I have so many ideas to start the new year with on this blog….and then read in this month’s Food and Wine the “big taste trend of 2010: food that’s FUN, INTENSELY PERSONAL AND COMPLETELY DELICIOUS.

And I thought…That’s exactly what a wedding celebration’s food should be all about!

The good news is that for the rehearsal dinner you don’t have that “Etiquette” thing going on that imposes “rules”. The jury is still out on whether or not you MUST invite all the out of town guests or the significant other to your 1st cousin, etc., etc.. Some engaged couples are even having their RD 2 nights before the big day vs. just after the ceremony rehearsal at the church. We all agree that the less rules, the more FUN can be had by all!

I encourage you to make this evening FUN, INTENSELY PERSONAL AND COMPLETELY DELICIOUS….and plan it with gusto and excitement. The rehearsal dinner can be compared to the appetizer to your entrée….if you start the wedding weekend off with a bang, it will set the tone of your wedding and great memories will linger for a very long time.

After the drudgeries of 2009, who couldn’t use a little FUN??? While planning the most important celebration of your life, throw in the element of surprise, do something a little “crazy” (but in good taste, please), get creative and WOW your guests.

So here’s to 2010…a year that promises, bright, new beginnings loaded with TONS OF FUN!

DIY BUFFET BARS

It’s no secret how a candy bar with all it’s color and sugary treats has been quite the rage at so many weddings.

How about an interactive station at the rehearsal dinner to stir up conversation and comradarie when many are meeting for the 1st time?

Below are some seasonal ideas:

FALL

A sinfully good Caramel Apple Toppings Bar:

First dip apple in caramel and then choose from the following sweet and savory topppings:

Tropical Twist: Toasted Shredded Coconut and Chopped Macadamia Nuts

Asian Fusion: Diced Crystallized Ginger and Toasted Sesame Seeds

Cheddar Crunch: Crushed Cheese Crackers

Ball Park Blend: Salted Peanuts and Caramel Popcorn

Cookies and Cream: Crushed Oreo Cookies Drizzled with melted White Chocolate

Health Nut: Chopped Walnuts with Dried Cranberries

WINTER

Nothing says “winter” like a Hot Drink Spiced with Liquor or Liqueur:

Snowplow:                 A coffee cocktail spiked with rum and topped with whipped cream

Gunner:                      Irish whiskey, Irish cream and kahlúa boost this hot coffee drink

Café Brulot:               Brandy, orange curacao, rum, cinnamon and French roast coffee make this drink a tasty treat

Hot Passion:               The passion is released with Le Grande Passion liqueur, hot coffee and, the bonus, Crème de Grand Marnier

Nutty Irishman:         No nuts in this drink, just liqueur, Irish cream, coffee and whipped cream

SPRING

This is a time when you start thinking “healthy” after months of hibernating from the cold.  Bountiful spring vegetables abound.  We like the idea of a risotto station where

the guest can select from several wonderful toppings:

Exotic Mushroom Risotto: Offer a diverse selection include chanterelles, Portobello, oyster, shiitake

Spring Vegetable Risotto: Add asparagus, spring peas, carrots, radishes, green onion

Seafood Risotto: Toss in crabmeat, shrimp, mussels, lobster

Cheese and Nuts: Mix risotto with Brie and Almonds

SUMMER

Whip up a fun, festive, and spicy Taco Bar with several type of salsas:

Fish Tacos: Deep-fried tilapia with poblano tartar sauce

Veggie: Jalapeno refried beans, queso blanco, roasted tomatillo salsa

Carnita: Pork with cilantro, onions, salsa

Fried Chicken: Strips of fried chicken breast, lime jalapeno mayonnaise, lettuce and tomatoes

PROBLEM:  HOW TO PERSONALIZE YOUR WEDDING?

SOLUTION:  TAKE A PERSONALITY QUIZ!

Personality quizzes abound everywhere!   I turn on the internet these days and many are

on my favorite sites so it has left an impression on me and made me wonder, why all the rage all of a sudden?

It used to be that the book “Color my Parachute” was the means of learning your personality traits, what you are most suited for, etc.

Besides being kind of fun to learn how you score on these “tests”, I believe they actually can be used to help you in your wedding planning.

Here are some of my favorites:

*What flower represents you?

Use this to determine the florals in your bridal bouquets

*Get your Hippie Name

If you are a “love child” and have dreamt of being at Woodstock, have fun by using this on your save the date

*What are the initials of the person you will marry?

Use these to inspire you to use monograms which is the ideal way to personalize your wedding day

*What alcohol are you?

Serve it during your cocktail reception as your signature drink

*What will the name of your 1st child be?

