BMI's Health & Wellness Mastermind Group

Seeking 3 leaders for business expansion in the wellness industry

2011-07-10T19:49:00.000-04:00

My team and I are seeking 3 key associates to work closely with, part time, to share the best healthy fruit beverage we've ever tasted while improving life of others one at a time. Who do you know that might be the right leader to help us replicate elsewhere the system that has allowed our team to create 14 millionaires in California? Details in our VIP video tour: http://www.MillionaireMindTeam.com/mentor/media.html

Halloween book for children

2009-10-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

Parents and Grandparents add to the fun this year with tales to delight the young that they haven't heard. Exciting, suspenseful but not terrifying. No nightmares. Read to those who cannot read and they will love you for it. Buy Campfire Tales or Spooky Yarns for Halloween by Betty Locke
www.kidsstillread.com

F.R.E.E. Fortune 500 business videos

2009-06-17T22:26:00.001-04:00

For some 20-years, CEO Space has been the home to entrepreneurs from around the globe; entrepreneurs who have the desire to create successful business ventures, or advance where they are in business.

The CEO Space environment is one of cooperation.

What you are getting here, are video segments from previous forums. If you are like most other people, you will learn a wealth of information from the faculty.

Go to http://www.millionairemindteam.com/ceospace_videos.html and enjoy!

Stephan

How to gain confidence free tips

2009-04-29T14:47:00.000-04:00

by Stephen Hill

1. DRUNK!

At the age of sixteen I was invited out for the evening on a Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. This for most people would be something to look forward to, for me it was something to dread. Socialising and ordering drinks for somebody who has a stutter is bad enough, but I regularly seemed to bare the brunt of the evening's jokes about me height, weight and occasionally my bald patch. Even though my friend's were not doing this to be cruel, I was very paranoid about myself at that age and this banter would hurt.

I had often been out for evenings where I drank alcohol, however up to this point had never been drunk. On this particular night the drink flowed and before long I found myself a little worse for ware. The results of which would later change my life.

I found myself talking to lots of different people, some of which I did not know, even girls! My whole character and personality started to change, I was telling jokes and when someone made a comment about my weight for example, I laughed and even came back with a derogatory comment about him, joining in the banter and seemingly enjoying it.

My attitude changed, for example instead of thinking that a certain girl might not want me because of my weight, stutter or height, I thought to myself, she will want me, I'm a good person and could make her laugh. My whole outlook was far more positive and my confidence was buzzing. It was a superb and very enjoyable night.

The next morning I awoke not feeling the best with a bad hangover. One of the highlights of the previous night was that I had been given a phone number from one of the girls I had met. I told her that I would phone her to arrange a date, however I was now sober, back to my normal self and no did not have the confidence to ring. This girl thinks I am fluent, how would she react if I stutter, I wondered.

I went to bed most disappointed with myself but started to analyse the differences between when I had been drunk to when I was sober. The conclusion was obvious, when drunk I can talk, I don't care about my weight, lack of height etc. When sober I have a lack of confidence and am paranoid about certain aspects about my person. I knew that I could not be drunk 24/7 and that what I needed to do was to become a harder person, less paranoid etc. I had to be mentally drunk all of the time without being physically drunk. I knew this would be hard to achieve but in the future possibly when I was older would be a must.

This attitude is hard to achieve, however using some of the following methods became a reality for me a number of years later.

2. YOU HAVE TO START TO LIKE YOURSELF!

At the age of twenty-two I decided to as already stated deal with and try to overcome some of the issues in my life. I started to read various books, like mind over matter and positive thinking type books.

In one such book it had a line which read:

"You need to start to like yourself"

I put the book down and starting to think and realised that I didn't actually like myself. I hated being overweight, shorter than average, having a bald patch and especially having a speech impediment.

I carried on reading and it went on to say:

"There are various things about one's self which even though we don't like we are unable to change, therefore we have to accept them. Other aspects we can change therefore we have to work extremely hard with determination to eradicate them.

Once again I put the book down and thought about this. Firstly my height, am I ever going to grow any taller? The answer is no, there is nothing I can do to increase my height at the age of twenty-two therefore I have to accept it. From reading more of the book later I realised that I was being over-sensitive about this and some of my other issues. There are a lot of people out there a lot worse off than I am. Does my current height hurt me in anyway or affect my life in any major negative way, again the answer is no.

Secondly, the bald area on my head. As with the above hair is not going to start growing in that area of my scalp, I have had the bald patch since birth and therefore have to accept the fact and even try to like it.

Then there is my weight. This is something that I could change, therefore I have to work hard to lose the weight. I have to accept certain sacrifices; such as to eat less fatty foods and be disciplined to reach my target weight, however long it might take.

Finally there is my speech impediment. I had had a stutter since the age of four and for me this was the most important of all of my issues. I was not sure if I would be able to achieve fluency, however in my mind believed I could. If I can talk when I am drunk I should be able to talk when I am fluent. I was not going to accept having a stutter for the rest of my life until I had worked hard to eradicate it. Work hard I did and eventually I overcome this major issue in my life.

I advise people that the above were my own personal issues and that each individual has to identify there own. It is then a case of accepting the issues which can not be changed and working hard to overcome the ones that can.

3. ATTITUDE

I was somebody who wanted to be like by everybody. If anybody criticised me or called me names, I would easily be offended and my confidence would drop. As an example from the age of about seventeen I would go out with my friends most Friday and Saturday nights to public houses and sometimes to a night club. I remember one Saturday morning, aged about eighteen, waking up feeling quite ill, very hung over. I had consumed far too much alcohol on the previous evening. I looked in my wallet and had also spent far too much money. I decided that I would stay in on the Saturday night, just for a change. During the afternoon I had a phone call from a friend called Phil. He asked me where we going that night. After telling him that I was not going out, he called me boring on numerous occasions, offering to lend me money, saying that I had changed etc. I didn't want him to think of me in this way however stuck to my guns, eventually he put the phone down on me in a mood. Within a few minutes another friend phoned asking why I was not going out, also calling me various names including boring. I ended up going out.

