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

Machine to the Rescue?

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

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

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

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

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

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