Author : Ki Gray

As many Austinites relish living a healthy lifestyle, it’s no surprise that Farmers Markets are a hit in the city The markets bring fresh foods from locally grown areas to those looking for an alternative to the goods found in the neighborhood grocery store

Though many cities don’t have a farmers market, Austin has had up to five at one time, with the Austin Farmers Market being one of the most popular Located both in the center of town, at 4th and Guadalupe, and also north-central in Triangle Park, the Austin Farmers Market supports local farms, ranches, dairies and nurseries within a 150 mile radius The central location is open every Saturday and the north location is open Wednesdays year round, rain or shine

The Austin Farmers Market is a Grower’s Only market, meaning vendors sell only items that they grow, and nothing that has been imported in any way

The Austin Farmers Market began, and is still run, as a project of the local non profit group called the Sustainable Food Center in 2003 With roots dating back to 1975, the Sustainable Food Center was created to create a Food Secure community by improving access to local, healthy, and affordable food for children and adults in Central Texas

Not only do they donate produce to local area food banks, and teach gardening practices to the public, but by running the Austin Farmers Market in the middle of town, they also make freshly grown produce accessible to low-income residents

Now celebrating their 10th year, the Sunset Valley Farmers Market is also held every Saturday, at Toney Burger Center in South Austin, and was recently voted as the Best Farmers Market in the 2007 Austin Chronicle Readers Poll 75% of the produced sold is grown organically or sustainably, and free of pesticides and fertilizers; participants boast some produce is picked just hours before it is purchased

Alongside the fresh produce brought in from local vendors, the farmers markets can entertain and educate, by putting on chef’s demos, providing children’s activities, and having local musicians perform Also local artisans are invited to sell their wares, and many farmers bring prepared foods, such as jams, salsas, and empanadas, using their own ingredients

Though many farms bring their goods in from Austin’s surrounding areas, Boggy Creek Farm is possibly the closest, in the heart of East Austin, just off Pleasant Valley Road

Now surrounded by subdivisions, schools, and commercial areas that were all once part of the farm, Boggy Creek Farm sits on 5 acres of hearty soil, and is one of the few truly urban farms in the nation When they aren’t selling their fresh produce at a farmers market, they help stock Whole Foods grocery store, which sits 3 miles away

In 2007, environmental magazine GreenLight, named the Austin Farmers Market as one of their top ten farmers markets in the country, out of over 4,000 markets

They based their findings on strict adherence to sustainable farming practices, distance from markets to farms, and the market’s focus on food and farm-related community and educational projects, among other criteria Though the farmers markets of Austin can be an enjoyable and delicious experience, they are also living up to a high national standard while bringing the urban and farming communities together, and helping out all involved

The Austin real estate has numerous submarket. Escapeso Reality can help you navigate and explore the market starting with their online search of the Austin MLS. You can also research the market using their Austin real estate blog.

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Jan Hrkach

Americans love chocolate In fact, millions of us are admitted “chocoholics ” U S chocolate consumption is around 3 3 billion pounds per year, according to the National Confectioners Association That’s nearly 12 pounds for every man, woman and child in the nation

But for more than 21 million Americans with diabetes, forbidden treats – such as luscious dark chocolate truffles – are not part of a healthy diet Many of us believe that sinfully sweet indulgences must be unhealthy, especially for diabetics Or are they?

The good news is that recent clinical studies show some types of chocolates actually have significant health benefits Dark chocolates, particularly those made with minimal processing, are high in flavonoids, which are plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties Antioxidants are known to gobble up free radicals – the killer compounds that harm cell membranes, damage the heart, attack DNA, cause aging, and make heart attacks and cancer far more likely

It may surprise you to know that dark chocolate actually has more antioxidants per gram than red wine, green tea, peanuts, cranberries, apples, and many other fruits and vegetables that also are rich in antioxidants

