Jun 01 2023

An evening of wine, pizza and live music at Christopher Cellars

We decided to check out the live music event at Christopher Cellars this past Friday. I had heard good things about the venue from co-workers and it was finally time to see what it was all about. It also didn’t hurt that the food truck that night was Uncle Johnny’s Wood Fired Pizza – which BTW was delicious and only fueled our desire to purchase or build a pizza oven of our own. Gimme all the pizza.

Christopher Cellars is a small, family owned winery in Elk Grove, CA on the corner of Elk Grove Blvd. and Bradshaw Road (9654 Bradshaw Road), producing small lots of wines that reflect the land they are grown on and the passion of Chris and Candice Mora. The winery is located in the building behind the beautiful home of Beverly Brautigam and her husband, Hal Bartholomew. I did not know any of this prior to attending for my first time. I’ve driven by the property so many times and enjoyed reading on their website how the partnership came about. 

Last Friday was definitely a popular night to go. Lots of Idle Hour Band fans. Once we found a table and got our pizza orders in, we ventured over to order our wine for the evening. I couldn’t decide, so I opted for a flight recommended by the server after asking me a few questions.

The flight consisted of 2022 Orange Muscat, 2022 Barbera Rosé and 2021 Mother Knows Best. I really liked all of them, Orange Muscat was my favorite. Described on their website as slightly off-dry, exhibiting fragrant aromas of magnolia blossoms, apricot and orange peel. Well-balanced and textured on the palate, zesty citrus notes laced with honeysuckle and pear linger with a crisp and clean finish. The linger is what got me.

My pizza choice for the evening was the NEO – also my standby wood fire pizza order. A Margherita – tomato sauce, basil and fresh mozzarella. I ate the ENTIRE pizza, which is also the norm when it comes to (fresh out of the oven) Margherita pizza. Less toppings = more pizza and winning. Other pizzas enjoyed by my group were the BASIC B – tomato sauce, pepperoni, basil and mozzarella. The DEZI – tomato sauce, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula and parmesan and the SANCHO – tomatillo sauce, mozzarella, chorizo, peppers, onions, jalapeno, mushrooms and crema. Reports were solid. 

On a side note, I was so happy to see dogs chilling with their owners or in some cases – on an Igloo ice chest. If you have been reading for any amount of time, you know that I am absolutely obsessed with my own dogs and pretty much every dog on planet earth. 

We had a great experience and see why so many make attending a regular occurrence. I also saw that they do Sunday yoga classes with mimosas. Yes, please… I’m all in for that. So cheers to supporting local, meeting some new people and spending time with my tribe. Follow me on IG @foogetsfit to see if I make it to yoga.

Look at me posting again. Getting back into the swing of things has been fun. Until it’s not – I’ll continue to show up.
-Foo

Permanent link to this article: http://foodiddy.com/?p=11740

May 19 2023

Is this thing on?

Two and a half years seems like an acceptable break. Ha-ha. A couple of friends of mine were messaging back and forth on Facebook (Yes, we’re all old now) mentioning how fun blogging used to be and how the connections and friendships we all made through that world (20+ years ago) were some of the best. While I’ve remained in touch with a core group of friends, the daily/weekly writing and commenting on blog posts is what really kept us close and pushed us to explore whatever direction/flavor of the week our everyday lives took us.

Simpler times for sure. I do miss it, so I’m going to attempt to bring some of it back. I loved exploring new places, going on local adventures and trying new recipes… and while the “who shall not be named pandemic” stopped everything and acted as my own personal justification to quit showing up here or basically anywhere, I’ve decided that I’m going to write when I feel like it and see where it takes me.

Hmmm, perhaps a quick catch up sesh is in order. Since some of you have been following along since my weight loss/fitness blog days and others joined when I started highlighting food and less life stuff, I’ll give big picture and not go too far back in time. I’m fast approaching the 4 year anniversary of giving my diet a complete overhaul by upping my vegetable intake and saying goodbye to meat. Yes, all kinds of meat. No red meat, no white meat, no fish, no kidding. I had gotten so burned out eating low carb that just the smell and sight of chicken and turkey was revolting. I’ve since come to a better place where I can be around, smell and even cook/grill meat for others. Hallelujah, the gross factor has left the building – cheers to that. I’ve often thought of incorporating fish back to open up more options when dining out, but I’ve honestly found my groove with vegetables and dairy and my overall health and relationship with food has never been better. So for now, I’m not rocking the boat… or fishing off one anytime soon. Plus, I feel like restaurants have made huge strides in their meat free options and that has helped too. Also living in a very diverse area does lend itself to many different cultures and the amazing food that follows exploring those. I will no doubt share more as I get back into the habit of checking in more frequently.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming – dusting this old thing off.

