Winemaker Ben Flajnik is the new 'Bachelor'. Does everyone on TV sell booze now?

Reality stars with liquor lines: the good, the bad and the ugly

Next month, more than a dozen women will try Ben F.'s wine. Bachelorette Ashley's jilted castaway has beenchosen to crush some egos of his own when filming for the new season of the Bachelor begins next month. It's good news for those of us on team Ben (me, Jennifer Love Hewitt) and even better news for his Sonoma-based winery Evolve. Apparently, his business is booming since his public dumping. Winery tastings have become kind of like ladies' nights, with fans driving out of their way to be fed grapes by Ben. In September, Evolve launches Epilogue, a lower cost version of their $20 and $30 bottles. While nobody's tested Epilogue's $10 range offerings, Ben's Sauvignon Blanc has gotten a pretty strong reception for a 'reality' alcohol. "It's bright, crisp with very forward fruit and zingy acidity," writes wine columnist Greg Walter. "It's really delightful to drink by itself or with any light meal." Based on Ben's televised likability, his wine only needs to be somewhat palatable. The fact that it's good means he may be knocking reality liquor queen Bethenny Frankel off her throne. But she's not his only competition.

Photo by: CRISTA JEREMIASON/THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

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Bad foods you should be eating-3

Beef

The bad rap: Beef is full of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, so people who care about their hearts should avoid it.

The good news: Lean cuts of beef are a low-fat source of protein and iron, a mineral essential for getting oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body—and one many women (of childbearing age) are deficient in. There are many lean cuts of steaks: filet mignon, sirloin, strip steak, flank steak. If you can't remember the names, pick steaks that are deep red with a relatively small amount of marbling—a fancy name for fat—to find lean cuts.

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Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Total Time: 9 hr 0 min

Prep 20 min

Inactive 8 hr 0 min

Cook 40 min

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beateror whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

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Top 10 Terrible Side Dishes

Side dishes exist to make entreés look more appealing. Picture a skinless baked chicken breast sitting alone on a plate. Boring, right? Now bring in its favorite wingman—a big scoop of barbecue baked beans, cornbread stuffing, or roasted red potatoes. Suddenly, that chicken dinner becomes a perfect meal.

But here's the problem: Often, your wingman completely overdoes it. In nutritional terms, that's precisely what's happening at many of America's favorite chain restaurants. As sides swell to more than 1,400 calories—yup, you read that right—they've begun to calorically upstage the entreés they're supposed to be supporting. That 350-calorie roast beef sandwich is a nutritional charmer until you tack on the 600-calorie side of fries—and that's before drinks and dessert join the party.

7 Delicious Ways to Get Your Vitamin A

Your goal: Choose a side that complements your meal, not one that adds another meal's worth of calories to your waistline.
#10: Worst Healthy SideBoston Market Sweet Potato Casserole
460 calories
16 g fat (4.5 g saturated)
270 mg sodium

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, and they're loaded with fiber, carotenoids, and potassium. That said, restaurants rarely serve them without adding gluttonous loads of fat and sugar. This casserole is a perfect example—you could eat four sweet potatoes before matching the calories in just one serving. That's a pretty hefty portion of spuds for a side dish.

How Using a Salt Substitute Can Help with Weight Loss 


Eat This Instead!
Garlic Dill New Potatoes
140 calories
3 g fat (1 g saturated)
120 mg sodium

GET A BEACH BODY FAST! Weigh yourself once a week and you're six times more likely to lose weight, says new research. For simple weight loss and exercise tips that can help you lose up to five pounds a week while enjoying your favorite foods—and without dieting
#9: Worst Baked PotatoRuby Tuesday's Loaded Baked Potato
591 calories
29 g fat
545 mg sodium

This potato delivers nearly half the fat you should eat in an entire day, and much of that comes from the load of animal fats perched on top. Ruby Tuesday refuses to release a breakdown of its fat content, but we have to assume that a substantial portion of these 29 grams is saturated.

