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Most of us think of blue jeans, or denim pants, as truly American. Levi's® certainly are, but denim fabric was used long before 1776.  In the 1600's a cloth called "dungaree" was being made in India, and was imported to Europe by Portuguese sailors who wore pants made from this material while sailing.

Something magical happens when a woman wears something she loves, whether it's a great pair of shoes, a tailored blouse, or a treasured necklace. Yes, she looks beautiful, but her smile also glows brighter and her steps become more powerful. While the right clothes and accessories make us lovely on the outside, that transformation is nothing compared to what happens inside.

Most people go to Hawaii and come back with a tan. Susan O'Brien went to Maui on vacation and came home with a new vocation. She and her husband met Renée Loux, host of the Fine Living network's It's Easy Being Green, who gave Susan a copy of her raw-food cookbook, Living Cuisine: The Art and Spirit of Raw Foods. Susan put her novel aside and by the time she got home had committed to a whole new lifestyle.

A recipe from Judy

We're staying in Le Richebourg Hotel & Spa just outside Nuit Saint George. It's a very nice place with huge rooms and comfy beds. We're finding that while traveling in early January comes with a few issues, there are some definite advantages.

Dropping off Alex and Erin meant dropping off the monster van. We were sorry to see the kids go, but the relief of seeing the end of that van almost made up for it.

Fabulous day touring Avignon. We visited the Pope's Palace and learned more than anyone ever really needs to know about the popes in exile. We had coffee with the truckers in a shady little cafe off the square. Then we went to see the bridge.

We left Nice and Cagnes Sur Mer today and headed west. We started out on the scenic route only to find ourselves up in the hills with roads so tortured that hairpin is too straight to describe them.

Tamara teaches us how to make her simply delicious Asiago Ciabatta Bread.

Get the recipe here.