It was a warm summer night when a group of us decided to go out to dinner after a fabulous “Wine Down Friday” of vino & music at Muscardini Cellars in Sonoma Valley, California. We headed over to Glen Ellen Inn and decided to enjoy the beautiful weather by dining on the patio. After 10 minutes of deciding which wine we were going to enjoy with dinner (2006 Gundlach Bunchu Mountain Cuvee) we ordered some appetizers to share – one of which was the inspiration to today’s post: WATERMELON SALAD. Now, I’m a big fan of watermelon salads – arugula, onions, feta. Served in a carved out empty watermelon shell and even on skewers (great for parties). But this salad was different, beautiful and SO delicious. I posted the picture from dinner on instagram and my neighbor and I were inspired to make our twist on this delicious, summer salad.
BYO Watermelon Salad
1 small watermelon (sliced into 1/2 – 1 inch rings – rind removed)
Greens of your choice: Arugula, Mâche, Spinach (we used arugula)
Cheese of your choice: Blue, Goat, Mozzarella (we used Blue)
Want to add nuts? Try Pecans, Toasted Walnuts or Almonds
Try adding additional fruits or veggies: Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Onions
Dressing: Olive Oil, Mustard Vinaigrette, Mint & Lime dressing (we simply used olive oil)
Salt & pepper to taste
Build-your-own watermelon salad is the perfect summertime treat and so easy to make. Grab the ingredients you like, place the watermelon ring on a plate and begin to build with your favorite cheese, lettuce, nuts and dressing. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. You can use as little or as much as you want. When we made the salad above, we simply used arugula, blue cheese, olive oil and sea salt.
As you know by now, I love food. Furthermore, I love quality food. What if I told you that certain food products you see at your local market were not only GREAT tasting but also help to make a possible difference for people around the world. Before Rochelle and I left for Cabo I received a package (Klout Perk) from Klout that contained several goodies that were Fair Trade Certified. Being among the 80% of Americans who do not know what Fair Trade certified products were I was pleasantly surprised to learn more about Fair Trade and sample a selection of their certified products.
What Is Fair Trade?
It’s exactly that – fair. Buying Fair Trade Certified products can help farming families in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. There are over 11,000 products throughout the grocery store that bear the Fair Trade Certified label and purchasing these products is an easy way to support the hard-working people who grow and sew the products we love.
Quality Products: Farmers receive training and feedback to help grow products that meet the quality requirements of the global marketplace helping them increase their incomes and improves their communities.
Improving Lives: Workers receive fair wages, safe working conditions, access to education and healthcare.
Protecting the Environment: Farmers receive higher prices for organic crops and learn about sustainable farming.
Fair Trade Certified Products
Allegro Coffee: This medium-bodied coffee is balanced, sweet & chocolaty. Cafe La Duena is a blend from a small-holder women farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico and San Ignacio, Peru. This organic coffee gives focus and celebrates women coffee farmers and is… oh so delicious! Caffeinate Your Conscience™ and learn more!
Alter Eco: This dark chocolate coconut toffee bar is made from cocoa sourced from small farms in Peru. Crunchy, toasty texture, chewy and smooth with a fantastic buttery finish. Find this awesome chocolate bar online or at your local natural food store or Whole Foods.
Bhakti Chai:Get your spice on with this Fair Trade black sea. Made with freshly-pressed organic ginger, fiery spices and non-GMO soy milk. Mmmmm….
Badger Balm: This organic Cocoa Butter lip balm truly is magic for your lips! Creamy and rich with a delicious fragrance of dark chocolate. $4.99 and worth EVERY penny 🙂
Guittard Chocolate Chips: The cocoa beans for these Semisweet Chocolate Chips were grown in West Africa and delivers a deeply rich flavor perfect for your favorite cookie recipe. Check out Guittard’s original chocolate chip recipe here!
Numi Organic Tea: Lately I’ve been getting more into tea. Numi hand picks premium organic teas and herbs and blends them with only real fruits, flowers and spices. This Jasmine Green Tea was sourced from the first Fair Trade gardens in China where workers wages have increased 30-40%. To learn more about Numi’s commitment to people, planet and pure tea visit numitea.com
Sweetriot: sweetriot supports Fair Trade and sourcing exclusively in Latin America which directly supports a better life for farming families through fair prices and direct trade. Celebrating culture & diversity on every package they are building a movement to fix the world. This 70% dark chocolate bar is all-natural, organic and sweetriot’s very first Fair Trade Certified and Organic line. Sweet for the world and sweet for you, check them out!
Simply Organic Cocoa Cayenne Cupcake Mix: Simply Organic offers healthy, wholesome, organic and gluten-free products you can trust. Made with Fair Trade Certified cane sugar, cane sugar syrup and cocoa powder, these mixes help to improve the communities where the products are grown. This unique cake mix offers the delicious rich flavors of Fair Trade Certified cocoa with a kick of cayenne. Dress them up with homemade vanilla or cherry cream cheese frosting!
I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. Fair Trade Certified products rock and I just want to share it with the world! ~Crystal
Try something new this month! For everyone who loves trying new stuff this is such a great club to be a part of! Crystal found a fun concept which pairs you up with someone in a different state and every month you send your foodie pal a box of treats ($15 value) from your city – in return you also receive a surprise package. Get familiar with foods and snacks you have never heard of or might have never tried if it wasn’t for this. This service is free and easy. All details can be found on The Lean Green Bean blog.
(Crystals package to her penpal)
Oliva Serie V
A few weeks ago we had a chance to sit down with the VP of Marketing & Sales at JMG International and get some insight and try some great cigars. Not being the most avid cigar smoker my fav had to be the Oliva Serie V. Rated 94 Points by Cigar Aficionado – This attractive, oily cigar is full of dynamic nut, wood and sweet cedar flavors that frame a substantial leather core. The finish is long and rich. Toasty and complex. So pour yourself a nice glass of wine and enjoy a taste of Oliva Serie V
For all our cigar aficionados follow @SarahJMG for the latest cigar news and updates
Great Find For You or a Gift
I have found something that everyone needs. A little bag from Pinch Provisions that will fit in your glove compartment or maybe even your purse. A reusable bag filled with over a dozen essentials that I promise you will use.With variations for him, her, moms to be and almost every occasion. This kit will be your new go-to for either yourself or give the gift that everyone will love!
The Shopaholic In Me
Every time I go back to visit LA I always swing by one of my my favorite stores from when I lived there. TIMELESS BOUTIQUE! Now I can shop without getting on a plane. I have found some of my favorite pieces in this store. The quality is great and there are a variety of designers you can’t find anywhere else. Price-point is very reasonable and they offer shipping specials.
Fav New Color for May
OPI Atomic Orange…Never been a fan of orange but this color is perfect with tan skin out and about enjoying the sunshine
I hope you’ll enjoy these fab finds and if you try any of them out, please let me know what you think! ~Rochelle
Aprons & Stilettos 