The Avocado Store

fast ripening avocados

how do i get avocados to ripen faster?

i got avocados for .25 a piece but they are hard as rocks.
how can i get them to ripen?

Steps:
1. Allow hard avocados three to five days to ripen at room temperature. A ripe avocado is soft to the touch.

2. Store avocados in a paper bag. Put an apple in the bag to ripen them more quickly.

3. Store ripe avocados in the refrigerator for up to one week.

4. To remove the seed from an avocado, cut in half lengthwise (going around the pit), and separate the avocado into two halves. If the avocado is ripe, this should be easy. Lightly knock your knife into the pit, so that it sticks there. Give the knife a small turn to the right or left and lift up to remove the pit.)

another suggestion..
if you have a rice container.. place it inside if you want to eat 2 or 3 pieces then do the other on the procedure above..

Looking for a delicious and healthy summer recipe? You are going to love this. My inspiration for making this salad came after eating a very similar dish at a popular restaurant that I frequently visit. Actually, this is something my Wife and I like to do every once in a while. After we eat a dish that we are particularly fond of, we like to go home and try and re-create the recipe without knowing the ingredients. Try it... It's a fun way to see just how sensitive those taste buds really are....

FARMERS MARKET

I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful farmers market not too far from my home. There is just something special about shopping for produce in a farmers market. The variety and quality of the produce found in my local farmers market is far superior to the boring old supermarket. I know I am getting as close to organic as possible when I shop there, so if you have one near you, I highly recommend you visit and see what they have to offer. Usually the folks there are very helpful and knowledgeable about their products so don't be afraid to ask questions.

INGREDIENTS

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this wonderful salad:

- 1 Pound of Chicken Cutlets Grilled and Cut Into Strips - I like to use the thin sliced chicken as it cooks really fast and is easy to cut into strips.

- Southwestern Spice Rub:

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 8 Ounces of Mixed Salad Greens - I like to use a mix of Baby Romaine, Radicchio and Tango. If you can't find fresh greens, I recommend buying a bag of Fresh Express brand mixed salad greens. I have sampled a handful of salad brands and Fresh Express is by far the best in my opinion. The vegetable are always fresh, crisp and delicious. Everything is pre-washed and there are no preservatives.

2 Ripe Avocados Cut Into Small Chunks - It is very important that you choose ripened avocados. When looking for ripe avocados, do not choose them based on color. The best way to determine if they are ripe is by the squeeze test. Ripe avocados will have a firm flesh but will give slightly when squeezed. Unripened avocados are hard and will not give. You should be able to tell the difference. It may take a bit of practice though. If you are unsure, ask for help. A ripe avocado should slice like butter.

1 Large Green Bell Pepper Cut Into Squares

2 Ears of Roasted Corn (Instructions Below)

Half of a Red Onion Sliced

A Healthy Bunch of Fresh Cilantro Chopped

1/2 Cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Ranch Dressing

DIRECTIONS

Step 1 - Soak the Corn, husks and all, in cold water for 30 minutes.

Step 2 - While corn is soaking, prepare the chicken cutlets. Lightly coat the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle some southwestern spice rub on both sides. Rub the spices into the chicken. Refrigerate and allow the chicken to marinate while the corn is soaking.

Step 3 - After corn is done soaking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Place corn directly on oven rack and roast for approximately 30 minutes or until the corn is relatively soft. Remove from oven and let the corn cool.

Step 4 - Preheat indoor or outdoor grill. Get the grill nice and hot. Grill chicken cutlets for about 2 minutes on each side, or until done. Remove from grill and allow to cool.

Step 5 - While the chicken and corn is cooling, add the remaining ingredients into a large bowl.

Step 6 - Remove corn from cob. Hold corn upright over a cutting board. Using a knife, gently cut the corn from the cob in a downward motion. Be careful!

Step 7 - Slice the chicken into thin strips.

Step 8 - Add the corn and chicken to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 9 - Add the ranch dressing and toss the salad. The amount of ranch dressing you add is really up to you. It depends on your personal preference. I like to add about 1/4 cup.

Your done! Serve and enjoy!

About the Author:

Ralph Serpe is a passionate home cook and webmaster for http://www.chefability.com. Visit today for more free cooking recipes like this.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Grilled Southwestern Chicken Salad Recipe

lime avocado salsa

Pistachio crusted chicken with avocado lime sauce/salsa? Anyone have recipe?

I had made from recipe in a book - I cannot locate recipe and wondered if anyone has made something similar - it was delicious.

I do not have the recipe extracted from the book, but I do have my own recipe for this that I make. It may not be exactly like the one you made, but it is a versatile recipe (I will show how else you can use it as other chicken recipes), and it's delicious!

PISTACHIO CRUSTED CHICKEN W/AVOCADO SALSA

FOR THE CHICKEN

1 lb. of boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 large egg whites (beaten)
flour for dredging
kosher/sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
The zest of one lemon
1 c.pistachios (chopped finely, or put in a food processor)

Get three pie plates:

In the first one put flour.

In the second one: Put the beaten egg whites.

In the third one: Put the pistachios, lemon zest, thyme and sage.

Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breast, dredge in flour, dip in egg white and coat in the pistachio mixture.

Drop in a skillet that is heated with a few drizzles of olive oil and brown on both sides. Put the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

(HERE IS THE VARIATION).... in that third pie plate, on a night when you are not in the mood to cook pistachio crusted chicken, you can put flaked coconut. On another night, you can put Italian bread crumbs and bake in the oven with some mozarella cheese on top and serve with marinara. This is a good staple recipe to have to do lots of different things.

AVOCADO SALSA

3 large, ripe avocados
1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro
the juice and zest of 1 small lime
kosher/sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 splash of jalapeno sauce (if you like it spicy, this is optional)

Mash together to desired consistency and serve on pistachio chicken.

ENJOY

Gifts of food are welcomed and appreciated for all holidays and special occasions. It can be a basket of homemade goodies or it can be a more elaborate gift basket containing gourmet foods and a bottle of wine.

Wicker baskets are traditional containers, but there are many other containers that are suitable. Unbreakable containers like wooden crates, trays with an edge, basins, tubs, and ice buckets are good alternatives. Since theme gift baskets are very popular, here are three of my favorite themes when making a food gift basket.

Cookie Lover's Theme

This is a gift for anyone who loves sweets. It's a good idea for work associates and teachers as well as family and friends. A cookie jar, mixing bowl, or a basket are all nice containers. Line the container with a decorative towel, purchased shred, or tissue paper. Fill it with an assortment of cookies wrapped in small cello bags, purchased cookie mixes, chocolate chips, herbal tea, gourmet coffee, or envelopes of hot chocolate mix. Add a wooden spoon, spatula, and your favorite cookie recipes written on recipe cards. Wrap the completed gift in a cello bag, tied at the top with curly ribbon. If desired, tie a decorative cookie cutter in with the ribbon and add a gift card.

Barbecue Theme

This is a particularly nice idea for men on Father's Day, birthdays, or anniversaries. It's also a nice gift to take if you are invited as a guest to a barbecue or housewarming party. Use a container that can double as a cooler such as a metal or plastic basin, tray, or a pail. An unbreakable tray with an edge works well, too. Include gifts items such as bbq tools, an apron, an oven mitt, cookbook, or citronella candles. Barbecue sauces, marinades, rubs, hot sauce, and cans of soda or beer are all necessary items for a cookout.

Mexican/Southwestern Theme

Anyone who enjoys spicy food would be more than happy to receive an assortment of Mexican food items. The best tip I can gift you in creating this theme gift basket is to make it spicy and make it colorful. Place an assortment of spices, dry or canned beans, rice, bags of chips, and jars of salsa in a basket or a colorful bowl or serving tray. Add some fresh fruit such as avocados, lemons, limes, and pineapple. You may want to add a cookbook for Mexican food or beverages. Line the container with bright colored terry towels and top off your gift basket with some fresh peppers. Don't forget the makings for margaritas.

About the Author:

For assembly information, decorating tips, and unique container ideas for homemade food gift baskets, go to http://www.homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Homemade Food Gift Baskets - Created by You!

store ripe avocados

The humble spud has been voted the veg the UK would most like to be the national emblem of England, beating Wimbledon favourite Strawberries and Brussels sprouts to the title. This data comes from a new survey commissioned by AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness website axappphealthcare.

Published as the EU prepares to lift its ban on the sale of 'misshapen' produce such as straight bananas on July 1st, the independent research of over 3,000 people explores consumer preferences for fruit and vegetables, their purchasing criteria and knowledge of provenance. The survey also reveals that whilst size doesn't matter the nation is still vain about its veg.

Poor knowledge of fruit and veg roots

The survey revealed real lack of knowledge when it came to picking the fruit and vegetables from our shores.

? A quarter of people believed the tuber it to be a native to the UK

? 2% said Asparagus as was indigenous to the British Isles

? Nearly three quarters of under eighteens were unable to identify an image of UK grown gooseberries

? Peanuts and pineapples proved the most puzzling with 74% and 88% admitting they didn't know how they grew, citing 'in water' and 'on trees' instead of underground (peanuts) and on bushes (pineapples).

? 72% of people were also unaware that imported apples can be a year old from tree to supermarket trolley despite UK grown harvest producing enough to make us self sufficient

Getting your 5-a-day

Top nutritionist and AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness expert Sarah Schenker comments:

"One of the most important things people can for their health is to achieve their 5-a-day. So while its good news that people opt for fresh fruit and vegetables they should be aware that there is no nutritional difference when it comes to shape and size, in reality straight bananas and curly cucumbers and the like are just as nutritious. The return of odd shaped fruit and veg to our shelves could mean a reduction in prices which is great news for households trying to stick to a healthy diet while watching what they spend".

AXA PPP healthcare nutritionist Sarah Schenker's top tips on buying, storing and preparing fruit and vegetables:

"There is nothing tastier than fresh produce," says nutritionist Sarah Schenker. "Learning to cook with fresh ingredients will help ensure that you enjoy healthy and tasty meals."

Whether you're buying produce from a grocery store or from a local farmers' market, here are some tips from Sarah on what to look for when buying fresh fruit and vegetables:

? Choose fruit and vegetables that look and smell fresh. Look for produce that is not bruised or damaged ― over-handling produce can cause damage and spoilage.

? There is very little nutritional difference between organically grown and conventionally grown produce, so don't feel pressurised to always buy organic because you think it is healthier. By all means choose organic for taste and flavour where your budget permits, but remember: whichever you buy, always wash well and peel when appropriate.

? When preparing vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, use a vegetable peeler or scrap lightly with a knife to reduce wastage. This also minimises the nutrient losses, as nutrient content is often more concentrated just beneath the skin.

? When cooking vegetables, try steaming lightly or microwaving in just a little water, as this will help reduce some nutrient losses. The nutrients most affected are vitamin C and folate: the longer you boil vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage, the more of these vitamins will be leached out into the water. These vitamins are also destroyed by heat, so it is best to cook vegetables quickly and allow them to retain some of their crunch.

? Vegetables don't always have to be eaten raw to be healthy. Take carrots and tomatoes, for example: cooking them well releases antioxidant substances called carotenoids, which then allows them to be more easily absorbed by the body. So if you spot a bargain on a bag full of mis-shaped carrots, you can turn them into a very nutritious soup!

? Refrigeration keeps most fruit and vegetables from ripening. If you purchase unripe fruit or veg, place the fruit in a paper bag and close tightly. For certain vegetables and fruit, such as avocados, it is best to just lay them in a fruit bowl until they are ripe.
About the Author:

AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness website http://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/healthyliving is the definitive one-stop resource for information and advice on topical healthy living issues featuring articles, exercises, recipes and videos compiled by leading UK specialists.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Potato Tops Poll To Be UK'S National Vegetable

We all want a natural and glowing complexion. Nobody wants lines or wrinkles, or age spots or blemishes. This is evidenced by the amount of dollars spent every year on cosmetics and miracle creams and lotions. While the cosmetic industry would like you to believe that their product is the “one that works”, you can spend a lot of money finding one that truly benefits your particular skin type.

I know that when I walk into a store and shop for a skin care product, I am usually overwhelmed at the selection and the prices. I read the label and read their claims of “no more wrinkles” and “dramatically reduces the signs of aging”, etc., then I usually question if it really works. I don’t want to spend upwards of $30 and not see any improvement in my skin.

With that in mind, I set out to find a better and more cost effective skin care program. I t have come to the conclusion that homemade skin care is an inexpensive alternative. In addition, homemade skin care really works and as an added benefit, no animal testing involved!

Skin care recipes are easily customizable for each skin type. For instance, an oily complexion may want to add a little witch hazel (for its drying properties) to their toner mixture, whereas a dry skin type may add just a bit of Jasmine (moisturizes dry, stressed and sensitive skins and also helps to increase elasticity). The same theory applies to creating your moisturizers and exfoliation treatments. Each recipe is custom made to your liking. In addition the fragrances you decide to choose or blend are truly unique for you taste.

Some common ingredients used in skin are almond oil, aloe Vera, chamomile and green tea. Each of these ingredients brings with them unique characteristics. For example almond oil is a wonderful vegetable oil for dry skin. It is used as a carrier oil to blend with other essentials oils. In addition it is easily absorbed into the skin and is an excellent emollient. Aloe Vera stimulates skin cell regeneration and is also known for it healing properties. Chamomile tones all types of complexions. The anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil applied topically improves skin regeneration, and a cold compress does wonders for puffy eyes. Chamomile is used in facial steams to reduce puffiness and cleanse the pores of the skin. Green tea a powerful antioxidant and a potent anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing inflammation in the skin.

Below is a facial mask recipe for both dry and oily skin types.

Avocado and Olive Oil Facial Mask

Ingredients:

½ half ripe avocado

olive oil (for dry skin)

Scoop out the flesh of the avocado and mash to form a smooth paste. Apply to face and leave on 10 to 15 minutes. Soften with warm water and wipe clean. Pat face dry and follow with your choice of toner and moisturizer.

Properties of avocado are: moisturizes, reduces appearance of age spots, heals sun damage and scars. Regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. Additionally, avocado increases collagen in the skin thus great for aging skin and has superior moisturizing qualities.

For more skin care recipes and products, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

About the Author:

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Low Budget Skin Care That Works

avocado pasta recipe

Recipe for a creamy chicken & avocado pasta salad?

I used to have this at a local restaurant and would love to make it myself !!!! Does anyone have a recipe? Thanks

Chicken-Avocado Pasta Salad

2 1/2 cups dry bow tie pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup diced red bell peppers
1 cup diced yellow bell peppers or orange bell pepper
8 spring onions, sliced thin
3 celery ribs, sliced
1 granny smith apples, chopped small
3/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 medium ripe avocados, peeled pitted and chopped small

Cook pasta in boiling water utnil done, around 8-10 minutes.
Drain and rinse under cold water.
Drain well.
Drizzle olive oil over pasta and toss.
Mix in the chicken, peppers, onions, celery, apple and almonds.
Toss well.
In a medium bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, paprika and cumin.
Toss with the pasta mixture.
Gently fold in the avocado and serve.

Healhty skin is just a few short steps away: it's all in what you EAT!  A healthy diet and lifestyle shows on your complexion and gives your skin a boost to look and feel healthy. Experts in dermatology will tell you, a healthy diet is important for improving and maintaining healthy skin.   Start using these healthy tips today and you will see a difference, no matter what your age.

5 Healthy Skin Diet Tips:

1) Trade in those Carbs

Replace refined carbohydrate foods like white breads, donuts, cookies, bagels and pasta with their whole-grain cousins. Not only do whole grains provide more anti-aging antioxidants, they also provide the key element of a healthy skin diet - fiber.  Try whole wheat bread, whole wheat pita bread or whole wheat tortillas.  They even make whole wheat pasta! Try brown rice instead of white.  Try whole wheat bagels or crackers and nix the desserts!   Nutritionists will tell you: a high-fiber diet with lots of whole grains can help act as a detoxifying agent for your body. It is recommended that we eat 35 grams of fiber every day, as this can give significant health benefits not just to your skin, but to your colon as well.

2) Swap out your Fats

Toss out the bad fats in your diet - saturated and trans fat - and replace them with good fats. Omega 3 fatty acids from fish sources can reduce your skin cancer risk. Nutrition experts suggest eating 200 mg of DHA a day - that's equivalent to two servings of salmon a week. While most of us get plenty of omega 6 fatty acids from our diet, they stress the importance of another good fat, linoleic acid, in preventing dry and flaky skin. It can be found in vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower and olive oil.  Cooking with olive oil or the other oils listed also helps you feel fuller for a longer period after a meal.  Try adding a variety of unsalted nuts to your diet, too, for extra benefit.  Not too many, just a few will do.  Avocados also carry good-for-you oils.  Add a few slices to a salad once in while.

3) Put "C" in your Diet

Citrus fruits play an important role in keeping your skin looking young. That's because the antioxidant Vitamin C found in citrus is involved in the formation of collagen.  Collagen is a protein that binds cells and tissues together. In other words, collagen helps keep your skin firm and hence reduces wrinkling. Therefore, include more Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, strawberries, red bell peppers, and broccoli in your diet.  You can always find ways to include them in your dishes!  Check out some citrus-inspired recipes from the California Citrus Growers or recipes online. Even try adding a slice of orange, apple or a small bunch grapes to your dinner plate.  Put apples in your chicken salad or oranges on your chicken while it's baking. Fruit is a refreshing treat!  Treat it like a dessert!

4) Keep the Strings, Peels and Pulp 

Here is another important reason to add fruits and vegetables to your diet. The silica found in plant-based foods can help maintain the elasticity of your skin and improve your complexion.  What you probably don't realize is that silica is often found in the parts of fruits and veggies that are for the most part discarded - strings, peels and pulp. So if possible, enjoy the whole fruit and vegetable: cucumber skin and the strings of celery and asparagus. Leave the peel on your apples and potatoes, too, for an extra vitamin boost! 

5) Drink plenty of fluids

This is almost a no-brainer, but it bears repeating because we forget this fundamental diet truth.  Fluids keep your skin hydrated and help flush toxins. We are what we eat, or drink!   Drink at least 6 cups of fluids - water and (preferably decaf) tea - every day. Doctors recommend drinking black, green, and white teas for their beneficial antioxidant content, but avoid caffiene late in the evening.  The health benefit of the tea will be negated if you aren't getting enough rest! Skip the cream and sugar, too, to make your drinks calorie-free. Don't drink your calories.  Leave the calories to your solid foods!

Following these health tips can lead to a much healthier you.  You'll have a bounce in your step and a glow to your cheeks!  Take good care of your skin, it's the largest organ in your body.

God Bless You.  Please visit our store on the web for your skin care needs!  We carry a comprhensive line of goat milk soaps (great for your skin!), goat milk lotions (extra-moisturizing) and gift baskets for all occaisions.  We are located at www.NeeNeesSoapShop.com.  Thank you!!

1 John 4:7

About the Author:

We are located in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We are a small, locally owned and operated home business. Our products are all from the finest quality ingredients and many are made when you order them! All our lotions and soaps are handmade with fresh goat's milk and the finest quality vegetable oils. We aim to provide you with quality skin care at a fraction of the cost. God Bless You!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Diet For Healthy Skin - You Really Are What You Eat!

choosing ripe avocados

Should I refrigerate a slightly ripe Hass avocado?

I know how to choose avocados and I just bought one which gives just slightly. I'll use it within a day or two or three. Until then, should I refrigerate it or keep it out on the counter? On the counter it will probably be perfect tomorrow But if I end up not using it , should it be refrigerated? Will it continue to ripen correctly? hate it when they get over ripe and brown on the inside.

You'll want to refrigerate it at the time it is almost ripe, then it will last about a week, before you'll have to throw it away.

The breastfeeding vegetarian diet doesn\'t vary all that much from the pregnancy vegetarian diet. Protein recommendations are the same, vitamin B-12 recommendations are higher, and the recommendations for iron and calories are lower than during pregnancy. But the key in ensuring your healthy vegetarian diet is also helping you recover from the stresses of giving birth and taking care of your newborn is healthy fats. Healthy fats and oils play active roles in every stage of the body\'s healing, building, and maintenance processes. In fact, they are as important to an active individual\'s body as amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Healthy fats and oils help convert light and sound into electrical nerve impulses, remove potentially toxic substances from sensitive tissue, and provide strength to cell membranes.

The key is in balancing fats from a variety of foods. All foods that contain dietary fat contain a combination of fatty acids-the chemical building blocks of fat. Learning about the mixture of fatty acids in your diet will help you figure out how to choose foods with the good fats and avoid those foods that contain the bad fats. For healthy fats, look to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These can readily be found in a variety of vegetables, oils, and nuts, such as avocados, almonds, and olive oil. These help your body to resist attack from free radicals, which are specially formed types of atoms that can damage your body\'s cells when they react with DNA or cell membranes-better than other fats and thus are less prone to stick to your arteries.

Polyunsaturated fats occur in food either as omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. The key to eating healthy polyunsaturated fats is to maintain the right balance of omega-3 acids-found abundantly in flax, walnuts and canola oil-with omega-6 acids, found in vegetable oils such as corn, safflower and sesame.

About the Author:

Learn about watermelon nutrition and growing watermelon at the Watermelon Facts site.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How Becoming A Vegetarian Can Heal Your Body

shrimp and avocado cocktail recipe

i need a yummy recipe for mexican shrimp cocktail?

u know the one that has avocados?

2 firm-ripe avocados (1 to 1 1/4 lb. total)
3 tbsps lime juice
3/4 lb shelled cooked shrimp (50 to 70 per lb.), rinsed
Kosher or regular salt
1 can (11 1/2 oz.) tomato & chili cocktail (bloody Mary) mix
Tortilla chips or saltine crackers
1/3 c finely sliced onion, rinsed & drained
2 to 3 tsps minced fresh jalapeño chili
1/3 c tequila
Lime wedges
1/3 c sliced fresh cilantro

Directions

Step #1 In a bowl, onion, tequila, lime juice, cilantro, stir this together tomato & chili cocktail mix, & 2 tsps chili.
Step #2 Pit & peel avocados; cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Step #3 Add avocados & shrimp to cocktail mixture.
Step #4 Mix carefully & add salt & more chili to taste.
Step #5 If desired, rub rims of 4 to 6 margarita or martini glasses with a lime wedge.
Step #6 Immediately dip into a dish filled with 1/4 inch kosher salt.
Step #7 Spoon avocado-shrimp cocktail equally into glasses.
Step #8 Garnish with lime wedges & serve this with tortilla chips or saltine crackers.
Enjoy the Avocado-Shrimp Cocktail recipe

Whether gathering to watch your favorite sports team, a night of board games, or a party with friends, food is always an important part of the occasion.  These recipes feature quick and easy foods so you can enjoy great snacks without a lot of trouble.  Recipes include a Very Quick and Easy Shrimp Appetizer which is just about as easy as food can get.  The Veggie Stuffed Mushrooms will please the vegetarians in the group but all will enjoy them.  The Turkey and Cheese Wraps will satisfy those who prefer sandwich-type food.

VERY QUICK AND EASY SHRIMP APPETIZER

8-oz block cream cheese
1/4 cup seafood cocktail sauce
1/3 cup tiny frozen cooked shrimp, thawed
Assortment of party crackers

Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate. Pour the cocktail sauce over the top of the cream cheese. Top the cocktail sauce with the shrimp. Place an assortment of party crackers around the cream cheese block.

VEGGIE STUFFED MUSHROOMS

1 lb (approx 20) large white mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
1/4 cup finely chopped or grated carrot
1 tbsp finely chopped onion
1/2 cup crushed seasoned croutons
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Clean mushrooms and cut a thin slice off the stem and discard it. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and chop enough stems to make a fourth of a cup. Place chopped stems in a small mixing bowl.

Place mushrooms, cap side down, in a deep baking dish. With the stems in the mixing bowl, combine the broccoli, carrot, and onion. Stir in the crushed croutons, salt, and cheese. Add the butter and mix well. Spoon the vegetable mixture evenly into the mushroom caps. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until the stuffing is light golden brown. Serve warm.

TURKEY AND CHEESE WRAP

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp chili powder
4 whole wheat wraps
2 cups alfalfa or bean sprouts
1/2 lb cooked turkey, cut into strips
4-oz cheddar cheese, cut into strips
1 small red onion, cut in half from top to bottom then sliced into thin slices
1 firm ripe avocado, cut into thin strips

In a small bowl, mix the chili powder into the mayonnaise. Spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto each of the four wraps. Layer over the mayonnaise mixture on each wrap, 1/2 cup of the sprouts, 1/4 of the turkey strips, 1/4 of the cheese strips, 1/4 of the red onion, and 1/4 of the avocado. Roll up the wraps and enjoy!   Cut the wraps in half for appetizer or snack portions.

Enjoy!

About the Author:

For more of Linda's quick and easy recipes, visit her blog at http://grandmasquickfixrecipes.blogspot.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Quick and Easy Appetizers and Party Foods #2

avocado corn muffins

You can prepare a Halloween appetizer for a Halloween party. You can make this crunchy and flavored snack by using any of your favorite snack food. This snack food may include goldfish crackers, corn puff cereal, butter, cheese, bread crumbs, etc. Try out some of the amazing halloween appetizers given below.

* Asparagus Roll-ups- trim the bread slices by removing the crust and flatten them by using a rolling pin. Mix cheese and butter and spread this mixture on the bread slices. Use an asparagus spear for topping. Roll the bread around the asparagus and dip them in butter that is melted. Cut the rolls into small pieces and freeze them. When they are ready bake them in an oven for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

* Baby Sausage Quiches- beat cheese, butter and flour in a bowl till get smooth. Make balls and press them at the bottom and lift the sides up of the greased muffin cups. Cook sausage in a skillet. Sprinkle the sausage, chives and Swiss cheese into the muffin cups. Then beat cream, pepper, salt and eggs in another biog bowl and pour them into the shells. Bake it for half an hour at 375 degrees F.

* Guacamole Spread- use a food processor or a blender and mix 2 large ripe avocados, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped onion, salt, fresh vegetables, hot pepper sauce. Cover the mixture and process them till they become smooth. You can serve this mouth-watering recepies along with veggies or crackers.

* Apricot Pepper and Onion Appetizer- mix apricot preserves and pepper and onion relish in a small bowl and set them aside. Then open the tubes of the crescent dough and separate them into four rectangles by sealing the perforations. Cut the rectangle in to pieces. Fill the center of each rectangle with 1 teaspoon of the above filling. Fold the dough into half and then press the sides to make them firm. Place them on the baking sheets and bake for about 15 minutes. Allow it to cool and serve it when it is warm. The remaining filling can be served on the sides for the sake of dipping.

* Cheesy Pita Crisp- split the Pita into two rounds and cut each round into 4 triangles place them on a baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray. Then take a bowl and add garlic powder, butter, onion powder, pepper and salt and stir them ell in Parmesan cheese. Spread this mixture on the triangles and sprinkle them with cheese over them. Bake it in an oven for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees F. serve them when they are hot.

* Monster Munch- mix crackers, nuts and cereals in a jelly roll pan. Moisten it using melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture with different seasonings and stir well. Bake it in an oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees C. cool them on the paper napkins and then store them in airtight containers.

These were some of the Halloween Appetizers that you can make easily at home and enjoy a great Halloween feast.

About the Author:

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Appetizers for Years. For More Information on Halloween appetizer, Visit His Site at HALLOWEEN APPETIZERI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On Halloween appetizer At My Blog here

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - These Were Some of the Halloween Appetizers That You Can Make

A calorie is a unit of energy. When you hear something contains 100 calories, it's a way of describing how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it. Many people go on various different diets, and aim to reduce their calories. Well this article is for those who want to know how much calories are in different foods, which you may eat day to day.

Furthermore, this article is also for those who may be working towards increasing their fiber intake. Here we will tell you how many grams of fiber are in various foods that we listed below.

Additionally this article wills how you not only the amount of calories in these foods, but also what you would have to do to burn those calories. So lets get started.

Combination Foods
Macaroni and cheese (250 ml/1 cup):
Calories-406
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-81
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-45
Cycling (min)-58

Pizza with pepperoni (1-1/8 of medium pizza)
Calories-181
Fiber g-1
Walking (min)-36
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-20
Cycling (min)-26

Submarine Sandwich (with cold cuts, 1 sandwich)
Calories-456
Fiber g-N/A
Walking (min)-91
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-51
Cycling (min)-65

Chicken pot pie (commercial, 1 small)
Calories-498
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-100
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-55
Cycling (min)-71

Soup, Chicken Noodle (chunky, ready to serve, 284mL/9.5 oz)
Calories-210
Fiber g-N/A
Walking (min)-42
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-23
Cycling (min)-30

Grain Products

Bran Cereal (100 percent, 125 mL / 1/2 cup)
Calories-87
Fiber g-12
Walking (min)-17
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-10
Cycling (min)-12

Corn flakes (250 mL/1 cup)
Calories-101
Fiber g-.7
Walking (min)-20
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-11
Cycling (min)-14

Bran Flakes (with raisins, 175 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-127
Fiber g-5
Walking (min)-25
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-14
Cycling (min)-18

Wheat (puffed, 250 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-49
Fiber g-.5
Walking (min)-10
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-5
Cycling (min)-7

Oatmeal (quick, cooked, 175 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-99
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-20
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-11
Cycling (min)-14
Granola (with raisins 125 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-245
Fiber g-5.3
Walking (min)-49
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-27
Cycling (min)-35

Frosted Flakes (250 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-140
Fiber g-.6
Walking (min)-28
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-16
Cycling (min)-20

Bagel (plain, 1-10 cm, diameter)
Calories-245
Fiber g-1.9
Walking (min)-49
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-27
Cycling (min)-35

Bread, (white 1 slice)
Calories-67
Fiber g-.6
Walking (min)-13
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-7
Cycling (min)-10

Bread (whole-wheat 1 slice)
Calories-70
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-14
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-8
Cycling (min)-10

Bread (pita, white, 1-16.5 cm, diameter)
Calories-165
Fiber g-1
Walking (min)-33
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-18
Cycling (min)-24

Pancake (plain (from mix) 1 pancake- 10 cm, diameter)
Calories-83
Fiber g-N/A
Walking (min)-17
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-9
Cycling (min)-12

Waffle (plain, frozen 1 waffle-10cm, diameter)
Calories-98
Fiber g-.9
Walking (min)-20
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-11
Cycling (min)-14

Muffin (bran, from mix, 1 muffin)
Calories-138
Fiber g-N/A
Walking (min)-28
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-15
Cycling (min)-20

Cracker, (soda 4 crackers)
Calories-52
Fiber g-.3
Walking (min)-10
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-6
Cycling (min)-7

Rice (white, cooked, 250 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-282
Fiber g-.9
Walking (min)-56
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-31
Cycling (min)-40

Rice, brown, cooked, 250 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-232
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-46
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-26
Cycling (min)-33

Macaroni (cooked, enriched, 250 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-209
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-42
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-23
Cycling (min)-30

Cookie (chocolate chip 1)
Calories-48
Fiber g-.2
Walking (min)-10
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-5
Cycling (min)-7

Vegetables and Fruits

Apple (1 medium)
Calories-82
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-16
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-9
Cycling (min)-12

Avocado (1/2)
Calories-153
Fiber g-N/A
Walking (min)-30
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-17
Cycling (min)-22

Banana (1 medium)
Calories-105
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-21
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-12
Cycling (min)-15

Cantaloupe (1/2 cantaloupe-13 cm, diameter)
Calories-93
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-19
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-10
Cycling (min)-13

Kiwifruit (1 medium)
Calories-46
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-9
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-5
Cycling (min)-7

Orange (1)
Calories-62
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-12
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-7
Cycling (min)-9

Grapes (10 grapes)
Calories-36
Fiber g-.6
Walking (min)-7
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-4
Cycling (min)-5

Grapefruit (white, 1-9.5cm, diameter)
Calories-39
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-8
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-4
Cycling (min)-6

Pear
Calories-100
Fiber g-5
Walking (min)-20
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-11
Cycling (min)-14

Strawberries (5 medium)
Calories-18
Fiber g-1
Walking (min)-4
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-2
Cycling (min)-3

Watermelon
Calories-74
Fiber g-.9
Walking (min)-15
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-8
Cycling (min)-11

Broccoli (spears, boiled, drained 3 spears)
Calories-31
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-6
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-3
Cycling (min)-4

Carrots (raw, 1 medium)
Calories-35
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-7
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-4
Cycling (min)-5

Corn (canned, 125 mL / 1 cup)
Calories-88
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-18
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-10
Cycling (min)-13

Peas (green, canned, drained 125 mL / 1.2 cup)
Calories-62
Fiber g-4
Walking (min)-12
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-7
Cycling (min)-9

Potatoes (frozen French fried, baked 10 strips)
Calories-100
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-20
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-11
Cycling (min)-14

Tomato (raw 1 medium)
Calories-26
Fiber g-2
Walking (min)-5
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-3
Cycling (min)-4

Vegetables (mixed, frozen, boiled 125 mL/1/2 cup)
Calories-57
Fiber g-3
Walking (min)-11
Swimming or jumping ropes (min)-6
Cycling (min)-8

About the Author:

Jigfo.com is a global platform for sharing and learning knowledge. For more information on this article topics visit:
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How Many Calories And Fiber Does This Food Have

1 avocado guacamole recipe

how do i prepare the tomatoes?

here's the recipe

One Roma tomato, seeded and chopped small.

One to two tablespoons of lime juice depending on your taste. It's the lime juice that will keep it from turning brown. Another trick is to put the pit into the cut avocado as it will slow the browning process. It fools the avocado meat somehow.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 1/2 pounds chicken wings -- shoulder
midsection only -- cut apart
1 carton (6 oz) frozen -- avocado dip, thawed;
1 cup homemade guacamole

Method:

In a large plastic bag, mix honey, lime juice, chili powder, and soy
sauce. Add wings; seal bag and mix to coat. Chill, turning occasionally,
at least 1 hour or up to a day. Lift out wings and place in a single layer
on racks in 2 broiler pans, each about 10 by 15 inches. Bake in a 450
degree oven 15 minutes.

Turn pieces over and continue baking until browned, 25 to 30 minutes. (If making ahead, let cool, wrap airtight, and chill up to 1 day; serve at room temperature or reheat in a single layer in pans in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes.) Put wings on a platter. Place avocado dip in a bowl set on platter with the wings.

This recipe makes 8 to 10 appetizer sized servings.

Hygiene Tips:

From the point of view of food safety, you're taking a risk if you leave it outside the refrigerator for more than two hours. Unfortunately, bacteria  grow and multiply at temperatures between 40 degrees and 140 degrees, and they flourish at room temperature.

To avoid food borne illness, all foods of animal origin should be kept  either hotter than 140 degrees or colder than 40 degrees.  If you know you won't be returning home directly after shopping, bring along an insulated bag or box to keep cold foods cold until you can get them into the refrigerator.

About the Author:

I hope you enjoyed this tasty barbecue chicken recipe. If you would like more tantalizing recipe ideas for your next barbecue, head over to Barbecue Party for hundreds of varied and delicious barbecue chicken recipes and much more. They have a wealth of BBQ guides, recipes, how-to's, hints, tips and reviews, with a BBQ blog that is updated daily, so don't forget to subscribe to their feed.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hot Fajita Barbecue Chicken Wings With Guacamole

florida avocado guacamole recipe

What is your favorite Guacamole recipe?

What is your favorite guacamole recipe? I am wanting recipes you have actually tried, not random ones off the internet. I bought a rather large, very ripe, Florida avocado yesterday. We peeled, pitted, and sliced it to eat on our hamburgers but have over three quarters left. My dad loves guacamole, so I would love to make him some.

This is the one I use:

GUACAMOLE

To easily get the avocado out of its peel, cut the avocado in half, going around the pit. Pull the avocado apart, and scoop out the goods! Avocado oxidizes to an unpleasant green-brown colour if exposed to air (it’s still good, just not good to look at).

Fresh hot green chiles, to taste (2 serranos or 1 jalapeno), roasted and chopped
Small white onion, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
¼ c. fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
3 ripe avocados, mashed
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt, to taste

Mix all the ingredients together to your tastes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate if not serving immediately. It will keep for several hours.

japanese avocado salad recipe

Japanese avocado salad dressing?

There's this sushi place that I always go to and I order an avocado salad. The salad has this AMAZING dressing, and I haven't been able to find the recipe for it. It's sort of a very pale orange color and it's mayo based i'm pretty sure... It might have ginger but maybe not.

Avocado Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

From Every Day with Rachael Ray
May 2007

MAKES FOUR SERVINGS
Prep Time: 15 min

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 ripe avocados, cut into small cubes

1. In a nonreactive bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mayonnaise, lime juice, sugar and cumin; season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce with the dressing; top with the avocado pieces.

Or You can try this dressing:

1/2 cup of OJ
1 tbsp of freshly minced ginger
3 tbsp of mayonnaise
1 tsp of dijon mustard
3 tsp honey

Mix together in a bowl. Enjoy.

avocado dark inside

Are avocados with red inside skin OK?

Usually the skin of ripe avocados peels easily and the inside is pure green. Recently I let some ripen and they don't peel easily and the inside of the peel is dark red, which transfers in a mottled way to the inside. What is this? Is it healthy to eat?

Yes!

Each and every woman should bear in mind that what you eat would clearly show up in your physical appearance. Not only are you accountable for what you eat, but you are as well accountable for the things you do. You should avoid alcoholic drinks, smoking cigarettes, and other vices that would do harm to your health. Staying positive and getting a good night's rest does wonders for you physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Reality of Aging Women

Women are fragile and they are prone to illness especially as they age. There are a few ways to slow the aging process. You need to always remember that you do not have to feel sad about getting old. How you feel deep inside is what should matter to you. No matter how many lines are showing up on your face, what matters is that they are happy smiles. Women are more prone to suffer the effects of the fluctuation of their hormones. Most women encounter what is known as the menopausal period. For the teenagers, there is the influence of peer pressure as well.  

Women who are in their forties are usually more prone to have illnesses due to their hormonal changes than the younger women. Women should look into their health as a priority. Eating healthy food would make you look and feel younger. Not only will you look good when you are on a healthy diet, but physically you would be in a great shape and feel great.

Recommended Food for Women

To slow down the aging process, you should indulge in foods rich in antioxidants such as kidney beans, blue berries, plums, strawberries, artichokes, blackberries, pecans, cherries, honey, and apples. Not only do these foods contain anti aging properties but they also lessen the risk for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.  

In order to improve your bone health, you should eat leafy greens, sesame seeds, beans, low fat yogurt, tofu, and eggs. Bear in mind that women are more prone to bone degradation that would eventually lead to osteoporosis in their later years.

To prevent and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, you should have canola oil, skinless poultry, egg substitutes, cabbage, raspberries, grapes, and onions in your diet.

To keep your skin looking young and healthy, you should have a hearty meal with avocados, green tea, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, bananas, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, hazel nuts, olives, Brazil nuts, cottage cheese, and walnuts.

Being Healthy Inside and Out

The health needs of women range from extra iron during their childbearing years to calcium and vitamin D for bone health. In order to achieve the overall good health any woman would want, you should have flax seed, kale, pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, dark meat, broccoli, salmon, mangoes, figs, and kiwi as part of your diet to help you stay healthy.

In order to stay healthy, you should always remember that you have to feel good with yourself inside and out.

About the Author:

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Abortion Clinics in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including Abortion Clinics , physical examinations, family planning , counseling, laboratory services.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Best Foods for Women

avocado mold

Will eating this avocado make me sick?

I found an avocado in my kitchen, I think it belonged to my roommate but he obviously forgot about it because it felt really soft and mushy so I decided I eat it (most of his fruits and veggies just go bad and get tossed out, don't want this to go to waste too!) when I cut it open it was full of grey and black spots. I suspect they are just bruises, since it is mushy and over ripe, but is there a chance they could be mold or rot or something that would make me sick? Is it normally safe to eat black/grey spots in over-ripe avocados?

Why do you even wanna eat that?It's yucky even when it's fresh.

Are you aware of the wide range of common household items and products that can be hazardous to your dog's health? Although it is not all-inclusive, this article is intended to help you recognize some of the common hazards found in the home.

Cleaning Products

Household cleaning products should be safely stored and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Product labels usually include warning statements such as "keep children and pets away from the area until it is completely dry". Cleaning products containing chlorine bleach can cause chemical burns when skin contact is made. If swallowed the effects can be deadly. Stomach pain, vomiting, excessive drooling and vomiting are typical symptoms when these products are ingested.

To eliminate accidents with household cleaning products it is important to keep them in the original packaging if the packaging can be securely re-sealed. Containers that cannot be re-sealed should be discarded after transferring the contents to a properly labeled container that can be securely closed.

Insecticides and Herbicides

Keep flea and tick control products, intended for external use only, well out of your dog's reach to avoid over exposure or ingestion. These products contain poisonous chemicals that can be very harmful to your pet if applied improperly.

Mouse and rat poisons must be kept well sealed and in a secure location out of your dog's reach. These compounds, if swallowed, can cause serious organ injury and may be lethal.

Gardening chemicals (herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) must also be used safely in order to ensure your dog's health. When applied to lawns, keep all pets away from the treated area until it is considered safe according to the manufacturers directions. Lawn and garden chemicals that stick to your dog's paws may cause severe skin reactions. If the dog later licks his paws the chemicals may be ingested.

Human Foods Dogs Should Avoid

The following foods can be hazardous for dogs. No matter how much he begs for a "treat", these foods should never be given to your dog:

Chocolate, Yeast Dough, Chewing Gum, Persimmons, Grapes/Raisins, Alcohol, Onions, Coffee & Grounds, Tea, Potato Peelings,  Nutmeg, Mushrooms, Garlic, Avocados, Nuts, Salt, Raw Eggs or Fish, Most Bones, Baking Soda/Powder, and Sugar Free Foods Containing Xylitol.

Keep household garbage in securely closed trash cans. For some reason dogs seem to find garbage in plastic trash bags absolutely irresistible and they can easily rip them open in search of "goodies". However, rotting food can be harboring nasty bacteria and molds that could cause your dog to suffer from food poisoning.

Health & Beauty Products

Unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so, never give your dog medications that are used to treat humans. To avoid accidental poisoning, keep all medicine in tightly closed, secured containers well away from your pooch. Particularly hazardous over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills, and topical creams/ointments.

Health and beauty products found in most bathrooms, such as toothpaste, nail care products, skin lotions, and even some scented soaps can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Also, since dogs seem to love to drink from toilet bowls, keep those lids closed. Harsh chemicals used in toilet bowl cleaners may be hazardous for your dog.

Toxic Plants

Some plants typically found in homes and in the yard can be hazardous to a dog's health. A few of the common plants that may be dangerous include:

Schefflera, Lilies, Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs, Oleander, Azalea, Hydrangea, Hibiscus, Cyclamen, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Pothos, Rhododendron, English Ivy, Sago Palm, and Chrysanthemum

The ASPCA provides a very useful data base of plants, both toxic and non-toxic, on their website. As it is searchable, it is easy to use and will help to identify plants in your home than can be dangerous. The data base can be found at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

Miscellaneous Household Hazards

--  Ethylene glycol antifreeze and coolants can be fatal, even is very small quantities. Although less toxic, propylene glycol antifreeze can still be dangerous.

--  Paints and Solvents

--  Small objects that fall on the floor can be easily swallowed by a curious dog.  Such items as coins, small toys, jewelry, screws, nails, buttons, batteries, etc. may result in internal injuries and may require surgery to remove them.

--  Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.  

--  Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog's intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.

--  Tobacco Products

--  Electrical cords should be covered and blocked to prevent access. Chewing on a live wire could prove deadly.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED

Do Not Delay!  Speedy action is critical for the treatment of accidental poisoning. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-425-4435. Be ready to state your dog's age, weight, breed, and any symptoms observed. Have the product container or a sample of the plant with you so that the poison can be properly identified and an appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

About the Author:

If you are a dog fancier I would really love for you to drop in at my DogBurg website at www.dogburg.com. Once there, you will discover more canine related articles, videos, photos, humor, and anything else we can come up with that would be of interest to dog lovers. See you in DogBurg!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Protect Your Dog from These Common Household Hazards

avocado pie recipe

I'm looking for an avocado pie recipe?

It's a cold pie, with either creme cheese or heavy creme ingredient. I had a piece at a Mex. restuarant andit was great.

California Avocado Pie

Ingredients:
]1 or 2 ripe avocados
8 oz cream cheese
1 can eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
½ lemon juice

Prep:
Place all items in the blender
Mix untill blended
Pour mixture into graham cracker crust
8" pie lined pan
Chill at least 30 min. before serving

You need dinner party ideas to plan one of the most relaxed parties there is. The parties might not present a great challenge while planning but, they need attention so that you can impress your guests over great food and wine. Firstly, making the surroundings inviting and attractive is key. Everything must have a style of arrangement from chairs to other decorations at the table. You do not need to have something very elaborate just something inspiring and comfortable. You can view some of the settings on the internet and get to see how to achieve certain aspects of class without having to spend much. Do everything to make sure you achieve the ambiance you are looking for which is suitable for a dinner party.

You also require dinner party ideas for food. There are several courses that will make up a dinner party and you need to plan for appetizers which must to serve their purpose well. You can consider the following foods for appetizers. First, asparagus and Parmesan puffs will do the trick. The ingredients include rolled puff pastry, red pesto, cherry tomatoes, fine asparagus spears, Parmesan cheese and coarsely grated rock salt. You can also add freshly milled black pepper to spice the meal. Other great appetizers you can do for your dinner party include Waldorf salad, sticky barbecued chicken wings, oyster Rockefeller and many more. Do the meals that you are confident that you can do or follow all the instruction to the letter.

Some dinner party ideas for the first course are avocado mozzarella and tomato salad, baked Salcom creams, French conjoin soup and many other. For the main course include spiced and super moist roast turkey, chicken Alfredo, fish cakes, luxury fish pie and others. You can do some side dishes and they will include the following mashed potatoes, glazed beans and many more. Some of the dressings you can do are bread sauce, cranberry sauce, garlic bread and many others. Ideas for dessert include the following brandy sauce, chocolate truffles and other. You can also make traditional afternoon tea which can be taken with sandwiches, cakes and others.

The internet is filled with this recipes and more and they will furnish you with many dinner party ideas for food. You do not have to be an expert to make them exquisite. Make sure that you take time on final touches. Remember, you can work with a particular theme that will give your dinner party that feeling of diversity and culture. For example, you can make it an African theme. You will therefore include African dishes and decorations. When it comes to dinner party ideas, they never end. However, before you go for such a theme, study every recipe carefully and if you are comfortable with it, do it. If you cannot cook, follow every instruction to the letter and you will discover that it is not complicated. Let the mood of the party take over as you relax with your guest over dinner.

About the Author:

Peter Gitundu is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Party Ideas for Years. For More Information on Dinner Party Ideas, Visit His Site at DINNER PARTY IDEAS You Can Also Post Your Views About Dinner Party Ideas On My Blog Here DINNER PARTY IDEAS

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Dinner Party Ideas

avocado enchiladas recipe

Does anyone know a good recipe for avocado enchiladas?

I had these amazing avocado enchiladas with cilantro sauce at a tiny mexican restaurant out of town. I'd really like to try them at home!

I found this on Olympic runner Deena Kastor's website.
Avocado Enchiladas
Ingredients:

Sauce:
2 Tbs vegetable oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1Tbs sugar
4Tbs cumin
3Tbs oregano
1 can beer
1 twenty-eight ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth or water

Filling:
8 ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Juice of one lime
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
3/4 teaspoon salt

20 corn tortillas
1/3 cup grapeseed or canola oil
1 pound Monterey Jack Cheese, grated

Instructions: Here is the recipe many of you asked for. I made one of my favorite recipes while shooting the documentary Spirit of the Marathon. It is a great dish to make when avocados are on sale. Watch Spirit of the Marathon to see the "secret ingredient" I add to the sauce after it has simmered.

For the sauce: See below for "those on the run". Heat 1 tsp oil in sauce pan. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic, sugar, cumin and oregano saute 2 more minutes. Add beer, tomatoes broth let simmer for 20 minutes. Can be made two days in advance cool, cover and refrigerate until used for enchiladas.

Chop avocado and toss with cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, lime juice and salt.
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In saucepan, heat oil (grapeseed and canola oil tolerate high heat and do not become toxic at high temperatures) over medium flame for about 5 minutes. Once oil is hot, fry tortillas one at a time for one minute each side, or until lightly brown and blistered. Remove and blot on brown grocery bag or paper towel (if you skip frying the tortilla, the enchiladas will not hold form).

Spread 1/2 cup red sauce on bottom of casserole dish. Dip fried tortillas in pot of remaining red sauce, spoon 3 heaping tablespoon of avocado filling in each tortilla. Roll up and arrange rolled tortillas side by side in casserole dish. Pour remaining sauce over tortillas sprinkle with cheese.

Cover and bake for 25 minutes take foil off and bake for another five minutes. Serve two enchiladas on a plate with rice, black beans and a side salad.

For those on the Run: Instead of making your own sauce, combine a 28oz can of enchilada sauce and 14oz can of crushed tomatoes simmer for 10 minutes.

Do you like Mexican food? Do you have a favourite Mexican recipe? Perhaps you're just looking for something new to try. Here are a few recipes you might want to try.

Fajitas - Perhaps one of the favourites in Mexican cuisine, fajitas are made of savoury steak or chicken served with warm flour tortillas with a variety of condiments.

Burritos - Meat, cheese, beans and rice all wrapped up in a flour tortilla makes for a quick and filling meal.

Chimichangas - These are similar to burritos but are deep fried.

Tacos - If you like a crunch with your meat and cheese, a taco (or two or three) is a great meal. Just take a fried corn tortilla folded in half and fill with your choice of ingredients. Or you can use a flour tortilla and fill to make a soft taco.

Guacamole - If you like avocados, you'll love guacamole. A delicious blend of avocados, onions, tomatoes with lime juice and other spices, it goes great with chips or on other Mexican foods.

Enchiladas - These are delicious bundles of meat and cheese wrapped in tortillas, covered with Mexican sauces and baked to perfection. Sprinkle with some good Mexican cheese and serve with sour cream for an excellent meal.

Chorizo - This is Mexican style sausage and is superb. Highly seasoned and flavoured with chillies and spices, it goes great with eggs and cheese on a flour tortilla. Add a jalapeno for extra flavour.

Tamales - These are made from masa (corn tortilla dough) and filled with meat and cheese and steamed in corn husks. A true Mexican recipe that is delicious.

Mexican Flan - A Mexican dessert recipe, flan is custard with a caramel sauce and is simply to die for.

Cinnamon Crisps - A light and airy dessert made from flour tortillas coated with vanilla, sugar and cinnamon, these make for a nice sweet end to a delicious Mexican meal.

If you're looking for some good Mexican sauces to flavour your food, you might want to try mole. It is a dark complex sauce made with chillies, nuts and spices as well as Mexican chocolate, various fruits and vegetables and spices. Other good Mexican sauces are the traditional green and red sauces. The green sauce is a spicy blend of serrano peppers with tomatillos, onions and cilantro. The red chilli sauce is milder, flavoured with red ancho peppers, garlic, onion and an array of Mexican spices.

Mexican cuisine has a wide variety of tasty choices to suit the discerning taste. Whether you like spicy or smoky or just the freshness of great ingredients, you are sure to find a Mexican recipe that's right for you.

About the Author:

The article is written on the topic of the world’s best Mexican foods and easy recipes that can help create a fiesta that the whole family can enjoy. This short list of Mexican">http://www.oldelpaso.com.au">Mexican cuisine includes burritos, fajitas, tacos and the all famous guacamole.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The World's Best Mexican Food

keeping avocados green

Wanna know the secret to fresh guacamole? Recipe inside ?

My own tasty summer GUACAMOLE!

I agree, very yummy, you are making me hungry.
This is similar to my recipe.
Variation: try fresh garlic instead, and add a bit of sour cream (tsp) to make it more creamy. I also use Tastefully Simple Fiesta seasoning - adds spice and lots of flavor.

I’ve received a handful of emails lately concerned with the amount of sweetness on a low fat, high fruit raw vegan diet.  As expected, several of you aren’t quite used to the sweetness of so much fruit

To solve the problem, many beginner raw foodists substitute savory greens and/or nuts, seeds and avocado for sweet fruit.

Big Mistake

There are 2 problems with this approach:

1. Greens and vegetables have few calories
2. Nuts, seeds, and avocado are high-fat foods

In terms of greens, these foods are simply too low in calories.  Even a large salad of 8 ounces of romaine, one large cucumber, a whole bell pepper, and two medium tomatoes is under 200 calories!  The only way to increase the calories in this meal would be to add in fruit or fat.

Which brings me to the second problem: fatty nuts, seeds, and avocado.  Contrary to what people (raw and cooked foodists alike) like to believe, nuts are NOT a high protein food.  Take an ounce of walnuts (14 halves), for instance.  With only 9% of calories from protein and whopping 83% from fat, it becomes clear that nuts and seeds are really a high FAT food.

Avocados are in the same boat, with 4% protein and 77% fat.

SIDE NOTE: I’m referring to the Hass avocado here.  There are avocados with lower percentages of fat, such as some Florida varieties, but these are not as readily available.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this fact, it becomes a problem when these foods are substituted for fruit and eaten in mass quantities.  While it is perfectibly acceptable to eat a pound (or two) of fruit in one sitting, this is a recipe for disaster in terms of fat.

Too much fat has been linked to obesity, heart disease, atherosclerosis, and even depression.

To learn more about the problems associated with eating a high fat raw food diet, check out this article.

