Getting ready to celebrate its second anniversary, the popular Napa restaurant, Cuvée, is planing a special party to coincide with the summer solstice.

In France, where my family is this spring, the cuckoos are singing and the quantities of mud tracked into the house mean that local produce is available at the farmers’ market again, oodles and oodles of tender, crisp greens like spinach that appreciate cooler weather.

The Napa farmers market is open, and despite our late frosts and strong heat waves, there are lots of fresh, local vegetables available. You’ll find broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, strawberries and Swiss chard among the various stands. One farmer has even got pickling cucumbers for you if you want to get an early start.

Charles Weber, executive chef, Elements

Charles Weber, executive chef, Elements

When word of a new restaurant in the works begins circulating around town, the obvious questions that pop into mind are:

When you’re dining out, here are some tips for making whole grain choices:

I’m often asked, “If I were to change just one thing, what could I do to help me lose weight and/or improve my health?” I’d definitely make my recommendation based on a list of common denominators that helped overweight contestants win a place on NBC’s fitness show, “The Biggest Loser.” These same factors have helped America earn its top ranking among obese nations of the world. I found that most contestants: