Monday 1 March 2010

Back To Basics Cocoa Latte

What's in your cup this morning? Oh come on; I know you must be enjoying some sort of caffeinated beverage. We all do come sunrise. Well, at least most of us anyway. If you're not sipping on a cup of green tea, you're likely enjoying a cup of joe. Coffee is where it's at! Our great nation, along with most of God's green earth, can't get enough of the stuff. We demand fine java and we demand it daily. Maybe even up to three or four times. But, it's all good! There is plenty of freshly roasted coffee to go around. From the vast selection in the local grocery stores to the endless coffee wholesale on the World-Wide-Web. If you truly want an awesome cup of java, you won't have to search very far. Back to basics cocoa latte image

So it's clear to us all that coffee houses are now a dime a dozen. Take a glance down the street, either way, and you'll probably spot a Starbuck's, or Joe's Coffee Hut. There's plenty of room for the big guys and the little guys. However, let's take a moment to recap their beverage quality. How would you rate your local coffee dives? Is there java the best you've ever tried or simply convenient? Now consider the fact that they're getting their coffee wholesale price. You're certainly not. In fact, they've likely got you forking out 4 bucks for a single latte. That's kind of like highway robbery! Why not just purchase your own coffee wholesale beans and an espresso machine for your kitchen? I did this and now enjoy some of the best coffee on the planet when ever I please, morning or night.

There are oodles of espresso machines on the market to choose from. Consider what you would like yours to do for you. You can pay anywhere from 50 to 5000 dollars for one. But I will say that you can find a few that do it all for around 500 bucks. Now we all know that this machine would pay itself off in no time flat. You already spend a good 20 bucks a week on java as it is. And the worst part is that the coffee isn't even the best you could afford. You could acquire gourmet coffee wholesale online for a low cost. In no time you'll be enjoying your own custom lattes served up just the way you prefer.

Another possibility is the Back To Basics Cocoa Latte. This machine is easy to use and simple to clean, yet would grace most kitchens. There is no doubt that if you want a hot drink served perfectly, and you don't have an Italian Cafe within 100 miles of you, then you can serve them up in your own kitchen.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

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.Phillips Steam Generator image

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!

Wednesday 3 February 2010

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.Cuisineart DCC 1200 image

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.

Monday 1 February 2010

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.Kitchenaid high speed blender image

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.

Sunday 24 January 2010

Toaster Oven Black Decker

How To Get a Bun In The Oven Without Your Wife's Help

Did that catch your attention?

Sadly, it is not what you think, or maybe it is, depending on your psychological profile. The real thrust of this piece is the toaster oven, and in particular the offerings from Black & Decker.oven toaster black decker

Once upon a time, it was the role of some men to make some toast in the morning. When I was young, before old fashioned toasters were born, it was to place the slice of bread under the grill, and woe betide you if you forgot about it for a nanosecond.

Before the toaster oven Black Decker (doesn't that sound like a sandwich), was but a twinkle in Mr Black or Mr Decker's eye, the conventional toaster was born. Even I would struggle to burn toast in one of those, unless you were criminally foolish (or just liked burnt toast). My main gripe with them was the nuclear powered springs in some of them that could launch toast and decapitate in the blink of an eye.

My memory of the first batch was that they were quite small; single toasters in fact. Feeding a family breakfast took all day. This included hospital runs for those hit in the head with jet propelled toast. More recent adventures into the toasting market meant that 4 slice toasters were the norm, families could be fed in next to no time, and casualties were kept to a bare minimum.

And then came nirvana, from Black & Decker.

The modern wave of tasting prowess comes in the shape of oven toasters. These little kitchen utilities can actually be considered to be second ovens. Many's the time that the conventional oven gets used for more minor cooking or warming, which is a waste of energy. Oven toasters can toast, broil, bake or warm, in the sort of quantities that seems so wasteful in a large oven.

And yes, even a man can have a bun in the oven with a Black and Decker toaster oven!

Here is a short video that will give you some idea of how this toaster oven might help you.

Thursday 21 January 2010

Jack Power Juicers Come To Your Health Rescue!

Jack Power Juicers - The New Age In Healthy Drinks

Are you considering going on a juice fast? If so, it's a good idea of make juice yourself from a variety of fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. The whole purpose of a juice fast is to cleanse your body, so that's why organic produce is preferable and fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables are far better than canned or bottled juices, which have lost most of their nutrients through the processing. So, if you're going to be making your own juice, you'll need to pick out a good juicer.

The Jack Power Juicer is highly recommended by people who know the ropes of fasting. They produce a number of models, so that a solution is available to suit all pockets. A Jack Power Juicer juicer or any other quality juicer can cost around 100 dollars, but if you think of the thousands of dollars in medical bills you can probably save down the road, 100 dollars doesn't seem like much. It's an investment. If you buy online, then you can make more savings as well, because Internet merchants do not carry the same level of overhead as conventional stores and can therefore keep their prices more competitive.


Here is a short video of one of the Jack Power Juicers in action.


The Jack Power Juicer, or juice extractor, is manufactured by Jack LaLanne, a highly respected company, known for making quality blenders found in many an American kitchen. One model is called the Power Juicer Deluxe. It has a powerful but quiet motor, which is an induction-type motor that has no brushes that can wear out, and it requires no lubrication or maintenance. The juicer converts both fruits and vegetables into pulp-free juice with commercial quality stainless steel blades that have a floating action, distributing the pulp more evenly and reducing wear and tear. It disassembles easily for dishwasher safe cleaning and comes with a lifetime motor warranty.

The Jack Power Juicer is a high yield juicer and provides up 30 percent more juice than some rival juicers. The pulp is collected in a large capacity collector, which is easy to clean. The juicer is very efficient and gives a high yield of juice for the raw materials that it uses. Its stainless steel blades cut through fruits and vegetable very easily and quickly too.

Fresh juice should be consumed as soon as possible after being extracted because the very beneficial enzymes in the juice begin to break down as soon as it's extracted. And the fresh enzymes in fresh fruit are part of what make it so good for the human body.