Dating Tip Birthday Gifts Ideas to Impress Your Aquarius Boyfriend

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If your boyfriend was born between January 21 and February 18, he is an Aquarius, one of the zodiacs air signs. This sign is most ideal when in a relationship. You rarely see an Aquarius man with multiple women as he believes in choosing the best mate for him. Even though it may take years of searching to get there, these men make amazing partners as they believe in tradition, love and commitment. By choosing to right gift for this air sign, he will forever treasure you and worship the ground that you walk on.

Pets

Aquarius men have sensitive hearts and usually love animals and children. Adopt a pet in his name. If you are not sure what kind of pet to give him, consider his lifestyle. If he spends a lot of time at home, he may be able to care for a pet which requires more responsibility, such as a dog. If he is constantly away on business, a cat or a turtle may be more appropriate.

Clothes

These men are far from superficial, but they do like to look nice. If you know his clothing sizes, splurge on him by getting him a new outfit. Get him a nice collared shirt that he can wear out on the night of his birthday. While these men are picky when it comes to clothes, they will appreciate anything that you give them. With that in mind, always remember to keep the receipts.

Gym Membership

If you look at most Aquarius men, they have nice bodies. Appearances are very important to these men. Treat your boyfriend to a yearlong gym membership, including special amenities. This is a gift that he will love because its something that he probably wants but would never get for himself. Since working out together often brings couples closer, you may want consider getting a gym membership for yourself as well. You can even sign both of you up for one boxing session, which may be a fun pastime on his birthday.

Engraved Items

Your boyfriend occasionally fusses about things in your relationship, but you know it is because he is a big teddy bear inside. Since he is in touch with his sensitive side, appeal to his emotions by giving him an engraved gift to celebrate his birthday and acknowledge your relationship. You can engrave anything from a watch to a bottle of liquor. You can also get a special note inscribed in his favorite novel. Whatever you do, make the words heartfelt and original so that he will always remember that specific birthday.

While these men may not be hard to attract initially, they are difficult to hold steady. However, once an Aquarius man has decided on a woman, not much can change his mind. If he has chosen you to be by his side, you should shower this man with gifts because he will do the same for you.

Customize your Wedding Cakes

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Wedding cakes are not very difficult ones to prepare. You can easily do it with the help of the recipes that are available in various magazines these days. The couple has to take up some very important decisions. These include setting the budget, theme, flavor, and color for the wedding cake.

Based on these considerations, you have to begin the research. You can get information about the different varieties of cakes from various books and online sites. The design can also be prepared on your own. You can even bring about some very interesting ideas into reality using your own creativity. Combining together it is necessary to have effective ways of choosing a wedding cake.

There are plenty of designs that are available which can be used for the cake. The cake would portray the personality of the couple. Hence, it makes the task extremely complicated and difficult to be implemented. You have to check out different trends and ideas being implemented in other popular weddings.

You can even get ideas for the decoration of the cake. Another important alternative is to check out various pictures of the wedding cakes available online. These pictures would inform you about the different designs of wedding cake.

You can take these ideas and prepare your own unique wedding cakes. However, you have to consult a baker to find out whether the design developed by you could be used for the wedding. You can even hire a cake designer for this task.

A cake designer would solve your queries related to cakes and suggest you some tips to make the task easier. You have to also decide whether the cake should be single layered or multi-layered.

The next important attribute includes the flavor for the cake. Majority of the couples opt for traditional flavors for their bridal cakes. Some of the popular flavors include the carrot, chocolate, and vanilla. The couple has to also consider each others preferences before finalizing the flavor. The size of the cake can be decided on the basis of the number of guests expected for the wedding.

Once the design, flavor, and the size of the wedding cake is finalized, then you have to proceed to bake it or place an order. The couples can choose from traditional wedding cakes to the some unusual designs for the cake.

The location to place the cake at the venue should also be considered. You should make arrangement such as cake stand to display the cake properly. You can even decorate the table and cake stand where the cake is to be placed.

The decoration on the cake should compliment well with the decorations available at the wedding location. You can use flowers, satin ribbons, candies, chocolate chips, and many more items for decoration.

The details outlined here will surely guide you to customize your wedding cake and embellish it as per your desire.

Custom Wedding Cake Toppers - Match Your Wedding Perfectly

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There is no doubt that bride, groom and wedding cake are the three main elements in every wedding. Sure if there are no bride and groom, it can't even be called a wedding. And also wedding is dull if there is no wedding cake. But do you know what the most significant piece of wedding cake is? Yes, a cake topper!

A wedding cake topper is a kind of decoration which is put on the top of the cake in most cases. Normally it is a figurine representing of a bride and groom in formal wedding attire. When the wedding is over, new couples will leave it as a keepsake and wonderful memory of their wedding day.

Cake toppers come in many different styles. They can be humorous, funny, outlandish, and vintage - in other words, whatever the couple decides that they like. But choosing a 100% satisfied cake topper is really hard. The one you buy off the shelf is cute and charming but there are always one or two aspects which don't meet your requirement. Then what to do? A custom cake topper would be a good idea. You can specify any details you want from head to toes. But in the meanwhile another problem comes out. If you specify too many details, the price might be pretty high and beyond your limited budget. Also another thing you should know is usually the cake toppers you customized are non-refundable. They are customized made for you, the provider can't resell them to anyone else. That is why they don't offer refund. Keep these two facts in mind if you are leaning towards a custom made solution.