You have time for this hopefully but could be fun to do together!

*What 2009 song are you?

Let this be your 1st Dance as long as its danceable and she likes it too!

In the world of wedding planning, it’s all about making the wedding day reflecting the personalities of the bride and groom.

Perhaps these tests will give engaged couples some insight and ideas for personalizing their special day…I had a groom that once gave all his groomsmen tie-dye shirts since he was a huge Grateful Dead fan.  I bet he’d love to do the Get your Hippie Name Quiz!

BOW-WOW DESTINATIONS FOR HONEYMOONERS

If the thought of being separate from your 2nd true love is keeping you up at night, here are some wonderful honeymoon destinations that are pet-friendly and are perfect for the 3 of you!

Our favorite luxury hotels that take care of your pooch include the Kimpton Hotels, W Hotels and Loews so we’ve included what each of these offer.

Have you heard of the pet-only airline?!?!? Check out Pet Airways@ www.PetAirways.com. Their inaugural flight was in July and they are adding more cities to their flight itineraries that are a bit limited for now but I foresee a major growth with this awesome concept.

Kimpton Hotels

Includes 37 properties including Hotel Monaco, Hotel Palomar

No deposit, no limit on weight, no limit on no.of pets, any type allowed

VIP (Very Important Pet) amenity delivered to your room upon arrival

Pet bowls and a pet bed placed in your room for use during your stay

Pet sitting, pet grooming, pet walking and pet massage services can be arranged through our concierge

Dog leash and plastic bags for dog walks around midtown Atlanta

Loews

No deposit, no limit on weight, no limit on no.of pets, any type allowed

Loews Loves Pets program includes:
Personal welcoming note from the hotel general manager with a listing of pet services available at the hotel, including

dog-walking routes, veterinarian information, pet shop and grooming locations, pet attractions, pet-sitters, pet-

friendly restaurants, and other resources

Loews “Did You Forget Closet” includes: dog and cat beds in different sizes, leashes and collars, and pet videos; guests

can also purchase essential items through the “Did You Forget Closet” including pooper-scoopers and pet toys

Room service menu items include dishes such as grilled lamb or chicken with rice for dogs

W Hotels

Weight limit of 80 1bs., some require deposit and/or a extra night charge

Upon check-in you receive pet toy, pet treat, W Hotels pet tag, clean up bags

In your room you receive W pet bed, food and water bowl, special treat at turndown service

Concierge can provide dog sitting, dog walking, locations of dog parks, veternarian and grooming services

Whatever/Whenever program: can purchase leashes, toys, food, etc.

LIST OF HOTELS BY CITY

Domestic US:

Atlanta
*Hotel Palomar

Miami/Coconut Grove
*Mayfair Hotel and Spa

New Orleans
*W New Orleans

Amelia Island, FL
*Florida House Inn Bed and Breakfast

Taos, New Mexico
*American Artists Gallery House B&B

Washington, D.C.
*The Westin Grand

NYC
*Soho Grand

Telluride, CO
*Mountain Lodge Telluride

Phoenix
*Arizona Biltmore

Los Angeles
*Loews Santa Monica

Carmel, CA
*Cypress Inn

Seattle
*Hotel Monaco

Key West
*The Westin Key West Resort & Marina

Hawaii
*W Honolulu-Diamond Head

INTERNATIONAL

Paris
*Sofitel Arc de Triomphe

Rome
*St. Regis Grand Hotel

Greece/Santorini Island
*Best Western Paradise Hotel

Dublin
*Ibis Dublin West

London
*The Lanesborough, St. Regis Hotel

Madrid
*Intercontinental Madrid

SLOW DOWN AND SMELL THE COFFEE (or Roses which I prefer)

Hurry, hurry, hurry! We never have enough time in the day to really enjoy many of life’s true pleasures and I rank eating way up there.

Case in point: If you are like me, you grab lunch on the go and in no time, it’s been scarfed down faster than the latest winner of Nathan’s famous hot dog eating contest.

If you ask yourself at night what did you have for lunch, you probably can’t remember because you “wolfed it down” so fast it didn’t make a mark in your finite memory bank. 

Well, it’s 2:30 p.m. and I haven’t eaten anything since my beloved Trader Joe’s Granola much earlier this a.m. and was hungry AND needed a break.

But how long of a break???? Got too much to do, too many restaurants are perfect for Rehearsal Dinners and each and every one of them must be contacted.

But, I’m a 3rd generation Atlantan and us southerners aren’t bred to rush. It was no coincidence that as a college student working as a hostess for Houston’s one summer I failed miserably because “walking briskly” at peak dinner time to escort guests to tables was not my cup of tea.

