Who can resist a nonfat strawberry-banana
smoothie? Photo courtesy RedMango.com.
How many different smoothies can you drink?
If you’re at a Red Mango, you’ve got 22 options! (And they’re certified kosher, too, by Star-K.)
America loves its smoothies, but the “healthy” yogurt shakes sold by many producers are often laden with sugar or high fructose corn syrup (read the label, or check online). Determined to offer healthier smoothies, Red Mango has relaunched its line with four styles:
Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies, healthy snacks or meal replacements made from fresh fruit and probiotic frozen yogurt
Power Smoothies with added nutrition—flax seed, protein, minerals and vitamins
Fresh Fruit & Tea Infused Smoothies, made with whole-leaf tea for an extra hit of antioxidants
Iced Tea Chillers, lighter blends of tea and frozen yogurt that are an icy-cold, refreshing way to cool down in the heat
Unlike some other smoothies, Red Mango drinks are all natural and made with fresh fruit instead of frozen fruit. All are made with natural nonfat yogurt (avoid smoothies made with fat-laden ice cream and sugar-laden sorbet) and probiotics that have been proven effective in tests (the live bacteria actually make it into the stomach instead of perishing along the way—learn more about the benefits of probiotics). Extra sweeting comes from natural, non-caloric stevia, not sugar or HFCS.We’re working our way through the menu. All of them are good (have you ever met a smoothie you didn’t like?), although everyone will have his or her favorites. One standout was the Vanilla Black Tea from the Iced Tea Chillers series, reminiscent of Thai Iced Tea—but far less caloric and with beneficial probiotics.
If there’s no Red Mango near you, have your mayor send the company the key to the city. Find the nearest location at RedMangoUSA.com.
Whole grain, vegan, crunchy and superb, Judy’s Breadsticks are carried by specialty food stores in Northern California. Thanks to the Internet, everyone can enjoy them.
Twigs are made of 100% organic whole-grain wheat, barley malt and olive oil, plus sea salt or a bit of sugar, depending on the flavor.
Roasted Garlic, Sesame and Sunflower are the savory flavors; Coffee Bean and Sweet Currant are slightly-sweetened breadsticks.
The Coffee Bean breadsticks are ingeniously studded with roasted coffee beans. They’re a coffee lover’s must-have.
The Somewhat Seedy Garlicky Toasted Bites, jumbo croutons, are also worth sending for.
Read the full review to see how we used the breadsticks to make meals tastier and more elegant.
This Bodum iced tea pitcher is very handy
for infusing mint and fruit. Photo
courtesy BodumUSA.com.
Hot enough for you? Where we live, it’s day five of a heat wave.
Gather your friends and neighbors—or your work colleagues or business network—to discuss the weather at an iced tea party. We’ve got suggestions for different types of iced tea and the food to go with them.
Bodum’s iced tea pitcher has a separate, flow-through compartment that lets you infuse iced tea with raspberries, mint or other favorite flavor, while keeping the fruits and herbs confined while you pour the iced tea.
And take a few minutes to watch the luminous Marilyn Monroe performing the musical number “Heat Wave” from the film, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” The YouTube video isn’t of the best quality, but you’ll get the idea.
Find more iced tea recipes and reviews of our favorite teas in our Gourmet Tea Section.
Here are two ideas for cooling-off drinks, courtesy of ChocolateBox Café in Malibu, California.
Instead of an ice cream soda, scoop gelato or ice cream into an iced espresso and sorbet into iced tea.
Iced Coffee Float. Coffee lovers can pair an iced espresso with gelato in chocolate chip, coffee, hazelnut, tiramisu or vanilla (you can substitute ice cream). If you’re in the mood, add a tablespoon or two of coffee liqueur to the iced espresso. Top the drink with whipped cream and garnish with a light sprinkling of cocoa powder.
Iced Tea Float. Tea lovers can create a SorbeTeani with iced tea and sorbet. It’s a no-fat, no-cholesterol vegan drink if you leave off the whipped cream. Combine iced green tea or rooibos with fruit sorbet in lemon, orange, passion fruit or raspberry. Garnish with a mint leaf and optional whipped cream or vegan whipped topping.
Pre-chill the glasses in the freezer for a frostier drink.
Cool off with an iced espresso combined with coffee gelato. Photo courtesy ChocolateBox Café.
If you’re in the neighborhood, ChocolateBox Café is hosting a Summer Happy Hour. All ChocolateBox Café drinks, hot and cold, are half off Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (through August 26, 2010).
What’s the difference between ice cream and gelato? Sorbet and sherbet? See our Ice Cream Glossary.
Savory or sweet, there’s a pretzel treat for
everyone. Photo courtesy Kim & Scott’s.
There are certain areas in which “twisted” means good. Pretzels is one. Your taste buds will twist if you win this week’s Gourmet Giveaway prize, courtesy of Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Stuffed Pretzels.
These jumbo, soft, whole grain pretzels are stuffed with savory and sweet ingredients and sold frozen, ready to be baked or microwaved into rewarding treats. While we prefer the savory varieties (read our review), with Kim & Scott’s, there are varieties for the sweet tooth as well.
THE PRIZE: One winner will take home the Original Variety Sampler: 10 sweet and savory gourmet stuffed pretzels. For snacking or save them for a party or special brunch. Approximate retail value: $28.00.
To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Gourmet Snacks Section and click to enter your email address for the prize drawing. This contest closes on Monday, July 26th at noon, Eastern Time. Good luck!
