Nov/090
Tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving
Hello! I read this article…decided to share!
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MSNBC.com
Tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving
Dr. Joyce Brothers explains how everyone can enjoy this special time
While Thanksgiving is a happy time, full of family, relaxation and reflection, it can also induce stress.
Before the holiday, Dr. Joyce Brothers joined MSNBC’s Natalie Morales on MSNBC Live to discuss how families and individuals can best go about keeping their Thanksgiving as stress-free as possible.
Brothers offered five tips to help everyone enjoy the holiday.
1. Don’t fall back into the parent child roles
This means that everyone needs to get used to the transition to their new role in a growing family, Brothers said.
“There’s such a temptation for grandma or grandpa to criticize how you’re taking care of the kids. Don’t do that,” Brothers pointed to as an example.
2. Let the children participate
Brothers noted that it is important to create a feeling of involvement for everyone, especially children.
“Even the little tiny ones can put spoons on the table or put napkins on the table. You don’t want them near the hot stove, but they can draw pictures to put on the refrigerator, they can do placemats, they can do a lot,” she said.
3. Describe what you’re grateful for.
One activity that helps put the holiday in perspective is having each person at Thanksgiving dinner tell others for what they are thankful. This can also help teach children to be grateful, Brothers said.
“What we do in our family is go around the table and each person says what they’re most grateful for this past year,” Brothers said.
4. Swallow your pride and forgive
It’s important not to hold grudges, especially during this time of the year. Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for a fresh start.
“To swallow your pride and forgive somebody, this is a good time to do it,” Brothers said.
5. If you’re alone, volunteer
For those not sharing the holiday with their families, sharing time with those in need can be fulfilling and a way to ease the pain of missing loved ones.
“The idea that people have more problems during holidays is just not true. But there are people who are lonely,” Brothers said. “The best (thing to do) is to give of yourself.”
Most of all, Thanksgiving can be a time for generations to share stories, love and knowledge, Brothers noted.
“The children who learn from older family members – grandma, grandpa – how they dealt with problems and how they overcame them – seem to be less fearful of the future. They know that they can handle whatever comes,” Brothers said.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10072601/
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Good stuff.
A tip from Bene Gourmet Pizza: Rather than stress out the night before Thanksgiving…press the 
button…pick up a pizza from Bene Gourmet Pizza.
Regards,
Kevin
Nov/090
November Special – GYRO PIZZA
Bene Gourmet Pizza
November’s Special Pizza is the Gyro Pizza.
- Olive oil herb sauce
- Mozzarella
- Feta
- Red onions
- Black olives
- Italian Sausage
- Diced cucumbers
- Diced Roma tomatoes
- Drizzled with Ranch.
Who else wants an easy button during the Holidays?
When you are stressed out the night before Thanksgiving and need some help, remember Bene Gourmet Pizza or Bene Food & Friends…dine-in, take-out, and delivery via Pony Express.
Cheers!
-Kevin
Oct/091
Da Vinci DOCG Chianti 2007
Greetings!
I found the Da Vinci Chianti at the Costco in Colorado. For $12 per bottle, it is a steal. 90 points from Wine Enthusiast…not bad!
Fantastic everyday table wine/pizza wine.
Cheers!
-Kevin
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Winemaker’s Notes:
85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah
15% of the wine matured in a combination of new and old French oak barrels
Color: Clear, ruby-red
Bouquet: Aromas of ripe plums, cherries and fresh red fruit accented by peppery notes. Palate: Well balanced and medium weight wine with flavors of ripe plums, cherries and red fruit. Lively with a soft mineral finish and round tannins that linger in a long peppery finish.
Delicious with all starters, pastas and meat dishes. Serve slightly below room temperature (18° C).
Wine Enthusiast:
“What a nice surprise! Here is a rich Chianti with a dark, impenetrable appearance and elegant aromas of spice, bursting red cherry and blueberry preserves. The wine is chewy and soft with loads of pulpy fruit on the close. Pair it with steak or mixed grilled meats.”
90 Points
Oct/090
Fig Salad with Goat’s Milk Yogurt and Pepper Cress
I found this recipe in the Sept 09 issues of Bon Appetit.
Though I have not tried it yet, I will!
Cheers!
