Green Tea, Broccoli and Garlic - Very Good for Health










They support the benefits and properties of green tea, broccoli, garlic and wine without alcohol
According to a study recently conducted in Spain, wine without alcohol, green tea, broccoli and garlic would be very good for extending life. The tests are already being carried out in volunteers.
It has always been said that some foods of natural origin can be very beneficial for the human body. Do you agree?
But the interesting thing is when scientific studies end up checking these issues.
Studies of Nutritherapy: Why do green tea, broccoli and garlic have health benefits?
A recent study promoted by the European Union and called Nutritherapy, has highlighted some data obtained with respect to certain natural products that contribute to improving the health of those who consume them.
Alcohol-free wine, broccoli or broccoli, green tea and garlic are at the forefront of these products.
After a test phase in yeasts, laboratory rodents and short-lived fish, testing has been started directly on 1,200 volunteers from Euskadi, Galicia, Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia.
The results, for now, are more than encouraging. Some previous tests have shown that wine without alcohol significantly increased the average life of mice and yeast, as well as fish.
The results could be extrapolated to humans.
This is how meals with wine without alcohol, broccoli, garlic and green tea would be excellent for the organism due to the high level of antioxidants present in these foods.
The nutritional contribution of broccoli To give you an idea. When you consume broccoli in your meals, you are providing them with a great source of vitamin A, beta-carotene, niacin, vitamin B1, B2, B6, E, folic acid and vitamin C.
In addition, its great antioxidant contribution to the body, comes from the hand of its high content in:
Beta-carotenes
Isocyanates
Vitamin C
Lutein
Garlic and its benefits For its part, garlic, especially when consumed fresh, can provide great nutritional value to your meals as it contains many active components.
One of the main ones is allicin, known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and sulfur. The latter is of utmost importance for the health of the skin.
Properties of green tea As for the highly weighted green tea, as you already know, the organic compounds called catechins are largely responsible for their antioxidant power. Above all, the most important are the EGCG.
One common point these foods have is that they are excellent for preventing and treating various health conditions, for example:
The hypertension
Coronary diseases
Different types of cancer
They boost the immune system
They reduce cholesterol
Digestive disorders
Did you know the nutritional properties of these foods? Incorporate them into your diet and you will also be earning a lot of antioxidant value for the health of your body.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9915338
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Restaurant Reviews From California To New York











There's no need to search far in California or New York to locate one of several fine dinning restaurants. For anyone who is seriously interested in locating a fantastic one for supper, whether or not it's with close friends, family members, or maybe that special someone to you personally.
It could be as challenging as looking for a needle inside a hay-stack at times.
There might be a number of respectable smartphone applications where you can look into restaurants within your neighborhood however they really don't provide detailed food selection or menus and or photographs. In cases like this, you wouldn't want just a listing of restaurants, you need a little something a whole lot better.
It is advisable to find ways to get sneak-peeks by means of images, in addition to insightful information and price ranges, and also the different varieties of delicacies that a restaurant features.
Does your special occasion need more thrilling restaurant choices than usual?
It's quicker to select the ideal family type restaurant, fine-dining restaurant, as well as informal dining destinations whenever you take full advantage of on-line restaurant guides, they can assist you to quickly pick out exactly what you or others are looking for. In many cases, a lot more than the ordinary names and standard specifics. You will get all sorts of bonuses and information on eating place with the proper information such as, kinds of food items these places serve, the typical range of prices for that restaurant, photos in addition to menus.
In case you are to the business side with the restaurant, like an owner or even thinking about opening one in the near future, you are going to have a very distinctive narrative. On the internet cafe and restaurant reviews imply different things in your case and what they necessarily mean to individuals searching for a spot to try to eat. Strategies are for testimonials to be able to paint the eatery within the most optimistic light achievable. You need the bistro cafe or any eating hot spot to be able to capture the interest of people searching for wonderful restaurants within California or anywhere for that matter.
Fundamentally you must always be thinking about appealing to those people who are searching for just what your own eating place is offering, it could be a family type restaurant, or perhaps Ancient Greek, Mexican, Native Indian, or even Chinese eating place. You need to have the ability to give folks discount coupons to enable them to come and find whatever you are offering at a lower price. You need detailed evaluations or positive reviews for any dining establishments within Los Angeles and also the San Francisco Bay-Area, and you will get these whenever you list ones restaurant with the appropriate tutorial, yes, on the internet.
You have to create and keep building a positive reputation for the eatery and make certain that it's recognized by the general public if you wish the restaurant to flourish. Those who work in the business currently have paid out a whopping price tag while surviving in the past economic downturn.
The end result is, it does not matter if you're the greatest thing to hit Thai food markets in Brooklyn, if no one has seen you or even that you're among the best dining places in New York, if nobody is aware where your location is, they are not going to come inside. So, get on the information highway of the world-wide-web and enjoy the ride of good fortune.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9849337
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Tomatoes - From Poison to Pizza









