Snack Foods Association

Author: admin

What You Need To Know Before Going To Culinary Schools

- admin

The number of cooking schools is growing, and many high school students and interested professionals want to know which of these schools offer competitive culinary education. But these people should be concerned more of the fundamental factors that would affect their lives the moment they set foot in the world of culinary arts.

You may think of culinary schools with grandeur and you may have high praises for people who finish the course, putting them in some kind of pedestal, as if they have accomplished something grand. The real thing for most of these people is far from your imagination.

Cooking schools are expensive.

That is just one thing you have to keep in mind. It is so expensive that many aspirants are discouraged at the first sight of the cost. They may opt for student loans to come by funds necessary for schooling. Many finish the course worried about how they are going to pay the debt.

There are many chefs who obtained their expertise without having to go through expensive education. In fact, some had to learn it for free working in the kitchens of restaurants or hotels. Not all can be that lucky though. Some had to start from somewhere like their very own kitchens. The lure of culinary school is the presence of nice equipment, state-of-the-art facilities, and seasoned chefs to provide instruction.

Many chefs think that all types of cooking education are essentially the same. Methods of cooking do not change wherever you take the course. Hence, expensive culinary education will not necessarily prepare you for the real thing. At the end of the day, it is your skill and passion that will make you do the job and not the name of the school or the cost of the education.

A culinary career is not just about cooking.

This is something all students in culinary schools should know and understand. Some are too excited to learn how to bake pastry or cook beef stewand they immediately think a culinary school can get them there. If you think of learning the art of cooking because you want to be the house cook, you probably should learn cooking another way, because it is impractical. But if you have money to burn, go ahead.

Some people imagine grand careers as chefs, but this is far from the reality. Only a few people land high paying jobs when they graduate. Many will have to deal with average paying jobs in restaurants or hotels if they ever find jobs. But if you have a passion for culinary arts, you should have no problem being in the tough industry. You may even enjoy it.

Culinary jobs involve working with other people. Collaboration is just one thing. If you are a chef working at restaurants, you have to take orders from the owner. Sometimes, your food will be criticized even if it looks nice and tastes good. This is what interested culinary students should understand. Do not enroll in a culinary school with the expectation that you will be a grand, rich chef in the future. Do so because it is what you want and you clearly know the possibilities.

Slim Fast Diet Review

- admin

Slim Fast Diet Review

Most all grocery stores have shelves full of health food and diet items. One of the diet products found on their shelves is Slim Fast diet. S. Daniel Abraham created the Slim Fast diet revolutionizing weight loss programs forever. At first, it was only available in powders and shakes. Now the Slim Fast diet offers over one hundred products including pastas, soups, snack bars, and smoothies.

The famous slogan promotes a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner. You are allowed three snacks consisting of fruits, vegetables, and Slim Fast products. You shouldnt be too hungry later if you follow the diet properly. There is no calorie counting or worrying about portion control. The Slim Fast diet basically focus on convenience, nutrition, and meal replacement on the go. If you are on the run, just grab a shake still balancing nutrition.

Does the Slim Fast diet help you loose weight? Opinions vary on whether or not it helps with weight loss. Studies show the Slim Fast diet is the winning formula for weight loss. Dieters successfully managed their weight one to five years after going off the diet. The program recommends losing only one or two pounds per week or ten percent of your body weight.

The Slim Fast Diet has a few advantages. It doesnt promise fast weight loss in short periods of time unlike most programs. Supporters say the products are cheaper than Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. You arent required to eliminate carbohydrates or other important nutrients. It promotes balanced nutrition along with thirty minutes of exercise. The website has an online support group and you can stay in touch with a dietician.

The Slim Fast Diet isnt without criticism. Those who oppose the diet say it is just away to make money. The food can cost $3-$5 a day or around $200 for a months supply. The shakes contain around forty grams of carbohydrates and added sugar which wouldnt be suited for diabetics. Slim Fast Optima is available for lactose intolerant and diabetics. The diet may grow tiresome and the taste may discourage dieters.

As with any type of fad diets, you could regain the weight you lost. You still may be hungry later. The Slim Fast diet is only for temporary weight loss. No one can drink their meals for ever. Weight loss various among individuals. The best way to lose weight is changing your lifestyle and visiting your doctor.

Sunnyvale High School Seniors Consider Culinary School

- admin

Sometimes it’s hard to see how calculus or nuclear chemistry affects your daily life, but there are some subjects that are clearly practical. Everyone understands the joy of preparing fine food, serving it to friends and savoring every bite. After four years of high school education in subjects ranging from mundane to arcane, consider a different kind of coursework in culinary school. You’ll get practical, hands-on teaching in subjects that produce visible — and edible — results. Choosing Sunnyvale cooking schools keeps you close to home while providing you with access to some of the finest raw materials in the country.

What You Learn from Culinary School

The primary goal of culinary school is teaching you to cook. Even if you already cook well enough that your friends and family praise you, culinary school gives you the skills and technique you need to turn out polished, professional dishes. A typical first semester encompasses coursework on food safety, knife skills, culinary math, the fundamentals of pastry and the basics of stocks. Attending Sunnyvale culinary schools makes ingredient identification coursework especially useful for locals. The Mediterranean climate lends itself to growing some of the world’s best produce, so the ingredients you’ll find in the classroom are the same ones that great chefs throughout the country use.

As you progress in your courses, you’ll learn about culinary history and gain an understanding of where the food you prepare and eat originated. History classes hold more interest when you can see, smell and taste that history on your plate. Practical instruction in calculating food costs and maintaining a pantry prepare students for cooking on a professional scale. You’ll also focus on a specialty such as regional cuisine or pastry preparation as you build on the fundamentals you’ve learned. Regardless of your specialty, you’ll have a unique advantage at Sunnyvale culinary schools because of the quality and availability of your raw materials.

Beyond the Culinary School Courses

Cooking school gives you more than kitchen instruction. You’ll become a part of a team, working together regularly with other students. Your lab partners are your entire group of classmates, all of whom must work in concert to turn out professional-quality service. You’ll also get to showcase your creativity, assembling dishes of your own design as you develop your palate and learn new techniques. Sunnyvale cooking schools give you the chance to build relationships with instructors who are also professionals in the restaurant business. Because California is home to so much of the world’s best cuisine, these professionals are at the pinnacle of their respective fields.

This article was written by Eyeflow for the advertising benefit of The Art Institute. Eyeflow LLC has been compensated to produce this article.

Make Diaper Cake Gifts Extra Special With A Fun Diaper Cake Poem

- admin

You can make diaper cake designs extra special by including a cute little poem that will add a personal touch and make your gift even more memorable.

Diaper cakes are a beautiful and creative way to give both mom and baby all the supplies they will need to begin their journey together. Simple, practical items can be arranged in a variety of shapes and designs to create a gift that will definitely be the focal point of any baby shower or party. You may even wish to pass along your recipe for others to try.

1. Baby Boy Cake

Build your tier cake from diapers, cover in little boy receiving blankets or crib sheets, and decorate with useful items such as powders, lotions, and shampoo. Be sure to top with a few special items like plush animals, toy trucks, or a rubber ducky. Whatever theme or color scheme you follow, a poem will make the perfect finishing touch to your masterpiece. And, if you write a general poem, you can always change the items to fit any future cakes you may make. Try something such as the following.

This gift is to welcome the new bundle of joy
Bibs, rattles, and t-shirts that say It’s a Boy!

Toys, powder, and lotions, and baby shampoo
Diapers and bottles and a cute teddy bear, too!

Add in a few blankets, a tractor or truck
Some washcloths and sleepers and a new rubber duck

Topped with frogs, and snails, and tales of love
That is what this cake and little boys are made of!

So congratulations on your new little one
Here’s wishing you lots of smiles, laughter, and fun!

2. Baby Girl Cake

Whether a princess castle, or a baby doll carriage, or an elegant flower bouquet, little girl diaper cakes can be beautiful and fun. With a variety of practical items and a few dainty treats, you can design a one-of-a-kind cake that will make your gift truly unique. Add that extra special touch with a thoughtful poem that lets mom and baby know how special they really are.

A beautiful cake for new special girl
Topped with flowers and ribbons and bows for her curls

Filled with diapers and lotions and warm fuzzy socks
Sleepers and booties and engraved keepsake box

Iced in a blanket of love with a few nightgowns and clothes
Then sprinkled with toys and a sweet washcloth rose

This cake welcomes baby in true little girl style
With items to make mom and her new daughter smile!

3. Diaper Cake for a Boy or Girl

Do you have to attend a shower for a mom-to-be but you don’t know the gender of the baby? Well, you can choose from a variety of designs and themes that will look spectacular and are perfect for either a boy or girl. From jungle to barnyard, Winnie-the-pooh, or under the sea, you can find a recipe that will delight the soon-to-arrive bundle of joy. And instead of using a typical card, make a homemade tag with a special diaper cake poem.

This cake is made with love
And ingredients you can enjoy
Special treats and useful things
For your little girl or boy!

It’s filled with hugs and kisses
And some store bought items, too
To help welcome your new blessing
With love from me to you!

4. Noah’s Ark Cake

Noah’s Ark is a great diaper cake design. Have fun loading the animals and hiding little treasures that the new baby and his/her new plush friends may need for their wild water adventure. Your poem could read something like the following.

Rock a bye baby safe from the storm
Noah’s ark keeps you snuggly and warm

Animals watch over as you sleep, play, and laugh
And sing with a zebra or dance with the giraffe

Rest in the fold of a mama bear’s arm
While lions stand guard to keep you from harm

Fly with the eagles, take an elephant ride
Explore your safe haven for treasures inside

For nestled within are some special supplies
Clothes, toys, and diapers in just the right size

It’s your own personal cruise, just for your debut
As you welcome the world, and the world welcomes you!

5. Disney Cake

From a pirate ship, to a mermaid or Tinkerbell, you can welcome a new baby with a popular Disney theme. This little poem will make a great addition to your work of art, and the characters can be changed to fit your choice of design.

Mickey and Minnie and their fun Disney Crew
Have gathered together to welcome sweet you!

With diapers and toys and supplies all in hand
They’ve transformed this cake into a magical dreamland

Where you’ll be pampered and spoiled, and all wishes come true
In this fairytale world made for a Prince such as you! (Princess like you!)

With a little creativity, you can make diaper cake gifts extra special by adding a diaper cake poem. Not only are they a personal and thoughtful touch, but they will make great keepsakes that will last long after the cake has been enjoyed.

The Sixth Edition Of The San Diego Restaurant Week

- admin

It is that festive time of the year again when the whole of San Diego and Southern California will be out on the streets of San Diego for a truly memorable dining experience. The San Diego Restaurant Week will take place during the week from January 17th to January 22nd, 2010. In it sixth return this year, the event will perhaps demonstrate why San Diego is so much talked about in terms of fine dining experience. Experience the best of the city’s culinary delights and cuisines from all around the globe. Pack your bags and get rolling for an excellent culinary journey while you take a good San Diego vacation.

The San Diego Restaurant Week is being organized by the San Diego wing of the California Restaurant Association. There are quite a few good intentions for holding the San Diego Restaurant week every year. It was launched with the intention of showcasing the city as the ultimate dining destination. The organizers also aim to introduce the local community to the best restaurants in San Diego while celebrating the city’s talented chefs. Take some time off and book your rooms in a comfortable San Diego beach lodging if you do not want to miss out on this annual opportunity at this time of the year.

The best part about the San Diego Restaurant Week is that you can treat yourself to a gourmet meal at a mere fraction of the price you would actually have to pay for such a meal in regular days. All the participating restaurants of the Restaurant Week will offer full three-course meals for $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the type of restaurant.

Diners can be assured that there will be no compromise on the quality of food served just because of affordable prices. With over 180 participating restaurants, experience the city cuisine at it’s best when each one will offer you their most popular dishes. It is highly recommended that you make your restaurant week reservation at your favorite restaurants and get ready to enjoy an excellent San Diego vacation in the winter.

Generally, there are no passes or tickets required for Restaurant Week. Foodies can simply go to any restaurant of their choice and choose their menu. But advance reservations will be a good option as the participation was over 100,000 last year. You can at least reserve your favorite restaurants by calling the restaurants directly or reserving your seats online. Browse the participating restaurants by cuisine, location or price and select the restaurant you would want to visit although it will be difficult to decide with the upcoming trendy new eateries and the timeless classics. To start, reserve your rooms at an affordable San Diego beach lodging which is centrally located, and provides easy access to the best restaurants. Next choose a good restaurant and taste its finest dishes and you will know why the city is quickly becoming one of the most sought after culinary destinations.

What Makes Kona Coffee Unique

- admin

Is it the climate? The rich volcanic soil? The ocean? Or is it the perfect harmony in which they all come to a optimal synthesis? Only 1 spot in the world do the circumstances combine to provide the perfect nurturing environment to develop the elite coffee beans that go into each cup of Kona coffee. The writer Mark Twain said it so well, “Kona Coffee has a richer flavor than any other, be it grown exactly where it may perhaps and call it by what name you please.” ~ 1866, Letters from Hawaii.

The legacy of Kona coffee can be traced back to about 1825 when John Wilkinson introduced a handful of seedlings to Oahu from Brazil, and in 1828 missionary Rev. Samuel Ruggles traveling to Kona brought a couple of small trees to his new property in West Hawaii to plant as ornamentals. They flourished in the favorable climate and today’s coffee market was born.rn.

Coffee needs a rather distinct combination of sunshine, dirt, and water. It is effectively grown in only a limited amount of locations round the globe. The Kona coast delivers just the proper mixture of the 3. The magical daily cycle of vibrant sunny mornings, humid rainy afternoons, and mild nights develop excellent growing circumstances for exotic plants to flourish. The trees thrive on the volcanic rocky land, and mild frost-zero cost temperatures.

For centuries Kona has been revered by the elite and high quality seekers of quintessential coffees. The Kona coffee growing region is only about two miles wide by twenty miles long, a fairly tiny location compared to other coffee growing districts. The Kona area contains approximately six hundred independent coffee farms. Most are small, frequently 3 to 7 acres in size. Historically, as with many small estates, they are a family members treasure. The comparatively modest yearly harvest only serves to raise the desire for coffees from the Kona area.

In addition to the relatively modest quantity of coffee, a big part of what creates Kona coffee special is the tremendous added care taken in growing, harvesting, processing, roasting and grading of the beans. Even a single defective bean can taint the taste of an complete pot or pound of coffee, so repeated careful sorting, each by machine and by hand, is put to use to guarantee optimal flavor in every cup.

Damian Hines is a student of 100% pure Kona coffee and its history on the Big Island of Hawaii.

My Vanilla Frosting Recipe

- admin

I wish I could actually call this “my” vanilla frosting recipe, but when youve got something that works so well, why reinvent the proverbial wheel??? Pillsburys The Complete Book of Baking is one of the best general cookbooks around for pies and cookies and cakes, and its recipe for Buttercream Frosting is a thing of beauty!

The great thing about this recipe is its simplicity:

2/3 cup softened butter 4 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2-4 tablespoons half-and-half or milk

In a large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in vanilla and half-and-half, adding enough half-and-half for desired spreading consistency. Yield: Frosts 2-layer or 13×9-inch cake.

Now, I do admit that I tinker a bit with this vanilla frosting recipe. I use double-strength vanilla extract, to add extra depth and richness to the flavor, and I use 2 teaspoons of it. Its no more expensive than pure vanilla extract (no one should even acknowledge the existence of the artificial stuff); and although you wont readily find it at your local grocery store, its easily bought online. When you have a recipe as simple and straightforward as this one is, the quality of the ingredients is paramount. So dont buy your butter on sale but invest in a European-style, go with the half-and-half rather than milk, and use the double-strength vanilla extract. Youll thank me later!

Once youve made your vanilla frosting recipe, you can use it to frost a sheet cake or a layer cake; you can add a bit more confectioners sugar to make an icing to decorate your cake or cookies; you can frost 24 cupcakes; and you can just pick up a spoon and eat it “as is” my favorite! People will wrestle with each other for the privilege of licking the bowl and the spoon.

This recipe is readily adaptable for vegans, for people with lactose intolerance, and for those who keep Kosher and need non-dairy desserts to accompany a meat meal. Use margarine (though the flavor wont be the same as it is with butter, some accommodations are necessary in this life), and substitute vanilla soy milk for the half-and-half. Voila! Treats that everyone can enjoy!

Another beautiful thing about this recipe is that you can tint the frosting for any occasion — red for Valentines Day, green for St. Paddys Day, yellow for Easter, pink and blue for a baby shower. And you can even leave it in its original creamy color for a wedding. This vanilla frosting recipe is too good to be true!

What is the lemonade diet

- admin

Unless you have been under a rock all this while, you must have heard of the 3-day Detox diet or Master Cleanser Diet, more popularly known as the lemon diet. Do you know that your weight gain is partially caused by toxins and other waste products that get deposited in your body over time?

Lemon is said to act as a detoxifier by cleansing your body of all these toxins. When your body gets rid of these harmful toxins, it not only becomes lighter, but also healthier. Further, after going through detoxification, you would find it easier to lose weight. Now that you know about the pros of detoxification, let’s go into the actual detail of how far useful this lemon diet is.

Apart from cleansing your body of toxins and making you lose a few pounds of weight in the process, lemon diet has many other pros:

1. It boosts your energy level (FYI, a boost in energy level is actually an indication of a boost in your metabolic rate, and keep in mind that the higher your metabolic rate is, the faster you would be able to lose weight), so that you feel more energetic throughout the day.

2. It improves your digestive system, enabling you to digest foods faster and more efficiently. If you suffer from acidity and bloating, lemon diet is the ideal medicine for you.

3. The lemon diet educates you about right food choices through a food guide offered to its users for free. You would learn about toxins and how they harm your health. You should eat only those foods which are free from toxins. To save you headache, I will tell you that toxins are generally found in abundance in junk and fried foods, while they are almost non-existent in organic fruits and vegetables.

4. The lemon diet also teaches you how to maintain a weight loss journal. A weight loss journal is much like your regular accounting or journal book; the difference between the two is that instead of keeping records of your expenses and income, you would use the weight loss journal to keep a tab on your lifestyle habits.

You can use the journal to record things such as what you ate (be sure to include everything such as snacks, meals, occasional treats at parties, binge-eating, etc), how much you ate, and when. You also need to record your daily activity level: write about the types of outdoor activities you indulge in (such as walking, running, working out at a gym, swimming, dancing, playing sports, etc.), the amount of time you invest in such activities per day, and how often you do them.

All in all, I can safely conclude that the lemon diet is not a fad and I am sure you would get a lot more benefit from it than you might have gotten from other diets. Even if you have no interest in following the diet itself, you would still become a lot more educated regarding your food and lifestyle choices. So make sure you go for this one.

Navratri 2013 – Popular Navratri Recipes for Navratri Fast

- admin

Navratri is one of the auspicious festivals, celebrated with great devotion, belief, love and fervor in India and around the world. This religious festival is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is celebrated twice in a year in March and October, named as Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri. Between both Navratri, Sharad Navratri is more famous so the main celebration usually comes during Sharad Navratri, generally lies in the end of September or beginning of October.

