Facial Exercises To Reduce The Sagging Of Face & Neck

Despite your age, you can achieve a more youthful, fresh appearance with a little bit of time and effort. We're not talking about cosmetic surgery, but facial exercise that achieves long-lasting and appealing results. It's never too late to start facial exercises that reduce the appearance of sagging skin and muscles of the face and neck.

Get Rid of Turkey Neck!

No one likes to see that wattle, that tell-tale sign of aging that causes consternation, frustration and for some, reduced self-confidence and self-esteem. Perform this exercise to get rid of that sagging area just under the chin.

Stand tall and tilt your face toward the ceiling. Now, stick your tongue out, trying to touch your chin. Hold that pose for a few seconds and then release, lowering the head so you're looking straight ahead. Repeat this exercise at least five times.

Kiss the Ceiling

Another great facial exercise that tones the cheeks, jawline and neck is called "kiss the ceiling." This is a favorite among many, and is simple to do several times a day. Stand or sit tall, then tilt the head back until you're looking up at the ceiling. Purse your lips as if you're getting ready to smooch, and extend that kiss out as far as you can, keeping the lips together and the face pointing toward the ceiling. Hold the kiss for about five seconds and then relax, but keeping the head tilted back. Repeat this exercise five to ten times to start.

Chin Lifts

Before you get out of bed every morning, try this exercise that will help firm and tone the chin. Lying on your back, let your head droop over the side of the bed. Counting to five, lift your head, keeping the chin tucked in, and try to touch your chin to your chest. Hold that position, as far as you can go, for about 10 seconds, and then release. Do this three to five times to start, and gradually increase to 10 as your neck gets stronger.

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Make A Mosaic Out Of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

Instead of using tiles to make your next mosaic, use Jelly Belly candies. Jelly Belly brand jelly beans come in a broad array of colors and flavors. It is their wide assortment of colors that makes them a suitable craft supply to fashion a mosaic picture. Yet, once you make the picture, don't be tempted to nibble on the project, as the other supplies used are not edible. To create an edible Jelly Belly mosaic, create your design atop a lightly-frosted cake -- the frosting will hold the jelly beans in place.

Instructions

1. Separate your Jelly Belly candies by color, using small paper cups.

2. Pencil your design on a piece of white cardboard, which will serve as the canvas for your mosaic.

3. Pour some white craft glue in a paper cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush in the glue and cover a small portion of your picture with it.

5. Affix jelly beans to the glue, selecting colors appropriate for the area. Add shading and highlighting by using slightly darker and lighter Jelly Belly candies next to similar colors. Continue until you fill in your complete design.

6. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving your picture.

Tags: Jelly Belly, Belly candies, jelly beans, Jelly Belly candies, your design, your picture

About Composters

About Composters

Composting household organic waste material not only makes environmental sense, it makes economic sense as well. Any kind of plant matter can be composted to produce a rich, environmental friendly, natural fertilizer. Composting also takes very little effort. Rather than dumping your potato peels, coffee grounds, egg shells and leftover veggies in the trash, simply toss them into a composter. Does this Spark an idea?

Significance

One of the major issues facing the world community is dispose of our waste. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly one-fourth of all waste entering landfills in the United States comes from compostable food residue and yard trimmings. Using a composter to recycle these degradable organic materials frees up our landfills and provides a renewable source of a rich natural fertilizer for use on our gardens and lawns.

Function

A composter serves as a central repository for compostable materials. Composters convert organic materials such as grass clippings, dryer lint, fruit and vegetable peelings into a rich, natural soil called humus. A composter must allow for heat and moisture in order to function properly. Adequate ventilation combined with manually turning the contents of the composter will help prevent the strong odor commonly associated with compost. In addition to supplying a renewable source of fertilizer for your flowers or vegetable garden, a composter can be an invaluable educational tool to teach children practical lessons in biology, earth science, chemistry and ecology.

Time Frame

A composter helps to control the decomposition process of the organic materials deposited in it. The type and ratio of organic material in the composter, combined with the outside temperature, water content of material, surface area and a number of other factors, affect how rapidly the material breaks down into usable compost. Composting is not an exact science, but as a rule of thumb you can expect a composter to take from six to eight weeks to turn your trash into humus.

Types

Composters come in two basic types; static or tumbler. Both types have advantages and disadvantages. Static, or stationary, composters are generally larger than tumblers and can hold more organic material. They are a good choice if you have a large amount of grass clippings or leaves to compost. They require you to turn the contents manually. Tumbler composters are smaller than their static cousins, but because of their round or cylindrical design, they have no corners for material to get stuck in and allow you to easily mix the contents.

Considerations

Using a composter to recycle organic material is a great way to reduce waste in our landfills and to enrich the soil in your yard. Not all organic material is suitable for composting, however. Black walnut leaves and charcoal ash can release substance that could be detrimental to plant growth. Diary products, meat and fish can create unpleasant odors and attract vermin. Pet waste may contain parasites and other pathogens that could be harmful to humans.

Tags: organic material, organic materials, About Composters, combined with, composter recycle, grass clippings, natural fertilizer

Homemade Squirrel Repellent For Attics

Squirrels chewing through wires can start house fires.

Squirrels nesting in the attic are a common complaint for homeowners. During mating season, or when the weather is cold, squirrels will move into attic spaces and nest in the insulation to keep warm. The problem is that they can produce a lot of noise and have a tendency to chew through wiring located in the roof space. They may also be carrying diseases, ticks and fleas. Deterring squirrels from the attic is not a foolproof science, but there are a few things that can be tried. Does this Spark an idea?

Chemical Repellents

The best way to stop squirrels from nesting in an attic is chemical repellent. These can be bought at any good household goods store, but can also be made at home. The key ingredient in these is cayenne pepper, or more specifically the capsaicin in it. There are a variety of recipes that can be used. Cook onion, jalapeno chilies and cayenne together with water and pass through a sieve. Alternatively just mix the cayenne with soap, water or oil. Crushed chilies and water also have the same effect as does a diluted hot pepper sauces from the supermarket. Pour these liquids into an atomizer and spray around the attic. This also works for keeping squirrels away from plants.

Mothballs

Putting mothballs in the attic is a hit and miss method of deterring squirrels. A lot of mothballs will be required and there is no guarantee they will stop the squirrels from nesting. Alongside that the mothballs create a smell in the house and can drop in between attic floorboards making them impossible to retrieve. It may be worth a try, but may not succeed. To make your own mothballs mix cloves, rosemary, mint, thyme and ginseng together and tie up in muslin bags.

Trees

Trim back branches of trees at least 10 feet from the roof of the house. Again this is not a fool proof way, but may deter squirrels enough as they will not be able to jump onto the roof and find a way into the attic.

Patching the Roof

The most likely time of year for squirrels to nest in an attic is from March to June when they will be giving birth. In February it is a good idea to give the roof a check for any obvious means of entry for squirrels. Squirrels may be able to find another way in, but eliminating possible entry points is a start. Do not cover holes if the squirrels are already nesting as this will trap them inside and may result in more damage to your attic.

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Color Hair With Food Coloring

Color Hair With Food Coloring

Food coloring can safely be used as a hair dye for coloring your hair. It is semi-permanent and usually takes two to four weeks to completely wash out of your hair. The longer you leave the food coloring in, the darker the color of your hair, and the longer it lasts. Colors show up better on lighter hair than darker. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Mix several drops of food coloring and a couple tablespoons os shampoo in an empty shampoo bottle. The more food coloring you use, the darker the shade of color created. Put the top on the bottle, and shake it well to mix. You can add a couple of drops of water if it seems to thick.

2. Wet your hair thoroughly, and then massage the food coloring and shampoo through your hair. Be sure to cover your entire head of hair evenly if you are trying to dye your whole head. You can also separate segments of your hair and dye only part of it.

3. Leave the food coloring in your hair for six to 12 hours. If you have blond or light brown hair, six hours is probably enough. If your hair is dark brown or black, leave it longer.

4. Jump into the shower, and rinse out the colored shampoo. Towel dry your hair, and then dry it with a blow dryer, or let it dry naturally.

5. Avoid washing your hair for three to five days. After that, you can wash it as you normally would, but each time that you wash it, the color lightens. Depending on how dark you dyed it, the food coloring completely washes out within a month.

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Raise Baby Chicken Birds

Raising baby chicks can be a fun and rewarding experience for the entire family.

Whether you order your first batch of baby chicks through the mail or buy them at the local feed store, raising baby chicks can be a fun and rewarding experience for the entire family. Just as baby kittens and puppies have special needs, however, so do young baby birds. Preparing a place to raise the baby chicks and purchasing the proper equipment to take care of them before you begin can help to ensure their safety and well-being once they arrive. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Prepare a warming box for the chicks. Use a plastic storage bin or cardboard box that is at least 12 inches tall for a warming box. The size of the box should provide two square feet of space per each chick.

2. Place absorbent bedding for the chicks inside the warming box. Fill the bottom of the warming box with a 1-inch layer of pine shavings. Do not use cedar shavings since this may cause respiratory issues for the young chicks.

3. Attach a 250-watt infrared heat lamp with a clamp to the side of the warming box. Position the light directly over the center of the box. Chicks need an average air temperature of 95 degrees F for the first week and then 90 degrees F for the second week, adjusting the temperature in this way by 5 degrees weekly as the chicks grow.

4. Place a chick waterer inside the warming box. One chick waterer is usually sufficient for up to 15 chicks. This device allows chicks to have access to water, but keeps them from walking through it or tipping the waterer over.

5. Fill a chick feeder with starter feed. Starter feed is a type of feed that is formulated as a crumble or mash that baby chicks can easily digest. Although starter feed can be fed to young chicks in a small bowl, use a plastic or metal chick feeder to keep chicks from pooping or walking through their food and to prevent them from possibly overturning the bowl onto one of their siblings.

6. Sprinkle a small handful of grit (¼ cup or less) in with the starter feed. Grit is a form of tiny pebbles that chickens store in their crops to help grind up food, which aids digestion.

7. Transfer the baby chicks to the warming box as soon as they arrive. If they do not appear to know where the food and water is, gently dunk the beak of one of the more active chicks into the water and allow it to drink. Once the other chicks see the first one drinking and then eating, they will typically follow suit.

8. Place chicken wire over the warming box to prevent the baby chicks from escaping. As chicks get older, they will prefer to roost on the edge of the warming box if they are not securely kept inside.

9. Check on the baby chicks several times a day. Baby chicks require constant care to ensure their survival. Allow them to have food and water around the clock and a supply of grit to aid with food digestion.

Tags: baby chicks, baby chicks rewarding, chick feeder, chick waterer, chicks from

Find A Wholesale Distributor For Bread Supplies

If you read Mary Walsh's article "10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Learn to Bake Bread" (link below), you know there's something spiritual about the relationship between humans and bread. That stated, if your interest in the subject transcends what Walsh calls, "one of the oldest food items around," you're likely more interested in a literal interpretation as you search for suppliers. This article will get you started, but you'll have to do the legwork required to turn your bakery-related dreams into---well, lots of bread. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Search for bread supply distributors on the Internet; this way you won't spend a lot of time and money researching the price ranges distributors charge for pre-mixed ingredients, individual ingredients and the wide range of supplies needed to produce large quantities of bread. Try several search engines to cover all bases, and jot down web addresses. Visit each one.

2. Talk with bakery shop owners in your community to find out which wholesalers and distributors they like best for everything from flour to loaf pans. Obtain the names of sales reps working for these distributors so you have a specific person to ask for when you telephone them.

3. Look in your Yellow Pages for the names of bread supply distributors and wholesalers in your area. Head for the library if your home base is located in a smaller town without much commercial traffic. Find phone directories for the nearest baking goods suppliers in the region, and use toll-free numbers that will allow you to check inventory, stock and prices without having to pay for the calls.

4. Contact folks in the bakery industry to locate reliable wholesale suppliers. Take advantage of the fact that industrial bakers belong to unions and nonprofit associations that offer discounted baking supplies in addition to education and networking. Get in touch with a staffer at one or more of these organizations, as they are in the business of promoting members and will be happy to give you contact information for suppliers based on your specific needs.

5. Decide whether you want to put all of your loaves of bread into one basket by comparing the goods, brands, prices and quality of the supplies you found during your research. Splitting up your wholesale vendors into, for instance, companies offering the best deals on baking pans, sheets, stones and cooling racks versus another distributor that seems to have cornered the market on bread knives, bread slicers, spatulas and smaller baking utensils may make better sense than sticking to just one resource.

Tags: bread supply, bread supply distributors, supply distributors

Make A Vegan Smoothie

A vegan is a vegetarian who follows a plant-based diet and eats no meat, dairy, eggs or any other animal product. Dietary choices have to pack a big punch in terms of vitamins and protein as well as flavor. Serve this smoothie with warm bran muffins and nut butter for a flavorful, nutrient packed meal. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Assemble the fruit for the smoothie. Use ripe fruit cut into small pieces or use frozen fruit. Choose a combination of banana, mango, papaya, raspberries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and/or kiwi. Substitute a banana-blend drink for bananas as needed.

2. Place the fruit into the blender with 5 or 6 ice cubes. Add a cup of vegan sorbet or gelatin in a flavor that complements the fruit choices.

3. Add a pint of orange juice and a pint of apple juice. Place the lid on the blender, cover it with a dishtowel and hold it in place.

4. Turn the blender on high. Process until the ingredients are smooth and frosty without any ice chunks. Add more juice to adjust the consistency as desired.

5. Pour the smoothie into a covered contained and add 5 or 6 more ice cubes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

6. Pour the smoothie into a glass pitcher with additional ice cubes. Serve in tall glasses garnished with lemon or orange slices and a sprig of mint. Add straws.

7. Print the smoothie recipe on note cards or half-sheets. Share the recipe with those who request it.

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Cook Pig Trotters For Dogs

Pig's feet are delicious for dogs and can provide a hearty meal.

From a roasted loin to a cut of ham, meat from a pig is generally recognized by these popular and flavorful cuts. However, there is a myriad valuable cuts that come from a pig not as well known. Pig's feet, or trotters, are a flavorful piece of pig used in a variety of cuisines around the world. Trotters can also be used for feeding dogs, creating a nutritious and protein-filled meal for a favorite pet canine. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot halfway with water. Place it on the stove.

2. Turn the burner to high and bring the water to a boil.

3. Place the pig's feet in the hot water. Add more water if the pig's feet are not completely covered.

4. Simmer the feet for an hour. Remove them from the water and allow to completely cool.

5. Rmove the meat from the bone and mix it with dried food. Keep the boiled feet in the fridge for up to a week.

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Should Foods Be Thawed Before Cooking In A Convection Oven

Cooking a frozen cut of meat in any oven is likely to lead to disappointing results.

Once only found in bakeries and restaurants, convection ovens are becoming a popular addition to home kitchens. Convection ovens work by circulating hot air around the food with fans. This results in more even cooking than in standard ovens, often in less time. However, while cooking with a convection oven does require some adjustments to temperature, time and pan choices, certain aspects are the same as using a standard oven. Does this Spark an idea?

Thaw Food Before Cooking

While some countertop convection ovens claim to cook frozen meats, in general, for the most even cooking, you need to thaw food before cooking in any kind of oven --- even a convection oven. The only exceptions to that rule are frozen prepared foods that are designed to be cooked directly from the freezer. Cooking frozen food, especially meat, is likely to lead to uneven results. Because food cooks from the outside in, you'll likely wind up with a meal that's overcooked on the outside and undercooked --- or still frozen --- on the inside.

Rationale

Convection ovens tend to cook food more quickly than standard ovens; some manufacturers estimate that most roasted items will cook up to 30 percent faster than standard ovens. Because the air inside the oven is moving around, meat tends to sear on the outside quickly. To compensate for this, you generally need to lower the oven temperature so the inside of the food cooks evenly and the outside does not overcook. For this to work properly, though, the entire piece of meat needs to start at the same temperature; otherwise, you'll get the same uneven results as cooking in a standard oven. Cooking frozen food also takes longer than cooking thawed food in either a convection or standard oven, which uses more energy.

Thawing in Convection Ovens

Convection oven manufacturers do not recommend cooking frozen food in the oven, but in some cases, you can use the oven to thaw or defrost food quickly. If the food is something that will thaw in less than two hours, such as a chicken breast or pork chops, place it in a roasting pan to catch the juices and set it in the lower part of an oven set to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Check the food regularly to make sure it's not cooking. If you need to thaw a large item, such as a Thanksgiving turkey, don't try to do it in the oven. If the meat stays in the oven for more than two hours, it will have spent too much time at too high a temperature, and the potential for dangerous bacteria growth is very high.

Convenience Foods

If you're cooking frozen foods, such as a frozen pizza or packaged meal, you can use the convection oven without thawing the food first. Many manufacturers print convection oven instructions on the packaging, but if your food does not have instructions, you can estimate the proper time and temperature. In general, lower the temperature listed on the package by 25 degrees, and the time by 10 percent. Check the food through the oven window at regular intervals to gauge doneness. Keep a running list of the ideal temperature and cooking times for your favorite convenience foods once you hit on the right combination so you don't need to keep experimenting.

Tags: frozen food, standard oven, standard ovens, than standard, than standard ovens, Check food, convection oven

Distribute A Snack Food Item

Reach customers by distributing your snack food to stores.

Having a wonderful snack food product may not mean much if you have no way to get it to customers. You don't need to be a large distributor, though, in order to get your product in stores. Distributing your snack food item to outlets such as grocery stores and convenience stores is a very efficient way to reach hundreds of potential customers.

Instructions

1. Obtain all of the proper licensing and tax requirements in order to make your product legal for resale. This includes a local business license. Many state laws require a food permit for food items that will be distributed or sold, and many state laws prohibit home manufacture of such food items.

2. Acquire a universal product code (UPC) code. This will help you keep track of your item's sales in stores. If you decide to sell to large companies and national retailers, they may require you to obtain your own UPC code for your product, which can cost about $750, or you can go under another company's UPC code for less than $100. (Prices are as of 2010.) Some companies require a UPC code. It may not be required, however, if you distribute the item to small companies or local chain stores.

3. Obtain product insurance. Most companies will not accept your food snack without insurance. They do not want to be held directly responsible for issues that may arise from your product.

4. Contact local stores and companies. In this case, the smaller the better. As a start-up company, begin with stores that do not have many vendor requirements. This may mean contacting grocery or convenience stores in your area before knocking on Wal-Mart's or Trader Joe's door.

5. Offer incentives to your retailers. Give potential retailers a reason to put your product in their stores. You may receive more acceptance if you do not ask them to purchase your item. Instead, offer a commission on the products that sell. Retailers are always worried about purchasing items before they know whether or not they will sell. This strategy may help if your product is unknown.

