Skating the Infosphere

If you are as busy as most people you are always looking for ways to feed your family in convenient, fast, yet not-too-expensive ways. Try the following suggestions:

1. Cooking several meals for the week at one time. It may take a few hours of your time up front but will pay off in the long run when you come home each evening and have a meal ready to eat in a short amount of time. Try cooking a roast and using part of it as a main meal and then using some for sandwiches, beef stroganoff or as part of a stir-fry. Fry several pounds of hamburger and make a casserole, taco meat and chili to freeze for use later in the week.

2. After you return home from the grocery store clean all the fruits and vegetables you can. When it’s time for a meal all you will have to do is cook them or add them to a salad or soup.

3. Get ideas from the cooking shows on T.V. There are great shows that show you how to make a healthy meal in a short time.

4. Develop a revolving recipe file. If you get bogged down by the idea of having to plan 30 meals a month the recipe file is for you. Let family members choose some of their favorites and put the recipes in a monthly file. Flip to day five or fifteen and there is the meal just waiting to be cooked.

Also see Fragrant Ways to Cooking Rice

5. Enlist the help of the members of your family. As soon as the kids are old enough divide up the cooking responsibilities. Let everyone take turns with specific tasks or the whole meal. Pair these meals with fruit and veggies that have already been washed and cut-up and you are ready for dinner.

6. Share the cooking with friends or neighbors. I’ve known people who cook four or five of the same meal and then trade with four or five other people. This works best when people share the same basic ideas on what they like and don’t like. It’s a great idea though for a very easy week of evening meals.

7. Save coupons for those convenience things at the grocery store. They have entire entrees and dinners either fresh or frozen. Sometimes they are rather pricy but with the coupons they are good to have on hand for an evening when everyone is running in different directions and time is of the essence.

8. It’s O.K. to eat out from time to time. Clip coupons for these occasions and if you have kids keep a look-out for the places that have special prices for children. Some of the fast-food restaurants are trying to offer item choices that are a little more healthy.

9. Many larger cities have businesses that prepare food for the evening meal. They seem expensive at first but are so convenient and available for one person or entire families. There are many menu choices and meals cooked for special diets. When you calculate the groceries you buy and the times you eat out each week, this may work for you.

10. Combine several of the above ideas into a plan that is best for you.

It is possible with a little planning to cook meals that are quick and easy without spending hours in the kitchen every day.

Brought to you by Cooking need to know

[Keywords: cooking meals, cooking tips ]

I’ve always been told that the skin adds fiber to my diet, so even red potatoes got part of the skin left on them in potato salad and with roasts. Leftover mashed potatoes. Skinning fruits and vegetables is among Shape magazine’s list of kitchen blunders that negatively impact the quality of our diets.

Why? Most of the antioxidants and polyphenols in produce are located very close to the surface of the skin — or in the skin itself.

According to the research, most fruit peels exhibited two to 27 times more antioxidant activity than the pulp of the fruit.

Many of us remove the skins from eggplant, bell peppers, peaches, apples and nectarines while preparing recipes, but we’re really just tossing away nutrients and fiber.

What to do? Gently scrub potatoes and carrots rather than removing their skin. more

[Keywords: recipes, food preparation ]

5 Great Recipes for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to share memories and enjoy wonderful and unique meals together. If you need some great recipe ideas the ones below are five great recipes for Thanksgiving that your family is sure to love.

(1)Sweet Potato Surprise

• 3 medium sweet potatoes

• cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• cup raisins
• cup marshmallows
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3 tbsp. walnuts, chopped
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• tsp salt
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch

Preheat oven to 350. Boil sweet potatoes. Run cold water over potatoes then let them air dry to cool. Once cooled, you can peel them. Cut potatoes into 2 inch pieces. In 9 inch baking dish arrange potatoes to your liking. Combine raisins, cornstarch, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat. Stir constantly. Add salt and butter to saucepan. Mixture will become thick and that is when it is done. Pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with marshmallows and chopped nuts. Bake for 20 minutes. Yields 6-8 servings.

