The Benefits Of Broccoli - Eating Is Believing

Broccoli is a plant in the cabbage family, whose large flower head is what we know as this familiar vegetable, often found on a vegetable snack tray at parties right close to the Ranch dressing. But, broccoli has so much more to offer. That's why broccoli is a favorite vegetable worldwide. Let's take a look at this flowering veggie that looks like a tiny tree. You might just be surprised at where it was first discovered.

1. What is it?

The word broccoli stems (pun intended) from the Italian plural of broccolo which means "the flowering top of a cabbage." Broccoli has large flower heads, usually green in color, resembling a tree with branches sprouting from a thick edible stalk, or stem. Broccoli most closely resembles cauliflower, which is a different variety from the same species. The cooking aroma of broccoli is most often referred to as 'cabbage like.'

2. History

The broccoli we know and love today evolved from a wild cabbage plant somewhere in Europe. That solves the 'cabbage like' aroma mystery. The earliest documentation of the small green, edible tree was discovered to be about 2,000 years ago. Since the rule of Rome, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians. Broccoli was first introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants but did not become widely known until the 1920s.

3. Health Benefits

Broccoli is high in vitamin C and fiber. It also contains multiple nutrients with potent cancer-fighting nutrients, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup (about the equivalent ingested at any given office party or potluck) provides nearly double that. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane.

The benefits of broccoli are believed to be greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled, but it still remains an excellent source of fiber and other nutrients which boost DNA repairs in cells. Broccoli has one of the highest levels of carotenoids and is particularly rich in lutein and beta-carotene.

A high intake of broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and heart disease. A compound found in broccoli appears to have more effectiveness than modern antibiotics against the creation of peptic ulcer causing bacteria. Broccoli is one veggie everyone needs in their diet.

4. Fun Facts

The word broccoli comes from the Latin word brachium and the Italian word braccio, which means 'arm.' Broccoli comes in a variety of colors, ranging from deep sage all the way to dark green and purplish-green. The world record for eating broccoli is held by Tom Landers who devoured 1 pound of broccoli in 92 seconds. The tree-like shape makes this healthy veggie a popular fun food for kids. Dip a forest of broccoli trees in Ranch style dressing 'snow' and watch the kids gobble them up like hungry giants.

5. How to eat

Broccoli is usually boiled or steamed in the American culture, but has become a popular raw vegetable to accompany creamy dips (you can make creamy dips with a hand blender such as the Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender.) Boiling reduces the levels of anti-cancer compounds in broccoli, with losses of 20% to 30% after five minutes, 40% to 50% after ten minutes, and a whopping 77% after thirty minutes. Steaming broccoli for a maximum time of 3 to 4 minutes is recommended to maximize potential anti-cancer compounds.

Adding broccoli to a stir fry dish helps retain a majority of the beneficial properties, rather than letting the nutrients wash away in the boiling water. Another method of cooking that's getting more popular is oven roasting. Simply spread broccoli florets (that's the top cut into tiny bush-like shapes) and diced stem pieces on a baking sheet, coat with cooking oil, and put in oven to roast. You'll have a lightly toasted broccoli dish that's almost nutty in flavor, plus the nutrients didn't get washed down the drain.

You can enjoy raw broccoli in many popular salads, such as the classic Broccoli Raisin Bacon Salad you find at many potlucks. Toss tiny raw broccoli florets in with a big green lettuce salad for a crunchy nutrition boost. Broccoli Slaw is a relatively new idea for serving broccoli. Just peel the stalk to remove all the woody fibers, then cut the light green inside into very thin strips. You can toss these with cabbage and carrots for a slaw, or just eat as is for a snack.

Another popular dish to serve broccoli in a main dish is Chicken Divan. This classic dish features whole broccoli spears underneath a creamy, cheesy layer of chicken. Then, there is the classic Broccoli Cheese Soup (you can use a hand blender such as the Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender to make a very smooth soup.) I could go on and on talking about this nutrient-dense delicious veggie and all the tasty dishes you can make with broccoli.

Eat broccoli raw whenever you can for the ultimate health food. When you do cook broccoli, keep your cooking time short if you're steaming it. Better yet, throw it in the oven and roast it. The next time you walk through the produce department, grab a big bunch of broccoli and enjoy the hundreds of ways to eat it up!

There's More To An Apple Than Meets The Eye

If you haven't spent a lot of time in the apple growing regions, you may not know how versatile this fruit is. Apples come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and tastes; not just the two or three you may know from your local grocery store's bagged produce department. Apples grow in just about every corner of the globe. Apples can be used in a variety of dishes from appetizers to main dishes to desserts. Let's get down to the core and see where apples come from and how they earned their rightful place in almost every aspect of our dietary lives.

1. What is it?

Apples are the fruit borne from, well, apple trees, of course. They come in various shades of red, yellow, and green and most have a white flesh that varies in texture from crisp to soft. Spanning the taste spectrum from sugary sweet to pucker-up tart, apples are one of the more versatile foods in the marketplace.

2. History

Apples have been around in one form or another for over 4,000 years. They were first brought to the United States in the early 1600's by explorers and settlers. Apples were highly valued and became a staple food in most households because they stored well fresh and were easily dried, then became the star of the home-canning world. Today, apples are still treated the same way – with appreciation for their versatility in recipes, ease of storage, and variety of preservation methods. For these reasons, apples are enjoyed by thousands around the globe.

3. Health Benefits

Apples have proven to be beneficial in every health aspect from bone protection to alzheimer's prevention, and even diabetes management and cancer prevention. The reason apples are linked to all of these health benefits is because of the two integral layers – the skin and the pulp – both being an excellent source of vitamin C, just to name the most obvious and well known nutrient. Along with the added nutrients, the things that are missing from apples also make them noteworthy under the 'health benefits' tag; namely, apples are fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free.

Pectin in the meaty part of the apple helps manage diabetes by supplying galacturonic acid which lowers the body's need for insulin. Phloridzin, a flavanoid found only in apples, may help protect menopausal women from the frightening occurrence of osteoporosis. A nutrient found in apple skins, boron, has been found to strengthen bones.

4. Fun Facts

Apple trees can live for many years; sometimes well over a century. There are more than 7,500 varieties of apples grown in the world and about 2,500 of those are grown in the United States. Red Delicious is the most popular and well-known apple in the USA, with Golden Delicious following behind in a close second. Granny Smith apples are fast approaching these two powerhouse apples in popularity. The average American eats more than 70 apples a year, and considering apples are free of fat, salt, and cholesterol, as well as being a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, it's no wonder our doctors are trying to get us to eat one a day.

5. How to Eat Raw Apples

Eating a raw apple is as simple as diving teeth-first through the crisp skin right into the sweet or tart insides, and letting the juice run down your chin. If you wish to give your teeth a more gentle approach, and keep a neater smile, you can also core and cut the apple into wedges. Once you have these juicy little wedges, you'll be looking for goodies to dip them into. You don't have to look much further than peanut butter for a classic snack.

Apples can be diced and added to a fruit salad, tossed into a crunchy tuna salad with celery, or dipped in chocolate and caramel (using your Cuisinart CFO 3SS ElectricFondue Maker) and topped with nuts. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to eat a raw apple. If you are lucky enough to be around an apple orchard, then there is nothing like picking a ripe apple from a tree, still warm from the sun, and enjoying each bite right in the shade of the branches of the apple tree.

6. How to Eat Cooked Apples

You can get as fancy as you want or as down-home simple as can be with apples. From apple pie to apple crisp and apple pastries to apple omelets, cooked apples are a favorite food around the world. Looking for something simpler than a pie? Just simmer the apples until they get soft, throw in a little sugar and cinnamon, and mash them into, you guessed it, applesauce. Eat it as it is or serve over ice cream.

What if you don't have a sweet tooth? Apples are often found in side dishes with cabbage, collard greens, spinach, or other savory vegetables. You will find a delightful mix of flavors when you add apples to a skillet full of harvest vegetables, onions, and a splash of balsamic vinaigrette. And, don't forget to try your hand at an apple glaze for your next pork tenderloin. Think beyond apple pie and you'll discover a whole world of recipes for your next bag of apples.

No matter how you decide to eat your apples, just remember the old adage, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away.' Now we have the scientific studies showing all the nutrients there are in apples, so there's no excuse not to add this versatile fruit to your diet. Of course, that cool, crisp crunch of an apple alone should convince you to take a bite!

Fun Craft Projects Using Old Clothes and Material

Many children enjoy playing dress up with old clothes. However, you can do so much more with old clothes than allow children to play in them. Reuse old clothes or material by creating useful crafts with them if you can’t pass them along to someone else.

1. T-shirt quilt

T-shirts are one of the more difficult types of clothing to get rid of. They may hold sentimental value if they were from a concert you attended. Perhaps you ran in a marathon and were given a t-shirt for participating. Why not cut the logos off of the t-shirts in large squares and create a quilt from them?

Using a piece of fabric as a base to get the proper size, sew the t-shirt squares together making a rectangle the same size as the base. Place batting, which can be purchased at fabric or craft stores, between the layers and then sew the layers together. Complete the quilt by sewing along the squares to keep the batting in place. Then sew edging around the quilt, ensuring the raw edges are completely covered.

This gives you a way to keep the memories of events from your life and have something to keep you warm in the winter. You can use a similar idea with baby clothes you simply can’t bear to part with.

2. Bags and purses

Do you have old jeans that have sentimental value? You can create a wonderful bag or purse from those jeans. Using the waistband as the opening for the purse, cut the legs off a little longer than what you want the purse to be. If the length includes part of the legs, split the inseam.

You may have to use a triangle of fabric to close the leg area to make it straight across. Turning the material wrong side out, sew across the bottom to make a bag. Then, cut strips from the remaining fabric to make the straps. Sew the straps to the waist band and you have a purse or bag.

3. Bean bag toys

Make children’s bean bag toys out of old or unmatched socks. Create an animal by sewing the socks together. Then fill them with beans, dried peas, or rice. Sew yarn on them to create a mane for zebras, horses or giraffes. You can also use buttons for eyes.

4. Sock puppets

Another use for socks you can’t find a match for is to make sock puppets from them. Sew or glue yarn on the top. Sew buttons on for eyes along the sole of the sock. Make clothing for it from old pieces of fabric.

If you think about it, you can probably come up with other fun ideas of craft projects using old clothes and material. Why not use a couple of these ideas to start you off? Depending upon what you come up with, and how you make them, you can remember things from your past while reducing the clutter in your home.

So, it is possible to do crafts with your kids by buying what you need such as Alex Toys Super Knot A Quilt or Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter or you can use what you have at hand and have a lot of fun.

“Down by the Sea” Craft for Kids

During the summer it is a good idea to bring the sea into the crafts you do with kids. Just as Kids KnittingProjects are a good idea in the winter, “Down By The Sea” crafts are a good idea during the summer.

For families who travel to the beach, it’s not unusual to come home with a bucket full of shells or other found items from the trip. The problem becomes what to do with all those shells. Here are two “down by the sea” crafts for kids to be able to keep their treasures and give them some function.

Sea shell paper weights

Help your children make sea shell paper weights. This will enable them to keep the shells and make something which can be kept out in view. You’ll need the following items:

• Found shells or other items from your trip
• White tacky craft glue
• Sand
• Paint (optional)
• Plastic tubes (similar to Wilson tennis ball containers or some potato chip containers)
• Plaster of Paris
• Fun foam
• Clear gloss spray paint

Begin by making a base for the paperweight. Parents can cut the bottom from the plastic containers. Then cut down about another inch, leaving two or three tabs sticking up. This will be the mold for the base for the paperweight and can be reused.

Parents will want to follow the instructions on the plaster of Paris and mix it according to those instructions. Pour the plaster into the base and allow it to dry thoroughly. When it is dry, turn it upside down and tap it onto a table. This should cause the base to fall out.

While you’re waiting for bases to dry, you’ll want to cut a three-inch circle from the fun foam for each base you make. These will be glued to the plaster base using tacky craft glue.

Paint the plaster base and allow it to dry unless you’re using water color; water color paint won’t require drying time. You can go to the next step which is mixing craft glue with sand to make it moist. The base will have an impression; fill the impression with the glue and sand mixture, making a mound.

Press several sea shells into the sand. When the sand has dried, you can spray the paperweight with clear gloss spray paint to keep the sand from coming off.

Seascape

For something less time consuming, you can create a seascape using a glass fish bowl. You’ll need the following items:

• Glass fish bowl
• Photos of the day you spent at the beach
• Clear tape
• Sand from the beach
• Treasures found at the beach (shells, sea glass, driftwood, etc.)
• Wooden skewers
• Nautical pictures or stickers

Begin by carefully taping a photo of your family at the beach onto the inside of the fish bowl. Be sure to tape along the edges to keep sand from getting behind the photo. Then pour enough beach sand (or play sand) into the fish bowl to fill it about halfway full or until it covers the bottom of the picture.

When the sand is arranged the way you want it, start adding the sea shells or other items collected on the trip. Using stickers or images cut from magazines, tape the images on a wooden skewer and then trim them so the images will rest on the sand when pushed in.

There are many other ways your children can use their treasures from “down by the sea” to create crafts, but you may want to start with these two ideas. The point is to allow the children to enjoy the items they found and make them functional so they can see them and remember the fun of the day.

A Healthy Dose Of Blueberries Can Make You Stop Feeling Bushed

Do you have that bushed feeling? A feeling that is leaving you feeling tired all the time? Popping a handful of blueberries into your mouth will make you enjoy a little energy boost, along with a mother-lode of nutrients. For such a small fruit, blueberries pack a wallop! Let's take a look at this North American favorite and learn more about this beautiful, and versatile, fruit.

1. What is it?

The actual fruit is a tiny round berry with a flare at the end resembling a crown. The color pallet of blueberries as they mature ranges from pale green to reddish-purple, and finally deep purplish-blue when ready to be picked and eaten. Blueberries characteristically have a whitish-gray powdery or waxy 'bloom' that covers the surface as a protective coating. When ripe, blueberries have a sweet taste and a juicy inside. Blueberries usually hit the peak of their season, depending on the region, sometime between May and October.

2. History

Blueberries are generally found in North America, Europe, and Asia with many native species residing in the United States. Many North American native species of blueberries are now also commercially grown in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, New Zealand, and South American countries.

Several other plants of the same family also produce commonly eaten blue-colored berries such as the predominantly European bilberry, which, in many languages, has a name that means 'blueberry' in English.

3. Health Benefits

Especially in wild species, similar to its cousin acai berry, blueberries contain anthocyanins and other pigments high in antioxidant properties possibly having a role in reducing risks of inflammatory diseases and certain cancers. Technically speaking, blueberries contain pterostilbene, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and resveratrol, all which inhibit the cell development of cancers. Nutritionally speaking, blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, manganese, dietary fiber, and vitamin E , and are low in calories, so you can enjoy a bucketful without guilt.

Many studies have found that blueberry consumption lowers cholesterol and total blood lipid levels, possibly reducing the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. Even more studies have found that a diet rich in blueberries may enhance short-term memory in older adults while reducing symptoms of depression.

4. Fun Facts

There are two types of blueberry bushes; lowbush and highbush. The difference is the lowbush blueberries are considered wild, while highbush blueberries are cultivated in a controlled environment.

With upwards of 25% production of all lowbush blueberries in North America, Maine is the single largest producer in the world with more than 60,000 acres. Not far from Maine, Michigan is the world's largest producer of highbush blueberries, with more than 220,000 tons produced a year.

Since blueberries must be cross-pollinated, upwards of 50,000 beehives may be needed for the job. Due to the large amount of bees needed, in some cases hives must actually be shipped in from other regions specifically for the purpose of cross-pollinating the blueberries in high producing areas.

5. How to eat

Blueberries are a lot of fun to eat. They pop when you bite them and turn everything they touch into a reddish-purple hue. This color change makes pancakes, yogurt, cereal, smoothies, made with a smoothie maker such as the Cuisinart SmoothieMaker, and even ice cream a fun new territory for children, theCuisinart Ice-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker, is a very good one to try. Blueberries are found in many breads and desserts, but also make great jams, jellies, and wines.

Fresh blueberries keep very well and can be packaged and stored easily. Freezing fresh blueberries is a cinch; just put them on a baking sheet in a single layer and pop them in the freezer. They will freeze quickly, and once they are frozen, just pour them into a plastic freezer container. Then when you want blueberries, just shake out the amount you want and let them thaw out. Perfect every time. Because blueberries are so moist, they don't dehydrate well, like bananas or apples do. For that reason, you do not find too many applications for dried blueberries, unless you rehydrate them for a dish first.

No matter how you decide to eat your blueberries, you can't beat the nutritional value. If picking wild blueberries, don't forget to be polite to the landowner and ask permission. Or, plant a few blueberry bushes in your own garden. Invite the bees in and you'll soon have your own blueberry crop to enjoy. Just a reminder: It's not easy to get away with pilfering blueberries – you are likely to get caught 'reddish-purple' handed!

Enjoy this healthy fruit. It is tasty and as you have seen used in so many products that is fun to eat. Invest in a smoothie maker or an ice cream maker for the summer and treat the kids to this healthy and flavorful treat.

Covering the topic of Drip Coffee Makers

Some of the most commonly used coffee makers in the US could be the drip coffee makers. At least one of the reasons is that often they are low-priced and easy to use. Drip coffee makers are available in a number of of styles, colors and sizes, so there's a drip coffee maker to suit any kitchen.

Two first-class examples to look at is the Hamilton Beach Brew Station and the Cuisinart DCC 1200 12 CupBrew Central Coffee Maker. It is a fact that drip coffee makers are the coffee makers the majority most people purchase. It is one of the most well known small kitchen appliances out there, tens of millions are purchased each and every year!

The Hamilton Beach Brew Station is considered one of the popular automatic drip coffee makers. Other well-known coffee maker companies include Black and Decker, Braun, Cuisinart, and Proctor-Silex.

Automatic drip coffee makers are utilized in lots of homes and businesses. They work by dripping water through a filter containing ground coffee. Two types of filters are available for these machines: paper and permanent.

Paper filters can change coffee taste as can some plastic permanent filters. Plastic filters do not last as long as metal filters. Metal filters may require that coffee beans be ground a bit coarser than is wanted for paper filters.

Automatic drip coffee makers feature a lot of special features. From basic machines to high end models that complete the whole lot from grinding the beans to brewing it at a pre-set time. Basic automatic drip coffee makers feature a water reservoir, a filter basket, and warming plate to keep carafe warm. The majority feature filter baskets that swing out or lift out and simple on/off control.

Extra features can consist of indicator lights, a brew-pause selection, digital display and /or digital control panel, clocks, timers, permanent filters an automatic shut off. Top end options include water filtration, flavor settings, and a built in grinder. Single cup machines are sold, as are machines making anywhere from 4 cups to 12 cups.

Drip Coffee Maker Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I clean my coffee maker?

Coffee makers have to be cleaned no less than once a week. Some pros advocate using dish detergent and water. Other experts often recommend running one fourth part vinegar and three fourths part water through the brewing cycle a time or two followed by running plain water through the cycle. This gets rid of hard water deposits and other buildup.

2. What affects the quality of a cup of coffee?

Several things have an affect on the quality of brewed coffee. The cleanliness of the brewing machines, the quality of the coffee beans, how long it has been since the beans were roasted, how long it has been since the beans were ground and the quality of the water used in brewing.

3. What is the best temperature for brewing coffee?

Most gurus agree that 200 degrees is the right temperature for brewing coffee. Many restaurants do not allow the temperature to get that high mainly because of liability issues should a customer spill coffee and get burned.

4. Can Espresso beans be used in drip coffee makers?

Yes.

5. Where did the term 'cup of joe' come from?

Quite a few think that Admiral Josephus (Joe) Daniels once outlawed alcohol on ships, rendering coffee the most used beverage, ergo the 'cup of joe.' Others say that the saying comes from 'Joe' as 19th cent, slang for coffee.

Automatic drip coffee makers allow coffee lovers to indulge their senses whenever they please.

Okay, so coffee makers are an essential part of our daily lives. This makes it vital to spend some time to check several of them out before you make your choice. Coffee is not simply a drink, but a culture worthy of time and care.

Getting Your Coffee Fix In A Jiffy

I am a Coffeeholic, no doubt about it. I cannot start the day without at least two cups of coffee. So, getting my coffee in a jiffy in the morning is very important to me.

Now I have owned many coffeemakers in my life and I have looked at even more. The problem with most of them is that you have to wait for your coffee as it has to finish brewing before you can drink it.

The other problem is that if you have to keep it hot for quite a while you normally end up with burned coffee that tastes like vinegar. What a waste of good coffee! So, to me, that is just not good enough.

Now I am wondering if there are more people out there that feel the same about coffeemakers. Do you have a coffeemaker that you are simply not happy with?

So, if you are considering a new coffeemaker there are a few things to think about when you look for a coffeemaker. You have to make sure you get one that is suitable for your needs.

I think, a coffeemaker that is programmable is a very good idea. This way you can program you coffeemaker to have the coffee ready when you get up in the morning. It will than also be possible to have the coffee ready when you get home after a long day.

Another thing to keep in mind is the capacity of your coffeemaker. A good idea is if it can make one to twelve cups of coffee. You want to be able to make coffee just for yourself or you may want to make coffee for a crowd. So being able to make as many cups as you require is a big help.

Two of the coffeemakers I have been looking at are the Hamilton Beach Brew Station Deluxe and the Cuisinart DCC 1200 12 Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker. They are completely different, but they have very good benefits that differ from each other and will influence your choice. To be honest with you, I am leaning towards the Hamilton Beach Brew Station, but you may prefer something a little more traditional.

I think the choice of a coffeemaker is very personal. It is not only the great cup of coffee you want, but it is also how it looks in your kitchen, whether you want to be able to pour it from a jug at table and more.

So, when you are considering a coffeemaker, do your homework and get the one that is right for you.

Mother's Day Crafts - How to Make a Special Mother’s Day Paper Flower Bouquet

Now is the time for Mother's Day Crafts. Kids love them and mom loves receiving them.

All mothers love receiving flowers from anyone, but especially from a child. What will be even more endearing is flowers made from construction paper or tissue paper. So, start helping your kid to make flowers for mother's day with these ideas. Mom will love them and they will last for a long time.

Hand-traced Flowers as one of our Mother's Day Crafts:

This is a good one for toddlers and younger children.

Materials:

• Green pipe cleaners
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil

Directions:

1. Make at least four tracings of your child's hand on various colors of paper.
2. Bend the end of each pipe cleaner into a small hook shape. (The bent part of the pipe cleaner keeps the flower from slipping off the end and looks like a flower center.)
3. Cut out the hand shapes.
4. Take each cut-out hand and wrap it around the end of a pipe cleaner. Make sure the "fingers" are pointing upward and the small hook you bent in the pipe cleaner is inside.
5. Using glue, secure the hands in their wrapped shape.
6. Bend the "fingers" outward a bit to look like petals.
7. Place the flowers into a vase, or tie the stems with ribbon.

Tissue Paper Carnations or Roses, another of our Mother's Day crafts:

Here is another type of paper bouquet you can make for Mom (or any other special person in your life!).

Materials:

• Tissue paper of various colors
• Green pipe cleaners
• Scissors

For Carnations:

1. Cut 8-10 circles from whatever color tissue paper you like - you don't have to use all one color.
2. Stack the circles.
3. Poke one of the pipe cleaners through the center of the stack (or do one circle at a time).
4. Bend the end of the pipe cleaner to hold the circles firmly.
5. Push and shape the circles, separating them a bit, so that they look like a layered carnation shape.

For Roses:

1. Cut 8-10 circles from red or pink tissue paper, but make the edges scalloped.
2. Proceed as for carnations.

Add any finishing touches you like, such as leaves made from construction paper or pipe cleaners, or flower centers made from beads or construction paper.

Now that you are all busy with kids crafts why not keep the momentum going and do some more crafts. Kids love crafts and it has many benefits for them. You can also look at crafts such as Kids Knitting Projects or salt dough projects such as you can find in Salt Dough Just 3 Ingredients More Than 100 Projects.

Have fun with these easy Mother's Day Crafts for kids.

Tasty Football Bratwursts Recipe

If you have a charcoal grill, such as the Weber One Touch Charcoal Grill, or if you are the one to provide for a grill, this recipe is ideal for you. It is easy to make and exceptionally tasty. Even if the weather is not suitable for a grill, and you have a griddler, such as the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler, you can use it as an indoor grill and still make these tasty bratwursts.

So, I will not keep you any longer, here is the recipe for your bratwursts:

What You Need:

• 8 bratwursts
• 1 (12 oz) can of beer
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 TBSP vegetable oil
• 1 lb sauerkraut, drained well
• 2 TBSP sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 8 (10 inn) tortillas
• 8 TBSP Dijon mustard
• 8 slices smoked Swiss cheese

How to Make It:

1. Pour the beer into a large pan and place on medium high heat.
2. Add the bratwurst and bring to a rapid boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the bratwurst to lie in the beer until cooled.
5. Place the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.
6. Add the onion and cook 6 minutes or until just beginning to brown.
7. Stir in the sauerkraut, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes and cook 5 more minutes.
8. Heat the grill to medium high temperature.
9. Place the bratwurst on the grill and cook 8 minutes, turning often to cook all sides.
10. Spread some of the sauerkraut mixture down the middle of each tortilla.
11. Place two halves of the bratwurst on top of the sauerkraut.
12. Spread the bratwurst with the mustard and add a slice of cheese.
13. Fold the tortilla over the cheese and fold the bottom and tops in to close.
14. Over medium heat grill the tortilla 3 minutes per side until toasted and the cheese is melted.

These are great to make for a tailgate party. Mix all your ingredients together, grab the grill, and be on your way. They will be such a hit that you’ll be asked to double the quantity next time around.

If I were you, I would not even wait for the next suitable occasion, I'll try this recipe out right now and see how my family loves it. Make it indoors if you do not want to grill outside, it will still be a hit with your family.

Tasty Baked Blueberry Crepes

These Baked Blueberry Crepes are really tasty and very easy to make. Preparing the batter is a breeze if you have a stand mixer, such as the Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer 63220. As the baking do take a little time these crepes are more suitable for a leisurely weekend breakfast than for a weekday morning when you are rushed.

Good for You Blueberry Crepes

What You Need:

• 2 egg whites
• 2/3 C of fat free milk
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1/2 C of flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 C of reduced sugar orange marmalade
• 1 C of unsweetened blueberries
• Splenda, equivalent to 8 tsp of sugar
• 1/2 C fat free sour cream
• 1/8 tsp of cinnamon

How to Make It:

1. Place the egg whites, milk and oil in a bowl and whisk until well blended.
2. In a separate bowl combine the flour and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the egg white mixture and blend it in well.
4. Place the marmalade into a saucepan.
5. Stirring constantly, cook the marmalade over low heat until completely melted.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the blueberries and Splenda.
7. Mix the sour cream and cinnamon together.
8. Coat a small skillet with cooking spray.
9. Place the skillet over low heat and add 2 tbsp of the batter.
10. Lift the pan to evenly coat the bottom with the batter.
11. Cook until the top is dry and the bottom is lightly browned.
12. Remove the crepe to a wire rack to cool and continue cooking the batter until all the batter is used.
13. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
14. Spread each of the crepes with 1 tbsp of the sour cream mixture.
15. Roll each crepe up over the mixture and place in a baking dish.
16. Spoon the blueberries over the top of each crepe.
17. Bake 15 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

This is a wonderful healthy breakfast to serve to your family on a lazy Sunday morning. Use raspberries, blackberries or strawberries in place of the blueberries if you prefer.

What a treat to be able to serve your family a breakfast that is not only delicious, but also very healthy. This is an easy way to start the day this way with part of the five fruit and veggies of the day. Try these and see how your family loves them.

Mother’s Day Projects For Teenagers That Love Crafts

As they grow older and they become teenagers, they are more independent and can do crafts on their own. Mother's Day is the ideal opportunity to make a gift for mom as Mother's Day Crafts are a lot of fun. Mom is sure to appreciate and treasure such a gift far more. Very popular is Beginner Scrapbooking And Greeting Card Basics, but with a little imagination, any craft can be used.

Here are a few ideas for you that you can use for Mother's Day crafts:

A. Make Jewelry

Make a necklace for Mom that she will wear with pride. Here's how:

Materials:

• Beads. You can get creative here - think of Mom's favorite colors and style. You can use beads of natural stone, wood, or metal; or use brightly colored seed beads interspersed with interesting beads, ending in a large, fun pendant. As an added bonus, use a bead for the pendant that is a hollow circle or triangle, and Mom can slip her glasses into it when she's not wearing them.
• Upholstery thread
• Medium needle
• Lighter or match

Directions:

1. Cut a length of thread that is long enough to go over Mom's head. Use your own head or one of her existing necklaces as a measurement so you don't spoil the surprise.

2. Thread the needle.

3. Using the needle, string the beads in any pattern you think Mom would like. You can be free-form and random, or design a symmetrical necklace. Some tips are:

-Lay the beads out on a table to see your design first.
-Count beads on either side of the main pendant (if there is one) to make sure the same number of beads are on both sides.

4. When you have all the beads strung on the thread, tie a knot in the upholstery thread, bringing the end beads as close as possible. Repeat the knot several times.

5. Cut off excess thread.

6. Use the lighter to singe the ends of the thread to prevent the knot from slipping and the ends from fraying.

B. Coupons

Making coupons for Mom can really give her a boost, and if you are artistically inclined, they can be attractive and funny. Here is how to make a book of Mother's Day coupons.

Materials:

• Thin card stock, poster board, or index cards without lines
• Hole punch
• Yarn or ribbon
• Colored pencils, water colors, markers, etc.

Directions:

1. If you are using card stock or poster board, cut it into rectangular pieces about the size and shape of a dollar bill or index card.

2. Punch two holes on the edge of each card. You will be stringing them together, so decide if you want them to lie horizontally or vertically.

3. Decorate each card to represent a different chore you can do, or breaks you can give Mom. Some examples of things to write on the coupons are: Good for one dinner and clean-up, Good for two bubble baths without interruption, etc.

4. When the cards are all decorated and written, lay them so that the holes line up and tie them together with ribbon or yarn.

Well, there you have two very good ideas. For jewelry crafts you can also consider Macramé Beaded Jewelry as it is a lot of fun and as a teenager you will be able to manage it without a problem.

For ideas to help a kid brother or sister with Mother's Day Crafts you can have a look at a book such as Creating With Fimo Acrylic Clay, where you will get really cool ideas for crafts with Fimo Clay.

Benefits Of The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

We all know that a bicycle trainer is a very good piece of equipment to have if you are a cycling enthusiast during the winter. It is not always possible to go outside to train and with a bicycle trainer, such as the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer, you can train indoors if the weather is very bad.

Now, let's have a look at the benefits of a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer:

• Well, of course the first is that you can train whenever you want; the weather plays no role in it at all.
• If you want to have the maximum benefit from your indoor trainer, you must be able to assemble you bicycle on it easily. Well, with the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer that is the case. You can go from outdoors to indoors very quickly.
• You should be able to ser the resistance and with this bicycle trainer you have calibrated resistance and you can set it to your needs.
• A very important benefit of the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer is that the fluid resistance makes it quiet. You will not find any other indoor trainer that is quieter. If you want to listen to music or watch TV while you are training then this is for you.
• It is also important the fluid resistance chamber must be leak proof. You do not want to end up with a mess and a damaged indoor trainer because the fluid leaked out!
• The trainer is solid and strong and this will ensure years of pleasurable service from your Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer.

How Many Calories Should I Eat To Lose Weight

So often people as "how many calories should I eat to lose weight." Well, the problem is that the amount of calories you should eat depends on your level of activity. So, even though in How To Lose Weight Calories are important, it is far easier to look for other ways to cut down on calories and lose weight.

So, if you are asking the question "how many calories should I eat to lose weight?" it is better to look at a healthy eating plan and some moderate exercise. This would ensure that you eat fewer calories and burn more.

It is very important to keep a food journal for about a week so that you can see what you are actually eating and drinking. This will show you exactly where you are going wrong. Start by replacing all the "bad" choices with healthy ones and you will already be cutting down on a lot of calories.

To this strategy, add some moderate exercise. Many people get so afraid when exercise is mentioned, but there is not need. A brisk walk for thirty minutes will go a long way in burning some calories.

So if you are asking the question "how many calories should I eat to lose weight?" if will be far easier to look at a healthy eating plan and moderate exercise than counting calories. If you have a look at "How To Lose Weight Calories" you will see how easy it is to move to a healthy eating plan.

Onion Soup with Mozzarella French Bread Recipe

What can be more welcoming than returning home to the smell of fresh soup cooking. The heavenly smell! Well, with a slow cooker, such as the West Bend Slow Cooker you can. Simply do the preparations in the morning and leave your West Bend Slow Cooker to it.

To give you and idea here is a recipe for a tasty Onion Soup for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 4 C beef broth
• 1/4 C butter
• 3 C onion, sliced
• 1 t salt
• 1 T sugar
• 2 T flour
• 1/4 C dry Vermouth
• 1 loaf French bread cut into slices
• 1 C Mozzarella cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

1. Pour the beef broth in the crock pot and cover.
2. Set the crock pot on high and allow the broth to cook while preparing the onions.
3. Place the butter into a small skillet over medium heat.
4. Once the butter has completely melted add the onions and stir to cover with the melted butter.
5. Reduce the heat to low and cook the onions for 15 minutes,
6. Stir in the salt and sugar and continue cooking about 5 minutes or until the onions are a nice golden brown.
7. Stir in the flour being sure it is completely incorporated into the mixture.
8. Place the mixture into the crock pot.
9. Pour the dry Vermouth into the crock pot and stir to incorporate.
10. Cover and cook on the high temperature setting for 3 hours.
11. When the soup is ready to serve fill oven proof bowls about 2/3 full with the soup.
12. Turn on the broiler and allow it to heat up.
13. Place a slice of the bread onto the top of each bowl of soup.
14. Sprinkle the bread slice with the cheese.
15. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and place them in broiler just long enough for the cheese to melt.

Serving Size: 6

The dry Vermouth gives this soup a bold taste. Cognac or even water can be used in its place if you prefer.To be honest, most of the time I use dry wine and the end result is very tasty. Keep in mind that whatever you decide to add to your soup make sure you add good quality. The rule is: If you will not drink it, do not add it to your food. This is really important as you can spoil a lovely dish with some inferior product.

This Onion Soup with Mozzarella French Bread Recipe does not need such a long cooking time, which is ideal for when you want to have a meal ready in a shorter time, but you still do not want to have to watch your stove all the time. Shorter cooking time with the benefits of your West Bend Slow Cooker.

How To Keep Fit During The Winter With Home Exercise Equipment

It is always difficult to try and keep fit during the winter. There is no fun in going out for a jog or some cycling. It is also so cold you do not relish the idea of making the effort to go to a gym. Do what to do?

The best idea is to find a way you can keep up with your training at home. Decide on some home exercise equipment that you will enjoy using and simply train while watching TV or listening to music.

Possible home exercise equipment you may enjoy using:

1. If you are into cycling looking at a bicycle trainer is a good idea. With a bicycle trainer you simply mount your bicycle on the trainer and you are ready to go. The best one I know about is the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer. It is quiet and you can watch TV or read while you are on it.

2. For those that are not into cycling and would like to get something that does not have a hefty price tag, I would suggest something like the Stamina Spacemate Folding Stepper. This is relatively cheap and does not take up a lot of space ad it folds away for storage.

3. Now for the option I like, treadmill. If you get a good treadmill, and you have the space to put it, you will get a really good cardio workout and you will enjoy it. For a gym quality treadmill without the price tag you should really have a look at the Sole S77 Treadmill. It has everything you need for a stimulating workout.

So, these are only three of the options you have. Unfortunately, no more excuses veging out in front of the TV! Get some home exercise equipment and enjoy keeping fit during the winter.

Enjoy Your Bicycle Training In Winter

If you are a cycling enthusiast you probably hate the winter when it is not very pleasant out. Trying to keep up with your bicycle training in winter, to train in wind, snow and rain is no fun and it can result in a lack of exercise during the winter.

Of course there are many alternatives you can use. Lots of home exercise equipment can be used to stay in top condition during the winter without taking your life in your own hands and training outside in bad whether.

You have quite a few options and your final choice will be a matter of personal choice. Some people enjoy a stationary bike while others prefer a treadmill or even a cross trainer.

What is important here is not only your choice of equipment to keep up with your training in winter is obviously also the cost of the equipment. A very good and economical choice is a bicycle trainer.

With a bicycle trainer you mount your bicycle on it and do your bicycle training on your bike inside. A trainer, such as the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer, is affordable and the ideal solution to your problem.

With the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer you can read or listen to music, or even watch TV. This prevents boredom and can also save a lot of time as you can do two things at a time.

Old Fashioned Orange Bread Recipe

Tasty sweet bread is always very welcome at any tea table. Often the soda breads involve creaming of the butter and sugar. Without the help of an electric stand mixer, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, it is hard work. With a mixer though it is easy and anyone can accomplish it.

To give you an idea, here is a recipe for a good old fashioned orange bread.

Old Fashioned Orange Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarb
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1/2 cup butter
• The grated rind of one orange
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Prepare a brad pan
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees of Fahrenheit
3. Sift the dry ingredients together three times
4. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy
5. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients while beating well in between, alternate the eggs, flour mixture and the orange juice
6. Lastly stir in the orange rind
7. Pour the dough into the well greased and lined bread tin
8. Bake the bread for one hour
9. Let the bread cool down and ice with orange icing and sift with cocoanut.

Puffed Pumpkin Rolls

Pumpkin is not only for Halloween and Thanksgiving; a tasty pumpkin roll will be welcome any time of the year. Making these with and electric stand mixture, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, will make this recipe very easy to do.

What You Need:

• 2 TBSP solid shortening
• 1 1/4 C sugar
• 2 lg. eggs, beaten
• 1 C pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 C all purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 C milk

How to Make It:

1. Place the shortening and sugar into a large mixing bowl.
2. Cream the two together with an electric stan mixer, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, on medium speed until smooth.
3. Add the eggs and mix until they are just incorporated into the batter.
4. Place the pumpkin puree and vanilla into the mixture and continue mixing until well combined.
5. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
6. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and nutmeg and toss to combine.
7. Alternating back and forth between the flour mixture and the milk add each a little at a time being sure to mix slightly after each addition.
8. Place the dough, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour to chill.
9. Once chilled, roll the dough on a flat, lightly floured surface to 1/4in. Thickness.
10. Use a cookie cutter, dusted with flour, to cut out the puffs.
11. Bring the oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees.
12. Drop the puffs a couple at a time into the hot oil and fry until a light golden brown.
13. Place on paper to drain.

12 Servings

Replace the pumpkin puree with squash puree for something a little different. Puffs can also be glazed by using a little confectioners’ sugar dissolved in milk and spread over the puffs while still slightly warm.

It is even possible to replace the pumpkin puree with apple sauce for something completely different. So, experiment with this recipe and come up with your own combinations.

Veggie Crudités Dip

Veggie Crudités Dip

A dip for your veggies does not have to be unhealthy and over processed with all kinds of preservatives. Try this recipe and make your own healthy and tasty dip that will delight family and friends.
 

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1 TBSP dried parsley flakes
• 1 TBSP dried green onion flakes (or regular onion flakes)
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp hot sauce

Method:

1. In a large bowl, blend together all the ingredients with a hand blender, such as a KitchenAid KHB300 Hand Blender, until smooth and creamy.
2. Put in jar with good lid and refrigerate until needed, up to 3 or 4 weeks.

As you can see this is really a quick and easy recipe. It is tasty and can be whipped up in no time. Try this the next time when you want to serve cool veggies and dip on a hot summer's day.

Cycle Training Indoors When It Is Cold Out

If you are a cycling enthusiast I'm sure you find it hard to keep in shape during the long, cold winter. When it is very cold and there is a lot of snow it may be impossible to go outside and then you need and alternative indoors.

For cyclists this is actually very easy. The best idea is to get a indoor trainer such as the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer or the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer. With there trainers you fit your bicycle on it and you have converted your bike to an indoor bike.

The indoor trainers that you choose will depend on your needs. What is it that you really expect from your trainer? Here it is perhaps a good idea to look at a comparison between the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer and the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer.

When comparing the benefits and features of each trainer you get an idea of what is available out there and what would be the best for your needs. Of course, the price will differ and that would be one of the considerations to take into account.

Go to my other blogger article and have a look at Comparing The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer To The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer and decide for yourself.

Easy Fast Breakfast Smoothies

Making smoothies and serving them for breakfast is not only a fun treat your kids will love, but they will also give you the needed nutrition to start your day. Next time you don’t have time to cook breakfast, think smoothie. With a hand blender, such as the KitchenAid KHB300 Hand Blender, you will whip them up in no time.

No Monkey Business Here Smoothie

Kids will enjoy this one, as well as adults.

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
• 2 tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 banana, frozen

Break banana into chunks, then combine with other ingredients and blend until smooth. This smoothie is thick enough to eat with a spoon. To thin it out some, add more milk until you get the desired consistency.

Berry Fruity Smoothie

This recipe calls for frozen fruit and you can use whatever combination of fruit you like or have on hand.

• 1 cup frozen fruit
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Easy-schmeezy and ready in just a couple of minutes.

Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe

Making this homemade hummus recipe is very easy if you have a food processor, such as one of the KitchenAid 700-Watt 12-Cup Food Processors. Make sure you take a little time with the oil and get the consistence just right for your taste.

Homemade Hummus Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can (16 oz) garbanzo beans (chick peas), drained
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 3 TBSP lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 TBSP fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup olive oil (more or less until consistency is right)
• cayenne pepper to taste
• black pepper to taste
• salt to taste

Method:

1. In food processor, blend together garbanzo beans, sesame seeds, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and vegetable broth, until smooth.
2. With processor on, start to drizzle in olive oil.
3. Watch closely and add more if consistency is too thick.
4. Stop and taste, then add seasonings, mix, stop, taste, add more... and continue until the hummus is seasoned the way you like it.

There you have it, fast and easy and very tasty. I like the idea that you are in control of the taste when you make this Homemade Hummus Recipe.

Easy Breakfast Mixed Vegetable Frittata Recipe

If you are like me, you are always on the lookout for tasty and easy breakfast recipes. The one I have for you today involves some chopping and slicing, but with a food processor, such as one of the KitchenAid 700-Watt 12-Cup Food Processors, that should not present a problem.

So, try this tasty frittata recipe when you want to serve something special for breakfast.

Breakfast Mixed Vegetable Frittata Recipe

What You Need:

• 1 yellow squash, sliced thin
• 1 zucchini, sliced thin
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 C of low fat mozzarella cheese
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/4 C feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 eggs
• 1 C of skim milk
• 1/4 tsp basil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 C Parmesan cheese, grated

How to Make It:

1. Set the oven temperature to 375 and preheat.
2. Spray a 9 inch pie plate well with a nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place the squash, zucchini and onion into a microwave safe bowl.
4. Cover and microwave on high for 7 minutes or until tender.
5. Drain well and place in the prepared pie plate.
6. Top the vegetables with the mozzarella cheese and then the tomatoes.
7. Spread the feta cheese over the tomatoes.
8. Whisk the eggs, milk, basil, garlic, salt and pepper together well.
9. Pour the mixture over the top.
10. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
11. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Makes 8 servings

This is a great way to use up all those extra garden vegetables. Use whatever mix of vegetables you have on hand.

Healthy, Sweet Crunchy Oatmeal Granola Recipe

When you do not have the time to cook a healthy breakfast these oatmeal granola bars can come in very handy. If you have a toaster oven, such at the Cuisinart TOB 195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler Stainless, you can make these very cheaply. The Cuisinart TOB 195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler Stainless is smaller and heats up a lot faster and keeps it heat a lot better, so, all in all you will be saving a lot of energy.

Enough about that now, here is your recipe for Healthy, Sweet Crunchy Oatmeal Granola

Sweet Crunchy Oatmeal Granola

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 TBSP water
• 4 cups old fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup chopped nuts (any combination you like)
• 1 cup raisins

Method:

1. Put butter, brown sugar, honey, and water in a 9x13 baking pan. Turn oven on to 375 degrees and set pan inside oven to melt ingredients.
2. Remove pan from oven when butter, brown sugar, and honey are melted, stir, then add the remaining ingredients and stir together well.
3. Put back in oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 10 or 15 minutes while it bakes.
4. Remove from oven, let cool, and add raisins, mixing again. Let cool completely.
5. Store in tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Serve with milk as a cereal or as a snack.

With this granola in the refrigerator you will never be at a loss of what to serve for breakfast on the run.