California Gold BBQ Rub presents “Heroic!” + recipes by OC Food Diva

California Gold BBQ Rub is a side arm of the Tastee BQ Grilling Co., a catering company based out of Los Angeles, CA. Heroic! is their second blend of SuperFoods – including garlic, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa. Heroic! is gluten-free and has no added salt or sugar. The spice blend is very aromatic and lends itself well to marinades and wet or dry BBQ rubs. Below are two recipes that I made using Heroic! as the base. 

To read more, see recipes and slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/article/california-gold-bbq-rub-presents-heroic-recipes-by-oc-food-diva

Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards + ceviche recipe

Even though we are in the middle of October, SoCal is still seeing summertime temperatures. Wild Horse Winery has teamed up with Chef Santos MacDonal to share his Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche recipe. Chef Santos owns Il Cortile which encompasses a Mediterranean approach to California food and wine. His latest restaurant, La Cosecha (which means harvest) focuses on Spanish and South American cuisine – simple food paired with wine.

2013 Viognier started with grapes from the Central Coast near Paso Robles. The 2013 growing season was 70% drier than average, yet temperatures and overall conditions were favorable. It produced a slightly higher than average crop with fruit from Wild Horse Estate, Nevarez, and Fralich. From bin to press, free-run juice was separated from the press fraction to maintain pH balance and avoid bitterness from the tannins. Fermented in tanks and transferred to neutral French oak barrels at 17° Brix to complete fermentation. The wine aged sur lie in neutral French oak for six months prior to blending and bottling. Tasting notes: Lychee, citrus, and stone fruit aromatics experienced; Peach flavor experienced on the front of the palate and lemon on the back end; Food pairing: Chicken and light pasta dishes. Rating: 3.6/5 stars 

To read more, see recipe, and slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/wild-horse-winery-vineyards-ceviche-recipe

Product Review: Blue Isle’s Mediterranean Yogurt Spreads

Cream cheese has been the American favorite spread for bagels and used as an ingredient for sweet and savory dips and treats. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative that’s rich in calcium, contains probiotics (for digestive health), and no added sugar, Blue Isle’s Mediterranean Yogurt Spreads are on the market and can be found in the dairy aisle. A 2-tablespoon serving has only 60 calories and 6 grams of fat (40% fewer calories and total fat than cream cheese). The ingredients are natural and OU Kosher certified.

The Original is creamy, tangy, and anything but plain. This is for the purist. This would be great as a spread for a sandwich, a bagel, or as a base for your favorite vegetable or chip dip. Rating: 4/5

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/product-review-blue-isle-s-mediterranean-yogurt-spreads

Chicago, IL: Graphic design, Navy Pier, and grilling – Day 3

Rise and shine for another day. Breakfast at the Chicago Marriott was wonderful again with a Denver scramble, herby sausage, fresh fruit, cinnamon sugar donut holes, and bakery fresh blueberry muffin. I think I had a good mix of protein and carbs to keep me going until lunch. The conference day started out with a Keynote by Lynda Weinman, (co-founder of Lynda.com and every graphic designers’ hero), followed by 5 Essential Effects in InDesign and Accessibility and PDF: What You Need to Know. Breakout sessions followed and I sat in on these: Illustrator and Photoshop: Awesome Effects Using Our Two Favorite InDesign “Add-ons” and Catch Their Attention: What’s New in Print Today. It must have been Italian Day for lunch as the afternoon snacks were cannolis and tiramisu. Mille Gratzie! The conference ends every year with Q&A and, of course, prizes. Unfortunately, I didn’t win but there were a bunch who did.

We still had a few hours of daylight left and hopped on the free trolley service to Navy Pier. I’ve seen Navy Pier numerous times from the John Hancock Center Observatory (now called 360° Chicago), but never had time to go. The trolley route is a loop from Navy Pier with stops at Peshtigo Street, McClurg Court, Fairbanks Street, St. Clair Street, Michigan Avenue, Rush Street, CTA Station (Red Line), and Columbus Avenue. The summer service hours are long so you could spend the whole day at Navy Pier with lunch, activities and shopping, and dinner. With the sun starting to set in the west, Lake Michigan was sparkling as the waves lapped to shore. The Chicago skyline from the end of the pier was spectacular. I glazed back at the John Hancock Center. It still looked so tall even from this distance. The breeze from the lake was wonderful and we didn’t want to leave. But we had to get back to the hotel and freshen up before our dinner reservation.

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/article/chicago-il-graphic-design-navy-pier-and-grilling-day-3

Chicago, IL: Graphic design, The Magnificent Mile, Italian Beef – Day 2

My day began early. Registration for PepCon opened at 7am at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile a block away from Homewood Suites. PepCon also provides the food fuel you need so your brain can capture all of the knowledge imparted over the next few days. The Chicago Marriott did a fine job with their breakfast buffet. The staff was very friendly. A smile and “good morning” greets the attendees as they served up scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, muffins, and more. The first breakfast is usually the quiet one as no one knows each other. I was looking around to see if I saw anyone from last year, but it was merely a sea of new faces. The folks who sat with me in the dining room were all first timers to PepCon. 

To read more and see slideshow, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/article/chicago-il-graphic-design-the-magnificent-mile-italian-beef-day-2