Limoncello

What do you do when the world (or a farm in California) delivers you 10 pounds of rotten lemons? If you answered, "make lemonade", you are incorrect. Nobody likes rotten lemonade. The correct answer is make limoncello. Limoncello, a staple of the Italian diet, is a wonderfully refreshing apertif and digestif. It is starting to gain popularity here in the U.S., but often times the domestic version tastes more like jet fuel than the perfect lemon. Besides, this stuff is so easy to make at home, you will never even think about buying the mass produced store stuff. Here's how you make it:

• Start off with some really good vodka. Some recommendations include Stoli, Iceberg, Hangar One or even a local producer from Texas called Tito's Vodka. If you like your limoncello strong, you can use grain alcohol instead of vodka for a really potent concoction.
• I like to make my limoncello in mason jars, but any air tight, wide mouth bottle will do. If you chop the peel small enough, you can always use the bottle the vodka came in.
• You need about 6 lemons per fifth of vodka. I like Meyer lemons the best (they have a little sweetness to them). If you cannot find Meyers, no problem, pick up one or two tangerines or oranges to round out the flavor of the lemons.
• Wash and dry your lemons (and oranges if needed) really well. Peel them, keep the skin in tact as much as possible. Take a sharp knife and cut or scrape all of the white pith away from the back of the skin (it helps if you peeled big pieces of skin). Now you can cut the skin with the pith removed into very tiny strips.
• Place the skins of the six lemons into the bottle, add 1/3 cup of sugar, screw on the cap and shake vigorously. In fact, for the next three weeks, you should should shake the bottle each day. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place for the next three weeks until the peels lose their color and the liquid looks like lemonade. Some people strain the liquid to remove the peels, but I leave them in the bottle.
• Store in the freezer after the three weeks. This creates a syrupy limoncello that is excellent on the tongue before or after dinner. Keep in the freezer in between servings. If the bite is too much, you can always add more sugar at any time.
• If you want to up the lemon flavor, you can always add candy lemon drops (Jolly Ranchers) work the best. Just don't tell my Italian grandparent or they will disown me.

Enjoy responsibly.

Pureed Cauliflower

I first came across this dish over five years ago. The day after our wedding, we went to brunch and came across the velvety smooth side dish that none of us have ever heard about. Surprisingly, on our honeymoon to Australia, we saw pureed cauliflower everywhere. Although it still hasn't gained the much deserve exposure here in the States, it is a staple of our dinner. It is easy to make, healthy and can take on a ton of different flavors.

Here are the basics:

• Bring a large sauce pot of salted water to a boil. Take a large head of fresh cauliflower and remove the stem and greens (my wife includes the greens, but I don't). Cut the head into florets (the smaller the better). Place the florets in the water until very tender, about 15 minutes. You can also use frozen cauliflower or steam the cauliflower florets.
• Once tender, drain the water and place the tender cauliflower into your food processor. Turn food processor on high, spoon mixing every so often until the texture is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This is where it gets interesting because now you have a perfect side dish by itself or a base to include a ton more flavors. Some of my favorite include adding:

• Roasted garlic, roasted red peppers and olive oil for an Italian fare.
• Feta cheese, oregano and olive oil for Greek style.
• Green onions (scallions), a splash of soy sauce and some sesame oil for Chinese style.
• Basil, pine nuts, parmigiano-reggiano cheese for a pesto style.
• Hot sauce, paprika and red pepper chili flakes for spicy version.
• Lemongrass, ginger and lemon for Thai style.
• Butter, sour cream and chives for mock, loaded baked potato version.
• Cheddar cheese, milk and bread crumbs for an au gratin taste.

The options are endless. Basically, you can infuse any flavor you like into this cauliflower base. Believe it or not, pureed cauliflower tastes like the best mashed potatoes you have ever tasted. Best of all, it is a healthy veggie that even the kids will love. What are you going to put into your pureed cauliflower? Let me know!

Fly to Honduras for 8 cents

This is no gimmick. For a limited time, you can fly non-stop from Ft. Lauderdale to Honduras on Spirit Air for $0.08 (taxes and airport fees not included). You must book soon because the promotion starts today and seats are limited.

You may be asking yourself, what am I going to do in Honduras? The good news is this diverse and friendly country has something for everybody. Would you enjoy sitting on the beaches of Roatan, reef diving, exploring Mayan ruins, deep sea fishing near the Bay Islands or soaking up the richly diverse Honduran culture?

Here is an amazing site, loaded with information on travelling to Honduras. For finding the perfect hotel, complete with traveler's reviews, and other useful knowledge, check out Tripadvisor. Lonely Planet also offers some practical tips and suggested travel itineraries.

Although I have never travelled to Honduras myself, I contacted my friends at Dreams Alive Travel (they can help you plan your trip, call 813-240-0946 to speak with one of their Central American travel experts) for some insights:

• Bay Islands - this area includes the popular island of Roatan. Perfect for sun worshippers who love sugary soft sand beaches and terrific nearby dive sights.
• Gracias - colonial mountain town with nearby Parque Celaque (the highest mountain in Honduras), featuring a wonderful cloud forest.
• La Ceiba - the finest beaches of Honduras on Caribbean Sea. Daily ferries to Roatan leave from this coastal paradise.
• Copan - located in Western Honduras, these beautiful ruins contain tons of pre-Columbian art and was home to a Mayan civilization over a thousand years ago.
• Honduras is amazingly affordable, with many of the finest hotels costing around $100 a night. Some local treats include the "Plato tipico", a meal consisting of rice, beef, fried beans (frijolitos), and fried bananas (tajaditas). Other culinary delights include tacos, baleadas, and enchiladas. Don't forget to indulge in "licuados" -fruit juices and milk shakes, made with countries bounty of mango, pineapples, watermelon and banana.
• While relaxing on the beach, sip on one of their national beers: Salvavida, Port Royal, Imperial or Barena. Perhaps even a cocktail made from the Nicaraguan rum called Flor de Cana.
  

Hope this helps. Let me know how your trip goes. Safe travels.

Stock to Gamble On: Element 21 Golf

Rarely do I recommend individual stocks, let alone a penny stock company that isn't profitable. However, there are exceptions to every rule. With the Dow climbing over 13,000 it is becoming harder and harder to find "good deals". There are so many elements (no pun intended) to this company that excite me:

• Element 21 golf clubs (e21) are produced using a proprietary metal alloy called scandium (originally developed for fighter jets and advanced aeronautics). It is almost perfectly balanced and provides less shock to golfers. Essentially, this company has created a better mousetrap and is probably the most innovative product to hit the golf market since titanium was introduced.
• The management assembled to run this company is top notch. They recently added board members, CFOs and other top management positions with experts in their fields.
• The publicity of this stock has been amazing. It has won numerous awards from golfing magazines, trade shows and even holds the Guinness Book of World Record for the longest drive. This was accomplished when a cosmonaut hit a golf ball with an e21 club from the International Space Station over Thanksgiving. I think the ball is still in orbit.
• The PGA has approved this club for use in tournament play.
• Just today, an independent lab proved the superior accuracy of e21 clubs over the three current top selling drivers.

These are all great things for the company, but what excites me the most is this company is selling for a price way below its 52 week high. I love buying things on sale. Element 21 recently shipped its clubs (in March) to retail stores nationwide. It is only a matter of time before the public and the pros start turning to these superior clubs. Hopefully, the stock price will rise as these clubs become the standard. Check out the financial information and recent news at Yahoo! Financial Site.

Disclaimer: This stock is extremely risky and may not suit your current investment strategy. Please perform your own due diligence before investing in any stock.

Eat Local & Organic

I'm getting sick and tired of grocery shopping. The fruits and veggies aren't fresh and they have no flavor. Even worse, the food we buy isn't safe. One week we cannot buy spinach because of e. coli, the next week it is peanut butter and recently even the pets aren't safe. What are we polluting our bodies with?

I've been dismissing research and sensationalist journalism for years arguing the pesticides, fertilizers and hormones our foods are pumped full of are the cause behind illnesses ranging from autism, neurological disorder, allergies and even cancer. For me, "organic" was just a buzz word that allowed food companies to charge double the price of its chemical laden counterpart.

Fortunately, the great chefs of the world have changed my mind. You see, every great meal starts with great ingredients. Turn on the Food Network and you will hear chefs clamoring that they buy only fresh, local ingredients in season. You know what? I am going to do the same.

There are a lot of benefits to eating local & organic:

• Organic farmers are good for our Earth. They practice sustainable agriculture, don't pollute our precious waterways and reduce our dependency on petroleum (used to make the chemicals and fertilizers used by traditional methods).
• Support hard working families. I love supporting family businesses, as opposed to large, faceless corporations. What can be more satisfying than procuring your groceries from generations of farmers who feed their own families the same products you are feeding yours? It is amazing to meet and develop relationships with people who nourish your family with their own hands and hard work.
• Meat, eggs and dairy from pastured animals is lower in calories and fat. It is higher in antioxidants (2-3x more Omega3s than grain fed animals) and "good" fats.

There are more options than ever for buying local, organic food. Many of the larger, chain grocery stores even have organic sections (although many of these stores are staffed with experts to help you find the best products). There are even grocery stores, like Whole Foods, Wild Oats and your local health food store that carry a huge variety and knowledge of natural and organic products.

There are also two great websites to help put you in touch directly with the farmers themselves. Most of the time, you visit the farm yourself. I highly recommend bringing the entire family and making a day out of it. You (and your kids) will learn so much and the farmers are often excited to tell you about the history of their family, their land and their bounty. The free samples don't hurt either. You will be amazed at how flavorful the fruits and veggies are. I almost forgot what strawberries really tasted like.

• Eat Wild - This site is dedicated to grass fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork and dairy products. You can search by state for local farmers. Don't have room for a side of beef in your freezer? Get together a group of friends and family and split the bounty. Surprisingly, buying direct from the farm is MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE than grocery store prices.
• Local Harvest - This is my favorite. Heirloom seeds, listing of farmer's markets, local farms, wools, honey, soaps, coffee, chocolate, etc. A ton of useful information. Check it out today. Again, you can search by location for those farms closest to you (many even deliver or ship their goods).

Earth Day or not, you should at least consider adding local and organic products to your grocery list. Not only are they healthier for you and your family, but they taste a lot better.

Reduce Your Debt Now

All of us strive for financial freedom. I know new clothes, a fast car and luxurious vacations make us all feel good (albeit temporarily), but you know what feels even better? Not having to worry about living paycheck to paycheck and owing other people money. If you are carrying debt other than your mortgage or low interest student loans, please read below and act immediately.

• Get organized. Get out a sheet of paper right now. Write down all of your credit cards, gas cards, department store charge cards, auto loans and any other debt you pay on a monthly basis. Record the interest rate for each one, the total amount owed and your monthly payment.
• Pay off your highest interest rate debt first, even if this means paying the minimum amount on your other cards. You may even consider consolidating all of your credit card debt onto one low interest card. Check out creditcards.com. This is an awesome website that allows you to compare various offerings no matter what your credit situation is. By having all of your debt on one or two cards, you can better manage your debt (and your progress).
• Freeze your spending, literally. If you have credit card debt, stop charging. The easiest way to do this is to grab a tupperware, place your credit cards in it, fill the tupperware with water and stick it in the freezer. If an emergency arises, you can always defrost it. If you think not using your credit card is impractical, think about impractical it is to keep racking up debt and getting further and further from your financial goals. Instead of credit card, use cash or your debit card and make sure to keep a spending journal. This entails writing down EVERYTHING you spend money on.
• If your debt is really out of control, you may want to consider refinancing your home. I do not recommend taking on a second mortgage, but you may want to use existing equity in your home to pay off the higher interest rates you find on most credit cards. Plus, the interest on your mortgage may be tax deductible (consult your accountant).

Finally, the easiest way to get out of debt is to stop spending money. Forget about new clothes, vacations, expensive gifts, dining at restaurants, bar hopping and everything else. Instead, use the money you would've spend to reduce your debt. I guarantee you will feel much better about living debt free than any material possession.

A Dieter's Guide to Eating Out

The Saturday nights I used to love, I now dread. You see, my family and I have a ritual of going to Church and dinner on Saturday nights. It sounds like a lot of fun, but eating out at restaurants while on a diet is like an alcoholic going to a wine tasting party. Here are some tips I have learned to reduce the temptation of overeating while eating out.

• Sit far from the kitchen. The fad in restaurants these days is an open kitchen layout. Experts say the smell and sight of food can actually make you overeat.
• Skip the bread. The first thing I tell the waiter/waitress when we sit down is to NOT bring the bread basket. Bread is a weakness of mine and I don't want the extra temptation of piping hot sourdough and butter a few inches from my face. My family doesn't need it either so we just do without.
• Choose your drinks wisely. Skip the empty calories and the inflated cost of booze while eating out. I am a die hard foodie and love cocktails and pairing food with wine, but restaurants jack the price up so much the cost outweighs the benefit. Instead, drink water. In fact, the first thing I do is chug a glass of water with some fiber pills or Supreme Greens supplement. This is a great way to "fill" up naturally and with little to no calories. By the time your food comes, your stomach feels full and you will decrease your tendency to overeat.
• Beware of Salads. A lot of dieters gravitate towards salads when eating out. Little do they know many times these choices are calorie laden (tomatoes, croutons, cheese, dressings are all loaded with calories). To combat this, skip the salad entrees. If you want a salad, get something with romaine, hearts of palm, celery, cucumbers, some carrots and get the a vinaigrette dressing on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and then get a forkful of salad. This will limit the amount of dressing you use.
• The restaurant & your waiter are there to please you. Don't be afraid to ask your server questions on how the food is prepared. Tell them you want your fish, chicken or steak grilled dry with no oil or butter. Ask them to steam your veggies. Instead of oil or butter, ask for additional herb seasoning or olive oil on the side. Olive oil is very healthy, but it has almost 100 calories per tablespoon. Get it on the side and dip your fork in it like it was dressing for your salad.
• Doggie bags save you calories and money. The average restaurant meal has 60% more calories than its home cooked counterpart. The portions at restaurants, along with the prices, have exploded in the past five years. The easy way to combat the calories and the cost is to get a doggie bag. I ask the server up front for a box. When my food arrives, I cut everything in half and immediately put it in the box and give it to my wife. This way I get two meals for the price of one and haven't overeaten. Eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.
• Instead of dessert, go for tea or coffee. Coffee and tea have no calories. Add all of the artificial sweetener and skim milk you want and you have a sweet, low calorie substitute for dessert. If you are still hungry when you get home, make some sugar free Jell-O or some ricotta mousse.

Remember, eating out is to enjoy the company of your partner, family and/or friends without the hassle of cooking or cleaning up. It isn't the time to stuff your face to try to get your money's worth. Don't be intimidated by eating out while on a diet. There is something for everybody. Enjoy yourself sensibly.

Tax Refunds are BAD for your Financial Health

The sun is out, the sky is bright blue, the birds are chirping and everybody is feeling good. I assumed this overwhelming sense of joy in the faces of my co-workers was due to the beautiful spring weather, but on a second take I noticed many co-workers in new clothes talking about upcoming vacations, new furniture and even grand plans for a European vacation. Suddenly I realized it wasn't spring in the air, these suckers just got their TAX REFUND. I am perplexed by all of the people who are bragging and "high-fiving" over how big their tax refund is this year.

Hello, dummies. If you are getting a refund, you just gave Uncle Sam an interest free loan for an entire year! I don't even give my favorite brother a loan (with or without interest) and you are going to give some uncle you have never met a loan for over $2,000 without any interest? That's right, the average refund is about $2,400 this year. If you did get a refund this year, please run (do not walk) to your HR office and get a W-4 and change your witholding amount or get the form from IRS.org.

Since this is the last year you will be getting a big refund check, use the money wisely. The best thing to do is to save the money in a Roth IRA. You can contribute up to $4,000 per year and the money grows TAX FREE. You can always withdraw the contribution amount without penalty. Not everybody qualifies, so check with your accountant.

If you have credit card debt or car loan over 10%, please put your refund towards paying down this debt. It just doesn't make sense to continue paying high interest rates.

The absolute worst thing you can do with any refund money is to blow it on something frivolous or on things that will not make you money in the future. This means big screen T.V.s, cars, furniture, vacations, etc., etc., etc. are all out of the question. For many people, tax refunds are like a big bonus. You should use it wisely to get ahead in life. Good luck and make sure you change your witholdings today so next year you won't have to read this blog entry again.

Secret Rendezvous to Jamaica

With the recent Nor'easter pounding much of the country with rain, wind and sometimes snow, it may be time to escape the cold and head south for some rest and relaxation. I came across an excellent deal from Couples Resort called Secret Rendezvous. It is especially good for those with a gambling spirit since you don't know which of the four different resorts in Jamaica you will be staying in until a week before your arrival. Not to worry though, because all of the resorts are top notch.

