So when I discovered that Pestos with Panache by Lauren had a Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto, I couldn’t wait to try it. But first I have to tell you about Lauren.

This is a hypothetical situation: imagine you were invited to a food show, where many companies were showcasing their favorite products. Imagine that you met a young woman who had started making all natural pestos – pestos with a little something extra. Imagine that in chatting with this woman, you both decided that you should try such said pestos and perhaps tell your readers (that is, if you have a blog) about it. Now imagine that instead of sending the pestos in the mail, like everyone else, that this woman will leave her house to hand-deliver these pestos to you. That woman is Lauren – and she’s dead serious when she claims that “pestos are her passions”!

Now – back to Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto. Super hearty, this is the new flavor of the season for me. The taste of chilpotles, basil, and pumpkin all come together here with a bit of spice to turn even the most plain of spaghettis into a meal worth bragging about it.

Case in point: Last week, my husband and I came home late from work, and though we were too tired to cook dinner, the idea of pizza or Chinese food was so unappetizing that I decided to experiment. I had already tried Pestos with Panache in pastas, sandwiches, and even tried some of Lauren’s recipes - all wonderful and delicious. But how would it taste if it had nothing else to complement it?

So here’s my “Pestos with Panache will save the day” recipe:

Autumn Pumpkin Chilpotle Ramen 

1. Find that Ramen noodle that you bought for emergency situations and prepare it according to its instructions – except for spice package – DON’T USE IT!

2. Instead, when noodles are nice and tender, scoop 2 spoonfuls of Pumpkin Chilpotle Pesto and mix until completely integrated.

3. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

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Now I know that this problem could be easily solved by simply picking up one of those salad spritzers that we have all seen on grocery stores shelves – after all, I have not been living under a rock these past few years. But here’s the deal: how many of those can claim to be made with 100% organic extra virgin olive oil or barrel aged Modena balsamic vinegar? Gourmè Mist can.

Pump the bottle, press the nozzle and a fine mist coats your greens with the just right amount of oil or vinegar. Of course, making the perfect dressing is only one way of enjoying Gourmè Mist. Non-aerosol and free of chemical propellants, it’s also an environmentally friendly alternative to cooking sprays. And needless to say, it’s much better for you!

Try their Balsamic Vinegar + Pomegranate or their Balsamic Vinegar + Raspberry - the sweet and tangy taste of these antioxidant-packed fruits will transform even the most ordinary of salads into a culinary experience.

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Though this was very nice on their part, I was mortified. Here we were in our brand new house receiving our very first visitors and I had nothing – NOTHING – to serve them. Though I’m sure my surprise guests could forgive our being in no condition to play host, I love entertaining, and the idea that I could offer them nothing more than some lukewarm H2O made me more than frustrated. Then it hit me. In the midst of the chaos of moving, I had somehow had the presence of mind to stick 2 large bottles of Señor Sangria in the fridge earlier in the day. Don’t laugh – it seemed like a sane think to do on a hot and sticky summer day.

Now we all know the pitfalls of buying bottled what is best consumed fresh and homemade. Sangria is just one of those things that you can’t really buy – you must suffer through all the peeling and cutting and mixing and hoping that the end result will satisfy even the most demanding of your guests. So serving a bottled Sangria that I had never tasted didn’t thrill me, but it was do or die.

Little did I know that Rick Martinez, the brains behind Señor Sangria, had spent 3 years perfecting his homemade recipe so that it tasted fresh and unaltered when put in a bottle and shipped. The result: a delicious Chilean Merlot mixed with natural fruit juices and pure cane sugar that is better than the stuff I make at home. It’s full of fruit flavors just as good sangria should be, but its fruitiness doesn’t mask the mellow character of the Merlot. And its relatively low alcohol content makes it the perfect drink for the dog days of summer.

My ‘guests’ were delighted and stayed for seconds and thirds and wouldn’t leave before I gave them the deets on Señor Sangria.

Muchísimas gracias!

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It’s no wonder. Unlike the baked potato “crisps” peddled by other companies (which are made from dehydrated potatoes that are formed to resemble the fried variety), Kettle’s are genuine chips off the old spud. Like Kettle’s traditional chips, these are thick-cut and hearty, but carry 65% less fat.

Available in five different flavors (salt and fresh ground pepper, aged white cheddar, hickory honey barbeque, lightly salted and sea salt and vinegar—my personal favorite), these chips are entirely natural and free of preservatives. But this is almost beside the point. You won’t be thinking of how good they are for you, just how good they are. And they are flippin’ good.

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I know I’m bordering on hyperbole here, but this is as close to the Platonic ideal of coffee as we’re likely to get. It’s a wonderfully fragrant and deliciously complex brew. But this doesn’t do it justice: we’re all used to being told that such and such a coffee is aromatic, nuanced, nutty, fruity, clean, etc., etc., etc., only to find that it tastes pretty much like every other brand we’ve tried. And frankly I’m getting a bit tired of wondering, “Am I missing something?” when I’m told the muddy, burnt-tasting stuff in my grande cup is the sine qua non of coffee artisanship.

