Real Love | Religion vs. Relationship

Religion is such a touchy, untouchable subject yet it is so deeply rooted in each of us. I find that many of us, including myself, shy away from even talking about it because we’re so afraid to offend someone else or just want to avoid the drawn out debate.

When it does come up I proudly say I am a Christian. The next question is always, “so are you Catholic or Protestant or….” And my response remains the same, I am Christian. Technically speaking, my grandmother was Catholic, raised her children Lutheran and my mother raised us Baptist. However, none of the technicalities are important, what is important is that I am a child of God who has a relationship with Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 3:6

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills but the spirit gives life.”

So many people need Jesus and are seeking him, but are turned away by the set of religious rules and things you supposedly have to do before you can be a Christian. Jesus died to change this perception, the real love of Christ is the relationship you have with him and seen by your spirit, attitude & actions- this is what makes you a real Christian.

The problem with today is there are so many people out there who push the wrong words, laws and rules down peoples throats and it really pains me to see. Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect- it’s impossible. We are human, God knows we’re going to make mistakes, it’s in our nature. What it is about is knowing God’s unfailing love and doing your best to do right by him.

 

Wines of the World | Hungrary | Tokaji

Hungary is one of my favorite places in the world- they have beautiful people, delicious food, and Tokaji wine- hello love. Hungary’s most famous wine, Tokaji, has been produced continuously since the sixteenth century. Hungarian wines fell off the map a bit between 1949-1989 when it was under Communist rule, but thank God it’s back up and running once again with an emphasis on producing excellent, quality wines. There are twenty-two major wine producing regions in Hungary, of which these seven are most renown: Tokaj, Eger, Sopron, Somolo, Badacsony, Villany Siklos & Szekszard. Tokaj, where the delicious Tokaji is produced, is one of of the oldest wine regions on all the world.

The sweet Tokaji Aszu is a blend of four grapes native to Hungary, with the primary grape being Furmint.  Throughout the fall harvest season, the grapes affected by Botrytis Cinerea, or noble rot, are picked from the bunch, lightly crushed, and made into a aszu paste. The unaffected grapes are harvested and fermented into a wine base. These two are then magically blended to produce the desired sweetness.

Sweetness is measured in puttonyos, which is the number of baskets of puttonyos on the label of all Tokaji Aszu. The more botrytis- affected the grapes, the sweeter the wine. There are four levels of Puttonyos wine:

    

3 Puttonyos: 60 grams of sugar per liter

4 Puttonyos: 90 grams of sugar per liter

5 Puttonyos: 120 grams of sugar per liter

6 Puttonyos: 150 grams of sugar per liter

The sweetest of the Tokai wines are called “estencia” and contains 180 grams of sugar and is one of the most unique wines in the world. Due to the high concentration of sugar, it may take years estencia to finish fermentation and then have an alcohol content between 2-5%, but still absolutely delicious.

Destination | Berlin, Germany

Out of all my trips- Berlin was the most last minute, budget trip I ever experienced; but nonetheless still one of my favorite places on the map. I feel like Germany is one those places that has a rep for a lot of different things, some good and some not to good, but I have to say the city really surprised me with its history, charisma and artsy vibes.

All through school Germany was always mentioned in history class, but being there and seeing the different landmarks like the Brandenburg gate, the Berlin Wall and holocaust monuments were so much more of an experience than you could ever get from the static pages of a textbook. The feelings that submerge from actually seeing, experiencing and learning is so different, it makes it seem so much more real and to be completely honest- crazy.

Our last minute trip was an adventure from the very beginning. From the two of us navigating candidly from a map bought immediately after stepping off the bus to being greeted by a boy singing and playing the guitar on the U-bahn, our weekend was filled with laughter and a turn-of-the-card spirit.

I really loved Berlin. Being there really helped me understand the people and culture in such a short time that I never expected. It changed my preconceived notions I had and made me want to know so much more. I ‘m dieing to go back and do a full tour of the country, which I will do.

In addition to the great new Berlin free walking tour we took, we we’re also super lucky to have an old friend who had grown up in Berlin show us around. One of my favorite parts of traveling is seeing how the local people really live, so this was a super plus- thanks Andreas! And of course it was nice to catch up with an old friend again

I love, love, loved the jewelry and shopping! A friend visited the weekend before us and recommended finding Tacheles, which I’m so glad we did because it’s no longer there. Tacheles, which is Yiddish for “straight talking”, essentially was a historic building taken over by artists of all trades in Berlin. From large murals, to jewelery, pop art, paintings, mixed media, sculptures to any other kind of art form imaginable it was definitely a unique experience. I bought some really sweet prints with a edgy feel by artist Tim Roeloffs. He now has his work online that you can check out and buy, it’s definitely worth a browse. I also bought a fun, chunky ring. The Italian artist had me sold when he told me about where each of the metals, stone, and gem had come from. Worth 30 euros? Definitely.

