Pico de Gallo Salsa with Chips and Greek Chicken Salad at Woody's Bar and Restaurant at the Monterey Regional Airport (California) by Ruth Paget

Pico de Gallo Salsa and Chips and Greek Chicken Salad at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant at the Monterey Regional Airport in Monterey, California by Ruth Paget 

A recent heat wave with temperatures in the 90s encouraged my family to dine at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant and the Monterey Regional Airport in Monterey, California for their great food and equally great air conditioning. 

I wanted salty food and ordered pico de gallo salsa and chips as a starter. This dish at Woody’s is made with chopped tomatoes, chopped and mild green and reddening Serrano peppers (probably from nearby Prunedale), chopped onions, chopped cilantro, salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice. 

This salsa bursts with Vitamin C and helps rid the body of free radicals that may cause cancer. This chunky salsa tastes wonderful on house-baked tortilla chips that are lightly salted. This appetizer definitely “opens the appetite” as the French say. 

As my main dish, I ordered one of my favorite dishes from teen years in Detroit, Michigan – a Greek salad. The Salinas, California version of this dish comes with sautéed chicken breast seasoned with lemon-pepper salt and oregano, a heaping mound of bitter red and green frisée lettuce, and red wine and vinegar dressing as the basic ingredients. 

The red wine vinegar is sharp, probably house-made with apple cider vinegar and aged. It is mixed with the addition of oregano. This dressing makes the salad outstanding. The chicken, lettuce, and dressing alone are full of vitamins and antioxidants that taste wonderful for bitter and sour flavor combination lovers. 

Woody’s adds the following items to their Greek salad for flavor and spa dining: 

-sour feta cheese cubes for calcium and protein 

-pitted small Niçoise olives 

-minced red onions 

-heirloom cherry tomatoes cut in half 

-slice yellow banana peppers 

I never get tired of tonic Greek salads. I always feel healthy and chipper after eating one. 

I drank a bitter, unsweetened tea with a squeeze of lemon juice with the salad. I like bitter tea when it is hot out and it made the bitter lettuce taste even better with the red wine dressing. 

Locals and visitors alike can benefit from eating Monterey County’s organic produce at Woody’s at the Monterey Regional Airport in California along with organic chicken from neighboring San Benito County.  

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Chicago Architecture Center Tours of Chicago by Boat reposted by Ruth Paget

Chicago Architecture Tours by boat on the Chicago River are a pretty spectacular way to visit the city.

Details about the boat tours follow:

https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise?utm_source=google_cpc&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=cbc_gsearch_cBC-RiverCruiseMXC&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22327194634&gbraid=0AAAAADlWBGHMPR1jd0Ibu78_epcd5ZvrA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTCS3KItZRoxn1uy4j9vGUmfus0FcphFhu6byOLDsO1vijB4UbsvG28aAuXtEALw_wcB

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Bricks Tell Chicago’s History Reposted by Ruth Paget

The book Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago by Will Quam recounts Chicago’s history through the development of brick.

Details about this book from the University of Chicago Press follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19d2f4755400207e

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Free, In-Person US-China Relations Lecture at UChicago on April 17, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago will host a free, in-person talk on April 17, 2026 by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Secretary of Defense Chuck Havel on US - China Relations Amidst the War with Iran.

Reservations are required to attend this event.

Details about the speakers and reservations follow:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2026-hagel-lecture-americas-role-in-asia-in-context-of-war-with-iran-tickets-1984629245498?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Californian Building Use Idea: Bookstore or College Classrooms by Ruth Paget

Former Californian Newspaper Building Use Idea by Ruth Paget

Perhaps Hartnell College could use space in this building for a bookstore, classrooms, student lounges, study areas, or dining areas.

If Hartnell College became a four-year institution, this extra space would be especially useful.

Just a thought,

Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Milestone Gift to UChicsgo Endows Chair in Game Design and Media Innovation reposteD by Ruth Paget

Mouly-Carlson Family Establishes Endowed Chair to Advance Game Design and Media Innovation at the University of Chicago.

Details about this milestone gift to the University of Chicago follow:

https://humanities.uchicago.edu/articles/2026/03/mouly-carlson-family-establishes-endowed-chair-advance-game-design-and-media

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago Press Book Sale till June 15, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago Press Book Sale is on till June 15, 2026.

There are many deals under $15.

Book lists and sale details follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19d24ed5a8aaa204

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento at Games

Personal Chef Information to Consider by Ruth Paget

Personal Chef Information to Consider reposted by Ruth Paget

The price of gas to transport groceries and deliver meals might influence prices in this information sheet website, but it provides good background:

https://www.gradito.com/blog/personal-chef-cost-for-one-person#:~:text=For%20a%20private%20chef%20to,$150%20to%20$300%20per%20person.

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Camembert Cheese Games and Dijon Mustard Party Games

Italian Baking Secrets is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle today reposted by Ruth Paget

Italian Baking Secrets by Father Giuseppe Orsini is on sale on Kindle today (March 25, 2026) for $1.99 - 362 pages long.

I just bought this for its anthropological value and flavor secondarily.  :) - MS-DOS emoji.

There are historical details in this book as well.  Italian sweets are often linked to rites of passage, so this does look like a good read for Italian culture lovers.

Details about the book follow:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIL9B9W?_bbid=329559119&tag=bookbubemail1-20

Note: I am not sure if the author is related, but the Orsini family is an ancient Roman family.

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Vienna coffee shames and Camembert Cheese games

UChicago Receives $50 Million Gift to Restore Historic Campus Building

The University of Chicago received a $50 Million Gift to Restore Ida Noyes Hall from Board of Trustees ChairmanDavid M. Rubenstein.

Details about the gift to update Ida Noyes Hall follow:

 https://news.uchicago.edu/story/50-million-gift-revitalize-historic-ida-noyes-hall-space-students-visitors?utm_medium=03.24email&utm_source=UChicagoNews&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGgv85EecShwczKYTLJ-4XqZii3nU3jR_W1EVL4GnH5ThYaHaE9XwWB4tZGpOQeIj38i8gExmZ5miNGFA0rweYsgddFurmf2Z4KE82a4k3VODovnYg

Personal Note: I was a student office assistant in the Student Activities Office located in Ida Noyes Hall and helped inventory the University’s collection of Marc Chagall paintings that students can take out on loan.  I also helped organize campus concerts in this building where the Major Activities Board had an office in the 1980s.  Lots of good memories here!

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Mediterranean Diet Outline by Mayo Clinic reposted by Ruth Paget

Mediterranean Diet Outline by Mayo Clinic reposted by Ruth Paget

The following outline of the Mediterranean Diet by the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota describes a meal plan that 

-is delicious

-good for you

-easy to follow in Salinas, California

-good for the economy of the Monterey County region

Mediterranean Diet Outline

I continue to follow the Mediterranean Diet for all the reasons above.

I began eating Greek and Middle Eastern food in Detroit, Michigan where I grew up.  I began eating French Mediterranean food when I lived in Paris.  When I lived in Wisconsin and Virginia. I began preparing Spanish food, which was very fashionable in the 1990s due to the Olympics held in Barcelona. When I moved to California, I added Italian cooking to my repertoire and regularly order from Gino’s in my neighborhood in Salinas.

I can say with 100% accuracy that eating this way has made me a happy middle aged blogger and writer.

Living in Salinas, California  makes it easy to maintain this dietary lifestyle at home and in restaurants too.

Regional tourists can surely find restaurants and fresh produce at markets for an agritourism mini vacation in California focused on Mediterranean food.

Note:  Rsteban Restaurant at the historic Casa Munras in downtown Monterey serves Spanish food and serves tapas on the patio and Nick the Greek just opened up.

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Ancient Western Civilixation Games Background by Ruth Paget

Ancient Western Civilization Games Background by Ruth Paget

Ruth Paget has collected her blogs about Egypt, Greece, and Italy as a background for her ancient Western civilization games.

These blogs follow and contain several ideas for learning about Egypt, Greece,and Italy in Salinas, California.

*Egypt

-Visiting the Papyrus Museum in Syracuse on the Island of Sicily in Italy

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2014/11/papyrus-museum-syracuse-italy.html?m=1

-Visiting the Egyptian Museum in San Jose, California

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/egyptian-museum-san-jose-california.html?m=

*Greece

-Enjoying Feta Omelets

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/01/feta-omelets-at-agora-restaurant-by.html?m=1

-Visiting Knossos on the island of Crete in Greece

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/09/knossos-greece-island-of-crete-visiting.html?m=1

-Visiting Chania and Samaria Gorge on the island of Crete in Greece

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/09/chania-and-samaria-gorge-visiting-world.html?m=1

-Greek Grape Leaf Recipes

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/greek-grape-leaf-recipes-reposted-by.html?m=

-Visiting Athens - the Plaka and Parthenon

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/greek-grape-leaf-recipes-reposted-by.html?m=1

-MENSA Greek Myth Activities

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/06/mensa-book-review-writing-for-kids.html?m=1

-Having Fun at Greek Home Parties

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2012/03/honorary-maid-of-athena.html?m=1

-Introducing Greek Culture to Florence Paget

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/01/savvy-mom-ruth-paget-takes-juilliard_22.html?m=1

