One thing I love to do on Memorial Day Weekend is to hang out at the Valley Greek Festival in Northridge, California. The sounds of Greek music fill the air as dancers and San Fernando Valley locals kick up their heels in joy as they dance. This time, the Festival staff offered an event I couldn’t pass up. They did a cooking demonstration on how to roast Greek-Style Leg … [Read more...]
Bitter Melon Stir Fry: Okinawa Goya Chanpuru
This recipe for Bitter Melon, also known as Goya Chanpuru, originated in Okinawa, Japan, and is made with tofu and pork. It's a typical Japanese dish made in an area of the world with a large population of centenarians. Enjoy this recipe! Misao Okawa was a centenarian from Japan who died in April 2015 at 117 years of age. She was verified as only one of 5 … [Read more...]
Bigos Polish Hunter’s Stew: Poland’s National Dish
We took a winter trip to Eastern and Central Europe, including Poland, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. While we were in Poland, we had one of my favorite Polish dishes, Polish Hunter's Stew, known there as Bigos. Enjoy this recipe! The National Dish of Poland I used to have a Polish acting teacher who would spend days cooking a huge pot of Bigos for his … [Read more...]
The Artful Mill Town of Bydgoszcz, Poland
The Camerimage Film Festival takes place each year in Bydgoszcz, Poland. My partner, who was a cameraman in the film industry, was invited to attend as a guest speaker. We spent 4 fun-filled days there. This charming mill town is located in the Northern part of Poland, on the Brda River. Find a local guide in Bydgoszcz, here. We arrived after a 10-hour flight from Los … [Read more...]
The Real Truth About the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is touted as the healthiest way to eat on the planet but there are misconceptions about what it really is. To be clear, the Mediterranean Diet is not a diet It's a way of life that encompasses sensible eating habits and has been known to extend longevity. When you think of Mediterranean food, your first thought … [Read more...]