O.Vine wine-essence water

Refreshingly NEW: O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Water

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You may have seen some new beverage launches hitting your supermarket shelves and your tv screens. People are looking for ways to get their buzz on without the negative effects of too much alcohol. We all know that alcohol dehydrates you but with this new beverages category, you won’t have to worry about that. Joining the new spiked water category is an infused water that tastes spiked but isn’t spiked at all. Say hello to O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Water, the first spring water infused with the spirit of wine.

O.Vine wine-essence water

We had the pleasure of discovering this alcohol-free (yes, it truly is alcohol-free), prestigious water during the Summer Fancy Food Show and fell in love. What makes the elegant O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Water so wonderful? Aside from it’s incredibly refreshing and delicious tastes, it is made by upcycling wine grape skins and seeds to create a wine grape infused water that’s uniquely light, dry, crisp, low calorie and filled with antioxidants. It also won Best New Water Concept at the prestigious 2018 Global Bottled Water Awards in Evian, France. The result is a thirst-quenching and nutritious water that makes you think you’re enjoying your favorite wine.

O.Vine wine-essence water

Created by Anat Levi, O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Water is available in four varietals: White Wine Essence Water, Red Wine Essence Water, White Wine Essence Water – Gently Sparkling, and Red Wine Essence Water – Gently Sparkling. The O.Vine White Wine Essence Water and Gently Sparkling version are made with Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay wine grape skins and only 15 calories per serving.  The Red Wine Essence Water and Gently Sparkling version are made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot wine grape skins and only 20 calories per serving.

They recently added two new varietals to their lineup – O.Vine Chardonnay Wine Essence Water and O.Vine Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Essence Water. These two new flavors are a collaboration between Israel’s award-winning Galil Mountain Winery and O.Vine. Still alcohol-free, they bring the distinct essence of these renowned much-loved wines to refreshing water, without intoxicating effects.

O.Vine wine-essence water

The Cabernet has a dark, red fruity character with a note of chocolate and a gentle tart twist. The Chardonnay imparts more tones of lime and apple, with notes of caramel. Both are equally refreshing and delicious.

O.Vine wine-essence water

All of the O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Water has only 4g natural sugar per serving, no preservatives or added color, are Sulfite-free, and kosher. As we see sparkling beverages become increasingly popular as alternatives to soda, mixers for cocktails, and as cocktail alternatives altogether, we know these

The original O.Vine Wine-Grape Infused Waters are currently available both online, on Beverage Universe, and at Neiman-Marcus, New York. The refreshing beverages are also slated to hit the shelves of higher-end retail stores this summer.

 

National Ice Cream Month with My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and UNIQLO

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Hello Ice cream lovers, it’s time to celebrate and indulge in some creamy, milky goodness. Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? And that July 21st is National Ice Cream Day. To honor the day, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and UNIQLO have partnered for the ultimate Ice Cream Day takeover. Not familiar with mochi ice cream? Read on for how you can try it out for free.

For those not familiar with the delicious brand, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is a colorful snack made with a scoop of premium ice cream wrapped in pillowy rice dough. Available in several decadent flavors including Sweet Mango, Green Tea, Ripe Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, Double Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean, and Mint Chocolate Chip, you’ll find yourself unable to resist this handheld snack.

These mind-blowing mouthfuls of ice cream bites will be yours to enjoy on July 21st, National Ice Cream Day, at participating UNIQLO stores across the US, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, and Washington DC. This is your chance to indulge in these magnificent frozen treats. Perhaps you can find a new favorite flavor if you’re already a fan, or try mochi ice cream out for the first time and discover why it’s so delicious.

After you’ve fallen in love with the My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream (trust us, you’ll love it), be sure to keep an eye out for the flavors featured above, which boasts a third layer of yumminess inside. The Chocolate Sundae features premium vanilla bean ice cream covered in chocolate-flavored mochi dough and stuffed with a cherry center. The Dulce de Leche features creamy coffee ice cream with a milky, melt-in-your-mouth caramel center. The Vanilla Blueberry features creamy vanilla bean ice cream, wrapped in pillowy mochi dough all wrapped around gooey, bluey blueberry center. Lastly, the S’mores features chocolate mochi dough wrapped around premium graham cracker ice cream filled with marshmallow.

My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is also available in gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan flavors, making it a wonderful snack that everyone can enjoy. Will you be joining My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and UNIQLO on National Ice Cream Day?

Bokksu Hanami Festival Box: Taste of Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival

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Although it may not feel like it, we are fully in the season of spring. Many cultures celebrate the season of renewal and growth in different ways. One of our favorites is the Japanese Hanami Festival, celebrating the Japanese Cherry Blossoms. In honor of Japan’s famed Hanami Festival, Bokksu, makers of the artisanal Japanese snack box, presented the Bokksu Hanami Festival Box. Hanami means “flower viewing” in Japanese; loved ones get together to enjoy a delicious feast under fully blossomed cherry blossom trees in parks throughout the country. The Bokksu Hanami Festival Box celebrates the decadent snacks enjoyed during the feast.

As April’s coveted snack box, the Bokksu Hanami Festival Box wonderfully honors the April Japanese festival. Bokksu curated this snack box to help you transport you to hanami season in Japan! Potato chip lovers won’t be able to stop eating the potato sticks. Fans of all things savory will love the snacks like the Ebi Crunch Black Pepper. Love sweets? The Handmade Sakura Candy is a must.  Check out all of the Bokksu Hanami Festival Box snacks below:

Spring Sakura Senbei – This thin cracker has a lot of flavor going on: preserved sakura blossoms, mirin (sweet sake), and squid to name a few. In fact, squid is the main ingredient of this senbei! Squid is a popular food in Japan during the spring and goes surprisingly well with the salty yet floral tang of the pickled sakura flowers. This uniquely Japanese flavor combination is captivating, so don’t let the squid scare you off!

Handmade Sakura Candy – Since its sakura season, Bokksu brings you this Handmade Sakura Candy made exclusively for them! Sakura in Japan symbolizes ephemerality and the fleeting quality of life. Like the sakura that fades away at the end of the season, this candy dissolves lightly on the palette. Sweet and floral, cherry blossoms are harvested and prepared by pickling and drying the flowers in salt. This traditional method preserves the vibrant color and flavor of Sakura, which makes it perfect for candy. This is also why this Handmade Sakura Candy contains real bits of preserved sakura!

Cheese Okaki Plum Flavor – This okaki (a type of cracker) with a cheesy center from popular maker Bourbon is a long-time favorite in Japan. It hasn’t stopped selling since the original flavor came out in 1984! This special plum flavor is seasonally exclusive for the spring hanami season. The cracker itself features umeboshi (pickled plum), a popular tsukemono (pickled food) in Japan known for being very tart and salty. It’snot uncommon to find umeboshi gently placed on top of a bed of rice or in the center of onigiri (rice balls) in a hanami picnic bento. This snack is great with a cup of green tea.

Sakura Chocolate Crepe – This delicate delight is one of our favorite spring-time treats. We first tried this crepe last April, and loved it so much we had to bring it back! A wafer-thin crepe is baked and rolled up for crisp layers. It’s then enrobed in a decadent coating of white-chocolate infused with powdered sakura petals for a richer flavor and color.

Sakura Chinsuko Cookie – This adorable Sakura Chinsuko cookie is shaped, flavored, and colored like a Japanese cherry blossom. Chinsuko is a traditional cookie from Okinawa and is a very popular omiyage (souvenir gift) in Japan. It’s similar in texture to a shortbread cookie and carries delicate flavors like sakura well. The addition of real sakura leaves enhances the light floral flavor of this pink cookie.

Ebi Crunch: Black Pepper Flavor – The cousin to Bokksu’s favorite, Ebi Crunch, this Ebi Crunch Black Pepper is equal in flavor as a mix of rice crackers and peanuts. It packs even more heat than the original, with its concentrated punch of pepper. It is the perfect accompaniment to your next happy hour beverage with its puffy frame and a generous helping of seasoning.

Kakinotane Plum Shiso – Kakinotane is a classic Japanese snack mix of crescent-shaped senbei and peanuts. This mix packs a powerful punch of traditional Japanese plum and shiso (perilla leaf). Sharp and a little spicy, it blends pickled plum, shiso, and paprika. The buttery peanuts perfectly balance the mix of dominant flavors. Kakinotane is a kind of otsumami, and as such is typically enjoyed with beer. We’re sure you’ll be amazed by its incredible flavor.

Suppa Mucho Plum Potato Sticks – These thin, crispy potato sticks are bursting with flavor. Like an ode to the Japanese plum tree, every bite carries the floral notes of plum blossoms, the sourness of umeboshi, and the earthiness of shiso (perilla leaves). This Japan-exclusive snack is the most addicting potato chip we’ve had.

Spring Gold Green Tea – Celebrate the spring with this beautiful tea package designed exclusively for Bokksu and enjoy classic sencha tea to warm you from the inside out! Sencha is a traditional steamed Japanese green tea and considered the most popular tea in Japan. This particular tea is exceptionally strong in flavor and is the perfect addition to any spring picnic party under cherry blossom trees!

What are your thoughts on the snacks in the Bokksu Hanami Festival Box?

CHEESE WEEK 2019 - 3rd EDITION

Celebrate All Things Cheese During the 3rd Annual Cheese Week NYC

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Did you know that Cheese Week NYC started today? For the third consecutive year, Jean-François Hesse and Transversal FR bring all things fromage to New York. The best part, you don’t have to be in Vermont, Italy, Switzerland or even France to enjoy some of the most amazing cheeses in the world. The 3rd Annual Cheese Week NYC brings them all to you in a series of in-store and restaurant events from April 28th – May 4th.  We had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful cheese brunch at Rôtisserie Georgette, an experience we’ll be sharing soon. Check out some of the great cheese events happening this week

CHEESE WEEK 2019 - 3rd EDITION

Stores in New York

Murray’s Cheese (254 Bleecker St and 89 E 42nd St)
April 28th – May 4th
Demonstrations Daily – 3 to 6pm
• The Murray’s Cheese locations at 254 Bleecker Street and Grand Central Terminal will host
demonstrations daily.
• Murray’s Cheese Bar (264 Bleecker Street): special cheese-and-wine flights all week long

French Cheese Board (41 Spring St)
May 3rd – 5.30 to 7.30pm
• Class is in Session! Join Chef Greg from Savencia Cheese USA
This class includes how to create amazing cheese pairings with Saint Agur, Le Montagnard, Le Cayrol, Esquirrou, and Saint Andre

Zabar’s (2245 Broadway at 80th Street)
Demonstrations Daily – 3 to 6 pm:
May 2nd – 3 to 6pm: Join Gourmet Foods International for a tasting of P’tit Basque, Fromager D’Affinois Brie
and La Bonne Vie Goat Pyramid.
May 3rd – 3 to 6pm: Join Savencia Cheese USA for a tasting of Esquirou, a PDO Ossau Iraty cheese, winner
of the 2018 World Championship Cheese contest.

Le District (225 Liberty Street)
April 28th – May 4th
The offer is a choice of 3 kinds of cheese (cheese plate) and a flight of 2 wines for $35.
The cheese options include: Excellence Triple Creme – France St. Andre -Le Bonne Vie Chante -La Bonne Vie
Goat -St Agur 60%
-St Andre Mini
The two wines are: Combe Saint-Jean, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2015 and Château de la Dauphine, Delphis
Fronsac 2015

Taste Wine Company (50 3rd Ave)
May 2nd
Sit-down wine & cheese pairing class & tasting from 7 to 9pm. Price: $40
Reservations : 212-461-1708

Restaurants in New York

Rôtisserie Georgette (14 East 60th Street between Madison and 5th)
April 28th
Reserve for anytime between 12 noon and 2pm
« Fête du Fromage » Sunday Brunch
4 courses $49.00
Asparagus Velouté, Warm Savory Madeleines
Cheese Soufflé – or – Croque Monsieur
Artisanal Cheese Buffet
Tropical Fruit Sorbets, Mignardises
Reservations: 212-390-8060 or www.rotisserieg.com

Bagatelle (1 Little W 12th St)
3-course tasting menu with wine pairing
All week for dinner. $60.00
Reservations: 212-488-2110

Cocotte (110 Thompson St)
Cheese and Wine Fest throughout the week
Reservations: 212-965-9100

AOC East (1590 1st Avenue)
Happy Hour the entire week from 4 pm to 7 pm. Cheese and Wine: $15.00
Reservations: 646-998-5749

Bistro Vendôme (405 E 58th Street, NY)
Cheese and Wine tasting all week long
Reservations: 212-935-9100

ARM & HAMMER™ Fruit & Vegetable Wash

Eat Pesticide-Free: Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash

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For centuries we’ve been told to wash our fruits and vegetables with water to make them clean enough to eat. Of course with the increased use of pesticides, water isn’t enough when it comes to washing fruits and vegetables. To protect your family from pesticides and other contaminants, we have the perfect solution – Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash.

