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Food, Appliances, Drink & Restaurant Reviews

For more product reviews, please see our main product review page.

NEWS (Please note: Appliances, Food, Drink & Restaurant Reviews Follow after the News).

What's New at Hi Mountain Seasonings - Plenty! First, Start Your Day with Two New Breakfast Sausages from Hi Mountain Seasonings. Or try the company's New Jerky Knife that I found is not only excellent, but sells for Under $10 (Scroll below to Food/Drink for information on the New Breakfast Sausages, and scroll to Appliances/Knives for details on the Jerky Knife)

The Honey Stinger -- New Pure Energy Bars (Check below under Food)

FullBites Bold Cheddar Is Crispy, Crunchy, Satisfying (Check below under FullBar - Food)

APPLIANCES & KNIVES

Hi Mountain's entire line of products, cooking tips, instructional videos, and recipes are also available at www.himtnjerky.com, and the products can be found at high-quality sporting goods stores, farm and ranch stores and your local grocery stores.

Located in the heart of Wyoming, Hi Mountain Seasonings was founded in 1991. It is the premier manufacturer of kits for homemade jerky and sausage. Hi Mountain Seasonings has successfully captured distinct, traditional Western flavors in its Jerky Cure & Seasonings, Western Style Seasonings, Bacon cures and other products that make up the unique line of gourmet Western seasonings. For additional information, write: Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501; call toll-free 1-800-829-2285; or visit the company website at www.himtnjerky.com.

The Magic Bullet

The Magic Bullet, not only looks sleek and takes up limited space on the kitchen countertop, it’s the ultimate ALL-IN-ONE APPLIANCE. The Magic Bullet chops, dices, grinds, blends, purees and whips, making smoothies, protein shakes, dips, soups, salsas, blended cocktails, mixes, desserts and pasta sauces in just ten seconds or less.  

IT’S COMPACT – No need to store heavy and bulky items like blenders, mixers, juicers and food processors. Magic Bullet takes up limited space on the countertop.

IT’S TAILOR-MADE FOR INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS

IT’S A HEALTH FANATICS DREAM – Not only can it be used to make protein shakes and fruit smoothies, but the set also comes with a juicer attachment so health-conscious people can make homemade fruit or veggie concoctions.

IT’S EASY TO OPERATE – Simply place one of the bullet cups or Party Mugs on to the High Power Torque Base and press – it’s that easy!

IT’S A CINCH TO CLEAN – All parts are dishwasher safe.

IT’S THE ULTIMATE ALL-IN-ONE APPLIANCE – This versatile appliance does the same jobs that a blender, food processor, juicer, mixer, and knife do – in a quarter of the time.

YOU GET A LOT FOR A LITTLE – The 21-piece set includes two blades, tall and short bullet cups, Bullet Juicer attachment, four party mugs, shaker/steamer tops, and a 10-second recipe book with more than 100 healthy recipes, including scores of tips and tricks… all for $59.99. If you bought all of the appliances separately that the Magic Bullet replaces, you would spend hundreds of dollars. 

The Magic Bullet set retails for just $59.99 and is available nationally at all major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens N’Things and Kohl’s. The Magic Bullet is also available at www.buythebullet.com, where for $99.99 the purchaser gets twocomplete Magic Bullet systems (both are 21 piece sets and come with a juicer).

The blender's enclosed booklet – offers helpful tips – for instance, you will use the CROSS blade for most functions, EXCEPT for whipping (cream, butter) or grinding hard items (like coffee beans or spices). 

Most outdoor enthusiasts are familiar with the FoodSaver GameSaver^® line of vacuum packaging appliances that allow hunters and fishermen to package and preserve game and fish quickly and easily.  Now the top-of-the-line GameSaver Turbo vacuum packaging appliance has been upgraded for even better performance and ease of use.

The GameSaver Turbo now features a digital seal level display and an extra wide sealing strip for added assurance that each package is properly sealed. The upgraded Turbo also includes PulseVac^TM feature and a touch pad control panel that makes the appliance easier to control and even more user friendly.

With two vacuum pumps instead of one, the GameSaver Turbo is designed for speedier, heavy-duty use. With the additional vacuum pump and heavy-duty extra wide sealing strip, the GameSaver Turbo can quickly seal up to 50 consecutive packages, whether it’s venison, fish filets, changes of clothes or first aid kits. Perfect for use at home or during the trip, the GameSaver Turbo makes vacuum packaging food and other supplies quick and easy, and the foods will last up to five times longer.

The GameSaver Turbo offers all of the features the serious user needs, like a dishwasher-safe drip tray that can be removed for easy cleaning after packaging meats and moist foods. There is a built-in roll storage and cutter that will hold 11-inch wide FoodSaver^® Vacuum Packaging Rolls so it’s convenient to make custom bags of any length. A five-level Seal Control lets the user adjust the length of the sealing process to ensure that all foods are properly and completely sealed.

The GameSaver Turbo is fully automatic and will draw a vacuum and seal the package with just the touch of one button. Prime cuts of meat or fresh game can be packaged whole or prepared in meal-sized portions. The compact, finished packages can be easily marked with the date, description and weight, all with no mess.

FoodSaver^® Bags and Rolls are and made with a multi-layer durable plastic construction with a nylon outer layer.  They are strong and resist puncturing, so the vacuum remains intact, and your food stays fresh for up to five times longer.  The bags are great for preparing meal-size portion of any prepared foods.  To reheat, the food can be simmered or microwaved in the bags making it easy to prepare and clean up afterwards.           

Another convenient feature is the Accessory Port that lets users vacuum pack food and supplies in cans, jars, bottles and FoodSaver^® Vacuum Packaging canisters.

The GameSaver Turbo is ready to use right out of the box. Each appliance comes with a starter kit that contains two FoodSaver Rolls (8 in. x 10 ft. and 11 in. x 10ft.), FoodSaver Bags (five quart size and five gallon size), an accessory hose with hose storage and QuickStart and Reference Guides. GameSaver Turbo is available in white, is UL listed and carries a one-year warranty.

The GameSaver series of vacuum-packaging appliances are available from sporting goods retailers, in sporting goods catalogs and from many Web-based retailers.

For more information on the FoodSaver^® brand appliances and the many uses of home vacuum packaging, contact Ashley Rainer at (800) 248-9687. Consumer information is available online at www.foodsaver.com.

FOOD (Drink Product Reviews follow after FOOD REVIEWS)

CHEDDAR CHEESE FACTS 

In Vermont, home to some of the best cheeses in the world, folks tend to be quite passionate about cheese. Most Vermonters can tell mild from sharp cheddar with the first taste. At the Cabot Cheese Company, they know almost everything about cheddar cheese—how it’s made, how it’s best served, trends in the cheese market, and what distinguishes the varying degrees of sharpness. They constantly track and analyze industry information and statistics, particularly as they pertain to small cheese companies and naturally aged cheeses.

As a farmer-owned cooperative, Cabot works in partnership not only with the dairy farmers, but also with members of the Vermont dairy industry, the Vermont Cheese Council, and state government agencies including Agriculture and Tourism. Vermont is a small state and one in which the company has the luxury of working very closely with friends and neighbors across many related industries. Cabot is confident in saying that if we don’t have the answer to your question, they know the person who does.

I took one of the Cabot Cheese Company's tour and was absolutely delighted - having had the pleasure of seeing every bit of the operation and tasting every cheese that's made here. 
 
TOP TEN CHEDDAR FACTS
 
1. The Great Cheddar Debate: White vs. Yellow. As legend has it; coloring was originally added to distinguish where a particular cheddar was made. Yellow cheeses derive their color from an additive. Cheddars made in the New England states, including Cabot cheddar made in Cabot, Vermont, traditionally have no color additives therefore retain the natural white color.

2. Why is My Cheese Sweating? It's common for a small amount of moisture to develop inside cheese packaging. In most cases this moisture will be minimal; however, there are circumstances where it may be quite noticeable. In the case of more mature cheeses such as extra sharp cheddars, the proteins in the cheese will give up moisture as they age in a process known as "synerisis". This is a natural consequence of the aging process and does not damage the cheese in any way. Rather it allows the cheese to reach the next stage of maturity, that sharp crumbly texture so many cheese lovers seek. Simply wipe off any excessive moisture, wrap the cheese in fresh plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.

3. Degrees of Sharpness. A cheese’s sharpness is determined by the amount of time it has been aged. With naturally aged cheddars, a mild cheddar is generally aged for 2 to 3 months, whereas an extra sharp might be aged for as long as a year or more. Cabot offers several cheddars aged well over one year including Private Stock, aged for at least 16 months and Vintage Choice for at least 2 years.

4. What Distinguishes a "Artisanal" Cheese? Artisinal generally refers to handmade, natural cheeses made with the traditional cheese making techniques.

5. Waxed vs. Waxless. The goal of all cheddar packaging is to keep air out thus eliminating the chance of molding. There are three typical packaging methods for cheddar: the most traditional method is wax, and the other two more modern methods use plastic films and either a vacuum packing or "gas flushing" technique to remove the air before sealing.

6. Wine & Cheese: The Perfect Pair. Ultimately, pairing wine and cheese is a matter of personal taste. In general, however, the flavors of the wine should complement the flavors in the cheese. For example, extra sharp cheddars, blue cheeses and goudas, which all have deep intense flavor, match well with a bold and courageous pinot noir or cabernet while more laid back cheeses such as mild cheddar and goat, pair better with a round, mellow Merlot. A smooth, buttery chardonnay will complement a classic Brie or ambrosial roasted garlic cheddar perfectly.

7. The Lactose Myth. Aged cheeses, such as Cabot’s naturally aged cheddar contain 0 grams of lactose. Contrary to popular belief, unlike many dairy products, cheese in general is extremely low in lactose - most has 1 gram or less per serving - and therefore should not cause any lactose intolerance related symptoms.


8. Serving Tip. Like a fine red wine, cheddar cheese is always best served at room temperature. Allowing the cheese to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving brings out the full flavor and best consistency of the cheese. So take the cheddar out of the fridge at the same time you uncork your wine and they’ll both be ready to go when your guests arrive!


9. Melting. Mild cheddars will melt easily and consistently, however, low-fat cheddars and sharper cheddars will melt well if first shredded or cut into strips and cooked over low heat.


