I found the recipe below at squashrecipes.net while looking for new ways to eat zucchini.

This recipe is really simple, tastes great and is wonderful cold. I cook the vegetables in a caste iron skillet and burn the heck out of them and reducing the sauce takes more like 10 minutes.

Balsamic Glazed Vegetables

Zucchini and yellow squash tossed with red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, olive oil and garlic. Seasoned with salt and fresh ground pepper and smothered in a sauce of vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into 1 inch strips
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, cut into 1 inch strips
• 1 medium Zucchini, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
• 1 medium Yellow Squash, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
• 1 medium Red Onion, cut into 8 wedges
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Pepper
• 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce

Preparation:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Add red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, olive oil, garlic, salt, and ground pepper to large bowl. Toss to combine.
3. Place vegetables on oiled grill rack. Grill 10 minutes, turning once.
4. In small saucepan, bring vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to low, simmer 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.
6. Pour sauce over vegetables.

• Do you have the room? Single people can live in small places and don’t always have the room to store themselves let alone bulk purchases. Choose your bulk wisely.
• Are you moving anytime soon? Are you moving in 3 months while stocking up on supplies for a year? You will have to move your bulk goods and you will have to store them.
• Once you open the bulk container can you use all the servings before they go bad without getting sick of the stuff?

Take a look at what you use on a regular basis and see if you could possibly buy it bulk. To get my bulk items I shop at Big Lots, Sam’s Club and the Dollar Store. I go to Sam’s and the Dollar Store once every 6 to 8 weeks and Big Lots every 3 to 4 weeks. Buying bulk saves me time, money and the annoyance of running out of stuff.

Bulk Up Around The House

Bathroom
The only thing I am super particular about in the bathroom is my shampoo, deodorant and face sun block. I like Burt’s Bees, Lady Speed Stick and Neutrogena Age Shield Face. Other than that I don’t have much brand loyalty and will buy what is on sale with grapefruit being the preferred aroma for body products.

• Body Wash – buy large sizes and 2 for 1’s at Big Lots or Sam’s Club
• Shampoo – use Burt’s Bees so buy when/where I find on sale
• Face Wash – buy at Big Lot’s they usually have some St. Ives Facial Scrub
• Suntan Lotion – buy large sizes at Big Lot’s or Sam’s Club. Use as moisturizer in summer
• Deodorant – buy multiples at the Dollar Store when they have Lady Speed Stick
• Toothpaste – buy large sizes and 2 for 1’s at Big Lots or Sam’s Club
• Mouthwash – buy large sizes and 2 for 1’s at Big Lots or Sam’s Club
• Toilet Paper – buy large packages at Big Lots
• Disposable Razors – buy large packages at the Dollar Store
• Hand Soup – buy large sizes and 2 for 1’s at Big Lots or Sam’s Club

Kitchen
Being single and having a small kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy saving money and time with bulk purchasing. I find I do best in the freezer and the cupboards. Other than condiments what I put in the fridge needs to be used up quickly so as not to spoil.

Freezer

• Frozen Strawberries – 5 pound bag from Sam’s Club for smoothies
• Frozen Blueberries – 48 ounce bag from Sam’s Club for smoothies
• Shelled Pecans – 2 pound bag from Sam’s Club
• Mahi Mahi – 32 ounces from Sam’s Club which is 7 – 8 servings

Cupboard

• Canned Tuna – buy multiple cans when they are on sale at Big Lots
• Canned Salmon – buy multiple cans when they are on sale at Big Lots
• Canned Chicken – buy multiple cans when they are on sale at Big Lots
• Chicken Stock – buy multiple cans when they are on sale at Big Lots

Pantry

• Paper Towels – buy 8 roll packages at Big Lots
• Garbage Bags – buy 30 plus bag rolls at Big Lots
• Light Bulbs – buy on sale packages at Big Lots
• Dish Detergent – buy large sizes at Big Lots

One Caveat: if you can’t control yourself with munchies don’t buy them in bulk. I ate a month’s worth of chocolate-covered almonds in a few days.

(ARA) – With the abundance of fresh produce that accompanies the arrival of warm weather, you would think Americans’ diets would be healthier in summer than at nearly any other time of year. But what good are so-called “superfoods” like blueberries, fresh ginger and even eggs if you can’t get the kids (or your spouse) to eat them?

Plenty of experts agree that the solution is simple — sneak nutritious foods into dishes where they’ll be least expected. And a summer smoothie is a great way to do it. Kid-friendly and convenient for on-the-go adults, smoothies are the essence of summer refreshment. When you load them up with fresh superfoods — ingredients recognized for offering positive health benefits — smoothies also become a great way to take full advantage of summer’s nutritional bounty.

Blended with just the right balance of ingredients, practically any superfood will work in a smoothie. Here are a few ideas for what to toss in the blender:

* Blueberries — High in antioxidants like vitamins C and E, blueberries help boost the immune system naturally, combat free-radical damage and possibly even ease the effects of aging. Fresh or frozen, they’re a flavorful, health-filled addition to any smoothie recipe.

* Fresh ginger — For thousands of years, Asian cultures have relied on fresh ginger to aid in digestion. It’s also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. You can use ground ginger, but most supermarkets now carry the fresh root, which will deliver the full flavor and health benefits.

* Egg whites — Egg whites are an unbeatable source of pure, fat-free, cholesterol-free, high-quality lean protein. A convenient option in a pourable carton, AllWhites brand 100 percent egg whites are pasteurized for safety, providing an easy way to add lean protein to a smoothie. Oprah Winfrey trainer Bob Greene incorporates AllWhites in his “Best Life Diet,” noting their ability to help keep your appetite in check.

* Honey — Not only is honey a great, natural alternative to processed sugar or chemical-based sugar substitutes to bring sweetness to your smoothie, its glucose is easily absorbed by the body and helps produce energy. It’s also thought to provide antioxidant and antibacterial benefits.

* Ground cinnamon — Studies show cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar, act as an anti-inflammatory and even an anti-bacterial. A popular flavor among kids, it’s also high in nutrients like iron and calcium.

* Sliced almonds (or other nuts) — Nuts are a good source of high-quality protein. Sprinkle a handful over the top of your smoothie to add protein and a fun crunch.

Here’s a health-filled summer smoothie recipe with ingredients designed to help boost productivity:

Blueberry Ginger Productivity Protein Smoothie

Preparation time: 5 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen wild blueberries
1 container (6 ounces) fat-free vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup AllWhites 100 percent liquid egg whites
1/2 cup skim milk or soymilk
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except almonds in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon almonds. Serve immediately.

Makes two eight-ounce servings. Nutrition per serving: 124 calories, 18 from fat; 2 grams total fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 2 mg cholesterol; 87 mg sodium; 22 grams total carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams protein.

For more great recipe ideas, visit www.betterneggs.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. is a United States-based manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, also known as “malternative” or flavored malt beverages. It is named after its flagship and original product, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, which is a mixture of vodka, and either carbonated water or a flavored malt base, in Canada and the United States, respectively.

The company was founded in 1999 by Anthony von Mandl. The company’s U.S. headquarters moved from Lakewood, Colorado (Denver) to Seattle in 2005. One reason for the move was to be closer to its parent company Mark Anthony Group Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, a privately-owned manufacturer and distributor of wines, hard ciders and other alcoholic beverages.

LinkedIn Profile: Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co.

Mike’s Calorie Facts:

• There are 222 calories in the Mike’s Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s contains 5 percent alcohol by volume
• Go with their Light Lemonade instead and save about 124 calories
• The HARDER Lemonade contains more calories and is 8% alcohol
• Mike’s Hard Lemonade is categorized as a Malt Beverage
• A bottle of Mike’s contains 11.2 ounces which is about 331 milliliters

Mike’s Summer 2009 Sweepstakes. Win an Airstream Trailer. To win enter here before September 1, 2009. And check out winmikes.com for other great Mike’s Lemonade Sweepstakes.

I don't care about the calories - I'm thirsty!

The Mike’s Product Lines

Mike’s® Premium Malt Beverages

• Mike’s Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s Light Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Light Hard Cranberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Raspberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Lime
• Mike’s Hard Berry
• Mike’s Pomegranate Lemonade

Mike’s Hard Punch™

• Mike’s Hard Mango Punch
• Mike’s Hard Pomegranate Punch

Mike’s Harder Lemonade™

• Mike’s HARDER Lemonade
• Mike’s HARDER Cranberry Lemonade

Mike’s Premium Malt Cocktails®

• Mike’s Mike-arita
• Mike’s Crantini
• Mike’s Pomegranate Martini
• Mike’s Lemon Drop
• Mike’s Screwdriver
• Mike’s Mojito

Mike’s Hard Tea®

• Mike’s Hard Tea
• Mike’s Hard Light Tea

Goats are indifferent but you won't be!

Home Brew Recipes

If you are searching around the Internet, you will find lots of discussion in the home brewing community as to how to recreate Mike’s Hard Lemonade. One such recipe can be found on the Home Brew Digest web site.

Mike’s Videos

Mike’s Movie:

Think it’s hard to cut calories in your diet? Try starting a company with a great product only to battle the monetary might of big corporations.

Beer Wars, a new documentary by former Mike’s Hard Lemonade general manager Anat Baron. The film recounts the struggle of independent American craft brewers to compete with the ever-consolidating conglomerates of the industry, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Miller Coors.

Mike’s in the News

Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/living/article/665488 For the summer of 2009, Mike’s is donating a percentage of profits on the sale  of their red berry lemonade to the Canadian Breast Cancer Network.

Lewiston, Maine Sun Journal http://www.sunjournal.com/node/38115/ Obviously the guy in Lewiston who robbed the Big Apple convenience store of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and other goods is unfamiliar with Mike’s well-known slogan, “Mike’s is hard. So is prison.”

Mike’s in Perspective

Bestweekever.tv http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008-6-4/who-exactly-is-mikes-hard-lemonade-trying-to-convince-with-these-super-manly-commercials/ This blog post ponders what their advertising is up to – are they fighting the idea that drinking fruity non-beer alcoholic beverages is somehow not manly?

Rateitall.com http://www.rateitall.com/i-28769-mikes-hard-lemonade.aspx When we looked, 20 people had chimed in with their opinions on Mike’s Hard Lemonade and most love it. Biased results? Who knows. Interesting: no mention of calories here.

ExpoTV.com http://www.expotv.com/Mikes-Hard-Lemonade/1U-1cGF Four video testimonials for Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

From Mike’s Hard Lemonade Press Releases..

New 1 carb/only 76 calorie Mike’s Light(TM) available nationwide for Victoria Day long weekend.

Great-tasting single carb beverage targets light beer, diet soft drink market in battle for backyard barbeques

TORONTO, May 19 /CNW/ – Canadians concerned about their carbohydrate and calorie intake have a great-tasting new beverage choice with the launch of Mike’s Light(TM), an innovative single carb, lower calorie vodka-based drink from the relentless R&D team at Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R).

The first of its kind anywhere in the world, Mike’s Light(TM) contains only one gram of carbohydrates and just 76 calories – the result of two years of intensive research and development. The result: a crisp, refreshing lemon- lime beverage with less sweetness and acidity than other ready-to-drink (RTD) products.

“Mike’s Light(TM) is the great-tasting result of mixing low-carb/low cal drinking with innovative thinking,” says Anthony von Mandl, creator of Mike’s hard lemonade and chairman and chief executive officer of Mark Anthony Group, Canada’s largest private distributor of alcoholic beverages. “Mike’s Light(TM) is for people watching their carbs and calories – but refuse to compromise on taste. Whether they’re hosting parties, or just rewarding themselves after a hard day, Canadians will have an entirely new choice.”

For Mike, it’s like 1996 all over again In 1996 Mike’s hard lemonade created the RTD category in Canada and started an international phenomenon, appealing to legions of beer drinkers with its trademark vodka-lemon taste and smart personality.

For the alcoholic beverages industry, this was an unexpected move from a little known Canadian company. Today, Mike’s hard lemonade, with a new, more drinkable formula that is less sweet and has a drier finish, is a leading ready-to-drink beverage in the domestic market and is the number 2 “malternative” in the USA, outselling Molson south of the border.

