Showing posts filed under: Regions Clear

The Country Girls’ Approach to Saving Small Lives.

Caroline and I are both Colorado country girls. She lives in the mountains at 8,000 ft with a magnificent view of the Continental Divide and I live in the countryside at 5280 ft next to a creek that spills into two ponds.She is a vegan Kundalini yogini and I am not. I eat everything that’s good, all over the world, and bend my left elbow more than any other body part. Yet,  I am as interested in saving the world as she is and believe that all sentient beings deserve kindness including the most minute. It is said that even fleas and spiders experience fear and have a desire for happiness, just like the rest of us, so why not follow that creed when it comes to the small creatures that scare us?

Mango Merienda

Carlos peddles up with his son and several choice Mexican snacks. He has freshly steamed green chili tamales and these chilled mango ‘flowers’ which he cuts on the spot. He rubs them with lemon, dusts them with cayenne and a pinch of salt. It reminds me of the beach vendors in Mexico, right here on the streets of Longmont, Colorado.

Living Between Curious Worlds

The creek is high, rushing and coffee colored. Surrounding trees are full and green, happy with a full drink of water from yesterday’s rain. The Flatirons sit pretty in the distance looking down on the plains with barely a glow of early morning light coming from a vast, cloudy, yet blue Colorado sky. Birds and hidden animals take delight in the moist air and cool temperatures, and so do I.

Ode to Okra

Candlelight graces a table on our houseboat in Kerala. Tears well and fall down my cheeks at the taste of okra. The cook comes in, “Ma’am are you alright? Was the food too spicy for you?” I smile and nod subtly sideways, the Indian way that says, no, yes, maybe. …

Denver Life: “Sweet & Savory Travel Moments with Peggy Markel”

“Peggy Markel, pioneer of international culinary travel, celebrates 2012 as her 20th year in business as founder, owner and operator of Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures. For two decades, Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures has brought elegant, off-the-beaten-path experiences to its guests, whether they are sailing along the coast of the Mediterranean, …

India: Shahpura Bagh, Part One.

India - Peggy Markel's Culinary Adventures

High over the mustard field tiny warblers jump from plant to plant. It early morning, but not for the jackals and peahens. A warm breakfast of freshly made yogurt from the dairy and poha, a puffed rice colored with turmeric and flavored with a masala blend of spices, mustard seeds, and red capsicum …