German Restaurants In Minneapolis & St Paul Minnesota

Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota offer several authentic German restaurants.

The German restaurants in and near St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota serve up authentic German favorites such as sauerkraut, schnitzel and bratwurst, along with German beers, wines and desserts. German food has a heartiness that characterizes this cuisine, whether you're looking for a familiar dish or to try something new. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Black Forest Inn

Opened in 1965, the Black Forest Inn serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its menu features German-European specialties, such as geschnetzeltes (a simple ragout dish made with veal or pork), sauerbraten (German pot roast), and Hungarian Goulash, a beef dish cooked with onions, paprika powder, tomatoes and some green pepper.

The menu also includes German favorites such as Wiener schnitzel (breaded veal, chicken or pork fried and served with lemon juice), Jaeger schnitzel (a veal or pork schnitzel topped with a burgundy-mushroom or a creamy-mushroom sauce), spaetzel (a side dish of tiny noodles or dumplings), sauerkraut, and cabbage.

There also are carry-out menus for patrons on the run. The restaurant serves German beer, wine and cocktails and plays host to a variety of special events.

Black Forest Inn

1 E. 26th St.

Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-872-0812

blackforestinnmpls.com

Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit & Mario's Keller Bar

Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit's specialty is schnitzel, a tenderized, lightly breaded, pan-saut ed cut of veal or pork loin. However, the restaurant also serves wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, beef goulash, jaegerschnitzel, and more, including dessert, children and spirits menus. The restaurant also serves beer and wine and hosts a variety of brunches including Easter Brunch and Mother's and Father's Day brunches. Live music and special events round out the inviting, friendly atmosphere of Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit.

Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit & Mario's Keller Bar

2300 University Ave. NE

Minneapolis, MN 55418

612-781-3860

gasthofzg.com

Gluek's Restaurant and Bar

Open since 1902, this Minneapolis restaurant features stained-glass windows, woodwork, and European Hall atmosphere. Gluek's offers American cuisine with a German twist, and its lunch and dinner menu feature bratwursts, pot roast, Reubens, beef stroganoff, and more. Gluek's also features an extensive beer list and happy hour specials Monday through Friday, as well as live music, party facilities and merchandise.

Gluek's Restaurant and Bar

16 North 6th St.

Minneapolis, MN 55403

612-338-6621

glueks.com

Glockenspiel

The Glockenspiel is an authentic German restaurant and its menu reflects that, with homemade sausages, sauerkraut, spaetzel, bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, stroganoff, kasespatzle (spaetzel with cheese), and more. Kids eat free every Tuesday. The restaurant also offers an extensive German wine and beer menu, as well as a daily happy hour, live entertainment and special events.

Glockenspiel

605 7th St.W.

St. Paul, MN 55102

651-292-9421

minnesotamenus.com

The Winzer Stube

About 10 minutes east of Minneapolis in the small town of Hudson, The Winzer Stube offers classic German fare in a family friendly atmosphere. Voted "Best German Restaurant" by City Search, The Winzer Stube's menu boasts homemade soups and apple turnovers, as well as German and American appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees (including vegetarian dishes). The restaurant also has happy hour specials and catering services.

The Winzer Stube

516 2nd St.

Hudson, WI 54016

715-381-5092

winzerstube.net

Tags: Gasthof Gemutlichkeit, restaurant also, Winzer Stube, authentic German, Black Forest, happy hour, special events

Buy Roasting Beef

There is nothing quite like the tantalizing smell of roasting beef. No matter the type of seasoning added, if you buy the right cut of beef your roast cooks up succulent and tender. Roasting beef is typically over two inches thick. You can get slightly different flavors and textures depending on the cut and grade of the beef. Always count on a properly cooked roast to fall apart and steam in its own juicy goodness. Read on to learn buy the right beef for roasting. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Decide on the amount of meat you need. Allow 1/2 pound per person. Determine your price range. Go to the store with a set price range in mind. Buy the best cut in your price range.

2. Buy a premium cut from the shoulder center, top sirloin, top blade, round tip and chuck eye, if you have the money for it. If you're on a tighter budget, choose a less tender cut from the rump, top round, eye round, bottom round, chuck flank or chuck shoulder.

3. Opt for cuts labeled USDA Prime; these are ideal for roasting. USDA Choice and USDA Select still taste good, but aren't as tender and may require marinating or a rub.

4. Look for a cut with marbling (white ribbons of fat) evenly distributed throughout the beef. This makes the beef roast fall apart as it cooks. Too much fat and the meat is grisly, too little fat and the roast turns out dry and tough.

Tags: price range, fall apart, right beef, roast fall, roast fall apart

Soak Red Winter Wheat

Whole grain breads are a good way to get essential vitamins, mineral and fiber.

Whole grains are an easy way to boost the nutritional value of your daily diet. Whole wheat can generally be found at most health-food stores, and can be used in its whole grain form or ground as fresh flour at home. Soaking is one method that will drastically boost its nutritional value and digestibility. Red winter wheat is a versatile type of wheat that can be used in its soaked whole wheat form. Soaking your grain may sound like a tedious addition to your day, but a few short steps will prove the process a quick and easy one.

Instructions

1. Select your acidic medium. Lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, yogurt, kefir and whey are all good options. You will need one tablespoon of acidic medium per cup of water. If you are using fresh ground flour, use the acidic medium called for in your recipe, or use the medium that you feel will lend the greatest benefit to your finished recipe. For instance, buttermilk, yogurt or kefir would make a wonderful complement if your finished recipe is pancakes or muffins. However, for breads, whey could be a better option.

2. If you are making soaked whole wheat flour for a recipe, add your whole grains to your grain mill and grind the amount of flour you will need for your recipe.

3. Place one to three cups of whole wheat grains or your designated amount of fresh ground flour into a large bowl and cover with warm water. For whole grains, use a measuring cup and add one cup of water at a time, making note of how may cups it takes to completely cover the whole wheat grains. If you are using fresh ground flour, add the amount of liquid necessary per your recipe, and mix until the flour and water are completely combined.

4. Add one tablespoon per cup of your chosen acidic medium to the bowl. So, if you used a total of three cups of water, you will need to add three tablespoons of acidic medium.

5. Stir everything together until evenly combined and set aside for 12 to 24 hours.

6. Pour your whole wheat grains and water into a colander and allow your whole wheat to quickly drain. Place them back in the bowl and rinse them once again with clean warm water. This will remove any remaining acidic taste from the grain.

7. You may now use your whole grain red winter wheat in granola, with milk as a cold cereal, or sprinkled over a salad. For your soaked flour, add whatever additional ingredients are necessary, and continue with your recipe.

Tags: acidic medium, whole wheat, your recipe, your whole, fresh ground, fresh ground flour, ground flour

Weight Loss Benefits Of Olive Oil

Weight Loss Benefits of Olive Oil

Have you ever heard of a healthy fat? While most people are only familiar with saturated and trans fat, there are some fats that are considered healthy and even recommended as part of a healthy diet. Among the small group of healthy fats is olive oil. At 120 calories per tablespoon, olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that contains polyphenols and antioxidants along with other vitamins. This healthy fat is said to be good for your heart and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

History

The people of the Mediterranean region have enjoyed adding olive oil to their meals for thousands of years and this is one of the main factors that led researchers to believe that the people of this region have longer life spans and lower risks of heart disease. As a result of this research, the World Health Organization published information about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet in 1993. Since then, the Mediterranean diet has become a popular diet in the United States, resulting in a substantial increase in the demand of olive oil. In fact, the increase of olive oil consumption in the United States prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct research on the health benefits of olive oil. In 2004, the FDA gave olive oil manufacturers permission to print food labels stating that some scientific evidence implies that eating 2 tbsp. of olive oil every day may reduce the risk of heart disease so long as it replaces saturated fat without increasing calorie intake in a person's daily diet. Today, olive oil is an important part of popular weight loss diets including the Sonoma diet and the Shangri-La diet.

Function

Often used to prepare Mediterranean dishes, extra virgin olive oil is poured over salad greens, vegetables, pastas and breads to enhance the flavor in these foods and as a healthier substitute for butter. Olive oil can also be used to fry foods, but it is important to keep in mind that olive oil has a slow smoking point (up to 400 degrees F), which can cause the olive oil to lose its flavor and damage cookware if it is overheated. Although rarely used for baking, olive oil can also be used as a healthy alternative to vegetable oil in cakes and other pastries.

Types

Judging by the variety of olive oils available at groceries stores today, choosing an olive oil can be confusing. When it comes to choosing the right type of olive oil to use, keep in mind that there are three basic types of olive oil. Olive oil is divided up into three different categories based on the acidity level of the oil and how the oil is produced. Extra virgin olive oil, most commonly known as EVOO, is considered to be the best type of olive oil to use on salads and adds flavor to cooked vegetables and breads. With a low acidity level of up to 1 percent, extra virgin olive oil is produced from the first pressing process that does not include any other type of refining. Virgin olive oil is also considered to be one of the best types of olive oil to use. It is produced the same way extra virgin olive oil is made, but has an acidity level of up to 2 percent. Pure olive oil is different from extra virgin and virgin olive oil in that it is a combination of refined oil and virgin olive oil. Pure olive oil is usually not as pricey as extra virgin olive oil and it is better to use this type of oil to sauté foods.

