Quiet vacation spots aren’t for every traveler, but when you are looking for a relaxing beach destination and don’t want to splurge on those tropical islands in the Caribbean, the southern coast is a great alternative.  The two weekends prior to our Surfside Beach vacation I spent in Charleston and on the islands surrounding the city.  Until now, I had always associated the beaches in South Carolina with busy tourist traps.  But vacation spots exist that are not inundated with chain restaurants and resorts.

Our house in Surfside Beach was perfect.  We had an ocean view, four bedrooms, a great kitchen and dining areas, porch and pool.  It was the perfect place for a family getaway.  We had days in the sun and quiet while also having access to the nightlife and restaurants in Myrtle Beach when we wanted to.   I got to spend a week with my boyfriend’s wonderful family playing games, maybe drinking a little too much sangria, and having an overall wonderful, relaxing vacation filled with good food and good company.

People sometimes think you need to break away from the ‘known’ and ‘familiar’ in your life.  For me, this has always been my family.  And yes, sometimes life requires moving, taking a job far away, not talking on the phone every day with those you love.  But being close to my family is a blessing, not a hindrance.   In reality, it isn’t my wish to stay close to my family that inhibits my courage, creativity, or ability to take risks, it is my own self-confidence in my talents and dreams.  So if there is something or someone in your life that makes you comfortable and happy, hold on to it, because these things are hard to come by.  Instead, rely on those people as a support system and believe in yourself, take a chance and you may find something in life that is unexpected, but fulfilling.

Many times, doing what is expected, or what you think is the right path, may take you away from who you really are.  I have found a

Photo courtesy of Thomas Leonardi

lot of times that doing what is expected and ‘normal’ often means not being myself, or conforming to expectations.  But, fitting into a mold or trying to be like everyone else around you will not make you stand out or bring you happiness.  Being successful and finding happiness (whatever those mean to you) is about taking risks, being confident in yourself, and most importantly, being yourself.  If you can’t be yourself on the path you are on, it will be difficult to find happiness.

I am starting to learn the amazing consequences of a chance meeting and an increasing need to follow a potentially unconventional career path.  I have also learned by being far away from home, that I can have my family, my stability, and I don’t need to break away from them to move into my future.  In fact, I feel stronger, and more confident around them.  They will always be my first foundation.  But without taking these chances, I will never find my future, success, happiness, and maybe even a new foundation to rely on in my life.

So if something feels right, take a chance, be confident in yourself and don’t give up on your dreams.

Of course we decided to make a bit of an adventure out of it and stop in Mammoth Cave National Park as a half way stop.  We both really love the outdoors and camping seemed like the perfect way to spend a night.  Especially when the average temperature in Northern Kentucky around this time is a high of 75 degrees and a low of 45 degrees.  BUT, when we left Michigan it was rainy and 40 degrees.  Rain and cold are a pretty bad start to a night in the outdoors.  Which is why you always need to come prepared!  This is where my wonderful boyfriend thought ahead.  He brought a nice warm sleeping bag rated for -30 degrees (which he graciously gave to me) and the right protection for our tent from damp ground and rain.  Being cold and wet in a tent is never a pleasant experience.

Fortunately, when we finally arrived in Mammoth Cave National Park, it had stopped raining and cleared up.  A clear sky can sometimes mean colder weather, and it certainly did that night.  But because we came prepared with warm weather gear, a delicious dinner, and wine it turned out to be a delightful spring night under the stars.

You may be thinking, 30 degree weather = miserable.  But if you come prepared you can make a great night out of a campfire, dinner, stars and good company.  I know I’m a Northerner and I may just be crazy, but here is a list of supplies that can turn any camping outing into a perfect night (and those longer stays that you can reach by car, motorboat..and even canoes and kayaks!).

1.  Gear

• Tent – even if you think there may be a shelter or lean-to at the camp site, always come prepared with a tent.  If you arrive and all shelters are taken, it is not normally pleasant sleeping outside if you even have the slightest chance of rain.  Besides, when it’s chilly you will likely wake up in the morning with frost in your hair!
• Sleeping Bag – always make sure you have a warm enough sleeping bag.  Although my -30 degree bag may have been a bit extreme, even in the summer months camp sites in the woods and mountains generally get cold at night.  At least have a bag that reaches down to 30-50 degrees in the summertime.
• Firewood – pay attention to the signs of National and State Parks! There are some nasty bugs destroying the trees and bringing in firewood from home may be extremely harmful.  If you’re not one to want to wander around in the dark to search for sticks, buy some at nearby gas stations or at a Park store.  Lighter fluid doesn’t hurt either….
• Cooking utensils - If you are picky about your food (I know I am) pack silverware, a plate, a bowl, and a mug for everyone.  Next, buy a cast iron pan – they are not expensive and you can cook ANYTHING in them.  they are perfect for the steak, eggs, bacon, fish, or vegetables that you want to cook.  Don’t forget a knife for chopping if you need to prepare anything.  If you don’t like using the grills that are sometimes hanging above the fire pits, buy a grate that will fit over a campfire.  The other multi-purpose cooking tool is Aluminum Foil.  It is extremely good for keeping anything warm or for cooking food that you would normally throw in an oven.  Last, ground coffee and a french press.  If you are not a morning person, or can’t do without your coffee don’t leave home without these.  Besides, a good cup of coffee in the woods, by a campfire is priceless after crawling out of your tent in the morning.  Finally, a lighter is always helpful and bring along some little tea lights for some nice candle light.  Also, don’t forget paper towels, lots of paper towels – and a garbage bag!!
• Wine Opener – I always forget this…if this is important to you, don’t overlook the disappointment of camping without one.
• Layers – it never hurts to have too many layers of sweatshirts, socks, extra shoes and hats.

2.  The main event – Meals

If you haven’t already figured it out, this is clearly not f or an extreme backpacking/hiking trip.  But if you are not one to want to spend extended time in the woods, this is a perfect way to experience the woods without the perils of getting lost, no outhouses, and no wine for days on end.  I know camping can be daunting to some, but if you prepare like this it won’t feel like ‘roughing it.’  With the ‘minimal’ gear and food we packed we were able to have a delicious, candlelit dinner under the stars of steak, stuffed peppers and delicious wine.  When you get used to these ‘drive-up’ campsites, get out and try a hike or backpacking trip.  You will see sights and have experiences that you can’t ever imagine until you surrender yourself to the wilderness.

Pictures are from the Northville Placid Trail from Long Lake to the Cold River Lean-Tos – This was a 15 miles each way backpacking trip and we still managed to cook up some delicious meals and carry wine and scotch!

Unfortunately, the reviews were not completely accurate, and were definitely plagued by the very few places to stay in the Hiawassee area.  This was certainly not a good ‘value’ resort and is not located on a remote plot on the lake.  If I had not had my deal I would have been upset that I booked this trip.  Of course it depends on your preferences – but if I am paying an average of $200 per night (without the deal) for a resort on a lake that is advertised as quiet, relaxing and luxurious, I would expect professional staff, quiet grounds, and maybe even a good pot of coffee in the morning.

When I arrived after 45 minutes of beautiful winding roads (although both of us started to get car sick after a bit of ‘aggressive’ driving), I was already a bit annoyed that the resort was on a main road.  You would never be able to tell by the pictures or reviews.  The second we walked in I knew that this was not the resort I was expecting.  Although the staff was friendly (and certainly tried hard), they were not trained well, at all.  In addition, the beautiful property (despite the road) was marred by constant loud air-conditioners that made sitting on your balcony less than peaceful.

Now tha it sounds like I have completely trashed this resort – let me focus on some of the positives.  I am an incredibly discerning traveler with my expectations resting at a level that is set based on impeccable service, nearly perfect facilities and picturesque surroundings.  I find that my judgments can sometimes negatively impact my experiences, which is when I try to relax and realize that there really are some great features of the Ridges Resort.

The property and hotel itself is wonderfully well kept, with tastefully decorated rooms, and a genuinely rustic feel in the lobby.  There are nice little bonfires lit every night with s’mores set up nearby.  The s’mores are a great touch and is the best subtle addition by the staff.  The property itself is in nice condition with sprawling lawns, lawn games set up (which I am unreasonably addicted to), and an on-site marina with very competitive rates compared to the surrounding marinas.  There is a tennis court (and a basketball hoop with a completely bent rim) with nice rackets, perfectly situated rooms with balconies that look over the lake for a perfect sunrise, and food that took me aback with its quality.  Again, the staff (with the exception of our waiter the second night) are not well trained at the restaurant, although most of them are very nice and well meaning.  But, the food was exceptional.  The dining room itself could use some revamping, but every dish we had was delicious from tuna carpaccio, to salmon, pasta, or perfectly cooked steak.

The surrounding area is beautiful.  But, after searching for a few hours we couldn’t come up with even a hike within 20 miles of the resort (despite that you are in the mountains).  I really enjoy visiting wineries, and have heard that Northern Georgia has some that are up and coming.  There was only one close by called Crane Creek Vineyards.  I didn’t have high expectations about the quality of the wine, and that’s probably a good thing.  But, there were a few gems, and the assistant wine maker that took us through the tasting was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the vineyard.  Having an intimate tasting with a wine maker is much more appealing to me than many of the tasting you run across in more popular wineries.

We  did eventually find a few wines that we liked, and enjoyed a small, but delicious southwest wrap with a glass of white and a glass of the rose on the beautiful porch
behind the tasting room.  In addition, the tasting room has a great store with gourmet condiments from Stonewall Kitchen and cheeses.  We decided that hiking was not in our future this day and bought cheese, crackers, and the red that we enjoyed the most.  One of the staff said we could walk anywhere on the property that we would like.  So we visited some cows, took a country road and eventually ended up on the edge of a pond where we made friends with a couple dogs, and enjoyed the beautiful day and delicious snacks.  This vineyard was a gem and a perfect outing for the day.  It was relaxing, quiet and in a beautiful setting.  We stayed well passed closing time in the field and didn’t regret not taking our planned hike at all.

Now back to the resort….There is clearly a serious oversight in training by the management at this resort that does not do the staff justice.  After my stay was over I was nearly certain that the stay was not even worth it with the deal I was able to get.  A big problem is the pricing.  It’s on the high end for what you get in terms of services and location.  There is one thing that I learned that I am certain of.  It is perfectly fine to splurge – but make sure you know what you are getting.  And if you can’t spend that much money, go rustic.  Find a cabin rental or camp!  I realize that I don’t need the best (aka most luxurious lodgings).  When you have the right company, good food, and peaceful surroundings – even the most basic of lodgings can feel like the best, most relaxing getaway you could ever ask for.

The downside of this, is that bathing suit season also comes 4 months earlier.  All of you from cold climates may understand that winter is a time of big, hearty meals, and many drinks to keep you warm.  We like to call it insulation from the cold.  Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t have the usual 3-4 spring months to shed this protective layer before the hot summer days.  Apparently the young population in my apartment complex didn’t have the same problem.

Unfortunately, my favorite hobbies, other than being in the sun, are food and wine.  Not very conducive to getting back in shape…or so many people think!  What most don’t realize is that getting into shape, weather it’s turning the fat back into muscle or burning 10-20 pounds, doesn’t involve anything extreme.  In fact, going an extreme route to lose weight quickly is unhealthy and makes it much easier to put on as much, or more weight than before in a shorter amount of time.  Getting into shape doesn’t mean eating terrible, tiny meals, endless hours in the gym every day, and giving up that favorite after work cocktail.

Losing weight and getting back into shape all comes down to eating healthy, exercising, and most of all, portion control.  For anyone like me who loves food and wine,

Photo courtesy of Thomas Leonardi

it’s very easy to just keep eating until your plate is empty.  When something is so good, it’s hard to stop!  That’s why it is important to start out your efforts by joining a calorie counting website.

In order to eat the right portions all day you have to know how many calories you need, and how many calories you are actually taking in every day.  The amount of calories you need are based on a variety of factors including your age, gender, size and level of activity during your week.  There are many websites that help you track calories, but I currently use My-Calorie-Counter by Everyday Health.  It’s fairly easy to use and you have the added bonus of receiving free newsletters on topics of interest.

Eating Well

Dieting doesn’t mean giving up delicious meals, expensive food and torture as it may to so many people.  I prefer to call it ‘eating right,’ instead of ‘dieting.’   I know the last thing people generally have is time on their hands.  But a really great first step is to start by cooking your own meals.  Eating out, weather it’s fast food, take-out, or gourmet dining, can be expensive, fattening, and certainly does not help with portion control.

Just because I realized I needed to lose a few pounds does not mean I was about to cut out my favorite delicious foods, or wine.  This is why you really need to pick and choose.  If there are one or two things that you really don’t want to go without, give up something else.  Chances are there are two or three things in your diet that you can give up that are likely much easier than that favorite treat.  For me, it’s soda and fast food.  I enjoy wine more than either, so I chose those as my absolute go without calories.  I would suggest giving up these two to anyone.  You will you see a noticeable difference (especially substituting water or seltzer for soda) and you will see and feel it quickly.  After a short time you may find you don’t even like the taste of them anymore.  If you need any more convincing take these calorie equivalents to heart.

Eating well does not have to be expensive or time consuming.  If you find that you just don’t have time to go to the store every day, plan out your meals for the week.  This way you are only going to the store once a week.  This is not only a  good way to stick to your new eating habits, but it’s an easy way to control what you are eating during busy work weeks.

Cooking also does not have to be difficult or time consuming.  There are plenty of recipes available that don’t require a lot of prep time or cooking time.  Olive oil, salt, and pepper are generally all you need to either grill or bake meat.  It’s quick and delicious.  For recipes with mostly healthy ingredients and estimated prep times try Epicurious. I also find that cooking relaxes me at the end of a long day at work.  It’s rewarding and distracts you from anything stressful that may be happening in your life.  So turn on some music, grab a glass of wine (I know, alcohol is supposed to be no good for getting in shape!), and cook yourself a delicious meal.

Portion Control

I know I just said that if you eat well and give up the bad stuff, that you will be on your way to getting into shape.  Unfortunately it’s not that easy.  Even if you are eating the healthiest food available to you, eating too much will destroy your efforts.  Because I like to cook and buy fresh food most of the time, my biggest battle was controlling my portion sizes.  Eating smaller steaks and more vegetables and shrinking the sides of rice or pasta.  The best advice I have is to eat more slowly.  It takes your body a while to register that you have eaten, and that you are actually full.  The second most helpful change I made was not to cook to have leftovers.  It’s just too tempting with that food sitting on the stove to help yourself to more.  Be careful with your portions and you will see a noticeable difference.  Counting your calories are very helpful in this aspect.

Exercise

Exercise is crucial to a healthy strategy for losing weight.  As much as I would love to just stick with my first two steps, you really have to free up some time in your routine to get some kind of physical activity.  I don’t enjoy the gym, but I do find time in the majority of my mornings to get to the gym for about an hour.  The same routine doesn’t work for everyone.  There are many choices, like hiking, running, ellipticals, swimming, biking, walking, sports. So find what fits you best to get the necessary exercise.

The one aspect that you just can’t trade for other activities is lifting weights.  You can lift weights in the traditional sense with free weights or machines, or try your hand at resistance bands or an alternative that has the same results.  When I was younger and played basketball my dad let me know over and over that I had to lift weights.  That is was the best way to become strong and burn calories.  It’s not very often that I admit that he’s right, but he is 100% correct on this one!  If you include weights into your exercise every other day you will see immediate results.

What Are You Waiting For?

Start paying attention to what and how much you are eating, give up what you don’t need and start to exercise and you will really be ready for whatever sunshine you will experience!  Once you start in on your new routine you will feel better (physically and mentally)  And remember, getting into shape doesn’t have to be extreme…it’s making sure you are living a life that is healthy for both your mind and body.

Now that I am stationed in the Southeast, I’ll be exploring states that I have never been to before, eating food I’ve never had and drinking sweet tea for the first time ever (which I LOVE)!  My first trip I even saw a cotton field for the first time….I didn’t know they actually grew as cotton balls.

So I’ll be chronicling my adventures in the South, whether for business or vacation, I’ll be all over eleven different states (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Virginia).  And while my parents still reside in the upper reaches of NY State where winter is interminable, they will travel South often and may even provide a means to write about some of the great restaurants in Atlanta!

I’ll also be continuing on the energy efficiency/sustainability track through my job working on energy codes.  I know, sounds boring – but I’m protecting new home and business owners and assuring that their buildings are high quality and energy efficient from the start!

While I am here, I don’t think I’ll ever escape being called the “damn Yankee.”  Oh well…guess that’s what I’ll always be!

What you need to know:

• Vineyard: Pacific Rim
• Vintage: 2007
• Grape: 20% German Riesling Wine and 80% Columbia Valley Riesling
• Major Flavors: Dry citrus – Pineapple and peach
• Where to buy: $9 – Look on Winezap.com!

Located in the elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the Southwest Waterfront, CityZen lives up to its reviews with a sophisticated modern decor, an extensive wine list, and a unique and delicious chef’s tasting menu.  Our whole table ordered the tasting menu, though they do not mandate that the entire table partake.  We also opted for the Sommelier’s pairing with each course.  I remember each wine being wonderful by itself as well as serving as a wonderful compliment to the courses.  Although the wines were consistently good, it was definitely the food that made a lasting impression that night.

We started the meal with the Cured Carpaccio of Alaskan Ivory Salmon paired with a 2008 Salwey Pinot Blanc Kabinett from Germany.  I was expecting a thin sliced salmon that resembled a tartar in taste, but that was not the case.  I can say that this is probably the most unique dish I have ever tasted.  The salmon literally melted in your mouth, and the mango and herbs that topped the fish made the dish.  If you are not a fish person, the texture may be

an issue for you.  The next course was Roasted Italian Eggplant Ravioli with a 2004 Palazzone, Campo del Guardiano from Umbria.  This dish was equally fantastic, but I am

much more enthusiastic about ravioli melting away as you eat it than I am about salmon.  Next came the Beer Battered Chesapeake Bay Softshell Crab paired with a 2008 Coupe Blanc de Roses from VDP Cotes de Brian.  I have a history of being squeamish around shellfish.  But I loved this!  My mom and boyfriend opted out and substituted this course with the most amazing, delicate piece of halibut I have ever had (except my mom’s).  Unfortunately, I had to substitute the next course (Sweet Butter Poached Maine Lobster) because I am allergic.  But I did receive raving, fork dropping reviews from my dad.  In the place of lobster the remainder of my table had delicious veal sausage.  The last dish before dessert, Herb Roasted Elysian Fields Farm Lamb Rib-Eye, was my favorite “main course dish.”  It was accompanied by my favorite wine of the night, a 2002 Vinedos Ithaca, Odysseus from Priorat, Spain and a small wooden box of miniature rolls.   I really wish I had more room for the rolls, they were almost as good as my grandmother’s! (aka Grammy Rolls).  Lastly, we ended with the best chocolate covered pretzel I have ever had with a 2005 Conceito, Vintage Port.

Though dishes were rushed in the beginning, our waiter anticipated our complaint and slowed down our courses for the remainder of the night.  Theservice was consistent, enthusiastic and personable.  Some describe this restaurant as pretentious, I did not sense this at all with the extremely welcoming wait staff.  Our waiter was knowledgeable about the entire wine list, not just those that were paired with the meal and was perceptive in my dad’s and my enthusiasm about the pairings (possibly contributing to my dad ordering an additional bottle of wine at the end of the night).  He lined up all of the bottles on a table for us just so we could take pictures of everything we drank (because we all know we would never remember them the next day).

CityZen went above and beyond my expectations, despite the already high rating.  The food and wine was wonderful and the service attentive.  At the end of the night, we didn’t think we would ever eat again – and then they brought the petit fours – which were all devoured while we waited for our check.  Although it can be pricey, this I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.  It is both great for groups and would lend itself well to a romantic evening.  

When the night was over, the waiter surprised us again by bringing copies of the night’s menu for us in a folder to take home.  He had apparently been told by the Maitre’d that this was a special Father’s Day meal.  It always impresses me when a restaurant truly takes note of the special occasions that a diner notifies them of, whether through the phone, or via their online reservation with OpenTable.  Little did they know that we had four more special Father’s Day meals ahead of us.

Chef's Tasting Menu

Don’t worry, running out to make a new purchase while waiting for the pasta water to boil was not necessary.  Instead, I was able to enjoy a light white wine with clear citrus flavors that went wonderfully with the tomato cream sauce, perfectly counteracting the acidity of the tomatoes.  The taste starts out light at first, finishing with a strong citrus flavor towards the back of your mouth.  There are flavors of green apple, pear, kiwi and lemon zest just as Cooper Vineyards describes, but the apple surfaced as the strongest of the four with additional pineapple flavors accompanying it.  This is a wonderful wine and perfect for the upcoming summer season.  I would definitely recommend this great value wine for your Fourth of July barbecues.

What you need to know:

• Vineyard: Cooper Vineyards
• Vintage: 2009
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Price: $15
• Major Flavors: citrus (apple, pear)
• Where to buy: Directly from Cooper Vineyards

Just over an hour after my parents landed at Reagan Airport, we met at The Oval Room just off of Farragut Square on Connecticut Avenue.  This was one of those rare days that was not too humid and a perfect temperature to enjoy the patio dining option.  The patio is private and is set up perfectly, blocking the ongoing traffic of Connecticut Avenue.  Although lunch is frequently an occasion to eat less and try some portion control for many people, this is not a goal for my family, especially when on vacation.  Despite the many scheduled meals and the impending dinner at CityZen in less than 4 hours, we tackled the menu and our lunch as though we would not eat again for days.

We tasted five dishes on the menu including the Peekytoe Crab Cake, Tuna Tartare, Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi, and a salad with champagne vinaigrette, goat cheese, and shrimp.  The food was delicious.  The crab cake was perfectly crispy on the outside with no shortage of crab inside and the Gnudi was delicate  and unlike any other Gnudi I have had.  The meal was topped off with the decadent chocolate cake with strawberry pearl tapioca.  Everything was wonderful, the service was attentive and the Puligny Montrachet certainly did not hurt.  The meal is well priced and was the perfect way to start Father’s Day weekend and the feeding frenzy to come.

More to come from CityZen in my next Father’s Day Weekend review.