Plan A Kitchen With Ease By Using Online Kitchen Planner

By Matthew Kerridge

Using an online kitchen planer is simple to use and is also a lot of fun and best of all its free. All you need do is browse on line viewing the many websites that offer you a online kitchen planner and then just click on the plan kitchen section and in no time you will be on your way to planning your new kitchen.

Many special features have been added which makes your planning quick and easy such as no personal details are required although there is an option if you want to open an account which also allows you to save your plans for later. There is a calculator which allows you to see what the end result of your plans will cost and there is an easy on line sign up process which will allow you to store our plans.

Once you have logged on to the online kitchen planner website it will ask you to fill in the measurements of your kitchen which must be accurate and you will also need to include things like doors or arches and the windows. Make sure you also count the plug sockets in and any other existing kitchen items that are required. Now that you have finished completing the first step towards a new kitchen you can begin with the best part the design.

The next thing you need to do is place the fridge and stove as well as washers etc onto the plans which can be rearranged and changed at your leisure and then when you are satisfied with that arrangement you can now begin to add the kitchen cupboards, counters and whatever additional features you have in mind.

Once you have completed the required steps and have chosen the design you like online kitchen planner will automatically assemble and place the wall units together and you will note that there are no gaps left. Once you are satisfied that the online kitchen planner has placed everything correctly this program will give you a pallet allowing you to chose colours, designs as well as styles. As you make your choices the online kitchen planner places these choices and at the same time you will note that the costs are being calculated for you.

Every item that you add or subtract is calculated right down to the last cent so you won't end up with any unforeseen surprised when you have completed your online kitchen planner. And the beauty about online kitchen planner is that once you have completed your kitchen plan you can place a direct order and your new kitchen will arrive fully assembled and ready to install which will save you the inconvenience of having to cope with messy bits and pieces.

The heart of the home begins in the kitchen as this is where family love gathering to do their homework, for general daily conversation and of course the cooking so that is why the kitchen should be fully functional as well as a pleasing place as most of the families time in spent in the kitchen. There is always a fortune of things that need to be considered when planning a new kitchen.

Online kitchen planner helps you eliminate being overwhelmed and will assist with all the ideas you have put together over the past months and will show you how these ideas can be constructed which will ultimately save you a lump sum of money as this is done quickly and effectively. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchens. If you want further information about kitchens or are looking for an online kitchen planner please check out http://www.wrenkitchens.com

A Kitchen, to love always

By Matthew Kerridge

I truly do not know where to start. I have a tiny kitchen. I do not mean small, I mean tiny! I really enjoy being in my kitchen, even though it is on the dwarf side. It's funny though, I know some men who feel as I do about their kitchens.

I am a woman who is in my older years. I have fantastic treasures in my tiny kitchen. It can be difficult to find them but, they are there nonetheless. The irresistible smells which permeate the rest of my home, can only be attributed to my kitchen. Lemon, orange, grapefruit, glorious citrus scents. Chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, how can anyone keep from salivating?

Another thing which raises my blood pressure: food splatters! Why is it so difficult to take a wash cloth and clean a mess you have made? Were you raised in a barn? Do you not realize that the sooner you clean it, the easier it is to clean? Bratty children are something else not needed in the kitchen! My nephew dropped some peanut butter on the floor and simply stomped on it! I could have wrung his little neck.

From the nifty gadgets people have gifted me, over the years, I create masterpieces. Cakes, pies, breads, soups, stews, salsas! Blenders, toasters, shredders, shavers (for ice and chocolate) and juice makers. My kitchen is equipped with everything I need to put smiles upon faces. I do, once in a while, put a special smile on my face!

But, there are days I simply want to enjoy my kitchen all by myself. I make a large cup of hot cocoa and put miniature marshmallows in it. I sit by the window and see nature pass by. Even though I do have a minor kitchen, I have so much space outside I never feel smothered. I do appreciate this so much. I feel safe within the confines of these walls.

It is difficult to convey the way I feel when the warmth of the cider hits my tummy. I love my little "mess hall." It is quaint, pleasant and lovely. I feel I would be lost without the sweetness of this little room.

I know that not everyone gets emotional when they reflect about rooms in their homes. But, I am an emotional person and find it soothing to share my thoughts. The practice of enjoying where you are, seems to be gone in this generation. Things move too fast and people are too impatient. Little things in life need to be appreciated.

My little kitchen is a blessing to me. It has everything in it that I could possibly need. It is my solitude. It is my friend. Well, it could use a cot... - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like further information about types of kitchen or are looking for a reputable kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

How To Make Inviting Kitchens

By Matthew Kerridge

As most people will tell you kitchens are the heart of the home. The kitchen is the place everyone seems to gravitate to. This is where the family eats their meal together, and where friends sit to have a cup of coffee and conversation. Some people do not have dining rooms in their homes and others just prefer to use the dining room for more formal affairs.

People prefer the kitchen no matter what the reason is. So it is important to have a very inviting and warm style to your kitchen. When deciding to do renovations on your kitchen you will need to keep it inviting. When a kitchen seems to sterile most people do not feel very welcome.

Not only do you want your kitchen to be warm and homey but you need it to be functional as well. You will need to consider counter space, cabinets, furniture and decorations. Make sure that you have plenty of counter space to work with when you are making a meal. Before installing cabinets try to consider the amount of things you store in them.

You can usually go by your recent kitchen's cabinet space. Do you have enough space, too little space, or do you have plenty of extra space. This will give you an idea of what type of cabinet space is best for your new kitchen. When picking out cabinets you will have many chooses and they can become overwhelming if you are not prepared.

You will want to choose a wood type for your cabinets and the type of stain you want on them before shopping. Appliances also have a large variety for you to choose from. Appliances are usually something that people have no problem shopping for because they know what they like and do not like. Placing your appliances should be just as important. A refrigerator should go beside a door.

This lets the family get into it with out being in the way while you are preparing a meal. A kitchen that has enough space for a table is great because a kitchen table is an important addition to any home. Families spend more time together when around the kitchen table. The heart of the kitchen is the table.

You have a variety of designs and styles to pick from when looking for a table. Oak dining tables seem to be a favorite among shoppers. This table may be more expensive than most but it will last you a lifetime and then some, most people are able to pass it along to their kids. Tables are made from many different materials. Oak is not your only choose, you can choose from materials such as plastic, glass, metal and many more types of wood. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchens. If you want more information kitchens or are searching for a trusted kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

How To Achieve High End Looking Kitchens Inexpensively

By Matthew Kerridge

For those homeowners who are driven, for whatever reason, to improve on the look and the value of their homes, getting high end kitchens on a budget is exactly what they're looking for. Here, you'll find many tips that will help you do just that.

There are many considerations before you begin. For starters, will you be gutting the entire kitchen? Will you be using a professional or doing it on your own? Well, as for the demolition, you can do this by yourself or with the help of a friend. The only thing you need to know and understand is that it will be a messy job.

Doing this on your own can save you a load of money. The rest depends on how handy if you really are. You are confident that you can't do this, go for it. If not, then you should hire someone to help you out. In order to save more money, you can be the assistant.

Working on the assumption that you will be the renovator, inspect your cabinets. If they look dated, perhaps a paint job to bring them into the new millennium. That along with more modern hardware can really do the trick. It should also inspect your backsplash. If the pattern looks a little old, you can either change it or paint over it.

Following that, consider changing your countertop. This really isn't as difficult as you may believe. All you need to do is order one from a do-it-yourself center. Of course, you should measure twice, and be absolutely positive of your measurements before placing your order.

You should also consider replacing your sink and faucet when doing a kitchen renovation. These newer items are not only more aesthetically pleasing, they are also very practical in that they are deep enough and wide enough to handle oversize pots and pans. New faucets come in all types of finishes and looks.

Then you should consider the floor. If your floors are looking dated and are ceramic, unfortunately you cannot paint is surface. Instead, you can either remove the tiles and choose something more modern or go with hardwood flooring.

Lastly, you should pay attention to the lighting in this room. In fact, for those who handle and prepare food, lighting is one of the most important features. One inexpensive way to update the kitchen is to install under-cabinet lighting and new fixtures. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchens. If you would like further information about kitchens or are looking for a reputable kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

What Can I Use In Traditional Kitchens?

By Matthew Kerridge

Like the old saying goes "what once was old is new again." This pertains to the traditional kitchens style all too well. More and more homes are being redecorated into this style and theme. These are kitchens that make you feel like you are truly at home and are always loved.

Placing a aged wooden farm table in the kitchen or dining area is a true way of really getting the traditional style. You can also buy vintage flour cabinets that are usually metal and wood painted white. These have the flour bin and sifter built right into them and the counter surface extends for rolling dough and cutting it out. This is a real find if you can locate one of these in perfect condition.

Your floors if you want to continue the country charm should be in tiles that are rustic in design or get linoleum that looks like real wooden flooring for half the price that actual wood floors would cost you.

A great way of thinking about things to add in your kitchen that flows with the traditional themes is to think what your Grandmother's looked like and what types of accessories and designs she had in it. This is true vintage traditional. This will make it much easier for you to choose items by thinking this way.

Your cabinets should be in natural pine or cedar with just a clear varnish on them. No paint or stain should be applied as this detracts from their natural beauty. You can also shop around for baker's rack to match it in color and display some cast iron cookware, stoneware plates and vintage tea towels etc. On them for even more touches of the country feel. If you want cabinets with color then go for traditional white with glass front doors on some or a country blue.

Use valances in rustic charm or wooden blinds for the kitchen windows to give that old country ambiance to them. If you have a wonderful wooden table then it is a shame to cover them up, but at holidays you do not want the wood to get ruined either. This is where you can use linen holiday tablecloths to give security of the tables and to give a holiday touch to them for those special times.

Browse on-line at some of the auction sites or ramble through flea markets and vintage shops for the best in classic country charm. Here you will find true vintage things to add into your kitchen and make the feeling even more cozy for all who enter within it.

You should have a spice rack located somewhere within your kitchen to top it all off. I know your mother and her mother had at least one. Also look for paintings that give you the classic country feel and that also has a little of you in them as well.

Using a center island in your design if you have the room is great for a work station, especially if counter tops are narrow. These islands give you more room to work and prepare your meals before cooking. They can be excellent homework stations as well.

Even traditional kitchens need a little modern touches to them, These can be added so that are not noticeable. Say a vintage looking refrigerator in classic colors may look old but really has all the bells and whistles of the new ones on the market too. Vintage looking ranges are the same as they deceive in their looks but have all modern gadgets within them. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like further information regarding traditional kitchens or are searching for a reputable kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

The Simple Solutions That Modern Kitchens Provide

By Matthew Kerridge

If you're interested in reviewing your kitchen, you may be interested in the simplicity of modern kitchens. Whether you call it modern or contemporary, your key materials in this type of kitchen setting are light wood, steel, glass, Quartz, and granite.

A modern kitchen has certain prerequisites. For one thing, it requires straight lines. It is sleek and doesn't have any type of embellishment. The right colors in these settings are usually cool or neutral. Although you may be picturing this is a very drab looking room, you couldn't be any further from the truth. In fact, it is everything else, like the materials that will create the interest. For instance, stainless steel is very sleek yet very interesting.

Modern kitchens working especially well in small spaces. Because of the simplicity involved in these types of kitchens, it avoids the room from being too busy and too cluttered. When the space is very large, ornamentation is necessary to draw the eye around the entire room.

Furthermore, these kitchens, give the appearance and the feel of a professional setting. They often have understated the details and open stock cabinetry in the form of shelves. Usually, the shelves house the cups, glassware, and plates.

If this is the look for you, then you have to consider de-cluttering and focusing on straight lines. Choose grad or marble for your countertops, and definitely incorporate steel or an other type of metal for your backsplash. You can also use Mosaic ceramic tile for your backsplash as well. All the appliances in the room must be finished in stainless steel.

Whatever you do, you must avoid clutter the room and keep it that way. So, you have to be prepared to have plenty of storage to keep everything out of sight. The only thing that you will keep on counters are the things that are essential. To get the real effect of the industrial kitchen, you should also consider hanging your utensils.

For those who like what a modern style kitchen can offer, but don't want to go all the way with it, there are things that you can do. For instance, if you have a relatively simple cabinetry style, then you can definitely achieve this look. All you need to do is add the stainless steel appliances, the granite countertop, and maintain the uncluttered feel. Go a step further and hang your utensils with a bar so you have easy access to them. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like further information about modern kitchens or are looking for a reputable kitchen online retailer pelase visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Learning More About Apple Cider

By Andy Garvin

Apple cider is a classic New England beverage that can be consumed and enjoyed on several occasions. It's typically a holiday treat served during Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Traditionally, apple cider is made from unfiltered apple juice, often served hot and flavored with spices. If you're planning to treat your holiday guests to this delicious drink, you'll want to have a good apple cider recipe on your hands.

One hot apple cider recipe calls for maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, and orange and lemon peels. The main component is apple cider itself, which can either be purchased or homemade. A cider press can help you extract the juice from the apples if you want your cider to be more authentic. However, this takes a lot of time and patience and it's more practical to just buy some.

No one will frown upon you for this, especially after they taste how good your cider is. Whichever you decide, when you have your apple cider, you mix it with maple syrup in a sauce pan, and then you wrap the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries and fruit peels in a cloth and drop it into the cider and syrup mixture. Then you simply heat the sauce pan until the cider is hot but not boiling. At this point, you take out the spice bundle and the apple cider is ready to serve.

Variations on the hot apple cider recipe can switch up the spices and flavorings used. Some examples of additional ingredients are nutmeg, brown sugar and cardamom. If you want a richer texture and flavor, you can add butter, and if you plan to make your apple cider alcoholic, you can add some rum or brandy to the mix.

If you're looking for a cold apple cider recipe, it uses similar ingredients except you may use juices, like orange and lemon juice instead of maple syrup and peels. Stir everything in a punch bowl and chill the mixture, and then you're done. Cold apple cider can also be made from a hot apple cider recipe-in this case, you chill the mixture that you've heated instead of serving it right away. Using the same recipe to make both hot and cold apple cider can satisfy everyone's temperature preferences. But regardless of whether it's hot or cold, drinking apple cider is a great way to celebrate the fall or winter season. Just make sure that there's enough to go around! - 30289

About the Author:

I enjoy writing about cooking and christian books on my digital book reader reviews website daily.

Learn How To Get The Most Out Of The Kitchen Showroom

By Matthew Kerridge

If you're like most homeowners that are looking to renovate their kitchens, you're probably a little confused. Thankfully, there are many resources that you could turn to in order to successfully renovate your kitchen, which happens to be one of the most important rooms in your home. Here you'll see how getting the most out of the kitchen showroom will help you to make educated decisions regarding your renovation.

For one thing, the kitchen showroom is equipped with various styles of kitchens that could very well end up being the one of your dreams. Secondly, not only are you able to see it and feel it, you'll also be able to put yourself in it and imagine this particular one being installed in your home.

Next, kitchen showrooms can help people become a little more creative as to where they want to place certain appliances in the sink and learn a little more about the very popular kitchen triangle that they may not be accustomed to. Let's face it, older homes, contractors and cabinetmakers didn't have the resources or the knowledge that exists today from the various professionals that can put the kitchen together in a very professional manner.

So, in addition to looking at different designs, you will also have a chance to get to know. The materials that are used in the industry of cabinetmaking. This way, you'll know whether you really prefer real wood or some man-made material. Professionals can help you choose the right colors that will look just right. Not only in that room at with your whole overall scheme.

Furthermore, you can also in spite of you that your use of the cabinets to see the latest storage solutions that will maximize your storage space. Everyone knows that we can't have enough space in our kitchens to store the various foods and other items that we keep in these rooms.

You will learn the cost of different kitchens and materials that are used in these rooms. Therefore, you will be able to make intelligent decisions regarding your choices, vis-a-vis with your budget. More often than not, homeowners are usually misinformed regarding the prices and realize this when their dreams, cannot be fulfilled because their budget is too small.

Having said all that, it is recommended that you visit as many kitchen showrooms as you can. Not only will you be confident about your decisions, you'll also know that you are getting the most for your money, because you will have shopped around. Furthermore, you will end up being happier with your choices because you will know exactly what is available and exactly what you can pay. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchen design. If you want to visit a kitchen showroom or are looking for a trusted kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Kitchen Renos Are The Number One Investment In Your House

By Matthew Kerridge

Kitchen renovations are the best investment in your home. So, if you want to increase the value of your home, this is the best room to begin in. There are different things you can do to improve the room itself which will require a small investment, or you can gut the entire room and start from scratch.

The former will be quite expensive, but will really increase the value of your home. However, there are other options that won't cost you nearly as much and can still bring up the value somewhat and still look beautiful.

For instance, simply changing the doors of the cupboards rather than everything in its entirety will save you lots of money. You will still benefit from a whole new look but without the extreme costs. However, even this can be too expensive for some people. Well, for them, there are still other options such as applying a couple of coats of paint on the cupboard doors and installing new handles and other hardware.

Even this will freshen up the room and give it a whole new look. You can even go a step further and paint the backsplash as well. That's right, you can paint the ceramic backsplash. All you need to do is sand the ceramics down so that they are dull, prime them and paint them a color of your choice.

It is recommended to change the counter top. This is not as pricey as you may believe it to be. Of course, there are so many choices to pick from, like laminate or marble, granite, concrete and ceramics. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can even install a granite-tile counter on your own. The look is outstanding and is only a fraction of the cost of a solid granite counter.

Changes like those above are recommended to bring your room up to date. But, you can also change and upgrade your floor. A ceramic floor is always sought after in a room with so much traffic. Again, if you are handy, you can save a lot of money by doing it on your own. And, you may want to consider radiant heating for the ceramics. It is always comfortable to have heated floors.

But, nowadays, many are leaning toward hardwood in their kitchens. This is mainly due to the coziness and timeless style that hardwood has to offer, as opposed to other flooring options.

The bottom line is that any updating you do to your kitchen, you will get most of the investment back, if not make a profit. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like more information about varieties of kitchen or are looking for a reputable kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

The Interesting Beautiful Attributes Of Traditional Kitchens

By Matthew Kerridge

Well most people may think they know what their particular style is regarding home decor, people don't really know the characteristics of traditional kitchens. The kitchen is a very important part of the house. In fact, many people claim that it is the heart of every home. People gather in this room, all the time to prepare and cook meals while sitting around and join them and having interesting conversation.

This is the room where most families will talk about how their day went. They get to know each other more and more each day in the kitchen. This is in combination with the functions that are absolutely necessary to everyone's life, setting it apart from every other room. Therefore, special attention must be paid to the way it is designed so that it functions properly, and it looks aesthetically pleasing for all the home dwellers.

Traditional kitchens are probably the most popular of any kitchen style. For example, while many people enjoy the simplicity of modern furniture, a modern kitchen is too far gone for them. Instead, they prefer the convenience of upper cabinets that provides them with much storage that is a necessity in this room. They also like the fact that they can be as simple or as ornate as the individual, who put them together.

The basis of this kitchen is the clean lines of the cabinets. From there, the homeowners can add embellishments of their choice in as few or as many places as they like. Some homeowners will add the maximum amount of ornate design, while others will opt for the minimal amount.

This style of kitchen usually has its hinges exposed to the eye. In addition to that, the ornamentation can be on the doors as well as on the cabinetry. Generally speaking, certain colors, like earth tones are the preferred ones. And, the materials of choice are ceramic tiles and wood. Of course, you're not limited to those choices.

Generally speaking, traditional kitchens incorporate some types of features of yesteryear. These can be done in exaggerated forms or in simple forms. In essence, they are just moldings or cornices and other decorative pieces that are attached to the foundation, i. E. The cabinets. Usually, there are deep paneled doors. Having said that, the homeowner can dress up or dress down the cabinets, to his or her liking. But it's comforting to know is that there aren't any rules set in stone. Basically, you can do as much or as little as you like according to your taste.

The bottom line is that there are no limits. And, you can add or remove items in your scheme to create a more modern effect or a more traditional one. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in kitchens. If you would like further information about traditional kitchens or are searching for a trusted kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

The History of the Crock Pot

By Ken Kudra

We tend to take our crock-pots for granted these days. They sit in the cupboard, unloved and unused until we really need to throw in a pot roast or something before we head off for work. Slow cooking has been around for hundreds of years, though. We do not realize how good we have it now.

Way Back When

People have been slow cooking ever since they learned how to use iron to make cookware. A pot could be hung over a fire, keeping food simmering all day long. Smaller Dutch ovens could be placed under the coals themselves to cook all sorts of meals. It did not take people long to learn that slow cooking could make their food taste wonderful. In those days, however, slow cooking required careful tending of the fire all day long, as well as frequent stirring of the cooking food.

Meats cooked slowly are tenderized because the low heat softens the fibers. It also melts the natural collagen found within the meat, creating a gelatin-rich, delicious meal chock full of goodness. Fibrous vegetables like parsnips, turnips, and rutabagas also benefit from slow cooking. Dried crops like beans and lentils are slow cooked to create delicious, hearty meals.

The Birth of the Crock Pot

The Naxon Utilities Corporation in Chicago developed what we recognize as a slow cooker in the'50s. They called their new pot the Beanery All Purpose Cooker. It was meant to help make baked beans. The Beanery was a ceramic pot situated inside a metal pan equipped with heating elements around the sides. This heated the ceramic pot evenly, while keeping the heat away from directly contacting the food.

Rival purchased Naxon in'70. The Beanery was renamed the Crock Pot and marketed to the many women who were leaving the home to go to work every day. Crock Pots helped many women feed their families every night. It made their lives easier knowing that a hot meal was waiting when they got home.

As the years have progressed, so has the Crock Pot. Now they feature removable ceramic pots for easier cleaning and storage of leftovers. The old ones were a single piece, making cleaning difficult due to the attached electrical cord. The new ceramic liners are even dishwasher safe, making them even more convenient for busy families. Many of the newer slow cookers also feature a warming setting as well as Low and High. Some are electronic and will automatically switch to warm when the food is done.

Long ago, women cooked many different meals slowly over the fire. Today, our crock-pots offer even more versatility. Stews, roasts and casseroles are very common meals that are made every day in the crock pot, but you can also make dishes like lasagna, sweet and sour chicken, and even your best chicken noodle soup recipes in your slow cooker.

You can also emulate your ancestors and bake breads by slow cooking. The more you use your crock-pot, the more creative you will get. You may even try desserts and dips if you get adventurous. - 30289

About the Author:

Chicken noodle soup recipes come from all corners of the globe. Try one from Thailand, one from India, one from Mexico, one from Spain, one from England and one from China. They are all essentially the same, yet they hold on to their own cuisines as well.

The Elements Of A Contemporary Kitchen

By Matthew Kerridge

There are several facets that go into designing a contemporary kitchen. I will give you some tips on designing a contemporary kitchen. When I think of a contemporary look, I think of minimal and simple, as opposed to overly decorative furniture and cabinetry. The contemporary look is very popular today, and it is beautiful as well as functional. If you keep a simple look in the kitchen you will achieve the goal of a contemporary look.

As you walk into your own kitchen you will see cabinets and countertops. Let us concentrate on the kitchen cabinetry. For a contemporary themed most people will choose wooden cabinets with clear doors. This type of door has hinges that are attached to the inside of the cabinets, so they do not show. If you want to put the molding across the tops of the cabinets make it a plain looking molding.

As strange as this may be, placing metal finishes next to wood finishes makes for a beautiful look. You may choose tile, concrete or laminate for your counter tops. You may use those same choices for your flooring as well. It will all become a nice cohesive look. Do not forget to buy the lighting and have it installed. Again choose metal or glass finishes for the lighting fixtures.

Let us talk about the color of your kitchen. Keep it light and airy. Contemporary theme calls for subdued wall and floor colors. You can add texture to the walls using special painting treatments. You can take classes to learn this technique at the local lumber store. Even though the colors are light, you can still make them beautiful Paint is just the background for the art and other things that will be hung on the wall.

If you do not have an island in your kitchen, you might want to consider buying a hexagon shaped dining table for your kitchen. Choosing a wooden or a glass top table would work. This will go well with the contemporary look and feel that you are looking for. Having a table will also give you the extra space you need to prepare meals and chop vegetables.

At this point we need to discuss the right paint for the kitchen. High gloss or satin paint is durable, and can be cleaned with a little soap and water. Flat paint is very difficult to clean up. The flat paint will smear and will have to be repainted. In my opinion I would go with the satin paint. Satin paint is mostly used on kitchen walls and cabinets.

The very last thing you will want to do is add all of those special things to your contemporary kitchen. For an accent color, choose something very bold. Use one or two accent colors like yellow and blue. Bring color in with fresh flowers and vases. Throw in a couple of brightly colored sculpture pieces. It is nice to have something like a tray that is not only beautiful but has a function as well.

You now have enough basic information to start making your dream of having a contemporary kitchen come true. Looking on the internet or through home decorator magazines will give you even more ideas on how to decorate your kitchen. You could also go to see the contemporary themed kitchens at the construction lumber store. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you want more information about varieties of contemporary kitchen or are looking for a trusted kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Implementing A Weekly Food Budget

By Mike Smithy

Many people are having a rough time financially and are trying to save money any way that they can. The cost of groceries is increasing and it is more important now than ever to create a weekly food budget. It takes some time to plan your meals for the week and stick to a strict budget. The amount of money that you can save by using this method is really amazing.

The first thing to remember is to eat before you go to buy groceries. This way you are not hungry and will not buy something on impulse. You need to bring a list and stick to it. Do not add to it and buy a bunch of extras. This defeats the purpose of a list.

Every grocery store will have a sale paper and you can also plan your list by stocking up on sale items. This saves a lot of money in the long run and it makes more sense to buy it on sale.

Using coupons can also lower the cost of food. You can find these in newspapers and magazines. They are almost the same as cash and can help you to stretch your budget.

When making your list, it is easier to put an estimated price beside of each item. This will help you to keep track of what your total should be. You may sometimes have to adjust the prices a little bit, but it is more of a guideline for you. It takes common sense to know when something is a good price and if you should buy an extra items.

You will save a lot of money by implementing a food budget and it is definitely worth the time that it takes to make one. Every penny saved is important in this economy and you will be surprised how quickly you will adapt to this way of thinking. - 30289

About the Author:

Times are tough and price of food is going up daily. It is important to try and save as much money at the grocery store as possible. This can be accomplished by implementing a strict food budget aka grocery budget.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Mexican Food Traditions

By Ken Kudra

The food of Mexico has a long and varied history. This diverse history is rich with a fusion of influences that has created a cuisine that is enjoyed all over the world. True Mexican cuisine is made of fresh foods that are prepared from scratch. The results are delicious and very good for you.

Mexican cuisine is the result of Spanish, Mayan and Aztec influences. Add in a dash of French and you have today's Mexican cuisine. Although it has a reputation for being spicy, not all Mexican dishes are hot. Some are creamy and sweet. Depending on the area of Mexico a recipe is from, the food could be based more on beans, fruit, or seafood.

Cortez arrived in Mexico from Spain in 1521. He and his group discovered many new foods in the New World that they had never tasted before such as squash, vanilla, peanuts, avocados, chocolate, tomatoes, corn, beans, and coconuts. They shared what they had brought from Europe. The beef, cheese, lamb, pork, garlic, wine, milk, vinegar, and citrus fruits were quickly assimilated into Mexican cuisine and have long since become a major part of their diet.

Every cuisine has a foundation of ingredients. In Mexico, it was squash, corn, and beans. Each region then added their specialties to this foundation. In the Yucatan Peninsula, seafood was the primary addition along with fruit-based sauces. In northern Mexico, the meat was almost always grilled over an open charcoal fire. Oaxaca is thought to be the place corn was first domesticated. Even today, there are many varieties of corn grown in this area that can be found nowhere else. Chiles are another staple in this area. They make seven different varieties of mole sauce in Oaxaca.

Veracruz and its surroundings have most recipes built on fish. Tacos, tamales and everything else is made with the abundance of fresh fish to be found in this area. Other common ingredients on the menu in this region include tomatoes, chilies, and olives. True Mexican food is nothing like what you may experience in the United States.

What we eat in the United States tends to be a fusion known as Tex-Mex food. For example, in Mexico it would be extremely rare to get both beans and rice in the same course, let alone the same meal. Here it is commonplace. In addition, salad is hardly ever made in Mexico. This is the influence from the cuisine here in the United States.

There are many traditional Mexican foods to be found at the grocery store, you just need to know where to look. Authentic Mexican cuisine is a delicious way to feed your family. Find some traditional recipes and try them out. You will really enjoy the fresh flavors.

Sitting down to a Mexican meal does not necessarily mean tacos and enchiladas, but this certainly is a wonderful way to enjoy it. The real cuisine of Mexico is rich and full of flavor. Enjoy some at your own table and see all it has to offer. You will be very surprised. - 30289

About the Author:

Mexican pots, pans and utensils can make cooking a Mexican recipe a lot of fun but Mexican cooking equipment is not an essential part of Mexican cookery if you do not have it. With our easy Mexican recipes, you can make many delicious recipes with your existing cookware and utensils.

The Best Italian Restaurants Bellevue Has Today Provide High Quality Food At A Good Price

By Luigi DeMarco

When you are searching for the best Italian restaurants Bellevue has to offer, you want to find the perfect place available to you. To choose the best place, you need to know a few things about the various restaurants in the area.

There are different types of Italian food served in various areas of the city. If you want to go to a nearby restaurant, that will make it easy to choose the best place for you. If you want to have a party, you will want to choose a place with the best food, but also a place who can handle the size of party you are planning to have.

If you pay more for a fine dining restaurant, you should know you will not necessarily receive better food for the price. At nice restaurants, you are often paying for the extra ambience rather than an increased quality in the food.

The best way to find good quality restaurants is by viewing customer reviews. These will often tell you about the many different aspects of the restaurant. They will often mention the ambiance and the quality of the food. This can be a good way to guarantee you get a good service when you dine out for Italian food.

Look into customer reviews for a better understanding of what your experience will be like if you go with a particular restaurant. When you know what the experience will be like, you can choose the perfect restaurant for the type of event you are having.

If you make sure the restaurant gets good reviews online, and you view the restaurant for yourself beforehand, you will certainly receive an excellent level of service with the restaurant you pick. Before you make your final decision though, you should make sure the restaurant serves the dish you want the most too.

Once you have found a restaurant with a lot of good reviews, and you have found a restaurant designed the way you want, take a good look at the menu. Then, you will know exactly what type of foods the restaurant serves, and you can make sure they provide your favorite Italian food.

Another important factor you should consider before you choose your Italian restaurant, is the type of alcohol you want the restaurant to provide. Some restaurants have great wine selections. These selections can make your entire dinner experience exceptional too.

If you are having a group dining event, talk to the restaurant beforehand to ensure they can handle a group of your size. Some restaurants will be better for groups than others. If you are going to dinner with a group you should certainly make a reservation beforehand. Then, there will certainly be a proper amount of tables and staff available to assist you.

If you make sure your Italian restaurant has great food quality, a good atmosphere, and enough space for your dining needs, you will feel much more comfortable when you go out to dinner. - 30289

About the Author:

Want to find out more about Italian restaurants Bellevue, then visit Luigi DeMarco's site on how to choose the best Italian restaurant for your needs.

A Variety Of Italian Cheeses

By Frank Zaftra

There are over 400 different types of Italian cheeses. The Italian cheeses will have a specific designation that is listed under the protected designation of origin. This states that the cheeses form specific areas were all made in a specific way that is traditional to that region. If the cheese is not made in the correct way then it cannot carry the designation of origin.

One of the most famous Italian chesses is Asiago. The texture of this cheese will differ depending on its age and very fresh Asiago is smooth and aged Asiago is crumbly. Asiago can only be made in the town of Asiago which is in the Veneto region of Italy. This cheese is frequently used in sauces, pasta, soups, salads or sliced on sandwiches and panini.

A mild and delicate soft cheese is Bel Paese. This is a semi-soft cheese that comes from the area just outside of Milan. However producers have started to make Bel Paese in the US as well as other areas of Italy. Bel Paese has a short aging period of 6 to 8 weeks and is made entirely from cow's milk. The name Bel Paese comes from a book by Stroppani which is called Beautiful Country.

A fun bite sized cheese is Bocconcino. This cheese comes in small balls that are made of unripened cheese. This unripened cheese does not have a rind and is typically made of buffalo milk. Today some bocconcino is also made of cow's milk. In order to keep the cheeses texture, which is spongy, bocconcino is packaged in water or whey.

Burrata is a type of cheese made form cream and mozzarella. The outside of the cheese is only made of mozzarella and the inside is softer and is made of cream and mozzarella. Burrata was first produced in the early'00s in a small spot of the Apulia region. It has since become and artisanal cheese. It is best serves when sliced open so the softer center can flow out. It should be eaten in 24 hours otherwise the flavors will diminish.

A cheese from Sicily that carries a protected designation of origin is Caciocavallo. This is a cheese made of sheep and cow milk and has a flavor very similar to provolone. This cheese is traditionally shaped in a tear drop form and the name actually translates to cheese on horseback. This name may be due to the fact that the very first of its kind was made using mare's milk.

A very old cheese that was a favorite of Michelangelo and Pope Clement XIV is casciotta d'Urbino. There are many different types of casciotta and casciotta d'Urbino is made in central Italy of cow and sheep milk. This is a rinded cheese that has a yellow or white interior and a very mild flavor.

A semi hard cheese that has a lot of fat in it is Castelmagno. This high fat content is due to the fact that whole cow's milk is used to make the cheese. The cows must eat very specific foods such as fresh forage and hay from a meadow or pasture. Castelmagno is normally found in fondues and veloutees and is excellent when paired with fortified wines or honey. - 30289

About the Author:

Looking to find the best deal on Italian cheeses, then visit www.italianfoodimports.com to find the best advice on Italian cheeses for you.

Planning Your Dream Dinner

By Lee Reid

A dream dinner may bring to mind a free steak for some people. Dream Dinners is also a clever food franchise that's growing fast. It involves prepared menus and locations where people go to receive instruction in cooking them. Yes, you're probably saying "why didn't I come up with that one"?

Americans are busier than ever before. Eating well at home is becoming more and more difficult . Even the terrific pre-made food available today in stores isn't quite the same as home cooking. When the schedule is packed, however, will people give up their jobs or their self made meals? This franchise lives in that space.

It works something like this. People visit the location and then choose up to all-- items on a provided menu. Food is then purchased by serving. Then the consumers cook the meals, at the store. There are both private and public supervised cooking sessions. It's a little bit like a cooking show where the show gives the viewer the food then helps them prepare it along with the host.

It's not as costly as it sounds. The more people buy the more they save, so all-- meals are about $3.50 per serving not counting sides and other items like salads. The cost per serving with the sides is about $5. That's a great deal for the food plus the cooking instruction.

These locations are franchises people own. It has its problems. The food and menus are fine, but the franchise owners may have a problem. Dream Dinners was profiled in March of '08 by Forbes. The story made the corporation look pretty bad. Franchisees flocked to this brand new idea. But it seems the business plan wasn't strong, as many of these people found themselves unable to continue the business after a short time and a lot of investment. Forbes claims the franchisees were sold a bill of goods when it came to the claims of wild success.

Let the franchisees and the company worry about the controversy, for the diner Dream Dinners is just what the chef ordered. - 30289

About the Author:

Looking to learn more about special evenings out, such as for Thanksgiving dinners, then visit our site.

All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware: What Every Cook Wants for Christmas

By Michelle Robert

As someone who loves to cook, I know how important it is to have a good set of fine-quality cookware in my kitchen. Nothing is more frustrating than to spend time preparing a fine meal, only to have it turn out poorly as a result of improper cooking...due to sub-par pots. And who really wants to be replacing their cookware every year or so? If you...or someone you know...feels the same way, then you will appreciate the All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware set.

Used by many professional chefs, and renowned for its excellence, All-Clad has become the cookware standard that most other companies strive to match. With a lifetime warranty for defects, this is truly cookware that will last forever. Whether as a perfect gift for a special cook...or an investment for yourself...All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware will be treasured for both its beauty and function for years to come.

All-Clad Stainless is constructed of durable stainless-steel layers over a pure aluminum core that promote even heating. In addition, each piece has strong, "stay-cool" handles, that are riveted to the pots for exceptional sturdiness.

In addition, each piece of the All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware set is stick-resistant, stain-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. And you will find that they work great on any type of cook-top surface.

Especially nice is All-Clad's commitment to making cookware that will last for years. There will be no need to replace your pots and pans every couple of years, as this is a cookware investment that will save you that cost over time.

It is no surprise that All-Clad stainless is used and recommended by so many chefs. Give the "joy of cooking" to yourself or someone special this Christmas with All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware. Beautiful, strong, functional cookware, with a lifetime warranty, that makes cooking a pleasure and clean-up quick and easy...who wouldn't love to own a set? - 30289

About the Author:

Learn about the All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware product specifications, information, and read the reviews from those who own one. Discover if the All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware is right for your family.

Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine: Why I am in Love With a Kitchen Appliance

By Michelle Robert

As someone who loves spending time in the kitchen, I am always looking for great products and tools, specifically anything that can help me cook better, faster, and more efficiently. If it helps in the clean-up department, that is not too bad either.

With this in mind, I was very interested to learn about the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine. I had no idea that this one little machine could do so very much! This is one versatile machine: useful for so many cooking and baking projects, for many folks it is truly the single most useful cooking appliance in the kitchen.

The Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine offers so many features, that it is almost like having a new toy in the kitchen. In addition to mixing dough for almost any baking need, with additional attachments it can become a shredder, slicer, and even a grinder. And my personal favorite: clean-up is a breeze!

The machine comes with a nice-size bowl, dough hook for up to 12 pounds of dough, and twin wire whisks, but with additional accessories and attachments, it can do so much more. This basically means that it is possible to eliminate all those other additional appliances that are taking up space in the kitchen.

With a powerful motor and the Bosch reputation for great quality, the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine will be around for all of your cooking and baking needs for many years, and as such is an investment that is worth making.

Whether you are a novice or a professional cook or know someone who is, this is one kitchen appliance that anyone will love. Functional, efficient, versatile, and built to last forever, the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine will make a welcome addition to your favorite kitchen. - 30289

About the Author:

Learn about the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine product specifications, information, and read the reviews from those who own one. Find out if the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine is best for your family.

Using An Online Kitchen Planner

By Matthew Kerridge

Because the kitchen is the main room of the house, it must be well designed to function properly. So, if renovations are in order, then the benefits of using an online kitchen planner are highly recommended. The fact remains that there is so much going on in this room. It is a multi-tasking, multi-functioning room that has much demanded of it and therefore must be in top form in order to perform.

For one thing, it will enable you to increase your chances of getting your dream kitchen. It will help you to create more storage space as well as a functioning and organized room. The bottom line is, it's a very important things, that needs plenty of attention to get things right.

Storage is key in a successful kitchen design. Unfortunately, with the shape of some kitchens as well as some obstacles, this can be a challenging feat. You may be required to redesign the entire kitchen plan, if it is that badly designed the first place.

Sure, you can go to do it yourself centers. But, no one understands your home, your needs and your style as much as you do. While it is recommended that you visit showrooms to really the feel of new kitchens and storage solutions, nothing will satisfy you more than designing your own space while answering all your needs.

Using these online kitchen platters, you're guaranteed to save money. Why? Mainly because, you will have everything in every issue addressed before you actually spend any money. They are easy to use and allow you to see the finished product including the colors and floors as well as other details.

Even though many people they think they know everything about a kitchen, it isn't as simple as that unless you are in the possession of tools such as an online kitchen planner. When you are equipped properly, just about anyone who knows how to use a computer to create a beautiful kitchen with all the latest designs and extras.

If you want to have the best results, planning with the proper tools is the key. And the best part is that your final design can be printed and brought with you when ordering your new kitchen. The benefits here are quite simple to understand; you have as much time as you need to try various items and different schemes until you are happy. Unfortunately, any DIY center or other kitchen renovation specialist will not spend endless amounts of time with you. Therefore, you may be rushed into a decision that you're not comfortable with. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in interior design. If you would like to use an online kitchen planner or are looking for a trusted kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Seafood is an Exciting Part of Mexican Cuisine

By Ken Kudra

When Mexican food is brought up, most people think of beef, chicken, or pork, not seafood. If you think about it though, Mexico has six thousand miles of coastline. With all that oceanfront property, seafood has got to be a big part of their menu. Mexico is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf of Mexico also provides a good fishing spot. The amount of seafood caught in Mexico every year is substantial.

Ceviche is a very popular seafood dish from Mexico. Made with small pieces of raw fish, squid, or shrimp, the recipe includes onion, peppers, salt, and cilantro. The fish is "cooked" with lemon or limejuice. The citric acid in the juice changes the proteins in the fish just like cooking. Even so, some ingredients will be cooked for safety purposes. You can enjoy ceviche on its own or used as filling for a taco. It is also wonderful on crackers or tostadas.

Seafood can also be simmered in the Veracruzana style. This is a sauce preparation made with tomatoes, chilies, olives, and capers. The resulting dish is both tangy and spicy. This sauce is often prepared with red snapper or shrimp. Veracruz and its surrounding region are well known for this and many other seafood dishes.

"A la Plancha" is a Spanish cooking method that is also popular in Mexico. In this method, a metal plate is set on top of an open flame for grilling. Fish does not stick to the plate like it does to a grill, yet it gets all of the grilled flavor.

Winter produces a huge assortment of seafood from the ocean in Mexico. Seafood is eaten especially on Fridays, when meat is forbidden in the Catholic religion. Lent is another time when seafood comes to the forefront. It plays a large part in the religious celebrations each family observes. Every cook has their own flair of seasoning that they use at this time, no matter if the seafood is something rich and sumptuous or something humble.

When you are looking for dishes to make at home, do not forget to look for those that contain seafood. You may be surprised just how versatile it really is. Chilies stuffed with shrimp, spicy clams and delicious snapper await your eager taste buds when you prepare them like they are served in Mexico.

Choosing a Mexican food recipe like one of those described here will increase your enjoyment of the cuisine. Make seafood stews, soups, and fillings. Put fish or shrimp in enchiladas, chimichangas and many more of your favorite recipes. Around Veracruz, one popular dish is known as seafood and rice. This delectable meal is made with crab, clams, octopus, shrimp, and fish. You could also try seafood frittatas. You will love it when you bite into these eggs full of crab, fish, clams, mussels, and octopus.

Do not write off Mexican food if it does not contain beef, pork, or chicken. Seafood truly shines in Mexican cuisine. Explore the culture of Mexico through its seafood and you will see everything in a whole new light. The seafood provides the perfect combination with the many spices and ingredients best loved in Mexican cooking. - 30289

About the Author:

Mexican pots, pans and utensils can make cooking a Mexican recipe a lot of fun but Mexican cooking equipment is not an essential part of Mexican cookery if you do not have it. With our easy Mexican recipes, you can make many delicious recipes with your existing cookware and utensils.

Lots Of Tips On Making Mashed Potatoes

By Ben Cook

There are many different ways you can serve and prepare mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are also known as smashed potatoes. Typically mashed potatoes are first cooked in order to make them soft enough to smash. Most times the potatoes are baked or boiled before they are smashed. You can mash potatoes using a mixer, ricer, potato masher and fork. There are also instant mashed potatoes made form frozen or dehydrated potatoes.

The type of potatoes you use is also very important and to create the fluffiest and creamiest potatoes you need to use very floury potatoes. Sometimes waxy potatoes are also used if you desire a different texture for your mashed potatoes. You can also add butter, vegetable oil, milk or cream to create even smoother mashed potatoes.

You can also add seasonings to your mashed potatoes for a different flavor. Some of the more popular seasonings include turnips, parsley, wasabi, spices, onion, mustard, cheese, bacon bits, garlic, salt, pesto and rosemary. The French have their own version of mashed potatoes in which they are mixed with egg yolks, pipette into ribbons and rosettes and then baked until they are brown.

There are also low calorie and low fat ways to prepare mashed potatoes. Instead of using butter or cream you can add broth or soup stock. It is important when making mashed potatoes not to overcook them as the starch grains can burst and turn into something with a glue like consistency. Generally cooking smaller slices of potato are much better than larger pieces.

To easily incorporate any seasonings to your mashed potatoes you should first mash the potatoes and then mix in the other ingredients. This helps keep the starch molecules intake as broken starch molecules produce a gluey consistency. This is particularly of importance when using a mixer to make mashed potatoes. You also can ensure that the added ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the mashed potatoes.

Mashed potatoes tend to be used as a side dish but they are also an important part of other main dishes such as potatoes croquettes, Cornish pasties, gnocchi, pirogues, colcannon, shepherd's pie, dumplings and cottage pie. Many time gravy is served alongside mashed potatoes and many countries have this style of bangers and mash and pie and mash.

Sometime the boiling potatoes will over boil and create a mess. To ensure that this doesn't happen you can put some oil or a bit of butter in the water as this forms a layer on the top that won't boil over. If you are going to add milk or cream to the potatoes then you should add warm milk as this creates very fluffy mashed potatoes. A small amount of baking soda can also be added to the milk or cream for even more fluffiness.

If you want to prevent the boiling potatoes from boiling over you can pour some oil on the top edge of the water or add a tablespoon of butter. It is recommended that you add warm milk instead of cold milk as this produces a very fluffy texture to the potatoes. For fluffy potatoes you can also add a small amount of baking soda to the milk or butter before you mash the potatoes. It is recommended that you cover the freshly mashed potatoes with a dish towel instead of a cover as the towel absorbs any moisture and keeps the potatoes fluffy and dry. You can also prepare your mashed potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm in a crock pot. - 30289

About the Author:

Ben likes his potatoes mashed. So if you are looking for some delicious mashed potato recipes visit his website that is full of different recipes. He specially recommends his mashed sweet potatoes recipe.

Giving Thanks - Bountiful Blessings Tell The Story Of Thanksgiving Day

By Angela Tyler

Mankind has always celebrated the harvest with a feast and with fellowship. A bountiful harvest meant survival and many blessings to come. Ancient civilizations have documentation that indicate celebrations were held during the harvest season each year. The Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Chinese are just a few people we know who held a festival each season when the harvest was in.

The first harvest festival celebrated in North America was in 1621. This is widely considered the first Thanksgiving. Native Americans were happy to share their bountiful harvest with the colonists because the Pilgrims showed their respect to the Native Americans by following the strict hunting and planting philosophies set forth by the local Tribes. By honoring the culture of the Native Americans, the Pilgrims gained their trust and their protection, ensuring the colonists' survival through the first harsh winters. This was indeed something to be thankful for!

The harvest celebrations in North America during the early years were not referred to as Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, the term Thanksgiving was a religious holiday observed in organized churches. The term Thanksgiving Day was used later as an official annual event in New York State. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving and since then every president has honored this day of thanks annually.

President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be held each year on the third Thursday of November. Later, Congress passed a resolution that moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of each November and that is when Thanksgiving is officially observed to this day.

The earliest harvest celebrations would not resemble the feasts we see on our Thanksgiving tables today. A twenty pound farm-raised turkey would not the the centerpiece. Instead, migrating ducks and geese would no doubt have center stage. A wild turkey may have shared the table, but would not hold the sacred spot the turkey holds on today's table. It is also widely believed that seafood would have been a mainstay on the harvest table considering the proximity of the colonies to the Atlantic Ocean's coastline.

Root crops and seasonal vegetables would be featured on the harvest table. Roasted potatoes, squash, onions, and late season corn would be plentiful. Side dishes which we are now familiar with would not be included for several reasons. Cranberry relish, macaroni and cheese, and green bean casseroles would be impossible to prepare or preserve. Desserts which rely on sugar, such as pies and cakes, would not be available. More likely, you would find winter berries and nuts as your dessert at a harvest festival. Because of the scarcity of sugar, salt, and spices, the food would be prepared simply. The meal would be plentiful, but not fancy.

It took a couple hundred years to develop the dishes that we traditionally think of as Thanksgiving dinner today. As food supplies increased and shipping became easier, our ability to make meals using a variety of ingredients became possible. For example, readily available canned goods made way for dishes such as the much loved Green Bean Casserole. We also developed more recipes around our modern appliances, such as the food processor, microwave, blender, and crock pot. Even a reliable oven, freezer, and refrigerator played a large part in how our meals evolved. However, our traditional Thanksgiving menu can take an unexpected turn. For instance, during WWII when sugar was rationed, we had to say good bye to our once beloved pumpkin pie for a while.

We gather to reflect on all the reasons we have to be thankful this year - our family and friends, the bountiful supply of food, and the conveniences we enjoy that help us get that feast on the table. The first harvest celebrations were a way for the colonists and the Native Americans to express their gratitude both for the bounty and for the survival of another year. Today, we give thanks for our own plentiful harvest, our loved ones, and the good years to come. Happy Thanksgiving! - 30289

About the Author:

With a few classic and simple Thanksgiving recipes, you can create a memorable feast that your guests will talk about for years. Gather up your favorite recipes and come visit us at FreeQuickRecipes.com to add a few more recipes that are sure to become part of your family traditions.

Find A Great Apple Crisp Recipe

By Eric Cook

As summer's heat passes and the days begin to get cooler, you can once again start to think about baking some of the wonderful fall deserts to serve warm and complete your dinner. One of the best of those deserts served from the oven is an apple crisp. The apple crisp recipe is pretty simple.

Apple crisps are a part of a family of easy deserts which combine a fruit filling with a pastry topping. There are several other deserts that use the same idea, although the pastry crust may be somewhat different. All of these deserts make up some great comfort foods that help to keep your body warm and satisfied. The crust for a typical apple crisp uses a mixture that works up very much like a streusel. Most toppings contain a combination that includes sugar, flour, butter, oatmeal and may include nuts for additional flavor.

When the desert is done and you open your oven, you will immediately see why this desert is called an apple crisp.

One of the good things about apple crisps is that they are the perfect desert for when the apples begin to get ripe on the trees. Fresh apples make the best apple crisps. One of the best choices is the Granny Smith apple that has a green skin and is very tart. Ice cream makes a wonderful topping for a warm apple crisp. If you want your desert to have extra flavor and color, try adding berries such as raspberries or cranberries to the apple crisp. For the English version, blackberries are a favorite addition.

If your apple crisp recipe calls for old fashioned rolled oats, do not substitute quick cooking oats. Quick cooking oats are cut then steamed and rolled. Old fashioned oats are steamed and rolled while whole. This gives them a much nuttier flavor and the apple crisp topping a much better texture.

Oatmeal is a whole grain cereal which has many health benefits. It has been shown to lower cholesterol and to be a great source of fiber. The apples are also a great fiber source, so this is one desert that you can eat, within limits and feel good about.

For a quick apple crisp, you will need four medium sized Granny Smith apples. Peel and core the apples. Slice them thinly. Place the apples in a-x9 baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with the apple crisp topping.

The topping is made with 3/4 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, one third coup of margarine, cinnamon and nutmeg. Normally it will take 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of each of the spices, but adjust to taste. Mix these toppings until they form a crumbly mixture and spread over the apples.

Place the apple crisp in an oven that has been preheated to 375 degrees and cook for half an hour or until the apples become tender.

Serve the apple crisp warm and topped with ice cream. If you have any leftovers the are good cold, but better if warmed in the microwave and served with ice cream. - 30289

About the Author:

Eric loves to bake apple crisp and this is why he runs a whole website to recipe for apple crisp where you can learn how to make apple crisp at home.

Comparing Water Filters. Essential To Do Before You Buy.

By Peter Abertoning

Many people worry about the purity of their drinking water.

There are now so many contaminants found in our water unfortunately. You can find chlorine, lead, drugs and way more in our municipal water that you , (but not me) drink daily. So for many people a good water purification system is a must. And there's so many different types of water filter to choose from.

Before choosing the right type of purification system for your home, its important to compare water filters beforehand. Here are some tips on how to choose the right filter for your drinking water.

Carbon water filters are known to be one of the most effective types of water purification systems on the market. They offer some great advantages, such as being fairly inexpensive and easy to install. It works when the water passes through charcoal medium carbon, which absorbs the impurities in the drinking water.

So you ought to seriously consider carbon water filters when doing a water filter comparison.

Reverse osmosis filters are also popular. They have a membrane with very small holes in it and the water has to pass through. Anything too small to pass through gets trapped and removed, but not everything that you want to remove is trapped. There are some contaminants that will still pass through. And reverse osmosis filters are also very slow.

Whole house water filters are a good option if you want to filter your water for everything you use in the house like drinking, showering and washing. A great option but more expensive than just filtering your drinking water, for example.

Distillation is another one of the many different types of drinking water filter systems out there. Although it is known to work fairly effectively at removing most of the impurities from drinking water, there are a number of disadvantages associated with distillation. It can remove healthy minerals from drinking water, can be very slow working, and costs a lot of electricity to run. Its important to take all of these disadvantages into consideration when you compare drinking water filters.

As you can see, there are many different types of water filters on the market that are available for you to choose from. Whether you decide to opt for an affordable, easy to install carbon filter or a slow-working, expensive to run distillation filter, there are a number of different water filtration options available for you to choose from.

I often talk to people about water filters and find often that the technical aspects of how they work are too difficult. Usually they just ask me to tell them which one is the best water filter available.

The best water filter is actually a modified form of carbon, or charcoal, water filter. As simple carbon water filter is good, but doesn't remove all contaminants. But there is a modern form of carbon, or activated carbon, water filter that combines the benefits of carbon filtration with a second stage of mechanism to remove the impurities that aren't removed by the carbon.

And although you wouldn't expect it these 2 stage activated carbon water filters are extremely cost competitive as well.

I write all about 2 stage water filters featuring activated carbon at my website. - 30289

About the Author:

Peter has a website all about Activated Carbon Water Filters and also mentors people to produce their own personal websites, an example being http://jennyjason.com/

The Vital Nature Of Kitchens In The Home

By Matthew Kerridge

Though, we may not think of them as often as we might if we were aware of their history, kitchens and their importance in the home can certainly make for some interesting historical study. These vital and completely ubiquitous rooms in the modern-day home have existed in various iterations throughout human history, even down to the basic campfire over which early human tribes cooked their food.

Scholars studying the development of technologies used in the home over the last several thousand years can tie the development of cook stoves and ranges to the concurrent development of the kitchen as we know it today. As those stoves became more sophisticated so too did the kitchens they sat in. Additionally, improvements in plumbing also contributed, though kitchens were still basic up until the'th century.

It was in the'th and'th centuries in the West that people began to look at the open fire over which most food was heated and prepared as less than adequate. As a result, engineers and others began to study the problem and also started applying solutions to the need to improve the cook stove and range. This allowed the stove to be brought into the home along with plumbing to create the modern kitchen.

Even though we look at kitchens today as almost an afterthought when thinking about where they came from, history reveals that even the ancient Greeks had areas in their homes that they considered to be kitchens. Wealthy Greeks of the day actually had a separate room where food was prepared. They were usually located next to a water closet or bathroom so that both could share a common fire.

The Romans, who were extremely efficient at taking designs and improving them, actually came up with the idea of large kitchens for common Romans, many of whom didn't have kitchens in their own homes. Wealthier Romans, of course, had kitchens that were often highly equipped and occupied a separate room in a typical Roman villa. Kitchens then kept fires burning all day to cook food.

It was in pioneer colonial America that a kitchen area soon came to be looked at as a vital part of the home. Usually, it was located next to a fireplace that was constructed near a corner of a cabin that was used not only to heat the living area but also the food. It was only later in American history that the kitchen came to be placed into a separate room.

The Industrial Revolution, working as it did on kitchens the same way it did with just about anything else involving technology, provided the greatest impetus in the development of modern-day kitchens. Updated and improved cook stoves and ranges soon came into being and with them the ability to create a room where food preparation and cooking of food could be accomplished more easily.

In the modern day that we live in, there seems to be a limitless variation in the ways and methods that kitchens can be built. Nowadays, they range in size from very small and equipped with a basic stove, refrigerator and sink all the way up to rooms in the home that often are larger than the total living area of a colonial American cabin or home itself. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like more information about kitchens or are searching for a trusted kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Modern Kitchens - Remodel For A Great Appeal And Maximum Use Of Space

By Matthew Kerridge

When thinking about updating a home, any realtor will tell you to focus on bathrooms and kitchens. These are the two rooms that buyers will spend most of their energy analyzing. Whether or not you are looking to sell your home, modern kitchens will both appeal to a large number of people and will raise the value of your property.

Every person everywhere has their own style and taste. These are reflected everyone's home. When you walk into their home you get a sense of what they like and how they are. This is especially true for kitchens. A lot of time is typically spent in kitchens and if they are done right, you will want to spend your time there.

Remodeling a kitchen and making it modern does not have to cost a fortune. A few minor changes can be made to make it more modern. Stainless steel appliances are huge right now. Changing out old appliances for new stainless steel appliances will give a modern look right away. This change will be a double whammy if these new appliances are energy efficient.

Energy efficient appliances are sought after. These are appliances that have been created with the intent that they use less energy. They are good for the planet and they are good for the wallet. These also can be used to possibly get a credit on your taxes. If you were to sell your home and you had these appliances, these would definitely be a plus with buyers.

Countertops are another upgrade that can have a huge impact in a kitchen. The current trend is to use natural stone. The one found and sought after in homes is to use granite. This is a long-lasting and durable stone that looks great. Stone has been seen to have been used on floors and as a backsplash.

Having wood cabinets and lots of storage in a kitchen is a must. Real wood is liked because it is durable and has the natural that is big currently. Having custom cabinets is also a plus. Going the custom route allows you to get creative and maximize your space in the most efficient way. By getting creative, you can have pull out drawers to save space and have appliances that are housed inside of cabinets when they are not in use. Clean lines are also a good feature to have.

A modern kitchen will have a huge impact on any home, new or old. They are sought after by buyers and done by homeowners to drive up property values. Either way, they are money well spent. - 30289

About the Author:

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvements. If you would like more information about modern kitchens or are searching for a reputable kitchen online retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com

Food Delivery Services

By Amy San

24 hour food delivery is available in nearly all cities in the US. This is revolutionary in terms of how people eat. For a long time, people had to depend on cooking at home when restaurants would close for the evening. People thought it was advancement when pizza and Chinese delivery became available. Then came 24 hour food delivery. This was revolutionary in terms of how people ate breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and snacks. People know longer had to leave their homes or buy ingredients to prepare dishes at home.

24 hour food delivery stemmed from 24 hour diners that served classic diner food such as omelets Greek salad, gyros, club sandwiches, French toast, waffles, fruit salad, grilled cheese and more. This kind of food is commonly ordered 24 hours a day because it is comfort food that Americans have grown up with.

Easy food to prepare is what a lot of people are familiar with and eat on a regular basis, more so than Chinese food or pizza. Restaurants discovered they could make a lot of money by sending out delivery drivers in cars. People love to order food out of convenience. Even being waited on in a restaurant does not compare to sitting in your pajamas and having whatever you want to eat delivered to your door.

There are now websites where you can type in your zip code and to view restaurants in your area and the times they deliver food. There will sometimes be a tab that indicates if the restaurant is open in real time. Some websites even have an option that allows you to actually order the food online using a credit card. Common choices for 24 food delivery are pizza and Chinese food, but now Thai, Indian, French, deli, Greek and Korean food are becoming popular also. 24 hour food delivery is especially used in cities with inclement weather. Through extreme rain and snow, most restaurants still offer 24 hour food delivery.

The food is brought to the place of residence and the customer pays with cash or a credit card they called in ahead of time. It is customary to tip delivery drivers 10% when they bring the food to your home. If the weather is not good, some people tip more money. Sometimes, an order may be wrong or missing components. In this case, the customers can contact the restaurants and let them know. Most likely, the restaurant will credit the customer on their next order or will send the driver back out. - 30289

About the Author:

I love writing about food and christian books on my audio book website daily.

Why Would You Use A Portable Water Filter?

By Peter Abertoning

Lots of people are interested in using a water filter in their home because they understand the importance of drinking clean water. Because our water that comes from the tap contains a large number of impurities like chlorine, pharmaceutical drugs, lead and other heavy metals, pesticides and much more. A water filter works to remove all of these nasty toxins that you don't want to be drinking and to provide you with clean safe drinking wtaer. But what about portable water filters?

There's some benefits that you get from using a portable water filter that you don't get from a regular water filter, though they too are very good.

If you can only afford one water filter a portable water filter is the way to go. Of course that's only if you can afford one filter, if you can afford more then fine. But a portable water filter has one premier advantage to all other water filtration systems. Ease of installation.

A portable water filter is just that, portable. So they are easy to use. Depending on the particular filter you just attach the filter to the faucet and off you go, clean safe great tasting water.

And there's more benefits. There's some water purification systems that work through the use of chemicals. Now to me that's defeating the purpose, using chemicals to remove chemicals. But there are many options for buying a portable water filter that doesn't use any chemicals.

A portable water purifier is also a great choice for those who like to travel a lot.

You can take a portable water purifier with you when you go. Maybe it's just to a summer vacation, but take your water filter with you. Or even just move it from room to room in the house if you wish.

So as you can see there are many advantages of a portable water purifier that don't apply to other water filtration methods, including ease of use and easy to take with you, for someone who moves around a lot.

There's a number of different brands available, and they differ widely in price, and features of course. So you need to compare water filters before you buy because it's important that you buy the one best suited to your needs.

If you can afford it of course you ought to buy a whole house water filter, then you have clean water to drink in the house, as well as clean water to wash and shower in. But you need a portable water filter to take away too.

Head over to my website to learn more about portable water filters as well as water purification in general. - 30289

About the Author:

Peter is interested in natural health and has websites about Water Filtration as well as Natural Skin Care.

Kitchen Redesign Options For A Big Impact

By Stacy Pollack

If you are trying to do a quick update or overhaul of your kitchen, there are several areas where you can get the most bang for your dollar. The kitchen is usually a central room in the house and visible from several different rooms. The color you paint your kitchen is, therefore, something that can make a big impact right away.

A color that might look good in the living room or den may not turn out to be an appropriate color for the kitchen. Additionally, if you choose to paint it a bright color that really stands out, you want to make sure that you are really going to like it. You don't want to have to paint it a second time just because you used the wrong color the first time.

Besides changing the paint color in your kitchen, the second thing that will bring the most impact is the flooring. When considering kitchen floor ideas, you need to choose the right surface that will be best for your needs. Not all kitchens will look right with a wood floor or a tile floor so you need to choose something that will be the right color and surface texture. Bigger kitchens might have a floor made out of wood that looks great when that same floor might look awful in a different kitchen.

Other than wood and tile, you can choose floor materials like stone, laminate, and granite. Laminate floors are common in older houses while wood and granite floors are quite rare but very nice when done in the right kitchen environment. Putting in a new kitchen floor is usually a big job but it is something that will make a big impact on the look of your kitchen and help greatly to modernize it.

The final thing that can make an immediate difference in a kitchen is the lighting. Some of the fancier lighting options include track lighting and lights that hang down from the ceiling similar to in a bar. You can use the lighting to highlight different parts of the kitchen and you can also use it effectively show off the color of the walls. Lighting is important in any room but especially so where it is needed for functionality as well as mood. - 30289

About the Author:

Are you looking for some good kitchen lighting ideas? If you are, please visit my site Great Kitchen Ideas.

Roast Turkey - A Delicious And Easy Feast

By Mark Knowles

Turkey is one of the better Thanksgiving meals for a feast because it contains a lot of meat to feed many guests and there is very little fat, calories or cholesterol to deal with. You will only find fat in the meat that is dark and in the skin. Your guests will appreciate the low fat qualities of the turkey and it will allow them to eat a few other things they shouldn't. The body processes turkey much more easily than it would beef or pork so those that have digestive problems will also appreciate this meat. Turkey provides the body with vitamins and other nutrients necessary to keep it strong and healthy

Roast bird does take a long time to cook but the process is relatively easy. A small bird of about 12 pounds will need to cook for around 180minutes if it is not stuffed and a large bird of about 20 lbs will stay in the oven around 5 hours. The prep time takes hardly any time at all.

Grocery stores carry frozen turkeys all year round. Some department stores even have fresh breasts and legs available at all times. You will need to thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator before you can put it in the oven and that can take a few days. A small turkey up to fifteen lbs should be left to thaw in the refrigerator up to four days and a large bird of up to twenty-five pounds will take around five days to thaw. The turkey will tend to drip while thawing so be sure to put it in a pan so you don't have drippings in your refrigerator.

The first step to prepping your turkey to cook is to remove the packaging. You will find some clips that hold the legs together and those need to be taken off. Once the legs are apart you will see the cavity of the bird and there is usually a small package inside that contains the giblets (internal organs or heart, liver and kidneys) and the neck. Traditionalists chop the organs up and cook them in butter to be placed in the stuffing and the neck is usually boiled in water with onions and celery to make bird stock for the gravy. You don't have to use them however and if you desire you can cook them and give them to your dog or cat. Never give it to them raw and never give them the neck.

When preparing the turkey give it a shower in your sink washing it inside and out making sure the water is clear. Just use water when washing down a turkey and do not use soap. Using paper towels dry off the bird and placing it in a large pan for roasting with the breast on top.

A bread stuffing can be placed in the cavity of the bird but never do that ahead of time. If you put it in any time except right before cooking you could be introducing food poisoning to your family. Unstuffed birds should have one to two peeled, quartered onions, and a few celery sticks placed in the cavity to impart their flavor to the bird. Garlic is another item that can be added but always put a few teaspoons of butter in the cavity with everything else. Place one stick of butter in a saucepan and melt it then take a brush and brush the top of the breast sprinkling on some dry sage and salt and pepper. Rosemary is another herb that can be added as well as thyme. In the bottom of the pan make sure to put 1 to 2 cups of tap water according to the lbs of turkey and put uncovered into a 450 degree F oven for about a half an hour. Turn the temperature down to 350 degrees F and cook for time allotted to the weight of the bird

Before you put the turkey in the oven insert an oven safe meat thermometer in the thigh of the bird. If you have an instant meat thermometer you can use it after the bird has been in the oven for awhile. The internal temperature of the turkey is important because it tells you when it is safe to eat. The time a bird stays in the oven depends on the size. Small birds go for about three hours, medium small (12 to-- lbs) go three and three fourths hours, medium (15 to') cooks four and one fourth hours, a large (19 to 20) cooks four and one half hours and a extra large (20 and up) should stay in the oven five to five and one half hours. You will know it is done when the meat thermometer hits'0 degrees F. If you notice the top of the bird getting too brown just add a tent of foil. Watch the thermometer and when it reaches about 150 degrees start basting by sucking the juices from the bottom of the pan with a baster and squirting on the breast and legs of the turkey every 20 minutes. This will keep the meat moist.

Make sure to let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. You will have a delicious roast turkey dinner and don't forget to save some for sandwiches and other leftovers. - 30289

About the Author:

With Thanksgiving approaching, it is time to think about the best roast turkey recipe and I prefer a traditional recipe, with traditional presentation, which includes a classic turkey gravy made the old fashioned way.