Mrs. Butterworth’s® makes kids smile by sharing her secrets of thick, rich syrup at breakfast tables everywhere. Now, just in time for Earth Day, she’s teamed up with crafters from the Craft and Hobby Association to develop fun and exciting craft ideas- that REUSE items around the house- for the Mrs. Butterworth’s bottle! Craft enthusiasts and novices alike can find downloadable craft ideas (great for gifts) on the Mrs. Butterworth’s site and can even submit photos of their own creations!
“Almost a toy already, Mrs. Butterworth’s is a perfect crafting tool, and we already know that kids love to interact with the bottle,” says Allison Meyer, associate brand manager at Pinnacle Foods Corporation. “We’re excited to announce that Mrs. Butterworth’s is not just for breakfast anymore!”
“People are embracing the do-it-yourself approach not only because of the economic downturn, but also to make their lives more sustainable by making crafts as opposed to buying more toys and gifts,” says Victor Domine, PR manager of the Craft and Hobby Association. “Mrs. Butterworth’s is a natural fit, and our crafters have developed wild and adorable craft ideas.”
Three well-known crafters have developed recession-friendly craft ideas for use throughout the year. Visit http://launchpadserver.com/mbw/crafty/beta/ (this site address will change) to download craft ideas and a supply list from the first batch of crafts, created by creative expert Sarah Hodsdon. Check back in July for ideas from Terri Ouelette, national spokesperson for the Craft and Hobby Association and Emmy-Award winning TV personality, and in September for holiday crafting ideas from Kathy Peterson, Best-selling author, design expert, and TV Host on Lifetime.
For more information, rules and regulations, log onto http://www.mrsbutterworthsyrup.com/ and click on the “Getting Crafty” page.
About Mrs. Butterworth’s
You can enjoy Mrs. Butterworth’s in Original flavor, Sugar Free or Lite – all of which deliver that distinct thick, rich and buttery syrup. Lite, which delivers half the calories of regular syrups, has passed the test of time, now entering its 20th year on the market – and continuing to delight kids. Sugar Free was introduced in 2004 and meets the needs of consumers, whether kids or adults, who want sugar free syrup. Moreover, Sugar Free has 80% less calories and ½ the carbohydrates of regular syrups. Both Lite and Sugar Free recipes have been carefully crafted to make sure they deliver on the thick, rich and buttery syrup only Mrs. Butterworth can make. The distinctive grandma-shaped bottle, with its label doubling as an apron, continues to be the gold standard for the thickest, richest and most buttery syrup you can buy. There is one other way to bring the delicious fun of Mrs. Butterworth to breakfast – with Mrs. Butterworth’s Complete Pancake Mix in Buttermilk and Home-style flavors. Her pancake recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and buttery pancakes that kids will love.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Drinking Tea Something To Smile About
Drinking brewed tea, whether hot or iced, is one of the better beverage choices when it comes to protecting teeth from enamel erosion. Tooth enamel, the outer layer of the exposed tooth, is often under attack from sugars and acids in beverages like regular soft drinks, orange juice, and energy drinks.
A recent study compared the erosive effects of tea (green and black) to soda and orange juice using in-vitro tests. Water was used as the non-erosive control, and vinegar was the erosive control. The 20-week study was conducted under controlled conditions, and results were categorized as highly, moderately, or minimally erosive.
The results for black and green tea were similar to that of water – minimally erosive. Soda and orange juice were shown to be moderately erosive, and vinegar remained highly erosive.
Bassiouny MA, Kuroda S, Yang J. 2008. Topographic and radiographic profile assessment of dental erosion. Part III: Effect of green and black tea on human dentition. General Dentistry. Jul-Aug;56(5):451-61.
Green Tea vs. Gum Disease
Drinking green tea was inversely related to periodontal (gum) disease, according to the results of a recently published epidemiologic study. The study analyzed 940 Japanese men, aged 49 to 59 years old who took part in a comprehensive health exam.
The measurable outcomes were the following periodontal parameters: probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. The intake of green tea was defined as the number of cups per day in a self-administered questionnaire.
Drinking green tea was related to a modest drop in each of the three gum disease parameters. The relationship seems to be dose-dependent. Each additional cup of tea was associated with a greater decrease in gum disease factors.
A recent study compared the erosive effects of tea (green and black) to soda and orange juice using in-vitro tests. Water was used as the non-erosive control, and vinegar was the erosive control. The 20-week study was conducted under controlled conditions, and results were categorized as highly, moderately, or minimally erosive.
The results for black and green tea were similar to that of water – minimally erosive. Soda and orange juice were shown to be moderately erosive, and vinegar remained highly erosive.
Bassiouny MA, Kuroda S, Yang J. 2008. Topographic and radiographic profile assessment of dental erosion. Part III: Effect of green and black tea on human dentition. General Dentistry. Jul-Aug;56(5):451-61.
Green Tea vs. Gum Disease
Drinking green tea was inversely related to periodontal (gum) disease, according to the results of a recently published epidemiologic study. The study analyzed 940 Japanese men, aged 49 to 59 years old who took part in a comprehensive health exam.
The measurable outcomes were the following periodontal parameters: probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. The intake of green tea was defined as the number of cups per day in a self-administered questionnaire.
Drinking green tea was related to a modest drop in each of the three gum disease parameters. The relationship seems to be dose-dependent. Each additional cup of tea was associated with a greater decrease in gum disease factors.
McDonalds: Historic Shareholder Agreement Reached on Pesticide Use Reduction
Responding to shareholder concerns, McDonald’s Corporation has agreed to formally survey and promote best practices in pesticide use reduction within its American potato supply chain. As the largest buyer of potatoes in the US, McDonald’s commitment will support progress on this important issue, which affects the environment, public health, and farm employees.
This agreement led to the withdrawal of a shareholder resolution filed by the Bard College Endowment, Newground Social Investment, and the AFL-CIO Reserve Fund. This was the first shareholder resolution focused on environmental and worker health issues ever to be filed by a college or university endowment.
Through this agreement, McDonald’s has committed to: (1) survey its current U.S. potato suppliers; (2) compile a list of best practices in pesticide reduction that will be recommended to the company’s global suppliers (through the company’s Global Potato Board); and (3) communicate findings related to best practices to shareholders, and in the company’s annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report.
The agreement was developed in collaboration between shareholders and McDonald’s, with support from the Investor Environmental Health Network. The agreement between McDonald’s and shareholders can be found on the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/14a-8/2009/bardcollege031109-14a8.pdf.
Bard College student Katherine Burstein, a member of the college’s Committee on Investor Responsibility, said: "The Bard community believes that colleges and universities can leverage their power as investors for positive social change. Through our work with the Responsible Endowments Coalition – which works on responsible investment issues with colleges and universities across the nation – we learned about the measures companies can take to reduce the undesirable effects of pesticide use, and decided to engage McDonald's on the issue.”
Newground Social Investment CEO Bruce Herbert, a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health, said: “Because McDonald’s has such a commanding presence in the marketplace, this commitment offers the promise of significant reductions of pesticide use – which will benefit consumer health, as well as farm workers, local agricultural communities, and the environment.”
“Consumers, workers and our environment all suffer from over-use of pesticides,” said John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO. “As investors, we knew McDonald’s could take an important first step and we’re ready to work with the company to change and grow.”
Taun Toay, administrative member of Bard College’s Committee on Investor Responsibility, said: "Bard College prides itself on the progressive education it affords its students. Part of such an education should involve active citizenship, including a willingness to engage companies over issues of concern. Sound environmental policies reflect strong corporate governance and we are quite pleased that McDonald’s is taking further steps in that direction."
Dr. Richard Liroff, executive director of the Investor Environmental Health Network, said: “Leadership companies such as Sysco (which supplies Wendy’s), General Mills, and Campbell’s have already demonstrated that pesticide use reduction makes sense from both an environmental health and business perspective. We welcome McDonald’s stepping up to the plate and look forward to supporting the company’s efforts to reduce pesticide use in the future.”
ABOUT THE GROUPS
Bard College’s Committee on Investor Responsibility is composed of both students and administrators. Bard is a four-year liberal arts college founded in 1860, located in the Hudson Valley of New York State. http://www.bard.edu.
Newground Social Investment is a Seattle, WA based Registered Investment Advisor. Newground provides socially conscious (SRI / ESG) money management and shareholder engagement services to individuals, institutions, and not-for-profit clients. http://www.newground.net.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) www.aflcio.org/ is a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions , representing 11 million members, including 2.5 million members in Working America, its new community affiliate. The AFL-CIO Reserve Fund is a long-term investor and works with Union and other worker-based pension, health and savings funds, worth some $6 trillion, holding the retirement and health security of millions of working families.
The Investor Environmental Health Network is a collaborative partnership of investment managers, advised by nongovernmental organizations, who are concerned about the financial and public health risks associated with corporate toxic chemicals policies. http://www.iehn.org.
The Responsible Endowments Coalition works to build and unify the college and university-based responsible investment movement, both by educating and empowering a diverse network of individuals to act on their respective campuses, and by fostering a national network for collective action. http://www.endowmentethics.org.
This agreement led to the withdrawal of a shareholder resolution filed by the Bard College Endowment, Newground Social Investment, and the AFL-CIO Reserve Fund. This was the first shareholder resolution focused on environmental and worker health issues ever to be filed by a college or university endowment.
Through this agreement, McDonald’s has committed to: (1) survey its current U.S. potato suppliers; (2) compile a list of best practices in pesticide reduction that will be recommended to the company’s global suppliers (through the company’s Global Potato Board); and (3) communicate findings related to best practices to shareholders, and in the company’s annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report.
The agreement was developed in collaboration between shareholders and McDonald’s, with support from the Investor Environmental Health Network. The agreement between McDonald’s and shareholders can be found on the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/14a-8/2009/bardcollege031109-14a8.pdf.
Bard College student Katherine Burstein, a member of the college’s Committee on Investor Responsibility, said: "The Bard community believes that colleges and universities can leverage their power as investors for positive social change. Through our work with the Responsible Endowments Coalition – which works on responsible investment issues with colleges and universities across the nation – we learned about the measures companies can take to reduce the undesirable effects of pesticide use, and decided to engage McDonald's on the issue.”
Newground Social Investment CEO Bruce Herbert, a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health, said: “Because McDonald’s has such a commanding presence in the marketplace, this commitment offers the promise of significant reductions of pesticide use – which will benefit consumer health, as well as farm workers, local agricultural communities, and the environment.”
“Consumers, workers and our environment all suffer from over-use of pesticides,” said John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO. “As investors, we knew McDonald’s could take an important first step and we’re ready to work with the company to change and grow.”
Taun Toay, administrative member of Bard College’s Committee on Investor Responsibility, said: "Bard College prides itself on the progressive education it affords its students. Part of such an education should involve active citizenship, including a willingness to engage companies over issues of concern. Sound environmental policies reflect strong corporate governance and we are quite pleased that McDonald’s is taking further steps in that direction."
Dr. Richard Liroff, executive director of the Investor Environmental Health Network, said: “Leadership companies such as Sysco (which supplies Wendy’s), General Mills, and Campbell’s have already demonstrated that pesticide use reduction makes sense from both an environmental health and business perspective. We welcome McDonald’s stepping up to the plate and look forward to supporting the company’s efforts to reduce pesticide use in the future.”
