Bleach Cheesecloth

Cheesecloth has many uses besides wrapping cheese.

Cheesecloth is a lightweight, gauzy fabric with a variety of uses in the kitchen. As the name suggests, it can be used to wrap cheeses for waxing and curing, but it is also widely used for straining foods. It's traditionally used to strain fruit or berry juice for jellies, for example, and thick yogurt can be strained overnight in cheesecloth to produce a cheeselike spread. Most hobbyists recommend using fresh cheesecloth each time with foods, but it remains food safe if it's washed and bleached between uses. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Rinse the cheesecloth immediately after it's used to remove any physical soil. It's best to wash it immediately, but if this isn't practical, wring the cheesecloth and hang it to dry. If it stays wet, there's a greater risk of bacterial growth.

2. Wash the cheesecloth by hand or in your washing machine, using the gentle cycle and a mild detergent. Rinse it thoroughly in warm water to remove as much of the detergent as possible.

3. Wring the cheesecloth gently, and place it in a large bowl with one gallon of warm water and one tablespoon of bleach, a food-safe sanitizing solution. Soak your cheesecloth in the bleach water for at least two minutes.

4. Pour off the bleach water and rinse the cheesecloth thoroughly under hot running water. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before wringing it out, to avoid contaminating the freshly cleaned fabric. If there is any lingering smell of bleach, rinse one more time in hot water with a tablespoon of vinegar, to neutralize the bleach.

5. Tumble the cheesecloth dry in your clothes dryer, or hang it in a well-ventilated area to air dry. Don't dry it in your kitchen, where it will be exposed to contamination from cooking foods.

Tags: bleach water, warm water

Run A Bakery Business

Running a bakery business requires a core group of recipes.

Running a successful bakery business involves developing routines and record-keeping systems that enable you to meet demand while producing only a minimal amount of extra inventory. In addition, a bakery must have a core group of recipes as well as efficient systems for producing and distributing goods. Display is important to the success of a bakery as well, because customers are more likely to buy baked goods if they are presented in an appealing way.

Instructions

1. Create a product line for your bakery. Your operation should have a primary focus such as breads or cookies, and it should also offer supplemental products that expand your niche and give customers a well-rounded selection. Develop recipes that are adaptable, and use similar enough processes and ingredients to provide some degree of consolidation and efficiency. However your product line should be varied enough for your customers to find it interesting. Offer seasonal menus and customized special-order items, such as birthday cakes.

2. Develop an inventory system for storing and ordering ingredients. This can be a computerized system that integrates the amount of each ingredient that you use in daily production with your records for ordering inventory. Alternately, it can be a set of handwritten records tracking how much of each item you have on hand on a daily or weekly basis, and providing space for order information to supplement supplies on hand. Set up a storage system to keep flours and grains fresh and safe from rodents. Check invoices to stay abreast of price changes, and adjust the prices you charge to your customers accordingly.

3. Set up an attractive display system for your bakery business. Use platters and baskets that show off your products, such as a long, tall basket for baguettes or a round platter for cinnamon buns. Create displays that appear bountiful, but don't stock them with so much product that the items on the bottom will be crushed. Develop a system for rotating stock in your bakery displays so that you sell off older inventory before it grows stale.

4. Train your bakery staff in baking and customer-service protocols. Develop kitchen routines delegating different baking and cleaning tasks to different positions. Post a cleaning schedule. Provide your service staff with detailed knowledge of your ingredients as well as serving suggestions. Teach your counter staff to pack items so they stay intact and fresh.

Tags: your bakery, bakery business, core group, core group recipes, displays that

Cook Vietnamese Ricestick Noodles

Use rice noodles to make a fresh and flavorful Asian soup.

Vietnamese rice stick noodles are made with rice flour and have a soft texture when cooked. The noodles are available in thin, medium and wide thicknesses and are used in a variety of Asian dishes, such as soup, stir fries, cold salads and spring and summer rolls. When preparing Vietnamese rice stick noodles, be careful not to overcook them or they will become too soft and mushy. In a matter of minutes, you can prepare an authentic Vietnamese meal using the rice noodles. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place the rice stick noodles in a bowl and completely cover them with hot, not boiling, water.

2. Allow the noodles to soak in the hot water for 15 minutes.

3. Fill a saucepan with water and add a sprinkle of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the soaked rice noodles.

4. Boil the noodles from one to three minutes, or until they are just tender and translucent.

5. Drain the noodles in a colander over a sink and briefly rinse them with hot or cold tap water, depending on the type of dish you are making.

Tags: rice noodles, rice stick, rice stick noodles, stick noodles, them with, Vietnamese rice, Vietnamese rice stick

Small Business Ideas During Economic Hard Times

When the economy is bad, jobs can be difficult to find due to increased competition and low hiring rates. To stay afloat during an economic hard time, you can start a small business that will allow you to work and maintain an income. To keep costs down, choose a business that has a low start-up cost and that can be run from your home or a cheap rental space.

Web Development

Even in a tough economy, businesses are in need of website development and maintenance. If you have coding, search engine optimization or design skills, you can start a web development business. Start with local businesses and offer a lower rate than established web companies to entice companies to go with your services. Build a portfolio that shows off your best work, and emphasize your personal service and dedication to customer satisfaction. If you have a specific background in a particular industry, consider going after clients in that area. Your expertise can be useful in choosing a design and function that will help clients.

Handmade Wedding Items

Weddings go on no matter what the state of the economy, and brides who are looking for unique weddings often look for handcrafted items. Set up a business selling your crafts on a dedicated website or a site like Etsy, which includes an ordering function and personalized display page. Take high-quality photos of your items to include, and broadcast your store's link on Facebook, Twitter and your email list. Spread the word by commenting on wedding blogs and including a link to your store in the signature and take out advertisements on wedding websites.

Fitness Classes

Even in hard times, consumers want to stay fit, and you can capitalize on their desire by starting a fitness class business. Rent a space in a local church or community center and check into the certifications that are required to hold fitness classes in your city or state. Start with large, low-cost classes. Choose offerings that call to the local community: you might do a parent-and-child class if your town has many young families, for example, or offer classes that are not available at local fitness centers.

Child Care

Child care can be a competitive and lucrative business, and requires only your home. Start by securing the necessary certifications or permits that are required by your state. You may need to have your home inspected for safety. Advertise your child care business among friends, former colleagues and contacts in your community. Pass the word along, mentioning your competitive prices, and ask friends and family to spread the news. Childcare businesses are ideal for mothers with children at home because they allow them to make money without neglecting their own kids.

Tags: your home, business that, Start with, that required, that will

Buy Bulk Popcorn

Buy Bulk Popcorn

You don't have to own a movie theater or even a large popcorn machine to enjoy the benefits of buying bulk popcorn. Acquiring large amounts of unpopped kernels can save money while allowing you to make the quantities of popcorn you want. While air popping kernels can be tastier-and less prone to burning-than those made in a microwave, you can choose either as a cooking method. Buying large quantities of popcorn is easy, though you may want to do a little research first. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Decide how much bulk popcorn you want. Remember you can use it to make a lot more than just bowls of popcorn. Popcorn balls, caramel corn and kettle corn are just a few of the possibilities.

2. Visit the websites of companies that sell bulk popcorn. Many vendors exist online and you can find some of them by visiting BulkPopcorn.net. You can also check out the websites of Home Cinema Center, MEG Concession Supply and The WEBstaurant Store.

It's not necessary to have a business license to purchase bulk popcorn from most online retailers.

3. Review the product information presented. You may be able to select special flavorings to add zest to your popcorn order.

4. Place an order with your credit or debit card. If you don't have a credit or debit card, call and ask if you can mail a check or money order. An estimated delivery date should be provided by email when you order online and by phone if you arrange a mailed transaction.

Tags: bulk popcorn, bulk popcorn, credit debit, credit debit card, debit card, popcorn want, quantities popcorn

What Are The Four Vegan Food Groups

In 1991, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) published the New Four Food Groups list, reflecting & promoting a vegan diet. The New Four Food Groups included vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and legumes.

What is a Vegan?

Like vegetarians, vegans do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. Additionally, vegans do not consume or use any other animal-based product (including honey, eggs, dairy, leather, fur, wool, silk, and cosmetics and cleansers derived from animal products).

Traditional Four Food Groups

The New Four Food Groups published in 1991 was a response to the United States Department of Agriculture's traditional Basic Four Food Groups (introduced in 1956). The original Basic Four Food Groups consisted of milk, meat, fruit & vegetables, and grains.

Group 1: Vegetables

Vegetables

The PCRM suggests 3 or more servings per day of a variety of vegetables. Vegetables are rich in nutrients and provide vitamin C, beta-carotene, riboflavin, iron, calcium, fiber, and much more.

Group 2: Whole Grains

Wheat

The PCRM suggests 5 or more servings per day of whole grains, which provide fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, B vitamins, and zinc. Examples include rice, bread, cereals, pasta, corn, millet, and barley.

Group 3: Fruit

Fruit

The PCRM suggests 3 or more servings per day of a variety of fruits and recommends whole fruit over juice (although juice is also suggested). Fruit provides fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, among many other nutrients.

