Food and Vine

I’m always looking to find a common thread on the secret to a long, healthy life. Well, I found it: DRINK BEER! This story was published a few years back. Yet, it still holds true. Do what you love to do and the youthful health will follow. Working plumber Buster Martin is training for the London marathon. That is simply amazing — 101 years old and training for something that most of us would not even consider doing. He is the current record holder for the world’s oldest 5k, 10k and half marathon. Mr Martin, who has 17 children, started work at Pimlico Plumbers in London three years ago because he was bored. He drank a tankard of ale before signing autographs and chatting to fans near the finish line of the Essex race. Age is no more an obstacle…

When you’re drinking alcohol I recommend drinking a couple of cups of water to every cup of alcohol. Also, the negative effects of the alcohol will be lessened if you drink high alkaline water (hydrates better, counteracts the acid in the alcohol). The following is a macrobiotic remedy I’ve used for years and it works beautifully. It’s not just for hangovers, it can be used for stomach upset, headaches, travel sickness, and general malaise, such as low energy. This remedy strengthens digestion, increases vitality, and relieves general fatigue. Try this the morning after you’ve had too much to drink! Dissolve a heaping teaspoon of kuzu powder in 2 teaspoons water and add to 1 cup cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to the simmering point, and stir constantly, until the liquid becomes a transparent gelatin….

“I’m allergic to sulfites in wine.” We often hear that on our tours. According to David Bruce http://www.davidbrucewinery.com Did you know that your body produces sulfites every day? In fact, every 24 hours your body produces sufficient sulfite to require 100 bottles of wine to be so labeled!!! Sulfite production is a normal by-product of most forms of life. It is not surprising to discover that even yeasts produce sulfites! So… Even though wine makers who make wines that are completely organic (i.e. uses no sulfite at all) still may need to label their wine “Contains Sulfites.” Just keep in mind that most wines contain very little sulfite. It is a non-problem for 99.9% of people. Recently, on our wine and food walking tour of La Jolla, our guests enjoyed magnificent wine tastings and food pairings at La Dolce Vita,…

Starting my Monday morning with an Irish Coffee is definitely the way to go! Growing up in Ireland I learned, at a very young age, how to make a perfect Irish Coffee. The secret is to add the sugar to the coffee and stir first, before you add the cream, that way the cream stays on the top with a nice thick layer. Mmmmmm…..care to join me? THE IRISH COFFEE STORY The historic venture started on the night of November the 10th in 1952. Jack Koeppler, then-owner of the Buena Vista, challenged international travel writer Stanton Delaplane to help re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland. Intrigued, Stan Accepted Jack’s invitation, and the pair began to experiment immediately. Throughout the night the two of them stirred and sipped judiciously and eventually acknowledged two recurring problems….

Ok, I admit it. Sometimes I overindulge, sometimes I overwork, (we’ve been busy here at La Jolla Wine Tours). A body can get stressed. Here’s some great tips on how to combat stress: Geez buddy, stress and diet can do some wicked things to our bodies if we let it. It is possible that you are suffering from a Vitamin B6 deficiency ~ this will produce terrible dry mouth which cannot be resolved no matter how much water you drink, night time muscle spasms, leg cramps, excessive urination, nausea and vomiting, numbness and tingling and prickling sensations in the outer extremities …………….. vitamin B6 is needed for the effective assimilation of Vitamin B12 so if you are deficient in B6 (pyridoxine) then you will also be displaying symptoms of vitamin B12 (cycoanobalamin) deficiency ie: headaches and migraines, irritability and moodiness,…

“Beer glorious Beer”, sung by the workhouse boys in the 1960’s musical “Oliver”. Oh wait, that was Food glorious Food, no worries tho’ we’ve got food on our beer tours, and plenty of it. I love when I get to be the tour guide for our beer tours. I come hungry and thirsty and the…

La Jolla Wine Tours, Train Tour, April 14, 2011 (Written by Marti Bommarito) An Oenophile Takes to the Rails I could sense that this was going to be an exceptional group to pass the time sharing good food, wine, and company. Four Brits, Elaine and Andrew, Romi and Matt; three Nebraskans, Shawn, Shelley and Mayra;…

We’re having a fabulous time at La Jolla Wine (and Beer!) Tours. Here we are enjoying amazing local wines and beers paired with tantalizing, gourmet appetizers. Below are some pics of us toasting to new friends and an unfiltered life! Toasting to the good life! A beautiful sunny day tasting at Salerno Winery. We pick…

No need to travel to Italy for fabulous, authentic Italian food. It’s right here in our neighborhood. Enter Cafe Milano on Pearl Street in La Jolla. A small, family owned restaurant with an Italian owner that really cares and really knows how to cook great Italian food. Cafe Milano is fine Italian dining at its…

just back from a walk in the rain, yummy hot rice milk mocha, homemade chocolate chip cookies, working at home, looking out my window at the sunshine sparkling on the ocean, life is goooooood…. Rice Milk Mocha (makes one cup) Brew half a cup of strong coffee (preferably espresso and organic) Warm 1/2 cup rice…