Noble Gas Used In Welding

Inert noble gas helps protect the hot metal during welding.

The welding process heats metal to high temperatures. While the heat is essential to melt the metal, it also has the unwanted side-effect of accelerating oxidation reactions. Oxygen and water vapor can react with the hot metal to create flaws and weaken the weld. Noble gases are often employed as "shielding gases" to avoid this undesirable outcome. Does this Spark an idea?

Function

Shielding gases temporarily surround the metal and displace the air around the weld, removing oxygen and other gases that could initiate unwanted reactions. The shielding gas must be inert or chemically nonreactive; otherwise it might react with the metal itself. The three most important shielding gases are helium, argon and carbon dioxide. Out of these three, helium and argon are classified as noble gases, meaning they are found in the last column of the periodic table.

Arc Welding

In arc welding, the high voltage on two electrodes ionizes the gas separating them so that current can flow between them and create an arc. Helium is a much smaller atom than argon and its outer electrons are much more difficult to remove, so when helium is used as a shielding gas instead of argon, the voltage is higher given an equal amount of current. The higher voltage results in a greater amount of available heat.

Properties

Helium is also a better conductor of heat than argon, so welding with helium tends to produce a more even distribution of heat in the fusion zone. Welding with argon, by contrast, tends to yield a hot core surrounded by a cooler zone. Because argon is easier to ionize, it also tends to provide a more stable arc, meaning it's easier to maintain a steady and continuous arc current.

Uses

Another consideration is the flow rate. Argon is much more dense and heavy than helium, so it provides better protection at a low flow rate. That's why welding with helium typically requires a flow rate two to two and a half times the flow rate for a comparable argon weld. Since helium is lighter than air, however, welders can reduce the flow rate somewhat if they're welding the metal from overhead. Given the different properties of these two noble gases, welders must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each when choosing the shielding gas for a specific application.

Tags: flow rate, helium argon, much more, noble gases, react with, react with metal

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Vs Extra Light Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Vs. Extra Light Olive Oil

Olive oil has been marketed as a healthier alternative to other types of cooking oils in recent years. There are several types to choose from, including extra virgin and extra light olive oil. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Processing

Extra virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of the olives, and is not processed with heat or chemicals. Extra light olive oil has been subjected to extensive processing.

Calories

Extra virgin and extra light olive oil contain the same number of calories. "Extra light" refers to the flavor, not the calorie or fat content of the oil.

Flavor

Extra light olive oil offers the health benefits of extra virgin without the flavor; no olive flavor will be present in the finished dish. Extra virgin olive oil has a strong, distinctive olive flavor.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Uses

Most cooks finish a dish with extra virgin olive oil rather than cooking with it. It is drizzled over salads, breads and cooked dishes.

Extra Light Olive Oil Uses

Extra light olive oil is typically used as a substitute for vegetable oil or butter. It can be used for stir-frying; pan frying or in breads, cakes or muffins.

Tags: Extra light, light olive, Extra Light, Extra virgin, extra virgin, Extra Virgin, Extra Virgin Olive

Rules For Shipping Live Lobsters

Live Maine lobster ready for the pot.

Lobsters make delicious meals no matter where in the world you live, but when there's a good bit of distance between you and the nearest live lobster you always have the option of shipping one fresh to your kitchen. Getting it there can be difficult, but by following a few shipping rules you can ensure that the lobster arrives in great shape to be the main guest to a much enjoyed lobster feast. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Shipping Environment

The most important variable in keeping a lobster alive during shipping is providing the proper shipping environment. Keep your lobsters moist and cool at all times during the trip. Temperature is important as cooled lobsters require less oxygen to survive, and oxygen deprivation is the primary cause of lobster death while being shipped. Moist conditions are even more important than the temperature to the lobster, which requires a moist environment for its gills to function.

Preparation

Do not feed the lobsters for two or three days prior to shipment. A full stomach causes the lobster to use more oxygen, increasing chances of oxygen deprivation. Cool your lobster down to a temperature between 45 to 50 degrees before shipping to lessen reaction to the extreme temperature changes when moved to the shipment container.

Shipping

Use a container that can be kept cool and moist without having to submerge the lobster in water. If you use ice, make sure it won't melt around the lobster as it swells in fresh water and bursts. Ship live lobsters in a sturdy Styrofoam box packed closely together to prevent the shells from breaking during shipping. Make a few air holes in the box and provide some space around the container when shipping as well, in order to prevent the lobsters from asphyxiation on a buildup of carbon dioxide.

Use a refrigerated truck for shipping as it can maintain the proper conditions indefinitely. Shipped lobsters can only survive for 4 or 5 days so speed is important. Keep the shipping container to as near 100% humidity as possible with temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees F during the journey, taking care not to allow the temperature to drop to 29 degrees F which is the freezing temperature of lobsters.

When the lobster has reached its destination, you'll need to warm it up slowly in order to prevent damage from temperature changes.

Tags: between degrees, during shipping, order prevent, oxygen deprivation, temperature changes

Homemade Garden Soil Mix

Homemade garden soil is easy to make.

Good garden soil helps plants grow strong, deep roots and supplies valuable nutrients for growth and overall health. Use readily available ingredients to make a customized, homemade garden soil mix. Does this Spark an idea?

Organic Matter

Organic matter improves soil structure. Materials such as compost, rotted manure, peat moss, leaves and bark help clay soils drain better and improve the water retention qualities of sandy soil.

Calculating Volume

Mix 1 part amendment to 2 parts soil and dig it in to a depth of 1 foot, recommends the Oregon State University Extension. Compost and other materials usually are sold by the cubic yard. To calculate cubic yards, multiply the planting area's length by width. Multiply the result by .33, then divide that number by 27. For smaller areas, add 4 inches of amendment and mix with soil to a depth of 1 foot.

Mixing It Up

For large areas, blend the amendments into the soil using a rototiller. Turn and mix smaller areas with a garden fork or shovel. Mix the amendments into the soil in the fall and turn the soil again in the spring before planting.

Tags: garden soil, amendments into, amendments into soil, depth foot, into soil

Heat Cooked Turkey Legs In Oven

Follow USDA storing and reheating recommendations to keep turkey drumsticks bacteria-free.

There's almost always at least a few people at Thanksgiving dinner fighting over who's going to get the turkey legs. If you happen to have leftover turkey legs or if you picked up some cooked turkey legs from a restaurant or the supermarket, you can quickly enjoy them after reheating them in the oven. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends making sure that any parts of the turkey that you are reheating were refrigerated within two hours of being prepared or purchased. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

2. Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe baking dish.

3. Position the baking sheet or dish on the middle rack in the heated oven. Allow the turkey legs to reheat until the internal temperature reads 165 F or higher using a meat thermometer. Serve immediately.

Tags: turkey legs, baking sheet, turkey legs

Enroll Your School In Box Tops For Education

Earn money for school equipment and supplies by clipping box tops.

Box Tops for Education is a program where you can earn money for the school of your choice by clipping the tops off of specially marked food packages and household consumer products. Each box top redeemed is worth 10 cents for the school. Any school offering kindergarten to eighth grade classes can enroll in the program free of charge. The beauty of the Box Tops for Education program is the collective impact that the community can make when each individual takes the time to participate in the program.

Instructions

1. Visit the Box Tops for Education (BTFE) website at www.boxtops4education.com. To ensure that the school has not previously been enrolled, enter the zip code of the school. If the school is already enrolled, contact the school and request the name of the program's coordinator to offer your assistance. The coordinator is the person in charge of submitting the box tops and rallying support for the program in the school.

2. Contact the school administrator if the school is not enrolled. Any school offering kindergarten to eighth grade classes, whether public or private, can enroll in the BTFE program and receive up to $20,000 per school year from the box tops collected. Inform the administrator about the program and if you are interested in being the BTFE coordinator. Per BTFE guidelines, the administrator must be the one to enroll the school by calling 1-888-799-2444 (the BTFE phone number). The administrator will be asked a few questions about the school and then be given an enrollment number.

3. Wait three to five business days. During that time, BTFE will verify that your school meets the minimum criteria for enrollment, which includes accreditation and a minimum of 15 students. Watch the website. Your school should be listed on the BTFE website after the initial waiting period. If it is not listed after 10 days, you can call 1-888-799-2444 to inquire about the delay. Once your school is listed on the website, you are officially enrolled in the program. Pick a coordinator and have her register online at the BTFE website. She will receive a packet of information about the BTFE program every August at the beginning of the new school year. The enrollment number given to your school administrator is your school ID number and will be used to identify your school when submitting box tops.

4. Assist in the collection of box tops for your school as the coordinator or as a supporter of the coordinator. Make announcements to the students about the program and provide opportunities for competitions relating to collecting box tops. Contests in which students can earn a "Crazy Clothes Day" or a pizza party are huge motivators for kids and can result in thousands of dollars being collected for your school.

Tags: your school, Tops Education, BTFE website, about program, BTFE program

Live Trap Wild Turkeys

Hunters catch live turkeys with drop nets.

Hunters catch wild turkeys by using a drop net. Native Americans used this method of hunting as a way to preserve birds for later consumption. A drop net will not render any harm to a wild turkey, as the net is design to fall directly on top of the bird, preventing its escape. The process of capturing a live turkey can be accomplished with careful planning, patience and execution.

Instructions

1. Purchase a mesh net that extends 6- to 8-feet wide. Nylon fishnets used to catch shiners and minnows are an acceptable alternative if you are unable to find a specially designed drop net.