The other really, really cool store I found was Tukadu. We passed this place at one point, and I circled the streets for hours to find it again the next day. They had all kinds of crazy jewelery, especially earrings which I love. It was all really different, some a bit bizarre but still so, so cool. They had a ton of already made jewelery or you could pick individual pieces and make your own. The style was everything you could expect from such a fun city, almost like Betsey Johnson meets Andy Warhol- it was so fun. The earrings I bought had blue anchors, gold bows, and pink and green beads. I know you can buy online, but not sure how far they’re willing to ship.. I may ask a friend to send me some soon!

… and there are somethings in which words can’t describe. The above picture says more than a 1,000 words- which is why the meaning wasn’t told my the artist, but left to be depicted by the viewer of this holocaust monument inspired by the Jewish graveyard in Prague.

After all was said and done, I had 0.80 euro cents left in my pocket on the train ride back to Vienna. It was worth every penny and moment, and I can’t wait to venture back to this fun city.

Wines of the World | Austria

The first vines I ever saw were actually in Vienna, and I believe that’s what sparked my wine obsession. I have a deep love for Austria and wines, and combining them makes for a winning duo. Grape growing in Austria dates back to the fourth century B.C., but in the past 30 years Austria has worked hard to prove it’s quality wine production. Austria produces some terrific white wines and are known for being food friendly, especially the Grüner Veltliner. Austria offers delicious wines for any occasion, whether it be a spritzer at a local restaurant or cafe or a cheese & wine night at your best friends flat.

Wine Regions of Austria:

• Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)
• Vienna (Wien)
• Burgenland
• Styria (Steiermark)

Main White Grape Varieties of Austria:

• Grüner Veltliner
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blnac
• Chardonnay

Main Red Varieties of Austria:

• Blaufränkisch
• St. Laurent
• Pinot Noir

When evaluating Austria wine, similar to German wine they have three levels based on the ripeness of the grape and sugar content of the fermenting grape juice or must: Tafelwein, Qualitätswein, and Prädikatswein. The Austrian wine board tastes & performs a chemical analysis on qualitätswein and prädikatswein wines giving the consumer a guarantee of taste, style, and quality. If a wine lists a specific grape it must contain at least 85% of that grape. If a wine label names a vintage it must contain a minimum of 85% of that vintage. If a wine region is listed 100% of the wine must  come from that region.

Common wine style: dry, high-alcohol, more body and resembles wines of Alsace.

Austria has held my heart captive from the very first moment I stepped foot in Vienna. From their gorgeous sites, rich history, and very drinkable wine I love it all. Pick up a bottle and try it for yourself, it pairs wonderfully with spicy foods and fresh cheeses.

Cookies | Butter Kiffles | A Polish Family Tradition

I look forward to my Mom & Grandma making Kiffles every Christmas. They’re delicious & hard to compare to any other cookie I’ve ever had in the US. As you travel throughout Europe (or your Google search engine) you’ll find Kiffles can really vary based on the country.. this recipe came from my Polish Great Grandmother, but it seems as if Hungary had similar ones as well. The walnut meringue-like filling in the center is my favorite part- yumm.

Baking tip from Great-Grandma Sitkins: The fresher the eggs, the better the cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 LB Butter
• 6 Cups Flour
• 8 Ounces Sour Cream
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 12 Egg Yolks
• 12 Egg Whites
• 1 LB Walnuts Chopped Fine
• 1 Pound Powdered Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

In a large mixing bowl add your sugar & softened butter, mix well until creamy. Then add your sour cream and egg yolks. Mix well again. Then add your flour gradually, I use my mixer at first, but then when it starts to get thick I start to knead it very gently with my hands. Roll into balls about the size of a walnut will make about 100. Refrigerate overnight. For the next day put cold egg whites in bowl and beat until you get peaks. Gradually add your 1 pound of powdered sugar. Then with a large wooden spoon mix in the vanilla and nuts. roll balls out.  Roll up/fold over. Bake 11 minutes at 325. ENJOY

Destination | Cinque Terre, Italy

Finding the right words to depict the Cinque Terre is really difficult. There are so many reasons why I fell in love with this place and so many reasons why it’s a must do. However, one of the top reasons on the list is how real it is; it’s not like other cities that are jammed with actors trying to sell you the Italy you think you it should be. The Cinque Terre is a gem in bold and living color. From the rugged coastline of Lugaria where the “five lands” meet, to the sea, the cuisine, and the terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terra.

This quickly planned adventure turned out to be one of the best yet. We probably would have missed out if one of our friends hadn’t raved about the the Cinque Terre Trek Tour by Walkabout Florence. We definitely sweated it out in the heat of the July sun, but we managed to stay cool enough between the gallons of gelato we consumed and swimming in the salty sea.

The food was PHENOMENAL. We went to a small, family-ran restaurant off a windy road overlooking the sea. Oh my goodness, seriously the seafood was so fresh, and so delicious. I think the most memorable item on my anti-pasti plate was the salted anchovies. When I saw the little fish on my plate I thought to myself, “Hell no am I going to eat that.”  The tour guide convinced me that this wasn’t the anchovies that I was used to, but that it was fresh and yummy, and wow was he right. I loved it. I’m afraid to try them again back home, because I don’t think I’ll ever have one that good again, but I’m open to trying!

No adventure would be complete without wine. The Cinque Terra is full of man-made terraces perched on cliffs overlooking the sea that have been cultivated since the middle ages. The region is famous for two wonderful wines: the Cinque Terra DOC and the most famous Sciacchetra (pronounced shia-ke-tra). The Sciacchetra was my very first taste of a dessert wine, and it lives up to all the hype given to this divine drink. I could have stayed there forever, especially since several places served the Sciacchetra with a buttery cookie or biscotti.

Oh the Riomaggiore, aka the starting point of the Via dell’Amore. <3 Going on this adventure with Kristen was amazing, not only did I luck out with an awesome roommate, but she also was the best travel buddy ever. I don’t know who else would have eaten that much gelato with me! In addition to all the love locks on the gate and fences (and of course the view), one of the things that really left an impression on me was the plaque with lyrics from The Beatles, “… and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

… and it couldn’t be truer. Life and love are two of the most beautiful things. And although they may be uncontrollable and even unstable at times, it’s all about what you make of it. You only get one chance, so live it to the fullest.

Life Lessons | Priorities

So the last few days I felt like I wasn’t accomplishing anything besides getting out of bed. At first I blamed it on the cold weather, I mean I live in Florida- what do you mean its cold? And then I realized my energy was draining even further… I didn’t have energy to go to the gym or jog around the lake or even get mundane personal tasks done. In addition to that I just didn’t feel like me, I felt vulnerable and unstable.

As I was getting ready to walk out the door for work today I spotted my 365 devotion book and Bible sitting on the shelf. I thought to myself, “It’s been a few days, what will one more minute do?” So I took three minutes to sit down and read and that was my “ah-ha moment.” The passage was titled “Fishing on the Wrong Side of the Boat” and could not have been any more perfect, and lets be honest that’s the way God works.

After Jesus had risen on the third day Peter didn’t know what to do with himself and returned to his life of being a fishermen. After being unsuccessful, Jesus appeared to them and John 21 tells us that he said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find. So they cast the net and they were not able to haul it in for it was such a big catch…” Fishing on the wrong side of the boat… that’s what I had been doing.

In life its easy to get caught up in the things that really don’t matter. It’s easy to get busy with things that at the time we feel like we HAVE to do, and then looking back you wonder was that particular thing really worth the opportunity costs? And that was my problem- I had given up my time with God that week for silly things and my life was a bit out of whack. For people who don’t know God, this may seem crazy. It’s just hard to explain the serenity that comes along with being a Christian.

So one of the things I’m working on right now is keeping my priorities in check. Considering what is important to me and not letting anything interfere with it. If its something that in five years I won’t remember, or if it is something that doesn’t align with my life goals than it can wait.

I grabbed a few images that represent where I’m at at this very moment. It was hard to limit it to just six, because there are so many contributing elements to me… but in any event, these are the six that I choose. Each one represents a reason why I’m happy. Whether it be my traveling endeavors, work, where I live, or more importantly the amazing people I’m blessed to have in my life. So cheers to a happy life and being content with who I am at this very moment- and for every future moment that comes my way.

