Easy Hot Dog Chili

Chili lovers all have their favorite chili recipes. Some like it spicy while others like a milder version. There are even vegetarian chili recipes for people who don't eat meat. Most chili recipes have the same ingredients in common: beef, tomatoes, onions, and chili seasoning. The variations in chili come from adding different spices or sauces to make it hot or tangy. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Ingredients and Proportions

Most chili recipes use about 2 pounds of ground chuck. You may not want to make a whole pot of chili for hot dogs, so start with a half pound of ground chuck to make enough chili to spoon over six hot dogs. Chop all of the ingredients finely and cook them over medium heat until they're done. Some hot dog chili recipes contain beans while others are just a sauce. To add beans to a small recipe, use canned pinto beans and mix a handful into the pan while the other ingredients are cooking.

Seasoning Chili

Some hot dog chili recipes use prepared sauces for seasoning while others create the same flavors with other ingredients. The simplest way to make chili uses ketchup or tomato sauce instead of fresh tomatoes, while other recipes call for prepared steak sauce or barbecue sauce. All of these variations are a matter of taste. You can create similar flavors by using fresh tomatoes and vinegar, mustard, or a very small amount of molasses or brown sugar. Adding other spices, like black pepper, celery seed, cayenne, and mustard powde,r will make the chili's flavor spicier and more complex, and cooking time is only increased by a few minutes.

Cooking Chili

Cooking times for chili vary greatly, but both slow-cooked and fast-cooked chili are easy to make and they need about 15 minutes of prep time. If you're making a fast chili recipe to use for hot dog topping, cook it in a saucepan for 10 to 15 minutes until everything is well-mixed and cooked through. To make a larger amount of chili, consider a slow-cooked method. Slow-cooked chili ingredients are usually sauteed together at a higher heat to soften the vegetables and brown the meat, then stewed for up to two hours at a low heat in a slow-cooker or Dutch oven. Slow cooked chili will taste richer than fast chili because the spices will be released and mellowed in the heat, but the fast recipes will be on your table in about half an hour.

Tags: chili recipes, while others, fast chili, fresh tomatoes, ground chuck

Create Avery Spice Labels

Do not rely on your eyesight alone to pick spices, use labels.

Spice labels help chefs find the herbs they need quickly, but finding a set of premade labels that matches your pantry contents may be challenging. When you have specialty spices that are not widely used, this search may even be more difficult. Create your own labels customizing them with your spice names using font styles you like best. Whether making labels for your own herb drawer or as a gift for someone else, spice labels make an attractive personal touch in the kitchen. Use labels, like Avery labels to make these stickers at home.

Instructions

1. Make a list of spices you want to include in your labels. Jot down the spice names on a note pad so you do not forget any.

2. Open your word processor. Select the "Labels" option from the top toolbar on the page. In some word processors, this may appear under "Page Layout."

3. Select the font you want to use. Access the font selection by clicking on the tab that reads, "Font." Skip fonts that are hard to read.

4. Pick a size for your font that is readable but not too large. Font sizes like 12 point or 14 point are ideal.

5. Move your cursor over the first label on the page. Type in the herb or spice name. Capitalize the first letter or write the whole word in capital letters.

6. Tab over to the next label and type in the next spice on your list. Type the list in to the Avery template.

7. Save the file using a name you will remember easily.

8. Slide in one or two sheets of label paper. Circular labels that are 1 1/2 inch wide, like Avery 8293, are a good fit for spice jars.

9. Check the printing orientation before you print on your sticker sheet. You can do this by drawing an arrow on a page and test printing it. If the arrow comes out on the same side as the text, insert the sticker sheet the same way. If not, flip the sticker or label sheet over.

10. Print one copy of the labels. Review the printed sheet for text spacing and misspellings.

Tags: labels make, labels that, like Avery, spice names, sticker sheet

What Vegetables Put In A Homemade Chicken Broth For Dogs

Leafy greens are healthy for dogs.

Homemade chicken broth can make a wonderful treat for dogs, but if you want to add vegetables to the mix, you will need to use some caution. Some vegetables can make excellent additions to the canine diet, but others can become toxic in a dog's digestive tract. Make sure to add the right vegetables before feeding the broth to your beloved dog.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like cabbage, lettuce, collard greens and spinach are safe for dogs as well as nutritionally beneficial. They contain essential vitamins, protein, calcium, fiber and antioxidants. Chop up leafy greens before placing them in a chicken broth, so that the dog can easily consume, swallow and digest the pieces. As the vegetables dissolve, they will also enhance the flavor of the broth.

Peas

Peas make another safe and healthy addition to the broth. Veterinarian David McCluggage recommends adding peas to a dog's diet as a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle. You can use fresh or frozen peas, but use them sparingly. Giving your dog too large a serving of vegetables (even healthy vegetables) may result in diarrhea.

Carrots

Veterinarians like James Glover of Pet People's Place and David McCluggage of WellVet encourage the occasional addition of carrots into a dog's diet. As with any vegetable, you should feed them to your dog in moderation, but a diced carrot can make an excellent addition to the broth, particularly when added with peas. In addition to the nutritional benefits, carrots promote strong teeth in dogs.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can complement the broth as well, but you must cook them first and include only a small serving at a time. Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates, beta carotene, vitamins and protein, and present absolutely no health risks to dogs when served in moderation.

Vegetables to Avoid

While some vegetables can promote good health, other vegetables are toxic to dogs. These include onions, garlic and broccoli, as well as fruits like grapes and tomatoes. Avoid using any of these ingredients in your broth.

Tags: addition broth, chicken broth, David McCluggage, make excellent, Sweet potatoes, vitamins protein

What Are The Benefits Of Sun Screen

Sunscreen can help protect the skin from various types of skin cancer, sunburn and wrinkles. Sunscreen should be worn any time you expect to be exposed to the sun.

It is always a good idea to wear sunscreen.

Identification

Sunscreen is a substance, usually a lotion, that provides a layer of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. You should wear sunscreen for any prolonged sun exposure, especially if you will be out during the brightest times of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Even on overcast days, you should wear sunscreen.

Function

Sunscreen is applied directly to any skin that will be exposed to the sun. More sensitive areas of the body, such as the bridge of the nose or the ears, need more sunscreen or a stronger formula. Sunscreens come in lotions and spray-on varieties.

Types

The main difference between the various types of sunscreen types is sun protection factor, or SPF. Sunscreens with a higher SPF provide more protection---and allow you to spend more time in the sun---than those with a lower SPF. For the best protection, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Benefits

While wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15, you should be able to stay in the sun about 150 minutes without burning---about 15 times longer than you would without protection. People of all skin types benefit from sunscreen's protection; even if you do not burn, you are still at risk for wrinkling and skin cancers.

Warnings

Even the strongest sunscreen can't protect you from sunburn if you stay in the sun too long. Many sunscreen wash off in water or if you sweat heavily. Be sure to reapply sunscreen often throughout the day. And if you are exposed to the sun as a regular part of your day, watch for symptoms of sun-induced skin cancers such as basal cell cancer or melanoma.

Tags: wear sunscreen, should wear, should wear sunscreen, skin cancers, sunscreen with, various types

Teach Children The Meaning Of Christmas

The Christmas season can be a wonderful time of family togetherness and goodwill, but the spirit of Christmas often gets lost in the rush to buy gifts and go to parties. You can easily teach your children about the true meaning of the holiday, though, by discussing the holiday's origins and planning appropriate activities.

Instructions

1. Discuss the origins of the holiday. What you tell your children will vary depending on your own religious background and spiritual attitude.

2. Look for an age-appropriate book about the Christmas story, or ask your clergyman or clergywoman for some suggestions.

3. Take your family to church or Sunday school, or whatever form of worship fits your personal belief system. Many churches lead up to Christmas with sermons and lessons on the meaning of the holiday, and often provide a range of family social activities that keep with the true spirit of Christmas.

4. Try to "de-hype" and simplify Christmas. Meet with your family members, and ask them to help find ways to accomplish this goal, while still having a Christmas that will be fun for everyone. There may be compromises involved, especially at first.

5. Encourage your children to look beyond their own Christmas desires. Ask them to choose a toy to donate to a children's charity, or have them help you choose groceries and deliver them to the local food bank.

6. Set firm Christmas spending limits for the whole family to follow. This will help your children save their money, and remind them that the true value of a gift doesn't depend on the cost.

7. Help your children make gifts and cards for family and friends rather than buying them. This reinforces what you've taught them about positive, responsible gift-giving.

8. De-emphasize television. Christmas programming often has little to do with the true spirit of Christmas so be selective about the shows your family watches, and try to mute or turn off the commercials.

9. Emphasize family, tradition and togetherness. Whether or not your family is particularly religious, you can create many beautiful, spiritual Christmas traditions together, and give your children lots of happy memories of the holiday season.

Tags: your children, your family, spirit Christmas, meaning holiday, them help, true spirit, true spirit Christmas

Reason For Normal Pulse Rate & High Bp

High blood pressure with a normal pulse rate is a common ailment of older adults.

A common ailment in older adults is high blood pressure. Your blood pressure and pulse rate will rise during exercise or stressful situations. When you relax and pulse goes back to normal, so should your blood pressure. If your blood pressure remains high when your pulse is normal, then it means you have a cardiovascular disease.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force at which your heart pumps blood through the walls of your arteries. The top number, the systolic, is when the heart is at its apex beat and the bottom number, the diastolic, is when the heart is at rest. When the heart works harder than normal, the pulse rate and blood pressure go up because the body needs more oxygenated blood. This happens during exercise, times of stress and when health problems are present. It is normal to have a higher blood pressure when your pulse rate is accelerated.

High Blood Pressure at Rest

When the body is at rest and the pulse is at a resting pace, the blood pressure should be within normal resting range, about 120/80. When the pulse is at a resting pace and the blood pressure is above the norm, it means the heart is working harder to pump the blood through the body, but it is not under duress and causing the heart rate to go up. This is a sign of cardiovascular disease and you should contact your physician. A change in diet or weight loss can often lower high blood pressure, or there are medications available to help lower your blood pressure.

Symptoms

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because often there is no outward sign that is it high. High blood pressure does not usually happen suddenly, but instead increases gradually over time. You may feel no different as the months go by, but your blood pressure is steadily rising. Often the first sign of high blood pressure is found during a routine doctor's examination, where blood pressure is a standard measurement taken before almost every visit. If the pressure rises suddenly, you can experience dizziness, throbbing in your ears and possibly loss of consciousness.

Consequences

High blood pressure puts you at greater risk for a heart attack and stroke. The heart is working extra hard to supply the body what it needs, which puts a wear on the heart muscle. It also means the pathways in the arteries are restricted, causing the blood to be pushed through at a higher pressure. This is often caused by plaque and buildup in the arteries. Eventually, the blockage could reach a point where almost no blood can get through or a chunk of the plague breaks off; both can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Who is at Risk

Genetics can be a factor in high blood pressure. If your immediate family members have a history of high blood pressure, then you are more likely to have it as well. People who are overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure because they are more likely to eat unhealthy foods and not exercise. Age can also be a factor in high blood pressure as older people are more likely to have it than younger people.

Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure, more likely, pulse rate, blood through, likely have, more likely have

Techniques For Teaching A Baby To Read

Please read to me.

Use age-appropriate techniques to encourage and teach reading. Although some experts feel formal reading instruction should wait until age four, there are many ways to encourage an interest in reading and to encourage the development of skills for reading from birth. Personal bonding, environment and established routines are three keys to teaching a baby to read.

Development

Techniques to teach a baby to read evolve along with the baby's growing abilities to recognize and respond to various stimuli. For example, a baby can remember visual stimuli for about two weeks at the age of five months. Three months later, the baby develops the ability to remember aural stimuli for about two weeks. In 12 more months, the baby's skills will have grown exponentially, and you can use different methods to encourage reading at that time.

Personal Bonding

It is important to consider the baby's feelings and acknowledge that an infant's brain is prepared for learning. These are key steps in the process of teaching a baby to read. Experts say that the feelings an infant associates with reading are key factors in how the infant later feels about reading. Reading or singing to an infant in your arms promotes early bonding and gives the baby a chance to associate reading with love and warmth. This early bonding correlates to positive long-term effects on progressive reading and academic accomplishments in later life.

Environment

Sing lullabies and recite nursery rhymes to newborns. At four months, the baby will be interested in objects, books among them. A baby's first books are usually cloth or other materials that can withstand chewing and throwing. Board books are appropriate after age six months. At about age nine months, let the baby turn the pages. By this time, the baby will be interested in more than pictures and will show interest in the story itself. By 18 months old, the baby will like books with features that appeal to his natural ability to explore. Keep books where the baby can reach them to encourage exploration.

Routine

Schedule regular reading sessions. Child psychologists feel that a little bit of reading at regular intervals is better than a lot of reading at any given time. They encourage a daily reading program, and reading at the same time of day and in a special reading place each day helps a child to focus for short periods of time. By age 12 months, a baby will look forward to a favorite book and enjoy hearing it over and over again.

Tags: months baby, baby will, months baby will, about weeks, baby read

Make Green Juice And Enjoy It

Green Lemonade!

Juicing is insanely good for you and really not as challenging as you may think. Here are some reasons you should consume green juice, then continue on to learn make "Green Lemonade" a recipe from Natalia Rose that makes drinking your greens absolutely delicious.

Why You Should Get Some Green Juice in Your Life:

• Fresh vegetable juice is the most live-enzyme rich thing you can consume.

• Freshly extracted vegetable juice is the most easily absorbable form of nutrition available on the planet.

• Consume the organic water, chlorophyll, and enzymes from the greens without having to eat huge heaps of greens

• Nutrients you get from drinking juice freshly extracted from leafy greens include: calcium, iron, protein, magnesium, potassium, folate, and lots o' vitamins!

• Barely any digestive energy is expended because the fiber is removed. The enzymes go straight to the cellular level and get to work cleansing your body.

• Bottled juices have been pasteurized so all of the live enzymes are gone. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Find a decent juicer. I have seen many a raw foodie recommend super expensive Breville juicers. I'm sure they are great, but for my purposes, I've been just fine using the cheap one I found at Target! Just make sure the mouth is large enough so you can fit whole fruits and veggies in there and that its relatively easy to clean.

2. Set up your juicer based on the instructions, plug it in, and get ready to go! Pick out the ingredients for your juice and wash them well.

Green Lemonade is incredibly good for you and has many different variations. Here is the basic recipe:

1 head romaine lettuce (substitute celery, or cucumber here)

5-6 Stalks Kale (spinach, collard greens, escarole-any leafy green will do)

1 lemon

1 apple

3. This part might scare you a little, but i swear you can do it. Put each ingredient in your juicer as is. Thats right, put that whole head of lettuce in if it fits. Throw that whole apple in there and follow it up with the lemon, peel and all! Go ahead, leave the peel on. No really, its okay. If you substitute oranges for lemons, which will be sweeter, then you MUST take the peel off. Lemons, however, can be juiced peel and all!

4. Pour your green juice into a glass and enjoy. Don't chug it. Sip slowly, enjoy the flavor.

Tags: Green Lemonade, Green Juice, green juice, juice most, that whole, vegetable juice

Culinary Arts Scholarships And Grants

Aspiring culinary artists have a number of financial options to assist them in covering the cost of culinary school tuition. When applying for financial aid through Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the government financial aid resource, FAFSA will search for educational grants that may be applicable to your financial needs. Outside of FAFSA, there are several culinary organizations that provide grants and scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition, supplies and room and board.

Chefs4Students

Culinary arts students who have been enrolled in an accredited culinary art school or program for at least six weeks may be eligible for the Chefs4Students Culinary Grant and Scholarship Program. The amount of money the Chefs4Students program has able to distribute depends on funding availability. For example for the 2009-2010 school year, the program was able to distribute 10 grants for $1,000 each to eligible students. In order to apply, you must demonstrate a strong academic commitment, financial need and write a 500-word essay to enclose with your application. The 500-word essay should detail your culinary aspirations, as well as what prompted you to become a culinary artist.

The American Academy of Chefs

The American Academy of Chefs provides scholarships for high school seniors, as well as culinary students already enrolled in an accredited culinary arts program. High school seniors must be accepted into a culinary arts school at the time of their application, with intent to begin the program that same year. In order to be eligible for the American Academy of Chefs scholarship, you must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. All applications are graded on a 100-point scale. The application contains five required essay questions, worth five points each, in which applicants must demonstrate leadership skills, the importance of community service and their desire to enter into a full-time culinary career after college.

The James Beard Foundation

Since 2006, the James Beard Foundations has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, grants and tuition waivers for aspiring culinary arts students. Each year, the foundation receives approximately 650 applications, and of that 650, only 125 applications are selected for judge's review. Along with its scholarship funding, the James Beard Foundation also offers the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant, which is designed to allow aspiring chefs to apprentice under an established chef either in America or abroad, and develop specialized skills in their desired area of expertise.

Les Dames d' Escoffier International

Les Dames d' Escoffier International is an organization of female leaders in the culinary arts and food preparation field. Raising money through various fundraisers, the chapters of LDEI in the United States and Canada have offered more than $4 million in scholarship awards to female students, which were used to advance educational and career goals in preparation for the demanding lifestyle associated with a career in the culinary arts. The international offices do not determine scholarship availability, but interested female students can apply through their local LDEI chapter.

Tags: Academy Chefs, American Academy, American Academy Chefs, culinary arts, James Beard

Start An Organic Store Online

The consumer trend of buying organic and eco-friendly products is not slowing down any time soon. Many people consider it to be a lifestyle change rather than just a fad. Many people want to buy organic products, but are not in an area that has many organic retailers. This fact makes starting an online organic store a smart business idea. Starting this type of retail business requires careful planning, but it can be a lucrative venture.