2. Identify a location where wild turkeys frequent. Scout the area and find a location that has a large open field.

3. Construct a 10-foot-high double post by using a post digger. Make two 1½-foot holes. The holes for the post need to line up and be evenly spaced, approximately 6 feet across. One at a time, insert the 10-foot posts into the ground and fill the holes in with dirt.

4. Attach the 7-foot bar to both top ends of the two poles. Using a step ladder, use nails, tape or glue to secure the 7-foot bar to each post. On completion, the posts and bar will appear like a soccer goal.

5. Spread the net underneath the 7-foot bar. Arrange the net to extend in a circular configuration.

6. Cut ten 5-feet long pieces of rope, using utility wire tie the ends of the ropes to the edge of net. Join each of the 5-foot long ropes to a 20-foot rope.

7. Position, the 20-foot rope over the constructed bar, making sure to attach the 20-foot rope to the center of the net.

8. Pull onto the rope and hoist the net to the very top of the bar. Tie the 20-foot rope to a grounded stake at least 15 feet away from the trap.

9. Place corn or turkey feed in the center, underneath the net.

10. Dig a 3-to 4-foot-deep rectangle trench, no further than 20 feet from the trap. The hole needs to be long enough for you to lay in the hole. Customize the hole to your size.

11. Add four 1-foot to 1½-foot stakes at the end of the rectangle hole. Tie a camouflage poncho to the stakes and place on top and around wildlife debris such as field grass, leaves or tree limbs.

12. Position yourself, in the trench and use a turkey caller to bring nearby turkeys to your location.

13. Drop the net manually, once a turkey moves into position and is directly underneath the net.

14. Grab hold of the turkey's legs and wrap 4-foot string around both the turkey's feet. Make use of a snell knot to ensure the legs are secure.

15. Run the string underneath the net, and wrap it around a 1-foot wooden stake in the ground, ensuring that it is secure.

16. Remove the net and hold down the turkey as you place the bird within a strong 6-foot long sack.

17.Push the turkey inside the bag and wrap a 1-foot string around the bag. Transport the turkey to any location you wish.

Tags: 20-foot rope, from trap, Hunters catch, string around, wild turkeys

Lose Weight The Frugal Way With The Frugal Diet

Although many people are dissuaded from accomplishing their weight loss goals due to the perceived difficulty of dieting and exercise, there are some people who are unable to accomplish their goals strictly due to monetary concerns. Dieting can be expensive if you do not know do it properly, as there are many diet product manufacturers out there who are all too happy to overcharge for their products, pricing frugal individuals out of the market. A frugal diet aims to adjust for this, providing weight loss for anyone, regardless of your budget.

Instructions

1. Comb the newspapers for deals every week looking for specials on the products that you require. The items you will be shopping for are lean meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and healthy fat sources like oils, nuts, and seeds, so keep your eyes open for any specials. You do not need to resort to specialty diet products to lose weight--all you have to do is keep your diet as natural as possible through consumption of the aforementioned food groups. Simply buy whatever type of item is cheapest from each category each week, switching as necessary to take advantage of special offers.

2. Buy in bulk and get in the habit of freezing food to preserve it for longer. For example, if there is a particularly good special on low-fat beef, purchase more than you will need for the week and freeze the remainder so that you can avoid buying meat again next week at a higher price. When attempting to estimate the amount of food that you will require, remember that you will be eating less (you are dieting, after all), so taking that into consideration while shopping should lower your grocery bill even further.

3. Rely upon cheap staple items when times are particularly tight. Whole grain bread and natural peanut butter can provide you with fairly inexpensive carbohydrates and fat, just as canned tuna and eggs can provide you with fairly inexpensive sources of protein. Remember that learning to overcome your reluctance to consuming bland food is the key to frugal dieting, so retrain your taste buds to grow used to the less flavorful alternatives of more expensive foods to gain another edge in your repertoire as a frugal dieter.

Tags: fairly inexpensive, keep your, provide with, provide with fairly, that will, weight loss

Apples & Cinnamon Instant Cream Of Wheat Nutritional Facts

Cream of Wheat is a hot, instant breakfast cereal that is simple to prepare and ready in less than three minutes. This cereal is made from farina, a finely ground wheat grain that cooks quickly when mixed with boiling water or milk, and it has a consistency similar to porridge or grits. Cream of Wheat can be mixed with boiling water or microwaved. The apples and cinnamon flavor is one of several, and the nutritional values are based on a 1 cup serving size.

Calories and Fat

One serving of Cream of Wheat contains 130 calories, with 0 calories from fat and 9 from protein. The majority of these calories come from carbohydrates, which totals 29 grams, or 94 percent.

Vitamins

Cream of Wheat is a good source of multiple vitamins. One serving contains 25 percent of your daily value of vitamin A, 30 percent of thiamin and 25 percent of your niacin and folate. It also contains 18 percent of your riboflavin and 22 percent of your daily value of vitamin B6.

Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet.

Minerals

This hot cereal is fortified with a variety of minerals that are essential for a healthy lifestyle. One cup contains 45 percent of your daily value of iron, 20 percent of calcium and 2 percent of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc.

Dietary Fiber, Proteins and Additional Nutrition

One serving of Cream of Wheat has a good amount of both dietary fiber and protein. It has 1g, or 4 percent of your daily value of dietary fiber and 2g, or 5 percent of protein. Instant Cream of Wheat also contains 16 grams of sugar, 160 mg of sodium and no cholesterol.

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Tags: Cream Wheat, percent your, daily value, percent your daily, your daily

Beach Restaurants In Connecticut

Seafood is easy to come by at Connecticut restaurants.

Connecticut has long been a hot tourist destination. It offers plenty of access to beaches, outdoor activities and fine dining options, all without the traffic nightmares of many of its neighboring states. If you are planning to visit Connecticut, it has a wide range of beachfront restaurants that are worth a visit. Since it's an ocean-side state, you'll find plenty of fresh seafood at many of Connecticut's restaurants.

Beach House Restaurant

The Beach House Restaurant, located on the shore in Milford, Connecticut, offers a wide array of seafood options. It has a unique "Raw Bar Menu" that lists several raw seafood options, including raw jumbo shrimp, little neck clams and three types of oyster. Dinner entrees include lobster mac and cheese, local swordfish and crab-stuffed flounder. If you're not in the mood for seafood, Beach House also offers chicken and steaks. Don't be fooled by the fancy names; this place is affordable. As of August 2010, all of the dinner entrees were under $35.

Beach House Restaurant

141 Merwin Avenue

Milford, Connecticut 06460

203-877-9300

beachhousemilford.com

Positano's

Located in Westport, Connecticut on the beach overlooking Long Island Sound is Positano's, an Italian and seafood restaurant. The dinner menu features affordable antipasti, salads and dinner options. Entrees include pastas, chicken, lamb and several kinds of veal. The dessert menu features several flavors of ice cream, cheese cake, tiramisu and different types of fruit. Positano's has a wine list that features both Italian and American wines by the bottle or by the glass. As of August 2010, the most expensive item on the menu was the Angus shell steak at $31.95; most entrees were between $20 and $30.

Positano's

233 Hills Point

Westport, Connecticut 06880

203-454-4922

positanoswestport.com

Harbor Lights

Harbor Lights is a restaurant in Norwalk, Connecticut that is located within walking distance of several beaches. It specializes in American and Mediterranean seafood and was rated "very good" by the "New York Times," no small feat for an east coast restaurant. The dinner menu features raw food items such as poached lobster and east coast oysters, a pear and gorgonzola salad and three other salad choices; snow crab cakes, shrimp scampi and escargot casserole adorn the appetizer menu. As for seafood entrees, Harbor Lights serves salmon, swordfish and lobster, among other things. If seafood is not for you, the restaurant also features a New York strip steak, lamb rack and chicken scarpariello. It's the most expensive of all three restaurants; the priciest item on the dinner menu as of August 2010 was the lobster Santorini at $39, and the cheapest item was a green salad at $8.

Harbor Lights

82 Seaview Avenue

Norwalk, Connecticut

203-866-3364

harborlightsrestaurant-ct.com

Tags: Beach House, Harbor Lights, August 2010, Beach House Restaurant, dinner menu

Hard Boil A Chicken Egg

Eggs are an excellent source of protein.

Boiling eggs may seem like a lesson in trial and error. But there is a method to hardboiling the perfect chicken egg. Whether it's for the Easter season or for a new deviled eggs recipe, you will be able to successfully boil an egg with no more green around the yolk, or worrying that the yolk will be runny when you give it that first crack. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Place eggs in a single layer at the bottom of a medium saucepan. Pour cold tap water into the saucepan; the eggs need to be completely covered to ensure proper cooking.

2. Turn your stove to high heat and bring the water to a boil.

3. Remove from heat and cover the saucepan.

4. Leave eggs covered in the hot water 12 minutes if using medium eggs, 15 minutes if using large eggs and 18 minutes if using extra large eggs.

5. Remove eggs from the saucepan and put into a bowl. In order to prevent green discoloration around the egg yolk, pour cold water into the bowl. The eggs should be immersed in the cold water. Drain and add more cold water if necessary until the eggs are completely cooled.

6. Crack, peel and enjoy.

Tags: cold water, minutes using, around yolk, cold water into, eggs minutes

Homemade Chippers

No matter which side of "the Pond" you've grown up on, you've enjoyed potatoes prepared as finger food. Thick English "chips" are the equivalent of American French fries and restaurants are replacing the prepared potato chip with the "chipper" made on site. Although the nomenclature may be confusing, homemade chippers, whether in strings or slices, are easy to make, both in their fried version and in a slightly healthier baked variety. Add this to my Recipe Box.