First, here are some details on this spectacular travel deal:

• $162.50 per person per night from May 1-May 31.
• $175 per person per night from April 1-April 30.
• 3 night minimum stay with run of the house accommodations.
• Repeat guest benefits and other promotions may not be combined.

In case you don't know much about Couples resorts, here are some insights:

• Luxury, all inclusive resorts for couples only (no screaming kids!).
• Boutique style of hotel with high design, great food and premium offerings.
• Gourmet meals, premium brand drinks, live entertainment, watersports, gratuities and taxes are all included in your low price.

Let's take a closer look at the four Couples resorts on Jamaica:

• Couples Ocho Rios- 206 rooms over 19 acres, this resort combines Jamaican hospitality with the glamour of Hollywood in the 1950's. 5 restaurants, 4 bars, au naturel private island, horseback riding, excursions to Dunn's River Falls, glass bottom boat tours, unlimited golf, shuttle to Island Village & Margaritaville. The list goes on and on.
• Couples Sans Souci- 148 rooms & suites over 35 acres near Ocho Rios, with four restaurants, in room dining and six bars. Like the other properties, everything is taken care of in your overall package, including all meals, snacks (including the mini-bar), premium brand cocktails and beverages, unlimited use of sports facilities, including equipment rental and instruction, waterskiing, recreational activities, hotel taxes and airport transfers from Montego Bay with no tipping.
• Couples Swept Away- Located on Negril's famous 7 mile beach this peaceful resort offers everything, including a 10 acre sports and fitness center. Whether you enjoy relaxing on the stunning beach or in a yoga class, this resort has something for everybody. Feathers, the resorts fine dining restaurant, is consistently rated as Jamaica's best. Too bad for outsiders it is only available to guests of the resort.
• Couples Negril- Carved into the landscape of Negril with chic swim up bars and in suite jacuzzis, you will vacation in the lap of luxury. If you want more than lounging by the pool, this resort offers a shuttle to Pirates Cove and shopping excursions to downtown Negril.

No matter which resort you end up in with this incredible deal, you will have the time of your life. As an added bonus, if you book your Couples vacation through Jonathan at Dreams Alive Travel (phone number 813-240-0946), you will receive a special gift for being a reader of the Yuppie Life Guide for Travel, Food, Wine & Health. Happy Vacation.

Leftover Chicken

I love rotisserie chicken. Boston Market's original rotisserie chicken is good, Publix Supermarket's is even better. For about $7 (or $5 if your lucky enough to live around the corner from a great little Colombian restaurant), you get an entire chicken that has been marinated and rotated over open flames for hours. Peel off the skin and you have a protein packed super food with less 200 calories per 6 ounces. Although it is tempting to scarf down the entire bird, I have some great ideas and recipes on what to do with your chicken leftovers.

Before embarking on the recipes below, get your fingers dirty and pull off the skin and chicken off the bone. This is easy since it practically falls off.

• Chicken Quesadillas- In a large, non-stick skillet over medium low heat, place a whole wheat tortilla in the dry pan. Layer on some shredded chicken, followed by low fat monterey jack cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Place a second tortilla on top and press down with your hand (be careful not to burn yourself). Place a large plate (or heavy duty aluminum foil) over top of pan and flip it over. Return skillet to burner and slide the quesadilla back into the pan to cook other side for 2-3 minutes. Serve with guacamole and salsa. You can make an Italian version by using ricotta cheese instead of monterey jack and spaghetti sauce instead of salsa.
• BBQ Chicken Pizza- Grab a whole wheat Boboli crust and place a thin layer of BBQ sauce (my favorite is Cattlemen's), shredded provolone cheese (Alpine Lace is a great low fat cheese) , chicken chunks, chopped green onions and flat leaf parsley. Place in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for 8 minutes. You can also do this "no clean up style" on the grill by placing a double layer of heavy duty aluminum foil and cooking for 12 minutes.
• Chicken & White Bean Chili- This is super easy. Dice up a small white onion and a clove of garlic and saute in a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat (you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like some heat). Drop in your chicken, a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup and a can of white beans. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until hot.
• Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps- This is an easy one. Finely chop your chicken until you have about 2 cups of chicken. Add 2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, rice wine vinegar, chopped ginger, chopped garlic and chopped green onions. Mix well. Peel off entire leaves of iceberg or bibb (Boston) lettuce. Wash and pat dry with a paper towel. Spoon your chicken mixture onto the lettuce, roll it up and enjoy.
• Chicken Florentine Frittata- This is just a fancy name for a chicken and spinach omelet. Omelets make great dinners when you don't have a lot of time or energy left after a hard day at work. Whisk four eggs, a pinch of salt and a dash of milk then drop in your chunks of chicken, set aside. Microwave a box of frozen spinach. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat spray some Pam, pour in the eggs, chicken and spinach. With a spatula, move the ingredients around until the eggs start to set. Cover the pan (if you don't have a cover, place aluminum foil tightly over the top (do not burn yourself) for 10 minutes to cook the frittata through. Flip frittata over on a plate (the bottom should be slightly browned), sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve. This dish also tastes great the next day cold.

There are so many things you can do with left over rotisserie chicken. It is great because it stays moist (unlike boneless chicken breasts you cook yourself) and pulls apart easily into tasty chunks to use in all sorts of recipes. Tomorrow on your way home from work, swing by and pick up a rotisserie chicken or two. Enjoy it straight up with a salad and a sweet potato. The rest of the week you can use your leftovers to make a quick meal and still not be tired of chicken by the end of the week.

