A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of spending time at The Greenbrier Hotel in the Allegheny hills of a small town (blink your eyes and you’ll miss it) White Sulphur, West Virginia. I was attending a Food Writer’s Symposium.

What a perfect place to counter balance the intensity we writers approach our work. Everywhere I looked the place swirled with color and patterns. Comfortable sitting areas, perfectly coiffed flowers, old china and colored crystal chandeliers were eye candy. My heart sang as it reminded me of the proper Southern ladies in my family. My great aunt, Marie Antoinette aka Arnie, (don’t ask me how she went from being named after a queen to being tagged with a manly nickname.) I reminisced about sitting in a “parlor” hanging on to every word my namesake Ann Elizabeth said. These grand dames were influenced by the work of Dorothy Draper, the interior designer who changed the style of their homes and many others from post Civil War décor. Nor more Scarlett O’Hara green velvet drapes keeping out the sunshine.

Yes, that was the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. No doubt, they stayed at The Greenbrier like every other high profile celebrity of the hotel’s grand era.

Last but not least, modern amenities have taken hold there.I spent quite a bit of time in the Olympic size in-door pool. On my way to the pool one day, I looked behind closed double doors and there was a bowling alley. True to the spirit of Ms. Draper the walls were bold green stripes.

When I got home, I went on a diet! hahaha
I wasn’t the only vegetarian in the group and graciously there was always something to eat, but my-oh-my, most meals were way too rich for my liking. For the last few weeks, every morning, I’ve been blending this Power Green Smoothie.
Click HERE for a full page spread of my recipe from Vegan Family Meals.