Instructions

1. Decide what types of organic products you want to sell. There are lots of options--chocolates, candies, bath and body products, cosmetics, clothing, baby items, food mixes, teas and coffees, herbs, jams and sauces.

2. Find out what permits you will need for your store. Requirements vary from state to state, but if you are selling food products that you produce, you will need a food handling permit and, most likely, access to a commercial kitchen. To sell items bought wholesale, you may need a resale license. No matter which types of organic products you sell, you will need a Federal Tax Identification Number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Contact your local IRS field office or go to IRS.gov to learn get one.

3. Get an assumed name certificate, also known as a DBA ("doing business as") license, from your city or county clerk's office. Unless you are using your legal name as your organic company's name, you will need this certificate. For example, if your name is Joe Smith, you can name your company "Joe Smith Organics" without getting a DBA. If you wanted to name the company "Juicy Organics," you would need a DBA.

4. Purchase a domain name and website hosting from a company such as GoDaddy.com. Try to get a hosting plan that allows you unlimited bandwidth. You can also choose to use an e-commerce service such as BuyItSellIt.com or Shopify.com.

5. Design your company's website. You can either do this with a website builder, which is available through many hosting companies, or hire a graphic and web designer.

6. Establish a wholesale account with an organic products distributor. To do this, you will either need to provide your tax ID number or a copy of your resale permit. Depending upon which types of products you want to sell, there are many reputable organic companies such as Sckoon (baby clothing), Organics Wholesale (personal care items), Yummy Earth (confections and candies) or eSutras (herbs, supplements and aromatherapy).

7. Designate a storage space for your products--you may need to lease out a small office or warehouse space, depending on what and how much you sell. Not all products can be feasibly stored in a home. For example, if you want to sell organic jams, you should have them stored in a temperature-controlled, dry warehouse instead of your basement. If you want to sell organic baby clothes, you may be able to get away with storing your inventory in a spare closet.

8. Price your products, accounting for not only the cost of the item, but overhead costs such as shipping supplies, website maintenance and labor. For example, if you buy a bottle of organic spice wholesale for $3, you could sell it for $7.95. This would cover the cost of the item and help account for your other expenses. To remain competitive, other items such as clothing, may only have a 30 percent to 50 percent markup.

Tags: organic products, want sell, will need, also known, cost item, Identification Number

Prime Rib Steak Restaurants In Lafayette Louisiana

Prime rib seasoned and ready to be cut and grilled.

Are you staying in Lafayette, Louisiana, and craving some prime rib? There are many steakhouses in and around the city, however, not all of them serve this particular cut of meat. Here is a list of those who do, along with how they are served and the prices. Each restaurant makes it their own way so you just might have to try them all.

LongHorn Steakhouse

At the LongHorn, they pride themselves in steaks that are hand-cut and hand-seasoned. Their prime rib is a slow roasted cut of USDA choice meat. It is served with horseradish and au jus sauce. The sides are jalapeno Cole slaw, sweet potato, cinnamon apples, baked potato, mashed potatoes, French fries, veggies, or salad. It is $18.29 for 12 ounces and $20.79 for 16 ounces.

LongHorn Steakhouse

4248 Ambassador Caffrey Parkway

Lafayette, LA 70508

337-981-8549

longhornsteakhouse.com‎

Outback Steakhouse

All of Outback's prime rib steaks are aged, slow-roasted and hand-cut when you order. They can come one of two ways. They are served either traditional style with au jus sauce, or Outback style with their special seasonings. Two sides come with your steak. You can choose from several kinds of salad, walkabout soup, sweet potato, veggies, baked potato, fries, or garlic mashed potatoes. You can order the 8 ounce for $15.95, the 12 ounce for $18.50, or the 16 ounce for $20.95.

Outback Steakhouse

1600 W. Pinhook Road

Lafayette, LA 70508

337- 235-4405

outback.com

Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse prime rib steaks are fresh and hand-cut. The 10 ounce is $13.79, the 12 ounce is $15.79 and the 16 ounce is $17.99. You can choose two sides from their long list including: salad, veggies, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, rice, baked beans, fries, sweet potato, baked potato, or chili. You can have it topped with saut ed onions, saut ed mushrooms, jack cheese, or brown gravy for $1.99 extra.

Texas Roadhouse

5620 Johnston Street

Lafayette, LA 70503

337-981-6155

texasroadhouse.com

Logan's Roadhouse

Logan's steaks are all hand-cut from grain-fed Black Angus Beef from the Midwest. They flame grill them over mesquite wood. The 12 ounce is $16.29 and the 16 ounce is $18.79. It is only served from 4 o'clock Friday night through Sunday, while supplies last. They will top your steak in crispy onions, grilled mushrooms, saut ed mushrooms, an onion and mushroom combo, or bleu cheese crumbles upon request. Also for $1.99 more, they will make it Onion Brewski style which means it is topped in Michelob AmberBock beer-braised onions, covered in garlic butter, and then topped in crispy onions.

Logan's Roadhouse

3323 Ambassador Caffery Parkway

Lafayette, LA 70506

337-991-9150

logansroadhouse.com‎

Tags: ounce ounce, baked potato, mashed potatoes, sweet potato, Texas Roadhouse, crispy onions

Layer Soil For Gardening

No-dig gardens are built by layering garden soil.

If you think starting a garden is too much work, think again. You can start a garden without having to dig up grass, weeds or turn the soil. You can even layer a garden bed on concrete. All you need is a sunny spot and the right ingredients, and you can be growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Layer those ingredients to build your garden soil lasagna-style, or layer soil and amendments into a raised bed. You will have healthy, nutrient-rich soil -- a barrier to keep weeds and grass from growing up through your garden and a raised garden that will make your gardening chores easier. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Site Selection and Preparation

1. Select a site for the garden bed that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Choose a site that does not collect water after rains or irrigation, if possible.

2. Cut the grass or any vegetation to within 1 inch of the soil level. Remove any large plants or weeds and their roots from the planting area.

3. Set up the garden border using edge stones or wood planks around the perimeter of the garden bed. This step is optional, but it will give your garden aesthetic appeal.

The Lasagna Method

4. Place a layer of 10 to 15 sheets of black-and-white newspaper or cardboard on the site. Use non-glossy, unprinted cardboard.

5. Add 2 inches of compost or moist garden soil on top of the newspaper. Add one 2-inch layer each of mulch or dried leaves, manure grass clippings and compost. You can also add wood ash, straw, peat moss and sawdust. Repeat the layers until the bed is 18 to 24 inches deep. Moisten the garden bed with water.

6. Let the garden bed rest for a few weeks. This will allow the decomposition process to take place without overheating the roots of tender young plants. Turn the garden bed to keep it aerated.

7. Plant starter plants in the garden bed by pulling apart the materials and placing the plant into the opening. Pull the materials back around the plant and water.

8. Spread a thin layer of garden soil or compost over the top of the bed to sow seeds. Sow the seeds directly on the surface and then cover with a fine layer of garden soil or compost. Water the garden bed regularly to keep the soil moist.

Layering Soil

9. Put a 6- to 8-inch layer of coarse soil or very sandy soil in the bottom of the garden bed if the site has poor drainage or if the soil is very compacted. If there is adequate drainage and is not compacted, use a layer of 10 to 15 sheets of newspaper in place of the sand.

10. Put a 6-inch layer of topsoil directly on top of the sand or newspaper. Cover the topsoil with 1 inch of manure, then 2 inches of peat moss. Mix the manure and peat moss into the soil.

11. Submit a sample of your soil mix to a testing facility, such as your local Cooperative Extension office, for pH and nutrient analysis. Mix in limestone and fertilizer as recommended by the testing laboratory. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch on top of the garden bed.

12. Pull back the mulch, and dig holes for each plant. Place the plants evenly into the holes, level with the soil surface. Replace the mulch, but keep it 1 to 2 inches away from the plants. Water the garden bed as needed to keep the soil moist.

Tags: garden soil, layer garden, peat moss, your garden, garden soil compost, garden that, keep soil

Drink A 5 Hour Energy Drink

Drinking an energy drink before a workout gives you an extra boost.

Everyone can use some extra energy from time to time. You may need extra energy when waking up in the morning or after your afternoon lunch. Some extra energy can help motivate you to work out. Caffeine, in coffee and soda, only gives you a short boost of energy. To avoid having to drink multiple cups of coffee, you can drink an energy drink that will provide you with up to five hours of energy. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Recognize signs of tiredness and fatigue. Poor diet, hormone imbalances and lack of sleep can all make you tired and groggy. If you constantly run out of energy halfway through the day and have trouble concentrating, you may need an energy boost.

2. Consult with your doctor about any medications that you are taking or underlying medical issues that can cause you to feel fatigued and lacking energy. Certain medicines, such as blood pressure medication and antibiotics, can make you feel tired and fatigued.

