 From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop, an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings.
In Little French Bistro by Nina George, Marianne decides to take action one evening in Paris. Following a dramatic moment on the banks of the Seine, Marianne leaves her life behind and sets out for the coast of Brittany, also known as “the end of the world.” Here she meets a cast of colorful and unforgettable locals who surprise her with their warm welcome, and the natural ease they all seem to have, taking pleasure in life’s small moments. And, as the parts of herself she had long forgotten return to her in this new world, Marianne learns it’s never too late to begin the search for what life should have been all along. With all the buoyant charm that made The Little Paris Bookshop a beloved bestseller, The Little French Bistro is a tale of second chances and a delightful embrace of the joys of life in France.  Enjoy these Jarlsberg® Puff Pastry Swirls by Celebrity Chef George Duran, author of bestseller Take This Dish and Twist it and host of TLC’s The Ultimate Cake Off!
Ingredients: 4 ready-rolled puff pastry sheets 1 ¼ cup grated Jarlsberg® cheese 2 sprigs fresh rosemary Pepper On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pastry sheets into rectangles about 20cm x 10 cm each. Mix the grated cheese, chopped rosemary and pepper. Spread the mixture over the puff pastry. Roll up each pastry rectangle from the short end. Press the edges firmly together to seal the roll. Slice each roll into 3 cm thick slices. Place face down on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees. If you want the pastry swirls to rise more, don’t roll out the pastry with the rolling pin.  Gratitude Gourmet is looking forward to Judging Chocolate again at the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon Sunday March 11. We hope to see you there!
 KCETLink Media Group, a leading national independent nonprofit public broadcast and digital network, has added special environmental programming to its spring lineup with EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS, a Wednesday night series featuring acclaimed “green” documentary films that premiere under KCET and Link TV’s EARTH FOCUS banner. The lineup offers four environmental films focused on the ecological responsibility that is shared worldwide. The schedule kicks off with “Gringo Trails” which raises questions about the environmental impact of tourism and is followed by the award-winning “Bluefin” which chronicles the over-fishing of tuna. Also, CNN Hero Jock Brandis focuses on solutions for underprivileged, remote villages around the world in “Replan It” while a Kenyan farmer suddenly finds himself a climate activist on the world’s stage in “Thank You for the Rain.” The EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS strand of topical documentary films launches on Wed., April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH network 9410) and in Southern California on KCET at 9 p.m. PT.
Just in time for Earth Day, the documentary offering is part of EARTH FOCUS, the longest-running environmental news magazine on U.S. television providing regional and national audiences with urgent local and global environmental coverage that spotlights issues, impact and possible solutions from a variety of unique perspectives. The new season of EARTH FOCUS will premiere in April focusing on the global concerns of adaptation, exploring how environmental changes are forcing all living creatures to adapt in order to survive. For more information about EARTH FOCUS and to watch episodes online, visit linktv.org/earthfocus or kcet.org/earthfocus The April lineup for EARTH FOCUS PRESENTS is as follows (subject to change): “Gringo Trails” – Wed., April 4 on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH network 9410) at 9 p.m. ET/PT and on KCET in Southern California at 9 p.m. PT This documentary raises urgent questions about one of the most powerful globalizing forces of our time: tourism. Spanning South America, Africa and Asia, the tourist pathway known as the “gringo trail” has facilitated both life-altering adventures and the despoiling of many once virgin environments. The film follows stories along the trail to reveal the complex relationships between colliding cultures: host countries hungry for financial security and the tourists who provide it in their quest for authentic experiences. Available for streaming online at kcet.org/earthfocuspresents and linktv.org/earthfocuspresents for one week following the broadcast. (2013) “Bluefin” – Wed., April 11 at 9 p.m. PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH network 9410) at 9 p.m. ET/PT and on KCET in Southern California at 9 p.m. PT Set in the tuna capital of the world, North Lake, Prince Edward Island, Canada, director John Hopkinsexplores the baffling mystery of why the normally wary bluefin tuna no longer fears humans and how this plays into its endangered species status. At up to two thousand pounds, the warm-blooded giant with gills is at a risk for extinction. Available for streaming online at kcet.org/earthfocuspresents and linktv.org/earthfocuspresents for one week following the broadcast. (2016) “Replan It” – Wed., April 18 on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH network 9410) at 9 p.m. ET/PT and on KCET in Southern California at 9 p.m. PT From documentary filmmaker Rob Hill and CNN Hero Jock Brandis comes a ground-breaking documentary that follows a team of inventors to underprivileged, remote villages to help improve lives across the globe. Using the mantra of building sustainability through open source innovation, Jock and the team visit communities in desperate need of resources like clean water, sanitation and health care. Once there, they determine that specific community’s needs and create innovative but simple solutions that will bear the most impact. Available for streaming online at kcet.org/earthfocuspresents and linktv.org/earthfocuspresents. (2015) “Thank You for the Rain” – Wed., April 25 on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH network 9410) at 9 p.m. ET/PT and on KCET in Southern California at 9 p.m. PT Over the last five years Kisilu, a smallholder farmer in Kenya has filmed the life of his family, village and the impact of climate change by floods, droughts and storms, but also the more human costs – his kids are sent home from school when he can’t pay the fees. Men are moving to towns in search for jobs, and family tensions rise. Kisilu takes this message of hope to the UN Climate Talks, in Paris, COP21. Available for streaming online at kcet.org/earthfocuspresents and linktv.org/earthfocuspresents for one week following the broadcast. (2017) Each broadcast will be augmented by original content published on KCETLink’s EARTH FOCUS web site, on related topics ranging from environmental justice to climate activism and green gentrification. Join the conversation on social media using #EarthFocusPresents  JamesSuckling.com presents the Great Wines of Italy San Francisco Master Tasting on March 11 at the Presidio Golden Gate Club, featuring the region’s most sought-after wines from prestigious and renowned Italian brands as well as chosen premium boutique wineries. JamesSuckling.com selected more than 125 wineries to present two of their top wines or new releases with top scores of 90 points and above. The selection is sure to be superb from Brunellos and Barolos to Super Tuscans, Barbarescos, Amarones, and Chianti Classicos and many more. Winemakers and owners will be personally in attendance to pour you some of their best wines and discuss what makes them so special at this walk-around tasting! We at Gratitude Gourmet are looking forward to attend this Sold Out event again to review the Wines and speak with the Winemakers!
