Defrosting Sandwich Bread
A great many people freeze sandwich bread to prevent it from going stale. A question we get asked often, is: "What is the best way to defrost the bread?" Many people think that by removing the desired number of slices from the freezer and letting them thaw out at room temperature would be the best approach. This is not so. By leaving the bread at room temperature, you actually stale it. As frozen bread warms, the starch molecules begin to form crystalline regions which absorb the water in bread. The process, called retrogradation, will eventually produce a dry, stale texture. The best way to thaw frozen bread is to place the slices on a plate (uncovered) and microwave them on high power for 15-25 seconds. This will get the starch and water molecules to bread down the crystalline regions producing soft, ready to eat bread.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Eucalyptus
Native to Australia, the Eucalyptus is a traditional Aboriginal remedy for a variety of ailments. Today, it is used worldwide in pills, liquids, inhalers, salves, and ointments for many common problems.
Internally, Eucalyptus appears to help relieve symptoms of colds, flu, chest congestion, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory infections.
For internal use, Eucalyptus can be made into a tea or tincture. Teas can also be used as a gargle for relief of sore throat.
To make a tincture, place 200 grams of dried or 300 grams of fresh Eucalyptus leaves in a large sterilized jar. Cover completely with rum or vodka, seal, and let sit 10-14 days, shaking the jar every few days. After two weeks, place a cheesecloth or muslin cloth over the mouth of the jar and strain the contents into a new sterilized jar. Squeeze the soaked herb to get as much of the mixture as possible. Store in a dark place and take 1 teaspoon mixed with juice or water 2-3 times per day.
Externally, the antiseptic, slightly anesthetic, anti-bacterial, and warming properties of Eucalyptus make it a valuable resource treatment of burns, sores, ulcers, scrapes, boils, and wounds. Applied topically as an oil or ointment, it also helps relieve the pain of rheumatism, aching, pains, stiffness, and neuralgia. For outdoor enthusiasts, Eucalyptus rubbed into the skin seems to work well as an insect repellant, especially for mosquitoes and fleas. Rubbed into the chest, it relieves congestion and cough. Indeed, the Vick's VapoRub smell is a familiar one to most of us, and with good reason - it works!
For relief of congestion, asthma, and respiratory problems, boil Eucalyptus leaves in water in a tightly covered pot, and then remove from heat and inhale the vapors. For an antiseptic bath, place Eucalyptus leaves in a mesh bag and hang under the bath faucet as you run a hot bath.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: When not taken in excess, Eucalyptus is reasonably safe, but it does appear to be somewhat difficult to eliminate from the kidneys, so if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are pregnant, it would be best to avoid it or use in extreme moderation. Never take continuously for more than a few days at a time.
Native to Australia, the Eucalyptus is a traditional Aboriginal remedy for a variety of ailments. Today, it is used worldwide in pills, liquids, inhalers, salves, and ointments for many common problems.
Internally, Eucalyptus appears to help relieve symptoms of colds, flu, chest congestion, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory infections.
For internal use, Eucalyptus can be made into a tea or tincture. Teas can also be used as a gargle for relief of sore throat.
To make a tincture, place 200 grams of dried or 300 grams of fresh Eucalyptus leaves in a large sterilized jar. Cover completely with rum or vodka, seal, and let sit 10-14 days, shaking the jar every few days. After two weeks, place a cheesecloth or muslin cloth over the mouth of the jar and strain the contents into a new sterilized jar. Squeeze the soaked herb to get as much of the mixture as possible. Store in a dark place and take 1 teaspoon mixed with juice or water 2-3 times per day.
Externally, the antiseptic, slightly anesthetic, anti-bacterial, and warming properties of Eucalyptus make it a valuable resource treatment of burns, sores, ulcers, scrapes, boils, and wounds. Applied topically as an oil or ointment, it also helps relieve the pain of rheumatism, aching, pains, stiffness, and neuralgia. For outdoor enthusiasts, Eucalyptus rubbed into the skin seems to work well as an insect repellant, especially for mosquitoes and fleas. Rubbed into the chest, it relieves congestion and cough. Indeed, the Vick's VapoRub smell is a familiar one to most of us, and with good reason - it works!
For relief of congestion, asthma, and respiratory problems, boil Eucalyptus leaves in water in a tightly covered pot, and then remove from heat and inhale the vapors. For an antiseptic bath, place Eucalyptus leaves in a mesh bag and hang under the bath faucet as you run a hot bath.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: When not taken in excess, Eucalyptus is reasonably safe, but it does appear to be somewhat difficult to eliminate from the kidneys, so if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are pregnant, it would be best to avoid it or use in extreme moderation. Never take continuously for more than a few days at a time.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Keeping Cake Moist
The secret to keeping leftover cake moist as long as possible is very simple. You simply store the remaining portion under a cake dome along with a whole peeled apple. The moisture from the apple helps to keep the air under the dome humid and thus discourages the cake and frosting from drying out.
The secret to keeping leftover cake moist as long as possible is very simple. You simply store the remaining portion under a cake dome along with a whole peeled apple. The moisture from the apple helps to keep the air under the dome humid and thus discourages the cake and frosting from drying out.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Dandelion
The humble little Dandelion has remarkable nutritional value, being very high in vitamins A and C, with more beta carotine than carrots and more potassium than broccoli or spinach, not to mention healthy doses of iron and copper for good measure. Medicinally, Dandelions are considered very safe and effective as a general tonic that helps strengthen the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and intestines, improving bile flow and reducing inflammation in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Dandelions also help to dissipate gallstones and are believed to improve kidney function, thereby improving overall health and clearing skin problems.
Dandelion tea is the perfect choice for those with the above problems or those who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles and who experience discomfort associated with this, such as constipation, digestive disorders, indigestion, and general sluggishness and fatigue. Just one cup per day will yield noticeable results within the first few months. Tea may also be of benefit for many of the problems associated with diabetes and low blood sugar.
Externally, the white sap from the stems or roots can be applied directly to ease the pain of sores and bee stings, and is useful in the elimination of warts, acne, and calluses.
Dandelion coffee is made by grinding roasted roots, and makes a nice substitute for regular coffee, but without the caffeine. People who can't tolerate much coffee can drink as much as they please and reap the health benefits without any side-effects. For the sweets lover, ground root mixed with warm milk and a little sweetener makes a very tasty and nutritious creamy beverage with few calories.
The humble little Dandelion has remarkable nutritional value, being very high in vitamins A and C, with more beta carotine than carrots and more potassium than broccoli or spinach, not to mention healthy doses of iron and copper for good measure. Medicinally, Dandelions are considered very safe and effective as a general tonic that helps strengthen the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and intestines, improving bile flow and reducing inflammation in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Dandelions also help to dissipate gallstones and are believed to improve kidney function, thereby improving overall health and clearing skin problems.
Dandelion tea is the perfect choice for those with the above problems or those who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles and who experience discomfort associated with this, such as constipation, digestive disorders, indigestion, and general sluggishness and fatigue. Just one cup per day will yield noticeable results within the first few months. Tea may also be of benefit for many of the problems associated with diabetes and low blood sugar.
Externally, the white sap from the stems or roots can be applied directly to ease the pain of sores and bee stings, and is useful in the elimination of warts, acne, and calluses.
Dandelion coffee is made by grinding roasted roots, and makes a nice substitute for regular coffee, but without the caffeine. People who can't tolerate much coffee can drink as much as they please and reap the health benefits without any side-effects. For the sweets lover, ground root mixed with warm milk and a little sweetener makes a very tasty and nutritious creamy beverage with few calories.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Secret For Tasty Cornbread
For more flavorful cornbread, I save the unpopped kernels from my popcorn and grind them in a coffee grinder until they are medium-fine in texture. I use the ground kernels to replace the same amount of plain cornmeal in my cornbread recipe. I then mix and bake as usual. The ground kernels give the cornbread a stronger corn flavor.
For more flavorful cornbread, I save the unpopped kernels from my popcorn and grind them in a coffee grinder until they are medium-fine in texture. I use the ground kernels to replace the same amount of plain cornmeal in my cornbread recipe. I then mix and bake as usual. The ground kernels give the cornbread a stronger corn flavor.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a plant that was used often, both medicinally and as a beverage by American Indians and by the European settlers in America. Oswego Tea, made from the leaves of the plant, was a staple in households during colonial times after the settlers lost access to English teas after the Boston Tea Party. Today, Bee Balm is still used widely for a variety of medicinal purposes, and limited testing has shown that it does have some benefits as a remedy for quite a few common medical complaints.
As a member of the Mint family, it is no surprise that Bee Balm taken in a tea (Oswego Tea) is a tasty, well-known remedy for digestive problems, a trait seen in almost all Mint family members. It appears to have beneficial properties that include improving general digestion, easing flatulence, improving appetite, relieving colic, reducing bloating, alleviating menstrual cramping, and reducing nausea and vomiting.
Oswego Tea can also be made as a soothing drink to calm nerves and as a relaxing sleep aid, and is often combined with other well-known relaxation herbs such as Valerian and Chamomile for this purpose.
Externally, bee balm is a wonderful aromatherapy herb. Try placing a handful of fresh leaves in a cloth and positioning it under hot running bath water for a relaxing, lemony scented bath. Deeply breathing in the steam may also help relieve cold symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and congestion.
Bee Balm has also shown some merit as an antiseptic and antibacterial, and a clean cloth can be soaked in a tea and used as a compress, or an ointment can be made to help relieve pain and speed healing for minor wounds, insect stings, and for relief of eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, and clearing up acne.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: There is some literature that suggests that Bee Balm should not be ingested if there is a history of thyroid problems, and of course, anyone who is pregnant should also steer clear. Although Bee Balm leaves can be rubbed directly on the skin as a mosquito repellant, on some people it may cause phototoxicity (sensitivity to the sun), so using undiluted is not recommended without first testing on a small area of skin.
Bee Balm is a plant that was used often, both medicinally and as a beverage by American Indians and by the European settlers in America. Oswego Tea, made from the leaves of the plant, was a staple in households during colonial times after the settlers lost access to English teas after the Boston Tea Party. Today, Bee Balm is still used widely for a variety of medicinal purposes, and limited testing has shown that it does have some benefits as a remedy for quite a few common medical complaints.
As a member of the Mint family, it is no surprise that Bee Balm taken in a tea (Oswego Tea) is a tasty, well-known remedy for digestive problems, a trait seen in almost all Mint family members. It appears to have beneficial properties that include improving general digestion, easing flatulence, improving appetite, relieving colic, reducing bloating, alleviating menstrual cramping, and reducing nausea and vomiting.
Oswego Tea can also be made as a soothing drink to calm nerves and as a relaxing sleep aid, and is often combined with other well-known relaxation herbs such as Valerian and Chamomile for this purpose.
Externally, bee balm is a wonderful aromatherapy herb. Try placing a handful of fresh leaves in a cloth and positioning it under hot running bath water for a relaxing, lemony scented bath. Deeply breathing in the steam may also help relieve cold symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and congestion.
Bee Balm has also shown some merit as an antiseptic and antibacterial, and a clean cloth can be soaked in a tea and used as a compress, or an ointment can be made to help relieve pain and speed healing for minor wounds, insect stings, and for relief of eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, and clearing up acne.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: There is some literature that suggests that Bee Balm should not be ingested if there is a history of thyroid problems, and of course, anyone who is pregnant should also steer clear. Although Bee Balm leaves can be rubbed directly on the skin as a mosquito repellant, on some people it may cause phototoxicity (sensitivity to the sun), so using undiluted is not recommended without first testing on a small area of skin.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Crumbled Cheese
Have you ever had a recipe that called for crumbled cheese and you picked up a package of pre-crumbled cheese at the grocery store only to find that the taste wasn't there? While these pre-crumbled cheeses are very handy and save you time in the kitchen, they do not taste the same as a hand-crumbled cheese. Their texture is generally dry and pasty when compared with hand-crumbled cheese where the texture is creamy. This is because the pre-crumbled cheeses have more surface area exposed, and so are more prone to drying. Larger pieces of cheese also have the advantage of being less expensive to purchase than their pre-crumbled counterparts.
Have you ever had a recipe that called for crumbled cheese and you picked up a package of pre-crumbled cheese at the grocery store only to find that the taste wasn't there? While these pre-crumbled cheeses are very handy and save you time in the kitchen, they do not taste the same as a hand-crumbled cheese. Their texture is generally dry and pasty when compared with hand-crumbled cheese where the texture is creamy. This is because the pre-crumbled cheeses have more surface area exposed, and so are more prone to drying. Larger pieces of cheese also have the advantage of being less expensive to purchase than their pre-crumbled counterparts.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Cornflower
In modern medicine, Cornflower does appear to be of benefit externally and likely has antiseptic properties, making it worth a try for cuts, scrapes, and bruising of the skin. It is also fairly well-known by herbalists as a remedy for conjunctivitis, eye swelling, puffiness, and pain related to the eye area.
To use for cuts and scrapes, simply rub the cut end of a Cornflower stem on the affected area. For use as an eyewash, prepare as you would a tea, then soak a washcloth and use as an eye compress. For facial skin eruptions, acne, or other irritations, the leaves and flowers can be used as a steam facial - boil the leaves and flowers, then cover the head with a towel and sit over the steaming container. After 15 minutes or so, rinse the face with cool water, and feel the difference!
G
In modern medicine, Cornflower does appear to be of benefit externally and likely has antiseptic properties, making it worth a try for cuts, scrapes, and bruising of the skin. It is also fairly well-known by herbalists as a remedy for conjunctivitis, eye swelling, puffiness, and pain related to the eye area.
To use for cuts and scrapes, simply rub the cut end of a Cornflower stem on the affected area. For use as an eyewash, prepare as you would a tea, then soak a washcloth and use as an eye compress. For facial skin eruptions, acne, or other irritations, the leaves and flowers can be used as a steam facial - boil the leaves and flowers, then cover the head with a towel and sit over the steaming container. After 15 minutes or so, rinse the face with cool water, and feel the difference!
G
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