The Madonna Delle Vittorie Cantina

These past few days were spent preparing our Italian villa for the upcoming peak rental season. Because we spend roughly 2-3 weeks a year here and then offer it to rent the remaining part of the year, there are necessary “maintenance” trips.  These are less oriented toward fun, and more toward necessity, but this trip offered one HUGE surprise for us: the new and improved Madonna Delle Vittorie!

We have been buying the award-winning olive oils, and wines from this superb Trentino producer for roughly ten years. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and rich olive oils have become popular offerings at our culinary gift shop in The

Our son pumping vino at MDV

Hague, La Buena Vida, as we also sell them here.  After arrival we always make our traditional stop to “fill up” the geri cans with their local younger wines. This is always a great photo op, as they pump these “green” wines directly from the Oak barrels into the geri can with a nozzle, much like the gas pumps! Not sure of which wine to take? They kindly offer you a tasting to decide…our personal favorites are the Chardonnay and the Rosso Lago. (At 11 euro for 5 liters you can hardly go wrong!) Their bottled wines are also excellent…we find the Nosiola (a full-bodied Trentino white) and the Cabernet Sauvignon our go to selections!

However, on this trip we noticed an enlarged building where the tasting room used to be. Paolo took us for a tour of their new ristorante, and after checking out the menu we decided to return on our last night. After all the hard work at the villa, we would reward ourselves with a relaxing dinner.

Madonna Delle Vittorie Agritur

We arrived at just before seven pm, and wine-maker Matteo offered us a wine-tasting in the Cantina since the ristorante opens at seven. We tasted both the Nosiola and the Gewurtztraminer, one lovely one that we knew, and the other a sweeter wine, which would be ideal with a spicy dish. (On a side note you may also arrange organized wine-tastings and tours here, and on my last girls’ trip we had 8 ladies treated to a tour and tasting  that was truly amazing!)

The true surprise lay in the fabulous taste combinations presented to us in their charming ristorante, Agritur. At first glance of the menu, we knew we were in for something special, as it was immensely difficult to select our meal. Their menu is limited to local Trentino treasures, so despite the size of the menu, we had lots of wonderful choice! I ordered for my primi piatti the spinach Strangolapreti (a type of gnocchi, only they were large and round)  served in a fresh butter sage sauce and dusted with freshly grated Trentino grana. OMG!  The taste explosion in my mouth was amazing! For my secondi, I opted for the grilled filetto of Sal Marino (a fresh white fish from the lake). This was served with fresh lemon and parsley and grilled vegetables, again the ingredients were simple but the balance was perfection. We enjoyed a chilled bottle of Nosiola with our meal. For dessert, I selected the Strudel de la Nonna, with it’s delightfully

Agritur at Madonna Delle Vittorie

light, flaky, crunchy crust, and savory apple filling, served with a dash of vanilla sauce and dollup of whipped cream.

All in all, this is one of the BEST meals at a great value, that we have enjoyed in our more than 15 years of visiting this gorgeous area. Not to mention the service of Paolo, Elena, and the entire Bonora Family who recently bought the operation in 2009, and have big plans for the future of this little jewel!  They have already added the Agritur ristorante, a fabulous lawn area with playground,  for children to run and play while their parents enjoy la dolce vita dining al fresco, and a path from the bike path along the River Sarca.

On your next visit to the north end of Lago di Garda, we highly recommend you stock up on wine and enjoy the fabulous food and  hospitality of this wonderful restaurant and winery. Tasting the finest Trentino has to offer! For more information, you can visit their site: Madonna Delle Vittorie

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Social Power of Coffee or Tea

within the international community. We often have people from more than 10 countries sitting around speaking a variety of languages. The common thread is a group og internationally-minded people looking to connect or reconnect with friendly people in a social environment.

The remaining dates for the Expat-Repat coffee are below and our mornings are from 9:00-12:00 at:

La Buena Vida  Fahrenheitstraat 582

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

You will want to note them on your calendar, adn we highly recommend you like our Facebook Page for other fun events and specials: Living La Buena Vida and Follow Us on Pinterest: Living Buena

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The EXPat Factor

LBV Cafe: Paninis at La Buena Vida Den Haag!

