I traveled to 3 states in 2 days....California to Texas to North Carolina with in 24 hours.

After a great work week in CA that started with the InStyle and Environmental Media Awards luncheon, “The Busy Mom’s Guide To Greener Living” where I spoke about the importance of eating organic (while guests feasted on a menu with O Organics ingredients). We then moved on to San Diego for a few days filled with food, family, friends, and filming.

I then headed east to participate in what was to become one of my favorite event memories to date. I was asked to speak and create a menu for Mission Hospital’s cancer awareness event at the Grove Park Inn in Ashville, NC. I have never spent time in that part of the country and I was blown away by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Considering that I grew up in Sonoma County surrounded by old growth redwoods, rolling hills, and vineyards, I'm not an easy sell on other landscapes. I'm now officially impressed. My first stop in Ashville was the Appalachian Society's Farmers’ Market. The local produce wasn't bountiful at this time of year but the other food products were amazing. We sampled local spun honey that is so thick and creamy that it tastes like the best frosting that you could imagine! I then gathered Amish butter, local smoked trout, and organic cheeses to feature on my menu for the event.

When it came time for my keynote, I spoke on what I'm passionate about: making easy, healthy changes in the pantry, the grocery store, and in the kitchen to transform the ways we cook and feel. I ran through some common misperceptions on what is ‘natural’ food and then wrangled some volunteers to come up and learn a few quintessential cooking tips. We were outside on the 100-hundred plus year-old stone patio of the hotel, the sunset setting over the mountains, and I was filled with gratitude to have a job that I am so excited about. If you are in the Ashville area, make sure you check out the Grove Park Inn, it is worth seeing...pick up some pickled peaches at the farmers’ market and get ready for summer!