December 29, 2004
__________________________________________________

Santa has come and gone but there's still fun to be had in celebrating the new year. Eat, drink, and recover.

Grrl with Corkscrew
__________________________________________________
Holiday Bubbles 'Tis the season to consume something bubbly - and we have just the thing to help you kick off 2005. For budget bubbles, try sparkling wine (it's the same as Champagne but not made in France). These are our favorites from California: Roederer Estate, Pacific Echo, and Chandon. Prosecco and Cava (bubbly from Italy and Spain, respectively) are low-budg options; Mionetto and Crede are fab picks from Italy, and from Spain look for Mont Paral or Segura Viudas Brut Reserva. For Francophiles, try Cattier Brut or Moet & Chandon. Splurging for the occasion? Pass on the Dom Perignon and fork over some cash for a bottle of Billecart Salmon or Krug; non-vintage or vintage, you can't go wrong. You just might get a kiss--or a kid named after you.

Grrl with Knife
__________________________________________________
I love the mollusks, especially scallops, and after searing them in butter for the millionth time, I was itching for a new way to serve them. Enter France, the source of all things delish. Simply add a tablespoon of Moutarde Violette--a French mustard made from wine, grape must, and mustard seeds--to your seared scallops and voilà: heaven. Perfect for that fancy New Year's Eve dinner you're cooking (oh, didn't anyone tell you?) You can find Moutarde Violette in most gourmet grocery stores and on-line at www.deandeluca .com.

Grrl, Hungover
__________________________________________________
After one too many holiday drinks, a grrl can wake up with just the tiniest headache. If you can't face a Bloody Mary in the morning, you can now turn to vitamins instead. The Emer'gen-C vitamin pack will have you on your feet in no time. Just stumble to the kitchen, open a packet, and pour it in a glass of water. Pick your favorite flavor (cranberry, raspberry, and tangerine are the best), drink, and head to the next party. It's packed full of nutrients like Vitamin C and potassium that vanished during the night. (If you're too smart to get hungover, try Emer'gen-C on your next trip; it does wonders for jetlag and travel fatigue.) One box contains 36 packets and is about $10. Look for it in most Trader Joe's markets as well as Whole Foods, Duane Reade, and the Vitamin Shoppe.