Wine Storage Tips

Storing your wine properly will ensure the quality of the wine is maintained for the wine's shelf life. There are three main things that can effect wine: light, temperature, and air.

Light
UV light can penetrate wine bottles and alter the taste of the wine. Store your wine in a dark place.

Temperature
Wine stored in too warm of a room can age faster than it should, and wine stored in too cold of a climate, can cause the cork to shrink, thus letting air in. It's best to store your wine between 50-55 degrees, and keep the temperature constant.

Air
Air causes wine to oxidize and age prematurely. You will be able to taste this, as your wine will begin to resemble vinegar if it's exposed to too much air. To eliminate air contamination, store your bottles horizontally, so the wine is against the cork. You don't want your cork to dry out and let air in.

Five Quick Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill

1. Go to the store on a full stomach. If you go to the store hungry, everything will look good, even that expired-two-days-ago deli-roasted chicken.

2. Plan your meals. By planning your meals, you’ll save a lot by not buying costly convenience food, such as frozen dinners. Plan three to four meals for the week, put all of the ingredients you’ll need for those meals on a list, and stick to that list when you shop. You may find yourself eating healthier, too.

3. Buy in bulk. You can save a lot money buying some items in bulk. Spices and nuts are two items that are almost always significantly cheaper to purchase in the bulk section. For pasta, beans, cereals, flours, and the like, comparison shop.

4. Check the bottom shelf. Grocery stores frequently place the more expensive items at eye-level, so for the best bargains, look lower.

5. Compare different stores in your area. You might be surprised at how drastically prices between stores fluctuate. Of course, if the store with the best prices is further away, paying the extra in gas to get there might not save you any.

How-to Peel a Pineapple

Pineapples look intimidating with their tough outer shell and spiny skin. And that tough skin makes it hard to get to the juicy inside. To enjoy a fresh pineapple, however, all you have to do is follow these four steps.

1. Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple.

2. Working carefully, cut the spiny rind off the sides, taking care to leave as much of the flesh behind as you can.

3. Using the end of a peeler, cut the "eyes" out of the pineapple flesh. The eyes are the dark spots.

4. Cut the pineapple in rings, then, using a paring knife, remove the core of each ring.

Quick Meal Tip: Tortilla Pizzas

Everyone loves pizza, but who has the time to make dough? If you have tortillas on hand, use them as your base instead. They are tasty as well as quick. Your pizza will be ready in a matter of minutes. Heat a can or jar of marinara sauce, chop some veggies, grate some cheese, and throw the pizza in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave, and you're done. They are a great way to use leftovers, and feed those hungry kids after school.

A few easy combinations:

Red pepper and mushroom.
Pepperoni and olive.
Taco. (Ground beef, beans, and cheese.)
Plain cheese.
Veggie.

Also try with pesto or cream sauce instead of marinara.