Sunday, July 31, 2011

Applebee's recipe - Blondie Brownie Applebee's recipe variation

The blondie brownie dessert is my favorite Applebee's recipe, so I must share my homemade contrast of the favorite treat! Nuts can be added (1/2 cup) to the base recipe. I like serving them plain with vanilla ice cream or you can use the icing recipe if you prefer. I've also included a surprise holiday recipe. I make these bars every year while the holiday season to rave reviews!

Vanilla Brownies

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

1 package (10-11 ounces) white(vanilla) baking morsels
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
(13" x 9") rectangular pan (greased and floured)
Vanilla frosting (optional); see below

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat vanilla morsels and butter in a heavy 2 quart saucepan over low heat. Stir the combination frequently, just until melted. Take off from the heat and stir in flour, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional). Spread the batter in a 13x9 pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the town comes out clean. Cool thoroughly before cutting. Spread with vanilla frosting or serve plain with vanilla ice cream (as the Applebee's recipe is served).

Chewy Oat Bars

2 1/3 cups all purpose flour, divided
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted
3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
1 jar (12.25 ounce) caramel ice cream topping

Combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda in a large bowl. Add butter; stir until all of the ingredients are moistened. Keep 1 cup of this crumb mixture; press the remaining combination into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9 inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Take off from the oven. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and nuts. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture(press down). Return to the oven; bake an supplementary 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool thoroughly before cutting into bars.

Applebee's recipe - Blondie Brownie Applebee's recipe variation

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Friday, July 29, 2011

A Diabetic's Dilemma - Does Eating Fruit work on Blood Sugar Levels?

Many diabetic habitancy wonder, because of their condition, whether it is proper to eat fruit. The sweetness of fruits is derived from their fructose content, fructose is a simple form of sugar, the very cause of a diabetic's problems.

For anything who does not know, diabetics are habitancy who have been diagnosed as having the disease called diabetes, a serious disease in which higher than general blood sugar levels exist in the bodies of diabetics due to their inability to properly process the sugars obtained from the foods they eat. The higher than general blood sugar levels can lead to added condition problems if not treated.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Recommendations of diabetes authorities
Without answering the demand on whether eating fruit raises blood sugar levels, and it obviously does, in their published material, the American Diabetes connection (Ada for short) gives an emphatic "Yes!" to together with fruit in the daily diabetic menu -- with the reminder to make sure it is counted as a carbohydrate part of any meal plan. The Ada emphasizes that fruits consist of plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and a piece of fruit is a good way to enjoy a snack while getting the extra food that fruit provides.

The Mayo Clinic, a reliable source for healing information, also recommends the inclusion of fruit in a balanced diabetic menu and points out that it is the total amount of carbohydrates that have an work on on blood sugar levels more than the singular source, whether that be fruit of or any other carbohydrate food. The fructose in fruit, being a sugar, is like all forms of sugar, a carbohydrate.

The Canadian Diabetes connection also recommends the inclusion of fruit as a favorable snack food at 3 to 4 servings per day.

How much fruit equals a snack and a serving?
For habitancy with diabetes, a singular serving is commonly considered to be any food containing 15 grams of carbohydrate. And in those terms, a snack is thinkable, to be one serving, which means that some whole fruits, such as a large banana or a large apple, would need to be cut into two halves and only one-half eaten for a snack.

To give a rough idea of the amount of a carbohydrate serving of fruit, the following are a few examples of fruits in 15-gram quantities of carbohydrates:

Apple - small size, of about 2-inch diameter or half of large size, about 4 ounces
Banana - half, medium size, about 4 ounces
Peach - 1 of medium size, about 6 ounces
Pear - half, of large size, about 4 ounces
Plums - 2 small, about 6 ounces
Raspberries - 1 cup-full
Strawberries - 1and 1/4 cups
Watermelon - cut up to 1and 1/4 cups, about 14 ounces

But habitancy differ in their ability to operate blood sugar levels and to know how they react to eating fruit, some diabetics may need to test their levels after eating a serving to quantum the supervene and the distance of time it takes to return their sugar levels to within a general range. A way to do that would be, on a few cut off occasions, to take a blood test with their glucose-monitoring gadget before eating a fruit only and then again at 2 hours after eating and then at intervals until their general levels have been reached.

This is another instance in which the supervision and operate of blood sugar levels is the responsibility of the individual diabetic.

A Diabetic's Dilemma - Does Eating Fruit work on Blood Sugar Levels?

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Recipes For Using Coffee in Food

Those that love coffee know how yummy the many variations on the drink can be. But, using coffee as an ingredient in food making ready can be just as delightful. You may be customary with the use of coffee in desserts. However, its culinary additions are not just microscopic to sweets. Coffee has been used in meat glazes, chili, and even roasts.

Any time a method calls for ground coffee, it's best to buy freshly ground beans or grind your own for immediate use. If a method calls for liquid coffee, it is best to brew it just prior to use. Coffee brewed for use in recipes is often much stronger than you would care to drink. With that said here are a few great recipes using coffee.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Coffee Flavored Meatloaf Sauce

This method is for Australian style meatloaf which is gaining in popularity surface of Australia.

To make the sauce, a tablespoon of instant coffee is added to a quarter cup of water and set aside. In a bowl add a half cup of ketchup, a quarter cup of a popular dry red wine, and an equal estimate of Worcestershire sauce. Two tablespoons of vinegar, an ounce of margarine, and two tablespoons of lemon juice with some brown sugar round out the mixture. Finally, add the coffee and mix thoroughly.

