Stay at home mom, lover of wine
There have been a few moments in life that I have surprised myself with my own strength. Hiking the Na Pali coast, natural childbirth (x2), and the Dr. Junger Clean Gut diet that I have been doing for the past 14 days. No coffee, alcohol, grains, sugar, fruit, or fun. I resisted pizza (x2), cut an […]
Read MoreThe heat and humidity are picking up here in central Texas, so sometimes I need to keep it really simple in the kitchen. I scratch plans for anything that requires turning on the oven and improvise. Last Wednesday was one of those nights. I was in the mood for a rose so I opened a sample […]
Read MoreWait, did you hear that? Oh, there it is again! It happens every time I’ve opened a bottle from Ribera del Duero. It is Spain calling my name. It’s been happening more lately. Maybe the voice is getting louder and more persistent, but the voice is balanced and never too much. They are lively little wines. Zesty, […]
Read MoreLast fall I was invited to a dinner in Houston hosted by Concha Y Toro to introduce their 2009 flagship wine, Don Melchor. The winemaker, Enrique Tirado, would be hosting the event which included a vertical tasting of the wine. It sounded like a fabulous event, but without much notice, I couldn’t get away. Fortunately for […]
Read MoreThere was a time when a meatless meal would be cause for a mini-revolt. But I’ve gotten better at creating delicious, satisfying vegan meals and my husband’s gotten better about not complaining. Less meat is just better for your health and the environment. It’s a win-win. Less is more. There was a time when my day […]
Read MoreAnd by “skinny” I mean the low-down, the nitty gritty, the scoop. Not my waist-line. So I am now at day 13 of being wheat-free, dairy-free, nearly sugar-free. You’ll notice that I did not say alcohol-free. I have done a little imbibing on the weekends. Coffee and a drink or three have been my weekend […]
Read MoreOk, so I am doing it. Trying it. Ok, starting it anyway. I eat healthy. I exercise (sometimes more vigorously than others). And I can’t drop the last ten from my now 3-year-old “baby.” My sister has been eating the anti-inflammatory way since she discovered it, for the most part. She was motivated by arthritis […]
Read MoreThey have similar backgrounds and similar goals, so it is not surprising that Simi Winery and Chef Kolin Vazzoler make a great pair. Both from Italian heritage, the winery and Chef Kolin focus on producing high quality wines and foods that are sourced locally. Kolin learned about the culinary arts from his mother and grandmother. Now he teaches others in […]
Read MoreSpring is a time of transitions. Some are surficial: purging closets, boots to sandals. Some are botanical: bud break, the emergence of a crocus. Some are spiritual: an awakening, a yearning. All around, there is a renewed energy, a pull. All week-long I have felt the need to write, a to-do list of pieces that […]
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SAHMmelier 