One independent study led by Claudio Ferri and researchers at the University of L’Aquila in Italy found that consuming dark chocolate not only lowers blood pressure and cholesterol as some prior studies suggest, but also improves the body’s processing of sugar – and in theory, guards against diabetes Jeffrey B Blumberg of Tufts University, who collaborated on the study, says “the new finding suggests that specific flavonoids have beneficial effects on several measures of health ”

Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids and less saturated fat than milk chocolate Cocoa powder and baking chocolate contain even more flavonoids than dark chocolate, while white chocolate has none The flavonoids in chocolate, by the way, are called flavanols

Ferri and his colleagues included dark chocolate bars in the diets of 10 volunteers with high blood pressure, and gave 10 others white chocolate bars with no flavanols The subjects weren’t obese, and none gained a significant amount of weight during the five-week study The volunteers who consumed dark chocolate bars reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while those given white chocolate experienced no change

In addition, the dark chocolate group demonstrated accelerated metabolism of blood sugar (glucose), a process that involves the hormone insulin Impaired insulin function can lead to diabetes Dark chocolate also lowered cholesterol in hypertensive patients, the researchers reported

Additional benefits associated with dark chocolate in other studies include improved flexibility of the arteries, which can contribute to lower blood pressure, and reduced stickiness of clot-forming blood platelets, which may reduce the risk of strokes and other problems

Another study, at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, tested the effects of dark chocolate vs white chocolate on artery hardening and heart disease in smokers The study’s authors concluded that ” only a small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of antioxidant intake and beneficially affect vascular health ”

Another study done at the University Hospital of Cologne and published in the July 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate was “associated with a lowering of blood pressure, without weight gain or other adverse effects ”

“Chocolate is a very remarkable substance with enormously beneficial health properties,” says Keith Scott-Mumby, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized expert in diet and nutrition who formulated The Doctor’s Chocolate His delicious dark chocolate truffles, made with the finest unaltered Swiss dark chocolate and red raspberries, contain zero trans fats and very low total fat Sweetened by Xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is recognized by the FDA as very safe, each truffle has only 20 calories “It’s totally safe for diabetics,” Dr Scott-Mumby says

Jan Hrkach is an advocate of health, you are what you eat. Exercise and eating right make a big difference in our daily lives and creates a better you. http://www.thedoctorschocolate.com/

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Steven Godlewski

Inside of every ones blood there are sugar levels that need to be at certain amounts each day and all day When the amount of blood sugar is low in some one they can experience irritability, weakness, fatigue, head aches, shakes, jitters, and uncontrollable hunger

When blood sugar levels get too high our body makes insulin Blood sugar is not something you can play around with, it can affect your entire body, and if it gets low enough you could have a real problem on your hands

Aloe has been used in studies of blood sugar and has yet again come out with good responses Studies have been run and research has been done, aloe vera can help with blood sugar levels

Today over half of our population is over weight There are also more cases of diabetics These two problems are caused by blood sugar levels, and are also some of our most dangerous problems When blood sugar levels are balanced, we have more energy to exercise

We also find that we don’t feel as sluggish and lazy feeling when our blood sugar levels are up Keeping a balanced blood sugar level is important for our health, and aloe is capable of doing so The minerals and trace elements in aloe are being used more and more for problems in the body

Aloe contains the right minerals, trace elements, and vitamins to help control blood sugar levels What one study did, was when a diabetic took their medicine, they also took a spoon full of aloe juice with it, while this diabetic did this, another one took nothing but his medicine

The diabetic who had taken the spoon full of aloe juice had a balanced blood sugar level, while the person who took nothing but the medicine experienced lower blood sugar

Some Information on Aloe Vera

Aloe has a long history as a remedy for many different ailments Commonly known as Aloe Vera, the plant can be separated into two basic products: gel and latex Aloe Vera gel is the leaf pulp or juice, a thin clear jelly-like substance obtained from the leaf that makes up the inner portion of the leaves

The gel contains carbohydrate polymers, plus various other organic and inorganic compounds Aloe latex, commonly referred to as “aloe juice,” is a yellow extract from the pericyclic tubules just beneath the outer skin of the leaves For use as a laxative, the juice is often dried to produce aloe granules that are dark brown from exposure to the air

The separation process is not always complete, so aloe latex can be found in some aloe gels It is better to make the gel as pure as possible, because aloe latex contains some things that are used for strong laxatives

The processed Aloe is difficult to keep stable, a problem that can cause differences in potency The best source of aloe gel would be right from a broken leaf of the plant

Aloe gel has been used for treatment of wounds, minor burns, and skin irritations Most consumers are familiar with aloe’s use in skin-care products, but aloe can also be used as a drink

Aloe products for internal use have been used for constipation, coughs, wounds, ulcers, diabetes, cancer, headaches, arthritis, and many other conditions Aloe has been used for all different types of things through out the years, and is now sold openly on the market People who buy Aloe normally know exactly what they are going to use it for, and some just buy it to be safe

Aloe is now one of the few plants that can cure so many different ailments that can be found on the surface of the earth

Steven Godlewski is a self-made millionaire and is currently working with Life
Force International products. He has an extensive background in nutrition
as well as other health related fields. For more health-related articles and a
FREE bottle of Liquid Vitamins see
their website at: http://www.pillfreevitamins.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Shannon Pollock

Thorvin kelp is one of those things that most people have just never heard of but one thing is certain It packs quite a punch in boosting the immune system What is thorvin kelp exactly? Well, technically kelp is just a sea vegetable that is very rich in iodine minerals and vitamins needed for healthy metabolism However, thorvin kelp is the purest ocean marine algae seaweed from the world’s cleanest and richest sea waters off the coast of Iceland It has some 60 minerals in it, along with several amino acids, and vitamins All these components play an essential part in maintaining a healthy body

Thorvin kelp is used for a variety of things such as for skin and facial care It is incorporated into shampoos, facial cleansers, soaps, creams, and other types of cosmetics The reason that it works so well is that it naturally tones and hydrates the skin

Thorvin kelp is also full of many vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B2, B3, C, D and E There is no other plant that contains as much iodine as thorvin kelp but it is also full of potassium, calcium, iron, amino acids, and enzymes Because of this, thorvin is often used as an herb for a salt substitute, a flavor enhancer, and as a vitamin and mineral supplement Not only is it great for people and animals It’s also extremely beneficial for your garden It is so highly effective, that is often used in growing vegetation to increase crop yields

Today in North America, there is tons of thorvin kelp being used as a blend that is added to animal feed Sometimes it is not mixed with feed but used as a stand alone food possibly mixed with salt There are many reasons for this: It has been proven that thorvin kelp will help cows to produce more milk It will help pigs gain weight It will improve the wool production in sheep as well as increasing their fertility It has also been shown to make improvements to chicken’s eggs by deepening the yolk color and enhancing the quality

Have you taken a look at the ingredients listed on the side of your pet’s kibble? The feed that animals are given today does not contain many of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for optimal animal health

Thorvin kelp can be purchased very economically It can be very beneficial for nothing more than pennies per day For the amount of uses it has, and the many benefits it provides, it might well be worth investigating further, wouldn’t you say?

Shannon Pollock has been teaching people about natural health remedies for many years. She is a specialist with experience in natural remedies for both people and animals.

For more information on the benefits of thorvin kelp, as well as other natural health related topics, visit Shannon’s website called Natural Health Remedies and More

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Zac Parker

We have become accustomed to the word copies Where would offices be without copiers? Do you remember when in order to make a copy of a letter you had to put a piece of carbon paper between two pieces of typing paper? Do you remember mimeograph machines? Are you glad the days of masters and copy fluid and messes are over? Life is filled with copies Foods are no different When an original comes out, if it is successful people will come out of the woodwork to try to copy it It is really a mark of success when you know that others are trying to copy yours After all, yours is the one that set the bar, others are just trying to get in on the action KFC has been copied and copied again by dozens of chicken places, but not one has ever matched the quality and taste of the original

Changes are many in life and this iconic restaurant is no different Because of some legal issues that were raised years ago over the name, the company had to drop the state name and begin using the name KFC The name change, however, has not changed the quality of the food inside the store When you open up that bucket of perfectly fried chicken, the aroma will swallow you up and your mouth will begin to water almost uncontrollably You will not be able to wait until you bite into that first wonderful piece of fried chicken

Most fried chicken restaurants offer many different dishes to go with your fried chicken The mashed potatoes and gravy are just like mother used to make Cooked to perfection, this dish is a must-have when you have a great fried chicken dinner Fresh corn and other vegetable choices will fill out your plate with a fantastic looking dinner Cornbread is a great addition and it tastes great KFC definitely is the standard setter when it comes to great dinners at a reasonable price

This American favorite has been around for many years Grandparents, parents and children, and even into the fourth generation are all enjoying the taste In every city and in many small villages across the country and even around the world, KFC has become a part of the landscape that would be sorely missed it it were not there That’s the power of fried chicken!

If you love KFC fried chicken why not visit our website.

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Mike Selvon

Cooking recipes can range from a simple grilled chicken breast to the exotic such as Beef Wellington The problem is that most people become intimidated by the thought of stepping outside of their comfort zone

The chefs on television make it look simple yet when we stare at the recipe we get lost in the myriad of ingredients and the techniques needed to bring the dish to life The reality is that anyone can cook a great meal if they know some simple shortcuts and tips

Healthy cooking has become the mantra of today’s health conscious society Everywhere we turn there are ads telling us “No trans fats” or “zero calories” not to mention the hype surrounding carbohydrate-free meals

The secret to cooking recipes low in fat and healthy for us is to use the outer aisle No, the outer aisle is not some weird third dimension In a grocery store the outer aisles are where you can find vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs and breads Most layouts follow this floor plan

Low carb recipes are very simple to prepare once you have the necessary ingredients Avoid carbohydrates that are not filling When making a choice between white flour and whole wheat, choose the whole wheat

It is more filling and has the essential nutrients you need without the abundance of carbohydrates Cooking recipes that utilize fresh vegetables and lean meats are a great way to avoid too many carbohydrates

If you are a vegetarian, look to the salad bar at your local grocery store Many people find themselves lacking the time to cut and chop vegetables The salad bar takes the work out of whipping up a quick stir-fry dish

The vegetables are already cut, washed and ready to eat For protein consider adding tofu or chickpeas A vegetarian meal does not have to be bland There are many free recipes on the internet for vegetarian meals

Cooking recipes that are fast and simple seem to be very popular thanks to Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals The premise is great food prepared and cooked in less than thirty minutes

These appeals to those that find themselves pressed for time after work The meals are nutritious, appealing and simple for anyone to prepare The key is having ingredients that do not require an excessive amount of time to cook

We have all had recipes that turned out to be fitting only for the garbage disposal Take heart from the mistakes and know that every cook has made them Find the recipes that appeal to you and experiment them

Fit them to your taste and lifestyle and you will meet with success It is important to have a good time in the kitchen Invite a few friends over and have a dinner party Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we start all over again

Mike Selvon portal offers free cooking information. Find out more about cooking recipes, and leave a comment at the healthy cooking blog.

