We Talk Shop

Ok so I am very far from a wine connoisseur, I am an enthusiast and in the process of developing and defining the different types of wine that I prefer. So I came across this wine the other day and thought that it looked interesting, ok the label is what originally attracted me – but of course you are going to look at a label that has (OOPS) written on it. So I grabbed a bottle of the Carmenere Merlot.

The wine is billed as Checky Little Red. That it is the lost grape of Bordeaux discovered in Chile masquerading as a Merlot! So I was intrigued and thought why not lets try it with some pasta.

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. The wine was very smooth, full of a nice oaky flavor and was a great pairing with my ravioli dish.

This wine is not heavy at all and I think that it would go great with steak or even pizza. Check out there website and look at the other wines that they produce. So go grab a bottle of (OOPS) and have a great night!

I was driving to work the other day when I noticed a HUGE sign announcing a new Whole Foods store opening. It will be at Sand Lake and Turkey Lake roads, right off of I-4. A Spring 2008 opening is announced for this 50,000 square foot store.

Exciting stuff for those of us who like to shop there, but don’t have one close enough to our home. This should spread the wealth to the West side of Orlando.

I was totally sucked in by the cheerful advertisements and colorful packaging, score one for marketing. Armed with my buy one, get one free coupon, I checked both of my local Publix supermarkets for the product, but it wasn’t available yet. My mom found them in Walgreens. I was surprised when she told me they cost $1.29 each, and even more surprised when I tore open the package to find a snack bar half the size as I expected.

The 1.06-ounce bar has the texture of a fruit cake, but it delivers on taste. However, this tiny bar packs 130 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, 17 grams of carbs and 12 grams of sugar. It will satisfy your hunger for a few hours, but I’d rather buy a box of Nature Valley Peanut Butter Granola Bars. For the price of two SoyJoy bars, I can get a pack of 6 granola bars with two bars in each package.

Try it, but only when you come across a buy one, get one free coupon, or the site offers them for free again. SoyJoy comes in four varieties: berry, raisin almond, mango coconut, and apple. I tried the berry and apple, and I liked them both.

Are you watching your waistline but still craving chocolate, fudge and brownies? With these simple-to-make, quick-to-bake treats, you can have all three! At a measly 110 calories and zero fat, I’m sure you’re thinking these must taste terrible, but there’s a key ingredient that makes these brownies have a chewy, crave-satisfying taste — just mix one box of brownie mix with one six-ounce vanilla yogurt, pour it in a pan (don’t forget the cooking spray) and within a half hour you have some sweet goodness that won’t wreck your diet.

Get it! You’ll find No Pudge! Fudge Brownie Mix at Publix in the diet section for about $3.49. Each box makes 12 small brownies. The mix is available in original (my favorite), mint, capuccino, and raspberry.

So I had a coupon for the V8 Splash Smoothies Tropical Colada and thought what the heck - let’s give this one a try. OH MY GOD - talk about YUMMY! Just add rum and you have yourself a nice little drink.

The flavors of the pineapple and coconut blend perfectly together and it is packed with vitamins, calcium and soy protein so you feel really good about what you are drinking.

I am definitely going to remember this one for the next party that I have - it’s cheaper then the traditional pina colada mix, much smoother and already blended.

Get it: At any local grocery store in the juice isle.