5 Key Foods for Your Healthy Eating Plan 


Eat This Instead!
Fresh Grilled Green Beans
45 calories
2 g fat
385 mg sodium

TERRIBLE SALADS: Even foods that sound perfectly healthy can be secretly laced with dangerous amounts of fat and sodium.
#8: Worst Onion RingsIHOP Onion Rings
620 calories
34 g fat (6 g saturated; 0.5 g trans)
550 mg sodium

No, this does not count as a vegetable. Think of the onion as a mere seasoning for the crispy ring of oil-saturated breading wrapped around it. Eat one order of these rings a week, and you'll add more than nine extra pounds of body fat a year!

Eat This Instead!
Seasoned Fries
300 calories
12 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
490 mg sodium


#7: Worst Mozzarella SticksArby's Mozzarella Sticks (Large)
660 calories
34 g fat (13 g saturated; 1 g trans)
1,780 mg sodium

These mozzarella sticks have 230 more calories than an Arby's Bacon Cheddar Roastburger, not to mention more than half your day's saturated fat and 80 percent of your sodium. Unfortunately, Arby's doesn't sell a single non-fried side, so you'll have to either order a couple small sandwiches or downsize to a small order of Potato Cakes.

4 Healthy Diet Benefits of Cooking with Friends

Eat This Instead!
Potato Cakes (small)
260 calories
15 g fat (2 g saturated)
400 mg sodium

HEALTHY FAST FOOD? Sure! Just because Arby's has a codependent relationship with their fryer doesn't mean all fast food is off-limits.
#6: Worst Mashed PotatoesTGI Friday's Loaded Mashed Potatoes
960 calories

Friday's refuses to release its full nutritional content, and by looking at these potatoes, we can guess why. This thing is supposed to be a side dish, yet it contains more calories than an entire stick of butter. Unless Friday's decides to prove otherwise, you'd be smart to assume that the sodium and saturated fat counts are equally atrocious.

3 Ways To Ward Off Food Cravings

Eat This Instead!
Cole Slaw
100 calories

#5: Worst Loaded FriesDairy Queen Chili Cheese Fries
1,020 calories
71 g fat (28 g saturated; 0.5 g trans)
2,360 mg sodium

These numbers on this side dish are unacceptable even by dinner standards. A 170-pound person would have to jog for nearly 2 hours to burn off all 1,020 calories.

Eat This Instead!
Side Salad w/ Fat-Free Italian
40 calories
0 g fat
380 mg sodium

SUPERMARKET SHOCKERS: Visiting the supermarket is like being a contestant on Jeopardy: Make a few mistakes and you'll leave with an empty wallet, not to mention a lot of empty calories.
#4: Worst Regional SideA&W Cheese Curds (Large)
1,140 calories
80 g fat (42 g saturated; 2.5 g trans)
2,440 mg sodium

This odious Midwestern creation takes the cheese-stick formula and makes it even more fattening. By trading sticks for curds, there's even more surface area on which to spackle oily breading. And therein lies the true nature of the beloved cheese curd—just one order is the saturated fat equivalent of seven McDonald's cheeseburgers!

Top 6 Kitchen Tips

Eat This Instead!
Chili (bowl)
190 calories
6 g fat (2 g saturated)
640 mg sodium

SODIUM ALERT: Did you know that some restaurant foods contain multiple days worth of blood-pressure-bloating impact?
#3: Worst Pasta SideCheesecake Factory Macaroni & Cheese (side serving)
1,230 calories
46 g saturated fat
1,439 mg sodium

No matter what food category we explore, Cheesecake Factory consistently finds itself in the running for worst in America. The chain's Mac and Cheese is far and away the worst pasta side dish in the country. To put it into perspective, this dish packs nearly as many calories as two full boxes of Annie's Macaroni and Cheese. Order it alongside a sandwich and you can be looking at upward of 3,000 calories—for lunch!

The Magical Function Of Milk

Eat This Instead!
Asparagus (side serving)
45 calories
0 g saturated fat
0 mg sodium

It shouldn't come as a surprise that two dishes from the Cheesecake Factory made the 2011 list of worst restaurant foods in America.
#2: Worst Mexican SideBaja Fresh Chips and Guacamole
1,340 calories
83 g fat (8 g saturated; 2.5 g trans)
950 mg sodium

Guacamole is loaded with healthy fats, fiber, and phytonutrients, so it should be part of your diet. That said, it's a calorie-dense food in America's restaurants, and eating it by the bucket alongside a mountain of oil-soaked chips is a quick way to pack on flab (and this is just one criminal combo. ). A smarter move would be to order a 110-calorie side of guacamole with your meal, and then choose beans for your side.

Eat This Instead!
Pinto Beans
320 calories
1 g fat
840 mg sodium


#1: Worst Side Dish in AmericaFive Guys Fries (Large)
1,474 calories
71 g fat (14 g saturated)
213 mg sodium

If you ate one large order of these things every week for a year, you would take in more than 8 pounds of pure fat, all of it straight out of Five Guys' deep fryer. What makes these fries so monumentally unhealthy? The portion—one order clocks in at a staggering 1.25 pounds. (And that doesn't include the extra fries they throw in the bag!) Your best bet is to downsize to a "regular" size and split them with a friend, or order the large and split it with five guys.

Eat This Instead!
Fries (1/2 of a Regular order)
310 calories
15 g fat (3 g saturated)
45 mg sodium

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The Best Time to Shop at the Supermarket

Conde Nast Digital Studio

Amy Ahlberg, SELF magazine

If you're like us, you've had a few frustrating trips to the grocery store. Like, have you ever popped in for a few quick purchases, only to find dauntingly long lines at the registers? Or maybe the shelves were nearly empty, or the produce was rotten and depressing-looking?

This got us wondering: When is the best time to go to the supermarket? We asked Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of the Stew Leonard's supermarket chain, for his insider tips.

Related: How Jennifer Hudson Lost 80 Pounds

For the freshest food, get to know your store managers. Since shipment days for different items vary, you'll need to speak up, says Leonard. "In general, the best way to check is to ask the person in the area [where] you are shopping. When did the fish arrive? The meat? The chicken? When was the bread baked? When did the produce arrive?" Another tip for determining the freshness of baked goods or prepared foods: "Ask people if the product is made on site. It's fresher that way. Many stores will have a central commissary and have the food shipped to the stores."

For the cheapest food, scan the weekly circular for deals. You can check out the store's weekly specials online, or just pick up the store ad when you enter the store. (We've found great deals on our weekly staples, like organic milk or spinach, that way.) And Leonard sees specialty items move faster then, too: "When customers see items like lobster and filet mignon on sale, they fly off the shelves at a record pace. Our deals are emailed out to shoppers every Wednesday morning so that they can plan their weekly shopping trips."

See Also: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

Avoid Saturday at all costs. Saturday is the busiest day of the week, says Leonard. "It's best to shop earlier in the week and during off-hours, such as early in the morning or late at night. Tip: This is especially true for holidays.

But if you're stuck shopping on Saturday, at least your grub will be fresh. Here's some consolation: If you are grocery shopping on a Saturday, the store will be well-stocked, says Leonard. "If you want it really fresh, the weekend has the highest turnover of fresh items." Stores are well-prepared for that Saturday onslaught of customers; for example, Leonard's bakers sell nearly double the amount of fresh-baked bread on a Saturday than they do on a Tuesday.

