Planning a meal does not have to be hard and you can save a lot of time this way. You will want to follow these steps to help you plan your meals for the family. Of course, this is a fun process and you can get the other family members involved.

Brainstorm your favorite foods.

You will want to make a list of your families favorite foods. You do not want to overcook these foods but it is wise to make them. You want to please your family and you can do this by making at least one of their most treasured meals.

Write out a meal for each day of the week.

You need to write out a meal for each day of the week. Yes, this means Monday through Sunday. Writing out the meals helps keep you organized, so that you know what you are making each day. You can use a family calendar to write out the meals, a dry erase board or just a regular piece of paper. Use whatever will work the best for you.

Make a grocery list with all of the ingredients.

Now that you have a good idea of what you want to fix for your family this week, you can make a list of the ingredients. First, you should look through your pantry and see what ingredients you already have. Then, you will want to go to the store and purchase all of the necessary items for your meals.

Use coupons if you can.

The idea behind planning out your meals is so you can save money in the long run. Coupons are an excellent way to save money. You will need to get a good system down, so you can use coupons and help save your family some real money.

The Bottom Line

Follow these steps so you can plan meals for your family. Some women like to make all of their meals in one evening. You can then freeze the meals and pull the frozen dinner out when it’s time. This saves time for those who are working parents and just do not have the time to cook dinner every night. Once you get into the habit of planning your meals, then you will get a lot faster at the process. You will find what works for you and your family. Do not be afraid to get creative with your meals.

The Delia Effect does not just apply to the well known television cook Delia Smith but any of the popular chefs that manage to get record viewing figures for their television programmes. It all started though with Delia Smith, and it was a common occurrence for her to mention something in one of her cooking shows and the result was that within a matter of days, the ingredients would be completely sold out in shops and supermarkets all over the UK.

Memorable instances of this included Martelli pasta and Aunt Bessie’s mashed potato and this caused an uproar because people who were just buying these products as part of their weekly shop just couldn’t get hold of them anywhere.

The Delia Effect has now gone a step further though, now that she is involved in what must be an extremely expensive advertising campaign with Waitrose. You would have to say that it is a superb marketing decision by this supermarket to enlist Delia because as expected, sales are going through the roof as everything that she recommends is soon snapped up.

Along with Delia on these adverts is the A list chef, Heston Blumenthal. He is also working his magic for Waitrose and a good example of this could be found last Christmas with the Heston Blumenthal Christmas pudding which was unique because it had an orange in it. These puddings were sold out within a matter of days and they were even being sold on Ebay at highly inflated prices.

The same thing happens with Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, they only have to mention something that is a little bit of the ordinary and the shelves of supermarkets all over the country will soon be completely empty.

It would seem though, that even though many of these chefs and cooks are being used to promote products in this way, it is still Delia Smith who is regarded as the Queen of cooking and the Delia Effect is showing no signs at all of slowing down. It is probably because Delia seems as normal and as down to earth as it is possible to get. It should also be remembered that she makes everything look so easy and even I can watch her in action and then believe that I can produce something scrumptious, just like she has, with the help of all of the ingredients that she recommends, of course.

The Philips air fryer is a new and ingenious way of frying the food you love but using only a tiny amount of air and oil. We have just bought one and can not believe how good this is and how nice the food tastes.

We read all the reviews on the internet and decided to buy one. You could use it for a month and take it back if you were not 100% satisfied. We thought we have got nothing to lose and even if you keep it, it has got a world wide 2 year guarantee.

Philips obviously have got confidence in there product. Firstly we tried some frozen chips using the low fat spray. They were done in about 13mins on 200 degrees. We cooked about 800grams of frozen chips.

When we tried them we could not believe how nice they were and to think they were low fat chips. We kept feeling guilty every time we had a few but we need not have worried. Next we tried some frozen party chicken.

The party chicken was cooked within 12mins on 180 degrees and they again tasted gorgeous. When you are on a diet you start to crave the fattening foods after a short time I know we did.

The Philips Air Fryer takes away that craving because you can now cook all your favourite fattening foods but they are now considered low calorie. Brilliant idea. The only problem we have is if we overfill the basket.

When we have done this especially with fresh potatoes they do not seem to cook evenly and take a while over the stated time, that’s why we will be using frozen or oven chips either taste great.

We have also tried sausages and burgers in the Philips air fryer. With a quick spray of low fat oil we put them in as the instructions say and they cooked beautifully. We have also tried fish fingers and fish bits both tasted beautiful.

I will add half way between your cooking time you have to take the pan out and give your chips a shake just to make sure they cook evenly. The manufacturer says to heat up to 3mins before use it is a very good tip.

When we cooked our sausages and burgers the fat drains into the bottom of the pan so half way through you can drain the oil like I had too but I left it in and the oil was burning and there was smoke everywhere.

The Philips air fryer works by blowing hot air directly onto the food from a fan placed above an electric ring. There is obviously more to the technology but that is just a basic description of how the Philips air fryer cooks. As of writing I am not sure when the Philips Air Fryer will be released in the USA.

