Author Archives: Lea Barlow

Name: LA CREMA 2008 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Alcohol content: 13.9%

Price: $24.99

Description per label:  2008 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast cool climate vineyards, Artisan Winemaking. Classic Pinot Noir.

Review:

Due to the various complexities attributed to a good pinot noir, tasting is no easy task. However, drinking an entire bottle of this heavenly liquid is. For less than $25 you are delivered one of the finest varietals in the mid-range Pinot Noir universe.  The sophisticated and elegant Sonoma Coast red blesses the palate with numerous pleasing tastes and smells.  I find downing copious amounts of La Crema Pinot Noir with breakfast, lunch and dinner perfectly acceptable.

To be candid, I could literally bathe in this wine.  I’ve been known to drink it warm or chilled, directly out of the bottle, a glass, a boot, standing and prone.  At time of press, I was suckling it from the nipple of a Born Free bottle.  Not to go over the precipice with this review but I could rationalize abandoning my day job to allocate my waking hours to just guzzling this red devil. Of course, that may ruin my career, reputation, liver, marriage, and leave me penniless and insane, but nevertheless a laudable consideration….

On the SMS scale of (1-10) it’s a deftly crafted 9.5.

Suggested pairings: Russian caviar, a rare filet mignon, buttery Maine lobster, au gratin potatoes, brownie a la mode, good friends and several more bottles.

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Camping and s’mores go hand-in-hand but the closest this mama has ever been to camping was staying at a Best Western once.  So, we are going to have our First Annual S’mores Fest on the patio.  While I acknowledge these are not the healthiest of food choices, this activity should entertain the kids for at least 15 minutes.  Tonight we will be veering away from the traditional s’more and trying a few creative variations.  All of these can be done inside with the oven or outside with the grill. I just don’t know if that giant Hershey’s bar is going to survive the day…

Click here for the deliciousness…

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I have always wanted a ballet bar…installed in my imaginary mirrored workout studio… at my palatial sea-side estate… in the Hamptons.  But my play-doh stained chair from the kitchen will work just as well for these ballet-inspired isometric exercises designed to create long and lean muscles – without the bulk.  With isometric exercises, you contract your muscles while keeping them at a fixed position (ie: holding a push-up in the lowered position).  The movements are tiny but done correctly, you will feel the burn and quickly see the results.  Best of all, these exercises can be done anywhere as long as you have something to hold onto.

Click here to lengthen and strengthen…

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I find sticking to my regular meal routine very challenging during the summer. Between camps, swim lessons and vacations we tend to hit up the quick joints too often.  But even going for the safe salad choice can spell diet disaster if you are not careful.  Here is a list of the best and worst fast-food salads.  Now stop picking at your kid’s fries!

Best and Worst Fast-Food Salads:

Boston Market

Best: Caesar Salad Entree with Lite Ranch Dressing (210 cal, 12 g fat)

Worst: Market Chopped Salad (480 cal, 40 g fat)

Panera

Best: Asian Sesame Salad (400 cal, 20 g fat)

Worst: Fuji Apple Chicken Salad (500 cal, 31 g fat)

McDonald’s (normally a place we never frequent but sometimes it’s the only option when you are traveling long distances by car with cranky kids in tow)

Best: Premium “Caesar” Salad with grilled chicken and Newman’s Own low fat Balsamic Vinaigrette (260 cal, 9 g fat)

Worst: Premium Southwest Salad with crispy chicken with Newman’s Own Creamy Southwest Dressing (530 cal, 26 g fat)

Wendy’s (their ‘best’ is still off limits!)

Best: Caesar Salad with grilled chicken (490 cal, 32 g fat)

Worst: Southwest Taco Salad (680 cal, 39 g fat)

Taco Bell (This is for the braver mom.  I haven’t been back since a rather memorable gastric event in ’95)

Best: Chipotle Steak taco Salad, Fresco Style (220 cal, 7 g fat)

Worst: Chicken Ranch Taco Salad (910 cal, 54 g fat)

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