Category: Food

For thousands of years, Italians have said “Festeggia il Vino!” which means “Celebrate the Wine!”  Even the ancient Egyptians saved wine for royalty, leaving ordinary people to drink beer.  Wine has changed over the years. Many of today’s wines are full of additives and other things that give you that morning-after headache! Suzanne’s Natural Foods is excited to talk about some of the new exceptional wines we are featuring right now.  Have a look…or a taste!  Cheers!

Shannon Ridge Winery, California

Located in Lake County, California, thirty-five miles north of Napa, Shannon Ridge is a favorite with customers and employees alike.  Surrounded by wildlife, the grapes are grown in volcanic soil off the shores of Clear Lake.  The rich soil produces a superior flavor and quality that is hard to find at this price.  This wine is a favorite – try it soon!

The Wonderful Wine Company, California

Clean! Clean! Clean! Did we mention this is clean wine at its best? That’s what you’ll find with this line of wines.  They like to say it’s sustainable from grapes to glass because they have an emphasis on packaging as well as grape quality.  Enjoy a lovely glass or two of your favorite with no worries about a morning-after headache.  Vegan-friendly and organically farmed, try a bottle or two with your next meal.

Lubanzi Wines, South Africa

Named after a dog who followed two men on a mission trip backpacking for six days across the South Africa Wild Coast, this wine is committed to delivering real and meaningful social impact while providing an outstanding and tasteful experience.  This Fair-Trade wine delivers 50% of its profits back to the people who make it and is a Certified B-Corporation.  Make a difference while you enjoy its smooth, bold flavor.  Packaged in cans, it’s a different look but great taste. Cheers!

Wildman Pet Nat Wines, South Africa

Meaning “naturally sparkling wine made from the ancestral method,” these are an imported, small-batch pleasure in a bottle. Suzanne’s carries both the Astro Bunny and the Piggy Pop. Sourced in South Africa with no additives which means no need to shake before opening. Very pizza friendly, so these wines make the perfect addition to your weekend (or weekday) plans. Serve chilled!

Koval Spirits, Chicago

Crafted as grain to bottle in Chicago, IL. While these are spirits and not wines, they still fit in as organic and made intentionally in small batches. All grains are sourced from Midwestern farmers, distilled in the Koval facility in Chicago using Lake Michigan water naturally purified through the charcoal method. Each bottle is Certified Organic and Certified Kosher. They are also a proud member of Slow Foods USA, promoting sustainability and preservation of traditional cuisine and techniques. These internationally acclaimed spirits are great for gifts… or yourself!

From California to South Africa, we have healthy and clean wines for every taste at Suzanne’s. Try one today!

Ahhh January. The month of good intentions. Many people start the month with a commitment to improve their health. That commitment usually includes weight loss. The KETO Diet is still currently the most popular diet in the U.S. Its popularity is due to appealing to a wide variety of the population from people with diabetes to CrossFit enthusiasts. If you don’t mind cooking and can hang in there during the transition period when you may have sugar/carb withdrawals, this could be a great fit for you.

The ketogenic diet, or Keto as it commonly referred to, induces ketosis in your body. Ketosis is a state where your body is primarily burning fat and ketones for energy instead of consumed calories. This occurs by lowering your carbohydrates and replacing them with an extremely high fat intake. Normally on a Keto diet, about 80% of your daily calories come from fat, 15% protein and only 5% from carbs.

The positive side of the Keto diet is that when followed properly, an improved overall performance and body composition normally follow. Most people look leaner and have reduced body fat without the energy crash associated with most reduced calorie and higher carb plans. If you want to maintain energy throughout the day without having to count calories or go to weigh-ins, this plan may work well for you.

The initial transition to this diet can be challenging for some. You may experience what some call “Keto Flu” which can include side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and occasional constipation. These symptoms usually disappear within 14 days. Once ketosis is achieved and your body adjusts, you will feel the benefits quickly. Some people even report neurological benefits like memory improvement, although some can find low carb diets result in mood swings. It’s also important to stay hydrated and make sure your supplements include electrolytes. One of the biggest complaints with Keto is bad breath. This can be avoided with extra vigilance in oral hygiene and a good mouthwash several times a day. Short breaks can be beneficial as long-term ketosis can put extra stress on your kidneys and possibly increase your risk for kidney stones. Keeping your hydration up should be a priority as well as monitoring your electrolytes.

Keto is more of a lifestyle than a diet. Suzanne’s offers everything you need to be successful on the keto diet including organic veggies, protein powders and supplements. Here is a link to plenty of recipes to get you cooking with Keto! Remember, it’s always recommended to see your doctor before starting any weight loss plan. And as always, come in with any questions you may have. Good Luck!