
I am off to the world-famous International Basque Festival in...Boise, Idaho, of course! Boise is home to the largest Basque population in the United States.

dressy jacket 2-4 shirts/blouses/tops 2 pairs trousers/skirts (shorts?) 3+ pairs socks 3+ pairs undergarments long (lightweight) underwear swimsuit dark (cardigan) sweater rainwear (umbrella?) parka, coat, or equivalent long T-shirt or sarong [cover-up] necktie, scarf, hairband, bandanna gloves / mittens sun hat / knitted cap, hat clip 1 pair dressy shoes (laces?) 1 pair walking shoes/boots (laces?) flip-flops or sandals belt travel pack or shoulder bag daypack (fanny pack? purse?) lightweight duffel/laundry bag luggage lock(s) (cable?) alarm clock/watch (batteries?) flashlight, headstrap, extra batteries (bulbs?) multipurpose tool, scissors spoon (fork? chopsticks? spork?), compass whistle door stop [for security] inflatable travel pillow hostel sheet bag (sleeping bag? safety pins, rubber bands, cord sewing kit, including large needle (Ziploc®) plastic bags, garbage bags duct/gaffer's tape (packing tape?) toothbrush, cap, tooth cleaner, floss razor, blades, shaving oil/cream comb and/or hairbrush shampoo, bar soap & container deodorant nail clippers [unbreakable] mirror viscose towel (washcloth?) | universal (flat) sink stopper detergent, spot remover (surgical latex braid) clothesline (carabiner?) inflatable hangers [to dry clothes] toilet paper, water squirt bottle, (chemical or mechanical) water purifier analgesic of choice diarrhea treatment of choice infection treatment of choice malaria tablets insect repellent, mosquito net sunscreen, lip balm tweezers bandages (other first aid?) menstrual, contraceptive, vitamins, necessary medications (collapsible) plastic water bottle & cup dark glasses, retainer, case lens cleaning cloth/supplies, copy earplugs (eye mask?) [to ease sleep] pen(s), small notebook, glue stick personal address book (stamps?) maps, guidebooks, phrase books, Post-it® notes, restaurant lists, membership cards, business/calling cards, telephone access numbers reading material large envelopes [to mail things home] passport, visas, extra passport photos, vaccination certificates copies of important documents (international?) driver's license, health insurance information travel tickets charge & ATM cards, cash (traveller's cheques?) 2 personal cheques security pouch [worn under clothes] ![]() camera (lenses? flash? tripod? extra cards & batteries? charger? download adapter?) cellular telephone (charger?) laptop computer (flash drive? power cord/adapters? network cable(s)?) (solar) calculator gifts |
Anti-Cellulite: Weleda Huile de Massage Minceur ($22)
Weleda’s Birch oil is a hit with Parisians. Its ingredients are entirely natural and include silver birch leaves, rosemary and holly.
Cleanser: Bioderma Créaline H2O Sans Parfum ($34).
My French friends call it one of their best kept secrets. It’s a gentle, micellar solution for sensitive skin, but good for all types. It can be bought sans parfum (fragrance-free) or parfumée (with fragrance).
Toner: Caudalie Eau de Beauté ($16)
This toning spray was inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary’s “elixir of youth”. It’s made with grape extracts and essential oil of rosemary, orange blossom, and rose extracts which give it a light and lovely fragrance. Caudalie was the pioneer in the use of grape seed extracts in skin care. They have an amazing spa 30 minutes outside of Paris.
Moisturizer and Eye cream: Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Suractivée and Contour des Yeux Prodigieux ($43, $28)
Ah...Nuxe. My skin is dry and sensitive and these two products have worked wonders for me. If you are in Paris and have time, a visit to the Nuxe spa is a must!
Body Lotion: Bioderma Atoderm Crème (500 ml, $43)
I needed a lotion that worked for me and my daughters (5, 2 and 6 months). We all have sensitive skin and Atoderm is the best.
Sun-burn or post-shave skin soother: Avène Eau Thermale ($16)
This is good old French thermal (mineral) water in a preservative-free spray. My husband uses it after shaving.
This is the best salad I’ve had in Phoenix to date: the Brussels Sprout Salad at Chelsea’s Kitchen. Its vibrant color and mix of flavors will make a sprout lover out of anyone.
The salad is made with blanched brussels sprouts, almonds, dried blueberries and cranberries, smoked bacon and topped with Manchego cheese. It is tossed in a mustard vinaigrette. A bit spendy for a salad, but worth it when I imagine preparing four pounds of sprouts for my family ($13 lunch/$14 dinner). You can order grilled chicken or salmon on the side($5).
Thankfully I discovered the recipe in the Los Angeles Times.
