2020 Monthly Themes with Food/ Drink Pairings| January-June
January | Stunning Switzerland: Chocolate, Cheese & Chalets
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
Take in the stunning scenery of Switzerland from snowy mountaintops, to the bears of Bern to the sparkling lakes. Learn why this country is always on time and famous for chocolate, cheese, watches and economic excellence.
Suggested Food Pairing: Swiss Chocolate including Toblerone or Lindt, Raclette or Cheese Foundue, Rösti or Älplermagronen (gratin with potatoes, macaroni, cheese, cream and onions. with stewed apple on the side.
Suggested Drink Pairing: Kirsch (the national drink, made from cherries, , and Pflümli (made from plums), hot Swiss chocolate or Swiss mineral water.
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
From Lisbon to the medieval and royal Obidos, fall in love with the dramatic landscapes and kindness of Portugal. The climate is sunny and mild, but the culture is rick from Port wine to a busting tourism and retirement industry.
Suggested Food Pairing: Caldo Verde Soup, Bacalhau or Portuguese Cod Fish, Sardines, Chicken Piri-Piri & Pastel de Nata (egg custard)
Suggested Drink Pairing: Galão (Portuguese style coffee similar to a latte), Port Wine, Ginja de Óbidos (sour cherry liquor) & poncha ( made out of aguardente de cana (which is distilled from sugar cane), honey, sugar, lemon rind and lemon juice).
March | Spectacular Scotland: Kilts, Bagpipes & Castles
February | Picturesque Portugal: Loving Lisbon, Porto, Obidos & more
March | Spectacular Scotland: Kilts, Bagpipes & Castles
Scotland has castles galore as well as well as dogs who herd sheep. We will set out to find the Loch Ness Monster and travel through spectacular scenery from battlefield to the Highlands to a whisky distillery.
Suggested Food Pairing: Haggis (sheep inerds) Neeps and tatties (turnips & potatoes), Scottish Salmon, Bangers & Mash, Sticky Toffee Pudding 7 Shortbread.
Suggested Drink Pairing: Drambuie, Whiskey, Irn Bru (orange soda) & Glasgow Punch.
April | Japantastic: Bullet Trains, Mountains & Temples
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
March | Spectacular Scotland: Kilts, Bagpipes & Castles
To see the peak of Mt. Fuji is not only a dream, but a rare glimpse into nature's excellence. Take a bullet train to this breathtaking site and explore the Tokyo city life. From cat cafes to Wagyu beef underground, Japan is a whirlwind!
Suggested Food Pairing: Sushi, Wagyu Beef sliders, Rice, Miso Soup, Udon Noodles, Edamame, Tempura & Mochi.
Suggested Drink Pairing: Green tea, Sake, Sakura tea, Kombauha, Sapporo Beer & Plum Wine.
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
Revel in the beauty of the Western Canada known for dramatically landscaped roadways and renowned natural scenery. We will visit the famous Lake Louise & hike the Columbia Icefield & land in a seaplane in Vancouver.
Suggested Food Pairing: Poutine, JapaDog, Dim Sum, Prawns, Wild game meat, Salmon Candy, Butter Tarts, Nanaimo Bars (crumb base layer, custard and a thin layer of chocolate on top).
Suggested Drink Pairing: Ice Wine, Caesar cocktail (vodka, clamato juice, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce), Coffee & fruit wines and juices.
June |Chile & Easter Island: The Magic of Moai
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
May | Western Canada's Magnificence: From Calgary to Vancouver
Easter Island is the most remote, inhabited island in the world. The Moai are cherished by the local people who call themselves Rapa Nui. Take a journey through their Polynesian traditions and discover the magic.
Suggested Food Pairing: Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, Taro, Yams, Plantain, Ceviche, Po’e (pumpkin, flour, & plantain cake), & Tres Leches Cake.
Suggested Drink Pairing: Chicha (sweet apple or grape wine), Pisco Sour, Mote con Huesillo, peaches with wheat), Carménère Wine & Terremoto (pineapple ice-cream, sweet white wine or white grape juice & grenadine).
2019 Monthly Themes with Food/ Drink Pairings
January | Nordic Navigation: A journey to Lillehammer & beyond
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
Take a journey to Norway, Denmark and Sweden where we'll visit the famous Little Mermaid Statue in Denmark, the old town in Stockholm and learn about the winter Olympics in Lillehammer while passing through Oslo.
Suggested Food Pairing: Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce or assorted breads with sunflower seeds and walnuts baked in
Suggested Drink Pairing: Seltzer with Lingonberries, honey wine, hot tea with honey
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
Get lost in love as we travel to iconic romantic places from Venice to Paris to Charleston, SC to Florence and more. Participants will be encouraged to share their own love stories during this romantic journey of reminiscing.
Suggested Food Pairing: Chocolate truffles, French cheese with sliced baguette or chocolate covered strawberries
Suggested Drink Pairing: Hot chocolate, red wine or love potion punch
March | Luck of the Irish Eyes are Smiling: A visit to Ireland
February | Romantic Regions: An exploration of cities evoking love
March | Luck of the Irish Eyes are Smiling: A visit to Ireland
You'll feel lucky to explore famous landmarks from Trinity College where the Book of Kells is, to Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison, to Giant's Causeway and the Peace Walls of Northen Ireland. We'll also enjoy some Irish tunes
Suggested Food Pairing: Irish Soda bread with Butter, Scones or Colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage)
Suggested Drink Pairing: Hot chocolate with Bailey's (or non alcoholic Irish cream flavoring) Irish Cream, Guinness, or Cider
April | Sunrise/ Sunset Safari: Alive with the big five
April | Sunrise/ Sunset Safari: Alive with the big five
March | Luck of the Irish Eyes are Smiling: A visit to Ireland
Experience an African game drive, more commonly known as a safari where here lions, giraffe's, hyena's elephants and other native animals are seen in their natural habitat. We'll also visit Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfall!
Suggested Food Pairing: Malva Pudding, Chakalaka, a vegetable dish made of onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans and spices, & Pap, meaning 'porridge', a starchy dish made from white corn maize
Suggested Drink Pairing: South African Wine or Rock shandy: half lemonade, half soda water, with a dash of Angostura bitters (the 'pink' in pink gin), a slice of lemon and lots of ice.
May | May Flowers: Botanical Global Gardens
April | Sunrise/ Sunset Safari: Alive with the big five
May | May Flowers: Botanical Global Gardens
Experience a calm serenity when we journey from Montreal, to Capetown South Africa, to Marrekesh Morocco to Vancouver Island. We will learn about gardening and discuss participants prior experience and preferences for flowers, fruits and veggies.
Suggested Food Pairing: Crudité, Individual portions of Gazpacho, or fruit popsicles or sorbets
Suggested Drink Pairing: Peach iced tea or strawberry basil lemonade, sangria or rosé
June | Aloha Hawaiian Holiday: Love a luau
April | Sunrise/ Sunset Safari: Alive with the big five
May | May Flowers: Botanical Global Gardens
Aloha! Travel to Hawaii's main four islands to experience the culture and traditions of this tropical state. We'll visit a volcano on the Big Island, the Na Pali coast of Kauai, Mount Haleakalā on Maui & take a submarine ride iHonolulu.
Suggested Food Pairing: Pineapple and cherry skewers, macadamia crusted chicken or fish or silver dollar coconut pancakes
Suggested Drink Pairing: Blue Hawaiians or pineapple juice with cherries
2019 Monthly Themes with Food/ Drink Pairings
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
With facts and songs from the iconic Route 66 , we'll travel an interactive, fun & educational journey through Texas, Arizona, Chicago, California, New Mexico & Illinois to stopping along the way to see football stadiums, the Grand Canyon & Beverly Hills.
Suggested Food Pairing: BBQ Brisket or any meat or individual bowls of chili
Suggested Drink Pairing: Dr. Pepper, Lonestar Beer or Margarita's with or without alcohol
August | Caribbean Calypso: Sun, Sand & Sea
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
From St. Martin to Anguilla to St. Bartholomew, we will explore the beautiful beaches, iconic sites and restaurants and culture of these stunning islands. One is a mecca of shopping for the wealthy, another, a quiet paradise & the last has two distinct sides and cultures, French & Dutch.
Suggested Food Pairing: Plantains, Yuca bread, tropical fruit salad with papaya and mangos, or jerk chicken
Suggested Drink Pairing: Tropical fruit juices with or without rum, coco loco - coconut milk topped with nutmeg (typically made with rum)
September | I wonder about the land down under
July | Route 66 Road Trip: American the beautiful
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
Instead of the 24 hour trip to Australia, journey to the land down under without a flight. We'll go under water to the Great Barrier Reef and visit Cairns as well as the iconic Sydney Opera House. We will also journey to the suburbs for an authentic tour of this the Eastern Australian coast.
Suggested Food Pairing: Mini meat pies, macadamia nut bread or tarte, or toast with vegemite or a pavlova
Suggested Drink Pairing: Shiraz, Ginger Beer, Root Beer or Guava Juice
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
Through interactive discussions and interesting new facts, participants will feel immersed in Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich and Bavarian traditions. We'll discuss local cuisine, traditional dress, hear German music & learn funny facts, which will transport participants to Munich.
Suggested Food Pairing: Hot pretzels with mustard, German Sausages, apple strudel or German chocolate cake
Suggested Drink Pairing: German Beer, Riesling or apple juice mixed with sparkling water (Apfelschorle)
November | Feeling Fall: Autumnal Ambiance
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
November | Feeling Fall: Autumnal Ambiance
A crisp breeze in the air, the smell of butternut squash caramelizing in the oven and celebrations like Thanksgiving, evoke images of fall. We'll discuss fall traditions and foods, festivals and memories as well as scenes of foliage from around the world from Scotland to Portugal.
Suggested Food Pairing: Individual butternut squash soups, pumpkin pie, beet and apple salad or butternut or acorn squash ravioli in a butter sage sauce
Suggested Drink Pairing: Hot mulled cider, pumpkin beer or pumpkin wine or cinnamon water
December | Deck the Halls & Menorah Magic
October | Oktoberfest is best: Munich traditions
November | Feeling Fall: Autumnal Ambiance
Celebrate the traditions of Christmas, Chanukah or both holidays journeying through global traditions and history. From Mistletoe to Chanukah gelt, to names for Santa around the world, to playing dreidel, learn something new & celebrate something familiar with these programs.
Suggested Food Pairing: Christmas cookies, jelly doughnuts, potato pancakes, Christmas log or gingerbread
Suggested Drink Pairing: Eggnog, Manischewitz Sangria, Cranberry and seltzer spritzer or Chanukah Gelt hot chocolate
"Ain't She Sweet" Signature Program
"Lia Levitt is refreshing! Her presentation, "Ain't She Sweet" engaged seniors and staff alike."
-- Dana Christos | River Glen Health Care, a Care One Facility
Ain’t She Sweet is an inspirational & interactive program, detailing the love and lessons shared between a grandmother and granddaughter at a skilled nursing facility over 19 years. Though 67 years apart, they "came of age" together with a host of amazing staff turned family member who supported, encouraged, and cared for them. It was here Anna Levitt who lived until 99 became a prolific blind painter, advocate for others and her granddaughter Lia learned the lesson from her that NOW is the time to try new things, and live the life you want, until you're simply too tired.
Goals
- Redefine the way seniors approach older age by sharing stories of senior successes
- Encourage older adults to foster relationships with grandchildren and understand the impact their wisdom can have on the younger generations development
- Inspire audience members to reconnect to their grandparents through sparking memories of them
Themes
Confidence, taking risks, triumph over tragedy, embracing creativity at any age, humor, unconditional love and international travel
Details
Duration
An interactive 45-60 minutes with time for questions and can include a slideshow of photos
Joint events for seniors and their families are quite popular and can be easily accommodated.
Email Lia@aintshesweet.net for more information
Coming Soon! Programs available this fall and winter
Bilingual in an Hour: Speaking Grandkid
Do your grandkids confuse you when they start using phrases such as Hulu, my tribe, TBT and # or hashtag? Enter into their world by learning the lingo to better communicate and decipher their stories.
Invention Connection: Gadgets and Gizmos
Enjoy learning about the most fascinating technology innovations of the 21st century from robotic surgery to travel to Mars to cloning humans. This fun and educational program will amaze and surprise even the most savvy seniors.
Murder Mystery for the More Mature
Set in the Roaring 20s, this whodunit will engage, entertain and elusively erase all you thought about crime. Participants will receive character descriptions & costume ideas in advance and then will spend the time figuring out who did the crime.
Be a Great Sport: Historical Sports Trivia
Do you remember Joe DiMaggio, Jesse Owens, Don Hutson, Lou Gehrig & Joe Lewis? Take a trip back in time to the field, the court and the rink for an upbeat trivia game designed to bring you back to the good old days. This program can be done without the trivia component.
Television Time hop: Take me Back Trivia
If you loved Lucy, you'll love the opportunity to reminisce with your favorite television stars in this interactive game show format program. Your memory of shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Three Stooges and Amos 'n' Andy will be the new star! This program can be done without the game show format.
Sensational Storytelling: Go Mad for Madlibs
Writing a story can be intimidating and challenging depending on one's physical limitations. Enter Storytelling, a cousin of Glory in Your Story and a more comfortably creative way for seniors to express themselves in a Madlibs style program that provides prompts and a collaborative approach to sharing thoughts without having to write anything.