Make A Tasty Summer Smoothie With Your KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars

It is not going to be winter for ever! Even though it may not feel like it, summer is going to come again and the it will be "smoothie" time again. If you have one of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars, or a Cuisinart CBT 700, making smoothies will be no problem to you.

With one of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars making smoothies is a breeze!

So, here is a tasty recipe for a Love That Fruit Smoothie:

What You Need:

• 1 Bart let pear, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks
• ½ C seedless grapes
• 1 banana, cut into small chunks
• 2 tsp. honey
• ¼ C cranberry juice
• 6 ice cubes

How to Make It:

1. Place the pears, grapes, banana and honey into the blender.
2. Puree until very smooth.
3. Add the cranberry juice and pulse 2 or 3 times until mixed together.
4. Add the ice and blend until mixture begins to thicken.

Kids love this smoothie. The fruit mixed with honey gives it a slightly sweet taste that appeals to children. If your children don’t enjoy cranberry juice experiment with their favorite juices until you find just the right one for them.

So, if you have one of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars or any other blender such as the Cuisinart CBT 700, grab it and try this tasty smoothie.

How Your Wind Turbine Can Get You A Check

Thinking about building your own wind turbine is a great idea now as it is a good time to so since you could be eligible for a tax credit from your favorite Uncle.

The government is encouraging energy savings in many ways by offering tax credits. Homeowners can receive credits for: adding energy efficient windows and doors, buying energy efficient appliances, and installing wind turbines.If you do not want to make your own wind turbine you can, of course, buy one such as the Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine

The amount of the tax credit varies but for a turbine it is 30% of the total cost of your turbine. If you buy one and hire someone to install it that can cost you anywhere from $600-$12,000 depending on the size of the turbine.

A 30% tax credit is nothing to sneeze at with that type of expenditure and it can go a long way to help you recoup some of that initial investment. That doesn't even take into consideration the money you'll save on your utility bills.

Of course, as with anything, there are those that say you are wasting your money installing a turbine. They consider it a vanity project. But there is ample evidence that installing your turbine can actually generate up to 60% of your homes electric needs. That can be a significant savings on your utility bill. I don't know about you, but I don't consider that a vanity project!

If you've been playing with the idea of installing a wind turbine at your home, you might want to make a move so that you can benefit from the governments tax credit. Installing a turbine will not only enable you to take advantage of the tax credit it will enable you to save considerable amounts of money on your energy bill not only now but forever. Think of how much money that would turn out to be...

How To Keep Up With Your Cycling Training When It Is Snowing?

The winter this year is a particularly heavy one! So, how to keep up with your cycling training can become a problem. It is impossible to go on the snowy roads and it is too cold anyway!

Well, I have found the ideal solution. You can train indoor on a bicycle trainer. I do not mean a stationary bike, I mean a trainer such as the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. It is easy to install and it is fun.

There are many benefits to using a trainer. You can get your training while you do a lot of other things. Watch TV with the family, read a book, study, or listen to music. That is really what I would call multi-tasking!

If you are going to watch TV it is very important that your trainer is not too noisy. The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer uses magnetic resistance and therefore it is much quieter than the ones that use wind resistance.

The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is a really good option to keep fit with during the winter, but there is no reason why you cannot use it in summer when it is raining. This is why the fact that it is easy to set up is very important. You want to be able to train indoors or outdoors depending on the weather.

Keeping fit during the winter is not always that easy so I think we need all the help we can get!

What To Use If You Only Want One Cup Of Coffee

Very often you will find mommies alone at home during the day. Now, what to do if you only want one cup of coffee? Do you boil a big kettle and make instant coffee? You can do that and use one of the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles. This is not a very good option. The Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles are very good kettles to boil a small amount of water in, it is best used for one cup of tea or other beverages where you only need one cup of hot water.

I think every home should have one of these Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles for a variety of reasons. The Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles are ideal for the dorm room or to make instant noodles with. They are also the ideal for travel and camping trips.

Your next option is to get a coffeemaker that can make only one cup of coffee at a time. Now, you do get 1 cup coffeemakers that are excellent for the purpose, but if you have a big family and want to make a big pot of coffee when everyone is there, you will have to keep two coffeemakers.

So, that is not a very good option, but now you get the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker that can make 12 cups of coffee. What is wonderful though about the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker is that it has settings for 1 to 4 cups of coffee! So, you can use the one coffeemaker for both purposes. You can make one cup of coffee and you can make up to 12 cups of coffee! Here you have the best of both worlds if you are a coffee lover.

Basically, you need both the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles and the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker!

Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker

Don't you just love waking up to the smell of fresh coffee brewing? To tell you the truth I cannot face the day unless I have had at least 2 cups of coffee! So, a programmable coffee maker such as the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker is just the thing for a coffee lover.

The Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker is programmable for 24 hours so you can set so that your coffee is ready when your alarm goes of in the morning. This is a really good way to get rid of the horrible feeling first thing in the morning when the alarm wakes you.

I hate alarms and that terrible intrusive noise that wakes you up long before you are ready to get up in the morning. Fortunately, with a coffee maker such as the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker you can at least have your coffee ready and hot first thing, makes life so much more acceptable!

One thing that is very important to keep in minds is that you cannot expect a good cup of coffee from inferior beans. If you ground too much coffee well in advance or use stale beans, you cannot blame the Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker if your coffee is less than perfect!

If you have to buy big quantities of bean at one time, freeze them and take them our of the freezer just long enough to be ready for you to grind them. This way you will prevent blaming the poor innocent Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker for bad tasting coffee! This solution is not as ideal as buying fresh beans regularly, but at least it is better than stale beans.

So, with your Cuisinart Dcc 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, wake to a fresh cup of coffee every morning.

There Are Always Occasions To Give The Cook In Your Life A Gift For The Kitchen

Sometimes coming up with gift ideas can be difficult. If the person is a lover of cooking, than coming up with gift ideas are a lot easier. The different appliances and gadgets that a cook can use are limitless. Even someone that simply likes to cook on weekends will love a gift for the kitchen.

So, I thought I'll look around for suitable gifts for the cook in the house and I came up with three very different ideas, all which will depend on the person you plan the gift for.

1. The very first gift I want to mention is the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars. I do not think there is a kitchen where a blender will not be welcome. You can do so much more with your KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars than only make smoothies and once you start using it, you think of more and more dishes you can use it for. So, as a gift you cannot go wrong with a KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars.

2. The second gift is only for those that enjoy entertaining or that likes to cook up a storm and freeze! I know many people who do that and for such a cook a Cuisinart Classic Stockpot is just the gift. It is big enough to cook a party amount of pasta and you can also cook a lot of stock and freeze it in smaller portions. For a real lover of the art of cooking, using "real" stock is very important so the Cuisinart Classic Stockpot will make an ideal gift.

3. When we get to the third gift I'm thinking of, you may think it does not belong here, but bear with me and you will see what I mean. The gift is one of the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles. Yes, a kettle! When you are cooking, you very often need only a little hot water for a dish and it is really uneconomical to get a burner started and put the kettle on for only a little hot water. So, the cook can quickly boil a small amount of water in the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles.

There you have it, my choice of three very different kinds of gifts a lover of cooking will enjoy very much. Of course, it is my wish list, you will know the cook and you will know what the cook needs!

Examples Of Science Fair Projects - Alternative Bread Mold Project

In this example science fair project you are going to find out what are the ideal conditions for the growth of molds on bread and what can be done to prevent the growth of mold. Molds are fungi and with bacteria they grow on organic materials and causes (or helps with) decay.

