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How to Prepare Asparagus Like a Trained Chef

September 4, 2014 by

Asparagus likely isn’t at the top of your list of favorite food indulgences, but if prepared correctly this nutrient-rich vegetable can be quite tasty. Here are 4 simple tips for cooking asparagus that will make you excited to eat your veggies.

  1. Peel thick asparagus before cooking. Thin asparagus can be prepared as-is, but thick asparagus contains hard, wood-like areas on the exterior that must first be peeled off. Use a standard vegetable peeler and start from about 2 inches from the bottom of the stem.
  2. Cut off the hard base. If you’ve ever bitten into the hard, sour base of the asparagus, you understand why this step is so important. Before cooking, take a sharp knife and chop off an inch or so of the bottom of each piece.
  3. Choose a cooking style. Roasting asparagus with olive oil creates a crunchy exterior and tender interior, while steaming it or simmering it creates a softer texture that’s also a bit lower in fat. No matter which cooking technique you choose, be sure to add simple herbs and spices for added flavor.
  4. Add a topping or sauce. If you prefer even more flavor on your asparagus, there are a number of different sauces or toppings for every type of meal. A sweet chili sauce perfectly complements the earthy taste of the asparagus, while a creamy Hollandaise is ideal with fish, chicken or even your morning eggs.

How to Cook Asparagus [Better Homes and Gardens]
Asparagus [BBC Good Food]
How to Cook Asparagus [Asparagus-Lover.com]

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Three Websites to Buy Modern Furniture Online

August 21, 2014 by

With its clean lines, bright pops of color, and timeless look, there’s a lot to love about modern furniture. This style has seen a major resurgence among design enthusiasts, and lucky for you, there are a number of affordable websites that offer stylish modern furniture. Here are some of the best:

West Elm
Fans of modern furniture look to the expertly arranged displays in West Elm stores for design inspiration, but if you don’t have a location in your area, the retailer's online store is just as inspiring. From tufted headboards to mid-century inspired buffets with slim wooden legs, West Elm is a fairly affordable option for modern furniture pieces and home decor items.

Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach aims to reintroduce the iconic styles of designers like Herman Miller into today’s furniture market. The online shop carries beloved pieces like Eames chairs, and it even offers items from up-and-coming modern furniture designers.

CB2
CB2 operates as the modern sister company of Crate & Barrel, and its price points are a bit lower, as well. Large-scale furniture pieces like bed frames, sectional sofas, and dressers are mixed in with industrial light fixtures, geographic-print linens, and other modern decor items on this easy-to-navigate site.

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You Might Be Surprised That These Common Foods Are High in Sugar

July 24, 2014 by

Some foods are obviously high in sugar, such as cakes, sodas, and ice cream. But did you know that there are sneaky high-sugar foods that may be sabotaging your diet without you even knowing it? Here are a few foods that are surprisingly high in sugar.

  1. Fat-free yogurts. Sure, fat-free yogurts don’t contain fat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re low in sugar, too! In fact, the majority of low-fat and fat-free yogurts overcompensate by adding quite a bit of sugar to sweeten up the taste. Be sure to check the label on your favorite sweet side, because some 0% yogurts can contain as many as 20 grams of sugar.
  2. Marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is often viewed as a healthy alternative to creamy Alfredo sauces, but this savory pasta topping can be packed full of sugars. Beware of store bought cans and jars especially, as they’re the most common culprits.
  3. Bread. Even supposedly healthy breads, like whole grain and wheat, can contain about three grams of sugar per slice. Processed breads are usually much higher in sugars than freshly baked options, so opt for a loaf from the bakery or a sprouted wheat bread from the health food store.

6 Surprising Sources of Sugar [Eating Well]
6 Hidden Sugar Mines in Your Diet [Next Avenue]
Sugar: Five Foods Surprisingly High in Sugar [BBC]

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Think Beyond the Salsa With These Cilantro-Centric Recipes

June 19, 2014 by

When you think of salsa, you likely think of the zesty flavor added by cilantro. Cilantro is also a great addition to many other dishes, however, even those outside of Mexican cuisine. These three recipes will have you rethinking the way you view cilantro in the most delicious ways possible!

Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cilantro
Instead of the usual Southwestern cuisines, try cilantro in an Asian-cuisine-inspired dish for a change. This noodle salad requires no cooking at all to create a fresh, interesting meal with a traditional Vietnamese sauce. Top it with cucumber and cilantro for a bit of added flavor.

Miso-Maple Sweet Potato Tacos with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce
There are so many delicious flavors in this taco dish, your taste buds will hardly know where to begin. Tender sweet potatoes covered in a miso and maple syrup glaze take the place of the usual taco meat, and avocado, cilantro, and toasted pepitas make a tasty garnish. The cilantro comes in at the end, when it’s blended with coconut to create a uniquely flavorful sauce for topping.

Zesty Quinoa Salad
If you want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste, you’ll absolutely love this quinoa salad. Fresh vegetables and black beans make it bright and nutritious, while cilantro and black pepper add major flavor.

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Learn about the Economy with These Economics Podcasts

May 14, 2014 by

You don't have to go back to school to get a degree in economics to understand more about how our economy works. These three podcasts offer interesting insights on business, the economy, and the world of finance:

Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast
Bloomberg Surveillance has its finger on the pulse of the national economy. Podcast hosts Tom Keene and Michael McKee discuss topics like financial repression, the job market in various fields, spending patterns, and the patterns within the ever-changing stock market.

Marketplace
American Public Media’s Marketplace is a podcast devoted to the latest business news within the United States and around the world. It focuses on the global economy and events that impact the financial markets, and it aims to provide timely, accessible coverage of both economics and personal finance. Marketplace is a great podcast if you prefer to hear about interesting, true stories rather than just the numbers.

Planet Money
Distributed by NPR, Planet Money is a twice-weekly podcast that explains the economy to people who might have no prior knowledge of how it works. It’s fun and enjoyable, and it covers topics like how popular iPhone apps affect the national economy.

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Three Great Salad Recipe Websites

April 17, 2014 by

You might know how to prepare a basic Greek salad or a classic Caesar salad, but what about one with fried garbanzo beans? Have you ever thought of adding quinoa to your salad? If your salads need a bit of updating, these creative recipe websites can help.

Oprah.com
Oprah’s wonderful website is packed full of delicious recipes, but the salad tips are truly one-of-a-kind. Browse 45 fresh and healthy salad recipes for every occasion, from hearty, main course salad dishes to appetizer salads for summer gatherings. The Shaved Fennel and Grapefruit Salad is tangy and tart, while the salad with prosciutto and goat cheese perfectly complements Italian food.

101 Cookbooks
This stylish website offers a number of unique salad recipes for inspired lunches or dinners. The Avocado Salad doesn’t seem like much of a salad at all, with sliced, buttery avocados arranged over a bed of lentils, but its abundance of nutrients and low calorie content make it just as healthy. 101 Cookbooks features a variety of other bowls, dinner salads and side salads with ingredients that are much more creative than your usual lettuce.

Better Homes and Gardens
If you’re looking for modern updates to your favorite salad recipes, Better Homes and Gardens is just the place to look. They feature the very best ways to prepare herb salads, pasta salads and steak salads, and they’re so delicious that they might even feel new again.

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5 No-Bake Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

March 20, 2014 by

Sometimes you crave a sweet dessert after your evening meal, but digging out pans and preheating the oven just seems like so much work. If you want to create a tasty, creative dessert dish without messy baking, no-bake recipes are a convenient alternative.

You can make just about any type of treat with a no-bake recipe, from cookies to bars to candies. These five recipes are also perfect for last minute dinner parties or those times when the kids need a snack for school with little advance notice.

Double-Chocolate Mascarpone Raspberry Pie [Better Homes and Gardens]

Creamy Frozen Lime Pie [Recipe Lion]

No-Bake Snickers Caramel Apple Pie [Fox News]

Cookies & Crème Pudding Pops [Kraft]

Strawberry Freeze [Kraft]

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Unique Muffin Recipes You Can Bake at Home

February 20, 2014 by

From blueberry to chocolate, muffins come in an endless assortment of flavors for just about any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious breakfast treat or a sweet dessert, these unique muffin recipes will show you a number of different ways to make your favorite baked goods.

Easy Morning Glory Muffins
Rise and shine with these hearty, flavorful breakfast muffins. Full of shredded carrots, apples, and raisins and accented by crushed walnuts and spicy cinnamon, these easy-to-make muffins make a delicious treat to have with coffee or to toss in your bag when you’re late for work.

Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Perfect for cold weather seasons (or any other time of the year, for that matter!), these sweet apple and pumpkin muffins are filled with two of the most popular flavors. The warm, rich taste of pumpkin combined with the tangy sweetness of apple creates a flavor that is just perfect in muffin form.

Ginger-Lemon Mini Muffins
With a uniquely spicy zest, these mini muffins are better for pairing with tea than your usual coffee. The spice of ginger and the tartness of lemon create a sophisticated flavor that make this muffin recipe perfect for serving at a fancy party or giving as a gift to you foodie friends.

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6 Tips for Avoiding the Flu This Season

January 22, 2014 by

When it's flu season, it's best to take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. The flu affects thousands of people each year and can become very severe. Check out these six tips to avoid getting sick this flu season.

1. Cover your mouth and hands.
Not everyone will do this, but you should! Each time you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and wash you hands as soon as possible.

2. Avoid close contact.
It seems like a no brainer, but it can be tough if it's a friend or coworker who is sick. Make plans for another time to let a friend's bout with the flu run its course. Similarly, avoid sitting close to sick coworkers at work.

3. Eat healthy.
They best defense to sickness is a strong immune system. Make sure you eat plenty of vegetables, drink lots of water, and take vitamins to keep viruses at bay.

4. Wash your hands.
Another obvious one, but folks tend to forget this means at home, too. Wash hands often and thoroughly. If they get dry during the winter, keep a small bottle of lotion handy after washing.

5. Don’t touch your eyes.
Viruses are always looking for easy entry into the body. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible during flu season.

6.Consider a flu shot.
Antiviral drugs may help in some cases. Before taking any, make sure you speak to your doctor to see if this is right for you.

Preventing the Flu [CDC]
Prevention [Flu.gov]
14 Ways to Avoid Colds and Flu [Health]
Ways  to Avoid the Flu [Fit & Health]

 

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Choose Your Next Vacation Destination with These Travel Guides

January 8, 2014 by

You’ve decided to finally use those days off and book a vacation, but the possibilities seem overwhelming. Should you go on a tropical beach getaway? An adventurous Eurotrip? Maybe camping? These helpful online travel guides can steer you in the right direction toward the perfect travel destination.

Fodor’s Travel
Fodor’s Travel is a website for travel buffs, by travel buffs, with a variety of different features to help you plan the ideal getaway. Browse the site by destination if you’ve already got a particular place in mind, or read cruise ship reviews if your heart is set on an all-inclusive cruise. Fodor’s Travel also offers well-curated itineraries like their Escape the City Weekend Getaways to help you choose a trip by your preferences instead of location.

Lonely Planet
Long regarded as the best resource for backpackers and solo travellers, Lonely Planet is a wonderful resource for exploring the world on the cheap. Here you’ll find Japan’s top culinary locations, luxury tents with built-in air conditioning, and other smart advice for globetrotters.

Frommer’s
Frommer’s is a website meant to inspire travellers with gorgeous sites, fascinating articles and helpful deals and news. Their 100 Family Trips section includes vacations that both adults and children will love, and discussion forums organized by location provide advice from fellow adventurers.

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