Cherry Blossoms Not Just in D.C. ... Also in Columbia Valley, Washington State
Prosser, WA (ContentDesk) March 24, 2006 -- Every spring the National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts millions of visitors to our nations Capitol, but in southeastern Washington State, the number one producer of sweet cherries in the world, theres a quiet, gentler profusion of cherry blossoms, a true feast for the eyes. This year we are projecting our Washington State cherry trees will bloom early-April, says Pamela Montgomery, C.E.O. of the Chukar Cherry Company, a producer of gourmet cherry foods, headquartered in Prosser, Washington, the heartland of the Washington State cherry industry. This beautiful, bountiful place in the Columbia Valley has the ideal growing conditions for cherries; cool nights, warm days, deep and sandy soil, little rainfall and controlled irrigation. Fresh or dried, these cherries are a year round treat... and cause for celebration, Mrs.
Montgomery explains. During late winter and early spring at the cherry orchards, emerging fruit buds, waking up from a satisfying nap, must be protected from the cold. If the tiny buds are allowed to freeze, the entire cherry crop can be lost.To protect against freezing temperatures on cold nights, workers leave their warm beds to light the heaters and start the wind machines. Wind machines are towers with propellers at the top. The turning propellers pull down the warm air and mix it with the cooler air close to the ground.As fruit buds become blossoms, its cherry blossom time, and honeybee hives are placed throughout the orchard.
We pray for the temperature to be above 60 degrees so the bees will fly and pollinate the blossoms, says Mrs. Montgomery, creating a bountiful crop of cherries. During the month of May, the buds that arent pollinated fall to the ground. The surviving buds are hearty and quickly swell to the size of your small finger. With warm weather and cool nights, the green fruit buds ripen and change to a rich, deep red. Mid-June is cherry harvest time, and once again we are busy in orchard and the kitchen, says Pam Montgomery.Chukar Cherries, year round producer of gourmet cherry treats realizes that Cherry blossom time makes mouths water for cherry recipes.
From the extensive Chukar? collection, here are two favorites. Dried Bing cherries make a unique salsa. Prepare ahead to offer with rice, pasta, meat and poultry dishes.Northwest Cherry Salsa1 cup
(6 ounces) dried Bing cherries*, chopped2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped1 jalape?o pepper, seeded and finely chopped1 teaspoon grated lemon peel1 teaspoon lemon juiceSoak cherries in ? cup water at least 10 minutes while preparing other ingredients. Do not drain. Combine all ingredients, adding salt and a dash of hot pepper sauce, if desired.
If time permits, refrigerate 1 hour. Makes ? cup. Refrigerate any remaining salsa.Dried cherries in wine are easy and so special. Nice to keep ready-to-serve in the fridge.??? Columbia Valley Wine Cherry Compote? cup (4 ounces) dried Bing or Rainier cherries*1 cup Yakima Valley Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon wine? cup sugar2 strips lemon peell tablespoon lemon juice1 cinnamon stickCombine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often.Reduce heat, cover and simmer until cherries are soft and plump, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool, cover and chill. Refrigerate up to 1 week. Serve from a pedestal dish, or in individual glass dessert
bowls. Makes 3 to 4 servings.To order premium fresh Cherries visit Chukars online store www.chukar.com, or call 1-800-624-9544 to speak with a sales representative. For more information about Chukar products and Cherry Blossom Season please call 1-800-624-9544 or e-mail e-mail protected from spam bots.
Located in the majestic Pacific Northwest, Chukar is an award-winning, family-owned and operated, specialty food manufacturer of regional treats, sweets, and gifts; pure fruit jams, savory sauces, dried fruit and nut energy snacks, naturally dried and chocolate-covered cherries, berries, and roasted nuts; The Best of Nature, The Best of Chocolate". Chukar creates year round delicious foods and luscious gifts for all seasons, all reasons, and all occasions. 100% natural with nothing artificial added. KOF-K certified. For award winning gifts and quality service, visit www.chukar.com or call 1-800-624-9544 to speak with a customer service representative..
Understanding Wine Grapes
You will find that one of the easiest ways to get to know your way around wine flavors is through grape varieties. Each grape variety has specific characteristics. In some regions, one grape variety is used to make a wine; in others, winemakers blend several varieties in a single wine. To help you identify grape varieties, below is an overview of each of the major red grapes and their characteristics.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is the big daddy of the red wine world. It is like the Chardonnay, as it is widely planted and distributed.
The result of this is that there are so many versions of this grape. Many people think of Cabernet Sauvignon as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only because the best red Bordeaux need age. Most non-premium varieties are ready to go right away.Under ideal conditions, it produces an aromatic, tannic...
Understanding Wine Grapes
Chocolate > Understanding Wine Grapes
Your Guide To Acne Skin Care
Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty pores or eating chocolate. Acne is actually caused by overactive sebaceous glands. Hormones in you body cause acne to appear. Acne is extremely common in people ages 12-24, when our hormones are very active due to puberty, but many people continue to have acne outbreaks throughout their lives. Acne can show up on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders.
While it is not life threatening, acne can cause scarring and emotional distress to those that suffer from it. This is why acne skin care is so important.Many things can cause outbreaks of pimples and zits. Allergies, heredity, stress, weather, menstruation and even over washing can cause acne. There are lots of ways to treat acne. For mild to moderate cases, experts recommend washing your face twice daily and after any exercise.
They also recommend over the counter acne products that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These products can...
Your Guide To Acne Skin Care
Chocolate > Your Guide To Acne Skin Care
That's the Christmas spirit
Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year. You know, just like Wilson and everybody else wishes people each year.Yesterday I was checking my calendar. "Holy smokes! It's almost Christmas. I better check to see if Uncle Albert found a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year."So I put on my boots and buttoned up my jacket. I dashed out the door.
I came back into the house to put on a scarf. And some gloves. And a hat. And my long-johns. I filled up the thermos with hot chocolate and dug out a pair of ear muffs.
"Yup. That's the Christmas spirit," I thought as I headed out once more, trying to keep my head above the snow.When I reached Uncle Albert's, I could tell something was different. I wasn't sure quite what, but I suspect it had something to do with the large red and gold sleigh parked in his driveway."Say, Uncle Albert. What's with the sleigh?""You like it, Happy Guy? That's part of...
That's the Christmas spirit
Chocolate > That's the Christmas spirit
I'm going gluten-free - what can I eat?
Good question.
It would be easier to say what you can't eat!
But the question is, what can you eat. So let's start there.
Well, for a start, obviously you can eat meat, poultry and game. That's unprocessed meat. Avoid burgers, sausages, grillsteaks and similar items, as they almost always contain filler which is wheat based (though the highest quality may be gluten free - check the label for anything like wheat, flour, starch, and in particular monosodium glutamate).
If you like gravy, ketchup or sauce with your meat, take care.
These products are almost always made with flour. Gravy granules and powders might be thickened with cornstarch, because it mixes with boiling water more quickly than wheat flour, but you do need to check, particularly with the cheaper varieties. Soy sauce (except for the gluten free variety) is also off the menu, because the soy beans are fermented with wheat.
Next on the...
Chocolate > I'm going gluten-free - what can I eat?
Forevergreen Launches a Mission Standing in the Drift
(ContentDesk) December 19, 2005 -- Forevergreen, a twenty first century company
doing small random acts of kindness, launches a mission "standing in the drift.""Standing in the drift" refers to standing for the things you want most for humanity in spite of the direction in which the world may be moving. The drift is all the things that could prevent you from accomplishing what you want. Turn on the television and you see war, murder, drugs, hate. Like all currents, it flows downhill to the darkest capacities of the human spirit. For all companies, this drift is a constant tug towards corruption, fraud and dog-eat-dog ethics.
ForevergreenWe're not kicking and screaming when we find ourselves drifting downward towards spiritual oblivion. It is quite comfortable, for nothing other than the fact that we have so much company drifting along with us. But how irresponsible is that? Safety in numbers is an illusion on this raging river. Forevergreen Launches a Mission Standing in the Drift
Chocolate > Forevergreen Launches a Mission Standing in the Drift
That's the Christmas spirit
Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year. You know, just like Wilson and everybody else wishes people each year.Yesterday I was checking my calendar. "Holy smokes! It's almost Christmas. I better check to see if Uncle Albert found a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year."So I put on my boots and buttoned up my jacket. I dashed out the door.
I came back into the house to put on a scarf. And some gloves. And a hat. And my long-johns. I filled up the thermos with hot chocolate and dug out a pair of ear muffs.
"Yup. That's the Christmas spirit," I thought as I headed out once more, trying to keep my head above the snow.When I reached Uncle Albert's, I could tell something was different. I wasn't sure quite what, but I suspect it had something to do with the large red and gold sleigh parked in his driveway."Say, Uncle Albert. What's with the sleigh?""You like it, Happy Guy? That's part of...
That's the Christmas spirit
Chocolate > That's the Christmas spirit
Acid Reflux Disease
What is acid reflux disease?Acid reflux disease can and often is mistaken for heartburn. But the heartburn symptoms of acid reflux disease usually occur 2 or more days a week for at least 3 months and can damage your esophagus. At the top of your stomach is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally opens and closes allowing food to enter. It also prevents the acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. The trouble begins when the LES opens at inappropriate times, allowing acid from the stomach to get into the esophagus, where it doesn't belong.
Acid reflux disease can also lead to more serious medical conditions that may require hospitalization. Acid reflux in the throat can cause sore throat. If acid reaches the mouth, it can dissolve the enamel of the teeth. Millions of people have the disease and suffer from its most common symptom - frequent and persistent heartburn. Acid reflux disease can be treated and controlled.How do...
Acid Reflux Disease
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The Last Piece of Chocolate Ever - Business Tips for the Silver Set
INTRODUCTIONRight now I am playing a game that I have played ever since I was a kid. (I just took another drink of milk). When I got a box of chocolates as a gift, I would grab a whole container of milk and run into my room with the box. I would then try to make the milk last for the entire box, trying hard not to run out of milk before the last piece of chocolate, or run out of chocolate before the last bit of milk. To this day I wonder if I had more fun playing the balancing game than I did actually eating the chocolate.
I do know one thing. Sometimes the game distracted me from the delicious taste of the chocolate and I do regret that.What does any of this have to do with being in business or becoming an entrepreneur? Plenty, so bear with me a few paragraphs more.THE TRUTH HURTS, A LOTI have reached that age where I am now sure of a few things. One. Time moves only forward. The number of grey hairs on my head far exceeds the black ones.
Outside of a dye job I don't see...
The Last Piece of Chocolate Ever - Business Tips for the Silver Set
Chocolate > The Last Piece of Chocolate Ever - Business Tips for the Silver Set
trucks Chocolate Cherry Blossoms Not Just in D.C. ... Also in Columbia Valley, Washington State
Who Says You Can?t Use Commercial Treadmills At Home?
Commercial treadmills are the machines that you see in gyms and fitness centers. Although they are more expensive than the brands sold for use as home gym equipment, there is no reason why you can't have commercial treadmills for use at home. One of the premier names in the manufacture of commercial fitness equipment is Precor and many of the features of these machines are very attractive to users who workout regularly at home.New commercial Precor treadmills are quite costly. However, when you...
Who Says You Can?t Use Commercial Treadmills At Home? home loans
Chocolate > Who Says You Can?t Use Commercial Treadmills At Home?
It's All In The Settings
Inkjet printers do a great job on text printing but many people do not know that you don't need a photo printer to make great photo printouts. Sure a photo printer is going to do a superior job and a little faster but you really don't need a photo printer for spectacular photo quality prints. Most inkjet printers on the market today have a mode for printing on photo glossy paper. If you use good quality photo glossy paper, 7 - 10 mills in thickness, you can get a picture perfect print. A good...
computer printers
Chocolate > It's All In The Settings