What is Le Dîner en Blanc? (Part 1)

Francois Pasquier started the concept of Le Dîner en Blanc in 1988 in Paris with a simple gathering of friends, all dressed in white to identify each other in a public place to have a picnic. The event gained momentum as friends invited more friends and it spread to other locations in Paris and eventually various cities, provinces etc. around the world. For instance, Montreal, New York, Brisbane, Québec, Barcelona, Boston and Sydney to name a few.

The event is designed to promote Ethics and Values, Friendship, Secrecy, Effort, Joie de Vivre (The joy of living), Heritage and Magic.

Here is the breakdown of the concept:

– Hosts usually include a who’s who of influencers in various spheres. There will also be volunteers.

– Hosts and volunteers invite their friends and family to the picnic, then any space that’s left goes to those on the waiting list

– Organizers and volunteers are informed of the location only hours prior to the dinner, but other attendees would not know until they arrive via transportation provided by Dîner en Blanc

РThe location should be an amazing place. For instance, a D̨ner en Blanc has occurred at the Eiffel Tower

– The event has no limitation in terms of culture or age

– ~1000 persons carry tables and chairs, gourmet food and wine

– Persons arrive dressed in all white and are guided to pre-assigned seating by table leaders

– Persons set up their white tables, chairs and tablecloths; as well as china and silverware

– Persons wave their white dinner napkins and begin to eat

– Persons drink only wine or champagne and socialize

– Persons light sparklers once dinner is complete to light up the night and to open the dance floor for the party

– Persons party and dance the night away

– Persons will clean up, pack up, then head out

It has also been observed that persons become quite comfortable talking with each other, carry personal fans and intricate table arrangements or decor.

See the video below:

Le D̨ner en Blanc International РEnglish Version: http://youtu.be/9D6Uv1Vcvus

Of course, Jamaicans love to copy everything. But in this case, why not? It is an excellent concept. Stay tuned for ‘What is Le Dîner en Blanc – Part 2’ as Suga Lifestyle breaks down Jamaica’s good and not so good plans, credit card fiascos and more.

The 64th Annual NBA All-Star Weekend Highlights!

The real excitement began on Saturday night with the 3-point shoot out contest, where Golden State Warriors point guard, Stephen Curry scored 27 out of a possible 34 points in the Championship round. It was his first win in the event. Curry topped fellow Warriors guard, Klay Thompson who couldn’t handle the pressure after Curry’s superb performance, scoring 14 in the Championship round, less than in the elimination round and 2013 Three-Point Contest winner, Kyrie Irving of Cleveland Cavaliers, who scored 17.

The Slam Dunk Competition followed, which was totally dominated by Zach LaVine of Minnesota Timberwolves. Runner-up, Orlando Magic’s Victor Oladipo’s 360º Reverse Dunk deserves notable mention.

Check out how Zach LaVine gets all NBA players standing as he ‘Throws Down the “Space Jam” Dunk’ in the 2015 Sprite Slam-Dunk Contest here:

Last night, the West won 163-158 over the East, the record for the largest combined score of 321 compared to last year’s 318. But it was all about MVP All-Star, Russell Westbrook, guard for Oklahoma City Thunder, who racked up 41 points in style, just short of Wilt Chamberlain’s highest scoring MVP All-Star record of 42 made in 1962. Westbrook also set the record for most points in a half with 27. What a showman! LeBron who? James started out hot but fell short in the end with 30 points.

Congrats to all the winners of the All-Star Weekend!

 

 

Recipe found with Cookpad (http://cookpad.com/en) by mistyler, cover by clabbergirl; Original url: http://www.allthecooks.com/shrimp-scampi-2.html

Whip up some Shrimp Scampi for your Valentine!

Recipe found with Cookpad (http://cookpad.com/en) by mistyler, cover by clabbergirl; Original url: http://www.allthecooks.com/shrimp-scampi-2.html
Recipe found with Cookpad (http://cookpad.com/en) by mistyler, cover by clabbergirl;
Original url: http://www.allthecooks.com/shrimp-scampi-2.html

INGREDIENTS

1 pound – Shrimp

1 tablespoon – Pure Olive Oil

2 tablespoon – Finely Chopped Garlic

1 1/2 cup – White Wine

1/2 Fresh Lemon (Juice Only)

1 teaspoon – Italian Seasoning Blend

1/2 cup – Butter

1 tablespoon – Fresh Parsley (Chopped Fine)

1 Salt and Pepper (To Taste)

1/2 cup – Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese

—————————-

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat heavy bottomed skillet and add oil. Do not allow oil to smoke.

2. Add shrimp, cook until tender and no longer translucent.

3. Remove shrimp from pan and reduce heat slightly.

4. Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to brown garlic as this will produce a slightly bitter flavor.

5. When garlic is cooked, add white wine.

6. Squeeze juice from lemon in pan, and reduce wine by half.

7. After it is reduced, add Italian seasoning blend.

8. Reduce heat to low, and slowly add butter, 1 Tbsp at a time. The butter should slowly melt into the sauce and create a nice creamy texture. If the pan is too hot the butter will separate.

9. Once butter is fully incorporated, add shrimp back into sauce, add parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

10. Serve with garnish of fresh cheese if desired. Scampi is great accompanied by fresh pasta.

Good choices of sides to go with this delicious dish could be Garlic bread or Baked potato. Enjoy!

Top 7 Restaurants to Wine and Dine Tomorrow in Kingston, Ja

Expensive (~$4000-$5000JMD per person)

1. Rojo at Spanish Court Hotel

2. Strawberry Hill

3. Terra Nova All Suite Hotel (The Terrace)

Mid-range (~$2500-$3500JMD per person)

4. Majestic Sushi and Grill, Villa Ronai

5. The Blue Window at The Jamaica Pegasus

Affordable (~$1500-$2800JMD per person)

6. South Avenue Grill

7. EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse, Newcastle

*Considering at least 2 courses, not including beverages

Coconut milk is not good if you are on a diet!

First of all, here is a list of some of what Coconut milk is a common ingredient for:

Curries

Rice and Peas/Coconut rice

Run down

Pumpkin soup

Coconut cream sauce (often used on fish)

Banana pudding

Coconut ice cream

Trini Callaloo (stew)

Brazilian seafood and stews

Serabi pancakes in Indonesia

What is Coconut milk?

According to Wikipedia, it is the liquid that comes from the grated meat of a brown coconut. It should not be confused with Coconut water. The colour and rich taste of Coconut milk can be attributed to the HIGH OIL CONTENT. Most of the fat is Saturated fat.

Coconut milk has 21g saturated fat per 100g with 230 calories, that is 104% daily value of saturated fat or even 16% per tablespoon! No bueno.

So what do you do if you enjoy some of the dishes above?

Make a sacrifice and avoid them until your fitness goal is obtained or you can afford to have ‘cheat days’ OR substitute the Coconut milk for Almond milk or Skimmed milk, of course knowing the taste would not be as authentic or delicious.

‘Amashika and Friends’ clean up Wag Water River

Newly inducted member of the Rotaract Club of Kingston, Amashika Lorne, organised a clean up of the Wag Water River for her birthday with friends. She had 42 volunteers, including 2 who were disabled.

55 garbage bags and other huge items like tyres, pieces of furniture, buckets, refrigerators etc. were collected.

Amashika’s commendable act did not stop there. After the clean up, a Presentation on Environmental Awareness was conducted by Patrice Gilpin of NEPA and herself to residents of the Boone Hall Oasis Community. Amashika also thanked Boone Hall Oasis, NEPA, Nestle Jamaica, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, Respect Jamaica, Rotaract Club of Kingston, her family and friends for their Assistance and a very special birthday.

Great job Amashika and friends for doing their part in the campaign, ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’.

Items 1-10 belong in the trash, not in our streets, beaches, sea or gullies

Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica

Items 1-10 belong in the trash, not in our streets, beaches, sea or gullies
Items 1-10 belong in the trash, not in our streets, beaches, sea or gullies

Last week, Jamaica Environment Trust launched their ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ Campaign. Follow them on Instagram, @nuhduttyupjamaica and like them on Facebook ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ ! Help them to spread awareness too, using #nuhduttyupjamaica

Getty Images

Ladies who turned heads on the Red Carpet at the Grammys 2015!

Getty Images
Getty Images

Nobody wowed me this year, just like the performances. I sat there waiting and waiting. There are some ladies worthy of mention though. Gwen Stefani looked gorgeous in Versace. I think Versace took the Grammys this year. The hair was a bit too much on the messy side but effortlessly beautiful. Thanks Taylor Swift for some colour and switching it up. Katy Perry was dazzling. Kat Graham and Beyonce looked good, but Iggy Azalea in that blue with that figure! Hips in Armani Prive! Yes! Suga would say perfection, but not too sure about the hair that could have played a role in Spartacus. Bravo ladies!