Making wine is probably as old as humankind itself, and one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world is Italy. Italian wines traces their roots as far back as the Roman Empire, and probably even before that. Rome is the city that began bottling wines for ease of transportation, storage and use. Today, wines from Italy account for about one-fifth of all the wines produced in the world.
There are thousands of vineyards in Italy, and while many wines are produced in modern distilleries, some rustic villages still produce wine in the old fashion way by stomping the grapes under their bare feet, claiming this makes the wine taste the best. Commercially available wines are of course prepared under much more hygienic conditions, so don't worry about the bottles you're considering purchasing from your local wine shop.
The favorable weather of the Mediterranean area makes for very favorable growing conditions for Italian wines, and true wine connoisseurs know that weather has a great affect on the quality of the wines. There are also many different elevations along the coast of Italy, allowing the country to produce many different types of grapes and therefore types of wines.
Italian wines are typically much less sweet and a bit more dry and acidic than most other wines produced around the world. This makes them a typically better accompaniment for food than other wines, whose strong or fruity flavors may interfere with the taste of your meal. Most restaurants therefore are known to carry a wide variety of Italian wines, most especially those that specialize in Italian food! Real wine lovers know that it's almost perverse to have a French wine with Italian food.
Italy has certified some 350 grapes for use in their wines, and there are some 500 other varieties and hybrid varieties that are used for Italian wines. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are two of the most commonly used for red wine, and chardonnay and reisling for white wines.
The country of course prides itself on its wine varieties, and so laws are somewhat stringent when it comes to how they can be labeled and referred. However, some winemakers took it upon themselves to step away from common blends and grapes used in order to produce richer and more flavorful wines. The term "Super Tuscan" refers to Italian wines that do not have the traditional blending of grapes that one would typically find in the different regions. Some of these blending varieties were initially labeled as "table wines" by the Italian appellation system, but that term is seen as somewhat derogatory, and so makers of these Italian wines began to use the term Super Tuscan.
If you're looking to expand your list of favorites, then you must consider Italian wines. There is such a wide variety, and the winemakers take such pride in their product, that you are sure to find many that are just to your liking. So the next time you are at an Italian restaurant be sure to try one of the fine wines available, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Wines; Pairing Them With The Perfect Meals Discovering Their True Tastes
Enjoying a good wine these days can be a daunting challenge. There are some terrific wine inventories popping up in our local grocery stores across the country. The more these wine inventories amass at some of the super shopping centers, the larger number of amateur wine consuirs there will be with questions of which wine to serve with particular meals.
Hopefully I can offer some helpful tips to improve your overall wine experience. There really is nothing much more enjoyable in the culinary arts as the pairing of a sumptuous wine with an elegant dinner.
Cabernet Sauvignon some consider to be the king of reds. A big-structured, dark-fruited wine, the best of which become even more elegant with age. The swirl and taste brings out the flavors of plums, blackberries, and black currant; sometimes violets or rose petals, and often mint, mocha, and eucalyptus or cedar; strong tannins underneath.
Such a wonderful flavored wine is best served with a well marbled beef. The sheer enjoyment of mixing the robust flavors of this wine as you just sample your beef will enhance your tasting experience. It is a wonderful mix of flavors completing the enjoyment of your main course. This choice of wines is also served well with hearty fowl such as duck. The two flavors compliment each other very well. Your enjoyment of this wine will also be intensified by serving it with meats that are basted with spice rubs and sauces with lots of black pepper and mushrooms. A strong soy sauce marinade is another excellent choice. Long-braised stews, pot roast and grilled red meat are all wonderful choices to pair with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
You should really taste and test to find your style. Some Cabernet's are made to be drunk tonight, with ripe fruit and subdued tannins. Others need years to mellow. Great Cabs, some argue, are balanced the day they are released and get better with time.
Now we have our Chardonnays a rich yet complex white. With complex fruit flavors and often a rich, creamy texture it has become more than likely the most popular of white wines.
With the swirl and taste of this wine you will be captured by the green apple, pear, melon, creamy lemon, and sometimes pineapple, rounded out with butterscotch and vanilla.
This elegant white is best paired with sweet shellfish, your dinner guests will never be disappointed. This wine also goes well with any white-fleshed fish such as halibut, sturgeon, mahi mahi, tilapia and the flavorful cod. In the meat family your best choices would be chicken of turkey, pork and veal. Again the mix of the flavors and texture of the two together in your mouth is a wonderful way of truly enjoying the wine. A nice Chardonnay will also compliment a risotto and pasta dish served with white cream, buttery sauces.
California winemakers have traditionally made Chardonnay in a rich, buttery style by fermenting and aging it in oak barrels. Now, some have learned that too much oak can cover up the fruit, so some winemakers are starting to substitute stainless-steel tanks for a leaner, crisper style. Be certain to sample many varieties as they can and will vary some in flavor and dryness.
Then we have our Merlot a soft tannins, dark fruit, probably the most popular of the reds here in the states. Merlot has dark fruit flavors like Cabernet Sauvignon, but is generally a little rounder and softer. The swirl and taste of this popular wine will leave you with the enhanced flavors of blackberries, blueberries, plums, cassis, and dried cherries combined with chocolate, cedar, and tobacco and sometimes hints of black olive.
Again with this red you will want to try a few varieties as you will come across some with a more dry, delicate fruit flavor and spice. Then there are others that tend to have a bit more of a wild berry and herbs flavor, they tend to be a bit darker and heavier in texture.
Personally I enjoy a nice Merlot with a hearty red meat but others seem to feel it pairs best with lamb, a more meaty fish such as salmon or tuna. Your dishes can be complimented with black olives, fresh herbs, mushrooms, berries and dried cherries. A tender, milder cut of beef, such as a tenderloin makes for an excellent choice when serving a Merlot. I always found it most enjoyable to take a bite of the tenderloin and then a sip of Merlot and let the flavors just mesh on the palate.
When it comes to choosing a wine to serve with particular meals there are some basics that you should follow to get the most enjoyment from the wine. Be certain to sample different makers of the same type wine as you will find a difference in flavors and dryness. Most of all make your wine tastings an enjoyable experience.
Hopefully I can offer some helpful tips to improve your overall wine experience. There really is nothing much more enjoyable in the culinary arts as the pairing of a sumptuous wine with an elegant dinner.
Cabernet Sauvignon some consider to be the king of reds. A big-structured, dark-fruited wine, the best of which become even more elegant with age. The swirl and taste brings out the flavors of plums, blackberries, and black currant; sometimes violets or rose petals, and often mint, mocha, and eucalyptus or cedar; strong tannins underneath.
Such a wonderful flavored wine is best served with a well marbled beef. The sheer enjoyment of mixing the robust flavors of this wine as you just sample your beef will enhance your tasting experience. It is a wonderful mix of flavors completing the enjoyment of your main course. This choice of wines is also served well with hearty fowl such as duck. The two flavors compliment each other very well. Your enjoyment of this wine will also be intensified by serving it with meats that are basted with spice rubs and sauces with lots of black pepper and mushrooms. A strong soy sauce marinade is another excellent choice. Long-braised stews, pot roast and grilled red meat are all wonderful choices to pair with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
You should really taste and test to find your style. Some Cabernet's are made to be drunk tonight, with ripe fruit and subdued tannins. Others need years to mellow. Great Cabs, some argue, are balanced the day they are released and get better with time.
Now we have our Chardonnays a rich yet complex white. With complex fruit flavors and often a rich, creamy texture it has become more than likely the most popular of white wines.
With the swirl and taste of this wine you will be captured by the green apple, pear, melon, creamy lemon, and sometimes pineapple, rounded out with butterscotch and vanilla.
This elegant white is best paired with sweet shellfish, your dinner guests will never be disappointed. This wine also goes well with any white-fleshed fish such as halibut, sturgeon, mahi mahi, tilapia and the flavorful cod. In the meat family your best choices would be chicken of turkey, pork and veal. Again the mix of the flavors and texture of the two together in your mouth is a wonderful way of truly enjoying the wine. A nice Chardonnay will also compliment a risotto and pasta dish served with white cream, buttery sauces.
California winemakers have traditionally made Chardonnay in a rich, buttery style by fermenting and aging it in oak barrels. Now, some have learned that too much oak can cover up the fruit, so some winemakers are starting to substitute stainless-steel tanks for a leaner, crisper style. Be certain to sample many varieties as they can and will vary some in flavor and dryness.
Then we have our Merlot a soft tannins, dark fruit, probably the most popular of the reds here in the states. Merlot has dark fruit flavors like Cabernet Sauvignon, but is generally a little rounder and softer. The swirl and taste of this popular wine will leave you with the enhanced flavors of blackberries, blueberries, plums, cassis, and dried cherries combined with chocolate, cedar, and tobacco and sometimes hints of black olive.
Again with this red you will want to try a few varieties as you will come across some with a more dry, delicate fruit flavor and spice. Then there are others that tend to have a bit more of a wild berry and herbs flavor, they tend to be a bit darker and heavier in texture.
Personally I enjoy a nice Merlot with a hearty red meat but others seem to feel it pairs best with lamb, a more meaty fish such as salmon or tuna. Your dishes can be complimented with black olives, fresh herbs, mushrooms, berries and dried cherries. A tender, milder cut of beef, such as a tenderloin makes for an excellent choice when serving a Merlot. I always found it most enjoyable to take a bite of the tenderloin and then a sip of Merlot and let the flavors just mesh on the palate.
When it comes to choosing a wine to serve with particular meals there are some basics that you should follow to get the most enjoyment from the wine. Be certain to sample different makers of the same type wine as you will find a difference in flavors and dryness. Most of all make your wine tastings an enjoyable experience.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Unusual Facts About Chocolate The Aztecs
Chocolate has one of the highest concentrations of lead of all the foods eaten by Westerners. Although lead binds to cocoa shells, the beans absorb little lead in the countries where they are grown.
This contamination seems to appear at some time during the manufacturing process. The U.S. FDA has done testing and the levels of lead in chocolate are so low that even if a person eats chocolate every day, they are unlikely to suffer any adverse effects.
Called theobromine poisoning, animals such as horses, dogs, parrots and cats (especially kittens) frequently die from the toxicity of chocolate. This is because animals can not metabolize therbromine readily and it will remain in their blood streams for up to 20 hours.
They may experience epileptic seizures, heart attacks, internal bleeding and finally death. Treatment for them involves inducing vomiting within two hours of eating the chocolate or contacting their veterinarian. About 1.3 grams of chocolate per kilo of the dogs body weight is enough to cause toxicity, in other words a .88 oz bar of chocolate would be enough to cause these symptoms in a 44 pound dog.
While large dogs are not as susceptible, it should still be kept out of their reach as dogs like chocolate as much as humans do.
There are fifteen movies, nine books, six songs, two anime characters and two bands with the name chocolate, this list is not complete and continues to
grow daily.
There are six large volume chocolate makers in the world, three in the United States, one in the United Kingdom, one in Italy and one in Switzerland (where white chocolate originated after World War I. The regionally large chocolate makers are found in Brazil, Finland, the United States, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand.
Nine of the larger chocolate companies make confectioners or premium chocolate; they are located in Belgium, 3 in Italy, the United Kingdom, two in the United States and two in France.
The most historically significant chocolate makers were: J. S. Fry and Sons in the United Kingdom was the first producer of edible chocolate. Lindt & Sprungli in Switzerland developed conching, a technique for processing fine chocolate.
Menier Chocolate of France Pierre Paul affarel in Italy built the first manufacturing company for mass production in 1826.
The Aztecs and Chocolate:
The Aztecs had a great love of chocolate and it was one of their favorite drinks. One of the reasons was the native drink of the Aztecs, known as octli, was alcoholic and being drunk was frowned on by the Aztec society.
Made from the century plant, octli was a juice that came from cutting the stalk of the flower from the century plant that had matured. The stalk was undercut and removed leaving a basin that the juices collected in, this juice was collected for a period of several months and allowed to ferment, turning it into octli.
Chocolate to the Aztecs was a much more acceptable drink, the warriors and nobility especially desired it. Octli was not prohibited, the elderly were permitted to drink it, and actually they were identified as people who had children and grandchildren, not necessarily old. They were allowed to have up to four cups each night, at some feasts every one could drink it, however the normal penalty for being drunk was death.
Chocolate, understandably became an acceptable replacement for octli with higher up Aztec civilization, even then not everyone accepted chocolate as a drink. Because cacao was seen to be a luxury product, not standard in the austere life they had lived previously, many of the Aztec associated chocolate to the leisure and luxury loving people of the Gulf Coast and the lowlands it had originated in.
Remembering that the Aztecs had no scales and that everything was counted, records of the time indicate that the palace and court of Nezahualcoyotl, the king of Texcoco was said to have used 2,744,000 beans annually, now that is a lot of beans! Now his cousin, Motecuhzoma Xooyotzin, was much wealthier, he stored more than 960,000,000 beans in his storehouse.
Cacao beans were used as currency; therefore it was common for storehouses to have huge quantities of them on hand at all times.
This contamination seems to appear at some time during the manufacturing process. The U.S. FDA has done testing and the levels of lead in chocolate are so low that even if a person eats chocolate every day, they are unlikely to suffer any adverse effects.
Called theobromine poisoning, animals such as horses, dogs, parrots and cats (especially kittens) frequently die from the toxicity of chocolate. This is because animals can not metabolize therbromine readily and it will remain in their blood streams for up to 20 hours.
They may experience epileptic seizures, heart attacks, internal bleeding and finally death. Treatment for them involves inducing vomiting within two hours of eating the chocolate or contacting their veterinarian. About 1.3 grams of chocolate per kilo of the dogs body weight is enough to cause toxicity, in other words a .88 oz bar of chocolate would be enough to cause these symptoms in a 44 pound dog.
While large dogs are not as susceptible, it should still be kept out of their reach as dogs like chocolate as much as humans do.
There are fifteen movies, nine books, six songs, two anime characters and two bands with the name chocolate, this list is not complete and continues to
grow daily.
There are six large volume chocolate makers in the world, three in the United States, one in the United Kingdom, one in Italy and one in Switzerland (where white chocolate originated after World War I. The regionally large chocolate makers are found in Brazil, Finland, the United States, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand.
Nine of the larger chocolate companies make confectioners or premium chocolate; they are located in Belgium, 3 in Italy, the United Kingdom, two in the United States and two in France.
The most historically significant chocolate makers were: J. S. Fry and Sons in the United Kingdom was the first producer of edible chocolate. Lindt & Sprungli in Switzerland developed conching, a technique for processing fine chocolate.
Menier Chocolate of France Pierre Paul affarel in Italy built the first manufacturing company for mass production in 1826.
The Aztecs and Chocolate:
The Aztecs had a great love of chocolate and it was one of their favorite drinks. One of the reasons was the native drink of the Aztecs, known as octli, was alcoholic and being drunk was frowned on by the Aztec society.
Made from the century plant, octli was a juice that came from cutting the stalk of the flower from the century plant that had matured. The stalk was undercut and removed leaving a basin that the juices collected in, this juice was collected for a period of several months and allowed to ferment, turning it into octli.
Chocolate to the Aztecs was a much more acceptable drink, the warriors and nobility especially desired it. Octli was not prohibited, the elderly were permitted to drink it, and actually they were identified as people who had children and grandchildren, not necessarily old. They were allowed to have up to four cups each night, at some feasts every one could drink it, however the normal penalty for being drunk was death.
Chocolate, understandably became an acceptable replacement for octli with higher up Aztec civilization, even then not everyone accepted chocolate as a drink. Because cacao was seen to be a luxury product, not standard in the austere life they had lived previously, many of the Aztec associated chocolate to the leisure and luxury loving people of the Gulf Coast and the lowlands it had originated in.
Remembering that the Aztecs had no scales and that everything was counted, records of the time indicate that the palace and court of Nezahualcoyotl, the king of Texcoco was said to have used 2,744,000 beans annually, now that is a lot of beans! Now his cousin, Motecuhzoma Xooyotzin, was much wealthier, he stored more than 960,000,000 beans in his storehouse.
Cacao beans were used as currency; therefore it was common for storehouses to have huge quantities of them on hand at all times.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Seven Tips For Using Your Crock Pot to Make Your Best Roast Ever
For busy cooks wanting to prepare a tasty and healthful meal, with minimal preparation time, a roast prepared in your crock pot with vegetables is hard to beat! After a few minutes preparation, you simply flip on your crock pot and about 12 hours later, you have a delicious meal. The best part is that this hearty meal cooks, without you having to tend to it, while you work or sleep.
Following are seven tips for preparing the perfect roast in your crock pot.
Tip One - choose a good quality cut (eye of round is my favorite, and rump roast is also good). A great thing about preparing roast in the crock pot is that you can use cheaper cuts and they will come out very tender due to the long cooking time. Whatever type of roast you choose, be sure to trim any excessive fat that is present on the sides or bottom of the roast.
Tip Two - many people like to brown their roast in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This adds flavor and enhances the appearance of the cooked product. To save time and add excellent flavor, use a product like Kitchen Bouquet, which you brush on the meat before cooking. It adds color and flavor at the same time.
Tip Three - buy a package of frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or whatever you prefer). You can add these to the crock at the very beginning, but it is a good idea to let them thaw before adding. If you use a frozen product such as "California Blend" that has many small pieces, it is best to thaw in warm water and add them in the last 3-4 hours of cooking. Otherwise, the smaller vegetable cuts tend to turn to mush. If adding potatoes, cut them into chunks and add at the beginning of cooking - potatoes need the full cooking time.
Tip Four - use about 3/4 cup of a beef broth. Pour this into the crock before beginning cooking. This adds flavor and helps make a hearty gravy that you can use with other dishes (such as mashed potatoes). Prepare the broth with a premium quality broth mix, or bouillon cube.
Tip Five - salt and pepper the roast, or use a seasoning blend. I use a Cajun pepper blend that includes salt, because I like the extra spiciness. Use whatever you like, but salt and pepper alone will give excellent results. Cook the roast for 10-12 hours on LOW. This allows a long, moist cooking time that will result in a tender, melt in your mouth roast.
Tip Six - avoid the temptation to lift the lid for a better look while the roast is cooking (unless you are adding thawed frozen vegetables as mentioned in tip three above.) Particularly when the crock pot is set on low, this allows a lot of heat to escape and can increase the cooking time.
Tip Seven - If you have any leftovers, chop them up the next day and add your favorite barbecue sauce. Heat through. This makes a delicious barbecue beef sandwich that will outshine any that you can buy!
Use these tips to make a mouthwatering roast dinner that is delicious, easy, and a sure hit every time!
Following are seven tips for preparing the perfect roast in your crock pot.
Tip One - choose a good quality cut (eye of round is my favorite, and rump roast is also good). A great thing about preparing roast in the crock pot is that you can use cheaper cuts and they will come out very tender due to the long cooking time. Whatever type of roast you choose, be sure to trim any excessive fat that is present on the sides or bottom of the roast.
Tip Two - many people like to brown their roast in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This adds flavor and enhances the appearance of the cooked product. To save time and add excellent flavor, use a product like Kitchen Bouquet, which you brush on the meat before cooking. It adds color and flavor at the same time.
Tip Three - buy a package of frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or whatever you prefer). You can add these to the crock at the very beginning, but it is a good idea to let them thaw before adding. If you use a frozen product such as "California Blend" that has many small pieces, it is best to thaw in warm water and add them in the last 3-4 hours of cooking. Otherwise, the smaller vegetable cuts tend to turn to mush. If adding potatoes, cut them into chunks and add at the beginning of cooking - potatoes need the full cooking time.
Tip Four - use about 3/4 cup of a beef broth. Pour this into the crock before beginning cooking. This adds flavor and helps make a hearty gravy that you can use with other dishes (such as mashed potatoes). Prepare the broth with a premium quality broth mix, or bouillon cube.
Tip Five - salt and pepper the roast, or use a seasoning blend. I use a Cajun pepper blend that includes salt, because I like the extra spiciness. Use whatever you like, but salt and pepper alone will give excellent results. Cook the roast for 10-12 hours on LOW. This allows a long, moist cooking time that will result in a tender, melt in your mouth roast.
Tip Six - avoid the temptation to lift the lid for a better look while the roast is cooking (unless you are adding thawed frozen vegetables as mentioned in tip three above.) Particularly when the crock pot is set on low, this allows a lot of heat to escape and can increase the cooking time.
Tip Seven - If you have any leftovers, chop them up the next day and add your favorite barbecue sauce. Heat through. This makes a delicious barbecue beef sandwich that will outshine any that you can buy!
Use these tips to make a mouthwatering roast dinner that is delicious, easy, and a sure hit every time!
Friday, 4 September 2009
When It Comes To Preparing Easy Dinner
Cooking can be fun if creativity is involved in it. Everyone wants to try new recipes which are great in taste and less time consuming.
Some people are very conscious about their health and try some low crab recipes befitting to their daily diet whereas some very busy people want quick dinner recipes or crock pot recipes which can be done within minutes without compromising for the taste.
In todays busy world where people have to give the best shot in the office hardly find time to spend on cooking. Both parents in the family have to work and meet the needs and demand of their children as well as to cope up with the price rise.
For such people quick dinner recipes are of great help. You can take the help of internet and search online the recipes which require less time. There are many website full of new recipes for you to try and enjoy.
These websites will help with new ideas and techniques which can be used effectively for making dinner quickly. It is the advantage of some site that the recipes they are offering are able to provide without any charge.
They tell you the time saving tips and the things you can do ahead to make dinner time quick and simple. In this way the online resources help you to simplify your life.
Evening is the time when all the family members are together and that is why dinner is considered as the main meal of the day. It is also expected to have plenty of options, variety and flavor and so preparing dinner can be a herculean task, spending hours together in the kitchen. Even this task can be made easy if certain things are taken into account: -
The best idea to make sure the meal prepared is tasty and fresh is to going for meal planning. Planning for the upcoming meal will keep you away from the hassles. Proper planning and buying all the ingredients required in advance for the coming week will make the task easy and you get along well even after a long hard and tiring day.
You will be sure of what to make in the dinner and will avoid one more visit to a local fast food joint.
Every family member has their choice and demand and wants to have the same for the dinner.
To handle such situation try to find out through an informal poll and include at least one favorite in the entire meal. It will not have unsatisfied eaters at the dinner table.
In addition to the meal planning you can surf through those hundreds of websites that offer satisfying dinner recipes. The recipes you might think are time consuming these sites would give some amazing shortcut to cut short the required time for any recipe.
Isn't it wonderful to have new twist on pork, beef and fish dishes along with countless number of chicken dishes.
Whether you are trying to make quick dinner or those which will reduce the fats but don't forget to give them the balanced diet essential for their growth and development.
Some people are very conscious about their health and try some low crab recipes befitting to their daily diet whereas some very busy people want quick dinner recipes or crock pot recipes which can be done within minutes without compromising for the taste.
In todays busy world where people have to give the best shot in the office hardly find time to spend on cooking. Both parents in the family have to work and meet the needs and demand of their children as well as to cope up with the price rise.
For such people quick dinner recipes are of great help. You can take the help of internet and search online the recipes which require less time. There are many website full of new recipes for you to try and enjoy.
These websites will help with new ideas and techniques which can be used effectively for making dinner quickly. It is the advantage of some site that the recipes they are offering are able to provide without any charge.
They tell you the time saving tips and the things you can do ahead to make dinner time quick and simple. In this way the online resources help you to simplify your life.
Evening is the time when all the family members are together and that is why dinner is considered as the main meal of the day. It is also expected to have plenty of options, variety and flavor and so preparing dinner can be a herculean task, spending hours together in the kitchen. Even this task can be made easy if certain things are taken into account: -
The best idea to make sure the meal prepared is tasty and fresh is to going for meal planning. Planning for the upcoming meal will keep you away from the hassles. Proper planning and buying all the ingredients required in advance for the coming week will make the task easy and you get along well even after a long hard and tiring day.
You will be sure of what to make in the dinner and will avoid one more visit to a local fast food joint.
Every family member has their choice and demand and wants to have the same for the dinner.
To handle such situation try to find out through an informal poll and include at least one favorite in the entire meal. It will not have unsatisfied eaters at the dinner table.
In addition to the meal planning you can surf through those hundreds of websites that offer satisfying dinner recipes. The recipes you might think are time consuming these sites would give some amazing shortcut to cut short the required time for any recipe.
Isn't it wonderful to have new twist on pork, beef and fish dishes along with countless number of chicken dishes.
Whether you are trying to make quick dinner or those which will reduce the fats but don't forget to give them the balanced diet essential for their growth and development.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Tips for Quick and Easy Iced Coffee
Coffee is a fantastic drink at any time of day, during any season of the year. That being said, a steaming hot cup of java isn't always welcome once summer rolls around. Don't let the summer heat deprive you of your favorite beverage when you can switch to iced coffee!
During the warmest months of the year, iced coffee makes for a refreshing change of pace. While most cafes and coffee shops serve these cold concoctions, you may be wondering how to get iced coffee at home. Here are my tips for serving up delicious iced coffee without having to break a sweat:
During the warmest months of the year, iced coffee makes for a refreshing change of pace. While most cafes and coffee shops serve these cold concoctions, you may be wondering how to get iced coffee at home. Here are my tips for serving up delicious iced coffee without having to break a sweat:
Friday, 14 August 2009
Healthy Pizza Tips
The pizza has been voted America's favorite food for countless years, and is consumed by most Americans each year. Actually, the pizza could have been invented by the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Romans or anyone who had the foresight to mix flour and water together and heat the mixture on a hot stone.
It has been around in one of its many forms and has been a basic part of the Italian diet since the Stone Age.
The pizza in its first generation as a food in Rome was a healthy tomato filled food that was not only great tasting, but actually good for your body. It was a crude bread that was baked beneath the stones of a fire. After cooking, it was seasoned with various toppings and used instead of plates and utensils to sop up broth or gravies.
It has been written that the idea of using bread as a plate came from the Greeks who ate flat round bread baked with all manner of toppings. It was eaten by the working man and his family because it was more economical and more convenient.
In "The Aeneid" written by Virgil (70-19 B.C.), it describes the legendary origin of the Roman nation, describing cakes or circles of bread:
"Beneath a shady tree, the hero sprad his table on the turf, with cakes of bread; And, with his chiefs, on forest fruits he fed. They sate; and (not without the god's command). Their homely far dispatch'd, the hungry band invade their trenchers next, and soon devour to mend the scenty meal, their cakes of flour...See, we devour the plates on which we fed."
In the ashes after Mount Versuvius erupted and covered Pompeii on August 24, 79 A.D., evidence was found of a flat flour cake that was baked and widely eaten at that time in Pompeii and nearby Neopolis, the Greek colony that became Naples and from a great cookery book by Marcus Gavius Apicius who was proported to be a culinary expert. This book contains recipes which involve putting a variety of ingredients on a base of bread (in his case, a hollowed-out loaf.)
This recipe called for chicken, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, mint, pepper and olive oil (all ingredients found in our pizzas today.)
Tomatoes were first added to pizzas in the early 1500s. First thought to be poisonous, the poorer people of Nales began adding tomatoes to yeast dough they used to make their pizzas. These new pizzas with the tomatoes were proclaimed to be the best pizzas in all of Italy.
Pizza migrated to America with the influx of Italians in the latter half of the 19th century. For many people, expecially the Italian-American population, the first American pizzas were know as Tomato Pie. It is said that Gennaro Lombardi, who came from Naples, opened the first Pizzeria in the United States in New York City at 53 1/2 Spring Street.
There are two distinct forms of pizza in America. The thin almost cracker crust form popularized by the Italian-Americans in New York and what's known as Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. This last form was created by Ike Sewell at his bar and grill called Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. This form is baked in an inch deep pan and contains layers of meat, cheese, and other ingredients in a flaky crust.
Most pizza nowadays are the fat loaded kitchen sink style pizza. Everything from bacon, Italian and other types of sausage, to cheddar cheese top pizzas around the world every day. To make matters worse delivery chains have started to use inexpensive processed food products to help make the pizza as cheaply as humanly possible. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. That pizza the chain company delivers to your door with a smile, could land you in the doctor's office with a frown in no time.
The first step in eating a healthy pizza is making it yourself. There are any number of restaurants that will boast healthy pizzas on their menus, but to be sure it truly is a healthy pizza, it's better to play it safe and make it yourself. There are some places that will truly make a healthy pizza, but in order to understand what is most healthy for you to eat it's easier to cook it.
Once you've come to the realization that you will be cooking this culinary masterpiece, it's time to decide on ingredients. The healthiest pizzas include fresh tomatoes, garlic, and small amounts of fresh mozzarella cheese. The pizza can be topped with spinach, broccoli, or any number of fresh vegetables.
Bake the pizza for 20 minutes at 400 degrees, and dab off the grease from the cheese as it starts to settle on top of your pizza. After you have finished cooking the pizza, let it cool, and enjoy. The pizza should taste better than ever knowing that it's one full of healthy ingredients and there is nothing like the satisfaction you have in knowing that you made it yourself.
It has been around in one of its many forms and has been a basic part of the Italian diet since the Stone Age.
The pizza in its first generation as a food in Rome was a healthy tomato filled food that was not only great tasting, but actually good for your body. It was a crude bread that was baked beneath the stones of a fire. After cooking, it was seasoned with various toppings and used instead of plates and utensils to sop up broth or gravies.
It has been written that the idea of using bread as a plate came from the Greeks who ate flat round bread baked with all manner of toppings. It was eaten by the working man and his family because it was more economical and more convenient.
In "The Aeneid" written by Virgil (70-19 B.C.), it describes the legendary origin of the Roman nation, describing cakes or circles of bread:
"Beneath a shady tree, the hero sprad his table on the turf, with cakes of bread; And, with his chiefs, on forest fruits he fed. They sate; and (not without the god's command). Their homely far dispatch'd, the hungry band invade their trenchers next, and soon devour to mend the scenty meal, their cakes of flour...See, we devour the plates on which we fed."
In the ashes after Mount Versuvius erupted and covered Pompeii on August 24, 79 A.D., evidence was found of a flat flour cake that was baked and widely eaten at that time in Pompeii and nearby Neopolis, the Greek colony that became Naples and from a great cookery book by Marcus Gavius Apicius who was proported to be a culinary expert. This book contains recipes which involve putting a variety of ingredients on a base of bread (in his case, a hollowed-out loaf.)
This recipe called for chicken, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, mint, pepper and olive oil (all ingredients found in our pizzas today.)
Tomatoes were first added to pizzas in the early 1500s. First thought to be poisonous, the poorer people of Nales began adding tomatoes to yeast dough they used to make their pizzas. These new pizzas with the tomatoes were proclaimed to be the best pizzas in all of Italy.
Pizza migrated to America with the influx of Italians in the latter half of the 19th century. For many people, expecially the Italian-American population, the first American pizzas were know as Tomato Pie. It is said that Gennaro Lombardi, who came from Naples, opened the first Pizzeria in the United States in New York City at 53 1/2 Spring Street.
There are two distinct forms of pizza in America. The thin almost cracker crust form popularized by the Italian-Americans in New York and what's known as Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. This last form was created by Ike Sewell at his bar and grill called Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. This form is baked in an inch deep pan and contains layers of meat, cheese, and other ingredients in a flaky crust.
Most pizza nowadays are the fat loaded kitchen sink style pizza. Everything from bacon, Italian and other types of sausage, to cheddar cheese top pizzas around the world every day. To make matters worse delivery chains have started to use inexpensive processed food products to help make the pizza as cheaply as humanly possible. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. That pizza the chain company delivers to your door with a smile, could land you in the doctor's office with a frown in no time.
The first step in eating a healthy pizza is making it yourself. There are any number of restaurants that will boast healthy pizzas on their menus, but to be sure it truly is a healthy pizza, it's better to play it safe and make it yourself. There are some places that will truly make a healthy pizza, but in order to understand what is most healthy for you to eat it's easier to cook it.
Once you've come to the realization that you will be cooking this culinary masterpiece, it's time to decide on ingredients. The healthiest pizzas include fresh tomatoes, garlic, and small amounts of fresh mozzarella cheese. The pizza can be topped with spinach, broccoli, or any number of fresh vegetables.
Bake the pizza for 20 minutes at 400 degrees, and dab off the grease from the cheese as it starts to settle on top of your pizza. After you have finished cooking the pizza, let it cool, and enjoy. The pizza should taste better than ever knowing that it's one full of healthy ingredients and there is nothing like the satisfaction you have in knowing that you made it yourself.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
The Benefits Of Avocado Juice
Avocado is sometimes known as the alligator pear because of the texture of its skin and its pear-like shape. The avocado contains a good supply of carotene, there being three times as much in a well-colored ripe fruit as in a hard one. Analysts have found no less than 11 vitamins and 17 minerals in avocado, making it a very comprehensive storehouse of the nutritional needs of man.
There is a high level of oil which contains the vitamins A, D, and E, and is rich in the mono-unsaturated fat oleic acid. This type of fat is the principal constituent of olive oil which is rapidly gaining credence for preventing of heart disease. Although the calorie count of the avocado is large, there being 165 calories in l00g (40z), it is of excellent nutritional worth
The avocado is also rich in vitamin 86, with an impressive 530 micrograms per l00g (40z). There is evidence that the leaves and fruits of the avocado have been shown to contain a substance known to be somewhat toxic to goats, rabbits, horses and canaries. There is no evidence that there is any danger to man, but for the sake of prudence it is best to have no more than one avocado a day whether juiced or fresh.
Happily the fate of the unfortunate canary need not affect the use of avocado juice in the therapy because the best effect is found when the juice is employed as an external application to the skin. Avocado juice is a good way of having a balanced quantity of the oil of avocado. The oil is second only to lanolin in being the most penetrating oil known when applied to the human skin.
Yet, unlike lanolin which is thought by many experts to be the cause of more cases of sensitivity to cosmetics than any other ingredient, avocado is emollient and innocuous without any known sensitizing effects. It can therefore be used externally as the ideal treatment for soothing sensitive skins. Avocado reduces ultra violet light and is a useful sun screening lotion for use prior to moderate exposure to the suns rays.
There is a high level of oil which contains the vitamins A, D, and E, and is rich in the mono-unsaturated fat oleic acid. This type of fat is the principal constituent of olive oil which is rapidly gaining credence for preventing of heart disease. Although the calorie count of the avocado is large, there being 165 calories in l00g (40z), it is of excellent nutritional worth
The avocado is also rich in vitamin 86, with an impressive 530 micrograms per l00g (40z). There is evidence that the leaves and fruits of the avocado have been shown to contain a substance known to be somewhat toxic to goats, rabbits, horses and canaries. There is no evidence that there is any danger to man, but for the sake of prudence it is best to have no more than one avocado a day whether juiced or fresh.
Happily the fate of the unfortunate canary need not affect the use of avocado juice in the therapy because the best effect is found when the juice is employed as an external application to the skin. Avocado juice is a good way of having a balanced quantity of the oil of avocado. The oil is second only to lanolin in being the most penetrating oil known when applied to the human skin.
Yet, unlike lanolin which is thought by many experts to be the cause of more cases of sensitivity to cosmetics than any other ingredient, avocado is emollient and innocuous without any known sensitizing effects. It can therefore be used externally as the ideal treatment for soothing sensitive skins. Avocado reduces ultra violet light and is a useful sun screening lotion for use prior to moderate exposure to the suns rays.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
The History of Chinese Cuisine
In China, food and its preparation has been developed so highly that it has reached the status of an art form. Rich and poor, the Chinese people consider that delicious and nutritious food is a basic necessity. There is an old Chinese saying Food is the first necessity of the people.
This art has been cultivated and refined over hundreds of years. Legend has it that the culture of Chinese cuisine originated in the 15th century BC during the Shang dynasty and was originally introduced by Yi Yin, it's first Prime Minister.
The two dominant philosophies of Chinese culture both had extreme influences on the political and economic history of the country but it is less well known that they also influenced the development of the culinary arts.
Confucius emphasised the artistic and social aspects of cookery and eating. The Chinese don't gather together without involving food - it is considered to be poor etiquette to invite friends to your home without providing appropriate food.
Confucius established standards of cooking and table etiquette, most of which remain to this day. The most obvious example of this is the cutting of bite-sized pieces of meat and vegetables during the course of the food preparation in the kitchen, rather than using a knife at the table which is not considered to be good manners.
Confucius also encouraged the blending of ingredients and flavourings to become a cohesive dish, rather than tasting the individual components. Harmony was his priority. He believed and taught that without harmony of ingredients there could be no taste. He also emphasised the importance of presentation and the use of colour, texture and decoration of a dish. Most importantly, cooking became an art rather than a task to be endured and certainly he was instrumental in promulgating the philosophy of "live to eat" rather than "eat to live".
On the other hand, Tao encouraged research into the nourishment aspects of food and cookery. Rather than concentrating on taste and appearance, Taoists were more interested in the life-giving properties of food.
Centuries on, the Chinese have discovered the health-giving properties of all sorts of roots, herbs, fungus and plants. They have taught the world that the nutritional value of vegetables is destroyed by over-cooking (particularly boiling) and in addition have found that things with a great flavour also have medicinal value.
Home cooked Chinese food is extremely healthy, even though much of it is fried. This is due to the use of polyunsaturated oils (used only once and discarded) and the exclusion of dairy products. In addition the inclusion of animal fat is minimal because portions of meat are small.
This art has been cultivated and refined over hundreds of years. Legend has it that the culture of Chinese cuisine originated in the 15th century BC during the Shang dynasty and was originally introduced by Yi Yin, it's first Prime Minister.
The two dominant philosophies of Chinese culture both had extreme influences on the political and economic history of the country but it is less well known that they also influenced the development of the culinary arts.
Confucius emphasised the artistic and social aspects of cookery and eating. The Chinese don't gather together without involving food - it is considered to be poor etiquette to invite friends to your home without providing appropriate food.
Confucius established standards of cooking and table etiquette, most of which remain to this day. The most obvious example of this is the cutting of bite-sized pieces of meat and vegetables during the course of the food preparation in the kitchen, rather than using a knife at the table which is not considered to be good manners.
Confucius also encouraged the blending of ingredients and flavourings to become a cohesive dish, rather than tasting the individual components. Harmony was his priority. He believed and taught that without harmony of ingredients there could be no taste. He also emphasised the importance of presentation and the use of colour, texture and decoration of a dish. Most importantly, cooking became an art rather than a task to be endured and certainly he was instrumental in promulgating the philosophy of "live to eat" rather than "eat to live".
On the other hand, Tao encouraged research into the nourishment aspects of food and cookery. Rather than concentrating on taste and appearance, Taoists were more interested in the life-giving properties of food.
Centuries on, the Chinese have discovered the health-giving properties of all sorts of roots, herbs, fungus and plants. They have taught the world that the nutritional value of vegetables is destroyed by over-cooking (particularly boiling) and in addition have found that things with a great flavour also have medicinal value.
Home cooked Chinese food is extremely healthy, even though much of it is fried. This is due to the use of polyunsaturated oils (used only once and discarded) and the exclusion of dairy products. In addition the inclusion of animal fat is minimal because portions of meat are small.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Cast Iron Cookware: The Cookware Our Ancestors Used
Cast iron cookware has been around for more than a hundred years and was once the favored type of cookware. In fact, many iron cookware pieces have been passed down from generation to generation - providing not only a necessary cooking utensil, but also a way to pass on memories and family traditions.
When searching for this type of cookware, yard sales, antique auctions and flea markets are always a good place to start. If brand new cookware is desired, many retailers still offer cast iron in many different varieties - from skillets to Dutch ovens to grill pans and more.
Why Use Cast Iron Cookware?
Many professional chefs choose cast iron cookware over other types. The reasons for this include the ability of the iron to retain heat as well as distribute the heat evenly throughout the cooking surface. In addition, the cookware is extremely durable and can endure extremes in heat.
Once seasoned properly, the cookware becomes non-stick and is especially good for cooking such items as eggs, grilled sandwiches and steaks or burgers.
Seasoning
Seasoning is essential with cast iron cookware. When purchasing the cookware new from a retailer, please follow the directions that come with it. Many of the new iron cookware is specially coated with substances in order to keep food from sticking.
With used or handed down cookware, the following instructions should keep the iron seasoned.
1. If the cookware is rusted, scour out the rust with steel wool.
2. Using vegetable oil, bacon fat, lard or other hardened fat, coat the cookware thoroughly and evenly.
3. Put cookware in oven upside down (do not forget to put some tin foil down to catch drippings and keep oven clean) and bake for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours at a medium-high temperature.
4. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
5. Wipe out remaining fat or oil
6. Repeat seasoning steps as necessary
7. Store without lid on
Using Cookware
For cooking with cast iron cookware, it is recommended that the pan be preheated before adding food. To know when the pan is ready for cooking, add a few drops of water and make sure the water sizzles. Once it sizzles, it is time to add the food.
Cleaning the cookware is easy, but must be done by hand. Do not place the cast iron cookware in a dishwasher. Using dish soap and water scrub out the cookware and dry immediately. If seasoning is starting to wear off, add a very light layer of oil or fat to the pan before storing. Moisture leads to rust, so always store with the lid off.
Immediately after cooking, remove food from the cookware. The cast iron in the cookware is not good for storage of leftovers and may actually seep iron into the food, especially if cooking tomato-based sauces or acidic type foods.
Conclusion
Cast iron is a tremendously good type of product to cook with. Not only have our ancestors used this type of cookware almost exclusively, it has many enduring qualities to provide even heat and durability.
For the small amount of work put into the care and upkeep of the cast iron, it can provide years of service as well as many happy memories for generations to come.
When searching for this type of cookware, yard sales, antique auctions and flea markets are always a good place to start. If brand new cookware is desired, many retailers still offer cast iron in many different varieties - from skillets to Dutch ovens to grill pans and more.
Why Use Cast Iron Cookware?
Many professional chefs choose cast iron cookware over other types. The reasons for this include the ability of the iron to retain heat as well as distribute the heat evenly throughout the cooking surface. In addition, the cookware is extremely durable and can endure extremes in heat.
Once seasoned properly, the cookware becomes non-stick and is especially good for cooking such items as eggs, grilled sandwiches and steaks or burgers.
Seasoning
Seasoning is essential with cast iron cookware. When purchasing the cookware new from a retailer, please follow the directions that come with it. Many of the new iron cookware is specially coated with substances in order to keep food from sticking.
With used or handed down cookware, the following instructions should keep the iron seasoned.
1. If the cookware is rusted, scour out the rust with steel wool.
2. Using vegetable oil, bacon fat, lard or other hardened fat, coat the cookware thoroughly and evenly.
3. Put cookware in oven upside down (do not forget to put some tin foil down to catch drippings and keep oven clean) and bake for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours at a medium-high temperature.
4. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
5. Wipe out remaining fat or oil
6. Repeat seasoning steps as necessary
7. Store without lid on
Using Cookware
For cooking with cast iron cookware, it is recommended that the pan be preheated before adding food. To know when the pan is ready for cooking, add a few drops of water and make sure the water sizzles. Once it sizzles, it is time to add the food.
Cleaning the cookware is easy, but must be done by hand. Do not place the cast iron cookware in a dishwasher. Using dish soap and water scrub out the cookware and dry immediately. If seasoning is starting to wear off, add a very light layer of oil or fat to the pan before storing. Moisture leads to rust, so always store with the lid off.
Immediately after cooking, remove food from the cookware. The cast iron in the cookware is not good for storage of leftovers and may actually seep iron into the food, especially if cooking tomato-based sauces or acidic type foods.
Conclusion
Cast iron is a tremendously good type of product to cook with. Not only have our ancestors used this type of cookware almost exclusively, it has many enduring qualities to provide even heat and durability.
For the small amount of work put into the care and upkeep of the cast iron, it can provide years of service as well as many happy memories for generations to come.
Monday, 3 August 2009
The History of Toasting
Toasting is the strongest and most formal in Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern European countries.
In France, Italy and Spain the toast is even given German names. In Spain and Italy, to toast is called brindar and came from the German phrase "Ich bring dir" which means "I bring it to you".
In France you will hear them say "trinquer" which comes from the German word "trinken" and means "to drink".
And just incase you are wondering where the english phrase "toast" comes from, it comes from the practice of floating a piece of burnt toast on top of the wine of the loving cup. The reason for this was that the toast took away some of the acidity of the wine. Back years ago wine wasn't as good as it is today, so this floating piece of burnt toast worked well to tone down the sharpness of the wine. It was an ancient custom that was popular during the roman and Greek times dating as far back as the 6th Century B.C. After the bowl was passed around and shared by all the people, the host would be the last one to drink what was left and this included eating the wine saturated piece of toast. This was always done in honor of the guests.
There are lots of ways that toasts were done in ancient history, but the main point was that it was an offering from man to his Deity (God). Throughout history, man has always expressed his highest honors to the Deity in the form of a drink and the offering of toasts.
How the Toast Started
Many years ago, in Greece, the people would perform what was called a libation. A libation (an alcoholic drink which is offered as a religious ritual) was considered a prayer and a sharing of wine with the gods. They would stand up and while holding a cup full of wine in one hand, look up into the sky, and pray with both arms and cup raised, then drink the wine. Of course, they realized the gods didn't really share the wine, but they knew their gift was accepted and a connection with the gods were made...
The Group Toast
Drinking to people used to be and still is in many ways the same today as it was done many years ago in Greece. Out of respect, the person performing the toast should stand up, and everybody stands up too. If the person being toasted to is important enough, everybody else must also raise their glasses. If wearing a hat, men should always remove them. While the toast is spoken it is very important to look the person you are toasting to in the eyes. To end the toast, a silent bow or a simple little nod of the head will do. Everyone then sips the wine.
Taking small sips for the toast is the modern and correct way of doing it. A long time ago, you were expected to drink everything in the cup and most often it would be a rather large cup that would be passed around and shared. Today we have our own glasses which we use instead of sharing just one cup.
The Two Person Toast
Toasting is also very popular between two people. In ancient Greek times, this was called "proposes" or "the drink before". The person who initiated the toast sips first and then hands the cup or bowl to the person being honored. If it was a special occasion such as a wedding, the cup itself would usually be a permanent gift to the receiver. For example, a bowl full of wine might be given from a father-in-law to the son-in-law. The cup or bowl would become the symbol of the bride (given away as we still call it) by her father. The two men and two families have now become one through the shared wine.
In France, Italy and Spain the toast is even given German names. In Spain and Italy, to toast is called brindar and came from the German phrase "Ich bring dir" which means "I bring it to you".
In France you will hear them say "trinquer" which comes from the German word "trinken" and means "to drink".
And just incase you are wondering where the english phrase "toast" comes from, it comes from the practice of floating a piece of burnt toast on top of the wine of the loving cup. The reason for this was that the toast took away some of the acidity of the wine. Back years ago wine wasn't as good as it is today, so this floating piece of burnt toast worked well to tone down the sharpness of the wine. It was an ancient custom that was popular during the roman and Greek times dating as far back as the 6th Century B.C. After the bowl was passed around and shared by all the people, the host would be the last one to drink what was left and this included eating the wine saturated piece of toast. This was always done in honor of the guests.
There are lots of ways that toasts were done in ancient history, but the main point was that it was an offering from man to his Deity (God). Throughout history, man has always expressed his highest honors to the Deity in the form of a drink and the offering of toasts.
How the Toast Started
Many years ago, in Greece, the people would perform what was called a libation. A libation (an alcoholic drink which is offered as a religious ritual) was considered a prayer and a sharing of wine with the gods. They would stand up and while holding a cup full of wine in one hand, look up into the sky, and pray with both arms and cup raised, then drink the wine. Of course, they realized the gods didn't really share the wine, but they knew their gift was accepted and a connection with the gods were made...
The Group Toast
Drinking to people used to be and still is in many ways the same today as it was done many years ago in Greece. Out of respect, the person performing the toast should stand up, and everybody stands up too. If the person being toasted to is important enough, everybody else must also raise their glasses. If wearing a hat, men should always remove them. While the toast is spoken it is very important to look the person you are toasting to in the eyes. To end the toast, a silent bow or a simple little nod of the head will do. Everyone then sips the wine.
Taking small sips for the toast is the modern and correct way of doing it. A long time ago, you were expected to drink everything in the cup and most often it would be a rather large cup that would be passed around and shared. Today we have our own glasses which we use instead of sharing just one cup.
The Two Person Toast
Toasting is also very popular between two people. In ancient Greek times, this was called "proposes" or "the drink before". The person who initiated the toast sips first and then hands the cup or bowl to the person being honored. If it was a special occasion such as a wedding, the cup itself would usually be a permanent gift to the receiver. For example, a bowl full of wine might be given from a father-in-law to the son-in-law. The cup or bowl would become the symbol of the bride (given away as we still call it) by her father. The two men and two families have now become one through the shared wine.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Cooking up Stress and Anxiety
Gone are the days when people think of cooking as a task that should be done
Monday, 27 July 2009
The Art And Delight Of Mexican Cooking!
Ah, we have all heard of the joys of rich, spicy and varied Mexican cooking and enjoyed the zesty flavors in a restaurant so many times; besides being a way to partake of a new country's culture and food habits, Mexican cooking is a great style to learn for the number of specialty dishes it has to offer.
The basics of Mexican cooking involve the most fundamental meal that Mexicans have as part of their daily fare: some of these staple food items include Ancho Chiles, (dried Poblano Chiles that are used for making a marinade, and really chili-hot), Cilantro (the fresh herb is preferred to the dried version, especially when making salsa sauce or guacamole).
A storage tip for keeping Cilantro fresh is to wrap it in a moist towel while another handy hint about the famous dried Guajillo Chiles is that they are a whole lot spicier than the earlier mentioned Ancho Chiles; however, the former is sprinkled generously over veggies, fruits, soups and stews. Another must-have in the Mexican pantry is Jicama, a root vegetable similar to potato, which is used for making slaws and salads and sometimes doubles up as a snack!
Dried grains of corn give the Mexicans Masa Harina, which is typically cooked with lime, ground to a paste and when dried of water, becomes flour-like and the raw product used for making tortillas. Cow's milk cheese, Queso Anejo, is used to give the sodium flavor to dishes while Serrano Chiles provides a kick to many others!
A great Mexican cooking for homes are the tortillas, consumed hot, straight off the griddle and supplemented by chilli (roasted over the fire), dried chillies roasted on the griddle and tomatoes cooker in a broiler or fry-pan. All the above are basic components of all Mexican specialties like marinade, salsas sauce, spicy condiments and that are seasoned with onions, Cilantro and Radishes.
Mexican cooking lovers can learn to make many dishes at home, including the famous tortillas with store-bought Masa Harina, made into soft dough and after dividing it inot 12 equal parts, they can roll each part into a ball. With a tortilla press that has been covered with plastic wrap, they can press the dough ball after placing it in the center and twisting the handle side to side (flatten the dough evenly).
After this, you need to lift the press open to give the dough one half-turn and close it once more; then, cook the tortilla in a non-stick pan on medium flame for 15-30 seconds before flipping to cook the other side, then repeating the action for another half minute.
A tasty chicken dish made according to Mexican cooking recipe includes a marinade adobo with pre-sauted and strained red chilies made into a sauce, vinegar, garlic and other spices that are poured over the chicken and roasted with potatoes.
The basics of Mexican cooking involve the most fundamental meal that Mexicans have as part of their daily fare: some of these staple food items include Ancho Chiles, (dried Poblano Chiles that are used for making a marinade, and really chili-hot), Cilantro (the fresh herb is preferred to the dried version, especially when making salsa sauce or guacamole).
A storage tip for keeping Cilantro fresh is to wrap it in a moist towel while another handy hint about the famous dried Guajillo Chiles is that they are a whole lot spicier than the earlier mentioned Ancho Chiles; however, the former is sprinkled generously over veggies, fruits, soups and stews. Another must-have in the Mexican pantry is Jicama, a root vegetable similar to potato, which is used for making slaws and salads and sometimes doubles up as a snack!
Dried grains of corn give the Mexicans Masa Harina, which is typically cooked with lime, ground to a paste and when dried of water, becomes flour-like and the raw product used for making tortillas. Cow's milk cheese, Queso Anejo, is used to give the sodium flavor to dishes while Serrano Chiles provides a kick to many others!
A great Mexican cooking for homes are the tortillas, consumed hot, straight off the griddle and supplemented by chilli (roasted over the fire), dried chillies roasted on the griddle and tomatoes cooker in a broiler or fry-pan. All the above are basic components of all Mexican specialties like marinade, salsas sauce, spicy condiments and that are seasoned with onions, Cilantro and Radishes.
Mexican cooking lovers can learn to make many dishes at home, including the famous tortillas with store-bought Masa Harina, made into soft dough and after dividing it inot 12 equal parts, they can roll each part into a ball. With a tortilla press that has been covered with plastic wrap, they can press the dough ball after placing it in the center and twisting the handle side to side (flatten the dough evenly).
After this, you need to lift the press open to give the dough one half-turn and close it once more; then, cook the tortilla in a non-stick pan on medium flame for 15-30 seconds before flipping to cook the other side, then repeating the action for another half minute.
A tasty chicken dish made according to Mexican cooking recipe includes a marinade adobo with pre-sauted and strained red chilies made into a sauce, vinegar, garlic and other spices that are poured over the chicken and roasted with potatoes.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Why Eat Chocolate for Dessert?
So many people are health-conscious, so many people are obese, so many people eat terrible food - greasy, fatty, over-processed, and so many people don't get enough exercise. Why even think about eating chocolate for dessert? Because there's nothing like the "mouth-feel" of chocolate; because it's the additives, not the chocolate itself, that are fattening or that can cause allergic reactions; and because, after a long hard day of "being good", eating something that "feels" decadent can be very very satisfying.
How wonderful then if what feels decadent is actually good for you! We're talking dark chocolate here, at least 70% cocoa. This delectable treat contains theobromine - a known mood elevator; and antioxidant flavonoids - boost good HDL cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Mmm chocolate - maybe a chocolate fountain is the real Fountain of Youth?
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to improve circulation and make blood vessels more flexible, helping to prevent hardening of the arteries. The Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama drink multiple cups of cocoa every day and have little incidence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Cocoa is also rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese. Indeed, chocolate is thought to be one of the largest single contributors of copper to the diet in the United States.
For all-round health, eat like the French do. I don't mean eat French foods necessarily, although that can be nice, but eat AS the French do; make a meal an event in itself. Turn off the tv and computer, don't even read while you eat. Savor and chew each bite.
Eating consciously like this will make you more in tune with your appetite. You won't overeat, and you'll enjoy your food so much more. Take your time - make fast food a thing of the past.
End your meal with the perfect dessert - a bit of dark chocolate. Break off a small piece and place it in your mouth. Let it melt slowly, enjoying the texture and savoring the taste. Then another bite.
Fine dark chocolates have subtle flavors reminiscent of fruits, nuts, coffee, herbs, and much more. Just as wine connoisseurs clean their palate before tasting wines, you can drink a little warm water to clear your tastebuds before eating chocolate. Bitter flavors will make the chocolate taste sweeter, and sweet tastes will make you insensitive to the sweetness of the chocolate, so start with a "neutral palate".
Chewing and swallowing chocolate will not allow you to taste all the flavors so just allow chocolate to melt in your mouth.
You can substitute a chocolate candy made with the purest of ingredients. Additional cream, sugar, etc. is what adds the calories, if that concerns you, eat less. Eat the best chocolate available - this isn't necessarily the most expensive chocolate. Try many varieties and choose the one most delicious to YOU!
Always, eat what you enjoy, and enjoy what you eat. And for me, this is chocolate!
How wonderful then if what feels decadent is actually good for you! We're talking dark chocolate here, at least 70% cocoa. This delectable treat contains theobromine - a known mood elevator; and antioxidant flavonoids - boost good HDL cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Mmm chocolate - maybe a chocolate fountain is the real Fountain of Youth?
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to improve circulation and make blood vessels more flexible, helping to prevent hardening of the arteries. The Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama drink multiple cups of cocoa every day and have little incidence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Cocoa is also rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese. Indeed, chocolate is thought to be one of the largest single contributors of copper to the diet in the United States.
For all-round health, eat like the French do. I don't mean eat French foods necessarily, although that can be nice, but eat AS the French do; make a meal an event in itself. Turn off the tv and computer, don't even read while you eat. Savor and chew each bite.
Eating consciously like this will make you more in tune with your appetite. You won't overeat, and you'll enjoy your food so much more. Take your time - make fast food a thing of the past.
End your meal with the perfect dessert - a bit of dark chocolate. Break off a small piece and place it in your mouth. Let it melt slowly, enjoying the texture and savoring the taste. Then another bite.
Fine dark chocolates have subtle flavors reminiscent of fruits, nuts, coffee, herbs, and much more. Just as wine connoisseurs clean their palate before tasting wines, you can drink a little warm water to clear your tastebuds before eating chocolate. Bitter flavors will make the chocolate taste sweeter, and sweet tastes will make you insensitive to the sweetness of the chocolate, so start with a "neutral palate".
Chewing and swallowing chocolate will not allow you to taste all the flavors so just allow chocolate to melt in your mouth.
You can substitute a chocolate candy made with the purest of ingredients. Additional cream, sugar, etc. is what adds the calories, if that concerns you, eat less. Eat the best chocolate available - this isn't necessarily the most expensive chocolate. Try many varieties and choose the one most delicious to YOU!
Always, eat what you enjoy, and enjoy what you eat. And for me, this is chocolate!
Monday, 20 July 2009
Outdoor Gas Barbeque- A wonderful choice for any picnic or social get-together
Stainless barbeques or grills are an excellent idea for having a BBQ party and that too in the limited space of your garden. Outdoor BBQs are a real fun and an apt treat after a hectic weekly schedule. All you need to do is to just pick the required things and organize an outdoor kitchen in order to prepare stainless barbeques.
Now the most important thing to be considered is the type of barbecue grill you are going to use. Here you have two choices:
Charcoal barbeque grill: One that uses charcoal to heat and power the grill.
Gas barbeque grill: One that uses gas to heat and power the grill.
Gas barbeque grill might be costlier when compared to charcoal barbeque grill but it is definitely more convenient to use. While preparing gas barbeques you can monitor and control over the temperature for proper cooking of the meat. The best part is that gas barbeques tend to produce less smoke and the gas grills are much easier to clean as compared to charcoal grills.
There are three kinds of gas barbeque grills present in the market. Depending on your requirement and budget you can choose any one of the following types:
Entry-level BBQ gas grill
These gas grills are the most basic barbeque grills and can easily be bought at quite an affordable price. These BBQ grills can conveniently be used to barbeque the meat using the feature of heat-generating. Stainless steel grills are the best choice in this category.
Mid-range gas BBQ grills
These gas grills are a little more expensive but the extra money you pay is worth the number of extra features you get. These extra features are not present on entry-level gas grills.
Deluxe barbecue gas grills
The best and the costliest type of gas grills. The most remarkable feature of these grills is that they use BTU (British thermal units). This feature allows you to keep a track on the amount of gas that has been burned by the grill.
Those who love barbecues can choose one of the above listed types depending on their needs. Be sure to choose a stable and solid constructed grill for BBQS if you do not want the grill to be flimsy and shaky. Do not make a mistake of buying a gas barbeque grill that is not made of high grade stainless steel and does not have elegant porcelain enamel finish. For barbeques, you need to be very selective when it comes to choose the right kind of barbeque grill.
Now the most important thing to be considered is the type of barbecue grill you are going to use. Here you have two choices:
Charcoal barbeque grill: One that uses charcoal to heat and power the grill.
Gas barbeque grill: One that uses gas to heat and power the grill.
Gas barbeque grill might be costlier when compared to charcoal barbeque grill but it is definitely more convenient to use. While preparing gas barbeques you can monitor and control over the temperature for proper cooking of the meat. The best part is that gas barbeques tend to produce less smoke and the gas grills are much easier to clean as compared to charcoal grills.
There are three kinds of gas barbeque grills present in the market. Depending on your requirement and budget you can choose any one of the following types:
Entry-level BBQ gas grill
These gas grills are the most basic barbeque grills and can easily be bought at quite an affordable price. These BBQ grills can conveniently be used to barbeque the meat using the feature of heat-generating. Stainless steel grills are the best choice in this category.
Mid-range gas BBQ grills
These gas grills are a little more expensive but the extra money you pay is worth the number of extra features you get. These extra features are not present on entry-level gas grills.
Deluxe barbecue gas grills
The best and the costliest type of gas grills. The most remarkable feature of these grills is that they use BTU (British thermal units). This feature allows you to keep a track on the amount of gas that has been burned by the grill.
Those who love barbecues can choose one of the above listed types depending on their needs. Be sure to choose a stable and solid constructed grill for BBQS if you do not want the grill to be flimsy and shaky. Do not make a mistake of buying a gas barbeque grill that is not made of high grade stainless steel and does not have elegant porcelain enamel finish. For barbeques, you need to be very selective when it comes to choose the right kind of barbeque grill.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Best Hairstyle Fashions and Beauty Trends for 2006
Hairstyle and beauty has become quite a fashion statement lately. We have seen prices for a good cut or style skyrocket with no end in sight. Some cuts are going in and out of style every day it seems. As some beauty experts say - your hair can make you or break you. What will be the hot styles and beauty cuts for 2006? Some of these will surprise you.
1) The classic up-do. It has been one of the longest trends but seems to be a temporary style - something to do for a social party or event, but not every day. The hollywood stars like Jessica Simpson and many others sport the updo for Awards banquets and such, but they have personal hair stylists that can have their hair back in whatever style they want the following day. This style is best suited for medium or longer length hair.
2) Hair stenciling for uniqueness - this has been hot overseas in Japan, Milan, Paris, and London and is starting to make its way into the U.S. This is where you or a stylist create a stencil which you then attach to your hair and you use glitter and paint to make a bold, brazen fashion statement. Everything from animal prints (like tiger stripes) to symbols have been used. This works on any length hair, but is more predominantly displayed on shorter hair. Stencils have been used frequently lately on Runway models in shows by Gucci, Calvin Klein, etc...
3) The wedge. This was popular in the 1970's and is once again becoming popular. This was the cutesy do that made the likes of Dorothy Hammil America's sweetheart of that era. This style is gaining popularity amongst 30-40 year olds in search of a short and easily maintained style. The wedge tends to draw attention to your face, not your hair and looks natural. So, if you already have a beautiful face and skin this is a real winner, as it will draw people in to your good looks. We recommend natural, mild makeup with this do.
4) The mullet. Yes, I know we thought it died off in the early 90's, but it is making a surge again. No one knows why, except that is is a very low maintanence style - or basically no style. It is basically a mop of hair for head banging music. "Business in the front and party in the back." It has been popping up all over the south and has been seen on the rise even in New York, Chicago, etc... This is a bad style that just won't go away.
5) The Fullet. The female version of the mullet. Just as bad if not worse, but, once again it is making a comeback. Maybe that means the Bangles will make a comeback also? Heavy makeup is common with this do.
6) The flip. The style from the roaring 20's is back as can be seen at the recent awards shows. This style has always been equated with glitz and glamour. It is another easy style and is easy to maintain. The flip goes with almost any makeup regimen. All the stars have worn this do at one time or another - from Jodie Foster to Rita Garbo.
Most of the hairstyles trends for 2006 are comebacks and are easy dos. Basically, people want something that is easy to manage and want variety - a cut that can be easily tranformed from one style to another for different events or just for that different look. Women also want a style with easy, light makeup. According to numerous fashion sources these hairstyle and light makup trends trends will be the big styles of 2006.
1) The classic up-do. It has been one of the longest trends but seems to be a temporary style - something to do for a social party or event, but not every day. The hollywood stars like Jessica Simpson and many others sport the updo for Awards banquets and such, but they have personal hair stylists that can have their hair back in whatever style they want the following day. This style is best suited for medium or longer length hair.
2) Hair stenciling for uniqueness - this has been hot overseas in Japan, Milan, Paris, and London and is starting to make its way into the U.S. This is where you or a stylist create a stencil which you then attach to your hair and you use glitter and paint to make a bold, brazen fashion statement. Everything from animal prints (like tiger stripes) to symbols have been used. This works on any length hair, but is more predominantly displayed on shorter hair. Stencils have been used frequently lately on Runway models in shows by Gucci, Calvin Klein, etc...
3) The wedge. This was popular in the 1970's and is once again becoming popular. This was the cutesy do that made the likes of Dorothy Hammil America's sweetheart of that era. This style is gaining popularity amongst 30-40 year olds in search of a short and easily maintained style. The wedge tends to draw attention to your face, not your hair and looks natural. So, if you already have a beautiful face and skin this is a real winner, as it will draw people in to your good looks. We recommend natural, mild makeup with this do.
4) The mullet. Yes, I know we thought it died off in the early 90's, but it is making a surge again. No one knows why, except that is is a very low maintanence style - or basically no style. It is basically a mop of hair for head banging music. "Business in the front and party in the back." It has been popping up all over the south and has been seen on the rise even in New York, Chicago, etc... This is a bad style that just won't go away.
5) The Fullet. The female version of the mullet. Just as bad if not worse, but, once again it is making a comeback. Maybe that means the Bangles will make a comeback also? Heavy makeup is common with this do.
6) The flip. The style from the roaring 20's is back as can be seen at the recent awards shows. This style has always been equated with glitz and glamour. It is another easy style and is easy to maintain. The flip goes with almost any makeup regimen. All the stars have worn this do at one time or another - from Jodie Foster to Rita Garbo.
Most of the hairstyles trends for 2006 are comebacks and are easy dos. Basically, people want something that is easy to manage and want variety - a cut that can be easily tranformed from one style to another for different events or just for that different look. Women also want a style with easy, light makeup. According to numerous fashion sources these hairstyle and light makup trends trends will be the big styles of 2006.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Treat Cellulite With Cellulite Lotion
Is it any wonder that you are concerned about cellulte - after all, nobody likes having bits of fat, but having your entire body riddled and pocked with marks is very unflattering. As gross as this may be, we have to realize that not everyone is lucky enough to have the perfect skin of Angelina Jolie, Alice Burton, or Giselle Bundchen.
Q. Cellulite?
A. The complete opposite of soft, seamless skin. Cellulite is rough, even pock marked skin caused by the misshapen fats within our own bodies. The medical term for this humiliating condition is known as lipodystrophy, and it affects fourty five percent of the adult population.
Q. Who Does It Affect?
A. Unfortunately, cellulite can actually be acquired by younger generations of women given that they have unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle choices that make them fat and prone to getting cellulite even at such a young age. Even when people lose weight and become slimmer in some body areas, their cellulite remains and will actually be the last stubborn fat on your body - it just won't go away. It's not impossible, but it is quite a challenge because acquiring cellulite actually occurs when the damaged fatty tissue accumulates.
Q. What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of It?
A. Exercise can be done to get rid of cellulite. If you are the impatient kind, cellulite lotions can fast track the cellulite reducing process. It is important to note, however, that you still have to be patient in order to see the effects from a cellulite lotion.
Q. Does Cellulite Only Affect Fat People?
A. You don't actually have to be fat to get cellulite. Even paris hilton and brittney spears have unsightly body skin all over their legs. You need all the help you can get to rid yourself of this unsightly fat, so go ahead and try a cellulite lotion in addition to a vigorous exercise regimen.
1. Lotions For Cellulite
Cellulite lotions have been able to consistently coMBAt cellulite. They are one of the most effective ways to aid in the removal of cellulite, and there are always new lotions being developped. Overall the lotions are well worth the money you dish out for them. One of the most popular cellulite lotions in the market nowadays is the Vitamoor Contour cellulite cream that promises to be well worth your hard earned cash as well as gives you the smooth and even cellulite-free skin that you have always wanted to have.
2. Topical Creams
Creams are extremely useful variants of lotions. They are more safe to use and have less side effects, but may be more expensive.
Trapped fatty tissues can be metabolized with creams that contain Austrian moor, wild yam, and other various plant extracts. The ingredients of this cellulite lotion helps your body to heal the damaged tissues that are caused by the trapped fat. Austrian Moor is a unique substance that is especially preserved in the Alps during the last ice age and has been used by the ancient Romans for its various healing properties. Austrian Moor is the chief key ingredient and it also for those interested provides several smaller side effect benefits such as improved blood circulation, and detoxification and nourishment of the skin.
Q. Cellulite?
A. The complete opposite of soft, seamless skin. Cellulite is rough, even pock marked skin caused by the misshapen fats within our own bodies. The medical term for this humiliating condition is known as lipodystrophy, and it affects fourty five percent of the adult population.
Q. Who Does It Affect?
A. Unfortunately, cellulite can actually be acquired by younger generations of women given that they have unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle choices that make them fat and prone to getting cellulite even at such a young age. Even when people lose weight and become slimmer in some body areas, their cellulite remains and will actually be the last stubborn fat on your body - it just won't go away. It's not impossible, but it is quite a challenge because acquiring cellulite actually occurs when the damaged fatty tissue accumulates.
Q. What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of It?
A. Exercise can be done to get rid of cellulite. If you are the impatient kind, cellulite lotions can fast track the cellulite reducing process. It is important to note, however, that you still have to be patient in order to see the effects from a cellulite lotion.
Q. Does Cellulite Only Affect Fat People?
A. You don't actually have to be fat to get cellulite. Even paris hilton and brittney spears have unsightly body skin all over their legs. You need all the help you can get to rid yourself of this unsightly fat, so go ahead and try a cellulite lotion in addition to a vigorous exercise regimen.
1. Lotions For Cellulite
Cellulite lotions have been able to consistently coMBAt cellulite. They are one of the most effective ways to aid in the removal of cellulite, and there are always new lotions being developped. Overall the lotions are well worth the money you dish out for them. One of the most popular cellulite lotions in the market nowadays is the Vitamoor Contour cellulite cream that promises to be well worth your hard earned cash as well as gives you the smooth and even cellulite-free skin that you have always wanted to have.
2. Topical Creams
Creams are extremely useful variants of lotions. They are more safe to use and have less side effects, but may be more expensive.
Trapped fatty tissues can be metabolized with creams that contain Austrian moor, wild yam, and other various plant extracts. The ingredients of this cellulite lotion helps your body to heal the damaged tissues that are caused by the trapped fat. Austrian Moor is a unique substance that is especially preserved in the Alps during the last ice age and has been used by the ancient Romans for its various healing properties. Austrian Moor is the chief key ingredient and it also for those interested provides several smaller side effect benefits such as improved blood circulation, and detoxification and nourishment of the skin.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
How Can You Prevent the Many Problems Which Occur in Your Hands?
Looking after your hands may sound simple, however most people do not bother spending that extra little bit of time required for taking care of them. Usually people associate cracked, dry hands with wintertime; however, the problems can appear at any time of year, even if they are more vulnerable in winter.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Preventing your hands from becoming dry or sore, is by far the best way to protect them. Many hand conditions are hard to treat once you have them. Conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema, and contact dermatitis, are really uncomfortable and they can take a long time to get rid of. You really will know about it if you end up with a condition similar to those ones!
Dry hands are often the main cause of hand problems. The best way to defeat it is to moisturize daily, sometimes even twice a day. The causes of dryness usually include washing up liquid, detergents and chemicals which are found in most household cleaners and even over washing them can cause them to become dry. Many occupations cause a persons hands to dry up, such as jobs which involve tearing up cardboard on a daily basis, even handling flowers can make your hands dry up. So, if you know you have a job which puts your hands under constant pressure, make sure you take care of them by moisturizing them as often as possible.
If you constantly do the dishes at home, why not ask somebody else in the household to take over? Maybe your children or your husband/boyfriend can do them a couple of times a week? This will cut down the risk of water exposure, and will therefore keep your hands softer. If you do not have a kind and generous family however, you should always wear protective kitchen gloves. Many people recommend putting moisturizer on your hands before putting the gloves on, that way the heat soaks the moisturizer more into the hands.
What Are The Best Moisturization Products to Go For?
Depending upon which hand condition you actually have, you will need different moisturizers for each one. Usually, moisturizers contain exfoliating ingredients which really help with dry, scaly conditions such as dermatitis. Others are called humectants which hold more than their weight in water, within the skin.
If you have an open wound, you do not want to use an active moisturizer, as it will really sting. However, if you are suffering from thick, dry and cracked skin, an active moisturizer is definitely for you! Always remember to apply a moisturizer after washing your hands and doing the dishes.
Other forms of moisturizers include ingredients such as Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. They really help to soften the skin and to exfoliate hard, epidermis. Urea is another ingredient used, and that is a humectant which really does help to hydrate the skin. Many people use products with urea in them, in the bath, and that can really help to protect the skin and leave it soft and smooth feeling. You can even combine all three of the ingredients to create an ultimate moisturizer for the body.
Some Common Problems Which Could Occur
If you do not protect your hands there are several problems which can occur. Blisters and cracked finger tips can both be really painful. Our fingertips have the most nerves in them in the hand, and so if you do end up with cracked fingertips, it can be incredibly painful.
Blisters also can be a problem and they are a sign of increased inflammation. This often makes them really itchy, and they end up splitting which again, is really painful.
Other conditions you may end up with include Eczema, and Psoriasis as mentioned earlier. Getting rid of these problems can be a nightmare so it really is in your best interests to prevent any of them from occurring in the first place.
It really does not take long to protect our hands and it does not have to be overly expensive. Just a few minutes each day and you could protect your hands from a variety of different problems.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Preventing your hands from becoming dry or sore, is by far the best way to protect them. Many hand conditions are hard to treat once you have them. Conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema, and contact dermatitis, are really uncomfortable and they can take a long time to get rid of. You really will know about it if you end up with a condition similar to those ones!
Dry hands are often the main cause of hand problems. The best way to defeat it is to moisturize daily, sometimes even twice a day. The causes of dryness usually include washing up liquid, detergents and chemicals which are found in most household cleaners and even over washing them can cause them to become dry. Many occupations cause a persons hands to dry up, such as jobs which involve tearing up cardboard on a daily basis, even handling flowers can make your hands dry up. So, if you know you have a job which puts your hands under constant pressure, make sure you take care of them by moisturizing them as often as possible.
If you constantly do the dishes at home, why not ask somebody else in the household to take over? Maybe your children or your husband/boyfriend can do them a couple of times a week? This will cut down the risk of water exposure, and will therefore keep your hands softer. If you do not have a kind and generous family however, you should always wear protective kitchen gloves. Many people recommend putting moisturizer on your hands before putting the gloves on, that way the heat soaks the moisturizer more into the hands.
What Are The Best Moisturization Products to Go For?
Depending upon which hand condition you actually have, you will need different moisturizers for each one. Usually, moisturizers contain exfoliating ingredients which really help with dry, scaly conditions such as dermatitis. Others are called humectants which hold more than their weight in water, within the skin.
If you have an open wound, you do not want to use an active moisturizer, as it will really sting. However, if you are suffering from thick, dry and cracked skin, an active moisturizer is definitely for you! Always remember to apply a moisturizer after washing your hands and doing the dishes.
Other forms of moisturizers include ingredients such as Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. They really help to soften the skin and to exfoliate hard, epidermis. Urea is another ingredient used, and that is a humectant which really does help to hydrate the skin. Many people use products with urea in them, in the bath, and that can really help to protect the skin and leave it soft and smooth feeling. You can even combine all three of the ingredients to create an ultimate moisturizer for the body.
Some Common Problems Which Could Occur
If you do not protect your hands there are several problems which can occur. Blisters and cracked finger tips can both be really painful. Our fingertips have the most nerves in them in the hand, and so if you do end up with cracked fingertips, it can be incredibly painful.
Blisters also can be a problem and they are a sign of increased inflammation. This often makes them really itchy, and they end up splitting which again, is really painful.
Other conditions you may end up with include Eczema, and Psoriasis as mentioned earlier. Getting rid of these problems can be a nightmare so it really is in your best interests to prevent any of them from occurring in the first place.
It really does not take long to protect our hands and it does not have to be overly expensive. Just a few minutes each day and you could protect your hands from a variety of different problems.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Honey - Great Product For Skin Care
The nectar collected from the flowers is transformed into honey to dress upon some of the most mouth-watering desserts. With the passage of time honey has continued to be one of the main ingredients for skin care. It has maintained its importance due to the beneficial factors. The healing capacity of honey is stupendous making it one of the favorite components for home remedies. Honey has many good properties like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins like B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. There is presence of copper, iodine and zinc in small quantities.
Honey is very good for your skin due to its properties. You can use honey for face mask as it treats your skin very well. It nourishes your skin by the essential properties present in it. It is very good to remove wrinkles from face and works as an anti-aging remedy. Honey is able to maintain moisture which helps your skin remain soft and supple. The hydration quality of the honey proves to maintain the skins elasticity, smoothness and softness. The presence of antioxidants in honey protects you from UV rays.
Recipes
Honey Cleanser
Mix 1 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. finely ground almonds with 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Rub it on your face. Rinse it with warm water.
Honey Toner
Make a concoction of 1 tbsp. honey with peeled and deseeded apple. Apply this paste on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse it with cool water.
Honey Facial Mask
1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin and in proportion add flour to all the ingredients to whisk up a smooth paste. Spread this paste all over your face including the neck and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.
For A Pleasing Bath
To have relaxing bath add 1/4 cup honey to your bath water and ease out in that smooth and silky water.
A Smooth Conditioner
Mix 1 tsp. honey with 1 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/4 tsp lemon juice. This mixture is very natural conditioner to be rubbed on every part of your body which is dry. Leave it on for 10 minutes and later rinse it off.
Acne Reliever
Mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/4 tsp salt. Use a cotton ball to soften the blemish by applying constant pressure. Apply honey with the help of cotton and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it and pat it dry.
Lip Care
The use of honey on chapped lips is a great hit.
Body Scrub
Use 1/4 cup freshly ground coffee, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp. wheat germ, 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp grape seed oil, 1 egg white. Mix buttermilk, honey, grape seed oil and egg white. Keep adding coffee and wheat germ to this mixture slowly to avoid any lumps. Apply this paste all over your body when in bath helping in exfoliation. Rinse it completely and pat dry to see the effects.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Honey is very good for your skin due to its properties. You can use honey for face mask as it treats your skin very well. It nourishes your skin by the essential properties present in it. It is very good to remove wrinkles from face and works as an anti-aging remedy. Honey is able to maintain moisture which helps your skin remain soft and supple. The hydration quality of the honey proves to maintain the skins elasticity, smoothness and softness. The presence of antioxidants in honey protects you from UV rays.
Recipes
Honey Cleanser
Mix 1 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. finely ground almonds with 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Rub it on your face. Rinse it with warm water.
Honey Toner
Make a concoction of 1 tbsp. honey with peeled and deseeded apple. Apply this paste on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse it with cool water.
Honey Facial Mask
1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin and in proportion add flour to all the ingredients to whisk up a smooth paste. Spread this paste all over your face including the neck and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.
For A Pleasing Bath
To have relaxing bath add 1/4 cup honey to your bath water and ease out in that smooth and silky water.
A Smooth Conditioner
Mix 1 tsp. honey with 1 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/4 tsp lemon juice. This mixture is very natural conditioner to be rubbed on every part of your body which is dry. Leave it on for 10 minutes and later rinse it off.
Acne Reliever
Mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/4 tsp salt. Use a cotton ball to soften the blemish by applying constant pressure. Apply honey with the help of cotton and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it and pat it dry.
Lip Care
The use of honey on chapped lips is a great hit.
Body Scrub
Use 1/4 cup freshly ground coffee, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp. wheat germ, 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp grape seed oil, 1 egg white. Mix buttermilk, honey, grape seed oil and egg white. Keep adding coffee and wheat germ to this mixture slowly to avoid any lumps. Apply this paste all over your body when in bath helping in exfoliation. Rinse it completely and pat dry to see the effects.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Face Lift Info. Online
When people are considering having a procedure such as a face lift, they often do much of their research online. Some sites are clearly meant to promote only one doctor or one procedure; however, there are also several comprehensive Internet sites about face lifts that offer the low-key, low-pressure information most consumers seek. Three of the best of these websites include:
I Enhance
This is a comprehensive site offering information on face lifts as well as other cosmetic surgeries. Features include an impressive FAQ section, featured articles about various procedures, before and after pictures, assistance locating a local physician, and information about financing face lifts and other cosmetic surgeries.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
This is a site dedicated to giving consumers information on many various face lift procedures. All content is contributed by board certified surgeons. Multiple face lift surgeries are discussed including endoscopic procedures, laser lifts, face lifts for men, thread lifts, etc. This site, too, offers surfers a directory of plastic surgeons in their geographic area as well as a little information on financing elective procedures.
Plastic Surgery Research Info
This site is valuable because if offers a quick list of many different cosmetic surgery procedures, an approximate cost, a brief description of what happens during the procedure and whether the effects are permanent or temporary, and an idea of how much "downtime" you'll need after the procedure. This site seems a little more realistic than some of the others when it comes to listing possible risks and drawbacks of face lifts. As on the other sites, there are sections to help you find a doctor and plan financing.
After a period of healing from a face lift most patients will declare, I feel great! because they truly do. Men and women who opt to have a face lift often go through the procedure not because they are vain or overly worried about their looks, but because they want to feel good about themselves again. Many of us age prematurely and we deserve to still feel good about ourselves and know that we are still attractive to other people. A face lift can give people, both young and old, their youth back and a sense of pride and worth that often disappears as aging takes place.
A face lift can be just what you need to say to friends and family, I feel great! and really mean it. If you are depressed every time you look in the mirror no matter what you do with your hair or your makeup, it might be time to think about a face lift. It is really amazing what can be done through these surgical procedures. When you have a face lift, you dont have to worry about it looking artificial. Today, face lifts can be done to look very natural and few people will be able to tell that youve even had one. After your face lift and a period of healing, you will more than likely be eager to go out and enjoy the world in a way that you have not been able to for a long time.
I Enhance
This is a comprehensive site offering information on face lifts as well as other cosmetic surgeries. Features include an impressive FAQ section, featured articles about various procedures, before and after pictures, assistance locating a local physician, and information about financing face lifts and other cosmetic surgeries.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
This is a site dedicated to giving consumers information on many various face lift procedures. All content is contributed by board certified surgeons. Multiple face lift surgeries are discussed including endoscopic procedures, laser lifts, face lifts for men, thread lifts, etc. This site, too, offers surfers a directory of plastic surgeons in their geographic area as well as a little information on financing elective procedures.
Plastic Surgery Research Info
This site is valuable because if offers a quick list of many different cosmetic surgery procedures, an approximate cost, a brief description of what happens during the procedure and whether the effects are permanent or temporary, and an idea of how much "downtime" you'll need after the procedure. This site seems a little more realistic than some of the others when it comes to listing possible risks and drawbacks of face lifts. As on the other sites, there are sections to help you find a doctor and plan financing.
After a period of healing from a face lift most patients will declare, I feel great! because they truly do. Men and women who opt to have a face lift often go through the procedure not because they are vain or overly worried about their looks, but because they want to feel good about themselves again. Many of us age prematurely and we deserve to still feel good about ourselves and know that we are still attractive to other people. A face lift can give people, both young and old, their youth back and a sense of pride and worth that often disappears as aging takes place.
A face lift can be just what you need to say to friends and family, I feel great! and really mean it. If you are depressed every time you look in the mirror no matter what you do with your hair or your makeup, it might be time to think about a face lift. It is really amazing what can be done through these surgical procedures. When you have a face lift, you dont have to worry about it looking artificial. Today, face lifts can be done to look very natural and few people will be able to tell that youve even had one. After your face lift and a period of healing, you will more than likely be eager to go out and enjoy the world in a way that you have not been able to for a long time.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Depilatory Hair Removal: Key Facts You Should Know
A depilatory is a liquid or cream that is used to remove unwanted hair from the body by applying strong chemicals to the hair follicle which dissolve the hair.
As the search for an ideal unwanted body hair removal method involves both men and women, a depilatory offers an economical, easy method which can be performed at home. There are certain drawbacks however, and depilatory hair removal products may not suit everyone, especially those with sensitive skin or anyone prone to allergic reactions.
The following information will help an individual first of all decide whether they want to try a depilatory, and secondly, if they do decide, what guidelines need to be followed for best results.
Section One: Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
How does a depilatory work?
A depilatory contains chemicals with a high degree of acidity (low pH) such as sodium thioglycolate, or calcium thioglycolate. They react with the protein structure of the hair and break it down. Depending on how coarse the hair is, the process takes from 5 to 15 minutes during which time the hair is dissolved into a glop which can then be washed away.
What is the difference between a depilatory and an epilatory?
A depilatory removes hair on the skin's surface. An epilatory such as waxing or tweezing removes the hair from below the skin's surface taking out the hair follicle.
Why does skin feel so smooth after using a depilatory?
A depilatory acts as an exfolient, removing the dead skin cells on the skin's surface which accumulate every day and which often feel rough. After hair removal with a depilatory the skin feels softer and smoother. Additionally, many depilatories contain moisturizers such as Baby Oil, Almond Oil, Green Tea Extract and Aloe which contribute to softer smoother skin.
Which should I use - a cream or a liquid?
A depilatory lotion or liquid is designed for larger areas of the body such as the legs, underarms and bikini area. A depilatory cream has a thicker consistency so it can be applied to specific areas without the risk of it running on to skin you don't want treated. A cream is therefore ideal for the face.
How long before hair re-grows?
This very much depends on the individual. The time can vary from many days up to two weeks. The chemicals in a depilatory reach down into the pores of the skin thus removing hair below the level of the skin. As a result, the hair takes longer to grow back so the results generally last longer than using a razor.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a depilatory?
The advantages are that depilatories are easy to apply, widely available over the counter, and quick to use. The disadvantages include possible allergic skin reactions to the strong chemicals, the messy application, an unpleasant odor, and widely variable results.
Is a depilatory safe to use during pregnancy?
In short, the safety of a depilatory during pregnancy has not been established. As depilatories contain strong chemicals which the body can absorb through the skin and which can subsequently affect the whole bodily system, some doctors advise avoiding depilatory use during pregnancy and while nursing.
Section Two: 10 Guidelines For Best Results
1. Never use a depilatory where there are cuts or abrasions on the skin or when skin is sensitive from sunburn.
2. Always test a small area of skin first such as a small patch on the inner arm below the elbow. Keep the application on the skin for the time recommended in the instructions and then wait for twenty four hours. If there is no irritation or allergic reaction such as redness or broken skin then use the product on a wider area.
3. If your hair is dark and coarse, be aware that your hair may be more resistant to chemical depilatories than a person with light, fine hair.
4. If possible, use a depilatory after a warm bath or shower as the hair is softer and the pores of the skin are open.
5. Do not rub a depilatory into the skin. Just apply a generous, smooth, thick layer onto the skin.
6. Important: Follow the timing instructions very closely. You may wish to set a timer and remove the chemical immediately the timer signal goes off. Taking this precaution will help avoid burning or damaging the skin.
7. If the skin becomes itchy or irritated stop using the depilatory and apply a soothing gel such as Aloe Vera or an anti-inflammatory skin cream.
8. To minimize irritation, try not to exfoliate before the hair removal session through scrubbing, or using a mask or cleansing agent. Be sure to follow up with a thorough rinsing and apply a moisture-rich cream.
9. After using a depilatory, apply sunscreen to areas that will be exposed to the sun.
10. Some recommend not using a depilatory more than every 28 days to avoid damaging the underlying layers of skin as a new outer layer of skin is formed every 28 days.
In Conclusion: A depilatory provides an easy, fast, convenient, economical method of hair removal. The use of skin care products afterwards can limit the potential skin damage and speed up skin recovery.
As the search for an ideal unwanted body hair removal method involves both men and women, a depilatory offers an economical, easy method which can be performed at home. There are certain drawbacks however, and depilatory hair removal products may not suit everyone, especially those with sensitive skin or anyone prone to allergic reactions.
The following information will help an individual first of all decide whether they want to try a depilatory, and secondly, if they do decide, what guidelines need to be followed for best results.
Section One: Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
How does a depilatory work?
A depilatory contains chemicals with a high degree of acidity (low pH) such as sodium thioglycolate, or calcium thioglycolate. They react with the protein structure of the hair and break it down. Depending on how coarse the hair is, the process takes from 5 to 15 minutes during which time the hair is dissolved into a glop which can then be washed away.
What is the difference between a depilatory and an epilatory?
A depilatory removes hair on the skin's surface. An epilatory such as waxing or tweezing removes the hair from below the skin's surface taking out the hair follicle.
Why does skin feel so smooth after using a depilatory?
A depilatory acts as an exfolient, removing the dead skin cells on the skin's surface which accumulate every day and which often feel rough. After hair removal with a depilatory the skin feels softer and smoother. Additionally, many depilatories contain moisturizers such as Baby Oil, Almond Oil, Green Tea Extract and Aloe which contribute to softer smoother skin.
Which should I use - a cream or a liquid?
A depilatory lotion or liquid is designed for larger areas of the body such as the legs, underarms and bikini area. A depilatory cream has a thicker consistency so it can be applied to specific areas without the risk of it running on to skin you don't want treated. A cream is therefore ideal for the face.
How long before hair re-grows?
This very much depends on the individual. The time can vary from many days up to two weeks. The chemicals in a depilatory reach down into the pores of the skin thus removing hair below the level of the skin. As a result, the hair takes longer to grow back so the results generally last longer than using a razor.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a depilatory?
The advantages are that depilatories are easy to apply, widely available over the counter, and quick to use. The disadvantages include possible allergic skin reactions to the strong chemicals, the messy application, an unpleasant odor, and widely variable results.
Is a depilatory safe to use during pregnancy?
In short, the safety of a depilatory during pregnancy has not been established. As depilatories contain strong chemicals which the body can absorb through the skin and which can subsequently affect the whole bodily system, some doctors advise avoiding depilatory use during pregnancy and while nursing.
Section Two: 10 Guidelines For Best Results
1. Never use a depilatory where there are cuts or abrasions on the skin or when skin is sensitive from sunburn.
2. Always test a small area of skin first such as a small patch on the inner arm below the elbow. Keep the application on the skin for the time recommended in the instructions and then wait for twenty four hours. If there is no irritation or allergic reaction such as redness or broken skin then use the product on a wider area.
3. If your hair is dark and coarse, be aware that your hair may be more resistant to chemical depilatories than a person with light, fine hair.
4. If possible, use a depilatory after a warm bath or shower as the hair is softer and the pores of the skin are open.
5. Do not rub a depilatory into the skin. Just apply a generous, smooth, thick layer onto the skin.
6. Important: Follow the timing instructions very closely. You may wish to set a timer and remove the chemical immediately the timer signal goes off. Taking this precaution will help avoid burning or damaging the skin.
7. If the skin becomes itchy or irritated stop using the depilatory and apply a soothing gel such as Aloe Vera or an anti-inflammatory skin cream.
8. To minimize irritation, try not to exfoliate before the hair removal session through scrubbing, or using a mask or cleansing agent. Be sure to follow up with a thorough rinsing and apply a moisture-rich cream.
9. After using a depilatory, apply sunscreen to areas that will be exposed to the sun.
10. Some recommend not using a depilatory more than every 28 days to avoid damaging the underlying layers of skin as a new outer layer of skin is formed every 28 days.
In Conclusion: A depilatory provides an easy, fast, convenient, economical method of hair removal. The use of skin care products afterwards can limit the potential skin damage and speed up skin recovery.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Hair Style 2006: Short and Curly
2005 was all about long hair - post "Sex and The City," and very "Desperate Housewives." Yes, once again, 2005 hairstyle trends were driven by what was happening in celebrity world and hairstyles were dominated by long, highly-coiffeured locks and - with the Jennifer Aniston look still reigning supreme and the Sedu hair straightener selling in big numbers - straight hair was definitely the style of choice. But, new year, new styles - so what will be the 2006 hairstyle trends?
Short, Short, Short
The one thing that all the trend watchers and experts are agreed on is that 2006 hairstyles will be getting shorter. Celebrities such as Charlize Theron will be setting the trends as 2006 hairstyles will be emphasized by no-frills, chic styles. The craze for ultra-long locks will be diminishing. This might be a big blow to the hair extension trade, but maybe not; moderately long, mid-length hair will still be popular, so you extension technicians can breathe a sigh of relief!
However, 2006 will see a big rise in the pixie look - short manageable hairstyles. Formal hairstyles will also be big; but in a much more subtle way than before. The cool, sleek ponytail (think Hillary Swank) will be a common hairstyle in 2006, along with plaits and simple knots.
Curl It, Don't Straighten It!
Curls are back. Sorry Jennifer (Aniston) but the "Friends" look is sooo last year. 2006 hair will be softly curved, or in flowing waves. Even shorter hairstyles will have a touch of romance; whether its large free-wheeling curls or tight spirals, curls are back in a big way. This will be great for those with broader faces - bouncy or wavy locks make the face look much thinner. Yep, 2006 hairstyles will be curly - but don't worry, we won't see a return to the big-hair, big-perm days of 1980's Farrah Fawcett. 2006 curls will be fun, funky and not take themselves too seriously. Natural curls will be the objective; hairstyles will have a touchable, genuine feel, with hair that does not appear over-managed. Power-curls will remain in the gym!
Bob It!
No style will typify the shorter 2006 hairstyles more than the bob, which began to make a big comeback in 2005 and will become increasingly popular. Bobs are great - a really versatile style that suits many different facial types. They are also simple to style and are perfect whether you are looking for a classic or a more modern style. Bobs have traditionally been worn mainly as a sleek, smooth style, but in 2006 watch out for funky bobs with lots of curls.
Fun and Fussy
With curls and waves making a big comeback, simplicity is out and stylists are predicting that rollers, pins and chemicals will be playing a big part in 2006 hair styling. Setting tools will also be in big demand as will all the products required to keep those curls in a healthy, manageable, but fresh-looking state. Stylists are also predicting that curls will be increasingly accentuated by hair accessories, such as hair bands, combs and barrettes.
The Ultimate Trend - Individuality
The final watchword for 2006 hairstyling will be individuality. Although hair will get shorter, mid-range and longer hair will remain popular, especially as worn by style icons such as Scarlett Johansson. Basically, anything goes! Curls and bobs will rule, but stylists will be encouraging more individualistic takes on the popular styles, rather than a "cookie cutter" look. Clients will be encouraged to experiment; expect your stylist to suggest new, custom-created looks. Celebrities will continue to set the trends, but 2006 hairstyles will be all about finding what is really best for you and - most of all - 2006 hairstyles will be about having fun.
Short, Short, Short
The one thing that all the trend watchers and experts are agreed on is that 2006 hairstyles will be getting shorter. Celebrities such as Charlize Theron will be setting the trends as 2006 hairstyles will be emphasized by no-frills, chic styles. The craze for ultra-long locks will be diminishing. This might be a big blow to the hair extension trade, but maybe not; moderately long, mid-length hair will still be popular, so you extension technicians can breathe a sigh of relief!
However, 2006 will see a big rise in the pixie look - short manageable hairstyles. Formal hairstyles will also be big; but in a much more subtle way than before. The cool, sleek ponytail (think Hillary Swank) will be a common hairstyle in 2006, along with plaits and simple knots.
Curl It, Don't Straighten It!
Curls are back. Sorry Jennifer (Aniston) but the "Friends" look is sooo last year. 2006 hair will be softly curved, or in flowing waves. Even shorter hairstyles will have a touch of romance; whether its large free-wheeling curls or tight spirals, curls are back in a big way. This will be great for those with broader faces - bouncy or wavy locks make the face look much thinner. Yep, 2006 hairstyles will be curly - but don't worry, we won't see a return to the big-hair, big-perm days of 1980's Farrah Fawcett. 2006 curls will be fun, funky and not take themselves too seriously. Natural curls will be the objective; hairstyles will have a touchable, genuine feel, with hair that does not appear over-managed. Power-curls will remain in the gym!
Bob It!
No style will typify the shorter 2006 hairstyles more than the bob, which began to make a big comeback in 2005 and will become increasingly popular. Bobs are great - a really versatile style that suits many different facial types. They are also simple to style and are perfect whether you are looking for a classic or a more modern style. Bobs have traditionally been worn mainly as a sleek, smooth style, but in 2006 watch out for funky bobs with lots of curls.
Fun and Fussy
With curls and waves making a big comeback, simplicity is out and stylists are predicting that rollers, pins and chemicals will be playing a big part in 2006 hair styling. Setting tools will also be in big demand as will all the products required to keep those curls in a healthy, manageable, but fresh-looking state. Stylists are also predicting that curls will be increasingly accentuated by hair accessories, such as hair bands, combs and barrettes.
The Ultimate Trend - Individuality
The final watchword for 2006 hairstyling will be individuality. Although hair will get shorter, mid-range and longer hair will remain popular, especially as worn by style icons such as Scarlett Johansson. Basically, anything goes! Curls and bobs will rule, but stylists will be encouraging more individualistic takes on the popular styles, rather than a "cookie cutter" look. Clients will be encouraged to experiment; expect your stylist to suggest new, custom-created looks. Celebrities will continue to set the trends, but 2006 hairstyles will be all about finding what is really best for you and - most of all - 2006 hairstyles will be about having fun.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Acne Treatment: What Is Acne, And Why Does It Hate Me?
The Not So Dirty Truth About Acne
If you're looking for an acne treatment, it's best to know where to start. What exactly is acne and why does it happen. You'll learn that the emotional toll can be worse than the potiental physical scars. Find out what you should know about prescription drugs for acne treatment. No need to panic, there's still hope and with the proper game plan and tools, you will be more than prepared to confront this nemesis.
The Basics Of Acne
There are basically four types of acne; whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules. Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skins surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin. Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skins melanin or pigmentation. In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples. And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.
Acne And Stress, Why It Happens
Lets take a look at some other popular notions about acne to dispel any other hearsays; for example, stress. Is it true that contributed stress spreads acne? Not exactly. What is true is that ultimately stress can have a very minimal or minor influence all by itself. It cannot actually cause acne, but it can influence reoccurrences of acne as stress increases the bodys creation of a substance called cortisol that in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum oil that can be blocked in pores. Note, however, that some medications people take when trying to deal with or treat stress can have a large influence on acne as the result of medication side effects.
The Emotional Toll
Acne is just on external result or surface deep; i.e. people shouldnt make such a big matter out of it, myth or reality? Myth. In reality, yes, it basically is only on your skin (and underneath the surface a little bit). Even so, the effects run much deeper than that in many instances. Any acne treatment should take into account that more than 50 percent of those suffering acne problems reported negative comments and other feedback from members of society, regardless of whether or not there was any scarring left for others to see afterwards. And ensuing internal depression and low self-esteem can be adverse emotionally not only short-term but over a persons lifespan. So acne can indeed be a very big issue involving healthcare treatment and support.
Over Prescribing Of Antibiotics
Non-rational prescribing of oral antibiotics in acne is common, and there is currently an unmet need for up-to-date guidelines that specifically address these issues. Presented here is a set of recommendations on the use of oral antibiotics in acne, developed by a group of European acne specialists, designed to be considered by dermatologists and general practitioners in their daily practice throughout Europe Recommendations cover optimal choice of antibiotic, drug doses, duration of treatment, combination treatment, and maintenance therapy.
Stop Before You Pop
People who are dealing with acne are often tempted to pick at or "pop" pimples or blackheads, either because they have a misconception that this is part of effective acne care or out of a simple desire to get rid of blemishes. If you are a parent with teenage children you will be reminded of what a toll dealing with acne can have on their lives. The most important thing to remember when dealing with acne, is not to get too stressed about it. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type.
If you're looking for an acne treatment, it's best to know where to start. What exactly is acne and why does it happen. You'll learn that the emotional toll can be worse than the potiental physical scars. Find out what you should know about prescription drugs for acne treatment. No need to panic, there's still hope and with the proper game plan and tools, you will be more than prepared to confront this nemesis.
The Basics Of Acne
There are basically four types of acne; whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules. Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skins surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin. Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skins melanin or pigmentation. In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples. And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.
Acne And Stress, Why It Happens
Lets take a look at some other popular notions about acne to dispel any other hearsays; for example, stress. Is it true that contributed stress spreads acne? Not exactly. What is true is that ultimately stress can have a very minimal or minor influence all by itself. It cannot actually cause acne, but it can influence reoccurrences of acne as stress increases the bodys creation of a substance called cortisol that in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum oil that can be blocked in pores. Note, however, that some medications people take when trying to deal with or treat stress can have a large influence on acne as the result of medication side effects.
The Emotional Toll
Acne is just on external result or surface deep; i.e. people shouldnt make such a big matter out of it, myth or reality? Myth. In reality, yes, it basically is only on your skin (and underneath the surface a little bit). Even so, the effects run much deeper than that in many instances. Any acne treatment should take into account that more than 50 percent of those suffering acne problems reported negative comments and other feedback from members of society, regardless of whether or not there was any scarring left for others to see afterwards. And ensuing internal depression and low self-esteem can be adverse emotionally not only short-term but over a persons lifespan. So acne can indeed be a very big issue involving healthcare treatment and support.
Over Prescribing Of Antibiotics
Non-rational prescribing of oral antibiotics in acne is common, and there is currently an unmet need for up-to-date guidelines that specifically address these issues. Presented here is a set of recommendations on the use of oral antibiotics in acne, developed by a group of European acne specialists, designed to be considered by dermatologists and general practitioners in their daily practice throughout Europe Recommendations cover optimal choice of antibiotic, drug doses, duration of treatment, combination treatment, and maintenance therapy.
Stop Before You Pop
People who are dealing with acne are often tempted to pick at or "pop" pimples or blackheads, either because they have a misconception that this is part of effective acne care or out of a simple desire to get rid of blemishes. If you are a parent with teenage children you will be reminded of what a toll dealing with acne can have on their lives. The most important thing to remember when dealing with acne, is not to get too stressed about it. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Breasts: Baby-feeders or Sexual Objects?
Breasts in North America are a taboo: going topless on beaches is not generally accepted, breastfeeding in public is often frowned on or seen as 'indecent exposure', women going topfree is considered shameful and immodest behavior.
On the other hand, entertainment industry and the media constantly show women wearing very scant clothing that barely covers the nipples and just draws more attention to the breasts.
Fashion swimwear covers less and less of the female body each year. Media and advertisements signal to people that breasts are sexual, and only beautiful when big and protruding. But we know big breasts is a fallacy since women in ads and movies use push-up bras and breast enlargement to artificially 'enhance' the way their breasts look like.
Just think what young girls learn about breasts if they continually see this 'propaganda' without a balancing view of the real purpose of breasts! Breasts are to be hidden, they are sexual, forbidden.
Parents teach their children the same way, and many times children don't see a single pair of naturally nude breasts apart from their own (if they are girls) while growing up. It is totally possible that a child grows up in North America and never sees a baby breastfeeding!
How many pairs of real breasts have you ever seen? For many young women, most of their knowledge about breasts comes from movies and magazines, so it is no wonder that even teenagers talk about getting breast implants, and that most American women seem to be unhappy with their breasts.
If women are obsessed about their breast size and shape to the extent of surgery, men aren't doing any better. For many men female breasts are a source of sexual inspiration, fascination and fantasy.
They get inspired from looking at pictures where they see some cleavage, where breasts are enticingly almost visible, yet hidden. The pornographic industry gets much good about the taboo-ism of female breasts by letting men see these taboo items for good money.
It is not so in Europe or in many other parts of the world. European women commonly go topless on beaches, and many European countries also have nudist beaches where people sunbath naked, yet the atmosphere is decent and non-sexual and people are at ease.
The sauna culture in some European countries makes people used to seeing nakedness, and they don't view breasts as any special thing or taboo. Primitive tribes in hot climates wear very little clothing and it's no big deal to them. It seems that North American culture is almost alone erotizicing the breasts to such an extreme.
Carolyn Latteier, the author of Breasts, The Women's Perspective on an American Obsession, said in a TV program "All about breasts, "In many cultures, breasts aren't sexual at all. I interviewed a young anthropologist working with women in Mali, in a country in Africa where women go around with bare breasts.
They're always feeding their babies. And when she told them that in our culture men are fascinated with breasts there was an instant of shock. The women burst out laughing. They laughed so hard, they fell on the floor. They said, "You mean, men act like babies?"
She also said in the same program that of the women she interviewed, the ones that were happiest with their breasts were breastfeeding women. They weren't thinking about, "Is it too small? Is it too big?" They were doing something wonderful - that which is the REAL purpose of breasts.
On the other hand, entertainment industry and the media constantly show women wearing very scant clothing that barely covers the nipples and just draws more attention to the breasts.
Fashion swimwear covers less and less of the female body each year. Media and advertisements signal to people that breasts are sexual, and only beautiful when big and protruding. But we know big breasts is a fallacy since women in ads and movies use push-up bras and breast enlargement to artificially 'enhance' the way their breasts look like.
Just think what young girls learn about breasts if they continually see this 'propaganda' without a balancing view of the real purpose of breasts! Breasts are to be hidden, they are sexual, forbidden.
Parents teach their children the same way, and many times children don't see a single pair of naturally nude breasts apart from their own (if they are girls) while growing up. It is totally possible that a child grows up in North America and never sees a baby breastfeeding!
How many pairs of real breasts have you ever seen? For many young women, most of their knowledge about breasts comes from movies and magazines, so it is no wonder that even teenagers talk about getting breast implants, and that most American women seem to be unhappy with their breasts.
If women are obsessed about their breast size and shape to the extent of surgery, men aren't doing any better. For many men female breasts are a source of sexual inspiration, fascination and fantasy.
They get inspired from looking at pictures where they see some cleavage, where breasts are enticingly almost visible, yet hidden. The pornographic industry gets much good about the taboo-ism of female breasts by letting men see these taboo items for good money.
It is not so in Europe or in many other parts of the world. European women commonly go topless on beaches, and many European countries also have nudist beaches where people sunbath naked, yet the atmosphere is decent and non-sexual and people are at ease.
The sauna culture in some European countries makes people used to seeing nakedness, and they don't view breasts as any special thing or taboo. Primitive tribes in hot climates wear very little clothing and it's no big deal to them. It seems that North American culture is almost alone erotizicing the breasts to such an extreme.
Carolyn Latteier, the author of Breasts, The Women's Perspective on an American Obsession, said in a TV program "All about breasts, "In many cultures, breasts aren't sexual at all. I interviewed a young anthropologist working with women in Mali, in a country in Africa where women go around with bare breasts.
They're always feeding their babies. And when she told them that in our culture men are fascinated with breasts there was an instant of shock. The women burst out laughing. They laughed so hard, they fell on the floor. They said, "You mean, men act like babies?"
She also said in the same program that of the women she interviewed, the ones that were happiest with their breasts were breastfeeding women. They weren't thinking about, "Is it too small? Is it too big?" They were doing something wonderful - that which is the REAL purpose of breasts.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Do Cellulite Creams and Gels Actually Work?
All women and some men even if they are apt to admit such ponderings have wondered the timeless, yet recent question about whether or not cellulite treatment gels, like Celrase, actually work. There are some things to keep in mind with regards to cellulite when answering this question. Cellulite is abnormal fatty deposits that can form on key areas around the body and can be very difficult to burn off. Yes indeed its stubborn fat that is generally filled with all sorts of toxins that can wreak havoc on the skin above. It looks like dimples, or as many refer to it as "cottage cheese"and women the globe afar abhor it on their bodies; men too, as stated above, are apt to admit it.
As time has passed and technology has provided many different angular approaches to this cosmetic dilemma, treatments far and wide have been presented to the masses that all promise to do one thing: get rid of cellulite. But ask most people and they will happily tell you that a vast majority of these cellulite treatments are indeed costly, have minimal effects and can be nearly impossible to maintain. Treatments like surgery or injections can be painful and have a concoction of side effects that can occur, some dangerous, others mild. And nobody is fond of getting shots or recovering from surgery.
In enters cellulite treatment gels and creams which have had an array of speculation since they first hit the store shelves. They generally do not have to be prescribed by a doctor, making them more easily acquirable and typically more affordable, placing them into reach for many who would desire the affects of such cellulite treatments that are available over-the-counter. So the next question posed is do cellulite creams like Celrase actually work to cut and burn fat?
Taking a look at the popular cellulite cream, Celrase, there are some distinct ingredients that it offers which have been backed by clinical proof to eliminate fat and cellulite. A key ingredient, Adiposlim, causes a greater lipolysis, which can reduce the production of fat cells in problem areas and helps to burn free fatty acids. And it uses another key ingredient, Adipoless, which combats cellulite and reduces the overall production of fat. Combine this with several moisturizers like Chenopodium Quinoa Seed extract and Squalane, and you have the necessary elements to revitalize the areas of the skin damaged by cellulite toxins surfacing.
According to their website, www.celrase.com, it takes about one to three months of twice daily applications to see true results. So at about fifty dollars US per bottle, women may be able to get rid of cellulite for fewer than two hundred dollars and in less than four months. When compared to other alternatives like surgery or needles, it seems like a cellulite cream such as Celrase is the affordable answer to cellulite treatment that millions have been avidly seeking.
As time has passed and technology has provided many different angular approaches to this cosmetic dilemma, treatments far and wide have been presented to the masses that all promise to do one thing: get rid of cellulite. But ask most people and they will happily tell you that a vast majority of these cellulite treatments are indeed costly, have minimal effects and can be nearly impossible to maintain. Treatments like surgery or injections can be painful and have a concoction of side effects that can occur, some dangerous, others mild. And nobody is fond of getting shots or recovering from surgery.
In enters cellulite treatment gels and creams which have had an array of speculation since they first hit the store shelves. They generally do not have to be prescribed by a doctor, making them more easily acquirable and typically more affordable, placing them into reach for many who would desire the affects of such cellulite treatments that are available over-the-counter. So the next question posed is do cellulite creams like Celrase actually work to cut and burn fat?
Taking a look at the popular cellulite cream, Celrase, there are some distinct ingredients that it offers which have been backed by clinical proof to eliminate fat and cellulite. A key ingredient, Adiposlim, causes a greater lipolysis, which can reduce the production of fat cells in problem areas and helps to burn free fatty acids. And it uses another key ingredient, Adipoless, which combats cellulite and reduces the overall production of fat. Combine this with several moisturizers like Chenopodium Quinoa Seed extract and Squalane, and you have the necessary elements to revitalize the areas of the skin damaged by cellulite toxins surfacing.
According to their website, www.celrase.com, it takes about one to three months of twice daily applications to see true results. So at about fifty dollars US per bottle, women may be able to get rid of cellulite for fewer than two hundred dollars and in less than four months. When compared to other alternatives like surgery or needles, it seems like a cellulite cream such as Celrase is the affordable answer to cellulite treatment that millions have been avidly seeking.
Monday, 15 June 2009
How to play makeover games
So how to play makeover games ?
It is very simple and easy to play makeover games. From the menu, option the catalog “makeover games” and a list of makeover games appears and then choose a game you like. The character in the games may be a lovely doll, a pretty girl or a cute Barbie. Your mission is to make her more beautiful and lovely.
First, make up the face. Here, you need to select the hairstyle, the color of lip, eye color, eye shadow, brush the cheek ( to try again, simply click on another color).…. and jewelries you like by clicking the mouse into them.
Secondly, select the clothes. Try on all the clothes and you will find the most suitable dress for your model.
Then, choose the shoes to match with the dress you have chosen.
As a result, you have finished the game and your character looks seductive and effortlessly chic. It is so simple and easy, isn’t it?
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and get beautiful with makeover games!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Top Fashion Tips 2007
The word Fashion derives from the Latin word facere, which means to make. Fashion, as we all know, is associated with clothes, because it can also apply to almost anything from interior decorations to the clothes on models and toys. Fashion as we see it today is normally associated with trends, textile and garments. Textile refers to made clothes, and clothes consume great amounts of materials.
The prominent types of materials used to make clothes are manmade fibers, cotton, silks and synthetics. Today silks are the highly demanded and recommended fibers. Silk is well-known for the production of priceless textiles that offer the finest quality. It has undoubtedly carved a name for itself in the Fashion world all over the world.
Designing fashion is the art applied and is dedicated to designing clothes, especially accessories for the lifestyle of people created within the social influences of a certain time in life. Designing fashion is very different from designing clothing. When designing fashion you have to go with the seasons, and these are defined as spring/summer or autumn/winter. Designing of fashion was considered to have showed its face in the mid 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth. Worth was the first person known who sewed a label inside the garment that was created by them.
The clothing articles from any given time period are studied as costume design by academics, but only the items created by Worth were considered fashion. Most fashion designers today are self-employed and design only for individual consumers. Other designers cater for high-fashion specialty stores and/or department stores. Brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein both have a brand name. These designers are likely to consist of a team of designers who work under the direction of the director in charge of the specific name.
Here are some of the top fashion tips for 2007, and maybe this year round you will become noticed the next time you walk down to the beach. This is called Superwedges. With this you will have more glam than ever. You can simply use an instant leg-lengthener and team this up with micro-shorts. If you have the legs for this one, then the Nano-mini is just for you. Flaunt your legs, flash your thighs and cover the chest. Next! For the feet, try Plat-heels. Platforms, as high as 6-inches, will make your legs seem never-ending! For some jewelry, try jewels and studs.
Anything from little Rhinestones to oversized crystals will do the trick. A simple outfit and just allow your shoes and bag to do the talking for you! Hair bands are here to stay! Whether thick or thin or bright and feminine, with beads or just stretchy material these are going nowhere! Try going Logo mad! Pick an item of clothing and become a logo maniac! The maxi dress could only remind you of Paris Hilton when she decides to feel all feminine and chic. Try a long cotton dress and add some bright swirls to your hair. That should do the trick!
The prominent types of materials used to make clothes are manmade fibers, cotton, silks and synthetics. Today silks are the highly demanded and recommended fibers. Silk is well-known for the production of priceless textiles that offer the finest quality. It has undoubtedly carved a name for itself in the Fashion world all over the world.
Designing fashion is the art applied and is dedicated to designing clothes, especially accessories for the lifestyle of people created within the social influences of a certain time in life. Designing fashion is very different from designing clothing. When designing fashion you have to go with the seasons, and these are defined as spring/summer or autumn/winter. Designing of fashion was considered to have showed its face in the mid 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth. Worth was the first person known who sewed a label inside the garment that was created by them.
The clothing articles from any given time period are studied as costume design by academics, but only the items created by Worth were considered fashion. Most fashion designers today are self-employed and design only for individual consumers. Other designers cater for high-fashion specialty stores and/or department stores. Brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein both have a brand name. These designers are likely to consist of a team of designers who work under the direction of the director in charge of the specific name.
Here are some of the top fashion tips for 2007, and maybe this year round you will become noticed the next time you walk down to the beach. This is called Superwedges. With this you will have more glam than ever. You can simply use an instant leg-lengthener and team this up with micro-shorts. If you have the legs for this one, then the Nano-mini is just for you. Flaunt your legs, flash your thighs and cover the chest. Next! For the feet, try Plat-heels. Platforms, as high as 6-inches, will make your legs seem never-ending! For some jewelry, try jewels and studs.
Anything from little Rhinestones to oversized crystals will do the trick. A simple outfit and just allow your shoes and bag to do the talking for you! Hair bands are here to stay! Whether thick or thin or bright and feminine, with beads or just stretchy material these are going nowhere! Try going Logo mad! Pick an item of clothing and become a logo maniac! The maxi dress could only remind you of Paris Hilton when she decides to feel all feminine and chic. Try a long cotton dress and add some bright swirls to your hair. That should do the trick!
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Loire Valley Castles - Six That You Must See
The Val de Loire is a majestic region awarded world heritage listing because of its amazing chateaux.The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests constructed their these incredible Loire Valley castles. They surrounded themselves with the greatest architects and artiests of this era.
This is the country of a thousand castles. Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A huge percentage of them run son-et-lumiere spectacles during the summer season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are incredibly popular.
Chateau du Clos Luce
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last fewyears of his life. You can visit his salons, study, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the garden of the chateau with giant models sponsored by IBM of some of the most spectacular machines he invented together with voice-overs.
Chateau du Chaumont
Chateau du Chaumont is located on the bank of the Loire River about twenty minutes west of Blois originated in the 11th century
In 1560, the chateau became the property of Catherine de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau from her husband's favourite, Diane de Poitiers. She was forced to accept the Chateau de Chaumont in exchange for her beloved Chenonceau.
Each year from April to October, the chateau holds an international garden event covering a different theme. Last year it was play. In 2007 the theme is going to be mobility.
Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more beautiful chateaux of the Loire with elegant arches and turrets, and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's beauty is reflected in the waters of the River Cher.
Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women. Catherine de Briconnet was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the chateau to Henri II's mistress, Diane de Poiters who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the chateau as you approach it, and for building a bridge across the River Cher. Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of the castle to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in exchange. Not exactly a fair swap! Catherine de Medici constructed the gallery over the bridge. Later the chateau was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. She painted the ceiling of her bedroom black and white out of respect for her late husband.
Chateau de Cheverney
Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly furnished of all the Loire Valley Chateaux. Built between 1604 and 1634 very little has changed. The present owner is a direct descendant of the original owners. The 1640s interior decoration is among the finest of its kind. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather clock.
Tintin fans will note that Herge based the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. There is a Tintin exhibition directly opposite the chateau. In world war 2 the 18th century Orangerie served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa.
Chateau de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its grand scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration (Henry James). It combined the dream and ego of King Francois I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace
The Loire Valley is a beautiful region and a great destination. Remember you do not have to be satisfied just visiting castles, you can actually stay in a castle. Many are now converted to hotels and chambre d'hotes (bed and breakfast establishments).
This is the country of a thousand castles. Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A huge percentage of them run son-et-lumiere spectacles during the summer season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are incredibly popular.
Chateau du Clos Luce
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last fewyears of his life. You can visit his salons, study, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the garden of the chateau with giant models sponsored by IBM of some of the most spectacular machines he invented together with voice-overs.
Chateau du Chaumont
Chateau du Chaumont is located on the bank of the Loire River about twenty minutes west of Blois originated in the 11th century
In 1560, the chateau became the property of Catherine de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau from her husband's favourite, Diane de Poitiers. She was forced to accept the Chateau de Chaumont in exchange for her beloved Chenonceau.
Each year from April to October, the chateau holds an international garden event covering a different theme. Last year it was play. In 2007 the theme is going to be mobility.
Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more beautiful chateaux of the Loire with elegant arches and turrets, and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's beauty is reflected in the waters of the River Cher.
Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women. Catherine de Briconnet was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the chateau to Henri II's mistress, Diane de Poiters who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the chateau as you approach it, and for building a bridge across the River Cher. Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of the castle to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in exchange. Not exactly a fair swap! Catherine de Medici constructed the gallery over the bridge. Later the chateau was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. She painted the ceiling of her bedroom black and white out of respect for her late husband.
Chateau de Cheverney
Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly furnished of all the Loire Valley Chateaux. Built between 1604 and 1634 very little has changed. The present owner is a direct descendant of the original owners. The 1640s interior decoration is among the finest of its kind. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather clock.
Tintin fans will note that Herge based the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. There is a Tintin exhibition directly opposite the chateau. In world war 2 the 18th century Orangerie served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa.
Chateau de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its grand scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration (Henry James). It combined the dream and ego of King Francois I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace
The Loire Valley is a beautiful region and a great destination. Remember you do not have to be satisfied just visiting castles, you can actually stay in a castle. Many are now converted to hotels and chambre d'hotes (bed and breakfast establishments).
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Non-Selection Of Angkor Wat Undermines Credibility Of New Seven Wonders Of The World
I am saddened to announce that Angkor Wat did not make the new "Seven Wonders of the World" as determined by Bernard Weber's online campaign.
Just like previous attempts to name the world's seven wonders, this one is seriously flawed and arbitrary. The new method is based on electronic votes casted through the internet and cell phone text messages.
The New Seven Wonders were announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal at a celebrity-studded ceremony televised in more than 170 countries to an estimated 1.6 billion viewers. The winners are:
* The Great Wall of China * India's Taj Mahal * Jordan's ancient city of Petra * Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru * Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer * Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid * Italy's Colosseum
Of these, only the Great Wall, which stretches over 4,000 miles and is the only man-made structure visible from space, clearly belongs on the list.
Since many of the 100 million votes came from Latin America, it's hardly surprising that Machu Picchu of Peru, Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and Mexico's Chichen Itza made the list.
However, it is hard to conceive how any of these sites could top Angkor Wat in a fair and objective selection process. For instance, Brazil's 100-foot Christ the Redeemer statue is only 75 years old and took just 10 years to erect. By contrast, Angkor Wat, the largest religious temple in the world, is more than 800 years old and covers more than 200 acres of ground.
The voting allowed one free vote to registered members and charged a fee for additional votes. In Brazil, there was a campaign Vote no Cristo (Vote for the Christ) which had the support of the country's telecommunications firms to allow Brazilians to cast text message votes at no charge. The "Vote for Christ" slogan, which can be seen on bumper stickers throughout North America, seems to call on people to vote on their religious faith rather than the statue's architectural merits. If you're Christian, I think you'd be hard pressed not to vote for Christ.
Previous attempts to name the Seven Wonders had favored Greco-Roman structures. The Great Pyramids of Giza was withdrawn from the voting but was honored anyway as "Honorary Candidate" to placate the Egyptians' indignation that their site should be included automatically rather than having to be voted on. As if the vote's credibility isn't already undermined by its own dubious methodology and outcome, there are actually eight wonders on the list of seven, counting the Great Pyramids' special honorary status.
Perhaps we Cambodians should demand a similar special honor for Angkor Wat as well because it clearly dwarfs many of the current selections in size, splendor and architectural sophistication. After all, if there are already eight "wonders" on the list of seven, what's wrong with having nine, ten, or even twenty?
I've had some misgivings about the voting from the beginning because Cambodia has a population of just 14 million, compared to 522 million in Latin America and over a billion each in China and India. Moreover, internet access is quite limited and expensive in Cambodia. For instance, unlimited broadband access costs almost $900 a month, not a trivial amount by any standards, but an astronomical figure in a country whose per capita income is less than $400 a year. Internet usage is largely restricted to foreigners and English-speaking Cambodians at internet cafes charging users hourly fees.
Despite Cambodia's small population and highly limited internet access, I figured that Angkor Wat would have no problem making the Seven Wonders list given the sheer number of Asian tourists who visit Angkor each year. As it turned out, while the world's two most populous countries, China and India, each had their sites, the Great Wall and Taj Mahal, respectively, selected, Asians tended not to vote as a unified bloc.
While the selection of the "New Seven Wonders" is trivial and worthless from a scientific standpoint, the huge sensationalism that surrounds this preposterous undertaking could lead to serious and far-reaching consequences. Cambodia, an impoverished country still reeling from decades of civil war and genocide, relies heavily on tourism revenues for its recovery. Apart from being an insult to Cambodians everywhere, the marginalization of Angkor could eat away at the desperately needed dollars generated by cultural tourism to the country.
Although the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the world body responsible for overseeing the restoration of World Heritage sites, has vehemently dismissed the Swiss-born Bernard Weber project and said it would reflect "only the opinions of those with access to the internet," the massive fanfare created by the campaign could lead to public confusion about who the true Seven Wonders of the World are, leading to deleterious reallocation of restoration funds from truly deserving sites to less deserving ones.
If there is such a thing as the Eighth Wonder of the World, it would not be Angkor Wat, but the mere fact that this magnificent monument was not selected among the Seven Wonders. Anyone who has visited Angkor Wat can attest to its grandeur, sublime beauty and architectural splendor. In fact, Angkor Wat is just one of the many temples in an archaeological area stretching over some 400 sq. km. The complex, collectively known as "Angkor" (which means "city" in Khmer), is home to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, many other magnificent remains of the once-mighty Khmer Empire which ruled from the 9th to the 15th century. Although Angkor Wat is the largest and most beautiful of them all, Angkor Thom and Bayon could have easily been nominated for the Seven Wonders as well.
But don't take my word for it-- go visit Angkor and judge for yourself whether or not Angkor Wat belongs to the World's Seven Wonders list.
Just like previous attempts to name the world's seven wonders, this one is seriously flawed and arbitrary. The new method is based on electronic votes casted through the internet and cell phone text messages.
The New Seven Wonders were announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal at a celebrity-studded ceremony televised in more than 170 countries to an estimated 1.6 billion viewers. The winners are:
* The Great Wall of China * India's Taj Mahal * Jordan's ancient city of Petra * Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru * Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer * Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid * Italy's Colosseum
Of these, only the Great Wall, which stretches over 4,000 miles and is the only man-made structure visible from space, clearly belongs on the list.
Since many of the 100 million votes came from Latin America, it's hardly surprising that Machu Picchu of Peru, Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer, and Mexico's Chichen Itza made the list.
However, it is hard to conceive how any of these sites could top Angkor Wat in a fair and objective selection process. For instance, Brazil's 100-foot Christ the Redeemer statue is only 75 years old and took just 10 years to erect. By contrast, Angkor Wat, the largest religious temple in the world, is more than 800 years old and covers more than 200 acres of ground.
The voting allowed one free vote to registered members and charged a fee for additional votes. In Brazil, there was a campaign Vote no Cristo (Vote for the Christ) which had the support of the country's telecommunications firms to allow Brazilians to cast text message votes at no charge. The "Vote for Christ" slogan, which can be seen on bumper stickers throughout North America, seems to call on people to vote on their religious faith rather than the statue's architectural merits. If you're Christian, I think you'd be hard pressed not to vote for Christ.
Previous attempts to name the Seven Wonders had favored Greco-Roman structures. The Great Pyramids of Giza was withdrawn from the voting but was honored anyway as "Honorary Candidate" to placate the Egyptians' indignation that their site should be included automatically rather than having to be voted on. As if the vote's credibility isn't already undermined by its own dubious methodology and outcome, there are actually eight wonders on the list of seven, counting the Great Pyramids' special honorary status.
Perhaps we Cambodians should demand a similar special honor for Angkor Wat as well because it clearly dwarfs many of the current selections in size, splendor and architectural sophistication. After all, if there are already eight "wonders" on the list of seven, what's wrong with having nine, ten, or even twenty?
I've had some misgivings about the voting from the beginning because Cambodia has a population of just 14 million, compared to 522 million in Latin America and over a billion each in China and India. Moreover, internet access is quite limited and expensive in Cambodia. For instance, unlimited broadband access costs almost $900 a month, not a trivial amount by any standards, but an astronomical figure in a country whose per capita income is less than $400 a year. Internet usage is largely restricted to foreigners and English-speaking Cambodians at internet cafes charging users hourly fees.
Despite Cambodia's small population and highly limited internet access, I figured that Angkor Wat would have no problem making the Seven Wonders list given the sheer number of Asian tourists who visit Angkor each year. As it turned out, while the world's two most populous countries, China and India, each had their sites, the Great Wall and Taj Mahal, respectively, selected, Asians tended not to vote as a unified bloc.
While the selection of the "New Seven Wonders" is trivial and worthless from a scientific standpoint, the huge sensationalism that surrounds this preposterous undertaking could lead to serious and far-reaching consequences. Cambodia, an impoverished country still reeling from decades of civil war and genocide, relies heavily on tourism revenues for its recovery. Apart from being an insult to Cambodians everywhere, the marginalization of Angkor could eat away at the desperately needed dollars generated by cultural tourism to the country.
Although the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the world body responsible for overseeing the restoration of World Heritage sites, has vehemently dismissed the Swiss-born Bernard Weber project and said it would reflect "only the opinions of those with access to the internet," the massive fanfare created by the campaign could lead to public confusion about who the true Seven Wonders of the World are, leading to deleterious reallocation of restoration funds from truly deserving sites to less deserving ones.
If there is such a thing as the Eighth Wonder of the World, it would not be Angkor Wat, but the mere fact that this magnificent monument was not selected among the Seven Wonders. Anyone who has visited Angkor Wat can attest to its grandeur, sublime beauty and architectural splendor. In fact, Angkor Wat is just one of the many temples in an archaeological area stretching over some 400 sq. km. The complex, collectively known as "Angkor" (which means "city" in Khmer), is home to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, many other magnificent remains of the once-mighty Khmer Empire which ruled from the 9th to the 15th century. Although Angkor Wat is the largest and most beautiful of them all, Angkor Thom and Bayon could have easily been nominated for the Seven Wonders as well.
But don't take my word for it-- go visit Angkor and judge for yourself whether or not Angkor Wat belongs to the World's Seven Wonders list.
Some Of The Features That You Need To Look For In A Good Fitting Sandal
Sandals have been around for a long time and are probably one of the oldest types of footwear in existence. Sandals do not apply to a particular class of people; in ancient times slaves as well as kings wore them equally. The sandal is still a popular choice in the footwear industry but a lot of people do not have the knowledge needed to choose sandals that fit properly. It is easy to tell if regular shoes fir properly because they are enclosed and you can feel how far you toe is from the end of the shoe. The proper fit of a pair of sandals can be a little harder to determine.
Sandals come a great variety of styles and looks just like other types of footwear some are best for the beach and some may even be made specifically for a certain sport such as hiking or even beach volleyball. It is essential that you take the time to make sure that the sandals you choose fit well so that you will be comfortable and not harm your feet.
As with other footwear you should first look for support in sandals. The arch of your foot is very important and needs to be protected when wearing sandals just as when you are wearing regular closed shoes. Find a shoe that will support the arch properly because this is what helps you walk in the most efficient manner possible and maintain your posture.
With sandals the sole should be a little larger than the actual size of your foot so that your toes or heel do not hang over the sides. Many sandals will have a form fitting sole and in order for this to occur as it should you will want to be sure that there is enough room for this process to occur.
You should also choose a think sole for a pair sandals since that is the only thing that is coming between you and the pounding pavement. You look for this in other shoes and sandals are no different. It is the sole of the shoe that absorbs the energy from the pounding of your feet on the ground.
So let's wrap it up. Always be concerned with making sure you have the right arch support so that your feet will be as healthy as possible and not tire easily. Be sure that the sole is oversized a bit so that your feet have room to mold them and be sure that the sole is thick to absorb the shock of repeated footstrikes.
Sandals come a great variety of styles and looks just like other types of footwear some are best for the beach and some may even be made specifically for a certain sport such as hiking or even beach volleyball. It is essential that you take the time to make sure that the sandals you choose fit well so that you will be comfortable and not harm your feet.
As with other footwear you should first look for support in sandals. The arch of your foot is very important and needs to be protected when wearing sandals just as when you are wearing regular closed shoes. Find a shoe that will support the arch properly because this is what helps you walk in the most efficient manner possible and maintain your posture.
With sandals the sole should be a little larger than the actual size of your foot so that your toes or heel do not hang over the sides. Many sandals will have a form fitting sole and in order for this to occur as it should you will want to be sure that there is enough room for this process to occur.
You should also choose a think sole for a pair sandals since that is the only thing that is coming between you and the pounding pavement. You look for this in other shoes and sandals are no different. It is the sole of the shoe that absorbs the energy from the pounding of your feet on the ground.
So let's wrap it up. Always be concerned with making sure you have the right arch support so that your feet will be as healthy as possible and not tire easily. Be sure that the sole is oversized a bit so that your feet have room to mold them and be sure that the sole is thick to absorb the shock of repeated footstrikes.
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