Emails

Thank you for your emails...no I did not fall off the face of the planet! I'm really good about blogging and then I crack and get lost in the everyday grind! You can relate! So I'm back....I'll be posting very soon some cool ideas and maybe some recipes! So stay tuned!

Birthdays!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy writing menus, recipes and then there was my birthday! I can't believe how many calls and cards I got! I really wasn't expecting so many people to go out of their way for me, remember...and did i mention gifts? The best part about it? The chocolate cake I ate! I took the whole day off...although I contemplated dashing over quickly to my office to get some things done, I was swiftly distracted and led in another direction! Obviously everyone around me knows me well, well enough to know that if I had the slightest opportunity to work I would have been lost forever in the sea of work! But now it's back to the grind...thank you to everyone for making it such a great day...I really can't thank them enough...what a lucky girl I am!

Foodie Language

alfresco \al-FRESS-koh\ adjective or adverb
: taking place or located in the open air : outdoor, outdoors

The Nine Thirty Restaurant at the W Hotel has a beautiful patio area where people can dine alfresco on those warm summer nights.

The Avocado

Did you know that botanically the avocado is considered a fruit and ounce for ounce one of the healthiest foods around? They are rich in heart healthy monounsaturated fat and also contain large amounts of potassium, vitamin E, fiber, folic acid and vitamin B6. There are over 24 varieties of avocados, although the most common ones you'll see are the Hass (with the pebbly black skin) and Fuerte (green skin). Both varieties are grown in California and Florida. Their peak season is in spring and summer. An avocado is considered ripe when it yields to gentle pressure without denting. If it dents then it is overripe. If you have purchased one and needs to be ripened you can leave it out on the counter top for a few days or you can place it in a paper bag with either an apple or banana to accelerate the process.

Digging

The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.
~Warren Buffet

Did You Know?...Earl Grey

Earl Grey Tea was named after Charles Grey, the second earl in his line, who was also prime minister to King William IV in the early 19th century. The elusive flavor of Early Grey comes from oil of Bergamont as well as the blend of Indian and Sri Lankan teas. It is said that the Earl was given this recipe by a Chinese mandarin with whom he was friends.

Ask the Chef - Edamame

Q. What is edamame?
~Tim D.
A. Edamame [eh-dah-MAH-meh] is the Japanese name for green soybeans. These soybeans are picked when they're fully grown but before they are completely mature. Edamame is easy to digest and extremely high in protein and fiber.

Happy June!

Happy June everyone! I love this time of year! It's my favorite month! And my upcoming birthday probably has a little something to do with it! So how are you? Did you have a great weekend? I hope you did because I spent my weekend working my ass off! But hey, I love what I do so I really can't complain because at least I got to have fun working...right? It's only the beginning of the week and I've got the rest of the week to stay standing...will I make it? I scoff at the idea that you would even think to ask! Of course! I can do anything!