Distilled Water Yes (and When?) Or No?

Distillation means heating water to the boiling point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100°C) which turns it into a steam first. In separate chamber the steam cools down and turns back to liquid.

Dr. Masaru Emoto, a visionary researcher from Japan received certification from the Open International University as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine. He is researching the mysteries of water.

"He (Masaru Emoto) quickly realized that the crystals that formed from water depended highly on the natural health of the water. In other words, water from natural springs, healing water sources etc, formed beautiful and complex crystalline geometries - like snowflakes.

Water that had been distilled, polluted or passed through consumption had lost its inner order. This leads to the realization that natural healthy water carries an 'inner order' defining its nature and properties."*

Opinions about distilled water are highly controversial. Some of the most pragmatic "pros" and "cons" regarding distilled water's consumption are listed below.

Pros:

• Distilled water contains no contaminants and is therefore claimed to be beneficial.
• "Distilled water is free of dissolved minerals and, because of this, has the special property of being able to actively absorb toxic substances from the body and eliminate them. Studies validate the benefits of drinking distilled water when one is seeking to cleanse or detoxify the system for short periods of time (a few weeks at a time)." (Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc)
• Distilled water is pure H2O.
• "When doing extractions, as in making herbal teas, distilled water may help bring out the most in the medicinal properties of the herbs." (Elson M. Haas, M.D. in Staying Healthy with Nutrition, p. 23)

Cons:

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Distilled water, being essentially mineral-free, is very aggressive, in that it tends to dissolve substances with which it is in contact. Notably, carbon dioxide from the air is rapidly absorbed, making the water acidic and even more aggressive. Many metals are dissolved by distilled water."
• Many distillers are made out of metals that add toxic metals (like nickel) back to the water. (Dr. Joseph Mercola)
• Home distillers are expensive, they use electricity and significant time to distill a gallon of water.
• Some volatile organic chemicals (the ones that can vaporize) might recondense into distilled water. That's why preceding solid carbon filtration is important.
• With no minerals, distilled water acts like a vacuum in the body. To balance with other body fluids, it leaches beneficial minerals from the body.
• Drinking distilled water while fasting can be dangerous - the loss of electrolytes and trace minerals is rapid.
• "The most toxic commercial beverages that people consume (i.e. cola beverages and other soft drinks) are made from distilled water. Studies have consistently shown that heavy consumers of soft drinks (with or without sugar) spill huge amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals into the urine." (Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc)
• Cooking in distilled water causes even greater loss of nutrients from the foods.
• "There is a correlation between the consumption of soft water (distilled water is extremely soft) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Cells, tissues and organs do not like to be dipped in acid and will do anything to buffer this acidity including the removal of minerals from the skeleton and the manufacture of bicarbonate in the blood. The longer one drinks distilled water, the more likely the development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state." (Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc)
• Dr. Gabriel Cousens, a living foods advocate, writes on p. 509 of his book Conscious Eating, "Distilled water is dead, unstructured water so foreign to the body that one actually gets a temporary high white blood cell count in response to drinking it."
• "The health writers who like distilled water better than a ripe nectarine usually write a lot about the Hunzans, the folks in Pakistan's Hunza Valley who allegedly live healthfully well into their 90's and beyond. Interestingly enough, these same writers don't mention the point that the Hunzans drink glacial water so full of minerals it's almost milky in appearance." (From Chet Day's Health and Beyond Weekly Newsletter)
• "Distilled water should also be avoided because it has the wrong ionization, pH, polarization and oxidation potentials, and can drain your body of necessary minerals. It has been tied to hair loss, which is often associated with certain mineral deficiencies." (Dr. Joseph Mercola, Author of the Total Health Program)
• "Many nutritional advocates, mostly elders, recommend drinking demineralized water because they believe that the inorganic minerals contained naturally in some waters are not usable by the human body, that these naturally dissolved inorganic minerals may even cause problems. This is simply not true; many of the minerals we acquire are in the inorganic or salt state and are not part of organic tissues. They can still be assimilated and used by the body. The mineral levels in water, however, are not anywhere near sufficient to satisfy body needs." (Elson M. Haas, M.D. in Staying Healthy with Nutrition, p. 23)
• "Disease and early death is more likely to be seen with the long term drinking of distilled water. Avoid it except in special circumstances." (Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc)

* http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/8/distilled_water.htm

5 Minute Meals

* Do you have a family?

* Do they like to eat?

* Are you tired of cooking?

If you've answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, you need 5 minute meals.

5 minute meals are simply meals that you really do cook, but they go together fast. They may not all be 5 minutes from beginning to eating, (you can't even do that with a frozen pizza) but these meals are extremely quick and convenient.

(Here's my personal definition of a 5 minute meal: it's all about the assembly time. If I let something cook in the crockpot all day, I don't count that towards my meal-prep time because I'm not standing over my crockpot. I count the food assembly time, because that's what really counts when you're busy.)

Wanting to improve the nutrition of the meals you serve your family? You can make 5 minute meals healthier in a snap.

So what's the catch? No catch, but there are some simple secrets you need to know to make 5 minute meals work for your busy life.

Start with standing in your grocery store's bottled sauce and dressing aisle. These are 5 minute meals waiting to happen! Pick out your favorite flavors. Try some new tastes. Look for the low-fat or non-fat varieties and you'll keep added fat and calories to a minimum.

Think in terms of adding cooked meat to these 5 minutes meals. You can buy precooked chicken, for example, or for more savings, you can buy hamburger or chicken parts (I prefer skinless, boneless chicken breasts) and cook all your month's meat at once, then refreeze in individual meal portions. This will save you a lot of time in the kitchen.

Precooking your meat makes whipping up 5 minute meals a snap. Simply grab a precooked meat packet from your freezer, add a bottled sauce you love and heat. If a bag of frozen veggies would work in your meal, add that, too (you may need more than one bottle of sauce depending upon how much food you are preparing). Otherwise choose a bag of premade salad as an easy add-on for healthy veggies.

If you would like more ways to whip up 5 minute meals, see the author's resource box at the end of this article.

Once you decide upon the flavors and 5 minute meals you enjoy most, keep a list of these fast meals in your pantry. Your job is to always keep the ingredients for these meals on hand. So whenever you pull one of your favorite sauces out of the pantry, be sure and write it down on your grocery list so you'll replace it on your next shopping trip.

5 minute meals are fast, easy, convenient and can be healthy, too. Your family will gobble up these yummy meals leaving you more time to do other things you love.

Coffee Pot Extravaganza

A coffee pot is a coffee pot, right? Wrong! Do you know that there are hundreds of different kinds of coffee pots, made out of a multitude of materials? There are antique coffee pots and glass coffee pots, as well as cleaning coffee pots and vacuum and glass coffee pots... the list goes on and on. There are just as many brand names for coffee pots and makers as there are materials to make them with. Some of the biggest names in coffee are Braun, Cuisinart and Krups, not to mention Bunn and Sunbeam and dozens more.

There are so many different kinds of coffee pots it would be impossible to name them all. Some drip, some brew and some produce coffee like you've never tasted before. Ever use a coffee air pot or a Turkish coffee pot? The number of different kinds of coffee you can make in any style of coffee pot is as varied as the types. Cowboy coffee, gourmet coffee, Turkish coffee, no matter where you are in the world, you can bet that there's coffee there.

A coffee pot can make strong coffee or smooth coffee, depending on the materials the coffee is made of. Some special coffee pots made out of clay enhance the taste of coffee with flavors that can't be found anywhere else in the world. No one knows when the first coffee was brewed in a coffee pot, but today, the coffee industry is booming, and will continue to grow. Like food, most people can't live without their coffee.

The timed coffee pot gets a lot of people up and going in the morning, and for some, a good stiff cup of coffee in the middle of the day helps them get through many a hectic afternoon.

A coffee pot doesn't have to be expensive to brew good coffee, though there are coffee pots and machines that can cost hundreds of dollars. An average coffee pot can be found at your local Wal-Mart for fewer than fifteen dollars. The coffee industry rakes in billions of dollars a year with roasted and gourmet coffees that can be made and enjoyed using a moderately priced coffee pot. A coffee pot can be small enough to brew only one or two cups at a time while others can brew up to twenty. But no matter what kind of coffee pot you buy, you have to keep it clean in order to produce that fresh taste that you've come to savor every morning.

Most coffee pots in the United States are made of glass, which allows them to be easily cleaned. Make sure to run hot water through the water reservoir occasionally however, to keep parts clean and free of buildup.

Some coffee pots made of materials like Pyrex or stainless steel are easy to keep clean while others require a little more care, like an antique coffee pot of a coffee pot made of clay or stone. No matter which kind you buy, one thing is guaranteed: you'll enjoy your coffee, no matter what kind of coffee pot it's brewed in.

Must Know Tips for Preparing a Fish Recipe

Fish is nutritious and easy to cook. Chinese, especially, must have a fish dish during special occasion meals, such as reunion dinner during the Chinese New Year. Fish, in Chinese is pronounced as "Yu", which means "abundance". Well, eventhough preparing a fish dish is simple, you have to know the methods of preparing the freshest dish possible.

First of all, knowing how to choose a fresh fish is important. It is easy. Basically, there are 2 easy ways. First, look at its eyes. Choose the fish with crystal clear eyes instead of blurry ones. Next, open the fish gill and see if it is bright red. Dark red or greyish indicates the fish is not fresh. Lastly, just gently press on the fish body. You would want to choose the fish with a firm body. Next, you want to make sure the fish is properly cleaned. These days, you don't really need to clean the fish yourself as you can request the fish to be cleaned for you. If you are quite turn off by the fishy smell fishy smell after you have done cleaning the fish. Just remember to clean your hands with lime juice. Very effective method.

I prefer to prepare the fish steamed simply because it brings out the freshness of the fish and healthier. White pomfret, for example, is best eaten steamed. However, sometimes the fishy smell can put one off. To get rid of the fishy smell, just squeeze some lime juice and rub it all over the fish. Then, scour the fish with boiling water. Quicky drain the fish and place it on a plate. Put some seasoning and ginger over the fish and steam it. There are some bigger fish variety which is great for steaming as well, such as threadfin (ma yau) or snapper. These fish is usually sold in cut slices. Since the fish is cut, how do you know if the slice is freshly cut? Easy. Look at the flesh of the fish, it should be firm to the touch and has a glazed surface.

If you prefer to fry a fish, why not try shallow fry instead of deep fry which consumes more oil? With shallow fry, the fish is as tasty and cripsy. Just fry with less oil in a non stick pan. Pour oil just to cover the surface of pan. Make sure the oil is hot, so that it will not stick on the pan when turn over to fry the other side of fish. Fry both sides till golden brown.

These are just some basic tips on preparing and cooking a fish recipe. For more simple but delicious way to cook a fish dish, please visit http://www.simplecookingideas.com

Steakhouse Appetizers New York Will Surely Slake Your Hunger

Are you really a steak lover and would go to any extent in tasting a variety of steak dishes? Is it that you are light eater and would like to go for appetizers only? Then, steakhouse that provides appetizers will be the idol place for you to visit. After all, you will be going to such a place that tends to satisfy your taste buds and give you an enjoyable dinning experience. It does not matter that you happen to stay in New York or Manhattan or any other place, steakhouse appetizers would really be quenching your hunger. If you are planning to go for appetizers, then you have to see that which steakhouse offers the best quality. After all, you will be spending money on them and they need to be according to your taste level.

Steakhouse Appetizers are light food items that will help you in a great extent in having a good pastime at your favorite steakhouse. Thick steak slices cut into desired shapes and cooked properly, stuffed tuna or calamari, clams casino, colossal lump crabmeat and many others form a part of the menus of steakhouse. All these dishes along with others are also charged at very nominal rates. So, this becomes easier for you to enjoy the food and experience something extra ordinary about your favorite steakhouse. Everyone would like to eat outside and that too in their favorite steakhouse. Well, spending some quality time with family and friends is also the option that one seeks.

Generally, when a person or steak lover like you goes to a particular steakhouse for enjoying quiet dinners, then what they look for is ambiance, quality of service and food, and its location. Whether you go in a steakhouse for having appetizers or for the purpose of having full luncheons, you would shrink away from that place if it has shabby interiors. Well, no one would like to go to such a steakhouse that has bright lights and awful interiors designing. Quality of the food and service is also another thing that you will notice. It is quite obvious that if the appetizers and main course meal is not tasty, then why would you go to such a steakhouse and waste your hard earned money.

Price of the appetizers and main course items matters to a large extent, as everyone would like to spend less and get to experience most tasty steak items. And so would you also do that. In this regard, all you can do is look out for steakhouse menus on internet and decide over the type of appetizers and other surf and turf dishes that you will get to eat. Just imagine that you go in a steakhouse and are served one of the tastiest food and that too at the cheaper or affordable rates. In this way, you will get to experience a wonderful dinning on inexpensive rates.

Every other steakhouse has a variety of appetizers for their customers. In this way, you can get to eat something different on your every visit. Apart from just enjoying quiet dinners, if you are planning to arrange for a party, then you can also contact your nearest steakhouse. There are many steakhouses that reserve weekends, especially for the parties. This is done for those steak lovers, who want to celebrate certain special occasions in their favorite steakhouse.

Single Cup Coffee Maker Makes A Great Cup Of Fresh Coffee

A single cup coffee maker can give a lovely cup of fresh coffee for people wanting just one on the run and who are in a hurry. They are easy to set up and use, they can have a fresh cup of coffee blended in just a couple of minutes and are sold in most convenient stores and garages.

Most single cup coffee makers claim to have a fresh brewed cup of coffee done in about a minute or so. The new coffee pods are pumped by hand and provide coffee lovers a cup of fresh coffee warm or chilled in a variety of flavors. These pre-measured packets filled with the right amount of coffee grounds make it easy and mess-free to make a cup of hot fresh coffee.

Several options are available with a single cup coffee maker, including the use of a thermal cup. A person puts a coffee pod into the machine, fills it with water and the brew flows into a thermal travel mug ready to take on the road in about a minute. Many single cup coffee makers have two pod holders and have the options of different varieties providing a cup of fresh coffee to suit everyones taste.

Coffee Machines That Not Only Make Coffee But Other Drinks Too!

The Tasssimo coffee machine makes cappuccino, espresso, crema coffee, hot chocolate and even tea while the Black and Decker Cup-at-a-Time personal coffee maker will brew your coffee into your own coffee mug using an included permanent filter and can also used for hot water for instant meals, which will give the single cup coffee maker another use which is especially good for use at work where there are several people.

The single cup coffee maker will cut down on wasted water and coffee as the cup of fresh coffee is dispersed in measured amounts. A wide range of prices is available for a single cup coffee maker ranging from kitchen models at around £35 up to far more advanced models costing hundreds of pounds.

The single cup coffee maker is also available in many styles and colors to fit the color scheme of the kitchen in which it will be used. There are some sold in a coordinated sets, which include the single cup coffee maker, toaster, kettle and blender, all with the same basic design and in the same color. Stainless steel models are one of the most popular ranges at the moment.

Bicycle Touring in Your Own Town

Is there a need to pay thousands of dollars to experience a "bicycle tour" when you can do all this in your own backyard?

In the town I live in we have a pretty active Downtown area complete with Jazz bars, great restaurants and even a farmer's market once a week. Though Downtown offers such a variety of venues and eateries, most people that live in this city doesn't take into consideration that riding their bikes through certain parts of the city can become a fun and enjoyable trip.

First things first, get a bike. My recommendation is to ride either a mountain or road bike. Fezzari Bicycles of Orem Utah offers a mix of both. It's the Fezzari Speedster. Basically it's a road bike with mountain bike handle bars and shifters. This bike gives the rider an up right riding position and the speed of a road bike.

Once you have you bike, get on the Internet and check out what the city has to offer. Most cities have an arboretum, museums, downtowns and nice parks. Then chart your "Bicycle Tour" by making sure you hit each one on your list.

It's always good to start off bright and early in the morning. Ride your bike to the local coffee shop or diner for some breakfast. Afterwards, head over to your first destination. Through out the day enjoy your stops and really take in what your city has to offer. Soak in all the scenery and feel the breeze against your skin and hair.

Stop off at the local antique shops, pet stores, and eateries. Plan on eating out the whole day. I'd recommend that you eat meals from different restaurants. For example, go to the Japanese place for some sushi during lunch, then for dinner head over to the Brazilian BBQ restaurant, for dessert, head over to the bakery for some treats.

It might be a good idea to carry a rack and pannier set. The Fezzari Speedster allows the rider to mount these items on. One side of the panniers can carry a change of clothes for the day and the other side can carry a blanket just in case you decide to take a nap at a local park as well as souvenirs you have purchased though out the day.

Bicycle touring doesn't have to take you away from your own town. With careful planning and the right bike, you can fully enjoy what your city has to offer.

Sugary Sweet Emergency Recipe Substitutions or Ingredient Equivalents for Sugars and Molasses

It's a treat baking sweets, but running out of a crucial recipe ingredient can really gum up the works. Knowing an ingredient's "equivalent" or substitution can save the day. Many cake and cookie recipes can be adapted by using modern sweeteners if you don't have ingredients called for in vintage cookbooks or grandma's desert recipe. Today, Mom helps cooks in the kitchen with tips on granulated, brown, powdered sugars, and molasses.

Granulated Sugar - Most sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beets. The plants are juiced, the liquid is boiled several times to separate out the molasses and the remaining clear liquid is crystallized into the familiar white granules on our tables. If you don't have 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 cup packed brown sugar OR instead of 1 cup granulated sugar use 2 cups powdered sugar.

You can also substitute sweet syrups for granulated sugars, but you'll need to remove some of the liquid in your recipe to maintain the correct moisture level. If you are baking it helps to add a leavening agent like baking soda. If you don't have the soda and you are not baking, then you can probably leave it out and still be ok. But this may effect texture and cooking times, so keep a closer eye on your creation.

If you don't have 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 cup honey + 1/4 tsp soda and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar. Or, instead of 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 1/2 cups molasses plus 1/4 tsp baking soda and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. 1 pound (package) granulated sugar = about 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar.

Powdered Sugar - Superfine or powdered sugar is granulated sugar that has been spun into a powder. Used for a slightly smoother texture especially in frostings and fluffy meringues. When measuring you'll need slightly more powdered to make up for its fine grain. If you don't have 2 cups powdered sugar use 1 cup granulated. 1 pound (package) of powdered sugar = about 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, unsifted (not packed).

Confectioner's Sugar - Confectioners sugar has been processed past the powdered sugar phase, into an even finer powder. Today the terms are used interchangeably, so check your packaging.

Brown Sugar - Brown sugar or sugar in the raw, has slightly more brown syrup, or molasses than white granulated sugar and is slightly less sweet. As a result, brown sugar has a smokier flavor and darker color. Golden brown sugar has less molasses than dark brown sugar. The two can be used interchangeably, but note the darker sugar will have a richer flavor and color and is generally better if you're cooking pork.

If you don't have brown sugar use granulated sugar instead using the exact same measurements. You can also make brown sugar by combining 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup molasses, but this may throw off the liquid in your recipe, so be careful using this substitution when baking cakes.

Brown sugar will remain soft if it is kept in an airtight container. To soften brown sugar place it in an ovenproof container and warm at 250 degrees until soft, or microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until soft. Use it immediately as it will be harder than before when it cools! A 1 pound package of brown sugar equals about 2 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar.

Molasses - Molasses has a dark, sweet, smoky taste. It is created during the sugar refining process. Molasses is slightly less sweet than granulated sugar. Until sugar prices fell in the 1930's molasses was the primary sweetener in American kitchens. Sulphur dioxide is sometimes used to make molasses sweet. The term 'unsulphured molasses' just means sulphur was not used in the creation of your molasses and it should be the lightest and sweetest type. Measuring molasses is easier (and more accurate) if you grease the measuring cup first with a little cooking spray or butter. One 12 fluid ounce jar of molasses equals 1 1/2 cups. One cup equals 8 fluid ounces.

If you are making a vintage recipe I heartily recommend you spring for a jar of molasses. Molasses is the secret ingredient in many cookies, cakes, ham glazes and BBQ sauces. Granulated sugars will not taste the same. If you have a jar left over, you can use molasses in baked beans, ham, oatmeal, ice cream or added to syrup and butter on pancakes. One tablespoon of molasses provides 8% of your daily recommended iron and 4% of your calcium!

One cup of molasses equals1 cup honey. Bear in mind honey is sweeter than molasses and will change the flavor slightly. OR instead of 1 cup of molasses try 3/4 cup granulated sugar (brown is preferable) plus 1/4 cup water. The extra water (or other liquid) is called for to make up for the moisture in molasses. It is important to replace it if you're baking cakes or breads. Blackstrap molasses is the thickest, darkest and least sweet type of molasses and isn't recommended for baking.

Sugar Baking Tip: Baking relies on a bit more science than your average frosting recipe. Not only do the ingredients add flavor, they may also serve a specific function like making your cake rise, or binding ingredients together. For best results when baking, measure all your ingredients accurately; like leveling off your measuring cup with the edge of a knife and setting the cup on the counter when measuring liquids. When you resort to a substitution just be aware that your texture or flavor may be slightly different. For more of Mom's kitchen tips and apron humor visit her on the web at http://www.MomsRetro.com. Good luck and happy cooking!

How To Make Of Soup Preparation Something Easy

How to make of soup preparation something easy

Feel free to create as you wish! Use any combination of vegetables you want and to make a complete meal of a soup, just cut up any leftover (ccoked) meats and add at the last minute. If you have some frozen shrimp in the freezer, you can always cook them at the last minute by throwing them into the soup and leaving them to cook until they are no longer see-through. Then serve at once.

Three of the simplest techniques:

1. Basic Cream of Vegetable Soup.

Peel, wash and cut in big chunks any vegetable(s) that you want. Cover the vegetables with enough salted water (about 2 quarts of water to 2 teaspoons of salt) to cover them by an extra inch. Bring to the boil on high heat, cover with a lid, turn down and slowly boil for about 40 minutes (or until vegetables are soft all the way through). Remember, the thicker the chunks, the longer the cooking time.

Then blend by putting a handheld blender directly into the pot and blending the vegetables. The longer you blend, the smoother the soup. Add a little half and half or heavy cream if you wish.
Some suggestions for soup ingredients are: the whites of leeks with zucchini in about equal quantity, cauliflower by itself or with another vegetable, edible pumpkin (found in Spanish markets), any kind of squash and frozen green peas, potato etc. Onions are always good in almost any soup along with the main vegetables but not as the main ingredient, just one small one. Experiment for yourself and see what you and your family enjoy.

2. Better-Tasting Cream of Vegetable Soup

Using the same suggestions as given above, the tastier soup takes a little more time and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter.
Peel, wash and cut in big chunks any vegetable(s) that you want. Saute for 3-5 minutes in a little oil, olive oil or canola oil or a blend of the two or butter. Make sure that you don't brown the vegetables, as it will change the taste.

Put in a pot with water (enough to cover vegetables by an extra inch) and salt (and pepper if you like). Bring to the boil and turn down to a slow boil and cook for about 40 minutes (or until vegetables are soft all the way through). Remember, the thicker the chunks, the longer the cooking time.

Then blend by putting the hand blender directly into the pot and blending. The longer you blend, the smoother the soup. Add a little half and half or heavy cream if you wish.

3. Chunky Vegetable Soup.

Peel, wash and cut in small chunks any vegetable(s) that you want. (If you want to make minestrone, use zucchini, carrots and at least two other vegetables that you want, usually making sure that one of the cabbage family is represented, like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage or even just the leaves or well peeled stalks or these vegetables.

Sautee (in a pot) for 3-5 minutes in a little oil, olive oil or canola oil or a blend of the two or butter. Make sure you don't brown the vegetables as it will change the taste.

Add enough water to cover the vegetables by an extra inch and salt (about 1 tsp per quart) and pepper, if you wish. Bring to the boil and then turn down to a slow boil and leave to cook for about 40 minutes (or until vegetables are soft all the way through). Remember, the thicker the chunks, the longer the cooking time. Add a little half and half or heavy cream if you wish, just before serving.


Jean-Louis Vosgien as a food consultant has created numerous recipes for restaurants in many countries.

www.photos-and-recipes.com

Fair Trade Coffee - Another US Marketing Ploy

Dear Coffee Drinker,

"Fair Trade" is a certification that is given primarily to a company that can prove, together with a specific coffee farm, that fair prices are being given to the independent farm. These are certifications that are primarily being marketed in the USA by a firm in California. For example, StarBucks may promote a certain type of coffee that is being sold as Fair Trade coffee. Not all their coffee can be sold as such because this only applies to a very few farms that hold these certifications together with the buyer. This needs to be proven to the agencies in the United States that govern this certification. Even though StarBucks sells one type of coffee that is certified Fair Trade this does not mean that all their coffee is certified. This would be an impossible task. The biggest problem is most US companies only pay the farmer or roaster Fair Trade and then they have to trust that the roaster is passing this extra money to the laborers. So the farmer gets a fair price but the laborers, many times children work for pennies a day.AND FAIR TRADE - However does not ensure that children are not used to pick coffee or that the children are given a fair price. Neither does it ensure that the migrate farm laborers are paid fair prices. Fair Trade has been great in elevating people's awareness of the coffee industry and has ensured that the coffee farmer and or roaster is getting a fair price and to a lesser extend some farmers but it has not always helped the people actually picking the coffee and completing the other coffee labor. Worse it has allowed the bigger farmers to make more money buying up the smaller farmers and making more money while the labor pool suffers. The going rate for labor has not increased in five years while Fair Trade Coffee prices have doubled. So whats fair about the owner making more while the laborers still suffer.

Worse Fair Trade has become so popular that it elevated many "bad or poor" coffees into popoluar brands - not because they taste good but because they have become Fair Trade - as that has any correlation to taste. Sadlty Fair Trade only means the large land owner gets more money.

Costa Rica on the other hand has a different system than most coffee producing countries. The coffee you purchased is from one of the best regions of coffee in the world, known as Tarrazu Costa Rica. There is a cooperative in Tarrazu known as CoopeTarrazu. StarBucks is a large buyer of CoopeTarrazu's coffee. CoopeTarrazu owns 25% of our company. CoopeTarrazu in turn is owned by approximately 1500 small to medium sized independent farms. The function of CoopeTarrazu is to get the best price for the coffees that these 1500 plus farms turn into this processing plant as a group. The profits are then divided and paid to each farmer based on his percentage interest or the amount of product supplied to CoopeTarrazu by him. The entire process is governed by the Government of Costa Rica. The overseeing body is known as ICAFE. It regulates all coffee that is processed and exported from Costa Rica. ICAFE's watchful eye makes sure that the independent farms are receiving fair market prices for the coffee they turn into CoopeTarrazu. Not only does Costa Rica have some of the best coffee in the world it also is some of the most expensive coffee in the world. The reason for this is directly linked to ICAFE's involvement in the coffee industry within Costa Rica. It makes sure that the farmers are receiving fair prices for their coffee. Our plant is registered with ICAFE for this reason. This proves that we are part of the system that makes sure our coffee is truly Fair Trade coffee even though we are not certified by the USA body known as Fair Trade. We are also owned by 3 other cooperatives in Costa Rica - CoopeVictoria, CoopePalmares, and CoopeSabalito. In other words we work with more than 8000 small farmers. Each cooperative has a significant % share in our roasting plant and these are the sources from which we draw upon for our raw product, our green bean.

There are some other functions of ICAFE, which works very closely with the Minister of Health, the Minister of Children, and the Minister of Labor. For example, ICAFE also makes sure that the Indians that come in from the jungles of Panama and Nicaragua to pick coffee during the harvest season are paid fair wages, given health insurance, and proper housing accommodations during the harvest season. They also work closely to make sure there is no exploitation of children and adult workers. Costa Rica is very much into protecting the less fortunate and overseeing their rights. This is another reason why we are proud members of ICAFE.

So if you want to make a statement and buy a coffee really making a difference - buy a Costa Rica coffee.

Sincerely,

How To Know When You Are Getting Too Much Caffeine

Nine out of 10 Americans consume some type of caffeine on a daily basis. Beverages that contain caffeine are among the most popular behavior-altering drug or beverage available without prescription. Within an hour the affects of caffeine include a wide-eyed alert feeling, more energy and a drive toward productivity. It is no wonder so many people rely on daily doses of caffeine to battle fatigue and ill dispositions.

When is caffeine use considered to be too much? There are certain circumstances that call for reducing the amount of caffeine you consumer. Study after study suggests moderate caffeine intake is not likely to cause harm, however, too much can affect your health, and too much caffeine can be different for each individual. Heavy daily caffeine consumption is defined as more than 500 to 600 mg. a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee. Think about your daily caffeine habits and review the following. If any of these physical symptoms apply, you may need to cut back on your caffeine consumption.

• Restlessness


• Anxiety


• Irritability


• Muscle tremors


• Sleeplessness


• Headaches


• Nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems


• Abnormal heart rhythms

If you have caffeine sensitivity just small amounts may cause unwanted physical symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness and irritability. The more sensitive you are to caffeine, the less you need to consume on a daily basis.

Each person's caffeine sensitivity may depend on many factors that include:

• Body mass: If you have a smaller body mass you will probably feel the effects of caffeine sooner than those with larger body masses.

• History of caffeine use: If you are not a regular user of caffeine you may be more susceptible to its negative effects than are people who do.

• Stress: All types of stress can increase a person's sensitivity to caffeine.

• Age

• Smoking habits

• Drug or hormone use and other health conditions such as anxiety disorders

Additional Factors that May Influence how your Body Reacts to Caffeine:

Chronically losing sleep due to the consumption of too much caffeine results in sleep deprivation. Sleep loss accumulates. Nightly decreases can add up and eventually start to disturb your daytime functioning. Sleep deprivation can cause impaired memory, mood swings, lack of concentration and poor performance at work or school. If you determine the cause of your sleep deprivation is too much caffeine, you need to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume.

Some antibiotics such as Cipro and Noroxin can increase the length of time caffeine remains in your body and cause unwanted physical symptoms.

Theophylline used to open up bronchial airways sometimes has caffeine-like effects. Theophylline use along with caffeinated foods and beverages may increase the concentration of theophylline in your blood. Physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations may result.

The herbal dietary supplement of ephedra increases risk of heart attack, stroke, seizures and death. Ephedra combined with caffeine is even more risky. The Food and Drug Administration has banned ephedra in the marketplace because of the health concerns. The ban only applies to dietary supplements and not herbal teas that may contain the herb.

Your doctor or pharmacist is the best source to tell you whether or not caffeine might affect your prescription drugs.

Tips on How to Reduce Caffeine Consumption:

• Gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. Drink one less can of soda, one less cup of coffee or a smaller cup of coffee each day.

• Replace caffeinated coffee, tea and soda with decaffeinated beverages

• Brew tea for less time to cut down on caffeine content, or choose herbal teas without caffeine stimulant

• Switch to caffeine-free versions of over-the-counter medications you take

For most adults, caffeine is a part of daily life and most often does not pose a health problem.

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2007)

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 3-2007.

A Great Expresso Machine Makes Great Coffee

Coffee is grown in over seventy countries, from Indonesia to Brazil. Yet the total production of coffee is relatively small because it is such a fussy plant. Even though we call it a coffee bean, this is a misnomer. The little pod that is roasted, ground and brewed is actually the seed of the fruit that grows on the coffee tree. The coffee tree grows to twenty feet as a rule, but can reach heights of 45 feet. Most of these seeds come in pairs. There is one, called the pea berry, that looks like a cranberry with a sweet pulp and covered with a silvery membrane. Coffee grows in a band of about 25 degrees to the north and to the south, near the equator that encircles the world. The reason for the concentration in this area is because coffee requires temperatures between 60F (15C) and 70F (21C) and a rainfall of six inches per month or more. In addition, coffee needs a specialized soil that is loamy and well drained. High humidity, found in mountain areas is also ideal. Diffused light and light breezes are also part of ideal conditions. Since oxygen is scarce at these altitudes, the trees mature slowly. All of these conditions cause the output of coffee to be low.

There is a coffee bean that can grow in lower altitudes, robusta, or coffea canephora, and it is also disease resistant. For these reasons, it is used for the majority of coffee. But coffee gourmets will insist on high altitude coffee arabica.

A coffee tree will take five years to produce its first crop of coffee, and a single tree only yields about 2,00 beans, about two pounds of coffee.

The beans have to be manually harvested by coffee pickers. This is a highly specialized skill, since pickers need to be able to differentiate between the good beans and the bad beans. They choose each bean individually. No wonder coffee is expensive.

Coffee trees have broad dark leaves and produce a flower that blossoms over a six to eight week period. This long blossoming period, the longest being in the areas closest to the equator, such as Kenya or Colombia, means that beans are ripening at different rates and mature beans can be right next to immature ones. The coffee picker has to be careful.

From first blossom to final harvest can take as long as nine months for coffee. This cycle will repeat over and over for the life of the tree, 20 to 25 years. Even under the best conditions of cultivation, a hectare will yield only between 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg) and 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg). Then the beans have to be brought down from these inhospitable growing areas to the processing areas and shipped out at a rate that makes coffee the second largest volume commodity.

You will no longer wonder why that delicious cup of coffee that came out of your espresso machine costs so much when you consider the journey it took.

No Bake Recipes for Kids

Healthy fun no bake recipes are as close as you mouse. No need to heat up the oven or turn on the microwave for these simple treats. These no bake easy recipes for kids will provide them some scrumptious deserts and healthy treats. The kids will have fun and you can relax while the kids enjoy preparing their own snacks.

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Instructions:

1. Spread peanut butter on one graham cracker.

2. Spread jelly on the other and make a sandwich - Now that's easy.

3. Set out all the ingredients so the kids can experiment with several combinations to create a one-of-a-kind creation.

No-Bake Yogurt Pie

Ingredients:

*1-9" graham cracker crust shell

*1-8oz. container of orange flavored yogurt

*1- C. thawed whipped non-dairy topping

*1/2-C. canned mandarin orange slices - drained and broken into pieces

Instructions:

1.Combine yogurt and whipped topping together in a bowl and stir with a spoon

2.Add mandarin orange slice and stir

3. Spoon into the pie shell

4. Cover with plastic

5. Wrap and chill

You can freeze this pie and thaw slightly before serving.

----------------

Appetizers and Snacks

Vegetable Dippers

Ingredients:

*Bowl of carrots

*Celery

*Cucumbers

*Cherry tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Mix a 16 oz. container of light sour cream with dry soup mixes like tomato, vegetable or onion.

2. Allow the dip to blend over night or mix it up in the morning.

Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives

*1 (5 ounce) container sharp processed cheese food

Fruit Dips-1

Ingredients:

*2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

*1 cup brown sugar

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Fruit Dip #2

Ingredients:

*Cream cheese

*Crushed pineapple

Instructions:

1. Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple

2. Stir until you reach the desired taste and consistency

Some Basic Rules Of Cooking

Love, alone, doesn't make a great meal!

The food with which you cook plays a very big role in how you cook, as well as how good it all tastes at the end. For instance, the less fresh the vegetables, the longer they have to be cooked, as water will have been continuously evaporating through the skin leaving the vegetables dryer and dryer. Fresher vegetables also tend to be sweeter and better tasting.

So we have the first rule: Cook with the freshest possible ingredients

Another important point is the fact that most ingredients have a seasonal period when they taste best, are cheaper and are also plentiful. Cooking with seasonal ingredients will give the best results.

So the second rule is: Cook mainly with the produce of the season.

When you are learning to cook in a new style, I highly recommend that you focus on doing simple meals, but very well and in accordance with the general principles taught in the book or the ebook you are using; rather than going overboard (to begin with), buying very expensive ingredients to make a very complicated meal that might not turn out right. For instance, the best lobster or the best duck liver will be a nightmare to eat if badly prepared by overcooking, or if too salty. On the other hand, a piece of good meat, with well prepared sautéed potatoes and a salad with an olive oil and aged red-wine vinegar dressing may make a wonderful meal! A good meal is just a question of preparing food while respecting the "rules of the culinary art", even if these rules are very simple.

So here is the third rule: Respect the rules of the art of cooking

It is also incorrect to say or to think that very good cuisine has to be complicated and/or expensive to be good... even French Cuisine.




Many ebooks are available on the internet free to download or for cheap with photos or not. Many are good while others may be not as good. Make sure you get the best. I will always be happy to help you.
Jean-Louis Vosgien www.photos-and-recipes.com

Discover The Wonders Of Espresso

Stop by any local coffee house and you will most likely find something on the menu called espresso. If you have never tried an espresso you may want to give one a try the next time you visit your local coffee house. This magical, wonderful mixture may become your most favorite type of coffee drink.

Never before has espresso been more popular than it is today. Many people have heard of espresso coffee but really do not understand exactly what an espresso coffee drink is. Espresso coffee is a beverage that started out in Milan, Italy. Usually this coffee beverage was traditionally served to you by a barista.

With the wonderful modern age we live in today this drink can now be made in the comfort of your own home. The espresso makers you can purchase are more than capable of making a drink that will rival the old way of espresso making.

The home espresso machine is largely responsible for increasing the popularity of the espresso coffee drink. You can find a home espresso machine everywhere from your local department store to the finest coffee specialty shops. There is a home espresso machine for you no matter what your budget consist of. These machines have become so user friendly that almost anyone can master the basics of making espresso in their home.

Espresso coffee normally is of a thicker consistency than the every day coffee you may be used to. This coffee is subjected in a very high pressure of water that is extremely hot yet it is not boiling. When you get the espresso brewing process right you will have crema floating on the top of your espresso drink. This is one of the things that make espresso so special.

One nice thing about brewing your own espresso coffee is it does not actually take any kind of special roasting coffee bean. Most people do not realize there is nothing out of the ordinary about the coffee beans you use to brew your espresso drink. The main difference is the brewing procedure itself.

As the number of coffee houses multiply more and more people will discover this wonderful coffee mixture. The popularity of espresso should continue to increase with the addition of all of these coffee houses. Try out the many varieties and flavors to discover your personal favorite type of espresso. You may decide to make the switch from coffee.

Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients:

1-large Egg


½-cup Milk


8-ounces Spaghetti, uncooked


1-teaspoon Salt


½-teaspoon Black Pepper


½-teaspoon Garlic powder


½-pound Ground beef


½-pound Ground sausage


1-medium Onion, finely chopped


½-cup Chopped green chilies


½-cup Black olives, pitted and sliced


24-ounces Spaghetti sauce


2-cups (8 ounces) Mozzarella cheese, shredded


1-cup (4 ounces) Parmesan cheese, fresh grated

Instructions:

Cook spaghetti according to instructions on package; drain; rinse; drain again and set aside. In a medium bowl beat egg, milk, salt, pepper and garlic powder; add cooked spaghetti; toss to coat. Place coated spaghetti in a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish.

In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage, ground beef, finely chopped onion, chopped green chilies and sliced and pitted black olives over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and mix well; spoon over the spaghetti mixture.

Bake uncovered at 350° for twenty minutes. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for five to ten top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve warm with some nice toasty garlic bread.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Note: Make this with different spaghetti sauces and give it a whole new taste. Change out the sliced black olives with sliced mushrooms or even green peas. Have fun and make different substitutions.

You can find this recipe plus much much more at Cristie's Cookin. Don't forget to submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a "Gotcha Covered" apron and check out Cristie's great thriller "11.11.11".

Coinciding Settlements Clauses - Moving Issues

People who are selling their home in order to purchase another frequently set a “coinciding settlements” clause into their contract offer on the new home. One ground for doing this is so they can travel from one home to the other at the same time.

Coinciding Moving Day?

One ground people desire coinciding settlements is so they can travel out of one house and into the other the same day. Sometimes this plant out. Sometimes not. If it doesn’t work out, don’t monster out.

For example, if the house you’re purchasing is a new one, it may not be completed and have got an tenancy license by the day of the month specified. Are you going to put on the line losing the sale of your old home by insisting that settlement be delayed? Not if you’re smart and you really desire to do this change. You might research delaying settlement, or the option of a “lease back” period. If those ideas don’t fly, it’s clip to cope.

Depending on your budget and the length of clip between moving out of your old home and moving into your new one, you could:

1) Rich Person the moving company shop your piece of furniture and household goods, or

2) Rent a “smart box,” battalion your household points into it, and go forth it parked in presence of your old home, or parkland it in presence of your new 1 (depending on who allows permission), or

3) Shop your things in the cellar or garage of your new home (with permission), or

4) Rent a storage unit of measurement by the month, or

5) Shop your things in the cellar or garage of a relative or friend, AND

A) Stay in a hotel or motor hotel for a few nights, or

B) Stay in an extended-stay hotel or motor hotel suite, or

C) Stay with household or friends, or

D) Go camping, or

E) Some combination of the above.

The point is to move like a mature adult. Be flexible. You’re making a large change. The opportunities it’ll travel off without a enlistment are slim. Keep things in perspective. Practice originative problem solving. You’ll be proud of yourself and have got a smile on your human face when moving twenty-four hours comes.