You are here: Home / Archives for Miscellaneous

Memorize This Must-Know Kitchen Terminlogy

June 20, 2014 by

If you’ve ever encountered a cooking term that you didn’t understand in a new recipe, you know how confusing it can be. From julienne to mince, there’s a whole slew of complicated terminology that seems foreign to the amateur chef. Here are a few simple definitions that will help you with your next adventure in the kitchen.

  1. Braise. Braising involves browning meat or vegetables in a bit of hot fat before cooking them slowly in a shallow pool of liquid. This is a great technique to soften less tender cuts of meat or veggies.
  2. Devil. To devil something, such as an egg, you simply coat it with a hot seasoning like hot sauce or mustard.
  3. Dredge. Dredging means to coat something like meat or vegetables with flour, breadcrumbs, or cornmeal.
  4. Flambe. This term is usually found in more gourmet recipes. It involves sprinkling a food with a liqueur and lighting it on fire before serving.

Glossary of Basic Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [UMN]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes & Gardens]
Culinary Terms [About.com]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Visit These Three Websites for Bird Watchers

June 13, 2014 by

There are a few hobbies more relaxing or more interesting than bird watching. Observing these peaceful creatures in their natural habitats is one of the very best ways to get in touch with nature, and it enables you to learn something new every day. If you’re an avid bird watcher or you want to try out this fascinating hobby, these websites can help.

Birdwatching.com
With a very simple layout and plenty of tools and tips for birdwatchers of all ages, Birdwatching.com is a wonderful online resource. The Bird Brain birding database enables bird watchers to record their findings and keep notes about each watch, and it’s available for free download on the site.

Backyard Birding
National Geographic’s guide to casual bird watching will help you to identify birds that you see at home or at your local park. It includes a list of bird species, detailed photographs of different types of birds, and even the latest news from the avian world.

American Birding Association
Whether you’re a member or not, the American Birding Association website is a fun, interesting resource for avid bird watchers. The site features a blog that describes the patterns and habits of birds for every season, as well as a Young Birders blog that’s specifically tailored to children and teens. The photo quiz tests your knowledge of bird species, while the list of events helps you to connect with other birders in your area.

Public Domain/Public Domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Newly Betrothed? Here’s Where to Create a Wedding Registry Online!

June 6, 2014 by

Whether you’re hoping to receive luxurious pieces that will fill your home with elegance or simple, functional items that you need to start your life together, there are an impressive number of websites that make creating a wedding gift registry easy. Here are three great sites to use for your wedding registry.

Amazon
Registering with Amazon is the ideal choice for the hip, tech-savvy couple on their big day. The popular shopping website sells everything from kitchen appliances to cleaning tools to electronics, and their wedding registry page makes it easy to add all of your favorite items to your list. You can even add items from any and all stores around the web!

Pottery Barn
If your style is a bit more elegant and refined, the Pottery Barn website is another wonderful online resource for telling your guests which gifts you hope to receive. The signature “Whole Home” registry allows you to separate your registry by each room in your house, which makes it easy to choose the items that you really need.

Target
With a personalized profile that includes a cute picture of you and your significant other, Target’s wedding registry page is tailored to your personality every step of the way. The items that you want are automatically separated by type and function, and guests can easily make purchases by using the “Add to Cart” button near each gift.

Public Domain/Openclipart.org
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Dip a Spoon Into These 4 Recipes for Classic Vanilla Pudding

June 3, 2014 by

Sure, you've made vanilla pudding from a box, have you ever tried to make the sweet dessert from scratch? These straightforward recipes will show you how to prepare vanilla pudding a few different ways, and some are even provided by your favorite cooking show personalities.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding [All Recipes]
Just like Mom used to make, this vanilla pudding is classic, simple, and easy to prepare.

Vanilla Pudding [Martha Stewart]
You can’t go wrong with a recipe from Martha, and this one is certainly no exception.

Vanilla Pudding [Real Simple]
With fluffy egg yolks and just a pinch of salt, this is a flavorful recipe that your guests will love.

Vanilla Pudding [Picky Cook]
Add a pinch of espresso or some chocolate shavings on top to spice up this elegant pudding dish.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Play It Safe: 5 Steps for Handling Eggs

May 23, 2014 by

You parents have probably warned you about food-borne illness since you were just a child, but how much do you really know about handling raw eggs? These simple steps will teach you how to safely prepare and serve eggs.

  1. Purchase eggs in good quality. Only buy eggs from a refrigerated case, and open the carton to make sure that none of the eggs are cracked. Refrigerate them as soon as you get home.
  2. Know their expiration date. As a general rule, eggs are only good for about three weeks. After that, you should throw them out and buy a new carton.
  3. Cook thoroughly. When cooking eggs, make sure that there are no runny parts before serving. Things like casseroles and baked goods should be cooked to at least 160° Fahrenheit to ensure that the eggs inside are safe to eat.
  4. Serve properly. All foods containing eggs should be eaten immediately after cooking. To serve a large party buffet-style, keep hot dishes hot by using a slow cooker or heated serving pan.
  5. Store safely. If you must refrigerate a dish with eggs, be sure to use it within three to four days and reheat to at least 160° before serving.

Playing It Safe with Eggs [FDA]
Eggs & Food Safety [Incredible!]
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Salmonella from Eggs [CDC]

Public Domain/Photos-public-domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Don’t Get Burned by These Common Sunscreen Application Mistakes

May 16, 2014 by

Nothing can quite put a damper on summer fun than a bad case of sunburn. If you've ever been afflicted by the telltale red skin and prickly heat of sunburn, it's likely you committed one of these four common sunscreen application mistakes:

1) You applied sunscreen immediately before sun exposure.
Sunscreen needs time to absorb into the skin. For maximum benefits, try to wait at least 15 minutes after application before venturing outside.

2) You applied too little sunscreen.
There's no such thing as too much sunscreen. Start with a golf ball sized amount, and apply the lotion systematically, massaging it into your arms, legs, face, back on the neck and ears—wherever your skin will be exposed to the sun.

3) You forgot to reapply.
Sunscreen is effective for a maximum of two hours, or about 40 to 80 minutes if you're sweating or swimming. Also remember that the sun can penetrate fog and cloud cover, so wear sunscreen even when the sun's not shining.

4) You used a lotion with a too-low SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
Choose a water-resistant sunscreen that's at least 30 SPF. Also ensure that your sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Be advised, however, that sunscreens with a SPF higher than 30 won't necessarily buy you more time in the sun. A 30 SPF sunscreen will protect you from 96% of sunburn-causing rays, while SPF 50 provides only slightly more protection: 98%.

Sunscreen: Tips to Wear It Well [MD Anderson Cancer Center]
8 Sunscreen Mistakes You're Probably Making [Huffpost]
How to apply sunscreen (and how not to) [Well + Good]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

There’s No Need to Knead With These 4 Bread Recipes

May 9, 2014 by

Baking bread at home seems difficult, but no-knead recipes make it much easier than ever before. You’ll impress your family and your guests with the scent of freshly baked bread coming from the oven, and you’ll be the only one who knows just how easy it was to prepare.

No-Knead Bread [Steamy Kitchen]
This recipe creates a rustic, gourmet-looking loaf of bread, and it’s so simple that a four year old can make it— and one has! The New York Times made this no-knead recipe famous, but its reliability is what makes it so popular.

No-Knead Bread [Smitten Kitchen]
Using instant yeast to create a fluffy, dense center and a crispy outer crust, this incredible bread recipe is the perfect addition to any sandwich or evening meal.

No-Knead Crusty White Bread [King Arthur Flour]
If you want to make a large amount of bread for a gathering or holiday party, this is the recipe to use. It makes use of the same simple no-knead technique, but this recipe yields four full-sized loaves.

How to Make No-Knead Bread [The Kitchn]
This online tutorial will show you the most important steps for making no-knead bread, with detailed pictures along the way. It also includes video tutorials for certain techniques, such as shaping the dough into a perfect ball.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Find a National Park Site Near You

May 6, 2014 by

Whether you're seeking fresh air, exercise, or an educational outing, the U.S. National Park Service has you covered. With a presence in all 50 states, the National Park Service comprises 401 monuments, parks, historical points of interest, battlefields, scenic trails, and of course, the White House.

Curious what national parks exist near you? The U.S. National Park Service hosts an interactive park map on its website. You can search parks by activity, name, location, and topic, or if you prefer, you can simply click your state to browse national park sites in your area. Clicking your state will lead you to an interesting "By the Numbers" feature that lists your state's total number of parks, plus statistical data regarding visitors and tourist dollars from the previous fiscal year.

For supplementary info, visit the National Parks Conservation Association's website to find a similar map.

Find a Park [National Park Service]
Exploring Our Parks [National Parks Conservation Association]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Combat Jet Lag With These 3 Simple Tips

May 2, 2014 by

An unfortunate side effect of travel, jet lag can easily suck the fun out of the first few days in a new time zone. Whether you're planning on traveling to a new city for business or pleasure, these three tips will help expedite your acclimation.

1. Ease your body into the time zone of the city you'll be visiting.
Take a week or so before your departure to incrementally shift your sleep schedule so that upon arriving in your destination, your circadian rhythm is already in sync. Go to bed earlier for an eastward trip, later for a westward trip. If you'll be traversing multiple time zones, you may want to consider breaking up your travel into smaller flights.

2. Get outdoors.
Staying inside only worsens jet lag. Being exposed to sunlight will help stimulate a correction of your biological clock. Try taking a short walk to clear your head.

3. Stay hydrated.
Once you're in the air, drink eight ounces of water per hour. This will help curtail the dehydrating effects of cabin air. You may be tempted to reach for a cocktail, but be forewarned that alcohol worses jet lag. Avoid caffeine, as well, as it acts as a stimulant and may prevent restful sleep.

Jet Lag [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Jet Lag and Sleep [National Sleep Foundation]
Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips [Fodors]

Public Domain/Public Domain
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

3 Websites for Lacrosse Enthusiasts

April 25, 2014 by

Lacrosse is viewed as one of the most distinguished sports in our country, with teams for adults and children of all ages and even Major League Lacrosse. If you’re a player or a fan of lacrosse who wants to stay informed about your favorite sport, these great websites for lacrosse enthusiasts can help.

U.S. Lacrosse
U.S. Lacrosse is made up of the men’s, women’s, and under-19 teams with the best lacrosse players in the nation. Players, coaches, and fans can become members of the organization to receive information and benefits about the sport, and visitors will enjoy reading about lacrosse events and participants from U.S. Lacrosse.

Major League Lacrosse
The Major League Lacrosse website provides up-to-date information about the league’s eight teams across the U.S. and Canada, as well as player and game coverage throughout the season. The website includes a photo gallery, videos of game footage, a TV guide describing where to watch lacrosse, and in-depth stats about Major League Lacrosse.

Lacrosse magazine
Lacrosse magazine covers college men’s and women’s lacrosse, high school lacrosse, Team USA, Major League Lacrosse, and the National Lacrosse League. On the website, you’ll find tips for players and coaches, headlines describing the latest lacrosse news, and high-quality images and videos of the best lacrosse game footage.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest