CasaSugar

Fall Garden: Scarlet Jewell Maple

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

If, like me, one of your favorite parts of Fall is taking in the gorgeous colors of leaves, you might want to consider purchasing trees for your yard that are known for their Fall colors. For instance, if you love brilliant, fiery red tones, you might want to check out the Scarlet Jewell, a variety of maple tree that gives you bright red color typically two weeks ahead of other maple trees. Growing to a height of 70 feet and a width of 30 feet, its leaves are dark green in the Summer, and it grows in zones 3-7, preferring moist, slightly acidic soil.

To find out more about this maple, read more.

And as an added bonus, the Scarlet Jewell also showcases tiny, bright red flowers each Spring. This gorgeous tree was selected in northern Minnesota by Terry Schwartz of Bailey Nurseries, and is grown exclusively by that nursery as well. It's only available at independent garden centers across the country, so check mom and pop operations in your neighborhood for this tree. If you have garden catalog lust, you can also check out the Bailey Nurseries catalog here, and save a tree!

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Midday Muse: Autumn Maple Leaves

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:30:00 -0700

I saw these Japanese Maple leaves the other day when I was walking home from work. Their deep colors make me wistful for a more autumnal fall-such as the type I grew up with in the midwest.
Anyone else seeing some beautiful fall leaves?

Yummy Link: Maple Baked Apples

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:10:08 -0700

One of the best things about fall are ripe apples off of the tree. What would be even better is if they were baked in maple syrup. - The Wednesday Chef

Must Read: Field Guide to Candy

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:30:04 -0700

With tomorrow being Halloween, we've unofficially opened the Pandora's Box that is Fall sweets season. That's why the Field Guide to Candy (
$16) couldn't have come at a better time. Pastry chef Anita Chu, who authored the Field Guide to Cookies, has come out with a second book, which promises to teach you "how to identify and make virtually every candy imaginable." Does it live up to its promise? To find out, keep reading.

The Basics: Roasted Butternut Squash

partysugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:24 -0700

One of my favorite Fall ingredients is butternut squash. It's incredibly versatile and lends an autumnal, pumpkin-ish flavor to everything from salad to soup to macaroni and cheese. Unlike the seasonal produce of Summer, many cold-weather vegetables can not be enjoyed raw. However, once you know the simple steps to roasting butternut squash you can put it to use in just about anything.

The roasted chunks can be tossed with arugula and white beans. Or, blitz the squash in a food processor and use the puree to make lasagna. Not only are there unlimited ways to cook with roasted squash, there are also plenty of ways to season it. Fresh sage, thyme, or rosemary add an earthiness to the squash, while honey or maple syrup caramelizes the flesh. Doesn't experimenting with different flavorings and preparations sound like fun? To get started, check out my basic recipe for roasted squash.

Roundup: Autumn Leaves

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:30:43 -0700

Are you lucky enough to see turning leaves in your neighborhood right now? Even in the Bay Area, red maple leaves and crisp orange oak leaves are dotting the sidewalks and parks around my home. I love the hues and shapes of turning Fall leaves, as well as how designers translate the pattern into their work. One of my favorite finds is this Autumn Mirrored Chest ($1,699). This handcrafted chest is hand-painted with curling Autumn leaves, and features mirrored veneers and a hardwood base. True, it's a splurge, but what a beautiful spurge it is!

For some more reasonably priced Autumn finds, see below.

10 Ways to Make It Rain Meatballs

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:50:19 -0700

The trailer for the new animated comedy Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs makes me hungry for a plate of spaghetti with meatballs. The giant pancake laden with butter and maple syrup looks pretty good, and the gelatin, well . . . interesting, but the marinara spheres falling from the sky look too juicy and savory to resist. Whether or not you plan to catch the movie, here are a handful of different ways you can satisfy your inevitable craving for meatballs.

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Glycemic Index: Where Do Sweeteners Fall?

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0700

If you don't know much about the glycemic index (GI), it could be affecting your health. The GI ranks specific carbohydrates from zero to 100, based on how they affect your blood sugar levels after eating them. Typically, eating foods that have a high GI (such as white bread and soda) causes a spike in blood sugar levels. When you consume these foods, you may feel a surge of get-up-and-go at first, but will have an energy crash soon afterward. High GI foods have also been linked to an increased risk for cancer, type 2 diabetes, acne, Alzheimer's, and weight gain. Foods that are low on the GI have been associated with feeling full, which can prevent you from overeating.

Sweeteners are a type of carbohydrate that are tough to avoid since many people crave sweet foods such as chocolate, cookies, candy, and ice cream. All these treats are made with different types of sweeteners, so when cooking or choosing foods, it's good to know how they compare. To see where different types of sweeteners fall on the glycemic scale, read more.

Sweeteners don't need to be completely avoided, though, since both the type of food and the amount you consume affect your body's glycemic response. If you know you're the kind of person who can't eat just one homemade cookie, then you may want to make them with agave syrup instead of white sugar.

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The Card Shop: Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:04 -0800

No, it's not tradition to send cards at Thanksgiving. But, take one look at the Dingbat Press Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes ($24), and you'll be convinced. This gorgeous boxed set of six notes features soft-red maple leaves in varying sizes falling from a vivid-orange maple tree. The notes arrive tied with a ruby-red ribbon, and enclosed in a sturdy chocolate box. So, whether you'll be sending these autumnal notes or just gifting them, you'll be sure to impress.

Take a Bite Into Fall With Apple-Inspired Ingredients

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:50 -0700

As you know, it's the first day of Fall. That means colder weather, dryer air, and the impending cozy scents of cinnamon, pumpkin, maple, and apple. So, when do we eat?

To get into the spirit of the new season, all this week I'll be featuring products with Autumn-inspired ingredients. I'll start you off with the delicious and nutritious apple. Whether it be Granny Smith or Jonagold, the apple's powerful antioxidants and natural exfoliating properties will help keep skin soft and glowing. Plus, they smell rather lovely, too. So why not go bobbing for some apples yourself? Here are some tasty ideas: