Keeping your kitchen working

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , , , ,

As every at home chef knows water is a vital part of what we do every day when cooking.  Just recently I had water leaking from my kitchen sink and could not stop it from leaking around the hot water side of the handle. Even when I attempted to tighten it the leak continued to happen.  I am not much to trust my husband so I decided to contact a plumber that been recommended on Facebook from some of my local Crestview friends, Jack Dollar Plumbing.

crestview fl plumber - Jack Dollar

Jack Dollar – Highly respected Crestview, FL plumber

He setup an appointment with about 5 days out and I gladly agreed since the need wasn’t a massive leak.  I was excited to se him actually show up on time and text me 10 minutes before to let me know he was on his way.  He arrived dressed very professionally and clean.  He was able to diagnose the problem with the sink within minutes and had the needed pieces on his large truck to take care of the job without having to drive into town to get supplies while on the clock. I decided to mention some other plumbing problems.

I went ahead and mentioned a problem with the hot water line on my washer leaking in the laundry room, a leaky water spicket in the backyard, a toilet that wasn’t flushing properly, and a toilet that was constantly refilling.  He was happy to accomadate and take a look at everything. 75 minutes later I gladly paid the invoice and was happy to have called him.

This is definately one time when Facebook can actually cause less drama and make life easier.  Thanks again Jack Dollar for taking care of me and I will highly recommend you to any of my friends ou there in the Florida PanHandle area.

Organic Farming spreads to the world of Wine

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in The Family Table and tagged with , , , ,

Just ran across this infographic that was passed on to me by a friend.  Seems the “organic” trend in the world today is spreading even to the world of wines. Biodynamic is another buzzword used in the organic wine world. It’s based on the precise observation and an attempt at balance of nature. Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner taught this method back in the early 20th-century. So, biodynamic wine is not only 100% organic, in addition, the grower has gone beyond to try to bring the farming process more closely in tune with nature. For instance, biodynamic wine growers may make their own compost and/or watch the stars and planets to time what they do.

Look below the inforgraphic to see a recent 2012 list of biodynamic wineries in the USA of North America.
what are green wines infographic wine.com
Presented By Wine.com, Purveyors of fine green Wine

Oregon
Antica Terra (some biodynamic practices)
Beaux Freres
Belle Pente (some biodynamic practices)
Bergström (estate wines)
Brick House
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Cowhorn (first releases in 2007)
de Lancellotti
Evesham Wood
Lemelson (Resonance Vyd)
Maysara Winery (Momtazi Vyd)
Montinore Estate
Resonance Vineyard
Rex Hill (converting)
Sineann (Resonance Vyd)
Sokol Blosser (converting)

Washington
Cayuse Vineyards
Hedges Family Estate (some biodynamic practices)
Pacific Rim (Wallula Vyd)

Colorado
Jack Rabbit Hill

New York
Shinn Estate Vineyards (some biodynamic practices)
Silver Thread Vineyard
Herman J. Weimer (slowly converting)

Virginia
Chateau O’Brien (Northpoint Vyd)

Illinois
Famous Fossil Winery

Culinary Arts in the Philippines are becoming Popular

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , ,

Aside from the fact that food is a primary necessity, people are in constant need of well-prepared and extraordinary food that is not served in their dining table every day. The finest cuisines are not only delightful for taste buds but also appealing to the eyes. The art of preparation of food alone can make your mouth water, much more when it lingers your taste buds you will definitely crave for more. This is why culinary arts are becoming one of the hottest ventures in food service industry.

culinary arts schools philippines

Top rated culinary arts schools in the Philippines

Many schools are offering culinary arts program that designs to train potential kitchen professionals and the Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that have many colleges that offers culinary arts courses. The Filipinos penchant for cooking makes this undertaking a very successful one. Both Western and Asian dishes are well taught aside from the local cuisines like “adobo” and “tinola” that has also gained popularity all over the world. A menu of opportunities awaits the culinary artists after graduation such as becoming executive chefs, catering operations manager, chef patron, restaurant manager, kitchen manager, and many others. Since culinary arts is not only concerned with the science and art of food preparation but also the nutritional values of the food, many culinary artists also become nutritionist and dietitians working in hospital setting or private practices.

Restaurant and food business is such a boom in all the corners of the country. Rural and urban cities alike boast their own trademark of specialties that could sweep over the feet of the visiting tourists.

Top Culinary Schools in the Philippines:

Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Manila

3/F Times Plaza Bldg.
United Nations Avenue,
Malate, Manila 1000
(+632) 5249996

Center for Culinary Arts, Manila

287 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights,
Quezon City 1108 Philippines
(+632) 9942520

International Culinary Arts Academy Cebu

Don Gervacio Quijada Street
Guadalupe, Cebu City, 6000
+63.32.4125241

American Hospitality Academy Philippines

Ground Floor, NDC Building, 116 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
(+632) 507-3934

Academy for International Culinary Arts

Suite 207 Skyway Twin Towers
351 Capt. Henry Javier street
Pasig City, Philippines
(+632) 6710276/77

International School for Culinary Arts & Hotel Management

4F FBR Bldg, Katipunan Avenue
1108 Quezon City, Philippines
(+632) 9268888

The Center for Asian Culinary Studies, Manila

455 P. Guevarra Street,
San Juan, Metro Manila
(+632) 7255089

Philippine School of Culinary Arts

3rd Floor The Maxwell Hotel Annex Bldg.
N. Escario St. Camputhaw,
Cebu City, Philippines 6000
(032) 505-4645

Can you add more Culinary Schools in the Philippines to the list?

Homemade Blueberry Lemonade & Sage recipe

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , , ,

Several months ago I went to the Melting Pot with some friends for a girls’ night out! While there I tried a delicious “mocktail”… blueberry sage lemonade. It was amazing. I’ve been dreaming of the flavors for months. So when my local grocery store had both blueberries and lemons on sale, I took it as a sign that it was time to recreate that tasty treat. So here is my version. I will definitely be making it a lot this summer!

Blueberry Sage Lemonade Spritzer

Ingredients:
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup water
· Juice of 6 lemons
· 6 sage leaves
· 1 quart club soda
· quart cold water
· 3 oz blueberries
· Ice (optional)
· Lemon slices for garnish
· 3 sage leaves, coarse chopped (optional garnish)

Directions:
In a small sauce pan, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Place sage leaves in pot to steep. Allow sage simple sugar to cool to room temperature; remove sage leaves. Place blueberries (and optional, chopped sage leaves) in a 2 quart pitcher, using a wooden spoon muddle the berries to release juices. Add lemon juice and simple syrup and stir. Add enough cold water to make 1 quart of lemonade. Finally add the quart of club soda. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices! Enjoy on a hot summer day. *If you don’t like sage, you can substitute mint!

You could also make an “adult” version by substituting the club soda for bubbly!

homemade blueberry sage lemonade recipe

Fresh Homemade blueberry & sage lemonade recipe

Live long by eating healthy!!

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in The Family Table

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that the only true way to stay healthy is simple.  Eat healthy and exercise.   Avoid as much processed food as possile and find ways to eat food that is fresh and straight from the source with as little processing as possible.  I’ve even eaten at a nice Mediterrean restuarant where we washed our hands with flower water. It is such a pleasant feel and fragrance.

Thanks to some friends here in town I pick up a gallon of raw milk once a week (no hormones for my kiddos) on Monday from a good friend of mine that does Crossfit with me.  Another girlfriend buys cocunut oil by the gallon and we split the costs.  I also buy organic cereals for my children. Way to much sugar in that typical processed stuff from the supermarkets. I also HATE canned vegetables.  Once you try fresh porcini mushrooms, you can never go back to the canned stuff.

healthy children

Healthy children are made, they don't happen by accident.

I’ve also discovered that when I bake I am now using pure extracts instead of the imitation stuff.  Baking has always been a favorite passion of mine and pure vanilla along with organic sugar allows me to  spoil my kids from time to time without feeling guilty. Now I can spend hours in the kitchen sharing my love of baking with my daughter as we make brownies and cakes for the rest of the family.

What do you do when buying groceries at the store or making a grocery list?  Have you thought about the negative effects of some items that the FDA has ruled ok in the USA but other countries have banned?  Make sure you take care of your children by feeding them healthy.  You are forming their habits and taste buds while young so they can continue a long and healthy life!!

Wedding Cake trends for 2012

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , , ,

It seems that this is the year for simpler cake designs.  White on White seems to be a trend that is catching on quickly based on PinTrest and some of the hot wedding magazines this Spring.

Here are some tips when looking for cakes:

  1. Shop multiple vendors The average wedding cake runs from $3 – $7 per serving.  Price is not always an indication of quality, so be sure to shop around.  Bring pictures of what you want, book appointments to meet with each baker, and talk to them about what they do and how they can bring your vision to life within your budget.  Be prepared to make some compromises of your own too!  Remember, the more complex the requirements, the more it will cost.
  2. Delay the cale until later Wait until the meal is complete and do the cake right after.  Most of your guests will be full right after dinner anyway, so fewer people will eat cake.  You can reduce your cake size by about 30% by doing this.
  3. Allow self-serve This way the servers don’t bring cake to everybody, regardless of if they want it or not.  If you place several cut slices out on a table with coffee for your late night snack, then only guests that want a slice will take it.  Typically about 60% of your guests will take part.  If you’d like to save the top layer for you and your sweetheart, then budget for about 70% consumption, and order your cake size accordingly.
  4. Stick to 1 flavor, keep it simple - Though many brides want multiple flavors, this increases consumption. Those that like cake will eat more doing this.   Additional flavors often come with an additional cost.And remember: a single flavor doesn’t mean it has to be generic.  Play up the buttercream layers with lively flavors such as butter beer with strawberry buttercream, or chocolate with raspberry cream cheese filling.  Pick something memorable that you and your guests will truly enjoy! Choose a gourmet flavor and make it a cake all the guests rave about afterward!

Remember the wedding cake is a piece of art and something memorable forever!

Temp job

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Uncategorized and tagged with , , ,

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

The way that the economy has been the last couple of years, it seems that everyone has been forced to find a job.  But so many people have lost their jobs it is very difficult to find one.  And, the people that have a job are looking for a second job to work on the side.  It is a crazy world we are living in right now.  The past few years I have been a stay at home mom to raise my children.  But now that they are in school I decided to go to a temp agency to find a part time job.  When I walked in I was so impressed by all that they had to offer and show me in the way of temporary jobs.  The company had a very extensive website that they showed me on their Bronx T1.   It is amazing to me that with the click of a few buttons; you can see hundreds of jobs to on the internet.  But seeing available jobs and getting a job sometimes can be two different things.  Hopefully some company will think that I am worth hiring and give me a job soon.  But for now I will keep looking.

There’s a food gift basket for that!

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , , ,

We have all found ourselves in the position of having to buy a Birthday, Christmas, Anniversary or a “Just Because gift’.  When I find myself in this position I try to think of something the gift receiver would love but, usually settle on something that would tend to be meaningless and not really appreciated by the receiver.  If you find this to be your problem as well, you should think about gourmet gift baskets from GourmetGiftBaskets.com.  I have found that giving someone a gourmet gift basket is unique and shows the receiver  that you care for them and says how important you really think they are.

gourmet gift baskets

Gourmet gift baskets are nothing simple but elegant!

Gourmet gift baskets come in a variety of options.  Who would not love to receive a decadent basket of sweets, or if the receiver does not have a sweet tooth you could go with a healthy basket filled with exotic fruits and nuts.  What about that special child?  There are baskets that incorporate specialty dolls, books, movie and tv themed items and even sports themes.  Do you know a wine enthusiast, how about a specialty food lover?  There are so many varieties of Gourmet baskets that encompass all kinds of wine, specialty cheeses, exotic fruits and  wine accessories.  All gourmet baskets range from around $15 to several hundreds of dollars.  Depending on your pocket book and the person you are buying for you could even have a Gourmet basket made worth thousands!

In gifting a gourmet basket you will be assured that your gift will be thoroughly enjoyed whether it for a close friend or relative to the less informal “Thank You” gift for a local business.

Being close to family

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Uncategorized and tagged with , ,

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

My husband and I just moved to Texas in order to be closer to family. They say that moving is one of the most stressful things a family can do, and I can se why. We had lived in Tennessee for ten years, but my whole family lives in Texas. I have been longing to be close to my family. My husband is not as close to his family as I am to mine, so he did not mind being far from his family. It has been pretty stressful unpacking boxes and trying to set up our new life here. My husband started his new job about three weeks ago, and I have been busy unpacking. We set up fixed-rate energy in our home by looking into Shop electricity rates Texas. We also have a pool in the backyard, which we have never had before. Our kids are so excited about trying out the pool when it gets a little warmer. They have both adjusted well to their new school, although they miss their friends back in Tennessee. Moving is always an adjustment, but it is made easier being close to family.

Junk food seems to be the choice at public schools

Posted by confessionsofafoodie77 in Life is short. Eat up! and tagged with , ,

Junk food remains in control of the menus at most of the elementary schools in the USA despite widespread efforts to curb childhood obesity, a new study suggests.

Between 2006 and 2010, nearly half of public and private schools surveyed sold sweet or salty snack foods in vending machines or other places, the study found. Of course, gas stations sell alot more junk food than these places.  What kind of example are we setting for the kids anyway?

reasons kids are fat

We set a bad example as adults - that's why kids are fat.

There was little change over the four years, a surprising finding given vocal advocacy campaigns to improve kids’ diets. The study focused on snacks not sold during mealtimes, which until recently weren’t subject to government nutrition standards.

Schools most likely to sell chips, cookies or similar foods were in the South, where obesity rates are the highest; these foods were scarcest at schools in the West.

The results are concerning, Turner said, because they show that many schools have not heeded messages from health advocates including the Institute of Medicine, which in a 2007 report urged limiting availability of food in schools outside of mealtimes, and said these items should not be sugary, salty or fatty snack foods.

USDA change announced last month focuses on making school lunches healthier, with changes including less sodium and more whole grains. Is this enough, is it to late?