See you on the sea wall for Mardi Gras madness

A collective celebratory mood hits Port Arthur when Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas rolls into town. I love seeing the floats lined up along the sea wall and I hope to be a Port Arthur News float walker at Saturday’s parade.

For those of you who never knew, the walkers help keep excited spectators of all ages at a safe distance as they call for beads. Observing from the street view can be nearly as fun as riding in the spotlight.

I’m also a fan of the float tailgating along the sea wall. I sure hope to run into some boudin dip, stuffed jalapenos and assorted Cajun delights. Come on out to Mardi Gras, Feb. 16-19. Port Arthur is ready to let the good times roll.

Red Lips on purple, gold and green:

Voli Light Vodka is co-owned by Fergie, who enjoys the Raspberry Cocoa version of her product just poured over ice. The vodkas are on average 25 to 40 percent lower in calories than leading brands. I have tried and enjoyed the lemon Voli. The makers share a seasonal recipe aimed at Valentines, but also good for Mardi Gras:

Red Lips


1.5 oz Raspberry Cocoa


2 ounces diet cranberry juice


4 raspberries


1/4 ounces fresh lime juice


1/2 packet natural sweetener


Splash of club soda


Muddle raspberries, add ingredients, shake and strain. Top with a splash of club soda


Glass: Martini


Garnish: lime and raspberry


About 86 calories

Wine Time to go

Readers, it’s possible I’ve mentioned this before, but something good bears repeating, and re-eating. WineTime sounds too good to be true. A nutritional bar that tastes like chocolate and wine? It’s true that I didn’t need one ounce of convincing to enjoy these bars that makers link to anti-aging and improving heart heart health. They say the WineTime bar has more Resveratrol than 50 glasses of red wine along with 7 extra “super fruits” including cranberry, noni, pomegranate, goji berry, acai, mangosteen and blueberry. The WineTime bar is high in fiber, vegan, contains no trans fat, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, cholesterol, dairy, gluten or artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors or preservatives. Sometimes you keep telling yourself that your bar is “good for you” so that you can get by the taste. This is one I crave.

ddoiron@panews.com