10-tasty-lunchbox-alternatives-sandwiches

I pack my own lunch while I prepare my daughter's. Hers goes in a purple lunch sack with kittens on the front. Mine simply goes back into the fridge for me to eat later. I work from home, so having it ready to go saves me time and helps me stay focused. I was in a sandwich rut for a while, but have broken free!

Here are some alternatives to packing a sandwich every single day.

Make your own "lunchable"

Slice your favorite deli meats and cheeses into cracker size pieces. Add crackers and a piece of fruit. I've used left over slices of chicken, steak or kielbasa in place of the lunch meat.

Wrap it up

Tortillas are a fun alternative to bread. You can fill them with whatever you'd put on a sandwich. Roll them up tightly and either leave them whole or cut them into spirals. My daughter loves peanut butter, honey and banana inside a whole wheat tortilla.

Homemade pizza

Use a pita, pizza crust (either store-bought or homemade), tortilla or hamburger roll to make your own pizza. Top it with sauce, cheese and anything else you need to use up in your fridge. I love to make mine with pesto, feta and leftover veggies.

Dip it!

I always pack lots of extra napkins for this one! Put a hearty, protein filled dip in a container. Turkey chilli, hummus or black bean dip are good options. Throw in veggie slices and tortilla chips for dipping.

Throw in leftovers

Some leftovers taste fine cold. Leftover slices of grilled chicken or steak are great lunch starters. Add yogurt, baby carrots and whole grain crackers to complete the meal.

Use the thermos

In the age of reusable water bottles and juice boxes, most thermoses go unused. My daughter's lunchbox didn't even come with one, but it was inexpensive to purchase. I fill it with soup or macaroni and cheese.

Food on a stick

Use a straw instead of wooden skewers for little ones. This is a fun way to use up leftovers. Put chunks of meat, cheese, veggies or bread cubes on the stick. I like to include honey mustard for dipping.

Use your fingers

Kids love being encouraged to eat with their fingers - and I do, too! Fill individual baggies with rolled up ham slices, chunks of cheese, grapes, a hard-boiled egg, Teddy Grahams and celery sticks.

Pasta salad

This is another way I use up leftovers. I start with plain leftover pasta. Then I add in either leftover meat or slice up deli meat. I throw in whatever fruits, vegetables or cheese looks appealing, along with some salad dressing. Toss it together for a delicious meal.

Salad bar

Start with a container of lettuce or baby spinach. Add in baggies of other toppings, such as additional veggies, fruits, meats, cheeses or nuts. Include a small container of dressing. You or your child can add the other ingredients to the lettuce bowl at lunch time, put the lid back on and shake it all up to distribute the dressing.

My daughter's friends are always jealous when she has something other than a sandwich in her lunchbox. There are still plenty of days I just throw in a PB&J sandwich, but mixing it up saves us from boredom. We're also eating a great variety of foods, including vegetables.

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:57

10-salt-alternatives-spice

It has been more than 15 years since I have used salt in my cooking. I only have salt in my house for three reasons:
1. For dying fabric, salt will help the dye absorb better

2. Salt sometimes helps with cleaning projects

3. Every now and then I have a guest who is so used to shaking lots of salt they just need to put salt on an apple slice or something else that makes me cringe.

In my mind salt has no place in cooking because it does nothing to enhance the flavor, and it only ends up making you thirsty. Additionally, as health resources repeatedly tell us, salt and high sodium content is dangerous to one's heart health, circulation and blood pressure. High sodium and salt diets can literally kill you over time.

The good news is that throwing away the salt shaker is not much of a sacrifice when you become tuned in to the true flavors of food and flavors of alternative spices.

The reason people tend to like salt is because it adds some kind of kick or zing or wakes up the tongue in the taste process. Fortunately, salt alternatives can act just as perky and be a lot more exciting.

Here are 10 salt alternatives you can start incorporating into your diet and cooking right away.

1. Use garlic powder as a salt alternative. Do NOT use garlic salt or you defeat the purpose. The garlic powder enhances most cooking and livens it up, from meat to fish to poultry to soups, pastas, stir fry and more.

2. Fresh ground black pepper is a great salt alternative. There is a huge difference between shaking black pepper and using fresh ground black pepper. Fresh ground black pepper is a more intense and aromatic flavor. It is not expensive either and you don't need to have a pepper grinder or mill. In fact you can get black pepper in its own grinder at the dollar store, or at walgreens for about a buck. It will last a good long time. You simply unscrew the cap and you twist the grinder top clockwise and counter clockwise in an alternating fashing and you instantly produce the black pepper flakes to season your food. It smells wonderful and tastes delicious. In fact 90% of my cooking I just use garlic powder and fresh ground black pepper and it seems to be perfectly seasoned!

3. Soy sauce is another great salt alternative. It packs far less sodium than salt and gives a good salty punch if you like the taste of salt. You can also buy reduced sodium soy sauce or "lite" soy sauce.

4. Onion powder, NOT onion salt, is another salt alternative. Be sure to go easy when you first start using it because it is a fairly concentrated taste.

5. Fresh squeezed lemon juice is a wonderful salt alternative. Fresh squeezed is so much better than concentrate. One of the easiest and cleanest ways to squeeze a lemon is with a citrus juicer. It will maximize the juice yield and filter out those seeds. Lemon juice can be added after the item is cooked or in the case of raw produce, right before serving. Lemon juice also acts as a natural preservative, so it will keep fresh cut fruit from turning brown.

6. Lime juice is another salt alternative. Try adding it to water instead of drinking soda or pop. It will give your drink a kick. Lime is also great for making homemade salsa's. Do an internet search on recipes using lime and you will be pleasantly surprised out how many meal ideas can be enhances with a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice.

7. Fresh roasted garlic. If you love garlic, nothing beats fresh. You can mince garlic, or grate garlic or chop it or even slice it thin. You know the powerful taste of garlic and you won't miss salt at all because garlic as a salt alternative is a real taste sensation. Try roasting garlic with olive oil also.

8. For a crunchier salt alternative, try using unsalted ground sunflower seeds or sesame seeds, they make great toppings to salads, stir fry and other roasted foods too.

9. For cold deli style salads, try using mustard or some pickle juice for notching up the salty taste but reducing the salt and sodium level way down. Just learn to ignore the salt part of recipes. It usually has no taste effect to just skip the salt part of a recipe!

10. Don't forget about the sweet. Sweet can add zing to foods and cooking also. Try cooking chicken in orange juice and reduced sugar marmalade for wonderful orange chicken! Try using sweetened dried cranberries (such as craisins) to perk up a carrot salad, or other meal. Sweet and sour and tart tastes often satisfy the taste buds and provide a great salt alternative.

Start looking at your cooking in a new way and you will realize giving up salt is hardly sacrifice and can be fun. You will probably become a better cook because of it

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:48

10-blogs-food

Everyone has to eat, therefore if you spend any amount of time in front of a computer screen you can't claim you would have no interest in reading about food. Okay, maybe if you're in prison and have no say over what you consume then you may lack interest. But all others, you've got no excuse. If you're not already, start treating your tastebuds. You can begin by getting ideas of places to eat or recipes to cook by visiting these blogs about food.
1. SLICE - Pizza is a great equalizer of food. No matter where you go in the world you're likely to find a some form of the cheesy treat. At Slice "America's Favorite Pizza Weblog" you can find out about fantastic pizza joints all over the world. While Slice does feature much of its pizza related reviews on parlors in and around New York City there are posts on this blog about pizza in Japan, Russia, and even Vietnam. Besides reviewing pizza restaurants, Slice even reviews take-home pizza-like items such as pizza rolls. A surprising post from last week included a note about a chocolate pizza being served at the just opened Max Brenner chocolate shop.

2. HOT SAUCE BLOG - An entire blog dedicated to hot sauce? With the growing popularity of hot wings it shouldn't really come as such a surprise. The creator of the blog, Nick Lindauer knows what he's talking about having created his own line of hot sauce, Sweat 'N Spice Hot Sauces. This food blog is not just an advertisement for his own products though. When you visit Hot Sauce Blog you can expect to find reviews on all types of hot sauces (be honest, aren't you a little lost when you look at the many different hot sauces staring back at you at the grocery store?) which rate the sauces on a number of categories including packaging, aroma, appearance, taste, and heat.


