Hello again, readers!

I apologize for the hiatus, but I have been working hard on a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Integrative Health at MUIH as well as planning a wedding! Nuff said :).

As the Spring Equinox just past this weekend, my mind has been turning to the many wineries out there in the U.S., which are a delightful opportunity to experience a bit of nature AND a bit of fun! One that I recently enjoyed with a friend in California is called Chamisal Vineyards (www.chamisalvineyards.com), located in San Luis Obispo, in the Central Coast area:

Lovely Tuscan red exterior:

Fun patio with barrels, tables, lights, and cover, with a view of the rolling vineyards!

Map of the vineyards, which are mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes:

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch in the nearby town of Arroyo Grande, at the Rooster Creek Tavern http://www.roostercreektavern.com/

I absolutely love the sweetness of California golden beets. These were cooked and chilled to perfection along with red beets, combined with greens, red cabbage and goat cheese crumbles, and topped with omega-3 rich wild Alaskan grilled salmon. Delish!

On the east coast, closer to home, is another gem: Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Maryland. This family-run, biodynamic winery is unique in that it was modeled after French wineries. The couple who runs Black Ankle are both former government employees who decided to invest in this winery, and have been incredibly successful! They grow mostly red wine grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, which make up their Rolling Hills red blend. We took a winery tour last summer, and got to try some fresh grapes - verrrrry tart! More tannic is good for our health, though, as red wine contains polyphenols.

I highly recommend taking a jaunt to your local winery this spring and enjoying a (sometimes FREE) tasting with delicious food, of course! Enjoy walking around the grounds, and please drive safely afterwards!

Cheers!

YOURS IN HEALTH,

Meghan 

P.S.: Here's a really resourceful website which will be the topic for a future post: EWG Good Food on a Tight Budget