Salad (1 serving)
1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon dried cranberries
1 tablespoon dried blueberries
2 tablespoons toasted whole almonds,California or Spanish Marcona
3 tablespoons mustard vinaigrette
3 tablespoons chopped, cooked good-quality bacon
1 ounce Manchego cheese, shaved using a peeler
1. Peel the leaves from the Brussels sprouts, discarding the core. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the Brussels sprouts leaves just until they are a vibrant green and barely tender. Drain immediately and place in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and dry well. You should have 3 cups of leaves.
2. In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts leaves, cranberries, blueberries, almonds, bacon and just enough vinaigrette to lightly moisten.
3. Mound the salad on a plate, and top with the cheese shavings. Serve immediately.
Mustard Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar, more as desired
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice with pulp
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons whole grain mustard, more as desired
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 cup light olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, lemon juice and zest, mustard and garlic. Continue whisking while slowly drizzling in the olive oil until the oil is thoroughly incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and brighten the dressing as desired with a little extra vinegar and mustard. Chill well before using. This makes a generous cup of dressing, more than is needed for this recipe, and will keep for 1 week, covered and refrigerated.
Chelsea's Kitchen
5040 N 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-957-2555
Pampered in Paris Book Giveaway!!!
I want to increase Small Batch’s number of 'fans' on FB as well as its email subscribers.
This is not an ego thing. I learned from the book launch in New York that blog numbers=legitimacy. New writers typically have to wait months for a response to article/story pitches from publishers. If I create my own space, I don’t have to wait (Photo: Breff).
Here are the giveaway rules:
My Goal is 130 subscribers by July 22nd. Let’s do it!
Size matters. Especially when we are talking about carry-on luggage. This pay-for-baggage nonsense makes it crucial to choose your one airline-allotted personal item wisely.
With three children, I need a handbag to be oh-so-much more. Most airlines allow you to bring one bag and one personal item like a purse, briefcase or laptop with you on the plane. Mine has got to be functional enough to work as a diaper bag/purse/laptop bag and weekender while at the same time fashionable enough to tote around a city like Paris.
I’ve narrowed it to the perfect size: 16” X 9” X 9”--give or take an inch here and there. With that in mind, I’ve picked out a few bags that fit the bill. I tried to keep choices under $100. Please feel free to post your own favorites.
Here's to 14 consecutive years of wild beach house fun with my family! Last Monday we returned from ten days in Newport Beach, California.
Each summer, my mom and her sisters spoil their children with homemade cooking. They manage to squeeze all of their specialities into 7 days. Unfortunately it has become a smorgasbord of yang foods: donuts, sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, taquitos and candy-bar brownies to name a few. The love behind the food is undeniable; it makes it impossible to say no.
This annual retox leaves my body begging for a return to healthier, healing foods. Matt and I committed to at least 7 days of fresh salads and smoothies to help detox after the trip. Our girls are not salad eaters but they love vegetables. I sliced up individual veggies from the salad and served them with chicken or another protein. I use all fresh, organic products when possible. All of these ingredients can be found at Trader Joe’s grocery store.
Cranberry, Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad
Bag o’salad: baby lettuce or romaine (wash it again even though it says it’s washed!)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2.5 oz plain goat cheese, broken into chunks with fingers
3/4 cup of candied pecans
1 small apple, sliced (I like Gala)
pinch of sea salt
freshly ground pepper
Lazy Vinaigrette (see below)
Beet Salad
Bag o’salad: romaine
2.5 oz. herbed goat cheese, broken into chunks with fingers
1/3 cup toasted almonds
Steamed red and/or yellow beets, chopped (TJoe’s sells prepared beets in its refrigerated section)
pinch of sea salt
freshly ground pepper
Orange vinaigrette (substitute Champagne vinegar and add 1-2 Tbs orange juice)
Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Bag o’salad: romaine
1 cup small, sweet tomatoes
1/8 to 1/4 cup toasted or plain pine nuts
pinch of sea salt
freshly ground pepper
Lazy Vinaigrette with a splash of honey
Baguette Slices
3 oz. plain goat cheese
Warmed honey
Directions: Toss the lettuce, tomatoes and pine nuts together in Vinaigrette. Place a 1/2” sliced round of goat cheese on each baguette slice. Place in a 425-degree oven or under low broiler until bread and cheese are golden or brown. Remove from oven and drizzle with warmed honey (this last part is incredible).
Lazy Vinaigrette
The magic ratio is 3 to 1 in a vinaigrette--3 parts oil to one part vinegar. For this size of a salad, I usually toss 1 Tbs balsamic or red wine vinegar, 3 Tbs of Olive Oil and a splash of agave nectar, honey or liquid stevia to temper the vinegar, with the salad.