Everthing You Need to Know About Nesco Dehydrators

Monday, August 3, 2009

Nesco FD-80 American Harvest Square-Shaped Dehydrator

Easy-to-use dehydrator for drying fruit, vegetables, herbs and jerky. Lay out jerky strips with ease. Includes spices and cure packets.


We all see the oil prices going up steadily. This is not just a news item; it has a direct impact on our pocket. Usage costs for any system that we have like heating systems or vehicle that runs on diesel, have increased significantly in the last several years and it does not show any sign that it will stop rising. It seems that we have no control on these prices and there is nothing that we, as the common people, can do. Well, that is absolutely wrong! Using alternative energy like biodiesel can save us more than 50% percents of the energy costs.

Beyond the fact that there are many benefits for using biodiesel, I will concentrate just on the economical aspect that will free your budget and help you reducing significantly the expenses on diesel. You can make bio diesel at home in your kitchen, garage or backyard. I know that you are thinking it is very complicated process and a huge hassle; well, it is not! Producing biodiesel by you is not as complicated as it sounds. With the right guidance and the right biodiesel home kit, which you can prepare by yourself as well, the entire process of making biodiesel is far from being complicated.

What exactly is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the fuel that is made of vegetable oil or animal fat as opposed to petrodiesel that is based on fossil.

In order to produce biodiesel we need to separate the vegetable oil or the animal fat from the glycerin. The separation is done by transesterification (chemical process name ;-)). At the end of the process we receive two materials, glycerin and bio diesel.

As you can see, there is no reason to be intimidated by these big words. Making biodiesel with a biodiesel kit saves lots of money and it is great fun as well.

Learn how easy is to make biodiesel at home and more about biodiesel home processor kits

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Features & SpecificationsColon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Book DescriptionColon Health will take this forgotten part of your body and focus your full attention on it--and you'll never again take it for granted. This book shows how every organ, gland, and cell in the body is affected by the condition of the large intestine.About the AuthorDr. Norman Walker is the longest-lived, widely-known raw-foodist of the modern era. Thousands upon thousands of people credit Dr. Walker's live-vegetable-juice therapy for healing them of "incurable" diseases, including Jay Kordich, known to the world as "The Juiceman." When Jay Kordich had cancer, he met and was tremendously inspired by Dr. Walker. After healing himself of cancer through The Raw-Food Diet and juice therapy, Jay worked with Dr. Walker beginning in the 1940s up until Dr. Walker's death in the mid-80's at an age of well over 100.For more than 100 years, Norman W. Walker, Ph.D., proved through research and experience that well-being and long life go hand-in-hand. Through the non-stop activities of raw-food enthusiasts, such as Nature's First Law, modern day nutritionists and medical researchers are finally discovering the raw truths which Dr. Walker knew and taught throughout the twentieth century. Dr. Walker was living proof that a longer, healthier, more enjoyable life is achieved through The Raw-Food Diet, mental poise, and intelligent body care. Dr. Walker's contributions to the common heritage of humankind began before the turn of the century in London, where as a young man he became seriously ill due to over-work and stress. Unable to accept a sentence of ill-health and early death, Dr. Walker healed himself with living foods and vegetable juices. Among Dr. Walker's greatest contributions was his discovery of the therapeutic value of fresh vegetable juices and in 1930, the development of what would become known as the Norwalk Press Juicer. The present "juicing" craze is direct


When Thanksgiving is over and all your company has gone home what do you do with all those turkey leftovers? Why not try freezing them. By freezing your turkey leftovers you will be able to enjoy fresh roasted turkey months from now when Thanksgiving and turkey leftovers are a thing of the past.

Freezing turkey leftovers is an easy and inexpensive way you can extend the life of your turkey leftovers by a few months. Turkey leftovers can be frozen up to three months with great results. Here are a few quick tips to make your freezing a success.

Freeze turkey in portions your family will use.

Slice, cube and chop the turkey meat for easy packaging.

Use zipper freezer bags for ease of storage.

Freeze turkey with stock and vegetables for making quick stew.

Stir fry turkey with vegetables and freeze then when ready to use thaw and serve over cooked rice.

Freeze pre-made turkey sandwiches, turkey quiche and turkey casseroles.

Frozen turkey sandwiches can be sent in lunches for work or school.

If you only have a small amount of turkey leftover, freeze in bite size pieces. Then the next time you have leftovers you can pull out the frozen turkey leftovers and add it to casseroles or pot pie.

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She has put together a special Thanksgiving report that gives you 73 recipes to use with your leftover turkey as well as a special holiday ice cream cookbook that includes favorites like pumpkin pie ice cream and pecan pie ice cream. She has also put together a holiday planning guide to help you have the most enjoyable Thanksgiving ever. You can find all of these at http://www.turkey-leftovers.com

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-1010 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just three hours and beef jerky in four, this 1000-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast, using a big, 4-1/2-inch fan to force air up through the drying trays' outer rings and across each tray. A thermostat adjusts from 95 degrees to 155 degrees for drying different items. Each of the four plastic trays is 13-3/4 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch deepthat's four square feet for drying fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers at one time. Additional trays can be ordered separately, and up to 30 trays can be stacked on this unit's metal base at once. A fruit-roll sheet inserts into a tray so that applesauce or other fruit sauces can be dried into healthful snacks, and soups and sauces can be dehydrated for camping trips. Beef-jerky spices and a detailed 64-page recipe and instruction booklet are included. The dehydrator measures 15-1/2 inches in diameter and 10 inches high, cleans easily, and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack


For years my family and I have been making jerky, what started out as a fun family pastime is now more of a competition. Before dehydrators were common we had to do it the old fashion way in the oven with long drying times, these days with the new and improved dehydrators the drying time has been cut way down what took two days now can be done in a few hours.

When shopping for your first or a new dehydrator there are a few things to keep in mind. First is weather to go with a top down unit or a bottom based unit, I prefer the newer top down versions, mainly because I like my jerky a bit on the moister side which requires you leave more marinade on the meat which tends to drip down through the trays and gets on the drying coil on the bottom, while this will not effect the drying time or the unit that much it is allot harder to clean up.

The second consideration is the wattage of the dehydrator, the higher the wattage the faster the meat will dry but the catch comes in at the price of the unit, the higher the wattage the more you are going to shell out.

Supplies are pretty ease to get, I'm finding seasonings in local stores as well as buying online, after you get a few batches under your belt you can start to get creative with the seasonings and drying times, I'm not a real fan of super hard jerky so I cut the recommended drying time back about an hour. I recommend the Nesco line of dehydrators that is the brand I'm using now with a top down drying method.

If you are new to jerky making or just thinking about it I highly recommend it and don't forget get the whole family involved, that's where the real fun come in.

For more information and recipes

Jerky is a way of life! start the fun

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


Gas grilling or barbecuing? The debate rumbles on about which is best. The barbecue fans will claim that their food has more flavor because of the smoke flavors. You know, they may just be right! But it is not impossible to create the authentic wood cooked flavour with the convenience of the gas grill. Grab yourself some hickory, mesquite, apple wood or cedar and you will soon be producing beautifully smoked meat or fish.

Now, to the wood to use for smoking. There is a bewildering variety of different types, beech, hickory and oak are generally readily available and will complement most foods, meat, fish, game, poultry. For a strong flavor use hickory or for more subtle flavorings use oak or beech. Maple imparts a sweet and mild smoky taste and is reputed to be good for smoking vegetables. Mesquite is popular in the southwest states of the US and gives a strong flavor. It burns hot and is usually used for beef dishes. For sweet flavors, use pear, peach and apple wood chips, these work well with white meats and small game birds.

Smoking on a grill or barbecue can be disappointing at first, the problem usually lies with the type of food used. If the food is likely to be in contact with the smoke for under half an hour - forget it, the smoke will smell nice while you cook but that's about all! Large pieces of fish or meat that will take a good while to cook are the best.

The wood chips will not produce any smoke if they are added to the barbecue or grill as they are. They need to be well soaked before hand. Put them in a container of water for several hours before you intend to cook and let them really soak it in. Take them out of the water and leave them to drain for a while, they should not be dripping when you add them. This will prevent them from setting fire and they will smolder - smoldering wood gives the all-important smoke.

The chips can be added to the barbecue when the coals have settled and immediately before the food is to be cooked. Adding them earlier is a waste of good smoke! For a gas grill, you will need to purchase a smoker box which prevents the ash from damaging the burners (or make one from foil, remembering to pierce holes the top of the foil to release the smoke. In order to get the wood to produce smoke, it must be close to the heat source, which itself must be high. Smoking foods using a gas grill can work well if you can cook the food with the lid down.

So there you have it, how to enhance your cooking in the great outdoors using the power of wood!

Want the best grilling tips and advice? Want to impress friends and family with your beef grilling recipes? Then visit the Grilling Coach now.

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Total Juicing Book - Elaine LaLanne, Richard Benyo and Jack LaLanne

Total Juicing: The Complete Guide to Healthy and Delicious Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices by Elaine La Lanne, Richard Benyo, and Jack Lalanne Features & SpecificationsJuicing For Life Book - a review of the health benefits of juicing fresh fruit and veggies Total Juicing: The Complete Guide to Healthy and Delicious Fresh Fruit and Vegetable JuicesBy: Elaine LaLanne, Richard Benyo, and Jack LaLanneJUICE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH...EVEN HELP PREVENT CANCERAcross America, millions of people are discovering juicing as an easy, inexpensive, and delicious way to enjoy tremendous health and nutritional benefits. Today's new juice extractors have opened up an exciting avenue to taking control over your own health and well-being. Elaine and Jack LaLanne, who have been juicing for thirty years, discovered that fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and the fiber-rich pulp that the juicer yields, have excellent benefits when used in combination with a healthful diet. Now you can learn how to control weight and lower blood pressure, address such conditions as psoriasis, stomach ulcers, arthritis, anemia, and gout, and even help prevent cancer- all in your own kitchen. Total Juicing provides up-to-date information and more than 125 recipes for great juice combinations and for fruit and vegetable pulp. You'll find:An A-to-Z guide to juicing directions, vitamin and mineral content of fruits and vegetables, and health benefits of specific foods A weight-loss program that works-with fresh juicesThe dos and don'ts of making and storing juice Baby-food recipes from the juicer Terrific original recipes for breakfast drinks, lunchtime refershers, dinner beverages, flavorful desserts and bartender's tips as well Great recipe ideas for fiber-rich pulp 240 Pages


Kevin: So you've been at this for 23 years now. What are some of the most common pitfalls you see with a raw food or vegan diet?

Jameth: I think the number one pitfall that a raw fooder suffers from is, based on my 23 years of experience in raw food with countless tens of thousands of people, is if they're a regular person, they eat regular foods, and let's say they're ill and they go raw immediately and they get well, I actually think that is ultimately a mistake. Because I see people when they "fall off the wagon" so to speak, they fall off hard and they fall back to what they started from. So if I'm eating regular pizza and regular chicken and regular animal products, things like that, regular cookies, I fall off the wagon with raw, do things with family, I'll just go ahead and eat those and then, you know, "When I do that, and finish with my binge, then I'll just go back to being raw." And, I see a lot of people leaving raw foods or just being less healthy by going back and forth between those things. Because in raw the emphasis is so hard, and this is how I was taught too, on raw, that it forgets all the other things that are important, that make a raw food diet successful. And the number one thing that makes a raw food diet successful - all of a sudden, you are a whole food vegan.

If you become vegan, all of a sudden, if you stop eating animal products, cooked or raw - which are not good for you, you had an immense increase in your health. Your likelihood to get osteoporosis has plummeted; your likelihood to get cancer has plummeted; and as a whole food vegan, your likelihood to get heart disease is almost non-existent.

Now whole food meaning, you're not just eating white sugar, white flour, and hydrogenated oil - all of which are vegan, but all of which are absolutely abysmal for you. A whole food vegan would eat things like millet, amaranth, quinoa, chick peas, you know, grains, beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables - actual food, unadulterated by nature. You're also eating an organic diet, when you tend to go raw, and organic is huge. These things are just additives, and you don't just eat a whole food, organic, vegan diet, you also change completely the types of foods you're eating. For example, you don't go from eating, let's say a frozen vegan pizza, cooked, to a raw frozen vegan pizza. You change your food completely. You go from eating, let's say a frozen vegan pizza, or a regular pizza, to broccoli, and cauliflower, and fruits, and sprouts, and flaxseeds, and actual foods that are completely different types of foods. So the amount of nutrients you are getting by being a raw fooder, unless you're fruitarian, is dramatically higher. You're also usually consuming more water, unless you're doing lots of dehydrated things, or lots of cacao, you're more hydrated, which is immensely beneficial. Some diets include lots of raw vegetable juice, which is tremendously beneficial. And, you are also eating a lot of your food raw, which there is a benefit to actually having things raw too, but it's just one of the many benefits.

In raw food teaching, there is often taught, usually taught, that there's two categories of food: foods that are raw, and foods that are cooked, and there is nothing in between. So if you're eating something cooked, well it might as well be cheese lasagna, rather than tofu lasagna, because in the raw food world, there's really no difference. And I've seen that information devastate peoples health, and I seen it have people leave the raw foods movement who would be having, let's say, 80, 90% of their health has improved, and like "Wow, I love this." And maybe 10 or 20% hasn't, or 10 or 20% may have gotten worse, for some reason, some deficiency cropped up somewhere. And, if they usually talk to the raw food leaders or look at raw food text, they say, "Well, there's a problem with you, you're cleansing, you're this, you're that, blah blah blah blah. You've got to stay raw, because all cooked food is poison." Even the, you know, sometimes even with macrobiotic diets, which the healing macrobiotic diet is an all-cooked food, vegan diet, there are many people who have overcome cancer with that. Now you can't overcome cancer on poison, and by no means am I an advocate of macrobiotics, by any stretch of the imagination, because I think macrobiotics is very depleting long term but far better than the standard American diet.

So I think it's important to be a whole food vegan at some point, and get a good basis of that. And if raw foods is not working for some reason, don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Kevin: So some of the deficiencies that you encounter, with raw food are, maybe...

Jameth: I'm not saying they're widespread, I just want to make sure it's clear. I've met 20 plus year raw fooders who, for the most part, were following that regime, and who appear to be vibrantly healthy and they're in excellent health, and I have no interest in trying to change their diet whatsoever. I just want them to live optimally and have the creatures of the planet live optimally and the planet as well. But for those who do, there's some - there's a group of raw fooders - I don't know how to necessarily define the types yet - but it might be, people who tend to be vata, it is, in my experience, don't necessarily thrive on 100% raw foods. And it could be that there's possibly deficiencies of a type of protein, because it's not a deficiency of protein, because on raw foods, if you eat an appropriate amount of nuts and seeds - and I think you can eat way too much of those - but an appropriate amount, let's say, one handful or so, you can get tons of protein doing that. But there's some vata types, with my experience, take a long time to recover from working out, and it has a much harder time building muscle, just on nut and seed protein. And you can't really eat enough broccoli, because broccoli has, I think 20 or 30% - protein, very high. But to get that much grams of protein from broccoli, it's virtually impossible. To eat that many calories, you would actually have to juice a couple of cases of stalks of broccoli to get sufficient protein - and you would get sufficient protein in that case. But broccoli's also a cruciferous vegetable, and I love cruciferous vegetables for the liver detoxifying, for their anti-cancer benefits and they have some hormone balancing benefits too. They're phenomenal foods. But raw broccoli, or any raw cruciferous in a large quantity, is really, really hard to process. It's hard to deal with. So in cases like that, I've seen, if people move over to the legume family, it does not have to be soy beans. Soy beans are one of hundreds of different legumes. If you don't like soy beans for some reason, just don't eat them - not necessary. Lentils, chick peas, mung beans, adzuki beans, things like that. Now you can certainly do those raw, but it's ironic that one of the reasons that soy is indicted amongst the raw foods communities is because research on raw soy shows that it is very difficult to digest. It has enzyme and protein and other inhibitors in it that make it hard to deal with and hard to grow on, but that's when the soy beans are raw. Now when you sprout any legume, any legume sprouted still has a lot of these anti-nutrients in them and it's harder to digest and get everything out of a raw legume sprout. Now it's almost ironic though, when you steam those legumes you do destroy all those enzyme inhibitors and the enzymes as well. But at least you're enzymatically neutral now. You have not cooked it, or charred it, or burned it so there's no lucocytosis raising of the white blood cell count, with steamed legumes or any steamed vegetable. For those people who don't thrive on raw, if they do that, sprouted and steamed legumes, not lightly steamed you've got to steam it the whole way. Raw is just hard to digest. Most people don't even make raw hummus anymore with raw chick peas. Have you noticed that?

Kevin: Yes.

Jameth: Because they are notoriously difficult to digest raw. I've made lots of raw chick pea in my day, lots of raw sprouted things and always the thing I used to do and still do is the stuff that's left over, a dip or pate or something, well you throw it in the dehydrator and make raw chick pea burgers and eat them the next day for dinner. I did that one time and I ate the things in the morning, the raw chick pea hummus we had the day before, a whole bunch of them, I brought them to my seminar and man, I had a hard time even being in the seminar because I had so much volume of gas, that smelled so bad and I was in so much pain that I couldn't actually socially be in the actual building. I had to walk outside.

Kevin: Wow.

Jameth: Now that was because I had a concentrated, dehydrated version. Now if you sprout chick peas, and chick peas can be hard to sprout. Sometimes they just go bad before they sprout. Now I don't mean soak. So actually sprouted chick peas that are steamed then mixed with raw tahini, no reason in any way shape or form to cook your tahini, is phenomenally digestible. Really, really awesomely digestible and to get back, if you sprout your legumes, steam them and put a little bit of flax oil on them and salt them whether it be Himalayan salt, Celtic sea salt, a little bit of gluten free tamari or miso, some sort of good quality source of organic sodium, in my experience I have never seen that not take away someone's craving or desire for flesh. That is so much better for you nutritionally than eating a piece of flesh, raw or not. By any measurement that science has currently come up including [indecipherable] photography, it's far superior to do that than it is to eat raw flesh. So what I'm saying is rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water and being 100% raw, if you're eating an animal product because you're better off not. You're better off eating a whole food vegan cooked food like sprouted, steamed, salted, flax oil, legume that I talked about. That's my experience.

Kevin Gianni the host of "Renegade Health Show" - a fun and informative daily health show that is changing the perception of health across the world. His is an internationally known health advocate, author, and film consultant. He has helped thousands and thousands of people in over 21 countries though online health teleseminars about abundance, optimum health and longevity He is also the creator and co-author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution."

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Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


Beef jerky is known to be the go-to product for people who need to bring along food, but lack refrigeration -- hikers, campers and hunters to name a few. With a food that seems to last forever and does not need to be refrigerated, it seems as if there is no such thing as beef jerky risks. However, as with any food preparation, there are some risks associated with the making of beef jerky.

See, when you really think about it, beef jerky is never cooked. That said, what then makes the meat safe to eat? Drying meat actually dates back thousands of years as a way to preserve portions of meat like buffalo and cattle that could not otherwise be saved. Think about it -- refrigeration just came into play this century, really. The principle behind the safe preservation of meat through drying is that the moisture is removed, meaning there is no longer a way for enzymes containing bacteria or fungus to react with the food. There are very few beef jerky risks when it comes to commercially-made beef jerky. This is because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set guidelines for beef jerky makers to follow, and like any manufacturer, they are monitored. But, when making at home beef jerky risks are more plausible. The reason for this is that the meat may not get to the right temperature before it is dried, which can cause some bacteria to be left behind. Meat should be heated to 160 F and poultry to 165 F before the dehydration process. Then follow the recipe instructions, which usually keep a dehydrator at 130-140 F. If the meat is not heated to par before the drying process starts, whether it is in a dehydrator or oven, the bacteria will become heat resistant. If bacteria are left behind on meat, salmonella and E. coli or other food born illnesses can infect those who eat the jerky.

Here are some tips directly from the USDA to reduce beef jerky risks when making at home:

Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after working with meat products.

Use clean equipment and utensils.

Keep meat and poultry refrigerated at 40 F or slightly below. Use or freeze ground beef and poultry within 2 days; whole red meats, within 3 to 5 days.

Defrost frozen meat in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter.

Marinate meat in the refrigerator. Don't save marinade to reuse. Marinades are used to tenderize and flavor the jerky before dehydrating it.

Steam or roast meat to 160 F and poultry to 165 F as measured with a food thermometer before dehydrating it.

Dry meats in a food dehydrator that has an adjustable temperature dial and will maintain a temperature of at least 130 to 140 F throughout the drying process.

For ground beef jerky prepared at home, safety concerns related to E. coli are minimized if the meat is precooked to 160 F prior to drying.

Homemade jerky can only be stored for one to two months, while commercially produced jerky can last a year.

Another beef jerky risk is the sodium content. Beef jerky is a good snack for those who want to eliminate carbs from their diet, and also some jerky is low in fat. However, most jerky is extremely high in sodium. A 30 g serving of beef jerky could contain more than 515 mg of sodium, which would be 21% of the recommended daily value. While salt is essential to our survival, too much sodium in a diet can cause high blood pressure. So, people who indulge in beef jerky often, as well as other salty foods may want to watch what they eat.

If you found this information on beef jerky risks useful, you'll want to read this article about alligator beef jerky.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

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-Spinach will be even more tastier when we soak it in a mild sugar water and then cook it.

-Green Peas when cooked with a pinch of sugar, smells good.

-Amla Powder with honey or ghee taken daily after the supper keeps your eye sight brighter even after your 50's.

-Mix about 1 table spoon of milk with the poori dough, will make the poori's fluffy.

-If you mix 1/4 table spoon of sooji and 1/4 table spoon of sugar, it will resist the fluffiness of the poori for hours.

-Boil the tulsi leaves with pepper and sugar in water and drink it 3 times a day to control your Blood Pressure.

-Boil tulsi leaves and camphor leaves in water and drink it 2 times a day to get rid of cold and cough.

-Garlic is an antioxidant which when taken daily will prevent us from Cancer.

-Instead of putting coconut or til inside Modhakam you can also keep dry grapes, cashew nuts, dates, coloured and crushed dry coconut, tutty fruties. It will attract small children and will be an all time favourite snack/tiffin for them.

-Add salt to Morkuzhambu after removing it from the flame(gas stove).It will be thicker as a paste.

-Add fried rice powder to coconut mixed poriyals(vegetables) to make it crispier and even more tastier.

-Add salt to the vegetables after it becomes half cooked.

-Fry a tomato, onion, green chilly, carrot in oil and then grind the obtained paste along with coriander leaves and required salt to get the vegetable chutney.this chutney can be used as a side-dish for doas, idly and chappati, etc. It is a healthier dish suitable for all ages.

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

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After you have harvested your vegetables you might not be sure what you should do with them. Even a large family will have a hard time eating a steady supply of fresh organic vegetables. The way to avoid wastage is to store your vegetables in your home.

It is true that some vegetables are easier to store than others but most organic vegetables can be stored and saved in some way or another.

There are actually many ways to store your harvest so do not get frustrated if you feel that you have grown more than you can eat. Many grocery stores sell mason jars and supplies needed for making preserves and canning vegetables along with instructions on how to do this. The same stores sell cheesecloth which is great for placing vegetables on when drying if they are air drying.
Food dehydrators can also be used for drying your vegetables along with your oven. When using an oven to dry vegetables set it for the lowest setting, usually 140 degrees, and watch carefully to make sure the vegetables are drying out and not roasting.

Lettuce

Once you have harvested all of your lettuce you can wash it, remove the core, and pat it dry with a towel. When you have finished store it in a plastic bag and put it in your refrigerators crisping section. This will help your lettuce remain crisp for up to a week.

Since it is harder to store vegetables for a long period of time it is recommended that you harvest your lettuce and start using it even before it has reached full growth. When it has reached full growth use what you can, store what you can use, and offer the rest to friends and family members. They will appreciate some fresh organic salad to use in their salads or to place on their sandwiches.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables can often store longer than the other vegetables you harvest as long as they are harvested on time and correctly. Make sure your vegetables have not been bruised or damaged during the harvest. If they have been damaged throw them away since the spoilage can spread if you are not careful.

Many root vegetables such potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and more can be stored in a cool, dark, dry place such as a root cellar or some pantries. Other root vegetables (carrots) can be dried with a food dehydrator or even in an oven set to a very low heat setting. Some vegetables such as turnips can even be stored in a refrigerator crisper, especially if they are going to be used soon.

Tomatoes

There are many ways to store tomatoes and that is a great thing since tomatoes are popular with many organic gardeners. Tomatoes can be stored well on a counter top or in a window sill if they are still a bit green. They can also be stored in the refrigerator.

Some people will dry tomatoes for later use in sauces or even preserve them. Tomatoes preserves either sweet preserves with ripened tomatoes or pickle preserves with green tomatoes can be a winter time treat.

Onions

Onions will store wonderfully in any dry, dark place. As long as the onions have not been bruised and have no sign of moisture they can be stored in a pantry or attic for a long time.

Beans and Peas

Beans and peas can often be harvested as needed but once it is time to store them there are several methods that can be used. Peas and beans can both be stored in bags in the refrigerator for several days. They also can be canned with the proper equipment. Beans can also be dried which is a popular way to store them. Once beans are dried and bagged they can later be soaked and cooked.

Corn

Corn can be stored in the refrigerator or, once the husk is removed, frozen for a long time. The kernels can also be dried, stored, and creamed at a later date.

