Saturday, February 27, 2010

Speckled Hen Steamed Pudding

To make this easy dessert you will have to use one of the Cuisinart Sm-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers otherwise you poor arm is going to have a very hard time. Using one of the Cuisinart Sm-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers makes very light work of this dessert and your family and friends will really be impressed with the "old fashioned" steam pudding!

Easy method for a speckled hen pudding;

  1. To make a speckled hen, this easy dessert, you have to start by beating ½ a cup of butter and ½ a cup of sugar together very well with one of the Cuisinart Sm-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers.
  2. Now you add 2 eggs, well beaten, very gradually to the butter mixture.
  3. Sift two cups of flour with one teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt.
  4. Slowly add this to the butter mixture with just enough milk to make a batter.
  5. Stir in 2 cups of currants and steam it in a greased basin for 2 hours.
  6. Serve this easy dessert with jam or a wine sauce.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The How To Of A Prayer Group

If you are thinking of starting a prayer group there are a few things you have to keep in mind. A prayer group differs from a Bible study group or any other kind of gathering and therefore a prayer group has certain basic "rules" you have to keep to.

The basics of a prayer group:

  1. Have a set time for your prayer group
  2. Do not get guest speakers as it is not a Bible study group
  3. Read only a few short pieces of scripture
  4. The group must not be too big, no more than 6 to 8 members
  5. Keep it informal so that everyone can feel at home
  6. Make sure you incorporate variation to suit all kinds of personality
  7. Make sure there is good communication
  8. Keep a prayer journal
  9. Make sure there is no gossiping taking place
  10. Make sure the meeting is not too long, no more than one hour
  11. Keep in mind that there are different ways to pray
  12. Because there are not a lot of people in the prayer group singing will not really be effective
  13. You can sometimes pray scripture such as the Psalms
  14. If you feel like coffee or tea, leave it for after the meeting

Exercise As An Important Part Of Weight Loss

Losing weight can be a problem if you do not approach it in the correct way. It is very important to understand that weight loss comprises of two aspects, one is a balanced healthy diet and you can read all about it in How Can I lose Fat. The second and most important is exercise.

Getting time for exercise is not always easy, but if you get a Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper you can fit in exercise whenever you have a break. The Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper folds away for easy storage in small spaces. It is easy roll it under a bed or store in in a closet.

The Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper is quiet so you can use it while you are watching TV without driving the rest of the family round the bend. So, you can save a lot of time by getting a little exercise while you are watching TV.

It is possible to lose weight with a diet only, but it is a much slower process. You will lose weight faster if you add a little moderate exercise to your daily routine. Exercise that builds muscle has the added advantage of increasing your metabolism permanently. This means that once you have reached your goal weight, you can eat a little more and still retain your weight!

So, if you follow a good diet and do some Burn Fat Exercises you will reach your goal weight very fast.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Vegetarian Hamburger Grill

It is amazing how good a vegetarian burger can taste. What is important is that you should make the patty yourself. There is also no need to have a indoor or outdoor grill to make them, you can use your Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler.

Because the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler has a floating hinge you can open it up so that it is flat. Using the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler in this way gives you a big flat area to use for our grilling.

Here is your recipe for today:

Simple Grilled Bean Burgers     


What You Need:
  • 2/3 C uncooked bulgur
  • 1 1/3 C of water, boiling
  • 4 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
  • 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
  • 1/4 C of fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 T tomato paste
  • 1 T soy sauce
  • 1 T chili powder
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 8 whole wheat rolls, cut in half
How to Make It:
  1. Place the bulgur in a mixing bowl and pour the boiling water over the top.
  2. Cover the bowl and set aside to steam the bulgur for 10 minutes.
  3. Place the toasted bread in the food processor and process until you have 1/2 C of crumbs then set aside.
  4. Place the beans, parsley and garlic into the food processor. (One of the Cuisinart 11 Cup Pro Custom 11 Food Processors is ideal for this purpose)
  5. Process the mixture until very smooth.
  6. Drain the bulgur and stir it into the bean mixture.
  7. Add the bread crumbs and blend until well combined.
  8. Add in the egg, tomato paste and soy sauce blended them in well.
  9. Sprinkle in the chili powder, salt and pepper and stir until well blended.
  10. Set the mixture aside for 30 minutes allowing the mixture to thicken.
  11. Heat the grill temperature to medium heat and lightly grease the grill rack.
  12. Form the thickened bean mixture into 8 patties and lightly mist both sides with the non stick cooking spray.
  13. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes then turn.
  14. Continue grilling an additional 5 minutes or until the burgers are as crisp as you like.
  15. Place the rolls on the grill and toast for 1 minute.
  16. Place the burgers on the toasted rolls and top with your favorite condiments.
Makes 8 servings

Regular hamburger buns do not hold up well with this type of burger. The buns are too soft to hold up. Use a more rustic bun such as whole wheat or rye to enhance the taste of your burger. Black or pinto beans may be used in the place of the kidney beans.

Tasty Lunch In A Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar

Using a Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar is simple. It gives us the satisfaction of knowing that cold foods and hot foods will stay that way. There are many types and sizes of thermos flasks available but for lunch a Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar is probably the best. Each and every kind of thermos has its purpose.

A Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar can hold liquids, meals, snacks, fruits, vegetables and even desserts. Just about anything you prepare can be placed in a thermos. Make a large amount of a dish and freeze it. When ready to use take it out of the freezer, reheat it and place it in the Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar. Use the thermos to take leftovers from the night before. A Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar can be useful in many ways to ensure that our meals are fresh and still taste good later in the day.

Warming or chilling a thermos is very easy. To warm a thermos, fill it with boiling water and seal the lid tight. When ready to use pour out the water and add the food. Close tightly and be on your way.

To cool your Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar fill it with ice cubes the night before. Seal it tight. When ready to use the next morning remove the ice and fill. Again be sure to seal it tight so the food stays nice and cold. Always be sure to place anything you want to remain cold in the refrigerator for a short period of time to cool. This will help ensure the food stays nice and cold all day.

Just about any type of food will work in a Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar. Try to remember to keep the thermos dry so that the foods don’t retain moisture and become too soggy. One other quick note to remember: Once the Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar is opened the air will bring the food to room temperature. Try not to open the thermos until your ready to eat. This will guarantee that the foods stay the hot or cold until you’re ready to enjoy them.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Lots Of Summer Fun For Your Boy With A Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels

Cycling is a very good way to get your 9 to 10 year old boy active. If you love cycling getting your boy a Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels is a very good idea.

You can go cycling and take him with you. There is nothing that is more enjoyable than doing some kind of sport as a family and cycling is one of the ideal ones. Make sure you get him a good bike though, as it is important that he learns to use the gears correct from the start.

So, you have to look for a bike with good gears and you also want a bike that will be up to the abuse it is sure to get from a 9 year old boy. This, of course, rules out all those cheap boxed ones you can get at the discount stores.

Now it is also true that you do not want to spend a fortune as he is only going to use it for a few years and the he is going to outgrow it. This means you also do not want to pay too much for it. You have to look for a sort of "in between" bike. Not the expensive ones you will get a specialist stores, but also not the cheap stuff.

To really enjoy your cycling with your 9 or 10 year old boy, it is important that you take the time to look at all your options and get the bike that is exactly right. Having a look at the Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels as one of your options is a good idea.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Indoor Training With Your Kurt Kinetic Road Machine

When the snow and cold weather is upon us, going out to train is not too easy. It is impossible to keep up with your cycling, unless you have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, that is.

The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is very quiet as it uses fluid resistance and not wind resistance. This means you can set up your Kurt Kinetic Road Machine anywhere in the house without driving the family crazy!

Another reason why it is good to have the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is that you can multi task. You can read, listen to music or watch TV while you are keeping up with your cycling. I have even heard of people studying while they are on their trainer.

Of course, your choice of trainer will depend on what you want to do with it. If you are serious about your cycling, it is good to keep in mind that the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is the US cycling team's official trainer.

On the other hand if you simply want to use it to stay fit, and if you do not mind exercises somewhere in the basement or away from the family, then you may opt for a cheaper option. The noise from a machine using magnetic resistance is not THAT bad so it is a viable option.

So, keep your target in mind and go and have a look at the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Is A Whole Wind Farm Necessary For You To Make Wind Power Work?

Lots of people do not have the right idea about wind power. It seems that people believe they will need several huge turbines in their backyard in order to benefit from this clean renewable source of energy.

Actually that's just one of several common misconceptions about using the wind to generate electricity.

Don't let a lack of information stop you from becoming more eco-friendly and saving a lot of money in the process.Get will informed with the book Wind Power Renewable Energy For Home Farm And Business And see how you can easily make wind power work for you with a wind turbine such as Sunforce 44447 900w Whisper Wind Turbine or even a homemade DIY one such as a small Home Rooftop Wind Turbine!

Here are some things you may, or may not, have known about using wind energy for your own private household use:

1. In most parts of the country wind energy is a better option than solar energy. That's because wind is readily available more often than the sun and wind can also happen at night.

2. One turbine will generate about 5 times more energy than one solar panel.

3. One turbine won't generate all the electricity the average household needs daily, but it can generate up to half.

4. Wind turbines come in many sizes and shapes. You don't need to have some ugly contraption in your backyard to benefit from wind energy.

5. You can build your own turbine for less than $300, yet you can still see savings of up to 80% on your utility bills.

6. For most people the cost of buying a turbine would be too high. It would also take much longer to recoup your investment if you bought a turbine rather than built one.

7. You don't need a lot of land to have a turbine. Some are small enough to fit on your roof.

Using wind power to save the planet while saving yourself some money is a great idea. Now more than ever it's viable for the average homeowner. You can do it, start today.

Easy Coffee Recipes - Not Only To Drink

When you are looking at easy coffee recipes, there are some people do not think of. Those easy coffee recipes not for coffee to drink but all the other tasty stuff you can make with your coffee. I particularly love a coffee cake so I thought I'll give you my recipe as one of my easy coffee recipes.

Coffee Sponge

Ingredients:

  • 4 Eggs
  • ½ Cup milk ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 4 Tablespoons oil
  • 2 Cups of flour
  • 1 ½ Cup of sugar
  • ½ cup very strong coffee
  • 3 Teaspoons baking powder
Method:

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 Degrees fahrenheit
  2. Heat the milk and coffee without boiling it
  3. Beat the eggs and add the sugar slowly, bit by bit. (A Cuisinart SM-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers is ideal for this)
  4. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder together
  5. Fold into the egg mixture
  6. Add the vanilla
  7. Fold in the hot milk and coffee
  8. Turn into two 9 inch prepared pans (at least 2 ½ inch deep)
  9. Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes until done
  10. Decorate as you wish, I like a coffee frosting.

So, there you have another of my easy coffee recipes that are not for the drink coffee.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tasty Homemade Ice Cream In Your Musso Lussino 4080

With summer fast approaching frozen desserts and especially ice cream will become very popular again. If you really love your ice cream, a ice cream maker such as the Musso Lussino 4080 will be your dream appliance.

With a Musso Lussino 4080 you can really make ice cream on very short notice. Unlike other ice cream maker you do not have to freeze the bowl for hours before you can start making your ice cream, you can start immediately, just when the craving gets you!

Once you have mastered your Musso Lussino 4080 you will want to start experimenting and to give you a good idea of a tasty variation here is a recipe for you to try.

Sweet Basil Strawberry Ice Cream

What You Need:
  • 3 C of milk, divided
  • 3/4 C of sugar
  • 6 egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 6 large sweet basil leaves
  • 3 C of strawberries, halved
How to Make It:

  1. Pour 1 1/2 C of the milk into a saucepan placed over medium heat.
  2. Add the sugar, egg yolks and basil leaves to the saucepan.
  3. Using a wooden spoon press the basil leaves against the side of the pan to bruise the leaves.
  4. Stirring continuously, cook the mixture for 5 minutes or until a finger mark runs clear on a coated metal spoon.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining milk.
  6. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and set aside.
  7. Place the strawberries into a food processor. (You can use your Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blenders With Polycarbonate Jars for this purpose)
  8. Cover and puree the berries until smooth.
  9. Remove the basil leaves from the milk mixture and discard.
  10. Fold the pureed strawberries into the milk mixture.
  11. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours or until very cold. (with a Musso Lussino 4080 this is strictly not necessary, you can only let it cool a little, it will take longer to make the ice cream though, as it has to cool it first)
  12. Pour the chilled strawberry mixture into the freezer canister.
  13. Freeze as directed by the manufacturer.
  14. Ripen for 4 hours.
Makes 12 servings

Bruising basil leaves is an important part of releasing their flavor. It allows the flavors to blend without crushing the leaves making it difficult to remove them from the cooked mixture.

Tasty Ginger Drink In Your Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker

The coolest thing about the Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker is that you can transform any drink into an iced drink and you can control the end result with the settings.

To give you and idea, here is a recipe that you can change by simply making it in your Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker and adding ice to the ice compartment of your Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker

First here is the recipe as is:

Ginger drink:

Ingredients:

  • 3 Sprigs of mint
  • Juice of 3 lemons
  • 3 Cups of black tea
  • Sugar to taste (keep all the other ingredients in mind and make it sweeter than you normally would at this stage, a few practice runs will soon let you know exactly how much sugar is called for)
  • Juice of 3 oranges
  • ½ Teaspoon ginger
  • 2 Cups of cold water

Method:

  1. Crush the mint and add it to the hot tea and dissolve the sugar in the hot tea.
  2. Leave to infuse the tea
  3. Strain the tea
  4. Add the ginger to 2 Tablespoons of hot water and then the rest of the water
  5. Add the rest of the ingredients to the tea
  6. Allow to cool thoroughly and serve over ice
Now the variation:

Because you are going to make it a frozen drink in your Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker Reduce the cold water to taste. Now you blend it in your Margaritaville Dm2000 Premium Frozen Concoction Maker and it will shave the correct amount of ice into your drink according to your settings.

Monday, February 15, 2010

What Can Be More Comforting Than Hot Soup And Homemade Bread?

Yes, I am certain you agree with me, coming home to a hot meal of tasty soup and freshly home baked bread is the ultimate in comfort after a cold day slogging away.

Now we all know soup and homemade bread takes time, but fortunately the homemade bread can be sorted out with a Zojirushi BB-HAC10. The Zojirushi BB-HAC10 is programmable and you can have a perfect 1 pound loaf ready when your get home!

Fortunately the soup can also be sorted with a West Bend Slow Cooker as you can get the soup going in the morning, forget about it and have a ready meal when you get home. To give you and idea, here is an example of a recipes you can try in your West Bend Slow Cooker.

Beefy Sweet and Sour Soup

What You Need:

  • 1 1/2 lb beef stew meat
  • 1 (16 oz) pkg. frozen stew vegetables
  • 2 (10 3/4 oz) cans beefy mushroom soup
  • 1/2 C sweet and sour sauce
  • 1/2 C water
How to Make It:
  1. Trim the stew meat and cut into 1 1/2 in pieces.
  2. Place the meat into the bottom of the West Bend Slow Cooker.
  3. Place the vegetables in the West Bend Slow Cooker with the meat.
  4. Stir in the soup and sweet and sour sauce.
  5. Pour in the water and mix together to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low 10 hours or high 5 hours.
Serving Size: 6

Use 1 can of golden mushroom soup in place of 1 can of the beefy mushroom soup. If you like your soup with a little more liquid add 1/2 C of beef broth with the water.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

All Those Lovely Memories!

It is so easy to take many photos these with the digital cameras. Gone are the days when you had to buy a film and had to be careful not to waste it. Fortunately it is still possible to print all these lovely memories. Take care that you print it on good photo paper such as canon photo paper plus glossy.

One problem does exist though, you cannot print all the lovely memories and some you have to keep on your computer or some other from of digital saving. Enters "digital scrapbooking" and it may be a good idea to have a look at Digital Scrapbooking Explained.


I do not think it will ever take the place of "real" scrapbooking but it is a very good way of preserving your memories without cluttering your closet! Let's face it, many beautiful scrapbooks are put away in some drawer and nobody ever looks at them. If you had it on your computer, and you sent it to your love ones, the chances are that they will be looked at more frequently.


So, I think the solution is, print the special ones on paper such as the canon photo paper plus glossy, make your lovely scrapbooks with them, but with the rest have a look at Digital Scrapbooking.

Spend time with all your lovely photos, make sure you note the date and all the reasons for taking them. It may sound silly, but in a few year's time you may not remember as well as you think you will. This is the reason why digital scrapbooking is becaoming more and more popular and important.

Keep your normal scrapbooks, but do not leave it at that, with the rest, look into digital scrapbooking.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tasty Chicken Breasts Sauted With Coriander

Who does not love chicken? And chicken breasts are the most economical as there is less waste. Here is a tasty chicken recipe and I will serve it with Basmati rice I cooked in a Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker Steamer. With the Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker Steamer your rice is always perfect and you do not have to pay any attention to it while it is cooking.

So, here is your recipe:

Chicken Breasts Sauteed With Coriander

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, skinned and boned
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 3 fl oz plain low-fat yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp single cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped shallot
  • 1 small tomato, skinned seeded and chopped
  • ¾ oz fresh coriander leaves, coarsely chopped
  • 4 extra coriander leaves for garnish
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cornflour, mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • 6 fl oz unsalted chicken stock

Method:

Chicken:

  • In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium to high heat.
  • Sauté the chicken breasts on one side for 5 minutes, turn the chicken breasts and sprinkle with the pepper and half of the salt.
  • Sauté the chicken breasts on the other side until they are firm but still springy to the touch for about 4 minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken breasts to a heated platter and keep it warm.

Sauce:

  1. In a small bowl, stir the yoghurt and cream into the cornflour mixture.
  2. Add the stock and lemon juice to the pan
  3. Now you add the garlic and shallot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 seconds.
  4. Stir in the tomato, the yoghurt mixture and the remaining salt.
  5. Cook over low heat for 1 minute
  6. Then you add the chopped coriander.
  7. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish each breast with a fresh coriander leaf, if desired.
Serve this dish with fluffy rice and a mixed salad. Any vegetables will also taste very good with this chicken.

Tasty Slow Cooker Soups - Slow Cooker Mushroom Soup Recipe

What can be tastier than a hearty soup? With a West Bend Slow Cooker you can start the soup before you go out in the morning and return to a hot and tasty soup. One of the reasons why a West Bend Slow Cooker is so good for a soup is because the flavor of a soup is greatly enhanced by a long period of cooking.

Of course, if you prefer, you can brown the chicken cubes in your West Bend Slow Cooker before you add the rest of the ingredients. This is one of the other benefits of the West Bend Slow Cooker, actually the West Bend 84716 Versatility 6 Quart Oval Slo Cooker to be more specific, you can use it on the stove or in the oven as well. It is where the part of Versatility comes in.

One more variation I make to this recipe is to fry a little bit of chopped onion with the chicken cubes. I love a little onion in al my soups, but that is a personal preference.

Mushroom Packed Chicken Soup

What You Need:

  • 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/4 C of water
  • 4 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless cut into cubes
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 C fresh baby carrots
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1/2 t garlic powder

How to Make It:

  • Place the soup into the slow cooker.
  • Add the water and stir to combine well.
  • Salt and pepper the chicken cubes then add them to the slow cooker.
  • Place the mushrooms, carrots and celery into the mixture.
  • Sprinkle in the garlic powder and stir to incorporate all the flavors together.
  • Cover and cook on the low temperature setting 7 hours.

Serving Size: 4

Any type of mushrooms can be used just be sure they are fresh not canned. Try white mushrooms and Portobello mushrooms together for added flavor. If you really like mushrooms double the amount. No extra cooking time will be needed.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tasty One Pot Meals

Tasty One Pot Meals can be such a time saver. If you have an All Clad Dutch Oven it cannot be easier. You simply add all the ingredients to your All Clad Dutch Oven, place it in the oven and that is it.

So, I thought I will give you an example of a tasty recipe.

Beefy Cabbage Layers

What You Need:

  • 1/2 C of pearl barley
  • 1 C of water
  • 1/2 t of salt
  • 1/4 t of pepper
  • 8 intact large green cabbage leaves, divided
  • 2 (14 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes
  • 1 T of lemon juice
  • 2 T light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 1 t of parsley flakes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 C of raisins
How to Make It:

  1. Allow the oven to preheat to 450 degrees.
  2. Generously spray the inside and lid of an All Clad Dutch Oven with cooking spray.
  3. Place the barley into a strainer.
  4. Rinse the barley under cold water and allow the water to drain.
  5. Pour the barley into the prepared pan.
  6. Pour the water over the barley in the pan and sprinkle in the salt and pepper.
  7. Arrange a single layer of cabbage over the barley.
  8. Drain the tomato juice into a small bowl.
  9. Add the lemon juice and whisk to combine.
  10. Whisk in the brown sugar until dissolved.
  11. Place the eggs into a separate mixing bowl and beat lightly with a fork.
  12. Add the onion, carrot, beef, parsley and garlic.
  13. Mix the ingredients together well with your hands.
  14. Fold the tomatoes into the meat mixture until well combined.
  15. Drop half of the meat mixture in an even layer over the cabbage leaves.
  16. Pour half of the tomato juice mixture over the top then sprinkle with the raisins.
  17. Layer more cabbage leaves over the top in a single layer.
  18. Evenly layer the remaining meat mixture over the cabbage leaves.
  19. Layer any remaining cabbage leaves over the meat.
  20. Pour the remaining tomato juice mixture over the cabbage leaves.
  21. Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.
Makes 4 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 05 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 350; Fat 8g; Carbohydrates 55g; Cholesterol 144 mg; Sodium 525 mg; Protein 20g;
Fiber 7g

Air Pollution Science Fair Project - Lots Of Fun

Why is doing an Air Pollution Science Fair Project a good idea? Well, air pollution is a very real problem and what is more, air pollution is the reason for acid rain. In the long run acid rain will kill all life. No plants can grow in soil that has been polluted by acid rain to a very great extend. Even if the plants can still grow, their growth is hampered.

Acid rain is not something to take up lightly. So, I though as a science fair project idea acid rain may a very good option. So, I will give you a simple example here and if you want to know more about a good science fair project you can have a look at 24 Hour Science Projects. In it you will find complete projects, but also all the info you need to do your own. With it in hand you should be able to do a good science fair project on my suggestion of an air pollution science fair project.

This air pollution science fair project is going to use water to measure the degree of air pollution through water. Using water samples from different sources you will be able to see if acid rain is a big problem in your area.

Here is what you will need:
  • Small jars to take your water samples in
  • Some pH paper that you can get from a pet store or aquarium
  • The color chart for the pH paper (you will get this from the pet store or aquarium as well)
  • Tweezers
This is how to do your air pollution science fair project:

  1. Make sure your jars are completely clean and dry. (This is important for accurate results)
  2. With the help of an adult collect water samples from different sources such as tap water, rain water, pool water, well water and dam water)
  3. Collect each sample in a clearly marked jar and taking a photo of the surroundings where you collect it is a good idea for your display
  4. Using the tweezers dip a strip of pH paper into each sample and compare the result to the color chart.
  5. Make meticulous notes of everything you do and take photos for your display
  6. From this you will be able to see the extend of acid rain in your area from the rain water sample and the other samples will show you what is going on in all the other sources.

If you do not have a lot of time, have a look at 24 Hour Science Projects where you will get complete projects you will be able to do in 24 hours or less.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Backyard Barbeque Party

What’s more fun in the warm months than grilling out? It’s grilling out with friends. If you have a Weber One Touch Charcoal Grill you will have lots of fun if you host your own backyard barbeque and invite all your buddies over for a tasty meal and some backyard fun. Here are some tips to get that party started right.

The number one complaint I have about throwing a barbeque party is that the cooks do more cooking than enjoying their company. Last minute preparations mean that the food is not ready when the guests arrive. It is hard to entertain and fix the appetizers at the same time. People seem to eat in shifts as the food gets ready.

Let’s avoid that bit of nonsense this year. If you are going to have a barbeque get-together, plan ahead so that it is easy on the guests and the hosts. Know your menu. Decide the week before what you will serve for the meal. Appetizers or finger foods of some sort allow guests to munch while they wait for the main course to finish on the grill.

Appetizers should be small especially if you plan on serving a variety of grilled meats and vegetables. Try a veggie or fruit tray with some low calorie dip. This is easy to make—you go to the store and pick one up! The name of the game here is to have fun and to do as much as you can ahead of time. These appetizer trays have no preservatives so it’s okay to buy them pre-packaged from the store.

Punch is a good idea for a party where there will be children as well as grown ups. If the punch is meant to be sparkling (adding soda), chill the punch first without the soda and add it just before the guests arrive. That way, the punch won’t lose it’s kick while in the fridge.

If the guests were told to bring their appetites, you may want to eliminate grilled chicken from the menu. Chicken takes a long time to cook depending on the parts of the bird you are grilling. This alone will cause some people to get their food ahead of others. So no guest is left with an empty plate, choose other meats or pre-bake your chicken before grilling to reduce cooking time.

Remember to always preheat the grill. When people come in and see smoke rising from the grill they expect that you have already put food on it. Don’t surprise them with the smell of smoldering charcoal. Forty-five minutes before the party, start the gas or charcoal grill so that the coals get hot and are ready for grilling once the guests arrive.

As for the side dishes and cold salads, prepare those at least an hour (for the side dishes) or two (for the salads) before the party. This cuts down on the work of the host and hostess. You can sit with your friends and await the goodies from the grill. Better still, everyone can watch the grill master at work and nibble on appetizers.

The backyard barbeque should flow smoothly when you take the time to prepare. When the work is done early, the fun can begin as soon as the guests arrive.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Using Wind Energy For Your Home

Many experts have predicted that our reserves of fossil fuels will be exhausted in about twenty years. Whether or not you believe that's true one thing is clear: it's time we started finding alternative energy sources.

Wind energy is one of the most viable forms of alternative energy sources available today. We are lucky in that current advances in technology have made it feasible for wind power to be used by the average homeowner. You can use wind power by getting a wind turbine such as a Sunforce 44447 900w Whisper Wind Turbine or you can go the very cheap way and build your own Home Rooftop Wind Turbine.



Before you decide if wind power is the best way for you to go, check over this list of advantages to using wind power:

1. Wind power is clean and will not pollute or harm the environment.

2. It is renewable. Unless things change dramatically there will always be wind. Wind is always being 'created'.

3. Wind power is plentiful. Anywhere you go on the planet you will be able to find wind. Unlike fossil fuels we won't be able to use up all the wind on the planet.

4. Inexpensive to install. To really benefit from wind energy you should build your own turbine. To buy one would cost thousands and take much longer for you to recoup your investment.

But you can easily build your own for only a few few hundred dollars. It's an easy project that will only take a few hours of your time.

One turbine won't be enough to provide all your energy needs. In order to go completely off the gird you would probably need a combination of wind and solar energy.

But one turbine is enough to help you save hundreds of dollars on your utility bills while enabling you to use that much less fossil fuel.

All in all, using wind energy to supply some of your household electrical needs just makes sense, for you and the planet.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Natural Cure Yeast Infection

If you suffer from frequent yeast infections, you will benefit from a natural cure yeast infection. The reason? Well, all the medications get rid of the symptoms, but it does not get rid of the source of the problem and therefore the infection return time and time again.

The only way to get rid of yeast infections for good is to look at a natural cure yeast infection and that is a holistic approach. You have to change your lifestyle to a lifestyle that will not encourage an overgrowth of the Candida Albicans (this is the fungus that gives you the infection)

Very few people know, for instance, that something as insignificant as getting too little sleep can result in a yeast infection. The reason is that anything resulting in a weakened immune system can be the cause of a yeast infection.

Another thing people do not think about is stress. Once again, stress results in a weakened immune system and can result in an overgrowth of Candida Albicans. So if you suffer from frequent yeast infections, taking some time of and getting rid of the stress may be a good idea.

So, when you are thinking of a natural cure yeast infection, you have to realize that it is a holistic approach that is going to help you get rid of yeast infections for good.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Low GI Diet Plans - Here's A Recipe - Chickpea Salad

Low GI Diet Plans are becoming more and more popular. Getting recipes can be a problem though, so I thought I'll give you a tasty recipe for a low GI salad. Try it and you will see that food you have to make on Low GI Diet Plans does not have to be tasteless. I hop you will enjoy this recipe.

Chickpea Salad

Ingredients:
  • 1 can of chickpeas - drained.
  • handful of green onions (scallions)
  • 1 whole freash tomato
  • 1 large sprig of parsley
  • Lemon juice of about half a lemon
  • Olive Oil
Instructions:

  1. Drain a can of chick peas and pour into a small salad bowl. 
  2. Chop up the parsely, tomato, and green onions to add to chickpeas in the bowl. 
  3. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and douse with oil. 
  4. Toss until well coated.
  5. For added flavor add some fresh herbs from your herb garden.
(chickpeas = garbanzo beans)

Now I think you can see how tasty the food can be on one of the Low GI Diet Plans.

Four Easy Ways to Loose Weight

It seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone is claiming they have the best ways to loose weight. The only true and proven ways to loose weight are to eat better and participate in a fitness program. All of those self-help books, diet products, and crazy-looking exercise machines are all a waste of money. Losing weight can be very inexpensive if done right.

So, if you are asking the question, how can I lose fat or if you are wondering about How To Lose Weight Calories, it is not necessary to spend a fortune, there are easy and healthy ways to get rid of those extra layers of fat and cut down on calories.

A simple walk around the park and a basket full of vegetables can be all you need to start on your way to loosing weight and living healthier. Here are four things you can incorporate into your lifestyle today to see immediate results.

1. Eat breakfast every day. 

This gets your body's digestive system started up and will increase your metabolism throughout the day. Many people are rushed in the morning and think they can just skip breakfast and catch up with a big lunch. This is actually the worst thing for people who are trying to loose weight because it causes the body to slow down its metabolism.

Since dinner is usually around 7 o'clock for most people, this means that the body has to go well over 12 hours with no nourishment at all. The body switches to "famine" mode to conserve energy and burns less calories while storing more fat.

2. Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. 

As mentioned above, this keeps the body from switching to energy conservation mode. You will also find that you have more consistent energy all day long because your body is constantly getting fuel.

Of course, these smaller meals should be healthy items, not junk food. Processed sugars and saturated fat are harder for the body to handle, so you will have a lag in energy level and a drop in metabolism while the body struggles to digest an unhealthy snack.

3. Slow down while eating. 

Not only will you be able to savor the taste of your food, but you will also end up eating less if you take longer to do it. Eating too quickly circumvents the body's signal that it is full. You can keep eating before you realize that you do not need any more food.

Slow down and try to take about 30 seconds per bite of food. This lets your body catch up and let you know when you have had enough to satisfy your physical needs. You may even become more mindful of the food you are eating and the nutritional choices you make. Often we eat certain foods simply out of habit and do not even realize we are making an unhealthy choice.

4. Plan out your meals for the entire week. 

This will make your grocery shopping easier and can keep you motivated to eat healthy even when things get busy later in the week.

You will already have all the necessary ingredients on hand to cook a delicious and healthy meal, so it will be harder to justify choosing high calorie fast food instead. The best ways to loose weight is to focus on making it convenient and enjoyable to live a healthy lifestyle.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Convenient Recipes For Food In The Freezer

If there is something I love it is grabbing something from the freezer when I'm in a hurry! Sometimes you will find that your normal freezer space is not enough for all the freezing you want to do.

Well, then it is a good idea to get an extra smaller freezer that you can put somewhere and use for all those savings you can get. For this purpose you can always look at a small freezer such as the Frigidaire Chest Freezer, or the full name: Frigidaire FFC0723DW 7-1/5-Cubic-Foot Manual-Defrost Chest Freezer White.

So often we find that we can get hold of considerable savings if only we had more space. Other times we have these tasty recipes for the freezer and we do not have enough space. Well than the Frigidaire Chest Freezer is a very good idea.

OK, back to our topic, here is a tasty recipe ideal for freezing. You can make it ahead of time and when you need it you simply defrost and go!

Pie Crust from the Freezer

What You Need:

  • 2 C sifted all purpose flour
  • 1 t salt
  • 3/4 C shortening
  • 4 to 5 T ice water
  • Wax paper
  • Freezer wrap

How to Make It:

  1. Place the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until mixture become crumbly.
  3. Add 1 T of the ice water at a time.
  4. After each addition, toss with a fork.
  5. Push moistened ingredients to the side.
  6. Only add ice water to dry ingredients.
  7. Continue adding the ice water 1 T at a time until all the dry ingredients are moistened.
  8. Dough should be moist enough to hold together but not sticky.
  9. Divide dough in half.
  10. Roll each half into a ball.
  11. Wrap each ball with wax paper.
  12. Wrap tightly in the freezer wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
  13. When ready to use bring to room temperature and roll out as desired.

Now, with this freezer recipe, you are ready for guests in no time.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A Tasty Weekend Breakfast Dish

If there is something I love, it is a lazy weekend breakfast or brunch. If you have an All Clad Dutch Oven, I have a very tasty breakfast you can make that is very little work. Relax and read a book or listen to some music while your breakfast is in the oven cooking itself in your All-Clad Cast Aluminum 5-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven.

Nestled Breakfast Eggs

What You Need:

  • 1 t of ground cumin
  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1 red onion, sliced thin
  • 1 orange bell pepper, cored seeded and sliced ling
  • 2 russet potatoes cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 t of salt
  • 1/4 t of pepper
  • 1 small head of cabbage, shredded
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 thick slices of whole grain bread
How to Make It:

  1. Adjust the oven temperature to 450 degrees allowing the oven to preheat.
  2. Lightly spray the inside and the lid of a All-Clad Cast Aluminum 5-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven.
  3. Spread the cumin seeds over the entire bottom of the pan.
  4. Scatter the garlic over the cumin seeds then add the onion, bell pepper and then the potatoes.
  5. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the top.
  6. Place the cabbage into the pan and make 4 wells to hold each egg.
  7. Carefully break the eggs into the well leaving the yolk intact.
  8. Its okay if part of the eggs leak out of the wells they will still be nestled inside the wells.
  9. Lay a slice of bread over the top of each well.
  10. Cover and bake 32 minutes or until cooked through.
Makes 4 servings

These eggs bake similar to a poached egg. Use whole grain bread or bread with seeds such as sunflower to give this dish a little texture. Add a glass of juice for a well balanced breakfast.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 32 minutes
Total Time: approximately 47 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 420; Fat 12g; Carbohydrates 57g; Cholesterol 426 mg; Sodium 462 mg; Protein 23g;
Fiber 6g

So, this coming weekend, grab your All Clad Dutch Oven and prepare these tasty nested eggs. It is so tasty and nutritious you really do not need more than that glass of orange juice to make it a complete meal. If you are serving this dish as a brunch though, a tasty salad will complete it very well.