Phillips Steam Generator

How a Steam Generator Saved My Marriage

I never thought that I would be so pleased to own a piece of equipment like a steam generator. I mean when you are growing up, all the talk would have been of cars, sports and girls (in no particular order). How a grown man can get so excited about a steam iron needs some explaining.

I have the good fortune to work for myself and to work from home. Part of the deal is that my wife goes out to work, so I do some of the household chores, one of which is the joyful task of ironing.

Let's get one thing clear; I am not a natural ironer. Trying to smooth wrinkles in clothing is not something that I was cut out to do. I am sure that there are techniques I could employ that would help, but it is all a massive learning curve for me.

Removing wrinkles is not the big problem though. My biggest area of concern is with some of the wimpy materials that clothes are made out of these days. The first time I had a problem, I have to say, it was not my fault. I started on a safe pair of jeans, just to check the temperature, and all was well. So, I tried a delicate piece of clothing, and it melted! Sparks started to come out of the iron, so something was amiss, but excuses do not travel far in out house.

Forewarned is forearmed, as I went to work with the next batch or ironing, with a brand new steam iron. It worked great, apart from the fact that I had to keep running to the tap to fill it up. Well, it didn't need filling every five minutes, but often enough to be irritating. The other problem is that non union members of my family also use the iron, and change the settings, without setting them back. Okay, I know I should check before I start, but I forgot. Another piece of delicate clothing bites the dust, and I didn't really have a credible excuse. This ironing business is a costly endeavour!

The big breakthrough cam in the guise of a Phillips Stem Generator. A huge tank of water supplies a constant supply of steam that lasts long enough to deal with a slow poke like me doing the ironing. And because there is so much steam, it actually makes ironing quicker and easier, which is a great boon to me. It also means that even the most delicate of clothes are safe from an ironing clodhopper like me!

Here is an advert for the Phillps Steam Iron, which I have discovered on YouTube. It is not in English, but actions speak louder than words!

Cuisinart DCC 1200

The Secret Of Top Coffee With A Cuisinart DCC 1200

When I first got my Cuisinart DCC 1200, I thought that was it. I seems that, from then on, I would be able to brew the perfect cup of filter coffee without any effort at all. My coffee maker, after all, would be able to handle the details. All I would have to do was to supply coffee. For several months, I was pretty happy with the way it worked. I was get a pretty good cup of coffee, but it was never quite right. I didn't even notice for a while, to tell you the truth, until I went over to a friends house to have a cup of his.

We had the same automatic coffee makers, but the cups that they brewed were quite different. Part of it had to do with the coffee that we put in to it. His was a slightly higher grade blend, so I assumed that was the difference. I asked him what kind of coffee he was using, and he told me. I went out and bought it the next day, excited to try it. I put it in my machine, and waited for the magic to happen. It was good, but it was not as good as the coffee I had over at my friend's house. I couldn't work out it was that I was doing differently, that changed the result. It felt like my automatic coffee maker had failed me.

I didn't want to ask him what his secret was, though with hindsight, perhaps I should have done. It seemed like I had failed if I couldn't figure out how to use a Cuisinart DCC 1200 on my own. I experimented with different settings on the machine. I adjusted the drip, the warmers settings and the water temperature. I even tried adding additional ingredients to try and improve the flavor. Nothing seemed to work at all. The coffee maker still didn't make the same perfect cup I had at my friend's house.

Finally, in frustration, I asked him what it was that he did differently. He told me. It was quite simple really, and I wished that I had asked earlier and saved myself the frustration. He roasted his own coffee. That was all there was to it. No matter whether you are using an antique coffee maker or an automatic one, fresh roasted coffee always tastes better. When he explained it, I decided to roast my own. It really is great when you prepare it yourself!

Here is a video that demonstrates the Cuisinart DCC 1200 at work.

Smoothie Recipes

Killer Smoothie Recipes For All Occasions With A Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blender

Many people who want to improve their health, fail to do so because one of the most difficult things to overcome is the thought that healthy is boring, especially where food is concerned. Because of that, lots of people give up before they have started.

Well, with a little bit of imagination, we can find ourselves in a whole new world where health is improved and the taste buds tickled at the same time.Good smoothie recipes are good for breakfast, lunch or even as a midnight snack. All you need is a Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blender, some fresh ingredients and you are good to go.

Breakfast smoothie recipes start you off deliciously and nutritiously. We all know fruit and yogurt are healthy, but can be a bit dull first thing in the morning, whereas the smoothie is an entirely different experience. With the looks of a milkshake and a sensational and refreshing fruit taste, you've got a breakfast worth drinking! It's full of vitamins, fills you up, is quick to fix and is low in calories.

Almost any fruit goes well in smoothie recipes, regardless of the time of day. Oranges, kiwi fruit, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries and banana are all excellent for the fruit component. You can mix several fruits in the same recipe. Why not try experimenting and see what your family prefers.

If your favorite fruit is not in season, use a package of frozen fruit with its syrup. The syrup adds a few calories, but look at it this way. It's a complete meal. You won't be hungry until lunch. The nutritional value far outweighs the extra calorie count. Alternatively, use the new fruits that come in jars with Splenda( as the sweetener in the juice.

Fruit juices add flavor and can help thicken the drink, depending on the juice. Survey the juice aisle at the grocery and load up your cart.

Flavored yogurts and ones with real fruit at the bottom add even more flavor and substance. Pina colada yogurt, for example, goes great with tropical fruits.

Smoothie recipes allow you to adhere to your dietary restrictions too. For example, if you're lactose intolerant, you can substitute soy milk or use a 2% fat acidophilus milk. Soy milk is a powerhouse of nutrients and comes in several flavors as well as an unsweetened form, so whichever way you cut the cake, you can find a way to make some delicious drinks for all the family.

Now for some special flavor additions. A tablespoon or two of Torani( syrup in a flavor complimentary to your smoothie recipe ingredients can make a great smoothie magnificent. Toss in some shredded coconut or tahini paste for an exotic taste treat. A small scoop of quality ice cream never hurts either. Just try out some different combinations with your Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blender and you could surprise yourself.

Having just one smoothie each day can fulfill many of your New Year's resolution objectives. These generic smoothie recipes guarantee better nutrition, more energy and a leaner, trimmer and healthier you!

Here is a video that might be useful for Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blender users, when it comes to removing some parts.