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Our online resources,
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Archive for January, 2008
January 31st, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
1. Wild Hibiscus Flower
These go beyond wild, when you place one of these edible flowers from Australia in the bottom of your flute, fill the glass with your favorite champagne, and add a smidgeon of the hot-pink hibiscus syrup. The bubbles cause the flower petals to slowly unfold which turns this cocktail into a true work of art.
www.wildhibiscus.com
2.Frutzzo
This super juice, in a variety of Pomegranate-based flavors was a great thirst quenchers, and also gets bonus points for being packed with powerful antioxidants. Plus, I love their directions: Live. Drink. Repeat.
www.frutzzo.com
3.Sence
This exotic rose nectar comes from Bulgaria and is made from the Kazalak Rose which can only be harvested three weeks out of the year,must be picked in the middle of the night when the dew is at its peak, and then the nectar must be extracted within two hours. No wonder they package it in such beautiful perfume-type crystal bottles. A unique beverage on it’s own, Sence also adds an interesting spin to your classic cocktails.
www.SenceNectar.com
4.Golden Star Tea
A sparkling, non-alcholic brew that is good enough to christen the most luxurious new ship. Only the highest quality jasmine buds are chosen for the unique fermentation process developed by the Golden Star adding aromatic elements and complex flavor tones. This sophisticated sparkling tea offers a new era in liquid enlightenment.
www.goldenstartea.com
5.Q tonic
I always thought that I didn’t like Tonic water, but it turns out I just don’t like bad Tonic water. A new company, Q Tonic has returned the essence of tonic water—using real Peruvian quinine, instead of a synthetic substitute. They custom blend Q Tonic with all natural ingredients, including handpicked Cinchona bark grown in its native habitat, the slopes of the Peruvian Andes, sweetened with Mexican organic agave. As a result, Q Tonic is much better tasting, healthier (with 60% few calories than regular tonic water,) and the only tonic that will be touching my gin from now on!
www.Qtonic.com
January 31st, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
1.Tyrrell’s Potato Chips
Straight from Will Chase’s potato farm in Herefordshire, England come (for my money,) the World’s Best Potato Chips. Offered in large bags, or single serving sizes, Tyrrell’s Naked Chips offers a perfect sweet and earthy crunch, plus some very clever packaging. But, then Farmer Will started going nuts with his flavors and each one is better than the last. Be sure and try the award-winning Sweet Chili & Pepper, Mature Cheddar & Chive, or the properly British, Beef & Horseradish flavor. Watch for his seasonal offerings such as Asparagus & Pepper, or spicy Worcestershire Sauce flavor. No dip needed for these taters.
http://www.tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk/
2.Brent’s Micro Brew Firey Beer Brittle
This was by far the most scrumptious non-chocolate sweetie at the whole show. Created by the brother and sister team behind Napa’s Chocolate Factory, this buttery brittle is simultaneously crisp and chewy, sweet and salty, snap, crackle and WOW! I don’t know if it’s the Mendocino micro brew ale, the Indonesian vanilla, the crunchy Spanish peanuts or the surprise hit of Chili de Arbol, but this spicy confection is a 3-alarm masterpiece. Brent also offers a chili-free version for the wimpier set.
www.annettes.com
3.Poco Dolce
Can’t believe I’ve never tasted these luscious chocolates and they are made right in my own backyard! ( San Francisco) These little wonders are the most perfectly balanced sweet & salty confections that have ever crossed my lips. Their sophisticated bittersweet chocolate tiles are swimming with bits of crystallized ginger, burnt caramel toffee ,crunchy almonds and Aztec chile. Then they guild the lily with a delicate sprinkling of grey sea, which just intensifies your pleasure. Can request them packaged in a red box –perfect for your Valentine!
www.pocodolce.com
4.Linda’s Gourmet Latkes
Thank you, Linda, for making Hanukkah a snap–As well as the other 51 weeks of the year. These yummy frozen heat-and-serve latkes are available in both a large patty (delish for brekkie when topped with applesauce) and a bite-size version. Top the mini’s with some sour cream and a curl of smoked salmon for an easy yet luxurious hor’s doeuvres.
www.lindasgourmetlatkes.com
5.Plush Puffs
These naturally flavored marshmallows put bring boring old plain whites to their knees. It’s difficult to choose between Toasted Coconut, Kona Coffee Crunch and a slew of other flavors. Their new Simply Smores creation is simply brilliant. They take their Vanilla Bean marshmallow and then mix in all-natural graham pieces, dust the whole thing with light cocoa powder and top it with chocolate chips. But my own personal fave is the zingy Lucious Lemony Meringue flavor. I went through the whole bag, spearing and roasting them right over my gas burners, while singing “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” at the top of my lungs.
