Thursday, January 26, 2012

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig-Cookie Recipes

Pork loins refer to cuts of meat from above the pig's rib cage, along both sides of the backbone, and running from the shoulders to the hind legs. This is the tenderest part of the pig, and also the leanest.

Cookie Recipes

When you buy pork loins from the butcher, you will probably need to specify the cut more specifically. "Pork loin" really refers to a wholesale cut; the retail pork loin cuts that a shopper will encounter include pork roasts, pork chops, back ribs, pork rack, pork tenderloin and pork steak, among others.

It's a matter of subjectivity, but in my opinion, the best tasting pork loin cut is a roast that is cut from the rib end of the pig. It tends to be more marbled than cuts from other locations, and usually juicier and more flavorful.

The main thing to guard against when cooking pork loins is overcooking them. Because they're relatively lean to begin with, overcooking can dry them out. On the other hand, pork of any kind should always be cooked thoroughly for safety's sake. There's a fine balance between too much and too little cooking when you're dealing with pork!

Fortunately, most of the pork loin recipes that you'll come across have taken this dilemma into consideration. Usually, if you follow the recipes closely as to cooking time, you will be fine.

Pork loins lend themselves to cooking in so many ways that I can't begin to cover them all in one article. If you've never cooked pork loin before, here's a basic recipe to get your started on discovering one of the world's great meat cuts. This is for cooking a pork loin roast, which does require a fairly long cooking time--2 hours.

Aside from the time required, it's an easy recipe. Don't let its simplicity fool you; follow the directions carefully and your taste buds will be well pleased.

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper (or more or less, according to taste)

2 pounds boneless pork loin roast

1/3 cup olive oil

2/3 cup cabernet sauvignon or other red wine

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.

2. Mince garlic into a small bowl. Add rosemary, salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly with a fork or a miniature whisk.

3. Use a fork or knife to pierce the pork loin roast in a number of places. Rub the garlic mixture over the meat , being sure to press some of the mixture into the piercings. Brush olive oil over the meat.

4. Place pork loin roast onto a baking dish. Cook for 2 hours, turning at least once during that time. Baste frequently with pan drippings. With about 10 minutes of cooking time left, pour half of the wine over the meat.

5. After the meat is cooked, remove it onto a serving platter.

6. Pour the remaining wine into the baking pan and stir it in with the pan drippings, then pour this liquid over the meat.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Dangers In Chocolate

The Dangers In Chocolate-Cookie Recipes For Kids

Let's face it, many of us are chocoholics. If we weren't, we wouldn't be constantly bombarded with ads for Ring Dings, Devil Dogs and what have you. If you counted the number of ads in newspapers, magazines and on TV for some kind of chocolate product and tied them end to end, you could probably go to the moon and back a hundred times. Well, as good as chocolate might taste, especially that absolutely incredible German chocolate, it is probably one of the worst things you can put in your body. In this article, we'll cover just a few of the dangers of chocolate and chocolate based products. You may not ever eat another Ring Ding for the rest of your life.

Cookie Recipes For Kids

The cocoa bean, of which chocolate is partially made, is loaded with caffeine. This is a good part of the reason why kids who eat a lot of chocolate are so hyper. The caffeine in some chocolate products is actually greater than the caffeine in a cup of coffee or even a can of cola. Chocolate in children is like putting them on speed. One of the biggest causes of ADHD in children is because of chocolate and chocolate based products.

But caffeine is only part of the problem and really just the tip of the iceberg. If you ever tasted chocolate in its pure form, you probably noticed that it was actually a little on the bitter side. It certainly isn't sweet like the chocolate products that you are used to eating. The reason these products are so sweet is because they are loaded with sugar. It is almost impossible to find a chocolate based product that isn't loaded with sugar, outside of dietetic products, simply because they quite honestly don't taste very good and there wouldn't be as big a market. As a result, the sugar contained in these chocolate products causes a number of problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and way too many illnesses to list here. As a matter of fact, sugar is one of the leading caused of health problems in the United States.

To further add insult to injury, most commercially available chocolate products are loaded with chemicals to keep them fresh. Did you ever look at the expiration date on a package of Ring Dings? Nothing should last that long and still be edible.

So, as much as we all love chocolate (I am an ex addict), it is something that we can all do without. I personally have been chocolate free for 6 years and don't miss it one bit.

Try eliminating it from your diet before it begins to eliminate you.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?-Cookie Recipes

Valentine's Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another "Hallmark" holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine's Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Cookie Recipes

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand "thank you's", "good luck", or "I love you". Chocolate can be given as a way of saying "congratulations", "I am sorry" or "get well soon". On Valentine's Day chocolate clearly says "I LOVE YOU!" Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote "Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy ... chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy." What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means "food of the gods".

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is "... the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food." From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as "runners high" is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to "falling in love". One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don't know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe?

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe?

There is nothing like a great sugar cookie recipe. Don't buy the roll of Pillsbury Dough, you can make a superb cookie that will remind you of the days when Grandma made them.

Grandma used to sit by the fire and drink her tea and Grandpa used to sip his coffee made from his French Press, before it was trendy. I loved seeing them sit there enjoying the day. When we walked in the house there were smells coming from the kitchen you just couldn't imagine. The sweet smell of warm sugar cookies invaded your senses. You knew today was going to be a treat.

It was a tradition that we enjoyed every year. The kitchen was filled with flour storms and the counters were sticky from Buttercream frosting. We had tin cookie cutters spread all over the table. I liked the boot best, my sister liked the angel.

Grandma had a special way with those cookies and she handed down the recipe to me. I was to teach my kids how to make these wonderful holiday sweets. It wouldn't be Christmas time without this recipe of Yummy cookies.
I am publishing it because I want you to enjoy the best sugar cookie recipe ever.

Grandma's Favorite Sugar Cookie

1 cup white sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp cream of tarter

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour

½ cup corn oil

Cream the sugars and butter together. Mix the beaten eggs, vanilla and corn oil, in. Add the dry ingredients .Mix all the ingredients well and chill overnight.
Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minutes....DO NOT OVERCOOK.

We used to make the funniest colors to decorate the cookies, most of them looked inedible. They tasted heavenly, though. We figured if we made them look gross enough, the adults would leave them alone. We were wrong. Everyone knew they were Grandma's famous sugar cookies from her handed down recipe book. This page was splattered with all sorts of colors. I have that book now. I love making these cookies with my kids.

Grandma's Favorite Frosting (don't forget the food coloring)

2 cups of powdered sugar

½ cup butter melted

1 ½ T Milk

1 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar, butter and vanilla. Add a small amount of milk (1 to 2 tablespoons). Beat until fluffy. If frosting is too sweet add a little more milk.

Try it this season. Enjoy your family and brew some wonderful tea or coffee and relax. Take the time to make memories with your family or neighbors or friends.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe? Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Nutrisystem vs. MediFast - A Comparison of Two Popular Diet Plans, Nutrisystem & MediFast

Nutrisystem vs. MediFast - A Comparison of Two Popular Diet Plans, Nutrisystem & MediFast

You may have decided that using a diet meal replacement plan or diet food plan would be the easiest way for you to lose weight. However, there are so many plans available; you may not know which program would work the best for you. In this article I will compare two very popular diet food, meal replacement plans Nutrisystem and MediFast. These diet plans may seem similar, although once you read about each plan, you will find they are very different.

Nutrisystem Overview:

Nutrisystem offers prepackaged, pre-portioned diet meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks. You are advised to add fresh vegetables, fruits, salads to lunch, and dinner meals. The meals are low calorie, yet nutritionally sound with the added fresh fruit and vegetables. The diet meals are based on low glycemic, good carbs, with the right amount of protein and fiber that your body needs for increased fat and calorie burning.

The Nutrisystem program also offers a free weight loss community website where you can get free diet counseling, weight loss tips and community support in your weight loss endeavors.

Nutrisystem advises if you eat their prepackaged diet meals and follow their plan, you can potentially lose 1 to 3 pounds a week.

MediFast Overview:

MediFast offers prepackaged diet meal replacement foods including shakes, soups, bars, pudding, drinks and cereals. Their name basically sums up how their plan works; you are "fasting" most of the day. Their most popular program is the 5 and 1 diet program where you eat 5 MediFast meals a day and 1 low calorie, low fat meal you cook and prepare yourself. Their plan is designed to be calorie deficient (between 800 - 1000 calories a day), thereby allowing your body to use fat for energy.

MediFast also offers a free weight loss community website where you can get diet support, weight loss tips, diet recipes and more.

MediFast advises if you follow their 5 in 1 diet program and use their diet meal replacements you can potentially lose up to 20 pounds in a month.

The Cost:

Nutrisystem costs about a day, a week and 8 a month plus shipping, although if you choose their auto-ship program, you will get a discount and a free week of diet meals and free shipping.

MediFast costs about a day, a week or 5 a month if you order one of their 4-week variety packages.

Both Nutrisystem and MediFast offer a money back guarantee minus shipping if you choose to return unopened packages of the diet meals within 30 days.

The Difficulty:

Nutrisystem: Using the Nutrisystem diet meals for weight loss should be an easy transition since you will be eating regular meals and snacks. You may find the calorie reduction in the meals leave you hungry or not satisfied. The convenience of the prepackaged, very little preparation of the diet meals should make the program easier to follow. Staying on the diet for a long term may become difficult because of the lower calorie intake makes you feel unsatisfied. The taste of the foods (which will be discussed next) may also be hard to enjoy.

MediFast: Transitioning to the MediFast meal replacement plan may be difficult at first since you will be replacing most of your meals with a meal replacement shake, soup or bar. Sometimes a drastic change in your eating habits can be a bonus because it may give you a greater feeling of dieting control. Staying on the diet for a long term may be very difficult because of the monotony of replacing 5 meals a day with the MediFast foods and the taste of the foods.

The Taste:

Nutrisystem: There are reports and reviews throughout the internet regarding the taste of Nutrisystem's diet meals. Some people rave about the taste (although these "raves" may be biased if the person is promoting the program), and many people absolutely hate the taste of the diet meals. On average, many Nutrisystem dieters report they have favorite diet meals, while some suffer through the taste of the meals because of the convenience of the program and the weight loss achieved. Recently, Nutrisystem listened to their customers and introduced many new "better tasting" diet meals that may be more palatable.

