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More people today are discovering the healthy benefits of
drinking a delicious, refreshing smoothie for breakfast, lunch
or dinner.

Instead of soda pop at your next meal or diet cola, consider
whipping up a smoothie made with fresh fruit, yogurt, skim milk
or juice.

Smoothies will give you a real energy boost and are healthier
for you than cola or soda.

Online you will find recipes for popular smoothies like: banana
smoothie, blueberry smoothie, chocolate smoothie, jello
smoothie, mango smoothie, peanut butter smoothie, strawberry
smoothie, tofu smoothie, and tropical smoothie.

Here is a sample of the kinds of smoothie recipes you will see:

Banana Creamsicle Smoothie - with bananas and orange juice

Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie - with blueberries and pineapple
orange juice

Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie - with raspberries and chocolate
syrup

Virgin Margarita Smoothie - with lime jello and pineapple

Mango Smoothie - with fresh peaches and mango chunks

Classic Peanut Butter Smoothie - with bananas and creamy peanut
butter

Strawberry Pear and Peach Smoothie - with fresh strawberries,
peaches and pears

Honey Tofu Smoothie - with bananas, tofu and honey

Hawaiian Holiday Smoothie - with peach mango tofu and pineapple

You can find these refreshing smoothie recipes and more with
just the click of your mouse. Soon you’ll be enjoying the
wonderful health benefits of drinking these delicious nutritious
smoothies.

Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the
supermarket. Here’s how to start off safely.

1. Pick up your packaged and canned foods first. Buy cans
and jars that look perfect. Don’t buy canned goods that are
dented, cracked or bulging. These are the warning signs that
dangerous bacteria may be growing in the can.

2. Look for any expiration dates on the labels and never buy
outdated food. Likewise, check the “use by” or “sell by”
date on dairy products such as cottage cheese, cream cheese,
yogurt, and sour cream and pick the ones that will stay
fresh longest in your refrigerator.

3. Check eggs, too. Choose eggs that are refrigerated in the
store. Before putting them in your cart, open the carton and
make sure that the eggs are clean and none are cracked or
broken.

4. Raw meat, poultry, and seafood sometimes drip. The juices
that drip may have germs. Keep these juices away from other
foods. Put raw meat, poultry, and seafood into plastic bags
before they go into the cart. Separate raw meat, poultry,
and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart
and in your refrigerator.

5. Don’t buy frozen seafood if the packages are open, torn
or crushed on the edges. Avoid packages that are above the
frost line in the store’s freezer. If the package cover is
transparent, look for signs of frost or ice crystals. This
could mean that the fish has either been stored for a long
time or thawed and re-frozen.

6. Check for cleanliness at the meat or fish counter and the
salad bar. For instance, cooked shrimp lying on the same bed
of ice as raw fish could become contaminated.

7. When shopping for shellfish, buy from markets that get
their supplies from state-approved sources; stay clear of
vendors who sell shellfish from roadside stands or the back
of a truck. And if you’re planning to harvest your own
shellfish, heed posted warnings about the water’s safety.

8. Pick up milk, frozen foods, and perishables (meat,
poultry, fish) last. Always put these products in separate
plastic bags so that drippings don’t contaminate other foods
in your shopping cart.

9. Drive immediately home from the grocery store. This will
give cold or frozen food less time to warm up before you get
home. If the destination is farther away than 30 minutes,
bring a cooler with ice or commercial freezing gels from
home and place perishables in it.

10. Save hot chicken and other hot foods for last, too. This
will give them less time to cool off before you get home.

Terry Nicholls
My Home-Based Business Advisor
www.my-home-based-business-advisor.com

Copyright © by Terry Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.

About The Author

Terry Nicholls is the author of the eBook “Food Safety: Protecting Your Family From Food Poisoning”. In addition, he writes from his own experiences in trying to start his own home-based business. To benefit from his success, visit My Home-Based Business Advisor - Helping YOUR Home Business Start and Succeed for free help for YOUR home business, including ideas, startup, and expansion advice.

If you ever visit China, you will see that they are a nation of people who take their national foods and delicacies very seriously. Although most people of the Western world would likely not find the Chinese delicacies very appealing or appetizing, if you try to open your mind, you will find they are often quite delicious.

One of the Chinese delicacies you can often try when in China is the abalone muscle. The abalone is a type of mollusk that is found in the regional waters of China. It can be quite delicious and is usually expensive because of the rarity.

Fried grasshoppers are one of the most interesting China delicacies. They are often used for protein sources. Although Americans are often put off by the thought of eating a bug, the people of the Eastern world, including China and Korea, see the grasshopper as being delicious, healthy, and even healing in some aspects.

Another interesting Chinese delicacy is the sea cucumber. The sea cucumber is an animal that is found at the bottom of the sea. When it is eaten, it must be cleaned first. The entire cleaning process can take days.

As you can see, the Chinese delicacies are quite interesting in nature. Although people who are not from the Eastern area might think they are not appealing, they are quite appreciated in China and the Far East in general. If you are interesting in trying them however, you will likely have to visit the area where they are most common because there are not many chefs who have access to these items outside of China.

If you are a coffee drinker then a Bunn coffee maker must be an extension of yourself existing somewhere in your environment. If you are not, then you might know somebody who is a coffee drinker and therefore they may use a bunn coffee maker. Either ways you might consider owning a coffee maker for three reasons.

One is to brew coffee for yourself. Two, you might choose to entertain guests and give them coffee.

Three, you might want to have it as a part of your business, either for your staff or for your customers.

Only once you have decided the purpose of your purchase would it be a good idea to start shopping.

Once the target use of a bunn coffee maker is decided, whether it is for commercial purpose or if it is simply going to be a bunn home coffee maker you can start shopping. You are in luck if you are connected to the internet. There are various companies that allow you to make a purchase online. The prices are competitive and you can find lots of bunn coffee makers that offer discounts.

When purchasing a bunn coffee maker another aspect of consideration includes maintenance. After all one cannot by a new coffee maker every time an old one sputters. Good news is that bunn coffee maker parts are available in the market as well. Again if you have internet your in luck. Sites offer buying options for brewer parts, Coffee maker parts, grinder parts, filter parts and others. While shopping for these you might want to keep in mind the model type of our bunn coffee maker. The rest is a breeze.

A bunn coffee maker is a great addition to your coffee making routine. They help you make the perfect cup!

About the author:

Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.my-coffee-4me.com/

Italian prosciutto and cantaloupe appetizer is an easy and
delightful beginning to any meal. The delicate salty flavor of
prosciutto balances the sweet and juicy cantaloupe to create a
taste pleasing appetizer.

This traditional Italian antipasto often appears on the menu in
fine Italian restaurants. Italian prosciutto and cantaloupe can
even be found in cafes around Rome and other hot spots in Italy.

Try serving Italian prosciutto and cantaloupe attractively
arranged the next time you have a dinner party and then sit back
and relax. You will be delightfully surprised at all the
compliments that will follow your presentation.

Ripe cantaloupe

Prosciutto sliced very thin

Black pepper

Chill the melon, cut it into halves and remove the seeds. Slice
the melon into inch wide slices. Run your knife along the
bottom of the flesh close to the rind, being careful not to
remove the rind. Leave a small amount of the rind at the end of
the slice attached to the flesh. This will allow for an
appealing presentation.

Drape 2 wide, very thin slices of prosciutto at an angle over
each slice of melon. Allow some of the melon to show through the
prosciutto. Grind a small amount of black pepper over top and
serve chilled.

This is one of our family’s favorite holiday cookies. Yummy and so simple to make.

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
teaspoon salt
teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons mini, semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 3000.

2. In an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, salt and cream of tarter on high speed until soft peaks form.

3. Add the sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form.

4. Sift the cocoa over the egg white mixture. Then fold it in. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

5. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Drop batter by the tablespoon onto the baking sheet.

6. Bake for 40 minutes or until crisp. Baking times may vary slightly depending on humidity.

7. Cool on a wire rack. Then store in an airtight container.

Yields 4 dozen cookies.

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About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that’s jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com

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Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes

Makes: 4 servings

To serve, place chicken on top of hot cooked rice on each plate and spoon sauce over the top. Wonderful served with steamed asparagus.

Ingredients

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup maple flavored syrup

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Bring orange juice and wine to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat slightly, but keep high enough to continue a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in maple syrup and continue boiling for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until glossy and just slightly thickened. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl mix together the rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub mixture on both sides of chicken breasts, and set aside.

3. Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken breasts, cover skillet and saute for about 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Pour orange-maple mixture over chicken (mixture will boil and bubble). Reduce heat to simmer; cover and let cook for another 10 minutes, basting occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has turned into a rich, thick glaze.

Nutrition Info

Servings Per Recipe: 4

Amount Per Serving:

Calories: 395

Total Fat: 14.2g

Cholesterol: 84mg

Sodium: 452mg

Total Carbs: 34.3g

Dietary Fiber: 0.2g

Protein: 27.8g

Source:

www.recipesecrets.net/index_ebk.html?hop=macksterj

Anthony Lee Smith is an affiliate of Recipe Secrets, which provides a service to cooking enthusiasts with a vast array of recipes.

Famous Secret Recipes Exposed! Get the recipes that everyone loves but nobody knows how to make. Free Bonuses for ordering today - go to:
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If you’re like me, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every year, is a blur. There never seems to be enough time to prepare for the holidays. Our immune systems plummet and stress rises. During this time, I try to find shortcuts to make things less stressful, for myself. Turkey leftovers are a mandatory part of this strategy. Even if the family dinner is not at my home, I buy a turkey. During the holiday season, it is very economical and a lifesaver.

Here are three light, simple and easy ways to use your turkey leftovers:

1 Turkey Quesidillas. Spray a whole wheat flour tortilla with Butter Pam. Place in frying pan and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped turkey pieces and sliced green onion. Place another tortilla on top and spray with Butter Pam. Brown on both sides until cheese is melted. You can add some chopped olives or jalapeno peppers if you desire. Serve with salsa.

2 Spinach and Turkey Salad. Mix together - chopped turkey, bacon flavored almonds, dried cranberries and fresh spinach. Serve with your favorite vinaigrette or honey mustard salad dressing.

3 Turkey Soup. I cook the turkey carcass the weekend after Thanksgiving. You can do that or use canned chicken broth, chopped turkey and a bag of your favorite frozen vegetables. Pour everything in a pan and heat through until vegetables are crisp and tender, about fifteen to twenty minutes. Serve with a good brown bread.

While I still love hot open faced turkey sandwiches and all of the leftovers from Thanksgiving, these fast and easy meals provide a break in more ways than one. We are constantly bombarded with food and goodies during this time of year. It’s good to intersperse light dinners with heavier meals. All of these dinners can be made in thirty minutes or less. When we arrive home, after working or shopping or usually both, a light meal which takes almost no effort is a welcome relief. Having a light meal, once or twice a week, also helps to keep the calories from skyrocketing. So, give yourself a break, during the busiest time of the year. Your mind and your body will thank you for it.

Constance Weygandt is a balance mentor who specializes in finding answers for those individuals who are seeking an alternative to conventional weight management. For more information or to sign up for Constance’s newsletter, visit her website at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com.

Copyright 2005 So-lu’shunz Management Services

Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are 5 practically painless steps to a clean slate.

1. Begin by identifying the areas which are most impacting your ability to function effectively. Then place 2 cartons at each offending “station,” labeled TOSS & SAVE.

2. Each time you walk by, place one item in each - no excuses, one item in each carton.

3. When you can no longer place one item in each box, the remainder either gets disposed of all at once or saved and rearranged.

4. Now take a look at the TOSS carton and divide what should be given away from what is trash. Make the call right away.

5. Your final task is to organize what’s left, but that shouldn’t take long now - right? Proceed in the same manner which each area of concern.

Depending on the size of the area, the degree of clutter and the amount of time you spend in that environment, i.e., office, garage, bedroom, any one of these projects can be accomplished easily using the same process. Don’t try tackling an entire room at one time - break it down, dresser, desk, night stand, silverware drawer, etc. After all, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time…

Get the whole family involved, but no tossing items that belong to another family member or co-worker, and no scrounging through the TOSS carton to retrieve items. That’s how you accumulated so much in the first place! A good rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it in 6 months, and it’s not a seasonal item, toss it.

If you seem to be continually fighting clutter in your environment, chances are you are fighting life clutter as well. The external environment we create for ourselves is often a fair reflection of our internal environment.

If that’s the case, begin to apply the same process to those areas of your life that seem to be cluttered.

1. Begin by listing each offending area at the top of a separate page of a notebook or journal small enough to carry with you. Leaving the first side blank, divide the reverse side into two columns, TOSS and SAVE. Whenever you have a few minutes, on a break, on the train, waiting for the kids to get into the car, list the elements involved in this particular area. These may be tasks/chores, major responsibilities, or attitudes and behaviors.

2. Once you’ve completed the first side, begin the process of tossing and saving each one, listing them in the appropriate column on the reverse, once again, placing one item in each column each time you visit the list. It is beneficial to enlist the aid of an accountability partner when this portion of the exercise is completed, providing them with a copy of your TOSS/SAVE list. If you’re truly dedicated to simplifying, you won’t hesitate to ask. Offer to return the favor!

3. When you can no longer place one item in each column, either toss or save all the remaining items.

4. Now look at your lists and decide which of your TOSS iitems requires further attention or which elements you may be carrying around that don’t belong to you at all. If you are carrying the weight of emotions like unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, or resentment, deal with the issue face to face with the person involved. If you have wronged someone, take a bold step and make it right. Whatever it takes to get rid of the item - do it. And don’t turn back! Employ your accountability partner for support in these areas.

5. Your final task is to organize what remains. Prioritize your list - it should be much easier to do with all the clutter out of the way.

Repeat this process with each area of your life that is suffering from internal clutter. Begin today, the results will be amazingly liberating and you just might arrive at a clutter free environment and a clutter free life at the same time!

Please note, if your clutter problem is pronounced, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance.

Karin Syren is a certified coach concentrating on women’s needs, helping leaders clearly identify issues facing them, coaching them through the steps to gaining, regaining, & maintaining control of juggling the intense demands and transitions facing them. She offers guidance in discovering mission, creating vision and designing goals. For information & to schedule a complementary session, please see her website at http://www.solushunz.com

Chocolate, or the cocoa bean to be more exact was used by the Aztecs as early as the year 400 but it was Columbus who first introduced it to the new world when he brought it back to Spain. Chocolate as a drink was quite popular in Europe in the mid 1600’s, but chocolate as a solid wasn’t introduced until 1847. Thirty years later, milk was added to create milk chocolate and candy bars have been enjoyed world wide ever since!

Making Chocolate

It is actually quite simple to make chocolate, but each maker has his own secret recipes. First off, the cocoa beans are roasted and ground up. Next you add sugar and the other ingredients (milk if you are making milk chocolate). Each maker will have a different list of ingredients. The ingredients are blended together through a method called conching which uses a special machine. Finally, the chocolate is tempered -heated up and then cooled again for the final result.

Chocolate Nutrition

Good quality chocolate is actually rather nutritious! It contains vitamins and minerals including calcium and magnesium. It also contains anti-oxidants that help to prevent cancer and heart disease. These benefits are found mostly in dark chocolate and only in high quality chocolates that use 60% or more cocoa solids. Cheap chocolate is mostly fat and sugar and has little nutritional value.

Storing Chocolate

You should store chocolate in a cool, dry place. It does absorb flavors so make sure you wrap it tight. You can freeze it for up to 6 months. Chocolate stays good for up to a year.
Health Benefits Of Chocolate

Good high quality chocolates contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help your health. Now I’m not talking about the cheap candy bar stuff - but high quality gourmet chocolate with 60% or more cocoa solids. This chocolate contains contains calcium, iron, potassium and the vitamins A, B1, C, D and E.

Along with vitamins, high quality chocolate contains the highest amounts of magnesium among natural foods. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to diabetes, joint problems, hypertension and PMS.

One of the additional health benefits of chocolate is that it has been found to contain catechins - some of the same antioxidants found in green tea. The catechins attack free radicals which damage cells and are thought to lead to cancer and heart disease. So eating chocolate, may help to prevent heart disease and cancer!

Chocolate Trivia

- Chocolate is made from beans, the Nib is the heart of the bean or what remains after they are roasted and shelled. Ground nibs are called liquor they are unsweetened and liquid when warm but solid when cooled. The fat of the bean is Cocoa butter and when pressed out, the powdery stuff left is cocoa powder.

- That white stuff you see sometimes on milk chocolate is called fat bloom, it doesn’t affect the taste and you can still eat chocolate that has it!

- Chocolate was considered an aphrodisiac by the Aztecs

- White chocolate isn’t really chocolate at all since it contains no chocolate liquor! It still tastes pretty good, though doesn’t it?

Lee Dobbins is a writer for Online Gourmet Foods where you can
find out more about gourmet foods and chocolate.