Bake the meat for for 30 minutes, add the sauce, and bake for more 45 minutes at 375F.

Espresso Brownies

These are delightful for those who love coffee and chocolate.

In a sauce pan, heat a cup of sugar, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and a stick and a half of butter. Add a teaspoon of vanilla and four ounces of chopped, semi-sweet chocolate and stir until well melted. Next, add a tablespoon of your popular finely ground dark-roast coffee.

Stir until everything is well mixed. Then, exchange everything into a mixing bowl and let cool for a few minutes.

While still warm, fold in three eggs, a cup of flour and pour or scoop the compound into a baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350F or until done and set out to cool.

Black Russian Cake

Pick your popular dark chocolate cake mix and add a cup of vegetable oil, a holder of instant chocolate pudding, four eggs, and a half cup of creme de cacao. Now add a cup of your popular Russian coffee. (1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz Kahlua, 5 oz hot black coffee.)

Beat until flat and pour into a cake pan, then bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until done.

With the addition of coffee to foods, the possibilities literally become endless. Breads, cookies, candy, and ice cream are just a few of the thousands of uses for coffee in food preparation.

There is also no set rule of what type to use or how much. Cooking with coffee allows you to let your imagination and creativity take control.

Recipes For Using Coffee in Food

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

How Many fat Can I Have And Still Lose Weight?

To figure out how many fat you should have, first start with where you are. In other words, figure out how many fat it takes to enunciate your present size and then reduce from there. You can go about this in many ways. Most citizen plainly pick an arbitrary estimate like 1200 fat and that's what they eat, but in nearly every case that's not nearly sufficient fat to ensure sufficient nutrition, not to mention the deprivation that sets up.

While losing weight and to this day, I eat over 2000 fat a day on midpoint and I've maintained a good weight for my height for over 17 years. Remember, your body requires fat to enunciate itself.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Basic Calorie Requirements Calculation Based on action Level:

Sedentary : 13 X Weight = Avg. Cal/day

Sedentary is not exercising at all

Moderately Active: 16 X Weight = Avg. Cal/day

Moderately Active is exercising approximately 3-4 times per week

Very Active: 19 X Weight = Avg. Cal/day

Very Active is 5-7 strenuous practice sessions per week.

If you weigh over 200 pound now, and you'd like to weigh closer to 150, here is a calculation you could use to get started: Assuming you are going to be adding sufficient practice to capability as slowly Active, we'll use 16 as our modifier:

150 pounds X 16 fat per pound = 2400 calories

Less 500 (Using the base 500 fat per day reduction) gives us a total of 1900 midpoint fat per day

If you started to integrate a plan that allowed an midpoint of 1900 fat every day, you'd start to lose weight. The mistake most citizen make is to reduce fat too much, which finally sacrifices muscle plus sets you up for feeling deprived. It's far better in the long run to go more slowly, retention as much muscle as inherent while burning fat via exercise. Remember too, even if you don't eat quite that many fat on many days, you might eat more on the weekends for instance, so it ends up being closer to your goal of 1900 midpoint per day. Take the total fat for the week divided by seven.

Remember, this midpoint calorie estimate gives you fullness of wiggle room while the week. You can have some treats along with everybody else, or add more on weekends. Instead of constantly saying, "I can't, I'm on a diet," now you can say, "Thank you, that looks delicious," and enjoy some. It doesn't ruin your diet plan because you've got a large sufficient calorie allowance that if you are more meticulous some days than others, it will work out to the midpoint estimate of fat you want. I tend to eat far less fat while the week than on weekends and my totals generally midpoint out to 2000 to 2200 fat per day.

The 500 calorie allowance is a well suitable amount. You can reduce your fat further, but I wouldn't propose it. It doesn't advantage whatever to try for faster weight loss, in fact, if you reduce your fat too much you end up wasting muscle in the process, which is exactly what you do not want to do. If you want faster results, it's better to add more activity, thereby burning more fat at rest.

You may be reasoning I'm nuts, recommending 1900 fat per day, but I can say for a fact that if you eat too itsybitsy (1000 - 1200 fat is too few, Imo) then you set yourself up for all of the following:

Deprivation. You're going to feel deprived, mentally and physically. 1000 fat isn't sufficient for your basic metabolic needs, much less to fuel yourself for your action needs. Add more food! Just have a bit more than you're already having, so for instance, if you are allowed 1/2 cup of vegetables is a whole cup going to ruin all your progress? I doubt it. Eat a whole cup, or go ahead and have two oranges. Fruits and vegetables are very low calorie but supply high nutrition.

Sure, some vegis and fruits are high in sugar, but it's natural sugar. I seriously doubt our planet grows any killer foods - it is more likely the food commerce which has processed those foods to become nothing more than a dried powder, then add back more sugars, and chemicals so it will look the traditional product, is more harmful than a simple apple or banana?

If you are diabetic or must watch the sugars, have a small bit of protein along with the higher glycemic food, such as an ounce of cheese with your apple. Notice I said an ounce of cheese, not a slab big sufficient to feed a small country.

Metabolic Slow-Down Feeding yourself too few fat sets you up for metabolic slow-down. Studies have shown time and again that a heavier man can find it difficult to lose weight, even though eating very low calories, plainly because their body's metabolism is burning at such a slow rate. As you probably already know practice helps to speed up your metabolism but so does eating. That's why they say breakfast is so important, not only to fuel yourself but because it starts the metabolic furnace burning, and it continues to burn all day. If you don't eat whatever until noon, you don't stoke your furnace to start burning until then either.

Has the ultra low calorie coming worked for you so far? If not, why not try something more reasonable? Tag along with a friend who doesn't have a weight qoute and you'll see how sometimes they eat more, sometimes less, but on midpoint they eat sufficient to fuel their body and enunciate their weight.

Adding more food gives you additional eye appeal. If you split up 1000 fat over the policy of an whole day you're seeing at pretty skimpy portions on your plate each time you eat. I like to feel like I'm getting sufficient to eat and I do this by rounding out my plate with extra vegetables.

If I'm having a freezing entree for instance, I'll cook up a cup or more of freezing vegetables to add to my plate. The extra vegis of course fill me up, providing the satisfaction I need, and I often have a bit extra vegetables to throw away. Is that wasting food? No, it's smart. Far better for me mentally to have extra food to toss away than to be licking the plate because I'm still hungry. I'm also not likely to start wanting something else to eat right after evening meal if I'm feeling article with the estimate I've eaten.

Make an effort to learn to like your food as is. Plain mixed vegetables with nothing on them are delicious. It took me awhile to stop putting butter on them, and then even quitting the Molly McButter (just chemicals and sodium). I eat them plain and yes, they are great. Nature made our fruits and vegetables plainly sweet and all those "extras" we are used to using like butter on vegetables or potatoes of course make things taste all yummy but they also make us larger than we need to be. Those "extra" fat add up.

Slowly Make Adjustments to What or How Much You Eat

Wean yourself off adding sugar to your cold cereal. Read the label; all processed cereals contain a ridiculous estimate of added sugar. There's no need to add more. My only irregularity is brown sugar on oatmeal. I don't sugar my cereal at all anymore but it took me awhile to make the change. Start by adding a bit less, then next week cut back a bit more until you break the habit entirely. Tiny changes make up for big results over time.

If you feed yourself well, and focus on expanding your activity, even if only a little, then you will continue to lose fat, build muscle and get more shapely, all the while expanding your metabolism so you can eat more food!

How Many fat Can I Have And Still Lose Weight?

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Monday, July 25, 2011

Meat Equals Protein?

Protein is generally thought of in terms of meat. Although meat is a form of protein, it is not the only form, or most efficient and easily digested form of protein. Extensive research shows that people that eat a lot of red meat are prone to more heart disease and cancer than people who don't. It is said that a reasonable amount is no more than three ounces twice a week. Beef is said to be the most dangerous form of meat because of it's high levels of growth hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Also, commercial chickens come from large, crowded slaughterhouses and almost all of them have had cancer. Eggs, on the other hand, are said to be more acceptable because nature protects the fetus from harm, that is, toxins would normally not find their way inside an egg. Eggs are also said to be the best providers of protein. They have all the amino acids required by our cells and all other proteins are measured by this near-perfect protein source.

You don't have to worry about the cholesterol in eggs either. Studies have shown that the cholesterol will not deposit in our blood vessels if we eat a balanced diet. As well, lecithin helps to dissolve cholesterol and fatty plaque, and there is actually five times more lecithin in eggs than cholesterol.

12 OUNCES EQUALS

Fish is also a good source of protein; we can eat it about two or three times a week if we avoid other animal sources. Excellent sources of fish protein include cold water fish such as; herring, mackerel and salmon (baked, not fried). Fish is also a superb source of EPAs; essential fatty acids that we need for survival.

Raw, certified organic milk is an excellent protein as well. As opposed to pasteurized milk, raw milk still has all it's enzymes for optimum digestions and assimilation. Dr. Paavo Airola recommends: "Don't drink your milk - instead eat it in sourced or fermented form (yogurt, kefir and natural cheeses), because milk sugar (lactose) is partially turned into lactic acid which promotes easier digestion." Cows milk, whether raw or pasteurized, is a major source of allergies, mucous, antibiotics and progesterone.

Eaten in moderation, cheese is a good protein food. It should be natural and unprocessed and not colored with orange dye. Some very good choices are Dutch Edam and Gouda, German Farmers and Quark, Swiss Emmenthal and Gruyere, Greek Feta, and French Brie and Camembert.

The majority of our protein intake should come from plants. Most North Americans only get 1/3 of their protein from plant sources whereas we should be getting 2/3 of our necessary protein from plants.

There are 22 amino acids that make up protein. The live produces 14 of the 22. We must get the other 8 from our food. These 8 proteins not produced by the body, but required from our food, are called "essential amino acids" because the body cannot produce them and they are necessary for our survival. A "complete protein" means that all 8 essential amino acids are present in sufficient quantities to be used as building blocks by the body. Meat, fish, cheese, eggs and milk are called "complete proteins" because they contain all 8 essential amino acids.

Protein is available from almost every plant, especially beans, nuts, and grains, but also green leafy vegetables. Even most fruits contain protein. Protein is in almost everything you eat! Therefore, you don't really have to worry about getting enough protein for proper body function. It used to be thought that you had to combine certain foods together to get a "complete protein". That is now proven not to be true. Your body will combine the necessary amino acids from the foods you eat within 24 - 48 hours. It is not necessary to be concerned about eating a "complete protein" at one meal.

One of the concerns around getting most of your protein from plant sources is that the main nutrient missing from plants is vitamin B12. This is a legitimate concern as B12 is responsible for the health of the entire nervous system, the growth of children and, in partnership with other nutrients, the formation of red blood cells. Symptoms of B13 deficiency are numbness in fingers and toes, fatigue, depression, memory loss and even hallucinations. The good thing is that our bodies contain B12 producing bacteria practically everywhere: the teeth and gums; the saliva; the folds of the tongue; the tonsils; the respiratory tract and the small intestine. In order for B12 to be absorbed properly, digestion has to be working properly, as well as the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. High consumption of sugar, protein, alcohol and coffee can prevent B12 absorption. Heat also destroys B12. Good sources of B12 include: oily fish such as trout, herring, mackerel and salmon, egg yolks, yogurt, tempeh and most sprouts.

Proteins, contrary to popular belief, are not necessary to create energy. The primary source of energy for the body is complex carbohydrates. If the body runs out of complex carbohydrates it will burn fat first and then protein. The body only uses protein as an energy source under sever circumstances.

So the question is: How much protein do we really need? Protein is used to repair and build body tissues and replace the millions of cells that die every day. It is also needed to manufacture hormones, enzymes and blood cells. All the cells that die in a day could fit into less than a tablespoon. Children need more protein, relative to their size, than adults because they are growing.

Adults only need about 24 - 45 grams of protein a day unless they are pregnant, breast feeding or recovering from surgery. Also, power athletes require more protein to build new muscle and add bulk, but nearly as much as is believed by most. Studies have shown that athletes actually do better on smaller amounts of vegetable protein than large amounts of animal protein.

Written by Angela Sladen, RSNA, CNC

Meat Equals Protein?

12 OUNCES EQUALS

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Measuring Honey: Fluid Ounces Vs Net Weight Ounces

Measurements are a pain. As if it's not difficult sufficient weeding through the wrong bottles and jars until you find that one flawless container, you also have to keep in mind troublesome dimensional details. Height, diameter, weight, mass. And don't forget cm, in, mm, oz and gram. Seriously? These particulars can provoke an especially sticky situation when you are searching out packaging for honey. No pun intended. Well, maybe it was intended, just a bit. I will make up for my tacky (hey, I did it again!) humor with an insightful description that will make honey packaging seem a whole lot simpler.

Let's start with an example. On our B326C item page the honey bear is listed as having an 8 oz capacity but holds 12 oz of honey. Those are two isolate measurements for one container. This description would seem nonsensical to most people. But with a quick part about ounces you will be equipped to solve any measuring manic you henceforth fall into.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

The key to comprehension this predicament is to come to be well-known with the two most ordinarily used types of ounces, fluid and net weight. In the B326C example above, the first measurement of 8 oz is given in fluid ounces (Fl. Oz.). The second measurement, 12 oz is reflective of net weight ounces (Net Wt. Oz.), the standard by which honey is typically measured and sold.

Fluid ounces are the form of measurement that are immediately view of when determining how many ounces a given bottle or jar will hold. This unit measures the liquid volume capacity of containers, like you would expect from a beverage or shampoo container. Net weight ounces do not reconsider volume estimates. Instead, this estimate refers to the mass or weight of a product. Like honey, other cooking materials, such as powders are measured by net weight ounces as well.

Now that this view is as clear as a mud puddle, here's the crowning jewel and all you of course need to know. B326C's volume capacity is 8 Fl. Oz, which is equal to 12 Net Wt. Oz. Unfortunately there is no private formula to settle fluid ounce to net weight ounce. That would be far too simple. What you do know is that this honey bear doesn't of course hold more honey then it's described to, the contents are merely measured in a distinct way.

Speaking of honey bears, they are pretty iconic containers. And now that you understand how their contents are measured they would be an adorable addition to any honey product line. We carry 8 Fl. Oz. Honey bears, which change to 12 Net Wt. Oz. As well as a 5 Fl. Oz. Choice that change to 8 Net Wt. Oz. For sellable honey. These items are made from two distinct resins, Pet (B326C, B326F) and Ldpe (B326, B339). Ldpe is a more squeezable resin that may allow for good consumer access.

If honey bears aren't your style we carry other wide mouth honey bottle options. From a attractive beehive style to a easy dairy look, the packaging are natural in color, development it easy to monitor levels of product. They range in size from 24 Net Wt. Oz. To 54 Net. Wt. Oz.

Dealing with honey can be a messy situation, but nothing you can't handle. Simplify the situation and take a look at our plastic honey bottles, where we list both fluid ounce and net weight ounce measurements. Here's to wishing you sweet packaging endeavors.

Measuring Honey: Fluid Ounces Vs Net Weight Ounces

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Friday, July 22, 2011

Which is For You - The Senseo supreme Or the Keurig special Edition?

 Single cup coffee brewing systems have come to be increasingly favorite and there is quite a large range of separate models. In fact, you'll need a spreadsheet when you try to value the separate features of each brand. The most foremost consideration should be the quality of that particular cup of coffee that the motor can yield in less than a minute.  As you look at separate brewing systems, ask what the motor brews to yield that cup of coffee. Does it use coffee packaged in pods, in capsules or K-Cups? Some one cup machines only have tiny options when it comes to coffee choices while others offer a broad range of roasts. How do costs compare, not only for the machine, but for the pods or K-Cups? For some coffee lovers, the coffee cost is certainly not as foremost as the taste and quality of the cup that is brewed. Correlate the features of these two particular cup coffee brewers, priced 9.99 to 9.99.