10. Nutrition Points: Most people know that cheddar cheese and other dairy products are naturally high in calcium and protein. Perhaps a lesser-known nutrition fact is that Vitamin D, another critical nutrient for healthy bones, is also found in dairy products. Not only does Vitamin D aid in the body’s absorption of calcium, but it may also affect the mood-lifting brain chemical known as serotonin. 

CALLAWAY CONSUMER PRODUCTS

parent company of Organic Bistro˙ Whole Life Meals announces three entrée additions to the Organic Bistro line. All are single serving frozen meals made with organic ingredients, sustainable seafood and natural poultry. All contain a whole grain pilaf, vegetable and lean protein. .

- Sockeye Salmon cakes with ginger spiced bean medley and confetti pilaf
- Savory Turkey breast with rosemary-mushroom sauce, green beans and lentil-quinoa pilaf
- Pescado Veracruz baked Alaskan Pollock in tomato-red pepper sauce with black bean rice pilaf

Organic Bistro's product development team includes a nutritionist, a naturopathic doctor, and a gourmet chef. Meals are designed to provide delicious, gluten-free, low-glycemic index foods that are high in lean protein, fiber, and omega 3 fats. "We create recipes based on what should be included in a healthful meal, not what should be left out. And using whole food ingredients makes our job easier." Laryn Callaway, founder and CEO says. "One of the reasons many Americans find it difficult to shop and eat healthfully, is the message on 'what's bad this year' changes often. Our message doesn't change and won't change: start with unprocessed ingredients and delicious, healthy meal choices follow." The suggested retail for each meal is $5.99.

Organic Bistro launched their line of healthy Whole Life Meals into test market in Arizona in July 2006. Consumer demand was strong, confirming the growing interest in healthy lifestyle, single serving, prepared meals. Expansion plans are underway to bring the brand to retailers throughout the western US. Organic Bistro Meals are now available through all western region UNFI divisions, Nature's Best in Brea, California and DPI's Rocky Mountain division.

For more information check web site www.theorganicbistro.com

COFFEE

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has announced that Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee is now available for sale to the public. Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee is shade grown coffee from plantations in Central Colombia that the Cerulean Warbler - a declining songbird that nests in North America - depends on during the winter. Proceeds from the coffee sales will be used to maintain the shade plantations and an adjacent Cerulean Warbler forest reserve.

“By purchasing this premium coffee today, you are helping traditional coffee cooperatives maintain shade plantations, and preserving habitat for the Cerulean Warbler and other migratory songbirds,” said George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy. 

Shade grown coffee plantations are at risk of being converted to sun coffee and other cash crops, resulting in a loss of forest cover and bird habitat. The loss of these plantations is cited as a reason for the bird’s decline. 

“This is the best Colombian coffee I have tasted, and I have been roasting coffee since 1969,”said Paul Katzeff, roastmaster for Thanksgiving Coffee. “The flavor is deeply blessed with heavy body, silky smooth notes of cashew and apricot, and has a long fruity finish. If you like coffee ice cream, you will love this classic Colombian coffee.”

ABC has teamed up with its Colombian partner, Fundacion ProAves, local growers’ cooperative COOPERAN, American Birding Association, and the Thanksgiving Coffee Company to bring this high-quality, shade grown and organic coffee to market. Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee can be ordered from <http://www.abcbirds.org/>www.abcbirds.org or by calling 800-648-6491.

“We at ABA have long been involved in the shade grown coffee market with Thanksgiving Coffee and are pleased to now have the opportunity to also work with ABC, Fundacion ProAves, and COOPERAN in a meaningful effort to protect Cerulean Warbler and other songbird habitat in Colombia. Maintaining shade plantations and the forest reserve may be our last real chance to reverse the negative population trends among these birds,” said Richard Payne, President of the American Birding Association.

“The Cerulean Warbler is North America’s fastest declining neotropical migratory songbird - loss and fragmentation of its wintering habitat is a major reason why its population is down 80% since 1966,” said Fenwick. “ABC is working to reverse this trend by bringing shade grown coffee benefiting birds and local communities to market and by raising funds to conserve the warbler across its range.”

For additional information see www.abcbirds.org or in Spanish www.proaves.org

CRISPY GREEN

Crispy Green offers two lines of freeze-dried fruit snacks that are sure to please the taste buds of young and old alike!.

Crispy Fruit snacks are available in four delicious flavors: Crispy Apples, Crispy Bananas, Crispy Pears and Crispy Pineapples. Each serving of Crispy Fruit is 40 calories or less and are a fun and frightening healthy alternative to sugary Halloween treats for kids and adults alike. It's available is available is single serving bags are the perfect treat for trick-or-treaters and in the handy ’Grab and Go’ 6-PACKs – six single serving bags in one convenient multi-bag. (The MSRP is $1.49 for the .36-ounce single serving size and $7.99 for the 6-PACK.)

Strawberry FruitziO, Crispy Green’s newest product in its new line of freeze-dried fruit snacks is a light, sweet and crunchy snack that kids and adults can enjoy anytime, anywhere. Made with only the finest freeze-dried strawberries – with just a hint of sugar, Strawberry FruitziO is only 100 calories per 25g bag and provides 110% of the daily-recommended amount of vitamin C. (The MSRP for FruitziO is $3.75 for a resealable 25g bag.) All-natural Crispy Fruit and Strawberry FruitziO contain no preservatives (including sulfides), fat, cholesterol or sodium and are peanut/tree nut free, gluten-free, dairy free and certified kosher by Shatz Kosher Services.

Crispy Green has introduced Crispy Bananas - the newest addition to its all-natural, innovative line of Crispy Fruit snack food offerings.

Crispy Bananas are made of 100% high-quality, freeze-dried banana slices – and nothing else.
These kosher-certified, all-natural snacks are dairy and gluten-free and contain no added sugar, preservatives, colors, flavors, fat or cholesterol and are packed with intense fresh fruit flavor, which make them an excellent choice for snacking. Crispy Bananas are available in both a single-serving size and in handy ‘Grab & Go’ 6-PACKs.

The MSRP for Crispy Fruit is $1.49 for the single-serving size and $7.99 for the 6-PACK.

Here are some quick facts about the new Crispy Bananas.

-Each single-serving size of Crispy Bananas (0.53 oz) contains approximately one-large sliced banana and 2 grams of dietary fiber with just 13 total carbohydrates.

-Unlike traditional banana chips, Crispy Bananas are packed with the same natural sweetness, flavor and aroma that you find from fresh, ripe bananas in a light and crunchy taste. 

Try Crispy Bananas for yourself and experience totally guilt-free snacking. We’d be happy to provide you with product samples for your consideration.

For more information about Crispy Green please go to www.crispygreen.com.

Crispy Fruit can be purchased at supermarkets, natural and whole food stores and other fine food stores. To find a retailer near you, please go to the store locator at www.crispygreen.com/where-to-buy.html.

FULLBar Products

FullBites

Inspired by Weight Loss Surgery Principles, FULLBites has come out with Crispy Bold Cheddar naturally flavored Cheese bites. The company notes that the real secret in losing weight is to 'be full and eat less.' Fullbites have high protein, high fiber, pro-meal solution that they say helps you to succed. Fullbites reduce the amount of food your stomach can hold, so if you need a lot less food to feel full. They recommend, to get the most of Fullbites to feel full, that you enjoy Fullbites with 8 oz. of water, wait 30 minutes and eat a reasonable meal. For best results, they suggest making it a habit and use daily with 2 largest meals a day, 6 days a week. Dr. Synder, company spokesperson, offers support via videos, insights, questions answered and more by visiting web site www.fullbites.com.

Fullbites are available in three flavors -- Barbecue, Cheddar and Sour Cream and Onion.

Fullbar Fit

This is the newest product from Fullbar - the company dedicated to the outdoor enthusiast or fitness buff who is looking for energy and fullness without the calories. The bar is double layered with puffed wheat and soy crisp, contains 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and is only 180 calories. It comes in three flavors, including Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp, Toffee Crunch, and Chewie Brownie.

The Fullbar product line is the creation of Dr. Michael A. Snyder, a nationally recognized weight loss surgeon who designed these products to mimic the benefits of weight loss surgery. The approach is simple -- consume one of the five products 30 minutes before a meal or at key craving times to lfill up the top portion of your stomach, and then eat whatever you'd like at meal time. The intake of protein and fiber helps people consume less at their biggest meals, and thus they, according to Dr. Snyder, eat less overall.

Dr. Synder, company spokesperson, offers support via videos, insights, questions answered and more by visiting web site www.fullbites.com.

FUNKY MONKEY SNACKS

With a name like Funky Monkey, how could the snacks not be good? I tasted several varieties and they were, indeed, better than good - they were yummy!

New, Funky Monkey Snacks has introduced all natural freeze-dried fruit in four flavors --

Bananamon (banana and cinnamon

Carnaval Mix (banana, pineapple, apple, papaya and rasins)

Jivealime (pineapple and lime juice)

Purple Funk (banana and acai - pronounced ah-sigh-EE

According to the company, Acai, a berry from the Brazilian rainforest, is considered to be one of nature's true superfoods and is loaded with antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein. The snacks are all natural with no added sugar, preservatives, colors, or flavors, are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, and are certified Kosher-Parve. The four varieities of Funky Monkey Snacks are manufactured in Brazil using tropical fruits freeze-dried at the peak of freshness near the source, removing the handling and ripening challenges associated with importing fruit into the U.S. for processing.

I asked how these unique flavors are derived, and was told that Funky Monkey Snacks uses a proprietary freeze-drying process on whole slices and large pieces of fruit. This process isn't utilized on any other snack available in the U.S. and removes approximately 97 percent of the moisture content of the fruit, providing what I tasted - a crisp, crunchy texture. I figured, with this process, the Snacks are surely healthier and more natural alternative to dried fruit or fruit snacks. . .because this procedure ensures that all the nutrients of fresh fruit and fruit snacks are preserved.

What's great about this product is also the fact that the snacks are portable, take up very little space in your backpack or pocket, and each one ounce ba contains three servings of fruit. I've always had trouble eating fruit, but this product is so good, I'm getting my daily quota of vitamins that are tasty.

