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Friday, October 3, 2014
All-New! Cooking from The New York Times
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Moby Chimes In With Hollywood Food Voices
by Paige Donner
Check out this new video, just dropped today, West Coast time, by Moby and Hollywood Food Voices:
"We Need Our Bees A Lot More Than They Need Us" - Moby paraphrasing Einstein
https://www.youtube.com/embed/8h2Qr_5gyN0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h2Qr_5gyN0
"If the bees go, we're next," Moby said during an appearance on TakePart Live. "A huge percentage of our food supply is dependent on ...
a guided tour of Moby's four-acre home atop the Hollywood Hills, where over 30,000 bees dwell
full interview with Moby where he discusses his passion for bees, airing on TakePart Live on September 25th, and see snippets of the video.
Airs 7pmPST/10pmEST on PIVOT TV.
honey bee colonies in the U.S. has dropped from over 5 million in 1940 to less than 2.5 million today
"Hollywood Food Voices" is an engaging and entertaining new platform whose goal is to create excitement, awareness, and a sense of empowerment within a wide demographic of viewers and concerned citizens.
BEES - indicator species - meaning their presence, absence, and their well-being is indicative of the health of our environment as a whole. So the plight of the bees is our plight as well.
Over the last several years, scientists have increasingly attributed pollinator declines to the indiscriminate use of systemic pesticides, most notably a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are up to 10,000 times more toxic to bees than other insecticides, and their use can have both immediate and long-term effects. So while these bee-toxic pesticides are not theonly cause of declining bee populations, they are a primary contributing factor and certainly one we must do something about — fast.
The full video can be seen online starting September 26th at: http://www.hollywoodfood.org/bees
Local Food And Wine
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Sunday, September 14, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Chilled Avocado Soup
The Avocado tree is native to Mexico and Central America...
The vitamins and minerals contained in this recipe can do everything from speeding cell turnover (to reveal healthier skin underneath) to protecting skin from the sun's damaging rays. Get plenty of moisturizing vitamin E from the avocados. Not only does vitamin E ease dry skin, but studies show it also may reduce free radicals and protect against damaging UV rays. Cucumbers are a great source of silica which, as a precursor to collagen, can help fight wrinkles.
I like to serve this soup in individual glasses as a delicious appetizer. Sprinkle with a little dill and sprouted pumpkins.
Soup
In a blender, mix the following ingredients:
- 3 medium avocados, peeled and pitted and perfectly ripe
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and cut into smaller pieces
- 1 cup cold water (start with 1/2 cup; you can always add more)
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup packed mint leaves
- 1 small garlic clove
- Salt to taste
Pour in individual glasses and chill for a couple hours.
If you have no time to chill, lower the water content and replace with ice cubes.
Sprinkle Options
Chives, dill, mint & dehydrated pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped.
Inspired by Green Kitchen Story
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Fast Food Solution
by Paige Donner
WHAT BETTER TIME THAN SUMMER TO
1. EAT HEALTHIER
2. SPEND LESS TIME IN THE KITCHEN
3. TRANSFORM YOUR BODY TO FANTASTICALLY FABULOUS
With these three goals in mind, is it any wonder then that Fast Food Solution caught my eye in a big way?!
North Americans spend more time watching Cooking Shows than cooking their own meals!
I just had to see what these guys were all about… So I've dived right in, ordered up the program (a humble $37 as a Beta launch price) and am learning from Nick and Gen, two young Canadians, how to eat healthy, cook my own meals in 15 minutes or less and spend less than $5 per meal.
Wowzaaa!!!
Where have you been all my life?! Is all I can say.
The coursework is abundant and I've only just started on their integrated platform of videos, MP3 downloads and PDFs (including cheat sheets with rich visuals).
So check back with me in a few weeks once I've worked through some of the recipes in my own kitchen.
But for starters, the support is terrific, their layout is SUPER user friendly, and they've sliced and diced all the information down into very bite-sized and digestible pieces.
Plus, here's a few stats from their website. (Now you don't want to be one of those TV-watching, overeating porkers do you?!)
