The Shapely Grape

The Goats in Our Family

2011-12-10T12:19:00.001-08:00

Everybody's got family stories. Here's a good one from my nephew Tony Valls, a former city kid who lives in the Northern California wilderness with his wife Mary, their three daughters and a bunch of animals. A creative bunch -- their latest project is making soothing soap with the milk of their female goats. Yes, goats.

Tony's tale about their boy goat:

"Levi is a curious goat. Levi has been watching, with interest, our dogs appearing and disappearing through our doggie door into the house. He has tried pushing the door with his head, but to the side of the doggie door itself so he was lightly butting the door. I figured it was his poor depth perception had no worries of him getting into the house.

Gidget, our golden retriever, adopted Levi has her little brother. Gidget thought Levi should be allowed in the house, so she gave him a little help. She was standing halfway through the doggie and trying to get Levi to come through....After some trial and error, it worked. Gidget was so happy, so proud that Levi made it into the house. Levi was also happy to be in the house. He greeted everyone, checked the place out and was put back outside through the front door. Levi then trotted around the front porch to the side of the house, went through the doggie door and happily greeted everyone again...Now I need a solution to keep the goat out and still let the dogs use the doggie door."

I told you they were a creative bunch.

Here's a picture of Levi and one of the other family dogs. (It seems Gidget was too shy.)

Also, the Valls handmade goat milk soap is divine.

cheers, Joan

Creative Minds Love Exercise

2011-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

So, what's the connection with being fit and being creative? A lot of us instinctively sense that moving our bodies around helps loosen the connections in our brains -- that and a few strong cups of java.

But is there a physical side of creativity? Now, that's something to ponder during your next walk, run or bike ride.

Haruki Murakami, a novelist, has a book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (2008) that reveals how running fuels his creative process. "Writing a long novel is like survival training" he writes. "Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity."

Hmmm....Others pick up on this idea and run (sorry) with it, for instance, an article in Fast Company Upshot: If we exercise it improves our creativity so much that it more than pays for the time it takes us away from doing the task at hand.

Welp, I suppose that's why I have to take a brisk walk with my dog whenever I need an opening line for an article -- or for an idea to hang my next article on. And, you ask, what's the name of my idea-mongering pooch? "Einstein." Naturally.

cheers,

Joan

Food, Bikes & Wit, Thanks to Twitter

2011-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

As I'm cruising around the web, I've found some great voices on Twitter.
Everyone has to get to the point quickly when they tweet - and I've become addicted.
You know I love wine, dogs, bikes and food from the garden. In that vein, here are my Twitter favs: with sample blurbs.

@EatThisNotThat FAT ATTACK: Uno Chicago Grill Classic Deep Dish Pizza (individual size) = 165 g fat = 12.5 Oscar Meyer Cheese Dogs!

@Chow Make hotcakes filled with fresh summer corn and blackberry syrup this weekend

@fastcompany Bamboo Bikes Turn Heads In The U.S., Fight Poverty In Africa

@Richard Florida "If you give the creative class access to the power of the industrial revolution, great things should come out of it," Mark Hatch Tech Shop

Now I'm on the lookout for witty wine tweets, ideas?

Feels Like Fall

(photo by Ross & Mary)

Pictures Tell the Story

2011-08-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

It's August!

(courtesy of Ross & Mary)

Bicycles Keep Us Young

2011-08-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

I like to think that to stay young, it really helps to have a Bike you don't have to lock and a Dog that you do have to walk.

The "beater" bike is probably secondhand and can be replaced at the Goodwill for a the price of a bottle of wine. That means you take it anywhere at the drop of a hat and don't worry about it. Soon, it becoming easier than driving for your daily errands.

As for Dogs, well, if you have a young pup you know what I mean. You will get your exercise no matter what the weather or you will have a very, very messy house. In my case, I seem to have both. How does that work?

And now, a new dimension. Young people think riding around on a bike is cool. Better than a car. Indeed the local hipster hotel H2 offers patrons a low-tech, high-design bike to find all the best cafes and wine bars. Their parents are the ones driving around town in the pricey sport cars.

I have to digest this, but in the meantime, check out this vending machine for energy drinks that takes cycle power instead of coins.

Oh yeah, my wine/food tip for August. A deep Syrah with BBQ chicken and pulled pork. Followed with great chunks of melon......cheers

Joan

Nuts and Wine Fight Fat: Who Knew?

2011-06-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

They say that moderation is the best approach. Well, guess what, when it comes to food and health it is not. Which is kind of a bummer when it applies to my love for potato chips and french fries.

Some people adore ice cream, but for me it's chips. And the evidence is in: they are really awful for you, in even small amounts. It figures.Potato chips and fries lead to more weight gain per serving than any other food, according to the most comprehensive and detailed study of its kind.

Yogurt, on the other hand, is the opposite. Each extra daily serving prevented 0.82 lbs. of weight. And as we expect, the more daily servings we eat of fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, the less weight we gain as we get older. Here's how the Harvard Medical prof who led the study puts it: "Conventional diet wisdom recommends 'everything in moderation,' with a focus only on total calories consumed. But, in reality, the types of food and beverages that you consume is strongly linked to weight gain." Cola, for instance, is out.

Here are the details.

So it's nuts and fruit instead of chips -- which are a tastier trade anyway. And definitely wine instead of sugary lemonade or soda. My favorite for an evening on the porch with friends after a bike ride: Mixed nuts and cherries with an exotic deep-red Charbono wine from Tofanelli. We can feel decadent, while our hapless and stubborn pals are off counting calories per french fry. Tomorrow -- after they read this -- maybe they'll join us.

cheers,

Joan

Ethnic Food in the Movies

2011-04-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy lots of flavor in your people, parties, activities and food, you've got to like ethnic meals. Color, spice, texture and energy---that's what we're talking about. Thai dishes are my favorite, of course, thanks to my Thai blood. But then there's Indian, Nepali, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, Spanish. Most are lush and healthy, which is kinda my mantra. Sparkling wine is a happy match.
I think movies can totally get you in the mood for joyous ethnic eating. Have you seen these tasty culinary jewels? (via netflix.)