(2)Pumpkin Bread

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• 1-8 oz. can pumpkin
• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• tsp. cinnamon
• 1/3 tsp. salt
• 1/3 tsp. baking powder
• 2/3 cup raisins (optional)
• 2/3 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Beat together sugar and shortening. Add pumpkin, eggs, and water. Blend until smooth. Add flour and sugar. Stir in raisins and nuts, if desired. Add baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Grease 9 inch baking pan. Bake for 1 hour. A toothpick inserted will come out clean when done. Let cool. Serve with melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar.

3) Green bean Casserole

• 2 cans (8 oz each) cut green beans
• 2 cups brown rice, uncooked
• 1 sm. jar regular cheese wiz
• 1 sm. jar jalapeno cheese wiz
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2/3 cup butter, melted
• cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1cup your favorite shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Measure rice accurately. Cook rice per package instructions. Drain rice completely. Let rice completely dry. Add green beans. Blend soup and butter together until creamy. Combine the two mixtures together. Add both jars of cheese. Add cheese gradually stirring as you go. Add garlic and onions. Before putting greased casserole dish into oven, top casserole with shredded cheese of your choice. I prefer mozzarella. Cook for 50 minutes or until cheese is bubbling or has started to brown on to

Pasta Salad

Cook pasta until tender, drain. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour. Run pasta through cold water before you start to prepare it. Add vegetables to pasta. Blend in one cup Italian dressing. Sprinkle on parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with whole wheat crackers.

(5) Orange Stuffing with Cranberry Sauce

• 7 slices of bread
• cup butter
• 2 medium oranges
• tsp. poultry seasoning
• cup canned cranberry sauce
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup red onion
• 1 cup chicken broth

Take slices of bread. Cut into half inch cubes. Set aside. Cook celery, red onion, and butter on medium heat. Cook until celery and onion are tender. Add oranges to mixture. Cook on low heat for ten minutes. Add cranberry sauce. Cook on low for 10 minutes. Combine poultry seasoning and chicken broth. Add to celery mixture. Cook until broth is well dissolved. Take off heat Pour entire mixture over bread mixture immediately. Mix well and serve with extra cranberry sauce on the side. Garnish with orange wedges and basil.

At our site you can download a PDF file packed with tips and recipes for the holidays.

Linda is author of

Christmas and Thanksgiving Cooking Tips at http://www.steaks-guide.com

Do you want to choose baby gender for your next child? This person is amazing in coming up with the ways to do just that and if it doesn’t work for you, get your refund. However, should you try this out you can even send your receipt to me and I will forward along to you three book that I found to be helpful during my pregnancy. It’s amazing that this is possible with the right resources and even more so when you meet your new baby boy or girl.

[Keywords: Choose-Baby-Gender ]

Are today’s children being given what they need to survive in this world as they grow older? Ongoing studies are reflecting that our children’s health is not up to par as a whole, and it’s slowing them down. I have set up a site with helpful information about child health nutritional education so that people could follow up and understand just how vital good health is.

[Keywords: Child-Health-Nutritional-Education ]

Fruit baskets are excellent gifts for all occasions. Whether you choose to purchase a fruit basket for a birthday, holiday, or any day, the receiver will surely enjoy the beautifully packaged basket of goodies. When looking for a fruit basket for a friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor, consider the contents carefully, as well as the size and overall appearance.

The first thing to look for when purchasing a fruit basket is the fruit itself. What type of fruit does the basket contain? If you are buying a fruit basket for a specific party, keep their preferences in mind. Also, if anyone has an allergy to a specific type of fruit or food, these items should be avoided. Finally, if you are planning to ship the gift basket, consider how well the basket’s contents will handle shipping. Keep in mind, more fragile fruitsespecially berriesmay not be the best choice, since they can possibly be crushed while the basket is in transit.

Secondly, consider the size of the basket. If you are sending a fruit basket to a large family, then send a large basket. However, if you are sending a basket to an individual, carefully consider the size and the amount of fruit the basket contains. Far too often, lovely fruit baskets are sent to individuals who simply cannot consume the contents of the basket before the fruit spoils. Instead, consider a mixture of fruit with nuts, candies, and other goodies that have a longer shelf life.

Thirdly, look to the recipient to determine his or her tastes. College students are the perfect recipients for fruit baskets, since they are most likely tempted to stray from healthier foods and indulge in junk food. If fruits and other healthier fare is located within arms reach, your student is more likely to consume a better diet. Also, individuals who are just moving to an area or find themselves in a new home appreciate fruit baskets, since the contents can be used to fill the refrigerator or cupboard that was previously empty. The elderly also enjoy fruit baskets, since the gift can be consumed and enjoyed instead of another gift that will serve to clutter or sit in disuse.

Finally, look at the basket itself. Consider giving a fruit basket that uses a creative container that the recipient can use after the contents have been consumed. More and more these days, traditional baskets are being replaced with clever packaging ideas, like boxes, bags, pots, bowls, or any other lovely container that can be reused with ease. Also, keep in mind the space constraints of the recipient’s office or home. Fruit baskets are a popular gift for college students, especially around examination time, but keep in mind that a large, extravagant fruit basket may very well overwhelm a tiny dormitory room.

For whatever reason, a fruit basket is the perfect gift. Although today’s gift baskets contain a good deal more than the simple apples and oranges of yesterday’s baskets, the thought is still the same. Strive to find baskets with unique contents that will tickle the fancy of the recipient, but will still provide him or her with foods and snacks that are health oriented. The gift of a fruit basket is one that requires a bit more thought than simply sending a gift card or monetary gift, and is guaranteed to be used at the end of the day. If you are in the market for a fruit basket, know that there are endless varieties and options out there, so everyone is sure to find a basket that suits the recipient’s every need.

John Marcus specializes in Fruit Basket Designs Fruit Baskets

Many people have succeeded in exercising to make them look fit and healthy though weight loss tips. However, this end is not attained in just a snap or a quick diet. For some people though, patience is not their virtue. They seem to be unable to afford so much attention, time and effort to get the body they want. As a result, these people result to rapid weight loss practices and programs which mare nowhere near as effective as these people are led to believe they are.

When looking for alternatives to help you lose weight, be sure you spend time checking on herbal weight loss pills, you can also try a herbal cleanse. Herbs are a natural way to supplement your body’s needs, instead of using concoctions from a laboratory. Herbs have been used by all civilizations since the dawn of time to help control diseases and meet the body’s needs. There are herbs that can assist in the weight loss plan you have chosen, and you will be excited about using them when you see the results on your scale!

Careful study should be given to find out the right herbs for your body. Just because some herbal weight loss pills say they will work for everyone doesn’t mean that it’s an accurate statement. Start in your local library. There you will find many books of what people have found to work for them. Choose a book that will tell you the benefits gained from using specific herbs so you will know how they are working and how you can best compliment them when pursuing your weight loss plan.

Turkish Delight, and in turkish lokum, is a confection made from starch and sugar. It is often flavored with rosewater or lemon, or sometimes with lemon salt (citrate) the former giving it a characteristic pale pink or wyellow color. It has a soft, sticky consistency, and is often packaged and eaten in small cubes that are dusted with sugar to prevent sticking. Some recipes include small nut and peanut pieces, usually pistachio, hazelnut or walnuts.

Lokum is especially familiar in Turkish, Greek, Balkan, Iranian , Persian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. But most populer in Turkey like turkish bath and It is also popular in Romania, where it is known as rahat, being taken from Turkey during the Ottoman Empire’s rule.

In the U.S.A , lokum is not especially common, although there are exceptions. One major commercial producer in the Northwestern U.S. is Liberty Orchards, which markets the candy under the name “Aplets and Cotlets” and “Fruit Delights.” It is also the basic foundation of the Big Turkish chocolate bar.

The history of turkish delight dates back 200-250 years, making it one of the oldest sweets in the world. it is a Turksih legend. A Turkish sultan summoned all his confectionery experts and ordered gippo to produce a unique dessert to add to the collection of secret recipes for which he was famous. As a result of extensive research lokum was born.

During the reign of Sultan 1.AbdulHamid, Bekir Efendi, a fully apprenticed confectioner, arrived in Istanbul from a small town in Anatolia (Afyon) In 1776 . Bekir set up in a little shop in the center of the city, and quickly won fame and fortune among a people with such a sweet tooth as the Turks. Fashionable ladies began giving Turkish Delight to their friends in special lace handkerchiefs. These were also used as acts of courting between couples, as documented by traditional Turkish love songs of that era.

This Taste was unveiled to the west in the 19. century. During his travels to Istanbul, an unknown British traveler became very fond of the Turkish delicacy, purchased 2-3 cases of lokum and shipped them to Britain under the name Turkish Delight. Picasso used to eat Turkish Delight on a daily basis for concentration on his work while Winston Churchill and Napoleon’s favorite Turkish Delight was with pistachio filling.

Recipe:

2 glass sugar
1/2 glass cornstarch
1 1/2 glass water
1/2 ts cream of tartar
2 tb rosewater OR one of the following to taste:
1/2 ts rose food flavoring
1/4 c fruit juice
1 tb vanilla extract
1 tb orange extract
1 tb Crme de menthe liqueur
Food coloring (optional)
1/2 glass chopped toasted pistachios
1 glass = 250 ml

Written By BiGoWNeR. Sponsored by Articlem.com and Boshver.com

Instead of running to your local coffee shop or favorite corner
café for the perfect cut of espresso, consider making your own
at home. If the thought of becoming a kitchen barista has you
shaking without any caffeine, think again! There are a wide
variety of espresso machines that are geared for home use, from
the basic to the same machines used by the professionals.
However, before you drop a couple hundred of dollars on that top
of the line espresso machine, consider your options and needs.
Also, if you are experiencing sticker shock from some of the
higher end espresso machines, keep in mind that you are saving a
great deal on a daily basis by avoiding high priced indulgences
at coffee shops or cafes.

The first think you should know before choosing a home espresso
machine is that there are several different varieties of
machines. Each different type of machine will come with a
different price tag and different capabilities. Although the top
of the line machine may be nice, it may not necessarily meet
your needs. Instead of buying an espresso machine simply because
it is deemed the “best,” buy a machine that you can (and will)
use on a regular basis. The different types of home espresso
machines are:

Pump Espresso: Typically what you will find in a coffee shop, a
pump espresso machine are usually made for commercial purposes,
but can be used in your home. Be prepared to expand your budget
if you are looking to purchase a pump espresso machine, since
they are typically the priciest of the bunch. Also, pump
espresso machines are usually the largest, heaviest, and
noisiest of the options, but it produces a fantastic cup of
espresso. These machines work by using a pump to keep the water
pressure at an appropriate level.

Piston Espresso: If you are looking for a great, low maintenance
espresso machine, consider those than run on a piston or lever
system. Instead of a pump to create pressure, these machines use
a level that must be maneuvered in order to create steam.
Although a piston espresso machine is very quiet, they may
require a great deal of arm strength to continually pull on the
lever. Furthermore, the piston espresso machine is capable of
making a great cup of espresso, but it may take practice to get
the hang of the process.

Steam Espresso: Using steam to create pressure to make the
espresso, these steam powered espresso machines are typically
the type found in the home. With smaller machines that occupy
less space and cost less money, steam espresso machines are
quite quick and easy to use. However, keep in mind that the
steam produced may not provide the appropriate level of
pressure, so the steam level should be constantly maintained.

Moka Pots: Moka Pots are a stovetop method to producing
espresso. The process is simple and easy, although the final
product may be less than professional. Using specially designed
two-part pot, the steam produced by the water boiling in the
bottom of the pot is forced into the top part of the pot, where
the coffee is boiling. It requires a great deal less pressure
than the other types of home espresso machines, but there is no
milk frothing or foaming attachments, so you may have to
sacrifice that feature for price and size.

Any one of these different types of home espresso machines will
allow you to make a delicious cup of espresso. Your choice
should be based upon needs, usability, overall size of the
machine, and of course the price. A high end espresso machine
can run up a bill in the thousands of dollars.