Where Food Meets Art, Travel & Life!
We are so excited to announce the release of 3 new books!
How Wine Can Change Lives by Laura Donadoni, translation by Maria Liberati
This Italian book and its Italian author have won many awards in Italy. If you are interested in wine, the families that make it, and stories about life in Italy intertwined with wine, you will love this book!
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Diaries: Seasons by Gourmand World Award Winning Author Maria Liberati
This is a continuation of the award-winning The Basic Art of Italian Cooking book series but this continues as a diary with recipes. A memoir/diary that Maria Liberati kept as she was creating The Basic Art of Italian Cooking book series. Charming stories about life in Italy and the recipes are easy to follow and most are artisan and healthy!
GraceLynn Detective Series
This book is by new author Monee Myers, a talented author that shares this delightful story for our ‘tweens’ audience. GraceLynn also loves to cook with her family and kid-friendly recipes from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking book series are included. The interesting back story to this book is that this was an internship project to immerse new author Monee into becoming an author. She worked with award-winning author Maria Liberati and our team into developing this book into a manuscript as part of her internship program, it has been a few years in the making, but we are finally ready to present this and hoping that we can have another entry into the series by next year.
You can now order these books here and on AMAZON!
All is Well in the Piazza and a Midnight Risotto
Updated on August 17, 2021
Wow, summer is soon coming to an end.. my book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Diaries: Seasons will soon be here….I wanted to share my diary and a risotto recipe from the upcoming books in honor of summer’s past.
Share Your Favorite Summer Food and Stories with us….
Do you have a favorite summer recipe or food story, share it with us here in the comments section and you may be selected to share your story on an upcoming episode of my podcast-The Maria Liberati Show
Here’s my diary entry frim summers’ past:
Midnight..mezzanotte.. and almost ready to leave the office. With music loudly playing in the piazza -a block away from my window-I can barely concentrate. The end of the summer is drawing near and everyone is trying to soak up every last drop of the pleasures of the summer- the weather, the warm summer nights, the air, the food ,the fun..
Anyway, as I set out to do before I go home tonight, I want to send you a souvenir of my day here. Besides working and writing, and meetings, eating and cooking takes up some part of the day. The souvenir I can send today is the wonderful taste of today’s lunch. I made a simple’ risotto con funghi’ with the fresh mushrooms. I was able to find them at at the market early this morning walking to the office.
I prefer to eat risotto in the winter time since it does require 20 minutes of concentrated stirring over the gas range. But withstanding the heat for 20 minutes was well worth the results!! Enjoy.
How to Ferr'Agosto
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copyright2021 Art of Living, PrimaMedia Inc/Maria Liberati
Caro Diario (dear diary): today is the 14th of August, the day before the biggest summer holiday for the Italians. It is a holiday known as Ferragosto or 15th of August. It dates back to the ancient Roman days and is celebrated all over Europe. Most everyone goes to the beach or the mountains. It usually marks the end of the summer. Two years ago, I was in Nice, France and we had fireworks on the beach for the 14th and 15th of August
This morning I made a ‘pasticcio de tonno’ for tomorrow’s picnic. We will have our feast on the terrace at home.. ‘pasticcio de tonno’ is a great dish for the summer.
Here is my recipe, (but prepare the night ahead so it has a chance to become firm and all the flavors ‘kick in’): *2 lbs of potatoes *2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley *1/4 tsp of hot red pepper *1 small red onion *1 tblsp of mayonnaise *1 -16 ounce can of tuna packed in olive oil *filtered juice of 1 lemon Boil potatoes ,cook till firm but done. While still hot, peel and cut into small cubes. Set aside in one bowl. Add in, chopped parsley, hot pepper and juiceof one lemon. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. In another bowl- flake tuna that has been drained and mix in finely chopped onion, mayonnaise.
