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Low Fat Sugary Treats

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I don’t know why, but my sweet tooth comes out in full force during the summer months. Maybe it’s the thought of ice cream treats or simply the gut instinct that watermelon doesn’t cut it as the “official” dessert of a meal. (Watermelon is more like a ‘pre-dessert’.) But I do know that if I ate all of the sugar I wanted I would be approaching a summer swimsuit of grand proportions. (Think: Emmett Otter’s grandmother’s bathing suit.) In any case, it’s in that vein that I offer you two delicious summer time treats that will not cause you to … Continue reading →

Historic Arkansas Hotel Reopens for Business

If you are looking for luxury in Little Rock, Arkansas, I have good news for you. After two years and more than $24 million worth of renovations the historic Capital Hotel is open for business. The downtown property is welcoming back guests in high style. If you are a loyal Capital patron don’t fret about the hotel losing its Victorian charm. That’s still intact. It just added a few extra amenities to go along with it. The historic hotel has added modern touches, such as wireless Internet and flat-screen TVs and it’s also sporting 236 new windows. In addition, its … Continue reading →

Weird And Wacky Family Friendly Festivals

If you think the only family friendly activities held in the fall are ones that deal with hay, pumpkins and apples, think again. Try worms and beans. I’ve got the lowdown on some weird and wacky festivals taking place around the country. And, some advice—before you snub your noses at the following “unique” events know that thousands of people travel thousands of miles to attend these unusual fests. Woolly Worm Festival – Banner Elk, North Carolina And you thought the only racing that drew crowds in North Carolina was NASCAR… Not in Banner Elk, North Carolina. October means Woolly Worm … Continue reading →

Going (Coco) NUTS In Hawaii

It’s the only food festival in the world where I don’t walk away 5 pounds heavier. If it were not for the fact that I am allergic to the hearty fruit I would eat everything in sight at Kauai’s Coconut Festival. Believe me (I was born and raised in Hawaii); if you find yourself in the “Aloha State” during the month of October this is one event you don’t want to miss. The 11th annual Kauai Coconut Festival takes place this year on October 6th and 7th at Kapaa Beach Park on the lush eastern portion of the Hawaiian Island … Continue reading →

Fall Food Festivals—-Celebrating Okra

I grew up in Hilo, Hawaii… a place far removed from the region of the country where okra thrives. Yet, I love the fuzzy green veggie. All thanks to my Texas-born best friend. My pal Erika was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, but moved to Hawaii when she was 12 and her professor parents accepted jobs teaching at our local university. Erika’s family moved in down the street from me and we became fast friends. Which means I shared many meals at her home. Hence, my introduction to okra. The slimy green pod vegetable was a staple in Erika’s … Continue reading →

Family Travel: Taking Your Children To A Strawberry Farm

I was going to title this blog “A Trip To The Strawberry Farm—A Parent’s Survival Guide,” but I didn’t want to send the wrong message. Yesterday my 3-year-old daughter and I finished off the last two pieces of a very tasty strawberry rhubarb pie. It was a pie we made together with the fresh strawberries we picked earlier this summer at our local berry farm. (I froze a few pounds and have been adding them to recipes throughout the summer.) Nothing says summer than fresh strawberries, right? That was my thinking about two months ago when I loaded my daughter … Continue reading →

Traveling To A Taro Festival

In previous blogs I’ve detailed my adventures traveling around the nation to various food festivals. Right now, on the island of Maui, locals are gearing up for one of Hawaii’s most popular food festivals—the East Maui Taro Festival. (I’ve even considered petitioning the Food Network to send a crew to cover it as an episode on their show “All-American Food Festivals.”) On the last weekend in April, the tight-knit community of Hana hosts this down home bash that attracts more than 5,000 visitors and residents each year. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the festival, which features a number … Continue reading →

Affordable Family-Friendly Festivals

You’ve heard it echoed in neighborhoods, playgroups, offices, grocery stores, even in the doctor’s waiting room. Seems like you just can’t escape “it.” “It” is the insanely high price of gas and nowadays, it’s the topic of conversation wherever you go. Ironically, it was a topic brought up last weekend during a mini-road trip my family took to attend a local Kite Festival. Ironic, because like many families, the skyrocketing price of gas has forced us to eliminate our “big” summer road trip. Instead, we have opted to save gas (and money) by attending a variety of area festivals that … Continue reading →