YOUR FOOD CAN CHANGE YOUR DESTINY SAYS VEDIC ASTROLOGY

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YOUR FOOD CAN CHANGE YOUR DESTINY SAYS VEDIC ASTROLOGY

The right and authentic nutrition can gift you best of your health, prosperity and long life. The zodiac is ruled by the elements of earth, water, fire and air and with those elements, a zodiac sign can determine your diet. Your food according to your zodiac sign not only helps you to determine what is going to happen in your day, week, month or year as well as helping you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Food Astrology is about food habits of people according to the different zodiac signs. If you want to know how you can prepare the perfect dish to please your stars and planetary movements or which ingredients are highly influencing your luck. Believe it or not but Vedic Astrology can guide you to take the right and authentic food by which you can change your destiny for ever. Check your Sun sign and food below-----

Aries are very brave and adventurous but have less patiences. You will be benefited by head massage. You should feed chane to monkeys. They are quite predictable about trying out new and exotic food. They like dishes prepared with spices, and fresh herb. The fiery Aries like hot and crispy food with lots of aromatic ingredients like lemon, mint leaves, cinnamon and masalas. They love curries which are red in colour like chillies, tomatoes etc. For vegetarians gol-gappas are all time favourites.

Taurus They are laborious, short tempered but good in nature. They like tasty food that can satisfy their appetite and they can easily rush for good food. They usually dont prefer innovative dishes. They like traditional dishes and would not like to go for fast food they like preparations made with coriander and mint.

Apples, grapes, vegetables are recommended and should avoid cookies and candies means take only low calorie food.

Gemini-They are witty, jolly, attractive people. They usually dont bother for any particular kind of food. They prefer quick bites and fast food. Whatever they get they are happy with the contents. They can live on snacks and burgers, pizzas or a coke diet are hot favourite for them. Oranges, grapefruit, or peaches, and fresh vegetables are recommended and should avoid coffee and other beverages.Soyabeans, methi, potato milk and cheese will be better for them.

Cancer-They are aggressive, royal natured and attractive.

As a watery sign they dont crave for dishes that are cooked with unfamiliar ingredients. They usually go for macaroni, breads, ice creams and delicious cookies and creamy pastries. They should take a low-fat diet, cabbage juice, grapes and avoid pastries and bread. Sea food is hot favourite for non-vegetarians and juicy, creamy preparations for vegetarians. Also they should include kidney beans, milk, soups, and sprouted vegetables in their food.

Leo- They are little bit aggressive, royal natured and passionate and flashy about food. For them food must be excellent, hot and spicy with chillies, ginger and masalas.

They prefer dishes that are prepared with best of ingredients, fresh vegetables. They usually go for expensive preparation. They should eat vegetables which are rich in iron, coconuts and raisins. They like all kind of parathas with lots of butter and pickle. You should offer water to SURYA NARAYAN.

Virgos are intelligent and different from others. They like healthy, nutritious and tasty food. They have sensitive digestive system. They like dishes which are prepared carefully and ingredients in right proportion. They usually stick to simple dishes, biscuits and relishing preparations. They should take boiled vegetables, salads, whole grains, apples and bananas and avoid spicy foods and food that is cooked with a lot of vegetable oil.

Sagittarius- they prefer new and bold preparations, they dont even mind having bitter-gourd (karela) juice. They like stuffed deep-fried Karela. They love fried, hot crisp snacks all kind of spicy pakoras and paneer tikka. Lemons, tomatoes, garlic and onion are the best foods for them.

Avoid sugar and sweets and spicy and flavoured foods.

Often they want to have non-veg but it can be harm full to them. Add soups, green vegetables and things made by milk.

Libra- they usually dont like to spend time on lunch and dinners, they prefer fast food and want to finish food quickly. They prefer fresh fruit juices, salads and vegetables. They love to explore tastes flavours with ginger and cloves. They should take lot of yogurt, corns, strawberries and almonds and avoid high-fibre diet and sweet beverages.

Scorpions are known for strong and spicy dishes. Actually they like a lot of rest. They like preparations with red hot chillies, garlic and heavy spices. They like dark chocolates and sensational food, deep fried food etc.

Oranges, cherries, lemons and green salad are the recommended food for them and should avoid spicy and flavoured foods. They have liking for non-vegetarian food.

Add some homemade food and green vegetables in your food.

Capricorn- they are intelligent, hardworking and determined towards their goal. They like simple, tasty dishes that are prepared properly to retain good health. They can even settle with simple pulses and rice with lots of pickle and all kind of vegetable and fruit salad preparation. They like nuts, green leafy vegetables and few flavours of ice cream like fruit and nut. They spend lot of time for the ultimate culinary delight. Avoid spicy food as it can harm for your liver.

Aquarius- they like to keep their kitchen well equipped.

They like leafy vegetable, green salads and appetizers.

They prefer light snacks and follow healthy wholesome food. Recommended diets include dried fruits, citric fruits and should avoid high-fibre food. They want traditional food and would probably love a plate of kidney beans and rice. Add low calorie food in your diet.

Pisces- they like fruit juices and minutely observe the flavour and aroma of the food. They should eat food that is rich in iron, dried bean, apricots and peaches. Avoid too much of salty diet. . Their hot favourite is French fries with lots of chilli sauce apart from this sea, Thai and Chinese food are their favourites. But you should include all vegetables, curd and cheese in your food.

The 2nd house shows ones preference in food. The planets influencing it may decide ones favourite taste. In addition, one should avoid the tastes of the planets that are likely bringing disease. Suppose one is running a dasa or antardasa of a sign containing Moon as per dasa (a dasa that shows suffering). Then some suffering related to Moon is possible. Moon can give problems related to blood pressure as he governs blood. So eating too much salty food during such a period may result in high blood pressure.

Similarly, one should cut down on sweets during a period in which Jupiter related troubles are indicated. Or, one may develop too much fat (Jupiter) or get other Jupiter related diseases
You may have different set of questions in your mind.

Please feel free to get yourself examined astrologically so that the right food which can influence your luck is chosen by you and your efforts are put to your gain. Believe that astrology is a great friend as when the mind is unable to decide, friends and guides are reluctant to advice and when the openings are too less or too many, you need someone from the heaven to guide you in your difficult times.

Why Should Restaurants Run Loyalty Programmes

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Why Should Restaurants Run Loyalty Programmes

Switching to the new is the thing to do! The hospitality industry is changing its means and methods to keep up with the fast-paced dynamic economic environment for its sustenance and survival. Playing on the game plan of marketing, different restaurants and hotels are putting every effort possible to Capture, Hold and Retain its customer base.

One such marketing tool Loyalty programmes holds a pivotal importance. A 2016 study found that customers who are members of loyalty programs, such as frequent flier clubs, generate between 12 and 18 percent more revenue than non-members. Highly-engaged customers buy 90 percent more often and spend 60 percent more per transaction ( www.visioncritical.com)

It could be a discount coupon, membership cards granting points on every purchase and rebates on the next, festive offers etc. An array of schemes could be offered depending on ones budgets and needs.

5 top reasons why you should run loyalty programmes

1.Customer base and customer life time value

Customer base creation and maintenance of present ones is equally important as is expanding your reach to the new potential ones. This is where loyalty programmes prove to be the best strategy for a long-lasting relationship between the restaurant and its customers. The Dotcom and mobile app age calls for adoption of such methodologies so as not to get rooted out. Loyalty programmes help to increase the spending decisions of customers over next targeted years. A customer may make repeat purchases based on such offers and points provided to him. It helps in customer targeting.  As a result of this, a customer becomes from Occasional to Frequent

2.Increase Sales

Researches show that it is a general observation that customers tend to repeat purchase, if he gets not just better service but also something more. Such exclusivity or favoured gestures greatly effect purchase decisions of the buyer. Loyalty programmes can induce in the mind of the customers to go beyond their budget to avail the offers and discounts. Loyalty programmes offer cheaper ways to attract more sales. The personalisation this strategy brings in results in increased sales. They help in making happy diners.

3.Social Media.

Customers nowadays love to post and spread their experiences about a place, its food, the facilities and favours it provides, offers or schemes it has to offer on big social media platforms that reach millions of readers. Reviews could be both negative and positive that would also have a rippling effect on future clients and business. Promotions by way of loyalty programmes could help to create a positive reputation about the restaurant.

4.Branding.

Loyalty programmes help in creating a brand value to your restaurant business. For new entrants in the market or the existing ones as well, it creates a special image and place in the minds of customers. With a brand value attached to its name, customers also feel a sense of pride being associated with it as a member or while obtaining special offers designed for them. Such programmes help to create a deciding factor for the customers to choose your brand over other. In very limited resource and investment one can create a solid base and space in the market. The returns on investment attained while applying these techniques gives higher sale at a very competent investment.

5.Managing Database.

Managing customer database is an ongoing process which must run throughout the life of the restaurant. Sending reminders on birthdays, anniversaries or any other festive occasions like Christmas, Diwali or new year offers boosts the sale and performance of the restaurants. Sending out SMS or emails of special offers in festive seasons or occasions could not only nurture the relationship with customers but also help in the long run of the business. A database is created which automatically send reminders on numerous occasions to the customers for repeat visits. It helps to analyse customer behaviour knowing who likes what. Loyalty programmes are silently also a mechanism to understand customer feedbacks.

Loyalty programmes form an emotional bond between the customer and the restaurant. It also works as a bailing out mechanism. For example, recently restaurants around the national highways were directed to shut down bar and alcohol services. Brewery themed restaurants and for those whose main customer line up came from alcohol serving faced the brunt of this government policy. But for those restaurants which ran loyalty programmes sent out various offers to their frequent visitors and could still manage to hold their position and survive. Customers fond of their favourite joints saved the day for the restaurants who were then diminishing and dying out.

One may juggle with varied forms introducing loyalty programmes as per the model of business and services the restaurant offers. It could be rebates, discounts, membership cards, percentage off on next purchase, extra deep discounts, referral points, birthday-anniversary special offers, festive offers, etc depending on the cost of installation and operation. A connect is established with the customer by these tools which help promote the business of restaurants and hence are an inevitable part of restaurant business today.

Why Poaching Fish is Better Than Boiling

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Why Poaching Fish is Better Than Boiling

What has less flavor than water? I pose the question to my cooking college class. Nothing! Nothing has less flavor than water. If youre thinking about poaching fish, chicken, or eggs, why not ADD flavor to the final result by cooking them in a flavorful liquid?

Thats the first rule of cooking something in a poaching method. Dont use flavorless water, always poach items in a flavorful liquid. Have you ever boiled carrots in water? The result is carrots that taste like water and water that is orange. Hmm, where did the flavor go?

You should never boil something in the kitchen anyway. In my opinion, boiling is NOT a cooking method. The relatively high temperature and violent motion of the liquid is a very bad way to treat your food.

To cook food in a moist convective manner, you must control the heat. Most people think that just because youre cooking something in liquid, its always at a high heat rapid boil. When you cook something in the oven, is it always at the highest temperature? No. When you saut, is the flame always on high? No, you control the heat.

Theres a big difference between boil, simmer, and poach. Water boils at 212F (100c) and is characterized by large, violent motion. A simmer is 185F (85c). You can always tell when your cooking liquid is simmering because there are soft bubbles around the rim of the pan and a slight convection or motion.

Poaching fish, or anything else, means having the liquid keep a constant 165F (74c) temperature. This is the perfect number for cooking something because proteins coagulate at the same temperature. This is the mile-marker that tells you when something is done cooking.

A correct poaching liquid has no visible bubbles and only a slight convection to the liquid. Little pieces of fat or crumb may lazily float by; moving slowly, but you shouldnt see any bubbles. Why use a violent boil at 212F (100c) that will toughen and damage food when its possible to cook at precisely the right temperature you need, 165F (74c)?

The disadvantage to cooking something this way is the lack of eye-appeal. Since poached food is never cooked at a temperature above 165F (74c), it never reaches caramelization of sugars which occurs at 320F (160c). Caramelization is the brown color or grill marks that makes your cooked food look so appealing.

However, if the food item is to be used as a stuffing and cooked a second time, perhaps how it looks isnt as important as how it tastes. Were making Chicken Burritos in cooking college today. The chicken is poached, shredded, filled into tortilla and baked again. Wed gladly sacrifice eye-appeal of the chicken for flavor and moisture in this dish.

Poaching fish or delicate food like eggs is an especially good use of this technique because you can add flavor and moisture to an item that might dry out in other cooking processes. Ive used shrimp flavored broths or juice and wine mixtures on tender fish filets to add a whole new flavor dimension.

When you can control moist heat in the way you do for dry heat, then youve developed a professional level skill. The difference between boil, simmer, and poach will help guide you toward moist and flavorful items that arent rubbery; but skillfully cooked and have much more flavor than water.

See Chef Todds live culinary class on poaching fish.

Why Do They Call Them Mother Sauces

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Why Do They Call Them Mother Sauces

The concept of having Mother Sauces from which to create most other sauces is a relatively new concept. Sauces have been used in cooking just about as long as fire has. Sauces in French cuisine date back to the middle ages. In those days, sauces were used to hide the bad texture and flavor of spoiling meats or preserving other foods by blocking out air.

In the early 1800s the Father of Classical Cuisine, Antonin Careme devised an extensive list of sauces, estimated in the hundreds, that could never be duplicated because most were his one-time creations. My students in culinary school wont be excited about memorizing hundreds of sauces, so theyre thankful for Auguste Escoffier.

Escoffier was the chef to kings and the king of chefs who simplified most of Caremes lavish and lengthy efforts to create a list of only five that we call mother sauces today.

All sauces are categorized by two elements, their liquid and their thickening agent. The most often used thickener is Roux. However, the combination of fat and starch isnt the only way to thicken a sauce so it will stick to food, thats what can make these five sauces so tricky.

Milk + Roux = Bechamel
The most often used of Escoffiers list is Bechamel. This is made when milk is thickened with roux to create a basic white sauce. Bechamel is the start to all cheese sauces, Alfredo, mushroom, and the new sauce that youll create from the first of the mother sauces.

Stock + Roux = Veloute
A chicken stock or fish stock can be thickened with roux also to create a sauce that has the specific flavor of fish or chicken, but also the body and texture to compliment food. Veloute is most often used with the item that gave the flavor profile. A Fish Veloute would be excellent with roasted or sauted fish. Chicken Veloute is perfect to add moisture to grilled chicken breasts with minimum effort.

Brown Stock + Brown Roux + Tomato Paste = Espagnole
The two previous mother sauces are white or ivory colored because theyre made with milk or stock and a white or beige roux. None of these elements will add color to the sauce. But, a brown roux and brown stock with tomato paste will definitely add a distinctive brick red color to create Espagnole.

When you continue to cook your roux until it turns a nutty brown, then add a cold beef stock that was made from caramelized bones and vegetables, youll get a brown sauce with a lot of color and texture. Dont forget that the quality of your stock is most important when creating these sauces, because the most flavorful ingredients yield the best tasting sauces.

Tomato + Tomato Paste = Tomato Sauce>
Tomato Sauce is one of the Mother Sauces but nobody seems to realize this. Thats because it seems everyone has made a tomato sauce, but you never hear someone bragging of their Grandmas Veloute or Bechamel sauce!

Tomato sauce is perhaps the most simple of the top five sauces to make, but also takes the greatest patience. Peeled and seeded tomatoes are called Concasse (con-ka-say), and they serve as the liquid element. Tomato Paste and the process of evaporation and reduction by simmering the sauce serves as the thickener.

Butter + Egg Yolk = Hollandaise
The fifth and most delicate to make of the mother sauces is Hollandaise. If you love a Sunday Brunch that includes Eggs Benedict, youve had this sauce before. Its buttery, creamy with a hint of tartness and the texture of velvet when made correctly.

Clarified butter is whisked into egg yolks over a double boiler to create an emulsification, mixing the two unmixable items and keeping them in suspension to make perhaps the grandest of Escoffiers creations.

These mother sauces dont taste like much on their own, actually theyre quite bland. Theyre meant to be a blank canvas upon which the chef adds flavors and textures to create a small sauce from one of its mothers.

Bechamel needs cheese, Tomato needs oregano and basil, Hollandaise needs a few drops of lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. They all need a bit of help and creative effort before being ladled over the perfectly cooked piece of meat youve created. Whatever inspiration you take from the five originals, make sure they remember and have respect for their Mother!

See Chef Todds live culinary class on Mother Sauces.

Wholesale Baking Supplies — How to Find the Best Deals in the Right Quantities

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Wholesale Baking Supplies — How to Find the Best Deals in the Right Quantities

Regardless if you are a mother who enjoys treating her family to rich pastries and desserts or if you are a pastry chef who runs a bakery for a living, you must purchase baking supplies every now and then. The professionals, needless to say, must buy them more often, and usually in larger quantities. These wholesale baking supplies can be purchased either from local wholesale warehouse stores or online. Either way, all you need is a little elbow grease and some research know-how and you won't be far from finding oustanding deals on your wholesale baking supplies.

Purchasing Wholesale Baking Supplies Online

Buying from wholesale suppliers on the internet is actually quite convenient for both everyday cooks and even people that would prefer not to undergo the trouble of travelling to wholesale supply houses or purchasing products from a middleman. Although it actually will save you considerable time and trouble, it is vital for you to go browse through their internet site thoroughly prior to diving in and spending a lot of money. Web sites will often have numerous products for you to choose from which means you should allot sufficient time to find the one best buys. In the event the wholesaler's website won't provide adequate specifics or perhaps doesn't display the actual goods for you to see, you'll have to give them a call to make sure they have the prices and quantities you will need.

Buying Wholesale Baking Goods from Supply Warehouses

Supply warehouses for wholesale buyers clubs such as Sam's or Costco are usually the perfect place to find wholesale baking supplies. These outlets are open to the public and also baking professionals. They stock a great many of these ingredients in larger amounts. One of the benefits of buying from a larger supply facility is that you may purchase individual goods that would otherwise have to be bought in sets with additional items that you may have no need for. In addition, you may also choose a specific product in bulk if you prefer. Items are normally arranged based on materials used, functionality or dimensions and stocked in a larger floor area in the store. If you ever have questions you can always find one of the many salespersons in the store help you get started.

Getting Baking Supplies from Business Suppliers

A number of suppliers by only from other businesses as a general policy. For that reason, they require you to have either a certificate from culinary school or some other proof that you are indeed a business. Remember to bring these things with you before you leave for the store. However, if this is not an option, you'll be able to find suppliers on the internet or check with other bakers close to you. Try to make a list of a few wholesale baking supplies companies so you can compare costs, managing of orders, delivery fees and other factors that are important to you.

When Buying Kitchen Rugs Look for Quality, Durability And Stain Resistance

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When Buying Kitchen Rugs Look for Quality, Durability And Stain Resistance

The kitchen is one area of the house where you will see a lot of use. You can find time for cooking, socializing, family dining and various activities that your kids will be doing in the kitchen. Therefore when you are choosing kitchen rugs you should look for quality, durability, stain resistance and versatility. At first you might feel that this is limiting your choice of room rugs however this is not the case as you will soon see.

Like in many other areas of your home you will want a rug that will pull all the elements of your kitchen together. When all of the various accessories are kept in places that are welcoming you will enjoy cooking in your kitchen even more. To help in that goal you can decide if you want plush and luxury style kitchen rugs where you can sink your toes in as you create your next culinary masterpieces.

You can even place a variety of accent and runner rugs to define a space in your kitchen where you can just relax in the moments between cooking. Kitchen rugs dont have to be boring while they perform tasks of functionality. They can show you how to brighten your kitchen and maybe even bring in a plash of summer even on a dull dreary winter day. The trick in choosing your kitchen rugs depends on what you want from this rug.

Now since many of us have wooden or tiled floors in our kitchens you will need to have kitchen rugs that wont slip as soon as you step on them. One way of getting this problem solved is to have rugs pads placed underneath the kitchen rug. This way you can be sure that your kitchen rugs will not take you flying across the room.

Now besides thinking about this fact you should also see what sort of kitchen rugs you might like to have. Besides your contemporary, modern, braided, period style kitchen rugs, you can also buy these rugs in a variety of materials. For instance many people like having natural fibred kitchen rugs in their homes. There are many types of natural kitchen rugs that you can buy.

For instance you will find hemp, sea grass, jute, bamboo, sisal, leather among the many kitchen rugs that you can keep in your home. The price of these kitchen rugs will be dependent on the quality and size of the rug that you choose. You should however be able to choose a few gorgeous kitchen rugs that are in your budget that have the ability to make your kitchen an inviting place to cook as well as socialize.

What Your Mother Never Told You About Cookware

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What Your Mother Never Told You About Cookware

I don't know about you but I am tired of spending loads of money on useless cookware that create an avalanche every time I open my cabinet doors. With all there is to choose from (sautrs, frying pans, specialty pans, etc.) and all the new technology (waterless, stainless steel, non-stick, etc.), it is hard to discern what is the best fit for my kitchen. So, I am writing this article for my fellow Home Chef who are of average strength, budget, and who have an interest in improving their cooking skills with better Kitchen Tools.
The materials that you pick for your cookware are critical. I like anodized aluminum because it is the most durable I have found on the market today. I am super tough on my tools so, the strength of the pans is really important to me. Also, I need a non-stick surface. As a stay-at-home mom, I don't have time to scrub pans all day so for me, non-stick is nonnegotiable. So, all of the pieces that I touch on here are aluminum and non-stick.

Essential Tools

The first piece of cookware I recommend is a skillet in about a 10-inch size. I suggest this because this pan offers unbelievable versatility for the well-versed cook and a good learning curve for those who are not. Browning meat, frying eggs, toasting sandwiches and even baking cakes is what you can accomplish with this type of pan. To do all this, make sure yours is oven safe.

The second essential piece of cookware I suggest is a good heavy saucepan in about a 2-quart capacity. The reason for suggesting this one is versatility again. This pan can be used for boiling/steaming vegetables, preparing rice dishes, all sauces and making all manner of " in the box wonders " found at your local supermarket.

Third, and last of the basics is a good quality stockpot in about an eight to twelve quart size. Flexibility is the call here. For all your boiling work your saucepan cannot handle, switch to your stockpot. But be an informed shopper when you buy your pot. Look for quality. You need a good heavy flat bottom to distribute heat evenly and nice strong riveted handles to carry it (when full of liquid a quality 8 quart stockpot will weigh nearly twenty pounds.) One other thing, the stockpot can be used for is deep-frying -- however, do not do this unless you know what you are doing. You can hurt yourself severely; even start a fire by frying carelessly.

So that is the basics. If you live in a small apartment or do not cook very much, that may be all you need. Ah but you, my fine chef, want to start cooking more ambitiously or find that these three just don't do the job for you.

Well my friend, get ready for wave number two and size matters!!

To start, you may want to add two more saucepans to your repertoire: one in about a one-quart size and one in about a three-four quart size. The varying sizes will aid you as you venture deeper into the culinary world.

As you branch out into bigger dishes, a 12-inch skillet to compliment your original is essential. This pan will help you make those wonderful "one-pot" meals to feed your whole family.

Next, you will want to start "moving" or saut. In French, it means, "to jump" but in English, it is a fast cooking technique that requires a small amount of oil or butter in a shallow pan over high heat. Saut pans have wide flat bottoms and straight shallow sides, which accommodate this process; hence the name saut pan. This design helps to move foods back and forth over the burner during the cooking process. The flat bottom adds stability to the pan during the movement and allows enough room to maintain even browning over every piece of food. A nonstick surface cuts down the amount of fat needed to coat your saut pan to prevent sticking.

And there you have it; with just this cookware and respective lids you can conquer most culinary tasks and if you buy wisely it should all last forever.

If you are the cook who truly must have it all...

...the list is almost endless. Here is my take on some of this:

Wok-- A nice thing to have and if you must have only one pan this is what I suggest. Get a 12-inch size. Like any jack-of-all-trades this pan will do everything, but nothing perfectly.

Roasting pan-- A necessity for the well-appointed kitchen. Get one large enough to hold a small turkey and heavy duty enough to be used for stovetop cooking. It will also double as a lasagna pan.

Fish poacher-- Not really useful enough to have around, besides you can poach fish in a roasting pan.

Griddle-- Handy if you really are into breakfast.

Crepe pan-- I own one, I'm not sure why though. It truly is a specialty item.

Really big stockpots-- You know, the twenty quart and up models. Handy if you brew beer or if you make three or four gallons of chili at once, or maybe for boiling rib racks.

Risotto pan-- No way, this is just too specific. Little effort is required to make great risotto in a saucepot or a saut pan.

Buying Cookware

For those of you who have been pricing high quality cookware, well you have probably been sticker shocked to death thinking about the cost of all this. Here are some things that you will want to consider when making this investment in your kitchen:

1. Sit down and see how often you really do cook in your home. I know some families eat out a lot and don't bother cooking cause they are too busy with work and other things. Then we have those who make sure a home cooked meal is prepared and ready for dinner each night. No matter what "type" of family you are we always need some sort of cookware in our home.

2. First thing to look for is Quality and Warrantee. Those are the two most important things you should look for in your next purchase of a cookware set. Reason being you don't want to keep wasting your money on those cheap imitation pots and pans and those that claim they are non-sticking, but really do stick after the first time you use them. You want a pair of cookware that has a lifetime guarantee, and stands up to High heat temperatures.

3. Non-Stick is the best because it's a breeze to clean up and nothing will stick after you cook it; just put your pot or pan in hot soapy water and clean up will be a breeze for you.

Price should be a factor in buying your cookware; the higher the price the better quality and warranty you shall receive. There are ways that I have found to get one of the best all time ever cookware sets for half price or even for free...

READ this:

The Pampered Chef offers a line of cookware that has all of the features listed in this article and more. But, why buy Pampered Chef cookware over the other brands? I am so glad that you asked because the other guys won't:

Show you how to use their products.

Provide you with on-going customer service long after your initial purchase.

Give it to you for free!!!

Give it to you for free and give you a paycheck.

When you book a Pampered Chef party, you can get all of this and more. When your sales reach $300.00 in merchandise, you can get the 5- and 7-piece Executive cookware sets (normally $570) for price! This is much cheaper then going to a store and buying the "best" that they have to offer. And, you don't even need to have people in your home if you don't want to. You can also qualify for this great deal with a Catalog Show.

Not only will you get the cookware for half price (or even free if your sales are high enough), you will also have a life - time warranty. That's right...lifetime! Anything goes wrong...1 year, 2 years, 5 years down the road...you get a new one for free. Most places won't touch that offer with a stick.

So, let me get this straight... ...you can get the 5- AND 7- piece Executive cookware set for price or even free AND you get a lifetime warranty? That is an incredible deal!!!

Here's how to take advantage of this no-risk offer:

1. Go to www.kitchentokitchennews.com/contact to set up your show today.

2. For immediate service, you can order the products at www.pamperedchef.biz/sewing. (Copy and paste this into your browser. Due to company policy, I can't link you directly to the site. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

It's that easy.

In order to make saying "yes" even easier here's one more advantage I think you will find irresistible:

For an entire year after your show is complete, you receive a 10% discount on anything else that you want to purchase. Department stores and specialty stores do not want your repeat business that badly!

Susan Ewing is the creator of www.kitchentokitchennews.com which provides Kitchen Tools and Tips for the Home Chef.

What You Should Know When Going For Tarp Hire

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What You Should Know When Going For Tarp Hire

Tarps are considered to be the most versatile covers available out there. These are made of numerous fabrics and can be easily used in several things such as protecting the lawn furniture, pool covers, creating canopies, and also covering a ball field in case of bad weather. One of the best things about tarp hire is that the overall price varies depending on the material being used in the construction, thus the overall cost may be less and can be an inexpensive choice to opt for. Here are some of the things that you should definitely know about tarp hire. 

Consider hiring them according to the weather conditions and here are some of the best examples to help you in this regard. 

Using the Tarp Hire in Rain 

The vinyl and polyethylene tarps are 100 % efficient when it comes to the waterproofing aspect. The canvas tarps are more resistant to the water. However, eventually, the water will seep through even if there is water accumulated on the tarp. 

Using the Tarp on Sun 

In order to remove the harmful effects of some UV rays, the tarps are UV treated. This is not the case with all tarps, so when looking for an appropriate option, you need to also look for certain qualities that will help you in this regard. You need to look for tarps that are UV treated or UV resistant in the product description so that you can be sure about getting the right tarp in the right season. 

Using the Tarp in Wind 

If you are planning to go for a tarp hire then you need to also remember that not all of them hold well in windy conditions. In this regards, vinyl tarps are heavy duty and they have high abrasion resistance and are also waterproof thus they are preferred by many people. However, you need to also make sure that you use appropriate straps and securely tie it so that you can have a snug fit for your valuables. 

Tarp Hire You Can Get by Material 

#1 Polyethylene Tarp 

These are the most commonly used tarps everywhere. These are used from the field of construction to the landscaping and camping. These are good tarps for almost all purposes because it provides versatile uses. These come in a wide range of uses and range from the light to heavy duty. 

#2 Vinyl Tarps 

These are considered to be most durable and strongest tarps available out there. These are helpful in providing good support for tear, stress, abrasion, and other vital benefits. You can get these in heavy duty ones to the industrial grade ones. 

There are numerous benefits and choices you have in tarp hire. All that you need to do is to choose an option that is most suited for you according to your specific conditions. If you select carefully, you can be sure to receive numerous benefits. 

To ensure that you carry out good research to find out what is available in the market. The time that you spend in research will ensure that you get only the best results in a long run. Just make sure that you compare the options for hire and only go for the ones that provide the most affordable rates. The firms putting these out for rent ensure that this is installed on your property in a safe manner as they have proper experience in this field. These professionals are able to install it properly, and so you just need to get the best firm to fulfill your tarp hire needs. A tarp is a large sheet of strong and flexible as well as water-resistant material that is used as a tent or for hosting events.

What To Expect When Planning With A Catering Event Coordinator

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What To Expect When Planning With A Catering Event Coordinator

Whenever an important event is approaching, it's a relief to work with an event coordinator that has catering experience so they can help you plan (and realize) every culinary detail you've envisioned. So what should you expect when working with an experienced event planner?

Expert Consultation:

The initial step in planning an event is to understand the client's overall vision and goal for the party. Event Planners should spend time with clients discussing the theme, type of party, and what the client has already envisioned i.e. decor, catering menus, food preferences, alcohol preferences, equipment, etc.

Customization:

A professional event coordinator should be able to take you from the proposal stage to the day of the event, working with you on even the most minute of details. You won't be passed from one person to another; instead, you'll value the undivided attention you receive from a single collaborator. Basically, professional catering event planners should be able to seamlessly lead you through every step of the process.

Familiarity With Your Venue:

Established event coordinators that are familiar with catering events will know the in's and out's of your city's popular venues. They can provide great advice on what works well while suggesting alternatives that will save you money on catering and other associated costs.

Trusted Vendors:

Most of us aren't familiar with the top local vendors or the most popular caterers. Your event planner, however, should be, and their experience grants them the ability to recommend a trusted and reputable caterer.

References:

It's smart to ask for them, and can't do any harm. A good caterer will have plenty of clients happy to give them a favorable recommendation. It is also good to ask for a customer who had an event that was similar to the one you will be having.

Planning the Event Layout:

Professional event coordinators often create a room diagram to scale, allowing you to make sure you're aware of what the room will look like before the event. This ensures that everything (including the food) will fit in your chosen location.

Complete Proposals:

All too often, a hazy or vague proposal can create confusion. What is and what is not included? The best event coordinators make sure that all catering costs are predetermined and clearly defined. Let your event planner create a customized preliminary proposal complete with all possible options including food, labor and rental costs. Are the dishes included? Is gratuity included? Where is the charge for the staff to serve the meal? Make sure you're comparing "apples to apples" when reviewing proposals. You don't want any surprises after you have chosen your caterer. The best event planners pride themselves on giving you a complete quote that leaves nothing to the imagination. This way, you'll never be surprised when the bill comes!

Detail Selection:

Experienced Event Planners will use often utilize catering photos and catalogs to help you gain a visual image of the event. At this point the client will choose linens, and a possible tasting might be arranged to finalize the menu. During this step, the Event Planner and client will also walk through the event location and smooth over the final details and/or concerns.

In the end, the job of your event planner is to take the stress off you so you don't have to worry. True professionals have developed and refined a unique catering event planning process that applies to small intimate parties as well as large events. Experienced event planners will remain committed to a philosophy of value and quality by giving you the event you have envisioned at a cost that fits your budget.

What to Do During No Contact

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What to Do During No Contact

So, youve decided to bite the bullet and do No Contact for a month? Good for you. This is a huge revelation for most people going through a break up. It means that you recognize that what you were doing wasnt working and that youre willing to try something else.

But now that youre staring down the barrel of 30 days before you can even talk to your ex again, what are you supposed to do? I guess you could sit alone at home and cry, listen to heartbreaking songs, or eat your way through a few gallons of ice cream, but isnt there something better to do?

You bet there is!

Even though this may seem incredibly painful right now, this period of your life holds so much potential for change and growth that you can really do anything with the next 30 days.

Instead of seeing this as a punishment or as a gimmick to manipulate your ex, try to use this as an opportunity to take your life in a new direction and get clarity about what you want your life to be about.

What are some things youve been putting off for some day because you were too busy being in a relationship or because your ex discouraged you or held you back from doing? What are things that you want to do, but feel scared to do? What do you want your life to look like?

These are the kinds of questions you want to ask yourself to give you ideas about things to do during No Contact.

Maybe you join a public speaking group and overcome one of the most common fears in the world. Maybe you go back to school and study culinary arts or get that MBA youve been thinking about. Or maybe you just pull yourself out of that rut and just get out and meet some new people.

These are all great ideas to get you started. What you need to do now, though, is find the answers that feel the most right to you. Take some time and think about how you can turn this phase of your life into a positive growth experience regardless of what happens between you and your ex.

Remember, that no matter what happened in the past, you always have the choice to be happy right now. The question then is what are you going to choose for yourself?

What the Year of the Monkey Will Bring You In the Kitchen

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What the Year of the Monkey Will Bring You In the Kitchen

Another year has passed the year of the Sheep. What comes after February 8 is the year of the Fiery Monkey. The Chinese Lunar New Year comes with a heat blast all around your kitchen. Prep your cooking tools, ladies and gentlemen, polish the ovens and barbecues, because it's time to kick it up a notch.

The Sheep predisposes to a meeker approach towards everything. Embrace your creative side, understand your emotions, retreating from the stressful conditions of the public life into the cosiness of your family comfort. Scratch that. 2016 will come with a blast, an intrepid and a blazing one at that. This is the time to let your imagination lose, bring to front your original ideas and just speak what's bothering you at the very moment. Don't ask for permissions, when you can rather beg for forgiveness.

So, how will this Fire Monkey light up the heat in your oven?

Best Year for Cooking Gatherings

Your friends are going to love this yes, that's the year to herald your way into the party gatherer you've always thought you are. You have the chance to organise lively conversations. Everyone can contribute to the overall atmosphere by pitching in with an ingredient or two. Turn the kitchen as the main transport hub of your home and get the party started. As long as we are on the pitching in topic, why not politely slide in the offer to help you with the cleaning afterwards scraping the splattered oils from the oven hob is a good start. Don't bother asking them to help cleaning the oven chamber itself you aren't going to get it.

Liven up Your Kitchen

It's the year of the monkey, and it is time to go monkey-craze in your kitchen, too. Make sure to bring this room to life. Make it colourful bring up some decoration, hang stuff on the walls, get colourful oven mitts, wear a patched apron. This is the kind of things that will make a merrier kitchen.

And clean it up

All the sizzling, basking, broiling and braising can lead to one thing an especially dirty stove that needs no postponing to clean. How else will you prove your furious fiery side of yours in the Monkey year but with not putting up with the dirt and grime in your kitchen? That's right, bring it on, grease, we are ready for you. Arm with spatulas, oven cleaners and degreasers, elbow grease, scourers, plenty of water and a lot of patience this is the way of the professional oven cleaning companies. You'd have a busy year in terms of cooking so let's lay a good stepping stone for an easier time in the kitchen.

Make the most out of social

Monkeys live in groups, so you can totally make groupies, too. If your kitchen doesn't allow for big groups, you can actually group on social media. Create your own cooking chat, share results, recipes and remarks on cooking different dishes. Add your techniques to maintaining the kitchen's hygiene and good stance, too you never know what are the oven cleaning hacks of your friends, until they are shared on social media.

Stay Informed

The year of the Monkey is a year to stay hungry for information (pun intended). It is the time to learn new things. Go to cooking classes, try new techniques, you will see how you will learn in to time. That is, in case you don't get distracted by pleasant conversations with the colleagues during the whisking exercises.

Experiment

Yes, this is going to be an out-of-the-box year. The Fire Monkey is telling you try some new spices, there are plenty. Different ingredients will bring you to new horizons. Try new kitchens, too how long have you been enjoying the tastiness of that Thai restaurant down at the mall but you've never actually considered cooking it up yourselves? Now is the time!

What Teas Are Good for the Heart

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What Teas Are Good for the Heart

Black, green, white or red teas come from the same plant Camellia Sinensis. The difference lies in the processing method:

Green tea is made from the buds and top two leaves of a shrub, which are then quickly steamed to prevent fermentation, which stops any enzyme activity that causes oxidation. In fact, green tea undergoes the least amount of processing.

White tea is made entirely from leaf buds that are covered with fine white hairs, which are then withered at very low temperatures. Unlike other tea processing methods, the leaf buds arent rolled and only slightly oxidized.

Black tea is made from older leaves, which are then partially dried, crushed and finally fermented. It is the only tea to be fully oxidized and fermented, receiving the most processing of all the teas.

Red (oolong) tea is also made from older leaves and stems, which are dried and rolled at high temperatures. It is partially fermented.

Regardless of the processing method, all these types of teas contain flavonoids, which explain why tea drinkers are less likely to have heart disease. The tea compounds known as flavonoids, such as catechins and epicatechins, are responsible for teas beneficial effects and give it its antioxidant properties. In fact, white tea contains the highest levels of antioxidants, followed by green, red and lastly black tea.

Heres what studies reveal about tea benefits for the heart and how it can reduce the risk of heart disease:

Green tea contains the highest amount of flavonoids, specifically catechins that are most studied and most bioactive for the heart benefits. It helps dilate arteries, allowing vessels to relax and blood to flow freely. Green tea flavonoids, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate, help prevent inflammation of the heart tissue and formation of clots. This can help prevent atherosclerosis. Moreover, the green tea ability to inhibit inflammation, modulate oxidative stress and target tissue fibrosis may help prevent the onset or recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Black tea contains not as many polyphenols as its green counterpart, but the oxidation process produces a set of unique compounds that have their own heart health benefits. For example, black tea contains theaflavins and thearubigins that lower LDL cholesterol in blood. Moreover, it significantly improves endothelial function, HDL cholesterol and blood antioxidant levels, which can protect against inflammation and oxidative stress. White tea contains the most antioxidants compared to other tea types and has none of the tannins detected in black tea and less caffeine than other teas. The catechins it contains improve the functioning of blood vessels and increase oxidative stress in cells. Consuming white tea daily may help reverse the oxidative damage done to the heart cells and prevent plaque formation.

White tea consumption is also associated with a lower incidence of coronary artery disease.

Red tea combines the qualities of green and black tea leaves, giving it additional health benefits. It contains theobromine and theophylline which are similar to caffeine, as well as the amino acid theanine responsible for its relaxing effect. While caffeine works to stimulate the central nervous system, heart, and muscle, red tea may promote high blood pressure in some people. Though, this effect tends to fade with regular red tea consumption.

Herbal teas are not really teas as they dont come from Camellia Sinensis plant, but come from stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots of other plants. Although they have lower concentrations of antioxidants, they still may be a helpful option, especially for those who dont like drinking traditional teas. Thus, a common ingredient in many tea blends Hibiscus is caffeine free and may help people with hypertension, due to its vessels-dilating effects. The antioxidant chrysoeriol in rooibos tea can inhibit migration of smooth muscle cells inside the aorta, thus reducing narrowing and hardening of arteries. However, little research has been done to support health benefits of these teas.

What is the Job of a Kitchen Steward

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What is the Job of a Kitchen Steward

Your job as a kitchen steward plays a very major role in the restaurant industry. You are, so to speak, the backbone of the industry, and without the kitchen stewards, the restaurant industry will have a hard time functioning right. However, to provide an excellent service to the restaurant industry, you have to be a very responsible and diligent worker. You also have to be very efficient as well as organized. After all, the restaurant industry relies on the efficiency and diligence to give their clients 100% satisfaction.

With this being said, what is the job of a kitchen steward, and how can he make a difference to the industry?

On Kitchen Items, Appliances, and Units

The biggest job of the kitchen steward is to make sure that the cleanliness of everything in the kitchen and the dining area spic and span. This will include not only the place itself but also each and every kitchen item that comes into contact with the guests mouth. These, of course, are the silverware and glassware. All items that also come into contact with food should also be given utmost importance when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene, and this includes dishware as well as pots and crockery. When it comes to storing the kitchen items, he has to make sure that the items are stored properly and in their appropriate places so as to prevent breakages.

There is a proper detergent used in washing and cleaning kitchen items, and it is the responsibility of the kitchen steward to make sure that he is using the right detergent at its appropriate amount. In conjunction with this, he also has to make sure that he is using the right sanitizer so as to ensure that the kitchen items are sanitized.

Lastly, it is also the job of the kitchen steward to make sure that all kitchen units and appliances are in excellent working condition. If he notices that a machine is not working properly, it is his responsibility to advise his immediate e supervisor of the problem so as to get the problem fixed right away. The dishwashing machine, most especially, needs special care since this is one of the kitchen items that is constantly in use.

On Kitchen Area

As stated above, the job of the kitchen steward is also to maintain the cleanliness of the work area, the kitchen, and the dining area. He has to ensue that the floor is clean, and aside from this, he also has to ensure that the walls and the ceiling are clean. This also includes cleaning the windows, doors, glass panes, tables, etc. This also includes the rest rooms and reception areas.

He has to make sure that the floors are always kept dry so as to prevent accidents, and he also has to make sure that the walkway is free from obstacles such as carton boxes for the same purpose.

On Inventory

Aside from all the duties and responsibilities mentioned above, inventorying the kitchen items is also a part of stewarding. This includes making a correct count of all kitchen items such as silverware, dishware, glassware, utensils, pots, pans, crockery, dinnerware, etc. Any loss or damage to any of the kitchen items should immediately be recorded and reported to the immediate supervisor.

On Waste Management

Another job of the kitchen steward is taking out the trash. However, this responsibility is not just about collecting the garbage and dumping them in the dumpster, but it is about segregating the garbage into wet and dry trash and then appropriately disposing of them. Aside from this, it is also his duty to make sure that the dumpster area is clean so as to prevent rodents and pests from making the area their home.

On Self, On Others, and On Guests

Aside from being responsible for all kitchen-related duties and responsibilities especially maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene, the kitchen steward also has to make sure that he himself is clean at all times. Not only does this include wearing the proper stewarding uniform during work hours, but this should also include personal hygiene and cleanliness.

When it comes to his collages and the rest of the restaurant staff, he has to be respectful and courteous at all times. He has to act professionally towards others, especially towards the guests.

The kitchen steward is, after all, carrying the name of the restaurant, so he should always respect the responsibility of protecting the good name of the establishment.

What Is Haute Cuisine

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What Is Haute Cuisine

Haute cuisine, also referred to as grande cuisine, refers to food that's elaborately prepared, and in particular, is French. The phrase haute dishes may also make reference to the actual skilled type of food preparation that food is prepared. There are different forms which haute dishes can take and various ways of making haute cusine.

The phrase "haute" is actually translated in the French ashigher, as well as classy. The saying does apply with genres, like fashion, however when followed by "cuisine" this is the term for food as well as food preparation. One particular depiction associated with haute food is a lot of small courses, dished up lavishly by many waiters or food support staff at elegant resorts as well as eating places. The actual beginnings associated with haute dishes are followed back to Antonin Carme, a French chef which worked for King Henry IV in England. Chef Carme concocted intricate buffets for queens, whipping together creamy sauce and also other lavish food. Some of the recipes Antonin Carme developed, and also recipe books which he authored, grew to be preparing food fundamentals for cookery pupils today.

Eating haute food should be a satisfying, not necessarily overwhelming, encounter. course involved with haute cuisine dining is the aperitif. This can be a starter course. The most famous Haute option is Kir, that's a fresh fruit wine occasionally combined with sparkling wine. Following the aperitif course could be the appetizers, the entree and then the the dessert course. After dessert sometimes a cheese or fresh fruit plate is offered. Several haute cuisine selections include selections which can be fixed cost, or prix fixe. They're ideal for diners unfamiliar with haute dishes, because they possess preset dishes for all of the the actual course and refreshments, eliminating the strain of deciding on good combinations. One additional suggestion pertaining to diners new to haute cuisine is always to converse with the host or waitress to find out his / her tips for combinations as well as food choices.

Even though some things that typically comprise haute cuisine food may seem exotic, diners who are not necessarily feeling really adventurous will still be capable of finding options in which appear attractive. Most haute food selections contain items like soups as well as bisque with regard to appetizer alternatives and a few sorts of fowl, such as chicken or perhaps hen, as a primary plate choice. Gound beef as well as fish may also be much more mainstream dishes normally on selections. One more hallmark of haute cusine is that culinary chefs typically provide a good amuse-bouche, the small taste associated with flavour sent out prior to a meal. The thought guiding an amuse-bouche would be to entertain the flavour buds prior to meal. Sometimes in between courses a taste buds cleansing is sent out. This can usually be similar to any plate of sorbet which can be designed to clean the eater's taste buds clear. While every course is completed, such as cheese dish, tea and coffee will often be provided and quite often following tea and coffee menu, an additional alcoholic drink menu is provided.

Haute cuisine symbolizes a method involving dinner that is fabulous, but partaking in it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Diners will relish the fun of lingering around extravagant dinners along with trying culinary arts works of art.

Coming from the heart of of Indiana, Courtney Taylor appears unnatural in the chic French eateries of NYC. In reality, her most loved food is italian sausage. She considers going home sooner or later, but she makes a nice income in Big apple.

What Is a Diabetic Stroke

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What Is a Diabetic Stroke

According to statistics, people suffering from diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to develop a stroke than those who dont have this disease. So why does it happen? The connection between these two conditions lies in the way the body transforms glucose into energy. The food we eat is broken down into glucose, which enters the blood flow and gets to cells all over the body after the food is digested. The body needs insulin produced by the pancreas for glucose to enter cells and get transformed into energy. In patients with diabetes, the pancreas doesnt produce insulin or the cells dont use insulin in the right way. All that makes diabetic patients have too much glucose in the blood while the cells dont get enough energy. Gradually, this glucose is accumulated into fatty deposits on the blood vessel walls and progresses into atherosclerosis. These fatty deposits form atherosclerotic plaques that, when tearing off, can narrow or block the arteries and vessels in the neck or brain and thus interfere with blood flow and cause a stroke.  

Stroke is a condition that requires emergency medical care regardless of whether a person has diabetes or not. Therefore, its important to know stroke symptoms to be able to act immediately:

Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body
Sudden unexplained and severe headache
Sudden inability to move any part of the body
Short-term loss of consciousness
Loss of balance and coordination, dizziness
Sudden difficulties swallowing
Sudden blurred vision or trouble with vision in one or both eyes
Difficulties in pronouncing or understanding words or simple sentences, confusion
Trouble talking

Diabetes increases the risk for stroke; however, there are other risk factors for a stroke that can make the chances of developing this condition even higher:

Being over 55 years of age
Having hypertension or other heart diseases
Having a past medical history of a transient ischemic attack or a stroke
Having a family history of heart disease, stroke or transient ischemic attack
Being overweight
Lifestyle risk factors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition and diet, lack of physical activity
Having carotid artery disease
Having high cholesterol levels

Some of these risk factors cannot be changed like age or family history; however, an individual can lower his or her chances of suffering a stroke by controlling such risk factors as obesity or poor physical activity and, of course, taking care of diabetes if having this disease.

There are a number of recommendations that can help lower stroke risk in diabetic patients:

Physical activity. Any exercise that improves blood circulation is good for the health. Everyday exercising like swimming, brisk walking, cycling, etc. can lower the chances for a stroke.
Quitting smoking. The risk of stroke is 2 times higher in those who smoke in comparison to those who dont smoke.
Dietary changes. Since high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol increases the risks for stroke, its worth taking them under control by making changes to diet and nutrition. The following tips can help:
Reducing consumption of fats and salt
Substituting fish for red meat
Eating more beans, vegetables, and nuts
Eating foods with low added sugar content
Replacing white bread with that made of whole grains
Eating at least 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed

Limiting alcohol consumption. Its better to limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Sticking to these recommendations can help prevent heart disease not only in diabetic patients but also in seemingly healthy people.

What Are The Top 12 Culinary Herbs (Part 1)

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What Are The Top 12 Culinary Herbs (Part 1)

This is a collection of the top 12 culinary herbs for those gardeners who want to know what herbs are most useful and popular for a kitchen herb garden. The herbs are listed in order of popularity and each has a little general information and tips on growing.

1. Basil

If I could only grow one herb, it would have to be Basil. This is the herb that put herbs on the map in America, and it seems to be gaining in popularity. This annual grows up to 24" and requires full sun. Make at least two plantings of basil, four to six weeks apart, so that you will have plenty to last through the growing season. Basil does not like cold, so keep it covered until it gets really warm where you live.

2. Dill

A member of the carrot family, dill has umbrella-shaped flower heads. Dill is an annual that grows from a single stem, 3 to 4 feet tall. It needs plenty of sun, good soil, and good protection from wind. Sow seeds directly where you want the plants. When seedlings are small, thin plants to 1 1/2 feet apart. Dill is delicious in salads, dressings and sauces, soups, and egg dishes; with potatoes, vegetables, fish, poultry, and sour cream.

3. French Tarragon

Tarragon's common and species names mean little dragon, because it was once thought to cure the bites of mad dogs and various venomous creatures. French tarragon seeds are sterile, so you have to buy plants. The plant is a hardy perennial. It grows less than 2 feet tall and has a tendency to spread. To keep tarragon growing strong, divide and replant established clumps every 3 or 4 years. Excellent for vegetable and egg dishes; with chicken, lamb, veal, and fish; and in various butter, cream, and cheese sauces.

4. Mint

Hardy perennial. mint needs to be contained in the garden due to its tendency to spread. If you plant mint in pots, it will require lots of watering, so be aware. Keep your mints separate from one another because they can combine which will change their flavor. Cut them back before they flower for maximum production, and pinch or cut back stems to counteract leggy growth. Mint is wonderful as a tea or used in making jelly, as a garnish in beverages, and great accent for salads and desserts. It is especially popular in recipes from Greece and the Middle East.

5. Oregano

Oregano was valued in ancient times as an antidote to certain poisons and to convulsions. The best oregano for culinary use is Greek oregano. Qualities that distinguish it from the common purple flowered oregano is that Greek oregano has white flowers and a peppery flavor. It is a hardy perennial that grows about 10" tall. Oregano is used in many different cuisines and in a variety of dishes.

6. Sweet Marjoram

Sweet marjoram, as legend has it, was created by Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Sweet marjoram and oregano are closely related, often mixed up, but quite different herbs. Sweet marjoram is less well known, delicious with lamb and often used in French cuisine. It can be distinguished from oregano by its stems of knotted flowers. Less hardy than oregano, sweet marjoram is an annual unless your area does not freeze. Grows 12" to 18" tall.

To be continued in part 2...

What Are The Different Types Of Surgeries

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What Are The Different Types Of Surgeries

Surgery is a branch of medicine that engages operations in the treatment of diseases or injuries. It can involve a range of activities like cutting, suturing abrading or changing of different body tissues and organs.

Development of technology has influenced the medical arena dramatically. New kinds of surgeries have come into existence to treat a number of diseases that were not possible in earlier times. Highly trained surgeons are becoming more equipped to deliver the best possible outcome for the patient. There is an overall enhancement in skill, technical expertise, and surgical technology.

In order to guide you in more detail, here is an alphabetical list of the most common surgical operations performed all over the world:

Appendectomy

This is a removal of appendix through surgical means. The appendix is a small tube that comes out of the large intestine. It is done to treat acute appendicitis. This is precisely acute inflammation of this tube due to infection.

Bariatric Surgery

This is commonly referred to weight-loss surgery. It is an ideal option for people encountering extreme obesity.

Breast Biopsy

This is a diagnostic test which entails removal of tissue or cells for further examination under a microscope. The same technique is also used to remove abnormal breast tissue. It may be performed using a needle to extract the tissue.

Cardiovascular Surgery

This is a surgical treatment of diseases and disorders occurring in heart and blood vessels. Such examples include open heart surgery like coronary artery bypass and vascular surgery like femorotibial bypass grafting.

Debridement of Wound, Burn or Infection

This involves removal of foreign material or dead, damaged or infected tissue from a wound or burns through surgical means. Removal of damaged tissue allows it to heal more effectively.

Endocrine Surgery

This is a sub-category of general surgery that targets predominantly on conditions relating thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.

Free Skin Graft

This involves removing healthy skin from one part of the body to repair damaged parts. These are performed as a result of burns or injuries. They are usually performed when the area is too large to be repaired by natural healing or stitching.

General surgery

This is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs like intestines, colon, liver, stomach, and gallbladder. It even entails breast surgery and hernias.

Gynaecology

This refers specifically to surgical dealing with female reproductive systems like uterus, ovaries, and vaginas.

Low back pain surgery

This can have a number of causes including abnormal development of backbone, stress on the back or a physical disorder that negatively impacts the bones of the spine. This surgery is dependent on the diagnosis.

Neurosurgery

This surgery is associated with the treatment of mental disorders, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Ophthalmology

This is a medical specialty mainly targeting treatment of eyes. Conditions can include conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Orthopedics

Orthopedic surgery is for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of injuries of the musculoskeletal system including bones, spine, joints, ligaments, and muscles.

Otolaryngology (ENT)

This is the medical and surgical treatment of head and neck including ears, nose, and throat.

Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

This is a surgical specialty that mainly targets the repair, restoration, and improvement of conditions or injuries to skin external features resulting from disease injury or natural defects.

Thoracic

This surgical specialty primarily focuses on treatment of disorders relating to the chest which includes the ribs and the lungs.

Urology

Problems that are associated with the urinary tract including kidney, prostate, and bladder are addressed through means of urology.

Vascular surgery

This surgery treats diseases of vascular system or veins, arteries and is managed by minimally-invasive catheter procedures and of course, surgical reconstruction.

Wedding catering in Delhi

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Wedding catering in Delhi

While lazing around the sultry Monday evening on Face-book, we came across this very beautiful and insightful video on dating and marriage. In this particular video, the man talks about why he would never date, not that he is against it, he makes sure of that. However, the point that he makes that grips our mind is when he made this valid point, the focal point of the topic when he says that dating is chiefly relied on to chance, a chance where one is uncertain of being with your other half for a lifetime as they are made to believe. Wedding or a marriage on the other hand, is one of the biggest step any individual can make, it is a promise of commitment of a lifetime for better or for worse. It is either the biggest blessing or the greatest curse but hey let us not be cynical here. Not many are a fan of the happily ever after story but it also does not mean that it does not exists, it exists for the lucky, blessed few. Birth, death and marriages are the things that happen once in an individuals lifetime although the latter sometimes depends on situations unforeseen. And no other show of commitment could possibly be better or greater than a wedding, isnt it?

Have you ever gone to a wedding and not stop blabbering about to your family about how satisfactory, how light-up the wedding was? Well, the beautiful wedding that you attended which made you dream of having a wedding the same manner for that beautiful daughter of yours, has all the credit to the wedding caterer. In these few years wedding catering in Delhi has potentially grown, adapting wedding cultures from all around the globe. Wedding is something that is and should not be determined by ones allocated religion or culture because weddings are not about religion but about the unison of two individuals who in their own right and time decides to pledge the promise of commitment. Given the rapid pace of growth in every field, it should not be a surprise that the pursuit for a better, finer wedding catering in Delhi is unprecedented.

The delicious gourmet food that you had at the wedding, the beautifully embellished chairs, tables, the aisle where you had that one walk of your life most importantly has all the credibility to the wedding catering without which the event would never have been spectacular.

do not only co-ordinate the wedding reception timeline which is accountable for the hospitality your friends and families received. is a business that will be responsible for two individuals happiness. And as such, a lot of competition in the aura of catering is at play. However, the unsurpassed thing about wedding catering in Delhi is Delhi itself. Delhi a recipient of the newest ideas, creativities, food etc provided the gains it receives being the capital of the nation and too comes the wedding catering in Delhi with their best services.

as mostly all caterers principle are, tries to provide the best culinary, the satisfactory hygiene-practise and so much more like the tableware rentals, stock and bar for those light-spirited individuals. The most proficient about planning to hire a wedding catering in Delhi is its ease to be easily found anytime and anywhere. Services such as Urbanclap provide almost all services to all the time-bound people there are including wedding catering in Delhi. It will show the different price ranges of the wedding catering in Delhi starting from every range and the package that comes along with it.

So, for couples planning to take the big step soon your worry is lessened because the services of the wedding catering in Delhi is sure to exceed your intended expectations where you would look back in a yew or many years and never have a dearth of lament for the eventful day to which your wedding caterer played a huge, huge role.

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Wedding Catering

Vinaigrette Dressing, A Simple Balsamic Recipe Will Do

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Vinaigrette Dressing, A Simple Balsamic Recipe Will Do

A balsamic vinaigrette dressing is not some closely guarded secret made mysterious by a celebrity or gourmet chef. A good tasting vinaigrette is easy to make, and healthy for you. Oil and vinegar salad dressings or vinaigrette recipes can be made by those of us who have not attended the culinary institute.

Times have sure changed since Seven Sea's Italian Dressing and Wishbone's Green Goddess sat on every store shelf as salad dressing staples. Remember when we thought "Original Ranch" was a vast improvement for our salad dressing repertoire, and store bought bacon bits were a hit? Then packaged spring mixed greens became available, and pine nuts were considered healthy and... just a moment; you still buy bottled salad dressings?

Our quest for "lighter fare" and "healthy greens" in our diet, has led us down a daunting path, searching for that elusive 'healthy salad dressing.' Low carbs, low cholesterol, and "healthy for all that ails you," has become a must. So what is it, that we should, (or better yet) 'are allowed' to put on top of our salad that's good for you?

Today we walk down the salad dressing aisle in a gourmet food store and behold the gourmet condiments from floor to eye level. Organic spreads, sauces, and accoutrements. Wine vinegars, infused oils, and herb flavored vinaigrettes. Some endorsed by celebrities. Some seen on TV. Some made by celebrities, (yeah, right). Some made on a distant island, in some strange sounding place. (We move on a step further.) We shake our head at Modena consortium, imported Spanish, and California Napa Balsamic vinegars. A huge question mark appears over our heads as we gaze at Aceto, Traditionale, aged, and Special Blends. We mutter, "What hath God Wrought?" Inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, couldn't have verbalized our incredulous thoughts more accurately.

A simple oil and vinegar salad dressing, why is the degree of difficulty exponential? It needn't be. A simple vinaigrette dressing recipe can be made easily, from simple ingredients, be healthy for you, and actually taste great.

The key ingredients in a vinaigrette dressing, is a traditionale aged balsamic vinegar, and an excellent olive oil. You don't have to spend a fortune for the balsamic either. Two very good balsamic vinegars that are very reasonably priced, are Caroliva Reserve balsamic and Masserie di Sant'Eramo balsamic. (Those other vinegars that are under $8, ...don't bother).

Your balsamic vinaigrette dressing will go great with other dishes besides a salad, too. A balsamic vinaigrette is outstanding with fresh lobster and scallops, artichokes and asparagus. A balsamic dressing also goes well with fresh sliced tomatoes or steamed vegetables and greens.

A balsamic dressing recipe can be altered to your individual taste. The normal proportions for a balsamic vinaigrette dressing are one part balsamic vinegar to three parts olive oil, with seasoning of salt, pepper and Dijon mustard. A rule of thumb is one teaspoonful of mustard for every half cup of salad dressing. The flavor of balsamic vinegar is rich and intense, and with a delicate olive oil you may want to use proportions of one part vinegar to four or five of olive oil. Other herbs and spices will enhance a balsamic vinaigrette, such as chives and sage. Even a bit of finely grated fresh ginger root will add zest to your dressing. It is all a question of how you want your finished dressing to taste.

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe (that you can make yourself)

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed through a garlic press
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Use a blender to mix the ingredients. It will produce a thicker vinaigrette dressing. One serving will equal 2 to 3 tablespoons of dressing. One cup should easily be enough for 6 to 8 servings of mixed green salad. Refrigerate and store in a covered container. Whisk well before serving.

Using Time Tracking Tools To Stay Productive

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Using Time Tracking Tools To Stay Productive

When someone mentions the word productivity, often the first concept that comes to your mind is probably time in fact, it is how we actually define productivity; how long it takes you to finish a certain task, and how much you can get done in a certain amount of time. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that managing your time in the best way possible will result in higher productivity, and one of the ways to do just that is to use software-based time tracking tools.

As the name suggests, time tracking tools are easy-to-use, intuitive apps that can help you keep track of how long it takes you (or your employees) to finish a certain task.  This is essential if youre the manager of a company with multiple employees under your guidance that you need to monitor, but it can also be a great help if youre working solo.

The Power of Deadlines

People perform better and more efficiently when they have deadlines this is a simple fact. When your time is being tracked, and you see a timer telling you that you took twice as long as you expected to complete a task, it isnt really a good feeling, and then youll naturally try to avoid that happening in the future even if you dont have a real deadline to work against.

The same goes for your employees; when they know theyre on the clock and that youll be able to see how fast theyre working, it serves as a healthy motivator to work as hard as they can. People like to be viewed as fast, efficient and capable, and for that reason alone we will put more work in if we know that its going to count.

A Better Sense of Time

Another benefit of tracking your time is that it can help you get a better grasp of how much time you actually need to do something. It might be less than you think, and it might be more, but the fact is that the more you are aware of this, the better youll be able to leverage your time and make a plan that can make you as efficient as possible.

This way youll be able to market yourself better by giving realistic deadlines to your client that you know youll be able to meet, and this is something that every client likes to see.

Simpler, Faster Invoices

If you run your own business you probably know how much time invoicing can eat up. Many of these apps now have a built-in feature to automatically calculate how much you should charge a client, or how much an employee should be paid by factoring in an hourly rate, and the amount of time that was spent on the project in question. This saves you the hassle of having to do all that math yourself, and this makes things much simpler, and much faster.

Tracking Tools In A Nutshell

The great thing about these tools is that they were designed to waste as little of your time as possible (otherwise it would pretty much defeat the purpose). Once youve used any time tracking tool youll find that you can probably find your way around any of them, so theres no need to worry that you arent tech-savvy enough to handle this kind of technology.

Final Words

We are constantly bombarded with items fighting for our attention and sometimes its really difficult to resist the temptation when you need to focus on your tasks. Whether its for personal use or for business, keeping track of your time can really have a positive effect on your productivity in the long run. When you take a step back and analyze all the small elements which constitute your time-drains, you can make a better decision on how to organize your day stay more focused on the tasks that need to be done.

Uses And Health Benefits Of Asparagus Racemosus Herb

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Uses And Health Benefits Of Asparagus Racemosus Herb

Asparagus racemosus, well known as shatavari or asparagus is a commonly prescribed herbal cure for vivid health disorders. This herb is remarked for its hormone balancing, culinary and aphrodisiac properties. Rhizome and stem part of the plant are mainly used for the preparation of medicinal products. Active compounds present inrhizome part of asaparagus racemosus are well known for their depurative, diuretic and hypotensiveproperties. Some among the active constituents present in shatavari include alkaloids, mucilage, sistosterol and isoflavons. These components acts internally and boosts cells to deliver high performance in daily life activities. Due to amazing health benefits featured in this medicinal herb, asparagus racemosus is one among the most widely prescribed herbal supplements by ayurvedic health practitioners.

Improving kidney health is a main function coming under the list of health benefits of shatavari. As per research, it is found to be as a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin E. Asparagus racemosus is popular for improving the overall health of kidney. It acts as a best diuretic agent and helps in easier urination. Apart from improving kidney health, enhancing heart health is another advantage of using shatavari. It lowers LDL cholesterol level and maintains blood cholesterol level under control. This in turn improves the functioning of heart and keeps person healthy. Improving the functioning of reproductive organ is an important health benefit of shatavari herb.

Today, it is a common cure prescribed for those people suffering from infertility and low libido troubles. Use of this aphrodisiac herb cures irregular periods and prevents premenopausal symptoms. It maintains hormonal balance and improves the quantity and quality of breast milk in lactating mothers.

Asparagus racemosus is one among the best herbal remedies prescribed for detoxification. It acts internally and flushes out toxins from body cells. Curing diarrhea is an important health benefit of consuming asparagus racemosus herb. Patients suffering from diarrhea and dyspepsiaare advised to drink milk obtained from shatavari consistently for two to three weeks duration. Curing boils affected on skin surface is another advantage of using asparagus racemosus extract. In order to attain relief from boils, it is advised to put boiled leaves of shatavari dipped in clarified butter on affected skin areas. Stress is a commonly found health disorder in today's busy lifestyle. Relaxation property enriched in asparagus calms down nerve cells and prevents the risk of nervous disorders.

Shatavari is a best known herbal medicine for improving the strength of immune system. It boosts internal energy of cells and minimizes the risk of infectious diseases. Intake of asparagus racemosus extract also enhances digestive health and protects user from digestive disorders. As per studies, it is found to be very useful for the treatment of bothphysical and emotional health of person. Asparagus racemosus nourishes tissues of kidney, lungs and stomach and improves their working efficiency. Other health benefits of using asparagus racemosus extract include curing throat infections, preventing dyspepsia, treating chronic fever and preventing tumor. This herb is used in many ayurvedic medicines to cure various problems.

Useful Tips on How to Grow Onions and Effective Ways on How to Plant Onions

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Useful Tips on How to Grow Onions and Effective Ways on How to Plant Onions

Even beginner growers are learning how to grow onions since this crop is very versatile. In fact, onions are considered as one amongst the most popularly grown vegetables in home gardens.

It is convenient to learn how to plant onions because they're noted as one of the first few crops of spring. Even during the winter season, they can be easily stored for future use in a huge selection of culinary dishes - whether cooked or raw.

Before you can learn how to grow onions, you need to find a right location and to prepare it for a few weeks before you sow and plant on it. This is especially necessary if you plan to add composted organic matter or manure over it. Then, prior to sowing, you can gently treat the soil in order to make it firm.

When sowing, take note that onions need to be planted either from sets or from seed. Sets are small but partly grown onion bulbs. They're more expensive; however, they're considered as more reliable with their results. Furthermore, they only require less work. This means, you don't need to do any thinning or there's less onion fly risk involved.

If you prefer to sow from seed, you can sow it in drills to about 2 centimeters deep and with an inch between the seeds. If you'll be sowing from seed what you can do is to space the rows to 30 centimeters apart. Make sure the soil is moist before you start sowing. This means, you need to check on the soil a day before sowing. If the soils seem dry, water it.

When planting onion sets, the best time would be from mid to late March. If earlier than this time, you can use a polytunnel or cloche. Make sure they're spaced 30 centimeters apart and sow the sets about 10 centimeters apart (no thinning necessary). Dig a small hole for every set and then place the sets from the neck upwards.

As for scallions or spring onions, they can be sown starting the month of April. However, planting them should be done on a staggered basis (like every few weeks) to ensure continuous crop through the growing season.

One good thing to know when learning to grow onions is that they are frost resistant and they can easily grow in most climates. They can grow in almost any type of soil - whether they're heavy clay or sandy loans. For soils that are heavy, you may need to introduce manure or organic compost into it to help it develop moisture retaining properties. At the most, onions prefer to grow in slightly acidic soil. The good pH for onions is 5.5 to 6.5 pH.

To successfully grow onions, you also need to weed between them frequently. Only implement shallow hoeing. Since onions can't trap a lot of incoming light because of their sparse leaf forms, weeds tend to take advantage of available sunlight - making it harder for onions to grow.

For onions that have been sown from seed, you need to thin them once they reach 5 centimeters in height. You need to thin them in such a way that they're spaced 10 centimeters apart.

After the time spent on sowing and tending onions, it will soon be time to harvest them. The best time to harvest is a week after you see their tops starting to fall out and turn yellow. You can use a fork in order to lift the onions out. Make sure you don't damage their skins as this can invite decay organisms which can attack onion flesh.

In harvesting onions, after you've tended to grow them, should be on a sunny day. Clean them of soil that may have attached to them. Then, place them on top of the soil to dry out through the wind and the sun. Leave them for a few days until you notice their tops drying out.