Historically it was the Spanish Conquistadors who brought tomatoes to Europe after many of their explorations. At first it was eyed suspiciously by the Italians, as they are part of the Nightshade family, known for poisonous species. Originally called tomatl the early crops resembled cherry tomatoes, and many species were yellow. The Italian name, pomodoro, means "apple of gold" but they weren't calling it that until after a lot of tastings, when no one died. It was then that the beloved fruit was welcomed into the local cuisines, as cooks enthusiastically turned it into sauces and dishes throughout the country. Some botanists declared it to be a species of eggplant at first, which lessened the fears a bit, since eggplants were widely eaten in southern Italy already. In spite of its classification as a fruit, it is highly unlikely that anyone embraced it for dessert. The plant took quickly to the mild and sunny climate of Southern Italy, but in northern European countries, it didn't catch on for a few more centuries, where the shiny red fruit was highly suspect and shunned by locals.
Since the Spanish explorers were no slouches in the their travels, they introduced tomatoes to some Caribbean islands and ultimately to Asia, as well as their homeland, Spain, where it was consumed in the 1600s.
Initially, tomatoes were only eaten by poor people until the 1800's, especially Italians (author's note: the more food histories I research, the more it is clear that the poor and lower classes of the populace were confined to some of our most popular foods which were originally shunned by the elite, namely lobster, tuna and tomatoes; so maybe being poor had its advantages). An interesting theory regarding tomatoes is that the elite used pewter dishes and cookware, which contained high amounts of lead. Any acidic food would leech out the lead and cause serious illness and eventual death. Lower classes used wooden bowls and utensils, so no worries about lead poisoning (besides, if you're hungry, a few sliced tomatoes probably looked pretty good).
America's first foodie and gardener extraordinaire, Thomas Jefferson grew over three hundred varieties of vegetables at his Monticello estate, introducing numerous crops which heretofore had been considered Mediterranean, the tomato among them. In the 1820s, his daughter and granddaughter, both devoted cooks, created numerous recipes. And because the tomato was virtually unknown in America during Jefferson's lifetime, his dinner guests never questioned their host's intentions. After all, he was always experimenting with new and delicious vegetable species. Why would he want to poison anyone? Several decades later, a better, heartier breed was cultivated and snapped up by Campbell Soup Company, taking the once-vilified vegetable to a new high with their canned condensed tomato soup in 1895. Soon tomatoes found their way to salads, sauces and stews. How interesting that Jefferson was instrumental in bringing the U.S. some of their favorite comfort foods, namely tomato soup, ice cream and mac and cheese.
While Jefferson was serving his dinner guests the exotic vegetable, immigrants poured into East Coast ports, bringing their native vegetables and fruits with them, not the least of which was tomatoes. Soon small Italian restaurants popped up in New York City featuring the beloved red sauce of their native Italy, along with a new creation called pizza. Naples, Italy was the birthplace of the popular margherita pizza, which consisted of tomato sauce, cheese and basil leaves on a crust, emulating the three colors of the Italian flag. Named in honor of Queen Margherita, it debuted sometime in the 1880s and was an instant hit. Neapolitan immigrants began serving it in their local restaurants on the East Coast, and it was only a matter of time until its popularity exploded across the country. Today, of course, it is one of America's favorite foods, and to think it all started with a vegetable which was perceived to be poisonous.
Americans consume over 12 million tons of tomatoes annually. Little wonder. Who can imagine life without ketchup, tomato soup, pizza and pasta sauce. American's favorite vegetable, the once poisonous tomato forms a foundation for some of our favorite foods. Easy to grow, delicious to eat, a cook's dream, who can live without it?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9861004
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Should You Drink Coffee Daily?









The experts now agree that coffee is good for us, as long as it is drunk in moderation. Four espressos a day is fine, apparently. Just as well for Italians, who thrive on the stuff!
It seems that coffee protects our livers from cirrhosis as well as improving our blood circulation. It can also help protect us from certain cancers, particularly those of the prostate, the pancreas, and the bladder, to name just a few.
It also protects our teeth from decay and it is a wonderful source of antioxidants which protect us from the free radicals in our bodies that can cause cancer. Of course, we also get antioxidants from fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as other foods, but coffee contains 600 times the antioxidants than fruit.
Antioxidants can delay the aging process, giving our skin its youthful elasticity. They can help combat wrinkles and the crows feet that form around the eyes as we age.
Science has found that if you drink between 3 and 5 cups of coffee a day, it can protect you from developing dementia, Parkinson's disease and that all being so, it can also help you live longer.
Coffee can also combat depression and so it can cut the risk of suicide. Of course, it would be best if you drink black coffee without sugar. Sugar certainly isn't good for us. If only we could wean ourselves off it, we'd be much healthier.
Coffee has a part to play in the Mediterranean diet, as people who live in the Mediterranean area tend to drink a lot of coffee. They don't usually have milk in their coffee, think about Greek coffee, for example. Recent research studies have shown that dairy products are bad for us. Milk deprives our bones of calcium, and cheese and milk have both been linked to risks of prostate cancer. The advertisers have done a great job in persuading us that milk is good for us. It isn't! Also, children of both sexes can develop acne from consuming dairy products.
Naturally, everyone reacts differently to coffee. Some people experience panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, disturbed sleep, and headaches because of their caffeine intake.
The brew certainly improves mental alertness, which is why a lot of people drink a cup of coffee just after they wake up in the morning. Just the smell of freshly brewed coffee usually makes us feel better and more awake.
So let's carry on drinking coffee, secure in the knowledge that it's good for us, as long as we don't put sugar and milk in it.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10012472
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3 Of The Best Tomato-Based Crock Pot Recipes To Try










Did you know that a tomato is actually a fruit? Generally, they are now considered to be a vegetable. Tomatoes are a staple in households and in thousands of recipes. This superfood is an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant known for its many health benefits which include reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. It is also packed with vitamin C and K, folate, potassium and many other essential nutrients. If you are a fan of its sour and somewhat sweet flavor, here are some tomato-based crock pot recipes to try:
Slow Cooked Beefy Tomato Stew
What you need: 
  • 1 kilogram beef chuck, fat trimmed then sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cups cooked brown rice
  • 3 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 6 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat then cook carrots, celery and onion for 8 to 10 minutes or until softened. Transfer vegetables to a crock pot then add beef, garlic, brown rice, tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to mix ingredients well. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Transfer to serving bowls, drizzle with yogurt then garnish with parsley before serving.
Tomato and Spinach Crock Pot Chicken
What you need: 
  • 1 kilogram boneless and skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups fresh spinach
  • 3 1/2 cups diced tomatoes with liquid
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Season chicken with salt and pepper then place at the bottom of a crock pot. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir until ingredients are well-combined. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 hours on low, adding the spinach half an hour before the dish is cooked. Serve warm.
The Best Crock Pot Tomato Soup
What you need: 
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 7 cups diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
In a slow cooker, mix together onion, bay leaf, tomatoes, vegetable stock, carrots, milk, butter, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on low. When ready, puree mixture in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately.
If you love tomatoes then these tomato-based crock pot recipes are for you!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9813438
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That All-American Chocolate Chip Cookie









Toll House cookies. No, they weren't discovered in China by explorer Marco Polo. They didn't show up in the castle dining room of some French king or queen. And they weren't served at one of Thomas Jefferson's White House soirees. Contrary to some stories, their invention was no accident. Ruth Graves Wakefield, chef and owner of the Toll House Inn restaurant in Massachusetts, served a butterscotch cookie which her customers adored. Wanting to expand her repertoire, one day she chopped up a Nestle's chocolate bar and added the pieces to her cookie batter, creating the first toll house cookie. A perfectionist and first-class baker, she tweaked the recipe until she found the perfect combination, and thus the country's most popular cookie was born. The Nestle Company purchased the exclusive rights to the recipe two years later, securing both their company's and the New England cook's place in the history books.
The Toll House Inn, which was situated on the highway between Boston and Cape Cod, was a regular stop for well-known residents, among them the Kennedy family, and was known for their excellent food, especially their desserts. Ruth Wakefield, along with her husband, featured good old home cooking, and Mrs. W. had a background in home economics, which she put to use daily in the Inn's kitchen.
During WWII, even though chocolate was rationed, Nestle came up with a clever marketing ploy which encouraged homemakers to do their part for the war effort by baking cookies for our boys in uniform and shipping them overseas. It was as successful as rolling bandages and knitting socks, and the public lapped it up. Nestle chocolate skyrocketed as they rolled out their chocolate morsels, made specifically for baking Toll House cookies, with the recipe printed on the back of every morsels package. After the war, baby boomers happily grew up on homemade chocolate chip cookies, and servicemen returned home to one of their favorite wartime treats.
Since its humble beginnings from one simple recipe, an entire industry was spawned, with hundreds of variations and combinations. The Cookie Monster surely did his part to promote cookies to youngsters, notably the chocolate chip variety heading the list. A young entrepreneurial homemaker named Mrs. Fields sold pricey gourmet cookies throughout the country's shopping malls. David's Cookies and Famous Amos rode the wave during the explosion of cookie popularity, each featuring their unique version of the chocolate chip cookie. Online sales abound for these beloved treats, and dozens of brands line grocery store shelves along with a variety of chip flavors and sizes.
A recipe which even a young child or teenager can handle, pre-made dough can also be purchased, ready to bake, for those unwilling to start from scratch. What can compare to freshly baked cookies, and these top the hit parade in aroma and simplicity. Many future chefs and bakers cut their teeth on this favorite recipe, no doubt sneaking tastes of raw dough when mom wasn't looking.
In the Northeast, Ruth Wakefield was a well-known cook and cookbook author and would undoubtedly have her own show on the Food Network were she alive today. And she wasn't just a one-trick pony. But who would have thought a simple new cookie would secure her place in foodie history and be right up there with apple pie? An American original and not just for kids.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9868168