Learn about the redbud tree and the weeping cherry tree at the Tree Facts site.

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Friday, April 3, 2009

Quick Minute Microwave Food Dehydrator

Product includes 3 non-stick sheets 3 QuickMinute Racks 1 Kitchen Multi-Grater 1 Instruction/Recipe Booklet


The amount you spend on groceries can vary from month to month, unlike a mortgage or car payment. When a budget fails one can often accuse the grocery bill. Clipping coupons and buying generic brands is thought to be good advice, but it is important to know how stores entice you to spend more than what you originally earmarked for the grocery store. Some of these strategies are so subtle that you may have never even considered them before. Look at the following information an see if you can learn to combat the store's selling strategies and win back control of your grocery budget.

Smells and Samples: Grocery Stores usually smell delicious. The Bakery, Deli, or Fruit section are often strategically placed near the door. For the grocery store, it is important for consumers to be hungry when they shop. Smells from these sections get the consumers thinking about food and consumers always spend more when they are hungry. Free Samples in the grocery store? Delicious. If it is not a product you would normally purchase, the store just increased the amount of money you were going to spend in the store.

An easy way to solve the hunger problem is don't shop when you are hungry. Don't shop right before an upcoming meals, shop after lunch, instead of before dinner. Eat first, or go shopping when are not hungry. Shopping when you are full makes it much easier to resist temptation.

Overall Store Layout: Staple food items are located in the rear of almost every store. Consumers have to wander the aisles to locate items like bread and milk. Stores understand that putting staple items together would make shopping easier, but they also know that the longer they can keep you in the store, the more items you will buy. Stores also understand impulse buying, or the purchasing of items that you don't really need on impulse alone. Stores are specifically designed to encourage impulse buying. Sale products are always featured on aisle end caps that even the most frugal customer will have to walk by.

There is obviously no way around the fact that you will have to traverse the entire store to get to your staple food items, but you can avoid impulse items by making a list of the grocery items you really need, and committing to sticking to the list before you enter the store. Get in a habit of making one trip to the store per week, instead of several smaller trips. This cuts down the time you are in the store, thus saving money for the bottom line of your grocery budget. The less time in the store, the less money you will spend.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as buying groceries online at http://www.buygroceriesdirect.com

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Excalibur 5 - Tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator for great tasting and long lasting fruits, veggies and jerky! Save the flavor, save the nutrition, SAVE BIG BUCKS! Eating healthy can get expensive... especially fresh produce that seems to go bad the moment you get it home. The Excalibur is a compact Food Dehydrator with plenty of room to make jerky or dry your favorite fruits and vegetables so you can keep them edible longer while still maintaining almost all the taste and nutritional value! Excalibur! Holds 5 to 6 lbs. of meat; 5 trays with 8 square feet of drying area... means BIG CAPACITY; Easy to clean with removable doors and trays; Trays roll out easy so you can check on drying process; 8 1/2"h. x 17"w. x 19"d. with 5" fan. Order Now! Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator


Brie Cheese is quite unusual and it comes from France where it got its namesake. The French still make Brie Cheese the same way today as they did in the 18th century. Both the commoners and the royalty of that era enjoyed the taste of Brie Cheese. It was always in demand for the ceremonies to offer tribute to the Royals of France.

Outside of France Brie Cheese is make in larger factories where the process is significantly industrialized and sped up. While the try hard to get the very same taste many cheese coniseurs claim you can definitely tell the difference in Brie Cheese that is made in France and that which is made in other places.

To make Brie Cheese, the curds are processed after they are firm. They are injected with a vaccination called a mold infusion. This mold will grow over a couple of weeks and this is where the taste of the Brie Cheese starts to change. The mold grows on the outside of the cheese and preserves the delicious taste inside of it. The white exterior of Brie Cheese has made it quite famous in many parts of the world.

Brie Cheese is commonly sold in one or two kilogram wheels. Some retailers will sell it in smaller wedges as a courteously to customers. There are several varieties of Brie Cheese including plain, herb, and others with combinations of milk products.

It is made from cow's milk but many people are hesitant to try it because of the grayish color it has. Brie Cheese has a very soft and smooth texture to it. It has a rind on it that doesn't taste like anything. It is actually a white mold that you can eat without getting sick but since it has no flavor many people pass it up.

Many people say Brie Cheese tastes very similar to wild mushrooms. For the best taste Brie Cheese should be allowed to sit at room temperature for an hour before serving. It is often served with berries, nuts, salads, and on hamburgers.

If you found this information on Brie Cheese useful, you'll also want to read about Goat Cheese

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


If you have just gone vegetarian and are coming up to you first vegetarian holiday season, or if you find yourself cooking for a vegetarian this holiday season this is the article for you. A vegetarian holiday season need not be a gloomy series of substitutes for meat. Vegetarian fare can be festive in its own right.

A good nut roast is one of the delights of the vegetarian table. It takes some time to make so it is not something that vegetarians eat every day. But it takes much less time than a turkey.

You will need a selection of nuts and this is season of nuts. You will also need a food processor to grind them to a paste. The kind of nuts you use influences the flavour and colour of the finished roast. Almonds, walnuts, cashews and some hazel nuts make an excellent vegetarian roast but be guided by your own tastes.

Grind the nuts and season them with salt, pepper and spices. Nutmeg is an ideal spice to use. Add some liquid such as vegetable stock and put the mixture into a tin. It should be baked in the oven for about an hour depending on size.

To accompany your vegetarian roast you will need sauces. Cranberry sauce is fine for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. An onion gravy made with vegetable stock will be eaten by all your guests.

Stuffing can be cooked in a separate dish. A combination of brown rice, dried fruit, chopped apples and spices will make a delicious accompaniment to the vegetarian roast. Just avoid adding meat fat. Rely on vegetable fat such as vegetarian suet.

For the visual aspect of a festive vegetarian meal you need to think about vegetables. Decorate your table with a variety of vegetable dishes. Baked squashes make a spectacular centre piece. Stuffed vegetables will show that you have taken that little bit of extra care about the meal.

If your meal is to be entirely vegetarian give the vegetables centre stage on your table. Their colours will delight the eyes of your diners. If you are entertaining vegetarians and non-vegetarians then the turkey will have to take pride of place. But all your guests will be able to tuck into the vegetarian dishes. Your meal may open their eyes to the world of vegetarian cuisine.

