srijeda, 30. srpnja 2008.

Restaurants in Zakynthos - Where to Eat in Greece's Top Island

If you are planning a trip to Zakynthos, also called Zante, you' ll most likely be interested in two things: nightlife and restaurants. Zante is the southernmost of the Ionian islands and is one of the most popular destinations in Greece, known for its wonderful sunshine and the amazing beaches. So, Zakynthos magnets thousands of visitors each summer, a fact that has made the island to adopt different kind of cuisines. However, if you are visiting Zante for a fleeting visit, you won't have the time to weed out the good from the bad.
Traditional restaurants, known as taverns, serving Greek food are everywhere. In these places you can try dishes like the moussaka (made of minced meat, aubergines, potatoes and bechamel), the lamb kleftiko (lamb in the clay with feta cheese, vegetables and red sauce) or the beef stifado (with onions and red sauce), just to name a few. You can also find countless of them with close proximity to the sea offering seafood and infinite sea view.
Grill houses in Zante are seemingly everywhere, serving the Greek pita Gyros (or souvlaki). For the one of you that have visited Greece this must be something familiar. It is usually beef, lamb, or pork meat served on a round pita bread with tomato, onions, french fries and tzatziki (yogurt sauce with cucumber and garlic). If you ever find yourself in Greece, don't miss the chance to give it a try.
Italian restaurants in Zakynthos are also everywhere. You can find them in all the tourist resorts of the island, like Laganas, Tsilivi or Kalamaki serving their pasta and pizza in a wide variety of fillings and flavours.
As far as Chinese, Indian or even Mexican restaurants you can find a lot of them in Zante too. While they are more expensive choices, the lovers of this kind of food wouldn't mind to pay a little more in order to satisfy their palate.
Despite the variety of choices I would recommend you, though, to find a traditional tavern offering live Greek music with Greek singing and dancing and don't be surprised if you find yourself dancing on the table.

The Traditional Greek Diet – Live Longer, Be Healthy & Increase Your Vitality

Greece, land of the 12 Olympian gods may be a great deal different today than it was in classical times.
Yet, if you wish, you can follow a diet that the ancients followed, live longer feel healthier protect your self against illness and best of all its tasty and easy to do even today, so here is the traditional Greek diet.
The same foods are grown there today as they always were, and are wholesome, promoting good health and long life.
The statures of the ancient Greek attest to their beautiful and strong bodies.
The ancient Greeks were known to be sexually active into old age and this was due to their diet.
Basics in the Greek Diet
The basics are traditional bread, made without commercial yeast (but use a “prozimi”, or a bit of leavened dough from the previous backing.
This prozimi in many cases is hundreds of years old, or older, in culture.
The basics are honey, olives and olive oil, fresh white cheese (now known as feta), the onion, garlic, natural tomato, eggs, wine vinegar, wine and fresh vegetables and fruits in season.
Pulses, especially the lentil, was (and is) a basic stable of Greek diet. Nuts also form part of the ancient Greek diet.
No Meat?
Actually in ancient times, eating meat was rare anyway. Without refrigeration, meat eating was reserved for some holidays and festivals only.
Therefore, the ancient Greek was mostly vegetarian. This kept them strong and healthy, without illnesses such as cancer and other diseases of excess (as were found in Rome).
Breakfast
An ancient Greek breakfast would, somehow similar to today, consist of some fresh baked bread with honey and cheese.
The beverage of choice was a sort of tea made from mountain herbs (still drunk today, called tsi to vounou ).
This infusion has great antiseptic qualities, and stimulates the immune system. The breakfast would be hardy, as there was no lunch, or if there was, it was symbolic.
Snack – Hunger Breaker
The shepherds of Greece today, follow the meal that is as old as time. They have some hard bread, a tomato, an onion, some cheese (maybe but not always), and water.
It keeps the hunger at bay.
The cheese is the white Greek feta. It is a naturally low fat cheese, and is cured in salty water, then whey. It has a distinctive taste, and it packed full of available calcium, and milk proteins.
End of the Day Meal
The day ended when the sun went down in ancient Greece, and the meal was a cooked one. Lentils (known as faikes) in ancient Greece, as modern Greece, is a culinary art. It is also the oldest food mentioned in the Bible.
It is the food that Jacob was cooking when he traded a bowl of it from Esau’s birthright. Faikes is boiled lentils with fresh tomato, onion, garlic, and laurel leaf.
The smell of cooking lentils awakens a great deal of emotion in almost any human. The taste is delicious, the nutritional value exceptional, and is very satisfying.
If you need to lose some weight, and detox your body some, have some ancient Greek food for a few days. You will not regret it.

The Mediterranean Diet – Lose Weight Fast With the Real Med Diet

Although there are many countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, one country in particular has a diet that is known to maintain a healthy heart, keep the adherents trim and in good form, is anti-aging, and tastes great.
This is the Grecian classic Mediterranean diet
Sadly the modern Greeks have turned their backs on the traditional fare, and now eat a lot of junk food, restaurant meals, and a heavy reliance on saturated fats.
The traditional Greek Mediterranean diet, found in the villages are no less than 60% fruit and vegetables, only 20% meats, 10% carbohydrates, and 10% fats. This means a diet rich in natural fiber, lots of vitamins and minerals, just the essential bread and other starches, and some daily dose of the magic Greek olive oil.
Typical Diet Greek Mediterranean diet
Breakfast. The Greek breakfast will always have fruit in season. If it’s the winter or spring there will be lots of citrus to choose from. Begin your breakfast with fresh fruit. You can choose from coffee or tea, but in the morning, the average Greek loves his coffee. This will be accompanied by some fresh bread (one slice…remember you are on a diet!), with some natural Greek honey. A traditional Greek cheese is also served, and this may be a Kasseri, or some local graveria. This whole break fast is less than 250 calories, and you will feel full and start your day off well.
Morning Snack. If you are hungry before lunch (and you may be, as Greeks will have lunch at about 14:00 to 15:00 hours), eat some more fruit. A good choice will be the wonderful Greek apple, available most of the year. Also a good morning snack is melon (only eat food that is in season in your area). Caloric value less than 100.
Lunch or the Greek Diner. The Greek kitchen is rich from a multitude of prepared meals. Try to select one that does not have meat and starch in the same mea. For example, you can eat spanakorizo (cooked spinach with rice), but no meat with it. Or, you can have a kokinosto (a Greek-type of goulash), but without potato. Have the meat with salads, other vegetables, or by itself. Follow with a dessert of fruit and cheese. No bread is allowed. The calories here will total no more than 500.
The Greek Supper. Many Greeks will try to have whatever was eaten at lunch, for diner. However, apply the same rules, meat with vegetables is ok, or starch with vegetables is ok…just do not mix your starches with protein. A good diner can be the legendary Greek paidakia (or lamb chops). Eat this with some boiled greens (the Greeks will eat horta or vela, two local herbs that seem to grow everywhere in the world) Have some sliced tomato, with some feta cheese (a typical Greek salad called the horyatika, salad of the villiger) and even some strong red wine. You will not have exceeded 600 calories here.
Re-cap. Having eaten like a Greek, but having separated your starches from meat, you will have eaten only 1400 calories, and you will have begun to lose weight. You will not be hungry
Tips. An old Roman saying is that if you lift up any rock, you will find a Greek under it. You cannot help but to find a local Greek grocery in your area. You can find all the Greek cheeses, and staples, especially their wonderful olive oil, and even fresh Greek bread. Speak to the owner of the shop and ask for a Greek cookbook, or you can be sure they will help you.
The only prohibition with the Greek Mediterranean diet is do not mix your protein and carbohydrates.
Meat and vegetables are fine. Pasta without meat sauce is fine. Try to keep your calories in the 1500 a day range and you will not only lose weight, you will find the Greek olive oil is like a medicine for your heart, and you whole system will clean up.
So there you have it -Follow the Greek Mediterranean diet and you look and feel better and lose weight.

Gyros -- What Is This Greek Specialty Sandwich?

First and most importantly, it’s pronounced “yee-ro.”
Gyro meat is roasted on a vertical rotisserie and served on a pita with various toppings. The spiced meat is often a combination of lamb, beef, pork and chicken. It is most often topped with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce, which is a mixture of yogurt, cucumbers, onion and garlic.
The gyro is traditionally a Greek food, but is served all over the world. In Greece, gyro meat is most popularly pork or beef and the sandwich is served with french fries. In the U.S., gyros are made most often with lamb and the tzatziki sauce is often called “cucumber sauce.” The U.S. version of the sandwich is often over-stuffed, making it difficult to eat without being a bit messy.
The gyro sandwich is also popular in France and Australia. Many countries call gyros by another name. Yiros in South Australia, churrasco grego (or Greek barbeque) in Brazil, doner in Turkey, taco el pastor in Mexico, kebab in Malaysia, and even in Athens, Greece, the term souvlaki is synonymous with gyro.
Although the origins of the Greek specialty are not known, the “father of the Gyros” is considered to be George Apostolou or “Papa George” who was the first man to successfully market and promote the food. He brought the sandwich to the United States in 1965, to a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. Soon other restaurants became interested in serving the sandwich and eventually George sold his restaurant to start Central Gyros Wholesale, a manufacturing company that sold its gyro sandwiches to food-serving establishments across the country.
Once a regional delicacy, the gyro sandwich is quickly popping up everywhere as new restaurants catch on to the craze. Now you can visit nearly any diner, fair, café, restaurant, etc., and find gyros on their menu. Just remember to pronounce it correctly when you order.

Where Does Italian Food History Begin?

