Vegetarian Means Vegan, Right?

Actually vegetarians tend to differ from what Vegans consider themselves to be. The exact reasons for why, evade me at the moment.

I eat plenty of vegetables but also enjoy eggs so I think this means I may be a vegetarian but I am not a vegan because eggs are not on their menu. I need to watch my calories and weight.

Veganism, if I may, seems to be more like a religion than just a healthy eating regime. I think the term is applied to not only eggs but even to wearing things that may have once been alive, like leather.

I have no feelings on this one way or another and think our life choices are just that, our life choices.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

How To Care For Wooden Cutting Boards

By Kent Dinsmoor

You may add years to the life of your wooden cutting board by following certain care basics. Here are some tips to follow to insure you get the most life from your butcher block or cutting board.

1) Use mineral oil on the work surface of the cutting board. Sponge it on and repeat every several weeks depending on use.

2) You must not allow any type of moisture such as brine, water or blood to stand on the block for long periods of time. Also, be sure that wet meats do not stay on the board any longer than necessary. When moisture soaks into the wood, the wood expands, softens and effects the strength of the glued joints.

3) Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface of your board. A good steel scraper or spatula is preferred as necessary.

4) After cutting fish or fowl, the work surface must always be cleaned thoroughly. Follow the instructions in Step 1 to insure the moisture barrier is in place before cutting fish or fowl.

5) Insure that your block wears evenly by not cutting continuously in the same place on the surface. Instead, distribute the cutting over the entire surface of the block. Avoid chips, splinters and soft spots by not using a razor-edged cleaver. Best results are obtained by using a cleaver with a dull sharpened edge.

6) Do not wash the butcher's tools on your block. Harsh detergents of any type should never be used to wash your block.

7) You can remove 75% of the moisture from your block by scraping. Then dry immediately with an absorbent towel. You will then have an odorless and clean cutting surface for the next day and prevent quick deterioration of the work surface.

8) When you bought your block it probably had some bevel on the edge. Maintain this same bevel to prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the board.

9) Turn the block over periodically to keep even usage on both work surfaces.

As for dishwashers, never use them to clean wooden butcher blocks or cutting boards.

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