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

Culinary Schools: How Do I Find One?

By Pamella Neely

If you have an interest in the culinary arts, this article may be for you. Or, perhaps you have always wanted to know more about culinary schools. This article will explain what type of culinary school you should attend. There are several things you want to look for when selecting your culinary school.

Choose a school that has a high graduation rate. You need to know that you can at least graduate from the school of your choice. More importantly, you want to be able to get a good job after graduation.

The best part of the school will be their ability to provide quality working kitchens. You should be able to have plenty of classes that teach in the kitchen, and not just outside of it. This will give you good preparation for working in real kitchens.

Try to look for schools that have a lot of kitchens, and possibly even an internship at a local restaurant. These opportunities will be very beneficial for you to test your skills. As you narrow your search, look for schools that have lots of professionals working there. Try to select a school that has lots of master chefs or bakers, as this will let you know that you are going to a good, well-equipped school.

Find a school where the celebrities endorsing it actually teach there, instead of just giving the school a face. Look for mentoring opportunities as well, as these will be helpful later on. Also important is the student to faculty ratio, so keep this in mind as you search.

Find a school that offers associates and bachelors programs. By getting these degrees, you will be able to get either a basic or extensive education in the culinary arts. When a school offers these degrees, you know they are serious about teaching their students properly.

Even if you choose to go for just an associates degree, it will at least cover the basics of cooking and preparing food as an art. Getting the bachelors will provide you with a solid foundation for cooking in restaurants, and advancing in the world of the culinary arts. You might also want to look for schools that are regionally accredited.

Last of all, search for a school that is within your price range. You do not want to place too much of a burden on yourself trying to pay for a school that you cannot afford easily. Look for programs with financial backing and apply for those. Make sure you can get a job while you are in school to help pay for it.

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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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Refrigeration Equipment Is Widely Available On The Internet, Make Sure To Do Some Research Before You Buy.

By Zachary M Rees

Catering and refrigeration equipment is an important part of any catering business or kitchen based workplace. If you need to buy some equipment then there are a few things you should think about. It's a large topic and there are hundreds of things you can buy to aid you with your cooking business. Catering and refrigeration equipment comes in many shapes and sizes.

Lots of things are included in this category such as knives, tables, units, clothing, utensils and even refrigeration units. If you're starting a catering business then you'll need a lot of equipment so make sure you find a cheap dealer so you can get the best deals.

Catering equipment that is most popular is of course, utensils and serving equipment. There is also a lot of popularity in tables and refrigeration. If you are looking at buying things then there are a few things you'll need to think about. Seek advice and make sure you do some research before you buy.

Most equipment is easy to find - all you have to do is look online or at major department stores. However if you want to buy in wholesale you should definitely look online. Costing for equipment will depend on what you need to buy. A lot of equipment can be found at great prices in online stores.

Catering and refrigeration equipment is an essential part of any catering business and could help you stick to hygiene regulations as well as serve food properly. You will be able to find what you need from a wide variety of stores, both online and offline. You won't struggle to find what you need.

There are plenty of offers available online so you should be able to find what you need at great prices. Online stores always have deals available. If you are shopping for catering equipment then your best bet is probably to do it online because most of the best deals are available here.

When you're choosing catering equipment for your business you'll have a few things to think about such as the space you have as well as your budget. A lot of people forget to take measurements of areas where appliances will be placed and this can cause major problems - you may underestimate or even over estimate your space.

It can be very exciting buying things like this and it always should be - especially if you're starting a new business or company. Make sure your budget is realistic when you're purchasing catering and refrigeration equipment because you should never settle for poor quality products because it's essential you buy the right things.

Catering equipment covers a large range of items so you'll need to do a lot of research in order to find what you need for your business. Research into catering should be easy, all you have to do is look online and you'll be able to find out what you need to know.

In order to ensure you know what you're buying you'll need to do some research - it's not the kind of thing that falls under an impulse purchase. There are hundreds of different products available that fall under the category of catering and refrigeration equipment so you should always make sure you learn about everything - just incase you need it.

If you're starting a catering business then you will find that a lot of equipment is designed to help you succeed and produce food quicker. If you're worried about your budget then don't be disheartened. Catering and refrigeration equipment can be bought at wholesale prices so you'll be able to get some great deals.

If you are a catering business starter then you'll need to buy a lot of things and many people don't really know too much about what is available. Overall, as long as you ensure that you have done research you should be able to find some fantastic deals and prices for catering and refrigeration equipment near you.

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Uncovering The Six Biggest Lies Ever Told About Weight Loss

By Ricardo d Argence

There is plenty of inaccurate data going around the weight loss industry and many people who are getting on this platform and looking for ways to lose weight have fallen victim to such myths.

Let's consider a number of the most well-known myths out there about this industry.

1. Forget about carbohydrates. The Atkins, South beach, and many others that say you must keep carbohydrates low and proteins high, perpetuate this. These type of yo-yo diets are usually quick to get results,but as soon as you go back to your regular routine, the weight returns,at times, even worse than before.

2. Genetics is the biggest factor. To a certain extent, genetics do play a role ion determining your metabolic rate, but this doesn't meant hat your fate is sealed if you have obese parents and grandparents. The most important factor in determining your success in any weight loss program is the number of calories you eat and the amount of physical activity you get in a single day.

Genetics do play a role in determining how much calories you will burn, as those with slower metabolic rates may burn calories much slower than those who are active and have higher metabolic rates. But there are always ways you can rev up a slow metabolism so don't ever use this excuse.

3. You must avoid fat. People believe that fat intake increases your weight. But the key to effective fat control is cutting down on the dangerous fats and increasing your intake of the good fat. In order to escape from Trans fat and saturated fat, you have to eat polyunsaturated and Omeg-3 that loaded in foods like fish, olive oil, and avocados, it can increase the intake of healthy fats.

4. Skipping meals. Skipping meals can lower your metabolism and makes it more difficult to lose weight. Regular meals are important, and what you need to do is to consume more of the foods which are good for you, which means more salads, vegetables, nuts and fruits. Snack on a large slice of juicy watermelon instead of reaching out for the next scoop of your favorite chocolate ice-cream.

5. Avoid white food. Contrary to popular beliefs, there are many "white" foods which may be good for you- pears, avocados, nuts-just to name a few and the key is that what counts is the nutrients contained on those foods, and not the color.

6. The Grapefruit Miracle. This old legend has no truth to it. There is a group of individuals who are promoting grapefruit as a way to lose fat. In fact there is one small isolated research that states that there is a a magic fat-burning enzyme that can help you lose weight simply by consuming this fruit.

However the validity of the claims is yet to be questioned and whether the citrus industry did play a role in funding those researches. Grapefruits are rich in lycopene-a good source of ingredients that can help provide nutrient and care for the cellular health-prevents cancer and heart diseases.

We have here presented to you some of the most common myths surrounding weight loss, some of which you may have heard of previously. Once you know the facts, your weight loss strategy is wide open for you, and a healthier lifestyle.

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