6. Present your product well with packaging. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has laws about proper packaging and labeling prepackaged food. Presentation is important when approaching retailers. They want to ensure that an item doesn't affect the rapport of their stores.

7. Maintain accurate sales records. After you distribute your item, keep a record of its sales. You can do so by simply subtracting the number of remaining items at a retail location from the number of items you placed at that location. Set up a proper payment schedule for your retailers so that you both are paid in a timely manner. You can avoid this step by having your retailers purchase the snack food before they sell the item, but it may be harder to find retailers willing to do business that way.

8. Organize timely delivery schedules. Keep track of when you need to restock your snack food item at the stores. Your delivery frequency may vary from store to store. Keeping the stores properly stocked with your product is important to ensure sales.

Tags: your product, snack food, your snack food, your item, your retailers, your snack

Barley Grass Vs Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass and barley both get harvested young.

When it comes to healthy living, many people turn to nutritional supplements like barley grass (hordeum vulgare) and wheatgrass (triticum aestivum). While both are packed full of nutrients and benefits, they differ in health values.

Description

A member of the grain family, barley grass gets harvested for consumption while still young, as it has more nutritional value. Wheatgrass comes from the common wheat plant and gets harvested when young as well, right before it begins the jointing stage.

Nutrients

Barley grass has more than 30 nutrients and contains essential amino acids. A complete protein, wheatgrass has about 90 minerals and 20 amino acids.

Benefits

High in antioxidants, barley can boost the immune system and energy. Dynamic Greens states that among other benefits, wheatgrass works as a detoxifier and promotes better sleep and sense of well-being. It also relieves anxiety, lessens appetite cravings and strengthens the immune system.

Medical Benefits

According to Drugs.com, due to its antioxidants, barley grass is said to help skin diseases and ulcers, as well as fight cancer. According to the Hippocrates Health Institute, wheatgrass stimulates thyroid, digestion and metabolism, and can fight against tumors and relieve skin ailments. However, Drugs.com states, "Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of barley grass for cancer-preventive properties."

Other Uses

The grain of barley and wheat gets used as an additive to cereal, for flour and for brewing.

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Hemp Oil & Hair

Hemp oil is beneficial to hair.

Healthy hair is a product of a nutritious diet and an overall healthy body. Ensuring health from the inside out includes adding the necessary supplements and oils to daily diet. Hemp seeds and oil are used in beauty products and hair care. When using hemp for hair care, it's best to ingest it internally, as health grows from the inside out. Does this Spark an idea?

Composition

Hemp is an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids impact cell membranes and improve metabolism and our cardiovascular system. Essential fatty acids retain good substances while blocking out negative ones. Hemp seed contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. Hemp oil is considered a "good" fat. The seed can be used for oil. Hemp supplements that are taken internally, like oil or capsules, can ward off aging to hair and even skin.

Benefits

Hemp seed oil is a source of the essential amino acids that benefit healthy hair. Hemp promotes strong, healthy locks and staves off the effects of aging. Shampoo and other hair care products that use hemp will leave your hair soft. Hemp oil can be applied directly to hair as a conditioner, even left on overnight. Hemp oil is also used to moisturize braids, cornrows and weaves.

Ratio

If you're going to ingest hemp oil, consider the following information. It's recommended that 5 to 10 percent of calorie intake come from polyunsaturated fat, Omega-3 and Omega 6. Basically, take 1 tsp. of oil daily for every 35 lbs. of body weight. If you decide to ingest capsules instead of straight oil, follow the dose listen on the bottle. Hemp oil can be purchased at health food stores. It should be refrigerated and kept out of sunlight.

Controversy

While hemp is a distant relative of the marijuana plant, it is drug-free and non-hallucinogenic. The use of hemp seeds in commercial products is completely legal, after they've been sterilized to prevent germination. The resin that is found in illegal drugs is no longer in the hemp seed after it's been cleaned and washed.

Warnings

Health conditions can require different levels of fat intake. It's important to consult a doctor to make sure you won't be ingesting too much fat if you take hemp orally. Be mindful of an allergic reaction to hemp. Hemp is a rich oil and can make hair too oily. It's best to use hemp in small doses, increasing how much you use when you see how your body reacts.

Tags: fatty acids, hair care, Essential fatty, from inside, Hemp seed

Clean Leafy Greens

Green leafy vegetables such as kale, chard, collards and mustard greens are rich in vitamins C and A and also fiber and antioxidants. They are tasty and nutritious. Don't let the cleaning process stop you from purchasing and cooking these healthy vegetables. It may take a little work, but once you clean and cook them you'll be pleased with the results. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Remove the greens from the stalk. Green leafy vegetables usually come on stalks where much of the dirt and grit hide. Removing the leaves makes it easier to clean them.

2. Fill the sink with cold water. Don't use warm water because it begins to cook the vegetables. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach react quickly to heat.

3. Place all greens into the sink. If you purchased a large batch of greens, you might not be able to fit them all in the sink at once. Fit as much as you can and let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Swish them around periodically to dislodge any dirt or sand tucked in the leaves.

4. Drain the water and feel the bottom of the sink for sand and grit. If there is a lot of dirt or grit, clean out the sink and repeat the process. Continue the process until the bottom of the sink is free from debris.

5. Check the greens for dirt one more time. Once you are comfortable they are clean, dry them and prepare your favorite recipe.

Tags: Green leafy, Green leafy vegetables, leafy vegetables, bottom sink, clean them, dirt grit, leafy vegetables such

Get Rid Of Neck Wrinkles With Plastic Surgery

Get Rid of Neck Wrinkles With Plastic Surgery

The neck is an area that is particularly susceptible to wrinkling as we age. The skin on the neck is thinner and more delicate than on other areas of the body, making it more prone to damage. Over time, gravity takes it toll on the neck, causing wrinkles and sagging. You can, however, get rid of neck wrinkles with plastic surgery. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Know what to expect. Since the neck is a delicate area that houses key organs such as the esophagus and larynx, certain cosmetic procedures that are available to other parts of the body are not safe for the neck. A plastic surgeon can, however, perform a neck lift on you which will tighten sagging skin there.

2. Decide which type of neck lift is right for you. There are two types of neck lifts available, cervicoplasties and platysmaplasties. A cervicoplasty involves removing excess skin from the neck. This procedure corrects fleshy jowls and removes sagging skin, often referred to as "turkey wattle." A platysmaplasty involves tightening or altering the muscles in the neck. This can bring about a more defined jawline and an overall more youthful look.

3. Find a plastic surgeon who specializes in neck lifts. Most plastic surgeons have particular body areas in which they specialize. Ask friends for any recommendations. Your general practitioner or dermatologist may have plastic surgeon recommendations as well.

4. Discuss the possible procedures with your doctor. He will be able to assess your particular neck and advise you on the best surgery for you. Some patients may require both a cervicoplasty and a platysmaplasty which can be done during the same surgery. Sometimes liposuction is performed in conjunction with either procedure, to remove excess fat from the neck region.

5. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding preparation for your neck lift. She will tell you which medications and vitamins you should avoid in the weeks leading up to the surgery. If you smoke, you must quit smoking for at least two weeks prior to and two weeks following the surgery.

6. Expect to experience pain following the procedure. As a neck lift is major surgery, you will need to rest and recover for about two to three weeks afterwards. Do not rush your recovery as this can impede the healing process and result in less satisfactory results.

7. Protect your skin following a neck lift. Your neck will look better after your procedure. Protect it from the sun to keep it looking as good as possible. The sun's rays are responsible for wrinkles and skin damage so aim to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your neck daily. You should also clean and moisturize your neck as you do your facial skin.

Tags: neck lift, plastic surgeon, area that, from neck, neck lifts

Sprout Peanuts

Sprouted peanuts are full of vitamins E, C, B and A, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, amino acids and protein. Choose unblanched peanuts for sprouting and remove the skins before you begin. Spanish peanuts tend to have looser skins which are easy to remove before soaking. However, you must soak other varieties for 1 to 2 hours to remove the skins. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place your soaked, skinless peanuts in a wide-mouthed glass jar and cover them with water. Leave them in the water for 8 to 12 hours.

2. Drain the water from the peanuts and place them in a fine mesh colander. Rinse them under running water and let them drain. Return the nuts to the jar and cover the mouth of the jar with breathable cloth.

3. Place the jar of peanuts in a cool, semi-lit location. Rinse and drain every 8 to 12 hours. Taste the peanuts with each rinse for flavor and examine the size of the sprout. You're done when the nut displays a bulge where the sprout will emerge. However, you may continue sprouting until they have small tails.

4. Rinse the sprouts and let them drain thoroughly. Place them in the glass jar and seal the lid tightly. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks.

Tags: remove skins, them drain

Make Roux From A Turkey Neck Bone

A roux uses fat and flour to form the thickening base for sauces and gravies. When preparing a whole turkey, save the neck bone to make the roux to add to the gravy. Unlike some gravy thickening methods, gravies made with a roux avoid the "raw flour" flavor by having the roux cook for several minutes before combining with the liquid. To save time when making this roux, add the turkey neck bone into the bottom of the roasting pan with the rest of the turkey and just use 2 tablespoons of drippings for the roux from bottom of the pan after the turkey finishes cooking. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place the turkey neck bone into the bottom of the saucepan and heat over medium-high heat.

2. Cook the turkey neck bone for several minutes to allow some of the fat to render out and collect at the bottom of the pan.

3. Pour the neck bone drippings, except 2 tablespoons, out of the saucepan.

4. Move the turkey neck bone to a 1-quart saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium and simmer for one hour to make a turkey stock.

5. Pour all of the flour into the 2 tablespoons hot neck bone drippings in the pan.

6. Whisk quickly until the flour begins to bubble and thin.

7. Reduce the heat to low, and let the roux slowly cook, stirring occasionally until you smell the flour toasting, which indicates the flour is cooked and no longer tastes raw.

8. Cook for two more minutes for a white roux, which is best for a turkey gravy.

9. Remove the pan from the heat and let the roux cool for one minute.

10. Ppour the 2 cups of turkey neck bone stock carefully into the warm roux, whisking vigorously. Watch the mixture carefully as this requires vigorous whisking for proper thickening without splattering or clumping. Thickening occurs immediately.

Tags: neck bone, turkey neck bone, turkey neck, bone drippings, bone into

Culinary Arts Senior Project Ideas

High school culinary programs often require a final project.

In one way or another, everybody enjoys food. Some people love eating, others love cooking and still others like to learn about the science behind food. If you're studying culinary arts in high school, chances are you'll be asked to prepare a senior year project before graduation. Choose a topic that will not only get you a good grade but that will interest you as well.

Expiration Dates

If you lean toward the scientific study of food, research the rate at which foods expire, rot and spoil. You can also look into how expiration dates are determined and what they really prevent. For example, just because the expiration date on something has passed, does that truly mean the food is too spoiled to consume? What exactly happens to specific types of foods as the expiration date nears? You can also look into how different food packaging methods and wrappings affect the food.

Food Substitutions

Students who enjoy cooking can explore different food substitutions, both tried-and-true and new. Buttermilk can be replaced with a mixture of white vinegar and milk, and basil and oregano can be interchangeable. Students can explore the taste differences when replacing certain food items in a recipe, and they can also play around with their own creative substitutions to see if they're able to improve a recipe.

Green Projects

Plenty of people these days are interested in and even concerned with green ways of living, including farming methods and organic foods. Students can explore the practices of both big businesses and small farms, including treatment of animals and crops. They can research a number of issues, from health consequences or benefits to taste and even ethical issues.

Recreations

A fun project idea is to recreate your favorite dishes. Choose your favorite candy bar, packaged potato chip or even frozen entr e and attempt to recreate the plate. Have your class taste-test your final product to let you know if you've hit the nail on the head. The key to this is to not look up the recipe, but instead try to figure out the ingredients depending on your palate. You can also choose your favorite meal that's featured in a movie or TV show, try to figure out the recipe yourself, and present it so that it looks the same as on screen.

Tags: your favorite, also look, also look into, different food, expiration date

Southern Breakfast Ideas

A Southern Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of your day. Once you have eaten in the morning, the fast is broken from your last meal. This meal also gives you the energy needed to start your day right. Many southern people eat a delicious although somewhat heavy breakfast to fuel their bodies through out the day. With so many ideas, you too can make your family a tasty southern breakfast. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Biscuits & Gravy

Biscuits with gravy, eaten by themselves or with a number of side dishes, are a staple in southern breakfasts. Fry some sausage patties and then use the grease to make the gravy. Bake the biscuits in the oven until the tops are golden brown. You can use either canned or homemade biscuits. To make the gravy more interesting, tear up pieces of sausage into it. Put some biscuits and sausage on your plate and cover with gravy. Pour a glass of orange juice and enjoy your breakfast.

Pancakes

One way to enjoy a southern breakfast is to fix pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs. Fry enough bacon in a heavy skillet for everyone to have three or four pieces. Mix an egg with 1 cup of flour and enough milk to make a thin batter. Pour a spoonful of batter onto a hot griddle or skillet and cook until the top forms bubbles. Flip and cook for one or two minutes more. Stack the pancakes on a plate and butter each one. Make a pan full of scrambled and put on the side of the plate, along with some strips of bacon. Pour maple syrup over the stack of pancakes and pour a cup of coffee, milk or orange juice.

Grits

Grits are a common food eaten for breakfast in the south in the southern states. Grits is meal made by grinding corn. Put two cups of water in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of grits and ¼ tsp. of butter. Heat on medium high until light boiling occurs. Turn the burner to low heat and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring often. Pour the thickened grits into a bowl and add the amount of butter you want. While the grits are cooking, fry some eggs and jowl bacon to eat with your bowl of grits. Cover your grits with a spoonful of gravy to make an especially tasty meal. Top it all off with a cup of hot coffee.

Scrambled Eggs

Another idea for breakfast is to make scrambled eggs. A multitude of other foods go well with scrambled eggs, such as, but not limited to, toast, fried ham and slices of fresh tomatoes. Fry your slices of ham in a heavy skillet until done. Crack open the eggs into a bowl. Add your favorite chopped vegetables and cheese to the eggs or leave them plain. Melt the butter and pour the eggs into the hot pan. Scramble the eggs and put on your plate when finished cooking. Butter your toast and sit it on the plate of eggs along with the fried ham. Cut up a tomato into slices and put on your plate. Finish the meal with a cup of coffee or glass of juice.

Fried Chicken

An idea for a southern breakfast is to make fried chicken and waffles. Dredge chicken legs and thighs through flour and cook in a skillet with hot oil on medium heat. Cook the chicken until both sides are golden brown and the juices run clear. Cook frozen waffles in the toaster and place on your plate next to the fried chicken. Butter the waffles and pour maple syrup over them. Drink a cup of coffee or glass of milk with your breakfast.

Tags: your plate, scrambled eggs, southern breakfast, along with, breakfast make, coffee glass, eggs into

A Clean Stained Teflon Pan

Teflon was invented in 1938 at the DuPont laboratories. It's a fluoropolymer resin that gives cookware a durable, nonstick coating. You can find Teflon on any type of cookware and bakeware. It makes pots, pans, bundt cake pans, cookie sheets, muffin pans- you name it- both easy to use and clean. Although the slippery Teflon surface has its advantages, it's not perfect. Pans can become stained. When this happens, the normal cleaning instructions for Teflon don't work. You need to use special techniques to make your Teflon look like new again. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Measure out and pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the Teflon stained pan. Measure and slowly add a half cup of household bleach in. Pour 1 to 2 cups of tap water into the pan. The pan should be approximately half full. If it's not, add additional soda, bleach and water in appropriate amounts until it is.

2. Stir the ingredients of the Teflon pan slowly. Set it carefully on a stove top. Simmer the cleaning solution on medium heat for 5 minutes.

3. Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully discard the cleaning solution down the drain. Check to see if the stain on the Teflon surface is gone. If it hasn't, repeat all the steps in the process.

4. Wash the pan well with dishwashing liquid, a sponge, and water once the stains have been removed. Rinse it thoroughly with water, and then dry it with a dish towel.

5. Add a few drops of cooking oil to the inside of the Teflon pan. Use a paper towel to wipe the oil around so the entire surface is lightly covered. The oil helps protect the surface.

Tags: cleaning solution, Teflon surface

Start Hog Farming

Hogs can be fed food wastes to cut down on feed costs.

Starting a hog farm can be a rewarding venture for the small time hobbyist and the farmer looking to make it his sole occupation. Successful hog farming involves getting the stock to market weight as quickly and efficiently as possible. A hog farm can include inside and outside housing, depending on the size of the operation and the start-up capital available. A hog operation must be thoroughly researched before any investments are made.

Instructions

1. Identify the revenue possibilities for your hogs. Are there butchers or processing plants you can sell them to directly? Are there independent consumers in your area that are willing to purchase sides of pork from you? Find the local market in your area and research the average farmgate price you can expect from your pigs.

2. Determine your breeding plan. There are several approaches. You can have the sows bred artificially, keep a few boars for reproducing, or buy piglets yearly and finish them out. It is recommended to keep one boar for every 15 sows if you choose to breed with natural service. The advantage of buying piglets is that facilities do not need to be created for boars and farrowing sows, and therefore less startup capital and labor are required.

3. Design and build the required housing facilities. Hogs can be kept in pens outside, but handling and manure removal becomes more difficult. If housing pigs inside, the floor needs to be made out of non-slippery concrete so it can be hosed down regularly. When constructing hog pens, holding areas are not only necessary for growing pigs, but also the boars, dry sows, pregnant sows and the farrowing sows. Water troughs and proper bedding, such as wood shavings, must be supplied to each pen.

4. Create a feeding plan. The goal is to grow the piglets as fast and cheaply as possible. Consider contacting a local food company or processor to obtain food waste as a cheap food product. Waste milk from local dairy farms can also be used. A good diet will also typically consist of corn and soybeans, since they are high in energy and protein.

5. Purchase the starter stock. It is best to have commercial meat breeds that are designed to grow fast. If buying breeding sows, make sure their back legs are straight and that each one has six healthy teats on each side.

Tags: farrowing sows, your area

Graduation Project Topics On Art

Beautify your community by painting a mural while also meeting the requirements of a final art project.

Depending on the high school, many students must complete a final project before graduating. Sometimes the final project may be art-focused, especially for students who plan to attend art schools, such as the School of Visual Art in New York City. Even students who do not plan on majoring in art once they go to college can complete a final art project, if it is permissible by the high school's requirements, as many schools encourage students to focus on something that highlights their talents and interests.

Shoot a Video

Make a video wherein you interview fellow graduating seniors, teachers and guidance counselors and show footage of the classrooms, gym and cafeteria. Design it to be a creative part of orientation for freshmen and transfer students. Include footage of any school clubs and sports teams and other extracurricular activities. Show your directorial skills behind the camera and let this graduation art project be your first official documentary film.

Paint a Mural

Paint a mural to beautify your community. After getting proper permission from all parties, including the high school, show off your artistic skill and paint a mural in the style of your favorite muralist, whoever it may be. It can be a painting commemorating an event or a person particular to your neighborhood, a mural dedicated to literacy or even graffiti art. Showcase your skill and creativity in using mixed media, such as paint and spray paint, on a large scale while helping out your community.

Host a Talent Show

Organize and host a talent show in the style of popular television shows such as "Glee," "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Got Talent." Get other graduating seniors to sing, dance and tell jokes to an audience made up of the remaining student body, faculty, staff and parents. Arrange to have another student videotape the event. Decorate the stage and treat the event as if it were going to be televised.

Complete a Photojournalism Project

Grab your camera and take photos of your neighborhood, including your school. If there is someone interesting in your neighborhood with a poignant story to tell, ask that person whether you might tell her story and take photos. Shoot dramatic angles or in black and white so each photo can stand alone but tell a story once they are viewed together. See if you can showcase your photojournalist project in your art classroom, as museums do. Invite students, faculty, staff and parents to view the photos and answer any questions they have.

Tags: final project, high school, your community, your neighborhood, complete final, complete final project, faculty staff

What Is A Fortune 500 Business

The Fortune 500 is the most prominent indicator of successful businesses in America.

The annual Fortune 500 list produced by Fortune magazine is the most prominent and revered indicator of America's most successful corporations. Since 1955, Fortune has compiled the list of the 500 companies, both privately held and publicly traded, with the highest revenues in the preceding fiscal year. Not only an indicator of individual business success, the Fortune 500 also provides a snapshot of the American economy in general.

Inclusion in the Fortune 500

A company must meet certain requirements to be included in the Fortune 500. Any company both incorporated and operating within the United States and filing its annual financial statements with a government agency is eligible to become a Fortune 500 company. Corporations incorporated abroad or owned and controlled by another company are ineligible for inclusion on the list.

Ranking Criteria

After determining which companies are eligible for inclusion, they are ranked according to gross revenue. Other financial data and ratios are included in the list. In 1955, the list's first year, General Motors Corp. topped the charts with gross revenue of $9.8 billion. More than 50 years later, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. topped the 2010 list with an impressive $408 billion in revenue.

Insight

The Fortune 500 not only reveals the success of America's largest corporations, it also provides a worthwhile indicator of the state of the American economy. The list includes major corporations from a variety of industries, so fluctuations consistent throughout the list indicate broad changes in the economy. For instance, the economic recession of 2008 was reflected in the Fortune 500 by an unprecedented 84 percent drop in total profits from 2007 to 2008.

Trends

Much changed in the first 55 years of the Fortune 500, but some key components (and companies) remain. Originally, only industrial corporations were eligible for inclusion on the list. By the 1990s, however, service companies such as telephone service providers and financial institutions had such a significant impact on the American economy that Fortune opened up the list to companies from any sector. Despite the change in inclusion guidelines, only three corporations (General Motors, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Wal-Mart) have ever achieved the number one spot.

Expansion

While the Fortune 500 is the most noted business index produced by the magazine, a number of other rankings were created over the past decades. The Global 500 uses the same criteria as the original list but allows inclusion of internationally owned corporations; the U.S. still has a sizable lead in the number of companies on the list. Other popular Fortune lists include the Fortune 100 and Fortune's "Top 100 Employers to Work For."

Tags: American economy, Fortune company, also provides, eligible inclusion, Fortune most, General Motors, gross revenue

Missouri Certified Kitchen Rules & Regulations

Food production must comply with all federal, state and local food laws.

Food prepared for sale to the public must be prepared, processed and preserved in a hygienic manner, in order to avoid potential contamination. Kitchens used for the preparation of commercial foods must meet strict standards. The State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as local public health agencies regulate more than 30,000 food service establishments and food processing facilities throughout the state.

Missouri Food Code

Retail food establishments, including grocery stores, fast food chains, bakeries, delis, restaurants, cafes, schools, mobile-concession stands, food trucks, caterers and any other establishments that sell food to the public must comply with the 1999 Missouri Food Code, which was adapted from the Federal Drug Administration's 1999 Food Code. The mission of the code is to "safeguard public health and provide to consumers food that is safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented." It "establishes definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food operations, and equipment and facilities; and provides for food establishment plan review, permit issuance, inspection, employee restriction, and permit suspension."

Inspection

Chapter 196 of the Missouri State Code pertains to food, drugs and tobacco and sets down laws that allow state-authorized agents to have free access to inspect all facilities where food is produced and to secure samples for inspection. The inspection of establishments throughout the state is divided into three categories: 23 cities in Missouri have city food ordinances that allow city inspectors to complete inspections under local authority; 31 counties have county food ordinances that allow county health department inspectors to complete inspections under local authority; and 83 counties comply with state food ordinances, which allow county health department inspectors to complete inspections under state authority. A food service ordinance map and information is available at the DHSS website.

Kitchen Standards

Chapter six of the 1999 Missouri Food Code pertains to the commercial kitchen standards required for sanitary food production. A cook planning to produce and sell food from her home must ensure the kitchen complies with all regulations. It can be extremely costly to bring a home kitchen up to code standards. It may be cheaper to approach an established commercial kitchen, such as that of a restaurant or bakery, and ask if it is possible to rent their kitchen facilities at times when they are closed for business.

Local Authorities

Dependent upon where the establishment is located, a local authority may require plan reviews, pre-opening inspections, food-handlers training, licenses, permits and the payment of fees prior to the opening of the business. Anyone interested in opening a food-related business is advised to contact the local health department to check the specific requirements. Opening an establishment without complying with all the necessary requirements can result in the business being closed and fines being imposed.

Tags: Food Code, complete inspections, complete inspections under, comply with, food ordinances, health department

Homemade Remedies To Cure Cellulite

Cellulite is the formation of cottage cheese-like fat substances in areas of the body such as the thighs, abdomen and buttocks. Cellulite can be difficult to remove with exercise or diet. Men are less prone to accumulating cellulite in the body than women. Cosmetic surgery procedures, such as liposuction, are not usually effective in treating cellulite, but some home remedies may work to reduce its appearance. However, home remedies may not provide an instant or noticeable change in everyone.

Massaging Oils

Massaging coconut oil into the affected area is one of the most effective remedies against the appearance of cellulite. Proper massaging in general can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. You can massage cellulite with just coconut oil, or the oil can be mixed with a variety of essential oils such as rosemary, sandalwood, juniper, cedar wood, lavender, cinnamon, germanium, clove and chamomile, all of which may aid in reducing cellulite. Additionally, a mixture of thyme, grapefruit and corn oil can also be used to massage areas that have cellulite deposits.

Coffee

Coffee, or the caffeine in it, is another suggested remedy to improve the appearance of cellulite. Brew ground coffee beans and while the coffee grounds are still warm, apply them over the areas that need treatment. Vegetable oils can be added to reduce the friction this may cause on the skin. You may experience discomfort when doing this treatment, and results are not guaranteed. Many cosmetic companies have tapped in to the coffee ingredient in their anti-cellulite creams.

Other Options

Grapefruit and almond are other natural remedies that may help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Grapefruit juice or almond extracts can be added to lotion or rubbed directly into the cellulite to potentially reduce the appearance of the unpleasant fat.

You may also try something as simple as adding sea salt to bath water and sitting in it for about 20 minutes can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Diet and Exercise

Though it's hardly foolproof, losing weight through regular exercise and a low fat, balanced diet should help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Also eliminating soda, alcohol, processed foods, cigarettes and coffee may help reduce cellulite, states Dr. Howard Murad in his book "The Cellulite Solution."

Tags: appearance cellulite, reduce appearance, help reduce, help reduce appearance, reduce appearance cellulite, areas that, home remedies

Convection Oven Vs Infrared

Infrared ovens and convection ovens come in small, tabletop models.

Cooks and chefs have several alternatives to conventional cooking devices. For example, convection ovens and infrared ovens which both offer faster cooking times. Some users even report that they brown food more evenly and leave dishes more moist than conventional electric or gas ovens. Does this Spark an idea?

Function

Convection ovens combine a conventional heat source, such as natural gas or electric heating elements with a fan that circulates the heated air evenly around the food being cooked. Infrared ovens heat food with infrared light waves. They are invisible to the eye but heat food when they contact it.

Usage

Convection ovens cook more quickly than conventional ovens and must be used differently. Cooking times or temperatures must be reduced and food must be placed in low-sided dishes for air to circulate well. Cooks also have to often reduce cooking times with infrared ovens and either little or no preheating time.

Applications

Convection ovens are popular among professional chefs and are available to home cooks as well. Convection ability is also added to some small ovens, such as toaster ovens. Tabletop infrared ovens are becoming available for home cooks, but larger-scale infrared ovens are used in various industrial applications.

Tags: infrared ovens, available home, available home cooks, Convection ovens, heat food, home cooks

What Subjects Do You Need To Become A Chef

Gastronomy classes teaches you about the effects of history and culture on food.

Chefs can find work in restaurants, with caterers, or as personal chefs for private homes. A culinary degree prepares you for all of these different career paths. While in school, students take a wide range of classes from math to chemistry to wine tasting to pastries.

Cooking Classes

During classes on techniques and methods, you learn about the concepts, skills, terminology and methods used in professional cooking. This includes learning knife skills, season a dish and developing a range of sauces. You will take classes on contemporary restaurant cooking, including plate presentation and buying, storing, and using key ingredients. Classes on regional and international cuisines allow you to explore the exotic ingredients and recipes of other countries.

Baking Classes

Skill development classes teach you baking principles and theories, fundamental production techniques, ingredient functions and preparations. Baking technique classes include lessons on methods such as the creaming method, pre-cooked method and foaming method. In classes about baking ingredients you learn to recognize and pick out quality grains, diary products, spices, flours and other important ingredients. Your professors in equipment technology classes teach you about the costs, benefits and drawbacks of different types of baking equipment.

Math Classes

Most people don't instantly think of math classes as preparation for becoming a chef, but math plays an important role in the culinary arts. You will need to take a basic bath skills class to ensure you know use whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, since these concepts apply to recipes and cooking. Math classes designed specifically for culinary students teach you the standard units of measurement, unit conversion, percents, ratios, yield tests, recipe scaling and recipe cost analysis.

Nutrition Classes

Nutrition and cooking go hand in hand. In your nutrition classes you'll learn basic chemistry so you understand how foods break down, how the body normally digests and how metabolism works on a cellular level. These types of classes also cover diseases that affect nutrition.

Business Classes

Many chefs own their own restaurants. During hospitality and service management classes you'll learn about professional communication, service sequence, dining room preparation and cash handling. You may also take classes on economics and financial management.

Tags: classes learn, classes teach, learn about, take classes

Remove Blood Stains Before Washing Them

Remove blood stains

Removing blood stains from washable material or clothing requires action as soon as possible, before washing the item. Hemoglobin, a main blood component, consists of rich protein and iron. The high amount of protein in blood causes it to stick or congeal and trap the iron into fabric, making the stain set in. Blood stain removal is difficult but not impossible. Most of the time, these stains come out with the proper pretreatment methods. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Scrape or brush any dried blood off the article before rinsing or soaking. Rinse a fresh stain under cold running water to remove as much blood as you can. Do not use warm or hot water at this point, as it sets the stain more.

2. Fill the laundry tub, sink or bucket with enough cold water to cover the stained item completely. Measure the proper amount of detergent according to instructions on the container, pour it into the water and immerse the item.

3. Soak the item in the cold water for one hour, and then check to see if the stain has lifted. For stubborn blood stains, gently scrub the material with some detergent right on the stained spot to loosen it up. Change the water, add more detergent and immerse the article overnight if the stain still appears after soaking it.

4. Check the fabric for any trace of the stain the next day. Follow up with an enzyme presoak product in hot water to remove any residue. Measure 1 tbsp. of presoak for each gallon of water.

5. Put the article in the washing machine in warm water with cold rinse once all signs of the stain disappear. Inspect the material closely before putting it in the dryer, as the heat will set any remaining blood stain. Repeat the soaking process if necessary.

Tags: blood stains, cold water, warm water, water remove

Build A Green Hotel

With energy resources dwindling, many builders consider energy efficiency in new construction. Building a "green" hotel can be a challenge, but when efficiencies are incorporated into the building process, costs can be reduced. Some builders obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For environmentally conscious travelers, this designation could determine where they stay while traveling.

Instructions

1. Consider the site on which you will build your green hotel. You may want to face or design the building so that it makes maximum use of natural light. You will also want to make the best use of the natural landscape so that excessive amounts of water and chemicals aren't needed for upkeep.

2. Select building materials that do not damage the environment, either through extraction or building. Many companies now market new-growth lumber, so the consumer knows that it has not been taken from old-growth forests. You can also build with recycled materials, such as scrap PVC to make shingles, to lower costs.

3. Use building materials that reduce the amount of heating and cooling needed. Insulated concrete forms, structural insulated panels, autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and high-performance windows help maintain a constant temperature inside a structure, reducing heating and cooling costs.

4. Install sinks, showers and toilets that save on water. Builders can choose from many appliances that use less gallons of water for each use.

5. Install energy-efficient lighting. Motion-activated lighting can also be installed in common areas to save energy. You can also save energy with outdoor lighting by installing solar-powered lighting around sidewalks and parking lots.

6. Install an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. Such systems cut down on use of power as well as emission of chlorofluorocarbons. You can supplement your system with solar panels that help power the system as well as other electrical systems within the hotel.

7. Use interior materials that provide a healthy environment for visitors. Nontoxic paints, solvents and adhesives can be used in many instances. Build pollutant removers into the ventilation system to aid visitors with respiratory conditions. Choose floor coverings, finish, trim and caulking that have been manufactured using green methods and that provide energy or environmental benefits for your hotel.

Tags: heating cooling, materials that, building materials, building materials that, green hotel, Install energy-efficient

Uses For Fresh Cranberries

Cranberry displays accent tables

The bright color and distinct flavor of cranberries makes them ideal for both culinary purposes and decorative uses. Fresh cranberries have a firm texture that makes them easy to work with. You'll find fresh cranberries in the produce section of most grocery stores. If they are only available in your area during the holidays, you can stock up on cranberries and store them in the freezer for use throughout the year. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Cooking

Fresh cranberries lend a distinct flavor to many dishes. They are commonly turned into a cranberry sauce around the holidays, but cranberries also work well in other recipes. Fresh cranberries are often used in muffins and quick breads to add both color and flavor. Fresh cranberries are also used for relishes, cookies, salads and drinks.

Garnishes

The color of cranberries makes them a good garnish option, particularly for holiday meals. Place a few cranberries along the edge of the salad plate before serving your guests. Add fresh cranberries around hors d'oeuvres on the serving tray to fill in the empty spaces and add color to the display. Freeze fresh cranberries for pretty cold drink garnishes, or make large ice rings with cranberries frozen into them. Use the frozen cranberry ice rings to keep dips and other dishes cold.

Table Displays

In addition to plate garnishes, cranberries also add color and interest to table displays. Fill a clear glass or small vase with cranberries. Attach place cards and place one next to each table setting. Fill ceramic bowls or trays with cranberries. Tuck in a few pieces of pine bough and some pine cones and use as a centerpiece. Another simple centerpiece idea is to fill a large vase with cranberries. Add water and place a flower arrangement in the vase. The cranberries hide the flower stems to create a pretty flower arrangement.

Home Decor

Beyond the table, cranberries work for other home decorations. String the cranberries and add them to a Christmas tree or to a mantel display. Fill a large glass container with cranberries and nestle a candle in the cranberries for a decorative candle arrangement. Hot glue the cranberries to a styrofoam wreath shape. Tie a large ribbon to the top of the wreath to hang it. Another option is to poke a wire into each cranberry and attach it to a pine wreath. Make a hanging topiary ball by covering a styrofoam ball with leaves and cranberries. Poke a wire into the cranberries to attach them to the ball.

Tags: with cranberries, cranberries also, makes them, cranberries makes, cranberries makes them, distinct flavor

Duties Of Wives In The 1950s

American women in the 1950s were expected to cook for the family.

The societal expectations for married women of the American 1950s were quite a bit different from those of the current times. Married women -- and women were expected to get married -- were generally expected to stay home, have children, and take care of the household and their husband and children. They were often discouraged from working outside the home or seeking a higher education.

Duty to Have Children

American women of the 1950s faced heavy pressure to get married and to begin having children, often right out of high school. The dominant expectation was that adult men and women would get married, and that the married woman would have several children. The family was seen as the key to happiness and as one way to "beat Communism."

Expectations to Manage Home and Children

Wives of the 1950s were expected to do all the diaper changing.

The wife was expected to take care of the home and children, as her husband would be occupied with work and providing for the family. The woman performed childcare, shopped and cooked, cleaned the house, and was generally expected to be a "domestic goddess." In the 1950s, there was no expectation for men to help take care of children or do housecleaning, so these important tasks were shouldered by women.

Pleasing the Husband

After gaining independence during World War II, American women in the 1950s went back to more domestic roles. The war was over, the husband was home and had the job, and it was the wife's duty to try to please her husband. It was okay for her to like sex, too, as long as it was with her husband and made him happy.

Wives Were Discouraged from Working Outside of Home

In the 1950s, it was much more unusual for American women to have careers or full-time jobs outside the home than it is in the 21st century. While World War II had opened up the work world to women as valued defense factory workers, after the war ended there was a strong push from societal leaders, based on economic realities, to have women leave the workforce so there would be more employment available for returning veterans. In contrast, during this time married African American women made gains in employment, and by 1960, wives of this group ages 25 to 34 years old were 50 percent more likely to work than white wives of the same age group, according to Susan Thistle's 2006 book "From Marriage to the Market."

A High School Diploma Was Good Enough

Women of the 1950s were discouraged from seeking higher education.

Women of the 1950s did sometimes attend and graduate from college, but there was the expectation that college graduates would soon get married and start a family. A high school diploma was considered "good enough" for most women. Of course some women did not follow the "rules" even then, and were even able to obtain advances degrees and attain career success with those degrees.

Tags: American women, 1950s were, American women 1950s, take care, were expected, women 1950s

Fruits & Vegetables Information

You might not think about fruits and vegetables much except when you're having a salad, noshing on an apple or eating a casserole. What is a fruit and how is it different from a vegetable? Does this Spark an idea?

Ovaries and Ovules

Plants use their fruits to reproduce themselves. The flowers of the plant are pollinated. After fertilization, the seeds are surrounded by a fleshy growth, or a fruit. The fruit is a ripened ovary and the seeds within are ovules that contain the genetic material to reproduce the plant. That fruit is the plant's way of establishing itself into new areas. In most cases, the growth is edible for at least some animal species. Animals and birds carry off the fruit to new areas for propagation, or eat the fruit and spread the plant seed through their waste matter.

Fruits can be borne on trees such as pears, pomegranates and oranges. Fruiting vines include grapes, watermelon and cantaloupe. Bushes that bear fruit include raspberries and blackberries.

Sweet Fruits

When referring to fruits, most people mean a fruit that is edible by humans and is sweet such as apples, peaches or blueberries. Fruits can have one large seed such as a plum or many seeds such as watermelon. Strawberries are false fruits because the seeds are not enclosed by the fruit but on the outside. Some fruits such as raspberries and pomegranates have a gel-like substance around each seed. Two of the largest seeded fruits are avocados and mangoes. Bananas have some of the tiniest seeds.

Fruits That Are Vegetables

Some fruits are considered vegetables because they are not sweet. Cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and peppers are all fruits. Beans, peas, eggplant and pumpkins are fruits as well.

Vegetables

The term is used as a catch-all for edible plant material which is not categorized elsewhere. There really isn't a scientific definition for vegetable. The term has come to include the leafy parts of edible plants such as cabbages, kale, lettuces and spinach; edible flowers such as broccoli, artichokes and cauliflower; roots such as parsnips, beets and carrots; or the stems such as celery and rhubarb. Vegetables also include edible tubers such as white potatoes and sweet potatoes. Bulbs such as onions, leeks, scallions and garlic are vegetables, too.

Eating Vegetables and Fruit

Vegetables and fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. Some vegetables are more palatable and easier to digest if cooked because the heat breaks down the cellular walls. Cooking can bring out the sweetness in the vegetables.

Tags: Some fruits

Make Blue Cornmeal

Blue corn adds fresh color to any dish.

Cornmeal is known for its versatility in baking when added to breads, muffins, pancakes, polenta and many other foods. When you want to change things up and use blue cornmeal, however, sometimes it can be hard to get your hands on the main ingredient. While some specialty manufacturers produce blue cornmeal, you can make blue cornmeal at home with just a few supplies and the raw materials. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Hold your ears of corn over a large bowl or container and press against the dried kernels with your thumbs to remove them from the cob. Strip all of the kernels from the cobs. Skip this step if you are able to purchase dried blue corn kernels by the pound.

2. Scoop a cup of kernels into the mesh strainer. Shake the strainer lightly to allow small particles of cob and other debris to fall away from the usable kernels.

3. Pour half of the kernels into your blender. Pulse the blender to break up the kernels until they are to your desired consistency. Most coarse blending will be similar to grits, while heavy grinding will produce a fine powder.

4. Store the ground blue cornmeal in a jar or other container for later use. Grind as much cornmeal as you need for your recipe, or until all of the corn is ground, in small batches so you don't overtax your blender's motor.

Tags: blue cornmeal, blue cornmeal, kernels into, your blender

Eat Healthy On A Shoestring Budget

good food

Eating healthy on a shoestring budget is not hard at all. there are a few things you need to know but its easy and fun and creative. here are some tips Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Living on a shoestring budget is fun here are some tips to get you living healthier and easy on a tight budget. Buy vegetables, lots of them. A great dinner or any meal is chicken soup. Chicken is cheap and vegetables such as carrots and celery can help flavor it. Make chicken soup in a big pot with 2 chickens, add carrots peeled and celery cut up and you have an inexpensive meal that is healthy for you and will go along way.

2. Stay away from processed meals and other store bought products that cost alot and are full of chemicals and by products. these tend to clog arteries, promote cancers and are over all unhealthy chices. Stay with vegetables, chicken, beef and other types of food you can cook quick, cheaply and combine together to make meals that last for days.

3. carrot soup is great and easy, to make carrot soup combine 1 lb of chicken, add to soup base, celery and season...allow to cook for 1 hr and remove from heat. This can feed a family of 3 for 2 days. there are many creative things you can do to make cheap meals, experiment and you will find yourself eating cheaply and not having to go out as much. Enjoy and have fun!

Tags: chicken soup, carrot soup, here some, here some tips, some tips

What Items Can Be Purchased With Food Stamps Or Ebt In Georgia

Food stamps are available in Georgia for qualified families.

In Georgia, families who have difficulty purchasing food can apply for food stamps or an electronic benefits transfer (EBT). Food stamps enable families to keep purchasing healthy and nutritional meals for the whole family. Food stamps only pay for certain food items. Although there are restrictions in place, there are a great deal of items that food stamps cover in Georgia.

Fruits, Vegetables and Grains

In Georgia, food stamps or EBT can be used to purchase all fruits, vegetables and grains. Food stamps may be used to purchase these items at participating stores and farmer's markets. You can also use your food stamps or EBT to purchase seeds that produce fruits and vegetables.

Food Supplements

A food supplement, or dietary supplement, can be purchased with food stamps or EBT in Georgia. Acceptable food supplements that can be purchased with food stamps include Ensure and PediaSure. If you are unsure whether a dietary supplement is covered by your food stamps or EBT, check with store personnel.

Ice and Water

You may also purchase ice and water with food stamps or EBT in Georgia. Bottled water and bags of ice are eligible for purchase as long as they are intended only for use outside of the store. Ice or water cannot be purchased with food stamps or EBT if they are meant to be consumed in the store.

Canned and Dried Goods

All canned and dried goods are eligible to be purchased with food stamps, as long as they are for human consumption. Pet food cannot be purchased with food stamps. Examples of acceptable foods in this category include soups, canned meats and canned vegetables.

Packaged Meat

Food stamps or EBT can be used to purchase meat from participating supermarkets and delis. As with the ice and water, the meat has to be intended to be consumed outside of the store. Cooked meat products do not qualify in most cases for food stamp purchase. Examples of acceptable packaged meats include chicken, ground beef and pork chops. Check with the store personnel for restrictions on meat purchases with food stamps, if you are unsure.

Restrictions

Although there are a great number of items food stamps can be used to purchase, there are restrictions. Food stamps may not be used to purchase household products, alcohol, vitamins or medicines. In addition to those items, you may not purchase cigarettes or other tobacco products with food stamps.

Tags: with food, with food stamps, food stamps, food stamps, purchased with, stamps used, stamps used purchase

Make Easter Jelly Bean Fudge

Easter jelly bean fudge is quick, easy to make and kids can help because the directions are so simple. It is a creative way to get rid of extra jelly beans after Easter. This recipe is for traditional dark fudge, but white chocolate will make a more colorful presentation and can be dyed to the color of your choice. Here's make Easter jelly bean fudge. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Line a nine-inch square pan with foil and grease it lightly with butter or vegetable oil.

2. Melt the chocolate chips according to the package directions or use a medium saucepan on very low heat. Stir constantly until the chips are completely melted. Add frosting and stir until the mixture is smooth.

3. Remove this mixture from the heat and let it can cool slightly. It should be warm enough to stir easily but not hot enough to melt the jelly beans.

4. Add the jelly beans and stir until they are evenly distributed. Spread the fudge into the prepared pan and allow it cool to room temperature.

5. Cover the pan tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Lift the foil out of the pan and cut the fudge into three dozen pieces.

6. Use a teaspoon or two of flavored extracts as a slight variation to this recipe. The more popular choices include vanilla and coconut.

Tags: jelly beans, Easter jelly, Easter jelly bean, fudge into, jelly bean, stir until

The Best Culinary Schools In America

Pots are a chef's tools of the trade.

Chefs can make or break a restaurant, which is why it's so important for owners to choose the right one. While most chefs have natural talent for cooking and arranging plates, education at a culinary school is like putting the icing on the cake. The top culinary schools in the United States turn out award-winning chefs; some also provide students with the training needed to own their own restaurants.

Institute of Culinary Education

Founded in 1975, The Institute of Culinary Education, located in New York City, was ranked the No. 1 cooking school in the nation in 2008 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. The school has consistently ranked in the top tier for the last decade, and its alumni regularly receive top industry awards for their skills. The school has six- to 11-month training programs in culinary arts, pastry and baking and culinary management. The institute also offers more than 1,600 "recreational" classes for amateur chefs, making it the largest cooking school in the nation.

Institute of Culinary Education

50 W. 23rd St.

New York, NY 10010

888-354-2433

iceculinary.com/

Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University is a four-year college in Providence, Rhode Island, which has both two- and four-year degree programs in culinary arts. It also is highly rated by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Culinary students also are required to take liberal arts and business classes to prepare them for careers in the hospitality field. An Associate of Science degree is offered in baking and pastry arts as well as culinary arts. A Bachelor of Science degree is offered in baking and pastry arts or culinary arts with a co-major in food service management, culinary nutrition and food service entrepreneurship. Online degrees also are offered.

Johnson & Wales University

8 Abbott Park Place

Providence, RI 02903

800-342-5598

jwu.edu/

Texas Culinary Academy

The Texas Culinary Academy, located in Austin, is also top-ranked by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. It is affiliated with Le Cordon Bleu restaurant schools. The Texas Culinary Academy was known as Le Chef College of Hospitality Careers when it was founded in 1981. Teaching is done in a 73,000-square-foot facility. It has an advanced program in baking and pastries, and also offers standard culinary school curriculum and food science classes.

Texas Culinary Academy

Ste 100, 3110 Esperanza Drive

Austin, TX 78758-3647

512-491-6620

chefs.edu/austin.aspx

Tags: Culinary Academy, culinary arts, Texas Culinary, Texas Culinary Academy, Association Culinary, Association Culinary Professionals, Culinary Education

Substitute Allpurpose Flour For Brown Rice Flour

You can modify all-purpose flower to substitute it for rice flour.

"Flour" might seem like a straightforward, simple term that refers to the white, powdery stuff made from wheat that you probably have in your kitchen cabinet. However, there are dozens of different types of flour; in addition to the various wheat flours, you can find flour made from rice, soy, corn, sorghum, peas, oats, millet and other grains and types of produce. Brown rice flour is gluten-free and offers a nutty flavor that you may enjoy. Its consistency is slightly different than that of all-purpose flour, so you must make some modifications when making this substitution. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Measure out 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour for each cup of brown rice flour you wish to replace. If you wanted to replace 3 cups of brown rice flour, for example, you would measure out 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.

2. Add 2 tbsp. of corn starch to the all-purpose flour for each cup of brown rice flour you are replacing. In our example, you would add 6 tbsp. of corn starch to the all-purpose flour because you are replacing 3 cups of brown rice flour.

3. Mix the corn starch and all-purpose flour together thoroughly. Then sift to mix further and remove any clumps. Use this flour mixture in place of the brown rice flour in your recipe.

Tags: all-purpose flour, brown rice flour, rice flour, brown rice, corn starch, corn starch all-purpose, rice flour

Malt O Meal Instructions

The Malt-O-Meal brand of hot cereal provides important minerals, such as iron, folic acid and calcium, as well as additional B vitamins that help promote healthy digestion. With only a few minutes of preparation, a piping hot bowl of Malt-O-Meal cereal can be ready to eat for a satisfying breakfast. Follow the manufacturer instructions to make one serving or a whole pot of hot Malt-O-Meal cereal to start the day. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Measure water for the amount of Malt-O-Meal you wish to make. Measure 1 cup of water to make one serving, 1 2/3 cups of water to make two servings and 3 1/4 cups of water to make four servings. Pour the water into the saucepan.

2. Add salt to the water, if you desire. Add 1/8 tsp. of salt for one serving, 1/4 tsp. of salt for two servings and 1/2 tsp. of salt for four servings.

3. Boil the water and salt on the stove top over medium-high heat.

4. Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle Malt-O-Meal over the water. Add 3 tbsp. Malt-O-Meal for one serving, 1/3 cup Malt-O-Meal for two servings and 2/3 cup Malt-O-Meal for four servings.

5. Stir the ingredients well and bring the ingredients back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low.

6. Cook the ingredients and stir constantly for two to three minutes.

7. Remove the saucepan from the heat after the cereal thickens.

8. Pour the Malt-O-Meal into bowls and serve it with milk and if desired, sugar and fresh fruit.

Tags: four servings, water make, cups water, cups water make, make serving, Malt-O-Meal cereal

Comparisons Of Rice Steamers

Cook rice evenly with a rice steamer.

For a perfect pot of rice, steaming has advantages over boiling. The rice cooks more evenly, and there is less risk of the it burning. Having an appliance devoted to cooking rice may not be a necessity in some households, if you cook a lot of rice, it can make your life easier -- and your rice consistently well-cooked. Does this Spark an idea?

Stove Top Steamer Pot

A stove top steamer cooks rice on the stove with indirect heat. The design is similar to a doubleboiler, but instead of a solid-bottomed pan sitting over a boiling water bath, the pan had small holes in it. Water is placed in the bottom pan, and measured rice into the top pan. When the water boils, it steams the rice without touching it. You have to time the cooking based on the type of rice; long grain white rice takes about 20 to 25 minutes.

Electric Rice Cooker and Steamer

A basic electric rice cooker/steamer will cook your rice in about 15 to 20 minutes, then either shut itself off or switch to warming mode. Measure the rice and water -- usually two parts water to one part rice for long grain white rice -- pour it into the pot, and turn it on. To reduce the amount of starchy residue that can stick to the warmer -- and the rice -- rinse the rice in a bowl before cooking it: Pour cold water over the rice and stir with your hand until the water is cloudy, then drain and repeat until the water stays clear.

Microwave Steamer

A microwave rice steamer works in the same way as a stove top steamer, but it's made of microwave safe material, usually a type of plastic. Microwave steaming takes less time for small amounts of rice, but can the same amount of time or more for larger quantities. For 2 cups of cooked white rice, it takes about 15 minutes. Microwave steamers are easier to clean and store than electric steamers, and are usually less expensive.

Bamboo Steamer

A bamboo steamer is a traditional type of rice steamer. It works in the same way as a stove top steamer, with hot steam from a pot or wok cooking the rice, which rests in a bamboo basket. The pot of a Thai sticky rice steamer can be placed directly on a stove top burner to boil the water, or it can be heated with coals. Round basket steamers are designed for use in an electric or stove top wok; water is heated in the bottom of the wok, and the basket of rice is placed on top.

Tags: rice steamer, about minutes, stove steamer, white rice, cooking rice

Create Your Own Pokemon Contest Ribbon

Create Your Own Pokemon Contest Ribbon

Pokemon cards have long been a favorite collectible of kids of all ages. In fact, Pokemon has wound up being the theme of many birthday parties since the cards first gained popularity. If you find yourself hosting a Pokemon birthday party, here is a fun and inexpensive way to make party favors of prizes for party games. You can create Pokemon contest ribbons. They are sure to be a highlight of the party. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Create Your Own Pokemon Contest Ribbons

1. Cut 2-inch-wide ribbon into 8-inch lengths. Cut a V-shape notch on the bottom of each length of ribbon.

2. Download a Pokemon image from the Internet. You will find free images at sites like Free Stuffer. Print the image onto printable iron-on transfer paper using your computer printer. Transfer one copy of the image for each ribbon you plan to make.

3. Heat your iron to the setting specified in the printable iron-on transfer paper package instructions. Turn off the steam element on your iron. Place the transfer as specified in the instructions (usually face down) midway down the front of the ribbon. Iron as directed. Remove the paper once the transfer has taken to the ribbon.

4. Use the permanent marker to mark your ribbons with a number 1, 2 or 3; designating 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. Some people prefer not to mark the numbers on their ribbons, but rather to designate the blue ribbon as 1st place, the red as 2nd place and the yellow as 3rd place.

5. Affix a safety pin to the back of each ribbon with a drop of hot glue. Pin the ribbon on the winner of the Pokemon contest, or on each of your party guests.

Tags: Create Your, Create Your Pokemon, Your Pokemon, Your Pokemon Contest, Contest Ribbon, each ribbon

Information For Grow Herbs Basil

Basil is an easy herb to grow.

People have use basil for centuries for culinary, medicinal and ornamental purposes. While basil is native to India, it is loved all over the world. Its flavor is common among Thai, Mexican, and Italian cuisine. It is also used as a digestive aid and as a treatment for nausea and vomiting. With over 40 varieties, it is easy to grow a basil that suits your purpose. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Select and purchase your basil seeds. All basil seeds are not the same and will produce leaves of different sizes and flavors. Lettuce Leaf Basil has large leaves and a sweet flavor, while Opal Basil is used for ornamental purposes rather than culinary. The most common variety is Sweet Basil. Reading up on different varieties and considering your purpose for growing are important when choosing seeds.

2. Test your soil using a pH meter or soil test kit. Basil thrives in a soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Most basic commercial garden soils are in this range; if you grow your basil in a container this type of soil should suffice. If you grow your basil in the ground, test your pH using a soil kit or meter. If your pH is not within the ideal range, you may need to amend your soil with compost or store-bought potting soil.

3. Sow basil seeds evenly in the ground or in your container leaving 3/8 to 1/2 in. between each seed.If growing in the ground, choose a spot where the basil will receive 6 to 8 hours of bright light each day. Cover the seeds with ¼ in. of soil. Keep the soil moist and pull out any weeds you notice. If there is still danger of frost, plant your basil indoors in peat or other pots and transport it outdoors after the last frost. Basil seeds should germinate in five to seven days.

4. Thin your basil seedlings once they develop two to three pairs of leaves. Pull out any weak plants and leave 6 to 12 inches of space between each plant. After germination, keep the basil plants warm, around 70 degrees.

5. Water your basil plants deeply every 7 to 10 days. Do not simply sprinkle the surface. Water at the ground level to make sure the roots get enough water. If you are growing in a container, the soil will dry out faster so you will need to water the plants more often. You can also place a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the plants to help them retain water.

6. Fertilize basil once or twice per season using a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer. Use 3 oz. of fertilizer for every 10 feet of soil. You can also use a liquid fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks, but dilute it to half strength. Beware of over-fertilizing as it can reduce the oils in the basil plants and decrease their flavor.

7. Prune basil plants throughout the season. This will help the plant to continue to produce leaves. Unpruned basil that flowers yields substantially less than basil that is pruned. When you harvest your plants for use, cut off the plant above a pair of leaves to encourage new growth.

Tags: your basil, basil plants, basil seeds, basil that, between each