Closets full of clothes – some that hadn’t been worn for at least a year . . . furniture that no longer fits your décor . . . household items that have been passed down from other family members – all taking up precious space somewhere in the house or storage unit. We love living […]
Seriously, retirement may not be in your best interest. And not everyone who retires loves the idea of not having to go to work, so why not take steps to a happy retirement. However, because right now you’re in the middle of a dreadful week . . . and the stress and long hours have […]
The word “Disneyland” conjures up images of crowds of tourists, many with mouse-eared caps and fairy wands, scurrying about to get to the next amusement ride. However, it can be a great staging site for exploring the French countryside. This picturesque region of France is also a tranquil setting of swans and lily pads, […]
When we left the lush rain forest and geothermal area of Arenal to explore Costa Rica’s iconic Pacific coastline, we drove two-and-a-half hours to Liberia, the second largest city in the country and the hub for the northwestern coast. When we reached Liberia, we exited the freeway and headed south towards the Pacific beach towns. […]
Brunch is a favorite meal and not just because of the food. It is a weekend pursuit. It’s fun to try new places, new recipes, and different neighborhoods. If you’re visiting or just looking for a different place to go, here are five of our favorite places to find brunch in Central Phoenix. The Vig This […]
Recently, I had the privilege of guest posting on one of my favorite travel websites, Explore River Cruises. In my article, titled, “Places to See on a Rhine River Cruise,” I described our experience of cruising down the Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For us, it was the most interesting, scenic, […]
Every year, we spend at least two months with family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The photographic architecture, crisp clean air, strikingly bright blue skies, earthy smells of lavender and sage, and, of course, the Balloon Fiesta make this one of our favorite destination spots in the Great Southwest. But let’s not forget that one of […]
A charming eatery located in an historical neighborhood . . . Victorian gardens with lots of relaxed seating and high-top patio furniture . . . delicious organic and farm-fresh cuisine. The Vig at Fillmore in downtown Phoenix is a great local eatery that is just a little different from the norm. It’s delightful and trendy […]
There are so many great places to see and so many things to do in the Phoenix area. And, one place that we’ve always loved to go to is Cave Creek. Cave Creek, Arizona is a small town nestled near the foothills of one of Arizona’s beautiful mountain ranges. Located north of the valley, it’s […]
This Shepherd’s Pie recipe is adapted from the “The Engine 2 Diet” book written by former firefighter, Rip Esselstyn. To his recipe, I also added carrots, celery, beets, and sweet potatoes, which makes it a perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal. The recipe makes a hearty meal and the leftovers freeze well. […]
The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa Arizona is famous for its resorts and spas, and the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa is one of our favorite local places to get away. This famous resort is a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon or evening enjoying the scenic views, eating lunch in […]
Tacos are one of America’s favorite southwestern meals, and Phoenix has great places to find them. However, when they’re served in an historic building that used to be a mission – I mean, how cool is that! There are so many great places to eat downtown, and even midtown in Phoenix. And the Taco […]
I prepare a smoothie almost every day of the week because it’s nutritious and quick to prepare. It’s easy to vary the recipe – just use different combinations of berries, fruit, and seeds. It also goes well with a quick slice of toast or banana bread! List of ingredients: 1 cup frozen berries 1 fresh, […]
Recently we found another hidden treasure of a restaurant, Fuego’s at CityScape, that specializes in Southwestern cuisine. It’s a fairly small place, with colorful purple cloth napkins and small potted plants on each table. As with many of our favorite places, this eatery is located at CityScape right on Central Avenue. We’d never eaten here […]
Phoenix is known for great climate, golf courses, resorts, spas, shopping, and dining. However, this time of year is when restaurants transform from being indoor eateries to include marvelous patio experiences, each one unique in cuisine and style. Although there are many excellent dining places to choose from, three of our favorites are listed below. […]
In an earlier post, I wrote about healthy eating and the benefits of a plant-based diet. I also mentioned that, if “you’re not accustomed to this type of eating, it will take a little . . . planning.” It’s easier to transition to plant-based if you plan for only one or two meatless days each week. And, since Mondays are […]
The banana bread recipe below is adapted from the Forks Over Knives – The Cookbook: It calls for only a few basic ingredients, goes well with homemade soups and salads, and is also a perfect complement to smoothies and coffee in the morning. I like to double this recipe and then freeze one loaf. List of […]
The grandkids are coming! What shall we plan for family activities? They always like to come to Phoenix and some of their favorite activities are documented here. But, one of their favorite activities this time of year is to go ice skating, and there just happens to be a great ice skating rink right in […]
Acorn squash makes a colorful and delicious vegan meal. And, when the rice is prepared ahead of time, this recipe can be prepared in a matter of minutes. This dish is filling, and incorporates several of the season’s favorite ingredients. Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash List of ingredients: 2 medium acorn squash – washed, halved, and […]
Cranberries are plentiful in the fall and this is a quick vegan dessert that incorporates their juicy tartness with just the right amount of sweet raspberries. It takes very little time to prepare and to bake, and goes perfectly with other fall dishes. Cranberry Raspberry Cobbler List of ingredients: FRUIT 1 8-oz […]