This is one of our examples of science fair projects where adult supervision is needed as heat is going to be used and because of the potential danger of the mold growing.

What you need for your science project:

• 4 Slices of bread
• 3 Sealable plastic bags, big enough for your slices of bread to fit in it
• A Pair of rubber gloves
• Tags to mark your bags with
• Pen
• A knife
• Antiseptic cream
• A piece of kitchen towel
• A small plate
• A note book
• Camera

How to do your project:

1. We are going to use three different conditions: completely dry bread, normal bread as it is and bread spread with antiseptic cream. Our problem is to find out the conditions that speeds up decay, in this case the mould growing on the bread.

2. Formulate your hypothesis on what you think will happen 

3. For your control place a piece of kitchen towel on a plate, place a slice of bread on the plate and place it in a cool dry place. (Why on a piece of paper towel?)

4. Take one of your slices of bread and completely dry it out in the oven at a very low heat.

5. Let it cool down completely. (Later on you should be able to give reason why it has to cool down completely)

6. Place the cold piece of "toast" in one of the plastic bags and mark it with a tag.

7. Place another slice of bread in one of the bags just as it is and mark the bag.

8. Spread your last slice of bread with antiseptic cream on both sides and place it in the last plastic bag and mark it.

9. Now you have to leave them in a warm (not hot) place.

10. Each day you have to make your observations, write it down and take a photo of your experiment. Do not forget your control.

11. Keep this up for a week.

12. You are now ready to write your conclusion, remember to give the reasons for what has happened to your slices of bread. Include your control in your conclusion. Your control shows what happens when you do not do anything, this id how you can draw the correct conclusion about what has happened to your other slices of bread.

* Do you know why the toast had to cool down completely before you placed it in the plastic bag?

* Is there only one reason for what happened to the toast or are there more than one?

* Why did you have to place your control on a piece of kitchen towel?

To get all the answer for doing a top science fair projects I recommend that you Download 24 Hour Science Projects for more help with your science fair projects and more examples of science fair projects.

Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler

Are you looking for easy and fast cooking? Well then it will be a very good idea to have a look at the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler! The Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler is so musch more than, well, anything! To be honest, it is so multifunctional that I'm not even sure what you should call it.

You can use your Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler for a variety of dishes and the with a simple change of the cooking plates and by adjust the floating hinge you can use the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler as a contact Grill, a panini press, or if you wish, an extra-large double Open Grill or Griddle. Now, is that cool or not?

The Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler is housed in cool touch, brushed stainless steel housing and is very easy to clean. The cooking plates drain for healthy cooking and there are dishwashers safe drip cups to catch the drippings, once again for ease of cleaning.

So, if you love to grill, looking at a Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler is a very good idea. Just think of all the tasty grilled sandwiches you can make with an appliance this easy to clean. What is even better, you can take any outside grilling recipe and adjust it to make use of your Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler. So, be on the lookout for tasty grill recipes and try them on your Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler.

The Perfect Valentine's Day Gift For Her - Palm Tree Diamond Pendant

The perfect Valentine's gift can be very easy to come by. One such gift that I think is a very good idea is a Palm Tree Diamond Pendant. You can never g wrong with jewelry, that is something we all know. That is why looking at is why I think looking at a for a Valentine's Day Gift is a very good idea.

What is so cool about such a gift is the wide variety you can get as far as the price range go. You can really get a nice pendant or necklace for a very reasonable price, but you can also get one that is very luxurious. What is even better about all this is that the moderately priced ones do not look cheap!

I went to have a look at more than one Palm Tree Diamond Pendant available and they are all exquisite! All of them have lots of diamonds and I like the once set in white gold the most as they bring out the beauty of the diamonds the most. There is really no need to go for imitations as you will find the real thing for a price you will be able to afford.

Here are features of some of the ones I found that I liked As Valentine's Day Gifts:

1. 0.17 Cts Diamond Palm-Tree Pendant in 14KWhite Gold Is A Perfect Valentine's Gift




There is one made by Mysolitaire a 0.17 Cts Diamond Palm-Tree Pendant in 14KWhite Gold. This is a very beautiful one with 15 beautifully cut diamonds set in 14 carat white gold. The pendant is 18 inches long and the diamonds are very clear. If you are considering a Palm Tree Diamond Pendant as a Valentine's Day gift, you will not go wrong with this one.

2. 14k White Gold Diamond Palm Tree Pendant Is A Steal As A Valnetines Day Gift


Then there is a 14k White Gold Diamond Palm Tree Pendant that you also cannot go wrong with. This one is also 18 inches long and it has 18 exquisitely cut tiny little diamonds. This palm Tree Diamond Pendant is part of the Amazon.com collection and that is your guarantee of quality. Amazon will not put their name to an inferior product.



For this one you will also find a matching pair of earrings. It is the 14K White Gold Diamond Palm Tree Earrings - 0.50 Ct by Gems-is-Me. The total weight of the diamonds is 0.5000 carats.

3. Palm Tree Diamond Pendant Necklace Will Stun As A Valentine's Day Gift




The last one I want to mention is the Palm Tree Diamond Pendant Necklace. This necklace is from Jewelry Days and it is amazing. I admit this one might not be in everyone's price range, but if you can afford it you will have the best Valentine's Day gift ever. This pendant is 16 inches long and the minimum diamond weight is 0.33 carats. This one will also go beautifully with the earrings above.

These three are only a few of the most beautiful Palm Tree Diamond Pendants I found. Making a choice is very difficult, but you will be guided by your own taste. You will know which one speaks to you the moment you see it. Make sure you give the right gift this Valentine's Day, get her a Palm Tree Diamond Pendant.

Latch Hook Kits - M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey

Latch Hook Kits such as the M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey is a great way to find out if you enjoy the craft of Latch Hooking. With Latch Hook Kits the whole family, and all ages, can discover the fun and easy craft of latch hooking and create family keepsakes that will give pleasure for many years to come.

With Latch Hook Kits, such as the M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey you will have all the basic materials you will need to make a complete item The only two things you will have to purchase separately are the stuffing and the latch hook tool.

Latch Hook Kits such as the M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey comes with pre-cut acrylic rug yarn and step-by-step instructions. This makes it very easy to complete the item in a very short time and see the finished product. For beginners to crafting this is very important, the inspiration that comes from seeing the completed product can not be underestimates. For this reason Latch Hook Kits such as the M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey are a very god idea.

As a gift to a child that loves crafts, or to try and inspire a love of crafts in a child, Latch Hook Kits such as M.C.G Textiles Latch Hook Kit Huggables Stuffed 15” Monkey can not be underestimated.

Provo Craft – Cricut Storage Tote

Provo Craft – Cricut Storage Tote

Having a Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter is every scrapbooker's dream. And because you do not need a computer to use it, you may want to take it with you on holiday and to craft groups meeting. This is where the Cricut Storage Tote comes in. The Cricut Storage Tote gives you a handy and conveniet way to carry your Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter with you.

The Cricut Storage Tote comes in an attractive lime color with gray trim so you can transport your cutter in style as well as safely!

You can also get the Cricut Machine Rolling Storage Tote Bag! It is basically the same except that it rolls.  The Cricut Storage Tote has room for 6X12 mats, several cartridges, the machine and cords, with pockets on the side to carry tools.

Specific to the You can also get the Cricut Machine Rolling Storage Tote Bag, of course, are the wheels. It rolls great and  has a collapsing handle  and the Cricut Storage Tote is very durable. It is wonderful to have this Cricut Storage Tote for your Cricut personal Electronic Cutter.

Your Cricut Storage Tote has front and side pockets, so keeping things organized is no problem. You will also find that the soft-grip zippers makes the pockets easy to open can close.The padded structure of the Cricut Storage Tote is the feature that ensures safety. 

So, if you love your Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter and want a safe way of transporting it, go and have a look at the Cricut Storage Tote.

Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter - A Scrapbookers Dream

Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter - A Scrapbookers Dream

If you love scrapbooking and other paper crafts, you will love the provo craft cricut personal electronic cutter. The Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter is a personal cutting machine that will help you to cut out letters and other shapes.

The Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter is based on a cartridge system and it has overlays for the keyboard to suit each cartridge. This way the keys change to suit the functions of each cartridge! Ingenious, really.

So if you are into scrapbooking or other paper crafts you will love the Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter. You do not need a computer to use it and you will easily master the basics of the machine.

Imagine being able to cut any letter or shape you desire in a few easy steps on your Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter! For a really serious scrapbooker or paper crafter this machine is a real must.

Because the Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter uses a cartridge system, you can start with the cartridge that suits your needs the best and than you can move on to getting more cartridges as time, and budget, allows. This way, in a short while, you will be able to cut an amazing variety of letters and shapes with ease.

So, Why Not Go An Have A Look At:

Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter

Can You Really Use Wind Power To Cut Your Energy Bills? Yes You Can With A Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine

Can You Really Use Wind Power To Cut Your Energy Bills? Yes with a Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine you will be able to do it.

I am not making light of the recession when I say that maybe something good will come of it.  I know many families are struggling just to keep their head above water, and I feel bad for them.  But the fact is that we are all learning new ways, like using wind power to save money.This is where a Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine can rally come in!

Once the economy turns around, and it will eventually, we can all be doing great if we keep on using the money saving habits we started using when things were bad. 

If you want to cut your electric bill now, and in the future, building your own wind turbine, that is also a very viable option, can help. It's a simple project you can easily do in a weekend.

A small homemade wind generator is just a more high tech version of a wind mill except now we can convert the energy from the wind into electricity and store it for later use. 

Turbines come in different sizes and shapes, you aren't just stuck with a huge windmill in your backyard.  As a matter of fact, many of them can be mounted directly to your roof.  Two of my neighbors have recently added them.

You can easily build your own turbine and it won't cost you more than a few hundred dollars.  The parts, and instructions, are readily available online or off.  You don't need any special skills or knowledge either. 

One small turbine probably won't generate all the energy your household needs on a daily basis, but it can cut your electric bill significantly. Many homeowners have seen a savings of over 75%.

Using wind power to save money on your electric bill is an easy, inexpensive thing you can do starting now.  Make it your weekend project, build your own wind turbine.

If you do not feel up to building your own, have a look at a Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine

Creative Writing Sites

Creative Writing Sites are becoming more and more popular as people are looking for that Creative Writing Idea or help with their writing or simply to be part of a Creative Writing community.

So, when you are looking for creative writing sites there are actually two different kinds of creative writing sites that you will find. One kind are the sites that have information about where you can get help with creative writing and the second are sites that you can join to become part of a creative writing community.

The site where you can get help with creative writing also differs to a great extend. Some of the sites are simply lists of other sites where you can get help with your creative writing and others are the sites with the actual help on them.

Advice and help you can get on these sites for Creative writing can also differ to a great extend. Some of the sites have help for students, some for teacher and then some for aspiring writers.

I find that it does not really matter which on the sites for creative writing are geared toward, you will still find pretty good help with your creative writing and for coming up with that illusive creative writing idea.

So, if you are interested in creative writing, there really is lots of help available for free.

Read More, Go To:

Creative Writing Sites And Creative Writing Idea

Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles

Making just one cup of tea when you are on your own has never been as easy as the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles makes it. It is the ideal kettle for traveling or the dorm room. With the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles you can easily boil only one cup

The Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles are made of polypropelene plastic that is heat treated to prevent a plastic taste. It has an auto off feature and a frosted handle for safety.

With the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles you can boil water at home, in the office or the dorm room quietly and the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles are very quiet.

A hot beverage on the road or when you are traveling has never been this easy. As long as you have a power point you can use your Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles anywhere.

What is very good about the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles is that, even though it is small and light, you can boil up to 27 fluid ounces in it. This is about 3 ½ cups.

The Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles takes up very little counter space so it is ideal to keep on the counter in the kitchen for a quick boil. No you can have a little bit of hot water very fast and you save a lot of money by saving energy.

So, I think the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettles are well worth a look.

A Fun Way To Keep Fit In Winter With Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Here is a fun way to keep fit in winter, get a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. Now you do not have to go out in the cold! With your Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer the layers of snow does not matter, you can stay indoors and stay in shape at the same time.

Imagine staying inside, reading a book or watching the TV while you are keeping up with your cycling. with a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer it is possible to do it all while you are keeping in shape. It is easy to set up and amazingly quiet.

The magnetic resistance that the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer uses is the reason why it is relatively quiet. This does not get rid of all the noice, unfortunately, but it is a whole lot quieter on a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer than on one that uses wind as resistance.

The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer has a single-adjustment, progressive magnetic resistance that smoothly increases as the speed increases. This once again makes for a smooth ride on your Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer.

Another good feature is that the double adjustment centers the bike in the trainer for a steady and comfortable ride.

Have a look at what The Navigator (Connecticut, USA) has to say:

"I have been using by Bell Motivator for about a month now and while it does produce a bit of noise, the cause is the rear bike tire tread NOT the trainer. My tire tread is fairly smooth and hence, little noise. A mountain bike tread would produce a lot of noise. If it really bothers you, buy a tread-less rear tire to reduce the noise level when your bike is used as a trainer.

The wheel at the back of the trainer provides adjustable resistance level and I must say that a 20-minute workout with this trainer, makes me sweat as much as my normal 45 minute outdoor workout! I'd recommend this trainer to anyone who wants to keep up their biking routine, during the cold, rainy and snowy days of fall and winter (at least here in the NorthEast!)"

Well, what can I say more than go and have a look at the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer? Keeping fit as well as keeping warm has never been this easy and cheap. With a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer you will be able to face the coming summer in top condition and what more can you ask?

Read More, Go To:

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Stay Fit In Winter With Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

In winter it is not very pleasant to go out and train. With a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer you can stay fit though even if the earth is covered in a tick layer of snow as it is at the moment!

Imagine staying inside, reading a book or watching the TV while you are keeping up with your cycling. Well it is possible with a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. It is easy to set up and amazingly quiet.

The reason why the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is relatively quiet is because it uses magnetic resistance and not wind. This does not get rid of all the noice, unfortunately, but it is a whole lot quieter on a Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer than on one that uses wind as resistance.

The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer has a single-adjustment, progressive magnetic resistance that smoothly increases as the speed increases. This once again makes for a smooth ride on your Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer.

Another good feature is that the double adjustment centers the bike in the trainer for a steady and comfortable ride.

Have a look at what The Navigator (Connecticut, USA) has to say:

"I have been using by Bell Motivator for about a month now and while it does produce a bit of noise, the cause is the rear bike tire tread NOT the trainer. My tire tread is fairly smooth and hence, little noise. A mountain bike tread would produce a lot of noise. If it really bothers you, buy a tread-less rear tire to reduce the noise level when your bike is used as a trainer.

The wheel at the back of the trainer provides adjustable resistance level and I must say that a 20-minute workout with this trainer, makes me sweat as much as my normal 45 minute outdoor workout! I'd recommend this trainer to anyone who wants to keep up their biking routine, during the cold, rainy and snowy days of fall and winter (at least here in the NorthEast!)"

So, I think having a look at the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is a very good idea.

Read More, Go To:

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Recipes For Slow Cooker - Lentil Taco Stew

If you own a slow cooker or crockpot, I know from experience, you are probably always on the lookout for recipes. There are so many reasons why it is very handy in the kitchen. If you are not making full use of it yet, I think I have a few good reasons for you to start making better use of your pot.

Reasons for using it:

1. It uses very little electricity and is therefore very economical.
2. Because you are making use of slow cooking methods, you can buy the cheaper cuts and still serve tender tasty meat to your family.
3. The ingredients for the recipes can be prepared the previous evening and then you can simply assemble it all in the morning before you leave for work.
4. Food cooked in the slow cooker is not so time sensitive, if it takes a little longer before everyone is home for dinner; the food will not spoil and will still be tasty and moist when served.
5. The slow cooking at low temperatures ensures that the flavor of a stew or soup is exceptional.
6. Because of the longer cooking time, flavors develop and you can use less salt which is a health benefit.
7. With a little experience you will be able to convert all your favorite recipes. Experiment!

To show you how easy it is, here is a tasty recipe for you: Lentil Taco Stew Recipe

This recipe can be used as a topping for nachos or as a stew depending on how many liquid ingredients you add.


Combine the following ingredients:

• 2 Cups Chopped Sweet Peppers (Red or Green or combination)
• 1 Cup Lentils (Dry - rinse and drain first)
• 1 Cup Chopped Onion
• 1/2 Cup Brown Rice (Dry)
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 2 Tsp. Chili Powder
• 1 Tsp. Sea Salt
• 4 Cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Cook for 8 hours on low or 5 hours on high.

In last 30 minutes of cooking time, add:

1 Summer Squash, sliced thin

Serve on top of organic corn tortilla chips along with traditional Mexican side dishes such as cheese, salsa, sour cream and lettuce.

Alternatively you can add more broth and make a stew to serve with mashed potatoes. As the recipe has brown rice in, it can also be served with only a salad.

Most recipes for slow cookers are of such a nature that you can leave it on it's own for most of the cooking time, then you only have to add the finishing touches when you get home and your meal is ready to serve. Be on the lookout for more easy and tasty slow cooker recipes.

I have more recipes for you at Recipes For Slow Cookers and lots of other tasty recipes for conventional cooking methods at Best Recipes Cookbooks. You can also visit my site All Our Recipes & More for even more recipes.

Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven, White

I wonder whatever we did before we all had microwave ovens? This is the main reason I'm having a look at the Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White.

The Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White is a very good microwave oven for a busy family. It is a big microwave and it is strong with its 1250-watts! This coupled to the size means you can have a meal ready for the family in almost no time.

What I also like about the Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White is the sensor cooking. It makes very sure that you do not have any accidents because you got busy with something else an forgot about the food in the microwave oven. The Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White will know when the food is ready and stop!

I really believe in getting the biggest and best microwave you can possibly afford because I know of so many people finding out later that their microwave oven does not really suit their needs. It is hard to imagine how big the bowls are that you may want to place in it and what other uses you may find for it.

When I bought my first Panasonic microwave oven I had no idea I would want to make jam in it! Fortunately a bought a big enough one because now it is something I do in it regularly.

I also find that I need a big microwave that can take big bowls when I want to make dishes in a milk basis as this prevents the milk spilling over the rim of the bowl when it starts boiling!

This is why I want to urge you to have a look at the Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White. With this microwave oven you will have no nasty surprises.

Read More, Go To:

Panasonic NN-H765WF Full-Size 1-3/5-Cubic-Foot 1250-Watt Microwave Oven White

Comparing The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer To The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

When comparing the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer to the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer there is one difference to take note of that is the most important.

The The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer uses magnetic resistance and the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer uses fluid resistance. The general idea is that fluid resistance is quieter than the magnetic resistance.

When you read the reviews about the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer on the Amazon site, it does not appear as if the noise made by the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is that bad. Most of the reviewers say they are still able to watch TV while training or they can listen to music.

There is no doubt though that the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is quieter than the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. So, I think the main thing here is that you have to decide what you need and what you are prepared to pay.

The The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is the official trainer of the US cycle team so you know it is an excellent piece of equipment, it is unfortunately also a little more expensive than the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. So, it is a financial decision you will have to make. Both trainers are excellent and both are relevantly quiet.

Read More, Go To:

• Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer
• Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Warm Their Bodies and Minds with Food

It’s the first snowfall of the winter and the kids are ready to go. They are covered from head to toe in warm clothes and are chomping at the bit to build that snowman. We know they are warm now, but in a few short minutes they will be chilled to the bone. Head to the kitchen and whip up something to warm both their bodies and their minds while they’re out playing.  

As parents we know good nutrition is important in keeping our children’s bodies healthy. It is also an important factor in keeping their minds healthy. When children play or exercise they become famished. When this happens we make sure they have a nutritious snack to revitalize them. When they are cold this becomes even more of a necessity.

When the body becomes cold it has a tendency to “shut down.” Adults know that if they are chilled their minds don’t function as well and neither do their bodies. It is important to give your child those warm beverages and soothing foods to help their bodies rejuvenate from the cold.

Drinks are a great way to help them warm up. Hot chocolate is always a favorite of children. Add a few marshmallows and they’ll be in heaven. Warm cider or tea can also give them the boost they need.

Incorporate a beverage into a warm meal. Chicken broth is a great way of adding a warm touch to a cold body. Chicken broth is also said to be quite healthy. Remember the warm cozy feeling you had as a child when Mom gave you chicken soup or broth when you weren’t feeling well? It has the same effect when you’re cold and tired.

Soups and grilled cheese sandwiches are a favorite for many children. This simple meal can be ready in no time and might be just the ticket in warming up the little ones.

There nothing like coming in out of the cold to a warm kitchen. Once the kids are in and have off all those clothes, let them help in doing some baking or lunchtime cooking. Be prepared with a cup of tea to help them warm up before they go to work on the delicious treats. Have the oven preheated so they enjoy a nice room while creating their own delicacies. This is a great way to help them get the heat back to those cold hands and feet.

Warming both the body and mind is important to keep our children healthy, happy and wise. Giving them foods and beverages they enjoy after a frolic in the cold is one way to ensure they maintain good health. Spending some time with them in a warm kitchen is one way for you to be sure they stay happy and maintain good health – both physically and mentally!

A Cup of Warmth to Brighten a Cold Winter Day

There’s nothing more comforting than curling up in front of a warm fire with a good cup of hot chocolate or mulled cider. Warm beverages have a way of taking the bluster out of a cold winter day. The ideas for a warm beverage are endless. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started on that cup of warmth.

Hot Chocolate - Kids and adults savor the taste of hot chocolate. Warm milk, chocolate and marshmallows have a way of soothing us. Today packaged hot chocolate mix is in abundance. There are numerous types and various flavors. Yet there’s nothing quite like homemade hot chocolate to warm and sooth a cold and tired body.

Mulled Cider - Apple cider is a great way to warm up on a blustery day. Mulled cider gets its comforting effect from spices infused in the flavor during heating. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are the spices most often used. Mace, ginger, allspice, orange slices and lemon zest can also bring out the flavor of a mulled cider. It’s best to use whole spices to achieve a full flavor. Ground spices may be used, but the taste will differ slightly.

For the best results when making mulled cider, steep the cider over low heat. Simmering the cider for a couple of hours will bring out the best flavor. Do not boil the cider or the taste may become bitter. To keep your cider warm, place it in the crock pot after simmering.

Hot Tea - We are fast finding in today’s world that tea is one drink that offers a healthy alternative to caffeinated drinks. An abundance of flavored teas, comforting teas and healthy teas are available in supermarkets everywhere. Herbal teas have also become a big hit.

Most herbal teas contain no caffeine. Spearmint tea is soothing and is easy on the digestive system. Peppermint tea is also quite soothing but can be hard on the bladder and digestive system if consumed on a regular basis. Mint teas also have large amounts of vitamin C. This may also be a problem for those whose bodies are sensitive to this vitamin.

Regulate your mint intake in teas by making your own. Add mint leaves to tea while steeping. It may take a few tries to find the right adjustment of mint, but it is well worth it when it when you do find the perfect dose.

Chamomile tea is another comforting herbal tea. Chamomile is great for naturally relieving muscle spasms that can be brought on by the cold weather. Be careful if you are allergic to ragweed as chamomile is related to the ragweed family.

Flavored Hot Water - This beverage might sound a little strange but with some imagination flavored hot waters can be quite delicious. Add flavored extracts with a tiny bit of brown sugar or honey. Stir in orange, lemon or lime zest to add flavor. Spices can be added to give hot water a delicious taste.

These are just a few ideas on how to achieve a soothing cup of warmth. Experiment with different herbs and spices or head off to the supermarket to see what is available. Relax and enjoy.

Baking Essentials for a Warm Day in the Kitchen

Just close your eyes and picture yourself in Grandma’s kitchen. Can you smell those fresh baked cookies or those scrumptious pies? Just the thought of baking gives anyone that warm to the toes feeling. Baking doesn’t have to be a culinary art. It’s simple, fun and can make a cold winter chill vanish in a blink of an eye.  

When Grandma baked it was usually from scratch. No box mixes or canned pie filling could be found in her pantry. In today’s hustle and bustle world a prepackaged mix brings a quick reality to most kitchens. There’s nothing wrong with that, but a day of scratch baking can also bring a little relief from a stressful life.

Baking is not really an art. The hardest part of baking is making sure you have all the essentials needed. This list is a good place to start when checking for items that are necessary to turn the kitchen into a baker’s delight.

Flour - All purpose flour is a must but depending on what you are baking you may also need self rising flour, wheat flour or millet flour. Just be careful not to substitute in a recipe. Flours consist of different properties and can make or break the easiest of recipes.

Sugar - White and brown sugars are a must when baking. Brown sugar can be found in light or dark. Light brown sugar usually works best when baking because it gives those baked goods a delicious flavor. Use dark brown sugar when the recipe calls for it.

Butter or Margarine – Which is better? In most cases one can be substituted for the other, but if a recipe calls for butter specifically, do not substitute margarine. Regular butter will give your recipe more flavor and when used sparingly won’t cause as many health problems. Sweet, unsalted butter is best because the salt can mask the flavor of food. Be careful with salted butter because it masks the smell and taste of the butter which means it could easily go rancid without your knowledge.

Cooking Oils; Sprays - When it comes to baking, oils rank at the top of important items to have on hand. They help to make our baked items moist and tasty. Non stick cooking sprays make greasing those pans easier and more economical.

Baking Powder; Baking Soda - These leavening agents are an important ingredient in order for your baked items to rise during the baking process.

Eggs; Dairy Products - Eggs are the “glue” that hold your baked goods together. They are also a large part of the rising process. Most recipes will call for large eggs and these are the best bet for consistent results. Dairy products like milk and creams are a staple in many baking recipes as well.

Spices – These can make or break a recipe. Spices add flavor to those baked goods. Be sure to add only spices that will give the flavor you need. Apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice and other specialized spices include many different spices combined saving you both time and money.

Bakeware; Cooking Utensils - Measuring cups and measuring spoons are very important to ensure you add just the right amount of ingredients to batters. A whisk, pastry blender and rubber spatulas are also necessary in preparing those batters. An electric mixer, blender or food processor can help in cutting down preparation times.

Cookie sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, pie pans and brownie pans are all necessary when baking. Cake pans come in round or rectangular shape and in all different sizes. Brownie pans are usually square and come in 8 inch or 9 inch sizes. Depending on just how in depth you want to take your baking you may also need tube pans, spring form pans or Bundt pans.

Baking is a simple pleasure that anyone can enjoy. Baking is a great way to introduce children to the kitchen too. It is definitely a way to make your home feel warm and cozy when it’s cold outside. Take the chill off and bake a batch of cookies or a loaf of bread this afternoon.

Winter Spices to Help Fight a Chill & More

Spices play an important part in making delicious meals. They give our foods distinct flavor and aroma. Did you know that certain winter spices can give your body warmth? Here are just a few that can help steer off that down to the bone chill winter so graciously offers. 

Cinnamon - This winter spice is used often for its distinctive taste and smell. Add a cinnamon stick to a hot beverage. Ground cinnamon is a great topping for toast, oatmeal and fruit. Cinnamon also finds it way into baked foods, chili and soup. Cinnamon can be used as a natural sweetener for applesauce. Diabetics can use this winter spice to help reduce blood sugar levels along with triglycerides and cholesterol.

Ginger - Ginger not only warms a cold body, but is also quite healthy. This spice is known for having powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Many use this spice to help with migraine headaches, arthritis and nausea. Ginger can be added to soups, to top vegetables or sprinkled over meats to give them a tangy flavor. It can also give tea a zesty bite.

Cloves - Cloves have a unique taste. They are often used when roasting meats to give the meat a full flavor. Hams are especially tasty when topped with cloves. This spice can be used in teas or baked foods. Cloves are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric - This Indian spice is usually found in powder form. It adds flavor to soups, stews and chili. It can be used when roasting meats and is often found in pasta sauce. Scientific studies have shown that turmeric not only warms the body but can also help in protecting the body against cancer. Turmeric has been used for treating stomach ulcers and relieving free radical stress in people suffering inflammation.

Cardamom - In experimental studies cardamom has been shown to prevent cancer and help in detoxifying the liver. Cardamom is often used in conjunction with cinnamon. Teas, ciders and flavored hot waters are enhanced by cardamom. Cardamom can also be used when flavoring foods with cloves to enhance the flavors and aroma.

Pepper - Just the sound of pepper warms a body. Pepper is a strong spice often used when cooking bland dishes. This spice gives a pungent flavor to almost any food. Adding a little extra pepper instead of salt to your foods can be both a warming and healthy benefit. Pepper is also said to be helpful to those who have asthma.

These are just a few of the winter spices that will help head off that cold winter chill. Add them to any of your favorite foods. The taste and smell are sure to warm the body and comfort the soul.

Comforting Casseroles All Winter Long

When it comes to warm, comforting food casseroles take center stage. These delicious meals can consist of meats, vegetables and even fruits baked in the oven. Casseroles can be thrown together using leftovers and/or pantry staples and they freeze very well. You just can’t beat a warm casserole on a cold winter evening.

How Casseroles Came to Be

Casseroles were derived from France where they were called “saucepans” in the beginning. Early casseroles were simple meals made with pounded or pressed rice combined with sweetbreads or cheap meats. In the late 1800’s casseroles began to take on the version we know today.

Casseroles became very popular in America in the 1950’s when casserole bakeware became all the rage. They were easy and quick to fix and the elegant bakeware meant a casserole could go from oven to table with no extra work involved. There are many versions of the casserole including Great Britain’s version known as the bake.

What Makes Casseroles So Special?

Its 6:00 and you just arrived home from work. The kids are home and your husband is wondering what you’re fixing for supper. Cooking is not necessarily at the top of your ‘things I’d love to be doing right now’ list, but your family has to eat, right? You begin looking around the kitchen and discover there’s a little of this and a little of that in the refrigerator and cabinets. Throw it all together in a dish, bake it and you’ll soon have a nice meal to place on the table.

Casseroles are the perfect main dish. They usually contain meat and vegetables of some type, so adding a lot of extras to the meal is not necessary. A salad or bowl of fruit, along with bread and you’ve got yourself a full meal to serve.

Convenience also comes into play with casseroles. Many of us like to make our meals for the week ahead of time. Casseroles freeze well and are easy to reheat. Just pull them out of the freezer and place them in a preheated oven. In an hour or so you have a meal fit for the entire family.

Not only are casseroles quick and easy, but they save time and money. Many casseroles are made from leftovers. Add a can of creamed soup and sprinkle bread crumbs over the top. You just can’t beat all the advantages a casserole has to offer.

Casserole Ideas

Most casseroles include meat and vegetables although they can be made with fruits as well. Add in pasta, cheese, condensed soups, chopped hard boil egg and top them with a nice bread crumb topping. Tuna casserole, vegetable casseroles, chicken casseroles, beef casseroles and mixed fruit casseroles are just a few ways of preparing a delicious meal.

Always use a dish that is the right size for the ingredients. If a dish is too big the moisture will evaporate leaving the casserole dry. If it’s too small the casserole will bubble over.

A casserole dish that is too deep produces uncooked foods where a casserole dish that is too shallow will cause the ingredients to be overcooked. Casserole dishes today come in numerous shapes and sizes, not to mention the colors and designs. With all the types of casseroles dishes available it becomes easy to find ones that will go from oven to table without worry.

Casseroles may have taken a back stage to fast food, microwave and ready to serve meals, but in reality they may be one of the best ideas for our times. They also make great pot luck dinner items and can be made to feed a large crowd very easily. Take a look in your fridge and cabinets and see what you can find to make a casserole for dinner tonight.

Let the Comfort of a Good Roast Warm You

Sometimes when it’s cold and snowy outside the comfort of a good home cooked meal is all you need to warm up. Meat and potatoes have a way of making us feel good and helping us ward off those cold winter days. For many a roast may seem too scary to attempt, but in reality they are as simple as making a sandwich.


Large tender cuts of beef, pork and lamb make the best roasts. When purchasing a roast look for marbling or flecks of fat within the lean meat. This marbling increases the juiciness of the meat giving it more flavors along with making these cuts tenderer. Aged beef roasts will also enhance the roast’s flavor.

When it comes to types of meats to roast, there are many to choose from. Turkeys and hams are often roasted to enhance their flavor. Beef roasts and pork roasts are favorites, but roasted prime rib and leg of lamb are mighty tasty too. Even a roasted chicken can be juicer and have more flavor than fried chicken.

Tips for Turning out the Perfect Roast

When roasting a cut of meat, be sure it is at least 2 inches thick. This will guarantee a moister and less chewy dish. Moist heat is important when roasting a large cut of meat. A large cut of meat when slow cooked should be braised to ensure a mouth watering and juicy finished product.

Browning the meat is a plus. It doesn’t matter if you are slow cooking on top of the stove, in the crock pot or in the oven, browning meat before hand over high heat will help to caramelize the proteins and sugars found on the outside of the meat. This gives your roast a richer flavor.

It is best to season a roast before browning it. By doing this prior to browning, the flavors are sealed into the meat and not left in the bottom of a roasting pan. Roasts are best cooked between 300 and 350 degrees.

If you are using vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions and celery and using a crock pot, always add the vegetables at the beginning of the cooking process. You want your vegetables to be soft and by letting them cook longer at the slow temperature, you’ll have just that.

If you are adding vegetables to a roast in the oven, add them about 1 hour before the roast has finished cooking. They will be soft instead of mushy from being overcooked or crunchy from not being cooked enough.

Liquids can also be added to roasts. Water, broths, soups, juices, wine and even soda can be added to help keep your roast juicy and flavorful. Always be sure to cover your pan with foil or a tight lid to keep the liquids from escaping and causing your roast to become too dry.

One last tip - remember a meat thermometer. Different meats cook in different time spans. A meat thermometer is the most reliable way to tell when any meat product is cooked all the way through.

Roasts make the best fix it and forget meals. Add a side of fruit and a slice of warm homemade bread and you have a meal that is both comforting and warming.

Stew: Not Just another Hearty Soup

When it comes to warming up, not only our bodies but our kitchens, stews are at the top of the list. Just the smell of a simmering stew spells comfort and warmth. Soups can also give us this warm feeling, but be not confused - soups and stews are very different. Both are generally cooked on top of the stove or in a crock pot and both can contain meat and vegetables, but their liquid bases are different in many ways.

What is Stew?

The definition of a stew is solid food cooked in resilient gravy. Solid ingredients include meats, carrots, potatoes, celery and other types of vegetables. These meats and vegetables are chopped coarsely and added to a liquid. The liquid is thickened by flour or arrowroot after the stew simmers for a period of time.

Stews are simmered over low heat. The simmering time may be 3 hours to 8 hours depending on the type of stew. This simmering process allows the flavors of the stew ingredients to intermingle with each other. Often times extra spices are not necessary to give the stew its distinct comforting flavor and smell.

Where Did Stews Originate?

It is said that stews have long been a favorite in France. The French are known for making flavorful stews that are economical. When stew first originated it was considered a food for peasants. Stews were easily made with just a few ingredients and can be a dish that is served for more than just one sitting.

It didn’t take long for stews to become a dish of distinction. Today the French pride themselves on their vibrant and hearty stews. Yet France is not alone on their love for this type of dish. Polish too have their own form of stew known as “bigos” and the Germans consider goulash their favorite type of stew. The Americans are also true lovers of a good stew.

The Difference Between Stews & Soups

Even though both soups and stews warm the body, there are significant differences between the two.

Soups are often water based. Milk, or even fruit juices, can also be used to make a soup base. Soups can be served warm or cold and are usually served in a bowl due to the thin liquid soups are cooked in. Soups cook quickly compared to stews, which means the addition of more spices and seasonings are often times necessary to give a soup its distinct flavor.


Stews are much thicker and their liquids are often referred to as gravy. Stews are usually served as a main course. Soups can be both a main course or served as a starter for a meal. A good stew is always served hot and can be placed on a plate rather than in a bowl due to its thicker consistency. Stews are also much richer than soups and hold well when frozen and reheated.

Soups and stews can warm you up on a cold winter day and give a little comfort to fight off the winter blues. The differences between the may be quite distinctive, but the end result is still a warm comfort and great taste. Try simmering a hearty stew to see the difference for you.

A Bowl of Red is Delicious No Doubt, but It Can Be Controversial Too

What is a bowl of red you might ask? Why, it’s chili of course! Right of the bat you can see the controversy. Chili is a warm food eaten in the chill of winter. Just how strange is that? In America it’s not very strange at all actually. Just ask the participants at one of the numerous chili cook offs held throughout the United States every single year.

Just What Is Chili Anyway?

The answer to that question depends on what part of the United States you find yourself in? Most chili includes ground beef, beans, onions, tomatoes, chili powder and tomato juice. Pretty basic until you travel around to some of the best chili spots in North America and discover how people have added and removed some of those ingredients to create a huge variety of the dish.

Texans are great fans of chili. Their chili is as hot and spicy as any around. Stew meat is often found in southern chili instead of ground meat. These types of chili also include cayenne pepper. The hotter the red, the better the red. That’s the norm in Texas. Many Texans dislike the use of beans in their chili also.

Cincinnati, Ohio is known for their 5 way chili. This chili includes ground meat, spaghetti noodles, beans, onions and cheese. Some cities have tried to improve on this 5 way chili by adding spices and tomatoes. These types of chili are often called the five alarm chili.

For most Americans chili is whatever we can find to put in the pot. Some prefer very basic chili, while others work hard to refine their chili until it’s perfect. Most won’t give their recipe away either which makes for a very guarded secret in many places.

Some chili has even been known to contain corn and bits of potatoes. Some chili dishes include ground pork or ground turkey instead of ground beef. Most chili contains onions and tomatoes, but vary on the other types of vegetables included. There are chili beans in some, kidney beans in others and still some who combine both types of beans. There are even versions of chili made with chicken and white beans, which is known as white chili.

Most chili contains tomato juice. V-8 juice has become a popular replacement for plain tomato juice. With the different varieties of V-8 juice now, some chili experts shy away from adding extra spices. There are chili’s made with wines, beers and even a few that contain orange juice.

Peppers have also found their way into many chili recipes. Bell peppers, jalapeno peppers and hot chili peppers are often added to give color and taste to the best recipes. It is also said a pinch of sugar (brown or white) can be added to remove the acid found in many tomato based chili recipes.

Americans are so proud of their chili that many areas have a chili cook off contest. These cook offs bring in chili of every kind you can imagine. Tasters must choose the best pot of the bunch. To be the chili king or queen is a characteristic carried by many and held in the highest regards in some areas.

No matter where you are from or what you put in your chili, it is sure to bring on a few doubtful taste buds, especially among fellow cooks. Of the diehard chili makers no one believes another’s chili is better than their own, no matter how much they consume. Try making your own version of the best chili around. It just takes a little imagination and often times a liking for the hot and unknown. No matter what you put in that chili pot it is sure to fight off the chill of a cold winter day.

Homemade Soups: Warming and Hearty

In many areas of the world soup is considered to be the main meal of the day. Most homemade soups are made without any recipes using only cooking skills that have been passed down through the generations and concocted within imaginations. Market produce, home grown vegetables, herbs and leftovers find their way into some of the best soups.


Soup for the Soul

Soup is pure comfort food that warms your body and heart. It is simple to make and fun to eat. Just ask any child who slurps from the spoon at the dinner table how much fun it can be. This hearty dish fills you up yet, is easy on the tummy because it’s so easy to digest.

How Did Soup Start Anyway?

Soup is believed to have come from the word “sop.” This term means to pour a rich warm broth over a slice of bread. Bread is a main staple in many homes and goes perfect as a complement to soup. Torn bread, a crusty loaf of bread and even croutons find there way into soup bowls all over the world.

There’s Nothing Quite Like a Bowl of Homemade Soup

In this day and age homemade soups have taken a back burner in many homes. With the ready made convenience of canned soups many have forgotten just how warming and comforting a good bowl of soup made from scratch can be.

Soup is an extremely versatile dish because it can include just about any ingredient you’ve got on hand. Vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, fish and even fruits can be placed in a soup pot with the end result being a delicious meal.

Depending on the ingredients, soup can be a hearty chunky concoction served in rustic style or a silky, creamy dish fit for even the most refined setting. Hot or cold the possibilities for soup creations are endless.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Homemade Soup

A good soup has a strong and hearty flavor. Ingredients such as garlic, tomatoes or onions can give flavor to a simply prepared soup. These types of ingredients will give any type of liquid you add to your soup the best flavor and appeal.

Another way to enhance the flavor of your soup is by using a well flavored stock. Stocks are made by using raw vegetables, meats or fish. Place the ingredients into a stock pot with water and allow them to simmer until the liquid becomes infused with the hearty flavors.

Once the stock has simmered, strain it well and use it as the base liquid for homemade soup. Stocks are best when made in large amounts and frozen for later use. This not only saves money, but time too because you don’t have to wait for the stock to be prepared before you begin putting together the soup itself.

Water is always acceptable in place of stock when making homemade soup. Just remember when you use water the soup will have less of an infusion of flavor and less body. That doesn’t mean your soup will be bland and boring. Simply, create the flavor you’re looking for with herbs and spices.

Wondering how much stock to use for a pot of soup? Using 8 ounces of stock per person will prove to be the perfect amount.

There is something to be said about having a bowl of chicken soup when you are feeling under the weather. Comforting and warming soups can supply us with everything our bodies need to make it though a long cold winter. So, head to the kitchen and see what you can come up with to create your own homemade soup today.

Foods Perfect for Warming Up on Cold Winter Days

When the days are short and the weather is frigid, we look for foods that are comforting. Often times these foods will sooth the soul, but they won’t warm the toes. Luckily, there are certain foods you can eat to help warm up your body temperature. There are also foods that should be avoided if you’re looking to warm yourself up on the inside and out. We’ll talk a bit about both.

Foods that Warm the Body

Adding certain foods to your diet on a daily basis can make a difference in your body temperature. Some of these items may not come as a surprise to you, but others may have you asking yourself if they really do make a difference?

Nuts & Seeds

Peanuts and almonds are easy to incorporate into a diet. 10 soaked almonds or a handful of peanuts can give the body deep warmth that lasts.

Seeds such as sesame, pumpkin and fennel are great body warmers. Sesame seeds can be incorporated into many dishes, such as green beans or chicken. Pumpkin seeds are great as a snack when roasted. Fennel seeds can also be added to foods. These seeds are great for the digestive system and help to warm the body no matter how you choose to use them.

Spices & More

Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper are warming spices. Ground cinnamon can be added to add flavor to many of our baked foods. Cinnamon sticks give a wonderful taste to many warm beverages, such as tea.

Cloves are not only warming but they are a great mouth freshener. Because they have antiseptic properties, they not only help with bad breath, but can also keep other parts of your body healthy. Ginger can be added to soups or vegetables to help incorporate this spice into our daily diets.

Pepper just yells out warmth. Sprinkle a little pepper onto your foods in place of the extra salt.

Honey is effective when it comes to warming the body. Honey is a natural sweetener that can be added to just about anything sugar is used in. Honey is also great for the complexion.

Onions and garlic are easy to incorporate into most meals. These little gems not only help in keeping the body warm but can also be helpful in keeping the body healthy. Have a cold? Try a little garlic to open up those stuffy noses. Lowering cholesterol is also one of the benefits of garlic and onions.

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and vegetables will also give the body the warmth it needs. Add a serving of fruits and vegetables to each of your meals every single day. It’s just what the doctor ordered. We all know fruits and vegetables are healthy, but when added to your daily diet in the winter time, they help to warm your entire body by boosting your immune system, blood flow and much more.

Foods to Avoid in Winter

Not all foods are the greatest if warmth is what you’re after. There are some foods that should be avoided in order to stay toasty in the winter. First things first, remember not to overeat on a cold winter night. Overeating can jump start your metabolism which burns off the extra calories needed to keep the body warm. It can also extinguish digestive fires which help in fending off the chill.

Certain foods that should be avoided include:

• White breads
• Cucumbers
• Too much butter
• Cold drinks
• Rice (especially at night)
• Alcohol
• Processed chips

These foods can also heighten metabolism and add to your blustery feeling.

These are just a few of the foods to eat and to avoid during those cold winter months. The next time you curl up in front of the TV with a warm blanket to fight off the winter chill, try snacking on a few of the foods listed above to help keep you warm. You might be surprised at how well it works.

Preserve Your Memories By Printing Your Photos With Canon Photo Printer Paper

The holidays are over and now we have all these lovely photos. So it is a good idea to print them with Canon Photo Printer Paper to ensure a good quality photo.

All the Canon Photo Printer Paper is of a high quality and the sizes are exactly right so you know you get good photos every time.

I am always so happy with all the options we have these days as far as photos go. No more film to waste! You can take as many photos as you like and it does not cost you anything. How wonderful for someone as bad at photography as I am.

Can you imagine how much film I wasted through the years taking BAD photos! At least now I can keep on trying until I have the perfect photo and then I can print it on Canon Photo Printer Paper.

What you need to do though is have a look at all the different kinds of Canon Photo Printer Paper available and make sure you get the one that will give you exactly the photos you want.

It is important to keep in mind what you want to use the photos for before you choose the size of the paper you are going to use. You do not want to end up with photos in the wrong size that you cannot use for what you want to use it for.

Fortunately, if you buy your Canon Photo Printer Paper from Amazon you save a lot and therefore your photos will not cost you as much as you expect. Of course, this gives you far more freedom if you are experimenting with sizes for your scrapbooking.

So, I think looking at Canon Photo Printer Paper is a very good idea.

Read More, Go To:

Canon Photo Printer Paper

Why You May Want To Go For A Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

After my previous post, here are some reasons why you may want to go for the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer instead. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is a very good trainer and well worth a look.

So here are some of the benefits of the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer:

• It is very quiet!
• The fluid resistance is thermodynamically stable
• The flywheel makes for realistic coast down
• The resistance automatically adjusts to your speed
• It is the official trainer for the US cycling team so you know it is good
• It offers an ultra-accurate simulation of outdoor riding
• And much, much more!

You may well be wondering, well, what do I care about the US cycling team? I only mention it to make sure you know shy I think the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is one of the trainers you should have a look at. There are so many, I have two on this blog myself, so I thought I have to motivate myself.

I think what is most important to keep in mind here is why you want a trainer. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is for the serious cyclist, there is no doubt about it. It is easy to set up and it will give you what you need.

This being said, the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer does not exclude anyone. You can use it for training even if you simply want to make sure you keep fit, it is just that it has that little extra for the serious athlete!

So, Read More, Go To:

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Indoor Training When It Is Cold Outside With The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

We all know that it is essential to keep up with training during the cold winter months. So it is vital to have some way to train inside and the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is the ideal solution.

With the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer the weather will never be a problem any more and you will be able to keep up with your cycling right through snow storm and cyclones!

Have a look at some of the features of the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer:

• It is very easy to set up
• It is quiet enough for you to watch TV while you are cycling
• It has smooth magnetic resistance
• It is less expensive than many of the other trainers
• It is well built and strong.

….to name but a few!

So, if you take your fitness or your cycling serious, having a look at the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is a very good idea. You can spend time outdoors when the weather permits and you can keep up with your cycling indoors when the weather is bad.

The one drawback of the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer is, NO MORE EXCUSES, you will never be able to blame the weather again when you are too lazy to train!

So, Read More, Go To:

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

How To Harvest More Rain Water

All gardeners will know that rainwater collection roof is vital if you want a really exceptional garden. It becomes even more important if you want to cultivate your own vegetables economically. So you cannot simply place a few buckets for rainwater collection roof and hope for the best, you have to know How To Harvest Rain Water more effectively.

You will be surprised at how easy it can be to drastically improve your rainwater collection system with a little bit of planning. You will also save yourself a lot of money if you plan your rainwater collection system optimally.

I came across an ebook with the name "How To Harvest More Rain Water" and it really appears as if this guy has done his homework. He is giving you all the benefit of the mistakes he made in building his rainwater collection system. This means he will not only save you money, but he will also save you a lot of time and frustration!

I was also impressed with the fact that he even shows you how much rain you will need to fill your tank! So, this will help you to know what the correct size for your tank is. No more wasting water because of a tank that is too small.

So, if you are thinking about rainwater collection roof, I am convinced that How To Harvest More Rain Water will help you a lot.

Read More! Go To: Rainwater Collection Roof

When You Need a Late Night Workout 24 Hour Gyms

Working out tips are important because with so many people having such busy schedules these days, you may find it difficult to scratch out an hour or two to visit the gym and keep yourself in shape. Exercise is tremendously important to good health and overall well being, so finding time to exercise is crucial to long life and good fitness. So part of the working out tips are to have a look at 24 hour gyms.

More and more fitness centers are discovering that in order to meet the needs of their clients, extended hours are necessary. That's why you're more likely to find 24 hour gyms in your neighborhood, where you can get in a good workout regardless of what time of day it may be.

When you decide to sign up for a fitness center membership, you may want to make a list of the gyms that are located near you. Some people prefer to find a gym near their home, others like to have a gym that is close to work, and still others would prefer a fitness center that is located midway between. No matter what you prefer, prepare a list and then start making some calls.

If you're looking only for 24 hour gyms, then you can use your list to narrow down your selections. Simply scratch off the list any gyms you call that don't offer access around the clock. You may find that you may have to extend the radius of your search a few miles in order to find 24 hour gyms in your area. Even so, don't give up: with the rapid growth of the exercise market and more and more 24 hour gyms opening every month, no doubt you'll be able to find a fitness center that meets your needs.

Once you have a short list of 24 hour gyms, you should contact each one and ask about their staffing. In some cases, round the clock fitness centers have someone on staff 24 hours a day, which is perfect if you worry about the possibility of injury or problems that may crop up at 3:00 in the morning. Understand that not all 24 hour gyms have someone on staff at all hours.

In fact, you may find that some 24 hour gyms have staff members on site only during "normal" business hours, or roughly 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Many of these 24 hour locations issue special keys or electronic key cards to their members so that they can access the facility at any hour of the day. Because they don't staff the fitness center around the clock, they often offer a monthly membership fee that is lower than gyms which provide staff at all times.

In some cases you may find yourself working out completely alone in an empty facility. If you don't mind the solitude or aren't concerned about the need for help in case of injury or other issues, then you could possibly save a few dollars every month by choosing a facility that doesn't have staff on at all hours.

They say that time is money. For some, time is even more precious than gold. If you're out of time and need to be able to workout on your schedule, then you may want to look into the 24 hour gyms in your area. Since you can access these facilities at any time, they offer the most flexibility for people on the go.

Read More, Go To: Working Out Tips

How Can I Lose Fat?

The New Year is here! All the festivities are over and now many of us are wondering How Can I lose Fat? Well, fortunately it is very easy. You have to go onto a good diet, you can read all about it on the page How Can I Lose Fat, and you have to do moderate exercise, you can read all about that on the page Burn Fat Exercises.

Yes, I am sorry; this unfortunately remains the answer to the question "How Can I Lose Fat?" The magic weight loss pill that we can swallow and the fat simply melts away has not been found, yet!

If you are wondering how can I lose fat? You also do not have to fear the diet and exercise you have to do. Going on a starvation diet is not going to accomplish anything, On the contrary, you will only slow down your metabolism and make weight loss even more difficult in the future.

So, go to the page How Can I Lose Fat and get the best tips for a good diet and them you can go to the page Burn Fat Exercises to get excellent exercises to help you with your exercise efforts.

Luckily for everyone that is not too mad about exercise, to burn fat with exercise is easy. You have to make sure that you only do moderate exercise and stay within your "fat burning" zone. You do not have to train as if you are going to run the marathon! Moderate is the keyword here.

So, if you are wondering How Can I Lose Fat, the answer is, with a good, healthy, balanced diet and moderate exercise.