Bluemont Fair

Today I went to the Bluemont Fair in Virgina to celebrate my mother's birthday. There are a variety of vendors ranging from antique furniture, hand crafted soap, and hand-made jewelery. Ofcourse Andrey had to try the "fried oreos" which I have to admit were pretty amazing. It taste 200X better than a non-fried oreo. When ever I come across a food vendor or restaurant I kind of get enthralled with the ambiance or the quality of the food. This ofcourse happened to me at a vendor by the name of "Mountain Momma Organics" owned by Keith and Kim Finger. The vegetarian couple owns a 100 acre farm in MacFarlan, WV but originally are from the Pennsylvania area! Pennsylvania is a pretty health conscious state so I'm not so surprised that this couple who have only been in the organic food industry less than a year were from there. Mountain Momma Organics are famous for their soups ranging from bean soups, lentil soups, split-pea and each with a different flavoring including curry!!! The couple buys majority of their organic products from California other than their fresh produce which they farm on their land. Keith also let us sample Kim's chocolate "guiness" cacao spread, in which I believe is sold online. I ended up buying the curried lentil soup, organic peanut butter, almond butter, and a orgainc granola bar. If you're constantly looking for whole good foods to feed yourself and family this is a great find that I recommend to everyone. All of their soups can be ordered online as well! I hope this company takes off in a big way and I support their mission to feed people more whole and natural foods. www.mountainmommaorganics.com for more information!

When in Rome

We flew from CDG to FCO outside of Rome, our flight came in late when Ofcourse all buses and trains were closed (11:30pm or 23:30).  All taxis are 50 euros to take you to your hotel , considering buses are 4 euros this is high high high ! Thankfully there are separate companies which drive a minivan that will take you to your hotel for less than 40euros depending on your bargaining skills! For two people Kristen negotiated 35 euro straight to the hotel! Not too bad, but it's better to try and arrive during the day! 

We stayed at baltic hotel about 10 blocks away from the main station in rome called Termini. Near our hotel was the government district with many men in Italian military attire and with their guns, needless to say it was safe! If your planning a trip to rome skip baltic hotel if you can find something at a better price! 

The food in Rome is amazing, and the prices in comparison to Paris are much lower! You can get a great bottle of wine for 13euros, not the best quality but still very very good. We found a wonderful family restaurant near piazza de spagna called "le Segrete".This area houses all of the luxury boutiques (ferragamo, Gucci, Dior, Cartier) but behind this is a hidden gem. The restaurant is so small it only seats 15 people tops! The restaurant is closed very often since everything is made daily! Kristen and I shared a lasagna , being that we weren't very hungry! Wow wow wow wow it was out of this world! We also drank a house red wine that matched well.  Two other people ordered the lasagna , than a third man tried but couldn't since they were out!! That's how we knew they were really making these limited dishes in the back! The entire meal was 20 euros!  

This is just at an average place in Rome! The food was good there too

You can't go to Rome without going to "la Romana" it's the best gelato you will ever have. Everything is made inside in a glass area which you can see. The creamery itself is very clean and chic, with the interior design of greens, whites, and wood. The employees are all beautiful women , very kind ! They all you to test the gelatto unlike berthillion in Paris. Three flavors in one cup is 2.5euros,great place. La Romana is at the end of a big street in Rome called "XX Septtembre" it's stays open late and is constantly busy! You can't go wring with any flavor ! 

They also serves other deserts if gelato isn't your thing !