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Portable Ice Makers for Great Supply Of Ice Cubes








Fill in the designated reservoir with some water and then plug in the machine to a power source. Turn the device on and wait for less than ten minutes to get your first batch of ice out of it. Once you pour water into the device, they get stored in a tub surrounded by metal pegs supporting both heating and cooling system. The cooling technology lets the water freeze through the rings and the heating technology makes them warm up, so that the ice cubes can easily drop off from them.
Once you have decided to buy a portable ice maker for your own purpose, then you need to go with the ones that are small in terms of size and fit perfectly on any space. Irrespective of the size, make sure to go with the ones that can produce large numbers of them in a faster rate when compared to the standard ice makers.
Best Buying Guide
If you love to have plenty of ice cubes by your disposal, yet, sick of manually creating them through the trays with your refrigerator, then you will get highly benefited out of purchasing a portable and at home maker. There are some basic considerations that you need to store in your mind while thinking about purchasing the perfect ice machine for your own purposes, and below mentioned are some of the highlighted buying guide that can help you in many ways.
Capacity and size: Many of the portable ice makers that are available for a sale on the market shall have the same size of capacity, yet, they shall vary based on a size of a pound or two. A normal portable ice maker shall deliver twenty to thirty pounds of ice cubes every other day for a gallon of water that is poured upon the maker. This pound capacity is more than enough for both home usage and for small parties. The major difference happens with the physical size of the ice maker. If your house has a smaller sized kitchen or if you are planning to take your ice maker while you travel, then you need to go with them smaller sized ones that can fit perfectly on the room and easy to carry over to any place. Although such small sized ice makers shall produce less number of ice, it can be used to meet up to your needs at your convenient time and place.
Choose the larger capacity ice makers for home or office use, so that you need not worry about adding water to them from time to time, or even think about clearing the ice trays often, like you do with the refrigerator ice trays. Large sized ice makers can save your time and effort spent on creating ice cubes, especially a bigger benefit for busy people who do not find enough time to sit back and watch the maker produce it every other day. Once it gets formed, it must be immediately used or stored in a freeze to let them stay frozen for a longer period of time. If at all the solid ice that has been formed are said to be staying within the ice machine for more than an hour, it does melt and get defrosted. In short, the portable ice makers are capable of producing your much needed quantity of ice and does not having a separate cooling system to let them stay frozen for hours. Make use of the machine whenever you are in need of, as it can deliver with your required cubes instantly unlike other devices.
The ice cube style and size: If you have a thought that an ice cube is just a normal one, then you need to rethink about it. There are numerous varieties and styles that one can produce to meet up different purposes. Smaller sized ones are mostly preferred for preparing smoothies, fill up ice buckets and while preparing a quick drink. The larger sized ice ones are mostly used along with whiskey and to cool water. Kids these days love their healthy drink with larger ice ones floating on them, as it looks appealing than the smaller ones. Most of the portable ice makers do have an option to choose the size of them that can vary from small to large. If you are purchasing a portable ice maker for multiple uses, then purchase the ones that have options to create small and large sized ice cubes.
These types of makers must create a clear ice that can last longer on any kind of drink. A clear ice can help in enhancing the overall taste of the drink and let the tongue stay cooler for longer period of time. So if you are looking forward to have such an option, then you need to choose the one that can help in creating clearer ice cubes.
Ice Production Time: Every other ice maker is known for producing ice cubes in a shorter period of time. The ice production time spent by an ice makers shall be six to fifteen mm per batch of ice cubes that are prepared at a normal temperature range. The entire ice production cycle of an ice makers shall vary based upon the operating temperature and some devices can take some extra time when exposed to high temperature areas. The portable ice maker must produce at least nine of them per cycle within ten to fifteen minutes of time.
Overflow protection: A well-built ice makers must have an overflow protection that lets the maker handle the ice cubes production, even when the user has poured more than its own capacity level. The ice maker must have a control panel with an alert or any kind of indicator system to provide with an emergency signal when the maker tends to turn overflow during the process of ice making. This overflow protection option shall completely prevent the device from pushing out the ice, even when the bin is said to be full.
Additional features: Ice making is not only about freezing the water and creating a particular shaped ice cubes, the portable ice makers have taken the device to a great step, where one can make use of various additional features that can come handy on any situation. For example, if you are need of a crushed ice to decorate your drink, then you would be searching for a place to squash the ice cubes and scrub them over the drink. This is where the ice crushing feature turns handy, as it can be easily used to crush them into smaller pieces and pour them over a drink or even decorate your ice creams.
Certain ice makers do have an option to refroze the ice cubes that turned into water out of staying inside the maker for long hours. This feature can help in saving water and makes less space for cleaning them. Gone are those days where an ice cube used to be rectangle or square in shape in default. The new portable ice makers can create different shaped ice cubes that can look great, meeting up your ice cube need. These different shaped cubes can add a bit of style and fun to your entire ice cube making process.
What common accessories you need for a portable ice maker?