3. Educate yourself about the safety precautions of your energy drink. Some energy drinks are not recommended if you are pregnant, nursing, take medications or have a certain medical condition. There may also be an age restriction that applies.

4. Drink half of your energy drink if you need a moderate energy boost. Wait 10 minutes to see how your body responds to it. Drink the remainder if you feel in need of more energy.

5. Avoid drinking more than two energy drinks per day. If you consume two drinks daily, space them out over the day.

6. Store and discard any leftover product according to instructions on the bottle.

Tags: energy drink, extra energy, energy boost, energy drinks, your energy, your energy drink

The Requirements To Be A Private Chef

Hiring a personal chef is no longer solely the domain of the rich and famous; many working-class families also rely on personal chefs. Personal chefs prepare menus and meals for families or individuals and have many responsibilities. In order to become a personal chef, certain skills, training and education are desirable.

Culinary Training

All chefs benefit from appropriate vocational training, including personal chefs. This training can come in the form of actual hands-on experience in a commercial kitchen, although many aspiring chefs choose to earn degrees in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that this educational training comes in either community college, technical schools, culinary school or a hospitality degree in a 2-year or 4-year college or university. Hotels and restaurants may also train people in-house to become chefs. During this training, aspiring chefs learn food preparation and safety skills, as well as business management and accountancy skills. Classes also include topics such as menu planning, food storage, portion control and accounting. Through these degree programs, future chefs often work in an internship or apprenticeship, adding to their culinary experience.

Certification

Once a chef graduates from their culinary program of choice, they should become certified in order to work as a private chef. The American Personal and Private Chef Association and the American Culinary Federation provide certification training for personal chefs. This certification shows that the chef knows and follows food safety rules and has above average skills. Certification can lead to higher pay for personal chefs. Certification programs from the American Culinary Federation take about 30 hours. The American Personal and Private Chef Association offers several different certification options, including home-study and a live two-day seminar training program.

Organizational Skills

As a personal chef, organizational skills are a must. Personal chefs are responsible for planning client menus, keeping up with food allergies and taste preferences, delivering food in a timely fashion and handling the business end of the operation. In many cases, a personal chef will have more than one client to care for, in which case the meal plans for each client have to be maintained and monitored. Another reason organization skills are required for a personal chef is that often, personal chefs are self-employed. This means they must handle their own administration, financial, accounting and taxation details, in addition to doing the cooking work. Financial mistakes can break a business.

Interpersonal Skills

Private chefs cater to specific needs of a family or individual. Because they work on such a personal level, these chefs need to have strong interpersonal skills. They must be willing and able to work with people from all walks of life and all personality types, since not every client will be the most agreeable. Because of this, a high level of patience is needed. A personal chef must know deal with client demands in such a way that isn't damaging to his or her reputation.

Versatility

The life of a private chef can, at times, become hectic. Private chefs must be able to handle any last-minute demands of a client. This can include rescheduling, adding on meals, throwing together a last-minute dinner party or cooking for more people than originally anticipated. Private chefs need quick thinking and a cool head in order to handle any changes that might come their way and remain flexible to any potential changes in a client's schedule.

Tags: personal chef, personal chefs, Private chefs, American Culinary, American Culinary Federation, American Personal, American Personal Private

Careers Related To Nutrition

An individual working in a nutrition career works a 40-hour week.

Careers related to nutrition allow a person to use excellent communication skills and understanding of nutrition to help others. Typically, an individual needs at least a bachelor's degree and courses in nutrition, physiology, and microbiology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an individual working in a nutrition career works a 40-hour week and earns a median salary of $50,590 per year.

Sports Nutritionist

A sports nutritionist evaluates and helps clients improve their athletic performance, nutritional intake and weight. Typically, the sports nutritionist works with clients to improve their performance. The nutritionist takes a medical history to find out if clients have a history of any medical conditions or injury. Also the nutritionist records clients' measurements like weight, body fat, and height and computes the information to find their body mass index (BMI). A nutritionist analyzes the data to create a detail, specific nutritional program for each client. The sports nutritionist instructs clients on the right foods to eat, the correct supplements to include in their diets, and ways to improve metabolism.

Clinical Dietitian

A clinical dietitian confers with health-care professionals, crafts and implements nutritional programs and evaluates results. The dietitian typically works for hospitals, institutions and facilities like correctional facilities, and food service departments. A clinical dietitian evaluates patients' nutritional deficiencies, then develops a nutritional program that suits their needs. The dietitian may work with health-care professionals to integrate patients' nutritional needs with medical care. According to BLS, a clinical dietitian may specialize in assisting obese, diabetic, renal or critically ill patients who require hospitalization.

Nutrition Consultant

A nutrition consultant---who owns a private practice---works with clinics, government agencies, hospitals and companies. Usually, the consultant works under the direction of a nurse or physician and may educate them about nutrition. The nutritionist consults with patients with dietary restrictions, medical conditions or malnutrition problems. The consultant may perform nutrition screenings concerning weight loss or cholesterol reduction. A nutrition consultant diagnoses and educates patients on specific nutritional needs. Also, the consultant may conduct research regarding aspects of nutrition science. According to Nutritionist World, a nutrition consultant typically develops and maintains disease nutritional educational materials used by physicians and clinics.

Tags: clinical dietitian, 40-hour week, career works, career works 40-hour, clients improve, clients improve their, health-care professionals

What Are The Benefits Of Saw Palmetto Berry

Saw palmetto is a supplement generally taken for the treatment of enlarged prostates in men.There have been many trials that prove the reduction of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy with the use of this supplement.

What Is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto is derived from a small North American palm tree. The extract comes from the berries of this plant, and they are partially dried after harvesting. Native Americans have used saw palmetto for many years to treat urinary and reproductive-system problems.

Dangers of Saw Palmetto

Before taking a new supplement, one should always first consult with a health-care provider. As with many supplements, saw palmetto is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Some prescription drugs do not interact well with saw palmetto, so be sure to tell your health-care provider all other medications you may be taking.

Male-Pattern Baldness Benefits

There are been many tests and studies done with saw palmetto. It is possible that it may block effects of testosterone, and reduce male-pattern hair loss.

Saw Palmetto Trials

During many of saw palmetto trials, it has been found that men taking the supplement cut back on nighttime urination. There also has been reduction in hyper-prostate cases. Additional trials are being conducted to search for potentially other health benefits of saw palmetto.

Take Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto comes in capsules or pills. The proper dose will be on written the bottle. There have been few side effects noted, such as bad breath, sleep problems, muscle pain and depression. Always be sure to purchase all herbal supplements from a reliable company to avoid contamination.

Tags: been many, have been, health-care provider, Palmetto palmetto, taking supplement, There have

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Sugar Cane

Advantages & Disadvantages of Sugar Cane

Sugar cane is the well-thought-of traditional sweetener and staple crop of many tropical countries. Its benefits range from easing the symptoms of diabetes to being a teeth strengthener and cold remedy. Its disadvantages of have only arisen recently as more governments look to the plant as a new avenue in the biofuel battle.

Health Benefits

Raw sugar cane, when chewed, has been known to strengthen teeth and gums much in the same way a baby's teething ring does. Sugar cane juice has also been reported to ease a sore throat and fight the flu/colds due to its low glycemic index. The juice may also be consumed by diabetics because at this point in its refinement process there are no simple sugars present.

Advantages as a Biofuel

Sugar cane has been mined as an important alternative to corn as an ingredient in ethanol-based biofuel. Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and as such produces less environmentally harmful emissions. Sugar, when mashed, produces alcohol which leads to its refinement as a biofuel.

Disadvantages as a Biofuel

Ethanol refined with sugar cane is more corrosive to engine parts than other oil based fuels. Ethanol absorbs water and dirt easier than other more viscous fuels, and if those acquired impurities are not filtered out that they can cause performances problems when they reach the engine block.

Tags: Advantages Disadvantages, Advantages Disadvantages Sugar, Disadvantages Sugar, Disadvantages Sugar Cane, juice also, Sugar cane

About Roasting A Turkey

About Roasting a Turkey

The act of roasting a turkey is a method that involves using the dry heat of an oven or an open flame to cook the turkey. On the surface skin of the turkey, roasting gives the bird a caramelized quality that enhances the turkey's flavor. Traditionally, the turkey is placed in a large pan and cooked in its own juices in the oven. However, the turkey can also be roasted on a spit or rotisserie and turned over an open flame for an even cooking of all sides. Add this to my Recipe Box.

The Facts

Roasting turkey involves a few basic steps. Typically, the person roasting the turkey will remove the giblets from the inside of the bird. Then, he will rinse the turkey inside and out before patting dry with paper towels. At this point, some people will choose to stuff the bird, often using the giblets that were previously removed from the inside of the bird. The outside of the turkey is typically then rubbed with butter, oils and other spices. The turkey is then placed in a roasting pan, covered with foil and placed in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. The cooking time depends on the size of the bird, but can typically last anywhere between three to six hours.