Cover small round cake pan with baking paper. Brush baking paper with olive oil. layer one half of potato mixture on bottom and press firmly. Then spread tuna mix on top and cover with remaining potato mixture. Press firmly again, but do not smash potatoes while pressing. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours. Invert onto flat garnish with fresh parsley and/or fresh celery leaves. Cut and serve. Don’t forget to compliment this dish with a light white wine- like Chianti, Falenghina or Trebbiano. Buon Ferragosto a tutti!!
How To Flavor Your Day
needs pictures
My life seems to come in chapters that (as an obsessed foodie) I can only think of describing them in flavors..you know the chocolate chapter which is filled with the sweet and flavorful really delectable ..the novello (new and green behind the ears) like the new wine or olive oil..the pasta chapter..fillng but puts you to sleep..
Vanilla Chapter
Well today would be part of my vanilla chapter..delicous, simple, unassuming.. I am finishing up my second book and love reading over and over again and recrafting the stories of memories and recipes. But not too much of anything exotic or out of the ordinary going on..
Truffle Chapter
I am hoping for a true chapter that I can title my truffle chapter..something truly out of the ordinary, really special…
Life’s Little Chapters
So much of your life can be divided into little chapters each with it’s own underlying theme and of course to a foodie obsessed food is always the underlying theme.. My day is based around food..shopping for food, deciding what to eat, preparing the food, writing about it…talking about food and recipes.
The Blueberries are Coming
For instance today I would call” the blueberries are coming”-since I went to a local produce store and bought two pounds of the beautiful blue fruit and practically overdosed on them… they were local..and so luscious..
Get your copy of my Gourmand World Award Winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions- 2nd edition
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pesto
Updated on August 16, 2021
copyright 2021 Art of Living PrimaMedia Inc
Although they say when life gives you lemons..make lemonade.. I say make a yummy lemony pesto instead..
In the Ode to the Lemon, Poet Pablo Neruda called the juice of a lemon ‘nature’s most intense liqueur’….
Lemons. Lemons, this week is all about the lemon.. and my interview with charismatic actor Charly Chiarelli from the recently released film Road to the Lemon Grove.. a delicious film ..besides Charly Chiarelli’s great performance, there is food and the lush scenery of Sicily and what a great story.
Watch it and share a review with me here so we can share with everyone!
Did you watch Road to the Lemon Grove?? Here’s the perfect dish to have while watching:
For 4 people
remove the peel from 4 (uber) fresh lemons..place in food processor with 3/4 cup shelled almonds and 1 tablespoon of salted capers 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Blend..use this pesto to dress a salad, or as a sauce for cous cous or a refreshing sauce for cold summer pasta or even a hot pasta dish..
How To Celebrate August with Cornmeal Cookies
Updated on August 12, 2021
Zaletti (Cornmeal Cookies)
excerpted from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: DaVinci Style
1 cup+ 1 tablespoon(250 gr) cornflour
1 cup + 1 tablespoon (250 gr) flour
4 eggs
1 cup (200 gr) butter
½ cup (100 gr) raisins (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes,then drained)
zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsps baking powder
pinch of salt
powdered sugar for dusting on top
Beat eggs with sugar till creamy, add in eggs one at a time, beating after each addition, then add in vanilla. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, cornmeal,salt, baking powder. Mix ,a little at a time, dry ingredients into egg mixture until blended well. Add in raisins.
Form dough into large square and cover in plastic,refrigerate until easy to handle (about 2 hours).
Remove from refrigerator, cur dough into two and form each piece into a long cylinder. By rolling on a floured surface. Wrap in plastic and freeze till ready to bake,
Cut cookies into ¼ inch slices (.75 cm),
Cover cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place cookies on sheet and leave space between each., Bake in preheated oven of 325F (170C). for 10-12 minutes till lightly golden on top. Remove from oven and let cookies cool before serving.
Ultimate Summer Pasta Salad and Hanging Out with Hamilton
Updated on August 6, 2021
copyright 2021 Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc/Maria Liberati
This weeks recipe is an ultimate summer Penne pasta salad with shrimp, fresh summer corn and avocado
Penne Pasta with Corn, Shrimp and Avocado
Serves 4
- 1 ½ cups penne pasta
- 1 lb shrimp- cleaned
- ½ avocado
- 1 cup fresh corn
- 3tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 fresh lemon
- 1 clove garlic
*fresh parsley to taste
- ¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
- sale to taste
- pepper to taste
Boil water for pasta. When water has come to rolling boil add in pasta and cook according to directions on box (should be al dente). Cut the avocado into small cubes and place in dish, squeeze juice of lemon on top of avocado. Set aside.
Clean shrimp. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in saute pan and heat, Place in shrimp and saute for 1 minute, add in white wine, saute for 4 -5 minutes until liquid has evaporated.
Drain pasta. Add into saute pan with shrimp, add in avocado cubes, corn, 1 tablespoon olive oil. Toss and serve immediately while still warm. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Life at Hamilton
Also, since we are missing the postponed Tony Awards we thought we would bring a little bit of Broadway to The Maria Liberati Show…. hang out with me at the award winning musical Hamilton with author Mike Anthony shares stories of his life as a bartender at Hamilton and all the famous people that he has served drinks to and shared stories with and talks about his book Life at Hamilton.
How to Turn Your Backyard into Your Own Private Paradise
Updated on July 19, 2021
A backyard living space is the perfect place to spend cool summer evenings and crisp spring mornings. It can be a beautiful refuge from the rest of the world, without leaving the comfort of your own home. You can turn your backyard into your own private paradise by adding a fence, growing privacy hedges, and accessorizing with lounge seating.
Add a Fence
Adding a fence in your backyard is an excellent way to clearly outline your property line. Privacy is just one of the reasons to add a fence around your yard. You can also establish a clear line to keep out unwanted visitors and pests. It is also a great way to add to your home’s character and curb appeal. There are a variety of fence styles you can choose from that will enhance the overall satisfaction you have with your yard. Be sure to check your cities requirements for height, materials, etc. before executing your vision for a quiet, private, paradise.
Grow Privacy Hedges
With or without a fence, you can also grow a privacy hedge around your backyard. A privacy hedge is the perfect way to add green and foliage to your yard without taking up too much space. When taken care of properly, it can be a beautiful feature that enhances your backyard. There are various evergreen varieties that can provide year-round screening. Be sure to check with your garden center what will respond best in the climate you live in.
Accessorize With Lounge Seating
There isn’t much use in a backyard if you do not have the proper equipment to enjoy it properly. Investing in some outdoor furniture can make a big difference in your overall satisfaction and utility with your backyard. Invest in some furniture that you can feel comfortable and relax in, enjoying whatever the day may bring. Be sure to get accessories that are suitable for outside weather or weatherproof with waterproofing sprays. It is also important to “winterize” your furniture when it gets cold so you can keep the furniture nice for many seasons.
Your backyard is an extension of your home with the added benefit of fresh air. Turn your backyard into its own kind of paradise by adding things that you can best relax and find comfort in. Consider adding a fence, growing privacy hedges, and accessorizing with lounge seating to obtain maximum benefit.
How To Make Your Kitchen Sink Drain Faster
Updated on July 14, 2021
Clogged kitchen sinks are one of the most common problems a homeowner experiences. All too often food debris and soap residue builds up to make it nearly impossible to drain. Make your kitchen sink drain faster by using baking soda and vinegar, using a drain cleaner, and pouring boiling water down.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
The chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda and vinegar are mixed is very effective in unclogging a drain. Your ratio should be about equal: one cup of baking soda, one cup of white or apple cider vinegar. Before trying this technique, you should remove any standing water so the baking soda and vinegar can work its magic. First pour the baking soda, then the vinegar. When the bubbles subside, cover with the stopper, and set the timer for 15 minutes. After the time has expired, try flushing the drain with hot water to assess the drainage situation. If needed, repeat the process.
Use Drain Cleaner
Sometimes, the buildup in your pipes will be more stubborn than you initially thought. Drain cleaners can break up materials that accumulate in your plumbing system. Because of the chemical compounds, it is important to wear gloves, avoid spills, follow directions, and not to mix with other cleaners. You would not want an adverse chemical reaction to harm you or your home. The chemical and enzymatic cleaners available are excellent sources for clearing anything that is in the way of your sink from draining properly.
Pour Boiling Water
When it comes to cleaning inside the home, water is damage free. Often your sink has buildup of soap and food debris that just needs a little encouragement to make it down the drain. Hot water will loosen the blockage and promote healthy draining.
Pouring boiling water down your drain really is as simple as it sounds. Bring a half gallon of water to a boil, pour the boiling water directly into the drain, wait for 1-3 minutes, then turn on the faucet to check water flow. If you need the sink to drain even faster, repeat the process.
When your sink is clogged or draining slowly, it is important to fix the issue as soon as possible, to prevent flooding and further damage. Keep your home and your drain healthy with frequent maintenance and avoiding materials the drain cannot process. When needed, use the tips above to restore swift flow.
How Can I Make Sure My Garden is Fruitful?
Updated on June 26, 2021
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Maintaining a garden takes a lot of time and work. You want to make sure all this work is worth it in the end and that you have a fruitful garden. There are many things you can do along the way to ensure this result.
As with many things, it is best to make a plan before you get started. When it comes to your garden this includes planning which plants to include as well as the layout of your garden. When picking your plants, there are a couple things to consider. If you are doing a vegetable garden, then you should pick vegetables that you will actually eat. You shouldn’t waste space with fruits and vegetables that won’t get used.
Next, you need to think about your overall layout. You only have so much space and you want to be sure you have plenty of room to work in your garden. It can be helpful to draw out a map of your garden and plan where each plant will go. Additionally, you should consider what plants need more sunlight and plot out where they will need to be to get that sun. Other things to plan include your planting schedule and what tools you will need.
Start Your Sprouts
When you plant seeds, you can’t really monitor whether or not they’re growing until they sprout. There is also the likelihood that not all of your seeds will actually be good seeds. It can help to sprout your seeds before you actually plant them. When you sprout beforehand, seeds can actually germinate faster because they are in an environment with the ideal temperature and moisture. Once they have sprouted, you eliminate all the seeds that didn’t germinate, and you can plant all those that were successful.
To pre-sprout your seeds, you can use either a container or a plastic bag. Dampen some paper towels and line either your containers or the bag. Make sure you drain any excess water. Place your seeds on the paper towels and close your containeor plastic bag. Keep your seeds in a warm environment and check them often.
Transfer When Ready
Once your seeds have sprouted, you can transfer them to your garden area. When transferring, make sure you are very gentle with the germinated seeds. If the root becomes damaged, your plant will not grow. Sometimes the root will grow into the paper towel during germination. You can plant the part of the paper towel with the root in it along with the seedling. To transfer, gently place the sprouted seed into the dirt and cover with dry soil. You should start off by misting the soil with a spray bottle. This is because you don’t want to make the soil soggy. Too much moisture can lead to mold growing which can kill your seedlings.
Feed the Plants
As your plants continue to grow, you want to make sure they are getting plenty of nutrients. To start off, you should consider your soil. For the best soil, you want to have plenty of organic materials included. You can mix in leaves and shredded bark to your soil to incorporate these materials. Composting is another natural way to provide nutrients for your garden. You can make compost out of fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings, manure, and any other non-animal scraps. Different kinds of mulch add nutrients and can be used for a variety of plant types. Additionally, mulch helps to keep nutrients and water in the soil, and it can help to prevent weeds in your garden.
Control Weeds
For the sake of your plants, you want to manage the weeds in your garden. Weeds can compete with your plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight so you should do all you can to prevent them and remove them. As mentioned, mulch is a great way to prevent weeds from sprouting up. There are also plastic ground covers you can use. Overall, you want to avoid leaving any bare soil because this makes it easier for weeds to spout. If you do have weeds, pull them immediately. In some cases, if they have not gone to seed, you can hoe your garden which will then turn the weeds into nutrients for your soil.
Keep Pests Out
In addition to weeds, you need to be wary of pests. Part of preventing pests is taking care of your plants. Unhealthy plants invite insects. To avoid them, give your plants plenty of space so air can circulate between them. Watering early in the morning can prevent moisture from lingering into the evening which invites many pests such as slugs and snails. There are also ways you can attract helpful insects and other animals, such as birds, that will eat the insects damaging your plants. If you live in an area that has deer or other animals that eat your plants, you can use physical barriers like netting or fences. Of course, you can also use pesticides in your garden to get rid of pests. There are even natural pest control options you can use if you prefer.
Prune and Deadhead
While your plants are growing, you want to make sure you continue to maintain them. This includes pruning your plants and deadheading any flowering plants. It’s important to remove any dead or dying parts of your plants because it keeps anything from spreading. You also provide more room for new parts of your plants to grow which will keep your plants healthy. Additionally, you can add dead plant parts to your composting bin. In addition to pruning, you also need to harvest all plants on time. Overall, you need to do regular maintenance to ensure your plants stay healthy.
If you want to have a fruitful garden, it requires a lot of work beforehand and throughout the growing period. You can’t just plant your seeds and hope for the best. The more care you put into your garden, the more you can expect to get in return.
Where Should You First Post-Covid Trip Take You?
Updated on June 9, 2021
The prospect of going on vacation is exciting. The prospect of finally going on vacation post-Covid is completely exhilarating. As you think about the various destinations open to you, be sure to consider these beautiful spots.
Italy
Visiting Italy has probably been on your bucket list for a while. And how could it not be? This beautiful Mediterranean country contains so many beautiful sites where you can relax, explore, and learn about incredible history. Of all the cities that you could visit in Italy, Rome has to be one of the most beautiful and interesting for history lovers. Situated in the middle to south of the country, Rome is actually a smaller city than people think.
Because of this, you can expect to visit the main sites within a short amount of time. Make sure you see the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Via Appia, and the Roman Forum. All of these sites represent incredibly important historical locations and are awe-inspiring when visited. As you plan your trip to Italy or your visits to these sites, be sure to either do your own research beforehand or take an official tour while there. Having this insight will help you better appreciate these sites.
If you decide to stay in Rome, you should definitely try to take a day to explore Naples or Florence which are only a couple of hours away by train. Each of these cities boasts incredible sites as well—seeing Vesuvius from the edge of Castel dell’Ovo is an incredible experience. And you definitely have to try some Neapolitan pizza in the place where pizza was born.
The Mountains
Any kind of visit to the mountains can be incredibly refreshing and is one of the destination options that will allow you to undergo the fewest COVID restrictions. If you are an avid rock climber, going to El Capitan in Yosemite Park in California is one of the best summits to attempt. The Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps stands at a towering 14,700 feet and is another amazing rock-climbing destination.
Even if you are not a rock-climber, there are many mountain destinations that provide beautiful views, breathtaking hikes, and wonderful relaxation. Gasthof Post in Austria is one of the quaintest most charming mountain resorts to visit. This beautiful resort is famed for attracting royal guests like princes and princesses from Sweden and the Netherlands so be prepared for some regal company. In the US, the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina is breathtaking. This is a great resort to visit during the fall for spectacular colors.
Florida
Of all dream destinations, Florida is one of the best. No matter what you are looking to do, Florida has beautiful views and plenty of activities for everyone. Of all the great places to visit in Florida, one of the most visited spots is definitely Orlando.
Orlando is home to some of the biggest and best theme parks that the US has to offer. Of all the theme parks there, Disney World is perhaps the most well-known. Covering 25,000 acres, Disney World would easily cover about two Manhattan islands. Each themed section of the resort is divided into an individual park so plan accordingly. The most popular park is the Magic Kingdom park with its towering Cinderella Castle and rides based on some of the most well-loved and magical Disney fairytales.