Ice Scoop: The ice scoop shall be the main and most common accessory that can help you to easily access your portable ice maker. Although the ice scoop is not about to change or affect the entire functionality of the ice maker, it does help in scooping out some fresh ice straight from the device. Many brands do have their own sized ice scoops that can go easy with their maker, yet, an ice scoop is a general accessory that you can use with any brand that produces and sells ice makers. A metal ice scoop for a portable ice maker is an added advantage, as it can withstand the weight of the cubes while scooping them out from the maker. Also, if you are taking the ice maker to a party, make sure to carry more than one ice scoop, so that people can randomly use the bucket that has been filled up with ice cube at the same time.
Ice Bag: An ice bag is a specially designed accessory that can be used to transport the ice from one place to another. The ice bag portrays the same idea like a normal bag that helps us to carry over things to various locations. If you are taking your ice maker to a party, but looking forward to carry some ice cubes, then these ice bags can go easy with your need. The ice bags are great accessory for people who are camping with their friends or family members. The bags do have a string that lets the cubes stay frozen until the cubes are taken out from them. The string does help the ice from melting down even when you are carrying the ice bag in extreme hot weather condition. The ice bags can also be used as storage bags for home use, where you cannot store much ice cubes inside the freezer - just fill up the bags and refrigerate them in the freezer to make use of them any part of the day or night.
Ice Bins: Another important thing that one must know before purchasing an ice cube maker is that the ice shall eventually melt if they do not have the capability to act as a freezer. Unless you are planning to make use of the ice instantly, you need to invest upon an ice bin or a tray that can help in storing the ice cubes for more hours. Every other portable ice cube makers shall have an ice tray that lets the melted ice cubes fall upon to. These kinds of trays are easy to remove from the maker itself. If you are a person who is looking forward to create more than a batch of ice cubes at the same time, then you need more such trays. If at all the ice is produced soft from the maker, you need an ice bin to store them in your freezer to harden them up in a few minutes of time. Also, these ice bins can be easily removed from your freezer, irrespective of its size.
Does an ice cube maker require plumbing?
Portable ice cube makers are marketed and designed for an average home usage and can be ported while travelling through any transportation, which makes the fact clear that there is no need for plumbing with these makers. The ice cube makers are smaller in terms of capacity, which makes it unnecessary to connect them to running water. The water can be directly poured into the reservoir of the maker and moreover one can pour water as per the ice cubes they are in need of. It requires only a power source to run the maker, and there is no need for a plumbing work.
Tips for maintaining a portable ice maker
Before reading through the cleaning tips, you need to know the basic fact that can let you know when to make use of them. The ice maker must be cleaned whenever you are noticing a bad taste of ice cubes produced from the maker, a strong smell of plastic felt on the ice, and when the maker producing low levels of cubes than before.
Cleaning the portable ice maker:
Frequent cleaning of the portable ice maker can help in elongating the lifetime of the maker and can produce quality and healthy ice cubes for years. Ice makers are known for producing a significant amount of ice cube with the water that gets poured into them. Water, being a mixture of numerous mineral particles can lead to some metal damage, if at all the ice maker is not cleaned from time to time. Regular cleaning of the maker shall prevent any kind of damages from happening to its components. Rusty parts inside the maker and bad smell on your ice cubes are two basic indications that you must consider to clean the maker.
Easy cleaning methods:
There are two different types of cleaning methods commonly followed while cleaning a portable ice maker. The first method is known to be the self cleaning method, where you need to make a press upon a self-cleaning button that can be found on the control panel of the maker. This cleaning method has a default cleaning system that can help in eradicating the dust and dirt formed inside the maker to an extent.
If you are planning to clean the ice maker to a greater extent, then manual cleaning is the method that you should be following with. Although the manual cleaning method shall be a time-consuming one, you are about to completely eradicate the dirt from the maker. Manual cleaning does require some safety precautions that you must follow before continuing with the process.
Safety precautions for manual cleaning the portable ice maker:
You cannot barely clean the ice maker using your hand, as you can get wounded out of the rust or dirt that are formed inside the maker. Make sure to use cleaning tools like a soft cloth or a brush to wipe out the dirt particles from the maker. You can also make use of solutions like warm water, vinegar, lime water or any other basic cleaning solution along with a brush to manually clean the maker.
Steps to manually clean the portable ice maker:
• You need to remove the entire ice bin and the water reservoir (if it is a removable one)
• Clean up the tray and the reservoir using any solution as mentioned below
• If you are using a non-removable water reservoir, then pour in the cleaning solution directly into the ice maker's water tank
• Make a press upon the ice making button and the reset button that can be found on the control panel at the same time
• The cleaning function shall start and it might take about ten minutes of time to complete the entire cleaning process
• Red colored water with mud and rust shall be produced out of this process and it needs to be drained from the maker
• The final step is to clean up the other parts of the ice maker using any cleaning solution
• Now, your ice maker is neat and clean and ready to produce solid ice cubes with great taste.
Safety Precautions for Portable Ice Maker:
A portable ice maker is probably the most easy and accessible device that has a simple mechanism to run the device. Just plugging the maker to a power source shall result in producing ice cubes, yet, there are some common safety precautions that one must know while operating the maker and they are as follows:
• Always unplug the maker from the power source to avoid getting electric shock from them
• Remove the ice cubes from the maker to stay away from getting overloaded
• Never forget to pull over the drain cap while cleaning the maker
• Make sure to remove the filter and clean them up using soap water
• Allow the entire parts of the maker to dry after cleaning them
• If at all any noise is produced while creating ice cubes, you need to replace the machine parts.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9945136
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3 Delicious Tofu Recipes That You Should Try On Sunday










Sweet Chili Tofu:
Sweet chili tofu is an easy dish to cook. And it also goes well with rice. We suggest you use Firm Tofu or Extra Firm Tofu to prepare the recipe.
Ingredients:
• Firm Tofu/ Extra Firm Tofu (Diced)
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive Oil
• Bell pepper (Red/green)
• Onion
• Sweet Chili Sauce (From supermarkets)
Preparation:
1. Add cornstarch, salt, and paper in a bowl. Then coat the tofu in it.
2. Get ready with your preheated pan and fry them with olive oil for about five minutes until they are slightly brown. And keep them on the side.
3. On the same pan add pepper and onion and dry fry them for about 2-4 mins until it gets soft.
4. Add tofu to the pan. Cook it for another two minutes.
5. Then get a serving bowl and pour sweet chili sauce to it.
Your sweet chili tofu is ready to serve as it takes only 10-15 minutes to cook. You can enjoy it with the white rice or brown rice.
Jerk Tofu:
This recipe is one of my favorites. Though you need lots of ingredients to make the recipe, still it's so easy to cook. This recipe is Jamaican Inspired Jerk Tofu.
Ingredients:
• 1 Red Onion
• 1 Jalapeño
• 1 Spring Onion
• Garlic (Few Cloves)
• Brown sugar (2 tablespoons)
• Vinegar (Apple Cider/ White Vinegar)
Spices:
• Thyme Leaves (half teaspoon)
• Ground Cloves (half teaspoon)
• Cinnamon Powder (half teaspoon)
• Ground Allspice (half teaspoon)
• Ground Nutmeg (half teaspoon)
Preparation:
1. Chop all the vegetables.
2. Get a blender or food processor to blend all the ingredients to make it smooth.
3. Add all the spices to the blender.
4. Cut your Extra Firm Tofu into steak shape and lay them on the plate.
5. Add the jerk marinade over the tofu.
6. Keep it in the fridge for 10 minutes to overnight.
7. Get a frying pan. And fry marinated tofu in low medium heat pan for about 4-5 minutes until they become golden brown.
Note: Your jerk tofu is ready to taste. You can also use a grill pan for a smoky flavor. You can heat up the rest of the jerk marinade sauce for an extra. You can serve it with the rice or sauté broccoli. Jerk tofu is yummy, and it's worth adding to your vegan meal preparation.
So, you can try this meal for vegan barbecue.
Tofu Lettuce wrap:
Tofu wrap is one of the purest dishes in vegan meal prep. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. It's 100% delicious and simple to make. So, it's a Great go-to meal.
Ingredients:
• Water Chestnuts (drained and diced)
• Edamame
• Spring Onion
• Minced Garlic and Onion Paste
• Soya Sauce
• Lettuce
Preparation:
1. Throw everything in a hot pan cook them until the tofu starts to look like golden brown. Make sure to keep the heat over medium.
2. Add a dash of soya sauce to the pan (in the last minute)
3. Now fill the lettuce with cooked tofu.
The tofu wrap is ready to enjoy. If you like, you can add carrots, avocado, mushrooms, and peppers to the ingredients. You can also add some sauce (like sweet chili sauce, stir fry sauce, barbecue sauces) to the wrap.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9911054
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Grill Smoker Combo - Enjoy the Cool Breeze Outside








Do you want to enjoy the summer sun outside with the crowd out in your garden rather than feeling lonely in your kitchen? Would you like to enjoy the night breeze and cook as well? Are you planning a typical barbecue party? Grill smoker combo is the best option to enjoy; without missing the spirit of the party.
This combo is the combination of both smoker and grill which allows you to choose the type of flavor we need in an instance, stated as the best option for last minute planners. These are the best options for those who do not have the luxury of space and money to enjoy a separate smoker and grill.
There are grill smoker combos heated via charcoal which is difficult to clean up but are cost-effective. Electrical grill smoker combos are less messy but expensive compared to charcoal heated ones. Charcoal heated grill smoker combos can give smoky flavor than any electric grill smoker combo can offer.
The meat is smoked in a long and horizontal chamber which is placed alongside the heat source rather than above it. This design makes it easier for the griller to maintain heat without moving the food from the grill to add coal or any fuel. The firebox placed in the combo feeds smoke into the chamber that gives the meat its flavor, tenderness and crispy outer layer.
Using a combo is more complicated and needs practice. There are certain basic tips to create a good flavored crispy recipe. You can easily become an expert in using it by following these tips to perfection.
An important part of using it is to maintain its temperature. Most of the combos have an inbuilt thermometer which may be inaccurate as it measures the grill rather than the cooking chamber temperature. So it is better to use an extra thermometer to track the temperature in the cooking chamber and fuel is added conveniently. Using wood as fuel may spoil the flavor of meat as it produces more smoke, ash etc. Coal is the best choice of fuel. Cold meat can give better flavor than meat at room temperature as it can absorb more smoke. We can add moisture to the smoky meat when it seems dry. This will let the meat stay juicy and absorb more smoke. Cooking with these can take time and need the patience to get the tastiest, juicy and tender meat.
Grill smoker combos can be used in lower temperature and for longer periods. This slower and longer cooking makes the food more soft, tasty and crispy. Rather than feeling cramped in kitchen, enjoy the outside fresh air and cook the best smoky recipe you know to impress your guests. Find the best combos in homus.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9924814
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Don't Eat Spinach or Kale Unless You're Doing This Too






Whether it's for a new years resolution, more energy, vitamins or just better health in general, adding more leafy greens to the menu is always a good idea. Spinach and Kale are in the spotlight lately with salads, breakfast bowls, smoothies, "Buddha Bowls", omelets and more. But, you shouldn't be eating these leafy greens unless you're also having a healthy fat at the same meal. If you don't, you'll be missing out on a big chunk of the nutrition you were looking for. But how and why should you do this? Find out with this article.

What is a fat soluble vitamin?
A fat soluble vitamin is a healthy organic compound that your body can only absorb if a fat is present at the same time the vitamin is consumed. Only a lipid can dissolve (and make useful) the vitamins A, D, E and K. It is the small intestine's job to absorb these vitamins in their lipid droplets as they pass through it along with other foods. The vitamins are then either stored in the tissue of the body, or used to do their job in various body functions. Spinach, kale and other leafy greens are a great source of these fat soluble essential compounds.

So where's the problem?
If there isn't a lipid present in the small intestine along with these vitamins, they'll just be ignored by the body and won't do you any good. Having a spinach salad with no fats at all at dinner, and then eating a dessert with fats later won't help. The spinach enters the intestine first, and without fat where it breaks down, the vitamins aren't absorbed.

This used to combated with salad dressings like the traditional oil and vinegar dressing. However, these days you'll run into two extremes of dressing; the low fat/non fat variety, and the restaurant type where it has way too many fats, sugars or other additives that make the salad not worth its while. The other issue is inside of smoothies, bowls, and greens at breakfast. Unless they're in an omelet, there's unlikely to be a fat on the table at the same time. A smoothie with kale, banana, pineapple and rice milk is common... but where's that healthy fat? It's just missing.

Healthy fats and vitamins working together for you:
Now that you know how fat soluble vitamins work, you'll want to work on getting some healthy fat into the meal at the same time. Of course, not all fats are created equal. There's the nasty 'trans fat' you hear about in the news, plus monounsaturated fats, animal fats, hydrogenated oils, unhydrogenated oils, plant fats, omega 3s, omega 6s, middle-chain triglycerides and fish oils... the list just goes on and on.
But, choosing the right type of fat is important for good absorption and good health. Of course, trans-fats are no good, so what's a healthy, easy and versatile one to choose? Plant sourced lipids are a good place to start. Unlike hydrogenated oils they may not be all that shelf stable or long lasting, but neither is fresh fruit and nobody seems to mind. Good sources of these include nuts, nut-butters, seeds, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, cacao nibs and tahini.

The solution is delicious (and easy!)
If you're setting out to have a salad, consider making your own dressing. It's often as easy as pour, shake to mix & then use. Also consider crunching up your salad with sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or nuts instead of croutons. Each seed and nut has healthy omega 3 oils, protein and a great taste and texture for the salad. Include olive oil: preferably cold press / first press. Olive oil is rich with just the kind of healthy fats needed for the great vitamins in a healthy salad. Omega 3 and 6 oils, when they are in balance, help form healthy skin membranes (for young looking skin), contribute to brain health, and help nourish hair follicles. An olive oil based salad dressing with healthy seeds in it like chia, used over a baby-spinach salad & topped with crunchy nuts is a healthy and tasty way to get started.

Do you want to try a make at home dressing?
This recipe is super simple to start you off right.
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dry chia seeds
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Simply combine all ingredients in a lidded container and shake to mix. You're now ready for salad!
When you mix up quick dressings at home, you don't get preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and you get just the taste you want. The internet is a wealth of easy dressing recipes, just a search away.

How about those breakfast bowls?
Don't like salad? That's OK, there's a fun, fruity way to get your greens... without even tasting them! The answer here is the smoothie or breakfast bowl. When you blend kale with pineapple and banana... you don't even taste it. (Kale is notoriously a little bit bitter and tough, not everybody's going to enjoy eating the leaves, no matter what you top them with) However, nobody wants olive oil in the blender & coconut oil will just make it greasy.

You can let nut butter be one of your answers here. A swirl of natural peanut butter (skip that high fructose corn syrup stuff), or a spoon full of almond-butter is super in chocolate or berry smoothies. Naturally, any smoothie or bowl can be topped with nuts to add crunch and the healthy fats you need as well. But what if you've got a bowl where nut butter just won't work?

The sweet or savory omega-3 oil solution seed
The problem (if it could even be called that) with the other healthy fats on the list is either the texture (oily oils!) or the taste (no one wants a walnut in their pineapple). So, what if you could have something with calcium, magnesium, b-vitamins, omega 3 healthy oils, antioxidants, complete plant protein AND two kinds of fiber... that didn't change the taste of the food?

You'd really be in business for healthier eating... and you'd have the chia seed on your side. Chia seeds are tiny, so they'll blend or mix into almost anything. They also don't have a flavor, so you'll never taste them... but they do contain that whole list of benefits seen above, and more. They're perfect for adding to any smoothie or bowl because they don't alter the flavor. They're great for savory salad dressings, soups and sandwiches too because they're as easy to use as 'sprinkle it in'. When you have chia, you don't have to worry about getting the healthy fats into any flavor of green smoothie or bowl.

With this knowledge, you can now enjoy your greens more and enjoy more nutrition from them as well. By choosing the right kinds of fats and exploring more flavor options your spinach and kale can go well beyond the salad and you'll know you're always getting all the available vitamins and minerals. Eating better every day doesn't have to be difficult, and when you're feeling the results, it's easy to want to keep going. Seek out the combinations you love and easy sources of omega 3s & you'll be on the way to better health.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9636003
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