Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

We recently watched the movie/documentary, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead in which Aussie filmmaker, Joe Cross documents his journey across the United States while performing a 60 day juice fast. The film was an inspiring demonstration of how you can heal the human body with fruits and vegetables, a seriously powerful juicer, and a healthy amount of resolve. Whether you want to reboot your body or rededicate yourself to eating healthy, it's worth watching. The movie resonated more with Jenni than with me, inspiring her to try a juice fast of her own. But you can't argue with Joe's results nor with the number of people he's inspired.

We picked up a Breville juicer like the one in the film, and Jenni used it to perform a three day 'Long Weekend Reboot.' She found it challenging and exhausting what with the kids running around and me doing my usual amount of weekend cooking. But she felt great after the third day and is going to try another one. 

The film is available on Netflix and Hulu.

Stephen Fry in America

It's hard to imagine a more English, Englishman traveling across the United States. Prince Charles, Hugh Grant, the late Noel Coward? In this series from 2010, writer and comedian Stephen Fry crisscrosses America in a London black cab dispensing his inimitable wit as he travels through state after state. Some of the states get a bit of short shrift. Nevertheless it's funny to see the US through the eyes of a Briton. I wish he'd brought Hugh Laurie along with him. Maybe next time. Free streaming from Netflix. 

Forks over Knives

Have entire generations grown up eating post industrial food that's more commodity than sustenance? Can adopting a plant based, whole foods diet prevent diabetes, decrease cancer risk, prevent heart disease and help you maintain an appropriate weight?  Have we in the West become the victims of our own success?

Forks over Knives, Lee Fulkerson's compelling and widely viewed documentary takes Food Inc. and Fast Food Nation into the operating room and beyond. The film traces the evolution of the American diet during the 20th century and focuses on the testimony of two doctors, Dr. T Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. The doctors conclude that the Western diet with its heavy reliance on animal protein and processed foods has made us sicker and heavier than any people in human history. Based on their research and the results they've seen with their patients, adopting a 'veganized' diet can actually reverse its harmful health effects.

I'm always a little dubious when I watch shows like this. I think there are a myriad of reasons Americans are overweight, diet being just one of them. Nevertheless, it is a compelling argument. Even Ozzy Osborne found it inspiring. Worth watching if you wanted one more reason to go vegetarian.

Shitake Mushrooms

The Amazing Race 17

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world isn't it? Well, if you had any doubts, tune in Sunday nights to see Phil and the 'teams' once again compete for a million dollar prize in a race around the world. The Amazing Race is a guilty pleasure for us, part 'A Hard Day's Night,' part Dr. Phil. It shows the best and the worst of people competing under fairly difficult circumstances. We've tuned in for most of the 17 seasons. After so many 'Races', the producers do a good job of fine-tuning the dramedy of friends, family, and co-workers competing, complaining, and providing dubious amount of encouragement in locations around the world.

No Reservations

I find it hard not to enjoy Anthony Bourdain. He's become an institution all to himself. A writer/traveler/ex-chef with a successful Travel Channel show and numerous bestselling books. In the age of the celebrity chef and the reality TV star, why shouldn't we have a celebrity ex-chef and travel host/author? People who aren't fans of food or travel seem to enjoy Tony Bourdain. His appeal owes as much to his intelligence, frankness and underlying humanity as to his ability to skewer people and places like a roving Simon Cowell. Sure, he's not a fan of vegetarians, or Rachael Ray, but nobody's perfect.

I Want My Internet TV!

I was thinking about my previous post on Gadling's new web TV show Travel Talk. I thought I'd post a quick follow up regarding other places to find travel video content on the Internet. You're starting to see more and more travel sites feature video. It seems easy to do with the technology that's currently available. And what lends itself better to showing a destination than video? Unfortunately video isn't the easiest thing to do. Video production is a craft like any other. You need people to script, shoot and edit what you've filmed. You also have to respect the short attention span of web viewers. But video on the web is here to stay. Once editing content gets easier, I think it'll be a skill that people will use like any other. Video will be everywhere, and all the time. Till then, here are a few sites to 'watch.'

This is my City Hosts Thomas and Tim select a local to show them around their hometown.
The 76 Second Travel Show From Robert Reid, Lonely Planet's US Travel Editor
Galavanting.tv From the Galavanting Gals of Galavanting Women's Travel Magazine
Rick Steves.com Of course Rick isn't going to let video on the web get past him.
Lonely Planet TV Lonely Planet's rather robust webtv hub
The Amateur Traveler Podcast Chris Christensen's travel blog

Gadling TV's Travel Talk 002: Google goes Trans-Siberian, BA Strike, Aircruises, S.F. in 24 hrs and more! | Gadling.com

Gadling, which bills itself as 'the world's biggest travel blog', has started its own travel show on the web called Travel Talk. I watched the episode below this morning. I thought it was pretty cool, if a little too flash for me. What to do if you have 24hrs in a destination I thought was well done. They were in San Francisco. Some of the other features like the Drew Cam got a little old. But check it out, the topics were timely and informative. I'm sure the shows will get better with time. I'd look to see other travel sites add video to their sites as well.

Gadling TV's Travel Talk 002: Google goes Trans-Siberian, BA Strike, Aircruises, S.F. in 24 hrs and more! | Gadling.com

Lisbon airport brings some Christmas joy - flashmob style!

I thought this was pretty cute given how boring hanging out at the airport is during the holidays. I'm not sure how we'd react up in Chicago, but bless the Portuguese for keeping it loose.

Globe Trekker

I've been a fan of Globe Trekker ever since the show aired as Lonely Planet on the Travel Channel years ago. Lonely Planet is a travel guide company, which isn't associated with the show whatsoever. Good guides though.

I still watch Globe Trekker, which is available on our PBS affiliate, as is Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa. The shows are very well done. I watch them as much for entertainment as anything. They have some good tips, but it's doubtful I'll ever stay in a Yurt in Mongolia and have to eat goat eyeballs for dinner. It could happen, but it's probably unlikely.

You follow a host, or traveler, like Ian, Justine or Megan as they journey through a destination, meeting locals, shopping, dining on the 'typical' food that's available. The traveler narrates and provides context to what you're seeing. They usually try some exotic dish or participate in a local activity, like scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, or Bungee jumping off a bridge. There's sometimes a little too much acting, but the show provides you with more locations than you've probably ever thought of.

If you can't find the show in your local listings, Globe Trekker has its own website now. I found it a little difficult to use, and I thought it was a drag it wasn't free, but here it is.

The Amazing Race

It's hard to believe this is the 15th season of The Amazing Race. We've been watching since the show started in 2001. Some seasons have been more entertaining than others. This one has been pretty good. I don't have a real favorite though I'm leaning toward Flight Time and Big Easy. Jenni and I were really pulling for Margie and Luke last season. Curse you Tammy and Victor! You can watch episodes of the current show below. If there's one clear take-away it's this: next time you book that dream trip with that special someone, ex-spouse, fiance, sibling, or life-long friend, you should watch a couple seasons of The Amazing Race. You might find you're better off staying home.

The Amazing Race: Watch Episodes and Video and Join the Ultimate Fan Community - CBS.com

Long Way Down

I've been watching the Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman series 'Long Way Down' again. It documents a motorcycle journey the two of them took from John O'Groats, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa. I'd really enjoyed Long Way Round, which took them from London to New York traveling east and I think this was actually a little better. Or perhaps it was just better editing. I think their team had a bit better idea what they were doing anyway.

Nevertheless, the idea of putting in those sorts of dizzying miles on a bike is ridiculous. The idea of doing it in Africa just seems suicidal. Cool show though and definately worth a view.