Misconceptions

Many people believe roasting turkey can cause the turkey to dry out. If properly basted and attended to, the turkey can still contain its natural juices and produce a moist and delicious bird. Another popular misconception about roasted turkey is that eating it makes you sleepy. While turkey is high in tryptophan which has been known to causes sleepiness, it is usually the amount of other carbohydrates and fats consumed along side a turkey dinner which leads to a lethargic feeling.

Size

Turkeys for roasting purposes are usually sold frozen in grocery stores. These frozen turkeys can range in size from having enough meat to feed just a few dinner guests to birds that can feed over a dozen dinner guests. These turkeys can also range in weight---from approximately five to 30 pounds. When determining what size turkey to get for your dinner guests, plan to have about 1 ½ lbs of turkey per dinner guest.

Benefits

The benefit of roasting a turkey in comparison to other cooking methods is that it is the safest method of cooking such a large bird. Some fried-food lovers insist on frying their birds for dinner guests. While this can offer a pleasant taste, it is considerably less health-conscious than roasting and is much more dangerous. People who fry their turkeys are usually advised to perform the act outside the home to prevent damage to the inside of the home and the people within it.

Significance

Roasted turkey has a grand tradition in cultures around the world. In the United States and Canada, a roasted turkey is usually the highlight of any traditional Thanksgiving celebration. In fact, Thanksgiving has become so known for the turkey main dish that is served on this day that some people often use the slang "Turkey Day" to describe Thanksgiving. In other places around the world, turkey is used as the main course of feasts celebrating Christmas.

Tags: dinner guests, About Roasting, About Roasting Turkey, around world, from inside, from inside bird

Open An Organic Retail Store

Some organic retailers carry a good selection of vegetables and fruits

Organic growers and manufacturers have expanded their product offerings in recent years. Although many consumers are familiar with organic fruits and vegetables, organic products can now be found in the dairy, meat and poultry aisles. Some organic beers and wines are also on the market, and organic fiber and textile products are growing more popular. Bedding products, towels and linens, and clothing often carry the organic certification.

Instructions

1. Address your business logistics. Meet with a certified public accountant with specialty retail experience. Find a commercial insurance agent with similar expertise, plus familiarity with food-related liability issues. Obtain a business license from your city or county clerk's office. Finally, acquire a sales tax license from your state department of revenue.

2. Select a strategic location. Find a site readily accessible from major roads and with plenty of parking. Look for buildings near health-related businesses such as fitness centers or near upscale shops, like gourmet kitchen emporiums. Order signage featuring fresh fruit and vegetable graphics to attract customers' attention.

3. Examine your organic market competitors. Obtain a regional map and pinpoint locations of organic supermarkets and other organic retailers. Visit each store anonymously to review its organic food products and other merchandise. View the store's website for additional information (if applicable). Taken cumulatively, this information will help you find unfilled market niches and new product opportunities.

4. Educate yourself about "certified organic" products. According to the Organic Trade Association, "certified organic" products have been grown under rigid standards verified by independent organizations. Before a product is certified organic, inspections of crop fields, processing equipment and soil ensure that established standards are met during the product's development.

5. Hire friendly and knowledgeable employees. Look for organic lifestyle devotees who are well educated on product attributes. Schedule regular staff information sessions to explain documented features and benefits of organic products from the store.

6. Obtain health department approval. If you will be selling refrigerated produce, other cold case products or fresh foods, you probably will need health department approval for your operation. Contact your local health department for specific criteria. Thoroughly clean and sanitize your store before the inspection and fix any discrepancies immediately. Post food handling guidelines throughout the store.

7. Place your first product orders. Choose the organic product lines you will carry in your store, such as produce, personal care and baby food. Within each category, assemble a good selection of products for different tastes. In the protein category, for example, offer organic beef, turkey and chicken. For vegetarians, order peanut butter, tofu and other vegetarian protein sources. Verify products' "certified organic" status with your suppliers. Finally, order from product wholesalers to increase your profits.

8. Open with an Organics Open House. Prepare your store and staff for a daylong event. Feature organic chefs who prepare favorite delicacies with ingredients from your store. Invite holistic medical professionals to talk about organic products' benefits. Schedule hourly organic seminars and offer door prizes that help you build a mailing list.

Place fliers at holistic medical practices, fitness centers and other health- and wellness-related businesses. Finally, place ads in both the food and health sections of your local newspapers.

Tags: organic products, certified organic, your store, from your, health department, certified organic products

The Grocery Budget Needs For A Family Of Four

The percentage of income spent on groceries varies by income level.

American's biggest expense is housing, and for the lowest-income households, food typically makes up the second-largest expense. The bottom 20 percent of earners spend an average of 12 percent of their annual income on food, the middle level earners spend an average of 9 percent of their income on food, and the higher income level earners spend an average of six percent of their annual income on food.

Different Levels of Spending

The United States Department of Agriculture differentiates between four different levels of grocery spending for American individuals and families. The levels are categorized into four plans: the thrifty plan, the low-cost plan, the moderate plan and the liberal plan.

Grocery Cost Differences Based on Gender

On average, more is spent on groceries for males than females. For example, the average amount spent on groceries per week in January 2011 for teens ages 14 to 18 on the thrifty plan was $37.10 for males and $35.40 for females. The differences are even more pronounced on the liberal plan, with the average weekly expenditure for males aged 14 to 18 being $74.90 and for females in the same age bracket being $65.80.

Differences in Grocery Costs Based on Age

The average amount spent on groceries each week in January of 2011 for a one-year old child was $20.40 on the thrifty plan, $27,30 on the low-cost plan, $31.30 on the moderate plan and $37.90 on the liberal plan. In contrast, the average weekly cost of groceries in January 2011 for males aged 19-50 was $39.80 for the thrifty plan, $57.30 for the low-cost plan, $64.00 for the moderate plan and $78.40 for the liberal plan.

The average amount of money spent on groceries drops for those who are aged 71 and older. Men age 71 and over spend on average a weekly amount of $36.40 on the thrifty plan, $47,80 on the low-cost plan, $59.60 on the moderate plan and $73.10 on the liberal plan.

Cost for a Family of Four

Since the average cost of groceries depends on many factors such as age and gender, the average cost of groceries for a family of four varies. For the sake of example, consider the average weekly cost of groceries for a family of four, with a mother and father who are both between 19 and 50 years of age, an 11-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter.

The average amount spent on groceries each week for such a family would add up to $144.30 on the thrifty plan, $183.80 on the low-cost plan, $228.70 on the moderate plan and $279.60 on the liberal plan.

Tags: liberal plan, spent groceries, thrifty plan, low-cost plan, low-cost plan moderate, moderate plan, moderate plan liberal

About The Sevenday Cleansing Diet

About the Seven-Day Cleansing Diet

The seven-day cleansing diet is designed to give your digestive system a rest and to include only nutritious, easy-to-digest foods. This is not a starvation diet, but rather a detoxification diet, eliminating incoming toxins to allow the body to rid itself of stored toxins. The diet includes lots of water, along with fruit, vegetables and brown rice.

Significance

The theory behind detoxification diets is that one's body usually is able to eliminate toxic substances through waste and perspiration, but sometimes it becomes overwhelmed with the daily bombardment and stores toxins in the colon and body fat. This also happens when people's elimination systems have not been working properly due to an unhealthy diet with too little fiber and too many refined and processed foods. When the toxins do not leave the colon fast enough, they can become reabsorbed into the body.

In modern society, we encounter so many toxins from pollution, chemicals, smoke, alcohol and over-the-counter as well as prescription drugs that the body often cannot keep up. Storage of toxic material can cause bad breath, body odor, fatigue, headaches, constipation, pimples and a greater susceptibility to disease.

Considerations

Drinking sufficient amounts of water is extremely important on the seven-day cleansing diet to flush out toxins and any material that was lodged in the colon. Six to 10 8-oz glasses a day is ideal, depending on weight and activity.

Time Frame

The entire idea behind the seven-day cleansing diet is to provide one's body with nutritional foods that are the easiest possible to digest. Beginning with a one- or two-day fast is recommended, if you can handle it. On those days you would only drink water; if this type of fasting is too difficult, fruit juice could be added too.

Features

On the second or third day, you can move into the rest of the diet. The other foods allowed are organic raw fruit and vegetables, steamed or stir-fry vegetables and brown rice or brown basmati rice. Stir-fry vegetables should only be cooked in virgin olive oil or sesame oil. Herbs and spices can be added. You can eat as much of these food items as you like and as often as you like. Be sure to eat lots of green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, celery, kale, chard and beet greens, and also be sure to have some fruit each day.

If the menu still seems too restrictive, you can find manufactured rice-based foods in health food stores and natural food sections of supermarkets that will fit into the diet. Gluten-free cereals and frozen rice waffles that contain no artificial ingredients or refined sugars are a nice addition if you start having some real difficulty eating only fruit, vegetables and rice.

Adding a high-quality milk thistle supplement is beneficial because this herb aids in liver function. If you are flushing out a lot of toxins, your liver will be getting a workout.

Effects

The main focus of this diet is to provide great nutrition and eliminate all the foods that contain artificial ingredients or pesticide/herbicide residue, and foods that are difficult to digest or have a tendency to cause sensitivity or allergies. This includes all processed and refined foods, all types of meat and other animal products, wheat, legumes and soy. It is also important to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages, and alcohol.

After seven days, many stored toxins will have been eliminated, and a person should be feeling more energetic and healthier in general.

Expert Insight

A number of nutritional experts such as Dr. Andrew Weil state that a detox diet is not very effective for various reasons. These physicians and other researchers believe that toxins actually do not build up in the body as alternative health practitioners claim, and that fasting or cleansing can result in rapid water loss and the loss of muscle tissue. Some people overeat after a cleansing diet because they feel deprived and excessively hungry.

These researchers do, however, typically agree that when not taken to extremes of fasting, the components of this diet are healthful and beneficial, and can help introduce people to the basic components of a healthy nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoidance of high-fat, high-sugar, processed and refined foods.

Tags: foods that, fruit vegetables, seven-day cleansing, seven-day cleansing diet, artificial ingredients, brown rice

What Is The Oven Cooking Time For A Turkey

Roast turkey

Turkey tantalizes the taste buds at Thanksgiving, but only if cooked properly. Overcooking a turkey leaves it dry, and not roasting it in the oven long enough invites food poisoning. For moist, delicious oven-roasted turkey, adhere to these specific precooking guidelines and testing methods. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Before cooking

Choose a turkey based upon 1 lb. of unstuffed turkey per person or 1-1/4 lb. for a pre-stuffed frozen turkey. Refrigerate a fresh turkey until ready to cook and keep frozen turkeys in the freezer until thawing. Frozen turkeys need to be thawed in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 lbs. Thaw in cold water for 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every half hour. Frozen turkeys packaged with stuffing inside should be cooked from their frozen state without thawing, but fresh turkeys with stuffing should not be cooked due to an increased possibility of bacterial contamination. (See reference 1)

In the oven

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, and use an oven thermometer to ensure that the oven is properly calibrated. Cook the stuffing separately to prevent contamination. Place the thawed turkey on a roasting rack in a shallow baking pan with a lid large enough to accommodate both the rack and the turkey. Roast the turkey for approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound, unstuffed. An 8 to 12 lb. turkey takes between 2-3/4 and 3 hours to cook; 12 to 14 pounds needs 3 to 3-3/4 hours; 14 to 18 pounds requires 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours; 18 to 20 pounds should cook between 4-1/4 and 4-1/2 hours; and turkeys over 20 pounds need to roast over 4-1/2 hours. (See reference 1)

Testing for doneness

Insert a meat thermometer into both the thigh and the breast of the turkey. Aim for the deepest portion of the meat, but away from the bone. Once the temperature of the thigh is at least 165 degrees F and the breast is 180 degrees F the turkey is ready to serve. Stuffing needs to be measured with a meat thermometer, too, and its temperature should be at least 165 degrees F. (See resource 1)

Tags: between hours, Frozen turkeys, hours pounds, least degrees, meat thermometer, minutes pound, Roast turkey

Senior Photography Project Ideas

Ask students to take a picture a day for the semester.

In high school, many students opt to take a photography class. By the time students are seniors, they should have more advanced photography skills. Have projects that require seniors to take responsibility and think creatively to take good pictures for more advanced photography projects. The projects can be modified to fit both novice and more experienced photographers.

Personal Yearbook

Seniors enjoy reflecting on their high school years. Have them make a personal yearbook that details their senior year. They can fold several pieces of construction paper and staple them together to resemble a book. Ask them to take pictures, or bring in pictures, that represent important events from the year. For instance, on one page, they could paste pictures of their spring break, and on another, they could place pictures of a school dance. Have them write captions underneath the photos. To get a better quality of pictures, tell students about the assignment at the beginning of the semester and ask them to work on taking good pictures throughout the semester to use in their books, as they should be graded on photo quality.

Camera Basics

If your seniors are learning the basics of photography, have them complete a project that asks them to take pictures of photography basics. For instance, require them to have three pictures that demonstrate the rule of thirds, three that show some sort of repetition and three that are taken from an unusual angle. Ask them to avoid straight-on headshots. Allow them to also include photos that are their favorites. To make the project more like a photo shoot that they have been assigned to, assign students to different school activities for seniors. For instance, one student could cover the senior sports banquet for the football players and another could cover the prom. They should print the photos and mount them on a poster board, labeling what type of requirement the photo meets and also include a short caption.

Photography 365

During the course of the semester, require that students take a picture every day. The picture they choose should be something meaningful from that day, something that stands out. When they near the end of the semester, have them either print their pictures or save them in order on a CD. They should title each picture and write a one- or two-sentence caption about the photo. Not only will students receive a grade for the project, but it helps them document their senior year. Along with the CD, have students name their project once they see a pattern developing with their photos. Because it is their senior year, ask them to focus their pictures on the school and things important to them as they finish up the year and look ahead.

30 Viewpoints

In photography class, students often learn that positioning themselves is what can make a photo great. Help them practice the many different ways to look at an object with a 30 Viewpoints project. Students should choose one object, person or place to photograph every day for 30 days. Have them choose their favorite spot in the school. For instance, one student might choose the computer lab, while another could choose the library. Each day, though, they should choose a different angle or viewpoint to take the picture from. After a few days, they will have to stretch their creativity, which will lead to some interesting pictures. At the end of the 30 days, have them print out their pictures and make a montage of the object to share with the class. Students should name their project. For instance, a student who photographs an object in the library could name his "My High School Haven."

Tags: have them, instance student, senior year, students take, take picture, their pictures

Prepare To Become A Pastry Chef

Pastry chefs create cakes and other sweet treats.

Creating and cooking pastries can be a lifelong passion for some people. Pastry chefs have the opportunity to create culinary masterpieces by utilizing their creative impulses and know-how. Despite the popularity of television shows showcasing the culinary talents of famous pastry chefs, the Bureau of Labor expects slower- than-average job growth in this field from 2008 to 2018. Job opportunities are expected to remain good, however, because of high turnover. Preparing to become a pastry chef requires hard work, dedication and extensive hands-on training.

Instructions

1. Take courses at a community college or through a culinary school that offers recreational courses for the general public. The art of pastry chef baking is not for everyone. It takes patience and perseverance to learn bake correctly, let alone to learn do it with some proficiency. Getting your feet wet by taking a few classes is one way to see whether you have a knack for creating pastries.

2. Decide on a specialization. Plenty of people work as a general pastry chef, but having one particular area for which you have an established reputation can provide you with additional business opportunities in the future. For instance, if you have a knack for creating beautiful cakes, you could start your own cake business -- in addition to a regular job -- and make some additional money on the side.

3. Attend culinary school and complete a pastry chef training program. Even if you already have a gift for creating baked culinary delights, obtaining specialized training from a culinary school gives you more skills and ideas. Attend a culinary school to build your resume and give you an established reputation in your community as a serious professional. Check with your local community college to see whether it offers a culinary arts program. Most pastry chef programs typically provide you with a certificate of completion or a diploma when you have finished. If there is not a culinary school in your area, consider moving to attend a culinary school with an international reputation. Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts and the Culinary Institute of America are both well-recognized culinary schools in the United States. Courses of study for pastry chefs generally include studies in the creation of various types of pastries, baking decorative cakes, food safety and sanitation, and culinary theory and techniques.

4. Gain hands-on experience by working part-time or full-time in a bakery. Gaining a couple of years of experience can go a long way toward helping you establish some level of proficiency in the kitchen. Many large retail grocery chains have bakeries, or find an established local bakery and put your culinary training to good use. You can also work as a dessert or pastry chef in a restaurant where dessert creations are an integral part of the menu. Find a restaurant willing to let you put some of your own creations on the menu. This will give you an opportunity to establish your reputation as a high quality pastry chef, especially if you can gain employment with an upscale establishment.

5. Branch out on your own by starting a business on the side. Continue to build a portfolio by trying new and creative pastry dishes. As you experience successes along the way, document your work by keeping a photographic portfolio to show prospective clients.

Tags: culinary school, pastry chef, pastry chef, Attend culinary, Attend culinary school, community college

Design Schools In The Uk

London offers diverse study choices for design study.

Design schools, also known as art schools, offer programs ranging from fashion to photography to textile design. The United Kingdom is well known for its many highly acclaimed design schools. They are scattered throughout the entire country, but a large portion are concentrated in the city of London.

Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Art, located in London, is the world's only postgraduate school for design. The college was founded in 1967 to "advance learning, knowledge and professional competence particularly in the field of fine arts..." Over 20 disciplines are offered including fashion design, vehicle design, animation, printmaking and the history of design. Notable alumni include Sir James Dyson, David Hockney, Christopher Bailey, Alison Jackson, Suzie Templeton and Sir Ridley Scott. Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree and a portfolio. Special admissions for those that have not received an undergraduate degree are sometimes granted.

Royal College of Art

Kensington Gore

London, United Kingdom

011 (+44) (0) 2075 904444

rca.ac.uk

Chelsea College of Art & Design

Since 2004, the Chelsea College of Art & Design has been a part of the University of the Arts London. The first Chelsea College of Art opened in 1895 and employed London's most distinguished artists to serve as teachers. The college currently has 17 areas of study, including textile design, graphic design, interior design, model making and film and video. In 2009, Chelsea and two of the other specialty colleges at the University of the Arts London launched a graduate school. The requirements include a high school diploma and a portfolio.

Chelsea College of Art & Design

65 Davies St.

London, United Kingdom

011 (+44) (0) 2075 146000

chelsea.arts.ac.uk

Norwich University College of the Arts

In August 2008, the Norwich School of Art and Design changed its name to the Norwich University College of the Arts because it was granted the power to award degrees up to the Masters level. This step in the university's history added to their mission "to be a centre of excellence in the region which provides opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning and through research develops knowledge and understanding of art, design and visual culture." Programs at Norwich include games art and design, fashion, textiles, surface design and photography. Applicants should have a high school diploma and portfolio before applying.

Norwich University College of the Arts

Francis House

3-7 Redwell St.

Norwich, United Kingdom

011 (+44) (0) 1603 610561

nuca.ac.uk

Tags: Chelsea College, United Kingdom, Chelsea College Design, College Arts, College Design, Norwich University, Norwich University College

Deep Fry Thanksgiving Turkey

For many, the holidays are full of tradition and regularity. If things start to get a little stale for your Thanksgiving get together, try shaking things up a bit by frying the Thanksgiving turkey. It may seem like an outlandish proposition, but it produces outstanding, tasty results. Follow these simple steps to learn fry your own Thanksgiving turkey for a ****y holiday everyone will remember. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Prepare and Gather the Supplies

1. Purchase a specialty turkey fryer. These can be found at most large retail stores like Target or Wal Mart or certainly online and come with all the tools you'll need including a large pot (30, 40 or 60 quarts), turkey frying hardware, a propane burner, and a deep frying thermometer.

2. Pick up a turkey and frying oil. An 8 to 10 pound turkey is ideal, though most fryers can accommodate a bird up to 12 to 14 pounds. Peanut oil is the most used oil for frying as it has a high smoke point and good flavor. It can be found at most Grocery stores in bulk at Restaurant Supply or Wholesale food stores.

3. Set up your turkey fryer in a well-ventilated, level, grass or dirt outdoor area. Follow the manufacturer's directions closely when setting up your fryer. Make sure all your tools are near by including a fire extinguisher in case of accidents and oven mitts to help remove the turkey.

4. Prepare your Thanksgiving turkey by removing the giblets, neck and any excess fat from around the neck of the bird. Ensure it is completely thawed. You can flavor it by using injection marinades, breading it, or just adding some salt and pepper. It will taste great no matter what. You cannot stuff a fried turkey, so prepare Thanksgiving dressing instead if it's usually on your menu.

5. Hook up a propane gas tank to the propane burner on your fryer. Ensure the shut-off valve is closed completely before attaching and keep the propane tank at least 2 feet away from the fryer at all times.

Fry the Thanksgiving Turkey

6. Determine the exact amount of oil needed. Put the turkey in the pot with the basket. Add water to the pot. Fill the pot until the water completely covers the turkey by about 1and ?-inches. Take the turkey out and use a ruler to measure the water level. Pour out the water and dry the pot.

7. Pour the peanut oil into the pot to the marked level for your turkey. Turn on the propane gas by opening the valve and carefully lighting the burner. Heat the oil to 365-degrees. It will typically take about 1 hour for the oil to get to temperature. While the oil is heating, you can prepare your turkey with any marinades, flavors or breading you would like.

8. Slowly place the turkey in the basket and carefully lower it into the fryer and oil using oven mitts to protect your hands from any oil spatter.

9. Cook the turkey approximately 3 to 4 minutes per pound. When the time is up, carefully remove the turkey and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should be 170-degrees in the breast and 180-degrees in the thigh. It's important to test the temperature with a thermometer to ensure the poultry is cooked correctly and you are not consuming undercooked meat.

Tags: your Thanksgiving, your turkey, found most, oven mitts, propane burner, propane tank, remove turkey

Reheat A Rib Roast

It always seems that leftover rib roast usually doesn't taste quite the same. This may be due to a flaw in how you reheat it because it is more well done than when it came straight out of the oven the first time. Reheat it correctly, and you'll be surprised how much it tastes just like the rib roast you had at that special dinner a day or two ago: juicy, tender and cooked just as you like it. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Take the rib roast out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This process usually takes about 1 hour. To help it along, remove the bone and cut it into usable portions. To debone it, set the rib roast with the long bones facing down. Using a sharp knife, cut the meat horizontally at the bone as far as you can. Then complete the job by cutting off the meat vertically with the short bones as your guide.

2. Cut usable portions from your rib roast as in the previous step. Put them into resealable plastic bags. Submerge the steaks in hot tap water. From time to time, replace that tap water with new hot water until the roast is at the proper temperature. Make sure that, at no time, the water is not hot enough to cook the portions more than you wish.

3. Turn on your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a meat thermometer into one portion and cook it to about 10 degrees less than the way you enjoy it. For instance, if you like your roast rare, or about 135 degrees Fahrenheit, take the rib steak out of the oven when it reaches 125 degrees. Let your portion rest for about 10 minutes under a tent made of aluminum foil.

4. Heat the pan juices at medium heat if you have reserved them, and briefly submerge the beef. Many restaurants use this method to take the chill out of portions of rib roasts.

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Peanut Discoveries

Many people do not know that peanuts are not actually nuts.

Peanuts come from peanut plants that are native to South America, but they can be found today in North America, Africa and other parts of the world that are warm and humid. Despite the name, peanuts are not technically nuts, but a part of the legume family, because they contain an edible pod, like peas and beans. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Original Intended Use

When peanut plants were introduced to the United States in the mid-1800s, they were initially harvested to provide feed for pigs. The reason peanuts were favored as a pig feed is because they are high in protein and fiber and contain a large amount of fat, so pigs that were on a peanut diet would fatten more quickly. Prior to its introduction in the U.S., the peanut plant was harvested as food and animal feed in its native environment.

Discovery of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter was first discovered by George Washington Carver, a professor who thoroughly researched peanut plants and peanut uses. One of his most popular discoveries with the peanut was that one could be used to create an edible peanut spread, today known as peanut butter. Equipped with a knowledge in agriculture and chemistry, George Washington Carver created peanut butter in 1880; however, he never patented the process due to religious beliefs. It was not until the turn of the century that peanut butter began to be mass produced and sold as a packaged food product.

Peanut-Based Medicine

Another discovery made by George Washington Carver was that peanuts, combined with creosote, an oil from coal tar, could be used to treat tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. Unlike peanut butter, he patented this discovery and marketed it as a medicine through a company that he created.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is commonly used in cooking to fry other foods. It has a high smoke point, which means that it won't smoke when heated at high temperatures, and also has a mild taste, so that the foods cooking in it are not tainted with a peanut taste. In addition to applications in cooking, peanut oil is also used in beauty products as a moisturizer, as well as leather moisturizing products.

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Careers With Kids That Only Require A Bachelor'S Degree

The U.S. has more than 25 million kids younger than 6.

The United States had 75.2 million kids aged 17 or younger in 2010, according to ChildStats.gov, produced by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. In 2018, the number is expected to pass 80 million. More than 25 million children are younger than 6 years old. Careers that center around working with kids are plentiful. The jobs require varying levels of education and training. While some careers require advanced degrees, others allow you to enter the field with a bachelor's degree.

Teacher

Teachers work in public or private schools, giving lessons to kids. To begin a teaching career in an elementary, middle or high school, a bachelor's degree is required, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Majoring in education as an undergraduate specifically prepares college students to get their state teaching license, but some students major in other liberal arts subjects and also take education courses that allow them to earn state certification as a teacher.

Child Care Worker

Child care workers take care of preschoolers as well as school-aged kids when school is not in session. The minimum requirements for careers in child care vary widely. Some jobs only require a high school diploma, some require an associate degree and some require a bachelor's degree or higher. A bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education offers more opportunity to advance in the field, according to the BLS, which says larger child care centers and publicly funded programs typically require more formal education and training than family child care providers.

Social Worker

Social workers can work with kids in a variety of settings. Tasks range from facilitating adoptions and foster care placements to working in schools with troubled teens. Entry-level jobs typically require a bachelor's degree in social work, at minimum, but sometimes a bachelor's degree in sociology or psychology is accepted at smaller community agencies, according to the BLS. It says social workers usually need a master's degree for advancement in the field or to qualify for jobs in schools.

