Ever wonder what it would be like to chuck it all and move to an organic farm on Kauai? Well, Lee Roversi did just that and, because she did, you can try it out yourself by staying in one of the two bed-and-breakfast cottages at her North Country Farms on the north shore of Kauai. This is not your traditional bed-and-breakfast. Personally, when I hear bed-and-breakfast, I think of an over-designed Victorian where it feels like you've moved in with the in-laws. I know this isn't fair as I've visited any number of really cool and different bed-and-breakfasts but, let's face it, that's the usual rep. At North Country Farms, you instead stay in two wooden guest houses that are completely self-contained and include a welcome basket filled with goodies to enjoy at your leisure instead of a formal breakfast where you’re expected to make chit chat with strangers. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that if you’re into it. Really.)

Many of the menus at Barona Resort & Casino start from the ground up —- literally. The resort, located in the East San Diego County city of Lakeside, relies on its on-site Chef’s Garden to supply produce to several of its restaurants. The garden also serves as the hub of Chef de Cuisine Duncan Firth’s (pictured left) environmentally layered approach to managing his kitchens. Firth says his entire staff takes pride in using what they grow on Barona’s menus, translating seasonality directly to the customers’ plates each day.

The Chef’s Garden at Barona grows more than 20 varieties of vegetables and herbs, and also doubles as a guest attraction, with tours and tips for aspiring gardeners staying at the resort.