One word. KARMA. My boyfriend, Daniel, and I racked up some seriously good karma to score the trip we just experience to Punta Mita, Mexico (about 45 minutes NW of Puerta Villarta). We were fortunate enough to stay as guests of family friends at Casa Las Palmas which was a treat in and of itself!!! It was also especially wonderful for me because my dad did all the interior design which made me feel like he was there in spirit (love you Deaner). There is nothing that beats 85˚ weather, sunshine, a gigantic pool, the ocean twenty paces away, a fridge stocked with Mexican beer & Tequila….OH WAIT, YES THERE IS!!!

…Someone else cooking me breakfast and lunch every single day…AND WASHING THE DISHES!!!!

As a chef, I am constantly creating menus,grocery shopping, cooking, packaging, plating, delivering, and washing dishes. People always say “oh, you must love cooking and eat so well.” Yes, I do love cooking, but most of the time it is my/our clients who enjoy the food. I am a big lover of cereal or scrambled eggs for quick satisfaction and easy sustenance. So as you can imagine, having someone else do all the cooking and cleaning was the most luxurious portion of the vacation for me. Louis & Adrianna were our little angels. He is probably the nicest and most even tempered man I have ever met who took care of our every need. She is a ray of sunlight with some serious skills in a Mexican kitchen.

Our breakfasts were bountiful spreads of local fruit, yogurt, granola, pancakes, waffles, french toast, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, rice, beans, warm tortillas, fresh squeezed OJ(every day!), and a consistent flow of hot coffee. Lunches were of the local varieties with salsas TO DIE FOR. I consider myself a chips & salsa connoisseur and have decided that if I had to choose one thing to live off of for the rest of my life it would be the harmonious pairing of chips & salsa (sushi from Tommy’s is a close close second). Each and every one of the homemade salsas that Adrianna presented were packed with balanced flavor and surprising notes of sweet, salty, and tangy. Of course the Pico de Gallo & Guacamole were outstanding, but there were three other salsas that literally blew my mind. 1.) Papaya, Onion, & Tomato Salsa Puree (smooth & creamy with a hint of warm heat) 2.) Cucumber, Lime, Serrano Chile Salsa (tart & tangy with a punch of spicy tongue tingling heat) 3.) Fire Roasted Tomato & Vegetable Salsa (thick chunky charred bits of sweat and savory). There was a point when I stopped using chips and just started eating the salsas with a spoon. That is when you know you have gone to CHIPS & SALSA heaven!!!