The Basics

Chippers may be long or flat, fried or baked. The critical part of preparation is removing the surface starch so that the potatoes can brown properly. Russet or sweet potatoes can be cut into long, square chipper fries by machines that force them through sharp-edged grids similar to apple sectioners. Thin chip chippers require a mandolin (a long board with a blade across the middle). A sharp knife can also be used if chip chippers are cut 1/8 inch thick or less so chipper fries end up evenly-sized. Most recipes suggest blotting chippers with a paper towel or soaking in water. Some specify soaking pieces in cold water and then blotting. A third method blanches cut potatoes, dropping them in a pot of boiling water for a minute or two, dipping them out when the water returns to a boil and drying them on paper towels. Any method removes surface starch, which can also discolor potato pieces if not removed.

The Fried Chipper

Fry washed and blotted chippers, a batch at a time, in a few inches of peanut oil or other oil that smokes only at high temperatures. Oil is heated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep pan allowing several inches above the oil---the oil will bubble when potatoes are added. Thin chip chippers take about 3 to 4 minutes and chipper fries take about twice that time. Both cook until light brown. They are then removed with a slotted spoon and placed on paper towels to drain until cool. The secret to crispy chippers is to heat the potatoes a second time. This can be accomplished by cranking up the cooking oil to 350 degrees and popping them in again for a minute or two until they puff up. A second method spreads the chippers on a tray and puts them in a hot (400 to 450 degrees) oven for about 5 minutes until they puff up and crisp around the edges. In both methods, potatoes are removed, drained on paper and served immediately.

The Baked Chipper

The baked chipper requires considerable attention to task. Chippers are spread on oiled baking sheets and basted with oil before baking to aid browning. Chippers sit on the center rack in a preheated oven at 450 to 500 degrees for up to 10 to 15 minutes until browned lightly then removed and drained. The potatoes keep cooking inside when they are removed from the oven. The still warm-on-the inside chippers are returned to the oven for a few minutes, which causes them to bubble under the surface as it browns. Again, thick chipper fries will take longer to cook than thin chip chippers. Some recipes suggest using butter on the baking sheets and for basting; although butter browns nicely, it also burns (and smokes) at high temperatures. Because of the need for constant observation, many restaurants choose to at least start their chippers in the fry basket.

Tags: chip chippers, chipper fries, about minutes, baking sheets, high temperatures, minutes until

Homemade Plant Fertilizer

Every gardener wants to keep the garden fresh, healthy and productive, and the best way to maintain that level of health is with fertilizer. Store-bought fertilizer tends to be expensive, but you can keep your garden in optimum health by making your own fertilizer. Hunting down the ingredients may take some time, but your plants and your wallet will thank you for it. Does this Spark an idea?

Finding Ingredients

According to Steve Solomon, avid vegetable grower and author of nine books on gardening, the best ingredients for a homemade, organic fertilizer are seed meal; agricultural lime; dolomitic lime; bone meal, rock phosphate or guano; and kelp meal. These items provide just the right amount of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium needed in a fertilizer to correct the pH balance without dousing the soil with chemicals.

Seed meal and lime are found in farm stores or can be ordered from an agricultural supplier. Bone and kelp meal, rock phosphates and guano should be found in garden centers or can be ordered online. Buy these items in bulk. This will be expensive, but a little of the mix goes a long way. Buying these ingredients in bulk will ensure that you have enough fertilizer for two or three years.

You have a choice between using bone meal, rock phosphates or guano. All three provide the proper amount of phosphate for the fertilizer and can substitute for each other at any time. Bone meal is the easiest item to find, and guano is extremely rich in phosphate and other trace elements.

Mixing the Fertilizer

Mix by volume 4 parts seed meal to ½ part agricultural lime. Even better, if you can find it, is to mix ¼ part agricultural lime and ¼ part gypsum to 4 parts seed meal. Add to your mix ½ part dolomitic lime. Then mix in 1 part bone meal, rock phosphate or guano to ½ to 1 part kelp meal.

To bring down the cost of this mix, you can substitute grass clippings for the seed meal, but be warned that grass clippings do not elicit the same strong growing response as the seed meal will.

Spread 4 to 6 quarts of the mix over every 100 square feet of garden. The mixture is extremely potent, so only use as much as you need.

Tags: meal rock, agricultural lime, bone meal rock, kelp meal, seed meal

Natural Cures For Breathing Problems

Breathing

The process of breathing is a life inducing one. However, at some point many people suffer from difficult or labored breathing, commonly referred to as dyspnea. If you are having persistent breathing problems, this may indicate that you have an underlying medical ailment, such as asthma or bronchitis. It is highly advised that you consult with your physician on these issues so that he can recommend the best treatment for you. Depending on your diagnosis, he may advise you of some natural cures to make it easier for you to breathe.

Breathing Exercises

Practicing breathing exercises at a time when you are experiencing difficulty breathing will help you to stabilize your breathing pattern. Breathe in slowly either through your nose or mouth, then with your lips pressed together, slowly breathe out. Get the most out of this exercise by breathing out slower than you breathed in--count to three while breathing in, then count to six while exhaling. Ensure that your body is relaxed and properly positioned while you are breathing in and out. If there is a wall nearby, lean against it, or try to sit down while performing this exercise. If you are lifting a heavy object, hold it closely to your body so your energy is more preserved.

These breathing exercises are also very effective against anxiety attacks, which usually result in difficulty breathing. Anxiety stems from a deep fear--an emotional state of being. By practicing breathing exercises, you can immediately revert to calm.

Herbs

Herbs, unlike medication, are natural stimulants. They support the body's natural mechanism and aid in its counteraction of infections and other ailments. There are several herbs available that can help to stabilize and cure your breathing problems.

Pulmonary tonics provide the nourishment that your respiratory tract needs to function. They clear the lungs and loosen congestion. They are also helpful in reducing stress and provide your body with strength. Tonics include plantain, chickweed and violet. Relaxing expectorants are herbs that ease spasms resulting from bronchitis. They relax the lung tissue and protect them against the breathing difficulties related to strenuous activity. Relaxing expectorants include Coltsfoot and Muellin. Other herbs include Demulcent, which is effective against breathing spasms and lung inflammation. Demulcent come in the form of marshmallow, licorice and common mallow. To boost your immune system, use anti-microbials, such as echinacea, lavender and rosemary. Ginseng herbal tea is a popular mood enhancer that calms the central nervous system. If your breathing problem is due to stress, Ginseng is a great cure.

Tags: breathing exercises, your body, your breathing, against breathing, difficulty breathing

Open A Small Retail Store

Open a Small Retail Store

Small retail stores run by entrepreneurs are the backbone of business. Successful stores offer products that fill a need and provide excellent customer service. Business owners take a hands-on approach and stay on top of every facet of the operation. Neighborhoods appreciate having small businesses in their midst. It takes determination and a willingness to work hard to open a small retail store. Lay the groundwork for a small business with these basic steps, and refine them as you discover needs particular to your store.

Instructions

1. Make a 5-year business plan. Include expenses, expected income and goals. Create a description of you company, its organization and financials. Be realistic. Banks will want to see your business plan before they lend you money.

2. Line up your funding. Consider partners and investors as well as loans. Contact the Small Business Administration to find out qualify for its services. Open business bank accounts, and contact credit card companies about opening accounts to accept credit cards.

3. Contact state and local officials to see what licenses and permits you'll need to open your business. Leave time in your plan to apply for the permits and take care of any issues that might arise that could prevent you from opening your business.

4. Find a location. Stay within your budget for rent, or buy the building if you have the resources. Negotiate with your landlord for favorable terms in the lease. Research the neighborhood before you make a commitment. Talk with other business owners in the area.

5. Negotiate with vendors for the best price on merchandise. Discuss bulk discounts and discounts for invoices that are paid on time. Include shipping charges in your discussions.

6. Buy or build fixtures that are appropriate for your business. Include shelving, display fixtures and a cash wrap. Purchase supplies like cash register tape and paper towels in bulk to save money. Make sure you have enough storage for merchandise.

7. Hire employees with good skills who can be trained to operate your business if you're not there. Offer attractive benefits and wages that will encourage them to stay with you. Comply with laws on collecting and paying taxes.

Tags: your business, business plan, Negotiate with, Open Small Retail, Retail Store, Small Retail

Culinary Colleges In Oregon

Oregon's culinary colleges offer a range of programs.

With the rise of celebrity chefs and increasing popularity of TV cooking shows, many people are considering a career in the culinary arts, or at least becoming interested in cooking classes to hone their culinary skills. Fortunately, aspiring chefs and dedicated food lovers in Oregon have many options for culinary training, including community college programs and private colleges.

Oregon Culinary Institute

Located just west of downtown in Portland's Goose Hollow neighborhood, the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI) provides students with flexible career training options. OCI offers AAS degrees and diplomas in three professional programs: Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry and Restaurant Management. Classes emphasize practical, hands-on training and are taught by experienced culinary professionals. The college also has student and career services, as well as a financial aid office. For the casual chef, OCI offers a variety of weekend classes that cater to all levels of experience. An on-site, student-run restaurant partners with Northwest farms and dairies to create prix-fixe meals with as many local products as possible.

