California Living show host Aprilanne Hurley with Captain Maggie McDonogh on location in Tiburon, CA

The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry’s famous Sunset Cruises run Friday and Saturday evenings out of  Tiburon, CA at 6:30 PM and returning to the dock at 8:00 PM!  Enjoy a truly unforgetable  experience on San Francisco Bay California Style - and for a limited time, in celebration of Angel Island Tiburon Ferry’s 50th Anniversary serving the community on San Francisco Bay – when you buy two Sunset Cruise tickets you will receive a FREE Sunset Cruise ticket to use this season! Please note:  All Sunset Cruise tickets purchased and/or received through this promotion must be used during the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry 2010 Sunset Cruise Season which runs through mid-October.

“California Living with Aprilanne” has spent many a glorious day and evening aboard Angel Island Tiburon Ferry vessels over the years – and to celebrate their 50th Anniversary serving the public on San Francisco Bay – we  took a special primetime “look back” at all the fun we have had with Captain Maggie and her crew - which you can check out below:

"Get that Getaway Feeling without Going Away with a Ride on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry!"

Enjoy this incredible “Indian Summer” weather we’re having with a Sunset Cruise on San Francisco Bay!  Breathtaking sunsets, glorious fresh air,  and those “good for you” *Negative Ion”s are just a few of the fabulous perks you’ll receive when you take a ride on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry!  Pack a picnic dinner, your favorite bottle of wine, or beverages of choice and sit back and relax on board The Angel Island as you take in spectacular sights of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Skyline, and Angel Island State Park!

Check out these additional 1 minute video clips with Captain Maggie McDonogh – San Francisco Bay Travel Expert:

Play Captain Maggie’s Private Charters – 1 minute

Play Captain Maggie’s Island Adventures – 1 minute

Thinking of spending the day on Angel Island?  Great choice!  Please vist AngelIslandFerry.com for daily roundtrip ferry schedules and ticket information to Angel Island State Park.  You can also plan an awesome Tiburon Getaway with CA INSIDER and California Living’s “Tested & Approved” Itinerary Suggestions  for “Tiburon – The Ultimate Bay Area Getaway” below as seen on California Living primetime:

• Getting there and parking info:  Angel Island Tiburon Ferry docks in Tiburon, CA - less than 20 minutes from Golden Gate Bridge in beautiful Marin County, CA.
• Plan your Tiburon Day Trip around the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry’s round trip  rides to Angel Island State Park and/or call 415.435.2131.  Pack a picnic to enjoy on the boat ride or on Angel Island.
• Rent bikes and/or  Stand-Up Paddle Boards with Adventure Guide Steve Merrifield of Demo Sport - and get a workout in while checking out the sites on San Francisco Bay!
• Shop the numerous boutiques and stores on Main Street and Ark Row – like May Madison’s for Essentials for the Gourmet Kitchen!
• A trip to Tiburon would not be complete without a visit to Sam’s Anchor Cafe for great food, a fun CA atmosphere, and unmatched views of the San Francisco skyline!  Try Sam’s famous San Francisco Crab Cioppino pared with a California red of your choice for a taste of REAL California Living!  Enjoy!  Aprilanne

Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Official Website

Captian Maggie Blog

*Health Benefits of Negative Ions explored on Aprilanne.com

Postcard - Picture Perfect Views are yours to enjoy on a ride to Tomalas Bay, CA

Living in Northern California does have it’s perks, like having the ability to experience amazing day-trip destinations in literally every direction in under an hour travel time!

For instance, a scenic 40 – 45 minute ride towards Tomalas Bay takes us to West Marin, where both the famous Hog Island Oyster Co. and the Tomales Bay Oyster Company offer “fresh – right from the bay oysters” to enjoy on the spot (BBQ’s and picnic tables are available for a small fee).

You can also take them to-go,  which is what we typically do…in which case I recommend you bring along a cooler to transport the oysters to keep them fresh.  Both locations are very laid back, and both offer tranquil views of Tomalas Bay that will  give you that “get away” feeling you deserve in order to truly relax and have FUN!

Experience friendly service - great scenery - and FRESH OYSTERS at Tomalas Bay Oyster Co., Marshal, CA

When doing your oysters BBQ style – consider adding a healthy flavor boost with anti-aging benefits with my “Anti-Aging” Garlic Butter Sauce” Recipe below  - and pair your BBQ’D oysters with a sparkling beverage such as champagne, beer, or sparkling water to indulge in a most sumptuous pairing with nature’s perfect food ~ oysters.

To make Aprilanne’s “Anti-Aging” Garlic Butter for 2 dozen BBQ’D Oysters:

First:  Mince 3 cloves  garlic – let sit 10 minutes to enhance disease fighting properties.

Second:  Melt 3 heaping tablespoons of a healthy butter-like spread (or butter if you must) to 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons first cold pressed olive oil in the microwave for 10 sec. increments at a time or on the stove top – keep an eye on it as it will melt fast and you don’t want it to burn.

Then – Add a few cubes of frozen basil (get in frozen section at Trader Joe’s). You can also finely chopped 5 -6 fresh basil leaves too - but the frozen variety is micro-fine and blends really well into the butter/olive oil mixture.

Next:  Coarsely chop a few springs of  fresh Rosemary, or the herb of your choice and mix all ingredients together well in a small bowl.

Now - once your oysters have opened up on the grill (they have been cooking at medium heat with the lid down for about 5 – 10 minutes depending on your grill and the temp. you have it set on) – split open and spoon enough sauce onto each oyster to cover the oyster meat and grill another few minutes until sauce gets slightly bubbly.

Then…ENJOY!  You can make this a great, light meal by adding a fresh green salad,  a loaf of crusty whole grain or french bread for dipping in the extra sauce, and a sparkling beverage which will pair well with the oysters.

Aphrodite- "The Goddess of Love" apparently had a thing for oysters...

Did you ever wonder how oysters got the wrap for being one of the best  aphrodisiacs going?  Well, as the story goes – the love goddess Aphrodite rose out of the sea in an oyster shell, and the “guilty by association” rule kicked in for oysters, which century after century have gained by this association with Aphrodite the reputation of enhancing the feelings of sexual desire and performance of those mortals who eat them.

Now as far as oysters being great aphrodisiacs - there apparently is no scientific proof to substantiate such a claim (sorry to be the one to tell you), but don’t let that prevent you from thinking what you want to think about them as the psychological impact of believing that oysters are aphrodisiacs can sometimes be strong enough to produce  a greater sexual desire or performance - temporarily anyway.

Proposed aphrodisiac effects aside -  Oysters are considered one of the most nutritionally well balances foods as they contain protein, carbohydrates and lipids.  Extremely low in calories one dozen oysters contains approximately ONLY 110 calories, and they are full of vitamins, and possess the omega-3 fatty acids that are good for our skin, brain, and muscles.

Aprilanne Hurley, CN, is a Certified Nutrition Professional specializing in Public Nutrition Education and Weight Management in the Lifecycle.  Hurley’s new diet and lifestyle book (title to be released for pre-sales late October 2010) will be out November 2010 and available on Amazon.com, as well as through book outlets globally.  For more information and to schedule Aprilanne to speak at your next event please contact Hope Gilmore @ pr@insidelooktv.com.

CA Insider Aprilanne Hurley takes in a sunset in Paso Robles Wine Country..."now this is the life!"

California Living Primetime Show Review:  California Living’™ show host Aprilanne Hurley chose Paso Robles Wine Country for it’s great food, wine, and fun as one of her favorite California destinations of all time!  Originally airing prime time Bay Area wide, California Living with Aprilanne delivers The  CA INSIDER’S GUIDE™  to a “Green-Getaway” in the fastest growing wine region in California -The Paso Robles Wine Country.

Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles - this destination offers visitors the best of everything  they could want in a California Wine Country Getaway!

Check out CA INSIDER’S Tested & Approved Itinerary as seen on California Living with Aprilanne Primetime, Bay Area Wide:

~Tour with The Wine Wrangler-The Central Coast’s Premier Wine Country Tour Co.   Owners Coy and Sarah Barnes will customize your wine tasting tour for you and have the Inside Look at this booming wine region that only locals “born and raised” there can offer!  Conveniently located in the train station – Amtrak travelers will find the Wine Wrangler services both convenient and cost effective to get to and from their hotel and town for shopping, dinner, etc.

