For improvement in the memory power, there are a lot of foods that can prove beneficial. Along with enhancing the memory power of an individual, the consumption of these foods assists in all round growth. In order to maintain a high level of intelligence, it is recommended that people consume nutritious food. Natural products help enrich a person's capabilities, due to absence of any artificial additives in them. For people with performance below average, high vitamin and protein rich foods are suggested, in an attempt to boost their academic performance.
All over the world, this is a commonly accepted practice. For more details www.camping-outdoors-recipes.com. Dieticians and physicians are of the opinion that the intake of proteins and vitamins, with moderate quantity of carbohydrates, brings an improvement in people with poor intelligence levels. The presence of some agents, like synthetic products by www.apples-recipes.com, also helps in improving ‘brain power'.
Yet, it is better that people opt for natural ways vis-à-vis artificial products, to improve their intelligence level and academic performance. This means consumption of vegetables and fruits grown in organic manure. Since vegetables and fruits grown with fertilizers and artificial manures laced with chemicals, they should best be avoided. Naturally grown fruits and vegetables should be consumed as far as possible.
It has been found that some eatables - like chocolate, yogurt, spinach, egg plants, red cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, avocados, egg, green tea, pumpkin seeds, blackberries, strawberries, walnuts, almonds and cashews - are ideal for ‘super brains'.
The foods meant for super brains assist in the all round development of an individual, as they contain a lot of minerals and vitamins. Mostly, the reason behind poor health condition of the individuals is the lack of or deficiency in any of the required minerals or vitamins. For example, night blindness among many people is the result of the deficiency of Vitamin A.
To improve this condition, foods rich in Vitamin A are recommended by doctors. Similarly, ‘Berry Berry' is common in people lacking Vitamin B. Scurvy, especially among children, results from the absence of Vitamin C. Certain chronic conditions are caused by the lack of Vitamin D. It is recommended that people consume a lot of greens and spinach, which are rich in vitamins and minerals in an effort to avoid such conditions over a prolonged period.
It has been studied that for easy blood flow, red cabbage is essential. Similarly, the iron content in the human body is vastly improved by consuming broccoli. Strawberries raise the level of ‘thought processes in an individual. In fact, for general all round growth, doctors recommend a rich diet consisting of a balanced mix of vegetables and fruits. The habit of consuming a fair amount of naturally grown fruits, devoid of any chemicals or fertilizers, is beneficial in improving ‘anemic' conditions. It is a fact that the addition of vitamins and carbohydrates in diet has yielded excellent results among people of all age groups. Considered to be ‘super foods', these foods are meant for the brain, as they enrich the intellectual thought process of an individual.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
How to Healthy Cooking Can Be Really Fun?
Cooking is the act of making food for eating, and it consists of a wide range of techniques and methods; mish mashing of different ingredients which adds flavor or digestibility to the food and some other tools as well. For more detail go to: www.cat-head-biscuit.com.Or else it can be said that cooking is the process of blending of ingredients, measuring and selecting of ingredients in order to get the desired results. Cooking can add taste to any and almost every type of eatable food items. There are some of the best ways that are mainly used to cook food which are roasting, frying, baking, boiling, steaming, micro waving and many more at the same time preserving all the nutrients of the food like proteins, fat, liquids, and carbohydrates.
However, healthy cooking can be really a fun filled activity but can be annoying too for the working people but there is nothing to panic about, as there are some easy, fast and simple ways to cook food while maintaining all the health benefits simultaneously. In any case it should be kept in mind the type of food you are cooking and eating, as you can be surprised from the fact that eating more than a normal portion at meal intervals, could actually cause unwanted weight gain and other related health problems.
To divest this problem try to cut down the amount of food you eat, regardless of the type of food it is to minimize the intake of unwanted fats and calories. For more detail go to: www.july4-recipes.com. However, while cooking the food always remember the way you cook the food, whether you grill it or fry it make sure which kind of fats and oils you use to cook. If possible always try to avoid use of oils and high calorie fats for cooking as these are certainly unhealthy ingredients and may give room to some unnecessary problems. Especially, if you are cooking meat, always try to roast or grill it rather than frying, and if you have to fry it, than cook it with a very small quantity of sunflower oil, or some other low calorie oils which are available in the market.
Alternatively, in place of oil a little bit of low fat margarine can be used which is a healthy option for cooking. Apart the types of oils you use to cook food, make sure the vegetables and the other ingredients should be fresh and are not preserved from long as it may spoil the taste and the freshness of the food plus can be sometimes really very harmful and difficult to digest.
In addition to the dos and don'ts of cooking, and if cooking alone bores you, other family members as well can partake in cooking. As cooking not always involve using stove or oven, preparing sauces, sandwiches, and salads are also a part of cooking and making simple healthy snacks are a great way to cook with kids. And kids will really enjoy eating these items not just because of their taste because they too had a hand in cooking it. On the other hand cooking can teach all about the ingredients, the proper nutrition, and eating in moderate quantity.
However, healthy cooking can be really a fun filled activity but can be annoying too for the working people but there is nothing to panic about, as there are some easy, fast and simple ways to cook food while maintaining all the health benefits simultaneously. In any case it should be kept in mind the type of food you are cooking and eating, as you can be surprised from the fact that eating more than a normal portion at meal intervals, could actually cause unwanted weight gain and other related health problems.
To divest this problem try to cut down the amount of food you eat, regardless of the type of food it is to minimize the intake of unwanted fats and calories. For more detail go to: www.july4-recipes.com. However, while cooking the food always remember the way you cook the food, whether you grill it or fry it make sure which kind of fats and oils you use to cook. If possible always try to avoid use of oils and high calorie fats for cooking as these are certainly unhealthy ingredients and may give room to some unnecessary problems. Especially, if you are cooking meat, always try to roast or grill it rather than frying, and if you have to fry it, than cook it with a very small quantity of sunflower oil, or some other low calorie oils which are available in the market.
Alternatively, in place of oil a little bit of low fat margarine can be used which is a healthy option for cooking. Apart the types of oils you use to cook food, make sure the vegetables and the other ingredients should be fresh and are not preserved from long as it may spoil the taste and the freshness of the food plus can be sometimes really very harmful and difficult to digest.
In addition to the dos and don'ts of cooking, and if cooking alone bores you, other family members as well can partake in cooking. As cooking not always involve using stove or oven, preparing sauces, sandwiches, and salads are also a part of cooking and making simple healthy snacks are a great way to cook with kids. And kids will really enjoy eating these items not just because of their taste because they too had a hand in cooking it. On the other hand cooking can teach all about the ingredients, the proper nutrition, and eating in moderate quantity.
Some Top Tips for Healthy Cooking
hanging the way we cook our food can have a dramatic effect on our health. If we make wiser choices with our food and the way we cook it, we can significantly reduce our risk of contracting cancer and heart disease.
1. Invest in non stick pans - With quality non-stick pans you can get away with not using oil at all or by using a low fat cooking spray. For more help visit to: www.cooking-chinese-style.com.You can also 'fry' some foods in a little water to prevent them sticking. If you have to use oil, use olive oil and pat food with kitchen roll after cooking to remove excess oil.
2. Look through your recipes collection for diet recipes and low fat recipes. Cook them in batches and freeze so that you always have a healthy meal option available.
3. Steam or stir-fry vegetables - Cooking them using these methods will help the vegetables to retain their nutrients, color and taste. Look for healthy recipes like Chinese stir-fries and invest in a wok and steamer. You can buy Chinese bamboo steamers, which just sit on top of a pan of boiling water, or you can buy electric steamers. You can get a good electric steamer for less than the cost of one meal out and the ease of use is a real time saver.
4. Use olive oil - Replace other oils or a fat with olive oil which is mono-unsaturated oil and actually helps to reduce cholesterol. Make your own salad dressings from olive oil and balsamic vinegar to give your salad a Mediterranean taste and this will be lower in fat than commercial salad dressings. Search online for free recipes using olive oil. Some muffin recipes use olive oil or corn oil instead of solid fats.
5. Use fat free milk in cooking and baking to cut the fat content of your healthy recipes.
6. Replace fat in baking - Look for low fat recipes for cakes and biscuits or replace half the fat in recipes with pureed prunes, yogurt or mashed banana. Search for diet recipes for sweet treats.
7. Use fat-free yogurt or crème fraise instead of using cream for pouring on dessert recipes or fruit.
8. Add more vegetables to casseroles and soups and use fresh or frozen vegetables rather than canned.
9. Don't add salt to food - Season food with herbs, spices, and garlic and lemon juice instead of salt.
10. Trim visible fat off meat and use lean meat in your low fat recipes. For more help visit to: www.delicious-candy-recipes.com.Cut down on how much red meat you consume and replace with fish and chicken or turkey.
Remember, cooking and eating healthy food is not hard work and definitely not expensive. If you play your cards right you can change you whole family's diet and they won't suspect a thing.
That isn't to say that they won't notice anything though, because they will - they may well notice that they are losing weight, feeling better and getting fewer minor illnesses.
1. Invest in non stick pans - With quality non-stick pans you can get away with not using oil at all or by using a low fat cooking spray. For more help visit to: www.cooking-chinese-style.com.You can also 'fry' some foods in a little water to prevent them sticking. If you have to use oil, use olive oil and pat food with kitchen roll after cooking to remove excess oil.
2. Look through your recipes collection for diet recipes and low fat recipes. Cook them in batches and freeze so that you always have a healthy meal option available.
3. Steam or stir-fry vegetables - Cooking them using these methods will help the vegetables to retain their nutrients, color and taste. Look for healthy recipes like Chinese stir-fries and invest in a wok and steamer. You can buy Chinese bamboo steamers, which just sit on top of a pan of boiling water, or you can buy electric steamers. You can get a good electric steamer for less than the cost of one meal out and the ease of use is a real time saver.
4. Use olive oil - Replace other oils or a fat with olive oil which is mono-unsaturated oil and actually helps to reduce cholesterol. Make your own salad dressings from olive oil and balsamic vinegar to give your salad a Mediterranean taste and this will be lower in fat than commercial salad dressings. Search online for free recipes using olive oil. Some muffin recipes use olive oil or corn oil instead of solid fats.
5. Use fat free milk in cooking and baking to cut the fat content of your healthy recipes.
6. Replace fat in baking - Look for low fat recipes for cakes and biscuits or replace half the fat in recipes with pureed prunes, yogurt or mashed banana. Search for diet recipes for sweet treats.
7. Use fat-free yogurt or crème fraise instead of using cream for pouring on dessert recipes or fruit.
8. Add more vegetables to casseroles and soups and use fresh or frozen vegetables rather than canned.
9. Don't add salt to food - Season food with herbs, spices, and garlic and lemon juice instead of salt.
10. Trim visible fat off meat and use lean meat in your low fat recipes. For more help visit to: www.delicious-candy-recipes.com.Cut down on how much red meat you consume and replace with fish and chicken or turkey.
Remember, cooking and eating healthy food is not hard work and definitely not expensive. If you play your cards right you can change you whole family's diet and they won't suspect a thing.
That isn't to say that they won't notice anything though, because they will - they may well notice that they are losing weight, feeling better and getting fewer minor illnesses.
Healthy Cooking Appliances in the Home
Home chefs have turned to healthier methods of preparing meals and using healthy cooking appliances in that effort. For more help visit to: www.150-venison-recipes.com.While still incorporating the use of pots and fry pans to prepare certain dishes, other meals are possible when home cooks change over to using smaller home appliances to cook foods for the family. Some families have grown closer because healthy cooking appliances are easy to operate by many members of the family.
Foods cook quicker with the healthy cooking appliances in the home. Families no longer have to worry about grease splattering because the healthy cooking appliances do not require oils or any type of cooking grease to release foods from cooking surfaces. The non-stick surfaces in many healthy cooking appliances have allowed home cooks to prepare beautiful dishes because the non-stick coatings allow the foods to brown evenly.
With the introduction of cooking oil sprays, all foods prepared with healthy cooking appliances are noticeably less greasy than meals cooked with oils. These sprays have been proven effective when cooks decide to cook outdoors. All meat types cook thoroughly and evenly on a metal grid and with the cooking sprays in place; families no longer have to worry about any type of meat sticking to the surface. Baking in the oven turns out perfect every time when non-stick sprays are used in the pan and healthy cooking appliances such as toaster ovens will reduce electrical costs.
Whichever cooking method home chefs decide to use, there are healthy cooking appliances that will turn out superb meals every time. Many home appliances are designed with vented cooking surfaces that allow fats from foods to fall through. Foods are healthier when they are not allowed to cook in natural grease but some home chefs continue to use this cooking method because of the flavor these greases add to food products when they are finished cooking.
Cooking time has been significantly reduced with the aid of healthy cooking appliances. Table top grills allow home chefs to cook both sides of meat at one time and the cooking time saved is allotted to creating other healthy food items for the family to eat. A complete meal can be produced in less than an hour with the healthy choices in cooking appliances sold in stores across the United States. Families can incorporate the use of crock pots to cook while nobody is home to watch them because these healthy cooking appliances require no stirring.
Certain home appliances took the early lead in preparing healthy meals for the entire family. Microwave ovens are healthy cooking appliances because they require no oils to cook meals and fat can be easily drained from foods when cooks place paper towels underneath. These healthy cooking appliances cook foods faster than any other appliance and allow every member of the family the opportunity to prepare certain foods that will be served at a gathering. For more help visit to: www.cheese-cake-recipes.com.Safety is never an issue with healthy cooking appliances because covered dishes have been designed that will prevent splatters and spills from occurring.
Foods cook quicker with the healthy cooking appliances in the home. Families no longer have to worry about grease splattering because the healthy cooking appliances do not require oils or any type of cooking grease to release foods from cooking surfaces. The non-stick surfaces in many healthy cooking appliances have allowed home cooks to prepare beautiful dishes because the non-stick coatings allow the foods to brown evenly.
With the introduction of cooking oil sprays, all foods prepared with healthy cooking appliances are noticeably less greasy than meals cooked with oils. These sprays have been proven effective when cooks decide to cook outdoors. All meat types cook thoroughly and evenly on a metal grid and with the cooking sprays in place; families no longer have to worry about any type of meat sticking to the surface. Baking in the oven turns out perfect every time when non-stick sprays are used in the pan and healthy cooking appliances such as toaster ovens will reduce electrical costs.
Whichever cooking method home chefs decide to use, there are healthy cooking appliances that will turn out superb meals every time. Many home appliances are designed with vented cooking surfaces that allow fats from foods to fall through. Foods are healthier when they are not allowed to cook in natural grease but some home chefs continue to use this cooking method because of the flavor these greases add to food products when they are finished cooking.
Cooking time has been significantly reduced with the aid of healthy cooking appliances. Table top grills allow home chefs to cook both sides of meat at one time and the cooking time saved is allotted to creating other healthy food items for the family to eat. A complete meal can be produced in less than an hour with the healthy choices in cooking appliances sold in stores across the United States. Families can incorporate the use of crock pots to cook while nobody is home to watch them because these healthy cooking appliances require no stirring.
Certain home appliances took the early lead in preparing healthy meals for the entire family. Microwave ovens are healthy cooking appliances because they require no oils to cook meals and fat can be easily drained from foods when cooks place paper towels underneath. These healthy cooking appliances cook foods faster than any other appliance and allow every member of the family the opportunity to prepare certain foods that will be served at a gathering. For more help visit to: www.cheese-cake-recipes.com.Safety is never an issue with healthy cooking appliances because covered dishes have been designed that will prevent splatters and spills from occurring.
Find the right balance of ingredients to create a succulent meal
A healthy dish is the first start to cooking a great meal and about finding the right balance of ingredients to create a succulent meal, which will leave your taste buds craving for more gourmet meals. If you have always dreamed of becoming a culinary chef there are endless possibilities in making your dreams come true. You can take advantage of cooking schools located across the world which will provide you with the tips and pointers on how to make a great meal. It is about knowing how and when to baste turkey to make moist and juicy or how to sift your flour to get your biscuits nice and fluffy. All of this and more you can learn from an accredited cooking school based on the fundamentals of cooking to help master your culinary feats. Most cooking schools will provide you with the understanding that getting started isn't easy and will provide you with information and resource so you don't feel overwhelmed about cooking. Cooking is enjoyment in life and indulging in fine foods that enhance your senses to a new level. For more help visit to: www.classic-dessert-collection.com.You should love every minute of cooking and enjoy the time and preparation it takes to make the perfect meal. A healthy dish is the first start to cook a great gourmet meal and will leave you feeling good about yourself after you are full from a dish of nutritious value. It is about taking the time to invest in the research to help you succeed in cooking in the right cooking school that will teach you the important basics to healthy eating. Cooking is a lifestyle and you should understand the basics of nutritious content in each meal you cook. At the cooking school you select they should keep you motivated to explore new dishes and try new flavors in all of your meals. For more help visit to: www.delicious-candy-recipes.com. A great chef understands the value of a good recipe and the right resources to make you're cooking great. It is about taking the time to learn the small tricks to enhance the flavors of your foods, and how to cook them slowly to bring out the best taste in aromatic spices. Almost all cooking schools are accredited throughout the world and will train you to be the head chef of your own fabulous restaurant. They will not only teach you the necessary skills to making a great meal but also provide the basics to running your own business. If you are ready to make a career choice in cooking you need to do the research to decide which school is right for you and how it will help to be the best chef in your own restaurant. The valuable resources you will learn from cooking school are priceless in teaching you about the necessary tasks to succeed at being a great chef in your own home or restaurant. They understand the importance of cooking and love to cook themselves which is why they provide you with the best resources to learn to cook satisfying meals.
Some Healthy Cooking Recipes for Your Families
When it comes to cooking healthy meals for our families, there is always some degree of dissention among the ranks. The good news is that there are recipes that are very healthy but the healthy nature of these recipes is somewhat disguised. What they do not know in these instances truly should not bring harm their way outside of allergies, which should never be ignored.
Healthy cooking is often difficult as most of us do not want to spend time planning and preparing meals that our families refuse to eat. At the same time, we want our families to be healthy so we feel compelled to learn new and improved ways of cooking healthy foods for our family to enjoy and unfortunately in some cases scorn.
With weight and nutrition being known as the culprit in so many health conditions it is impossible to ignore the importance of not only eating healthy ourselves but also of teaching our children the importance of eating healthy. One way to insure that your loved ones are in fact eating healthy is to make sure that you are cooking healthy and nutritious foods for them. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy the occasional calorie splurge or even that you shouldnt. The key to cooking healthy is learning to control portions and understanding the importance of moderation.
For those that are hoping to incorporate healthy cooking habits into their daily routines, there are no more resources available than ever before in order to assist you in those endeavors. You can seek the services of a professional nutritionist, your doctor can offer advice, for more details visit you can find all kinds of books on healthy eating, cooking, and living at your local library, and the Internet is an outstanding source of all kinds of information when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle all around.
There are many books and magazines that are filled with recipes that encourage healthy cooking and eating habits. If you truly love to cook, for more details visit to then there is no shortage of recipes that you can try out along the way. The really good news is that you can incorporate healthy cooking into your cooking routine whether you are cooking for one or a household of ten.
