Have a beautiful Earth (Day)

I have had a few people say things to me lately like, "You probably could teach me about the best way to ... recycle/buy organic/understand fair trade/insulate my home using recycled materials/compost/etc." Funny, but, I don't know how to do all of those things without doing, at the very least, a tad of research.
And so I've been doing research. And a lot more research than a tad. Answering those questions, heck, even scraping the surface of the idea of living a green life should be second nature to me. But the truth is: it is not.
However I am learning. I make it part of every day to learn a new way to save water and electricity, make my footprint smaller, consume less, reuse more. It's true that I spend a lot of time on the internet, yet it is chock full of crucial information to assist us in helping to learn about promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. Each of us can lend a hand. Some of us are better at one part than other parts. I am trying to fill the role of learning the basics a little bit better and then passing it along, when asked.
I registered as a volunteer for the Earth Day Network. Too late to be of use to them this year on Earth Day, but I signed up none the less. And I will be of use, that is the point. It's not too late, yet. We can all help save the planet for future generations. But we all must try, even a little.
What part will you be good with?

Have a beautiful Earth (Day).

Mmmmm, appetizers

I was able to create Caprese salad bites this weekend for the first time. They were quite easy and very tasty. A chef friend of mine turned me onto Specialty Produce (thanks Sara! You are Great!). We found the most lovely heirloom cherry tomatoes that came in at least eight different shades of red, yellow and white. One small melon-ball scoop of lactose-free mozzarella cheese surrounded by torn pieces of fresh basil, topped with a 'mater and Pop! Heaven on a stick (I tried it with the tomato on first and topped with the mozzarella, but the cheese didn't like sitting at the tip of the stick very well). Once we arrived at our destination I drizzled a bit of olive oil and sprinkled salt and freshly ground black pepper over them and served to the masses. Well, there were about a dozen people at Saturday's wine tasting. All I can say is that the plate on which they were served was empty by the time I went back to get seconds.

We also discovered a new way to play with stinky cheese! Blue Cheese crumbles with olive oil, garlic, onion, parsley, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, S&P. Oh yeah baby! I think we will add basil to it when we try our own batch. Special thanks to Tanya's Mom for this spread. It works on anything ... toasts, corn chips, crackers or even sliced apples or pears. But it should definitely be left in a separate dish for the guest to put it on what he or she likes. The high amount of oil creates for soggy crackers if left together too long. And I'm sure you can imagine my breath that night or, the next morning ...

I love Pink and I love Berries.

Pinkberry. Tangy and cold. On a beautiful 82 degree day in Southern California, it's no wonder I've been excited to try this tasty treat. They have done nothing but dangle themselves in front of me. Gaslamp Quarter: Opening Spring 2008. Palm Desert: Opening Spring 2008. Well, ya know what? There's an open Pinkberry in Temecula. Yeah it's 60 miles from my house. But I'm half way there when I visit Husband at work! So after taking him a picnic lunch, I continued north on my pretend pilgrimage to Pinkberry (I wasn't exactly sure if I can consider myself a Pinkberry worshiper yet).
I found it in a strip mall on the north side of Winchester near a Trader Joe's. Okay, works for me. Wait! I could actually see a Pinkberry sign on a store that was OPEN FOR BUSINESS! It was time for my first Pinkberry. There were a few people in line in front of me. I had to wait a little longer. But I was in line inside! The Alessi items for sale on the wall were brightly lit but would not distract me from my mission. And then there was Ben. Ben, my first Professional Pinkberry Swirler created my virgin taste for me this afternoon.
I now know the answer to that burning question about my potential for Pinkberry devotion: possibly. I will patiently wait for the San Diego Hard Rock Hotel's Pinkberry to open to be sure. I only tried one yogurt with one topping. Green Tea with Yogurt Chips. I sat down on a pink melamine chair to taste my first spoonful. The previously soft yogurt chips made crispy by the frozenness of the light green yogurt were just like the ones I ate as a child. The color contrast was soothing. The natural pebble floor made me feel like I was outside, while the barely audible house music made me feel like I was down the street from a thumping nightclub. I liked the entire experience. I think the 80+ weather helped. But I want to try all the flavors. There's still original and coffee. And all the vivid diced fruits looked like they wanted to jump into the bowls of “swirly goodness.” But at least I have actually tried Pinkberry. Now maybe Husband won't think I'm a freak for anticipating its opening like a rock star coming in concert. Or maybe I will never live down driving to Temecula before the local store opened.

BBQ worth a 60 mile drive?

The Bailey Barbeque at the corner of Main and A Streets in Julian, CA might just be the BBQ worth a leisurely 60 mile drive. President's Day provided the perfect opportunity to take a look at the eastern area of our beautiful county. We arrived around lunchtime too. Funny how that works out. Being tempted by the Monday Lunch Special of a half sandwich and a cup of soup was easy. Black bean with sausage soup was coming my way before I could even decide which type of sandwich to order. I went with beef, which wasn't as tender as the pork, but was still tasty! The bread these sandwiches come on is amazingly soft and delicious. If you are in the mood to do some sight-seeing in your own backyard, head to Julian ... and don't pack a lunch! The folks at Bailey Barbecue are ready to serve you some warm, fresh, home-style biscuits with your meal.
And when you are simply craving a tamale, Tacos El Panson, a place right on El Cajon Blvd just east of Fairmont that makes great ones. Next time I'm going to try their gorditas. I used to think the gordita was a quasi-food invented by the Taco Bell Chihuahua. Apparently I'm not a very good Mexican. My Grandmother would tell you I'm Spanish anyway. I love beans, I love avocados and I love tamales. And I can't wait to try the gorditas at Tacos El Panson! I saw one being made and that's all it took. They make two fresh corn tortillas, melt cheese under them and then scoop a giant spoon full of carne onto the bottom one. This is then topped with any of the sauces you would like. I will get it all: cilantro, onions, salsa and of course guacamole. Then it is covered with the other melted cheese corn tortilla. All for $2ish. I would venture to say it would kick a Flatbread Sammie's ass. I'm sure I will let you know. I love Food Fights. Aaaaand a new blog section is born ... The Food Fight. Coming soon.

Desert to Mountains in under a week

Driving out to Rancho Las Palmas last Tuesday was beautiful. Especially since I didn't have to drive. Just so you know, I never drive, unless I'm alone. So as I am being driven out to the desert between snow-capped mountains, I realize (again) just how lucky we are to live in the amazing region of Southern California. The Palm Springs Energy people have added larger windmills to generate more renewable power since the last time I was out to Palm Springs in the early '90s (yeah!). Arriving at the resort of Rancho Las Palmas really blew me away. It's La Costa but drier. There are poppies planted all over the property (pictured right). Which is nice, because they are the state flower and I rarely see them. It inspired me to plant some at home. My friend Shannon has a few planted. We'll see. I'll post pictures of mine if they ever bloom. Anyhow, it was 72 degrees and lovely for four days. Lots of reading time and sunshine.

Friday we packed our things and took the 247 to the 18, also known to San Diegans as the "back way up the mountain" to Big Bear Lake. When we arrived at Happinest Manor there was much frolicking in the snow. As the rest of our friends arrived we had a full-blown Friday night shindig. The hot tub was roaring (thanks to Bobby, the repairman) and the drinks were flowing. We broke out Loaded Questions, best game ever.

Saturday, everyone but us got up and went to the mountain to fly down it on their chosen form of transport. Hubby and I walked around the village and visited what seemed like 10 candy shops amongst other tourist traps. Then we drove around the mountain area for a bit and found the quaintest place for lunch: Grizzly's Big Belly Deli. Yeah, we just HAD to stop there. I had the most marvelous tuna melt on rye ever grilled and the TAB was darn wonderful as well. I noticed a picture of the owner on the wall. He was wearing a baseball cap from Ray Kroc's birthday Padres game back in the '80s. He was clearly from San Diego. Sure enough, Jaime owns the deli as well as another restaurant he's been running on the mountain for 16 years. It's obvious too. We chatted with Jaime while he wiped down some recently emptied tables and before you knew it he was back behind the counter making sure folks got their sandwiches with just the right toppings. We didn't have a chance to say goodbye since he was taking good care of a large group that had just wandered in. But we think we'll see Jaime again someday soon. You should visit too. If you're heading to Bear for the day, stop by before you get to the resort and grab lunch to go. It's on the left a bit up Moonridge Road. Much better than resort food, and it's less expensive.


Sunday we said goodbye to Happinest Manor and all its rooms. We sent the snow bunnies on their way and headed out of town. The front side. Man, now I know why people take the "long way down the backside" home. Six hours later, we were back in San Diego. I am not allowed to complain about the drive, all I had to do was be car sick. No worries. The sunset was beautiful. But it's all about the 247 from the desert. Totally worth it.

Give a Gift from the Heart, for the Heart

I always seem to have long weekends. What seems to be making them long is our social schedule. Apparently I need to add something "good" to every weekend. Lo and behold, a good cause appeared in my In Box today. Our friends Paula and Steve Cook, along with another family have started a run/walk to benefit Rady Children's Hospital Heart Institute, where their son Jake (pictured, right) received open heart surgery at the age of two. Max and Jake's Big Race will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego. A 5K run/walk begins at 8 am (a bit too early for me on the first Sunday with no football for the rest of the winter, spring and summer), and there is a 1 mile run/walk starting at 9 am (much more realistic for me!). Adult cost is $25 and $20 respectively. It seems like such a small cost to help so many. So I begin my spring training a bit early this year. Usually I wait until pitchers and catchers report. Heart defects don't discriminate. We can all dream for a cure, or we can help the scientists discover cures.

Carmelle's Favorite Things 2007

Since Oprah has her list of Favorite Things, I decided I would make one too. Some of these are old standbys and some are brand new discoveries and inventions. The only thing I can guarantee is that I love them all! I've included places to purchase most items to make it easy, but I am not being compensated be any of the folks whose items appear below (unlike Oprah I assume).

Beauty:

Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating wet cleansing cloths make vacations easy! I always take a pack with me instead of facial soap and simply wipe away the day before getting into bed for the night. I protect my face every morning with Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin. Both of these items are super-affordable ($6.46 and $5.99) and are usually available at your local drug store. For my lips, I don't leave the house without [various shades of] Lancome Juicy Tubes gloss. $17.50 at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Sustenance:

Precious Lactose Free Plus Mozzarella String Cheese! This discovery is only a week old and I've already created baked ziti and homemade pizza with it. If you share my lactose intolerance affliction, praise Precious, lactose free, real dairy mozzarella is here! I prefer to slice into 1/8" rounds. It doesn't "string" as well as the real deal, but it melts like a dream. I also love Trader Joe's Yogurt Cheese in both plain and Jalapeño Jack varieties. More real dairy, lactose-free cheese that melts, tastes and acts like regular cheese (except when it hits your tummy, then it's nicer!). I would be remiss if I did not mention that Kraft has also joined the lactose-free bandwagon with its LiveActive selections of cubed and sticks of cheeses. NutritionNow creates Lacto-Safe, the BEST lactase pills I have ever tried. The bottle boasts the ability for the user to digest 8 oz. of dairy with two little pills. They are right.

Thomas' nows makes Light Multi-Grain English Muffins with 8 grams of fiber and only 100 calories each! I love toasting these in the morning, adding Smuckers Simply Fruit and grabbing a banana for breakfast. Or create the previously mentioned "homemade pizzas" (heat a large tablespoon of marinara sauce in the microwave for 30 seconds, toast the muffin for 1 minute, spread the sauce on the muffin, cover with your favorite cheese and toast until bubbly).

When you really don't want to cook and are out of wine, head to 3rd Corner Bistro in Ocean Beach. A playful menu of small and large plates await with inventive salads and a selection of wine to keep you busy until your baked brie appetizer arrives. The best part? Pick a bottle from their 1200-bottle wine shop and your server will pour it for your table with no corkage fee. The menu prices are quite nice too: $2 to $18. I love the pan-seared sea scallops here and Patrick usually enjoys the New York strip steak.

When purchasing fruits, vegetables and flowers, I attempt to obtain as much as possible from Farmers' Markets throughout San Diego County. There are markets available six days a week during all seasons. This ensures I am serving locally grown, fresh produce to my family. It also reduces the amount of fossil fuels used to transport items across the nation. I'm also helping to keep local farms thriving.

Alcoholic beverages and destinations section:

Gloria Ferrar Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine is light and slightly fruity with lovely bubbles. Not only is this a perfect starter to any evening, when in Sonoma, visit their picturesque winery. I suppose you could dump orange juice in the leftovers the next morning too. But I wouldn't, because I would've finished the bottle the night before! And it's too good for the juice. Unlike Barry Bonds. Around $12-$13 and usually available at Trader Joe's.

Emerson Brown 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and available online and at Jack's and Donovan's in La Jolla. Big, rich and boisterous. Enjoy with beef or lamb and a loved one.

Absolut Citron and Mandrin vodka. Enough said.

A Vinturi should reside in every wine drinker's home or purse. Pour your glass of wine through this brilliant piece of ingenuity and your vino will have been aerated to about two hours worth of sitting in a decanter, without the wait. Pour, swirl, sniff, sip and ahhh.

When visiting any city, check out their botanical gardens to see beautiful flowers and plant-life.

This section of the list could go on and on, so I will stop here and continue to search for good finds to add. Cheers!

Gadgets:

OXO makes by far, the best kitchen gadgets around. Two of these our kitchen could not survive without are: the nylon flexible spatula, and the can opener. There's also the three-in-one gadget, which is extremely hard to find, even on the company's Website. But this ingenious little guy opens bottles: both capped and screw-topped and can be used to shove into your open bottle of wine or beer for air-tight storage. I bet you can find all of these at Great News in Pacific Beach.

We registered for the asparagus steamer at Crate & Barrel for our wedding. It may be one of the best items on my stove (Thanks Chuck and Patsy!). Its tall and skinny design (just like a bundle of its namesake veggie) uses an incredibly small amount of water and energy. Put your corn, artichokes, carrots or other veggies in the basket as soon as the water begins to boil and steam them to your heart's desire.

The Trader Joe's Insulated Grocery bag saves me dozens of plastic bags a week. I keep it in the trunk of my car and grab an ice pack from the freezer if I know I'm going to be a while. Whenever I hit the Farmers' Market or other store, I bring it with me. It keeps my cheeses, meats and other perishables nice and chilly. Worth much more than the $3 I paid for it!

This is a list of my favorite things, but my least favorite thing is seeing the planet abused. Please remember to reduce, reuse and recycle. We can all help save the world for future generations. But ALL of us have to try, even a little. If you want to know a few ways to help, ask me. I am happy to take a few minutes to assist you and our future.

I didn't watch this year's Oprah's Favorite Things show, so if there are any items in common, she must have good taste!