It’s a good time to be a foodie, and not because it’s easier than ever to post a picture of your meal on Instagram. No, it’s a good time to be a foodie because the culinary world is going through a remarkable renaissance in the 21st century.
Many of the most popular food dishes in the world have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years, ever since the first trade routes opened up and spices, seeds, and herbs started crossing borders, leading to an incredible culinary cross pollination around the world. While the best chefs can create exciting new dishes that quickly become popular staples (chicken tikka masala, anyone?), it’s much rarer for chefs to find new ingredients.
That’s what makes the latest trend in the culinary world so exciting. Micro greens are a new addition to the menu, but one that’s becoming widespread on menus in the U.S. and Europe. There have been a few exciting trends in the upscale restaurant world recently. While molecular gastronomy was all the rage a few years ago, the idea of eating dinner in the form of flavored foam never quite went mainstream. However, the farm-to-table concept has only become more popular, as more eaters demand fresher greens, fruits, and vegetables on their dinner plate.
Microgreens obviously fall into the latter trend, and this specialty produce has given many chefs a new ingredient to play with. So what are micro greens?
Micro greens are sometimes called petite greens, and they’re generally defined as the miniature form of greens like vegetables, herbs, lettuce heads, and other plants. NO longer than one and a half inches, micro greens are cut just above the soil so they include the plant stem and leaves. Usually, micro greens contain both developed and partially developed leaves attached to a stem. Organic micro greens are grown using organic farming methods, which avoid certain pesticides and meet higher growing standards.
The best micro greens also come with a powerful flavor, which has made them a versatile addition to a number of dishes, from raw plates to salads and even deserts. These tiny, tasty greens were first sold in Europe 20 to 30 years ago, and have only recently migrated onto American menus. However, they’re quickly becoming a popular ingredient among chefs looking to add something new to their culinary creations.
While some organic foodies claim that organic micro greens contain more nutritional value than mature vegetables and greens, so far these claims are unproven. But these plants aren’t becoming popular simply because they’re good for you, but because they simply taste good.
In 2016, organic micro greens are the ultimate way to eat green.

The Digital Age has introduced an interesting dichotomy among business owners and consumers alike. Marketing and advertising has never been more important (or easier) than it is right now. However, setting yourself apart from competition is the most integral aspect of any successful marketing and advertising campaign. Here’s a few ways to do so:

Custom Materials: It’s not ALL about your online presence, contrary to what some think. If you maintain a brick and mortar store, physical marketing materials are incredibly important. By creating a fun dynamic among customers and employees alike, business owners are setting themselves up for success.

Take ice cream for example: there are more than 2,500 frozen yogurt shoppes and 9% of milk produced in dairy farms is used to make ice cream. A gelato shop may print custom gelato cups and gelato spoons to stick out to their customers. Most Americans will eat ice cream almost 30 times in one year. This creates a huge opportunity for marketing, but the large number of frozen yogurt shoppes creates a decent amount of competition. Having customers eat out of custom ice cream cups is a great marketing technique. Setting yourself apart is imperative.

Social Media: All business owners know how important it has become to maintain a social media presence. However, it’s not enough to simply tweet a fun fact once a week. A key aspect of staying relevant on the internet is to participate in popular hashtags and hold contests. By creating an interactive vibe surround your social media, consumers are more likely to follow and interact with you, which will inevitably increase your visibility.

As a business owner, few things are more important than setting yourself apart from your competition. Whether it be with custom ice cream cups or colorful spoons, it will be worth the effort.

Americans do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. In fact, a whopping 91% do not consume enough vegetables and nearly 87% do not get enough fruit. There are consequences to eating too few fruits and vegetables. People who consume less than four half cup servings of vegetables have an increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. While many people eat on the go these days, it is easy to get the recommended amount of both. Many people jump start health regimens with a juicing cleanse.

Tips for Doing Well on a Juicing Cleanse

Pick the right cleanse. There are a lot of juicing cleans plans out there so you should do some research and find one that works best for you. In terms of timing, you can select a 5, 3 or 1 day juice cleanse. Some people start with a short juicing cleanse plan but then they really like it so they extend it for a longer period of time. There is no real wrong way to do this so find something that works for you.

Look at your schedule. Before you start your juicing cleanse plan, look over your calendar and plan it accordingly. You probably do not want to do any kind of juicing cleanse the week of Thanksgiving, for instance. Even a 1 day juicing cleanse would be hard to follow on a day most of us set aside to indulge in eating. Pick a time when you do not have a lot scheduled and write this in. Commit to this as much as you would any other important event.

Make sure you are prepared for the juicing cleanse plan. This is especially true if you are doing a juice detox cleanse plan and have been partying a lot. For the first part of the juicing cleanse, you may feel sick. Some people describe this as feeling a lot like the flu. Some report spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Others do not notice any changes when they start their juicing cleanse. If you have been indulging in anything unhealthy, try to ready your body for the change by eating healthier for a few weeks prior to your cleanse. Eat less processed foods and limit your sugar intake. Try to work in some healthier foods into your diet. This will make the time you are on your juicing cleanse a lot easier on your body.

Prepare yourself for the juicing cleanse. While the plan itself is not hard to follow, there is some effort required. Get and clean your juicer. Prepare all the fruits and vegetables that you will need as far in advance as you can. It is much to easy to put off a juicing cleanse if you have a lot of chopping and cleaning to do just before you start.

Be good to yourself. One way to get your mind off how hungry you are (note: everyone is different so if you are hungry, drink more juice) is to get out and do things you like to do. Sitting at home by yourself will only make the time you are on the juicing plan go by slower. Take a walk or bike ride. Get a massage or a manicure. Do some of the things that you like to do but do not take the time for normally. When at home, make yourself a nice bubble bath or curl up with your favorite book or movie.

Be careful after your cleanse is done. You should ease back into eating normal food when you are done with the cleanse. It may be tempting to eat a bunch of the foods that you have been avoiding but you should stick with easy to digest foods and beverages for the first few days. Just work up to what you are used to eating.

Juicing cleanses have been around for a long time. They are often used to lose weight but have other benefits as well. Remember, you can try these any time and if you do not make it for the full duration of your plan, any time trying one is beneficial to your health.

How long is the juice aisle at your local grocery store? There are all different kinds of fruit to turn into juice of course, but now we are offered cold pressed juices, organic juices, low calorie juices, and numerous other combinations so as to appeal to every shopper’s needs. It can be confusing to decide on the one that is best for your body, especially if you have specific health concerns.

Have you ever thought of doing a juice cleanse?

A juice cleanse is when a person decides to consume only juice for one day, or a few if they are very determined. This type of crash diet should not be attempted without first consulting your doctor on its merits and safety. Juice cleanses gained popularity because they were said to help people lose a few pounds quickly. The trend today is using an organic juice cleanse, or a juice delivery system so that it is easier for the perpetual on-the-go crowd.

Are juices all the same?

One potential problem is that it can be very difficult to get enough nutrients. If you are not drinking cold pressed juice, your body could be missing out. The way a juice is made can change its nutrient profile, which according to the World Health Organization is a way of scientifically cataloging the nutritional composition of different foods. For example, a juice with added sugars is ranked differently than a juice with no added sugars.

How much fruit and vegetables should I be eating?

The Center for Disease and Control has found that 87% of Americans are not eating enough fruit each day. And 91% are not eating enough vegetables. The recommended amount for the average adult is about two cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables each day. As a reminder, if you do not feel like getting out the measuring cups, one large piece of fruit is about equal to one serving.

Add vegetables to your beauty regimen.

Vegetables help keep your body hydrated, as they contain 85% to 95% water. Keeping your body hydrated from the inside out can help prevent or minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Phytonutrients are compounds found in plants that help protect them from things in their environment, such as damage from the sun, pollution, and stress. These compounds are beneficial to our bodies as well. Vitamin C, for example, helps our bodies form more collagen, a compound that helps keep our skin supple and smooth.

So vegetables and fruit are beneficial-why drink cold pressed juice?

As stated before, cold pressed juice has nutrients that the shelf-stable bottles in the grocery store do not. And the reason why is in its creation: the fruit to be juiced is pressed when it is still fresh, so the extracted juice must be kept chilled to avoid spoilage. The bottles on shelves do not need to be refrigerated before drinking because they have been pasteurized, which means the juice has been heated to kill off any bad microbes. The problem with this method is that it also destroys quite a few nutrients. And on a juice cleanse, your body needs all the nutrients it can get.

Cold pressed juice is a convenient way for busy people to get more fruits and vegetables in their diet. It is faster to drink two cups of vegetable juice than to eat two cups of salad, and more convenient to take on the go. Eating fresh, whole fruits and raw vegetables is generally regarded as the absolute best way. But, for us lesser mortals, drinking cold pressed juice can meet a daily goal without too much inconvenience.

It’s hard to decided which is more enjoyable — the light sweetness and variety of toppings available for your frozen yogurt, the classical creaminess of traditional ice cream, or the deep, rich flavors of sophisticated gelato. But when it comes down to it, what even are the differences between these three deliciously cold treats? Find out some surprising facts about your favorite frozen desserts.
Ice Cream
If you’re like 40% of Americans, in the next two weeks you will eat ice cream. In fact, the average American will consume ice cream 28.5 times a year! In the U.S., there is actually a standardized definition for ice cream — it’s a frozen dessert with no less than 10% milkfat. Typically it is cream, sugar and sometimes eggs that are frozen while being churned in order to incorporate air which keeps the ice crystals small. Bet you didn’t know that air is what accounts for ice creams smooth consistency! The “overrun” is the measure of the volume of air that was incorporated into the ice cream during production, and even though the amount of overrun isn’t noted on the label, the weight of an ice cream container can indicate its quality — the heavier, the creamier and richer.
Gelato
When you hear the word “gelato”, most likely you have summoned up an image of Italians in stripey shirts, yelling “Gondala! Gondala!” on the streets of Venice. While they do have gelato in Italy, the version that was brought over to the States isn’t exactly the same as the authentic Italian one. In theory, gelato is traditional made with whole milk and without added cream. Unlike ice cream, gelato has very little or no air churned into it, and is allowed to be served semi frozen. There is no official gelato standard in America, so what you are likely licking from your spoon is some sort of reduced cream version of ice cream. So if you are every in Italy, don’t be afraid to indulge in authentic gelato more than once — or twice — a day — who knows when you’ll get it again.
Frozen Yogurt
“Fro-yo” as it has been lovingly dubbed by its many followers, does not, against popular belief, have to be yogurt at all. In fact, fro-yo is usually a frozen treat with less fat than ice cream, a tart flavor, and that contains yogurt cultures, whether they are active or not. Its low calorie count has made it a favorite among just about everybody, apparently — at the end of 2013, there were an estimated 2,582 frozen yogurt stores in the U.S. It’s become a modern tradition to pile on the toppings — so take the excuse to eat as many gummi bears and cookie crumbles you can!

According to research by NPD Group, about 40% of Americans will eat ice cream in any given two-week period. Even in the winter, the cold, creamy joys of any frozen treat, whether it be ice cream, gelato, or frozen yogurt is a true delight. During the summer, it is almost necessary medicine for hot days and nights, and accordingly, June is the month when the most ice cream is produced.

There are seemingly endless options for consuming your favorite icy snacks — pouring espresso over vanilla ice cream, loading up your fro-yo with endless topping, or even right out of the box and freezer in the most desperate situations.

Here are a couple of suggestions for how to eat some delicious treats, and utilize your dessert supplies, specifically ice cream:

1. On… Anything
Seriously, pretty much anything becomes much better when you have it “a la mode” — think pie, cake, cookies, pudding, crumbles, crisps, or even beverages like coffee or hot chocolate.

2. Sandwich It
When you start to think about it, the possibilities are truly endless. Think Ritz crackers, cookies, spun sugar, churros, Lucky Charms, and even mini blueberry pies. Basically anything can be used to deliver ice cream or any other frozen snack to your mouth faster and more deliciously.

3. Cup It
Now, this may not seem like the most creative option, but it certainly is the most efficient, and accommodates the most toppings. This is especially important when it comes to frozen yogurt, which almost always warrants yogurt cups. For this reason, frozen yogurt has been becoming extremely popular — there were an estimated 2, 582 frozen yogurt stores open in 2013.

Do not be ashamed of the need for frozen treats. They are satisfying and delicious to pretty much everyone, and the ability to mold and shape them offers infinite possibilities for getting really creative with your ice cream consumption. Whether it’s just for you, or you want to serve some unique treats at your next gathering, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and stock up on dessert supplies.

Remember, there is noting a couple of cookie crumbles and chocolate sauce can’t fix!

Microgreens — if you haven’t heard of them, probably the word brings to mind eco-friendly health fads, raw vegan diets, and claims of superfood status. The truth is, these little guys have been making a serious come back for a while now, and are used in the kitchen of high end restaurants in order to deliver big flavor in little packages. Although these little guys have been around for 20-30 years, many people are unfamiliar with the term. Check out this introduction so you can learn the truth about these amazing little greens.

What Are Micogreens/
Typically, petite micro greens are lettuces, herbs and greens that are harvested at a younger age than typically picked. Edible flowers are included in this group and are often used in tandem with other microgreens to produce a dashing aesthetic look and a floral palette. Micorgreens are typically grown in soil substitutes, or with technology like hydroponics.

How Can I Use Them?
For one, you can use both microgreens and edible flowers are toppings on classic dishes like pizza, which often lacks the fresh flavors of herbs and greens. They can be used as a garnish on any number of dishes, adding a burst of color and flavor that can bring any dish from bland to great.

Don’t discount their use for simple, nutritious salads, either. their delicate flavor makes for a truly amazing salad. Edible flowers thrown into a bowl of greens turn summer lunch into a beautiful photo op — don’t forget to post it on the Flickr group called “I Ate This,” which includes more than 300,000 photos contributed by more than 19,000 members.

If you plan to use microgreens in a dish, don’t forget that they should be stored at an optimal temperature of around 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit, to prevent any wilting.

Don’t underestimate the uses for microgreens and edible flowers as ways to adorn desserts and entrees. Edible flowers make for beautiful cakes, and toppings for sweet cupcakes. Pair them with sugar flowers and petite micro greens for a lovely birthday celebration.

Of the many iconic cinematic dessert moments, nothing quite tops the scene where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks grab dessert in the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail. But sadly, if you were hankering for a sundae from the famed eating destination, your chances might be dwindling. According to DNA Info, Cafe Lalo might be closing soon if business doesn’t turn around soon.
Despite requests for comment, the owner has not made any further statements on the fate of the cafe. However, an online NY paper reported that the business’ financial performance has not been up to snuff. According to the article, the business’ late-night hours and European-style windows have resulted in a litany of sound complains from loud music and customers.
While this is sad, potential business owners can learn a lot from the follies of Cafe Lalo. In order to run a successful dessert cafe, you need to have all of your bases covered, included a good business plan, creative custom dessert supplies, and a creative and responsible team. As you go forward, here are some key things to remember:

Know The Foundations of Business
Running an ice cream shop requires far more than buying a few pints of ice cream and pricing it based on whatever sounds right to you. Rather, it’s important to know the business logistics behind your prices, namely, knowing the cost of overhead — from the toppings to the ice cream cups with lids. Additionally, it’s essential to know how to pay appropriate small business taxes and how to keep track of local health laws so that your business stays within compliance of these laws. Additionally, you’re going to need to have a sound marketing plan and a reasonable budget to execute this plan.

Go Custom
From the ice cream cups with lids to spoons, everything should speak to your shop’s brand. Custom dessert supplies make your shop a memorable place to be, leaving a mark on whoever enjoys your treats.

Diversify Your Product
One can learn a lot from the frozen yogurt store Red Mango. Not only does the eatery sell frozen yogurt in a number of flavors with a topping bar, but it has also began to diversify its product, also offering sandwiches and smoothies to their menu. A wide variety of treats means more customers and service.

The drinking water supply here in the United States is one of the safest kinds of water in the entire world. Having said that, even in the States, some of the sources that provide drinking water can be contaminated which causes sickness and even disease. Drinking water sources are very prone to contamination and have to have the right treatment in order to remove waterborne germs and agents that can cause disease. There are various different methods of treatment that are used to in order to make drinking water safe. The most common types are:

1. Coagulation and Flocculation – This the the first step in water treatment. Usually chemical drum pumps will be used to add chemicals to the water that contain a positive charge. This neutralizes any negative charges that are in dirt and other particles that may have dissolved into the water. The particles then bend with the chemicals in order to form larger particles.




2. Sedimentation – Then comes time to allow those larger particles to settle. The large particles are called floc and during sedimentation they sink to the bottom of the water supply because of how heavy they are. This is done on purpose so as to separate the floc from the water.




3. Filtration – Now that the floc is at the bottom of the water, the clean water on top can pass through different types of filters including sand, gravel and charcoal so that the dissolved particles like dust, bacteria, viruses and chemicals can be skimmed. The chemical drum pumps that were used to deposit the chemicals in to the water in the beginning can sometimes play a part in the filtration process in order to remove any bad chemicals.




4. Disinfection – Lastly, after the water is filtered, it needs to be disinfected. Chlorine or chloramine is added to kill of any parasites, bacteria or viruses that may have been missed in the other steps. This protects the water from germs as it passes through the pipes and go into homes and workplaces.

Different communities may treat their water differently depending on the quality of the water to begin with. Sometimes chemical drum pumps are used and sometimes they rely fully on the filters. Surface water usually needs more filtration and treatment than ground water so in those case chemical drum pumps might be used. But, lakes, rivers and streams contain more pollutants and sediment so they require more treatment.

Even though water goes through this huge process before even entering the home, many people still feel more comfortable installing their own home water treatment systems in order to remove contaminants, make the water taste better, take extra precautions or turn hard water to soft water. Most home treatment systems will use sanitary pumps. Typical household water treatment units consist of:

Having the best water that you can is important to many people so there really is no limit to how many times water can be filtered. The EPA approves the first process and has determined that after that treatment, the water is safe but if people want to continue to filter and clean their water, there’s nothing wrong with that. Water can never be too clean and if it encourages the residents to drink the water then that is what matters. People tend to not drink as much as they should so anything that encourages water consumption to be upped is a great idea. We should drink an average of 64 ounces of water daily. You may want a system to make your water more appealing to you if you don’t drink enough.

Look: everybody loves chocolate, especially women. And that’s not a stereotype! Let’s be honest, ladies — we really love chocolate. Of course, even if girls have a bit of an edge, everyone does love chocolate, with 91% of women and 87% of men eating the sweet. While America consumes a great amount — 20% — of the world’s chocolate, people all over the world are susceptible to a love of chocolate, with Europe account for 50% of its total sales in retail. In fact, we love chocolate so much that some of us feel “chocolate guilt”. It’s true that some major brands of chocolate aren’t good for you; but that’s because this kind of chocolate is being packed with unnatural ingredients. Chocolate at its most natural — particularly organic dark chocolate — has many benefits. There are so many myths surrounding chocolate; so we decided to go ahead and dispel some of them. That way, you can enjoy chocolate the way it should be enjoyed: without guilt, and wholeheartedly.

Myth #1: Chocolate Has Zero Health Benefits

In today’s world, you’d think that all chocolate is just straight sugar! As matter of fact, there are many different types of chocolate available. Pure dark chocolate, especially organic dark chocolate, has plenty of benefits. It’s true that the less refined sugar and chemicals are packed into chocolate, the healthier it is. Organic dark chocolate is not always unsweetened chocolate, although it can be. If you wanted it sweetened, it can simply be sweetened in a more natural way. Organic dark chocolate has been linked to health benefits such as increased antioxidants and fiber. It also improves blood flow and can lower your blood pressure. Organic chocolate can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. It can even protect your skin from the sun and improve your brain function. As we know, chocolate also tends to relax people and make them feel better! Plus, contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not high in caffeine. A single ounce of milk chocolate contains only five to six milligrams of caffeine. This is far less than the amount found in not coffee but also tea and soft drinks. However, it’s still enough to give you a little boost of energy.

Myth #2: The Production Of Chocolate Is Bad For The Environment

There’s a wide belief that chocolate, like other wholesale products, cannot be made in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which come from the delicate cacao trees. Wholesale professional chocolate can be made in an environmentally friendly manner. Organic chocolate can be made in the shade, which means that the trees used aren’t scorched, and aren’t placed in unnatural direct sunlight. It encourages growth in the most natural way possible. While shade-grown chocolate is not as plentiful as chocolate that comes from cacao produced in cacao farms, it is of a higher, organic quality. Shade-grown chocolate has other benefits as well. Its production supports local communities. By allowing communities to take part in the growth of organic chocolate, wholesale chocolate suppliers are encouraging not only environmental growth but human growth.

Myth #3: Chocolate Is Just For Candy

In fact, chocolate is not just for candy. Chocolate and cacao powder can be used to make healthy energy drinks, and is commonly used in baking. By using organic cacao powder in baking rather than mixes or overproduced cacao powder, you achieve not only greater health benefits, but a better taste. There’s no comparing organic cacao powder to refined, chemically processed cacao powder. The results are radically different. Of course, through all of this we don’t mean to say that candy is a bad thing — but don’t miss out on the chance to make your own!

There are plenty of reasons why people not only eat chocolate today, but have been eating it for centuries! So next time someone asks you why you’re eating chocolate — just take another bite.

We have all been there. We are leaving work or a night out with our friends and hunger hits. We immediately rack our minds of what is near and what sounds good right then. We try to figure out where to eat. We may come up short on options, quickly narrowing down our list. Eventually, we may choose one of the restaurants that are the closet, for sheer convenience, not thoroughly enjoying our meal, wishing we had chosen a different option. The restaurant that you choose probably will depend on your location and on the convenience that the restaurant offers.
Although carry out may be tempting, the restaurants may be closed or you might not be interested in going through the hassle of placing the order, waiting for the food to be cooked, going into the restaurant to pick it up and then waiting, again for the server to get to you. Fast food may be tempting because of the convenience and the speed of it, but it is not the healthiest thing you could eat. You also might not be in the mood for something that contains so much grease and fat.
Catering or carry out is probably not an option, because you don?t know exactly when you will be home and besides, you don?t want to wait for the food that long either. You also might not want to pay the high cost of delivery and then having to tip only makes it even more expensive.
That leaves you with the question then of, where to eat? Or more specifically, you are asking where to eat near me? The newer concept of fast casual or a casual fast restaurant is great option for both convenience and health. The food is prepared directly in front of you, making it a very quick process. It is, however, actual food that was prepared and not deep fried and then frozen. Chicken is actually a great choice to purchase in fast casual, because it is prepared fresh and then served to you hot. In fact, Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world. It is the number one protein consumed in the United States. Americans purchase 700 million pounds of chicken leading up to July 4th! Additionally, chicken is such a popular option that the National Chicken Council projects that in 2016, the U.S. will consume 91.8 pounds of chicken per capita.
When you are wondering where to eat, a fast casual restaurant seems to be a good decision. It offers convenience, speed and healthier food than fast food. Fast casual restaurants have a variety of food choices available, with chicken being one of the most popular. Chicken is a popular meat consumed in the United States, much more often than any other protein. The next time you are leaving work or leaving the bar with your friends and hunger strikes, remember the fast casual restaurant that is serving your favorite dish of chicken.

