Getting Children to Eat Vegetables

There are several ways of getting our child to eat fruit and vegetables, but you should think carefully about why your child doesn't like them; is it the texture, or the flavour or just the appearance that is unappealing? Think back to when you were young, while your parents might have forced you to eat a particular vegetable, why didn't you like it? You may love things like asparagus and brussel sprouts now and cabbage too, but did you when you were a child? Perhaps not. Our tastes change as we grow older, but there is not much point in trying to get a child to eat a strong-flavoured vegetable when others might be more palatable.

Try taking your child shopping and if he or she shows an interest in an exotic fruit or vegetable, buy it and get the child to taste it, after all the curiosity was there, so it may be to the child's taste. You may have to learn how to cook it if it is a 'new' vegetable. But you can enlist your child's help in the kitchen. Children who cook will take more of an interest in what they have produced than in whatever you have cooked for them. They can cook baby carrots or corn under supervision and can learn how to make a dip for these veggies too. You can try hummus, made from garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and sesame seeds, as this often appeals to children.

Buy fresh peas in their shells and ask your child to help you prepare them. When children are involved vegetables become less alien to them. Do the same with broad beans, and get your child to help prepare French or green beans too.

You can get your child to juice carrots and beets and make their own fresh fruit smoothies. I have never known a child refuse strawberries, or a banana, and if you pretend that you are monkeys, bananas usually go down well. You can nibble on carrots and lettuce like a rabbit with younger children and work your way through things that you can honestly claim that animals can eat. If you can make a game of eating children usually respond positively.

Buy a recipe book for kids and start allowing your child into the kitchen to cook under supervision of course. You can sit with your child and create a menu on the understanding that everyone will eat the food that has been cooked. Encourage your child to make a face with vegetables- red tomato or pepper strips for a mouth, a piece of cucumber for the nose, small radishes for the eyes and grated carrots for hair, with hard boiled eggs for ears for example.

A study undertaken at University College London by Lucy Cooke et al in 2010 found that children who were rewarded for eating fruit and vegetables, either with a lot of praise or a sticker, actually continued to eat the vegetables and like them even when the reward was no longer forthcoming. This may not be the ideal way of getting your child to eat fruit and vegetables but it seems to work.

Home Ice Makers

Ever since the first mechanical ice making concept was conceptualized way back in the 1840's by John Gorrie, man has utilized this mechanical form of making things frozen for many, many uses. Back then, Gorrie envisaged using such a device to cheaply make ice which he could use to cool his patients down who were suffering from Malaria and Yellow Fever.

Over a hundred and fifty years later man is still using mechanical devices based on the same principals Gorrie set out all those years ago. Although there have been many improvements, the concept is still pretty much the same.

Ice makers are used all over the world these days to create ice quickly and cheaply. Whether it be for domestic use in drinks for example, or whether in the hospitality industry to cool drinks and food. They are even used widely in other sectors such as manufacturing and such. You've seen those large Ice Sculptures that are carved out of huge blocks by men with chainsaws right? Sure thing. Those blocks of ice came out of very large ice makers.

What I want to concentrate on today though are those for domestic use - for the home, the car, your boat.

After more than a century and a half of innovation and improvements, small domestic ice cube makers are cheaper than ever to buy and are very, very popular - especially throughout the Summer months. Electricity is cheap, water is cheap, and once you've invested in a small ice machine, ice also becomes cheap. A lot cheaper than buying it by the kilo from supermarkets.

Nearly all small domestic ice makers plug into an electrical outlet.120 volts if you're in the United States, or 240 volts if you're in the United Kingdom. These appliances generally don't use that much electricity and therefore are cheap to run.

On top of this there are two types of ice maker - one that you have to plumb in to a mains water source, and the other where you have to manually fill the ice maker with water. The ones you have to plumb in are more heavy duty, larger versions of their smaller counterparts and can pump out much more ice. The downside to these larger appliances though is they are not so portable. You can't just unplug it and move it to another position or to another house altogether. The other type is the very compact, very efficient, very portable domestic ice makers. These ones are literally 'plug and play'. You plug it in, fill it up with water, and within a short amount of time you've got yourself some ice, freshly made, and ready to use.

5 Reasons You Should Learn to Can Food

5 reasons you should learn to can your own food are:

1.) Save money 

2.) Ensure the quality of your food 

3.) Preserve family recipes 

4.) Become independent of grocery stores 

5.) Utilize excess produce from your garden

The first reason you should learn to can is to save money. It's true that canning requires a modest investment to begin, but the equipment quickly pays for itself. The jars and rings are reusable, and replacement lids are very affordable. There are even reusable jar lids (made of glass) available on the internet. Once you have the tools you need to can your own food, your only cost will be the seeds to plant your garden and a box or two of lids.

Another reason canning is making a come back is because of the worry of the food supply becoming tainted. Every time you turn on the TV you hear a story about an E. Coli outbreak or tainted food. If you can your own food, you know exactly what goes into the jar and you can rest assured that the person who prepared the food practiced good hygiene and that the food is safe.

Learning to can is a great way to pass on family recipes. Canning used to be common and many families have special recipes for canned goods. By learning to can you can preserve these recipes and pass them on to the next generation. Grandma's famous jam that won the blue ribbon at the state fair could be lost forever if nobody takes the time to learn and replicate the recipe. Why let a wonderful recipe be lost forever? Keep the tradition going, and spend time with the ones you love.

On a more practical note, learning to can your own food will give you independence from the grocery store. We are very reliant on the food supply system these days, but just a few generations ago you couldn't always run down to the market for some tomatoes. You had to grow what you ate and can what you could for the winter. Learning to can your own food will give you back your independence from the grocery stores because you will be able to eat what you grew in the summer all winter long. When you are in hurry on a weeknight, you won't have to stop at the grocery store if you have a few jars with the ingredients for a nice stew or some spaghetti at home.

What Things To Look For In A Commercial Fruit Juice?

Did you know that you should eat at least two oranges a day to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid? On the other hand, in order to get the right amount of Thiamine you are required to eat about 3.88 cups of peas. Don you think that is too much? What if you are allergic to peas or oranges or you are just tired of eating those kinds of foods. How will you then get the recommended dose of vitamins and minerals?

Did you know that with certain juice products, you would get the right amount of vitamins and minerals without the indigestion? Yes, several companies are coming up with their versions of all natural drinks. Top physicians clinically test these drinks. Companies promoting these drinks are making that you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals in just one beverage. However, not all fruit juices are the same. If you are looking for healthy juices, consider the following facts.

Uses Fruits As The Main Ingredient

Some of the best juice drinks today use natural fruits like mangosteen or pomegranate. These fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are known to be good sources of antioxidants as well. Moreover, these fruits have anti-inflammatory properties making them very effective in treating minor skin infections and wounds.

Vitamins And Mineral Found In All Natural Fruit Beverages

Most fruit beverages contain Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Beta-carotene. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid not only fights infection, it has anti-oxidant properties as well. It can work as a reducing agent to reverse liquid oxidation. If you are familiar with the term free radicals, you will understand that these are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons. They are related to diseases like Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and many more. Just imagine, when there are more free radicals in the body than antioxidants, the body will undergo a certain condition known as oxidative stress and it can dramatically affect the different organs and body systems causing them to malfunction first locally then systematically. Thus, antioxidants like Vitamin C are very helpful in reducing the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Vitamin D, on the other hand, can prevent the incidence of rickets, falls, and low bone mineral density. It enhances the absorption and metabolism of phosphorous and calcium. Beta Carotene is the other important vitamin. It protects the cell from the harmful effects of the free radicals. It is also a good source of Vitamin A. Another important fact about Beta Carotene is that it enhances the immune system of the body.

What Things You Should Look For In A Commercial Juice Drink?

When you buy food, you should check three things. First is the price. Second is the quality and freshness of the food. Third is nutritional label of the food. You can easily tell if a person is health conscious. Drop by your nearby grocery store if you have free time and examine the people inside. Check out those who look at the back label of each milk can or fruit juice. They may look paranoid, but they are actually doing the right thing. Whenever you shop for food, make it a habit to look at the back label. Do check out the ingredients and supplemental facts included in your favorite juice or desserts. If you are watching your diet, you know that the recommended calorie per day is 1940 for women and 2550 for men.

Based on research, people who read the nutrition label on food before actually buying the items can expect significant improvement on their health. Looking at the nutritional label is the same as comparing prices. When you check the price and compare it with other brands, you are actually saving money. Reading nutritional labels can improve your general health and help you save money.

Today, commercial juices are so popular. There are several commercial juice products today that people are having a difficult time shopping. When shopping for healthy drinks and beverage, you ought to look at the packaging and the content of the beverage.

Supplemental Facts

It is important to read the label of the beverage you are drinking. Say that you not a coffee person, definitely you will buy a non-caffeinated beverage. Aside from the caffeine content, you will discover if what you are drinking provides you with the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Some of the common nutrients and minerals needed by the body are Calcium, Zinc, Vitamins A, B and C. These essential nutrients are found in many commercial beverages.

Other Ingredients

Consumers must always read the ingredients of the drinks that they are buying. Take note that obesity is a growing problem so stay away from artificial flavoring and sweeteners. Always go for organic all-natural flavors. For example, you will see an ingredient xanthan gum, do not be easily intimidated by the word. Xanthan gum is actually good for you because the body can easily digest it. According to research, it has a cellulose backbone and it works as a fiber. It can also prevent constipation.

What Factors To Consider When Buying Healthy Drinks?

The world is changing and our lives are changing as well. The internet has made the world smaller. With just one click you can already connect to your loved ones, colleagues or even conduct business from anywhere in the world. Yet, stress and diseases are at their highest peak. There are so many illnesses right now attributed to stress not only from work but from personal relationships as well. Medical experts believe that the continuous changing in our climate brings about these diseases. Another culprit is the demands in our workplace as well as the lifestyle we choose to live. Another big factor is the diet that we take. That is why it very important that we make the right choices in our lives. Little things could have great impact in our health and well-being.

One way to ensure that your body is receiving proper nutrition is by drinking all natural healthy beverages. There are several beverages in the market available to supplement your daily dietary intake. However, because they are too many finding the right one can be very difficult. Following are factors you ought to consider when looking for a healthy drink.

Organic And All Natural Drink 

Read the label when shopping for drinks. Find products that guarantee that their drinks contain all natural and healthy ingredients. Recent studies show that with the present lifestyle of people today, getting the required vitamins and minerals from foods are not enough. The body constantly needs replenishment and food alone does not supply the body of what it needs. That is why healthy drinks and supplements are greatly needed. This is also the reason why there are so many health drinks out there. However, with all the battle of healthy drink supremacy, you should be wise and well informed in order to make the right choice.

Delicious Taste 

If you are looking for a health drink to add to your diet, you need to consider the taste. Some people are very hesitant to try organic and all natural fruit drinks because they feel nauseated with the color, taste and smell of the beverage. Moreover, this is one of the most important factors that consumer look for in a healthy drink.

Trust and Expertise 

Look at the brand name. See if the product is manufactured by a company that guarantees quality and product safety. Certainly, you would never entrust your child's health with drinks that you are not sure how they are produced and manufactured.

Price 

Since there are so many health beverages available today, prices of these goods are becoming more and more competitive. People are now smarter that they compare prices among the leading brands. Hopefully, people are not just concern about how much they would splurge but also how much they would benefit from the drink. So, if you're like the many who are price conscious, do look for the content and nutritional value of the product as well.

Green Tips For Green Drinks

Green is healthy. Green has become a buzzword in wholesome living. Green beverages are in because of their nourishing effects. So everyone else is learning how to make green drinks. What is it that makes green brews good for your health?

Medical experts and health gurus say that when the body becomes too heavy with acid, this potion is one of the best solutions. It is like eating a load of vegetables which is more convenient for people because it comes in powder forma and just needs to be dissolved in water. Green juices are rich in alkaline and provide stability to the body as well as reduce stress. If you consume green juices which have high alkaline content, there is a greater chance of lessening acids in the body. These also help in producing vitamins, minerals and amino acids which serve as the building blocks of proteins and metabolism or life-sustaining chemical activity.

There are many of these beverages for sale in health shops, grocery stores, supermarkets and online retailers. However, it is still practical to know how to make green drinks. You can try concocting the more popular broccoli juice which is said to be effective in fortifying the immune system. It can be blended with dandelion or yellow weeds are used in making wine, salads and medicine or alfalfa sprouts which contain a lot of nutrients. Medical research also revealed that it would be advisable to take a green drinks instead of coffee since it supplies the body with energy needed for a hectic and tiring day.

Once you become familiar with how to make green drinks, it is a big boost to become healthy since greens have various beneficial effects such as discarding toxins that weaken body tissues, enhancing the absorption of vitamins and minerals, strengthening the digestive process, reducing high blood pressure, minimizing allergic reactions and helping in cancer prevention.

In the same manner, it is an advantage to find out how to make green smoothies since this is considered as a nutritional beverage that can also cause effective weight loss. In fact, many people have been coming up with testimonials that these drinks changed their lives for the better. These health-conscious individuals claim that taking green smoothies have resulted to remarkable changes in their body systems. These are relatively easy to make and taking at least two smoothies daily will produce health benefits and substantial loss weight.

How Finding A Wedding Buffet Caterer?

One of the most expensive aspects of a wedding is the food that will be served at the reception. It is very easy to end up spending more on wedding reception food alone than you have budgeted for your entire wedding. Carefully planning and hiring a good wedding buffet caterer can save you a lot of money by providing you with an exact figure on what your wedding reception is going to cost you.

You may be able to save even more money by renting a reception venue that offers its own wedding buffet caterer. However, this option does not always offer the best price; you can do a lot better. Be sure to shop around for the best price and get the price quote in writing before you hire a caterer.

Remember that it is your wedding and you can choose the food to serve your guests. You do not necessarily have to offer some kind of heavy meal at the reception. If you merely want to offer tasty treats, that is your wedding planning prerogative. Make sure to communicate your preference with your wedding buffet caterer.

While wedding buffet caterers tend to be the cheapest and have the most predictable prices, you should not rule out getting price quotes from others. Ultimately, if the food is good, it is not going to matter what the style or meal type is.

If you are planning on serving alcohol, expect your meal to cost at least twice as much and watch out for unexpected costs resulting from unpredictable guests. You might do better financially to have your caterer serve a full line of fine fruit juices.

Do not be afraid to let the caterer know that you will be shopping around for competitive quotes. If you already have a few quotes with you, ask for a better quote from each. You can save a lot of money on a wedding buffet caterer if you really want to save money.

What Apple Juice Healthy Or Not?

The juice from an apple which you have pressed yourself and not added anything too is very beneficial for your health, especially if it still contains bits of skin from the apple. There are, it would seem problems with packaged apple juice, and one problem is that the content of lead and arsenic are not regulated in fruit juices as they are in bottled water.

A study in Connecticut New Jersey was carried out in August 2011 on packaged apple juice and grape juice and of the 88 samples taken a quarter of them contained higher levels of lead than should legally be in bottled water and 10% contained more arsenic then recommended as being safe for water. In water 5 parts per billion are permitted, and 10 parts per billion is the total limit for arsenic as set out by the USFDA.

Apple juice is manufactured by a process of maceration and the pressing of apples which may be further treated to remove the pectin and starch, then pasteurized for packing or dehydrated for concentrate. The majority of nutrients are lost in the processing and some have "added vitamin C" which basically means that manufacturers are adding a nutrient which has been removed from the apple in the processing. Minerals appear not be lost, as apple juice contains boron which is thought to contribute to healthy bones. It also contains flavonoids and natural phenolic compounds as well as pyrocyandins which may delay the effects of aging due to their antioxidant actions. It is also believed that acetylcholine in the brain may be increased by apple juice and this is believed to help boost the memory.

The polyphenols and pectin in raw apples have an anticarcinogenic effect on the stomach, according to the American Research Center US Apple Association. Pectin obtained from expressed apple juice increases the production of butyrate which enables the body to activate its mechanisms to produce antioxidant compounds. This helps to maintain healthy flora in the stomach and is anti carcinogenic. The iron and pectins in apple juice are beneficial for the lungs so helping those who are heavy smokers or are prone to attacks of bronchitis. These also help to rid the body of toxins.

Apple juice has been found to be helpful for post-menopausal women and children as it can help to maintain strong, healthy bones. However there are some who just can't take apple juice unless it's the alcoholic drink cider so for them it is best to blend apple juice which has been put in a juicer at home, with carrot juice and perhaps beetroot juice. This combination gives a balance of vitamins and minerals which should be in your diet.

Quercetin is found in the apple skin and red apples contain more of this than do yellow or green ones, so it is best to eat an apple with its skin on after washing it thoroughly for the best health benefits. This way of ingesting the fruit is best as it also gives you a dose of dietary fibre which you need to prevent constipation and so piles or haemorrhoids.

However, if you can't take apples in any form, try cranberries, blueberries or bilberries, and of course onions, for their quercetin content.

Parties While Dieting

How often do you get the chance to entertain while you're on a diet? Is it because you don't want to cook foods that are bad for you and your diet and you don't think your guests want to eat your low calorie snacks? What if I told you there was a way to incorporate those same low fat snack foods into your cooking that would please your friends and not make you stray from your diet?

You're searching your rolodex now for people to invite over, aren't you? I don't blame you. There are so many recipes out there that can use healthy snack foods as their staple ingredient. In this article I'll name and go over just a few.

Get yourself some frozen veggies and a can of water chestnuts. Mix those together with a little bit (about half a cup) of low fat mayonnaise or Miracle Whip and a half cup of cheddar cheese. Crumble your favorite wheat cracker on top and bake for 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

See? It's that simple. You can absolutely entertain with low fat snacks. Try crusting your favorite type of fish in a mixture of crushed up crackers and a little bit of low fat margarine. It's a surefire way to please everyone.

If you feel like your culinary experience precludes you from cooking at all, never fear, you can still entertain and never turn on the oven.

Have yourself an hors d'oeuvre party! You can put basically anything on top of wheat crackers and other low calorie snacks. Anything from creamy types cheeses and fresh vegetables to gorgeous cuts of beef and fresh fish can top crackers. You can also make a dessert version with chocolate and marshmallow fluff.

If you still don't feel like entertaining, don't feel that you need to become a hermit and stay home all the time. You should go out to parties and have fun. You can make good, healthy eating choices at parties. Don't eat meat that's got lots of visible fat. When applicable choose the vegetarian option, and most of all, treat yourself. If you are only ever eating healthy snack foods, you're going to want to binge on the other stuff every once in awhile. If you give yourself a treat every now and then, you'll be less likely to overeat on sugary, fatty snacks.