Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Healthiest Foods You Can Get As Part Of A Well Balanced Meal Plan

The following is a list of the healthiest foods that you can get. This will help you get an idea as to what foods are the best for your body. This again will help you make healthy food choices as part of well balanced meal plans.

Fruits

1. Apricots

Apricots contain Beta-carotene which helps to prevent radical damage and also helps to protect the eyes. A single apricot contains 17 calories, 0 fat, and one gram of fiber. You can eat them dried or soft.

2. Mango

A medium sized mango packs 57 MG of vitamin C, which is nearly your entire daily dose. This antioxidant will help prevent arthritis and also boost your immune system.

3, Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes contain 117 GG of vitamin C, which is almost twice the recommended dose. Half a melon contains 853 MG of potassium, which is nearly twice as much as a banana, which helps to lower blood pressure. Half a melon contains 97 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 2 grams of fiber.

4. Tomato

A tomato can help cut the risk of bladder, stomach, and colon cancers in half if you eat one daily. A tomato contains 26 calories, 0 fat, and only 1 gram of fiber.

Vegetables

1. Onions

An onion can help to protect against cancer. A cup of onions offers 61 calories, 0 fat, and 3 grams of fiber.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli can help protect against breast cancer, and it also contains a lot of vitamin C and beta-carotene. One cup of chopped broccoli contains 25 calories, 0 fat, and 3 grams of fiber.

3. Spinach

Spinach contains carotenoids that can help fend off macular degeneration, which is a major cause of blindness in older people. One cup contains 7 calories, 0 fat, and 1 gram of fiber.

Grains, beans, and nuts

1. Peanuts

Peanuts and other nuts can lower your risk of heart disease by 20 percent. One ounce contains 166 calories, 14 grams of fat, and over 2 grams of fiber.

2. Pinto beans

A half cut of pinto beans offers more than 25 percent of your daily folate requirement, which protects you against heart disease. Half a cup contains 103 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 6 grams of fiber.

3. Skim milk

Skim milk offers vitamin B2, which is important for good vision and along with Vitamin A could improve allergies. You also get calcium and vitamin D as well. One cup contains 86 calories, o fat, and 0 fiber.

Seafood

1. Salmon

All cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which help to reduce the risk of cardiac disease. A 3 ounce portion of salmon contains 127 calories, 4 grams of fat, and 0 fiber.

2. Crab

Crab is a great source of vitamin B12 and immunity boosting zinc. A 3 ounce serving of crab offers 84 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 0 fiber.

With this information at hand, you should never have a difficulty with healthy food choices as part of well balanced meal plans.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Where Can I Find Easy Crafts Fun For Kids?

Finding easy crafts for kids are not all that easy. Once of the problems you often have it what will your kid enjoy doing? Well, an easy answer to that is Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter.

This kit, Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter, has more that one kind of craft will all the supplies you need to t to complete the craft. Your kid can try then and decide which one she enjoys the most.

Instilling a love of crafts in your kid is very important. It is good for all those small motor skills for one and that can not over emphasized as it will influence your kids performance in school.

Another good reason for instilling a love of crafts in your kids is of course keeping them busy. With long summer vacation and rainy days kids can get pretty bored and having some crafts available for them to do will help you to keep them busy and prevent all the unruliness that goes with boredom.

Of course to make things even easier for you it is a good idea to have a specific area that is always ready for the kids to go and do crafts when they feel like it or when you can inspire them to want to do some crafts. For this it may be worth looking at the Alex Super Art Table With Paper Roll And Two Benches.

So make sure you so not have bored kids on your hands this vacation and be ready with crafts for them to do.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Preventing Yeast Infection - Taking A Step Ahead,

The prevention of yeast infection is not really as difficult as it may appear to be. Keeping to basic health routines and a few lifestyle changes should be enough to make you yeast free for the rest of your life. This is why it is vital to emphasize the advantage of knowing and applying the different ways of the prevention of yeast infections. It is better to be prepared now than suffer the consequences later.

Several experts on the subject have recommended a number of methods for the prevention of yeast infection.