3. A HAMBURGER TODAY - This food blog is a sister site to Slice, but of course they aren't identical twins as A Hamburger Today features what else? Hamburgers! At this blog you will find all things hamburger - hamburger toys, hamburger cakes, interviews with hamburger "experts" (such as one with a general manager of a Sonic Drive-In), and yes, even reviews about hamburgers.


4. CHUBBY HUBBY - Though Chubby Hubby is written out of Singapore, eyeballs all around the world will marvel at the professional style food photography on this site. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to lick your computer screen. In addition to the photographs there are recipes for finer food dishes like creme brulee and Moroccan chicken with tomatoes and saffron-honey jam.

5. DINER'S JOURNAL - Diner's Journal by Frank Bruni is actually a New York Times blog. Food snobs, those especially of New York City, will thoroughly enjoy this food blog. In New York City chef are often treated as rock stars, and so in a way this is like their own Page 6. I did expect to be turned off by this blog, but after reading through a few posts, I found that it appealed to even the average food consumer.

6. ACCIDENTAL HEDONIST - The Accidental Hedonist is less recipe and review based and more reading about actual food. Whether the bloggers are talking about whether to freeze or can vegetables for the winter months or what happened to the popularity of donuts, this is a different spin on the food blog.

7. THE BREW LOUNGE - Some people, and by "people" I mean college students, consider beer to be the sixth food group. In going with that thinking, The Brew Lounge blog makes the list of food blogs. If you're interested in home brewing you'll get a lot out of this site (homebrewing recipes) and if you're just a beer drinker you can find out when beer festivals are and where breweries are located.

8. JIMSEVEN - Technically coffee isn't food either, but plenty of people call it their breakfast, and well, breakfast is a meal. This blog is written by a coffee expert. Really. Blogger James Hoffman is the 2006 UK Barista Champion, and placed 5th at the World's, so you can trust him. Come here to read about coffee and coffee shops all around the world.


9. CUPCAKE BAKESHOP - Just like a meal ends with dessert, so does this list of food blogs. Cupcake Baskeshop is a blog devoted to cupcakes. Learn how to bake cupcakes in surprising flavors - caramel apple cupcakes, green tea, lavendar and honey cupcakes, or pistachio cupcakes.


10. COOKIE MADNESS - Cookie Madness is similar to Cupcake Bakeshop, except of course about cookies. It takes the standard cookie and puts a whole new spin on it, finishing with a product you would never have thought to make yourself.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:28

7-great-appetizers-offer-guests

I just came from a wedding at the Westin in Detroit, Michigan. It started at about 5pm in the evening and the reception was soon to follow. It was a beautiful wedding and I'm glad that I was able to go, but I know given the events of the day I was quite hungry. After the wedding we were escorted downstairs to the convention level where there was music playing and waiters passing out light appetizers. Can you say, "thank you Jesus!" You could also get a beverage from the bar if you were thirsty; they offered alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Needless to say by that time I was very appreciative of the appetizers and the waiters.
For about an hour the appetizers kept coming out and you could dine before the reception and mingle with the guests who were in attendance. It was a great atmosphere for an event like this and I know I enjoyed those shrimp egg rolls and chicken appetizers that seemed to flow like a waterfall. If I had it to do all over again, I would consider a venue like that and I might even consider having a "pre-reception" event where people can just mingle and have fun.

For those of you who are having an event like this, you may be trying to figure out what to offer your guests. I know given that we were in a hotel that the menu was probably fixed and/or you had a limited selection as far as appetizer options. I want to give you some suggestions as far as appetizers you can offer your guests before the main reception that will take the edge off the hunger...

Egg Rolls - the most common ones are shrimp or vegetable. Consider both for those who may be allergic to shellfish.

Wingettes - you have many options here. You can do BBQ, Jerk, buffalo, plain, or any other assortment of flavoring that you desire.

Crab Rangoon - if you're not familiar with this one it's basically crabmeat with cream cheese in a fried wonton wrapper.

Vegetables with dressing - yes, the traditional celery, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower with ranch dressing or perhaps Italian dressing

Cheese - provolone, swiss, Colby, cheddar... there are a number of cheese options you can have

Meatballs with sauce - you can have turkey or beef meatballs for this option. The only thing I'd be hesitant about is that the sauce may be a bit messy.

Sliced fruit - a classic favorite of sliced pineapple, apple, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and honeydew for a healthy appetizer option

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:41

5-nonalcoholic-beverages

I've read a lot of pieces online that talk about having a romantic dinner with a glass of wine, or a bottle of wine. I see recipes often that mention what kind of wine to drink with your entrée. What if a person doesn't have a bottle of wine available... or even drink wine for that matter? I know me personally I'm not one to drink liquor. I've tasted wine before and have cooked with wine, but I don't normally have a glass even on special occasions.

• Bottles of wine at a good place (this is for a romantic dinner right? So we need to have the good stuff!) can easily go for $20... $30... $100. Of course if you just frequent the local grocer for something reasonable I'm sure you can get away with $5 or $10 for a bottle. I want to provide some alternatives for people who don't drink or need a more cost-efficient beverage alternative with a romantic meal.

Let's consider the following:

1. Sparkling Cider or Sparkling Fruit Juice

I'd recommend sparking apple cider, sparking peach juice, or sparking grape juice in particular. These are great non-alcoholic options for a romantic dinner. You can usually find them for about $3.00 (give/take) per bottle. If you can't get to a place where you can get a bottle, the alternative would be to puree some fruit, or get some fruit nectar and add some seltzer water or club soda. It doesn't have quite the same effect, but it's close.

2. Ice Cream Float

I know many of you are thinking that an ice cream float is NOT romantic... but remember, romance is not so much in the content, but it's also in the presentation. Let me explain. What is an ice cream float made of? Ice cream and pop, right? Well, here's your chance to be romantic with some ice cream and pop... get a flute (not the musical instrument, the glass) or a goblet, put in 1-2 small scoops of ice cream and your favorite soda, and let it come as close to the top as possible. Add a cherry on top, or whipped cream, and you have a fun, romantic beverage. I can hear some of you saying, "yeah right." I really believe some couples will find this romantic.

3. Strawberry Virgin Daiquiri

I found a good recipe base for a virgin strawberry daiquiri here. If you read that recipe, what I'd recommend you do afterwards is to blend it so that everything blends together. If you don't have strawberries, consider using peaches.

4. Shirley Temple

A Shirley Temple consists of cranberry juice and a carbonated lemon/lime beverage. Some use 7-Up, some use Sierra Mist, some use Sprite. Whatever your choice is, be sure to add a cherry on top and enjoy this potent beverage.

5. Smoothies

Make your own smoothie combination for your romantic dinner. Smoothies are great if you have particular theme in mind. For example, for the fall, you can go with an orange/brown theme and make a smoothie with fall fruits, or fruits with fall colors like cantaloupe, honeydew, or strawberry. Try something new and exciting with your spouse. Each of you pick two fruits that you want to put in and let the blender do the rest.

Hopefully this will help you find a beverage that will be romantic and be fun to make. Remember, romance isn't just about elegance; it's also about enjoying one another and having fun together.

Publisher: uuibbui - 08:50

5-halloween-candy-alternatives

Halloween is usually the time in which children stuff themselves so full of sugar that they're up all night vomiting. Guardians warn their children about the dangers of upset stomachs and rotten teeth, but children hardly heed these well-meaning pieces of advice. Whether you're looking to save the neighborhood children of root canals or protecting the health of your own children, the following are five fun alternatives for the usual Halloween sugar-laden mischief.

• Be warned: you will inevitably be labeled "that lame house on the corner that doesn't hand out the good stuff," with most things you can think of. That's just life. The fact of the matter is that children don't want raisins, and they think candy bars are lame. As much as they'll be quite happy to eat them every other day of the week and thoroughly enjoy them during snack time, there's something inherently insipid about raisins on Halloween night. They might even resent you, but this won't last forever. They'll enjoy having teeth in ten years.

Sugar-Free Candy

With diabetes on the rise, sugar free candy has seen a market increase in recent years. Sugar free candy is available at the majority of grocery stores, and even some gas stations. Most would agree that these sugar-free varieties taste just as good as the normal candy, so kids won't feel like they're missing out on anything.

Temporary Tattoos

What's more Halloween than spider webs and witches tattooed across your kid's forehead?

False Teeth

Buy them the nastiest variety and tell your children that's what their teeth will look like if they continue to eat so much candy. Force them to wear them out in public and smile a lot. It just might work.

Bubbles and Silly Spray

Bubbles are always fun, but silly spray is just deliciously mischievous. The neighborhood parents will hate you, but the children will hardly notice the lack of candy when they're running around screaming and spraying each other with pink liquid plastic.

General Party Favors

You know the isle - the one where your kid gets wide eyed and suddenly disappears, only to be found shortly thereafter gazing longingly at the colored whistles? If it excites them at birthday parties, it will excite them at Halloween too. Put together little goody bags and load them up with only the best items.

With a little effort and thought, you might able to avoid being that lame house that passes out the apples. But only with some careful consideration.

Publisher: uuibbui - 08:07

5-great-side-dishes-Of-duck

A very sophisticated, delicious main course to serve during a dinner party is duck. And you can truly appreciate duck only with a side dish that enhance the savor of duck meat. If you intend to cook a duck for your guests or for your family, you need to pick the perfect side dish. Duck meat is tender, sweet and, unlike turkey or chicken, there's a lot of meat on the bones. The best side dishes for duck are those based on vegetables, accompanied by sour and sweet gravy.

• Cabbage works great with duck. It might not sound so glamorous, but if it's cooked right, cabbage is an extraordinary side dish for duck. Chop the cabbage as finely as you can. Put a large pan on fire and add some sort of fat. If you have duck fat, it's perfect. If not, you can simply replace the duck fat with butter or a good quality vegetable oil. Wait until the fat from the pan heats up and add the finely chopped cabbage. For about 15 minutes, keep stirring inside the pan, to avoid burning the cabbage. After the cabbage turns softer and gets some color, you can put a few drops of water, to help the cabbage cooks better. The cabbage is done when it becomes really soft and tender and gets a caramel-like flavor and color. Generally, you need about 30 minutes to cook the cabbage. It's a very simple, but sweet and flavored side dish, that works great with duck.

• Roasted vegetables are another great side dish you can serve with duck. It's very easy to make, it will take you only 10 minutes to prepare and another about 50 minutes in the oven. You can use all your favorite vegetables: carrots, celery and parsley roots, onions or garlic. Cut all the vegetables in pieces that have about the same size, wash them in cold water and let them dry. In the mean time, take a large pan, add some olive oil inside and start flavoring the oil with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, rosemary and oregano. Mix the olive oil and the flavors very well, and then add the vegetables. Make sure that the vegetables picked up some flavored oil on all sides. Cover the pan with some aluminum foil and place it in the hot oven for about 30 minutes. Then uncover the pan and let it inside the oven for another 20 minutes, until all the vegetables are well roasted.

• A warm red beet salad also goes very well with duck. Although it might take you a while to cook the red beet, the savor of this salad will perfectly complement the taste of duck meat. The first step is to cook the red beet. Wash them really well and put them inside the hot oven, in a pan covered with parchment paper. That step will take a while '" red beets taste much better if you bake the entire root, without cutting it in small pieces. However, it will take about two hours for the red beets to be bakes. Once they are ready, you have to chop the as finely as you can. Flavor the red beet salad with olive oil, salt, a pinch of sugar, a small quantity of horseradish and a generous amount of caraway seeds.

• Mashed potatoes with caramelized onions are a sweet and flavored side dish, ideal for duck. Prepare the mashed potatoes as you normally do, with plenty of butter and milk. Cut the onions in slices and put them in a hot pan with olive oil, stirring continuously. In about 20 minutes, the onions will become soft and caramelized '" they are ready when the color is light brown. The combination between the mash potatoes, caramelized onions and duck is just divine.

• Mashed pumpkin is simply delicious with duck. Bake the pumpkin in the oven, and after is completely cooked just mash it with butter, milk, salt and pepper, until it becomes a rich, creamy paste.

Jamie Highland writes about events and parties, like weddings and baby showers. To read more articles or to find out more themes for a baby shower like duck baby shower theme or to check out some more baby shower favors, visit My Baby Shower Favors.

Publisher: uuibbui - 08:03

5-dinner-recipes-with-oranges

I have always been a huge fan of citrus fruits with oranges being my favorite. I was 18 years old when I first tried to use oranges in a main dish recipe. Eleven years later, I am still using oranges when I cook dinner. Oranges make great side items, but in this article I am going to focus on the main course. However, I also want to share with you a few of my favorite side dishes made with oranges.

Orange Cranberry Chicken Salad

This has got to be my all time favorite summer dinner. It is super simple to make, not to mention it is a light and cool dinner for those hot summer evenings. Take some romaine lettuce and tear the hearts into salad sized pieces. Place the torn lettuce into a bowl full of ice water and keep it in the fridge for at least half an hour. This helps to make sure that the lettuce is extremely crisp for your salad. Once you are ready to build your salad, drain the lettuce thoroughly and place it into the salad bowls. top the lettuce with any form of cooked chicken. You can use leftover grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken purchased from your local grocer or even boiled chicken. Just don't use anything with any sort of thick or heavily flavored sauce. Then sprinkle onto the salad some dried cranberries. Now for the oranges! Drain some canned mandarin oranges and sprinkle some oranges onto each salad. You do not want to over do it with the cranberries or the oranges. Make sure you have plenty, but not too many. Your salad is finished now except for the dressing. The best dressing for this salad is a simple red wine vinaigrette. Let everyone dress the salad themselves because some people like more dressing than others. It is sure to be a huge hit at your house. I know it is at mine!

Orange Shrimp with Avocado

In a bowl mix together some ground coriander and salt. Toss one and a half pounds of peeled and deveined shrimp in the salt mixture. In a separate bowl stir together some orange juice, orange zest, lime juice, salt, coriander, and some cayenne pepper. Add to the orange juice mixture some bell pepper strips, diced red onion, and some fresh cilantro. Broil the shrimp for about three minutes turning them once during cooking. Add the cooked shrimp to the juice mixture and refrigerate for 2 hours. when ready to serve top with avocado chunks and pumpkin seeds. Is your mouth watering as much as mine is right now? What a fantastic and healthy meal that will be!

Pork Chops with an Orange Glaze

Sprinkle some nice thick pork chops with salt and pepper, then dredge them with some all purpose flour. Brown pork chops on both sides in some heated vegetable oil. Mix together in a separate bowl some orange juice, orange marmalade, brown sugar and some vinegar. Pour this over the pork chops. Reduce your heat, cover your dish and simmer for 45 minutes. Add some steamed vegetables on the side and this will be one perfect meal for the fall or winter!

Marinated Turkey Breast

Sometimes oranges can just be used as a marinade and this recipe is a great example of that. Marinate some boneless and skinless turkey breast in orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and oregano. It is best to make the marinade ahead of time and reserve some of it for later. Refrigerate the turkey in the marinade all day, turning the turkey on occasion. Grill the turkey until fully cooked, brush the turkey with the reserved marinade. This will be the most delicious grilled turkey you will ever eat!

Okay, those are just a few of my favorite orange inspired main dishes, now I want to share with you my 2 favorite side dishes using oranges.

Fruit Salad in Orange Bowls

Just about everyone has a fruit salad recipe. I like to use whatever fruits I have on hand and mix them together in either a bit of fruit juice, or in some vanilla yogurt. I almost always have oranges at my house so you often find oranges in my fruit salad. I have three children who don't always want to eat vegetables with their dinner, so sometimes I will make a fruit salad to go along with dinner. Whenever I use oranges in my fruit salad I always make it even more fun and use my orange peel as my bowl for my fruit salad. You have to be more cautious about getting the fruit out of the peel of course, but it is a nice fun and beautiful touch on any plate.

Roasted Vegetables

This is such a great fall recipe, and it is perfect for when you have guests over. It is delicious and pretty fancy too! Roast some new potatoes, some parsnips, some sweet potatoes, carrots, and pickling onions by tossing in a bit of oil and baking at 400 degrees for almost an hour. It is best to toss the vegetables every fifteen minutes or so. After you take the vegetables out of the oven sprinkle them with some poppy seeds. While your vegetables are cooking, you will need to make the delicious orange dressing to go over your vegetables. The dressing calls for orange juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar and some sesame oil. Mix the dressing together well and then pour over the warm vegetables. Transfer the vegetables to your serving bowl and top with some thinly sliced Brie and serve. What a way to wow anyone at your dinner table!

I love getting creative when I am cooking. Hopefully some of these recipes have inspired you to try something new when you are making your next meal!

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:37

5-delicious-marinade-receipes

Here are 5 versatile marinades that will tempt your taste buds and make everyone think you are a master griller!

Marinade #1 Orange Teriyaki Marinade

• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
• 1 cup orange juice 
• 1 tbsp of oregano 
• salt and pepper to taste 
• 2 tbsp dill weed 
• 1/3 cup lemon juice 
• 4 cloves of garlic pressed

In a zipper bag, put in 4 pieces of steak or chicken breast and all ingredients above. Make sure all sides are covered in marinade. Put into refrigerator at least 1 to 2 hrs (best results are overnight).
Take out meat from bag and grill both sides until cooked through. This will be a sweeter marinade, and the acid from the juice will break up the toughness of the meat. You may serve with a side of teriyaki sauce and some rice.

Marinade #2 Citrus pepper for steak and chicken

In this marinade, the Citrus pepper gives zing to the meat, with no salt!

In a zipper bag combine 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice and 2 tbsp pepper and 1 tbsp of sugar. Make sure it is mixed well.

Put in steak or chicken into bag and make sure mixture covers meat. Chill for 4 hrs (if in hurry) or overnight so meat takes in all the flavor and tenderizes. Grill meat until done to your specifications.

Marinade #3 Dry rub

In a bowl combine these ingredients 2 tsp black peppercorn (ran through grinder), 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tbsp paprika, 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1/2 tbsp coriander (ground), 1 tsp mustard powder 1/2 tbsp ground garlic powder (or crushed fresh garlic)

Cover both sides of meat with mixture and grill to desired doneness.

Marinade #4 Sweet and Savory Onion marinade with red or white wine

In a zipper bag, combine 1 package of golden onion or onion soup mix, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup of red or white wine (my favorite is burgendy for steak and a sweet white wine, even white zinfandel for chicken.) Salt and Pepper 1/4 tsp of each, 2 tbsp dijon mustard and some lemon and lime zest.

Put meat in bag and set overnight. Grill until done to your specifications!

Marinade #5 Spicy and smokey chipotle marinade (not for the faint of heart). This will add a punch to your dish!

• 1/2 package ancho chilies (dried) 1 oz (take out seeds) 
• 1/2 package green jalapeno (dried) 1 oz (take out seeds depending on how spicy you'd like it!) 
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 
• 4 cloves garlic 
• 1 package of onion soup mix 
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 
• 4 chicken breasts or small steaks (6 ounces each) 
• liquid smoke

Instructions:

 Soak dry chilies overnight in water, until soft. Add all ingredients except meat in food processor. Puree until smooth. Spread mixture over chicken, or other meats and refrigerate at least 5 hours, up to 24 hours. After marinading, heat grill til hot, approximately 375 degrees, or if cooking inside, heat small amount of oil in skillet or grill pan over high heat. Grill lightly, turning only once, until done. 4 minutes per side for chicken, 8-10 minutes per side for 3/4" thick steak. Before completed, sprinkle with liquid smoke to add smokey flavor.

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:35

5-delicious-cottage-cheese-recipes

Cottage Cheese. What more can you say? Its delicious, its good for you, and there is even a Diet dedicated to it.
So, without further adue, lets look at 5 ways you can enjoy your Cottage Cheese

Tomato Cottage Cheese

This one is so delicous, I could eat mountains of it.

What you'll need from the store:

• -Salt 
• -Pepper 
• -Fresh Tomatoes 
• -Fresh Onion

Depending on how much cottage cheese you have, will determine how many tomatoes or how much onion to put in. For the normal small container of cottage cheese, I would put in 1 tomato and half an onion. Either way, the only thing you have to do is chop your onion up into little tiny pieces, than chop your tomato into small pieces and throw them both into the cottage cheese. Than you add in a little salt and pepper to taste, stir it up good, and gobble it down!

Sour Cream and Onion Cottage Cheese

Are you a fan of Sour Cream and Onion dips or chips? I love them! That how I came up with this bright idea.

What you'll need from the store:

• -Sour Cream 
• -Fresh Chives 
• -Fresh Onion 
• -A Little Mayo

Take your onion and chop it into little tiny pieces. Than take your chives and do the same. Mix them into your cottage cheese thoroughly. Than get out your sour cream and take a couple of spoonfuls and add it to your mixture. Becareful with the sour cream though. If you get to much in there it will taste funny. Its better to add a small amount first and then taste, before adding more. Take a small spoonful of your mayo and add it to the mixture. Stir these ingredients up very very well. Than eat!

BTW - This also make a great dip!

Pineapple Cottage Cheese

this is a really good one, and a classic in my family.

What you'll need from the store:
-Canned Pineable Chunks in Juice

What you want to do it use a fork to pull out the pineapple from the can and then place it into the cottage cheese. This will keep a bunch of the pineapple juice in the fruit. Mix it in well. Than, if your like me and you like that pineapple flavor, pour just a hint more of it on top and mix it in. Than eat!

Peaches and Cream

Ok, so there's no real cream in this recipe, but its still creamy, dreamy and delicious!

What you'll need from the store:
-Fresh Canned Peaches

Most canned peaches come in pre-cut slices. You will want to cut them up a little more into bite sized pieces, than mix them into your cottage cheese. Thats it! Eat it you silly person!

If you want a real sensation, add a little sugar to it!

Cottage Cheese Pasta

Ok, to save time I am not going to go through a recipe here. This is because cottage cheese can go into any of your favorite pasta recipes, as long as you are using a tomato based sauce. You can put it in your Lasanga, manicotti, or spaghettii. What ever feels good at the time. Just try it out! You'll love it!

Well, I hope you will go out and try these recipes, they are delicious and good for you!

Thanks!

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:33

5-delicious-flushing-street-snacks

Every time I visit Chinatown or Flushing, I can't help but stop at every food stall to savor the cheap, dirty but delicious street snacks. I've formed almost a habit now that I hit all my regular vendors in one trip. Here are my top all-time favorite street snacks that you and your family will love. (It's also great for a fun and cheap date!)

1. Lamb Kabobs

Muslim or Chinese, Eastern or Western, you can't help but fall in love with these fall-off-the-skewer-good kabobs. It comes a variety of meat ranging from the traditional (beef, chicken, lamb) to the absurd (chicken liver, duck tongue). If you like some heat, ask for a sprinkle of hot cumin on top for an authentic tasting Xinjiang style kabob. Most skewers run at $1.25, so you can mix and match to share these fun-to-eat skewers with your friends (or date).

2. Peking Duck Wraps

Probably the mother of all duck wraps (and maybe what inspired David Chang's pork bun empire), this is healthy flavor packed in a chewy white bun. There are actual spruces of real green onions jutting out of the soft bun alongside to a thick layer of duck and sauce. And at the price of $1/wrap, three of them will serve as a lovely lunch.

3. Scallion Pancakes

Find these pancakes at $1 each at the place under the Main Street bridge. If you get lucky, they'll be filled with scallions, but oftentimes not so much. But at least you'll get a mouthful of crunchy sesame flat bread!

