The Eats That Walk
When you walk a long Way, you want to eat well. When you're out to burn more calories than you consume, you want your calories to taste great, travel well and not make a big mess. Like Cole Slaw Jello. Stay with me here. This is a real revelation.
Irish Bread. No soda. Beer.
Actually, beer and buttermilk. This is not a cocktail. Not an Irish joke. This is profoundly great bread. Without kneading dough. Really. No kneading. Just 30 seconds of stirring. You're not hearing this from a leprechaun.
Slower Sunday: The Speed of Light
Always surprises me how long it takes from the time the bottom of the sun hits the horizon until the top disappears. Two and a half minutes. Really. Press Play. You'll see. C'mon, you have an extra hour before dark. Settle into slow motion, like the sun.
Grits Cakes
Cheap, easy and a total delight in your mouth. Soft and warm inside, crispy around the edges. Fifteen cents each. At breakfast, they give pancakes a run for their money. The gluten-free whole-grain corn grits are mildly sweet. But it's OK to use maple syrup.
Walk the Castle Walls
Right on top. Right along the edge. Of a 9th century Moorish castle. And a romantic 19th century palace. Both in the World Heritage Site of Sintra, Portugal. Beautiful mountainside. Three or four hours. Five and a quarter miles. 1,800 calories.
Honey Mustard Dip
After a long, cold winter that makes you want to turn up the heat in the kitchen every day, I just want to eat something raw. So I turned up the heat with some spice. Something to dip your carrot in. Makes a carrot a complete snack.
Slower Sunday: Up there
I was looking for camellias in all the wrong places. Peering through gates. Around walls. Then I looked up. Not an appeal to the heavens. I just looked up. There they were. Sometimes you just have to turn your head. Almost Spring. Press Play and take a look.
Spring Watch, Part 3: It’s time
The first signs of Spring. Green and above ground. Chilly but not frozen. I think they're hyacinths and crocuses. Maybe daffodils. It's great to have justifiable hope. They're so cheap and easy. They give back so much. C'mon, plant something.
The Walk That Ate Lisbon
Great hills. Great food. Five hours. Ten miles. 1,500 calories burned. Medieval castles and convents. Peacocks, parrots and swans. And hand-painted ceramic tiles everywhere. Covering entire building facades. This is a beautiful city.