From a nutritional view-point, winter is the time to use the reserves that have been built up in the autumn. We need more calorie-rich meals to keep us warm, and the most favoured ingredients are pulses, rice and grain, cabbage, leeks and root vegetables. Fish and fatty foods help to keep us warm, and dried foods provide energy.

In Chinese philosophy, it is thought of as the season of most yin, when the energy is inward-looking. Nature sleeps and prepares. The energy is resting deep in the ground. Outside all is barren and still, but inside there is warmth, and opportunity to study and learn, time for leisure, culture and rest.

The element of this season is water, which corresponds to the kidneys and bladder. Special attention should be paid to the basic life energies. Keep warm and well nourished, stay quiet and peaceful, and enjoy this season of still life.

In winter soups are warming, healthy and nutritious. Virtually any vegetable can be cooked. Many can be blended with an electric blender to whatever coarseness or consistency is desired. Spices and pre-prepared food stocks can be used to add flavour. In this way, you can make such soup dishes as leek and potato, spicy green lentil, carrot and ginger, mixed bean, creamy parsnip, pumpkin, cauliflower, mixed vegetable etc. For added flavour, I love to add a tasty chorizo sausage or heaps of curry powder.

Pastas are a natural for winter. Spaghetti, tagliatelle, penne, macaroni, linguine and conchiglie can be married up with chunky, creamy or pesto sauces in such dishes as spaghetti bolognese, spinach and artichoke tagliatelle, penne with basil pesto, Lebanese pine kernel macaroni, linguine with mussels and conchiglie with chunky spices sausage.

Pizzas are as versatile as any food and can be pre-prepared and frozen. Typical constituents are mozzarella cheese, tomato paste, peppers, and chillies, with seafood, chicken, mince, ham, sausage and assorted vegetables.

Additional flavours according to taste can include anchovy fillets, black or green olives, crushed garlic, shiitake mushrooms, capers and oregano.

Casseroles are a hearty meal and can be pre-prepared for convenience and taste.

Typical ingredients in many casseroles include diced potato, onion, carrots, celery, tinned or fresh tomatoes, broccoli, chic peas, beans and cabbage or bok choi with either casserole steak, chicken pieces, lamb chops or shanks, diced meats such as lamb, veal, pork or chicken thighs.



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Someway, somehow, everybody's going to have a sweet tooth craving for a nice, sweet satisfaction. This is the reason why candies are always popular and in demand. Regardless of age, people will always have a special place in their hearts for sweets. Retro sweets, in particular, are a favorite for their time-tested goodness. Back in the 70's and 80's, children found joy with every Fizzy Cola Bottle they could sink their teeth into. Today, these old-fashioned sweets are made sweeter for the memories they bring.

If you've always wondered where those Candy Sticks, Curly Wurlies, Drumsticks Highland Toffees, or Love Hearts have gone, you'll only be pleased to know that they're making a comeback you probably always longed for. Wholesale retro sweets are now available online in wide varieties for that sweet, nostalgic tooth. Now ,it's time to remember how that candy shop used to make you feel sweet and innocent. When looking for your Banana Mallows, Barratts Shrimps, Black Jacks, Brown Gems and other favorites, the Internet is your best bet. There's a good number of wholesale retro sweets shops you can check out and compare for their products and prices.

Getting those traditional sweets is easier when you do it at home on your computer with your kids who'll surely love to be introduced to your childhood favorites while you get teary-eyed. But it doesn't mean you can be carefree when making choices. There are many wholesalers out there but they're not all created equal. Compare them while considering quality and price. Make sure the products are fresh. Also, look into shipment policies and services in general. You should be able to strike a balance between what they offer and how.

How to pay for those retro sweets is also surely worth some thought. Choose the option that is the most suitable and reliable. It should also work to do your research on which wholesale sweets shops are tops. You can check for reviews and comments to get an idea about the store you're planning to buy from.




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Popcorn is an American institution. Very few things are as ubiquitous, as universal, and as wholesome as popcorn. It is a food that is enjoyed on many occasions. From moviegoers who ask for extra butter to bar goers who enjoy its crunch with their brews. From the birthday party organizers who rely on it for finger food to the families who curl up together in front of a movie, popcorn is a food meant for sharing.

There is a lot of talk about gourmet popcorn, but no real definition of what exactly it is. There are qualities that gourmet popcorn and gourmet popcorn companies share and there are traits that set some types of gourmet flavored popcorn away from the rest of the pack. This article explores three such traits in order to help you find great popcorn for a great price.

A Wealth Of Flavors

One thing all gourmet flavored popcorn companies share is a love for trying to infuse their product with new and interesting flavors. Gone are the days where your only options for popcorn were plain, buttered, cheddar cheese, or caramel. Gourmet popcorn makers are constantly pushing the limits as they try to find that next great flavor.

Some of the newest popcorn flavors are spicy like cinnamon and jalapeno. Some flavors are sweet like chocolate and almond pecan. And some flavors are odd, one off flavors not meant to stick around for more than a season or two. It seems that a big part of what makes popcorn gourmet is a willingness on the part of the maker to push the envelope and expand their line of popcorns to include new and interesting entries.

Painstaking Construction

Perhaps the most important thing about gourmet flavored popcorn is its construction, or how it is made. The methods used when popping the corn and adding the flavor will have a great bearing on how the popcorn will turn out.

Air popping on high heat is the best and the most efficient way to make delicious and fluffy popcorn. However, it is also very important to use high quality all natural popping corn. The toppings on gourmet flavored popcorn are almost always put on immediately after the popcorn is popped. This ensures the flavors and toppings will attach themselves as everything cools down.

Gourmet Is Healthier

Perhaps the largest difference between gourmet and microwavable or store bought popping corn is the nutritional values of the three options. Both microwavable and store bought popping corns are typically loaded with preservatives and have added ingredients for both the cooking and for flavor. These ingredients make these varieties higher in both salts and sugars.

Gourmet varieties, on the other hand, usually don't add more than natural flavors. This means they are lower in salts and sugars, are a good source of fiber, and an all around healthy snack. However, always make sure to check that the popcorn you are purchasing is made of all natural popping corn and is healthy for both you and your family.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Arett