Remember that your vegetarian guests may be vegan. If you cannot ascertain this in advance then it will be as well to avoid the use of eggs and milk in your vegetarian dishes. A nust roast is often bound together with eggs but this is not essential. Cream sauces for dessert can be made from ground nuts. Cashews are always popular for this. Soya cream is also available.

When creating a cheese board take care to ensure that at least one cheese is made without rennet. Rennet comes from the lining of a cow's stomach and many vegetarians will not eat it. You might also like to have a few soy based cheeses. The soft soy based cheeses are an excellent option for guests who are watching their cholesterol levels as well as vegetarians and vegans.

The whole point of a holiday season is to share with friends and family. So if you are a non-vegetarian cooking for vegetarians or you are a vegetarian cooking for non-vegetarians make your festive table welcoming to all.

Abhishek has got some great tips on becoming a Vegetarian Download his FREE 108 Pages Ebook, "The Advantages Of Being A Vegetarian!" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/81/index.htm Only limited Free Copies available.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


When people think of knives they tend to think of a few select companies; Kershaw is one of those well known companies. This company is a corporation that makes nothing but knives and is known for the quality of the knives While the company is international, and is owned by a Japanese group, it is located in Oregon in the United States. There are many different facets to these knives including where the company came from and the knives that they create

Kershaw Knives actually got its start in its current state of Oregon. The company was started in 1974 in Portland, Oregon. The knives were actually manufactured in Japan, however, and in three years, the company was bought by a Japanese company. While the company is American, it as always had a large amount of production in Japan.

This brand of knives is easily one of the most popular brands of knives in the United States. These knives have won multiple awards, with the latest being a "Knife of the Year" award. These knives are known both by those who need knives and those who simply want them.

When people think of these knives they tend to think of switch blades and other types of knives They often fail to realize that chef knives are some of the knives available through Kershaw knives These knives must be sharpened often, but offer a great blade for all of your kitchen work, from basic chopping to complete carving. The knives also have styling that matches many types of dinnerware, meaning that the knives fit well at the table.

The kitchen knives available from this company are incredibly useful. These kitchen knives are made of great knife steel, and allow for you to chop, dice, and slice with ease. The knives do require sharpening (as do all other types of knives), but offer you the craftsmanship and quality that you expect from a knife with the Kershaw name. These knives can and will be a great addition to your kitchen cutlery.

The blades of these knives are made from great knife steel that allows you to know that your knife is strong and durable. The blade is long enough to get the job done, and has the perfect blade that allows for ease of use.

The handle on these knives is second to none in the knife business. These knives feature a great handle that gives an ease of use through length and balance. All knives whether they are utility knives or kitchen cutlery, use their handles to maximize your ease of use. The handle is stylish, and is easy to grip and use.

Trying to buy these knives on line is incredibly easy. Just like any other type of product, these knives are available on line in multiple different forms. You can search by Kershaw knives and blades on line individually, and can also purchase them in sets. One place that you cannot purchase the knives on line, however, is off of the actual company website. The website simply links you to the local dealers who have the knives that you are looking for.

If you are looking to purchase Kershaw Knives on line, there are a few things that you should do. First, you need to figure out exactly what tool that you want and need. Knowing exactly what type of knife you need is a big help. After you have chosen the knife, you need to find that exact knife on multiple websites. Finding these knives on multiple websites on line is the only way to make sure that you are paying the lowest prices for the exact knife that you want.

For all your cutlery needs, including Kershaw Knives visit our site.

All of your cooking supplies can be found at KitchenwareInc.com" at competitive prices.

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


The colorful national fruit of Jamaica, the ackee, is as interesting as it is delicious when prepared in a spicy saute of salted codfish, onions and tomatoes, the color and consistency of which reminds visitors to the island of scrambled eggs.

HISTORY

Ackee fruits are borne on a large evergreen tree which grows to 30-60 feet and is related to the lychee and longan. The tree was brought to Jamaica from West Africa aboard slave ships in the 1770's. The name is derived from the Twi language in which it is known as "akye fufu". The botanical name of the ackee is Blighia sapida, a reference to Captain William Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame who brought the ackee plant from Jamaica to Kew Gardens, London in 1793 and introduced it to the scientific community.

DESCRIPTION AND COMPOSITION

The ackee consists of a bright red leathery pod roughly the size and shape of a pear, within which are 3-4 fleshy, yellow pegs called arils-the edible portion of the ackee. Each aril bears a shiny black seed at its tip. When mature the pods open to reveal the arils, which are about 55% lipid in dry weight, all unsaturated fats (omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. There has been absolutely no substantiation that omega 6 fatty acids have a role in the causation of prostate cancer as was reported from the University of Chicago earlier this year.

ECONOMIC IMPACT AND PROPER PREPARATION

No Jamaican Sunday breakfast is complete without 'ackee and saltfish', and every Jamaican expatriate yearns for this taste of home. As a result, the export of ackee canned in brine to North America and the UK has become a JA$400 million dollar per year export market for Jamaica, a valuable source of revenue for this third world country still deeply in arrears to its international debtors. The availability of canned ackee in the US has been subject to intermittent import restrictions by the US Department of Agriculture because when improperly harvested and prepared, ackee can also be lethal: the unripe fruit contains the poison hypoglycin which causes a precipitous drop in blood sugar levels and produces coma, seizures and death if untreated. The ackee pods must be mature and open naturally on the tree to allow for disappearance of the toxin from the arils upon exposure to sunlight. The arils must be cleaned, washed and boiled and the water discarded to remove remnants of hypoglycin. Follow these simple rules and ackee is no problem, mon! In addition, ackee processing plants in Jamaica are subject to strict analytic controls to satisfy requirements of hypoglycin levels less than 100-150 parts per million in the canned product.

OTHER USES OF THE ACKEE

In Africa and other Caribbean islands the ackee has many non-edible uses: In Cuba, an extract of the ackee flower is used to make cologne; along Africas Gold Coast the green pods are used for washing clothes as they produce a rich lather. Also in West Africa, the bark of the tree is ground with hot peppers and applied to the body as a stimulant. The bark may also be used to make a medicinal tea, and the young leaves applied to the forehead for headaches.

Now your tootsies can get intimate with this emblem of Jamaica: colorful cartoonized ackees grace the soles of the flip flop sandals of the new Miami-based sandal company JAMFLIPS.

JAMFLIPS is a family-owned company based in Miami, Florida, USA, specializing in unique, comfortable Caribbean flip flop sandals. Visit us on-line at http://www.jamflips.com

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook

A guide to food dehydrating shows readers how to make preservative-free dried apple rings, candied apricots, beef and fish jerkies, sun-dried tomatoes, corn chips, herb seasonings, dried fruit sugars, and more. 100,000 first printing. Tour.


