterminds to get the real scoop! Read on to get the scoop on Chef Votaw…