Corrections Officer

Corrections officers in juvenile detention facilities work daily with kids who have been sentenced for crimes, or are waiting for trial on criminal charges. The education requirements to begin a career as a corrections officer vary by state and by agency. A high school diploma and training at a specialized academy for new officers is sufficient for some jobs. Other agencies require a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Military experience is a plus.

Nurse

A bachelor's degree in nursing allows nurses to begin work with kids at hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. For nurses who want to go on to earn certification as pediatric nurses, specialists in caring for children, this allows them to get the clinical experience they need before they qualify to take the Certified Pediatric Nurse exam.

Tags: bachelor degree, bachelor degree, with kids, child care, high school

Keep A Rabbit Out Of Your Yard

Rabbits see your yard and garden as a buffet.

Rabbits may be cute in cartoons, but to gardeners they are often a real nuisance. Keep rabbits away from your yard and garden to avoid both losing your plants and having to clean up after their mess. Certain plants repel rabbits, encouraging them not to enter your space. Be vigilant and replace any plants or herbs you use to deter rabbits when necessary. If the plants are no longer present, rabbits will continue trying to enter your space until you've replaced them. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use chicken wire to fence off your yard. Install the fence at least six inches deep into the ground -- though closer to a foot offers more protection against rabbits that dig under fences. Use chicken wire with a one-inch mesh or smaller and build the fence about three feet high.

2. Set up a water sprinkler that reacts to motion. When the rabbits come into your yard and are sprayed with water, they won't want to return.

3. Line your yard with capsaicin powder, which is made from very hot peppers. Rabbits crossing the powder become irritated by it and develop an aversion to your yard.

4. Line your yard with blood meal, which is dried powdered blood sometimes used as a fertilizer. The scent is offensive to rabbits but not detectable by humans and it helps balance the soil.

5. Place motion detector frog statues around your yard, which emit sounds. Craig Armstrong, the city forester in Dickinson, North Dakota was quoted as saying that the rabbits run from the sound of the frogs.

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Directions For Reheating

Reheating leftovers properly means you can enjoy meals safely more than once.

Leftovers are a staple in many homes, from turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving to Wednesday night's ham appearing in Thursday's bean and ham soup. Storing and reheating leftovers is the key to making sure you or your family do not get sick. The food must be reheated within a certain period of time and to a certain temperature to avoid letting possible bacteria grow in the food. Follow these simple steps and enjoy your reheated foods with confidence. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

General Reheating

1. Keep stored food cool until just before reheating. Don't remove refrigerated food and bring it to room temperature before reheating it, as this could allow bacteria to grow.

2. Place the food in an appropriate container for reheating. Different methods will require different containers or utensils.

3. Check the internal temperature of the food with the food thermometer. Be sure it reaches 165 degrees for a sustained time of at least 15 seconds. When the food has reached this temperature it can be served. Make sure reheated food is served immediately, and eaten within two hours of cooking or do not use the food.

Oven Reheating

4. Wrap food to be reheated in the oven in aluminum foil or place in a baking pan and cover with foil to prevent drying the food out.

5. Reheat cold food at a temperature of 350 degrees. Check the food periodically and redistribute or stir if necessary. Oven heating heats the food from the outside in, so the center may be cold while the outside is hot. In order to ensure even reheating and not drying the outside stir or shift the food as it heats.

6. Reheat food that has just been cooked within the last two hours by a process called flashing, or placing it in a hot oven for a very short time. This process uses a temperature of 450 - 475 degrees, heating the food no more than 2 - 10 minutes depending on the quantity and type of food. In this method food should be distributed evenly in the container so that the heat is absorbed more easily.

Stove Top Reheating

7. Use a glass or metal sauce pan, skillet or cast iron frying pan to reheat food on the stove. Each different type of pan will vary as to how it heats and how fast the temperature rises. The best method for stove top heating is to use a low, even temperature over a longer period of time. Higher heat on the stove top causes the bottom to burn or brown before the bulk of the food is heated.

8. Add liquid if necessary to keep the food from burning while reheating if the food has absorbed all the liquid while stored. This is helpful for things such as pasta or vegetable dishes.

9. Stir the food before reheating to loosen stuck together pieces and distribute the heat evenly. Use a lid to maintain heat and steam in the dish and avoid drying the food, but check it regularly to turn and shift the food to be sure all of it is reheated.

Microwave Reheating

10. Place the food in an appropriate container for microwave reheating. For microwave reheating glass or microwave safe plastic is required; metal cannot be used. Some containers are designed to go straight from the refrigerator to the microwave; put the food in an appropriate bowl if the storage container is not microwave-safe.

11. Check the food for how much moisture has been absorbed before heating. You may need to add liquid to the food if it was absorbed during storage. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to the container if necessary, depending on the amount and type of food.

12. Cover the food to keep moisture in. If you use a container with a fitted cover do not seal it tightly or the steam may blow the lid off. Lay a paper towel or plastic wrap loosely over the top of an open container to hold moisture in while heating.

13. Heat the food in small increments of time, checking it frequently and stirring to distribute the heat. Heat on 50% power for more dense types of dishes to avoid uneven cooking.

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Order Thanksgiving Dinner Online

Thanksgiving dinner is just a click away.

There are years when you simply don't have time to make Thanksgiving dinner from scratch. This leads many people to order from local restaurants and grocery stores. These aren't the only choices available. One option that many people overlook is ordering online. The internet opens up a variety of new possibilities and makes ordering Thanksgiving dinner as easy as clicking a button. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Don't spend all your money in one place. The wonderful thing about shopping online is having access to thousands of different companies. This means that you can order your main course and side dishes from different companies. That way, you and your guests can try the best that the Internet has to offer.

2. Try something new. When you order Thanksgiving dinner online, you have the ability to try the traditional foods of different areas. For example, you can order a deep fried turkey from the south. You can also order an apple dressing from New England. You can even have a theme and order all your foods from one region.

3. Choose companies that you can trust. Ask your friends and family to recommend companies that they have ordered from in the past. Also consider ordering from companies that you've seen featured on TV programs. Above all, order from companies that you've personally had success with.

4. Go gourmet. If you live in an area where it's hard to find gourmet foods, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to order from gourmet companies. When you shop online, you'll find several companies that offer side dishes and desserts that have a gourmet twist.

5. Don't wait until the last minute. The biggest mistake you can make is to wait until November to place your order. Many online companies start taking orders months in advance. This is especially true for companies that are famous for the products they sell. Start looking in August and see what the cutoff date is to make sure you get your order in time for Thanksgiving.

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Geographical Factors Affecting Food Habits

Food habits vary according to regional climate and natural resources.

While irrigation, land development and other modern cultivation techniques are used to enhance existing geographical factors, local food habits are still largely influenced by regional resources. Our ancestors cultivated their crops according to local, natural resources, which greatly affected their eating habits. We tend to carry on the traditions that were passed down through generations, and that tradition, along with growing awareness of the fragility and importance of our natural environment, continues to influence food habits around the world Add this to my Recipe Box.

Climate

Climate affects local food habits by determining how long a growing season is and how many growing seasons there are per year. Temperate climates provide the longest and largest amount of growing seasons per year. Up to three to four crop cycles per year can be found in temperate regions like East Asia and Hawaii, and the climate also promotes the cultivation of crops that take longer to mature. The growing season is shortened in cold or hot climates, and crop cultivation is typically limited to one cycle per year for most produce. Climate also indicates what type of crops can be grown in a particular region. Some crops are more suited to extremes in hot or cold environments, while others can only withstand moderate amounts of heat or cold.

Precipitation

The average amount of precipitation a region can expect is a major factor in determining local food production and habits. Rice crops love wet environments, making East Asia a perfect climate for growing two to three rice crops per year. Maize, a type of corn that is drought-resistant, and some gourds and squashes are especially suited for extremely dry climates like India or the American southwest. Hot peppers are well-suited to dry, hot areas like Mexico, while produce like lettuce, grains, sweet corn and leafy greens do well in areas with moderate, consistent precipitation such as midwest America and central European countries. The amount of precipitation an area receives can also determine the types of livestock that can be raised, affecting the area's primary meat and dairy products.

Soil Quality

The quality and mineral contents of the soil in a given region can affect local food habits by making certain crops more or less successful, depending on the crop's needs. Crops also need to be rotated regularly to ensure continued successful cultivation. For example, corn requires a high concentration of nitrates in the soil, while beans replace the nitrates that corn leaches from the earth. In areas where corn is a main crop, beans will also likely be very common. Rich, moist soil provides more opportunity for a wide variety of crops, while dry, sparse soil limits the type of crops that can be grown in it.

Topography

The topography of an area affects both the types of crops that can be grown and the types of livestock that can be raised there. Rocky, sloping areas like the mountains of southwestern America are not particularly conducive to raising cattle or cultivating crops with deep roots, while chicken is a popular food source because they can adapt well to rocky regions and can be raised easily. Island, coastal and lake-riddled regions typically produce a large amount of fruit, fish and other seafood for local consumption, while prairie areas tend to produce large amounts of grain on the vast reaches of open space.

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