4. Potstickers

A house staple in any Chinese restaurant, the taste really depends on which location you get them at. The one I like the best are the pork and chive ones that are hot off the grill, crunchy on the outside with a crispy skin with a juicy, succulent interior on the inside. They usually go four for a $1.25, and you can often buy frozen ones to enjoy at home.

5. Bubble Tea

After gorging on these cheap and delicious eats, you'll definitely need some bubble tea to wash it all down. Get it in red bean, taro or for an exotic change, grapefruit or pineapple. I like to load mine with herb jelly, because the tapioca bubbles can get too much to handle. Some tea joints like Sharetea and Chatime have 2-for-1 specials for less than $3, so you can mix and match different flavors for the price of pocket change.

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:23

4-hot-kitchen-gadgets

Gourmac Cookie Stamps

In the old days Great Grandma used to make shortbread and butter cookies that had designs stamped on the cookies rather than cookie shapes that most cookie makers create with shaped cookie cutters like gingerbread men and stars and hearts. Our grandmothers used hard glass to impress the dough and leave a lasting mark as a signature design. Today, however, you can recapture that nostalgia by creating your own stamped shortbread cookies using a durable acrylic cookie stamper made by Gourmac. A set of 12 stamps cost under $9. A great bargain and a great conversation piece. Gourmac makes 2 different kinds of sets, one in nostalgia designs, and another in a winter holiday motif. Because these cookie stamps are made of acrylic, the Gourmac people say they are safe to use with children. And as an added bonus, they are even dishwasher safe.

Gourmac Seafood Utensils 

Seafood Utensils are not only functional, but the folks at Gourmac have created a wonderful assortment of fun and festive tools to deal with all kinds of seafoods. The tools are stainless steel and the handles are cute and attractive polyresin sculptures from lobster and crab shapes to seashell cocktail picks to clam shaped clam knives. Whether you need an oyster knife or a shrimp deveiner or a crab fork, these hot little kitchen gadgets will be the talk of your next seafood party and you'll want to buy several pieces. Priced at about $4 per tool, these are a steal of a deal.

Gourmac Roast-In-Hand Lifter

Imagine lifting a roasted chicken or ham or even turkey with ease as you transport it from large roasting pan to cutting board or serving platter. Well that is exactly what you can do with the Gourmac Roast-In-Hand Lifter which resembles a large mechanical hand! The special wide and multi pronged hand-like tongs will have you serving with grace under pressure as your holiday dinner guests watch you remove your mouth-watering roasted masterpiece from the oven. It is heat resistant and dishwasher safe and even has the ability to be folded compactly when not in use for easy and efficient storage. For just under $20 you will want this hot gadget for all your holidays!

http://www.gourmac.com/roli.html

Gourmac Garlic Slicer and Shredder

Any cook worth his salt loves to use garlic. And anyone who loves garlic will love this awesome hot kitchen gadget that serves two great purposes. Gourmac makes an ergonomic Garlic slicer that slices on one side and shreds on the other. The blade is stainless steel and the handle is shaped as a hand-protector. There is a rubber non-stick base and the garlic is tightly gripped. Dishwasher safe too! All this for just under $5 and you can buy it online here.

Publisher: uuibbui - 00:10

4-great-pumpkin-crafts-toddlers

Grab those toddlers and get them involved with the rest of your kids crafting this fall season. Here are some great craft ideas that will delight your toddlers as well as your other kids!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

You'll need:
1 box of Spice Cake Mix
1/3 cup Oil (do not add 1/3 cup extra if box directions already have this)
1 smaller-size Canned Solid Pumpkin (approximately 8-10 oz. can)
1 pkg. Cupcake Papers
3 containers Frosting, 1 White, 1 Orange and 1 Dark Chocolate (or make your own)
1 container Halloween Sprinkles
1 bag multi-colored Gummy Worms
1 bag Raisins

Secure your little one into their highchair with the tray attached, hand them a mixing bowl and spoon, allowing them to mix the Spice Cake Mix, Oil and the can of Solid Pumpkin (instead of the water on the cake box directions). Do not add the eggs until you've taken the bowl from your child, you will mix the raw eggs yourself.

Prior to adding the eggs, trade your toddler the Cupcake Papers and a muffin baking tin. Instruct your toddler to put the paper liners into the muffin tins, while you add the eggs and finish mixing the batter. Fill the muffin tins and bake according to the package directions for cupcakes, or 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes (until golden or when a knife poke comes out clean). Allow to cool about ½ hour to prevent melting the frosting.

While waiting for the cupcakes to cook and cool, have the kids open up (or make your own) cupcake frosting. Have your little ones dip the cooled cupcakes into the icing, top first and they're ready to decorate with sprinkles, multi-color gummy worms and/or raisins. Suggest pumpkin faces, eyes, nose and mouth while asking your child to point out their own facial features.

This toddler cooking/decorating craft teaches your child science. By mixing liquids and solids, and baking the gooey batter with oven heat forcing a change in its chemical composition, the colors and decorations of fall, while reinforcing language and facial recognition.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds 

(Don't worry your little one won't be eating or choking on these.)

You'll need:
1 medium to small Pumpkin (with a stem)
Sea Salt

Cut around the top of your Pumpkin (with stem) and set it aside to use in the next craft (read ahead to get ideas for cutting your pumpkin top off). Have your toddler hollow out the pumpkin, pulling out the squishy strings and seeds to place into a bowl, while you and/or your older kids separate out the seeds. Set the pumpkin aside for the last project.

Rinse the seeds off with water, spread onto a flat cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea-salt. Bake in the oven on low (about 250 degrees) until golden and crisp ½ hour to 1 hour, or until the seeds are as crunchy as you'd like them, without burning. This is a choking hazard for children under three years old so instead have them snack on raisins during this project.

This craft teaches tactile experimentation with a substance most of us don't usually come in contact with, plus it feels Halloween squishy. Your toddler also gets to taste the insides of a nutritious raw pumpkin while cleaning it out.

Pumpkin Stamping

You'll need:
Pumpkin Top (w/stem from above)
Several 8 ½" x 11" Cardstock Paper, or white Cardboard
1 Ink Pad, Non-toxic, Washable Orange Ink

Show your child how to dab the Pumpkin Top on the Orange Ink Pad and stamp pumpkins onto your Cardstock or Cardboard. Allow to dry and hang on the refrigerator! Pumpkin pictures for the holidays!

You could draw Jack-O-Lantern faces on them with marker pens, if you'd like. Put the pumpkin top back onto your hollowed-out pumpkin for the next craft.

This craft teaches recycled art using a live plant substance for the rubber stamp. It also helps with hand/eye coordination and is a lot of fun for your toddler.

Decorated Porch-Pumpkin/Jack-O-Lantern

1 jar Black Finger Paint
1 jar Red Finger Paint
1 jar Blue Finger Paint
1 package Sponge Brushes
1 package Sponge Triangles
2 Miniature Pumpkins (optional)

If you enjoy cutting out your pumpkins, go ahead carve it and keep a touch or tap-light in it instead of candle fire. I have however found a better way to engage little ones (as well as older children) with a safe decorated porch-pumpkin craft.

Using your hollowed-out pumpkin with inked-up stem-top back on top, help your toddler paint a Jack-O-Lantern face, multi-colored curly hair and anything else your child wants to paint onto your porch pumpkin. If your toddler has difficulty with a larger pumpkin let them try painting miniature pumpkins. Allow painted pumpkins to dry.

Your older kids can then take the painted porch pumpkin and glue on fall leaves for additional hair with a cool glue gun (or white craft glue). They could also add gourds for ears, hats, etc. Or even turn the pumpkin into a turkey by gluing multi-colored feathers behind in a fan-shape, with a gourd for the head and neck.

This porch-pumpkin craft teaches shapes, paints and colors applied to a round, bumpy object while your older kids learn problem-solving skills as they combine dimensional objects with nature art.

Here are four great fall pumpkin crafts combining science, art, recycling, nature and problem-solving lessons for all your kids. You'll give your toddlers a head-start into using the scientific process, and by engaging all five of your child's senses lessons are clearly remembered and enjoyed.

Publisher: uuibbui - 00:08

4-fabulous-pumpkin-recipes

Pumpkins are things of beauty. We carve them, decorate them, roast pumpkin seeds, and celebrate autumn and Halloween with the festive pumpkin icon. We recall the wonderful smell of fresh pumpkin pie being baked , and many people have happy associations with pumpkins. Anyone who loves squash and squash recipes should be delighted to know that pumpkins are really a variety of squash. The pumpkin is versatile and fun to cook with resulting in many tantalizing treats. Below are four new recipes for pumpkin lovers to try. Enjoy!

Gingersnap Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 cups confectionery sugar 
• 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened 
• 15 ounces canned pumpkin pie filling 
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract 
• 2 tablespoons apple juice 
• 1/2 cup crushed ginger snap cookies

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and cream cheese, beating until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients and then beat with electric mixer. Refrigerate in covered food storage container and serve with ginger snap cookies or vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers. You can even try it spread on toasted bagels.

******

Curried Pumpkin Pasta

Ingredients 

• 8 ounces penne pasta 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 clove garlic , crushed 
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce 
• 15 ounce can solid-packed pumpkin 
• 1 cup half and half 
• 2 teaspoons flour 
• 1 tablespoon curry powder 
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and keep warm.
2. In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and then stir in garlic and let it brown slight;y.
3. Reduce heat and add tomato sauce and pumpkin then stir in half and half.
4. Add curry powder and black pepper and when thoroughly heated, serve immediately over cooked pasta.

yields 4 servings

******

Pumpkin-Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin oil 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar 
• 1/2 Cup blueberry juice 
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and whisk together. Pour into cruet type jar, shake and serve immediately over salad greens.


Yield: 4 servings.

********

Raisin Pecan Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin 
• 3.5 cups flour 
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup white sugar 
• 3 eggs 
• 1 1/4 cup milk 
• 1/4 cup softened margarine 
• 1 cup raisins 
• 1/2 cup chopped or crushed pecans 
• 3 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Put paper or foil muffin cup wrappers into muffin tins.
3. Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in pumpkin and eggs with electric hand mixer.
5. Dredge raisins in 1/2 cup of flour.
6. Sift remaining flour and spices together.
7. Pour milk into a mixing bowl.
8. Mix in dry ingredients by hand until just mixed.
9. Stir in raisins and nuts.
10. Spoon batter into muffin cups in muffin tin.
11. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until tops are golden.

Yields: 2 dozen muffins

Publisher: uuibbui - 00:04

3-tips-find-affordable-health

Unless you've been living on Mars, it won't shock you to hear the cost of health insurance is putting quality or even average health insurance coverage beyond the budget of millions of Americans. Some Americans are without health insurance coverage because their employer doesn't offer it to them and others simply can't afford even what they are offered via their employer or individual health insurance plans. It's clear there is great importance when it comes to being covered by health insurance.
Want to hear the good news? There are ways to find affordable health insurance plans for families, small business owners or singles.

Tip #1: You Don't Need It All

To cut down on the high cost of health insurance plans, beware of plans which cover things you'll never need or use. Chances are you won't need a plan which covers everything but the kitchen sink. This is especially true if you're in pretty decent health and have no plans of leading an overly risky lifestyle anytime soon. Plans which contain higher deductible or higher co-payments come with lower premiums, which can make having health insurance more affordable.

Tip #2: Pick And Choose What You Need

Most plans you'll come across (expensive plans at that) won't let you pick and choose which coverage options you need. However, there are some companies which realize certain things are important to you and your family and other things aren't. For example, if you aren't in your childbearing years, you won't need an expensive maternity rider on your insurance. Affordable health insurance plans usually only cover major health expenses, while more expensive plans will cover everything from A to Z. However, think about what your family currently uses the most and find a company willing to give you a customized health insurance plan to meet your needs and your budget.

Tip #3: Researching And Gathering Quotes Can Be Important

No matter if you have no coverage or are in search of more affordable health insurance, you should take the time to research and gather quotes from various insurance companies and brokers. There are several online sites willing to do the work for you, allowing you to fill out one form and sending you quotes from various insurance companies within a short period of time. It might take a little time, but choosing the right affordable health insurance for your family is important. You need to find a company who is offering you what you need, at a price you can afford.

Publisher: uuibbui - 23:42

3-tips-for -healthier food

Homemade fruit smoothies are a healthier alternative to milkshakes, but what are you putting in yours? There are some simple ways to boost the health benefits of a homemade fruit smoothie without going overboard on creamy ingredients or toppings.
Use Fresh or Frozen Fruit Instead of Fruit Juice

Start out by using a selection of fresh or frozen fruit (with no sugar added) instead of using fruit juice as the main "fruit" ingredient. Fruit juice should only be used to give the fruit smoothie a smoother consistency, rather than form the basis of the fruit smoothie.

Remember that many "fruit juices" are actually from concentrate, and are little more than sugar water, so be careful about which ones you choose to use in your homemade fruit smoothie. Use light options instead with little or no added sugar.

Choosing Binding Ingredients

As the name suggests, binding ingredients are ingredients that help to bind the fruit smoothie and bring it together to form the end product. Milk, yoghurt, wheat germ, cream and other ingredients can be used to thicken a fruit smoothie and improve its taste. However, adding too many of these ingredients can negate the health benefits of the fruit smoothie if you are not careful.

Try to keep the ingredients in the fruit smoothie simple. Pick out two or three fruits you would like to use such as raspberries, blackberries and strawberries and then use a drizzle of fruit juice, followed by a small tub of strawberry yoghurt. Choose light, low-fat yoghurt, with as little added sugar as you can find. Using yoghurt as a key binding ingredient will mean you won't have to add lashings of cream, milk or other heavy ingredients to bind the fruit smoothie.

Healthier Smoothie Toppings

Skip the whipped cream, nuts and fudge swirls and add fresh fruit such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries and peach slices. Switching from these high calorie toppings will dramatically improve the health benefits of the homemade fruit smoothie.

Homemade fruit smoothies can be as inventive and as exotic as you want them to be. Experiment with a variety of fresh or frozen fruits, binding ingredients and toppings. Some key points to remember when creating a healthier homemade fruit smoothie include choosing light fruit juice with no added sugar, low-fat yoghurts and fruit toppings, rather than lashings of cream.

Publisher: uuibbui - 23:40

3 Leftover Cranberry Vanilla

Whether you got cranberry sauce out of the can or you were ambitious and actually made it yourself, normally you'll find that the cranberry sauce is one of the first items to vanish from the dinner table on Thanksgiving. There are times though when people head straight for the turkey and there are mostly sides leftover. In the rare event there is actually some cranberry sauce leftover, I have three ideas for what you can use it for:

1) Cranberry Vanilla Ice Cream

For those who have the occasional sweet tooth, add some cranberry sauce to your next experience of vanilla ice cream. The beauty of this is you can use already existing ice cream, or you can make it from scratch. If you make vanilla ice cream from scratch all you need to do is puree some cranberry sauce and add it towards the end of the ice cream cycle. Add a little extra sugar and vanilla extract to counter the tartness of the cranberries. I'd also suggest that if you're making cranberry sauce from scratch that you add a bit of apple juice as a counter as well. You want your ice cream to be sweet and have no tartness at all.

2) Cranberry Syrup or Preserves

It's not difficult at all to take cranberry sauce and turn it into cranberry syrup for waffles, pancakes, French toast, or any other breakfast item you wish to experiment with. What you would do is take the already existing cranberry sauce leftovers, add some sugar and perhaps a tablespoon or two of butter and whisk until it turns into semi-liquid form. You may need a blender to assist you with this. What you don't want is to puree the life out of it, just enough to get a good consistency.

