Queen of American Food Publications to Close

Certain events or songs or magazines bring back a flood of memories, at least for me. When I heard today that Gourmet Magazine, first published in 1940, was closing its operation, I remembered what this magazine has meant to me. I certainly understand their reasoning, as the other food magazine they own, Bon Apetit outsells them two to one. But Gourmet, my go to magazine for over 40 years on everything everything related to food and travel, how could they be going out of business?

When I left Los Angeles in 2003 I left behind a collection of over 500 Gourmet Magazines, dating back to 1968. I subscribed to it since I first married, and eagerly looked forward to its arrival every month. When the little card came telling me I only had two issues left, I would tell my kids and they would buy my subscription for me for the next birthday or Mother's Day.

You might wonder what I liked so much about this particular magazine, after all there are many magazines around with good recipes and menu ideas. Gourmet was special. Each month they would have a special feature, with a fabulous menu and great recipes. For example, around Labor Day, they might have a barbeque feature, with outdoor eating ideas you'd never thought of. And the food photography was spectacular. Everything they photographed was a work of art.

Each month they would also review restaurants from New York and California. Every other month they reviewed a restaurant from Los Angeles, and I always looked forward to this feature, and of course trying the restaurant in question. Editor in Chief Ruth Reichl was the food editor at the LA Times for many years, and I suspect she was personally involved in this particular feature.

Finally, the travel features that they presented each month were fantastic. I never planned a trip without first reviewing past Gourmet articles. They would give in great detail places to stay, restaurants to eat at, and cities and shops to visit. I remember planning one particular trip to Provence, a driving trip, where I followed their route exactly. The Gourmet article was about five years old, but the information was accurate, except for a slight increase in prices. I just loved this feature, and during the years when we couldn't travel much, I was an armchair traveller to some foreign city every time my new edition of Gourmet arrived.

So it is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Gourmet in its original form. Luckily, Gourmet's book publishing, television programming, and recipes on Epicurious.com will continue. And luckily their parent company, Conde Nast is a wonderful magazine for travel. There is so much competition today with the internet that there's just not enough advertising to keep them alive. I for one, will miss my monthly fix of restaurants, travel and great recipes.

My Favorite Getaway

About 15 years ago, before Oprah discovered it and made it famous, I discovered Miraval Resort (http://www.miravalresort.com/) in Tucson. I have been to many spas, but this is special in many ways. As the spa has become more famous, nothing has changed. Oprah brings a group there once a year, but attention to every guest, regardless of fame, is their trademark. They truly do make you feel special.

I first went there in the 1990's with my friend Elaine. I was an active travel agent at the time, and they offered us a special rate during the summer for a very reduced rate. I think we paid $200 per person, per night, which included one spa treatment everyday. What a deal. Prices have gone up. I have been there about five times over the past ten years, and each time it has been a little bit more expensive than the time before. Until now. Prices have dropped, and you can go to Miraval for about $350per night, including a spa treatment each day, plus the taxes. It comes to about $450 per night, down from a high of $600 a few years ago. So here's what you get for all that money.

A driver from the resort meets you at baggage claim upon arrival, and whisks you off in an air conditioned van to the hotel. After check in, you are escorted to your casita, and given a brief layout of the property along the way. The rooms themselves are spacious and functional, done in a Southwest style. Don't even think of tipping the driver or the person who takes you to your room. One of the best parts of Miraval is that there is NO TIPPING. You never have to think about when or what to tip. That's a stress reliever all by itself.

The food. I could go on and on about how delicious, abundant, healthy, and beautifully presented the food is, but I'll keep it short. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with bowls of berries, hot and cold cereal, toast, muffins, bacon, pancakes and juice served for breakfast. For lunch, there are a minimum of four different salads, cold cuts, chili, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad bar, soup, fruit, breads, and sweets. Dinner is a gourmet sit down meal. Each day is a different theme, and if nothing appeals to you which is highly unlikely, they always have a beef filet and baked potato. Don't worry about men getting hungry at this resort. You can eat as much as you want, but the calories are listed on all food. Snacks are always available day or night, in the lobby or poolside. Smoothies, fresh fruit, fresh baked cookies, sandwiches. Whatever you want.

This is not a weight loss spa, although if you eat sensibly you can and will lose weight. This is a lifestyle resort. Their motto is "Life in balance" and that's exactly what they strive for.

Activities are up to the individual. Each day they have a sign up board for things like horseback riding, equine experiences that help you learn more about yourself, hikes, bike trips,and photography class. There are many individual challenges you can try, like rock climbing, out on a limb, desert tightrope, and a swing and a prayer.There are many exercise options. Morning walks, weight training in the gym, pool aerobics, yoga of all sorts, stretch, ball classes, step classes, everything.

The spa and its therapists are outstanding. Every treatment I've had has been excellent. I love the hot stone massage and the aqua zen treatment. The latter is one of the most relaxing hours I've ever spent in my adult life. I can't explain it...You have to try it if you go to a spa that offers it.

Evenings are low key. Sometimes they will have an astronomer from the University of Arizona there to teach you about the stars. Other times they will have an Indian drumming class. Frankly, you're so tired by nightfall all you want to do is eat and go to sleep.

Finally, there are NO cell phones allowed on the property. Of course you can use the phone in your room all you want, but you don't hear that constant ringing and people talking. It takes a little getting used to, but it really helps you relax. I remember when I came back from four days at Miraval (my first trip). I ran into someone who hadn't seen me in a few months and he wanted to know if I'd had a face lift! This is true!! Miraval is an experience that everyone should have once in their life. I feel lucky to have been there many times, and I hope to go again soon.

Thank you, Jan for the beautiful pictures of Miraval, taken on one of our three night getaways to this fantastic resort. You can check out more of Jan's photography at her web site: www.web.me.com/vwjohnson.

Women as Architects of Change

One of my favorite events of the year is the Women's Conference in Long Beach. It takes place every year in October, and is organized by the first lady of our state, Maria Shriver. I have Christa to thank for introducing me to this extraordinary event. For the past several years I have gone with her and a group of about 10 women, but this year we unfortunately we unable to secure tickets. In the past we would hire a limo, leave very early on the day of the conference, eat bagels and drink coffee on our way to Long Beach, then have a full day at the conference, then return by limo and drink wine and munch on wonderful appetizers all the way home.

I just read about the conference that took place last week in the L.A. Times, and I wanted to tell you a little about it. It's that good. My understanding is that the conference began in the days when Gray Davis was governor, and his wife was in charge of the conference. Since Arnold took over, Maria has made this her special project, and the results are amazing. This year they had over 80 dignitaries at the conference, some speaking to the entire group, some on panels in break out sessions. Maria has the star power to attract the best and brightest people from every industry, including politics, business, entertainment, medicine and journalism. The conference this year became a two day event for the first time. I was sorry to miss it, as it's an opportunity to hear some of the great leaders in business and industry, government and entertainment talk about women's role in the world and the great opportunities that are out there for us.

The list of speakers is like a who's who. Just a brief list of the 80 speakers will give you an idea of the depth and breath and quality of participants. Madeleine Albright, Katie Couric, Jane Goodall, Captain Sullenberger, Greg Moartenson Mehmet Oz, Arianna Huffington Arnold Schwartenegger, Elizabeth Edwards, David Gregory, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keys, Valerie Jarrett, Paula Deen, Linda Ellerbee. That's a pretty impressive list in itself, but that's just a small sampling of the many speakers.

