From oysters and crawfish to Po’Boys and turtle soup, New Orleans is a great place to be if you love to eat.

Institutions like Brennan’s (www.brennansneworleans.com) , Arnaud’s (www.arnauds.com) , Antoine’s (www.antoines.com) and Café Du Monde (http://www.cafedumonde.com/) always offer a taste of history alongside a terrific French Creole meal. 

But when you’re in this town for several days, and you don’t want to go home several pounds heavier, you might want to take a little break from the rich cream sauces and powdery beignets.  What to do?  Try MiLa (http://www.milaneworleans.com), where taste isn’t sacrificed for a serving of health and a lot of tradition.

Chefs Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing are from Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively, so their menu is inspired by their Southern heritage; however, they use fresh produce, purchased daily, from local purveyor Lujele Farms in Mount Hermon, Louisianna, so every lunch, brunch and dinner option is fresh, “clean” and explodes with flavors.

I enjoyed a meal there yesterday when a colleague of mine and I tried dishes including a light-as-air Mirliton Veloute with Louisiana Crawfish and Lobster Oil; a delicate Filo-Crusted Redfish with Wilted Heirloom Spinach; a crisp salad of Farm Arugula with Homemade Duck Ham, Pears and Red Wine Vinaigrette and the most tender cornbread with lima bean puree.

As chic a restaurant as it is good, MiLa is a find.  Seek it out the next time you’re in town.

Today finds me at the 30th Annual Conference of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (http://www.iacp.com).  For those of you not familiar with the organization, the IACP is an international association for individuals in the culinary field, including food stylists and writers, publishers and chefs.  The IACP is always an amazing forum for the exchange of information and, more important, inspiration, on a global level.  Being here feels like a privilege!

There are workshops and Master Classes given, along with culinary showcases and seminars, and the people here are the nicest and most talented you’ll ever meet.

Yesterday, for example, I had the opportunity to chat with author Robert J. Heiss.  His book, The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide (http://www.amazon.com) is nominated this year for the IACP Award of Excellence, a coveted award given to members whose unending pursuit of excellence embody the highest standards of the association.

The Story of Tea is a beautifully-photographed resource that enlightens, excites and answers every question about tea you might have, doing so in an accessible, highly enjoyable way.

I also had the opportunity to learn what fellow foodie bloggers are doing, and below is a great list of resources you might want to check out.  Enjoy!

http://chezpim.typepad.com - Pim Techamuanvivit is a globetrotting gourmand whose entries are entertaining, fun and informative.  Her stories are a hoot; her passion comes through in her writing, and her blog links are super resources for those who want to connect with others with similar interests.

http://aromacucina.typepad.com/aroma_cucina - Chef and writer Judith Klinger is a resident of both New York and Modena, Italy.  Her passion for Italian culture, culinary history, cooking and baking pervade her site.  Bookmark it!

http://kitchen-notebook.blogspot.com - Leon, France-based Lucy Vanel writes Lucy’s Kitchen, a blog that most of us just dream about.  Lucy is an author and photographer – not to mention a phenomenal cook – and reading her blog is an escape. 

Stay tuned for more updates from New Orleans!

Sexuality is part of being human.  But I’m constantly amazed by all the spam I receive about potions and magic pills that will make you better, bigger, stronger, and on and on.  You know.  You get the same e-mail I do.

It was these e-mail that sparked the idea for my most recent blog talk radio show, “Sexy Foods.”

No, some foods aren’t sexier than others, but eating certain foods and following a diet with the right carbohydrate, protein and fat ratio CAN make you better in bed.  In fact, there is an important relationship between overall health, lifestyle and sexual satisfaction.

Research also suggests that certain physical conditions which go along with obesity can negatively affect sex drive, further dampening the desires of those who are overweight.

According to doctors and dietitians, there is good news:  It’s never too late to make even small lifestyle changes to enhance your libido, increase your energy levels and improve your body image.

Just click on the link below to hear the show!

“Sexy Foods” Radio Show