Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

I love markets. Here in Seattle, Pike Place Market is where I go when I am feeling stressed or just in need of a little motivation.

In Tel Aviv, the Carmel market is where my passion for life is ignited.
The night before I went to the market, I tossed and turned in bed, imagining what I would find. I dreamt of the endless piles of candy. The piles make you want to jump in the candy and roll around. I dreamt of the plastic cups filled with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. I dreamt of the lady who stands around filling your bags with freshly baked pita. Then I woke up, fed the baby and ran to the market.

It was 8 am. I had candy for breakfast. I had fresh roasted nuts. I walked through the market and let the scents of the foods take me away. I took pictures. I forgot all my jet lag, my stress, my tiredness. I immersed in the colors, the foods, the fruit, the vegetables. No guilt here, I tasted everything and for a few hours I was happier than Willy Wonka.

I was in foodie heaven and I wasn't ready to come back to earth.

Candy Piles


Halva, Halva




Baklava

Urban Eats- Nosh- a -Thon Party.

Urban Eats is a 3 -course- for -$30 dining program presented in May. The launch party will include a meet -the -chef's benefit event for Farestart.
Get a chance to eat, drink and socialize with other foodies. The proceeds benefit Farestart's culinary job training for the disadvantaged.

Date: April 25th, 1-4 p.m.
Location: Basco Kitchen Design Showroon, 6750 South 180th Street Tukwila
Donation: $30 per person, includes all food and beverages. Donations will be collected at the door. All proceeds benefits FareStart

For more information, click here

For more about Urban Eats, click here

Food For Baby

Since becoming a mother, my eating has changed drastically. I have become more of a purist. Just knowing that my babies nutrients pass through my breast milk makes me a lot more conscious.
In a few weeks, I will be giving Baby E his first taste of solids. We have been sitting him at the table with us and showing him the foods we eat. We want him to look at all the different colors; the green lettuce, the vibrant yellow beets and the round red tomatoes. We want him to get excited about food, enjoy it and share the enthusiasm for healthy foods that we do.
Our bodies have already succumbed to the abuse of too many overstuffed meals, countless chicken mcnuggets, and endless color-dyed pieces of sugar. I am sure after he turns two, I won't have as much say about the food that he eats but the thought that he gets to start his life with a fresh clean slate really excites me.


Nina Planck, the author of REAL FOOD FOR MOTHER AND BABY, will be holding a discussion as part of the Good Life Series, another one of those wonderful events hosted by Kim Ricketts.

Nina Planck sets out to find out what is true about feeding a pregnant mother and new baby in the most healthy and delicious way. Planck addresses fertility, pregnancy and baby's first foods with surprising answers to a parent's food questions.

The event will take place at The Palace ballroom, April 22 at 6:30 pm. The cost of the event is $25 per person, which includes a copy of book, appetizers, and a bit of chocolate.

For more info about Kim Ricketts Events, call 206.632.2419 or click here

Grand Cru, Bellevue's Hip New Wine Shop and Bar

When we first moved here, I lived in dowtown Bellevue. Every time friends would come visit from Seattle, we had trouble finding places to go out. In the last year Bellevue has been booming with new bars and restaurants. The newest addition is the
Grand Cru Wine Bar and Wine Shop

The wine shop has already opened and the bar will open May 1st.
Grand Cru Wine Bar will serve a wide assortment of wines along with seasonal, small plates, large plates, desserts and a French (Alsatian) specialty called a Tart Flambe, a French Pizza served in many wine bars in Strasbourg, Ribeauvillé, and Colmar.

What's happening at Grand Cru?

Thursday Night Walk-In Wine Tasting
(sample new offerings in a casual atmosphere)

TGIC Fridays: Thank God It's Champagne
(16 different sparkling wines offered by the glass)

Custom Regional Wine Dinners
Guided travel to wine producing regions of the world

Wine Appreciation Seminars
(for all experience levels from the novice to serious collector)

Formal, Sit-Down Wine Tastings
(a wide range of topics including new releases, library wines, food pairing and verticals)


What's your favorite wine bar?

Sam's Club Event

Sam's Club is having a taste of spring event this weekend on April 3, 4 and 5. Everyone is invited to shop, member or not. There are samples and cooking demonstrations to celebrate spring.
For Sam locations and more about Sam's club, click here