~Taste Award Winning Wines at Eagle Castle Winery

~Go behind the scenes to see how wine is made @ Grey Wolf Cellars

~Check out historic “Downtown” Paso Robles, CA

~Go “underground” for a Food & Wine Pairing at Level 4 Restaurant & Lounge…and more!

To make this a “Green getaway”  – you can travel to Paso Robles from the Bay Area with Amtrak;  and as far as places to stay - check out the  Paso Robles Marriot if you are looking for modern accommodations with a great breakfast buffet included with your stay!  Do tell them Aprilanne and California Living sent you!  Enjoy!

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Angel Island Tiburon Ferry - Your Ticket to Paradise since 1959

If you have not been to Angel Island in a while things have really changed and you owe yourself a trip to paradise this season – especially when the Cove Cafe & Cantina is hosting a FREE Live Music Series Saturdays from 2 – 5 PM on their water-view deck! 

Paradise Awaits with a Ride from Tiburon to Angel Island on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry...

Island visitors can hike to incredible beaches, bike, picnic, BBQ, and during the Angel Island LIVE event, enjoy Hog Island Oysters and ice cold Lagunitas brews while listening to various live bands Saturdays in June!  Get there with a ride on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry leaving Tiburon on the hour from 10 – 5 weekends…and returning 10:20 – 5:20 PM…for detailed ferry schedule  including weekday runs and parking information click here.

For the Insider’s Guide to all the FUN you can have on Angel Island check out San Francisco Bay Travel Expert Captain Maggie as seen primetime on California Living Bay Area wide in the video below:

Watch 1 minute Bay Area Travel Expert Captain Maggie “Island Adventures”

For more info. on Angle Island State Park click here.

For a unique look at “Oysters – Nature’s Perfect Food” visit Aprilanne.com

 Hope you can make it!  Enjoy – Aprilanne

“Destination Dining” Coastside @ Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, CA - now this is the life…!

Award winning oceanfront dining and award winning seafood dishes are yours to enjoy at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, CA

Need a change of scenery?  Well whatever you’re looking for be it a weekend getaway, day-trip – or rendezvous on California’s incredible coast, Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay offers the perfect oceanfront setting with award winning food!

Play Sam’s Chowder House 45 sec. Promo

We met with owners Paul and Julie Shenkman for California Living’s Travel Special on Half Moon Bay, CA and got the scoop on Sam’s incredible location, unique history, and award winning food which we did wine parings with – yum yum!  In addition to offering the freshest seafood around (and of course – their famous chowder, and award winning “Lobster Roll”) – Sam’s Chowder House also offers Authentic New England Style Clambakes to be enjoyed on their oceanfront beach property or in their waterfront restaurant!  Made in the traditional New England style - lobsters, sausages, clams, and corn on the cob are layered with a special seaweed in a large steamer box under the ground - intrigued?  Julie Shenkman tells us more about this process in the video below:   

Watch CA Living’s INSIDER’S Guide to Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, CA which aired primetime on California Living with Aprilanne Bay Area Wide:

Extend your coastal experience with a visit to Sam’s Gift Shop located on the property featuring lots of great items including exquisite hand-made jewelry by Julie Shenkman Jewelry Designs.

For more information, reservations, and music/entertainment schedules visit Sam’s website @ SamsChowderHouse.com  .

Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay is a CA INSIDER QUALITY TESTED & APPROVED Travel Destination.

*Sam’s Chowder House TV Commercial and California Living with Aprilanne are INSIDE LOOK TV, LLC Television Media Productions.  For more information and for all your TV/Web production needs call 415.209.0722 or visit InsideLookTV.com.  

Big Wave Rider Jeff Clark shares his core conditioning and training secrets with Aprilanne on California Living primetime!

Ever wonder how elite athletes stay in top condition?  Durning the summer months when the waves in California are calmer – world famous  Big Wave Surfer and Maverick’s Surf Competition Founder Jeff Clark has found a great way to stay in top condition:   Stand-Up Paddle Boarding! 

