Spring in Sonoma County

The season of spring is refreshing, fragrant, and vibrant. It's full of new blossoms, scents, and life! Along with the mustard blossoms, there are tons of flowers coming into bloom all across the county of Sonoma, filling the fields and gardens of the area.

Some beautiful locations to visit this spring include the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center which has a beautiful four acre paradise. With seven garden spaces, some are intended just for beauty, some for education, and some provide the vegetables, herbs, and fruits used by the culinary team for the food and wine pairings.

Ferrari-Carano Winery is also an awe-inspiring place to visit in the spring. Sprawled on five acres, you can explore paths and foot bridges, a stream, waterfalls, and fish ponds. This extraordinary winery is known for it's colorful display of over 10,000 tulips and daffodils. The gardens also include over 2,000 different species of shrubs and trees that are all informatively marked.

Featuring over 150 kinds of roses, Korbel Rose Garden at Korbel Champagne Cellars was planted in the 1880s at the Korbel Family summer home. In addition to the roses, the garden now contains redwood, plum trees, shrubs, and other beautiful plants native to the area.

These are only some of the amazing gardens located in Sonoma County. Spring is the best time to visit these gardens and... stop to smell the roses!

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Biking in Sonoma County, California

One of the main reasons you may travel to Sonoma County, California is for the wine, of course! But there are so many other amazing things you can experience in Sonoma. From hot air balloon rides, to hiking, to visiting a spa... there is a large variety of activities available in wine country. One of the best things to do is go on a bike ride to see the beautiful country. Here are some of our favorite bike rentals and tours:

Ace It Bike Tours - "Experience the beautiful rolling hills of the world famous Russian River Valley vineyards as we leisurely ride up close. Take in the essence of the fresh clean air."

Adventures in Cycling - "Uniquely Customized Bike Tours. With over 10 years of experience, we personalize each tour and keep the group size small to ensure a fun filled, memorable day."

Getaway Adventures/Sonoma on Bike - "This is the evolution of our luxury 6 day wine country bike tour. We have combed our area for not only great rides but the best of the best of the Wine Country and we have put it all together in something we call Sonoma On A Bike. Forged from hard won experience and inspired with a touch of European travel flair, we stay at the best hotels, dine at the finest restaurants and experience Sonoma Country in a way only a local would. We invite you to join us on this Sonoma bike tour and get to see this area like no other."

Sonoma Valley Bike Tours and Rentals - "Discover why our shop location in Sonoma is an ideal place to start your wine country bike ride – with direct access to local bike paths that connect you to Sonoma’s quiet country roads where you’ll discover the best local wineries. Join one of our signature Guided Bike Tours hosted by a knowledgeable Tour Guide or Rent Bikes with the aide of of our awesome route maps and local advice. Whatever option you choose, our goal is simple: We want the the time you spend bicycling with us to be your favorite memory from wine country!"

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Welcome to My Kitchen!

WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN….…. WHERE WE TRY OUR BEST TO BE GREEN

Here in our home we are working on revamping our kitchen to be a GREENER space that is environmentally friendly and healthier for our family and for yours.  I am so excited to be sharing those tips with you too. 

Today I want to talk about storing your leftovers, baby food, dry goods, pasta, cereal and other panty staples including pet foods in containers that you will feel good about using.  The containers that you use to store food can have an effect not only on your health but on the environment.

We often turn to plastic out of convenience.  Most plastic containers and their lids including plastic bags contain the chemical BPA and other toxins that leach into food while chilling in the fridge or when heated.  BPA stands for bisphenol A, and it’s an industrial chemical that’s been used in plastics and resins since the 1960s. UGH!  No-one wants chemicals in their food especially when there are other environmentally friendly and healthy alternatives such as GLASS.

GLASS jars and containers contain no chemicals that can leak into your food and glass containers that come with plastic lids can be free of BPA.  Glass can be safely washed in high heat and most are oven-safe for reheating food.  When it comes to our environment Glass is the better choice as recycled glass uses 40% less energy than manufacturing new glass, and up to 80% of all recycled glass can be reclaimed.   Glass also lasts longer than plastics that often becomes mis-shaped from high heat washing or crack, which means tossing the container in the garbage. Glass is clean, strong, durable, recyclable and will not leak chemicals into your food

As for plastic, it is not only ruining our oceans due to pollution, it has other toxic characteristics that are unhealthy for our bodies and goes ingested unnoticed. Also, not all plastic can be recycled.  The fact is that only about 6.8 percent of the total plastic used in the U.S.  are recyclable.  So, if you are looking for a healthier alternative to store your food and do good for the environment at the same time check out 5 of our favorite BPA-Free storage suggestions below:

    1. Glassstock 18-piece BPA-free/recyclable & budget friendly- Amazon
    2. Crate & Barrel 12-piece Glass Clear Lidded Bowl set
    3. Pyrex Simply Store Glass Round Food Container Set/6 Piece - Amazon
    4. Nellam Baby Food Storage Containers -reusable. Microwave & Freezer safe -Amazon
    5. Lifefactory Glass Food Storage – Bed Bath & Beyond

Welcome!

WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN….   ALL RECIPES MADE WITH LOVE….

I’m not sure when I developed a love for cooking but my mother, who did not cook, often wondered if she should have sent me to culinary school rather than law school.  I assured her that law school was the better choice for me as culinary school would have too many rules and… I was certainly not a Chef.

I was just happy to be able to prepare food that my family and friends all enjoyed.
Creating healthy, delicious recipes is one of my passions and the kitchen is a place of peace for me and the heart of our home.

From my kitchen to yours I will be sharing with you the tips I have learned (through trial and error) for creating yummy healthy recipes that you will be sure to serve over and over again… from Sunday family dinners, midweek meals, pasta dishes, the unexpected guest, leftovers, veggies and so much more.

In addition to creating yummy recipes we are also working on revamping our kitchen in to a GREENER space that is environmentally friendly and healthier for our family and for yours.  I am so excited to be sharing those tips with you too.

Today I want to leave you with one of my favorite recipes… Stuffed Peppers with a Sriracha kick-optional… prepared with Ground turkey and sautéed Quinoa. This is super simple recipe to prepare and will leave you with enough leftovers for tomorrows lunch or quick hot snack.

 Enjoy and I hope to hear from you soon.

http://montanilesathome.blogspot.com/2017/11/stuffed-peppers-with-sriracha-kick.html