Benefits

Olive oil has proven to be very beneficial to your health. Olive oil is not only made up of 75 percent monounsaturated fat, which has been known to lower bad cholesterol (LDL), but it also contains polyphenols, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, research reported in a 2005 issue of Annals of Oncology identified the oleic acid found in olive oil as a breast cancer inhibitor. Oleic acid has also been identified as an appetite suppressor because of its ability to produce oleoylethanolamide (OEA), which sends a message to your brain that your stomach is full.

Features

While olive oil has an oily substance, it really is not oil. Olive oil is juice from the olive fruit, which is probably why it is much healthier than other cooking oils and is more similar to wine in terms of the different types of olive oils that are sold. In fact, every olive oil available on the market has its own distinct flavor because of the variety of olives that are grown and the ways in which the olive oil is harvested and produced. Ranging in flavor from strong and peppery to fruity and light, the olive oil you choose to use will very much depend on what your taste buds prefer. Olive oil can also be reused several times unlike other cooking oils. Apart from its heart healthy components, olive oil is also believed to have skin healing abilities because of the antioxidants and natural moisturizers it contains.

Tags: virgin olive, extra virgin, acidity level, extra virgin olive, heart disease

Start An Online Candy Business

No matter what type of candy one prefers, odds are they can find it online. What used to be a business that only worked in a physical retail setting can now be launched virtually by opening an e-commerce store. Starting an online candy business can be a fun, lucrative venture provided you take the time to do some planning.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of candy you want to sell, and whether you will make it yourself. This will determine your target market. Types of candy to sell online: organic candy, nostalgic and classic candies, jelly beans, taffy, hard candies, chocolate candies, fruit candies, gummies, ethnic candies (Turkish, Mexican, Chinese).

2. Get an assumed name certificate (DBA) from your county clerk and choose a name for your online candy business, focusing on your target market. For example, if you will only sell taffy, naming your business "World of Taffy" would be appropriate.

3. Obtain a food manufacturing and food handling permit from your state's health department if you will be making the candies yourself. If you are buying candies wholesale, you will not need these permits.

4. Find a place to store your inventory. You can either rent a food grade warehouse, or use a space free of sunlight, that is temperature controlled, free of pets,and free of odors.

5. Choose a selling platform for your candy store. If you make your candies, try a site such as Etsy, 1000 Markets, or Foodzie. Otherwise, look into an e-commerce solution such as Shopify, BuyItSellIt, or Core Commerce.

Alternatively, you can get website hosting, a shopping cart program, and obtain a merchant account from a processor such as Authorize--going this route is more expensive and time consuming.

6. Buy a domain name from a company such as Network Solutions or Go Daddy.

7. Purchase candies wholesale, if you will not make them yourself, from a supplier such as Candy.com, Candy Direct, Groovy Candies or Candy Favorites.

8. Buy packaging for your candies that is FDA-approved for food contact--do this even if you are selling wrapped candies. You can find packaging from a company such as Nashville Wraps.

9. Take clear photos of your candies to display on your website. Having enticing photos is important since your customers will not be able to smell the candies before buying them.

Tags: your candies, candies wholesale, candies wholesale will, company such, from company, from company such

Vegetables & Fruits For Dogs

Vegetables & Fruits for Dogs

The next time you're wheeling your cart through the fruit and vegetable aisle, toss a few extra goodies into the basket for your dog. Most dogs will readily accept a variety of fruits and vegetables and most (but not all) are better for your pet than a processed dog snack. You may need to start slowly--some dogs are deeply attached to chemically enhanced, sausage-shaped snacks. If, however, you persist enthusiastically, your dog will come to look forward to a carrot stick just as much.

Benefits

Dr. Debbie Knapp, a veterinary medical oncologist and researcher in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Perdue Cancer Center studies invasive urinary bladder cancer (invasive urothelial carcinoma or InvUC) in dogs. Among her findings was the "...reduction in InvUC risk attributed to ingestion of vegetables. In fact, dogs in the study who consumed vegetables at least 3 times per week had a 70 percent reduction in bladder cancer risk."

Dangers

There are some fruits and vegetables that are unsuitable and even toxic to dogs. Corn is a common allergen and can cause stomach upset. Grapes, avocados and onions can cause more serious conditions. The ASPCA has advised against feeding grapes because "although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure." and points out that "The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs." Onions, the site states "can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage.

Choose Quality

Whenever possible, opt for organic. If the cost of an all-organic diet is prohibitive, consider avoiding the produce on the "dirty dozen" list and going for the "clean 15". The "dirty dozen" fruits and vegetables have been found to be the most contaminated by pesticide residues. According to the Environmental Working Group, pets and "people can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 80 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead."

Preparation

Dogs have a short digestive tract and lack the type of teeth needed to effectively grind food. Dr. Christina Chambreau, a homeopathic veterinarian and holistic educator, suggests pureeing fruits and vegetables in a juicer or food processor to aid nutrient absorption. Very fibrous vegetables can be cooked for 10 to 15 minutes to break them down enough the digest more easily.

Variety

Feed a broad variety of fruits and vegetables in a wide range of colors for the best possible nutrition. Some of the most dog-friendly vegetables are peas, carrots, squash, green beans and sweet potatoes. Fruits may require a little more encouragement, but many dogs like melon, bananas, apples, peaches and pears.

Strictly Vegetarian?

Dogs are omnivores, not carnivores, and can survive and thrive on a well-crafted vegetarian diet. Care must be taken to provide adequate protein, vitamin D, calcium and essential amino acids. There are commercial vegetarian dog foods available that are complete and balanced. If you choose to home prepare a vegetarian diet, speak with a veterinary nutritionist for the best outcome for your dog.

Tags: fruits vegetables, bladder cancer, dirty dozen, Fruits Dogs, most contaminated, variety fruits

Clean & Maintain The Kitchen Premises

Keep the kitchen looking its best by cleaning it regularly.

Cleaning your kitchen regularly is important not only to keep it looking its best, but also to remove all of the germs and bacteria that accumulate regularly in the kitchen area. There are several surfaces around the kitchen, and by making a homemade versatile cleaning solution, you can easily clean most of the surfaces with one basic mixture of household ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen cupboards. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Collect loose dust by sweeping the kitchen floor daily with a broom or static sweeper and wiping down counter tops, tables and other surfaces with a cleaning rag. To remove sticky buildup, wipe with a damp cleaning rag and wipe a damp mop over your kitchen floor.

2. Mix 1 gallon warm water in a bucket with 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 tsp. dish soap. Dip your mop into the bucket, wring the mop out and wipe across your kitchen floors. The diluted vinegar solution makes it safe for any kitchen floor surface while still strong enough to clean and disinfect. The dish soap assists in cutting through any food residue that may be on the kitchen floor. Let your floor air dry after cleaning.

3. Make an all-purpose cleaner in a spray bottle. Combine 3 cups warm water with 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 tsp. dish soap.

4. Spray this solution onto kitchen surfaces and wipe off with a damp cleaning rag. This works well on any type of kitchen surface including cabinetry, sinks, tables, counters and any other area that requires cleaning.

5. Fill a few bowls with about 1/2 cup each of baking soda. Place these around your kitchen to absorb odor and keep the kitchen smelling fresh. Open windows to let fresh air circulate, which is especially useful when cooking strong-smelling foods.

Tags: your kitchen, kitchen floor, dish soap, damp cleaning, looking best, surfaces with, vinegar dish

10 Careers You Can Have By Knowing About Food And Nutrition

Being a nutritionist is one job option you can consider.

Knowing about food and nutrition is not only beneficial for you and your family but also can serve you well in your professional life. If you have specialized training about food and proper nutrition, a number of jobs are available to you. Most positions require a bachelor's degree, although some jobs in the field require only specialized training.

Dietitian

Perhaps the most well-known career in the nutrition field is a dietitian. To become a dietitian, you'll have to have at least a bachelor's degree, and usually a master's degree. Dietitians specialize in planning diets and helping patients adopt a healthy eating regimen. Dietitians are trained to recognize when a patient may need a low-sodium diet to reduce the risk of heart disease, or know cut sugar and fat from a diet for an overweight patient. Other duties of dietitians include creating healthy eating programs for schools and hospitals as well as working with doctors to help patients learn healthy eating habits.

Nutritionist

Nutritionists are much like dietitians and have many of the same duties, although dietitians work more in clinical settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes. Nutritionists may work more with the public in schools and community programs, focusing on promoting awareness rather than diagnosing and planning meals for patients. Both positions require at least a bachelor's degree, and a license certified by your state of residence.

Dietetic Technician

Dietetic technicians work as assistants of sorts to professional dietitians. They work with dietitians to plan and provide meals, teach proper health and nutrition and work with patients one on one to help them meet specific needs. This occupation requires only a high school diploma supplemented with some post secondary vocational training in the field.

Food Service Manager

Those with a degree in a food-related field may be able to find work as a food service manager, or one who manages a restaurant, cafeteria or other similar establishment. This job is for a person who can handle multiple tasks at a time, such as managing the kitchen, planning meals and other foods that coincide with the theme of the restaurant and keeping customers satisfied during their visit. This job usually requires a bachelor's degree, but managers can sometimes get a job with just a two-year degree.

Health Educator

Health educators formally organize lectures, conventions or other events within the community to promote health awareness and teach individuals about health and nutrition. Although it may sound simple, this is actually a multifaceted job in which the educator plans an event, books a venue and makes other arrangements and promotes the event. To get an entry level job in this field, you must at least have a bachelor's degree, but a graduate degree is highly preferred.

Registered Nurse

Being a nurse is a versatile option for those with knowledge of food and nutrition. You can become a nurse with a post-secondary certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree, depending on the level of work you wish to pursue. Nurses work with doctors to treat patients, so a nurse with a specialization in nutrition may work with doctors who help obese patients or those with heart problems, for example.

Nutritional Writer

Because of increased interest in health and nutrition in the general public, certified nutritionists or other nutrition professionals have been hired to write about nutrition for magazines, newspapers or blogs. You'll need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a nutrition-related field, but it would be beneficial to also have formal training in writing. The education required would be much the same as that for a nutritionist or dietitian job.

Public Relations Manager

Companies that produce food products need a public relations manager to handle information about the company and its products and to act as a liaison between the company and the press/general public. PR managers may produce pamphlets, brochures and other information about a company's products and use marketing and advertising tools to promote the products to consumers, restaurants and other target markets. A degree in advertising or journalism with an emphasis in PR, along with nutrition training, will help you get a job in food public relations.

Research Assistant

With the increase in interest in health-related content, there's an ever-present need for new research and knowledge about different foods and chemicals and how they affect the body. Research assistants help food professionals analyze foods and produce information about different products. A research assistant would need to be trained not only in the areas of food and nutrition but also in research methods, so taking research classes while obtaining your nutrition degree would be a good idea if you want to pursue this line of work.

Management Dietitian

Management dietitians usually oversee work in large facilities, such as prisons, health care organizations, or corporate cafeterias. These managers do the meal planning, oversee the cooking and distribution of the food and handle all incoming products. Although knowledge of nutrition and food is necessary, business experience and management skills also play a vital role in succeeding in this career. Double-majoring in both business management and nutrition will help you get a job as a management dietitian.

Tags: bachelor degree, work with, health nutrition, healthy eating, information about, least bachelor

How Long To Cook Meat On A Smoker Barbecue

Ribs are one of many meats you can cook on a smoke barbecue.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes recommendations on long to smoke meat. Thaw frozen, raw meat completely in the refrigerator. If you pre-cook meat in a microwave or conventional oven, don't allow lag time between the pre-cooking and smoking. Use both an oven thermometer to test the heat of the smoking barbecue, and an internal meat thermometer to see that you have the smoking process hot enough. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Steaks, Roasts and Chops

The USDA recommends cooking raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Expert barbecue smokers recommend cooking brisket and pork butt at 225 degrees for 90 minutes per pound. Aim for the finished internal temperatures for sliced brisket at 180 degrees, pulled brisket at 195 degrees, sliced pork butt at 175 degrees, and pulled pork butt between 190 and 205 degrees. Cooking times may vary with the size of the meat.

Ground Meat

Cook all raw, ground meat to an internal finished temperature of 160 degrees. A meat loaf with the barbecue smoking temperature between 250 and 300 degrees takes 3 hours to cook. For spare ribs, get the temperature of the barbecue smoke anywhere from 225 to 240 degrees. Cook spare ribs for 6 hours with a finished internal temperature of 175 degrees. Baby back rips require heat from 225 to 240 degrees. Cook them for 5 hours to a finished internal temperature of 168 degrees.

Chicken

A safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees. To smoke-barbecue a whole chicken, plan on 4 hours of cooking time at 250 degrees. A large roasting chicken may take longer. Your finished internal temperature for a whole chicken is 167 degrees, with the thermometer pushed in the thickest part of the chicken breast. Chicken thighs require your smoke barbecue heat at 250 degrees for 90 minutes with an ending internal temperature of 167 degrees. Chicken Quarters also cook at 250 degrees. Quarters need 3 hours with 167 degrees internally at finish.

Turkey

When cooking turkey, your smoking barbecue should be big enough for the bird. The USDA cautions against using non-cooking canisters for smoke barbecuing turkeys. Residual chemicals in non-cooking containers can transfer to food. An average 12-lb. turkey takes 6 1/2 hours at 240 degrees, with a finished internal temperature of 170 degrees taken from the thickest part of the turkey breast. A turkey leg cooks in 4 hours at 250 degrees, with an ending internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Tags: internal temperature, temperature degrees, internal temperature degrees, finished internal, finished internal temperature, degrees with

Feed A Dog Rice

Feeding your dog rice can ease its stomach problems.

Diarrhea in older dogs is a normal occurrence when they have eaten something that doesn't agree with their stomach, such as bugs, grass, dead this-or-that. When dogs suffer from diarrhea, they can benefit from a modified diet, especially one that decreases protein and increases gluten-free carbohydrates, such as rice. Feeding a dog rice over a period of five days can help ease its stomach problems. As with any diet modifications, you should consult your veterinarian first, especially if you have a puppy. Diarrhea in puppies could be a sign of a serious problem.

Instructions

1. Give your dog a bowl of water and nothing else on the first day. This is to keep him hydrated and not upset his stomach further.

2. Prepare 1 cup of white or brown rice, as you normally would for human consumption, on the second day. Offer the dog 2 tbsp. rice every two hours. If the dog tolerates the rice, increase servings to 1/4 cup every two hours.

3. Make a chicken, egg and rice mixture on the third day. Cook 1 cup of white or brown rice and boil 1 pound of chicken livers along with 2 eggs. Grind the chicken livers and peeled eggs to a fine consistency in a food processor, then mix it with the rice. Give your dog 2 tbsp. of the mixture every two hours, then offer 1/4 cup every two hours when you see that the dog is tolerating it well.

4. Mix 1 cup of white or brown rice with 1 cup of your dog's regular food on the fourth day. Give him 1/2 cup of this mixture every two hours.

5. Return to your dog's regular diet on the fifth day.

Tags: every hours, brown rice, white brown, white brown rice, chicken livers

Frugal Garden Tips

Make your garden a stress-free zone with a few frugal tips.

Frugal gardening is a win-win situation. Many money-saving tips and thrifty methods for green thumbs help the environment and simplify your gardening experience as they decrease expenses. Investing wisely in your garden may pay off down the line, as a garden increases the overall value of your home; the American Society of Landscape Architects and "Money" magazine report a 100 to 200 percent return on investment for quality landscaping projects.

Shopping Tips

Come up with a simple plan for your garden before buying anything. Decide on a herb garden, a vegetable garden, a unified color scheme or another streamlined theme and keep to the plan when shopping to avoid frivolous purchases. Stick to home remedies like making your own compost or using baking soda as an insecticide to save money at the garden store. Visit wholesale plant outlets or local greenhouses or join the National Arbor Day Foundation to get cheap seeds, plants and saplings. Avoid gas-powered gardening tools; go manual to save money at retail, reduce emissions and cut down on gasoline costs.

Planting Tips

Don't waste money on plants that aren't likely to pan out. Avoid buying seeds for plants that have failed in the past; observe plants that are flourishing in your neighbors' gardens and follow suit. Choose native plants to increase your chances of a worthwhile investment. Use self-naturalizing bulbs to keep growing new flowers year after year without purchasing new bulbs and plant shade trees to lower carbon emissions and save up to 25 percent on your cooling bills.

Water Conservation

Conserving water in the garden not only reduces your utility bills, it cuts down on environmental strain. To put money in your pocket and save the planet, remove water-sucking weeds and improve vital drainage by regularly aerating your garden's soil. Use drip watering to efficiently water your garden and mulch to retain moisture. Plan your garden's layout ahead of time and group plants with similar watering needs near each other to reduce waste. Set out rain collection bins and recycle natural water as it accumulates.

Prevention

Invasive plants and animals -- such as ivies, vines and hungry deer -- can ruin gardens, leading to costly reconstruction efforts. Spend a little money up front to avoid spending a lot of money in the future. Consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture's list of invasive plants and weeds and visit your local USDA cooperative extension system office to learn prevent local invasives. Use cheap and natural pest repellents -- including bloodmeal for deer, castor oil for moles and onion or garlic powder for beetles -- to ward off potentially damaging garden pests.

Tags: your garden, plants that, save money, seeds plants

Spelt Flour Characteristics

Spelt has a hard husk.

Despite once being a very important ingredient in the European diet in Medieval times, spelt was only introduced into the United States recently because its tough husk makes it harder to cultivate than wheat. It is growing in popularity thanks to the rise of organic foods because it requires fewer fertilizers than wheat. It can be purchased in health food stores and some larger grocery stores. Add this to my Recipe Box.

What Is It?

Spelt flour has been used in Europe for thousands of years; however, it was not introduced into the United States until the 1890s. It is wheat-free, making it a handy ingredient in pastas and breads for people suffering from wheat intolerance. It is a grain with a hard outer shell and is finely milled. Despite being wheat-free, it belongs to the same family of grains.

Taste

It has a rich, nutty and sweet flavor that makes tasty bread; oats, sunflower seeds and other types of seed are often added. Spelt pasta is soft and exhibits the same nutty flavor as spelt bread.

Uses

It is used in baking to make breads and cookies, as well as wheat-free pasta. When baking, it needs a little less water than wheat flour because it is more soluble. SpeIt is slightly lighter than wholemeal flour. It is also sold in its grain form, to be eaten like rice. It should be rinsed and soaked before cooking in the same manner and can be used to make risotto.

Nutrition

Spelt flour is high in protein and low in calories. It is also lower in fiber than wheat. Although it is suitable for people with wheat intolerance, it should not be consumed by people following a gluten-free diet. It is also a source of vitamin B2 and minerals and is considered a whole food.

Tags: than wheat, into United, into United States, introduced into, introduced into United, Spelt flour, United States

Care For Cockapoos

Cockapoo

A cockapoo is a dog that is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Cockapoos are friendly, loyal dogs that are good for owners who don't have large yards. Like poodles, they have low-dander fur and don't shed much, making them appropriate pets for allergy sufferers, and they have a cocker spaniel's friendliness and steadfast loyalty. In general, caring for a cockapoo isn't much different from caring for any other breed, but there are some breed-specific qualities that need extra attention.

Instructions

Ear Care

1. Keep the fur around your cockapoo's ears well-trimmed. Its long ears make it prone to infections and wax buildup, so the ear canals should be free of long hair. Trim the fur around your dog's ear canals with fingernail scissors. Hold the scissors parallel to the ear and snip the hair, gently brushing it out with your fingers as you cut. Start trimming the dog's ears when it is a puppy to get it used to the process, and check the ears weekly to make sure they're clean.

2. Keep the cockapoo's ears free of wax, but don't use a cotton swab to clean your dog's ears, because you can push the dirt and wax farther inside. Instead, gently rub a drop or two of shampoo or gentle dish-washing detergent on the wax, and flush it out with an ear syringe and warm water. Let the dog shake its head a lot as you clean its ears so it can fling the dirt and wax out. Like people, some dogs have more earwax than others, but keeping a cockapoo's ears well-groomed will help prevent buildup.

3. Trim the fur at the tips of the dog's ears to keep it clean and free of dirt and dog food. Cockapoos' long ears tend to drag in whatever they're eating or playing in.

General Cockapoo Care

4. Use a topical flea medicine (such as Advantage or Frontline) monthly. Check the cockapoo for fleas and ticks when you're brushing it.

5. Brush or comb your cockapoo at least once a week to prevent its fur from getting matted. Start brushing the dog when it is still a puppy to get it used to the process.

6. Trim the hair over your cockapoo's eyes to keep its eyes clean and allow it to see.

7. Trim your dog's nails once a month. Use dog nail clippers and cut just past where the curve starts in order to avoid snipping the nerve ending in the nail. Have a vet or groomer do this if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

8. Wash your dog monthly with a gentle shampoo. It's not necessary to have a cockapoo professionally groomed, but some owners find them more attractive with regular bimonthly haircuts. Haircuts also keep the dogs cooler in the summer. A professional groomer can also help you with ear care and nail grooming.

9. Give your cockapoo durable toys to play with. Cockapoos aren't usually destructive, but toys should be strong with no parts that they can choke on. Strong latex squeak toys, rawhide, and rope bones are good toys for cockapoos.

10. Walk your dog at least twice a day. Cockapoos do fine without lots of space to run, but they do need regular exercise.

Tags: your cockapoo, cockapoo ears, around your, cocker spaniel, long ears, puppy used, puppy used process

Be A Good Homemaker

“Domestic engineer” is what is written on resumes. Call it what you like, but a homemaker is one of the most important jobs in the world. You do it all - nurse, event planner, chauffeur, maid, educator and just about everything else under the sun. It can be overwhelming, if not downright crazy. You can’t forget all the pressure you feel. Smile and take a deep breath. You are doing something many would never be able to do.

Instructions

1. Put family first. Home is the first part of homemaker, so it should take precedence over everything else. Without your family, you would a “house-maker.” Husband and children always comes before the dishes, the soccer games and even that bubble bath you desperately need. Without them, you would be without this wonderful, wacky job. They are, after all, why you do all that you do.

2. Get organized. It may take a little time, but get on a schedule and make lists. Make lots of lists. Develop plans for cleaning, childcare, events outside the home, and yourself, everything that is going on in your life. Create a housekeeping checklist. Set aside certain days and specific times to clean. Spread out the work so you aren't doing everything in one day. Make sure everyone is pitching in and helping. You don't have to do everything all by yourself. Also, create a family checklist. Make time for fun, games and just talking and listening.

3. Stay organized. No matter what life throws at you, stick with those schedules and list, but be flexible at the same time. Little Tommy will break his arm, or Tom will bring half the office for dinner without letting you know. Learn to roll with it; shift those schedules and re-work your lists to accommodate the latest glitch. As soon as the hiccup passes, you are back on track without getting too far off course. Find faster and more efficient ways to use your time. This will take some experimentation. Each family is different, so find what works for yours and stick with it.

4. Have fun. Enjoy yourself and your family. Don’t forget that is OK to take the afternoon off to get your nails done. Manicures, or whatever it is that you like to do just for yourself, definitely should be on one of your many lists. There will be times when you have to let everything else go and take care of yourself. You can’t take care of your family and home if you aren’t taking care of yourself.

Tags: everything else, your family, care yourself, have everything, stick with, take care, those schedules

Beef Recall & Its Economic Effects

The number of meat recalls, especially of beef, has increased since the 1990s thanks to a series of safety-related concerns, such as salmonella, the E. coli bacteria and "Mad Cow" disease. In addition to issues of food safety, beef recalls have economic effects as well, related to prices, exports of American beef, and the economic health of beef producers.

History

The largest beef recall in U.S. history occurred in 2008, when 143 million pounds of beef was recalled after U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors found abusive practices, including the processing of ill cattle, at the processing plant from which the beef originated. A previous recall in 2007 involved 21 million pounds of frozen beef that may have been infected with the deadly E. coli bacteria.

Theories/Speculation

Economic theories of supply and demand suggest that a large beef recall would not only remove large amounts from beef from grocers, reducing the supply, but also could result in safety-conscious consumers purchasing less beef. Beef recalls could result in increased demand and thus, higher prices for other meats, such as chicken and pork, as consumers substitute these products for beef.

Effects

Research in 2002 by agricultural economists found that beef recalls appear to have a negative impact on cattle futures prices, but only in the short term. Any long-term change in the demand for beef resulting from recalls likely occurs over an extended period, according to the research article, published in the Agriculture and Resource Economics Review.

The Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that beef purchases declined for two weeks after a December 2003 announcement that a cow in the state of Washington was infected with Mad Cow disease. ERS further reported, however, that consumer behavior then returned to pre-announcement levels.

Geography

The impact of the 2003 announcement in Washington state of Mad Cow disease had a greater effect on U.S. beef exports. Japan, a leading importer of American beef, banned U.S. beef imports for two years after the announcement. More than 60 other nations placed restrictions on U.S. beef as well, and exports dropped sharply. By 2007, overseas sales of U.S. beef had increased but remained short of pre-announcement levels.

Significance

Large beef recalls can have a devastating effect on individual beef producers. This was the case in 2007 after the recall of frozen beef produced by a Topps Meat Company facility in New Jersey. Less than two weeks after the recall, Topps, then the nation's largest producer of frozen hamburger patties, went out of business. This resulted in laid off employees and the loss of jobs in areas in which the company operated.

Potential

An increase in beef recalls has the potential to negatively affect the health of beef producers. Increased recalls could trigger more stringent regulatory actions by the government, which could raise beef prices for consumers. Consumer purchases could shift toward other meats, thanks to higher prices and perhaps deeper concerns about the safety of beef.

Tags: beef recalls, beef producers, 2003 announcement, after recall, American beef

Homemade Chicken Broth

Chicken noodle soup begins with the broth.

Egg noodles, enchiladas and matzo balls need rich, chicken broth to bring out their best qualities. "If the enchilada sauce does not have chicken broth in it, it will be no good. This is one of our secrets to great Mexican food," states Elizabeth McWhorter, of My Home Cooking. Well-made broth uses the bones, skin and fat, which is where all the body, flavor, vitamins and minerals are. The long simmer mingles the flavors and pulls the rich essence of the chicken into the liquid to create nourishing, comforting chicken soup base. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Add split chicken parts with skin, bones and fat to a 10 qt. or larger stockpot with a colander insert. Fill the pot with water until it is 1 inch above the chicken. The colander insert makes it easier to remove the bones and skin from the broth later.

2. Add one large, diced Bermuda or Vidalia onion, three ribs diced celery and 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley to the pot. Mash the two tofu blocks into a thick paste, adding the sea salt, turmeric and black pepper. Pour the mixture into the stockpot with the chicken and other ingredients.

3. Bring the contents of the pot to a rolling boil for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every five minutes to ensure that the meat and skin do not stick to the bottom of the colander. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, on low heat for another 20 to 30 minutes. Simmering releases the collagen from the bones.

4. Remove all the chicken, bones and skin to a platter. Spread everything out so it cools faster. When cool, remove all chicken and skin from the bones and chop it coarsely. Return the meat and skin to the pot and discard the bones.

5. Set the colander insert aside. Allow the broth to cool until the fat congeals. Remove fat and reserve it in a separate, tightly covered, refrigerated container to make matzo balls and egg noodles.

6. Strain the broth to ensure that you did not miss any bones. Return any shredded chicken to the pot. Store broth in square-sided containers with tight lids and keep frozen until needed.

Tags: bones skin, colander insert, chicken broth, ensure that, from bones

Field Trip Activities To A Supermarket

Field trips to the grocery store can teach students about nutrition.

Field trips provide students with an opportunity to experience hands-on various locations in their community. The supermarket is an excellent choice for a field trip, especially for younger children. Not only does such a field trip connect students to their community, it also connects them to the foods they eat. Visiting the supermarket also provides an opportunity to teach them about nutrition, math, measurements and occupations.