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Astrology.com Daily FoodScopes - Tuesday August 23, 2011

Aries (March 21 - April 19) What with phones, email, text and instant messages and webcams, getting any time to yourself could be impossible today. Take some time in the middle of your busy day to unplug and unwind. That could be as simple as eating lunch on a park bench. Make your meal clean should you decide to do that. Eating a meatball grinder could turn out to be quite messy. Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Astro Identity Reading

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) The best way to overcome financial problems is to step back and analysis them. Seek the help of an expert if you must, but slow and steady should help you get out of the red. You may have to scale back some of the niceties you've become accustomed to, and Ramen noodles and soy sauce have to replace Dungeness crab cakes and seafood bisque for a while. Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Life Path Reading

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) You may have too much to think about today, and your brain might feel like a pinball machine. Give deep thought to only the most important aspects, one of which should be lunch. You eventually decide on the open-face hot roast beef sandwich rather than the turkey, mainly because you love that thick beef gravy. Today's Gemini Reading: Free Sample Numerology Portrait

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) Expect to be on the go-go-go for most of the day. Proper nutrition always suffers when you're on the run, so take time to make sensible choices. Pita wraps stuffed with albacore tuna or grilled chicken and veggies are compact enough for dining and dashing, and nutritious enough to fuel you for the rest of the day. Today's Cancer Reading: Free Sample Maya-Aztec Reading

Leo (July 23 - August 22) You have a strong urge to socialize tonight, but most of your friendstake a pass. Going it alone isn't as much fun, but you can still kick up your heels at home. Put on some zydeco music, pour a glass of wine and make a few homemade enchiladas. It might not be the same as being in a crowded sports pub, but the food is a lot better. Today's Leo Reading: Free Sample Chinese Luck Prosperity and Longevity Reading

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Expect to take the good with the bad today. The bad part comes as you deal with clueless clients, demanding bosses and obnoxious coworkers. Things get better later when you settle down for a dinner of mesquite-grilled jumbo prawns, and an ice-cold beer or three. Today's Virgo Reading: Free Sample Chakra Reading

Libra (September 23 - October 22) Being from a certain geographical location, you may have become accustomed to some of the culinary delights of that area. There be others who are might not be as fortunate, so be a giver today. You can't possibly finish the entire Philly cheese steak sandwich, so let someone else share in the fun. Today's Libra Reading: Free Sample Romantic Compatibility Reading for two

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Stick to your guns today, as people try to persuade you to go against your will. Mostly, these are coworkers who try to sell you on the better points of a decadent New York Reuben and fries lunch. Kindly decline their offer and settle down at your desk to eat your sensibly healthy, yet slightly dull, roast beef on rye. Today's Scorpio Reading: Free Sample Daily Grind Reading

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) You're the one steering the car today, but your direction is not immediately clear. You want to eat healthy, but lunch offers too many temptations. Is it a beef enchilada or turkey on whole grain sandwich and green salad? Only you can determine the outcome of this one. Today's Sagittarius Reading: Free Sample Priority Shuffle Tarot Reading

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) You're all about intellectualism today. Unfortunately, those around you may not be operating at your high mental level. You may have to cut back on the pointy-head topics of conversations. Friends won't be concerned about the teachings of Nietzsche -- they're more interested in the amazing pineapple upside-down cake Martha made on her show yesterday. Today's Capricorn Reading: Free Sample Extreme Makeover Tarot Reading

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) You need to do everything you can to ensure that today is a good one. That mostly means fending off negativity. You're amazed at how much of it there is out there, so do whatever it is that puts you in your happy place. This looks like a job for a banana split from an ice cream parlor where the employees are actually smiling. Today's Aquarius Reading: Free Sample Numerology One-Year Forecast

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Permanence and stability are important these days, so banish from your head any thoughts of moving. Staying put can eliminate the stress and uncertainty of looking for new digs, and give you the sense of comfort you crave. Besides, you may not be anxious to leave a place where the best Chinese food in the city is right down the street.

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Get Your Sweat On

Photo Courtesy: VIDA Fitness

Gym-goers in the U St. neighborhood have a fab new spot to get their sweat on. This month,VIDA Fitness opened its fourth, and flagship location, unveiling more than 40,000 square feet of workout space in the historic building at 1612 U St. NW. Across its four levels, you can pick your workout: cardio, strength-training, group or personal training or lapping it up at the rooftop pool (complete with resort cabanas, a communal fire pit and sundeck – ooooh).