www.plushpuffs.com
6.Alice’s Stick Cookies
I wept when I first tasted these buttery confections when they received “Best new cookie of 2004” award but Alice wasn’t content to sit on her laurels, she developed a new Cinnamon Stick flavor. Bet you can’t eat just one—-box!
www.alicesstickcookies.com
7.-Sticky Toffee Pudding
After tasting both the Sticky Ginger Flavor, and the English Lemon Pudding,- as well as the traditional Sticky Toffee classic, I was thrilled that these “puds” had crossed the channel to our home turf…until I saw the calorie count. Oh well, they are so worth jogging an extra mile or two.
www.stickytoffeepuddingcompany.com
8. Smokey Blue Truffle
This may sound weird but after one nibble of organic chocolate, smokey blue cheese and roasted almonds, that this is the perfect ménage a trois! Now you no longer have to pick decide between something sweet or cheese to end your meal.
www.lilliebellefarms.com
9. Mushroom Truffle Risotto Phyllo Flower Hors d’Oeuvres
Conveniently available in the frozen foods dept. these seductive little babies will ensure that you’ll be the “hostess with the mostess,” even when uninvited guests make a surprise appearance…on the other hand, by offering these savory pastries you’ll be encouraging repeat visits!
www.dufourpastrykitchens.com
10. Thai Spice Sausage
I’ve always been impressed with Niman Ranch for being “committed to fulfilling the vision upon which the company was founded - to bring the finest tasting meat possible to customers while practicing the highest standards of animal husbandry and environmental stewardship,” and also because they make some damn good bacon. They’ve newest winner is a tasty Thai Spice Sausage packed with traditional Thai flavors of lemongrass, ginger, cardamom and coriander- superb fragrance.
www.nimanranch.com
**Shopping note: Most of these products are readily available at Whole Foods, Molly Stone’s, or your local specialty food store. Or you can contact them directly for more information
January 31st, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
 I’m finally getting around to writing up my Fav products from this year’s winter
(I only wish it was as easy to erase all the extra poundage I put on!) I don’t know if it’s because the show was more selective since it was held for the first time in San Diego instead of San Francisco, but for some reason the caliber of new products was the highest I’ve tasted in many years.
The popular trends this year were: Pomegranate-flavored whatever, Infused Water with everything from assorted vitamins to caffeine, natural and sustainable food products are crossing over from “health” food store items to mainstream, more excellent cheeses are being imported from everywhere, no one just sells a chocolate bar anymore-it’s all about origin, percentages, estate blends etc. just to name a few.
Here’s some of the rather staggering numbers so you can get a sense of the sheer magnitude of foods available:
The Fancy Food Show offered:
• 80,000 specialty food products to see and sample;
• 1,100 exhibiting companies offering an unbeatable selection of foods from every corner of the globe;
• 150 international companies;
• 30 international and domestic pavilions;
• 150 new exhibitors, with products never before seen nationally.
http://www.specialtyfood.com/do/fancyFoodShow/LocationsAndDates
January 31st, 2008 by Teresa
Meet Tere. She just wrapped up a film called "The Deal" and if you were at SUndance, you probably saw the movie or caught a glimpse of her partying with the stars.
She talks to Tango Diva about her favorite restaurant and hotel in the world. She gives us Divas a piece a fantastic advice about how to stay cold-free while traveling.
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January 31st, 2008 by Teresa
Viva Latin Divas!
I love being Mexican. I can talk loud with my hands, and show lots of emtion because my heritage grants me that right. Ever watch a telenovela? By nature we are passionate, loving, and enjoy good food and having fun. So, meeting other fabulous Latinas is always a pleasure.
Meet Veronica, she is the hostess of Latin Eyes, and television program that focuses on all things Latin.
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January 31st, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
I either just wished you all a Happy Vietnamese New Year ( for the year of the Rat) or else cursed you out for taking my parking place!
If it’s the former, and you live in the Bay Area, then I have two great recommendations about where to celebrate.
The Vietnamese Tết celebration of the Lunar New Year is celebrated with style and panache at Bong Su Restaurant and Lounge in San Francisco and sister restaurant Tamarine Restaurant and Gallery in Palo Alto, or since they are being held two different nights, why not hit them both? On February 6 and 8 th, the celebrations begin  festively with firecrackers to ward off the evil spirits and to welcome the entrance of the dragon. Inside, guests can feed the dragon red envelopes for good luck, ask the fortune teller about the year ahead, and dine on signature good luck dishes. The a la carte Tết dishes include special ingredients which are sure to bring happiness, wealth, prosperity, longevity and health for the year of the Rat, created by chef Tammy Huynh. The celebratory feast features Lobster Spring Rolls of soft rice paper filled w/ lobster, rice noodles, mango & lettuce, Chrysanthemum Soup, with served with fish dumplings, green onions & cilantro and Slow Cooked Pork with a boneless pork shoulder slow cooked with young coconut juice, fish sauce & molasses.