It’s no secret that chocolate is a popular treat around the world. The U.S. alone boasts 20.96% of net cocoa imports, making it the world leader in all things chocolate. This is despite the fact that worldwide, consumers eat around 7.2 million metric tons of chocolate every year. Fortunately for chocolate lovers, not only is chocolate tasty and well-loved, it can also have health benefits if you know where to look.
For one, chocolate has a low caffeine content. A single one-ounce bar of milk chocolate only has five to six milligrams of caffeine, which is significantly less than coffee, tea and sodas. The caffeine found in chocolate is all natural, coming from the cocoa bean itself. According to Amano Chocolate, the caffeine protects the bean from being eaten by wildlife. Coffee and certain teas are also naturally caffeinated but contain about 10 to 30% more caffeine than chocolate.
The most health benefits in the chocolate family can be found in dark chocolate. According to Natural Society, the nutritional value comes from the cocoa beans themselves. Chocolates labeled “Fair Trade” have higher concentrations of cocoa and overall less milk, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. Cocoa beans contain antioxidants that help support the immune system and are good for a health heart.
Chocolate is a popular between-meal snack and 22% percent of all chocolate is consumed between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight. In order to decrease some of that midnight-snacking guilt, consumers should look for organic bulk dark chocolate. Organic chocolates are rich in antioxidants and are great for everything from a quick snack to delicious brownies.
Bulk dark chocolate is certainly an acquired taste, as it is the most bitter of the chocolate group. However, lovers of white chocolate may have some healthier options as well. According to food blog Gluten Free on a Shoe String, raw cocoa butter is a health-conscious ingredient for anyone who wants to make their own white chocolate. As with dark chocolate, the nutritional value comes from the cocoa bean itself.
Chocolate no longer needs to be the guilty pleasure people hide under their bed. If you know the right labels to look for, chocolate can be more than just good for your soul, but good for your body as well!

Root vegetable and micro green varieties slaw.
Bleu cheese and argula salad.
Corn, avocado, and pickled onions.
Granny Smith apple slaw.
Miso-ginger vegetable medley.
Argula and balsamic vinaigrette.
Kale and aioli.
Whole wheat couscous, roasted fennel, and dried cherry salad.
Thai turkey lettuce wraps with shaved water chestnuts.
Greek argula salad.
The family’s decision to start ordering food kits from the increasingly popular home meal delivery service has been a success. In fact, the youngest daughter in the family said, “These are the best meals that we have every week.”
Even better than the taste of the meals is the opportunity to taste different kinds of meals. The vegetables and salads are especially interesting. Several of the salad recipes use unique ingredients like micro green varieties and organic microgreen seeds. In fact, adding microgreens to salads has become a standard for the family even when they are are not preparing one of the pre-portioned ingredient meals delivered to them.
Is Your Family Looking for a Way to Add More Variety to Your Weekly Meals?
Most families in America get in a rut when it comes to the meals that they prepare in their kitchens.

• Hamburgers on Monday;
• Pasta salad on Tuesday;
• Tacos on Wednesday;
• Roast on Thursday;
• Leftovers on Friday.

By the weekend many families completely give up and eat out several times rather than cook at home. And while the main dishes that are served in kitchen across America may repeat themselves, the side dishes like vegetables become increasingly monotonous. Over cooked green beans, starchy potatoes, and various forms of corn fill the plates and serve as the only vegetables that most people eat. The health recommendation of filling a third of the plate with vegetables, however, find many people looking for more variety. The trend toward root vegetables, micro green varieties of lettuces, and squash encourage some home cooks to extend their offerings. The problem with offering new food choices at home though is the challenge of learning to purchase and cook these items. Although they may be tasty and look appealing on a plate in restaurant does not necessarily translate well to the home cook who has worked outside of the home for eight to nine hours before preparing that meal.
Home cooked meal ingredients delivered straight to the home eliminate the hassle of roaming the aisles of the grocery store and the expense of eating out. The initial excitement of making something new can also carry families through the preparation of many healthy meals and varied choices. Favorite recipes are recreated from the detailed instructions and families are encouraged to expand the offerings they serve at their family tables.
Professional Chefs Continue to Expand the Offerings They Create
Just as the home chef is expanding the choices he or she offers family members at home, professional chefs are increasing their offerings as well. The addition of micro green varieties, edible flowers, and other creative foods appeal to both the pallet and the eye. A recent article in The Washington Post, for example, encourages cooks of all levels to serve an edible squash blossom to add beauty to a meal. As cooks become more familiar with offering squash as a serving, it may come as a surprise to amateurs that eve the blossom of this healthy vegetable can be eaten. The author instructs the reader in the perfect time of the day to pluck the fully open blossom from the plant and then goes on to list ingredients that can be used as filling for a beautiful presentation.
The same week that the edible squash blossom was featured, another story from Associated Press touted the use of artichokes as both edibles and floral arrangements. Turns out the thin layers of leathery leaves that surround the edible heart are a popular feature for many florists.
Eating Out Costs Americans a Significant Portion of Their Food Budgets
The average American fine dining experience costs a person close to $30. And while home cooked family meals can be less expensive, they can also become monotonous. And happy medium may be for families to still cook at home but expand the menu they serve. Whether that expansion comes through the delivery of pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your home or cooks venturing out on their own to try new recipes, adding a variety of new vegetable choices is a viable option.

For party venues and places for wedding receptions, there are few better locations than a golf course. With a vista of landscaped greens, trees, plantings and lakes, it would be difficult to find a more serene or peaceful setting. As more and more weddings take place outdoors, a golf course and clubhouse make the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor facilities in a setting that will make the big day even more memorable. And for golf aficionados, an 18-hole golf course is a great place for a relaxed game.

Outdoor weddings are becoming popular
Among unique wedding places, a golf course is a favorite choice. Summer weddings can take advantage of the weather to hold all events outdoors. An 18-hole golf course makes a beautiful and romantic backdrop to the wedding dresses, flowers, decorations and food. The event will be visually stunning, and the peaceful surroundings make it the perfect place to exchange vows on a solemn day of new beginnings.
According to Hudson Valley Weddings, more than one third or 35% of all weddings are now held outdoors. Picking the right venue, like an 18-hole golf course, can provide a stunning background for the day. Whether the wedding theme is romantic, or outdoorsy, or classic, the natural beauty of the surroundings add an extra elements of drama and solemnity to the occasion.

Brunch menus can be innovative
Brunch is now a popular choice for a wedding meal. It gives the wedding breakfast a special touch, with favorite foods and drinks. Brunches have been around in Britain for a long time but began to catch on in the U.S. about thirty years ago. The hot new trend in brunch menus is for exotic, ethnic-inspired breakfast and brunch items like Asian-flavored syrups, Chorizo scrambled eggs, and coconut milk pancakes.
A wedding brunch is a chance to offer guests innovative dishes as well as old favorites like smoked salmon and mimosas. An outdoor wedding brunch at an 18-hole golf course brings together so many ideal elements – food and drink, natural beauty, good company, comfort – that your guests may never want to leave.

A varied and beautiful setting
Another advantage of choosing an 18-hole golf course and club house as your wedding venue is that they are well experienced in the art of hospitality and will be able to supply the music, decor, and food that goes with the occasion. Typically, they will have a number of different spaces where your guests can spread out to enjoy the day.
Atriums full of light and expansive views, outdoor terraces with lighted fountains, and grand ballrooms will all help to create memories of a perfect day. For smaller events, more intimate banquet spaces will provide a comfortable setting for your guests.

Golf courses are also popular venues for holiday parties and corporate events. Holiday parties at the golf course can count on seasonal decorations, music and food. The quiet, relaxed setting and natural beauty make it the perfect setting for any special occasion.

Owning a restaurant can be very tough — there is heavy competition, everyone wants something different, and one mistake can ruin a reputation. Indeed, one of the hardest types of restaurants to run is a sushi restaurant. On average, sushi chefs spend 5-10 years training, and there is high maintenance — sushi chefs sharpen their specialty knives everyday. However, there are actually only a few pillars that mark a great restaurant, and once they are mastered, it is easy to build up a successful business, menu, reputation, and clientele. Check them out here:

Quality Ingredients
This is extremely pertinent for restaurants that specialize in fresh seafood or fine sushi restaurants. Quality ingredients might as well be synonymous with fresh ingredients, and the best way to get truly fresh ingredients is to source your menu items from local distributors. It’ll be a great way to help your community, too! Give your guests a real taste of some authentic, local cuisine.

Menu Options
People like to choose what they want to eat, and especially appreciate a variety of options if they have dietary restrictions. Try to accommodate for all sorts of tastes in your menu. Seafood restaurants with a large amount of options tend to do the best — think about the many different types of seafood appetizers, food and entertainment one is offered at a unique restaurant.

Creativity and Innovation
Speaking of options, why not try to get creative? People will be excited by the unique options and ideas you come up with, and are much more likely to recommend your restaurant to their friends. Luckily, the medium of sushi allows for infinite creative pairings and flavor combinations. Don’t be afraid to try fusion recipes and more in order to really cultivate your reputation as a delicious and unique restaurant.

Patrons of your restaurant appreciate any demonstration that shows them that you care deeply about their experience at their establishment. There are about 16,000 sushi restaurants outside of Japan — how will you set yourself apart from the rest?

Kids parties can be an interesting experience. There are many options from jumping castles with water balloons to ice cream parties with gelato cups or perhaps a sensory party with slime and bubbles. However, the best options in the world would be a complete disaster if you don’t follow these simple tips for throwing a kids party. Before you even decide whether to hire the clown or buy the gelato cups, take a look at these.

Make Sure the Space is Big Enough
Kids need a lot of space. If you live in a two bedroom apartment, you probably shouldn’t hold your party there. Especially if you have anything that you care about. It’s not that kids are intentionally bad, they just get excited and energetic. Opt for having your party at a park or at a friend’s house with a bigger space. Back yards are great for kids parties if there are no dangerous plants or animals. Have your guests RSVP so you know exactly how many kids are coming and this will make it a lot easier for you to plan the size.

Make Sure the Space is Safe
Especially if you are holding your party outside, you need to make sure that the space you were going to be using is safe for kids. This includes things like poisonous plants, snakes or spiders and all the other things that can happen outside. If you were having your party indoors then make sure all your outlets are covered and sharp items put out of reach. Making sure that the area is safe is probably the most important part of a party. Parents want to know that their kids are going to be alright wherever they go. Being safe is also making sure that you have sufficient adult help. If this means soliciting some of the parents or your friends, then that might be what you need to do.

Make Sure the Space is Convenient
While most parents love to take their kids to parties, if it is too far away they will likely opt out, no matter how good the gelato cups are going to be. Wherever you hold your party should be centrally located and easy to get to. Parking should be fairly simple as well, especially for parents with multiple kids. Or example, holding a party with no parking lot where families have to unload everyone after parking on the side of the main street will probably deter many parents. Convenience is much appreciated by parents. We live in a world that doesn’t make things very easy for parents with small children, but a kid’s birthday party should not be one of those places.

Make Sure the Space has Bathrooms
Bathrooms are very important. Kids don’t hold their bladders very well and there’s nothing worse than having an accident in front of your friends. If you are inviting parents, they will need a place to go to the bathroom as well. You don’t want to make your party so uncomfortable for everyone after all the juice and cake and ice cream. Believe it or not, some parks do not have bathrooms so make sure that you confirm this before making any kind of booking. It shouldn’t even be a consideration; if you find out a certain place has no bathrooms, it’s time to move on to plan B.

Make Sure the Space is Open but Enclosed
This is crucial especially if the parents are not going to be staying for the party. You want to make sure that you can see everywhere from one spot but that it is fenced off or somehow and closed so that no one can slip away without you noticing. You would likely noticed kids scaling a wall, but you may not notice them digging under a fence. Keep these things in mind when choosing your space. Gelato cups and juggling can only entertain for so long. Children are naturally curious and will probably want to look around this new area. Make sure you find the problem areas before they do because they will find them. Maybe take your own kids by themselves and have them help you look around.

Kids parties are very enjoyable if these five things are taken care of.

Is your business in the market for a form fill seal machine? Packaging is a huge part of a business’s operational success and investing in a form fill seal machine is a great way to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs.


However, every food packaging equipment manufacturer is different, and so finding the right vertical form fill seal machine for your business can feel like a daunting task. To get you started on your quest for the perfect form fill seal machine, we’ve put together a quick guide for food sealing machines:

1. Choose the form fill seal machine design to meet the needs of your highest volume product.
   
   You might assume that the best way to choose a form fill seal machine is to find one big enough to package your largest item, so that you know it will be large enough to package all of your products, and thus automate your entire packaging operations. However, the larger the item that the form fill seal machine is designed for, the more costly it is, and so you might pay far more than you have to, for only a slight efficiency advantage. In fact, large form fill seal machines aren’t really one-size-fits-all; the machines that are designed for large packages only perform at peak efficiency with the larger product packages, and are less efficient with small items. If 75% of your packaging needs are medium sized, you’d actually lose efficiency by packaging only 25% of your products at maximum efficiency.
   
   
   You might find it more cost effective and a better operational strategy to purchase the form fill seal machine that is best suited for the product that you produce the most of (let’s say the product that makes up 75% of your inventory, in the example we mentioned above). Since this item is your bread and butter, maximizing efficiency here will give you the greatest catalyst in productivity. This also results in the least amount of wasted material (since using a large machine for a small item wastes the unneeded width in material).
   
   
   Yes, we recognize that this entails manual packaging of the larger products. Perhaps, as your business expands, you can invest in a second machine that specializes in the larger products later. The point is that if you think you can purchase one machine that will be the jack of all trades (or in this case, product sizes), it will result in being a master of none, and diminish your potential productivity gains.




2. Use a form fill seal machine manufacturer who has experience in your industry.
   Every industry has a different set of needs and requirements. Some industries have particular health and safety guidelines they have to follow, some have regulations on film type and waste. When you work with a form fill seal machine manufacturer who has other happy customers in your industry, you know that they understand the challenges that you face and will be able to make sure that the form fill seal machine you end up with meets your needs perfectly so that your investment is worth the money.




3. Be flexible on packaging suggestions from the manufacturer.
   
   While you know your product better than anyone else in the world, your form fill seal machine manufacturer are experts in packaging best practices. Yes, if you go to them and say you want a specific type of packaging and nothing else, they may be able to meet your needs. However, if you are open to ideas and suggestions from the manufacturer, you may end up with a form fill seal machine that runs more efficiently with less waste than the concept that you have in mind.
   
   
   We aren’t saying to throw away your concept and take the manufacturers word for what’s best for your company’s packaging needs. We’re saying the best results come through a partnership between the product expert (that’s you) and the packaging expert (that’s them).
4. Ask the manufacturer for recommendations for several film suppliers.
   
   The manufacturer most likely isn’t also the provider of film. If they do offer to supply your machine’s film, it is most likely marked up, increasing their profits and your costs. Instead ask for three suggestions for film suppliers, and check them out yourself.

When you’re conducting inventory, preparing orders, stocking shelves, and otherwise engaged with ensuring that everything is flowing smoothly for your business, having the right frozen dessert supplies on hand is a must–especially when one of America’s favorite indulgences is on customers’ minds.

While you don’t need to know everything there is to know about ice cream to enjoy it, you may be interested in knowing a bit more about this country’s favorite frozen desserts:

Given all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers, 9% goes to ice cream production.

Every year, the U.S. produces approximately 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and frozen desserts.

Americans, on average, will eat ice cream 28.5 times per year.

Every two weeks, according to the NPD group, 40% of the population will consume ice cream.

When choosing to indulge, 90% of all U.S. households will choose a frozen dessert.

Did you also know that ice cream and gelato–as well as frozen yogurt–all have different densities? After the churning process, ice cream tends to contain more than 50% air. Gelato, on the other hand, has about 25-to-30% air, so it is much more dense. Frozen yogurt, especially when it is dispensed by a soft-serve machine, tends to be lighter.

The density of these frozen desserts does make a difference in what type of containers, lids, and spoons are needed. Whether you’re selling individualized ice cream cups, pint containers, or party-sized portions, you’ll want to anticipate what is needed so that you’re sure to have it in stock.

Here is just a short list of supplies. Do you have all of these on-hand?

Gelato cups and spoons

Custom frozen yogurt cups

Custom ice cream cups

Paper ice cream cups with lids

Plastic ice cream cups

Ice cream spoons

Plastic tasting spoons

Colored spoons

Ice cream party supplies
Drink cups

Even though the most ice cream is produced in June, it doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, as it’s an established fact that Americans treat themselves year-round. Given the wide variety of flavors now available–and with new taste sensations flying off the shelves–vanilla continues to be a favorite for 28% of the ice-cream-consuming public, according to the International Ice Cream Association.

The most popular style of food in the United States is Mexican. One out of every ten restaurants serves some Mexican cuisine items.. There were at least 38,000 Mexican restaurants in the country in 2011. Ingredients for Mexican food can be found in more than 71% of American homes. Many people think eating it is unhealthy but it does not have to be. Here are some ways to enjoy going to the local Mexican restaurant and getting a healthy meal.

1. Skip the chips and salsa. Many of us enjoy the hot chips and tasty salsa that is ubiquitous at most Mexican restaurants but they can add a ton of fat and calories to our meal. The best way to not eat the chips and salsa is to ask the waiter not to bring it. The chips are loaded with fat, salt and calories. It is far too easy to eat an entree’s worth of salt, fat and calories before you even get your meal. Just skip this part of the Mexican restaurant experience.
2. Go with a soft shell. When you get a hard shell for your taco or other dish, you are getting something that has been deep fried. The frying process adds a lot of fat and calories that cannot be part of any healthy diet plan. If you go with smaller tortillas and you will get a tasty meal that is a lot healthier.
3. Go for beans that are not refried. Beans can be a very healthy option but not if they are refried. When you are at the Mexican restaurant, ask for pinto beans instead of the refried option and you will have a really tasty dish that is a lot healthier an option. Beans are excellent for protein, iron and are a complex carbohydrate that can help regulate your blood sugar to keep you less hungry throughout the day.
4. Keep your portions of guacamole and sour cream to a minimum. These are yummy and you would be hard pressed to find a Mexican restaurant that did not add them to almost everything but you add a lot of fat and calories when you heap on the guacamole and sour cream. If you are trying to cut down on your calories, you should know that your entree without the guacamole and sour cream will already have more calories than you want. You can help yourself a lot by not adding to that with guacamole and sour cream. Avocados may have the kind of fat that is better for you than other kinds but they still add a lot of calories. If you want to add more flavor to your food, add salsa and more vegetables. They add flavor but not as much in the way of calories. Salsa has a lot of flavor but also is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. It is a very healthy thing to add to any food.
5. Skip the margaritas. For many people, no trip to the Mexican restaurant is complete without a pitcher of margaritas. They love that is salty, icy and incredibly tasty. Adding these drinks to your meal will send your calorie count higher than you want it to be if you are trying to keep your calories down. You may not be able to control the calories in your entree but you can select beverages that have fewer calories than what is in a margarita.
6. Be careful about the protein you pick. When you are out having the best Mexican restaurants, you will have multiple options for our protein. Some proteins are better than others in terms of fat and calories. You can have the best Mexican food with lean protein. Many great Mexican restaurants make chicken that is delicious. Chicken is often a better option than beef or pork. It has less fat and is often less processed than your other options. If you can get fish that has not been breaded or deep fried, fish can be a great option, too. Ask your waiter about how the different proteins are prepared to help you make your choice.

With a little thought, you can make your Mexican dining experience very healthy and very tasty at the same time.

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Do you have a regularly scheduled family brunch? Meeting for family brunch is a easy way to spend quality time together, in a beautiful setting where you don’t have to do the work of making the meal or cleaning up afterwards. Many public golf courses even offer brunch specials specifically designed for people who enjoy family brunch.


However, there is a right and a wrong way to do family brunch. If you are new to the delightful world of family brunch, stand by for our list of simple etiquette rules:


The Dos and Don’ts of Family Brunch

1. Don’t: Overwhelm the host.
   
   There are a few constants in life: Newton’s law of gravity is true no matter where you are in the world. And so is the brunch rush. You are probably going to have to wait to get a table when you go to brunch. And the better the brunch spot, the more likely and longer that you’ll have to wait for a table. That’s part of life.
   
   
   However, the way you wait for your table matters. After you add your name to the list, don’t ask the host every five seconds how much longer you’ll be waiting, like a child on a road trip. Don’t make demands of the host, such as whether or not you can order a mimosa while you wait, and if there is somewhere for you to sit until a table opens. If the host is busy attending to all of your requests, they’re unable to seat the tables ahead of your, so that eventually they can seat your party.
   
   
   Instead, add your name to the list, and relax until you are called. If there is a coffee shop within walking distance, try hitting it up for a caffeine fix and to kill some time.




2. Do: Keep your drink order simple for faster service.
   
   This might come as a surprise, but brunch establishments do not keep as many bartenders on the clock as your local popular bar. If you treat your brunch order as you would an Saturday night order, it can take some time to get it to you. Especially if each of the ten people at your table orders their own unique and complicated drink. Instead, stick to a nice cold brew coffee or a mimosa (orange juice and champagne doesn’t take long to pour together) that the bar tender can get to you pronto.
   
   
   We’ll throw this in for free: For much quicker service, convince your table to go in on a pitcher together.




3. Do: Check out the menu for any dietary restrictions, in advance.
   These days everyone has some kind of diet limitation. Going gluten free is so popular. Or maybe some of your dining guests are vegan. Dairy-free. On the paleo diet. Strictly eat grass. Whatever your party’s dining restrictions, you don’t want to get through the line and get a table, only to look at the menu and realize that one person is stuck eating the kale used to garnish the plates because nothing fits into their diet.
   
   
   Before settling on a brunch spot, use that handy smart phone you spend too much time looking at anyways to pull up the menu and make sure there is a good option for everyone.




4. Don’t: Ask for the bill to be split a hundred ways.
   
   If you have ever been a server or worked in a restaurant in any capacity, you know how tedious it is to split a bill seven ways. This requires a ton of time and brain power for a server who needs to get a drink to that table and food out the the other table and take the order of their other table, all right at this moment. Not to mention, someone is definitely going to get screwed over in the deal (maybe a member of your party who pays for another person’s drink, or the server who gets stiffed on the tip because everyone thinks someone else has it.)
   
   
   Instead, use the time that you are waiting to grab a table to hit up an ATM and get cash. That way when the server brings the bill, you don’t have to give them seven credit cards and a telephone book-sized list of instructions.

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