Group 4: Legumes

A dish made with tofu and beans

The PCRM suggests 2 or more servings per day of legumes, including beans, lentils, peas, tofu, soy protein, tempeh, and soy milk. Legumes are a good source of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Tags: Food Groups, Four Food, Four Food Groups, more servings, PCRM suggests, PCRM suggests more

Urban Garden Plants

Grow plants that attract butterflies in your urban garden.

Your urban garden can become a sanctuary and an antidote from the challenges of urban living. Exposure to pollution, disconnection from nature and wildlife, and surroundings of building and other structures can be elements of an urban lifestyle. Incorporating plants that address these issues into your urban garden will help to create a soothing oasis in the urban jungle. Does this Spark an idea?

Night-Scented Flowers

Many urban dwellers spend evenings in their gardens. Planting flowers which release their scents at this time helps offset the urban odor of car exhaust. The large yellow flowers of the evening primrose release a sweet aroma in the evenings. The flowers of the evening-scented stock only open after sunset, and these purple flowers emit a spicy and tangy scent. Moonflowers are climbing plants with large white flowers. The flowers open after dark to reflect the moonlight and release a sweet scent.

Culinary Herbs

Adding fresh, home-grown herbs to your favorite recipes brightens up the taste of the food. You can grow herbs in flower beds, vegetable beds or in containers, depending on how much space you have to devote to this. The basic, most frequently used, herbs to grow include basil, dill, chives, parsley, oregano and thyme. All forms of mint, including peppermint and spearmint, spread quickly, so plant them in small containers to restrict their growth. More unusual herbs to try are Thai basil, chocolate mint, French tarragon, lemon balm and thyme.

Climbing Plants

Use climbing plants to hide walls, fences and buildings that surround your urban garden. By encouraging the growth of vines up and around these structures, you will replace the sight of bricks and wooden slats with a green screen. Many screening plants have attractive foliage, flowers and scents. Perennial vines, such as clematis, wisteria and hardy kiwis, return each growing season. Plant annual vines, which include moonflowers, scarlet bean runners and morning glory, as soon as the soil warms and enjoy their colorful blooms for that growing season.

Attracting Butterflies

Bring colorful wildlife into your garden by growing plants that attract butterflies. The butterfly bush is one of the most popular plants that produce nectar for butterflies and is attractive to most species of butterfly. Echinacea produces attractive purple cone-shaped flowers that also attract a wide variety of butterflies. The black cherry is a woody plant that attracts the tiger swallowtail and red spotted purple species of butterflies. Various types of verbenas produce nectar prized by many types of butterflies.

Tags: plants that, your urban garden, attract butterflies, growing season, into your, open after

Turn Two Small Rugs Into One Large

Turning two rugs into one larger rug is an easy process.

Rugs can add a new element to any room design. A rug can separate a sitting area or provide a pop of color to an otherwise dim room. When shopping for a rug, you will find that large area rugs can be quite expensive. A less expensive option is to purchase two smaller rugs and then create the illusion they are one solid rug. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Purchase two rugs that are similar in design or color. This will allow the two to blend more easily. Find rugs with no trim around the edges.

2. Place rubber floor grip mats under the area you wish to position the rugs.

3. Place the two rugs on the floor, flush against one another. The grip mats will hold the rugs in place, preventing them from separation.

4. Sew the two rugs together for a more permanent option. Thread an upholstery needle with a thick upholstery thread that matches the color of the rugs. Push the thread up through the bottom of one rug then down through the opposite rug. Continue until you have stitched the two together, and then position the new creation in place on the floor.

Tags: grip mats

Keep Turkey Burgers Moist

Turkey burgers can easily become dry and tasteless if you don't add enough moisture.

Unless you don't eat red meat, many people opt to skip the turkey burgers at the barbecue. Turkey burgers are much leaner than ground beef, which makes it healthier, but a lot drier as well. However, your turkey burgers can become the star of the barbecue with a few simple tips. The key to juicy, flavorful turkey burgers is to add in the moisture with other ingredients in place of the fat that they don't have. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Use ground turkey that includes at least some dark meat. Turkey has little fat, which makes it harder to retain moisture. Dark meat, however contains much more moisture than white meat, so ground turkey that includes a little bit of dark meat is ideal. Look for packaged ground turkey that is labeled between 93 and 97 percent fat free. The turkey burger will still be relatively healthy, with a little fat retained for juiciness. Alternately you can use ground turkey thighs, which is all dark meat to make your turkey burger.

2. Saute chopped onions and bell peppers in olive oil until they are soft and add to the ground beef mixture. The moisture from the vegetables as well as the olive oil add moisture and flavor to turkey burger.

3. Add eggs and breadcrumbs to the ground turkey mixtures. This will really help keep the turkey burger moistened and bound well together as well. For one pound of ground turkey use 1/4 bread crumbs and one egg. You could also use quick cooking oats in place of breadcrumbs.

4. Include wet components such as mustard into your ground turkey mix, which also adds both moisture and flavor to your mixtures. Try a dash of spicy Dijon mustard, or barbecue or Worcestershire sauce.

Tags: ground turkey, turkey burger, dark meat, ground turkey that, turkey that, ground beef

What Is Organic Growth Strategy

What Is Organic Growth Strategy?

According to Investopedia, organic growth strategies are business development techniques that grow a company via increased output and larger sales volume. The opposite of organic growth strategies are strategies that include mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers of competitors and complementary businesses. Organic growth strategies are built on four main pillars: revenue, headcount, PR, and quality.

Revenue

Revenue is the lifeblood of any business. Without dollars flowing in, it is impossible to pay employees, suppliers and vendors. Businesses that are growing organically seek to grow revenue volume in the most efficient manner possible. Revenue growth eventually leads to profit growth, which is the end goal of organic growth strategies.

Growing revenue allows for the effective functioning of the other three pillars. Without cash coming into a business, employees cannot be hired and advertising budgets become strapped.

Headcount

As revenue grows, companies can afford to hire more employees. Headcount is critical for any growing business. For customer service, sales and marketing and production departments to function efficiently, they must be properly staffed.

A good HR department is critical to the success of a growing company. Quality is more important than quantity for company headcount, as employees are the biggest asset of any corporation.

PR

Public relations and advertising allow companies to get the word out about their products and services. Good PR drives traffic to company websites and gets perspective customers attention. Good PR strategies also allow for revenue growth to keep those properly staffed departments busy.

Bad PR can be more damaging to a company than good PR can be effective. Word of mouth, social media and traditional PR avenues all must be used and monitored to ensure positive word-of-mouth advertising and branding.

Quality

To successfully grow any enterprise, there needs to be a quality product. Organic growth relies on repeat business from satisfied customers. Customers will rarely buy a product a second time if the first experience isn't top notch. Quality control and customer service are critical to gaining a sufficient sales volume to grow a company.

Quality in a growing company starts with the first contact a customer has with the corporation all the way to the delivery of the final product. Whether it's a website or an in-person sales presentation, the initial contact with potential clients must be top notch. Product quality, customer service and product support need to continue the standard of excellence that the marketing and sales departments begin. With all four pillars growing in sync, organic growth is inevitable.

Popular Companies Using Organic Growth Strategies

Many well-known, public corporations use organic growth strategies. Best Buy, Outback Steakhouse and Tiffany and Company are just a few major brand names that grow every year through organic growth strategies.

Best Buy's main competitor, Circuit City, went out of business in 2009. Outback Steakhouse is the best known steakhouse chain in the United States. Tiffany and Company is the standard in diamonds and jewelry.

Tags: growth strategies, organic growth, customer service, organic growth strategies, company Quality

Types Of Readytoeat Meals

Ready to eat meals are a convenient choice for those with limited resources. From a soldier at war to a parent packing lunches, these meals provide a reliable food source on the go. Save time by letting food manufactures do all the food preparation. Store these meals for emergency situations and ensure that your family will have safe food to eat during a crisis. Even people with restricted diets will be able to take advantage of this ready-to-eat-meal option.

Military MRE

Military meals ready to eat, or MREs, are designed to provide sustenance to the soldier in the battlefield. MREs have contained a variety of items over the years to satisfy the changing tastes of the American soldier. These packs include products that are ready to be eaten right away like candies, crackers and spreads, as well as other foods that are intended to be heated before eating. MREs commonly include a flameless ration heating device to warm up these entrees.

Kids' Meals

Complete lunches are pre-made and sold for kids to take them to school and eat them with no preparation. These meal options often include cold cuts, crackers and cheese and may also have a dessert like cookies or pudding and a beverage. This market has grown to include choices like mini pizzas and nachos assembled by the child and eaten at room temperature. These kid's meals are time-saving options for parents who are in a hurry.

Survival Kits

Be prepared for the food needs of yourself and your family in an emergency situation with a well-stocked survival kit. Survival kits should contain items that are not only ready to eat but are stable for long-term shelf storage. Prepackaged emergency preparedness packs contained meals of dried beef, nut and grain bars, dry foil-wrapped salty snacks, and dry vitamin drink mixes. These meals are designed to be sources of sustained energy and be stored for long periods without spoilage.

Care Packages

Care packages are a popular food gift for college students or those in a situation of limited resources. Many jobs make cooking or even heating a meal difficult due to long hours in the field and limited access to kitchen appliances. College students are similarly limited in their time to prepare meals and availability of cooking utensils. Care packages containing meals that are ready to be opened and eaten immediately are a welcomed gift of time-saving convenience for the recipient.

