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I've been impressed with the SF Chefs, San Francisco's Premier Food, Wine, and Spirits Week. This year's event is August 9-15 at a variety of San Francisco venues and mainly centered at Union Square. You must check out the Schedule featuring a variety of specialty events from cooking classes, sommelier luncheons, margarita and gin demos, Grand Tastings, and dessert events! The main registration page is here. Let me know what events and pairings you liked the best!
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Are you a Chocolate Lover and looking to eat more Veggies this summer? Here's a great 'Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette' recipe compliments of Chocolate Bliss by Susie Norris.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 ounce dark chocolate (melted)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Ground pepper to taste
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on low until mixed, less than a minute
(Makes 1 cup salad dressing: serves large salad for 10)
Are you looking for other recipes and spa treatments made with Chocolate? Check out Chocolate Bliss by Susie Norris.
Bonus Note: Chocolate Bliss also has a great tip on chocolate and wine pairings. Specifically on Dark Chocolate and Red Wine: "Contrast and compare the red fruit notes found in dark chocolate and fruity reds such as pinot noir, syrah, and zinfandel."
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Worldwatch Institute says that "research has shown that when women’s incomes are improved, and when they have better access to resources like education, infrastructure, credit, and health care, they tend to invest more in the nutrition, education, and health of their family, causing a ripple effect of benefits that can extend to the entire community." 
An example: "In Kibera—sub-Saharan Africa’s largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya, where anywhere from 700,000 to a million people live—women farmers, with training and seeds provided by the French NGO Solidarites, are growing vegetable farms in sacks filled with dirt. More than 1,000 women are growing food in this way and during the food crisis in Kenya during 2007 and 2008, when conflict in Nairobi prevented food from coming into the area, most residents did not go hungry because there were so many of these ‘vertical farms.’" You can read the full article here.
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This June 21, 2010 NY Times article states that "Atlantic bluefin tuna..(is) a fish that regularly journeys between America and Europe and whose two populations, or “stocks,” have both been catastrophically overexploited. The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one of only two known Atlantic bluefin spawning grounds, has only intensified the crisis. By some estimates, there may be only 9,000 of the most ecologically vital megabreeders left in the fish’s North American stock, enough for the entire population of New York to have a final bite (or two) of high-grade otoro sushi. The Mediterranean stock of bluefin, historically a larger population than the North American one, has declined drastically as well."
You can read the full article here.
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Did you know that you can enjoy complimentary tastings at more than 60 Sonoma County, California Wineries when you present your Visa Signature card? You'll also get special savings and other perks when you make purchases. Check out the winery list here. Cheers!
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Gratitude Gourmet is excited to feature some great products from R.W. Knudsen, Santa Cruz Organic, and Earthbound Organic Farm AND a SPECIAL GIVEAWAY for Gratitude Gourmet readers!

R.W. Knudsen Spritzers showcase real fruit and exotic flavors and are Perfect for Summer gatherings and sold at natural and traditional grocers nationwide for $3.99 per 4-pack of 10.5 ounce cans. Flavors include Mango Fandango, Tangerine, Red Raspberry, Jamaican Lemonade, Black Cherry, Boysenberry, Grape, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime, Cranberry, Mandarin Lime, Strawberry, Orange Passionfruit and Peach. 

R.W. Knudsen also carries Just Cranberry Juice in addition to Blueberry, Black Cherry, Black Currant, and Just Pomegranate. Did you know that drinking a 10oz glass of cranberry juice a day may help prevent urinary tract infections, according to the National Kidney Foundation, and it's juice is rich in proanthocyanidin antioxidants. According to the National Cancer Institute, antioxidants may help prevent cancer by neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals.

If you're interested in adding more cranberries in your routine and want something easily transportable for hikes and road trips, check out Earthbound Farm Organic Cranberries for your daily fiber and vitamin C.

Love Peanut Butter? I do, especially on celery and how about chocolate peanut butter cakes and cookies? You must try Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butters in both light and dark, and creamy and crunchy.

Gratitude Gourmet is excited to be giving away Gift Packs for 5 People with Samples of the following:

- 2 R.W. Knudsen Family Spritzer 4 Packs
- 2 Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butters, one dark crunchy roast and one light creamy roast
- 1 Pack of Earthbound Organic Farm Dried Cranberries

All you need to do is be a Gratitude Gourmet Facebook Fan, andcomment on your favorite R.W. Knudsen, Santa Cruz Organic, and/or Earthbound Organic product. 
Enter Here and Good luck!! :-)
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