1. Amongst the first measures you should take are the maintaining high standards of hygiene:

Yeast loves areas that are most. The more you tolerate having these areas, the more chance you’ll have an infection on your hands. So it would be a good idea to keep the vaginal area dry whenever possible. This includes after having a swim, rigorous exercise, or after you have taken a shower. Dry the area thoroughly. Take off wet clothing immediately. You never want to give the yeast an opportunity to grow.

2. The clothes you wear:

Speaking of clothes, a better chance for the prevention of yeast infection is wearing clothes that are made from light materials and provides enough ventilation. There’s a higher chance that the yeast grow excessively in the vaginal area due to wearing tight pants, jeans and other pieces of clothing.

It would be better to wear clothes made of cotton to allow the skin to breathe and to help with the prevention of yeast infection. Cotton panties would be a better choice than nylon and lycra since the latter two can trap air which is an ideal environment for yeast growth. Panty hose is also not recommended unless you wear cotton underwear underneath.

3. Maintain a healthy and clean body.

This is a basic necessity and should be observed whether you have or don’t have an infection. Washing your heads every time you go to the bathroom would be a good start. Also be aware that scented tissues, pads or tampons, feminine spray products, and even deodorants can cause irritation to the vagina and can in turn increase the growth of yeast in the area resulting to a full yeast infection. Definitely avoid using douches since it washes away the natural protective membrane of the vagina. This leaves the vagina more susceptible to, not only yeast, but other infections as well.

4. Measures associated with sex:

Moreover, petroleum-based lubricants should be avoided during sexual intercourse. Water-based lubricants are a better option since it does not trigger the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina area.


5. The food we eat:

Sugary foods might also trigger the growth of yeast. It would be a good idea then to watch your sugar intake if the prevention of yeast infection is important to you. According to studies, yeast tends to grow faster with a higher level of sugar in the blood and in the digestive system.

You might need to avoid sugary foods but plain yogurt is good for you. Yogurt contains microorganisms that help balance out the growth of yeast. It contains “friendly” bacteria so to speak. A cup a day of plain yogurt might help prevent the growth of yeast.

The prevention of yeast infection is definitely an important move against yeast infections. Adapting your lifestyle so that it is not ideal for the overgrowth of yeast, you will have no problems with the physical stress as well as emotional effects the infection brings. Simple, small actions can do wonders for the prevention of yeast infection.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe To Freeze

It is always handy to have something such as a pasta sauce, frozen in portion, in your freezer for those emergencies. If you have and extra freezer, such as the Frigidaire Chest Freezer, making this sauce will come in handy.

For making this sauce you will need quite a big pot and for that the Cuisinart Classic Stockpot is ideal.

Here is your recipe for Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce:

Ingredients:
Method:
  • Boil all the ingredients until all the vegetables are soft and cooked
  • Process all the ingredients with a Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender until completely pureed
  • Boil this on a very low heat until it reached the desired thickness for the sauce as you like it
  • Freeze in portions

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Tasty Warming Up Soup Recipe

As the northern hemisphere is going in to glorious summer, the poor ones in the southern hemisphere is facing winter and still in dire need of tasty soup recipes to warm them up.

Here is and exceptional one that uses apples and it is surprisingly tasty. If you want the thyme in this recipe to be fresh and tasty you can use a Cuisinart SG 10 Electric Spice and Nut Grinder to ground it just before you use it.

Creamy Apple Cheddar Soup Recipe

What You Need For This Recipe:
  • 2 TBSP canola oil
  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 potato, peeled and chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1/4 C onion, chopped fine
  • 1/8 tsp. ground thyme (use your Cuisinart SG 10 Electric Spice and Nut Grinder for this!)
  • 1/4 C white wine
  • 5 C chicken broth
  • 4 C Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 C heavy cream
  • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
How to Make It:
  1. Heat the oil to hot but not smoking in a large soup pot over medium heat.
  2. Place the apples, potato, celery and onion into the hot oil.
  3. Cook together for 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the thyme and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Pour the wine into the pot and stir well.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and continue cooking 35 minutes.
  7. Pour the entire mixture into the blender.
  8. Puree until smooth.
  9. Return the mixture to the soup pot.
  10. Turn heat to lowest temperature.
  11. Stir in the cheese and cream.
  12. Sprinkle with the nutmeg and pepper.
  13. Continue cooking on low until heated through about 15 minutes.
  14. Be careful not to being the soup to a boil or the cheese and cream will curdle.
Serves 8

This soup does wonders on a cold winter day. Serve it with a sandwich for a full and delicious meal.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Convenience Of A Pressure Cooker

Having a pressure cooker is so convenient. You can conjure up tasty meals in no time and treat your family to tasty wholesome homemade meals even if you have been away all day! With a pressure cooker such as the Cuisinart CPC 600 Electric Pressure Cooker you will have no problems with any meal.

To give you an idea, here is a tasty recipe to try:

Fiery Vegetable Stew

What You Need:

  • 2 yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 T of garlic, chopped
  • 5 1/2 C of chicken broth
  • 2 C Swiss chard, chopped
  • 1 C dried chick peas soak overnight
  • 1 C of dried cannellini beans, soak overnight
  • 1/4 C tomato puree
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 white turnips, chopped
  • 1 fresh red chili pepper, chopped
How to Make It:

  1. Spray the cooker lightly with a non stick cooking spray.
  2. Place the onion and garlic into the cooker.
  3. Cook until just beginning to brown.
  4. Pour the chicken broth into the cooker.
  5. Add the chard, soaked chick peas and soaked beans.
  6. Stir in the tomato puree.
  7. Add the carrots, turnips and chili pepper.
  8. Bring the cooker to high pressure.
  9. Cook for 25 minutes then let the pressure fall on its own.
Stews are a great place to hide vegetables. Cut them into small pieces and they will never know they are there. This stew can be made without the chili pepper if you prefer a not so spicy version.

Makes 10 servings

Monday, June 21, 2010

Prevention Of Yeast Infection

If you suffer from a yeast infection very often you will be wondering about the Prevention Of Yeast Infection.

Yes, we all know that sometimes that is not possible such as a yeast infection after a course of antibiotics, yet there are ways you can even try and use the easy for Prevention Of Yeast Infection and you may actually prevent it.

Most of the times we get a yeast infection that can be labeled "self-induced" yeast infection. This means that there are some things in our lifestyle that are causing the repeated yeast infections.

I do not think many people are aware of how everyday activities can cause a yeast infection. Think of things like the food you eat, the clothes your wear and how you take your bath or shower!

Who would have thought that these everyday activities can be the culprits? Well they can be, and there is actually quite a few more that can also play a role in your frequent yeast infections.

So, looking at your lifestyle and changing the habits that are making you more prone to yeast infection is well worth the effort! So go to the page Prevention Of Yeast Infection to read more about how you can, really, prevent a yeast infection. The prevention of yeast infection is possible!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Making Pumpkin Yeast Rolls with one of the Kitchenaid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers Easily!

Who says pumpkin is only for the winter? Here in South Africa pumpkin is almost a staple food! To show you have easy it is to do mixing of dough with one of the kitchenaid artisan 5-quart stand mixers, here is a tasty recipe for Pumpkin Yeast Rolls you can try. If you like them, keep the recipe handy for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Pumpkin Yeast Rolls

What You Need:

  • 1 (1/4oz.) pkg. active dry yeast
  • 1/3 C sugar, divided
  • 3/4 C milk, lukewarm
  • 7 C all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. fresh nutmeg, grated
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
  • 1 lg. egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 C pumpkin puree
  • 1 lg. egg yolk only
  • 1 TBSP water
How to Make It:

  1. Pour the yeast and 1 tsp. of sugar into the lukewarm milk.
  2. Cover and allow to rest 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy.
  3. Place the flour in a large mixing bowl and add the remaining sugar, nutmeg and salt.
  4. Add the butter pieces and mix with an electric mixer, such as one of the Kitchenaid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, on low speed until the mixture becomes coarse.
  5. Break the egg into the mixture and fold in the pumpkin puree.
  6. Add the yeast mixture and work with your hands until a soft dough forms.
  7. Place the dough on a flat and lightly floured surface.
  8. Knead the dough for 8 minutes or until it has an elastic but smooth texture.
  9. Add flour a little at a time if necessary to keep the dough from sticking to the surface.
  10. Butter a large bowl on the bottom and up the sides.
  11. Form the dough into a ball and place in the bowl and coat dough completely with butter.
  12. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise to twice its size, about 1 hour.
  13. Divide the dough into 12 pieces.
  14. Butter a spring form pan well.
  15. Place the dough pieces in the pan, cover and place in a warm area and allow them to rise for 45 minutes.
  16. Heat the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
  17. Place the egg yolk in a bowl and add the water and whisk until combined.
  18. Brush the dough pieces all over with the egg wash.
  19. Bake the rolls 35 minutes or until a light golden brown.
12 Servings

These can be made a week ahead of time, wrapped well and frozen until ready to use. To reheat, wrap in foil and place in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Ideas For A Inexpensive Baby Shower Favor

Very often we think about the baby shower invitations too late. Now you have spent a lot of money on the baby shower and you are looking for the perfect inexpensive baby shower favor. Well, help is at hand. The price of the favor will depend on you and your ingenuity!

These baby shower party favors need not be expensive. They can be simple things that you can order in bulk, and then personalized for the celebration.

When you are looking at a inexpensive baby shower party favor, make sure that you also consider the theme of the baby shower. It is best if the inexpensive baby shower favor fall in with the baby shower theme.

If your theme has something to do about fairy tales, cartoon characters, animals or toys, your baby shower favors may be a miniature version of these toys.

If you haven't selected a theme or would like to have a baby shower favor that is not all that related to the theme, here are some ideas to help you:

* Chocolates and Cookies

If you have some baking skills, this is the recommended baby shower party favor. These do not cost much if you bake them yourself. Placing an order for these is also an option, however, that may take a considerable part of your budget.

You can have chocolates and cookies personalized by shaping them into baby item shapes. You can have rattle-, baby shoes-, book-, or teddy bear-shaped pastries.

You can wraps these in fancy papers of foils and tie these in blue or pink ribbons.

* Soaps

These are becoming popular baby shower party favors. You can choose fragrant soaps and wrap them in decorative papers, or place them in decorative gift boxes or bags.

You can also make homemade soaps and shape them into baby-related items. Or you can purchase regular soap bars and carve them into baby shapes. Just make sure the soaps are hard enough that these won't crack when you start carving them.

* Picture frames

These are one of the most popular baby shower party favors. If the baby shower party is done are the baby is delivered, you can also include your baby's picture in the frame. The picture frames can be in small sizes that can be purchased at low prices.

* Figurines

Instead of picture frames, figurines are also good options. You can choose figurines that represent your theme. Angel, teddy bear and baby figurines are also popular.

* Candles

Candles as baby shower party favors are usually colored blue or pink. You may also opt to have fragrant candles. Candles can be purchased in bulk or you can also make your own candles. This even allows you to personalize the color, size, shape and fragrance.

Some candles can also come in reusable glass candleholders that can serve as decorative items.

These are just some of the options for an inexpensive baby shower party favor. Surely, you can think of more option or personalize these to fit your chosen theme.

Nevertheless, whatever baby shower party favor you have chosen, make sure that you have included thank you note on the baby shower party favor. The thank you note should include the date, the name of the baby (or the parent's names), and a message of thanks.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Everything You Need To Know About Wind Turbines - Is It Wise To Build A DIY Wind Turbine?

Saving money and helping the planet is something we all want to do. One of the biggest expenses households face are utility bills. It is no wonder that people are looking for ways to cut those bills can be as easy as building a DIY wind turbine. So here is everything you need to know about wind turbines.

Your average normal person can easily build their own turbine. The kids would probably enjoy being part of the project. This can be an opportunity for some family time as well as being a good example of environmental responsibility.

Having your own turbine can save a lot of money on energy bills, but it won't work for every body.

This list will give you some things to think about and should help you decide if you want to build our own turbine:

1. Buying a turbine isn't the way to go for most people since it will cost thousands of dollars. But building your own makes a lot of sense, you will only spend around $200.

2. You don't have to be a carpenter or engineer to undertake this project. Virtually anyone can build their own turbine.

3. All the parts you'll need to assemble your turbine can be bought right at your local hardware store.

4. One turbine won't be enough to allow you to get off the grid, but it can supply over half of the energy needs of the average household.

5. In order to get the maximum benefit from your turbine you will need to have an open area where it can get wind without being obstructed by trees or buildings.

And of course, the amount of electricity that your turbine can generate will depend on the amount of wind you get as well as the wind speeds.

The list above should provide you with most of the information you need to help you determine whether building your own DIY wind turbine makes sense. You can now determine if it suits your needs and your location.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Green Power - What Is?

With the continuing rise of utility costs many people are opening their minds to the concept of green power, a free, renewable and Earth friendly power source. Green power is the ultimate of all the going green tips for home.

Many homeowners simply don't realize that they have options. The days of being locked into a relationship with your monopoly of a utility company are over.

Thanks in large part to advances in technology there are viable sources of renewable energy available to any homeowner for little initial investment.

The old perception of energy sources such as solar panels, and wind turbines of being expensive, hard to maintain eyesores is simply not true.

Today's technology has made it possible for turbines and solar panels to come in many shapes and sizes and the maintenance and upkeep of these units is not more difficult that a 'traditional' heating and cooling unit.

While both wind and solar power are viable options, wind will be the better choice for many homeowners. Not everyone lives in a sunny climate and even if you do there is still a little thing called 'night'.

But virtually every area has wind. And wind power can be generated day or night.

The only potential drawback of a wind turbine is that you will need a fairly open space. But even if you have a lot of trees, it might still be possible to mount your turbine on your roof or on a tall column.

It is very easy and inexpensive to build your own turbine. You can do it for less than $300. You won't need any special parts or skills. All the parts you will need can be found in any hardware store.

If you buy a turbine be aware that they don't produce more electricity than a home made turbine yet the initial investment is considerably more so it will take you much longer to get your money back.

All in all there are many excellent reasons for using green power. If you thought it was out of reach, think again, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Perfect Baby Shower Ideas

A very good way to lessen the anticipation of the parents is having a baby shower. This is one of the most feasible ways to cut back the long-wait. So, of course, if you are organizing the baby shower you will be looking at ideas for baby shower themes.

The purpose of a baby shower is to give the mommy-to-be gift in preparation for the baby’s arrival. Normally a relative or friend of the mommy-to-be is the one who organizes the party.

The basic purpose of organizing baby showers is to help the parents manage and organize the items needed for the baby’s due arrival. It is also one way of celebrating the joy and excitement of having a new member in the family — the baby.

Hence, it is important for the organizer to come up with ideas for baby shower themes that the organizer thinks would best suit the mother’s personality or the tone of the occasion. And because it is a happy occasion, themes that will be use in the ideas for baby shower themes should reflect the joy and happiness being felt by everybody.

In reality, coming up with a good theme for the baby shower can be very tedious for the organizers. There are so many considerations that you have to take into account before deciding on a specific theme. Best of all, it has to suit the gender of the baby.

Planning for the baby shower and getting some solid information for remarkable ideas for baby shower themes would be a lot easier if the sex of the baby is known. It really helps a lot.

If you know the sex of the baby you will be able to know which colors to use, what kind of games to play, and what ideas for baby shower themes to integrate.

Where to Get Ideas For Baby Shower Themes?

For most people, coming up with great baby shower ideas is a breeze. They can easily think of something that can be really appealing.

However, there are people who really cannot generate feasible and remarkable baby shower ideas. And so, it is best that they seek the help of some magazines, advice from relatives and friends, and the Internet.

Indeed, with the advent of information technology, coming up with a notable baby shower idea is not difficult. With tons of web sites that cater to those who are planning to organize a baby shower, you can never run out of great ideas for baby shower themes.

Boiled down, people should always remember that whatever ideas for baby shower themes they will use in the party, it is best to reflect the joy and happiness of everybody for the baby’s arrival.