Wednesday, February 6th at Tamarine
TAMARINE: 546 University Avenue, Palo Alto. Reservations: 650-325-8500
Friday, February 8 at Bong Su
BONG SU: 311 Third Street, San Francisco. Reservations: 415-536 5800
January 31st, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
 I bet that even the most solitary monk, living in a remote cave in some foreign country, knows that Healdsburg is a mecca for wine lovers. Ideally located just a short drive from more than 100 award-winning wineries in the renowned appellations of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley, Healdsburg makes the perfect base-camp for your explorations. But perhaps you’re not be in the mood just to go taste wines (perish the thought!) or more possible maybe you’d like to add on a little something different–Ok, now THAT’S more like it!
If so, then you will want to join in all the excitement surrounding Healdsburg first annual Steelhead Festival (February 8-10) in honor of the return of Wild Steelhead to the Russian River, one of the country’s greatest fishing spots for the coveted trout. Many local restaurants will be highlighting wild fish on their menus and fish-friendly wineries will be participating. Attendants can also take advantage of the many fun and educational events offered over the course of the three day festival.
The Festival kicks off Friday evening at 5pm with wine and hors d’oeuvres in the Lobby at Hotel Healdsburg. The Gala Dinner, prepared by Chef Charlie Palmer and his Dry Creek Kitchen Restaurant, will be held at Hotel Healdsburg.
Saturday, Under big tents, the Healdsburg Plaza is the place to be from 10am - 4pm where there will be free activities and attractions for kids of all ages. A huge fishing pond will be well stocked with trout for the young angler in your family to try their hand at fishing. Poles will be provided. There will be demonstrations on fly-tying, fly fishing and cooking demos, and the latest in fishing gear you need to enhance your fishing experience. Educational booths will be brought to us by the Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited , Russian RiverKeeper, Sonoma County Water Agency and many more.There will be arts and crafts to do and a fish maze, where children can "be the steelhead’ and make their way upstream through all sorts of obstacles.
(Even if you can’t make the festival, no worries, steelhead fishing is possible during the whole season, December – March 31.)
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at 707- 433-6935 or 1-800-648-9922 (CA only).
For Tickets: http://www.healdsburgsteelheadfest.org/
January 30th, 2008 by Dining Diva Janice
Rachel Stevens is a top photographer (her portraiture work has been featured on A&E and the Discovery Channel) that specializes in transforming every-day women into hot, sexy screen sirens of the 1940s, sexy pin-up girls of the 1950s, sultry sex kittens of the 1960s and modern day vamps who gaze at us from magazines. A photo shoot with Rachel includes a complete make-over (how fun would that be?) by her all female-team. After you are all glammed up Rachel will capture your true beauty in a pin-up shot just for you (and maybe your special someone). When you go on her website and see the comments, “I can’t believe that gorgeous woman was me!” or “Thank you, Rachel. For giving me the gift of “me.” A “me” that I will always cherish.” and numerous samples of her Siren photo’s, you’ll definitely want to sign up for your own shoot.
Although she is based in Portland, Oregon, the good news ( for all you West Coast women) is that Rachel takes her Siren show on the road; hitting Vegas, L..A., Seattle and S.F. throughout the year so your boyfriend can get you a Valentines gift certificate for the next time she comes to your nabe. Could we make his gift shopping any easier?????
Website
January 30th, 2008 by Teresa
You really never know whom you’re going to run into in a town like Las Vegas – Elvis, Prince, Celine, or in this case “The Clever Cleaver Brothers.” These two guys have made a living from telling jokes and cooking food. What a brilliant combination.
I tried to find out from these two witty characters where like to go for vacation and their favorite restaurant… but alas, I failed. They did not tell me anything. So, this interview was not very informative, it is is pretty funny.
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January 30th, 2008 by Teresa
They say that Vegas brings out the animal is some, and I found out that this is true after hooking up with Lenny. By the end of the night, he looked like a Lemur…. 
Meet Lenny, he is an endangered Lemur from the island of Madagascar. If you ever saw the cartoon with the same name, then you might remember the lemurs that liked to “party party.”
Lenny is a guest of Jack Hanna’s “Into the Wild” show. And Jack’s new seasons’ line-up is all about conservation and sustainability.
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bicycle helmet prices pirodr! 666
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