This is why I side with the numerous doctors and health institutes - including Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Douglas Graham, Dr. Dean Ornish, and The Pritikin Longevity Center - in recommending a low fat diet for optimal health.  This works out to about 1-2 ounces of nuts or ½ - 1/3 of an avocado per day (depending upon your caloric needs).

This means that if you decide to substitute sweet fruit for fat you will need to keep the quantities low.  Say you add 1 tbsp of nuts to the salad example above.  This still only gives you about 350 calories!

And that’s assuming that you can actually consume such a mountainous salad in one sitting.  I’m pretty proud of my eating prowess when it comes to fruit.  But 8 ounces of lettuce and a slew of veggies?

No way, Jose!

With the low amount of calories in this dish, you’ll be back in the kitchen looking for more fuel (probably in the form of simple carbohydrates) within the hour.

What to Do?

The easy way out is just to eat more sweet fruit.  But you're sick of sweet!

It seems we're back at square one, right?

Not quite.

There is a tasty solution.

Go Green!

Green smoothies, that is!

A green smoothie - renowned amongst gourmet and low fat raw foodists alike - is a fruit smoothie with greens added to it.  Sure, you've probably heard of them.  But have you actually tried one?

Here’s a tasty raw recipe:

• 3 bananas
• 1 pint of strawberries
• Handful or two of romaine lettuce

Blend everything together.  Add water to achieve the texture you desire.  I like my smoothies thin so I tend to add a few cups to the mix.

Why It Works

The green smoothie concept works for (you guessed it) 2 reasons:

1. It’s still fruit-based, providing quality fuel and satiation to your body.
2. The greens help to cut the sweetness.

Even though green (and contrary to the lovely picture in this post, often times pretty gross looking), green smoothies are very much a fruity meal.

As you can see from the recipe above, the smoothie is still mostly fruit.  The green comes from only a handful or two of romaine.

It is this small amount of "green-ness" that really adds a nice crisp, clean taste to the meal.  The drink will still be sweet, but not sickly so.

And you can easily add more fruit or make more than one smoothie to meet your caloric needs.

For instance, whenever I make smoothies (green or not), I have to make two separate batches because I like them so thin.

*sigh* If only they made 64 ounce blenders...

Long-Term Sweet Sickness?

Almost every beginner raw foodist has a problem eating so much sweet fruit at first.

Even I, the Fruit Queen Goddess that I am, had some troubles.  Bananas were especially sickening to me.  They were just so thick and sweet.  Yuck!

And to think, now I eat multiple bananas EVERYDAY!

If you stick with a high fruit, low fat diet, you will not experience this aversion to sweetness forever.  And the transformation generally does not take that long.  We're talkin' just a few weeks or so, on average.

And eventually, you'll stop thinking of fruit as sweet altogether.  At some point, it just becomes delicious, mouth-watering, satiating food.

About the Author:

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit Fit On Raw and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Go Green, The Raw Food Way!

storing ripe avocados

how to preserve avocados for long time? My friend gave me a lot.?

Is it ok to keep inside refrigerator before it is ripened? or once it is ripe store it in freezer?

I have had the best results by removing the skins and seeds, mashing the ripe pulp, adding a small amount of lemon juice, and then freezing. I have not had any luck trying to store unprocessed avacado for any length of time.

The humble spud has been voted the veg the UK would most like to be the national emblem of England, beating Wimbledon favourite Strawberries and Brussels sprouts to the title. This data comes from a new survey commissioned by AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness website axappphealthcare.

Published as the EU prepares to lift its ban on the sale of 'misshapen' produce such as straight bananas on July 1st, the independent research of over 3,000 people explores consumer preferences for fruit and vegetables, their purchasing criteria and knowledge of provenance. The survey also reveals that whilst size doesn't matter the nation is still vain about its veg.

Poor knowledge of fruit and veg roots

The survey revealed real lack of knowledge when it came to picking the fruit and vegetables from our shores.

? A quarter of people believed the tuber it to be a native to the UK

? 2% said Asparagus as was indigenous to the British Isles

? Nearly three quarters of under eighteens were unable to identify an image of UK grown gooseberries

? Peanuts and pineapples proved the most puzzling with 74% and 88% admitting they didn't know how they grew, citing 'in water' and 'on trees' instead of underground (peanuts) and on bushes (pineapples).

? 72% of people were also unaware that imported apples can be a year old from tree to supermarket trolley despite UK grown harvest producing enough to make us self sufficient

Getting your 5-a-day

Top nutritionist and AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness expert Sarah Schenker comments:

"One of the most important things people can for their health is to achieve their 5-a-day. So while its good news that people opt for fresh fruit and vegetables they should be aware that there is no nutritional difference when it comes to shape and size, in reality straight bananas and curly cucumbers and the like are just as nutritious. The return of odd shaped fruit and veg to our shelves could mean a reduction in prices which is great news for households trying to stick to a healthy diet while watching what they spend".

AXA PPP healthcare nutritionist Sarah Schenker's top tips on buying, storing and preparing fruit and vegetables:

"There is nothing tastier than fresh produce," says nutritionist Sarah Schenker. "Learning to cook with fresh ingredients will help ensure that you enjoy healthy and tasty meals."

Whether you're buying produce from a grocery store or from a local farmers' market, here are some tips from Sarah on what to look for when buying fresh fruit and vegetables:

? Choose fruit and vegetables that look and smell fresh. Look for produce that is not bruised or damaged ― over-handling produce can cause damage and spoilage.

? There is very little nutritional difference between organically grown and conventionally grown produce, so don't feel pressurised to always buy organic because you think it is healthier. By all means choose organic for taste and flavour where your budget permits, but remember: whichever you buy, always wash well and peel when appropriate.

? When preparing vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, use a vegetable peeler or scrap lightly with a knife to reduce wastage. This also minimises the nutrient losses, as nutrient content is often more concentrated just beneath the skin.

? When cooking vegetables, try steaming lightly or microwaving in just a little water, as this will help reduce some nutrient losses. The nutrients most affected are vitamin C and folate: the longer you boil vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage, the more of these vitamins will be leached out into the water. These vitamins are also destroyed by heat, so it is best to cook vegetables quickly and allow them to retain some of their crunch.

? Vegetables don't always have to be eaten raw to be healthy. Take carrots and tomatoes, for example: cooking them well releases antioxidant substances called carotenoids, which then allows them to be more easily absorbed by the body. So if you spot a bargain on a bag full of mis-shaped carrots, you can turn them into a very nutritious soup!

? Refrigeration keeps most fruit and vegetables from ripening. If you purchase unripe fruit or veg, place the fruit in a paper bag and close tightly. For certain vegetables and fruit, such as avocados, it is best to just lay them in a fruit bowl until they are ripe.
About the Author:

AXA PPP healthcare's Nutrition and Fitness website http://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/healthyliving is the definitive one-stop resource for information and advice on topical healthy living issues featuring articles, exercises, recipes and videos compiled by leading UK specialists.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Potato Tops Poll To Be UK'S National Vegetable

avocado tomato salsa

Atomic salsa recipe?

I ate at this mexican restaurant over the weekend and they had this salsa that I really liked. The waitress called it atomic salsa but I can not find a recipe for atomic salsa on the internet so I figure it was called something else and the restaurant renamed it for their use. It was a dark green salsa with little chunks of avocado and I think it had halapeno peppers and tomatoes but I am not real sure what the other ingrediants were. I would really like to know what the recipe is so that I can make some at home.

I found a recipe that sounds pretty close...I never thought of putting avocados in salsa...yummy!!!!

Tomatillo Salsa

4 ripe avocados
1 large lime
1 small red onion, cut into 8 pieces
2 cloves garlic, cut in halves
fresh cilantro
4 tomatillos, husked,rinsed and diced
2 small roma tomatoes, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
salt and pepper

Peel, pit, and cut the avacados in chunks.
Squeeze lime juice over avacado, reserving the lime.
Process onion, garlic, cilantro and pulp from lime until all ingredients are in small chunks.
Fold in tomatillos, jalapeno and avacado, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Times are tight and the price of everything from clothing to entertainment is going up. The cost of feeding your family continues to rise, too. Every week at the grocery store, it seems like we pay a little bit more and get a little bit less. 

To help you make the most of your already tight food budget, we've got 5 deliciously complete dinners than you can make for your family of 4 for under $10.

Chicken Rice Bowls                                                   

4 chicken thighs - $3.57

1 cup dried rice - $.50

1 can black beans - $1.15

4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese - $.75

1 avocado, sliced - $1.00

1 jar of salsa - $1.50

Total - $8.47

Dice chicken thighs. Heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat. When hot, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. When oil is hot add chicken. Brown, seasoning with garlic salt and pepper. While chicken is cooking, boil rice according to directions. Heat beans in a small saucepan on the stove. When the rice and chicken are done, layer rice, black beans and chicken, topping with 1 oz cheddar cheese, avocado slices and salsa.

Bratwurst                                                                  

4 links Bratwurst - $4.00

1 green pepper, seeded and diced - $1.00

1 onion, sliced - $.75

4 French rolls - $1.25

Frozen French fries - $2.00

Total - $9.00 

Heat grill. Place bratwurst on grill, turning occasionally until browned on all side and cooked through. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and cook fries according to directions.

Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium high heat, adding one tablespoon on oil. When hot, add green pepper and onion to skillet. Cook, stirring and turning occasionally until brown and soft. Serve bratwurst in rolls, topped with green peppers and onions and French fries on the side.  

Pasta and Italian Sausage                                        

1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage - $1.99

1 pound dried penne pasta - $1.50

1 jar tomato sauce - $2.00

Baguette - $1.00

1 head Romaine lettuce - $1.00

Total - $7.49 

Boil water in a large pan, salt and cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add Italian sausage, breaking up into small bits. Cook until brown and cooked through. When no longer pink, drain fat. Add tomato sauce to Italian sausage, turning heat to low. Slice baguette and tear lettuce into bite sized pieces for a salad. When pasta is done, drain and serve topped with Italian sausage and sauce, with bread and salad on the side. 

Steak Fajitas                                                             

1 pound skirt steak - $4.00

Shredded Cheddar cheese - $2.00

Flour tortillas - $2.00

1 onion, sliced - $ .75

1 tomato, diced - $ .50

Shredded lettuce - $ .25

Total - $9.50 

Slice steak into ½" slices against the grain. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When hot, add steak and onion slices. Cook, stirring occasionally. When steak is cooked through, add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, cracked black pepper and ¼ cup water. Stir to combine, coating steak. When some of the water has cooked off, serve steak wrapped in tortillas, topped with tomato, cheese and lettuce.    

Make the most of your time and stretch your money. More recipes and great ideas are always the first place to start!

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Four Meals Under $10

avocado with brown spots

Is it okay to eat blackish brown spots in avocado?

I have bits of blackish brown like a bruise is it okay to eat? Also there were tiny polkadots the same colours in the middle so I just scooped the polkadots and threw them out and ate the rest
This avocado is very very ripe

Avocados turn brown like bananas do. It's perfectly fine to eat avocados that are a few days past their prime and have turned.

Let’s face it.  When you start to see aging spots on skin, you start to feel older than you are.  Like other aging skin problems, an age spot can be effectively faded, in a relatively short period of time.  But, you must be careful about the over-the-counter products that you buy.  Some of them could do more harm than good.  Here you can learn about what not to buy and about ingredients that really work, safely.

Hydroquinone is the most common ingredient in products designed to fade aging spots on skin.  Its use has been banned by countries in the European Union, because of a possible cancer risk, but you will still see it listed as an ingredient in many products manufactured in the US and those sold online.  There’s no reason to take the risk.

Other ingredients that are often recommended for aging skin problems include the hydroxy acids.  The purpose is to listen and lift off the outermost layer of the epidermis, “revealing” a more youthful looking layer underneath.  What the ingredients actually do, in most cases, is cause redness, itching and irritation.  Again, there is no reason to take the risk.

The best solutions for aging skin problems are non-irritating and will not increase your risk of cancer.  They may actually reduce your risk of skin cancer, because they contain antioxidants.  Antioxidants can repair damage done to DNA strands that lead to cancerous formations.

There are several natural ingredients that are known to fade aging spots on skin.  Those include avocado oil, Shea butter, the active form of the protein keratin, coenzyme Q10 and nut-grass root.

Nut-grass root is the strongest and is normally recommended for reducing pigmentation on a large area, rather than a single spot.  It works by inhibiting melanin production, but since melanin is the skin’s natural protection against sunburn, it is best to avoid nut-grass if you spend a lot of time in the sun.

Coenzyme Q10 is recommended for a number of aging skin problems, including wrinkle reduction, sun damage and roughness.  It is an antioxidant that is normally present in all of the cells of the body, but the amount of naturally occurring antioxidants in the skin’s cells decreases with age.

The active form of the protein keratin is a little more difficult to find.  Only a few companies include the active form.  Most companies that use the ingredient include a denaturalized form that cannot be picked up and used by the skin’s cells.  Creams containing the active for can reduce brown aging spots on skin, because they stimulate the cells to produce antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase.

Shea butter has been recommended for aging skin problems for many years.  But, the quality of the creams on the market varies greatly.  You need to look for the highest grade of Shea butter, if you want to see the benefit.

In conclusion, avocado oil works to reduce aging spots on skin, because it contains sterolins.  Some of the better nighttime creams on the market contain all of these ingredients, except for nut-grass root.  If you begin using them, you should see an improvement in as little as two weeks.

To learn more about unique ingredients for healthy skin, and other incredible substances you’ve probably never heard of, visit my website today.

About the Author:

Laurel is a long time user and passionate advocate of natural skin care products. Visit her site now to discover cutting edge, anti-aging skin care products she recommends after extensive research: http://www.beautiful-skin-site.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Get Rid of Aging Spots on Skin Now!

avocado orange salad recipe

Japanese avocado salad dressing?

There's this sushi place that I always go to and I order an avocado salad. The salad has this AMAZING dressing, and I haven't been able to find the recipe for it. It's sort of a very pale orange color and it's mayo based i'm pretty sure... It might have ginger but maybe not.

Avocado Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

From Every Day with Rachael Ray
May 2007

MAKES FOUR SERVINGS
Prep Time: 15 min

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 ripe avocados, cut into small cubes

1. In a nonreactive bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mayonnaise, lime juice, sugar and cumin; season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce with the dressing; top with the avocado pieces.

Or You can try this dressing:

1/2 cup of OJ
1 tbsp of freshly minced ginger
3 tbsp of mayonnaise
1 tsp of dijon mustard
3 tsp honey

Mix together in a bowl. Enjoy.

Eat your way to better poker II – Remember these foods to improve your memory

“Are you telling me there is something I can eat to improve my memory?†Yes, we are! And we don’t just mean that eating your Auntie’s chicken noodle soup will bring back memories of summer. By eating certain foods regularly, you will improve your brain’s ability to record new memories and to access them quickly, keeping your brain young and ready to learn.

How does it work?

As the brain ages, it loses the ability to protect itself from daily wear and tear, particularly inflammation (swelling)and oxidation, a process which allows damaging free radicals to attach themselves to cells. In addition to this, brain cells often stop communicating with each other as people age, making it harder for the brain to process thoughts, retain short-term memory and create new cells.

“Old neurons are like old married couples — they don’t talk to each other very much anymore. They just sit in the room with the remote and stare at the TV,†says Dr. James Joseph, director of the Neuroscience Lab at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

While research in the field of aging and nutrition is just beginning, scientists have found that diet may help minimize the brain's sensitivity to oxidation and inflammation, as well as improve brain cells’ ability to communicate with each other. This means that by eating correctly you may keep your brain younger, more nimble, and better able to remember.

We will now walk you through several chemicals which have been discovered to improve your memory and general brain condition, not to mention your health and looks!

Antioxidants:

We have just read that the brain ages because of oxidation and inflammation, which happen because of the brain’s high demands of oxygen for its daily functioning. Now listen to this: if what you want is to minimize inflammation and oxidation, you could do worse than eating lots of antioxidants. These natural chemicals give plants their bright colors, and are especially effective at – you guessed it! – preventing oxidation.

A study involving 70 beagles showed that dogs which had been fed an antioxidant-rich diet over several years performed better in old age than their fellows who had eaten a standard diet. These old dogs COULD learn new tricks! Now, we are not calling anyone an “old dogâ€, but while we all wish we were Annette Obrestad, most of us have already left our teenage years behind and are heading towards Doyle Brunson and Dewey Tomko at this stage. This is why it is so important to get an edge nutrition-wise over all the middle-aged competition out there in the tables, not to mention all those plucky youngsters! So what should you eat to keep your brain as active and healthy as those beagles?

As we said earlier, antioxidants give plants their bright colors, so any bright-colored vegetable or fruit is a good bet. Since we really want you to start eating better, we have compiled a list to make your shopping easier. For best results, try to eat at least 5 (but preferably 9) portions of these foods daily. Don’t underestimate the power of vegetables – remember that Daniel Negreanu is a vegetarian, who brings home-cooked vegan packed lunches to big tournaments and has the success rate we all wish we had.

The “veg-o-phobes†among you may already be saying “why should I eat all those horrid green things when I can have my cake and take a supplement instead?†We are very sorry, but that just won’t do – most researchers agree that antioxidants present in food are significantly more effective than those from supplements! Think salads are for rabbits? In that case try adding vegetables to your stews, pasta dishes and stir-fries, or blend fruits and yogurt for delicious and nutritious smoothies that will keep you running through those all-night online tourneys!

Fruits

- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Avocados
- Oranges
- Red grapes
- Cherries
- Red apples

Vegetables

- Kale
- Spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Red bell peppers
- Onions
- Carrots

Stay tuned, because in later articles we will offer you recipes and menus that are bound to make you ace those tables and lick your chops!

About the Author:

This article was published courtesy of TightPoker.com.
TightPoker.com (www.tightpoker.com) is the top site for Party Poker information and promos, as well as a popular resource center for Poker news, promotions, reviews of online poker sites, strategy articles and also home to an active forum for discussing poker news and strategy.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Eat Your Way to Better Poker II – Remember These Foods to Improve Your Memory