Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Improve Your Cake Decorating skills With Cake Decorating Videos

By Rebecca Wincup

When you are learning a physical art like cake decoration, it often helps to have a bit of sound and vision to get a particularly illusive point across. Lets face it, some points are easier to get across simply by doing rather than explaining it. Thats why cake decorating videos are so helpful. It is a lot easier to follow someone who is showing you how to do something than it is just to read instructions. Cake decorating videos show you what to do step-by-step and are a useful tool to advance your cake decoration education.

When you actually see someone bake a cake, it is easier to understand the process than when you just have someone tell you about it or you just read instruction. If you dont really know cake decorating terms, it is helpful to have someone show you as they tell you. So if you are just learning to decorate cakes, a video can be extremely helpful

Be prepared to flop a few times when you first start decorating cakes, even with a video. Cake decorating is a complicated art, and it will take time as well as work to perfect your technique. After a few fiascos, you should be creating cakes that will dazzle one and all. Just keep in mind that even the most skilled professionals in cake decorating started out just like you. They have all had their share of mistakes, but still, here you are watching their videos and learning to decorate cakes like a pro.

If you are having problems with a specific technique, a cake decorating video is the perfect learning tool for you. You can watch and practice that technique as many times as you need to until you have it down pat. Some cake decorating techniques are very difficult. You will need repetition to be able to get it just right. A cake decorating video gives you just that option. It can dispel confusion and help you to make a beautiful cake using the most complex of techniques.

Because cake decorating is a hobby as well as a profession, it has triggered the creation of lots of books and how-to videos. Many of these videos are available online, so you can access them without leaving your home or spending a penny. So all you will need to begin creating truly stunning decorated cakes is a little time online and some time and study in your kitchen.

By viewing cake decorating videos, you will be taking lessons directly from some of the most admired artists in the cake decorating business. You can find these specialized, professional videos by searching for videos on how to decorate with flair.

Practice, practice, practice, and you will soon be creating perfect cakes. With the advantage of online learning with cake decorating videos, you will learn quickly and well. With the equivalent of private lessons from the professionals, you will be creating stunning cakes that will Wow your family and friends every time.

In closing, the ideal fit in terms of cake decorating education, is a combination of video and written text. Although video is the best for getting the concepts across and can give you the confidence to go try this stuff, the text is the backup plan that will have all the fine details like quantities and timings. These are just as important in making the perfect cake and having a successful hobby.

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Healthy Fast Food

By KC Kudra

You might be surprised to see the words health food in the same sentence as the words fast food and maybe you thought fast food is the ultimate sin unless you are trying to gain weight. It is possible however to include fast food in your diet, even if you are trying to eat more healthily or lose a few pounds.

That is not to say that you should stuff yourself full of fast food three times a day but the occasional treat is fine, whether it is juicy, succulent southern fried chicken or a cheeseburger and fries. Now that more people are aware of healthy eating, fast food restaurants are also offering healthier choices and nutritious side dishes as well as the traditional fast food fare.

Choose Your Food Carefully

One in four Americans will eat fast food every day and many fast food options give you enough fat, sodium, and calories to make up your entire daily requirement. Also, a lot of people are fairly unknowledgeable about nutrition and do not choose their meal well. You might think that a salad is a healthy option but some salads contain fried meat, deep-fried croutons, and a creamy, high fat dressing which makes it comparable in calories to a cheeseburger.

There is only one way to know exactly what you are eating and that is to make your own food. You might not be a seasoned chef but there are many easy recipes out there, a lot, of which you can make from start to finish in less than twenty minutes.

The Healthy Way to Enjoy Fried Chicken

Lots of people love fried chicken and you can make your own by following an easy fried chicken recipe. You can also make the right amount. In a fast food restaurant, you often get huge portions and you feel like you must finish off every last bit of food on your tray because wasting food is bad.

If you make fried chicken at home, you can satisfy your fast food cravings without visiting a fast food restaurant to order a huge portion of food, which comes with fries and a large thick shake.

If you want to lose a few pounds, perhaps you might like to know about oven-fried chicken. This is basically a baked chicken recipe in a crispy batter. It actually tastes just like fried chicken but without all the fat and calories. Actually, some people prefer oven-fried chicken to deep fried chicken.

Whether you want to indulge your fried chicken craving once a week or make a healthy oven fried chicken recipe, you can eat fried chicken whilst on a healthy diet as long as you eat plenty of grains, fruit and vegetables too.

A little of what you fancy does you good, as they say, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying fried chicken occasionally if your diet is balanced overall. If you serve your homemade fried chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans and corn on the cob, you will have a nutritious meal, which tastes great.

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Useful Tips on Dinner Reservation

By Doug Schlette

Folks eat at restaurants. Some dine out almost every day, while for others it's a less frequent treat. Restaurant meals are common at lunch for white collar workers. Dinner out is common for some working families and in some industries where constant schmoozing happens. Often people can walk into an establishment and find a table. But at some times, and at some restaurants at all times, a dinner reservation is needed. Without a reservation a person won't eat there.

Particularly weekends and evenings, many restaurants accept reservations. Reservations are sometimes needed months in advance. Some are so special that even having a reservation is amazing. Can you imagine food so good that people would wait months to eat it? For some it's the thing to do.

When making a reservation only make it for the number of people you're sure will attend, and make it in advance of the planned night out. As mentioned, some restaurants are in high demand. Waiting too long can mean missing out on a chance to enjoy a meal there on a particular day. It might also mean a small table can be had, so fewer people can join you. Keep in mind that making reservations too far in advance can result in a lot of no shows and wasted space at the table. Restaurants don't like this. The result could be the restaurant not being willing to let you reserve next time.

Sometimes the customers do the wrong thing when it comes to reservations. However, sometimes it's the restaurant doing the wrong thing. Someone makes a reservation for 7:30PM but isn't given a table until 10PM. Restaurants that do this too often find themselves losing customers. It's expected at some fancier locations. Those restaurants are expected to be discourteous. Some people like to pay to be treated like bums.

Some companies have sprung up that manage reservations for a number of restaurants. Many of these are on the Internet and have a lot of positive feedback. A man wrote that he booked a reservation online only to arrive to find it had not been received. The restaurant set up a special table for his group and let him eat for free.

A dinner reservation is often wise. That is if the restaurant honors them. If not, express your displeasure. Stop giving them your money and tell your friends to do the same.

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Clever Cake Cooking With Your Kids

By Jenni Snook

Kids are naturally inclined to help and they can feel clever if they assist with cooking cakes. By starting early, they learn about the importance of responsibility and learn a valuable skill at the same time.

Cooking can serve as a special time for bonding between parents and kids. Kids should only assist in tasks appropriate for their age.

You probably shouldn't permit your young kid to crack open an egg but instead let them put the egg in the bowl. This way, they feel that they are indeed helping out.

Kids love to taste. There's nothing more delightful to a child then being able to lick the beaters after you've made a bowl of chocolate frosting. Kids learn by getting involved.

It's ok if they get a bit of icing on their fingers and cheeks because the time spent with your kids can be priceless.

You can make your kids feel important by letting them do simple things. The best thing would not be to let them play with dangerous utensils but instead to let them play with a ball of dough.

It's a way of having fun with your children, and the fun thing about cooking with your kids is, that they are learning a skill, they just don't know it!

By cooking, you can make your children talk to you and make them feel like a valuable part of the process.

Don't cause a fuss if your kids make a mess around the kitchen, instead, enjoy the magic of watching them taste their cake and having fun while cooking. Kids grow up in a hurry, giving them something special to remember is clever and cooking cakes with them is a memory they will take with them through life.

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Investing in a Pan That Lasts and Looks Great

By Adam Rahim

Cooking with the All-Clad copper core set of kitchenware is an experience every cook would treasure. This cuisine group, decorated with a mirror finish outside and encircled by a band of copper looks ever so dramatic. Its suitability for cooking is also unparallel. All-Clad is a premium cookware producer that is established for generations. It enjoys an international reputation and its goods are highly regarded thanks to their excellent performance. A great option within this line is the All-Clad Copper Core 10-inch Fry Pan.

At first, the All-Clad copper cookware was intended for professional chefs although today it has countless devotees in the home cuisine demographic also. This manufacturer is in the company of the top makers of cookware on the planet and has retained its position as a standard for the past four decades. There seems to be no other splendid blend of good looks and utility other than the All-Clad line of kitchenware.

The defining feature of the All-Clad kitchenware is the copper core, which is a good conductor of heat, and that helps to cook food swiftly in this kitchenware. Additionally, the heat is evenly distributed on the whole cooking surface - including the sides. You use less fuel, and the food cooked in such a way tends to be better tasting and better for you. Another nice option is the All-Clad Stainless 12-inch Fry Pan.

The stainless steel nonstick cooking surface facilitates easy cleaning. The All-Clad copper core products feature a 5-ply bonding that is a singular trademark of the copper cooking products of this company. You would never anticipate such craftsmanship in any of the similar kitchenware produced by other corporations. Because of this, the products of this brand have found their place in some of the best known culinary establishments on the planet.

The stainless steel cooking interior is approved as food grade consequently you should never fret about any toxins on the surface of the cookware reacting with the food while you are preparing it. The majority of the pots and pans produced by less experienced brands might be contaminated with impurities that could even become part of the cooking ingredients at high temperatures. Remember, though, it is universally recommended to wash the inside and outside of new cookware properly several times before using at first. The inaugural batch of food heated in the kitchenware may be discarded. You can easily observe the craftsmanship of the copper core.

The collection comes with durable stainless steel holders that are designed to give you a steady control of the kitchenware even when it is particularly hot. The handle is solidly connected to the bowl of the kitchenware and it will not sever easily. Customarily, All-Clad products are intended for industrial applications. It is very solid and is rather costly. This is the reason the bulk of the amateur cooks are not able to afford it, although they may want to possess it.

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Valentine's Chocolates Delivered - Online Chocolate Delivery

By Jennie Heckel

Valentine's Day chocolates and scrumptious Valentine's Day chocolate gift baskets! Send a Valentine's Day chocolate gift basket, each choice will bring smiles to your loved one! Women love chocolate! When you give her chocolates, she knows you truly know the way to her heart and her sweet tooth too. Valentines chocolate gifts are always treasured and are a great way to give that special gift for someone, man or woman, that just loves chocolate! We have a number of fun and delicious chocolate gift choices that are sure to bring a delighted smile.

We are sure your perfect chocolate gift basket or box will get rave reviews! Our goal is your ultimate satisfaction! Want a gift dea for a thank-you? Need a birthday gift? Browse our selection of chocolate gifts and gourmet chocolate baskets. Your gourmet chocolate gift is wrapped and beautifully presented to make a delicious, mouthwatering treat. We are sure your perfect chocolate gift basket or box will get rave reviews!

When you need to find some sugar free chocolates, it is hard to find a satisfying choice. Try our delicious sugar free chocolates and taste the difference! Since we use only the highest quality ingredients in each of our incredible sugarfree chocolates, you don't even miss the sugar! Each on of our gourmet sugar free chocolate collection makes a delicious gift choice for diabetics or those seeking low carb sweet treats. We feature sugar free dark chocolates, sugar-free milk or white chocolates, and sugarfree specialty chocolate, such as some incredible Belgian chocolates. Whether it is for you, some friends or a diabetic loved one, each of them will enjoy our gourmet sugar free chocolate selection and variety!

When you need to send a chocolate gift in a hurry, we can express ship and send chocolates to have your gifts delivered right on time! If you are looking for an assortment of dark Belgian chocolates, truffles or other delicious Belgium chocolate creations, you are sure to find the perfect selection here. For something unique, we have added some incredible gourmet Vegan chocolates! All of our Vegan chocolate do not contain animal products of any kind.

The smell of rich chocolate is the first thing you notice. Our chocolate assortments offer a little bit of everything - all handmade, gourmet chocolates. Our boxes of assorted chocolates are sure to provide a solution you'll love! Whether you want to choose a milk or dark chocolate collection of assorted gourmet chocolates, buttercreams or a combination of both, you will be delighted with each bite! Have a teenager or kids that you want to buy chocolates for? Whether is a delicious chocolate gift or boxed chocolates ready for delivery, you are sure to find something delicious!

Whether you want to choose a milk or dark chocolate collection of assorted gourmet chocolates, buttercreams or a combination of both, you will be delighted with each bite! Have a teenager or kids that you want to buy chocolates for? We have a number of fun and delicious chocolate gift choices that are sure to bring a delighted smile. Whether is a delicious chocolate gift or boxed chocolates ready for delivery, you are sure to find something delicious!

Indulge yourself with Belgian Chocolates, rich gourmet Belgium Chocolates, Belgian Chocolate Gifts and Chocolate Gift Baskets that met the highest of taste and quality standards that you deserve! Try some dark Belgian chocolates, truffles or delicious Belgium chocolate gift creations. The Ultimate Chocolate Shoppe proudly features the best selection of chocolate gifts, gourmet chocolate gift baskets, rich Belgium chocolates, truffles and even that rare taste treat - gourmet sugar free and diabetic chocolates.

Order your chocolate lover's Valentine chocolates and have them beautifully delivered right to their door and just wait for the thank you! Whether you want the gift delivered or shipped to you so that you can deliver it in person, we will make sure that each gift is perfectly packaged and ready to be enjoyed. You can buy chocolates online: for chocolate gifts: Valentine's chocolates, Mother's Day chocolate treats, Sweetest Day, and even delicious gourmet chocolate birthday gifts.

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Cleveland's Best Happy Hours

By Dennis Gartland

Lolita - I went with my sister and we ordered the mac and cheese and The Lolita Burger. I have to say it is the best mac and cheese I have ever tasted. 5-6:30 pm and 9:30 pm to close Tuesday through Thursday; 5-6 pm and 10:30 p. to close Saturday. 4-6:30 pm. Sunday Lolita is one of Michael Symon's (of the food network) first restraints. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is only $2 and there are several dishes for only $5

Lincoln Park Pub - Tacos $1.25; Mex beers, $2.25; margaritas, $3.25Taco Tuesdays, 3 p.m.-midnight. The Tacos are made on homemade taco shells. If you like very hot food try the morning after tacos.

Momocho has very good and unique food. From 5-6:30 pm daily they have 1/2 off taquitos and margaritas plus a great deal on Tecate. Happy Hour is only at the bar, but it has a very nice patio.

Blind Pig - Pizza and wings for $5; 23 oz. beers $2.50, 4-9pm daily. The pizzas are pretty big for $5, big enough for two people at least. The beer special includes imports. They have plenty of very large flat screen TV's to watch the game on.

Light Bistro - 4:30-7 p.m. daily, Cocktails starting at $3. Food plates are $5. This is one of the Best Restaurants in Ohio. They specialize in local and seasonal food. This restaurant has earned an excellent reputation.

Liquid - 4-8 daily. 1/2 off drinks and bottled beers. Nice place to grab a beer and the food is very good and easy on the budget. The beer selection is impressive.

Paladar 4-7 p.m. daily, Beer $3, mojitos and margaritas $5; Latin appetizers $2 to $4. This place has a great atmosphere and very good food.

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