Trim A Brussels Sprout

Prepare Brussels sprouts carefully for cooking.

Although the idea of Brussels sprouts on the menu might send some people for take-out, cooked properly, Brussels sprouts can be tender and tasty. When a meal needs a delicate green vegetable, consider adding Brussels sprouts to complement your entree and other side dishes. Before preparing these tiny little cabbages, trim Brussels sprouts carefully with a sharp knife. Proper preparation and attentive cooking will result in delicious Brussels sprouts. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place the Brussels sprouts into the colander to wash and trim them. Set the colander near the sink, and place the bowl nearby to hold the washed and trimmed Brussels sprouts.

2. Rinse a Brussels sprout gently under cool water.

3. Trim the end of the stem with the paring knife. Leave the stem extending slightly from the bottom of the Brussels sprout, however, because the outer leaves might fall off the vegetable if you cut the stem off evenly.

4. Remove any outer leaves from the Brussels sprout that appear discolored or wilted.

5. Insert the tip of the paring knife into the bottom of the Brussels sprout stem, about 1/4 inch, and then pull it back out. Rotate the tip of the knife and make a second cut perpendicular to the first cut to create a tiny "X" in the stem of the Brussels sprout. These small cuts will enable steam to enter the core of the vegetable as it cooks.

6. Place the prepared Brussels sprout into the bowl.

7. Repeat the process with each Brussels sprout to finish washing and trimming them.

Tags: Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprout, bottom Brussels, bottom Brussels sprout, Brussels sprouts carefully, outer leaves

Care For Bamboo Cooking Utensils

Bamboo cooking utensils are made from the inner woody stem of the bamboo plant. The coloring is lighter than other wood and bamboo utensils that do not weigh as much. In addition, bamboo does not absorb water like other wood and has anti-bacterial properties. Caring for bamboo cooking utensils is just like caring for any other cooking utensil made of wood. Proper care ensures the bamboo cooking utensils function well for many years. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wash the bamboo cooking utensil by wetting a dish rag in warm water and applying 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap to it. Rub the bamboo utensil well with a rag and rinse it thoroughly in warm water to remove all the soap residue.

2. Dry the utensil thoroughly with a clean, adsorbent dish towel to remove as much of the moisture as possible.

3. Store the bamboo utensil in a canister with the handle pointed down to allow all moisture in it to evaporate. This prevents warping and splitting.

4. Apply 1 tsp. of mineral oil to a cotton cloth and rub it over the entire surface of the bamboo utensil once a month to reseal it. The mineral oil creates a barrier that prevents the inner wood of the bamboo from absorbing moisture.

Tags: bamboo cooking, bamboo utensil, cooking utensils, cooking utensil, other wood

Innovative Medical Marketing Ideas

Market your medical practice using innovative techniques to reach out to your community. Find patients where they go, and promote your brand everywhere you go. Use your strengths and free resources--such as office staff, other doctors and the press--to spread your message.

Online Presence

Create an online presence that goes beyond simply building a website. Most medical practices have online information regarding locations and medical services, but basic websites do not target specific groups in the community. Find bulletin boards and online discussion forums for your medical specialty and market directly to those affected by conditions you treat. Pay for ad space in the forums if it is offered and volunteer your expertise to answer questions.

Seminars

Volunteer to speak at medical seminars in your area or at conventions for your specialty. Be a voice for quality medical care in your community and raise awareness about your practice at the same time. Getting involved in various functions will put you around other doctors and give you the opportunity to network. Build a group of doctors to which you can refer patients for specialized help or a second opinion. This can generate more business for everyone involved.

Wrap It Up

Vinyl car wraps are an innovative way to market your medical practice. Have your car covered in a giant vinyl sticker to advertise who you are and what you offer. Many companies help you design, print and apply the sticker to your vehicle. The sticker should include your contact information and area of specialty as well as images promoting good health and long life.

Press

Use your local press to market your business for free. Submit a press release for an event happening at your practice or a human interest story in conjunction with one of your patients. Contact newspapers and news outlets in your area and let them know you are available for interviews or consultation. Having a recognizable face and voice strengthens peoples awareness of what you are about. Always ask permission before taking the opportunity to mention information about your practice.

Contest

Hold a contest among your employees to see who can generate the most new patient referrals. Word-of-mouth advertising is a powerful way to promote your business. When you offer a reward (like a gift certificate) to employees, they will feel incentive to help you grow your practice. For the price of dinner for two you can use your current staff to market your services to their friends and family. Having your employees speak well of you and your office strengthens your good reputation.

Tags: your practice, your medical, about your, about your practice, community Find, market your

Visit Bangkok Thailand

Bangkok is an exotic destination in Southeast Asia that will leave you in awe. Thailand is a country rich in culture and history and steeped in tradition and Bangkok is at the epicenter of everything Thai. A visit to Bangkok, Thailand is a thrilling experience.

Instructions

1. Visit the local markets. Outdoor markets abound in Bangkok and can be found in just about every neighborhood. At these markets, you can find fresh food, souvenirs, clothing and local oddities. One of the more popular outdoor tourist markets, Chatuchak is also popular with locals. Chatuchak is one of the largest open air markets in the world. To get there, simply hail a taxi and say "Jat-u-jack" or "JJ market" and they will know where to take you.

2. Indulge in Thai food. While slightly on the adventurous side, you can enjoy local street food, just make sure that the cooking oil is clear and not blackened or dark and that the food handler appears to be using relative food safety caution and appears clean.

3. Enjoy a Thai tea. Thai tea is a local favorite you can purchase from many street vendors. Thai tea is a mix of strong red tea, sugar and chilled milk (frequently soy or condensed milk is used). Thai iced tea is usually served in a plastic bag with a straw.

4. Eat like the locals do. Thais don't traditionally use chopsticks. Instead, they use a fork to scoop their food onto a larger spoon, with which they then place the food in the mouth. Thais find it vile to put a fork in the mouth, much as Americans feel it is bad manners to put a knife in the mouth. Also, use a straw when drinking a beverage. It is considered bad manners to put your mouth directly on the container.

5. Wai people. The Thai people "wai" each other. Wai-ing is a type of bow while holding your hands together, as if in prayer. It is considered a sign of respect, friendliness, cultural tradition and greeting. While the nuances of the Thai wai can be confusing, the general rule is the higher the hands are held and the lower you tip your head, the higher the status of the person you are wai-ing. See Resources below on properly wai.

6. Spend a day in China Town. Bangkok has a vibrant China Town community that should not be missed. There, you can purchase beautiful fabrics, jewelry at bargain prices and unique clothing and souvenirs.

Tags: Bangkok Thailand, China Town

Culinary Degrees

Several degrees are available to culinary students, including associate of applied science (AAS), bachelor of arts (BA) and master of arts (MA). Many schools also offer certificate programs in culinary arts and in baking and pastry arts. Most culinary degree programs prescribe that students complete an externship at an approved hotel or restaurant after the school-based practical and lecture classes.

Certificate

Several types of schools have programs that award certificates of completion in culinary arts, including community colleges, trade schools and private universities. Certificate programs often last two years or less, and share many of the same classes as degree programs. However, certificate programs do not require the completion of liberal arts classes necessary for a degree. Certificate programs commonly include classes such as sanitation, nutrition, fundamental culinary skills, and baking and pastry. As of February 2011, the cost of culinary programs at the community-college level ranged from $2,000 to $5,000, Cooking Schools 101 reports.

Associate

Community colleges and culinary schools commonly offer AAS degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. In addition to cooking and baking classes, AAS programs require students to complete liberal arts courses such as humanities, social sciences and oral and written communications. An AAS program in culinary arts usually includes classes such as culinary skills I through III, food safety, garde manger I and II (the craft of cold preparations), basic baking and pastry, regional and world cuisines, and wine and beverages. Baking and pastry arts programs include fundamental cooking classes, such as cooking skills I and II, and supplement them with advanced instruction in baked goods and pastry fabrication, classic and contemporary cakes, yeast breads, chocolate, sugar work and plating, decoration and presentation. The cost of culinary instruction at a public university ranged from $3,000 to $18,000 as of February 2011, Cooking Schools 101 says.

Bachelor's

In addition to certificate and associate programs, culinary schools offer bachelor of arts (BA) degrees. Comprehensive BA programs expand on AAS programs' curricula with classes in accounting and budget management, restaurant and hotel operations, culinary and baking mathematics, food culture and molecular gastronomy. Some schools also offer BA programs in hospitality management. Hospitality management programs focus primarily on the administrative and supervisory aspects of the field, and include classes such as restaurant law, culinary media, hotel and restaurant operations, organizational behavior, economics, leadership and catering operations. Culinary programs at formal culinary institutions cost between $7,000 and $36,000 as of February 2011, according to Cooking Schools 101.

Master's

Master's degrees in culinary arts are not as common as certificate, AAS and BA programs, and typically center on gastronomy (the science of food) or hospitality management. Master's programs' curricula in gastronomy often include instruction on food in the context of business, communications and anthropology. Master's programs in hospitality management include competencies such as food-service-based accounting, economics, law and health codes.

Tags: culinary arts, classes such, baking pastry, Cooking Schools, February 2011

Person Receive Food Stamps In South Carolina

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, subsidizes food purchases for low-income families. Each state must follow federal eligibility guidelines for SNAP benefits. Families must make less than the federal poverty guidelines after deducting certain expenses from their monthly income, and all adults living in a house who purchase and prepare food together qualify as members of the household. In South Carolina, you can apply for SNAP benefits through the Department of Social Services.

Fill Out Application

You may apply online for food stamps or print an application, fill it out and send it to your local Department of Social Services office. On your application, list the number of people in your household and the amount of income your household receives per month. Report all information as truthfully as possible; if you falsify any information, you can be denied food stamps and may be charged with food stamp fraud.

DSS Interview

After turning in your application, you must have an interview with a Department of Social Services representative. Bring proof of income, such as pay stubs or income tax forms, to your meeting. Your representative will ask you about your financial situation and living situation. Answer questions honestly so that he may determine whether you qualify for food stamps. Your representative will decide whether you are eligible within 30 days of your application.

Expedited SNAP Benefits

If you need food stamps right away, you may apply for expedited SNAP benefits. If your assets are less than the cost of your rent and utilities or you make less than $150 a month, you may qualify for expedited food stamp benefits. Apply for these benefits by filling out the section on the back off your application marked "expedited benefits." If your representative determines that you qualify for expedited benefits, you will receive them within seven days of your application.

Using Food Stamps

You get an electronic benefit transfer card when your application for food stamps is approved. Each month that you continue to qualify for food stamps, you receive your food stamps on your EBT card. You can then make food stamp purchases up to the amount of your food stamp balance using your card. You cannot use food stamps to purchase alcohol, tobacco or premade foods.

Tags: food stamps, your application, food stamp, Department Social, Department Social Services

Process Chicken Manure

Process Chicken Manure

An average sized hen produces 1 cubic foot of manure every 6 months. This manure can sit around and stink up your chicken coop, or you can use to enrich your soil for healthy, high-yield plants. The oldest recipes for compost involve mixing animal manure with rotted hay for a nitrogen-rich blend that plants thrive in. Raw chicken manure can burn your plants at the roots if it is not first decomposed. However, once you process this manure by turning it into compost, it makes a highly useful soil amendment. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Collect chicken bedding, shredded leaves and newspaper into an area where you will form a compost pile. These items are carbon-rich browns that will help the nitrogen rich chicken manure to break down faster.

2. Layer chicken manure with the brown organic material to form a compost pile. Your compost pile should be approximately 5 feet wide by 5 feet deep by 5 feet high. A pile of this ratio will create hot compost and break down faster.

3. Wet your pile so that it is the consistency of a wrung out sponge.

4. Allow the compost pile to heat to an internal temperature of 130 to 150 degrees F. This temperature is hot enough to kill internal pathogens in your compost and to speed decomposition of the compost. Check this internal temperature using a compost thermometer.

5. Turn the pile using a garden fork to keep the internal temperature high. To do this, bring the center material in the pile to the outer edges, and the outermost material to the center. The internal temperature should stay above 130 degrees F. You will need to turn the pile approximately every 3 days.

6. Once every part of the pile has been heated for approximately 3 days, cover the pile and let it decompose naturally over a period of 60 days. This process is known as curing.

Tags: compost pile, internal temperature, break down, break down faster, chicken manure, down faster, form compost

Eat Legumes

Kidney beans are part of the legume family.

Lentils, beans and peanuts are all legumes. They grown on vines or bushes and are available fresh, frozen, canned and dried. Legumes are not just low in fat, they are also high in protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber and therefore easy to incorporate into a healthy diet. There are many different ways to get your daily dose of this super food.

Instructions

1. Top any salad with canned beans for added protein and fiber. Canned beans are pre-cooked and should be drained and rinsed before eaten. Heat them up if desired, in some water or tomato sauce.

2. Soak dry beans and peas in water for 24 hours to plump them up. Incorporate them into soups, casseroles and stews.

3. Drink soy milk, which is made from soy beans, or pour it over cereal instead of regular milk.

4. Replace meat with tempeh. Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans and is a staple in many vegetarian dishes. Soybeans are a complete source of protein because they have amino acids just like meat.

5. Mix beans, cheese and salsa in a microwave save bowl. Microwave the mixture until the cheese melts and use it as a dip for chips.

6. Blend cooked chickpeas with 2 tbsp. of lemon juice, 1 tbsp. of olive oil and 2 tbsp. of plain yogurt in a food processor until a thick mixture forms. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add a pinch of dried thyme, oregano and basil and 1 clove of crushed garlic. Add salt to taste and spread the hummus on sandwiches. Hummus can replace mayonnaise and can also be used as a dip.

7. Eat edamame or soy nuts as a healthy snack in between meals instead of unhealthy options such as potato chips or sweets.

Tags: made from

Detect Spoilage In Venison

Spoiled venison will give off a sewage aroma.

Cooking with venison is a great way to use up fresh deer meat that you've purchased or hunted for yourself. However, it's important to ensure the venison hasn't gone bad--which can sometimes happen, particularly with fresh venison as no preservatives have been added to the meat. There are a few factors to pay attention to when determining if the meat has spoiled, especially a pungent odor that will let you know the venison is no good to cook with. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Pay attention to the length of time between the venison is killed, dressed and stored. The longer the time between these actions, the more likely that the meat will spoil.

2. Note the amount of time the meat has been stored in a refrigerator or cooler. Venison will keep for months in a freezer, but should be stored in a refrigerator or cooler for up to three days; after that, it will spoil.

3. Feel the outside of the venison before you begin cooking. Spoiled venison will feel wet and slimy to the touch. Good venison will be damp but not slippery to the touch.

4. Smell the venison. Good deer meat will smell gamey; spoiled deer meat will give of a sewage-like aroma.

5. Cook the venison as your recipe warrants. Spoiled venison will give off a sewage-like aroma that increases as it cooks, letting you know it has spoiled.

Tags: venison will, deer meat, meat will, Spoiled venison, Spoiled venison will, will give

Make Microwave Dog Treats

It may not occur to you to use your microwave oven to make yummy treats for your canine friend, but give it a try. It's very easy to make dog treats in the microwave, and works especially well on a hot day when you want to keep the kitchen cool for you and your four-legged pal.

Instructions

1. Place 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of all purpose white flour and 1 1/2 cups powdered milk in a large mixing bowl and stir to mix.

2. Add 3/4 cup of chicken or beef broth and 1 chopped garlic clove.

3. Break 1 large egg in a small bowl and beat it lightly with a fork. Add the beaten egg to the other ingredients and stir until it's completely blended. The dough should be thick enough to roll. If it's too thick to handle, add a bit of water or broth. If it's too thin, increase the whole wheat flour slightly.

4. Place the batter on a lightly floured surface and pat or roll it to a thickness of 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. Make thinner biscuits for small dogs and larger biscuits for larger dogs.

5. Put the biscuits on a microwaveable plate, in a single layer, and cook them for three minutes. Check them, then cook them for one minute at a time until they're firm.

6. Remove the microwave dog biscuits from the microwave oven and allow them to harden as they cool.

Tags: cook them, microwave oven, wheat flour, whole wheat, whole wheat flour

What Is Molasses And What Taste Does It Give

Molasses is often used in baking.

Around Christmas-time you may notice more recipes asking for molasses. You may also see that older recipes ask for molasses. The sweetener molasses used to be a cheaper alternative to sugar. As refined sugar became less expensive, molasses declined in popularity. But, molasses still has its uses in everything from baked goods to supplements. Add this to my Recipe Box.

About Molasses

When manufacturers make sugar, they boil sugar cane (and sometimes sugar beets) and remove crystalized (refined) sugar from the liquid. The remaining liquid is molasses. Molasses is a sugar by-product that goes through multiple boiling processes. The residue from the first boiling is known as light or mild molasses. The second boiling produces dark or full molasses. Blackstrap molasses is the product of the third and final boiling.

Three Main Types of Molasses

Light molasses has a distinctive, sweet and mild taste. Containing around 65 percent sucrose, light molasses often doubles as a sweetener and syrup for pancakes. Dark molasses is more full-bodied and less sweet than light molasses. The dark molasses flavor gives body to baked goods like gingerbread and dishes like baked beans. Blackstrap molasses is thicker than both light and dark molasses and also has a bitter flavor. Blackstrap molasses is not used as a flavoring in foods but health food stores sell it at as a nutritional supplement. Blackstrap molasses contains minerals including iron, calcium and copper, according to The World's Healthiest Foods.

Other Kinds of Molasses

Manufacturers can also make molasses from sugar beet processing. Extremely bitter, sugar beet molasses is unusable in food. This molasses type is typically used to feed cattle and to grow yeast. Another type of molasses, sulphured molasses contains sulfur dioxide as a preservative. Sulphured molasses has a strong and bitter taste to it. Moreover, it's not as sweet as its unsulphured peers.

Using Molasses

Molasses doesn't require refrigeration and has a shelf life of approximately six months. When using molasses, cooks should coat measuring utensils with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking. If molasses crystallizes, it can be melted and re-liquified in a saucepan over low heat. Sometimes mold will develop on the surface. If this occurs, remove the mold with a spoon.

Flavor Substitutions

You can substitute other syrups like honey, dark corn syrup, and maple syrup for molasses in recipes and get a similar flavor result. Brown sugar may also be used. Cook's Thesaurus suggests that you substitute 1 cup of molasses with 1.5 cups of brown sugar, if needed.

Tags: Blackstrap molasses, baked goods, dark molasses, light molasses, molasses also

Decorate A House Cheaply

You don't have to make millions to live in the lap of luxury. From inventory-clearance sales to spectacular secondhand goods, today's budget-minded decorator has many great options for low-cost home furnishings. Consider the guidelines below to decorate your home on a budget. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Determine your needs. Take inventory of your home to decide what you're in the market for. Whether items are functional or decorative, make a list of desired pieces for the home.

2. Look for big sales. End-of-year, store-closing and liquidation sales mean big savings. Check newspaper ads and furniture store Web sites for sale announcements.

3. Visit home stores and locate the clearance room. Most major showrooms have a special area for discounted furniture. Ask about slightly damaged items and what kind of discount may apply.

4. Browse Craigslist.org for furniture. Customize your search by using the appropriate keywords. If you want new items, be sure to include "new" in your search along with what type of item you're looking for.

5. Hit garage sales for the best deals. Furniture may be used, but you can't beat the price. For antiques and finer pieces, check out estate sales. Expect to pay more for estate sale items.

6. Shop at thrift stores for an ever-changing selection of furniture and home decor items.

Tags: your home, your search

Cooking Pinto Beans Without Soaking

Pinto beans add a healthy amount of fiber to your diet.

Cooks generally fall into two schools of thought when they reach for a recipe that calls for dry pinto beans--to soak or not to soak. Old-school cooks prefer to soak their beans for 12 to 24 hours before they use them. If you are in a hurry or you balk at planning ahead, you can skip the lengthy soaking process in favor of the fast method. If your recipe calls for beans cooked in large amounts of liquid that will be simmered, you can eliminate even the fast method. No matter what recipe you intend to use, you can prepare pinto beans in less than two hours. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Sort the pinto beans, discarding stones and black or malformed beans.

2. Place the colander in the sink and pour the beans into it. Wash the beans for two to three minutes, rinsing well. Drain the water.

3. Pour the beans into a large pot and cover them with water. The water level should be 3 inches higher than the beans.

4. Bring the beans to a boil on the stove. Lower the heat to medium low or to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid. Simmer the beans for about 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Turn off the heat. Let the beans sit for one hour with the lid on.

6. Drain the water from the beans using the colander. The beans will be ready for you to proceed with your recipe.

Tags: beans into, Drain water, fast method, pinto beans, your recipe

Kill Ant Piles

Ant infestations can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.

Ants are pesky little bugs that seem to have an infinite number of stinging, biting soldiers. They can seem invincible to costly chemical sprays and bait treatments. Often these chemicals will rid you of an ant pile for a short time, and out of nowhere another hill appears in your backyard, and the invasion continues. What many people don't know is that there are a few natural remedies that are just as effective, if not more, then the expensive store-bought, toxic sprays. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Drown the ants. Pour 3 gallons of boiling water directly down the entrance of the ant pile. It can take a long time to boil 3 gallons in one pot. Try boiling the water in separate pots. However, you must pour the entire 3 gallons down the hole at the same time.

2. Follow with an organic ant killer. A 50/50 mix of borax and sugar works very well. This can be sprinkled directly on the ground surrounding the ant hill, or can be placed in strategic places around your yard. The borax has Boric acid in it, and when eaten, disrupts the bacteria in the digestive system of the ant.

3. Use instant grits. Believe it or not, equal parts instant grits and sugar is one of the best ant killers known to man. The sugar attracts the ants, and when they snack on the grits, it expands and is too much for them. Simply 3 or 4 tablespoons right near the entrance is all that is needed to rid you of even the most pesky ant mounds.

4. Plant mint. To keep the ants from building yet another nest in your vicinity, grow mint plants in a few places in your yard. Ants have a strong hatred for mint, and if it is near, they will not build nests and bother you anymore. However, mint is a very invasive plant itself, and it may end up becoming the new invader of your garden if you don't keep a watchful eye on it.

Tags: boiling water, gallons boiling, gallons boiling water, instant grits, your yard

Make An Easy Child'S Colonial Costume

Costumes from the colonial era were simplistic in nature.

Having a child dress in colonial attire, whether it is for a costume party, Halloween or even a historical day or play at school, can help to educate the child on the era. Common dress of colonial times was simplistic in nature, making it an ideal choice for assembling a quick and easy costume. Items you may already have in your own closet or craft drawer can go a long way to assembling the costume. The remaining items can be easily found through a visit to a local thrift or fabric store.

Instructions

Girl's Costume

1. Place a Peter Pan collared shirt under a monotone colored sweater. Pull the collar of the shirt over the sweater. The Peter Pan collared shirt must be white while the sweater can be gray, brown, black or a dark, navy blue.

2. Tuck the sweater and shirt into an ankle length skirt in a color that matches the sweater.

3. Tie a white apron around the waist of the wearer.

4. Adhere a white cotton ruffle strip around the front half edges of a plain white cap. Leave the ends of the fabric hanging loose so they can be tied around the wearer's chin. Attach the strip of fabric using a needle and thread, fabric glue or pins.

5. Add a pair of white stockings and plain black shoes to complete the ensemble.

Boy's Costume

6. Place a black, long sleeved shirt over a white Peter Pan collared shirt. Pull the Peter Pan collar out to overlap the black shirt and fold the ends of the white sleeves over the black.

7. Tuck both shirts into a pair of black sweatpants.

8. Place a black belt around the waist of the wearer.

9. Add some tall white socks to the ensemble, pulling them up the leg. Tuck the sweatpants into the socks. Add a pair of plain black dress shoes to the outfit.

10. Roll and fold a cone out of black construction paper. Trim away excess paper so the cone has a flat bottom. Measure the circumference of the wearer's head and cut a hole in a paper plate to match the measurement. Paint the entire plate black and glue the cone, point side up, onto the plate. Staple the ends of a rubber band under the hat so the wearer can pull the band under his chin to secure the hat in place.

Tags: collared shirt, Peter collared, Peter collared shirt, around waist, around waist wearer

Fix Grits & Eggs In Microwave

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, it is also a meal that happens during a busy time of day. For that reason, many people often neglect breakfast. You just don't have time in the morning to make a meal. Well, there are no more excuses. Thanks to the microwave, you can now cook a quick breakfast of grits and eggs that doesn't require spending time laboring over the stove. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Grits

1. Place 1/4 cup of grits inside of a small plastic or glass bowl.

2. Add 1 cup of water to the grits. For creamier grits, add milk instead of water.

3. Add a pinch of salt inside the bowl. If you like, you can also add a small pat of butter.

4. Cook the grits in the microwave for 2 minutes.

5. Remove the grits from the microwave, and stir them.

6. Heat the grits in the microwave for another 2 minutes.

7. Remove the grits from the microwave oven. Allow the grits to cool before eating.

Eggs

8. Crack open the shell of your egg. Empty the egg into a small plastic or glass bowl.

9. Add 2 tsp. of water or milk inside the bowl. Although they are optional, water and milk will cause your eggs to be fluffy and light. Sprinkle salt and pepper inside of the bowl if you desire to add flavor to the eggs.

10. Use a spoon to stir the egg, water and seasonings together inside of the bowl.

11. Place the bowl inside of the microwave, and set the timer. For a 600-watt microwave oven, set the timer for 45 seconds.

12. Remove the bowl from the microwave, and stir the contents that are in the bowl. Place the bowl back inside of the microwave for another 60 seconds to finish cooking. Remove the bowl from the microwave, and stir the eggs to scramble.

Tags: from microwave, inside bowl, from microwave stir, microwave stir, bowl from

Wheat Berry Barley And Dried Cranberry Salad

Sprinkle cranberries into a healthy salad.

Wheat berries are whole wheat kernels that feature a nutty flavor. Add wheat berries to a salad to give the dish a crunchy texture and plenty of healthy fiber. A wheat berry, barley and dried cranberry salad is an explosion of flavors and textures. Barley will give the salad a chewy texture and wholesome flavor, while dried cranberries will add a touch of tangy sweetness. Serve the nutritious salad alone or as a hearty side dish. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 cup of wheat berries. Reduce the heat to "low" and simmer the berries for 30 minutes. Pour in 1 cup of pearl barley and continue simmering for another 30 minutes. The wheat berries will burst open when they are ready.

2. Drain the grains and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the grains to chill in a refrigerator for at least two hours.

3. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh orange juice to the grains.

4. Stir the mixture well with a large spoon. Store the salad in a refrigerator until you are ready to eat it.

Tags: dried cranberries, wheat berries

Reheat In An Electric Roaster

Reheat in an Electric Roaster

An electric roaster is a table or countertop appliance that is used as a substitute for a conventional oven. When roasting or baking large amounts of food, such as for a Thanksgiving dinner, you can use a roaster in conjunction with your regular oven. Like your oven, an electric roaster can be used to reheat foods and has the added benefit of not heating up the entire kitchen. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Preheat the roaster to 350 degrees Fahrenheit according to the manufacturer's instructions. For most electric roasters, this involves simply plugging the appliance into an electrical outlet and setting the temperature.

2. Place leftover foods into appropriate-size ovenproof dishes. Add a small amount of liquid, i.e., enough to cover the bottom of the dish, if needed to keep the food from drying out during the reheating process.

3. Place the filled dishes into the preheated electric roaster. Heat the leftovers for the same amount of time that you would in a conventional oven. Most foods will reheat in approximately 30 minutes or less.

4. Remove the lid of the roaster and insert a meat or food thermometer into the thickest area of the food. The food should register at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe for eating, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Unlike cold foods eaten straight from the refrigerator, reheated foods must reach a certain temperature to prevent bacterial growth that can cause sickness. The USDA promotes that all hot foods are served hot, and cold foods are served cold. Food temperatures in the midrange, from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, are listed in the USDA "Danger Zone."

5. Serve the reheated leftovers immediately or replace the cover on the roaster to maintain a safe temperature of the food.

Tags: degrees Fahrenheit, cold foods, conventional oven, Electric Roaster, electric roaster

Poultry Farm Grants

Poultry farmers may receive grants even when facing economic hardship.

Farmers, in general, are often subject to hardship due to economic and climate downturns. For this reason, the federal government devises ways in which to preserve the farm business while at the same time develop innovative ways to survive future catastrophes. Poultry farms, in particular, qualify for numerous federal grants.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant is offered to poultry farmers and ranchers in the United States. The grant aims to find new methods of sustaining the poultry farming business. As of 2010, the grant ranged from $1,000 to $15,000 to conduct poultry production research projects that may be shared with other farmers and ranchers. Applications may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Division.

Poultry Protein and Fat Council

The Poultry Protein and Fat Council offers the USPOULTRY grant dedicated to the progression and welfare of the poultry industry. The program funds research aimed to solve problems related to the poultry and egg industry. Research results will be publicized to the press and extended to other farmers. USPOULTRY awards approximately $1.2 million annually as of 2010.

Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program (OASDFR) offers outreach and assistance grants to disadvantaged poultry farmers. The program aims to provide farmers with the assistance needed to retain and operate farms. From its inception in 2008, the program awards $100,000 to $300,000. Applications may be submitted electronically through the USDA: National Institute of Food and Agriculture website.

Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program

The Organic Transitions Program under the Integrated Research, and Extension Competitive Grants Program is aimed to support research and improve poultry livestock. Practices involve organic non-dairy animal production. Since May 2010, grants have ranged up to $700,000.

Youth Farm Safety and Education Certification Program

The Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification (YFSEC) Program offers grants to support the training of youth hoping to find employment in the agricultural business. Future poultry farmers may find educational opportunities because of this grant. The grant awards $100,000 to $300,000 annually since 2009.

Tags: Competitive Grants, Competitive Grants Program, Grants Program, poultry farmers, Research Education

Cook Quaker Quick Oats

For variety, add spices, flavorings, toppings or wheat germ to quick oats.

In 1901, four American grain pioneers consolidated and incorporated as the Quaker Oats Company. In 1921, the company introduced Quick Quaker Oats. While oats took 20 minutes to cook, quick oats took a mere five. Quaker Old Fashioned Oats and Quick Quaker Oats both are whole oats that are rolled to flatten. During processing, Quick Quaker Oats are cut into smaller pieces so that they cook faster. In 1950, the company reformulated its quick oats, processing them to cook in just one minute. With Quick Quaker Oats, you can prepare a nutritious meal in a minute or two. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Stovetop Directions

1. Measure out water or milk and pour into a saucepan on top of a cooktop stove. Optionally, add a dash of salt. Heat on high, bringing the water or milk to a boil.

2. Measure out and add Quaker Quick Oats, then stir.

3. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for 1 minute. Stir while cooking.

4. Optionally, stir in spices, toppings and flavorings of your choice. For topping ideas, visit the Quaker Oats website (see Resources).

Microwave Directions

5. Measure out water or milk and Quaker Quick Oats and pour into a medium-size microwave-safe bowl.

6. Microwave on high or full power for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

7. Remove from the microwave and stir.

8. Optionally, stir in spices, toppings and flavorings of your choice. For topping ideas, visit the Quaker Oats website (see Resources).

Tags: Quaker Oats, Quick Quaker, Quick Quaker Oats, Quaker Quick, Quaker Quick Oats, water milk, your choice topping

Use Rosemary Oil To Get Rid Of Ticks

Rosemary is an herb that is also used for seasoning food.

Ticks are parasites that can cause serious health problems for animals and humans alike. Some of the more well-known diseases that can be transmitted by ticks include Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If you spend time outdoors, you may need to consider protecting yourself against ticks. One means of repelling ticks is rosemary oil, a gentle, inexpensive substance. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Purchase some rosemary essential oil. You can find this product at drug stores, health stores and online health and beauty businesses.

2. Soak a cotton ball with some of the rosemary oil.

3. Dab the oil around your shoes, socks and ankles, which are places that ticks are likely to approach initially.

4. Dab more oil onto other parts of your body and clothing if you wish.

5. Place cotton balls soaked in rosemary essential oil around your yard and home to repel ticks. Place these soaked cotton balls around pets' bedding as well to help protect your pets.

Tags: around your, cotton balls, rosemary essential, some rosemary

Fruit & Vegetable Plants

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable to plant due to the enormous variety of types.

A kitchen garden can satisfy both your desire to get outdoors and raise plants as well as your taste buds. Growing your own fruit and vegetables means tasting the freshest food possible. Another advantage to growing these types of plants is that they can add color, texture and shape to your overall landscape design. Does this Spark an idea?

Herb Garden

A popular type of vegetable garden is the herb garden. Commonly grown herbs include parsley, basil, tarragon, thyme and sage. Another fashionable herb is mint, but keep in mind that this choice is aggressively invasive and can ruin an herb garden very efficiently. Before deciding on herbs as part of your vegetable garden, research the specific heights as some herbs can reach much higher than you might expect.

Soft Fruit

A garden that raises soft fruit is an especially effective choice for those with limited growing space. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are very compact fruits that can easily be grown in small spaces such as a terrace garden. Look for a notable change in color to indicate when red soft fruit like raspberries and strawberries is ripe. Gooseberries should be allowed to turn a mildly yellow hue before harvesting.

Trellis and Fence Fruits

You can add a little variety in terms of structure to your garden by including fruits that can be trained to grow on a trellis, fence or wire. Plums, cherries, pears and cordon apples are all tree fruits that can be effectively grown on such garden structures.

Tomatoes

The number of different types of tomatoes available make it one of the most versatile vegetables to plant. Among the popular types are beefsteak tomatoes like marmande and oxheart, cherry tomatoes like gardener's delight and sweet million and tomatoes that are perfect for salads like totem, tornado and legend.

Fruit Trees and Landscaping

Fruit plants don't necessarily need to be used primarily for their edible growth. Fruit trees can be incorporated into your landscaping plans. A number of different species of apple trees or a spreading cherry tree can provide your yard with shade. Quince and peach trees can be effectively utilized as dramatic focal points. Attractive foliage can be integrated into a landscape design courtesy of citrus trees like oranges, lemons, lime and grapefruit.

Vegetables with Long Harvest Periods

Vegetarians or even meat eaters who enjoy having fresh vegetables as a side dish throughout much of the year should look to vegetables with the lengthiest harvesting period. Plants with the longest harvest periods include tomatoes, various varieties of peppers, eggplant, summer squash and green beans.

Bananas

Bananas can grow on trees, but they are technically a perennial herb. You'll need to have exposure to very warm and humid temperatures to raise this fruit, but you don't have to be blessed with an extensive amount of property. Dwarf bananas are capable of being successfully grown in containers or solarium as well as in an outside area like a courtyard.

Tags: fruits that, herb garden, landscape design, number different, soft fruit, tomatoes like, vegetable garden

Eat Vegetarian In Portugal

Eat Vegetarian in Portugal

Vegetarian travelers often face dietary challenges when traveling abroad, particularly when it comes to locations where the local cuisine offers very few meatless choices. Traveling in Portugal can be challenging for vegetarians and particularly vegans as traditional Portuguese fare tends to rely heavily on animal products. Although vegetarianism has a following in larger Portuguese cities, it isn't as common in the smaller towns. You may be met with quizzical glances, or you may be served fish by the wait staff after explaining your diet. Don't let that stop you from enjoying your trip--Portugal has plenty of delicious food to offer vegetarian travelers.

Instructions

1. Learn Portuguese phrases. Visit the International Vegetarian Union website where you can find useful vegetarian phrases in Portuguese. Commit the phrases to memory, or jot them down on an index card to communicate your dietary needs.

2. Visit a health food shop when you're in a larger Portuguese town. Health food chains, such as Celeiro Dieta, offer vegetarian eateries in some of their locations. Stock up on nondairy milks, cereals and vegetarian or vegan nonperishables if you plan to visit smaller towns where vegetarian eateries are rare.

3. Browse the supermarket and create your own vegetarian or vegan meal. Pick up some fruit, bread, olives, cheese and yogurt. Larger supermarkets such as Pingo Doce have a health food aisle where you can stock up on your vegetarian essentials.

4. Use websites such as happycow.net or vegdining.com to find vegetarian and vegan dining options in the towns that you plan to visit. Both websites provide addresses, phone numbers and websites of the restaurants, as well as useful reviews written by customers.

5. Order an omelet, cheese plate, salad, vegetable plate or bread and olives when you're at a traditional Portuguese eatery. Ask your server if there are animal products in the soups, as most vegetable soups in Portugal tend to use chicken, beef or pork broth.

6. Visit a farmers market--they can be found in most Portuguese towns. Enjoy the locally grown fruits, veggies, freshly baked breads and local cheeses for a simple meal.

7. Do a search for vegetarian- and vegan-friendly bed and breakfasts on websites such as the euroveg.eu. The listed accommodations offer home cooked vegetarian/vegan meals.

Another option is to find an accommodation that includes the use of a kitchen. Prepare your own meals using local ingredients.

8. Eat at ethnic restaurants for a change when you're in a larger town. Try the Italian, Chinese, Lebanese or Indian eateries-they may be more likely to offer more dishes made without animal products.

Tags: vegetarian vegan, animal products, bread olives, larger Portuguese, offer vegetarian, plan visit, smaller towns

Make Brown Rice Risotto

Brown rice provides more fiber and nutrients than white rice.

Brown rice risotto offers a healthier twist on the usual white rice recipe since brown rice contains more nutrients than white and retains all of its fiber after it has been processed. Risotto can be served as a complete meal, preceded by an appetizer, or presented as a side dish. Allow yourself enough time to prepare the dish since you'll need to chop a few pounds of vegetables by hand and the brown rice will take more than 20 minutes to cook. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Vegetable and Cornstarch Preparation

1. Peel the skin from 1 medium yellow onion.

2. Rinse 12 ounces of mushrooms and 1 red bell pepper under running cold water.

3. Dice the onion into small pieces with a sharp knife on a chopping board.

4. Remove the core from the pepper by cutting a circle around its stem, and slice the pepper into thin strips.

5. Chop the mushrooms into small pieces, including the stems.

6. Stir 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water together in a small bowl, and set it aside.

Prepare the Brown Rice

7. Put 2 cups of water and 1 cup of short-grain brown rice in a medium-sized pot.

8. Set the pot on a burner that matches its size and the heat to medium high.

9. Bring the water and rice to a boil.

10. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot with a lid, and cook the rice for 20 minutes.

11. Remove the pan from the burner and set it aside. Some water will remain in the pot, and the rice won't be done cooking.

Combine All the Ingredients

12. Pour 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil into a large skillet and warm it on medium-high heat on a large burner.

13. Add the chopped mushrooms and onion to the oil.

14. Saut the vegetables for three or four minutes, or until they start to brown.

15. Add 1/2 cup of white wine.

16. Rapidly stir the wine into the ingredients with a wooden spoon for one to two minutes, until it starts simmering.

17.Add the sliced pepper and the rice, including any water remaining in the rice pot, and stir them thoroughly into the other vegetables.

18. Add 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth to the pan and blend it with the other ingredients.

19. Frequently stir the pan's contents as it cooks to prevent them from sticking. Bring the food to a simmer; it will take approximately 10 minutes. The liquid will thicken, then reduce.

20. Quickly stir the cornstarch mixture for a few seconds with a teaspoon, then add it to the pan.

21. Cook the risotto for one minute to give the cornstarch time to thicken.

22. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it melts.

23. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper to your desired taste.

Tags: heat medium, into small, into small pieces, minutes until, nutrients than, nutrients than white, small pieces

Eat Oat Grass

Eat Oat Grass

Maintaining a proper diet is important for everyone, and many people have turned to sprouts and grasses as a holistic way to take in more vitamins and nutrients. Oat grass is a popular choice in edible grasses, because it's full of iron, potassium and a number of vitamins such as A, B, C and E. Eating oat grass can help improve your diet and overall health with very little effort. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Purchase your oat grass from a health food retailer. Many health food stores sell squares of live oat grass that you can grow at home and harvest fresh every day. Keep the grass in a sunny spot on your counter, and water it daily to encourage new growth.

2. Cut a small handful of blades from your grass with a sharp pair of scissors. Trim the grass close to the roots, but don't pull up on the grass too hard, or you will loosen the roots and keep your grass from re-growing.

3. Place the grass blades in the juicer, and place a glass under the downspout on your juicer. Turn the juicer on, and push the grass down with the plunger to get all of the juice from the blades. The juicer will crush the blades and extract a potent green juice that will be extruded into your glass.

4. Drink the oat grass juice slowly, ingesting only a small amount per day until your body gets used to it. A few tablespoons is plenty to begin with, and you can increase the amount slowly until your intake is approximately a quarter of a cup per day. If you notice any nausea, slow down how quickly you ingest the juice.

5. Mix your oat grass juice with another fruit juice of your choice if you don't enjoy the taste. Any fruit juice is fine, although strong juices such as pineapple and orange juice will help mask the flavor of the oat grass.

Tags: your grass, blades juicer, fruit juice, grass from, grass juice, health food, juice your

Dhea & Joint Pain

Supplements of synthetic dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA have produced relief in joint pain in some sufferers. The body's adrenal glands secrete DHEA, a steroid that helps the body produce other hormones. The supplements boost the lower DHEA levels of older people. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Features

DHEA has been called the mother of hormones in the body. It is a naturally secreted steroid that the body uses in many ways, including the manufacture of male and female hormones, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone as well as corticosterone.

Theories/Speculation

The body produces lower levels of DHEA each year. By age 65, a person's DHEA levels usually have decreased to 10 to 20 percent of what they were at age 20. The DHEA supplement is thought to help many age-related conditions including joint pain due to inflammation.

Effects

A Stanford University Hospital study of women with lupus, found that of the 17 women with joint pain, five found relief and better mobility by taking 50 milligrams of DHEA per day.

Considerations

Positive claims about DHEA, including relief of joint pain, have not been scientifically proven.

Warning

Severe side effects have been reported from taking DHEA, particularly in larger doses and for prolonged periods. These side effects include heart palpitations, insomnia, mood swings, irregular menstrual periods, thinning hair and acne. They have usually resulted from DHEA doses of 25 milligrams a day or more. Some physicians recommend doses no higher than 5 to10 milligrams even if that means dividing capsules.

Tags: joint pain, DHEA levels, have been, relief joint, relief joint pain

What Items Cannot Be Bought With Food Stamps

People commonly refer to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as food stamps. However, SNAP provides the monthly benefits on an electric benefit transfer card, which functions like a debit card. Participants can use the card to pay for food, edible plants and seeds to grow edible plants. However, the program places restrictions on what people can buy with the funds.

Alchohol

People cannot use SNAP benefits to purchase alcohol of any kind. This includes alcohol sold in grocery stores and alcohol people use in meal preparation, such as cooking sherry.

Vitamins And Medicines

Participants in the food stamp program cannot use the funds to buy medicine, vitamins or nutritional supplements. This includes pain killers and diet pills.

Prepared Food

You cannot purchase prepared food from a restaurant, fast food or fully-cooked meals from the grocery store with SNAP benefits.

Pet Food

SNAP prohibits using funds to pay for pet food. All food you purchase with SNAP benefits must be for human consumption.

Tobacco

The food stamp program bans the purchase of all forms of tobacco with the EBT card. This includes cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and chewing tobacco.

Tags: SNAP benefits, This includes, with SNAP benefits, edible plants, food stamp, food stamp program, stamp program

Start A Home Food Business In Virginia

Starting a home food business can be rewarding.

A home food business is a lucrative venture for chefs and foodies whose recipes are food are raved about. Virginia is one of the 11 states in the USA that allows a home food business, selling food to the public. However, there are certain laws that need to be followed so that the business is legal and there is no risk of an audit.

Instructions

1. Contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture for an information packet that contains valuable information on getting started with a home food business. It has detailed information on go about the procedure smoothly. Call the department toll free at 1-800-552-9963 or call 804-786-2042 if you are in the Richmond, VA area.

2. Develop and write a business plan. Your business plan should include your concept about the business, recipes, process of preparation, facility planning, and marketing and advertising plans. Since it is a large and important document, the Virginia Cooperative Extension office has officers who can help you free of charge. The Virginia Department of Agriculture also has people who can help in facility planning and layout and advise you about laws and regulations for production, distribution and sale of food in Virginia.

3. Check your local zoning ordinances to see if you can have a food business in your specific geographic area. Even though the state of Virginia allows home food businesses, the exact rules vary depending on local zoning regulations. Contact your respective city office to check the zoning laws since each city has different laws.

4. Obtain approval from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Dairy and Foods (VDACS). The information packet that you get from VDACS has an application form and information sheet that you should fill out and mail to the department. This agency is responsible for regulating and ensuring food safety. Officers from VDACS will also come and inspect your facility to give their approval and issue an inspection report to authorize you to manufacture food on your premises.

5. Evaluate the competition in your area. This is an important factor that will help decide the feasibility of your business. If a lot of businesses are offering a product similar to yours, you will have a hard time convincing consumers to buy from you, especially when you are new in the business. If you have a unique product idea, consider evaluating the market and testing customer response to your product before launching a full-fledged business.

6. Develop a budget. This important step helps determine the economic viability of your business venture. Evaluate your fixed and variable expenses and do not forget to add labor cost, which is the amount you want to pay yourself and your employees, if any. Set prices for your products and remember to add a profit percentage.

7. Research wholesale suppliers for your ingredients. Since you will be starting small, the local warehouse store will be a good place to check for your ingredients. Try to buy in large quantities so that your per unit price is low and you are able to set reasonable prices for your homemade food products.

8. Keep written records for all your transactions so that you have proof in case of errors. Remember to follow the product labeling guidelines outlined in the handbook sent by VDACS so that your product can be sold in the state. The information handbook has detailed diagrams and information about labeling to help you get an idea. The name of the business should be on the front of the package, and the ingredients have to be listed in order from most to least used.

Tags: Department Agriculture, food business, home food, Virginia Department, Virginia Department Agriculture, allows home, allows home food

Empire Kosher Foods

When it comes to eating kosher, not all poultry is created equal.

Those who follow the Jewish dietary laws of kashrut eat only "kosher" foods, or foods seen to be pure enough for ritual use. As mass-produced food becomes more processed, finding truly kosher food -- which requires some very specific measures for food preparation -- becomes a more difficult task. Specialized companies such as Empire Kosher, a poultry grower and processor, offer foods that are guaranteed to follow kashrut guidelines. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Company

Positioned as the world's largest kosher poultry processor, Empire Kosher has been around since 1938. Empire produces eggs at its own hatchery, raises its own birds on company-owned farms, and manufactures a proprietary poultry-feed formula at its feed mill. The company delivers its products to chain groceries, supermarkets, butchers, delis and specialty stores across America.

Products

Empire Kosher's offerings fall in four main categories: chilled, frozen, deli and fully cooked poultry products. Chilled offerings include whole chickens and turkeys, while frozen products include a Cornish chicken broiler, whole turkey or chicken breasts, ground turkey, chicken drumettes, chicken thighs, chicken breasts and chicken nuggets. At the deli, Empire offers chicken and turkey franks, bulk skinless turkey breasts and slices of turkey breasts, chicken bologna, turkey salami, turkey bologna and turkey pastrami. It also produces fully cooked barbecue chicken and turkey, as well as rendered chicken fat.

Process

Empire Kosher puts its poultry through a special process to ensure that the food is kosher before it reaches customers. First, the company hand-slaughters, bleeds and de-feathers the birds. It then rinses the meat in cold spring water and salts it to remove blood, improve its taste, make the meat tender and reduce bacteria. As the laws of kashrut require that blood be drained or boiled out of meat and poultry, Empire drains the birds of blood before packaging the product. Each Empire chicken undergoes rabbinical and USDA checks. Empire says the process of koshering takes about three hours per bird.

Other Considerations

According to Empire Kosher's website, the company feeds its poultry a mixture of corn and soy grains, natural vitamins, minerals and fat. The company raises free range poultry, which means the birds forage for natural food and pebbles and are not confined to small cages. Empire does treat birds with antibiotics as necessary but does not use hormones or preservatives to raise poultry. In addition to its main product lineup, Empire offers all-natural, antibiotic-free and organic poultry products.

Tags: Empire Kosher, becomes more, bologna turkey, breasts chicken, chicken breasts, chicken turkey

Turn A Garbage Bin Into A Compost Bin

Composting improves your soil and eliminates the need for expensive fertilizers and mulches.

Composting breaks down organic matter like food and yard waste, and as the waste breaks down, beneficial microorganisms grow and multiply. These microorganisms stimulate plant growth, improve the soils ability to hold water, increase soil nutrients and loosen heavy clay soils. Composting also lessens the dependence on landfills. Household waste makes up 20 to 30 percent of all landfill waste, according to the Ohio State University Extension, so consider saving money on fertilizers and mulch by using your own compost to improve your soil. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Drill a hole into the metal can approximately 4 inches from the can's bottom. Drill another hole, approximately 4 to 6 inches away, horizontal to the first. Continue drilling holes in this manner until you have an entire row of holes encircling the can.

2. Measure 4 inches above the bottom row of holes. Drill another horizontal row of holes around the entire garbage can. Holes should be 4 to 6 inches apart. Repeat with a final horizontal row four inches above the second row. Drill more holes on the can's lid if you desire.

3. Add a pile of grass clippings, leaves or sawdust, about 2 feet high, to the bottom of the can. Pour a layer of fertilizer on the first layer and add 1/2 cup of ground limestone. Adding the fertilizer and limestone speeds the decaying process.

4. Pour some water and topsoil into the mix to make the container's contents moist. Start adding kitchen scraps and lawn waste to the can. Follow a layer of new waste with more fertilizer, ground limestone, water and topsoil.

5. Place the compost container, outside, but near enough the kitchen to make composting convenient. Compost forms best when the temperature is a steady 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above. For colder climates, try to find a location in the garage or barn where this temperature is more likely.

6. Turn your compost pile every two weeks to provide oxygen to the microorganisms in the can. Lock the lid and tip the can on the side. Roll the can a few times forwards and backwards. Turning aerates the material. The compost is ready to use within 2 to 4 months after the material turns a dark brown.

Tags: approximately inches, breaks down, Drill another, ground limestone, inches above, water topsoil, your compost

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Food Distributor

Food distributors are the middle man between food manufacturers and the end buyers, and several benefits exist for commercial purchasers who order wholesale products from distributors.

Convenience

Food distribution companies offer one-stop shopping for the restaurateur. This convenience saves the time that would be spent ordering different specialty products directly from manufacturers or from multiple suppliers.

Selection

Food distributor warehouses carry everything necessary to operate a restaurant, including dairy, meat, seafood, dry goods and cleaning supplies. If an item is not already carried by the distributor, most will stock the item on request, providing that a minimum quantity is purchased.

Value

In addition to carrying brand name products, food service distributors often contract with manufacturers to allow distribution of a product under a generic (store brand) name. This brings you the quality of a brand label, without the brand label price.

Frequency

Most large food service distributors have several operating companies locations in different cities around the country. This ensures that a location will be close enough to your restaurant to schedule multiple deliveries each week. In some cases, daily delivery is possible.

Other Benefits

If a majority of a restaurant's purchases are from a single supplier, the restaurant has some negotiation power with respect to price structure and freight charges.

Tags: brand label, brand name, food service, food service distributors, service distributors

Starting A Restaurant In India

Samosa is a common Indian fast food: A crispy pastry stuffed with with a combination of potato, onion, peas, coriander, corn, lentils, chicken or beef.

The food of India is a delight to look at, smell and savor. A successful Indian restaurant is more than a place to eat, it's an experience. Like any successful business venture, the key to success in the restaurant business is planning. Defining and finding your niche, as well as choosing your location, are matters of paramount importance when considering opening a restaurant in India.

Instructions

Location

1. The nation of India consists of 28 states and seven territories.

Choose your location. Consider where your restaurant will be and to what clientele you will cater. If you cater to tourists from overseas, your plan and motif might be different than if you are only serving locals.

2. Plan your general menu. Choose the type of food you will serve: vegetarian or tandoor, northern or southern Indian or regional specialties. If you are catering to foreign tourists, then you might want to serve meat. However, if your restaurant will be in an area with religious or health tourism, then a vegetarian restaurant may do better.

3. Construct a formal business plan. Estimate start-up and maintenance costs. Unless you already have experience in the restaurant business, always add 20 percent to your estimates.

4. Rent or purchase a building. Find out about permits and insurance and obtain them.

5. Purchase kitchen equipment, furniture and decorations.

6. Add artwork to your decor. Some of the most frequented Indian restaurants are those that are decorated with interesting and brightly colored art. Consider doing without a big-screen TV. People enjoy coming to a place where they can talk quietly and enjoy the food and each other's company without being distracted by the buzz of the television.

7. Food in India is renowned for its mouth-watering spices. A restaurant in India that caters to tourists offers the choice of hot-spicy or mild.

Hire your cooks. More than one cook will be needed, and your head cook should be paid well. This will ensure good, quality food and continuity. Train your waiters or hire experienced ones.

8. Advertise the opening of your restaurant months ahead of time. Build up anticipation and run specials for the first weeks. Consider having a local celebrity to be present for the opening night. Put out press releases. Make it an event.

Tags: your restaurant, restaurant business, restaurant India, restaurant will, your location, your restaurant will

What Is The Federal Income Tax Table

Tax tables are the income tax rates imposed on U.S. taxpayers.

Each year the federal government publishes an income tax table that lists the tax rates so that people can calculate their income tax. Income taxes accounted for just under half of the federal government's income in 2010.

Purpose

The federal income tax is a progressive income tax system which means that as you have more taxable income, the tax rate that you pay increases. For example, in a progressive system the first $20,000 of your income may be taxed at 10 percent and the next $20,000 at 20 percent.

Types

The federal income tax tables include charts for each filing status: single, head of household, married filing separately and married filing jointly. The first time different tax filing status were used was 1949.

Adjustments to Tax Rates

The federal tax rates can be adjusted by passing new federal legislation. For example, it would take an act of Congress to increase the tax rate from 10 percent to 15 percent.

Adjustments to Tax Brackets

The amount of income in each bracket is adjusted each year for inflation by the IRS. For example, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for determining how much income is subjected to each tax rate, such as whether to tax the first $10,000 or $11,000 at 10 percent.

Fun Fact

President Franklin Roosevelt attempted to impose a 100 percent income tax on all incomes over $25,000 by executive order, but it was quickly overruled by Congress.

Tags: federal government, federal income, filing status, married filing

Groom Cockapoos

Cockapoo puppy

Cockapoos are increasingly popular "designer dogs" that are a cross between a poodle and a cocker spaniel. They're clever, affectionate dogs that are good pets in homes with children, and their low-shed, low-dander fur is less irritating for people with allergies. Cockapoos' fur grows constantly so they need regular haircuts, and they need weekly brushing at home to keep their fur clean, shiny, and free of mats.

Instructions

Professional Grooming

1. Take your cockapoo for its first haircut when it's 3-4 months old to get the dog used to grooming when it's young. Make sure your groomer is experienced and comfortable working with puppies.

2. Decide how you want your cockapoo's hair cut, and discuss it with your groomer in advance. There is no "official" cockapoo cut, so a groomer may cut a cockapoo to look like a poodle, cocker spaniel, or bichon frise. In general, cockapoos should have 1-inch long hair on their bodies (not shaven), with slightly longer hair on the legs. The leg hair should be cut with scissors.

3. Trim and neaten around the edges of a cockapoo's ears, but leave the ear hair long enough so the dog's natural waves show.

4. Clean and trim the cockapoo's face and beard. The hair over the eyes should be cut short, and the beard and moustache left long. The length of the face hair depends on the owner's preference and the shape of the dog's face, but it's usually around two inches long.

5. Have your cockapoo's hair cut every two or three months.

Home Grooming

6. Brush your cockapoo at least once a week. Get the dog used to brushing while it's young. Take care to remove any developing mats in the dog's fur, and use this time to check for fleas and ticks.

7. Bathe cockapoos at least once a month with a gentle shampoo. Clean the insides of the ears by rubbing a few drops of shampoo around the ear canal and rinsing with warm water and an ear syringe. Cockapoo's long ears make them prone to ear infections, ear mites, and dirt and wax buildup.

8. Trim any long hair around the ear canal with small fingernail scissors, holding the scissors with the point parallel to the ear. Snip the hair carefully and brush it out with your fingertips.

9. Wipe the cockapoo's face with a soft, damp cloth after she's eaten, and wipe any moisture from the dog's eyes. This will prevent the cockapoo's fur from getting stained by food or tears.

Tags: your cockapoo, around canal, cockapoo face, cockapoo hair, cocker spaniel

Pastry Restaurants In Reno Nevada

Enjoy a freshly baked pastry at a restaurant in Reno, Nevada.

When your sweet tooth gets the best of you while working or vacationing in Reno, Nevada, stop in a pastry restaurant that offers a wide variety of freshly baked goods. Several restaurants in the Reno area prepare classic European-style pastries as well as innovative sweets filled and topped with fresh fruits, nuts, cheeses and chocolate.

Josef's Vienna Cafe and Restaurant

Established in 1980, Josef's Vienna Cafe and Restaurant bakes a wide variety of fresh pastries and mini cakes every day. The casual restaurant, decorated with wooden tables and chairs and brightly colored art work, opens for breakfast and lunch. Josef's offers several traditional pastries, such as chocolate clairs, strawberry-cream Napoleons and honey-almond fresh fruit tarts as well as signature mini cakes in flavors such as raspberry chocolate, fresh strawberries and cream and chocolate mousse. The restaurant also prepares breakfast pastry items such as bread pudding muffins, bear claws and buttermilk scones. Josef's also prepares hand-decorated cookies, petit fours and specialty cakes, and also offers gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free pastries to accommodate customers with food allergies.

Josef's Vienna Cafe and Restaurant

933 West Moana Lane

Reno, NV 85909

775-825-0451

josefsvienna.com

Biscotti's Cafe

Located within Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Biscotti's Cafe offers freshly baked pastries and made-to-order crepes. The restaurant offers a casual, coffee shop-like ambiance. Sample pastry items include Boston cream pie, triple-cream carrot cake and fresh strawberry tarts. Sample made-to-order crepes include the Bananas Foster crepe with caramelized bananas, whipped cream and cinnamon and the French Suzette crepe with whipped cream and Grand Marnier orange butter. Biscotti's Cafe also serves coffee, espresso and fruit smoothies.

Biscotti's Cafe

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 South Virginia St.

Reno, NV 89502

866-821-9996

peppermillreno.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Part of a pastry restaurant chain originating in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nothing Bundt Cakes specializes in creative bundt cakes made with real butter, cream cheese and fresh eggs, according to the restaurant's website. The pastry restaurant offers on-site cake purchases, local delivery and ships to various parts of the United States as of September 2010. Sample-themed bundt cakes include bridal, anniversary, humorous, special occasion and get-well bundt cakes and mini bundt cakes called "Bundtinis." The restaurant also offers novelty adult T-shirts and baby attire and gifts and decor such as coffee and cake tins and decorative towels.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

5051 South McCarran Blvd.

Reno, NV 89502

775-827-5151

nothingbundtcakes.com

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What Wines Pair Well With Thanksgiving Dinner

The variety of dishes at a Thanksgiving dinner can make wine pairing a fun challenge.

Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect time to share some nice bottles of wine with friends and family. The wide array of food served at the meal--from turkey and stuffing to yams and green beans--can make choosing a wine seem difficult. However, selecting the perfect wine can be fun with the right information. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Sparkling Wines

Champagne or sparkling wine is a perfect complement to the Thanksgiving meal. Its high acidity pairs well with all types of food while the bubbles add a celebratory touch. The most typical types of sparkling wines are Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs. Blanc de Blancs is crafted from Chardonnay grapes and is crisp and fruity. Blanc de Noirs is made from Pinot Noir grapes and is softer and creamier. Sweetness levels vary as well. If you prefer dry wines, make sure the label says Brut or Brut Natural. For semi-sweet or off-dry, the label will read Extra-Dry or Sec. If you like sweet wines, choose Demi-Sec or Doux. For something different, choose a sparkling red, usually a Shiraz from Australia or a Ros .

White Wines

Versatile white wines that pair well with all the courses include Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. All three wines have high acidity and strong fruit flavors to pair with both spicy and sweet foods. Riesling is available with varying levels of sugar, so choose a label that says "Auslese" for a balance of sweet and dry. Most any Pinot Gris will work. For Chardonnay, try to choose one that was fermented in neutral oak because the oak does not taste good with the typical foods served at Thanksgiving. Another choice for white wine is a Vouvray, made from Chenin Blanc, which has a bright acidity and strong fruit flavors.

Red Wines

Choose a red wine with strong fruit flavors to match the turkey. Beaujolais Nouveau is a popular choice for the Thanksgiving table due to its light body and fruity taste. If people prefer red wines that have more body--a thicker feeling on the tongue as well as stronger flavors--choose a Grenache/Garnacha, Pinot Noir, or Sangiovese. All have the fruity notes as well as higher acidity to pair with food. For people who serve spicy or heavy side dishes, choose a Zinfandel for its heavier body in addition to its cooked fruit flavors.

Dessert Wines

Don't forget a special wine to pair with dessert. The rule of thumb for dessert wine pairing is that the wine must be sweeter than the food. A light-bodied choice is Moscato d'Asti, a sparkling and fresh-tasting white wine that complements any pie. For a sweeter and heavier option, choose a Port. Ruby Port will be fruitier and sweet whereas Tawny Port adds smokiness to the sweet fruit notes. To serve something different, choose a late-harvest wine, like late-harvest Zinfandel, because it is lower in alcohol than Port and is still sweet enough to match with most desserts.

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Ingredients For The Gershon Diet

Created by Dr. Max Gerson, The Gerson Diet uses organic food, coffee enemas, detoxing and juicing as a way to help the body heal. The doctor reported that the diet cured heart disease, tuberculosis and cancer. Dr. Gerson became famous for treating Albert Schweitzer with this diet and curing him of diabetes.

Thinking that packaged and processed foods create degenerative disease led Dr. Gerson, to formulate this diet. His belief was that if you stay close to nature with your eating habits, you will have protection from disease.

Ingredients

For this diet, you juice all day long, using a non-centrifugal juicer. A typical day on the Gerson diet includes 13 glasses of juice made hourly from fresh and organic leafy greens, raw carrots and/or raw apples. You also eat three vegetarian meals of organic fruits, whole grains and vegetables. A plate of salad, cooked veggies with a baked potato, vegetable soup and juice constitute a meal. All day long, you can snack on fresh fruit.

Flax seed oil, taken once at lunch and once at dinnertime, is the only oil you can use. Water is used only for cooking and must be distilled or from a source of reverse osmosis. Allowable fresh fruits are apples, grapes, cherries, mangoes, peaches, oranges, apricots, grapefruits, bananas, tangerines, pears, melons, papayas and plums stewed. Fruit must be organic and fresh. Potatoes, carrots and apples are essential in the Gerson diet.

Forbidden Foods

You may not drink water; it dilutes the power of the juices. Do not use tin foil or plastic because they can contaminate your food. You may not have salt. Do not eat animal fat or protein at the beginning of the diet. Milk and soy grow cancer, according to Gerson, and they are not allowed. Anything that is frozen, canned, bottled, refined, salted, sculptured, smoked or bottled is forbidden. Alcohol, avocado, oregano and anything with baking soda, such as toothpaste or mouthwash, is not allowed. Bakery goods, cucumbers, mushrooms, nuts, peas, pickles, refined flour, spices, sugar and tap water are all not part of the diet. For the first eight weeks, no dairy, fish, meat or eggs are allowed on this diet.

Medications

Therapeutic amounts of minerals and vitamins you need to take for this diet are potassium compound, enemas of coffee and/or chamomile, pancreatic enzymes, thyroid hormone, vitamin B-12, Lugol's solution and injectable crude liver extract.

Gerson discovered that restricting sodium and using high levels of potassium lessened the swelling of tumors and general body edema. Detoxing ingredients, such as castor oil, coffee enemas and digestive enzymes all help to aid the body in eliminating damaged tissue.

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Tell If You Have A Wheat Allergy

Food allergies occur when your immune system cannot properly process something you have eaten. People with wheat allergies show an adverse reaction when they have ingested wheat proteins--ingredients found in many types of foods. Recording what you routinely eat and knowing the symptoms of a wheat allergy can help you tell if you are allergic to wheat or perhaps if you have another kind of food intolerance.

Instructions

1. Keep a food journal if you think you might have a wheat allergy. Write down everything you eat for each meal and snack, and how you feel during the day. People who have wheat allergies may show symptoms immediately, or hours after they have ingested a wheat protein. Food journals can be an effective diagnostic tool, especially if you will need to begin an elimination diet to determine specific allergens.

2. Recognize the physical signs of a wheat allergy and report them to your doctor if they consistently appear after eating wheat. Your mouth and throat might feel itchy or begin to swell, you might have a runny nose or watery eyes. Gastrointestinal symptoms can include diarrhea, cramps or vomiting.

3. Think about your age when trying to tell if you have a wheat allergy. Allergies of this kind are most common in children younger than the age 5, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you suffer from symptoms consistent with a wheat allergy and are significantly older, it is less likely that you have a wheat allergy. Discuss your situation with your doctor; you may have a type of food intolerance called celiac disease instead.

4. Read food labels to familiarize yourself with terms that indicate wheat proteins on ingredient lists. You may suffer from symptoms and not realize you are actually eating wheat. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that terms such as "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," "gelatinized starch," "vegetable gum" and "modified food starch" may not sound like they are wheat, but they may contain wheat proteins.

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Cool Christmas Gifts Ideas

Cool gifts require thought, not necessarily money.

The easiest way to give a cool Christmas gift is to figure out exactly what captures the interest of your special someone. Focus on his preferences, interests and hobbies. Think outside of the box, recognizing that a Christmas gift doesn't have to be a tangible gift, but can be an experience or an adventure. Giving something that you two can share elevates your gift to the highest level of coolness.

Stuffed Stocking

Fill his stocking with items that support his hobby.

A stuffed stocking is a gift that can be tailored to anyone's taste and interests. The great thing about a stocking is that the contents can be easily aligned with a budget. If she is a runner, fill the stocking with objects like a shoe wallet, socks, running watch, energy bars and other runners' paraphernalia. If he is a fisherman, include fishing line, a pocket knife, corks, hooks and other fishing equipment.

Classes

Yoga can offer the gift of relaxation.

Say Merry Christmas with a certificate for fun classes that she can do alone or with you. Take cooking classes together to learn prepare dishes that fit your busy lifestyle. Taking tennis classes together will give you an outlet for physical activity and it's something to do together long after the classes are finished. She might enjoy taking a Pilates or yoga class to relax and to keep in shape.

Adventure

Adventure is a gift that broadens his horizons.

Give him an adventure for his big Christmas gift. A skydiving adventure is relatively inexpensive, costing approximately $200 for a tandem jump, depending upon the provider. A rafting adventure is something that both of you can do together, and you can include some camping and other outdoor fun such as hiking. An even more adventurous activity would be hang gliding or parasailing together.

Entertainment

Music is the perfect gift for a teenager.

Entertainment is a gift that is great for a variety of age groups. If your special someone is a teenager, a gift card for music downloads or an MP3 player would be a popular gift. A young couple just getting started or a single person on a tight budget might enjoy a cable upgrade for one year. Virtually everyone enjoys going to the movie theater. Gift certificates for dinner and a movie for two would be good for any couple -- married or high school sweethearts.

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Make Food Coloring Change The Color Of A Plant

You can turn flowers bright colors using food coloring.

If you are putting together a spring party, you can end up spending a great deal of money on springtime decorations, such as specially colored flowers. One way to save money is to dye the plants yourself, which will require the use of a few basic materials, such as food coloring. This will enable you to customize the coloration of the finished flowers to match the color scheme of the party exactly.

Instructions

1. Fill a jar with warm water, and add in 1 Tbsp. of sugar. Plants thrive in a sweet environment, so putting sugar into the water will help the dye soak up through the veins.

2. Add in 20 drops of food coloring. Select any individual color you prefer,or combine a few colors together to make a custom color. Stir the mixture well with a spoon to combine the substances together.

3. Snip the stem of a white flower so that the cut is fresh, which will allow the colored solution to soak up into the veins more readily.

4. Insert the cut white flower into the colored solution, and allow it to remain undisturbed for 24 hours. When you inspect the flower, the color will have soaked up into the stem and out into the petals of the flower, effectively staining them from the inside.

5. Repeat this process to dye as many plants or flowers as you need for your event.

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Sunburned Lip Care

Applying lip balm can help protect lips from becoming sunburned.

A sunburn occurs when your skin is exposed too long to the sun's damaging rays. If you suffer from a sunburn on your lip, it may be uncomfortable to eat, drink or talk. Fortunately, most sunburns are mild, and your lips will heal themselves, with a little help, within a few days. Applying a lip balm that contains a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 15 can help protect your lips from becoming dry, cracked or sunburned.

Instructions

1. Apply a cool compress to your lips to reduce the heat from the burn. A compress is a wet washcloth or other soft cloth. It is important to use a cool, but not cold, compress because sunburned lips are fragile, and you do not want to damage them further by applying a very cold cloth.

2. Use an aloe vera lotion or lip balm on your lips. Aloe vera is a natural plant extract that soothes sunburned skin while restoring moisture to it. Apply the aloe vera in a thin layer as often as you can but at least a few times a day, especially before you go to sleep at night.

3. Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve within a few days. Most burns are first-degree burns that heal within a week. However, if you suffer from a second-degree burn, or your burn is not healing, notify your doctor immediately. In addition, if you have a fever or chills, you may be experiencing heat exhaustion, and you should seek immediate medical assistance.

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Housewife With No Experience Create A Resume

Housewives are experienced administrators and managers of a small organization.

Many housewives erroneously believe they have no work experience because their labor has been centered in the home. Somehow, we believe that washing dishes in your own sink is much different than washing dishes at Denny's. Managing a family budget is much like managing a small enterprise.

Branding Statement

Instead of previous employment, emphasize skills you possess. Create a branding statement which informs future employers of the types of skills you bring to the position and the kind of work you can be counted on to provide. Your employer must gain a clear and concise statement of your abilities from your resume.

Focus on Function

Describe how you functioned as an event planner during birthday parties, family reunions or weddings. Highlight your leadership abilities in coordinating the activities of other members of your domestic organization. Mention how multi-tasking comes second nature to you as you fulfill multiple roles during the day. Volunteer roles teaching a Sunday school class or an arts and crafts class at a recreation center must not be overlooked as work experience.

Organization

By organizing your resume as a summary of your skills and illustrating them with concrete and practical applications of service to the family and the community the focus is taken off chronology and institutions.

The issue is not how many years experience you have but rather what kind of person is applying for the job.

Tags: washing dishes, work experience, your resume

The Salary For A Career In Nutrition

Nutritionists recommend that clients make healthy snack choices.

Dietitians and nutritionists plan food menus for patients in hospitals and nursing homes and also offer private consultations for individuals interested in modifying current food choices. Professionals in this occupation teach patients and clients the correct way to choose nutritionally rich food while making dietary modifications, such as lowering sodium intake.

National Average

Dietitians and nutritionists earned an average annual salary of $53,230 and an average hourly wage of $25.59 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual salary of $52,150 and a median hourly wage of $25.07 as of May 2009.

Employer Averages

Dietitians and nutritionists employed by nursing homes earned an average annual salary of $53,130 and an average hourly wage of $25.55. Professionals employed by hospitals earned a bit more, with an average annual salary of $53,560 and an average hourly wage of $25.75 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

State Variations

States that paid the highest wages for dietitians and nutritionists in 2009 included California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland and Nevada. Dietitians and nutritionists working in these states earned salaries ranging from $61,750 to $64,600 and hourly wages ranging from $29.69 to $31.06 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Metropolitan Areas

Metropolitan areas that paid the highest wages for dietitians and nutritionists included the Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Modesto and San Jose areas in California and the Bethesda-Frederick area in Maryland. Dietitians and nutritionists working in these locations earned salaries ranging from $68,910 to $80,470 and hourly wages ranging from $33.13 to $38.69 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest Job Concentration States

States and regions with the highest concentration of dietitians and nutritionists in May 2009 included Delaware, New York, North Dakota, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania. Dietitians and nutritionists working in these states and regions earned salaries ranging from $47,690 to $55,520 and hourly wages ranging from $22.93 to $26.69 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest Job Concentration Metropolitan Areas

Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of dietitians and nutritionists in 2009 included the Pueblo area in Colorado, the Shreveport area in Louisiana, the Peabody area in Massachusetts, the Goldsboro area in North Carolina and the Altoona area in Pennsylvania. Dietitians and nutritionist working in these metropolitan areas earned salaries ranging from $34,470 to $52,380 and hourly wages ranging from $16.57 to $25.18 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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