MediFast: There are also mixed reviews on the taste of MediFast meal replacements. On average, many MediFast dieters report that the tastes of the meal replacement foods are "okay," not overly tasty, yet good enough to stay on the diet program to achieve weight loss goals.

Conclusion:

Nutrisystem diet meal plan is a convenient, diet food program that offers a membership site with diet counseling and diet tips. The transition to using their diet foods should not be too difficult since it is recommended to eat 5 diet meals a day supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. Since the diet meals should be less calories than you normally eat, and designed to increase your body's ability to burn fat, you can expect to lose 1 to 3 pounds a week. The diet plan may work best for people who may need a support group for weight loss, yet are too busy to shop for and prepare diet meals, and don't have time to continually analyze food calories and fat grams.

MediFast diet meal replacement program is also a convenient weight loss program that offers a community forum, diet support and tips. The transition to using their diet meal replacements 5 times a day may be difficult. Yet, it may also help many dieters resolve to stay on the diet plan since the results may be realized fast with up to 20 pounds lost in the first month. The diet program may work best for people who need to lose a significant amount of weight. In addition, it can also work well for those who desire convenient meal replacements, yet also wish to prepare a fresh meal once a day.

Nutrisystem vs. MediFast - A Comparison of Two Popular Diet Plans, Nutrisystem & MediFast Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

How to Choose a Theme For a Charity Event

How to Choose a Theme For a Charity Event

Charity events raise a lot of money for fundraising causes and gain a lot of attention for the charity or cause running the event. But with more charities springing up every day representing a diverse number of causes, how can you get your fundraising event noticed by fundraisers and the media?

The best charity events don't follow a cookie-cutter approach - they are themed for each charity. They may also have a secondary theme that makes the event stand out.

Charity themes are those that make each event unique to your charity. For example, charity balls are very common, but have you ever been to a charity ball where you can bring your pet? This would be a perfect, and unique, way to fundraise for an animal charity. The event stands out because it's fun, different, and it also represents the charity perfectly.

Other charity-themed event ideas:

Pink parties for breast cancer charities Kid-friendly events for children's charities Athletic events for sport charities Pet-themed parties for animal causes Environmental events for green charities

Consider who your target fundraising audience is and what charity you're representing to come up with an ideal theme: Climb a mountain for Sport Relief, hold a tree-planting party for Greenpeace, or hold a pink bake sale at a local community centre. All of these ideas are much more interesting than generic charity events like dances, balls or parties.

You can also choose a secondary theme for your fundraising event. This can be anything but should tie in with what's going on in your community. Seasonal events like Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day parties are popular.

You can also look to your local community for inspiration. For example, if you live at the seaside, a beach party might be the perfect charity event for your fundraising efforts.

Look around you for ideas and have fun with it. Anything that will make your charity event stand out from the others is an idea worth considering.

How to Choose a Theme For a Charity Event Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Best Garlic Bread in the World (Great with Pasta)!

The Best Garlic Bread in the World (Great with Pasta)!

A fabulous garlic bread is every bit as complimentary to a great bowl of pasta as a great icing is to a cake. If the icing is only fair, it is hard for the cake to really stand out. Lets say you go to a restaurant. They bring out an incredible bowl of steaming hot pasta and the first thing you try is the garlic bread. If the garlic bread is only mediocre, the pasta will have a really hard time selling itself. If after the first bite you grab the whole bread basket claiming it as your own, even a fair pasta will at least have a chance!

There are a few components to making great garlic bread. Chief among these is a good bread. I like using a good sourdough from a specialty store. These stores have sprung up all over and carry all kinds of organic products from fruits and vegetables to baked items. These often have great sourdough breads. I usually buy it sliced. I lay out the slices on a cookie sheet and liberally apply butter to just the top of each slice. I then lightly sprinkle garlic powder, and lightly sprinkle ground oregano (not too much or it will taste like a pizza!) on the butter. I then finely grate Sharp Cheddar Cheese and sprinkle enough cheese so as to just cover the bread and butter completely. If you do not cover the bread completely, the edges of the bread will burn before the cheese has melted. But you do not want the cheese to be so thick that it melts into a big glob. I then lightly sprinkle a touch more garlic powder and oregano on top of the cheese. This adds a little more flavor and looks good.

Now comes the critical part. Timing. You want to put the cookie sheet with the bread slices under a broiler long enough to melt the cheese but the difference between perfect garlic bread and burned garlic bread can be a matter of 30 seconds. So you have to stay on it. Serve piping hot and enjoy!

Addendum:
My wife grabbed the keyboard out of my hands and typed in her own thoughts on "the best garlic bread in the world." I think she meant to do this as a joke but I am going to include it because people have enjoyed her approach to garlic bread as well. Her method is not as time sensitive as the above method and can come out a bit more gooey (which many people like).

"This is Mike's wife. I would like to include this garlic bread recipe from my Italian mother. Begin with a round loaf of Sourdough bread (sliced). Take one to two cubes of butter and add garlic to the butter to taste. Start at the end of the loaf and spread the garlic butter on both sides of each piece of bread. Then sprinkle both sides of each slice with grated parmesan cheese. Continue this through the entire loaf. Then wrap in foil and cook at 350 degrees till heated through (approximately 10-15 minutes). Open up the top of the foil and cook till the top is brown and crispy."

Have fun. Experiment. Try both methods and you will soon be on your way to a truly sensational garlic bread that will set the stage for whatever pasta recipes, soup recipes, etc. that will follow.

The Best Garlic Bread in the World (Great with Pasta)! Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cupcake Ideas for Kids

Cupcake Ideas for Kids

Any mother knows that life can be very busy; there never seems to be enough hours in a day to finish everything that needs to be accomplished. When your child comes home from school, church, or a club and tells you they need to bring a plate of food for a party or meeting, try not to be too stressed. Try these fun and easy cupcake ideas for kids; they are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Cupcakes are a great treat for any occasion. A variety of flavors can be made, from classic favorites like vanilla and chocolate to fun and creative flavors like mocha and coconut. Great tasting frosting and fun decorations can make every cupcake special. If you are short on time and do not want to make cupcakes from scratch, a boxed cake mix can be whipped up and baked in beautiful cupcake liners or baking cups. While cupcakes are cooking, you can make a simple frosting if you want, though canned frosting may be more convenient if you are really in a hurry. To make store-bought or homemade frosting more special, consider adding food coloring to it. Perhaps choose a color that goes with the theme of the party or event.

After the cupcakes have cooled, it is time to decorate them. Kids can help with this part if you want, but it is usually quicker and easier if you just do it yourself. There are countless cupcake ideas for kids on the web; feel free to make up your own ideas as well. Themed cupcakes are extremely popular for parties. For example, if you were baking snacks for a sports team, consider frosting the cupcake in the appearance of the ball or a piece of equipment used to play the sport. This may sound complicated, but it really is not; orange frosting and black liquorice could be used to make basketball cupcakes in no time. Smiley faces are another idea; using any color frosting and lollies for the mouth and eyes, you can create cupcakes that will bring a smile to anyone's face. Another neat idea is making bug or beetle cupcakes, using small candies for spots and eyes, liquorice for antenna, and small cookies for wings. There are dozens of other quick and easy options; just use your creativity and ingredients you have on hand to create the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Do not allow yourself to get stressed and anxious about baking for a children's event. Tasty, fun cupcakes are the perfect solution for any occasion. With these easy and foolproof cupcake ideas for kids, you can make a platter of well-received treats in no time!

Cupcake Ideas for Kids Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Sunday, January 8, 2012

10 Basic Steps to Making Great Cookies

10 Basic Steps to Making Great Cookies

Everyone likes cookies; kids, parents, grandparents, friends, and the list could go on. There is just nothing much better than warm cookies right out of the oven to kids of all ages. Baking cookies is a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen even at an early age. Even the little ones are so impressed by cookies "they made themselves" even though they may have only stirred the dough, added an ingredient, or sprinkled on some colored sugar decorations. And homemade cookies are perfect for everything from welcome to the neighbor hood gifts, teacher gifts, holiday gifts, office treats, to just simply something to hand to daddy and say, "Look what I made for you".

Today we have some very good cookie dough in the dairy counters of our grocery stores to buckets of dough sold as fund raisers. But baking your own good cookies is still something special. Baking cookies with the kids is not only fun but it teaches them how to measure, a math skill they don't even realize they are learning. It is also a lesson in organization as ingredients are gathered before the baking begins, a lesson in working with others even if it is just the two of you, and a lesson in cleaning up as the kitchen has to be cleaned afterwards. Even if children aren't involved, becoming proficient with a certain cookie recipe gives one a sense of self and confidence as others come to expect and even request your "special" cookie.

Following are a few tips to help you bake great cookies from scratch, as the old-timers used to say:

Use good ingredients. It is impossible to produce a first-rate product with second-rate ingredients. For example, use butter instead of margarine. So many of today's margarine products contain a large amount of water. This will not produce a good cookie. Forget about counting fat and calories when baking cookies. Concentrate on a good product and don't over indulge on the finished product!

Use good utensils. For example, invest in a couple of good baking sheets. Good baking sheets will help you turn out a better cookie.

Use standard measuring cups and do measure the ingredients. Baking is not the place to "throw in a little of this or that". Use glass liquid measuring cups for measuring liquids. You will be able to see the lines easily and the ingredients won't slosh over the sides. Use nested measuring cups to measure dry ingredients. Dry ingredients should be measured to the rim of the cup. And use the right size. Don't measure what appears to be a half cup in a one cup measure. Get out the one-half cup measure. It is no more trouble to wash one extra cup!

Use standard measuring spoons. Do not grab a "teaspoon" from your silverware drawer to measure an ingredient. Get out a measuring spoon and do it right. The teaspoon that came with your silverware set will not measure an accurate teaspoon for a recipe. And as with the cups, use the right size. Do not guess at a half teaspoon in a one teaspoon size.

Use the proper baking sheets or pans. Shiny metal absorbs less heat than the dark metal. Dark metal may cause your cookies to over brown on the bottom, so the shiny metal is best if you want to produce a delicately browned cookie. When baking bar cookies, it is especially important to use the proper sized pan that is called for in the recipe. If you are on a limited budget and can only afford one or two quality pans, go for the cake or bar pans. They can be turned upside down and used as cookie sheets.

Other important utensils. To make your baking easier and more efficient, helping you to turn out a better finished product, there are some other utensils you should have on hand. If your budget is limited, buy the utensils you will use most often (for other uses as well) and add the remainder gradually. (Hint: When family and friends ask what you want as a gift for holidays or birthdays mention good quality items you still would like to have.) Some of these items are: a good set of wooden spoons for creaming butters and sugars together, slotted spoons for efficient blending of ingredients that need to be mixed by hand, a good set of rubber or silicone scrapers or spatulas, sharp knives, a good set of cookie cutters, a set of heavy mixing bowls with rounded bottoms, large glass pitcher-style mixing bowl, quality wire cooling racks, and a good rolling pin and pastry cloth for use when making cut-out cookies.

Read the recipe carefully before beginning the mixing process. You don't want to get started and realize you are out of a needed ingredient. This will also let you know the particular basic method of mixing this recipe so you can have the proper utensils laid out.

Preheat the oven. Before you place the cookies in the oven, the oven should be at the proper temperature.

Watch your baking time carefully to avoid over-baked or underbaked cookies. Always check your cookies at the minimum baking time given in the recipe, then you can bake them longer if needed, checking often. An overbaked cookie is just not a good cookie.

Never substitute ingredients unless the recipe gives directions for doing so or you are well acquainted with the recipe and know exactly what you are doing.

Following these guidelines will help you to produce a great finished cookie product. And most of all, have fun doing so!

10 Basic Steps to Making Great Cookies Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Saturday, January 7, 2012

How to Make a Halloween Graveyard Cake

How to Make a Halloween Graveyard Cake

This cake or cupcakes are perfect for kids halloween parties and make a great presentation for classroom parties as well.

Graveyard Cake Ingredients


1 (18 1/4 oz.) package Devil's Food Cake Mix9 x 12 inch Baking Pan

10 ozs. Chocolate Filled Cookies (Oreos), crushed or Gingersnaps

6-10 Oval shaped Butter Cookies (Pepperidge Farm Milanos)1 can prepared Vanilla FrostingAssorted tubes of Cake Decorating Gel in Halloween colors
(orange, yellow, brown, etc.)

1 cup Candy Corn or Pumpkin Shaped Candies

1/4 cup Colored Sprinkles or Colored Crystal Sugar in harvest colors
(orange, yellow, brown, etc.)

Ghost shaped marshmallows (Halloween version of Easter peeps)

Click here to view a photo of the finished Graveyard Cake.

Method:

Bake cake according to package directions or recipe. Let cool completely.Spread frosting evenly over finished cake.

Using gel frostings, write silly spooky sayings on the top half of the Milano cookies such as "RIP", "BOO", "B.A. Ghoul", "M.T. Tomb", "Justin Time", and "Yul B. Next".

Press the cookies halfway down into the cake here and there to resemble standing tombstones.

Arrange the ghost marshmallows and candies around the tombstones.

Top with colored sprinkles or sugars.

Serves 8-12.

Options:

You can use other cake flavors, if you pair them with a complementary cookie topping. For example, if you use a pumpkin flavored cake, you might want to use vanilla frosting and crushed gingersnaps.

If you can't find marshmallow ghosts with the Halloween candy in your local store, you could use dollops of whipped cream instead. Remember they should be piped on just before serving, or keep the cake chilled to prevent the ghosts from sagging.

Add a couple of mini chocolate chip eyes to each whipped cream ghost.

Variation:

Make individual ghost or tombstone cupcakes.

How to Make a Halloween Graveyard Cake

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts!

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts!

In many tropical countries, coconuts have long been lauded as having fertility and pregnancy enhancing properties. In India, for example, a woman hoping to conceive will go to her priest for a special coconut; Thai babies receive, as their first solid food, three spoonfuls of soft coconut meat from their priests; a Balinese woman is forbidden to touch a coconut tree for fear she will drain its fertility into her own; and pregnant women from tropical countries consume large amounts of coconut water, hoping to increase their unborn child's strength and vitality.

Folklore aside, there is now scientific evidence of the numerous health benefits of coconuts. While these health-boosting properties extend to everyone, they can be particularly beneficial to pregnant women. Here are some of the amazing ways the coconut can be a pregnant woman's best friend:

o It alleviates vomiting - coconut water has long been used as a remedy for typhoid, malaria and other illness-induced vomiting. Thus, it should also help mitigate a bad case of morning sickness.

o It soothes the stomach - in addition to offering some relief from vomiting, coconut water can quell a queasy tummy and lessen the symptoms of nausea.

o Virgin coconut oil balances blood sugar and controls diabetes - this also helps keep morning sickness in check and offers some protection against gestational diabetes, a potentially dangerous condition common among pregnant women.

o It alkalizes the body - high in potassium, magnesium and other alkalizing minerals, coconut water can help to create an environment more conducive to conception and perhaps even reduce the risk of miscarriage.

o It keeps the body hydrated - nature's "sports drink", coconut water replaces fluids and minerals lost during physical exertion as well as those extra needed to help support pregnancy and expanding blood volume. Dehydration can be particularly threatening during pregnancy.

o It is a mild laxative - drinking moderate amounts of coconut water can help to keep things running smoothly and relieve the constipation so common during pregnancy.

o It cleanses the kidneys and offers protection against UTI's - Urinary Tract Infections are very common during pregnancy and can be dangerous if antibiotics are not used to treat them. Best to avoid them all together!

o It keeps the body cool - with excess weight, progesterone, and anxiety, it's easy to get overheated during pregnancy. Drinking coconut water helps to regulate body temperature and keep you cool.

o It is great for skin - virgin coconut oil can be applied to soothe the dry, itchy skin associated with pregnancy; it may also help to reduce the occurrence of stretch marks; and, when applied to the perineum in the weeks leading up to labor, can help reduce tearing during birth. Coconut water applied to the face helps to clear blackheads and acne that many women experience with the surge of hormones during pregnancy.

o It boosts the immune system - virgin coconut oil is comprised of nearly 50% lauric acid, which has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. This can help protect a mother-to-be from a host of potentially threatening infections as well as boost her immunity, which is naturally weakened during pregnancy.

o It promotes healthy lactation - the only other significant source of lauric acid is human breast milk. Research has shown that lactating mothers who consume virgin coconut oil and other coconut products have higher levels of lauric and capric acids in their breast milk; this increases its antimicrobial and immune boosting properties, while promoting both brain and bone development in the infant. Since the body stores lauric acid in the adipose tissues, consuming coconut during pregnancy may also help to ensure successful lactation.

With all that in mind, pregnant women would be nuts not to go for coconuts!

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Advent I: Celebrating Advent with Your Family

Advent I: Celebrating Advent with Your Family

This year we will be celebrating Advent for the first time. Although I have a Christian background, I only just discovered this often overlooked celebration. In my research on Advent I came up with some very interesting activities I can do with my boys. I am really looking forward to it and pray that they enjoy it as much as I will.

What is Advent?

The word Advent means the coming or arrival. Advent is separated into two events - the Advent of the Christ child and the Advent of the Second Christ. Thus Advent is the celebration or anticipation of the Christ child and Christ's Return. Historically Advent is also known as the start of the Church Calendar.

When?

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Colors of Advent:

Purple - to welcome the Advent of the King (4 purple candles)

Blue - sometimes blue is used as well as a symbol of Royalty

Rose - 1 rose colored Candle (3rd lighted candle)

How?

Celebrations of Advent vary depending on the church you attend and which parts you'd like to emphasize for your family. Below you will find what we have chosen to include in our celebration. Please feel free to use these ideas in your own celebrations.

This year we will be purchasing a live wreath for our Advent wreath. The wreath is used to symbolize the new and everlasting life given to us through Jesus the Christ. The wreath has 5 candles - 4 go around the circular wreath and 1 goes in the middle. We will be making Bees Wax Candles this year in preparation of lighting the Advent Wreath.

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath:

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. http://cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html

Colors of the Advent Candles:

Each Candle is lit on a Sunday. The first is the Candle of HOPE. The second is Joy, the third (rose colored) is Peace, and the fourth is Love. The final candle - Center - is the Christ Candle and is white and is lit on Christmas Eve.

The Jesse Tree:

You could also make a Jesse Tree during this time. A Jesse tree traces the lineage of Jesse to the Christ Child. You can make the symbols with your children while sharing the stories of each symbol.

The Festival of Light:

You can celebrate this festival in a number of ways. It is celebrated in many cultures throughout the world. The celebration we have chosen to do this year is the Spiral. This is especially nice with a large number of children.

Foods of Advent:

Stir Up Sunday Bread Pudding

Saffron buns

St. Lucia

Advent Biscuits

Recipes for Advent

Advent Cookies

Advent Recipe Calendar - (christmas-baking.com)A recipe for everyday

Cookie Advent Calendar for Children - (easyfunschool.com)

Advent I: Celebrating Advent with Your Family

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Baking Holiday Cookies for Santa Claus

Baking Holiday Cookies for Santa Claus

Waking up on Christmas morning excited for opening presents is something that a lot of kids look forward to every time this festive season rolls around. Not knowing if they have the gift that they wanted, wondering if the Santa letters they sent off would be answered that day, and slightly cranky because they didn't sleep the night before is the typical morning of Christmas day for a lot of children. So many parents have a hard time getting their little ones into bed without some sort of bribe, and it's understandable because it's such an exciting time of the year for them. However a good night's sleep is something that all children need; and saying things along the lines of them not receiving their letters from Santa if they don't sleep will dampen the mood for them. So that's when the use of legends can come in to play, and this particular one involves leaving cookies for Santa.

Almost everyone that celebrates Christmas can remember at one point staying awake to look out for old Jolly Saint Nick. Listening for the tell tale sign of something on the roof, or waiting for a man to pop out of the chimney are things that both excite and terrify. Excite because seeing Santa would mean that the presents are there, but terrify because it's not known if said present was received.

A lot of children can become very caught up on the whole naughty or nice list, and that's where a lot of restlessness will come from in the night with them thinking about whether or not they have the object they wanted or a big lump of coal. One way to take away the anxiety of the final moments of the waiting is by helping them make and leave out cookies for Santa Claus. This process can really make the difference in eliminating unneeded stress from the kids.

The legend of leaving cookies out for Saint Nick has somewhat of a shadowed origin, however the child that does leave Santa cookies is said to be given somewhat of a second chance if they weren't always 'nice'. The cookies basically give Santa that extra boost he needs on such a tiring night, so because of his gratitude, he'll leave behind a nicer present. Now while this needs to be a decision based on their actions throughout the year, letting them have a little extra bit of hope can do a wonder for their enjoyment of the holiday.

Baking the cookies with them will not only give them something to look forward to but also serve as a bonding factor. This is something great for the family to practice together, especially because the theme is to do something nice for someone else. It's a great way for families to come together and have fun with something very simple in task, but very meaningful.

Typically any type of holiday cookie, or even regular chocolate chip cookies can be used for this little tradition. Don't forget to leave the glass of milk as well! This will really assuage any Christmas Eve jitters and help the child get the proper rest that they need. They fall asleep a lot faster and easier, and once that happens, make sure to move the cookies and milk. It would be an absolute disaster if they thought Santa didn't want what they made for him!

Baking Holiday Cookies for Santa Claus

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

How to Make Delicious Cookies That Are Easy to Ship to Soldiers, Kids at College, Etc - Edition 7

How to Make Delicious Cookies That Are Easy to Ship to Soldiers, Kids at College, Etc - Edition 7

Everyone loves a good cookie. When we have loved ones away from home whether at camp, school, or even in the military, cookies are a way to send them a taste of home. Here are a couple of recipes to make your loved one's day! The Chewy Scotch Squares recipe is older than the Pillsbury Bake-Off. I'm sure these cookies have been sent to the soldiers of several wars. Pecan cookies are always delicious and ship easily.

CHEWY SCOTCH SQUARES

3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp double-acting baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup peach or apricot preserves or jam
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the brown sugar to the melted butter and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the preserves or jam to mix well. Add the oats to the flour mixture and mix thoroughly to blend. Add the butter mixture to the dry mixture and mix well. Cover a baking sheet that has sides with aluminum foil. Turn up the edges of the foil about 1/2-inch all the way around. Spread the dough in the center of the foil and spread to about a six-inch square. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Dough will spread during baking. Cool 15 minutes; sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into squares or bars.

PECAN COOKIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 cup margarine
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar

Cream the above ingredients together until light and fluffy. Add 2 EGGS and mix well.

4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together these last four ingredients until well blended. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add 1 CUP of chopped pecans and stir into the mixture. Drop onto lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes.

Enjoy.

How to Make Delicious Cookies That Are Easy to Ship to Soldiers, Kids at College, Etc - Edition 7

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Zucchini Baking Recipes

Zucchini Baking Recipes

It always seems like if you plant even one zucchini plant, you have enough zucchini to feed a very large family plus the neighbors. So, of course, there is then the question of what to do with all of that zucchini. It always amazes me that zucchini can taste so good in baked goods. Hope you enjoy these two baking recipes for zucchini!

Zucchini Granola Cookies

3/4 cup butter or margarine (softened)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
grated rind of 1 orange
3 cups grated, unpeeled zucchini
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butterscotch or chocolate chips
3 cups granola cereal

In a large bowl, mix together the butter and sugar. Mix in the egg, vanilla, orange rind, and zucchini. Add in the flour and baking soda. Mix in the granola cereal. Then mix in the butterscotch or chocolate chips. Grease a cookie sheet and put teaspoonfuls of the dough onto the sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
5 tablespoons cocoa
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a large bowl, mix the sugars, oil, and margarine together. Add the egg into the mixture one at a time. Mix in the buttermilk and vanilla. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and cocoa. Add in the zucchini and dry mixture by alternating. Add in the chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts. Grease a 9x13-inch pan and pour the batter into it. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Zucchini Baking Recipes

Monday, January 2, 2012

Favorite Cookie Baking Tools and Equipment

Favorite Cookie Baking Tools and Equipment

Baking homemade cookies is a lot more enjoyable when you have the right tools and equipment. Here's a list of items that will help insure cookie baking success.

Baking Pans and Cookie Sheets: Come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Dark metal pans absorb heat and will cause cookies and brownies to brown more quickly. Shiny metal pans reflect heat making them perfect for more delicate baked treats. Air-cushioned sheets provide extra protection from burning but make it difficult to obtain golden brown cookies. Glass pans carry heat more effectively so your oven temperature needs to be adjusted down 25 degrees when using them. I prefer dull, light colored heavy duty aluminum baking pans. Basic pan sizes you'll want in your collection include:
9 X 13-inch 8-inch square 9-inch square 9-inch round Cookie sheets with or without sides. Although many books suggest rimless pans for baking cookies, I have had great success using rimmed half sheet pans.
Bowls: Small, medium, and large mixing bowls in glass or stainless steel.

Wooden Spoons: Great for stirring brownies batter

Measuring Spoons: One or two sets of graduated spoons designed specifically for measuring

Measuring Cups: A 2-cup glass or plastic one for liquids that has a spout and a set of dry graduated measuring cups

Spatulas: One thin metal spatula for removing cookies from the pan and a couple of plastic spatulas for scraping cookie dough and brownie batter from bowls into baking pans

Whisks: One or two medium to large whisks for mixing both dry and wet ingredients

Ice Cream Scoops: Small ice cream scoops make easy, speedy work of dropping cookie dough onto pans. They're one of my favorite inexpensive cookie making tools

Microplane: A wonderful tool for zesting and grating zest from citrus fruit and chocolate

Silicone baking pan liners: Make clean-up a breeze and are available in a wide variety of sizes. With a silicone liner you are able to forgo greasing cookie sheets too. Just be sure to not cut them.

Parchment Paper: An indispensable aid for quick and easy baking. Available in both rolls and sheets, I bake all my cookies on parchment lined sheets for the easiest clean-up

Wire Racks: For cooing your cookies and brownies

Electric Mixer: I love my KitchenAid mixers, both hand-held and standing versions, for making brownies and cookies. If you only bake occasionally or have limited space, start with one or the other. If you bake a lot, you will eventually want both.

Food Processor: I am a fan of Cuisinart food processors. They can really speed up the process for many kitchen tasks like chopping, grating, shredding, and pureeing. Get one that has at least a 6-cup capacity.

Favorite Cookie Baking Tools and Equipment

Dirt Cake With Gummy Worms Recipe for Kids

Dirt Cake With Gummy Worms Recipe for Kids

Looking for a super easy recipe to make for your kids? a dirt cake with gummy worms is so easy you can make it WITH your kids. Its perfect for a party.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (8 ounce package) of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 (3.5 ounce) packages of instant vanilla pudding

3 1/2 cups of milk

1 (12 ounce) container of whipped topping (cool whip type)

32 ounces of chocolate sandwich cookies (oreo type: I use the kind with chocolate filling)

1 cup gummy worms

1/2 cup candy coated chocolate rocks (they have at Walmart)

Directions:

1. Chop cookies very fine in a food processor or blender

2. Mix butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl.

3. Make pudding per directions, sit aside for a few minutes.

4. Add whipped topping and pudding to cream cheese mixture, mix well.

5. Layer chocolate cookies then cream cheese/pudding mixture in serving dish. Start and end with cookie layer.

6. Add candy rocks and gummy worms to top.

7. Chill until ready to serve.

You can often find kids plastic play wheel barrel and plastic shovel in the sand toys section of your local Wally World and used that to serve it. This makes a perfect serving piece for the dirt cake. It makes enough for 10-12 kids. Or you can half the recipe. Or on the flip side, you can double the recipe to make a bigger version for a larger event like a birthday party.

Dirt Cake With Gummy Worms Recipe for Kids

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Ice Cream Party - How to Throw Great Parties For Your Kid in Less Than 30 Minutes!

Ice Cream Party - How to Throw Great Parties For Your Kid in Less Than 30 Minutes!

Want to have an ice cream party but don't know where to begin? It sounds like great fun! But how do you plan great ice cream parties easily and hassle free?

Whether you want to have a kid party with ice cream or you are just bored and you need to add some spunk to your next party, playing with ice cream can be a delicious treat or project for kids and adults alike! You can throw an ice cream sundae party, an ice cream dessert party, have an ice cream picnic...there's no limit to what you can do with ice cream!

Below are some specific directions and a list of ideas about the ice cream you need for your ice cream party.

You may have an upcoming birthday party you are hosting for one of your children or you might be wondering what to serve for your next get together. Ice cream is an all-time favorite during any time of year, so dig in and find some great ideas for ice cream parties below!

* Ice Cream Sundae Party

An ice cream sundae party is always fun. Everyone can make their own dessert - just the way they like it! Whether it be lots of chocolate, lots of fruit, or lots of sauce - everyone will be able to enjoy their own delicious sundae creation! When getting toppings for the sundaes, you can choose to get a variety of toppings or choose to go with a theme. Topping themes could include only chocolate toppings, only fruit toppings, only Christmas-theme (or other holiday) toppings...let the toppings help re-enforce the theme of your party!

* Flower Bouquet Ice Cream Dessert

What looks gross yet is really yummy? Dirt Ice Cream! Imagine your guest's or family's confusion when they see dirt and yet they taste the yummy ice cream! This is a simple recipe and yet is quite decorative. It is served in a flower pot along with flower-shaped cookies that are planted in ice cream. It's perfect for any kid party with ice cream. You can find the directions for this Flower Bouquet Ice Cream Dessert in the link below.

* Ice Cream Picnic

Another great ice cream party idea is to take advantage of the bright sunny day and all your excellent helpers. What could be more fun than making ice cream outside! If you wait till you make it at your picnic, you won't have to worry about it melting before it hits your mouth. You brought other food with you on your picnic, didn't you? Did you keep it cold with ice? You can use that ice to make your ice cream! Ice cream parties are memorable and fun for kids when they get to make their own ice cream!

In order to throw the perfect ice cream party picnic, you'll need certain ingredients and equipment.

Did you know you can have your kid play with a certain ice cream device and, when your kid is done playing, out pops ice cream? Yep! But what is it... Well, I'll give you a hint. It only takes 20-30 minutes and you're kids will love it!

Ice Cream Party - How to Throw Great Parties For Your Kid in Less Than 30 Minutes!