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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by Laurence
Barbecue party tips can help a host put together an extraordinary event for family and friends. Eating outdoors is a favorite pastime enjoyed by everyone and planning the event can help make it more memorable and stress-free for the host. Big or small, a barbecue party requires an adequate amount of planning and preparation to ensure that everything is laid out properly.
It is advisable to plan the event around a theme in order to create a focal point for the barbecue party. This way, all aspects of the party such as the food, games and decorations can be fashioned around a central theme. Favorite themes for barbecue parties include a Hawaiian motif, nostalgic seventies get-together, or, if you are near the sea, opt for a beach bbq party!
Planning the menu is perhaps the most important part of any get-together especially for a barbecue party as most guests will be looking forward to an array of lip-smacking roasted meats dripping in bbq sauce.
Barbecue on the Beach Anyone?
Ah, what can be better than a great barbecue on the beach? The beach is definitely one of the best locations to have a barbecue. After all, the nature of grilling and barbecuing as a cooking technique is that it’s fun, exciting and very rewarding. Similarly, the beach pretty much exudes the same atmosphere. There are a lot of fun and exciting activities to do at the beach. It’s a place where people can be themselves in their ‘bare essentials’ and the relaxation factor is definitely rewarding. Putting these two wonderful concepts together, a barbecue on the beach is pretty much a recipe for a great time!
But before you pack your stuff, gear up your grill and hit the sand for one hell of a barbecue on the beach party, bear in mind that there are various safety procedures and other rules governing beach areas so it would be best to consult authorities and secure the proper permissions before you even think about organizing a beach barbecue party.
Assuming you’ve done that and you’ve already picked a nice spot, next would be preparing for your barbecue on the beach. There are various grill types that you may use for barbecuing on the beach - you have the wood or charcoal grill, gas grill or you may also use a campfire tripod. Be sure to station your grill in a stable spot, away from any flammable material and safe from people possibly bumping into it.
Bring your marinated meat, poultry or seafood in a cooler and take them out only when you’re ready to start barbecuing to avoid spoilage. Further, the last seasoning you would want on your barbecue on the beach is sand right? So keep them covered!
And of course, don’t forget to pack those barbecue sauces and hot sauces to spice up your barbecue dishes. If you’re looking for something insanely different to give your barbecue that extra punch, visit www.InsaneChicken.com for their wide array of barbecue sauces, marinades and dry rubs. Treat yourself and your friends’ taste buds to their line of extremely hot products; they would definitely go well with a good beer. Now that’s what I call one unforgettable barbecue on the beach party!
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Filed under: Dining Outdoor
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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by Sarah
Millions of people are going vegetarian every year. Please consider becoming a vegetarian yourself,so that you can help create a more compassionate world.
Scientific data suggest positive relationships between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for obesity, coronary artery disease, hyper-tension, diabetes mellitus, and some types of cancer.
Advice on healthy vegetarian eating
PROTEIN is recommended including alternative plant-based proteins, such as legumes, nuts, seeds and soy. For example, use cashew nuts, canned chickpeas or tofu in your favourite stir-fry recipe, add some canned beans to soups and salads, pine nuts,pecans or lentils into a pasta dish (see our recipe idea)or have a handful of nuts and seeds as a between-meals snack.
IRON Spinach, broccoli, almonds, wholegrain cereals and lentils are all plant-based sources of iron. To enhance the absorption of iron, try having a food containing vitamin C - such as orange juice - to accompany your meal.
ZINC is especially important to boost the immune system. To include enough zinc in your diet, try snacking on some pumpkin seeds and cashews for a hit. Other nuts, beans and legumes are also good plant sources.
VITAMIN B12 Choose foods - in particular soy milks that are fortified with vitamin B12. Milk, yoghurt and eggs are also sources of this vitamin.
OMEGA-3 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS Good for heart health, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil all contain omega-3 fats. Try sprinkling some walnuts through salads, cooking with a small amount of canola oil and using soy milk on your cereal.
LESS MEAT if the thought of cutting meat out of your diet altogether seems too challenging, try cutting down on your intake as a start. Include more whole plant foods and think of meat more as a side dish than the focus of a meal.
So don’t waste your time before its too late. Make a healthy diet by eating more on vegetables.
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Filed under: Food Advice & Tips
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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by Sarah
Available in a variety of different materials and styles, decorative wine furniture can immediately create a warm and welcoming ambience. Deciding factors on what kind of wine storage to purchase depends on how many bottles of wine you wish to store or display, available floor space, your existing color scheme and any specific features you might require.
Wine racks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, materials and colors. The most common materials are wood and metal. Freestanding wine racks often include a table or tray-style top ideal for wine tasting or serving purposes and, depending on the manufacturer, can hold up to 50 bottles. Tabletop wine racks are also freestanding, but are designed to conveniently sit on a table or a counter and tend to hold a smaller number.
Wine bars and wine servers resemble buffets and are generally larger pieces of furniture that might require more space, depending on the size selected. Wine bars and servers are cabinets specifically designed to hold bottles. They may include drawers, removable serving trays, shelves and open or enclosed storage areas. Depending on the style, a wine bar or server can also have a glass rack. Practical and functional, a wine bar or server keeps everything in one place, both the wine and all of the accessories needed to enjoy it.
Resembling a curio cabinet in style and function, wine cabinets can vary in size from compact to medium and larger. Many styles of wine cabinets boast hand-painted detailing, dark rich finishes, accessory drawers and hanging racks for wine glasses. Ornate iron scrollwork or wood carvings are other popular decorative touches that give a wine cabinet a distinct appearance. Corner wine cabinets typically have the features that other types of wine cabinets have, but are specifically designed to stand in a corner of a room.
Wine carts combine the function of a wine rack with the convenience of a kitchen cart. While they generally hold a very limited number of wine bottles, wine carts have the added appeal of mobility. A wine cart can be conveniently wheeled from the kitchen to any place where it’s needed. Wine carts range in style, from ones meant especially for the kitchen, complete with a knife block and paper towel holder to classically styled ones. More formal wine carts offer a number of stylish features, such as mirrored tray tops, shelves and drawers.
Whether you purchase a wine rack, a wine bar or server, a wine cabinet or a wine cart, keep in mind that it is an accent piece of furniture. You will want to select a style and color that will seamlessly blend with your current decor while adding its own character to your dining or entertaining area.
Wine furniture is gaining in popularity simply because it is a stylish way to store and display wine. Wine furniture, including wine racks, is designed to accommodate any sized collection, from large to small. I hope these general guidelines will help you find the perfect wine cabinet or wine rack that will make entertaining more enjoyable.
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Filed under: Dining Room Furniture
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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by Sarah
When vacationing in Breckenridge, Colorado, dining and nightlife options can be somewhat daunting, especially when you consider there are over one hundred restaurants and bars in the town alone. While many visitors simply select an eatery based on its convenient location or perhaps a catchy name, those who do a bit more research will be rewarded with fantastic Colorado-inspired cuisine as well as a surprising variety of ethnic flavors. If you’re traveling to Breckenridge this season and mulling over the town’s dining options prior to your stay, you’ve come to the right place. This is your guide to dining in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Breakfast
Breakfast options in Breckenridge are somewhat slim, given the array of restaurants in the town. Columbine Café, a locals’ favorite, serves up hearty breakfasts in a warm, cabin-like atmosphere. The only down side to the café is its popularity, which can lead to long waits for a table, especially during busy seasons. For an equally delicious breakfast at a reasonable price, a short walk up Lincoln Avenue to the Salt Creek Restaurant may reward you with a shorter wait for a table. Cool River Café serves up the town’s best smoothies as well as breakfast wraps. For a quick bite to eat, drop by Clint’s for a bagel or a breakfast sandwich or Daylight Donuts for diner-style food that’s served up in a hurry.
Lunch
When skiing at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, the most convenient dining options are located right on the mountain. Drop by Spencer’s Steaks and Spirits, located within Beaver Run Resort, for a hearty all you can eat lunch buffet. The Ten Mile Station, Peak 9 Restaurant, Vista Haus and Bergenhoff round out the ski area’s on-mountain offerings.
Peak 9’s base area is home to unique dining options such the Quandary Grille and Mi Casa, both of which offer great après ski opportunities. Giampietro on Main Street serves up some of the town’s best Italian at prices that won’t break the bank. The Kenosha Steakhouse and Breckenridge Brewery and Downstairs at Eric’s all offer great pub food and reasonable prices. For something a bit higher end, check out Relish or the Blue River Bistro.
Dinner
Breckenridge visitors will find an impressive lineup of restaurants serving dinner. For Colorado-inspired cuisine visit the Hearthstone, Briar Rose, Top of the World and Relish. All four eateries offer various wild game options as well as phenomenal steaks and seafood. Speaking of seafood, if you prefer yours raw, you’ll love Mountain Flying Fish and Wasabi, both of which feature amazing sushi nearly two miles above sea level. The South Ridge Seafood Grill, also a locals’ favorite, serves up a delicious array of seafood options and features an extremely popular happy hour.
If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Breckenridge features an exciting variety of choices. Visit Fiesta Jalisco or Jalepeno’s for authentic cuisine at reasonable prices. Mi Casa is a popular cantina featuring a twist on traditional Mexican flavors as well as an enticing selection of margaritas and tequilas.
For Italian, check out Taddeo’s, Michael’s, The Blue River Bistro, Fatty’s Pizzeria and Giampietro. The first three options comprise the town’s higher end Italian offerings with the Bistro featuring an extensive martini menu and live jazz groups nightly. Fatty’s and “”Giam’s,”" as the locals call it, offer more affordable dining options and are well known for their pies.
Popular pub and saloon offerings include the Breckenridge Brewery, Burke & Riley’s, Downstairs at Eric’s, the Kenosha Steakhouse and the Dredge Boathouse. All are excellent choices for affordable cuisine and remain fashionable into the evenings after their kitchens close.
Those seeking a dining experience that defies traditional definitions will appreciate the following choices. For an extensive wine list, be sure to check out the Cellar Wine Bar, featuring an a la carte menu. Breckenridge’s newest restaurant, Modis, offers contemporary cuisine in an urban meets mountain-chic atmosphere. The Swiss Haven features fondue, raclette, rostis and fine bottles of Swiss wines. Finally, Café Alpine, features a new menu daily, prepared entirely of fresh ingredients.
While this article doesn’t manage to cover all of Breckenridge’s restaurants, it adequately serves as the Cliffs Notes for the best of them. If you’re vacationing in the Rocky Mountains, any of the choices listed here will do a fine job of satisfying your palate. After all, you could take your best guess, but since we’ve already visited and reviewed them for you, that’s simply unnecessary. Enjoy!
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Filed under: Dining Guides
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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by Ben
WHAT IS SPELT?
Spelt is one of the oldest grains known to mankind. Grown as far back as 5000 BC, the spelt grain has hardly changed from that time until today. In fact, spelt was even referred to in the Bible, mentioned in both Exodus 9:32 and Ezekiel 4:9.
While still common in many parts of the world, including Europe, spelt lost popularity in America as commercial growers looked for higher yield crops to provide for mass production.
It is the integrity of modern spelt to the original grain that has rekindled interest of those looking for a more nutritious alternative to the highly processed grains currently available.
HOW SPELT COMPARES TO WHEAT
Unlike the wheat most Americans have come to know, spelt has not been changed for centuries. Wheat production in America demanded higher gluten for commercial foods and a plant that was easy to grow and harvest. With these changes much of the wheat grown lost its nutritious value and became easy targets to pests requiring pesticides and insecticides to protect it during growth.
Spelt became less popular because of its hard outer husk which made it difficult to process. However, this husk protects the spelt from pests and pollutants and helps the grain to maintain its nutrient value.
The spelt grain is high in fibre and has more protein than conventional wheat. It is full of amino acids and a good source of B vitamins. Spelt is easier to digest than regular wheat and has a subtle nutty flavor that many appreciate.
One of the most desirable qualities of this nutritious and tasty grain is that individuals with allergies to wheat may be able to tolerate spelt grains and products.
WHERE CAN YOU GET SPELT?
Spelt is sold through organic health food stores. You can buy spelt grain, whole grain and white flours. Spelt products also include pasta, hot or cold cereals, cookies, crackers, bread, muffins, cakes and pancake mixes.
ADAPTING RECIPES FOR SPELT GRAIN
When baking with spelt you will need to adapt the recipe to account for the difference between spelt and traditional wheat. Increasing the amount of flour or decreasing the amount of liquids will enable you to use spelt in most recipes asking for wheat.
Spelt needs to be soaked overnight before cooking. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Let it simmer in a covered pot for an hour.
THE CASE FOR SPELT
Spelt has many features that make it stand out as the ecologically and nutritionally superior grain available. The tough husk means it can be grown without pesticides and insecticides and helps preserve freshness when stored. Its high nutritional value can’t be compared to hybrid wheat currently produced and it appears to be easier for the body to tolerate.
Spelt is not new to the world, but if you haven’t tried it before, now is the time to introduce yourself to the oldest secret to healthy eating!
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Filed under: Dining News
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