TORTILLA SOUP

EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN

DINNER RUSH

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE

WHAT'S COOKING

Makes you want to stop by the fruit stand and local Asia/Mexican/Italian market and start the rice pot boiling....
cheers,
Joan

Can Your Town Make You Fat?

2011-04-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

I thought that we stay healthy here in the land of vineyards and Farmers' Markets by eating and drinking well and enjoying the great outdoors. Welp, it seems I was only partly right. The town you pick to live in, can make the big difference in how fit and sassy you are.
As Aussie researchers put it, " People living in more populated neighbourhoods with well-connected streets and shops within easy walking distance are more likely to be active and less likely to be obese." Getting out for a coffee or to mail a package or pick up a quart of milk without a car is real exercise. Yes it is.
Here are the facts.
Indeed, "for each kilometre walked by respondents, there was a decrease of 4.8 per cent in the risk of obesity. And for each hour a day spent in their cars, there was an increased risk of obesity of about 6 per cent."

My friend likes to tell me "walk a hound, lose a pound." which is totally true in my household.
Now we can add "Pick a Town, Lose a Pound." Hey, it's a good mantra on the road too, where we can pick hotels in the center of things and use leg-power to get around. Gold Country in the Sierra Foothills is full of such cool, walking towns.
Also, my best tip: CATALINA ISLAND near Los Angeles (in the picture above), where there are nice wine stores, fresh fish tacos and almost no cars at all.
cheers,
Joan

Juanita is Gone

2011-03-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

Juanita's Restaurants: Raunchy Side of Vine Land

"Her first local restaurant, Juanita's Galley, opened in El Verano in 1960 and introduced the Valley to an eccentric personality who let an endless assortment of pets have free run of her dining room and sometimes used her pendulous breasts to profoundly embarrass her dumbfounded guests."

"There will almost certainly never be another Juanita Musson. There couldn't be. It would violate various laws of nature and society. Juanita, who hasn't needed a last name for decades, died on Saturday at 87, closing one of the most colorful chapters in Bay Area restaurant history."

This was written by my editor pal David Bolling. About the bohemian element of our world -- large, loud, loving, profane, passionate, garrulous, generous, outgoing and outrageous.

Juanita

My Ode to Trader Joe's

2011-02-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

Good food has lousy shelf life. That means to cook fresh food and drink wine at home regularly means you have to go shopping a lot. Even if -- like me -- you think going to stores is not recreation, but a big pain in the butt. To cope, I think of my shopping excursions as conversations between me and the market. "Hey, this looks good," or "Here's a good deal for you," it tells me. "Whatever," I yawn.

Hence, I offer this question: If Whole Foods and Trader Joe's were people, who would you want to hang out with?

My answer is Trader Joe's, hands down. I think that place is made for non-shoppers like me who love a bargain and a story. It's the only chain in these parts that is almost as interesting as my favorite neighborhood markets.

Why? They screen what they offer me, to weed out the crap (First-rate fish, peanut butter, bananas, chocolate, etc.) And they make it easy and cheap to eat healthy -- without lecturing or scaring me about bad ingredients. Plus the wine selection gives us tons of choice for everyday Porch wine, including tasty, local brands. Pity they don't have a tasting room.

In all, Trader Joe's feels like a worldly, practical, witty pal. While Whole Foods, in contrast, seems a bit snobby, judgmental, humorless -- more of a friend to upscale nesters rather than to scrappy explorers.

With exercise, the trick is to find something you love to do and do it often. Same with stores, I guess. Your favorites?

Now, if TJ's was only within bike distance from my home......

Cycling, Coffee and Being Cool

2011-01-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

The pretty holiday lights are long gone -- but the cold remains. Ahhh winter.

This month my chilly thoughts have turned to bicycles and social revolution. Between rainstorms we can still cycle, despite the frost and fog. And the more of us who ride our bikes to the corner store, the sooner we can start a revolution away from oversized autos and from what I call the "One Syndrome." One person, one mile, one auto. Even worse is if the one-mile trip is to the gym, where we pay money to pump our legs indoors.

But I'm just ranting now.

Anyway, about bikes. I'm hoping I'm riding a trend. Last year outdoor bike coffee bars popped up in New York, including Rapha's (closed during winter --the snow thing). Every Wednesday evening Rapha's showed classic cycling movies. Around the world there is even more bike action; some even say it's a global trend for 2011.....http://popupcity.net/2011/01/trend-7-the-reinvention-of-the-wheel/

Another cool development is that folding bikes are finally becoming mainstream. Years back Hubby and I bought red folding bikes on eBay. They were for weekend jaunts because they fit so nicely in a car trunk or in a small plane. Of course they look foolish with their tiny wheels, so we fondly call them our "clown bikes." Those little bikes have had some adventures, chained outside pubs and diners all over the West. Now folding bikes are cheaper, less than $200, and they come in cloth packs you can carry over your shoulder. Very smart, really. Citizen Bikes are a good example.....http://www.citizenbike.com/about.asp

So bikes are making me hopeful about the New Year. As the politicos fight in the background -- in the foreground we can save gas and keep our healthcare costs down, just by cycling around. And if your bikes are as goofy looking as mine, you'll also have plenty of change to smile at curious passers-by. Smiles are nice in the cold.

cheers, Joan

Holiday Smarts: Walk faster, Eat slower

2010-12-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

It's the holidays. No snow in these parts. but frosty cold day and night -- with loads of twinkling lights in all the shops and cafes. Too bad our schedules are so darn tight, it's hard to find time to enjoy them.

In that vein, here are some short takes.

Brisk walks will make you happier, fitter, but we knew that. Turns out they also make you smarter. Which can come in very handy.

http://daol.aol.com/articles/walking-boosts-the-brain?ncid=webmail

How to work at home and not get fat. Have you noticed how many people with normal traditional jobs work at home? Home office pros know a few tricks about staying in shape. Such as nourishing quick soups instead of chips. And fruit is healthy, but it's not a meal.

For more:

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/how-to-work-from-home-and-not-get-fat-jean-chatzky

So, I officially vow to mix Chistmas shopping with peppy window-shopping walks and to concoct simple lunches of low-salt broth, veggies, beans and turkey. My reward is wine -- a spicy, old-vine Zinfandel at quitting time.

cheers to all,

Joan

Breakfast for Dinner

2010-11-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

Let's just say I'm not a morning person. They say creative types -- artists, writers, musicians and such -- are usually night people, but I'm surrounded by those types and they almost all are morning people, so there's another myth for you. Consequently I'm generally swimming upstream, so I've had to adapt.

One habit is to make time at sunset for my main outdoor exercise: powerwalking, cycling, washing the squirming dog. The light is usually beautiful and my energy level is buzzing.

Second, I've come to love breakfast for dinner. Nice, healthy meals with eggs, potatoes, lean ham, onions, avocados, hearty toast, grainy cereals, fruit or yogurt...or all of them. No way can we night people deal with substantial food before noon -- but breafast-for-dinner reminds me of 1920s flappers who lived for parties and started the day when the sun went down.

But there is the matter of wine. If you want to stir things up and try nighttime breakfasts, I've found that champagne is a charming complement (remember the flappers). Or else wait till the end of the meal and have a glass of port with your finishing fruit -- particularly if it's cataloupe or pineapple.

There are probably tons of ideas of things to eat and do when you consider turning the day upside down. Oh yeah, big, fat banana pancakes, I forgot to mention....Anyway, what are your clever thoughts?

Social Media or Social Critters

2010-10-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

I think I'll name my next kitty "Twitter" and my next pooch "YouTube". Say it: "Hey, YuuuuTuuuube."
What pet should be called "Google"? Maybe the goldfish.
If you can't name a pet after it, maybe it's not a good name for a tech product.
(Lots of dogs I know should be called "Napster") "Blogger's" not bad either, but "WordPress" has no zing.
Go ahead and add your own, (I've gotta go feed Twitter.)

--Joan

Health and the Future of Business

2010-10-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

I ran across this description of an unknown company and just had to share. It was cut out of a long business article I wrote back in 2008, and has a fun twist at the end:

"Farmed in the Amazon rainforest and vacuum packed for freshness just outside the forest, Amazonia’s range of natural forest fruits, plants and herbs has taken the worldwide market by storm. Americans appreciate that their purchases help preserve one of the earth’s last remaining ecosystems, but they plunk down their cash mainly because researchers at the Mayo-Harvard Clinic have proven that consuming the products can lengthen your life span.

Amazonia is the first company to elect a CEO by consumer voting in 2011 and the company has ten customers on its board that it rotates every six months. Amazonia co-develops new product lines with its customer base, taking on millions of suggestions annually and sharing revenue with the creators of the best ideas.

Amazonia sponsors all the health shows on the Discovery Broadcasting Corporation (DBC), including in-transit broadcasts on worldwide commuter networks. People watching the shows can buy Amazonia’s products and services using their embedded personal electronic device. The company sponsors the Global Elderly Games in North Korea, which plan to attract 20,000 athletes over the age of 70 competing in sports events including over 30 types of physical video games."

As you guessed, Amazonia is fictional. It comes from the fertile imagination of Ed Cotton, director of strategy at marketing agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, best known for its Mini Cooper ads.

You know, back in 2008 Amazonia sounded wildly futuristic. Today, I bet you thought for minute that it might be real. Next year, it probably will be.

What a world.

---Joan

Drowning in Garden Tomatoes

2010-09-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to have too many homegrown tomatoes? The answer is yes, and the condition is contagious.
Thanks to a summer that was slow to get out of bed (hot days didn't hit until late August) the green tomatoes hanging on the plants around here didn't turn red until, well, about 5 minutes ago. And they are all red right now, just when everybody is so busy with the wine harvest that they are never home.

As a result, when anyone has a get-together, all the guests bring tomato dishes -- and boy, are they inventive. At a BBQ this weekend, we had spicy Mexican salsa; black beans, tomatoes and onions; a chutney made exclusively with the sweetest tiny tomatoes; and a cabbage slaw with a dressing made with crushed tomatoes.
We're even going retro-- a neighbor reports she's baking them with breadcrumbs just like her mom did back in the '50s.
One BBQer said she has a plan: eat as many garden tomatoes as she possibly can during the season and then totally avoid the store-bought version the rest of the year. Call it tomato bingeing.

In case the tomato glut has hit your kitchen, check out these clever recipes. Do you have a favorite?
Let's binge away!

Fresh Tomato Pie
http://busycooks.about.com/od/savorypierecipes/r/tomatopie.htm ;

Fire and Fruit Yellow Tomato Salsa
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1898440

Italian Bread Salad
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/mid-summer-italian-bread-salad/Detail.aspx

Zippy idea: Sell Car & Lose Pounds

2010-08-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

I had to include this because it strikes me as so funny and so true. Maybe the easiest and most lucrative way to lose weight and get fit is to sell your family's second car on Craigslist. I just sold my car, don't plan on replacing it, and will keep you posted in three months if this holds true for me.

In any case , Zipcar is pushing the idea. Here's the scoop, (from Karl Greenberg at MediaPost) ..."Zipcar Inc. has launched a social media campaign called Low-Car Diet. The goal is to get people to give up their wheels for 30-days and use other means of mobility. The company did a similar effort last year, wherein some 252 people participated --and lost an overall total of 413 pounds."

Eat Play Bike

2010-08-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

So it turns out treadmills are surprisingly big. As per my previous post, I wanted a machine to help me and my energetic pup get a better workout, and I thought a treadmill was the answer. But alas, it didn't fit in my small house. Not even close. Then I turned to a machine that I already had, and one that could stand up to the elements out on the deck.

It's my bike, of course. Now I take my life in my hands almost every day and run Einstein-the-dog up and down the less-traveled neighborhood streets. It's a workout because every muscle in my body is tensed as I speed along. Luckily, we've had no major mishaps so far, despite the best efforts of cats, skateboarders, squirrels and passing pit bulls. But I do hear a lot of giggles from drivers and passersby as the two of us zigzag down the road.
I guess I've learned--once again -- that getting a workout is where you find it. And sometimes you can entertain the town while you are at it. (The movie "Eat Pray Love" has nothing on us.)

After these shenanigans, my bemused hubby and I have been enjoying some good summertime wine with peanuts-in-the-shell on the porch. Most of our favorite bottles are made by winemaker friends and not available for sale, but one storebought success is Rosenblum's Zinfandel. Plus, a neighbor who works at Ferrari-Carrano always has wonderful bottles of Pinot Noir to share.

So stay upright and have fun in the sun.
Joan

Machine to the Rescue?

2010-07-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a rare afternoon walk in the sunshine. Rare, because it is under 90 degrees out and I didn't have email calling me back to my desk. The break served to loosen some ideas for a new small-business advice column, so you could say I was working. But as I led my dog Einstein to the front door, his sad face couldn't hide his reluctance that our walk was over so soon.

And then it hit me. We need to get a treadmill. Why? Because I was as reluctant as Einstein, really. And I felt like I needed more of a workout. I can't believe that I would consider something as mundane and mechanical -- and as big --- as a boring old treadmill. But it's true. At our home, both man and beast could use what that machine has to offer. An efficient, predictable and always available way to get exercise. And, just like when I used to go to the gym, I can crank the incline up and really work my muscles for a short burst of time.
The fact of the matter is my town is flat, we have to drive to find hills to walk and it's not happening despite good intentions.
So there you have it. A treadmill. Me.

By the way, here's a followup to my earlier porch pairing idea. One of our favorite dinners as we sit outside and watch the world go by is fish tacos and Rose of Pinot Noir. You can use any leftover grilled fish with lots of lime juice, a little salsa and lightly dressed cole slaw in a warm tortilla. Excellent. The dry, fruity flavor of the Rose wine is a cheerful foil to the food, especially if you add a bit of apple, pear, pineapple or another fruit to the cole slaw.

Fish in tacos, outdoors-lovers on treadmills. What's the world coming to?
cheers,
Joan

The Pinot and Porch Rebellion

2010-06-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

I’ve come to think that there is something subversive about front porches. They seem nice in theory – but a apparently not so useful in fact. Many folks I know here in cheery wine country do a great job fixing up their backyards with shiny new BBQs, lush flower beds and big veggie gardens. And then they spend all their outdoor time admiring their handiwork. You can’t blame them, with such inviting yards—but the front porch where they can see their charming neighborhood is silent and neglected.

I guess we are the rebels. At my house we do only minimum work in the backyard and have picked the porch for our evening glass of wine and hangout spot. Now it’s become a regular meeting place for apartment and condo dwelling friends as well as for some of those backyard-loving neighbors. We watch the dogwalkers go by, see the trees turn green then gold and greet the folks next door. Along with some seasoned almonds and guacamole-and-tortilla chips we try the latest everyday wine find. Malbec wines from Argentina and Cabernet from Toad Hollow Vineyards are popular this month. Often, wine on the porch turns into a sunset stroll around the town, usually with the family pooch.

As I write this I think that could be a new category for me: Front Porch Wine Pairings. Hmmmm. More on that to come.

No porch at your place? Here’s a calendar to get you in the mood.
http://www.amazon.com/Porch-Calendar-2009-Wall-Calendars/dp/1565125983

Cheers,
Joan

Singing in the Rain

2010-04-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

It's spring and it's still soaking wet. I've learned, once again, that dogs don't understand about rain. They want to go for their walk no matter how drippy and smelly they get. But heaven help that they have to go outside in the soggy weather for bathroom duties. My puppy Einstein has been known to stick his little wiener out the doggie door to take a long overdue pee, while keeping his back legs in the house where it is warm and dry.

But walking is a whole other story. Water be damned. Walking is an instinct we should all have, not just dogs. To keep moving, get outside, see things. Every single day. It would probably take the sharp edge off all our stress.

Don't believe you are moody or stressed? It turns out we just have to look at what foods we crave to learn what our mood is. Some researchers believe many moods send specifics signals to our bodies (i.e. stressed adrenal glands could send salt-craving signals). So think about your food cravings. Mine are usually for crunchy chips. Now compare:
° tough foods, like meat, or crunchy foods mean we're angry.
° candy means we're depressed.
° ice cream means we're anxious.
° salty foods mean we're stressed out.
° filling foods like pasta mean we're lonely or sexually frustrated.

Yikes, what a mess we are! Certainly it's time to learn from Einstein and get out there -- rain or shine -- and walk off some of those gloomy moods. Then, as we dry off, share a nice glass of Pinot with a pal. Just hold the chips.

Not for the Picky

2010-02-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

I admit it. We wine-and-foodies often take ourselves way too seriously here in Healdsburg and the rest of vineland.

That's why you gotta love this online “poetry” collection I stumbled upon while working on a story. It’s Spam recipe Haiku and it’s a kick. A quick sampling…

“Fried SPAM and white rice. 
Nitrates and fiber combo. 
Breakfast of champi'ns.”

Or here’s another;

“Cold SPAM canapés
 Served up by John Belushi—
 Martha Stewart's Hell!”

And in case you wondered,

“Pork and Beans and SPAM 
with Macaroni and Cheese
and a fine Merlot”

for more, see
http://stuff.mit.edu/people/jync/spam/recipes.html

Who knows, maybe next time I'll cover Cheez Whiz.
Other ideas?
Joan

Romance in Red

2009-11-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

I’m sorry, but I’m not really a fan of baby showers and wedding showers –although I think weddings are lovely, babies are lovable and steamy showers are great anywhere. As a result, I’m always looking for alternatives to the traditional female-only shower. For some dear friends’ impending nuptials I clearly needed a plan. It had to be at night – my favorite time — had to go with red wine, since we already had a lot of that, and had to lend itself to pictures. It was a memorable season for everyone involved, and both bride and groom love the spotlight, so photos/video seemed obvious.

This is our idea: feel free to steal all or part.
A Spanish Tapas party. Semi-dressy, for adults, with party-goers encouraged to wear red, white or black and to bring a tapa (Spanish appetizer). It was tomato season, so the food also turned out to be largely red, white and black (thanks to the olives). The food table was stunning and the men looked outstanding in black dress shirts, especially near twinkly lights and romantic candles. The women in their red lipstick and black-and-white cocktail dresses couldn’t possibly be the same pals in jeans at coffee that morning, could they?

Foodwise, the Spanish potato omelete (or ‘tortilla’) was the real score of the evening, as were the heirloom tomatoes with fresh basil, Spanish cheese, olives and capers. I link below to some simple recipes.
Some rich, energetic Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels were the backdrop for the fun. Flamenco music and tunes from the Gipsy Kings and a local duo (the Seydlers, very steamy) provided the sounds.

In all, it was a creative and unexpected shift from the Italian, Mexican and California gatherings that Wine Country is known for. Bride, groom, family and friends were feted and photographed in a striking fashion. Memories were made.
And I got out of another shower.

Here’s links for tapas:
http://spanishfood.about.com/od/tapas/a/toptapas.htm

http://www.essortment.com/all/tapasrecipes_ruym.htm

Links for music
http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Flamenco-Guitar-Various-Artists/dp/B000005HA9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1257137111&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Gipsy-Kings/dp/B0009U5DD0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1257137250&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.com/Along-Path-Steven-Seydler/dp/B000031KAA

cheers,
Joan

Twisted Sisters -- My Favorite Blogs

2009-08-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some of the communities that capture my fancy when I'm cruising around the Web.
You can click on links to each of them on the left side of this blog under the title "LIVING THE DREAM'

Cranky Fitness
This is a health blog written by Crabby McSlacker and Merry Sunshine. If you like upbeat inspirational advice about how easy and fun it is to eat healthy food, lose weight, and stay in shape -- this is NOT where you would find it. One of the founding principles of Cranky Fitness is: Healthy Living is a Pain in the Ass. Which is so true most of the time--which is why it is more fun to think about wine, friends and fresh eating.
You'll find a twisted take on general health, fitness, nutrition, personal development, disease prevention, aging, and whatever else the authors happen to feel like whining about on a given day.
See: http://www.crankyfitness.com/

Divine Caroline
This is hub of forums and essays about life in the female lane, with a splash of sass. My favorite section covers home and food -- no surprise there. A particularly good forum is "A Girl's Gotta Drink," in which people opine about memorable cocktails and other beverages. For instance, one member writes,"I really love a bourbon Manhattan, I think it is one of the classic cocktails of a past sophisticated age when people drank Martinis, Old Fashioneds, Gimlets, Tom Collins, Side Cars and Screwdrivers."
I couldn't agree more.
See: http://www.divinecaroline.com/forum/show_posts/3429

Fitness Insights by Jamie Atlas
This is a blog by a trainer and regular guy who is gallantly trying to make sense out of all the "Health and Fitness" lecturing out there.
Jamie is just cool and totally reasonable. He won me over with advice for the inevitable back and knee pain that comes from working in an office. Hey, we've all been there.
See: http://jamieatlas.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/work-in-an-office-have-back-or-knee-pain-heres-why/

Now, let's go outside enjoy the sun.
Joan

  

Getting Creative, Getting Healthy

2009-07-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Often I think that being healthy is the really same thing as being creative. It is putting all the pieces together.
And studying the rules will not get you there.
Recently the University of California asked me to ponder creativity for a UCLA project and what I found went far beyond the classroom. It seems to apply to artful eating, drinking and exercise as much as to anything else. See if you agree with me.

"Creativity is a restless spirit. It is always on the prowl for change, disruption. It is happiest when it is the most needed -- when new ways and new thoughts are a necessity and old habits and assumptions are easily dismissed. When we feel anxious and uncertain about the future, creative souls, including the creativity in your own soul, are smiling. The imagination loves to solve an interesting problem.

Which means creativity has a pretty important job in the 21st century. In this digital age, when technology is taking center stage, and newspapers, banks and other institutions are struggling for survival, the very essence of creativity is being tested.
Some see the digital screens –of computers, videogames, phones, iPods – as the death knell of imagination or originality. It feels like the pure volume of raw, random data and messages is drowning us. But look again. Thanks to those screens, the 21st century creative process has gone public, with access to practically anyone. It has also become fast, fragmented, collaborative, cross-disciplinary and impatient.

Which leads to the irony of our age. As we shift into a fully Web-connected world, our biggest creative challenge is how to harness the power that fuels our creativity—the tidal wave of data the Internet is sending our way. Rather than a life raft to protect us from this monster wave, what we really need is a surfboard to catch the ride."

The Shapely Grape and other offbeat online communities -- I'm gathering a handful to share with you soon -- are glad to be your surfboard.
Happy surfing,
Joan

Voodoo Magic

2009-06-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

I bet you assume I spend much of my time reading and writing. You’d be wrong. Mostly what I do is sweep. Actually sweep, mop and vacuum. Blame it on Voodoo-the-dog, a black dalmatian-mix who sheds like you can’t believe; Waldo-the-cat, who is huge and fuzzy; and a family fixation for renovating furniture, gadgets, barbecues, decks and whatever. My light-colored floors ALWAYS need work.

But get this—over time I’ve found the sweeping motion has become a therapy for a back and shoulders aching from the computer crouch. Plus, the Cajun jazz I play during the task (in honor of Voodoo) seems to refresh my buzzing mind. How ironic, that I used to pay a housekeeper to come every week to do the exercise that is helping me keep flexible. Now I can spend that housekeeping money on more projects and building materials that make even a bigger mess—Yikes!

But lots of projects also mean plenty of topics to hash over during leisurely suppers with wine on the refurbished porch or the new deck. (“What is the easiest way to paint that vintage medicine chest after we knock a hole in the wall to install it?”) It’s best if a sizable part of the supper comes from our raised-bed garden – another project. Swiss chard is my latest garden success. Stir-fried with garlic and strips of lean pork, (or a new local hit, Morningstar’s fake bacon.) Cook the fleshy stems first, then add the leaves at the end. Great tossed with angel hair pasta – or Asian bean threads. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts or peanuts on top as you serve it. My old fave, Cabernet is a worthy foil to the chard’s peppery flavor and the sweeter pork. Or if Cabs are too assertive, maybe a polite Pinot Noir that dances around the edges. If you are using just a little meat for flavor, try a sparking white or sparkling dry rose to balance out the chard’s strong character. Enjoy in good health.

BTW, what is up with the odd little ads on this blog? Maybe it’s because I don’t stick to a particular genre, but Google doesn’t seem to know what to do with the “Grape”. Ads pop up for all manner of things -- from a crane accident lawyer in NY, to a broker who sells restaurants to a distributor of rabbit repellent. The funnier ones tend to be at the very bottom of the blog—scroll down. Who knows, maybe this time I’ll get a New Orleans pig farmer. Cheers.

Playing in the Dirt

2009-05-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Everybody is crazy for gardening around here. It started even before Michelle Obama’s victory garden, and it seems to be gaining steam. This morning at coffee folks were actually talking about how paying $120 for tomato cages is a good deal.
It is rather romantic and patriotic to think about the good food you can get from the soil under your feet. We care about the soil the grapes come from for our wine, and we hear it is healthier to eat organic fruit and veggies grown locally. So veggie gardens in our yards, instead of water-hungry lawns, seem like an ideal summer project. The trick (as always) seems to be how to keep it simple – hence the heated discussion over tomato cages. And that’s before you even get to the war against snails and earwigs. I have a darwinian approach; no designer equipment or pricey sprays. The toughest will survive. But admittedly, we have a pretty fancy watering system.
The best news is that gardening is darn good exercise, especially the bending over and digging. Personally, I love the digging. It is therapeutic – digging down to the essence of the thing, beyond the surface. Yes, I’m odd. But a publisher friend loves the rototilling part — exposing all the soft, fertile earth, getting rid of the rocks.
You can find your own favorite part of the garden experience.
It might be the wine, goat cheese, fruit and crackers you enjoy as you rest your back and savor the results of your labor. For some reason, a gentle wine—maybe a sauterne or chardonnay seems to do the job.
Cheers to tomorrow’s tomatoes!
Joan

Frugal is Cool?

2009-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey, did you hear alcohol in the home is a big trend for this recession? Hello Wine Country BBQs. Also big are vintage clothes and durable, non-disposable stuff (that is also more green). Sure, recessions are hell. We are all working more for less. But on another level, it’s like being young (and thrifty) again. Less shopping, more socializing. Frugal is back to being cool.

In our household we try to figure out every possible way to make travel cheaper – so we are still on the move despite the cash crunch. For gifts for our hosts we bring along some good boutique wines, with good stories. Or we ship them ahead of us, even better. A consistent winner is Davis Family wine around the corner from our home office, made by winemaker-baseball fan Guy Davis, the Dodgers foe who travels the world for wine. His Pinot and Zinfandels rock. Other friends do the same with local cheeses or microbrews. All are good beginnings for parties with faraway pals when we are on the road.

Speaking of core values (friends and food) brings to mind exercising our cores, which is modernspeak for our midsections. Walking, cycling and lifting heavy things don’t do it. Pilates does, but is a bit specialized and your need the outfits. Here’s my tip. After hours on the computer, stand up and stretch a bit. Then lay flat on the floor with your feet up on your chair and your arms outstretched. Add some jazz. After you wake up (it’s veeery relaxing), try some simple crunches. With feet still up, slowly lift your head and chest up straight and then go back down. Next, cross your legs and turn from side to side as you lift. It’s a start -- there are lots of other easy core exercises, including this one from my sister, the pro: http://www.karenvoight.com/articles/article.asp?id=372
cheers,
Joan

Rosemary and Lemons

2009-02-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

We’re happily watching as the rain soaks our town – and floods the backyard garden patches that I’ve been diligently ignoring – and I’m wondering how my pooch and I are going to get enough exercise. But when we do manage to get out on short, soggy walks I’m struck by how well the lemon trees and rosemary are thriving in the older neighborhoods. It’s not just me. An arty couple we know from Nebraska (yes, I know it sounds like a contradiction) bought and fixed up a Healdsburg cottage as a winter respite from the snow. They planted the entire backyard with a few patches of lawn and a stunning design of lemon trees and rosemary bushes. Talk about low maintenance art.

In that spirit, I’ve been cooking a lot lately with lemon, rosemary and Savignon Blanc—soups, stews, rice. My favorite is simple roasted chicken or game hens with lemons slices and sprigs of rosemary in the cavity, tucked under the wings and legs and mixed with potatoes in the roasting pan. Splashed with wine before, during and after the cooking. Served with a generous glass of Sauv Blanc or Fume Blanc, local greens, apple slices and sourdough. Anyone could do it.

But back to the exercise problem. Here’s two tricks that help. First, I rented a documentary from NetFlix about the history of Broadway musicals. Now, it’s easy—and interesting—to get up and move to the tunes while I learn about Fanny Brice and George M. Cohan. Probably any film about music would work as well. Second, for those boring (but important) floor exercises and stretches, I go for sensual over the practical. A fluffy white sheepskin on the floor in front of a crackling fire in a dim room – makes all the difference in the world.
My pooch is on her own.
Cheers, Joan

New York New Year

2009-01-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

This is what I've learned for 2009. Champagne goes very well with barbecued gourmet sausages and mustard no matter how cold you are.
Our tradition is to celebrate "New York New Year" at the hangar where we keep our little airplane. What this means is that a small group of us get bundled up enough to be outside for hours and hope it stays above freezing. We use our summer BBQ to cook some snacks, which we munch on with sips of deep red wine. Then we break out the bubbly at 9 p.m. when our pals in NY are celebrating and hug and kiss with frozen lips and numb hands. Next we tell jokes to get sober and are home enjoying the hell out of our warm beds when the rest of Calif. greets the next year.
It's a good time for hardy --or crazy-- folks.
I'm thinking this year we are all going to have to be a little more hardy. Crazy may help too. Champagne & sausages, I'm not kidding.
On the fitness front, my Christmas shopping this year led to some neat ideas for using a bike instead of a car for errands. Turns out, the bum-around-town bikes are called beach cruisers and they've become a cottage industry far beyond beach towns. You can get baskets and bells for them and even cup holders for your latte. And it's impossible to take yourself too seriously on a cruiser. A good site to get started is www.beachbikes.net.
Now, not to rub it in for those outside of California, but it's sunny and 60 outside so I've got to go.....
cheers.
Joan

The East is the New West

2008-11-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a new day--with a fresh, more international future for America. For those of us who truly like the rest of the world--what a huge relief to have Obama be our global emissary. Actually I think I'll give little globes out for Christmas this year, just so we can all catch up.
Of course food has always been international. We were in New York State for election week and enjoyed Jewish, Caribbean, Indian, Chinese, Halal (at the cart on 6th Ave. in Manhattan) and Cajun food. All of it goes beautifully with Irish beer in the pubs and German Reislings from the Finger Lakes area upstate. (Manhattans and mojitos are nice too. More on that later.) Plus golf and walking up and down subway and train stations. East Coast transit rocks.
Back home, we have bikes instead, so that will have to do.
Right now I'm missing our little town of Corning NY, near the Finger Lakes. With its ornate brick storefronts, glass art, pretty eateries, lively nightlife, great Indian food and odd characters aka Sweaty John. Holidays sparkle in Corning.
But onward....we have a new president. It's a new day.
Joan
BTW: Here's info about my favorite Halal cart in case you are in midtown Manahttan.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/53rd-and-6th-halal-cart-new-york

A Merlot Kind of Week

2008-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who is a nervous wreck here? What with the failing banks and the cartwheeling Dow and a presidential race focused on the little people---named Sarah and Joe and George. Big ideas and steely judgement would be more helpful than fussing about plumbers I think. (I know plumbers and they are a godsend , but they're not going to fix these problems.) Does anyone notice how much the Feds look and sound just like they did during the other disaster --the one called Katrina.

But I digress. As I write this I'm enjoying a pleasant affordable Merlot, which is getting better as it breathes--and I type. Merlot is not a challenging Zin or a subtle Pinot Noir, but that's okay. I'm less in the mood for sophisticated flavors right now --and more for a calm, mellow, unexciting wine (or a stiff drink with many olives). Perhaps you feel the same.

Did I mention that my most extravagant spendthrift friends are hiring someone to teach them how to grow vegetables in their new garden patch? They don't cook, they didn't even have a garden patch 'til last week, but they are growing their own food, for god's sake. Times must be tough. Anyway, a friendly Merlot may not be trendy, but it's pretty good with garden veggies tossed on the grill with a bit of olive oil and garlic. Also, that puts me in a mood for soups with late harvest tomatoes, white Italian beans, seasoned with bay leaves from the local Laurel trees. All of which goes beautifully with delightfully boring Merlot.

And, as you know, sitting does not help stress. So go look at the moon on a walk after dinner and do some restful stretches when you turn off the laptop. Some of the best moves are stretching your arms high and behind your back and bending your neck back and forth (do it now!) Even better is putting each leg up on a chair and slowly bending over --to get at that tight hamstring. Do it a few times after you've had a shower or been moving around. It releases some serious tension.
Just like a bit of inexpensive Merlot.
Cheers.

Ode to Orange

2008-10-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

October already. sheesh.
Orange is the color of the season -- for the designer types as well as for the autumn vineyards. There is always plenty of orange around our household lately because of all the oranges falling from the trees and stacking up in baskets on the dining table and in the back of the refrigerator. The founding fathers of Healdsburg who planted citrus trees all over the place had no idea what they started.
A pal who just returned from New England points out that they pay a dollar for an orange back there. (I'd be rich!) But they get fresh maple syrup from the family "sugar shack" for free. And she gave me a jar... Amazing stuff.
Then the two thoughts collided. The result: The Maple - Orange Smoothie. Non-fat milk, a ripe banana, a whole, peeled, very cold orange from the back of the fridge, a spoonful of real maple syrup. Blend it all together with lots of air and a sprinkle of nutmeg. It's the perfect treat for after a hike up a hill or two to gaze at the beginnings of fall color--or at least our wimpy California version of fall color. But, admit it, you EastCoasters, our russet leaves might not impress, but you can't beat our oranges.

In Honor of Miss Figgy

2008-09-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

For years we knew about a little old lady the guys did handyman tasks for, who they nicknamed Miss Figgy. We pictured a cute little English lady with tea, fig jam and crumpets. And I always though of her in September--when the fig trees around town are full. By mid-month, the tree owners have eaten all they possibly can and are begging for people like me to help out so the moist little fruit won't go to waste. No problem.
A favorite appetizer at local backyard parties is figs with goat cheese--and a nice Zinfandel. But I confess my favorite treat is a couple of figs with a small chunk of dark chocolate in the afternoon with a cup of French Roast coffee. That makes the last burst of online work go MUCH better. And a few dried figs with herb tea at bedtime is not too shabby either.

Here's a fig fact I bet you didn't know: Although considered a fruit, the fig is actually a flower that is inverted into itself. The seeds are the real fruit.
Oh yeah, it turns out Miss Figgy is a sweet little Italian lady who's real name is Miss Figge
And this is her fitness tip: get outside, plant some flowers in your front yard and chat with your neighbors. It will do wonders for your health.
Cheers.

Is it Coffee or Is It Wine?

2008-09-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

The election news is swirling around us and the coffeehouse is one of the better places to get out of the fray and try to make sense of America's fascination with the latest new shiny object, er political figure, er puppet. And coffee can be almost as controversial as politics in our town--and maybe in yours. The issues here are: does pressed coffee preserve the flavor of the beans better than the old way of brewing, and are blends of beans secondrate compared to using only one type of bean. In other words, should we start treating coffee like wine?
It seems like a 50-50 split here, with about half the locals in favor of blended, traditionally brewed java and the others preferring their presses. As for me, I want robust dark coffee that is easy to get and costs less than $2 a mug, because I buy a lot and I'm not very patient in the morning. Pressed is fine, but make it strong and do it quickly. Please.
If coffee cafes want to be like wine bars, then I say go all the way--offer a selection and let people taste and pick what they want. And have an express line for the grumpy folks.
Oh yeah...the fitness tip this week: Take care of your feet because sore feet (like sore backs) can stop you cold. Handy trick from "Runner's World" magazine is to gently pull your toes back toward your shin with your hands. It feels really good after a brisk walk and you can do it a few times every day. Reward yourself with a bit of Port before bed.

Tomato Central

2008-08-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

The garden tomatoes have hit town. Folks are eating as many of the homegrown beauties as they can--and now are giving away bagfuls at coffee. When you want to use a lot of tomatoes while preserving their vineripe flavor, here's a local trick:
Chop up a bunch of tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil. Put tomatoes in three equal piles, with the sweetest tomatoes in pile #3.
Saute the first pile of toms and most of the garlic in a skillet with a little pre-heated olive oil.
After a few moments (garlic is browned) add second pile of toms. Cook for about a minute.
Turn OFF the heat. Add pile #3 of toms, the basil and the rest of garlic. Toss and wait for a few minutes. Add salt, red pepper flakes, grated hard cheese if you wish.
So some toms are cooked and some are raw. Tastes like heaven. Can put on pasta, sourdough bread, polenta or anything.
Enjoy it with some Pinot Grigio, or my preference, Sauvignon Blanc.

This week's fitness tip comes from my sister Karen. Do your hips sometimes hurt? Yeah, I thought so.
Whenever you can, sit cross-legged on the floor. Even better, put your hands on the floor, palms down, right behind you. That's it. So simple even Dave could do it.
It stretches out the tightness from walking, biking, sitting on a chair and just living.
Cheers.

Wine Spectator -- the Mag for the Gullible

2008-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was just a matter of time for this to happen. Wine Spectator gave an award to a Milan restaurant that doesn't exist, falling for a hoax by a wine blogger who thinks such award programs are baloney. Robin Goldstein invented Osteria L'Intrepido restaurant, created a bogus website, menu and wine list and submitted them to the magazine’s annual award program. It was one of 3,000 plus restaurants that won. Only 400 entries lost. Each entry pays $250 to enter, earning the mag a cool million bucks.
The hoax was kind of mean, actually, because Robin even created fake restaurant reviews on Chowhound. But the "gotcha" reveals how worthless these awards are when you are looking for a good restaurant wine list.
The best wine lists are the ones that let you bring your own local wine and waive corkage if you also buy a bottle of the restaurant list---or let the servers taste your wine. In Healsdburg, that's Ravenous and H-BAG (Healdsburg Bar and Grill). Others?

Welcome to Harvest

2008-08-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

The wine pros in our world are getting ready for harvest and a nervous buzz is in the air. Towns with music in the park are planning their last performance of the year next week and some kids are already in school. And it's hot, hot, hot. Dry rose wines are suddenly in demand to go with all the fruit, nuts and light meals full of greens and slices of succulent pork.
Our exercise of choice: the second-hand, three-speed bike you can use for errands (and to save gas). No need to lock them up--who would steal 'em? Plus hiking in hilly areas at sunset is a must.
The vegetable gardens are also coming in and I'll report on that soon......How about your August favorites?

Who eats Spam?

2008-03-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Spam, the brand, has an interesting situation in front of it. As a 70-year-old product--precooked pork butt in a can -- it is lucky to still be alive. But in those 70 years, the brand became the butt of jokes by Monty Python (Spamalot) and Weird Al Yankovic, and consequently was morphed into the very common term for junk email. Fame moves in mysterious ways.
Now the sales of Spam, the meat, are going up, up, up and parent company Hormel is running a big ad and marketing campaign and new campy website.
It seems spam email is helping sell Spam meat because the funny and unlikely connection between the two is making people curious. The ads and website satisfy the curiousity.
But do you know anyone who really eats Spam? Have you bought any lately? Based on the sales figures someone must be buying the stuff....maybe it is a secret pleasure....like governors have for hookers.
The company itself is mum. They finished a study of their core consumers and are not giving any hints of what they've found.
It's hard to figure out who's sending all that spam email---and almost as hard to figure out who eats Spam meat.
What is up with that?

Las Vegas Knows About Loyalty

2007-10-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

I would have thought airlines--and their freqent flyers programs--were the masters of loyalty programs. But experts tell me a Vegas casino company--Harrah's Entertainment--does it better than anyone. I wonder.
Las Vegas already has sex and gambling on its side--why does it need a rewards program? What makes you loyal--freebies, service, fruit baskets or what?
Thisis what the Harrah's people say works: can you spell S-L-O-T-S.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003641333

Just today the news came that Macy's department store is getting a loyalty program going---and Coke's My Rewards program is going gangbusters, even though you need to drink about a hundred Cokes to get a T-shirt. Apparently loyalty works. Or is it an elaborate con job?