Home Ice Makers - A Small Guide

Ever since the first mechanical ice making concept was conceptualized way back in the 1840's by John Gorrie, man has utilized this mechanical form of making things frozen for many, many uses. Back then, Gorrie envisaged using such a device to cheaply make ice which he could use to cool his patients down who were suffering from Malaria and Yellow Fever.

Over a hundred and fifty years later man is still using mechanical devices based on the same principals Gorrie set out all those years ago. Although there have been many improvements, the concept is still pretty much the same.

Ice makers are used all over the world these days to create ice quickly and cheaply. Whether it be for domestic use in drinks for example, or whether in the hospitality industry to cool drinks and food. They are even used widely in other sectors such as manufacturing and such. You've seen those large Ice Sculptures that are carved out of huge blocks by men with chainsaws right? Sure thing. Those blocks of ice came out of very large ice makers.

What I want to concentrate on today though are those for domestic use - for the home, the car, your boat.

After more than a century and a half of innovation and improvements, small domestic ice cube makers are cheaper than ever to buy and are very, very popular - especially throughout the Summer months. Electricity is cheap, water is cheap, and once you've invested in a small ice machine, ice also becomes cheap. A lot cheaper than buying it by the kilo from supermarkets.

Nearly all small domestic ice makers plug into an electrical outlet.120 volts if you're in the United States, or 240 volts if you're in the United Kingdom. These appliances generally don't use that much electricity and therefore are cheap to run.

On top of this there are two types of ice maker - one that you have to plumb in to a mains water source, and the other where you have to manually fill the ice maker with water. The ones you have to plumb in are more heavy duty, larger versions of their smaller counterparts and can pump out much more ice. The downside to these larger appliances though is they are not so portable. You can't just unplug it and move it to another position or to another house altogether. The other type is the very compact, very efficient, very portable domestic ice makers. These ones are literally 'plug and play'. You plug it in, fill it up with water, and within a short amount of time you've got yourself some ice, freshly made, and ready to use.

As summers are getting warmer and longer, and the demand for cheap ice is increasing, these small portable domestic ice makers are becoming more and more fashionable, and are now very much in demand.

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Posted in: Guide,Makers,Small

Choosing the Best Kitchen Devices

It is just amazing how the small appliances in your kitchen can change your cooking and preparing time into a perfect and enjoyable experience. You can make your cooking possibilities just limitless by using a various devices created for common tasks like slicing, chopping, mixing etc. There are many various types of devices such as the food processor, the griddler, blender, mixer and assist units. Nowadays you can find the standard coffee pots and toasters having many different functions. Now let's see what kind of points deserve an attention while choosing the kitchen device.

1. Common tasks in kitchen
2. Available counter space
3. Choosing between cost and functionality
4. Design
5. Special desired features.

It is believed that the kitchen is the most frequently used room in the house. For example for a perfect breakfast you can use a wonderful coffee machine from Belgian waffle makers which can automatically grind and brew, making the ordinary breakfast into a gourmet feast. It is truly hard to resist the comfort and ease they have. Mostly, small household appliances have a unique design and bright colors which gives them special style.

Many of those, who depend on the cup of coffee at work in the morning, know can say how it is important to have a good coffee machine they can rely on. You can find models ranging from the simple functionality to the all-in-one devices with built-in grinders. Regardless of the quantity of cups you are drinking every day you can choose devices with brewing ability from four to twelve cups. Many coffee makers have the list of desired functions, such as:

• Keeping coffee hot for hours without overheating or scorching
• You can grab a cup of coffee even before it gets completely brewed by using the pause-and-pour function.
• If you want to brew your coffee at a special time, you can put the brewer at alarm mode.
• Maybe you want some latte or cappuccino? Not a problem, use the espresso maker.
• You can grind coffee beans by using your coffee maker. With that function you'll always have a fresh coffee.

There are many types of food processors, blenders and mixers with various functions, each dedicated to do all its best. They are an invaluable aid in the preparation of your meals. Now you can cut, chop, blend and mix the food without wasting your time. If you want to make some fresh juice, soups or smoothies a blender would be a best friend in such cases. It is possible to see handled or stand-mounted mixers. It is believed, that handled mixers are more compact and easy to store, but the stand mixers are stronger and can mix thick ingredients. Also, they can be used for stirring a cake mix of creamy mashed potatoes.

In various kitchens it is possible to see some small kitchen appliances designed for doing special tasks like popcorn popping, pizza making etc. For example if you want to have a fresh frozen ice cream or yogurt the ice cream and yogurt makers would be the best choice. The griddler assist you in making of delicious waffles and pancakes. The meat will be easily sliced with electric knives and meat slicer, popcorn makers can make your movie time "tasty".

There are lots of devices and wide choice, so choose wisely and have a great cooking time!

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Posted in: Choosing,Devices,Kitchen

Hunting for Hidden Sugar in Foods: Become a Sugar Detective

Sugar is added to commercial foods for sweetness and because it acts as a preservative. You may think sugar is easy to spot on food labels. It may be. On the other hand, many commercial products contain sugar you don't know about. This sugar may contribute to weight gain over time.

I've put on 15-20 extra pounds n the last few years. To help me lose weight I am giving up sugar for two weeks. This is an easy decision for me because I don't eat candy and rarely eat desserts. Yet I am probably consuming more sugar than I realize.

Sugar has many names and "Prevention" magazine lists them in its website article, "Want to Cut Down on the Sweet Stuff? You have to Find it First." As the article notes, "Sugar hides behind many different names on food labels." These names include sucrose, fructose, glucose, dextrose, galactose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup.

Commercial products may also contain honey, maple syrup, molasses, confectioner's sugar and brown sugar.

A WebMD article tackles the hidden sugar issue in its article, "Sugar Shockers: Foods Surprisingly High in Sugar." Obviously cake mixes, cookie mixes, jams, ice cream, and carbonated drinks contain sugar. "But it can be downright shocking to see 12 grams of sugar in bottled pasta or barbecue sauce," the article contends.

Consumers shouldn't be fooled by labels that say "whole grain," "fat-free," or "excellent source of calcium," the article continues. Worse, beverages that brag about being 100 percent juice may contain added sugar. The only way to ferret out hidden sugar is to read every food label.

Fruit chillers, apple sauce, canned fruit in light syrup, and pudding cups all contain sugar. So do snack cakes, muffin mixes, bakery products cereal bars, instant hot cereals, flavored milk, bottled tea, energy drinks, cocoa, yogurt, and frozen breakfast products, according to the article. Reading this list made me race to the pantry.

I am a careful shopper and made-from-scratch cook. Did I have sugar-packed products on the shelves? A few. Red pepper relish, a product I enjoy, contains 25 grams of sugar. Honey peanut butter contains honey and sugar and, according to the label, has 5 grams of sugar per serving. Four cheese spaghetti sauce, a jar that has been on the shelf for months, contains 6 grams of sugar.

Mayo Clinic warns about sugar and sweeteners in a website article, "Added Sugar: Don't Get Sabotaged by Sweeteners." Sugar is a natural ingredient in some foods, the article notes. It is used in commercial products to help yeast to rise, bulk up baked goods and ice cream, and balance the acidity of tomatoes. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, poor nutrition, weight gain, and an increase in triglycerides.

The American Heart Association has set standards for sugar consumption. Women should eat no more than 100 calories from sugar a day. Men should eat no more than 150 calories. One hundred calories equals about six teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories equals about nine. Many Americans exceed these recommendations.

Giving up sugar for two weeks has turned me into a sugar detective and I will probably be one for the rest of my life. I avoid sweetened cereal (hot and cold), fruit drinks, condiments, including salad dressings, sweetened tea, and baked goods made with sugar. "By limiting the amount of added sugar in your diet, you can cut calories without comprising nutrition," Mayo Clinic explains.

Do you need to lose a few pounds? Become a sugar detective and cut back on sugar. It's easier than you think!

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Posted in: Become,Detective,Foods,Hidden,Hunting,Sugar

How Juicing Fresh Vegetables Benefits Real People

Pressing the juices from produce, juicing, benefits you by allowing you to combine very good nourishment together with a hectic style of living.

"Eat your veggies," your mommy told you. We all know we need to, all of us even would like to, however...

Getting real, washing, peeling, as well as artfully arranging veggies for a salad requires time that is very scarce in your life. Next, you have to chew all this -- consuming more time than the preparing. Plus the selection is pretty minimal -- lettuce, all kinds of peppers, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes. Truly, what else? Sure, you'll find the "other" highly recommended vegetables; those dark green and leafy ones, and the ones with funny names (along with funnier tastes) which you could purchase, but do not. Boredom beats the unknown.

Juicing helps to solve many of the difficulties of eating your vegetables while maintaining the assets of salads. The two versions, salads and juices, keep the produce raw. No one disagrees that raw is actually the ideal way to go. With no cooking, valuable and fragile micronutrients will be preserved.

The overall health benefits of specific fresh vegetables tend to be highly recommended, albeit by numerous questionable "authorities" and many fewer reputable sources. However it is most likely that you at least operate on the "it can't harm and may help" belief regarding these kinds of claims, so that's one more reason to consume all that excellent produce -- if you simply had the time.

Here are a number of ways juicing benefits you:

Juicing benefit 1 -- Preparation time reduction is very genuine. In the juicing world, you still need to wash fresh vegetables going into the juicer, however, you can quickly chop all of them -- simply no art or even much uniformity is needed. Small or softer items may require almost no dicing, depending on the juice extractor. Little skill and little time is needed.

Juicing benefit 2 -- Eating time will be minimal. You can easily drink the juice in a quite small fraction of the time you will need to eat a salad! The juice can easily be imbibed all day long -- something you almost certainly don't want to do with a salad. And a glass of juice will go down much easier compared to a slippery concoction of those artfully carved salad pieces!

Juicing benefit 3 -- Boredom will be eradicated. Flavor combos from a juice maker are just limited by what is at the grocers. You can try things out. There are absolutely no criteria -- for instance "lettuce is the basic component." You'll be able to juice a single item or possibly a dozen, based on your tastes. The majority of recipes seem to use a half-dozen or fewer, but it is up to your taste buds alone.

Juicing benefit 4 -- You are able to cover up the disgusting stuff, but still get its nutrients. Juicing makes it easy to include a lot more variety in your diet plan. You know the list of those oh-so-good-for-you veggies you should consume, but do not, right? When you are juicing, it isn't difficult to also include the products you are not so fond of alone, for instance perhaps kale or collard greens. Actually, juicing is the one practical way you can access the wheat grass benefits. It can be astonishing just how much good-for-you stuff you can cover in a juice heavy in carrots or tomatoes. Do not like tomatoes -- simply no need to use them. Remember, there are no rules.

Juicing offers you real freedom, real taste, real fast. It is not only for "health nuts." Juicing benefits actual men and women.

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Posted in: Benefits,Fresh,Juicing,People,Vegetables

Finding the Best Deals at Restaurants

The current precarious economic situation has many South Africans looking to find the most possible value for their money. You can do this by finding the best deals at restaurants Johannesburg. This means that you can now still enjoy yourself and treat yourself without spending a lot of money.

The first piece of advice would be to find as many restaurants that have regular specials as possible. An example of this would be a restaurant that has a special every Tuesday that lets you buy two meals and only pay for one. Quite a lot of the bigger chain restaurants run these kinds of specials. For example, Spur runs a special where you can buy two burgers on a Monday and only pay for one. Dros is another one of the restaurants in Johannesburg that have regular specials and really great deal.

The next piece of advice would be to keep up-to-date with once-off deals happening at restaurants around Johannesburg. Social buying is a great way of doing this. Social buying websites basically make deals with different businesses and restaurants in Johannesburg and offer really great discounted vouchers to the public. You would have a limited time to buy these vouchers and they are usually redeemable for up to 6 months.

Great examples of these social buying websites here in Johannesburg include Groupon and UCIT. You simply register with the website free of charge and they send you emails daily about the specials on offer for the day. If you are looking for a great deal at restaurants in Johannesburg then you would simply look at the meal specials. These include great deals such as paying R100 for a voucher and being able to order food for the value of R200 at the restaurant. You would have to use your credit card to buy vouchers and they are then emailed to you. Simply print these and take them with you when going to the restaurant for the meal.

The last piece of valuable would be to look for restaurants that offer loyalty cards or programs. These would reward you with a voucher for a free meal or discounted meals if you frequent the restaurant. One of the restaurants in Johannesburg that have one of these loyalty programs in place is Spur.

When looking for great deals at restaurants in Johannesburg the best research tool available would be the internet. There are numerous blogs, websites and search engines that can assist you. All you need is an internet connection and a device with which to browse the internet. There is tons of advice and information not just about finding the best deals at restaurants in Johannesburg, but information and blogs about how to be a financially savvy South African as well.

By following the above guidelines, you would be able to find and take advantage of all the best deals at different restaurants in Johannesburg. This allows you to enjoy a social benefit as well as the financial benefit of it.

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Posted in: Deals,Finding,Restaurants

Flying Saucers Sweets Are Great for Children's Parties

Everyone knows that kids and candy are inseparable. They love to shove anything sweet and colourful into their mouths. So what better way to spice up a birthday party than by splashing out a bagful of flying saucer sweets? And what better way to reward trick or treaters than with a fistful of these tasty beauties. Since the 1960s these sweets have been a kids' favourite and with many new flavours being introduced every year, they will continue to remain so. Each saucer just melts into your mouth in a delicious paste that leaves you reaching for another one, and another one.

These sweets usually come as a jar of 300 or 600 multicoloured pieces of candy shaped in the round flat form of UFOs. Each jar goes for about £10 or £2 for a pack of 50 which represents good value for your money considering a jar can last for weeks, if you keep it out of your kids' reach. And what's more, you can place an order from any one of several online candy vendors without leaving the comfort of your home.

Like other candy, they contain sugar, starch, colouring and tartaric acid formed into a sweet rice paper cover filled with fizzy sherbet. What many kids love about the saucers is the fizzy sherbet that fills the inside of each saucer. Interestingly, most seem to prefer the sour sherbet to the sweet version. Seeing how kids love them, it is no wonder they were recently voted the most popular sweets of all time. However, it appears that those who have tasted satellite wafers, as they are known in some parts, fall into two categories: those who absolutely adore them, and those who can't really understand what the fuss is all about. But it seems that once you get hooked, you simply cannot live without this candy.

The love for these tongue tantalizing sweets has been passed down from generation to generation, with kids today also developing a weakness for these UFO shaped delicacies. Those to whom satellite wafers were first introduced to are in their forties and fifties, yet they still can't live without the sensation of fizzy sherbet on their tongues. As a result many kids today have caught this love for flying saucer sweets and will be sure to pass it on to their own kids as long as such candy is still in production.

For more information on flying saucers sweets, jelly hearts or a wide range of other retro sweets check out our site and see what flying saucers sweets we have available.

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Posted in: Childrens,Flying,Great,Parties,Saucers,Sweets

Storing Flavorful Spices

Being one who wants to be prepared for any sort of emergency I store up on a variety of foods. Since I am a person who has every intention of having the same semi-luxuries which I currently enjoy during emergency situations I have a vast array of spices stored up. Herbs and spices contain essential oils which provide them with certain aromatic characteristics. It is these traits which are responsible for the smells and tastes of the spices and are the master ingredient which suggests the individual flavor of the product. When purchasing herbs or spices in your local grocery store you are presented with a choice of either the ground versions or the whole form.

As with coffee beans the whole herbs or spices tend to last considerably longer than their ground up cousins. A good many shoppers prefer to purchase their herbs and spices in the whole form and grind them as the need arises. It is a simple procedure to crush your whole herbs or spices with a mortar and pestle or as in my case a small coffee grinder.

To provide the best taste and flavor your herbs and spices must be the freshest they can be. As a cook and preparer of emergency foods it will be to your advantage to inspect your ground spices annually to ensure they are fresh. If they have lost their aroma than the seasoning has outlived its shelf life and should be replaced.

Herbs and spices should be stored in air-tight containers in a dark, cool, dry location. I have found that a normal spice type screw-cap container is usually much better than the fancy flip-top styles. These types are much simpler to provide a storage location free of air and they can be resealed when necessary.

There are certain rules which one should follow to ensure that the spices they use are fresh tasting and provide the most flavor when used.

1. Keep all spices and herb away from heat. High temperatures are guaranteed to destroy good spices. Never place them in locations which generate heat such as atop the dishwasher or your kitchen refrigerator. Although it may be a convenient feature it goes without saying that they should never be stored above the range. Heat, air, and excessive light cause the aromatic oils in the herbs and spices to evaporate which in turn destroys the pleasant flavor we so desire.

2. always store your products far from sources of moisture as a damp environment will cause the spices to cake up and result in a loss of quality. As mentioned they should be stored in a tightly sealed jars and removed with a clean, dry spoons as needed. This caking action may present somewhat of a problem to you in the event that you reside in a high humidity area.

3. Store your spices in cool place away from and direct light. Never store them on a window ledge or place them in the sunlight. Spice racks may present a pleasing appearance in your kitchen as they decorate your walls or counter tops however they are not the best methods for storing your spices. Certain spices must be store in specific manners in order to enhance and promote their natural flavor. Typical of those are cayenne pepper, chili powder, or paprika which should be kept in the refrigerator to retain their color and flavor at peak level.

Shelf Life's tend to vary but as a general rule whole spices will last you anywhere from 2 to 5 years while the ground versions range from 6 months to several years. Your leafy herbs have a useable life span of 3 months to as much as 2 years. Lastly unless prepared for longer storage most dehydrated vegetables will last a mere 6 months. Always note the date of purchase on your herbs and spices to assist you in rotating them as necessary.

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Posted in: Flavorful,Spices,Storing

Four Famous Beijing Dishes

Beijing, a city famed world wide for its great mix of culture and history. That's not all this fantastic destination has to offer though; if you take a trip out on any of the great Beijing tours you'll discover some of the delicious food treats available in the city too. This article takes a look at a few of the most famous Beijing dishes.

Starting with one of the lesser know dishes, we have the tasty Chinese Hot Pot. This delicate dish is cooked for just 15 seconds, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's uncaring fast food. The short cooking time allows the dish to retain more if its delicate flavours and to lock in more vitamins. The hot pot does live up to its name in more than one way too, as the dish is usually spiced with chilies.

Next up we have a slightly more homely taste, with the brilliant Chinese Dumplings. These sweet meaty treats are made up of a mix of vegetables, Chinese spices and meats; all of which varies depending on the chef. The dish is most often associated with the Chinese New Year festivals because of the traditions to eat a dumpling at midnight on new year's eve and again for breakfast on new year day. If you ask any of the locals their favourite foods, chances are the dumplings would rate highly on their lists.

Time for another more uncommon meal in the west, Peking Court Cuisine. As the name would suggest, this meal consists of dishes more traditionally eaten at the imperial court. Most of the ancient dynasties had their own imperial kitchens and from these came a whole range of great dishes. The Court Cuisine of today is heavily based on recipes from the Qing imperial kitchens.

Our final and undoubtedly most famous Chinese dish is the Peking Roast Duck. This dish has a reputation of being one of the most delicious foods that Beijing has to offer. With its sweet, rich, meat and tasty sauce it's a taste experience to be savored. Many people who visit the region agree that it's one of the 'must experience' events while on a Beijing holiday, with the other being a climb of the Great Wall.

This is just a small taste of all the great foods you can enjoy while in this great region and if you head out on one of the wider China tours then theirs even more to be discovered.

Wendy Wu Tours offers a range of unforgettable Beijing tours on their own or as part of larger China tours.

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Posted in: Beijing,Dishes,Famous

Pizza Shops - What to Look For

If you have just moved to a new area, and you have always had a special place where you went regularly for pizza, you are probably in search of a replacement. You might not find anything quite like what you had, but at least need a place where you like the menu, the price, environment, and taste.

You probably think the menu is a very important part of a pizzeria. Even though you and your family love pizza, that might not be what you order every time you go to your favorite pizzeria. You will likely want to find a place that offers a variety of salads, pizzas, pastas, and other favorite Italian dishes. Some days you might be in the mood for an appetizer platter rather than a whole meal, so perhaps hot wings, calamari, or onion rings could be some favorites on the menu for those times.

Another consideration as you look for a pizzeria to be your favorite will be the price. If it is a place you go to once a week or so, then you will want the cost to be reasonable, but of course you will not want something so inexpensive that the taste of the food is represented by the price being so cheap. If the food is the best you have ever tasted, then you might find the price to be worth it. It will just depend on what your budget can handle and how you balance taste and price.

Atmosphere is another important part of your choice of pizzerias. Of course sometimes the best food at the best price might be found at a dive. A dive often has its own atmosphere that makes it worth it. Part of the environment that is most important is cleanliness. A dive can be clean and be a great restaurant to go to. It will depend on what you really want in a restaurant. Environment or atmosphere can take many shapes, and sometimes it might be surprising what ends up being appealing. Whether it is the exposed brick of an old building with dim light or nostalgic music and detailed wood floors that seem to make the music all the more beautiful. You will know it when you see it.

After looking at these three areas, you might make your final decision based on taste, because taste is one of the most important aspects of any restaurant. The other three definitely come into play and can definitely make or break a restaurant, but if the restaurant you choose has nothing that jumps out at you in taste, then you probably will want to keep looking.

So for whatever reason you end up choosing a pizzeria, once you get back into your old routine, it will hopefully be like you never left your other favorite place, or maybe it will make you glad that you had to find a new place. And being a pizzeria, hopefully their pizza is one of the best things on their menu so that when that is what you are hungry for, they will always have something to offer.

When they want pizza Reston area residents can pick up the phone and call a local restaurant with a reputation for excellent food and service. Check out the menu and much more at pizzapaisanos.com.

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Posted in: Pizza,Shops

Los Angeles Food History - 4 Contributions

Food had always been a favorite thing to talk about - or eat, throughout time. Ever since the yesteryears, up until today people are always on the lookout for the best food to satisfy their savory needs. However, many people fail to appreciate the history behind some of the best tasting food. Many do not know the history behind most of the franchises and giant food corporations that are popular today. Here are some brief history on some food which had been "discovered" in Los Angeles.

Orange Julius

Many people know about this wonderful drinks and beverages chain outlet, along with its wonderful tasting treats, but most do not know that it all started out in the streets of Los Angeles in 1926. Founded by Julius Freed, this food franchise started off as an orange juice stand which earned a measly $20 a day. When Julius served the drink to his real estate broker, Bill Hamlin, in 1929, it bothered his stomach due to the acidity. Bill made some alteration in the recipe which made the orange juice more creamier, less acidic and frothier. Julius started to serve the drink, and sales skyrocketed. People would line up and often shouted, "Give me and Orange, Julius", and hence, the name "Orange Julius" was born.

Carl's Jr

Whenever you see that smiley star, the first thing that comes to mind are the delicious hot dogs served at one of US's top fast food chain, Carl's Jr. Many do not know that Carl's Jr. started off as Carl's Hot Dog Stand in Los Angeles in the year 1941 by Carl Karcher. From a mere hot dog stand, it soon expended due to its popularity, and today, Carl's Jr. serves people from all around the world hungry for its signature hot dog which was found in Los Angeles.

The Cheesecake Factory

The cheesecake factory is one of US's most popular restaurant. It started out as a bakery in Los Angeles in 1972 by the Overton couple, Oscar and Evelyn. The cakes were immensely popular, and soon it expanded to a bigger bakery in 1975. Their son, David Overton soon expanded the bakery into a restaurant in 1978, and ever since, business had just bloomed, and it had expended to several countries around the world.

The French Dip Sandwich
While there were many food franchise discovered in Los Angeles, there are also culinary inventions that originated from Los Angeles. Also known as the beef dip, this savory culinary had been found in Los Angeles when it was served first by Philipe Restaurant, which was designed by Philipe Mathieu in 1918. These are just some of the few food which had been discovered in Los Angeles.

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Posted in: Angeles,Contributions,History

Comparing Food Labels 101: Understanding the Nutrition of Bread

In Canada, food manufacturers are required to state nutritional facts on their packaging. Food labels are found on the backside of the packages and list important details like nutrient information, calories and food ingredients. Understanding how to read and compare food labels will help you make more informed and healthy food choices.

Calories: How Many Are In A Serving, And How Many Are You Actually Consuming?

When comparing food labels to determine the nutrition of bread options, one thing to look for is calorie count. Depending on your needs, you may require a higher calorie count or you may need to limit your caloric intake. Consumers should understand their daily caloric needs to make informed food choices. When looking at labels, keep in mind that calories are based per serving size - for bread a serving size could be one, two or more slices of bread. Pay close attention to what your label says to make sure you know how many calories you will be consuming.

How To Determine The Most Essential Nutrients

Food labels also contain nutrition facts tables which include recommended daily values. These are important because they not only show which vitamins and minerals are included, but other important information such as fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar and protein levels. This information is especially important for those shoppers with special dietary needs. In taking your own eating habits into consideration, you can choose foods that are sources of nutrients you may be lacking. For example, if you need more fibre or iron you might look to whole grain bread or white bread sources. You can also avoid saturated fats or cholesterol by comparing bread brands to find the lowest amount per serving size.

