It feels like it’s all peaches, all the time on the food blogs right now. With good reason: peaches are going crazy this summer. Every single one I’ve brought home has been ripe and sweet, with not a dud among them.

We all know that the best way to eat a peach is out-of-hand, over the sink with juice dripping down your chin. But the aroma and flavor of the fruit pair well with so many things — especially in the savory, salty arena — it would be a shame not to experiment.

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Posted in: appetizers, cooking, party food, snacks | Tags: appetizer, balsamic, basil, bruschetta, chevre, crostini, goat cheese, ham, peach crostini, prosciutto, snack | 8 COMMENTS

Friends: if you are on le régime, I warn you to stop reading this right now. Because this? This is what nearly destroyed my fledgling considerations of going on a — oh, you know, lifestyle change.

Justification: popcorn is a whole grain. Rebuttal: oh who are you kidding, that’s a half cup of Nutella in there.

I think it’s okay, though. I’ve been eating just tiny bowls of it, like this. Moderation, right? I know if I put the whole huge bowl near me, it’s game over. And it’s so sweet and rich, just a few bites will do you. Not that anyone’s judging if you end up eating the whole bowl. We’ve all been there.

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Posted in: cooking, desserts, snacks | Tags: caramel, caramel corn, dairy free, gluten free, honey, nutella, nutella popcorn, popcorn, snack, snacks, sweets | 0 COMMENTS

I’ve been feeling a little more than myself these days, friends. Let’s call it the Parisian fifteen. I mean, with all the wine, butter, and pastries that I’m constantly surrounded with, all of it superb, I more or less expected to get a bit more rubenesque during my time in France. Not to mention the fact that, despite walking more in this city, I’m still not quite as active as I was in LA. I used to go out to dance salsa at least twice a week. Now I’m lucky if I get to a club once every three weeks.

I’m okay with looking little rounder. My mother is always telling me I need to gain a few pounds anyway. But along with the lack of definition in the ab-area came this general feeling of unwellness — crankiness, headaches, a general feeling of blah in my body. I am not okay with feeling unfit.

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Posted in: cooking, salads | Tags: dairy free, gluten free, green goddess, green goddess dressing, healthy, lettuce, little gem, little gem lettuce, salad, salad dressing, salad fingers | 1 COMMENT

I might have done Zurich wrong. Usually, what you want to do when you’re traveling is to spend as little time in and around your hotel as possible. Get out to the center of town, or maybe the outskirts if you want the true, untouristed experience. Eat local food, learn where the rivers are and which way they flow, learn how to navigate public transportation.

I didn’t do that on this trip. Honestly, I must have been within three blocks of the hotel for at least 75% of my time in the city. But can you blame me? Take a look at this place!

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Posted in: travel | Tags: antique market, antiques, b2 boutique hotel, bar, bars, brewery, cafeteria, cow bells, hail, infinity pool, library, library bar, pool, rain, rooftop pool, switzerland, zurich | 3 COMMENTS