There is nothing more sacred in the Netherlands than Voetbal Oranje, unless we are talking possibly about the Dutch Royal Family of Oranje themselves. But let me be crystal clear, the Dutch voetbal fanaticism is reserved for the male version of voetbal! According to Wikipedia, the description of  “Football in The Netherlands” is all about the male dominated sport:

Football is the most popular sport in the Netherlands. Football was introduced to the Netherlands by Pim Mulier in the 19th century when in 1879, at the age of 14, he foundedHaarlemsche Football Club.^[1] Over the next 30 years, Football gained popularity in the Netherlands and the late 1890s and early 1900s saw the foundation of many new clubs, notably Sparta Rotterdam in 1888, Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax in 1900, Feyenoord Rotterdam in 1908 and PSV Eindhoven in 1913.

While the female Dutch National team (yes they do have one), has been around since 1971, compared to the US National team which was founded in 1985, the sport of soccer in the USA is almost more popular amongst girls than it is young boys. Boys get drawn into baseball, American football, basketball, etc, so even if the boys play in their youth they are often looking at very tempting college scholarship money and/or professional sports futures in all the other sports. Soccer is the one area in the American male field of sports which has only just started to become more popular. Ten years ago, the World Cup (men’s) was only available on Pay Per View channels, so many Americans didn’t even follow the most popular

Brandi Chastain Celebrates 1999 World Cup Victory After PKs!

sporting event in the world. That is until the USA Women qualified and WON, in the first ever World Cup of Soccer in 1999, launching a phenomenon, that I too enjoyed while living in the Bay Area. Many of the superstars of that team, such as Brandi Chastain,  (you know the one who famously took off her jersey when they won, as all soccer players do!!!) were from Santa Clara, and the women’s soccer movement was alive and well in the Bay Area. Tonight’s American Team facing the Dutch Team, is coming off an undefeated season, and their superb Gold Medal performance at the 2012 Olympics last year.

The Dutch Women’s Team is also celebrating a FIRST tonight! For the first time EVER,  an international match of the Orange Women on home soil will be broadcast live on a national channel.  TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY here in NL, if you have never watched a Women’s Voetbal match…I highly recommend it…the women are just as, if not MORE, fanatical than the men! It is in our DNA to be emotional, high spirited, and quite honestly the females playing voetbal are less worried about their hair than some of their notable male counterparts, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham!

A Dutch Players’ Perspective on Tonight\’s Match Against Team USA

NL vs USA in The Hague Tonight

So it begs to ask: who this American living in The Hague will root for this evening? I will be taking my 13 year old son (who plays selectie voetbal here in NL) to see the match at Ado Stadion, and I have to say I am torn… I believe the Dutch Team is at an important crossroads in time, much as the USA Team was back in 1999. More girls are playing voetbal here in Holland, and many clubs are adding girls teams to create a feeder system to support the National Team, since otherwise they end up competing on the boys’ teams, which do not offer the same advantages to girls. Frankly, if the Orange Women put on a good show tonight, AND the Dutch fans actually watch it, we could witness significant change.

Because, if I know one thing from living here the past 4 years, there is NOTHING the Dutch love more than a WINNING NATIONAL TEAM!

economic crisis in the Eurozone, especially in the south of Europe where it all started more than 100 years ago. It is similar to the pay it forward concept, but with a more specific recipient.

According to Wikipedia:

A caffè sospeso (Italian: suspended coffee) or caffè pagato (paid coffee) is a cup of coffee paid for in advance as an anonymous act of charity. The tradition began in the working-class cafés of Naples, where someone who had experienced good luck would order a sospeso, paying the price of two coffees but receiving and consuming only one. A poor person enquiring later whether there was a sospeso available would then be served a coffee for free.

 

Sospeso Caffe

The term suspension is often viewed with a  negative connotation, as in “he was suspended from school for bad behavior”, but in this case “suspending a coffee” for someone in need, has strong social connotations, and brings with it the right note of solidarity needed in tough times.  The combination of social issues, and social media is powerful! Now being able to reach a broader audience, and therefore the current sospeso movement is being carried more rapidly on the wings of Facebook and twitter…and of course the location-based Fourquare. Check out and “like” the Facebook Suspended CoffeePage.

Join the Suspended Coffee Movement

La Buena Vida in The Hague is proud to be a supporter of The Suspended Coffee movement, and as such has started with the first 5 suspended coffees. Spread the word.

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 The Social Power of Coffee

Uniting With Coffee!

One Wednesday a month, 20-40 strangers  gather at La Buena Vida to celebrate their common thread, being a foreigner living in The Hague or reintegrating back into their native Dutch land…either way it takes an effort to connect, and we enjoy a nice Italian coffee while reaching out. The best thing for me as the owner, is I get to meet a group of highly engaging, warm, friendly people while celebrating my love of great coffee.

Please feel free to join us, this Wednesday the 10th of April from 9-12, for more information: Expat Coffee Morning

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The EXPAT Factor

Disappointment is the realized difference between one’s expectation, and their reality

Whether it was communicating a new employee’s job expectations, so as to prevent future disappointment. Or preparing our children for the reality of life as an adult, not skewed by the expectations of seeing life through their more than rosy-colored glasses. Or finally during the bumpy road of our committed, frustrated, thrilled, ecstatic, demoralized and expectant past 13 years as entrepreneurs, I recognize it has never been more true than today. With Paul working for more than 3 years on his exciting, life-changing MI Airline project, which we expected to take 1-2 years, and me with 2 businesses of my own.

Change your Future Reality, With A Change of Mind!

As many of you already know, the past 6 months have been a difficult time for retail business in The Netherlands. I heard last week that there are several businesses (some much more established than my little culinary shop/espresso bar) which will be closing in the next few months in our neighborhood, De Fahrenheit Den Haag. In January, I too wrestled with the decision of whether to continue La Buena Vida during the less than stellar performance of fourth quarter 2012. But with enthusiastic championing from my friends, clients and family, I have decided  to stay the course, with the launching of our huge culinary webshop at the end of March, a Calendar of LBV Sanctuary Events, a renewed training effort for all the shops in our shopping area to use social media, and focusing on my MMC consulting business which can be done in tandem with the shop.

What I remembered this past week, after a couple of months focusing on the things going wrong, is the old karma thing, and the fact: what you think about you bring about! I have always been a giver, but when we focus on our problems, we lose sight of the greater good. So for 2013, is my renewed energy toward the greater good for my family, for my friends and for our ventures which include supporting other businesses along the way. It took a couple of valuable soul sisters along the way to remind me: Thank you to Julie Jones  at Essence Therapeutics for the Sanctuary idea, Rianne Stadhouder of Stadhouder Electronica and Irish Fruitman of Shoeby De Fahrenheit for being part of the revolution to create positive change on De Fahrenheit…love you girls!!!

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Living The Good Life in Tough Times

One of our gatherings

Living La Buena Vida to do so. Some of our events will be during the day and some will be in the evening to allow for busy schedules  to join in the fun. The idea is for various business owners to share their expertise with our LBV “family” on beauty, health, wellness, travel, sport, organization, household ideas, lifestyle, etc. (If you have a business, organization or charity idea for one of our events, please email me at info@LivingLaBuenaVida.com).

Our very first event will be held on Tuesday, March 26th from 9:30-12:00 and will be discussing Geneology, and the search for your historical family roots. Ingrid Schippers will share her story of this event-filled journey.

For more information or to register please visit:  The Mystery of The Family Tree

Thank you for your continued support of La Buena Vida . Looking for a gift idea? A place to enjoy a quiet cappuccino? We would love to see you!

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LBV Cafe

The Winter Crockpot Recipe contest was a big success, and the winners (with their recipes are below).

1) THAI CHICKEN CURRY submitted by Jamie Claire Wilson

Thai Chicken Curry

This is such a fantastic recipe for spicy, flavorful comfort food.

It tastes better than takeout and smells great when you walk in the door!

3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
1/2 lb. to 1 lb. bell peppers and onions, sliced into strips (use lots of colors, they’re so pretty)
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
2 1/2 tablespoons yellow curry powder
appx. 1/2 tsp. each (to taste): salt, pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika
1 cup water
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 tablespoon Sriracha or garlic-chili paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, to garnish
1 can coconut milk

In a large crock pot, combine all ingredients, except the mung bean sprouts, coconut milk, and fresh cilantro, stirring together.Set the crock pot to high and cook for four hours, covered, opening to smell stir occasionally.
After four hours, stir in the coconut milk and bean sprouts. Reduce heat to low and let cook for another hour.
Stir in the cilantro, serve, and delight.

2) RUSTIC WINTER STEW submitted by Christie Gronauer
3-4 servings

Ingredients:
1.5lb roast (beef or pork)
0.5lb (approx. 1 dozen) mini potatoes, whole with skin-on
0.5lb carrots, chopped in large chunks
0.5lb brown and/or wild mushrooms, whole (suggest swiss and shimeji)
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup port wine or brandy
2 cubes beef bouillon
4 cups water, boiled
3 bay leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
6 whole cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt & pepper to taste
handful of fresh herbs (I use basil with beef and rosemary with pork)
2 slices spice bread (or similar moist, dense cake/bread)

Directions:
You can simply complete all preparations, put everything in the crackpot and let in cook on low for 4-6 hours or more. Mix once or twice if you can. If you have a bit more time to prep… Start by putting the water, port, bouillon and meat in pot first to begin the cooking process. I like to saute the mushrooms and onions in a pan with oil/butter for about 10-15 minutes. Then I prep the veggies and put them into the pot. Add all other ingredients (except bread) and then add mushrooms and onions. Let it slow cook for a total of 4-6 hours or more. I like to let it all cook for an hour or two before crumbling the bread, but its not necessary. (Another good tip… If you really want some juicy meat, brine the pork/beef in sugar-salt solution at least 2 hours prior or over-night.)

3) CROCK POT PORK TACOS submitted by Lily Julow:

Makes 6 to 8 servings

1 medium onion, chopped
1 (10-pound) bone-in pork shoulder, picnic cut
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup orange marmalade
20 corn tortillas
Prepared cole slaw

Place the onion in the bottom of a 5-quart crock pot. Place the pork shoulder, fat and skin side up in the crock pot. In a medium bowl stir together soy sauce, garlic, salt pepper and orange marmalade. Pour mixture over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Remove shoulder to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Break up some of the meat with a fork and arrange on platter. Leave the rest of the meat on the bone to keep it warm and moist and let your guest pull it off the as they need it. Wrap the tortillas in damp towels, 10 to a towel and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Set out pork and tortillas with Cabbage Slaw and have guests assemble their own tacos.

Cabbage Slaw:
1 head red cabbage, shredded
4 medium carrots, coarsely grated
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Combine shredded cabbage and grated carrots in a large bowl. Add vinegar, salt, and pepper and toss to combine. Cover with a damp towel and let sit in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. Use as topping for pulled pork tacos.

Congratulations to our three lucky winners, you have a lovely surprise coming to you via mail. Please email us your address at: info@livinglabuenavida.com

For those of you still not familiar with the infamous slow cooker called The Crock Pot, you will want to read these two related articles:

Slow Cooking: Not Such A Crock

Best Crock Pot Recipe Contest

I consulted Wikipedia for their definition of expatriate:

Living the Expat Life

In its broadest sense, an expatriate is any person living in a different country from where he/she is a citizen. In common usage, the term is often used in the context of professionals sent abroad by their companies, as opposed to locally hired staff. 

As mentioned by Wikipedia, today the definition of “expat” can also refer to a professional  relocated to another country by their employer, and even the spouse and children of that professional are considered “expats”.  So in that respect, I am not an expat. While most of my expat friends relocated here with spouses’ employers or for professional opportunities, we did not.

In 2009, we made a voluntary move from San Francisco to The Hague, so that our (then aged 9) son could attend the world-renowned International School of The Hague. The “golden” State of California had declared bankrupcy, and while our two older sons had both graduated from California “Blue Ribbon Distinguished” high schools,  in both cases we were disappointed with their education. We also believe strongly that an international education is a great way to raise tolerant, open-minded children with a worldly viewpoint.  When making the decision to move halfway around the world for the sake of our son’s education,  research on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (aka IBDP) made a huge impact:

Wikipedia reviews the IBDP:

The IBDP was described as “a rigorous, off-the-shelf curriculum recognized by universities around the world”

when it was featured in the December 10, 2006 edition of Time magazine titled How to bring our schools out of the 20th

The International School of The Hague

Century.^[70] The IBDP was also featured in the summer 2002 edition of American Educator, where Robert Rothman described it as “a good example of an effective, instructionally sound, exam-based system.”^[71] Howard Gardner, a professor of educational psychology at Harvard University, said that the IBDP curriculum is “less parochial than most American efforts” and helps students “think critically, synthesize knowledge, reflect on their own thought processes and get their feet wet in interdisciplinary thinking.”^[72] An admissions officer at Brown University claims the IBDP garners widespread respect.^[73]

While the  ”expat branding” may or may not apply to me,  I thoroughly enjoy living in The Hague and all it has to offer. In addition, we are positively thrilled with our son’s education thus far. With two years in the ISHPrimary School and now two years in the Secondary School, I can most certainly state “we made the right decision”. While he is learning primarily in English, he is now fluent in Dutch (he didn’t speak at all when we moved and is now studying “Mother Tongue” Dutch) and also studying Spanish. As an American living in Europe, I especially appreciate the advantage of knowing and speaking additional languages.

With many “expats” living in The Hague, I always appreciate hearing the stories behind their move. If you or someone you know is new to town, please feel free to drop into our monthly Expat coffee this Wednesday morning from 9-12 at:

La Buena Vida   Fahrenheitstraat 582

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My Mantra for 2013!

it is not expected to get better much before 2014. The fact our sales for La Buena Vida were up roughly 5% in September 2012, created and gave me a false sense of security, as the normally prosperous 4th quarter failed to deliver, and 2012 ended up with a 15% loss over 2011. According to CBS Statistics Netherlands, we were not alone:

Retail sales declined by 0.1 percent in October 2012 compared to the same month last year. Retail volume shrank by 2.9 percent, retail prices were 2.8 percent up from October 2011. The VAT increase, introduced on 1 October, caused retail prices to rise much faster than during the past six months.

Turnover generated by the non-food sector declined by 3 percent relative to one year previously. Prices of non-food articles rose by more than 1 percent, volume declined by 4 percent. Food, drink and tobacco sales fell by 2.8 percent. Specialist shops coped with shrinking sales.

Mail-order firms and online shops achieved excellent results as sales grew by no less than nearly 19 percent, the most substantial growth in more than two years. Petrol stations achieved the same results as in October 2011.  

While I spent much of October, November and December just trying to figure it all out, I realized that I was going to have to create a new vision for 2013. The current economy, coupled with the planned demolition of our street, De Fahrenheitstraat,  for road work this year, is going to change our reality for La Buena Vida. It doesn’ t change what we do, it changes how we do it!

Being home in the US with family and friends for a much needed emotional break from the store, lent perspective and actually helped us find the aforementioned new vision. While visiting Abercrombie & Fitch to pick up a jacket for my son-in-law, Thomas, I was told several times by the salespeople that they have a much bigger selection on their webshop. As a matter of fact of the six jacket options that Thomas had given me, not one was in any of their shops….hmmmm. We have currently have a webshop for La Buena Vida, but up until now I have only placed in stock items on the site. I never considered developing a webshop with direct shipping….until now.

In addition, the kitchen shop, Bas Hogerworst that was on our street for more than 20+ years, closed last April, thus creating a superb opportunity to enhance my offering. I had many people during the month of December asking for this kitchen gadget, or kitchen knives, pots and pans etc.

So with no further ado, we are  proud to announce that starting end of February we will have a fully (kitchen, bar, & barbeque!) equipped webshop with a superb range of excellent products! Stay tuned, and let the shopping begin! As we will also have some introductory specials,  you will want to register to receive our reminders: by Liking our Facebook page and following our Pinterest Board.

Happy New Year to you all, and may 2013 bring you the good life. If in need remember us at La Buena Vida either in the store or delivered directly to your home.

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