This season is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors - and with Stand-Up Paddle Boarding you can get a workout and have a ton of FUN doing it!  Clark shares his passion for this growing sport, which keeps his core strength and body in excellent condition  with us on California Living  - which can now be viewed online @ Aprilanne.com .  Check it out and get in on one of the hottest ways to get and/or stay in shape on the planet!  Enjoy – Aprilanne

PLUS – Watch our up close and personal interview with Maverick’s Surf Competition Founder and Big Wave Surfer Jeff Clark as seen primetime on California Living Bay Area wide online now:

CA INSIDER’S Guide™ to “Princeton-By-The-Sea,” Half Moon Bay, CA  featuring The Oceano Hotel & Spa as seen primetime  on California Living with Aprilanne™ Bay Area Wide:

Ahhh - the perfect coastal getaway awaits at the Oceano Hotel & Spa in Half Moon Bay, CA

Join CA Living™ primetime show host and CA Insider™ Aprilanne Hurley for the Insider’s Guide to the perfect coastal getaway in “Princeton-By-the-Sea,” Half Moon Bay, CA.  Hurley explores how viewers can enjoy an “endless summer” of FUN with a stay at the Oceano Hotel & Spa, Half Moon Bay, CA located on the Harbor front in “Princeton-by-the-Sea,” Half Moon Bay, CA.

CA Insider Aprilanne Hurley takes a Bay Aerial Helicopter Tour of the San Mateo County Coast for some spectacular sightseeing!

 Watch CA Living’s Princeton-by-the-Sea, Half Moon Bay, CA – Segment 1 – Coastal Area Overview with Bay Aerial Helicopter Tours and Primetime interview with Jeff Clark Ondemand NOW!

CA INSIDER Aprilanne Hurley hits the beach with Big Wave Surfer lengend Jeff Clark in Half Moon Bay, CA

Oceano Hotel & Spa suites offer private verandas with full harbor and ocean views, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces and wetbars…and all the comforts of home – PLUS a brand new spa where Aprilanne gets the “Royal Treatment” in the couples massage room – just decadent…

Watch CA Living Segment 2 – Overview of Oceano Hotel & Spa – Where to Stay & Play in “Princeton-By -The-Sea” Half Moon Bay, CA:

Watch Segment 3 for the CA INSIDER’S GUIDE to Anti-Aging Spa Treatments on CA’s Coast with the Oceano Coastal Spa:

NOW On-Demand!  In “Food & Wine” – Hurley gets a taste of the award winning waterfront dining at Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay…

Play Sam’s Chowder House 45 sec. Promo

NOW On-Demand:  Watch Aprilanne get’s into a ton of “FUN” with world-re noun Big Wave Rider and Maverick’s Founder Jeff Clark who shares his passion for surfing and outdoor adventure with a paddle board adventure on boards hand crafted by Jeff Clark himself online now @ Aprilanne.com

CA INSIDER™ Quality Tested & Approved CA Travel Services & Destinations:

• Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, CA - Where the authentic New England Style Seafood is as incredible as the oceanfront views!
• Enjoy Authentic Italian Cuisine at Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant located in the charming fishing village of “Princeton by the Sea,” Half Moon Bay, CA.
• See the most incredible sights the San Francisco Bay Area has to offer with Pilot John duGan and  Bay Aerial Helicopter Tours
• Check out the casual coastal elegance @ Oceano Hotel & Spa, Half Moon Bay, CA 
• Maverick’s Surf Shop &  Jeff Clark’s handcrafted Surfboards and Stand Up Paddle Boards.

Napa Valley Executive Chef Peter Pahk shares his secrets to creating “sexy vegetables” to garnish his Tequila Lime Shrimp Dish as seen on California Living with Aprilanne Primetime Bay Area Wide…

Numerous respected sources of scientific research confirm eating a wide variety of colorful, anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables may help prevent certain cancers and diseases.   As part of California Living’s Health & Wellness content - Executive Chef Peter Pahk’s Oregon Pink Shrimp in Organic Tequila Lime Sauce Recipe is a great way to “sneak in nutrition” and can also be found on aprilanne.com - in addition to more healthy living posts and recipes designed with your “Good Living” in mind!  Enjoy!  Aprilanne

How lucky are we in California to have the ability to use our outdoor spaces almost all year round for dining and entertaining pleasure!

