Mary Novaria

Credit: Jill Wellington/Pixabay My mother-in-law was a game, world traveler who liked her creature comforts. She’d have ridden a camel through the desert in the hot North African sun as long she could stay at the Ritz Carlton that night. In a room with a view.  My vacation plans aren’t quite as luxurious and exotic, although I do appreciate room service breakfast, sheets with a high thread count, and fluffy terry cloth robes... and occasionally good luck falls into my lap. “A seat with your name on it just opened up in First Class.”  Hallelujah.   “We’re relocating you to a corner suite.”  There is a God, after all.   “It’s your birthday! How 'bout a complimentary Molten Chocolate Lava Cake?!”  Duh.   You’d think I’d be grateful, ecstatic even, about the swanky rental car I scored on a recent trip, but here’s a travel tip: Some luxury upgrades are just, well, “extra” – and not in a good way.   I checked in online the day before in the interest of ...

Photo courtesy of Erris Langer Klapper Wanted to share a post that was featured this week in Delish , Redbook , Dr. Oz The Good Life and Country Living .  I Gave Up Dairy And It Completely Changed My Life ​But it was  not  an easy road.      By  Mary Novaria      Feb 9, 2016 Cheese was my quintessential comfort food. I was the person who made a beeline to the baked Brie at cocktail parties. Baked potatoes, chili and tacos were merely cheese delivery vehicles, a simple base upon which to heap mounds of shredded cheddar and Monterrey Jack. And don't even get me started on the wedge salad. Sure, it's got bacon, but it was the creamy, crumbly, blue cheese goodness that had me at "hello." My lifelong romance with cheese came to an abrupt halt three years ago when a new doctor – a naturopath – suggested I give up dairy. I'd sought her help for some ongoing health issues, i...