So I pull out from the freezer my beloved Trader Joe’s favorite that should be quick to eat: Lemongrass Chicken Stix, Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce and some sweet Chili Sauce for dipping.

Finally after my wacko digital oven that I hate heats the rolls up, I find myself biting and dipping, chewing and swallowing while AT THE SAME TIME thinking about that next sales call. I immediately have an epiphany….I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TASTE of what I am eating but have my brain in full throttle still full of thoughts of work.

Slowdown, my mind says and savor each bite…after all, it’s too good not to enjoy, pointless to eat if you aren’t enjoying the taste and too many kids in China are starving for these things.

So, I imagined myself as a Top Chef Judge and how Tom, Padma, Gail would savor dishes prepared by Eli, Hector and Kevin (OK, these are all ATL Chefs vying to become the Season 6 Top Chef so I am a bit partial!) .

Perhaps the lesson learned is this: If you eat like a Top Chef Judge, slowly savoring each bite to discover the true essence of what you are eating, you will far more enjoy your dining experience (or at least remember what you had for lunch!).

As your mother probably told you, “Haste really does make Waste!”.

I am certainly blessed to be married to a husband who is by day a total (cute!) computer geek but at night turns into a romantic, incredible chef . It doesn’t matter if what he makes is as simple as quesadillas or a smoked pork butt. It’s his way of seasoning and using the exact spices.

You see he’s German and I’m convinced the Europeans are so much more in tune with the importance of using more than just “salt and pepper” to liven up a dish.

Last night’s entree was lasagna…yes, served when it’s mid-August, 90 degrees outside, sultry hot as Hot’lanta can get.

But much to my surprise, I enjoyed eating what typically I wouldn’t even touch until at least the leaves were beginning to fall. Using turkey helped vs. hamburger meat to convince me that it’s doesn’t have to taste good just because it’s cold outside. Boy, do we have leftovers to devour at a later date (maybe when we have the 1st chill in October!).

I made ceviche last weekend and if I had the choice between the 2 meals, I have to admit I’d have to think about it.

The ceviche recipe came from the Store’s fish department counter too. And just then I opened my Bon Appetit “Best of the Year” edition from last January (I know I have these magazines not organized by month by any means) to find a recipe entitled, “Classic Peruvian Ceviche”.

When comparing what you might assume would be a rather “mundane” recipe from the local Krogers to the Bon Appetit version, I noted that there really wasn’t much difference in ingredients…just sea bass vs. ocean perch, clam juice vs. coconut milk, chopped celery, and minced jalapeno chiles in the latter.

Which takes us back to spice, spice, spice! Next time I will definitely add some heat.

Oh and the Bon Appetit article is an homage to the Peruvian capital, Lima, which they say is the next “great global foodie destination”. I just turned the page to find the “ingredient of the year”, Ricotta! And sure enough, it was RICOTTA that made that lasagna last night so gooooooooooood! Is that irony at it’s best, or what?!?!

10: Give her the RING of her DREAMS and shop together for your wedding bands

9: Suggest several romantic honeymoon ideas but don’t give the location away and save it as a surprise; Have fun with teasers that hint but don’t spoil the mystery; Be sure to tell her how to pack 1 month before departing and NOT the day before

8: Attend with a SMILE the important planning meetings such as choosing the sites for ceremony and reception, selecting a caterer/menu and a photographer

7: Show her you want to be part of the planning process by taking the lead on the following:

*Band

*Transportation

*Grooms Attire

6: Write your own vows and then frame yours as an anniversary gift

5: Handle picking out the wine: Fax your menu to your wine purveyor and ask them to suggest 2 to 3 wines in your price range that will pair well with your meal

4: On the morning of the wedding day, have the best man deliver a handwritten note telling her how much you love her and why

3: Beginning one week prior to the big day, present her with a single flower each day until the wedding day so she has a bouquet from what you have given her

2: Don’t be late in giving her your guest list; the no. of guests determines what she can and cannot do to a large degree due to the expense and receiving it timely and reduce lots of stress

1: Ask your parents 6 months out how they would like to handle the rehearsal dinner and use RDG to find that perfect location!

By doing each of the above, you will avoid getting cake in the face on the wedding day and your beautiful bride turning out like this:

watch?v=Yumq1I1sWwY

ORGANIC BEER….it’s become another BUZZZZZZ word  that is getting to be big business.

WHY ORGANIC:

When you buy organic beer, you’re supporting a farm system that uses fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which in turn enhances soil fertility, increases species diversity, conserves water and produces fewer greenhouse gases.

Buying locally produced beer that hasn’t been shipped long distances is a worthy alternative, even if the brewery doesn’t sell organic beer. As with any food product, local, organic brews reduce fossil-fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions related to shipping, and they support local businesses. Fortunately, microbreweries with organic products have become popular over the last few decades, since beer may be brewed in small vats even in confined urban spaces.

When planning your rehearsal dinner, look for breweries that sell beer in kegs or growers to reduce wasting glass bottles or aluminum cans.

In the past few years, the large national brewers Anheuser-Busch, Miller and New Belgium have all introduced organic products, joining a growing number of microbreweries offering organic beer.

WHAT IS CERTIFIED ORGANIC:
“Certified Organic” beers are made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients following all the standards set by the USDA, which include standards for the chemicals used to clean breweries.

Organic Hops: The USDA’s National Organic Program allows nonorganic hops in organic beer, if the brewer can’t get access to sufficient quantities. And because hops are important ingredients that add aroma and bitterness to beer, this has generated some debate about the “organicness” of organic beers that use nonorganic hops. If you want a 100-percent organic beer, buy from breweries that use organic hops.

HOW ABOUT BREWING YOUR OWN ORGANIC BEER?

Brew your own organic beer. Seven Bridges Cooperative sells starter kits at $90 and up (www.breworganic.com, 800-768-4409).

It’s June, getting warmer and more humid outside, and we all are craving an ice cold beer to quench that thirst.

If you are interested in doing a little something “trendy” and perhaps a bit daring as a beverage at your rehearsal dinner, let’s talk BEER COCKTAILS!

All it requires is a little imagination, a love of beer and an openness to something not so ordinary….you can go more “trendy and new” or more “classic and traditional”.  It’s your call but know any of the libations below will certainly add to the uniqueness of your rehearsal dinner evening!

TRENDY AND NEW:

Michelada
Pour your beer into a glass filled with ice and add the juice of one small lemon. Add a dash of soy, Tabasco and Worcestershire. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. For some, a true Mexican Michelada is not complete without a shot of Tequila mixed in.
“Booze Brews” USA Today reports that trendy New York bars are serving up beer and spirits – together- and offering drinks like the “Raspberry Spiked Apple Ale” made with both beer and raspberry liqueur.
The variations on this are only limited by your imagination (and maybe your taste buds). For example, the “Orange Spiked Lager” would be an ounce of an orange liqueur mixed in with your favorite lager and the “Peach Spiked Brew” would be an ounce of peach flavored liqueur mixed in with a cold beer.
Isar water:
A wheat beer mixed with Blue Curaçao and apple or orange juice. We are not sure of the background on this one but it sounds interesting.
CLASSIC:
Lager and lime: Add a dash of lime juice or lime cordial to a light lager.
Snakebite: Mix your favorite beer (usually a heavier beer, like stout, works well) half and half with cider.
Black Velvet: Mix stout and champagne, half and half.
Beer Bloody Mary: Mix beer and tomato juice, half and half. Add a dash of Tabasco and a dash of Worcestershire.
Red Eye: Add a shot of tomato juice to any ale or lager (this cocktail is also known as Tomato Beer or a Red Rooster). If you add a splash of Tabasco, the drink becomes a Ruddy Mary.
Liverpool kiss: Mix a dark beer with Cassis.
Caribbean Night: Beer and an ounce of coffee liqueur.

South Wind: Beer with a shot of melon liqueur.

Great honeymoons don’t have to be to Cancun or to Disneyland.

Why not consider an Eco-Resort?
Traveling consumes a lot of energy, not only to get to a destination, but also after arrival. While some vacation spots tout eco-friendliness by boasting they don’t wash sheets and towels every day unless a guest requests it, other resorts do more to help the environment. But it may take extra effort to uncover the getaways that go beyond the basics and practice environmental conservation in every aspect of their operations.
“People are interested in going to eco-friendly resorts because they’re acting more environmentally responsible at home and want to visit places that care as much as they do,” says Kit Cassingham, of www.EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com. “Hotels and resorts historically have been extremely wasteful but are now starting to act with more environmental sensitivity.”
The best eco-resorts pay equal attention to greening the services guests can see as well as those behind the scenes.
Here are some popular resorts that fit this bill.

Costa Rica:    Tabacon Grand Spa Therml Resort
www.tabacon.com

Big Sur, CA:    Post Ranch Inn
www.postranchinn.com

Portual:    Hotel Jardim Atlantico
www.hoteljardimatlantico.com

Hawaii:    Kauii Marriott Resort and Beach Club
www.marriott.com

Weston, FL:    Hyatt Regency Bonaventure
www.bonaventure.hyatt.com

Belize:        Machaca Hill Lodge
www.machacahill.com

Aruba:        Bacuta Beach Resort
www.bacuta.com