• Food 03.08.2010 No Comments
    korek api

    You will generally find two forms of asparagus in the store: white, also known as blanched and green.[I:http://www.great-antiaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/PradeepNaidu24.jpg]

    But there is no confusion as to how they differ Infact the green and white asparagus comes from similar type of plant, but because of the fact that the shoots are shielded from light. This devoids them of enough chlorophyll and the vegetable will not turn green. The white asparagus has a subtle flavor, particularly when matched against green They are grown underground and are harvested only when the top part of the plant surfaces to the ground.

    Green asparagus needs to be green for the whole length of the stalk. The stalk ought to be brittle and should snap when bent. If the asparagus is pliable it might be wilted.

    Since asparagus is grown and harvested in sandy soil, it is very important to clean it adequately. You will be well advised clean the tip with a brush and dip and wash the stalks in warm water.

    The base of asparagus is mostly tough and can be used in soups and can also be used as a supplementary ingredient in some other vegetable dishes.

    Mind you, the harder base of the asparagus will need a lot of cooking than the remainder of the vegetable that’s softer. You could use a pot and cook the asparagus in some kind of a vertical position, so that the base gets warmed more while the tips are adequately steamed.

    You could also choose to peel the stalks and cook the remainder of the asparagus, many do this.

    The asparagus is done when the stalks are soft. Serve them either warm with a lemon butter or hollandaise sauce, or cold with a vinaigrette dressing.

    Cream of Asparagus Soup.

    A nice bunch of Asparagus , preferably green.

    Add in some flour, around 2-3 tablespoons.

    2 tablespoons butter.

    2 cups milk.

    heavy cream(1/2 cut).

    Add pepper and salt according to taste

    Cook the asparagus tips and stalks individually in just enough water to cover. Drain the tips and set them aside. Save the cooking water. When the stalks are soft, process them in the food processor with a little of the cooking water to a fine pulp.

    Scald two cups of milk. Add two tablespoons of flour and make a roux by gently cooking until the flour is heated and the lumps are stirred out. Add the water in which the asparagus was cooked and the asparagus pulp. Cook a few minutes to cook the flour and thicken the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cream and the asparagus tips. Reheat, but do not boil.

    For additional information on asparagus recipes please visit Great Asparagus Recipes You may also have a look at some great video recipes by clicking White Asparagus Recipes

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  • Skin Care 31.07.2010 No Comments
    korek api

    After a long, hard day, we can all use some Bath Magic. More than just making us clean, it can remove the chemical and emotional pollution of the outside world while it soothes and refreshes us. Sometimes, after a hard day, a nice long bath can make everything all right.

    Everyone has their own favorite bath temperature. Hot, cold, or somewhere in between, each has its own advantages. Aching muscles and the cold or flu respond well to a nice hot bath. Care must be taken, though, to make sure the hot water doesn’t dry out the skin. Float a little baby- or other oil in the water to prevent this.

    Skin problems love a cool bath. Add a handful of baking soda while running a cool bath, and the pain and heat of a sunburn will be soothed. Poison oak and other rashes can be treated this same way. The discomforts of hot summer weather can be minimized with a cool bath.

    Moisturize your skin after each bath with a cream or lotion that corresponds to your skin type. Choose cream for oily, dry, or normal skin. Before you buy, read the ingredients list on the label. If it contains long, chemical names you can’t pronounce or has artificial coloring or scent, pass it by. Find a cream with ingredients you recognize, and that doesn’t test the product on animals. That’s good karma for your skin.

    You should use the same care when buying soap and shampoo. Both should have natural, healthy ingredients and not have chemicals or animal products. Unless you have very oily hair, one application of shampoo about the size of a quarter in your palm is sufficient, and always rinse thoroughly. Truly clean hair is shiny, bouncy, and beautiful. Use quality, natural bath products and your skin and hair will love you for it, and thank you by looking better than ever.

    Medela Mini Electric Breast Pump by Bepharmacy Pty. Ltd. trading as OKmart Online is the online division of a progressive retail group focused on customer satisfaction and innovations.

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  • Health 24.07.2010 No Comments
    korek api

    A home remedy for stretch marks is a good alternative to surgical procedures or doctor prescribed medications. In some cases, surgical procedures may even pose risks of complications rather than simply remove stretch mark. Therefore, sometimes the remedies we find at home can even do a better job than the ones we pay for at the store. There are many kinds of home remedies that one can choose from. The list below will help you narrow down these choices.

    - Exercise – Right diet – Natural and herbal formulas

    Regular Exercise – If you want to spend little or nothing at all to remove stretch marks, then exercising would be a good choice for you. Because stretch marks usually develop in the areas like the thighs, abdomen, hips, and arms, there are some exercises to help you firm these areas. Stretch marks only appear if the skin is rapidly stretched to its limit and the elastic fibers break. Once the skin is tightened again, the appearance of the scars will be lessened.

    The Problem Areas – The exercises are easy to do and there is no need for you to hire a trainer to teach them to you. You can start the regimen by doing twenty leg raises. You can also do inner thigh exercises to firm this area of your leg. Another exercise that can firm the whole thigh is by swinging your legs. Just sit on a chair and swing your legs up and then down. These are all very safe and you can even do them while on the phone. To firm your bottom, lie face down on the floor with your arms on the side. Raise your right leg first then down, and then do the same with the other leg. You don’t have to raise your leg too high; three to six inches off the floor will suffice.

    Exercise Goal – The goal for all the exercises is to do twenty lifts for each exercise, three times a week. If you are too busy to do any of the exercises mentioned above, there are also other ways to keep your body firm and fit. You can walk instead of drive, take the stair instead of the elevator, or clean your own lawn instead of hiring someone else to do it for you.

    Gaining weight can cause stretch marks. Hence, managing your weight and eating a balanced diet will help you avoid the scars. Another easy home remedy for stretch marks is by eating the right foods. By eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, E, C, and D, these nutrients will scrub off the damaging free radicals and likewise make your skin firm. Drinking a lot of water everyday will also help enhance the elasticity of your skin, therefore, keeping the stretch marks away.

    Because stretch marks from pregnancy is caused by hormones, even drinking more water and eating right won’t help. This is the reason why natural and herbal solutions are still used as home remedy for stretch marks. Here are a few examples of what you can use to reduce stretch marks. Some of these cures may already be in your kitchen pantries.

    - Peanut butter ( maintains normal skin function) – Milk ( skin smoother and hydrator) – Olive oil (skin moisturizer discovered by ancient greeks) – Aloe Vera ( heals overstretched skin tissues) – Ground coffee ( exfoliates the skin) – Grapeseed oil (renews stressed skin tissues) – Vanilla extract (smoothens skin)

    Natural Home Remedies – There is also an easy to make home remedy for stretch marks recipe using cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, sesame seed oil, apricot kernel oil, vitamin E oil, grated beeswax, and vanilla extract. Mix all of the ingredients together except the vanilla extract and heat the mixture until the beeswax and cocoa butter have melted. After removing it from the heat, blend in the vanilla extract. Once cooled, you can start massaging it into your skin, specifically on the areas with stretch marks. If you do this everyday, you can also prevent stretch marks from developing.

    Tried of trial-and-error methods in stretch mark treatment? Discover online reviews of stretch mark product that is best for your skin and prevent stretch marks from getting worse.

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