I write this while my husband is driving on our way back from spending the night at our son's home. My son had phoned me asking me to help him because he had a raging fever, severe head and back pain and weak breathing. He’s not often sick, so when he does this, I […]

Sometimes our Moms with Moxie Podcasts are so jam-packed with enthusiasm and experiences, that I don’t even know where to begin to summarize them. This is exactly that kind of podcast.

As a chiropractor, I seek out alternative health care for my medical needs. Homeopathic Medicine is one such form of health care I utilize.

ATTENZIONE:VIDEO ADATTO A SOGGETTI ADULTI SENZA PROBLEMI PSICHIATRICI.NON SONO MEDICO, PSICOLOGO O PSICOTERAPEUTA.PER PROBLEMI DI SALUTE RIVOLGERSI AL MEDICO...

Monday Mix-Up Continued…  (Click here to go back to page 1.) Are you like “poor Skinderella”?  Click here for help from homeopathic expert, Joette Calabrese:  15 common skin conditions and 15 homeopathic protocols to uproot them. Have you noticed all the bins of GMO high fructose corn syrup-loaded Halloween candy in the stores right now?  […]

Ouch. No, seriously, OUCH‼ We’ve all experienced sprains at one point in our lives — ankles, wrists, knees, elbows. Ouch! Right? Sprains and strains can happen in an instant yet leave weeks and weeks of painful recovery. How can something as simple as a misstep, a slight fall or an overextension of a joint […]

Marche on the eastern side of central Italy is considered to be a coastal gem. Our journey to Marche (pronounced Markay) was inspired by wanting to learn about this wine region. Winemaking here dates back thousands of years, being influenced by Etruscans, Romans and Lombards. While Marche is best known for its white wines Trebbiano and Verdicchio, it is also home to some big quality reds. Some of Marche's finest red wines are produced from Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. During our Le Marche travels we would stop in Pesaro on the Adriatic, and then head inland to Maiolati Spontini. Verdicchio wines from Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC was my primary focus for our visit to Le Marche's Maiolati Spontini. We soon discovered that Le Marche is ideal for making wine discoveries off the beaten path.  Wine Travels in Marche © Spaswinefood Italy's Marche The Marche region is divided into five provinces: Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata, and Pesaro e Urbino. Within each of  those provinces there is so much to discover. Why Le Marche, Italy © Spaswinefood While sometimes Marche is overshadowed by its neighbors Abruzzo to the south, and Umbria and Tuscany to the west, this wine region produces great wines. There is so much to discover about Marche's wines given it is home to 15 DOCs and 5 DOCGs. Marche Wine Appellations © Spaswinefood After our two-day visit to Pesaro (Pesaro e Urbino) on the coast, we headed inland to Maiolati Spontini (Acona) to explore wine country before traveling onto Umbria. While in the Maiolati Spontini area we explored Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi wine country. Maiolati Spontini, Marche © Spaswinefood  Onto Maiolati Spontini © Spaswinefood Our drive from Pesaro to Maiolati Spontini took us, from a flat coastal into rolling hills and mountainous terrain. Overall, during our travels the highways were smooth sailing compared to the countryside roads. John was great at driving a manual shift car since I have only driven automatic cars.  Welcome to Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, a white-wine DOC in the Marche region, is home to dry white wines made from the ancient Verdicchio grape variety. Verdicchio means little green one. Besides dry whites, other forms of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi include passito wines made from dried grapes (made in sweet and dry styles) and spumante, which are made using either the Charmat method or methode traditionnelle. The DOC has a superior classico sub-zone. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore designation denotes wines with an extra 0.5 percent of alcohol. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva can be given a separate higher DOCG status. The dry white wines are typically straw colored with pronounced green tinges, with a green aroma profile (herbaceous notes and fresh apples). They have crisp acidity and a pleasant, slightly bitter aftertaste redolent of toasted almonds. The wine pairs well with regional seafood dishes, such as Brodetto di Pesce (a rich seafood stew like bouillabaisse), or cheeses, such as pecorino. This wine zone is characterized by hilly landscape around the town of Jesi, Ancona province. The terroir is ideal for the production of minerally dry white wines, mostly due to its calcareous, clay and limestone  soils. The area’s temperate maritime climate is due to Jesi's proximity to the Adriatic, and to the local rivers, such as the Cesano and Esino. The east-west passage of the rivers and their corresponding valleys provide the area with persistent gentle winds, onshore during the morning and offshore in the late afternoon. This constant ventilation helps prevent the onset of fungal diseases such as grey rot and mildew. Overall it has relatively dry climate. Verdicchio wines in and around Jesi are softer and more rounded than those produced in Matelica to the south. Verdicchio di Matelica wine usually needs several years of aging to round out its strong character. This is a contrast to Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi wine that is approachable within the early months. Based on local recommendations I came up with a short list of three Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi wineries to visit.   Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Wine Stops  © Spaswinefood Overall this was a beautiful drive through the countryside to learn about wines produced here. Intro to Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Wineries 1. AZ Agricola Sabbionare, Montecarotio Welcome to Sabbionare © Spaswinefood When we arrived at Sabbionare we went inside and received a warm welcome. The wine tasting included: (1) Sabbionare, il Filettò, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 Sabbionare, il Filettò, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 © Spaswinefood Il Filettò, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 © Spaswinefood  This dry white Veerdicchio wine is typical of the DOC Classico hoverer, other forms of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi passito and spumante wines are also produced. 2. Sabbionare, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020  Sabbionare, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020 © Spaswinefood Sabbionare, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020 © Spaswinefood These two Verdicchio wines were a great introduction to the region. Sabbionare, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Wines © Spaswinefood Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore wines require an extra 0.5 percent of alcohol. In this case Il Filettò, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 shows 13% alcohol versus the Sabbionare, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020 shows 14% alcohol. 3. Sabbionare, Ribotta Esino Rosso DOC 2021 Sabbionare, Ribotta Esino Rosso DOC 2021 © Spaswinefood Sabbionare, Ribotta Rosso Esino DOC 2021 © Spaswinefood The Ribotta Esino Rosso is a blend of Multipluciano and Sangiovese. Esino DOC is the zone stretching from Ancona, in the West, along the river Esino and parts of the Macerata province, namely the same area where the Verdicchio wines are grown. 4.  Sabbionare, Cromia Marche Rosso IGT 2021  Sabbionare, Cromia Marche Rosso IGT 2021 © Spaswinefood Sabbionare, Cromia Marche Rosso IGT 2021 © Spaswinefood Cromia is a blend of Montepulciano 90% Merlot 10%. Marche IGT is used in the Marche wine region. This designation covers a wide range of wine styles (still, sparkling, sweet, etc.). For example Marche IGT Bianco may be made from any of the grape varieties approved for white wine in Marche. Marche IGT Rosato and Rosso have the same flexibility with authorized red grapes. The result is a large number varieties are allowed for single-variety and double-variety labeled wines. Our wonderful Sabbionare host that morning took us to the back patio to view their vineyard. This was our first stop for the day and so I did not linger as long as I should have. Spaswinefood Moments, Sabbionare Vineyard © Spaswinefood It was a delight to take in the vineyard views at Sabbionare winery.  Sabbionare Vineyard © Spaswinefood  Sabbionare Vineyard © Spaswinefood  Sabbionare Vineyard © Spaswinefood It was back into the car and onto our next stop. Soon we arrived at Cantina Sartarelli where they were busy attending to the harvest.  2. Cantina Sartarelli, Poggio San Marcello  Views from Cantina Sartarelli  © Spaswinefood Upon arriving at Sartarelli I checked out the stunning views.  Cantina Sartarelli Vineyard  © Spaswinefood  Cantina Sartarelli, Poggio San Marcello © Spaswinefood Cantina Satarelli is a very inviting family winery that has chosen to produce only Verdicchio. In Verdicchio Veritas is proudly displayed on the wall in the tasting room at Satarelli.  Sartarelli Verdicchio Wines © Spaswinefood During our Cantina Sartarelli visit we tasted the following four wines: (1) Sartarelli, Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 © Spaswinefood Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico 2021 © Spaswinefood (2) Sartarelli, Travilio Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020 Travilio Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2020 © Spaswinefood 3.  Sartarelli,  Ballancia Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2019 Ballancia Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2019 © Spaswinefood Ballancia Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2019 © Spaswinefood (4) Sartarelli, Milletta Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Riserva Classico DOCG 2020  Milletta Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Riserva Classico DOCG 2020 © Spaswinefood Milletta Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Riserva Classico DOCG 2020 © Spaswinefood This winery was an inviting place to visit. Cantina Sartarelli, Le Marche  © Spaswinefood Taking a Closer Look, Cantina Sartarelli © Spaswinefood Besides taking in the vineyards views the local architecture of the winery buildings also captured our attention. Exploring Le Marche  © Spaswinefood I always welcomed taking in the winery views while touring Le Marche. Le Marche's Cantina Sartarelli © Spaswinefood After two excellent winery visits we headed to lunch.  Le Marche for Lunch © Spaswinefood This area of Marche has many excellent restaurant options. On the Road in Le Marche Wine Country  © Spaswinefood After lunch off we went to the next winery. Marche's Landscape in October © Spaswinefood I loved not only visiting the wineries but seeing Marche's landscape in early October.     AZ Agricola Pievalta, Le Marche © Spaswinefood AZ Agricola Pievalta, Maiolati Spontini, Marche © Spaswinefood 3. AZ Agricola Pievalta, Maiolati Spontini AZ Agricola Pievalta is a biodynamic winery. We stopped by this winery twice but the tasting room was not open; so we did not get to taste their wines.  AZ Agricola Pievalta © Spaswinefood Tasting Room, AZ Agricola Pievalta © Spaswinefood Despite not being able to taste their we did enjoy touring Le Marche's stunning, hilly landscape. Vineyard at AZ Agricola Pievalta © Spaswinefood More on Maiolati Spontini Area While in the area we also checked out La Locanda Hostaria della Posta. In fact, we went there on the first day we arrived in the area. Hosteria Della Posta, Le Marche  © Spaswinefood Time for Verdicchio, Hosteria Della Posta © Spaswinefood It was a lovely late afternoon lunch. While in Maiolati Spontini we stayed at La Torre Hotel. Out last evening there we decided to enjoy some cheese and crackers with a bottle of Torti Wines Route 66 wine. The hotel staff seeing us setting outside brought us a complementary platter to enjoy. Time for Wine, La Torre Hotel © Spaswinefood Thanks La Torre Hotel © Spaswinefood La Torre Hotel © Spaswinefood We loved our vine-filled explorations in Le Marche's Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC. Those special welcomes that we received along the way added so much to our travel memories of Italy. We were inspired to visit this region after the 2021 Wine Media Conference (#WMC21) in Eugene, Oregon when we first explored wines from Marche's wine appellations (Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, Rosso Piceno DOC's, and DOCG Pecorino). Upon learning about this wine region and tasting some Le Marche wines we just had to visit. When we did Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC, the primary focus for our visit to Le Marche, was absolutely perfect introduction to making wine discoveries off the beaten path in Italy. Wine travelers who discover this area will be impressed by the charm of its towns and wineries. I so look forward to sharing more on our Italian vine-filled explorations. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Italy at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook.  CHEERS! Sharon  October 2022 Marche, Italy  © Spaswinefood Welcome to Le Marche Wine Country © Spaswinefood

This week’s entry into the Emergency Remedy Series is Aconitum napellus or Aconite as we call it for short. Uh-oh. I can see your quizzical gaze from here. (Don’t forget, first and foremost, I’m a mom. I have eyes in the back of my head!)  I know, you’re thinking, “Poor Joette! She must be so […]

Modern life with all its conveniences. We should be experiencing less pain, right? But sadly, these days, we are experiencing more than ever before. Society’s sedentary lifestyle is causing a pandemic of back pain, while the fixation with keyboards is increasing injuries to wrists and hands. Imagine being unable to hold a phone, grasp […]

Our children are targets. Commercials target them for expensive toys and sugary cereals. And all too often, psychologists and other “experts” target them for the disorder du jour. Now, don’t get me wrong. Some children do have emotional or behavioral disorders that should be attended to — hopefully, however, not with drugs of commerce. We […]

Five safe remedies to consider for relief from bladder infections (UTIs) and which to choose based on the specific symptoms experienced.

Elle had “estrogen dominance.” She received this diagnosis from a functional medicine practitioner.

A mother is only as happy as her unhappiest child. Mindful Homeopathy Practical Protocols for Mental and Emotional Conditions Anxiety…depression…bipolar…OCD…learning disorders…brain fog…PTSD…addictions…dementia… Homeopathy has a history of uprooting these conditions. These are my favorites that I guarantee you’ll use. I created an infographic to give you hope that real, safe, efficacious alternatives to chemical drugs […]

“BREAKING NEWS!” How often do we hear that startling alert or read it as a banner scrolling across the chyron on our television screens? How often is the news not very important or, frankly, all that “breaking?” But worse yet, how often does this essential, new information turn out to be a complete reversal […]

This week is all about bones. Building them with bone stock, and fusing with homeopathy. 'Can't drink bone stock? I have a great tip.

Homeopathy works with us...not on us.

Shut UP! How Taking drugs shut up symptoms and cause new, more sobering ones later on; Cardiac Disease Can Stem From This Abuse While Homeopathy Can Resolve It

Time certainly flies, doesn’t it? It’s hard to believe it was way back in 2012 I wrote the blog post entitled, “Anticipating Surgery? Homeopathy Can Help.” However, even though it has been five years, that surgical protocol can still be quite helpful to you. Over time, you’ve also sent me other questions as well, […]