Looking for a healthy spin on a classic winter comfort food? Here is a ‘lighter’ recipe for stuffed mushrooms that is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. They are filled with lots of fiber and natural sweetness in each bite. Whether you’re preparing these for a football game on Sunday or a dinner party on Saturday night, they’re sure to be a crowd pleaser.

ORANGE MARJORAN STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Gluten-Free and Vegan

2 lb. baby bella mushrooms
1 1/2 cups gluten-free crackers, very finely crushed
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 large Vidalia onion, very finely chopped
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt
1/4 cup fresh marjoram, finely chopped
4 pitted dates, very finely chopped
1 tsp. orange zest

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Remove stems from mushrooms and chop.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.  Add all ingredients; cook for 5 minutes. Evenly distribute mixture to mushroom caps.  Bake for 45 minutes.
Serve with an extra drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Bon appétit!

So, about a year ago, foodie experts predicted that 2011 would be the year of the pie and that cupcakes would be retired in favor of the tarte. I didn’t see much evidence of this, did you? My measurement? Cupcake shops are still flour-ishing (you get it) but there is nary a pie shop – much less a mini-pie shop – in sight. But, now a year later, trend or no trend, I am somewhat suffering from cupcake fatigue and I’m definitely ready to embrace another handheld alternative in the form of the mini-pie, aka the cutie pie!

Why are mini-pies so great? Bite-sized and handheld – they come in their own “wrapper”, no utensils needed, which makes them great for entertaining. With their pre-defined petite size, they have portion control built right in. Plus they can be served sweet or savory with an even amount of potential for creativity and deliciousness. I love that they can be loaded with seasonal fresh fruit.

So, with that in mind, I thought I’d suggest the following accessories to make mini-pie-making  fun to create and versatile treats (with the mini pies, it’s so easy to prepare more than flavor filling).

	Mini Pocket Pie Molds – Kinda like a cookie cutter but for pies! Place in any filling that fits your fancy, seal the dough, place on baking sheet and voilà. But the set at Williams Sonoma or individual mini pie molds on Amazon.
	Non-Stick Mini Pie Set – These are not only non-stick, but they also have a Lift & Serve feature to guarantee a perfect presentation. Great for pot pies too. Guess what I’m making for dinner tonight? Buy at Chicago Metallic Bakeware or on Amazon.
	Pie Pops Maker – Bite sized pies on a stick. Great for kids or adult parties and for gift-giving too. Think Valentine’s Day with cherry filling…  Buy at Sur La Table
	Split Decision Pie Pan – How clever is this. Either bake half sweet or half savory or propose two different sweet fillings. The “Lift & Serve” feature enables easy removal of the finished pies for a perfect presentation. Buy at Spoonsisters for $18.95.
	Round Pie Iron – OK, so this is not the most elegant pie maker, but I had to include it here because of all the fond memories this little tool created. My parents used this when we were camping to make our breakfast and s’mores “pies”. A must for scrumptious outdoor “baking” and to create delicious memories in your own family Buy on Amazon. for about $19.99.
	Mini Pies Cookbook – This book covers the all essential pie crust recipes should you decide to DIY the crust and it even includes a gluten-free pie crust recipe and then recipes for sweet, creamy, nut and savory pies as well as they toppings. Buy on Amazon.

I’ve created a fun holiday recipe below that will help give you a clean outlook on your holiday schedule. No matter how busy your next few weeks become, remind yourself that taking care of you is most important as you’ll most likely be taking care of everyone else this holiday season. If you’re not at your healthiest, well rested, well fed and relaxed…you can kiss that mistletoe good-bye because you’ll end up drained, exhausted and not able to ice that gingerbread house. Oh, the horror!

It’s not every day you hear someone talking about Clean eating or asking their waiter for a Clean meal but that shouldn’t stop you from achieving this way of living. Especially this time of year when the snow is on the ground and the winter chill is in the air. Many of my clients give-up on Clean eating in the winter because it’s “too hard” but honestly, just do your best by eating a rainbow of colors, a varied diet with healthy fats, whole grains, lean proteins and lots of fresh veggies that are locally grown and seasonal. It’s important that we touch on all of our tastes, as well; some of us like salty, others sweet, some sour and others bitter. Why not start combining all of these flavors into your meals and snacks?  This will help keep your taste buds happy and satisfied.

Staying out of the inner aisles of your food store and filling up your basket with real food will do wonders not only for your health but for your well-being. Don’t you just feel better sipping on hot tea with lemon rather than a Diet Coke? I mean, come on. Picture yourself at a spa, you are waiting to get your facial and massage and you have your choice of a soda or water with lemon. Which would you choose? Many years ago I would have gone for the soda but not today. I feel better about myself when I order the water with lemon and turn down the soda.

This is what Clean eating and Clean living are all about. Try it for yourself. When faced with two options, one healthy and one not healthy, ask yourself what you’d choose if you were at a spa. I like to use this scenario because we tend to ‘take care of ourselves’ at a spa and treat ourselves to feeling rejuvenated and relaxed; it’s the perfect time to take care of your body emotionally and physically with pampering treatments, healthy food and balance. Eating whole, unprocessed food is something many of us don’t do enough of.  It’s not the healthiest choice to reach for a processed power bar for your on-the-go lunch or a packaged box of highly processed crackers with a laundry list of ingredients you cannot pronounce. Yuck.

I’m not asking you to eat Clean 100% of the time because Clean eating is about doing what’s right for you and your body.  What’s important is to realize that Clean eating is a way of life, not a diet and certainly not deprivation. Throw out those processed foods and add in some fresh ones without a nutrition label. Pick up fresh fruits and veggies for your holiday dinner, add them to your main course or serve them on the side with fresh lemon and herbs. Why not think outside the box and try a side of balsamic glazed asparagus or steamed spinach with buckwheat noodles and peanut ginger dressing? Pick a fresh herb and add it to the main course, side dishes and desserts even if the recipe doesn’t call for it; it’s likely the flavor will wake up your senses and help with those sweet cravings so many of us face this time of the year.

Here’s a fun, healthy and Clean recipe that I serve every holiday season. My guests love it and I tend to make a big batch so I can enjoy the leftovers throughout the week.

COCONUT MACADAMIA QUINOA, Gluten-Free and Vegan

Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup golden quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup kale, chopped
1/2 cup red onion
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped

Directions

• In a medium pot, stir coconut oil, cinnamon, turmeric and cumin over medium-high heat until fragrant.
• Wash and drain quinoa. Add quinoa and stir to coat. Add water, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.
• Remove from heat; set aside for 5 minutes, covered.
• Add cranberries, kale, red onion, balsamic vinegar and lime juice.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Top with macadamia nuts.
• Serve warm.

Happy holidays!

It’s certainly not your typical Thanksgiving without stuffing and bread pudding, but going gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to say good-bye to your favorite holiday dishes. Simply tweak them a bit by substituting gluten-free bread and grains such as buckwheat or quinoa and you won’t even think twice about those gluten-ous grains.

At first, it may seem a bit odd not to reach for your favorite loaf of whole wheat bread or your Grandmother’s famous stuffing but believe me…with a swap of pasta with quinoa and a switch from barley to risotto, your guests won’t know the difference. The best part about a gluten-free holiday? No one even has to know it’s gluten-free. There are so many ‘Clean’ and naturally gluten-free foods that you can serve with fresh herbs and spices. I coin the term ‘Clean’ as I believe in eating pure foods that are minimally processed and full of vitamins, healthy fats, lean proteins and healthy carbohydrates.

All vegetables, dairy, oils, fruits and lean proteins such as turkey, chicken, pork, fish, tofu, eggs, bison and polenta are all naturally gluten-free. (Be sure to read every label carefully as some brands may use gluten to preserve the food). So, why not whip up a tasty holiday feast around these ‘Clean’ food groups? There’s nothing like a bunch of great root veggies such as squash and sweet potatoes along with green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and asparagus. Top each with a different dressing to wow your guests and get their taste buds dancin’. Try a mixture of balsamic vinegar, sunflower seeds and lemon juice; sea salt, orange juice and ground flax seeds; olive oil, apple cider vinegar and dried cherries; crushed peanuts, purple shredded cabbage and wheat-free tamari. See how easy gluten-free can be?

And who ever said the bird isn’t gluten-free, too?

Just be sure not to use gluten-free flour when baking the bird in the oven and you’ll be good to go.

As for dessert…Well, that’s another story. Gluten can hide in many baked goods, therefore if you’re looking for a tasty gluten-free sweet treat to top of the night, try a fresh fruit platter or bake up a batch of macaroons. Why not serve Greek yogurt parfaits with dried fruits, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate and honey? Or you can take the challenge and try baking with gluten-free grains.

For more healthy, Clean gluten-free recipes, you can visit my blog, TheHealthyApple.com.
Happy (Gluten-Free) Turkey Day!

GLUTEN-FREE BUTTERNUT SQUASH QUINOA ~ Gluten-Free and Vegetarian
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 5 cups butternut squash cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1, 2-pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut and cut into cubes)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
• 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups leeks, thinly sliced
• 2 cups quinoa, cooked
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup rice milk
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with wax paper. Add squash cubes and 1 tablespoon olive oil to medium bowl; toss well to coat. Bake until golden brown, approximately 45 minutes, stirring often.
2. While squash is baking, add vegetable broth to a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to simmer.
3. Heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and cook until lightly browned. Add quinoa; mix well.
4. Add balsamic vinegar; reduce heat to low. Add a cup of hot vegetable and simmer, stirring frequently, until absorbed
5. Add remaining vegetable broth, a cup at a time, each time allowing stock to be absorbed before adding more.
6. Slowly add roasted squash, rice milk, Parmesan cheese and rosemary; cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste; serve each bowl with a sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese.

GLUTEN-FREE ACORN APPLE SQUASH SOUP ~ Gluten-Free and Vegan
Makes 10 servings

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash, halved, strings and seeds discarded
• 2 Tbsp. cashews
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• ½ cup parsnips, shredded
• 1 cup diced red apple1 cup chopped sweet onion
• ¼ cup scallions
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup dried cranberries, for topping
• ¼ cup fresh tarragon, finely chopped, for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. In a shallow baking pan arrange squash, cut side down, with 1 cup water. Bake covered with foil for 60 minutes or until soft.
3. Remove from pan and spoon out pulp. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Add cashews; process until smooth.
4. Spray a large sauté pan with nonstick cooking spray and cook remaining vegetables over medium low heat until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add vegetable broth, squash puree, cinnamon and nutmeg; simmer, covered for 40 minutes.
5. Stir in salt, pepper and nut milk. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes.
6. Transfer to serving bowls; serve warm. Top with dried cranberries and fresh tarragon.

Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP is a Manhattan based Culinary Marketing Consultant, recipe developer and food writer specializing in Gluten Free, Soy-Free and Dairy Free Culinary Nutrition.  Amie writes a blog The Healthy Apple and is also the Publisher and Marketing Director of the online gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats. Amie believes in everything in moderation. Never using the word ‘diet,’ she stands by the truth that “each of us has control over what we put into our mouths and these choices impact our bodies now and in the future.”

Are you entertaining this Thanksgiving? Are feeling the anxiety of the season creeping up on you yet? I am. I need a nap, being completely exhausted just thinking about my To Do list. So, in looking to simplify my life, I’m on the lookout for clever shortcuts. Thought you’d appreciate some of these ideas and tips I found in my search for simplifying the entertaining process:

• Have a good planning checklist: Friends have made fun of me for years because of my lists. Called me the List Girl. They also call me organized. So there. This year, I didn’t have time to think of all the intricacies of the Thanksgiving Dinner on my own, so I’m using a composite of these lists that I found online on the Food Channel and on Family Fun. Pretty complete. Why reinvent the wheel…

• Cleaning house: If you’re lucky, you’ll have a cleaning lady drop by, just in time. If not, here’s a list of the essential spots to be tidied and cleaned before the guests arrived. You may want to add flowers; they make everything look fresh and cleaner. Here’s a good time to recruit the older kids and put them to work.

• Super easy centerpiece: This gives me the biggest headache because I don’t have the time (nor the budget) to execute the vision for the centerpiece I really want. But, this year I came across this clever little tool: a candle carver. It allows to cut a round hole in a fruit or vegetable in which a tealight can be placed. I’m thinking either fall apples or mini pumpkins and squash will serve as candleholders or place settings this year, around a simple arrangement of larger sized squash, fall leaves and flowers…

•  Have a secret ingredient: I’m thinking something like preserved lemons or this Universal Sauce… Something that gets your guests wondering why everything is so… succulent. The Universal Sauc is a ready-made versatile sauce base that can be used in soups, casseroles, pasta sauces and so much more. It’s a no-fail solutions as it never separates, lumps or curdles. Cuts steps and saucy mistakes. Buy online at Shirley J.

• Don’t make it from scratch: I always say that I will only move somewhere if there is a Trader Joe’s nearby. Trader Joe’s is all about shortcuts. Delicious, quality shortcuts where everything from the cornbread stuffing mix to the frozen pie dough, to the prepared frozen hors-d’œuvres, the cranberry sauce… I get most of my wine there too.

• Buy the dessert: Certainly there is a delightful bakery in your neighborhood? Encourage a small business and save yourself hours of work. Baking is so exacting. Who has time for it on Thanksgiving? Let it go. Buy it!

• Chic yet disposable – in a green way: What? You don’t have time to polish the silver and wash the crystal before you set the table. Anyhoo, that was soooooo 1955. Ok, so it’s not as fancy, but you can still have plenty of style with your compostable or recyclable “china”, “crystal” and “linens”:

1. Bamboo Studio dinnerware: Bamboo is a favorite renewable resource, so if you absolutely can’t wash, this is the route to go, knowing you don’t have to sacrifice all self-respect by using paper or plastic plates. See the choices at EcoBambooware.com.

2. MYdrap cotton napkins and placemats are perforated on a roll for easy tear-off convenience. They were originally developed for the hospitality market as chic yet disposable textiles. Made of 100% cotton fibers, MYdrap textiles are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. Washable too if you want to reuse them. AND, they come in 20 colors and five sizes. Sweetest no-fuss. Buy them online at MYDrap or see the store locator.

3. GoVino glasses: these shatterproof glasses are reusable and recyclable. Wash them or toss them (in the recycling bin). They look and perform like crystal and are BPA-free. Plus they look très chic too. Buy at govinowine.com or on Amazon.

• And, of course, DELEGATE! Go potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish or at least, to contribute to some part of the preparation.

Happy Thanksgiving. Here’s to wishing that you can find some time to find and celebrate the real meaning of this holiday: to enjoy your loved ones and friends, in gratitude. Cheers!

Little did I know that October is Women’s Small Business month until Dove Chocolate Discoveries offered to send me (through Mom Central Consulting) a starter kit to host a Chocolate tasting party for my gal pals.

Dove Chocolate Discoveries has taken the home-based business plan to a whole new level with one of the biggest (and healthiest, after red wine!) indulgences. The Chocolate Tasting kit comes with six boxes of Chef-Series Chocolate (three dark and three milk), four packages of Chocolate Mouse, a box of Chocolate Chai Tea, Chocolate Cover Nuts, Chocolate Martini Mix, Chocolate Fondue Set, DVD of hosting information including recipes and all the handouts and material to host at least four to five parties.With all the basics delivered right to your door, you can become an expert Chocolatier and wow your friends with delicious new treats with very little baking skills.

Start the party off with handing each guest a Chocolatini as they enter the door. Show how simple it is whip up a batch of Mousse, made in five minutes, and serve bite-size on spoons. Next, offer bite-size Brownies, Nuts and Chocolate Fondue. End the party with a warm cup of Chocolate Chai Tea,  a list of Dove Chocolate products and a recipe booklet for each guest.

Dove Chocolate Discoveries offers a great opportunity for the woman who wants to re-enter the work force by working from home and enabling her the flexibility to set her own schedule. In addition, it is also a unique way for women to fundraise for schools or charities.

Not sure if you have what it takes to become a Chocolatier? Dove Chocolate Discoveries has other chocolatiers that can work with you. All you need is a love for premium chocolate and the joy of making people happy. Who does not love chocolate, right?! Dove Chocolate Discoveries really does makes it easy for you to start your own independent business and have fun at the same time. Check them out on Facebook.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of DOVE Chocolate Discoveries and received a Starter Kit to facilitate my review.

Throwing a Halloween party doesn’t have to be spooky. With these tricks, your guests will be treated to a frightfully fun time!

1. Pre-shop the stores for inspiration and for budgeting your money. It only gets expensive when you don’t have a plan and buy things spontaneously or last minute.
2. Create a subtheme to really focus your party and planning. Imagine “Halloween Party” becoming “Antebellum Gothic” (what would have become of Scarlett had Rhett not returned?) – Replete with moss covered columns, dead roses, faux silver platters and tons of candlelight. Decorate with three main colors (black, white and silver) and add a fourth (red) for a punch.
3. Decorating starts at the driveway. Switch your regular light bulbs to red ones to create an eerie effect. Guests need to be in the party mood by the time they hit the front door so be sure to greet them with a spirited libation, like Blood Manor Punch.
4. For the costume challenged, ask guests to dress in all black and wear a mask. Keep a tray of masks by the front door for those who arrive in less-than-spirited attire. Halloween is all about the element of surprise.
5. Help guests create memories with a photo-op corner. Over decorate the space to ensure they’ll take awesome pictures to share online!
6. Keep kids entertained indoors by giving them jack-o-lanterns to take on a trick-or-treat treasure hunt. Hide cauldrons, filled with gooey eyes, sticky worms, toys and candy, around the house.
7. Cordon off no-party zones with decorative barriers- rows of LED candles to block access to a stairwell, or paper lanterns suspended at different heights in a doorway.
8. Remember, what makes a party a success is creating at least one WOW element that guests will never forget.

For more great ideas on entertaining and hosting parties, visit Tara’s site and blog at TweakAmerica.com

Essential Fatty Acids are essential because your body absolutely needs these healthy nutrients, omega 3-6-9’s. We’ll all turned off by the word “Fat” but let’s take a closer look. The brain is made up of healthy fats, and we need to feed it essential fatty acids for clarity, focus, and improved mood. The cells are surrounded by essential fatty acids and if there is a lack of the good fats, the bad fats take over that job.

The joints function smoothly and pain-free when they are lubricated properly. The skin shows a healthy glow when it’s fed well from the inside out. Buttery, velvety facial skin, body skin, silky legs, irresistible feeling!

The bottom line is get juicy and stay juicy! We heal from the inside out and essential fatty acids are part of our healing. Are your insides smiling?

This time of year my clients start complaining about drying skin, brain fog and fatigue. I educate them right away on EFAs. My organic essential fatty acid favorite is Udo’s 3-6-9 liquid. It has superb organic quality flax, coconut, sunflower and evening primrose oil and is a perfect nutritional wonder for these common complaints. You can mix it in your morning shake, pour over a delicious lunch time salad, or just take right off the spoon, that easy! Find it at a health food store (or online at Drugstore.com) and get in the daily habit of taking 1-2 tablespoons. It’s great for kids as well. My teenager benefits from EFAs just like I do!

Udo’s 3-6-9 Oil contains all plant nutritional oils with 50% ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which the body converts to EPA (eicospentaeonic acid) This means that the body will have the right amount of ALA and the body will control the conversion form these plant oils into the right amount of omegas for your body.

Stay juicy and crave vitality! Intrigued? Email me at Margaret[at]FocusedWisdom.com for more health inspiration and ideas!

Being Canadian and living in the United States, it amazes me that there are so many differences in our foods. I understand that some things are different since Canada has a marked British legacy, as it only gained full autonomy from the U.K. in 1982. Add the fact the we have a strong French influence too, this makes some of dishes uniquely Canadian, such as, Tourtière. That said, I feel that our palates are not that dissimilar. So I do not understand why some companies, such as Frito Lays and Kraft, have products that I can only get in Canada, whereas all the products from the U.S. can be found in Canada. Why is that? You can guess that I was happy to discover two great sites, CanadaOnly and CanadianFavourites (make sure you use the Canadian spelling, with a “u”) to purchase all of my homeland foods (this sounds so far away) instead of waiting a whole year between visits to fill up on my favourites.

Kid’s Favourites (and most Adults!)

	All Dressed Lays Potato Chips – All my kids (and husband) love the All Dressed potato chips. The seasoning is all the potato chip flavours combined (barbeque, salt and vinegar, sour and onion, etc). Now this may not sound good but trust me, they always turn out to be everyone’s favourite flavour! I, however prefer Dill Pickle, but there is also Ketchup, Fries n Gravy, and Roast Chicken (yes, you read it right!). You can find all these interesting flavours on Canadian Favourites.
	Crispers Crackers – Kraft Canada makes a great baked cracker called Crispers. They come in the potato chips seasoning and, yes, our favourites are Dill Pickle and All Dressed. They are lower in calories than chips and are just as satisfying. Buy them on Canadian Favourites also.
	Thrills Gum –  Thrills gum is a little purple rectangular that is a true Canadian symbol (forget about the beaver and maple leaf). Yes, they taste like soap but you can’t call yourself a Canadian if you don’t go through a stage of it being your gum of choice. Buy them from Canada Only.
	Cadbury and Nestle Chocolate Bars – One of Canadians most famous chocolate candies are the Smarties. This is the American’s counterpart to the M&Ms. Only a Smartie/M&M connoisseur can taste the subtle distinction in the candy coating. Take the taste test and buy from Canadian Favourites.
	Wagon Wheels – Dare makes these original chocolate covered marshmallow sandwiches. My son always brings boxes of these or Whippets, the other Dare cookie that is similar but smaller, home for him and his friends. Buy on Canadian Favourites.

Let’s Party the Canadian Way!

Bloody Caesar – One of the more popular Canadian cocktail is the Bloody Caesar. The perfect drink for morning, noon or night (love how flexible it is that way!). It is basically a Bloody Mary but made with Clamato Juice instead of Tomato Juice. Clamato is not as thick as tomato juice and I find it far more refreshing. I had always thought that Clamato Juice was strickly Canadian, because no one seems to know what it is in the States. Little did I know that it was created in 1969 in California for its Latino market. It only became Canadians’ cocktail of choice when Clamato was used as the main ingredient in the Bloody Caesar that was invented by Walter Chell the same year Clamato hit the shelves in California.

Here is the recipe for a perfect BLOODY CAESAR

Clamato Juice

2 oz (or however strong you want it) vodka

lemon juice

worchester sauce

tobasco sauce

pepper

Clamato Rim Salt (you can also use celery salt)

 

Take lemon slice and rub around rim of highball glass. Rub rim in a small plate of Clamato Rim Salt or celery salt. Add ice and the rest of ingredients. I can usually find Clamato Juice at my local grocer but I usually have to wipe off the dust (not a big seller) and the Rim Salt can be bought from Canadian Favourites.

Garnish with anything pickled.

Other Canadian favourites you ask?

	I discovered these great Cocktail Stirrers by Sable and Rosenfeld. The perfect complement for the Bloody Caesar. Sable and Rosenfeld also carries the best tipsy olives (soaked in vermouth or gin) for the finishing touch in a classic martini. You may also buy them at Gourmet at Home.
	Seasoning for Beer Can Chicken – Gourmet du Village has created the foolproof Beer Can Chicken seasonings; blackened cajun, maple chipotle and classic, for up to three chickens per can. All you need to do is supply the beer (Canadian preferably). If you have never had Beer Can Chicken you are missing out on the moistest chicken ever and these Beer Can spices add such a wonderful essence to the flavour. You can find these and other Gourmet du Village on Amazon.
	BeerShmeer Grilling Sauce – In keeping with this trend featuring alcohol, these BeerShmeer sauces, marinades, glazes and rubs are made with Canadian beer (which are also uniquely different to American beer). As with the Beer Can Chicken these sauces tenderize the meat while cooking and the different spices makes one’s mouth water with their wonderful aromas. Buy on Canadian Favourites.
	Diana Sauce – This is my go-to barbeque sauce which is available pretty well everywhere in Ontario, Canada. I am not a huge hickory fan and, although Diana Sauce does have a Smokehouse flavour, their Original is the perfect taste of sweet and spicy. I usually bring a few bottles back with me each time I return home. They also can be found on Canadian Favourites.
	Poutine – Originally a French Canadian delicacy Poutines are now known for being all of Canada’s preferred comfort food.  These artery clogging french fries are topped with cheese curds and covered with gravy. The gravy melts the cheese curds and each french fry is topped with ooey gooey goodness. Say yum!  The gravy is what makes the dish specifically Poutine. You can buy the spiced gravy from Big Poutine, but I have also used Campbell’s Consomme soup thickened with corn starch, in a pinch. If you cannot find cheese curds, shredded cheese can work. It is definitely worth a try – at least once.
	Marco Zanier Pasta – These European pastas are the most gorgeous pastas I have ever seen. With a simple olive oil, garlic and Parmesan dressing, this pasta turns an effortless meal into a beautiful presentation. Although they can be found in Canada I have never seen them here in the States but you can find them online here.
	Fountain of Health Hummus and Baba Gannouj – By far the best Hummus and Baba Gannouj I have ever tasted. I love the creamy texture that is not too thick. The Artichoke and Spinach Hummus Cocktail is one of my favourites. I was thrilled to see them stocked in my local grocers when I returned home to Southern California. Check your local Ralphs or Kroger supermarkets to see if they carry them. If they don’t ASK for them to be carried!
	Fondue au Chocolat – Love, love this chocolate fondue! The different choices of chocolate can be heated right in the beautiful crock that it comes in. Cut up fruit and all the makings for a S’more and your guests will be wowed. The left over chocolate can be stored in the original container although we never had this happen. Buy from iGourmet.
	Bernardin Freezer Jam – Freezer jam is very popular in Canada. With the berry season being so short, they take advantage of preserving the fruit to be enjoyed all year round. It is so easy to make and store. Plus, it contains half the amount of sugar then regular homemade jams.  Buy on Amazon.

It is no surprise when I have to shed a few kilos when I return home to the States, but hey it is so worth it! To our Canadian readers, did I miss anything? To our American readers, Bon Appetit, eh!

It is often believed that the success of a party depends upon the host. This is not entirely true. A great event is a combination of an inspired host and a considerate guest. As Labor Day approaches and the NFL kicks off the fall party season, here are some simple rules to ensure that you’ll be a fantastic guest.

1. RSVP Quickly
There is nothing more aggravating to a hostess than to track down her invited guests so see whether or not they are attending. Remember, the hostess has to plan a menu, purchase food, and set the tables. She needs a head count. The only thing worse than not replying, is replying yes and then not attending. How rude!

2. Plus One Etiquette
Traditionally, you could only bring a plus one if your hostess addressed the invitation envelope to you and a guest. If there is no mention of a guest on the envelope, then it is inappropriate to ask to bring someone. If you discover you have a last minute visitor in town or perhaps are in a new relationship, it is better to ring up the host and with regret decline their invitation as you now have a plus one situation. This then allows her to invite your guest or say that you will be missed but invited to the next event.

With today’s technology, there are several websites that offer paperless invitations that allow you to click on how many guests you intend to bring. You absolutely must let your hostess know ahead of time who you are bringing so she can plan accordingly. Showing up with uninvited guests is the ultimate no-no!

3. Life of the Party
If you’re too tired, stressed or moody to be social, then you’ll never be the life of the party. Guests will feel your bad energy. So stay home! Better to call your hostess and excuse yourself from the evening (and risk being called a flake) than show up in a dull mood. The success of a party depends as much on you as on lots of yummy food and drink.

4. Arrive Promptly
A well-organized hostess has planned out the timing of her party. By arriving late, you will throw off her schedule and disturb the rhythm of the party.

5. Bring a Gift
Your host has carefully crafted a guest list, planned an evening, prepped her home, will entertain, host and feed you and then restore her home to a pre-party condition. She deserves a little more than a re-gift or a last-minute stop at the market for a bottle of wine or cut flowers, no? Your gift tells her how much you appreciate all her efforts to pull off a memorable event.

It is not the cost of the gift that matters but rather the thoughtfulness of it. Gifts that have purpose are among the best. Give a potted rosemary plant for her to snip fresh herbs when she cooks. Bring something for her kids, like an art kit. Treat her a new coffee table or NY Times best selling book.

Among the worst gifts are cut flowers, scented body lotions and gifts in bags with tissue. As if your hostess doesn’t have enough to do, you arrive with cut flowers so now she has to drop everything to prep and display them? No! As to personal body care items, unless you know for a fact that it is her favorite product, that lavender or vanilla scented lotion will never be used and enjoyed-not a great fate for a present. Just as you delight in beautifully plated meals, your hostess enjoys a beautifully wrapped gift. There is great joy in tearing paper and revealing the gift. Just ask any 8 years old. The item really isn’t important- it’s the process of opening it. Avoid simply dropping a present into a bag and topping it with tissue paper. It’s easy for you but not fun for her. The only times gift bags are acceptable are for bottles of booze.

6. Don’t Hog the Food
Why is there always a buffet pig at every party? This person always takes too much without considering that there are other people who haven’t had their turn to enjoy the buffet. Always take smaller portions so that there’s enough for all the guests to enjoy. You can always go back to the table to see if there’s enough for seconds.

7. Write a thank you note
Hosts work so hard to ensure you’re going to enjoy a wonderful evening. We all look for praise so support them by letting them know just how much you appreciated all their efforts in creating a memorable event. I prefer a hand written card but at the very least phone, email or text what a great time you had.

To become THE best guest and guarantee another invitation, simply remember the golden rule: Treat your host, as you would like to be treated.