How smart shopping can help transform your lifestyle

How smart shopping can help transform your lifestyle

(ARA) - Eating right and exercising is something we all know we should do, but the follow-through can be harder than we think. You don't need to take part in an expensive or radical health program to improve your life. Thinking long term and making small changes like shopping smarter and taking a closer look at what we eat can help improve our lives.

Shop with a plan

Try to avoid going grocery shopping without a list or menu in mind - or worse still, when you're hungry. Wandering through the aisles can lead to picking up a lot of foods you don't need or aren't good for you, leading to expensive trips now and poor health later.

But if you shop smarter, you can turn the same trip into a much less painful experience on your wallet and your waist line. Creating a list and planning your menu for the week ahead is a great way to start. You can shop for only what you need in a given week, and if your schedule is particularly chaotic, you can prepare many of your meals in advance. Once you get into a routine, it can be much easier to navigate the grocery store.

Look at labels

One way to help get yourself feeling great on the inside and out is to take a closer look at what you're buying. If you're not sure where to start, consider the advice from the American Heart Association and look for foods that are lower in sodium.

Whether you are looking for snack items, main course options or condiments, more and more companies are trying to help consumers by making options that will help you move toward a better-for-you lifestyle. For example, Vlasic pickles has introduced their new line of Reduced Sodium pickles that have 25 percent less sodium. One serving of the reduced sodium pickles amounts to only seven percent of the daily sodium intake values outlined by the AHA and the Food and Drug Administration. And as an added bonus they have zero fat or calories.

Also, keep an eye on the serving size of what you're eating. If you need help sticking to that, try using this "serving size card" from the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute for reference.

Tweak recipes

For those who love to cook, so many of the recipes handed down from generation to generation aren't always the healthiest. Part of the joy of cooking is that it's more art than science, so cut back on items that aren't healthy and substitute in better-for-you items. If you are looking for inspiration or help, search for any one of the thousands of food blogs on the Internet - many of which offer healthier alternatives, like Hungry Girl or the Food Network's Healthy Eating Blog.

Living a better-for-you lifestyle doesn't mean giving up all the foods that you love and enjoy - it means being smarter about how you shop, cook and eat. Once you do that, you'll be amazed at how much better you feel.

Impress your guests with holiday etiquette 101

Impress your guests with holiday etiquette 101


(ARA) - You've spent the entire day in the kitchen cooking the perfect holiday meal. But it's an hour before your guests arrive and you find yourself standing in front of the table listening to that little nagging voice inside your head.

Do the water glasses go to the right or left? What side does the knife go on? Should you go ahead and put food on the table before guests arrive, or wait until everyone gets there?

"We hear from so many panicked people this time of year looking for a crash course in how to set the table and proper manners," says etiquette coach Jill Slatter. "Most of us are stretched so thin juggling work, school and home that we don't have time to sit down together for a proper meal except at the holidays, and then the pressure is on to be perfect."

Slatter is the etiquette expert for Greensboro, N.C.-based Replacements, Ltd., billed as the world's largest retailer of old and new china, silver, crystal and collectibles. Based on their most frequently asked questions, Slatter shares a holiday etiquette 101 crash course that's sure to help you impress your guests.

Set the perfect table

Forks to the left, knives and spoons to the right. The sharp side of the knife blade should be turned toward the dinner plate. Only include utensils in your place setting that will be used for the courses you are serving. "If you're not serving soup or salad, you certainly don't want an extra spoon or fork in your place setting," Slatter says. "Not only will those get in the way and create extra work for you, the extra utensils may confuse your guests."  

The bread plate goes on the left of the dinner plate, glasses on the right.

Wait to pour. Water glasses should be the only glasses filled before your guests arrive. Iced tea, wine and other beverages should be poured once everyone is seated. Wine glasses should be filled halfway, not to the rim.

Salad and bread should be the only food on the table when your guests arrive.

Are you the hostess with the mostest?

Remember, the hostess always sits last.

Passing isn't just in football. Always pass food around the table counter clockwise to the right and refrain from serving yourself first. Always pass the salt and pepper as a set, even if you're only asked for one.

Can your guests see each other? Sure those flowers you spent hours arranging for the centerpiece are pretty, but they will only get in the way if your guests have to crane their necks to see each other. Make sure your guests can look over any table adornments.

Be a gracious guest

"There is nothing more disruptive than a cell phone ringing at the dinner table," says Slatter. "Turn your phone on vibrate, or better yet, don't even bring it to the table. Holiday gatherings mark the time to enjoy the company of the people you are with, rather than ignore them by chatting with someone who's not even there."

Wait for the signal. Your hosts will let you know when it's okay to begin eating. They may offer a blessing or statement or perhaps start by passing a dish.

If you're not sure which utensil to use with each course, start on the outside and work in toward the dinner plate.

If you need to excuse yourself temporarily, gently place your napkin on your chair to indicate you will be coming back.

Signify you're finished with the meal by placing your napkin to the left of the dinner plate, and your fork and knife side by side diagonally across your plate with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork tines up.

"Another big question we hear concerns what to do if you accidently break a piece of the host's dinnerware," adds Slatter. "You should certainly offer to replace the broken piece especially if it has sentimental value for the host or hostess."

Slatter says don't lose hope if your host doesn't know the name of the pattern or the manufacturer; you can always take advantage of Replacements' free pattern identification service.

If you're still in doubt about holiday etiquette 101, help is just a mouse click away. You can watch more of Slatter's tips on Replacements' YouTube channel. You can also find cheat sheets of place setting guides diagramming how to set the table for various meals at the company's website, www.replacements.com. Bon appetit!

Tips for easy, fun holiday entertaining

Tips for easy, fun holiday entertaining


(ARA) - Entertaining friends and family during the holiday season is as customary as drinking eggnog and opening presents. These gatherings usually involve investigating new - and delicious - recipes, decorating the house to the hilt, building the perfect collection of holiday tunes to play and finding fun activities to keep everyone engaged throughout.

The key to successful entertaining over the holidays is preparation. Here are some tips from Mike Wisner, executive chef for kitchen appliance maker LG Electronics USA, to help you throw a great holiday party:

* The menu is one of the most important aspects of a holiday gathering. To keep everyone happy with each course, make sure you have something for simple and extravagant tastes. Cheese, sausages or cured meats and crackers provide you with plenty of options. Also be aware of your guests' food allergies.

* Map out your meals a few days in advance and don't feel like you have to cook everything. Cold food items make great hors d'oeuvres. Decide when you want to eat, so you know when to start cooking (or unwrapping) each dish. A double-oven range can make your preparations easier. With two separate ovens that can operate independently at different temperatures, LG's range helps you prepare appetizers and an entree or the entree and dessert at the same time.

* Take the opportunity to do as much as you can to prepare in the days leading up to your party. Many food items can be prepared days in advance and only need reheating before serving. Additionally, things like rolling napkins, decorating, and setting your gathering area can be done well ahead of time.

* If you're hosting a gathering with children in attendance, be sure to have some fun movies on hand to keep them entertained. If you want to wow your guests, consider a CINEMA 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray player package from LG. With four sets of polarized glasses and a wide viewing angle, it's perfect for large groups to enjoy the latest 3D releases like "The Lion King," "Captain America" and the "Toy Story" trilogy. Consider throwing favorite holiday shows into the mix to keep the seasonal theme going strong.

* Music is always an important element to hosting a successful holiday party. Be sure to make a few playlists beforehand and remember, keep the volume at a level where the music can be heard, but you can still have a conversation. It also helps to have the right speaker system.

* Clean up can be the worst part of hosting, especially since most people leave it to the end of the night. It's never a bad idea to clean as you go and use disposable serving items where appropriate. Finally, you'll find that many guests would be happy to lend a hand.

"Pulling off a fun and entertaining holiday party takes work and good planning," Wisner says. "But with the right preparation, friends and family will request an encore party next holiday season." To help out, here's one of the chef's easy recipes for a great holiday appetizer:

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients:
1 bunch of asparagus
1/2 pound thinly sliced prosciutto or serrano ham
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Directions:
After removing one to two inches off the ends of the asparagus, cut into two to three inch lengths. Cook in a large pot of boiling water until they are "al dente." They should still have a slight crunch when bitten. When done, move them to a bowl of ice water to stop further cooking. Once chilled, remove and pat dry. Wrap each piece in a slice of ham (you can cut large slices in half). Store in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. These can be prepared up to two days in advance.

To serve:
Remove the wrapped asparagus from the refrigerator an hour before serving to allow them to warm up. Preheat broiler on high for five minutes. Place the wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet and then in broiler until the tops are crisped, about two to three minutes. Flip over and repeat for the other side. Remove from the oven and arrange on a serving tray. Drizzle with a good quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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The tastes of the season - savory, sweet, traditional and scrumptious

The tastes of the season - savory, sweet, traditional and scrumptious

(ARA) - The holiday season is fast approaching - and this year there are some new tastes joining traditional favorites to tempt even the most temperamental palates.

Industry trend watcher Andrew Freeman predicted earlier this year that one of the trends for 2011 would also include a search for simplicity and pure flavors, using powders and dried ingredients. You'll see many of these flavorings as food manufacturers roll out their holiday fare this fall and winter.

According to the Cooking Channel, one of the biggest trends is adding a modern touch to homemade foods. Food manufacturers like The Kansas City Steak Company are embracing the trend and adding some interesting flavors to their products.

"Our customers are asking for more tasteful adventures for their holiday menus," says Edward Scavuzzo, President of Kansas City Steak Company. "We know that spice consumption in this country is at an all-time high - according to McCormick & Company spice consumption is growing more than three times as fast as the population. Today's pantry consists of about 40 different seasonings, compared to less than 10 in the 1950s. We have been providing our customers with top-of-the-line meats since 1932. We love blending these flavor trends into our product mix and adding them to our more traditional, and always flavorful, steaks and roasts."

Here are some flavor trends to watch for this holiday season.

1. Espresso is a wonderful flavor enhancer to spice rubs. Whether it's added to a steakhouse rub or enjoyed in a cappuccino, the deep, rich flavor of espresso adds a depth of flavor to foods that's rich and satisfying.

2. Sun-dried tomatoes add earthy flavors to recipes. Whether they're incorporated into chicken roasts or meatloaf, chili or salad, the intense tomato flavor adds both texture and the perfect bite to holiday recipes.

3. Healthful and flavorful, cherries are sure to make your holiday meal sparkle. Whether tart or sweet, cherries are considered an antioxidant super food and will be present in many holiday treats this year. Watch for them to be matched with other fruits, meats and sides throughout the season.

4. Aged beef continues to make the holidays special. One taste trend that will never go out of holiday style: luscious, tender steaks and perfectly juicy roasts. The centerpiece of any holiday meal is still a great choice for wowing your most treasured friends - you name it, meats like Wagyu Kobe Beef, USDA Prime Chateaubriand and Roasted Steakhouse Rub Tenderloin Roast (some of Kansas City Steak's best-selling items) are holiday favorites every year. There's just something about taking a bite of a juicy, flavorful steak that makes your day memorable.

5. Don't forget the old-school favorites. Berkshire Pork, roasts of all kinds, grandma's special casserole - comfort foods extraordinaire. These foods burst with flavors of the season, rich with memories of years gone by.

When planning those special holiday meals, it's always good to have a handy guide to pair these new flavors with the perfect complementary sauces, sides and complementary wines. Gourmet guides like the one that Kansas City Steak offers free to consumers from its website, provide quick, easy tips to add some holiday flair to your special gatherings. Many other companies also offer helpful tips and techniques to help you get the most extraordinary flavor for your food dollar - all while impressing your guests with your unique gourmet touches that are sure to make the moments memorable.

Whether you're craving more adventurous holiday menu choices this year or sticking with the more traditional flavors of the season, you're sure to find many treats to explore online and in your local grocery store. Start planning for your best holiday yet.

How you can make staying home just like going out

How you can make staying home just like going out


(ARA) - When the weekend arrives, going out to a local establishment to meet up with your friends to relax and enjoy your time off is a time-honored tradition. But going out involves a lot of planning and coordination - not to mention the money you'll inevitably drop on food, bar tabs and transportation. The good news is with the right modifications to your home, you can make a night in seem just like a night on the town.

Turning a room or part of your home into a bar or recreational area can make your abode a destination in itself, as you'll have the comforts of the pub within the privacy of home. When trying to make your home an entertaining destination, focus on the things that you and your friends enjoy about your favorite hangouts. Here are a few improvements to consider as you construct your space:

* Start with the bar. Your bar will provide both a place to distribute food and drinks to your guests, as well as a central place to gather for conversation. Depending on your taste, you could go with a classic horizontal bar, or an L-shaped bar that promotes more face time and conversation. Make a wish list: Is it to be a wet bar plumbed for a sink, and do you have ample power to supply the fridge, blender, stereo and other electronic equipment? Don't forget the ergonomic layout - is the barware within easy reach and the fridge easily accessible?

* Build to accommodate accessories. It goes without saying that a refrigerator is a must, but areas with limited space might not accommodate a full-size refrigerator. Compact under-counter models are perfect in this situation. Typically 24 inches wide and counter-high, these are available in a variety of styles, including wine fridges, beverage centers or kegerators. Determining how you entertain is key says Steve Atkinson, senior marketing manager for Danby Products. "Our Silhouette Select Party Center was designed with entertaining in mind. This unique space-saving fridge offers three separate temperature zones for wine, beverage and ice production in one sleek stainless steel-wrapped package. It's competitively priced, offering extremely good value for the money."

* Distinguish with bar decor. One of the more subtle ways to make your home bar feel more like the real thing is paying special attention to lighting and decor. Adding light fixtures above the bar will draw visitors in. Incorporating a mirror into the back bar will evoke the classic pub look, but the real reason you see mirrors behind bars is because they make the area feel larger than it actually is - a plus when you're working with limited space. Use vintage beer signs or sports memorabilia to inject your own personality into your entertaining area.

* Entertainment. If you have the space, installing a pool table, dart board or other favorite bar games can greatly add to the fun. If you install a TV, consider adding it in a place where it can be seen from almost anywhere in the room, yet doesn't dominate the space or get in the way of conversation and interaction. If you're pressed for space, place card games and board games nearby, as they can make for great ice-breakers.

* Set a vibe. The music selection is a key ingredient to the atmosphere in any bar, so you'll want to give some thought to the sound system you use. One option is to connect your system to your patio, so you can play tunes inside and out. Otherwise, nothing exudes a warm and inviting sound than a vintage turntable. If you and your friends are audiophiles, a record player is all you need for a night of conversation and audio delight.

Constructing a bar might require a little investment up front, but you'll quickly began to recoup your expenses as you spend more time at home instead of going out. And when you build your own space, you can combine all the elements of your favorite watering holes. By adding your own personality to your space, you can build something that's sure to become your friends' new favorite destination.

Make Halloween frightfully easy and affordable

Make Halloween frightfully easy and affordable

(ARA) - Halloween decorations and costumes are meant to be frightfully fun, but the price tag for pulling together the big night doesn't have to be scary.  

Here are three fun and unexpected ways to keep costs low and let the creativity shine with enchanting accessories, do-it-yourself decorations and devilishly simple party planning.

Keep costumes personal and affordable
Masks are an easy and affordable way to jazz up a kid's costume. They are also a great alternative for moms who don't want to dress up in full costume, but still want to get in the spirit. Host a pre-Halloween Masquerade Mask party and invite each guest to bring one embellishment - sequins, glitter, feathers and buttons - to create one-of-a-kind masquerade masks. The host can provide paper masks, glue and scissors, and set up a designated area where kids can decorate their own masks with friends. Plan to make it an annual gathering and remind everyone to save materials throughout the year.

Decorate on a dime
Take advantage of free resources and do-it-yourself crafts to use as decorations and fun activities for the whole family. Visit Target.com/Halloween to download free printable pumpkin and eerie decorative lighting stencils. Print out the stencils and have the kids cut them out with safety scissors for pumpkin carving or painting. Kids can glue stencils onto white paper bags to line the driveway or walkway and place flameless candles inside the paper bags for an extra spooky Halloween glow. Moms can apply trick-or-treat bag iron-ons to a white canvas tote to complete the Halloween look from head to toe.

Simplify party planning
Many people find the idea of hosting a Halloween gathering stressful. "It doesn't have to be," says Sabrina Soto, Target Style Expert for Home. "Small touches can make a big Halloween statement - try placing a decorative notecard that says 'witches brew' next to the punch bowl and one that says 'eye balls' by a bowl of peeled grapes."

Make a glam centerpiece with mouth-watering Halloween treats displayed on a spider web two-tier tray, flanked by spooky candelabras with black and silver candles. It instantly creates an eye-catching focal point on the table with a spooky Halloween feel. A big trend this year is haunted gingerbread houses; have kids decorate them at the party for a fun and delicious activity.

For take home gifts, pack treat sacks with apples and tooth brushes with cards saying "fang scrubbers." (The other moms will appreciate the healthy gesture.)

"Halloween is a time to be creative and let your imagination guide you," says Soto. For more creative and affordable Halloween tips, costumes and decorating ideas, visit Target.com/Halloween.

What Should I Plant In My Garden?

What Should I Plant In My Garden? by JD Hoopes

Once you have prepared your garden spot, it is now time to select the best variety of vegetables for planting. For many choosing what vegetables to grow is the fun part since you get to imagine what sort of vegetables you will see shooting up from your new garden. There are many types of  vegetable seeds available for sale from retailers both online and offline. In fact, there are so many seeds to choose from that some people find themselves completely overwhelmed by their options.

If you are someone that has never grown vegetables before then it is important that you stick to vegetables that are easy to grow. Even though they might be vegetables that you have not usually eaten before or never thought about growing you might be surprised by the results. The following are some vegetables that are easy to grow and often a surprisingly delicious discovery.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a popular vegetable to grow at home because they can grow well in all climates. There are many different varieties of tomatoes available many of which do not require any stakes or fences to grow against. Cherry tomatoes are especially popular because they are usually expensive in stores but are great in salads and served as appetizers in many recipes.  When growing tomatoes, it is important that they get enough water and sunlight. In order to get the best results and the largest harvest possible you must be sure to pick your tomatoes as soon as they ripen.

Zucchini: Zucchini and most squash/pumpkins are great for first time organic gardeners. They are easy to plant and grow very quickly which means you do not have to wait a long time to actually start seeing results. Many people feel as if their zucchinis grow literally overnight.  When growing Zucchini and other squash it is important that you or your family members pick them right away. This will help encourage new plants to grow and will leave you with a large harvest.

Beets: Beets will grow beautifully in a well fertilized area and fresh organic beets will always be much better than anything you will find in a can or even in the grocery store. When growing beets always make sure there is enough mulch down to keep the soil warm in the cool months and cool in the summer. Make sure you harvest all of your beets before the first frost comes.

Carrots: Plant your carrot seeds in early spring and once you have harvested the first crop you can always plant more. As long as the soil is loose and deep enough you can get carrots to grow. Fresh organic carrots are a great addition to any garden.    Peas: Peas are a favorite vegetable for many children so growing organic peas is a great idea if you are growing food for a family. Peas are another vegetable that will grow in extremely large amounts and will grow from spring, through summer, and even into winter. In some climates peas will grow nearly all year round making them a great source of fresh food.  When growing peas it is important that the plants have support usually in the form of a stake or support that can be found at a plant supply store or nursery. Peas must be watered often and watched constantly for weeds. Too many weeds will quickly ruin your crop of peas so weed them often and carefully.

Corn: If you have the space for it corn is a great vegetable to plant. Roasted or grilled corn is great addition to any meal and watching a corn crop ripen is a wonderful sight. Make sure the seeds are well fertilized with compost when they are first planted and again in another two weeks. You will be able to start enjoying your fresh organic corn after the first silks appear.

Potatoes: Seed potatoes are easy to plant and even easier to grow. Weed and hoe often for best results and it is best to plant them in larger gardens with room to stretch. Planting potatoes with your other crops will often help discourage some insects and children love digging potatoes in the fall.

Green Beans: Planting green beans can help save you money if you are a parent or person that buys canned green beans often. Green beans can be planted as soon as the cold weather breaks and there is no chance of the ground freezing or the plants frosting. You can purchase seeds that will grow in a bush or those that will grow against a pole or stake. For smaller gardens it is usually easier to plant pole green beans.

Lettuce: Lettuce is an easy must have if you are a lover of salads or sandwiches. There are many varieties available and lettuce should be planted before the weather gets too warm. The hot summer weather will cause your lettuce to wilt quickly but during the cool spring your lettuce will thrive.

Radish: Radishes are another great vegetable for salad eaters and one of the first vegetables a new gardener should try. They are easy to plant and can be grown all through summer and into the fall.

Onions: Onions are easy to plant since they only need a lot of water to grow. They are a great garnish to any dish AND planting onions around your garden border will help discourage pests.

You will find that your garden will be a great hobby, excellent exercise, a fun family activity maintaining it and a source of pride for all. The best thing of all is the abundance of healthy and delicious food for you and your family to enjoy.


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Have Trouble Cooking Pasta?

By Sherry Frewerd Do you enjoy pasta but have a hard time boiling it correctly? This occurs all the time. You fix your pasta to eat along with a yummy sauce, but when it's over, the noodles are either overcooked or not quite cooked, making distasteful. There is hope, and with a few easy hints, you too can discover how to cook good pasta no matter what kind you're wanting to cook or the recipe. You can cook simple dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, or attempt chicken in the crock pot recipes that tell you to add the pasta during the last thirty minutes of cooking.

An area that lots of folks have trouble is in knowing just how much water should be used when boiling the pasta. Simply remember that a good suggestion is to add about 4 to 6 quarts of water to the pot for each pound of pasta. Additionally, another hint you might not know about is to never put your pasta into the pot of water before the water has come to a full boil. Lots of folks think that it doesn't make a difference, but most likely those same folks have yucky, sticky spaghetti as a result. As soon as the water starts to boil, add the pasta while you stir it in and then let the water reach a boil again.

Perhaps you've always heard people say to not stir the noodles while cooking, but this is probably one reason why your spaghetti turns out badly. Stirring the pasta helps the noodles to remain separate and not stick together or to the pan. Read the package cooking directions and follow them so you'll know how long to cook.

Dishes such as chicken in the crock pot recipes like chicken noodle soup, may require pasta that is cooked alone and added to the slow cooker. A great tip to remember is to let the noodles cook to 'just done' and not limp so that it will hold up in the crock pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Same goes for casseroles that will be baked in the oven for additional cooking time.

So the big question, and the biggest challenge, is how to know when you've cooked the pasta long enough. Here comes the easy part. Just taste and see. Using a fork, remove a piece of pasta or spaghetti and eat it. The pasta is done if it's firm but not hard. Pour the water out of the cooking pot and do not let the noodles lounge around in the water. Another falsehood: you only have to rinse the pasta if you need it to be cold for a specific recipe or it you don't want to eat it warm. Makes sense doesn't it?

Well, there you go. A few simple tips on how to prepare awesome pasta. You love pasta, and your family adores it, so don't continue serving them sticky noodles. Practice makes perfect and it results in perfectly wonderful pasta too!

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Learn how to cook chicken in the crock pot recipes and other tasty slow cooker dishes at Family Crock Pot Recipes.

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Red Wine – Your Health Drink

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Red Wine – Your Health Drink

By: Steve Manik

There can be nothing like red wine combined with your favorite food. You would enjoy your meal and the mesmerizing taste of red wine. Now, what if we say that this combination can also save you from many common diseases and work towards keeping you healthy and good spirits? You would be surprised. You must not have thought in your wildest dreams that an alcoholic drink can enhance your health.

However, this is true. Red wine has a lot of positive effects on your health if you consume it in moderation. This is the reason that the consumption of red wine has seen a tremendous rise in the United States. The numbers are still growing.

Let us take a detailed note of the health benefits associated to the consumption of red wine.

a) Healthy aging: Red wine contains anti-aging property. This helps in keeping the arteries healthy and in turn supports in boosting the immune system. Since, red wine is vital for cardiovascular health, natural growth of cells inside the body is promoted. This further aids in healthy aging. b) Treatment of neurological diseases: Red wine contains reveratrol, an antioxidant. This property helps in the formation of nerve cells inside the body, thereby treating major neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. c) Cholesterol level: If you want to maintain a healthy cholesterol level inside your body, you can trust on red wine. It contains antioxidants known as flavonoids. Flavonoids reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) inside the body. Lipoprotein is also referred to as the bad cholesterol. The antioxidant is a rich source for increasing the good cholesterol or high density lipoprotein (HDL). When LDL is reduces and HDL is increased, blood clot formation inside the body is prevented and lipid profile is increased inside the body. d) Heart disease: Catechin is an antioxidant present in red wine. It reduces the risk of heart disease. Reservatrol, another antioxidant provides adequate protection to the heart. e) Cancerous tumors: Resveratrol present in red wine is vital for prevention of the growth of cancerous tumors inside the body.

There are several other health benefits of drinking red wine such as increase in the body’s energy levels, prevention of oxidative damage, good cardiovascular health, slow aging and much more.

These claims by famous scientists and researchers across the globe have made people drink more of red wine. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of people drinking red wine and number of red wine glasses consumed on a per day basis. However, this is not at all, a solution to one’s health problems. Over consumption of red wine can cause problems. Moderation is the key to good health. You must concentrate on drinking just one to two glasses on a daily basis to enjoy from the health benefits provided by red wine.

Also remember that overindulgence in red wine after abstaining for over a week is unhealthy. This will not provide you any of the health benefits mentioned above.

Drink red wine in moderation. It is healthy. Combine it with your meals to stay away from over indulgence.

Author Resource:-> I am freelance writer. Accuracy, clarity and impact are the hallmarks of my work. If I have to define myself in a few words,

I am a copywriter, I can write on any subject, from beauty to intellect, food to travel, Tumors to Health & fitness. You can find my articles at: Freelance Seo Copywriter & Article Ghost Writer

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An Arsenal of Practical Skills can Protect You from Rising Food Prices

An Arsenal of Practical Skills can Protect You from Rising Food Prices

Author: Frugal Living

Over the last month or so, I’ve noticed a steady increase in the price of a number of food items that I buy on a regular basis. Cereal, bread, crackers, rice, and some canned goods, most of which I buy on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, have suddenly become more expensive. Don’t even get me started on the cost of produce.
It can be quite surprising when you go to buy a package of rice crackers, that you purchased one week before for 99 cents, only to find that they’ve risen in price to $1.59 a package. That’s a price increase of almost 60 per cent in one week! Then, in the cereal aisle, I find that the club-sized bag of millet and rice cereal for which I’ve consistently paid $8.29 for the last two years, now costs $9.29.
I’ve heard people talking about the likelihood of rising food prices for a while and fully understand that when the price of oil goes up,so does food cost. Then, there are other factors that can drive food cost up,like when a pest or bad weather devastate crops like wheat, soy beans, and rice.
Understanding that various factors, like the price of oil, will affect the price we pay for food is one thing, but actually seeing the full effect at the grocery store and on your grocery receipts is something quite different. Nothing really hits home until it hits your wallet, right?
Despite the fact that worldwide rising food prices make it more challenging to do so,food cost is still a part of the household budget over which you have the most control. It’s becoming more and more apparent, however, that if you depend entirely or almost entirely on others (i.e. grocery stores especially) for your food, it will become increasingly difficult for you to control food cost and more and more of your monthly income will go toward paying for food.
The key to coming out on top and saving money while the rest of the world pays $4for a head of lettuce is having some knowledge of the practical skills that are needed for food production or preparation; growing food, raising livestock,preserving, curing, cooking from scratch, etc.
Just think, if you and your family started a backyard vegetable garden and were able to enjoy fresh greens, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, squash,you name it, you would save a great deal of money on your grocery bills each year and you would see that vegetables taste a whole heck of a lot better when they’re really fresh.
Then,you could turn those fresh vegetables into delicious meals for your family,using frugal recipes, and your wallet and the health of your family members would be that much better off. Imagine if you raised hens in your backyard for their eggs and meat too. Raising chickens is actually quite simple and requires little money for start-up. It could be a fun family project.
Pre-packaged foods and eating out are detrimental to your food budget, especially when food cost is on the rise because of the factors we discussed previously. You owe it to yourself and your family to decrease or limit your dependency when it comes to the food you eat.

Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com/Article/An-Arsenal-of-Practical-Skills-can-Protect-You-from-Rising-Food-Prices/1667923

About the Author:
Learn the practical skills, like growing food and cooking from scratch, and protect yourself and your family from rising food prices. Then, sit back and relax while others duke it out at the grocery store for $4 heads of lettuce.
Rachel Grier is the editor of ThriftCultureNow.com

Cooking Asparagus The Fun And Easy Way

Preparation is the key when you're going to cook asparagus.  There are several methods of cooking boiling, grilling, steaming, or roasting.  The microwave is also a good option when cooking asparagus.  Cut the asparagus into sections and you can use it in stirfries you can also blanch the asparagus and use it in vegetable dips.  Of course, there's nothing like steamed asparagus with butter, salt, and pepper.

When buying asparagus make sure that it is fresh, the asparagus will taste much better and can be kept for two to three days when properly stored.  Once you get the asparagus home and ready to prepare, you'll need to trim it.  The easiest way to trim asparagus before cooking is to simply do it by hand by bending the stock until it breaks.  If it will not break but only bends, it is probably old and will not be as fresh as you would like it.  Some cooks prefer to peel the bottom of the stocks this is not really necessary but sometimes helps when the stocks are a little woody.  Contrary to popular belief the thicker asparagus is actually more flavorful than the pencil thin variety that most people want to buy.

An easy way to peel asparagus if you decide to go that route, is to lay a stalk on the counter or a cutting board and use a vegetable peeler. Starting at the top of the asparagus peel all the way to the end.  The main reason anybody would peel asparagus, as I mentioned above, would be to make the asparagus more tender.  You don't need to completely peel the asparagus either, simply peel down one one side to allow moisture to enter the asparagus while it is cooking.

If you want to steam the asparagus here is a simple method. After you have timmed your asparagus to the size you need, and optionally peeled it, place them in a saucepan and about an inch of water.  Another steaming method you can use when cooking asparagus is to stand them vertically.  Make sure you tie the bundles at the bottom and the top so they don't fall over in the pan.  They should steam for approximately 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness.

Boiling is a great way to cook asparagus also.  You want to use just enough water to cover the asparagus but make sure all the stems face the same direction and are covered with water.  The asparagus will take between four to six minutes to cook completely, but again that depends on the size.

One method I really enjoy is using the grill.  Cooking asparagus on the grill either directly over the fire or on skewers gives a great smoky flavor.  Depending how you like them, cook the asparagus for anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.  Another great way to cook the asparagus is to wrap them in foil with a little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper and cook them on the grill for 10-20 minutes.  You'll have a great treat.

On those winter days when you really don't want to cook asparagus on the BBQ, another great option is roasting.  Simply heat the oven to 425° F, and lay the asparagus flat on a baking sheet lined with foil.  You can put any seasoning you want on the asparagus when roasting; salt, pepper, lemon pepper or any other spice that you have on hand are good.  You will be rewarded with a nice tender stalk with a roasted flavor in about two to three minutes.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Jon Griffin has been playing music since he was 7 years old. He is also an avid cook and expert in beer, brewing and other beverages. He owns salsablanca.com and learningaboutstuff.com He went to Grove School of Music where he studied songwriting and composing and arranging (yes it was fun doing a big band chart every week!).

5 Easy Steps to Stir Fry

Stir fry method of cooking is very healthy. It uses less oil and leaves the food crisp and not overly cooked, and thus not stripping out all the nutrients and vitamins from raw food especially vegetables. Stir frying only takes a matter of minutes if you follow these few easy steps.

1. Well equipped
Firstly, a wok is a must, not pan, a big round wok. A round-based one works well using gas burner while a flat based one works well on electric stoves. A good wok is heavy usually made of cast iron or carbonated steel, easily available is departmental store and Asian hardware shops. Teflon based just doesn't give you the same rich flavor. When first purchased, the iron wok must be seasoned, heat the wok until smoke start rises from the wok, and then pour in a table spoon of peanut oil. Wipe the oil around the wok surface and throw away excessive oil. This way, all dirt will be removed from the wok surface. Secondly, a ladle is a must. Choose one with strong handle.

2. Prepare your ingredients
All raw meat and vegetable must be cut uniformly in thickness and size in advance. This is to ensure the food is evenly cooked. Once the wok is heated, there is not enough time to cut anymore. Rice and noodles need to be pre-cook, rice to be steamed while noodles to be boiled to soft.

3. Seasoning a must.
Before cooking the main ingredients, Asian usually put in chopped garlic or shallots to enhance the taste of stir fry dishes. When the wok is heated, oil is put in, then garlic or shallots are put in to fry until golden brown. Only then the main ingredients are put in.

4. Meat first, vegetables second
For stir frying, this is can be considered the golden rule. Always cook meat first, vegetables second. Meat is harder to cook compared to vegetables. If both are cook together, the vegetables tend to overcook. Meat or seafood must be marinated with a pinch of salt first. Always toss the ingredients for even cooking. When stir frying rice or noodles, the goldren rule still applies, always meat first.

5. Sauce and seasoning
Lastly, add sauce to your stir fry dish. Sauces, such as oyster sauce, or sweet and sour, thin and thick black soy sauce are added into the wok to complete the stir fry dish. Oyster sauce, thin and soya sauce is the most common, packaged in bottles and easily bought from the supermarket shelves. Sweet and sour is popular unique but it's just simply tomato sauce and sugar. Simply put in the sauce after the meat and vegetables are cook in the wok, sauté for a while, and the dish is ready to serve.


Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Amy guan loves to cook and shares her authentic Malaysian food in her blog www.malaysianfoodrecipe.blogspot.com. She shows how tasty exotic Malaysian dishes can be prepared in less than 30 minutes

Kitchen Bar Adds Value To Your Home

When it comes to remodeling the home, you will find that the kitchen will be the most exciting. This is a great way for you to add space to the house and also revamp the house without tearing it all apart. You will find that when you add a kitchen bar to your plans you will be able to create a lot of space and also add some drama to a room that is cozy. Not only will you be able to make the room look better, but your guests will feel better too. You will be able to add some space and seating, but also have a relaxed casual setting for your friends to feel welcomed.

Most of the time the kitchen and the dining are right next to each other and you will want to prepare your meal in the kitchen and eat in the dinning room. The thing is that most people will spend more time in the kitchen then in the dinning room. You will want to drink your coffee and read your paper and the dinning room is not appropriate for such casual activity. The key is to make space in order to have such a casual activity. You will find that the dinning room is more for entertaining, while the kitchen is perfect for everyday activities. It may be worth the time to learn how to install a granite countertop or island to improve your family's life.

When it comes to island in the center of the kitchen you will be able to complete the meal, eat the meal, and clean up the meal very quickly. This will also give you more room in the kitchen by giving you space for your appliances and preparation.

There is no complaint in having extra space, and so there is so complaint about adding an island. You will want to think about building cabinets underneath the bar and you will also want to think about getting interesting countertop in order to accent the room and add some dramatics to the dcor of the room.

However, if you would like to make the bar a home improvement to complement the kitchen you will want to choose a top that will match the rest of the room perfectly. Again, it doesn't have to be exact and you can use this as a way to make the room look and feel special, but you will want to make sure that it does look good in the room. You will not only want the bar to be functional, but you will also want the bar to make an improvement to the kitchen area.

Keep in mind that you may need to bring in some professionals to help you with your bar, but you will find that there are a lot of benefits to having a bar or island in the kitchen area. -- About the Author Ray Walberg writes articles most often for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com , an online site with information about how to install granite countertops and granite counter installation. You can find his writings on how to install a granite countertop and granite counter installation on his site.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com

How do you Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

How do you Make Chocolate Chip Cookies   by Emely

How do you Make Chocolate Chip Cookies? This is my version. America's favorite cookie is easy to make and sure to delight everyone. If you wish, you can buy chocolate chunks or chop the chocolate yourself rather than use chocolate chips-as long as you verify the chocolate's gluten-free status. Try replacing the nuts with raisins, dried cranberries, or caramel chips. Serve these cookies by themselves or with ice cream. Makes 24 servings. Here are ingredients and simple directions:

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

INGREDIENTS :

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter or buttery spread, such as Earth Balance, at room temperature, but not melted

¾ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 cups Carol's Sorghum Blend

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¾ cup gluten-free chocolate chips, such as Tropical Source

¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS :

1. Place a rack in the lower-middle position and another in the upper-middle position of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line two 15 × 10-inch baking sheets (not nonstick) with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until very smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the sorghum blend, xanthan gum, salt and baking soda, and then gradually beat into the egg mixture on low speed just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using. Knead the dough with your hands a few times to make sure the chips and nuts are thoroughly incorporated.

4. Using a wet tablespoon or a #50 metal springaction ice cream scoop, drop 1½-inch balls of dough at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheets, 12 per sheet. Place one sheet on the lower-middle rack and another on the upper-middle rack of the oven.

5. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets between racks halfway through baking, or until the cookies start to brown around the edges. Cool the cookies 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store, tightly covered, for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Follow this directions and you will be amazed how good this recipe is. Hope you enjoy this unique dessert recipe and Bon Apetit.

Superfoods and your Daily Health

Superfoods and your Daily Health   by Nina Bagnall

About 35 years ago, a superfood was an unknown word. What everyone did know, was that vegetables and fruit were healthy and nutritious.

Today, sadly we find that our soil has been spoilt with chemical fertilisers and goodness knows what else! Yet, if you do shop around, there are farmers scattered around the world who have decided to replenish their soil and grow organic produce, which is great news for us the consumer, because everything is ecological, and therefore good for environment also.

Superfoods, we hear this word bounded around, but what are superfoods and why are they so crucial?

The definition of a superfood is- a natural food that is deemed essential, due to its nutritional D.N.A.
Natural foods that abound the earth and will always be more beneficial to your health and wellbeing than processed food and trans fat.

On the internet you will find many sites to click on, regarding the food pyramid. But in my opinion it should simply be - What is on your plate!

Is it time for you to change your diet? If so, this is the ideal time to take a refresher course on nutrition.

Human beings need to achieve energy balance and the only way this can be done is by having the energy coming into the body through calories. However, the amount of calories entering the body has to equal the energy going out of the body, or the calories that are burned.

If you think of your body as a petrol tank, if too much petrol is used, the tank overflows and spills. Likewise, if too many calories are taken into the body, without exercise to maintain the balance then the calories will settle, usually around the stomach or hips.

For example: - When you eat the same amount of calories from food that your body needs for its daily activities, your energy levels will balance. Only by doing this will you maintain a healthy body weight, which is critical to your overall health?

Carbohydrates, Fibre, Protein, Fats, as well as vitamins and minerals should all play a part in your daily nutrition. Today too many people eat the wrong foods and eat too much! That is why there is so much obesity.

The main role of Carbohydrates is to provide your brain and body with energy.

Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of the bodies' tissues, not only as we grow, but all through our lives.

Fibre is required by the body to keep the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. Fibre speeds up excretion of waste and toxins from the body. Thus preventing them from staying in the intestine or bowel for long periods, for this only leads to disease.

Fats are also essential, but they have to be the correct ones.
Unsaturated are usually liquid and can be found in plants and fish oils. Make sure that you consume polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, instead of saturated fats, this will reduce the blood cholesterol level and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Do not use saturated fats. Never have Trans fat (which is man made)

Checklist:-

1. Choose a smaller plate which should consist of 2/3 carbohydrates and 1/3 protein. No more than 175 grams of meat and poultry.
2. Fresh vegetables
3. Fresh Fruit
4. Grains - if its made from oats, rice, wheat, or barley, it is classified as a grain product
5. Nuts and Seeds.

Whether you like it or not, healthy eating on its own will not lose weight. It is necessary however to combine it with daily exercise. At least 60minutes, to incorporate aerobic and other of your choice

Remember fast food is a tragedy of the modern age. What a mess it has made of the human body. Not only does it not satisfy the appetite you continue to gorge, which is slowly killing you, not to mention aging you more quickly.

Adults lead by example, don't allow your children to be obese, encourage healthy eating and exercise as a daily and natural routine. Believe me you will notice a difference in energy levels and much more.

If you want more information or a diet sheet, click onto Life is a Journey, register to contact me.

Superfoods, or simply fruit and vegetables should be a good habit.

Want more indepth information, visit Life is a Journey and click on Audios.

Seven Top Foods for Healthy Hair

Seven Top Foods for Healthy Hair   by Winter

Will you envy someone who has a glossy black hair when you walk in the street? Maybe you are not the lucky one who only has thin and yellow hair. So you choose many expensive shampoos and hair conditioners to protect your hair, but you will find all these things don't work. Can we have a pith-black shine hair by ourselves? Yes, we can!

Sometimes a well-balanced diet is very important for hair because Good nutrition is essential for healthy hair growth but unfortunately no one can cheat hair loss by swigging on the latest antioxidant-packed smoothie or snacking on super berries. What should we eat daily?

Sea food-Some sea foods like salmon and other fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for keeping your scalp and hair moisturized. This will keep your hair healthy for a longer time by vitalizing from the root of every hair. A dietitian told us Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health. So if you can, please choose eat some sea foods daily.

Eggs-Do you like eating eggs? Parents were always force us to eat eggs and drink milk when we were children for their nutrition. Eggs are rich in protein, which is also an important part made of hair. So we should choose eggs as an excellent source of protein and some other nutrition like vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Various kinds of green vegetables-Vitamins are very good for people's scalp. With abundant vitamins we can have a properly nourished scalp, which can provide us healthy hair. Many green vegetables contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin B.

Beans-Many kinds of beans are rich in protein, minerals, Iron and Biotin. In addition to providing zinc and folate, chick peas are a great vegetarian source of iron-rich protein, an important combination for hair growth and repair. Soybean, Bengal gram and green gram help in production of new hair and their nourishment. Biotin deficiency can result in brittle hair.

Chicken and Turkey-Chicken and turkey are rich source of first class protein. They are gentle to your heart rather than red meat as well. They also contain several minerals like Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Selenium etc. All these help in revitalizing your hair.

Water and Nuts-Brazil nuts and Walnuts contain selenium alpha-linolenic acid, which may help condition your hair. A properly hydrated scalp is the bed where healthy hair can grow and remain for a longer time.

Sometimes your hair just like baby, you should take care them all the time. Stick to eat these foods every day, and get enough sleep, I believe your hair will be healthy and black.

Cooking With Pressure Cookers - What's The Deal ?

Cooking With Pressure Cookers - What's The Deal ? by Oscar Hildersen
Pressure cookers are created with a water-tight and air-tight body. That implies the pot is so strongly sealed that certainly no air or water can break free. Then when the liquid inside the pot is boiled and steam is produced, the pressure in the pot raises drastically. This increased pressure enables cooking at really high temperatures levels. As an illustration, when the pressure builds up to15 pounds, the temperature can reach nearly 250 degrees.
But containing such increased pressure will need to have further durability. As such, pressure cookers are built with a stronger body and additional durable materials. And to always keep the pressure locked, the coverage should be secured by a robust lock mechanism. Because of its function, it can be significant that users know how you can securely lock the pot before proceeding with all the cooking.
Undoubtedly, the pressure is not kept fully trapped. All normal pressure cookers can come with a vent pipe which emits additional pressure when required. The pressure regulator in the vent pipe maintains uniform pressure all all through the cooking time. Controlling this can be either manual (totally on older varieties) or automated (as observed on more recent units).
The result naturally is swifter cooking time. Depending on the dish, cooking food time might be cut down by much more than half. Some dishes that require multiple hours of cooking may well be accomplished in under 1 hour. This can be all thanks to high pressure cooking at very high temperatures. As a result in the event you do not like awaiting time-consuming dishes, you would possibly desire to contemplate obtaining a pressure cooker.
One another advantage to making use of pressure cookers is that it utilizes natural flavors with the ingredients. So if for instance you're preparing a chicken dish, you will be able to trap far more of the natural flavors of the chicken. The very same goes for other ingredients like meat, fish, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
It's 3 the steam is trapped within the pot for the duration of pressure cooking. This permits no opportunity for the natural flavors of the ingredients to escape with the steam. This can be as opposed to conventional cooking with standard pots and pans wherein the flavors are being constantly launched towards the air.
Also, the very moist environment within the pot combined with high pressure will allow cuts of meats to retain their natural juices. As a result, meat dishes will ooze with natural juices when they're cut. This can be something that could only be genuinely achieved using the pressure cooker. The meat can also be tenderer. Cooking with other techniques will not generate the very same softness.
Nonetheless, using pressure cookers might be a bit of a complicated task particularly for novices. A normal pressure cooker holds much more moving parts than any standard pan or pot. You can find also products such as the pressure gauge, pressure regulator, and vent pipe that the user need to know how to use properly.
Additionally, there are lots of safety precautions that must be followed when cooking with pressure cookers. Or else, disaster can happen inside the cooker. Stories of spaghetti sauce exploding into the ceiling are not unusual. So in case you are considering using one, you must remember to read the instructions manual.

Why Should You Purchase a Glass Juicer?

Why Should You Purchase a Glass Juicer? by Kenny Tan
There are several shapes and sizes of juicers in the market. These kitchen appliances may vary in appearance, but they have only one function - to extract juice from fruits or vegetables. If you are the type of person that is always on the go, a good juicer is a staple in your kitchen. You can still receive the great benefits of natural vitamins and minerals by gulping down fresh juice every day. This kitchen tool definitely gives you convenience in juicing, as well as excellent effects to your health.

When choosing the type of juicer to purchase, you should consider several points. If you want something handy yet performs well in juicing, you might like glass juicers. There is no doubt on the lightweight and handy features of this type of juicer. These are small and weigh less than the power juicers in the market. Because of the handiness of these juicers, you can bring them anywhere. If you are going on a trip to the beach or a picnic, it is easy to take a glass juicer with you. With this juicer, you can make fresh juice anytime you want and anywhere you are. In addition, you can use this juicer conveniently because it does not require electricity or battery. The ridged centre extracts juice easily, and it only requires your effort to produce a lot of juice - up to the last drop.

A glass juicer comes with a wide base that has a capacity of two cups. It has a spout and a handle that lets you pour out the content in a container, with much ease. You get to enjoy a delightful and nutritious drink; and you can even share the other cup with a friend. You can also rely on the durability and solid construction of this juicer. This comes with 100 percent thick glass that will not easily get chipped or break into pieces. With proper care and maintenance, this juicer will definitely last for several years.

This type of juicer is also hygienic. It does not contain lead or any harmful chemicals, unlike those made from plastic. It is also easy to clean a glass juicer; you can simply wash it under a faucet or in a dishwasher, just like how you normally wash your other dishes. You can be sure that no residue stays in the juicer. Moreover, there are no parts that need disassembling during clean up. Because this juicer comes in one piece, you will definitely have more efficiency and no hassle in keeping it clean and bacteria-free.

If you are fond of drinking fresh citrus juice every day, you will definitely love this type of juicer. In fact, a glass juicer is only perfect for oranges, lemons and grapefruits. With a glass juicer, you get to make fruit juice anytime - without any hassle at all. This kitchen tool may be simple, but the numerous benefits and affordable price make it a good buy. 

How to Make a Perfect Grilled Chicken

How to Make a Perfect Grilled Chicken by Angelica Florin
Grilling can be a fun, family activity during weekends. Spend your lazy afternoons in your backyard, and take out those grillers for a grilled chicken for your dinner.

Learning how to grill is not as hard as you would see on television. All you need is the proper temperature for your griller especially if you are using an electric grill. Nevertheless, if you have the conventional griller, try to find some dried wood or charcoal. Ignite the coals or wood by placing crumpled papers below each coal and then set the papers on fire. Do not pour gasoline on the coals or dried wood. The smoke coming from the coals will give a gasoline-like aroma to your grilled meat. These are your best weapons in grilling.

Choose the best part of the chicken. I usually use chicken thighs and legs since they are the fattiest parts of the chicken. These parts will yield a juicy, barbecued chicken. Although these may sound unhealthy, the taste is incredibly delicious. Some would still prefer grilling chicken breasts with the skins on.

Before you start grilling your chicken, do not forget to marinate them at least overnight. Yes, overnight. This is because the longer you marinade your meat, the better absorption of flavors happens. I prefer to use store-bought marinades as these save much preparation time in the kitchen. The downside of most ready-made marinades is their high sodium content. But if you have time, you can make your own marinade from scratch. In the recipe below, the marinade and the chicken were simmered together to speed up the process of grilling and also to let the flavors marry together. I like Asian-style marinades such as this:

For every kilo of chicken:

½ cup light soy sauce (available in the Asian section of grocery stores)

2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1 medium stalk of lemon grass (pounded)

3 cloves crushed garlic

1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Combine all the above ingredients in a heavy skillet and let it boil for two minutes. Add in the chicken and simmer for another five minutes. Drain the chicken in a colander and reserve the marinade for basting during grilling. Basting is necessary so that the chicken won’t dry out. The marinade can also be made as a sauce by making a basic roux. This is simply done by placing a tablespoon of butter on a non-stick pan and let it cook for minutes. Pour over the marinade and whisk until the sauce thickens. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings accordingly.

You can also opt to make a dry, rub marinade. This dry rub is comprised of herbs and spices and a little oil. For chicken, dried or fresh tarragon and rosemary blends together very well. If you want a spicier, grilled chicken, add a pinch of chili powder and cayenne pepper. There are limitless marinades for grilled chicken. A little imagination and creativity are the keys. Make sure that when grilling the chicken, never let the flame flare up. This will result in burnt chicken. This does not appeal both to the eyes and to the palate. If this occurs, sprinkle a little water over the flame. Some also like their grillers to be covered during the grilling process.

Personally, I liked mine uncovered. There is just something about the smoke which is, for me, the essence of grilling. Grilled foods are best served warm, right off the grill with some salads or other vegetables of your choice. 

What do you know about Vodka?

What do you know about Vodka? by Dean Winchester
When you think about vodka you think about just hanging out with friends and having a great time. It is the time when people get together to share well times and create new memories. This is flavored drinks and cocktail hour.

Different Types of Vodka

Drinking vodka means that you have choices and options to the type that you are going to have. There are Russian vodkas, neutral vodka, flavored vodka and regional touch. With all of the brands of vodka that you have to choose from you may want to try them all to find a favorite. This can be especially tricky when you start looking at the vodka flavors that you have to choose from. The best vodka type is going to depend upon your taste. One that you may like to try is vodka red. The red vodka brands are special all on their own.

Popular Brands to Try

Perhaps you have seen brands other than Absolut when it comes to vodka but you may be undecided on trying something new. You can look at a vodka review to get an idea of which ones you may want to try so you can get an idea of what else is out there. A few are SKYY, Smirnoff and White Diamond. All great choices but, you are going to find that Absolut will rank number one and a little lower on the list is Stolichnaya. Again, good vodka does not need to be expensive as they are all a distilled drink.

Prices of Vodka

When you start to look at vodka prices you are going to notice that they can go from very cheap to very expensive. A vodka bottle can go from $20 or less (depending on the size and brand) to $60 and over. If you are looking to try something new you may want to check out a review to an idea on one that is expensive. That way you can make a decision on whether or not you want to even give it a chance.

Popular Vodka Drinks



Even if you do not like the taste of vodka on its own, you may like many of the mixed drinks that it is made with. It is even possible that you have a favorite and did not even know that vodka was in it. There are many vodka cocktails such as the salty dog, sex on the beach, screwdriver and even black Russian. Perhaps you have found your own vodka recipes that you like to create. These are a few of the more popular drinks that have people coming back for more. If you are worried about the calories in vodka than know that there are 64 to a shot and 69 in the flavored. Vodka mixes and vodka mixed drinks are going to be the ones that have the most calories in them.

A Few Facts

In the early 1800’s, vodka made its appearance and it did not take long before it became a household name. The brand of Absolut has its very own Hollywood Star and they support different functions and national sponsorship. Although they advertise drinking they are also about supporting the community and promoting safe drinking. 

Coffee Maker Style Guide

Coffee Maker Style Guide by Dr Bryan Stoker

According to statistics, 52 percent of Americans are coffee drinkers. This translates to greater than 140 million people who drink coffee daily. Americans are a diverse population and far from unanimously agreeing on what makes a good cup of coffee. Happily, there are a number of different kinds of coffee makers available today.

Coffee lovers can select the brewing machine that matches their preferences. Common coffee maker styles include Automatic Drip, Automated Espresso, French Press, Percolator, Stovetop Espresso, and Vacuum style. Each has its own pros and cons and gives the person varying control over the end result.

Automatic Drip Coffee Maker

The automatic drip coffee maker might be the most popular alternative for Americans. This style is simple to make use of and are inexpensive to purchase. Most operate on the identical principle. Contained in the coffee pot is a filter basket where a paper filter holds the coffee grounds. Cold water is poured into the reservoir where it is heated before being poured over the grounds. The resulting coffee flows into a carafe. The brewed coffee is kept warm by the hot surface beneath the carafe.

Individuals who don't like to use automatic drip coffee makers complain that they do not make a very good cup of coffee. Keeping the coffee maker and carafe clean, utilizing quality coffee and disposable paper filters will help ensure a better result.

Automatic Espresso Coffee Maker

Automatic espresso coffee makers are available in semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic versions. Semi-automatic models tamp the coffee grounds, brew the coffee, fill the cup and eject grounds. Fully automatic models also grind the coffee. Super models supply all kinds of options, including built in water filters.

French Press Coffee Maker

French Press coffee makers are also referred to as press pots or plunger pots. The pot is a glass or porcelain cylinder which incorporates a stainless, mesh plunger that works as a filter.

The consumer measures coffee grounds into the pot and adds nearly boiling water. The plunger is put in place but not pushed till the coffee has steeped a number of minutes. After steeping, the plunger is pushed and the espresso is ready.

There is no hot surface to maintain coffee temperature so the coffee must be served instantly or placed into a thermal carafe of some sort.

Percolator Coffee Maker

Percolator coffee makers are available in range top types and in electric styles. Most modern ones are both electric and can be programmed. Some models make just one cup of coffee, others could make 12 cups at a time. The large coffee urns utilized by many organizations work on the percolation principle however brew more than one hundred cups of coffee at a time.

Percolator coffee makers are not used as often as they used to be. These machines constantly run the water over the grounds and the water is boiled. Many coffee lovers claim that both actions violate the legal guidelines of creating good coffee.

Coffee made via percolator tends to be stronger and often bitter tasting than coffee made with other brewing methods.

Vacuum Coffee Maker

Vacuum coffee makers look more like chemistry lab equipment than coffee machines. This type consists of two overlapped containers that are connected by a syphon tube. There's a filter in the bottom of the upper container.

The user places water in the lower container and coffee grounds within the upper container. The machine is then placed on top of the stove where the heated water vaporizes and passes through the syphon tube into the upper container.

A brewing cycle lasts roughly three minutes. When the unit is removed from heat, the vapor turns back to water and is forced through the filter and back into the lower container. Farberware created the first automatic vacuum coffee maker model whereas Sunbeam made the first truly automatic modern one.

Coffee lovers can choose from a wide variety of coffee makers. From cheap range top coffee pots to high end super automated coffee makers, there is a coffee maker for every choice as well as every budget. 

Newlyweds: Learning to cook for two

Newlyweds: Learning to cook for two

(ARA) - So you've just tied the knot, or will soon wed, and you realize that mealtime (among other things) is about to change. If you have any jitters about cooking for two, rest assured that setting up a kitchen and cooking delicious meals - no matter what your budget or time constraints - are well within reach.

Essential kitchen tools
If you're lucky, you received most of what you need to set up a kitchen as wedding or shower gifts. Here's a rundown of the very basics. You can add to your supplies down the road, once you see what kind of cooking you most enjoy (a wok if you rely on stir fry and a crepe pan if you fancy crepes for Sunday breakfast, for example).

For now, you can tackle just about any recipe if you have:
* A couple of basic pots (one large enough to make pasta and a medium-size one for sauces and steaming veggies)
* A skillet
* A casserole dish
* Measuring cups and spoons
* One large and one small mixing bowl
* Wooden spoons, a good can opener, a slotted spoon, a ladle, rubber spatulas and a metal spatula
* A cutting board and a good chef's knife, a paring knife, a vegetable peeler and a grater
* Baking pans: one 9-by-13-inch, two round cake pans, a pie pan, a couple of cookie sheets, a pizza pan and a loaf pan
* Storage containers and recycling bins

The spice rack
It needn't be a rack, of course, but a solid collection of spices will be necessary for cooking from recipes and can help you transform ordinary fare into very special - even signature - dishes. Stock a handful of basics, then build your selection. Store them away from heat and light (not over your stove).

A good start would be: basil, bay leaves, cayenne, chives, cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, turmeric and, of course, salt and black pepper.

If you have an ongoing gift registry, you might add Simply Organic's Spice Rack with Spices. It provides 16 basic spices, including Daily Grind Black Peppercorns and Grind to a Salt blend.

For convenience (and reliability), stock plenty of ready-to-use spice blends, too, such as all-purpose seasoning, chili powder, curry powder, Italian seasoning, Mexican seasoning, and pumpkin pie spice.

Recipes
Deciding what to have for dinner needn't be a hassle. It's helpful to plan your menus for the week ahead, both for shopping ease and peace of mind.

Start by relying on basic recipes. Maybe you have some that have been passed down in your family. Or maybe you're teaching yourself now. You might want to set aside one day a week to try a brand new recipe, such as a new ethnic dish or something you saw on a cooking show or website. If it works, add it to your repertoire.

You can also greatly vary your basic recipes, such as potato, pasta and egg dishes, just by experimenting with seasonings and other toppings. If you know how to cook pasta (and if you don't, just follow the directions on the package and you'll nail it), you can make myriad dishes by choosing a variety of pastas in various shapes. Then mix things up by seasoning your sauces differently: add basil, garlic powder and thyme to your tomato sauce one day and oregano, garlic granules and basil another. For a white sauce, try tarragon, paprika and parsley or marjoram, dill weed and chives. If you're going for convenience, simply choose a blend such as Italian seasoning, and you're good to go.

You can find some good "beginner" recipes on Simply Organic's recipe website, which, for convenience, creatively use mixes and blends. You can also download the company's free recipe app for your iPhone, iPad, and/or iPod Touch.

Take shortcuts
Speaking of mixes and blends, if you haven't noticed, they're not just for dessert anymore. You'll find convenient, healthful mixes and blends for everything from sauces and dips to main dishes, side dishes and, yes, desserts. If you don't have the time and inclination to spend hours in the kitchen mastering recipes, it's mixes and blends to the rescue. Even if you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, mixes are great when you need a dish done faster.

Here are a couple easy-to-assemble recipes that you can use to put a complete, scrumptious dinner on the table.

Homestyle Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup
1 package Simply Organic Sloppy Joe Mix
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, egg and ketchup. In a small bowl, dissolve Sloppy Joe Mix in water. Add liquid mix to beef mixture and knead into a loaf shape. Place on cookie sheet or in oven-safe pan and bake for 45 minutes.

Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
1 package Simply Organic French Onion Dip Mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions:
Place potatoes in a large pot. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. While potatoes are cooking, combine dip mix, sour cream, cream cheese, and salt. Stir until well mixed, and set aside.

When potatoes are tender, drain off the water. Add the sour cream mixture and butter to the potatoes. Mash potatoes using a hand-held mixer or potato masher. Place in a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, uncovered.

Is fruit juice good for you? Learn what the experts have to say

Is fruit juice good for you? Learn what the experts have to say

(ARA) - Fruit juice is something people of all ages enjoy, from toddlers to seniors. One glass is often the perfect way to start the day, as a refreshing treat, or a tasty mealtime staple.

Recently, though, there has been confusion whether juice is good for you or not. Many question the quantity you should drink or how much real fruit juice is in the beverages we consume. With many differing opinions about juice, it's easy to feel uncertain. The good news is nutrition experts agree that juice can be part of a healthy diet. The key is knowing what to look for.

The reality is that adults and adolescents in the U.S. are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled their recommendations for Americans with the new USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines. The new guidelines recommend that half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables at every meal and snacking occasion. Fruits and vegetables can help people get essential nutrients such as vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which the USDA says we're not getting enough of. The good news is that a variety of foods can help satisfy those fruit servings - fresh fruit, dried fruits, canned fruits and 100 percent fruit juice.

How do you know if you're choosing the right juice?

With so many juices on the market, it's hard to tell the sugar-infused "drinks" apart from the beneficial fruit juices. The key is to read the label and to choose juices that are 100 percent fruit juice or have no added sugar.  

For example, look for juices that are a good source of fiber, potassium and magnesium. Fresh plum juice, such as Sunsweet's PlumSmart or Sunsweet Prune Juice, is a good source of these nutrients and one 8-ounce glass counts as one serving of fruit.

Need another reason to add juice to your diet? Here are some other ways 100 percent fruit juice contributes to a healthy diet:

* It may help maintain a healthy digestive system - Fiber-rich juices such as prune juice have long been accepted as an effective digestive aid, largely due to its gentle, laxative effect. Sunsweet PlumSmart is also clinically proven to help maintain digestive health.

* They contribute to the daily fruit requirement - One hundred percent fruit juice was a primary contributor to the percentage of total fruit intake, according to a recently published study by The Medscape Journal of Medicine. The study showed that fewer than one in 10 American adults and adolescents met their calorie-specific fruit recommendation. Thus, without the inclusion of 100 percent fruit juice in their diets, Americans would be even further from their daily fruit requirements and would be missing out on the key nutrients.

* Juice can enhance nutrient density of diets without affecting the calorie density - One hundred percent fruit juice often provides a more concentrated source of vitamins and minerals. The appropriate consumption of 100 percent juice is actually associated with a more nutritious diet overall.

* Drinking 100 percent juice has not been shown to increase the risk of weight gain or obesity among children, adolescents or adults. Contradictory to many misconceptions, based on the currently available scientific evidence there is no systematic association between the consumption of 100 percent fruit juice and the risk of becoming overweight or obese. This is the case in both children and adolescents.

* If you're watching your sugar intake, try mixing 100 percent fruit juice with water to reduce the sugar and calories per serving.  Also look on product labels for reduced calorie (light) juices, the absence of high fructose corn syrup and no sugar added.  

For more information about the power of juice, visit www.Sunsweet.com.