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.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Anna G Wine Openers - Perfect Blend of Beauty and Practicality

By Axel Wilders

Do you like sharing a good bottle of wine with someone special? Perhaps you're planning on opening that expensive bottle you've got tucked away in the cupboard over a romantic dinner for two? Whatever the occasion, no matter how intimate the gathering, there is someone you'll want to have join you.

She's discrete... you'll hardly know she's there. She's such a perfect hostess you'll want her to stay forever. Anna G. She's classy, elegant and the best little corkscrew you'll ever come across. She's a part of the Alessi Corkscrew range and she's packed with personality. With the perfect blend of beauty and practicality Anna G has the style to tastefully open any bottle.

Brought to life by creative and award winning designer Alessandro Mendini, each corkscrew is a little handcrafted work of art that has the stamina to party on well into the future. Constructed from hard wearing materials like zamak and stainless steel, corkscrews from the Anna G range are designed to work reliably and built to last.

Ever been waiting in mouth watering anticipation of your favourite drop, only to have the corkscrew splinter the cork, or snap, leaving you high and dry? Unlike your old corkscrew, Anna G won't let you down when you need her most! Don't be taken in by her tough cool exterior - touch her, feel her and look into her beautiful eyes. She's available in a variety of colourful outfits, so there's bound to be one that touches your heart.

Alessi Anna corkscrews arrived on the party scene in 1994 and have since achieved almost cult status. Seriously, everyone 'in the know' has one or wants one. Treat yourself. Select from a great colour range. Choose one that matches your character or your decor, or just one that takes your fancy. Consider yourself a colourful personality? Try the sublime lime. Perhaps you prefer understated elegance. If so, Anna G's stunning silver outfit may be your perfect match.

Standing 24.5 cm high she's not going to get lost in the crowd. Even her little sister, the 10 cm miniature Anna G gets plenty of attention with her sleek stainless evening dress. You won't want to hide her away in a drawer. She's a work of art that you'll want to keep on permanent display.

No one wants to be thought of as just another face in the crowd. Your beautiful Anna G wine opener also refuses to be just another bar accessory. Her clean lines and simple elegance are full of expression. With a twirl of her elegant neck and a wave of her slender arms no cork can resist releasing its hold.

Add a touch of beauty to your bar - or someone else's bar. Alessi Anna G wine bottle openers come gift boxed, but you might need to consider buying two because once you've laid eyes upon her and handled her elegant body, you just won't want to give her away.

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Types Of Mixed Drinks, Part 2

By Micah Jackson

Millions of adults worldwide enjoy mixing and drinking alcoholic beverages, and with good reason. They're fun! They come in a variety of colors and flavors, they need some skill (but not too much) to mix well, and they are a terrific activity for social gatherings.

But most people, professional bartenders aside, are probably quite confused about the many varieties of mixed drinks available. Virtually everyone knows the difference between a Screwdriver and Martini, but how many know the difference between a Fix and a Fizz? Part 1 of this article discussed four of the main drink types: cocktails, flips, cobblers and crustas.

But what other types of drinks are available? Let's take a look.

Cooler: Coolers are drinks made with liquor and a carbonated beverage and garnished with fruit. For a fresh taste at your next get together, try a Calypso Cooler. The recipe for a Calypso Cooler is: 1/2 oz spiced rum, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 1/4 oz dark rum, 2 oz orange juice, 1 oz grenadine syrup, 1 oz lime juice, 2 oz lemon-lime soda. Add the rum, schnapps, orange juice, grenadine and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice cubes, and top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with an orange flag and serve.

Fix: A fix is a drink which combines various liquors, citrus and sugar. Here's a fix recipe that's sure to be a hit. Gin Fix: 1 tsp superfine sugar, 1 oz lemon juice, 2 tsp water, 2 oz gin, 1 maraschino cherry, 1 slice lemon. Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and water and shake to mix. Strain this mixture into a highball glass filled nearly full with crushed ice. Lastly add the gin and stir well. Garnish the drink with the cherry and lemon slice and serve.

Fizz: A fizz is a fix with a carbonated beverage added. You can turn the above fix recipe into a fizz quite easily. Gin Fizz: 1 tsp superfine sugar, 1 oz lemon juice, 2 oz gin, 1 maraschino cherry, 1 slice lemon, carbonated water. In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, sugar and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass with two ice cubes. Fill with carbonated water and stir well. Garnish with the cherry and the lemon slice and serve.

Julep: A julep is usually sweet, with a mix of liquor and aromatic spices. A very popular julep is the Mint Julep. Here's a simple Mint Julep drink recipe: 4 fresh mint sprigs, 2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey, 1 tsp powdered sugar, 2 tsp water. Muddle (crush against side of glass) mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a Collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

So there you have it! Here are four more types of mixed drinks. These can be fun additions to your bartending knowledge and help make your next celebration a smashing success!

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Should You Buy a New or Used Commercial Pizza Oven?

By Sue Quillen

Are you wondering if you must you purchase a new or used commercial pizza oven? The answer would depend on a lot of variables. Many people find themselves shopping for used commercial pizza ovens just because they suspect that these would be less expensive. That is not true in numerous cases. There are some new models coming out that are cheap as or less expensive than the used commercial ovens. Aside from price, some of the more major points you should be looking into are:

1. The actual use of the oven.

Incredibly, there are a reasonable number of people that look at ovens first before they think of the actual food products they mean to sell. To paraphrase, they make their food suit the standards of the oven, instead of the other way around.

It is significant to understand first what you mean to sell before you go purchasing a pricey piece of kit like this. If you want to sell 16" pies for almost all of the selling day, ensure that you get an oven that may fit the bill. You won't find the range of new and used models lacking. However, you still need to ensure that you get the right sized oven and the right style (conveyor or decked ) to fit your needs.

2. Check product specifications.

One of the cons of getting new models is the attachments of expensive features you may not be ready to use or pay to for. Read thru product specifications with a fine-tooth comb. Some chic outlines like "automatic sauting and browning functions, complete with baffle fan to guarantee uniform heat distribution" can add a large amount of zeroes at the end of a price tag.

But the truth is: most commercial and convection ovens have these functions already. So you are basically paying for more money for nothing.

On the other hand, if you're looking into used commercial pizza ovens, try and ensure that these are in perfect condition before you put your money down for a sale. Replacing parts and cleaning the oven completely could be necessary.

Just remember this straightforward rule : if you estimate that the cost of patching up a used oven is about the same as a newer model, then go for the newer one. If not, then you will find a good investment with a formerly "loved" commercial pizza oven.

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Food Intolerance Sufferers Benefit from Acai Berry

By Juanita Jenkins

A lot of people usually suffer from a delayed negative reaction to food, beverages and food additives. Such a side effect is called food intolerance or non-allergic food hypersensitivity and it affects different multiple body organs and other body systems. However, this type of side effect does not directly relate to the immune system. Food intolerance is caused by the absence of certain chemicals and enzymes that are needed to digest food substances and from reactions to chemicals in foods. Food intolerance is different from food allergy.

Unfortunately with food intolerance you will experience several symptoms along the way, like:

Abdominal Pains Asthma Arthritis Bloating Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue IBS Headaches Rashes Restless Leg Syndrome Skin Problems Stomach Cramps and Tension Weight Loss

Any one of these can put a damper on your daily routine. You know what we're talking about right? Then of course constant distraction that takes you away from work, the kids, or you spouse. It's a battle that everyone has to deal with time and time again, but there are several reasons why. However, if you're an active person and still suffering from the joy of food intolerance, there is an alternative to help you along the way. It's the Acai berry, and it can make a difference in your life.

Acai berry is a small, round and blackish-purple berry that can only be found on top of palm trees in the Amazon rain forest of Southern America. The fruit taste like a mix of berries and chocolate and is believed to have incredible nutritional and medicinal properties. The berry has the most complete range of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids such as Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin C and E. It also contains the important unsaturated fatty acids of Omega 6 and 9, Sterols, Anthocyanin, Phytosterols and proteins.

Above all else, the Acai berry is well known for its large source of anti-oxidants. It's believed to have 10 times the amount as blueberries, and even more than thirty times as much as red wine. So if you're looking for something that delivers a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs, healthy fats, you don't need to look any further.

Since you're someone who has to deal with food intolerance, it's nice to know that the Acai berry has a good amount of fiber in it. This can be extremely helpful for anyone with digestive problems and even alleviate it with a daily regimen. Add in the ability to control your cholesterol levels and you've got yourself a fantastic nutritional treat. It's almost as if there is just a little bit of nutrition for every scenario.

Aside from these benefits it has also been known that athletes prefer Acai berry because it is much healthier than blueberries, pomegranate and eggs. The berry has even become a natural alternative to protein bars and shakes as it can provide active people with energy and longer stamina. Athletes also use the berry to help cure digestion problems, arthritis, inflammation, skin conditions and immunity.

What it comes down to is if you're an active person and dealing with food intolerance, then maybe it's time to make a switch. Not only will it alleviate the problems over time, you'll be able to enjoy your life to the fullest.

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