Open-Minded Wine Fans Unite

I try not to be too picky about wines. That way I can venture out and still enjoy the various vintages that cross my path. But I admit to a few favorites -- both wines and winemakers. Take Vince Tofanelli (pictured here) and his Zinfandel, for instance. It's killer. Vince advises us to pair it with any tomato-based dish. Also a slice of home-made chocolate cake. Wow.


Tofanelli is a tiny Napa winery with really old Italian grapevines.
Wines cost about $35 and you have to order them. So they are a special treat -- but without a trace of snob appeal. I have no problem storing them right next to my inexpensive red table wine from the winery down the street. All enjoyed in good fun.
Cheers.

Holiday Smarts: Walk faster, Eat slower

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

Eat Play Bike

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

In Honor of Miss Figgy

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.