 August 11, 2008,
Hi Everyone - If you are looking for a "kick back and relax" kind of day trip - check out what we did yesterday ...first we took a scenic ride to Point Reyes Station, CA to catch their "world famous" Farmers Market at Toby's Feed Barn. Then we strolled over to the Palace Market and discovered an incredible BBQ offering some extremely tantalizing fare...ribs, chicken, sausage sandwiches, and BBQ'D Oysters - which I ordered...
  
In lieu of a formal eating area - people just found a sunny spot nearby to enjoy their tasty fare right off the grill. We found a bench across the street surrounded by tree stumps to sit on - it was quite laid back, and a refreshing change of pace. I really enjoyed the cocktail sauce they used on the oysters and found out we could purchase "Gloria's Secret Sauce" at the Palace Market deli. Intent on recreating this "BBQ'D Oyster" experience at home - we bought a few containers and headed to the Tomales Bay Oyster Co. to get some fresh oysters of our own. On the way, we came across a great BIG BULL soaking up the sun - I persuaded my husband turn around so we could get a better look (below)!
  
The Bull's owner happened to be there and I asked him why this Bull was so BIG - we we're told he's a mixed breed - but I'm not sure with what...an elephant??? He was so enormous it took him 5 good attempts to get up the momentum to just stand up - which was a nice gesture to show us he was happy to see us (I guess!). The last photo above is of the view along the way to Tomales Bay Oyster Co. below:
  
Tomales Bay Oyster Co. will be celebrating their 100th year in business this coming March - a definite sign that they must be doing something right! There were dozens of people hanging out at the picnic tables and grills enjoying the weather - the views - and of course the freshest oysters around!
Here's how to make our version of "BBQ'D Oysters:"
- Melt 1/2 cup butter (or butter alternative like Smart Choice), a splash of olive oil - 2 teaspoons crushed garlic and 3 tablespoons minced cilantro, fresh ground black pepper to taste in a bowl. I get the frozen cubed garlic, cilantro, basil, parsley etc. so I always have them on hand and ready to go.
- Place the number of fresh oysters you want on high heat for 5 minutes - they will open up.
-Split open oysters with a knife and generously brush oyster meat attached to the half shell with melted butter & herb mixture above.
-Lower heat to medium and grill oysters open shell up until they start to bubble (an additional 5 minutes of cooking)
-If you want to try the cocktail sauce version - add a dollop of the cocktail sauce to each oyster on the grill as soon as the melted butter begins to bubble and grill a few more minutes until heated through - up to 5 more minutes which makes the total grilling time from closed oysters to done approximately 10 minutes.
- Serve with toasted garlic bread, a crisp white wine, a dry sparkling wine, beer, or the beverage of your choice Ahhh...fresh Tomales Bay Oysters on the grill - another reason why "It's just more fun ~ Living in California!"
ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
7/25/08 - Hi Everyone,
Have you ever found yourself craving a dish after you've had a good experience with it out at a restaurant? This has been my experience with Cioppino. I love it. We had it out on vacation and I could not wait until I had it again. We have a great recipe to share for Crab Cioppino - compliments of the Tides Wharf & Restaurant in Bodega Bay, CA where we made it on CA Living. Since I did not have fresh crab on hand I simply left it out. Now I must admit I took a few shortcuts - first, I used the pre-made Cioppino sauce in a jar (it's usually near the seafood counter). In addition to fresh seafood, I also sauteed a bag of frozen seafood which included calamari rings, scallops, and shrimp (from Trader Joes) in olive oil, onions (diced) and garlic (minced). Fresh Orange Roughey fillets (holds up well when cooking), a 1/2 bag of pre-cooked prawns - with tails on, fresh mussels (scrubbed clean), and a bag of frozen wild bay scallops also added substance to this heavenly seafood stew which I served with a fine bottle of Cambria Pinot and garlic bread! Absolutely divine! If you now have a craving for Cioppino try it out!
Are you having a love affair with a favorite dish? Tell us about it! Email the recipe and a photo if you have one to us at info@insidelooktv.com and tell us your story! We will be expanding our Food & Wine section to include many of the video segments on Food & Wine from our show, and will also be posting select recipes/stories we receive from our viewer's and web visitors.
Thanks, and ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
7/10/08 Hi Everyone,
If you are traveling to CA - you're in for the time of your lives...and if you live in CA you know: "You don't have to go away to get away" as we have a world of fun and relaxing places to explore right in our own backyards. I really like the idea of taking"mini-vacations" - so whether you have a weekend, a day, or even just a few hours you can get that "get-away feeling" without going through the hassle of "going away." Taking a spa day is a great way to go on a "mini-vaca," and so is taking a Sunset Cruise on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry. Just visiting Tiburon, CA - where they dock out of is a getaway in itself! You can walk everywhere in this quite bayside community to check out the specialty shops and waterfront restaurants. Sunset Cruises run every Friday and Saturday night -and you can bring a bottle of wine or "whatever" you want to drink and your own picnic dinner to enjoy as you cruise around the bay and take in the sights. Of course, the Sunsets are divine! For more info. and a ferry schedule visit AngelIslandFerry.com or give them a call at 415.435.2131. The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry also offers "Moonlight Champagne Cruises" - the first one runs Saturday, July 19th - check out their "GET MOONED" 30 sec. promo below and hope to see you there!
Play 30 sec. "GET MOONED" - Moonlight Cruise promo for Saturday, July 19, 2008
Bon Voyage! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
7/1/08 - Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the tremendous response to our "Relax ~ CA Style" Special - we hope you have a chance to check out some of the activities and destinations we featured. Now if a coastal getaway is in your future - the Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa, which was recently voted the "Bohemian's 2008 Best Weekend Getaway" is offering CA living viewers and web-site visitors two great packages - for more information click here.
We'll be taking the summer off to check out some of the incredible 'California Living' we're always talking about and will keep you posted on some of the fun and unique destinations we discover so check back often "To find out why - it's just more fun...Living in California!" Have a great summer - and ENJOY!!! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
6/20/2008 - Hi Everyone ...We've put together an incredible show to kick off your summer of fun and wrap up CA Living's 4th season on the air! Whether you're looking for 'easy and unique entertaining ideas' a romantic coastal getaway, or a wine country retreat - you'll find it all in CA Living's 'Relax ~ California Style' Season Finale airing this Saturday @ 5:30 PM on ION Media Networks KKPX TV- 65, Comcast Cable 16. Now if you're interested, check back this week for more info. and sneak peaks as well as for the INSIDE LOOK at how I took 10 years off my appearance in a quick procedure with no down time! See you soon, Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
6/14/08 - Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the great response to our Home Improvement Special - it was a lot of fun! A few of the segments can be viewed On-Demand:
Meet Mike Galatolo - Your "Color Therapist"
Create Perfect Outdoor Rooms
See how easy it is to "Do-it Yourself" In Wood
Hope your summer is off to a great start - our next CA Living Special coming out in a few weeks will have the INSIDE LOOK how easy it is to plan an impromptu party on the San Francisco Bay with the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry's Private Charters - among other exciting features so please check back for details and sneak peeks - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
6/02/08 - Hi Everyone ,
Whether you're looking to remodel your home or just freshen up your living environment this season our 'CA Living Home Improvement Special' airing Bay Area wide Saturday, June 7th @ 5:30 PM on ION Media Networks - KKPX TV-65, Comcast Cable 16 will motivate the inner "do-it-yourselfer" in you!!!
HGTV's 'Over Your Head Host,' and author of "Do it Yourself Family" - Eric Stromer tells us how to get the family in on your remodeling projects; Master Carpenter and Celebrity TV Host Ty Pennington reports on the latest trends in kitchens & baths; and we take in a session with ColorFast Custom Color Expert and "Color Therapist" - Mike Galatolo-on how using the right colors can change our lives. We will also take a look at the elements needed to create perfect outdoor rooms, and how to install your own hardwood flooring! Watch it - record it - or TIVO it- just don't miss it!
Play 30 sec. 'CA Living Home Improvement Special' overview
Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
5/18/08 - Hi Everyone,
Thanks for a great response to our CA Living "Health & Wellness Special" - we appreciate your ongoing support and interest in our show! If you don't live in the Bay Area, or if you would like to see some of the segments again you can catch most of it On-Demand on the CA Living "Health & Wellness Special" page - Check it out!
Now if you're dreaming of a romantic getaway but are finding it hard to take the time - "Relax - paradise is just moments away with a ride on the Angel Island tiburon Ferry." Whether you're looking to spend a day on Angel Island, enjoy one of their "Sun-Sational Sunset Cruises" on a Friday or Saturday evening, or want to throw a relaxed private party on the San Francisco Bay - the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry is your "ticket to paradise!" Bonus: they dock in beautiful Tiburon, CA - a destination all in of itself! For more information and a ferry schedule visit them online @ www.AngelislandFerry.com. - ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
5/12/08 - Hi Everyone - Be sure to catch the 'CA Living Health & Wellness Special' - Saturday, May 17th @ 5:30 PM on ION Media Networks, KKPX TV-65, *Comcast Cable 16 - for the INSIDE LOOK at the Top 10 Foods proven to enhance health & longevity, healthy fare with a Mediterranean flare, the CA Living Beach Body Workout, and meet Actor and Desperate Housewives' star James Denton who has valuable advice and a free guide for people with allergies. *Please check your local listings for the KKPX TV-65 Cable Channel in your area.
How to Combat Public Enemy # 1 - Free Radicals:
We hear much about free radicals and how to combat them as they have severe effects on our health causing everything from aging, DNA destruction, muscle soreness, coronary artery disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, whole body inflammation and destruction of the immune system - wow - that's a lot of potential damage!
What we don't hear about as often is the phenomenon that our bodies create free radicals when we exercise. It's true - in fact the metabolism creates more free radicals during exercise that it does at rest. Okay - all you people out there who don't exercise - no gloating - this doesn't mean exercise isn't good for you as we all know it is imperative we do engage in it on a regular basis for optimum health. So what's the solution? While the body has an elaborate system for buffering the effects of these destructive chemicals - diet is also very important and here's where our friends the Anti-oxidants come in. "Researchers from the University of Memphis found that subjects given supplements of vitamins D and C, or a fruit and vegetable powder had lower free radical levels (as measured by free radical markers) after endurance exercise than when they took a placebo. The study showed that physically active adults should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and take antioxidant supplements to protect against the effects of free radical damage." (Medicine Science Sports Exercise, 38: 1098-1105, 2006) I hope this insight has you thinking about what your post-workout snack or meal will be...and that it will be loaded up with lot's of anti-oxidant rich foods!
Check back for updates on our CA Living Health & Wellness Special coming out this season - which will include an interview with Desperate Housewives Actor James Denton, who will be telling us how to get out and about with allergies with a new guide from Zagat - fun!!! We'll also be preparing a great seafood dish that's healthy but doesn't sacrifice flavor, looking at a super quick total body workout, and lifestyle choices that can add up to 10 years to your life - more on this show to come - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
4/14/08 - Hi Everyone,
We have a lot of great things in store for you with our 2008 CA Living Home Design Special For starters, Eric Stromer, HGTV's "Over your Head" host will give us tips on how to remodel with ease and even how to get the kids in on the projects. Extreme Makeover - Home Edition host and Master Carpenter Ty Pennington reports on what's new for the kitchen from the National Kitchen & Bath conference and show...and more! From the # 1 thing you can do to improve the look and value of your home to how to make the most of your outdoor living spaces this show will get you in the mood to Renew - ReDesign - ReImagine your home this season - so check back for June air dates and show updates - thanks & ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
4/9/08 - Hi Everyone,
Looking for some fun events to attend this weekend to take advantage of this unseasonably beautiful weather? Head to the Sonoma Coast for the Bodega Bay 35th Annual Fisherman's Festival for live music & entertainment, wine tasting, and great food running Saturday 4/12 - through Sunday 4/13!
For the ULTIMATE FILM-FIX check out the The Sonoma Valley Film Festival now in progress through Sunday 4/13! For info. on getting your Day Passes and door tickets click here or call (707) 933-2600 for ticket information and hope to see you there! Aprilanne
4/6/08, Hi Everyone,
There's no doubt about it - GREEN IS IN and we don't have to install solar panels to join the efforts to reduce our environmental foot print on the earth (although solar energy is a terrific way to go if you have the dough!). Below are just a few little ways Elizabeth Rodgers, coauthor of The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One simple Step at a Time offers to yield big returns for the environment:
1. Forgo ATM receipts: "If every American skipped cash machine receipts, it would save a roll of paper more than two billion feet long and reduce one of the top sources of littler on the planet."
2. Knock down napkin use: "If everyone in the U.S. used one fewer napkin a day, we could save more than a billion pounds of napkins from the landfill each year."
3. Shop Smart: "At the market, opt for one large container of your family's favorite munchies instead of smaller bags or boxes. "If just one out of 10 products you bought had little or no packaging, it would eliminate more than 50 pounds of waste per household a year." And if you don't BYO reusable grocery bags - choose paper over plastic and please recycle!
Of course there are hundreds more ways to do our part to help our planet - yet just think of the positive impact a few simple changes can make!
We have lots of great things in store for you this season - our ReNew - ReDesign - ReImagine Home Improvement Special with HGTV's Eric Stromer among other TV home improvement celebrities; a terrific Travel & Leisure show, and a delectable Food & Wine show - we'll have more on these TV Specials airing Bay Area wide to come so check back for details and sneak peaks!
ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
3/24/08 - Hi Everyone,
If this incredible spring weather has you thinking swimsuit season is just around the corner you're not alone! Of course, looking good is just one of the benefits to getting and being in shape - you will also feel great! While there are literally thousands of videos, shows, and books on how to get in shape and loose weight, for one great fitness routine check out the CA Living Beach Body Workout - and get a total body workout in just 20 minutes a day with Circuit Training. For optimum health you may also want to indulge in the Top Ten Foods proven to increase health & longevity.
Enjoy this incredible California Living, Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
3/7/08 Hi Everyone,
Spring is the perfect time to start your home improvement projects and with that in mind - we're gearing up for our 2008 CA Living Home Improvement Special and will have more on the incredible celebrity talent and home improvement topics they'll be covering in the near future so please check back! In the meantime, Spring's hottest colors are in - and according to the experts at Pantone, who have been forecasting home and fashion colors trends for the last 13 years - this season's tempting hues are inspired by food! Think about using one or all of the colors below when updating your walls and home decor accents this season:
- Cantaloupe - A sun-touched, sweetly appealing orange
- Croissant - A delicious, deep tan
- Golden Olive - A tasteful, eco inspired green brown
- Daiquiri Green - A cheerful yellow-green
Want to be richer - thinner - happier? Watch our interview with Mike Galatolo, ColorFast's Custom Color Expert and "Color Therapist" to find out how color can effect our lives: Click here to view Color Therapy session with "Dr. Mike" now.
Please check back soon for upcoming programming information - and Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
2/20/08 - Hi Everyone,
February 14th marked a milestone in the quest to keep our New Year's resolutions - the six weeks between New Years and Valentines Day is referred to as the "Honeymoon Period" - and it is by this time, that your goals to exercise and eat right and have either become a (good) habit, or have fallen by the wayside. Since motivation is the key to sticking with any new exercise and health regimen - try reviewing the reasons why you decided to make these healthy changes in the first place - were you looking to improve your health and well being - loose a few unwanted pounds, or get back that "I can do anything" feeling that comes with being in good physical condition?
