Winter is almost here

The winter season is almost here and its a big exhale for everyone here that has been serving the tourists all spring, summer and fall. Its really interesting to live in a place that opens itself up to endless enertaining...this is really what all tourists towns do around the world. I love it. The excitment of the boats unloading tourists, many who have been here for the first time is exhilerating. To see people of all ages walk onto Main Street is something special. We do live a different lifestyle here for sure, just living without cars every day is unique in itself but then to see the beautiful horses that serve all of us everyday is something completely different.

Nothing can happen on Mackinac Island without the teamwork found with those that work on a boat, horse and with the people that live here.

Inn Season Cafe

I really believe more restaurants should follow the example of Inn Season Cafe. By cooking seasonally, the customer is more engaged and the food costs are better for the restaurant...which means everyone is engaged in the process.

Check out the works of Chef Thomas Lasher at Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak next time you are down state. Its an amazing oasis on Fourth Street just east of Main Street.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Oak-MI/Inn-Season-Cafe/53969029798

or

http://theinnseasoncafe.com/

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Inn Season Cafe Cookbook by Chef George Vutetakis

In the 1980's I had the incredible honor to work and learn under Chef George Vutetakis at Inn Season, a vegetarian restaurant of great acclaim in Royal Oak, Michigan. I learned so much about cooking seasonally and am so excited that George has published a cookbook.

The book is now available on Amazon. To purchase, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Traditions-Favorite-Recipes-Legendary/dp/0615347673/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287544721&sr=1-1

"In Vegetarian Traditions: Favorite Recipes From My Years At The Legendary Inn Season Cafe Chef George Vutetakis unveils some of the wildly popular recipes from his trail-blazing years at the award winning Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak, Michigan. These innovative vegan dishes, focusing on quality ingredients, freshness and seasonality, brought rave reviews and appealed to all palates.

Each recipe has a story, with tidbits of food lore from around the world. Entrees, soups, desserts and salads with exciting flavors, textures and presentation are in an easy to follow format with beautifully photographed color pictures. As the vegetarian and vegan life-styles become more and more popular, this cookbook could not be more relevant or current.

More than a cookbook, Vegetarian Traditions, is a journey of discovery. Meet the hard-working farmers who provided Chef George with the exquisite produce that went into his delectable and healthy dishes. Discover the benefits of using local, organic and sustainable ingredients while mastering the art of cooking like a chef.

So, get out your apron and delight family and friends with recipes based on worldwide traditions that are sure to find their way into your permanent repertoire:

• Budapest Mushroom Soup
• Roasted Stuffed Polenta
• Thai Samosa
• Spinach Walnut Torte
• Vegetable Almond Quesadilla
• Banana Coconut Cream Pie
• Warm Cherry Napoleon
• Chocolate Almond Cream Cake
• ...just to name a few!

Meeting Kirstie

This past week, I was one of the lucky recipients to have been chosen to meet Kirstie Alley in LA for lunch to discuss the Organic Liaison plan. It was an amazing lunch and she was incredibly inspiring. We talked about weight gain, weight loss, having a closet full of clothes that don't work and how to live a meaningful life.

Kirstie was incredibly generous and hosted our stay at the five star Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. We had a healthy lunch at the Roof Top Garden at the Peninsula and it was a beautiful day.

Kirstie's assistant Kellly was a blast and Kirstie's daughter Lilli was wonderful. Lucia and I were so excited to meet and greet but it was really much more than that, it was a transforming experience. Her work for becoming more healthy was apparent in her appearance and demeanor and I can only hope I follow in her footsteps. Since mid-June of 2010 I have embarked successfully on the Organic Liaison plan. It has been great so far and the only issue is my impatience.... and for those of you that have interest in pursuing a healthier lifestyle, welcome to my journey. I hope to provide positive reinforcement to all who want a healthier life for the months  and years to come.

This blog is dedicated to my commitment to Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison lifestyle plan. I hope to share my journey which I hope in turn will inspire others to live a healthier life through positive lifestyle changes and through an organic diet.

Organic Liaison http://www.organicliaison.com/ includes the following:

• Rescue Me™ Kit including the first USDA certified organic weight loss product
• Proven, expert weight loss system
• Complete program you can do at home
• No processed or packaged foods to buy
• Online tools with Daily Journal, Success Graph, Menu Planner and more!
• Organic Recipes from Kirstie’s Kitchen
• Articles on health, nutrition and fitness
• Organic Network Locator with instant access to organic grocery stores, restaurants and farmers market in your area
• Access to organic food products and natural supplements
• Access to certified specialists

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my blog about living a healthy life on Mackinac Island, Michigan.