Funky Monkey Snacks are available in the produce or snack sections of grocery stores and natural food stores in California and on the West Coast. The recommended retail price is $1.99 - $2.49 for each one-ounce bag.

For more information, check web site www.funkymonkeysnacks.com

GAME GOURMET'S WILD GAME MEALS - MADE THE EASY WAY

The brainchild of award-winning chef, John Schumacher, The Game Gourmet consists of four different bake-in-the-bag products that include a simple recipe, all of the spices and a special oven cooking bag.  You simply add the wild game meat, some vegetables and water to the bag and cook it in your oven for 3 hours.  The meat will be moist and tender and without any “gamey” taste.  Choose from: Upland Game, Ducks and Geese, Soups and Stews, and Roasts and Steaks. Each packet offers a basic recipe, plus three additional creative recipes for variety.

No longer will sportsmen have to worry about the family enjoying wild game. Says Chef John, “The Game Gourmet will make the wild game meal you serve to your family your second success.” Says outdoor writer, Gregg Gutschow, “I’ve received a lot of new products to try in my time in the outdoors communications business, and let me just say that the new Game Gourmet cooking packets are my all-time favorites! I immediately tried the Roasts and Steaks packet on a venison roast, and my family was stunned by the exceptional taste. It’s simply the best venison roast I’ve had, ever!”

One Game Gourmet system packet will easily feed a hungry family of four and retails for $6.99. So, don’t bury your wild game in the freezer, serve it to friends and family with confidence with the Game Gourmet.

For more information, please visit www.gamegourmet.com or call Dave Franey at 1-866-403-2477.

Sign up for Hi Mountain's email newsletter to receive a myriad of benefits.  On the 1st and 15th of each month you will receive an email from Hi Mountain with mouth-watering recipes, cooking tips, special discounts, new product announcements and more. The new Hi Mountain email newsletter program also offers exclusive benefits to its subscribers.  After signing up members will be privy to exclusive contests, receive chances to win great products and get special coupons for the various Hi Mountain quality products.

To sign up simply go to www.himntjerky.com.  Don‚t miss out on all the great benefits offered from Hi Mountain ˆ sign up today!

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit tweb site www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

With the opening of hunting seasons, sportsmen around the country are preparing for a successful hunting season. To make the preparation of the game meat even easier, Hi Mountain Seasonings has announced that it is now offering its favorite seasonings and cure in bulk quantity.

All ten of the Hi Mountain jerky cure and seasoning flavors are available in bulk - Original, Mesquite, Hickory, Cracked Garlic & Pepper, Cajun, Pepper, Sweet & Spicy, Pepperoni, Mandarin Teriyaki, Inferno and Bourbon BBQ. Each 5 lb. bulk-seasoning package will season 350 pounds of meat and retails for $38.93. The cure is available in a 7 lb. package that cures approximately 390 pounds of meat and retails for $11.53.

Be prepared for this year's hunting season and prepare a wholesome and delicious food that everyone can enjoy throughout the year! Hi Mountain Seasonings Web site is a leading provider of Jerky cures and seasonings. Browse the site to find a comprehensive selection of gourmet seasonings, marinades, sausage kits, gourmet dips brines for smoking fish and poultry and a variety of specialty kitchen accessories to make the cooking experience easier.

Buffalo once roamed the open plains from Canada to Mexico in numbers so great that early explorers could not count them. In fact, the herds were once described as 'number-numberless,' and 'the country was one black robe.' The American bison earned the nickname of 'thunder of the plains‚. However, with the immigration of white settlers, the bison's number's dwindled almost to the point of extinction.

On December 8, 1905, William Hornaday, with the assistance of Theodore Roosevelt, formed the American Bison Society. Although the Society discontinued its programs in 1930, they were able to establish a number of wildlife preserves, and with the help of private bison owners they were able to stock a number of parks and preserves around the country. In 1995 the American Bison Association (actually formed in 1975) and the National Buffalo Association (chartered in 1966) merged to become the National Bison Association. They currently have nearly 1,500 members, including Hi Mountain Seasonings. Members come from all 50 states and 10 foreign countries.

This organization is dedicated to building a profitable, sustainable market for producers of all sizes, and all types. They work to promote all facets of production, preservation and marketing of bison, which are now estimated to be 150,000 in population on public and private land. The National Bison Association activities and services serve to better inform and educate members and the general public about bison.

'This magnificent species has always been a part of our history. By supporting the National Bison Association, Hi Mountain Seasonings not only insures that they are a part of our future, but also helps to educate about the many benefits of this species as a part of America's future,' stated Kimberly Hummel, owner of Hi Mountain Seasonings.

It's that time of year again, where football fans watch games with intense suspense and growling stomachs. Hi Mountain Seasoning has the perfect solution - The Football Flavor Pack. For a limited time, Hi Mountain has put together everything you need for a fabulous pigskin party.

With the Buffalo Wings Seasoning Kit, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Zesty Western Marinade, Creamy Chipotle Dip, Cajun Cowboy Western Sizzle seasoning and the Trail Dust Western Sizzle seasoning, The Football Flavor Pack will keep your guests palates satisfied regardless of who is winning the game.

Be sure to kick off your next football party with Hi Mountain Seasonings. The Football Flavor Pack is available for a limited time only and retails for only $21.99.

The company's whole line of products, cooking tips and recipes are available conveniently online at www.himtnjerky.com and can be found at high-quality sporting good stores such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela‚s, Academy Sports, Scheels All Sports, Dunham'‚s, Gander Mountain, and Sportsman's Warehouse and farm and ranch stores including Blain's, Theisen's, Atwood's, and L&M Supply and at your local grocery store chain.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit the Web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

Sausage making is an old tradition. In fact, ancient paintings show early Chinese kitchen scenes featuring sausage making dating from the 5th century. Since that time, however, the techniques, time involved and the process and equipment used have evolved significantly. In fact, it is easier than ever to make link sausage in the convenience of your home thanks to Hi Mountain Seasonings and its new Link Master sausage maker.

The new Link Master makes it easy to make your own healthy and delicious breakfast sausage. Simply season ground meat with the Hi Mountain breakfast sausage seasoning, place the casing over the Link Master sausage gun nozzle, load the gun and start making the best sausage you have ever tasted. One of the true advantages of making your own sausage is that you make the ultimate decision on the ingredients that go into your homemade sausage. Make your sausage using pork, turkey, beef or wild game.

Each Link Master kit comes with a Link Master sausage gun, breakfast sausage seasoning and two strands of collagen casings. The suggested retail price of the Link Master is $33.59.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit the Web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

Sausage, a word that originally comes from the Latin word salsus, which means salted or preserved, was originally a method used to preserve meats, especially lesser cuts. Today thanks to Hi Mountain Seasonings, sausage making has become an at-home art where creative chefs can make healthy sausage from virtually any type of meat.

Variety truly is the spice of life, and Hi Mountain is pleased to bring Country Maple Blend Breakfast Sausage Seasoning to its line of flavorful sausage mixes. This delightfully sweet maple-seasoned blend is sure to be a hit with everyone. If you are one that has shied away from commercially made sausage - fearing not only fat content but also preservatives and other chemicals actually in the product, Hi Mountain urges you to try making your own sausage. Making your own sausage is fun and ensures only the best quality ingredients while allowing you to control the fat content.

Hi Mountain Seasoning provides an easy and healthy alternative to those wary of store-bought sausage. With the addition of the new Country Maple Blend, Hi Mountain offers four great breakfast sausage blends. The others include Western Pepperoni Blend, Original Blend and Prairie Sage Blend. Each package will season 24 pounds of meat.

Start your day with a healthy Hi Mountain Breakfast sausage! It is fun and easy to make in the convenience of your home. The company's whole line of products, cooking tips and recipes are available conveniently online at www.himtnjerky.com and can be found at high-quality sporting good stores such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Academy Sports, Scheels All Sports, Gander Mountain and Sportsman's Warehouse or at your local grocery store chain.

For additional information on the Company, call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit the web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

When food is soaked or 'marinated' in a marinade, the natural food flavors are enriched. In addition to adding flavor to meat, fish and chicken marinades also tenderize, as well as allow the food to stay moist while grilling or baking. Hi Mountain Seasonings is pleased to announce three new marinades to its line of products: Soy Ginger, Sweet Honey and Original Zesty Western. Your taste buds have never had it so good with marinades until now!

These three new Wind River marinades are delectable blends of dry spices carefully selected to enhance the flavor of beef, wild game, fish, chicken and vegetables. Simply mix with oil and vinegar and your meal will turn into a tender, mouthwatering sensation in an hour or you can marinate overnight for a truly enriched flavor.

Transform you next meal into an epicurean delight by dipping it into one of Hi Mountain Seasoning‚s new Marinades. They are currently available with a suggested retail price of $3.25.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit web site www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

  Making homemade sausage is fun, healthy and very popular, especially during hunting season's annual harvest. Hi Mountain Seasonings now offers six Sausage Kits and three Breakfast Sausage Mixes to choose from.

Hi Mountain Seasonings takes pride in offering exceptional products true to Western heritage.  All of the seasonings and cures are blended with pure spices, each robust in flavor.  The authentic Wyoming recipes were created and handed down from generations of the past, where a hearty meal was welcomed after a long day of work or riding the trail.  Hi Mountain is proud to offer alternative products that allow you to make fresh, wholesome foods in your own home.  These kits allow consumers to make tasty and fresh food easily with their own wild game harvest.  Making your own food is not only fun and economical but also very rewarding.   

The Sausage Kits come in great flavors including Summer, Bratwurst, Italian, Polish German and the all time favorite Old Fashioned Bologna.  Each kit comes with easy to follow instructions, seasonings, cures, and casings that will season at least 24 pounds of meat.  The kits start at a retail price of $10.98 each. The Breakfast Sausage Mixes come in great flavors including Original Mountain Man, Prairie Sage, and Pepperoni and start at a retail price of $3.99 each.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit web site www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

Since its inception, Hi Mountain Seasonings products have been used by championship barbequers, professional chefs and family cooks everywhere to enhance and bring out the natural flavor of meat, chicken and fish.

The Company is pleased to introduce another high quality new flavor to its seasoning line, Western Grill Rub. This new seasoning is a divine marriage of two of the greatest and most widely used spices in the world – garlic and pepper.

Hi Mountain Seasonings utilizes a unique and favorable special garlic combined with a bold tasting high grade of pepper in this new seasoning. These two popular seasonings are blended perfectly together to provide a distinct flavor that is an excellent choice for wild game, chicken, beef or pork. The new Western Grill Rub offers an easy and convenient mixture of garlic and black pepper that allows the two spices to work together to spice up any meal.

Try the new Western Grill Rub today and showcase your culinary skills and provide a great tasting, easy to prepare meal using the perfect blend of garlic and black pepper. Your friends, family and palate will thank you. This new seasoning is now available and has a suggested retail price of $3.09.              

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit the web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

Hi Mountain has done it again --- and is offering an easy, healthy and fun to make at home seasoning kit.    The new Buffalo Wings & Ranch Dressing Dip kit makes it easy to serve up the best buffalo wings you have ever made.  These wings are baked, not fried, which makes them not only delicious but also a healthy choice AND most importantly they are easy to make.

Nowadays, spicy Buffalo wings are all the rage as appetizers and party fare.  They are now found on almost all restaurant menus and at-home recipes have become very popular.  But how did this popular penchant for wings actually come about?

There is some dispute about who came up with the original hot wing appetizer, but most agree and give credit to the Anchor Bar, which is located, where else but Buffalo, New York.  The historic landmark date for the creation of the now famous Buffalo Wing was October 30, 1964 when owner Teressa Bellissimo created a late night snack for her son and his friends.  The snack consisted of fried wings dipped in a buttery, spicy chile sauce and served with a side of celery and blue cheese dressing as a dipping sauce to cut the heat.

From its origin in Buffalo, New York, Buffalo Wings are now a part of our national food culture and Hi Mountain is proud to offer a delicious, healthy, and easy way to serve up your own Buffalo Wings.  The new Hi Mountain Buffalo Wings & Ranch Dressing Dip kit seasons up to 4 lbs of wings or drumettes and makes 16 ounces of delicious homemade ranch dressing dip.  

        Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Use two pounds of chicken wings or drumettes for each 4 oz. pouch of spice (each kit comes with two pouches).  Rinse the chicken and pat dry.  Place chicken in non-metallic bowl.  Lightly coat the chicken with vegetable oil and sprinkle on the premixed seasoning.  Thoroughly mix the chicken and seasoning in the bowl until evenly coated.  Then just place the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in oven for 30-40 minutes.

Be sure to pick up a Hi Mountain Buffalo Wings & Ranch Dressing Dip kit for your next get-together or to provide your family with a healthy delicious appetizer. 

This kit, along with the many other quality Hi Mountain products are available at fine retailers across the country or on the Hi Mountain web site at www.himtnjerky.com.  The suggested retail price for the Buffalo Wings & Ranch Dressing Dip kit is $6.98.

Why pay eight to sixteen dollars per pound for mass manufactured beef jerky when you can make a much better quality jerky for far less in the comfort of your home.  Hi Mountain's Jerky Master allows anyone to make homemade delicious tender jerky on the grill or in the oven.  By selecting your own meats, whether it is wild game or domestic meats and one of the many choices of high quality Hi Mountain‚s Jerky seasonings, you can virtually guarantee the success of your jerky.  Thanks to Hi Mountain, making homemade jerky is fun and has never been easier.

The popular Jerky Master comes complete with a high grade jerky gun, industrial, stainless steel jerky screen for years of use, two flavors of Hi Mountain Jerky Cure and Seasonings and two interchangeable nozzles for making either jerky strips or jerky sticks.  Each package of Hi Mountain Seasonings will season 15 pounds of meat and an easy to follow instruction booklet is included with every Jerky Master kit.  This quality constructed jerky maker is simple to use, easy to store, and dishwasher safe.  Cleaning is easier than ever with the newly designed cut away handle.  The kit is durable and with proper care and cleaning, the kit will provide a lifetime of high quality jerky.

Hi Mountain Seasoning's Jerky Master offers the perfect blend of high grade culinary products to produce tender delicious jerky with the company's world renowned special blend of the highest quality herbs and spices.  All seasoning kits are packaged with the exact amount of cure for making real, soft jerky, not the hard over dry jerky found commercially.  The owners, Hans & Kimberly Hummel, of Hi Mountain Seasonings continually search the world for quality products to help their customers make fresh delicious and healthy recipes in the comfort of their homes.

Because it packs easy and tastes great, jerky has become the largest selling meat snack in the world.  Thousands of people worldwide have found that the best jerky is made right in their own homes with Hi Mountain Seasonings Jerky kits.  Homemade jerky has less fat, no preservatives, and a better taste and texture than any product available commercially.  Have some fun making a healthy snack at home with the Jerky Master, which retails for only  $33.59.

Hi Mountain offers a wide variety of Jerky Cure & Seasonings.  These seasonings are specially formulated to enhance the natural flavor of all types of meat including elk, deer, steak, ground beef, poultry, and fish. Look for them today at sporting good stores such as Bass Pro, Cabela's, Academy Sports, Gander Mountain, and Sportsman's Warehouse or at your local grocery store chain for Hi Mountain Seasonings and Jerky Making kits.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit web site www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

When you think of chemistry you probably think of a mad scientist instead of great tasting,  moist fish.  However, Hi Mountain Seasonings is using the chemistry of brining to help consumers create culinary delights in their homes.  The chemistry behind brining is actually pretty simple and Hi Mountain Seasonings has perfected its use with its line of Fish Brine products.

It is commonly known that fish already contains salt water.  Immersing fish fillets into a liquid with a higher concentration of salt causes the liquid to be absorbed into the food product.  Any flavoring added to the brine will be carried into the fish with the brine mixture.  This not only adds flavor to the fish but also adds extra moisture, which will stay in the fish during the smoking process, providing a moist flavorful dinner.

The specially selected seasonings available in the three Brine Mixes from Hi Mountain Seasonings, Wild River Trout (made with natural honey), Alaskan Salmon (made with pure maple sugar) and Gourmet Fish (blended with pure maple sugar) provide excellent alternatives to preparing both store bought and fresh caught fish.  The easy-to-follow recipes will bring mouth-watering, gourmet fish dishes to your table.

The brining process is not new.  In fact, soaking food in salt water and seasonings is a trick that has been used by cooks and restaurants for many years.  According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the verb "brine" means to treat with or steep in brine.  Brine was typically a strong solution of water and salt.  Often times, a sweetener such as sugar, molasses, honey, or corn syrup is added to the solution for flavor and to improve browning. 

The brining of meats is actually an old process used for food preservation.  Before refrigeration, heavy amounts of salt were used to preserve meats for long periods of time.   Now, we use much smaller quantities of salt, mixed with other spices and herbs, to achieve increased flavor in the meat as well as other benefits.  Brining fish in a saltwater mixture before you smoke it will add flavor, tenderness, moisture, and typically reduces cooking times.

Hi Mountain Seasonings now offers Brine Mixes, which are ideal for use with the popular smoking method of cooking.  Smoking fish at home has long been a fun, simple western tradition and with the help of Hi Mountain‚s delicately blended Brine Mixes creates a delicious and healthy meal.  So, the next time you smoke your favorite fish try one of Hi Mountain Seasonings Brine Mixes.  All you have to do is add water, soak 24 hours, rinse, smoke ˆ and then enjoy your culinary treat.  The Brine Mixes are now available in Gourmet Fish, Wild River Trout, and Alaskan Salmon.  For moist, tender, flavorful fish, be sure to try one of the Hi Mountain Seasonings Fish Brine mixes. Each Mix comes with two packets and has a suggested retail price of $5.98.

Look for them today at sporting good stores such as Bass Pro, Cabela's, Gander Mountain, and Sportsman's Warehouse or at your local grocery store chain. 

Hi Mountain products can be conveniently purchased on the web at www.himtnjerky.com.  Also, check out the great Recipe Book posted on their site for wonderful recipes.  Additionally, if you cannot find exactly what you need you may contact customer service at 1-800-829-2285 for answers to your questions.

Beans have always been an American favorite food staple.  However, over the years the tradition of a hearty meal of beans flavored with ham hocks, bacon, salt pork and other not so healthy flavor enhancers have changed significantly.   Hi Mountain Seasonings is proud to present Buckboard Bean Seasoning to its line of Western Sizzle Designer Series Seasonings.  By adding Buckboard Bean Seasoning you get all the flavor of ham hocks or bacon squares without the unhealthy fat or cholesterol in traditional seasoning methods.  Cooking beans has never been easier, simply open the package of seasoning, add it to your favorite beans and simply cook.  

Experience the best and healthiest bowl of beans you have ever eaten by adding this smoky blend of ham, onion, garlic chili peppers and a mix of other specially selected spices. There is nothing more satisfying than a steaming bowl of beans seasoned with Hi Mountain‚s Buckboard Bean Seasoning.  Each spoonful will surround your palate with rich, robust flavor that will warm your body and soul.

The Buckboard Bean Seasoning is also a great seasoning for soups.  It is available for $2.95 at sporting good stores or at your local grocery store chain.  Hi Mountain products can also be conveniently purchased on the web at www.himtnjerky.com.  For added ideas to treat your family and friends, check out the great Recipe Book posted on their site for wonderful recipes.

Hi Mountain also offers a wide variety of Western Sizzle Designer Series Seasonings.   These seasonings are specially formulated for all types of meat including elk, deer, steak, ground beef, poultry, and fish. Friends and family will be amazed at your culinary skill when you use Western Sizzle Seasonings to turn your dishes from ordinary to a gourmet treat.  These items are also available at the aforementioned locations or online.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit the web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.WESTERN SIZZLE D

The onset of spring not only marks longer and warmer days, but also is the true launch of the freshwater fishing season.  Increasing water temperature usually means fantastic fishing, although the timing will vary from state to state, spring invariably is on its way and Hi Mountain is ready with its latest seasoning which is ideal for all game fish - Bayou Bass seasoning.

Part of the popular Western Sizzle Designer series, Bayou Bass is one of four seasonings exclusively created by Hi Mountain Seasonings for fish.  Bayou Bass is perfectly blended to enhance the natural flavor of Bass, Walleye, Perch, Pike and any of your other favorite game fish.  It is also the ideal seasoning to add flavor to the ever popular Crappie filet as well as all other pan fish.   

The new Bayou Bass, like all of the Hi Mountain Seasoning products, is made with the finest, freshest and most flavorful ingredients available.  Be sure to experience this tantalizing taste of the Bayou in this new blend of spices and seasonings designed especially for game and pan fish.  The suggested retail price for Bayou Bass is $2.97.

Hi Mountain also offers a wide variety of Western Sizzle Designer Series Seasonings.   These seasonings are specially formulated for all types of meat including elk, deer, steak, ground beef, poultry, and fish. Friends and family will be amazed at your culinary skill when you use Western Sizzle Seasonings to turn your dishes from ordinary to a gourmet treat.  Look for them today at sporting good stores such as Bass Pro, Cabela'‚s, Gander Mountain, and Sportsman's Warehouse or at your local grocery store chain. 

Hi Mountain products can also be conveniently purchased on the web at www.himtnjerky.com.  For added ideas to treat your family and friends, check out the great Recipe Book posted on their site for wonderful recipes.

For those of you that enjoy a little zest in your food, the new Hi Mountain Cajun Campfire Western Sizzle All-purpose seasoning is just the answer! A unique and tasty blend of spices that adds flavor with a little heat, to virtually any meat, chicken or fish, Cajun Campfire can be used before, during or after cooking making it the perfect seasoning to leave on the table to add a little taste of the Bayou to any meal.

Formulated after the popular Cajun Cowboy seasoning, Cajun Campfire offers a little more heat to any meal. The unique spice medley in the Cajun Campfire truly enhances the flavor of any recipe, offering just enough spice to excite your taste buds, yet it does not overpower the natural flavors of the dish.

The new Cajun Campfire seasoning is available for $2.95 at sporting good stores or at your local grocery store chain. Be sure to add a little spice to your life and try the new Hi Mountain Cajun Campfire Western Sizzle Designer Series Seasoning today!

The company's whole line of products, cooking tips and recipes are available conveniently online at www.himtnjerky.com and can be found at high quality sporting good stores such as Bass Pro, Cabela's, Academy Sports, Scheels All Sports, Gander Mountain, and Sportsman's Warehouse or at your local grocery store chain. To find a store near you, log onto the web site and go to the dealer locator.

For additional information call 1-800-829-2285, visit the web site at www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

For additional information on the Company call toll-free 1-800-829-2285, visit web site www.himtnjerky.com or write to Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501.

HONEY STINGER

About Honey Stinger ----

Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Honey Stinger was founded in 2002 to bring great tasting, convenient honey-based foods to consumers. An athletic entrepreneur, a honey industry veteran, a food product developer and a beekeeper make up the team that founded Honey Stinger.

Honey Stinger products are available in specialty outdoor retail, natural foods, running and bike shops across the country and beyond. The products are popular with athletes from all manner of sports and the company sponsors events, athletes and teams across the US and Europe.

After hearing that Lance Armstrong's likes this product, I tried one of the company's Protein Bars, namely the

Dark Chocolate Mint Almond Protein Bar 10g 

coated with dark chocolate surrounding a perfect mix of mint and almonds. It had zip, and was delicious and healthy at 190 calories per bar. 25% organic ingredients. The label is clear-cut, listing all ingredients and nformation.

Honey Stinger Introduces Strawberry Stinger Waffle

Honey Stinger, the leading manufacturer of honey-based nutritional products, has added a strawberry flavor to their critically acclaimed and award-winning Stinger Waffle lineup. The original Stinger Waffle was suggested by Honey Stinger co-owner Lance Armstrong and quickly became a favorite among runners, cyclists, triathletes and moms. Original, vanilla and now strawberry versions of the Stinger Waffle provide 160 calories of great-tasting, organic energy.

'Original and Vanilla Stinger Waffles have been tremendously well received by customers, athletes and the media,' states Bill Gamber, Honey Stinger co-founder. 'The addition of strawberry to the line adds another option for anyone looking for something good for you and great tasting from their energy food.'

The traditional stroopwafel, which originated in the Netherlands over 200 years ago, is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with syrup filling. In the Netherlands and Belgium, stroopwafels are sold in the streets and are popular with European cyclists looking for a quick boost of energy.

Rather than syrup, the Stinger Waffle use organic honey and other organic ingredients, making Stinger Waffles a certified USDA Organic product. Each waffle is wrapped individually for easy transport and retails for $1.39. The Vanilla Stinger Waffle will be available beginning March 21.

LITTLE DEBBIE FOODS

Classic Nutty Bars now come in singles – at just 100 calories a piece to satisfy your sweet tooth with less guilt. Each crunchy wafer bar is layered with peanut butter and covered in fudge. They come individually wrapped, 12 to a carton for about $1.59 per box.

Look for the Classic Nutty Bars at your favorite food store.

LIZ LOVELY INC.

Liz Lovely Inc, a Vermont-based, nationally distributed cookie maker has re-released their entire line of cookies as Certified Organic, Certified Fair Trade and Certified Vegan. This is the first nationally distributed product in this segment to acquire all three certifications. The suggested retail price of the cookies has not changed: $3.99 to $4.39 for "2 big ones".

While many natural foods companies look outside their business for recipe formulation and manufacturing resources, Liz Holtz, president and founder of Liz Lovely, does not subscribe to this philosophy. According to Liz, "We have an artisan philosophy. Everything is made from scratch in our own bakery, not in some giant contracted food factory." She added, "We’re extremely excited about the new organic recipes. They’re uncompromising in flavor and in their commitment to social responsibility."

According to Dan Holtz, Liz Lovely’s vice president of sales, "Customer demand for Organic and Fair Trade products is huge, and still growing. We’re first-to-market with these certifications, and it was not easy to achieve all three certifications. Our new recipe uses only sustainably harvested organic palm fruit oil in place of the processed egg and butter substitutes we were using previously. It’s also important to note that, unlike palm kernel oil, palm fruit oil is heart-healthy and 100% free of trans-fat."

Liz Lovely partnered with the Vermont chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and TransFair USA to identify available ingredients, setup audit trail systems, and prepare the business for Organic and Fair Trade certification with the respective organizations. Liz Lovely has been Certified Vegan by Vegan Action since their inception in 2003.

Liz Lovely, Inc. bakes and distributes Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Certified Vegan cookies to leading natural foods retailers throughout the country. Cookies include Cowboy, Cowgirl, Peanut Butter, Ginger Snapdragon and Macadamia Mountain. Liz Lovely also sells eco-friendly baked goods and gift baskets for consumers, corporate giving, and events directly from their website. The company’s socially responsible mission is summed up in their tagline, Baking a DifferenceTM. Liz Lovely was founded in 2003 by high school sweethearts Liz and Dan Holtz and is located in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

For more about Liz Lovely, visit www.lizlovely.com

PURE OF HOLLAND HEALTH BARS

Pure Bars were created when a six year old child decided to become a vegetarian, and today Bosgraaf is changing the way people view organic and raw foods. Shoppers know what's healthy and good for them to eat, and once they try a Pure Bar, they'll probably be hooked. Why? The bars are new, tasty, and best of all, healthy. Why? Because they are certified organic; contain 400 mg Omega 3; have low sodium; 4g organic fiber; are totally raw with healthy antioxidants; and are Vegan with fruit. An example of the ingredients in the Chocolate Chip Bar include organic dates, agave nectar, apples, raisins, cashews, almonds, and sunflower seeds, raw cacao nibs, walnuts, rice protein, sea salt as well as 14 essential vitamins and minerals. Pure comes in various flavors -- Chocolate Brownie, Apple Cinnamon, Cherry Cashew, Chocolate Chip Trailmix, Wild Blueberry and Cranberry Orange.

For more information on where to purchase, contact Pure of Holland, 301 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI 49424; 888-568-PURE or go to web site www.thepurebar.com.

ROTH KäSE USA CHEESES

The cheesemakers at Roth Käse USA have once again created a new flavor sensation by combining their award-winning creamy Havarti with an unexpected yet delicious partner – the Peppadew™ Sweet Piquanté Pepper. This pepper boasts a one-of-a-kind flavor that melds perfectly with Roth Käse’s prized Ostenborg Havarti. Peppadew™ Havarti fuses the mellowness of traditional Havarti with the sweet and savory taste of this unique and trendy South African fruit.

This new addition to the Ostenborg range of Havartis can cubed and sliced for a variety of snack time and mealtime applications: jazz up sandwiches, wraps, burgers, panini, pizzas, omelettes, scrambled eggs (try serving the eggs ‘n Havarti on a toasted croissant), or broil atop chicken or fish (try halibut). Pilsners, light lagers, and white wines make a nice pair.

With a history of flavor innovation, Ostenborg Peppadew™ Havarti joins the line-up of Plain, Dill, Jalapeño, Pesto, Horseradish & Chive, and Reduced-fat varieties, offering flavor sensations to please any palate on any occasion. All Roth Käse cheeses are hand-crafted by master cheesemakers according to traditional techniques. With the roots of Switzerland, Roth Käse is now a leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted, award-winning cheeses in Monroe, WI, making only the highest quality best tasting cheeses.

For more information on Roth Käse, contact: Kirsten Jaeckle, Director of Marketing 608.845.5796 x 5, or visit web site www.rothkase.com.