 This potent do-everything seed is hailed for its power to help treat a number of ailments including high blood pressure, asthma, sore throats, and more! Namaseed’s process ensures the oil is vegan, gluten-free, organic and certified Kosher. It’s also cold-pressed for maximum health benefits.
Benefits include: Weight Loss: Increases metabolism, detox for your body Digestive System: Relieves stomach pain & cramps Muscles & Joints: Reduces joint inflammation, enhances muscle recovery Allergies: Can help clear up skin reactions, as well as asthma symptoms Immune System: Strengthens the immune system & protects body from infections Hair: Increases hair growth, strengthens & softens, moisturizes for a healthy scalp Skin: Soften, firm out skin; can also lighten or prevent scarring; Clears up acne & eczema Check out this recipe for Kiwi and Kale Smoothie! KIWI & KALE SMOOTHIE 2 Cups Kale or Dandelion Greens 1 Cup Orange Juice 3 Kiwis 1 Banana 1/2 Lemon Squeezed 1 Teaspoon of Namaseed Premium Organic Black Seed Oil  Treat yourself to six 2 oz. coffee samples from around the world from Swell Coffee in San Diego. Discover your favorite roast & choose your delivery frequency. Swell Coffee features:
 “We all came from the sea. All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean,” famously said President John F. Kennedy. “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.” From March 8 – 11, the San Francisco-based 15th Annual International Ocean Film Festival (www.oceanfilmfest.org) puts from “when we came” on the big screen in San Francisco and Marin representing 143 countries. “This year, we bridge the Bay with ocean-loving films,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “Without exaggeration, it is our most ambitious, and diverse, festival ever.”
15th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Complete Listings Cowell Theater 2 Marina Blvd. SF PROGRAM 1 – Thursday, March 8 at 4pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason She is the Ocean (Russia), Inessa Blokhina, 101 min. Nine extraordinary women from all over the world — scientists, activists, surfers, divers — share one thing in common: a deep love for the ocean. Their lives are shaped by and around the ocean which is their home, source of life, and the teacher they revere and worship. ---------------- PROGRAM 2 – Opening Night Party - Thursday, March 8 at 8pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Stars (USA), Han Zhang, 5 min. A grandfather and his grandson sell stars on the street in a seaside town. One night their supply runs out, and the grandson embarks on a journey to fish for more stars. Kim Swims (USA), Kate Webber, 75 min. Kim Chambers was the first woman (and one of only four people) to swim solo the 26 miles between the Farrallon Islands and San Francisco. This feat is the culmination — so far — of Kim’s life story, from growing up on a sheep farm in New Zealand to working in the Bay Area tech industry and experiencing a life-changing accident. Kim’s story will inspire and perhaps challenge the viewer to consider the potential in each of us. ---------------- PROGRAM 3 - Friday, March 9 at 1pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Melting Stars (Canada), Kate Green, 15 min. This film unravels the mystery behind one of the most catastrophic species die-offs in recorded history –– the sea star wasting syndrome that started in 2013. Find out why the sea stars have died, what factors led to the epidemic, and the effects of the die-off on intertidal ecosystems from Alaska to Mexico. The Hundred-Year-Old Whale (Canada), Tony Wosk, 15 min. “Granny,” the centenarian killer whale (orca) matriarch of Puget Sound, has survived capture, starvation, bullets, and even toxic pollutants. She nurtured her descendants, and shared her knowledge, gathered over a lifetime, with the remnants of her critically endangered Southern Resident family. They need salmon to live, but it is we who hold the key that will grant or deny them they healthy ocean they deserve. BLUE (UK) Sarah Beard, 76 min BLUE is a feature documentary film charting the drastic decline in the health of our oceans. With more than half of all marine life lost and the expansion of the industrialization of the seas, the film sets out the challenges we are facing and the opportunities for positive change. Filmed on location in Australia, Hawaii, the South Pacific, the Philippines and Indonesia BLUE changes the way we think about our liquid world and inspires the audience to action. ---------------- PROGRAM 4 - Friday, March 9 at 4pm – Kiel, Germany (CineMare) Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Nonoy and the Sea Monster (Austria), Florian Kozak, 5 min When his parents talk of the sea monster that is wiping out the fish they need for survival, Nonoy, their young and imaginative son, creates a weapon whose magic powers will take care of the beast for good. Go get him, Nonoy! The Amazing Lifecycle of the European Eel (UK), Sofia Castello y Tickell 4 min A delightful stop motion animation featuring the European eel’s life cycle and unusal theories behind it. Did you know that the Romans kept them as pets and adorned them with jewelry? The oldest known European eel lived to be over 100 years old. Nowadays they swim to the Sargasso Sea to complete their life cycles. Bon Voyage (Switzerland), Marc Wilkins, 21 min A couple’s pleasant Mediterranean sailing trip is thrown into tension-filled turmoil by an encounter with refugees desperate to escape their violence-torn North African homelands. In just 20 minutes, this powerful film puts us in the middle of a moral quandary, not unlike some of our own that demand life and death choices. Lionfish - New Pirates of the Caribbean (Germany), Ulf Marquardt, 52 min The extraordinary lionfish festooned with numerous and strange appendages has long been a highlight for snorkelers and scuba divers in the Pacific Ocean where it has its place in the piscine pecking order. After it was thoughtlessly introduced