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.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Coffee Beans

By Marc Warren

Each coffee tree produces very few beans that can be harvested. Also, the coffee tree can only be found in very tropical climates which mean that it can only be found in countries close to the equator. That being said, the coffee tree grows in more than 70 different countries.

The fruit that comes from this tree is not what is actually used to make coffee. The beans are found in the middle of the fruit. Really, then, though we call it a bean it is in actuality the seed of the fruit.

There are usually 2 seeds inside each fruit. That is the case with most types of this tree with the exception of the peaberry. The seeds are surrounded by a somewhat slimy white substance which is the meat of the fruit. All this from a tree that can grow to between 20 and 50 feet tall.

In a band around the equator from approximately 25 degrees north or south, comes the overwhelming majority of the world's coffee output. Temperatures of between 60F (15C) and 70F (21C) are best as is rainfall of six inches per month or more.

Loamy, good-draining soil is needed and also helpful is high humidity - plenty of mist and cloud at the high elevations, over 3000 ft (915m) for the good stuff. At these elevations the oxygen content is lower, so the trees take longer to mature.

Some coffee trees are more resilient and less particular than others and this makes the larger producers of coffee. These types, like the canephora or robusta, do not require the high altitudes. Naturally the pickier the tree the better bean it produces. If you want the finest cup of gourmet coffee, like the arabica, you will have to go to the high altitudes.

Some fruit trees thrive on intense sun. Coffee trees do not fall in this category. Providing shade and shelter for them helps protect the trees from windy conditions and filters the suns rays allowing the tree to grow and produce at its best.

The process from reaping from your tree is a long one. From its beginning to the point where the tree will produce fruit is a period of about 5 years. Once it begins to produce you will only get about 2 pounds of coffee from each tree.

There is nothing easy or mindless about the harvesting of coffee beans. Everything is done by hand and it takes a keen eye and knowledge of what you're doing to separate the good beans from the bad. From one tree you can harvest about 2000 beans, and it is a tedious task.

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How Much Do You Enjoy Chicken Salad Sandwich

By Chris Lee

There are many people in the world who love nothing more than a delicious chicken salad sandwich. Having a wonderful sandwich filled with chicken and other wonderful ingredients is just heaven for many people. There are many people in fact who feel that eating a chicken salad sandwich is comparable to heaven on earth. There are thousands of chicken salad recipes in the world, each with its own special taste.

While some recipes use cucumbers and onions, others have a sweeter taste, implementing fruits and nuts. There are recipes also that do not use mayonnaise, taking the fat completely out of the recipe. In fact, with the many versions of this recipe that are available, you could eat it all the time and never have the same sandwich.

In order to really enjoy your chicken salad sandwich, you need to keep your personal taste in mind. For instance, if you cannot stand the taste of mayonnaise, then a sandwich including mayonnaise will simply not be your cup of tea.|You may like mayo in your salad, while someone else does not.|For example, if you do not like nuts, then you would not like a recipe that includes nuts. You may not like mayo, but would rather have mustard. You might want to enjoy your salad without any dressing.

No matter your taste, there is likely a recipe for chicken salad that you will love. Once you have ruled out one recipe, try another until you find your perfect fit. Look through your cookbooks and visit online recipe sites for a wide variety of recipes. You can also consider creating your own version of chicken salad. Just take the ingredients that you like and add them together. Chicken is a food that is complimented by many other ingredients. So you can add virtually anything that you believe will make your chicken salad taste better. Just pair your recipe with bread and you have created your own perfect chicken salad sandwich.

These are wonderful for a quick yet healthy lunch or anytime that you want an eclectic combination of tastes that work wonderfully together. These sandwiches go for almost any occasion, so enjoy them often. In addition, if you add healthy ingredients, your favorite sandwich can also be your most healthy meal.

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Why Should I Buy A Panini Maker

By Chris Smith

Have you had a Panini sandwich before? Well, if you havent then immediately stop reading this article and go out and get a Panini sandwich. Okay now that you are back or if you stayed with me you know how incredibly good these sandwiches taste. These incredible little sandwiches are so good they are an international sensation. Panini is an Italian word and it is a small sandwich typically made from a cibatta bread roll and grilled. They are super easy to make and can be filled with a ton of different things. The popularity of this tasty sandwich has lead to a whole new line of kitchen appliance. If you are like me and already have too many kitchen appliances at firth blush you might think I dont need something else to clog up my counter space or cupboards. Take it from me I am a kitchen gadget snob and I own all of them, I really didnt need another gadget. However, after purchasing and using one regularly I would trade everything else in and keep the Panini maker if I had to. They are that good! Here are some great reasons why Panini makers are the must have kitchen accessory.

Perfect For Parties What can be more fun then entertaining guests in your home. It is so much fun to have family and friends over for good food and a night of laughs and fun together. However, sometimes it is also one of the most stressful things to do. There is getting the food, the cooking and the clean up and that can be a lot of stress. Well, here is one of the top reasons you should have a panini maker in your kitchen. It takes a big chunk of the stress of entertaining out of the equation. If you want to make things really simple have some friends over for a panini making party. You supply all of the raw ingredients like the bread and meats and each person can have fun making their own panini. Just be careful to buy extra ingredients because they are very addictive and most people will want more then one once they take their first bite. If you are looking to do something a little more elegant then you can easily cook up some panini sandwiches for appetizers. It is a big crowd pleaser and very easy to do.

The Perfect Solution To Fast Food Are you sick and tired of eating unhealthy fast food that is bad for you and causes you to gain weight? I think many of us are unfortunately it almost seems like a necessary evil in the busy lives that we live today. However, there is a better way to do it. You can get a panini maker and easily make a few panini sandwiches in just a few minutes. If you have the ingredients on hand and keep them in the refrigerator it really is a no brainier. Instead of fat causing fast good you can have tasty and healthy fast food in just minutes. Not only is it super easy to make panini super fast it is also easy to make them healthy. This makes probably the perfect solution to the fast food roller coaster we often find ourselves trapped on.

Build Your Own Healthy Version One of the best things about purchasing a panini maker for your kitchen is you will be able to easily make your own healthy panini sandwiches whenever you want. Often people are stuck to go out and buy a panini sandwich that is already made. Thus is very limiting as you can not choose your own ingredients and you can not make a healthy version if you want. However, when you have one at home you can feel free to experiment and try the hundreds of different panini recipes. Many people are not even aware of all of the possibilities that are out there to make. For example, did you know there are some incredibly good desserts you can make with a panini maker? Try to find that a your local store and you just can't. However if you have your own panini maker you can make tons of different things.

While they might be called a panini maker, or a panini grill or even some might call it a panini press they are all essentially the same thing. Each one of those function in a slightly different way but they all make a great tasting panini in your home. The best things about having a panini maker is you can easily make your own healthy panini sandwiches, you can easily entertain guests and you have a quick and healthy option when you are rushed for time.

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Discover Nature's Perfect Food-Virgin Olive Oil

By Beth Allen

Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats.

Health benefits include cancer-fighting properties, protection for your heart, blood sugar control and many others. One or two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil should be added to most of your meals, for a healthy diet.

From a natural health perspective, olive oil is the magic bullet of nutrition and a healthy diet. Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention. For more than 5000 years olive oil has been part of the human diet. We have to return to eating a more traditional diet to reverse our pandemic of chronic disease, and high quality olive oil can safely be included in that diet.

Virgin olive oil is better than more refined oil because it contains polyphenols that work as antioxidants to keep your heart healthy. Virgin oils are categorized and graded in two ways, one is chemical and the other organoleptic (taste). But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, extra virgin olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed. Virgin olive oil comes from virgin oil production only, has an acidity less than 2%, and is judged to have a good taste.

Top-quality extra-virgin oils from Italy, Spain Albania and Greece are sold at high prices, often in "prestige" packaging but in North America, Italian and Spanish olive oils are the best-known. The best-quality oils are called cold-pressed, a chemical-free process that involves only pressure and which produces oils that are low in acidity.

Olive oil is best suited for using uncooked in dishes where you can appreciate its exquisite aroma and flavor. It can enhance the flavor of a salad or be used to marinate meat or fish. Add flavor to olive oil by infusing the oil with a sprig of rosemary or other dried herbs. The result is a full-bodied, deeply-colored olive oil that can be appreciated for its own distinctive bouquet and rich and complex flavor.

The perfect oil for all ages, virgin olive oil is a panacea.

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