Being Flexible is a key component to successfully implementing any long term change - so try not to be so hard on yourself if you do skip a few days of exercise or go off your diet plan - everyone needs to relax and kick back now and then - the secret is to get right back in the saddle. Motivation can come in many forms - choose something that gets you going and be open to change as your goals and motivations will undoubtedly change along the way. While we all know the Rocky movies are classics when it comes to motivating, sometimes watching a good thriller to get your blood pumping will also do the trick - check out the Vantage Point trailer compliments of The Internet Movie Data Base, and see if you feel more energetic afterwards- it worked for me, and I can't wait to see it in the theaters - Vantage Point opens tomorrow, 2/22/08!
ENJOY! Aprilanne
Important: This information is provided to enhance your everyday living and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a specific disease or illness. If you are struggling with symptoms of depression or fatigue be sure to consult with your physician or health care provider for proper treatment.
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
2/02/08 - Hi Everyone,
One easy change this month can help you improve your mood and prevent fatigue -simply open your blinds as soon as you wake up in the morning! While our first reaction may be to head for the coffee pot - researchers tells us natural light is an important cue for our internal clock, the mechanism in our brain that tells us when to do everything from sleeping to eating. And research shows that early-morning exposure to the sun's rays helps set that clock, making us more alert, increasing our energy throughout the day, and even boosting our metabolism. According to Center for Light Treatment at Columbia University Medical Center "this is especially important in the winter as fewer daylight hours can make you feel more sluggish and may increase feelings of sadness or seasonal depression." If your room is lacking in the natural rays department - experts recommend turning on a white fluorescent lamp to achieve similar benefits.
Engaging in laughter is another known way to lift the spirits (you also burn the same amount of calories laughing for 15 minutes as you would in doing 10 minutes of weight lifting!) - so why not rent a great comedy like Tootsie - check out the movie trailer compliments of "Internet Movie Database."
ENJOY! Aprilanne
Important: This information is provided to enhance your everyday living and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a specific disease or illness. If you are struggling with symptoms of depression or fatigue be sure to consult with your physician or health care provider for proper treatment.
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
1/26/08 - Hi Everyone,
When it's cold and rainy outside, there's really nothing better than a dish of your favorite comfort food or a special bowl of hot soup - mmmm...! Check out our Recipes for great 1 pot meals like Grandma Rose's pasta & beans, or if you're in the mood to prep a bit - take a look at the Tide's Crab Cioppino , it's the perfect dish to serve a crowd...in fact, it's the perfect Super Bowl party dish - it's a winner every time!
Stay warm & dry...and Enjoy, Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
1/12/08 - Hi Everyone,
"Design Elegance" - our recent TV special on the 38th Annual Marin Designers Showcase is now On-Demand - check it out when you have a chance. This was our third consecutive year covering Showcase, and it was truly our pleasure working with the volunteers and designers.
On the Health & Wellness Scene - beware of what in the "fitness world " we call "The Honeymoon Period" - this is the 6 week time period between New Years Day and Valentines Day. Similar to the blissful period of the Honeymoon in a marriage, in committing to a healthy lifestyle - the beginning is when there is a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. The gyms are bustling, and we are diligently trying to eat right. So what happens? Research shows that by Valentines Day many people have fallen back into old habits, and the enthusiasm dies.
How can you make your fitness commitments last beyond the "Honeymoon Period?"
Here are our 3 easy Guidelines for Fitness Success:
1. Keep Your Expectations Real:
While it would be nice, there are no magic pills or exercises that will whip us into shape overnight - (We do have the CA Living:Toned -By -Tonight Workout that will make your muscles look more defined for a big night out and the CA Living Beach Body Workout - a terrific 20 minute total Body Workout On-Demand to check out though!)
Keep your expectations realistic - aim to loose 1-2 pounds a week. You may experience more weight loss early on - which is natural - yet the healthiest weight loss plans will not shock your body into shedding large amounts of weight in an (unhealthy) short amount of time.
The secret is balance - your fitness goals are just one part of your life - and should not consume your every waking moment - nothing should - that would be a terribly unbalanced and unhealthy way to live. Most of us have jobs, families, and many other daily commitments beyond working out. Sure there are celebrities that lose weight or "get buff" for their next film who work at it 24/7 - but unless your planning to audition to be the next "Rambo" give it a rest! Your results will come - in time! By understanding this and keeping things in perspective you will be able to work towards your goals over a longer period of time.
2. Set up a Goal and Reward System:
It is important to have goals like - "I want to be in a bikini this summer," - or I want to run a 5K or 10K this spring." By setting up intermittent goals along the way and rewarding yourself for reaching these goals you will keep your enthusiasm high and have mini-milestones to look forward to achieving.
For example, going 30 days without eating junk food, or going down a size in your jeans are reasons to celebrate! By setting up non-food related rewards such as a day at the spa, a shopping spree (please don't blame it on me), or a movie night out with your friends (hold the butter & salt please!), you will feel good about your progress along the way and be less likely to throw in the preverbal towel.
3. Work in that Workout!
What happens when we say to ourselves "I'll get to it - right after I do this...or - I'll do it tomorrow" - the "it" usually never happens because we did not consciously plan it into our daily or weekly routine. Create a schedule that works for you - three days a week - every other day, 30 - 60 minutes everyday - Making exercise a part of your life means making it work with the rest of your life.
The beauty of exercise is you can combine it with things you love, hiking, biking, rowing, walking - I know it's easy to say and harder to do - but seriously, try scheduling an activity you love once a week. While the winter weather presents some challenges you can swim indoors, shoot hoops, or even play a game of tennis indoors, and of course - you can create a kick-butt workout at your local gym and combine it with a great fitness class to keep it interesting. Try adding kick boxing, yoga, or pilates to your routine - you'll challenge your mind and body in different ways and meet new people who share similar interests - a great fringe benefit!
The following info. has been taken from an earlier entry and is worth repeating:
It only takes about *4 - 6 weeks for something to become a habit and probably less time for us to integrate something so totally that we are no longer aware of it. *Some sources indicated it can take as little as 21 days for an action to become a habit.
All the best with your goals - Enjoy! Aprilanne
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness - please check with your doctor or health care provider prior to starting any new health or fitness regimen.
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
1/2/08 Happy New Year Everyone!
How did you spend your first day of 2008? Hopefully, it was doing whatever makes you happy! My husband and I made Uncle Joe's Crab Cakes as part of a somewhat elaborate New Year's Day Brunch - and they we're the "Best Crab Cakes EVER" as the recipe promises...you can check out the recipe in our Food & Wine section.
The New Year offers a certain promise of good things to come - there's something about having a fresh start, or a clean slate so to say that offers everyone a second chance at accomplishing whatever their hearts desire. While many look to improve their health and well being (Check out our Health & Wellness section) some seek to enhance their personal lives by changing careers, or taking the necessary steps to advance in their chosen career path.
There are so many opportunities to learn online now from wine making to creative writing to learning a new language so that you can easily find a class or classes that will get you where want to be in 2008. What ever you do I am wishing you much success and happiness in the New Year...and Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
12/29,2007 - Hi Everyone,
You know what's coming next - the New Year - which can be the perfect time to kick start resolutions to eat right, exercise, and get rid of any "unhealthy" habits we may have fallen prey to. Check out our Health & Wellness page, which offers the Top 10 Foods for optimum health & longevity, healthy lifestyle choices, and the CA Living - Beach Body Workout - a 20 minute Total Body Circuit Training Workout - all featured on CA Living this fall.
No matter what you're planning to change in the New Year - here's one of my favorite tips on "healthy living:"
It only takes about *4 - 6 weeks for something to become a habit and probably less time for us to integrate something so totally that we are no longer aware of it. *Some sources indicated it can take as little as 21 days for an action to become a habit.
So whatever your resolutions - give it some time - and before you know it - they will become habitual and second nature. Enjoy the season and all the best in 2008! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
12/23/07 - Hi Everyone...
As promised, Uncle I have Uncle Joe's 7 fish dinner menu for this year's Christmas Eve Feast:
1. Jumbo Prawn Cocktail with Cocktail sauce
2. Deep Fried Calamari
3. Aglio e olio - Angel hair pasta with olive oil and anchovies
4. Sauteed Scallops
5. Breaded Flounder
6. Crab Cakes (recipe to follow!)
7. Zuppa de Pesce - Fresh Cod in a tomato based spicy sauce, black olives, capers, red peppers
This year, Uncle Joe served the above menu to close to 50 people! What a feast! For the best Crab Cake recipe check out our recipes section...and ENJOY!
Reprint of Background on "feast of the 7 Fishes" from below: On the "Holiday Scene" - Uncle Joe is preparing his traditional "Feast of the 7 Fishes" for Christmas Eve, which as the legend goes originated in Naples, Italy and stems from the belief that Christmas Eve dinner should always be "in Blanco" (meaning white or no meat), with only fish, vegetables, cheeses and grains typically being served before Midnight Mass.
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
12/20/2007 - Hi Everyone,
The much anticipated CA Living Home Design Special on the 38th Annual Marin Designers Showcase will debut this Saturday, 12/22/07 @ 5:30 PM on ION Media Networks, KKPX TV-65 Comcast Cable 16, which concludes the 13 week run we've enjoyed this season!
Originally built as a "summer cottage" (a 6,500 sq. ft. summer cottage I may add) - it was fascinating and inspiring to see how top bay area designers transformed it into a elegant estate for this year's Showcase, the major fundraising event for the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin. You'll also find out about the incredible volunteer effort that works hard behind the scenes to make Showcase a reality year after year.
To get you in the "summer cottage" mood play Theme From A Summer Place music clip...(it works for me every time!)
We would like to thanks our terrific sponsors and faithful viewers who have made another season of CA Living possible, and welcome you to visit this site often to check out what's new on-demand, get great recipes, and to find out what we'll be up to next season!!!
On the "Holiday Scene" - Uncle Joe is preparing his traditional "Feast of the 7 Fishes" for Christmas Eve, which as the legend goes originated in Naples, Italy and stems from the belief that Christmas Eve dinner should always be "in Blanco" (meaning white or no meat), with only fish, vegetables, cheeses and grains typically being served before Midnight Mass.
So in true Italian fashion (lot's of gusto!) Uncle Joe prepares 7 courses all featuring a different fish or seafood dish - It's always delicious and fun to find out what he has prepared for our 60 - 75 immediate family members -which is no small feat! I hope to have a few of his recipes up soon - so please check back!
Enjoy the season - and all the best in 2008! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
12/15/07 - Here's the perfect starter to serve this holiday season...
Marc Blackwell's Butternut Squash Soup recently featured on CA Living:
For Six Servings Gather:
Three large Butternut Squash
1/2 Pint roasted or boiled chestnuts
1 cup organic chicken stock (can be made with vegetable stock)
4 Tablespoons sweet salted organic butter
1/4 cup cold pressed olive oil
4 tablespoons chopped fresh lemon-thyme
1 tablespoon sea salt; 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
6 tablespoons maple syrup
Preheat oven to 375
Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise, remove seeds and place on well oiled cookie sheet face down. Bake in oven for 45 minutes.
Cut into pieces and puree in food processor, place in large pot.
Puree Chestnuts in food processor, add to squash
Add olive oil, chicken stock, and salt to pot, bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes
Stir in thyme and butter, cut the heat, cover and let sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Place in individual bowls adding maple syrup (one tablespoon per serving) and ground pepper on top.
Float thyme sprig on top of each bowl.
This recipe can be made ahead and is best served slightly warm ...ENJOY!!!
For more great recipes visit CA Living Recipes
For information on Marc Blackwell visit www.marcblackwell.com
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
December 14, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Are you ready for the holidays??? We'll relax - In our "Holiday ~ Wine & Dine Special" - Marc Blackwell, Event Visionary and New York Table Top Designer shares his secrets to creating a tablescape like a hollywood celebrity (he's designed events for Oprah, Cindy Crawford, and Anna Kournikova to name a few). Blackwell also shares his secrets on food & wine pairing and entertaining with ease.
...and if you're looking to sit back, relax and let someone else take over - our feature on the Bay View Restaurant's popular Winemaker Dinners will point you in the right direction for a truly "Gastronomic Getaway" in Bodega Bay, CA!!! So check it out 5:30 PM, Saturday, 12/15/07 - on ION Media Networks KKPX TV-65, Comcast Cable 16. Enyoy! Aprilanne
Related links:
Visit www.marcblackwell.com for a look at his beautiful line of dinnerware, which I simply fell in love with ...especially his Carolina pattern in blue which is pictured at the top of this page!
For more info. on the Bay View Restaurants Winemaker Dinners visit www.innatthetides.com
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
December 5, 2007 - Hi Everyone...
So where does the time go? It seem's like just yesterday we were frolicking at the beach in the prime time of summer and now - Christmas and the holidays are upon us...in a big way! Is anyone else feeling it...the added to-do lists -extra activities - and - holiday related expenditures all customary during this time of year?
While I don't have any miracle solutions, gels, or products (yet!) that will whisk away the stresses this time of year can bring I do have a suggestion...try to identify what this season means to you - whether it means giving to those less fortunate, helping a friend in need, or spending more time with your family and friends...this way you can work towards doing what it is that makes you feel good in the process too!
I say it often so if you know me you know by now when it comes to "living" I think Californian's have it good! We have everything we could ever want right in our own backyard. So enjoy this haven we call home, and have a terrific holiday season! Aprilanne
PS: Check out our "Getaways Close to Home" featured in this weekend's show Saturday @ 5:30 PM -on ION Media Networks, Comcast Cable 16 - proof positive paradise is just moments away...
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
November 30, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the great response to the Health & Wellness Special - this week we check out the ultimate in Napa Valley living with a look at the Carneros Inn and The Orchard, a private residence club located on the property of this 5 star resort - so check it out Saturday @ 5:30 PM!
Since we live in one of the greatest places on earth we think you'll love our "Home for the Holidays" Special airing Dec. 8th - as we'll be exploring two bayside communities and discovering where to "Stay & Play" - less than an hour from the Golden Gate.
...And now that Crab Season is officially open - this Special will also have the INSIDE LOOK at how to make the Tides Wharf & Restaurants famous Crab Cioppino so don't miss our "Home for Holidays" Special airing December 8th.
Here's an unexpected stocking stuffer idea -give the gift of sunshine this holiday season and SAVE while you're at it with a block of Sunset Cruise tickets with the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry - for more info. Check our www.angelislandferry.com - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
November 20, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
The thought of " Thanksgiving Dinner" conjures up so many "feel good" memories - partly because it's a big food holiday and we know "food is love." It's also a holiday devoted to "giving thanks," and you know we're all so lucky and have so much to be thankful for - it's scary!
We are pleased to announce that the 2nd in a series of 4 PSA's produced for CA Living's IN THE SPOTLIGHT Program will air this Saturday @ 5:30 PM on CA Living ...and it's on a wonderful program - The Marin Mammal Center's Adopt A Seal Program - a fun and rewarding way to support the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of marine mammals in need.
Play 40 sec. Adopt A Seal Public Service Announcement
We would like to extend a special thanks to our terrific clients who have all contributed to the production of PSA's (Public Service Announcements) that will be airing throughout the remainder of the season. It is because of their generosity and support that programs like Adopt A Seal, Marin Search & Rescue, and the Marin Designers Showcase Auxiliary will be IN THE SPOTLIGHT during CA Living's "Season of Giving."
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and check out our Health & Wellness Special this Saturday @ 5:30 PM - Aprilanne
Related links:
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Marin Mammal Center's Adopt A Seal Program
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
November 15, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
This weekend - the CA Living Food & Wine Pairing Special covers all the ingredients needed to host the perfect Food & Wine pairing event - ideas on what to serve...the supplies you need..and if you are more inclined to entertain out - we've got that covered as well with a look at the popular Winemaker Dinners at the Bay View Restaurant & Lounge.