No Added Chemical Additives and Artificial Preservative Free

Just as important as the nutritional facts tables are ingredient listings. Knowing what is in your food enables you to make informed decisions. Some breads may contain artificial preservatives and other added chemical additives to extend shelf life or make bread last longer. There are options available that are made with simple, real ingredients and without these artificial extras or high fructose corn syrup. You can also look for unbleached wheat flour in white and whole wheat breads for its higher nutritional value

When it comes to the nutrition of bread, not all breads are created equal. Consumers who are aware of the nutritional information can make informed decisions by reading food labels and making choices that best fit the needs of their families.

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Posted in: Bread,Comparing,Labels,Nutrition,Understanding

Cupcake Gift Boxes

Do you love to bake and cook? Do you spend hours making and icing delicious cupcakes only to find that they get damaged whilst being transported? Would you like to give your cupcakes as gifts for a teacher or friend but aren't quite sure how to package them so that they look like the gift that they are meant to be?

Cupcake gift boxes are a great way to get around any of these problems. Not only do they come in sizes that fit individual cupcakes and sizes with room for several cupcakes but there are a whole host of designs to suit almost every occasion.

Whether you prefer a plain box in white or neutral pastels, or a highly decorative box, they are not only well designed but are remarkably economical too. In addition they are designed so that the cupcakes inside cannot move around and get damaged.

As well as cupcake boxes designed for Christmas, Easter or for children there are also boxes that are aimed at the trend to incorporate cupcakes into a wedding. In place of a traditional wedding cake many guests now have a cupcake tower. This means that if guests have already eaten enough during the wedding meal they can take their share of the wedding cake home. Cupcake gift boxes for wedding cakes come in all kinds of designs including designs with heart shaped windows in the top to show off the wedding cake inside.

For children's birthday parties cupcake boxes can be a great alternative to the traditional party favor bag. They are available in hundreds of designs to suit almost any party theme and allow a child to take home a cupcake from the party to eat later. Not only does this spread out the amount of sugar that the child eats in the day, but having cupcakes instead of a single birthday cake allows children with allergies to join in too.

Not only that but decorating their cupcake box can be a great activity for children at a party. Providing plain cupcake boxes and lots of craft materials and stickers that fit in with the birthday theme means that children can get very involved in creating their own favor box with which to take their cupcake home. This works especially well for children who love crafts and are happy to take part in a quiet activity.

Overall cardboard cupcake gift boxes are a great way of turning a thoughtful homemade gift into something that extra bit special.

Rachel Stenner writes extensively on issues related to food and family. Please view the following links for further information or to see pictures of some cupcake gift boxes or to see the very best cupcake boxes for every occasion.

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Posted in: Boxes,Cupcake

Four Healthy Benefits of Alkalized, Negatively Ionized Water

Did you know that most drinking water is actually quite unhealthy? It's true. Most drinking water has been stripped of valuable electrons during filtration, purification and transportation (via pipes) and becomes too acidic for the human body. It is an unfortunate fact that ingesting acidic water (with a pH lower than 7) can lead to severe health problems over time. When it loses electrons, it becomes positively charged, or positively ionized, and requires electrons to stabilize its valence configuration. These positively charged water molecules are actually considered free radicals and in order to stabilize they steal electrons from healthy cells. Drinking positively ionized, acidic water can cause significant cellular damage and premature aging.

On the other hand, drinking alkalized, negatively ionized water is extremely beneficial to your health and overall well-being. Here are a few examples of why alkalized, negatively ionized water is an excellent addition to your everyday life:

• Alkalized water hydrates on a cellular level. Positively ionized water molecules are rejected by our cells' aquaporins-the channels that transport water and nutrients through the cell wall. Aquaporins block free radicals from entering the cell's wall, preventing severe cellular damage. When an aquaporin prevents a positively charged water molecule from passing through the cell wall, it also prevents the cell from hydrating on a cellular level. Even if you are drinking a lot of positively ionized water, your body could be far from hydrated. However, alkalized, negatively ionized water corrects this deficiency. Since alkalized water molecules are stable they do not steal electrons from healthy cells; they do not oxidize and they do not act as free radicals.

• Alkalized water purifies the body. As negatively ionized water hydrates our body tissue, it also pushes out potentially harmful toxins-detoxifying our bodies on a cellular level.

• Alkalized, negatively ionized water balances the body's pH. When water is alkalized it means that it has a pH greater than 7-it is more basic as opposed to acidic. As stated earlier, ingesting acidic water can leave the potentially harmful acidic waste in the body. Drinking alkalized water can help dissolve this acid waste, ultimately rebalancing your body's pH level.

• Alkalized water molecules act as antioxidants. Since negatively ionized water is negatively charged, it can give away an electron and still remain stable. Due to this property, the negative ions act as antioxidants and neutralize free radicals with this extra electron. Eliminating free radicals can prevent damage done to cells and can also prevent the occurrence of several diseases.

Alkalized, negatively ionized water is the healthiest and most scientifically advanced drinking water available.

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Posted in: Alkalized,Benefits,Healthy,Ionized,Negatively,Water

Candy Christmas: A perfect gift for your loved ones

Christmas candies are a delight for all pleasant and delightful. Even if you aren't a big eater, candy is hard to resist these temptations delicious during Christmas. Christmas candy recipes form an important part of Christmas celebrations. As we approach the holiday season, you can see these sweet delicacies all over the place.

These sweet delicacies are very easy to prepare. You can prepare these delicacies sweets or buy from you local supermarket. Today, the market can offer sweets in a variety of flavors and tastes, including Peppermint, Spearmint, strawberry, cherry, Blueberry, sour apple, chewing gum and Mint Chocolate. Are different types of sweets and candies available in caramel corn Amish market, almond bark Christmas candy, mints, thin, truffles, joys of coconut, rocky road fudge, candy, Ribbon candy, cream filled or hard gel filled with delicious, marshmallow snowmen, candy canes and chocolate bars.

These sweets, candies come in a variety of attractive shapes, including round, square, sticks, lollipops, Christmas trees filled with peanut butter or caramel, Teddy bear shaped chocolate, crisps and chocolate coins. These delicacies are wrapped with bright and colorful foils to make them look more compelling. These sweet delicacies are ideal for your holiday guests. You can serve these mouth-watering delicacies to your guests in the dishes of candy.

Christmas is an opportunity for exchanging gifts with your loved ones. Choose a perfect gift for your loved ones is not an easy task. Homemade candies can form a stunning gift option. May contribute to enjoy fun-filled moments with your loved ones.

You can use your creativity to transform these delicious delicacies in fantastic Christmas presents. You can use decorative boxes, gift baskets and coloured sheets to make them look more attractive.

Here are some creative ideas to make attractive Christmas gifts from sweet candies:

Vase of flowers Candy: you can make attractive pots by long candies. It requires a vacuum in aluminium or Tin, a duct tape and some long candy for the manufacture of a jar of Christmas candy. Take the cans and candy stick on it, with the help of tape. Aligning the neatly tasty treats to form an attractive design.

Candy Garland: you need sweets of different colors to make a Garland of Christmas candy. Take color separated candies and tie them together to give them the form of a long Garland. You can use these garlands to decorate your Christmas tree or gift them to your loved ones. You can also prepare miniature version of Christmas trees from these sweet delights.

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Posted in: Candy,Christmas,loved,perfect

How To Grind Your Own Meat

Are you thinking about grinding your own meat in order to save money on processing costs incurred when you use a professional meat shop? This activity can help you save money and also can give you a great sense of self sufficiency. Read on to learn how to grind your own meat.

There are a number of steps involved in the process of grinding meat including preparation, set up, the actual grinding process, and packing and storing of the final product once the process is complete.

Prepare The Meat

The first thing you have to do is get your hands on a good clean supply of beef, pork, chicken, venison, or whatever type of meat it is that you would like to grind. You can purchase the meat from a local grocery store, get it from a farm, or rely on hunting in order to get the meat you need.

Once you have your supply, prepare it by cubing it (cutting into small one inch squares) and washing it thoroughly. The washing process will ensure that no dirt and debris makes it into the final product which is your ground up meat.

Set Up Your Grinding Station

After you have prepared the meat and set it aside, get your grinding station ready to go by setting up your meat grinder, arranging any bowls, containers, or bags that you will be using. Arrange your grinding area in a way that will allow you to complete the process quickly and effectively. You should be able to complete the process in an assembly line fashion. From a pile of raw meat to a finished sealed product, your process should flow seamlessly.

The Grinding Process

The actual process of grinding the meat is the easy part. Your grinder should have a feeding tray that is located just above the opening where meat goes through the grinding chamber. This feeding tray is connected to a tube that funnels into the grinder chamber where meat is ground up and spit out. All you have to do is turn the grinder on and feed the meat into the feeding tray and press it down the tube one small bunch at a time. The meat will slowly be ground up and will filter out into the bowl or other type of container that you have set out.

Packing and Storing Your Meat

Once all of your meat has been ground up you can pack it and get it ready for storage. One popular tool that many use to pack and seal meat is a vacuum sealer. The vacuum sealer effectively seals meat into plastic packing material which helps it stay fresh for long periods of time. Putting the meat in air tight packaging also prevents freezer burn which occurs when food is exposed to air in the freezer.

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Posted in: Grind

2011 Early Pecan Season Results

With drought conditions spreading across much of the fertile pecan growing regions in the United States, it is looking like it will be a tough year for pecan farmers as well as pecan enthusiasts. With the holiday season quickly approaching (where pecan demand is highest), as well as increased demand from Asia (specifically China), a perfect storm is brewing for this year's pecan crop.

Pecan prices are expected to be 20% higher this year, as compared to last year, because of lower supply and higher demand. Some in the industry are nervous that pecan prices may approach a level that is 55% higher than they were just three years ago.

With countless mainstream groceries store chains, pastry producers, food distributors, baked goods companies and the average consumer all clamoring for their "fair share of the pie" it comes as no surprise that there may be some hurt feelings this year when harvest numbers are turned in.

With the United States accounting for more than 75% of the world's pecan harvest, a down crop will have a trickle-down effect across the world. Many of the top producing pecan states, including Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are buried in the South experiencing extreme drought.

Healthy amounts of water produce healthy pecan crops, in healthy amounts. While the pecan harvest process has been in full swing, in most places since the early Fall, early results are suggesting that total production will be well off from the past few years. Many pecan farmers are reporting the only word thus far that can be used to describe the overall harvest yield is "terrible".

Pecans are like other crops as they are made up of approximately 80% water. When water doesn't exist, pecans don't exist. This year will surely go down as one of the slowest years for pecan production, and quite likely one of the years where high prices are the only thing that is remembered.

Not all pecan farms are suffering: those that have invested in their own irrigation systems are reporting healthy harvest numbers and prices that are in line with previous years. These farms require a great deal of capital investment to ensure that they can support the irrigation needs of the pecan trees, as the nut itself is made of more than 80 water. This makes the balancing act of producing enough pecans, while keeping cost down, even more difficult.

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Posted in: Early,Pecan,Results,Season

Pizza Types to Try If You Have Not

Pizza is a staple food around the United States. There are many different pizzas that you can make at home or purchase at a local pizzeria. Some types of pizzas will be more difficult to find depending on the area in which you live because some are just more popular in certain parts of the country. The four significant types that you can try are Margherita, Chicago style, New York style, and gourmet.

Margherita pizza is actually a very old recipe. It was one the first pizzas and was made in a very similar fashion to what we enjoy today, but it was made for a queen of Italy named Margherita. The crust is a thicker outer crust and a thinner center. The sauce and toppings for this ancient style has specific ingredients. It is important to use the plum tomatoes that come from Italy in order to make it authentically. The rest of the toppings include Buffalo cheese and Basil leaves. This combination of toppings forms the appearance of the Italian flag which is what was done originally for the queen when it won her love. This type should be cooked in wood fire at a very high temperature.

Chicago style pizzas are a unique type that is quite a bit different than other types. Some might call this type a deep dish. It is full of toppings- so much so that it is not able to be picked up to be eaten. Butter or oil is the unique ingredient in the crust. The sauce for Chicago style is a sweeter, chunkier sauce compared to other types. The toppings could be considered more of a filling since it is a layer of cheese, sausage, more cheese, and sauce. Some restaurants might even make it more of a stuffed pizza by putting a top crust on it making it more like what you think of as a pie. The baking of this type is a little different than most because many times the deep dish crust is pre-cooked before adding the filling/toppings.

New York style pizzas obviously came from New York, and they have special characteristics that are unique to them. What most people think of when they think of this type of pizza is the size and thinness of the crust. The pieces tend to be very big; so many people enjoy folding the pieces in order to eat them. The crust of the New York Style has one important attribute: it should have flour that is high in wheat gluten. There should just be a thin tomato sauce on this type and few toppings, perhaps only cheese. A brick oven is ideal for these pizzas to make the thin crust nice and crisp.

Gourmet pizzas are becoming popular today and may be a mix of some other types. New York style crust is a common crust for these types, but the sauce is less conventional. It can really be whatever the chef pairs with the toppings. Everything from alfredo, olive oil, to salad dressings can be used with a wide variety of toppings. Some of these toppings are vegetables and need to be cooked in advance so that the pizzas do not get too wet because of the large amount of water that the vegetables hold.

If you have not tried all of these varieties of pizzas, you should make a point to try each one at some point. Of course every pizzeria may interpret some pizzas in different ways, but the core principles should be similar.

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Posted in: Pizza,Types

How to Season and Marinate Meat

In today's society, people lead busy lives. Between school, work, family, and fun time, it seems like we barely have time to cook. It is a fact that fast food is convenient, and eating this type of food once in a while may be OK. But you can't maintain a good health by living purely on fast food. However, who has the time to spend all day in the kitchen, cooking? If you face such a dilemma, I may have some time-saving tips for you.

You can enjoy a homemade meal every day of the week, if you plan ahead of time. To do this, select food items that have relatively short cooking times, and cook a large quantity, so you can have leftovers for the next day. A very helpful tip is to season and marinate meat, poultry, and fish ahead of time. This works if you buy in bulk at wholesale stores, or if you make weekly trips to the supermarket. Personally, I buy meat, poultry, and fish in bulk, about once a month.

When you return from the wholesale store, instead of packing the meats in the freezer, you should season them right away, and parcel them into smaller servings. Place the servings in resealable zipper storage bags, and then put them in the freezer. During the busy weekday, you should remove a bag of marinated meat from the freezer, and place it in an empty sink, at room temperature. By the time you return home, the meat should be ready to cook.

When you season and marinate meat ahead of time, you allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat, creating a flavorful cooked meat, without relying on massive amounts of salt. I suggest experimenting with seasoning herbs to find a taste you like. Below, I provide a quick guide to season and marinate meat. In this example, I am using chicken cutlet. This recipe can be used with all meats, poultry, and fish. I choose chicken cutlet because it has a relatively short cooking time.

How to Season and Marinate Meat - Chicken Cutlet

Ingredients

4 chicken cutlets about 8oz
2 scallion stalks chopped
½ cup of cilantro chopped
½ teaspoon of rosemary (fresh or dries)
1 teaspoon of garlic (fresh or powder)
1 teaspoon of salt free seasoning blend
1 teaspoon of oregano (fresh or dried)
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 lime
2 tablespoons of Teriyaki

How to Season and Marinate Meat

Instructions

Place the chicken in a bowl and rinse thoroughly with water, and drain. Cut the lime in half, and squeeze it all over the chicken. Lightly rinse the chicken. You can skip this step if you desire a citrus taste. Then add all the aforementioned ingredients in the bowl with the chicken and mix well.

The chicken can be left over night in the fridge and cooked the next day. Alternatively, cut it into smaller pieces and place the pieces into resealable zipper storage bags. Put the bags in the freezer until ready to use.

Good luck!

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Posted in: Marinate,Season

Best Nuts for the Holidays

The holiday season brings about many food traditions including turkeys, candy and of course, nuts. Whether as a side dish for a party snack or as part of a meal, nuts are a seasonal favorite around Christmas time and having the right type of nuts on hand will make your holiday celebrations much more festive. When shopping for nuts for the holidays consider buying bulk nuts to ensure you have plenty of peanuts, cashews and almonds around when entertaining families and friends.

Peanuts are a snack favorite any time of year and the winter holidays are no exception. You can find special peanut flavors for side dishes including butter toasted, butterscotch, chocolate and peanut butter and honey roasted. Great for setting out in festive colored bowls, peanuts are a delightful snack to have around when having holiday parties or dinners and guests are enjoying cocktails. You may also want to mix in a few different peanut flavors to create delicious blends including dry roasted, hot nacho and French burnt peanuts that will not only add color to any holiday serving tray but also a unique and flavorful snack.

Pecans are another popular holiday nut that can often be found on tables and in desserts from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Whether served alone as a snack or included in popular holiday desserts including ice cream and pies, pecans come in a wide variety of bulk sizes including halves, bits, pecan meal and pecan pieces depending on your baking needs. Some of the more popular holiday recipes that include flavorful pecans include Apple Pecan Cake, Orange Pecan Muffins, Banana Pecan Bread and Coconut Pecan Frosting. You can find bulk nuts featuring pecans in many size bags including 8lbs, 10lbs, 12lbs and 30lbs.

If you plan on having friends and family over for a quiet cocktail party on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve a good idea is to have an assorted nut mix laid out as a snacking treat. People often fret over what types of snacks to provide and forget the easiest option available, nuts. With assorted mixed nuts you get some of the most popular types of nuts mixed together in flavorful blends including honey roasted peanuts, salted cashews and almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts. Simply get a nice serving tray and spread the nuts out evenly and let your guests nibble away while enjoying warm eggnog and friendly conversation.

Buying bulk nuts for the holidays will give you plenty of options for snacks, desserts and main courses while also providing you with a great leftover supply for January football games. Be sure to stock up this season on high quality peanuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans so you can have a tasty treat for friends and family at your holiday party.

For a great selection of holiday nuts as well as bulk candy, sugar free gumballs and packaged candy visit Gumballs where you'll find great deals on snacking favorites.

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Posted in: Holidays

Small Quantity Plastic Containers - Buying the Right Amount of Containers for Your Needs

If you're a person who is in need of clear plastic containers but you're overwhelmed with the choices facing you, here are a few ideas to help. First off, the reason you need these containers will determine which type of container you should end up with.

You may think that if you're looking to purchase from a plastic manufacturing company that you'll have to order a huge amount of containers. The thought of that may be preventing you from ordering what you need. If you don't need a large quantity of containers, your best bet would be to find a plastics manufacturer who specializes in small quantity orders.

You don't want to use your company's budget on unnecessary items. So finding just the right amount of containers would be a great benefit. The advantage of ordering in small quantities is, you'll get to decide what will be the right amount of plastic containers for your needs.

Find a company that offers high clarity, high impact clear PVC plastic. PVC is a great general purpose plastic. Make sure the plastic containers you're purchasing are FDA approved, food grade plastic. With this you can be assured food will be safe if it comes in contact with the plastic. There won't be any harmful chemicals. With this in mind you'll be able to display candies, nuts, and snack items, such as pretzels or beef jerky.

Also look for containers that have wide mouth openings. Then if you're displaying merchandise it will be easy for potential customers to handle the items. If a customer holds something in their hands, they're more likely to buy it. So find a container that makes this step less cumbersome for your customers. It's best to find a company that offers lids as well because transporting your merchandise should be worry free.

Let's say you're a business owner looking to set up displays of your merchandise at trade shows or your shop. Clear plastic containers would be perfect for displaying a variety of items specific to your business. For instance if you're in the hardware business you could take advantage of containers that highlight nuts, bolts, screws, nails, small flashlights or tape measures.

If you're in the beauty business, plastic containers are perfect for displaying nail polish, lipstick, fingernail files, lotions, and small hair care products such as brushes or combs.

If you're looking to sell products at a craft fair or school carnival, plastic containers would do the job. They could hold whistles, stickers, costume jewelry, pencils, erasers, key chains or small toys.

Some times in business, deadlines sneak up on us and we panic. To help alleviate this panic it's best to find a plastic manufacturer who can ship most orders in 24 hours.
Also look for a company that has drop ship capabilities.

If you're running your own business you know that your business has exclusive needs. Your merchandise is your business, how you display your merchandise is part of your image. Find a clear plastic manufacturer who offers different sizes and shapes of containers.

Running your business can be made easier with the right people in your corner. Finding a reliable, experienced plastic manufacturer can help with one of the biggest components of your business, displaying your merchandise. With the right display, overall sales could improve. The right clear plastic container, and the right amount of clear plastic containers are important to your business.

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Posted in: Amount,Buying,Containers,Needs,Plastic,Quantity,Right,Small

Mini Fridges - Suitable For Student Accommodation, Residential Homes, Hospitals and Offices

Student Accommodation

Mini fridges have been supplied to universities across the UK since the early 1990's. The full range of fridges meets the needs and requirements of both students and universities.

Benefits to the student

Silent in operation, therefore causing no disturbance to the student when sleeping or studyingNo food pilfering - Students will be able to keep their food and drink items stored securely in their roomsSpecific dietary requirements can be stored safely for studentsHealth and Safety - ensuring all foods will be kept separate for each studentMore convenience for students as they have easier access to snacks and drinks

Benefits to the University

Prevents constant complaints and hassle caused by food pilferingRaises profile of the accommodationMini fridge in every room adds extra comfort

Housing Accommodation

Mini fridges are being used extensively in housing associations throughout the UK, as an alternative solution to the shared communal kitchen. These fridges offer the perfect refrigeration solution for bed sits or shared accommodation.

Benefits to the Residents

Added extra comfort to their stayCold drinks and snacks within easy reachSilent in operation, therefore no disturbance to the residentStops food pilfering from communal fridges

Benefits to the Housing Association

Stops the stress caused by food pilferingSaves staff time cleaning communal fridgesOnly a small amount of maintenance is required

Residential Homes

Mini Fridges provide the perfect solution for cooling in each individual home.

Benefits to the Residents

Adds extra comfort to their stayCold drinks and snacks within easy reachSilent in operation, therefore no disturbance to the residentIdeal for a single person

Benefits to the Residential Home

Saves staff time fetching refreshmentsMini fridge increases the homes statusOnly low maintenance is required

Private Hospitals

Private hospitals are continuing to increase their standards of care to improve the patients' well-being. This is helped by installing a convenient and silent mini fridge.

Benefits to the Patient

Added extra comfort to their stayCold drinks and snacks within easy reachNo need to call a nurseSilent in operation, therefore no disturbance to the patient

Benefits to the Hospital

Saves staff time fetching refreshmentsIncreases the hospital's status against competitionOnly a low amount of maintenance is required

Hospitality Suites/Boxes

Mini Fridges can help provide a more refined service within a hospitality environment offering guests a premium level of hospitality and comfort.

Benefits to the Guests

Quicker and easier access to cold drinks - no waiting necessaryMeetings/parties will not be disturbed with a Mini fridge offering additional privacySilent in operation so whatever you're watching, you can be sure that at least the fridge will not disturb you

Benefits to the Hosts

Increased hospitality status by adding luxury and convenience to give a competitive edgeSaves staff time fetching refreshmentsNew source of revenue can be gained from drinks and snacksBuilt in models are available as well as free-standing if space is at a premium

Around the Home

Mini fridges are used within a number of different niche markets, however in each case one thing is standard; they give added comfort and convenience. A popular option around the home. Whether they are installed in the bedroom, study or lounge, the user is guaranteed a silent fridge with a reliable cooling performance to keep their snacks and drinks fresh.

Mini Fridges are becoming a more sought after luxury around the homeSilent in operation, it is ideal to be used around the house

Within the Office
Mini fridges are the perfect solution for cooling of drinks and snacks in and around the office. As well as the unique modern design, they can operate in complete silence so that meetings are not disturbed

BenefitsPrivacy: Employees in a meeting/conference can work with no interruptions as refreshments are always within reach for you and your guests.Personal Comfort: Employees within a busy office environment will appreciate the silent running of the Mini fridge, with the convenience of storing drinks and snacks.Secure Cooling: Having your own mini fridge will reduce food pilfering from using a standard communal fridge.Lower costs: With its Fuzzy Logic technology, improved cooling performance at lower energy consumption is ensured.Choice: All of the freestanding models are available in different colours to suit the taste and compliment the interior of any environment.Design: Can be fitted into the smallest office spaces, with the option of building the unit into furniture or having it wall mounted.

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Posted in: Accommodation,Fridges,Homes,Hospitals,Offices,Residential,Student,Suitable

Do You Drink Beer From Microbreweries?

The beer industry in the USA is rather unfair from the point of view of the microbrewery. With the cooperate giants such as Coors and Budweiser holding around eighty percent of the market share, once you take away the proportion that is actually wines and spirits, this really only leaves around five percent for these struggling microbreweries that are finding it really hard to compete. There is no wonder that they do indeed find it hard to compete; you only have to look at the huge advertising campaigns that these companies have in order to see just why the small companies will always struggle.

However, in a turn of the tables, in the last decade, microbreweries have been making progress and they are indeed gaining in popularity. This is because people like to be more adventurous in their tastes, and this of course means trying a large selection of beers such as some foreign tastes. The corporate giants are known for bland beers.

Microbreweries cannot afford these huge advertising campaigns, but what they can afford is to produce some great tasting, unique beers, and they are a far cry from the weak lagers you see advertised by the large macro beer producers. Of course the microbreweries do not have the ability to produce the beer at low costs, as it is not mass-produced. Unfortunately, the competition between the giants and the small companies is not always as healthy as it should be, and it has been known to get nasty.

In order to successfully sell a small beer, then you need to brew it, distribute it, and then it needs to make it s way to the retailer. The trouble that the small brewer comes across is that it does not have access to the larger distribution networks, as Coors, Miller or Busch, will not transport any beer that is not their own. This market condition makes it hard for the small company to make a go of things, and this does discourage many microbreweries.

Thankfully the beer market is changing, and it is easier these days to be a microbrewer. So, if you are wondering just why the macro beer brands dominate the market, then now you will understand why. But the population of the USA really is starting to appreciate other beers with new and interesting tastes, and gradually there is more and more room on the shelf for these contenders. Next time you go out to buy some beer, stop and think about the process that has allowed the beer to reach the shelf, and perhaps you will decide to support your local microbreweries and sample some new tastes.

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Posted in: Drink,Microbreweries

Children and Juicing

When I talk about my new business and passion, the first reaction I get from people is, "Juicing, why juicing?" Or "What do you mean? Do you SELL juicers?" Every time I talk to someone new about juicing, I get a similar response and a look of puzzlement. Why? Everyone seems to want to know why and very few people seem anything less than shocked initially. However, once I begin talking about juicing and how it has changed my life and the life of my family, people begin to listen a little more closely.

The process of taking fresh vegetables and fruits and turning them into a delicious, nutritious juice is a very heartening process. It feels good to know that the best produce is going into the glass and all of the nutrients are being saved and put into our bodies. There are so many combinations of juice possible, all of which are nutrient rich and can be used in healthful, restorative ways. Depending on your needs, there is a juice that can be made to help your body in ways that eating fresh vegetables and fruits may not be able to achieve. For example, it is not possible to eat the sheer number of vegetables and fruits that can be taken in through juice. One delicious recipe includes 5 carrots, two apples, 2 pieces of celery, a beet and a sliver of ginger. Imagine the amount of time it would take to eat this amount of food, yet juicing these vegetables and fruit is a delicious and easy way to intake a great number of vitamins and minerals.

With children it has become popular for parents to buy cookbooks that "trick" kids into eating vegetables and fruits by hiding them in creative recipes. I have to admit I have tried some of these recipes and the kids have responded to them favorably. However, they did not know what they were eating and therefore were not gaining any sort of consciousness about health and wellness. It is not enough to just feed my children good food, I want my children to understand the value of what they are eating and to look forward to and crave eating healthy snacks and meals. I fear that by "tricking" them into being healthy I am actually underestimating their intelligence and establishing poor habits. I want my children to look forward to eating healthy, I want them to participate in their wellness and contribute to it by shopping with me and helping to pick out the healthiest of ingredients.

Just like cooking with children can be a great way of engaging them in the process of enjoying food in creative combinations, juicing can be a very enjoyable process for children. My children love to add the vegetables and fruits and watch what happens as they mix the different colored ingredients and variety of flavors. Eating beets was not a possibility prior to juicing and now if the beets are not included, the kids are missing the taste and the deep purple color. Juicing is a family experience and one that can not only encourage healthy eating habits, but also encourage bonding. Creating delicious juices together can help create a family of health-minded people all working together toward greater wellness and health.

Our family has become healthier together and this has made us all closer and more active together. We all have more energy, stronger immune systems and a shared desire to be active and more adventurous. Not only are we more adventurous in our food choices and our shopping, but we love to try new activities and get out and move together. I cannot explain how excited I am about my new business. I love that my family has become even healthier than we were, but that there is the potential to help other people learn new and creative ways of changing their lives is an additional benefit. Juicing is just one way of increasing one's intake of vegetables and fruits, but also a means of contributing to the health and well-being of society. I am growing accustomed to the responses of people when I talk about my new business, but I am also encouraged by the number who are interested in learning how creative, nutritional, and exciting juicing can be. For more information, see my website information in the author box and get out and start juicing.

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Posted in: Children,Juicing

Cooking the Greek Way

Cooking the Greek way means drinking while you cook, including your guests in the preparation, using sinful amounts of olive oil on everything, and dipping from the same bowl. Laugh if you must, but those are the facts as I see them.

Unlike Italian food where a lot of things are saturated in cheese, Greek food is saturated in olive oil. Actually, the Greeks have a saying that their food should be "swimming" in olive oil, and it does. Oftentimes when guests are watching the preparation of the food, they gasp at the amount of olive oil that is used.

Despite the large amount of olive oil that is used in preparation of Greek dishes, the Greek diet is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world today. The Greek diet consists of cheese (goat cheese), spices like oregano, basil and garlic, pork, fish, lots of fruits and vegetables, and a healthy dose of alcohol (for drinking). Yes the Greeks love to eat large meals with friends, family and any who want to join them. Afterward there is dancing and laughter. Maybe the laughter and dancing contribute more to the health of the culture than does the content of the food. Either way, the food is excellent and the culture is friendly and warm.

It's funny to me that people often assume that because I am Greek, all I cook and eat is Greek food. In fact I may not actually cook enough but when I do, I am a pasta lover. I just can't help it. However, when going to parties or entertaining, I alway find myself falling back on my standard Greek fare. Yes, it is often that I show up with hummus in hand and a side of fresh warm pita. The truth is people really do love hummus. Fresh hummus. And that is why I keep bringing it. It keeps on pleasing.

What I've discovered is that while Americans seem to be quite familiar with Italian and Mexican cuisine, Greek cuisine is oftentimes overlooked or misunderstood Greek food is simple, tasteful, healthy and no harder to make than any other type of food. For example, Greek hummus can be made in under five minutes and is healthier by far than a spinach and artichoke dip

I have often wondered how a simple Greek hummus dish can create such a splash. Do they think I've slaved over it? Surely not. Why is it that people do not make their own hummus when it really is so easy? I'm not sure if it's because they don't know how to make hummus or because they assume it is difficult to make. It really is simple to make hummus. So find a recipe you like and give it a try. It may become your new favorite take-along dish.

Whether it's hummus you're making or some other wonderful Greek dish, my best advice to you is don't be afraid of the olive oil. Use plenty. Your taste buds will thank you and so will your heart. And rather than having everything prepared prior to guests arriving, try including them in the preparation of the meal. When friends come to eat, it's common to share a glass of wine in the kitchen while chatting over pureeing garbanzo beans. It creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere that leaves an impression on the guests and contribute to a favorable, memorable dining experience and is considered cooking the Greek way.

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Posted in: Cooking,Greek

Infant Nutrition With Organic Foods

Infants need baby food just as adults need their favorite food. But baby nutrition has been deeply affected by the growth of non-organic foods. The concept of organically produced foods has caught wind in the past decade, tracing its emergence to the mid 1990's. Would you like it if somebody told you to drink a gallon of nitrate fertilizer: would you even do it? Well, you might be shocked to know you might have consumed more than a gallon after eating fertilizer-laden produce for all your life. The concept of fertilizer was used to get rid of pests and insects in the soil. They destroyed the crops and so fertilizer industries blossomed all over the place.

But the same tool that got rid of the insects has now turned its fire on the human population. Years of crops smothered with fertilizer makes the fertilizer go right down into the soil. The soil holds this fertilizer for years which makes it all the more harmful as the fertilizer is now expired and has become downright deadly to grow any more crops in.

Ripple effect

Chemically potent soil gives rise to chemically harmful crops. If you remember your school science, you will recollect that roots absorb mineral salts and water from the soil. If the soil is tinged with nitrates, the water will be tinged with nitrates too. This alarming transplanting of chemicals affects the crops grown; this deadly crop travels down to the supermarkets in trucks and finally sits in our shopping bags to come home with us.

Fertilizers are used to boost crop outputs. Large crop outputs lead to big money. So the obsession with making money has led to the sacrifice of health. A carrot or an apple today is scientifically proven to contain only 50% of the nutrition it used to hold about 50 years back - which means you think you're eating a wholesome carrot but you are not. What you are eating is a carrot look-alike - with nitrates in it.

Effect on meat

Animals that live on the farm graze on the grass there which means they also get contaminated. Then again in a lot of farms dairy and poultry animals are force-fed with anti-biotic medicine to increase production of milk and eggs. Disease can also spread from eating such farm products. When these animals die, they decompose into the soil and leave the remnants of the anti-biotic and the chemically eaten grass back into the soil; and the story begins all over again. So meat, milk and poultry products are not exempt either.

Organic baby food

With adults in danger, it makes it imperative to make babies safe from this kind of chemical attack. Babies need to be fed only with organic baby snacks like Earth's Best products to protect them from diseases. Babies' bodies are delicate and vulnerable to disease as their physical systems are still in the early stages of development. The parents may buy baby food unsuspectingly from the supermarket, but that might not be natural baby food at all but baby food prepared with the same chemically treated ingredients.

Real dangers from eating chemically treated crops

The list of diseases that can spring up from eating fertilizer doused crops begins with cancer. The growing number of cancer cases all over the world is a strong pointer to this. Other diseases related to increased chemical toxicity in the body are obesity and Alzheimer's disease.

Turning back the clock

Now luckily due to growing awareness, every supermarket has organic sections where organic produce is displayed for purchase. Organic food refers to crops grown without fertilizers. Naturally these crops are more expensive as the organic farms strive to produce crops without artificially inflating their rate of growth. But if this extra money means a healthier body with an improved immune system then the money is an investment not expenditure. Perhaps this explains why people of olden days lived longer and healthier lives though the medical facilities were not so far advanced back then. They didn't need the medication!

Perhaps it's time to undo some of the negative effects of modernization and turn back to the good old methods of farming.

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Posted in: Foods,Infant,Nutrition,Organic

7 Delicious and Nutritious After-School Snacks for Kids: Bread Casserole, Pizza Toast and More!

When it comes to after-school snacks for kids, parents don't have to settle for cookies, chips or cereal bars. There are many quick, tasty and healthy snack options you can make for your kids. Try the seven snack ideas below that are as simple to make as they are delicious!

Baked Whole Wheat Bread and Cheese Sandwiches

Although the cooking time for baked whole wheat bread and cheese sandwiches is 30 minutes, the prep time is a tenth of that, which is why these snacks have made the list. Preparation is easy: For each sandwich you take 2 pieces of buttered whole wheat bread, place a slice of cheese between each piece and lay the sandwiches in a shallow cooking dish. In a mixing bowl, combine one egg, a dash of milk and a pinch of salt to taste. Blend the eggs, milk and salt and pour the mixture over the cheese sandwiches. Place the cooking dish in the oven and bake at 180 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Raisin Sandwich

The great thing about peanut butter and raisin sandwiches is that they are both delicious and nutritious. Bread, peanut butter and raisins are the only things you'll need to treat your child to a snack that is quick and healthy. White bread or wheat bread, chunky or creamy peanut butter - It doesn't matter what you use so pick whatever your child enjoys!

Garlic Toast

Garlic bread doesn't always have to be served with pasta - it can also be dished up as a snack that is fast, tasty and healthy. White bread or French rolls work best because they can be buttered and toasted for an authentic Italian treat. To make the garlic butter, combine 1/4 cup softened butter and a pinch of parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl. Season with a dash of garlic salt and pepper and mix into a buttery spread.Top off your toasted bread or roll with the garlic butter and you're done in less than ten minutes!

Pizza Toast

If your kids live for pizza, then homemade pizza bread can be a real treat and requires only four simple ingredients to create a snack that is as delicious as it is healthy: White bread, tomato sauce, cheese and toppings. Simply spread the tomato sauce over the bread, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and your child's favorite toppings. Place the pizza toast into the toaster oven and bake until the cheese begins to melt.

Cube Casserole

Both delicious and nutritious, bread cube casserole can be a great snack idea for parents who like the convenience of a dish that is already made and is ready to be reheated.To start, slice pieces of white bread or wheat bread into cubes and place along the bottom of a baking dish. Combine eggs, cheese, and a dash of milk in a mixing bowl and stir before adding some of your child's favorite toppings such as ham or vegetables. Pour the mixture over the cubes, allowing them to soak up the liquid. Bake the casserole at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes or until the top begins to brown.

Eggs in a Basket

This recipe may seem more appropriate for breakfast, but who says you can't have eggs for a snack? Eggs in a basket may be one of the easiest snacks to make and children are delighted with the creative cut out shapes in the toast. For this recipe you will need a cookie cutter, whole wheat bread, butter and eggs. First, heat the butter or oil in a pan on medium heat.Then use a fun cookie cutter shape to cut a hole in the middle of a piece of bread and lay it into the pan. Fry both sides until golden brown and then crack an egg into the hole of the bread and fry until thoroughly cooked and flip to the other side.

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

A cucumber and cream cheese sandwich can be a terrific alternative to heavier snacks - substantial enough to keep your kids going until dinner without spoiling their appetites. Spread a little cream cheese over slices of white bread or whole wheat bread and add slivers of cucumber. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and you have a quick, delicious and nutritious snack.

Whether parents are looking to prepare dishes ahead of time for quick and easy snacks or they're searching for recipes they can make with their children and serve immediately, these 7 snack ideas are a great alternative to some of the other nutritionally inadequate options.

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Posted in: AfterSchool,Bread,Casserole,Delicious,Nutritious,Pizza,Snacks,Toast

Is Green Tea Really Good for Our Bodies?

Man has been drinking tea for centuries, and even in the western world, where drinking tea came much later, it has still been consumed for hundreds of years. Until now however the health benefits of tea were not the reason why they were consumed. It was just a "pick-me-up" drink, and after the advent of coffee, the number of tea drinkers have gone down.

This is because it is the caffeine in the tea that perks us up, and coffee has much more caffeine in it than does tea. But it is not the caffeine that is good for our bodies. In fact too much caffeine has been associated with the hardening of arteries that are a cause for cardiovascular problems. Tea is good because it has lesser caffeine, just enough for us, while at the same time giving us a huge amount of antioxidants.

All of us who are conscious of our health know about antioxidants. We all know how as a by product of digestion, a number of free radicals keep floating around our body, and how if allowed to remain, they can cause cancer. We also know how it is the antioxidants that we eat that nutralize these free radicals.

The more processed food we eat, the more free radicals in our body, so the more antioxidants we need. Many of us take vitamin c which is a known antioxidant to help here. Some of us even take gingko extract which is a much more powerful antioxidant than is vitamin C.

Tea has more antioxidants than does even gingko. In fact green tea is preferred because it has more antioxidant properties than black tea, and has two times the amount of antioxidants as does gingko. The problem is that drinking green tea is a cultivated taste. There are a number of places in the world where green tea is taken as part of the daily morning and evening ritual, but if you haven't been brought up to it, it does not taste very nice.

Of course you can add sugar and other stuff to sweeten it a little, but then you'll just be loading up on excess calories for nothing. The best option then is to take green tea supplements.

Green tea supplements are a very good idea because they are available both lose and as a capsule. So for those who don't like the taste, they can go for the capsules and all you have to do is swallow a couple of them. And because they are nothing but tea leaves, they are even more powerful than drinking the brew because you are taking in the leaves itself in its powdered form.

You can get a lot more information if you check out green tea tablets.

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Posted in: Bodies,Green,Really

Benefits of Using an Italian Wine Merchant

Businesses that serve wine are always on the hunt for the best Italian wine. Whether you have a restaurant or a café, run a hotel, or have a catering business, there's always the need to find the next great wine that will be able to wow your customers. You want to have the best wine, and sometimes that means that you will have to deal directly with an Italian wine merchant, or a distributor who will be able to contact them on your behalf. Buying from the local discount stores might be able to help you save a little bit of money, but the wine that you find there will often be subpar.

What Does an Italian Wine Merchant Offer?

One of the best things about dealing directly with the merchant selling the wine or a distributor who will be able to contact the wineries in Italy is the fact that you will have access to wines that other people might just not have. When it's possible to order directly from someone who has contact with the vineyard, you will be able to cut out some of the middlemen.

A problem that stems from dealing with local companies rather than the Italian wine merchant is in the realm of inventory. The local stores may not have all of the wine you need, and they might not have the type that you need. With the merchants, you will be able to know how much wine is available, and you can order it directly. Since you are ordering directly, you will also find that you can save money.

How could this help you save money? If you are buying from the local stores, you are paying more for the wine because you have to pay the store for selling it. Even when they have "discount" prices, you are paying for the overhead, shipping, employees, and more, so you really aren't saving as much as you think. When ordering directly through an Italian wine merchant, you will be able to save more. They are able to order in bulk and do not have the same expenses as the stores do. It's even cheaper than buying directly through a winery.

Going through the wine merchant rather than the vineyard also helps to save time. If you don't speak Italian, you may have some trouble when you are trying to order directly from a winery in Italy! With the merchant, he or she will act as an intermediary. You let them know what you need, and they are able to provide it to you for a better price than you might imagine.

The Right Italian Wine Merchant

It's important that you choose the right Italian wine merchant for your business. It's best if you find a company that's been doing this for a number of years, as they will have better relationships with the different wineries. It's also important that you find someone who knows wine and not only business. They need to be able to offer you a wide variety of wines from all of the different areas of Italy.

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Posted in: Benefits,Italian,Merchant,Using