Roth Käse's expertise in making exceptional specialty cheeses was again recognized as the company won numerous top awards at the 24th annual American Cheese Society (ACS) Competition, held August 1st - 4th, in Burlington, Vermont.  This year the ACS Competition became the nation‚s largest cheese competition, with over 1200 competing entries from the US and Canada, as well as Central and South America

Roth's Private Reserve took 1st Place in the highly contested "American Originals" category, but most significantly was named Second Runner-Up to the Best of Show.  Roth's Private Reserve has collected several other awards in 2007 as well. At the US Championship Cheese Contest held earlier this year, the distinctive raw-milk, alpine-style cheese achieved 1st Place in the Smear-Ripened Cheese category, and 1st Runner-Up Overall. In addition to the awards bestowed on Roth's Private Reserve, Roth Käse took home the following awards at this year's ACS Competition:

Award Roth Käse Winner Category

1st Place        Roth's Private Reserve American Originals
1st Place        GranQueso Hispanic and Portuguese-style
2nd Place       Valfino  American Originals
3rd Place       St. Otho's Low-Fat
3rd Place       Grand Cru Gruyère Surchoix   Washed Rind

Roth Käse CEO Fermo Jaeckle notes that this is the fourth consecutive year that Roth Käse's popular GranQueso has won 1st Place in its category at the ACS Awards. "GranQueso was a winner from the start," Jaeckle said. "'It won a 1st Place award at the 2004 ACS in its first year of production. Now, GranQueso is one of our most decorated cheeses, with eight top honors to its credit." Jaeckle goes on to say that 'An ACS award is a true mark of distinction. We are delighted that Roth Käse cheeses stood out among this year's fierce competition."

To date, Roth Käse has earned more than 100 critically acclaimed awards in local, regional, national, and international cheese competitions. 

Roth Käse cheeses are hand-crafted by master cheesemakers according to traditional techniques. With roots in Switzerland, Roth Käse is now a leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted, award-winning specialty cheeses in Monroe, WI, making only the highest quality, best tasting cheeses.

For more information on Roth Käse, contact Kirsten Jaeckle, Director of Marketing, (608) 328-2122 ext. 8 or visit www.rothKäse.com.

THINK PRODUCTS

thinkproducts (www.thinkproducts.com), one of the nation’s largest natural nutrition bar companies and makers of pure food nutrition for people who “think about what they eat,” has introduced a nutrition bar that packs five servings of fruits and vegetables.

The thinkGreener nutrition bar features organic dates, spirulina, and broccoli and contains the FDA’s recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. thinkGreener is the first meal replacement green bar of its kind and will be distributed through thinkproducts’ existing mainstream and natural retail channels. thinkGreener is also a gluten free product that can be consumed by the nation’s 15 million sufferers of Celiac disease. thinkGreener’s suggested retail price will range from $2.69 To $3.99 and will be available at retailers nationally and at www.thinkproducts.com.

The newest product to be added to the thinkproducts family of natural nutrition bars, which include thinkThin (high protein) and thinkOrganic (raw fruit and nut), thinkGreener is the big brother to the thinkGreen superfood bar (which features two tablespoons of fruits of vegetables). The five serving thinkGreener bar comes in two flavors: Red Berries and Chocolate Covered Red Berries with 240 and 250 calories and 9 and 10 grams of protein, respectively, The bar is also high in fiber and contain Omega 3s. Other thinkGreener ingredients include cranberries, acerola berries, cashews, walnuts, agave nectar, brown rice, spinach, carrots, parsley, alfalfa grass, chlorella, grapes, soy and flax seeds and well as other essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

About thinkproducts: thinkproducts was founded by former international fashion model Lizanne Falsetto who is a true believer in the healing and nourishing power of nature. Purveyor of all natural, convenient, great tasting, functional foods that fuel those striving to live a life full of vitality and free of disease, thinkproducts was originally named from Falsetto’s raw fruit and nut thinkOrganic and superfood-rich thinkGreen. All thinkproducts are wheat/gluten free and designed to deliver powerful nutritional benefits. The company’s commitment to vitality goes beyond food to support a vital cause – the prevention of breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds from every thinkThin Pink bar purchase is donated to Susan G Komen for the Cure.

thinkproducts can be found in natural food stores, leading supermarket chains, club, convenience, mass and drug stores, as well as health clubs and specialty food stores. thinkproducts can also be purchased directly from the company at www.thinkproducts.com.

Thinkproducts is headquartered in Ventura, California, and is one of the largest independent companies in the nutrition bar category.

WISCONSIN POTATO RECIPES

As the summer sun beckons you to meals on the patio and picnics in the park, serve up fresh seasonal flavors in a salad that features the satisfying tastes and textures of Wisconsin potatoes.
Whether you’re making a casual family meal or something special for guests, the versatility and simply great flavor of healthful Wisconsin potatoes make them a great choice for sensational salads.

An easy but distinctive main-dish salad you’re sure to love is Wisconsin Potato Louie Salad, an updated Crab Louie Salad made with Wisconsin Red-Skinned Potatoes, created by Chef Jimmy Wade, of the popular Heaven City restaurant in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee.

In Chef Wade’s creative interpretation of this salad, classic Crab Louie ingredients – garden-fresh mixed greens, lump crabmeat and hard-cooked egg, all topped with a creamy, tangy sauce – are served atop delectable boiled and thin-sliced Wisconsin Red-Skinned Potatoes. As a flavorful flourish, the potatoes are drizzled with “Jimmy’s Special Sauce,” a zesty blend of fresh chopped onion, jalapeno and garlic, roasted pine nuts, and earthy ground turmeric.

The Wisconsin Potato Louie Salad is deceptive: It looks complicated and upscale, but it actually requires only a few simple preparation steps. Some tips from Chef Wade: Use fresh and top-quality ingredients, including fresh Wisconsin potatoes and, if possible, fresh crabmeat. And he offers a secret used by professional chefs: Put a little effort into arranging the salad on individual plates for each diner, so it looks as good as it tastes.

The key ingredients in this salad have special meaning for Chef Wade. The crab recalls the fresh seafood he savored as a boy in coastal Virginia, and the Wisconsin Red-Skinned Potatoes are a star agricultural product in his adopted state. “Wisconsin farmers take such great care in what they do, and they’re careful stewards of the land,” said Wade. “I could tell the minute I put a Wisconsin potato in my mouth.”

Wisconsin Red-Skinned Potatoes, which are available as early as July 1st, have rosy red skin, white flesh and a round or oblong shape. Their firm and moist texture makes them especially well suited for salads, and they can be prepared by roasting, boiling and steaming.

Popular Red-Skinned Potatoes are just one choice in a wide selection of healthful, great-tasting Wisconsin potato varieties. Check your local supermarket or farmers’ market for fresh Wisconsin potatoes, and enjoy their earthy goodness in a salad that your family and friends will love.

The recipe for Wisconsin Potato Louie Salad is available from the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association in a colorful brochure, “Signature Dishes from Wisconsin Chefs.” See the brochure online at www.wisconsinpotatoes.com. For a printed copy, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: WPVGA, WI Taste Tour Brochure Request, PO Box 327, Antigo, WI 54409.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) was established in 1948, and is headquartered in Antigo, WI, where it provides grower education, government support, and consumer education for the150-grower organization. For more information, contact Tim Feit at (715) 623-7683 or visit www.wisconsinpotatoes.com.

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Well, I've tried lots of champagne - from a couple of dollars a bottle to over $100 a bottle --- and have reached the conclusion that the Barefoot Bubbly wines - for under $10 -- are certainly a good bet AND a great taste.

The company's Brut Chardonnay Champagne has the wonderful aroma of green apples and jasmine and is delightful. The Brut Cuvee Chardonnay Champagne from California - made by Barefoot Cellers and features aromas of green apples and tropical fruit is great paired with such treats as sweet cakes or pastries, a variety of cheeses, crackers, simple appetizers, and even spicy dishes- was named the winner of the M. Shanken "Hot Brand" Award for 2004.

The wines have also won medals and accolades for the best sparkling wine in the America's for under $10!

Barefoot's line of wines include the fruit-forward varietals that are easy-to-enjoy and affordably priced, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sanvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Zinfandel, and White Zinfandel. Wines retail for $5.99 (750 ML) and $10.99 (1.5L).

The Barefoot Bubbly sparkling Chardonnay comes in two styles: Brut Cuvee (dry) and Premium Extra Dry (slightly sweet), and retails for $9.99 a bottle.

Barefoot Bubbly is available nationwide and can be found in playful, colorful cases and bottles bearing its iconic footprint label. For more information on Barefoot Bubbly, call 800-750-8828 or check web site www.barefootwine.com

While enjoying those lazy summer evenings in the backyard, everyone likes a cool and crisp drink. Why not try the Barefoot Beach Cup? Made with fresh fruit, sour mix, and topped with Barefoot Bubbly, it is both beautiful and refreshing. Also, at $9.99, Barefoot Bubbly is a sparkling wine that won't break the bank.

Here is the recipe:

Barefoot Beach Cup

Ingredients

1 strawberry, hulled and sliced

4 grapes, cut in half

3 orange slices

4-5 mint leaves

3 oz sour mix

3 oz Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée

Directions: Combine fruit and sour mix in a pint glass with ice. Shake well and top off with Barefoot Bubbly. Serve with a straw.

Barefoot® wines are now available by the glass! Pack your picnic basket with the new single-serve wines and while on the grass, a log, or on a hammock, savor a glass of Barefoot Chardonnay from a mini-bottle. Or, try the Barefoot White Zinfandel. These mini-bottles come packed in a four-pack carrying case. Or perhaps you'd first like to try the single-serve Barefoot Merlot with your burgers. Pinot Grigio also comes in a single-serve bottle now. What a terrific way to see which you like best - but most likely, you'll love all of them.

Available nationwide at wine stores or local groceries.

Barefoot Wine Beach Fun Facts

Barefoot Activity -------------------------------------Calories per Hour

Reading ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21

Sunbathing --------------------------------------------------------------------- 55

Surfing Lessons ---------------------------------------------------------------- 211

Sea Kayaking ------------------------------------------------------------------- 282

Snorkeling --------------------------------------------------------------------- 352

Swimming in the Ocean -------------------------------------------------------353

Playing Beach Soccer --------------------------------------------------------- 423

Scuba Diving ------------------------------------------------------------------- 423

Playing Beach Volleyball ------------------------------------------------------563

One of the best beach workouts? --- A 2-hour beach clean-up can help burn up to 550 calories!

To learn how you can help lend a hand (or foot) and clean-up America's beaches this summer, visit www.barefootwine.com/beachesrescue.

What’s the latest in health and wellness beverages? Not green tea -- but yerba matè. In South America, yerba matè has been revered for centuries as the “drink of the gods” and is drunk daily for optimum health, sustained energy and mental clarity.  Of the six commonly used stimulants in the world: yerba mate, coffee, tea, kola nut, cocoa, and guarana, yerba mate triumphs as nature's most balanced stimulant, delivering both energy and nutrition.  The leaves of the rainforest mate tree naturally contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, abundant antioxidants. In fact, The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 concluded "it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value" and that yerba mate contains "practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life."

Known worldwide for its incomparable nutritional benefits, yerba matè has 90% more antioxidants than green tea and provides sustenance with 25 vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids. With slightly less caffeine than a cup of java, matè contains theobromine and theophyline, which offers a “calm energy” to stimulate the mind and relax the body, without the crash of coffee consumption.

Uniquely grown it its native forest environment, Guayaki Yerba Mate is cherished as a sacred beverage. Like high quality coffee, high quality mate is shade-grown, in the rich ecosystem of the rainforest; delivering more flavor and nutritional value.

Traditional Use ~ Gourd Ceremony
A special ceremony has been developed over the centuries for drinking yerba mate. Custom has it that a hollowed out gourd is filled with the leaves of the yerba mate tree. The gourd is then filled with hot water repeatedly and shared in a ceremony.

Yerba Mate vs. Green Tea
South America's yerba mate and Asia's green tea are two of nature's most treasured, health-giving daily rituals.

Available in various flavors, it also comes, besides the bottles, in bulk, one pound bags, is 100% organic and rainforest-grown. It's ideal for use in a French press, coffee maker or espresso machine. One pound of loose-leaf mate makes approximately 100 cups of mate and sells for $12. Mate Chai Latte Concentrate, also 100% organic, makes perfect lattes every time when mixed 1:1 with milk, heated or poured over ice -- sold for $4.99.

This product is available at supermarkets, drugstores and online from Bombilla & Gourd.

“Drink Water, Not Sugar” is the Hint, Inc. slogan for Hint Water. This product does not contain sweeteners, preservatives, or calories – just all-natural flavors with a clean, refreshing taste. Available flavors include cucumber, strawberry kiwi, tropical punch, mango grapefruit, pomegranate-tangerine, lime, raspberry-lime, peppermint, and pear – with additional flavors available in the near future.

Hint Water  is available in many specialty markets, fine spas,  hotels, or can be delivered to your door.. A case of 24 in one or a mix of flavors is $44. For more information on purchasing Hint,  contact Hint toll free at 1-866-895-HINT or e-mail questions@drinkhint.com.

Selected as “Best Flavored Water” by Health Magazine, Hint Water is light, refreshing and never sweet. Natural essences infused into pure water deliver on the promise of Hint’s outstanding packaging – refreshing great taste without all the junk. In search of a healthier lifestyle, Goldin asked herself why all the so-called “water beverages” were loaded with calories, artificial sweeteners or preservatives.  “I looked at all the labels and said ‘Who needs that junk?’  So, with the help of a few friends and my husband Theo, I set out to change the food environment.  Our first product, Hint Water was inspired by a family favorite – ice cold water with a slice of fresh fruit.  The trick was figuring out how to deliver that experience on the go, in a variety of flavors, without adding preservatives, calories, juice or any other junk.”

In today’s fast-paced environment, Americans both young and old struggle with obesity, diabetes and heart disease in record numbers.  The food and beverage giants, and many smaller companies, have taken advantage of their desire for healthier choices by doing something remarkable – they have adopted the language of the healthy lifestyle while delivering products that offer little to change the situation.  Whether the label says sugar, fructose, fruit juice or sucralose, the intent is to deliver the same sweet taste that has been marketed for the past several decades.

But real choices are finally emerging and Americans are responding to them.  Hint offers nine thirst quenching flavors that deliver pure refreshment without the sugary aftertaste.  Recognized for its leadership by Health, Prevention, BottledWaterWorld and many others, Hint Inc. continues its mission to change the food environment.

Hint is available in Mango-Grapefruit, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime, Peppermint, Pear, Tropical Punch, Cucumber and Strawberry Kiwi, with seasonal fan favorites appearing from time to time. Each 16 ounce bottle is $1.79, with 24-bottle cases available for $44.00. Hint can be found in fine grocery stores and retailers all over the United States. www.drinkhint.com

Bottled water consumption has tripled since 1981, and it is the fastest growing market segment in the United States beverage industry. Soon, it may even surpass beer, milk, and coffee to become the second best-selling beverage after carbonated soft drinks.

The fastest growing bottled water in the natural food channel now is Metromint. . . a pure mint water that brings a unique cooling sensation to pure water. I tried this drink and it relieved my thirst, and as the company promises, I felt a "soothing effect." Metromint contains no sweeteners, no calories, no preservatives -- nothing but all natural ingredients and a surprisingly vibrant taste.

To make this great-tasting product, the company starts with real mint that is pesticide-free and grown in Washington State's Yakima Valley. It is then distilled in a double-distillation process that steams the leaves until it reaches the true essence of the mint, is tested for taste, and then tested again for purity. Water is then pumped from the Sierra Nevada and filtered to the highest degree of purity using reverse-osmosis -- thus leaving all the good ingredients while filtering out the bad, including salts, impurities, and particles as small as an ion. What's left is simply the refreshing taste of the mint.

The benefits of drinking Metromint pure water is that this refreshing drink, containing natural menthol, freshens the breath and can clear congestion related to colds and allergies. As noted by the company, "Enjoyed before a meal, mint increases the flow of digestive juices. After dinner, it soothes the lining of the digestive tract. Pregnant women with upset stomachs and morning sickness report Metromint's calming, all natural benefits.

Used as a curative for centuries, the Romans relied on mint for headaches; Native Americans believe it strengthens the spirt and mind; and in the Middle East, mint is used to clear the air in temples and homes.

Available in original Peppermint, subtle Spearmint, and two new varieties -- tangy Lemonmint and citrusy Orangemint -- the bottles are recyclable -- in standard with the company's 'green' policy.

Try it chilled and you'll find a cooling sensation from reeal mint that stimulates the nerves and opens the senses.

For more information check web site www.metromint.com

During the Culinary Revival, modern-day historian Dr. T.H. Baughman recounted the unimaginable circumstances that Sir Ernest Shackleton faced during his daring Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1916). Shackleton, inducted as an honorary member of The Explorers Club in 1912, attempted to be the first man to reach the South Pole and four years later became truly famous when he rescued his entire crew, which was stranded in Antarctica.

Following the lecture, guests were invited to dine on some of the very foods Shackleton prepared during his journey, such as Tantalizing Turtle Soup and Pemmican Pudding, a common expedition recipe consisting of pulverized buffalo meat and dried currants.  To add even more flavor to this experience, Redwood Creek Winemaker Cal Dennison was challenged to come up with wine pairing suggestions for these unusual dishes.

The Culinary Revival dinner is special to New York City because it is the only place where guests can view actual archived menus from Explorers Club dinners of years past, including the one signed by Shackleton more than 100 years ago.

Winemaker Cal Dennison and exotic foods chairman for The Explorers Club, Gene Rurka, guided attendees along this culinary journey at The Explorers Club Headquarters, located at 46 E. 70^th Street.  The event was complimentary and open to all members of the general public who were 21 years of age or older. 

Redwood Creek® is a proud sponsor of The Explorers Club—a nonprofit educational society dedicated to preserving the instinct to explore—serving as a gathering place for explorers and field scientists worldwide since 1904.  Past and present members include many of history’s most distinguished explorers, including the first to the North Pole, the first to the South Pole, the first to the summit of Mount Everest and the first to walk on the moon.

Redwood Creek wines embody the adventurous spirit of California.  Dennison has crafted this portfolio of seven food-friendly, single-varietal wines to consistently deliver outstanding quality at an attractive price. Redwood Creek wines are available at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price ranging from $6.99 to $9.99.

While Redwood Creek wines and The Explorers Club encourage exploration, safety is always a priority. During the Culinary Revivals event series, an accredited food expert will lead attendees through the tasting.  Attendees are discouraged from attempting to prepare more exotic items on their own, without consulting a professional. All menu items served during these events are obtained from organic and certified purveyors.

1 ½ cups turtle meat (diced into quarter-inch thick slices)

2 cups sherry

1⁄4 cup butter

3 tablespoons flour

3 cups milk

1 tablespoon steak sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, pour in sherry and add turtle meat.  Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes until meat is tender.  Strain and set meat aside in a small bowl. Using low heat, melt butter in a separate medium saucepan.  Slowly mix in flour and simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles.  Gradually add milk, continuing to stir until mixture thickens.  Stir in steak sauce, salt and pepper to taste.  Add marinated turtle meat.  Cover mixture and let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve immediately.

Makes 6 to 8 cups.

Suggested Wine

The medium-bodied Redwood Creek 2005 Pinot Noir contains ripe flavors of black cherry and blackberry with a touch of earthiness that balances the bisque’s salty flavor. 

Redwood Creek® Portfolio of Wines

Redwood Creek wines embody the adventurous spirit of California. Winemaker Cal Dennison has crafted this portfolio of seven food-friendly, single-varietal wines to consistently deliver outstanding quality at an attractive price. Redwood Creek wines are available at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price ranging from $6.99 to $9.99 for a 750-ml. bottle. The wines are also available in 1.5-liter bottles.

Redwood Creek 2006 Pinot Grigio

Product Description:  This light-bodied Pinot Grigio maintains an excellent balance of fresh floral aromas with notes of melons, ripe peaches and limes; followed by a pleasant, crisp finish.

Usage:   Pairs well with the fresh catch of the day, such as salmon, whitefish or lake trout. Grilled lakeside cuisines bring out the wine’s fresh and lively taste.

Redwood Creek 2006 Sauvignon Blanc

Product Description: The Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing, medium-bodied wine with bright aromas and flavors of cantaloupe, fig and lemon zest; accented by a crisp, clean finish.

Usage:  Pairs well with foods that can be enjoyed by the sea, such as a beachside clambake and lobster boil.  The wine will taste sweeter with a side of freshly picked greens, such as spinach or broccoli.

Redwood Creek 2006 Chardonnay

Product Description:  The medium-bodied Chardonnay has flavorful notes of fresh pear, mandarin orange and dried pineapple, with hints of cinnamon and clove, followed by a soft, smooth finish.

Usage:  Explore the Chardonnay with friends at an outdoor picnic.  This wine pairs well with roasted duck, white bean salad or chicken couscous.

Redwood Creek 2005 Pinot Noir

Product Description:              This medium-bodied Pinot Noir has ripe flavors of blackberry and black cherry, enhanced by a velvety, smooth finish.

Usage: The subtleties in this food-friendly Pinot Noir will accentuate the earthiness of wild mushrooms, vegetables like eggplant and vegetarian dishes emphasized by hard or savory cheeses.

Redwood Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Product Description: This Cabernet Sauvignon has a round body that combines flavors of fresh blueberries and black cherries that are accentuated by brown spice, mocha and hints of vanilla.

Usage:            A bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon is an ideal backpacking companion.  Enjoy it with a hearty lamb or beef stew, and then finish with a chocolate-dipped s’more treat.

Redwood Creek 2006 Merlot

Product Description: The medium-bodied Merlot exhibits deep satisfying flavors of ripe plum and chocolate with notes of vanilla.

Usage:  The most versatile of the reds, the Merlot pairs well with virtually all types of cuisines.  If hosting an outdoor barbecue, a glass of Merlot will complement barbecued beef, grilled salmon or chicken kebabs.

Redwood Creek 2006 White Zinfandel

Product Description: The 2005 White Zinfandel layers strawberry, fresh raspberry and watermelon flavors with a long-lasting fruit aromatic and crisp, clean finish.

Usage:  This White Zinfandel can be easily enjoyed next to a campfire under a starry night or at home on the dining room table and is a great companion for holiday favorites such as sweetly braised rack of lamb, honey-glazed roasted ham or savory pecan pie.

You take care of yourself (or at least you try!). You do yoga, or maybe strip aerobics. You drink water (lots of it) and REAL juice, not sweetened kids' drinks. You go out of your way to eat healthy, organic when possible. So when it comes time to kick off your heals and relax, why would you let cocktails filled with preservatives, chemicals and synthetic flavorings defile that temple body of yours???

These are the first, 100% natural, fruit-infused (not flavored) ultra-premium spirits: rums, vodkas and tequilas. Created by a woman (naturally), 267 Infusions can help you feel good...and you can feel good about them, in return. Cranberry Vodka Infusion. Mango Rum Infusion. Chili Pepper Tequila Infusion. Eight delectable 267 Infusions in all.

267 Infusions marry perfectly ripened fruits from both sides of the equator with award-winning spirits - five-times distilled grain vodkas, triple-distilled platinum blue agave tequilas and plantation sugar cane virgin rums. The result: vibrant fruit suspended in a gorgeous bottle that tastes as good as it looks. And it looks GOOD…eminently worthy of display to your hardest-to-impress guests.

What could be better? How about taking the pressure off when it comes to bartending?! With 267 Infusions, you just chill and pour into your finest martini glasses…voila, never was there a better mixologist than you. So when it comes time to imbibe, just reach for the 267 Infusions. The hardest part is deciding which one to have.

267 Infusions are available at liquor stores and fine markets everywhere. For more information check web site www. 267. com

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RESTAURANTS (Please note: These are restaurants I've personally tried.

FLORIDA

Crispers

Great fresh sandwiches, salads, soups & all the soda, tea, coffee you want. You place your order at the counter and it's brought to your table. Open for lunch and dinner.

Open for lunch and dinner. You stand in line to order; it’s brought to the table, and you don’t have to clean up.

Location: Beach Tuscany Shoppes, 1185 W. Grandada, Ormond Beach; 386-677-0808

Fish City Grill

This informal restaurant has a friendly, competant staff, withg a special All-You-Can-Eat Catfish or Fried Chicken with cole slaw, fries, and banana pudding on Sundays. Plenty of parking and all this for $10.99.

Location: 348 North Nova road in the Trails Shopping Center (near Publix Supermarket), Ormond Beach, 386-678-8484; web site www.fishcitygrill.com

Grand Buffet

Informal and inexpensive, we dined here several times and were never disappointed.Serve yourself from the over 350 item buffet that features Chinese, Cantonese, Hunan Style food, plus soups, appetizers, and a Sushi bar -- all for one price including tea. Carry out orders are available, too.

Location: 138 S. Nova Road, ormond Beach, 386-676-0073.

Stavro's

Family owned and operated at this location since 1984, this restaurant is open seven days a week, has eat-in and take-out, and unusual, excellent pizzas. These include the White Pizza (garlic, butter, ricotta and mozzarella cheeese); Vegetarian (cheese, onions, mushrooms, peppers, olives and sliced tomatoes); Hawaiian P:izza (cheese, pineapple and ham); Stavro's Special (cheese, onions, peppers, sausage, pepperoni, chopped beef, mushrooms and anchovies; plus others --- but my favorite is tghe Greek Pizza made with mozzarella and Feta cheese, greek peppers, ionions, black olives, topped with diced fresh tomatoes and oregano.

Open for lunch and dinner.

Location: 1350 Oceanshore Boulevard (A1A), Ormond-By-The-Sea; 386-441-0003.

The Island Cow, Sanibel, Florida

Love looking at cows or eating good food in a friendly atmosphere? Then try The Island Cow for breakfast, lunch or dinner where you can eat inside with cow decorations of every type, plus five TVs. (Thankfully the sound is turned off). Or, dine outside in the tropical setting. Kids are welcome and have a huge menu to choose from, while adults can feast on award-winning ribs, steaks, pasta and more.

The Hungry Cow is located at 2163 Periuwinkle Way, Sanibel Island  472-0606; web site www.sanibelislandcow.com

NEW JERSEY

Legal's Seafood Restaurant, Short Hills Mall

We're lucky to have a Legal's Seafood Restaurant in New Jersey. Why? Simply because the food is so well prepared with super-sized portions. One of my dearest friends took me there for lunch to celebrate my birthday, and I wasn't disappointed. Sure, the tab for dinner in this lovely restaurant is a bit high (about $25 and up for the main course), but the food is definitely worth the price.

Reservations are a must any time of day, but once seated you'll notice there is plenty of space between tables -- and we certainly weren't rushed because we sat there for 2 1/2 hours! We both asked for regular sink water instead of the expensive bottled water and didn't get the look that is so familiar in other restaurants where they make a ton of dough pushing the designer water.

We both ordered unusual, delicious salads -- shrimp nestled in lovely bibb lettuce, with crunchy noodles and a not-too-spicey orangey sauce. Then we split a large portion of cheese cake smothered with strawberry sauce. Yummy. What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday - or any other occasion - with a dear friend who had a great idea in taking me out for lunch.

OKLAHOMA

Zio's Zany Kitchen, Oklahoma City

With an open kitchen, comfortable seating, and a casual atmosphere, Zio's turns out great food at reasonable prices. Everything is made from scratch and brought at the right temperature from the open kitchen. I had the Chicken Parmagian, which was delicious, but the pasta was a bit overdone. Despite that, I'd go back again without hesitation. Tip: If there's a long wait, ask to be seated at the bar. The stools are comfortable, and the service is excellent. It's also entertaining to watch the bartender mix drinks. If you have children, don't hesitate to bring them here -- the Kid's Menu is $3.99 and includes a soft drink. Kid's choices run from macaroni and cheese, spagetti and meatballs, grilled chicken, to a grilled cheese sandwich, chicken tenders, cheese pizza, or cheese ravioli. They'll also receive a fun placemat to draw on or solve puzzles.

Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, Oklahoma City

My partner and I were greeted the moment we stepped inside the Mexican courtyard-themed restaurant and were quickly seated. Our server showed up in about five minutes, with a bowl of thin, tasty chips and a tangy sauce. After perusing the huge variety of dishes offered, we decided to order our favorite - Fajitas. I ordered the Fajita Trio consisting of steak, chicken and shrimp, while my partner ordered the Fajita Marinated Steak. If you're a vegetarian, there's also a Vegetable Fajita. We weren't disappointed. The presentation was lovely, the food came sizzling hot, and the huge portion, delicious. We immediately understood why locals had steered us to Abuelo's and we regretted trying the Mexican restaurant opposite Abuelo's adjoining the canal where I had to return my order and still wasn't happy with the replacement. After this delicious dinner, we walked along nearby the canal to complete a great evening. Abuelo's rices were reasonable, and we'd definitely return.

Location: In the heart of Bricktown at 17 East Sheridan/Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; 405-235-1422.

PENNSYLVANIA

Legal's Seafood Restaurant, King of Prussia Mall

This is a huge, uniquely decorated restaurant with plenty of space between tables. My partner and I had to make a reservation because this restaurant is well-known, although it opened at the King of Prussia Mall in April 2007. Surprisingly, in less than two minutes we were shown to our table (thanks to the reservation), and one minute later a friendly server appeared. He asked if we wanted drinks and, when we ordered regular (sink) water, he didn't push for expensive alcoholic drinks as other restaurants often do. The water was brought within a couple of minutes, together with delicious rolls.

We waited about 10 minutes for dinner and it was delicious, starting with the New England Clam Chowder. I had 'fried' salmon that was not only something different, but very tasty, while my partner ordered baked jumbo shrimp stuffed with real crab meat. He loved his as well. The portions are so huge we didn't have space for dessert. Maybe next time.

About Legal's:

In 1950 George Berkowiz opened his fish market next to his father's grocery store in Maine. Since then, the "Legal" name has been synonymous with quality and freshness. The market was named after his father Harry's "Legal Cash Market" where customers were given "Legal Stamps" with their purchases. In 1968, the Berkowitz family opoened thir first seafood restaurant right next to the fish market. it was set up with picnic tables where people ate family style. The fish was simply prepared, either fried or broiled and served on apper plates. Word spread quicky and the success of this restaurant crystallized the family philosophy that they are first a fish company that is in the restaurant business.

Now under the leadership of Roger Berkowitz, George's son, Legal operates 30 family-owned restaurants, a mail order business and a grocery products division.

The Pennsylvania Legal's is located at the King of Prussia Mall behind Macy's.

Legal's lobsters and seafood can be shipped anywhere in the continental U.S.A. Shop on-line, by phone or while in the restaurant, ask your server for a catalog. For more information, call 1-800-EAT-FISH or check web site www.legalseafoods.com.

For more product reviews, please see our main product review page.

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