Just as guilty as the 100 million folks who are subscribed to the Food Network and watch endless hours of Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen and other epic cooking shows every single day.
The numbers don't lie…
The average American watches more than 5 hours of TV every single day, but spends a mere 27 minutes cooking food.
and check this out…
Every single week, a whopping 89.7% of the US adult population
– 228 MILLION people — is getting scammed at the grocery store.In plain English…
Everyone who is trying to eat healthy is basically WASTING $123.91 and 41 minutes every single time they visit the supermarket.
Why? Simply because they end up buying the wrong foods, and falling for the clever marketing tactics and fattening
traps that the Global Food Conglomerate has set up in every aisle.We know it's hard to believe.
But if you buy any of the foods below, the food companies have already found an easy way into your wallet…(read more on Fast Food Solution).
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Flora Springs Winery (St. Helena) Summer Movie Night Series
(sponsored post)
Flora Springs Announces Summer Movie Night Series
St. Helena, Calif. – Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards has announced the return of its popular Summer Movie Night Series at The Room starting with an August 16th showing of the movie Cement Suitcase.
The Series will continue with two more dates, September 20th and October 18th, and fans of the winery (and of the movies!) are invited to help select films for those dates on Facebook and Twitter.
Each Flora Springs Summer Movie Night Series begins with live music in The Room's Vineyard Courtyard overlooking the western vineyards and hills of St. Helena. Attendees can bring their own picnic or reserve a table by pre-ordering a Vineyard Courtyard Picnic or Flora's Dinner Pail, with many options all featuring delicious wine country fare. Flora Springs wines will be available to purchase by the glass or bottle. Movies are shown in The Room's comfortable Rooftop Lounge where fans can enjoy a selection of classic movie candy and a popcorn bar. General admission price is $20.00. Food and wine prices vary. The Room, Flora Springs' popular St. Helena tasting room is located at 677 St. Helena Highway (Hwy. 29). More information and tickets are available at https://www.florasprings.com/events/
Summer Movie Night Series Details:
Dates: August 16 (Cement Suitcase), September 20 (movie tba), October 18 (movie tba)
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30 pm
Place: Flora Springs The Room, 677 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, CA
Admission: $20; food & wine prices vary
About Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards
Founded in 1978 by John and Carrie Komes and Julie (Komes) and Pat Garvey, Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the northwest corner of Napa Valley's Rutherford appellation. Named after John and Julie's mother, Flora, and for the natural springs on the winery property, Flora Springs has been a family affair through three generations. As both artisan winemakers and growers, the family is committed to the traditions of fine winemaking and the responsible stewardship of its 650 acres of vineyards. Today, ninety percent of Flora Springs' red wines are sourced from its organically-farmed estate vineyards.
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Thursday, July 3, 2014
White Strawberries - The Originals
by Paige Donner
La Freizh, La Freizh!!
A young, impassioned wild strawberry producer - gariguette in French - named Julien Héliès has launched a limited production of White Strawberries.
Did you know strawberries were originally WHITE?!
You might not have known that 300 years ago, when strawberries were first imported to Europe from Chile, they were white berries. But they were.
That was back in 1714 when, after two years of travels around South America, the explorer, Amédée Frezier, arrived back in Marseilles with 5 plants from Chile he brought with him of these white strawberries. One of these was planted in the botanical gardens of Brest.
A bit larger than a wild strawberries found in the woods and hinting of a taste of pineapple amidst their delicious sweetness, this limited and very confidential production can be found by contacting the strawberry grower/agriculture cooperative directly at Saveol.com where you can also read more about the history of the strawberry in France and around the world.
Personally I am waiting with bated breath until I see some of the Parisian chefs, or any international chefs, serve these up, fired simply by their fruitful - ; ) - imaginations.
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Thursday, June 5, 2014
le Winelab by Bettane + Desseauve
by Paige Donner
What?! you say?! A new wine event for Paris?! Yes. And it's by Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve, the same wine experts/journalists who bring us Le Grand Tasting every year.
This inaugural event took place on Monday at the fabulous new Carreau du Temple. New venue, new wine event. Now how perfect is that?
All photos by Paige Donner copyright 2014
You can catch my interview with Thierry Desseauve on my World of Wine program on World Radio Paris next week. Until then, a few photos from the event. By the way, le Winelab is designed to showcase and highlight smaller French (primarily) wine producers. The ones that people in the know, know about, before they get super expensive.
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Paris Patisseries In Pictures
by Paige Donner
Just a few tantalizing photos... All details and descriptions to these outstanding Paris Patisseries can be found HERE at 10BEST Paris.
All photos are copyright the illustrated pâtisseries.
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Sydney Sunshine And Hunter Valley Wineries
Australian Wine Regions
by Susie Edwardson
(guest contributing writer)
Is there anything better than guaranteed sunshine and countless rows of vineyards laid out before you, all just waiting for their unique, lovingly produced wines to be tasted? With its next door neighbour New Zealand often more commonly being regarded as the champion of wine produce Australia has only in recent years become more renowned for wine making. Sydney's culture of having a focus on the celebration of food and wine, and with Hunter Valley region being a short drive away this region has certainly provided stiff competition for New Zealand.
Hunter Valley Australia
Hunter Valley Wine Region
Hunter Valley has played a pivotal role in the success of wine production for Australia, and according to TravelOnline.com this region is accountable for the multi-billion dollar a year industry. It's no surprise really when you take into account the idyllic setting of these wineries where a relaxing day walking through the vineyards is a holiday in itself. According to Drayton Wineries, they were one of the first to set up in this area, changing from farming grain to vineyards in the late 1850s. This region is most certainly well known for its full-bodied, fresh white wines, and medium-weight reds. The fact of the matter, though, is that with any tour around this fabulous area you are guaranteed to find the perfect wine for you. Even if you are not the biggest lover of wine in the world, with the variety on offer here, you will be hard pushed to go home without a new favourite tipple. What better place to enjoy this than under the Australian sun, with some of the most laid-back locals in the world?
Sydney's Love of Food and Wine
Perhaps one of the main reasons for the continued success of Hunter Valley wines is because of Sydney's attitude towards dining out, food and wine. As is the case with many metropolitan cities, Sydney opens new and quirky restaurants week on week, with the majority serving wine from the local region to complement decadent dishes. TimeOut Sydney states that wine bars have been popping up all over Sydney of late, which is no doubt as a result to its close proximity with Hunter Valley and the world-renowned wines and ports of which are produced here. The Sydney Morning Herald fortifies the notion that Sydney is a great lover of food, stating that 40,000 festival-goers just last month took to Sydney Cellar Door, a food and wine festival set up in Sydney's Hyde Park. This is a city that loves all that is focused around food and wine, making it the perfect tourist destination for anyone with a similar passion.
Travelling Australia
The availability here of unique wines is no doubt a great tourist attraction, and it's not only the Hunter Valley region in Australia which provides such a great experience for wine lovers. It's definitely also worth checking out Swan Valley near Perth, which also has beautiful chocolate manufacturers in the same area, as well as lavender farms. Any wine tour of Australia must also surely include The Adelaide Hills, considering Adelaide often claims to be the wine capital of Australia due to the sheer volume of wine regions surrounding the Southern city. To really get the most of the wine and food available, travel must be on the cards—JetStar state that as a result of their value focused flights people are able to travel around the whole of Australia more easily and frequently. With such a diverse country it most certainly is worth making the trip to visit a variety of cities here, as they are most definitely all have their own wonderful quirks. According to Greyhound Australia five million people travel over thirty-eight million kilometres a year with them. A great way to see it all and really soak up the different taste of Australia, though, is to go on a specific food and wine cruise—Iglu Cruise state that this is the ideal way to really get on board with local food traditions and dining etiquette whist also allowing you to experience all the variety and diversity of international wines and cuisines.
Australia has so much to offer as a country with a real love for laid-back vacations, exquisite food and delicious varieties of wine, creating a driving force behind the need to travel around it. Coming back to Sydney and Hunter Valley, though, here is where you'll find the perfect celebration of wine and food, making this the top destination on any trip to Australia
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