Modern Brio

Wine Wednesday: Vino for your Holidays!

Hi Friends,

Since we're right in the midst of the holidays, I thought I'd post some wines for you to try during the season!  I've been accumulating these bottles with the intent of posting them here, so today you get 5 for the price (or read) of 1!  Although these are all pretty good, the Malbecs are excellent!

I realize this isn't a professional photo (but thanks, handy iPhone!), however I think it gets the job done. Descriptions after the photo:

From left to right:

Middle Sister Rebel Red: A Zin/Merlot/Cab table wine (without a year on the label, but it's good!)

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza Rioja, 2006: Unique full-bodied blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano grapes- spicy!

Hob Nob Pinot Noir, 2008: Nice little pinot with black cherry notes

Becker Vineyards Malbec, 2008: Texas vineyard outside of Austin (I've been there!), and this Malbec is excellent with coffee, among other complex, notes.  I've gotten away from Becker lately, but this is delish.

Trivento Malbec, 2008: Argentinian beauty from oak barrels- seriously yum!

Enjoy, and I hope you have a fabulous Christmas and New Year (or whatever you celebrate)!

I'm Still Alive

Hi Friends,

I know- I've been gone for like two months.  It's lame.  I don't like it either.  Truth be told, I've been working on my new professional blog, Social Brio (among other projects).  I still really, really want to keep up this blog, so stay tuned for me to figure out how to do so.

Thank you for reading over the past few months; in the meantime, check out www.thesocialbrio.com if you're at all interested in Internet marketing.

Have a great week!

~MB

McDonald's Food Doesn't Spoil

Yes, I realize that I've been neglecting my poor little blog!  I've been working on some other projects, so I haven't had the time to devote to writing here and also completing our Finland blog.  I also plan to do a Wine Wednesday blog for tomorrow, so be on the lookout :)

When it comes to fast food, most of us have probably experienced finding a french fry in a car that has no doubt been there for a while.  Now we know that it's not just our imagination; McDonald's food really doesn't spoil.

Somehow, the results of a recent photography project by photographer Sally Davies is even more appalling to me than that of the documentary Super Size Me.  This summer she purchased a Happy Meal from McDonald's, put it on her counter uncovered, and took pictures of it over at least a 145 day period (I'm not sure when or if she has stopped).  The results?  It looks practically the same.  No bugs, no smell.  Which, to me, reeks of fake, preservative-laden food (but certainly not nourishment).

See her photo set here.

Some food for thought: next time you want to go through the drive thru and order a burger, think about the 145 day old burger photo and realize that when it comes down to it, the two are the same.  Disgusting.

Thanks to The Dinner Party Download podcast for bring this story, and many other wonderful things, to my attention each week!

Wine Wednesday: Zinfully Good

Have you missed Wine Wednesday?  I have!

This week's selection is a 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel from Sonoma called Zen of Zin.  The delicious flavors in this vino include chocolate and blackberry, and it's delicious both on its own and with foods such as chicken and pork.

If you've seen me over the past two weeks or so with a glass of wine in my hand, it's been this one.  In fact, I just looked at the bottle and realized I'm almost out.  Is there anything worse than a great bottle of wine that's almost empty?  I think not.

Enjoy, and Happy Hump Day!

I'm Baaaaack

I can't believe it has been a month since my last post!  I think I have a pretty good excuse, though.  In the past month, I've moved out of our flat in Helsinki, spent a week on the East Coast with family, found a new place to live (in a new city) and hosted and entertained friends from Finland for 5 days, starting 2 days after we moved in.

Ahhhh.  I can breathe again.

Now, back to the important things in life.  Like The Bachelorette season finale that I'm currently watching on TV.  I usually don't write about TV shows, especially the Reality kind, but what the Hell.  And yes, I realize how incredibly silly it is that I'm so wrapped up in a show that is supposed to make meeting and marrying the man or woman of your dreams happen in a matter of months!  If you haven't been watching this season, this post isn't going to make much sense.  But if you have...

Hold on, for just about 45 minutes.  I have to see who she picks (Roberto, pleeeeease)...

(20 minutes later) Wow, Ali is seriously a classy chick.  And I'm not being sarcastic.  I was expecting to be yelling at my TV screen exactly 4 minutes before 9 pm, when asshole Frank showed up and swept her off her dizzy feet.  Instead, letting Chris go the day before the Final Rose ceremony is unprecedented, and about the most real thing anyone (especially any girl) has done on this show.  I'm used to watching girls being crazy, slutty and catty on this show (or all 3).  And Chris is equally as awesome for his reaction; he was actually thankful to Ali for telling him a day early, instead of being bitter or a jerk.  You know, like Wes from Austin, who would have gotten in the limo, said "F her", picked up a few girls on the side of the road and drank a bottle of Jack on his way back to Texas.  I'm so excited to see him on the premier of The Bachelor Pad next week.

Speaking of Texas, Jordan just came into the living room (he's been told that it's Bri TV night- he even did the dishes :)) and said, "This is so stupid," to which I lightly shouted, "No it's not!!".  What does he know?  He's probably in the office watching American Dad, or some other pointless drivel.  Unlike this fabulous show.

Anyway.  Roberto has been my favorite all season (and "Smokin' hot," as my sister said), and although I could be wrong, I think they're actually a great match.  They are certainly better suited than Jake and Vienna!  Yay Roberto and Ali!

Now, for the After the Final Rose show...

Frank SUCKS.  Excuse me if that's not ladylike.  I thought fondly of him after their first one-on-one date, but after watching episode after episode of him whining and moaning about how "This sucks" and "I hate seeing her with other guys" and "It's really hard to watch her with Roberto in The Lion King tonight"... like Kesha says,  Blah, Blah, Blah. What a loser.  And now he decides not to show up to the after show to clear the air between him and Ali.  Unbelievable.

Oh s***, I hear gunshots.  No, I don't live in a bad neighborhood.  It's just my husband playing Counter-Strike.  Wait- do we suck, too?

Back to the show.  Did I mention how sweet Chris is?  He's so gracious, so mature, and so level-headed.  I hope he finds a nice girl in the Cape!

Maybe I've finally been fooled by this wacky show, but I really feel like Ali and Roberto are going to end up married and happy, just like Trista and Ryan.  I love them- can they be friends with us?!  All we have to do is move to San Diego (hint hint)!

One last thing.  As I was just about to grab Jordan out of the office and get back to reality, he came in here, looked at my laptop and said, in a half-joking tone, "Oh no.  Comic Sans.  Please change it, Brianne!  Everyone hates Comic Sans- just Google it!  You'll never be successful writing in that font."  So just for you, Jorma (his Finnish name), this post is brought to you in clean Arial.  And they wonder why we watch Reality TV? :)

Wine Wednesday: A Bad Year

This week I actually have a recommendation for what not to drink!

The Alko (Finnish wine and liquor store) recently started purchasing the 2009 batch of the French La Vielle Ferme I wrote about a few weeks ago.  In that post I wrote that I had the 2009 batch already (and that it was good), but I'm positive that it was the 2008 version I was drinking.  Why?  Because the 2009 batch is not. Good.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it tastes completely different, and not nearly as delicious as the previous years' batches.

I don't mean to be negative or bash a wine, but I thought it would be nice to warn you in case you come across a 2009 bottle during your next trip to the store.  Have a great week!

A Day Late and a Bottle Short

We've been busy here in Helsinki during our last few weeks before we leave (sad!), so I apologize for the smaller number of posts!

Unfortunately I don't have a new wine for you this week, but if you're looking for something new, you can go to my Wine Wednesday category to get inspired by some of my previous selections.  And as always, if you have a great wine you'd like to share, send me a description to bri at modern brio dot com.

Have a great weekend, and a great Midsummer weekend if you're up in the Nordics with us!

Fresh Herbs and Garlic Rock My World

For the past few months, I've been able to experience the wonderful product that is the fresh herb plant.  You know how in the States, either you can't find fresh herbs at the grocery store, or if they're available they come in a plastic container?  Well, not in Finland, my friends.

When we first arrived in January, I thought it was really cool when I saw a select few herb plants available for purchase, such as basil and coriander (which is cilantro, for my US peeps who didn't know that it's the exact same thing).  Then I discovered Stockmann, the largest department/grocery store in the country, which took my love for herb plants to a whole new level!  There are shelves full of fresh herbs at Stockmann, including oregano, rosemary, dill and basically any other herb with which you can use to cook.  The best part about them is that they're still in their pot, with soil, and still alive.  They smell fantastic.

This is one thing about Finland that I'm really going to miss- weekly trips to Stockmann, when I return home with a pretty, big, reusable Stockmann grocery bag that emanates the fragrance of fresh basil or coriander, or both.  Not only does it make our kitchen smell beautifully, but I think it also has a way of inspiring fresh, delicious meals that don't originate from the freezer, microwave or the fast food shop on the corner.

I also have a bit of an obsession with garlic.  Sure, it's is a proven aphrodisiac, but I swear garlic has the power to make me happy.  The other day I was making a pasta dish that I make often during the summer, and when I tasted the corkscrew pasta mixed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and raw garlic, I swear, I was instantly happy.  It was as if it was the first, and best thing I had ever eaten in my life (and I'm not being dramatic).  So I'm wondering, am I alone in this love of garlic?  Or have you had the same experience?

I've actually heard that eating one clove of raw garlic every day is really good for you.  I'm thinking about trying it, as long as we're not going on a date that night ;)  Maybe you should try it too- and don't forget to seek out the fresh, potted herbs!

Are you hungry yet?!

Vino Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!

Here's a nice little vino for your week- another South African wine from the Western Cape.  This one has strong black current, cherry and spice notes and was aged in oak barrels.  It's a nice, inexpensive Shiraz!

You know the other reason why I like this wine?  Because the bottle has a pitchfork that looks just like Sparky's (ASU mascot if you don't know).  Sparky, his pitchfork and our baseball team are headed back to Omaha for the College World Series.  I love ASU and baseball... and we've come full circle.

Go Devils and Go USA- beat Slovenia tonight!  Enjoy your wine and the rest of the week!

Energy Mix for Your Weekend Run

Happy Friday to you!

I just put together a new workout mix since I was bored with the previous one, and this time I chose mostly electronic and dance music.  I'm sure some of you just cringed, but hear me out.

When you make a workout playlist with your most recent favorites, you're, A. listening to music that you listen to all the time (like at work), and B. probably hearing beats that are slower than, say, your running pace.  I'll admit that I can't listen to electronic for hours at a time (unless I'm at the lake on a hot summer day), but it is perfect for exercising!  The songs are often really long- sometimes in excess of 4 minutes- and the continuous and repetitive beats make for a consistency in your step.  Although it's ideal for running, I find that it's good if you're weight training or doing other cardio as well, since the music kind of takes you to another place.

Here's my playlist; I hope at least one of these songs makes your workout just a little better!  Have a great weekend!

Sleepyhead- Passion Pit

Hot Like Wow- Nadia Oh (discovered this one from Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance)

This is Miami (Radio Edit)- Sander Kleinenberg

Romeo- Basement Jaxx

Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon)- David Guetta

Paper Planes- M.I.A.

Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away)- David Guetta & The Egg

Breathe- Telepopmusik

Millionaire- AR Rahman & Madhumitha

Proper Education (Club Mix)- Eric Prydz vs. Floyd

Red Alert- Basement Jaxx

Move Shake Drop Remix- DJ Laz

Electric Feel- MGMT (cool down)

Total Time: 51 minutes