Cream consists of the fatty components in milk, which is not homogenized. Usually, this yellowish milk fat accumulates at the surface. There are many types of cream, like, clotted cream, double cream, half-and-half cream, heavy cream, long-life cream, reduced fat cream, etc. Creams with high butterfat content have a rich texture and taste better than its counterparts, plus, such creams don’t curdle easily and can be used in cooking. Also, creams with high butterfat content whips well and will be more stable. Heavy cream is usually whipped before use, but, there are recipes, which require heavy cream as such, i.e. without whipping. Whipping makes it more denser, as it doubles in volume, which makes it holds its shape, even after whipping. All these features, along with its superb taste, makes it a favorite ingredient in recipes. However, the high fat content is a cause of worry, as it is unhealthy to consume high fat foods. You may use heavy cream substitutes as a replacement for original heavy cream. For others, who do not want to use substitutes, these tips may prove helpful, when there is no heavy cream in the kitchen and you need a heavy cream substitute urgently:

     In case of recipes, which require heavy cream without whipping, you can replace it with a homemade heavy cream substitute. All you have to do is to mix ¾ cup milk and ⅓ cup of unsalted butter (you should not use margarine). This can be used as a substitute for one cup of whipped cream. Continue Reading »

     Here are some of the best cooking pans and pots suitable for the variant concoction methods of different delicacies.

     Skillet: Commonly known as frying pans, skillets are primarily used to fry items of all sorts. These are generally metallic pans with a flattened base and slightly flared brims. The practically sized skillets are the 8″, 10″ and 12 inch ones. Since, these frypans need to be not only efficient in heat conduction but more importantly in uniform heat consumption, especially when it comes to deep frying, the best skillets are those with either basal copper coatings, cast iron, anodized aluminum or of stainless steel. A cast iron skillet can also double as an indoor grill. But it does require special maintenance and often ruins the hue of light colored food. While using a skillet, make sure to lower the flame when frying heavy, large items, so as to avoid superficial searing only, while the insides remain raw. Also, it is of optimum importance that a skillet should have a thick bottom so as to prevent the food from getting scorched and also to keep dents and holes at bay. Since, frying involves tossing and other such movements, the handle of a good frypan should not only be strong but made of a material that doesn’t become hot. For this purpose, thermosetting resin or phenolic grips as well as silicone handles which can withstand heat up to 400°F, are good choices. Frying pans with ribs are especially handy as they automatically allow the excess oil to drain out of the food items. Use these along with a suitably best deep frying oil and reap some of the best culinary results.

     Sauté Pan: Springing from the French verb sauter or to jump, these pans were made for sautéing or light frying items. They closely resemble a fry pan with low walls, vertically straight, not flared in order to avoid toppling over of the food, and a flat bottom but bigger in diameter. They facilitate the frying of onions, spices, other vegetables and meat with minimum use of oil, lard or any other cooking lubricant. You can also make condiments in this pan. Choose a three-quart sauté pan with a firm handgrip, replete with non-erosive rivets and a good heat-conducting bottom. Sauté pans make for the best omelet pan ever when coupled with olive oil, best cooking oil for light frying. Continue Reading »

     Grapefruit is a nature’s gift for those who wish to lose weight the healthy way. Grapefruit contains low calories and sodium, full of vitamin C and no fat! It contains simple carbohydrates and high fiber. The basis of grapefruit diet is that the fruit contains fat burning properties. A grapefruit diet plan lasts for 12 days. If you want to continue with your grapefruit diet plan, then you can after a two day break. This grapefruit diet plan has been used around 1930’s and tried by many individuals. Many thought of it as just another fad diet blown out of proportion. But, a research carried out by the scientists at the Nutrition and Medical Research Center in San Diego, America, have proved that adding grapefruit and grapefruit juice in your diet helps in weight loss. Grapefruit health benefits are not just limited to weight loss, but this bitter sour fruit is a boon to diabetics and people with low blood pressure.

     12 Day Grapefruit Diet Information
     You have heard about people taking about grapefruit and its weight loss miracles, but do you know something more regarding grapefruit diet information? This grapefruit diet plan was introduced by Kelly D. Brownell, PhD in 1930. This diet has helped people lose more weight in a short period. Since then there have been a lot of grapefruit diet plans and grapefruit menus aimed to help dieters lose weight. The concept, however, remains the same, that is eating or drinking grapefruit juice before every meal.

     The grapefruit diet plan is strict and needs to be followed religiously. It won’t make you slim and trim, but will surely help you put your weight loss program back on track. You need to consume the fruit with your breakfast, lunch and dinner along with eight glasses of water everyday. You also need to have unlimited black coffee and no snacking between meals. Vegetables and fruits are welcome and should be eaten generously. Let us now read about a healthy grapefruit diet menu and burn the extra fat.

     Grapefruit Diet Menu Information Continue Reading »

     Healthy diet during early pregnancy is yet another challenge considering the signs of morning sickness and cravings that you must be experiencing during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Despite everything, a balanced diet must be maintained for the health of your baby. Following are the foods that must be a part of the daily diet of a pregnant woman.

     High Fiber Diet
     Include fiber rich foods in your daily diet as they are the best source for all the requirements of your unborn baby. By high fiber diet, I mean food products like whole wheat breads, whole grains, rice, cereals, raw fruits and loads of green leafy vegetable and cooked beans. These foods are a great source of energy that is required during pregnancy. Around 5-10 servings of high fiber diet must be included in the daily diet of a pregnant woman. Meat, fish dairy and poultry must be included in adequate quantity as well.

     Calcium and Vitamins
     Calcium rich foods and those high in vitamin and minerals should be included in the healthy diet during pregnancy. Decent levels of vitamin D and folic acid must be maintained to avoid any complications in the pregnancy. Protein levels, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C levels must be maintained by eating enough of fish, fruits and vegetables. Iron rich food must be consumed that helps in healthy blood circulation. You can also opt for calcium and vitamin supplements on the doctor’s advice.

     Distribution of Meals
     There must be equal distribution of the meal into 5-6 mini meals rather than 3-4 whole meals. At least 3 servings of dairy products, 1200 mg of calcium, 27 mg of iron, 70 mg of vitamin C and vitamin A (less than 1000 IU) must be consumed each day by the expecting mother. It is also important to consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday.

     Things to Avoid During Pregnancy Continue Reading »

     The list of healthy snacks for toddlers and preschoolers includes cheese and crackers, wholewheat pancakes (fresh or leftover) with jam, Graham crackers and whole milk, leftover pasta or rice, yogurt and small pieces of fresh fruit. Other easy healthy snacks your toddler is likely to enjoy are low-sugar breakfast cereals, a few chopped fruits mixed with bits of cottage cheese or yogurt, hard boiled eggs or plain/Marmite rice cakes. A few other healthy meals for toddlers are are mini muffins, half a cup of whole milk and a banana or a banana/strawberry milkshake, fresh fruit or 100% juice and small sandwiches. While foods like corn on the cob and popcorn make good snacks, one must be sure that their child will not choke on them. Parent must be aware that certain foods like hot dogs, hard candy, whole grapes and nuts pose a choking hazard. Given below is one of many healthy recipes for toddlers

     Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
     Ingredients
     ½ cup brown sugar
     2 ½ cups rice cereal
     1 tsp vanilla
     2 cups dry oatmeal Continue Reading »

     Some of the all time favorite baby shower food recipe usually include fresh soups, chicken based salads, sea food canapés, a range of herb sandwiches rice casseroles, fruity punches, chocolates or fresh fruit deserts, and more.

     A Few Baby Shower Food Recipes:
    Salads – This is the freshest thing you could have in a baby shower. Avoid using uncooked egg in the form of mayonnaise. There is range of dressing options that do taste equally nice. You can choose simple green salad, a tuna or chicken salad, or any other nutritious salad.

     Fresh Herb Seafood or Chicken Salad:
     You would need about a teaspoon of sherry wine vinegar and red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, ground pepper and sea salt. The herbs chosen are parsley, chives, tarragon, and fresh mint; with it you can have either some chicken, grilled fish or cooked crabmeat. Whisk together the wines and herbs; make sure that the herbs are easy to eat. Coat the chicken or seafood chosen with the mixture. This is perfect for an afternoon baby shower.

     Baby Potato Salad – A Perfect Vegetarian Baby Shower Recipe                  

     For this, you need about 6 pounds or about 2 kilos of small boiled new potatoes, thickened vegetable broth or stock, handful of basil leaves, few cloves crushed garlic, lemon juice, freshly ground pepper, and salt to taste. Mayonnaise is added as dressing, but you could replace this with cream or yogurt. Mix the basil leaves, crushed garlic, lemon juice, pepper and salt, and pour over the boiled and peeled new potatoes. Pour over cream or a mixture of yogurt and cream. If you are using yogurt, do not use lemon juice. Continue Reading »

     In order that we derive the maximum nutrition from our daily food intake, the food guide outlines the exact proportions in which the foods should be consumed, so we can get benefited from every nutrient available to us in the foodstuff we eat. It goes without saying that our body needs not one or two but a combination of nutrients to survive and thrive. Of course, the combination of nutrients required varies in different stages of life, and being mindful of our exact requirements will help to take care of our actual needs. This is what the food pyramid helps us to do.

     The tip of the pyramid outlines what should be consumed in smallest quantities – fats, oils and sweets. The middle portion of the pyramid is broken up into blocks that identify the other nutrition we need- milk group, protein group (meat, poultry and eggs),vegetable group, fruits group , and finally the base of the pyramid – the cereal group, the largest servings. These are the five major food groups that our body needs.

     Food Group Consisting of Servings required Nutrients provided
Fats, oils and sweets Butter, margarine, oils, fats, added sugar, soft drinks, candies, desserts ( ice creams, chocolates etc) Minimum possible
Milk Products Milk, yoghurt, cheese, cottage cheese, curd 2-3 servings Iron, protein, zinc, calcium
     High Protein Group Fish, meat, poultry, nuts, eggs and dry beans 2-3 servings Iron, protein, zinc, calcium
     Vegetable Group Fresh vegetables, salads 3-5 servings Vitamins, fiber and minerals
     Fruits group Fruits and fruit juices 2-4 servings Carbohydrates, gluten
Cereals group Bread, rice, pasta, cereal 6-11 servings Carbohydrates, gluten

     This, then, is the basic knowledge of the food pyramid summarized. The fact that the quantity servings required is lowest at the top and gradually increases till the base, makes this structure a pyramid and gives it its name.

     The pyramid emphasizes the fact that no food group is complete by itself and cannot be replaced by any other, you need ALL these foods, EVERY time you eat.

     Remember that while the food items lower down on the pyramid may be healthier choices, it is also the mode of preparation that matters. For example, meats are rich in proteins, but fried chicken is richer in fat..potatoes fall under the vegetable category and are essential, but fries are the first category. So a little bit of thought can go a long way to help us choose healthy foods. Baked potato would be a good vegetable food choice, it has almost half the number of calories that fries hoard. Besides, baked vegetables have only traces of fat, largely vegetable fat that is actually required by our body. Continue Reading »

     Zone Diet Plan: One of the most popular choices for fast diet plans is the zone diet which was developed by Barry Sears. The zone is based on the idea that we should return to the diet followed by ancient people that is the diet which stressed on fruits, vegetables, and meat. The diet does not deny people carbohydrates, but simply limits their use. Dieters are encouraged to sharply curtail their intake of pasta and potatoes. The zone works according to a formula of 40:30:30, meaning 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat, and 30 percent protein. There is a physiological basis to the zone. Dr. Sears developed the diet in an effort to limit the amount of insulin in the body. This is because a large amount of insulin can lead to a build up of fat, causing obesity and other medical problems. Read more on zone diet basics.

     Atkins Diet: The Atkins diet needs no introduction. Perhaps, one of the most well known choices for fast diet plans that work is the Atkins diet plan. The Atkins diet was first presented in 1972 by Dr Robert C. Atkins. The diet is based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. Our bodies burn both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbs are used first. By drastically reducing carbs and eating more protein and fat, our bodies naturally lose weight by burning stored fat more efficiently. Thus, the Atkins diet is a system that enables our body to lose weight in a natural way by motivating a change in our eating habits and metabolism. Although, the foremost reason why people turn to Atkins diet is fast weight loss and to overcome high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes etc. Reports have proved that people feel more energetic after one week of being on the Atkins diet. Read more on Atkins diet menu plan. Continue Reading »

       Maintain a Record: Keep a weekly account of your weight. This will indicate how much you have been successful while achieving your goal of weight loss or weight gain. Once you know that you have succeeded, it will boost your confidence. And if there is no noticeable success, then you can find out the causes and improve your plan.

     Dietary Chart: A meal planning chart will help you in planning your diet in advance, so that, all the required ingredients are handy and you don’t have to eat any undesired food.

     Fiber Rich Food: Whatever may be your diet plan, you should always include some fiber rich foods, as high fiber diet helps the digestive system to function properly.

     Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts of the ingredients of the diet, should be taken into consideration. Sufficient vitamins and minerals, high amount of proteins, moderate amount of carbohydrates and minimal unsaturated fat is essential for the metabolism and for overall health.

     Exercise: A healthy diet should be accompanied by proper exercises. Unless you burn more calories than the calories you consumed, you won’t lose weight. While weight gaining also, exercises help in building and toning the muscles. Thus, exercise is the key for a healthy life.

     Nutritional Supplements: Nutritional supplements are to be chosen under the guidance of a physician, as they can lead to various side effects.

     Plenty of Water: Drink plenty of water, whatever may be your diet plan. This enhances the metabolism and keeps you fit and fresh.

     Unprocessed Food: Try to eat as much unprocessed food as possible. Home made food should be preferred always. Ready made or processed food may have hidden calories, it may lack in vitamins and it may be harmful for the body. Continue Reading »

     Those thinking that choices are less when it comes to foods easy to digest are simply wrong. The choices are plenty and one can buy according to taste and liking. Also, these foods mentioned below are nutritious and can be an integral part of a healthy diet.

     Green Leafy Vegetables
     Vegetables, more specifically cooked green leafy vegetables such as cabbages, are easier to digest. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, and unlike high fat foods do not slow down the digestion process. These foods are also an important constituent of weight loss diets. So eating them in the right amount and staying away from junk or fast food can go a long way in reducing those extra pounds.

     Rice
     Doctor often recommend to include more rice in the diet for better digestion. The contents of rice often help to stimulate the digestion process.

     Chicken
     Skinless chicken is very low in saturated fats, hence comes in the list of foods easy to digest. Boneless skinless breast when cooked properly is certainly a sensible choice for people with digestive issues.

     Bananas Continue Reading »