ABOUT THE GROUPS
Bard College’s Committee on Investor Responsibility is composed of both students and administrators. Bard is a four-year liberal arts college founded in 1860, located in the Hudson Valley of New York State. http://www.bard.edu.
Newground Social Investment is a Seattle, WA based Registered Investment Advisor. Newground provides socially conscious (SRI / ESG) money management and shareholder engagement services to individuals, institutions, and not-for-profit clients. http://www.newground.net.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) www.aflcio.org/ is a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions , representing 11 million members, including 2.5 million members in Working America, its new community affiliate. The AFL-CIO Reserve Fund is a long-term investor and works with Union and other worker-based pension, health and savings funds, worth some $6 trillion, holding the retirement and health security of millions of working families.
The Investor Environmental Health Network is a collaborative partnership of investment managers, advised by nongovernmental organizations, who are concerned about the financial and public health risks associated with corporate toxic chemicals policies. http://www.iehn.org.
The Responsible Endowments Coalition works to build and unify the college and university-based responsible investment movement, both by educating and empowering a diverse network of individuals to act on their respective campuses, and by fostering a national network for collective action. http://www.endowmentethics.org.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Cincinnati Canstruction
Whether or not you know it by its proper name, you’re probably familiar with the annual Canstruction® event. It’s a food drive – one now organized more than 100 North American cities – that has a sculptural dimension. Participating teams collect or purchase canned goods and form them into iconic structures, using a minimum of outside materials to hold them together. When the contest is over, the canned goods are donated to food banks.
In Cincinnati, Canstruction has attracted entries from some of the region’s top architectural and engineering firms over the 12 years the contest has been put on by the Society for Design Administration and the American Institute of Architects.
This year’s event did the same, but added a new competitor: civil engineering technology students from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
It marked the first time that a college group had entered the Canstruction competition in Cincinnati, and only the second time that students have participated. (The only prior student entry was from an elementary school.)
The Cincinnati State team gave itself an enormous challenge: replicating the Ascent, the sweeping, iconic blue-and-white condominium tower in Covington designed by the internationally known architect Daniel Libeskind.
After weeks of planning the five Cincinnati State students – with a bit of help from faculty advisor Carol Morman -- erected their model in the lobby of the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, professional teams erected other models elsewhere in the Aronoff complex, the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library and the Taft Museum.
Unlike the professional teams -- which often rely on substantial corporate contributions and buy their canned goods in quantities so large that they arrive on pallets -- the Cincinnati State students relied on canned goods collected during a food drive on campus, along with cash donations for the purchase of limited quantities of canned goods.
For Preston Andriot, the first-year student Cincinnati State student who led the design team, the learning curve was as steep as the roofline of the Ascent.
The first thing he did was contact the Ascent’s local architects for renderings that showed the exterior design and the building’s footprint on the site at the foot of the Suspension Bridge. Then Andriot reduced the drawings to scale and tried to figure out how to replicate lead architect Daniel Libeskind’s design with cans connected only by tape, Velcro and gravity.
Andriot wound up making a cardboard scale model of the Ascent to help figure out how many cans to use and where to use them. That, in turn, required a crash course in the design, height and diameter of the cans collected in the Cincinnati State food drive – and then some decisions about what kind of canned goods to buy with the money the team had raised.
(The Cincinnati State team wound up using 1,807 cans. The interior core is heavy on Happy Harvest pork and beans, carrots, corn and green beans, while the exterior features Meijer’s beef and chicken broth, mainly because the labels are colored a shade of blue that’s close to the exterior of the Ascent.)
The student group – which also included Jay Foster, Jennifer Queener, Bill Leeker and Tyler Wayne – used a storage room above a Cincinnati State classroom to assemble and refine their model. Then it was off to the big show at the Aronoff.
For their efforts, the team was afforded recognition during the Canstruction awards banquet on March 27 – and the chance to attend an after-awards party at the new Bootsie’s restaurant, right across the street from where their model will stand for the next week.
In Cincinnati, Canstruction has attracted entries from some of the region’s top architectural and engineering firms over the 12 years the contest has been put on by the Society for Design Administration and the American Institute of Architects.
This year’s event did the same, but added a new competitor: civil engineering technology students from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
It marked the first time that a college group had entered the Canstruction competition in Cincinnati, and only the second time that students have participated. (The only prior student entry was from an elementary school.)
The Cincinnati State team gave itself an enormous challenge: replicating the Ascent, the sweeping, iconic blue-and-white condominium tower in Covington designed by the internationally known architect Daniel Libeskind.
After weeks of planning the five Cincinnati State students – with a bit of help from faculty advisor Carol Morman -- erected their model in the lobby of the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, professional teams erected other models elsewhere in the Aronoff complex, the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library and the Taft Museum.
Unlike the professional teams -- which often rely on substantial corporate contributions and buy their canned goods in quantities so large that they arrive on pallets -- the Cincinnati State students relied on canned goods collected during a food drive on campus, along with cash donations for the purchase of limited quantities of canned goods.
For Preston Andriot, the first-year student Cincinnati State student who led the design team, the learning curve was as steep as the roofline of the Ascent.
The first thing he did was contact the Ascent’s local architects for renderings that showed the exterior design and the building’s footprint on the site at the foot of the Suspension Bridge. Then Andriot reduced the drawings to scale and tried to figure out how to replicate lead architect Daniel Libeskind’s design with cans connected only by tape, Velcro and gravity.
Andriot wound up making a cardboard scale model of the Ascent to help figure out how many cans to use and where to use them. That, in turn, required a crash course in the design, height and diameter of the cans collected in the Cincinnati State food drive – and then some decisions about what kind of canned goods to buy with the money the team had raised.
(The Cincinnati State team wound up using 1,807 cans. The interior core is heavy on Happy Harvest pork and beans, carrots, corn and green beans, while the exterior features Meijer’s beef and chicken broth, mainly because the labels are colored a shade of blue that’s close to the exterior of the Ascent.)
The student group – which also included Jay Foster, Jennifer Queener, Bill Leeker and Tyler Wayne – used a storage room above a Cincinnati State classroom to assemble and refine their model. Then it was off to the big show at the Aronoff.
For their efforts, the team was afforded recognition during the Canstruction awards banquet on March 27 – and the chance to attend an after-awards party at the new Bootsie’s restaurant, right across the street from where their model will stand for the next week.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Bike Riders, All-Clad & Celebrity Chefs
Bike Riders, the luxury travel company located in Boston's historic North End partners with award-winning chefs and All-Clad, the leading culinary cookware for a week of biking and great cooking. James Beard award-winning chef/owner Jody Adams of Rialto Restaurant in Cambridge, MA, national acclaimed chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood in Las Vegas, NV and celebrity chef James Boyce, of Cotton Row Restaurant in Huntsville, AL and formerly Studio in Laguna Beach, CA, are among the popular list of chefs to return to the countryside of Italy, France & Spain to pedal & cook with Bike Riders this fall.
After a successful FLIP promotion, Bike Riders announced plans to give away an All-Clad Stainless Steel French Skillet for Guest Chef trips booked by April 30. "All-Clad is the cookware preference for most professional chefs," said Director, Lorenzo De Monaco. "Plus we thought it would be a fun theme to help clients prep for their next bike trip and maybe they'll even show our chefs a thing or two." You can visit www.bikeriderstours.com for more details.
Additional celebrity chefs to join Bike Riders this season include; Roberto Donna of Galileo & Bebo Trattoria, Sanford D'Amato of Sanford, Matt & Kate Jennings of the Farmstead, Francesco Ricchi of Cesco & D'Acqua Restaurant, Enzo Fargione of Teatro Goldoni, Rob Evans of Hugo's Restaurant and chef/consultant, Francis Reynard.
Guest Chef Adventure destinations include Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia & Sicily in Italy; Burgundy, Dordogne & Provence in France and Andalucia, Spain. For a day-by-day itinerary of any of our Guest Chef Adventures, please visit our website, email info@bikeriderstours.com or call our Boston office at 800.473.7040.
About Bike Riders
Since 1991 Boston-based Bike Riders has been offering small, luxury biking trips to the Americas, Europe & Beyond. A Bike Riders trip features off-the-beaten path itineraries, world-class inns and celebrated restaurants, many of which are Bike Riders' exclusives. Privately owned and operated by Lorenzo De Monaco and Eileen Holland, a husband-and-wife team who share a passion for travel and good food, as well as roots in many of regions they visit. Bike Riders keeps travel parties small (max 16) and saturates travelers in the locale. Being small allows Bike Riders to gain access to places larger travel companies cannot and avoids the generic tour feeling. Bike Riders has been recommended by such publications as Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Vogue, USA Today, The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, Fodor's, Departures and Italia Magazine. Bike Riders also offers self-guided and private tours. More informatio n can be found at www.bikeriderstours.com.
After a successful FLIP promotion, Bike Riders announced plans to give away an All-Clad Stainless Steel French Skillet for Guest Chef trips booked by April 30. "All-Clad is the cookware preference for most professional chefs," said Director, Lorenzo De Monaco. "Plus we thought it would be a fun theme to help clients prep for their next bike trip and maybe they'll even show our chefs a thing or two." You can visit www.bikeriderstours.com for more details.
Additional celebrity chefs to join Bike Riders this season include; Roberto Donna of Galileo & Bebo Trattoria, Sanford D'Amato of Sanford, Matt & Kate Jennings of the Farmstead, Francesco Ricchi of Cesco & D'Acqua Restaurant, Enzo Fargione of Teatro Goldoni, Rob Evans of Hugo's Restaurant and chef/consultant, Francis Reynard.
Guest Chef Adventure destinations include Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia & Sicily in Italy; Burgundy, Dordogne & Provence in France and Andalucia, Spain. For a day-by-day itinerary of any of our Guest Chef Adventures, please visit our website, email info@bikeriderstours.com or call our Boston office at 800.473.7040.
About Bike Riders
Since 1991 Boston-based Bike Riders has been offering small, luxury biking trips to the Americas, Europe & Beyond. A Bike Riders trip features off-the-beaten path itineraries, world-class inns and celebrated restaurants, many of which are Bike Riders' exclusives. Privately owned and operated by Lorenzo De Monaco and Eileen Holland, a husband-and-wife team who share a passion for travel and good food, as well as roots in many of regions they visit. Bike Riders keeps travel parties small (max 16) and saturates travelers in the locale. Being small allows Bike Riders to gain access to places larger travel companies cannot and avoids the generic tour feeling. Bike Riders has been recommended by such publications as Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Vogue, USA Today, The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, Fodor's, Departures and Italia Magazine. Bike Riders also offers self-guided and private tours. More informatio n can be found at www.bikeriderstours.com.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Organic Chicken for Cooking at Home in a Bad Economy
In today’s economy, people are cooking at home more and trying to eat out less. How about offering your readers advice on shopping for quality back-to-basic proteins like organic chicken or offering a roundup of options out there?
Coleman Natural Foods is the country’s largest organic chicken company, which implemented natural and organic animal raising practices and still represents the highest standard of meat production in the U.S. almost 135 years later. Working with small family farms throughout the country, selecting only the best breeds, raised to its exacting protocols with 100% vegetarian diets and no animal byproducts, Coleman Natural produces a wide range of premium natural and organic meat, poultry and prepared foods. The company never uses antibiotics, growth hormones, nitrates/nitrites or other chemical preservatives, MSG or fillers of any kind - ever. In addition, the chickens are humanely raised and sustainably farmed.
More info products can be found at www.colemannatural.com.
Coleman Natural Foods is the country’s largest organic chicken company, which implemented natural and organic animal raising practices and still represents the highest standard of meat production in the U.S. almost 135 years later. Working with small family farms throughout the country, selecting only the best breeds, raised to its exacting protocols with 100% vegetarian diets and no animal byproducts, Coleman Natural produces a wide range of premium natural and organic meat, poultry and prepared foods. The company never uses antibiotics, growth hormones, nitrates/nitrites or other chemical preservatives, MSG or fillers of any kind - ever. In addition, the chickens are humanely raised and sustainably farmed.
More info products can be found at www.colemannatural.com.
Van's Introduces New All-Natural Pancakes & French Toast Sticks
Van’s International Foods, the country’s leading all-natural frozen waffle brand, today introduces new, all-natural, frozen Pancakes and French Toast Sticks to their lineup, providing a great base for some quick & simple breakfast recipe ideas.
Van’s Pancakes
(available in Buttermilk and Wheat Free Homestyle varieties) The new Buttermilk Pancakes have 0 grams Trans fat, are free of preservatives and contain no artificial colors or flavors. Van’s Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes are also gluten, dairy and egg free, making them a great choice for those who suffer from common food allergies. Both pancakes have a fluffy texture and can be easily prepared in the microwave.
Van’s French Toast Sticks
(offered in Homestyle and Wheat Free Cinnamon)
The Homestyle French Toast Sticks have 0 grams Trans fat and are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. The Wheat Free Cinnamon Sticks are also gluten, dairy and egg free. Both offer an excellent source of calcium and are ready to serve after just a minute in the toaster.
Van’s Pancakes
(available in Buttermilk and Wheat Free Homestyle varieties) The new Buttermilk Pancakes have 0 grams Trans fat, are free of preservatives and contain no artificial colors or flavors. Van’s Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes are also gluten, dairy and egg free, making them a great choice for those who suffer from common food allergies. Both pancakes have a fluffy texture and can be easily prepared in the microwave.
Van’s French Toast Sticks
(offered in Homestyle and Wheat Free Cinnamon)
The Homestyle French Toast Sticks have 0 grams Trans fat and are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. The Wheat Free Cinnamon Sticks are also gluten, dairy and egg free. Both offer an excellent source of calcium and are ready to serve after just a minute in the toaster.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Food & Beverage Program at Half Moon
Half Moon resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica has recently taken their Food & Beverage program to a new level, and I would love to give you some of the details of what’s been ‘cooking.’
Leading the helm is Executive Chef, Stephen Sowa. Chef Sowa joined Half Moon in 2008 and will be overseeing the four specialty restaurants – Il Giardino, The Sugar Mill, Seagrape Terrance and La Baguette. Chef Sowa has over 20 years of experience in the kitchens of international resorts. Additional details on the new team members below. Sowa will be commanding a culinary team of over 100.
In addition to our new exec chef, Half Moon’s signature restaurant, Sugar Mill, is offering a new fusion menu. The menu is influenced from the many cultures that sailed through the Caribbean- Africa, Asia and Europe- as well as the influence of the region’s kitchens. The new Caribbean fusion menu offers options such as Roast Pumpkin, Dried Tomato and Callaloo Gizzada, a savory twist on the Jamaican coconut dessert as well as the Banana Jackfruit Spring Roll, a nod to Jamaica's Chinese influence.
An addition to Sugar Mill is the new wine cellar. The centerpiece of the renovated restaurant is the stone-walled wine cellar which features custom shelving and offers vintages selections from Italy, California, France, New Zealand, Australia and Chile. An option for a private dinner is available in the rustic, yet state-of-the-art wine cellar. In addition, Sugar Mill now offers healthier fare options: ‘Fern Tree, The Spa, Healthy Choice.’
Leading the helm is Executive Chef, Stephen Sowa. Chef Sowa joined Half Moon in 2008 and will be overseeing the four specialty restaurants – Il Giardino, The Sugar Mill, Seagrape Terrance and La Baguette. Chef Sowa has over 20 years of experience in the kitchens of international resorts. Additional details on the new team members below. Sowa will be commanding a culinary team of over 100.
In addition to our new exec chef, Half Moon’s signature restaurant, Sugar Mill, is offering a new fusion menu. The menu is influenced from the many cultures that sailed through the Caribbean- Africa, Asia and Europe- as well as the influence of the region’s kitchens. The new Caribbean fusion menu offers options such as Roast Pumpkin, Dried Tomato and Callaloo Gizzada, a savory twist on the Jamaican coconut dessert as well as the Banana Jackfruit Spring Roll, a nod to Jamaica's Chinese influence.
An addition to Sugar Mill is the new wine cellar. The centerpiece of the renovated restaurant is the stone-walled wine cellar which features custom shelving and offers vintages selections from Italy, California, France, New Zealand, Australia and Chile. An option for a private dinner is available in the rustic, yet state-of-the-art wine cellar. In addition, Sugar Mill now offers healthier fare options: ‘Fern Tree, The Spa, Healthy Choice.’
Get the Grill Out of the Garage: Simple tips to help prepare for BBQ season
It’s been a long winter and if you're not a hardcore griller, your barbeque has been hibernating in the garage for months. However, before you head to the butcher and grab some T-bones, there are some simple steps you should take to get your barbeque in top grilling condition. Grab a beer or two and get to work!
The top five tips for preparing your BBQ this Spring are:
1. Have your cleaning supplies ready
You wouldn’t cook in a dirty kitchen, so why would you grill on a dirty barbeque? In order to sanitize and deep clean your grill, you will need the following products: a brass wire brush, small pail to hold hot water, dish soap, venturi brush, a 1/16” drill bit, replacement grease cups, spatula, stainless steel cleaner and some fine sandpaper.
2. Give your grill a good spring cleaning
The cleaning supplies listed will help clean every nook and cranny of your barbeque.
· Start with the burners. It is easier to detach the burners and take them out of the grill for a very thorough cleaning. Pass a venturi brush through the burners to snag out any blockages then brush the tops of the burners using a brass wire brush. Once the burners are cleaned, check all of the burner ports to ensure that they are opened. If some are closed with food particles you can use a 1/16” drill bit to open them.
· Sear plates and cooking grills should be washed with hot soapy water. Simply brush the top side of your cooking grills with a little oil to re-season them.
· Hot soapy water works wonders on the cast base and sides of the grill and to remove grease splatters on the outside of the grill. For porcelain lids a thorough washing should suffice, for stainless steel lids a stainless steel cleaner should be used to remove any discoloring. Once the paint is dried, brush the cast aluminum with a little olive oil, this helps restore the luster and prevent oxidation.
· Lastly, use a spatula to scrape grease from the inside of the base all the way down towards the drip pan. Remove the drip pan and give it a good washing and be sure to replace the tin foil grease catcher.
3. Inspect all hoses and feed tubes
Once your cleaning is done it is a good idea to visually inspect all hoses and feed tubes on your grill. Look for any crimps, scratching and or punctures, if you detect any of these, it is time to replace the hoses.
4. Do a complete leak test of the grill
A leak test should be performed any time your grill has been in storage for a prolonged length of time or when you are changing any components on your grill. For complete leak test information, please consult our web site at www.napoleongrills.com to view the leak test video.
5. Check all ignition parts
Now that your grill is clean and safe it is time to check out how it lights. For battery ignitions it is a good idea to replace the batteries with new ones. Check all electrode leads and ensure the tips of the electrodes are clean and have no grease or rust build up on them, if they do you can use sandpaper to clean them.
For additional barbeque tips, visit Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills on the web at: www.napoleongrills.com
The top five tips for preparing your BBQ this Spring are:
1. Have your cleaning supplies ready
You wouldn’t cook in a dirty kitchen, so why would you grill on a dirty barbeque? In order to sanitize and deep clean your grill, you will need the following products: a brass wire brush, small pail to hold hot water, dish soap, venturi brush, a 1/16” drill bit, replacement grease cups, spatula, stainless steel cleaner and some fine sandpaper.
2. Give your grill a good spring cleaning
The cleaning supplies listed will help clean every nook and cranny of your barbeque.
· Start with the burners. It is easier to detach the burners and take them out of the grill for a very thorough cleaning. Pass a venturi brush through the burners to snag out any blockages then brush the tops of the burners using a brass wire brush. Once the burners are cleaned, check all of the burner ports to ensure that they are opened. If some are closed with food particles you can use a 1/16” drill bit to open them.
· Sear plates and cooking grills should be washed with hot soapy water. Simply brush the top side of your cooking grills with a little oil to re-season them.
· Hot soapy water works wonders on the cast base and sides of the grill and to remove grease splatters on the outside of the grill. For porcelain lids a thorough washing should suffice, for stainless steel lids a stainless steel cleaner should be used to remove any discoloring. Once the paint is dried, brush the cast aluminum with a little olive oil, this helps restore the luster and prevent oxidation.
· Lastly, use a spatula to scrape grease from the inside of the base all the way down towards the drip pan. Remove the drip pan and give it a good washing and be sure to replace the tin foil grease catcher.
3. Inspect all hoses and feed tubes
Once your cleaning is done it is a good idea to visually inspect all hoses and feed tubes on your grill. Look for any crimps, scratching and or punctures, if you detect any of these, it is time to replace the hoses.
4. Do a complete leak test of the grill
A leak test should be performed any time your grill has been in storage for a prolonged length of time or when you are changing any components on your grill. For complete leak test information, please consult our web site at www.napoleongrills.com to view the leak test video.
5. Check all ignition parts
Now that your grill is clean and safe it is time to check out how it lights. For battery ignitions it is a good idea to replace the batteries with new ones. Check all electrode leads and ensure the tips of the electrodes are clean and have no grease or rust build up on them, if they do you can use sandpaper to clean them.
For additional barbeque tips, visit Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills on the web at: www.napoleongrills.com
Cocktails for a Crowd: Grand Margarita and Grand Sangria Take Center Stage this Summer
"You are Invited: Summer Cocktail Party!" It seems so simple, invite friends over for cocktails and enjoy a long, leisurely evening with your favorite people, sipping a delicious drink. But what does it really take to pull this off? With a little advance planning, this summer's Grand Margarita or Sangria party can be the most successful and relaxed evening you have planned in years.
We asked cocktail master Andy Seymour, of aka wine geek (pictured at right), to share the art and science of making cocktails for a crowd. Andy updated Grand Marnier's classic Grand Margarita and the Grand Sangria for easy summer entertaining and provided us with the following tips:
1) Make the most-then adjust: Like any recipe, cocktail recipes are guidelines, and even more so when making them in batches. Add a little bit less of each ingredient than the recipe calls for to adjust the final flavor. It should taste the way you like it (unless you know your taste preference is really sweet or sour), so play with the last bit of mixing to give yourself the leeway you need to make it perfect. And remember, you should always have certain aspects on hand, whether it's additional simple syrup or lemons and limes. Think of these additives like they're salt and pepper to a food dish-you always have that on hand to perfect the flavor, why not have something on hand to perfect the flavor of your cocktail?
2) Use fresh juice whenever possible: Spend a few minutes squeezing fresh lime and/or orange juice. The brightness that fresh citrus adds will change the cocktail immeasurably and you'll be a cocktail hero!
3) Prep and make in advance: Cocktails can be made prior to the event in a pitcher or bucket, covered and kept in the refrigerator until the party begins-even several hours in advance. If you're making Sangria, freeze the fruit the night before and this will act like ice in the drinks. Then when the party begins bring out one pitcher at a time leaving the rest covered and cold.
4) Have enough! Nothing is worse than having a great drink that everyone is enjoying, and then having to switch them over to light beer when it runs out too soon. For a three hour party plan on two to three drinks per person-especially if that is your only cocktail. Provide in moderation and never let anyone have too much, but make more than you'll need; you may need to sip one when you're cleaning up that night.
5) Buy ice: It's the easiest thing to forget and we always assume we've got that covered, but making cocktails requires an immense amount of ice: Ice to shake with and a full glass of ice for many cocktails, it's usually more than we think. Buy enough ice to make 25 more drinks than you think you'll serve, (figure an 8 pound bag should be enough for about 25 drinks). Note on bagged ice: It usually clumps up and is difficult to use. Before you open the bag, go to your patio or other hard area and drop the bag from about 1 foot off the ground 3-4 times. This will break most of what's inside the bag back into the useable pieces we love.
While cocktails are a main part of the festivity, there aren't many parties that are named for cocktails, unless, of course, you consider the Margarita and the Sangria. These two cocktails are staples in the party arena. They're simple to prepare, perfect for large gatherings, and easy to pair with homemade chips and salsa or tapas of any variety.
We've done some careful calculations to the following recipes, allowing for correct quantities for pitcher size cocktails (serves up to 12 drinks) and punch bowl cocktails (serves up to 25 drinks). Enjoy!
Grand Margarita
½ Gallon
18 oz. Grand Marnier
54 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
36 oz. Fresh Lime
18 oz. Agave Nectar
Combine all in a pitcher/bowl and stir. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass (or pre chilled martini glass) and garnish with a lime wheel.
1 Gallon
36 oz. Grand Marnier
108 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
72 oz. Fresh Lime
36 oz. Agave Nectar
Combine all in a pitcher/bowl and stir. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass (or pre chilled martini glass) and garnish with a lime wheel.
Grand Marnier Sangria
½ Gallon
1 Cup Grand Marnier
1 Cup Seedless Red or Black Grapes
1 Sliced and Seeded Lemon
1 Sliced and Seeded Orange
2 Apples, Red and Green,
cored and cut into ½ inch wedges
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Bottle Chilled Casa Lapostolle Red Wine
4 Tablespoons of Superfine Sugar
2 Cups Orange Juice
6 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Soak the fruit with sugar, Grand Marnier and cinnamon for at least 1 hour. Stir in chilled wine and orange juice. Add more sugar to taste, discard cinnamon sticks; serve chilled. Top of with fresh pomegranate or fresh figs if desired.
1 Gallon
2 cup Grand Marnier
1 ½ Cup Seedless Red or Black Grapes
2 Sliced and Seeded Lemon
2 Sliced and Seeded Orange
3 Apples, Red and Green,
cored and cut into ½ inch wedges
3 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Bottles, Chilled Casa Lapostolle Red Wine
4 Tablespoons of Superfine Sugar
4 Cup Orange Juice
12 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Soak the fruit with sugar, Grand Marnier and cinnamon for at least 1 hour. Stir in chilled wine and orange juice. Add more sugar to taste, discard cinnamon sticks; serve chilled. Top of with fresh pomegranate or fresh figs if desired.
We asked cocktail master Andy Seymour, of aka wine geek (pictured at right), to share the art and science of making cocktails for a crowd. Andy updated Grand Marnier's classic Grand Margarita and the Grand Sangria for easy summer entertaining and provided us with the following tips:
1) Make the most-then adjust: Like any recipe, cocktail recipes are guidelines, and even more so when making them in batches. Add a little bit less of each ingredient than the recipe calls for to adjust the final flavor. It should taste the way you like it (unless you know your taste preference is really sweet or sour), so play with the last bit of mixing to give yourself the leeway you need to make it perfect. And remember, you should always have certain aspects on hand, whether it's additional simple syrup or lemons and limes. Think of these additives like they're salt and pepper to a food dish-you always have that on hand to perfect the flavor, why not have something on hand to perfect the flavor of your cocktail?
2) Use fresh juice whenever possible: Spend a few minutes squeezing fresh lime and/or orange juice. The brightness that fresh citrus adds will change the cocktail immeasurably and you'll be a cocktail hero!
3) Prep and make in advance: Cocktails can be made prior to the event in a pitcher or bucket, covered and kept in the refrigerator until the party begins-even several hours in advance. If you're making Sangria, freeze the fruit the night before and this will act like ice in the drinks. Then when the party begins bring out one pitcher at a time leaving the rest covered and cold.
4) Have enough! Nothing is worse than having a great drink that everyone is enjoying, and then having to switch them over to light beer when it runs out too soon. For a three hour party plan on two to three drinks per person-especially if that is your only cocktail. Provide in moderation and never let anyone have too much, but make more than you'll need; you may need to sip one when you're cleaning up that night.
5) Buy ice: It's the easiest thing to forget and we always assume we've got that covered, but making cocktails requires an immense amount of ice: Ice to shake with and a full glass of ice for many cocktails, it's usually more than we think. Buy enough ice to make 25 more drinks than you think you'll serve, (figure an 8 pound bag should be enough for about 25 drinks). Note on bagged ice: It usually clumps up and is difficult to use. Before you open the bag, go to your patio or other hard area and drop the bag from about 1 foot off the ground 3-4 times. This will break most of what's inside the bag back into the useable pieces we love.
While cocktails are a main part of the festivity, there aren't many parties that are named for cocktails, unless, of course, you consider the Margarita and the Sangria. These two cocktails are staples in the party arena. They're simple to prepare, perfect for large gatherings, and easy to pair with homemade chips and salsa or tapas of any variety.
We've done some careful calculations to the following recipes, allowing for correct quantities for pitcher size cocktails (serves up to 12 drinks) and punch bowl cocktails (serves up to 25 drinks). Enjoy!
Grand Margarita
½ Gallon
18 oz. Grand Marnier
54 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
36 oz. Fresh Lime
18 oz. Agave Nectar
Combine all in a pitcher/bowl and stir. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass (or pre chilled martini glass) and garnish with a lime wheel.
1 Gallon
36 oz. Grand Marnier
108 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
72 oz. Fresh Lime
36 oz. Agave Nectar
Combine all in a pitcher/bowl and stir. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass (or pre chilled martini glass) and garnish with a lime wheel.
Grand Marnier Sangria
½ Gallon
1 Cup Grand Marnier
1 Cup Seedless Red or Black Grapes
1 Sliced and Seeded Lemon
1 Sliced and Seeded Orange
2 Apples, Red and Green,
cored and cut into ½ inch wedges
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Bottle Chilled Casa Lapostolle Red Wine
4 Tablespoons of Superfine Sugar
2 Cups Orange Juice
6 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Soak the fruit with sugar, Grand Marnier and cinnamon for at least 1 hour. Stir in chilled wine and orange juice. Add more sugar to taste, discard cinnamon sticks; serve chilled. Top of with fresh pomegranate or fresh figs if desired.
1 Gallon
2 cup Grand Marnier
1 ½ Cup Seedless Red or Black Grapes
2 Sliced and Seeded Lemon
2 Sliced and Seeded Orange
3 Apples, Red and Green,
cored and cut into ½ inch wedges
3 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Bottles, Chilled Casa Lapostolle Red Wine
4 Tablespoons of Superfine Sugar
4 Cup Orange Juice
12 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Soak the fruit with sugar, Grand Marnier and cinnamon for at least 1 hour. Stir in chilled wine and orange juice. Add more sugar to taste, discard cinnamon sticks; serve chilled. Top of with fresh pomegranate or fresh figs if desired.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Napoleon's Everyday Gourmet Grilling launches in soft cover across United States
Grilled T-Bone Steak with Whipped Horseradish Cream, Bacon-Wrapped Scallops and Grilled Portobello Mushroom Stacks and Grilled. Sound good? They taste even better- and you can make them yourself! Napoleon Gourmet Grills, a brand synonymous with great grilling, has teamed up with celebrity chef Ted Reader to launch a lavishly illustrated soft cover cookbook that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning grilling aficionado.
“Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Grilling” demonstrates how to create sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, mouthwatering main courses, and delectable desserts using gas, charcoal, or Napoleon's SIZZLE ZONE™ technology. Detailed directions, provide readers with tips and tricks for creating a picture-perfect meal. The book features more than 125 unique recipes from the kitchen of one of the most flamboyant chefs in North America.
“Whether it’s at the cottage, at home, or for a special occasion, here are all the ingredients for creating a menu that will have everyone asking for more. Eating al fresco has never been so enjoyable. This book shows us how far grilling has come and how there are no limits to the type of food you can cook on a grill,” said Ted Reader. “Napoleon has the most versatile cooking system being able to grill, roast, rotisserie, smoke, bake and infrared cook, so it’s a perfect fit,” he added.
Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Grilling can be purchased at Napoleon dealers across the United States and select book retailers. This exciting volume of culinary ideas retails for $25.
About Ted Reader
Ted Reader is an award-winning chef and food entertainer, who’s parlayed his passion for food into a culinary tour de force that includes more than a dozen cook books, shelves of food products, live culinary performances, TV and radio cooking shows and appearances as well as culinary demonstrations, a catering company and teaching. Known for his pyrotechnic charm and fearless culinary spirit, it’s no surprise that GQ magazine labeled him the “crazy Canuck barbecue kingpin.” The dude just loves to cook! Ted’s quest for creating “real food for real people” has seen this high-profile culinary barbecue guru demonstrate his flair for grilling in all venues from swanky ball rooms to the Pacific Ocean to a downtown Toronto parking lot. Today, he owns more than 90 barbecues, grills and smokers in all shapes and sizes and never goes anywhere without one in the back of his truck. www.tedreader.com.
About Napoleon Gourmet Grills
When it comes to grilling, nobody does it better than Napoleon Gourmet Grills. Superb design, superior construction and built of the finest grade weather-resistant materials, every Napoleon Gourmet Grill is built to stand up to the elements. With a variety of Napoleon Grills’ products – from the very affordable, to units designed and built for real connoisseurs, there is something for everyone. www.napoleongrills.com.
About Key Porter Books
One of Canada's most prominent publishers, Key Porter Books Limited is known internationally for its high quality illustrated books, and at home for its mainstream books of national interest. In the words of the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, "since coming into being, Key Porter has established itself as a pre-eminent publishing house, providing an invaluable vehicle for Canadian authors to bring voices to a national audience."Key Porter Books was founded as a joint venture of Anna Porter and Key Publishers in 1979 and incorporated in 1984. Key Porter Books publishes about 100 titles per year and has over 500 titles in print. Areas of specialization include Canadian politics, fiction, history biography, books on environmental and social issues, children's literature, health, wildlife, conservation, sports, business, cookbooks and photography. www.keyporter.com.
“Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Grilling” demonstrates how to create sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, mouthwatering main courses, and delectable desserts using gas, charcoal, or Napoleon's SIZZLE ZONE™ technology. Detailed directions, provide readers with tips and tricks for creating a picture-perfect meal. The book features more than 125 unique recipes from the kitchen of one of the most flamboyant chefs in North America.
“Whether it’s at the cottage, at home, or for a special occasion, here are all the ingredients for creating a menu that will have everyone asking for more. Eating al fresco has never been so enjoyable. This book shows us how far grilling has come and how there are no limits to the type of food you can cook on a grill,” said Ted Reader. “Napoleon has the most versatile cooking system being able to grill, roast, rotisserie, smoke, bake and infrared cook, so it’s a perfect fit,” he added.
Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Grilling can be purchased at Napoleon dealers across the United States and select book retailers. This exciting volume of culinary ideas retails for $25.
About Ted Reader
Ted Reader is an award-winning chef and food entertainer, who’s parlayed his passion for food into a culinary tour de force that includes more than a dozen cook books, shelves of food products, live culinary performances, TV and radio cooking shows and appearances as well as culinary demonstrations, a catering company and teaching. Known for his pyrotechnic charm and fearless culinary spirit, it’s no surprise that GQ magazine labeled him the “crazy Canuck barbecue kingpin.” The dude just loves to cook! Ted’s quest for creating “real food for real people” has seen this high-profile culinary barbecue guru demonstrate his flair for grilling in all venues from swanky ball rooms to the Pacific Ocean to a downtown Toronto parking lot. Today, he owns more than 90 barbecues, grills and smokers in all shapes and sizes and never goes anywhere without one in the back of his truck. www.tedreader.com.
About Napoleon Gourmet Grills
When it comes to grilling, nobody does it better than Napoleon Gourmet Grills. Superb design, superior construction and built of the finest grade weather-resistant materials, every Napoleon Gourmet Grill is built to stand up to the elements. With a variety of Napoleon Grills’ products – from the very affordable, to units designed and built for real connoisseurs, there is something for everyone. www.napoleongrills.com.
About Key Porter Books
One of Canada's most prominent publishers, Key Porter Books Limited is known internationally for its high quality illustrated books, and at home for its mainstream books of national interest. In the words of the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, "since coming into being, Key Porter has established itself as a pre-eminent publishing house, providing an invaluable vehicle for Canadian authors to bring voices to a national audience."Key Porter Books was founded as a joint venture of Anna Porter and Key Publishers in 1979 and incorporated in 1984. Key Porter Books publishes about 100 titles per year and has over 500 titles in print. Areas of specialization include Canadian politics, fiction, history biography, books on environmental and social issues, children's literature, health, wildlife, conservation, sports, business, cookbooks and photography. www.keyporter.com.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Breakfast with the Butterflies at Krohn Conservatory
Cincinnati Parks' Krohn Conservatory is donning the exotic sights, sounds, fragrances and flavors of India this spring as it invites visitors to sample the vast nation's culture, horticulture and, of course, butterflies. And, inspired by visitors' suggestions following previous Butterfly Shows, Krohn's General Manager Andrea Schepmann created a new weekly program called Happy Hour with the Butterflies and a one-time event called Breakfast with the Butterflies.
Highlights of Krohn's 2009 Butterfly Show, Flowers with Wings, will include:
A wondrous array of thousands of butterflies let loose in the Conservatory's seasonal exhibit room, transformed into an Indian garden; Weekend performances of Indian music and dance; Exhibits of Indian art, including one of rangoli, a sand-painting technique that will be applied to Krohn's concrete front walkway; A weekend tent market with vendors that will emulate an Indian marketplace; Interactive programs, such as sari and turban-wrapping lessons, and sculpting from clay small replicas of Ganesha, the elephant-like deity who is omni-present throughout India.
Krohn Conservatory's 2008 Butterfly Show, The Silk Road, featured butterflies, plants, artwork and other cultural treats from South China. It set a new attendance record for the popular annual Butterfly Show with nearly 80,000 visitors. This year, says Krohn's General Manager Andrea Schepmann, Butterfly Show organizers are shooting for 90,000 visitors (with much help from corporate sponsors Macy's Foundation and PNC Bank). With all that this year's Butterfly Show has to offer, the record should be easily broken.
Open for nine full weeks this year, Flowers with Wings is Krohn's most ambitious Butterfly Show yet. New features this year will include:
"Happy Hour With the Butterflies" for adults each Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Alcoholic drinks will be available, and visitors can watch films from India's famed Bollywood movie industry;
"Breakfast With the Butterflies" a reservations-only treat for butterfly devotees on June 6;
A collaboration with our Eden Park neighbor, the Cincinnati Art Museum: on May 24, a procession featuring a topiary elephant in homage to Ganesha will make its way from Krohn Conservatory to the Cincinnati Art Museum, where a multi-media music theater production will take place featuring an original work by noted Indian composer and world visionary Kanniks Kannikeswaran;
Two reservations-only programs - a May 15 wine tasting and a June 12 "Girls Night Out"- with popular local chef Amy Tobin.
As in past years, amateur photographers will be welcome on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30, and Mother's Day and Father's Day will have no admission costs for those days' honorees. And, as always, volunteers for a wide variety of jobs will be needed by the score!
Krohn Conservatory is excited to have members of the area's Indian community working with Krohn's staff for this year's Butterfly Show. Local collectors of Indian art are loaning a variety of items for display in the Bonsai Room, which will be decked out against a Taj Mahal photographic mural. Artist Radha Chandrashekaran and dancer Sanjita Kothari are lending their crafts to the show while others, working more behind the scenes, are lending expertise and guidance to ensure respectful authenticity for this year's Butterfly Show.
After all, India is home to many rich religious traditions - Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam - and Krohn strives to honor that diversity with this exhibit. Guest artistic designer Jan Brown Checco calls Flowers with Wings "a great opportunity not just to sooth and entertain people via the gardens and the butterflies, but also to expose Krohn visitors to a culture that is as different from ours as India's."
Visitors to this year's Butterfly Show may be surprised to learn that marigolds and ficus trees, staples in our own gardens and homes, are native to India, says Heather Wiggins, who teaches horticulture at Cincinnati State and serves as guest horticulturalist for the 2009 Butterfly Show. Deep oranges, golds and crimsons will be well represented in the Butterfly garden. Heather also plans to incorporate water pools for India's exquisite lotus flower into the show's gardens, as well as Indian foods and herbs, such as cucumbers, eggplants, ornamental peppers, cumin, dill and anise, many of which will also be made available for sale as plants for home gardeners.
Having spent several months in India during her horticultural studies, Heather is thrilled to share the beauty of an Indian garden with visitors to Krohn. She hopes that when they enter the India-inspired butterfly-filled garden in Krohn's main exhibit room, "they'll feel the same way I felt when I first got to India."
For more information on Flowers with Wings contact Andrea Schepmann at (513) 421-5707; anyone interested in volunteering for the 2009 Butterfly Show can contact Christyl Johnson at (513) 421-5707.
Show: The International Butterfly Show - Flowers with Wings
Sponsored by: Macy's Foundation and PNC Bank
Show Dates: April 18-June 21, 2009 / Open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission: Adults $6, seniors $5, Children 5-17 $4, ages 4-under no cost; $10 Butterfly Show Pin allows unlimited repeat visits. Available for purchase online.
Contact: Andrea Schepmann at 513-421-5707 or 513-352-3380 (TTY)
Website: www.ButterflyShow.com
Highlights of Krohn's 2009 Butterfly Show, Flowers with Wings, will include:
A wondrous array of thousands of butterflies let loose in the Conservatory's seasonal exhibit room, transformed into an Indian garden; Weekend performances of Indian music and dance; Exhibits of Indian art, including one of rangoli, a sand-painting technique that will be applied to Krohn's concrete front walkway; A weekend tent market with vendors that will emulate an Indian marketplace; Interactive programs, such as sari and turban-wrapping lessons, and sculpting from clay small replicas of Ganesha, the elephant-like deity who is omni-present throughout India.
Krohn Conservatory's 2008 Butterfly Show, The Silk Road, featured butterflies, plants, artwork and other cultural treats from South China. It set a new attendance record for the popular annual Butterfly Show with nearly 80,000 visitors. This year, says Krohn's General Manager Andrea Schepmann, Butterfly Show organizers are shooting for 90,000 visitors (with much help from corporate sponsors Macy's Foundation and PNC Bank). With all that this year's Butterfly Show has to offer, the record should be easily broken.
Open for nine full weeks this year, Flowers with Wings is Krohn's most ambitious Butterfly Show yet. New features this year will include:
"Happy Hour With the Butterflies" for adults each Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Alcoholic drinks will be available, and visitors can watch films from India's famed Bollywood movie industry;
"Breakfast With the Butterflies" a reservations-only treat for butterfly devotees on June 6;
A collaboration with our Eden Park neighbor, the Cincinnati Art Museum: on May 24, a procession featuring a topiary elephant in homage to Ganesha will make its way from Krohn Conservatory to the Cincinnati Art Museum, where a multi-media music theater production will take place featuring an original work by noted Indian composer and world visionary Kanniks Kannikeswaran;
Two reservations-only programs - a May 15 wine tasting and a June 12 "Girls Night Out"- with popular local chef Amy Tobin.
As in past years, amateur photographers will be welcome on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30, and Mother's Day and Father's Day will have no admission costs for those days' honorees. And, as always, volunteers for a wide variety of jobs will be needed by the score!
Krohn Conservatory is excited to have members of the area's Indian community working with Krohn's staff for this year's Butterfly Show. Local collectors of Indian art are loaning a variety of items for display in the Bonsai Room, which will be decked out against a Taj Mahal photographic mural. Artist Radha Chandrashekaran and dancer Sanjita Kothari are lending their crafts to the show while others, working more behind the scenes, are lending expertise and guidance to ensure respectful authenticity for this year's Butterfly Show.
After all, India is home to many rich religious traditions - Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam - and Krohn strives to honor that diversity with this exhibit. Guest artistic designer Jan Brown Checco calls Flowers with Wings "a great opportunity not just to sooth and entertain people via the gardens and the butterflies, but also to expose Krohn visitors to a culture that is as different from ours as India's."
Visitors to this year's Butterfly Show may be surprised to learn that marigolds and ficus trees, staples in our own gardens and homes, are native to India, says Heather Wiggins, who teaches horticulture at Cincinnati State and serves as guest horticulturalist for the 2009 Butterfly Show. Deep oranges, golds and crimsons will be well represented in the Butterfly garden. Heather also plans to incorporate water pools for India's exquisite lotus flower into the show's gardens, as well as Indian foods and herbs, such as cucumbers, eggplants, ornamental peppers, cumin, dill and anise, many of which will also be made available for sale as plants for home gardeners.
Having spent several months in India during her horticultural studies, Heather is thrilled to share the beauty of an Indian garden with visitors to Krohn. She hopes that when they enter the India-inspired butterfly-filled garden in Krohn's main exhibit room, "they'll feel the same way I felt when I first got to India."
For more information on Flowers with Wings contact Andrea Schepmann at (513) 421-5707; anyone interested in volunteering for the 2009 Butterfly Show can contact Christyl Johnson at (513) 421-5707.
Show: The International Butterfly Show - Flowers with Wings
Sponsored by: Macy's Foundation and PNC Bank
Show Dates: April 18-June 21, 2009 / Open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission: Adults $6, seniors $5, Children 5-17 $4, ages 4-under no cost; $10 Butterfly Show Pin allows unlimited repeat visits. Available for purchase online.
Contact: Andrea Schepmann at 513-421-5707 or 513-352-3380 (TTY)
Website: www.ButterflyShow.com
Keep Your Yamazaki Whisky Cold With Japanese Ice Balls
This summer, keep whisky cool with the spherical ice ball, a sleek alternative to traditional ice cubes. Made in Japan, spherical ice molds make large, icy spheres, each 2" in diameter. These modern spheres are replicas of the hand carved ice balls by apprentice bartenders in Japan. They don’t melt as fast as traditional cubes, keeping whisky cool and pure through the long, hazy days of summer.
Need a whisky recommendation? Continue on the Japanese path and try Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. Aged either 12 or 18 years, Yamazaki has a rich and sophisticated character all its own. Imported from Japan, it’s made with the ultra pure waters cherished in Japan’s most famous tea ceremonies. Experts around the globe continue to laud its excellence of taste, quality and intensity.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old is available for $40 and Yamazaki 18 Year Old is available for $100. The spherical ice trays are available for $8 at www.moma.org.
Need a whisky recommendation? Continue on the Japanese path and try Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. Aged either 12 or 18 years, Yamazaki has a rich and sophisticated character all its own. Imported from Japan, it’s made with the ultra pure waters cherished in Japan’s most famous tea ceremonies. Experts around the globe continue to laud its excellence of taste, quality and intensity.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old is available for $40 and Yamazaki 18 Year Old is available for $100. The spherical ice trays are available for $8 at www.moma.org.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
New Kentucky Bison Company Breakfast Sausage
Thanks to their natural sustainability and unique health benefits, Kentucky Bison Company products have been making their way onto fine dining menus across the region. New to the catalog of offerings is a product that is perfect for the home cook and the gourmet chef-bison breakfast sausage! The sausage retails for $5.30 per pound and has 2.42 grams of fat per 100 grams of sausage, as compared to 28.4 grams for 100 grams of typical pork sausage. This new breakfast sausage is available in loose form and is great for all kinds of dishes including frittatas, omelets and breakfast wraps.
Kentucky Bison Company meat is available throughout the Louisville, Lexington and Nashville regions at restaurants and specialty markets. Patrons can also shop directly through the Kentucky Bison Company by calling 502.562.9491, toll free 1.877.859.2426, emailing Amanda@KyBisonCo.com, or visiting the sales office located at 603 E. Main St. during the hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The foundation of the Kentucky Bison Company is the production, preservation and promotion of the Authentic American Bison. Its mission is to operate a bison farm and meat processing plant that provides success through production and processing of livestock and a positive, happy work environment with room for workers' advancement and personal growth. Kentucky Bison Company raises bison on Woodland Farm in Goshen, Kentucky and processes the meat at its own USDA-approved facility. For more information, visit www.kybisonco.com.
Kentucky Bison Company meat is available throughout the Louisville, Lexington and Nashville regions at restaurants and specialty markets. Patrons can also shop directly through the Kentucky Bison Company by calling 502.562.9491, toll free 1.877.859.2426, emailing Amanda@KyBisonCo.com, or visiting the sales office located at 603 E. Main St. during the hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The foundation of the Kentucky Bison Company is the production, preservation and promotion of the Authentic American Bison. Its mission is to operate a bison farm and meat processing plant that provides success through production and processing of livestock and a positive, happy work environment with room for workers' advancement and personal growth. Kentucky Bison Company raises bison on Woodland Farm in Goshen, Kentucky and processes the meat at its own USDA-approved facility. For more information, visit www.kybisonco.com.
New Spaghetti & Meatballs dish launches in Ohio Wednesday, March 25
Noodles & Company, a globally inspired noodle restaurant that serves a balanced menu of freshly
sautsignature, comfort food dish to its Ohio menu This marks the first permanent noodles menu addition to the Noodles &
Company line up since 2004.
"At Noodles & Company, we're always striving to create more flavorful,
balanced dishes from around the world,Company executive chef. classic favorite. What really makes it special are the meatballs.
Everydish is served with five baked meatballs that are a delicious blend of
pork and beef with Italian herbs, parmesan and garlic. It's very hearty
and satisfying.
The five meatballs are served over a bed of spaghetti noodles with a
crushed tomato marinara sauce, available in regular or spicy, and are
garnished with parmesan cheese. Meatballs also can be added to any of
Noodles & Company Cheese, Penne Rosa or Mushroom Stroganoff.
The small Spaghetti & Meatballs is $5.95 and a regular is $7.25. Noodles &
Company plans to introduce the dish system wide in early spring. To find
an Ohio Noodles & Company near you, please visit www.noodles.com.
About Noodles & Company
Colorado-based Noodles & Company was founded in 1995 and is the worldfirst quick-casual, globally inspired noodle restaurant. From healthy to
indulgent and spicy to comforting, Noodles & Company's menu features
Asian, Mediterranean and American inspired noodle dishes, soups and
salads.
At Noodles & Company, we seek to nourish and inspire our guests with a
balanced and craveable menu made with fresh and wholesome ingredients.
Every bowl is prepared to order in about five minutes with only the best
noodles and pasta, fresh vegetables, authentic herbs and spices, artisan
sauces and grilled chicken, beef, shrimp or organic tofu.
Noodles & Company believes you can eat well without compromising on taste
or a nourishing meal. In fact, two thirds of its dishes are less than 500
calories. The companyhelp guests make customizable food choices to meet their own balanced diet
and needs. In recognition of its commitment to health and nutrition,
Health magazine recently named Noodles & Company Fast-Food Restaurant."
Noodles & Company is a tip-free zone and is open seven days a week in more
than 200 locations in 18 states. To view a menu and nutritional
information, find a location or see what else is going on in Noodleville,
visit www.noodles.com.
sautsignature, comfort food dish to its Ohio menu This marks the first permanent noodles menu addition to the Noodles &
Company line up since 2004.
"At Noodles & Company, we're always striving to create more flavorful,
balanced dishes from around the world,Company executive chef. classic favorite. What really makes it special are the meatballs.
Everydish is served with five baked meatballs that are a delicious blend of
pork and beef with Italian herbs, parmesan and garlic. It's very hearty
and satisfying.
The five meatballs are served over a bed of spaghetti noodles with a
crushed tomato marinara sauce, available in regular or spicy, and are
garnished with parmesan cheese. Meatballs also can be added to any of
Noodles & Company Cheese, Penne Rosa or Mushroom Stroganoff.
The small Spaghetti & Meatballs is $5.95 and a regular is $7.25. Noodles &
Company plans to introduce the dish system wide in early spring. To find
an Ohio Noodles & Company near you, please visit www.noodles.com.
About Noodles & Company
Colorado-based Noodles & Company was founded in 1995 and is the worldfirst quick-casual, globally inspired noodle restaurant. From healthy to
indulgent and spicy to comforting, Noodles & Company's menu features
Asian, Mediterranean and American inspired noodle dishes, soups and
salads.
At Noodles & Company, we seek to nourish and inspire our guests with a
balanced and craveable menu made with fresh and wholesome ingredients.
Every bowl is prepared to order in about five minutes with only the best
noodles and pasta, fresh vegetables, authentic herbs and spices, artisan
sauces and grilled chicken, beef, shrimp or organic tofu.
Noodles & Company believes you can eat well without compromising on taste
or a nourishing meal. In fact, two thirds of its dishes are less than 500
calories. The companyhelp guests make customizable food choices to meet their own balanced diet
and needs. In recognition of its commitment to health and nutrition,
Health magazine recently named Noodles & Company Fast-Food Restaurant."
Noodles & Company is a tip-free zone and is open seven days a week in more
than 200 locations in 18 states. To view a menu and nutritional
information, find a location or see what else is going on in Noodleville,
visit www.noodles.com.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Staglin Family Vineyard and Chef Cindy Pawlcyn Aboard Silversea Cruise Line
Staglin Family Vineyard of Napa Valley, California has announced that Garen and Shari Staglin and guest Chef Cindy Pawlcyn (Founder of Mustard’s Grill, Go Fish and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen) will be onboard Silversea voyage v1912 from June 10 - 20, 2009. This 10-day journey on the Silver Cloud travels from London, England to Germany, Russia, Estonia, Sweden and Finland. The other ports of call include Rostock, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm.
The travel industry is hard hit with the current economic downturn, making it a buyer’s market and the perfect time to sample luxury at moderate pricing. Fares to be a part of the Staglin Family Vineyard and Chef Cindy Pawlcyn group start at $6,599, 40% off of regular fares, and includes a donation to IMHRO, The International Mental Health Research Organization. In addition to these never before seen prices, the Staglin package includes added priceless elements.
The Staglins and Chef Pawlcyn will be offering a number of private complimentary activities for their onboard guests, including food and wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, tastings, lectures, and a winemaker dinner. They have selected Silversea not only because it is the exclusive cruise member of Relais & Chateaux, but also for the ambience created through their 6-star, ultra-luxe ships, all-suite and all-inclusive nature, intimate size, service ratio, and added amenities. The Staglin Family Vineyard and Cindy Pawlcyn group is limited to just 30 fortunate individuals.
Silversea will be donating a portion of each guest’s cruise fare to IMHRO.. This not for profit group is dedicated to bringing the public and scientists together to find ways to ease the suffering of people with mental illness, and ultimately to find cures for schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.
Silversea has been ranked the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line in the World” by readers of Condè Nast for nine years. Guests will have all the privacy they desire in their ocean-view suites (80% of which have private balconies) and all the entertainment of a large ship without the size and hordes of people. These smaller ships are also able to visit remote ports that large ships must forgo.
"Our Wine & Culinary Series cruises are a great way for guests to broaden their understanding and appreciation for one of life's most cherished luxuries – gourmet dining and fine wines," said David Morris, Silversea's executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "We've invited top experts from some of the world's most acclaimed vineyards, restaurants and wineries to visit and interact with our guests, guiding them through entertaining tastings and lectures that add a unique and enriching dimension to their cruise experience."
Garen and Shari Staglin add, “We are delighted to showcase our Staglin Family Vineyard wines aboard Silversea and are thrilled to be able to pair them with Chef Pawlcyn’s cooking. Silversea’s affluent international clientele are the perfect compliment to our existing market. Our guests will enjoy the unique opportunity and benefit of sampling our favorite wines while exploring exotic coasts and ports aboard the finest cruise line afloat.”
This particular wine and culinary cruise pairing was arranged by Michael Mastrocola of Millennium Travel, a 30 year travel veteran. Wine and Culinary extensions can be arranged by request. For more information and to be included in all exclusive wine and culinary events with added amenities at the lowest prices it is essential to contact Michael Mastrocola, www.mmtravel.net, msmastrocola@sbcglobal.net or at (831) 659-0151.
The travel industry is hard hit with the current economic downturn, making it a buyer’s market and the perfect time to sample luxury at moderate pricing. Fares to be a part of the Staglin Family Vineyard and Chef Cindy Pawlcyn group start at $6,599, 40% off of regular fares, and includes a donation to IMHRO, The International Mental Health Research Organization. In addition to these never before seen prices, the Staglin package includes added priceless elements.
The Staglins and Chef Pawlcyn will be offering a number of private complimentary activities for their onboard guests, including food and wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, tastings, lectures, and a winemaker dinner. They have selected Silversea not only because it is the exclusive cruise member of Relais & Chateaux, but also for the ambience created through their 6-star, ultra-luxe ships, all-suite and all-inclusive nature, intimate size, service ratio, and added amenities. The Staglin Family Vineyard and Cindy Pawlcyn group is limited to just 30 fortunate individuals.
Silversea will be donating a portion of each guest’s cruise fare to IMHRO.. This not for profit group is dedicated to bringing the public and scientists together to find ways to ease the suffering of people with mental illness, and ultimately to find cures for schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.
Silversea has been ranked the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line in the World” by readers of Condè Nast for nine years. Guests will have all the privacy they desire in their ocean-view suites (80% of which have private balconies) and all the entertainment of a large ship without the size and hordes of people. These smaller ships are also able to visit remote ports that large ships must forgo.
"Our Wine & Culinary Series cruises are a great way for guests to broaden their understanding and appreciation for one of life's most cherished luxuries – gourmet dining and fine wines," said David Morris, Silversea's executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "We've invited top experts from some of the world's most acclaimed vineyards, restaurants and wineries to visit and interact with our guests, guiding them through entertaining tastings and lectures that add a unique and enriching dimension to their cruise experience."
Garen and Shari Staglin add, “We are delighted to showcase our Staglin Family Vineyard wines aboard Silversea and are thrilled to be able to pair them with Chef Pawlcyn’s cooking. Silversea’s affluent international clientele are the perfect compliment to our existing market. Our guests will enjoy the unique opportunity and benefit of sampling our favorite wines while exploring exotic coasts and ports aboard the finest cruise line afloat.”
This particular wine and culinary cruise pairing was arranged by Michael Mastrocola of Millennium Travel, a 30 year travel veteran. Wine and Culinary extensions can be arranged by request. For more information and to be included in all exclusive wine and culinary events with added amenities at the lowest prices it is essential to contact Michael Mastrocola, www.mmtravel.net, msmastrocola@sbcglobal.net or at (831) 659-0151.
Groceries From The Backyard: A Harvest of Savings in a Difficult Economy
The economy is tanking, grocery bills are climbing and food safety scares are on the rise. For the 43 million Americans planning a vegetable garden this spring, growing your own is a matter of dollars and sense.
Food gardening will jump 19 percent this year over last year, according to a new survey by the National Gardening Association (NGA). Homeowners with shrinking household budgets are looking for help in their own backyards. Can planting a veggie patch really save you money? Government agencies and gardening organizations say yes.
Every $100 spent on vegetable gardening yields $1,000 to $1,700 worth of produce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. That’s a serious hedge against skyrocketing food prices, expected to jump another 5 percent this year.
You’ll get a half-pound of edibles from every square foot of ground devoted to backyard crops, NGA experts say. Even a modest garden (15-by-15-feet) can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh tomatoes, salad greens, vegetables and herbs. Better flavor and bragging rights come with the harvest.
Planting a vegetable plot and keeping it productive isn’t that hard if you start small, keep the basics in mind and plant reliable varieties. Take it step-by-step:
Lead with Location – A sunny, well-drained spot close to a water spigot is ideal. Leafy greens tolerate some shade, but other crops want eight hours of sun daily.
Suitable soil – Adding organic material is the key to an easy-care garden. It loosens stiff soil, helps retain moisture and nourishes important soil organisms. Good “ingredients” include manure, humus and chopped-up leaves. Spread a 4-inch layer of amendments on your plot and till into the top 9 to 12 inches.
Fertilize Faithfully– All edible plants remove some nutrients from the soil, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow the rates given on the label when deciding how much to use.
Water wisely – One inch of water weekly is adequate for most vegetables. Soaker hoses or drip systems deliver water efficiently and keep foliage dry, fending off leaf diseases.
Patrol for pests – Monitor insect damage but try to keep your crops pesticide-free. Let natural predators fight your battles, hand-pick pests or dislodge them with a jet of water. If you must spray, do it late in the day when beneficial insects are less active.
Pick the right plants – Flower gardeners gravitate to the newest, showiest varieties, but smart food gardeners appreciate the tried-and-true. Bonnie Plants, available coast to coast, are time-tested varieties selected to suit regional conditions. For best results you’ll need to choose veggie and herb varieties suitable to your geographical location. Because Bonnie’s varieties are distributed regionally, you will automatically have suitable varieties available to you at retail in your area.
Look for Bonnie Plants in eco-friendly biodegradable pots that not only save tons of plastic pots from ending up in landfills, they also reduce transplant shock. Just tear off the bottom, set the pot in the ground and water.
If you’re ready to try your hand at creating your own backyard grocery garden, here are 10 easy crops to plant:
Basil – Perfect with tomatoes. Choose sweet basil or the compact ”Spicy Globe.”
Beans -- Bush beans like “Bush Blue Lake’”are easier to pick, but tall “pole” beans have higher yields.
Bell peppers -- Harvest green or red, when vitamin levels are higher. Try “Bonnie Bell” or the new, hot bell pepper “Mexibell.”
Chard – This leafy green tolerates cool temperatures well. Varieties like “Bright Lights” have brilliantly colored stems.
Cucumber -- Plant after the weather warms. Choose the mild Japanese cucumber or the old favorite “Burpless Bush Hybrid.”
Eggplant -- A much-loved favorite, eggplant thrives in hot weather. Try “Black Beauty” or the white-skinned “Cloud Nine.”
Lettuce -- Go for easy “leaf” lettuces like “Buttercrunch” “Red Sails,” or Romaine .
Parsley – Pick curly types or flat Italian parsley. This herb is rich in vitamins and a breath-sweetener, too.
Summer squash – Squash are very productive plants and easy to grow. Try zucchini “Black Beauty” or yellow crook-necked squash.
Tomatoes – These crimson favorites are the most popular backyard vegetable. Choose disease-resistant “Better Boy,” “Bonnie Original” or the extra-easy cherry tomato “Sweet 100.”
For gardening tips and more herb and vegetable varieties, visit www.bonnieplants.com.
Food gardening will jump 19 percent this year over last year, according to a new survey by the National Gardening Association (NGA). Homeowners with shrinking household budgets are looking for help in their own backyards. Can planting a veggie patch really save you money? Government agencies and gardening organizations say yes.
Every $100 spent on vegetable gardening yields $1,000 to $1,700 worth of produce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. That’s a serious hedge against skyrocketing food prices, expected to jump another 5 percent this year.
You’ll get a half-pound of edibles from every square foot of ground devoted to backyard crops, NGA experts say. Even a modest garden (15-by-15-feet) can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh tomatoes, salad greens, vegetables and herbs. Better flavor and bragging rights come with the harvest.
Planting a vegetable plot and keeping it productive isn’t that hard if you start small, keep the basics in mind and plant reliable varieties. Take it step-by-step:
Lead with Location – A sunny, well-drained spot close to a water spigot is ideal. Leafy greens tolerate some shade, but other crops want eight hours of sun daily.
Suitable soil – Adding organic material is the key to an easy-care garden. It loosens stiff soil, helps retain moisture and nourishes important soil organisms. Good “ingredients” include manure, humus and chopped-up leaves. Spread a 4-inch layer of amendments on your plot and till into the top 9 to 12 inches.
Fertilize Faithfully– All edible plants remove some nutrients from the soil, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow the rates given on the label when deciding how much to use.
Water wisely – One inch of water weekly is adequate for most vegetables. Soaker hoses or drip systems deliver water efficiently and keep foliage dry, fending off leaf diseases.
Patrol for pests – Monitor insect damage but try to keep your crops pesticide-free. Let natural predators fight your battles, hand-pick pests or dislodge them with a jet of water. If you must spray, do it late in the day when beneficial insects are less active.
Pick the right plants – Flower gardeners gravitate to the newest, showiest varieties, but smart food gardeners appreciate the tried-and-true. Bonnie Plants, available coast to coast, are time-tested varieties selected to suit regional conditions. For best results you’ll need to choose veggie and herb varieties suitable to your geographical location. Because Bonnie’s varieties are distributed regionally, you will automatically have suitable varieties available to you at retail in your area.
Look for Bonnie Plants in eco-friendly biodegradable pots that not only save tons of plastic pots from ending up in landfills, they also reduce transplant shock. Just tear off the bottom, set the pot in the ground and water.
If you’re ready to try your hand at creating your own backyard grocery garden, here are 10 easy crops to plant:
Basil – Perfect with tomatoes. Choose sweet basil or the compact ”Spicy Globe.”
Beans -- Bush beans like “Bush Blue Lake’”are easier to pick, but tall “pole” beans have higher yields.
Bell peppers -- Harvest green or red, when vitamin levels are higher. Try “Bonnie Bell” or the new, hot bell pepper “Mexibell.”
Chard – This leafy green tolerates cool temperatures well. Varieties like “Bright Lights” have brilliantly colored stems.
Cucumber -- Plant after the weather warms. Choose the mild Japanese cucumber or the old favorite “Burpless Bush Hybrid.”
Eggplant -- A much-loved favorite, eggplant thrives in hot weather. Try “Black Beauty” or the white-skinned “Cloud Nine.”
Lettuce -- Go for easy “leaf” lettuces like “Buttercrunch” “Red Sails,” or Romaine .
Parsley – Pick curly types or flat Italian parsley. This herb is rich in vitamins and a breath-sweetener, too.
Summer squash – Squash are very productive plants and easy to grow. Try zucchini “Black Beauty” or yellow crook-necked squash.
Tomatoes – These crimson favorites are the most popular backyard vegetable. Choose disease-resistant “Better Boy,” “Bonnie Original” or the extra-easy cherry tomato “Sweet 100.”
For gardening tips and more herb and vegetable varieties, visit www.bonnieplants.com.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Magnolia Downtown Los Angeles
Ron Marino and Laurie Mulstay open Magnolia in Downtown Los Angeles located at 825 W. 9th St. Magnolia Downtown is the fourth business for the LA-based entrepreneurial pair, who also own Magnolia and The BAR in Hollywood and CHLOE in Santa Monica.
With their great vibe, classic American menu, unpretentious style and staff, and mid-range prices, Magnolia presents a refreshing concept to the Downtown area. Magnolia will cater to the growing number of Downtown residents as well as the many business professionals in the financial and fashion districts, and will serve as an ideal lunch spot, a great place to grab drinks after work, or dinner following a Lakers game. Magnolia Downtown is conveniently located near the Staples and Convention Centers, Disney Concert Hall and LA Opera.
Executive Chef Richard Crespin, formerly of Gordon Ramsay and Jean Georges, will continue to oversee the menu for both Magnolia locations.
The owners, in collaboration with Meyer Davis Studios in NYC, designed the Magnolia Downtown décor. The space features similar components to its Hollywood location including the subway tile, comfy leather banquettes, white marble bar, a lounge area for drinks and appetizers and outside patios.
"The décor, menu, and attentive staff are simply the foundation for what we are confident will be the perfect compliment to the growing community that is Downtown Los Angeles. We are very excited to be a part this community," says Marino.
Magnolia Downtown opens Monday, March 16th, and will operate 7 days a week serving the classic Magnolia menu, with a full bar and specialty cocktails. The full menu is available "To Go" and delivery within a few blocks will begin shortly thereafter.
With their great vibe, classic American menu, unpretentious style and staff, and mid-range prices, Magnolia presents a refreshing concept to the Downtown area. Magnolia will cater to the growing number of Downtown residents as well as the many business professionals in the financial and fashion districts, and will serve as an ideal lunch spot, a great place to grab drinks after work, or dinner following a Lakers game. Magnolia Downtown is conveniently located near the Staples and Convention Centers, Disney Concert Hall and LA Opera.
Executive Chef Richard Crespin, formerly of Gordon Ramsay and Jean Georges, will continue to oversee the menu for both Magnolia locations.