Oregon Culinary Institute

1717 SW Madison St.

Portland, OR 97205

503-961-6200 or 888-OCI-CHEF

oregonculinaryinstitute.com

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

Located on the Southwestern Oregon Community College Campus in Coos Bay, Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) is the only culinary school along the Oregon coast. In 2005, OCCI opened a new, 17,000-square-foot training facility. The school offers AAS degrees in Culinary Arts, which includes chef training and restaurant management skills, and Baking and Pastry Arts, which prepares students for careers as bakers or pastry chefs. OCCI prides itself on its affordability, and financial aid is available. The college also has on-campus housing and meal plans available. Coursework in either program is designed to be completed in 12 months; students then complete a three-month externship. Low-cost, evening community classes are also open to anyone age 16 and older.

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

1988 Newmark

Coos Bay, OR 97420

541-888-7195 or 877-895-CHEF

occi.net

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Formerly Western Culinary Institute, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts is one of Oregon's best-known culinary colleges. Le Cordon Bleu has affiliate schools across five continents, and the Portland school offers three programs: Culinary Arts, Patisserie and Baking and Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Students may also earn a Bachelor of Arts in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management online. Coursework for all programs includes both culinary theory and technique. Like other culinary colleges in Oregon, Le Cordon Bleu has financial aid advisers to serve full-time students and offers nonprofessional cooking classes to the general public.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

600 SW 10th Ave. Suite 400

Portland, OR 97205

503-223-2245 or 888-891-6222

chefs.edu/Portland

Tags: Culinary Institute, Cordon Bleu, Culinary Arts, Bleu College, Bleu College Culinary, Coast Culinary

Start A Beef Jerky Business

Starting a beef jerky business can be a fun and lucrative endeavor. Beef jerky's great taste and beneficial protein content make it very appealing to consumers. This tasty and convenient snack has ballooned into a $3.3 billion industry. Establishing a beef jerky business is not as difficult as one may think. By applying the proper steps and going through the inevitable trial-and-error period, anyone can start a successful beef jerky company.

Instructions

1. Check the regulations for selling food in your city. Most cities require a specific license to sell food. Apart from your food license, you will also need to obtain a business license.Take a trip to your local business bureau and inquire as to which specific licenses are required to sell a food product in your city. Fill out the appropriate paperwork and pay the required fees.

2. Purchase a food dehydrator. When choosing a food dehydrator, try to find one that is big enough to accommodate large quantities of beef. You can save money on your dehydrator by purchasing it used on websites such as Craigslist.com or in person at a thrift store. If you would like to purchase a new dehydrator, opt for a quality unit such as the Excalibur dehydrator.

3. Purchase beef. When purchasing beef, try to find a bulk supplier that offers quality meat. Such meat suppliers can be found by contacting local beef farms and beef distributors in your city. If a meat distributor is not available near you, purchase your meat in bulk at discount stores such as Costco or Sam's Club. When choosing a beef cut, opt for a tender cut, such as sirloin or top round.

4. Experiment to find the best recipe and techniques to make the jerky. Beef jerky recipes can be found on websites such as Beefjerkyrecipes.com. As you become more comfortable in making jerky, start to experiment with your own flavors and recipes. Have friends and family taste-test and give you feedback on the taste and quality of the different jerkies you make.

5. Seal the finished product in airtight, resealable plastic bags. To properly seal the bags, a plastic-bag sealer is necessary. Ensuring that the bags are sealed tightly will help preserve the beef jerky and decrease the chances of spoilage. On each bag of jerky, attach a label with your company's name and the flavor of the jerky.

6. When it comes to selling your beef jerky, the best way to get your business off the ground is by going from supermarket to supermarket "merchandising," which means setting up accounts at different stores. If a supermarket likes your product, they will give you a small shelf space, see how well your product sells, and continue buying your product based on its degree of success. Also consider selling the beef jerky at farmers' markets and to your friends and family.

Tags: your city, your product, beef jerky, beef jerky, beef jerky business, food dehydrator

Dehydrate Turnips

Fresh turnips make good dehydrated chips.

Dehydrating food is one of the oldest and healthiest ways of food preservation. Sliced turnips can be easily dehydrated. It is important to only use fresh turnips for dehydrating. They be should be crisp and not woody. Store them in a refrigerator to maintain quality until you are ready to prepare them for dehydration. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Preparing turnips for dehydration

1. Clean and wash the turnips in cold water. Slice off the tops and peel them.

2. Slice into pieces 3/8 inch thick using the slicing mandolin. The slices should all have the same thickness so they will dry in the same amount of time.

3. Prepare the sliced turnips by blanching them. The sliced turnips should be dipped a few at a time into boiling water for three to four minutes.

4. Drain the blanched slices in a colander and then spread them on paper kitchen towels to dry.

5. Spread the sliced turnips in single layers on dry baking trays. Bake in a warm oven for two to four hours until dry and brittle. The optimal setting for the oven is 140 degrees F or 60 degrees C.

6. Remove the dehydrated turnips from the oven and let them cool. Store them in airtight jars until required.

Tags: sliced turnips, Store them

What Are Some Alternative For Pillows

What Are Some Alternative for Pillows?

Pillows come in a variety of shapes and styles, but the basic component is a fabric pouch stuffed with fill. The more common ones contain a polyester and cotton blend. Materials used in the past for stuffing pillows are back as alternatives, particularly for people who have specific needs. Does this Spark an idea?

Reasons for Pillow Alternatives

Many alternative pillows are attractive because their properties resist growth of common pillow infestations such as insects or mold. People who are seeking support look to alternatives like buckwheat because the hulls can be manipulated for comfort. Others are more concerned about sustainability. Pillow fill such as kapok grows naturally in tropical regions, and it production doesn't require extra equipment or energy.

Buckwheat

Empty, clean hulls of buckwheat are put into a tough fabric casing. The hulls are not a source of food for dust mites and other insects; that is why buckwheat pillows are used by allergy sufferers. The pillows last for many years and don't really need to be cleaned. One major complaint about buckwheat pillows is that they are heavy. And some find the rustling of the hulls distracting at night. Millet hulls are a similar grain pillow, used by those who are allergic to buckwheat.

Latex

Latex fill is made from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. The pillow comes in two different forms: a solid block or shredded. Solid latex is soft, malleable and likened to memory foam. Like the buckwheat pillow, the texture allows for air circulation. Latex is also antimicrobial. One problem with latex is the initial odor. Some also find the solid pillows too firm. Shredded latex is more like a regular pillow, but it has a stronger odor.

Kapok

Kapok fill comes from the inside of the kapok tree seed pod. The filling of each pod is removed by hand. In texture, kapok is finer and more lightweight than cotton. Because of its water-resistant properties, the pillow allows you to stay dry on a warm night. The main problem with the kapok pillow is that the flammable fill loses buoyancy relatively quickly.

Wool

Wool doesn't retain moisture. It is also good at maintaining an even temperature because its fibers trap air. All the wool pillow requires is an airing every so often. However, some people are allergic to the fill, and the pillows usually lose shape after a while. Horse hair is another fur fill, similar to wool in its properties. It was commonly used in the past as stuffing for seat cushions, and some upholsterers still carry it.

Tags: Alternative Pillows, buckwheat pillows, past stuffing, problem with, Some Alternative, Some Alternative Pillows

Travel Ideas In Burlington Vermont

A picturesque lighthouse stands watch Burlington's harbor on Lake Champlain.

Burlington is Vermont's largest city, but it's a college town at heart. Home to the University of Vermont which was founded in 1791, Burlington has a reputation for being a vibrant hub of arts and recreation on the shore of Lake Champlain. Downtown Burlington is compact and easy to navigate on foot, which makes it a fun and friendly place for visitors.

Shopping and Special Events

In the late 1970s, the city of Burlington took a forward-thinking approach to urban revitalization and created the award-winning Church Street Marketplace. Stretching four blocks through the city's historic downtown core, the marketplace is an open-air mall that entices locals and visitors with an inviting variety of shops and restaurants.

Closed to vehicle traffic to encourage leisurely strolling that might include stopping to watch one of the street performers who frequent the area, the marketplace is the perfect location for the many festivals and events that are hosted here throughout the year, including a Mardi Gras parade and the Discover Jazz Festival in the summer.

Arts and Culture

The south end of the Church Street Marketplace is by anchored the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, where visitors can enjoy world-class dance, music and theater performances and Burlington City Arts, a contemporary art exhibition space and learning center located in the old city fire hall. Art lovers will also enjoy visiting the Fleming Museum on the campus of the University of Vermont, which houses one of the largest collections of historical artifacts in the state and presents a rotating schedule of art exhibits from around the world.

Dining, Drinking and Entertainment

The abundance of downtown restaurants makes finding a great place to eat a simple task. Local favorites include the Magnolia Bistro, L'Amante and Big Fatty's BBQ.

Like any good college town, Burlington has a thriving nightlife and there are bars to suit almost anyone's taste -- from dance clubs to sophisticated cocktail lounges and cozy brewpubs. Beer drinkers can indulge their taste for the good stuff at one of the city's four purveyors of locally brewed beer: American Flatbread Brewpub, Switchback Brewing, Three Needs Taproom and Magic Hat Brewing.

Choices abound for live music fans; on any night of the week you can check out live acts at venues like Radio Bean or Rí Rá Irish Pub. Pick up a copy of the local entertainment weekly "Seven Days" for listings and locations.

Sports and Recreation

Winter sports and Vermont go hand in hand. With its proximity to the Green Mountains, the Burlington area is no exception. There are several popular ski resorts that are less than an hour's drive from the city, including Bolton Valley and Stowe Mountain Resort.

During fairer weather, visitors can enjoy Burlington's picturesque harbor on foot, by bicycle or tour boat. One of the most popular activities is to ride the waterfront bike path, which follows the shoreline of Lake Champlain and winds through six of the city's parks. Constructed on a former railroad bed, the bike path connects with a network of bicycle routes in the Lake Champlain area, making Burlington an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts.

Tags: Lake Champlain, bike path, Burlington Vermont, Church Street, Church Street Marketplace, college town

Make Rose Oil At Home

Make a versatile oil at home using rose petals.

Rose oil has numerous properties that make it beneficial to human health. Used topically rather than internally, rose oil commonly is employed for skin care, according to "Rose Magazine." Rose oil benefits different skin types, such as dry, sensitive or aging, because of its tonic and astringent effect on skin capillaries. Rose oil can reduce redness caused by enlarged capillaries just under the skin's surface, according to the magazine. The stronger the perfume in the petals, the stronger the scent will be in the rose oil. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup jojoba or olive oil into a bowl. Add 1 cup rose petals and crush the petals using a pestle to release the oils. Leave the petals in the oil for at least 24 hours and as long as one week.

2. Strain the oil into another bowl, discarding the petals. Add another cup of rose petals to the oil, crush them and leave them for another 24 hours to one week. Repeat until no petals remain.

3. Decant the oil into a dark glass bottle for storage. Make sure the bottle is airtight so the rose oil lasts.

Tags: rose petals, petals crush, rose petals crush

About Turkey Farming

About Turkey Farming

Every year about 250 million turkeys are raised in the U.S., which is roughly 1 for every man, woman and child in the country. Many of these birds are specifically raised for Christmas and Thanksgiving, while the rest are exported or used in sandwich meat. However, very little thought is given to where all these turkeys come from and how they are raised.

Types

There are 2 different ways to categorize turkey farms. One is simply to classify them by size: a small operation run for fun or to turn a modest profit is a hobby farm, while a serious, for-profit operation is a commercial farm. The other way is to categorize them by methodology, with organic turkey farms on the one hand, and industrial turkey farms on the other.

The Industrial Farm

An industrial turkey farm is very similar to an industrial chicken farm. Day-old poults are delivered from a dedicated hatchery and placed in a shed, where they will spend their entire lives. The floor is a litter of sawdust and straw for soaking up bird waste, and the lighting is kept low to reduce aggressive behavior among the birds. Sometimes the beaks are cut for the same reason. They are fed cereals with added vitamin and artificial proteins. Antibiotics are used to control health problems stemming from farm conditions. Turkeys are raised for maximum weight gain, and then slaughtered in an abattoir on the farm at between 3 and 7 months of age.

The Organic Farm

The USDA classifies a free-range farm as one that grants access to the outdoors, so technically it can be an industrial farm with an outlet to an outdoor, fenced-in pen. While this is unquestionably better than a strictly industrial operation, it is only better by a small degree, and thus the term "free-range" is misleading. These birds may still be fed antibiotics, for example. On the other hand, the qualification "organic" is much more stringent. Organic qualifications deal with the feed used and ban the general use of antibiotics, which essentially makes the use of industrial farm techniques impossible. Most hobby farms or small operations are either free-range or both free-range and organic, with the latter usually raising heritage turkeys.

Heritage Turkeys

Turkeys bred using organic techniques and from stock that predates the modern strain bred for industrial purposes are called "heritage turkeys." In addition to being organic and from the proper genetic stock, these turkeys must mate naturally, live long lifespans (females for 5 to 7 years and males for 3 to 5 years) and have a slow growth rate.

Processing

Nearly all industrial farms, and many smaller operations, operate their own facility for killing and dressing turkeys. A modern abattoir is surprisingly similar regardless of the animal being slaughtered: the turkeys are suspended in shackles by their feet, killed, scalded to loosen the feathers, plucked by machine and dressed (gutted).

Tags: turkey farms, About Turkey, About Turkey Farming, heritage turkeys, industrial turkey, these turkeys, Turkey Farming

Natural Beauty Home Remedies

Get glowing skin at home.

Keeping your hair and skin healthy can be confusing and pricey. There are a myriad of different commercial products on the market, so sometimes it's hard to know the items that actually work. Natural beauty home remedies cost a fraction of the price of the commercial products. There is the added benefit of using items found in nature and customizing the products for your skin and hair. Does this Spark an idea?

Masks

Get smooth, glowing skin by using the natural home remedy of eggs. There are two different ways to use egg as a mask. An egg white mask is perfect for oily skin as it cleans oil out of the pores. Whip together two or three egg whites in a bowl. Apply it to your face using a brush. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash off with warm water. For people with dry or normal skin, make an egg yolk mask for moisturized skin. Use one egg yolk, four drops of lemon juice and one tbsp. of olive oil. Apply it using a brush. Leave the egg yolk mask on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

Puffy Eyes

Soothe puffy eyes by making your own eye gel using natural ingredients. Use this eye gel in the morning after waking up. Cut up one-quarter of a large cucumber into cubes. Put them in a blender and strain into a glass jar with a lid. Put two oz. of aloe Vera gel into a bowl. Add one tbsp. of cucumber juice and blend them together. Put it in the bottle. Store the concoction in the refrigerator. Apply it under each eye in the morning. This natural remedy will last three months if kept in the refrigerator.

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum is one of the most effective products for your skin. It imparts a glow that is difficult to attain from other products. The serums are expensive to buy in a department store. Make your own vitamin C serum at home. The ingredients are available at most health food or drugstores. Put one tsp. of distilled water in a glass bowl. Dissolve one-quarter tsp. of L-Ascorbic Acid into the water. Add one tsp. of glycerin. and mix them together. Pour the mixture into a glass container with a lid. The homemade vitamin C serum will last for one month as long as it's kept in the refrigerator. Use the serum every morning under moisturizer.

Exfoliating Scrub

Make a homemade gentle exfoliating scrub for your face using natural ingredients. It's crucial to exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells. Commercial face scrubs tend to be loaded with harsh ingredients. To make the scrub, mix one-half cup of powdered milk, one cup ground oatmeal and two tsp. cornmeal in a bowl. Transfer to a plastic container with a lid. When you use this scrub, mix one tbsp. of the scrub with just enough water to make a paste. Apply it to your face and gently massage the scrub into the skin. Wash it off with a washcloth and warm water.

Tags: using natural, warm water, your face, Apply your, Apply your face, commercial products

Sell Chicken Eggs

Selling "backyard fresh" eggs can put a little profit in your egg basket.

The number of farmers markets nationwide grew 17 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the 2011 United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Directory of Farmers Markets, indicating rising value placed on fresh food. Getting in on this emerging "locally grown" trend with a private backyard chicken egg operation won't make you rich, but it can put some extra cash in your pocket while you enjoy your own farm fresh eggs.

Instructions

1. Determine how many eggs you want to sell and match the number of hens with your expectations. Keep 18 hens in your brood for each dozen eggs you hope to collect a day, as a general recommendation. Check the laying area twice a day, and gather the eggs promptly to avoid breakage. Wash the eggs immediately to prevent loss of quality from dirt penetrating the shell.

2. Hold each egg up to a candling light or a bright light to check for quality. The light penetrates the shell so you can see the air cell, the yolk and the white. Look for white lines on the shell, which would indicate cracking, and discard damaged eggs or use them for immediate personal consumption.

3. Research the pertinent city, county and state rules in your area as different regulations govern quality standards, proper storage, transportation and certification or licensing throughout the country. Start with your state's Department of Agriculture and regional health department websites. Download applicable forms or applications, fill them out and send them in with a small fee depending on the size and type of your operation. For example, Missouri offers a retailer's license for $5 required for anyone who sells eggs to a consumer.

4. Secure a table or booth at a local farmers' market. Visit localharvest.org for a searchable database of farmers' markets. Peruse nearby markets before registering as a vendor to note the number of egg sellers and whether the regular clientele seems likely to pay a premium for farm-fresh eggs. Price your product according to egg size, market trends in your area and characteristics that make your eggs special.

5. Approach a local chef and arrange to supply your fresh eggs to a restaurant. Suggest appropriate marketing pitches such as sustaining local agriculture and the health benefits of farm-fresh eggs..

Tags: fresh eggs, Department Agriculture, farm-fresh eggs, with your, your area

Buy Oats Wheat & Corn In Bulk

Oats, Corn and Wheat can be bought in bulk and stored in your pantry.

Oats, corn and wheat have a variety of uses in the home kitchen. If you live far away from a store or like to make your own flours, having these items in your pantry in bulk can save you a lot of time and money. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Types

When purchasing oats, corn and wheat in bulk, consider your uses before you buy. If you are purchasing these items for animal feed to mix up yourself, then going to a feed store will be your best option. However, if you are feeding humans, then look for a local food co-op that can help you locate these items in bulk.

Considerations

Compare prices when shopping for bulk oats, corn and wheat. Ask local farmers what they would charge for a 25 or 50 pound bag. Talk with your local food co-op or bulk foods store and find out their prices. Check the Internet for online sellers of bulk foods. Online sellers often offer 5-gallon pails or 25 and 50 lb bags of grain, but the shipping costs are usually high, so factor this into your comparison. If you live very far from a bulk foods store, the cost of shipping may be worth it compared to your gas and time getting there.

Warning

When buying foods in bulk, particularly grains, be sure to store them in cool, dry place. If you are unable to use your oats, corn or wheat in a timely fashion, they are at risk of going rancid. If you are unsure if you'll be able to use all of your bulk item before it goes bad, freeze some of it in bags or containers. This will help the oats, corn or wheat last longer.

Tags: bulk foods, corn wheat, oats corn, oats corn wheat, these items, bulk foods store

Skillet Cooking Techniques For A Camp Kitchen

The skillet works well for breakfat pancakes.

The skillet is the ultimate camp kitchen tool. The skillet may be used to cook a variety of tasty meals, and it is capable of cooking on a fire, stove, barbecue or any other hot surface. The versatility makes it a must-have for many campsites. In addition to the skillet, a large pot is ideal for cooking pasta, stew and other campfire favorites that the skillet may not handle. Use a metal spatula to control food on the skillet and carry an oven pad to hold the skillet.

Deep Frying

Deep frying is not the healthiest choice for campfire meals, but it does create flavor-rich food. Add a generous amount of cooking oil to the skillet and place it on the heat source. Leave the oil until it is boiling hot. Cover fish, meat, onions and any other food source in flour and drop it into the oil. Be sure both sides of the food are contacted by the oil and check the center of meat to ensure it is cooked through before removing it from the oil.

Boiling and Parboiling

A deep skillet may be used to completely boil noodles and stew. Most skillets do not have enough space to cook a large meal in this manner, but cooking for one or two people allows you to boil numerous different meals. Parboiling involves a cover on the skillet and a smaller quantity of water. The method is used to steam cook large pieces of meat. This allows you to cook the meat through the center without burning it on the outside. Parboiling is ideal in camp cooking scenarios where the temperature may not be adjusted.

Slow Cooking

The skillet is effective as a slow cooker when covered on a low heat setting. Use the skillet for stew, soup, pulled pork and other combinations of meat and liquid that may be left unattended for long periods of time. Slow cooking is best accomplished with the skillet on a raised surface above a fire. You may also cook over propane, but a large amount of gas is consumed while slow cooking.

Cooking Surfaces

The cooking surface determines the type of cooking that is accomplished with the skillet. Propane is ideal because you have control over the heat distribution. Propane is also ideal for cooking quick meals because you do not have to build a fire and burn through resources. You can create a very hot and constant flame. You may also control the heat by raising and lowering the height of the skillet. The skillet may be placed directly on the coals or over a grate.

Tags: accomplished with, accomplished with skillet, because have, cook large, ideal cooking, skillet used, with skillet

Ideas For A Concession Business

An Italian gelatto stand is an elegant idea for a concession stand.

Concession stands are usually associated with hot dogs, cotton candy, pretzels and funnel cakes. But some businesses have made a go of some novel concession stands that serve gourmet, restaurant-style food, international cuisine or treats you don't usually find in a trailer, like cupcakes. Austin, Texas, has made something of an art of "trailer food" with whole parking lots full of interesting concession stand offerings.

Fancy Foods

People think of concession stands as cheap finger foods, such as hot dogs and nachos. But some concession businesses, such as Levy Restaurants in Minnesota, provide crab cakes and sirloin at its concession stands. Providing food that people generally don't expect from a concession stand could make your concession a destination for discriminating eaters.

Healthy Foods

Many people find it difficult to escape fat, salt and sugar when in a concession area. You could provide an alternative with healthy foods, such as smoothies, salads, fresh fruit cups, yogurt, granola and nuts. You could take a page from the raw food movement and use some raw food recipes to come up with a signature specialty.

International Foods

In Austin, Texas, where concessions are a preferred form of dining, there are many international concessions, such as Cazamance, which serves African food, like roasted curry garden vegetables and Moroccan lamb sausage with sweet tomato reslish. There's also G'Raj Mahal Indian food and other international foods. Or you could do a crepe concession as is popular on the Ile St. Louis in Paris or gelatto stand which is ubiquitous in Italy.

Fun Desserts

Desserts often create a draw. Some interesting dessert options might include giant donuts or dessert waffles, giant cupcakes in various flavors with different toppings or upscale sno cones with finely shaved ice like snow, instead of ice chunks, covered with fancy syrups and creams. Having a gourmet cheesecake, custard or flan concession could also appeal.

Tags: concession stand, concession stands, Austin Texas, foods such, gelatto stand

Russian Restaurants In South Uk

Caviar is a popular Russian appetizer.

In the United Kingdom's central southern region, London is home to several Russian restaurants, bars and tearooms. While London's Russian restaurants typically feature such traditional Russian fare as caviar, bilinis and coulibiak on the menu, the restaurants also commonly include Polish, Ukrainian and cuisine from other Eastern European countries.

Abracadabra Restaurant & Bar

While London's Abracadabra Russian Restaurant serves a wide variety of international cuisines, Russian and Eastern European fare dominate the restaurant's menu. Located in the city's West End neighborhood, Abracadabra features a unique dining atmosphere with private booths, rooms and even revolving tables. Patrons can choose among such appetizers as assorted smoked fish, red caviar and pickled vegetables from the restaurant's a la carte menu. Borsh soup and mimosa salad can complement Abracadabra's meat, seafood and vegetarian entr es. Pork karbonat, beef stroganoff and the vegetarian baked pepper dish are a few of the restaurant's Russian main courses. Abracadabra additionally features an expansive selection of English and European menu items.

Abracadabra Russian Restaurant

91 Jermyn St.

London SW1Y 6JB

United Kingdom

020-7930-3111

abracadabra-restaurant.co.uk

Trojka Russian Restaurant

Trojka Russian Restaurant & Tea Room is in North London's Primrose Hill neighborhood. A Russian restaurant, Trojka is also known for its Ukrainian, Polish and Jewish specialties. Diners can start with appetizers like chicken liver, smoked salmon or bouillon, a Russian chicken and noodle soup. The restaurant additionally serves lumpfish, salmon, sevruga and troyka caviars. Trojka's entr es include the restaurant's coulibiak, a salmon pie with vegetables and tomato sauce, prepared using an old recipe. Russian pierog and Ukrainian beef goulash are among the restaurant's other main courses. Trojka's menu also includes side dishes and desserts, as well as a breakfast menu. The wine list features whites, reds and Georgian wines, as well as a range of frozen vodkas.

Trojka Russian Restaurant

101 Regents Park Rd.

London NW1 8UR

United Kingdom

020-7483-3765

trojka.co.uk

Baltic Restaurant

In 2008, the weekly magazine "Time Out London" ranked Baltic Restaurant among the city's best restaurants. Patrons of the Russian cuisine restaurant can begin by choosing among starters like steak tartar, marinated herring salad and grilled asparagus. Baltic's entr es include meat, fish and seafood dishes, as well as blin varieties. Roasted cod, paprika marinated spring chicken and bozbash are some of the restaurant's main course selections, each of which can be paired with such side dishes as red cabbage and chive mash. Cocktail, vodka and wine are also available at Baltic and on Sunday evenings, patrons can enjoy live jazz performances.

Baltic Restaurant

74 Blackfriars Rd.

London SE1 8HA

United Kingdom

020-7928-1111

balticrestaurant.co.uk

Tags: United Kingdom, Baltic Restaurant, Russian Restaurant, Trojka Russian, Trojka Russian Restaurant, Abracadabra Russian

Summer Cooking Schools In Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a long history of culinary education.

There are many options for people who want to take summer cooking classes in Rhode Island. Residents can check with their local community education groups, as well as local colleges and universities, to see what courses are being offered during June, July and August. In addition to those options, there are several special options for classes to explore.

Johnson & Wales

Johnson & Wales University (jwu.edu) provides undergraduate and graduate education in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. You don't need to be enrolled at the University to take classes at Johnson & Wales; their Chef's Choice program offers one-day classes on a variety of topics, such as Spa Cuisine, Basic Skills and Sushi Made Easy. Johnson & Wales also offers special programs for children, teens and an all-day summer camp.

Chef Walter's Cooking School

Chef Walter Potenza, who has started five successful restaurants and caf s, written a cookbook, starred in two local TV shows and opened an organic food market and caf , runs Chef Walter's Cooking School (chefwalter.com) on Providence's Federal Hill. His classes teach students topics such as Essentials of Tuscan Cooking, The Righteous Rice - Risotto and The Art of Terra Cotta Cookery. He also leads cooking tours to Italy. Chef Walter's classes run all year, and all classes are followed by dinner. Group cooking lessons are available y appointment.

Woody Hill Bed & Breakfast

Students who wish to learn 18th century open-hearth cooking can learn prepare authentic colonial dishes at the Woody Hill Bed & Breakfast (woodyhill.com). The classes feature 18th century antique and reproduction cookware. Students will prepare an entire colonial meal and experience all aspects of open-hearth meal preparation from bringing in the wood to cooking. Classes are designed for groups of six to eight students and last from four to six hours.

Food and Wine Tours with Cindy Salvato

Chef Cindy Salvato (savoringrhodeisland.com) runs behind-the-scenes tours of Providence's Federal Hill markets and restaurants. Her "Savoring Federal Hill VIP Tour" provides participants with an opportunity to not only learn about all the area has to offer, but also to watch chefs prepare foods such as ravioli and mozzarella. Salvato maintains that guests will not only learn about select Italian foods, but cook with them. Tours run Monday through Friday, by appointment only.

Tags: Chef Walter, Federal Hill, Johnson Wales, Rhode Island, 18th century, Chef Walter Cooking

Removing The Neck Bone From A Chicken

Removing chicken necks from the rest of the torso is easy.

Typically when purchasing whole chickens from the store, they are packaged with the giblets and neck packed inside the cavity in a tidy little bag. However, if you raise your own chickens for food or buy chickens directly from a farm, removing the neck is a job you may have to take on yourself. Necks are a great ingredient to make a tasty stock, which is the base of a soup. It takes less than 10 minutes to remove the chicken's neck. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place the chicken on a cutting board.

2. Make a slight incision in the skin on the neck. Roll the neck skin backward, toward the shoulders until you reach the base of its neck.

3. Cut into the meat at the base of the neck. There are bones in the neck, so rotate the neck as you cut into the meat around it to significantly loosen the neck.

4. Grab the neck in your hand and and twist a few times until the neck pops off cleanly.

Tags: base neck, into meat, neck into, neck into meat

Budget Meals For Lowincome People

Meals do not need to be expensive to be good.

Feeding a family can be an expensive endeavor. However, with the knowledge of bargain shopping and the use of coupons, any family can create budget meals with ease. Remember to follow USDA food guidelines when shopping to create balanced, low-cost meals for your family. Focus your shopping on in-season, fresh fruits and vegetables, and watch the sale items to create your family's meal plan for each week.

Shopping Basics

Every grocery store in your area is targeted to different individuals. Certain food stores, such as Whole Foods, are targeted to the high-end consumer who enjoys organic foods. Other stores, such as Wal-Mart and Target, are focused more on the budget-conscious consumer. Focus your shopping on the cheapest store in your area to begin your shopping. Find out what fruits and vegetables are in season, as they will typically be the cheapest. Read your weekly sales circular. Save immediately by purchasing advertised specials. However, begin to watch your sales ads. Just because an item is listed as a sales price does not mean it's a good deal. Watch the prices of your most-purchased items for a few weeks and buy those items only when they are at their lowest price. Limit spending at the grocery store by using a list and not shopping while hungry.

Gather Coupons and Stockpile

Start collecting coupons from your Sunday paper and online coupon sites, such as Coupons.com. Remember to only clip coupons for items you actually use. Use the coupons on an item when it is on sale to net the lowest-priced items. Purchase a few weeks' or months' supply of items that will not expire in that length of time when they hit their lowest price. This will create a stockpile of food to use when you are struggling to make ends meet. It will also help you spend less money on food over time. Prior to building your stockpile, plan your meals around your store's sale flier.

Keep Staples Ready

Find a few simple recipes that your family loves that use basic food items that do not expire quickly. For example, a great way to immediately cut your food costs is to have vegetarian meals a few times a week. Red beans and rice is a filling, cheap meal that many enjoy. Purchase these food items in bulk at their cheapest to have a few go-to meals in your cabinets. Consider peanut butter a great staple, especially with kids in the house. They can easily make their own sandwich if need be and can eat this meal any time of day. If your family enjoys lasagna, look into vegetarian versions and stock up on noodles and pasta sauce when they go on sale. Having meals at the home ready for making will limit eating out, as well as unplanned grocery store runs, saving you money.

Prepare Budget Meals

If time is limited during the week for cooking, or you worry about using too much electricity, prepare the week's meals in advance on Sunday and reheat during the week. Grill chicken for main entrees and add accessory ingredients each day to make each meal different. Mark each meal with its ingredients for easy reheating throughout the week. Plan out your meals based on the week's schedule. If a child has a late baseball practice, designate that night for a quick sandwich meal, especially if it is needed to be eaten on the run.

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Use Stevia

Stevia is an herb that has been used since the pre-Columbian era to sweeten food and drinks. Stevia is not known to have any side effects, has no calories and contains no sugar. Stevia can be especially helpful for diabetics or pre-diabetics, as it will not cause blood sugar spikes. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration approved its use as a sweetener in food and drink products. Prior to this, it was approved for use as a dietary supplement.

Instructions

1. Understand the stevia-to-sugar ratio. If you are using stevia extract in a liquid form, then replace 2 teaspoons of sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of liquid or 1/16 teaspoon of powdered stevia. Instead of 1/2 cup of sugar, use either 3/4 teaspoon of powdered stevia or 1 1/4 teaspoons of liquid stevia. One cup of sugar can be replaced by 2 1/2 teaspoons of liquid stevia or 1 1/2 teaspoons of powdered extract.

2. Sweeten coffee or tea with stevia instead of sugar. Because stevia is so much sweeter than sugar, try adding just a pinch of stevia at a time, then test the taste.

3. Experiment with using stevia for baking needs. Substitute stevia instead of sugar when baking muffins, cakes, cookies, breads, and other treats. If you're concerned about losing bulk in your recipes because you need so much less stevia than sugar, consider the Truvia brand, which cuts its stevia extract so that you can use more of it. One cup of sugar equals 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of Truvia extract.

4. Use stevia instead of sugar or other sugar substitutes to sweeten homemade salad dressings, jams, snack dips and fruit smoothies.

5. Turn bland cereals into a meal that satisfies sugar cravings by sprinkling a pinch of stevia on top. Use stevia in other breakfast foods, substituting it instead of sugar in pancakes and waffles, or sprinkling a pinch on a bowl of berries.

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Build Your Pitbull'S Muscle Mass

There is no denying the strength of a pit bull. Many owners showcase the strength of their pets by participating in weight pulling. Weight-pulling competition allows owners and their dogs to compete in a sport that is worthy of the pit bull. It also gives pit bull owners a chance to socialize with like-minded pit bull owners. To compete in weight pulling, your dog must have good muscle mass. Helping your dog build muscle mass is relatively simple and will keep it healthy.

Instructions

1. Buy high-quality dog food. Diet is essential to building muscle mass in your pit bull. A high-quality organic dog food rich in amino acids is a good choice. Beware of foods that contain bone meal and ash.

2. Add protein. Your pit bull needs protein to develop muscle mass. Lean meats such as chicken and raw eggs are high in protein. Slowly add small pieces of chicken to your pit bull's food to help promote muscle building.

3. Exercise your pit bull. The best results come from exercise. Make sure to run and play with your pit bull every day. Not only will this build up muscle mass, but it will make your dog happy and healthy.

4. Keep your dog hydrated. Give your pit bull fresh cold water every day. Keeping the dog's muscles hydrated will promote muscle growth.

Tags: your bull, muscle mass, build muscle, build muscle mass, bull owners, promote muscle, weight pulling

Eat Raw Kale

Kale can go in a salad or make juice.

Eating raw kale provides many nutritional benefits, including calcium, carotene, potassium and Vitamin A. Kale also contains lutein, which aids eye health by slowing the rate of macular degeneration. Kale belongs to the cruciferous family of vegetables, and a WebMD report quotes a study in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" that links cruciferious veggies to a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. Kale can be used in salad, and can also provide a nutritious, moderately priced juice. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

As a Salad

1. Remove the bottom 2 inches of the kale if the stem is still on the head.

2. Wash the kale thoroughly. Kale is a crinkly vegetable and can harbor sand or soil in small pockets inside its leaves. Let it dry on paper towels or put it in a salad spinner to extract the excess water.

3. Cut the kale leaves vertically into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch strips. Cut these strips into small pieces horizontally to make eating them easier.

4. Place the chopped kale into a bowl and add other salad ingredients you like. Combine kale with other salad greens like romaine lettuce or butterhead lettuce to offset the slightly bitter taste of kale. You can add toasted croutons, nuts and parmesan cheese to the salad for more texture and flavor.

5. Dress the salad according to your preferences.

As a Juice

6. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and wash the kale thoroughly.

7. Send the kale through the juicer according to the directions for the appliance.

8. Pour the finished juice into a container and refrigerate what you do not drink immediately. Since kale juice has a strong flavor, combining it with another juice like apple may make it tastier.

Tags: kale thoroughly, other salad

Fullgrain Leather Gifts

A leather bag

Full-grain leather has a distinctive appearance and is associated with high-quality leather items. There are many full-grain leather products sold that make great gifts for people of all ages and tastes. Consider the recipient's personal style and interests to choose a gift that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Purses and Bags

A handbag, wallet, or any type of purse made from full-grain leather makes an excellent gift for men and women alike. Full-grain leather is hard-wearing and strong, meaning the bag will be long-lasting. The purse or bag will also develop a classic worn-in look over time, improving its appearance with age. For the traveler, look for a compact leather suitcase. Consider a briefcase or laptop case for the executive in your life. If you don't want to spend that much, choose a coin purse.

Book

Bookstores and stationary stores often stock a range of journals and photo albums. Look for one bound in full-grain leather for a gift suitable for many different people. A leather-bound journal makes a thoughtful gift for a writer or traveler; a photo album is a great idea for family members.

Gloves

If you want a smaller gift for someone who lives in a cold climate, look for full-grain leather gloves or mittens with a warm lining. The thickness of full-grain leather makes it a good insulator, so the gloves or mittens will be extremely warm. This is also a suitable idea for a gift you are going to send through the mail, since gloves are small and relatively lightweight.

Tool Belt

For the man in your life who loves DIY, consider a full-grain leather tool belt. The distressed, worn-in look that full-grain leather develops over time is perfect for a tool belt. The thick, sturdy leather holds tools safely and protects the wearer from sharp points. Unlike tool belts made from canvas or nylon, a leather tool belt will not quickly wear out with use.

Jewelry Box

A jewelry box covered with full-grain leather is a useful and stylish gift that is sure to be treasured by any woman receiving it. Leather jewelry boxes are generally of a high quality and come in many different sizes. A less expensive alternative is a jewelry roll made from full-grain leather. This is handy when traveling and for storing jewelry in a safe place.

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Healthy Chicken Casserole

Eating healthy does not mean having to give up family favorite dishes. With a bit of tweaking and substitutions, you can make most casserole recipes healthy and tasty. The key is to use low-fat ingredients and choosing alternatives that provide more nutrition than the original recipe ingredients. Creamy Chicken and Rice is just one casserole that can become healthier by using a few substitutions. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make Creamy Chicken and rice casserole, you will need 2 tbsp. flour; 1 can sliced mushrooms; 1 tbsp. non-fat dry, powdered milk; 1 cup low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth; 1 1/4 cup 2 percent milk; 1/4 tsp. salt; 3 cups cooked brown rice; 2 1/2 cups cubed, cooked skinless chicken breast; 1/2 cup thinly slice celery; 1 tsp. each of pepper, marjoram and thyme.

Making the Casserole

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine flour and powdered milk. Slowly add skim milk, using a whisk or fork to blend. Cook until sauce becomes thick, all the while stirring constantly. Add the spices and stir to mix thoroughly. Remove the pan from the heat. In a large skillet, non-stick or sprayed with cooking spray, sauté celery and mushrooms in 1 tbsp. of the chicken broth until both are tender. Stir in the remainder of the ingredients and pour the mixture into a 9-by-13 inch baking pan. Cook, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 35 minutes. Remove the lid and cook another 10 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling.

Variations

Substitute 3 cups of egg-less noodles for the rice. Use /2 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms, of any variety, instead of canned. Add 1 cup frozen broccoli or peas to the mix before baking. For added richness, you can sprinkle low-fat Swiss or cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking. If desired, you can use whole, cooked chicken breasts for the casserole. Simply place the breasts in a single layer on the bottom of the pan and cover with the remaining ingredients. Cook as directed.

To fancy up the casserole, try sprinkling slivered almonds over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking.

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Deboned Turkey Cooking Times

You have the side dishes ready to go in to the oven. The big dinner is coming along without any problems. You are deboning the turkey and you are almost done. The only question you have is how long to cook the deboned turkey. A deboned turkey requires a 325 degrees Fahrenheit (F) oven and you need to know how many pounds the turkey weighed with the bones in it. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Cooking Time and Pounds

Cook the deboned turkey for 20 minutes for each pound. So, a 10 lb. turkey cooks for three hours and 20 minutes. You want to use the weight of the turkey before the deboning process. A 12 lb. turkey cooks for four hours; a 14 lb. turkey cooks for four hours and 40 minutes; a 16 lb. turkey cooks for five hours and 20 minutes; a 18 lb. turkey cooks for six hours; and a 20 lb. turkey cooks for six hours and 40 minutes.

Meat Thermometer

Use a meat thermometer to take the internal temperature of the turkey. The minimum internal temperature of the cooked turkey needs to be 165 degrees F after the completed cooking time in order to be safe to eat. Place the thermometer in the innermost part of the turkey's wing or thigh. Do not place it in the stuffing or dressing. Make sure it is embedded in the meat of the turkey.

Tips

Use cotton string to sew the turkey together. If you are stuffing the turkey with dressing, leave a 4 inch opening in the middle of the turkey by its legs so you can place the dressing inside of the turkey. After stuffing the turkey, sew the opening close and turn the turkey belly side up. The turkey should look like it did before the deboning process. Then use cotton string to tie the drumsticks and wrings together. Next, cover the turkey with aluminum foil and place it in a oven set no lower than 325 degrees F.

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When To Plant Garlic In New Jersey

A Bunch of Garlic Bulbs

Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a species of the onion family and is a close relation of chives, shallots and leeks. Garlic is widely used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. A popular crop in New Jersey, garlic is easily grown and quite hardy. Does this Spark an idea?

When to Plant

In New Jersey and other colder climates, it is best to plant garlic in the fall. Planting one month to six weeks before the soil freezes is the preferred time line since this allows the plants time to get established. The plants will then go dormant in the winter and, when the weather warms up, will have a burst of growth.

Plant Care

Garlic does not thrive with competition, so keep up with weeding. The plant prefers even moisture, therefore be careful not to overwater it because overwatering shortens the bulb's lifespan. Stop watering the garlic a few weeks prior to harvesting.

Facts

Garlic is chock full of vitamins and nutrients including protein, potassium, Vitamins A, B, B2 and C, calcium and zinc. It contains more germanium, an anti-cancer agent, than any other herb. With all its goodness for humans, garlic is toxic to cats and dogs.

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Sugar Cane Organic Fertilizer Recipe

Proper fertilizer can create a lush and beautiful garden

Fertilizing your garden can create difficult decisions whether it's a flower garden or you're growing edibles. If you are eco-conscious, you may want an organic and safe alternative to commercial fertilizers. Commercial fertilizers often contain animal manure traces and harsh chemicals that release nitrates into the soil that can get into your drinking water. One alternative to this is making your own organic sugarcane fertilizer using vermicompost. Does this Spark an idea?

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a grass-like plant that grows well in tropical climates. It requires fewer nutrients than other edible crops, and it possesses an extra absorbent root system that holds moisture in as it releases nutrients into the soil it is growing in. It is very water tolerant and can be grown in areas that experience flood. This unique ability to retain water and nutrients makes it a great addition to fertilizers for enriching soil and improving crop quality. Use a wood chipper or mulcher and shred about 10 pounds of sugarcane. Shred the entire plant for optimal benefit.

Vermicompost

Vermicompost is basically ordinary home compost like coffee grounds and other kitchen wastes. Worms and potting soil are added to this compost to create vermicompost, or worm compost. The earthworms thrive in this environment, and their waste enriches the mixture, which creates the same fertilizing abilities as manure-based fertilizer. It is also much safer to the environment than manure fertilizers. Mix 20 pounds of potting soils with about 30 pounds of kitchen compost to create a suitable base for your vermicompost. Let the mixture ferment in a compost bin for 30 to 60 days. This is best done in the winter season, when your garden is dormant. Add live earthworms to the compost about a month before the growing season begins.

Sugarcane Fertilizer

Combine your shredded sugarcane with the rest of the organic compost materials. Make sure it is thoroughly mixed throughout the vermicompost. For extra water support in dry climates that have poor soil quality, add about 4 pounds of peat moss to the compost and sugarcane. There is no need for animal manure of any kind, because the sugarcane and worm castings provide high amounts of essential nutrients and alkalinity needed for growing conditions. Till your garden about a foot beneath the surface of the ground, and cover the entire garden area with the sugarcane fertilizer. Mix it with the surface dirt, and let it sit for about three weeks before you plant your garden.

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Garcinia Safety

Garcinia cambogia extract, or simply Garcinia, is used as a weight loss aid. It has been scrutinized due to its health implications. It can be taken as either extract powder or liquid, although the safety concerns are the same.

Effectiveness

Several professional tests--such as Heymsfield's 1998 study--report no significant weight loss with Garcinia.

Chest Pains

Garcinia may cause chest pains when taken in conjunction with other herbal supplements, according to a Mansi and Huang 2004 test

Atrophy

Testicular atrophy is the wasting away or shrinking of the testicles. It occurred in conjunction with the use of Garcinia in a year-long study of lab rats by FANCL in 2003.

Contraindications

Do not take Garcinia if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing. If you have diabetes, dementia or Alzheimer's, you should not take Garcinia.

Considerations

Additionally, Garcinia has several drug interactions. You should consult your dortor before beginning any regiment of a new supplement, especially Garcinia, as your physician would know of any possible drug interactions.

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College Summer Dance Programs

Brush up on dance skills over the summer.

If you have a passion for dance, a college summer program is the ideal way to brush up on your skills. You can take a college summer program to get an introduction to dance or to move on to a higher level of expertise. Some programs offer workshops for college credit, while others are located at colleges but have no college credit.

Western Washington University

Western Washington University has a dance program called the Summer Dance Intensive that it has held for 13 years in 2010. The benefit of enrolling is that it can go towards your degree or minor in dance at their university. It means that you take summer courses that are truly geared towards focused, college-level dance instruction. The summer program offers experienced faculty and can also be taken as a non-credit course. If you stay through the year, their full-time programs include a bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, teaching endorsement, and minor in dance. The summer program ends with a final performance with choreography by faculty and guest artists.

Western Washington University

516 High Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-650-3000

wwu.edu

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University has a dance program that offers programs in different specialties and for different level dancers. The program covers specialties that include Indian dance (Bharatanatyam), Ballet, Swing, Salsa, Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Irish, Pas de Deux, Ballroom, Swing, Latin, Salsa, and Belly Dance. Although the courses do examine dance as exercise, students are also encouraged to learn the art of dance technique. Classes are not for college credit. They are available to all dancers age 14 and older. Students can drop in to take classes. Students are permitted to audition for Vanderbilt Dance Theatre and perhaps become involved with the student performing company, Momentum.

Vanderbilt University

211 Kirkland Hall

Nashville, TN 37240

615-322-7311

vanderbilt.edu

California State University

California State University Fresno State campus has a summer arts program that covers dance instruction among other artistic fields including theatre and performance. Local, national and international students sign up for the program, which provides you with a unique and diverse experience. It does not offer college credit. It permits dance students to become engaged with the community and work with important guest artists. Some of the past guest artists include Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Bebe Miller Dance Company. Examples of 2010 courses include Urban Bush Women and Diavolo.

California State University

401 Golden Shore

Long Beach, CA 90802-4210

562-951-4060

calstate.edu

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