‘Tis the Season … for Pine & Juniper Berries

Let’s face it – the holidays are for all ages.
So why not hedonistically treat yourself (and those you love) to some soothing scents of this season?
This winter holiday, Seattle’s Vida Spa – located over in the Denny Triangle neighborhood – is offering a two fabulous treats:
1) Their Winter Essential Kit – this kit offers a [...]

Teaophilic Treatise (Part III of IV): Grand Pacific Tea

The Hotel Grand Pacific – only a few minutes walk from the Empress – has its very own tea that’s very much worth a review post (not to mention a visit).
Recall, dear hedonists, part I of this 4-part “teaophilic treatise” in which  your Hedonista distinguished between the afternoon and high teas of Great Britain.
I bring [...]

Victoria’s Secrets (Part II of IV): Ham it Up at Stage

Once again, your Hedonista has teamed up with Ronaldo of Cornichon in this second of a four-part series of Victoria’s secrets:
With approximately 80,000 residents, Victoria has a population roughly the size of Bellingham (noting that Greater Victoria boast over 330,000 residents), with tourism as the second-largest industry (high tech is now first). For all that, [...]

Victoria’s Secrets (Part I of IV): Get Out of Town

This article is a combined “culiterary” effort between your beloved Hedonista and dear Ronaldo of Cornichon. (Consider it our Thanksgiving gift to all of you!) Let us begin:
Much about Victoria has never changed, and likely never will. Black Ball’s Coho ferry still sounds its arrival into Victoria, as it has for the last 50 years. [...]

Sex in the Science

Without a doubt, sex is one of the hedonistic pleasures (at least for some). Reading is also a very hedonistic pleasure (again, at least for some).
So, it seems only fitting that our first book review here at Heed the Hedonist be about, well … sex. But this is not your typical sexy book.
In [...]

A Garden’s Gifts

Autumn is definitely upon us, which means big, transitional life changes for gardens everywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Make no mistake; gardens are truly gifts – ones that keep on giving, no matter what the season. There’s a Chinese proverb that goes like this:
“If you want to be happy for a short time, get [...]

What’s Your Dosha? Keeping it Local at Vida Spa

What’s your Dosha? Are you a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha?
Vida Spa – one of my all-time favorite spas – wants to know.
Vida Spa is a currently 5-spa-strong Canadian company (B.C.-based, no less) with spas located in Vancouver (3), Whistler (1), and Seattle (1). Its flagship spa is located at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre [...]

Gourmet Magazine is Going … Going….

A week ago today, Gourmet magazine announced that it would soon be, well, gone. No more. Kaput. November will be their last issue.
In the past week I’ve read what seems like countless articles – online articles, ironically enough – bidding farewell to a culinary legacy of the United States of America. Thanking Gourmet for giving [...]

Whadya Say We All French?

Find pleasure in balance, lately? The reason this site exists is to reach out and find like-minded individuals: people who want to live the good life – la dolce vita, if you will – guilt-free. Is such a thing possible? Certainly – it’s all about balance. Just ask the French.
I recently read an article on [...]

Welcome to Heed the Hedonist!

Greetings, dear readers.
Welcome to the launch of my new web log, Heed the Hedonist. What the heck does the word hedonist mean, some of you may ask?
Hedonists adhere to the principles of hedonism.  The origins of the word hedonism come from the Greek word hēdonē (Ἡδονή), which means pleasure (”delight” (ἡδονισμός hēdonismos from ἡδονή hēdonē [...]