If you would like to purchase the Philips air fryer please click here or click on the picture.

There is a list of things that you should store in your cupboard and have at all times. Each is chosen for different reasons, but none is more important than the next. Making sure to always have these things on hand will save you in a pinch or during a disaster, just make sure to never go without these things.

With times as uncertain as they are, there are a couple of things that you should always have in your cupboard. They are items that may be used everyday or just in an emergency, but make sure that you have them on you at all times.

The number one thing that you should always have in your cupboard is fresh water, at least one jug. You know that old proverb that you never want water until the well runs dry, well….it is not just a saying. Making sure to have water on hand may at some point be crucial to your survival, or at least your convenience. Water is something that none of us can do without so make sure that you always have some on hand.

Another ingredient that you should always have in your cupboard is chicken stock. I know, sounds crazy, but the uses for chicken broth are endless. You can use it for the base of soup, substitute it in your mashed potatoes, it is one of those overall good things that will enhance any meal. It is the miracle juice that will keep your meals from being dry, so make sure to always have some on hand.

Another item that you should always have in your cupboard is powdered milk. How many times have you run out of milk. It’s fine if you have neighbors, but for people like me who live in the middle of nowhere, having powdered milk may mean the difference between having that late night bowl of cereal or finishing off those cookies that you forgot you were supposed to make for your child’s class the next day. Running out of milk is no fun, making sure you have a back up is crucial.

Having these things in your pantry may not save your life, but they may save you from those late night grocery runs that we all hate to make, or those runs to the store in bad or hazardous conditions.

We have all been there, when the kids ask what’s for dinner and you tell them, the groans ensue. You can’t really blame them. If you take a good look at what you have been fixing for them to eat and find that you have about 7 different meals that you just continually rotate, then maybe it is time to mix things up a bit. Throw caution to the wind and try something new, you may find a new family favorite and something that will not require as much work as you think.

With the kids finding their way back to school, all the time that you thought you would be gaining, seems to by flying out the window. All the time that you thought you would have is quickly being eaten up by back to school nights, volunteer opportunities, PTO, in fact, you could swear that you are actually finding yourself with less time. By the time you actually walk through the door, it is dinner time.

Going with the old stand by may seem like the only feasible thing when faced with the new time crunch. Don’t limit yourself to the same old, same old, there are a thousand different recipes that cater to the cook who is running, not only on limited time, but limited budgets as well.

There are an endless number of different recipes available specifically designed for the overworked cook. Most of the recipes are designed to help prepare meals on a weekly basis, well ahead of time, to make time. Most of these recipe “plans” are excellent at saving money as well. Their sole purpose is to give you great ideas that are easy, will mix things up a bit, and use the same ingredients so that you are finding yourself with less waste and less food that you find yourself throwing out unused.

Food plans are the best way to try something new. Very easy to follow, most of them can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, making it ideal to get food on the table on time to get everyone either off to bed, or off to soccer. It is very important to feed your family meals that have a variety of different nutrition, and even more so to not end up with a picky eater. Make sure to carve out just a little bit of time to put a little extra love and variety into meal time. You will be surprised at how easy it actually is.

Eating healthy is easier than you think. While many people do not have immediate access to a farmer’s market where they can find organic produce, your local grocery store does have many of the things that nutritionists will tell you are good for you. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the outside of the grocery store and avoid the aisles.

Along the outside wall of the grocery store you will find the proteins you need as well as the dairy products, grains, and fruits and vegetables that you need to maintain a healthy diet. Of course, this rule of thumb does not necessarily make it any easier to figure out how you should fill your cart. Here are some things that you should stock in your refrigerator to maximize your nutrient intake:

1)      DARK GREEN VEGETABLES – these are rich in B vitamins and Vitamin K and minerals like calcium, iron, and folic acid. They fall into two [general] categories: Leafy greens and cruciferous.

• Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens
• Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, cress, and cauliflower

2)      CITRUS FRUITS – these are rich in Vitamin C as well as fiber, which aids in digestion. Citrus fruits include oranges, red and yellow bell peppers, grapefruit, and lime.

3)      NUTS — high in protein and some essential oils (and yes, even essential fats), walnuts, almonds, and peanuts provide energy and a little flavor when you need a snack.

4)      SALMON — fish is the leanest protein you can eat and salmon is perhaps the most popular. Salmon provides essential fatty acids, which benefit nerve and soft tissue integrity, but is also loaded with many vitamins and minerals as well (like most proteins).

5)      TEA — tea leaves are full of antioxidants but herbal teas can extract various healthy components from the spices and herbs that are steeped.

6)      TOMATOES — high in the antioxidants lycopene and vitamin C this fruit is flavorful and juicy.

7)      BERRIES — excellent with nuts, berries are sweet and provide a variety of different nutritional benefits because they are full of various antioxidants.

8)      [NATURAL] YOGURT — it’s better to get the unsweetened Greek variety (because it is not flavored or sweetened artificially) yogurt can aid in digestion and provides many of the same benefits you find in other dairy products. It’s also a good base for fruit salad.

9)      SPICES — many spices provide health benefits that you probably don’t even know about. Ginger and garlic both have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. Other healthy and beneficial spices include black pepper, cinnamon, dried chili, turmeric, oregano, and fenugreek.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

The exciting, new book by Gordon Ramsay, star of “Hell’s Kitchen,” the hot reality show airing now on Fox. Gordon Ramsay, the temperamental and demanding star of “Hell’s Kitchen,” which is airing on Fox this summer, is known around the world for his culinary expertise.

How does he achieve such success? Ramsay’s brand-new cookbook, In the Heat of the Kitchen, reveals all, from techniques and short cuts to clever cooking tips.

This is also a collection of superb recipes, every one tested to ensure success in the home kitchen, including gorgeous full-color photographs of finished dishes and photos of step-by-step techniques as well.

With chapters on fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, salads, fruits and breads, this is a cookbook you will turn to whenever you want to cook with lots of style and a minimum of fuss.

Nowadays, more and more people want to lead healthy lives by incorporating lifestyle changes. A shift of eating habits poses significant improvement in a person’s overall wellness and health. For example, a lot of us are now keen in eating organic food. And now, free range eggs are slowly gaining popularity among health-conscious people as foods rich in good vitamins and minerals.

Gone were the days wherein eggs have bad reputation. You see, a lot of people avoid eggs because of certain studies saying that consuming a lot of eggs can affect your health because of their high cholesterol content. According to studies before, if you want to keep your blood pressure at bay, you have to avoid eating eggs. But now, a lot of studies are being published stating how eggs are actually good for your health.

Differentiating store-bought eggs from free range eggs

Speaking of free range eggs, more and more people want to know how they can differentiate free range eggs from store-bought ones. You can do this by cracking the egg and observing the color of the egg yolk and the egg white. A free range egg will have clear egg white and the yolk will have a nice golden yellow color compared to the pale yellow egg yolk of store-bought eggs.

The many benefits of free range eggs

Since hens that are cultured to produce free range eggs are better, they tend to produce healthier eggs that have more nutritional contents compared to store-bought eggs. Several of the vitamins and minerals that you will get from free range eggs include:

-          Vitamin A

-          Vitamin D

-          Omega 3

-          Omega 6

-          Lower levels of fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol

Where to get free range eggs?

If you want to make sure that you are buying good quality of free range eggs, the best place to get them is from a local farm. I usually get mine from the hometown of my parents since they live near a farmer’s place. Many farms usually raise hens and sell these eggs to their neighbors, so that they too could make a living out of it. By buying from them, you are ensured that you are buying real free range eggs.

Free range eggs can be prepared in however way you want it and take it from me, these eggs are more delicious since they are tastier. You will be able to provide your family with good food every day. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch to free range eggs now.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic healthy eating cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

The Real Food Handbook: Buying, Storing and Using Ingredients from Around the World.

I love eating, travelling and blogging. My love for food does not mean that I just eat anything. I admit that I do enjoy eating different cuisines, but I am quite picky with the ingredients. I make sure that everything in my meal, especially our family meals, are organic. Eating organic food gives me a peace of mind and assurance that my family and I are consuming healthy food.

So, why do I want organic foods? There many reasons why you should be eating organic food.

1. Organic food is delicious

I have learned from my constant reading that if the crops are cultivated in a well-balanced soil, they grow healthy and bring out their natural delicious tastes. Fruits are sweeter than those commercially cultivated fruits that are treated with fertilizers.

2. Organic food products are processed through strict standards

Sellers of organic food are usually given certification which gives consumers the assurance that the products are safe and grown through healthy and natural procedure.

3. You need to eat organic food because they reduce potential health risks

Since organic crops and animals are free from potentially harmful pesticides, herbicides, feeds and antibiotics, consumers will have the chance to consume foods that are free from any side-effects of these chemicals. For your information, these chemicals are usually carcinogenic which can lead to the development of cancer through long-term consumption and exposure. In organic farms, workers on organic farm are not exposed to hazardous chemicals.

4. Organic farming does not add pollutants to the environment

Isn’t it humbling to know that you buy food products from farmers who respect the nature? You see, conventional farmers who use chemicals pollute nature through the use of pesticides and insect killers which are sprayed through the air.

5. Buying organic foods means that you support those farmers who build soil

Organic farmers make sure that the soil that they are farming is rich in natural nutrients and minerals which are vital to their crops. These farmers preserve our topsoil since they do not use any chemical and mono-crop farming.

Consuming organic food takes you to whole new meaning of eating. Why? Buying crops and meat products that are organically cultivated are healthier, more affordable and tastier. Not to mention the huge favor that we are giving to nature, to ourselves and to the future generation. I feel good about myself whenever I buy organic products and transform them into sumptuous dishes because I know that I am giving my family some good, nutritious and healthy meals everyday.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic healthy eating cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven