You are here: Home / Archives for Food

Allergic to Eggs? These 3 Webpages Provide Info About Egg Substitutions

April 21, 2016 by

Vegans and those with egg allergies may think that certain foods are off limits, but thanks to egg substitutes, you can still enjoy things like cakes, breads, and other baked goods. These helpful websites are full of tips for using egg substitutes to help you create egg-free dishes that taste just as good as the originals.

PETA
Though this website is tailored toward vegans, its tips are helpful for anyone who wants to remove eggs from their diet. The Egg Replacements page features information about all of the different types of egg substitutes, including silken tofu, potato starch, ground flax seed, and canned pumpkin. There’s also a list full of tips about egg substitutions.

The Kitchn
The Kitchn’s Vegan Egg Substitutes page helps you to choose the perfect egg substitute for any dish. It offers full descriptions of everything from tofu to applesauce, and it also provides information about the best brands of commercial egg replacers.

About.com
The vegetarian section of About.com is a wonderful resource to learn more about egg substitutes. It answers readers’ most pressing questions about cooking without eggs, and it also describes which egg substitutes work best in different types of recipes.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Check Out These Surprising Facts About Cranberries

November 19, 2015 by

Once the weather starts to gets chilly and the holidays roll around, you likely want to bake all of the cranberry desserts that you can think of. But how much do you really know about this tart winter berry? Here are a few interesting facts about cranberries.

  1. Cranberries grow in swamps and bogs. They grow well throughout much of North America, and there are more than 3,500 different species of cranberries found in areas from the icy cold polar regions all the way to the tropics.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water. These small berries grow on low vines throughout marshes, and when it comes time to harvest them, farmers flood the marshes with water and the air-filled berries float to the top.
  3. Americans consume 20 percent of the country’s annual cranberry intake during Thanksgiving time. There are 400 million pounds of cranberries consumed each year, and 80 million of those pounds are eaten during the week of Thanksgiving.
  4. Cranberries are filled with vitamin C. In fact, hundreds of years ago American ships carried vessels of cranberries because they were known to prevent scurvy. Although they didn’t know it at the time, it was due to the berry's high amounts of vitamin C.

Cranberry Facts and History [University of Maine]
Find out what cranberries can do for you! [Wisconsin Cranberries]
Cranberry Facts [Teacher Vision]
Cranberry Facts [Wisconsin Rapids]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Reduce Your Daily Caffeine Intake

May 21, 2015 by

You might feel like you simply can’t function without your morning coffee, but that boost of caffeine may be doing you more harm than good. Caffeine addiction causes you to rely on drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks throughout the day, and it is also proven to contribute to stress and anxiety. If you want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume per day, these simple tips will make it easier.

  1. Examine your intake. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine or less is a healthy amount for the average adult to consume per day. This translates to about two strong cups of coffee, so this is an easy way to decipher how much you need to limit yourself. If you can’t make it through the workday without that third cup in the afternoon, that’s a good place to start.
  2. Gradually cut back. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is just as painful as quitting any other bad habit. To prevent headaches, grogginess, and other signs of caffeine withdrawal, mix your usual coffee with a bit more decaf every day, or work your way down to just two cups of coffee instead of your usual amount.
  3. Be smart about caffeine. Once you know that you can only have two cups per day, you should choose when to drink them wisely. If you feel most tired early in the morning and around 2 p.m., plan on drinking your cup of joe about an hour before those times.

Easy Ways to Reduce Caffeine Intake [U.S. News]
How to Lower Your Caffeine Intake Without Headaches [Fitday]
10 Ways to Start Your Day Without Caffeine [Everyday Health]
Caffeine [McKinley Health Center]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Saturated Fats Lurk in These Two Common Foods

February 19, 2015 by

Saturated fats are a hot topic in the nutrition world today, mainly because they increase the blood cholesterol that leads to heart disease. Though the average person should consume less than 10% of these “solid” fats each day, most Americans go well over that amount. If you want to cut down on the saturated fats that you’re likely unknowingly consuming, here are two foods to avoid.

  1. High-fat cuts of meat. Saturated fats often appear in the marbled parts of meat, which are quite literally where the fat is stored in the animal. Avoid marbled meats like bacon, salami, and lesser quality cuts of steak in order to reduce your saturated fat intake, and be sure to trim the fat from any meat that you prepare.
  2. Coconut oil. Though many sources have been preaching the health benefits of coconut oil lately, if you’re avoiding saturated fats the negatives often outweigh the positives. Coconut oil is a hydrogenated oil, which is by definition the food that contains the most saturated fat. It is made up of 93% saturated fat, and just one tablespoon of coconut oil contains 65% of your recommended daily value.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Saturated Fat [Healthaliciousness]
Saturated Fats Are Primarily Found in What Groups? [SF Gate]
Saturated Fat [CDC]
Fat and Oils [Better Health Channel]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Snack on a Handful of These Fiber-Rich Foods

February 5, 2015 by

Though many people think of breads and bran cereals when it comes to fiber, there are actually a wide variety of other food sources for this beneficial nutrient. If you want to incorporate more fiber into your diet in order to improve your digestion, prevent stroke and heart attack, and keep you feeling more full, try these two surprising food sources.

  1. Nuts. While fiber-rich breads can be high in calories and carbohydrates, nuts are a healthy snack that will also provide you with healthy fiber. Just 1/4 cup of almonds contains four grams of fiber, which really adds up if you eat small handfuls throughout the day. If you prefer a different type of nut to almonds, that’s okay too; each type of nut contains a variety of unique health benefits and its own amount of fiber.
  2. Chia seeds. If you’re growing a bit tired of getting fiber from fruits and vegetables, try eating chia seeds instead. These tiny seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, and just one tablespoon contains up to six grams of the nutrient. Many people add chia seeds to their iced tea or another cold beverage before consuming them. This causes the seeds to swell full of the liquid, which makes for a truly unique and healthy snack.

The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Greatist]
High Fiber Foods: 7 Surprising Sources [HuffPost Healthy Living]
10 Surprising Sources of Fiber [Yahoo! Shine]
The Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Health]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Know These Three Terms Before Getting Creative in the Kitchen

December 18, 2014 by

Any cook knows that for a dish to turn out as intended, he or she needs to have a clear understanding of the recipe. That includes knowing the different common ways to cut and slice ingredients. Here are three terms you should know before getting started in the kitchen.

  1. Pare. Preferably done with a paring knife, to pare a fruit or vegetable means to peel the outer skin from it. Apples and potatoes are often prepared this way.
  2. Mince. You can do this with a sharp knife or kitchen scissor, just so long as you cut or chop the ingredient into very fine pieces. Mincing often applies to herbs and spices.
  3. Dice. If a recipe asked you to dice an ingredient, it means to chop it into small, uniform pieces. Chunky salsas and fruit salads often employ this action.

The Basic Kitchen:Glossary of Cooking Terms [Le Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes and Gardens]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]
Culinary Terms: Food Dictionary and Glossary of Cooking Terms [Culinary Arts About.com]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Fiber-Rich Foods Might Surprise You

November 20, 2014 by

Fiber is good for much more than digestion; it can also reduce your risk of stroke, hypertension, and heart disease, and it can make you feel fuller longer! Because only around 3% of Americans consume the recommended amount of fiber, check out these surprising sources to incorporate more into your diet.

  1. Legumes. Foods like split peas, lentils, and black beans are some of the best sources of fiber in the legume family. They all contain 15 grams of fiber or more per cup, and they’re a very filling side dish or accompaniment to soups, salads, and rice dishes.
  2. Artichokes. The oddly shaped artichoke is having a moment in the cooking world lately, and for very good reason. One medium artichoke contains 10.3 grams of beneficial fiber, and it tastes delicious when cooked with olive oil and a bit of sea salt.
  3. Raspberries. Fruits aren’t normally the first place you look for fiber, but raspberries actually contain a very impressive amount of the nutrient. One cup of raw raspberries contains eight grams of fiber, and they’re sweet and juicy to eat.

The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Greatist]
High Fiber Foods: 7 Surprising Sources [HuffPost Healthy Living]
10 Surprising Sources of Fiber [Yahoo! Shine]
The Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Health]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Ceviche Recipes You Need to Taste to Believe

August 21, 2014 by

Traditional ceviche is a popular Latin American dish, but the citrus-marinated fish dish has also become popular among ethnic restaurants all over the world. It can be made with a variety of different ingredients, though the flavorful combination of raw fish and lemon or lime remains virtually the same. This trio of creative ceviche recipes is perfect for the adventurous at-home chef.

Halibut-Mango Ceviche [MyRecipes]
Mild halibut is perfectly seasoned with the sweet taste of juicy mango and the spicy kick of jalapeno in this tropical ceviche dish. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and it pairs perfectly with crispy tortilla chips or tostadas!

Coconut Lime Ceviche [Cooking Channel TV]
The meaty cubes of coconut replace the traditional fish in this unique ceviche recipe, but the tart lime juice still adds a refreshing burst of flavor. It’s also seasoned with a wide variety of herbs and spices to add an even more intense taste.

Snapper Ceviche with Chiles and Herbs [Chow]
Both lime and orange juice create a wonderfully acidic reaction with the flaky snapper in this spicy ceviche. The traditional blend of chiles and herbs is also on par with the authentic Latin recipe. Be sure to ask for a top-grade cut of fish since you’ll essentially be serving it raw.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Learn to Make Lasagna 3 Different Ways

May 14, 2014 by

Lasagna isn’t the easiest dish to prepare, but like most dinners, having a great recipe can make all the difference. These flavorful, cheesy lasagna recipes will appeal to all tastes and ages, and if you follow the steps, they’ll surely become favorites in your recipe book.

Best Lasagna Ever [Pioneer Woman]
This recipe is great for the home chef who doesn’t want to hunt down sophisticated ingredients at fancy grocers. Most of the ingredients are likely already right in your own refrigerator. Using simple ground beef, your morning breakfast sausage, cottage cheese and sliced mozzarella, you can create a decadent lasagna in under an hour.

Simply Recipes Lasagna [Simply Recipes]
This traditional lasagna recipe offers a bit of sweetness for a surprising boost of flavor. It uses the usual Italian seasonings and tomato sauces to appeal to lasagna lovers, but it also incorporates extra cheeses that just about anyone will appreciate.

The World’s Best Lasagna [Allrecipes]
If you want to make lasagna for a large group, this is the recipe to do it with. This meat and cheese-filled pasta dish takes a bit more time and effort than your usual lasagna, but it’s well worth the wait on special occasions such as dinner parties or holidays.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Interesting Trivia from Outdated USDA Food Guides

March 20, 2014 by

Over the years, the USDA has compiled a large number of informational food guides to advise people on everything from counting calories to managing diabetes. While some of the advice remains with us today, other tips have been superseded by new discoveries and better nutrition knowledge.

Here are some interesting tips from past USDA food guides:

  • In the 1940s, food portion sizes were measured using a yardstick rather than the cups or ounces that we use today.
  • In the 1960s, the USDA recommended that people eat the same amount of grains as they did fruits and vegetables. Today, we know that we should limit the amount of grains we consume, in favor of eating more fruits and veggies.
  • Many of the USDA’s food guide tips developed in the 1980s are still in use today, such as limiting sodium intake, drinking alcohol in moderation and avoiding saturated fat and cholesterol.

Too see more past food guides from the USDA, click here.

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

Pin It on Pinterest