Special Needs

Prepackaged meals are available for people with special food requests. Halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are an easy option for those who find it difficult to meet their dietary needs when they are on the go. These multiple item packages are designed specifically to be balanced-meal options while strictly adhering to the specific requirements of each cooking style. These meals work within these particular constraints and restrictions to deliver a safe alternative that can be kept at the ready.

Tags: Care packages, limited resources, people with, that ready, These meals, these meals

Become A Celebrity In "Sims 3 Late Night"

"Sims 3: Late Night" allows anyone to enjoy the perks of being famous.

Everyone has dreamed about being famous at one point or another. In "Sims 3: Late Night" you can make this dream a reality. Fans will beg for your autograph, stores will send you free exclusive items and you'll even have a limo to drive you to your destination. This can all be yours by creating a Sim and guiding it to fame.

Instructions

1. Visit the bars and lounges in your town, which are popular hangouts for celebrity Sims. You can tell a Sim is a celebrity by holding your cursor over it. Once you find one, you will be given the option to impress it by bragging about your Sim's skills. After you befriend it, you will gain celebrity points. The more celebrities your Sim befriends, the higher rank of celebrity you will become.

2. Click the social interaction "Drop Names" whenever possible. Celebrities are ranked on a scale from 1 to 5. If you're unable to impress a higher-level celebrity, dropping the name of a lower-level friend can help to impress him. The more Sims you impress, the more celebrity points you will gain.

3. Complete opportunities for rewards. These opportunities will pop-up on your screen at random. They will usually tell you to go eat at a certain restaurant, work out at a certain gym or dance at a certain club. Each opportunity you complete increases your celebrity level by a tiny amount.

4. Join the film career. This can be done by reading the newspaper or searching for jobs online. The majority of your bosses will be high-level celebrities, and can be easily befriended by selecting the "Make Friends" button while at work. You will also earn celebrity points automatically just for being in the acting career.

5. Interact with other celebrities. Dating, kissing, proposing, marrying and even killing other celebrities earns you big points towards your celebrity status. You can become a level-5 celebrity in a single day by marrying another level-5 celebrity.

6. Force your Sim to know more celebrities by cheating. This is the quickest way to become famous. Press "CTRL," "Shift" and "c" at the same time. Enter the code "TestingCheatsEnabled True" on the menu. Hold down the "Shift" button and click on your mailbox. There will be an option called "Make Friends For Me." Once clicked, you will know 5 to 10 new Sims, which you can view in the relationship menu. Celebrities will have gold stars and a green friendship bar underneath them. Drag the green bar up to maximum and you will become an instant celebrity.

Tags: celebrity points, Late Night, Sims Late, Sims Late Night, being famous, impress more, level-5 celebrity

Homemade Citrus Ant Killer

Strategically-applied citrus oils create a barrier against new ant invasions.

Safe, homemade citrus ant killer can be made in a standard kitchen blender. Oils found in the peels of lemons, limes, oranges and other citrus fruits kill ants and creates a repellent. Citrus oil also acts as a disinfectant by killing the fungi that are a major food source for ants. Ants that are able to avoid direct contact with the citrus ant killer are still driven away by the food shortage and all the newly generated boundaries. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Add hot water and citrus peels to a blender and remove the lid or center vent in the lid. Cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel before blending the ingredients on high for a solid two minutes.

2. Cover the blender and leave it to sit at room temperature for 72 hours. Pour the citrus ant killer through a fine mesh strainer into a container with a pour spout. A small amount of liquid dish soap increases the viscosity of the spray, causing it to stick where it is applied.

3. Pour the citrus ant killer into a spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle. Spray streams of the ant killer into mounds to kill the ants and to create repellent barriers. Twist the nozzle to spray a moderate mist of the ant killer directly onto lines of ants.

Tags: citrus killer, citrus killer, kill ants, killer into, Pour citrus, Pour citrus killer

What Kind Of Beef Is Best Canned

Cooking stews or soups with canned beef is easy.

Canning beef preserves it for later consumption. Home cooks can preserve beef by canning it as long as they have pressure cookers and follow the rules for canning meat carefully. All meat must be canned at temperatures well over boiling to kill the bacteria for safe preservation. The best cuts of beef for canning include tough, lean cuts from roasts, like round roasts or sirloin. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Round Steaks

Round steaks or roasts are among the best cuts for canning because they are lean and not heavily marbled. These cuts require long cooking times to tenderize and, while tough, are long on flavor. The outside fat from the steaks needs to be trimmed away and discarded. If you are hot packing the beef, you can add the fat to the cooking liquid, but do not include it in the jars. Most cooks cut the beef into 1-inch or slightly larger cubes.

Sirloin

The bottom sirloin is another good cut of beef for canning. Sirloin is actually a large roast that butchers cut into steaks. Either the roasts or steaks can be cut into cubes. Sirloin has slightly more fat than round roasts or steaks, and all visible fat should be trimmed away to reduce sealing failure in the jars. When using any kind of home canned beef, boil the beef for 10 minutes before tasting or serving it.

Chuck Roasts

Chuck roasts are another tough cut of beef, good for canning once the bones and fat are removed. Like the round steak, adding these to the simmering liquid before canning the beef improves the flavor of the finished product, but do not include them in the jars. You can also use the bones and scraps to make a beef broth, which is easy to can as well.

Beef Ribs and Bones

Beef ribs have little meat, but make a good basis for beef stock for canning. Simmer the ribs over low heat for at least an hour to extract the flavor from the meat and bones. Some cooks chill the cooked broth overnight to congeal the fat layer on top and simply remove it with a spatula before reheating the broth to can it. Processing home, canned beef broth still requires a pressure cooker, but the processing time is considerably less than processing meat.

Tags: beef canning, canned beef, beef broth, best cuts, cubes Sirloin

What Are The Benefits Of High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup sweetens thousands of foods.

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn starch. According to the Corn Refiners Association, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) offers many benefits. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Sweetness and Flavor

HFCS is a combination of enzymatically-processed fructose and glucose syrup derived from corn. It can replace sugar in most foods without altering the sweetness. HFCS also intensifies the flavors of fruit, citrus and spices in baked goods.

Food Preservative

HFCS allows foods containing it to retain moisture longer and prevents spoilage. It increases the shelf life of processed baked goods. HFCS also retains the firmness of some canned fruits.

Moist Texture

HFCS helps chewy snacks such as granola bars, candies and pastries retain their soft texture and prevents staleness.

Flavor Stability

HFCS maintains the flavor and sweetness of baked items. HFCS acts as a stabilizing agent for the taste and freshness of carbonated soda, non-carbonated drinks and condiments.

Low Freezing Point

HFCS is a primary ingredient in frozen fruit juice concentrates. Its low freezing point allows them to be pourable straight from the freezer and easier to be mixed with water.

Consumer Warnings

HFCS is added to many foods, even ones that are not noticeably sweet, such as Campbell's Tomato Soup. Nutritionists recommend reading food labels for the presence of HFCS and limiting consumption to prevent obesity.

Tags: corn syrup, baked goods, from corn, fructose corn, fructose corn syrup, HFCS also

Is Money Given To A Church Tax Deductible

Gifts to churches are tax deductible.

The money you give to a church is tax deductible. However, as is true with all tax returns, these donations can only be counted if you itemize your deductions. Because religious organizations have come under increased scrutiny for violations of the federal ban on charity support of political candidates and causes, you can be reasonably assured that all of your contribution is used for benevolent purposes.

Deduction Category

Churches and religious organizations fall under the Internal Revenue Service's Charitable Contributions category, and donation deductions generally are subject to a limit of 50 percent of your adjusted gross income.

Write a Check

The easiest way to keep track of your offerings to the church is to put a check in the collection plate. Larger churches generally give end-of-the-year, donation statements that verify the amount of money you have given by means of offering envelopes. In fact, the IRS requires charitable organizations to provide a statement to donors who make one-time gifts in excess of $250.

Gifts of Property

You can deduct the fair market value of any property that you donate to a church. Generally, church organizations will provide you a receipt that designates the value of clothing and appliances you give to religious community thrift stores and the like.

Special Offerings

Congregations often ask for special donations to ministries and outreach efforts beyond the local church -- especially for work done by a larger denomination in which they hold membership. It would be easy to overlook these gifts, and they can add up. Be sure to pay with check because your church may not include these in its statement of your offerings to its local funds.

Summation

Taking advantage of the deductions for gifts to the church is an important way for you to direct your money to causes that are in keeping with your own worldview and ethical outlook and, at the same time, be rewarded for such with a reduced tax bill.

Tags: religious organizations, your offerings

Raise Ducks Chickens And Turkeys

Raising domestic birds is a practical and interesting hobby.

Ducks, chickens and turkeys can all provide a source of meat and eggs that is independent of the commercial food system. If you are interested in self-sufficiency, or in saving money, raising birds can help you to accomplish your goals. If possible, find an experienced neighbor who can answer the many questions you will have as you learn the tricks of raising your own poultry. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Provide chicks with plenty of water and a warm incubation spot. Small chicks are particularly susceptible to drafts, and may become sick or die if you don't provide enough heat. At the same time, you can't overheat them either. Chicks should always have access to clean and plentiful water.

2. Protect ducks, chickens and turkeys from predators. Raccoons, weasels, foxes and coyotes will all happily feast on domestic fowl if you let them. Nighttime is the most dangerous time for predators. Keep all of your birds closed inside a secure coop during hours of darkness. Be sure there are no small holes between boards or in the floor that a weasel could squeeze through.

3. Allow your birds to roam freely during the day. This is important to keep them healthy and contented. You can gauge how healthy and happy your birds are by the quality of their eggs. Eggs that come from healthy birds have firm, deep orange yolks. If the yolks are weak and pale yellow, like the yolks of commercial eggs, your birds may be lacking something.

4. Feed your birds a mixture of commercial feed and table and garden scraps. The commercial feed will ensure that the birds are receiving all the minerals that they need, while the scraps will give them variety in their diet. Chickens in particular are not fussy eaters, and thrive on table scraps, garden cuttings, and insects that they find on the ground. Allowing your birds into the garden after your seedlings have grown large and hardy will give them a chance to eat slugs and parasites and make both your garden and your birds healthier.

5. Situate your poultry coop in a place that won't get too hot in the summer. If possible, place it in the shade of a large deciduous tree. A deciduous tree will drop its leaves in the winter and let the winter sun through, helping to keep the coop cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Be sure the coop is big enough that the birds aren't crowded when they are in for the night.

6. Protect your birds from parasites by giving them plenty of space and cleaning their coop regularly. Chickens like to have dust baths, which helps to keep mites under control. Don't keep turkeys in close quarters with chickens and ducks, as they are susceptible to diseases that they can get from the other birds if the germs for the diseases are present.

7. Make provisions for the needs of each type of bird that you have. For example, turkeys need bigger roosts and nesting boxes because of their larger size, and ducks enjoy having a small pond that they can swim on, something that chickens and turkeys don't do.

Tags: your birds, that they, chickens turkeys, commercial feed, deciduous tree, give them, that birds

Make Whipped Shea Butter

Shea Butter

Shea butter is extremely rich and moisturizing. Applying shea butter to facial skin can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and can cause the skin to become smoother and softer over time. When you use shea butter, the consistency can be waxy and difficult to use. This can be remedied by whipping the shea butter into a light and usable texture. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Melt the shea butter in a double boiler. Fill the bottom half of the double boiler 1/2 full of water. Place 1 cup of shea butter in the top half, and melt it over medium heat, stirring frequently. When it melts, remove the double boiler from the heat. Using a candy thermometer, take the temperature of the shea butter. The temperature does not need to be a certain temperature, just make note of the number.

2. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Place the candy thermometer into the olive oil, and when it reaches the same temperature as the shea butter, remove it from the heat.

3. Combine the shea butter and the olive oil by pouring them into a blender. Blend the mixture on high for 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the mixture into a container, and let it cool completely before screwing on the lid.

4. Place a dime sized amount on your finger, and dot it around the skin of the eyes. Do not get the shea butter in your eyes or on your eyelashes. Massage the shea butter into the skin using small, circular motions.

Tags: shea butter, double boiler, shea butter, shea butter, butter into, candy thermometer

Feed A Family Of 4 On A Budget

Feeding a family of four on a budget requires preparation and discipline. Planning meals and creating a grocery list, as well as being willing to put back foods in the checkout line that cause you to exceed your budget, are all helpful practices that will make your food budget a success. The benefits of sticking to a food budget include greater financial control and better use of food items in the house.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Determine your weekly grocery budget for the four members of your household. If possible, make sure you allow enough money to purchase meats, fresh fruits and vegetables. Sticking to a budget is important, but it is critical for your family's health that you do not live on cheap, processed foods.

2. Visit local grocery stores, and compare prices on the items you buy on a regular basis. Choose to frequent the store that offers the best deals on these items. Obtain the weekly circular from this store so you will know which items are on sale each week. If possible, sign up for a discount card so you can qualify for any special savings.

3. Clip coupons that come in your town or other newspaper, or visit one of the numerous websites that offer printable grocery coupons, and select the ones you can use.

4. Sit down once a week to plan meals. Integrate pasta, rice and bread into each meal as these staples are cheap and filling. Choose recipes that do not require more than five or six ingredients. Keep dinner meals simple with one main dish and two sides. Consider how much each of the four members of your household will eat, and pick recipes that will provide that much food, or double recipes to cover 2 days.

5. Look through your grocery store's weekly circular and your grocery coupons, and identify the items your family will eat that can be purchased on sale. Allow these items to inform your meal-planning process. For instance, if the price of chicken legs is reduced one week and you have a coupon for BBQ sauce, plan to buy enough chicken for the four of you and bake it in the oven with the BBQ sauce.

6. Create a grocery list that includes all of the items you will need for your meals and snacks for the week. Write down exactly what you need, considering what each of the four of you will eat each day. This will help you to avoid buying extra items and later having the uneaten food spoil. Double-check the list when you are finished to be sure that you did not miss any items. Identify which items are optional so that you can eliminate these at the checkout stand if you are exceeding your budget.

7. Bring your grocery list with you when you shop, and do not give in to the temptation to buy items that are not on it. Keep tabs on the amount your groceries will cost by adding the numbers in your head, using a calculator or writing down the prices as you go along. If you are exceeding your budget, eliminate any items you do not absolutely need for the week.

8. Repeat this planning, preparation and shopping process each week, and adjust it as your budget grows or decreases or as the needs of your family change.

Tags: your budget, grocery list, your family, your grocery, each four, each week, exceeding your

Amish Bulk Foods

The Amish believe in living off the land.

The Amish are members of a strict Mennonite group and are descendants from the followers of Jakob Ammann -- a seventeenth century Swiss Mennonite bishop. Members establish communities across the United States, and abstain from modern conveniences, such as computers, televisions, electricity, automobiles. They maintain a strong belief in living off the land, and this includes dairy and crop farming. A variety of Amish stores are now open to the public, offering items grown in the community that are for sale in bulk.

Amish Cheese

Cheese is a prominent product in the Amish community, with more than 50 flavors available in Ohio, alone. Amish cheese is made with natural milk, which contains additional cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifid bacterium. It also contains no additives or preservatives. The addition of cultures helps reinforce proper digestion, which is often affected due to the consumption of preserved foods and antibiotics.

Amish Grains

Grains including wheat bran, quick-cooking oats, seven grain flakes and oat bran are commonly available in bulk at Amish stores. Weight for purchasing grains in bulk averages one to two pounds. According to the Mayo Clinic website, whole grains contain fiber and many important nutrients, including magnesium, potassium and selenium. These nutrients reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart problems. Amish stores sell grains whole, without removing the bran, thus leaving valuable nutrients intact.

Amish Jams and Jellies

Amish jams and jellies have a distinct taste. They are not sweet but emphasize the natural fruit used to create them. Unique jams and jellies are found in Amish stores, including corn cob jelly, dandelion jelly and quince jelly. Jams are made from fruit pulp. Jellies are made from the juices that come from the fruit.

Amish Popcorn

Natural rain and the lack of modern fertilizers allow Amish crops to flourish. Corn is a major crop, occupying much acreage in the Amish communities of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Amish popcorn is made fresh within the Amish community, allowing all of its natural nutrients to be preserved, including antioxidants. Antioxidants aid in the reduction and onset of illness. Popcorn is available in an assortment of colors including rainbow (mixed colored kernels), red, white, yellow and purple.

Tags: Amish stores, Amish community, bulk Amish, from fruit, jams jellies

Make Vegan Fish

Just because you're a vegan doesn't mean that you have to miss out on your favorite fish dishes. Seitan meats have been used for centuries as a vegetarian replacement for meat. Because it simulates the taste and texture of real fish, this simple Seitan recipe allows you to make your own mock fish and shellfish that you can use in any seafood recipe. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Start by mixing together the gluten powder, nori powder, and 2 cups of the cold water until they form a firm dough.

2. Knead the dough a few times.

3. Begin to shape your dough into the desired form (for fish, shape into thin fillets; for shrimp, shape into small, curved shrimp shapes; for scallops, shape the dough into a thin roll and cut into rounds).

4. Place the remaining 4 cups of water, seaweed, mushrooms, salt, garlic, and lemon juice into a small stock pot .

5. Bring the broth to a slow boil.

6. Drop your seafood pieces into the broth, and let them simmer for 30 minutes.

7. Allow them to refrigerate overnight in the broth to increase the seafood flavor.

8. Your seitan seafood is now ready to use!

Tags: dough into, into small, into thin, shape into

Live Frugally In The Uk

The U.K. is one of the most expensive countries in the Western world. Despite its high wages, many residents struggle to make ends meet. However, it is still possible to practice frugal living in the U.K., where frugal living can result in loads of savings. If you are a U.K. resident and are feeling the pinch, then pay close attention to these tips that demonstrate live frugally in the U.K.

Instructions

1. Find the cheapest possible living accomodation. The best way to do tihs is to get out of London. It is substantially cheaper to live outside of London and comute in by rail or car. Placed suh as Luton, Stevage, Welyn Garden City and Milton Keynes all offer much cheapr housing and easy access to the capital.

2. Combine services. The major power suppliers such as Eon and British gas will combine your gas and electric bill for less money. You may also want to look into combining your Internet, phone and satillite. Virgin and BT all offer packages that amount to substantial savings.

3. Look beyond the high street chains and stores. Many are surprised at the variety and quality of items they can find in pound stores and discount shops. Stores like Poundland and Pound Stretcher offer several quality items for a very low price. Wilkinsons and TK Max also offer good quality household goods at a fraction of the cost.