into the Caribbean and the Atlantic, however, the lionfish took advantage of the lack of predators and its population skyrocketed. This is one fish you need have no compunction about eating. ---------------- PROGRAM 5 - Friday, March 9 at 7pm – Surfing Block Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Cuban Wave Riders (USA), Liz Magee, Taylor McNulty, 20 min “When I caught that first wave” the Cuban surfer says, “it was…like medicine for the soul.” Any stoked surfer would say amen to that, but for this film’s Cuban surfers, locating that medicine often means long trips on bumpy roads and bruising walks across rocky beaches. Right now, there are only about 80 surfers in Cuba. More are welcome, the surfers say, “but not too many.” Reefs at Risk (USA), Malina Fagan, 11 min Something else to worry about. The health of reefs near Hawaii started to decline around 1985, that was about the same time the tourist industry in the islands exploded. Any connection? All those visitors are lathered in sunscreen that often includes the chemical oxybenzone, an endocrine disruptor, lethal to coral—and fish, and dolphins (and maybe you). Who knew? The Agave Gun (USA), Ross Haines, 10 min Legendary surfboard shaper Gary Linden continues to hone his skills even after 50 years into his career. His board materials include agave plants, the use of which requires masterful skills and a lot of patience. Alex Gray, a big wave surfer, inspires Gary to make an “agave gun” (big wave surfboard) and they go on a spiritual journey together. The Big Wave Project (Australia), Tim Bonython, 50 min If surfers are considered a tribe, then big wave surfers are tribal gods. For five years Australian filmmaker Tim Bonython follows legendary surfers to legendary breaks and some unknown gargantuan tow-in monsters. He tracks storms and swells across the planet to find and surf the gnarliest, most insurmountable mountains of ocean. Big gun surfers including Jamie Mitchell, Aaron Gold, Ryan Hipwood, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, Billy Kemper, and Bay Area legend Mark Healey survive the impossible and develop a brotherhood of the Big Wave. ---------------- PROGRAM 6 - Saturday, March 10 at 10am Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Art for a Sea Change (USA), John Quigley, 4 min Listen, Unite, Protect, Save Our Seas. Starting in San Francisco, twenty years ago, over a hundred thousand youth from California to China have connected with the sea – cleaning beaches and sending ocean messages scribed in the sand with their own bodies. A Herring Opera (USA), Tessa Schmidt, 27 min Stylistically unique, this film portrays the spring herring fishing season in Sitka, Alaska. Presented as an “opera’ in several acts, it presents the drama between commercial fishing operations and the local fishermen. Interwoven in the story are details of life in a small Alaskan town and the beauty of the spawning herring. Chiripajas (Russia/Spain), Olga Poliektova, Jaume Quiles, 2 min This film tells the big adventure of one small baby turtle. Lost and trapped in ocean pollution, he strives to reach the ocean and search for his family. A beach cleanup saves the day! Irreparable Harm (USA), Colin Arisman, 20 min In Alaska, a Tlingit settlement must abandon traditional foods, and perhaps their homes. A silver mine’s mercury-and lead-tainted discharge pours into Knight Inlet in vast quantities, poisoning marine life the Tlingit depends on. Faced with blatant lies, “disappeared” studies, and industry stonewalling, the state turns a blind eye. But natives and scientists push back: “If you call out to the Earth, Earth can hear you.” Straws (USA), Linda Booker, 33 min It is estimated that each day in the U.S. alone up to 500 million plastic straws are used once and thrown away. Sound like a problem for the environment? This look at the history of straws and their impact on the environment will make you reconsider how you order your next drink. Return of the Harbor Porpoises (USA), Jim Sugar, 10 min In the late 1930s, San Francisco Bay was dying. Sewage, industrial waste, and military preparations for World War II sounded a death knell for its marine life. The shy, diminutive porpoises that lived here disappeared. Then, activists and agencies decided to heal the bay, and 65 years later, biologists documented the porpoises’ lusty return. This film is a song of homecoming, of hope. ---------------- PROGRAM 7 - Saturday, March 10 at 1pm – Shark Program Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Shark Wedding PSA (USA), Andrew Wegst, 1 min When millions of sharks have ended up as the featured dish in soup at prestigious events, perhaps soon they will become the guest of honor. Dedicate: Diving Free (Norway), Shams, 8 min A chemical engineer turned free-diving photographer, Jacques de Vos has pursued his love for orcas since childhood. He shares the magic and wonder of being in the water and interacting with humpback whales and orcas off the coast of Norway. Seeking Sanctuary (UK), Nick Jones, 11min Shark researcher Ornella Weideli‘s laboratory is the remote, uninhabited St. Joseph’s atoll in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. It has become a sanctuary for a wide diversity of wildlife, including baby sharks whose primary predators in the shallow lagoon are their cousins. The Mystery of the Gnaraloo Sea Turtles (Australia), Dof Dickinson, 24 min See stunning underwater footage that tracks the mysterious journey of the Gnaraloo Loggerhead turtles in Western Australia. Scientists attached satellite trackers and underwater cameras to the backs of female turtles for the first time. Dive in and learn about life after they leave nesting beaches. Islands From Mexico: Revillagigedo Archipelago (Mexico), Nadia Rojas, 49 min The gem of the Mexican Pacific Ocean, this remote archipelago hosts hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and some of the best diving in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Brought to light