The Carnival Season is a time of fun and revelry. Most people associate Mardi Gras with New Orleans, but did you know that the first Mardi Gras in the US was held in Mobile, Alabama? There are also Mardi Gras parades held all over the southern US and in a few other places around the country, including my home city of Baton Rouge, LA.

The only time I’ve missed Mardi Gras was the year my daughter was born — on Mardi Gras Weekend! She was a preemie born the Sunday before Mardi Gras proper, but we still wore our beads in the NICU that year. I’ve even turned down trips to Europe and exotic islands because they happened to fall during Mardi Gras. After all, it is a state holiday here in Louisiana.

The Carnival Season begins Twelfth Night, January 6th of each year and goes through midnight until Ash Wednesday. The two days preceding Ash Wednesday are Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) and Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). The entire season is sometimes referred to Mardi Gras or Carnival. It is a religious based event that had become a cultural experience of a region.

Not everyone can get to a Mardi Gras parade this year, but if you are of a mind to take a trip, there are a number of family friendly celebrations along the Gulf Coast states. And yes, I DO BRING MY CHILDREN TO NEW ORLEANS FOR MARDI GRAS sometimes. We however, do not bring them to Bourbon Street. Ever.

How to Celebrate Mard Gras and the Carnival Season

King Cake – Carnival Season begins on January 6 of each year. You can order a King Cake online and have it delivered to your home. This can be expensive because it must be sent overnight or it isn’t fresh. For those one a budget, I have an Easy King Cake Recipe on my personal blog. One of the fun parts of a King Cake (besides indulging your sweet tooth) is finding the baby inside. Tradition says that whoever finds the baby will have good luck all year. Here in Louisiana, in an office setting, it means you have to buy the next King Cake for the office. Lucky you. Last year I had a blast judging a King Cake contest in Baton Rouge.

Decorations – Many people in Louisiana keep their Christmas trees standing through Carnival Season and decorate it in Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green. Fireplace mantles and front doors also bear decorations of ribbons, masks, and shiny things to celebrate. Go to a local craft store and make a Mardi Gras wreath for your front door.

Music – Jazz things up with some Mardi Gras music around your home or office. Mardi Gras Mambo is always a popular choice and will guarantee to have your office dancing a Second Line around the desks. Basin Street Records is one of my  favorite labels for New Orleans music.

Have Your Own Parade – Liven things up in your neighborhood or workplace my holding an impromptu parade. While Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade are popular for their balloons and flowery floats, I think they’re kind of boring. For an authentic Mardi Gras experience, you have to have Throws. Throws consist of beads, promotional items, flowers, and candy. Here in Louisiana, the Zulu Social Club gives throws of the highly sought after golden coconut. In earlier times, Mardi Gras was when the wealthy shared with the community, giving back in the form of these throws. Mardi Gras Krewes are social clubs who give back to their local society throughout the year and also have private social gatherings. Read: Those plastic beads aren’t cheap.

Hold a Mardi Gras Party – Mardi Gras Krewes hold a soiree each year to present their royal courts. Traditionally these soirees, or balls are extremely formal with men in tuxedos and women wearing floor length evening gowns. The Krewe I’ve been a part of is Krewe of Artemis in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For the annual soiree, all gown hemlines must touch the ground or you will not be allowed into the party. Mr. Kevin Kelly, owner of Houmas House Plantation holds a masquerade party annually during Carnival Season at his private home along an iconic New Orleans parade route. This is one of the most exclusive private events in the entire world.

Make a Gumbo – In Mamou, Louisiana there is the Courier de Mardi Gras tradition. Costumed riders go around the area by horseback through the rice fields of Evangeline Parish collecting the ingredients for a community gumbo. Live chickens offered up by homeowners are chased and sometimes caught for the gumbo pot. You don’t have to chase chickens in your neighborhood, or even clean a chicken with my Easy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo recipe.

These are just a few of the ways to celebrate Mardi Gras where you live. Be creative and have fun!

Do you have any projects or traditions for Carnival Season? Laissez les bon temps roulet!

The Aloft Hotel is Uptown at the Epicenter in Charlotte, North Carolina is urban and trendy.  Fellow Traveling Mamas, Jen of One Moms World, and I were in Charlotte recently.

It is in the heart of the Epicenter of Charlotte.  There you will find an abundance of city life and activity.

This Fall, I attended a Conference at the Time Warner Arena Charlotte.  The Aloft was the perfect location for this event, within walking distance to everything.  Downtown was bustling and Starbucks was hopping.  The shops were fantastic with a variety of dining options in the area.  There was even an outdoor concert at the Epicenter, providing  a  lively and fun atmosphere.

Meanwhile, after our inspiring conference, we wanted to hit the Aloft and get back to the comfort of our rooms.  The hotel had city views, so you can pick up the energy of the city right from your room with a view.

There was an indoor lap pool to get a little exercise year round.  The lobby was funky, hip and casual, too.  Young people were visiting and playing games.  Some were shopping in the hotel shops.

The service was warm and friendly just what you would want in this bustling Southern city.  A visit to the Aloft Uptown Epicenter Charlotte is a must for comfort, flare and enjoying the heart of the city.  Aloft is a Starwood Hotel a part of W Hotels.

Special thanks to Aloft Hotel Charlotte, North Carolina for hosting my visit.  My opinion is my own - I loved it.

I’m not sure what I was expecting on the Carnival Liberty when it comes to Guy’s Burger Joint on the Fun Ship 2.0, but it sure wasn’t the chance to eat the best burger on the sea. All I can say is, move over 5 Guys Burgers. There’s only one guy for me when it comes to a really good burger — Guy Fieri’s new partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines. Not only are these burgers absolutely amazing, but they’re also FREE!

Guy’s Burger Joint is a roadside burger cafe crossed with a seaside dive located on the Lido Deck poolside, just next to RedFrog Rum Bar. Open in the afternoons until 6pm, you can choose from one of the five signature burgers, or opt for the Plain Jane and fix it how you like at the condiment bar. Add with that, the hand cut fries dusted with Guy’s seasoning and it’s a winner. You can be creative with your burger, or try a few of the suggestions listed at the condiment bar.

I opted for the Plain Jane for my first go ‘round and topped it with a variety of sauces and extras, like sauteed mushrooms and bacon. For my next round I went for The Ringer, a burger with cheese topped with a fried onion rind and Guy’s special sauce made with bourbon and brown sugar.

Let’s not talk about diets here, because one of these burgers can run as many as 1800 calories. But who’s counting when you’re on vacation, right?

You might think there would be a long line since these burgers are so popular, but the ship’s staff keeps things running and I didn’t once encountered a line.

Guy’s Burger Joint is definitely one new aspect of the Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements that’s a keeper.

Last night I enjoyed dinner at a premium restaurant on the Carnival Liberty. I’ve been on board checking out all the Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements. Dinner at Harry’s is $30 per person, but if you look at some of these images, you might agree it’s well worth the added expense.

Amuse Bouche (Sent by the chef as a teaster)

My starter was the Escargot

Stefania from MommyMusings.com ordered a tomato salad as one of her starters, but I opted for the Caesar Salad.

For the entree, I went with Lobster Ravioli, only because I wasn’t craving a steak, but there were raves from my fellow diners about the steak and lobster.

But for dessert, the entire table was in agreement and we all ordered the same thing — the Chocolate Sampler.

Harry’s Steakhouse was an excellent choice for dinner and I would recommend this premium restaurant for a romantic getaway or a nice dinner out with girlfriends. Families may want to save this dinner for a night without the kids and reservations are required. Be sure to keep in mind the hours of Camp Carnival before making your reservations.

Special thanks to Carnival Cruise Lines for inviting me to take part in the #FunShip2dot0 familiarization cruise. Carnival also hosted the dinner at Harry’s Steakhouse. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.

A Mediterranean cruise with port stops in Europe is a wonderful introduction to a number of destinations. You get to visit a variety of countries and cities, giving yourself a chance to figure out which destination you’d like to revisit for a longer land stay. During my cruise on the Carnival Magic, we stopped in Messina (Sicily), Italy, which offered a wide variety of port excursions. We opted for Taormina on Your Own, a visit to a medieval town located on Mt. Tauro.

The tour begins with an hour drive from the cruise terminal to the entrance of the town. Yes, we were on a large tour bus, but once we arrived in Taormina we were on our own for a few hours. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Taormina’s cobbled streets and tiny passages found here and there made for an absolutely charming visit.

Our small group worked up an appetite from all the walking, so we stopped in Terrazza Angelo for a light lunch and a few glasses of wine.

We ordered pizzas and two pitchers of house wine (one red, one white) while enjoying the atmosphere of sitting on a terrace in Sicily.

Terrazza Angelo was the perfect place for a relaxing meal while exploring the streets of Taormina. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking in the beautiful views from the town, shopping, and just enjoying the day in Taormina.

Website: Terrazzo Angelo

Special thanks to Carnival Cruise Lines for hosting my European cruise on the Carnival Magic and providing this shore excursion. This excursion, Taormina on Your Own can be booked for around $80 per person through the shore excursion desk.

Costa Maya is a port stop on a number of Caribbean cruises. But if you step beyond the colorful port itself, and venture less than 10 minutes away into Mahahual, you’ll find an authentic Mexican experience and delicious fare at Fernando’s 100% Agave.

Fernando’s is located in Old Mahahual, on the second street. This palapa covered building is open-air and rustic. If you are looking for a high-end restaurant, then look elsewhere. Fernando’s 100% Agave is a fabulous choice for a laid back dining experience. The best part? It’s extremely affordable.

Once you are seated, Fernando will bring over a small pitcher of tequila cocktail, grapefruit juice, and a selection of salsa with chips. The salsa comes in three levels of heat. My favorite is “not for gringos” and makes you want to drink another margarita.

Fernando is the man who educated me on the correct way to enjoy tequila. As one who has never been a big fan of shooting tequila, I was pleasantly surprised by the buttery finish of the fine tequilas we sipped on. He also took the tequila education a step further, offering a selection of bugs. Yes. Bugs. I ate them and will admit that they weren’t too bad and had a similar taste of a beef jerky. He also makes his own tequila, which he will sell if you bring your own container.

The food was delicious at this restaurant. I opted for fish tacos, which were served with rice and local veggies. The menu offers so many things to choose from, and Fernando will let you make your own combo plate if you can’t choose. As we dined, I took in the atmosphere of the place which was totally laid back and relaxing. We ended our meal with a nice dessert tequila, made by Fernando himself.

Fernando’s 100% Agave restaurant in Mahahual, near the port of Costa Maya is a sure bet for a local experience. Plus, it won’t break the bank. Be sure to bring cash, in smaller bills. If you want to spend the afternoon at the beach, this restaurant is just around the block from all the beach clubs. The chairs at the beach clubs are usually free, with a one drink minimum. If you’ve been to Costa Maya before, or you aren’t into the group tour, then this is a good option for your port stop. Taxis are usually about $3 per person each way.

Tip: Fernando offers a variety of beers not available in the US, such as Leon and Montejo. I also suggest trying a micheladas, which is a beer cocktail made with lime juice and chili powder, kind of like a bloody mary but with beer.

Want another opinion? Be sure to check out the review by the 52Weeks52Restaurants blog.

Special thanks to locals Kevin, Nick, and Cesar who introduced Nancy Shretter and I to this fabulous restaurant while we were delivering donations to the Mahahual area schools. If you’d like to learn about how you can help schools in Mahahual, check out my post on Volunteering in Costa Maya.

One Saturday morning, while I was in Saint-Tropez, I ventured for a stoll to the central market. This area is called the Place des Lices and can be a busy area in the summer. I went in search of people watching, specifically the old men playing boules. Instead I discovered the Saturday Market, the place where the locals can grab fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables in a flea market setting.

I ventured across the street into the Place, wary of the many Mercedes, Bentleys, and Ferarris that were parading from around the corner in a steady stream. The Place des Lices was filled with tents and walkways offering the most amazing sights, sounds, and smells. I was so glad I remembered a bit of French from my high school years, because this came in handy at this market, where most of the vendors only spoke the native language.

Walked down the aisles, I noticed the colorful display of spices and the many fresh vegetables laid out on tables.

A delicious smell tickled my nose, and I followed it around a corner to one of the booths, finding a gorgeous pan of paella in progress.

I continued my stroll, sampling a croque monsieur before getting down to the serious business of shopping. The wind traveled through the market with a gentle breeze, blowing the tablecloths hanging nearby. It was a beautiful sunny day that felt like a dream.

Do you Do you Saint-Tropez?

To learn more about visiting Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera, visit the website of the Tourism Office of Saint-Tropez. Not all information is in English.

Special thanks to Air France, Chateau de La Messardiere, and Donna K. Smith PR for arranging my stay in Saint-Tropez.

I love visiting New Orleans, be it for just an evening or for a weekend getaway close to home. Recently my husband and I decided on a quick romantic trip, where instead of your typical dinner, we opted for our own version of a progressive dinner. We thought it would be fun, and we had no itinerary or agenda to follow. We just walked around the Quarter and stopped for a drink here or shared a dish there.

The Starter

We began our meal at Felix’s, which is across the street from ACME. We walked right past the shucker and took two seats at the bar, ordering a dozen raw oysters and two Abita Ambers. As we enjoyed these delicious Louisiana oysters, I would glance across the street at the very long line of tourists waiting to get into ACME. If only they knew that Felix’s was just as cool.

The Entertainment

We walked around the Quarter, stopping every now and then to be entertained by the bizarre sights that are New Orleans street performers. When we had enough of the strange, we were entertained by silly — the drunk tourists walking down Bourbon Street. If you are easily offended, or have children with you, stay off of Bourbon Street, especially at night.

The Libations

There are any number of places to enjoy a cocktail in New Orleans, but I’m a sucker for the history and atmosphere of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. It’s not only the oldest bar in the US, but when you think about the pirates that used to hang out there, it makes the place cool, with a K-E-W-L. My favorite spot is the back corner near the piano.

The Munchies

Walking around after having a few cocktails can bring on a bit of hunger. We decided it was time to be carnivores and stopped in at The Clover Grill for a cheeseburger and fries. You haven’t truly experienced Bourbon Street until you’ve been to the Clover Grill on a Friday night.

Stogies

We continued our walk around the Quarter until we came to a cigar shop. My husband likes a good cigar, so we stopped in before moving along.

The Secret Menu Item

We walked a good ways out of the Quarter and over towards The Riverwalk and Harrah’s Casino. We stopped in to put a few dollars in a slot machine before heading to the grand finale — Besh Steakhouse. I took a seat at the bar and ordered my favorite of all favorites, risotto. Besh Steakhouse serves the best risotto I’ve ever eaten in my life. It isn’t on the menu, but the bartender knew what I wanted.

The one thing we skipped? The Lucky Dog cart.

It was a delightful evening filled with a few of my favorite places in New Orleans. Of course, there are many other places I like to eat, and have a cocktail, but as far as good evenings go, this one was tops.

Eating heart healthy during the holiday season can be a challenge, whether you are at home or traveling. Restaurateur-winemaker Joe Bastianich has teamed up with a new program called Heart in the Kitchen, to develop low cholesterol recipes that taste fantastic and still fit into his healthy lifestyle. I was able to catch up with Joe and cardiovascular specialist Dr. Dan Wilson to get a few of their tips for eating healthy during the holidays and healthy snacks when on the road. Check out the video below:

Direct link: http://bcove.me/gg2xmugg

About Joe Bastianich: Restaurateur-winemaker Joe Bastianich, along with partners Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali, operates three wineries in Italy, as well as twenty two successful restaurants across the country, including Babbo and Del Posto in NYC, and Carnevino in Las Vegas. December of 2010 marked their first overseas venture with the opening of Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza in Singapore. Joe has co-authored two award winning books on Italian wine, and his third book, Grandi Vini, an opinionated tour of Italy’s 89 finest wines, was released in the fall of 2010 to much critical acclaim. He has received numerous accolades for his groundbreaking work in the field and in 2008 the James Beard Foundation honored him once again by presenting he and Mario with the much revered Outstanding Restaurateur Award. Joe is currently a judge on FOX’s reality TV hit, MasterChef, with Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot, where he shares his expertise in deciphering culinary talent from amongst thousands of amateur home cooks.  In the summer of 2010, Joe again partnered with Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali, as well Italian retail pioneer Oscar Farinetti to bring Eataly, the largest artisanal food and wine market in the world, to New York. In addition to Joe’s passion for all things food and wine, he is an avid runner and triathlete, and is set to compete in the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championships.

Like a good pot of gumbo, Louisiana is filled with all kinds of good things. Each part of the state offers a unique culture all its own, but the underlying theme of good food and family values is always there. During a visit to Southwest Louisiana, the group I was touring with was treated to a beautiful afternoon in an historic Lake Charles neighborhood, Margaret Place.

Our guide, Adley Cormier, led us through a lush courtyard on the side of a stately brick home, around a rose bushes, to a pool house in the rear of the home. Waiting with a sweet treat was Mr. Cormier’s wife and Senator Willie Mount. Senator Mount and Mrs. Cormier wanted to share a tradition children’s afternoon snack: Fried Sweet Dough Sweet Potato Pie served with ice cold milk.

My family has been in Louisiana for many generations, with roots in the Baton Rouge area and across the river from the capital city. I’d never tried this treat that is a tradition in the Southwest part of the state. It was a delicious surprise. The Cormiers and Senator Mount shared stories of the area and their love of where they live. It was a delightful afternoon learning about another area of my home state.

The Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau was kind enough to hunt down the recipe so that I could share it with you.

Fried Sweet Dough Sweet Potato Pie Recipe:

Crust

2 eggs
¼ pound butter
1 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
2 Cups flour

Combine eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla in a food processor. Pulse together until the ingredients are well-mixed. Sift the baking powder and the flour together and add this to the processor. Process the combined ingredients until they form a ball. Wrap dough in plastic and allow to rest, refrigerated for an hour. Roll into a circle, approximately 12 inches in diameter with a thickness of 1/8th-inch.

Filling

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
2 cups sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Oil for deep-fat frying
Confectioners’ sugar, optional

In a large bowl, combine the seven filling ingredients; stir until smooth. Divide the dough into 25 portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 5-in. circle. Spoon 2 tablespoons of filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. Prick tops with a fork 4-5 times.

In a skillet, heat 1/2 in. of oil to 375°. Fry pies, a few at a time, for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired. Change oil during process as necessary. Store in the refrigerator.

Special thanks to the Lake Charles CVB, the Cormiers, and Senator Mount for their part in this experience. To plan your visit to the area go online at VisitLakeCharles.org.