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This state drinks the most wine in the US

With its ample sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and general laid back state of mind, California has acquired a bit of a party reputation over the decades. So it probably comes as no surprise that residents of the Golden State drink the most wine in the country. The National Institutes of Health’s examination of national drinking trends found that Californians drink more wine by volume than any other state. Of course, California is also home to world renown wine producing region, Napa Valley, and more wineries than any other state — by a long shot. In fact, 86 percent of the wineries in the country are located in California. California also boasts the largest population, with 39 million thirsty residents, so they have a leg up. Runners up include Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Wyoming drinks the least wine, followed by West Virginia, North…

7 Keto-Friendly Drinks From Starbucks

So you have the keto thing down no problem when you cook at home, but when you go out to eat, things can get pretty tricky. Sometimes you might just decide just to skip the restaurant entirely if you’re not sure of its menu options, but skipping out on Starbucks? Well, is that really ever an option? The good news is that you don’t have to give up your beloved coffee run. The java giant offers plenty of keto-approved caffeinated drinks so you can have your morning pick-me-up, while still staying true to your diet. Overall, keep in mind when ordering any drink at a Starbucks or another coffee shop, you’re going to need to order sugar-free, since sugar is basically just carbohydrates. Also, order heavy cream or coconut or nut milk instead of regular milk. That will help you customize most drinks to be more in-line with keto, but here…

America’s favorite seasonal hot beverages

Nothing says winter weather quite like cuddling up on the couch in your flannel and fuzzy socks and a mug full of your favorite warm beverage. But, give the choice, what do you like to fill that mug with? Of course coffee and tea are welcomed any day of the year, but what seasonal drink do you go for around the holidays? An online poll recently asked Americans to share their favorite seasonal drink, and these were the top eight favorite drinks. So, do you agree? What drink would you add to the list, and which ones have you already crossed off the list this holiday season? 8. Mulled wine On a cold day, spiced wine is the perfect way to warm up. Make your own in a crock pot with bold red wine, spices, fresh fruits and some cognac. 7. Hot Buttered Rum This decadent drink will help you…

A Perfect Christmas Punch

Every holiday party needs a pretty drink to pass around. This punch is festive and so delicious — it will be gone in no time. It’s the holiday season, so splurge on the good stuff — Skip the juice “cocktails” and get 100% cranberry and pineapple juices. Cocktail juices tend to have tons of unnecessary added sweeteners and other flavors. Also, be sure to keep your liquids cold prior to mixing up this punch. This will keep the ice from melting right away and watering down your punch. Another tip: use frozen cranberries and lime wedges instead of ice to help keep your drink cool. A Perfect Christmas Punch Ingredients 3 liters cold ginger ale 6 cups cold cranberry juice 3 cups cold pineapple juice 1 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen whole cranberries 2 limes, thinly sliced ice (optional) 1 liter of vodka or rum (optional) Directions Pour ginger…

These are the top beer producing countries in Europe, report shows

As an American beer drinker, when you think of European beers, Germany is probably first country to come to mind. Of course, Germany is well-known for its annual Oktoberfest party, big beer steins, and influence on American beers. But the United Kingdom has had a major influence as well, thanks to the ever rising popularity of the India pale ale. And what about the profusion of Irish pubs and Guinness? If you think about it, it would be hard to guess what country in Europe actually produces the most beer. Food Ingredients First reported that The Brewers of Europe trade association released data report from last year. Seven nations were highlighted as top beer producers. Unsurprisingly, Germany led the list, producing 9.3 billion liters of beer in 2017 — accounting for 23 percent of Europe’s beer production. The United Kingdom and Poland tied for second place with production at 4…

10 things you never knew about eggnog

It’s that time of year when people all over the world get a hankering for holiday eggnog. You already know it’s delicious, but did you know it was responsible for a riot at West Point? Or that it was prescribed as medicine by doctors in the 1800s? Read on to learn more about everyone’s favorite way to imbibe during the holidays. 1. Americans love of eggnog adds to its waistline. According to Indiana University, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of eggnog every year — almost all of that between Thanksgiving and New Years. Recipes will vary, but a one cup serving of eggnog has approximately 210 calories and 11 grams of fat. Some eggnog brands can cram as many as 450 calories and 58 grams of sugar into a single serving. Add rum and whipped cream and you’re basically drinking dinner. 2. George Washington left us his favorite eggnog recipe.…

Winter white hot chocolate with cinnamon

Living in Pittsburgh, it seems hot chocolate is everywhere — and that, in my opinion, isn’t always a good thing. Those watered-down styrofoam cups at freezing cold football games or the overly sweet stuff handed out after cold weather 5Ks, are really consumed out of a need to stay warm, more so than for the enjoyment. It had been a long time since I had a cup ‘o chocolate that I actually enjoyed. But I was feeling a bit Christmassy decorating the house, so I thought I’d whip up something warm and delicious to sip on as we watch holiday movies on repeat. This Winter White Hot Chocolate has a dash of cinnamon to give the cup some complexity. You can add more or less, if you like. Even some nutmeg would taste pretty good. The best part of making drinks like this is always the extras, so if you’re going…

The difference between sparkling water, seltzer water, club soda and tonic water

They’re all clear. They’re all bubbly. And they’re all water. So you’d be forgiven if you thought club soda, seltzer, tonic water, and sparkling water are all the same thing. But the four carbonated beverages are in fact, totally different drinks. How do you know which one to drink when, and even which ones you want to drink? Let’s dig deeper: Sparkling Water Sparkling water, or sparkling mineral water if you’re trying to be fancy, is naturally carbonated. It comes from carbonated springs or well, courtesy of Mother Nature. According to the FDA, mineral water mist contain at least 250 parts per million dissolved solids from the water source to be considered the real deal. Trace minerals in sparkling water may include sodium, magnesium, and calcium. The flavor can vary depending on where it came from, so sparking waters from separate springs can taste much different. When to drink: Sparking water usually…

Is there a difference between apple cider and apple juice?

Apples are the star fruit of fall: Whether they’re baked in a pie or spiced in a sauce, it’s obvious we love celebrating the return of apple season. But there’s one way we can consume apples that causes confusion even among the most ardent apple connoisseurs — cider. More specifically, what’s the difference between the stuff we scoop up exclusively during September and October at markets and that other stuff available on the grocery shelf all year long? This is how you make apple cider: Here is the difference between apple cider and apple juice: Apple Cider Apple cider is made from fresh apples that have been pressed into liquid. To make apple cider, apples are first washed and cut, then ground into a mash that’s about the consistency of apple sauce. The mash is then wrapped in burlap cloth and placed between wooden racks. A hydraulic press squeezes…

How to cut sugar and calories from your Pumpkin Spice Latte order

Fall is the season for swopping swim suits for sweaters and popsicles for PSLs. Yes, another Pumpkin Spice Latte season has arrived. But before you head to Starbucks to wrap your hands around a warm cup of PSL goodness, wrap your brain around the fact that each standard Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte has 380 calories and the sugar equivalent (50 grams) to 3.5 giant Starbucks sugar cookies! Yikes! At that rate, you’ll be packing on the holiday pounds before we even enter October. So what’s a PSL fanatic to do? Well, there are a good handful of ways to cut back. The best all-around way to cut calories and sugar is to stop them at their main source. That delicious pumpkin syrup  comes at a cost. Each pump delivers 7.5 grams of sugar and 30 calories to your drink, and each Grande PSL takes four pumps. The numbers add up…