Is Leftover Wine Even A Possibility?

Hi foodies

I bring this subject up today as over the weekend I made one of my indulgently delicious recipes "The Girls' Fave Pasta"; which I aptly named as it is a couple of my girls' favourite pasta dish! However this recipe only requires about 3/4 cup of white wine, and since I cannot enjoy a glass, or a bottle, and my fiance is not a wine man, that often leaves me with leftover wine. This is the part where wine connoisseurs everywhere can gasp...But us regular people can sleep well at night knowing it is OK if you keep a bottle of red or white in the fridge for cooking, for even up to a month! You just want to keep it as fresh as possible and not turn to vinegar, HA. Most companies are even going the twisted cap route which seals freshness even better. If it's of the cork variety, I re-cork the bottle if I know I will be using it within the weeks to come, and sometimes even put a little plastic wrap with an elastic band to help with any other possible air leaks.

Another cool tip, excuse the pun, is filling an ice tray or two with the left over wine of your choice, and freezing it in batches, then putting them in a resealable plastic bag for use anytime you need a few tablespoons of wine to deglaze your pan or add some complexity to a stew or sauce etc. One thing you always want to keep in mind when cooking with wine is buy something affordable, but something you would enjoy drinking; after all it's going in your food and it is almost always being reduced, meaning the flavours are being concentrated and thus more powerful. As a foodie I always like to have at least a bottle of inexpensive white wine in the house to add to an array of dishes; it just adds so much, with just a little turn around the pan; and I am not afraid to hold my leftover wine in the fridge and freezer. Remember people, we are not taking that same bottle you cooked with after a few days, putting it in our best crystal and swirling and sniffing with our guests. Save that for the bottle your guests brought you for making such a lovely meal  ; )

Happy Eating
xoxo

                                                                                  "The Girls' Fave Pasta"

Is It Harder To Lose/Maintain Your Weight In The Warmer Months?

Hello everyone

So here in B.C it is supposed to be sunny and 35 degrees today! That is definitely hot for our Province, but thankfully we have so many ways to go out and enjoy such beautiful weather. Unless we are out on the lakes, beaches, hiking trails or some sort of active area in this heat, friends and couples usually flock to the countless Vancouver air conditioned restaurants and pubs. This is where watching your waistline may go out the window. I am all for gathering with friends and loved ones, effortlessly enjoying food and some lovely cocktails BUT boy can those appetizers and drinks catch up to you. Unless you are being conscientious and making health minded options of food and drink, you can consume days worth of calories in one sitting, thus those days of building your bikini ready body may be in peril as the pounds build up as well. Now that I have terrified most of you (I'm kidding) let's discuss how to avoid the negative effects of having some fun while out.

Many people find it much easier to get fit in the Spring and Summer months, and this can be very true; but all your hard work can be sabotaged by what you do after  your workout. Post workout, you need to re-fuel your body; try and have items accessible so that you can make the best decision possible. A snack like a piece of whole grain toast with some peanut butter and banana slices, and a glass of low fat milk would be great. You would be replenishing your body with whole grains, protein, and vitamins for a great post workout come back, leaving you less vulnerable to bad food decision making : )

Don't be afraid to get to those God sends (Central Air) restaurants and pubs with the people you love. Spring and summer is a great opportunity for get- togethers and good, well deserved laugh sessions. Just don't eat and drink mindlessly; there are so many different options to choose from that can make such a huge difference in caloric, fat, and sodium intake. Choose something delicious though, otherwise you will just be tempted to binge later. Don't forget hydration; keep the lemon water flowing as much as those cocktails ; ) I know most great restaurants won't show you nutritional information, but a great tip I like to do is know where I'm going ahead of time. I don't know if it's because I'm a foodie or impatient, but I just have to check out the menu of where I am going to go. I often choose what I want before I even get there. If you take a quick look at the online menu, if available, it can help you make better decisions....but don't obsess too much, you are going out for some fun after all!

Do you guys find it difficult to lose/maintain your weight in the warmer months?

I'm Back!

Hello fellow foodies

I have just launched my website and wanted to share the awesome news with all of you. I previously used to blog about all things food, but now I have added a whole new element and service to my page...Custom Meal Planning! Yes, it's true, you no longer have to worry about planning and shopping for your weekly meals anymore; I am here to help. Just go to the Custom Meal Planning page to read all about it.

Follow me as I continue to blog on all things culinary, and feel free to reach out for any tips and advice.

Ciao xoxo

Margaret