Fast Food Restaurant's Healthy Options

Eating healthy is hard enough, but given our fast paced lives, it is almost impossible. The key to eating well is planning and preparation. However, there are some days when we simply cannot avoid the quick fix of a fast food restaurant.
I recently stumbled upon a great blog on Yahoo! called Hungry Girl, including this great article on Top Ten Guilt Free Fast Food Finds. Print out this blog entry and keep it in your car, purse or even laminate a copy to keep in your wallet.
The good news is many fast food establishments have made recent changes to offer more and more healthy food options. In addition to eliminating trans fat (Wendy's was the first), the drink and side dishes have also gotten healthier (baked potatoes, fruit, bottled water, fat free milk, green tea, etc.). Some additional tips to keep your calorie count down while eating out include:

• Be aware of the condiments, sauces and salad dressings. This is the easiest way to avoid extra calories. Skip the dressing (ask for lemons or lemon juice), sour cream and cheeses. Stick with mustard, vinegar and low calorie dressings.
• Skip the bread, buns or rolls, especially those made with white flour. Instead, eat your burger without the bun (or stick between two pieces of lettuce), go with a whole wheat bread or even a wrap.
• This may sound like common sense, but avoid super sizing meals, ordering double cheeseburgers, forget the fries and don't order soda.
• A great substitute for those delicious fries is a baked potato. It isn't the healthiest option, but a baked potato with mustard will save you about 500 calories over a large french fry.
• Skip the yogurt parfait with fruit and granola. These can have almost as many calories as a cheeseburger. Granola is loaded with calories and fat and the fruit is more of a fruit syrup. Instead, get fat free milk with the fruit cup (this is really fruit).

There are also fast food restaurants dedicated to healthy eating and more and more opening each day. Chipotle, a McDonald's franchise, offers healthy TexMex cuisine with many organic ingredients. YaYa's is a charbroiled chicken franchise that is excellent. Finally, Au Bon Pain has tons of healthy menu items (just make sure you can resist all of their great baked good). The great thing is most of the fast food chains have the nutritional information online so you know what you are getting into before you order. What are some of your favorite fast food menu items? Do you have any tips on how to eat healthy when eating out? I would love to hear your comments!

Burn Calories Without Exercise

Want to know the secret formula for losing weight? The answer is to burn more calories than you consume. It is really that easy. Unfortunately for me (and many others), I love food. I love to cook, try new dishes and have no will power against tasty eats and drinks. Since diets do not really work me, I know the only other side to the weight loss equation is to burn more calories.

Here are some really great tips on how to burn more calories throughout the day without hitting the gym, running or exercising:

• Forget the elevator, take the stairs. I work on the 6th floor of a mid-rise building and gave up elevators altogether. If you don't have to tackle any stairs throughout the day, eat part of your lunch, go for a brisk walk and then come back and finish your lunch.
• Park your car far away. Whether you are going to work, the shopping mall or the grocery store, park your car in the furthest available spot. You will decrease your waistline and the number of dings on your car door.
• Rearrange your furniture. This is a lot cheaper than hiring a decorator and a lot more fun. Aren't you curious to see how your chair, bed or armoire will look in another location? Maybe you want to make your home more feng shui. Moving your furniture around is a great workout and keeps things in your home fresh and exciting. Just remember to lift with your legs, not your back.
• Get active while watching the Television. Are you a fan of "Dancing with the Stars"? Get up and try to replicate their dances (even if you don't have a partner, you can shadow dance). For those who are less adventurous, try doing push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, squats or running in place during the commercial breaks. Better yet, check out Sit and Be Fit. These exercises aren't just for seniors, so get a workout while sitting on your rump.
• Start a garden. With the recent e coli scare in spinach, wouldn't you rather serve your family fruits and veggies that you grew yourself and know where they come from. Growing lettuces, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, squash and eggplants are easy and take up very little space. Many of these can even grow in containers.
• Clean your kitchen and refrigerator. When was the last time you cleaned out your cupboards and fridge. Experts say your fridge should be scrubbed down every 60 days. What a great workout to lift all of those pans, kitchen appliances, canned goods and food and scrub your kitchen clean. You and your family will feel better. Besides, you can take unused kitchen appliances and sell them at a garage sale or donate them and canned goods to a local charity (local children's homes are always looking for kitchen items and canned goods).

There are tons of ways to burn more calories throughout the day: standing instead of sitting, chewing gum, making love, playing tag with your kids, walking up the escalator, drink ice cold water, eat spicy foods, tap your feet and fingers while driving, wash and wax your own car, etc., etc. Stay active and enjoy good food sensibly.

Best Time to Buy a Car

My wife wants a new car so I finally convinced my brother, who works for a car dealership, to spill the beans on the secrets of car buying. In this first installment, we are exposing the best time to buy a car.

I hope by reading previous posts that you are in the market for a used car and not a new car. Please remember that buying a new car is one of the worst financial decisions you can make. New cars lose about 20% of their value the moment you drive it off the lot. Even if you are dead set on buying a new car, the tips below will help you pay less:

• Time of the Year - Winter is the best time of year to buy a car. It is cold out and customers are either busy spending money on the holidays or still paying off their credit cards from the holidays. December may be the best month because many dealerships are eager to hit their annual goal by the end of the year (assuming their year end is December and not June).
• Time of the Month - The last three days of the month are the best days to buy a car. Most dealerships are charged a monthly overhead fee for each car on the lot to cover car cleaning, insurance, etc. Sales managers and salesman are also eager to deal because they want to meet and exceed their monthly sales quota.
• Time of the Week - Weekdays are the best days for car shopping. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday are the worst days because they are the busiest days. Go shopping on Monday or Tuesday, when dealers are the slowest. The salesperson will spend more time with you and be more anxious to sell a car (especially if they didn't have a good weekend).
• Time of the Day - Go shopping at night. It is a lot easier in the negotiation battle when the salesperson and finance manager are tired from a long day of work and want to go home. They will be quicker to come to terms when their significant other is calling every fifteen minutes to find out when they will be home. Sounds bad, but you will get to best price a lot sooner.

In short, I guess the best day to buy a car in 2007 would be Monday, December 31st at 7pm. Happy car shopping.

Investing in Gold

Is it too late to invest in gold? Many pundits think the SIX year rally in gold has come to end, while other think the recent stall in gold price is just a brief hiatus as gold continues to move on up. Let's take a look at some pros and cons of investing in gold.
PROS

• Gold is a scarce commodity whose production is limited.
• Demand for gold is increasing. Investment managers, central banks of the world and the rising middle class of India & China are all buying gold. The monsoon wedding season in India is a popular buying time for gold since it is used in marriages for dowry and adornments.
• Gold is considered a safe haven and typically performs well during a time of turmoil. With continued unrest in the middle east, rising oil prices causing inflationary pressures and the declining value of the dollar, things aren't so rosy.

CONS

• The price of gold is too expensive and most of the money has already been made.
• Gold is too volatile for the average investor and doesn't provide the returns for the risk involved.
• Buying gold out of fear of inflation is a bad bet since gold barely keeps pace with inflation.

No matter what the financial "experts" say, in my own opinion I believe having some investment in gold is important. As a benchmark, you should have between 5-10% of your savings in gold related stocks. Currently, I have 5% of my non-retirement savings in gold related stocks and another 5% of my retirement savings in gold related stocks. If you are interested, here are the different options for investing in gold:

• Buy gold coins or bullion. This is easy to do. We have been buying gold coins (South African Krugerrand, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Kangaroo, etc.) for the birthdays of our God children in recent years. They are beautiful, interesting, portable and easy to save. We recommend Austin Coins.
• Gold ETFs or Mutual Funds. There are two primary gold ETF (electronically traded funds) that imitate the rise and fall of a group of stocks, or in this case the value of the commodity of gold. The two ETF's ticker symbols are GLD and IAU. There is also a closed end fund called the Central Fund of Canada, ticker symbol CEF.
• Gold mining stocks. These stocks may be more volatile than the commodity itself, but this also means the value of these stocks will increase faster if the value of gold rises. One of the most popular gold mining companies is Newmont Mining (NEM). Other mining companies include Goldcorp (GG), Nortern Orion (NTO) and Royal Gold (RGLD).

There are some great resources on the web where you can get more information to decide if investing in gold is right for you. I have included some sites below. Happy Investing.

Gold Stock Bull

USA Gold

Big Mike Blog

First Class to Europe for Coach Prices

Most of the time, I try to write about helpful hints related to travel, food, wealth and health. However, sometimes I come across some travel deals that are just too attractive to keep a secret. This travel deal is a deal of a lifetime.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IS OFFERING FIRST CLASS SERVICE TO EUROPE THIS SUMMER, STARTING AT $799 ONE WAY.

It is tough enough to find coach tickets to Europe for this price, let alone a first class ticket. This is such a value because first class tickets to Europe in the summertime can be as much as $7,000. Better yet, Continental's first class, entitled BusinessFirst has been the #1 rated international first class amongst all U.S. carriers by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine since 1998.

Here are some great features of Continental's BusinessFirst:

• Access to Continental's concierges before and during your travel dates. These specially trained professionals assist with pre-boarding, greet connecting BusinessFirst customers at the gate and assist them through Customs.
• Continental employs a Congress of Chefs & Sommeliers who provide some of the finest dining experiences above 30,000 feet.
• BusinessFirst passengers get access to Continental's exclusive President's Club lounge or qualified affiliate lounges. At the lounge you can enjoy complimentary beverages, bar service, light snacks, agent assistance, hi-speed wireless internet access, local phone calls, newspapers and periodicals. All while relaxing in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
• The seats are amazing. One the Boeing 777, you 22 inch seat reclines to 170 degrees.
• Continental's new audio/video on demand service is also available on many BusinessFirst international flights. This includes over 250 movies, 350 T.V. shows, 1,500 songs and 25 interactive games.

I have had the good fortune of flying in BusinessFirst on a couple of occasions and it is worth every penny. Remember the joy of travelling isn't just the destination, but the journey as well. Nothing starts your vacation off better than spending the first 7 hours in luxury (it sure beats being crammed in like cattle in the back). Below are some sample flights and prices for this exciting deal. Check the link above for restrictions (one of which is 60 days advance notice is required):

For travel beginning July 1, 2007 (July 10, 2007 for France):

One-way, round-trip purchase required:

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Belfast International, Northern Ireland (BFS)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Birmingham, England (BHX)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Bristol, England (BRS)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Manchester, England (MAN)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Cologne, Germany (CGN)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Berlin, Germany (TXL)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Hamburg, Germany (HAM)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Stockholm, Sweden, (ARN)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Paris, France (CDG)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Glasgow, Scotland (GLA)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
London, England (LGW)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Madrid, Spain (MAD)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Oslo, Norway (OSL)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH)
$1099

