Food

Breakfast has become an important meal that helps us power through the rest of the day. A healthy breakfast also contributes to a healthy lifestyle for the entire family.

But as you eat this meal more often, have you ever stopped to find out how much you’re spending?

Because people don’t have as much time to prepare breakfast, they end up spending more on expensive a la carte items in the process. Buying a cup of coffee every morning could be costing you over $1000 a year. The good news is that you can save on costly breakfast items by preparing early. Here are some useful tips to consider.

1. Start with a detailed shopping list

The easiest way of saving money on breakfast is by making as much of it (at home) as possible. Start by preparing a detailed grocery list of what you’d wish to eat in the morning. Go for convenient items that are easy to make- such as bread, frozen items, oatmeal, eggs, and cereal.

A grocery list is the best way to keep track of how much you’ll be spending every month on breakfast. You’ll also have an easier time monitoring your health choices and other ingredient information.

2. Hot cereal works for the entire family

Convenience is the guiding principle of enjoying your breakfast meals. Hot cereal is quick and easy to prepare, and it doesn’t cost much when compared to eating out. Kids also love cereal, especially when combined with syrup, fruits, and ice cream. You can rotate different cereal flavors and include a selection of wheat, oats, and fruits.

3. Prepare your eggs at home

Buying one egg at a time is much more expensive than buying by the dozen. Imagine spending $1 on a single egg, and you could spend a dollar and some change for an entire pack. The trick to saving on eggs is by preparing them yourself.

Boil them in groups and dip the unused ones in an ice bath for another day. This will save you time and money as you grab each egg to prepare your breakfast. There are also other ways of making eggs quickly. Scrambled eggs only take minutes to prepare, and you can mix them with brown rice for a protein-filled morning treat.

4. Bagels and muffins will fill you up

Your breakfast wouldn’t be complete without a bagel or muffin on the side. But we all know that these can be expensive, even in grocery stores. Consider purchasing your bread in bulk from day-old bakeries. Such bread stores can help you save up to 50% or more on the cost of breakfast bread. Furthermore, bagels and muffins are quite filling and will keep you going until lunchtime.

5. Put that blender to good use

Smoothies can cost as much as $5-$10 apiece. If you need a fresh smoothie to get your morning started, consider making your own. Is that blender collecting dust? Clean it and obtain some frozen fruits, yogurt, or juice (from the grocery store) to get started. All you need to do is toss a combination of the above inside your blender, crush with ice, and you’re ready to go.

6. Have some juice

It may sound convenient to purchase a cup of fresh juice on your way to work, but doing this is also expensive. Juice is a healthy and nutritious option to get your morning started. However, it can also drive up your breakfast budget pretty quickly.

Consider purchasing a bottle of fresh juice each week and titrating some into a container as you walk out the door. A combination of apple, orange, mango, and avocado juices should do the trick.

7. Avoid buying coffee at restaurants

Next comes the mother of them all: coffee. Buying a cup of coffee every day can burn a hole in your wallet. The solution? Consider brewing your coffee at home. Not only will you have the freedom to select from different flavors, but you can also save on the time it would take to wait in line for your tall Starbucks cup.

You can easily save hundreds of dollars every year by brewing your coffee, even after investing in a new coffee maker.

In a nutshell, saving money on breakfast is about paying attention to detail. What may seem affordable quickly adds up over time and could set you back hundreds of dollars by the end of the year. But if you plan ahead, prepare as much at home, and eat healthily, you can put a significant amount back into your pocket.

To read more on topics like this, check out the food category.

 

Sushi is one of the most iconic foods you can try in the Big Apple. Since New York is known for being a melting pot of varied and rich cultures, sushi is no longer a secret dish from the Land of the Rising Sun. You can get it right in your neck of the woods. There are even new versions of this dish popping up across the boroughs. While they maintain the Japanese method of cooking rice, several fresh ingredients are now being used to make sushi. But, of course, the classics will always have a special place. It’s the only way you can get a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Many restaurants in New York have classic sushi dishes on their menu. You can get them almost anywhere – food trucks, Japanese bistros, Teppanyaki-style grill houses, and kosher restaurants in NYC.