Wine | Kenwood Vineyards | Sonoma California

Kenwood Vineyards was the first of my wine country adventures in Sonoma, and I was blessed to do so with my sister and super great friend, both of whom I love dearly. Kenwood truly is an extraordinary vineyard all around, especially with its stunning views of twenty-two acres of vines. The tasting room was great too, it looked like God had made it himself and dropped it there to match the country views. And of course, the most important part of the vineyard (at least in my opinion), the wine, was incredible! Between the three of us we sampled quite a bit. The ones that were notably delicious were:

NV Yulupa Sparkling Wine ($12)

2010 Gewurztraminer Russian River Valley ($14)

2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($20)

2010 Olivet Pinot Noir ($30)

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($35)

2008 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)

Out of all of these my absolute favorite was the 2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This seriously may be my new favorite, it was so smooth and delightful down to the very last drop. I’ve had some exquisite bottles of wine in France and Italy, and this one could easily give them a run for the money.

I would also highly recommend the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. I paired this with a creamy port wine cheddar cheese from my local farmers market, and it was divine. It was so good, I seriously ate cheese and wine for dinner one night.

If you’re ever in Sonoma this is definitely a vineyard you’ll want to stop at! Check out their website and order some yummy wine!

Wine | France | Champagne

A London reporter asked Madame Lilly Bollinger when she drank champagne and she replied, ” I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it- unless I’m thirsty.” Well said Madame Lilly Bollinger. Champagne is one of those drinks that everyone loves to toast, prost, or salud to their friends with. Rightfully so, I mean who doesn’t love a little bubbly in their glass? I was excited to delve into what exactly champagne is, how it’s made, the different types, the regions its produced in, the grape types, and anything else I could soak in.

Lets start from the beginning- Champagne is a wine producing region in North East France. The Champagne region is then divided into four main areas: Valley of The Marne, Mountain of Reims, Cote Des Blancs, and Cote Des Bar. In France, only sparkling wines that come from these regions may be called “Champagne.” Some American producers label their products “Champagne” but these are a whole other ball game and aren’t the real deal.

Three grape types can be used to make champagne:

• Pinot Noir
• Pinot Meunier
• Chardonnay

There are three major types of Champagne:

• Non-vintage/multiple vintage: blend of two or more harvests
• Vintage: from a single vintage
• “Prestige” cuvee: from a single vintage with longer aging requirements

When it comes down to selecting a good bottle of champagne there a few factors that come into play. First, due to the nature of champagne production the shipper is responsible for all phases of the production. So finding/knowing a reputable shipper is key. After that it comes down to determining the style you prefer, full-bodied or light-bodied and a dry brut or a sweet demi-sec? Of course it also depends on what you’ll be pairing it with. As a general rule of thumb, brut and extra-dry are typically apertifs or throughout the meal. Sec and semi-sec are the yummy ones typically served with dessert.

Cheers!

Destination | Barcelona, Spain

I don’t even know where to begin with Barcelona… this was by far one my favorite trips. This trip could not have been more perfect, well unless I stayed and never came back. Even the plane ride there was ridiculous as we sang “Loca People” into our champagne bottles with the soon-to-be groom dressed as superman behind us.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have to eat my way around the world; and I couldn’t have been happier with my sangria, paella, patatas bravas, fresh seafood from the sea, exotic fruits, and enough gelato to last a lifetime. The gelato was amazing, the presentation was stunning and something to take back especially with the huge presentation/design trend in the f&b industry right now. Instead of the typical waffle or sugar cone, they straight up put it on a waffle or in a pastry like sandwhich- absolutely delicious. Oh and did I mention you could buy wine for 0.50 euros for a liter?!

There really isn’t a word to describe the city of Barcelona. From the breathtaking sights, to its diverse Catalan culture, fresh markets, seaside lifestyle, sportsmanship (Barca!), killer shopping, to phenomenal memories with incredible girls I really fell in love. My favorite night from this trip was when Dilan, Sorcha, and myself went for “one drink” to the bar below our flat and ended up on an adventure with new found friends. Walking with them to a nightclub miles down the road I was talking to this guy who spoke Catalan and knew some English- and then there was me who only spoke English, knows some Spanish and zero Catalan. It’s something hard to explain, but the magic behind the will to converse and communicate and overcoming a language barrier is a fabulous thing. We were an amazing trio that night, I loved when people would say, “So you’re American, shes Turkish, and shes Irish…. how are you friends?” I really could go on forever about our adventures in Barca, but I’ll end it at I couldn’t have had a better trip and I know I owe a large part of that to having such amazing friends. Thanks Ioana, Kristen, Monica, Sorcha, and Dilan for the greatest memories.