Food

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.