A new year calls for trying new things, including quality wine … organic wine! As of January 2018 ProudPour, an organic wine supplier, Sauvignon Blanc has helped restored over 7.5 million oysters, which are cleaning over 220 million gallons of water per day. The company’s Pinot Noir has helped plant over 8 million wildflowers for native bee species.
ProudPour also has new vintages with organic certification, and have dramatically redesigned their labels to be clearer about the mission of ProudPour. See below:
The hayrides have come and gone. The fun costumes revealed. As for the candy, kids and adults alike are still indulging. But if you have little people plus pets in your life, chances are you’ll have to be mindful of the dangers of having candy around the house and close to your pets, especially dogs. Some candy can be fatal for dogs. Fromgirltogirl chatted with Chelsea Rivera, dog lady and VP, Content & Media Relations of SimpleWag. Read here :
First impressions matter and if you are in the food business you want to make the right one. Here are some quick tips to help improve your restaurant decor.
Create Efficient Restaurant Layouts
The overall layout of a restaurant is a crucial aspect of any interior design task because you do not want restaurant staff members and customers colliding everywhere in the restaurant. The most efficient restaurant layouts are organize to help staff members operate smoothly while granting customers easy access to their tables and the restroom. Additionally you can alter your restaurant’s layout to improve circulation. Here’s how:
Focus on the tables and seats ensuring there is sufficient room to accommodate your preferred restaurant capacity. If your restaurant doesn’t have enough floor space, consider the position of your counter and whether or not it could be relocated to create more room.
Focus on Concept
Your restaurant’s concept is equally important to the layout because it helps set you apart from other culinary services within your locality.
If you can easily overcome the temptation to keep things ordinary, you will have the opportunity to create the right balance between a bit of unique inspiration and the typical expectations of any restaurant.
Often restaurant owners prioritize the best cuisine when opening up a restaurant. By focusing on concept, you will create an opportunity to develop a concept that will be a true reflection of the regular meals you will serve. Remember, links to any foreign country must be accompanied by an interior that has the same atmosphere.
Decorate with a theme in mind
Decoration often goes together with your concept of choice. Once you have settled on an overall restaurant theme, you should think of ways to enhance its atmosphere with several decorative features.
For instance, if you’re based in a period… maybe 17th century London locality, you will want features distinctive to the 17th century – artwork, walls or vintage furnishings. The same applies to a classic 50’s Italian bar, which would likely have artwork from Pablo Picasso and tons of Mediterranean colour schemes. Alternatively, a modern looking space may work well with one of these water walls from Luxe Water Walls.
Take Advantage of Window Displays
While window displays are hugely underrated, the truth is that they have the potential to attract bypassers who initially had no interest in checking into your restaurant. Window displays are one of the first things a customer will see when standing outside your restaurant. A unique and attractive window design has a greater chance of enhancing the curiosity of a customer.
Window displays should have no shade so that your potential customers will have the chance to peep through the inside and imagine what it would be like if they went inside. While displays can be huge and imposing, they should not block out natural light because it will decrease the attractiveness to potential customers.
Professional Assistance for Restaurant Decor
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make when starting their restaurant business is seeking assistance from amateur services in the build and interior design industries. You do not know how much this move could cost you, so it is always advisable to hire knowledgeable, skilled and reputable experts to help with opening your restaurant.
Although your budget will be expensive from hiring professionals, it is worth it. You can complete the whole design process with the aid of specialist architectural designers and experienced professionals. Better yet, having all experts on site at the same time will help enhance the final results.
By adhering to this help guideline, you will achieve the best possible results with your restaurant. Yes, that means having an attractive interior design that is capable of infatuating any passersby or potential customer looking for a place to have a quick meal. Remember, the appearance of your restaurant must be complemented by food that matches the interior design’s level of quality. If you’re able to complete a breathtaking restaurant interior design job, you must also be sure to please your customers with a delicious cuisine. Good luck with your restaurant decor adventures.
Do you know how many foods go great with wine? We here to tell you about the foods you least expect to go great with wine. Why? Because we enjoy wine pairings and the health benefits of wine, particularly red wine. Save and book this ’15 unusual wine & food pairings’ infographic so you can know which food items to get along with your wine the name time you go grocery shopping.
15 unusual wine and food pairings [ infographic]
Looking at the wine and food pairings infographic below, here are the ones we think you can enjoy this summer out of the list below:
The entree wine pairings
Salmon Burger with a Greek Santorini Assytriko
Venison with a Riesling ( make sure the venison is pan-seared)
Sushi with a Sparkling Rose …so good! The smell of fruit with fresh seafood is heavenly.
Tacos! The spices and assortment of meat with vegetables just goes perfect with a red wine. View Interactive Version
(via Mr.Gamez).
Share this wine and food pairings [ infographic] with friends and family to keep in mind for summer parties. It will not only make for fun conversations during wine tasting but also it’s fun to just try something new. Your taste buds will thank you and you just may make a few new friends along the way. Let Fromgirltogirl know about your favorites, by liking us on our Facebook page and leaving us a message. Happy to receive your recipes, photos and videos from your wine parties as well. Let us know if you would like us to share on social media. We love spreading the word on awesome food and recipes, especially when we can eat and drink for our health. You may also be interested in following us on Instagram for an inside look at our daily lives – fitness, healthy eating, fashion and more. Enjoy!
At the start of the New Year, I made a promise to myself to eat healthier by buying fresh foods, organic foods and making more homemade meals. In addition to making healthier choices, I also self-promised to workout daily for 15-30 minutes. Some days I feel less motivated to workout but I try to be physically active in some shape or form – walking, running, yoga or dancing. Since keeping up with this habit my body feels lighter and I have more energy. Now I am searching for healthier beverages.
One of my favorite beverages to drink is wine – Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. But what if I could get a healthier, more refreshing option of my favorite wines? This started my journey to natural wine, vegan wine.
What is Vegan Wine?
Vegan wine is wine that doesn’t include animal products. You may be asking “Don’t all wines not have meat?” That depends on the wine filtration process. Tiny particles , traces of meat are found in wine when filtered through animal products. With vegan wine you can avoid animal products altogether without sacrificing the delicious taste of wine. Some common animal products you can find in traditional wines are:
Albumin, the protein in eggs
Casein, an animal protein found in dairy products
Gelatin which from animal skin, bone and cartilage
Isinglass which is the gelatin from fish bladders
Egg whites
Chitosan carb found in shrimp, crab, and crustacean shells
Older wines may also have dried blood powder. If this sounds gross to you, wine lovers have drunk wines with some if not these particles inside. But why are these ingredients in wine? The animal products help clarify, filter, and refine wines and beers. Inevitably small traces of those animal products are found in the final beer and wine products. The wonderful thing about vegan wine is that it doesn’t have to use animal products to clarify, filter and refine. Instead, bentonite clay can refine wines to make them 100% vegan.
If you are wondering whether you can easily spot vegan wines when shopping for wine, you may find it challenging because the refining ingredients are not actually in the wine and not required to be listed on the wine bottle. I recommend going directly to a wine maker or wine retailer to confirm which wines are vegan wines – a high quality vendor will always keep track of wines that are vegetarian-friendly. This is how I discovered Proud Pour , a vegan wine provider committed to pairing wines with solutions to local environmental problems.
Environmentally friendly products are very important to me because I want to be mindful of how my habits and behaviors impact the world around. Doing research on Instagram about vegan wines, I discovered the hashtag#CheersToChange – a tagline Proud Pour uses on their Instagram page @ProudPour. They have two wines available now.
The first wine is The Oyster, a Sauvignon Blanc that restores 100 wild oysters per bottle. It also happens to be the perfect pair for oyster or seafood plates. This is appealing to me because I’m on a chicken and seafood diet now while also enjoying vegan food here and there.
Photo credit: Webb Chappell Photography
The second wine is Oregon Pinot Noir that saves bees by planting 875 wildflowers. Pinot Noir goes well with salmon, roasted chicken, pasta dishes, casseroles, stews and game birds like duck or quail. It can also go well with chocolate desserts and those with caramel.
Order online at ProudPour.com or find a distributor near you. Photo credit:Webb Chappell Photography.
No matter your preference of wine type, both are sustainably grown, vegan wines (and soon beer come this summer or summer 2018) to save the environment. Between the Sauvignon Blanc and the Oregon Pinot Noir, I decided to go for the wine that saves the bees. Regardless you cannot go wrong with either because you are making a difference.
I look at the back of the Oregon Pinot Noir wine bottle and read the facts about the importance of wildflowers to bees. Bees pollinate one-third of the food we eat. Native bees are disappearing because of pesticide use, disease and lack of wildflowers and habitat. By buying this vegan wine from Proud Pour, I help ( and you can support too) the bees survive because Proud Pour plants 875 wildflowers when wine lovers buy. That amount of wildflowers is the equivalent of 90 sq ft of bee habitat. Where? Local farms. The project is called Xerces Society.
Wine Tasting of the Oregon Pinot Noir
The Oregon Pinot Noir is not only sustainably grown and vegan, it is delicious with supple tannins, earthy tones, and rich notes of red plum, rhubarb, and vanilla. What I absolutely love about Proud Pour is their attention to detail. The wine bottle is beautiful. It has an illustration of a bee with the description “This wine saves bee species.” It also comes with a lovely sack that has seeds to plant wildflowers which I cannot wait to use when I get my first home. This wine has no eggs, casein or isinglass. I love it – cannot wait for my family and friends to try. Moreover, I am proud that a woman entrepreneur, Berlin Kelly, founder of Proud Pour produce this excellent wine for us to enjoy on date night, at weddings, corporate events and our favorite nights of TV.
Founder and CEO Berlin Kelly and Co-CEO Brian Thurber launched Proud Pour to drink and make a difference at the same time.
About the Proud Pour Team
Berlin and business partner Brian Thurber launched Proud Pour because they wanted to drink to make a difference. How many beverages can you really say make a difference when you go to the bar? Not many. They partner with local environmental group to do just that – and it’s awesome. Check out the list of non-profits Proud Pour supports today. The Proud Pour team encourages their fans to attend the non-profits’ events or reach out to see how they can help. Learn more on how they got started by reading ‘ Paired with Oysters, This Wine is Cleaning Up the New York Harbor.’
Where to Buy
The great thing about Proud Pour is that it gives wine lovers (and soon-to-be beer lovers) options on how to get their drink on. If you click Where to Buy at ProudPour.com you can find a Proud and Pour wine distributor near you or order right online. I love the buy online option because it allows me to buy in advance of special occasions and comes right to my door. Once it’s a habit, it’s easy.
Let me know what you think about Proud Pour by using the hashtag #CheersToChange
Whether giving up meat or giving up Lent, Primanti Bros. and Bar is offering a seasonal special for customers. What is it? To honor the start of the Lenten season with the launch of three new sandwiches – for the pious or the gluttonous – and is proud of its fans for “Giving Up” this season. The new sandwiches will be around until Easter and will be served everyday.
For those observing the season, Primanti Bros. is introducing The Redemption Sandwich – a ten-inch hoagie with spicy shrimp, crispy fish, pepper jack cheese and Cajun tartar and The Offering Sandwich – a 9oz crispy fish filet served with fries, slaw and tomato. For the heathens among us – the restaurant brings The Last Temptation – a meaty mashup of corned-beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese and spicy beer mustard – all topped with sweet-and-sour slaw, tomato and French fries.
“This season – it’s all about giving up – and that sacrifice has never tasted better,” said Toni Haggerty, a long-time icon and manager at Primanti Bros. original place in Pittsburgh. “In fact, we’re encouraging our fans to just, well, give up already.”
For those unfamiliar, Lent always marks an uptick in fish sales – but for those not looking for seafood, Primanti Bros. wanted to be sure to have something new.
“Listen, we’ve never been squeaky clean,” said Haggerty. “We’ve all got a bit of a mischievous side – and this year, we’ve got The Last Temptation Sandwich if fish just isn’t your thing and you’re looking to give in…”
For the latest info on Primanti Bros. Lent specials, check out the restaurant on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About Primanti Brothers
In 1933, Joe Primanti opened a lunch cart in Pittsburgh’s Strip District selling sandwiches to the hungry truckers who were coming and going at all times of the night. Encouraged by sales and positive feedback, Joe expanded to a small storefront where he was joined by his brothers Dick and Stanley and their nephew John DePriter. And that’s how the very first Primanti Bros. place was born – Primanti Bros. now has 39 locations, all dedicated to that early notion that folks deserve great food, with no pretense, for a good price.
Gatlinburg, Tenn.— Sugarlands Distilling Company, distillers of award-winning spirits in East Tennessee, released its Electric Orange Cream Liqueur. The newest Appalachian Sippin’ Cream is now available at the downtown Gatlinburg distillery and will soon be available in stores and online at BuySugarlands.com.
The new spirit combines a bright, fresh orange zest with the smooth taste of vanilla cream. The vibrant orange taste pairs perfectly with the cream to create a taste like frozen cream pops found in your hometown malt shop. At 40 proof, electric orange can be sipped straight out of the jar or added to your favorite float. Moreover, Electric Orange joins an award-winning line of spirits that has won 20 awards internationally since distillation began in 2014. Sugarlands Distilling Company offers dozens of creative cocktail ideas on their cocktail page.
About Sugarlands Distilling Company
Since opening in March 2014, Sugarlands Distilling Company has quickly become one of the most celebrated crafters of moonshine spirits in the country. The East Tennessee distillery now offers 14 varieties of award-winning moonshine distilled in the Great Smoky Mountains. Sugarlands Distilling Company combines innovative drinks with a raconteur and thrilling vibe. At the downtown Gatlinburg distillery, craft moonshine and whiskey partners up with live music, moonshine tastings, distillery tours and outdoor adventures in the Sugarlands—an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, also known as “moonshiners’ paradise”. Each year, nearly 1 million people visit the distillery, making it America’s top-rated distillery experience and the number one “thing to do” in Gatlinburg, Tenn., according to TripAdvisor.com.
New Year’s Eve is only days away but what is on the drink menu? Millennials are great consumers for alcohol corporations, distinguishing their varying tastes and preferences. In fact, millennials make up 30% of the total consumer product dollars that will be spent by 2020 because there are 77 million millennials ( and growing). What do millennials value? They value experience and authenticity; and when purchasing alcohol, it is no different. Additionally, they research brands online, read blog recommendations and taste test in-store to make the best decisions for their taste buds.
Millennials 21-34 represent about one-fourth of adults 21 and over, but they account for 35% of U.S. beer consumption and 32% of spirit consumption. Comparatively, they represent only 20% of wine consumption. Bottom line: they are open to trying different types of alcohol and exploring unique settings for an interesting customer experience. Learn about the types of alcohol millennials prefer drinking when spending time with friends.
No matter if it is the first date night with your crush or the weekly date night with your spouse, you want to have a good time and enjoy a great meal. For those who love pizza and a movie, get excited! Boston’s legendary pizzeria Upper Crust Pizzeria will open its doors next at Arlington’s Lee Heights Shops. In Boston Upper Crust Pizzeria is famous for its enormous, crispy pies and farm-to-pizza toppings and recognized as one of America’s five greenest pizzerias for its eco-friendly products and practices. So what brings the Upper Crust Pizzeria to the DC area? The legendary Boston pizzeria is opening at Arlington’s Lee Heights Shops because DC metro residents want to enjoy the crowd pleasing pizza known for being unique, delicious and extraordinary.
Courtesy of The Upper Crust Pizzeria.
In fact, Upper Crust Pizzeria is no stranger to celebrity clientele and blogosphere rave reviews as the Hollywood appeal and cutting edge-advertising campaigns inspire people to try out the pizzeria for date nights, business lunch outings, and play dates with friends and family alike. On the web there’s no surprise when bloggers and pizza fanatics offer stellar reviews about their restaurant experience at Upper Crust Pizzeria, it’s a 4 to 5 star restaurants in the categories of food, customer service and decor. If you are planning for date night, you’ll have plenty to talk about and eat as the pizzeria has its very own top-secret recipe and uses the freshest local ingredients available to truly give couples and overall customers a very unique, delicious and healthy meal any time of the day. If pizza is one of your favorite foods, some things you will enjoy about the restaurant is never having canned or frozen toppings because most of the pizzeria’s toppings arrive from farm-to-pizza within 24 hours.
For DC lovebirds looking for an affordable, unique, fun date night hot spot, this is it. The pizzeria is open 7 days a week and you have the option of dine-in, take-out as well as a delivery service with a full menu of wicked fancy pizzas, calzones, salads, and appetizers. Moreover, the Upper Crust Pizzeria offers free parking and conveniently in Arlington,VA making it easily accessible from the DC Metro. To spot the great date night hot spot, look for the colorful awnings in the 4500 block of Lee Highway between Old Dominion Drive and Lorcom Lane. To check out the menu for your next date night, visit the website at TheUpperCrustPizzeria.com or call (703) 527-9000 to learn about the people, the pizza, and the passion of this new favorite DC pizzeria and date night hot spot. Let the DC Relationship Examiner know how your date night goes by leaving a comment about your date night experience and other favorite date night hot spots.
Are you a gardener searching for fun do-it-yourself projects to do in the kitchen? As gardeners gather the harvest of the year, this is the perfect time to have a little extra fun in the kitchen – from cooking and canning to even more imaginative projects. Claudia Marshall, spokesperson of Gardener’s Supply Company says “There’s a natural progression from the garden to the kitchen so it makes sense that Gardener’s Supply Company would offer a line of DIY Kits.” The kits the company offers are part of a new collection of products called “Gardener’s Pantry,” an expansion on earlier products for DIY kitchen projects. In other words: “New and Improved!” Marshall adds, “the great thing about these kits is that you don’t have to have any previous experience or special equipment.” Here are some ways you can spice things up in the kitchen with homemade hot sauce:
Gardener’s Pantry “Homemade Hot Sauce Kit.” This DIY kit has everything you need to craft three different 5 oz. bottles of spicy goodness, including spices, vinegar and bottles, plus an exclusive pepper puree bases for ultimate flavor. Surprise your favorite hot sauce lovers with gifts they’re sure to enjoy. Made in the USA $29.95
Make Your Own Zesty Mustard with Gardener’s Pantry “Homemade Mustard Kit.” This is an easy way to whip up your own delicious mustard with the DIY kit. It includes all the ingredients you need to make three different varieties. Moreover, it is a fun family activity that offers delicious results. Three 4 oz. jars included. Made in the USA $29.95
Make your own Artisan Cheese- Just Add Milk
Gardener’s Pantry “Mozzarella & Ricotta Homemade Cheese Kit.” Proudly serve fresh, natural cheeses with flavors and textures that far outshine mass-produced supermarket fare. Kit contains instructions and recipes plus enough ingredients to make 30 batches of cheese. Made in the USA $29.95
Gardener’s Pantry “Deluxe Cheese-Making Kit.” Make your own favorite cheddar, Gouda, Colby, Monterey Jack, cottage, feta, ricotta and parmesan cheeses. Kit contains enough ingredients to make 20 lbs. of cheese. (Use our Cheese Waxing Kit, sold online, when making hard cheeses.) Made in the USA $39.95
Make your own Pickled Vegetables
Gardener’s Pantry “Homemade Pickling Kit.” Whether they’re served as a condiment, side dish or salad, homemade pickled vegetables bring bold flavor and satisfying crunch to everyday meals. This DIY kit includes everything you need to craft one batch each of three types of pickles using your vegetables. Includes three, 16 oz. canning jars. Made in the USA $19.95
For more conventional harvest keeping, Gardener’s Supply Company also offers beautiful supplies for canning, fermentation and cold storage – including our vegetable storage racks and more. Check out gardeners.com for more harvest season ideas and free advice. And hashtag #GardenersPantry and #Fg2G to show us how much fun you end up having in the kitchen!