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Milan, Italy (MXP)
$1099

Cleveland, OH (CLE)
London, England (LGW)
$1049

Houston, TX (IAH – Intercontinental)
London, England (LGW)
$1099

Houston, TX (IAH – Intercontinental)
Paris, France (CDG)
$1099

To get these sale fares:
Purchase your round trip ticket at least 60 days in advance.
Depart July 1 - September 4, 2007. Outbound travel to France is valid July 10 - August 25, 2007.
Include a Saturday-night stay. If departure date is a Saturday, stay at least seven days.
Complete all travel by September 6, 2007. Travel to Belgium and France must be completed by September 1, 2007.
Fare Rules:
Restrictions:
Fares are valid for travel from the contiguous 48 U.S. states to select Europe destinations.
Tickets must be purchased 60 days prior to departure. Other discount rates are available up until 30 days prior to departure.
Travel must originate in the U.S.
Round-trip travel is required.
Outbound travel is valid July 1 - Aug. 31, 2007, outbound travel to France is valid July 10 - Aug. 25, 2007.
A Saturday-night stay is required unless, if outbound departure date is on a Saturday, minimum stay is seven days.
No maximum stay applies.
All travel must be completed by Sept. 6, 2007. Travel to Belgium and France must be completed by Sept. 1, 2007
No restricted travel dates apply.
Stopovers are not permitted.
Fares are valid for travel on Continental and Continental Express only.
Codeshare flights are not permitted.
Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets.
Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Changes are permitted for $300 plus applicable fare difference for return flights only, provided fare restrictions are met.
All changes must be made prior to departure or the ticket has no value.
Fare basis code RR2SIE.
Taxes/Fees:Quoted fares include all base fare and surcharges and 7.5% U.S. Excise Tax, if applicable.
Quoted fare does not include the following taxes, fees and charges that may apply to your travel itinerary:
U.S. Excise Tax of $14.50 for each international arrival and departure in the U.S.
Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) of up to $18 per round trip.
Sept. 11 Security Fees of up to $5 each way and $10 per roundtrip.
Each arrival in the U.S. is subject to U.S. inspection fees of up to $17.
Non-U.S. government ticket taxes, fees and airport charges may add up to $160 per ticket.
A $50 fee will be charged for paper tickets issued by Continental.
Fares are subject to change without notice. Continental Express flights are operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. or Chautauqua Airlines.

Organize your Kitchen to Lose Weight

To be successful at achieving your goals, you need to be organized, create a plan and execute the plan. If losing weight or just staying healthy is one of your goals, you need to follow the same recipe. Today we are going to attack your kitchen and organize it to help you avoid the ever present food temptations that lurk in your cabinets, refrigerator and pantry.

Organization

• Always keep your healthy food options towards the front of the pantry and refrigerator at EYE LEVEL. You will naturally gravitate towards these foods since it is the first item you will see.
• On the flip side, place your poor food choice items in hard to reach places in the pantry and refrigerator. This includes the top and bottom shelves and in the very rear of the pantry and fridge/freezer.
• Keep your healthiest choices directly on the coutertop. This includes a big bowl of fruit on the counter. Also, forget those drawers in your fridge. Instead, keep the veggies in plain view by putting them in Ziploc bags on a shelf at eye level in the fridge.

Plan

• Make a grocery list and fill it with healthy foods. This will put an end to walking each aisle and buying the wrong foods. Fill your list with healthy fats (olive oil), whole wheat products (pasta, bread, grains, oatmeal), lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish and some pork), veggies and fruits. Once you make your grocery list, scan the newspaper to see if any coupons match your list (not vice versa, because you will buy things you don't need).
• Always keep healthy food options available, especially "healthy" desserts like sugar free Jello, sugar free pudding, ricotta cheese, fruit (even light canned fruits in their own juices) and single serving frozen treats (I love the Weight Watchers Giant Fudge Bars). NOTE: Every successful diet should allow some dessert or treat to prevent binge eating. Just remember to keep track of your calories and reduce your intake accordingly to accommodate a treat.
• Designate your dining room table as your ONLY eating area. This prevents you from grazing in the kitchen, sitting in front of the T.V. munching mindlessly and taking a bowl of ice cream to bed with you.

Execute

• The first step in eating right is portion control. Grab the dreaded food scale & measuring cups. The second you get home from the store, break down your groceries into the appropriate serving sizes. It take a little effort at first, but in just a week or two you will begin to really know what the CORRECT serving size should be. As a rule of thumb, one serving of lean meat is equal in size to a deck of playing cards.
• Make cooking healthy food easy. Always marinade your lean meats for maximum flavor instead of pan frying in butter or vegetable oil to make them taste good. Make double portions of your meals so you have lunch for tomorrow (after cooking immediately put the leftovers in fiber keeps you full.

What are some things you have done to your kitchen to help you meet your weight loss goals?

Easter Dinner, Greek Style

This year a rare occurrence happens. Both the Christian Easter and the Greek Orthodox Easter coincide. In celebration of this monumental event let's take a look at some traditional Greek Easter delights:

Greek Lamb
Ingredients: 2 heads of garlic, 6 tablespoons of fresh oregano, 6 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, 3 tablespoons of salt, 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 cup of olive oil and a 6-8 pound leg of lamb. Hint: if you don't care for lamb, you can substitute a pork tenderloin, whole chicken or whole red snapper.

• Take all of the ingredients (except for the olive oil & lamb) and place in Cuisinart. Pulse the food processor while slowly adding the olive oil until a loose paste is formed.
• Score the leg of lamb with a small pairing knife and smear HALF of the paste all over the lamb, make sure to push it into all of the crevices and scores. NOTE: take the other half of your paste and cover airtight and place in refrigerator. You will use this to make the Greek style potatoes below.
• Cover lamb and place in refrigerator to marinade overnight.
• Remove lamb from refrigerator and preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a shallow roasting pan, cook the lamb for 1.5 hours on your oven's lower rack at 325 degrees or until a meat thermometer reads 145 degrees when inserted into thickest portion of lamb.
• Once cooked, remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes under foil until ready to slice and serve.

Greek Potatoes

Ingredients: 8 large Yukon gold potatoes and remaining half of the unused paste you made for the lamb marinade.