Enough. In a welter of coffee companies claiming superiority, Counter Culture Yirgacheffe is the real deal: It’s rich, yes, but it’s also somehow delicate, blooming on the tongue as it surprises you with its hints of berry and spice. I’ve also tried Counter Culture’s Rwandan Nyakizu-Butare, which I’m happy to report is every bit as delicious as its Yirgacheffe. What’s more, Counter Culture is dedicated to fair trade practices and organic, sustainable agriculture, cultivating (no pun intended) special relationships with individual family farms in Africa, South America and around the world.

The packaging is also worth raving about: each burlap-colored valve bag boasts artwork originating in the region producing the coffee, a map of the region (for the geographically challenged among us), a description of the farm where the coffee is grown and harvested, as well as individual tasting notes.

In keeping with its grass-roots principles, Counter Culture has recently launched a “cupping” program, inviting any and all to its training centers in Durham, Ashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, New York and Washington, D.C. to enjoy some freshly brewed java and to learn about what makes Counter Culture coffee so special.

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Other than pretty darn tasty, hibiscus extract – I did not know this! – is rich in antioxidants that help support your cardiovascular system, lower ‘bad’ cholesterol and high blood pressure. The flowers, which are hand harvested, provide the main ingredient in this 100% all natural beverage, managing to also give you 100% off your daily recommended value of vitamin C in just one bottle.

Lightly sweetened and mildly carbonated, OOBA‘s drinks come in 6 different hibiscus variations – though I have only tried the following 3: OOBA Hibiscus, OOBA Hibiscus & Lime (with Key Lime essence) and OOBA Hibiscus & Orange (with orange essence) and all 3 are amazing – a little tart, sweet, and tangy. The hibiscus is never overpowering or too floral. At $2 a pop, gluten free, and vegan friendly

Try adding a little OOBA to your favorite cocktail – you will fall in love! Here’s the recipe for my very own concotion for a refreshing afternoon:

Floral Afternoon

• Mint leaves
• Your favorite Gin
• OOBA Hibiscus & Lime
• Ice

Take a few mint leaves and place them at the bottom of a tall glass. Using a pestle, press on them a little – but just a little! Place a few ice cubes, a shot of gin, and fill the glass with OOBA Hibiscus & Lime – and voilá! Best enjoyed with nice company! : )

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Founded in 2003 on the concept that snacks should be natural, healthy, and tasty, Sahale Snacks delivers all 3 and then some! Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, and all sorts of nuts are expertly blended with other energy-packed high quality ingredients, creating the ultimate way to bring yourself from meal to meal – or to replenish your energies after a hard-won race or arduous run.

Their Glazed Cashews with Pomegranate and Vanilla (which won the Shape Best Snack Awards) combines roasted cashews, dried pomegranate, apples, citrus zest, and vanilla bean for a heavenly sweet and salty treat. The pomegranate zest is just enough to create a tang, and not at all sticky. Delicious!

Even though these snacks are great on the run (but I sure wish they came in resealable bags!), they are also a terrific addition to your cooking life. Try chopping them a little and sprinkling over your salad or dropping a handful into your favorite muffin mix.

Sahale Snacks also offers Nut Blends that sound amazing! Can’t wait to try them all!

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It’s no wonder, though. Antoine Amrani received his training at the Ritz Escoffier in Paris – where he gained a “deep respect for the patience, skill and tradition required for artisan chocolate making,” – before working for 9 years at Georges Perrier’s renowned Le Bec Fin as the head pastry chef. And now he is bringing all of this experience to his own collection.

With natural and organic ingredients, and predominantly 70% dark chocolate, these are not ordinary chocolates. They have beautiful, unusual, provocative designs and superb flavors to match. With 12 signature flavors (Pure Dark, Earl Grey, Coconut Kaffir Lime, Almond Crips, Raspberry, Organic Cinnamon Honey, Orange Grand Marnier, Banana Rum, Pistachio, Duo Cafe, and Coffee Sour Cherry) there is something here for everyone. I’m a Pure Dark kind of gal, though the Orange Grand Marnier, Duo Cafe, and Coffee Sour Cherry have me in a trance. The Coconut Kaffir Lime is a pleasure to look at, and an even bigger pleasure to eat. Delicate and sensual, the subtle flavor of the lime is wonderfully complemented by the creamy coconut and chocolate.

These delicious treats come in stunning, beautiful gift boxes that are also environmentally responsible. With lime-green and dark chocolate brown palates, the box alone is a gift in itself. And for those lucky enough to live near the chocolate factory, go ahead and schedule a tour and go behind the scene with Antoine Amrani. They are located at 550 Foundry Rd., E. Norriton, PA.

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This delicious treat comes in a resealable pouch, making it even easier to take on-the-go. But the best part is the fact that each pouch, containing .25g of freeze-dried strawberries (and you know that it’s a lot!) is only 100 calories! Yes – you heard me right: only 100 calories! You can snack to your heart’s content without fear!

Gluten free, dairy free, 100% vegan, Fruitzi’O Strawberry is possibly the world’s best snack!

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