To the A&E Groove Readers—

I want to take a minute to apologize to you all for the break in blog posts. I have recently moved into a new house and have not yet hooked up my internet. It will most likely be a week or so before I get everything together and start blogging again. Until then, take care!

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New Jersey Winery on the Map!

Kate Langenburg/A&E Groove

The entrance to the Westfall Winery. Photo by Kate Langenburg.

Yesterday, I had the wonderful privilege of venturing out to the Westfall Winery in Montague, New Jersey. The day couldn’t have been more picturesque — there were big puffy clouds in the sky as my group of women and I tasted one delicious wine after another.

We started out our tour in the main tasting area. The winery spokeswomen gave us a list of wines we could try and we went through quite a few! They have many different kinds, including special reserves and newly bottled fruit wines. (My favorite was Stella Blue, a new blueberry dessert wine, which I promptly bought a bottle of and will drink very soon.)

Then we purchased. Cranberry wines, blueberry wines, red special reserves, and sangria were all bought. If you like fruity wines, the sangria, which is called Spanish Passion, is amazing.

The main tent area where the chili cookoff was held. Photo by Kate Langenburg.

We wandered our way down the hill to the large tent, and wouldn’t you know it — it was chili cookoff day! Over twenty different locals came together with their own brews of the spicy food for wine lovers to try. After patrons were finished sampling the many chilis, they voted for their favorites. I actually ended up liking a moose, elk, and caribou concoction called the hunter’s chili. Who would have thunk it?

The rest of the day we spent sitting on the hill in the shade, drinking the rest of our bottle of sangria and just enjoying the cool summer breeze. I would definitely recommend checking out this winery if you live anywhere near the state of New Jersey.

A cool thing about it — it’s situated on a horse farm, so the atmosphere is very natural. It’s actually preserved farmland. There are few places like it left in our ever-growing suburban sprawl world. Not only will you get a nice glass of wine, but you’ll also get your own piece of horse farm for the day, too!

There are many events going on throughout the rest of the summer and fall. Just check out the Westfall Winery website for more details.

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Fettucine Hungry Girlfredo Veggie Explosion

Kate Langenburg/A &E Groove

I know, the title to this blog post has a really weird name. It’s okay. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean that it has to be completely alien and strange. Give this yummy HungryGirl recipe a shot, then make your decision.

Ingredients:

• 1 package House Foods Tofu Shirataki Fettucine Shaped Noodle Substitute
• 1/2 cup small broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup red pepper chunks
• 1/2 cup large zucchini chunks
• 1 wedge Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese
• 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
• 2 tsp. reduced fat grated parmesan style topping
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: garlic powder, chili powder (I STRONGLY recommend the garlic powder)

Yum! Deliciousness. Photo from hungrygirl.com.

Step 1: Place all the veggies in a medium sized microwave-safe bowl with 2 tbsp. water. Cover bowl and microwave for 2-3 minutes until the veggies are fully steamed. Then drain the water and set aside.

Step 2: Drain and rinse noodles well. Dry the noodles thoroughly, using a paper towel to soak up any excess moisture. Then slice up the noodles a bit to make for easier eating! 

Step 3: Place the noodles in a microwave safe bowl and top it all off with the cheese, sour cream, and parmesan topping. Microwave for one minute.

Step 4: Take it out, stir, then microwave for another minute. Mix in the veggies and season well with salt and pepper. Add the garlic powder!

Might I add that you don’t have to stick to just the veggies in this recipe. I added different kinds and even took out the zucchini the last time I made this. (I’m not much of a zucchini fan.)

Also, I have to say a quick word about tofu shirataki noodles — they don’t really taste like pasta. I just want to get that out there. Don’t expect it to taste like a homecooked italian fettucine meal. It does taste very good, but it has a little different flavor and texture happening. It’s good in a different kind of way.

However, the entire recipe is only about 150 calories…and you don’t have to share. It makes one serving and is very filling. Bon appetit!

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40 Years Later, Woodstock Reunion Satisfies

Kate Langenburg/A&E Groove

Over this past weekend, the 40th anniversary celebration of Woodstock was held at the original grounds of Max Yasgur’s farm. Except these days, it’s called the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

These two prove that the spirit of the 60s never died. Photo from nytimes.com.

Instead of Max, his son Sam Yasgur was there to make an announcement to all the old hippies and younger peace-lovers. He was very happy to be able to see such a reunion take place.

The concert went on long into the night, lasting for a total of about eight hours. Also, many of the performers grouped together to sing not as separate groups, but as many talents in one.

Apparently, a wedding even took place on stage last weekend. Lead singer Leslie West of the group Mountain was married to his bride Jenni Maurer. The two were wed underneath electric guitars that were held up above them.

View a slideshow of pictures from the reunion concert, courtesy of the New York Times.

A cool thing about the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is the they have now opened a Museum dedicated to the spirit of the sixties and Woodstock. It houses exhibits, a theater, several galleries, a shop, cafe, outdoor theater, and classrooms for workshops. Find out more about it at the Museum website.

If you want to read a great review of the concert, visit the New York Times.

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