About

The First Sip…

My adventure begins ten years ago when my French host father Yves sternly exclaimed: “Il ne faut pas dire non à une bouteille de 1970 Pomerol!” I had just explained to him that I had an important exam the next morning called the SAT, that I was anxious, and I needed to study – not drink wine. After he refused to accept my excuse, I resigned to staying at the table for just a few more minutes to see for myself if this red liquid merited such high accolades.  I quickly lifted the glass to my lips, about to pour the wine into my mouth, when I noticed the look of horror on Yves’ face.  I stopped my actions, slowly lowered the glass, and patiently listened to his explanations on how to appreciate the subtle aroma of the wine’s bouquet or “nose” as the French call it.  I followed his example and concentrated on the wine.  I forgot about my nerves, stilled my mind, and discovered more than just fermented grape juice.  I took in the essences of raspberry, chocolate, and pepper, and, in concentrating completely on this moment, on this glass of wine, I found a new calm.  Only then did I take my first sip.  He was right – you shouldn’t say no to a bottle of 1970 Pomerol, but, more important, you shouldn’t rush good moments.  With this realization, my interest in wine was born, and, along with it, a passion for cooking and gastronomy.  While my knowledge of food and wine has steadily grown over the years, I still consider myself a novice; however, to me learning about food and wine is an adventure… an adventure that I wish to share with others.

The Blog: Simmer & Sip

Simmer & Sip brings together my passion for food and yoga.  As a yoga teacher, I have become conscience of the importance of eating a diet that will sustain my practice and give me energy, while being respectful to the environment.  The recipes focus on locally produced, organic, and fairly traded ingredients. While I’ve recently turned to a modified Paleo diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs, poultry, and raw dairy products on occasion, you’ll still find some more traditional recipes on this blog.

The Photography

My love of photography began at an early age thanks to a family full of artists.  All of the photos on this blog are my own work.  My photographs have also been published in the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Santa Fe Literary Review.