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Anna Stenning

Many people will not realise or know this but running a successful bar is not just about pricing your drinks right or keeping with the trend of mixing the latest cocktails Part of it is to do with what bar supplies you store or use to provide good quality beverages Keeping up-to-date with everything that means keeping a steady business flowing for your establishment is something not to be taken lightly and regular customers do pick up on venues that go out of date in terms of equipment and decor

Not all bars are alcoholic remember, some are dedicated to producing nutritious and healthy smoothies Even these have specially designed smoothie bar supplies that produce the products at top speed, and are most likely used constantly throughout the day Therefore, at no point can they be breaking down by a piece of orange peel or grape lodged in its motor somewhere After a while these machines can and will breakdown, because equipment such as these is like technological devices, they are constantly changing and evolving

Change is inevitable in the catering industry because this ensures that food produced are protected and constantly improved along the way When running a bar it is likely that bar supplies you have will undoubtedly change within six months to year It is always a good idea to keep them maintained by some of the larger mechanical equipments, such as a smoothie machine checked up and serviced Even the smallest of bar supplies are always in need of checking, such as glasses, placemats, crockery, dishes, napkin dispensers etc

Even supplies such as entertainment systems, seating furniture, decorative items and design are all major things to consider A bar that has a neutral yet unique look to it is more likely to be visited by regular customers as well attract new customers The atmosphere of any bar or restaurant must be welcoming and simple with all of the signage displayed clearly There is nothing worse than walking in to a bar that has not seen a lick of paint for many years and the seats a re worn out and dusty This is not a good start to bringing in the punters

In a situation like this Gordon Ramsey maybe the best person to turn the place around, however, there are simple steps that the owner can make without having to go under the spotlight! Having a maintenance worker to check the supplies and equipment regularly is one way of preventing unpredictable breakdowns and reduces the risk of paying out a hefty amount for replacement equipment Other steps such as keeping the furniture clean and presentable at all times is a good way of making them last longer

Anna Stenning is an expert on selecting the right bar supplies for improving the business of bars or pubs.

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : Ray La Foy

Planning a party is a big deal The location must be set, invitations need to be sent out, favors possibly need to be purchased, and then there’s the issue of food Some party hosts prefer to do everything themselves, but then they find they miss a lot of the party Since there’s no fun in that, smart party planners turn to caterers to lend some assistance The problem with that is finding a good person to take over This is where the Internet can really help

Finding a caterer online is a fairly simple undertaking and the best thing is that it’s even easier to check out a caterer’s background, too

When looking for catering online or anywhere else for that matter, there are some things that need to be considered Exactly what you’re looking for must be determined, or the wrong caterer could be hired

Consider these things:

* What kind of food you’re looking for Do you want a brunch, light lunch or maybe a dinner? Is a particular style of cuisine desired? Are you looking for an expert in a specific ethnic arena?

* How many people will be present? Some companies can handle almost a limitless amount of guests, while small catering firms may in fact have a limit on what they can handle with ease

* Do you want just a caterer or a caterer and party planner? Some firms will handle everything from the invitations down to the desserts This choice should be made in advance since it can directly effect the type of service professionals you need to seek out

* What types of things do you need the caterer to provide? Should they be prepared to deliver everything from the china to the desserts or are they just handling the main course and perhaps the side dishes?

* Do you want them to serve, too? Or, perhaps you just want the food dropped off in warming trays with pickup after the party?

* Will the occasion be formal or casual? This will help determine menu and even style of dress if the caterer is handling the serving

* Budget This is an absolute must A few hundred dollars will likely take care of a small barbecue party for 15, but it won’t cover a caterer’s costs for a formal sit down dinner for that many with servers, crystal and china, too

* How much you plan to participate? Do you want to sit back and relax or help oversee the affair? The caterer should be informed of this decision in advance

Once you’ve made some decisions, the Internet is the place to go to match things up Some catering companies can handle everything if that’s your desire and allow you to kick back and enjoy the party Others will work with you to ensure the party’s success Look for caterers in your area that match your needs and check their backgrounds and references It’s also possible you’ll find independent reviews of different caterers online, too, which is great for seeing what past customers have thought of their work

By bringing a whole host of caterers right to your computer screen, the Internet is a great way to find someone to handle almost any party There’s no reason to do all the work when a good caterer can make the job of hosting that much easier

More Resources

Catering online.

http://www.catering-online1.com

Coffee online.

http://www.www.coffee-online1.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind