Different people have different views when it comes the sell by dates that you see on food labels. I know that if something is even one day out of date my mum will throw it away without giving it a second thought where as I know other people who don’t even look at the sell by date, if it doesn’t smell funny and is not covered in mould it is OK in their eyes.

Now I know that is a bit extreme but the reason I am talking about this subject is because there was a programme on the television last week which made a point of saying that so much food is wasted because of these sell by dates and the superficial standards which certain foods have to meet, that it is something of a scandal.

What must be realised is that with supermarkets, appearance is everything and that is why as soon as something reaches its sell by date it is instantly reduced, that is if it is not snapped up by the staff who work there before it is offered to the general public.

Now with products such as milk and bread, it is easy to tell if they are past their best but what about tinned food and food that is sold in packets.. Experts are now arguing that many food types can be eaten long after their sell by dates but still the supermarkets refuse to budge, perhaps it is because they know that by using sell by dates they will be able to sell more.

One thing that does annoy me though is that everything does have to be perfect to be sold in a supermarket, especially fruit and veg. I can guarantee that you won’t find the kind of apples that are available on your local market stall in the supermarket, and the reason for that is that they are not perfectly shaped as well as being the right colour.

Alarm bells should start ringing though when you realise what the suppliers to the supermarkets have to do to the fruit and veg in order to get accepted by the supermarkets. You can’t blame these suppliers as they are only trying to make a living, but if the supermarkets were a little less rigid in their regulations we would all probably be better off and also get to eat far better quality food.

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.

The 10 golden rules that must be followed for student food budgeting will keep you from overspending, buying junk, and keeping your young one healthy. The number one rule is to buy fresh. There are whole industries that have been developed to convince us that we need things that we actually don’t.

Never is that more true than the marketing to our kids. Buying fresh ingredients instead of purchasing prepackaged goods is the best way to keep your kids healthy and to keep your budget low.

The second rule is to purchase things in bulk. Buying in bulk these days is the best way to gain some substantial savings. When you purchase items in large quantities the price per item is significantly less, saving you money. Rule number three is that juice boxes are a waste of money.

Purchase your child a thermos and save not only the environment but save a lot of money. Refilling a thermos can save you an incredible amount of money each year if you really add it up. Also, you can control better the amount of calories by choosing better liquid choices.

The fourth rule to student food budgeting is to have them bring their lunch to school. It may seem like buying lunches at school is pennies, but when you add it all up, it really can add up to some substantial money. Having them bring their lunch also gives you better control over their nutrition.

The fifth rule is to use refillable containers versus disposable. Instead of using ziploc bags, use containers that can be reused over and again. Not only will you be saving money but you will be going green as well.

The sixth rule is to use a lunch box instead of a paper sack. Again, choosing to reuse is the best way to cut costs on lunches everyday. The seventh rule is to know exactly what your child does and doesn’t eat. You would be shocked to know what they don’t like and waste by throwing out.

Rule number 8, no desert. Those deserts not only add a lot of money to your budget but a lot of calories to their diet.

Rule number 9, don’t purchase bags of chips, buy a bag and divvy up. Those little individual bags can really add up and most of the time there are several bags in the packs that no one likes and gets thrown out.

Finally, the 10th rule is to watch portion size. Your children only have a small amount of time to eat, leading most of whatever is not eaten to be thrown out. They are not going away for a week, just a couple of hours so don’t think that you have to feed them like it’s their last meal everyday.

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.

There are 5 superfoods that you just simply should not live without. These little powerhouses are incredible ways to get all the nutrition without the fat. They are hidden treasures that are easy to keep for snacking, and require no preparation. Most have very little calorie content and will surprise you at their benefits to your health.

One of the top 5 superfoods are blueberries. Not only are they the perfect pre-packaged meal, but they are inexpensive and above all yummy. Who knew this little package of perfection could be so packed full of antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. They are also chalked full of vitamin C and potassium, making them quite possibly the best post work out snack. They have been proven to lower risks of both cancer and heart disease, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Nuts, quite possibly the best snack available. Nuts can be carried with you everywhere and have all of the nutrition that your body needs to stay healthy. Carrying a ton of healthy fat, it makes you feel satiated, is an excellent form of protein and is perfect for a diet rich in dietary fiber. They have also been shown to lower cholesterol and guard against heart disease.

Olives are another perfect superfood for the heart and body. Olives are full of good fats that help to protect the heart and come with a high concentration of antioxidants that are unparalleled by many other foods. They are also incredibly delicious and perfect to carry on the go. Low in saturated fat, high in the good kind, they make you feel full without all the calories.

Spinach makes the perfect make shift salad. It is full of antioxidants, and high in fiber, perfect for the individual who is looking to lose or maintain their weight. They are also loaded with Vitamins. It is also high in iron which can aid the body to protect again anemia, a problem for many woman.

The last of the 5 superfoods is green tea. There is a reason why individuals from the Orient live long and healthy lives. Tea has so many beneficial nutrients for the body without any calories and also aids in the importance of hydration. It is full of antioxidants, and shows some promise for aiding in digestion and weight loss. Truly a miracle food and one that can be consumed with very little effort on your part.

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.

If you are like the rest of us you are finding yourself tightening your belt as your disposable income is becoming less so. Finding ways to cut costs have become a national past time. One of the easiest ways to cut costs is through lowering your grocery bill each week. Feeding your family for cheap may be much easier than you thought possible.

Finding ways to decrease your grocery bill may seem like an impossible endeavor. As your paycheck stays stagnant, the price of food continues to rise. The best way to lower your grocery cost and feed a family on 50 pounds, is by having a plan and planning ahead of time. The thing that will kill your grocery bill every time are those unplanned for purchases, those impulse buys, that quickly add up without you even knowing it.

There are entire companies that specialize in attracting you into purchasing their food products. They place their items at the checkout, they discount them and make them look “special”, they time their sales around collective consumer trends, it is all planned out, not by us, but by them.

How many times have you purchased an item just because it looked good, it was new, or it was on special. It didn’t matter if you actually needed the item, it just looked too good to pass up. Those impulse purchases will take their toll on your pocketbook every time.

The best way to cut into your grocery purchases is by planning the meals for your family ahead of time and making a list to take with you when you go to purchase the food for the week. Knowing exactly what you need and only what you need, is the perfect way to resist those impulse buys.

By knowing ahead of time what you will need to make all of the meals a week at a time, you will not be tempted by the sale items when shopping. Making the conscious decision to not purchase anything that is not on your list, is the best way to keep yourself from spending money on junk or junk food.

The best way to cut your grocery bill and feed your family on a set budget is by knowing ahead of time what you need when you enter the grocery store. Say “no” to the marketers who make a living getting you to spend yours on things you don’t need.

If you are trying to lose weight, make sure that you are not sacrificing your health in an attempt to cut calories. Even if you are trying to cut down on your intake, you still need to make sure that you are getting the right nutrition to keep your body healthy. Getting nutrition from your favorite low calorie drinks is the best way to get all the vitamins that you need. Hidden in your favorite everyday drinks is all the nutrition that your body will need to maintain a sound body.

When you have that first cup of morning Joe, you probably do so to get that heart pumping. Coffee is more than just caffeine, however. Coffee is chalked full of antioxidants, more so than both tea and cocoa. When you drink coffee not only does it give you that little boost that may help to enhance your work out, but it will provide you with some pretty potent antioxidants to keep your body protected from cell damage and break down.

Milk is also an excellent source of nutrition for anyone who is cutting calories. Skim milk has most of the nutrients of whole, but a fraction of the calories. Full of Vitamin D and calcium, this potent drink has also been shown to aid in weight loss. Studies have also shown that it is a great way to enhance your work out, or to unwind after a strenuous one.

It has all the carbohydrates, as well as the hydration, that your body will need if you hit the gym. Containing sodium and potassium in high amounts, it is the perfect way to help aid those sore muscles.

Water, perhaps the most essential of all the drinks that a body needs to stay well. Water is the ultimate no-calorie drink to keep your body hydrated both before, during and after a workout. Drinking water before and during meals is also a good way to cut back on your hunger.

If you drink a significant amount of water during or before meals makes you feel full faster, cutting back on your portion size. There are also many different new flavored waters that contain nutrients and vitamins to increase its natural benefits. Drinks are the perfect way to get all the nutritional needs you require without any additional calories. A body functions best when it has all the proper nutrients that it requires.