From cardio machines, a TRX studio, weight machines, free weights, Pilates Reformers, group classes – this place has it all. Even the locker rooms got an upgrade with alligator embossed tiles and silver leaf partition walls in the rainfall showers. Get your steam or swim on in the Zen spa with two endless pools, European sauna and steam room.

Urban Adventures owner David von Storch, gave the building (originally built around 1921) a $13 million makeover to complete his vision of a chic resort-like health, fitness and beauty complex. Even Bang Salon got a modernizing makeover. The full-service Aura Spa is slated to open in 2012.

The luxurious private rooftop club is slated to open in early August, which will include a 60-foot pool and a membership lounge with full food and beverage service. And you know you'll look great lounging by the pool after all that time shaping up.

 

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Luminous Warrior: A mind and body lesson in self defense

Owner Sara Salam (left) During a Self-Defense Class

I met Sara Salam, owner of Luminous Warrior, at her gym in the heart of the bustling Penn Quarter district of D.C.  Located in an upstairs row house on 10^thStreet, I felt immediately at ease.  It was so quiet and peaceful; it was easy to forget all the hustle and bustle going on outside.  I told her it was hard to imagine that in a few hours this gym would be filled with men and women taking part in realistic self-defense training.

But Luminous Warrior is so much more than a self-defense class.

"There are times where we deal with things that meditation or yoga, for example isn't moving.  And there are also times when you need to punch and scream." Sara explains, "This is about learning useful tools that work in every day situations.  For example, our self-defense classes will teach you to become more aware. Identify what fear feels like – does my heart race, do my legs freeze –and learn useful tools that will help you if you need to protect yourself." 

By combining reality-based self-defense with Shamanic Healing tools, Luminous Warrior helps you get the mental attitude, emotional stamina, physical skills, and energy tools required to live your life on purpose and authentically.

Luminous Warrior offers a variety of classes for members and non-members alike. Classes range from "Intro" Classes to "Extreme Combatives", "Women Warrior"and "Kali Warrior Arts", and are designed for anyone with a desire to experience empowerment and transformation. 

Classes are offered 6 days a week and include both memberships and drop-in options.  In addition, Luminous Warrior will plant a tree for every new membership.  For additional information on Luminous Warrior and to try out one of their classes, visit luminouswarrior.com

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Burger King Adds Oatmeal To It’s Menu

Visit foodreview101.com for more food reviews!

This is more of a news story than anything else because we haven't yet been able to try the new oatmeal being offered up by Burger King. The oatmeal will only be available from 6:00 AM – 10:30 AM, and for a price around $2.00 that either comes in plain original or topped with an assortment of dried fruit that includes raisins, cranberries, cherries, and blueberries all topped off with maple syrup. Quaker is the one providing all the oatmeal to Burger King, which gives both of the companies a way to increase their profits at a time when nearly every American is trying to eat healthier. Each serving of plain oatmeal will be around 130 calories, while the more than likely sugar laden Maple oatmeal will hover around twice the calories at 260. Will you be trying out the new Burger King Oatmeal? let us know.

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Finding Great Races in New England

If you are a new runner who has been bitten by the running bug, you may get the urge to challenge yourself by competing in a road race, probably a 5k (3.1 miles) to start.  But how does one find a race to run?

There are two great websites out there to help you in this quest.  Both Cool Running andActive.com are great resources.  You can narrow down the event you are searching for by state or by event type. 

Because the New England area is relatively small, you can also search for races within a specified distance from your own zip code. I live on the border of Rhode Island, so I like to search for potential races to run this way. 

I also like to search for women-only races, as there's nothing quite like the camaraderie of females all embarking on the same journey to a common goal – the finish line!

So what are you waiting for?  Go sign up for a road race near you!

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