There is an idiom that you have likely heard--"the salt of the earth." That saying refers to a person who is someone you can count on, who does not put on airs but is a decent, good person.

The seasoning salt is rather like that idiom. Salt is a basic seasoning that is used in many of our favorite dishes and is useful in other applications around the house. You will find it in your favorite foods at every meal, as well as an important ingredient to recipes such as bread, salsas and chips. Organic salt, along with bulk organic spices, supply your kitchen with the taste controllers you need to put savory foods on the table morning, noon and night.

Seasoning Blends

Many blends of bulk herbs and spices can be made more zesty with the addition of organic salt. Imagine fajitas seasoned with black pepper, onion and garlic powders, cumin, coriander, lemon peel, oregano, parsley and cayenne, then brought to perfection by a little sprinkle of organic salt.

Creole foods like gumbo would not be the same without Cajun seasonings comprised of specially blended organic salt and spices. Savory Cajun foods shine when you add a seasoning blend of black pepper, cayenne, organic salt, garlic, onion and paprika. Southern Red Beans and Rice dishes can benefit from the addition of these wonderful Cajun seasonings as well. Cajun seasoning blends are also useful as a dry rub that can be used with fish or chicken that gets sauteed or even barbecued on the grill.

Salt itself can be seasoned by the addition of different herbs and spices in bulk A delicious rub that can be used on beef steaks, pork spareribs, hamburgers, and even fish fillets can start with salt that is flavored with pepper, paprika, and a smoky malt that goes by the name of Hickory salt.

You can make your own special blends of organic salt, herbs and spices suited to your favorite dishes. If you cook a lot at home, it does save money to purchase spices in bulk. That way, you will have a good supply and not run out when you are cooking late at night, at a crucial moment in putting together an anticipated dish.

Other Uses for Salt

In addition to cooking, salt makes a wonderful organic home cleaner. By combining vinegar with salt in a sturdy spray bottle, you have created a non-toxic counter cleaner that will help you scrub away dirt and grime.

Anne Harvester is an herbalist who has studied the benefits of organic foods and healthy living. In this article, she explores organic salt and spices, cajun seasonings, and bulk herbs and spices.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just five hours and beef jerky in seven, this 425-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented hot-air circulation system ensures not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. Each of the five trays is 13-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep (the plastic dehydrator stands 10 inches high), providing more than 12 square feet of tray space for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers at one time. Available separately is a two-tray accessory pack that expands the dehydrator to seven trays. Also available separately are accessories for drying fruit rolls, soups, and sauces and for making jerky from ground meat. Accompanying the dehydrator is a detailed instruction booklet with a drying-time chart for various foods and recipes for cooking with dried foods. --Fred Brack


Beef jerky is known to be the go-to product for people who need to bring along food, but lack refrigeration -- hikers, campers and hunters to name a few. With a food that seems to last forever and does not need to be refrigerated, it seems as if there is no such thing as beef jerky risks. However, as with any food preparation, there are some risks associated with the making of beef jerky.

See, when you really think about it, beef jerky is never cooked. That said, what then makes the meat safe to eat? Drying meat actually dates back thousands of years as a way to preserve portions of meat like buffalo and cattle that could not otherwise be saved. Think about it -- refrigeration just came into play this century, really. The principle behind the safe preservation of meat through drying is that the moisture is removed, meaning there is no longer a way for enzymes containing bacteria or fungus to react with the food. There are very few beef jerky risks when it comes to commercially-made beef jerky. This is because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set guidelines for beef jerky makers to follow, and like any manufacturer, they are monitored. But, when making at home beef jerky risks are more plausible. The reason for this is that the meat may not get to the right temperature before it is dried, which can cause some bacteria to be left behind. Meat should be heated to 160 F and poultry to 165 F before the dehydration process. Then follow the recipe instructions, which usually keep a dehydrator at 130-140 F. If the meat is not heated to par before the drying process starts, whether it is in a dehydrator or oven, the bacteria will become heat resistant. If bacteria are left behind on meat, salmonella and E. coli or other food born illnesses can infect those who eat the jerky.

Here are some tips directly from the USDA to reduce beef jerky risks when making at home:

Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after working with meat products.

Use clean equipment and utensils.

Keep meat and poultry refrigerated at 40 F or slightly below. Use or freeze ground beef and poultry within 2 days; whole red meats, within 3 to 5 days.

Defrost frozen meat in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter.

Marinate meat in the refrigerator. Don't save marinade to reuse. Marinades are used to tenderize and flavor the jerky before dehydrating it.

Steam or roast meat to 160 F and poultry to 165 F as measured with a food thermometer before dehydrating it.

Dry meats in a food dehydrator that has an adjustable temperature dial and will maintain a temperature of at least 130 to 140 F throughout the drying process.

For ground beef jerky prepared at home, safety concerns related to E. coli are minimized if the meat is precooked to 160 F prior to drying.

Homemade jerky can only be stored for one to two months, while commercially produced jerky can last a year.

Another beef jerky risk is the sodium content. Beef jerky is a good snack for those who want to eliminate carbs from their diet, and also some jerky is low in fat. However, most jerky is extremely high in sodium. A 30 g serving of beef jerky could contain more than 515 mg of sodium, which would be 21% of the recommended daily value. While salt is essential to our survival, too much sodium in a diet can cause high blood pressure. So, people who indulge in beef jerky often, as well as other salty foods may want to watch what they eat.

If you found this information on beef jerky risks useful, you'll want to read this article about alligator beef jerky.

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Monday, February 16, 2009

Nesco Clean-a-Screen for Dehydrator Item# 168605, Model# LM-2-6

Screen flexes to remove sticky fruits and jerky quickly and easily. Herbs and spices wont fall through tray spokes. Includes 2 screens. Dishwasher safe. U.S.A.


Beef jerky is one of the most preferred American foods but sometimes buying this in the local grocery store can be quite costly. There are also risks in buying commercially and artificially prepared beef jerky products because of their rich preservative and chemical contents, which are proven to be harmful to the human body.

So what can we do to remedy the cost as well as the content problem of beef jerky products found in the grocery? The answer is simple, don't buy them. Instead, make your own beef jerky in the comforts of your kitchen. The process is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Today, you will be able to learn the proper way of making your very own home made beef jerky. We'll teach you how.

How Is It Done

The most basic ingredient is obviously the meat. You can choose from a wide variety of meat choices like lamb, pork, but the most common and original choice is the beef meat. You should choose a cut of meat that will save you more time in preparation. Some of the choice cuts are mostly the lean cut portions such as sirloin, top round, eye round, and a few others more. Lean cuts are basically the meat portions with the least fat content. If you are quite unsure which part of the meat to choose, you can always ask the help of the butcher or the attendant.

The next step in the preparation process is the slicing of thin meat strips. There are some butchers who will do this freely for you - all you have to do is ask. There are actually two ways of slicing the meat. One is by following the thread lines of the meat and the other one is by slicing across the thread lines. You must trim any fat included in the meat because the fat contents will not dry out. If you do not do this, the beef jerky won't taste as good. If you are having problems slicing the soft meat, you can always refrigerate it for about thirty minutes prior to slicing. This process freezes the meat a little, making the slicing process a bit easier.

Now that you have prepared the meat slices, you can start marinating it. The most common recipe for marinating is the mixture of cider vinegar and rock sea salt. There are also other recipes you can use in marinating your beef jerky. The whole idea here is to allow the meat to absorb the flavor of the marinade.

If you want your beef jerky a bit stickier, you can put the soaked meat inside the refrigerator in about four up to twenty four hours. If otherwise, just lay it down on the kitchen table where air circulates constantly. After soaking, you can now coat the meat with a variety of seasonings you like.

The final step in the preparation of beef jerky is the dehydration process. You can either use a dehydrator or an oven for this. You must make sure that you lay down your meat in an orderly manner so that you can avoid any meat touching one other. When you're using the oven, you should preheat it first and then set the temperature to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, that's about 65 degrees Celsius.

The dehydration process allows the meat moisture to evaporate gradually. This may take about six to twelve hours, depending on the temperature, the level of humidity, and the thickness of your meat slices. You should regularly check the jerky slices if it's dry enough to your preference, but not too dry. To ensure that it is not raw, you may need to cut into it. The final color of each beef jerky must turn into deep brown or burgundy.

When all of the beef jerky slices are ready, you can place them inside plastic bags and store them in the freezer or refrigerator. You can then enjoy your home made beef jerky after a week.

Bernadette Guadiz is an expert writer that has been in the online writing industry for several years. She specializes in SEO and keyword-rich articles for website content, blogs, and even forum postings. Should you wish to hire her services, you can contact her through a safe outsourcing website via http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/SoftwareCoders/showBioInfo.asp?lngAuthorId=6956948

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home: Creat

Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home - Klaus Kaufman Features & Specifications Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home - Klaus KaufmanThis book provides creative recipes for lactic-fermented food to improve your health.With this book, discover the simple remedies and healing agents found in lactic acid-fermented foods. Step-by-step recipes will guide you through centuries-old methods.Great addition to our crock pots!


Ethanol is a biofuel. Biofuels are basically alternative energy sources made from living matter. Unlike Fossil Fuels, such as oil, which come from nonliving materials. Although it sounds like a great idea on the surface many countries are experiencing rising grocery costs as Ethanol production mounts. But why is this and does it affect you?

The most commonly used type of biofuel today is called E85 which is a blend of gasoline and ethanol. Basically it is 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol. The ratio of this mixture is adjusted according to weather temperatures, so during Winter months it takes more gasoline in the mixture to operate.

Now if everyone could afford a vehicle which used E85 this would be a huge step in reducing or reliance on oil. But the truth is many of us cannot and the vehicles and E85 stations are not being promoted to the public.

But the real problem with E85 and Biofuels comes from the fact that the production is causing food shortages which raise your grocery bill. But how is this?

The start of this chain reaction from producing biofuel is corn. Corn is the primary food from which Ethanol is produced. And since farmers raise this crop there is only so much land for it to be grown on. And while supply for corn has grown the farmers struggle to keep up.

With this increased demand corn has become very profitable to grow. Farmers are sacrificing growing other products such as Soy and Wheat to have more land to grow corn. So instead of a shortage of just one crop, Corn, we now have a shortage of three, Corn, Wheat, and Soy.

These are staple crops. Meaning that many of the products you buy everyday from the Grocery store is produced from these. Resulting in raising your grocery bill and a shortage of food that is distributed to the poor and underdeveloped countries.

An alternative to biofuel and rising grocery bills is available. Water. The most abundant natural resource on the Planet.

With an inexpensive and easy to install kit your everyday vehicle can achieve increased gas mileage ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent and more. This is achieved by using a small electrical current from your battery to release Hydrogen gas from water. This is then mixed with your vehicle's fuel/air mixture.

To see how this incredible alternative energy source can benefit you and save you money at the fuel pump and help combat rising grocery costs please visit http://www.water-as-gas.com

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Beware of Health Insurance Infomercials

I don't know about you, but when I see the term "low cost," I immediately assume the product is of very little use and limited quality. And when I see the Infomercial king Billy Mayes pitching a health insurance policy...well...I know there's something wrong. And there is.

The policy he's peddling is like Swiss cheese. Full of holes...and full of something else as well! Consider these policy provisions on the 1100 Series policy:

$100 application fee. Sorry...but you NEVER should pay an application fee.
Only $1000 of surgery coverage per year. Seriously...I'm not kidding!
Limit of $20 per blood test of lab test.
Limit of $220 for an MRI.
Only $1100 of your hospitalization charges are covered per year.
Anesthesia charges limited to $250 per surgery (that's about 10 minutes, folks!).
NO outpatient surgery coverage.
Inpatient hospital expenses such as lab work, blood tests, medications etc...are NOT covered!

And it keeps getting better! For Ohio residents, the cost is NOT $50 per month, as you might expect. Try $159 per month and a whopping $269 per month for an entire family.

At those prices, you should get a food dehydrator, a knives and cutlery set, a pasta maker, a pocket fisherman and an autographed picture of Lebron James.

The focus of this article is not necessarily to bash infomercials. They are quite entertaining and generally the product that is being presented, is worthwhile. But health insurance policies do not belong on infomercials. A health insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder where millions of dollars can change hands.

Granted, this plan is a little better than the dreaded "discount plans" that have flooded the market. But, there are many inexpensive major medical health insurance plans that are a much better option than Billy's overpriced product.

A few of these options include UnitedHealthCare's "Copay Saver" plans, Anthem's "Value" plans and Aetna's "Value" plans.

If you want further information on any of these plans. Or any other available plans from a reputable company, then visit http://www.ohioquotes.com

For additional information, feel free to email eharris@ohioquotes.com or visit http://ohioquotes.com/

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