If you want to be healthy, improving your diet is the way to do it. [Natural] Foods contain everything that your body needs to function at its finest. Here are the things that your body extracts from the foods you eat.

ANTIOXIDANTS: An “antioxidant” is something that prevents “oxidation.” They help to prevent the signs of aging. They are also, therefore, good for boosting your immune system. Foods which are high in antioxidants, like Vitamin A, C (ascorbic acid), E, zinc, selenium, and coenzyme Q include:

• Root vegetables like carrots, onion, sweet potato, and beets
• Leafy greens like spinach, mustard greens, and kale
• Stem vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli
• Various fruits like apricots, prunes, grapefruit, peppers, and mangoes

Each antioxidant can help with specific functions of the body.

• Vitamin A: can help to strengthen eyesight
• Vitamin E: can help prevent molecular damage

WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS: The B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that are important to metabolism. You can find them in various proteins, grains, some vegetables and legumes. This includes (along with Vitamin C):

• B1 (Thiamine) helps metabolize carbs and sugars
• B2 (Riboflavin) helps improve circulation (reduce inflammation)
• B3 (Niacinamide) increases energy, essential for DNA repair
• B6 (Pyridoxine) improves neurotransmitter function
• Pantothenic Acid speeds wound healing
• B9 (Folic Acid) lowers risk of heart disease, stroke, and birth defects; helps prevent colon cancer
• B12 (Cyanocobalamin) helps improve memory
• Biotin helps improve blood sugar control
• Choline helps maintain and improve brain and memory function
• Inositol helps combat depression and anxiety

FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS: Along with Vitamin A and E the fat-soluble vitamins help to improve structural integrity in the body. They are found in various natural oils as well as leafy green vegetables, dairy products, and fruits.

• Vitamin D: promotes strong bones and teeth. Improves the absorption rate of Calcium
• Vitamin K: Helps blood to clot

MINERALS: Minerals, like vitamins, are naturally occurring compounds that you need but cannot make, and thus must extract from the food you eat.

• Calcium: helps build strong bones and teeth. Found in dairy and leafy green vegetables
• Iron: is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen from the lungs through the red blood cells to the rest of the body (improves circulation). Found in red meat and fish as well as various fruits, vegetables, and grains
• Potassium: improves muscle and nervous system integrity. Helps with proper water retention. Found in bananas, potatoes, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and legumes.
• Zinc: improves immune function and promotes cell growth. Found in various animal proteins and legumes.

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 USDA has recently introduced the new MyPlate diagram, which is slated to replace the, apparently, archaic Food Pyramid. While it is certainly something that will take some getting used to, this design it does appear to be much easier to understand what the average American diet should be. Not surprisingly it is very similar to the old food pyramid, but there are some changes.

First of all, if you recall, the base of the food pyramid used to be the section that was breads, grains, and starches. Of course, we realize now that a “starch” was quite often part of the vegetable category. Regardless of this, though, because it performed functions that were similar to grains, they were lumped together. You were supposed to get at least 6 servings a day.

On the second tier of the food pyramid were the fruits and vegetables, which were categorized separately. You were supposed to get at least 2 servings of fruit and at least 3 servings of vegetables.

The third tier showed that you were supposed to get 2 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, and or nuts. It also showed that you should get three servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese. Obviously, these are more commonly known as the meat and dairy groups, respectively.

Atop the pyramid was the “fats, oils, and sweets” category, which you are supposed to eat “sparingly.” This is, perhaps, the most confusing aspect of the food pyramid because this category must be something that is part of the RDA of nutrients, because it is part of the food diagram.

This is probably one of the reasons why the food pyramid was “reimagined.” Honestly, it was a bit confusing, especially when you consider that the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) for all of the vitamins and minerals are dependent on your size and on the amount of calories you need in a day.

The MyPlate diagram, though, simplifies everything. Instead of focusing on how many “portion” you are supposed to eat during the day, it directs your attention to the how much of your diet should be dedicated to particular foods.

The MyPlate diagram is simply a pie chart that looks like a dinner plate. On the plate are the four major food groups: Vegetables, proteins, grains, and fruit. Half of the plate is fruits and vegetables, with the latter occupying a little more space, suggesting it is slightly more important. Proteins and grains, then, are each about one-quarter of the plate. The dairy food group is signified by a “cup of milk” on the side.

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