TEXAS HILL COUNTRY OLIVE COMPANY

I recently visited the Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs and it was delightful. They offer every kind of flavored olive oil you can think of from blueberry infused to lemon crushed flavors and all the flavored oils are ready and available for you to sample!

Owners, John and Cara Gambini

Co-owner, John Gambini, gave the 30 minute tour that day and it was quite interesting. John described the history of oil, explained the health benefits and allowed us into the facility where the oil is extracted and processed. And where are they getting all the olives, might you ask? Well, they are growing the olive trees right there at the facility, who’da thought?! I then enjoyed lunch at their bistro and enjoyed some of their wine, which they are now crafting along with their flavorful oils; geez, some people are over-achievers, but Iooove it!

Olive oil from the grocery store is much like honey for example; many other fillers are added in to make the good stuff last longer and fill more jars for the producer . . . but not at the Olive Company - they are scrupulous when it comes to making their oils and it’s 100% oil! It’s long been known that the people of the Mediterranean live longer than most and why? . . because they consume gallons of pure olive oil every year!

I ended up purchasing several bottles of oil for Christmas gifts and left with a bottle of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is to be un-heated so to keep it’s major health benefits so I use it straight-up on my salads or douse it over whatever I’m eating - it’s delish and it’s seriously taking the place of butter for everything.

My recipe for homemade salad dressing on the spot:

1 TBS Texas Hill Country Olive Company “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
Juice from 1 (organic) lemon
1/2 TBS white wine vinegar
Salt/Pepper
Any fresh herbs you’ve got growing (fresh thyme is delish!)
1/2 TBS fresh, raw, organic honey (I use the honey from my personal hives)

Mix and pour over your salad (make and use immediately as the antioxidants etc will decline quickly)…

The Texas Hill Country Olive Company also has all sorts of fabulous gift sets and a program you can join where you or friends/family . .or clients, - anyone! . . .will receive the gift sets consistently in the mail so they never run out. You’re really supposed to consume the oil timely because the health-inducing factors minimize over time (every time the oil is exposed to light or you open the bottle and the oil is exposed to air).

God, I love Texas! Everything really is bigger and better here. And we can grow grapes for wine and olives for olive oil and I just LOVE TEXAS!

xoxo, REALTOR R. Victoria Peterson

Article That Follows Credits of TourTexas.com

Move over, Texas Tea; there’s a new oil in town. The last few years have been a boom time for olive oil production in the Lone Star State, and one company in particular has been leading the way. Since its first planting in 2009, the Texas Hill Country Olive Company has grown to become the most awarded olive oil company in Texas. During that time, the only certified organic olive orchard in Texas has developed a signature line of extra virgin olive oils made from trees in the Lone Star State and California. There’s no better place to get acquainted with this fast-growing Texas industry than in the lovely Hill Country town of Dripping Springs.

While olive oil is sold in just about every store, Texas Hill Country Olive Company owners and 3rd- and 4th-generation Italian immigrants John and Cara Gambini invite you to let your taste buds be the judge. Inside their Tuscan-style tasting room, sample the wide variety of delicious homegrown olive oils and balsamic vinegars at the two tasting bars. Be warned: after you’ve tried their offerings made with crushed garlic, lemon, or jalapeño, you certainly won’t be happy with the stuff from the grocery store ever again.

If the tasting room only whets your appetite, head for The Bistro at the Orchard. Order from the bistro’s selection of “lite bites” like cheese, hummus, and crackers; lunch options including soups, salads, and sandwiches; refreshing drinks; and desserts. The bistro also serves locally made wines priced by tasting, glass, or flight. When (not if) you taste something you love, pick up a bottle of it in the gift shop to elevate your home-cooked meals to the next level. They even carry gourmet food items, kitchen accessories, and bath products that feature their olive oil as a key ingredient.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the company offers guided tours of its facility and orchard that gives you an up-close look at the inner workings of the business. John or Cara will regale you with the backstory of how their entire family pitched in to get this labor of love off the ground, and explain the equipment and processes that go into making their products. The 30-minute tours run four times in the afternoon of each day, and you can pre-purchase lunch as part of the tour. Private tours can also be scheduled during the week, and events such as birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, and corporate events may be booked as well.

Even if you can’t make it to Dripping Springs, you can bring the authentic olive oil to you via the company’s Best Fresh Club. You’ll receive quarterly shipments of various oils and vinegars curated just for you, or you can customize your own collections. They’ll have to tide you over until you can visit the Texas Hill Country Olive Company for yourself to see how they’re creating some of the best olive oil in the country.

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CENTRAL TEXAS SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE

I'd have to say that attending summer camp every summer as a child impacted my life so positively.  I was able to get away from the normalcy of my town and meet new friends, learn more about my talents and build my self confidence.  I am still friends with many of my cabin mates from years ago at Camp Longhorn, one of the best overnight camps in the state of Texas, in my opinion.  I was a camper for years there and went on to be a counselor. 

I've included a variety of camps dotted throughout Central Texas including: adventure, arts, music, science, dance, faith, special needs and equestrian based camps.

Be sure to read the notable questions you should be asking before choosing a camp for your child.

I thank my preferred title company, Independence Title, for putting together this awesome guide that is sure to impact your child for the best for years to come.

10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Camp for Your Child:

 

(1) What’s the camp’s philosophy? Is it one you're comfortable with as a parent? Is it a good match for your child's temperament? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program?

(2) How does the camp recruit, screen and train its staff? Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training?

(3) What about return rates? How many counselors are returning this year? The ACA says at most camps, 40-60 percent of the staff returns. If the number you're given is lower, ask why. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better.

(4) What's the ratio of counselors to campers? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.

(5) How old are the counselors? The ACA recommends that 80 percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise.

(6) What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby? While most states have regulations for camps, there is no federal oversight of camps' health and safety. The ACA recommends that an overnight camp have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site every day, and that day camps should have direct phone access. If your child takes medication, has food allergies or a chronic medical condition, be sure you are comfortable that the camp will be able to handle your child's needs.

(7) What is the camp's approach to discipline and how does the camp handle conflicts between campers? Find out what the camp's rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp's practices are in line with your parenting practices.

(8) What does a typical daily schedule look like? This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.

(9) Will the camp be transporting the children? What vehicles are used and how often are they inspected? Who drives them and what training do drivers have? Ask for references.

(10) Finally and most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp.