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Dieting? These Foods Can Help You Lose Weight!

August 20, 2015 by

Dieting is never easy, but once you know the right foods to eat you'll start to see the pounds melt away. Here are a few smart foods that will help you to lose weight and stay fuller for longer.

  1. Beans and legumes. Foods like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas are high in fiber, which builds muscle and helps to keep you feeling full. Beans are also very inexpensive, and they’re a great alternative to meat for those who are vegan or vegetarian.
  2. Dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, it doesn’t have to sabotage your whole diet. Dark chocolate is a great alternative to sugary milk chocolate, cakes, and cookies, and it is also lower in calories. Just be sure to mind your portion sizes!
  3. Eggs and turkey sausage. Eating a protein-packed breakfast will help you to stay on track for the rest of the day. Eggs are great because they’re versatile and can be prepared a number of different ways, and lean turkey sausage is much lower in fat than traditional pork sausage. Eat this meal with a side of fresh fruit to start your morning off right.
  4. Avocado. You may think that you need to avoid eating fat in order to, well, lose fat, but healthy fats like avocado are actually an important part of any lean diet. The oleic acid found in avocados helps to quiet hunger, and these superfoods are also packed with fiber and protein.

9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [WebMD]
Best Superfoods for Weight Loss [Health.com]
15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [Good Housekeeping]
Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [U.S. News]

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How to Care for Your Kitchen Knives

July 23, 2015 by

You use your kitchen knives almost every day, from slicing your morning banana to chopping vegetables for dinner at night. Because good knives can be expensive, you likely want to keep them in top working condition. Here are a few simple tips for properly caring for those important cooking knives.

  • Don’t let them soak. It may be tempting to simply toss your knives in with the rest of your soaking dishes, but avoid doing so. This can cause the knife to bend or get scratched, and it can also be dangerous if someone reaches their hand under the water.
  • Don’t run them through the dishwasher. Likewise, the dishwasher can also dent or ding your knives. Instead, wash them thoroughly by hand after every use.
  • Don’t store them in a silverware drawer. This is especially important for renters who might not have much extra space in the kitchen. Instead, invest in a small wooden knife block that you can keep on the counter, or at least use a knife sheath to keep the blade safe.
  • Keep them sharp. In order to get the best results from your knives, you need to sharpen them frequently. Use a honing steel or a knife stone if you’re comfortable doing it yourself, or if you’re not, you can always send them out to be sharpened by a professional.

Caring for Kitchen Knives: Dos and Don'ts [About Food]
How to Take Care of Your Knives [David Lebovitz]
How To Care For Kitchen Knives: 6 Common Mistakes [Huffpost Taste]

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Learn the Secrets of Making Great Crepes

September 25, 2013 by

Crepes are a nice change from regular pancakes, and they're often just as simple to make. These thin treats of French cuisine make a delicious meal for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Talented chefs the world over fill them with an array of delectable ingredients, for tastes both savory and sweet. Never made crepes? Here are some top tips.

Crepes require to you be precise in measurements, but they're remarkably simple once you've learned how. Whisk together a cup of flower and two large eggs in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water gradually as you mix, along with a pinch of salt and two tablespoons of melted butter. Mix until smooth.

After preparing the batter, lightly oil a frying pan over medium heat. Pouring a quarter-cup of batter will make a single crepe. Fry on each side for two minutes, flipping it with a wide, thin spatula. Crepes should be served hot.

Looking for ideas on how to stuff crepes? There are some excellent sweet and savory options. Sweet crepes are incredibly popular and commonly filled with fruit, yogurt, or even Nutella! Cooking berries with just a bit of sugar will make a delicious syrup. Savory crepes are great for lunch or dinner: fill them with prosciutto, Gorgonzola cheese, and fig preserves or diced ham, scrambled eggs, and Hollandaise sauce.

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