FOOD ALLERGIES

Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy. One out of three people either say that they have a food allergy or that they modify the family diet because a family member is suspected of having a food allergy. But only about three percent of children have clinically proven allergic reactions to foods. In adults, the prevalence of food allergy drops to about one percent of the total population.

This difference between the clinically proven prevalence of food allergy and the public perception of the problem is in part due to reactions called "food intolerances" rather than food allergies. A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food that is triggered by the immune system. The immune system is not responsible for the symptoms of a food intolerance, even though these symptoms can resemble those of a food allergy.

It is extremely important for people who have true food allergies to identify them and prevent allergic reactions to food because these reactions can cause devastating illness and, in some cases, be fatal.

How Allergic Reactions Work
An allergic reaction involves two features of the human immune response. Generally, such people come from families in which allergies are common—not necessarily food allergies but perhaps hay fever, asthma, or hives. Someone with two allergic parents is more likely to develop food allergies than someone with one allergic parent.

Before an allergic reaction can occur, a person who is predisposed to form IgE to foods first has to be exposed to the food. As this food is digested, it triggers certain cells to produce specific IgE in large amounts. The chemicals released by skin mast cells, in contrast, can prompt hives.

Food allergens (the food fragments responsible for an allergic reaction) are proteins within the food that usually are not broken down by the heat of cooking or by stomach acids or enzymes that digest food. If people are allergic to a particular food, for example, they may first experience itching in the mouth as they start to eat the food. When the food allergens enter and travel through the bloodstream, they can cause a drop in blood pressure. Common Food Allergies
In adults, the most common foods to cause allergic reactions include: shellfish such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab; peanuts, a legume that is one of the chief foods to cause severe anaphylaxis, a sudden drop in blood pressure that can be fatal if not treated quickly; tree nuts such as walnuts; fish; and eggs. The most common food allergens that cause problems in children are eggs, milk, and peanuts. Children are more likely to outgrow allergies to milk or soy than allergies to peanuts, fish, or shrimp.

The foods that adults or children react to are those foods they eat often.

Cross Reactivity
If someone has a life-threatening reaction to a certain food, the doctor will counsel the patient to avoid similar foods that might trigger this reaction. Differential Diagnoses
A differential diagnosis means distinguishing food allergy from food intolerance or other illnesses. If a patient goes to the doctor's office and says, "I think I have a food allergy," the doctor has to consider the list of other possibilities that may lead to symptoms that could be confused with food allergy. Contaminated meat sometimes mimics a food reaction when it is really a type of food poisoning.

There are also natural substances, such as histamine, that can occur in foods and stimulate a reaction similar to an allergic reaction. If someone eats one of these foods with a high level of histamine, that person may have a reaction that strongly resembles an allergic reaction to food. This reaction is called histamine toxicity.

Another cause of food intolerance that is often confused with a food allergy is lactase deficiency. This most common food intolerance affects at least one out of ten people. Compounds that are most frequently tied to adverse reactions that can be confused with food allergy are yellow dye number 5, monosodium glutamate, and sulfites.

Sulfites can occur naturally in foods or are added to enhance crispness or prevent mold growth.

There are several other diseases that share symptoms with food allergies including ulcers and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Some people may have a food intolerance that has a psychological trigger. The eating of that food years later, even as an adult, is associated with a rush of unpleasant sensations that can resemble an allergic reaction to food.

Diagnosis
To diagnose food allergy a doctor must first determine if the patient is having an adverse reaction to specific foods. The physician sits down with the person suspected of having a food allergy and takes a history to determine if the facts are consistent with a food allergy.

What was the timing of the reaction? Did the reaction come on quickly, usually within an hour after eating the food?

Was allergy treatment successful? (Antihistamines should relieve hives, for example, if they stem from a food allergy.)

Is the reaction always associated with a certain food?

In an allergic reaction, however, only the person allergic to the fish becomes ill.

How much did the patient eat before experiencing a reaction? The severity of the patient’s reaction is sometimes related to the amount of food the patient ate.

How was the food prepared? Some people will have a violent allergic reaction only to raw or undercooked fish. If the fish is cooked thoroughly, they can eat it with no allergic reaction.

Were other foods ingested at the same time of the allergic reaction? Some foods may delay digestion and thus delay the onset of the allergic reaction.

Under the doctor's direction, the patient does not eat a food suspected of causing the allergy, like eggs, and substitutes another food, in this case, another source of protein. If the patient removes the food and the symptoms go away, the doctor can almost always make a diagnosis. If the patient then eats the food (under the doctor's direction) and the symptoms come back, then the diagnosis is confirmed. This technique cannot be used, however, if the reactions are severe (in which case the patient should not resume eating the food) or infrequent.

If the patient's history, diet diary, or elimination diet suggests a specific food allergy is likely, the doctor will then use tests that can more objectively measure an allergic response to food. If the scratch test is positive, the patient has IgE on the skin's mast cells that is specific to the food being tested. A doctor diagnoses a food allergy only when a patient has a positive skin test to a specific allergen and the history of these reactions suggests an allergy to the same food.

In some extremely allergic patients who have severe anaphylactic reactions, skin testing cannot be used because it could evoke a dangerous reaction. Skin testing also cannot be done on patients with extensive eczema. As with skin testing, positive tests do not necessarily make the diagnosis.

The final method used to objectively diagnose food allergy is double-blind food challenge. This testing has come to be the "gold standard" of allergy testing. Various foods, some of which are suspected of inducing an allergic reaction, are each placed in individual opaque capsules.

The advantage of such a challenge is that if the patient has a reaction only to suspected foods and not to other foods tested, it confirms the diagnosis.

Consequently, double-blind food challenges are done infrequently.

Exercise-Induced Food Allergy
At least one situation may require more than the simple ingestion of a food allergen to provoke a reaction: exercise-induced food allergy. People who experience this reaction eat a specific food before exercising. The cure for exercised-induced food allergy is simple—not eating for a couple of hours before exercising.

Treatment
Food allergy is treated by dietary avoidance. Once a patient and the patient's doctor have identified the food to which the patient is sensitive, the food must be removed from the patient's diet. To do this, patients must read lengthy, detailed ingredient lists on each food they are considering eating. Many allergy-producing foods such as peanuts, eggs, and milk, appear in foods one normally would not associate them with. People can avoid most of the things to which they are sensitive if they read food labels carefully and avoid restaurant-prepared foods that might have ingredients to which they are allergic.

In highly allergic people even minuscule amounts of a food allergen (for example, 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel) can prompt an allergic reaction. Other less sensitive people may be able to tolerate small amounts of a food to which they are allergic.

Patients with severe food allergies must be prepared to treat an inadvertent exposure. To protect themselves, people who have had anaphylactic reactions to a food should wear medical alert bracelets or necklaces stating that they have a food allergy and that they are subject to severe reactions. Such people should always carry a syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine), obtained by prescription from their doctors, and be prepared to self-administer it if they think they are getting a food allergic reaction. Parents and caregivers must know how to protect children from foods to which the children are allergic and how to manage the children if they consume a food to which they are allergic, including the administration of epinephrine. There are several medications that a patient can take to relieve food allergy symptoms that are not part of an anaphylactic reaction. No medication in any form can be taken before eating a certain food that will reliably prevent an allergic reaction to that food.

There are a few non-approved treatments for food allergies. One involves injections containing small quantities of the food extracts to which the patient is allergic. Researchers have not yet proven that allergy shots relieve food allergies.

Infants and Children
Milk and soy allergies are particularly common in infants and young children. The doctor diagnoses food allergy partly by changing the child's diet. Rarely, food challenge is used. If soy formula causes an allergic reaction, the baby may be placed on an elemental formula. The doctor will sometimes prescribe corticosteroids to treat infants with severe food allergies. There are some children who are so sensitive to a certain food, however, that if the food is eaten by the mother, sufficient quantities enter the breast milk to cause a food reaction in the child. Mothers sometimes must themselves avoid eating those foods to which the baby is allergic. It does, however, delay the onset of food allergies by delaying the infant's exposure to those foods that can prompt allergies, and it may avoid altogether those feeding problems seen in infants. By delaying the introduction of solid foods until the infant is 6 months old or older, parents can also prolong the child's allergy-free period. It is controversial, for example, whether migraine headaches can be caused by food allergies. The more difficult issue is whether food allergies actually cause migraines in such people. There is also no evidence that food allergies can cause a disorder called the allergic tension fatigue syndrome, in which people are tired, nervous, and may have problems concentrating, or have headaches. There is no evidence that such problems are due to food allergies.

Some people believe hyperactivity in children is caused by food allergies.

Controversial Diagnostic Techniques
One controversial diagnostic technique is cytotoxicity testing, in which a food allergen is added to a patient's blood sample. The technician then asks the patient if the food allergen has aggravated the arthritis symptoms. In clinical studies, researchers have not shown that this procedure can effectively diagnose food allergies.

An immune complex assay is sometimes done on patients suspected of having food allergies to see if there are complexes of certain antibodies bound to the food allergen in the bloodstream. It is said that these immune complexes correlate with food allergies. To date, no one has conclusively shown that this test correlates with allergies to foods. Again, there is no evidence that this diagnoses food allergy.

Controversial Treatments
Controversial treatments include putting a dilute solution of a particular food under the tongue about a half hour before the patient eats that food.

Summary
Food allergies are caused by immunologic reactions to foods.

After one suspects a food allergy, a medical evaluation is the key to proper management. Treatment is basically avoiding the food(s) after it is identified. People with food allergies should become knowledgeable about allergies and how they are treated, and should work with their physicians.

Red Wine: The Romantic Wine

wine just an alcoholic beverage made by the fermentation of grapes? An engagement ring in a glass of sparkling red wine had sealed many a marriage, with most of the work being done with wine making the drinker pleasantly content with a warm feeling. Classified as a light wine, the red wine is certainly the most popular, with an alcohol content of 10-14%, giving a relaxing, mellow taste without knocking the drinker out. The tannin content in the skin gives the distinctive taste of the wine. Basic knowledge of wines and their flavours is considered a must in social circles nowadays.

Beware of wine and women, runs the old saying and similarly wines are classified by body-type, wines can be light bodied, medium bodied or full bodied... on basis on increasing tannin and alcohol content. Around 50 key red wine varieties that manifest themselves in today's worldwide wine market consistently, they include the expensive and famous wines like Chianti and Bordeaux, which are names of region, as in the case of European wines which are classified by where the grapes are grown, while the non-European wines are classified by grape type, like Pinot Noir and Merlot.

Serving and drinking red wine is also an art, as is wine tasting and classification. Red wine glasses are bigger in diameter and narrower towards the top. The right temperature for serving the red wine is 60-65 deg Fahrenheit. The grape seeds and skins also produce antioxidants and studies are still on to research the various benefits of red wine.

Dry White Wine: Why is it Golden?

Wine and good times go hand in hand, and numerous varieties of wine have evolved over the centuries. Each wine is unique to the region the grapes are grown and the manifold process it undergoes, and this is what makes a wine red, rose or white.

Why is "white" wine, not white at all, but yellow, golden or straw-like in color? The most famous example of a golden colored white wine is Champagne. White wines are made exclusively from the grape juice and the process carefully excludes the grape skin of green, gold or yellowish colored grapes or from just the juice (not the skin) of select red grapes. White wines are usually served chilled in fluted glasses with long stems. When there is very little or nil amount of sugar in the wine, it is known as a dry wine.

White wines do not boast of the same health benefits of their red wine cousins, due to the absence of the antioxidant compounds present in the grape skins and seeds, which are excluded while crafting the white wine. The most popular of the dry white wines is Chardonnay, which derives its name from the Chardonnay grape variety. The other famous dry white wines are Riesling, Savignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and so on. Wine connoisseurs describe the taste of dry white wines as cool and crisp, warm and buttery, light, fruity and so on. Chilled dry white wine is usually served with white meat like fish or chicken.

Wine and good times go hand in hand, and numerous varieties of wine have evolved over the centuries. White wine plays a predominant role in many a cuisine, delighting many a palate with its complex taste. Each wine is unique to the region the grapes are grown and the manifold process it undergoes, and this is what makes a wine red, rose or white.

Why is "white" wine, not white at all, but yellow, golden or straw-like in color? The most famous example of a golden colored white wine is Champagne. The color can be derived from an assortment of grape varietals. White wines are made exclusively from the grape juice and the process carefully excludes the grape skin of green, gold or yellowish colored grapes or from just the juice (not the skin) of select red grapes. The coloration of the skin and seeds is not allowed to escape into the grape juice in the making of white wine, while in the case of the red wine, the color of the skin gives the characteristic deep reds and dark colors.

White wines are usually served chilled in fluted glasses with long stems. This keeps the drinkers hand well away from the drink and keeps the wine cool. Wines are sorted by the effect they have on the drinker's palate. The sweetness of the wine is due to the amount of sugar left over during the fermentation of the grape juice into the wine. When there is very little or nil amount of sugar in the wine, it is known as a dry wine.

White wines do not boast of the same health benefits of their red wine cousins, due to the absence of the antioxidant compounds present in the grape skins and seeds, which are excluded while crafting the white wine. But they have lesser amount of tannins and alcohol making it very light and easy to enjoy, an ideal choice for any beginner who has begun to explore the wine world.

The most popular of the dry white wines is Chardonnay, which derives its name from the Chardonnay grape variety. It is a vine that adapts well to a variety of climates, and is low maintenance, resulting in fairly high yields worldwide, which translate into millions of bottles of Chardonnay wines, which are relatively, priced at 8-15 dollars a bottle. The other famous dry white wines are Riesling, Savignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and so on. Wine connoisseurs describe the taste of dry white wines as cool and crisp, warm and buttery, light, fruity and so on. There are many styles and types to choose from, but the king of all dry whites is the Chardonnay that comes from Burgundy in France.

Chilled dry white wine is usually served with white meat like fish or chicken. It can also accompany other foods where the acidity balances the other flavours. White wine is used in making of many sauces and in salad dressings and in cooking where the pungent acidity is gives the simplest dish an exotic touch.

Coffee Pod Makes a No Mess Perfect Cup

Coffee pods look like round tea bags which contain the right amount of pre-packaged coffee beans, encapsulated in a paper pod. Coffee pods look like round tea bags which contain the right amount of pre-packaged coffee beans, encapsulated in a paper pod. Coffee Pods have a specially formulated filter paper which aims to maintain the freshness of ground coffee. Moreover, coffee pods have a variety you can choose from. Coffee machines helps in the process of extracting the coffee pods. By 1920, America consumed 70% of the worlds coffee production.

Coffee pods come with different types. Such are:

•decaffeinated
•flavored
•dark
•medium
•light

Packs to choose from are as follows:

•all Pod Sampler Packs
•All Tea Pods
•All Pods

Now, manufacturers of coffee-makers help in ensuring the compatibility of coffee pods with certain coffee makers in the market. Manufacturers which introduced patented coffee makers with easy methods of brewing for different brands of coffee pods include the following:

•Senseo
•Melitta One
•BUNN

List of branded coffee pods are as follows:

Pod Coffee by Brew

1.Aloha Island Chocolate Macadamnia Nut Pod Coffee 100% Kona

Aloha Island Chocolate Macadamia Nut is a rich chocolate flavored coffee. A 100% Estate Kona Coffee with the right amounts of macadamia nut flavors. It is a medium roasted coffee with low acidic content. It only costs $20.75.

2.Aloha Island Light Roast Pod Coffee 100% Kona

A 100% Kona coffee KONA_PODS that has a smooth texture and exquisitely flavored whole bean Kona. It is also called "dessert coffee". Aloha Diamond Pod Coffee is 100% Kona coffee and it is a light roast type which is low in acidity and has no pesticide. It only costs $22.95.

4.Aloha Island Magnum Opus Gold Pod Coffee 100% Kona

Aloha Island Magnum Opus Gold is 100% Pure Kona coffee which is very smooth, very rich and has an excellent depth of flavor. It is also a medium roast coffee that is pesticide free. It only costs $19.95.

5.Aloha Island Magnum Opus Platinum Pod Coffee 100% Kona

Aloha Island Magnum Opus Platinum is made from a round-shaped and small coffee bean. It is 100% estate Kona coffee it possesses low acidity and no pesticide content. 6.Aloha Island Variety Pack 100% Kona

Flavors of this type include:

•French Vanilla
•Espresso roast
•Chocolate Macadamia Nut
•Decaf
•Dark roast
•Medium roast
•Light roast
•Hazelnut

Aloha Island Variety Pack has 12 pieces inside its box. 7.Baronet Galapagos Pod Coffee

Baronet Galapagos Pod Coffee is grown from San Cristobal in Galapagos, only 600 miles from Ecuador. 8.Baronet Pod Coffee French Roast Decaf

A dark roasted coffee with a full body blend of the South and Central Americas. 9.Baronet Pod Coffee Mint Chocolate Chip

This is a smooth, rich chocolate with refreshing mint taste. It is also a light roast coffee that consists of 18 pods per sleeve. 10.Dallmayr Crema d'Oro Coffee Pods

This is a delight as Café Crema. 11.Fratello Christmas Morning Coffee Pods

Fratello Christmas Morning Coffee is a rich festive creation with orange and cinnamon. It is a lightly roasted coffee with 18 pieces of pods in a box.

12.Fratello Coffee Pods Yemen Moka Sanani Single Estate

It is vibrantly fruity, rich, earthy, light roasted and fresh flavored coffee equipped with a blueberry finish that will really surprise one's taste buds. 13.Fratello Dixie Voodoo Coffee Pods

Fratello Dixie Voodoo is an Indonesian coffee blend, with a bold spicy flavor. It only costs $5.99 for every pod. 14.Fratello Eggnog Coffee Pods

A light roasted coffee that is equipped with traditional eggnog of rich rum and spices. 15.Fratello Gingerbread Coffee Pods

Fratello Gingerbread is a lightly roasted coffee pod with a warm spicy flavor of gingerbread and molasses. It contains 18 pods per box.

16.Fratello Nicaraguan Org. FT Coffee Pods

This is a medium roasted coffee with mild acidity content, along with hints of tobacco and chocolate. It has 18 pods per box.

It has 18 pods per box. It is a medium roasted type of Costa Rican coffee. 20.Lavazza House Blend Premium Coffee Pods

Lavazza House Blend is made up of 100% Arabica. It is also a light roasted coffee with 18 pods per box. 21.Melitta Southern Pecan Pie Pod Coffee

This is a lightly roasted coffee, having a blend of toasted pecans, sweet maple and cinnamon. 22.Reunion Island Maple Creme Coffee Pods

This is a medium roasted blend with a smooth flavor of maple cream, making it better tasting. It has 25 counts per box

23.Wolfgang Puck South Pacific Dark Pod Coffee

Wolfgang Puck South Pacific has an elegant blend of all natural coffee, usually from the tropical Pacific Rim. It is a medium to dark roasted coffee type. If you want a convenient, great tasting, and time saving coffee experience, you should try a cup of pod coffee.

Red Wine and Your Health

You must be quite startled at the revelation that drinking red wine can actually do good to your health. One of the areas that alcohol can assist you is the realm of heart disease. Drinking a moderate quantity of wine can actually lower the risks of getting a heart attack or a stroke. Some doctors went to the root of the matter and discovered that it is their tendency to consume red wine with their meals that lowers the risk of heart diseases.

However, although the reason has been narrowed down to the consumption of red wine, researchers are not yet sure as to what component of the red wine has this beneficial quality of lowering heart disease risks. In order to find out more about the disease fighting properties of red wine, researchers are also working on grapes and grape juices.

The benefits of consuming red wine are great. Other health benefits of this alcoholic beverage are:

It increases the level of good cholesterol in the body.
Decrease chances of Alzheimer's disease.
Decrease chances of prostate cancer.

Helps cure cold, decrease number of fat cells.

Although the world is going gaga over the benefits of drinking red wine, nothing has been confirmed scientifically till now. Thus, it is advisable that you go and ask your doctor about the true benefits of drinking red wine and how it will affect your system.

Research is still on to identify whether it is red wine that benefits your health or just a component in it.

Alcohol is one of those things that can be very harmful if you get addicted to them. In fact, excessive alcohol consumption can even lead to death. However, recent research has found out that despite the harmful effects of alcohol, certain types of alcohol, like red wine, if consumed in moderation, can be beneficial to your health. In fact, research tells that if you have about two glasses of red wine a day, it can work wonders for your health!

You must be quite startled at the revelation that drinking red wine can actually do good to your health. But then, it is a scientifically proven thing. One of the areas that alcohol can assist you is the realm of heart disease. Drinking a moderate quantity of wine can actually lower the risks of getting a heart attack or a stroke. This can be readily proven with the example of the French population. The French have a high fat diet but strangely enough, they have one of the lowest heart disease rates in the world! How is this possible? Some doctors went to the root of the matter and discovered that it is their tendency to consume red wine with their meals that lowers the risk of heart diseases.

However, although the reason has been narrowed down to the consumption of red wine, researchers are not yet sure as to what component of the red wine has this beneficial quality of lowering heart disease risks. Some believe that it is the presence of flavonoids or any other antioxidant that has this wonderful effect on the human body. In order to find out more about the disease fighting properties of red wine, researchers are also working on grapes and grape juices.

The benefits of consuming red wine are great. In fact, it reduces chances of heart diseases by as much as 50%. This is one of the benefits that will be great news to all wine lovers. However, the idea is to drink in moderation and savour the taste and the benefits.

Other health benefits of this alcoholic beverage are:

It increases the level of good cholesterol in the body.
Decrease chances of Alzheimer's disease.
Decrease chances of prostate cancer.

Helps cure cold, decrease number of fat cells.

Although the world is going gaga over the benefits of drinking red wine, nothing has been confirmed scientifically till now. Thus, it is advisable that you go and ask your doctor about the true benefits of drinking red wine and how it will affect your system.

It is agreed that it is one of the most loved drinks around he world and recent medical discoveries show it in good light, but still you need to be sure of its advantages and disadvantages before embarking upon consuming it regularly as a means of keeping in good health. Research is still on to identify whether it is red wine that benefits your health or just a component in it. Thus, try to be absolutely sure about it before getting merry!

Coffee - 10 Health Benefits of Moderate Coffee Drinking

There are actually a number of health benefits to drinking coffee regularly.

Reduced Gall Stones

The Harvard School of Public Health recently published a study indicating that drinking caffeinated coffee on a regular basis can dramatically decrease the incidence of gall bladder disease and gall stones in both women and men.

Reduced Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Two studies, one published in the European Journal of Neurology, have shown that individuals who drank about 2 cups of caffeinated coffee per day were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than individuals who drank no coffee or a small to moderate amount.

Reduced Risk for Parkinson's Disease

Studies have shown that the amount of coffee and caffeine consumed could be inversely related to an individual's likelihood of contracting Parkinson's disease. This means the more coffee you drink, the lower your chances are for developing the disease.

Antioxidants and Cancer-Fighting Properties

Coffee is a powerful source of antioxidants - agents that combat cancer-causing free radicals.

Increased Cognitive Ability

Studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers frequently score significantly higher on cognitive ability tests, spatial awareness exams, IQ tests, and short term memory studies.

The effects of coffee on an individual's cognitive ability appeared to be more pronounced in elderly study participants and women.

Bowel Stimulation

Coffee is a stimulant and also a laxative. Some alternative practitioners even prescribe coffee enemas to stimulate the lower colon.

However, because coffee is also a diuretic, it can cause constipation in some individuals. Weight Loss and Metabolism

Because coffee is a stimulant, the caffeine inside can give a boost to your metabolism, helping with weight loss and energy levels. Meanwhile, women could reduce their risk by almost 30 percent. Heavy coffee drinking can lead to irritability, anxiety, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular problems and higher cholesterol levels.

Did you know that coffee can actually do a lot more than simply give you a boost in the morning? There are actually a number of health benefits to drinking coffee regularly. So, before you make the switch to herbal tea, read on to learn more about what coffee can do for you and your body.

Reduced Gall Stones

The Harvard School of Public Health recently published a study indicating that drinking caffeinated coffee on a regular basis can dramatically decrease the incidence of gall bladder disease and gall stones in both women and men.

Reduced Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Two studies, one published in the European Journal of Neurology, have shown that individuals who drank about 2 cups of caffeinated coffee per day were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than individuals who drank no coffee or a small to moderate amount.

Reduced Risk for Parkinson's Disease

Studies have shown that the amount of coffee and caffeine consumed could be inversely related to an individual's likelihood of contracting Parkinson's disease. This means the more coffee you drink, the lower your chances are for developing the disease.

Antioxidants and Cancer-Fighting Properties

Coffee is a powerful source of antioxidants - agents that combat cancer-causing free radicals. Coffee is chock full of the compound methylpyridinium, which can't be found in many other food items and not at the level available in coffee. You can get antioxidants from both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee as long as the beans are sufficiently roasted.

Increased Cognitive Ability

Studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers frequently score significantly higher on cognitive ability tests, spatial awareness exams, IQ tests, and short term memory studies.

The effects of coffee on an individual's cognitive ability appeared to be more pronounced in elderly study participants and women.

Bowel Stimulation

Coffee is a stimulant and also a laxative. Some alternative practitioners even prescribe coffee enemas to stimulate the lower colon.

However, because coffee is also a diuretic, it can cause constipation in some individuals.

Reduced Risk for Gout

A large study of over 45,000 men that was conducted over a 12-year period showed the amount of coffee consumed was inversely related to their risk or likelihood of developing gout.

Weight Loss and Metabolism

Because coffee is a stimulant, the caffeine inside can give a boost to your metabolism, helping with weight loss and energy levels. If you look at the ingredients listed for most over-the-counter weight loss aids, you'll find caffeine is often a primary ingredient.

Be careful though, as too much coffee or caffeine can also cause jitters, anxiety and wreak havoc on your sleeping patterns.

Better Brain Function

A recent study found that individuals who drank at least one to two cups of coffee per day scored significantly higher on memory recall, cognitive ability, logic comprehension and basic IQ tests.

So, the next time you're guzzling coffee to get you through that late-night cram session, remember that it is doing a lot more than just keeping you awake.

Reduced Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

A study done by the Harvard School of Health found that men who drank approximately 6 8-oz cups of coffee, or 3-4 standard mugs could lower their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by as much as 50 percent. Meanwhile, women could reduce their risk by almost 30 percent.

Remember, everything should be practiced in moderation, and health concerns should always be discussed with a medical professional. So, while a moderate amount of coffee has its benefit, an excessive amount can also cause problems. Heavy coffee drinking can lead to irritability, anxiety, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular problems and higher cholesterol levels.

About Ice Wine

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, and can only be produced in certain regions, under certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine.

Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is generally much more expensive than other wines. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag.

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag. The cheaper ones are also called icebox wines, and are produced differently than a true ice wine.

The weather conditions are critical for making a true ice wine. Ice wine is pressed from frozen grapes. The frozen grapes produce only a small amount of juice, since the water in the grape is frozen. This juice is then fermented to produce ice wine. The resulting product is a very concentrated, sweet wine. So ice wine takes longer to produce than a normal table wine.

There are also wines produced that are called ice wine, but they are produced differently. As stated above, these wines are also known as icebox wines.

Ice wine is usually sold in half bottles, as opposed to regular wine, which typically is sold in 750ml bottles. Once produced, ice wine will sell very quickly.

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, and can only be produced in certain regions, under certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine.

Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is generally much more expensive than other wines. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag.

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, and can only be produced in certain regions, under certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine. Ice wines can also be found in the Pacific Northwest, and some other regions where the temperatures are right.

Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is generally much more expensive than other wines. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag. The cheaper ones are also called icebox wines, and are produced differently than a true ice wine.

The weather conditions are critical for making a true ice wine. Ice wine is pressed from frozen grapes. The grapes are left on the vine to fully ripen, then when the weather reaches low enough temperatures, around -8 degrees C., the grapes freeze. Once frozen, the grapes are picked at night, when the temperatures are coldest, and taken to be pressed.

The pressing also takes place in cold temperatures, so that the water in the grapes remains frozen. The frozen grapes produce only a small amount of juice, since the water in the grape is frozen. Because the grapes have remained on the vine to fully ripen, and because the water is frozen, the juice and the sugars that remain are incredibly concentrated, producing a very flavorful juice. This juice is then fermented to produce ice wine. The resulting product is a very concentrated, sweet wine. The high sugar level also results in a slower fermentation process. So ice wine takes longer to produce than a normal table wine.

There are also wines produced that are called ice wine, but they are produced differently. The grapes are picked earlier, and then frozen before pressing them for their juice. As a result, the flavors of the grapes are not as fully developed as in ice wine. As stated above, these wines are also known as icebox wines.

All of these factors, the particular weather conditions, and the sparse amount of juice from each grape, are what makes ice wine so rare and expensive. Ice wine is usually sold in half bottles, as opposed to regular wine, which typically is sold in 750ml bottles. Most stores do not sell ice wine, and it is hard to find online. Even if you can find it, it may be a bit expensive. But if you can, it is well worth it. Ice wine, because of the sugar content is very sweet, but not cloyingly so. The acid helps to balance out the sweetness.

Once produced, ice wine will sell very quickly. If you find a wine maker with some ice wine, you should do your best to pick up a bottle or two. It will be expensive, but well worth it.

