Was investigating the country of Laos and came across this recipe…..

Ingredients

▪ 1 1/2 cups brown rice — cooked 1 cup nonfat milk

▪ 1 medium banana — cut in slices

▪ 1 can fruit (15-ounce can) — cut in slices

▪ 1/4 cup water

▪ 2 tablespoons honey

▪ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

▪ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

▪ 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. In a medium-size saucepan, combine the banana and fruit slices, water, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until quite tender but not mushy.

3. Add the rice and milk and mix thoroughly.

4. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 more minutes. Serve warm.

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.”  

~Anatole France

This week, Mary from New York asks:

“Where can I find ski packages for Europe?”

Michelle says:

A great website that has tons of packages for skiing Europe is igluski.com 

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Each Saturday we will pick one question from a reader to answer.  The winning question will receive a $5 gift certificate to en-day.com travel boutique.  To submit a question go to our contact page and choose “submit an Ask Michelle question” as the subject.

If there was an “eco-landscaping award,” the winner would be the Wildcatter Ranch.  Their gardner used wild plants found on the 1,500 acre ranch to landscape all resort buildings.  Even the flowers and rocks lining the fountains at the restaurant, were found on the property.

Now that is eco-landscaping!

Always pack an extra bag in your suitcase, just in case you return with more stuff than you left with. The best type is a foldable shopping bag that is compact in size…but can hold a lot.  

A great cheap solution is one of the shopping bags Trader Joe’s sells….although it is not chic, they fold small and can help out in a bind on the way home….and they also double as good beach bags!

Spend the holidays at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida and take advantage of their ”Boca Family Holiday Package.” 

For the first time ever, Boca Raton Resort and Club is offering a complete Family Package including two connecting rooms in the historic Cloister building for only $249, plus full-day Camp Boca programs for children aged 3-11.

Discover fun activities that are just for kids, such as themed Camp Boca programs including Fishing, Jungle Safari and Creative Art. For adults, try the evening Spa parties, Mojito demonstrations, Yoga and Tai Chi, Wine tastings and many more. 

As an added bonus, the whole family is invited to attend one of four exciting holiday events:  Thanksgiving Feast on November 27, or Gingerbread Symphony Concert on December 14, or Holiday Boat Parade Dock Party on December 20, or Christmas Gala Buffet on December 25.  (To take advantage of one of these valuable events, your stay must include Nov 27, Dec 14, 20, or 25. There is no refund or credit for unused portions on this package).

Minimum Stay:  2 consecutive nights between Nov 15 and Dec 25 only (last checkout Dec 26). Visit BocaResort.com for more info

A longhorn with aspirations to be a stand-up comedian.  Taken at the Wildcatter Ranch in Texas.

When you think of a shopping trip…cities like Paris and Rome automatically come to mind…but during my trip to Texas I found the joy of bargain shopping in a small country town.  

Seven miles from the Wildcatter Ranch sits the picturesque town of Graham, Texas.  The town is home to America’s largest town square and looks like Hill Valley in the 1950’s (the fictional town in “Back to the Future”).  Lining this square is a treasure trove of antique shops, boutiques and an adorable 1940’s art deco movie theater. 

The best place to start your bargain shopping is at Frances’ Fabric Store. Although you might not be in the market for fabric, Frances sells her handmade handiwork at phenomenal prices…pillowcases for $6 and zippered pouches made of recycled jeans for $1…she also sells handmade women’s undergarments.

Next, cruise on over to Our Neck of The Woods to find a finely edited mix of antiques and home decor.  The building is a historical landmark and served as the Young County Jail from 1878-1921…the store still has one of the original cell doors open for visitors to walk through.

For new fashion at great prices, head over to Sat ‘N Spur and Jailhouse Boutique.  Both stores carry indie designer names like Tina Turk and Ed Hardy at prices not found in big cities.

To end off your shopping trip stop at Mark’s Gallery, an antique shop that has a tearoom set in the middle of the store.  The scrumptious lunches are served on mismatched antique china, and the menu is a mix of salads and sandwiches (all on homemade breads)…but make sure to leave room for the homemade desserts.  While there, I found a fabulous 1960’s gold lame purse for only $6, along with a 1950’s tea serving set for $10.

Who would have ever thought that small town American shopping could be as enjoyable as Paris!

Most airlines no longer offer child fares….but the ones that do (Southwest does), do not offer them online….only if you call by phone. So next time you book travel for yourself and a little one…consider calling the airline to see if they offer a childfare.

Occidental vacations are all-inclusive and include unlimited meals and snacks, free-flowing drinks (yes, alcohol too!), sports, SCUBA classes, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, sports, pool volleyball, beach soccer, ping pong, darts, tennis, basketball, horseback riding and dance classes. Daily entertainment and activities are also part of the package as well as nightly shows and live entertainment and all taxes and gratuities.  Occidental Grand vacations also include access to the sauna, whirlpool and steam room at the spa.

Fall Special:   Travelers who book their vacations and travel by December 19, 2008 can take advantage of low nightly rates at all Occidental Grand properties.  All rates are per person, per night based on double occupancy at these participating resorts:

o        Occidental Grand Punta Cana, Dominical Republic:  starting from $67

o        Occidental Grand Xcaret, Mexico:  starting from $99

o        Occidental Grand Cozumel, Mexico:  starting from $101

o        Occidental Grand Papagayo, Costa Rica:  starting from $137

o        Occidental Grand Aruba: starting from $194

For more information or to book an Occidental vacation, call 1-800-858-2258 or visit occidentalhotels.com