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Organic Wine: To Chill or Not to Chill?

July 15, 2013 0

Hello, Friends! This post wasn’t written by me. Thank you for supporting the companies that help to run Sweet Greens!

Unlike many food products, wine bottles do not usually come with instructions on how best to serve. Many today follow the simple rule of thumb that organic white wine should be chilled, and organic red wine should be room temperature. While this isn’t an entirely bad way of thinking, it isn’t anywhere near detailed enough when one thinks of how every individual wine out there has slightly different optimum serving temperatures. Whether or not an organic wine lives up to the hype about it, or to the description on the bottle, depends greatly on serving temperature.

So what exact temperature is best? Of course it depends on the individual organic wine, but here are some guidelines to get you started.

#1: Tart, Bright and Sparkling Organic White Wines
A temperature between 39-50°F helps preserve the freshness and fruitiness.

#2: Full-Bodied Whites + Light Reds:
Between 50°F and 59°F will keep it refreshing while accentuating its finer features.

#3: Full-Bodied Reds + Ports
Between 59°F and 70°F is ideal for bringing out the power of the tannins, and giving a more supple taste.

If that’s the rule you currently go by, then you’re probably doing it right. But, as it says above, each organic wine has their own ‘favorite’ temperature, depending on the amount of fruit, tannins, alcohol etc;. So unless you have a sophisticated cooler with separate zones to suit each type you might get it wrong by a degree or two.

One sure fire guideline though is that no organic wine should ever be served at a temperature more than 70°F. Also, don’t forget that while temperature is important, it’s not the be all and end all in how good an organic wine tastes. There are also the factors of humidity, glassware and decanting, just to name but a few.

To sum up, following the above guide will help you ensure that when you are serving organic wine to guests, or even just enjoying a glass yourself, the wine’s full potential will be unleashed into the glass. Do your best to meet the individual requirements of each type. But if you are still unsure whether or not it’s right, another good place to start is to lower the temperature a degree or two. Once it’s in the glass, the only way is up! Better it’s a little cool and can warm up, than be too warm.

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Define Bottle: Fruit Infused Water To-Go

July 15, 2013 0

I am obsessed with fresh fruit right now, I can’t get enough. Are you like me? Remember the fruit infused waters that I made last year in mason jars? These were such a hit and one of the most popular posts both here and at Inhabitots. They are that yummy!

Today I came across the Define Bottle – it’s a to-go option for the fruit infused water lover. What a fun way to take your fruity beverage with you. However, my favorite part is that Divine Bottle was created by Carter, a 13 year old entrepreneur. Fantastic.

What do you think? Would you drink fruit infused water on the go?

Jupiter, Florida Dog Surfing Competition + Givebones Collars Save Dogs Lives

July 15, 2013 0

A couple of weekends ago, we hit Jupiter Beach for the 1st Annual Dog Surfing Competition. The competition was sponsored by Ocean Magic Surf Shop with the proceeds going to Big Dog Ranch Rescue a true no-kill shelter in Wellington, Florida.

Here are a few peeks from our day:

Eben came home very excited to teach Noodles how to surf – we picked up a life jacket for her and will introduce her to paddleboarding this weekend.

I am a huge fan of French Bulldogs – I couldn’t get enough shots of this little Frenchie and kept telling the mister, one day I need to rescue a Frenchie!


This cutie wasn’t surfing, just lounging on the beach behind her owner’s beach chair. When her owner ventured off to talk with friends, this sweetie came over and sat right at our feet. We wanted to take her home!

This is Lucy, she won the small dog contest – isn’t she adorable and tiny.

SIDENOTE: A few weeks ago, I received a Givebones dog collar in the mail for Noodles. Givebones is a national charitable pet company that supports an amazing cause – for every collar sold, THREE dogs are saved from euthanization. Now that is a cause I can get behind!

Last week while I wasn’t feeling well, Noodles, stayed by my side the entire time. Isn’t she pure sweetness? Here she is snuggled up on my lap on our sofa, she is wearing her hot pink Givebones collar but she is a little too wrinkly for you to see it. Ha!

Grab a Givebones collar here for $14.99!

Full Disclosure: I received a Givebones collar and loved the organization so much I wanted to share it with you.

Have a Lovely Weekend + A Few Green Things

July 12, 2013 3

Hello, Friends! How was your week? Mine has been less than stellar. I started the week off right, first thing Monday morning I worked out. After my workout, a weird, dull pain that I had been experiencing in my upper, left abdomen turned into a throbbing pain. My stomach (and back) has been bothering me, I had chalked it up to falling on my back a couple of weeks ago. My back had been feeling better and I thought I was ready to workout again.

I immediately went to my doctor and she said that I may have ruptured my spleen and ordered a CT scan. Thankfully, the CT scan showed a healthy spleen and all of my other lower organs were fine. The results did show a moderate amount of free fluid and a ruptured ovarian cyst. However, the pain is much higher in my abdomen and has now moved into my back – so I am going to see a specialist next week. Just to be safe.

This weekend, I plan to lay low, maybe spend the weekend lounging at the beach. It doesn’t get much more relaxing than that. Tonight, I think we will stay home and watch a movie. While I try to pick a one that will entertain me, the mister and a 12 year old, here are a few green links to take you into the weekend.

– If you like bats (I do!), you will love this!
– Great, eco-friendly family companies in the USA. Yay!
– These zucchini pancakes are calling my name. Perfect for brunch this weekend.
– 6 Amazing, repurposed swimming pools – the dumpster pools are always my favorite.
– I am making a green, vegan milkshake this weekend. Indeed!
– Here are some summer superfoods to add to the menu.
– Be still my heart – tomato bruschetta! This would be amazing with fresh, organic tomatoes!

I hope you have a sunny weekend, see you back here on Monday!

xo,
Sweet Greens

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Home Renovation vs Ecological Conservation

July 12, 2013 0
Hello, Friends! This post wasn’t written by me. Thank you for supporting the companies that help to run Sweet Greens!

Many of us have properties that can be greatly improved by expanding or renovating, making it a great idea. However it’s important to remember that your family members are not the only inhabitants of your surroundings. Bats, birds, beneficial bugs, badgers, reptiles, bees, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, plants and many others live in our surroundings and they need to be considered ahead of any major project. It’s important to consider conservation of the environment when doing any home renovation – there are ways to compromise making both you and the environment happy. Read on to learn more about home renovation versus ecological conservation.

#1: Bats: What you Need to Know
Certain projects are more likely to upset the habitation of certain species than others. One of the main areas of concern is the conservation of bats. Bats are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our planet. Like bee’s, bats help pollinate our plants and they are also an amazing insecticide. Bats also help tell us learn about the environment and any changes that may be affecting it. Bats tend to reside in dark nooks and crannies such as those found in attics which mean loft conversions may be harmful to their habitat. Certain times of the year make bats more vulnerable to building work including while they are hibernating in the winter months or when babies are born during the summer months. An attic renovation for example may involve completely eradicating their roosts and an extension may involve destroying roosts on what are currently external walls.

So what can you do?
Bats are protected by law and it’s important that they are considered during any home renovation. The wisest thing to do is have a bat survey carried out prior to any works or the purchase of any materials. If bats do live in the area you want to develop a plan that can be altered after you hear the given advice. It doesn’t necessarily mean the work will not take place, but it might mean liaising with the correct authorities on your next course of action.

Other species affected by building works may require ecological surveys that will reveal more than just whether bats are present and will be looking for evidence of birds, badgers and even reptiles depending on the survey you book. Remember at all times that while the work on your home is important to you, we all share the planet. By consulting with the correct parties you will be doing your part to conserve the planet and all of the critters that inhabit it.
 
#2: Trees: What you Need to Know
When building a house extension homeowners need to avoid cutting down trees. Trees don’t just exist to look pretty; they are an important part of our ecosystem – they clean our air, provide shelter for animals, cool our homes in the summer. Some trees are protected by tree protection orders and they will need to be avoided by any measure. Even those that are not should be preserved wherever possible. Ecological surveys will include assessing the trees in the area you should you wish to expand.

When most people start thinking about making home renovations or considering an extension they worry about time, budget and project management. But one of the most important things to consider is the plants and animals we share our living space with. Our planet is home to a large number of protected species and it important to assess their habitation while we consider how we want to change our own too.

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