If you're not confident in your syrup making skills, you can always bottle it and make cranberry preserves. What I suggest would be to puree it a bit just to get it a little chunky. Remember, normally cranberry sauce in canned form is sliced for Thanksgiving dinner; what we want for preserves would be small chunks. This should keep in your refrigerator for a few days to a week.

3) Add the cranberry sauce to your favorite smoothie

Most manufacturers make some form of cranberry juice like apple cranberry, white grape cranberry, pomegranate cranberry, etc. Why not add it to your smoothie? It'll definitely give your smoothie a little bit more of a tart kick, so you may need to compensate it with a little more sugar or perhaps condensed milk will do the trick.

Publisher: uuibbui - 23:36

reasons bake whole-grains is Good

I've switched from baking with all-purpose flour to whole grain flours. Now, I get more requests for my cookie recipes than I did when I used all-purpose flour. I've come up with a few reasons why I think my whole grain cookies are more popular.

1. Health 
2. Texture
3. Taste
4. Health

According to the Mayo Clinic, whole grains not only help your digestive system but they also assist in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar. Whole grain flours help me slip in extra nutrition. Because of the added nutrients, my family and friends often mention feeling less guilty about eating my cookies.

Texture

I'm a fan of soft cookies. Whole grain flours seem to keep my cookies softer, longer. Instead of the cookies only feeling soft when they are taken out of the oven, they stay soft for at least a week after.


If you're fond of crispier cookies, just bake them slightly longer. For example, I bake soft cookies for eight minutes and crispy ones for ten. You'll also like the crunch whole grain flours can add. I like the feel of sugar in desserts, and with whole grain flours you get a similar texture with less sugar.

Taste

I find that whole grain flours have unique flavors that enhance the cookie. The flour tastes are faint, so you don't need to worry about them overwhelming your dessert.

• Whole Wheat Flour: Buttery 
• Oat Flour: Creamy 
• Brown Rice Flour: Nutty 
• Buckwheat Flour: Slightly nutty, but less so than brown rice flour

Whole wheat flour and oat flour work in everything. They can be used by themselves or added in with other flours. Brown rice flour and buckwheat flour need to be mixed with another flour such as whole wheat or oat. They cannot stand on their own, but still add wonderful flavor. The four flours mentioned are not the only whole grain flours you can find, but they are the ones I use on a regular basis.
After using whole grain flours exclusively for over a year, I don't miss all-purpose flour. The health benefits, texture and taste of whole grain baking have me hooked.

Publisher: uuibbui - 11:01

3-healthy-green-vegetable-snacks-kids

One of the reasons I joined a CSA was to ensure that my kids had access to fresh organic vegetables. But I soon had a big problem on my hands; my kids were not overly enthusiastic about eating the green vegetables we now had in abundance. It is possible to make vegetables, even greens, appealing to kids. You just need to get creative. Here are three healthy green vegetable snacks kids will be eager to nosh.

Edamame Snacks 

Edamame are immature soybeans still in the pod. Even though they are chock full of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients, my kids found it hard to get past the fact that they were green and resembled lima beans, which they hate. That is until they tried these tasty snacks. In a bowl, stir together two tablespoons of soy sauce, two teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar. Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add ten ounces of fresh edamame pods. This recipe will also work well using thawed frozen edamame pods. Boil pods for five minutes, then drain thoroughly. Do not overcook the edamame as you want them to have a bit of crunch to them. Add the beans to the soy sauce mixture, tossing to coat. Eat these healthy green snacks by peeling away the pod and popping the beans into your mouth. These taste great warm or served at room temperature.

Baked Kale Chips 

My kids would gladly eat an entire bag of salty, oily potato chips. Getting them to eat kale however proved a more daunting task, until I baked up a batch of these little gems. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Remove the tough stems from the kale and tear leaves into bite sized pieces, approximately the size of a potato chip. Wash and thoroughly dry the kale. Wet kale will not crisp up when baked. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Don't crowd the sheet or the kale will not brown and crisp properly. Drizzle kale with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt or any seasoning of your choice. Bake for twelve to fifteen minutes. Chips are done when kale has a crisp sound when the pan is shaken. My youngest loves to eat these healthy green vegetable snacks dipped in ketchup.

Baked Zucchini Fries 

Here's a creative way to get your kids snacking on the one green veggie everyone always seems to have in overabundance: zucchini. Zucchini fries make a great appetizer when dipped in pizza sauce or ranch dressing or as a side dish for sandwiches or burgers. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Combine 1/2 cup of Italian-style panko breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 eggs. Wash one pound of zucchini, cut into fries and blot dry with a paper towel. Thicker cut fries will taste more like zucchini. Thin fries will have virtually no zucchini taste after cooking. Dip the zucchini fries into the egg then the breadcrumb mixture. Place coated fries onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for ten to twelve minutes, flip fries over then bake for another ten to twelve minutes, until crisp.

Publisher: uuibbui - 10:49

Easy way to get Juice lemon

When the recipe calls for fresh lemon juice, it means having to juice a lemon. Juicing a lemon takes a little finesse, and some cooks find it frustrating to extricate the juice apart from the seeds. Here are 3 simple ways you can juice a lemon and keep lemon seeds out of your cuisine.

Roll, Cut, and Squeeze Method of Juicing a Lemon

As lemon juicing methods go, this one is the most straightforward. First, roll the lemon under your palm against the counter to release the lemon's juices. Then simply cut the lemon in half and squeeze the lemon juice into a waiting container. Using a separate bowl allows you to pick out the seeds before pouring the lemon juice into whatever you're cooking.

A variation on this method is to hold lemon halves cut-side up while squeezing out the lemon juice. Doing so allows the seeds to remain within the lemon half. Yes, the lemon juice drizzles through your fingers into the bowl. It's not the neatest method, but then, the nice lemony fragrance of lemon lingers with you, long after you rinse your hands off and dry them.

Reamer Method of Juicing a Lemon

One of the easiest ways to juice a lemon is using a reamer. Reamers are a quick and effect way to juice most citrus fruits. I juice either a lemon or lime most days, and I keep this glass reamer (as seen in photo) handy in my kitchen. Once all the lemon juice collects in the bottom of the reamer, I can pick out the seeds and easily pour the juice into the food I'm preparing.

Although my glass reamer happens to be an antique, there are many reamers on the market that effectively do the same thing. I came by my Depression Glass reamer at a yard sale for five bucks, and I've also seen antique reamers for sale at antique shops, as well as on eBay.

Modern glass or plastic citrus reamers are available in kitchen stores. Handheld cone-like wood reamers are also available. Plastic reamers (as seen in photo) allow you to squeeze out the lemon juice manually. The reamer's mid-section catches seeds and strains lemon juice into the container below. Grippers on the reamer cap cup around the citrus peel and help you rotate cut citrus halves against the grate. This keeps your hands out of the juice. An easy pour-spout helps you measure out an exact amount.

Commercial Juicer Method of Juicing a Lemon

Although you could use a commercial juicer to juice a lemon, it seems a bit over-the-top. The time it takes to clean the machine after juicing seems hardly worth it. But if you have lots of citrus to juice, using the machine makes a lot of sense. You can find a variety of commercial juicers from very expensive models to inexpensive models.

Juicing a lemon is an every-day event for many cooks. If you're tired of squeezing citrus and pressing peels between your palms to extract every bit of juice and pulp possible, why not give one of these other methods a try? Why not find a citrus reamer at your local second-hand shop or antique shop and purchase it? You can "go green" and add a low-tech gadget to your kitchen that works as well as it did decades ago.

Publisher: uuibbui - 10:34

easy thanksgiveng Dinner

When our daughters were younger Thanksgiving used to be a huge occasion. We had a lot more extended family then. Thanksgiving dinner was always a challenge for us. My house was the only place where the family could gather without someone creating a ruckus (most of the time).
Hubby and I went to great lengths to plan seating arrangements that kept the "in-laws" separated from the "out-laws" and the kids together. This worked fabulously but it took careful coordination and made planning Thanksgiving dinner a real challenge.

One year I decided that I was going to cut the stress as much as possible and started investigating ways to use the crock pot. This was the best thing I ever did. Once I started in with crock pots for Thanksgiving Dinner I never went back.

If you are look for easy Thanksgiving Dinner recipes these may help. Other than the turkey and the dressing most everything else can be put into a crock pot.

Thanksgiving Dinner Green Beans

If you have frozen green beans left from your garden, Great! If not, use canned. Put as many into the crock pot as it (or your guests) will hold. Don't fill it quite to the top. Leave at least an inch worth a space for steam to build. Toss in a few bullion cubes and bits of bacon or ham. Add enough water to just about cover the green beans.

I do this at about 8:00 in the morning and set the crock pot to cook for 4 hours. This makes a yummy vegetable dish for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Mashed Potatoes

Use real potatoes. Peel them and cut them into chunks. Boil them in the stove in a large pot for 20 minutes. Pour them into the crock pot to keep them warm for your Thanksgiving dinner. Use the lowest setting. Add salt, butter and milk right before putting the mashed potatoes on the table.

Spiced apples.

One of our favorite Thanksgiving dinner recipes is spiced apples. They are super easy to make and have less sugar than pie.

Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Chop, core and peel apples. Place them in the crock pot and layer with a few dabs of butter or margarine. (Ok, I cheat here and use a margarine spray but it doesn't have quite the same flavor.) Then sprinkle lightly with allspice and repeat the process. It's apple, margarine or butter, allspice all the way to the top of the crock pot. When you are finished pour apple juice or cider over the mixture. Set the crock pot to cook in 6 hours. It will be ready for dessert by the time you are.

Our family likes this Thanksgiving dinner recipe dipped over angel food cake or topped with cool whip. Yum!

Source:
Personal experience fixing Thanksgiving Dinner for 30 or more people for years.

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Publisher: uuibbui - 10:29

Good for burger Generation

July was Sandwich Generation Month, a chance to pay tribute to adult children who are juggling the demands of raising their kids while taking care of aging parents. The number of Americans 65 and older is projected to increase from 40 million in 2010 to over 88 million by 2050, doubling the ranks of those experiencing this stressful combination of responsibilities.

We expect to take care of our growing children. After all, isn't that in the parenthood job description? Even after the last kid moves out and we are settling into the empty nest, if one of them drops out of college, loses their job or separates from a partner, we let them come home. But with ailing parents it can be even more complicated.

From time to time, we all feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. But for the sandwich generation, that's especially true. The stress, guilt and exhaustion that come from trying to keep so many balls in the air can be overwhelming. One goal of Sandwich Generation Month is to raise awareness. Here are some tips so you don't have to cope with all the demands by yourself:

Encourage your parents' independence. Identify what they really need you to do and what they can do for themselves. Have respect for their experience and wisdom as they make decisions and take responsibility. Step back so they do as much as they can for themselves.

Find professionals to help you out. Put this into place ahead of time if you live far away or before there is a crisis. Do your parents need the support of a geriatric case manager? Learn about health care advocates, geriatric assessments, specific gerontologists, in-home help and continuum of care.

There are community resources available. Take advantage of them. Home health and companion companies help with chores such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. And adult day care centers encourage supervised time for your parents to socialize while you get a break.

Caregiver groups can be a lifesaver for you. These consist of others who are in the sandwich generation and understand exactly what your life is like. Led by a group facilitator, you'll get support, information, suggestions. You may even laugh a little as you share experiences.

You are more prepared than you think. Look back and track the strengths that have worked for you in the past when you have faced difficult circumstances. For the comfort and well-being of you and your parents, put them into play now.


Your attitude and behavior impact the challenges. Recognize the emotional shifts you need to make as well. Talk to friends who are having similar problems with their parents. Seeing the situation from another perspective can normalize your reactions, help you prioritize the issues and ease the transition.

Take note of the changes your family is experiencing. Remain sensitive to what your parents are going through. And come to terms with your own feelings of frustration, anger, sadness or loss. Address unfinished business with your siblings, resolve the issues and get them involved.

Pay attention to your own needs. As you assume greater responsibility for your parents' care, make nurturing yourself a priority. Renewal gives you more energy and resilience. You'll find that being positive and centered - emotionally stronger - you're more ready to meet the challenges.

These can be a very stressful time in your life. Rely on your coping strengths when you take smaller steps than you would like. Through acts of kindness you'll bring greater joy and richness into your parents' lives. When you spend intentional time with them relish their appreciation, which you deserve. And savor the power of the example that you set as your own children watch how you support their grandparents.

Publisher: uuibbui - 10:27

hot Brewery is here

Just four years ago, St. Arnold was the only (and the best) brewery in Houston. But times are changing and there are currently approximately 12 more breweries open and in the process of opening. Either drinking beer in Houston has become more popular or people are just realizing even more than ever before that "God loves us and wants us to be happy." (Benjamin Franklin).

Among the many in the progress of opening and those open one quick way of being able to taste the best of what these breweries have to offer is to attend The Texas Beer Fest, where brewers from all over the state of Texas and throughout the United States provide opportunities for sampling their beer as well as introducing their latest and greatest (or not so greatest depending on your vote).

But since The Texas Beer Fest only makes its way to Houston once a year there are three breweries in the area that you can find not only me, but in many cases a long line of other people waiting to lift a pint.

St. Arnold Brewing Company

Not only the patron saint of beers, but also the most well-known of breweries in the Houston area; it was the first brewery established in Houston and those in the Saint Arnold Army are sure it will be here for a long time to come. St. Arnold offers a regular selection of beers from browns to India Pale Ale as well as a selection of "reserves" (specialty beers) and seasonals like Oktoberfest and Christmas Ale (a personal favorite that I could drink year round.). This brewery is known for its tours, tastings, community events, special events and pub crawls as well as charitable efforts. Attend tours and tastings on: Monday - Friday 3PM with Taps open 3PM to 4PM and a tour at 3:30PM. On Saturdays people from all over the Houston area can be found in the beer hall of St. Arnold from 11am-2pm with tours at Noon, 1pm and 2pm. Admission is $7.00 and includes your tour, 4 tastings and sample glass.

No Label Brewing Company

"We don't need no stinkin' labels!" is the motto behind this family owned brewery. They are probably right. Their beer selection may be limited after only one year in production and distribution but it is popular every Saturday as people show up rain or shine or 100 degree temperatures to stand outside old rice warehouse in Old Town Katy. Tours and tastings are Free, but I would rather spend the $5.00 when I get there and buy a pint glass. Of course you can bring it back again, after all that is going "green" isn't it? I recommend bringing a cooler with food and some chairs or blankets to sit on. The atmosphere is fun, funky and borderline underground with silos towering over you. But the people are friendly and kids can play. Did I mention the beer is pretty good too? My personal favorite is the El Hefe, a Hefeweizen.

Southern Star Brewing Company

The Southern Star Brewing Company shines bright with tastings and tours on the first and third Saturday of every month in the afternoons beginning at 1pm. Pack a lunch, snacks or purchase brats, burgers and hotdogs from The Outlaw Cookers (and their burgers are delicious!). Tastings are free, but tokens are limited and you better plan on buying a pint glass from the gift shop. My personal pint glass normally contains the Bombshell Blonde, but I have to admit to a weakness for their newest brew a seasonal Walloon.

You can find Southern Star and St. Arnold in your local stores. Southern Star is distinguished by its can, no bottles there, but I prefer it on draft. No Label beers can be found on draft at a few select locations and restaurants but the opportunities to be label-less while bending your elbow are growing.

Each of the new kids in town are opening up slowly but surely in the Houston area. So far, New Republic Brewing is giving everyone a run for the taste, if not the money, and my list of beers and breweries in the Houston area to try or revisit is quickly growing.

Read more by this contributor

The DVD for Beer Historians: "Empires of Industry: Brewed in America"

Houston Hometown Beer St. Arnold: Beer Review of St. Arnold's Brown Ale a Little Nutty and a Little Tasty

Honoring Octoberfest: Beer Review of Samuel Adams Blackberry Wit

Sources:

Personal experience

Publisher: uuibbui - 10:16