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Blueberry red grape popsicles with mint

Blueberry grape popsicles with mint

Popsicles aren’t rocket science. Of course you know they’re just frozen juice, but if you’re saving time and buying the store-bought version, that juice is loaded with extra sugars and artificial dyes. And that’s not even to mention the delicious flavor combinations you’re missing out on. This blueberry, red grape popsicle recipe makes a healthy summer treat. No unwanted ingredients — just blueberries, grapes, coconut milk, and mint. They’re so good for you, you could even eat one for breakfast! So grab a handful of fresh grapes and get started. You may never buy the boxed kind again! Blueberry Grape Mint popsicles Ingredients 1 1/2 cups fresh purple grapes 1 cup frozen blueberries 1/4 cup light coconut milk (from the carton) 6-7 fresh mint leaves (optional) Directions Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds (or paper cups if you…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

The best chicken salad ever

The best chicken salad with grapes and cashews_2

The best chicken salad I ever had was from a little bistro up the street from where I used to work. Sadly, it went out of business in just a few short years, but I still believe they could have kept their doors open with their chicken salad alone had more people discovered their incredible combination. I’m not sure of their exact recipe, but like all delicious, good-for-you food, all of the main ingredients were right there, whole and easily identifiable. The red grapes were a welcome addition to the crunchy cashews, and flavorful fresh dill. The mayo mix was light, and just present enough to stick all of the ingredients together. I swapped the classic chicken salad croissant for a slice of toasted brioche out of preference, but you serve on any bread you would like, or just spread it on a few hearty crackers. Also try, Healthy avocado…

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This state drinks the most wine in the US

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…

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Seasonal

This is what makes Prosecco and Champagne different

This is what makes Prosecco and Champagne different_1

As you stroll down the aisle at your local liquor store, you would be forgiven if you thought there wasn’t much of a difference between all of the pale gold bottles of bubbly. They all look so similar! But Champagne, Prosecco and simple sparkling wine are three totally different drinks whose names distinguish them from one another. If you’re just looking to pick up something for your holiday party, any of these festive bottles will suffice. But, if you want to look smart, you should know the difference — plus it’s really simple to remember. Here’s how to pick the best bottle for New Year’s Eve. Also see: Tips to prevent that horrible Champagne hangover. Sparkling wine Sparkling wine refers to pretty much any type of wine with bubbles. Champagne, Prosecco, Cava — they’re all sparkling wines. They just happen to be the three most common types. The term “sparking…

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Seasonal

Lucky foods you should eat on New Year’s Eve

Lucky foods you should eat on New Year's Everawpixel on Unsplash

If there is one universal holiday, it’s New Year’s Eve. No matter where you go on the globe, you’re likely not far from fireworks, parties, and people toasting to a happy and healthy new year ahead. Of course, food plays a huge role in any culture, and many foods have taken a central role in sustaining superstitions about what brings good fate and fortune in the new year. Because even the biggest skeptic out there doesn’t want to tempt fate, most of us add a few of these foods to our New Year’s menus. Here are 11 lucky foods to choose from: Greens Green symbolizes wealth in many countries around the world — think, four leaf clovers, money, and even jade jewelry — so people eat greens New Year’s Eve to bring them good luck (especially financial luck) in the coming year. Black-Eyed Peas News Year’s just wouldn’t be the…

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New Wine Water has all the taste without the alcohol

New Wine Water has all the taste without the alcohol

If you’re in the mood for wine, but can’t or don’t drink alcohol, pretty soon you’ll have a solution. An Israeli startup has created O. Vine Wine, a grape infused water that is supposed to taste like your favorite red or white. The beverage made its debut on June 30 at the Fancy Food Show in New York. O. Vine is the newest comer in the ‘new water’ category. Brands like La Croix and Bai have everyone reaching for the lower calorie seltzer and tea alternatives and skipping out on sugary sodas and soft drinks. O. Vine mixes the smell and taste of wine with clear, spring water. It contains extracts from wine grape skins and seeds, which includes resveratrol, a compound found in red grape skins though to have heart health and anti-cancer properties. Not too shabby for a water replacement. “Our mission was to create a pure water sensation that…

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Hail storms wipe out eight million bottles worth of Champagne grapes

Hail storms wipe out eight million bottles worth of Champagne grapesImage credit: AFP

Today the Champagne industry has nothing to toast. Strong hail storms hit the famous wine growing region of France and wiped out the equivalent of eight million bottles of bubbly. The strong hailstorm damaged 4,450 acres of Champagne vineyards — completely destroying about 1,000 of those. This isn’t the first storm to wreck havoc on this year’s harvest. The northeastern Champagne region was hit hard four times between late April and May, which is unfortunately the exact time that the delicate vines begin to flower. The fourth storm, which hit May 27, caused the most harm. “Of course storm and hail are not unusual phenomena in Champagne, but what is rare is to see them at this very early stage and with this level of violence,” the industry’s Champagne Committee said. Thanks to the region’s reserves, the hail damage is not expected to result in a shortage for customers this…

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You’ll soon be spending more for that cheap wine

You'll soon be spending more for that cheap wine

Just when you found a few good, cheap wines to rely on, they’re about to get way more expensive. According to data from the Paris-based International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), wine production was down this year to the lowest production levels seen since 1957. According to Reuters, it’s the weather causing the problem. Three of the world’s top wine producers, Italy, France and Spain, were hit by harsh and unusual weather last year, like drought, hailstorms and late spring frost, leading to an overall drop of 14.6 percent in production. The 2017 harvest only brought 25 billion liters of wine. That’s down from the 2015 harvest which produced 27.6 billion liters, and the 2016 harvest which brought 26.7 billion liters. The continent accounts for 65 percent of global wine production. The OIV told the Independent that this doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a shortage of wine unless the weather conditions and poor harvest…

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Strawberries top list of produce with most pesticides, avocados have the least

For the third year in a row, strawberries rank the worst on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables.

If you pass on the organic produce in order to save a few bucks, perhaps you should at least consider the organic strawberries, new research suggests. For the third year in a row, strawberries rank the worst on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables. The annual list looks at which of our grocery store produce is harboring the highest number of harmful pesticide residues. This year, more than 98 percent of samples of fruits like strawberries, peaches, cherries and apples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue on the skin. About a third of all strawberry samples had at least 10 pesticides present, the study reported. One sample had an “astounding” 22 pesticide residues. Behind strawberries on the Dirty Dozen list landed spinach. About 97 percent of spinach samples showed pesticide residues were present. Nectarines, apples and grapes rounded out the top five. The report is based…

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France’s Wine Theme Park is like Disney for Adults

France's Wine Theme Park is like Disney for Adults

Anaheim, California may have Disneyland, but the happiest place on Earth is actually located in France. La Cité du Vin, or “The City of Wine,” is located in Bordeaux — one of France’s most storied wine regions. While it may not have whizzing go-around rides and 20-ft tower drops, the two-year-old theme park-museum-hybrid has plenty of thrills for oenophiles. Visitors can start at La Cité du Vin’s on premise restaurant where more than 800 varieties of wine from 70 different countries are stored — all of which are available for tasting and ordering. Guests can then also explore more than 20 wine themed exhibits and sections of the park, including an immersive simulated boat ride that shows what it’s like to be a globe-trotting wine merchant. Bordeaux, France #csmidlifegapyear #memories #travel #travelblogger #travelbug #laciteduvin #bordeaux #france #wine A post shared by midlifegapyear (@midlifegapyear.info) on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:32am PDT A 250-seat auditorium…

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