Start An Organic Egg Business

Starting an organic egg business can be profitable.

Nowadays, more people are getting conscious about using organic products. These products command premium prices, and thus producers often prefer to sell them. However, to do so, you must be careful to follow and adhere to organic guidelines. Starting an organic egg business requires you to plan your operation, marketing and business strategy clearly so that once the business is operational, there are no hiccups.

Instructions

1. Visit a cooperative extension service before you start your organic eggs business. They have a lot of information available regarding regulations, pricing and locations that you can use to start the business. They also have extensive information available about guidelines, loans and other services needed to start an organic egg business.

2. Find certified partners. Contact your local courthouse or business license granting authority and check the guidelines regarding organic egg production and distribution. The business must be accredited by the concerned authority of the area--in the U.S., this is done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Contact the FDA agents who will carry out the inspection, develop the plan for implementation and approve the plans for operation. Contact the licensing and inspecting agents after consulting with other business owners. Ask the other business owners what to expect from the inspections to help you better prepare for them.

3. Comply with organic egg production standards. Make sure your chickens are able to move around and are cage-free with regular access to the outside. Generally, in organic egg operations, the chickens are raised with cement flooring rather than shavings or bedding. Have a warm and dry place available at all times of the year. Do not use artificial ingredients in the chicken feed. The inspecting agent will provide a checklist that will help you set up your operation. He will help you set the right number of chickens according to the square footage of your location.

4. Look for special financing. Most states have grants available for sustainable and organic food-production efforts. Check the Grants.gov Web site for funding opportunities in your state from the federal government and ask for green grants or loans at your local Small Business Association chapter.

5. Advertise your business. Establish relationships with local food distributors, such as supermarkets, or find out get a spot at your local farmers' market. Starting small and building on good relationships can create larger opportunities to distribute through large organic and healthy-food retailers, such as Whole Foods.

Tags: organic business, your local, business owners, business They, information available, organic production

Tricks For Compost Pile Fertilizer

Kitchen scraps make good compost.

The benefits of using compost pile fertilizer are that it increases and supports essential microorganism populations in the soil, creates strong soil structure, releases nutrients slowly, and is free when made in the backyard compost pile. Compost also neutralizes acid and alkaline soils to bring about the optimum pH balance. Compost fertilizer is easily made in a home garden compost bin, and there are several tricks to making it a successful process. Does this Spark an idea?

Location

Leftover vegetable trimmings will be carried from the kitchen to the compost pile so it should be in a convenient location in the garden. Place the bin near a water source and in full or partial sunlight. Water and sunlight initiate the chemical processes that create the heat to decay the materials in the pile. A compost pile begins to decompose when the temperature in the middle reaches 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix of Materials

The smaller the compostable materials are cut, the quicker a pile decays and turns to rich compost fertilizer. A 50-50 mixture of brown and green materials cut or shredded into 1-inch pieces creates a fast-decaying pile. Brown materials such as dry leaves, old newspapers, shredded yard trimmings, sawdust, straw or pine needles make good compost. Kitchen scraps, green leaves and grass, livestock manure and coffee grounds are all green materials that supply the nitrogen to create the heat to start decomposition.

Turn the Pile

The decomposition rate increases when the compost pile is turned by moving the materials from the center to the outside edges, and vice versa. Turning the pile every other week creates finished compost fertilizer in one to three months. Turning the pile every two days creates finished compost in four weeks. Finished compost is crumbly to the touch and smells sweet. Drum-style compost bins that pivot on a stand make it easy to turn the pile regularly.

Compost Starters

The compost process is given a jump-start by adding a shovelful of garden soil to the layers of plant materials as the pile is created. Soil has over 4 billion microorganisms in each teaspoonful, and many of them assist specifically in the decomposition process. It is not necessary to purchase commercial compost starters if you have garden soil. Fungi and bacteria are the major decomposers in the compost pile. Earthworms help digest plant materials and produce nitrogen and phosphorus-rich castings.

Tags: compost pile, compost fertilizer, create heat, creates finished, creates finished compost, garden soil, good compost

Starting A Home Health Business

A home health business provides qualified personnel to assist people, mostly the aging to maintain independent living at home. With our population projected to be made up of one third of people over 65 within the next 10 years, there will be a number small businesses that will spring up to serve the needs of senior citizens and others in need of assistance.

A home health business pairs qualified workers with people in need. Your home health business will find these qualified individuals and assign them to your clients.

Instructions

Start a Home Health Business

1. Establish your home health business in order to qualify for payments from government programs as well as to legally hire and compensate workers. Each state has its individual certification and licensing requirements for home health aides. Check with local health and human services organizations to determine requirements for people who work in home health businesses in your state.

Home health businesses that receive Medicare reimbursements are required by federal law to pass a competency test. Preparation for this test can be obtained beforehand and is usually a course lasting several days to several months. Home health aides can get voluntary certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC).

2. Place newspaper ads or even flyers in local community colleges where people are studying to become home health aides or licensed practical nurses to get potential staffers. Work directly with community colleges and home health aide training courses to list your company as an employer. Do background checks including criminal records as well as drug screenings on all potential hires since home health aides work in private homes and often work alone and unsupervised.

3. Institute procedures for gauging potential worker's character, attitudes, and beliefs before hiring. Home health aides work with the elderly, physically disabled, terminally ill, and mentally ill patients and should have the patience required of people in this field. You may want to administer a personality test to potential hires to ensure they have the psychological mettle to deal with the kinds of diverse clients that might come under their care.

4. Clearly define the duties of home health aides and your business' expectations of its employees. Stress the importance of attendance as this is an extremely important quality for a good home health aide. In addition, develop a written roster of potential duties and provide to employees so that they are aware that cooking, grooming, exercising, chauffeuring, changing bed linens as well as surgical dressings, among others will be required of them.

5. Find initial clients for your business by posting flyers at senior living communities and veteran's hospitals. Since women are often caregivers for aged and infirm family members, market to them directly perhaps by leaving flyers in beauty and nail salons. Place small classified ads in local community newspapers.

6. Partner with professional service providers such as internists, geriatric, and other physicians who specialize in elderly patients or with osteopaths or physical therapy centers that encounter people with infirmities that need temporary assistance with living.

Tags: health aides, home health, health business, home health, home health business, home health aides

What Are The Benefits Of Brown Rice Protein Powder

Brown rice protein powder offers nutritional advantage over other protein powders.

Brown rice protein powder offers an alternative to whey protein powders made from dairy products. Brown rice is a good source of fiber, complex carbohydrates and B vitamins. You can add the protein powder from brown rice to other meals and beverages to ensure that you are getting enough protein in your diet. Bodybuilders use protein powders to give their body the energy that it needs to build strong healthy muscles.

Protein for Vegetarians

Brown rice protein powder is source of protein for vegetarians who cannot use whey protein powders. Protein is an essential part of good nutrition and can be difficult for vegetarians to find good plant-based sources. Brown rice protein offers another choice for adding more protein to the diet for energy and good health. Brown rice protein powders can be sprinkled in other foods to add protein to a vegetarian meal.

Convenience

Using the powder is a convenient way to include more protein in the diet. You can add the powder to vegetable dishes and create a well- balanced meal that includes fiber, complex carbohydrates and protein by adding the brown rice powder. You can also use the powder in a smoothie or beverage to make a high protein shake.

Gluten Free

Brown rice is gluten free, which means that those who are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease can consume brown rice protein powder. The protein powder is also a source of B vitamins and vitamin E for a healthy diet.

Non-Allergenic

Protein from brown rice is also non-allergenic, so it won't upset the digestive system of those who are sensitive to food allergies. Brown rice protein is also a good alternative for bodybuilders who are lactose intolerant and cannot use whey protein powders. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, gas and bloating.

Tags: rice protein, protein powder, protein powders, Brown rice protein, Brown rice, rice protein powder, whey protein

Count Jelly Beans In A Jar

Jelly Beans

Many charity functions and parties offer a prize to the person who guesses the correct number of jelly beans in a jar. But first, someone must count out an exact number of jelly beans and then place them in a jar. Other people will take a guess at how many jelly beans they think are actually in there. Whoever is the closest to the number --- without going over --- wins the prize. The prize could be cash, a gift certificate, or a basket full of goodies. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Counting Out the Jelly Beans

1. Find a jar to use for your jelly beans. The larger the jar, the more jelly beans you are going to have to count.

2. Pour jelly beans into the jar until it is almost full.

3. Take the jelly beans back out and count them to get the exact number. Count them out by placing them in groups of 10. This is recommended so that you don't lose count half way through and have to start all over again.

4. Count how many groups of 10 you have made and multiply that number by 10. Add any singles that are left over. For example, if you have 15 groups of 10 and 4 single jelly beans left over your total would be 154 (15 x 10= 150 + 4=154).

5. Put the jelly beans back in the jar and close the lid. Make sure you write the number down somewhere so you don't forget what it was.

Guessing How Many Jelly Beans

6. Take a look at the jar size. This is important in making a guess.

7. Consider that each gallon jar can hold 930 jelly beans.

8. Guess 930 jelly beans if the jar is one gallon. If the jar is about the size of a half gallon then you will want to guess 465 jelly beans. If the jar is about the size of 1 quart, then you want to guess 234 jelly beans. It's easy to do the math for different sized jars when you know this formula.

9. Pick the jar up (if you are allowed to) and count how many jelly beans there are in one row. Then count how many rows of jelly beans there are (or how many jelly beans high the jar is). Multiply how many jelly beans there are in one row by the number of rows. Submit that amount as your official guess.

Tags: jelly beans, jelly beans, many jelly beans, beans there, jelly beans, jelly beans there, about size

Start A Small Bakery

Small bakeries must offer products that attract neighborhood buyers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates more than 151,000 people worked as professional bakers in 2008, and predicts a 4 percent increase in general number of people working in food-services industries by 2018. Although automation is expected to trigger layoffs in the food industry, with large manufacturing "contract bakers" taking over much of the production for commercial stores by 2018, the BLS says a market will exist for veteran bakers with specialized skills and baking talents. A small bakery offers a talented baker such an opportunity for a viable career.

Instructions

1. Develop a business plan for your bakery. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), a business plan typically includes defined goals, market analysis, company organization, cash-flow analysis, current and expected balance sheets, an income statement; and a narrative on how allocate the available resources. Design the plan for potential lenders as a blueprint for your immediate, short-term and long-term business goals. The thread through the document illustrates how you would pay your expenses by operating your business. The SBA offers templates for writing business plans on the agency's website.

2. Research possible locations for the bakery. Site-location analysis involves research on consumer tastes, bakery competition, and competition with other stores selling baked goods. The data collected helps identify your consumer market and the likelihood of success your bakery will have when pitted against the local competition. Location analysis also includes the mode of transportation used by your customers and storefront preferences. When making a large economic investment, as in a small bakery, hire a local business insight research professional with experience in bakery operations to conduct the research and data collection. Use this official report to select your bakery location.

3. Obtain appropriate licenses and registrations. Small business operations require obtaining official federal tax identification numbers and business insurance. Part of the legal paperwork for the bakery also includes formal registration as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or a limited liability company, or LLC. The bakery requires a cash register and a charge card acceptance system, if accepting credit from customers. Open your business bank account for all purchases associated with your bakery. Avoid co-mingling personal and bakery funds by using the special business account exclusively for bakery purchases and expenditures.

4. Apply for financing at least a year before you plan to open and also begin research into leasing or purchasing a bakery building at the same time. Use your business work plan for a loan application and also for funding to purchase equipment for your bakery. Your business plan itemizes the personal assets the bank requires to qualify a loan. Shop commercial interest rates to obtain the best interest rates and services. Obtain a reference letter from your lender to use when purchasing other equipment, communication systems and supplies on credit.

5. Shop for equipment at commercial equipment stores and auctions and set up your bakery. Select basic equipment to begin your operation and avoid buying or leasing top-of-the-line items. If purchasing equipment, rather than leasing, shop at restaurant stores offering used equipment or business auctions to save even more start-up costs. Once your equipment is in place, open your bakery.

Tags: your bakery, business plan, your business, also includes, interest rates

Slow Cooking

Slow cookers usually have a glass lid so that you can check progress without lifting it.

Slow cooking is a method that became popular during the 1970s. It uses an electric appliance to cook meals at moderate temperatures over a long period. This means that you can prepare a meal in the morning and allow it to cook all day so that it is ready to be eaten in the evening. Add this to my Recipe Box.

How It Works

Slow cookers are designed to cook foods slowly, at temperatures between 77C/170F and 138C/280F. Depending on the recipe the food can cook for four to 12 hours. Slow cookers usually consist of a ceramic or porcelain bowl inside a metal housing containing the heating element, with a glass lid. In general, slow cooking requires food to cook in some form of liquid, such as stock or juice, although some foods that give off a lot of liquid themselves may not need more. More advanced models have a timer feature and several heat settings. However, you can good results with a basic model as the premise is so basic.

What to Cook

Slow cooking is ideal for meat, especially cheaper cuts of red meats such as beef or lamb, which can be rather tough when cooked by other methods. Poultry of any kind, but especially cuts on the bone, also work well.

You can also cook most other foods in a slow cooker. Some vegetables, such as root vegetables, are particularly suitable as they are very hard and can be slow-cooked without turning to mush. Some types of vegetables that are quicker-cooking or leafy ones--spinach and cabbage, for example--can be added later in the heating process to retain their flavour. Vegetable soups are ideal for slow-cooking, especially when you are planning to liquidise the soup and it doesn’t matter if the vegetables fall apart.

Pulses can be cooked well in a slow cooker, but the dried varieties must be soaked and softened first.

Most people tend to stick to savoury foods for slow cooking, but you will also find delicious fruit recipes, too. Poached and stewed fruit such as pears, apples and rhubarb are ideal, and you can also make fruit compotes, crumbles and cobblers in a slow cooker.

Most slow cooker recipes are types of stew or casserole, but you can also pot-roast joints of meat, and create well known recipes such as chilli con carne, curries and lasagne in a slow cooker.

Most slow cookers come with a small recipe book, but you will also find many excellent slow cooker recipes online.

What to Avoid

Pasta and rice do not generally work well in a slow cooker, as pasta may become soft and soggy, and rice does not absorb the fluid or cook properly. However, risotto can work well, and precooked sheets of lasagne. Generally it’s better to cook rice or pasta separately and add it at the end of the cooking or serve with your slow-cooked meal.

Seafood should usually be added near the end of cooking time as it can become rubbery with long cooking. Fish will generally disintegrate in a slow cooker, so avoid unless you are making a soup.

Do not use frozen meat or seafood in your slow cooker as it will take too long to come to cooking temperature and will also stop the other ingredients cooking properly. Defrost meat before slow cooking it. You can, however, add quick-cooking frozen vegetables such as peas and sweetcorn towards the end of the cooking process.

Tips

In most cases its best to brown meat before putting in it the slow cooker; this improves the flavour and keeps pieces of meat together. Rolling meat in seasoned flour before browning it will improve the flavour further and also help to thicken your sauce.

Although you generally need some liquid, you may need less than you think, because there is no evaporation. The steam and juices stay in the pot. The liquid need not cover the solids. If you fill your slow cooker up with stock you will end up with a lot of very watery sauce for your stew. Adding a thickening ingredient such as potato, tomato puree or chopped tinned tomatoes will help.

Slower-cooking ingredients such as root vegetables should be placed at the bottom of the pot, with quicker cooking ones on top.

Generally, liquids and many other ingredients, such as tinned tomatoes, should be heated before being placed in the slow cooker, otherwise they will take too long to reach cooking temperatures.

Avoid lifting the lid to check on the progress of the meal, as this lets heat and steam escape and it may take a long time for the slow cooker to get back to the right heat again. Lift the lid briefly when adding extra ingredients.

If you want to adapt a recipe for a slow cooker, you may need to make some changes, primarily reducing the amount of liquid by about half and possibly increasing the amounts of herbs and spices or adding them late in the cooking process so they don’t lose their flavour.

Benefits

Slow cooking has many benefits. It can be convenient for someone who is at work all day. You can leave your dinner cooking while you are out. Slow-cooked food also allows you to be flexible about when you eat. Because the food will not overcook easily, you can serve it whenever you like.

Slow cooking produces delicious tender meat, and it is economical as it means you can buy cheaper cuts of meat. It is also quite a healthy way to cook (depending on the ingredients) since little or no oil is used and there are usually lots of vegetables in the recipes.

Because most slow cooker recipes are one-pot meals, this leaves you with less cleaning up to do. Slow cookers also don’t make your kitchen hot and sweaty, although they will fill your house with delicious cooking smells.

Hazards

The lower temperatures of a slow cooker will still kill food poisoning bacteria. But the slow cooker may take some time to get to this temperature, so be careful to keep meat and other perishables in the fridge until the last minute to avoid bacteria multiplying while the cooker is heating up. If possible, set your cooker to its high temperature first and then reduce it. If your cooker has an auto setting it will do this for you.

Do not preheat your slow cooker empty as this can damage it and will also cause your food to stick and burn when you add it.

Tags: slow cooker, will also, cooker recipes, slow cooker recipes, Slow cookers, Slow cooking, take long

What Does The Daniel Fast Consist Of

Fasting without praying is called a diet

Daniel is an old testament prophet most known for being thrown into the lion's den and coming out unscathed. There are two fasts mentioned in his book offering specifics about what was and what was not eaten. These are often resorted to when a person is in desperate need of an answer or direction. The first fast was to avoid eating foods offered to idols, because Daniel was residing in the King's house in Babylon. The second fast was a time of prayer when he mourned for the condition of his people, Israel, and desired direction.

Daniel's Diet in the King's House

The first fast was for Daniel and his companions to eat their meals with a clean conscience. The first chapter of Daniel, verse eight, describes his refusal to defile himself with wine or meat, and his request to be fed only water and pulse. Pulse means anything sown in the ground such as herbs, fruits, rice, lentils, and root vegetables.

The Outcome of the First Fast

Practicing Jews and Christians are allowed to eat meat and consume wine, but not food they are aware is sacrificed to idols. Although boring, pulse is basically vegan. Daniel and his companions were unaffected by having eaten no meat, wine, or dairy for ten days, and rather appeared more healthy than those who ate the rich foods supplied to residents of the King's palace.

Daniel's Fast for Deliverance and Direction

This fast was a time of mourning for three full weeks, chronicled in the tenth chapter of the book of Daniel. The foods not eaten are notable in this fast. Daniel states that he ate no pleasant bread, no flesh or wine and he did not anoint himself with oil. Daniel's prayer in the ninth chapter gives an overview of what he was asking.

What Daniel's Fast for Deliverance Consisted Of

Anyone wanting to do this fast should be prepared to eat this way for three weeks and should understand from the first fast that anything sown in the ground is okay to eat. Vegetables, potatoes, organic brown and wild rice--read the label, nothing processed is allowed. Wheat barley, is allowed, all spices, and fresh lemon and lime juice. Organic coffee under this rule is allowed and unpasteurized honey. Pure soybean products could be included, since soybeans grow in the ground.

What Not to Eat on the Daniel Fast

Avoid bread of all kinds, nothing fermented or processed, no refined foods, or sugars. Daniel said no wine, which includes all alcohol and no vinegar or soy sauce--use lemon or lime instead. No dairy, is allowed because it does not come from seed.

Tips for Fasting

To get the most nutrition out of the foods allowed, roast the vegetables with pure extra virgin olive oil, lemon, honey, and various fresh spices (read the label, no MSG or other additives, keep it simple). Keep the rice cooked and on hand because you will feel hungry since vegetables and fruit digest and leave your system quickly. If a juicer is available, go to the local fruit and vegetable stand early in the day, buy the marked down tomatoes, celery, carrots, and old fruit, and make your own health drinks.

Fasting without praying is called a diet. Don't expect to lose much weight on this fast. The purpose for fasting is to move the heart of the God of Israel by denying the body of things that are desirable in this world, and drawing closer to Him. Prayer is a key component and accompanies every known fast in God's word. The result of this fast was, Daniel encountered God Himself, who gave revelation of future events.

Tags: Daniel Fast, fast Daniel, this fast, anything sown, anything sown ground

High School Senior Project Ideas

Many high schools require their seniors to complete a senior project for graduation.

Each year, many high schools require their seniors to complete a senior project as part of their graduation requirements. Usually, the requirement is that the student work on something of importance which is meaningful to them as a graduating senior. Typically, students are assigned a set amount of time to work on their projects. Documentation of the time they spend working on the project is kept by the student and turned in with the final presentation for credit.

Comfort Kits

Producing a product which will benefit either a needy group of people or the community is a great way for students to work on a project with a long-term effect. Comfort kits are a terrific way to assist the community and children in need during emergency situations, and they can be donated to the local police department and emergency responders. They are kept in the emergency vehicles to be give to children when they are in an emergency situation. Contents of comfort kits usually include a small stuffed animal, coloring books, crayons, a juice box and a snack pack.

Organize a Charity Event

Having a penny drive for a local children's hospital or emergency relief organization, like the Red Cross, is a great way to raise money for charity. Get permission from local community members to place jars in their businesses. Other ways to raise money for charity include a school dance where proceeds are donated to a specific charity, or organizing a fun run or walk. Such large-scale projects involve many skills which students will need for success in the future, particularly organization skills.

Senior Mentoring Program

Start a mentoring program as a way of giving back to the community. A fantastic opportunity for a senior project is to collaborate with a local senior center to partner senior citizens with students from either the high school or middle school in mentoring roles. Not only is this an outstanding opportunity to provide students with mentors with the gift of age and experience, but the partnership with the students will be a benefit to many of the senior citizens who might otherwise be alone.

Shadow a Professional

Shadow local professionals. Shadowing provides students with the opportunity to explore possible career options. For those interested in the medical field, contact the local hospital or medical school to shadow nurses, doctors, forensic pathologists and to visit the morgue. Most high school guidance counselors maintain resources lists of local professionals who are willing to allow students to visit with them and to shadow them. Community outreach and education offices at the local hospital is the best place to start when seeking a shadowing experience.

For students who are interested in starting a business, check with local business professionals who own dry cleaners, florists and real estate offices about shadowing opportunities. The shadowing experience is the perfect opportunity for upperclassmen to share with their underclassmen counterparts their experiences with these professionals and to give other students ideas for their futures beyond graduation.

Tags: complete senior, complete senior project, high school, high schools, high schools require

Get Free Coupons For Groceries In The Mail

Saving money has become quite popular. Using coupons is a great way to do that. But you're going to need to find the coupons first. Where? You can find them in the print media, in retail stores, and online (see my articles for how to). But did you know they are often delivered directly to family mailboxes at homes?

Instructions

1. Request free samples in the mail. "But I want coupons, not samples," you say? With the sample, manufacturers almost always include a coupon for a future purchase. You can sign up online for free samples by mail. Or you can call toll-free numbers to request the free samples.

2. Praise or complain about a product to the manufacturer. Say, for example, that the tabs on the baby diapers you bought recently have an annoying habit of tearing off. Simply find the manufacturer from the label on the product. You may even find the website on it. On the website look for the "Contact us" link. Tell them honestly how you felt about your experience with the product. You may need the packaging for identifying information so be sure to save that. Ask (or demand) that they send you coupons in thanks for your feedback. The author's experience is that at least 75% of the time they will send coupons.

3. Become a member of word-of-mouth marketing sites like Pssst and Vocalpoint. These companies will mail you free samples and coupons in the hopes that you will give your opinions about the products. The great thing about their coupons is that they are often not available to the general public so you will not have to compete with other shoppers for particular products. Which would you rather have: a $0.35 off 1 coupon for Pillsbury Crescent Rolls or $1.00 off 1 coupon?

4. Do use all the coupons you get every week? Most people do not and have lots left over. How about trading coupons with other savvy shoppers! At HotCouponWorld an entire forum is dedicated to trading coupons. Every member lists the coupons they have in the online database. You search the database to see who has coupons that you want. When you find some, you send a private message to that member telling them you're interested in trading for coupon 1, coupon 2, and coupon 3. That member in turn looks through your coupons in the database to see if there are any he/she wants. If there are, then he/she agrees and you both send the coupons desired in the mail. This really isn't worth it for just a handful of coupons. However, if you can find ten or more coupons to trade, it's a win-win situation for both!

5. If you are unsuccessful at trading or need more coupons than you can trade for, you can even pay a coupon clipping service to clip them for you. These services procure a large number of coupon inserts from the newspaper. You can order particular coupons or entire inserts. Every coupon clipping service has a minimum order sometimes as little as $2.00. Some services require you to buy a minimum number of a particular coupon such as 2 or 5 or 20. If you can use a lot of coupons, buying them from a service can be really wonderful! The coupons end up costing as little as $0.10 each.

Why would I pay for coupons since I'm trying to save money? Well, if you pay $0.10 for a coupon that will allow you to purchase snacks for free it's worth it!

Coupons can be found lots of other places as well. Be sure to check out my other articles on find them!

Tags: free samples, send coupons, clipping service, coupon clipping, coupon clipping service, coupon coupon, coupons that

Start A Home Food Business In New Jersey

A home food business can be used to start a bakery, restaurant or product brand.

Some of the best restaurants in the world have started from small home businesses. Whether it is serving sandwiches to local businesses or building a client list for catering, a home food business can be the gateway to a profitable future. Home food businesses can be started on a shoestring budget and offer large investment returns.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Register as a business with food distributors. This is free and will give business owners access to deep discounts on cleaning, paper, plastic and food supplies. A business can find distributors by asking other privately owned restaurants or completing an Internet search. Once distributor catalogs are received, a proper business plan can be generated.

2. Write a business plan. A business plan is designed to keep progress on track and outline the expenses of running a business versus the potential earnings. Business owners will need to research the prices of similar products at similar home food businesses for this. It should also outline future expansions and associated costs to your home.

3. Submit business plan to lenders. Unless a business owner plans to fund his home food business out of his pocket, it will be necessary to receive some type of loan. Lenders take potential business owners with a detailed, well prepared business plan more seriously than those who do not have one.

4. Designate business space. A specific area outside of personal home space must be designated for the home food business. This could be a second kitchen or small expansion to the house with kitchen space. Using standard household equipment is a beneficial way to keep costs down initially, but kitchen space should be designed to accommodate new equipment in the future. Register for catalogs from restaurant equipment supply stores to view costs and dimensions of equipment that may be necessary for the home food business.

5. Apply for Certificate of Free Sale Project and Imports/Exports. Applications can be submitted online through the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) Food Safety Program. During this process a certified member of the local health department will visit the business to ensure all parts are up to code. There are different regulations depending on what types of foods will be sold, the customer base and the use of the business space (selling only vs. serving). A list of regulations can be found on the NJDHSS website under Food Safety Regulation and Outreach. Applications and information can also be found at the NJDHSS office.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

Food and Drug Safety Program

369 South Warren St.

Trenton, NJ 08625

609-826-4935

6. Register business with New Jersey Department of the Treasury. All businesses should be registered with the federal and state government for tax and validation purposes.

7. File for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certificate, if necessary. Any home food business that plans to ship products must complete training and receive a certificate from the FDA. This teaches businesses the regulations regarding shipping food, types of packaging to use and mail-carrier restrictions regarding dry ice.

Tags: business plan, home food, home food business, food business, food business

Organic Farm Seeds

Organic farming starts with organic seeds.

Certified organic farms must use organic seed when it is commercially available. If certified organic seed is not available, organic farmers must use seed that has not been treated with any chemicals other than certain limited antimicrobial products that are on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program approved list. To maintain organic certification, a farmer must use organic seeds for vegetables as well as for forage and pasturage plantings. Does this Spark an idea?

Cover Crops

Cover crops are plants grown to help improve the soil between production plantings. Cover crops help keep down more aggressive weed species that might rob the soil of nutrients. They hold back erosion and can improve the soil -- by fixing nitrogen, in the case of leguminous cover crops, or by adding organic matter when turned into the soil before planting production crops. Untreated seed, acceptable for planting on organic farms that cannot readily obtain organic seed, is available for leguminous cover crops like Berseem clover, crimson clover, subterranean clover and field peas, according to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. Certified organic farm cover crop seed is available from a few limited suppliers for Austrian winter peas, fava beans, field peas and hairy vetch.

Grain

Seed quality is an important issue in regard to organic farm grain seeds, according to the University of Vermont Extension. Grain seeds must be tested for genetic purity. This means ascertaining that the planted crops will grow true to type. It also means assuring that seed for crops like corn have not become contaminated with transgenes, or genetically modified matter. Corn pollen is wind-borne over long distances, so avoiding transgenes for corn seed means planting crops far away from any potential sources of contamination. Certified organic farm seed for corn, wheat, rye and other grain crops are available from a few small providers. Nonprofit and farm service organization also facilitate the exchange or sale of organic grain seed. The Michigan State University Organic Farm Exchange maintains a source list of farmers looking for or offering saved organic grain seed, while the Saving Our Seed Project gives workshops and maintains databases of available grain seed to swap or sell amongst southeast U.S. farmers.

Vegetables

Good-quality organic vegetable seeds are vigorous, with high germination rates and low levels of seedborne diseases, according to the University of Vermont Extension. Small agricultural businesses (such as small seed companies) and farmers who save seed hold most of the genetic resources for vegetable seed production, reported the Cornell University Extension's Organic Seed Partnership project. Cornell University is working in partnership with these stakeholders to develop new vegetable varieties that can yield larger quantities of commercially viable organic seed. The project was focusing initially on peas, broccoli, sweet corn, carrots and winter squash, and was engaged in farm trials of these seed crops through 2010 and 2011.

Tags: organic seed, Certified organic, seed available, according University, according University Vermont, available from, Certified organic farm

Ideas & Tips For Gift Baskets

Gift baskets let you include several gift items in a basket that the recipient can reuse.

Gift baskets are an excellent way to combine several small gift items into one package. You can buy pre-arranged gift baskets from many specialty shops and online retailers or you can make one of your own. Homemade gift baskets will save you money and allow you to fill the basket with more personal items. The possibilities for types of gift baskets are endless, because you can create gift baskets around a number of themes.

Themes and Contents

Your gift basket should be centered around a theme so that all the contents of the basket coordinate with each other. When choosing a theme for your gift basket, consider the interests of the recipients and the occasion for giving the gift. Food items are popular contents of gift baskets: you can make a basket of homemade sweets for Christmas, fresh seasonal fruit or assemble gourmet foods and beverages. Adults might enjoy a gardening, tea party, bath and spa, health items or book themed gift basket. Children's gift baskets might revolve around a favorite TV show or character, craft and art supplies or sports theme. Your basket should contain one larger, more expensive item placed in the center of the basket. Include several smaller, related items around the basket as well. For example, a book-themed gift basket might include one book, bookmarks, a clip-on book reading light, snack foods and items that relate specifically to the book.

The Basket

The most commonly used container for gift baskets is a standard basket that you can purchase at any craft or mass merchandise store. While this is the most logical container for many types of gift baskets, some gift themes allow for more creative types of baskets. The container you choose should coordinate with the theme of the gift basket and be useful to the recipient after the contents of the basket are used. Gift baskets for ladies could be packaged inside a ladies' purse or cosmetic bag. Young boys will surely enjoy a gift basket arranged in the back of a toy dump truck. Infant gift baskets can be contained in a wicker laundry basket, small baby bath tub or a reusable plastic storage bin in a fun color. Western-themed gift baskets would look impressive arranged in a large cowboy hat, while gardening baskets look great inside flower pots or watering cans.

Presentation Tips

The presentation of your gift basket is likely to have a greater impact than the contents of the basket itself. Some people may fear they aren't creative enough to design a presentable gift basket, but there are several materials to make the job easy. First, you will need to fill the basket with packing materials, such as packing peanuts, so the gifts stand out of the basket. Cover the peanuts with tissue paper, fabric or raffia to make it look more presentable. As you arrange your items, try to make it as symmetrical as possible to create balance. Push the items down into the packaging material for support. You can purchase cellophane gift basket bags in several colors and designs to make it easy to contain all the items. Simply place the basket inside the bag, gather at the top and secure with raffia, ribbon or a bow.

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Make Grit Cakes With Crawfish Sauce

Grit cakes topped with crawfish sauce makes for a perfect Lenten brunch snack.

Although not as popular as crawfish etoufee, grit cakes topped with crawfish sauce can be found in many restaurants in New Orleans. This Creole-based dish is popularly served during Sunday champagne brunches. Given the lightness of the sauce and of the grit cakes, too, this dish can be served during any time of the year. However, since crawfish season in Louisiana kicks off some time near Mardi Gras, it is the perfect Lenten dish. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Bring water and salt to boil in saucepan and add dry grits. Add butter and cook for 10 minutes or until grits are cooked. Remove from burner, allowing grits to cool.

2. Spray mini-muffin pan with non-stick spray and spoon in grits. Store in refrigerator; (preferably overnight) and prepare crawfish sauce the next morning.

3. Melt butter in skillet on high heat. Mix flour in slowly, stirring constantly. Allow the butter and flour mixture to brown lightly, but be careful not to burn it.

4. Add white wine, again stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium after wine is blended well with the flour and butter mixture. Add tomato sauce and green onions. Allow mixture to cook for about 20 minutes. Add crawfish tails and allow to cook for 20 minutes.

5. Pop grit cakes out from the muffin pan. Heat by frying them in a pan with a small amount of butter. Top with hot crawfish sauce.

Tags: crawfish sauce, grit cakes, with crawfish, cakes topped, cakes topped with

Find Free Cereal Coupons

Free Cereal Coupons

Want to know find free cereal coupons? You've already made a wise decision towards saving money. Finding free cereal coupons will enable you to minimize your food buget and spend money on other important things.

While there are many ways to find free cereal coupons, this article will give you detailed instructions as to the most successful method I have found. That is, getting free cereal coupons by contacting the distributors.

Other ways to find free cereal coupons or cereal coupons in general include, scouring the Sunday newspaper, accessing popular freebie websites or using double or triple coupons/manufacturer rebates.

Happy Savings!

Instructions

1. DECIDE WHICH COMPANIES YOU WILL REQUEST FREE CEREAL COUPONS FROM.

You may want to request free cereal coupons from every company you can think of. On the other hand, you may only want to target brands that are healthy or that your family already enjoys. Decide who you will contact and make a list.

For a complete list of cereals see the link in the resource section below. Also included in the resource section is a link to the most popular cereals and healthiest cereals.

*While requesting free cereal coupons can be an economically advantageous practice, it can also be time consuming. Choosing cereal brands that your family eats or likes will shorten your time invested.

**Brands that are less well known may offer more free cereal coupons than those that are already extremely popular.

2. FIND THE CONTACT INFORMATION - Use your favorite search engine to search for the contact information for each cereal brand that you listed.

*Most websites will have a "contact us" button at the bottom of the page.

**Even if the website features easily accessible free samples or coupons, still collect their contact information for Step 3.

***It is your choice whether you contact the organizations through phone, e-mail or snail mail.

In the resource sectoin is a sample Contact Us page, from the Cereal Brand Kashi.

3. WRITE THE SCRIPT - Before requesting free cereal coupons from the company, it is a good idea to write out a script. Use this script for every brand you request from with minor changes. If you are mailing or e-mailing the company, print or send it out, if you are calling the company, read naturally from the script.

The script should include the following:

A) A greeting - ex: To Whom it May Concern or To the Producers of ___ Cereal

B) What you know about their product - Write a sentence about if you like/dislike their product and why or what you have heard/seen regarding their product. Ex1: I have seen the commercials for Special K and was really interested in trying it, but had trouble believing that it would make me lose weight. Ex2: I have been a long time fan of Raisin Bran cereal and eaten it since I was a child.

C) Request for free samples and ask to be on mailing list. Ex: I would highly appreciate it if you would send me free cereal coupons or samples of your products or promotional items. If you have a mailing list, I would like you to add me.

D) Thank them. - Thanks so much for your time and product!

E) Farewell & Contact Information - Sarah Jones. 123 Rainbow Ln. Las Vegas, NV.

4. CONTACT THE COMPANY AND ENJOY YOUR FREE CEREAL COUPONS - Hopefully, you will be amazed at what the companies will do for you, if you only ask. In fact 40% of coupons are only released if asked for.

The company will most likely be happy to send you a sample in the hopes of you becoming a lifetime customer. And if you find a favorite, in fact you might. If you find good deals ask friends/family members to sign up for free samples as well.

Tags: cereal coupons, free cereal coupons, cereal coupons, free cereal, find free

Gifts For A Professional Chef

Surprise a professional chef with a gift she can display in her home.

A professional chef's work requires passion, dedication, time and the tools needed to create flawless gourmet meals. If a professional chef works in a restaurant, she will have everything she needs at her workstation, but when she goes home and wants to entertain guests, she may find herself wishing she had a few cooking-related items. The professional chef may be delighted to receive cookware, but a gift she can simply sit back and enjoy would also be appreciated. Consider all options when looking for a gift for the professional chef, and then choose the one you think she will like best.

Cookware

Give the professional chef an attractive copper pan to melt chocolate in. Gift him with a beautiful cast iron stand he can use to hold his favorite cookbook. A scale for measuring ingredients is a gift any professional chef would be happy to receive. Express your love for the professional chef by giving him a red heart-shaped casserole dish. Other gifts for the professional chef include a set of magnetic spice containers and a handmade clay pot for cooking stew in with matching bowls.

Jewelry

Gift a professional chef with jewelry crafted to resemble the tools of her trade. Give her a pin that displays a simmering pot and a spoon, or a rhinestone pin that spells chef. Surprise her with a charm such as a whisk or a saute pan, or delight her with a pair of earrings from which a teapot and tea cup dangle. Present her with an interesting bottle filled with tiny baking tools. Gift a male chef with a pair of hourglass cuff links.

Specialty Foods

Delight the professional chef with quality food she has never experienced before. Give her a crystal made of salt imported from India, along with a grater, or surprise the professional chef with a variety of salts from around the world. Help her enhance the flavor of the dishes she cooks up by giving her specialty oils such as avocado, or organic truffle oil. Present her with gourmet mushrooms in a wicker basket, or truffle honey she can flavor her tasty creations with.

Décor for the Home

Surprise the chef in mind with a gift he can display in her home. A chef wall plaque makes an interesting decoration, and you may want to bless a chef with one that has a prayer inscribed on it. A frying pan plaque with a picture of a chef on it is another chef gift you may want to give a professional chef, or you may want to please a professional chef with an unusual teakettle. Gift a professional chef with a chef poster he can hang on a wall in her kitchen, or a sculpture of a chef. Fine chef-themed artwork makes an impressive gift. Other ideas include wall hangings with images of chefs on them, chef plates for hanging, fat chef salt and pepper shakers, a chef utensil holder, towel hanger, placemats, measuring spoons to hang on a wall, spoon rest, flower pot, a personalized chef wall sign and a chef welcome sign.

Tags: professional chef, chef with, professional chef with, professional chef, chef wall, display home

Alcohol & Raw Food Diet

Going raw means greater health and vitality. Must it mean giving up alcohol to maintain that standard? Eating raw, defined as obtaining 75 percent of your diet solely from food that is not cooked at any heat higher than 116 degrees , creates a standard of excellence for your body. Adding alcohol, especially hard liquor, to a raw diet makes your body go into shock and is not a good idea, in principle. A moderate intake of sulfite-free wine maintains a raw diet and can help your heart.

Be Careful

Drinking while eating raw can be dangerous. Once adjusted to a raw diet, your normal tolerance for any sort of alcohol will wane. Drink slowly and monitor your body's reaction. After even a week of eating raw, your body may react to alcohol like a poison.

Hard Alcohol Hurts

A shot of vodka tempts even the strongest of us at times, but consuming hard alcohol on a raw diet brings with it the guilt that what you are doing violates your raw lifestyle. Hard alcohol is, essentially, a boiled food, since it involves distillation. Take caution--your tolerance for even a shot or your favorite drink may have drastically changed since the last time you consumed that drink.

Wine is Fine

Wine does not violate the raw diet as it is not distilled. Try to find wines that are sulfite-free and organic. Your body will thank you for it. Try your local whole food grocer to find a variety or contact local winemakers for possibilities. Ask questions or do research about the process if you're concerned it is not actually raw.

Drink, Drink, Drink H20

Consume large amounts of water while drinking alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body. Since the body reacts more violently to alcohol on a raw diet, take every precaution you can and drink water. Try to drink one glass per every drink of alcohol you consume.

Beer is Bad

Drinking beer is also a violation of a truly raw food diet. The body will react harshly to beers as it is heated beyond 116 degrees. As temping and hard as it may be on a hot summer's night or after a long work day, avoid having a beer. Your body will thank you.

Tags: your body, body will, alcohol diet, body will thank, Drink Drink

Organic Soil Facts

Organic materials can promote healthy, fertile soil conditions.

Quality soil is an essential ingredient for growing strong, healthy plants. The condition of the soil can determine whether plants receive needed amounts of air, water and nutrients. Organic materials can help stabilize soil environments and provide vital nutrients needed for plant health and growth. Different soil types can also benefit from the addition of organic materials. Does this Spark an idea?

Identification

Organic soil--also known as humus--is made up of decomposing materials from plants and animals, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Humus may also contain microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. According to Science Clarified, these organisms work to break down organic matter, which makes nutrients contained inside available for plants to use. These nutrients consist of inorganic materials like phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. In essence, the nutritional quality of a soil environment is dependent on the amount of organic matter present.

Soil Structure

Plants tend to respond best within fertile soil environments. According to Science Clarified, the structure of a soil says a lot about its potential for fertility. Tilth is the term used to describe a soil's structure. Soil containing good amounts of organic material has a granular feel to it and will easily crumble. This granular aspect enables this type of soil to contain mineral materials inside individual soil particles, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. These qualities allow for an even flow of water, minerals and air, which makes these materials readily available for plant use.

Soil Types

Soil types vary depending on how much air flows between soil particles. Clay, silt and sand are the three primary types of soil, with sand being the airiest and clay being the least airiest, while silt holds characteristics of both clay and sand. Most soil environments contain a mixture of all three in varied amounts. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, adding organic material to soils that contain too much clay or too much sand can help stabilize its chemical and nutrient makeup.

Plant Growth

Plant growth processes require a constant supply of air, water and nutrients. Organic matter contains carbon materials, which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and release available nutrients into the soil, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. In this case, organic matter acts as a type of food for developing plant structures. Plant growth also relies on deep-root penetration into soil layers. The presence of organic material works to condition the soil environment so plant roots can grow deeper.

Effects

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, decades of research have gone into discovering the benefits of organic materials in soil environments. In addition to improved soil texture and nutrient content, organic matter has been found to have beneficial effects on controlling plant deficiency diseases. The resulting increase in microorganisms can introduce certain fungi organisms into the environment. These organisms can potentially kill off nematodes or roundworms, which have been found to deplete available soil nutrients.

Tags: Conservation Service, Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation, Resources Conservation, Resources Conservation Service

What Are The Job Prospects For Culinary Arts Graduates

There are multiple job prospects for people recently graduating from a culinary school.

Studying at a culinary arts school can be just the beginning to a variety of different careers. The education you receive at the culinary school gives you the capabilities to do much more than cooking and working in a restaurant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs in the culinary field is expected to increase by 11 percent from 2008 to 2018. This increase will account for more than 200,000 new positions available at restaurants, hotels, resorts, bakeries and other businesses. Think beyond the kitchen and seek out alternative jobs as a culinary school graduate.

Restaurant Reviewer

You have just completed your culinary education and are wondering what to do with your knowledge. The last thing that probably comes to mind is using your cooking expertise to write restaurant reviews. But think about it. You know how meals are supposed to be cooked, how the presentation is supposed to look and how the meal is supposed to taste. Use this knowledge to compare how restaurants cook meals, and write a review of your dining experience and the food. Jobs as a restaurant reviewer can be at a local newspaper or an online reporting source, or you can simply start your own website to fill with your reviews.

Catering Company

Rather than working as a chef for someone else, gather the funds and put your knowledge to work for yourself by starting your own catering company. You can start your catering company as large or as small as you want. You can start by specializing with desserts and appetizers only, or go big and cater large banquets from beginning to end.

Dietitian

During your studies at culinary school, you have learned about the chemistry involved with food, including fat and calorie amounts. This knowledge is essential when becoming a nutritionist and dietitian. As a trained chef, you custom create and cook healthy meals appropriate to a specific person's dietary needs. This type of work helps not only those seeking to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but people with medical conditions requiring a specific diet plan. Other career choices as a dietitian include working for a school district or hospital to create menus for students and patients.

Other Jobs

There are many other jobs you can seek as a graduate of a culinary school. Some expected jobs you can apply for upon graduation include prep cook, assistant chef, pastry chef, line cook, restaurant manager and baker. You can also look into being a private chef for a family or multiple families.

Tags: culinary school, catering company, jobs culinary, more than, start your, with your, your catering

Feed A Family Of Four On One Hundred Dollars A Month

Feed a Family of Four on One Hundred Dollars a Month

Feeding a growing family is a very serious responsibility. While you were a young adult, it is quite possible that you lived exclusively on ramen noodles and coffee but as a parent you cannot continue to maintain that type of diet or your children--who are still growing--can suffer serious health consequences. As a result, as we grow and our families grow with us we find that our food budget must expand dramatically. However, it is still possible to eat frugally while maintaining healthy eating habits. In this article, we will discuss feed a family of four on one hundred dollars a month. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Feed a Family of Four on One Hundred Dollars a Month.

1. Do all your grocery shopping at once. Pick a date for grocery shopping and do your entire month's worth of grocery shopping at that time. Periodic trips to the store add up quickly. If you know that you are not going to be back for a month, you will be more likely to purchase items that will be used and not make impulse purchases.

2. Set aside thirty dollars for perishable goods. Milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and breads may need to be replenished throughout the month since it is not wise to buy a month's worth of them at a time or they will spoil. However, that thirty dollars must last until the end of the month, so ration it carefully. Seven dollars a week should purchase a gallon of store-brand milk and some type of fruit or vegetable that can be served over several days. Melons and bananas are good examples of fruits that can be made to last all week.

3. Buy seasonal fruit. Fruit that is raised out of season is more expensive than that which is in season so buy seasonally to get more for your money.

4. Buy frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are far more nutritious than canned and can be added to soups, salads and other dishes in small amounts to make them tastier and more nutritious. They also tend to be relatively inexpensive and a bag will usually last a full month if you do not cook it all at once.

5. Buy in bulk. When it makes sense, purchase food in bulk. However, make sure that it is food that you will use. For example, you may wish to buy rice, pasta, chicken or diced tomatoes in large amounts because these items serve as the basis for many dishes. However, it does not make sense to buy something in bulk that you seldom use.

6. Clip coupons. You can save nearly a third of your budget by carefully using coupons. However, make sure that the coupons do not control your grocery list or you will end up spending more than you save. Decide first what you want to buy, then examine your coupons to see if you can save.

7. Give up sweets. Desserts are not nutritious and are generally one of the more expensive aspects of a food budget. Giving them up entirely will take an enormous chunk out of your food bill.

8. Set designated snack and meal times. Many people--children and adults alike--eat simply because they are bored. Set specific times for all meals and snacks, then do not snack in between times. It will lead to less wasted food at meals and help your entire family avoid a bad eating habit.

9. Comparison shop every time. Many discount or "dollar" stores receive shipments of damaged goods that vary from month to month. Go to your local dollar store to see what is available before going to the grocery or bulk-buy store. Sometimes the dollar store may have items that are significantly less expensive because the packaging is crumpled or damaged, and buying these goods can save you a great deal of money. However, make sure that a dollar is the cheapest price you can get before you get carried away. For example, canned goods are frequently forty to fifty cents cheaper at a regular grocery than at a discount store.

10. Be repetitive. A limited budget does limit the number of dishes you can serve. Do not hesitate to serve spaghetti or rice multiple times in one week. School lunches will also be limited to sandwiches and leftovers. As long as they are nutritious, then there is nothing wrong with repetition.

Tags: Dollars Month, Feed Family Four, grocery shopping, However make, However make sure, Hundred Dollars

Money Saving Ideas For Grocery Shopping

Fill your grocery bag with the items you need.

The grocery budget, for large families, in particular, can take a chunk out of every family's monthly budget. Cut down on wasteful spending at the grocery store by shopping smartly. Making a list is key in ensuring that you buy only the items that you need and avoid impulse purchases. Cutting coupons and sticking to your list can reduce your grocery expenses, leaving your family more disposable income each month.

Buy in Bulk--Wisely

If your grocery list includes staples that you purchase week after week, buy them in bulk to cut down on costs. Rather than buying chicken breasts in packages of three or four, stock up on a bulk-sized bag of frozen chicken breasts. Toss the bag in the freezer, and thaw the breasts one at a time for a number of meals. Buying in bulk can be wasteful, however, if you don't do it wisely. Don't purchase a jumbo box of cookies if your family rarely eats them. The cookies will eventually go bad, so if you don't eat them often, most of them will end up in the garbage can. Focus your bulk-buying efforts on items that you eat weekly, and that you can freeze and keep fresh until you need them.

Avoid Convenience Foods

Today's time-short consumers want items that are easy to toss in a brown bag or heat up in a microwave. However, this convenience comes with a cost. Avoid purchasing convenience foods, including packages of sliced fruit, chopped vegetables or individually sized snacks. If prepackaged foods are a must in your household, do it yourself. When you get home from the grocery store, separate your items into convenience packages. Slice fruit, and place it in plastic bags for your kids' lunches. Divide chips and crackers into single-serving packages. Chop up the vegetables you need for your week's recipes, and store them in plastic ware in the refrigerator to make your cooking easier. With a little bit of legwork, you can cut costs.

Research Discounts

Grocery stores advertise discounts in weekly circulars and in the stores, so take note of what discounts work for you as you shop. Don't purchase items simply because they are on sale. If a product on your list is on sale, take advantage of it. However, don't buy extra until you assess the discount. For example, most deals like "Two for $5" do not require you to buy two products to receive the discounted price. If you only need one item, then you can still get it for $2.50. Read the fine print, and don't overbuy simply because the advertised discount encourages you to do so.

Tags: items that, your grocery, chicken breasts, grocery store, simply because, your family, your list

Freeze Fresh Sweet Corn And Harvest Corn

Freeze Corn using the freshest ears

Learning harvest corn, clean corn, and freeze corn are necessary skills for anyone looking to enjoy the flavor of fresh sweet corn both in and out of season. Whether growing corn in a home garden or planning to buy corn from a market, it is important to prepare sweet corn properly to get the best flavor. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Find a respected farmers market or farmer that is growing corn to sell in the spring. To freeze corn of the best quality, it is best to get freshly picked corn, not corn that has been shipped in from some distance. Ask what time of the year they expect to harvest sweet corn, to be ready for when the harvest comes in. Sweet corn is best put up right after picking, at the most within 6 hours -this really makes a difference in the quality because the sugar starts turning to starch right after picking. Plan for the corn preparation day by setting aside at least a week of time. It won't take that long to work with the corn but crop harvests are determined by the weather, something the farmer has no control over. Unforeseen changes in the weather may speedup or delay any planned schedule. If growing corn in a home garden, sweet corn can take from 60 to nearly 100 days to reach maturity. Timing depends on the corn variety and the corn growing conditions. Schedule the plans to freeze corn based on these facts.

2. Get any harvesting and cooking supplies that will be needed. Plastic freezer containers such as sealable plastic bags, can be purchased or simply save up whipped topping and margarine tubs. Check at Goodwill stores for large cooking pots and knives. Make room in the freezer to know how much sweet corn there will be room for. Properly frozen corn can last for several years. Some large, preferably cloth - burlap bags to put the corn in and for hauling off the waste later, will be needed. Don't keep the just picked corn in plastic bags as it will get too hot and go bad. Place it in a large cooler on ice to keep it cool if it can't be processed right away. Try to find a farmer who grows organic corn. There may be worms but these are usually only at the end of the ear and can be cut off when shucking.

3. To harvest sweet corn first be sure it is sweet corn and not field corn. Field corn varieties do not have the sugar content of sweet corn and will not taste sweet. Sweet corn tends to have smaller stalks and ears, and most field corn varieties have purplish silks. Those are the hair-like growths that stick out the end of the ear. Watch for the silks to start turning brown. The shucks -the green leaves that cover the ears, will still be quite green. This is the roasting ear stage. Pull back the shucks on one side of a large ear and see if the corn kernels are filled out. If they are full size, stick a fingernail into one and see if a milky fluid squirts out. Once they have reached this "milky" stage, the corn is ready to harvest. Not all the corn on a stalk will ripen at the same time. Feel a ripe ear and notice how it feels. Any other ripe ears should feel the same. To pick the corn twist it from the stalk and pull it down to break it away. Picking, shucking, preparing, cooking, and freezing a bushel of corn is an all day job, so don't over do it when picking the corn, especially the first time. Do the corn picking or buy corn in the cool of the morning and then get the corn home and shuck it as soon as possible, keeping it in a cool place. Shuck corn by using a large knife and cutting through the top -the stem end of the ear, right at the top of the cob. Use a sawing motion and don't cut all the way through the shucks on the side across from the cut. Pull the cut off top and the uncut green shucks down one side. Now with one side of the ear uncovered, it is possible to see how much of the pointed, silk end to cut off. Cut through the silk end and pull the other shucks off down the other side. Use a large knife to cut the silk end off while shucking. Pick off the silks and lay the ear aside to do the next one. Another way to shuck the corn is by pulling the shucks down completely starting at the pointed end with the silks and breaking them off at the stem end. If there are any corn earworms and their droppings, then this method can be messy.

4. It is best to cut the corn off the cob rather than try and freeze corn on the cob. Corn on the cob takes up too much room and the cob seems to pull the flavor out of the kernels. Do the cutting over a sink or outside, as there will be splatter and it is a messy job. Wash the ears and remove any silks and worm leavings. Don't think that just because there is a corn worm in the ear that it is bad, just cut any chewed on parts off. Hold the ear up right over a cutting surface that can be picked up, or on the edge of a large cooking pot, and slice off the whole kernels going down the ear. if cream style corn is wanted, only cut the tops of the kernels off, and then scrape the liquids out with the knife blade into the pot. It will splatter all over so be ready for the mess. When the cutting surface gets full of corn, empty it over into a large pot. To freeze corn, there is no need to add any water or other ingredients to it.

5. Turn the heat to low and cover the pot for cooking corn. Bring the sweet corn to a slow boil and boil for 2 minutes. Watch it carefully as it can scorch easily. Ladle the sweet corn into containers leaving about an inch of air space at the top for any expansion. Allow to cool in a cold water bath before placing in the freezer. When using the corn for a meal, add flavorings then, such as butter and salt to taste. A bushel of good corn -approx. 60 ears, will yield between 6 to 10 quarts of whole grain corn to freeze and slightly more creamed corn. Now for the clean up. Corn juice is sticky so put everything in to be washed right away and wash down the area around the sink and stove with a soapy cloth then rinse well. The shucks, corn cobs, and cut off ends, can be fed to cows or put in a compost pile if the corn was grown organically.

Below, under resources there are links to other articles about cooking. Please rate this article and any others you decide to check out, thank you.

All contents and photos copyrighted by Aupoet.

Tags: sweet corn, sweet corn, corn home, freeze corn, growing corn, shucks down, after picking

Fastest Way To Thaw Out Bread

Thawing out bread is easy to do and fast, if you use the right technique.

Putting bread in the freezer is an excellent way to keep it fresh. Bread takes less time to thaw out than meats or other heavier foods as it is lighter and less dense. Bread can be kept in the freezer between two and three months safely, but once you have thawed bread out, it needs to used quickly as it will soon start to degrade once exposed to room temperatures. A regular loaf of bread should last between two and three days after being thawed out. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Microwave Method

The fastest way to thaw out bread is to use the microwave. If it is sliced bread, place as many slices of bread as you can fit on a plate without overlapping them. Place them in the microwave and put the microwave on the defrost setting. Don't be tempted to put it on a heat setting as the temperature will be too hot and the bread will cook. Set the time to four minutes but check every minute or so to ensure the bread had not become too warm. If it is a loaf of bread, place it in a paper bag, put on a plate in the microwave and defrost for four to eight minutes checking after four minutes to see how much more time it needs. Loaves of bread come in different shapes and sizes so you have to make judgments regarding the defrosting time.

Cold Water Method

Place your loaf or slices in a watertight plastic bag; make sure it is firmly sealed and no water can enter. Run the cold tap in your sink and place the bag under the tap turning it often to ensure all sides get covered. Using cold water ensures you do not make the bread mushy when it starts to thaw. If you wish you can just fill your sink with cold water and place you bagged bread in the sink and let it sit for 30 minutes. The turning process is simply to circulate the water; the more water that circulates, the faster the bread thaws.

Room Temperature Method

Place your loaf or slices of bread on a plate, cover with a cloth or a fly net to ensure they are safe from pests. Leave them to thaw naturally at room temperature, how long this takes will depend on the size of the loaf; if they are individual slices they should thaw fairly quickly, usually 30 minutes or less. This method is fine for baked items but do not use this method for thawing fish or meats as bacteria will thrive at room temperature. This method is even quicker with the aid of a fan; air that is circulating thaws the bread more quickly.

Metal Pan Method

Place your bread in a metal pan or on a metal plate and leave it at room temperature. The metal is a good conductor of heat and so the bread will thaw out more quickly if it is placed on a metal surface. Heavy copper or aluminum pans work best and provide quicker results.

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Bamboo Cooking Utensils

Bamboo is a renewable resource.

Sometimes called the poor man's lumber, bamboo is a highly renewable resource that is used in creating a wide variety of products. You can get bamboo flooring, mats, frames, towels, clothing, furniture and kitchen utensils, just to name a few. In natural conditions, bamboo can grow upwards of two feet daily. The plant's extensive roots continually send up fresh shoots so it never needs replanting, which makes bamboo products environmentally friendly. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Benefits

Bamboo is lighter than oak but harder than maple. This makes bamboo cooking utensils lightweight and manageable, and provides them with tremendous longevity when treated properly. Bamboo doesn't break easily, it won't hurt your non-stick pots and pans, and it won't absorb odors like some other utensil materials do.

Being Green

Besides the fact that bamboo renews itself quickly, there are other environmental advantages to bamboo cooking utensils. For one, you're not depleting hardwood forests by using bamboo. Additionally, a lot of bamboo is grown organically. That means a certified organic cutting board or spoon, for example, was grown and made without pesticides, fertilizers, or artificial colors. Finally, come the end of its useful life, a bamboo utensil is biodegradable.

Cleaning Bamboo Items

Cleaning bamboo utensils isn't difficult. Wash them using mild soap then rinse them thoroughly under hot water. Dry them in the dish drainer where the silverware goes. If you notice your utensils seem dry, treat them to a light massage with olive oil. Avoid putting bamboo items in the dishwasher.

Cost

The cost of buying bamboo utensils measures up nicely against wooden counterparts. In some cases you can even save money. If you want to switch to using bamboo, the most cost-effective approach is buying sets. Alternatively, as one of your wooden utensils wears out, replace just that item with bamboo until you eventually have the set you desire.

Spoons and Chopsticks

Among the most popular bamboo utensils, spoons and chopsticks make a great addition to any kitchen. Bamboo spoons come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them functional for everything from tossing a salad and stirring soup to serving a meal. Slotted spoons work wonderfully with woks.

Chopsticks have been around for thousands of years, used in the same way as forks, in the Far East. They come in various lengths and two basic styles. Japanese bamboo chopsticks have pointed tips, while Chinese ones have blunt tips. For daily use, bamboo is a favored material. For those wanting to use correct etiquette, always hold your chopsticks in the right hand. It takes a little time to master eating with chopsticks, but it's great fun to offer them when serving guests Oriental cuisine.

Steamers

Another popular bamboo utensil is a steamer. With many consumers looking for healthy cooking options, the popularity of steamers has grown greatly since the latter part of 20th century. Traditional bamboo steamers retain the flavors and nutrients in foods that other types of cooking sometimes eliminate. While the original design for bamboo steamers was to be used with woks, they work perfectly well in nearly any pan of water, since they come in many sizes.

It's easy to use bamboo steamers. Just fill a pan with water until it reaches just below the slotted area in the bottom of the steamer. Put your food inside, boil the water, and then sit back until the food is cooked. For a twist, add herbs, wine, juice, or even edible flowers to the water. These enhance the aroma and flavor of the completed dish. Note that if you're using a tiered steamer, the items at the bottom cook the fastest. That means putting hardier things like potatoes or carrots in the bottom of your bamboo steamer and more delicate, fast-cooking items on top.

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Importance Of High Spf Values In The Sun

Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly for the best protection against sun damage.

SPF, or sunburn protection factor, measures a sunscreen's power to protect individuals from sunburn caused by exposure to solar energy. For example, a sunscreen with SPF 30 blocks approximately 97 percent of UVB radiation from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Using an SPF product is an important step in protecting against skin cancer and signs of premature aging, but a number of factors influence an individual's need for high SPF products.

Amount of Product Used

SPF is measured by the application of 2 mg of sunscreen to each square centimeter of skin. However, most consumers only apply 0.5 mg to 1 mg per square centimeter, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Applying a product with a higher SPF can offset this issue.

Solar Intensity

The sun's intensity at different times of the day and different locations affect a person's SPF needs. Solar energy is more intense during midday hours, at lower latitudes, on clear days and near reflective surfaces such as bodies of water, sand and snow. Skin should be protected with a high SPF product in these situations.

Skin Sensitivity

A person's skin tone and other sensitivities impact their SPF needs. Those who are fair-skinned, for example, absorb more solar energy than individuals with darker complexions. Photosensitivity, or increased sensitivity to the sun's rays, is a symptom of many medications that can also increase a person's risk of sunburn. These individuals can benefit from higher SPF products. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information on medications that cause photosensitivity.

Application

Regular application plays a major role in sun protection. No matter the SPF, a product's protection wears off within a few hours and can wash off sooner with water or perspiration. The FDA recommends applying a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all areas of uncovered skin daily. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 1 ½ to 2 hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating.

Other Considerations

Most sunscreens primarily protect against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. However, UVA rays, which contribute to skin aging and skin cancer, are also a concern. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends choosing a product with SPF 30-50 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. You should also take other precautions such as avoiding midday sun, seeking shade often when outdoors and wearing protective clothing like long sleeves, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

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Run A Sports Bar

A sports bar is an establishment where sports enthusiasts can enjoy a meal and have a few drinks while watching "the big game" on a big-screen TV. Running a sports bar can be challenge but also a great opportunity for potential entrepreneurs. Here are some things that one must consider if the sports bar is to be profitable and successful.

Instructions

1. Choose a location. Your sports bar's location will be very important to how successful it will be but choosing a great location is in the eye of the beholder. By locating your sports bar in an already booming area, you might not have problems getting customers in the door but you might pay a lot more in rent. By locating the bar in a less-popular area, you will have to spend money on promotion and advertisement and you will have to wait longer to see a return on your investment.

2. Obtain a liquor license. Every sports bar that serves liquor must obtain a license. This should be done as soon as possible as getting this license could take a year or more depending on the regulations in your area. The cost of a liquor license can be between a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Different organizations regulate this process in different states, which is why the cost varies greatly. The size of your sports bar also contributes to how much it will cost for your license.

3. Consider what type of atmosphere you want to convey. This refers to how your sports bar will be set up and decorated. Decide upon the lighting of the bar, the bar setup (location of tables, bar stools and the bar itself), the location of TVs throughout the bar and also the location of decorative items such as neon lights, advertisements and sports memorabilia.

4. Decide on the menu. Most sports bars offer menu options such as appetizers, Buffalo wings, sandwiches, burgers and pizza.

5. Hire employees that fit the image of your sports bar. As a result, try hiring bartenders that know a thing or two about sports. Also, servers should be personable, courteous and prompt.

6. Keep an eye out for any upcoming sporting events and big games and have specials on food and drinks. For example, if the Super Bowl is coming up, host a Super Bowl-themed party. When the local team plays, offer specials for customers who support the team by wearing jerseys.

7. Be ready to deal with customers who drink too much. If you determine a customer has had too much to drink, stop serving them immediately and offer coffee or food as an alternative. Call a cab or someone to drive them home. Under no circumstances should he or she be allowed to drive. Escort belligerent or angry customers outside and call the police.

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Ant Bait Poison

The ants' nest is where you want the poisons in your ant bait.

Ants are found about anywhere in the world, and possibly 10,000 to 20,000 species exist. They're industrious and are social insects because they colonize and live in nests, which may house millions of ants. You want the destination of the poisonous particles in your ant bait to be in the ants' nest. Does this Spark an idea?

Ant Bait Methodology

The object of ant baits is to kill colonies of ants.

Ant baits are a mixture of ant food and ant poison. When you see ants inside your house, find their inside trails the outside trail leading into your house and put ant baits on the trails.

Worker ants leave the nest to forage for food to feed the colony, they will be attracted to the ant bait, eat the mixture and take it back to the nest. The colony of ants, including the queen, eat the mixture and in a few weeks, the colony of ants die.

Ant Bait Poisons

Sweet-based ant baits are syrup, honey or other enticers mixed with an ant poison, such as borax or boric acid. They work effectively when you place them either inside or outside your home.

Niban, or hydramethylnon-based granules are protein-based ant baits scattered on your lawn. Equipment such as a fertilizer spreader circulates the bait over your yard.

Diatomaceous earth is ant bait you spread around the base of your house to help keep ants out of your home. Diatomaceous earth is a powder with abrasive edges, and when ants eat it, the powder cuts them internally and they are either poisoned or dry up and die.

Continued Treatments

Ants may establish several nests in the walls of your house and in your yard. Therefore, you may need to keep and maintain ant baits in different areas for several weeks.

Baits Vs. Insecticides

The poisons in ant baits are not fast-acting poisons; therefore, the ant doesn't die before getting the mixture to the nest for the colony to eat. Therein lies the difference between ant baits and insecticide sprays. Insecticide sprays kill ants before they return to their nests. If they make it to the nest, they don't carry poisonous food for the colony and thus all you kill are the ants that you sprayed. Insecticide sprays aren't designed to eliminate an entire colony as ant baits are.

Warning

Ant baits are not effective for every species; other methods may be necessary to eliminate some species of ants. Some ant poisons are toxic and need covers to protect young children and pets.

Tags: your house, ants nest, colony ants, Diatomaceous earth, Insecticide sprays, kill ants, nest colony

Nutritional Meal Plans For Athletes

Athletes require special diets to ensure they get the necessary vitamins and nutrients that they need to function. Athletes burn more calories, require special nutritional plans to get the nutrients needed to build muscle mass and to diminish body fat, and further require more frequent meals throughout the day. A solid nutritional plan can help keep you healthy at all times and ready to enjoy your athletic training or events.

Timing Meals

According to Ronald J. Maughan, author of Nutrition in Sport, athletes require several meals throughout the day. Some athletes need as many as eight meals per day, especially if the athlete is involved in heavy training. Eating smaller meals throughout the day will ensure a full sensation, but it will also provide you with the energy you need to function; as an athlete you will burn more calories than the average individual.

An Athletic Diet

In The Fat-Burning Bible: 28 Days of Foods, Supplements, and Workouts that Help You Lose Weight, Mackie Shilestone explains that the best nutritional plan for athletes consists of 30 percent lean proteins, 40 percent low glycemic carbohydrates and 30 percent healthy fats for the best metabolic efficiency. A diet consisting of those percentages encourages the development of lean muscle mass and less body fat overall. In addition, the latter diet can help to significantly reduce triglyceride levels. This type of diet gets blood sugar levels under control in as little as 35 days.

Protein Intake

Your diet should contain plenty of proteins. Proteins can be derived from foods sources like chicken, fish, skim milk, cottage cheese, fat-free cheese, poultry, soy products, egg whites, ground beef and whey products. Proteins are used to build muscle mass that is lean, keep insulin levels stabilized and promote proper immunological functioning. If your diet has levels of protein that are too low, you can end up diminishing the amount of testosterone in your system, which is needed for healthy bone density and muscle mass building. Your body does not store protein, so you have to get proteins from the foods you eat every day.

Carbohydrate Intake

Adequate carbohydrate intake is required for mental clarity, and carbohydrates are responsible for your energy levels. When you consume complex carbohydrates, they are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen: this substance stabilizes blood sugar levels and fuels the body. Complex carbohydrates can be derived from beans, corn, peas, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, cereals and breads.

Fat Intake

Fats are not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to nutrition; fats are needed for bodily fuel and for help with absorbing certain nutrients. Athletes need higher amounts of fat because the fats are used up during training and exercise. Good fat sources include non-fat or low-fat dairy items, lean meats and animal fats. You should limit your consumption of gravy, salad dressing, margarine and butter and/or fried foods.

Tags: muscle mass, meals throughout, blood sugar, blood sugar levels, build muscle, build muscle mass

Launch Your Own Cosmetics Company

Cosmetic lines generate enormous profits.

Billions of dollars flood the cosmetics industry each year. Creams, lotions, lipsticks and mascaras come in an endless variety to meet the desires and needs of every type of consumer. What satisfies the consumer searching for organic or natural products may not satisfy one looking for scientifically-driven, cutting-edge ingredients. If you enjoy cosmetics, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, ingenuity, style and business savvy, learn launch your own cosmetics line.

Instructions

1. Visit FDA.gov to learn its regulations about cosmetics safety and labeling. The website lists restricted ingredients and provides direction on list warning statements for certain types of cosmetics. Use this information when evaluating the quality of products to offer in your cosmetic line.

2. Attend cosmetics trade shows and join professional organizations. The websites biztradeshows.com and cosmoworld.com compile and publish a list of upcoming tradeshows for the cosmetics industry.

3. Obtain the licenses you will need to sell cosmetics. Call the city and state revenue authorities and inquire about business licenses or sale tax permits. You may need a state sales tax ID number to buy cosmetics products wholesale.

4. Make a list of products you would like to offer. Choose products or formulations that are not readily available and will fill a particular niche in your area. Decide if you will offer skin and body care or color cosmetics, or a combination of both.

5. Search Thomasnet.com or Cosmeticindex.com to find private label manufacturers to supply cosmetics. The websites list the names of hundreds of cosmetics suppliers, and give short overviews of the services they offer.

6. Call the companies that provide the products you need. Private label cosmetic suppliers will have stock recipes for products, and may provide a consultant to help you produce custom product formulations.

7. Contact a graphic designer to create a logo. Confirm artwork requirements with your cosmetics suppliers.

8. Meet with a lawyer and start the process to trademark your business name and logo. With so many products on the market, having a trademark will give your cosmetics line a distinct identity.

9. Order your cosmetics. Private label companies have minimum quantity or minimum dollar requirements for your opening order.

10. Set up a mini-boutique in an existing store or beauty salon, or rent a kiosk at a mall to sell your cosmetics. Alternately, contact cosmetics buyers at stores you want to carry your cosmetics line. Offer to deliver products for them to sample to entice them to place an order.

Tags: your cosmetics, cosmetics line, your cosmetics line, cosmetics industry, cosmetics suppliers