ARM & HAMMER™ Fruit & Vegetable Wash

This latest launch from Arm & Hammer safely eliminates more than 90 percent of pesticide residue while also washing away wax and soil. Made with only  7 ingredients, including Arm & Hammer baking soda, lemon oil, salt, and plant-derived cleaning agents, the new fruit & vegetable wash is scientifically proven to clean 4x better than water alone. According to independent studies, washing your fruits and veggies with water and/or bleach still leaves behind large traces of pesticides. The Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash removes surface pesticide residues more effectively than using tap water or a bleach solution.

ARM & HAMMER™ Fruit & Vegetable Wash

The first thing we noticed about the fruit and veggie wash was that it’s free from harsh chemicals. The second thing we noticed was its refreshing lemon scent. Other noted points are that it leaves no odor or taste behind, and is vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

“Arm & Hammer Fruit and Vegetable Wash is the only produce wash with baking soda as the primary active ingredient,” noted CR Brands CEO Dan Mickelson, whose company manufactures the product under license. “No one wants to leave wax or dirt, and certainly not pesticides, on the fruits and vegetables they serve. This is a safe, effective, and easy-to-use solution that makes sure the only thing we taste is delicious, natural flavor.”

Launched just in time for spring harvest, you can get the Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash for around $5.00 per 16.9oz spray bottle. Or better yet, get a 3-pack for $14.99 at Amazon and other select retailers. For more information, please visit www.armandhammercleans.com.

Nourish Bowls: The Healthy On-The-Go Meal from Mann’s Fresh

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As beings that are always on the go, it can get quite difficult to eat a healthy, well-balanced meal. Be it for breakfast (for those of us who eat breakfast), lunch or dinner. While we try and at times have the best intentions to live a better life, it never lasts. This may happen for many reasons, we fall back into our old routine because it’s what we’re used to; the new “lifestyle change” doesn’t satisfy us, or maybe we end up being unsatisfied. We’ve all tried to implement healthy choices but many times, we just don’t enjoy them. But what if we did? We were recently introduced to the latest healthy and delicious meal from Mann’s Fresh that will change your mind (and your habits). Say hello to Mann’s Nourish Bowls Breakfast.

Although we haven’t tried the others, we had the pleasure of enjoying Mann’s Fresh Nourish Bowls Breakfast. The two new breakfast options, Denver Scramble, and Fiesta Scramble join the vast variety of Nourish Bowls that includes Monterey Risotto, Sesame Sriracha, Southwest Chipotle, Smokehouse Brussels, Spicy Thai, Basil Pesto, Tomato Bolognese, and Cauli Rice Curry.

A healthy twist on one of America’s favorite breakfasts, the Denver Scramble features kale, sweet potato, cauliflower and broccoli with a Bell Pepper Sauce that has diced ham & onion and comes with a cheddar cheese topping. The Fiesta Scramble has kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi and butternut squash with a Pico de Gallo Salsa that has chicken chorizo and comes with a Mexican Cheese Blend topping.

You will see making a healthy and delicious breakfast is as easy as 1,2,3. Add one or two eggs, pop the microwave-safe bowl in for 4 minutes and enjoy these fresh veggie breakfast bowls! At 330 calories or less and up to 25 grams of protein, these new bowls bring to the breakfast table. Are you excited for the new Nourish Bowls Breakfast from Mann’s Fresh Vegetables? We certainly are!

Plant-Based Goodness: Getting Slutty Vegan on a Cold Day in Harlem

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So….let’s catch up. How did you spend your President’s Day this year? I opted for a little excitement this year, and I wasn’t alone. True Story. Here’s my confessional:

I got a little Slutty on our National Holiday when I heard that Slutty Vegan came to Harlem NYC.

Slutty Vegan, an Atlanta based fast food company specializing in fast, and yummy plant-based foods, held their first pop-up in New York City ever. Their menu places a shining spotlight 100% Vegan versions of the All-American fast-food favorite, the hamburger. It’s irresistible, insatiable, forever side-piece, french fries. I went with an open mind to try something new and exciting and to have a little fun. And I didn’t leave until I had a One Night Stand. No pork, just vegan bacon.

The outstanding pop-up event, held at the Cove Lounge in heart of Harlem, was a kickoff to the larger Slutty Vegan Tour. It will stop at a number of major cities along the East Coast in celebration of the Grand Opening of their new brick and mortar location in Atlanta – 1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

Back in New York, with lines wrapping around the block for hours. Over 900 people were served a taste of these delicious and satisfying burgers. We came to get the stuff that’s so good we waited in the cold for it!

3 FAST & SLUTTY OPTIONS CAME NEW YORK:

The Fussy Hussy
Impossible Burger patty loaded with pickle, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and slutty sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun.

The Sloppy Toppy
Impossible Burger patty loaded with jalapeños, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and slutty sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun.

The One Night Stand*
Impossible Burger patty loaded with vegan bacon, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and slutty sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun.
*We had a good time together. Now we are on a Down To Fork basis

If you’ve never had an Impossible Burger – you don’t know what you’re missing! If you are steering your diet to be more plant-based right now, start here! The Impossible Burger Patty is made of a proprietary mixture of wheat, potato proteins, coconut oil, and heme. It tastes so much like meat, that you will open your burger, thoroughly examine how beautiful the patty is, whisper sweet devotion while you put it back in the bun and ravish the whole thing.

Founded in 2018 by Pinky Cole in Atlanta Georgia’s West End community, the Slutty Vegan Dream Team started with the purchase of a restaurant-grade food truck. The goal was to provide fresh, top quality prepared vegan comfort foods to an area underserved by flavorful vegan eats. A reminder and benchmark to everyone across the country that plant-based eating can be absolutely delicious and affordable.

The Slutty Vegan tour went on to Baltimore, DC, and Maryland, Greater Georgia, New Orleans, Houston, and will end in Los Angeles at the end of March 2019.

 

Wünder Creamery Nutrient-rich Superdairy

Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark: The Nutrient-Rich SuperDairy

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When you hear the word Quark, you typically think of particles and science; but we promise the Quark we’re writing about today is something much more edible. The Quark we’re talking about is a nutrient-rich, super-dairy made from a special blend of cultures, Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark. And we can tell you, it’s wünderfully delicious!!

Wünder Creamery Nutrient-rich Superdairy

What makes Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark so amazing? Thanks to its unique production process and an exclusively sourced special blend of French cultures, Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark delivers an extraordinary rich taste and creamy texture. Gone are the days of overly tangy and sour yogurts, plus this yogurt boasts up to 16g of protein and less sugar than leading yogurt brands. Wünder is also high in protein, has less than 5% lactose, contains no starches or gum and is powered by probiotics. It’s gluten-free, has no rBHG, and it’s ph levels is higher than regular yogurts, giving you a distinctively better taste (4.4/4.5 vs. Greek/Skyr’s 3.8/3.9). Since Wünder is fermented for twice as long as Greek yogurt (13 hours vs. 6 hours), it also boasts creamier texture.

Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark is available in six varieties: Plain, Coffee, Raspberry, Blueberry, Vanilla & Coconut, and Matcha. After sampling all six flavors, we found ourselves captivated by two, the Vanilla & Coconut, and Matcha. While all six were delicious, these two definitely had us reaching for more. There are so many delicious recipes you can make using the Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark flavors. One of our favorites is the Matcha Cheesecake, see the recipe below:

Wünder Creamery Matcha Cheesecake

Cheesecake Filling
3 24-ounce containers Wünder Creamery Plain quark, room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. matcha powder
2-4 Tbsp. hot water (for creating matcha paste)
2 large eggs, room temperature
Mix matcha powder with hot water to create a paste-like consistency. In a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the quark on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and continue beating on medium speed until smooth. Reduce the speed to very low and drop in 1 egg at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated into the batter. Do not overmix.

The Crust
¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
⅛ Tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350˚. Bring a large pot of water (about 6 cups) to a boil. Lightly spray or butter the bottom and sides of a 6-inch springform pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Pour the crust mixture into the springform pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the mixture down into the base, making sure to create an even, smooth layer. Place on the middle rack of oven and bake for 8 minutes or until golden-brown in color. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly.

Wrap the bottom of the springform pan with aluminum foil, allowing for the foil to reach the top of the sides. Press the foil firmly around the pan to make sure it is fitted well (this protects the pan from absorbing the water). Transfer the pan to a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, and pour the boiling water into the large pan, creating a bain-marie. The water should reach about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake.

Carefully transfer the cheesecake to the oven and bake on the middle rack for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the sides are set and the middle jiggles very slightly. After baking, remove the cheesecake from the water and set on a wire rack to cool for 2 hours. Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6-12 hours. Release and remove the side of the springform. Slice with a sharp knife, rinsing the knife with warm water before each slice.