• Peel and quarter the potatoes.
• Toss the potatoes in the remaining half of the marinade (add additional olive oil if necessary). The potatoes should be well coated.
• Spread potatoes out on a large cookie sheet and cook with the lamb on your oven's upper racks at 325 degrees for 1 and a half hours.

Spinach with Feta

Ingredients: 4 pounds of stemmed spinach (preferably fresh, but frozen can be used), whole onion diced, 6 garlic cloves diced, 1 pound of feta crumble and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

• In a large saute pan, cook the onions and garlic over medium heat until onions are translucent.
• Add the spinach and saute until tender. Remove from heat and put on serving plate.
• Crumble feta over the top of the spinach and serve.

Some other great Greek side dishes for Easter include:

• Orzo with golden raisins and pine nuts (cook according to directions on package, adding the raisins and nuts right before you cover the orzo to simmer).
• Roasted zucchini and summer squash that have been tossed with oregano, olive oil and lemon. Cook at 400 degrees for 25 minutes until veggies are tender.

Don't forget to pair you wonderful with Easter meal with a great wine like the Turkey Flat Shiraz. Happy Easter.

Hidden Gem: Canouan Island in the Grenadines

Looking for that perfect escape away from the world, but don't want to sacrifice luxury for solitude? The beautifully small island of Canouan, only three square miles in size and located 110 miles from Barbados, may be your best bet.

Getting to Canouan

• American Airlines offers daily flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• From U.S. & Canada-Several airlines also offer direct service through Barbados. This includes Air Canada, Air Jamaica, American, Continental, Delta, US Airways & BWIA.
• From Europe- Air France, Corsair & Air Caraibes offers service from Paris, France to Forte de France where Take Airlines or private charter will take you to Canouan.
• Air limousine service is also available from the hotels, who offer short flights (about 30 minutes) from Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique and Grenada.
• By boat- Canouan and the Grenadines are a haven for boaters. The Grand Bay, close to the Tamarind Beach Hotel, offers anchors and buoys. Private charters are also available from The Moorings.

Accommodations

• Raffles Resort- This five star luxury resort is located on over 200 acres and features many hidden coves and beaches. Better yet, it is home to the world famous Amrita Spa. Here is a link to personal reviews from Trip Advisor.
• Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club- This little piece of paradise has only 40 rooms and eight suites. It is an Italian managed hotel situated right on the water's edge with incredible balconies overlooking the turquoise sea. Here is a link to personal reviews from Trip Advisor.
• Trump Island Villas- Need a little more room? Perhaps you want to extend your vacation into a relocation. Trump Island Villas feature 1 to 4 bedroom homes (many for sale), climbing up the hillside to offer fantastic views for all. Some even feature private swimming pools. It also has a casino and a Jim Fazio designed golf course.

Restaurants

• For seafood, head to The Hilltop Restaurant
• On Tuesdays & Thursdays, Casa del Mar features an amazing oceanfront BBQ feast.
• For fine dining, check out La Piazza for European fare and La Varrene, which is located next to the Trump Casino.

Activities

• Water sports abound with options for sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Best beach can be found at Mahault Beach. Another great beach for views is South Glossy Beach.
• Golf, Tennis, Volleyball and a variety of other sports are all close by.
• For great views, head up to Cherry Hill.

Should you need any help booking your next vacation to Canouan or any other tropical paradise, contact Jonathan, Dreams Alive Travel's Caribbean Expert, at 813-240-0946. Happy Travels.

Travel First Aid Kit

With the airlines having more restrictions than Sanjaya has hairstyles, it is becoming harder and harder to pack for your travels. Yesterday I wrote about first aid kits for your home. Today, I am going to help you pack the right first aid kit for your trips. Since accidents and emergencies can happen anywhere and at anytime, being prepared can be all the difference.

Here are some of the things you should take with you on every trip:

• Personal Medication (make sure you have enough for the length of your trip PLUS 50%). IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the pills in your prescription bottles!
• Cold & Allergy Remedies (antiseptic throat lozenges, nasal decongestant spray, cold & flu medication)
• Heartburn/Stomach (anti-diarrheal, antacid tablets, Pepto-Bismol, etc.)
• General Pain Relievers (Ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
• Ointment/Creams (hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera, hand sanitizer, sunblock, burn gel, petroleum jelly)
• Sleep medication or Melatonin drops
• Eyeshade, face mask and earplugs
• Motion sickness tablets
• Allergy Medicine (Benadryl, EpiPen, Claritin, etc.)
• Insects (repellent with 50% deet, insecticide, insect bite treatment)
• Band-Aids, nonstick and spray on bandages
• Antiseptic wipes
• Thermometer

When travelling with kids and infants here are some further recommendations:

• Children doses for pain, allergies, antihistamine, malarial (if needed).
• Sterilizing tablets for bottles and pacifiers.
• Plastic sheeting (for changing, playing, etc.)
• Eardrops

Remember to put all of these items in clear plastic ziploc bags. All liquids must be 3 ounces or less to comply with current airline regulations. You should pack these medicines in your carry-on bag (you will have to remove the clear plastic bag to go through security so pack it on top).

Unfortunately, packing this little survival kit isn't enough. You should also consider visiting a travel clinic before any extended trips abroad (or if you are travelling to a remote or "third world" location). The doctors at these clinics are experts and will provide information on health risks, preventative advice and treatment options related to your travel destination. They should also inform you of any vaccines you will need and referrals for local doctors or medical support. You can begin your search for a travel clinic near you by visiting the websites of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). You can also see if your primary care physician has a recommendation.

Certain destinations, like Africa, require even more attention for your trip to be a safe and health one. Check out this link for more information on Africa: Africa for Visitors.

I hope your travels are healthy and safe. Happy Travels.