I enjoy writing about food, wine/spirits/beer, travel and hospitality. I also write essays, articles, short stories and the occasional poem. I have technical expertise in financial services/insurance.
While Staying Safe At Home – Routine Is KING!
Feeling like time has become irrelevant? Consider beginning or trying a new routine.
I’m taking a pause from travel to get a little more personal in this post and to remind myself (and maybe you too) how important it is to take the time to care for ourselves right now.
We are almost all practicing shelter-in-place and SO MANY OF US are working from home now. Time seems to be losing some of its meaning (I mean, what day IS IT anyway?!) It’s becoming clear, at least to me, that we could REALLY ...
La voie des guerriers du rocher (French Edition)
I did technical editing in the French version of this book which is available only in print format. The English version is available on Kindle as well. NB: I did NOT edit the English version.
The Green Heart of Italy – Culture in Umbria
We all know that Italy is a country steeped in ancient history, and each region has its own special set of cultural charms where this is concerned. It’s one of the beautiful things that makes Italy in general such a huge attraction, most especially for us Americans with our comparatively short history. To see the ancient ruins from the Roman Empire, the still-functioning structures from the Middle Ages, the towering Cathedrals with their incredible domes and towers is something we simply cann...
Probiotic Farming - edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine
Probiotic Farming - edible Hawaiian Islands Magazin...
Bonjour Paris - Pineau d'Aunis & Offbeat French Wines
Bonjour Paris - Pineau d'Aunis & Offbeat French Win...
It’s NOT Always All About Florence – The Culture of Tuscany
Tuscany is dotted all over with these tiny hamlets whose origins date back as far as the Middle Ages and a few even before that. They are one of the biggest attractions about the culture of Tuscany to me and in Italy in general, not only for the quaint charm they retain, but also for their individuality that stubbornly and thankfully refuses to be diminished. The little old nonne (grandmas) arguing over the best recipes for whatever the town specialty might be in the morning as they shop from...
The Culinary Delights of Umbria – Savory, Seasonal, Superb
Robbin and I had the great good fortune to spend some time in the beautiful Italian region of Umbria with our kind sponsors, Travel Trade Italia (TTI) and the gracious Strada del Sagrantino, back in October after attending the Travel Trade Global/TTI conference. I had never been to Umbria before so this was a particularly special treat for me. Umbria, “The Green Heart of Italy” as it is often called, is a region incredibly steeped in history and culture going all the way back to their ancient...
From Beer Guzzler to Craft Beer Expert in 9 Easy Steps | The ...
From Beer Guzzler to Craft Beer Expert in 9 Easy St...
Wine Ophelia: La Torricella - Food, Wine and Comfort with a ...
Wine Ophelia: La Torricella - Food, Wine and Comfor...
CoSchedule – Love at First Sight
I think I first found Co-Schedule in a Facebook ad. I can’t really be sure. But if so, then go Facebook algorithm! You got that one right at least.
When I first took a “tour” of co-schedule, I think it took me about 3 seconds to fall in love with the visuals; then I began to peel back the layers of its functionality. I literally swooned. As a marketing professional, I’ve toyed around with all kinds of apps and widgets designed to simplify and automate the postings of my various clients to all...
The Simple, Rustic Pleasures of Tuscan Food
When I first visited Italy back in 2010, I had no way of knowing just how enchanted I would become with the entire country. And Tuscany, known as Toscana in Italian, has almost mythic methods of this enchantment! There is truly something nearly fairytale-like about the scenery there—rolling hills, vineyards, cypress trees—everywhere you turn, a postcard perfect view. But for me, the very most enchanting part is Tuscan food and wine (stay tuned for our next post about the delicious wines of Tu...
Italian Food Basics
From the steep Alpine slopes of Sampeyre to the coastline of Napoli, all the way down the heel of the boot to Lecce, and everywhere in between, Italy’s cuisine is as varied as its landscape. All too often when we think of Italian food, our minds immediately might go to things like spaghetti bolognese, spaghetti and meatballs, or even linguine alfredo (none of which are truly Italian!). But as you will soon discover, Italian cuisine is rich in regional tradition far from these “standards” of w...
Wait, Randall Grahm uses WHAT?!
Last week I had the GREAT privilege to finally meet one of my favorite winemakers in the world, Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard. He visited New York City and graced us with a “Producer Night” at the ridiculously good Anfora Wine Bar (A personal NYC favorite) in the West Village where Joe Campanale is one of the owners and helms the beverage program.
Italian Culture Basics
When we think about Italian culture, several things might immediately pop into our heads. The first thing that comes to mind for me is always “Civilization” and the many connotations of the word. Beginning with ancient Rome and the Roman Empire, most of my concepts about Italian culture are framed with this deep history as of one of the cradles of our modern, western ways of life including our governmental systems, infrastructure and architecture—from philosophers and writers like Virgil and ...
Italian Food & Wine Word of the Week: Negroni | Vineyard Adventures
Italian Food & Wine Word of the Week: Negroni | Vin...