The owners, in collaboration with Meyer Davis Studios in NYC, designed the Magnolia Downtown décor. The space features similar components to its Hollywood location including the subway tile, comfy leather banquettes, white marble bar, a lounge area for drinks and appetizers and outside patios.
"The décor, menu, and attentive staff are simply the foundation for what we are confident will be the perfect compliment to the growing community that is Downtown Los Angeles. We are very excited to be a part this community," says Marino.
Magnolia Downtown opens Monday, March 16th, and will operate 7 days a week serving the classic Magnolia menu, with a full bar and specialty cocktails. The full menu is available "To Go" and delivery within a few blocks will begin shortly thereafter.
Dining Out Sober. Tips for Alcohol Awareness Month (April)
It is estimated that there are 18 million Americans who have an alcohol-use disorder. Dining out is often a difficulty in many's quests to battle this illnes...
Sarah Allen Benton, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and recovering alcoholic, is the author of the new book UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH-FUNCTIONING ALOCOHLIC: Professional Views and Personal Insights (Praeger Publishers, March 23, 2009).
Benton offers some tips to those trying to beat alcoholism when out to dinner......
-- Restaurants assume that all patrons are going to drink and place the wine menu on top of the regular menu, forcing even sober customers to be often confused and open it. Servers make most of their money from expensive bills that have alcohol charged on them. They often try to push drinks on all customers which can be challengeing and very tempting for those in early sobriety. Especially if they're out with others who drink. Iimmediately send that menu away and make sure the server knows you will have no alcohol.
-- Many foods have alcohol in the ingredients, such as chicken Marsala (Marsala wine) and desserts with rum sauces. Some sober alcoholics do not eat ANYTHING that has alcohol in it, even if the alcohol is cooked. Others will have cooked wine sauces. However, rum cakes have pure run poured on them and I have personally been triggered by innocently having a piece of it and then realized it afterwards.
-- Drinking non-alcoholic beers can be tricky for some. Sober alcoholics may feel pressure to have something in their hand or appear like they are drinking with those who are drinking around them. Many sober alcoholics do NOT drink beverages that mimic alcohol for it can become a slippery slope of "pretending" that you can drink.
Sarah Allen Benton, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and recovering alcoholic, is the author of the new book UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH-FUNCTIONING ALOCOHLIC: Professional Views and Personal Insights (Praeger Publishers, March 23, 2009).
Benton offers some tips to those trying to beat alcoholism when out to dinner......
-- Restaurants assume that all patrons are going to drink and place the wine menu on top of the regular menu, forcing even sober customers to be often confused and open it. Servers make most of their money from expensive bills that have alcohol charged on them. They often try to push drinks on all customers which can be challengeing and very tempting for those in early sobriety. Especially if they're out with others who drink. Iimmediately send that menu away and make sure the server knows you will have no alcohol.
-- Many foods have alcohol in the ingredients, such as chicken Marsala (Marsala wine) and desserts with rum sauces. Some sober alcoholics do not eat ANYTHING that has alcohol in it, even if the alcohol is cooked. Others will have cooked wine sauces. However, rum cakes have pure run poured on them and I have personally been triggered by innocently having a piece of it and then realized it afterwards.
-- Drinking non-alcoholic beers can be tricky for some. Sober alcoholics may feel pressure to have something in their hand or appear like they are drinking with those who are drinking around them. Many sober alcoholics do NOT drink beverages that mimic alcohol for it can become a slippery slope of "pretending" that you can drink.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Celebrate Spring with Chocolate
With the arrival of spring bringing Easter, Mothers’ Day, and a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, the season is ripe for creating and sharing sweet moments with family and friends. And what would a celebration be without chocolate? Chocolate for Breakfast by Barbara Passino (The Gerald & Marc Hoberman Collection; February 2009; hardcover/$40.00; ISBN: 978-1-919939-55-1) allows us to indulge our chocolate fantasies with rich, creative recipes and menus, perfect for an Easter brunch, Mother’s Day breakfast, or just because.
“Chocolate has always been my passion, ever since I was a baby and my mother gave me a chocolate brownie as a bribe,” says Passino. “When I would visit my Aunt Johnny , she and I would share a secret ritual, tiptoeing down to the kitchen in the morning for a secret breakfast of brownies from the night before. That’s where I got the idea of having chocolate for breakfast.”
It was these loving memories that prompted Barbara to create the signature menus and recipes that she serves daily at her famous Oak Knoll Inn in California’s Napa Valley. Chocolate for Breakfast is a collection of Barbara’s passion-filled creations, techniques, philosophies and anecdotes, all presented in more than 100 easy-to-follow recipes that allow home cooks everywhere to start new breakfast rituals with their families. Menus with a chocolate twist showcase culinary influences from around the world, creating unique meals for family gatherings or to make any day special.
Barbara has organized recipes into chapters such as North of Southwest, Asian Persuasion, The French Connection, Moroccan Excursion, Valentine’s Day Decadence, Recipe for a Perfect Night’s Sleep, and All-American, making it simple to find a recipe or menu to fit any mood or occasion.
Recipes that use wonderful and fresh spring ingredients include:
· Lacey Singapore Omelet made with spring vegetables
· Triple Threat Chocolate Muffins baked in flower pots
· Spring Frittata
· Herbed Scrambled Eggs over Roasted Portabello Mushrooms
· Chocolate-filled Gazelle Horns served with Tajine of Eggs Baked with Summer Vegetables
· Chocolate Truffle Fritters with Cherry Sauce
· Chocolate Omelet with Blueberries in a Pinot Noir Sauce
· Chocolate Strawberry Dumpling
Barbara says to enjoy the season's fresh strawberries for Easter, followed by an Easter basket for grown-ups, both recipes from her book:
· Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake, followed by
· Eggs in a nest
For Mother's Day she suggests recipes that are so easy that the children can help with the cooking and so tasty that they will gladly eat:
· Baked Eggs with
· Triple Chocolate Muffins baked in a flowerpot
Barbara has also provided a list of Resources so even those who live in produce-deprived areas can find all of the items needed to create her recipes.
Start creating your own family traditions this spring with Chocolate for Breakfast!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Passino is the proprietor/chef of Oak Knoll Inn, a luxurious, intimate inn nestled amidst rows of grapevines in Napa Valley, California’s Wine Country. Her decadent breakfasts have become California legend and attract visitors from all over the world. In the midst of her 15 years in the world of finance, Barbara took time to study with master chef Marcella Hazan in Venice. Eager to learn about other cultures through the role of food in daily life, Barbara combined travel with the study of cooking and was inspired to turn her passion into a full-time dream-come-true: Barbara and her husband John bought the Oak Knoll Inn in 1992. All of this culminates in the greatest breakfasts imaginable.
ABOUT OAK KNOLL INN
Surrounded by 600 acres of vineyards, slowly drifting hot-air balloons and magnificent sunrises, Oak Knoll Inn is the perfect setting for a slow-paced, life-changing feast that Barbara likes to call breakfast. Guests from around the world return year-after-year to dine on Barbara’s latest culinary creations. Critics have delighted in the Oak Knoll experience, frequently describing it as Napa’s most romantic and luxurious bed and breakfast. Mornings at Oak Knoll start with breakfast that can be enjoyed in front of a crackling fire or out on the sunny deck. Every evening, Oak Knoll hosts a wine and cheese party, often with a visiting winemaker. A refreshing splash in the swimming pool in the morning and a soothing dip in the Jacuzzi at night are the perfect way to start and end the day. And, the secluded setting of Oak Knoll Inn belies the wonderful fact that some of Napa's best known wineries and renowned restaurants are just minutes away.
More information on Barbara Passino and Oak Knoll Inn is available at www.OakKnollInn.com
“Chocolate has always been my passion, ever since I was a baby and my mother gave me a chocolate brownie as a bribe,” says Passino. “When I would visit my Aunt Johnny , she and I would share a secret ritual, tiptoeing down to the kitchen in the morning for a secret breakfast of brownies from the night before. That’s where I got the idea of having chocolate for breakfast.”
It was these loving memories that prompted Barbara to create the signature menus and recipes that she serves daily at her famous Oak Knoll Inn in California’s Napa Valley. Chocolate for Breakfast is a collection of Barbara’s passion-filled creations, techniques, philosophies and anecdotes, all presented in more than 100 easy-to-follow recipes that allow home cooks everywhere to start new breakfast rituals with their families. Menus with a chocolate twist showcase culinary influences from around the world, creating unique meals for family gatherings or to make any day special.
Barbara has organized recipes into chapters such as North of Southwest, Asian Persuasion, The French Connection, Moroccan Excursion, Valentine’s Day Decadence, Recipe for a Perfect Night’s Sleep, and All-American, making it simple to find a recipe or menu to fit any mood or occasion.
Recipes that use wonderful and fresh spring ingredients include:
· Lacey Singapore Omelet made with spring vegetables
· Triple Threat Chocolate Muffins baked in flower pots
· Spring Frittata
· Herbed Scrambled Eggs over Roasted Portabello Mushrooms
· Chocolate-filled Gazelle Horns served with Tajine of Eggs Baked with Summer Vegetables
· Chocolate Truffle Fritters with Cherry Sauce
· Chocolate Omelet with Blueberries in a Pinot Noir Sauce
· Chocolate Strawberry Dumpling
Barbara says to enjoy the season's fresh strawberries for Easter, followed by an Easter basket for grown-ups, both recipes from her book:
· Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake, followed by
· Eggs in a nest
For Mother's Day she suggests recipes that are so easy that the children can help with the cooking and so tasty that they will gladly eat:
· Baked Eggs with
· Triple Chocolate Muffins baked in a flowerpot
Barbara has also provided a list of Resources so even those who live in produce-deprived areas can find all of the items needed to create her recipes.
Start creating your own family traditions this spring with Chocolate for Breakfast!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Passino is the proprietor/chef of Oak Knoll Inn, a luxurious, intimate inn nestled amidst rows of grapevines in Napa Valley, California’s Wine Country. Her decadent breakfasts have become California legend and attract visitors from all over the world. In the midst of her 15 years in the world of finance, Barbara took time to study with master chef Marcella Hazan in Venice. Eager to learn about other cultures through the role of food in daily life, Barbara combined travel with the study of cooking and was inspired to turn her passion into a full-time dream-come-true: Barbara and her husband John bought the Oak Knoll Inn in 1992. All of this culminates in the greatest breakfasts imaginable.
ABOUT OAK KNOLL INN
Surrounded by 600 acres of vineyards, slowly drifting hot-air balloons and magnificent sunrises, Oak Knoll Inn is the perfect setting for a slow-paced, life-changing feast that Barbara likes to call breakfast. Guests from around the world return year-after-year to dine on Barbara’s latest culinary creations. Critics have delighted in the Oak Knoll experience, frequently describing it as Napa’s most romantic and luxurious bed and breakfast. Mornings at Oak Knoll start with breakfast that can be enjoyed in front of a crackling fire or out on the sunny deck. Every evening, Oak Knoll hosts a wine and cheese party, often with a visiting winemaker. A refreshing splash in the swimming pool in the morning and a soothing dip in the Jacuzzi at night are the perfect way to start and end the day. And, the secluded setting of Oak Knoll Inn belies the wonderful fact that some of Napa's best known wineries and renowned restaurants are just minutes away.
More information on Barbara Passino and Oak Knoll Inn is available at www.OakKnollInn.com
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