So before you reach for the traditional outdoor fare to serve your guests why not treat everyone to a unique pairing…your favorite wine and BBQ!

The simple secret to creating a perfect food & wine pairing  is matching similar flavors and intensities.  Try pairing rich meats and sauces with  wines with similar qualities and intensities such as bold, rich red, and pairing fresh fish and poultry dishes with lighter sauces and flavors with your favorite whites or sparkling wine varieties.

Classic pairings  you can’t go wrong with are oysters and sparking wine, Crab Cioppino with a great pinot, and a New York Strip Steak with a good Cab - like the pairing we featured while visiting the PlumpJack Winery on California Living.

The CA INSIDER TESTED & APPROVED recipe below is a great dish to make for a weekend get-together or an outdoor holiday party when the weather is right for enjoying some great Outdoor Living…Cheers!  Aprilanne

AS SEEN ON California Living with Aprilanne™

New York Steak with Spring Vegetable Couscous and Olive Salsa Verde:

A dish to go with Cabernet Sauvignon- Compliments of Former Exec. Chef, Kimball Jones, Carneros Inn, A PlumpJack Resort:

4 – 8 ounce New York Steaks
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

1 tablespoon tarragon
2 tablespoon parsley
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 jalapeno roasted, skinned, seeded and diced
1 1/2 teaspoon capers, diced
1/2 anchovy, minced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 large green olive minced
lemon juice to taste

1 bunch asparagus, peeled and cut on a severe angle in 1 inch pieces
1 cup shelled English peas
Meyer lemon olive oil
1 cup couscous
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

FIRST: Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Let sit out, covered, at room temperature. Start a medium size fire in a BBQ. Place a medium sized pot on the stove filled with water. Heavily season with salt and place over high heat.

SECOND: Chop the tarragon and parsley together and mix with the olive oil, garlic, jalapeno, capers, anchovy, lemon zest, and green olive. Add lemon juice to taste, a little at a time.

THIRD: Place the asparagus in the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the water and drain. Toss in a bowl with meyer lemon oil and salt to taste. Add the peas to the water and cook until tender. Toss in a bowl with meyer lemon oil and salt to taste. Reserve.

FOURTH: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Add the couscous, stirring it in. Bring back to a boil. Turn the heat off and cover the couscous with a tight fitting lid. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork. Toss in the asparagus, peas and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper and combine all of the ingredients.

NOW: Grill the steaks until medium rare (internal temperature of 120 degrees) about 10 minutes or so depending on the thickness of the steak. Let rest on a plate for 5 minutes.

THEN: Divide the couscous among 4 plates. Cut each steak in half on the diagonal. Place on top of the couscous and top with the salsa verde. Serve!

Healthy Living Update:  Be sure to visit Aprilanne.com for the latest health guidlines to decrease your cancer risk when cooking on the grill – informative, easy, and timely suggestions that can reduce carcinogen production when grilling meat, poultry, and fish up to 90%!

CA INSIDER Qaulity Tested & Approved California Destinations:

PlumpJack Winery, Napa Valley, CA

Carneros Inn & Spa, Napa Valley, CA

California Living Primetime delivers the Insider’s Guide to Maverick’s Surf Competition Founder Jeff Clark On-demand Now!

Find out how Maverick’s Surf Competition really all began and meet the man who first discoved the Maverick wave in Half Moon Bay, CA and lead the force for “Maverick’s” to become the world’s most prestigious Big Surf Competion Event held in the one and only - California!

Watch CA Living’s Princeton-by-the-Sea, Half Moon Bay, CA – Segment 1 – Coastal Area Overview with Bay Aerial Helicopter Tours and Primetime interview with Jeff Clark Ondemand NOW!

CA Insider Aprilanne Hurley gets up close and personal with Jeff Clark in her primetime interview and finds out the real story behind the “Biggest, Meanest wave this Mother Nature has to offer!”

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