Cordyceps mushrooms are a popular natural supplement, often found in energy, fitness, and various blends. Many people use them to support stamina and overall wellness. But what exactly are they, and do they live up to the hype?...[Read More]
Snowline Health Dementia Connection
I have volunteered to help out at this new service facility that has thankfully FUNCTIONAL Medicine to El Dorado County. Functional Medicine seeks to help you find out the cause and natural solutions of a condition rather than taking drugs to diminish the symptoms while the condition often continues to rage on. This new program in El Dorado County is aimed at...[Read More]
A Farmer’s Story That Needs To Be Told: Reprint of 2017 Special to the Mountain Democrat
The year was 1947. The place is Pasadena, California. The people gathered around the bridge table are regulars. The topic is a regular complaint about the lousy weather, and the city congestion. It was, as L. G. “Frank” Beals put it at the time, “making him sick.” Frank was is one...[Read More]
Raley's ONE rates a big 10! It is amazing to me that an American supermarket would take such a big step. Years have passed since my first study of health and wellness prompted the process of getting my Naturopathy degree from Trinity College and developing a practice which included nutritional coaching and personal chefing. Trying to teach people who really were never interested in changing...[Read More]
Refusing the coup-up and having more time on my hands when shopping, what great inventions do I find but these higher protein products. Of course you can avoid them altogether to help what I call “the Covid Weight Gain”. However, I’ve also found that recipes with lots of variety and moderation does the same thing and makes life just a bit more interesting. Tired of the same old thing for...[Read More]
Born in Italy, Carnevale is one of the world’s most celebrated events, especially in Venice and Viareggio. But every town, even the smallest, has it’s own parade, feasts of local specialties, dancing, masquerading and fun before the Lent season begins.
Some experts claim the term Carnevale comes from the Latin “carne, vale” meaning “taking away meat” associated with the day Lent...[Read More]
Francine Segan’s article in Italy Magazine answers the question as she scours Italy, attends a major event in Umbria and gives us the step-by-step test you can do to tell so-so pasta from artisan. ...[Read More]
After my return from the Positano Italy trip during October 2019, moving from Placerville became the priority, as planned. We need a more manageable home and yard. Luckily our realtor, Scott Derkson, projected our path quickly to find a 55+ community and lovely home in El Dorado Hills. ...[Read More]
Small towns like Sorrento, Ravello, and Amalfi are built into the craggy cliffs all around Positano, each with its own set of legends, myths, churches, villas and complex history going back centuries in time. With transportation having its own set of complexity, Pam and I opted for a driver to further us down the Amalfi Drive.Pro drivers like Alessandro are essential! Every turn is a tight...[Read More]
Valentina, Ida, son Luigi, Papa Vigliano. Valentina runs the hotel affairs and makes ceramics, Mama Ida cooks, makes mozzarella each morning, Papa supervises everyone, including the 2 pigs, and 2 cows that make this an authentic agritourismo farm stay. This, like so many Italian families in business, members glean continued perseverance and success from ancestorial efforts, requisitioning only the...[Read More]
Betty is a California-based writer whose work explores local history, travel, food, and the people who shape community life. Her storytelling is rooted in curiosity, culture, and real-world experience.
Stories of place, people, and culture - told with curiosity and heart - telling stories that bring places and people to life.
Betty is a Gold Country-based writer covering regional history, travel, food, and human-interest stories, with a focus on the people and traditions that define a place.