At this age I did not have enough respect for myself, I was too concerned what people thought of me and was easily persuaded into doing things and going places that I in didn't want to.

After reading some of the books as mentioned above I realised this and asked myself a question:

"Am I boring"

I have lots of interests, theatre, cinema, eating out, chess, football, snooker, golf, horse racing, tennis, music to name a few. By this age I was becoming bored of going out drinking alcohol. I decided to be strong and stated to my friends that I was now only going out drinking once a month. Originally, every Friday and Saturday night people would phone asking me if I was going out, if I declined I was criticised, your so boring for example. My new found attitude, though hard at first to adopt and follow through meant that I didn't really care and I certainly didn't bow to pressure.

One particular friend, Phil, was particularly verbally aggressive and demanding, calling me different names. He was seemingly in shock that someone was standing up to him. On one afternoon I fought back and said to him:

"Whatever you say, whatever you call me, I am not going out tonight, however I will go out with you on Tuesday night if you want to"

He agreed to this so I asked him if he wanted a game of snooker, or golf, or a trip to the cinema or theatre. He thought all of these options were "boring". I mentioned other interests of mine such as chess, again all of the options I mentioned he didn't find interesting. I said to him:

"OK, where would you like to go?" "What about the pub for a few beers?"

I laughed at Phil and said:

"I'm sorry mate you're the one who is boring not me".

I then put the phone down on him for a change.

My attitude was beginning to change for the better. I was becoming harder and stronger mentally. A few years later I met my present fiancee and I soon realised I was a long way off the level I wanted to be. Her name is Sharron and a couple of weeks after we had met she invited me to a night out with some of her friends who she said wanted to meet me. I knew I had to go even though in reality it was the last thing I wanted to do. I was worried what her friends might think of me etc. I did attend and managed to cope, however I was very quiet, felt uncomfortable throughout the evening and felt very nervous. I was glad to get back to the safety of my own home! A couple of weeks later I was invited to meet her parents and immediately I had the same feelings as above and the night passed in a similar way with me having a distinct lack of confidence etc.

About a month later Sharron agreed to accompany me to a wedding in Birmingham where I was born. On this day she would meet most of my friends and family for the first time. As we were driving on the motorway I thought she must be a bit nervous. I asked her if she was OK and if she was slightly nervous. She replied:

"What have I got to be nervous about?" "Well your meeting my family and friends later. Are you not concerned what they will think of you?" "Steve, I don't care what they think of me. It's what you think that counts and I know you like me!"

This was not a front she was putting on. Suddenly I realised how far I was away from the attitude to life and attitude to people I wanted to have. Sharron has helped me to reach that level. Being around positive people at this stage was very beneficial to me.

Stephen Hill helps people to gain confidence. He has a website at:

http://www.gain-confidence.co.uk

http://www.dementia-symptom.co.uk

http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk

Do you have a millionaire mind?

2009-04-18T21:31:00.000-04:00

DO YOU HAVE A MILLIONAIRE MIND?

Ask yourself 5 simple questions:

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Your Money Blueprint is the level of success you?ve subconsciously set for yourself. And unless you change it, there's a good chance you?re destined to be disappointed with money for the rest of your life ? in turbulent times and good times.

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A nutritional approach to treating migraine

2009-02-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

by Joy Healey

If you, or someone you love, is a migraine sufferer, you'll know the devastating effect this agonising affliction can have on the whole family - not just the sufferer. Perhaps you've tried most of the conventional ways to banish migraine from your life. Unfortunately only a third of sufferers are fully satisfied with conventional management. The side-effects of certain drugs can be as worrying as the problems they aim to treat. Many people are looking for drug-free solutions, and nutritional therapy has much to offer.

To treat migraine, identify the problem and eliminate it - but that is often easier said than done. Being a one-time sufferer myself, I made migraine the focus of my 3-year nutrition consultancy training course. Obviously there are too many possible causes to describe in detail in a short article such as this, but here's a brief over-view of the factors a nutritional approach to migraine will consider.

There is little doubt that food intolerance is a major cause of migraine and many studies have demonstrated that detecting and removing the offending food(s) can improve or even eliminate symptoms in many sufferers. A study in the Lancet found that 93% of sufferers found an improvement on eliminating allergenic foods from their diet. But often it's not the 'usual suspects' that cause the problems. There are several ways to do the necessary detective work. For a free article on food intolerance testing, visit the website below.

But food intolerance isn't at the bottom of all migraines. Other dietary adjustments can make a world of difference to reducing migraines - AND improving your general health and well-being. Improving your diet means far more than just eating '5-a-day', important though that is! For instance, it's vital to maintain a steady blood sugar level, eat regular, light meals that include protein but are low in simple carbohydrates (such as sugary and refined foods). Eat extra amounts of almonds, fennel, watercress, and fresh pineapple. Reduce salt intake and avoid acid forming foods (meat, dairy, cereals, grain and bread). Avoid fried and fatty foods. Acid / alkaline imbalance in your diet can cause problems - put simply, acid-forming foods are protein based, while alkaline-forming foods are plant based. Nutrient deficiencies can be problematical - there's a whole host of research into the role of different B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium in migraine prevention. For instance, calcium and magnesium in the correct balance help regulate muscle tone and nerve transmissions. As the brain is largely composed of fatty material, you'll need to be sure that your diet contains plenty of essential fats - while minimising intake of 'bad' fats.

A less well-known nutrient has also been found effective in helping migraine sufferers. CoQ10 is a naturally occurring substance similar in structure to vitamin K. It is not a vitamin because, subject to the availability of all necessary nutrients, it can be made in the body; but as so often occurs, production declines with age! Its main functions in are in energy production and as an antioxidant. In migraine it's thought to help by improving blood circulation to the brain. Research by Dr Rozen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation published in the International Headache Society's journal (March 2002) found that after three months taking CoQ10, 61% of patients had a greater than 50% reduction in the number of days with migraine - a significant reduction. The fact that patients in the study had no problems using it, together with other beneficial effects of the nutrient, makes CoQ10 a very appealing agent for migraine prevention. Natural sources of CoQ10 include beef, chicken, ham, pork, salmon, sardines, mackerel, egg, spinach, sesame seeds and walnuts; but no food can provide anything close to the dose used in the trial so supplementation would be necessary.

When considering circulation of blood and oxygen to the brain ginkgo or vitamin B3 are also useful nutrients to look at. If taking supplements try to use hypo-allergenic and chelated forms. Exercise and deep breathing will also improve blood circulation.

But even if your diet is top-notch, unless you're correctly digesting and absorbing your food, you won't benefit from the nutrients it contains. 'Leaky gut' is a subject that links to food intolerances, mentioned earlier. You may not expect to need hydrochloric acid in your body, but it's essential for protein digestion! Check and supplement where appropriate.

Many sufferers notice that stress or strong emotions trigger their migraines. What is less well-known is that there are dietary changes you can make that can lessen the impact, even when you can't do anything about your hectic life-style. For instance, vitamin B5 is important in a nutritional approach to stress management and vitamin C aids anti-stress hormone production

Other non-food triggers include lack of exercise, excess or lack of sleep, liver malfunction, weather changes, caffeine withdrawal, certain drugs, dental problems, flashing or glaring lights or exposure to cigarette smoke. Physiotherapy may also be helpful in certain cases.

Could toxic metals be slowly poisoning you? A Hair Mineral Analysis is a simple and cost-effective way to assess your levels of lead, aluminium, mercury and cadmium - as well as checking that you have adequate levels of such essential nutrients as magnesium, chromium, zinc - and just as importantly, that the balance between minerals is correct. Read more about Hair Mineral Analysis on the website below.

Less dramatically, could simple constipation be causing a problem? If your bowel functions are poor, waste material cannot be eliminated and circulates for too long within your system. It's vital to maintain a good balance between the 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in your intestine.

Hormonal health is important too, especially for women. The Pill may cause B6 deficiency resulting in migraines; some migraines result from oestrogen fluctuations - these often decrease after the menopause. Foods containing phyto-oestrogens (citrus fruits, apples, cherries, plums, oats, rice, wheat, carrots, potatoes, parsley and fennel) can have a hormone-balancing effect. Consideration of hormonal health leads onto looking at liver health. Good liver function is necessary to remove spent hormones.

Homocysteine also has a profound effect on blood vessels and in research, compared to controls, migraine sufferers were twice as likely to have a tendency to over-produce homocysteine. The migraine link has yet to be proven, but as there's overwhelming research showing that high homocysteine is linked to strokes and heart-attacks, and as it can be simply and effectively lowered by nutritional means, it makes sense to maintain low levels.

Many sufferers are not aware that misuse of over-the-counter painkillers may increase headaches, especially those that contain caffeine. If any prescribed medications contain caffeine, discuss changing them with your GP. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine without contacting your GP.

This brief article has only been able to provide a taster of the factors that could be contributing to migraines. More information on migraine, hair mineral analysis and food intolerance testing is available at the website below.

About the Author
Joy Healey is a nutritionist who qualified after studying for three years at the prestigious London Institute For Optimum Nutrition, founded by Patrick Holford, one of the world's leading authorities on health and nutrition.

For more information visit http://www.migrainerelief.co.uk

What are the benefits of Kiwi?

2008-12-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

Kiwi, is it from down under?

The kiwifruit is a fruit with a very interesting history and whose recent rise in popularity reflects a combination of an appreciation for its taste, nutritional value, unique appearance and, surprisingly, its changing name.

Native to China, kiwifruits were originally known as Yang Tao. They were brought to New Zealand from China by missionaries in the early 20th century with the first commercial plantings occurring several decades later. In 1960, they were renamed Chinese Gooseberries.

In 1961, Chinese Gooseberries made their first appearance at a restaurant in the United States and were subsequently "discovered" by an American produce distributor who felt that the U.S. market would be very receptive to this uniquely exotic fruit. She initiated the import of these fruits into the United States in 1962, but to meet what was felt to be burgeoning demand, changed its name from Chinese Gooseberry to kiwifruit, in honor of the native bird of New Zealand, the kiwi, whose brown fuzzy coat resembled the skin of this unique fruit. Currently, Italy, New Zealand, Chile, France, Japan and the United States are among the leading commercial producers of kiwifruit.

Health Benefits

Kiwifruit can offer a great deal more than an exotic tropical flair in your fruit salad. These emerald delights contain numerous phytonutrients as well as well known vitamins and minerals that promote your health.

Kiwi's Phytonutrients Protect DNA

In the world of phytonutrient research, kiwifruit has fascinated researchers for its ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells from oxygen-related damage. Researchers are not yet certain which compounds in kiwi give it this protective antioxidant capacity, but they are sure that this healing property is not limited to those nutrients most commonly associated with kiwi fruit, including its vitamin C or beta-carotene content. Since kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.

The protective properties of kiwi have been demonstrated in a study with 6- and 7-year-old children in northern and central Italy. The more kiwi or citrus fruit these children consumed, the less likely they were to have respiratory-related health problems including wheezing, shortness of breath, or night coughing. These same antioxidant protective properties may have been involved in providing protection for these children.

Premier Antioxidant Protection

Kiwifruit emerged from our food ranking system as an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to problems such as inflammation and cancer. In fact, adequate intake of vitamin C has been shown to be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, and for preventing conditions such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease. And since vitamin C is necessary for the healthy function of the immune system, it may be useful for preventing recurrent ear infections in people who suffer from them. Owing to the multitude of vitamin C's health benefits, it is not surprising that research has shown that consumption of vegetables and fruits high in this nutrient is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Kiwifruit is also a good source of two of the most important fat-soluble antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin A. Vitamin A is provided in the form of beta-carotene. This combination of both fat- and water-soluble antioxidants makes kiwi able to provide free radical protection on all fronts.

Fiber for Blood Sugar Control Plus Cardiovascular and Colon Health

Our food ranking system also qualified kiwifruit as a very good source of dietary fiber. The fiber in kiwifruit has also been shown to be useful for a number of conditions. Researchers have found that diets that contain plenty of fiber can reduce high cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. In addition, fiber-rich foods, like kiwifruit, are good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control. Kiwifruit also passed our food ranking test as a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper and phosphorous.

Protection against Asthma

Eating vitamin C-rich fruit such as kiwi may confer a significant protective effect against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma such as wheezing.

A study published in the April 2004 issue of Thorax that followed 18,737 children aged 6-7 years living in Central and Northern Italy found that those eating the most citrus and kiwi fruit (5-7 servings per week) had 44% less incidence of wheezing compared to children eating the least (less than once a week). Shortness of breath was reduced by 32%, severe wheeze by 41%, night time cough by 27%, chronic cough by 25%, and runny nose by 28%. Children who had asthma when the study began appeared to benefit the most, and protective effects were evident even among children who ate fruit only once or twice a week. (May 6, 2004)

Protection against Macular Degeneration

Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the June 2004 issue of the Archives of Opthamology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

In this study, which involved 77,562 women and 40,866 men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARM, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss. Food intake information was collected periodically for up to 18 years for women and 12 years for men. While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARM, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but kiwi fruit can help you reach this goal. Slice kiwi over your morning cereal, lunch time yogurt or green salads. For a more elegant meal, decorate any fish dish or fruit salad with kiwi slices.(July 10, 2004)

A Blood Thinning Alternative to Aspirin

Enjoying just a couple of kiwi fruit each day can significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, making kiwi a delicious blood-thinning alternative to aspirin for protecting cardiovascular health.

Aspirin (and other NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen) can cause inflammation, ulcers and bleeding in the intestinal tract so severe that each year around 100,000 people are hospitalized and between 10,000 and 20,000 die from NSAID-related complications.

Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of regular kiwi consumption are all beneficial. Kiwi fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, and polyphenols, and a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and copper, all of which may function individually or in concert to protect the blood vessels and heart. In this study, human volunteers who ate 2 to 3 kiwi fruit per day for 28 days reduced their platelet aggregation response (potential for blood clot formation) by 18% compared to controls eating no kiwi. In addition, kiwi eaters' triglycerides (blood fats) dropped by 15% compared to controls. (October 21, 2004)

Description

The kiwifruit is a little fruit holding great surprises. Inside of this small, oval-shaped fruit featuring brown fuzzy skin resides a brilliant, semi-translucent emerald green flesh speckled with a few concentrically arranged white veins and small black seeds. Its flesh is almost creamy in consistency with an invigorating taste reminiscent of a mixture of strawberries and bananas, yet with its own unique sweet flavor.

Learn More About Monavie

Discover How To Turn The US Subprime Mortgage Crisis Into A Wealth Building Machine!

2008-11-30T22:31:00.000-05:00

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The causes of communication difficulties

2008-11-24T13:48:00.000-05:00

by Stephen Hill

When a person has a stutter or a parent realises that their child is developing a stutter they often want to find out the cause. So what causes a stutter?

The answer is many things can trigger someone starting to stutter. These are some of them: It can be a traumatic event It can run in the family People may copy a friend at school who has a stutter and then it sticks An over aggressive relative

Last year I had a female client who told me how she had developed a stutter. She was fluent until the age of twenty four. At this age she became pregnant for the first time, she was very happy and excited about the prospects about becoming a mother.

She was apprehensive about the birth and her friends had been winding her up telling her how painful the experience is. She knew that they were only teasing and tried to keep relaxed.

The day of the birth arrived and unfortunately the delivery was particulary hard and she was extremely shocked about how bad it actually was. After the birth of the baby, who was a healthy boy she developed the stutter.

Not all people who stutter have it from an early age, another one of my clients was fluent until the age of nineteen. At this age he had a car crash and this was the trigger to him starting to stutter.

Stephen Hill

About the Author
Stephen Hill helps people who stutter to achieve fluency. He has a website at:

http://www.stuttering-help.co.uk

http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk

http://www.debt-specialist.co.uk

What are the benefits of Lychee?

2008-11-07T16:38:00.000-05:00

A lychee is a rare sub tropical fruit originating in South China where the lychee is very important in their culture and is famed as "the King of Fruits".

The lychee fruit is about 1 to 1½ inches in size, oval to rounded heart shaped and the bumpy skin is red in color. Once you peel the skin off, the crisp juicy flesh of a lychee fruit is white or pinkish, translucent and glossy like the consistency of a grape, but the taste is sweeter. Lychees have a sub acid sweet taste and have a wonderful freshness to them that is hard to describe. Lychee fruit is high in the antioxidant Vitamin C and the essential mineral Potassium.

Lychee trees are beautiful hardwoods that grow 20 to 40 feet tall in a primarily dome shaped habit of growth with dense, evergreen leaves. Lychee trees are popular landscape trees in South Florida and other areas of the southern U.S. and container, atrium or greenhouse growing of lychee trees is becoming popular throughout the rest of he country. Lychee trees are grown commercially in the US for the highly sought after fruit in primarily South and Coastal Central Florida where it is warm and there is some winter chilling, but little or no risk of hard freezes.

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Disability in communication

2008-10-24T13:47:00.000-04:00

by Stephen Hill

There are many types of disablity. Would people class stuttering as a disability?

I think most people would probably say no, however I disagree. People who stutter have to struggle their way through life at times. I am somebody who had a stutter for eighteen years. I am going to now explain one of the situations that I found difficult and how my mind or what I would call my demons would be saying to me.

This is when trying to meet and approach people of the opposite sex. Lets say I am in a bar and I see a woman/girl who catches my eye. I think to myself, who don't you go and talk to her and make a move etc? My demons are always talking to me, and are basically saying "She won't want to know you.

You have a stutter and when you start talking she will hear it. Do you really think she will want to date somebody who has a stutter? Even if she is interested, you then have to possibly meet her friends and family.

How will they find you and treat you, when they realise you have a stutter?" These demons would make me think twice and more often than not I would not even bother going over and talking to the person. I would therefore let the demons win.

This is one example of thousands where the stutter handicaps your ability to live a normal life. This is why I believe stuttering is a disability. Stephen Hill

About the Author
Stephen Hill runs a speech centre in Birmingham called The How To Stop Stammering Centre. He has websites at:

http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk

http://www.panic-attack-symptom.co.uk

http://www.impotence-male.co.uk

What are the benefits of Nashi Pears?

2008-10-08T16:40:00.001-04:00

So what does Nashi mean?

Nashi pears (Pyrus pyrifolia and P. ussuriensis) are juicy round pears, shaped like apples. Because of the resemblance, some people call them "apple pears." They originated in East Asia where they are a popular fruit, eaten as a thirst quencher. Nash, is a generic word for pears and European pears are called Yonashi. The fruit are harvested in fall and nashi may be used as an autumn kigo (or season word) in writing haiku.

Once reserved as a food to be served only to the wealthy and to Chinese nobles, Nashi pears have been grown, cultivated, and eaten for centuries. Little is known about their origin... it's estimated that they began appearing at least 3,000 years ago in China.

Some varieties spread westward, and those ended up looking and tasting more like the pears with which most people are familiar. The varieties that spread eastward, however, took on more of an apple-like shape and a crisper quality, and those became the Nashi pears we know today. They were first introduced to Americans on the West Coast by Chinese migrant workers during the 1850s. Even today, this region - California and Oregon, in particular - remains the largest Nashi pear producing region of our country. At first, trees were grown from seeds found in the fruit, and their quality was widely varied. It wasn't until the early 1900s, when pomologists began mastering crossing techniques, that reliable, high-quality Asian pears were grown in the U.S. In the 1980s, there was a sudden increase in demand for Asian pears brought on by the increasing population of immigrant Americans in the U.S. and Canada.

Health Benefits

Nashi pears are a great source of dietary fiber, and they're also very high in potassium and other essential minerals. They contain nearly 10% of the USRDA for Vitamin C, and a high concentration of folates, which make up the Vitamin B complex group. These vitamins are essential for metabolic activity and red blood cell production.

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What are the benefits of Prunes?

2008-09-28T16:45:00.000-04:00

Not just for grandma anymore!

By definition, a prune is a dried plum. All prunes are plums, but not all plums are prunes. Prune plum varieties can be dried without fermenting while still containing the pits. This is not true of all varieties of plums. The California prune is an offshoot of La Petite d'Agen, a prune plum native of Southwest France. Traditionally the fruit was harvested and sun dried. Today, most of the prunes out on the market are dried through natural gas heated dehydrators. The typical modern process is to harvest the fruit, wash and dehydrate. The fruit is then graded for size and sorted. The fruit is then stored in wooden bins until further processed. Fruit at this stage is referred to in the prune industry as "Natural Condition Fruit".

How did they come to be?

It is believed that the ancient peoples of the Middle East were the first to dry plums to make prunes. Prunes have been prepared for centuries in France, and the prunes from the region around Agen are still considered by many to be the best in the world. The original prune graft stock was brought to California in 1856 by Louis Pellier a French nurseryman who came to California in 1848 in search of gold. By 1900 prune orchards covered approximately 90,000 acres. Today, there are more than 75,000 "high production" acres concentrated in the Sacramento, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Napa and San Joaquin Valleys. These acres produce approximately 99% of the United States production and an average of 70% of the world supply. Today the D'Agen prune coming from California is known as the California French Prune.

Nutrition Facts

Concentrated goodness! Did you know that just 3 medium prunes make up a single serving* of healthy goodness. How good? Prunes are a great source of fiber, which has been documents to possibly reduce the risk of certain cancers. Prunes are also good sources of Vitamin A - important for healthy skin and hair and proper bone development; Potassium - a necessary electrolyte; Iron - for health red blood cells; Vitamin C - important for development of bones, muscles, blood vessels, teeth and helps in the adsorption of iron. Foods that contribute small amounts of Vitamin C, like prunes, can add up when eaten often; Folic Acid - necessary for metabolism regulation, helps protect against heart disease and stroke. Especially important for seniors who usually have reduced blood folic acid levels; Phytochemicals - Scientists are now just discovering the amazing healing powers naturally occurring in many different plant foods. Prunes are especially high in antioxidant activity - chemicals that protect against cellular damage and are believed to protect the body by quenching up free radicals and thus protecting against heart disease, cancer, eye disorders like cataracts and macular degeneration, and other chronic health problems.

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Homemade Beef Jerky

2008-09-24T13:40:00.000-04:00

by Raymond Torres

Even though our forefathers didn't know it, lean fresh meat jerky is low in cholesterol and fat and very high in protein, making jerky a nutritious and wholesome snack. Jerky is an excellent energy food when camping, biking, skiing, or anytime you want a light snack.

3 lbs. meat (not ground meat)
2/3 cups Worcestershire Sauce
2/3 cups Soy Sauce
1 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. smoke flavoring
2 tsp. Tabasco Sauce

Mix all marinade ingredients together in a large (gallon size) plastic zipper bag. Add sliced meat (cut about ¼ inch) and refrigerate, mixing and turning about every hour. You should marinade it over night.

When you're ready to begin drying, place a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom of the oven. Drain meat in a colander and pat dry with a paper towel (the drier the meat now, the better). Set oven at about 150 degrees and place the meat strips on the ovenracks. Leave the oven door open to allow the moisture to escape.

The drying time may vary due to ovens and the size of the meat. The meat should be firm and dry, and not spongy at all. But if the jerky is so dry that it snaps in two easily, than it's over dried.

About the Author
Ray Torres is an IT consultant by day and a gourmet aficionado by nigth, and founder of Great Free Online Recipes.com "A celebration of cooking and great food!"

Take Care of Your Body This Flu Season!

2008-09-09T13:50:00.000-04:00

by John Neyman, Jr.

To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique.

It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35 billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest generation in our Nation's history.

The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain. Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever before and weight-related medical problems are taking center stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.

Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:

- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight estimates obtained in a 1988 report.

- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was in 1980!

- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly 59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, compared with 23 percent in 1994.

(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered obese.)

Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.

At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted entertainment...

And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what about that daily walk to school? Now, our kids complain when the school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus stop!

Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet. We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before.

Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):

- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.

- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.

- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.

- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970s.

- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.

- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.

- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.

- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers.

The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions mean better value.

And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more: Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the opposite!

Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become a permanent part of your life!

Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop your habits, and it will take some time to undo them...so be patient!

About the Author
Dr. John E. Neyman, Jr. is a Pastor, Author, and Relationship coach. You may contact him at drjohnneyman@gmail.com or visit his website at http://avian-birdflu.com/

What Are The Causes of Migraine Headaches ?

2008-09-08T13:49:00.000-04:00

by Wendy Brungardt

As advanced as science is, and with all the remedies on the market, nobody yet has been able to determine the exact cause of migraine headaches. Many researchers favor the theory that migraine sufferers have a nervous system that is more sensitive to stimuli that trigger this particular kind of pain.

Sudden changes in your body, or the environment around you, sets off changes in brain activity that causes inflamed blood vessels and nerves around the brain.

The pattern of migraine headaches that one person experiences, may be nothing like the next person's, which makes it difficult to pinpoint causes. One way to help your doctor determine what your personal triggers are, is to keep a headache diary.

When you feel a migraine coming on, write down what you were doing at the time, what you had been doing immediately prior to that, and what you have eaten that day.

Some of the most common triggers of migraine headaches include:

* Emotional stress * Lack of sleep or too much sleep * Food containing caffeine * Food containing MSG (monosodium glutamate) * Glare from lights or computer screens * Strong odors * Environmental facts such as high altitude, time zone changes and weather * Hunger * Hormonal changes in women

People who experience migraine headache on a regular basis, may find that other family members do, as well. And while there is no proof of migraines "running in the family", it's possible that some people do inherit a sensitivity to certain triggers.

About the Author
For many years, Wendy suffered regular migraines. Finally she decided to find out everything she could about these unpleasant headaches. Now she's written a series of articles to share her findings with other sufferers.

What are the benefits of Pears?

2008-08-28T16:42:00.000-04:00

A Pear Like No Other

Pears offer a good source of vitamin C, folate, and dietary fiber. One medium-sized Pear contains less than 100 calories. Most of the vitamin C in Pears is in the skin, so they should be eaten unpeeled. Providing some iron and potassium, Pears contain pectin, a soluble fiber that helps control cholesterol levels, and cellulose, an insoluble fiber that promotes normal bowel function.

Pear are packed not only with flavor, but fiber.

Protection from Free Radicals

Our food ranking system also qualified pears as a good source of vitamin C and copper. Both of these nutrients can be thought of as antioxidant nutrients that help protect cells in the body from oxygen-related damage due to free radicals. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in all water-soluble areas of the body, and in addition to its antioxidant activity, is critical for good immune function. Vitamin C stimulates white cells to fight infection, directly kills many bacteria and viruses, and regenerates Vitamin E (an antioxidant that protects fat-soluble areas of the body) after it has been inactivated by disarming free radicals. Copper helps protect the body from free radical damage as a necessary component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a copper-dependent enzyme that eliminates superoxide radicals. Superoxide radicals are a type of free radical generated during normal metabolism, as well as when white blood cells attack invading bacteria and viruses. If not eliminated quickly, superoxide radicals damage cell membranes. Treat your tastebuds to a delectable, juicy pear, and you'll be treating your body to 8.9% of the daily value for vitamin C along with 7.6% of the daily value for copper.

Pears Promote Cardiovascular and Colon Health

Pear's fiber does a lot more than help prevent constipation and ensure regularity. Fiber has been shown in a number of studies to lower high cholesterol levels, good news to people at risk for atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease. Fiber in the colon binds to bile salts and carries them out of the body. Since bile salts are made from cholesterol, the body must break down more cholesterol to make more bile, a substance which is also necessary for digestion. The end result is a lowering of cholesterol levels. Fiber also binds to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon, preventing them from damaging colon cells. This may be one reason why diets high in fiber-rich foods, such as pears, are associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Additionally, the fact that low dietary intake of copper seems to also associated with risk factors for colon cancer (increased fecal free radical production and fecal water alkaline phosphatase activity) serves as yet another reason in support of why this delicious fruit may be very beneficial for colonic health.

A Hypo-Allergenic Fruit

Although not well-documented in scientific research, pears are often recommended by healthcare practitioners as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Particularly in the introduction of first fruits to infants, pear is often recommended as a safe way to start. Our food ranking system also determined pears to provide small amounts of the nutrients vitamin B2, vitamin E and potassium.

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Rubs to Cook With

2008-08-14T13:40:00.001-04:00

by Phyllis Wasserman

Here are five rubs for meat and poultry that you can use. They have little or no calories and they don't use any oil.

French Tarragon

Combine 1 medium shallot, minced 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons dried tarragon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Pat onto 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of meat, poultry or fish and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before grilling or broiling.

Dijon-Fennel

Combine 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed 1 clove garlic, pressed 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Pat onto 1 to 1 1/2 pounds meat, poultry, or fish, and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling or broiling.

Spicy Peppercorn

Crush together 2 tablespoons coriander seeds 2 tablespoons cumin seeds 2 tablespoons fennel seeds 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns 1/2 teaspoon salt with a mortar and pestle

Pat onto 1 to 1 1/2 pounds meat, poultry, or fish and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before grilling or broiling.

Brazilian Combo

Combine 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Pat onto 1 to 1 1/2 pounds meat, poultry, or fish and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling or broiling.

Coffee and Spice

Combine 2 teaspoons instant-coffee granules 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Pat onto 1 to 1 1/2 pounds meat, poultry or fish and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling or broiling.

About the Author
Published author and accomplished gourmet cook with 4 websites www.phyllisrecipes.com www.medicineestore.com www.earlybirdspecials.info www.happypettips.com

What are the benefits of Pomegranate?

2008-08-08T16:43:00.001-04:00

Nature Grenade

Pomegranate fruit is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and was cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region since ancient times. It is widely cultivated throughout India and the drier parts of southeast Asia, Malaya, the East Indies and tropical Africa. The tree was introduced into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. In this country it is grown for its fruits mainly in the drier parts of California and Arizona.

The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits as well as richest in history and folklore. Once you get past the multitude of seeds, its juice is tangy, sweet, rich and flavorful. This juice becomes the base for sauces and flavorings for drinks, savory dishes, and sweets, while the whole seeds are a simple delight eaten fresh or used as a colorful accent as a garnish. The fruit is about the size of an orange. The rind color can range from yellow-orange to deep reddish-purple.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of pomegranate juice are becoming more widely known. Because of this, in turn, there is currently a great deal of research being conducted on it.

The current info on pomegranate juice is that it is very beneficial for us becauseof the antioxidants it contains.

As you may know, antioxidants can neutralize free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive chemical substances that can damage our body's cellular materials, which, in turn, may be linked to major degenerative illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or even aging itself.

What else can account for the health benefits of pomegranate juice? Well, it contains a broad range of healthy substances. For example, pomegranates contain polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins. These compounds are believed to fight disease.

We may soon seen pomegranate supplement extracts manufactured and sold because the extract is being studied for posssible anti-cancer properties.

Extra Information

Every pomegranate is composed of exactly 840 seeds, each surrounded by a sac of sweet-tart juice contained by a thin skin. The seeds are compacted in a layer resembling honeycomb around the core. The layers of seeds are separated by paper-thin white membranes which are bitter to the tongue. The inner membranes and rind are not generally eaten due to high tannic acid content, but they are useful as a skin wash.

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Quick Bread Mix (With Recipes for Pancakes, Biscuits and Muffins)

2008-07-28T13:38:00.000-04:00

by LeAnn R. Ralph

Quick Bread Mix (with recipes for pancakes, biscuits and muffins) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 cups flour 1/3 cup baking powder 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon salt 2 cups vegetable shortening

Cut the shortening into the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Continue working the mixture until it resembles finely ground meal.

Quick Bread Mix can be stored in an airtight container for 6 weeks.

Pancakes ~~~~~~~~

2 cups of Quick Bread Mix 1 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons sugar 2 eggs

If the pancake mix seems too thin, add a little more Quick Bread Mix. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little more milk.

Drop Biscuits ~~~~~~~~~~~

2 cups of Quick Bread Mix 1/2 cup milk

Mix thoroughly and then drop onto a greased baking sheet by spoonfuls. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Muffins ~~~~~~

3 cups of Quick Bread Mix 1 cup milk 1 egg 1/2 cup sugar

Blend all ingredients just until the Quick Bread Mix is moistened. Drop by spoonfuls into greased muffin tins or muffin tins lined with cupcake papers. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: to make blueberry muffins add 1 cup of blueberries; to make apple muffins, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 cup of chopped apples.

About the Author
LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books: "Cream of the Crop (More True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" (trade paperback; September 2005); "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam" (trade paperback; September 2004); and "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" (trade paperback; August 2003). http://ruralroute2.com

Meringue Made Simple

2008-07-21T13:37:00.000-04:00

by Shauna Hanus

Using meringue to top a fruit pie is an easy and elegant way to serve these delicious pies. Lemon meringue is the most popular meringue type pie but you can try orange or lemon cream as a new twist.

Meringue can be a bit fickle if you are trying it for the first time. Here are five easy to follow steps that will help you make perfect meringue.

* Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Using a clean dry bowl to catch the egg whites crack the eggs on the counter and begin transferring the egg yolk from one side of the egg shell to the other. This process does two things. By cracking the eggs on the counter you prevent any egg shell from falling into the egg whites. Second when you transfer the egg yolk back and forth from shell to shell the egg white separates out into the clean bowl.

Be very careful not to allow even the smallest amount of egg yolk to enter into the egg whites. The yolk is where the fat is contained and fat will ruin meringue.

* Beat the egg whites on low to form soft white peaks. Be sure not to beat the egg whites too quickly in the beginning or they will run and flatten out.

* Mix in the dry ingredients. Salt, sugar, cornstarch and cream of tartar. Slowly add a teaspoon at a time, the dry ingredients. Just in case you have ever wondered cream of tartar prevents air bubbles from forming that would cause the meringue to loose volume.

* Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. At this stage you can add in vanilla for improved flavor.

* When you are finished you should have stiff and glossy egg whites ready to top your favorite fruit pie.

Ingredients list:

6 Eggs
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Cornstarch
¼ tsp Cream of Tartar
Vanilla to taste

About the Author
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. http://www.gourmayeats.com

An Angel of an Ice Cream Cake

2008-07-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

by Shauna Hanus

Ice Cream cakes are always something special. They are a perfect blend of rich and creamy ice cream with moist cake and smooth frosting. These dessert delights are easy to make when you utilize store bought ingredients and a bit of imagination.

First things first write out your shopping list. You will need;

1. Angel Food Cake 2. Your Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream 3. Frozen Whipped Topping 4. Fresh fruit or chocolate as garnish

When you bring home all your ingredients place the cake and the ice cream in the freezer for about one hour. Allow the frozen whipped topping to thaw on the counter and slice the fresh fruit or chocolate into decorative piceces to garnish the top of the cake.

After about an hour remove the ice cream and allow it to thaw for about 20 minutes. Then remove the cake from the freezer and cut into three horizontal layers.

Mix the ice cream with a wooden spoon until it is smooth and creamy then frost between the layers of cake with your favorite flavor of ice cream. Once the cake is assembled frost the outside with the thawed frozen whipped topping. You can then garnish the cake with fruit or chocolate.

Place the cake back into the freezer until ready to serve.

About the Author
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. http://www.gourmayeats.com

What are the benefits of Passion Fruits?

2008-07-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

The Passion of Monavie

It is said that the Passion Fruit was named by the 16th century Spanish Catholic Missionaries in the Amazon region of Brazil. They called it "flor passionis" (passion flower) or "flor de las cinco llagas" (flower of the five wounds) after its purple flower which they believed resembled the five wounds of Christ.

An egg-shaped tropical fruit that is also called a purple granadilla, the passion fruit has a brittle, wrinkled purple-brown rind enclosing flesh-covered seeds, something like a pomegranate (granadilla means "little pomegranate" in Spanish). The seeds are edible so you can eat the orange pulp straight from the shell. Passion fruit is more commonly sieved and its highly aromatic pulp and juice are used as a flavoring for beverages and sauces.

Native to Brazil, passion fruits are grown in Hawaii, Florida, and California. These crops, along with imports from New Zealand, keep passion fruit on the market all year. Choose large, heavy fruits. If the skin is not deeply wrinkled, keep the fruit at room temperature until it is; the leathery rind, however, will not soften much. Ripe passion fruit can be refrigerated for a few days.

Nutritional Information

Passion fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and iron. One passion fruit has only 16 calories. When eaten with the seeds, a serving is an excellent source of fiber.

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How to Be Creative When you are Cooking

2008-07-07T13:36:00.000-04:00

by Shauna Hanus

Have you ever been in the kitchen ready to eat and realized you don't have your favorite sauce or dip for dinner. This happened to me recently when my family was sitting down to beer battered Walleye from a recent fishing trip. We had no tartar sauce. So I opened the regenerator and selected mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon and dill pickle relish. I then mixed the four together and sprinkled in a little fish rub from the pantry. We had instant tartar sauce and really tasty fish.

When you are in your kitchen don't be afraid to experiment a bit. Try a homemade barbeque sauce if you are out of your favorite bottled variety. Mix ketchup, and dry mustard with molasses and a dash or two of pepper. If it is a salad you desire here is a quick and easy oriental chicken salad.

Toss some lettuce into a bowl next chop leftover chicken into bite size pieces and sprinkle on top of the lettuce. Whisk together in a separate bowl sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, a spoon full of Hoisin sauce and a dash of oyster sauce. Pour over the salad and toss. If you have any fresh veggies on hand toss those in as well.

Finally a dessert quick substitution. When you want hot fudge sundaes and are out of fudge sauce try melting chocolate cake frosting. Pour the warmed cake frosting over ice cream and you have quick and easy hot fudge sundaes. If you really like to mix things up try melting a different flavor of cake frosting. Little children enjoy using confetti cake frosting, this way they have sauce for the ice cream with sprinkles built in.

About the Author
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. http://www.gourmayeats.com

How to Start Your Day with the Best Espresso

2008-07-01T13:35:00.000-04:00

by George Anderson

Starting the day with well made espresso can make the difference between a nice and successful day or a boring and sleepy one. While making a good espresso is not a form of art, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make your espressos even better than before. If you are using a super automatic espresso machine, you should try to adjust the settings for fine grinding. The trick is not to go for the lowest grinding number because you want the grinder to still keep slightly larger pieces of coffee, which will add more flavor.

An effective way of making espresso is with a pump espresso machine. Here is what you should do: grind the coffee so that it becomes fine (but not too fine) and in the meantime your machine should reach the optimal temperature. After ensuring that your filter is as clean as possible, put in one tablespoon of coffee for each cup. The trick is to push the coffee evenly and not to apply too much pressure, as the espresso might become to strong. On the other hand, if you do not apply enough pressure it will be weak. The final result should be a creamy and dense espresso. Sprinkle granulated sugar instead of pouring sugar straight in, so that the creamy surface remains intact.

How about some great tasting Italian cappuccino? If you keep your coffee fresh and you wrap it each time after use, you will get a better tasting cappuccino. After opening your coffee bag and using it partially, use plastic foil and tape to seal it as best as you can. Store it in the refrigerator for best results. Let's get back to our cappuccino: use a single espresso portion but make sure it has enough concentration and will be strong enough to really influence the taste. The next move is to use about a third of a cup of frothy milk and mix it all in.

Making the perfect espresso is a combination of a few elements that we will have a look at below. The espresso machine, for example, should heat water to temperatures of around 190' F (about 90' C). It should also have a pressure of about 9 or 10 atmospheres. An adjustable grinder is another important piece in the process. You should extract around 7 grams of coffee for each espresso cup - not more, not less! In general, the extraction time should be somewhere around 20 seconds. Last but not least, the blend of the coffee is also essential. Here, personal taste rules, so use whatever coffee styles you enjoy the most. In general, however, blends of coffee coming from the same categories provide a more harmonious and balanced taste.

About the Author
George Anderson has seen how the right understanding combined with the perfect espresso maker can get your day off to a great start.