A great summer read, but an even better travel read, her tales of dark-eyed men, wise gurus, and breathtaking sites will have you grinning. Did she leave anything out? Certainly not the tongue and cheek humor of a smart and happening lady who has experienced tough times yet loved deeply.

Every kitchen should have at least three knives: The chef’s knife, a serrated knife, and a paring knife. The chef’s knife, usually 8-10 inches long, is the knife I use every day and the workhorse in anyone’s kitchen. It is used for chopping, slicing and dicing, basically it’s the all-purpose knife.

Is it really so important to be nice? Linda and Robin share the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of success. You’ll love their inspirational personal stories, surprising research from famous physiologists and socialists, and the use of plain common sense - their trademark.

Lorna Sass has written an exciting book on grains that will appeal to anyone, meat-eating, vegetarian, vegan. Ideal for the home cook who wants to learn more about whole grains, its easy, time-saving recipes will become a valued resource in your kitchen.

‘Start Cooking’ is all about learning the basics of cooking, from its charming host Kathy Maister. She’ll delight the beginning cook with short cooking videos and step-by-step photo tutorials. After you learn basic cooking skills from the Tips & Techniques section, you’ll be ready to try out quick and tasty meals on your own.

Heidi Swanson, photographer and cookbook author treats us to wonderful weekly spread of lively photos and fresh recipes. I love her natural and healthy food shoots that always inspires me to visit my local farmer’s market!

‘A Girl Named Guy’ is an interactive wellness website headed up by my friend Leah Guy. Leah delivers up-to-date information with fantastic webcasts about wellness and lifestyle issues. Her aim to inspire, inform and create positive change one viewer at a time. She believes that creating positive change in our own lives will ultimately create change in the world.

The Kitchen Sisters’ groundbreaking national radio collaborations, in partnership with Jay Allison, have brought together independent producers, artists, writers, archivists, and public radio listeners throughout the country to create richly layered, highly produced, intimate and provocative radio documentaries that chronicle untold stories of American culture and traditions.

Wine picks, articles and humor from Natalie MacLean, named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. Natalie is also the author of ‘Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass’. Visit her site for more details on this book and to sign up for the newsletter.

Ximena Maier is an amazing Spanish artist who specializes in illustration and has worked for clients such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Lobster Squad is her adorable food blog where you can find unusual recipes, great stories, and charming one-of-a-kind drawings by the author like the one above.