You arrive there at 8:00am, and get seated in this huge convention center. They have about 18,000 people in attendance, most of them women. There are several excellent speakers in the morning, before a break out session of specific topics, from women's health, to starting your own business, to current event topics. In the past I heard Tom Brokow, Warren Buffett, Sandra Day O'Connor and Condolessa Rice speak, just to name a few. Then it's lunch, and a visit to the Village, where they have everything from free medical clinics to booths discussing women's topics, clothing to buy, mini massages, you name it, they have it. Then it's back to the conference for more speakers, another special topic break out session in the afternoon, and finally, the Minerva awards.

The Minerva awards is one of my favorite parts. Maria and her committee search California for ordinary women doing extraordinary things, and honor them. This was a very moving part of the day. Most of these women we just ordinary women who took up a cause and we really making a difference.

Did I tell you how great Maria Shriver is? She is the most wonderful hostess. She shares personal stories about her life with Arnold, the Repulican/Democratic thing they have going on, and how she handles it. You feel like she is your friend and she's talking directly to you. I was so impressed. She's also running all over the place like a chicken with her head cut off, introducing people and chatting with the audience. She wears sneakers with her beautiful outfit, but it doesn't matter. She's a hands on person, and you can see the love she has for what she does.

I hope to attend the conference again next year. It is well worth looking into. I guarantee it will be one of the most stimulating days you've had in a long time.

Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta

I told you about all the wonderful food I ate in Boulder when I went to visit our new grandchild. Well, the weather was beautiful when I was there in early September, and the nights we balmy, so we ate al fresco one evening. One of our courses was a grilled vegetable bruschetta, which I absolutely loved. This one was made with grilled zucchini, sweet Italian peppers and eggplant, but you could use other vegetables, like onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. If you're not outside grilling, you can grill them over a gas flame in the kitchen, or roast the vegetables.

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Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta

grilled eggplant

grilled zucchini and yellow squash

grilled italian sweet pepper

olive oil

garlic

herbs-parsley, basil, mint

grill vegetables until cooked and soft. Remove the seeds from the pepper. Chop all veggies and mix together. Add chopped herbs, olive oil and lemon juice and garlic. Take a nice loaf of Italian bread and slice. Grill on both sides. Put olive and garlic on bread, then cover with the vegetable mixture. Serve while warm. This is so delicious. We ate it as a side dish with simply grilled fish (halibut) and it was quite a meal. You can vary the vegetables depending on what's available, but I encourage you to use the Italian peppers, as they are sweet and add a wonderful flavor. Enjoy.

One of the Great Spectacles on Earth

The migration of the wildebeest in Kenya and Tanzania is one of the great spectacles on earth. Every year, the 1.8 million wildebeest plus 500,000 zebra, and over 100,000 plains game migrate to green pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues. Wildebeest are the only land animal to synchronize birthing to within a 2/3 week period, at a time and place when there is plenty of grass and water to drink. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into different territories.

The precise timing of the migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between January and mid March, before the wildebeest migrations begins heading toward the western Serengeti in June. There are over 400,000 calves born each year. Many are lost during the migration.

During the four months of trekking, these animals are in desperate need of water to drink and grass to graze. Many young calves die from exhaustion and thirst before they reach the Mara River. Those that do survive fac many more obstacles as they cross the river. Depending on rainfall they may face deep, fast moving water and steep banks. Hundreds of animals can die during the crossing, littering the banks of the river with corpses which are quickly taken care of by crocodiles, hyenas and lions.

I was lucky enough to see the migration one year, and it is a dramatic sight that I will always remember. as far as the eye can see, I saw wildebeest and zebra running along the Serengeti. I hope the picutres I have posted give you some idea of the enormity of this migraWildebeest are migratiory animals, they migrate in a circular direction, following water and fresh grass. Survival is difficult for this animal, as they are particularly smart, swift or strong. Their great numbers protect them, but hundreds of thousands die every year.

If you're planning a trip to East Africa, which you should if you haven't been, be sure to check on the the migration. There are several seasons to go, depending on the area, and definitely check with the tour operator. It's a trip you will remember forever, esopecially the image of the wildebeest migration.

Have You Ever Been To La Mesa?

I spent a wonderful day today in, of all places, El Cajon and La Mesa. Just about 35 minutes from Solana Beach are some interesting towns most of us have never seen. There were four of us who went to Cuyamaca College to vist their beautiful gardens. In particular, we focused on the water conservation garden, and we weren't disappointed. Not only do they have a beautiful garden, but they have many ideas for the home gardener, including information on how to compost, how to build a drip irrigation system, and what plants to plant if you live in a fire area. This is a free activity, and on the weekends they often have guest speakers and plant sales.

After two hours of walking the gardens, we were ready for lunch. We're always up for an adventure, so rather than try some chain restaurant nearby, we decided to drive to La Mesa, just a few miles away. Thank you GPS for getting us there without one wrong turn.

What did we find when we got there? We found the old historic area of La Mesa, just a few blocks long, but a treasure trove of antique and collectible shops and some old restaurants mixed with some new trendy restaurants. Yes, trendy restaurants in La Mesa! We opted for Gio, recommended by one of the shop owners on the main street, and were delighted. Its a winebar/restaurant, with lots of outdoor seating on their heated patio. The decor is great. Red, black and white, beautiful plush booths inside, tables made from old barrels in the bar, and comfortable seating outside.

Our waitperson was Brooke, who gave us great service and good suggestions for other places to visit in the area. The food was fresh, abundant, and well presented. I had the Asian chicken salad with a delicious plum-ginger dressing, mandarin oranges, and crispy noodles. Jan had the fish and chips, perfectly fried, with cole slaw and great french fries. Christie had a tuna melt with fries. It was the biggest sandwich I have ever seen. Jean had a salad with shrimp and avocado in a mildly spicy dressing. Most entrees were from $10-$14 and well worth it.

Gio is owned by a local Italian family, who were there for lunch, and they make every effort to make their guests feel at home. On the weekends they have music at night. Check their website at http://www.blogger.com/www.giorestaurant.net for details. I highly recommend this restaurant, and this little town for a real change of pace. We were home before 3pm and we'd had a great little adventure, just 30 miles from home.

The Fashion Industry is Going Green

One of my new favorite websites is http://www.ecorazzi.com/. This is People Magazine gone green. It has stories about film stars, fashion designers and models, singers, etc. All the stories and people they write about are somehow involved in green projects. They write about Ed Begley and his lastest green additions to his home.

Recently I looked at their fashion section, and found that the fashion industry is indeed going green.Project Green Search is a modeling comeptition for those who have strong beliefs that they don't want to wear leather or fur, or in some cases, fabrics that are not eco friendly. The finalists compete in Portland, Oregon for a modeling contract. Great idea.

One of the hottest names in the fashion world is Stella McCartney. Her entire line of clothing is cruelty free. She uses no leather or fur in any of her designs.

Heather Mills is new to the fashion industry, but has been an ativist and an advocate for a greener planet for years. She is in the process of opening a vegan cafe. Also, she has a new eco-culture enterprise called Be@1. Her concept is to restyle and rcycle charity shop clothing and resell it. The outcome is that this will reduce old clothing that is dumped in landfills.

Pamela Anderson is also getting into the act. Her company is called Muse, ready to launch in the fall in New York. Her line of eco friendly casual clothes, swimwear and shoes will be made without any animal products.

Alanis Morisett and Woddy Harrelson have launched a new line of blue jeans, or should I say green jeans, called Reco Jeans. Their jeans are made from 50%recycled denim.

Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster from the 80's sitcom AND former third grade student of mine) has just produced a line of eco clothing for tots. She got involved in the project because her children had allergies to many of the traditional clothes. Her line is called The Little Seed, and she had the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at her opening.

So awareness and respect for the planet is no longer something out there on the fringe. It's as mainstream as it gets, and everyone is getting into the act. We now have choices when we purchase clothes and shoes. We have a choice of where it's made and by whom, and how it will affect the planet. Choice is a good thing.