4. Adopt a do it yourself attitude. Ask you local council about an allotmet (ground for gardening). You can rent these for approximately 20 pound per year. Most grow their own fruit and vegetables. While it is a lot of work in the initial stages, it will save a fortune on groceries.

5. Sign up for the supermarket points schemes. Sainbury's Nectar Cards and Tesco's Club point all give you points or credits based on the amount you spend. These can be redeemed in the store at any time for shopping or cash. They take a while to accumulate but before you know it you have a week's worth of groceries courtesy of the store.

Tags: frugal living, quality items

Live Cheaply And Well In The Usa

It is possible to have the things you want and live cheaply.

Leaving cheaply means spending the least amount possible on the things you need and want. To live cheaply, you can cut major costs, like getting rid of your car or cutting your rent in half, or you can cut lots of minor expenses like bringing your lunch to work, cutting your cable, reducing your cell phone plan. Living well is having the things that are important to you. You want to build a life for yourself where you can have the things that are important to you while spending the least amount of money.

Instructions

1. Establish your priorities. Decide where you can cut costs. Establishing priorities will help you decide how you plan to spend the money you do have. For example, if living well to you means living in a home with two floors, plan for that, knowing you may have to sacrifice something you don't care much about, like weekly manicures.

2. Manage your credit wisely. Avoid consumer debt. Consumer debt is debt for goods that do not appreciate -- that includes credit card debt, as well as automobile debt. Pay for things with cash. If you use a credit card to earn miles, or cash back, pay it off within the grace period to avoid monthly interest. Managing your credit will keep you from paying a monthly credit card payment. In addition, a higher credit score will help you get a low interest rate on home loans, and education loans.

3. Choose a city with a low cost of living. You can get farther in some cities with a dollar than others. Choose a city with a lower cost of living. Use a cost of living calculator to determine whether the city you are moving to has a higher or lower cost of living that you are moving from.

4. Cut your housing expenses. Whether you are looking for a house or apartment, do your research on the housing market, waiting for the most opportune time to purchase. Make sure you have an adequate down payment saved to keep the mortgage low.

5. Cut mandatory expenses. To cut food expenses, cut coupons, visit the farmers market or get a store loyalty card. You can even plant your own garden to save on produce. Manage electricity by turning off the lights when you are not using them. Unplug appliances when leaving the house. Cut transportation costs by carpooling, using public transportation, or telecommuting.

6. Use free resources. The library is a free source of books, periodicals, internet access and air conditioning.

Tags: cost living, credit card, Choose city, Choose city with, city with, cutting your

Make Cosmetics

You can make cosmetics to save some money and create personalized products that are just right for you. It's easy to get started with items that are readily available, and it doesn't take a lot of time or special equipment. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of cosmetics you want to make. Bath products, skincare products and makeup are some of the choices.

2. Decide what you want the cosmetics to do. Gear your cosmetics to specific skin conditions, like dry or oily skin.

3. Look for recipes online or in books. Use alternatives to some natural products that can decompose or become unstable in water. Once you get started making basic items, you can experiment with your own combinations.

4. Gather the basic ingredients, like distilled water, thickeners, preservatives, emollients and conditioners. Purchase some of these at local health stores or even grocery stores, or you can order kits online.

5. Purchase equipment. You don't need a lot of expensive equipment, but you'll need beakers, spatulas, containers for your product, mixers, a mortar and pestle, and molds for items like lipsticks and soaps.

6. Get special ingredients, like vitamins, exfoliants and herbal products that work with the skincare products you want to make. For makeup, you'll need micas and coloring products. Use natural products, like infused calendula petals, as a tint.

7. Add natural oils or cosmetic-grade fragrance oil blends to your cosmetics to make them smell wonderful.

Tags: products that, equipment need, ingredients like, natural products, skincare products

Make Bark With White Chocolate Morsels

Create an easy-to-make sweet holiday treat in less than 15 minutes. Homemade white chocolate bark requires few ingredients and can be made with pre-chopped nuts to save time. The bark makes a nice gift when wrapped in decorative containers with colored cellophane. Be creative and try different nuts and candies or a combination of both to create a one-of-a-kind chocolate holiday candy. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with a sheet of waxed paper. Allow 1 to 2 inches of the waxed paper to hang over the side to make sure the entire cookie sheet is covered.

2. Chop nuts or crush peppermint candies prior to melting the chocolate. Chop nuts in a food processor or on a cutting board with a sharp knife. Crush candy by placing in a plastic bag and rolling with a rolling pin.

3. Place the white chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate on 70 percent power for one minute and stir. Continue to microwave for 30 seconds at a time until smooth, stirring between each melting. Do not overheat.

4. Pour the melted chocolate onto a covered cookie sheet and spread to a desired thickness. If using candy, strain out the candy dust into the chocolate prior to pouring by sifting the crushed candies through a strainer while holding it over the melted chocolate.

5. Sprinkle chopped nuts or crushed candy immediately onto the chocolate. Press pieces lightly into the chocolate to keep them in place. Cool for approximately one hour or place in the freezer to speed the process. Break chocolate bark into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Tags: chocolate bark, Chop nuts, cookie sheet, into chocolate, melted chocolate, waxed paper

List Of Nyc Vegan Restaurants

You can eat Vegan in the Big Apple.

Even in cosmopolitan New York City it can be a trial to find quality vegetarian and vegan restaurants, but whatever your diet needs, there is a restaurant in the Big Apple for you. There are many restaurants that are 100 percent vegan, and most offer specials for those who prefer a raw-food diet or who prefer to eat only foods using organic ingredients. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Sprout Craft Cafe

Sprout Craft Cafe guarantees that all its ingredients are locally grown using organic methods and fair trade principles. The menu is mostly gluten-free and the cafe specialized in raw food diets. Many ingredients, including the entire desert menu and cheeses, are made within the cafe itself. In addition, Sprout Craft Cafe offers classes and workshops on the sustainability movement and an agricultural technique known as sprouting.

Sprout Craft Cafe

2 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

(212) 608-7190

sproutcraft.com

Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Lula's Sweet Apothecary is a vegan dessert shop on 6th Street. All menu items are dairy free and some selections are also gluten-free. Offerings include vegan ice creams, brownies, and floats with dozens of toppings, syrups and sauces available as side orders. Gift cards of various denominations can be ordered through the website.

Lula's Sweet Apothecary

516 E. 6th St.

New York, NY 10009

(646) 912-4549

lulassweetapothecary.com

Peacefood Cafe

Peacefood Cafe, praised by New York Times food critic Florence Fabricant for its sophistication, offers all vegan fare. Most entrees are cooked, but there are a few provided for those who seek a raw-food diet. An assortment of coffees, teas, juices and smoothies are available.

Peacefood Cafe

460 Amsterdam Ave.

New York, NY 10024

(212) 362-2266

peacefoodcafe.com

Blossom

Blossom has three locations in New York City. It won the New York Magazine's Eat Out Awards in 2008 and 2009 for Best Vegetarian Restaurant. Dishes offered are primarily of Italian or French influence, however some Thai and Brazilian dishes are also available. It is able to cater for special occasions. Reservations are recommended if you wish to dine at its original location on Ninth Avenue.

Blossom

187 9th Ave.

New York, NY 10011

(212) 627-1144

www.blossomnyc.com/site/

466 Columbus Ave.

New York, NY

(212) 875-2600

1522 1st Ave.

New York, NY

(212) 988-2221

Caravan of Dreams

Caravan of Dreams is a Kosher-certified, 100 percent vegan restaurant on 6th Street. A wide variety of juices, smoothies, and coffees are available and entrees include both raw and cooked cuisine. Most food served in the restaurant qualifies as organic. Live music is performed every evening. They are available for catering. A delivery service is provided for those south of 23rd Street, east of 5th Avenue, north of Delanczy and west of Avenue "D".

Caravan of Dreams

405 E. 6th St.

New York, NY 10009

(212) 254-1613

caravanofdreams.net/

Tags: Craft Cafe, Sprout Craft, Sprout Craft Cafe, Caravan Dreams, Lula Sweet, Lula Sweet Apothecary, Peacefood Cafe

Manufacturers Of Bakery Supplies

There are numerous manufacturers who make bakery supplies for home bakers, professional pastry chefs and large baked-goods producers. These items range from bagel-making equipment, bread and roll molders, cake cutters and cutting machines, dough folding equipment, foil pan lids, mixers, pie equipment, ovens and pans, among many others. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Reading Bakery Systems

Reading Bakery Systems manufactures mixing systems as well as biscuit, cracker, pretzel, potato snack and bread-snack production machinery. It also makes ovens, dough feeding equipment, topping machines, bun and roll equipment, and dry ingredient handling machinery. The company also has a 30,000-square-foot science and innovation center that is fully equipped for food processing research and development.

Reading Bakery Systems

380 Old West Penn Ave.

Robesonia, PA 19551

(610) 693-5816

readingbakery.com

Kuhl Corporation

The Kuhl Corp. was founded in 1909 as a poultry manufacturing business but has since branched out, though poultry is still a major division of the company. It is currently a manufacturer of automated washing systems for the baking industry as well. These washers can be custom built to accommodate all operation sizes and have been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, Kuhl is the first firm to receive a third party BISSC (Bakery Industry Sanitation Standards Committee) bakery washer certification.

Kuhl Corp.

P.O. Box 26

Flemington, NJ 08822-0026

(908) 782-5696

kuhlcorp.com

Excalibur Bagel & Bakery Equipment Inc.

Excalibur Bagel & Bakery Equipment Inc. serves the global market with baking supplies, manufacturing baking cups, doilies, molds, cake boards and trays. The company also builds biscuit/cookie equipment, slicers, ovens and mixers. It also makes bakery equipment parts, belts and other small baking items such as bagel scoops.

Excalibur Bagel & Bakery Equipment Inc.

4-01 Banta Place

Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

(201) 797-2788

excalibur-equipment.com

United Bakery Equipment Co.

United Bakery Equipment Co. is a manufacturer of bagging machines for buns, rolls, other bread products and trayed products. It also builds bread-slicing machines for bread, buns, hot dog buns, rolls, bagels and muffins. It supplies bread-making equipment, baked-goods packaging machines and transportation equipment such as loaders and stackers.

United Bakery Equipment Co.

19216 Laurel Park Road

Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220

(310) 635-8121

ubeusa.com

Tags: Bakery Equipment, Bagel Bakery, Bagel Bakery Equipment, Bakery Systems, Excalibur Bagel, Excalibur Bagel Bakery, Reading Bakery

Eat Whole Chemicalfree Foods

The surest way to eat whole foods is to prepare your own meals from fresh produce.

Although the American diet is dominated by trans-fats and mysterious chemicals, there is a growing alternative. Organic, whole and chemical-free foods offer people a way to eat healthfully. There are many ways to approach this alternative, ranging from buying fresh produce and preparing your own meals to paying greater attention to the ingredients list on the back of your chips, refreshments and other snack foods. There are even groceries and cooperatives that cater specifically to those looking for whole foods.

Instructions

Preparing Your Own Whole Foods

1. Purchase a cookbook or look for free recipes on the Internet. Find a dish that both appeals to you and that you believe you can make, given your experience and equipment.

2. Visit your grocery store and stock up on the ingredients listed in the recipe. If you want to be truly chemical-free, choose organic produce, as it isn't treated with the array of synthetic pesticides that are sprayed on conventional crops.

3. Prepare the meal as directed by the recipe.

Pre-Made Foods

4. Visit the "health" or "organic" aisle of your grocery store, if it has one. Although whole and chemical-free foods will speckle the rest of the store, health foods will most easily be found in these aisles. Just because an item is in the "health" aisle does not mean that it is whole and chemical-free, however.

5. Look for words such as "whole," "chemical-free" and "organic" on the items' packaging. Just because these words are listed does not guarantee that an item is actually whole and chemical-free. Still, it is a good first indicator.

6. Check the ingredients list. If you find additives in the mix -- such as artificial colors, sodium nitrates and monosodium glutamate -- then it is not chemical-free. As a rule of thumb, if an ingredients list contains over a dozen items, then it probably isn't whole or chemical-free, though there are certainly exceptions.

Tags: whole chemical-free, ingredients list, chemical-free foods, foods will, fresh produce, grocery store

Bake Banana Chips

Make healthy, crunchy banana chips in your oven.

Commercial dried banana chips sometimes contain added sweeteners and oils, while your homemade version only has the ingredients you add. With no added sweeteners, it's a healthy treat with a sweet taste from the natural sugars in the banana. This treat is one both adults and kids can enjoy. The preparation work is quick and you can walk away while the banana chips bake. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Spray a cookie sheet evenly with a non-stick spray.

3. Cut the bananas into thin slices, about a 1/4 inch in thickness, with a clean, sharp knife.

4. Layer the banana slices on the cookie sheet so they don't overlap.

5. Place the pan into the preheated oven and leave the door slightly ajar. Place a fan in front of the oven so the air is directed inside. Turn the fan onto its lowest setting while the bananas are baking to increase air flow and prevent condensation.

6. Cook the bananas for 2 hours. Turn over the slices with a spatula or a fork. Cook for an additional 2 hours. Remove from the oven when the bananas feel dry and crispy.

Tags: banana chips, added sweeteners, cookie sheet, your oven

Wash Pesticides From Carrots

Peel skins from commercially grown carrots to cut away pesticides.

Carrots improve your vision, fight certain types of cancer and balance blood sugar -- lots of work for one small vegetable. These green-topped, orange root veggies are loaded with vitamin A, but pesticides may make them less healthy. To get the most benefits from carrots without exposing yourself to dangerous pesticides, you need to clean the vegetables carefully. Organically grown carrots have not been exposed to pesticides, so most are safe to eat with minimal care. However, commercially grown carrots will need extensive cleaning before you can safely consume them. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Scrub the orange section of the carrot with a vegetable scrub brush. Brush away visible dirt and debris from all sides.

2. Cut the tops off the carrots using a sharp knife and cutting board. Peel away the skin from your carrot using a potato peeler or paring knife.

3. Pat the carrots dry with paper towels. Wrap the carrots in dry paper towels, then place them inside a plastic storage bag. Refrigerate the carrots for up to two weeks.

Tags: grown carrots, commercially grown, commercially grown carrots, paper towels

Healthy Cat Food Recommendations

Healthy Cat Food Recommendations

Cats can live long, healthy lives if fed high-quality cat food. Quality food helps maintain health and can also lead to lower veterinary bills. Although most domestic cats primarily eat dry food, some veterinarians also recommend canned food because cats tend not to drink enough water. Canned foods also tend to have very high-quality protein. Proper dry foods, however, are good for a cat's teeth. By analyzing the contents of your cat's dry food, you can be assured of protein quality.

Life Stage

Different cat foods are formulated for different life stages of your cat. Foods for kittens tend to be higher calorie to help with growth in a young and adolescent cat. Foods for older cats are often lower calorie, to help maintain a healthy weight. Formulas for indoor cats are optimized for a cat that doesn't have natural grass and greens available and is also optimized for the amount of exercise experienced by most indoor cats.

Animal Protein

In a high-quality, healthy cat food, the first ingredient should be a high quality animal protein. Cats are carnivores and require good animal protein for optimum health. Common animal proteins in high-quality cat foods include chicken, fish, liver or beef.

Dry Weight Protein

The percentage of dry weight protein in dry food is very important. Dry foods should be at least 26 percent dry weight protein. Kitten formulas are often much higher, especially in premium brand kitten formulas.

Meat By-products

Meat by-products are a much lower quality protein and should be avoided, if possible. Foods that list meat meals, such as chicken meal or beef meal, are often primarily made of meat by-products. Meat by-products include beaks, intestines, feet, hooves, lungs and other organ meats and are not as good for your cat as foods made from high-quality meats.

Taurine

Taurine is a nutritional component that is very important for cats. Taurine is an amino acid that helps a cat's heart muscles and vision. Taurine is only found in animal-based proteins, such as meat protein ingredients in both wet and dry food. Cats cannot manufacture taurine in their bodies, and thus must get it from dietary sources. Cat foods that list taurine as an ingredient often add additional taurine to maintain feline health.

Tags: animal protein, calorie help, Food Recommendations, Healthy Food Recommendations, indoor cats

Use Stevia Leaf

Stevia leaf is used to sweeten drinks, baked goods and can be used in almost any way that ordinary table sugar is used. Stevia leaf (Stevia rebaudiana) is a member of the Asteraceae family. It contains steviosides and diterpene glycosides that researchers believe give the plant its sweet taste. Stevia packs a powerful punch: a much smaller amount can be used as it is much sweeter than white refined sugar cane. Allergies are rare but are possible. Use sparingly to see if you are able to tolerate it without irritation.

Instructions

1. Purchase stevia leaf online or in health food stores. It is found in many prepared foods such as hot cocoa, pancake and cookie mixes. It can also be found in specialty teas in natural foods markets.

2. Use the stevia leaf tablets in drinks hot and cold. A simple hot cocoa can be made from combining soy or rice milk with stevia leaf tablets and cocoa powder heated slowly to blend. Add stevia leaf powder to strong or bitter Chinese herbal drinks that are normally boiled for 30 minutes and then left to sit and steep. Just before drinking, add stevia leaf powder to the cooled mixture.

3. Sprinkle stevia leaf powder over cold and hot cereals such as (previously unsweetened) corn flakes, wheat bran or cooked oatmeal.

4. Fold stevia leaf powder in any recipe that normally calls for refined white sugar. In cookie recipes, use half or even a third of the amount of the white sugar. For example, if ¾ cup of sugar is ordinarily used, use only ¼ or even less of stevia. This requires trial and error. It is a matter of subjective taste buds.

5. Sweeten any fresh cut fruit with stevia leaf powder. Rather than an artificial sweetener or sugar, sprinkle stevia leaf powder over cut grapefruit, pears or even tart apples.

Tags: leaf powder, stevia leaf, stevia leaf powder, stevia leaf, leaf powder over, leaf tablets

Make Your Own Flavored Olive Oils

Leave flavorings in infused olive oils as a decorative touch.

Decorate your kitchen with bottles of flavored olive oils -- when you aren't using them for cooking, of course. Use flavored oils in marinades, salad dressings and bread dips. Infused olive oils also make elegant gifts. Olive oil can take on the flavors of many herbs, spices and vegetables. A hot infusion flavors the oil quickly, while the flavor takes a few weeks to develop if the oil is simply added to a bottle with herbs or spices. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Measure out a single herb, spice or vegetable of your choice, or combine flavors. For garlic-flavored oil, finely chop two or three heads of fresh garlic. For fresh herbs, whole spices or vegetables, measure out 3 cups of one ingredient or make a combination equal to 3 cups.

2. Add 3 cups of olive oil to the saucepan and stir in the flavorings. Heat the oil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until you see a few bubbles.

3. Reduce the heat to low and steep the oil for two hours, then remove from the heat.

4. Strain the oil through the cheesecloth or coffee filter into a heat-resistant jar or bowl. Allow it to cool for about 30 minutes.

5. Strain the cooled oil into an airtight bottle or jar for storage. Store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator; the oil will retain its quality longer in the refrigerator, notes Oregon State University Extension Service.

Tags: herbs spices, olive oils, spices vegetables

Make A Homemade Composting Toilet

A homemade composting toilet is surprisingly simple and cheap to make. You can even make a portable version for back-country camping. Composting toilets are safe for the environment and make camping experiences more comfortable. Follow these steps to make your own homemade composting toilet. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Purchase a medium-sized plastic bin and plywood. Make your composting toilet as large as you want, but buy at least enough plywood to construct a box around the bin.

2. Cut the plywood into six pieces. Use wood screws to affix five of the six pieces of wood to create an open-topped box. Your box should be approximately 1 to 2 inches higher than the bin.

3. Place the plastic bin inside the wooden box. Place the remaining wood board on top of the box.

4. Cut a hole in the top piece of wood that is slightly larger than the internal size of the toilet seat. Attach the toilet seat to the top piece of wood so that it aligns with the hole.

5. Pour a cup or two of sawdust in the bottom of the plastic bin. After each use, scoop more sawdust into the bin to control odor. When finished, empty the contents and clean out the bin.

Tags: composting toilet, homemade composting, homemade composting toilet, piece wood, piece wood that, pieces wood, toilet seat

Make A Recipe Book

Recipe book.

Create a recipe book that is not only easy to use, but will stand the test of time. Created with the busy cook in mind, you can quickly add favorite recipes that fit your lifestyle and family traditions. The protected pages and heavy duty binder is what separates this recipe book from others. By combining your favorite recipes into one recipe book, you are eliminating added clutter from several recipe books, magazine recipes, newspaper recipes and hand written recipes that are scattered in different locations. By having your favorites in one spot you are making them convenient and easy to locate when you need them at a moments notice. Being able to personalize this book makes it a wonderful heirloom with a touch of simplicity and practicality. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Locate all of the recipes you would like to use in your recipe book.

2. Sort by sections and alphabetize the recipes if desired.

3. Once in proper order, begin to type each recipe on your word processing software.

4. Add graphics or personal notes to provide a unique effect.

5. Print the recipes with regular paper or use different colored paper for added design.

6. Place each printed recipe in a page protector sheet.

7. Place each recipe in a plain binder.

8. Separate sections by tabs if desired.

9. Enjoy your new recipe book.

Tags: recipe book, each recipe, favorite recipes, Place each, recipes that, your recipe, your recipe book

Is Commercial Dog Food Bad For Your Dog

Most people believe that commercial dog food is healthy and safe to feed their dog. But pet owners will be surprised to learn what's really in their dog food, and how it can cause illness and even shorten their dog's life.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to prevent illness and even death in dogs is to know what's actually in commercial dog food. Reading labels is important, and choosing all natural food is suggested.

Features

Commercial dog food contains high levels of byproducts and preservatives, which can cause dogs to vomit, have diarrhea and even lose their appetite.

Identification

Learn read labels. The ingredients listed first have higher percentages in the food. (Look for meats instead of generic terms.) Also, learn about additives and preservatives that are harmful to pets, and look for the foods with the lowest percentage of grains.

Considerations

Six deadly chemicals banned as unfit for human consumption are found in commercial dog food. They can cause stomach cancer, kidney disease, blindness, liver dysfunction, blindness, skin/fur loss, skin cancer and leukemia.

Misconceptions

Most people think the primary ingredients of dog food are choice cuts of chicken, beef and fresh grains. However, what is actually used in commercial dog food are the remnants of slaughtered chickens, cattle and other animals that aren't used for human consumption.

Tags: commercial food, human consumption, illness even, Most people, what actually

Steel Cut Oats Vs Rolled Oats

Most instant oatmeal is made from rolled oats.

Rolled oats and steel-cut oats are primarily served at breakfast and are often used for baking. These foods are from the same grain, but the difference is in how they are cut and processed. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Rolled Oats

Rolled oats are flat flakes that have the oat husks removed. Rolled oats are processed more than steel-cut oats. They are rolled for the flat shape and conditioned with pressure cooking. This results in a grain that is still nutritious, but takes less time to cook. Instant oatmeal is made from rolled oats.

Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats are hulled grains that are cut into smaller pieces instead of being rolled flat. They take longer to cook than rolled oats, and have a chewy texture. Steel-cut oats are golden in color and resemble wild-rice grains. Because of the dense nutrients, the serving size of steel-cut oats is only 1/4 cup, whereas a serving of rolled oats is 1/2 cup.

Comparisons

Steel-cut oats and rolled oats are both healthy food choices. While steel-cut oats are slightly lower on the glycemic index -- steel cut is 42 while rolled oats is 50 -- the main difference between the two is processing and cooking time. Steel-cut oats are healthier due to less processing, but can take up to 40 minutes to cook, depending on the serving size. Most rolled oats take under five minutes to cook, but lose nutrients in the process of manufacturing.

Tags: from rolled, from rolled oats, made from, made from rolled, minutes cook, oatmeal made

Mix White Flour & Brown Rice Flour

A sifter such as this one is the best way to mix dry goods.

Brown rice flour is made from rice that has retained the bran layers covering the kernel throughout processing. It has a slightly nuttier flavor than conventional flour, and contains more oil. It is high in protein, B vitamins, iron and fiber, and is good for those with wheat allergies. For those without wheat allergies, brown rice flour can be mixed with any other flour in most baked goods for added protein and other healthy benefits. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Measure flour as called for by the recipe you are using. Use a ratio of three-fourths white flour to one-fourth brown rice flour.

2. Dump the measured flour onto the flexible cutting board or into the spouted bowl.

3. Place the sifter into the mixing bowl. Pour the measured flour into the sifter and turn the crank to mix thoroughly.

4. Continue with the recipe as directed.

Tags: brown rice, measured flour, rice flour, wheat allergies

Ant Killer Precautions

Kill ants when they move inside your home.

Ants can swarm in or around your home. They can contaminate food, damage furniture and bite your skin. For this reason, many homeowners choose to use ant-killing solutions. These pesticides are potentially harmful to your health, so take the proper precautions. Does this Spark an idea?

Skin Contact

Ant-killing solutions can damage your skin if it comes into contact with the pesticide. For this reason, use a pair of gloves, long sleeves and long pants to make sure the solution doesn't drip onto your skin. Always keep children and pets away from the area when you are spraying to make sure it doesn't touch their skin.

Eye Contact

Ant killer can irritate and damage your eyes if you spray it directly into them or it you spray it into the wind and it blows into your eyes. Avoid this by wearing goggles whenever you are using the ant-killing solution and by always spraying with, rather than against, the wind.

Water Contamination

Ant-killing solutions are extremely toxic to fish. For this reason, never apply the solution to an area that could leach into an underwater aquifer or well. Also, never apply more of it than needed, as it could seep into a river or pool and kill wildlife there.

Flammable

Many ant-killing solutions are flammable. Thus, never apply them to an open flame or leave them on an area near open flames, such as a stove or an oven. Rinse the area with clear water after the ants are dead to rinse away the liquid and ensure that the residue doesn't catch on fire. Store ant killer away from heat and high temperatures.

Tags: never apply, this reason, your skin, Ant-killing solutions, ant-killing solutions, away from

Boston'S Alternative Schools

The city of Boston offers a myriad of alternative education programs, regardless of your walk in life.

One size never fits all, and not every child, teen or adult is suited to thrive in the traditional classroom setting. According to the Boston Public Schools website, 1987 in the Massachusetts city saw the collaboration between the Mayor's Office and BPS to fund a network of community-based alternative education programs. Since then, a myriad of schools and programs have thrived. The extent of the network reaches out to the entire community, no matter what your situation in life.

Career Exploration

Career exploration programs are geared toward youths who are unsure about which career path to choose. These programs are available for high school graduates as well as those who did not attend or complete high school. These programs allow youths to explore a range of options in a particular field, gain experience, learn skills and make the transition to employment. Career exploration programs in Boston focus on opportunities in the health field, marine trades, construction and technology. Boston career exploration programs include ABCD Career Explorations, Hyde Square Task Force's Health Careers Ambassadors Program, Hull Lifesaving Museum's Maritime Apprentice Program, Sociedad Latina's Health Careers for Youth, Year Up and YouthBuild Boston.

Diploma Granting

For youths who did not attend or complete high school, the city of Boston offers numerous programs for certain age brackets that will allow these individuals to earn an official high school diploma upon completion. The Boston Adult Technical Academy, the Boston Day and Evening Academy, the Community Academy, and the Greater Egleston Community High School are all part of the BPS system. ABCD University High School, City Roots, EDCO Youth Alternative, El Centro del Cardenal, Ostiguy High School and YouthBuild Boston and all community-based programs, but still offer a BPS diploma. The Notre Dame Education Center offers a program for students to earn a diploma through Cathedral High School.

GED Preparation

A GED can also be earned in place of a high school diploma. The General Education Development test, accepted by 95 percent of U.S. employers, colleges and universities, covers the knowledge and skills learned during the four years of high school. GED-preparation schools in Boston include Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Crittenton Women's Union, El Centro del Cardenal, GED Plus, Notre Dame Education Center, The Log School and YouthBuild Boston.

Middle School

The city of Boston also offers alternatives not just for high school and beyond but for middle school as well. Many youths do not and cannot succeed in the traditional middle school setting. Truancy, discipline and expulsion are frequent experiences cast upon these types of students. Boston's alternative middle school programs operate with the goal of providing a safe, structured and supportive setting and to help them transition to their next level of education, according to the BPS website. Alternative middle school programs in Boston are offered at the Boston Middle School Academy, the Dorchester Youth Alternative Academy and the Little House Alternative Middle School.

Tags: high school, city Boston, exploration programs, High School, YouthBuild Boston, alternative education

Start A Restaurant Guide

Starting your own restaurant is an exciting step.

Starting your own restaurant is an exciting step in in the food industry. A leap like that starts with a small step, and learning exactly what you need to do to open your restaurant is a good start. There are some aspects of starting the restaurant that are state specific. For these requirements you will want to contact your state's department of revenue or business division. According to Entrepreneur magazine, more than 900,000 food service businesses operate in the United States.

Instructions

1. Develop your restaurant concept. The restaurant concept does not need to be fully fleshed out to start with. Have an idea of what type of cuisine you will serve and a few rough ideas of the menu, sources for food and decor. Pick a level of dining as well. Are you looking to start a casual restaurant or franchise, or do you have something more gourmet in mind?

2. Write a business plan. A business plan provides details about the restaurant, menu, target demographics, short- and long-term business goals, how you intend to reach goals, and estimated costs and expenses. You can go even more in-depth on a business plan. This is the framework for your entire business, and it's also the document you use to gain capital and business loans. Business plan templates or software, free or paid, are found online.

3. Choose and register your business name. You register a business name as a fictitious name with the state's department of revenue. This is the name that all business accounts, payments, and taxes go through. Some states allow you to register your business name online, as well as instantly checking to ensure no one else has your business name.

4. Pick a location, which can make or break a restaurant. You need a good idea of how much space you need in the building, parking requirements and the safety of the location. You could have the best food in the world, but no one's going to eat on crime alley. Most real estate agencies have commercial real estate divisions to point you in the right direction. According to Entrepreneur, many restaurants don't make it past the first year. Renting or leasing instead of buying will work out better in many cases. Make sure that the property is zoned commercial, or can be zoned commercial.

5. Register for all licenses that your state requires to open a restaurant. An example of typical state requirements includes a sales tax ID, a liquor license, and a food service handler license. The restaurant will also be examined by health inspectors for compliance of food safety regulations, although health inspectors are usually around after opening. You will also need to register for a federal tax ID, known as an EIN.

6. Purchase all kitchen and front of the house supplies that you need. Specifics vary depending on the type of restaurant that you are opening. Kitchen appliances, dinnerware and flatware, tables, chairs and food supplies are the main areas of inventory to take care of first.

7. Hire employees. A new restaurant needs to start off strong, and a thorough training program will help you in the long run. Write down the training methods in a manual. Write up an additional manual that has all recipes and menu items detailed.

Tags: business name, your restaurant, business plan, your business, your business name, According Entrepreneur

The Foods That A 2yearold Will Eat

Set new and healthy foods in front of a two year old.

Encouraging a picky two-year-old child to try new and healthy foods is a common parental challenge. Nutritional experts recommend that adults set a good role model by eating various, healthy foods at home every day. Children may protest if you force them to eat, therefore placing new foods in front of a two-year-old child without comment is often the best approach to get her interested. Don't let your toddler eat before meal times. Let her pick out new fruits, vegetables and other foods at the market.

Grains

Whole grains have more nutritional value than traditional bread and pasta. Fortunately, new and tastier types of whole grain foods are now available at most super markets. Foods to try include: whole grain pasta with sauce or cheese, whole grain cereals and whole grain bagels or toast. Two year old children often love pancakes, therefore consider purchasing buckwheat pancake mix or making french toast from whole grain breads.

Fruits and Vegetables

Small children are curious about new things and may try new fruits and vegetables if you take the right approach. Slice vegetables into easy-to-grab sizes or fun shapes. Some good vegetable choices are carrot sticks, cucumber slices, red or yellow peppers and snap peas. Fruits that kids like include apple slices, oranges, bananas, strawberries, grapes and melons. Cut fruit into cubes and set in front of your two-year-old child without comment. The curious child may just pick up a vegetable or fruit piece and taste it without prodding. You may need to repeat the process, as it could take a few tries for him to eat a new food.

Dairy

Never allow him to drink soda or sugary drinks. Instead, offer milk with meals, avoiding chocolate or flavored milks, as kids tend to shy away from regular milk once they develop a taste for the sweeter versions. You can find many types of children's yogurts at grocery stores. These make good snacks that toddlers enjoy. Cheese slices and cheese sticks come in fun single-serve packages. Serve them along with fruit. Lactose and dairy- free foods also provide needed calcium to children who may be allergic to dairy products.

Protein

Two-year-old children love hot dogs and processed chicken nuggets. However, you can make some better protein-packed snacks at home. Most stores carry turkey bacon and chicken hot dogs. These are usually healthier than the higher-fat versions. Some toddlers may enjoy boiled eggs or cheese omelets, as well as fish sticks and baked chicken nuggets. Bean dip and peanut butter are two types of non-animal proteins that you can serve with veggies or whole grain bread.

Tags: whole grain, healthy foods, two-year-old child, chicken nuggets, child without, child without comment, foods front

Pennsylvania Farms That Produce Usda Prime Beef

Many Pennsylvania farms produce USDA prime beef.

Though Pennsylvania has urban, well-developed areas, it is a true farm state, filled with farms that produce and sell USDA prime beef. These farms offer fresh, natural products that will make you never want to buy your meat from the grocery store again. Not only do these farms offer their fresh products on site at their farmer's markets, but they offer tours of their farm so you can see the exact place your food is coming from, how your food has been raised, and under what conditions it exists prior to reaching your hand as the consumer. Add this to my Recipe Box.

M&B Farview Farm

M&B Farview Farm is located in Hamburg, Pennsylvania and has been providing the area with high quality USDA prime beef since 2004. The animals on the farm are raised on the farm and are fed naturally with the highest quality ingredients. The farm sells its beef and other animal products to the public and restaurants both online and in its on-site store, which is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. The farm also sells its livestock, including free range grass-fed cattle.

Clarion Farms

Clarion Farms is a family-run farm located in Clarion, Pennsylvania. All prime beef is USDA certified and is raised there on the farm without any growth hormones or preservatives. Beef is sold at their farmer's market, straight from their beef barn, which is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also sold at their farmer's market is a variety of poultry, specialty cheeses, pork products, lamb, homemade ice cream, fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk products, turkeys, and iced teas.

Wallace Homestead Farm

Wallace Homestead Farm is a family-owned USDA certified prime beef-producing farm located in Overton - New Albany, Pennsylvania. Their cattle is 100 percent grass fed and naturally raised. Their naturally raised beef, pork, and poultry is available for order year-round. Orders can be placed via e-mail or phone, yet advance reservations are suggested due to the popularity of their products. Not only does the farm offer food products, but farm tours as well. When you schedule a farm tour, you will be able to see where your meat is coming from, feed the animals and partake in a campfire experience.

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Learn Vegetarian Cooking

Vegetarian chili is quick and healthy.

Albert Einstein once said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." With the general public's growing concern for personal health and the environment, many people are making the transition to a vegetarian diet. The idea of making such a drastic change to your eating habits may be intimidating, but vegetarian cuisine is not as challenging as you might expect. Whether deciding to change your diet completely, or just to include more plant based foods in your diet, a few changes to the contents of your pantry can set you on your way to creating a wide variety of delicious vegetarian dishes. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Replace meat with vegetarian substitutes in some of your favorite recipes. For example, veggie crumbles can be used to replace ground beef or turkey in dishes such as tacos, chili and sloppy joes. Vegetarian meat substitutes are diverse and readily available at most local supermarkets. Beans and mushrooms are great meat substitutes when converting your favorite meat based recipes to vegetarian ones.

2. Make note of the vegetarian foods that you already know make. For example pizza, pasta dishes and soups are often vegetarian or easily converted by omitting animal products.

3. Try new things. There are many varieties of fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are both healthy and delicious. Stock up your pantry and refrigerator with vegetarian basics including, tofu, veggie burgers, vegetable broth, beans, whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

4. Reference vegetarian cookbooks for inspiration. Search the web for vegetarian recipes. Many sites feature recipes that have been rated by other cooks, which can help you find recipes that suit your tastes, and avoid common mistakes. Write down your favorite recipes on note cards for quick reference.

Tags: your favorite, change your, favorite recipes, fruits vegetables, meat substitutes