Good Living

November 3, 2010

Backpacker’s Delight

Hiking boots. Check. Backpack. Check. Tent for two. Check. Emergency kit. Check, check, check (somehow I ended up with three – apparently you can never be safe enough). With piles of clothes and gear gathering on my bedroom floor, it seems like I am almost completely prepped for my upcoming adventure abroad. In a few weeks, I’m going down under for a trip unlike any other: thirty days of outdoor fun from fishing, to kayaking, to hiking through fields, mountains, and even glaciers. New Zealand, here I come. Now, a month-long vacation takes a lot of work for anyone, healthy […]

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August 25, 2010

Buy Me Some Peanut and Cracker Jacks

Hot dogs, burgers, and garlic fries – these were the treats that lured me to stadium seats when I was younger. I longed for the glutinous, processed, and salty flavors of ballpark fare and as such, I happily accompanied my father to any game that was accompanied by ketchup and squirt bottle of nacho “cheese.” My affair with these lip-smacking snacks, however, did not last forever. When my kidneys quit seven years ago, so did my fast-food addiction. But my love for a sports outing on a sunny (or recently, foggy) day? That remained strong. It was easy for me […]

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August 6, 2010

Highfalutin and High Flying

If it seems I am a bit punchy this morning, well I think it is because I am drunk with anticipation. I am about to head off to the airport to board one of Virgin America’s swanky 70’s lounge flyers (which always makes you want a cocktail and a disco ball at 7am) and join my friends in Southern California to celebrate a most special day – Miss Davies’ Wedding! Beyond the normal excitement, I will also be acting as the officiant – or the Pope as I like to refer to myself – so I am most definitely filled […]

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July 7, 2010

Dinner is Served

Say hello to a beautifully crafted, sodium-free bite of hamachi from Bar Crudo – the adorable raw bar and restaurant that sits on Divisidero street and serves up a flurry of fresh seafood, from sashimi to creamy clam chowder, that will blow your taste buds away. Who needed ’em anyways. And while your eyes are glazing over at the sight of this wanton-shaped slice of fish, I’m guessing that your mind is buzzing with a few questions; most prominently, the quandary of why I am writing about a restaurant in Northern California when I promised to talk about my New […]

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April 30, 2010

Fuel Efficient

So just imagine this scenario: tomorrow is race day.  For the last few months you have been training for  (insert here – a triathlon, aquathon, marathon, or any activity that brings you further than the walk from your refrigerator to your couch) and your muscles, mind, and spirit are set to crush the course. In the last few hours, before the start whistle blows, you gather all the tools you need to finish this test of physical endurance. You’ve packed the tennies, the padded shorts, the swim goggles, and an extra pair of socks. But don’t forget one of the […]

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April 8, 2010

Bon Voyage

Traveling on a special diet is certainly a tricky task.  Food at gas stations, train stations, and airports tend to be sodium heavy.  And while gummy peaches and lemonade are delicious, they are not enough to sustain you over a week long trip. At this point, after traveling to the east coast and back and to a few beautiful places in between, I feel confident in my ability to find low sodium snacks wherever I go.  I have also mastered the art of packing my bag full of lightweight treats, for times when rice bowls and baked potatoes are nowhere to […]

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March 12, 2010

Cater to Me

So it’s true.  I’m getting hitched this fall to a wonderful guy who not only doesn’t mind that I often smell like onions and garlic, but is equally enthusiastic about exploring the possibilities of low sodium cooking. I’m not a typical bride and I definitely did not grow up dreaming of the details of this very special day.  But I will admit, there are two things that I have always said are an important part of making my nuptials ideal: (1) I do not want to wear shoes and (2) I want the reception to be filled with lots of […]

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March 10, 2010

It's a Good Thing

It’s not everyday that you get to meet your idol and for two of my best friends, Friday will be no ordinary day. Let me begin by introducing the protagonists of this American dream: First, there’s the adorable Natalie “Mini Martha” Schwartz, a craft-addict and hair-bow enthusiast.  With her trusty box (read: storage closet) of tools, Nat can make anything out of paper and a hot glue gun, from a three-tiered diaper cake to handmade cards for every holiday (even President’s day).  And she doesn’t just send you these DIY gifts, she posts the how-to on her very own blog, The […]

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March 4, 2010

Lemons into Lemonade

A girl walks into a bar.  She’s young, beautiful, and smart to boot.  The bartender, charming as always, asks her, “What will you be having?” And the girl answers, “I’ll have a long life, filled with a great career, a family, and utter enjoyment of each and every day.”  The bartender pauses, wipes the counter, and slowly says in a soft voice, “how about you get cancer instead?”  To which the girl replies, “That’s fine, but I’ll take my original order as well.” I know most of you come to this blog for stories about food, but sometimes it is […]

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January 27, 2010

Double Exposure

I know I promised some faux miso marinated cod today (and don’t worry, that lovely little recipe will be popping up later this afternoon).  But first, I have to send a huge thank you to Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, the two genius minds behind food52.com.  These ladies sure know how to cook, write, and bring a community of food lovers together and it was a major honor to show up on their Reciprocity blog roll this morning. I’ve had a blast submitting my recipes on their site and their weekly contests keep my culinary synapses firing.  I feel so […]

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