“Get The Goat!” from Say Cheese: For Cheese Lovers Magazine

In the Summer 2010 edition of Say Cheese: For Cheese Lovers they feature our favorite cheese… goat cheese! In the article “Get The Goat” they talk about goat cheese and we wanted to share some of the information with you!

” August is National Goat Cheese Month and if you need a reason to fall in love with this family of cheeses- for the first time or all over again– this is it. Flavors that range from fresh, clean, milky to sharp, assertive and endlessly expressive ensure that there’s a goat cheese for every palate.”

Obviously, we love goat cheese! You can find tons of original goat cheese recipes by clicking here. You can also check out Dory Foard’s Goat Cheese Cookbook. This cookbook is filled with mouth-watering goat cheese recipes.

In the following article titled, ” Who’s Counting?” they examine the calories of different cheeses compared to other foods we snack on. This list of foods included milk chocolate, potato chips, trail mix, and twenty types of cheeses. Fresh goat cheese was the least caloric at of all of them! At only 70 calories per ounce, fresh goat cheese seems to be the best choice. This is just one more reason why we think goat cheese is the best cheese!

Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad!

Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 Container of Strawberries
• 1 Container of Blackberries
• 8 Cups Spinach Leaves
• 1 Cup Candied Walnuts
• 3 Ounces Crumbled Goat Cheese
• 2 Cups Orange Juice
• Raspberry Vinaigrette
• 1 Loaf of Pumpernickel Bread
• Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.
2. Wash the strawberries, blackberries and spinach individually. After rinsing, pat the excess water off with a paper towel.
3. Cut the strawberries into quarters and place in a large bowl.
4. Pour the orange juice over the strawberries, making sure all the strawberries are covered.
5. Slice the bread at a slight angle and brush both sides with olive oil. Place the bread on a cookie sheet and cook for about 10 minutes.
6. In a large serving bowl or dish combine the spinach, blackberries and walnuts.
7. Remove the strawberries from the orange juice and add them to the salad.
8. Take the bread out of the oven after the 10 minutes or when it is evenly crunchy and set aside.
9. Add the crumbed goat cheese and then toss in the raspberry vinaigrette.
10. To serve, put a serving of the salad in the center of a large plate and place a piece of bread on the edge.

Want more goat cheese recipes? Check out Maggie Foard’s cookbook, “Goat Cheese.”

Recipe Created by our social media and marketing intern, Taylor.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Guru Goat Shares “Secrets of Longevity” from Dr. Maoshing Ni

Dr. Maoshing Ni shares his secrets in his book, ”Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” Guru Goat started reading this book and wanted to share some of his secrets that she found most pertinent to natural health and skin care:

Secret #2: Gone With the Wind

” Common colds and flus can turn into serious respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, which claims many lives among the elderly. Eastern medicine sees colds and flus as “wind” disorders… Western medicine calls them adaptogens, which increase the body’s defense mechanisms and help the immune system work better in times of stress. They can be found separately in health food stores or in a formula called Jade Screen in Chinese pharmacies. In addition, wash your hands frequently with soap and water and inhale vapors from eucalyptus, oregano, and lavender tea, which are antibacterial, antiviral, and decongesting.” (page 129)

When washing your hands, try using one of our soaps made with these specific essential oils: eucalyptus, oregano and lavender.  Not only will these soaps keep your hands clean, soft and moisturized, but the pure essential oils in each of them will also have a light aromatherapeutic effect. 

Lavender Pine Chamomile goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as pine, spruce needle and chamomile

Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as orange, grapefruit and rose geranium

Lemongrass goat milk soaps: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as lemongrass, tea tree and peppermint

Lavender Oatmeal goat milk soap: with lavender essential oil, as well as rosweood, rose geranium, and grapefruit

Note: We do not have any soaps made with oregano essential oil because the scent is quite pungent and not really pleasant for body care in our opinion.  Inhaling the vapors from this oil is still very effective.

Secret #1: Keep Cool on the Outside…

” Experiencing extremes of temperature can endanger one’s health and even one’s life. To strengthen the body and make it more resistant to environmental temperature changes, I recommend taking cold showers. This constricts the blood vessels at the surface and extremities of your body, driving tremendous blood flow into the internal organs to increase oxygenation and transport waste away from these vital body parts. If you are not used to the practice, however, acclimate yourself gradually. Begin by scrubbing your body with cold towels. After a few days, run your shower or bathwater at a slightly cooler temperature than you are used to, and use less hot water each week until you can switch to a completely cold shower.” ( page 246)

Of course, we recommend taking your cold shower with our one of the goat milk soaps mentioned above.

Book Information: ” Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” by Dr. Maoshing Ni. Published by Chronicle Books.

