Love is in the air this month, but not just romantic kind. I like to share the importance of love with my family, and Valentines Day is the perfect day to do that. When I was growing up, my sister and I always got a nice Valentines gift or treat. We looked forward to that day and celebrated it as a family. I have since carried on that tradition with my own family. Below I have listed some family friendly ideas for Valentines Day:

• Sit down with your kids and make Valentine cards for each member of the family. This is a great art project and will let the kids express their love individually.
• Plan a ‘fancy’ dinner at home on (or very close to) Valentines Day. Fancy doesn’t have to break the bank, but little things can make the dinner fancy. Use kitchen gadgets and table settings that you reserve for guests. Get out supplies like fondue pots, crème brûlée sets, punch bowls, or make the family’s favorite dinner.
• Make table settings out of art supplies and write special messages on each setting.
• A simple gift for each member (like chocolate) is a great touch.
• A glass of sparkling cider or juice is a nice addition that the whole family can enjoy.
• Have a small gathering of friends for a Valentine’s Day party.

Prep for the School Valentine’s Day Party:
• The Valentine’s Box can be made out of a shoe box and art supplies. My favorite Valentine’s Day memory is making a mailbox for all of my cards in elementary school.
• Hit your local party or dollar store. They have great holiday supplies for those of us on a budget. This is great if you plan to send treats or decorations to school for the big party.
• Of course, nothing says I love you like homemade cookies or baked goods. They are sure to please the entire family!

These ideas do not take weeks of planning, but will still show your family that you love them on this special day. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and love to all!

I know many people have cut back their spending not just out of need but also to set money aside to help others. But what if your guilty pleasure, actually helps others? You may not skip purchasing a bottle of wine on your next shopping trip if you know the wine is supporting others. Heritage Link Brands founder, Selena Cuffe, started her business after visiting South Africa’s first annual Soweto Wine Festival in 2005. She and her husband created Heritage Link Brands after learning that people of color (which includes blacks, coloreds and Indians) were poorly represented within Africa’s wine industry.

In 2007, the company launched in 26 states throughout the United States. Now, it not only imports and distributes African wine in 41 states, but its expanded portfolio also showcases wine harvested by vintners of African descent throughout the world.

The company initiates fair business practices, civic leadership, and contributes to social causes that improve conditions in Africa. They also support the International Society of Africans in Wine (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) and the Mohau Centre (Atteridgeville, South Africa).

Heritage Link Brands is the largest company that imports wine from Africa. They have two collections of wine, The Continent Collection (which consists of numerous varieties) and The Diaspora Collection (the highest quality wine produced by people of African descent throughout the world.)

I was able to sample three Sauvignon Blanc’s from Heritage Link Brands….

2007 Vivian Sauvignon Blanc, Seven Sisters. South Africa. This pale yellow, almost light green, wine smells of sweet tropical fruit. The taste is quite dry and earthy (with hints of vegetables). The vintner notes that you should serve this chilled alone or pairs well with grilled seafood, poultry, or veal. This wine is available for $14.99 (2009 vintage).

ISong 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This Sauvignon Blanc is very pale. It smells and tastes of tropical and citrus fruits. The vintner notes a green pepper flavor as well. My husband and I enjoyed this wine with friends while sampling appetizers. This wine retails for $12.99…such a fantastic deal!!

M’hudi 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This was my favorite of the three. It smells of citrus and pear but has a smooth, dry, and fruity clean finish. I enjoyed this wine so much, that I tried to make it last as long as possible! This wine is available for $16.99. M’hudi Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with fish, sushi, or another spicy dish.

So now you’re asking, where can you get these fabulous, affordable wines that support African Vintners? Numerous retailers including Costco, Jewel Osco, and Whole Foods and Wine and Spirit Stores (Pennsylvania) sell wines from Heritage Link Brands. You can also shop online or click  here for more retail and wine information.

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

The Wine Mom has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others.

1.Geyser Peak Winery, Winemakers Selection, Sparking Shiraz Vintage 1998, Sonoma County.  I don’t remember when I got this wine, but I wish that I did.  It is wonderful.  The taste of shiraz with the additional bubbles dancing across your tongue is just wonderful.  We enjoyed this with friends recently to celebrate a special occasion.  I did not realize how much I would enjoy it!  Geyser Peak now has the 2005 varietal available on their website for $34.

2.Moet & Chandon White Star – this is a favorite of both my husband and I.  We share and buy this Champagne for all of our special occasions…come to think of it, I still need to buy a bottle for New Years Eve! This is a well rounded wine, with pear flavors and typically sells for around $30…but is well worth every penny!

3.HALL 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley.  This by far has been the best Sauvignon Blanc I have had this year, and probably ever had in my life.  This wine had such a clean taste with a fruity finish.  It’s remarkable.  This is one wine that can be enjoyed without any special pairing.  It tastes perfect and is available for $20 a bottle.

4.Heart of the Deserts Pistachio Rosé.  This was a totally different wine for me.  It has a vanilla finish (although others have noted a pistachio finish).  It is a smooth rosé with a slightly dry, yet amazing taste. With a retail price of just $12, it’s a great buy! Try this if you are looking for something different!

5.Alto Vineyards, Rocko Red.  This semi dry table wine is from Alto Pass, Illinois.  It initially tastes like a dry red wine but with a smooth sweet finish. I really enjoyed this wine and it goes well with some spicier meals.  Rocko Red sells for $11.99 per bottle.

6.M’Hudi 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa.  This wine smells of citrus and pear, tastes smooth, fruity, and clean.  M’Hudi is widely available and retails for about $17.  Visit Heritage Link Brands for more information.

7.The Big Red Monster – This deep purple wine is a crowd pleaser.  Drink with a hearty meal, take to a dinner or as a gift (the label alone gets people talking).  My husband and I enjoyed this with chocolate – fantastic versatile and well rounded.  Best of all, this wine is $10 a bottle.  Buy a few to keep on hand for any occassion from Total Beverage Solution.

8.Quattro Leoni, 2007 Barbera D’Asti.  This spicy red went well with a lot of hearty winter dishes.  The berry flavors came through and was just an enjoyable wine.  This wine sells for $20 a bottle, visit Marquee.com for more details.

9.Best bang for you buck – Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, all varieties.  I have yet to go wrong with a bottle of Barefoot wines.  They are under ten dollars and have never disappointed.  If you are  just starting to try wine, this is a great brand to start with.  You can sample the different varieties and get a feel for what you like.  I love to cook with their wines too!  Sold at retailers nation wide.

Have a fantastic and safe 2010!  Thanks for following The Wine Mom and I look forward to tasting with you next year.

Potty training is something we all have to do with our toddlers.  My son is two years old and hates being wet or dirty, so potty training seemed like the next logical step.  Our master bathroom is relatively large but the toilet has its own ‘stall’.  We did not want to purchase a large potty that we would trip over in the middle of the night.  The BABYBJÖRN Smart Potty is perfect for both small spaces and just the right size for travel.

The Smart Potty has been in our bathroom for about two months now.  My son loves to sit on the potty, read, and occasionally even go!!  It is definitely comfortable because he doesn’t seem to mind spending time there.  The ‘bowl’ lifts out of the potty for easy emptying and cleaning.

Some potty training ideas and tips:

• Don’t force your child to sit and try to learn how to go potty, the child will just want to avoid it if there is pressure.

• Relax!  Don’t sit on the potty when you have a lot going on at home or are in a rush.  Your toddler needs to feel comfortable and at ease.

• Make ‘potty time’ fun.  Keep books, flash cards, and magazines on hand for them to sit and read.

• Some recommend rewards, including stickers.  We use a lot of verbal recognition.  He is very excited to show everyone that he went on the potty just so that he can hear “Good Job!!!”

• Remember, there is no timetable for kids to learn how to use the potty, every child learns at their own pace.

The Smart Potty is available for just under twenty dollars in bright red, sunflower, pink, spring green, ocean blue, and snow white.  You can find a potty to match almost every bathroom décor or find one of your child’s favorite colors.

BABYBJÖRN is a Swedish company that develops safe and effective products for children up to the age of three.  They work closely with pediatricians from Germany, France, Sweden, and the United States on product development.

For more information on the Smart Potty or other BABYBJÖRN products, visit http://www.babybjorn.com/Start.  You can also purchase BABYBJÖRN products at Target, Babies R Us, and Amazon.com.

Be Smart with your potty training!

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

The Wine Mom has pledged to Blog with Integrity.  What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world.  We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more info on reviews visit the Disclaimer Page of this site.

Marquee Artisan Wines lives up to their name of headlining, superior wines.  Marquee offers artisanal wines that are hand crafted, produced in small batches, fantastic quality and best of all, offered at affordable prices.  Their selection of wines hails from Australia, Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Spain and California.  If you are looking for superior quality at a great price, look no further!

My first taste of Marquee Wines was their Classy 2006 Zinfandel from Lake County, California.  This deep red wine has aromas of spice, berry, deep fruits (almost prune or dried fruit) and even currant.  It is a smooth wine with berry flavors and a light tannic tingle.  I enjoyed this wine with a variety of foods including veal and bread with olive oil and herbs.

My next Marquee experience was with their Quattro Leoni 2007 Vino Rosso, Barbera D’Asti from Italy.  I loved this wine! It too is deep red in color, smells of pepper and spice with berry flavors.  My Father-in-Law usually only has one glass of wine at dinner, but he went back for a second glass because he liked this wine so much.  We enjoyed this wine with pasta, meat balls, and I was surprised that I still enjoyed it with pumpkin cake!

Both wines that I sampled would work well at Thanksgiving.  Most suggest Pinot Noir with turkey, but I struggle with recommending a traditional pairing because most meals vary.  Some families have stuffing, ham, goose, pumpkins, yams, green beans, bread, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy and of course turkey.  The stuffing alone can be mixed with sage, herbs, apples, sausage and more.  I sampled both wines with different meals and thought that they would work well with foods that have all different flavors and aromas.

So how do you get your hands on Marquee Wines?  There are a few ways.  You can visit: www.marquee.com.  However, you can order directly from Marquee (depending upon State regulations) and they will offer a 15% off discount on the Retail Price!  In your email, you need to include the discount code WINEMOM. Orders can be sent to Marquee Cellarmaster, Craig Skopec at cjskopec@marquee.com.

The retail price for both wines is $19.99 a bottle, but you can buy them for $16.99 directly from Marquee with your discount code.

No matter what time of year it is, Marquee Wines are phenomenal in both taste and value. Make sure to check them out next time you are looking for superior quality at an affordable price.

Review Disclaimer:
The Wine Mom has a review policy in effect that promises to only post reviews on products my family or I absolutely love. You likely won’t hear about the products we didn’t like, and you can be guaranteed that I won’t post a review just because we got a product for free.

Banana Choco Pod – brown sugar caramel
I thought this chocolate tasted like Bananas Foster or Flambé sauce inside. The chocolate itself is very smooth. My husband liked the milk chocolate and this was his favorite Choco Pod.

Candela Choco Pod – spicy macademia praline
This has a nice balance of smooth dark chocolate with an almost crystal praline crunch. You are left with a lingering dark chocolate flavor.

Passion Choco Pod – passion fruit caramel
This chocolate has a very bold passion fruit flavor but is balanced nicely with the dark chocolate. If you love passion fruit, this is a must try.

Modena Choco Pod – strawberry balsamic caramel
This complex dark chocolate tastes extraordinary with the strawberry balsamic flavor.

Picante Choco Pod – spicy Cabernet caramel
This was my favorite chocolate. I loved the mix of dark chocolate and clear Cabernet flavor. You are left with a lingering spicy finish which is unexpected, but leaves you wanting to try more.

I recommend these delicious Choco Pods if you are going to bring dessert or if you are attending any kind of tasting party. They will generate discussion and there are multiple flavors to experience in each chocolate.

Chuao Chocolatier has numerous chocolate products including vegan, milk free, and hot chocolates. They are priced in line with specialty, boutique chocolates. You can order online and visit them at stores in California and Miami.

For more information about Chuao Chocolatier visit them at: www.chuaochocolatier.com

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

It would seem that wine making is almost contagious. Those that I have spoken to about it have said that they started because they have friends that make their own wine.

In this economy, many of us are worried about budgeting extra expenses. However, Suzanne Anderson of Charlotte, North Carolina shared some ways to make this an affordable hobby. She said that for regular wine drinkers, making wine is quite economical. The quality of the end product is just as good as what you can buy in stores. The wines end up being about two to three dollars per bottle, and she also saves money by having friends save wine bottles for her.

Rick Ellis of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania added: “One batch makes 6 gallons or 30 bottles. Some wines that are available at the wine store for nearly $50 per bottle will cost about $7 per bottle to make. We have tried them and they are that good. We are making a wine called Luna Rosa, a full-bodied, red medium oak. This wine won a Gold Medal Award in 2008 and it will cost $110 for 30 bottles. Bottling is fun as well as choosing labels, corking and sealing. Luna Rosa sells for about $15 per bottle in stores.”

If you are worried about what types of wines are available, then worry no more. You can make every wine variety that is available in the market today. Michelle Bakewell of Knoxville, Tennessee has made Pinot Noir, Montepulciano (red wine from east central Italy), Valpolicella (an Italian blend) and an Australian Chardonnay. Michelle said that she enjoys the nuances of her Chardonnay more so than store-bought Chardonnays. She and her husband have recently finished making an Alsatian Riesling and Pinot Blanc as well.

Suzanne also shared some great tips on how to get started. “You can get a starter kit at most wine stores or on various websites. I shopped at a store that was great at helping me get started and making wine suggestions. They also allowed me to bottle my wine at their store for just the cost of the corks, rather than having to buy my own bottling equipment. When I moved to Charlotte just over a year ago, I had to find a new store. However, I did have to get my own bottling equipment.”

Suzanne says an ideal starter kit should include:
• Primary Fermenter (6-gallon plastic bucket)
• Secondary Fermenter (6-gallon glass or plastic carboy)
• Bung (or stopper)
• Airlock
• Hydrometer
• Wine thief (not necessary but HIGHLY recommended)
• Large plastic or wooden stir spoon
• Bottle Brush
• No-Rinse Sanitizer
• Racking Tube
• Auto Siphon (not necessary but HIGHLY recommended)

Temperatures should be constant and between 65-75 degrees during the fermentation process. Irregular temps can cause a prolonged fermentation process or a bad batch of wine.

Home winemakers seem to make wine anywhere from the kitchen to their basement (depending upon size and storage). If you have a basement, they are better at holding the 65-75 degree temperature range. You can also find deals on refrigeration equipment (often used) online, as Michelle did. She does not have a basement and this helped give her steady temperatures for fermentation.

If you want to make wine without kits, you can do that as well. Michelle acknowledged, “We picked twenty pounds of blackberries last summer to make 30 bottles of blackberry wine. That wine still needs a few months – about 2-4 more, before being aged a total of 16 months!” Her advice for berry wines: “add more sugar than the recipe calls for. It is SUPER dry!”

If making wine at home is something that interests you, make sure you do some research. There are many retailers (both stores and online) designed to help you take on this task. There are also numerous recipes available as well. Good luck and enjoy the end result!

Big Fat Soap Co. only uses natural ingredients and essential oils. There are no artificial fragrances or ingredients added. The product line includes a body wash and numerous soaps. The soaps contain vegetable oils and fats and are infused with other natural ingredients and are large in size. More products such as lip balm, hair products and body lotions are being added to the line as well. Below are some of the products that I was able to sample.

• Patchouli-Geranium Refresher – this soap was the household favorite. The patchouli was not overpowering (which is how I often think of it) and had a very nice scent. There were swirls of natural herbs within the soap, which gave it some purple and neutral tones. Our seven year old loved it because she felt as though she was wearing a nice scent after each shower.

• Tea-Tree Rosemary Wonder Bar– I use both tea tree and rosemary. Tea Tree has both antiseptic and cleansing properties, so we typically have tea tree oil shampoos and moisturizers at home. I was very excited to use this product because it contains tea tree oil and was still very moisturizing.

• Basil-Lime Garden Wonder – I grow a significant amount of basil every summer and frequently use lime when I cook, so this was right up my alley. If you like the smell of basil and lime, this soap is for you.

• Herbal Body Wash –This is a great product for people looking to transition from their former body washes to a natural product. This body wash cleanses, smells fantastic (lavender, rosemary, and peppermint), and leaves your skin clean. I also like using this product in place of shaving cream.

• Vanilla Lip Balm – This product will be available in the near future, but I was fortunate to give it a test. It smells of pure vanilla, almost enough that you may want to eat it! My daughters are always asking to use the lip balm because it smells so good. With the natural oils in this balm, it is great for chapped lips.

If you’re looking for natural soaps that moisturize and come in large bars, then you need to visit: www.bigfatsoap.com. Also, make sure you check the website periodically for new products and specials.

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

1. Kids love to rake and jump in leaves, but they can also participate in the cleanup process. You can add some leaves to compost bins and place leaves under mulch to decompose naturally and add nutrients back to the soil. These are all things that kids can help with and you can explain the importance of using the leaves as nutrients. If you have to dispose of the leaves, make sure that you throw leaves away in biodegradable bags.

2. Pick up trash. It isn’t uncommon for us to find some trash and debris in our yards. Kids can wear gloves and pick up some trash to be thrown out or recycled. You can do the street or neighborhood as a good deed for the community too. Remember to explain that garbage can potentially hurt your local wildlife.

3. Plant a new tree. Fall is a good time to plant trees, bushes, and other plants. This is a good way to have your kids help dig in the dirt, learn about planting, and watching it grow. They can even partake in watering – which can be an activity all on its own.

4. Help a neighbor. Depending on the age of your children, they can help a neighbor in need with their yard. We all know someone that can use some additional help over time; maybe some weeding, yard work and overall yard clean up is needed. Not only does it help the environment but helping others is a valuable lesson on its own.

5. Turn off the water. Teach the kids to turn the water off when they aren’t using it (for example while they are brushing their teeth or overdoing it in the shower or bath tub). Teach them that it is important to conserve our resources.

6. Don’t always buy new. Take the kids to the library instead of buying new books, do a toy trade and exchange outgrown clothes with friends. All of these things eventually end up in landfills, so let’s share!

7. Always recycle. Teach your kids to recycle. If you don’t have recycling pick up, look into taking recyclable goods directly to a center. Buy reusable products whenever possible and avoid disposable dishes, silverware, bags, and plastic water bottles.

8. Open the windows and turn off the lights. As the temps cool, you can often open the windows to get some fresh cool air without having to run your air conditioning. Talk to your children about conserving electricity as it saves resources (and money).

It really is easy being green!

Pistachio Rose – this wine is very versatile and great for a family dinner. It is noted for having a nutty flavor and for its versatile pairing. I agree, but the most intriguing part of this wine is the vanilla finish. This will completely depend upon the person as some note vanilla and others sense a nutty finish. The vanilla was fantastic and was an enjoyable change.

Chardonnay – I really enjoyed this wine. If you avoid Chardonnays because they are typically aged in oak barrels, then this wine is for you. This is aged in stainless steel, so you get to enjoy the flavors of this wine without the oak taking over. This is not a wimpy chardonnay!

Viva la Roja – this wine is made for the Sangria lover. I enjoyed this blend (zinfandel, merlot, and Muscat) and it tastes great with a spicy dish or on its own. This wine is an excellent choice for fall.

Muscat – this Muscat was a light wine both in color and feel with a very floral scent. The sweetness did not over power the wine. This wine is great for an evening out on the back porch or dessert with friends.

Merlot – I was impressed with this Merlot. It is very deep red (almost purple) in color. It felt soft with a nice fruity flavor, almost rolling across my tongue. It was very enjoyable to drink. This Merlot is noted for light tannins and deep red color.

Heart of the Desert wines are priced from $12-19, making them budget friendly. Visit their site for wine, pistachios, candy, cookies, and gift baskets, which are also reasonably priced.

Added Discount:

Heart of the Desert is offering a one-time 10% discount off of any order. Click here to visit the site and the discount will automatically be applied. (If the discount is not automatically applied, use the code VINE09 at checkout.)

Wine is available for shipping to the following states with an adult signature upon delivery: *Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, *Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, *New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Enjoy your experience to the Heart of the Desert.