There are many that will argue that cooking healthy food costs more than cooking the prepackaged foods that pack on the calories and additives. The truth of the matter is that when you compare the costs with the medical bills of the future for failing to do so, they seem rather slight by comparison. Yes, good food costs more money. In many cases, that is a simple fact of life. However, by learning portion control and eating the proper portions you just may discover that you are actually spending less as you adjust to the proper amounts of food you should be consuming in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Cooking healthy isnt an overnight change; it is a lifestyle change that should be implemented one step at a time. You do not have to go into your kitchen and through out every little thing that you deem unhealthy only work to not buy more of these items once theyve been used. Make wiser decisions when purchasing fats for food preparation and you will discover that youve made a vitally important step in the process of incorporating healthy cooking and eating habits in your home.
Its those small steps you take towards your goal of cooking healthy foods for your family that will matter far more than any giant leap. Before you know it you will find that you all have more energy and a better sense of overall health than you would have imagined before changing your cooking habits. If that isnt enough to encourage you however, you can always check out the excuse to go shopping for new clothes after you drop a size or two.
Healthy cooking is often difficult as most of us do not want to spend time planning and preparing meals that our families refuse to eat. At the same time, we want our families to be healthy so we feel compelled to learn new and improved ways of cooking healthy foods for our family to enjoy and unfortunately in some cases scorn.
With weight and nutrition being known as the culprit in so many health conditions it is impossible to ignore the importance of not only eating healthy ourselves but also of teaching our children the importance of eating healthy. One way to insure that your loved ones are in fact eating healthy is to make sure that you are cooking healthy and nutritious foods for them. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy the occasional calorie splurge or even that you shouldnt. The key to cooking healthy is learning to control portions and understanding the importance of moderation.
For those that are hoping to incorporate healthy cooking habits into their daily routines, there are no more resources available than ever before in order to assist you in those endeavors. You can seek the services of a professional nutritionist, your doctor can offer advice, for more details visit you can find all kinds of books on healthy eating, cooking, and living at your local library, and the Internet is an outstanding source of all kinds of information when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle all around.
There are many books and magazines that are filled with recipes that encourage healthy cooking and eating habits. If you truly love to cook, for more details visit to then there is no shortage of recipes that you can try out along the way. The really good news is that you can incorporate healthy cooking into your cooking routine whether you are cooking for one or a household of ten.
There are many that will argue that cooking healthy food costs more than cooking the prepackaged foods that pack on the calories and additives. The truth of the matter is that when you compare the costs with the medical bills of the future for failing to do so, they seem rather slight by comparison. Yes, good food costs more money. In many cases, that is a simple fact of life. However, by learning portion control and eating the proper portions you just may discover that you are actually spending less as you adjust to the proper amounts of food you should be consuming in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Cooking healthy isnt an overnight change; it is a lifestyle change that should be implemented one step at a time. You do not have to go into your kitchen and through out every little thing that you deem unhealthy only work to not buy more of these items once theyve been used. Make wiser decisions when purchasing fats for food preparation and you will discover that youve made a vitally important step in the process of incorporating healthy cooking and eating habits in your home.
Its those small steps you take towards your goal of cooking healthy foods for your family that will matter far more than any giant leap. Before you know it you will find that you all have more energy and a better sense of overall health than you would have imagined before changing your cooking habits. If that isnt enough to encourage you however, you can always check out the excuse to go shopping for new clothes after you drop a size or two.
Want A Healthy Diet? Try Smoked Salmon!
As the new year begins, it's a time when many of us are committing to resolutions to better ourselves and our lives. Of course, these are deeply personal commitments, but if you're like me, almost every year, at least one of your resolutions has to do with eating a healthier, better diet, or with exercise Often, we make these resolutions without really putting the effort that we need into getting them done. Eventually we give up, saying we'll put them on our list for next year. But this year, let's really go for it, and change our diet to reflect our healthy lifestyle. Small changes, like trying smoked salmon, can make all the difference.
When you read that I think you should try gourmet smoked salmon, you were a little surprised, right? Isn't smoked salmon supposed to be a taboo food, something you eat when you're cheating, not something you eat as part of a healthy diet? In fact, smoked salmon is just a way to prepare salmon itself, which as you know, is healthy for you, and a good part of a healthy diet. Smoked salmon is often served in a way that is less than healthy, but on it's own, it is not unhealthy, in fact, just the opposite.
When you make salmon a part of your diet, you can be rest assured that it's one of the healthiest fishes out there. And as you try smoked salmon, don't worry. The smoking process is what gives the fish it's great rich flavor, and awesome texture, but that doesn't add to the calorie count at all. In fact, an equal portion of smoked salmon has less calories than steak. And more importantly, it has less calories than baked chicken, a diet staple. This means that it is a healthy and smart option.
When you're ready to try natural smoked salmon, you'll also be making your diet a healthier one, just by eating it. Not only is smoked salmon low in calories, salmon is also an excellent source of omega three fatty acids. When you consume these acids, they have been found by doctors to be excellent for maintaining heart health. They're so good for you, in fact, that they are now added as a supplement to other foods. But you can find them naturally in smoked salmon.
As someone who wants to try smoked salmon as part of a healthy diet, you'll of course be interested in recipes. You'll be happy to note that many smoked salmon recipes are simple and fast. For example, you can make a satisfying smoked salmon pasta in under twenty minutes. All you'll need is to add smoked salmon chunks and some light olive oil to get a great meal. Smoked salmon also tastes great in a sandwich.
When you're really serious about turning your diet around, it's time for you to try smoked salmon. It's a great way for you to give the protein in your life some variety, and also eat something that's good for you in many different ways.
When you read that I think you should try gourmet smoked salmon, you were a little surprised, right? Isn't smoked salmon supposed to be a taboo food, something you eat when you're cheating, not something you eat as part of a healthy diet? In fact, smoked salmon is just a way to prepare salmon itself, which as you know, is healthy for you, and a good part of a healthy diet. Smoked salmon is often served in a way that is less than healthy, but on it's own, it is not unhealthy, in fact, just the opposite.
When you make salmon a part of your diet, you can be rest assured that it's one of the healthiest fishes out there. And as you try smoked salmon, don't worry. The smoking process is what gives the fish it's great rich flavor, and awesome texture, but that doesn't add to the calorie count at all. In fact, an equal portion of smoked salmon has less calories than steak. And more importantly, it has less calories than baked chicken, a diet staple. This means that it is a healthy and smart option.
When you're ready to try natural smoked salmon, you'll also be making your diet a healthier one, just by eating it. Not only is smoked salmon low in calories, salmon is also an excellent source of omega three fatty acids. When you consume these acids, they have been found by doctors to be excellent for maintaining heart health. They're so good for you, in fact, that they are now added as a supplement to other foods. But you can find them naturally in smoked salmon.
As someone who wants to try smoked salmon as part of a healthy diet, you'll of course be interested in recipes. You'll be happy to note that many smoked salmon recipes are simple and fast. For example, you can make a satisfying smoked salmon pasta in under twenty minutes. All you'll need is to add smoked salmon chunks and some light olive oil to get a great meal. Smoked salmon also tastes great in a sandwich.
When you're really serious about turning your diet around, it's time for you to try smoked salmon. It's a great way for you to give the protein in your life some variety, and also eat something that's good for you in many different ways.
Eat Healthier and Drink Organic Coffee
In today's world, environmental issues and the health of our families have become growing concerns. We have to take action to persevere our environment for future generations. At the same time, increasing health risks demand we have to ensure that our future generations are around to enjoy the environment we are working so hard to protect. Enter organic food products. Not only do our families receive the benefits of eating healthier foods, the farmers who grow organic crops cause indisputably less damage to the environment.
Certified Organic
During a routine visit to the grocery store you can find organic products on most of the shelves. From cereal to pastas, and all in between, more suppliers are providing organic alternatives for all of the food we commonly consume. With all of this new merchandise available, what assurance do consumers have that the suppliers are genuinely providing organic products? Look for products that are certified organic. The United States requires farmers to be certified by an accredited agency sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Requirements for certification include farming without prohibited substances like synthetic pesticides.
Don't Forget the Organic Coffee
When you are out shopping for healthy products, don't forget organic coffee. Conventional coffee is sometimes processed with chemicals like methylene chloride, which has been found to be harmful for central nervous system and potentially carcinogenic, or ethyl acetate, which is possibly harmful to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Organic coffee uses the SWISS WATER® process and is much safer and healthier for your family. Data from the Organic Trade association estimates that U.S. consumers purchased over $110 million worth of organic coffee products in 2006. It is also estimated that approximately 65 million pounds of organic coffee were imported in 2007 with a 33 percent annual growth rate. Data also shows that organic coffee's global sales reached about 148 million pounds in 2006.
Organic coffee is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming also ensures that the products are free of genetically modified organisms, which ensures a safer, healthier organic coffee. Coffee product that contains 95 to 100 percent organic ingredients and were grown by certified organic farmers will feature the USDA organic seal. Peru is the top exporter of organic coffee, followed by Ethiopia, and Mexico but there are actually 40 different countries around the world that also export it. Organic coffee accounts for over two-thirds of all organic products produced in Mexico, proving to be the highest percent of land used to grow crops except for vanilla.
Since its establishment, Nectar of Life Coffee Co. has become representative of exceptional gourmet organic coffee. They are an extraordinary company that has remained firmly embedded in the principles of ecological and social responsibility. Nectar of Life chooses only the finest Arabica coffee beans from Fair Trade suppliers for the production of their organic coffees. Not only are they USDA and Fair Trade certified organic coffee roasters, they are also certified kosher. Fair Trade is a beneficial social movement that alleviates global poverty and promotes social sustainability, especially for developing countries seeking self-sufficiency.
Nectar of Life is certified in accordance to USDA Organic guidelines as well as a registered coffee roaster with the Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle, Swiss Water, and TransfairUSA. They are committed to selling only the best and whenever possible, they purchase shade grown organic coffee beans. Shade grown, organic coffee beans not only produce a more robust flavor, they also assist in providing suitable habitation for birds. Bird Friendly certification is available through the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for farmers who meet inspection and certification requirements.
Healthy Dark Chocolate
hen people think of chocolate the thought that comes to mind is that sweet creamy taste. What most don't think about or know about is the health benefits. Now the chocolate that studies are showing that is healthy in small quantities is dark and not made with milk or drank with milk. Why? Good question.
The reason being is that milk neutralizes the large amounts of antioxidants present in dark chocolate. These antioxidants are what eat up free radicals, those are the destructive molecules that are shown to be present in heart disease and other illnesses.
Recently there were two studies done to see how much the dark chocolate affected mild high blood pressure.
The first study consisted of six men and seven women who were just diagnosed with mild high blood pressure. The ages of these individuals were between 55-64. The average blood pressure was 153 over 84.
The top number is called the systolic, the pressure of which the blood enters the heart. The bottom is called the diastolic, the pressure of which the blood leaves the heart.
Every day over the course of two weeks, they ate a 100-gram candy bar. Now a 100-gram piece of chocolate is about 480 calories so they were told to balance this caloric intake by not eating other foods similar in nutrients and calories. On top of this the the group of people were divided by half were given dark chocolate and the rest got white chocolate.
Those who got the dark chocolate had a noticeable drop in their blood pressure by an average of 5 points on their systolic number (top number) and an average of points on the diastolic number (bottom number). Meanwhile the ones' who got the white chocolate had no such drop in their blood pressure.
The second study was conducted on twelve healthy people, consisting of seven men and five women. Their ages ranged from 25 to 35.
On different days they were given 100 grams of the dark chocolate. Then the other days they were given 100 grams of the chocolate with a small glass of whole milk, or with 200 grams of milk chocolate.
An hour later their antioxidants were measured in their blood. The ones' who ate just the dark chocolate had the highest level of antioxidants. They also had the highest levels epicatechin in their blood. Epicatechin is a healthy compound found chocolate.
Meanwhile the group who ate milk chocolate or dark chocolate with milk had the lowest epicatechin levels.
Now chocolate is made from plants, therefore it contains a lot of the health benefits of dark vegetables. Chocolate gets it's benefits from the flavonoids in it.
These flavonoids act as antioxidants. Flavonoids help in the blood pressure because flavonoids help in the production of nitric oxide. Which in turn help balance certain hormones.
In other words what experts are discovering that a small amount of dark chocolate introduced into the diet is beneficial. But too much of a good thing is necessary good either.
There are those calories to think about. So add a small amount of the darkest chocolate you can find or handle since the darker the chocolate the more flavonoids the better.
But remember to balance those calories but cutting out foods similar in nutrients and calories.
Popcorn Recipes: A Healthy Choice
opcorns contain more fiber as compared to other snacks made out of flour. There are many different delicious popcorn recipes for health conscious individuals.
Popcorns are fun and convenient whole grain snacks. It is an excellent source of fiber. It also helps steady one’s blood sugar levels. Aside from this, it can be incorporated as a low-fat snack, having a lot of nutritional benefits.
By experimenting with some healthful ingredients on your popcorn, one can achieve a healthy balanced diet without any risks. Below are some of healthy popcorn recipes that can meet your daily needs, for a delicious and quick snack mixture.
Peppy Popcorn
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
• 14 cups popcorn, air-popped
• 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 tsp. paprika
In a small bowl, mix oregano, paprika and cheese. Sprinkle these onto the popcorn and toss. It can yield up to 14 cups. You can also melt organic raw cheese with organic milk and pour this over the popcorn.
Nutrition Data for 1 cup serving: 30 calories/0.5 grams fat
Spicy Peanut Curry PopCorn
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Number of serving: 1
Ingredients:
• 8 cups air-popped popcorn( no oil or salt)
• 1 teaspoon chili paste (Sambal Oelek)
• 2 tablespoons Better than Peanut Butter
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
Air-pop about ½ cup of corn kernels. Put peanut butter on a microwave cup. Add sambal with small amounts of water. Stir in order to make out a creamy and thick peanut butter mixture. Microwave it approximately 30 seconds. Fold the peanut butter mixture onto the popcorn.
Praline Popcorn Crunch
Ingredients:
• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup firm-pack brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Grease a 15x10 inch baking pan and place the popcorn on top. Combine sugar, honey and margarine in a 1 ½ quart saucepan. Cook and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Place this in medium heat until it boils.
Cook this for about 5 minutes and then remove from the heat. Mix vanilla and baking soda then pour it over the popped corn. Next, add some pecans, stir until evenly coated and bake at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes. Stir gently for five more minutes and lay everything down on waxed paper. Lastly, allow to cool and break into chunks.
Popcorn Trail Mix
Full Recipe: 1 quart
Yield: 3 cups
Ingredients:
1 quart air-popped popcorn
8 ounces raisins
6 ounces dried fruit (apricots, apples, etc.), diced
Add diced fruit and raisins to a large bowl of popped corn. Combine and toss thoroughly.
Nutritional Information (based on 3-cup serving)
o Protein 8g; Calories 651; Carbohydrate 162g ; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 3g; Fiber 15g; Sodium 420 mg.
Other nutritional ingredients that can be mix in popcorn are:
o 1 /3 cup chopped dried fruit provides iron and fiber
o 2 tbsp. soy nuts gives fiber and calcium
o 2 tbsp. whole almonds gives protein, iron and fiber
o 2 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese gives protein and calcium
o 10 pretzel sticks gives B vitamins
o 2 tbsp. pumpkin seeds gives protein and fiber
o 1 /2 cup dry unsweetened cereal gives iron and B vitamins
While enjoying your favorite movies at home you can prepare popcorn in just a few minutes. There are many ways to include popcorn on one’s healthy diet.
Health Benefits of Chocolate
It often takes several small-scaled researches that show promise before the government steps in to help in financing larger scaled research. Such was the case with the health benefits of chocolate. Mostly it's because the FDA wants to know the preliminary studies done before they fund a major project.
It is the responsibility of the food companies to research the nutritional value of the products they produce. If they could fund the research through independent colleges and universities and produce exiting new data then the FDA that this is a worthwhile endeavor for the taxpayers' money.
So where does chocolate fit into this?
Scientists are finding that chocolate has similar compounds that are in other foods like fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and tomatoes.
The tea, grape, and chocolate industries are just starting to really explore the benefits of the antioxidants they contain.
So the researchers and scientists have good news for chocolate lovers. The preliminary research shows that chocolate may be healthy for you. Research so far shows that cocoa and other chocolates may lower blood pressure thus keeping your heart healthy. Reason being is the Nitric Oxide contained in chocolate.
Nitric Oxide helps healthy blood flow by preventing blood clots therefore helps in keeping your blood pressure. Nitric Oxide is found in the flavonoids in chocolate; that is why it has healthy potential. So far, scientists have found over 4,000 flavonoids further supporting the theory that chocolate. Incidentally in chocolate flavonoids are called flavonols.
.In another independent study involving forty people ages range between 20 to 40 year old people. The results of the prevention of blood clots supported the earlier research. The group took 25 grams of semi-sweet chocolate pieces and 81 milligrams of aspirin. Now, scientists aren't recommending that people just rely on foods like chocolate to prevent blood clots. They found that aspirin lasts longer then flavonoids. In fact, the study showed that the body tended to adjust to the flavonoids so the effects went down.
When specialists in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome field looked into chocolate, they considered chocolate to be one the substances that people who suffer from CFS should stay away from chocolate. The specialists noted that often times people who suffer from CFS have hypoglycemia so the sugar high that chocolate produces doesn't cause the "crash" that follows.
However, for the rest of us, Cacao, from which chocolate is made, has antibacterial properties that fight tooth decay.
The smell alone might raise Theta brains waves and help in relaxing.
Men may consider it. Studies show that men who consume dark chocolate on a regular basis live a year longer than those who don't.
So chocolate not only helps in keeping your heart healthy but also may help prevent tooth decay.
Chocolate also contains Serotonin in the brain increasing the general feeling of well-being.
The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleric acid, a mono-unsaturated fat that may raise your good cholesterol.
In the long run, the health benefit may out weight the negatives.
How Eight Ingredients in the Soup Can Make You Feel and Look Fabulous
t is getting colder outside, and it means it is time to incorporate more soups in our cooking routine. Here are eight reasons / ingredients for making a simple squash soup to feel and look fabulous.
Ingredients:
2 – 3 pounds butternut or acorn squash
2 tbs olive oil
medium onion chopped
2 carrots
2 cups vegetable stock
salt and pepper.
sour cream
turmeric
2 tbs fresh cilantro / parsley / dill or all above
1. Squashes are rich in vitamin A (in a form of beta carotene – important antioxidant, which helps to boost our immune system and fight inflammation which is very important during cold and flu season), and fiber which we always need to feel and look better.
2. Parsley is reach in vitamin C (several times the vitamin C of citrus), vitamin A (one of the highest sources), and chlorophyll which help to fight cancer, boost metabolism and immune system). Parsley is helpful for all kidney and urinary difficulties, strengthens the adrenal glands and teeth, helpful for ear infections, and deafness.
3. Cilantro is a detox herb - helps in the chelation of heavy metals such as mercury and lead.
4. Dill, as a detox herb, helps remove stagnation, protect against free radicalsand carcinogens; it is also rich in Calcium and Magnesium which help reduce stress, bone loss (especially after menopause) and promote sleep.
5. Turmeric (because of curcumin) is rich in antioxidants which fight/prevent cancer, boost immune system, reduce inflammation (helps with menstrual problems, toothache, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis); it is also natural liver detoxifier.
6. Onion is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, chromium and vitamin B6. It reduces inflammation, prevents cancer, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol which helps reduce risk of heart attack and stroke; it also lower blood sugar and insulin levels which is beneficial for diabetics. And, of course, it fights common cold.
7. Carrot is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene/vitamin A, which protects against cancer; it also treats ear infections, night blindness, earaches; it benefits our skin, helps reduce inflammation, helpful for digestive problems (indigestion, heartburn, excess stomach acid) and urinary infections. Carrots, rich in fiber, help with constipation. As a detox vegetable, it improves liver functions. Did you know that carrots heal the burns and stop instantly bleeding if you cut yourself in the kitchen?
8. Olive oil is one of the best vegetable oil. Did you know that it has been consumed for more than thousands years? Try always to buy, cold pressed extra virgin. It also makes a wonderful homemade facial by itself or an addition to any homemade mask.
Directions:
Mash roasted butter or acorn squash. Saute onions and carrots in olive oil for 10 minutes. Mix squash with sautéd vegetables, add vegetable stock, salt and pepper to taste, and a dash of turmeric. Process all ingredients in a food processor. Sprinkle every serving with cilantro / parsley/ dill and add a tsp. sour cream. You can make this delicious and healthy soup for your family Thanksgiving Dinner.
Bon Appetit! Try this healthy soup and let me know if you like it.
Best Chocolates in the World
Different people have different preferences and tastes when it comes to chocolates. Some like their chocolate sweet and milky, while others like theirs dark, rich and bitter. Chocolate is made in different places around the world and each country or place has its own distinctly unique chocolate product. U.S. chocolates tend to taste distinctly different from French chocolates, as well as from Belgian or Swiss chocolates. The best kind of chocolate depends on the taster or eater.
In general, Belgian and Swiss chocolates tend to be lighter and sweeter than French chocolate and have a shell-shaped outer mold, while French chocolates are commonly enrobed, such as the famous dark chocolate bonbons. French chocolates in general have subtler flavors and have a darker and richer chocolate taste, and are also consequently less sweet than Belgian and Swiss chocolates. Traditional American chocolates are even lighter and sweeter than Belgian and Swiss chocolates, and have more pronounced and identifiable flavors.
Americans have a sweeter and lighter palate than most Europeans when it comes to their chocolate, but in recent years the American palate has been changing. The nouvelle American chocolate is French-inspired and is thus darker and less sweet. It also has less pronounced flavor, being more subtle and harder to identify. Most nouvelle American chocolates are shell-molded rather than enrobed.
The U.S. is one of the biggest chocolate distributors in the world with two of the top leading international chocolate manufactures: Hershey’s and Mars. The American chocolate business is big business and has considerably grown at a fast rate more than any other country in the world. The U.S. chocolate industry started to grow during the American Revolutionary war, beginning 1765 when the firs chocolate factory was established. Thomas Jefferson, former U.S. president, became a chocolate lover and even wrote to John Adams that “The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain.”
France produces some of the finest gourmet chocolates in the world. It has long been popular among the royal family and was even considered a luxury. During the reign of Louis XIII, his wife, Anne of Austria, declared chocolate as the official drink of the French court. Wife of Louis XIV, Maria Theresa or Austria, shared her love of chocolate with the French people.
Swiss chocolate is one of the top exports of Switzerland together with watches. Nestle, one of the biggest chocolate brands in the world, originates from Switzerland. It was first established in 1819 by François-Louis Cailler. Other top Swiss chocolate products include Suchard and Lindt. Swiss chocolate is equated with high quality, made with the finest ingredients using pure cocoa butter, and with high manufacturing standards.
Belgian chocolate is famous for its wide variety of flavors and fillings, presented in the famous confectionary gift, the “praline.” One box of chocolates can contain several flavors and fillings using a variety of fruits and nuts, and an assortment of chocolate types, usually dark and milk chocolate.
Stay Healthy, Eat Chocolates!
hen we think chocolate, we think of mindless indulgence and guilty pleasures, not health benefits. Indeed, it is more like the antithesis of health and nutrition in our minds as we have learned since we were little kids—that eating copious amounts of chocolates can have dire consequences and therefore forbidden to some extent (you can’t eat it before a meal as well as during nighttime). But thanks to new scientific findings, it turns out that chocolates have health benefits too, particularly dark chocolate.
Lowers Your Blood Pressure
According to a scientific report published in the Aug 27, 2003 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, dark chocolate (but not white or milk chocolate) helps lower blood pressure. Dr. Dirk Taubert from the University of Cologne, Germany, together with his colleagues, conducted a study among seven women and six men between the ages of 55 to 64 who were diagnosed with mild high blood pressure ranging from 84 as the lowest (diastolic blood pressure) to 153 as the highest (systolic blood pressure). Each patient was instructed to eat one 100-gram candy bar (containing 480 calories) every day for a period of two weeks. Half of them had to eat dark chocolate while the other half had to eat white chocolate. They were also instructed to avoid eating foods that had similar calories and nutrients to offset the 480 calories contained in the 100-gram candy bar. By the end of the second week, those who were given dark chocolate saw their blood pressure drop significantly— an average of 2 points for those with diastolic blood pressure, and 5 points for those with systolic blood pressure. While those who were given white chocolate did not see a drop in their blood pressure. Still, don’t make this an excuse to binge on chocolates. Moderation is still the healthiest way to go.
A Significant Source of Antioxidants
In another study published in Nature’s Aug 2003 issue, dark (but not white or milk) chocolate was found to contain potent antioxidants, which helps fight free radicals and other destructive molecules that cause various ailments from heart disease to cancer. Dr. Mauro Serafini of the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, Italy, together with his team, conducted a study on seven women and five men, aged 25 to 35, who were all in perfect health. Each were instructed to eat 100 grams of dark chocolate for a day, 100 grams of dark chocolate together with a glass of milk on another day, and 200 grams of milk chocolate on yet another day. After an hour of eating the chocolate, it was found that dark chocolate, when eaten alone, increased the total antioxidants in the blood, particularly the levels of epicatechin which is a healthy compound found in cocoa. Milk chocolate was found to have the lowest level of epicatechin. Milk was found to interfere with the absorption of antioxidants and therefore when eating dark chocolates, better to enjoy it as is, which is the best way anyhow.
Mediterranean Cheeses
used to think that Mascarpone was a little horse wearing a blindfold, then a clever person told me it was a cheese, but later an even cleverer person said it wasn't actually a cheese at all, so I asked if it really was a small horse. 'No', they said 'it's a curd', so now I'm not sure if it's a horse, a cheese or a native of a much troubled area of Asia.
Some of the less confusing cheeses of Italy are Ricotta, a firm, white cow's milk cheese, Mozzarella, a soft buffalo milk cheese and Parmesan, the ever popular, hard cheese of Parma. It is believed that Parmesan has been produced in the area for at least seven hundred years and the basic methods of production haven't really changed.
The Mediterranean bowl is a hotspot for cheese making, and each area has its own favourites. The hundreds of different cheeses are derived from goat, cow, sheep and buffalo milk, and each has its own distinctive flavour. My personal favourite is Feta, the soft, crumbly Greek cheese that brings to life any salad dish. This is one of the oldest cheeses in the world, made as long ago as six thousand years. In 2002, the Greeks won an importation battle of denomination, and earned the sole right to name their cheese 'Feta'. It is made from sheep milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk. It's worth visiting Greece solely to enjoy a Greek Salad drizzled with Olive Oil. Why is it that when you try to reproduce these tastes in your own country, it's never quite the same? Of course, Greece produces many other cheeses, but none are as popular as Feta.
Spain too has its fair share of cheeses to choose from, the most famous being Manchego, made from pasteurised sheep milk in the La Mancha region of the country. This may need an acquired taste, but it should smell of roast lamb when cut. It is sold at various stages of maturity. At thirteen weeks it is considered 'curado' (cured), whilst after three months it is 'viejo' (old). Other well known cheeses of Spain are the hard Queso Iberico, Zamorano, made from ewe's milk and Picos de Europa, the blue cheese which is also known as Valdeon and eaten with honey for breakfast.
Portugal, having a small section of Mediterranean coast has Serra de Estrela, its most famous cheese which has been produced by shepherds in the mountainous region of Biera for centuries. This cheese can still lay claim the title of hand made, as the curds are parted by hand as they always were. This is a very soft cheese that has a sweet yet almost burnt flavour.
The French love and produce numerous cheeses, but one of the best in my opinion is Neufchatel, a soft, white table cheese. I'm cheating a little here as the cheese actually originates from Normandy, but this cheese does warrant a mention. Its grainy texture hides a delightful taste of mushrooms. As it matures, it develops salty taste that isn't for everyone. Amongst the endless list of French cheeses are Brie, commonly known as the queen of cheeses, Roquefort, the king of cheeses and Camembert which dates back to the eighteenth century.
The ideal way to taste cheese at its best is to go to the country and enjoy it along with other local products. Often, the wine chosen to accompany the cheese can make a great difference, and vice-versa. This is where local knowledge comes into its own, and in my experience, the people of the Mediterranean are only too willing to help you enjoy your experience.
Superfood Recipes: 2 Healthy and Delicious Recipes
any types of food available at grocery and health food stores today can be called "superfoods." Typical superfoods include certain types of greens (e.g., spirulina, algae, and chlorella), herbs, anti-oxidants, sea vegetables, essential fatty acids, probiotics, energy enhancements and enzymes can be correctly called superfoods. Some common superfoods that you have probably heard of include blue-green algae, spirulina, blueberries, fish oils, and probiotics (i.e., beneficial bacteria for your digestive system).
It is important to recognize that superfoods are indeed among the richest sources of nutrients for your body. Still, it is also important to constantly come up with new and delicious ways to prepare your superfoods so that they continue to delight not your body, but also your taste buds.
That is why I am always on the lookout to come up with new superfood recipes that can be made using the simplest, healthiest superfood ingredients. All of the ingredients in the following two recipes can be easily found in most grocery stores, health food stores, or online health stores.
Below are two great recipes made with spirulina-based powder. The first recipe is one that you can enjoy anytime of the day or night, either as a snack or as an accent for a healthy meal. The second recipe is a sumptuous-yet-healthy dessert that would serve as a delicious side for any dinner.
Recipe #1: Billy's Nuggets
Ingredients: Raw chocolate nibs, hemp seeds, cold-pressed coconut oil, agave nectar, spirulina-based superfood powder, herb-pharm peppermint extract. Equipment needed: mixing bowl, mixing spoon.
Mix these dry ingredients:
- 2 cups chocolate nibs
- 2 cups hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons spirulina-based superfood powder
Add:
- 3/4 cup agave nectar
- Add 3/4 cup coconut oil
- Add 20 drops herb-pharm peppermint extract
Mix well and refrigerate for at least one hour. Then, scoop mixture with spoon and shape with fingers into one-inch balls. Roll in bowl of hemp seeds (hint: add coconut oil to fingers to reduce sticking). Refrigerate nuggets for at least one hour more. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe #2: Billy's Raw Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients: Raw chocolate nibs, hemp seeds, agave nectar, spirulina-based superfood powder, water. Equipment Needed: Vita-prep (or equivalent) blender
Blend 8 ounces of raw cacao nibs in blender until the mixture turns to a powder and starts to become gummy in texture, then add 2 cups warm water and blend for one minute.
Then add:
- 3/4 cup agave nectar
- 2 cups hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon spirulina-based superfood powder to catalyze the effects of chocolate
Add more water as needed to maintain blending and blend again for one minute more. Pour into a glass bowl and place in refrigerator to set for two hours. Serve and enjoy!!!
note: if you are using a conventional blender, use approximately half the amount of ingredients indicated above and blend at least twice as long
Incorporating superfoods into your meals and snacks is a great way to feel better and more energized throughout the entire day. Try both of these delicious recipes to prepare for yourself, or plan a special dinner for a friend or loved one. You will be giving everybody present the gift of wonderful nutrition that tastes great.
Is Black Tea Good For You?
Tea is enjoyed the world over, but every now and then this question arises- is black tea good for you?
All true teas, including this widely known beverage come from the Camellia sinensis plant.
Whether the final product will be a white, green or even black, it is determined by the amount of time the tea is allowed to oxidize or ferment.
Green and white tea are not oxidized and are processed very minimally while black tea is a fully fermented beverage.
This oxidation/fermentation process does alter the chemical composition of the plant, thus altering its beneficial properties.
Now with this being said, this pleasurable beverage is very good for you.
While it may not be as high in antioxidants as white or green tea, the differences are not earth shattering.
This beverage is very high in tannins and has many other beneficial properties.
Studies have shown that this amazing drink slows the aging process with its free radical scavenging abilities.
Studies have also suggested that this beverage slows cancer growth. It achieves this by causing simply causing the cancer cells to self destruct. But unlike chemotherapy, the healthy cells are unaffected by the compounds found in black tea.
Did you know that it is also an effective weapon in the arsenal of anyone suffering from hardening of the arteries or high cholesterol?
The components found in this drink help your arteries to relax and expand which lessens your risk for heart attack or stroke and reduces the bad cholesterol levels.
Who knew that a drink, enjoyed the world over since times immemorial, is also so healthful!
There have also been studies which show that drinking this beverage with milk may also alter its ability to provide these cancer fighting and high blood pressure reducing services.
The milk contains a protein known as casein and this protein has been shown in several studies to negate the beneficial properties found in this wonderful beverage. By adding milk to your black tea, you may be doing yourself a disservice if you wish to reap the full benefits of this amazing beverage.
In a study conducted by a German professor of cardiology, the subjects who were given this amazing drink with milk had significantly lower instances of arterial expansion. Similar studies were also conducted using laboratory rats and once again, the arteries of rats given this beverage with milk were not relaxing nearly as much as arteries belonging to rats who were given black tea without the addition of milk.
More studies need to be done, and this is by no means a definitive conclusion.
As an added bonus, it can also help you burn fat and speed up your metabolism!
Can this tea get any better?
More and more studies are being conducted daily which further prove and substantiate what Chinese herbalists have known for centuries- this satisfying drink is healthy for you.
So to put the question “is black tea good for you” to rest, the answer is a resounding YES!
Drinking this wonderful beverage is one of the best things you can do for yourself, but maybe just hold off on the milk!
The Top 10 Drinks For Christmas
hristmas time is all about gathering with the ones you love and celebration. During the festivities, plenty of drink will flow, but which ones should you be serving this Christmas? The top ten drinks for Christmas list should include:
Mulled Wine
A long held tradition, especially on cold evenings, a glass of mulled wine is a wonderful way to greet guests after a trudge through the winter weather. Mulled wine can be bought ready-mixed such as the ever-popular Glühwein or you can create your own by adding cinnamon, orange, cloves and honey to a bottle of red wine and warming it by the fire in a pan. By adding orange juice you can turn the mulled wine into a punch.
Traditional Ales
Although largers are always popular, traditional ales still hold an important part of the drinks market and are always one of the top ten drinks for Christmas. With hundreds of microbreweries up and down the country, there are plenty of ales to choose from. Some breweries also produce speciality ales for the Christmas season and these are often beautifully presented with specially designed labels, making them a perfect Christmas present for an ale lover. Kernow Gold Ale, for example, is one of the most popular and well loved of the traditional ales.
Brandy
What better way to finish off Christmas Day dinner than with a glass of fine cognac? A warming, palate-cleansing drink, fine cognac has been traditionally the perfect way to round off a good meal. Classics such as Hennessy Fine de Cognac always go down well at Christmas.
Alcohol free larger
Although Christmas is a time of celebration, you may be entertaining guests who have to drive after the party. A selection of alcohol free beers will mean that they can join in the toasts without running the risk of drinking and driving afterwards.
White wine
The drier, lighter white wines such as Pino Grigio have become more popular over heavier, sweeter wines, and are perfect for mixing with soda water or lemonade to make a refreshing ‘spritzer’. White wine also makes a perfect accompaniment to fish or white meat dishes, helping to cleanse the palate in between courses.
Red Wine
Heavier and more full bodied than most white wines, a good red wine such as a Merlot or a New World Shiraz makes an ideal gift for your party’s host. Red wines tend to have richer bouquets and prices range from just a few pounds for a perfectly drinkable bottle of Merlot to hundreds of pounds for a vintage bottle for a true wine connoisseur.
Rose wine
Rose wine became popular in the 1970’s with the iconic Mateus Rose. After dropping out of fashion for a while, Rose has made a comeback in the past year, with new varieties available, particularly from the New World producers such as Australia and Chile. They are often slightly sweeter than most white wines.
Cocktails
A combination of stronger spirits and either fruit juice or carbonated mixers, cocktails are an ideal way to get a party really jumping. Do remember though, that cocktails can actually be much stronger volume-wise than they first appear, particularly if the fruit juice or mixers mask the taste of the spirits. If you’re mixing cocktails this Christmas, why not go for some exotic additions such as Rodniks Absinthe, for a truly unique flavour?
Spirits
Spirits are always high on any list of the top ten drinks for Christmas, mainly because there is such a huge variety available, catering for all tastes. From superb malt whiskeys such as Glenfiddich, Irish whiskeys such as Jameson’s or Bushmills, through to the more exotic like the coconut rum mix of Malibu or the warming orange flavour of Cointreau, a selection of spirits (including the old favourites such as Vodka and Bacardi) is a must for any Christmas celebration.
Champagne
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a glass of Buck’s Fizz on Christmas morning. The refreshing mix of champagne and orange juice is a classic and sets the tone for a day of celebration and fun. Champagnes are available to suit all pockets, from the indulgently expensive Dom Perignon to the cheaper Cava. Remember that to call itself Champagne, the wine has to come from the Champagne region of France. A quick check on the label will tell you if your Champagne is genuine.
Preparing Healthy Meals For Your Kids
t is always a challenge for parents to provide healthy meals for their children. As the kids grow and become more active, they need all the nutrients they can get. As healthy meals are not a popular choice among kids, planning a nutritious meal is as important as preparing something that they will actually want to eat.
Facing the Challenge
Whether you are working in an office or just at home most of the day, your responsibility as a parent simply does not change. Fortunately, there are several healthy meal recipes that you can easily follow. A Crock Pot and a collection of good Crock Pot recipes are all you need and you’re good to go.
You may even be amazed with how many different kinds of meals you can prepare with the use of your Crock Pot at home. You can prepare tasty beef stew, glazed chicken, pork roast, macaroni and cheese, lasagna and mashed veggies. Since these are the foods that your kids can also find in their favorite dining stop, they will be more than pleased to have them on your dining table at home.
Adding onions, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables can greatly improve not only the taste and aroma of the food, but also the nutritional value. One important feature of crack pots is its ability to retain the nutrients in the meal.
Making Fun Meals
To encourage your kids to eat what you serve them, you need to make a little more effort on the appearance of the food. Try forming faces using vegetables on their plate, or serving the vegetables as pizza toppings. You can also top salads with cheese and chocolate.
Do not force children to eat the meals you have prepared. By pressuring them, you only push them to dislike the food more. They need to be encouraged, not bullied into eating the right meals.
You may also want to involve your kids in the process of meal preparation so they develop better interest on their food. The fun in preparing the meal makes the eating part enjoyable, too.
Make Every Meal a Family Event
Experts always say that setting a good example is the best way to teach kids. This also applies with having meals. Showing them that you are a healthy eater is the best way to train them. Kids always look at their parents as their role models. You will never be able to convince them to eat what you don’t eat.
Also, be sure that the family is complete during meals so the kids can look forward to every meal as a special family gathering. Put the TV off while eating as this can distract you and your kids from sharing the perfect meal together.
No one said parenting is easy. Cooking healthy meals and making sure your kids eat them may sound like a struggle, but when you have the right strategies going, your kids will not only eat what you serve them, but they will even come back for seconds and thirds.
Finding Top Restaurants In Madrid
ringing tapas back to their "purest state"
Sure, Madrid’s smoky tapas bars filled with old men have their appeal. But for some really posh tapas, check out the new spot in the NH Hotel Paseo de Prado. Paco Roncero, winner of the 2006 Best Future Chef award from the International Gastronomy Academy and chef at La Terraza del Casino in Madrid, has opened Estado Puro to bring tapas back to their "purest state." Roncero, who studied with Ferran Adrià and is considered the most outstanding of the famous chef’s protégés, opened Estado Puro to combine classic tapas using the highest-quality ingredients and his signature creative touch. He hopes to open more, similar bars throughout Spain and internationally.
The place is decked out with upscale, cosmopolitan décor from architects and designers James & Mau featuring 1,000 kitschy white peinetas, decorative hair combs, covering the ceiling and a wall, adding a bit of an ironic twist to touristy tapas traps. Estado Puro also features an area where patrons can see the chefs cooking, a merchandising area with cookbooks from Roncero and aprons along with a selection sauces from the tapas to take home. There’s even a terrace with a tree surrounded by a small garden of tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. The menu features cold and hot tapas such as croquettes, potatoes with alioli sauce and mini hamburgers as well as sandwiches, salads, desserts and some bigger dishes of rice, meat and fish.
Dinner with a side of celebrity
Javier Bardem, Hollywood's latest It Boy, comes from a very talented family of directors, producers, artists and actors. But what they should be most famous for are their croquettes. That's right, La Bardemcilla, owned by the venerable acting7/producing/directing family, cooks some of the best melt-in-your-mouth, falling-apart-at-the-touch croquettes in Madrid. Aptly named "Jamón, Jamón," a plateful of these will cheer you up on the coldest of Madrid winter days.
The cozy place also offers delicious entrees such as Huevos de Oro, scrambled eggs with chorizo and potatoes, and Entre Las Piernas, scrambled eggs with morcilla. The grilled vegetable plate is also scrumptious. On a weekend night, it's best to call ahead for a reservation. The menu del día is a cheaper alternative to enjoy some of their house specialties. Make sure to bring your camera, it's a great place for celebrity spotting!
A Taste of Home
Burger bars don’t necessarily mean junk food -- something that’s abundantly clear at Home Burger Bar. The wood-paneled diner boasts booths, little frilly lamps at each table, authentic chunky cutlery, and menus printed on brown-paper grocery bags, like the ones you see in American movies -- all that’s missing are waitresses in gingham aprons. The menu features creative choices such as La Especial, with cream cheese, nuts and onions and the Caprese, with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese as well as staples such as La Clásica, a burger served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, bacon and cheese.
The 100 percent organic meat is fantastic, and is perfectly accompanied by the extras. This month, they are expanding from Malasaña into Chueca with a second location. Good thing, too, because during lunchtime the place is bursting with hungry diners.
Get your just desserts
It’s a venerable Madrid tradition: stay up all night dancing, then refuel with some sickly sweet churros con chocolate. There’s no better place than the Chocolatería San Ginés, where madrileños have been going since 1894, right in the center and open all night. Order a few cups of the thick, rich chocolate to share among a group and a few plates of churros, which are basically sticks of fried dough, and lean back in the plush green velvet chairs to watch the hordes come in about 4am when the clubs close. Chocolatería San Ginés, Pasadizo de San Ginés 5, (Metro: Sol)
Brunch in Style
Madrileños are just now catching on to the amazing concept that is brunch. And though it’s taken a while to catch on, new spots are springing up all over the city and established restaurants are moving away from the traditional to try something new. Some of the best options include Bristol Bar, (c/Almirante, 20), which is a hip gin bar by night but a relaxing brunch spot on Saturdays and Sundays, when you can choose from a traditional English breakfast to an American-style brunch, complete with eggs, sausage, toast and mimosas. Or head over to Toma, (c/Conde Duqe, 14) where American owner Mack Kern certainly knows what he’s doing.
It’s often cited as the best brunch in Madrid, because it combines tasty Spanish ingredients with classic brunch recipes. Try eggs Benedict, or omelets stuffed with your choice of delicacies ranging from asparagus to goat cheese. Wash it all down with a tasty Bloody Mary. For a buffet-style brunch, try Nina (c/Manuela Malasaña, 10) which offers bagels alongside classics like bacon and eggs.
This and lots more are among the hundreds of restaurants that madrid has to offer, its often said, to test it, you have to visit the spanish capital!
Healthy Meals Without the Fuss
Most of us cannot afford to have personal chefs who do nothing else but plan and prepare our meals. Most of the time, we have to think of meals in addition to the million and one other things we have to do each day. And if you are a mom, you probably need to take all that and multiply it by three.
No Need To Do It Alone
Sometimes it can be tempting to just call the nearest pizza place and order in. While this is good for a movie night once a month, it is unhealthy to let this become a habit. If you are a working mom, turn meal planning into something interactive and fun. This way, you are actually hitting two birds with one stone. You get help with the menu and you do away with the frustration of scrunched up faces when you serve something your family doesn’t like.
Set a day of the week for meal planning and grocery shopping. Younger kids would probably find being allowed to say what they want to eat on certain days as a treat. Planning ahead will not only allow you to save by buying only what you need, it will also allow you to organize your meal preparations, and you get things done in half the time.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Getting things done ahead will save you a lot of time. Check your work schedule and identify which days you have more free time. Use these days to prepare for multiple meals. You can cook some meals through and just store while others can be half-done then finished on the day the meal is to be had.
Still, you can use this time to do all the chopping and the slicing you need for the other dishes you have planned for the week. Do you need chopped carrots for a stew and grated ones for carrot soup? Prepare them all at one time, storing the chopped ones in the refrigerator for later. If you take this route, make sure that you have plastic containers in a variety of sizes on hand to use for storing your food or prepared ingredients.
Make Technology Work for You
On days when you simply do not have the time or the energy to get it all done, make your kitchen equipment work for you. Your best bet would be to have a Crock Pot on hand. When used correctly, a Crock Pot can be a safe and convenient way to prepare healthy, wholesome, home-cooked meals that will stay warm and be ready for you and your family when it is time to eat.
Since Crock Pots use slow cooking technology at lower temperatures, it will allow you to simply prepare the food in the morning and leave it in the Crock Pot, ready for you by dinner time. Once the cooking is done, it will automatically reset itself to just keep your food warm until you are ready to eat.
There are recipes for chicken, beef and vegetable dishes and even desserts that can be cooked in a Crock Pot. You can incorporate ‘Crock Pot’ days in your meal planning and let your family choose their ‘Crock Pot’ meal for the day. Eating healthy never sounded so easy!
What Are "Food Miles" And How Does it Affect You?
s more and more people are taking a hard look at the effects that pollution is having on our planet, new terminology is emerging.
The term sustainable development encompasses the concept of using our resources wisely so that we can enjoy them, but they will also be available for future generations.
Another term that has been showing up in the worldwide lexicon is “food miles”. Before the industrial revolution, food was grown and consumed locally. What food wasn’t grown at home was obtained at local farmers markets, or using the barter system.
As the world is becoming globalized, the ease in which food can be transported is having a major impact on the environment. The transportation of that food can use a tremendous amount of fossil fuel. “Food miles” is the total distance that food goods are transported from the field or source of manufacture to the consumer. This term has become an indicator of sustainability, and has sparked a movement towards using foods produced and consumed locally.
Recent studies are showing that the globalization within the food industry has resulted in more and more products being imported from foreign companies. This has greatly increased the “food miles“ a product travels, and substantially increases the amount of pollution that is generated.
In an effort to supply consumers with fresh food, the use of the airplane to transport that food has greatly increased. Since air transportation produces far greater greenhouse gasses than ships, this also has a negative effect on our environment.
Long distance transportation also requires more packaging since consumers will not buy bruised foods. Packaging made from cardboard, paper and plastics use more of our natural resources such as trees and fossil fuels. The increased packaging also requires that more trees be cut down, destroying wildlife habitat. Then the packaging ends up in our landfills when it is discarded. This creates a vicious course that harms the environment.
Consumers need to be aware of where their food originates. Packing will often tell what country produced the product you are planning to purchase. Buying fruits and vegetables that are “in season” often means that that they are locally produced and travel less miles to get to market. Choosing apples from New York State is preferred over buying them from New Zealand.
Buying locally is part of the key. It not only helps the economy by supporting our local growers, it is better for the environment. The trend is to buy “organic” but if that food comes from South America, the benefit to the environment is minimized.
The other benefit of purchasing locally is that the produce is fresher, so you are getting healthier food that contains fewer preservatives. Often the cost is less because we are not paying for the cost of transportation, packaging, advertising and all the chemical additives.
If as a consumer you wish to lower your carbon footprint, your best option is to purchase most products that have been produced within a thirty mile radius, choose products that are not damaging to the environment and purchase products from the areas where they grow best.
During World Wars I and II, citizens were asked to plant victory gardens. These gardens produced over one third of all the vegetables consumed in the country. Maybe it’s time to go back to the “good old days” and consider planting gardens to grow our own vegetables to help the environment.
In time, as technology improves, buying from overseas will not hurt the environment. Many countries rely heavily on the exportation of food goods to other countries, so a shift to purchasing locally grown food could be devastating to these countries.
Water! Cool, Clear Water!
I know, you have heard it before - drink plenty of water. You may think, how boring. This is sound advice, yet how many of us consciously pay attention to the amount of water we drink each day? Do you know if you are getting enough?
When we think of dehydration, we visualize someone collapsing due to sun exposure or from heat exhaustion after vigorous physical activity. But in actuality, dehydration is an insidious condition that can creep up on a person unaware. You may be dehydrated and not even realize it. Thirst or a dry mouth does not show up until the body is actually dehydrated. When we are dehydrated the thirst sensation diminishes and we may be seriously in need of fluid and not even be thirsty.
Over the past few days, you may have been like me; low energy, a little irritable and just not as focused as you would like to feel. Science tells us that these are all markers of mild dehydration. By the time we are actually aware that we are thirsty, attention, memory and mental performance have deteriorated by as much as 10%. Doctors advise us that as we age our body’s ability to convey a sense of thirst diminishes, so dehydration is a frequent problem in older persons.
Men with prostate problems or persons with bladder control issues often try to manage frequent urination by drinking less fluid. This can be a dangerous mistake. If we fail to provide our system with enough water we are literally poisoning ourselves with our own waste.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses water faster than it is being replaced. The body normally loses between a half gallon to a gallon of water each day through our breath, perspiration, bowel movements and urination. This amount is dramatically increased by a raise in body temperature and or by exercising strenuously.
Virtually every system in our body requires hydration. Without sufficient water, our bodies do not function optimally. Water is the principle chemical component in the human body and accounts for 60-75% of our bodies weight. Most humans are about 25% solids and 75% water. That is rather remarkable when you think about it. Our brains, blood, muscles and lungs all contain water. The brain is said to be 85% water.
The body utilizes water to regulate temperature, transport nutrients and flush toxins and waste from vital organs. Water is also necessary to maintaining a moist environment for the ear, eye, nose and throat tissue. Water lubricates our joints. Next to oxygen, water is the second most important element needed to support life. We can go for weeks without food but a person can't survive for more than a few days without life-giving water.
Deprive the body of adequate hydration and all kinds of unpleasant symptoms show up; repeated urinary infections, nose bleeds, unproductive hacking coughs, sinus pressure, constant sneezing, headaches and constipation. Dry and itchy skin, chronic joint or muscle pain, fatigue and hair loss are all signs of prolonged mild dehydration. Scientific studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle combined with a lack of hydration is one of the major contributing factors in the formation of kidney stones. Just the thought of passing a kidney stone has me reaching for my water glass.
Prolonged mild dehydration also leads to weight gain, loss of muscle mass, chronic digestive upsets, fluid retention, acne, dull skin, excessive wrinkles, baldness and bad breath; totally unattractive qualities. Yuck! Drinking more water is actually a fine beauty treatment and compared with all the lotions and potions, I really like the price.
I wonder how many people endure many of these symptoms, or attempt to treat them with drugs or diet, when the problem may simply be a lack of water. Water heals!
How much water should you drink each day? — It would seem like a a simple question, but there are no pat answers. Medical studies have produced varying recommendations; however, your hydration needs are dependent on several factors. Your overall health, how physically active you are and the climate you inhabit all affect how much water your body requires.
There isn’t a single formula that fits everyone. Many medical professionals suggest you drink 50% of your body weight in ounces of water. If you are very active or in a dry climate, it is suggested that you up that about to 75% of your body weight in ounces of water. For every 25 pounds that a person is over their ideal weight, it is suggested that an additional 8 ounces be added to the daily consumption.
If you are aware of your body’s need for fluids and how a shortage makes you feel, you will be more likely to pay attention to your body’s signals. If adequately hydrated, urine output will be colorless or pale yellow in color. Urine that is a strong color or has a strong odor is an indication that the body is lacking in the amount of water needed to flush toxins and function properly.
We obtain needed fluids from more than just the water we drink. All beverages including milk, sodas, juice, coffee, tea or energy drinks contain water. However, many drink products contain high levels of caffeine which dehydrate. Alcoholic drinks also require additional water to process. If one drinks alcohol, it is a good idea to drink an offsetting amount of water. Medical experts say that sodas, alcohol and caffeine drinks should not be considered in our daily water requirements as many of them deplete more fluid than they add to our systems. To truly meet your water requirement, natural water is the drink of choice as water has no caffeine, fat or calories and is inexpensive and readily available.
Water is most abundant in many of the foods we eat. Think about biting into a ripe, juicy orange and how the liquid runs down your chin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a prime source of water. Cucumbers, watermelons and grapes are almost totally made up of water. For most people, water in food contributes about 20% of the water we ingest daily.
I have tried to find ways to incorporate more water into my daily routine. What are your suggestions?
For optimum health, consider how much water you drink. For a healthier, leaner body, I know I want more ~ cool, clear water.
Fast Dinner Recipes
e all know that we need fast dinner recipes to get dinner on the table quick. Very seldom do any of us have time to make everything from scratch and spend hours in the kitchen. Here are some of my favorite fast dinner recipes to get dinner on the table in a jiffy!
Salisbury Steak
This recipe doesn’t take much prep time, but it does take a bit of time to bake, so plan ahead for that. The sauce has a nice zip to it, thanks to the barbecue sauce and the stuffing mix adds a nice flavor to the patties and helps to make this a quick fix dinner. To make this recipe even faster, substitute dehydrated onion flakes for the chopped onion.
Ingredients:
1 ½ lb ground beef
1 package stuffing mix for chicken
1 ½ cup water, divided
¾ c chopped onion (or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
½ c barbecue sauce
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together then ground beef, stuffing mix, 1 ¼ cup water and the onion. Pat into ½ inch thick oval shaped patties. Put in a large baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
While patties are baking, spray a skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms for 5 minutes, stirring every once in a while. Add remaining water and the barbecue sauce. Turn heat down to low and cook 1-2 minutes or until the sauce is heated.
Serve sauce over patties.
To round out this meal, serve with green beans and potatoes baked in the microwave while the patties are baking.
Zippy Chicken & Pasta
This is a fun and colorful fast dinner recipe that kids and adults love. It’s a great way to get kids to enjoy eating their veggies. This is a complete dinner on its own so it’s especially fast. Since it’s fairly light, dessert would be a good addition to this dinner.
Ingredients:
1 (8 oz) package fusilli or rotini pasta
½ c Italian salad dressing, divided
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
2 cups broccoli florets
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, sliced thin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Follow directions on package for cooking pasta.
While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat ¼ cup of the dressing over medium-high heat. Add chicken chunks and cook about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally. Add vegetables and parsley to the pan and cook 5 minutes longer.
Drain pasta. Add to chicken mixture and stir well. Add remaining ¼ cup of Italian dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
A fun twist on this dinner would be to substitute shrimp for the chicken. If you make this substitution, you should reduce the cooking time to about 2 minutes or just until the shrimp turns pink. Shrimp will turn rubbery if overcooked, so it’s important to watch your cooking time.
Since this fast dinner recipe is a complete meal in one bowl, there really isn’t anything to be added to round out this meal. But since it’s nice and light, a quick dessert would be fabulous. I would suggest a pudding parfait. Just take your favorite flavor of pudding, layer it with cool whip and some graham cracker crumbs in a pretty glass and there you have an easy but fancy looking dessert.
What You Should Remember When You First Start Barbequing
f you were asked to name a true American tradition, it is most likely you will answer: barbequing. There comes a stage in our life that every American finds themselves with a grill for the first time. If you have a good experience the first time, there sure will folow more and more.
Planning Ahead
Barbequing exists sine early caveman found out that their food tasted better after it was cooked on an open fire. Maybe one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. When you barbeque, you open a whole array of types of foods available. What type of food you will serve, should depend on the people you invite and the event you are celebrating. Because of the wide range of possibilities you will always find something that pleases your crowd.
There is one potential issue when barbequing: the weather. You can't guarantee that the weather will be nice for your barbeque event, but with a certain amount of planning you will be able to avoid the days in which barbequing is just simply out of the picture. Check online for your weekly forecast or watch the weather channel, if it's going to be cold or rainy on the day you were thinking about planning your barbeque, it might be better to wait for a better forecast.
Start the preparations for your barbeque ahead of time. About 12 to 24 hours before your party starts, you need to make sure that you thaw, prepare and marinate the meat you will be serving. Once the meat is stored away, marinating, then you should start thinking about your side dishes. If you want a traditional barbeque, you should stick to traditional side dishes. The traditional barbeque sides include potatoes, potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw.
Maintenance
When it is time to clean your barbeque grill, you will need to have some common household items on hand.
Brass wire grill brush
Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove. Once you have cleaned the surfaces of your grill, then you must focus on its racks. The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.
This process should be completed each and every time you cook on your barbeque grill. If these steps are not taken, you may find it increasingly difficult to clean your grill, and may find that damage will occur.
The majority of problems that arise from barbeque grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not seem quite right with your barbeque grill, chances are it can be fixed with just a simple cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.
Finally, one method of preventing problems with your barbeque grill is protecting it from the outdoors. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so chances are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your barbeque grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.
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