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, August 4, 2009

Electric Egg Poacher Overview

By Paul Eden

Perhaps using an electric egg poacher to poach eggs would not be remotely considered by most professional chefs. They might prefer to poach the old way by cooking the egg directly in water. For the rest of us however, this method is difficult to master. Poaching eggs in an electric egg poacher is a simple process and produces consistent result day in and day out.

There are an endless variety of manufacturers and models of electric egg poachers. The smallest can be purchased for under $20, while the larger premium models typically are in the $30-$40 range. Some poachers are designed to cook just a single egg at a time, while the larger ones can cook up to 6-8 eggs.

You may want to consider an electric egg poacher that performs additional functions.. For example, there are egg poachers that not only poach several eggs at one time but they also do double duty by keeping them warm if they are not ready to be eaten, or boil more eggs underneath the poached egg section. Although these egg poachers are more expensive, they make doing the job of cooking eggs a lot easier if you are feeding several people at once.

Because there are so many models and manufacturers of electric egg poachers, it should be easy to find one with the exact features you desire. Some poachers have just a simple heating element, while others have timers or indicator lights to aid in achieving consistent results. It is a good idea to look for a see-through cover that will make it easy to monitor the cooking process.

Most electric poachers come with egg trays with a non-stick surface. Based on my experience, you should eliminate any egg poacher without a non-stick surface as there is nothing worse than scraping cooked egg off of a pan. Certainly one of the primary reasons for purchasing an electric egg poacher is for convenience, and ending up with a lengthy clean-up process would negate the advantages.

For the most convenient electric egg poacher, you may want to try a duel egg poacher that has both a poaching area and a two-slice toaster together in the same device. It is an innovative appliance that helps to make a quick and healthy meal for anyone in the house. Perfect for the person on the go, you can use this type of egg poacher to either just make toast, make just a poached egg, or you can even make a delicious egg sandwich. With everything cooking at once, this functional egg poacher allows you to eat a full breakfast in just minutes.

The best place to buy an electric egg poacher is actually just a few clicks away. When buying an egg poacher online you are able to read the reviews of actual people that used the poacher and you can compare several different egg poachers to see which one best suits your needs. With so many electric egg poachers to choose from it could take you hours to wander from store to store to check out each one individually, whereas online you can see several different brands and styles within minutes to figure out which egg poacher you are most interested in buying. It is convenient and by being able to compare prices as well you will most likely get a better dealing buying an egg poacher online.

Once consumers find out how easy it is to prepare poached eggs, they typically find other ways to add them to their meal planning. Eggs are not just a breakfast food; salads, pastas, and salmon dishes are easily complimented by poached eggs. Of course the classic poached egg dish is Eggs Benedict, which can be prepared economically with consistent results at home with an electric egg poacher.

About the Author:

Save Money and Time with Lobster Delivered

By Shannon Linnen

Now that the economy is in a downturn, all of us are trying to cut back. Many are doing so by eating at home instead of going out. This can be a great way to save money and still spend time together as a family. But it can also get a little bit boring.

Everyone loves classics and family favorite meals, but when they are not occasionally punctuated by something exciting and different, they can become boring to eat and boring to prepare. But just because you're eating at home doesn't mean you can't enjoy quality ingredients and exciting meals. You can have a wonderful meal when you get lobster delivered.

Getting lobster delivered sounds expensive, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, getting lobster sent directly to your door is much cheaper than buying it at a restaurant, or from your local grocery store. It's inexpensive enough that you can use it as an exciting meal starter for your family. But how is it so inexpensive, you're probably asking? The reason is simple, because you're buying direct. Just like in a bulk food store, or online, by buying directly from manufacturers, you're able to save a great deal of money. It also cuts out the overhead of the grocery store or restaurant, and the savings get passed on to you.

And the best part about buying lobster online is the freshness. Because you're getting the lobster direct from the fisherman, you're getting their freshest product. And it's delivered overnight to your door, meaning it's still at its peak of freshness. You also save a trip to the store, because your night's dinner is delivered fresh that morning. At a restaurant, you can never be sure that the seafood you're getting is fresh. At the grocery store, you can bet that it isn't. That means that you're getting a great deal on the freshest seafood out there by getting lobster delivered.

Of course, when you get lobster delivered you have many wonderful lobster based dishes you can choose from to prepare for your family. But why not start out with a delicious, easy, and simple classic, the steamed lobster dinner. Simply fill a stockpot with several quarts of water and bring them to a boil. To this, add one to two lobsters, depending on your family size, and whatever vegetables you would like. When the lobsters have finished steaming, you've got a complete and great dinner. And the water left over in your stockpot, left to simmer, will make an excellent lobster stock.

So why not give up the boring old routine and add some spice to your menu with lobster delivered. Without breaking your budget, or making a special trip to the grocery store, you can give your family and exciting new meal that they're sure to love, time and again. It's a treat for everyone.

About the Author:

Seafood Combo Meals Are Easy To Prepare

By Shannon Linnen

Seafood combo meals are not only tasty but are also easy to prepare. The variety of seafood available is more and it is hard to go wrong in selection. All the ingredients which are necessary to prepare Seafood combo meals can be had from your local grocery store.

One of the best things about a seafood combo meal is that you get more than one item or type of seafood in your meal. The only thing better than eating lobster tail for dinner is to eat both lobster tail and Alaskan King Crab. Having both items in the same meal just makes the experience that much more satisfying.

It's easiest to prepare things you already like, as your cooking instincts will be more accurate. Of course, if you're not an experienced cook and your favorite combo is two pound lobster and scallops, it may be best to start with something easier and work your way up. If you're new to cooking it's best to start with simpler items, such as shrimp or fish fillets. If you're not sure what kind of food you'd like the most, try to find a fresh seafood sampler at your local grocery.

While you are preparing any seafood dish, the easiest cooking method is pan-fry. One very easy starter dish is shrimp pasta. Start with your favorite pasta and a bag of cocktail, or frozen shrimp. It's fairly easy to find these pre-cooked, so you won't risk under-cooking the food.

Set out all the ingredients you'll use. First the pasta and a pot of water to boil it in, then the shrimp and a frying pan, and lastly your favorite oils and spices. For this dish, a good starting point is olive oil, basil leaves, and garlic powder. Start the pasta boiling and heat the frying pan. Pour a small amount of oil in the pan, and add the shrimp. Sprinkle the garlic powder and basil leaves on top, and stir the shrimp around the pan until they're lightly covered in oil and spices.

When the shrimp begin to sizzle you can turn the heat down slightly, so they quietly simmer in the pan. For added flavor you could add some vegetables, I often add chopped onions and tomatoes. While the pasta finishes the shrimp will simmer, absorbing the flavor of the oil and spices.

After the pasta reaches the desired softness, strain it and place it on a plate. Pour the contents of the frying pan over the pasta and mix together. Have a side dish of garlic bread or caesar salad and a healthy seafood combo meal is ready. You can prepare several different kinds of seafood combo meals. As in any activity, here too you learn by practice and so, keep cooking till you find your favorite.

From the ocean to your front door. This is what the online seafood vendor Quality Fresh Seafood abides by. With overnight delivery being such a common thing, just count on Fedex or UPS to bring a fresh and healthy seafood combo meal straight to your door.

About the Author:

EATING HEALTHY IS EASY!

By Marilou Lissandrello

Eating healthy does not have to be complicated nor difficult. After you begin making healthy choices, and make it a habit, you don't have to think about it again. Just have healthy food choices always available and the decision will be easy.

When considering a meal or a snack, always strive for a proper balance between a protein, carbohydrate and fat.

Have you determined for yourself your daily caloric consumption needs? I know that for myself if I'm trying to lose wight, I cannot consume more than 1200 calories per day. On the other hand, if I'm trying to maintain my current weight, I'm allow to consumer 1500 calories per day.

Once you find out how many calories you should be eating, you then need to space them over 5-6 small daily meals/snacks through the day. The meals and or snacks should compliment each other with the proper balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein. I will give you an example of these choices to make during the day.

I like to take a minute and quickly mention something about portion sizes. Do you know what a serving of meat looks like? No, it's not the 12 ounce Ribeye at your local steak house. A protein of meat is 3 ounces, the size of a woman's palm.

SOME VISUAL EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT FOOD PORTIONS:

* 1 medium fruit -- tennis ball or tight fist

* 1/2 cup of rice, pasta, cooked cereal, fruit, or veggie -- cupcake size or tight fist

* 1 cup of salad -- the amount you can hold in two hands cupped together.

* 1 medium baked potato -- computer mouse

* 1 cup of cold cereal -- large handful or tight fist

* 3 ounces of poultry, meat or fish -- palm of a woman's hand or deck of cards

* 1 ounce of cheese -- top half of your thumb or 4 dice

* 1 ounce of poultry, fish, chicken or meat -- 1 egg

* 1 tsp -- the tip of a medium-framed woman's thumb. 1 tbsp is equal to 3 tsp.

BREAKFAST:

We all know that we need a good breakfast to start our day. Without that, we are setting ourselves up for failure of maintaining our blood sugar levels. I would suggest keeping breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same calorie count and then adding smaller snack between meals.

Choose an item from each of the food groups for a healthy balanced breakfast.

Protein: 1 cup nonfat milk, 1 hard boiled egg, 1 oz of low fat cheese, 1 cup low fat yogurt

Carbohydrate: 1/2 cup of whole grain cereal or oatmeal, granola bar, 1 slice of whole grain toast, bagel or muffin.

Fruit: 1/2 banana, small apple, orange, grapefruit, 3/4 cup of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries

LUNCH AND DINNER:

Preparing lunch and dinner is very simple. Pick a lean protein, add some vegetables and top it off with some fruit for dessert.

Choose an item from each of the food groups for a healthy balanced lunch or dinner.

Protein: Turkey, lean beef, pork, chicken, fish, beans, etc.

Vegetable: Spinach, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and salad greens, etc. For a serving size, fill about 1/2 of your plate with vegetables, 1/4 of your plate with protein and the other quarter with healthy carbohydrates.

Carbohydrate: Sweet potatoes, white potatoes, brown rice, corn, 1 slice of whole grain bread etc.

Dessert: Pear, apple, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup of strawberries or raspberries with a dollop of nonfat whipped topping.

SNACKS:

Snacks between meals are what make or break the weight loss. You need to maintain your metabolism in between meals so that you continue to burn calories throughout the day. For your snack, consume between 100 to 125 calories.

Choose an item from each of the food groups for a healthy balanced snack.

Protein: 1 oz. low sodium, low fat luncheon meat, low fat string cheese, hard boiled egg, small yogurt cup, 1/4 cup of low fat cottage cheese.

Carbohydrate: 1 slice of whole grain bread, 1/2 banana, apple, grapes, plum, baby carrots, etc.

Healthy fats: 1 slice of avocado, 2 tbsp of peanut butter, handful of almonds, walnuts cashews or mixed nuts.

This is easy! Remember, these are just guidelines for healthy foods. You do not have to eat the same thing every day. There are so many more foods then what I listed here but be creative. Make healthy choices that are exciting. Try a new fruit and vegetable every week. Remember, this is easy!

About the Author: