THE GOOD LIFE
Hello all, first off my name is Toriano and as Italian as my name sounds, I am not Italian (if you had not deduced that from my picture). I started this blog about food in 2009 simply because I have a love for eating, cooking and photography. I realized that I was not able to eat most things I cooked without taking a dozen pictures. This constantly upset my EX-WIFE who had to wait and often ended up with a cold dish, larger issues followed (who complains when their husband is cooking anyways)….moving on.
La Buena Vida, “the Good Life” is about doing what makes you happy in life. In this crazy world of violence, hate, anger and stress we sometimes forget to slow down and do whatever it is that makes us happy. For me, that is cooking, eating, drinking, laughing, and seeing the world. When I think of the happiest times of my life I can ensure you food was somehow involved along with one of the aforementioned. La Buena Vida isn’t all about money, because as we have all learned from Britney Spears, money cannot by happiness (it can help though, think Hugh Hefner!). La Buena Vida is about taking what you’ve got and what you love and squeezing the most out of the 28,500 days (if you are lucky or average) we have on this earth
“The Good Life” is nothing if you can’t share it with the ones who enhance your life the most, friends, family and even complete strangers you meet along the way. This site is a way for me to share my favorite recipes, places and experiences. Like life, this site is meant to be social, so whether I have known you since I had a Jackson 5 afro, the high top fade, or you are catching me in the dreadlock years let me know if there is a place or event you think I should see. Whether its a great recipe, music, food festival, a must see sporting event or even your local dive you get mashed up at (I’ll buy the 1st Round), let me know about it.
So join me and let’s “go on a living spree” as we do this thing called La Buena Vida “the Good Life”.
TORIANO FREDERICKS
info@torislabuena-vida.com
La Buena Vida 
I stumbled across your blog – like it!
Wanna swap links? If so, check out our web site and blog.
Hope to hear back from you!
Gary
Thanks Gary. I checked out your site and its very cool. I will check it out more when I can. I am in Charleston now so I may try Alice’s Diner.
Dish (Is that what I have to call you now?),
Nice work. Love the blog . . . can’t believe I haven’t thought of frying veggies battered in hot sauce. That combines everything in this world that I know to be good and decent. Looking forward to reading more.
hey don,
how ya been buddy. thanks for peeking in, yeah got more to come but I am away from home now but hope to get something up soon.
T
dear tori,
you’re funny. i like you. i enjoy your blog. i’m glad you grew up with my boyfriend. hurry up and get back from your tour de middle east and move to charleston and cook us food. i will return the favor.
thanks,
ali
Very funny, Toriano – and I love the way you capitalized the ‘ex-wife’ thing. 🙂
Love your philosophy and pleased to meet you!
Karen
Thanks Karen and glad you got a chuckle. The capitals are to make sure there is no confusion. 😉
Toriano
Toriano,
My sister-in-law sent me your blog – it is awesome! It’s nice to see someone else likes photographing food as much as I do 🙂
Cheers,
Rachel
Well thanks to your sister-in-law for passing it on and thanks to you for dropping in and liking it. Be sure to check back because I have some good things planned.
Toriano
I love your blog! I found out about it from your sister! We grew up together in New Canaan! I love food too and can’t wait to take a closer look at all the recipes and food pictures! Peace:)
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for dropping in. I remember your face and if I am correct your last name back in the day was started with a “P” and ended with an “R” (don’t want to blow up your spot). Checked out your website and its a very neat concept (and great looking staff ;-)). Thanks again for your comment.
Toriano
This is a great blog and I fully agree with going on a living spree. There is soo much violence and hate these days, that people tend to forget all the good in this world. Keep living brother, and may your travels show you more of the greatness of life.
Nice meeting you at your first breakfast in the U.S…..Great blog….Good luck on your life’s adventure.
Thanks Robyn, it was nice to meet you too and you definatly made my 1st breakfast back great (the eggs, grits, bacon and hashed helped too). will be back soon.
great blog!
I love your blog! And it was great to meet you at the Village Tavern last night. You made the right move with those Short Ribs. YUM!
Great meeting you too. Yes the ribs were the way to go. Want to try the rib-eye next time.
T
Look at you, Tori! First, I love what I’ve seen of your blog. Second, I am soooo mad any myself for not making the Tito link back in the day. I think he’s a better name inspiration than Jackie. That name I will never forget: Sigmund Esco.
I look forward to following your food travels. I, too, appreciate a good meal. Probably a little too much. 😉
how ya been, yeah I am suprised no one caught on to the Tito thing….it was a while before i realized it myself lol. glad you dig the blog. I have many more adventures running around in my head so stay tuned. great to hear from you.
T
The blog is awesome…good job:)
Toriano- did I just meet you at Fosters in Chapel Hill? Were you filming Justin and Katie again? I brought the pig but did not hang around. If that was you, I wish I would have realized it. I had to get home to feed and it had been a long day so I scooted out.
Nope wasn’t me. I am currently bobbing around in the South Atlantic Ocean.
And yeah, who COMPLAINS when the guy cooks?????
Wife #2 doesn’t lol!!!!
Hey there neighbor! I LOVE the site!!!! Nicely done, champ… Very informative and engaging… Of course, the pics are fantastic! Keep doing what you do, my friend… Looking forward to seeing you all soon… See ya at the neighborhood playground 🙂 Ric
Hey Ric, Thanks for checking it out. Yes we have to get up this summer, I am back on land in June. Look out for the RV trip #blackgriswolds