While in Florida, you also can’t miss the beaches. Virtually anywhere you go, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful white sand. But of all Florida beaches, the Florida Keys are some of the best and most isolated. In addition to the beautiful beaches, be sure to stop at the many quaint and fun stops along the Overseas Highway as you drive from island to island. Some of the main stops you can’t miss include Key Largo where you can go snorkeling and scuba diving and Morada Bay. This bay is one of the most beautiful that Florida has to offer.
Iceland
Going to Iceland is another dream vacation to plan. Iceland has a lot to offer. For nature adventurers, check out the incredible erupting volcano hikes at Reykjanes and Eyjafjallajökull. These volcanoes are some of the few active volcanoes still remaining on earth. Depending on when you go, you may be able to see lava flow in addition to smoke from the mouth of the volcanoes.
As you plan your Iceland trip, you also have to check out the natural geothermal pools around the island. One of the best pools to visit is the Blue Lagoon. This pool is absolutely breathtaking with bright turquoise water and is only a short drive from the airport. While there, you also need to see the northern lights. In order to get the best view of the Northern Lights, you need to visit somewhere without a lot of light pollution and without big buildings or hills to obstruct your view. Some of the best spots include the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Lilja Guesthouse on the southeast side of the island.
A Cruise
Going on a cruise is perhaps the ultimate vacation idea especially because there are so many different kinds of cruises out there. If you’re going with young kids and simply want to relax, going on a Disney cruise could be an awesome option. Many of these cruises circle around the Caribbean making routine stops that allow you to sightsee. One of the main pulls of these kinds of cruises is the sheer number of attractions on the actual ship, keeping your kids happy and busy for the duration of the voyage.
If you’re more interested in visiting historical sites than simple relaxation, there are a number of European cruises that travel up the Rhine allowing you to stop in major cities like Cologne and in other smaller towns along the river where you can see incredible Medieval castles and cathedrals.
Montréal, Canada
Traveling to Montréal is a great idea as one of your first places to visit post-COVID. Granted, the city has experienced incredibly strict coronavirus measures and is adapting back to normal more slowly than other cities. However, even though some of the traditional festivals might not occur this summer, it still is a beautiful place to visit.
In fact, as of the end of June, most restaurants, cinemas, and large event centers will be open as long as social distancing is still maintained. And of all sites to visit in Montréal, many of the best sites are actually outdoors. As you plan a trip to the only French speaking province in North America, be sure to visit Old Montreal, or Vieux-Port de Montréal. Here, you’ll be able to see the incredible Notre Dame cathedral situated in the center of the old city. Depending on when you go, you may be able to attend an incredible concert and light show inside.
Additionally, plan to visit the MAC (Musée d’Art Contemporain or Museum of Contemporary Art). Though smaller than some contemporary art museums, this museum boasts some of the most ground-breaking and innovative exhibits ever.
Greece
Greece is another great place that you should stick on your travel bucket list. Greece is one of the few countries that you can visit without major restrictions due to Covid. As of April 19th, American visitors who received a vaccine at least 14 days prior to their visit are welcome to enter the country without needing to quarantine upon arrival.
This means that your Grecian vacation dreams can finally come true. Sites like Athens are a great place to start your visit. Anyone who visits Greece has to see the Acropolis. Situated on top of a large plateau, the Acropolis is part of an ancient Greek city where the remains of three major temples are. Of the three temples that remain, the most awe-inspiring and the one with the most evident remains is the Parthenon. This structure is made up of several large columns arranged in a rectangular shape holding up what used to be the roof.
If you visit Greece, you should also try to visit at least one of the many Greek islands. One of the most beautiful islands to visit is Santorini. The island is dotted with beautiful, whitewashed stucco and plaster houses. And it boasts some of the most spectacular beaches with black, red, and white pebbles and sand.
The Beach
Going to the beach is definitely one of the best vacations anyone can ask for and there are so many great options out there. As you think about the right beach to visit, think about what you are really hoping to get out of your vacation. If you really want to have a great time boating with your family, a lakeside beach might be sufficient to fulfill your cravings for warm sand and sun. As you look into different lakes to go boating, Lake Powell in northern Arizona is a great spot as is Bear Lake in northern Utah.
If you are wanting to spend time surfing, there are a variety of amazing beaches around the world that get some of the best waves. Heading to Hawaii’s North Shore is definitely a great idea. Even if you aren’t the best surfer around, going here at different times in the year allows you to not only access great waves yourself but to also watch great surfers perform in various competitions.
Surfer’s Point in Barbados is another incredible surfer’s beach that isn’t talked about as much as the North Shore. The best time to visit Barbados for surfing is between October and March, making it a great place to escape the winter cold.
Mexico
Mexico is one of the best tourist locations regardless of what you are hoping to see. If you want to spend most of your time on a beautiful beach, go to Cancun. If you want to see mind-blowing feats of human accomplishment, go to Mexico City.
Mexico City and the area around it boasts some of the most amazing remnants of the ancient Mexico and Aztec civilizations who once lived there. One of the most important places to visit is the Teotihuacan site near the city. This site covers roughly 32 square miles and its most eye-catching aspect is definitely the mammoth pyramid that lies at the end of the Avenue of the Dead.
This pyramid was the site of various important religious rites and ceremonies and was believed to be the birthplace of the gods by the Mexica people. Visiting this extraordinary site will give you insight into the incredible civilization of the peoples who inhabited this Mexican area, feats that definitely rival the feats of the Egyptians.
Washington DC
Visiting Washington DC this summer is a great option for American travelers especially now that restrictions have been largely lifted in Washington DC. While masks are still required in many locations, some of the nation’s best museums like the Smithsonian museums and other huge attractions were reopened for tourists to visit in May. With these museums now open, you’ll have so many cool things to go see and do that are free.
Regardless of how long you plan to stay in DC, there are a few things that you have to visit. First, you have to visit the National Mall. The National Mall is a beautiful outdoor complex made up of various memorials—start by stopping in front of the Whitehouse, then walk about 10 minutes to stop in front of the Washington Monument. If you’re brave, consider climbing the steps to get a spectacular view from the top. Then, walk around the reflection pools and visit the Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, WWII, Korean War, Martin Luther King Jr., and various other memorials.
Not only will the walk be incredibly beautiful, but you will learn about many key national figures and events in the process. While you’re in DC, be sure to also stop at the Washington National Cathedral and the Arlington Cemetery.
Travelling allows you to experience new places, climates, and cultures. Getting out there into new locations is especially exciting now that Covid is finally coming to an end. As you finalize vacation plans, be sure that you plan the right balance of activities and relaxation time to ensure you come home rejuvenated.
Looking for a new recipe to try while planning your travels? Check out these ones!
Listen to The Maria Liberati Show for more tips and travel ideas and like/share episodes for a chance to win this month’s giveaway of The Basic Art of Pizza book and a deep Dish Lou Malnati’s of Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Listen next week for an interview with Ron Becerra from Ruthless Pawz and a giveaway
from Vital Choice of a limited edition grill box
How To Make Summer Corn Dip
copyright 2021 Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc
This is a great dip for summertime since it uses fresh tomatoes, basil and corn together! All of these fresh ingredients give this a fresh summertime taste. It also contains only a few ingredients and is relatively quick to make. This recipe can also be adjusted to your taste buds (i.e. you can add more or less salt or pepper).Because this recipe only has a few ingredients nothing overpowers and each ingredient is discernible in the recipe.
Tomato Basil Summer Corn Dip
Serves 4
Makes approximately 2 cups
Cooking time:10 minutes
Prep time-10 minutes
2 cups fresh corn kernels cut from 2 corn cobs