Italy is one of the oldest countries in the world, and thanks to the geographical boundaries of the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps it has remained largely unchanged throughout history. Even during the Roman Empire, Italy was set apart. Legions that had been abroad always knew when they had returned to the mother country. Italian food history, however, reaches far beyond the country's borders.
For starters, look at pasta. There is much historical debate on its origins, but many historians point to Marco Polo's voyages to the Far East, from which he returned with all manner of foreign spices and foods, as the venue from which pasta came. The Chinese had cooked with noodles for centuries, and Marco Polo's men encountered the same on their travels.
The tomato, now considered a staple in Italian cuisine, was long thought to be poisonous, partly because it is related to the deadly nightshade plant. Other Europeans found it to be palatable long before the first Italian cook simmered some down to make tomato sauce.
The Greeks, neighbors and frequent military rivals of the Italians, had a great amount of influence on Italian cuisine, especially in the area of spices and the preparation of seafood. Calamari, or squid, now a common dish on every Italian restaurant menu, was originally something Greeks were known for consuming.
The Roman Empire's excursions into North Africa were another fertile breeding ground for culinary expansion. The number of herbs, spices and vegetables that entered the Italian menu from Egypt and the other African territories is uncountable.
Even today, Italian food history continues to evolve. Much of the changes now, though, take place beyond the shores of Italy. In America, for example, chefs like Mario Batali have fused classic Italian dishes with American cuisine to come up with dishes that combine the best of both worlds. In cities and towns all over the country, chefs are taking traditional ingredients and combining them in new ways. In what could perhaps be called a "full-circle" journey for pasta, some Italian-Asian fusion restaurants are even beginning to evolve.
But perhaps the best way to get a full idea of Italian food history is to get out and eat some. Better yet, eat a lot! Eating Italian food is always better than Italian food history.

Restaurants - Italian Food

Eating Italian food is almost like romancing a woman. Italian food is more than just a meal, it's an experience. That's why when you go into an Italian restaurant, there is just nothing like it. The atmosphere is like no other place on the planet, from the music being piped in from old Italy, to the paintings on the walls. A good Italian restaurant feels like you've walked into 17th century Italy.
The trouble is, these days, it's very hard to find a good Italian restaurant. With everything being fast food today, most of your Italian places are either pizzerias, Pizza Huts, or fast food chains like Sbarros. Finding a classic Italian restaurant in the states, like they used to have back in the 60s and 70s is like looking for the missing link. But when you do find one, this is what you can expect to get there.
For starters, a good Italian restaurant will have a wine list of just about every Italian wine you could possibly want. The list reads like a who's who of Italian wineries. Don't even think of asking the waiter for a mixed drink as he's likely to deck you. Oh and by the way, the waiters are all Italians.
The appetizers are absolutely to die for. You've got your usual fair which includes fried zucchini, roasted garlic, stuffed portabello, mushrooms stuffed with crab meat and fried provolone, just to name a few. The appetizers alone are enough to fill you up so you won't even need the main course.
And the salads. Italian restaurant salads can be a meal in themselves. You don't just get a dish with a little lettuce and some carrots. You get a salad the size of Manhattan Island. And don't ask for any kind of dressing other than Italian or oil and vinegar. Yeah, the waiter will deck you for that too.
As for the main dishes, just about every Italian main dish has something to do with pasta, whether it be spaghetti, linguini, ziti or whatever. Most of the dish, as it is with Chinese food, is made up of the pasta. However, you do get quite a bit of meat with your meal too. Italians love to eat and they love to feed you. Without a doubt there is no type of restaurant that gives you more food than an Italian restaurant. It would take three Chinese restaurant meals to make up one Italian restaurant meal. Some of the more famous Italian dishes are chicken catchatori, veil parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs. However, there are literally over 100 Italian dishes you could choose from in a good Italian restaurant.
Italian desserts are probably the most unusual, at least to Americans. They include things with names like spumoni and tortoni. If you don't know what they are, find yourself a good Italian restaurant and experience them. I promise you that it will be an evening out that you will never forget.
Just don't forget to tip your waiter. Yeah, he'll deck you if you don't.

The Best Italian Food in the Whole Wide World?

Italian Food is out of this world but there is one place in Italy that is even better. Not many people know of this place. Do you?
Well Piedmont is the place.
This is a land of pure eating pleasure and an absolute paradise for gastronomes and connoisseurs of fine wines. The local ingredients are of a quality unmatched elsewhere. Ranging from the world famous truffles through to the hazelnuts that make Nutella and the far tastier and delightful Gianduiotto chocolates.
The fast growing Slow Food movement didn't start here by accident. Slow Food is not only great food and good eating. It is as much a philosophy of life as anything else.
Piedmont wine is amongst the best of Italian wines and the varieties of Italian wine grapes found on the Langhe Piedmont wine route are world renowned. Barolo is one of the most famous of all Italian wines.
This wine is produced in a carefully defined territory just south of the Tanaro River, The wine has a bouquet of violets and a smooth velvety flavour with a slightly resinous aftertaste - known as goudon or tar.
Barbaresco, is a wine that comes from steep slopes surrounding the ancient town of that name, is also a "big" wine - a younger sibling of Barolo wine if you like - and it matures quicker.
Wine from the north of the Tanaro is simply called Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo wine vintages are lighter and the wines can be drunk young
Well what are some of the famous dishes from the Piedmont? They range from some of the most complex Italian recipes, requiring time and precision to make perfectly, to some other fairly simple but extremely delicious recipes. For example the best Italian chicken recipe, chicken Marengo, comes from Piedmont and it is very easy to make.

Italian Preparations

Although most people identify Italian food with some of the nations most famous dishes like pizzas, spaghetti and lasagna, in reality, Italian food encompasses a wide variety of traditional and modern cuisines. One of the main benefits that Italian food has over that from other parts of the world is its healthy constitution. Prepared from a variety of healthy ingredients like legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits, Italian food preparations are some of the best for your health and vigor. Along with reducing risks of heart diseases and cancer, Italian food preparations are some of the best you can have for the overall maintenance of good health. Among others, lasagna and spaghetti are some of the tastiest and best known Italian preparations.
Prepared with pasta, cheese and meat-sauce layers, lasagna is one of the most famous Italian dishes today consumed all over the world. Lasagna is usually prepared with pasta or noodles, either freshly prepared or prepared and softened from a day before. The meat sauce is usually prepared with ingredients such as ground beef, tomatoes, pork sausages and a combination of pasta sauces. In addition molten cheese is also added. Other ingredients usually required in the preparation of lasagna are onion, garlic, salt, pepper, eggs, mozzarella cheese, red pepper and marinara sauce with wine. One of the chief characteristics of lasagna is that it is a layered dish. In a baking pan a layer of sauce is first laid, over which layers of pasta or noodles, mozzarella cheese and then another layer of sauce is placed. Some shredded cheese is also added at top. The whole preparation is then covered and baked until the cheese melts. The preparation is then allowed to stand for 10-15 minutes before it is served. Chilling the noodles overnight before preparing the lasagna allows the flavors to soak in better and thereby, improves the overall taste.

Italian Culinary Arts Are Becoming More And More Recognized As One Of The World's Leading Cuisine

Until recently the food that most people thought of when they were talking about high class food was French. This is easy to understand because French food can be very technical and complicated. The dining in French restaurants also tends to be more formal. But the Italian culinary arts are becoming more and more recognized as one of the worlds leading cuisines. Of course the staples of the Italian menu such as pizza and pasta have always been very popular, but they were generally thought of as not of the same quality as French cookery.
This is mostly because the emphasis was more on the technical aspects of the cookery and the refinement of flavor that the French food had, as opposed to other cuisines. After all even the word cuisine is, as is much of the generally used language of the culinary arts, French.
But these days, rather than valuing the technical skill of the chef and the complexity of the food, many food writers are reflecting the trend in society for simplicity, both of taste and preparation. This is reflected in the upsurge of interest in Italian cooking. Italian food is not generally complicated. It also does not have the separation in what is considered to be good cuisine for the masses and for the better off.
This is because the essence of the food is that the food should being made from fresh ingredients that are prepared well served with the minimum of fuss. This easy attitude to food, that it should be made from there finest ingredients that have only been prepared with the least cooking possible, means that the food is always good and although not complicated, it is as good as the finest French cuisine. They fact that it is easy to prepare does not detract from the quality. Rather it adds to it, as it means that really good food is accessible to everyone and you do not need a high degree of skill to prepare it. This is the basis of the Italian culinary arts.
If you follow the easiest Italian recipes and make sure that you use good ingredients, then you will be getting some of the best food around. If you have the money, then fine restaurants are great. But if you go to a good Italian diner that has a respect for the tradition of its food and the freshness of the ingredients and you will get as good a meal as you will ever have.

Why Are There So Many Free Recipes For Italian Desserts?

Turn on any food show today and you'll find a huge assortment of ethnic offerings. From Chinese and other Asian cuisines to French, German and even British cooking, every corner of the globe where people put food to fire is represented. Most of these are relative newcomers to the global food scene, whereas Italian food has been on every cook's slate for decades. This explains why there are so many free recipes for Italian desserts around: they're delicious, and there is a dizzying variety available.
Cheesecake, of course, is by far the most popular Italian dessert. That's curious, as it actually is not terribly Italian in its composition. It's an American invention, although Italian-Americans are most often credited with both finding and perfecting the recipe and preparation methods. No reputable Italian restaurant would ever be caught without at least one cheesecake on the menu, and very often you'll see competitions within a city between the top-tier Italian joints to build the highest, richest and best creations. It's no surprise that some of these recipes make it into the vaults of free recipes for Italian desserts available online.
The true heart of Italian desserts, however, are the gelatos, those ice cream-like creations that come in an insane variety of flavors and top the finest efforts of frozen treat confectioners from around the world. In Italy, gelato shops are almost as common as Starbucks coffee houses are here in United States, and the sweets they purvey are like no others. From the classic hazelnut or chocolate to more exotic flavors like mango, lime and graham cracker, you'll find something for every palate.
My personal favorite Italian dessert, however, is the cannoli. There's a reason why "Leave the guns, take the cannoli," is one of the most identifiable quotes from the "Godfather" movies. This mystical synergy between a crunchy pastry shell and a lightly sweet pastry cream, sometimes with nuts or a drizzle of chocolate added, is simply unbeatable to many Italian food connoisseurs.
All of these have made it into the archives of free recipes for Italian desserts. With a little hunting, you can find whatever you seek!

Authentic Italian Food - The Best on Earth

I married a great Italian cook and a lovely lady too. I then moved to Italy and boy did my views on Italian food change. Far more than just Pizza and Pasta, Italy is truly a gastronomic journey to paradise second to none.
This is a land of pure eating pleasure and an absolute paradise for gastronomes and connoisseurs of fine wines. Surprisingly so much of it remains virtually undiscovered by foreigners.
The fast growing Slow Food movement didn't start in Italy by accident. Slow Food is not only about great food and good eating. It is as much a philosophy of life as anything else. It represents a slower lifestyle, taking time out to enjoy the pleasures of life. In essence it is the exact opposite of the fast food, frenetic lifestyle of today. Visit my blog below if you are interested in reading more about this movement.
The variety of Italian food is incredible. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that each and every town has it's favorite local dish, salami and wine.
Just one region of Italy - my home region of Piedmont - has more local dishes than I suspected existed in the whole of Italy. Supermarket aisles in my home town of Torino are filled with cheeses, salamis and wines from this region only. The quality is superb.
So vital to good Italian dishes are good ingredients. Menus change almost daily in restaurants and everybody uses only what is fresh and seasonal. You won't believe what a difference this makes.

Choosing the Best Wine Country Gift Baskets

For collectors of valuable wines with long term potential, the best solution is probably a combination of off-site storage in a secure facility with ideal temperature and humidity conditions, with some small amount of temperature-controlled storage in the home for those wines which are ready to be enjoyed at the peak of perfection. Before we reviewing the Abruzzi wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with local wines when touring this beautiful region. Before reviewing the Trentino-Alto Adige wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Before reviewing the Molise wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Reviewing the Latium wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Before reviewing the Piedmont wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.

A Taste of Italy - Italian Food at Its Best!

As far as Italian food is concerned, the majority of us without any Italian heritage at all are limited to naming pizza and pasta as the top two dishes, but not necessarily in that order. If you know a little more then you may stretch to a calzone and some olives, but no matter how good you think Italian food is you have no idea just how good it really tastes until you actually visit it's motherland yourself! You will never want to go back to Italian culinary delights that are made anywhere else again.
Italy is a fantastic place to visit and is undoubtedly one of the top tourist countries for those liking city breaks and natural beauty. No matter where you go within the country, you will also find food alongside the heritage and scenery. Food is a big part of the Italian culture and they really value their ability to provide delicious foods. From homemade ice cream parlours to amazing family-owned restaurants, you will never run out of new foods and places to eat. A quick look at the menu will reveal a huge choice of dishes and you will most definitely want to work your way through them from start to finish!
Italian food is home grown for the most part. Very few ingredients come from outside of Italy. The olives are grown in fragrant olive groves. The tomatoes, plums and other fruit and vegetables are grown in Southern gardens and the pasta is all made by hand. Therefore, when you sample the food it is Italy at its finest. The delicious blend of tomatoes and olives for pasta sauces, cured meats, tender fish caught in the waters off the coast and melt in the mouth bread... my mouth is watering just thinking about it all! Your taste buds will be so delighted that Italian food will never be the same again.

So You Want To Cook Italian Food

When it comes to ethnic cuisines, there are none more popular than Italian food. From your local pizza joint (debatable as to whether that's truly Italian food) to the four-star places found in major cities, Italian food is one of the top choices when families are deciding where to go to eat out.
The food of Italy is commonly thought to be decadent, cheese-laden stuff with a predominance of garlic and oregano, almost always involving pasta of some sort and usually served with a good bottle of wine. While none of this is untrue about Italian cuisine, it does give one a very limited view of what is one of world's most varied culinary areas.
Italian food has two main influences: geography and history.
The geographical influences largely determine the base components of the food that is served in various parts of the country. In the south, with the warmer climate and abundant access to the sea, tomatoes are abundant, and olive oil is the main fat used in cooking. In the north, where livestock are abundant, butter is the fat of choice and the cheeses are much more varied and exotic.
The historical influences result from Italy having been a battleground many times throughout history, and one of the world's great imperial powers at one time. The Roman Empire brought in foods and influences from all of Europe and much of Asia and Africa, and after the fall of the empire many other cultures brought their food, and their soldiers, across the Alps.
If you go looking for Italian cookbooks, try to find one that gives you a "tour of Italy" in its recipe offerings. Different regions of the country are famous for different dishes, and you should give yourself a chance to cook a little of each of them before deciding on a favorite. Most Italian chefs specialize in one region's cuisine, but the best, like Mario Batali, have a broad appreciation for all of the others. Your Italian food should be the same: drawn from all over! The area in which I live you will find a very wide variety of Italian food.

Italy: Tasting Italian Delicasies Cooked With Cherries

Finding the right event for tasting Italian food is not that simple. In Viterbo, lovely town one hour’s drive from Rome. On June 2nd 2007 a gourmet dinner will take place by serving all the dishes cooked with local cherries. Yes, Italian cherries associated with appetizers, pasta, meat, fish, bread and dessert.
A courageous dinner organized by young entrepreneur Simona Cannone, owner and chef of restaurant pizzeria Rosa Blu in Graffignano, locality in the green Province of Viterbo. The food and cherries are the best way to understand ancient Italian agricultural origins and pick-out the taste of Italian delicacies. The menu includes a selection of various appetizers with cherry, whipped rise with green pepper and local cherries, potato gnocchi with cherry cream and thymus, red mullet fish fillet with cherries and brandy (Italian grappa) , Roast beef filled with cherries, baked potatoes, green salad and cherry desserts.
Every dish will be served with a different kind of typical Italian wine associated. The culinary event is supported by Associazione Nazionale “Città delle ciliegie” , Italian association of cities in Italy which have a traditional and typical culture of several varieties of cherry. As the director of Italian cherry cities association Carlo Conticchio says: “ The event organized by Rosa Blu restaurant in Graffignano, in the Province of Viterbo represents a meaningful example of that growing culture of revisiting in a modern key foods and delicacies that are so appreciated in Italy and all over the World”.

Italian Food and Wine Tours

When you think of Italy, you probably think of food and wine. And if you really want to experience Italy in its truest form, you should consider taking and Italian food and wine tour. These yours will give you the experience of a lifetime, sampling the food, wine and history from your choice of many Italian wine regions. Let us help you pick the right one for you.
There are many regions where you might choose to take your Italian food and wine tour. One of these regions is Tuscany. You should choose Tuscany if you want to enjoy the Italian mountainside with classic Italian food and wine. The Tuscan people have been making wine for centuries. Touring the area through food and wine will be a dream come true. Sample “new” and “old” wines of the region, watch some of the world’s best olive oil being made and enjoy dishes full of these perfect Italian flavors.
Another region where you might choose to take an Italian food and wine tour is Milan. You should select Milan if you want a more exquisite and elaborate wine and food experience. The region of Milan is known for its truffles and Chianti wines. This dry red wine goes perfectly with the area’s gourmet dishes rich with truffles and truffle oil. Consider a day of cooking lessons while you are there, so you’ll never forget the perfect cuisine you experience on this memorable food and wine tour.
Another area that offers wonderful Italian food and wine tours is Sicily. Sometimes called The Island of the Sun, Sicily is considered the more exotic of Italian culture. Sicily is a melting pot of Italian, Greek, Spanish and even Arab influences, making it a very unique place to experience wine and food. They offer specialties such as seafood and Mediterranean cuisine, which pair perfectly with their rich, warm red wines.
One of the lesser known destinations for Italian food and wine tours is Piedmont. This area offers a very unique experience, yet a classic one. Piedmont is also known for its truffles and the best time to enjoy them is in the fall. Pair the Truffle-laden dishes with some very unique and elite wines such as Barolo and Dolcetto. And don’t leave without spending time enjoying the chocolate of the area, one of their specialties.
Planning a wine tasting trip in Earope? We offer info on Bordeaux wine tasting tours - Wine Tours Bordeaux is your source for information on wine merchants and vineyards of Bordeaux, France & luxury hotels in France. From hosting dinner parties to maybe a mere few keggers, there are a variety of wine and bar accessories for any host. These accessories add to one’s hosting abilities. From wine corkscrews to cabinets and glasses and wine racks, a variety of items exist for the wine lovers and hard liquor drinkers in your life.

Learn What To Order in Italy

Traveling to a foreign land is not complete without tasting the local delicacy and menu of the place. It wouldn’t definitely be complete to travel in Italy without tasting the country’s own pasta and pizza. Just imagine, it’s like visiting the United States without tasting their burger, shake, fries and hotdogs.
It’s a must to dine out at least once at an Italian’s local restaurant, autogrill, osteria or the trattoria. But before you engage yourself to the sumptuous Italian dishes, you have to painstakingly order something right? Don’t be scared in reading the Italian words in the menu. The thing is that, menus in Italian restaurants are entirely done in the Italian language. To clue you in further, you only need to know the food under Italian descriptions which follow the order of the meal. It is common in Italy to serve different plates for specific orders so expect to find groups of food under certain categories like before meals, main course and dessert.
To translate the Italian categories from the menu, we start with food like mozzarella in carrozza or crostini. These types of food are served “before the meal” so it’s called L'antipasto in Italian.
First course servings already include pasta, risotto and soup (zuppa). It is called “Il Primo” in Italian. Next is the second course serving and it includes heavy meals and it is also regarded as the main course. Meat, poultry or fish are what this meal offers and it is called by Italians “Il secondo”.
Then, there’s also the side dish and dessert after the main course. Usually, the Italian side dish consists of melanzane (eggplant), spinaci (spinach), or insalata mista (mixed salad), yes, it’s all vegetables and it’s called “Il contorno” by Italians.
Now the dessert is plainly called “Il dolce” and as always, it’s mostly sweets. There are a wide variety of desserts served in Italian restaurants but most of it is made of custard.
There, now that you know how to properly identify Italian food from a menu, you can now truly enjoy your meal and your stay in Italy.

Ordering Food in Italian

Here are just a few tips on ordering food in Italian. Food is survival, and ordering food in Italian is your language tool for your survival. Sure you can point at a picture and nod, but what if your driving through the alps, or the southern country side and you stop in a small village, don't expect the locals to be versed in English and don't expect a menu with lovely pictures on it, be prepared.
I guess we all expect the staple Italian diet to be pizza and spaghetti, but Italian food has so much more to offer when you've explored the various fashions and styles of Italian cuisine.
OK, so cafes are everywhere, I don't want to digress but discovering which sumptuous coffee you prefer is worth its weight in gold!
Back to food and on the grammatical side you'll need to learn the adjectives and nouns that all come with either masculine or feminine forms when ordering.
Try and discover which style of cooking or which dish you prefer and explore the multiple types of variations these tastes have to offer. If your a lover of Roman Style cooking, take yourself out to a Trattoria.
"Cucina Italiana" Italian cooking, has a unique style of it's own, if your hobby is cooking and you haven't already done so, take yourself through the process of cooking a "lasagna al pesto". Once perfected I'm sure you'll add this to your list whilst on your travels through Italy.
If you verse yourself with foods you'd purchase from a grocery store in Italian, you'll learn how to put an Italian menu together, understanding the ingredients and subsequently the food which you desire so much. Good luck!.

Italian Wine

Italian wines are usually ranked among the best wines in the world. The demand for Italian wines is so high that this small country produces around 8 billion bottles of wine each year. But the growing number has not resulted in deterioration in quality, as most Italian wine producers are known for their strict quality control.
The history of Italian wine dates back around four thousand years. Perhaps, what has helped Italian wine stay ahead of its competitors is the fact that Italy has more local grape varieties than any other country on earth.
Italian wine is considered unique due to rich blend of diverse wine cultures that exist in various wine regions in the country. There are certain general qualities of Italian wine which make it stand out in the crowded wine market.
It is better to take Italian wines with food, as they have relatively high acidity levels. Italian wine bottles are full of earthy aromas and regional flavor. This is also known as ""earthiness"". It helps make an Italian wine complement the food, not compete with it. Most Italian wines are not heavy. They are moderate in nature, though there are some heavy wines, too.
A number of grape varieties that do not grow in other parts of the world are grown in Italy. These varieties are used for producing wines which have unmatched taste.
Italian wines are available in a wide range of prices. Some of them are very expensive, but many of them are easily affordable. A number of Italian wine stores sell these wines online. Most popular department stores also sell Italian wine bottles from different parts of the world. It is better to buy Italian wine from an authorized store, as many ordinary wines are also sold as "Italian wine" in the market.

Gourmet Italian Gift Baskets

The most popular type of restaurant food is Italian food, so it's no wonder that there is a good selection of gourmet Italian gift baskets available. If you are looking for a gift for a food lover, you can't go wrong with gourmet Italian gift baskets.
There's all sorts of delicious food in gourmet Italian gift baskets. Everything from pasta to pastrami can be included. Don't forget to Italian specialties like minestrone soup, balsamic vinegar, Italian cheese and desserts. An Italian gift basket can have everything you need for a complete meal.
Thanks to their popularity, there's a huge variety in gourmet Italian gift baskets. There is something to meet every taste and budget as well as specialty gift baskets that cater to pasta lovers or coffee gourmets. They make fabulous gifts for just about any occasion -- birthdays, retirement parties, or anniversaries.
When it comes to food, everybody's Italian! You simply can't go wrong by giving gourmet Italian gift baskets. A standard Italian gift basket comes complete with pasta, pasta sauce, Italian bread sticks, Italian vegetables and biscotti.
If you're looking for something a bit more special, choose some gourmet Italian gift baskets that include appetizers, vinaigrettes, salad mushrooms and a savory sauce. You can also include a set of pasta bowls, or an attractive Italian serving tray that makes a gift that will be remembered for its thoughtfulness.
To top off a fabulous Italian meal, nothing goes better than a cup of an authentic Italian coffee. That's why many gourmet Italian gift baskets include a selection of coffees. Choose from espresso or cappuccino, and for the true coffee gourmet, include an Italian coffee maker.
Gourmet Italian gift baskets are suitable any time you want to give a gift that shows you care. Top it off with a personalized note and you will have a gift that will be remembered for its great taste and thoughtfulness.

Chinese Cooking Tools - 7 Essential Chinese Cooking Tools!

Chinese cuisine has gradually developed and spread across various places in the US because of across-the-board usage of Chinese cooking equipment that have facilitated the setting of high cooking standards. The equipment is the utensils or tools that are normally used to make various kinds of Chinese dishes. Certified Chinese chefs extensively use seven important utensils to prepare dishes effortlessly in restaurants. These tools are the cleaver, wide-blade spatula, long wooden chopsticks, Chinese Wok, frying strainer, ladle/scoop, and bamboo steamer. We will now study these Chinese cooking equipment carefully.
Amongst the utensils used is the Wok, which plays a central role in the preparation of most of the Chinese food. Carbon steel and cast iron are the materials used in the Wok. Although they occur in various sizes, a majority of people favor the standard sized Wok of 14 inches. This utensil is quite sizeable and broad and can easily hold duck, fish, and chicken together with the extra ingredients. Generally, the wok includes a lid to ensure that the heat and flavor do not escape. Woks with wooden handles are preferred more since they are bad conductors of heat unlike metal grips.
The cleaver is primarily used for chopping in Chinese cooking and is relatively low-priced when compared to stainless steel. Skilled cooks widely use cleavers of carbon steel. These tools are available in different shapes and weights. The third tool used in Chinese cooking is the frying strainer and this is intended for deep-frying various ingredients. The finest strainers are those that are made of wire mesh. Frying strainers fitted with extended bamboo handles are the ideal tools since heat is not conducted through them.
The fourth key tool used in Chinese cooking is the broad-blade Spatula. It has a long grip that makes sure a safe distance is maintained from the heat. The Spatula is designed for scooping and stir frying food. The scoop serves a twofold function of taking out the food from the wok. The wooden chopsticks are mainly used for stirring the food in the wok. These chopsticks are crafted from wood of the finest quality, and hence do not become hot to the touch.
The Bamboo Steamer has a cover and it is to be inserted into the iron wok. It can be used either individually or by mounting collectively. Made of bamboo, the steamer can easily be cleaned by washing with water. Many of the utensils used in Chinese cooking are of multi-use and are a piece of good fortune for food buffs fond of cooking delectable Chinese dishes.
Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Chinese Cooking - It Is Best Learned In A Chinese Culinary School

For the person looking to broaden their understanding of Chinese cooking, the Chinese Culinary Arts School is the perfect solution. This offers the student flexibility; a person certainly doesn't have to go every day, once on the weekends is a great option. It also helps the cook to understand the different ingredients and flavors used in traditional Chinese cuisine. Thus from the comfort of his/her city one can learn to cook Chinese dishes.
The Chinese see their cuisine as an art form; to learn the art of Chinese cooking is to learn about the long and fascinating culture of China. A home cook cannot expect to jump into a traditional Chinese recipe and expect to master it; the recipe requires fine-tuning and adapting to suit the tastes of the diner.
Oftentimes Chinese culinary arts schools offer a sort of Chinese fusion cuisine; taking traditional Chinese cooking and adding American flare. Many Americans find authentic Chinese not quite perfect for their palette, so Chinese fusion aims to combine the two in just the right balance to appeal to the American diner while still maintaining the authentic flare of traditional Chinese cuisine.
To find a Chinese cooking school in your area the best place to start in by searching online. Many schools have websites outlining exactly what they offer, and the rates to attend. A student can choose to take only one class on the weekend to get a brief introduction, or to sign up for a class that is offered many weeks to gain a more in-depth understanding of Chinese cuisine. What is great about the Chinese cooking school is the professional chefs teaching the classes. Oftentimes they have a very intimate knowledge of Chinese cuisine and are able to adapt it to the American palette seamlessly.
Some famous Chinese cooking schools are located in the Pacific Northwest, such as Melissa Mei Hsu's school in Washington State; the class is instructed from a bed and breakfast kitchen in Seattle, and emphasizes authentic cuisine with healthy, fresh ingredients. There is another world renowned Chinese cooking school in Ottawa that it's famous for it's fresh and healthy cooking techniques.
Other Chinese cooking classes offer a more American-Chinese fusion cuisine to the home cook. Regardless of which class is right for you, learning the techniques of cooking Chinese food is a fun-filled way to learn a lot about a fascinating culture and gain a new and fresh perspective in the kitchen.
Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available.

Chinese Cooking Blogs - Learn The Best Chinese Cooking Tips Using Internet Blogs!

For those interested in learning more about Chinese cooking, the Chinese cooking blog is the perfect place to start. A blog is a journal posted online for other people to view. Many of these are popping up all over the internet for thousands of different purposes. Sometimes people can join at no cost and post their own favorite Chinese recipes, or a talented chef runs the blog and posts his own tips and tricks for Chinese cooking, sometimes everyday.
While many people may be familiar with Chinese food from their local restaurant, few actually try to debunk the mystery behind it and try it for themselves. Chinese food, with a little knowledge and a few tips, isn't as hard as it may seem. The most important thing when cooking Chinese is finding the freshest ingredients available, and be brave! Just because you didn't grow up eating some of the exotic ingredients doesn't mean they don't taste great! Trying your hand at Chinese cooking can be a great way to learn more about the culture and traditions of this centuries old culture.
Another great thing about the Chinese cooking blog is that many of the members will post videos of them cooking the different recipes. This can be the equivalent of your own personal chef in-home! Some blogs also have special videos devoted to finding and using certain popular Chinese ingredients, or certain techniques used by Chinese chefs.
Common ingredients of Chinese cooking are a good blend of carbohydrates such as rice or noodles, and vegetables like capsicum, beans, or cabbage. Chinese cooking also incorporates a lot of protein like chicken, fish and lamb. There are also many tools in the Chinese kitchen that may be unfamiliar to you; the wok is probably the most widely used tool and can be found at any kitchen supply store.
Because there are so many Chinese cooking blogs out there, sampling a few of them is a good idea. You will undoubtedly find your favorite one, whether it is because of the plethora of videos available, or the daily recipes offered. There will also be different levels of Chinese cooking; some will focus on traditional Chinese cooking done in the typical Chinese home, while others may focus on Chinese fusion cuisine done by top chefs throughout China and the world. Whichever you find your preference is, always have an open mind and look forward to learning a whole new way to cook and entertain!
Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available!

Chinese Food Can Be Healthier

Though some have talked about the MSG that is in a lot of Chinese food dishes, that is not a huge problem any longer. Some still use it, but others have lowered the amounts that they use substantially so that it is no longer an issue. If you are not sure, ask where you normally get your Chinese food to see what they say about this food additive. What your main concern should be, after finding out about MSG levels, the true calorie count for the meals that you order on a regular basis. The food is good, but it comes with a price.
If there is one thing that I love to have for a treat it is Chinese food. I realize that this is not something that is good for me, and it is also something that is more American than it is Chinese. With a few notable exceptions, the food that you get is Americanized, for a lack of a better word. That does not mean it is not good, however, and that you have to think of it as anything other than Chinese. What you should know is that it can be bad for you if you eat too much, or if you don't know how to make better choices when you order.
On average, your typical order of Chinese food will contain more than a thousand calories. For someone who may be dieting, this can be the bulk of the calories that they should be eating each day. That means this is not something they should have very often, if at all. On top of that, most of the calories are fat and carbs, both of which can be off limits, or should be limited, on many types of diets. When ordering, you have to think for more healthy dishes than beef and broccoli or General Tso's chicken.
Instead, look for Chinese foods that are steamed rather than fried, and for ones that have very little sauce of which to speak. The sauces are often the biggest culprits when it comes to calories and fat. You can find steamed veggies, and things like shrimp and other leaner meats and seafoods that are included in these meals.This is closer to the real thing than the other dishes that you have been getting in the past though you may not think of these types of healthier meals as traditional Chinese food.

Studying Amazing Chinese Culinary With a Chinese Cooking School

For those students who desire to learn about the world of Chinese cooking and culinary, a Chinese cooking school is the perfect choice. Some of the best professional chefs who offers guidance in various types of traditional and modern methods of food making can be found in this place. The cooking school have been very popular for so many years now due to Chinese cuisine which is famous throughout the world. There are so many options available if you are looking for a Chinese cooking school in America. Using the internet to locate these schools is effortless. Known for its very diverse and rich culinary heritages along with cuisines found around the world is what makes Chinese cuisine very popular.
Seminars which are conducted during the weekend is a good choice for learning the tips and methods of cooking, due to courses which are primarily set during fall and spring which are held on the weekend and evening, as well as the availability of various short periods. Different trade schools or local colleges who carries out demonstration and participation classes on regional cuisine subjects are bountiful.
There are various qualification courses given by a number of specialized Chinese cooking schools, catering businesses and also cookbook outlets. The weekend or evening classes that are carried out by skilled chefs is an excellent alternative for working people to be trained in Chinese cooking.
The short term and long term courses under Chinese cooking school offer different benefits to their students such as job assistance and expert council membership. The long term course gives you a brief idea about the Chinese cuisine and helps you to fine tune your skills during each training session. The short duration course is ideal for picking up a few tips and techniques to prepare food easily. Generally, Chinese cooking institutes promote a comfortable atmosphere.
To be an expert in the culinary arts and to learn diverse Chinese cuisines mainly American-Chinese dishes, attending a Chinese cooking school would be the perfect place to do just that.

Chinese Food Style

Food is an important part of daily life for Chinese people. Chinese not only enjoy eating but believe eating good food can bring harmony and closeness to the family and relationships. Shopping daily for fresh food is essential for all Chinese cooking. Unlike the fast food society of the U.S., the Chinese select live seafood, fresh meats and seasonal fruits and vegetables from the local market to ensure freshness. This means swimming fish, snappy crabs, and squawking chickens. Even prepared foods such as dim sum or BBQ duck for to go orders must gleam, glisten, and steam as if just taken out of the oven.
Chinese people in general are not as concerned about nutrition as Western culture. They are more concerned with the food's texture, flavor, color, and aroma. These are the crucial points for good Chinese cooking. Chinese daily meals consist of four food groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, and meat. Because of lactose intolerance, Chinese do not consume large amounts of dairy products. Instead, Chinese substitute these with soymilk and tofu, which also contain large amounts of protein and calcium. Vegetables, fruits, and meats are usually fresh. Some exceptions include preserved vegetables such as snow cabbage or mustard greens, preserved eggs, aka "thousand year old eggs" or salted and dried fish. Other exceptions include snack items such as beef jerky, cuttlefish jerky, sweet and sour preserved plums, or dehydrated mango slices.
Canned or frozen foods are seldom eaten. Western desserts such as cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream are eaten only on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. After dinner, families usually eat seasonal fruit as dessert. Chinese desserts such as red bean soup, sweet white lotus's seed soup, or steam papaya soup are served every so often as a special treat on a hot summer's night.
Ethnic Chinese cooking does not involve a lot of deep fried cooking. The reason most of the Chinese restaurants in America have deep-fried dishes such as sweet and sour pork, almond fried Chicken, and deep-fried shrimp is to promote business and to please western tastes. This clearly reflects why there are more overweight and high blood pressure concerns in Western culture than there are in Chinese culture.

Chinese Cooking Schools

Chinese cuisine has always been a worldwide favorite. No wonder Chinese cooking schools are in great demand. If a Chinese cooking school is what you are looking for, then you have plenty of choices. You can find them in most of the major cities. A simple search on the Internet could do the work for you.
You can even check out your city's Parks and Recreation Department. This department offers many evening or weekend courses, particularly during spring and fall. There are also many local colleges or trade schools that can help you cook up a Chinese diet. Catering companies, professional Chinese cooking schools or cookbook stores also offer courses. A non-professional can choose from a host of weekend or evening classes on Chinese cooking. A local food publication can also give you a fair idea about finding the right Chinese cooking school. One can also find do-it-yourself Chinese recipes in these books, too.
While a lengthier course gives you plenty of time to learn and fine-tune your skills, a short duration course is ideally suited for someone to pick up a few tips. They are also suitable for individuals with tight schedules and cannot commit to many sessions in a week.
Chinese cooking is an ancient form of cooking. This being the case, it is always better if you were to try it hands on. Just in case you don't feel comfortable doing so, you can try buying a Chinese cooking video and try out the delicacies.
With Chinese cooking being a traditional affair, one can find that most of the Chinese cooking schools offer a very homely atmosphere. The classes are usually small. A good Chinese cooking school would also encourage you to ask questions and have a closer look at what the instructor is preparing.

Chinese Food

Chinese food now holds a popular place among the entire population of the world. You can find a Chinese restaurant in every major city and in many smaller areas of the world as well. Why is Chinese food so popular? Is Chinese food healthy? What is the history of Chinese food?
The History of Chinese Food
The history of Chinese food is an interesting one. Unlike many cultures the Chinese believe that the preparation of food is an art and not simply a craft. The art of cooking Chinese food can include dishes and food preparation techniques which are difficult to develop and may require the expertise of a chef with lots of experience. One such technique is noodle pulling http://royalpandarestaurant.samsbiz.com/page/18jcr/Home.html (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more about this technique). Noodle pulling requires skill and lots of practice and results in a delicious noodle dish. This article will refer to noodle pulling later on, but for now, let’s go back to the history of Chinese food.
Chinese food and the way it is prepared is very much influenced by the two major philosophies, which influence the entire Chinese culture. These dominant philosophies are Confucianism and Taoism. Both have these philosophies have influenced the way that the Chinese people cook and the way that they enjoy their food.
Confucianism and Chinese Cuisine
Confucius was the man behind the Confucianism beliefs. Among many other standards Confucius established standards for proper table etiquette and for the appearance and taste of Chinese food. One of the standards set by Confucius (you might have noticed this at an authentic Chinese restaurant) is that food must be cut into small bite size pieces before serving the dish. This is a custom that is definitely unique to the Chinese culture.
Knives at the dinner table are also considered to be a sign of very poor taste by those who embrace Confucianist beliefs. The standards of quality and taste that Confucius recommended required the perfect blend of ingredients, herbs and condiments--a blend which would result in the perfect combination of flavor. Confucius also emphasized the importance of the texture and color of a dish, and taught that food must be prepared and eaten with harmony. Interestingly enough, Confucius was also of the opinion that an excellent cook must first make an excellent matchmaker.
Taoism and Chinese Cuisine
Those who follow the Taoism beliefs focus on the health benefits of particular foods vs. the presentation of the same. Taoists search for foods that will increase their health and longevity. They search for foods that have healing powers. Many times these benefits were often referred to as ‘life giving powers’. For instance, the Chinese found that ginger, which can be considered to be a garnish or a condiment was found to be a remedy for upset stomachs or a remedy for colds.
Is Chinese Food Healthy?
Chinese food, when authentic is probably the healthiest food in the world. Some restaurants, which are not authentic, prepare their menu with highly saturated fats or with meats that contain unhealthy amounts of animal fat. These Chinese restaurants are not recommended and they are both neither authentic nor healthy.
Good Chinese food however, is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils. Authentic Chinese food does not require the use of milk-fat ingredients such as cream, butter or cheese. Meat is used, but not in abundance, which makes it easy for those who love authentic Chinese food to avoid high levels of animal fat. Many believe that authentic Chinese food is really the ideal diet.
Chinese Restaurants in Every Part of the Nation
Whether it is in a Tennessee Chinese Restaurant to a New York Chinese restaurant you are going to find culinary dishes that are both healthy and delicious. Savor the flavor with Chinese food!

Tips For Tourists Eating in China

If you plan on visiting China sometime soon then you can count on eating over there. The truth is that eating food in China cannot be avoided and there is no reason that it should be avoided. If you are looking for tips for tourists eating in China then you have come to the right place. Within the next paragraphs you will be reading some useful tips for tourists eating in China.
So you decided to go to China as a tourist and now you are wondering about the food in China. Don't worry because there is no need to panic. The truth is that there is some really good food in China. Many American's will tell you that the food in China is better than the food in America. We cannot stress to you just how good the food in China really is. If you have never tried food in China then you should do it as soon as you get over there.
Yes there are rumors that in Chinese restaurants you are eating dog or cat and they say it is chicken. Don't let these rumors get to you it is only rumors. If the Chinese restaurants tell you it is chicken then it really is chicken. If you are a tourist eating in China for the first time then you should consider trying some of the Chinese soup. Have you ever heard of Won-ton soup or egg drop soup? These are both really good soups that are in china.
Many individuals throughout the world like Chinese food. Chinese cuisine seems like the best food there is. The truth is that Chinese food has unique characteristics to it. In China they eat little live squid so if you are not into that type of thing you should beware of seeing this in the Chinese restaurants. As you are in the Chinese restaurant you will find beautiful Chinese music playing in the background. If you have not realized it by now food just so happens to be one of China's main tourist attractions. While many individuals go there to view the wonderful paintings and tourist attractions that China has they also enjoy the food that China offers.
In China you will also find the local cuisine along with dishes of other ethnic minorities such as Islamic dishes and vegetarian dishes. In the beginning when China came about they only had four forms of cuisine and they were Shandong, Sichuan, Huiyang and Guandong cuisine then later on these dishes developed into either more styles such as Mongolian dishes, Manchu dishes, Tibetan dishes, Shuang dishes, etc. When you eat in a Chinese restaurant then you should make sure you have manners. Keep in mind that you do not have to use chopsticks although this is perfect time to use chopsticks. In the end when you are done at the Chinese restaurant you should make sure you leave a tip.

Chinese Food - Do You Want a Fortune Cookie With That?

Do you love Chinese food? If you do, you are not alone-it is one of the most popular ethnic cuisine choices out there. But, while fortune cookies are delicious and fun, they are not real Chinese food. What is traditional Chinese cuisine? It is as varied as the country is big. Every region has its own specialty dishes that make it unique and different from the others. However, there are some basic “rules” for what makes Chinese food traditional.
Starch is the main dish in a traditional Chinese food meal-unlike in the United States and many other Western countries where meat is the main dish. Although many Chinese in southern China eat rice as part of their daily diet, in the northern parts of the country this is not the case. It is not uncommon for Chinese food to have wheat flour noodles or a steamed bun as the main component of the meal. Side dishes can be meat (beef, pork, or chicken), fish, cooked vegetables or soup. Sometimes soup or rice is reserved to the end of the meal as kind of filler.
When you sit down to a meal of traditional Chinese food, you would be given chopsticks and an individual bowl of noodles or rice. The rest of the food dishes would be placed in the center of the table and shared. You would not serve yourself a portion and put it on your own plate-you just eat right off the plate with your chopsticks. This is one reason that many times, the food is served in small pieces-so it is easy to pick up off of the plate with the chopsticks. Tea is offered with the meal as well-cold drinks are not traditional.
Dessert is usually a very simple affair-it could be plain fresh fruit, or fruit with a sugared glaze. Sometimes they also serve a simple rice pudding-but none of the traditional desserts are rich or extravagant like the ones we find in some other types of cuisine.
Dishes from the Sichuan (Szechwan) region are usually spicy and Mandarin are more common. Take a culinary trip to China.

Chinese New Year Menu Ideas for a Delicious Chinese New Year Feast

Tradition is how we have gotten many of our menu items for holidays. Chinese New Year is no different. Delicious Asian delicacies form a big part of Chinese New Year, and here are just a few ideas:
Some items you may find during Chinese New Year are a vegetarian dish called jai, whole fish, chicken, nian gao, rice pudding, and man tou. The menu items have more meaning than most foods available at a traditional New Year in the United States. The Chinese believe their food symbolizes many things. Among the symbolization of food is the attitude that the amount of food prepared shows abundance and wealth for the household.
Spring rolls are another traditional and symbolic food you may find on the menu for Chinese New Year. To make spring rolls you need 1 cup shredded cabbage, ¼ cup shredded carrots, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 4 Chinese garlic chives, 1 cup bean sprouts, ½ bell pepper, ¼ pound pork, 1 teaspoon chopped ginger, 1 teaspoon chopped garlic, and a pinch cornstarch to create 24 spring rolls. You will also need 24 wrappers.
Other menu items you may find at a traditional Chinese New Year celebration include lettuce wraps, Lion’s Head Meatballs, Pecking Duck, Sweet & Sour Pork, and Tea Eggs. It is important to note that most of the menu items will have some significance to their culture and that is why it is made on the Chinese New Year. Rice pudding is considered a dessert among the Chinese and will complete the meal for you and your friends.
Whether you use these ideas or throw in some of your own, with a bit of preparation and creativity you can serve up a Chinese New Year feast that will have your guests coming back for more.
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Ordering Healthy Chinese Take Out

With the growing popularity of the Chinese fast food industry, more people than ever are falling in love with the delicious Chinese cuisine. But as more and more people are also crossing into the realm of really eating healthy, how does this Chinese food stack up, and how can you get the best of both worlds?
Comparatively, Chinese food relatively healthy, as long as you know what you're getting. Here's a few tips for your next encounter with Chinese cuisine.
Chinese food is traditionally based around a good sized portion of meat, usually chicken, beef, or pork. Keeping this amount to a minimum is going to be one of the biggest factors in the calorie count of your meal. Remember, anything can be healthy in small quantities, just don't over indulge!
Choose the steamed rice! Steamed rice is a great source of good carbs, which help to increase the metabolism. Steamed rice is also generally less greasy than Chinese noodle dishes.
Chinese dishes are very high in sodium. A good way to counteract this is a simple balancing game; try and eat less sodium in your other meals on the same day you are going to be eating Chinese.
Many, but not all Chinese dishes are deep fried. Stay away from these when possible, deep fried foods are much higher in calories.
Don't overdo it on the heavy sauces. Everyone loves a good soy sauce on their Kung Pao chicken, but staying light on the sauces will keep your meal extra healthy.
Overall, Chinese can be a great way to eat smart as long as its done in moderation.

Is Chinese Food Healthy?

Chinese food. It's certainly tasty enough, but is it healthy? In these modern days of looking good and feeling good this is a question that might often be on the lips of anyone who has just devoured an egg fu yung. Well the answer to the question is that, yes, authentic Chinese cooking is very healthy. In fact the Chinese diet might be one of the healthiest in the world.
Sadly the same can not be said about the meals prepared at some Chinese restaurants or take-aways, where the food is often prepared with highly saturated fats and the meat used in the preparation of the recipes is not exactly of the leanest cut. The meals prepared in establishments like this are neither authentic, or healthy. Although they might very well be extremely tasty. But at what cost to the diners health?
Good, authentic - and healthy - Chinese food is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils and has no use for dairy ingredients such as cream, butter, or cheese. Meat is included in the recipes but is not of an abundant quantity. So lovers of authentic Chinese cooking are easily able to avoid the dangers associated with the intake of too much animal fat in their diet.
So in answer to the question: 'Is Chinese food healthy?' the answer is a very definite yes, but you must be sure that the Chinese meal that you are eating is an authentic Chinese meal prepared in the traditional manner and using only traditional and healthy ingredients. You can have your cake and eat it; just as long as you know that it is the right kind of cake you are eating.

Chinese Cooking Techniques

The variety of Chinese food dishes and Chinese food recipes available today is wider than in any previous decade. One can easily find Chinese food recipes for Chop Suey, which is not an authentic Chinese dish, along side of Hunan Beef. It is interesting to note that what many refer to as Chow Mein noodles is really a simpler crunchy version of the real thing.
In centuries past when the Chinese still used forks and knives is when the foundation for modern day Chinese cooking was formed. This is back when the cutting techniques and delicate flavors came together to form healthy hearty meals.
This is also when the three primary Chinese cooking techniques were formed.
The first Chinese cooking technique is stewing. Stewing can be either red or clear and is the simplest of the three methods. In clear stewing the clear liquid is brought to a boil and then allowed to simmer until the food is just tender. In red stewing a small amount of sugar and soy sauce is added which gives the stewed food a reddish tinge.
The second Chinese cooking technique is steaming. Steaming can be either wet or dry. The Chinese have used steaming as a primary cooking method for over 3000 years. Before ovens were common place steaming was a preferred method which allowed for moist flavorful food that retained most of its nutrients.
Frying is the third of the traditional Chinese cooking techniques. Frying can be either deep frying in oil or sautéing. When deep frying the food is submersed in hot oil and allowed to cook until it floats. In sautéing the meat, vegetables and garnishes are cooked quickly over high heat in a small amount of fat.
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. Sign up for her newsletter and learn more about Gourmayeats Weekly Recipe Club at http://www.gourmayeats.com

subota, 26. srpnja 2008.

Restaurants in Australia Craft a Culture of Cuisine

Australia has among the most diversified cultures in the world. The good thing is, Australia has kept its cultural diversity preserved, while people live together in harmony.
The same thing goes with their cuisine. Australian cuisine inherited its nature from British cooking. From pies, to grilled meat chops, slightly cooked veggies, and chips, Australian food has evolved progressively. It is now able to accommodate the dishes from the varied cultures in their land. Modern Australia is a term coined for it that includes the embrace of their multicultural culinary influences. Ever since the fusion of varied cultural dishes, the best restaurants in Australia have taken Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines to be part of their serving menu.
In the cities, you can find several eat-in and take-away Asian food shops that offer a multitude of Indian and Chinese dishes. This has resulted from the high count of Asian immigration to Australia, and of course the long existence of the Chinese community in Australia.
Still popular choices among Aussies are the American food chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, and McDonald's. Australian restaurants have also came up with their own versions of fast food eat shops like Chicken Treat, Eagle Boys pizza chain, and Red Rooster. The most common food that you can order in fast food stores is the "Australian Hamburger". This has become an iconic food item in Australia as this offers a wide variety of hamburger fillings anyone can choose from. Obviously, the persistence of fast food chains remains to be a legacy of Australia's British traditions.
As Aussies enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, it is no doubt that they indulge in good culinary offers during the week. There are several good places to dine in Australia's varied food shops. The best restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne are often listed in restaurant guides and directories to help you decide where to have a hearty meal. Whether you want it simple and common Australian food, or a different flavor of another culture's dish, the best restaurants in Australia are able to accommodate multicultural cravings.

Why Is It So Difficult To Stick To A Diet?

Why is it so difficult to stick to a diet? We start out very motivated and usually do great to stay on a diet the first day, but then the day after that is harder. It is very difficult to stay motivated enough to stay on a diet day after day.
Many fad diets are complicated and hard to follow, but the worst part about dieting is being hungry. Low calorie diets are the hardest to stick with because dieters on low calorie diets are always hungry. Nobody wants to go through life being hungry.
Life often gets in the way of good intentioned dieting. There are parties to attend, food brought into the office, and friends invite you to dine out. When you are on a diet, there seems to be constant advertising about food on television.
When you are on the go and have a busy life, it is hard to stick to a diet. Fast food is certainly not on most diets, and very few fast food restaurants serve low calorie food.
The best kind of diet is one which allows you to eat the foods you enjoy in enough quantities so that you feel satisfied. A great diet would show you how to eat in such a way that you actually lose weight without starving yourself.
Eating is one of the most basic pleasures people enjoy in life, and it is hard to resist the temptation of good food. If you really want to lose weight, you must find a way to keep motivated while dieting, and you must find a diet that will allow you to lose weight while eating enough to be satisfied.

Become a Food Champion - Taco Bell Employee Motivation Case Study

For those of us that are Fast Food Achievers, we know that sometimes the service at QSRs - Quick Service Restaurants leaves a lot to be desired and yet when you are on the go - sometimes that is all that is available before your body goes on a hunger strike. You can just imagine how hard it must be to get quality labor at a fast food restaurant, considering how hard it is to find good workers in your current work environment.
Today, I happened into a Taco Bell and ordered a Burrito Supreme, double wrapped, with extra cheese, guacamole and onions. The young gal looked up to me and suggestive sold me an "Extra Large Drink" to go with it. Considering the problems of Global Warming, I did not want to overheat in traffic and definitely needed some extra high-fructose corn syrup. Yes, I am an American, could you tell?
Luckily, the high-energy, big smile employee was a "Food Champion" named Melissa. I thought, wow, no wonder the service was so good, this gal was a Food Champion no doubt. Excellent indeed. So, I said; You are a Food Champion?" and she said; "I AM" with an even bigger smile.
I then asked another girl between the stainless steal taco bell making slide table and the drive thru station if she was a Food Champion too? She said; "No, I am just the manager." Wow what a great attitude at that Taco Bell. I think I will be choosing Taco Bell next time I am starved with no time to spare. Apparently, Taco Bell has cracked the code on employee motivation, they have empowered their frontline by turning them into trained food champions - Now everyone is a winner at Taco Bell.

Ten Good Tips to Lose Weight

Below you find a few tips that can help you in your quest to lose weight. They will not magically make you reach your goals but can help you on your way if you are determined and work hard to lose weight
1. Make small goals. It is easy to dream about a slender body and make that your goal. This goal does however often end in disappointment. It is better to make many small goals on the way. This way it is easier to reach your goals and you feel that you are making progress which makes it easier to stick to a diet.
2. Avoid junk food: Avoid eating fast food and other junk food. It’s fattening and doesn’t help you lose weight. If you absolutely must eat fast food, give yourself one meal a week when you are allowed to eat fast/junk food.
3. Avoid fried food: Don’t eat fried food but rather grill or boil your food. Avoid using extra fat. . 4. Eat Breakfast: Eating breakfast helps getting the metabolism started. You are also less likely to snack if you eat a good breakfast.
5. Eat fish and chicken: fish and chicken is low on fat and can make an excellent weight loss diet. Avoid fat fishes. A good cheap weight loss fish is Tilapia.
6. Start drinking water: Soda and juice contains a lot of calories. Drink water and safe a lot calories.
7. Start taking walks: Walking one or two times a day isn’t to hard but can help you lose weight faster. All other forms of physical activities are also good.
8. Eat often: eating many well planned low calorie meals a day helps you keep from snacking and make you feel less hungry.
9. Don’t expect dream results: There are many diets that promises fast results but permanent weight loss takes hard work and dedication.
10. Eat fewer carbs: Eat less pasta and bread. Reducing your carb intake is often one of the best methods of loosing weight.
A bonus tip can be to get a dog. A dog need to be walked and will help to get you more active. Never get a dog if you don’t have the time or will to care for it.

Beat Zone Diet Meal Delivery With A Stick And You'll Still Lose

The fast food business is booming and it's not hard to see why - it's cheap, tasty and quick! However as cheap, tasty and quick as it is, how healthy is it? Wouldn't it be a lot more appealing if it were cheap, tasty, quick and healthy? Fortunately zone diet meal delivery covers all those aspects. Don't believe me?
Ok, below is a typical day for all you fast food lovers. Let's compare zone diet meal delivery with what a fast food packed menu has to offer. Oh, and just to be fair lets look at the healthiest options. There's no point comparing burgers and fries to the zone meal delivery.
So for breakfast a typical meal might be a bacon and egg sandwich, perhaps at your favorite coffee shop. Of course you'll want to eat a small snack mid-morning to keep your energy up, so how about some low-fat bran. Perhaps a light lunch ensues, let's keep it simple - chicken and pasta. You finish the day off in your favorite restaurant - some garlic bread and vegetable lasagna. So how do you think you've done?
Even paying attention to what you eat still fails to beat zone diet meal delivery. In fact your chances of weight-loss are pretty much zero unless you're a highly active person. A so called 'healthy' diet of fast food will still be way over the recommended caloric intake for fat-loss. The 'healthy' menu described above, alone exceeds 2330 calories.
To lose a single pound of fat you need to be eating much less than 1500 calories a day. Even so, it will still take you 2 weeks or so to lose that single pound, provided you stick to less than 1500 calories a day. Not exactly the answer to shedding of the pounds quickly, is it? With a caloric intake of 2330 calories a day combined with little exercise, you're more likely to gain weight over time.
In addition, these so called 'healthy' foods on fast food menus are not healthy at all. Following the 'healthy' fast food regime, not are you damaging your wallet, because let's face it, fast food isn't that cheap when you compare it to home cooking it's also unhealthy.
Compared to the zone meal delivery, a whole days worth of fast food consumption goes off the charts in terms of actual needs of the body when it comes to carbohydrates, protein and fats.
At the end of the day, there are so many varying factors that determine a healthy diet, but then again why bother when you have zone diet meal delivery? Calories, nutrition, fats, protein, carbohydrates, freshness and quality to name a few - all need your attention when eating healthily. Not something that is possible if you're living on a fast food diet, but something the zone meal delivery will take care for you without any additional costs.

We Live In A World That Is Toxic With Food With An Inactive Society

It's no wonder why we are an overweight society. We live in a fast pace world. Where it's so much easier just to pull up to a window and order food instead of going home and cooking a meal. And if we don't have the energy to cook. We will not have the energy to walk or workout. And what are we teaching our kids by doing this ? We are just passing on bad habits to them.
Just think if every fast food meal has around 1,000 calories in it. You are eating almost your days worth of calories in one meal. And dinner is the worst one because you go home and sit or go to bed. So how overweight do you think you would be after a few years of this ? Pretty scary isn't it?
It's hard not to think about food when it's every where in your face. Most people have a food place in walking distance.
If people would eat at home more and think about what they are putting into there bodies it would cut down on so many problems.
All the Health related problems would be reduced. Medical cost would not be so high. If you prepared your meals at home instead of eating out , you would be saving money this way too. Plus you would have more family time, and teaching better habits to your kids.
You would also see a big change in your weight if you would get more active. It's doesn't take much to get out an walk 30 minutes or so a day. So get up from that TV or game and do it. Just by stopping the fast food, and walking 30 minutes a day could just very well save your life.
Think about things. Years ago there were very few fast food restaurants. People ate a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, because they grew them. That in it's self helped keep them active. They had to work in that garden, or pick that fruit if they wanted to eat. And they did not sit in front of that TV, computer, or video games. We are a spoiled society and it is killing us. And we are the only ones that can change this.
If you must have fast food, and it is in walking distance walk there and back. If you started walking to more places you would be helping your body, and you would be saving on gas too. Give it a try.

Is Having Fast Food Restaurant In Kid's Hospital A Wise Choice

A United States research, published in Dec 2006’s issue of Pediatrics, suggested that having fast-food restaurants in children’s hospitals may encourage young patients’ families to eat fast food and to think that it is relatively healthy.
Parents of children who received outpatient treatment at Children’s Memorial were much more likely to buy McDonald’s food on the day their youngsters were treated than parents of children treated at Chicago-area hospitals without McDonald’s.
Parents of children treated at Children’s Memorial also were twice as likely to rate McDonald’s food as a relatively healthy choice than those whose children were treated elsewhere.
In view of the prevailing concerns about the childhood obesity, this may be a troubling phenomenon. About 17 percent of US children are considered as obese. Heavy consumption of calorie-laden, fatty fast food is quoted as one of the possible causes.
Obesity is a risk factor for health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, high blood cholesterol, etc., which will ultimately lead to development of heart disease.
Data collected showed that at least 59 of the United States’ 250 children’s hospitals have fast-food restaurants. This may give 2 different messages: as health-care profession promoting health and saying obesity is a huge medical problem…, and then implicitly encouraging it.
The researchers surveyed 386 parents and other adults leaving 3 Chicago-area hospitals after their children had outpatient visits. They are Children’s Memorial; Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital in Maywood, which use McDonald’s branding but has no McDonald’s restaurant; and the University of Chicago’s children hospital, which has no McDonald’s restaurant or branding on site.
The study found that 56 percent of participants at Children’s Memorial had fast food on the survey day, compared with 29 percent at Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital and 33 percent at the University of Chicago Hospital. Most of those at all 3 hospitals who had fast food that day chose McDonald’s.
Nevertheless, some health professionals do feel that occasional use of fast food to treat sick children going through difficult treatment is not really a big issue. If one chooses wisely, fast food needs not be an unhealthy choice, according to a dietitian.
As what a dietitian suggests, one should keep portion sizes small and limit eating hamburgers to only once a week. A hamburger and orange juice give 350 kcal and 10g of fat, of which 3g is made up of saturated fat.
2 years ago, doctors at Cleveland Clinic, known for heart disease research tried to remove McDonald’s from the hospital. Thought the restaurant is still there, it began offering healthy alternatives to Big Macs and French fries after discussion with clinic officials.
It is more important for doctors and nurses to continue to talk to parents about what constitutes a healthy diet for kids, and to teach the kids to choose healthier options when eating out.
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included.
Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com

A Salty Tale of Fast Food Nutrition

Many fast foods are overloaded with salt, and of course a lot of people add extra salt. Salt is sodium chloride and it is the sodium that is medically important.
Food contains other forms of sodium but for simplicity we have converted all the sodium to salt equivalents. Most Western nation individuals consume 10 grams or two teaspoons of salt each day - about 20 times more than the body needs.
The recommended sodium intake for Australian adults is equivalent to six grams or about one teaspoon of salt per day.
This does not mean that we can add up to a teaspoon of salt to food because the figure already includes salt used in cooking as well as the natural salt content of fresh food.
How much salt is in fast food? Have a look below (from CHOICE Magazine)
Salt Content of Fast Foods and Home Cooked Meals
Food Salt content (grams)Kentucky Fried Chicken (2 pieces of chicken, roll, potato and gravy, coleslaw) 3.0Pizza Hut meal (ham and pineapple pizza and salad) 6.1Fish and Chips 3.3Pork in plum sauce 7.2BUTHome-cooked steak and vegetables 0.8
We eat much more salt than we think. Foods like fish fingers, salad dressing, tomato sauce, luncheon meats, cheese, canned vegetables, Vegemite, packet soups, sardines, frankfurts, pickled olives and even soluble aspirin are high in salt. So it's not only the salt which is added to meals when they are served which causes a problem.
Salt is prevalent in processed and fast foods. This goes against the National Dietary Guidelines which urge that salt intake be reduced. Excess salt intake can cause a variety of health problems. Already 20% of teh population are susceptible to hypertension. This involves an increase in blood pressure while the kidneys work hard to excrete extra salt and of course hypertension increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Ian Macdonald as founder and owner of Macdonald's Gourmet Burgers combines his passion and knowledge of food, wine and nutrition with savvy business tactics. He is also the MD of a corporate consulting firm that advises on strategic negotiation, dispute resolution and workplace change. Clients are mainly from top 100 corporations. For lots of free resources from their extensive website go to: http://www.MacdonaldsGourmetBurgers.com

Fast Food Calories Will Ruin Your Diet Plans and Exercise Program

If you let them, fast food calories will sneak up on you day after day and ruin your diet plans and exercise program.
It is so easy to forget about that sugary little midmorning treat or that afternoon drink or two on the pub veranda (accompanied by a packet of something salty and rather moreish).
Fast food calories are the absolute worst for you. But why?
I'll give you 3 good reasons.
1. Fast foods are often quite compact for the amount of calories they hold. They look small so you kid yourself that you are not eating much. Do yourself a favour and look up the calories in the fast food treats you routinely eat.
Once you know exactly how many calories you are taking in with each tasty little snack, you will understand why you can't lose weight. A small packet of potato chips (crisps) for example, will be around 230 calories. To work that one little packet off, you need to walk briskly for around 30 minutes, perhaps more; it depends on your current weight.
2. Fast food calories are often mindlessly ingested, causing "calorie amnesia". You may tend to eat fast foods during the long afternoon when your body "needs a sugar hit" (but really needed a decent breakfast, morning tea and lunch to prevent this sugar craving).
Or you might have made a habit of nibbling a box of chocolates while watching evening TV. You watch the TV, the chocolate goes semi-automatically from box to hand to mouth and before you know it, the whole box is gone.
It's a habit. Spend about a week resisting it and it will fade and disappear.
3. Fast food calories are by and large, lacking good nutritional value. Fast foods tend not to be a balanced meal of mainly unsaturated fats, complex carbs and lean proteins. Fast foods tend to be made up of saturated fats, simple carbs and salt.
No matter what the advertisers try to sell you regarding fast food, you must remember this. Purveyors of fast food work hard to sell their product to make as much money as possible. They are much more concerned about their bottom line than the (stretch mark) lines on our bottoms.
Fat is high energy food and if you don't use it up through regular exercise, it will go straight into your body's preferred storage areas. Sugar is a simple carb and again, if you don't need the energy from it for your daily brisk exercise routine, it is going to convert very readily to fat.
Fat and sugar will give you energy peaks followed by an energy crash, leaving you lethargic, unmotivated to exercise and worst of all, still hungry. The salt in fast foods will encourage your body to retain water, bloat you and slow down your metabolism.
Fast food calories will ruin your diet plans and exercise program with consummate ease.
The only solution is to change what you eat and the portions and times you eat. Before too long you will be positively enjoying a fit and healthy lifestyle and not miss fast foods at all.
Don't believe me. Give it an honest try for a few weeks and find out for yourself. You are going to be very pleasantly surprised at the weight loss results you get from minimising the fast food in your diet.

Fast Food & Junk Food Effect

People are getting busier no matter how old you are and who you are. You can even see a 5 years old kid will have a schedule for tuitions, leaning music instruments, swimming classes in some countries, while some adults will be drowning in their jobs to make ends meet. Connected to this matter, fast food restaurants will be exactly blissful in doing their business. People tend to settle their meals by consuming fast food to save time. Let's us see some points that might make you draw back from fast food and junk food.
The first issue that we definitely cannot put it aside is obesity. A burger in fast food restaurant basically contains more than 1000Kj of calories, while that's exceeding half of our body needs for a day! I won't believe that you will just have a burger in you right hand without a cup of vanilla coke in your left hand. Where do you think these extra calories will go inside your body? They will change to become fats in your abdomen and that's what you usually can see down the street there are uncountable fast food lovers with a fat-bellied. Well, you might love that if it's not on your body.
Obesity not only makes you dare not to stand in front of a mirror, it's not just simply an eyesore to the public as well. In fact, obesity is the major cause for some chronic diseases such as high cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and many other types of cancers. This explains why the age group of people in getting chronic diseases is showing wider range nowadays. Who wants to go on long term medications and run in and out to the hospital forever? In this case, you always have the choice to choose the way you want.
Not to mention that our brain is the organ in affecting how we think and move. Fast food and junk food are very low in nutrients; instead they are full with colourings, flavours and preservatives. You won't want to know how the unhealthy ingredients could lead to some severe mental disorders. Researches have shown that junk food might cause dyslexia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and worse is autism. An individual's mood and attention are highly influenced by the food taken, which means it will affect your concentration in school. For the parents out there, you won't want your children to be called as stupid in school, don't you?
Does that mean you can't have fast food and junk food at all? It is not necessary so. You just need to reduce the amount and frequency of having them in your diet. To begin with, you could bring your home-cooked food to your school or workplace. Of course, bacons, sausages and canned foods should not be your choices. Try some fresh foods and vegetables. You still can have your favourite fast food not too often; with the condition you drink a lot of water and exercise regularly.