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5 Tips For Summer Entertaining Made Easy

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Make this the BEST Summer yet with these 5 Tips For Summer Entertaining Made Easy! These easy entertaining tips will have you enjoying the summer parties more and working less! While this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

Summer Entertaining Made Easy

5 Tips For Summer Entertaining Made Easy

Summer is just about here!  WOOHOO!  That means the kids will be out of school, the days are longer, and there is more time for fun with friends and family.  We are very fortunate to live in a neighborhood where we are all very close friends, and that means we love having impromptu get-togethers.   There’s always a reason to have friends and family over, right?!  Especially in the summer 🙂  So, since I am always looking for ways to make entertaining easier, I thought I would share a few tips with you all that I find helpful.

Best Summer Entertaining Tips

Tips For Summer Entertaining Made Easy

Be prepared – Always have paper plates and napkins in the pantry.  Paper towels work in a pitch too.  Paper and plastic products do make for easier clean up. Be sure to have a couple varieties of Concord Fresh Success packets in the pantry so that you can make a variety of appetizers or side dishes in a pinch.

Backyard games – Have a few stored in the garage, we have corn hole, a small volleyball net, and various balls on hand at all times.  Oh, and water balloons!  Water balloons are always a fun thing for kids to do.

Easy Centerpieces – I have a bunch of mason jars on hand, they are perfect for adding flowers to or even your plastic ware for a simple and cute centerpiece.  If you have time, consider painting a few for an extra personal touch.

Snacks – If you have kids, you have snacks in your house.  There is no need to go out and buy a bunch!  Cut up that watermelon, put sliced cheese on a plate, cut up some fresh veggies, pull out that jar of pickled peppers and put those chips in a bowl, make guacamole or salsa quick and you’re ready.

Keep Drinks On Hand – Juice boxes, waters, sodas, and keep a few simple buckets for ice.  If you want to make some simple adult cocktails, my Call Me A Cab Lemonade Cocktail is always a favorite.

Music –You don’t need surround sound or anything, but a simple portable speaker with some tunes will always liven up the party when you need it.

Easy Summer Entertaining Tips

Now where you are hosting the party or going to the party, having delicious side dishes or appetizers that you can make quickly is always a plus, that’s why I have Concord Fresh Success seasonings in my pantry.   What is Fresh Success? You may be more familiar with name Concord Foods, I promise you have seen the small packets by the fresh produce in just about every store. Well, their new line is called Fresh Success and it is a variety of seasoning and smoothie mixes with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

So, basically Concord Fresh Success makes it easier for all us to serve up more fruits and vegetables in a variety of healthy and tasty (and easier…did I mention they make it EASIER?!) ways.

Summer Entertaining Tips

I made this deliciously Spicy Guacamole in about 2 minutes for our party last weekend! I just mashed up 3 avocados and mixed in the Fresh Success seasoning packet. My family (and friends) all like spicy foods, so I made the Spicy Guacamole. I will be honest, I didn’t think it would have much “heat” as we all like it hot, but the flavor was perfect! I had several of my friends ask me how I made it 😉

Best Tips for Summer Entertaining Made Easy

I finally fessed up and said it was the easiest guac I have ever made!  If you don’t like your guac spicy, there is the Classic Guacamole from Concord Fresh Success as well.

Tips for Summer Entertaining Made Easy

Coleslaw is another super simple side dish that is a perfect addition to just about every party-menu. Again, I made it for our party last weekend.  I love adding a bit of fruit to my coleslaw for a fun flavor twist, this time I added in mango.

 

Here’s that simply delicious Coleslaw printable recipe:

Simply Delicious Coleslaw Recipe

This coleslaw is ready in just a few minutes and is full of flavor. Serve easy recipe at your next summer party!
Prep Time2 minutes
Total Time2 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 Concord Fresh Success Original Coleslaw Mix
  • 1 bag pre-shredded coleslaw
  • 1/2 mango - diced
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

  • Combine the Concord Fresh Success Original Coleslaw Mix and mayo in a small bowl
  • Add the pre-shredded coleslaw to a large bowl
  • Stir in the mayo mixture
  • Sprinkle on the diced mango
  • Cover and refrigerate for approx 30 mins or until ready to enjoy!

Summer Parties Made Easy

Now that you have everything you need to make your next Summer party an easy success, am I invited?!

5 Tips For Summer Entertaining Made Easy

What is one of your tips for summer entertaining made easy?

Ready to learn more about Concord Fresh Success?  Check them out online and stay social by following on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade + Fresh Corn Salad

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #QualityFreshPork #CollectiveBias You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with these easy recipes!  Enjoy tender and juicy Grilled Pork Chops with an easy Citrus Marinade and a flavorful fresh corn salad.

Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade

Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade + Fresh Corn Salad

I know we can all appreciate a delicious meal that can get on the table in about 30 minutes. A meal that is made with fresh ingredients, has great flavor, and the whole family will love. I know those meals can be hard to find…until now. I have an amazingly easy dinner recipe for you all today that includes not only a main dish but a fresh side dish that can be made and put on the table in about 30 minutes! My easy citrus marinade only has a few ingredients, and one of them is Greek yogurt. Using Greek yogurt in your marinade recipes ensures that your pork will say juicy and tender, it actually acts as a tenderizer. I grabbed Fresh Pork at Walmart, as well as all my other needed ingredients I needed for this 30 minute meal.

Delicious Citrus Marinated Pork Chops

The fresh corn salad recipe only has a few ingredients as well, all of them fresh and delicious! It is the perfect accompaniment to this easy citrus marinade for grilled pork chops.

Tasty fresh corn salad

I got the Fresh Boneless Pork Chops from the meat-ready case (there are a variety of other meats available too), it’s the perfect place to grab what you need for easy weeknight dinners, or weekend entertaining! Plus the prices are perfect for my budget.

Yogurt and citrus marinated pork

Walmart® offers the freshest selection and a wide assortment of cuts that are always fresh, 100% All Natural and proudly raised in the USA, and they stand behind the quality of their meat with a 100% freshness guarantee. So, I know I am getting the best products at the best prices.

Easy Citrus Marinated Pork Chops

Now here are my Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade and Fresh Corn Salad recipes. Be sure to pin it and print it so that you can make it again and again.

Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade + Fresh Corn Salad

These grilled pork chops are tender, juicy and full of flavor. And this whole meal, including the fresh corn salad, can be on the table in about 30 minutes! Grab these Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade and Fresh Corn Salad recipes today.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy @ havingfunsaving.com

Ingredients

4 Boneless Pork Chops - or the number needed for your family

Easy Citrus Marinade Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup low fat Greek yogurt
  • Salt and pepper

Corn Salad Ingredients

  • 6 ears of corn shucked cooked and cut off the cob
  • 1 english cucumber diced to approx size of corn pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper diced to approx size of corn pieces
  • 1 small sweet onion diced to approx size of corn pieces
  • 1/4 cup Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing - I used Brianna's

Instructions

  • Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops
  • Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir well
  • Place the pork and marinade into a ziplock bag, massage the bag so that the marinade covers all the pork chops
  • Place the pork into the refrigerator while you prepare the corn salad

Corn Salad Instructions

  • Place all prepared ingredients into a large bowl and gently stir
  • Refrigerate until ready for use

Grilling Pork Instructions

  • Heat the grill
  • Remove pork chops from ziplock bag and grill on medium heat for approximately 3 minutes per side
  • Remove from heat when cooked throughout
  • Serve with corn salad
  • Enjoy!

Notes

The corn salad recipe will make more than 4 servings, enjoy the leftovers for several days! It's a crisp and delicious side dish for any meal.

I hope you enjoy this Grilled Pork Chops With Easy Citrus Marinade and Fresh Corn Salad recipes as much as we do!

Citrus Marinated pork chops

The corn salad actually makes quite a bit, so it’s perfect to feed a crowd, or the leftovers are perfect for a few days! It is by far one of my family’s favorite salad recipes.

Fresh corn salad

What is one of your favorite 30 minute meals? Will you be making them with Fresh Pork at Walmart too?

Grilled Pork Chops with Citrus Marinade

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Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

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Bacon, blueberries and homemade blueberry vinaigrette top this easy pizza recipe, making is savory, sweet and just plain delicious!  Grab this Bacon and Blueberry Pizza recipe and savor the flavor explosion. This post is sponsored by Wish Farms in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

Not only are blueberries beautiful and tasty, they are insanely good for you. Commonly known as the King Of Antioxidants, these blue beauties are low in calories, high in fiber, loaded with vitamin C and vitamin K and, of course, are high in antioxidants. Because of all those many health benefits you have seen blueberries in many of my smoothie recipes and in Healthy Lemon Blueberry Bread, but today I am sharing a savory recipe for with these tasty little blue babies. I made a Savory Blueberry Pizza. You all….it turned out AH-MAZING. And as an added bonus, it’s easy to make!

Easy Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

I recently had the opportunity to visit Wish Farms and see the blueberry magic in action. From Farm To Fork. First of all, I have to say that I have an amazing amount of respect for the farmers that work to bring us all our farm fresh foods.

Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

Farmers are up long before I am and have a level of dedication that is just unbelievable. Farmers really love their jobs, and because of them we are blessed with amazing fruits and vegetables. Like blueberries.  And because of those farmers and blueberries, I can share with you my amazingly delicious Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza recipe.

Delicious Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

You will notice that I also made my own Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing to drizzle on top of the pizza, you all loved my Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing so much, I knew that a homemade Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette would be the perfect accompaniment to my savory blueberry pizza.

Blueberry and Bacon Pizza

Now, here is my Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Savory Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

Bacon and blueberries top this easy pizza recipe, making is savory, sweet and just plain delicious! Grab this Bacon and Blueberry Pizza recipe and savor the flavor explosion.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time11 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Course: Pizza
Keyword: bacon, blueberries, easy recipe, Pizza
Servings: 1
Calories: 1403kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 naan flatbread
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 slice cooked bacon diced small
  • 1 cup fresh spinach and arugula

Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 2 teaspoons honey

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Brush naan flatbread lightly with oil and place on a baking sheet
  • Bake for 5 mins
  • Remove from oven and top with both cheeses
  • Bake for an additional 6 mins or until cheese is melted
  • Remove from oven and top with arugula, spinach, and fresh blueberries
  • Drizzle on blueberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing
  • Enjoy!

Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into your favorite blending device
  • Enjoy on your Bacon and Blueberry Pizza and just about everything else!

Notes

You can cook the bacon and make the dressing while you are warming up the naan in the oven. Or use a piece of leftover bacon from breakfast 🙂
You will have leftover dressing!

Nutrition

Calories: 1403kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 88g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1786mg | Potassium: 579mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 3407IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 575mg | Iron: 3mg

Tasty Blueberry and Bacon Pizza

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious Blueberry and Bacon Pizza as much as I do!

Best Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

What is one of your favorite blueberry recipes?

Delish Bacon and Blueberry Pizza

Tasty Blueberry pizza with bacon

Stay up to date on all the berry-delicious fun by checking out Wish Farms online and by staying social and following on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , Twitter  and onYouTube.

Bacon and Blueberry Pizza With Blueberry Balsamic Drizzle

In fact, be sure to check out all the recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

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Making barbecue sauce at home is not only easy, but tasty! This Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce recipe is the perfect addition to chicken, pork, ribs and more. While this post is post is sponsored by Bounty all opinions and the recipe are my own.

Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Who loves cooking but hates the clean up? I swear, the fact that I have to clean up is half the battle on deciding what’s for dinner. What will make the least mess on the grill, on the stove, on the dishes? But sometimes, the best meals come from the biggest messes! That’s why I always have Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels on hand. They are perfect for tackling the big and small messes I make in the kitchen (and the kids make at the dinner table) 😉 Like when they manage to get my Blueberry BBQ Sauce off the chicken and all over their fingers and onto the kitchen table!

Best Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Have you ever made your own BBQ sauce before? You will be amazed on how easy it is and how delicious it tastes. Since blueberries are in season, I decided I was going to treat the family to homemade Blueberry BBQ sauce. But, before I started prepping my homemade BBQ sauce, I jumped on Amazon and stocked up on Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels. The pack contains 16 Family Rolls of Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, which equals 40 Regular Rolls, and considering that they are 2x More Absorbent* (*vs. leading ordinary brand), that should last a few. Depending how creative I keep getting the kitchen 😉

And if you love this homemade bbq sauce recipe, be sure to try my Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce too!

Prep time to make this blueberry barbecue sauce recipe is only 5 minutes.  Cook time is about an hour, but that is just the time it is simmering on the stove, so it’s really easy!

To make this homemade blueberry bbq sauce you will need several pantry ingredients, must of which you probably have in the house right now.  And blueberries, of course.  You need 2 cups of fresh blueberries to make this delicious blueberry bbq sauce recipe.

Tasty Blueberry BBQ Sauce

How long will your Blueberry BBQ Sauce stay good for?

This easy blueberry barbecue sauce will last for 7 – 10 days airtight container or glass jar in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Blueberry BBQ Sauce?

If you’ve made a larger batch or want to save some for later, freezing is a great idea. Simply portion the sauce into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving a little room for expansion. Frozen sauce can last up to three months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then give it a good stir before serving.

Delicious Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

What is blueberry barbecue sauce good on?

Anything you would put barbecue sauce on!  I recommend it on chicken and ribs. You can also use it as a unique pizza sauce base for a BBQ chicken or pulled pork pizza. If you’re a fan of appetizers, serve it as a dipping sauce for meatballs, chicken wings, or even mozzarella sticks. Yummmmmm

Easy Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

Adjusting the Heat to Your Tastes

You all know that I add red pepper flakes to just about everything, my family and I like it spicy! But I do know not everyone does…If you prefer a sweeter sauce, consider adding a bit more honey, brown sugar, or even extra blueberries. On the flip side, for those who like more heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper, extra red pepper flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce to balance out the sweetness. Play around with the flavor until it suits your taste—you can even divide the sauce into two batches and create both a sweet and spicy version!

Homemade Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Now, here is my Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce recipe, be sure to print it and pin it so that you can make it again and again.

Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Making barbecue sauce at home is not only easy, but tasty! This Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce recipe is the perfect addition to chicken, pork, ribs and more.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Sauce/Condiment
Keyword: bbq, bbq sauce, blueberries, dipping sauce, sauce
Servings: 16
Calories: 56kcal
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stove

Ingredients

  • 2 cups blueberries
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients for the sauce into a saucepan
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until sauce is slightly thickened and chunky.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and place into a food processor or blender and puree
  • Cool to room temperature then refrigerate until ready to use
  • Use on chicken, ribs, pork, etc.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe makes 1/2 pint.  I calculated the serving size to be 1 tablespoon.  There are 16 tablespoons in a 1/2 pint.

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

I hope you enjoy this Easy Blueberry BBQ Sauce as much as we do!

Best Homemade Blueberry BBQ Sauce

Have you ever made your own BBQ sauce before?

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What Type Of Mom Are You?

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Being a mom is a very important job, probably the most important, most rewarding, and most difficult job you will ever have. What Type Of Mom are you? I am The Worrying Mom. This post is sponsored by Florida Prepaid College Plans, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.

What Type Of Mom Are You?

​What Type Of Mom Are You?  

I wear many hats. I am a woman, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a blogger, a runner, and so much more. But the most important thing I am is a mother. And with that honor and responsibility I wear about a million other different hats, from chauffeur to doctor to cook to play date planner and everything in-between.

I believe that being a mom is the most important job in the world. I am honored that I can say I have two amazing children. They complete me. They can make me smile and they can make me cry, but I can’t imagine my life any other way. And while all my children fill my life with impeccable joy, they also fill it with a never ending worry.

What Kind Of Mom Are You?

When I was pregnant, I worried about their health in the womb, the moment they were born I worried until I heard that first cry, when they were in the crib I would worry if they would stop breathing while they slept (I still do!), when they began to crawl I worried about what they would knock their heads on, when they began to walk I worried about when they would fall, and when they began to run I worried how I would keep up. But the worrying doesn’t stop there. When they started school I worried about  whether or not they would make friends and be happy, as they get older I worry about if have they are in the right schools, have good friends, and if I am doing everything I can as their mom to ensure their happiness. I worry about whether or not they played outside enough today, had a good lunch, liked their dinner, and if they slept okay. The worrying never seems to end.

Mother's Day celebration

In fact, I have that discussion with my mom on a regular basis, as a parent, does the worrying ever end? And she answered me very simply. No. Instead of worrying about skinned knees and grades, you worry about college, when your child gets married, their continued happiness, your grandkids, and their health. It seems the worries seem to get bigger as our children get older. My mom has had to care for my brother when he shattered his leg, and she actually just got home from driving to Florida from Michigan to help me while my husband was away for work with wound care for cancer that was found in my ear. That’s a total of 2400 miles, and she would do it again in a heartbeat if I asked her to. So it seems, my mom may not be not worried about my skinned knees and grades anymore, but she still worries. The worrying never stops. And neither does the love. I would have to say that A Mother’s Love is the most powerful thing in the world. I can honestly tell you that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my children, and as my mom just showed me the other day (and everyday), there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for me either.

Worrying moms

So, if you were to ask me what type of mom I am, I would say that I’m The Worrying Mom. I’ll never stop worrying on whether or not I gave my children everything I could, if they are happy, and if they are healthy. One day I’ll worry and whether or not they still need me, and I’ll continue to pray that I gave them everything I could, so that they know I’ll always be in their hearts, whenever they need me.

How to spend Mother's Day

What kind of mom are you? Do you worry a lot too?

One thing I don’t have to worry about is how we will pay for our kids’ college education.  We opened up Florida Prepaid College Plans for our kids just after they were born and it’s been one of the best financial decisions we have ever made.

Spending time together as a family

Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans online and feel free to follow Florida Prepaid College Plans on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to stay up to date with information on open enrollment but get tips on college and more.

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An Introduction To Chianti – Italy’s Best Known Wine

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Italy’s best known wine is Chianti. This delightful Italian red wine is often paired with pasta and making memories. Learn more about this dry red wine from Italy.
Introduction To Chianti

An Introduction To Chianti – Italy’s Best Known Wine

For a lot of people, the word Chianti conjures up the ‘fiasco,’ the raffia covered bottle of inexpensive wine, enjoyed at numerous  restaurants, often with fishing nets strung across the ceiling. Great memories of good food, big bowls of pasta, and delicious wine– but even though memories remain memories, Chianti has moved on.

Chianti wasn’t always the great wine that it is today. It actually started life as a white wine, unbelievable but true. References to it in documents dating as far back as 1398, however, do not mention grape varieties. Today it is known as a highly desirable red wine that can be as cheap as chips or as costly as Barolo.

Where does Chianti Come From

Where Does Chianti Come From?

Made from Sangiovese grapes, sometimes with the addition of up to 20% of other red varieties it can be made in seven separate but contiguous zones in Tuscany: Ruffina, Colli Senesi (Siena), Colli Fiorentina (Florence and surrounding districts including Montespertoli), Colli Arentini (Arezzo) and Colline Pisani (Pisa), Montalbano and of course Classico, the most important area of the lot.

Chianti Classico is the leader with all the other followers. Its logo – the gallo nero –its symbol since 2005 denotes that the wine has been in the most classic area for the production of Chianti and is the only Chianti that can be aged and labeled as a riserva (aged 38 months).

Chianti from areas outside the Classico zone that passes tighter regulations for alcohol content (normally slightly higher), dry extract, and lower yields is known as Chianti Superiore. Chianti Classico is never known as Superiore.

What is Chianti a blend of?

During the 19th century, winemakers were looking to formalize the making of Chianti. The wine was selling well, and they didn’t want any old wine being labeled as Chianti and ruining their market. Barone Bettino Ricasoli, a well-known Italian statesman who also owned a highly successful wine business set about designing a ‘recipe’ for Chianti. He used a combination of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 10% Malvasia, and 5% of other local varieties. The recipe has changed a little over the years, but basically, the general idea has stayed intact.

Chianti As It Is Now

In 1967 the government, using Ricasoli’s recipe, gave it the D.O.C. or Denominazione di Origine Controllata (an honor at the time); this continued until the mid-80s when the government recognized it as a truly great wine and gave it a D.O.C.G. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata Garantita).

As a wine, Chianti is known for its aroma of floral (violets) and cherry notes, its expression of flavor on the mid-palate rather than upfront flavor, and its firm tannins combined with slightly high acidity. Each area has its own particular gifts, such as structure, aroma, and more concentrated flavors.

Super Tuscans Are Not Chianti

During the mid-80s, many winemakers of Chianti experimented with wines made from Sangiovese plus the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which gave body and color to the Sangiovese grapes. These succeeded in International markets and became known as super-Tuscans. Some of these wines ended up being more sought after products than Chianti because consumers saw them as a more complex wine. Since then, the regulations have relaxed a small amount to allow some of these wines back under the D.O.C.G. regulations instead of the newer classification of I.G.T. (Indicazione Geografica Typica) which for a time tended to be the favored denomination.

Brands you should try Ricasoli, Savignola Paolina, Fontodi, Banfi, Frescobaldi, Antinori, and Ruffino. This is a cross-section as far as prices and quality. Everyone is good, but slight variations do occur.

Do you like Chianti?  What is your favorite Chianti pairing?

Intro To Chianti Wine

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32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets

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Date nights can be hard to plan, or maybe you just haven’t had one in awhile. Let these 32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets help you plan your next date night! This post is sponsored by Ticket Club. I was compensated for my work. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unique Date Night Ideas

32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets

When is the last time you had a date night?  My husband and I have been together for 20 wonderful years, but it seems that sometimes the last thing we schedule is time for us.  We have two amazing children that are active in sports, busy with school, and I am a firm believer in having them play outside with friends as much as possible.  So, between school work, baseball practice, track meets, family time, game nights with friends, chores, and….work, date nights never make it on the calendar. And when we do finally have time, trying to figure out what we are going to do or where we are going to go for our fun date night is a huge task in itself.

Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas

So, I wanted to share some date night ideas to help with the Date Night Idea Struggle…because I know the struggle is real 😉

32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets

  1. Break Out The Mad Libs – Don’t have any at home?  You can grab the app.  Mad Libs are a fun way to get each other chatting and laughing. This is a great idea for a date night at home!  Open a bottle of wine, make a few appetizers and have fun!
  2. Go To The Local (or not so local) Farmer’s Market – I love walking around Farmer’s Markets.  There are always local eats, artists, flowers, plants and more.  Find one close, or find some that are a little further away and enjoy the drive on the way.
  3. Check Out A Jazz Club – Listen to some great live music and transport yourself back to a different time and place.
  4. Play A Board Game – Board games aren’t just for kids!  Grab a bottle of wine and bust out battleship, monopoly, or get crazy and play twister!  This is another fun way to have an in home date night.
  5. Catch A Concert – I honestly can’t remember the last concert I have been to, it’s something I forgot was possible after my college days.  I don’t know why…I mean we both love music!  My husband really wants to see Def Leppard (I can’t believe I admitted that publicly, it’s definitely not my concert of choice…the things we do for those we love 😉 ) when they come to Tampa, so I plan on checking out tickets.
  6. Crack Up At The Comedy Club – We love going to our local comedy club!  It’s usually an inexpensive night out and we always have a blast.
  7. Take A Dance Class – Get those dancing shoes on and go learn some new moves.
  8. Play Bar Trivia – Lots of local restaurants have game nights, so do a quick search and go play some games!
  9. Have A Ball Bowling – My husband and I used to be on a bowling league and then came kids…You forget that you can still do those things!  Grab your balls and dust off those bowling shoes and see if you can throw a strike anymore.
  10. Take A Hike – Extra points for packing a picnic.
  11. Checkout A Local Bar – Dive bars are fun too!  We have a few in town that still allow smoking, have no windows and the bands aren’t the best, and my husband will stop in every now and then just to people watch.
  12. Go Paddle Boarding Or Kayaking – I can’t say I have ever done either, but I would know I would love to try it!
  13. Go On A Tour Of Your Town – Think you know everything there is to know about your town?  I am guessing you don’t!  Look into a local tour and explore where you already live.  As an added bonus, walking around town is a free date night idea!
  14. Visit A Bookstore – The ole’ brick and mortar bookstore.  Walk around and explore!
  15. Wine Pairing Night – We have done these a few times and have a blast!  Grab some wine and hide the labels, make some appetizers and try to guess what wines are what and see what foods taste best with which wines.  Do it with just the two of you, or invite friends.
  16. Take A Cooking Class – Not only are they fun, but the skills will be appreciated in the kitchen later!
  17. Go For a Drive – Take the scenic route!  This gives you the opportunity to not look at your phones and talk.  The only thing this date idea costs you is gas, making this a great cheap date night idea.
  18. Hit The Beach – Let your worries wash away with the tide.  Plus, relaxing at the beach doesn’t cost you a penny, making this a relaxing and cheap date idea.
  19. Do Some Taste-Testing – Find a local winery, brewery, or distillery.  Or all three…just make sure you have the Uber app so you can get home safely 😉
  20. Theatre – I love watching a LIVE show.  There is just something about it just amazing.
  21. Book A Massage – Or plan a spa day.  Couple massages are a great way to relax and bond.
  22. Go Sing Some Karaoke – I can NOT sing, but it’s always fun watching others that think they can.
  23. Make Reservations At A Trendy Restaurant – Go see what all the talk is about!
  24. Go To A Sporting EventGO BOLTS!  We love watching hockey, so that’s something we always think about.  But we also like going to Spring Training games, the tickets are cheap, the food to good, and the seats are always great.
  25. Jump For Your Love At A Trampoline Parks – They aren’t just for kids!  Jump until you kid your inner-child!  Bonus: it’s exercise.
  26. Go Horseback Riding – They can be romantic and fun.
  27. Movies – Yes, going to the movies is still an option.
  28. Weekend Getaway – If you can, a weekend getaway is ALWAYS fabulous!  If you can’t go far, book a night at a local hotel and just “getaway” for everyday life for a night.
  29. Experience A Local Museum – Was the last time you went to a museum when you were in grade school?  You may just surprise yourself and enjoy them more now. Plus, with a little bit of research you may find free museums in your area, making this not only a unique date night but a cheap date night idea too!
  30. Visit A Theme Park – We live in Florida and are lucky to have Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and Disney in our backyards, but I am sure you all have some amusement parks too!  Don’t save all the fun for just the kids!
  31. Take A Bike Ride – Trail rides are beautiful, great for you, and a great way to appreciate nature.
  32. Camp – One of the most romantic date nights that my husband has ever planned for me was when he grabbed our RV out of storage and rented a campsite at a local campground for a night.  It was inexpensive and so sweet!  Don’t have an RV or can’t get away for the night? Go camping in your backyard or make a fort in the living room or your bedroom.

I know date nights can be few and far between sometimes, and I also know that is hard to decide on what to do when you actually get some precious time to yourselves, so I hope these date night ideas help you and your significant other too!

Fun Date Night Ideas

I also know that finding tickets are even finding locations for some of the date night ideas listed above can be hard, so I want to make that a bit easier for you all too.  Ticket Club is the answer.

Basically, Ticket Club is where people in the know buy tickets. They have just about every sporting event, concert, and theatre option (including comedy and Broadway) out there and you can search by your city or any city.

Most ticket sites try to add in additional “service fees” at checkout, Ticket Club doesn’t. With Ticket Club, you don’t have to put up with hidden or additional charges, with a premier membership, and you won’t pay a dime of service fees. Ever. Ticket Club sources its tickets from one of the world’s largest and most reliable exchanges, and they have a 100% Guarantee.

Unique Date Ideas

So, how much is the Ticket Club Membership?

FREE.

What?!

Well, for you (and all your friends!) it is 🙂

How do you get your Ticket Club membership for FREE?

Use code havfunsave to get a one-year membership for FREE when setting up a Ticket Club account

How many FREE memberships are available with the Ticket Club promo code havfunsave?

Unlimited! So be sure to share it with all your friends and family. They’ll thank you for it. I mean, who doesn’t want to save on fun stuff in their town or when they are traveling? I am already looking at shows in New York for the next time I can sneak away with my husband on a business trip 🙂

32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets | Date nights can be hard to plan, or maybe you just haven’t had one in awhile. Let these 32 Unique Date Night Ideas For All Budgets help you plan your next date night! Read more lifestyle tips, traveling on a budget, parenting tips and more on foodwinesunshine.com | Food Wine Sunshine #datenight #budget #travel #traveldestinations #travelonabudget #lifestyleblogger

What is one of your favorite unique date night ideas? Will you be checking out Ticket Club to help you plan your next night out? I know I will be!

Find Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more helpful tips and healthy recipes. And be sure to follow me on Instagram.

Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Looking for a delicious cocktail recipe? This easy drink recipe is perfect to add to your list of favorite cocktails. Cheers to this Tropical Rum Splash Wine Cocktail!

Refreshing Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail

Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail

The sun is shining here in Florida and that means it’s time get creative with our cocktails.  A nice cold glass filled with ice and a cocktail is the perfect way to celebrate…today.  I almost always make my cocktails with vodka but my friend came over the other day and said she had an amazing wine cocktail with rum, so I had to give one a try 🙂

Tropical Rum Splash Wine Cocktail

This Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail has a splash of one of my favorite things…wine.  I had white rum here at home, and I think that was perfect, I also had coconut rum here, but I wasn’t feeling coconut and wine together.  So white rum for the win!  I used tangerine juice because it was something different that orange juice, but I am sure orange juice would be delightful as well.  Tangerine juice is a bit less tart and a little sweeter in my opinion, so it was delicious in my cocktail recipe creation.

Tropical Rum Cocktail

Now, here is my Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail recipe, be sure to print it and pin it so that you can make it again and again.

Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail

Looking for a delicious cocktail recipe? This easy drink recipe is perfect to add to your list of favorite cocktails. Cheers to this Tropical Rum Splash Cocktail!
Prep Time2 minutes
Total Time2 minutes
Course: Cocktail
Keyword: alcohol, cocktails, drinks, rum, wine
Servings: 1
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 oz white rum - I used Northern Latitudes Distrillery Manitou Passage Rum
  • 1 oz Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc *I have tried it with both - I used CK Mondavi & Family Wines
  • 2 - 4 oz Tangerine juice
  • Ice

Instructions

  • Put all the ingredients into a shaker and give them a good shake for 5 seconds, if you don't have a shaker just give it a good stir.
  • Cheers!

I hope you enjoy this Tropical Rum Splash Wine Cocktail as much as I do!

Tangerine Rum Splash Cocktail

Cheers!

 

Looking for more amazing wine cocktails?

Wine-a-Rita Cocktail

Wine-A-Rita

Call Me A Cab Vodka Lemonade Wine Cocktail

Call Me A Cab Lemonade Vodka Wine Cocktail

Vodka Sangria Spritzer

Simple Sippin’ Vodka Sangria Spritzer

In fact, be sure to check out all the recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

An Introduction To Italian Red Wines

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Italy is home to over 20 different winemaking regions and over 2000 different wine labels.  Here is an introduction to Italian Red Wines and the winemaking regions of Italy.

Guide To Italian Red Wines

An Introduction To Italian Red Wines

Although there are over two thousand different wine labels all over Italy, your wine journey can begin on a simpler note – by visiting these three winemaking regions.

Italy has been producing wine for over three thousand years, and thus the Italians really know their red wine. It is the world’s largest producer of wine, leaving one retailer of fine Italian wine to once declare, “This is no country. Italy is one vast vineyard from north to south.”

Learning about Italian wine can be confusing because there are over two thousand different wine labels in twenty different regions of the country. Unless you care to undertake the painstaking journey of drinking your way through two thousand wines, you can learn the basics of Italian red wine by concentrating on three regions: Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto.

Intro To Italian Red Wines

Tuscany is the Home of Chianti

Remember those straw-covered casks, fiaschi; you could find hanging in Italian restaurants or as substitutes for candle holders? These images have contributed to the idea that Chianti is a cheap wine bought for five dollars a jug. Nothing could be further from the truth, although you can purchase inexpensive Chianti.

Three Price Levels of Chianti

Chianti ($) – The first level denotes a wine that is inexpensive, yet satisfying. Found in your local pizzeria.
Chianti Classico ($$) – This wine must be made form the inner historic district of Chianti.
Chianti Classico Reserva ($$$$) – The wine must be aged for a minimum of two years, three months. Only one-fifth of all Chianti produces is Chianti Classico Riserva.

How to Purchase Chianti

Always buy the type of Chianti you like best – don’t let anyone tell you one is better than the other. The only way you will find out is by tasting the wines for yourself; there is quite a bit of variation in Chianti.

Other Great Tuscan Wines

Brunello di Montalchino – is made with 100% Sangiovese and has Italy’s highest DOCG classification. Many wine critics cite that Sangiovese is the best in all of Italy, but of course you will have to try it yourself to see if you agree. This Italian red wine has a high acidity, high tannins and a bold fruit flavor.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – This is a Sangiovese-based red wine that fruit forward flavors including cherries, plum and other dark fruit. You will also find notes of spice.
Carmignano – This lesser known wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Francand Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a complex, dry wine.

The Brunello will probably need more aging (five to ten years) before it reaches its peak, but it’s worth the wait.

The Piedmont Region and the Heavyweight Reds

The wines from Piedmont have a full style and a high alcohol content. Be careful when you match young vintages with dinner because they may overpower the food.

The major grapes used in Piedmont wine production include the Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo.

Barolo and Barbaresco wines are made from Nebbiolo grape variety and represent the strongest style of wine in the Piedmont region. Barolo has a more complex flavor and more body than the lighter Barbaresco.

The Veneto Region Where Amarone is Found

Amarone is a type of Valpolicella wine made by a special process using only the ripest grapes of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. After the grapes are picked, they are allowed to dry and shrivel (raisinate) on straw mats. Most of the sugar is fermented to bring the alcohol content up to 14 to 16 percent. Amarone tends to be a more expensive Italian wine.

Veronese Budget Wines

Valpolicella, Bardolino, and Soave are very good yet inexpensive table wines, and all three can be consumed when you buy them. The best of the three is the improved Valpolicella.

Do you like Italian Red Wines?  Which are your favorite?

An Introduction To Italian Red Wines

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more wine tips, cocktails, healthy recipes, and fun things to do.

A Day In The Life Of Weight Watchers®

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Ever wonder what a day in the life of Weight Watchers® looks like?  It’s an easy, healthy lifestyle that you will love being a part of. This post was sponsored by Weight Watchers International, Inc. as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

A Day In The Life Of Weight Watchers

What is Weight Watchers like?

Diet. Did you cringe? The word DIET has so many negative thoughts that go along with it. I automatically think of things that I can’t eat, or foods that I won’t like because they have no flavor, or that I will be hungry ALL THE TIME. That’s exciting why I don’t believe in diets. I believe in a healthy lifestyle. I believe in making healthy choices that are good for me, my body, and for my family. I believe in eating (right) when I am hungry, I believe that food it meant to be enjoyed, I believe in being active. I believe in a healthy lifestyle, I believe in Weight Watchers®.

Weight Watchers believes in a healthy lifestyle as well. And they believe in making it as easy for us to follow as possible. So easy in fact, the Weight Watchers Freestyle™ program offers more than 200 zero Points foods—including eggs, skinless chicken breast, fish and seafood, corn, beans, peas, and so much more. Just think how that increases your meal possibilities! And it makes your healthy lifestyle easier too because you don’t have to weigh measure or track those zero Points foods. Plus, you can get quite a few Weight Watchers endorsed products right at Walmart. Right now I have the Flatout® Flatbread, JOLLY TIME® Healthy Pop® Popcorn and Weight Watchers® Ice Cream Novelties all on hand at my house, so I thought I would share A Day In The Life Of Weight Watchers with you all so you can see how easy a healthy lifestyle can be…and delicious 🙂

5 SmartPoints BreakfastAvocado Tomato Egg Breakfast Sandwich on Arnold® Sandwich Thins rolls endorsed by Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers Freestyle Program

6 SmartPoints Lunch – Turkey Apple Cucumber Wrap – Light Italian Herb Flatout Flatbread (2 SmartPoints) with 2 oz Oscar Mayer Blackened Turkey Breast (1 SmartPoint), half apple sliced thin and thinly sliced cucumber (0 SmartPoints), and 2 tablespoons of light cream cheese (3 SmartPoints)

Weight Watchers Zero points foods

3 SmartPoints Midday Snack – JOLLY TIME® Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn Popcorn – Mini Bag

4 SmartPoints Dinner – Baked Chicken marinaded in lemon juice and lightly seasoned with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and 1 cup quinoa.  The chicken and veggies are ZERO POINTS, the quinoa is 4 points.

Weight Watchers program details

4 SmartPoints Dessert – English Toffee Weight Watchers® Ice Cream Novelties

Total Weight Watcher SmartPoints Used In One Day = 22 SmartPoints

Now, this is just an example of a day in the life of Weight Watchers can look like, but when you are using the new Freestyle™ program with zero Points® foods and the Weight Watchers® products make choosing what you eat a lot easier. There are so many smart options and flexibility to enjoy more delicious recipes and foods to help us reach our goals.

Weight Watchers meal options

I love that Weight Watchers® provides me with smart options to help me on my healthier life journey. Because it is a journey, a wonderful one.

Many people who start a new diet or healthy eating plan, or decide to get back on track with an old diet, tend to do so on Monday. What is the big deal about Monday?

Monday is the start of the workweek. It is also the most popular day to start a new diet or get back on track with an old one. In the world of diets and exercise, Monday is synonymous with a new beginning. It is the day your health slate is wiped clean, and you get a chance to be the healthy, slimmer person you’ve always wanted to be. Monday is the day that almost everyone succeeds in following their new diet and exercise plan. It is the day that your motivation and determination are strong when even your co-worker’s birthday cake cannot tempt you to stray from your new commitment.

Tuesday Brings a Weaker Willpower

Tuesday is a whole other story. Tuesday is the day you pack five extra grapes for your lunch instead of the ten allowed by your diet program. Grapes are zero calories anyway 😉 Tuesday is the day you start to wonder if you can skip the grapes and have a small piece of the leftover birthday cake in the refrigerator at work. If it’s the same amount of calories, does it really matter? For some, this does not happen until Wednesday or Thursday. On rare occasions, when someone is young, fresh, and perhaps taking an appetite suppressant, this does not happen until a few weeks after the start of a new diet. But eventually, everyone falls off the diet. That’s why you have to choose a healthy lifestyle.

Diets are Hard!

Diets are hard. It doesn’t matter what diet you are trying to follow. They are all hard. If you are the type of person who is looking for an easy way to lose weight, you might as well give up now. There is no such thing. The good news is that it doesn’t matter what diet you choose to follow. They all work as long as you follow them. But that’s the catch. You have to follow the diet in order to succeed at losing weight. So how does anyone succeed at losing weight if everyone eventually falls off the diet?

What is the Secret to Weight Loss Success?

The only difference between someone who succeeds in losing weight and someone who does not is that the person who succeeds never gives up. They never stop trying. People who succeed at losing weight will have many slips and falls along the way, whether it is a few extra grapes for lunch or a big piece of their co-worker’s birthday cake. But when that happens, the successful dieter gets back on the diet program that same day. For a successful dieter, every day is Monday, and every meal is a chance to start anew. A successful dieter does not see the slip as an end to the diet or as an excuse to eat whatever they want for the rest of the day or the rest of the week until Monday comes again. A successful dieter views every meal as a chance to succeed, as a fresh start and a clean slate.

Make Every Day Your Monday!

If you want to lose weight, start right now at your very next meal. Do not wait until Monday. Make every day your Monday. View every meal as a chance to succeed. Forgive yourself for any slips or falls along the way and get right back on your program. You will succeed if you persevere. You will succeed as long as you do not give up.

Find Weight Watchers endorsed products at a Walmart near you or online

Weight Watcher approved products

You can also new more about Weight Watchers and the new Freestyle™ program with zero Points® foods by following Weight Watchers on Twitter and Facebook. And keep a look out for delicious recipes and more on Instagram and Pinterest.

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of Weight Watchers looked like?

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