Perks of Being a Food, Wine & Travel Writer AND No Free Lunch

John Lamkin

Tequila from Las Villas de Mexico

I agree heartily with the other bloggers that the real perks are the travel, the places you see and the people and cultures you meet.

As you travel these roads least traveled (and least paid) you are bound to receive more physical perks also. For example the tequila shown in the photo--a gift of the ultra-luxe residential project, Las Villas de Mexico.

The "no free lunch" is paying the back the individuals, companies and countries presenting you with the perks. Writing honest articles about them is the best perk you can give them back.

On a recent trip I was "perked" everything except tips and souvenirs. I am now writing and blogging about these hosts. At least one of these articles should appear soon on IFWTWA, web magazine--Global Writes. Some of the perks on this trip were provided by AeroMexico Airline, The State of Chihuahua, Mexico and Mexico Tourism.

All-in-all this is a very satisfying arrangement for all concerned.

John Lamkin
Freelance Travel Journalist & Photographer
Website
Suite 101
Examiner.com

Perk--Thornton Winery's Personal Invitation to Media

How lucky are we to be advised that we can take advantage of attending one of these at no charge as long as we are media.

Good afternoon media partners:

Thornton Winery is pleased to announce the lineup for its 2009 Champagne Jazz Series.

The 21st Annual Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series kicks off in smooth style with Mindi Abair and David Benoit, Sunday, April 26, 2009, at 4 PM.. Tickets are $55.00 general admission, Gourmet Supper package at $ 130.00.

Additional information and a 2009 schedule is posted and a personal invitation to attend one of the of the 2009 concerts is available from Linda Kissam, Thornton Winery Media Director, lindakissam@aol.com.

Celebrating 21 years of excellence from 1988 - 2009! Thornton Winery is the premiere food, wine, and music experience in the Temecula Valley Wine Country.
http://thorntonwine.com

Please be sure to contact Linda if you would like to attend a jazz concert as media. They run from April through October.

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

Perks Blog

Tea is a Perk

While we were cruising, we received many gifts from Equal Exchange. It provides coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, snacks, gifts, equipment and fun stuff. They also offer educational material. Equal Exchange works with small farmers worldwide.

One of the products we received was Organic Wild Rooibos Pyramid Tea. Norm and I took ours home to enjoy and we've found it quite good. We were able to taste the vanilla without it overpowering. Even though we had been to South Africa, we had never experienced organic red bush tea.

They say, "Wild Rooibos is only harvested by a few farmers in the entire world. This rich, red tea has a fruity character with vanilla overtones and is naturally caffeine free. Rooibos contains antioxidants, which are known to promote good health."

Small farmers can make a big change. Mr. Hendrik Hesselman of Heiveld Co-operative says, "Equal Exchange is changing the tea system by working with small farmers... Most tea... comes from large-scale plantations where workers have little control or voice. By choosing this tea... you are helping small farmers of the Heiveid Co-operative in South Africa, you are helping plant seeds of democracy in tea country."

If you visit the Equal Exchange website, they have a store where you can learn about and try all sorts of great products.

Again, thanks to Joan Joffa for introducing us to this great organization and wonderful tea.

For those of you on our 2009 Conference at Sea, I'd enjoy hearing your comments on the tea.

Culinarily yours,

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association

Books By Hills
Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel; Success, Your Path to a Successful Book; Cooking Secrets the Why and How...; and Winner and Final Chairman.
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Nepalese Paper Journal: Tree-Free and Fair Trade

Returning to my cabin after dinner one evening, I opened a small treasure placed on my bed next to the latest incarnation of the cruise towel animal. The journal's cover was a soft green paper,not unlike Japanese silk paper. The little book's pages were the color of deep sand.

Very tactile, very pleasing. I thought how a fountain pen might grab the surface of the paper leaving feathery curves across the page - a re-cap,the telling of an adventure in some secret place of the world, part of a life story, someone's dance with time.

Fellow writers these journals are perfection.

Nepalese Paper brings you the opportunity to journal your own story on handmade paper that is both sustainable and sustaining. This paper from the Lokta bush, found only above 6500ft in the Himalaya mountains, provides a living in the impovershed rural areas of Nepal. Chuck Pinnow, Founder of Nepalese Paper believes that 100% fair trade,tree-free,evironmentally sustainable products can be a viable enterprise. They produce very high quality notebooks, journals and other products. Go to www.NepalesePaper.com to see the product line and perhaps write the good news about a business with ethics and heart! They also donate a portion of every sale to a Nepalese non-profit. Thank you Chuck for sharing your story and journal us at our Conference at Sea in January. I'll always keep this special gift close to me.

Michelle Winner, Vice President

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

essn sparkling juice drink:" Hydrate your Spirit"

I'm still wading through my goodie bag/pillow gifts from the IFWTWA's "Conference at Sea". And "the Perks" are still being enjoyed. Today's find is essn.

These cans of sparkling fruit juice where just perfect for a night-cap or a pick me up during the day. The combination of juices and unusual blends were a refreshing surprise. Skylar Haley innovative products brings you several flavor blends . All are pasteurized, with no added sweetener and no preservatives. Why grab a colored soda when you can have the real deal? USDA & Mission Organic™ certified energy drink with powerful antioxidants - completely essn juice.

Here is a description of their bestseller and winner of the Natural Product Association’s award for ‘Best in Cold Beverages’:"Sparkling blood orange and cranberry juice is a perfect balance of slightly-sweet, slightly tart fruit essence made with 100% juice, no added sugar, and zero preservatives. This concentrated, flavorful juice is distinguished by it's fragrant citrus aroma."

Of the four varietal blends: Blood Orange & Cranberry, Fuji Apple, Minneola Tangerine and Meyer Lemon, I can't figure out my favorite yet. essn are you listening? I just may need a shipment to chase away the last of the winter blahs!

All products available online or use their retail locator's at http://www.drinkessn.com/

Michelle Winner, Vice President

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

Chocolate and More Chocolate

Chocolate is a new perk of travel writing.

The Tandem Tasters, Maralyn Hill and I, thoroughly enjoyed our autumn journeys along the wine trail in Southern Oregon with the International Food & Wine Travel Writer's Association. We tasted wine, cheese and, of course, delectable chocolate from some of Oregon's 20 plus chocolatiers.

Our enthusiasm for this part of the world, the people and the earth-friendly products led to many glowing articles about Oregon.

Our efforts have brought us back to the charming city of Ashland for the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival. This time as chocolate and pastry judges, as well as travel and food writers.

Some of the many perks of travel writing? Chocolate is good enough for us.

Culinarily yours,

Brenda C. Hill and Maralyn D. Hill
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association
The Tandem Tasters
Books By Hills
Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel; Success, Your Path to a Successful Book; Cooking Secrets the Why and How...; and Winner and Final Chairman.
Global Log
Success Log