Here's a great sangria for under $10

The best thing about not being pregnant anymore is being able to drink wine!

I’m currently reading a book about happiness. It’s titled: “Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way” by Dan Buettner. He points out that endorphin levels rise and folks feel happier when they drink a glass of wine — and the benefit is even better if you’re drinking it with friends. It’s the simple, little things...

This is a refreshing summer wine. Find it at Costco for under $10 a bottle.

I have a new favorite wine, and thanks to Costco’s liquor store, it’s very affordable. To be honest, I didn’t even pay attention to the exact cost of this wine. I just know it is under $10. After trying de la Costa Sangria at a friend’s house, I just knew I had to have more.

I love Sangria, and I’ve made it the long way many times before, from scratch starting with a strong red wine and then adding sugar, fruit and brandy. The de la Costa Sangria is a lot easier. Open it the fun swing top. Drink it.

It’s a delicious sangria. You’re not missing anything by not having fruit floating in it, but if you feel like you are, go ahead and add some to your glass and punch up the fruity flavor a little more.

Currently, this is my go-to wine during my 6-week-old’s 2-hour-or-longer crying bouts. A small glass helps relax me, and that’s pretty important during a crying jag that goes on and on. (And here I need to include this disclaimer: don’t go overboard when you’re taking care of an infant!! Drink responsibly.)

Glunz Family Wineries and Cellers out of Grayslake, Ill. makes the de la Costa Sangria. It’s part of the Glunz "Fun Wines" series. According to the web site: “These are wines we make to not take too seriously but to be enjoyed with the season. Sangria is our red wine that is flavored with all natural fruit flavors and spices. It is packed with citrus flavor a nice tang from the red wine and a clean finish with a touch of cinnamon. It is available in late Spring through Summer.” Their other seasonal wines include Sangria, Glögg, and May Wine.

Here’s to happiness!

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

888 E. Belvidere Rd. Ste. #211

Grayslake, Illinois 60030

http://www.gfwc.com

Get cool at Blaine's Lakeside Commons Park

Get cool in Blaine this summer. The city runs a fantastic park along in the heart of The Lakes development near 109th and Radisson Road.

The park is free for Blaine residents (who show proof of residency with a driver’s license). For non-Blaine folks, the fee is a $5 parking permit. Or, opt for a $25 season pass. It’s a pretty good deal when most splash pads charge per person.

Lakeside Commons Park has both a splash pad and a sandy beach. There’s also a picnic pavillion, concessions stand with kayak rental, and playground. The only thing it doesn’t have is shade.

The three-year-old park was busy on the 90º-plus day I went with my sister and our kids, but because there’s so much open space it didn’t seem too crowded. We appreciated the grassy area around the splash pad and north of the beach because it gave people room to spread out. We camped out there and made forays to the beach. Who wants to bring a stroller in the sand? Next time I will bring a sports umbrella, however, so that we have some (man-made) shade.

The splash pad doesn’t have all the tricks many do — there weren’t any buckets that dumped gallons of water or giant mushrooms that sprayed water. Instead they rely on simple fountains. The experience is like running through a bunch of spinklers.

As moms, we appreciated that the beach was roped off into two areas (shallow and deep) making is easier to tell the toddlers what their boundaries were. 

The splash pad and beach is a bit of a trek from the parking lot. You’ll either want to pack really light (which is tough on a beach excursion) or you’ll want a stroller. 

Have fun!

Lakeside Commons Park 

3020 Lake Parkway, Blaine 55449 

(3/4 mile down Lakes Parkway off Radisson Road)

HOURS:

Beach: 10am to 8pm

Splash Pad Hours:10am to 6pm

Park Hours: 5am to 10pm

Boathouse: Monday thru Wednesday, Friday:  1pm to 6pm; Thursdays:  Noon to 9pm; Weekends: Noon to 6pm

Canoe and Kayak Rental: $7/hour

More information at:

http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/index.cfm?id=900797