Gourmet Goat’s Arugula and Goat Cheese Summer Salad

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: Arugula and Goat Cheese Summer Salad.

Arugula and Goat Cheese Summer Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Arugula
• 1 Cup Pine Nuts
• 1/2 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
• 4 Ounces Goat Cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 1 Cup Tomatoes, Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Vinaigrette
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

1. In a food processor, add 2 cups arugula, 1/2 cup pine nuts. Slowly add olive oil while the processor is on. Mix until fully incorporated. Add salt and pepper and set aside.
2. Mix heavy cream, goat cheese, lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon of water and season with salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, toss remaining arugula, pine nuts, and tomatoes with vinaigrette.
4. Spread 2 Tablespoons of goat cheese mixture on each salad plate.
5. Place the salad over the goat cheese mixture and drizzle with the arugula pesto and balsamic vinegar.

Want more goat cheese recipes? Check out Maggie Foard’s cookbook, “Goat Cheese.”

Recipe adapted from Chef Ashley Quick of Flyte Restaurant recipe for Poached Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Looking for a Bridal Shower Gift Idea? Gifting Goat can Help!

Most brides focus on their dress, hairstyle and makeup for their big day… but they often forget to find something to wear while they are getting ready. With this in mind, Gifting Goat has come up with a bridal shower gift that is as simple as saying “I Do!”

# 1 – Pick a White Robe:

To make sure the bride is picture-ready while she’s getting ready, pick out a white robe. Gifting Goat suggests looking into the luxurious robes made by Giraffe at Home. ( You may recall our recent post about about Little Giraffe baby blankets… well, guess what, the same company makes adult sized throws and robes!)

# 2 – Select a Special Soap for the Starter Kit:

Pair the robe with a Chivas Starter Kit, so that the bride will have beautiful, vibrant skin on her special day! The kit includes 1 goat milk soap (which will keep her body soft and smooth), 1 goat milk facial creme (which will make her skin naturally radiant under all the make-up), 1 goat milk bath salt sachet (which will help her relax a few nights before the big day) and 1 vegan lip balm (which will make her lips kissable for her new hubby). Normally, the Starter Kit comes with the Original goat milk soap, BUT you can also customize it if you wish! Just write your soap preference in the comments section of your order. Gifting Goat suggests you request a soap that is packaged in one of the wedding colors. For example: if the wedding colors are red and white you might request Bed of Roses goat milk soap, since it’s packaged in a soft red label. Brides spend a long time selecting the colors for their wedding so this attention to detail will be appreciated. (If you can’t match the soap packaging to the wedding colors, then just pick your favorite scent! Sweet Nothings is one that most women love.)

# 3 – Remember Tradition:

One bridal shower tradition is making a bouquet out of the ribbon from the gifts. The bride is supposed to walk down the aisle at the rehearsal carrying the ribbon bouquet. So, make sure to use colorful ribbon when wrapping your bridal shower present. We found this fun ribbon at The Ribbon Jar.

# 4 – Make a Memory:

Attach a sweet note or poem to the present. The bride can add this to her wedding scrapbook or put it in a keepsake box. Here’s a little something Gifting Goat came up with (you are welcome to use this!)…

When your wedding day finally arrives,

It will be the most magical day of your lives.

But before you walk down the aisle,

You will be getting ready for a while.

While you wait to have your hair done to your liking,

Put on this white robe and in the photos you’ll look striking.

This luxiourious robe will relieve all your stress,

And have you calm and ready to slip into your wedding dress.

While starting a life with your husband anew,

Bring this Starter Kit along with you.

With soaps colors in every hue,

I picked this one especially for you.

Your wedding day marks the start of a new life,

You are going to make the most amazing wife.

Photo credit: (1) nordstroms.com (2) chivasskincare.com (3) ribbonjar.com

A Few of our Favorite Things from July!

Gossip Goat shares a few of her favorite things that made July a great month!

1. Farmer’s Markets: Summer is a great time to explore your town and go to the Farmer’s Market. Farmer’s Markets offer a variety of fresh fruit, flowers, honey, bread and so much more. Gossip Goat enjoys going to her local Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning. She picks up fresh strawberries and blueberries from her favorite stand. They make a perfect afternoon snack or topping on oatmeal. Gossip Goat will also pick up some colorful flowers to put on her patio table. Placing a vase of flowers on an outside table can turn your basic outdoor table into a lovely outdoor dinning area. Farmer’s Markets are also great places to take photos!

2. Zumba: Summer is a time to have fun and relax and lets face it… sometimes working out isn’t on the top of the list. Gossip Goat loves being in shape but doesn’t necessarily like the process of getting in shape… that is until she started Zumba. Zumba is a high-energy group workout class that tones and sculpts your body while you burn calories and fat. Zumba combines Latin dance and basic cardio in a fun and energetic way. The music alone will have you dancing into shape. Gossip Goat loves the way she feels after an hour of dancing, sweating and smiling. Find a Zumba class near you and give it a try! If Zumba doesn’t sound like your idea of fun try swimming! Check out Granny Goat’s blog on the benefits of swimming this Summer.

3. Great Music: Roll down your windows, turn up the volume and sing along to your favorite Summer song! Gossip Goat has been enjoying the summer breeze while listening to her favorite summer songs. Here are her favorite songs to listen to with the windows down…

• Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
• American Honey – Lady Antebellum
• Summer Girl – Jessica Andrews
• Legs- Jer Coons
• Young Forever- Jay-Z
• Slide Along Side – Shifty
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Cracker (ft. Kid Rock)
• Top Down – Fast Ryde

4. Finding  A New Interest: Gossip Goat wanted to find something new and different. She stumbled upon and quickly became fascinated with the Tour de France! After watching one stage of the Tour she was surprised how captivating the sport of cycling is. Gossip Goat watched every morning as her favorite cyclists, Andy Schleck and Lance Armstrong, saw victory and defeat. Sadly, the Tour de France ended this past Sunday in Paris but Gossip Goat is excited to watch the Tour next year.

5.  Gossip Goat’s Product Pick of the Month… Vegan Lip Balm! Keeping your lips from getting dry during the Summer can be a challenge, especially if you drive around with your windows down singing-along to your favorite song. So make sure to pack your favorite lip balm in your beach bag or leave an extra in your car.

Photo credit: (1) Taylor Harkins (2) inshapeladiesfitness.webs.com (3)Countryuniverse.net (4)byjamesraia.com (5)Chivasskincare.com

Gifting Goat Wraps up the Perfect Engagement Party Gift

Summer engagement parties can leave you looking for gift ideas. Look no further, Gifting Goat has the perfect gift for any newly engaged couple!

When deciding on a price range for an engagement gift it is important to keep in mind future gifting expenses. If you are a close friend of the bride and/or groom, you will also need to purchase presents for the wedding shower, bridal shower, bachelorette or bachelor party, and the wedding. Gifting Goat suggests that you spend around $30  for the engagement party present. Putting time and effort into wrapping can make your gift seem more expensive than it actually is! With this budget in mind and wrapping tip Gifting Goat has come up with the perfect engagement party gift.

Need:

• “Goat Cheese” cookbook ($25)
• Spatula ($2)
• Brown wrapping paper (or kraft recycled paper) ($2)
• Colorful summer ribbon ($1)
• Floral present topper, optional ($1)
• Recipe card
• Tape

Instructions:

1. On a recipe card ( or piece of nice paper) write down your favorite recipe or a recipe you think the newly engaged couple will enjoy.
2. Wrap up the “Goat Cheese” cookbook in the brown wrapping paper. Take the time to make sure the creases are clean and the tape is hidden as much as possible.
3. Wrap the ribbon around either corner, tying a knot in one corner.
4. At this point, tape down your recipe card in the center.
5. Carefully, slide the spatula under the ribbon on either corner.
6. Finally, tie a bow in the corner where you have knotted the ribbon. (Optional: attach the floral present topper under the bow.)

About the Book: The “Goat Cheese” cookbook has large photographs and tons of great recipes that will have your engaged friends excited to use their new kitchen!  Recipes include Sweet Ricotta Pancakes topped with bananas and strawberries, Cherry Oatmeal Scones with chevre or fromage blanc, Lamb Tenderloins stuffed with eggplant and feta, and the Espresso Cheesecake Brownie …Yummm!  You can learn more about the “Goat Cheese” cookbook here.

If you are worried about what gifts to buy for other future wedding parties, have no fear, Gifting Goat will keep you posted with wedding gift ideas, and more, all summer long. And if there’s a baby on the way, check out “Gifting Goat Shows You How to Make Baby Shower Party Favor” ,which features our goat milk bath salts packaged cutely in baby bottles.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Want to Stay Cool this Summer? Refresh with the Coolest Yogurt in Town!

Gossip Goat has fallen in love with Pinkberry! It is the perfect way to cool off and enjoy a guilt-free dessert! Pinkberry offers a variety of flavors from Pomegranate, Original, Chocolate, Mango, Passion Fruit, Coconut and their newest addition Watermelon. At less than 35 calories an ounce this summer treat won’t make you feel guilty about a thing!

These refreshing flavors of yogurt are made that much sweeter by adding whatever toppings you want! Pinkberry offers fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. They also offer decadent toppings like cheesecake, Oreos, chocolate shavings and nuts.

Right now Pinkberry is offering a promotion for their newest flavor Watermelon. If you go between 5-7 pm and order Watermelon it is half-priced!

Gossip Goat’s favorite swirly combination is Pomegranate and Mango yogurt with pineapple, strawberries and Oreos. The Oreos add a nice crunch to the refreshing and delicious combination of these summer fruit flavors.

Still looking for other ways to stay cool this summer? Take a cool shower with Lemongrass goat milk soap!

Granny Goat’s Advice on How Swimming Will Get You Fit and Tan This Summer

Swimming is a great way to get in shape, enjoy the summer weather and get tan. Swimming is a full body workout and you can do it in just 30 minutes. Our summer intern, Taylor, sat down with Granny Goat and shared swimming tips and swimsuit advice for the summer. Taylor has been splashing around in a pool since she was little and now is playing competitive water polo at Santa Clara University.

If you are new to swimming or just need some guidance Granny Goat has a provided a swim workout for every level of swimmer.

Beginner:

• 4 x 25 freestyle warm up ( minute rest between each)
• 4 x 50 freestyle ( minute rest between each)
• 4 x 25 freestyle sprints (30 second rest between each)
• 1 x 100 freestyle cool down

Medium:

• 4 x 75 freestyle warm up ( minute rest between each)
• 4 x 100 freestyle ( 30 second rest between each)
• 4 x 50 freestyle ( 30 second rest between each)
• 6 x 25 freestyle sprints ( 30 seconds rest between each)
• 2 x 100 freestyle cool down ( minute rest between each)

Experienced:

• 4 x 100 freestyle warm up ( 30 second rest between each)
• 8 x 100 freestyle ( 30 second rest between each)
• 4 x 50 freestyle ( 30 second rest between each)
• 6 x 25 freestyle sprints ( 15 seconds rest between each)
• 4 x 100 freestyle cool down ( minute rest between each)

If this looks like a foreign language to you Granny Goat has provided a list of some of the key terms in swimming:

• 25 yards = 1 lap (usually the length of one side of the pool to the other)
• 50 yards = 2 laps
• 75 yards = 3 laps
• 100 yards = 4 laps
• Freestyle= the most basic swim stroke and is also referred to as “free” and “forward crawl”
• 3 x 100 = this means you swim 100 yards (4 laps each) 3 times taking a break between each 100 yards.

Concern #1: Tan Lines

You may be worried that you will get odd tan lines in a one-piece swimsuit but recently swimsuit companies like Nike, TYR and Speedo have designed swimsuits that address this concern. Gossip Goats favorite is Nike Swim Polyester Cut-Out Tank (above). It comes in a variety of colors and has thin straps and a very open back.

Concern #2: Dry Skin

Chlorine can dry out your skin so it is important to shower right after swimming. We recommend using our goat milk soap in the shower to keep your skin moisturized and fresh after a nice swim this summer. If the chlorine makes your face dry try our Fragrance Free Facial Creme (above) and for dry lips try our lip balms.

Gourmet Goat Shares Her Favorite Grilled Cheese Recipe

Summer Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

The Gourmet Goat has created a recipe that will make regular grilled cheese sandwiches envious!

Ingredients:

Spread:

• 1/3 Cup Mayonnaise
• 1 ¼ Cup Baby Spinach
• 1 ¼ teaspoon Minced Garlic
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Pepper

Sandwich:

• 10 Slices Cracked Sourdough Bread
• 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Cup Baby Spinach
• 6 oz Package of Garlic and Herb Goat Cheese
• 1 Avocado, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 Tomato, thinly sliced

Directions:

1)    Lay out 10 pieces of bread on wax paper. Brush olive oil on one side of each slice of bread and put the oiled side on the wax paper.

2)    Soften goat cheese in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For each sandwich, spread one piece of the bread with goat cheese.

3)    Combine the spread ingredients in a food processor and sauté. Coat the other piece of sandwich bread with the spread. (*Note: any extra spread can be used to dip the grilled sandwich in)

4)    On the goat cheese piece of bread add tomato slices, baby spinach and avocado. Place the piece of bread with spread on top of the other slice. (*Note: at this point the outside pieces of the sandwich should have olive oil on them)

5)    Using a grill pan or a large skillet, cook the sandwich over medium heat until golden brown, flip sandwich and grill other side till golden brown.

NOTE:  Make it a full meal by pairing these sandwiches with Tomato Soup and Caesar Salad.

Looking for other goat cheese recipes? Try Maggie Ford’s “Goat Cheese” cookbook.

Interested in the benefits of goat milk for your skin? Check out our goat milk soaps.

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