Last weekend we took an afternoon drive along the river to Isleton, CA and stopped at Manny’s Barzzeria for a late lunch on the patio – which BTW was fabulous with the warmer weather we have been experiencing in Sacramento. It was also a nice break from weekend yard work. Yep, still doing that.

It was my first time trying Newtopia Cyder – the POG (Pineapple, Blood Orange and Pink Guava) was super refreshing. I will be looking for it to have at home to enjoy by the pool.

A girlfriend and I shared the Burrata and then I went full “same, but not” with my Margherita pizza to follow.

I did mention that I was enjoying my veggie/dairy lifestyle. Should have also mentioned bread… all the bread. Cheese and bread, cheese and bread, more cheese and bread. I do go through phases where I cut back on carbs – but right now I’m in a very carb heavy phase where I’m enjoying all the things and have upped my activity and I’m learning that it all balances out. Also, classifying this as a Margherita pizza is a bit of a stretch, but dang, the crust was amazing.

All in all, it was a chill day and much needed escape from our regular weekend restaurants and routine. I’m going to stop right here and hit the publish button before I start tweaking this post a million times over.

I hope to be back soon.
~Foo

Permanent link to this article: http://foodiddy.com/?p=11716

Dec 01 2020

Pledge for a better tomorrow – craft beer brings people together.

Today is #GivingTuesday and what better time to talk about organizations that are doing amazing things. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. recently partnered with the Sacramento Kings and local nonprofit Sol Collective to fight food insecurity and to help the Sacramento community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Having family members and friends in the area that lost their jobs or had their hours severely cut due to the pandemic – this really touched me. Food banks are struggling to fulfill the great need right now and could desperately use some help. Something as simple as donating grocery bags – a friend is picking up mine tonight to drop off at our local food bank, because she dropped some off yesterday and they expressed a need for even more.

Earlier this year, Sierra Nevada unveiled a new program centered around the release of their Dankful IPA – a generously hoppy beer – pledging $1 million dollars to nonprofits nationwide to support and help raise awareness for work occurring in local communities. As part of the program, Sacramento nonprofit Sol Collective will receive $25,000 from Sierra Nevada and an additional $10,000 donation from the Sacramento Kings for food boxes to be distributed to families.

Since I’m originally from San Jose, CA – I was equally pleased to find out that Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. also partnered with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley – who distributes nutritious groceries that are regularly delivered to the doorsteps of homebound community members or they can be picked up from a drive-thru location. Second Harvest is now serving twice as many people as they were pre-pandemic.

So many families have been impacted by COVID-19 – whether it be through losing their jobs or having to quit their jobs to stay home with their children for distance learning, or to care for aging or sick family members.

#GivingTuesday is held annually the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and it’s a great way to give back to your communities. Donating money isn’t the only way to participate, there are lots of things you can do, including sharing about the day on your social media platforms.

Thank you Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for reaching out and sending me some Dankful IPA samples. I can’t think of anything better than supporting communities in need and I’m proud to share the great news about your philanthropic pledge for a better tomorrow through your Dankful IPA program. I can definitely “cheers” to that.

Sacramento Kings Partner with Sierra Nevada to Fight Food Insecurity Through Its Dankful IPA Program

As new COVID-19 Restrictions Hit CA, Sierra Nevada Partners with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to Fight to Fight Food Insecurity

-Foo

P.S. – long time no blog :). In case you didn’t know, I’ve been spending the last year and a half over on IG @foogetsfit – but felt driven to post here too. I’m doing great, working a ton, blessed with good health and just trying to survive these crazy times. Thanks for not giving up on me or this platform and for your continued support over the past 10+ years.

Permanent link to this article: http://foodiddy.com/?p=11692