A Broad Definition of Italian Wine

There are many people who love everything about Italy, the food, the people, the country itself and of course the wines. Italy is considered as a romantic country and their excellent wines only add to that idea. Italian wines are made with passion and sun and that is what you taste. This is a country that produces more wine than any other country in the world and the export is enormous. There are hundreds of types of different Italian wines and that is because each wine area produces a specific kind of grapes and this gives every win a different taste. That is why getting to know the world of Italian wines can be quite complex.

We can make many nuances in Italian wine but we can also roughly divide them in two different types the table wines and the more exclusive and expensive ones.

Lets start with the table wines

When we think of Italian family life, we think about large families who eat and drink together at long tables in the garden, grandmothers, fathers mothers, little children all together. Big bowls of pasta, and salads and wine lots of wine. These table wines are perfect with a robust meal and you can taste them also in most Italian restaurants. There are red and with table wines and you can serve them in a large glass jug. It all depends on the type of native grapes and the wine region where the exclusivity is based on. The possibilities are endless and this is the reason why exclusive Italian wines are complex to buy.

There are many people who love everything about Italy, the food, the people, the country itself and of course the wines. Italy is considered as a romantic country and their excellent wines only add to that idea. Italian wines are made with passion and sun and that is what you taste. This is a country that produces more wine than any other country in the world and the export is enormous. There are hundreds of types of different Italian wines and that is because each wine area produces a specific kind of grapes and this gives every win a different taste. That is why getting to know the world of Italian wines can be quite complex.

There was a rumor that run for many years and was about a story that Italy kept there best wines for themselves and just exported the more generic ones to other countries. These wines were in fact fine and great wines, they were just not the absolute top. But this was a rumor and Italy is just getting rid of it in the last couple of years. Maybe that is because the times in wine making have changed because of practices and technology and a more global demand for the more exclusive Italian wines.

We can make many nuances in Italian wine but we can also roughly divide them in two different types the table wines and the more exclusive and expensive ones.

Lets start with the table wines

When we think of Italian family life, we think about large families who eat and drink together at long tables in the garden, grandmothers, fathers mothers, little children all together. Big bowls of pasta, and salads and wine lots of wine. These table wines are perfect with a robust meal and you can taste them also in most Italian restaurants. They are not expensive and are perfect for casual gatherings with friends and family. There are red and with table wines and you can serve them in a large glass jug. Most of these wines are fruity and slightly sweet, some are even sparkling and most are light bodied. Chianti is for example a very popular type of table wine, it is very affordable and many people like the taste of it.

And end with the more expensive wines

Italy has an enormous wine selection and a big part of this selection are the more exclusive and expensive wines, the price is a bit higher than the normal prices and that is justified. It all depends on the type of native grapes and the wine region where the exclusivity is based on. For example Tuscan wines are just from the province of Tuscan and no were else in the country, it can also be more specific and be pinpointed to a specific region in Tuscan and the type of grapes used. And because there are over 2,000 types of grapes that are grown all over Italy you can imagine the enormous variety of exclusive wines that are brought to the market. The possibilities are endless and this is the reason why exclusive Italian wines are complex to buy.

Cheap Party Favors Make Great Gifts

Having a beach bash, birthday party, retirement party, bridal shower, graduation, wedding or some other event?

Many people, when they think of party favors, think of sitting around the kitchen table stuffing party bags. Make your party extra special by giving your guests a party favor they will really want to receive.

Choosing a party favor that matches the party theme is the easiest way to go. For a summer beach bash or 4th of July party, choose party favors that shout SUMMER. Inexpensive beach theme party favors are perfect for this type of event and include flip flop magnets and margarita gel candles. For a fall event such as a wedding, retirement party, birthday party, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Quince or more, choose a party favor that incorporates all the beautiful colors of the season such as chocolate brown, burgundy and gold. These colors are available with so many inexpensive fall party favors such as bookmarks, favor boxes, and photo frames. Any snowflake party favor would be the perfect party favor for this type of event.

For events such as Bridal Showers, Weddings, First Communions, Baptisms and other spring happenings, select wildflower seed favors, floral party favors or butterfly favors or ladybug favors to give your guests at this time of year. These favors are also great all year round for a birthday party, Sweet 16 party, Quince party and more. How can you afford not to thank your guests with these inexpensive party favors?

Having a beach bash, birthday party, retirement party, bridal shower, graduation, wedding or some other event? Don't forget to thank your guests for celebrating the occasion with you. What better way to say thank you than to choose inexpensive party favors for your guests to take with them when they leave the party.

Many people, when they think of party favors, think of sitting around the kitchen table stuffing party bags. How boring is that? Usually, the same old candy, mints or confetti end up in the favor bag and the people receiving them really don't care if they get one or not. Make your party extra special by giving your guests a party favor they will really want to receive. Party favors these days are very nice and many are less than $2 or even less than $1 each.

Choosing a party favor that matches the party theme is the easiest way to go. For a summer beach bash or 4th of July party, choose party favors that shout SUMMER. Inexpensive beach theme party favors are perfect for this type of event and include flip flop magnets and margarita gel candles. Many people do not expect party favors at summer picnics so be sure to surprise them with a nice memento to remind them of this fun day!

For a fall event such as a wedding, retirement party, birthday party, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Quince or more, choose a party favor that incorporates all the beautiful colors of the season such as chocolate brown, burgundy and gold. These colors are available with so many inexpensive fall party favors such as bookmarks, favor boxes, and photo frames. Many favors are not only lovely, but practical too and also would be nice used as place card holders at the Thanksgiving table.

Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve are just a few of our favorite winter reasons to have a party. Match your party favor to this fun time of year by selecting snowman candles, snowflake ornaments or a beautiful blue gel candle with a snowflake on it. These are great inexpensive favors for winter birthday parties too. And did we mention winter weddings? Some of the most gorgeous weddings are held during the winter months creating a winter wonderland for the bride and groom. Any snowflake party favor would be the perfect party favor for this type of event.

All things begin anew in spring. For events such as Bridal Showers, Weddings, First Communions, Baptisms and other spring happenings, select wildflower seed favors, floral party favors or butterfly favors or ladybug favors to give your guests at this time of year. These favors are also great all year round for a birthday party, Sweet 16 party, Quince party and more.

All of the party favors mentioned above cost less than $2 each and many less than $1 each. How can you afford not to thank your guests with these inexpensive party favors? To be double sure your guests love your party favor, choose one that you yourself would like to receive!

Resep Valentine

Peanut butter and chocolate combine to make a rich and creamy dessert fondue. Peanut butter mellows chocolate, adding a richness and smooth mouthfeel to this fabulous dessert fondue recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate
  
• 1 cup light cream
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
  
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

PREPARATION:

In medium saucepan, combine chocolate and half and half. Cook over low heat until mixture is smooth and blended, stirring frequently. Add sugar and cook 2-3 minutes longer, until sugar is dissolved. Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir until blended.

Remove from heat and pour into fondue pot or chafing dish. Serve with slices of fruit, angel food or pound cake, and marshmallows for dipping. 6 servings

Source

Due to an increasing awareness of nutritional issues, salsas have become the best selling condiment in North America. Salsas are traditionally spicy and vegetable based and can be cooked or uncooked, but there are many variations of salsa. Tomato salsas are great with chicken or beef but you might want to try a mango based salsa over fish tacos or even pork tenderloin. A sweet Pineapple based salsa goes great with blackened seafood or chicken and compliments the smoky, spicy flavor. For a great tasting fruity salsa try the melon like flavor of papaya blended with spicy hot peppers, this creates a mouth watering topping for chicken or pork.

Salsa has become the best selling condiment and has recently pushed ketchup right out of the top-selling spotlight. Some Salsa Nutritional Facts:

Tomatoes contain lycopene, the carotenoid pigment that turns tomatoes to red and may help to prevent some forms of cancer by lessening the damage caused by free radicals. Onions are low in calories yet add abundant flavor to a wide variety of foods. Onions contain generous amounts of a flavonoid called quercetin. Medical studies have shown that garlic can lower cholesterol, prevent dangerous blood clots, reduce blood pressure, prevent cancer, and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.

Jalapeño Peppers are a good source of vitamin C, folate and vitamin A but are not the only pepper that can be used in salsa. • El Paso (Very mild)
• Anaheim
• Jalapeno
• Serrano
• Cayenne
• Tabasco
• Red Chile
• Chiltecpin
• Kumataka
• Habanero (One of the hottest - 30 to 50 times hotter than a Jalapeno)

Isn't it nice to know that when we smother our food with salsa, we are adding the great nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables?

Great Outdoor Meals for the Ultimate Camping Experience

Camping outdoors means a lot of fun, excitement, and a lot of blah tasting canned goods - well, not if you have carefully planned and packed your meals. So if you're planning a 3-day camping trip, you need to consider all the ingredients and cooking utensils you will need for every meal of each day.

To ensure that your camping trip runs smoothly and your meals are diverse as well as good, make sure to bring the following items: charcoal, mini charcoal grill, matches, wind-proof lighter such as a Zippo lighter, an old pan and pot, and a roll of heavy duty tinfoil. As for the meals, the following are some of the most practical, yet delicious camping meal ideas.

Great camping breakfast ideas include cereal with milk, oatmeal mixed with nuts and dried fruits, scrambled eggs and bread, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and of course, a glass of milk or juice.

Lunch

If you're assigned to cook lunch, make sure to prepare ahead of time.

If snacks weren't served before lunch, a big meal would be perfect. But don't worry, big meals don't necessarily need heavy preparations. Sandwiches are easy to prepare, so long as you pack everything you need to make delicious, satisfying sandwiches like turkey meat, roast beef, hotdogs, deli meat, tomatoes, and cheese. Macaroni and potato salad are a big hit among campers.

Supper

There's nothing like a good, hot meal to end a day of activities. Grilled meat and meat stew make great dinners, and they're also easy to prepare.

As for the stew, brown a pound of stew meat, hamburger, or a can of corned beef, add diced potatoes and carrots, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour in one cup tomato sauce and two cups water - simmer just until the carrots and potato are tender. Serve with a roll, and you've got one satisfying meal.

Pop, Popper Your Popcorn Maker

Popcorn maker that is also called popcorn machine is a device used to pop popcorn. During early years there were no popcorn makers, Indians made popcorn by heating sand in a pan and then they put the kernels on the heated sand. This machine made it easy for the people to sell the popcorn on the streets and on the amusements parks, which spurred the popularity of popcorn.

The first popcorn maker was steam driven which The Food Service Equipment Division patented in 1885. It allowed the popcorn to be popped in oil, and then later, they had a gas powered popcorn vendors. People began selling popcorn using this machine on the streets, in front of the amusement parks, stores and theaters to attract people to buy popcorn. Today, people are buying old-fashioned popcorn makers to cook delicious popcorn in social events or for one's own pleasure at the comfort of one's home. People want to purchase popcorn maker because they may need to make more than cooking a few bags of microwave popcorn. Popcorn makers have different types and brands but today, most popcorn makers were run by gas or electricity. Popcorn makers have different range of prices depending on the amount of popcorn the machine can produce and if they have cart. There are two types of popcorn makers available for home use, hot air poppers that allow you to make fat and salt free popcorn that is the healthiest way of making popcorn and oil poppers that uses heated oil to cook the popcorn.

The popcorn and popcorn makers have become popular that there is a museum of popcorn. This museum is called Wyandot Popcorn Museum, which has many refurbished antique popcorn machines that was invented in the late 1890's and 1900's. W. Hoover Brown and the only popcorn museum in the world founded the museum.

The Importance of Family Meal Planning

It was the best meal of the day, offering a wide variety of nutrition and family conversation.

Even conversations with our children are often times through text messages or cell phone. Sporting events and outside activities for children have become almost maniacal in the demands made upon the family. Healthy self-esteem for children can be built around a family dinner table. Our hectic life styles only give time for overly processed foods or even worse "fast foods." High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity all stem from poor nutrition and processed foods.

Not only is the family dinner hour a great time to catch up on each other's lives, it also offers more tangible benefits. Family dinner hour can improve grades at school and promote a richer vocabulary. Younger family members that do not have the interaction of speaking within the family group often struggle with poor communication skills. In troubling times such as these, the routine of a family meal helps to ease tensions and frustrations of teens and young children by receiving guidance and assurance through other family members.

Planning these meals, shopping for the ingredients, and to a lesser extent, cooking the dinners, is a time consuming task. In many cases, time needed for both professional careers and for the children's extra-curricular activities make it nearly impossible to coordinate the family dinner. Today, make your feel special. Prepare a nutritious meal and sit down to a family dinner.

What has happened to us? There once was a time when we would all come home from school or work and sit down with our families and enjoy the ritual of family mealtime. It was the best meal of the day, offering a wide variety of nutrition and family conversation.

Today, less than half of American families eat dinner together and when they do, these meals last less than 20 minutes and are lacking in proper nutrition. The fact is our life styles have changed from those magical days of Ozzie and Harriet. Thanks to the Internet, cell phones and palm pilots, business is conducted on an almost 24/7 basis. Even conversations with our children are often times through text messages or cell phone. Sporting events and outside activities for children have become almost maniacal in the demands made upon the family. It has become a race against time so that we can fit it all in. Something has to give, and that unfortunately has been the family dinner hour.

When we squeeze out the family dinner we sacrifice more than you could ever imagine. According to a study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the children that dined regularly with their families were 31 per cent less likely to smoke, drink or take drugs and do better in school.

Healthy self-esteem for children can be built around a family dinner table. Parents can take the time to listen and help their children sort out the struggles of the day without interference of phones, tv's and computers.

Our hectic life styles only give time for overly processed foods or even worse "fast foods." This poor nutrition has resulted in children contracting what was once considered "adult diseases" at an alarming rate. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity all stem from poor nutrition and processed foods.

Not only is the family dinner hour a great time to catch up on each other's lives, it also offers more tangible benefits. Family dinner hour can improve grades at school and promote a richer vocabulary. Younger family members that do not have the interaction of speaking within the family group often struggle with poor communication skills. In troubling times such as these, the routine of a family meal helps to ease tensions and frustrations of teens and young children by receiving guidance and assurance through other family members.

Planning these meals, shopping for the ingredients, and to a lesser extent, cooking the dinners, is a time consuming task. In many cases, time needed for both professional careers and for the children's extra-curricular activities make it nearly impossible to coordinate the family dinner. However, now more than ever, it is important to invest this time. The dividends are worth the effort. Today, make your family feel special. Prepare a nutritious meal and sit down to a family dinner. Find out what is up with your children and make the time to talk with each one. Unplug the world and plug into your children for one hour ever day.

Coffee - Pros and Cons of a First Time Java Date

Grabbing a coffee is a seemingly great date solution for that awkward first date problem. However, there are also some disadvantages to this classic fallback date standard. Keep reading for a breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of the coffee date.

Benefits of a Coffee Date

Casual

The major attraction of a coffee date is that it's casual. Basically, it's a simple afternoon or evening, and both parties can even meet at a cafe. This kind of non-committal, casual feel makes coffee a great choice for first dates, blind dates or "getting to know you" meetings.

Inexpensive

Coffee is a lot cheaper than a night out on the town and because it is such an inexpensive date. Taking the pressure off about money really adds to the casualness of a coffee date.

Short

A coffee date is typically a short date. If a coffee date goes longer than a couple of hours, the two of you may be onto something. Conversely, when you plan a full evening of dinner and dancing, that's almost 4 to 5 hours of time to fill.

No Alcohol

Unless you're mixing Bailey's into that coffee, there's typically no alcohol involved in a coffee date. Great Post-Date Activity

If you're a couple not ready for a quiet evening at a location away from the cafe, coffee can be a great way to extend time together. of a Coffee Date

Just Two Friends?

Too Casual

A coffee date may seem too casual. There you can still enjoy a hot cup of coffee along with a tasty treat and great conversation.

Grabbing a coffee is a seemingly great date solution for that awkward first date problem. However, there are also some disadvantages to this classic fallback date standard. Keep reading for a breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of the coffee date.

Benefits of a Coffee Date

Casual

The major attraction of a coffee date is that it's casual. No one has to dress up, invest in theatre tickets, schedule a whole night out or commit to a formal evening.

Basically, it's a simple afternoon or evening, and both parties can even meet at a cafe. This kind of non-committal, casual feel makes coffee a great choice for first dates, blind dates or "getting to know you" meetings.

Inexpensive

Coffee is a lot cheaper than a night out on the town and because it is such an inexpensive date. There aren't any awkward moments when the bill comes or questions about who is supposed to pay.

Taking the pressure off about money really adds to the casualness of a coffee date.

Short

A coffee date is typically a short date. If a coffee date goes longer than a couple of hours, the two of you may be onto something. But, if you don't hit it off, you can both depart in 45 minutes without offending anyone and still be friends.

Conversely, when you plan a full evening of dinner and dancing, that's almost 4 to 5 hours of time to fill.

No Alcohol

Unless you're mixing Bailey's into that coffee, there's typically no alcohol involved in a coffee date. While alcohol can add to the enjoyment of the evening, it can also prompt you to act differently, say things you wouldn't normally say and generally be a little more easygoing than you originally planned. If you want to keep things slightly professional, nixing the alcohol is a good thing.

Great Post-Date Activity

If you're a couple not ready for a quiet evening at a location away from the cafe, coffee can be a great way to extend time together. Or, if you're out with a large group, going for a nightcap coffee can add a touch of privacy to the end of the evening out without the pressure of heading elsewhere.

Drawbacks of a Coffee Date

Just Two Friends?

One of the major drawbacks of a coffee date is that it's not always clear that it's a date. One party may simply think it's two friends grabbing a cup of joe and some conversation while the other person is having romantic thoughts. This could lead to some awkwardness when it is discovered that each person's expectations differ.

Too Casual

A coffee date may seem too casual. If you want to step it up a notch without upgrading to a full evening on the town, try suggesting going for a quiet dessert at a local, high-end cafe. There you can still enjoy a hot cup of coffee along with a tasty treat and great conversation.

All in all, an initial date over a cup of coffee with someone you are just getting to know socially can serve as a comfortable ice breaker that potentially leads to a more promising relationship.

Peanut Butter Sandwiches That Kill Ants

Do you have problems with ants in your home? Well, I did until I found out about boric acid and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Read on...

As a natural insecticide, boric acid is a substance you can keep at home to use to kill ants, roaches, termites, beetles, fire ants, fleas and many more insects.

It is an inexpensive product found in most drug or discount stores. The consumer, you and I, spend hundreds of dollars every year trying to rid our homes, and gardens, of pesky little varmits using commercial products and/or services. Did you know that it is used to help flame retard cotton fibers? It is placed in the mixing machines along with oil and a chemical surfactant before garneting of the cotton fibers begin. The properly treated cotton is flame retardant which is then used in mattresses, upholstered furniture and some carpets.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, boric acid is an odorless, inorganic safe product to use.

However, it can be toxic if misused. Click on the first link by About Author to find out how a "peanut butter sandwich" will literally kill those pesky ants. Were you aware that ants don't like strong smells? Windex and even chalk, yes I said chalk, will help get rid of ants. Don't stop here...there are a multitude of home remedies just waiting for you to discover on the links below. Maybe you like to blog your favorite remedies. If so click on the special blog link below to help you make more out of your blog.

Benefits of a Koozie

There are many reasons of increasing popularity of koozies. Most common materials which are used to manufacture can holders are neoprene, polyurethane and leather. They are used to hold cold as well as hot drinks. Koozie is the necessity of every person who wants to enjoy beverages while seeing outdoor games.

Nowadays people are using them as a promotional tool for their business. You can find beer jackets in many designs, shapes and colors. You can print the logo of your business on the koozie. You can even spend some time on the internet to find some articles related to koozies and other promotional products. There are some online stores which offer free consultation.

Nowadays can holders are also used as a gift item. It is a good idea to design a custom koozie for your loved one. It is a good idea to buy a koozie with logo of a famous football team or with the name of a player. You can print a compliment or a name on the surface of the koozie. There are many other names of a koozie. Some people call it beer jacket and others call it a can holder.

I would recommend you to design a personal can holder. I have seen many people who love to design personal koozies.

Where to buy a koozie? I have gone through many online stores for many years which offer custom printed can koozies. From my experience www.expresskoozies.com is great. trueimprint.com is great also.

Koozie is the necessity of every person who wants to enjoy beverages while seeing outdoor games.

You can print the logo of your business on the koozie. There are some online stores which offer free consultation.

Nowadays can holders are also used as a gift item. It is a good idea to design a custom koozie for your loved one. You can print a compliment or a name on the surface of the koozie. There are many other names of a koozie. Some people call it beer jacket and others call it a can holder.

I would recommend you to design a personal can holder. I have seen many people who love to design personal koozies.

Where to buy a koozie? trueimprint.com is great also.

Do you know enough about the benefits of a koozie? There are many reasons of increasing popularity of koozies. Most common materials which are used to manufacture can holders are neoprene, polyurethane and leather. They are used to hold cold as well as hot drinks. Koozie is the necessity of every person who wants to enjoy beverages while seeing outdoor games.

Nowadays people are using them as a promotional tool for their business. You can find beer jackets in many designs, shapes and colors. You can print the logo of your business on the koozie. You can even spend some time on the internet to find some articles related to koozies and other promotional products. There are some online stores which offer free consultation.

Nowadays can holders are also used as a gift item. It is a good idea to design a custom koozie for your loved one. It is a good idea to buy a koozie with logo of a famous football team or with the name of a player. You can print a compliment or a name on the surface of the koozie. There are many other names of a koozie. Some people call it beer jacket and others call it a can holder.

I would recommend you to design a personal can holder. I have seen many people who love to design personal koozies.

Where to buy a koozie? I have gone through many online stores for many years which offer custom printed can koozies. From my experience www.expresskoozies.com is great. trueimprint.com is great also.

Do you know enough about the benefits of a koozie? There are many reasons of increasing popularity of koozies. Most commonly you can see the koozies in the hands of people enjoying live games in the stadiums. Most common materials which are used to manufacture can holders are neoprene, polyurethane and leather. They are used to hold cold as well as hot drinks. They can be easily placed around a glass or a soft drink can. They are most commonly used in summers. They can keep your drink cold more that 30 minutes. So now you don`t have to leave your beverage undrunk. Koozie is the necessity of every person who wants to enjoy beverages while seeing outdoor games.

Nowadays people are using them as a promotional tool for their business. You can find beer jackets in many designs, shapes and colors. You can print the logo of your business on the koozie. It is a good idea to discuss the design of the koozie with your employers before you order them. You can even spend some time on the internet to find some articles related to koozies and other promotional products. There are some directories which provide informative articles on many topics. I would recommend you to go through these websites. There are some online stores which offer free consultation.

Nowadays can holders are also used as a gift item. It is a good idea to design a custom koozie for your loved one. It can be a perfect gift for a person who loves outdoor games. It does not matter for whom you are buying the koozie as it can be customized according to anyone whether he is a child or an adult. It is a good idea to buy a koozie with logo of a famous football team or with the name of a player. You can print a compliment or a name on the surface of the koozie. There are many other names of a koozie. Some people call it beer jacket and others call it a can holder.

I would recommend you to design a personal can holder. It is a great way to express yourself in the public. I have seen many people who love to design personal koozies.

Where to buy a koozie? I have gone through many online stores for many years which offer custom printed can koozies. From my experience www.expresskoozies.com is great. trueimprint.com is great also. Your job is to find a website which offer high quality products at reasonable rates, also try and find a company that that has a large selection becuase you don't want to get the same type of koozie every time you order. If you want to buy a high quality can holder then it is a good idea to go through the testimonials which are provided by many online stores. So what are you waiting for? Start looking for the sites which are offering can holders and choose the one according to your requirements.

mexican food

Choosing the most appropriate present for a friend, relative, or colleague can be a difficult and time-consuming task. There are so many options, and there are gender specific, age specific and other types of presents. How can you be sure that the present you give will be well-received and appreciated? One way is to keep it simple while providing something useful. That is what Mexican food gifts are all about - keeping it simple and absolutely delicious.

Traditional chocolates may be great for many occasions, but sometimes, health reasons dictate that chocolate is not a part of the healthy diet. The great thing about picking a variety in Mexican food gifts for the perfect gift giving occasion is that it is always healthy. Salsa is one of the healthier foods in the world, filled with oodles of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mexican food gifts just make good common sense when it comes to healthy presents for just about anyone. Choosing from the array of salsa, sauces, and even other fine delicacies, you will find that gift giving has never been so scrumptious.

What other delicacies might you find on your journey for the perfect gift?

Consider chocolates native to Mexico. These chocolates are wonderfully rich and filled with the goodness you expect from a more natural chocolate. By the bar or by the piece, these make great ideas for fillers when it comes to a gift box or gift basket. Each specially wrapped piece is a piece of heaven. Your gift recipient will be thankful for the wonderful chocolates for a long time to come.

Another great idea is coffee native to Mexico. Coffee is one of those exceptional Mexican food gifts that make the day a whole lot brighter. Strong and rich, Mexican coffee is a wonderful addition either by the ounce or by the pound. In addition, you will find this robust flavor will fill the house with a rich aroma that is sure to please.

Of course, just because you add coffees, chocolates, salsas, or sauces does not mean adding some cookware is out of the question. There are many types of cookware ranging from taco makers to other high-end items. These make a great center piece for any gift box or gift basket. Imagine the surprise when you present a cast iron griddle that will be a favorite piece of cookware for every meal.

The presentation is of utmost importance as well. Mexico is home to brilliant colors that have a flare for mingling the natural and favorites. When finding an exceptional presentation for all your Mexican food boxes, consider highlighting your gift with an array of brilliant colors in an appealing pattern. Even the filling used can be made of this same brilliant color.

When it comes to Mexican food gifts, you will find that there are ample opportunities to insure you get the job done right. Each piece offers something unique and natural to the home or office. Whether munching delicious and natural salsas with warm tortilla chips or appreciating a new cast iron griddle, having the best near you starts with insuring you give only the best to those you care about in your life.

It isn't many foods that have poems written about them. And remember the story of Esau who, coming in tired and hungry, was willing to give up his birthright for a bowl of pottage - lentil soup. I t must have been good soup! From the time man discovered that he could bake clay hard in the fire he began to make clay pots - and what do you cook in such a pot? - Soup of course.

The earliest pots have the markings of woven sticks on the outside so presumably they first of all lined baskets with clay - but somehow soup in a basket never took off.

Every generation and every people group have some form of soup or stew - it is served hot, cold, thick, thin, creamy, clear, vegetarian, meaty, spicy - something for everyone. It isn't as fashionable at dinner parties these days - starters tend to be more complicated and dinner parties an excuse to show off. But soup will go on as long as people come home hungry and it is time for a revival

Sweet and Creamy
For 4 you will need

25 grams ( 1 oz)
I clove of garlic, crushed
225 grams sweet potato
1 largish parsnip
1 level teaspoon of paprika
1 level teaspoon of chilli flakes or ½ deseeded chilli, finely sliced
750 mls ( 26 fl oz) vegetable stock
2 teaspoons of mustard of your choice - mine would be honey mustard
1 tablespoon of grated strong cheese - Parmesan, Cheddar, Stilton
125 ml ( ¼ pint ) double cream or low fat yoghurt
Salt and pepper

Dice the sweet potato and the parsnip. Melt the butter and fry the garlic, parsnip and sweet potato. Add the spices, chilli and stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir in the mustard and cheese. Blend in food processor. Reheat in pan, but do not boil. Season to taste. When serving add a spoon of cream or yoghurt.

Variation - you could replace the parsnip with carrots or squash.

Chicken Soup - one version is known as New York Penicillin so good is the effect of eating soups like this.
For 4 you need

75 grams ( 3 oz) of pearl barley or red lentils
4 medium potatoes, cooked for 10 minutes and diced
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
2 chicken breasts - I prefer to leave them in quite big chunks, but you may prefer to cut

camping at nascar

If you are a fan of the races, you have probably at least entertained the thought of camping out at the race with other anticipating race fans. There are different types of camping that can be done at a NASCAR race. Whichever method of camping you choose should not be hard to accommodate.

Why Bother Camping at NASCAR Races?

Many people who travel to NASCAR don't see the point in camping, and the truth is that it is not for everyone. There are many people who make a tradition out of traveling to races like the Coca Cola 600 and the Daytona 500 and camping with a huge group of friends and associates. There is a camaraderie to be had at camp sites that goes well with the vibrant NASCAR atmosphere.

Camping at NASCAR Is One Big Party

People choose to camp at NASCAR rather than get a room or stay at a bed and breakfast because of the type of experience it offers. Where to Camp at NASCAR

Depending on what race you are attending and what track you will be at, there are several different places to camp. Some tracks allow camping on the infield only, while some tracks allow camping inside the track and outside it as well. Other places have campsites very close to the track that are designated for camping NASCAR fans as well, so the venue can change accommodations from place to place and race to race. Check with your race in advance so that you can reserve a spot, and let your friends and loved ones know in advance, especially if there is a distance to be traveled to the race itself.

Something to keep in mind about camping out at NASCAR races is that the more popular the race is and the bigger of a deal the event is, the harder it is going to be to get a space. Camping at NASCAR takes organization. There should only be one rule at a NASCAR camping event and it should be that non race fans and party poopers are not allowed!