Nutrition

Field trips to the supermarket offer an excellent opportunity for children to learn about nutrition. As you explore the aisles, talk to your students about the different food groups and how the different foods you encounter fit into the food pyramid. Show students read and understand nutrition labels. Divide older students into groups and ask them to choose foods from each of the food groups as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture, My Pyramid: grains, vegetables, fruits, oils and fats, dairy and meat and beans. Talk about which foods should be eaten often, and which should be eaten sparingly. Encourage younger children to fill a basket with produce of every color.

Weights and Measurements

A field trip to the grocery store provides an opportunities for students to learn about weights and measurements. In the produce section, demonstrate choose and weigh fruits and vegetables. In the canned foods section, ask students to find out how many ounces a particular item contains. Look at beverages for pints and liters.

Occupations

A field trip to the supermarket teaches students about occupations. Talk to students about the different jobs people perform to keep the supermarket running smoothly, and the different departments they work in. Discuss the roles performed by workers in the bakery, produce and dairy sections of the store. Meet cashiers, customer service, management and janitorial staff. Explain how students can pursue a career in a supermarket, and the skills and education needed to perform various tasks.

Money and Budget

Before leaving for the supermarket, demonstrate use a budget to buy groceries by making a class grocery list. Determine an amount of money to be spent and items needed. In the supermarket, demonstrate choose items to stay on budget. Let students mark off items on the list as they are placed in the cart. When students have chosen their items, ask cashier to demonstrate how she rings up items, takes money and gives change at the cash register. Talk about how the cashier uses addition and subtraction to calculate totals. Back in the classroom, give students an opportunity to be the customer and the cashier, making their purchases and returning change using fake money.

Food Production

Visiting the supermarket provides an opportunity to talk to students about where the food they eat comes from. With your class, observe how different foods arrive at the supermarket; some in cans, others in boxes or frozen. Visit the bakery department to watch foods being prepared. Discuss how food is canned or prepared before it is sold. Talk about the ways in which food is transported from place to place, in trucks, trains or from local farmers. Houghton Mifflin suggests visiting the receiving department to see how food is unloaded and then stocked in the store. Talk about the importance of limiting their consumption of processed foods.

Tags: students about, Talk about, about nutrition, field trip, Field trips, about different, demonstrate choose

Eat A Yogic Diet

While there is no such thing as a diet required for the practice of yoga, the yogic tradition does include quite a bit of advice on the subject of food. Yoga is intimately related to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian health science. The dietary guidelines of Ayurveda can (and do) fill several books. However, there are some simple guidelines that can get students started in a more yogic method of eating.

Instructions

1. Consider whether you are willing to eat a vegetarian diet. One of the moral codes associated with yoga is non-violence, and many yogis interpret this to mean that they should not eat animals. Meat is also not generally considered to be a healthy food according to Ayurveda. Vegetarian yogis typically do not eat eggs, either, but do use milk and other dairy products.

2. Eat a variety of fresh, whole foods. Prana, which roughly translates as life energy, is believed to reside in fresh foods (among other places) so eating them is healthful. Also, preparing food with your hands adds even more prana, and whole food ingredients often require preparation of this type. Food that sits for a long time, including packaged food, contains less of this vital energy.

3. Don't overindulge. A traditional guideline is to fill half your stomach with food and a quarter with water, leaving part empty. This aids digestion and encourages proper attitudes toward food. It is also important to avoid overindulgence in salt, very spicy or sour foods, and stimulants including tea, coffee, and chocolate, since these foods are considered to cause imbalances in the body and mind.

4. Fast occasionally for at least 24 hours. Fasting is an important part of the yogic dietary tradition. During these fasts it is beneficial to keep drinking plenty of water.

5. Enjoy your food. Although it is important not to overindulge in eating, the Ayurvedic tradition supports the importance of a pleasant flavor. It is also good to cultivate an attitude of mindfulness while you eat: to eat slowly, perhaps with friends, and not to rush through meals or snack while engaged in other activities.

6. Avoid beginning strenuous activities immediately after meals.

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What Do I Need To Start A Candy Store

There are many types of candy stores.

Candy stores are frequented by people of all ages, and are very popular on holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. When starting a candy store, there are many directions you can take, from opening a Parisian-style confectionery to an old-fashioned candy shop. No matter what type of candy store you plan to open, there are a few things you'll need to consider.

A Target Market

You need to choose a target market or niche for your candy business. For instance, you may want to specialize in selling chocolates, homemade taffy, nostalgic candy, organic and sugar-free candies or luxury candies made with exotic ingredients. Alternatively, instead of specializing in a specific type of candy, you can tailor the atmosphere of your store to a specific type of customer.

Location

Candy stores do best when they are in a high-traffic location. Candy is typically an impulse purchase, so having a steady amount of people passing by is ideal. Appropriate spots for a candy store include a mall booth, kiosk or shop in a busy shopping center, on a street that gets a good amount of foot traffic or near a school.

Local Permits

The type of permits you will need for your candy store depends upon whether you plan on making any of the candy yourself. If so, you will likely need to obtain a food enterprise permit, food manger certification and food handler permits from your city. If your state collects sales tax, you may need a Tax Identification Number or resale certificate. At the minimum, most people opening a candy store will need an assumed name certificate (DBA) from their county and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

Retail Supplies

Organized candy stores tend to attract and retain customers, so it's important that you have enough supplies before opening for business. Aside from shelving, jars and containers to hold the candy, you will need plastic scoops, scales if you plan to sell candy by weight, refrigerated counters if you plan to retail chocolates, signage to help customers find the candy they're looking for, shopping bags and shopping carts or baskets.

Inventory and Services

Candy will be the largest part of your inventory, and you can purchase it in bulk from a wholesale supplier or manufacture it yourself. Aside from candy, consider offering services such as candy bouquets, candy corsages, candy gift delivery in your local area and bulk sales of candy for events such as weddings and conventions.

Tags: candy store, will need, Aside from, Identification Number, specific type

Use Sprouted Grains For Health

Use Sprouted Grains for Health

One of the most nutritious, economical foods we can eat today are sprouts. Seeds can be sprouted or germinated easily, in just a few days, right in your kitchen. Or you can purchase sprouts in grocery stores or health food stores. Sprouts are an inexpensive way to get fresh produce in your diet.

Sprouts are a "live" food, meaning they contain everything necessary to grow a full-grown plant, and will provide you with much energy that lasts. Sprouts are full of enzymes, which helps with digestion.

If sprouting seeds is not what you want to do, sprouts and foods made from sprouted seeds, can be purchased in health food stores as well as some regular grocery stores in the refrigerated section.

We will explore some ways you can use sprouts for health in your daily life. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Using Sprouts as a Vegetable

1. Sprouts are an inexpensive vegetable full of all the vitamins your body requires, such as vitamin B, C, A and more. Common varieties, such as alfalfa and clover sprouts, are found in the refrigerated produce section of grocery store.

Next time you make your favorite sandwich or wrap, try using alfalfa or clover sprouts in it , instead of the usual lettuce. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the refreshing flavor sprouts will add These sprouts are mild enough for the whole family to enjoy. If you want added spiciness, use the radish sprouts--very tasty! Stuff your omelet with alfalfa sprouts or sprinkle them on top of your favorite egg dish.

2. Other types of sprouts can be usually found in large, health food stores, such as broccoli sprouts. You'll find the seeds there to make your own if the sprouts are not available. Broccoli sprouts have around 50 times more antioxidants than the full grown broccoli you are used to eating and are excellent for preventing cancer.

Add broccoli sprouts to your soups and stews next time you make some. Add to an existing, fresh salad or make a sprout salad of broccoli sprouts mixed with clover and alfalfa sprouts. Stir-fry broccoli sprouts along with other vegetables for added flavor and nutrition.

3. Beans can also be easily and quickly sprouted and are usually found in large, health food stores or you would need to sprout your own. To sprout legumes or beans, soak them first in a mason jar with fresh water for about 14 hours, rinsing with water at least once during this time. It only takes a day to sprout and you'll see the little roots. You can sprout most beans, such as black, pinto, kidney, lima, navy, mung beans, black-eyed peas, lentils (must be whole, not split) and adzuki.

Add mung bean or lentil sprouts to your soups, stews, making them heartier and healthier. Or you can mix them with soft cheese, like cream cheese, to make a delicious, nutritious sandwich spread or vegetable dip. Try serving your bean sprouts as a side dish, drizzled with butter, olive or flax seed oil.

Sprouted Bread and Sprouted Brown Rice

4. There are tortillas and wraps you can purchase which are made entirely of sprouted seeds--no flour. Sprouts can be made from wheat, barley, buckwheat, spelt, rye, just to name a few. By the way, sprouted wheat is easily tolerated by those who cannot eat wheat flour or gluten. Sprouted wheat is one of the sprouts found in all sprouted breads you purchase and is high in nutrition, including protein. It is also easy to sprout at home.

Sprouted tortillas and wraps taste much, much better than those made with regular flour and are high in protein. You'll have enough energy to last all day. These wraps are "live" so they are found in the refrigerated section of health food stores and some grocery stores.

So, instead of the usual eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast, how about a breakfast burrito with sprouted grains! You can roll up your eggs, cheese, tomatoes, or anything else you want in a breakfast burrito and you will soon have a wholesome, filling meal. It only takes a few seconds to heat a wrap in a skillet on both sides, so it becomes softer for rolling.

Use your imagination and fill your sprouted wraps with other food or leftovers.

5. Add more flavor to your sandwiches by making them with sprouted bread. These loaves are kept frozen and are found in the freezer section of grocery stores with other frozen breads, pizzas, etc. Sprouted bread is perfect for those concerned with losing weight, since it is processed differently by the body than regular, starchy, flour-type breads are. Sprouted bread has the added benefit of being higher in protein as well as numerous other vitamins and minerals and again, this is a "live" food.

Toast becomes much more interesting with thick slices of sprouted bread, drizzled with butter or flax seed oil. French toast is more delicious than ever. Sandwiches have a robust flavor and are more filling when using sprouted bread.

6. Brown rice is already highly nutritious, mainly because the hull is retained, which contains iron, vitamins and minerals, and much fiber (white rice has the hull removed and is dead--it cannot be sprouted). Sprouted brown rice is a special health treat--much more nutritious than brown rice. Sprouting brown rice, a practice that originated in Japan, increases the amount of vitamins and minerals, iron and even protein.

It only takes about 24 hours to sprout brown rice by simply placing the amount of brown rice you desire in a mason jar, adding twice as much water so it can soak. After 12 hours, rinse, pouring the water out and add the same amount of water again. Soak for another 12 hours.

Brown rice sprouts have about 1/8 inch long root, very tiny. If the rice sprout roots are not seen after 24 hours, repeat this process for another 12 hours. Prepare your brown rice as usual but note that it will certainly take less time to cook, approximately 20 minutes compared to 50 minutes. Those who eat raw will want to eat this sprouted rice as is, since it is much softer than it was originally.

Tags: food stores, health food, health food stores, grocery stores, broccoli sprouts

Save Money With Coupons Find Printable Coupons Online

Clip coupons and save money! Coupon websites are a great source for bargain shoppers to find printable coupons online.

Are you looking for ways to save money on grocery bills? Coupons are a great way to save money on groceries, at the drug store, and at department stores like Target and Wal-Mart. The internet is a great source of coupons, but where do you find coupons online? Try the following tips to find printable coupons on the web using manufacturer websites and coupon websites. Before you know it, you'll be clipping coupons for diapers, Clorox bleach and other cleaning supplies, General Mills products, Kraft products, and much, much more!

Instructions

1. Begin by creating a shopping list for the week's groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper products and other items. When looking online for coupons, it's best to have a list on-hand so you can search for coupons for a particular product or type of item. You can then make note when you find a printable coupon online for a certain product.

2. Visit the grocery store website, drug store website, or the Target or Wal-Mart website. Begin by searching the store websites for printable coupons or sale information. Only search the stores that you routinely visit in any given week. Try to limit the number of stores you visit to save on time and gas, but be flexible. Save on a grocery shopping bill one week by visiting Star Market; save money on grocery bills the following week by using coupons at Publix.

3. Visit CouponMountain.com. Save money with coupons from CouponMountain, which are available for print-out. Unlike many coupon websites, CouponMountain does not require any registration to search for and print out coupons online. Here you'll find coupons to save on shopping trips at the grocery store, drug store and at stores like Target. You'll find coupons for products and coupons for specific stores too. Coupon clippers can also sign up for notifications when new coupons are available for a certain product or store.

4. Visit Coupons.com. Coupons.com is a great place to browse printable coupons online. This coupon website has a great search feature that enables bargain shoppers to search for coupons online by product or category (i.e. groceries). On this coupon website, you'll find printable coupons for products from General Mills, Kraft, Johnson & Johnson and S.C. Johnson, Clorox and Pampers, among many others.

5. Find coupons online by visiting manufacturer websites and product websites. Do you still have items on your shopping list that you don't have a coupon for? You can find coupons by visiting the individual manufacturer or product's website.

Tags: coupons online, drug store, find coupons, find printable, printable coupons, bargain shoppers

Cleanse A Damaged Liver

Although many pre-fabricated liver cleanses exist on the market, the gentlest, most effective and most affordable liver cleanse can be found in your own kitchen. Learn cleanse your liver in a safe and gentle way.

Instructions

The Cleansing Diet: Rice Porridge and Vegetables

1. Prepare brown rice porridge. Known as "congee" in China, this porridge is easy to digest and will allow your liver to heal itself naturally. To make the congee, boil one cup of brown rice in three cups of filtered or spring water for one to two hours. Stir frequently. You will know the congee is fully cooked when all of the water has been absorbed and the rice is creamy.

2. Add steamed vegetables. Eating a variety of colorful vegetables is necessary for liver cleansing. Bitter greens like kale and collard greens have highly cleansing properties. Place harder root vegetables in the steamer basket first, and leafy greens last. Eat steamed sweet potatoes, carrots, red cabbage, kale or collard greens together with rice porridge as a meal. Eat whatever vegetables appeal to you, but avoid nightshades like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Steam vegetables until they are tender but their color is still bright. Reserve the water left in the pot as it is full of nutrients. Steep a green tea bag in the vegetable water and drink with the meal.

3. Eat fruit whenever you crave sugar. It is best to eat harder, temperate climate fruit. If you are really craving sweets, a small amount of tropical fruit or dried fruit will do the trick.

4. Chew your food well. Chew your rice and vegetables 50 to 100 times before swallowing. Mixing your food with saliva activates the healing enzymes in the food, makes it easier to digest, and prevents you from overeating. Overeating even healthy food causes liver damage, so eat slowly and stop when your stomach is three-quarters full.

Liver Cleansing Herbs

5. Squeeze half of a fresh lemon into a cup of hot water every morning and drink it upon arising. Fresh lemon juice is a strong liver cleanser.

6. Drink a cup of herbal tea three times a day, before each meal. To brew the tea, first fill a 4-quart stainless steel sauce pan (not aluminum) with filtered or spring water. Boil the following herb mixture: 1/2 part fenugreek,1/4 part fresh ginger, one-inch square of kombu seaweed, 1/4 part dandelion root, 1/4 part licorice root, 1/8 part fennel, 1/8 part red clover. The tea should be bitter but drinkable.

7. Strain tea from herbs before drinking and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Make fresh tea every two days.

Easy Enemas

8. Do a series of enemas after 2 weeks of cleansing. Use an enema bag or empty fleet enema bottle. If you use the fleet enema bottle, be sure to empty out the solution that comes in the bottle and rinse the bottle well before using.

9. Start with a warm water and lemon juice enema. Fill the bottle with warm, but not hot, water and fresh lemon juice. Insert solution into rectum. Lie down on a towel on the floor. Rest on your right side for five minutes. Rest on your left side for 5 minutes. Expel solution.

10. Immediately follow with an herbal tea enema. Fill bottle with half warm water and half the herbal tea recipe listed above. Insert solution into rectum. Rest in a modified dog position for 5 minutes (on your hands and knees, resting your head and arms on the ground, rear end in the air). Rest on your right side for 5 minutes. Rest on your left side for 5 minutes, then expel solution.

Gentle Exercise

11. Take a daily, half-hour walk to activate your lymph system and increase blood flow to your liver. Gentle exercise is key to cleansing effectively.

12. Do yoga or tai-chi, as they are excellent aids to a liver cleanse. Your cleansing period is a good time to try a yoga class or tai-chi class.

13. Refrain from heavy or strenuous exercise while cleaning. Your body is repairing itself and you need to let it rest. This is not a good time for weight lifting or manual labor.

Tags: Rest your, lemon juice, side minutes, warm water, your liver, bottle with

Examples Of Economic Factors

Currency value is one economic factor that can affect businesses.

Economic factors are variables that influence a company's capacity to successfully do business. They may be beneficial or detrimental, and the same factor can have either a positive or negative impact depending on its current status or the type of business it is affecting. Although economic factors create the climate in which a business operates, the success or failure of any company also strongly depends on its own resourcefulness and ability to adapt to these external economic factors.

Taxes

Taxes are an economic factor that affects the financial well being of a business by cutting into its profit or by providing incentives in the form of tax breaks for certain types of business activities. State and local governments with high taxes discourage business activity by raising operating costs and making business less profitable. High employment taxes can discourage businesses from hiring new employees, and tax breaks for activities such as investment in business infrastructure can make a business more likely to purchase equipment.

Interest Rates

Interest rates determine the cost of borrowing money. It costs more to borrow at a high interest rate than at a lower one. Because most businesses borrow money in order to expand, and even to finance day-to-day business activities, high interest rates can slow the growth of business activity. But low interest rates can increase the risk of inflation by making capital so easily available that it isn't worth as much. Shrewd monetary policy involves keeping interest rates low when it is more important to stimulate economic growth, and raising them when there is danger of inflation.

Unemployment

Unemployment is an economic factor that affects business activity by influencing the amount of disposable income that consumers have available, and also by affecting wage scales. Because unemployed people subsist on less than a full income, they spend less money than if they were fully employed. A high unemployment rate slows business activity by cutting into consumer spending. In addition, a high unemployment rate creates market conditions where the supply of labor is greater than the demand of businesses for labor, enabling businesses to pay lower wages.

Tags: business activity, economic factor, economic factor that, factor that, business activities, cutting into, economic factors

Exclusive Italian Restaurants In New York City

Outside of Italy, New York City is the best place to find exclusive Italian restaurants.

The New York City dining scene is overflowing with Italian eateries. You can find one of every specialty, style and historic significance on every sidewalk and side street. Indeed, the very idea of the NYC Italian restaurant has taken on a cult-like status, immortalized in Billy Joel's song "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." Yet, while there are many delectable joints, each with its own devoted followers, only a select few can truly be considered "exclusive." Regular folks, be forewarned: getting a seat may take a small miracle. Mangia! Add this to my Recipe Box.

Harry Cipriani

Fifth Avenue's Harry Cipriani is more than an Italian restaurant: it's a cultural legend. The restaurant and bar were lovingly designed to be an almost exact replica of the original Harry's Bar in Venice, since declared a national landmark. Harry Cipriani is a second home to New York's elite families and mysterious international types that pack its hallowed halls every night brandishing black American Express cards; indeed, many such "regular" customers hold court at their very own tables. The plebians fortunate enough to break Harry Cipriani's exclusive ranks are literally transported to a new reality: the epitome of The Good Life. And the food, oh the food! The menu is both comforting and refined, featuring a splendid selection of homemade pastas and classic Italian desserts. Harry Cipriani's signature drink, a bubbly, beautiful peach bellini, is a must...even at an absurd price of $19. Don't hold back; this place is an experience of a lifetime.

Harry Cipriani

781 Fifth Ave.

New York, NY 10022

212-753-5566

cipriani.com

Babbo

Babbo is the brain child of celebrity chef Mario Batali, a former Food Network personality, and this ristorante is indeed an exclusive culinary destination worthy of celebrity status. Babbo expressly eschews "favorite regional classics" (read: ordinary Americanized Italian food) in favor of authentic Italian delicacies catered to the most discerning elite foodie with the most refined palette. You won't find chicken parm on this menu; in fact, you won't find much of anything that the ordinary diner would recognize. Babbo's reservation policy is exclusive to the tee. The restaurant will hear reservation requests in person or via phone call exclusively; online reservations, today the norm for most eateries, are not accepted. In addition, Babbo will only make its reservations available to the general public one month prior to the date; not surprisingly, frustrated callers are often left with the sorry choice to be relegated to undesirable time slots or go elsewhere, after being informed by Babbo operators that the prime hours have already been snapped up. Yet, if you are one of the lucky few regular Joes to score a reservation, you are in for a culinary love affair that will keep you wanting more, whatever the cost. Go with the multi-course tasting menu: who knows when you'll get another taste.

Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca

110 Waverly Place

New York, NY 10011

212-777-0303

babbonyc.com

Rao's

Rao's is surely the most exclusive. In fact, it may be the city's singular most exclusive restaruant of any kind. This legenday Italian eatery is literally virtually impossible to get into; it has only 10 tables, and getting a seat at one of them actually requires a personal invitation from that table's "owners." Moreover, Rao's "no reservation" policy does not permit exceptions; calling up for a reservation even years in advance will be of absolutely no use to you (just ask the desperate minions who've been trying this futile tactic for decades). Rao's quirky operation policies have only furthered its legendary reputation for exclusiveness. Among them: scrict dress code (only your finest); closed on weekends; kitschy home living room decor; tucked away in the bowels of less-than-scenic East Harlem; and a host of powerful, famous clientele, including global movie stars, major company CEOs, and certain infamous Italian American gentlemen with "pull." And of course, the food is to die for, or so they say. Apparently the pasta sauce is the specialty. Hey, you can always get it in your grocer's aisle.

Rao's Restaurant

455 East 114th St.

New York, NY 10025

212-722-6709

raos.com

Tags: Harry Cipriani, York City, Cipriani Fifth, getting seat, Harry Cipriani Fifth

Use A Slow Cooker For Vegetarian Cooking

Slow cookers, or crockpots, are not just for meat eaters. Vegetarians can create a wide variety of meals and dishes in a slow cooker, including rice, beans and other meatless fare. Slow cookers come in various sizes, with a wide range of options, so finding the slow cooker that suits your lifestyle and budget is not a difficult task. Often, nearly new slow cookers can be picked up at garage sales and thrift stores for very little money. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Use the slow cooker for making soups or stews. Toss all the ingredients in the cooker in the morning, turn on low and let cook all day. You can also put frozen leftover soup or stew in the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours. The soup will be defrosted and ready to eat after the allotted time; turn to low or keep warm if you plan to eat later.

2. Bake potatoes and other root vegetables in the slow cooker. No water is necessary as the cooker will utilize the moisture in the vegetables. Baked veggies can be fork tender in as little as two hours on high.

3. Roast garlic, onions and other vegetables by drizzling olive oil and herbs on the veggies and cooking on high for 2 to 4 hours. The time needed depends on the density of the vegetable, with garlic and onions taking the longest.

4. Using the crockpot as a steamer for vegetables, place 2 inches of water in the slow cooker and preheat on high for 30 minutes. Add your steamer basket filled with vegetables. Cook for two hours or longer, depending on how tender and soft you like your vegetables.

5. Turn your slow cooker into a rice cooker. Rinse the rice and place in your steamer basket. Turn your slow cooker on high and add the amount of boiling water needed to cook the amount of rice you have in your basket. Lower the basket into the water and cover the slow cooker. Let the rice cook 1 to 2 hours or until the rice is soft and fluffy.

Tags: slow cooker, slow cooker, garlic onions, high hours, Slow cookers, steamer basket

Organic Vs Nonorganic Fertilizers

Organic and non-organic fertilizers offer advantages and disadvantages to gardeners.

Organic and non-organic fertilizers are used to provide nutrients and promote the growth of plants. However, when selecting the best option for your garden, remember their ingredients and methods of release differ, resulting in numerous advantages and disadvantages for each. Does this Spark an idea?

Definitions

Organic, sometimes called natural, fertilizers contain ingredients of animal, mineral and/or plant origin known to provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Non-organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are synthetic products that have been manufactured chemically.

Pros and Cons

Numerous advantages and disadvantages can be attributed to organic and non-organic fertilizers. Advantages of organic fertilizers include slower, more natural release into the soil; long-lasting results requiring fewer applications; and benefits to the environment. Advantages of non-organic fertilizers are availability, easy application, fast-acting effects and lower costs. Disadvantages of organic fertilizers include their dependence on microorganisms to break down organic matter in the soil, higher costs and less-convenient applications. Non-organic fertilizers have shorter lifespans, carry the risk of salt burn to plants and can result in environmental problems because of chemical runoff.

Common Examples

Common organic fertilizers include blood meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, compost, fish emulsion, seaweed extracts, fresh manure and manure pellets. Nutrient-specific non-organic fertilizers contain sodium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, rock phosphate and muriate of potash.

Tags: advantages disadvantages, fertilizers include, organic fertilizers, organic fertilizers include, fertilizers contain, non-organic fertilizers

What Are Legume Plants

Peanuts are an important legume crop.

The pea family, the family Fabaceae, is one of the largest flowering plant families encompassing more than 18,000 described species, with only the sunflower and orchid families of plants being larger in size. These important plants include legumes; in fact, the family was formerly known as Leguminosae because of its fruit, which is a legume, or bean pod. Legume plants provide protein-rich foods, while their roots aid gardeners by enriching the soil for future crops. Does this Spark an idea?

Peanuts

Peanut butter is only one of the many products of the legume known as the peanut.

Peanuts originated in South America, and by the time of Columbus were being grown in the warm regions of the Americas. The root system of peanuts -- and all legumes -- forms nodules composed of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which begin a chain reaction resulting in the enrichment of the soil with usable nitrogen. The peanut flower sends its pollinated ovary into the soil, where it eventually ripens into an edible peanut. Peanut products include peanut butter and peanut oil, as well as whole peanuts.

Soybeans

Soy products provide a protein staple for a variety of cultural cuisines.

Soybeans are a legume that consists of up to 40 percent protein, and contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. Soymilk and tofu are a valuable protein source in Asian countries, and are increasing in popularity among health-conscious consumers elsewhere. Easy digestibility and important nutritional qualities make soy products useful in vegetarian diets. Soymilk can be used as a substitute for cow's milk in those with lactose-intolerance. Soy sprouts, which are a good source of vitamin C, are eaten raw. Meat-product substitutes such as lunchmeat, hamburgers and hotdogs are commercially available made from soy. Soybeans can be eaten raw or roasted, like peanuts.

Alfalfa and Clover

Alfalfa sends its roots deep into the soil.

Alfalfa and clover are legumes often planted by farmers for their ability to enrich the soil with usable nitrogen. Alfalfa is grown to be used as animal fodder, and clover is grown as green manure as well as animal fodder. Green manure is a crop grown to enrich the soil, attract beneficial insects and improve the texture of certain soils, in preparation for the later planting of wheat or other food crops. Alfalfa and clover honey are commercially produced from the flowering crops. Fresh alfalfa sprouts are sold in grocery stores for eating on salads and sandwiches.

Common and Uncommon Beans

A rich variety of colorful, nutritious beans are available to the home cook.

Beans of every kind come from legume plants. There are dozens of varieties of beans to use fresh or dried. Green, yellow, blue or purple string beans, lima beans and peas of many kinds are eaten fresh. Black, red, white, pink and pinto beans, as well as black-eyed peas, pearl barley and lentils, to name a few, are purchased dry. In addition to being good sources of protein and fiber, some beans, including small red beans, rival blueberries in antioxidant levels. The trees of the Sonoran desert are almost all legume plants, including paloverde and mesquite. Paloverde beans are edible. Mesquite beans are commercially available, and are eaten fresh or are ground into flour for baking.

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Fruits & Yeast Fermentation Science Projects

Some fruit juices are fermented with the use of yeast.

Many science projects use the mixing of natural compounds to reveal chemical reactions. Students can craft projects that mix food products and then explain what is happening to the chemicals in each food. Popular science experiments deal with food and fermentation. Fermentation is a food-processing method whereby sugars and other carbohydrates are broken down by an organism such as yeast. Students can demonstrate fermentation with the use of yeast and fruits.

Fruit juice and Yeast

A major difference between fruit juices and wine is the fact that yeast breaks down carbohydrates into alcohol. When yeast is added to fruit juices, the process, known as fermentation, occurs, creating wine. Although a middle school student does not have the equipment (or legal) materials to create alcoholic beverages, a student can demonstrate how yeast eats the organic materials found in fruit juice. Typically, the student can display three to four glasses of different fruit juices, and add the same amount of yeast in each glass. Results should typically show a layer of foam-like substances rising to the top of the juice. This is the yeast consuming fruit sugars and causing fermentation.

Organic Decomposition

Students can also show how yeast or similar organic life forms dissolve dead organic matter. Liane D'Allessandro, of the Knight Foundation Summer Institute at Haverford College, used two bananas in a scientific study: one banana without yeast covering it; and another banana with yeast covering it. Both bananas are to be left out and exposed to the environment. According to D'Allessandro, the banana with yeast should decompose much quicker because the yeast feeds off the banana. A student can explain how the yeasts are consuming the organic product (the banana) and how the banana ripens quicker as a result.

Light and Yeast

Similar to the fermentation experiment, the student can focus on how the external environment impacts the consumption rate of yeast within fruit. Taking the similar variables, the student should place yeast within different fruit juices. However, the control will be a fruit juice sample that is not underneath ultraviolet light, while another fruit juice glass is given daily doses of ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light should reduce the rate that the fermentation occurs within the fruit juice since ultraviolet harms the single cell structure of yeast. Also, ultraviolet light should reduce water levels in the fruit juice, reducing the amount of liquid in each glass. Fermentation will still occur, with signs of a foam-like residue at the top of the liquid forming, but the rate will be much slower.

Pasteurization

One of the best experiments for a student to create is to tell her audience the difference between fermentation and pasteurization. Pasteurization is the process that eliminates harmful pathogens from liquids. Yeast is one organism that is destroyed from the pasteurization process. The student, with adult supervision, can heat the yeast-ridden fruit juice to temperatures of 131 to 158 degrees F. The fruit juice should boil rapidly and then cool. Essentially, all yeast organisms in the fruit juice will be killed, allowing the fruit juice to be drinkable. This is the process of pasteurization: heating the liquid to high temperatures so all fungi (which yeast is) and bacteria from the liquid die. The student can inform the audience how pasteurization changed food processing and what happens to yeast in the experiment.

Tags: fruit juice, fruit juices, fruit juice, ultraviolet light, with yeast, banana with, banana with yeast

Boarding High Schools For The Arts In North Carolina

North Carolina offers 12 different boarding schools for you or your child.

If you or your child are looking to attend a boarding school for the arts in North Carolina, you may have to look farther afield. Luckily the University of North Carolina offers a residential program to promising high school students, while other more traditional boarding schools are renowned for their comprehensive art programs and extracurricular activities.

University of North Carolina School for the Arts

UNCSA offers a residential arts program to high school students showing promise as aspiring artists. The school offers preparation in dance, drama, music and visual arts. The program is known for its rigorous academic studies, while students may reside on UNCSA's campus or commute from home.

St. Mary's School

St. Mary's School in Raleigh is an independent, Episcopal, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. St. Mary's School offers a comprehensive fine arts program in addition their rigorous academic program, advanced placement courses and athletic programs. The fine arts program consists of courses in music, dance, drama and the visual arts.

Durham School of the Arts

Durham School of the Arts is a public school and does not provide housing. However, it emphasizes the arts offering courses in music, dance, theater and the visual arts. DSA's goal is to instill a lifelong appreciation for the performing and visual arts in their students. The school is also equipped with two full-time art galleries, a 1,600 seat theater and a black box theater as venues for students.

Other boarding schools in North Carolina

Founded in 1900, The Christ School rests on 500 acres and offers a range of activities for boys in grades 9-12. The Episcopalian-affiliated school offers art programs in drama, studio art and film.

Meanwhile Salem Academy offers courses ranging from Latin to physics to piano. The school offers a range of art choices including music, dance and theater in extracurricular activities.

Asheville School and the American Hebrew Academy are traditional coed boarding schools. Accepting students in grades 9-12, Asheville School is recognized for their academic rigor and humanities program. Asheville also has three choirs and a fine arts society that students can participate in.

In Greensboro, American Hebrew Academy accepts Jewish students in grades 9 tp 12 to participate in their academically rigorous program with an emphasis on hands-on learning. The arts curriculum is extensive with courses in photography, studio art, theater and film.

Tags: North Carolina, arts program, boarding schools, visual arts, fine arts

Instructions To A Panasonic Rice Cooker

Instructions to a Panasonic Rice Cooker

The Panasonic rice cooker is a countertop kitchen appliance used to make rice automatically. Rice cookers are made by many different manufacturers and most are similar in concept and design. Rice and water are added to the pan inside the appliance, the lid is placed on the top of the cooker and the rice cooker is turned on. When the rice has finished cooking, the appliance turns off and the rice is left to sit for about 10 minutes before it is served. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Parts

Rice cookers have four basic parts: actual appliance, inner pan, lid and cord. They normally come with a measuring cup used to measure the appropriate amount of rice and water into the inner pan. The inner pan has measuring marks along its inside wall. Depending on the model purchased, the cooker may have an option to keep the rice warm after it has finished cooking. Other, more basic models, have just an off and on button.

Measuring

White or brown rice can be made in the rice cooker, but brown rice requires more water and will take longer to cook. The general rule of thumb for water to white rice ratio when using a rice cooker is to use slightly more water than rice. If using brown rice, follow the water to rice ratio listed on the rice package. If the rice is dry and hard after cooking, this usually means you haven't added enough water.

Capacity

Rice expands after cooking. Depending on the type of rice, one cup of dry rice might make three cups of cooked rice. If you aren't sure about the capacity of your particular Panasonic rice cooker model, never put more rice in the inner compartment that will overfill the container if multiplied by three.

Rinsing Rice

After adding the rice to the inner pan for cooking, some cooks like to rinse the rice in cold water, to remove excess starch. Rinse water is drained from the pan before adding the cooking water. Some cooks let the rice sit in the cooking water for about 15 minutes before turning on the appliance, to improve the texture.

Cooking

Place the lid on the top of the appliance after the rice and cooking water have been added. Attach the cord to the appliance and plug it into an electrical outlet. Press the on button. Most models have a light that indicates the rice is cooking, and the light will turn off when the rice is done. If the model has a warming feature, the warming light will turn on after the rice finishes cooking and the cooking light turns off. When removing cooked rice from the cooking pan, always use a plastic rice paddle or wooden spoon. The inner cooking pan has a protective coating that can be scratched if metal spoons are used.

Tags: rice cooker, brown rice, cooking water, rice cooking, about minutes, about minutes before, after cooking

Make Compost Fertilizer

A pile of compost fertililzer.

Using compost fertilizer is very important for all types of gardening. Compost enriches your soil so plants say healthy and grow properly. A good compost pile is also a great way to recycle waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Make Compost Fertilizer

1. Make your compost pile accessible. A good location for your compost pile will depend on what you are using it to fertilize. It is recommended that you place a compost pile in a place that is safe from pests and far enough away where its smell and possible unsightliness won't bother you. However, it is good idea for it to be close enough so you don't have to transport it very far.

2. Choose a container for your fertilizer. Fertilizer can be kept in a container made of plastic or wood. It can also be placed on the ground. Keep in mind, however, if you choose to keep your pile on the ground, it will damage your grass. It is, therefore, wise to choose a spot in your yard that you can live without. For your fertilizer to work properly, it must have space to break down. A space of 3 to 8 feet in length is recommended. If you decide to place the fertilizer on the ground, small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, skunks and some birds may find it a perfect feeding spot. To prevent this, simply surround the area with mesh or chicken wire to keep the pests out.

3. Choose the makeup of your fertilizer. Your fertilizer's ingredients should include several elements. The best ingredients for compost fertilizers are freshly cut green plants such as grass clippings, carrot tops, perennials and discarded leaves and vines from fresh produce. Banana peels, apple cores and organic coffee grounds also serve as rich compost fertilizer ingredients. You fertilizer should also include leaves from trees or from plants in your garden. It is, therefore, necessary to keep a steady supply of leaves nearby.

4. Mix the ingredients of your fertilizer. Cover the entire area of your compost container with a layer of green ingredients such as semi-fresh plants, fruit, fresh grass clippings. Once the area has been filled, cover the layer of greens with discarded leaves and plant vines. After you have added both ingredients, using a small rake or pitch fork, thoroughly mix the the two layers until they are consistent and make up a single substance. Do not crush the ingredients too much. It is important to leave them in their original state. Simply allow each ingredient to mix with one another.

5. Maintain your fertilizer. It is important for your fertilizer to stay damp and consistent. At least twice a week, gently mix and turn the pile to ensure it is breaking down properly. If you notice that the compost is too wet, add some dry leaves to dry it out. If it is too dry, add some fresh greens and mist it with water. During the break-down process, your compost should smell musty, but fresh, much like fresh potting soil. If it starts to smell too strongly, like old garbage, add some dry leaves and use less water and green material. Your compost, with proper maintenance, should completely break down and be ready for use as fertilizer in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the climate in your area. When finished, your pile should be dark brown to black in color and emit a proper musty odor.

Tags: compost pile, your compost, your fertilizer, break down, discarded leaves, fertilizer ingredients, grass clippings