-Kevin
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup goat’s milk yogurt
- 1/2 cup soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon (scant) vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 24 ripe black Mission figs, halved lengthwise
- Fleur de sel*
- 2 bunches pepper cress or watercress, thick stems trimmed (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup (loosely packed) small mint leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 dried Indonesian long pepper**
Preparation
Whisk together first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and reserve. Sprinkle figs with fleur de sel; set in center of plate. Drizzle dressing on figs; scatter pepper cress and mint over. Season with olive oil and Indonesian pepper.
* A type of sea salt; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
** Also known as Balinese long pepper; available at specialty foods stores, Middle Eastern markets, and from zingermans.com.
Oct/090
Salami Supreme – New Special
Bene Gourmet Pizza
Greetings!
This month’s special pizza is the Salami Supreme!
Ingredients:
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Button Mushrooms
- Black Olives
- Red Onions
This pizza was designed by Kristi, the Oakway Manager.
Give it a try…it is delicious!
Cheers!
-Kevin
PS – Click these links for money saving coupons: LINK1 & LINK2.
Oct/090
2005 Monti Montepulciano D’abruzzo – Bene Gourmet Pizza
bene gourmet pizza
Greetings!
I love pizza. I love wine. Put them together and BAM! The Monti Montepulciano is a great pizza wine. At less than $15 a bottle, you’ll love it…give this baby a try!
“Winemaking consultant Riccardo Cotarella has changed this once burly, almost uncivilized wine to a more sophisticated, pure, polished, generously endowed offering. Monti’s dense purple-colored 2005 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (includes 5% Sangiovese in the blend) was aged in large oak foudres prior to bottling. It offers vivid blackberry, melted licorice, pepper, and herb characteristics along with a full-bodied, powerful yet pure, supple-textured style. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.
Cheers!
-Kevin
Sep/090
Hopworks Urban Brewery by Bene Gourmet Pizza
Hopworks Brewery was founded by Christian Ettinger, a classmate of mine at University of Oregon. Christian worked as the head brewer at West Brothers (Eugene) and Laurelwood public House.
I’ve had the Hopworks IPA, which is quite tasty. I’ve heard their other beers are tasty, as well. In addition, Hopworks is committed to sustainability.
Next time you are in Portland, check out Hopworks… Hopworks Urban Brewery, 2944 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR, 97202.
Cheers!
-Kevin
Sep/090
Interesting Article – Referred by Bene Gourmet Pizza
Greetings!
I have been drinking Deschutes Jubelale for years…it is yummy!
Today I came across a blog post by John Foyston from the Oregonian. Mr. Foyston Writes about the Oct 1st event at Deschutes where the new label and vintage of Jubelale will be introduced. Here is a link to the blog post:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/thebeerhere/2009/09/deschutes_jubelale_—_art_ins.html
Due to its popularity, Bene Gourmet Pizza has served Deschutes products for years.
Cheers!
-Kevin
Sep/090
Deux Amis Pinot Noir 2006
Greetings! Last summer my wife and I went to Santa Rosa to visit family. We went wine tasting, and one of our stops was to Deux Amis. Deux Amis is predominately a Zin house, but we were lucky enough to get some of newly released Pinot Noir.
We opened the pinot on Friday, and it was delicious.
Winemakers notes: “Our inaugural Pinot Noir exhibits ideal varietal characteristics of Anderson Valley fruit. Aromas of dried cheerries, spice and smoke lead to seductive flavors of cherry, spice, black cherry cola and a touch of forest floor wrapped in a creamy, rich texture. Full-bodied and complex, this wine will continue to improve with age, but only if you can resist the temptation to drink it all now.”
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Deux Amis { duh zah me }, French for “two friends”, is a partnership between two friends, Phyllis Zouzounis and Jim Penpraze. Six years of working together in the wine industry with many a late night relaxing over a glass of Zinfandel after a long day on the crush pad, found the two friends envisioning their own winery. The dream became a reality with the 1987 harvest. That year, Deux Amis produced one hundred cases of Zinfandel from one vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley. Today, Jim and Phyllis produce over 1500 cases of wine from grapes grown in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys.
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Just thought I would share…
Cheers!
-Kevin
udeypcxiws
Sep/090
The State of Suds
bene gourmet pizza
In June, The Eugene Weekly did a nice piece on Oregon Beer. For those of you that missed it, here is the link:
http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2009/06/25/stateofthesuds/
Cheers!
-Kevin