Summer party tips for a healthy you, healthy planet
With July 4 on the horizon, many of us will be either hosting backyard parties or heading to one (or more).
The long weekend will certainly present a few opportunities to overindulge on flame-cooked meats.
Weber wants to help make sure we still look good in our bathing suits come July 7 and recently released its "Grilling What's Good for You." The free, 36-page booklet aims to demystify how to choose what's right for your diet and lifestyle when it comes to grilling.
Weber cookbook author and grilling guru chef Jamie Purviance and registered dietitian Monique Ryan came up with the tips and recipes, such as Eggplant With Spicy Asian Dressing (pictured).
Download the booklet at weber.com/goodforyou or call the Weber Grill-Line at (800) 474-5568.
This Fourth go green: Sure, it's tempting to head to the party store and pick up red, white and blue plastic cups and matching silverware for your patriotic party. But to be truly patriotic, why not use what our founders did: real dishes.
Now I'm not saying you have to get out the fine crystal and china. Just look through your cabinets and open your drawers; you probably have enough forks and cups for a small army. If not, rent 'em.
Earlier this year when my husband and I hosted a Cinco de Mayo party, I learned it was less expensive to rent margarita glasses than it was to buy plastic ones (with the side bonus that I didn't have to figure out where to store them).
Look in the phone directory for "party rentals." I didn't even have to worry about washing them; the rental places have special sanitizing machines.
Elizabeth Rogers, environmental consultant and author of "The Green Book," figures that you'll save $100 this summer by not buying paper and plastic.
She also suggests setting up recycling bins. "It takes an area the size of Pennsylvania to hold the trash we accumulate annually," Rogers said. "If everyone separated their waste, we could decrease this by 75 percent."
Stick it: It's a problem everyone's faced: What to do with your glass, bottle or can to keep it upright at a picnic. Rather than struggle to find level ground or try to balance it on the edge of your plate, grab a set of The Pampered Chef's Outdoor Party Sticks.
This set of wire cup and bottle holders ($39) eliminates the need for picnic-ground balancing acts. Just push a stick into the ground, then place your drink into the wire ringed holder at the top. Each set comes with six cup holders and one bottle holder (large enough for wine, Champagne and 2-liter bottles).
If you favor wine alfresco, try WineStem Company's Wine Stems ($15 for a pair), which are a more decorative version of Pampered Chef's product designed specifically for wine glasses.
S'more, please: Let's say you're craving a taste of your childhood but don't have the time to start a campfire in your backyard and roast marshmallows. Head to the closest Godiva Chocolatier (Woodfield Mall, Northbrook Court, Oakbrook Center and Old Orchard) and pick up a s'more.
Available for a limited time only, the Godiva incarnation ($3) features a creamy vanilla bean marshmallow sandwiched between two crunchy honey graham crackers and drizzled with decadent dark or milk chocolate. Girl Scouts never had it this good!
First time for everything: Wheaton's The Cellar Bistro is holding its first wine tasting, and you're invited. From 6 to 9 p.m. today, the eatery, 132 N. Hale St., will feature Pine Ridge Winery, Archery Summit, Franciscan, Folie a deux, Chimney Rock, Kim Crawford, Wild Horse and Domaine Chandon selections, among others. Appetizers will be served to accompany the wines. Tickets cost $25 (including tax and gratuity), and space is limited.
If you like what you try, the wines will be sold at wholesale prices. RSVP to (630) 653-6299.
Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at (847) 427-4524, food@dailyherald.com or c/o Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006.