
Tip #14: Before Popping that Cork on New Year's Eve,
How About a Little History About Champagne?
True champagne comes from the Champagne region in Northeastern France, mainly in the cities of Epernay and Reims (pronounced "Rahns"). The story goes that it was invented by Monsieur Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, who as a cellar master in 1715 experimented with stronger bottles and corks to prevent his various champagne blends (usually consisting of pinot blanc, pinot noir, and chardonnay grapes) from exploding, but this is a myth.
His real innovation was in combining these three types of grapes before pressing,
which prevented a second fermentation (that often caused the bottles to break).
Moet & Chandon introduced their first bottle attributed to Dom Pérignon as late as 1936.
Another fun fact:
Epernay also happens to be the home of my husband David (pronounced "Dah-Veed")!

Tip #15: Spice Up Your Night!
Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day
Throughout history, certain foods have been considered to be fertility enhancers.
Although modern science has yet to prove that these claims have any truth to them, various cultures continue to use foods and natural herbs in order to stimulate libido and fertility:
Ancient Egyptians/Middle East:
Bulbs, eggs, snails. sparrows, anise, basil, carrot, orchid bulbs,
carrots, coriander, fennel, figs, honey, Mead (fermented drink made from honey),
(Avoid: Dill, lentils, lettuce, watercress, water lily), pomegranate, date palm, cardamom
Africans:
Coffee, saffron & rosemary (North Africans)
Greeks & Romans:
Aniseed, oysters, truffles, pine nuts
Aztecs/Mexicans:
Avocado, chocolate, vanilla, agave
Indians:
Honey mixed with ginger and pepper, milk mixed with crushed almonds and
pepper, garlic, rock salt, fennel juice, ghee, licorice, cloves, asparagus
Chinese:
Licorice, nutmeg, ginseng
South Asians:
Basil, ginger,
pepper
General:
Asparagus, almonds/marzipan, arugula, asafetida, wine,
bananas, basil, mustard greens, dark coffee, garlic,
ginger, mustard, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries

Tid Bit #16: Good Luck Foods
Throughout history various cultures all over the world have used and consumed food representing prosperity, health, love, fertility, birth, and happiness. These "good-luck" foods are served during special occasions such as the first of the new year, births,
and other special anniversaries. The following are a few different types of foods and dishes.
Who knows, maybe they will work for you? Good luck!
AMERICAN SOUTH
Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas with rice): prosperity
Collards/Greens: dollar bills
TEXAS
Cabbage (common slang term for "money"
in 20th Century)
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
Saurkraut & Pork (New Year's Day)
ITALY
Lentils (money)
Grains/Risotto (abundance)
Cotechino Sausage (abundance, richness)
AUSTRIA
Pork (pigs forge ahead)
but NO LOBSTER (which move back)
CHINA
Noodles (longevity)
Whole Chicken (family togetherness)
Clams & Spring Rolls (resembling gold bricks & bars)
Lettuce Wrap (sounds like "rising fortune" in Chinese)
Tangerines & Oranges (sounds like "luck" & "wealth" in Chinese)
Pomelos (sounds like "to have" in Chinese)
Fish (sounds like "wish" and "abundance" in Chinese)
Sticky Rice Cakes (rich, sweet life, round shape symbolizes family gathering)
DENMARK
Boiled Cod Fish
GREECE
Vasilopita (orange-lemon-brandy cake with coin baked-in for good luck in new year; receiver of coin gets good luck
HOLLAND
Doughnuts (shaped link ring symbolizes good fortune; continuous circle of life)
JAPAN
Unbroken Soba Noodles (longevity)
Omochi (rice cakes offered to gods then eaten for wealth)
FRANCE
Crepes (prepared on La Chandeleur–the celebration of light–on February 2nd.
For good luck: flip pancake in air with frying pan while holding a coin in opposite hand;
Bad luck to drop on floor)
GERMANY
Herring, Carp (fish's scales sometimes also kept in wallets
to ensure good financial luck)
HUNGARY
Roast Pig with 4-leaf Clover in Mouth
BAD LUCK: Chicken or Fish (will swim away with money)
INDIA
Boiled Rice
ISRAEL/JEWISH TRADITION
Apples with Honey (sweetness of new year)
Whole Fish (head leads into new year)
Round Challah Bread (continuous circle of life)
Legumes, Grains (prosperity, abundance)
Pomegranate Seeds (prosperity, good deeds/mitzvot)
SPAIN
Eating 1 grape for each of the 12 strokes of midnight
on New Year's Eve
SWITZERLAND
Whipped Cream (dropped on floor to show surplus of wealth)
SYRIA
Black-eyed Peas (seeing into new year)
Black-eyed Peas with Veal (for Jewish New Year)
Black-eyed Peas with Swiss Chard

Tid Bit #17: WHAT'S IN SEASON THIS MONTH OF MAY?
Spring is finally here, and with that, more and more of a variety of delicious vegetables and fruits to choose from. Below is a list of those that are now in season for the month of May:
Vegetables
• asparagus, Haas avocados • green beans, beets, carrots, corn
• arugula, dandelion greens, lettuces, mustard greens • new potatoes, squash, zucchini
Fruits
• apricots, peaches • blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries
• cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon

Tid Bit #18: WHAT'S IN SEASON THIS MONTH OF JUNE?
Now in season for the month of June:
Vegetables
• green beans • corn • cucumbers • garlic • eggplant • summer squash • tomatoes
Fruits
• Black Mission figs • grapes
• cantaloupe • honeydew • watermelon • nectaries • peaches

Tid Bit #19: WHAT'S IN SEASON THIS MONTH?
Now in season for the month of July:
Vegetables
basil • cucumbers • eggplant • okra • bell peppers • tomatoes
Fruits
currants • grapes • Asian pears • Bartlett pears • plums • Valencia oranges