food adventure

good news for chololate lovers

We all know chocolate comes laden with calories that can upset our diet, especially if we don’t know when to stop. The good news for all chocaholics out there is that scientists have finally come up with a recipe for chocolate with less calories and, even better, with the same exquisite taste, as the Daily Mail can confirm.

Scientists working on this at the University of Birmingham insist that nothing is lost in terms of taste with the new and improved type of chocolate. It is obtained by means of a method that replaces fat in foods with non-fat substances like water, gel or air. The same method will be later applied to other foods that are considered responsible for the ongoing obesity pandemic, like mayonnaise and junk food.

Aside from the taste, which remains the same, the flavor and smell of the low-fat food are also unaltered, researchers say. Moreover, they’re also working on creating a tasty porridge that should make one feel full for several hours in a row, thus eliminating the need of snacking and, subsequently, the mindless eating some engage in. This “super porridge” should go into production soon, and works “by using a liquid which changes into a gel when it comes into contact with acid in the stomach,” the Mail says.

Most Best Adventure Foods

What is true is that there are really no “best” backpacking food. There are reasons to bring certain foods, though. Here are ten foods and the reasons you might want to consider them.

• Nuts. This is one of the most calorie-packed foods you can take. That means less weight to carry. With lots of protein and other nutritional benefits, nuts are one of the best backpacking foods.
• Olive oil. Add a little to your soups or dip bread in it. The best of the oils health-wise, you can eat it before sleeping, to stay warm, because fats generate heat when digested.
• Trail mixes. Any mix with raisins and nuts is great for backpacking. Vitamins, minerals, protein, and the best reason – convenience.
• Corn products. Tortilla chips or corn nuts are convenient, and they don’t seem to cause the tiredness that potato chips and other simple carbohydrates can cause.
• Ramen noodles. When you need a hot meal fast, there isn’t much that’s better.
• Instant coffee. A necessity for caffeine addicts, and it’s good to have a stimulant available for emergencies.
• Wild edible berries. Learn to identify a few, and you’ll have a nutricious excuse for a break along the trail.
• Instant sports drinks. Pour a little in your water bottle and shake. Replacing electrolytes doesn’t get more convenient.
• Instant refried beans. When you want sustained energy, eat beans.
• Your favorites. Having your favorite foods can help salvage a rainy backpacking trip spent in the tent.

Keep in mind the nature of the trip when you choose your backpacking food. Hot meals are much more important in cold climates, and convenience is king, if you want to make miles.

barbeque tips

A great barbecue is one of summer’s pleasures. At least, it should be. A major factor in creating success is don’t let your barbecue get out of hand, I don’t mean the fire itself , but the amount and type of food you cook and drinks you serve. Here are some tips to get you started- write them down, print them out, and memorize them. Your barbeque guests will thank you.

• Thaw meat and poultry completely in the refrigerator prior to grilling so that it cooks evenly.
• Marinated meats or seafood should be stored in the refrigerator. If marinade will be used for sauce, set aside some before placing the raw foods. You may use again the marinade but be sure to boil it.
• Use a clean serving plate for cooked foods. Do not use the same plate for uncooked and cooked meats. Bacteria from the juices of meat might spread in your grilled foods.
• To prevent bacteria from spreading, use a well-padded cooler and put enough ice when transporting food to another place. Pack the meat or poultry in a tightly closed container and put it right away in the cooler before you leave.
• Check for doneness. Cooking time varies depending on cuts, sizes or thickness of beef, pork, poultry or seafood.
• A clean grill is very important. If you are having baby back ribs today, scrape away the charred remnants of salmon that you had the other day, it will probably affect the flavor and the taste of the food you are about to cook. After scraping the grill, wipe it with vegetable oil to reduce the likelihood of the food sticking to the grill.
• Sear the meat to seal in its natural juice. This is done by preheating the grill on high for about ten minutes, or lighting the coal for about 20 minutes before you begin to cook. For tender juicy meat, sear both sides of the meat quickly then set the heat to medium or if using charcoal, raise the rack. Tongs should be used instead of fork when grilling meat. Forks may prick the meat and will cause the meat to dry out. Put reserved marinade for the sauce during the last minutes of the grilling period. Sauces mainly contain fats and sugar in it. If placed too early, it will probably burn.
• When cooking seafood and other delicates use a hinged wire grill basket. It can be simply flipped over to turn everything at once. It is great for grilling whole or fillet fish such as salmon, trout or snapper.
• A water bottle squirt may be used as an alternative if you do not have a barbecue brush. Just squirt out marinade and barbeque sauce into the food.
• A can of cola added to a barbecue sauce brings out subtle aromatic sweetness and flavor on the barbecue.

achievement for a food lover

At last somebody told me that I lost weight. It’s really my goal to shed some pounds for a long time now. Like what I said in my previous post that weight loss is more of determination and discipline. But, it’s not that easy. I am always tempted to eat more of those delicious foods served in front of me. Little by little I was able to practice eating only the right amount of food. It made me happy although it is really difficult avoiding food and being inactive.

I never thought I can get back in my weight now. Even though what that person says is subjective, I also have some basis. My pants are now looser than before. And, that is a big achievement for me as a food lover.

stainless or plastic mug for your travel adventure?

Travel mugs are offered in both stainless steel and plastic with plastic being the least expensive. Even though stainless steel initially costs more, it will give you much better value for your money. While, plastic mugs can break when dropped and they don’t keep your coffee or tea hot nearly as long as the stainless mugs.

You can expect superior performance from a stainless steel travel mug keeping your coffee or tea hot for about an hour. If you are looking for the very best way to keep your favorite beverage hot or cold longer, look for a mug with stainless steel double wall insulation. Stainless steel also cleans up easier than plastic and the plastic liner over time will absorb coffee or tea. This build up will affect the taste of your beverage and the only way to remedy it is to buy another travel mug.

If you still prefer a plastic travel mug, make sure it has a stainless steel liner. The advantages of these are you won’t feel the heat on the outside of the mug and you have a variety of colors to choose from.
You should also decide if you want your travel mug to fit a cup holder in your car or if you want it to have a wide bottom for stability.

The advantage of a travel mug that fits a cup holder is you don’t have to hold onto it. Just make sure the dimensions of the mug will fit your holder. If you don’t have a cupholder or don’t like to use one, you need a travel mug with a wide bottom. Look for a non-slip wide bottom because not all of them come that way. You don’t want it to slide if you let go of the travel mug.

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