If you’d like a higher quality sparkling fruit drink, pick up some Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages. They’re made with real juice, as opposed to natural or artificial “flavors” (also called essences or extracts—see the note below). They can be a special treat for every day…or how about Father’s Day?

All are refreshing soft drinks and cocktail mixers. The flavors are familiar yet sophisticated:

 
And now, the new kid on the shelf:

 
Aromatic and soft pink in color, delivering bold sweet flavors balanced with a hint of tartness, it is a delight. We loved it!

For now, the new flavor is an exclusive at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.
 
Sanpellegrino soft drinks have been an Italian favorite, in 1932 when the iconic Aranciata was launched in Milan, Italy by Ezio Granelli. For more information visit SanpellegrinoFruitBeverages.com.

 
A NOTE ON ESSENCES & EXTRACTS

Essences or “flavorings” are chemically-developed, artificial flavors. They are typically cheaper than extracts.

Extracts are flavors that are extracted straight from the source. For example, real vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a neutral alcohol. The flavor leaches into the liquid, the extract.

Buy only real extracts, and don’t buy the less expensive brand. The bargain may be more diluted with a less concentrated flavor.
  

Need a special gift for your favorite carnivore? Murray’s Meat of the Month Club will send a monthly treat of the finest cooked or cured artisan meats.

Each month you or your giftee will receive Murray’s choicest selections: cooked and cured meats, whole and encased meats, salami, pâtés. Two delicious selections will arrive on the third Thursday of the month.

If you’re giving a club membership as a gift, Murray’s will email you a welcome letter that you can tuck in a card.

The Meat of the Month Club is priced beginning at $225.00 for four months of deliveries. Other options include six months ($325) and twelve months ($625). All prices finclude shipping.

Order at MurraysCheese.com.

One of our favorite salads is appealing year-round: for its green, red and white palette during holiday season, and for color, flavor and texture anytime.

With a delicious shipment from Love Beets, we’ve been enjoying it every day. It’s a mesclun salad with beets, goat cheese and nuts. You can turn it into a lunch salad by adding a protein.

You can also toast or candy the nuts. We think that toasted walnuts or pecans work best.

For extra flavor and nutrition, you can roll the goat log in seeds (chia, pepitas, sesame, sunflower) or minced herbs before slicing.

RECIPE: MIX & MATCH GOAT CHEESE & BEETS SALAD

Ingredients

Ingredients for the salad. You can send this box as a gift! Photo courtesy Taigan.com.

 
Preparation

1. SLICE the goat cheese into rounds.

2. TOSS the lettuce and tomatoes with the vinaigrette and place on plates. Arrange goat cheese rounds and beets atop lettuce (cut them in half if you like). Sprinkle with nuts.
 
GIFT PACKAGE

Want to send the ingredients as a gift? Check out this gift box from Belle Chevre (BYO fresh lettuce).

If you like beets and have attempted to cook them, you know they can be a mess: peeling the irregular surface, getting red beet juice over everything (it stains!).

Canned and jarred beets are pretty good substitutes, but Love Beets takes things a bit further, in minimal packaging and a broad choice of styles flavors.

Our favorites are the flavored baby beets in: Honey + Ginger, Mild Vinegar, Sweetfire (with chili), White Wine + Vinegar and Organic White Wine + Vinegar. The seasoning add pizzazz to salads and other recipes.

Certified kosher by OU, with organic options, the company also sells snack trays (beets, cheese and crackers, for example) and beet juice.

Find the Love Beets nearest to you with this store locator.

BEETS & BURGERS

In Australia, a true Oz-style burger must be topped with a slice or two of beets. Even McDonalds and Burger King serve it.