by dive ecotourism, this Mexican Galapagos has also become the target of tuna fishers and shark finners. A team of Mexican biologists explore and study this sub-tropical biodiversity and help establish the largest no fishing marine reserve off North America. ---------------- PROGRAM 8 - Saturday, March 10 at 4pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason 68 Voices (Mexico), Nadia Rojas, 1 min This is a story of the cosmogony of the Seri people in northern Mexico. All the animals in the sea dived down to bring sand up from the depths of the ocean, but only the largest sea turtle that ever lived – the Caguama - succeeded. Frim that sand the Earth was created. These Fish Are All About Sex on the Beach (USA), Joshua Cassidy, 4 min Shortly after a new full moon and high tides, the California grunion come out of the sea and onto the beach for an unusual mass mating tryst. The resulting offspring must find their way to the sea and it is not easy. Reefs at Risk (USA), Malina Fagan, 11 min Something else to worry about. The health of reefs near Hawaii started to decline around 1985, that was about the same time the tourist industry in the islands exploded. Any connection? All those visitors are lathered in sunscreen that often includes the chemical oxybenzone, an endocrine disruptor, lethal to coral—and fish, and dolphins (and maybe you). Who knew? Adaptation Bangladesh: Sea Level Rise (USA), Justin DeShields, 12 min Glacial waters from northern mountains and the warming waters of the Bay of Bengal are expected, by 2050, to force 16 million Bangladeshi from their homes. So these resourceful people have adapted: schools are on boats with rooftop solar panels to power computers; thriving vegetable gardens float on mats of water hyacinth; self-sufficient floating villages are being planned. Such adaptations offer models to the many others who will one day share their plight. Touched by the Ocean (Latvia), Laura Rožkalne-Ozola & Sandijs Semjonovs 68 min We are familiar with the trials of the laid-back Anglo Saxons who endeavor to cross wide expanses of water in puny vessels. But when two inexperienced Latvians set out to row across the South Atlantic their experiences, even their discomforts, are both intimate and joyful. ---------------- PROGRAM 9 - Saturday, March 10 at 7pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason From the Shadows (Spain), Jacques de Vos,15 min Boats from Tromso, fish In the Norwegian fiords for herring and cod. The wildlife is out too, including whales. The sound of the fishing boats brings in orcas and humpback whales from 10 miles away. Pods come in to catch the fish that escape the nets; some whales are eating the spoils, and others sky hopping to watch the fish brought aboard and anticipate the next fall out. In the water, alongside the whales, day and night, are videographers recording it all. Oceanic Aliens (USA), Mike Johnson, 6 min What really lies in the depths of our oceans? How much do we really know about what lives there? More is known about outer space than our oceans. This short documentary illustrates just one example of a little known class of bioluminescent species and their amazing attributes. The Islands and the Whales (UK), Andy Maas, 81 min Denmark’s Faroe Islands are under siege. Heirs to the impacts of overfishing and pollution - their own and other countries – the Faroese find scant fish in the sea, or seabirds on their once-crowded rookeries. Facing ecological, economic and cultural collapse, Faroese proudly cling to at least one tradition: the Grind, in which coves run red with the blood of pilot whales. ---------------- PROGRAM 10 – The Student Film Competition, Saturday at 10am Cowell Theater, Fort Mason – FREE ADMISSSION Middle School Finalists Over Fishing: A Danger to Our Oceans, by Suejin, 9th, Alliyah, 11th, Jerrett, 10th, Sumios, 8th, Heirs To Our Oceans, Redwood City, CA Strawbucks, by Helena Gans, Danielle Karr, Alexandra Chung, Avery Benello, 7th grade, The Hamlin School, San Francisco, CA I Sea Pollution, Dakota Peebler, 11, Iseko, 12, Carlos, 15, Yarawe, 16, Dilluna, 17, Heirs To Our Oceans, Redwood City, CA. The Story of a Plastic Bottle, Cambria Bartlett, 8th grade and Coralyne Taylor, 7th grade, Homeschool, La Honda, CA Superfin, Gabby Goss, 8th grade, Julia Morgan School for Girls, Oakland, CA Astronaut of the Ocean, Alexander Luce, 7th grade, Escuela Bilingüe Internacional, Emeryville, CA Polluted, Yen Mao, 8th grade, A.P. Giannini, San Francisco, CA High School Finalists 1958, Catalina Lane & Annika Jackson, 12th grade, Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley, CA Enjoy the Process // Thomas Chang, Matthew Cho & Eva Chang, 11th grade, Mission San Jose High School, Fremont, CA Haenyeo: Mermaids of Korea, Sehee Park, 10thgrade, Branksome Hall Asia, Jeju, South Korea Ocean Investments, Brendon Milan-Howells, 10th grade, The Branson School, Ross, CA Old Reliable, Amia McCombs, 12th grade, Providence High School, Burbank, CA Cruise Control, Allison Lord, 9th grade, Westminster High School, Westminster, MD Anchor Outs, Sydney Politzer, 11th grade, Marin Catholic High School, Greenbrae, CA Vanishing Act, Georgia Lingerfelt, 10th grade, Alpharetta High School, Alpharetta, GA Freedom, Kuzey Deniz Yılmaz, Efe Dikdaş, Ece Lara Tartar,Efecan Yavuzyılmaz, Cihan Turan, 11th grade, Acarkent Doğa IB School, Turkey ---------------- PROGRAM 11 - Sunday, March 11 at 1pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Water, Blood and Spermaceti (USA), Nicholas Dean and Cheryl Dean, 7 min In the 1950s, Grigory Derviz, in his twenties, went to Russia’s Kiril Islands north of Japan, to join a whaling expedition––a world of rough seas, lots of blood, and spermaceti, a substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales and used in manufactured goods. Souls of the Vermillion Sea (USA), Matthew Podolsky, 29 min Beautifully shot in Mexico, this film documents the imminent extinction of an entire species: the vaquita, or Gulf of California porpoise. Drowned in illegal fishing nets intended to capture totaba, an endangered fish – illegally caught for questionable medical purposes –they die needless deaths. An international team now struggles valiantly to pull them back from the brink. Mexican Fishing Bats (Canada), Meigan Henry, 6 min Most marine mammals swim, but these tiny winged denizens of caves on the island of Partida in the Sea of Cortez rely on the sea as much as any sea lion. An intrepid young scientist studies these endangered Mexican fishing bats as they flit every night into the desert darkness to fish, attempting to unravel their secrets before they become lost forever. Fishpeople (USA), Keith Malloy, 49 min To some, the ocean is a fearsome and dangerous place. But to others, it’s a limitless world of fun, freedom and an opportunity to live life to the full. This film’s unique cast of characters have dedicated their lives to the sea: from surfers and spear fishers to a long-distance swimmer, a former coal miner and a group of at-risk kids from the streets of San Francisco, together they introduce us to the transformative effects of time spent in the ocean—and of finding fulfillment in the saltwater wilderness that lies just beyond the shore. ---------------- PROGRAM 12 - Sunday, March 11 at 4pm Cowell Theater, Fort Mason How Do Pelicans Survive Their Death Defying Dives (USA), Elliott Kennerson 4 min A few years back, millions of sardines crammed into San Francisco Bay and Aquatic Park Cove. Brown pelicans, so striking in soaring flight, dove with wings akimbo to scoop them up. How do these pterodactyl look-alikes survive hitting the water at 45 miles an hour? They’ve had 30 million years to adapt––bones, feathers, bill, and pouch––as this film explains. Albatross (USA), Chris Jordan, 97 min If you only see one film about birds this is the one – a prayer, a love poem and an elegy. Running to take off, a Laysan Albatross can look like Bobo the clown. But once aloft, it becomes the magical essence of soaring flight. A million breed on Midway Island, where the birds have no natural predators enabling Chris Jordan to film close up their graceful courtship dances and their encouragement to chicks breaking out of their shells. Jordan also shows us ravenous chicks gulping down plastic mistakenly scooped up by parents on foraging journeys. The horrific fatal effects of this man-made detritus are not easily forgotten. --------------- ROXIE THEATER: 3117 16th Street, San Francisco PROGRAM 13 - Sunday, March 11 at 1:30pm - Roxie Bon Voyage (Switzerland), Marc Wilkins, 21 min A couple’s pleasant Mediterranean sailing trip is thrown into tension-filled turmoil by an encounter with refugees desperate to escape their violence-torn North African homelands. In just 20 minutes, this powerful film puts us in the middle of a moral quandary, not unlike some of our own, that demands life and death choices. Big Pacific (New Zealand), Samantha McKegg and Samantha Young, 53 min In an ocean that covers one third of the Earth’s surface are many mysteries: the “arribada” in Costa Rica when half a million turtles all converge on the same beach; strange symmetrical patterns in the sand off Japan; the daily migration of the chambered nautilus; the 10-eyed horseshoe crab; and firefly shrimp each with 20,000 eggs. There are even huge stone cities built by ancient, long gone civilizations. ---------------- PROGRAM 14 - Sunday, March 11 at 4:30pm- Roxie One Breath: A Life Without Gravity (UK) Sebastian Solberg, 7 min Husband and wife free divers Eusebio and Christina Saenz de Santamaria share many adventures underwater. Among them is an attempt to set a new world record for diving depth for two people together: 100 meters. Try holding your breath along with them. Dive to be Alive, (Germany), Florian Fischer, 5 min Diving keeps you alive, and you don't become a zombie in the mind controlled world in which we live in.' … claims Hayward Coleman, the 70 years old yogi master. Dedicate: Diving Free (Norway), Shams, 8 min A chemical engineer turned free-diving photographer, Jacques de Vos has pursued his love for orcas since childhood. He shares the magic and wonder of being in the water and interacting with humpback whales and orcas off the coast of Norway. Alice in Borneo’s Wonderland, (USA), David McGuire 12 min Alice, a sixteen-year-old aspiring biologist, learns to SCUBA dive off the coast of Malaysian Borneo and discovers a wondrous world. With the help of Shark Steward instructors she learns to respect the key predators of that astonishing world––the sharks, endangered worldwide because of shark finning. Her next step is to share with other students her new knowledge about the importance of protecting the oceans. Patterns of the Ocean (Germany), Claudia Schmitt, 45 min The eagles of the sea, manta rays are a giant, gentle and graceful kind of flat shark. With a wingspan of 21 feet and weighing well over a ton, these acrobatic denizens are favorites among scuba divers. Now coveted as a dubious traditional medicine, these rays are becoming a substitute for shark fin and are rapidly becoming endangered. A German team of filmmakers tirelessly document the work of scientists and conservationists in Indonesia, working to save these beautiful animals from extinction. ---------------- LARK THEATER 549 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur PROGRAM 15 - Sunday, March 11 at 5pm The Story of Force Blue, (USA) Sara & Bobby Sheehan 43 min Force Blue is a nonprofit organization that seeks to unite the community of Special Operations veterans with the world of marine resource conservation for the betterment of both. It’s the story of the six (6) men who comprise Force Blue’s Team One — how each of them has dealt with their own personal struggles to reorient to civilian life after years of combat deployments, and how, together, they are now as a force for change. This new “mission” to heal the planet is giving them a pathway home.  Want to start a Windowsill Garden?
Growing organic herbs indoors and at home can be easy and fun! The Back to the Roots Garden in a Can is the perfect way start your windowsill herb garden because it comes with everything you need to grow – including unique biochar technology that lets you grow from the can without draining. No chemicals, no transplanting, and no messy drainage holes. Set comes with basil, cilantro, dill, & mint. Enjoy!  Love Peanut Butter and Milkshakes? Here's a yummy PBfit and Milkadamia Milkshake Recipe!
Milkadamia Highlights: · Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Soy-free, and Vegan · Non-GMO · Cholesterol-free · Excellent source of vitamins D and B12 · 50% more calcium than 2% dairy milk · Available in Original, Unsweetened, Unsweetened Vanilla, and Latte Da for the barista in you PBfit Highlights: · 90% less fat and ⅓ of the calories · Made from real roasted, pressed peanuts · Combine with water or add to smoothies to get a natural protein boost with great taste · Mix into breads, pancakes or waffles to create a delicious peanut butter flavor · Available in Peanut Butter flavor or Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Whether you’re on a Ketogenic diet or looking to cut calories, you will love these products! Recipe:
2/15/2018 New Book: Napa at Last Light: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity by James ConawayRead Now  As a Reporter on Environmental and Sustainability issues, we read and recommend NAPA AT LAST LIGHT: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity by James Conaway (Simon & Schuster; March 6).
NAPA AT LAST LIGHT is a recent history of the Napa Valley wine region, in which the industry has exploded – launching an epic battle between old family stewardship and multinational corporations. The victims in this power struggle were not only the traditional community and culture, but the land itself, ravaged by unsustainable agriculture practices. We at Gratitude Gourmet have featured Wineries that have sustainable agriculture practices, however, there is room for improvement. James Conway says: "This book is not about wine but about place and people... Three million tourists spend more than a billion dollars a year in Napa Valley, but the total economy built around wine is estimated to be as high as $18 billion. Yet close to half of the population lives at or below the poverty line. Housing is difficult to find and prohibitively expensive, the roads crowded, cancer rates high, and the glaring disparity between incomes growing. The valley represents the apotheosis of the American family farm...it has become unrecognizable even to those who have spent their lives in the shadows of the Howell and Mayacamas Mountains." Reviews Include: “This is a stunning and sad look at how an idyllic community became a victim of its own success… fascinating and well-researched.”--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “In the third volume of his trilogy about Napa, California, Conaway (Nose, 2013, etc.) continues his investigation of the consequences of the wine industry on the region's culture and environment...A strong plea for responsible stewardship of the land.”--Kirkus Reviews “As a timely cautionary tale, revealing what may soon happen to our nation and world, this will interest readers nationally.”--Booklist  These light, sweet cookies are flavored with Rose Water, so you can taste the romance in every bite. Involve the kids in the decorating to make it a family affair and then pair with a glass of champagne after their bedtime. Recipe courtesy of Nielsen-Massey.
Ingredients
Position oven rack in the center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two large, heavy light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt until blended; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, add butter, sugar, cream, Vanilla Extract and Rose Water; beat with a handheld mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to medium-low; add eggs one at a time and beat after each addition. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the dry ingredients one half at a time. Divide dough into two even pieces, press each piece into a disk shape, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour. Dough should be cool and firm but easy to work with. In a small bowl, whisk confectioners’ sugar and flour until blended; set aside. Working with one piece of dough at a time, place on a clean, dusted surface. Roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut heart shapes and transfer with a thin offset metal spatula to prepared cookie sheets. For even baking, do not overcrowd cookies. Gather remaining dough, cover with plastic and chill. Continue with second chilled dough. For best results, bake one sheet pan at a time until done, about 10 minutes; remove and place cookies on wire racks to cool. Decorate and store in an airtight container. Rose Glaze and Rose Piping Icing In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and meringue powder. Add water and Rose Water, stir until smooth. Glaze cookies in desired colors and set aside to dry before piping. For the piping icing, remake the glaze recipe and add additional confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Divide icing into small bowls; add desired gel colors. Select pastry tips, prepare pastry bags and creatively pipe icing onto glazed cookies.  Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar in Pacifica, California is now serving breakfast. The new morning menu is offered seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Chef Calvo-Perez grew up working with his father in the kitchen of the first Fresca location and this led to his studying at the Hotel and Restaurant Department at the City College of San Francisco as well as at the California Culinary Academy. He continued his culinary explorations in Spain where he worked with Chef Jose Rodriguez at the acclaimed Maritimo on the island of Mallorca. Calvo-Perez subsequently toured France, Italy, Puerto Rico and Peru before returning to San Francisco to his culinary birthplace, Fresca, to head up the kitchen there and then add three more locations and subsequently opening Puerto 27. We enjoyed and highly recommend the following Cocktails, Entrees, and Desserts with a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean! Pictures are below! Salud!! Cocktails . Pisco Sour (the famous 27) Pisco quebranta, Key Lime, sugar, egg white, angostura. Served up Entrees . Pescado a lo Macho Whole fried branzino, Peruvian seafood stew with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops and calamari, aji Amarillo cream sauce, rice . Locro de Quinoa Kabocha squash stew, potato, green beans, quinoa, feta cheese, sunny fried egg, salsa, criolla Dessert . Picarones Peruvian Donuts Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar is located adjacent to the Pacifica Beach Hotel at 525 Crespi Drive, just off the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), in Pacifica, California.  Are you looking for authentic Oaxacan Mexican cuisine and a mezcal-focused beverage program in the San Francisco Bay Area? We are very lucky to have Agave Uptown in Oakland which is celebrating their first anniversary with the full opening of a 32-seat sidewalk patio and the release, in a jar, of their acclaimed mole sauce made with 20 ingredients from a secret family recipe. Executive Chef and restaurant entrepreneur Octavio Diaz is a native of Santa Gertrudis, Mexico, near the city of Oaxaca, grew up in a large family for whom food was a focal point of their togetherness. At age 13, his parents sent him to live with his uncle in Rohnert Park, California and he subsequently received a scholarship to attend Santa Rosa Junior College where he graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. Inspired by strong ties to Oaxaca and family, Diaz’s professional goal became to bring the flavors of his homeland to the Bay Area. Initially working at places such as the Sonoma Wine Country Hilton and Petaluma Sheraton, he then opened Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar in Healdsburg in 2010 serving authentic Oaxacan style food and the venue quickly became an integral part of Sonoma County’s culinary community and inspired a second location, Agave Uptown, at the Kapor Center in Oakland. With a focus on sustainable ingredients, Diaz seeks to create a cultural experience for his diners in a family-friendly atmosphere. His mother frequently helps make the signature mole negro by hand with imported Oaxacan ingredients. We enjoyed a delightful, fresh and flavorful dinner where beautifully prepared foods made our tastebuds dance for JOY!! Here are the items we tried and highly recommend!! Pictures are below. Salud!! :) Cocktails . Amor Mixteca Mezcal, Prickly Pear Spirit, Lime, Egg Whites, Prickly Syrup, Aromatic Essence . Pasion Silvestre Luna Mezcal, Mandarin & Lavender Syrup, Passion Fruit, Lemon, Tonic Water Ensaladas . Agave Salad Petite Romaine Hearts, Avocado, Queso Fresco, Pumpkin Seeds, Heirloom Tomatoes, Grilled Peppers, Onions, Cilantro, Chipotle Vinaigrette . Oaxacan Salad Butter Lettuce, Avocado, Mango, Sliced Almonds, Radish, Amaranto Seeds, Vinaigreta de maracuya con mezcal Botanas . Salmon - not on the menu but ask for it! :) Beets, Avocado, Radish, Pomegranate Seeds, Tomato, Pomegranate Seeds, Cilantro, Habanero, pineapple . Ceviche Onion, Heirloom Tomatoes,, Lime, Cilantro, Avocado . Molotes (vegetarian) Masa, Epazote, Potato, Cabbage, Queso Fresco, Black Bean Paste Especialidades Mole negro de Oaxaca @chihuacle Chiles and 20 secret ingredients . Enmoladas (vegetarian) Mole, Queso Fresco, sliced onion, rice, black beans . Cod with vegetables . Mushroom Tacos Cabbage Queso Fresco, Mole, Avocado Dessert Menu . Flan de Cafe Traditional custard served with fresh berries . Lucuma Ice Cream . Rose petals ice cream Agave Uptown is located at 2135 Franklin Street, at Broadway, in Oakland, California.  Anyone who’s ever dreamed of walking into a kitchen and creating a dish from scratch, knowing exactly how to season it to perfection, will find the KITCHEN CREATIVITY: Unlocking Culinary Genius—with Wisdom, Inspiration, and Ideas from the World’s Most Creative Chefs by Karen Page’s three-stage process an inspiration!
 There’s a new whole-food nutrition bar! Phyter bars are the FIRST products of their kind with farm-fresh vegetables and/or fruit as their #1 ingredient, using pureed produce (never dehydrated). And that’s only part of the goodness story.
Phyter bars are the creation of Chef David Choi Jr., who grew up in a household of Korean vegan chefs and served as head chef at his family’s plant-based restaurant in Chicago for nine years. With his long background in plant-based eating, Chef David decided to come up with a veggie-based dessert for cooking classes he was teaching – and Phyters were born. (The name comes from the phytonutrients inside as well as the fact that they’re so good you have to PHYTE to stop eating them.) They’re: · Handcrafted and cooked in small batches by Chef David himself · Organic, GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, kosher and vegan · Sweetened with low-glycemic coconut sugar to reduce blood sugar spikes · Soft to eat with a unique texture that doesn’t stick to your teeth · Free of chemicals, preservatives, and added oils or fats · Kid-friendly Flavors include Sweet Potato + Coconut; Butternut Squash + Peanut Butter; Cranberry + Strawberry; Beets + Cocoa; and a new Kale + Apple that will be in stores this year.  Do you mill your own flour? With Lee Royal Lee Organics at home flour mill, you can mill your own flour is as easy as the touch of a button.
Ancient grains high in nutrients can easily be added to baked goods, breads, doughs and more. Quinoa is known as “The Mother Grain”, is gluten-free and pre-washed. A good source of folate, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. Quinoa is low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol and sodium. Looking for a new Quinoa Recipe? Check out Savory Quinoa, Buckwheat & Shitake Mushroom Stirfry! Enjoy! 2/1/2018 New Book: Raw and Radiant with Recipes: Coconut Curry Bowl AND Lemon Lavender TartRead Now  Credit: Coconut Curry Bowl - Raw and Radient Check out this great new cookbook, Raw and Radiant by Summer Sanders, founder of Local Juicery, certified raw food chef, personal trainer, and plant-based nutritionist. She is known for her innovative and simple recipes, and laid-back cooking style. Recipes include: Coconut Jerky, Watercress and Fresh Fig Salad, Sunflower Hempseed Milk, Rainbow Rice Rolls, Summer Squash Pasta + Dandelion Green Pesto, and Lemon Lavender Tart. In addition, this book includes chapters on fitness & beauty, helpful rituals, and an easy & gentle 5-day cleanse along with enema info for first-time cleansers. These simple changes and healthy alternatives will help you thrive and glow! Here are TWO great recipes for Coconut Curry Bowl AND Lemon Lavender Tart courtesy of Raw and Radiant! Enjoy! Coconut Curry Bowl As a raw foodist, the winter can be a very trying time. This is a great dish to eat during the colder months; it’s warming from the inside out. The spices in this recipe are also very healing; I love incorporating them into my dishes as often as possible. Serves 4 What You’ll Need 2 medium yellow squash 1 cup shredded kale or spinach, tightly packed 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 cup soaked cashews or young coconut flesh ¼ cup raw organic sunflower seeds ½ teaspoon curry powder ¼ teaspoon turmeric ¹⁄8 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 tablespoon coconut sugar 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar Pinch of salt 1⁄3 cup Coconut Jerky (page 143) 3 leaves basil, chopped ¼ cup pistachios or favorite nut Microgreens for topping Method Spiralize the yellow squash and transfer to a bowl. Add the shredded kale and set aside. In a food processor, combine the coconut oil, cashews or coconut flesh, sunflower seeds, curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon, onion powder, coconut sugar, vinegar, and salt. Process into a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce onto the kale and the noodles. Massage it into the kale and noodles to make sure the flavors are incorporated. Top with Coconut Jerky, chopped basil, crushed pistachios, and microgreens.  Credit: Raw and Radient Lemon Lavender Tart
This is a creamy taste bud pleaser and it’s beautiful to look at. I love taking this to potlucks and dinner parties. People always want the recipe and are surprised when they learn that it’s raw and vegan. The lavender adds an interesting flair to the taste and the berries really make it a visual delight. Serves 8 to 10 What You’ll Need Perfect Pie Crust (page 175) ¼ cup dried or fresh lavender 1⁄3 cup raw honey 2 cups raw organic cashews, soaked ¾ cup raw organic coconut oil ¾ cup lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt Method Press the pie crust into a 9 x 13-inch pie pan and then place it in the freezer. Blend the lavender, water, and honey in a high-speed blender. Strain with a nut milk bag or strainer to remove the stems and flowers and set aside. In a high-speed blender, combine the cashews, coconut oil, reserved lavender honey mixture, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend until very smooth. Pour the mixture into the crust and return to the freezer to set (for about 2 hours). Just before serving, slice the lemons and place on the tart for decor.  What are the top trends in tea for 2018? Numi Tea has been exploring the flavor landscape and has a few predictions.
Here are some top bets for 2018 tea trends:
Gratitude Tea A silky sweetness embodies this soothing blend of tulsi which warms the heart, licorice that invigorates the spirit, and ashwagandha that protects and supports. The addition of maca, turmeric, and chamomile bring a rootsy, apple-like taste and a spicy finish. The medley is complex and satisfying, allowing you to settle into an affirming state of gratitude for all of life’s gifts.
 Sugar Bowl Bakery, the family owned bakery based in Hayward, CA and known for its delicious pastries, is making breakfast a little bit easier and healthier with the launch of its whole-grain Breakfast Bites. The new Breakfast Bites are available in three different flavors: Double Chocolate, Blueberry Lemon and Cranberry Orange.
“Today, it’s rare that we find time to sit down in the mornings and enjoy a full, hearty breakfast,” said Andrew Ly, CEO of Sugar Bowl Bakery. “We wanted to provide a healthy yet tasty option for those individuals who would otherwise either skip breakfast or grab a fast, sugary treat before heading to work. These Breakfast Bites are made with grains to provide you with lasting energy without compromising on taste.” |
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