Speaking of Entertaining...our Designers Showcase Special due out this season will be featuring Event Visionary and Table Top Designer Marc Blackwell of Marc Blackwell New York - who met with us at Cellar 360 in San Francisco this week to show us how to create a table top like a hollywood celebrity - just fabulous! Blackwell also shares the perfect wine paring menu for the holidays with Rosemount wine - check back for air dates and sneak previews of this Design Show of the season!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
This week we feature our visit to the PlumpJack Winery - founded by Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty pictured above. This unassuming destination in California's world famous wine country has been dubbed a "cult winery" as it produces much sought after wines in small quantities. It was a fun day in Napa Valley and we learned a lot about the subtleties of wine tasting and grape growing - check it out Saturday @ 5:30 PM - visit our Broadcast Page for more info. - thanks, and ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
November 1, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Every time there's an earthquake we are jolted into thinking about "Disaster Preparedness" - to find out what Marin County is doing behind the scenes to keep us safe and for other valuable safety advice check out our 12 min. feature On-demand @ caliving.tv/ondemand_Community.html.
It addition to updating our emergency kits - now's the perfect time to start getting our homes ready for the holidays - and with that in mind, this week's show features some great remodeling and decorating tips from our local Home Improvement Experts. We learn how to save money and time with remodeling tips & tricks, get the INSIDE LOOK at how color can affect our homes and lives with "Color Therapist" and Custom Color Expert Mike Galatolo, owner, ColorFast, Novato, and check out how easy it is to install your own hardwood flooring with Marin Hardwood Floor's "Do it Yourself" program! Hope you enjoy the show - Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
We're in for some fantastic weather...and what better way to enjoy it than on the San Francisco Bay - literally! The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry now makes daily trips to Angel Island where you can hike, bike, picnic, and enjoy the incredible beauty of this magical place some of us are lucky enough call home!
Visit them online @ www.angelislandferry.com today - and ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
October 8th, 2007 - October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and Hilary Newsom gave us the INSIDE LOOK at some fantastic social events supporting The Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and the Northern California Cancer Center. Mark your calendars and be sure you "Step out on the town for the cause" this month:
Monday, October 15 - Celebrity Servers @ the MatrixFillmore, San Francisco - Meet NFL Players from the Raiders and 49er's as they serve all evening to support Breast Cancer research & education through the Northern California Cancer Center:
On Friday, October 19, 2007 - "This Old Bag" - Join Hilary Newsom for an exciting evening - over 200 celebrity and designer purses will be auctioned off to support the Breast Cancer Emergency fund - for More info. please visit - http://www.bcef-sf.org/
Play "This Old Bag" 45 sec. promo
On Monday, October 22, 2007 support the Northern California Cancer Center for "An Evening of Sparkling Conversation" at the Hotel Vitale, San Francisco - in partnership with Veuve Clicquot - more on this event to come!
Please try to attend one or all of these events supporting Breast Cancer awareness, research, and education, Thanks so much- Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
September 30, 2007 - Hi Everyone...if you're looking for a little excitement in your life you have to check out the Blue Angels from the top of Angel Island - it's a once a year event so don't miss out on the experience! Check out www.angelislandferry.com for details - and have fun!!!
Napa Valley is hopping right now...from wine stomping events - to wine tastings it's just fabulous! This week's show takes a look at "Living the good life" in the beautiful Napa Valley Wine Country - we check out the fractional living opportunities at the Carneros Inn - a five star PlumpJack resort with PlumpJack President & CEO, Rick Riess, and get a property tour with PlumpJack Executive Vice President Hilary Newsom - check it out Thursday @ 1 PM and Saturday @ 5:30 PM - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
September 27, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Catch our first show of the season this fall Saturday @ 5:30 PM on ION Media Networks, Comcast Cable 16 - We'll have the INSIDE LOOK @ "Where to Stay & Play" in Tiburon, CA and then learn how to make the Tides Wharf & Restaurant's Crab Cioppino - yum! For a look at the CA Living show line-up this fall check out our Broadcast Schedule.
"Addicted to Home Design?" - There's still time to "get you're design fix" at this year's Marin Designers Showcase - Thursday nights - meet the designers and wine taste...and enjoy lunch service and guest speakers daily - it's open through 10/7/2007.
Now if this incredible Indian Summer has you thinking of planning a last minute weekend getaway check out www.innatthetides.com for great packages and a truly wonderful culinary experience at their Bay View Restaurant & Lounge. Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
September 16, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
September kicks off California's wine season - and you can count on having a most glorious time visiting both the Napa and Sonoma grape growing regions this fall.
I did the whole "spa-girl" getaway thing in Napa Valley with a friend recently...the scenic ride there- the massage-the pampering - and just having the chance to enjoy a leisurely bite - a sip - and some unrushed time with a friend was a great getaway for me!
There's so much going on in Napa Valley - from wine tasting's to grape stomping events so if you're looking for a way to reconnect with a friend, your spouse, or nature...I encourage you to plan a trip to Napa Valley soon! Check out www.napavalley.com/events.html to get you started - and ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
September 5, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Remember the movie "A Summer Place?" I know...it's a hard one to forget - especially since that catchy theme song is so easy to hum and lingers on once it get's in your head...
Well I found myself thinking about "A Summer Place" after getting a pre-show peek at this year's Marin Designers Showcase - a 6,500 square ft.- 100 year old home set on 5 private acres, located in the historic Dominican section of San Rafael, CA - which was, as the natives tell me - the summer play ground for San Francisco socialites "back in the day."
Today this turn of the century charmer is getting a make-over by over 30 Bay Area Designers for this year's Marin Designers Showcase - some of the design areas are even being done with *"green living" in mind proving even 100 year old homes can be re-designed to help reduce our impact on the environment!
For more info. check out our 30 sec. promo: 2007 Marin Designers Showcase - you can also find out more about the Preview Party on 9/15/07 and get Showcase ticket info. online @ www.marindesignersshowcase.com.
Play Theme From A Summer Place music clip...until next time...Enjoy! Aprilanne
* If you're looking for some great classes on Green Architecture check out the Sustainable Environmental Design and UC Berkeley Extension programs @ www.unix.berkeley.edu - I am very impressed with their continuing education programs.
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
August 26, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
With Labor Day celebrations just a few short days away, it seems the end of another "summer" is near. Of course, one of the great things about living in California is the climate, which should cooperate for at least another few months - offering many more opportunities to dine Alfresco...
My "Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast" with roasted multi-colored peppers is a great dish to make on the grill or under the broiler - it's easy, quick and best of all delicious!!!
INGREDIENTS:
-4 BONELESS CHICKEN BREASTS - (REMOVE SKIN IF YOU PREFER - SPLIT BREASTS ALSO WORK)
-6 ASSORTED PEPPERS RED, YELLOW, ORANGE, GREEN, HALVED, SEEDED, AND RINSED
- OLIVE OIL TO BASTE CHICKEN BREASTS AND PEPPERS
-GARLIC POWDER, FRESH GROUND BLACK PEPPER & SEASALT TO TASTE
-1 BLOCK FETA CHEESE - CUT INTO 1/4 INCH THICK SLICES (CHECK OUT REDUCED FAT VARIETIES)
-1 BAG MIXED SPRING SALAD OR ARUGALA
-BALSAMIC VINEGAR DRESSING (BOTTLED IS EASIEST)
WOODEN TOOTH PICKS
STEPS TO PREPARE:
#1 -PREP CHICKEN AND PEPPERS FOR COOKING
#2-BASTE BOTH THE CHICKEN BREASTS AND PEPPER HALVES WITH OLIVE OIL AND SEASONINGS
#3-GRILL OR BROIL CHICKEN BREASTS AND ROAST PEPPERS ON SEPARATE BROILING PAN
#4- WHEN CHICKEN BREASTS ARE COOKED THROUGH - CUT A 1 1/2 INCH WIDE POCKET 1 INCH DEEP INTO THE BREASTS AND STUFF WITH SLICES OF FETA CHEESE - SECURE WITH TOOTHPICKS (PLACE BACK ON GRILL OR IN OVEN ON WARM - THERE IS NOT NEED TO COOK FURTHER THE HEAT FROM THE MEAT WILL MELT THE CHEESE - WHICH SHOULD STILL BE FIRM NOT SOUPY.
TO SERVE: PLACE EACH STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST ON BED OF MIXED GREENS AND PLACE ROASTED PEPPERS ON SIDE - TOP WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING OR DRESSING OF YOUR CHOICE AND ...ENJOY!!!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
Okay...the secrets out! INSIDE LOOK TV, LLC is please to announce "California Living" will be available in over 2.5 million households Bay Area wide with our new position "on the dial" and we hope you'll tune in for another great season of "California Living" this fall - please check our Broadcast Schedule for more info.
In addition to bringing viewers the INSIDE LOOK at the fabulous travel, leisure, & dining opportunities here in CA, our fall Home Improvement Special will be featuring the 38th Annual Marin Designers Showcase. Details coming soon... in the meantime, reserve your tickets to the "Preview Party" - the elegant kick-off for this major design event @ www.marindesginersshowcase.com - check it out!!!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
PS: I made a great Feta-stuffed Chicken Breast Dish with roasted multicolor peppers the other night ...recipe coming soon!
August 11, 2007 - Hi Everyone ...
~ Resourceful Cooking ~
Right before grocery shopping my mom would take an inventory of what we needed to feed our immediate family of 13 people. Sometimes, in her efforts to be resourceful, my mom would make a dish called "jombought" - which meant "a little bit of everything" - it usually consisted of eggs mixed up with any left over veggies, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. left in the fridge.
While I was never a big fan of "jombought" - I do enjoy another more popular Italian dish that also utilizes ingredients readily available in the pantry or fridge..."Pasta Puttanesca" - or also referred to as "Whores Pasta" or "Harlot's Pasta." There are numerous theories about how this dish got it's name - the most well-known being how the resourceful "ladies of the night" would make this lost cost, easy to prepare dish to either lure or appease their "clients."
While the jury's still out on the official origination behind this dish -you can find a recipe for "Pasta Puttanesca" and a bit of it's colorful history in our Recipe section - ENJOY!!!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
August 8, 2007 - Hi there...
The past few days have been unseasonably chilly - I hope you're finding ways to stay cozy in the evenings- an outdoor fireplace is a perfect choice! I have to say, although I adore the sun - a foggy day here and there can be quite refreshing - it's all good!
For some ideas on what to serve on a chilly evening - check out our recipes section where you'll find Grandma Rose's 1-Pot Wonder - or try making the following seafood dish I made last night...it was fabulous!
Aprilanne's White Wine Clams & Wild Salmon with Risotto
INGREDIENTS:
~ 2 CLOVES FRESH GARLIC - MINCED
~1 LARGE YELLOW ONION FINELY CHOPPED
~EXTRA VIRGIN 1ST COLD PRESSED OLIVE OIL - AMPLE AMOUNT TO SAUTE GARLIC & ONION
~ 1 LARGE CONTAINER ORGANIC CHICKEN BROTH - (LOW SODIUM IS BEST)
~ 1 1/2 LBS. (LIVE) CLAMS - SHELLS SCRUBED WELL
~1 - 2 LBS. FRESH WILD CAUGHT SALMON - TAIL PIECE - REMOVE SKIN AND CUT INTO 2 INCH PIECES (remove any obvious bones)
~FINE BOTTLE OF WHITE WINE FOR BOTH COOKING AND DRINKING WITH THE MEAL
~FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER AND SEA SALT TO TASTE
~2 boxes Parmesan Risotto mix - or make it from scratch (your choice!)
~FRESHLY GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE
STEP 1 -BEGIN PREPARING RISOTTO AS DIRECTED ON PACKAGE IN A SEPARATE PAN
STEP 2 -SAUTE GARLIC & ONIONS IN OLIVE OIL UNTIL ONIONS ARE TRANSLUCENT - ADD 1/2 WHITE WINE AND CONTINUE SIMMERING A FEW MORE MINUTES
STEP 3 - ADD CHICKEN BROTH AND RAISE HEAT TO HIGH; ADD CLEANED CLAMS
STEP 4- BRING TO BOIL - ADD SALMON AND CONTINUE COOKING UNTIL SALMON TURNS PINK...CLAMS ARE DONE WHEN THEY OPEN-
STEP 5 - BEST TO SERVE IN A BOWL - LADLE CLAMS AND SALMON PIECES WITH BROTH OVER YOUR PREPARED RISOTTO - SPRINKLE WITH FRESH PARMESAN CHEESE & FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER AND ENJOY!!!
Love to hear how you like it - Bon Apettito! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
July 28, 2007, Hi Everyone:
~ "life's a beach" ~
What is your favorite memory of summers growing up as a child? "The Jersey Shore" is where I spent a good part of my summers (at least twenty) at our beach house where we would head to in the beginning of the summer and stay until after Labor Day - those were the days...
For those who have never been, the Jersey Shore has beautiful white sandy beaches and the ocean temp. can get into the 70's - so entire days are spent swimming and body surfing...what a life! Of course the beaches are a bit more crowded but it is a trade off for the warmer water I guess.
California's beaches are very cool too...each is so unique and different...and of course fun! If you have a favorite beach you would like us to check out this summer send us an email and tell us in a few paragraphs what you like about your favorite CA beach - and include a scenic *photo to lifesabeach@insidelooktv.com - Select entries will be featured in upcoming blogs and videos this summer, as well as in future show segments!
Thanks for watching this past season - we had a lot of fun and hope you did too...and now it's off to the beach for me...how about you? Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
*Voluntary submission of photographs grants INSIDE LOOK TV. LLC with all applicable rights to post such on this site, and use in other media formats as outlined in contest description above without further permission - contestants of entries selected will receive credit at time of postings, and advanced notification of postings and additional media use- good luck!
July 20, 2007 Hi Everyone,
What a season it's been - the food & wine has been devine...our home improvement and design coverage has me inspired to take on some of my own home improvement projects (stand back!) - and the destinations and great day trips we've explored have me craving some serious summer fun!!!
While we're taking a summer break we invite you to check out CA Living On-Demand this summer... we have everything from workout routines and home improvement tips -to spa destinations and coastal getaways here in the beautiful Bay Area.
Our recipe section also has some great recipes you can refer to for casual BBQ fair to ideas to what to serve at a formal dinner party... and we'll be adding a few more favorites and keeping this blog current over the summer break so check back often!
We're excited about we we have in the works for fall...and will be posting everything on our site as we get closer to "show-time."
Thanks again for watching, and for letting us know how much you enjoy CA Living - we appreciate your support and are looking forward to seeing you all again in the fall! Enjoy the summer!!! Aprilanne
PS: It seems fitting that in our season finale this Sunday @ 7 PM and Wed. @ 8:30 PM we spend a day in Napa Valley- one of California's most visited destinations for fine living and relaxation ...check it out with this 30 sec. sneak peek and we hope you enjoy the show!!!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
July 11, 2007 Hi Everyone,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you - our viewers and web-visitors for welcoming "California Living" into your homes and lives -we hope you've enjoyed this season so far and invite you to check in with us often to keep up on what's going on!
This Sunday's show takes a LOOK at what goes into creating the authentic Tuscan style in kitchen design, architecture, and landscape design to capture the old world look and feel so popular right now - which was all featured in the latest Marin Designers Showcase - check it out!
...And in the following week...we'll be brining you the INSIDE LOOK at "living the good life" in Napa Valley, CA with a look at the recently completed expansion at the Carneros Inn, in Napa Valley, CA - "it's the Napa you've imagined."
We spent a day in heaven ...check it out with this 30 sec. sneak peek of our day in beautiful Napa Valley CA and then please check back for more info. - thanks!
Until next week - Enjoy this incredible California Living! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
July 1, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Hey there - we spent some time last week visiting the Carneros Inn in Napa Valley, CA, a PlumpJack Resort, which we will be featuring in great detail in a few weeks...in the meantime I have to tell you - Hilary Newsom's PlumpJackSport is a fabulous place to find everything you want that has "up- to-the moment" style... great jeans, fun shoes, dresses, and more...
So if you take in a spa day, or a getaway at the Carneros Inn stop by PlumpJackSport at the Carneros Inn - you'll be in heaven!!!
Pictured above: Hilary Newsom, Vice President, The PlumpJack Group, shows us a Nicole Miller fashion at PlumpJackSport at the Carneros Inn, Napa Valley, CA
And of course -check out our "Summer of Fun" Travel & Leisure Special airing Sundays @ 7 PM - which will give you great ideas on what to do for fun day-trips, bay-trips, spa getaways and romantic hideaways - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
June 24, 2007 - Hi Everyone - hope you've enjoyed the weekend - it was certainly a nice one!
Next Sunday's show will be packed with fun day-trips - we take a look at a unique bay-trip to Angel Island and top it off with a Sunset Cruise on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry- then we relax Napa style with a day at the spa and top off all the fun with a private dining experience at the Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa - a wonderful coastal getaway less than an hour from the Golden Gate.
Check out the 30 sec. promo Play "Travel & Leisure Show" Here!
Our latest Workout routine will also be airing - TONED-BY-TONIGHT to have you looking and feeling good for a big night out or a day at the beach - Enjoy! Aprilanne
June 19, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
The "CA Living Home Improvement Special" will air again this weekend - and then we'll get it On-Demand for all of you who have been looking for it...
Now for those looking for day-trips - bay-trips - spas days - and coastal getaways - our "Travel & Leisure" show airing Sunday, July 1st, will give you plenty of summer fun ideas - the focus is on day-trips and quick getaways sure to satisfy that spur of the moment "what do you want to do this weekend" feeling summer often inspires...
We'll have more on this show posted over the next few days so do check back soon - until then...Enjoy this incredible California Living! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
June 10, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Big family day coming up - Father's Day - and just like the moms in our lives, we have all been influenced in some way by a dad in our lives - growing up - my dad had 11 children to support - 9 of us are girls...so you can imagine the job he had keeping 9 girls in line - not to mention 9 weddings to pay for - yikes!!!
If your planning a BBQ to celebrate the "dad" in your life - check out the New York Steak with Spring Vegetable Couscous and Olive Salsa Verde recipe in our Recipe section, it's featured in tonight's show - and compliments of Executive Chef Kimball Jones, of the Carneros Inn. Thinking of treating Dad to dinner out? Enjoy a nice drive to the wine country and check out FARM - the Carneros Inn's newest addition in fine dining.
The CA Living Home Improvement Special is coming next week and to accompany our "Outdoor Living" segment we'll be posting a recipe for "Grilled Pizza" - a fun way to prepare one of America's favorite dishes - outside!
It's all coming next week so do catch us Sundays @ 7 PM - and whatever you decide to do - we wish you and yours a fabulous Father's Day - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
June 3, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Are you ready to settle into summer? Even though the official start date is not until June 21st - the anticipation of summer fun starts way before - with vacation planning by many well under way...
Our Travel & Leisure Special coming out soon will be packed with fun things to do and places to see with little or no planning required - right here in beautiful California - one of the hottest travel destinations in the entire US for summer vacations...how lucky are we to have all this incredible fun right in our own backyard? VERY LUCKY!!!
Enjoy the weekend - and be sure to check back for air-dates on our Home Improvement Special and our Travel & Leisure Spectacular - coming soon!
Until next time - enjoy this incredible CA Living - Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
May 23, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
We've been busy behind the scenes getting ready to bring you our latest Home Improvement Special - you're going to love it all - from how to use"Common Sense Remodeling" techniques to create the look of luxury with out spending a fortune to ways we can use "Color therapy" to enhance both our homes and our lives - it's great! For more information check out CA LIVING 2007 HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL - thanks!
We also have a fun Travel & Leisure Special due out late June-early July so check back for updates ...in the meantime you may want to check into the Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa - a Tuscan retreat situated on 60 acres near the Sonoma Coast with a pool and spa facility - their private dining option is must - but be careful - you may never want to leave!!!
Until next time - enjoy this incredible CA Living - Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
May 14, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
How was your Mother's Day? I heard that 62% of Americans go out to eat on Mother's Day...hope you enjoyed your meal if you did go out!
Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner marking the beginning of summer fun - there's something about cooking outside that makes it seem like less work - making it a more enjoyable experience for everyone (especially if the man does the cooking)!
To create an instant outdoor kitchen and dining area check out Sonoma Backyard right off 101 in Cotati. Their experienced staff will help you create the ultimate outdoor living experience with pools, spas and outdoor furnishings.
We will be airing the CA Living Home Improvement Special this June which will focus on the ways you can add beauty, comfort, and value to both your indoor and outdoor spaces - so please check back for details...Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
May 6, 2007 Hi Everyone,
What a great weekend - I hope everyone found time to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather with family and friends!
It seems like there's one holiday after another from now through the middle of July - the perfect time of year to entertain and enjoy your backyards - decks, and pool spaces...with this in mind, our June 2007 Home Improvement/Design Special will include the INSIDE LOOK at how to make the most of your outdoor spaces by creating "outdoor rooms" that area both beautiful and functional - more on this to come...
In the meantime next week's show takes a look at how the Marin Designer's Showcase property was created to make the most of California's wonderful climate and ways we can enhance our indoor-outdoor living - check it out!
Enjoy!
Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
April 29, 207 - Hi Everyone,
The CA Living "Health & Wellness" Special will air Sunday May 6, 2007 @ 7 PM on the Bay Area's TV50 - Digital 199 - This show is packed with great information designed to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives. We can't give away all the secrets here so please check it out for an informative and entertaining half hour of "Health & Wellness!"
Our "Home Design" Special is also in the works and will be airing this June. We're really excited about this show too - it is filled with ways you can transform your home using color therapy - creative and cost effective home improvement techniques that will add comfort, beauty, and value to your homes. We even demonstrate how easy it is to install your own hardwood floor!
We also have a fantastic "Travel & Leisure Special" that's still under wraps - which will include the CA Living "Toned by Tonight Workout" - and we'll have more on this show in the weeks to come - so keep your eyes on us for the INSIDE LOOK at some of the Greatest California Living around - and ENJOY!!! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
April 21, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
We're lining up a terrific Home Design Show for you this season - one of the area's we'll be exploring is "Color Therapy in Home Design" - it has actually been proven that color can effect our moods, thoughts, even our appetites - so having the right colors in our homes can make a hugh difference in how we feel, think, and even act.
In this show Color Expert Mike Galatolo, Owner of ColorFast in Novato, CA will tell us how we can use color to enhance our lives - very cool stuff! Check out Mike's promo below and stop by his place in Novato on Redwood Blvd. across the street from the Trader Joe's and Starbucks - great location to get things done while your custom color is mixing ...which they can do in about an hour or less!
ColorFast - Meet Mike - The Custom Color Expert- 30 sec.
Until next time - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
April 17, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
We are please to announce "California Living" will begin airing Prime-time Sundays @ 7 PM on the Bay Area's TV50 - Comcast Digital 199 Bay Area Wide this week. This is in addition to our weekly Prime-time Wednesdays @ 8:30 PM on Comcast Digital 199 SF - San Jose & in the East Bay.
We would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our terrific viewers and web-visitors who let us know we're on the right track - we hope you'll enjoy the CA Living Specials we are launching this season - more on this to come!
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors who have made our vision of providing informational and entertaining local programming a reality - and to those who have been with us since the beginning - well, there really are no words to express our gratitude - you're the greatest!!!
Check out our "Destination: Tiburon, CA" show this Sunday @ 7 PM- and...Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
PS: The Tuscan kitchen in the photo above was designed for the 2006 Marin Designers Showcase by Lori Bone Design, Santa Rosa, CA - 707.539.0443
April 12, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
There's just a few days left to enjoy the spring break - and this week CA Living brings you the INSIDE LOOK at "North Bay Quick Trips" - we explore two perfect destinations for a day trip or overnight...and you'll enjoy all the FUN we get into!
First we get the INSIDE LOOK at where to "Stay & Play" in Tiburon, CA. - In addition to being one of the most beautiful bayside communities around- you can literally explore all of what Tiburon has to offer by foot - what a great way to really get to know a place!
We hope you stop in Sam's Anchor Cafe on Main - they recently re-opened and are back in the business of offering some of the best seafood and SF Bay Views Marin County has to offer -oh and if you like oysters - the "Oysters Brian" are a must!
We also visit one of our favorite North Bay Quick Trips - Bodega Bay, CA and check in with Inn at the Tides General Manager Carlo Gallazzo who gives us the INSIDE LOOK at what goes into the Tide's Wharf & Restaurant's Crab Cioppino - you can find their authentic Recipe on our site so check it out and make it this weekend - what FUN!
Until next week - Enjoy! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
Are you looking for a little adventure in your life? How about a lot of adventure and tons of fun?!!! You have to check out this great company we discovered - Incredible Adventures - http:www.incredible-adventures.com - they wrote the book on Executive Adventures - literally!
Is there something you've always wanted to try like Skydiving - Space Flight Training, or maybe testing your skills as an Under Cover Agent - Mission Impossible style? You may just discover your true passion ...I'm looking into their Great White Shark Dives with the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry to the Farallon Islands this fall - and I can't wait!
  
Hope this helps you discover new and exciting ways to satisfy your passion for adventure- ENJOY! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
March 13, 2007 - Hi Everyone -
Have you been to Angel Island lately? We were there this past weekend filming a commercial and discovered some of the most beautiful beaches the Bay Area has to offer...
  
The shoreline at Camp Reynolds is a comfortable walk from Ayala Cove - where you arrive by ferry on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry out of Tiburon, CA. This beach has incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, SF city views, and of course the magic is that you're on an island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay!
Pack a picnic, and check it out! For a great workout - try riding your bike from the city (there's a great bike path along the Tiburon shoreline) and bring your bike on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry so you have it to tour around the island once you get there.
We will be featuring Angel Island in CA Living Season 2 coming out this spring and will have more info. on this great CA Destination in the near future. In the meantime - Enjoy this incredible California Living! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
March 1, 2006 - Hi Everyone,
When it comes to food we've heard it before "Food is Love," and growing up with my 100% Italian mom, and my Grandma Rose, "good food" was a big part of our everyday lives.
Once breakfast was finished, mom and grandma would immediately start thinking about what they were going to make for dinner, and get cooking - times have certainly changed! The pace of life is so busy now, and a good home cooked meal can do wonders for the body and soul - not to mention your love life!
You can find a few great recipes on our site - including Grandma Rose's Authentic Italian Meatballs and Gravy - check it out @ Recipes - try making it for someone you love...now that's Amore' - Enjoy!
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
February 25, 2007, Hi Everyone,
Do you feel the possibilities of Spring in the air? Okay, so maybe I'm pushing it a bit - but warmer days are really just around the corner for us here in beautiful California!
The changing of the seasons was much more obvious living on the the East Coast. Of course, the drastic weather differences were a giveaway, yet we could also tell the season by the the type of drapes my Mom would dress the windows with - heavy velvets or velours in the winter, and light billowy sheers in the spring. You knew warmer days were on their way when Mom started taking down the winter drapes!
Our Spring 2007 Home Improvement Special will feature lot's of great ways to enhance the look and value of your home without costing a fortune. Whether you're looking to spruce up your house to sell, want to increase your real estate investment, or want to re-decorate for your own living enjoyment - this show will be an invaluable resource!
Please check back for updates and video promos, and thanks for checking in with us - it's always fun to hear from you - Enjoy!
Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
February 17, 2007 - Hi Everybody,
Our Spring 2007 Programming is looking great with TV Specials in the areas of Health & Fitness - Home Improvement - and Travel & Leisure - all aimed to bring our viewers the INSIDE LOOK at the "Best life has to offer." Check back for updates and video promos...
If this weather is making you dream of an Island Get-away we have a suggestion - take a ferry ride on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry from Tiburon, CA to Angel Island where you can get away for a day of fun and relaxation. The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry also offers incredible Sunset Cruises, Golden Gate Bridge Cruises and chartered events - so check them out!
Enjoy the weekend and have fun! Aprilanne
Aprilanne may be contacted at info@insidelooktv.com
Jan. 27, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Between our '2007 Health & Fitness Special" in the works and our "Home Improvement" Series Spectacular due out Spring 2007 we've been busy...and having fun working with some great people and businesses we will be featuring in our upcoming shows.
If you think about it - "Good Living" is all about striking the perfect balance in our lives between what we have to do - what we want to do - and how we do it!
Although the specific actions for each person are as individual as our fingerprints, our Spring 2007 programming will be taking a LOOK at the formula for "Good Living" in the areas of both "Health and Home" - and we are excited and will keep you posted on air-dates, times.
If there is a specific area of interest you would like us to look into or a question you would like answered drop us a line @ info@insidelooktv.com we'd love to hear from you and look forward to responding to your inquiries.
Until next week - Have FUN!!! Aprilanne
Jan. 20, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
How lucky are we to have Napa Valley in our backyard - considering the last time I checked it was second only to Disneyland in the most visited of California destinations. Whether for a day trip or an extended visit, Napa is a great destination anytime of year.
Besides being a lot of fun, getting away for a day is a good way to clear your mind and relax - which is necessary to reduce the effects of everyday stress on us.
Enjoy the weekend and have fun! Aprilanne
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*We respect your privacy and will not share, sell, or rent your information.
January 15, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
Originally from the East Coast - I'm no stranger to the cold weather - picture having to warm up your car for 20 minutes in order to scrape the ice off the windshield... sometimes, it would be so cold the locks would freeze and your key would not open the car door - now that's cold!
As a kid though - there were fun things about the cold...like " snow days." My "CA born children" don't know what it's like to have a "snow day" or NO SCHOOL because the snow is too deep or the conditions are too severe to drive in.
" We made "snow forts" - giant igloo like structures that we could hang out in and battle from (snowball fights) with the neighborhood kids - having so much fun somehow took our minds off how cold we really were!
This week we're airing DESTINATION: Bodega Bay, CA - Get the "Inside Look" at Where to "Stay & Play" when visiting this beautiful coastal destination - you can also catch it ON-Demand @ CA Living On-Demand.
We also get a look at the Tides' Restaurants Clam Chowder Pot - which is big enough to take a bath in (now there's an interesting visual)! We scored the "famous" Tides' Chowder recipe for our collection - and now it can be yours...by visiting : CA Living Recipes.
We have some other great recipes to warm you up like Grandma Roses' One-Pot-Wonder, which is a complete and healthy meal to serve(we just had it last night) check it out!
Stay warm...and have fun! Aprilanne
To be included on our *mailing list email us at info@insidelooktv.com
*We respect your privacy and will not share, sell, or rent your information.
January 5, 2007 - Hi Everyone,
My youngest son and I went to see the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" over the Holiday break - and it impacted me on a few levels.
I won't give anything away in case some of you haven't seen it yet, however, I will say the main character's ability to overcome adversity was inspiring, and the challenging circum | 