Devotees follow some pre defined rituals during Navratri Puja. This Puja is also known as Durga Puja and it plays a significant role in the life of each and every individual as it gives them purity and perfection. People start puja after taking bath early in the morning and then offer flowers, fruits and sweets like laddoo and peda to the Goddess. This puja is performed till nine days and nights of Navratri. Some devotees observe fasting till seven or eight days and some preferred fasting for only first and last day of festival. Few people even observe a nirahar fast. It is believed that people who worship nine forms of Maa Durga and do fasting during nine days of Navratri, they are blessed with happiness, wisdom and prosperity. Chaitra Navratri 2013 dates are from 11th April to 19th April.

During Navratri people observe fasting for nine days and eat only one meal, generally at sunset. Specific ingredients and vegetables are used that may differ from region to region. Spices are restricted to red chilies, turmeric and cumin seeds and only rock salt (sendha namak) can be used. At the time of Navratri vrat, people eat fruits, sweets, curd, milk and dishes made by root vegetables and avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol and those dishes that are made of common salt or any kind of spice.

Navratri meal has special courses and is strictly vegetarian. Even onion and garlic are not allowed due to their foul smell. There are many Navratri recipes that can be savored during fasts. Kuttu Ki Puri, Kele Ke Kofte, Aloo Khichdi, Saboodana Vadaa, Singhara Ke Burfee, Kele Ki Barfi, Kaddu Ka Raita, Banana Chips and many other recipes are there which can be prepared for Navratri vrat. These all dishes are easy to prepare, you will have to remember just few points to cook.

During Navratri festival, you can send gifts to your near and dear ones with blessings. There are lot of things to offer as gifts to kids, relatives and friends. The festivities are augmented with a lively gathering of people; which is an essence of festivals in India.

Happy Navratri 2013 to all of you!

Author has a vast experience in article writing and publishing. You can get very useful information on Navratri 2013 date, history of Navratri, Navratri 2013 and Navratri recipes.

Do You Count Calories In Coffee, While Dieting

- admin

You can find the calorie count of most products on the label. Coffee is somewhat different, you will actuallystart out with no calories, carbohydrates or any nutritional value whatsoever
All that changes when you begin to add the sweeteners. Sugar and creamers are what makes calories in coffee worth considering. The stimulating effects of coffee are the reason that many people will add coffee to their diets. Coffee and the unwanted calories that are in it will give you the energy and endurance to keep going at a fast pace throughout your day. Just how many calories are in your favorite coffee drinks may actually make you reconsider drinking coffee while on a diet. Knowing exactly how many calories you’re actually consuming will help you regulate your calorie intake, while still enjoying your favorite beverage.

Calorie count in your cup of Starbucks Coffee

A lot of people seem to love Starbucks, with their wide variety of coffees, that once you taste them the calories seems to be forgotten. If watching weight, one needs to be aware of the calories in these coffee drinks. For example, a Frappucino in a large cup yields the impressive three hundred and thirty-one calories. Quite significant for a beverage that originally has no calories at all.
Don’t forget the calorie count in your Latte. A tall one has the impressive two hundred and ten calories. whom You’ll probably agree that it’s this calorie count will not aid your diet, but having this information can help you make them more educated decision in regards to coffee consumption.

So what should you do, if you’re on a diet and still want to drink coffee

Remember, you are only adding calories to your beverage When mixing in your cream and sugar.Since you are actually the one adding the calories to your coffee, there are simple ways to avoid, or at least minimize it.
Let’s start with quantity.
Start by choosing a small cup, either eight or 12 ounces can be something you’ll get used to. When ordering, make sure prepared with fat free milk. This can save you from up to 80 grams of fat.
let’s not forget sweeteners. You should be able to find a sugar substitute to your liking. (1 tablespoon of sugar is 15 calories)
You should always order coffee without cream, whipped cream, coffee syrups etc. when you are trying to cut back on the calories in your coffee.
Taking your coffee black, is probably the easiest way to avoid calories in coffee altogether.

A bit of trivia

If you are thinking of taking a walk to burn the calories from your fancy coffee, take into account that it may take up to an hour.

Scroll To Top