Senseo Supreme Hd 7832

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Automatic Brewing System Brews within one minute Amount brewed can be adjusted with volume control Brews from 3 ounces to 10 ounces Produces frothy crema layer on each cup of coffee in 'frothing  chamber' Comes with 2 separate sized pod holders: one holds a particular pod while 2 can be settled in the larger to make 2 cups of coffee or a particular 8 ounce mug.   Uses coffee pods from Douwe Egberts, Folgers, Millstone, Melitta, Aloha Island, and some others Uses 1 or 2 Senseo Coffee pods, which determines coffee strength Water reservoir of 32 ounces which is movable for easy filling  Has water level indicator light Adjustable spout for smaller cups to 10 ounce mugs Control panel is lit by blue Led light Available in 5 colors: Chrome, black, red, white, cobalt blue Is 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12" D Weight 9 pounds Price 9.99 to 9.99
Keurig extra Edition B60

Automatic Brewing System Brews in 30 to 50 seconds Always ready to brew - no waiting time for second cup Programmable controls Auto-On and Off Adjustable Controls Digital Clock Control panel is lit by blue Led light. Has De-scale Indicator


Brews 3 cup sizes:6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces  Water reservoir holds 48 ounces and is movable for easy filling. Has water level sensor and Led light behind reservoir Brew temperature can be adjusted from 187°F to 192°F. Has movable stainless steel drip tray Available in black with chrome handle and faceplate Uses 1 K-Cup of coffee per brewing Is 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 11"D Weight 16 pounds Price 9.95
Coffee Pods And K-Cups

The Senseo uses coffee pods, small packages of coffee, which fit into the machine. With the earlier Senseo Delux model, coffee pods made especially for the motor gave the best results.  The supreme is able to use a range of pods but it takes some experimenting with brands and volume brewed to get the power you want.
The Keurig brewing systems use K-Cups, vacuum packaged small containers of coffee, designed for this coffee maker. Users were pleased with the range of coffee available in K-Cups from roasters like Green Mountain, Newman's Own Organic, Timothy's, Tully's, and others. Vacuum packed K-Cups of teas from Celestial Seasonings, Bigelow, and Twinings, as well as, cocoa from Emeril and Bellancino are available. 
Quality of the Coffee Senseo Supreme

Many of the previous complaints about weak coffee produced by this one cup motor have been decreased by the expanding of the Volume Brewed Control. This allows you to use one large coffee pod or two smaller ones while reducing water volume to brew a stronger cup.
Keurig extra Edition B60

Unanimously, all reviewers reported that the Keurig motor brews a consistently good, full-bodied cup of coffee.  There were no necessary complaints while there was praise for the Keurig machine's stamina and trustworthy performance. Consumer Reports  ranks the Keurig B60 as "the best coffee maker of all" in its spin of 35 separate particular serving systems. 

Which is For You - The Senseo supreme Or the Keurig special Edition?

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Jamaica original Fruit Cake

To many individuals a good ability cake is seen practically as an exotic foods. In Jamaica the primary rich old time Jamaican fruitcake is among the most popular. Unknown to many, this is a spin-off of the age old English plum pudding

It is the dream of every Jamaican woman to be able to make this queen of cakes. Many have tried and have gotten aged old generations recipes passed down to them but some how never as a matter of fact got it quite right since each household has its own conspiratorially guarded contrast and never as a matter of fact give out all the ingredients or the exact method used..

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

This best contrast of this cake is made by the creaming method. It is packed with dried fruits. It may come as a surprise but none of the fruits used are from the island such as raisin, currants, prunes, cherries except mixed peel which is sometimes made in Jamaica. The others are imported and thus hike the price of the commodity.

The best cake has the texture similar to an English plum pudding .The color is as a matter of fact dark brown and carries a rich alcoholic taste. It is also very spicy as sometimes there are at least 5 spices and flavours used.

There may be also separate levels of color and alcohol article depending on the preference of the maker. There are so many variations that you could make a cook book with just Jamaican fruitcake and none would taste exactly alike but are all superb.

There is also one definite ingredient that is very difficult to get out side of Jamaica. If person in the Usa wishes to make this Jamaican fruitcake s/he would have to send to the island for this ingredient or get it only at the West Indian stores.

In some Latin American countries they have never heard of it. This is the browning that gives the cake its color. It is a type of caramel that only Grace Kitchens can produce.
One may effort to make this browning at home as it is a type of burnt sugar. However it is never quite the same. If an effort is made to try and make it in an American home ,pretty soon the fire services would come running because the smoke alarm will go off.

You experiences will be broaden when you read and have and tried the fruitcake method offered freely just for your experience.

Ingredients :

o 8 ounces or 2 cup flour

o 8 ounces margarine or butter

o 8 ounces bread crumb

o 6 eggs

o 4 ounces currants

o 4 ounces mixed peel

o 4 ounces cherries

o 4 ounces prunes (chopped)

o 1 cup wine/brandy

o 1/4 cup rum

o 4 teaspoon baking powder

o 1 teaspoon vanilla

o 1 teaspoon cinnamon

o 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

o 1/4 ounces marmalade

o 4 ounces jam

o 1/4 cup honey

o ¼ cup molasses

o finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon

- 4 tablespoons browning

Method:

1. Chop or blend fruits with wine over night

2. Cream butter, sugar and browning until soft and fluffy

3. Beat eggs into combination one at a time

4. Sieve all dry ingredients together along with bread crumb

5. Add fruits. Jam , marmalade

6. Add molasses and rum

7. Add flour and fold in. Do no over-beat when mixing.

8. Moisten with brandy

9. If liquid is not enough, add more rum, wine or water to the

fruitcake

10. Mix the fruitcake to a pouring consistency

11. The spoon must be able to stand in the mixture

12. Grease tin with a diminutive oil

13. Line tin with greased paper extending two inches above the pan

14. Pour combination about ¼ inch above the tin

15. Bake at 300 degree F for 2-21/2 hours

16. Yield: two 9'x 3' fruit cakes

serves cake with rum sauce , or covered with royal icing, fondant, butter cream icing.

Nb.Diabetics are warned not to eat this cake as it has an highly high caloric value.

Jamaica original Fruit Cake

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Processed Sugar, Do You Know How Much You Eat?

Sugar on the food labels of products is measured in Grams. Do you know how many grams of sugar are in a teaspoon? There are 4.2 grams of sugar per teaspoon. Do you know how many teaspoons of sugar are in a cup? There are 47.9860695 teaspoons of sugar in a cup or approximately 200 Grams. And there are 453.6 Grams of Sugar per Pound. To get a sense of how much process sugared is contained in our every day products, I went to a grocery store one afternoon with my spreadsheets I created. My spreadsheets track a product's brand name, the goods type, serving size, calories per serving, sugar content, sugar position on the label, fat content, protein content, salt content, price per container. Some of the foods I looked at were children's cereals, yogurt, ice cream, ketchup, cookies, crackers, soda, spaghetti sauce and baby food. I premium a large grocery store and shopped as I collected my data so no one would request what I was doing. I didn't want to clarify how I am hooked on this processed sugar principles I have believing processed sugar causes a great majority of our health issues. I looked at three separate brands or more of similar products so I won't be accused of being biased.

I read an narrative that stated that we eat our weight in sugar every year plus 20 pounds and that back a few decades ago our sugar consumption was only 20 pounds per year. Could this be true? I started doing the math. I randomly premium 150 pounds. So 150 pounds times 453.6 grams divided by 365 days per year equal 186.41 grams of sugar per day. Is it feasible to eat this much sugar in a day? Here is what I found:

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

1. Children's cereal on average equals 12 grams of sugar with an approximate serving size of ¾ Cup, cereal brands and types, Post' Golden Crisp, Kellogg's Apple Jacks, general Mills' Lucky Charms.

2. Raisin Bran has 19 grams of sugar, 1 Cup serving.

3. Soda had 40 grams of sugar, 12 ounce can, soda brands, Pepsi, Coke, Rc.

4. Kellogg's Pop-Tarts have 16 grams of sugar per one pastry.

5. Plain nonfat Yogurt has approximately 15 grams of sugar per one cup serving, yogurt brands and types were Mountain High Plain Fat Free, Horizon primary Organic/Nonfat and The Greek Gods Nonfat Plain

6. Strawberry yogurt has approximately 28 grams of sugar, brands and types were Danon Blended Strawberry, Yoplait Strawberry primary 99% Fat Free, Voskos Greek Style Strawberry, serving size ranged from 6 ounces to one cup.

7. Cookies have 10.67 grams of sugar; brands and type were Nabisco Chips Ahoa, Mother's Chocolate Chip and Pepperidge Farms Soft Baked Chocolate Chunk. Serving size ranged from 1 - 2 cookies.

8. Spaghetti sauces have approximately 7 grams of sugar per ½ cup serving. Brands and types were Prego Traditional, Ragu primary and Classico Tomato and Basil.

9. Crackers, 7 crackers have 0-4 grams of sugar for wheat thins, Nabisco Triscuit had 0 grams. Brands and types, Nabisco Triscuit, Nabisco Wheat Thins and Ralph's Wheat Crisps.

10. Heinz Ketchup has 4 grams of sugar per Tablespoon.

11. Vanilla Ice Cream has 19 grams of sugar per ½ cup serving. Brands and types were Breyer's Vanilla, Ben & Jerry's Vanilla and Haggen Daz's Vanilla Bean.

12. Chocolate Ice Cream has 20.67 grams of sugar. Breyer's had 16 grams, Ben & Jerry's had 27 grams and Haggan Daz had 19 grams, all chocolate.

13. Surprisingly baby food had natural sugars derived from the vegetables or fruit contained in the products. Each goods seemed to be filled with other additives that I couldn't say with the irregularity of one brand that actually stood out for me. I looked at Gerber, Beech Nut and Earth's Best. Could Earth's Best actually be best? It stood out as the front runner for me that was for sure. It contains only organic fruit, vegetables, meat or rice. It did not have other added ingredients and it was the only baby food Kosher certified.

14. Toothpaste contains Saccharin, artificial processed sugar. Brands looked at were Crest, Colgate and Aqua Fresh.

Now finding at all these discrete foods, I took a few products that seemed logical and ones that I could consume in a day and did some calculations. Remember 186 grams of sugar a day equals 150 pounds per year.

A Typical Sugar Day

Sugar
Bowl of cereal 2 cups (who can eat just one cup) 24 grams
2 Cokes 78 grams
2 tsp of sugar in a cup of coffee X 2 cups 8 grams
3 cookies x 2 (again, once you start you have to have more) 22 grams
1 yogurt Yoplait Strawberry 99% Fat Free
(you plan it was healthy) 27 grams
1 Frosted Strawberry Pop Tart 21 grams

Total Sugar Grams In One Day 180 grams

Total Sugar Grams Per Year

180 grams X 365 days per year = 65,700 grams

Convert Grams to Ounces

65,700 X.035273962 = 2,317.50 ounces

Convert Ounces to Pounds

2,317.50 ÷ 16 ounces to a pound = 144.84 pounds per year

It is approximately at the 150 pound mark and that is not adding any candy bars or ice cream. Is sugar causing our health issues? It actually seems like there could be a direct correlation with the rise of diabetes and other diseases. One last item to mention from someone else narrative I read that was written by someone in the Uk, I found the data shocking and horrifying, but maybe it is true. They stated that the chemical formula for sugar and cocaine are approximately selfsame with the irregularity of one atom of Nitrogen. Is sugar a drug? If someone is a chemist, please let me know if this is true. Thank You.

Processed Sugar, Do You Know How Much You Eat?

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:

1-tablespoon Vegetable oil

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

1-pound Chicken breast filets

1-cup Onion, finely chopped

8-ounces Green chilies or chipotle peppers, chopped

16-ounces Chicken broth

1-cup Masa harina

3-cups Water

1-cup Enchilada sauce

16-ounces Velveeta® cheese

1-teaspoon Salt

1-teaspoon Garlic powder

1-teaspoon Chili powder

1-cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

3-cups Tortilla chips, crumbled

1-cup Sour cream

Instructions:

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to large pot over medium heat. Brown chicken 5 minutes per side and set aside. Add onions and peppers; sauté over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth. merge masa harina with 2 cups of water in a medium bowl and mix until blended. Add masa blend to pot with onions and broth. Add remaining water, enchilada sauce, Velveeta® cheese and spices to pot; bring to boil. Shred or cut the chicken into small pieces and add to pot. sell out heat; simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.

Serve soup and ornamentation with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled tortilla chips and sour cream.

Serves 6

Note: To make it well spicy just add 1 to 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper.

Find this formula and many more at Cristie's Cookin. Want a new and piquant spice that you can't find in any of the stores? Check out Cristie's spices, Bling It, Zing It, and Ring It. Be sure to submit your beloved formula to win a free "Gotcha Covered" apron.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Counting fat in Your Cup of Coffee

Because many population are becoming more aware with their health, they normally count fat how many in the food they are taking, together with fat in cup of coffee.

Coffee is absolutely a condition drink even though it may have negative associations due to its high acid content. Any condition benefits have been linked to drinking coffee in moderate amounts daily.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Some countries such as Singapore have government programs that promote the consumption of wholesome food and drinks. The Singapore Government has launched the 'Healthier selection Food" program which promotes wholesome grade food. One of the products being endorsed is Nestle Nescafe because of the low calorie count of instant coffee.

The estimate of fat in cup of coffee varies. Surprisingly,the lowest fat count is absolutely brewed black coffee. This is because coffee in itself and without any additives has approximately zero calories.

An 8 ounce cup of java brewed from grounds was found to comprise a mere 2 calories, agreeing to the Usda nutrient database while instant black coffee contains only 4 calories. These fat come from a tiny estimate of protein and some of the mono-unsaturated oils in the beans.

The factors that growth the calorie count in coffee are the additives. As your cuppa is naturally bitter so in order to offset the bitter taste, sweeteners such as sugar, milk, cream and other syrups are added to it.

These additives are normally packed with fats thus resulting in the growth in calories.

The more additives added to the coffee, the more calorie article it contains. For instance, coffee with whole milk contains 12 calories. On the other hand, coffee with whole milk and sugar in it will comprise at least 60 calories.

Furthermore, the larger the drink volume, the more additives are needed, hence the larger the calorie count in it. For instance a 16 ounce of coffee will require more milk than an 8 ounce of coffee.

So if it is the fat you are watching, it is best to whether brew your own or take instant coffee and it would be good to avoid going to cafes.

Counting fat in Your Cup of Coffee

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Measuring Serving Sizes

For most Americans who struggle with dieting, one of the biggest obstacles is quantum control. The phrase "in moderation" is a foreign term to their vocabulary. Many find it difficult to regulate the whole of food they should intake to keep their calories balanced and managed appropriately to lose weight. This may be because they are unaware of what an actual serving size is supposed to be for varied types of foods.

Most of us are well-known with the food pyramid. This guide was created to help Americans with eating a balanced diet for the types of macro-nutrients and other dietary components that they need.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Since controlling portions is the key to controlling your calorie intake, here is the breakdown of serving sizes for typical items on a daily menu:

Grains: bread, cereal, rice, and pasta: One serving of this group provides about 80 calories.

• 1 slice of any type bread
• 1/2 English muffin
• 1/2 small bagel
• 1/2 small (6 inch) pita bread
• 1/2 hamburger or hot dog bun
• 1 small (6 inch) tortilla
• 1 small (2 1/2 inch diameter) dinner roll or biscuit
• 1/4 cup corn, peas, potatoes, winter squash, legumes, starchy vegetables
• 1/2 cup cereal, rice, or pasta

Vegetable group: One serving from this group provides about 25 calories.

• 1 cup raw leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, or romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup any other vegetables, cooked or raw
• 3/4 cup of vegetable juice
• Starchy vegetables such as corn, peas, winter squash, and legumes are counted in the

bread group

Fruit group: One serving from this group provides about 60-80 calories.

• 1 medium apple, banana, orange, or other fruit
• 1 cup strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1/2 mango
• 1/2 cup chopped, cooked, or canned fruit
• 7 dried apricot halves
• 10 cherries
• 3 prunes
• 2 tablespoon raisins
• 3/4 cup of fruit juice

Fish, poultry, meat, dry beans, eggs, and nuts: One serving from this group provides about 150-250 calories.

• 2-3 ounces (cooked weight) of fish, poultry, or lean meat
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked dry beans (measured after cooking)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups tofu
• 2 to 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is equivalent to 1 ounce of meat and contributes 200 calories.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese groups: One serving from this group provides about 150-200 calories. Reduced-fat and skim milk dairy products may supply fewer calories.

• 1 cup skim milk or non-fat yogurt
• 1 1/2 ounces of reduced-fat natural cheese such as cheddar, blue, brie, feta, gouda or mozzarella
• 1/2 cup low fat ricotta cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

When you are aware of the calories in your food, it is easier to balance your meals and stay within your desired calorie range for weight loss. Not sure how many servings from each group you should eat? The Usda Food Pyramid recommends that you eat 6 ounces of grains, 3 of which should be whole grains. For vegetables, make aim for 2 ½ cups per day, and 1 ½ cups of fruits. From the dairy group, you should get 3 ounces and get 5 ounces of meat or protein. Fats and oils should be consumed moderately, and it is leading to get the right kind of fat from natural oils such as corn oil, canola oil, or soybean oil.

Measuring Serving Sizes

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Monday, July 18, 2011

Lucky Friend Cake

Lucky Friend Cake

By: Cristie Will

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Ingredients:

1-gallon Jar with lid

32-ounces Fruit cocktail, canned

16-ounces Peaches, canned

10-ounces Maraschino cherries

16-ounces Pineapple, crushed canned

32-ounces Fruit cocktail, canned

4-boxes Yellow cake mixes

4-large boxes Vanilla instant pudding

1½-dozen Eggs

2-cups Pecans

5-pounds Sugar

3-cups Oil

1-wooden Spoon

2-cups Walnuts

Instructions:

Take gallon jar and add juice from one can of fruit cocktail and add enough water to make 1½ cups of starter juice and pour juice in jar, add 2½ cups sugar and 16 ounces of peaches chopped with juice. Stir everyday for 10 days with wooden spoon; after 10 days add to jar, 2½ cups sugar and 16 ounces of pineapple and juice. Stir everyday for 10 days with wooden spoon. After 10 more days add 2½ cups of sugar, 16 ounces of fruit cocktail with juice and 10 ounces of maraschino cherries cut in half with juice. Stir everyday for 10 days with wooden spoon.

Bake Cakes: Drain juice off fruit, you will have 5 starters, 1½ cups each, 4 starters for cakes and 1 for a friend. Divide fruit into 4 equal parts for 4 cakes. For each cake, you will need 1 part fruit, 1 cake mix, 4 eggs, 1 box pudding, and ⅔ cups oil, ½ cup of pecans and ½ cup of walnuts. Beat all together. Bake in a well greased and floured bundt cake pan. Bake at 350° for 50 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, and then turn out on cake rack or plate. Wrap in plastic wrap, ice or store in refrigerator.

Makes 4 cakes; each cake serves 8

Note: This is categorically good with chocolate pudding.

Visit Cristies Cookin for more recipes, spices, tips and ideas. Be sure and submit your popular formula for a chance to win a free "Gotcha Covered" apron.

Lucky Friend Cake

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Sunday, July 17, 2011

How Many Pots of Coffee Does 1 Pound of Coffee Yield?

Sometimes it can get perplexing to rule how much coffee you are going to get from a bag of freshly ground coffee beans. First of all, it is prominent to understand that all coffee must be freshly ground before brewing, otherwise it will go stale. When coffee beans are freshly ground, they begin to go stale within 30 seconds! The best course of activity would be to buy a uncomplicated kitchen grinder that you can use to freshly grind your coffee beans so that your pot of coffee will be as excellent as possible.

When ordering or purchasing freshly roasted coffee beans, it is prominent to buy the right amount. Coffee is a perishable item, so if you buy too much, the beans will go stale within up to two weeks after being freshly roasted. On the flipside, if you buy too little, you may run out and not get your daily fix to make it straight through your workday!

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

When it comes to brewing, 40 ounces of water within your coffee machine will brew seven 6 ounce cups for 40 ounces of water. With this ratio, 1 pound of fresh coffee beans should brew 30 pots of coffee at 40 ounces per pot. This is also something that needs to be taken into consideration depending on how you like your coffee. Many citizen add more coffee grounds to their coffee before brewing to make a stronger cup of Joe. The best rule of thumb to use is to always go stronger in your brew process because you can dilute a strong cup of coffee, but you can't convert a weak cup of Joe after it has been brewed.

When it comes to purchasing coffee, it is always best to buy beans that are freshly roasted. The prominent thing to keep in mind is that these beans will begin to go stale within up to two weeks, so it is ideal to buy from an online retailer that sells beans that are freshly roasted the day that they ship. The other alternative would be if you have a local roaster in your area that you can conveniently buy coffee beans from whenever you need them.

One other thing to take into consideration when you are calculating how much coffee you will get from a pound of coffee beans is that you probably will not always be brewing a full 12 cup number to fill up your coffee pot. It is much better to brew a smaller number so that coffee is not left sitting on the burner to come to be bitter if you are not going to drink it all at once. The best suggestion is to use up to 3 tablespoons of fresh coffee grounds for every 8 ounces of water, which again, is a minute stronger than the midpoint coffee drinker makes their daily Java. This is the proper drive and consistency used for coffee brewing, and it will allow you to have continual freshness and flavor in every cup that you drink.

How Many Pots of Coffee Does 1 Pound of Coffee Yield?

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS