Skip to content

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

Once found only in health food stores, organic food is now a regular feature at most supermarkets. And that's created a bit of a dilemma in the produce aisle.



On one hand, you have a conventionally grown apple. On the other, you have one that's organic. Both apples are firm, shiny and red. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol. Which should you choose? Get the facts before you shop.


Conventional vs. organic farming

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution.



Farmers who grow organic produce don't use conventional methods to fertilize and control weeds. Examples of organic farming practices include using natural fertilizers to feed soil and plants, and using crop rotation or mulch to manage weeds.


Organic or not? Check the label

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.



Any product labeled as organic must be USDA certified. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification; however, they're still required to follow the USDA's standards for organic foods.



If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.



Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry the USDA seal.



Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal plus the following wording, depending on the number of organic ingredients:



100 percent organic. To use this phrase, products must be either completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products must be at least 95 percent organic to use this term.



Products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients may say "made with organic ingredients" on the label, but may not use the seal. Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can't use the seal or the word "organic" on their product labels. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.


Do 'organic' and 'natural' mean the same thing?

No, "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable terms. You may see "natural" and other terms such as "all natural," "free-range" or "hormone-free" on food labels. These descriptions must be truthful, but don't confuse them with the term "organic." Only foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.



For more info: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

3 Of Most Neglected Areas Of Your Restuarant That You Should Clean

Let's be honest if you own a restaurant or work at one then I'm sure you will agree that cleaning is not really at the top of everyone's list. However, it is very essential for many reasons. The most obvious problem that having a dirty restaurant can cause is issues regarding the health department, no one wants to experience that. But there are also other reasons why having a clean restaurant is very important and some might say actually more important than pleasing the health department. It is one that is quite high on the list of reasons and has to do with impressions. What do customers think when I walk into the restaurant. This is a very important point because if someone does not feel good when they walk into a restaurant then they definitely are not going to come back. At the end of the day, it's the customer who pays the bills.

Following are 3 areas that are typically always neglected in restaurants,

Can openers - one of the biggest causes of cross-contamination inside a restaurant is can openers. They are all used to open countless different kinds of foods some raw and some cooked. What happens is when the can opener is used to open something like raw food, for example, germs from that raw food stay on the can opener and the next time the can opener is used, those germs are transferred onto the next type of food. Always clean these in the dishwasher.

Menus - if you think about a menu inside a restaurant, they are all held and touched by every single customer who walks inside. Menus are never cleaned. They need to be wiped down every day, preferably twice a day, with a sanitizer.

Floors - the floor is one of the most neglected parts of a restaurant. People clean them however they still have a lot of germs. By simply mopping a floor with some water and a cleaning solution does not mean that the floor is clean. The best way to remove germs off the floor is to use microfiber mops. The best thing about microfiber mops is that they do not need chemicals in order to do their job either. So, they are going to be saving money and at the same time, they're going to be ensuring that your floor is germ-free and chemical-free. For more info, Click here

A Guide To Southern Italian Cuisine

Southern Italian cuisine has become increasingly popular in recent years, and has become one of the most popular types of cuisine around the world. This type of cuisine showcases an abundance of fresh vegetables, pasta dishes, meats and seafood, along with various fruits and vegetables that are grown locally. In most regions, you will find a variety of different flavors of Italian cooking that have been influenced by the many different regions of the country that influence each other.

Southern Italian cuisine is often defined by the use of olive oil, fresh pastas, fruit-based sauces, side dishes, and a host of other tomato based dishes. Fresh breads are another important part of this type of Italian cooking, and may be prepared and served with olive oil or olive butter. Italian cuisine also uses a variety of dairy products such as cheese and cream that have been made with cow milk. In many regions, there is a variety of different styles that are created using various ingredients that have been influenced by the food that is being prepared in one region over the next.

There are some things to know about this type of Italian food before you even get started. When preparing foods in this style, you must be careful to choose ingredients that are fresh and local. While fresh produce and meats may be more common in some regions than others, it is still best to check the ingredients on the label to ensure that they are fresh. It is also important to note that there is no one "official" Italian version of this type of food. It is always best to take a little bit of information with you when you are planning to go out to eat.

You can purchase many different types of Italian cuisine in your area, and it is best to be able to sample different kinds of meals that are available. You should always be aware of the difference in the preparation of various different dishes so that you are sure that you are getting the freshest ingredients for your meal. You can always check with local restaurants if they can help you plan a meal that has some of the same ingredients that you would be able to prepare at home.

There are a number of different ways that you can prepare your Italian food that will include using olive oil to make sauces and dips, but you should avoid the baking and frying of food in olive oil. This can be unhealthy, and can be damaging to the body.

If you are going to buy a product such as pizza, you should be sure to read all of the information about it so that you can be sure that it is made with organic and all natural ingredients in order to ensure the best possible quality. Many people feel that there are certain types of foods that do not need to be prepared with a lot of olive oil. Although there are many different types of Italian cooking that you can experience, you should make sure that you take the time to learn how to prepare the dishes that you are planning to eat. Eating right is something that you will want to do for the health of you and your family as well.

How To Make Espresso With An Aeropress?

Ever since Achille Gaggia invented a new coffee machine in 1948 which extracted natural coffee oils and deposited a tasty foamy layer, which he termed Crema, it became the benchmark for good coffee. Soon the Crema was a distinct feature of espresso coffee.

Preparing a cup of coffee with Aeropress

Ever since its invention Aeropress has become a quick answer to the coffee lovers' needs. It has managed to form fan groups and has inspired experimentation with this little device among coffee enthusiasts.

It employs the application of manual pressure to brew a cup of coffee. It is a highly portable and instantly usable piece of equipment that uses no electric power.

Now theoretically it is pretty hard to get any crema from an Aeropress as the pressure which can be exerted manually is just not enough to get that. But there is nothing you cannot achieve with the right strategy and planned tweaks. Of course, don't expect to get as rich crema as from a professional espresso machine but the results will be satisfying. In fact, most famous baristas do not focus on getting crema with the AeroPress, like this AeroPress Brewing Guide. I just think that it's a nice touch, and if I can have my beautiful foamy layer on top of my coffee, why not?

Getting the Right ingredients

This starts with obtaining the right ingredients for your espresso from Aeropress. Although this you will have to find out yourself as there is no fixed recipe and the same things don't work for all.

But there are a few pointers which should be kept in mind that will certainly help.

  1. As we have already stated above the coffee beans should be freshly roast. Even otherwise also you cannot expect to achieve great coffee from stale coffee beans.
  2. Brew your coffee as soon as you grind it. A good thing to keep in mind is that you grind only the necessary amount of coffee. If necessary, store in an airtight package for a couple of days.
  3. You will have to be creative with respect to choosing the coffee beans. Don't hesitate to ask around about the bean variant that is producing the right results. And, there is always the hit and trial method you can adopt until you hit the sweet spot.
  4. The water you will use should be adequately hot but not boiling. The right temperature of the water is 94-96 C for the best results.
  5. Use a metal filter. This provides tw. - first it is able to withstand more pressure and second, it does not absorb the Crema which you have produced with great effort.

Now preparing the cup of espresso

When you have all the right ingredients set up your Aeropress for inverted operation. It is done because the oils and air are lighter and have a high concentration over your mix. When you use your Aeropress normally this portion is processed last and is usually absorbed in the filter and the coffee ground. The inverted operation will give you crema first which you should collect in the cup and then just continue with the normal operation.

Here are a few key points to remember:

  • Use a generous amount of scoop full grind. It should be extra fine so as to not let the water pass through it too quickly.
  • Add the just before-boil water and stir. You should wait around 20 seconds after stirring to start brewing.
  • And last but the most important, press as hard as you can, keeping in mind the limitation of your equipment and the coffee cup. With fine grind, the resistance will be high and you will have to exert a little more at the end.

If you did everything right, in the end you will have a marvelous cup of coffee with that bespoke crema on the top.

So what is Crema?

Let’s start this by first understanding what crema actually is. crema is coffee oils suspended in carbon dioxide filled air produced during the roasting. It should not be confused with the foam which you may achieve incidentally or otherwise while making a cup of coffee. Such generated foam does not add any taste to the coffee but Crema adds to the richness and enhances the taste of the coffee.

Breaking it apart

So two essential attributes stem from this understanding,- first that coffee beans should be nicely roasted and second that the pressure should be enough to produce an amalgamation of the oil and air mix.

If the coffee beans that are being used are not freshly roasted, it is likely that the roast does not have any suspended air. It is highly unlikely that you will get a satisfying amount of crema with the stale coffee.

Similarly, preparation of a good espresso cup demands the presence of a good amount of pressure.

10 Things To Flavour Your Coffee

There are times when we can't help but go beyond milk and sugar. A lot of coffee lovers and coffee drinkers alike enjoy a spiced up cup of coffee, whether it's brewed or just the ordinary instant coffee mix. Here are the best spices that you can add to your coffee anytime anywhere.

SALT
Seriously YES! A dash of natural saltnever go for the typical iodized table saltlike rock salt, sea salt or Himalayan salt with your coffee grounds for a cold brew is a perfect way of balancing the bitterness of the coffee.

CARDAMOM
Sprinkling a pinch of cardamom seeds can really give you a unique coffee taste. This popular mix in the Middle East, that you sure will love. Especially for health nuts out there, you will not only enjoy a great tasting cup of brewed coffee but also improved blood circulation and a great supply of fiber to your drink.

PAPRIKA
This spice is a great way of adding a kick to your cup of bitterness. Paprika adds a pang of taste that's lovable and hard to forget. A dash of paprika will surely give your taste buds the delightful spicy smoothness to your drink.

COCONUT MILK
It may be an unusual alternative to cream, milk or coffee creamer but coconut milk has a distinct taste that really goes well with a cup of coffee. Adding a stick of vanilla or a drop of vanilla extract is surely a great way of enjoying your non-dairy cup of coffee.

My favorite recipe is coconut milk latte, and you can make that without an espresso machine. So please, don't use the excuse that you don't own one. You have everything you need.

ICE CREAM
Who knew?! We've loved soda with vanilla ice cream floating on top, who wouldn't love coffee with ice cream? Ice cream is in a sense cold milk but the unique taste and creaminess that ice cream offers really add a great creamy texture to your iced cup of coffee.

EGG
Sounds unusual? Not in Scandinavia. Egg gives a more creamy flavor and it really pulls the taste of coffee together. It creates a smoothness to it that's pretty unique to the taste.

GINGER
A teaspoon or two of ginger powder or a slice of ginger would bring a kick of spice to our cup of coffee. It's a more exotic touch to a coffee that really does offer a great kick to our cup of coffee.

NUTMEG
A touch of nutmeg would add a gentle earthy taste to your cup of coffee. Personally, it's a great flavor as compared to a dark roast. A medium roast cup of coffee plus a dash of nutmeg will surely give you a more flavorful touch that a charcoally dark roast flavor.

STAR ANISE
Star Anise has a unique earthy flavor and aroma, but be careful. It's a pretty strong spice so dropping just a small cut of star anise in your cup of coffee would do the trick.

NUT OIL
Nutty flavors practically go well everything, don't you think? Almond oil, hazelnut oil, and other nutty flavors are a wonderful touch to your coffee especially if you're craving for other tastes.

PEPPERMINT
To be honest, a minty coffee is a really addicting kick of flavor to add to your coffee. Having a cup of coffee with peppermint or spearmint really gives coffee a more unique and heightened flavor of coffee that you'll love to have from time to time.

Know Your Espresso Machines

The espresso machine will help you have a hot cup of espresso when you need it. With these machines becoming extremely popular in homes, offices, and commercial areas, the market for them is becoming stronger. Are you looking to purchase your own espresso maker? There are many variations of this machine available on the market. Picking the right one can help make sure that you get the most value for your money. This article will help you get to know the different types of espresso machines.

Manual Espresso Machines

The manual espresso maker is the espresso machine in its most basic form. As the name would suggest, operating these machines is a 100% manual process. There are 2 main advantages with getting a manual espresso machine. They are the most affordable machines out there, and you can get exactly the quality of espresso that you like. Of course, the disadvantage is that you got to do everything manually, and it takes time to master the right way of preparing espresso.

Semi-automatic

The semi-automatic espresso maker automates some of the steps involved in creating espresso. However, some of the steps have to be done manually, like the frothing of the milk. These machines are ideally placed in homes and small offices where coffee is prepared at a regular basis. The downside is that semi-automatic espresso machines are generally unable to create exceptionally high quality of espresso.

Automatic

This espresso machine fully automates the espresso making process. All you have to do is press a button, and the machine will do the rest. Such machines are ideal for households and offices where occupants either don't have much time to prepare espresso, or they don't have the necessary skills to make good-quality espresso. Of course, people who know high-quality espresso might not end up very satisfied with the results these machines are capable of.

Commercial

The commercial espresso machine is mainly designed for commercial purposes. Such machines are ideal for high-traffic coffee shops or for large offices. These machines operate in fully automatic fashion, generally produce great-quality espresso, and are capable of quickly preparing large batches of espresso. However, there are 2 downsides in owning this machine: they are very expensive and require their own plumbing.

These are your available options if you are shopping for an espresso machine. Select the one that best fits your needs, your budget, and tastes. I suggest you read some reviews of popular espresso machines, a good starting point is this page on coffee-brewing-methods.com. If you already have an idea of what you want, just go on Amazon, and read the customer reviews, they should give you an idea. As a last thought, when I bought my espresso machine, I chose a commercial model, because they are more reliable. (It was two times more expensive than a domestic espresso maker, but is totally worth it every penny.)

Funeral Catering In Seattle How To Have The Best Sendoff For A Loved One

All of us understand that funeral catering in Seattle is a hard alternative for everybody. Sadly, being confronted with plans relating to a funeral service or wake is something that breaks everybody's heart - nevertheless - something that almost all people deal with throughout their life time.

In the middle of the sorrow and sadness, considering catering for an enjoyed one's departure is most likely the last thing you have the ability to do. In the exact same time though, you certainly wish to offer your enjoyed one a correct send-off. For that way, you must constantly think about trustworthy and expert Seattle funeral service catering services.

Providing Your Family member The very best Send-Off Possible

Considering the food and consume you might prefer to service is something that lots of people perform in the preliminary preparation stage. Nevertheless, expert funeral catering services in Seattle can alleviate this up for you and inform you the most typical options for food choices.

Generally, the typical options consist of cold buffets, hot-fork buffets and so on. Usually speaking, buffets permit some versatility for the varieties of visitors to alter a little and are the ideal option regarding what does it cost? they seem like consuming.

A great deal of visitors value funeral catering choices that are available in range of food options and buffet deals. Yet in the exact same time, visitors at a funeral service are feeling a bit vulnerable and will value home cooking and sweet things. Which is why, you need to constantly pick an expert funeral catering service to accommodate you with all types of foods.

What About The Favorite Foods Of Your Family member?

Another thing you need to constantly anticipate when scheduling a Seattle funeral service catering service is the preferred food of your liked one. You can even produce a style such as the colors of their preferred football group and trigger delighted memories that the visitors will value.

Beverages are another part of the options - and hot tea, coffee, water and fruit juices are constantly the very best alternative for funeral catering. Nevertheless, there are likewise times when it is likewise typical to serve alcohol in minimal amounts.

As you can see, there is a lot to think of when it concerns funeral catering in Seattle. The very best method to set the bar greater and remove the issues and possible problems concerning food and beverages is apparent - to select a dependable Seattle funeral service catering service that eases you of the tension of needing to think of whatever.

Choosing The Best Wedding Catering Company In Seattle

Let's face it - every wedding caterer in Seattle should be able to work with any location and any size of wedding. Simply put, it is the main duty of wedding catering companies in Seattle. Despite the fact that there are some Seattle caterers with limits when it comes to how many people they can support, there are also professional companies that are able to serve events and weddings of all sizes.

Wedding Catering Services In Seattle: Important Things To Know

Basically, not every wedding caterer in Seattle is the same. There are a lot of wedding catering companies who specialize in covering certain areas of Seattle - but also ones that are covering the surrounding areas and specializing in weddings of all types. This is specifically important because of the fact that many wedding caterers charge extra for travel from one area to another - and that the costs of travel are involved in the prices as well.

Another thing you should be aware of is that in some areas, a facility also handles their own catering companies and won't allow you to use a catering company of your choice. That is why you should agree with the facility beforehand and check out the services offered.

When it comes to food itself, the combinations can vary according to your taste and can be adjusted based on the dietary needs or taste of your guests in general. There are a lot of cases where the people attending a wedding have to avoid certain foods due to health reasons which is another fact to consider.

Is Every Detail Included In The Wedding Catering Service?

Last but not the least is the wedding cake - and see if the wedding catering service in Seattle offers it as part of the service. Basically, wedding cakes are the last detail you should have in mind and one of the most important things that accents the beauty of a wedding.

In the end, you should not forget about the costs of the wedding catering service in Seattle that you choose - and make sure to request a detailed estimate. While some companies charge clients by the head, others charge by the amount of food that is going to be handled.

So, why don't you start taking a look at the most professional and reliable wedding catering services in Seattle? There are many of them and going with the one that tailors to your needs and budget can definitely make your wedding worth it!

Good Packaging And Marketing.

Food Packaging Branding- Important Point of Choice

Have you ever been to grocery with the intention of buying between packaged foods items between5 to 6, only to discover that you walked out of the store with full cart; that is point of choice? Point of choice is the situation that happens when a consumer or buyer take action. The step of moving from checking the product to the process of buying it point of choice. The main difference between public relations and advertising that are designed to generate public awareness about the product, and point of choice is that the latter is focused on immediate response towards a purchase.



Consumers make decisions at the point of choice, in which case the need to purchase is likely to be attributed to attractive packaging. Therefore, the viewing space at the checkout is considered by Premium point of sale. Showrooms are sought by manufacturers of food and beverages.

He has not added these additional items to the basket because he responds to an advert. It was added because something compelled him to take action while he was in the store. He is looking for something interesting for dinner or dessert. Or he just like looked liked the product the packaging look like at the moment. If you market products that are sold on shelf in a retail environment, packaging is an essential point of your choice. Ask yourself these questions:

Does the packaged product call for attention? Is there any difference between the product and the others on the shelf?

If somebody should pick it up, will the packaging engage the consumer, thereby compel him to buy? Doe the label has enough information for the consumer?

Are the graphic designs appealing and does it portray what the product is all about?

We choose with our eyes and our feelings. If it looks good, we hope the taste is good. If there is an ingenious and convincing story that shows that the product is local, the company is owned by farmers, or is there anything special about the recipe that gives us a reason to try more. The design of food packaging needs glamour, taste descriptors and a good story that will make it authentic.

Every consumer would want to know about the packaged products where it comes from, how they are made, who is behind the production? For these reasons the food must be tempting, unique, interesting and, of course, really delicious.

Branding Companies

Professional Branding Builds Business Success

Fantastic business name has been developed and created. Many hours went to get the best products and / or services on the market. There is no doubt that a lot of thought and consideration have given to the name they given to your company. Everything is in place and begins its marketing efforts to grow your business. That's why Food Packaging Branding and marketing are so important



A professional branding company is the best place to start branding efforts. It is the duty of a professional branding company to engage the best graphic designers to start giving face to your business. If you do not think the brand is important, ask yourself some questions. Why Microsoft does possess Cloud? Is the line of Android products such as recognizable names without the Android robot? Apple has the Apple logo for a reason, is not it? The list could be continued as desired. The brand is more than a name.

You want your company to be recognized immediately by the name and the logo. To design your logo, you owe yourself to find out the best graphic designer unless you are a creative graphic designer. The benefits of working with qualified graphics designers are many. A good corporate brand will listen to your ideas. It is their duty to be familiar with your products and services. Future vision is very important because the brand is not about where you are now with your business. The branding your business is where to go in the future. Your brand must capture its essence, its vitality and its ability to deliver what it promises.

Branding goes way beyond the first creation of the perfect logo by your graphics designers has to offer. Get your brand before as many people as possible will be the next step. You want to develop strong campaigns that keep your brand close to potential customers. The appearance of your brand will be just as important as the appearance of your business or your business location. Anything, amateur or unprofessional on your brand can be on a fast internet that could lead to bad reviews. Do not underestimate the range of your professionally designed brand. You can go national or international as fast as you can go local.

Graphic designers are experts in the development of creative graphic designs. They can be great to deliver the product or make the service, but the brand is usually the strongest part of any entrepreneur. Do the right thing. Engage the professional.

3 Healthy Vegan Food Recipes That Are Easy To Prepare

Many people these days are finding out the many health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Additionally, many physicians and nutritionalists are prescribing and endorsing plant-based meals in order to promote health, prevent and treat certain diseases, and even to reduce weight. There are many products now becoming available in shops and supermarkets that contain health enhancing plant extracts.These are mixed in yoghurts,spreads and cheeses, to specifically lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, enhance energy levels and boost immune systems. Who knows what other benefits are just around the corner in plant extracts.

We all know what the qualities are that best vegan food recipes share - they are easy to prepare, tasty and healthy. Obviously, it's hard to think of new and exciting lunch ideas if you are vegan, especially ones that are easy to prepare and perfect for on-the-go. Which is why today, we are sharing the best vegan food recipes that are delicious and quick and easy to prepare.

1. Crackers With Tasty Toppings

Do you love crackers as much as we do? If yes, you'll know where to find them. There are many vegan food brands hitting the shelves with healthy vegan crackers. It is up to you to spice the recipe up and add a bit of avocado, vegan spreads and sliced tomato, as well as hummus or another homemade dip and enjoy your perfect breakfast.

2. A Quick Vegan Sandwich, Wrap Or Bread Roll

Going vegan is not easy, especially not for people with office jobs. However, the supermarkets are now full of vegan breads and wraps, which when frozen can make the perfect, easy vegan lunch. The only thing you need to do is unfreeze the vegan bread roll, warm it up 10 minutes earlier and add everything you want in your vegan sandwich. From lentils beans to vegan bacon, tofu and grated vegan cheese, your sandwich will definitely be delicious and nutritious. Plus, you can save money with preparing food at home!

3. Vegan Salads

Nothing is better than a salad in the evening - to make your belly feel comfortable sleeping. Here, some of the best low-calorie vegan food recipes include salads which are healthy, versatile and often easy to make. One of them is the garden salad (tomatoes, olives, lettuce, onions, cucumber, balsamic dressing) and another is the high-protein salad (chickpeas, cubed capsicum, red onion, chopped cucumber, parsley and balsamic dressing). You can experiment and add ingredients as you like and finish the day in style.

Nothing is better than a day full of healthy and easy to make vegan food recipes, right? Put these ideas to practice and enjoy the deliciousness!

5 Vegetarian Products To Avoid

Let's face it, as much as you may think vegetarians eat healthy, there can be some rotten apples when it comes to their eating habits that are not good for the body. By rotten apples, we mean processed foods which have a high number of calories. However, the problem is not always in the calories, in fact, some low calorie vegetarian products may also be an unhealthy treat for the body. The only way vegetarian products should be consumed is when they consist of homemade fresh ingredients without any processing. To help you consume nothing but 100% healthy vegetarian products, we are listing the unhealthy vegetarian products and processed foods you should avoid at all cost.

1. Vegetarian Products Processed With Soy

Soy is commonly used in vegetarian products in order to replicate the texture and appearance of meat. However, the textured soy that is used is quite unhealthy. As one of the many genetically modified products (GMOs), soy can be a tough substance to digest for many vegetarians. Therefore, you should keep in mind that foods processed with soy can be genetically modified and according to studies, about 94% of them actually are.

2. Processed Veggie Burgers

If you are relatively new to vegetarianism or want to try delicious, veggie meat patties between two buns, make sure to use a homemade recipe with mushrooms, grains and beans rather than buying processed veggie burgers. The truth is, most of the store-bought veggie burgers often contain chemicals, additives, preservatives and GMOs in them.

3. Canola Or Soy Butter Substitutes

There are tons of butter substitutes that contain soybean oil. These are great tasting vegan options, but the reality is that just like soy and veggie burgers, they can be genetically modified. Since canola oils come from rapeseed plants, they are quite inexpensive to harvest and can be manipulated when in production. There have been cases of false advertising with many of these types of products. Just because it says organic and GMO free doesn't mean it is, unfortunately.

4. Cheese

Yes, cheese is a favorite in most households and is a highly consumed food among vegetarians. Vegetarians quite often use cheese in the place of meat which causes them to use it even more than most meat eaters! Cheese is very unhealthy and unfit for the digestive system It clogs up the intestines and is one of the hardest foods to break down and digest. There are many reasons why cheese may be worse for your body than meat itself! If you're loading up on cheese in place of meat, you may want to consider a change in your diet, it could save you from serious health conditions later on.

5. Chips And Junk Food

These junk foods should be a no-no to not only vegetarians, but every person who cares about their health. The marketing game is strong with chips and similar products, being labeled as 'vegetarian-friendly' just to make them sound better. Unfortunately, chips and other junk foods contain unhealthy fats, are high in calories and play a crucial role in the epidemic of obesity. Since they have little fiber, they are a non-filling food, and are far beyond your daily need for fat and calories.

We hope this mini guide of ours helped you avoid the worst labeled vegetarian products!

Watch what you Eat for Workout

Getting set for a workout? Well, you need energy to take you through the whole exercise. This cannot be achieved any better than through a good nutrition before getting into the gym. Some whole grain, vegetables and a good source of protein can be a good start.

thai-food

Whole Wheat Toast with Sliced Banana and Cinnamon

When it comes to gearing up for workout, carbs are your gym BFF. The key is to have a mixed bag of complex and simple ones so that the release of energy during your workout is slow and steady throughout your routine. Whole-wheat toast with fruit gives you both types of carbs with the bonus of being super easy to digest. Complex carbs will keep your motor humming, while the fruit adds an extra kick of energy.

Grilled Chicken and Mixed Vegetables

Your body is in recovery mode, so you need a nutrient dense dish. The lean protein and carbohydrates in chicken will fill you up without feeling overly bloated. Add some veggies in olive oil to keep your ticker in tip top shape.

Veggie Omelet with Avocado

You already know eggs are a great source of protein and help aid in muscle recovery and growth. Switch it up from the usual scramble and make a veggie-packed omelet. Garnish with a few slices of avocado for fiber and monosaturated fats (the good kind!). Similar to olive oil, avocados can help your body better absorb fat soluble nutrients that your veggies have like vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are stocked with antioxidants, the best boost for your body, inside and out.

Sourced from: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/best-workout-foods/?page=4

Drinks are fundamental for your body, and when it comes to exercise, they are an important necessity that you cannot afford to do without. These not only hydrate your body and save you from dehydration out of sweating and all that, they can also be essential for additional energy during your work out.

As much as 60% of your body is made up of water and when you work out, you can lose quite a bit.

The American College of Sports Medicine notes that drinking water helps functioning of the joints and body tissues, the regulation of body temperature, and the transportation of nutrients.

“If you’re an average person, then water after a workout is just fine,” says Clark. But if your workout is more intense and you spend more than three hours at a time doing it, then Clark recommends chocolate milk. "It’s got sodium and calcium, which we lose when we sweat. It’s also got carbs to refuel and give energy, and the protein also helps to repair any damage.”

If milk or water isn’t your thing, sports drinks, coconut water, or other beverages are fine. Don't worry too much about electrolytes; Clark says food can provide those lost in sweat.

Sourced From: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20610016,00.html

You need food for some energy during your workout, right? Give it a second thought, because not every type of food will do. There are some foods you should stay away from when heading for a workout. Some of these foods can adversely slow you down during exercise or distract you completely.

Flaxseeds

While they are great for your body (and weight loss), flaxseeds are full of fiber, which could impede your workout efforts by causing gas and/or bloating, says Stella Metsovas, a clinical nutritionist and diet expert in Los Angeles, Calif.

Hummus

Don't get us wrong, we love healthy hummus just as much as you do, but you may want to stay away from it right before a workout.

"Bean-based foods (such as hummus) are high in indigestible carbohydrates that may cause uncomfortable gas and bloating," says Mary Hartley, a registered dietitian in New York City.

High Sodium Foods (Roasted Nuts)

Even though nuts are a great snack (and can help with weight loss) most roasted nuts are also salted, and salty foods can disrupt the delicate fluid-balance required for optimal workouts, Metsovas says.

"I'd avoid [high sodium foods] at all costs. Using a little bit of salt in your meals is OK, but stay away from the following foods: beef jerky, salted and roasted nuts, lunch meats, and processed snack foods like chips (you shouldn't be consuming these foods anyway)."

Sourced From: http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/20-foods-can-ruin-your-workout

Easy Meals To Make With Your Vegetable Slicer

So, youre running out of meal ideas? One of the hardest things a person will ever have to do is to come up with fresh, new dishes to serve up from the heart of the home. Whether youre a parent looking to feed your kids with healthy food options or if youre a professional cook thinking of ways to spruce up your dishes, a vegetable slicer will definitely come in handy.



Not a lot of people realize it, but the way you prepare your ingredients can be the beginning of a great idea. So take out those vegetable slicers and start cutting up those veggies to come up with these awesome kitchen creations.



3 Easy Meals to Make with Your Vegetable Slicer



1. Fresh Garden Salad Who doesnt love a hearty salad? Oftentimes, buying a salad at your local restaurant will set you back an unreasonable amount of dollars. These light meals are usually crazily overpriced. Did you know that if you just used the money the value of a standard restaurant garden salad to buy fresh vegetables at the market, youd have at least 4 times as many ingredients? Whats more, salads can be crazy easy to make especially if you have a vegetable slicer. The possibilities are endless when it comes to veggie combinations, and it depends on what you want to throw into the mix. Try your hand at coming up with salad creations and dressings. Your family will be sure to love it.



2. Crispy Chips and Snacks Among the most tedious things you would ever have to do is to slice vegetables thinly in the attempt to make chips. Many parents want to do this in order to entice their children to eat something healthy, but often fail to come up with the right crispiness. The trial usually ends with an oily, soggy bunch of thick slices of vegetables with a strange texture to mushy to enjoy. But with a vegetable slicer, you can get the perfect thickness each and every time. Just think you could make homemade potato chips, cucumber chips, carrot chips, and just any other kind of chip you can think of minus all those disgusting preservatives and harmful artificial flavours that many commercially sold chips are chocked full of.



3. Savory Soups The thing about soup is that if theres not enough flavour, its bound to be a disaster. Unlike other meals and food options that at least have a certain thickness and texture to them, soup comes in the form of liquid, which means the people who eat it probably wont get to experience that satisfying chewing process that other foods require. The technique to coming up with delicious soup is to bank on flavour, and by cutting up your vegetables the right way, you can enhance their taste and seal in the vitamins. The easiest way to do this is to use a high-quality vegetable slicer that wont sap your ingredients of their nutrients and natural flavours.






Celebrate Romance With Class

The holidays are the perfect time to invite your special someone to a dinner show. More than having the usual candlelit dinner, a romantic dinner show for two will make this event extra memorable. To help you celebrate romance with class, you could check out the dinnershow that Aalsmeer artists could prepare for you.



You could opt for a Christmas dinnershow filled with love. Feel the presence of love during the Yuletide season with a story about lovers believing in the mistletoe tradition. Aalsmeer artists also showcase their acting and singing prowess in a romantic comedy inspired by the Nativity.



A romantic dinner show for two is one of the best gifts that you could give to your loved one. Aside from the sumptuous feasts and entertaining show, you would also get the most romantic atmosphere that Aalsmeer artists could offer. Imagine eating dinner with your partner and watching a romantic dinner show that would sweep you off your feet. Expect a lot of dancing, too, and an ambiance that would surely cap off your evening right.








You can choose to have your own motif for a special package for two. For an affordable price both of you could dine out under the stars and get all mushy with violin and singing. This is also the perfect place and time for men to propose to their girlfriends. For other couples, Aalsmeer artists also offer anniversary songs and dinner shows so that they could reminisce the time when they first met their loved one.



A romantic Christmas dinner show is also your best bet if you want to hit two birds with one stone. You could opt to have dinner in an open space lit by twinkling Christmas lights. You could also have a snow-themed romantic dinner show for two. Feel as if you are in Winter Wonderland with the Aalsmeer artists.



Another favorite theme and dinner show in Aalsmeer is the Nutcracker. Dine and watch the entertainers sing, act, dance while performing the musical The Nutcracker. There will be souvenirs for couples as well. You could also give a card to your loved one, which could be designed with the white and red motif.



Lastly, what Christmas dinner wouldnt be complete without Santa Claus and his elves? This may not be romantic to most peoples standards, but it ensures that your moment with your loved one is fun and full of life and laughter.

How To Improve Your Life Health With Fresh Juicing

All kinds of fresh fruits and veggies as well as spices and herbs can be used in fresh juice. Juicing also gives you far more benefits than any juice that's bottled or canned, even the best organic brands. Fresh juice makes a tasty and healthy treat.



Add a little cucumber to dark leafy greens. Many of the leafy greens don't taste very good. Cucumber can mask the taste and add a refreshing element to your juice. Purchasing a good juicing recipes book can help you get started with delicious tasting recipes.



The healthiest vegetables for juicing are greens such as chard, spinach and kale. The healthiest juice consists of fifty to seventy percent greens, with other elements added for flavor. Juices made entirely of fruits would tend to be too sugary and might cause a blood sugar spike.








Use the different colors of fruits and vegetables to vary the nutritional content of your juices and smoothies. In particular, greens and yellows translate to a variety of healthy vitamins and minerals. Using different colored produce will give you a full range of nutrients and many exciting tastes.



Juicing vegetables is a great way for you to get healthy foods into a child who won't eat them whole. Many children do not like vegetables. You can combine fruits and vegetables into one beverage that has a great taste, and the kids won't know they're eating vegetables.



Always keep your juicer visible and ready for action. You will actually use it more often if you keep it withn constant view and easy reach.



Each fruit and vegetable contains different minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. Certain fruits and vegetables can be combined to powerfully fight certain diseases.



You can get ride of pulp in juice by using a coffee filter, but this is very slow. Your best option is a juice machine which separates the juice from the pulp automatically. For those who want more fiber simply add a bit of pulp back into your fresh juice.



Keeping juice in the refrigerator can be handy, but waiting to drink any fresh juice or smoothie will result in changed color and taste, and loss of nutrients.



If the assembly, cleaning and reassembling of a juicer takes more than a minute consider another brand. New models take no time to assemble and clean. And assembly should not require any special tools since they only get misplaced. Clean the juicer right after using it to reduce the time you have to spend cleaning dried pulp which sticks to the appliance.



If you have hypoglycemia or diabetes, try juicing vegetables as opposed to fruits until you talk to your physician. Drinking juice with a large fruit content will raise your blood sugar. You need to be careful about the amount of fruit you use in your juices. Vegetables can supply you with the nutrients without throwing your blood sugar out of whack.



Ginger has been proven by study after study to be as effective for the treatment of gastrointestinal distress as any medication and without side effects except ginger tasting burps! Ginger has many anti-inflammatory properties that can help with stomach ulcers, acid reflux and even nausea.



If you're starting to feel old and tired, adding juice to your life can return the spring to your step! Juicing is a good way to get the nutrients you need to get rid of joint pains, ease muscle pain and slow the aging process.



To ensure that the juice you are drinking is as healthy as possible, it's important to drink it right away. The longer you wait the more nutrients are lost even if you refrigerate it. Therefore, to ensure that you receive the most nutrients, and the most benefit, drink fresh juices and smoothies as soon after you make them as possible.



To reduce the bitterness of cranberries, combine them with sweet fruits like berries. A great recipe for a delicious juice is a mixture of cranberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Be creative and blend your own great-tasting juice ingredients.



Masticating juice machines are ideal for making wonderful fruit juices. These juicers allow you also to mill, grind, puree and even create frozen deserts. These added features will increase the variety of ingredients you can include in your juice recipes such as nuts and seeds.



Don't make your juice sit for long before serving it. It has a much better taste if it is consumed immediately after making it.



As you have discovered by now through reading this article, there are numerous ways to incorporate juicing into your diet. Juicing works well as a quick snack or a complete meal. There are plenty of positive aspects of juicing, helping you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Start juicing for better nutrition today.

Tips on How to prepare a Dinner Party

Dinner parties do not have to be a fancy affair yet on the other hand you do not want your guests to find you half prepared. The food needs to be set, the music should be ideal and you should be looking like the host who is happy to have their guests around.

Let the Bar Beckon

For the smoothest entry, give arriving guests a clear destination. A cart or a small table done up with essentials (plus flowers and a kooky conversation piece) is a friendly oasis, and it frees you to scurry back to the kitchen if needed. Try to offer bar access from more than one side, to prevent traffic jams. Stock generously (chill white wine two hours in advance) so guests won’t need to come looking for anything—ice, glassware, bottle opener, garnishes—but reserve some surface area for mixing drinks. Nobody wants to whip up a Manhattan in midair.

Wander Into the Kitchen

Guests go where the action is—besides, they want to hang out with the host. Be ready with a hospitable setup.

Prop for socializing. Give over the far end of your work zone (kitchen counter or island) to appetizers, so people know exactly where they can linger without being too in-your-face.

Sourced from:http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/entertaining/dinner-party-ideas

Simplicity can go a long way. Do not try too hard to impress. Go with the rule of specialization. Find something that you do well and cheaply. Cook a meal that you find easy and even fun to prepare. Ensure that the meals are balanced.

1. Resist the temptation...

...to cook some exotic Japanese dish that you're not even sure how to pronounce and had never laid eyes on until you opened Google five minutes ago. Cook something you're confident with. Don't try a recipe for the first time (unless you are, in fact, Nigella).

2.Keep your balance

Dinner party table. When planning your menu, avoid too many heavy dishes and think about how they go together. Would you fancy eating quiche, followed by pie, followed by tart? Too much pastry, too much stodge! You might want to choose a theme too, like Italian or Spanish food.

Sourced from:http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-dinner-party-tips

A good dinner party is also a good play party. Your guests will be delighted to play games and this is an affordable way to get them entertained. Games buy you time so that when you have to finish up something, your guests are focused on something else.

playing-cards-1201258_1920

Traditional Board Games

Whether you become a wealthy tycoon in Monopoly or rule the world in Risk, playing silly games after dinner is an age old pastime-- and a really fun thing to do at a dinner party. Think this is passé and old fashioned? It's not! I have friends whose monthly board game nights are anticipated with real relish. Whether its charades or board games you can all have a great time. Every game is different and engaging in its own way.

Silly Kiddie Games

Or how about reverting back to your childhood and play Chutes and Ladders or Candy Land? While it may sound silly, sometimes even the oldest of games are great fun when you are all grown up. They take the tension off of being a grown up and remind you of those days what was important was having fun. Plus, the utter silly simpleness of these games will make the whole thing a bit more casual-- and keep conversation flowing while everyone plays.

Another fun thing to do at a dinner party along these same lines is to make the whole thing a theme. Along with playing kiddie board games, have everybody choose a dish from their childhood that they love. Or make gourmet version of classic kid favorites. A whole night of celebrating childhoods past will make for a very special memory for your guests.

Sourced from:http://www.divinedinnerparty.com/fun-things-to-do-at-a-dinner-party.html