Down below, we have collected the top classic sushi dishes you should try:

1. Tuna
2. Spicy tuna
3. Salmon
4. Spicy salmon
5. Yellowtail
6. Spicy yellowtail
7. Spicy crab
8. Sea bass
9. Pufferfish
10. Eel

On a side note, sushi is most often confused with sashimi and nigiri. People get them mixed up all the time. It’s not exactly anybody’s fault. These dishes resemble each other in many ways. You should know the difference so that you won’t embarrass yourself in public.

What’s the difference between sushi, nigiri, and sashimi?

Sushi

Sushi is mainly composed of rice. It is hand-rolled with other ingredients such as meat (crab sticks, salmon, tuna), fruits (avocado, mango) and vegetables (cucumber, carrot). Then, it is hand rolled into a sheet of seaweed (nori) that they slice into bite-size pieces.

Sushi can be subdivided into three different categories namely uramaki, maki, and temaki. Uramaki is when the seaweed or the nori that is used to wrap the sushi is on the inside while the rice is on the outside. Maki is when the nori is on the outside. Lastly, temaki is when the sushi is made to shape like a cone using the seaweed.

Sashimi

When you see the word sashimi, you should remember that it is solely meat. No other ingredient is included in the serving.

Nigiri

Nigiri is a special kind of dish. It is sashimi served on top of rectangularly molded rice. The sashimi can either be raw or cooked, and the sashimi can be other types of meat and seafood. A favorite alternative they use is unagi (grilled freshwater eel).

So, as you can see, it can be quite confusing. If you made a mistake of interchanging these words before, it’s not a problem. You at least know the difference now, and you can surely order the right one when you order sushi at your favorite restaurant.

These are the top things you need to know if you want to order sushi in NYC. Knowing these can undoubtedly help you out when you want to eat Japanese cuisine in the big city.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Nutrition is one of the most essential factors when it comes to your health. And with hundreds and thousands of different diets available, making the right choice for your body may be quite challenging. Keto diet is one among these diets, having quite a number of benefits that you can enjoy. However, there are potential downsides to note with this diet also. Unpleasant risks that can have adverse effects on your health. The following are the benefits and risks associated with this diet. Please read on.

Benefits of Keto Diet

1. Reduced Inflammation

A keto diet has the ability to lower the inflammation drastically. The burning of ketones instead of glucose for energy leads to lower amounts of free radical production. With more energy production, your body will have a heightened ability to heal in a variety of aspects. If you’re mainly depending on sugar for energy, you’ll be more likely to experience inflammation in the event of blood sugar imbalance. This diet allows for stabilization of insulin and blood sugar hence its anti-inflammatory advantage. You can try the BHB products designed for your keto diet today.

2. Improved Fat Burning

Excess body weight can put you at risk for quite a number of diseases. Toxin accumulation and hormone imbalances in your body can also result out of excess body fat. Which is why a keto diet will put you in a state of ketosis – your body will burn fat for energy. Your body will, therefore, burn the fat at a much more efficient rate if you’re having excess body fat.

3. Reduced Cravings

Perhaps you can relate to the sudden and intense hunger pangs accompanied by changes in the moods. You may have seen this to be very normal because, after all, almost everyone experiences them, right? But actually, the cravings result from instability of the chronic blood sugar and your brain will receive a signal that you’re starving. Now, how will you benefit from a keto diet? The state of ketosis will balance your blood sugar and provide your brain with stable energy. And your cravings will be eliminated just like that.

Risks of Keto Diet

4. Ketoacidosis

You should avoid keto diet if you’re having diabetes type 1 or type 2 as much as possible. This is because you’ll risk suffering from ketoacidosis – a dangerous condition triggered by ketosis. This condition makes your blood become acidic and if not monitored well during the initial stages, it may result in kidney stones or bone breakdown.

5. Keto Flu

You may experience the symptoms of “keto flu” days after adopting a keto diet. These include lethargy, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, and vomiting. Studies have shown that about one in four people who try keto diet experience “keto flu.” This is caused by the transition your body undergoes when it runs out of sugar to burn for energy hence begins to burn fat.

6. Cognitive Problems

Adopting a keto diet may expose you to a danger of confusion and memory loss. This situation forces your body to produce its own carbs to counter the change and to do this, the body has to be broken down to access them. This carb consumption negatively impacts your brain since it’s fueled by glucose.

Conclusion

Keto diet comes with amazing health benefits – reduced cravings and inflammation and improved fat burning. However, it is not advisable to try the keto diet if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, experiencing type 1 or 2 diabetes, or are at risk for heart disease. If due to some reason also, your gallbladder was removed, you should avoid the diet because of its high fat. Look out for other relevant themed blogs to learn more about nutrition and keto diet.

Love authentic Chinese cuisine? If you do, then you’ve doubtless heard of Xiao long bao, or soup dumplings. These steamed delicacies are delicious, and they’re incredibly unique – filled with both pork and broth. When eaten correctly, they’re a culinary delight.

However, when eaten incorrectly, they can spill scalding broth over your lips and chin. It’s both painful and messy. Or, as Thrillist points out, “you’ve got a scalded mouth and wet chin at best (a ruined dumpling and guffawing friends at worst). The good news is that eating Xiao long bao the right way isn’t all that hard. You just need to know a few things.

The Wrong Way

We’ll start with a look at the wrong way to eat these delicious dumplings. As Good Food points out, the wrong way is to pop the dumpling like a pimple. Not only is that messy and crude, it’s gross, too. Not to mention the fact that it’s completely insensitive to Chinese culinary tradition. Imagine being told that the right way to eat a burger was off the floor, or the right way to eat pizza was by liquifying it in a blender first.

You also should not put the entire dumpling in your mouth and eat it in one swallow. They are meant to be savored, not consumed immediately. This isn’t sushi, and it’s not Japan. Chinese culinary traditions are different.

The Right Way

So, how do you eat Xiao long bao the right way? Is there a correct way? You bet there is, and it makes a lot of sense if you just take the time to think about it. Xiao long bao combine the deliciousness of soup with the beauty of a dumpling, and the savory taste of meat. The right way to eat them allows you to experience all these things with every single dumpling.

First, understand that, as Business Insider points out, the beauty of these dumplings is really the soup inside. It’s essentially soup that has been turned into gelatin, and then added to the dumpling. The cooking process liquifies the soup, filling the interior of the dumpling with delightful liquid. However, eat it too soon and you’re going to burn your mouth. Eat it too late and the liquid will have gelatinized once more, and the dumpling skin will have hardened. So, what’s a diner to do?

For that, we turn to Chili House SF. First, you need to wait just a little while for the dumplings to cool slightly. Then, you need to take stock of what you’ve been given in the way of utensils. You should have both chopsticks and a soup spoon. There’s a reason for that – you’re supposed to use both. Gently pick up your dumpling with your chopsticks and place it in the soup spoon. Then, use the spoon to bring the dumpling to your mouth.

Take a small bite from the front of the dumpling, and let the soup fill the spoon. Then, sip the soup while eating the dumpling. It’s that simple.

The UK has developed a strong preference for American baked goodies over locally made cakes and pastries. One of the most well-loved baked treats in the country is brownies. These brown goodies can come in various types and flavours; they can either be gooey, firm or a mixture of both.

While they are fairly easy to make with a traditional kitchen oven, it’s hard to get the texture right if you don’t have a secret formula. Fortunately, you can buy brownies from any bakery in the city or you can opt for a brownie delivery service. Ever wonder why this baked goodie is taking the country by storm?

They’re simple and homey

Brownies are not like fancy cakes that come with frosting, sprinkles and other sorts of special things. In fact, they are just made from very simple ingredients like flour, cocoa, milk, butter and eggs. What makes them so delectable is the homey vibe you get with every bite.

Every mother or grandmother has her own secret brownie recipe, and that perhaps is the number one reason why these baked treats easily tug at our heartstrings. You can eat them with friends or family or you can just eat them by yourself.

Kids’ favourite treat

A lot of kids like eating brownies because of all the rich chocolate bits included. Brownies are mostly paired with a glass of milk but they can also be eaten with hot cocoa. You also have the option to blend them with milk and crushed ice to make a chocolatey brownie milkshake for your kids, nephews or nieces.

You can enjoy endless choices

Brownies can be topped with a wide range of things. While some prefer their brownies simple, you can always try those that have roasted nuts like peanuts and walnuts. You can also try them with Oreos, M&Ms, peanut butter, pretzels, salted caramel, bacon and white chocolate. Others even opt for brownies without the cocoa.

They are totally satisfying

Because brownies are highly decadent treats, they can be very satisfying to eat. In fact, after eating just a few slices, you will probably have no room for other treats. One small slice alone contains roughly 100 calories. If you are being strict about your calorie intake, you should limit how many brownies you eat each day.

They’re perfect for sharing

The best part about brownies is that you can share them with your family and friends. You can serve them as a snack while you’re watching TV or perhaps a yummy treat during the afternoon while you’re sipping a freshly squeezed fruit juice. If you don’t mind the extra calories, you can even top your brownie with your favourite flavour of ice cream.

Are you craving a box of brownies? We can’t blame you. They really are a rich and delectable treat. Try a brownie delivery service for a change. After all, today there are a lot of online brownie shops that can deliver your box of brownies straight to your home.

When entertaining guests at home, you usually do it outdoors. What better way to entertain guests than to serve oven baked pizza right in your yard? Ovens can either be gas-powered or wood-fired. Let us see the differences between the two ovens and determine which one will suit your needs best.

Wood-fired

When outdoor ovens were introduced in the market, the wood-fired variety was all the rage back then. But when gas-powered ovens came on the scene, homeowners were divided on which was the better option. A wood fired pizza oven may be slower to build and heat up to the right temperature, but many people still prefer this type of oven because of the extra smoky taste and aroma that wood brings to the pizza. A good wood-fired oven is one that is built with insulation so that it does not take too much time in heating up. Cleaning it can also become quite a chore, as you have to scoop up the ashes manually, so it will be ready for use next time. The chimney should also be cleaned periodically to keep it in good condition.

Gas-powered

When gas-powered ovens were developed, more and more people switched to them for being low maintenance, and the cooking time was shortened drastically. It heats up pretty quickly and pizza can be done in just a few minutes. You don’t need too much time to prep it for an outdoor picnic. Just a flip of a switch and it is ready for use. This type of oven can be readily connected to your existing gas line by a qualified professional. You can preheat your oven to 800 degrees in only 20 minutes, compared to a wood-fired oven which will require at least a couple of hours to achieve this temperature.

Which one is best?

Each type of oven has its own pros and cons, and if you live in a nicer climate, you’ll have to decide which one you will prefer for your outdoor picnics. Remember that it will be in use for years to come, and they don’t come cheap. It will set you back a few thousand pounds, so choosing the right one for your needs is crucial. You can read reviews online to help you in your decision making. If you are the type of person who has the patience for heating up a wood-fired oven and achieving that smoky flavour, then it is the one for you. But if you prefer quick and easy cooking, then the gas-powered one will suit you best.

Everybody loves pizza. Who can resist it? Whether cooked using a gas-powered oven or a wood-fired one, it will still be everybody’s favourite.

After reading about the rising cases of common childhood diseases in the USA, you’re probably wondering about the best way to protect your kids. Like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, the right diet can keep your child safe from getting ailments that increasingly younger kids are developing. In addition to protecting your kids from getting sick, you can also ensure that they perform well academically, show optimum growth levels, and have fewer behavioral problems.

All of This is Possible! Simply by Ensuring the Right Diet

If you aren’t quite sure about how to balance your kids’ meals, check out the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that clearly define what an optimum meal must have. Like, for instance,

• Adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables that provide essential vitamins and minerals
• Whole grains or carbohydrates that provide energy for daily activities
• Low-fat dairy products that provide calcium, potassium, magnesium and other minerals essential for bone development
• Proteins that contain essential amino acids that promote proper growth
• Oils and fats that are essential for the normal functioning of the body.

By making sure they eat right, you can boost your kids’ immunity levels and help them better resist common childhood diseases. Further, in case they do fall sick, the right nutrition can help children recover faster. At the same time, it is understandable that with your packed schedule and myriad professional and personal commitments, you don’t have the time to shop and cook balanced meals. The solution is simple. Look for a healthy food delivery near you, choose the right dishes from their extensive menu, and place orders.

Children are Prone to Various Ailments as They Grow

In today’s times, common childhood diseases include both communicable and non-communicable ailments. Communicable ailments are those that your child may pick up from the other kids in school, because of seasonal changes, or simply viruses in the air. Non-communicable diseases are the ones that your children may be born with like for instance, food allergies, or others that they acquire because of poor eating habits. Here are some of the illnesses you may find yourself dealing with more often than others.

1. Obesity

Like the National Center for Biotechnology Information reports, many kids all over the world start to become obese at 2 years of age because of the intake of the wrong kind of food. This phenomenon is not just restricted to the developed countries, but there are rising cases in developing nations too. While obesity by itself is a huge problem that can lead to other health issues, overweight children are also likely to show stunted growth. The excess weight results in a failure to gain height. Prevent this from happening to your child by carefully monitoring the intake of sweets, fats, and refined carbohydrates. Take your child for regular checkups to the pediatrician to check weight and height levels.

2. Anemia or the Deficiency of Iron

Although not a common childhood disease, parents need to be aware of the possibility of anemia in their kids. Anemia is a condition where there are insufficient red blood cells in the child’s body. This condition typically occurs among children who are weaning away from a milk diet to adult food. Cow’s milk does not have adequate iron and kids must get the supply they need from foods like legumes, raisins, iron-rich dark green leafy vegetables, poultry, meats, fish, and eggs.

Another reason that for anemia that Livestrong has noted is children’s refusal to eat certain foods. When kids are picky about eating, providing proper nutrition can become a huge challenge. Until the time when your kids learn to eat all the food you put before them, you may want to talk to your pediatrician about the feasibility of giving them iron supplements.

3. Dental Cavities

Getting dental cavities is one of the most common childhood disease today. And, younger children are developing the affliction while they still have their milk teeth. This condition can be avoided by keeping a close watch on the sugars and carbs your child consumes. Focus more on fruits and vegetables, and work with your dentist to understand proper dental care for kids as young as 2 years of age.

Shahrbanoo Fadavi, DDS, MS is the lead author of the report published in the General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s peer-reviewed clinical journal. She says, “Parents often put their child to bed with a bottle containing milk or sugary juice. The child then falls asleep leaving teeth susceptible to acid-forming bacteria that develops into cavities.”

She goes on to add, “Learning about proper oral care should be just as much of a priority as prenatal care. Parents-to-be should take the initiative and ask health care professionals about a baby’s oral health.”

4. Food Allergies and Intolerance to Certain Foods

When kids can’t digest certain foods or they fall ill after eating them, that’s a form of food allergy or intolerance. Children can be allergic to gluten, nuts, lactose containing foods, soy, or any other. If you notice a problem, you may want to work with your pediatrician to add supplements or other foods in your child’s diet. For instance, if your child cannot eat dairy products or drink regular milk, substitute with other foods that are rich in calcium.

Proper Nutrition is the Key to Managing Communicable Diseases Also

Aside from these common childhood diseases, your child could contract various communicable ailments. Such issues are a normal part of growing up and the best you can do is to fortify your child’s natural immunity with a nutritious diet, regular vaccinations, and other measures of hygiene that your pediatrician recommends. And, when your children do fall ill, the healthy food you give them will help with the recovery so they get back their strength quickly.

As parents, you can’t really protect your kids from all kinds of illnesses. The best you can do is to give them the best diet possible and they’re sure to thrive.

We’ve all been at those events that just fell flat, and planning and pulling off a fun dinner party can be harder than it sounded when you first proposed the idea. Hosting a dreary event isn’t just embarrassing; it’ll be painful for you as well as your guests. Assuming hiring an event planner isn’t in budget and you’re not up for renting a yacht—or a bouncy castle, here’s how to keep things fresh without going to far.

Take-and-bake

Assuming you’re not a hobbyist chef, you’ll want to avoid slaving away in the kitchen all day (or weekend) over handmade works of gourmet art. If you want to pull off a classy, tasty meal without hiring a caterer or calling the pizza guy, prepared foods that just need to be assembled or cooked are the way to go.

The last thing you want to be is exhausted by the time your guests arrive. Prepare as much as possible ahead of time by setting the table and arranging cold foods on platters, pop hot items in the oven, set the timer, and put your feet up and have a glass of wine.

Play with the food

Of course, leaving a little food prep until the guests arrive can be a great strategy in and of itself. The first few minutes of a social gathering can be awkward until the conversation starts flowing and the wine kicks in. Gathering early arrivals around some snacks is a good way to break the ice.

Sushi rolling (with low-risk ingredients such as artificial crab, cucumber, mango, or yam) is a fun group activity. Fondue (cheese or chocolate) is another interactive food experience that eases guests into the social experience.

Use a theme

A well-chosen theme can help inspire décor and meal items while adding a sense of whimsy or style and fun to the evening. Try to gauge the guest list when it comes to choosing a theme. Some groups will do better with subtle and understated, while others will love it if you go all-out.

Minimal touches might include incorporating a color scheme into the table settings or choosing a meaningful centerpiece. Nature-inspired seasonal décor is a good, low-impact design choice. Consider featuring budding branches and spring flowers early in the season, flowers and fruit in summer, gourds and berries in fall, or evergreen branches in winter. Place in a wide, low bowl, on an attractive board or platter, or upright in a vase.

Personalize the décor

Another approach that you can use with or without a full dinner party theme is personalized décor. Cut down on dishes, go eco-friendly, and help guests keep track of their drinks by marking glasses with their name or a distinctive tag. Hand-lettering can be an elegant touch if that’s in your wheelhouse, but simple cursive or printed lettering works just as well.

Liquid chalk pens are great for personalization and customization and the benefit of getting them in liquid form means that you can write on glass without leaving a lasting mark. If you have a mixed crowd of old friends and new, a fun way to make the new guests feel less awkward is to assign silly (or themed) nicknames for the night to keep everyone on their toes.

Get interactive

Even if you don’t feel that encouraging your guests to play with the food sets the right tone for your event, preparing some sort of activity to engage guests and defuse the awkwardness of new arrivals is a good strategy. Look for something low-impact that guests can choose to interact with or avoid depending on their personality and preferences.

A small creative craft like coming up with their own nickname and writing it on their glass or assembling a wine-glass charm can be a nice way to keep the hands busy and avoid initial awkwardness. Trivia or small tabletop games are another popular choice and can sometimes dovetail with your party theme as well.

Throwing a fun dinner party doesn’t have to break the bank or require a degree in project management and planning. Consider your guests when choosing theme or décor, and feel free to take shortcuts in the preparation of food. Look for activities that you can draw guests into as they arrive, whether that’s a some-assembly-required food item, a light craft and a chance to exercise some creativity, or a game. The most important thing is connecting, relaxing, and having a good time, and as a host you can contribute to a more enjoyable dinner party experience by avoiding stress and overwork, being relaxed and having a good time engaging with your guests.