Like the original Mike’s hard lemonade(R), Mike’s Light(TM) is likely to inspire a whole generation of beer drinkers to ditch the brew and try something new. With nearly 14 million Canadians counting carbs to lose weight(1), Mike’s Light(TM) also hopes to quench the thirst of the vast market of Canadians who are looking for a great-tasting, low-carb/lower calorie alternative to the ordinary – this summer and all year round.

Today, Canadians compare carbs, calories & taste. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians drink more than 381 million cans of diet soda annually. With 48 per cent of the Canadian population overweight(2), food and beverage manufacturers are stepping up to the increased demand for healthy, lower carb products. Since 2001 more than 800 low carb products have been launched in North America(3).

“Canadians will compare the carbs, compare the calories and – most of all – compare the taste,” says von Mandl. “Canadians are looking for great tasting low carb and lower calorie alternatives to diet soft drinks and beer. If we can even draw a fraction of this market to Mike’s Light(TM) – the RTD category in Canada is destined for new success.” In 2003, Canadians drank 210 million bottles of RTD beverages, generating more than $450 million in sales.

By early accounts, Mike might just do it. Early orders for Mike’s Light(TM) have surpassed the company’s expectations in all markets nationwide. “The entire Mike’s team has been working overtime to make sure store shelves and bar fridges are stocked with Mike’s Light(TM) for Canada’s unofficial first long weekend of summer,” von Mandl adds.

About Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R): Created and produced by Vancouver-based Mark Anthony Group, Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R) is a leading ready-to-drink beverage with distribution in Canada and the United States. Mark Anthony Group is Canada’s largest private distributor of alcoholic beverages.
—————————————

(1) Canadian Diet Study 2004, Decima Research

(2) Canadian Community Health Survey, Statistics Canada 2000-2001

(3) Low Carb Foods Article, Agriculture & Agrifood Government of Alberta 2003

Because I lived in Austin, Texas and near Lebanon-Hanover, New Hampshire I was used to shopping in Central Market, Whole Foods and the Co-op. I purchased excellent quality foods that were good value for the dollar for the most part. And I splurged as needed.

I started commuting to Shreveport, Louisiana and had to find a local grocery store to feed me. I began my reconnaissance of the local grocery stores.

Store A is a smallish grocery store conveniently located ¾ mile from my house and serves a mixed socio-economic neighborhood of historic homes. No matter what I would go in there for all I ever come out with was a can of Folger’s and a bag of dog food.

This store specializes in fat, starch, sugar, alcohol and over-priced fresh orange. I was going to starve to death shopping here.

Next I test drove Store B which is 4 miles from my house. This is a grocery store for what was the Shreveport everyman. I began my exploration of the store and was immediately disappointed. There was no variety, no organic foods, no bulk, no nothing. I was so damn depressed. I consulted some locals and they directed me to Store C.

Store C is located 3 miles from my house and serves a higher end socio-economic group. In this neighborhood the houses are beautifully massive and the squadrons of giant flying cockroaches are called water bugs.

I made my trek to Store C to see if this grocery store was going to meet my needs. It has fruits and vegetables, some imported items, organic meat and vegetables and my staples. There is produce that I would consider a staple in Austin that is 3 times the price in Store C so I do without. But still out of the three, Store C was the best suited to my needs.

So you would think the post would stop there:

• Explore your grocery store options
• Pick the grocery store best suited to you
• The End

I thought that was the end too. But a friend, who lives 4 blocks from Store C, told me she was shopping in Store B. I was floored as I had seen what was in her fridge and it looked nothing like what I had seen at Store B.

So BACK I went to Store B. It was fabulous. They had been undergoing renovations for months. I walked into a beautiful produce section immediately hitting a wall of organics that were only pennies more expensive than the regular produce.

Green peppers were $0.99 each at Stores A and C, ORGANIC green peppers were $0.99 each at Store B. I try to stay away from the bakery but they had fresh baked cheese biscuits 3 for $1.00.

The prices are cheaper than Store C, the quality and selection are better than Store A. I was so happy I damn near burst into tears.

I now firmly believe that the choice of grocery store should be revisited annually.

The grocery chain marketing departments are constantly reassessing: what should be sold at each store, improvements and renovations, the pricing strategies, specials, etc. You never know when something is turning to your advantage in a different store.