-Preparing Greek Food at Home

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/06/greek-meal-preparation-with-juilliard.html?m=1

-Driving Crete

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/09/driving-around-crete-exploring-greeces.html?m=1

-Greek Festival - 1

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/05/greek-festival-pointers-from-monterey.html?m=1

-Greek Festival - 2

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/05/greek-festival-pointers-part-2-by-savvy.html?m=1

*Italy

-Verona and Its Roman Arena

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2012/09/veneto-italy-verona.html?m=1

-Fiesole

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/07/touring-hilly-fiesole-outside-florence.html?m=1

-Taormina

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2014/11/sicilian-car-stories.html?m=1

-Vicenza - Eating a Venetian Lunch

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2012/09/veneto-italy-vicenza-2.html?m=1

-Eating an Ancient Roman Meal

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/ancient-roman-dining.html?m=1

For reference on the ancient Western Civilization Games, click the link below:

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/ancient-western-civilization-games.html?m=1

Note: For Greek meals for take-out, Woody’s at the Airport serves Greek salads and Nick the Greek in Monterey is now open for business.

Posted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup from Saigon Noodle in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup with Jalapeños (optional) from Saigon Noodle in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

I view the chicken with rice noodle soup at Saigon Noodle in Salinas, California as a tonic recharge when I eat it mid-week, especially if I add in sliced, fresh jalapeño peppers that come with the dish one the side as an add-in item. 

The defatted, chicken bone broth comes in a quart-size container while the cool rice noodles and pulled chicken breast come in a large delivery bowl. The rice noodles take up 2/3 of the delivery bowl while the chicken breast takes up 1/3 of the delivery bowl. Optional add-ins come in a separate bag. 

The add-in items I use include: 

-lemon quarters to squeeze lemon juice into the soup 

-Thai basil leaves that are still attached to stems. I remove the leaves and tear them in half so their oil will come out and place them in the soup. Thai basil has a lemon-pepper flavor unlike its Italian basil cousin that has a savory not tangy flavor. 

-sliced, fresh jalapeño peppers. I eat these with mouthfuls of rice noodles and chicken breast to cut down on the stinging, heat. 

Other items that come in the add-in bag that other family members eat include: 

-sriracha sauce 

-soy sauce 

-fresh bean sprouts 

-sometimes Sichuan pepper corn oil with pepper corns still in the sauce (You might have to order this separate.) 

I prefer eating chicken thigh meat, but I recognize that white breast meat has two important nutrients with less fat that I should eat: protein and selenium. Selenium promotes thyroid wellness. (See the following selenium guide from the National Institutes of Health for further information: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/)

Fresh jalapeño peppers have a citrus flavor and a pleasant crunch when you get past the heat. Their nutritional value is high in Vitamin C and capasaicin. These nutrients promote immunity. (See the following website for information: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-jalapenos)

If you are not allergic to chile peppers, the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup with added jalapeños is very healthy. It is simply seasoned with salt and white pepper and delicious. 

I predict that Vietnamese chicken noodle soup is going to become as popular as pizza and tacos on American dining room tables thanks to restaurants like Saigon Noodle in Salinas, California. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Vienna Coffee Games and Darjeeling: The India Tea Game

Does Coffee Reduce Cancer Risk Article reposted by Ruth Paget

Coffee Consumption Appears to help Reduce the Appearance of Colo-Rectal Cancer according to the following study by the University of Southern California:

https://today.usc.edu/new-study-links-coffee-consumption-to-decreased-risk-of-colorectal-cancer/

I love coffee, but I am still limiting myself to one cup of good coffee in the morning to try and stay with my three meals and no snacking meal plan that is now a Californian Diet of Italian, Asian, and Mexican food.

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Vienna coffee game.

German Spent Grain Bread Recipe reposted by Ruth Paget

German Spent Grain from Beer Making Bread Recipe (Biertreberbrot) follows:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/spent-grain-bread-recipe-1447221

This basic recipe can probably be modified for pizza dough, donuts, and buns as well.

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Gambrinus Beer Game

Chiles as Infection and Cancer Fighters Article Reposted by Ruth Paget

Chiles as Infection and Cancer Fighters Article reposted by Ruth Paget

I have always eaten spicy red and green chile peppers for their Vitamin C content and Vitamin A content for red chile peppers.  Vitamin A is good for your eyes while Vitamin C promotes immune function.

The article below details their antioxidant content which removes free radicals that may cause cancer from the body:

https://wmmc.com/chili-peppers-the-superfood/#:~:text=Fighting%20Infections,absorb%20the%20iron%20it%20contains!

If you like chile peppers you can usually find these in supermarkets and at the Farmers Markets in Salinas,  California in abundance.

Note: This Mayo Clinic Group Interview below is all about eating to prevent cancer;

https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/a-cancer-fighting-diet-managing-symptoms-and-food-safety/

Note: National Institutes of Health examination of antioxidants in chile peppers:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6274000/

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Candy Haul at the Market at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Candy Haul at the Market at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

My husband Laurent, daughter Florence Paget and I went out to Pebble Beach, California after a dinner at Woody’s at the Monterey Regional Airport.

Laurent went candy shopping at the Market and bought Monterey Bay Saltwater Taffy candy, French egg white, almond and honey nougat made by Cartier, blood orange lozenges candy, and a decaf latte for me.  I consider lattes caffeine candy.

The cool breeze off the water and through the forest felt great after our weeklong heat wave in Monterey.

The candy is all good and will be doled out over upcoming weeks.  They are all good souvenir items, too.

This was a fun Salinas night out on the Monterey Peninsula.

Note: This study from the University of Southern California suggests that coffee consumption lowers the risk of colorectal cancer

https://today.usc.edu/new-study-links-coffee-consumption-to-decreased-risk-of-colorectal-cancer/

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Tevolution recommended by Ruth Paget

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Jo Li Jiang deals with a period in China that is relatively unknown in the US when foreigners especially people from the US were referred to as foreign devils in school classrooms.

This book is a good read for students interested in entering careers in politics or diplomacy.

Information about the book from Amazon follows:

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Scarf-Girl-Revolution-September/dp/B01JNY31DQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=2I24MWIK4MI70&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wJjAn6HEU3BMsdH5FosX2qvFfS-TesKW2CQrB8FQTfB0ZyHI8RjNp37JTtnpsEr_ZFbFvog_BnSm3Tyw18MmuzS57MIJD0Hzd-lDCx7gUO4oNgp_8Q7ZPCNx-k2Ho_2rhX68rjw_kO-awtjodgXclE-yZHDJYrbnfLe-cMZzkPInu0u2rjFu6CZQaHJr4BPBBh1-cjEmXCCAka6z5598Fw.oTAtNYlAzI2suzUl4NUIz-IXBePQDiYygcEcVj4yUyM&dib_tag=se&keywords=red+scarf+girl&qid=1774028119&sprefix=red+scarf+girl%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-2

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Znovhorod and Bento War Games

Persepolis - an Iran graphic novel recommendation by Ruth Paget

Persepolis a graphic novel memoir about life of child in Iran by Marianne Satrapi is certainly an a propos read right now.  This graphic novel was made into a film as well.

Persepolis is intended for young adult readers, especially those interested in careers in politics or diplomacy.

The Amazon link to Persepolis follows:

https://www.amazon.com/Persepolis-Childhood-Pantheon-Graphic-Library/dp/037571457X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=AMFKEVXTGT0R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wxlF-a_sujIpqm_vp8M1LSCiDNL9URaC7VGf578QI9_bCOycXHx-UNA3MLxfXBt6gFOjjFDlHZbM0cOIZoInMckM7ripIbnL0OgIN3MS_JPLOzGc3KQvB85t8glRhjp9HdvvXDSbTSQcIq1aIk8PEXwAuPwHyz_D102xeMIEaNETEzaejU-gbCQFd_tp5pCkh1NGjsztGYnTFxU1XfCmJg.CKneTe0eXridHsJHL2b-rdePbqtMHj-sroWYJ7iXzJA&dib_tag=se&keywords=persepolis&qid=1774019962&sprefix=persepolis%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Pyongyang:A Journey to North Korea by Guy De Lisle recommendation by Ruth Paget

The graphic novel Pyongyang: A Journey to North Korea by Guy De Lisle recounts a tale of military parades and starvation in the film on paper format of a graphic novel.

This graphic novel is tended for a young adult audience, especially for young people who would like to pursue careers in politics or diplomacy.

The link to the Amazon entry follows:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyongyang-Journey-North-Guy-Delisle/dp/1770463372/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=14WQQC14J946R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9AeP2czX5p7xTapgiBtu48uWE8PkEhbo1Sq-JROUxOscLglPCM7br9qmMLmnn3Z_ibWxuEmpkTexGEFXze8X-60_NNZfvhKQzvdyl24b2_IqqzooMM66gC8McdYVsD_9INmYSmLh87uFUGfeLuaVwb_u3NKGPBVNgtjVhXeQiPqksScwLSLJtlP8tjdJYJ3aUfa0hOvkFQKDVrLmy8Ijhg.uXeq8Yhk0bzwUas_jsORimgVkp-eUnjQe5HvX4IxZqU&dib_tag=se&keywords=pyongyang&qid=1774019386&sprefix=pyongyang%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games