Food and Beverage

March 9, 2009

Consejos Sabios para Llenar el Alma

Filed under: General — pongchan @ 9:52 am

Aquํ te presento una lista de consejos para que no te sientas vaci๓, y observar al pasado con una sonrisa. Las he obtenido de una persona que estaba al final de su vida y sinti๓ que hubiera hecho muchas cosas diferentes y ha recetado una serie de consejos para aquel que este interesado en cambiar.

1) Habla menos; escucha mแs.
2) Escucha a las historias de tus abuelos a cerca de su juventud. Cuando ya no este, revivirแs sus llamas por sus memorias.
3) Invita a amigos para cenar o picar algo, a pesar de que tu casa no este en condiciones.
4) Come mucho chocolate.
5) Invita amigos con chicos a tu casa a pesar de que hagan li๓.
6) Si้ntate en el pasto a pesar de que ensucie tus pantalones.
7) No compres algo solo porque durara mucho tiempo o porque es practico, hazlo porque quieres.
8) Qu้date en cama relajado si te sientes enfermo y no pretendas que el mundo no puede continuar sin ti por un dํa.
9) Prende las velas que tienes de adorno en el sal๓n y d้jalas encendidas. No las dejes sin uso en el armario.
10) Comparte responsabilidades de la vida con un compa๑ero, no solo las expensas.
11) (Para las mujeres) En vez de esperar al embarazo a que se termine, disfruta cada momento en tu coraz๓n. Aprende que la vida dentro de ti es la ๚nica oportunidad que tienes de ayudar a Dios a crear magia.
12) Deja que tus hijos de abrasen y besen cuando quiera que lo deseen. No los detengas por ninguna raz๓n como: “mas tarde”, “ve a lavarte las manos”, “deberemos comer” o demแs.
13) Di las pr๓ximas dos frases lo mแs seguido que puedas: “Te Amo” y “Lo siento.”
14) Deja de preocuparte por quien te quiere o no te quiere, o que tiene quien o no tiene.
15) Valora todas las relaciones humanas personales.
16) Juega con una mascota cuando puedas. Riete y corre con ella y toma parte en sus juegos.
17) Pasa el mayor tiempo posible con la gente que te quiere.
18) Deja de transpirar por todos los peque๑os detalles y problemas sin sentido de la vida.
19) Toma cada momento, mํralo y d้jalo. Nunca volverแ de nuevo.

La persona que escribi๓ estos sabios consejos se llamaba Susana, y tenia una hija de seis a๑os. Susana ense๑o estos ideales bแsicos a un conocido mํo y yo los he tratado de seguir tambi้n en honor a su memoria. Creo que puedo decir que convertirแ a quienquiera que lo haga en una mejor persona, un mejor esposa o esposa, y en general una persona mas feliz. Inclusive ahora creo que D’os ha bendecido a cada uno de nosotros, y deberemos aceptar estas bendiciones e intentar buscar sentirnos mas fuertes fํsicamente, mentalmente, y emocionalmente. Recuerda que todos tenemos la suerte de estar aquํ, y aprovechar vivir la vida de la mejor manera posible, asํ que consejos para esa receta nunca estแn de mas.

December 10, 2008

Bars in Tuscany – a Gastronomic Experience

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , — pongchan @ 8:26 am

A small town in Tuscany, ancient red brick and stone, narrow cobbled streets winding around the contours of the hill upon which it is built, a few shops, all closed now, as it is siesta time. The only sign of life comes from the doors of a bar, an appetising aroma of espresso coffee wafting out to give hope of food and sustenance to the tardy traveller. If you’re lucky it will be one of those bars that provide a fine array of freshly made sandwiches and pastries.

Italian bars are not primarily about drinking…alcohol that is. Coffee is their staple, the reputation of the barista stands or falls on the espresso he produces. (A fine, literary example is provided in ‘The Food of Love’ by Anthony Capella. Set in Rome, the barista is forever tinkering with his coffee machine in pursuit of the perfect coffee, cannibalising his van to add parts to the machine to build up ever-higher pressure.) Bars provide a social function: most of the neighbourhood will pass through the bar during the day, for a breakfast cappuccino and brioche (pastry), mid-morning espresso and regular doses of the same throughout the day. Even today most people stop work at lunchtime for a two or three hour siesta break, then work until 7 in the evening.

Anyone with any respect for their digestion would take a leisurely lunch either at home or in a restaurant or trattoria, but for those in too much of a hurry, wanting food on the go, the bar provides the equivalent of ‘fast-food’: tramezzini (sandwiches made with sliced bread, usually intended to be toasted), panini (filled rolls of all sorts), pastries both sweet and savoury, ice-creams. Of course quality varies – at worst a sad selection of curling-edged tramezzini, at best an enormous variety of breads and fillings, tantalisingly displayed and beautifully wrapped, if you intend to take away.

My memories of the best include: Nannini’s in Siena, where it can take hours just to choose; the bar in the main square of Colle di Val d’Elsa (Bassa), where you could get a slice of flaky-pastried pie filled with spinach, ricotta, egg and more that melted in the mouth and ice-cream that kept you there all day, just to try all the different flavours; a simple bar on the main road below Monteriggione, which would make you up a panino fresh, with a crusty roll and ample slices of prosciutto, carved straight from the ham, as you waited; a bar on the Via di Citta in Siena near the Duomo, which had the best breakfast brioches ever, tempting you beyond the sensible ‘just one’, into the realms of second cappuccino, second brioche and beyond!

It is eight years since I was last in Tuscany, (having children put a halt to travelling for a while), but I am sure that those bars still endure, serving coffee and food, the same mouth-watering treats: Tuscan ‘fast-food’ at its best.

Copyright 2006 Kit Heathcock

November 28, 2008

Omaha Steaks – Possibly The World’s Finest Steaks

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , — pongchan @ 3:10 am

Among the finest sources for steaks available, Omaha Steaks is renowned for providing high quality beef and gourmet products to customers across the country and around the world. Their name is well-known among cooks and grillmasters thanks to their continued commitment to providing the best food available. And Omaha Steaks works to make sure that they deliver on that commitment.

Starting in 1917, Omaha Steaks built its reputation on supplying high quality Midwestern steaks to people and businesses looking for choice cuts of excellent beef. This family owned business started out in Omaha, Nebraska and has kept its headquarters there throughout its history and expansion. And this expansion has seen the business stretch into areas including food service, mail order, incentive marketing, telesales, retail and even online sales. And with each successive step, Omaha Steaks further cements its reputation as the place to turn to when looking for quality beef.

However, despite their name, beef is not the only thing on offer from Omaha Steaks. In fact, they also provide very good selections of poultry, veal, pork and lamb and have even moved into offerings of pastas, side dishes and desserts for their customers. And as Omaha Steaks continues to grow, they will undoubtedly expand into new areas of food offerings, giving their customers even more options when they look to Omaha Steaks. And with this wide selection, customers can put something on the menu for those people who want something tasty, but don’t want it to be as heavy as steak.

In order to serve their customers better, Omaha Steaks provides a few ways to shop. The most common method for purchasing Omaha Steaks’ products is through their mail order and online business. Their steaks are shipped to ensure delivery within seven days of going out, so they will still be fresh when they arrive. Omaha Steaks takes every precaution to ensure that their food is just as good when it arrives as the day it was packed. Which means that your purchases will be consistently excellent.

However, some areas have access to Omaha Steaks through their retail stores. This growing portion of the business is not as large as their mail order and online services, but it is expanding as the company moves into new markets. This not only allows people to have a more personal experience while they are choosing just the right steak, but also gives people the opportunity to take their selections home immediately and get them on the grill in no time. And, as you would expect, their retail stores provide the same level of quality and commitment to excellence as every other portion of their business.

By taking pride in their service and the quality of their products, Omaha Steaks has moved from a small business in Nebraska to a multinational company providing its customers with a wide selection of foods that have them coming back again and again. And by taking care to take care of their customers, Omaha Steaks is making sure that they are always worth coming back to.

November 22, 2008

5 Ways to Save Money On Organic Food

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , — pongchan @ 6:35 am

Grow your own

The cheapest method has got to be to grow your own. The great thing is that it doesn’t require you to have much garden space, or even a garden at all!

We grow tomatoes, and strawberries in containers and the extra benefit is that you get total control over the growing conditions.

The best combination is to have organic soil together with organically produced seeds or plants, that way you ensure you get the full flavour and benefit.

Containers can be placed anywhere that receives a reasonable amount of daylight, which means that you can use them on balconies or other hard surfaces.

Look for your local suppliers

One of the most satisfying things to do is to buy organic food locally. That way you get the freshest ingredients for your kitchen and also get to support local businesses. With no transportation costs for the supplier too you should get very competitive prices.

Don’t forget that these same businesses will be employing local staff so you are also helping the local economy, everybody wins in this scenario.

Local markets

We visit a big monthly market held on a disused airstrip. Organic food is just one of the variety of items sold there but the prices are very, very good indeed. Of course they are all local suppliers and with several of them in one place we benefit from healthy competition and get to sample a lot of fruit!

Local box schemes

If you are unable to get out of your house or are too busy working to select your groceries by hand then why not subscribe to an organic box scheme?

You will receive, delivered to your door, a weekly selection of fruit and vegetables in season.

Farm shops

Finally, investigate whether any farms near you are operating an organic farm shop. Our local one is operated on an open farm so that you can go and see where the animals are being kept and take a look at the crops being grown.

They actually have a well-designed walking route around the farm which makes a nice day out for the kids too.

If you investigate the options above you should be able to make considerable savings whilst you and your family sample the delights and advantages of organic food

November 20, 2008

Chinese Herbal Teas Explained

Filed under: General — pongchan @ 6:10 am

Chinese herbal teas are technically called Tisanes. These are recognized as infusions made herbs and not tea from the Camelia Sinensis plant. The essence of the herb is extracted when the tea is steeped in hot water.

Traditionally, the Chinese herbal teas are used for their medicinal and healing properties. However, there are many varieties that are also enjoyed simply for their taste. Today, these teas can be bought in China as the country produces an entire pharmacy of herbs.

The Benefits of Chinese Herbal Tea

One of the well-known benefits of Chinese herbal tea is that it offers the tea drinker caffeine free alternatives. Many of them are considered to be very soothing and comforting. The Rosebud and Chrysanthemum herbal teas are just two of them.

The Rosebud and Chrysanthemum teas are known in China as a woman’s herb. However, it is also useful for aiding digestion. As noted, even a hardcore tea drinker will surely enjoy the flowery freshness of these miniature rosebuds. The Chrysanthemum in particular has a unique flavor. It has long been used to cool the body and reduce fever.

The Chinese herbal teas are even great beverages to have at night, especially when you might not want caffeine.

The Famous Flower Herbal Teas

There is a number of Chinese herbal tea varieties, one of those are the flower teas. These teas are caffeine free alternatives and offer various benefits. Most of them are calming and soothing, while offering a palatte of flavors.

Here are the most famous flower teas:

• Carnation Flower Tea – This is an attractive red flower tea which is said to help restore the energy of the body. It is also considered great for relaxing.

• Chrysanthemum Herbal Tea – This is but a top grade of the famous cooling tea infusion. It has a subtle sweetness and is highly refreshing.

• Gongju Herbal Tea – Another caffeine-free tea, which is smooth tasting. The whole flower is known for its soothing as well as relaxing attributes.

• Jasmine Bud Flower Tea – According to some experts, this Chinese herbal tea consists solely of the small and beautiful Jasmine flowers that have yet to open. This produces a caffeine-free and sweet brew.

• Forget Me Not Flower Tea – This is also caffeine-free and is said to aid the lungs. It brews a mild and grassy flavored tisane. And, it is known for its beautiful purple flowers.

• Yunnan Flower Bud Tea – As the name implies, this Chinese herbal tea grows in the old forests of Yunnan. This is considered a rare flower and is a local Yunnan drink that is caffeine free.

• Wild New York Ginseng – Here is another well-known Chinese herbal tea intended for those who appreciate the wild growing conditions in which the roots lived. It is said that because of the rugged wild conditions, each root has a unique appearance and personality. Some of these wild roots can be very small but also very old. There are also some larger roots that can be younger. Accordingly, these herbal roots lives for at least seven years and up.

• Kuding Pearl Tea – Many who have tasted this tea noted that this is a bitter tea. This variety is rolled into large pearls which are also called “one leaf tea” because of the size of the leaves. Others call it “one leaf” because one needs only one leaf of this tea to heal a number of things. In addition, this is an ancient leaf and is deemed by many as an interesting herbal tea.

November 18, 2008

Bottled Water Tastes Better

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , — pongchan @ 5:37 am

Due to the several alarming alerts that were issued by doctors, many of which were just false, I stopped paying much attention to the results of medical studies that proclaim one thing or the other is bad for my health.

But I must admit there are some warnings I simply can’t ignore, and anything that has to do with drinking water is one of them.

What could be responsible for the sudden change of heart?

It’s simple. The discovery of the level of chemicals and contaminants that could be present in the water that comes out from the tap did it for me.

And on the spur of the moment, I knew it was time I check out a bottled water service.

My enquiries only led to another discovery: the assumption on my part that only businesses could afford to pay for monthly bottled water service was wrong. Though that may have been true a decade ago, it’s definitely not the case today.

Most folks are realizing just how important it is to have a convenient source of pure, refreshing water at home as well as at the office. Fortunately, the bottled water service providers are in synchronization with the home owners who represents a rather large market.

This led the providers to commence tailoring their packages to fit individual and family needs. The response was instant; many families simply signed up for the home bottled water service, due largely to the fact that the cost is moderate.

However, there is more to bottled water service than the affordable price and the water content.

Make sure you know what you are paying for before you sign any contract. If you know there are certain features you won’t use, ask if you can eliminate those from your bottled water service plans for a discount.

Again, scrutinize what’s in the fine print carefully, there is likely to be a cancellation fee associated with opting out of the bottled water service contract.

The general rule is, if you simply want to try out the bottled water service for a while, then its best not to sign a long-term contract.

Anyone who signed up for bottled water service can’t fail to notice the distinct improvement in the taste of the water they now drink. This ultimately will make them feel better knowing that the water is as clean and pure as can be.

November 17, 2008

Casino Amigo: Pourquoi Organiser une Soiree casino entre Amis A Domicile.

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , , — pongchan @ 9:30 am

Le week-end arrive, envie de voir du monde tout en restant dans votre cocon ou id้e pour passer un excellent anniversaire? Alors pourquoi ne pas utilisez vos jeux de casino a domicile? Rien de tel pour passez des heures de fous rires et renouer des liens avec vos plus vieux camarades.

Contacter tout le monde pour vous fixer rendez-vous… chez vous.

Installez dans un coin de votre salon votre table de roulette et une table de craps a l’autre bout. Dans une autre pi่ce que vous aurez r้am้nag้e pour l’occasion, installez vos tables de Blackjack dans votre chambre par exemple et de poker dans une autre.

Votre cuisine, faites en donc un bar เ volont้ que vous pourrez toujours red้corer, sans co๛ts excessifs, fa็on Casino Enghien ou autre, selon vos go๛ts.

L’avantage de ces jeux?? Faire r้gner une ambiance incomparable.

Pourquoi la roulette et le craps dans le salon? Parce que vous constaterez par vous m๊me que le jeu de du craps attire toujours plus de monde autour de la table et que la roulette inspire les ้clats de voix. On ne peut clairement expliquer d’ou vient cette fascination pour les jeux de des et de bille tournant dans un cylindre, mais ce qui est sur, m๊me au sein d’un casino r้el, c’est que ces purs jeux de hasard laissent les gens toujours aussi dubitatifs devant les strat้gies de mises et les pronostics ้mis a voix haute aussi bien par les joueurs eux-m๊mes que ceux les assistants.

Rien de mieux pour mettre de l’ambiance, et le salon est la pi่ce id้ale puisque pi่ce d’accueil de toute la communaut้, situ้e en g้n้ral pr่s de l’entr้e.

Si votre chambre le permet, installer y les jeux de poker et / ou de blackjack. En effet, ces jeux, tout aussi attrayants que la roulette et le craps, demande cependant plus de concentration et un endroit plus confine serait le bien venu. De plus, cela donnerait la sensation aux invites de pouvoir se balader d’une table a une autre en toute libert้, comme en salle de casino v้ritable.

November 13, 2008

Baccarat History and American Baccarat Rules

If we put aside the black ties, the velvet curtains and the overall exclusive atmosphere, baccarat is one of the simplest casino games around. In addition, baccarat is a beatable game with a low house edge, which makes it one of the best bets you can make! Here you can read about baccarat history and learn how to play the game.

Both the American and European versions of baccarat and the French Chemin de Fer are late developments of the Italian game called baccara, which means zero in Italian. The origins of baccara go back to an old Etruscan myth. According to the myth, a blonde virgin had to toss a nine sided die to decide on her destiny. If the die landed on eight or nine, she would have to fulfill her destiny and become a priest. If the die landed on six or seven, she would be forbidden to participate in any religious activity. If the die landed on any other number, the virgin had to walk into the sea.

The Italian game baccara was popular among French aristocracy during the end of the 15th century. Baccara had evolved to the European version of baccarat, which is still played in European casinos today as well as the French variation of baccarat known as Chemin de Fer, which is mainly played in casinos in France. The American version of the game was introduced to Nevada casinos in the 1950s by Francis Tommy Renzoni, who imported the game from Havana.

Baccarat still carries an aroma of aristocracy and exclusivity. In American casinos, baccarat is played in a separated area of the casino, hidden behind velvet curtains. Baccarat players are usually dressed up and the betting limits are higher comparing to other table games. In order to attract the medium budget players, a lower limit version of baccarat, called mini baccarat, was invented. Mini baccarat is played on a smaller table, inside the casino gambling area with lower betting limits than baccarat.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is played with 3 dealers and up to 12 or 14 players. Baccarat is usually played with 8 standard card decks. Aces valued as one, face cards and ten cards valued as zero, and the rest of the number cards worth their face value. The suit has no meaning. The object of the game is to get as close to 9 as possible.

The play begins by all players, including the dealer, placing their bets either on the player, the banker, or on a tie. Traditionally, the dealer bets on the banker. The dealer can be the house dealer or one of the players. After everyone has placed their bets, the dealer gives two cards to each player and to the banker.

The score of each hand is calculated as the sum of the two cards minus the left digit. For example, if the sum of the two cards is 15, the score would be 5. The decision whether to deal a third card is determined by a set or rules and it is not up to the player or the dealers decision.
If the score of the players hand is 9 or 8, he wins
If the score of the dealers hand is 9 or 8, it is a tie
If a players score is 7 or 6, he can be dealt a third card
If a players score is 5 or less, he has to receive a third card
If a player gets a third card and the score of the dealers hand is 2, 1 or 0, he must draw a third card
If the score of the dealers hand is 3 and the players third card is any value but 8, he must draw a third card
If the score of the dealers hand is 4 and the players third card value is between 2 and 7, he must draw a third card
If the score of the dealers hand is 5 and the players third card value is between 4 and seven, he must draw a third card
If the score of the dealers hand is 6 and the players third card is 6 or 7, he must draw a third card.
If the score of the dealers hand is 7, he cannot draw a third card.

November 11, 2008

Everyone Loves Chocolate Chip Cookies

Filed under: General — Tags: — pongchan @ 4:50 am

If you are like me, you remember how much you loved visiting grandma’s house as a kid. You loved it because you got spoiled there. She let you play any game you wanted, you got to be silly and goofy, and you could even have candy before dinner. Grandma let you do all of the things that your mom said no to. But there is another reason kids love going to grandma’s house to visit: her chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate cookies are loved by most people I know. And most of us discovered our love for them as small children in the comfort of grandma’s kitchen. For some reason her cookies were always much better than mom’s. Maybe it is because they were always hot and soft or because she probably let you eat as many as you wanted. Whatever the reason, one thing is sure. You loved, and maybe still do love, chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect snack. You can eat them when they are warm and right out of the oven or you can save them for a few days and still enjoy them just as much. Some people even love to eat the dough of the chocolate chip cookies before they are baked. Not many other snacks can be eaten in so many fun ways. Perfect with a glass of milk, chocolate cookies can be enjoyed after school, just before bed, and during any season of the year. They are just as good when it is freezing cold outside as they are in the middle of summer.

Chocolate chip cookies are the most famous kind of cookies. Everyone has eaten one and most everyone loves them. You can find them in every grocery store and bakery you enter, and most every cook I know has a special recipe to make the perfect batch. Chocolate chip cookies are great because they are made with a few simple ingredients, most of which you have in the house all the time.

Making chocolate chip cookies is a perfect way to get children started working in a kitchen and learning to cook. All kids love to help mom with mixing and pouring the ingredients together, and there is nothing better to let kids experiment with than chocolate chip cookies. Kids can get involved and have a special job to do and they can see and taste the results of their hard work. Baking chocolate chip cookies is a great family building activity that can fill any Saturday afternoon with fun.

So the next time you remember how great grandma’s chocolate chip cookies really were, get out your own secret recipe and get your whole family to make the special memory of making and baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

Can Pizza Actually Be Healthy For You?

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , , , , — pongchan @ 4:49 am

This article may come as a surprise to you, especially if you follow a healthy and nutritious diet…

It’s about pizza, the weakness of many people including me. I love pizza- always have. I make sure I eat it in moderation, but it’s still one of my favorite foods.

Now there’s good news for pizza lovers.

According to Men’s Health magazine, research concludes that pizza can be good for you. It’s important to point out, however, that we’re talking about real pizza- not the kind you get from Pizza Hut, Dominoes or the frozen food section of your supermarket. By real, I mean pizza made with real crust, real tomato sauce and pure olive oil.

According to Men’s Health, scientists writing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating pizza can reduce your risk of a heart attack. In a 4-year study of nearly 1,000 Italians, those who ate pizza at least once a week were 30 percent less likely to experience a heart attack than the folks who didn’t partake of the pie.

This is contributed to pizza’s cardio protective ingredients, including olive oil and tomato sauce. And here’s a way to make the pizza even healthier: top it with vegetables, part-skim cheese and use whole wheat crust. You’ll then have a meal that is actually good for you.

Can you get this kind of a pizza in a pizzeria? You might be able to find some that offer whole wheat crust, but I doubt you’ll find any that offer part-skim cheese. What you can do is buy the ingredients at your local grocery store and make the pizza yourself. Speaking from experience, this can be a fun thing!

Enjoy the experience of making your own pizza and savoring a nutritious meal. After all, feeding your body with nutritious meals is the number one thing you can do for better health.

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