If fully custom made decorations are too expensive to afford, a third option is to partially customize your toppers. Many providers will offer some standard wedding cake toppers but still leave the most important part blank to custom as your specification. This helps cut the cost effectively in effect and are welcomed by many couples.

There are many materials can be used for making cake toppers. The following are common ones you can see from the market.

1. Glass. Hand blown glass cake toppers are very popular by their unique sharp and twinkling looking. In the hands of a skilled craftsman such a topper becomes a singular work or artistic creation that would have value even if it weren't set atop a wedding cake.

2. Porcelain. It is another material that many artist love to use to create a customized cake topper. They add a touch of elegance to what might normally be thought of as a simple design.

3. Clay. When the shape of cake topper is too complicated, it might be too hard to create by glass or porcelain. Then it would be a show time for clay. Clay does a very excellent job on build complicated shape cake toppers.

All in all, the wedding cake topper is not only a "showpiece" for the cake, but also highlighting the starting of a new life for the just married couple. Let the customized wedding cake topper witness your wedding and be a great treasure of your whole life.

Culinary Tools of the Trade

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Mastering food is good, but in order to stun everyone with your kitchen is to get the best culinary tools. Learn about the different tools of the trade. Make an impression.

Being a chef makes you crave for perfection, and you seek this perfection in whatever tools you use in the kitchen as well. After working in the kitchen for quite some time, you might not have realized but there are certain knives, utensils, pots etc. that you prefer compared to others.

Many of the famous chefs have in fact brought their own brand of cutlery and cookware as in case of Jamie Oliver. There are companies that are dealing with restaurants, catering companies etc. and providing them with the best culinary tools ever. Every professional chef is very particular about the uniform, knives, pots and pans he uses, and thus it makes perfect business sense to provide such people with the best pieces of equipments and tools. The business can be expanded by providing the restaurants with exceptional bakeware, serveware, cookware, cutlery, etc. that will not only assist them to make the food good but make its presentation even better.

For a chef the vital culinary tool is the set of chef knives. A Chef is so used to his own set of tools and knives that he even teaches with his own set of tools. Even the cutting board is chosen with utmost care.

Some cooks love to cook the food in their own traditional unique way, while others use many different gadgets to get a meal prepared. Cooking a meal takes a lot out of you, so after all that labor, presentation of the dishes is also equally important for a chef.

Thus, the professional chefs have their own professional culinary tools that are developed in premium factories. These tools are very expensive for the public to buy and hence are directly sold to the restaurants, catering services etc. The very basic from among a variety of these culinary tools that are required in a kitchen are: zesters, graters, timers, Spices graters, Cutting as well as chopping boards and related items, Silicon products, Chef Knives, Pans, Pots, Food Processors, Meat Grinders, Marinade equipments, Bamboo tools, accessories, pounders, tools for garnishing, cups for measuring and many more.

Professional chef or a simple cook, one must always keep the kitchen well stacked with fresh and good quality food, cook well with good culinary and cutlery sets. Finally, you should always try and cook the best meal and then present it in an even better way. And when you are armed with a set of professional culinary tools of the trade, then you will be sure to impress everyone who also appreciates your culinary skills.

CulinarySchoolsU.com provides the opportunity to research and request free information from top culinary schools and culinary colleges for potential students looking to start or expand their career in the culinary arts.

Crock Pot Recipes for Football Sunday

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Crock pot recipes are perfect for football Sunday. When you wake up in the morning, just set up the crock pot with your favorite appetizer, barbecue or Sunday dinner and it will be ready to eat before, during or after the game. The last thing you want to be doing while the game is on is slaving over a hot stove while the shouts of your family and friends can be heard in the next room. So put your feet up and enjoy the party, while you smell the food cooking by itself in the kitchen, with these easy crock pot recipes for football Sunday.

Easy Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

What you need:

2 lbs ground chuck
12 oz jar chili sauce
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 c green pepper, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
2 T sweet pickle relish
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 t salt
1/8 t black pepper
1/8 t garlic powder
red pepper flakes per taste (optional)

What you do:

Brown ground beef in a large skillet with onion, celery and green pepper; drain. Place ground beef and vegetables into a 3.5 or larger crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve on hamburger buns.

Spicy Crock Pot Country Style Ribs

What you need:

3-4 lbs country style pork ribs
1 package fajita seasoning mix
1 c water
1 large onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 T olive oil
1 t beef bouillon granules
1 t red pepper flakes (optional)

What you do:

Heat oil in a large skillet. Place ribs on a large plate and rub with fajita seasoning (save excess seasoning that remains on plate). Place ribs in skillet and sear over high heat 1-2 minutes per side or until browned. Place ribs in bottom of a 3.5 or larger crock pot. Top ribs with onion. In a small bowl, combine water, garlic, bouillon granules, excess fajita seasoning and red pepper flakes and mix. Pour mixture over ribs. Cook on low for 7-9 hours, or until desired tenderness.

Spicy Bean Dip

What you need:

15 -16 oz can refried beans
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 c picante sauce
black olives, sliced (optional)

What you do:

In a small crock pot, mix together refried beans, cheddar cheese and picante sauce. Cook on low heat for 2 hours or until cheese is melted and bean dip is heated through. Top with sliced black olives. May double ingredients for larger portions.

Create the Best Bread Pudding Recipe - New Orleans Style!

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My grandmother had the Best Bread Pudding Recipe without a doubt. It is still one of my favorite desserts. Imagine my surprise on my first trip to New Orleans to discover all Bread Pudding is NOT alike!

There are actually several variations of this dessert. My grandmother's version is a variation of a traditional dessert popular in British Cuisine. It is called bread and butter pudding and is often confused with bread pudding. Cubed bread is placed in a pan and then covered with an egg mixture to make a custard. After it is baked, the bread rises to the top to form a "crust" like topping. It tastes similar to French toast. The egg mixture forms a rich custard pudding at the bottom. Of course, my grandmother added her secret spices to give this a sweet nutmeg flavor. It is absolutely wonderful!

Louisiana bread pudding is made entirely differently and is just as good. The common ingredient is stale bread, but that is where the similarities end. The bread pudding consistency is similar to a moist cake and is warm served with a wonderful vanilla, whiskey, or rum sauce. The smell is heavenly and if you get a chance to visit New Orleans, this is a MUST have dessert that is served at most restaurants.

The following recipe, a specialty of my New Orleans sister-in-law, is a requested dessert at holidays, parties or any special occasion. The secret to this recipe is the bread. Stale french bread is the best. Use the long narrow loaves, if available. No matter what size pan she uses, it is always empty at the end of our family gatherings!

Best Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

6 - 8 cups stale bread, broken in cubes
1 can evaporated milk
2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons butter, melted
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 large can fruit cocktail, drained
3/4 can condensed milk
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup raisins

Directions

Combine milks, butter, eggs, vanilla, sugar, nutmeg. Fold in bread and stir. Mixture should be very moist.

Add fruit cocktail and raisins. Mix well. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 1 hour or until top is golden brown. Serve warm with whiskey sauce.

Variations

You can leave out the raisins. Try adding blueberries, peaches, or apples.

Although my grandmother's recipe is still one of my favorite desserts, I can truthfully say that this is the Best Bread Pudding Recipe - New Orleans Style!

Corporate Team Building Ideas to Add Pep and Energy to Your Conference

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Here are three Corporate Team Building Ideas that are guaranteed to add pep and energy to your next conference and turn it into the home run hit you have been looking for. Have your quarterly, bi-annual, or annual conferences become dull and boring? As the planner for your conference, you feel the weight of trying to come up with something different every time and only ending up exhausted and under-appreciated. Do you put a ton of time and effort coming with topics and speakers that are important to the success of your company only to hear complaints about, Why this again? We do the same thing every time. Whats the purpose anyway?

1. Think about adding a philanthropic team building event to your schedule. A philanthropic corporate team building event is designed to be high energy, tons of fun, and most importantly give back to your local community and or charities. Your group will learn how to brain storm together, problem solve, lead, follow, compete and collaborate in an extremely dynamic fast-paced team activity. Its a great way to take time away from company spreadsheets, calendars, and performance charts yet at the same time learning and experiencing the principles that lead to long term success. The team event by itself is a ton of fun but the icing on the cake is presenting items you have built to underprivileged children. Its even better than Christmas morning! Your team will love it and the event will become the anchor that helps them remember all of the other conference items you have worked so hard to put together.

2. If you want to scale it back a little but still have a lot of fun, think about doing a short team event that can spice up an afternoon session or get people excited right before they head to lunch. Murder Mystery events are a great way to add a little life to your conference. They are fun, energetic and can fit into a short 60-90 minute time frame for a group of 20-50 participants. If you have a small group of 20-50 participants it is a great way to bring everyone together. If you have several hundred participants it is perfect for break-out sessions. Murder Mystery events are like live games of the old board game Clue. Your group will be divided into smaller investigation units to uncover the facts of a murder that took place right before their eyes. Each group will have to learn how to work together, problem solve, and weigh the importance of information as they investigate. Its an extremely fun way to mimic what corporate teams do in the real world every day.

3. Another great way to break up your conference is with an outdoor scavenger hunt or Camaraderie Quest. A Camaraderie Quest is like a treasure hunt. Think of being dropped in the middle of the set of the movie National Treasure. Your team will be given a set of clues and tasks they must perform as a group. It will take ingenuity, creativity, and developing a game plan in order to succeed. Your team will have an incredibly fun time as they work their way through a tailor-made quest in a downtown historic center, shopping center, or museum. Its a great way to get them out of their conference chairs and on their feet, yet at the same time learning the valuable lessons of team building and leadership.

Any of these corporate team building events can add energy to your conference or convention, but remember that the larger your group becomes, the more that you'll want to rely on professional team building organizers or facilitators. Otherwise, you will be likely to have a big portion of your group standing around and watching while a few of the participants are active. Your team will compliment you greatly.

Copycat Restaurant Recipes Review

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I enjoy eating in restaurants from time to time but I prefer to cook most of my meals at home. There are cookbooks available that have a fine range of general recipes which I like to cook from. There are also certain new products like "Copycat Recipes Cookbooks" coming on to the market featuring many of the most popular restaurant meals. Read the following complete review of "Copycat Recipes Cookbooks" and decide whether this selection of recipes is rght for you.

"Copycat Recipes Cookbooks" compiles hundreds of the best American restaurant recipes available. If you enjoy dining at Macaroni Grill, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel to name just a few, you will love these cookbooks that have an excellent list of recipes from such well known dining establishments.

These 332 recipes include everything from the tastiest seafood recipes to the best of steak, chicken, vegetarian and other great meals (including desserts). Recipes such as Veggie Patch Pizza, Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Bourbon Street Steak, Broiled Salmon with Garlic Butter, Spicy Cajun Pasta, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Bruschetta al Pomodoro, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake and Lemon Cream Cake to name just some of the many.

There are a number of reasons to eat at home:

1) You get the satisfaction of cooking for yourself - a great skill to have.

2) You save yourself a lot of money.

3) You develop the cooking skills to entertain family and friends.

4) You remove the risk of hygiene issues when dining at home.

5) You can make sure that all the ingredients in your recipes are purchased fresh.

This recipe book offer comes with a complete 56 days guarantee if you are not satisfied with the cookbooks. The cookbooks are downloadable and the great thing about the deal is one or two recipes will return the value of the entire $US42.95 price of the cookbooks.

As a person who has mainly dined from home all of my adult life, I regard cooking as one of the greatest pleasures life offers. Like learning to ride a bicycle, or learning to swim, it is a skill that stays with you for life. I especially enjoy the benefit of preparing a restaurant recipe meal in my own kitchen and comparing it with the restaurant equivalent.

Anybody who gets into cooking these top restaurant recipes will enjoy the same experience.

Cooking Fish Using Electric Food Smokers

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We've been an admirer of food smokers for quite some time and I have owned several, however absolutely nothing I've ever run, can carry a candle towards the really advanced modern day smokers these days. The actual smoker which i presently have is known as a Bradley Technologies smoker. The particular model that i own is known as "Jim Beam". It is an electrical, four rack, self contained digital smoker with an automated feed for the wood chips which might be referred to as bisquettes.

They are compressed "patties" of wood that rather resemble a hockey puck. These are loaded right into a smoke chamber which in turn funnels the actual smoke towards the food compartment and they are distributed in an interval of one each twenty minutes. This self feed feature helps make smoking virtually a no brainer because you don't have to continuously monitor as well as physically feed the actual smoker. digital heat control continually regulates the actual temperature at varying degrees therefore there isn't any guess work or room for mistake.

Smoking foods is really a process of cooking food, flavoring and preserving foods through subjecting them to the actual smoke of smoldering plant material. Various woods are usually used in the actual smoking procedure and totally different wood kinds produce diverse flavors. Some seafood like fish and meats are the most commonly smoked ingredients although a number of other foodstuff such as veggies, cheese, nuts as well as fruit come out very tasty. Alder is the standard smoking wood around Europe for several years but oak is becoming very popular.

In America there are lots of popular smoking woods being employed. Mesquite, hickory, oak, pecan, alder, maple, apple, cherry as well as plum are among the favorites which are common. A few American ham and bacon smokehouses even make use of burning corn cobs as their own choice for the special smoked flavor. Sawdust from the Manuka (tea tree) is often used for smoking fish throughout New Zealand. Historically farms in america would contain a little building known as the smokehouse, where by meat could be smoked as well as kept. Usually these could be separated from other properties due to possible fire and excess smoke.

You will find different variations associated with smoking. Hot smoking, cold smoking and smoke roasting just to name a few. HOT SMOKING- exposes ingredients to both smoke and also heat inside a controlled atmosphere. Although ingredients which have been hot smoked are generally sometimes reheated or even cooked they are usually safe to eat without additional cooking. Hams are regarded as fully cooked once they are properly smoked. Hot smoking happens within the range of 165-185 degrees Farrenheit. With this temperature range meals are fully cooked, moist and delicious. If you smoke foods hotter than 185 deg Farrenheit the foodstuffs may reduce in size too much and may split. Smoking at higher temps decreases yield as both moisture as well as fats are usually cooked out. COLD SMOKING- is usually utilized as a flavor booster intended for beef, pork, chicken, fish and other sea food.

Items can be cold smoked for short periods to give a hint of taste or even they may be cold smoked for extended periods for a much more intensive flavor. The foodstuffs are after that ready to be finished cooking food through techniques like baking, roasting, grilling as well as sauteing. They might also then be hot smoked for an even deeper smoked flavor. Temperatures for cold smoking ought to be beneath 100 degrees F. In this heat range meals take on a rich smoky taste, produce a deep mahogany color and can keep the moist consistency, however they aren't considered cooked by this process. SMOKE ROASTING- is the process of both roasting as well as smoking concurrently. Sometimes this can be referred to as barbequing or even pit roasting. This might be achieved in the bbq pit, a smoke roaster, or any smoker that can reach 250 deg Farrenheit or even greater. Certain foods are considered fully cooked whenever correctly smoked with that method.

Personally one of my personal favorite smoked foods is a standing rib roast. I like to smoke this in my Bradley smoker using hickory flavoured bisquettes. Bradley even tends to make Jim Beam wood flavoured bisquettes which i 'm desperate to use for my next standing rib roast. One more of my favorites is actually a smoked turkey and here is my tiny top secret, I mix mesquite with cherry bisquettes. This imparts a pleasant smoky flavor which has a just touch of sweet taste.The possibilities are practically endless with all the various ingredients, the many types of wood flavoured bisquettes, and also the mixture of the wood bisquettes. I am always thinking of new and revolutionary approaches to make use of my personal Bradley digital Jim Beam smoker.

The fact that the device is electric and We need not change propane tanks and purchase charcoal just fuels my personal wish to smoke away. My Bradley smoker allows year round food pleasure for myself in addition to my family, friends and neighbors.I have turn out to be the hit of the neighborhood because I obtained my Bradley smoker. We constantly leave them wondering precisely what I will come up with next. This amazes me that the old fashioned method of food preservation from the pre-refrigeration days is becoming a modern day recipe with regard to plain and simple PLEASURE!

Click here to find more information about Electric Smokers

Cocoa Commodity Prices Are Affected By The US Economy

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With the recent slump in the U.S. economy, cocoa manufacturers have experienced a downfall in their commodity pricing. The U.S. is one of the biggest consumers of cocoa, as it is the main ingredient of chocolate and chocolate drinks. The slowdown in the U.S. economy had triggered a not-so good effect in the cocoa industry all over the world.

The general outcome of the said crisis is lower demand for raw ingredients and materials, which include cocoa beans among many other items. Chocolate manufacturers are capitalizing on their reserves and are toning down their production facilities up until the storm is over.

As such, they are importing decreased quantities of cocoa beans as of the moment. The ones directly affected are actually the farmers, who are not in the position to adjust their current production. When the demand is low and the supply is high, the imbalance is usually addressed by elastic market prices.

As such, the price of cocoa beans has plummeted and would stay that way for as long as the U.S. is still in its recovery stages. While this seems to be bad news, there are some advantages that can be obtained from the situation. Since the commodity prices of cocoa is at its lowest this time of the year, big manufacturers outside the U.S. that are not totally hit by the recession can take advantage of it. It's their chance to import low-priced cocoa beans and cocoa products straight from top cocoa-producing countries like the Dominican Republic.

With good pricing, companies making chocolate bars, cakes, and beverages could easily raise their inventory level. By ordering in bulk while the price is relatively low, they will get more value for their money. Cocoa prices are expected to normalize once the U.S. economy is back on its feet, which is happening at a fairly fast pace.

The cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic are one of the best in the world. And like the rest of the cocoa bean farmers from all over, they too are hit with the same financial storm. However, their production and business processes are stable enough to withstand the crisis. While they may have to lower down the price of their cocoa beans a bit, they will surely be able to regain strength in the global cocoa market in due time.

Chocolate has been and will always be a symbol of luxury in developed countries. And what's even better about it is the fact that it is very affordable, unlike jewelry and all other items signifying luxury and wealth. So the chocolate industry is expected to recover in a fast and steady manner over time.

The current problem that cocoa farmers and chocolate manufacturers are facing right now won't last for long. The usual seamless shipping of raw ingredients and supplies will continue eventually. When the market is at its lowest point, economic policies play a very crucial role. And as far as the Dominican Republic cocoas are concerned, the future still looks great. Most of the cocoa farm owners operating in the soils of the Dominican Republic are holding office in the U.S. and in the rest of the major cities of the world. As such, you can expect that normal operations would continue despite the downturn of events.

Cocoa Beans are the Super Food of the Future

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Super foods are defined as food items that can ward off diseases like cancer, heart ailments, cholesterol, and a whole list of others. These foods have high phytonutrient content that can only be good for your health. Any food containing significant amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibers, minerals, and enzymes can be regarded as a super food.

Among the most common foods that made it to the famed list of super foods are blueberries, bee pollen, aloe vera, salmon, spinach, oats, walnut, apples, and yogurt. There a lot of other fruits, vegetables, and natural food items that made it to the list. Enumerating them all can be very lengthy.

But what's more interesting to note is the fact that cocoa beans are deemed to be included in it anytime in the future. Pure organic cocoa bean is definitely the next super food. However, cocoa beans cannot be eaten raw. They have to be duly processed and added as an ingredient to food before they can be administered to the body. The most common end products of cocoa beans are chocolates and chocolate beverages.

Yes, chocolates can be good for you too. While chocolates are always referred to as the sugary food that can make you fat and unhealthy, there's a certain chocolate variant that can keep you in the pink of health at all times dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is one of the superstars when it comes to the food items being hailed as the next super foods. Dark chocolate are made out of pure cocoa beans with minimal to no sugar added. Cocoa beans are very rich in antioxidants. As such, a bar of dark chocolate can provide your body with a good level of protection against free radicals.

Furthermore, dark chocolates made from choice cocoa beans contain micronutrients that can help lower down blood pressure and keep the heart healthy. However, you should not go overboard eating dark chocolates. While it is good for the body, consuming too much may lead to certain undesirable effects.

A small bar or a chunk of dark chocolate should be sufficient to do wonders to your health. All super foods have to eaten in the right amounts in order to reap its goodness. This is especially true with chocolates because it could contain high amounts of calories in every bar. This is why you should eat them in moderation.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are a type of antioxidant also found in teas. Flavonoids can keep the arteries of the heart from clogging. However, it is the cocoa that is really doing wonders for your body and not the dark chocolate as a whole. Therefore, if you are going to buy such an item from the store, make sure that you read the label first. Look for the brand that contains more cocoa solids inside the pack. You might also want to buy the one that contains walnuts. Walnuts are yet another super food items that you want to feed your body with.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Cake Lovers And Bakers

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Is there a baker or cake maker on your Christmas gift list? How about a whimsical gift idea like a cake stand with feet? Yes, I said a cake stand with feet, it's cute as can be and made by Patience Brewster and Department 56. But it's not the only fun gift item you can find to put a cake on.

I feel like I've discovered a "baker's secret" It's all about the presentation and the taste, well, I've found some of the cutest and most festive cake stands to help with the presentation stage. The taste is going to be left up to the baker! You can help them display their delicious cake in the best way possible, while they can worry about the consistency and flavor.

Cake stands are a welcome part of the Christmas serving dishes, I find they can dress a table up with no effort what so ever. It's always nice to see a dessert displayed on a cake stand. It gives it an air of elegance and makes it look more delicious than it would anywhere else. If you need a baker's gift or a lovely gift to bring for your dinner or party hostess, a cake stand is a great idea.

The most difficult part is going to be choosing from the cute and festive holiday cake stands I've found. There's crystal, elegant ones, festive and colorful ones, three tier ones, two tier ones, and single tiered ones too. There are cake stands with feet, and some with a pedestal style base, there are some for cupcakes and mini desserts too. Several are designed with a delicate floral pattern, they are actually a bit victorian in style and there's even a shabby chic one. So, what ever the style gift you need, it seems there's a cake stand for you.

Bring a cake of your own on the cake stand and offer it as a holiday surprise to your hostess or wrap the cake stand in a gift box with some festive holiday wrapping paper, either presentation will be a nice surprise for that special hostess. There are so many great gift ideas for those people who enjoy baking, it makes gift buying a lot easier than it used to be. And when you can find lots of great gift ideas in one place, it makes holiday gift shopping easier than ever. I am sure you will find the cake stand that fits your Christmas gift needs and you will thrill someone with your gift choice.

Choosing the Best Upright Cake Display Refrigerator

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Cake display refrigerators are commonly used in bakeries and cafes. They are ideal refrigeration appliances for storing and displaying the cake collection. Good presentation of the cake collection can become a very good crowd puller. People love to eat cakes and there is a lot flexibility when it comes to cakes. You can be very creative with your cake collection and then display it for your customers.
There is a wide variety of cake display refrigerators available in the market.
Polar and tecfrigo are both very famous refrigeration brands. Both have excellent cake display refrigerators in their collection. It is important to choose the best one for your business. Here is a comparison of two cake display refrigerators, one by polar and one by tecfrigo.
POLAR CG582 100ltr Curved Refrigerated Display:
This refrigerator has curved glass safety and is made up of stainless steel. It features digital controller which always a good feature as it helps in operating the appliance. It has LED lighting and automatic closing doors.
It is equipped with forced air cooling and features auto defrost. The capacity of the refrigerator is 100 liters. It has a hinged single door. The shelves of the refrigerators are rotatable the finish of the refrigerator s of black color and it has a temperature range of 2 C to 12 C. the net weight of the display refrigerator is 50 kg. The refrigerant used in this refrigerator is R600a.
Tecfrigo 100 Liter Rotating Cake Display Fridge:
The TecfrigoRotating Cake Display Fridgeis an excellent and stunning cake display refrigerator. It has a curved glass front which provides an excellent display to the cakes. It is equipped with fan assisted cooling and features shelves which are not just rotating but also adjustable. It also has adjustable feet.
It features interior LED lights which come with a switch. It has a digital controller and a temperature display. The capacity of the display refrigerator is 100 liters.The temperature range of the appliance is between +4 C to +10 C. The refrigerant used in the fridge is R134a. The energy consumption of the appliance is 3.75 kWh/h.
The number of shelves is five. It has a single glass door which is hinged. The external finish is black while the internal finish is gloss black.
Which one to buy?
Both of the models by tecfrigo and polar are designed for commercial use so there are several features which are common in both of the appliances. But when you are investing money in commercial refrigeration then it is very important to pay attention to minute details because they can make a lot of difference in your business.
First of they have different cooling systems so you should see which type of cooling system is best for your place. The capacity of both models s same but the tecfrigo model comes with five shelves while the polar cake display refrigerator only has three shelves. The five shelves are a better option because they can help you in displaying a wider variety. The five shelves allow to put an excellent display for the customers. The customers are always attracted more to the places where they can see more variety being displayed.
It is also equipped with fan assisted cooling which is an excellent and suitable cooling system for the commercial refrigerators. In fan assisted cooling the cold air is re circulated within the refrigerator with the help of a fan. This system can reduce the temperature of the food pretty quickly so it is very efficient.
The tecfrigos cake display refrigerator has higher energy consumption as compared to the polar cake display but it is wort it as it provides a better visual of the displayed products.
Tecfrigos shelves are not only rotating but also adjustable which makes it very convenient and easy to use. It is also fully automatic refrigerator.
The polars model has automatic closing doors which are very useful for energy efficiency but the tecfrigo model is fully automatic appliance. The appliances which are fully automatic are easier to use.
The tecfrigo cake display refrigerator uses the refrigerant R134a. There are several advantages of using this refrigerant as opposed to the refrigerant R600a. It has replaced several other refrigerants because the R134a is not toxic at all. It is also not flammable which makes it very useful and suitable refrigerant. Another important thing about this refrigerant is that it has zero OPD level. It is also included in the greenhouse gases. The refrigerant R600a maybe more energy efficient but it has inflammable issues.
While buying the best appliance you have to look beyond the same features and look for the features which make the appliance unique in comparison to the other. When you look at these two models you will find unique features in tecfrigo Goloso which make it an excellent and reliable choice. Please visit http://www.koolmaxgroup.com to buy online!

Choosing The Best External Hard Drive Setup

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Backing up the information on your computer's hard drive on a regular basis is one of the most crucial tasks that you can perform and should be at the top of your list of daily things to do. Though external hard drives have been available for a while, it is only recently that they have become extremely popular, compact, and ultra affordable. However, selecting the best external hard drive for backing up your files can be a little confusing especially if you are not really comfortable with technology.

Sure, you could use either DVDs or CDs to back up your files, but eventually all those discs add up. Add in the fact that backing up data using discs is time consuming and discs are easily damaged, and external hard drives become a much more appealing option. Plus, discs take up excess space and can be misplaced. Choosing the best external hard drive for your needs will depend on a few things, though.

One of the first things that you will need to consider when selecting the best external hard drive for backing up your files is the type and size of files you are saving. Some types of external drives are more portable than others, so the best external hard drive for your needs will depend on the types and amounts of files you need to store. For example, if you have tons of graphics, photos, videos, etc., you will obviously choose a drive that is less portable.

If you like being able to carry your files with you, then the best external hard drive for you may be something like a flash drive. Flash drives are great if you need to have your files handy and you do not want to carry around a larger external drive. They fit easily on your keychain or in your purse and come in different sizes from about 128 MB to up to 4 GB, so you can fit a great many files on the drive.

If you backing up all the files on your computer's drive, then the best external hard drive for you is going to be something a little larger. You can purchase an external hard drive with tons of storage - up to a terabyte - that is approximately the size of a paperback book. So while these drives are also theoretically portable, they are considerably larger than flash drives.

One of the best things about the new generation of external hard drives is that you can pack so much more information in a smaller space, making them ultra portable. They do not even need to be plugged into an outlet and can be powered via the USB ports on your computer.

Choosing the best external hard drive is largely a matter of doing your research. If you look in the circulars in the newspaper each week, there are numerous hard drives on sale and the prices are steadily decreasing. In the end, selecting the best external hard drive will be a matter of choosing the drive with the features that work best for your storage needs.

Chocolates

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For many years, chocolate gifts have been the gifts for all occasions. Any special occasion, from holidays to anniversaries to birthdays, was a welcome occasion to give and receive these gifts and a high percentage of individuals across the nation has given or received these items at some point in their lives. The industry has become a multibillion dollar giant and revenues continue to climb each year.

Many individuals have a favorite type of chocolate gifts because each manufacturers product tastes slightly different. This is because of the proprietary formulas that the manufacturers use to create their different products. Because of the number of different ingredients that can be added to the base cocoa to create the many different varieties available, there are an infinite number of combinations that can be used to create a unique product to sell to the masses.

If a person indicates a preference for a particular type of chocolate gifts, that should be the type that is purchased for them. There is always a reason that a person may prefer one brand over another and they may not enjoy the taste of a different brand. To ensure that the recipient gets the most enjoyment out of the gift, it should be a brand that they prefer.

If the type of chocolate gifts that the person prefers is not known, then the person should choose a type that they themselves prefer. People that have a lot of similar interests will often have similar tastes as well. While this is not always a fool-proof method of choosing the right item, more often than not the person is pleased with the taste and the thought that went into choosing the gift.

The number of retailers that have chocolate gifts available is staggering to consider. A person can purchase some version of these items at almost any retailer that sells food, gifts, or specializes in confections. Some retailers have very large selections that take up large areas of their stores, while other retailers have a limited selection located on several shelves to choose from.

One of the most popular places to purchase chocolate gifts is stores that only sell sweet items such as chocolates and candies. These stores can generally be found in large shopping malls and small stand alone store in larger retail areas. The items available at these retailers are generally more expensive than those found in other stores, but the quality is often superior to what is available at other retailers.

Some of the stores that specialize in items such as chocolate gifts are branded with a particular candy makers brand. These stores only carry the items that were created in the companys factory and will often have an extensive selection of different items because that is what the company focuses on. All of the items available at these stores may have been created using the same chocolate formula, making the taste of the chocolate consistent for all of the items.

Another place where many people choose to purchase chocolate gifts is mass merchandise stores. These retailers will generally have a limited selection of items ranging in quality from fair to excellent. Many of the individuals that choose to purchase their products here like the fact that they have several different items available covering a wide price range and the consumer can choose which one has the quality and price that meets their needs.

Another reason why many individuals choose to obtain their chocolate gifts from mass merchandisers is because it allows them to compare several different brands at the same time, compared to the single brands available at most stand alone stores. This allows them to choose brands that they have never tried before and experience them for a reasonable price. A large number of individuals find their favorite brand by trying the different varieties available at mass merchandisers.

There are also a large number of companies that will allow consumers to purchase chocolate gifts by mail, telephone, or internet website. Companies that sell their products in this way generally have a large and loyal client base that prefers their products over other similar items. Using these retailers is very convenient when purchasing gifts for other people because multiple gifts can be shipped to multiple addresses with the push of a button.

Chocolate Valentine's Day Recipes

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We all know that the way to a woman's heart is through chocolate. And chocolate treats that you make yourself is sure to win her heart this Valentine's Day. These three chocolate baking recipes are simple ones to make that hardly take any time at all. She will love the fact that you took the time to make something yourself. It always means more to get something that you have made for her than something you bought.

Chocolate Creams
1 package (8 squares) semi-sweet chocolate squares
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
finely chopped pecans

In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate squares with the butter over low heat. Take it off of the heat and add in the confectioners' sugar, cream and vanilla. Chill in the refrigerator until it holds together when shaped (about 1 hour). Form into balls and roll them in the pecans. If you want to take a little more time to make your Valentine's Day treat even more special, shape the dough into hearts and put red and pink sprinkles on them. Make sure to store them in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Pudding Cake
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 large package (6 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup water
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1 container chocolate frosting
pink and red sprinkles

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, and eggs. With an electric mixer, beat the mixture for 2 minutes. Grease (take butter and smear it over the bottom and sides of the pan) and flour (put about 1/4 cup of flour in the pan after you've greased it and shake it around, covering the bottom and sides completely) a 9 x 13-inch pan. Pour the mixture into the pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until cake tests done (put a toothpick in the center and when it comes out without anything on it, it's done). Allow to cool for 30 minutes to an hour and then frost with the chocolate frosting. Shake the red and pink sprinkles evenly over the top of the cake for added Valentine's Day decoration.

Fudge Cookies
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 square semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup milk

3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup coconut

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, butter, chocolate, and milk. Stir almost constantly. When mixture starts to boil around the edges, start to stir it constantly. Allow the mixture to boil for one minute. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the oatmeal, pecans and coconut. Drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets covered in waxed paper. For an added Valentine's Day touch, put a candy heart on top of each one. Put in the refrigerator to set until hardened (overnight works best). Be sure to store them in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Manna From Heaven

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Chocolate, the exquisitely rich, dark sweet treat loved by billions all over the world, was originally discovered in the Amazonian jungles many thousands of years ago the precious Cacao plant from which the secret was eventually prised, was believed by the Mayans to have been created by the god Quetzalcoatl.

Because the food was given to them by a god, then it truly was food from the gods! The beans were highly prized, and became even more so after the Spanish conquistadors transported them back to Europe. There it became the treat only available to the rich, in fact in England only royalty were allowed to consume the precious chocolate drink produced from the beans. It was at that time a bitter treat with what was believed to be a healthy beverage.

How Chocolate Became a Treat For the Masses!

It was not until the early 1900s that Chocolate in its modern form really took off in North America. Prior to this period, chocolate was an extremely expensive commodity limited to those who were well-off, similar to the royal exclusiveness in England. It took the Henry Ford of the chocolate world, Milton Hershey, to bring chocolate to everybody with his innovative modern approach to chocolate production. Once North Americans tasted it, the chocolate industry was born and never looked back, spawning hundreds of manufacturers across the world.

As discussed above milk chocolate was and still is the most popular, but the varieties of darker chocolates are becoming more and more popular with more mature palates. In fact this has been enhanced by the release of reports that indicate high anti-oxidant foods should be part of a healthy diet. You see dark chocolate is high in anti-oxidants! So what better excuse to eat more dark chocolate? Naturally some people dont like high cacao content chocolates but although it can be an acquired taste, there is a huge range to choose from, so you are sure to find one you like.

Praise the Gods!

I know that you like chocolate because you are reading this article all the way through! If you look around you will find dozens of Cacao based products in your pantry. So remember, next time you pop that delicious treat into your mouth, take a short moment to give thanks to the Mayan god who gave us this special and delicious plant all those thousands of years ago!

Chocolate Ganache For Cupcakes What Kind of Ganache Recipe You Should Use For Cupcake Decorations

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When it comes to chocolate ganache for cupcakes, there are many recipes you can follow, but choosing the wrong recipe can mean a disaster.

Believe me, Ive tried some chocolate ganache for cupcakes, and because I havent tired most of them before, I ended up with some bad recipes that werent even fit for use in cupcakes.

Now, dont get me wrong here. None of the recipes were bogus ones, but some were meant for cakes coating and not for cupcake decoration piping.

So what are the 2 main kinds of chocolate ganache for cupcakes you should be looking for? Allow me to differentiate them for you here.

Cream Ganache

In case you dont know, the cream Im referring to here is dairy based whipping cream that you can get from all major baking supplies stores.

Cream Ganache is generally thicker in its consistency, and it will hold its shape well when you pip it out.

And heres the general recipe I use for my cream chocolate ganache for cupcakes.

Ingredients:
1) 150g Dairy Whipping Cream
2) 250g Chocolate, chopped
3) 15g Melted Butter

Directions:
1) Combine the whipping cream with butter and heat over a double boiler until butter has melted. Turn off the fire.
2) Combine all the chocolate into the mixture from (1), and let it sit in the hot cream mixture for 10 minutes.
3) Start stirring the chocolate. Youll notice it has softened after the 10 minute wait. Keep stirring until all is well combined.
4) Allow it to cool till it holds its shape. Once ready, use it for piping.

Milk Ganache

Now, this is the ganache that gives me the most problems when I first started out, because most milk ganache recipes are used for cake coating, not piping.

That means you can except milk ganache to be really wet and runny, even after its cooled down, making it an undesirable chocolate ganache for cupcakes.

However, I realised that when I vary the amount of milk in my recipes, I can also get a great consistency for piping out cupcake decorations.

So be careful of milk ganache recipes you see out there. Use the wrong one and youll end up with a big mess.

Heres my recipe for milk chocolate ganache for cupcakes.

Ingredients:
1) 80g Milk
2) 200g Chocolate, chopped

Directions:
1) Heat the milk over a double boiler until it starts to bubble. Turn off the fire.
2) Combine all the chocolate into the heated milk, and let it sit in the hot milk mixture for 10 minutes.
3) Start stirring the chocolate. Youll notice it has softened after the 10 minute wait. Keep stirring until all is well combined.
4) Allow it to cool till it holds its shape. Once ready, use it for piping.

As you can probably see, both recipes are very similar in preparation. So it shouldnt take you long to learn how to prepare them both.

My Conclusion

So now that you have both recipes, which chocolate ganache for cupcakes should you be using?

In my personal opinion, always use the cream ganache. They taste better, are easier to work with, and give better results everytime.

Only use milk ganache if you cant find cream in your local area.

Give both chocolate ganache for cupcakes a try. Find the one that suits you best, and above all, have fun.

Chocolate Fondue - Two Delicious Recipes

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Are you an old pro when it comes to making delicious desserts? Do your guests rave about your cakes and pies? The next time you have company over for dessert, why not try something different. Chocolate fondue has been in and out of fashion since the seventies and most people have tried it at least once. But if you want to try something new and exciting There are many different dessert fondues out there to satisfy just about anyone with a sweet tooth.

Recently dark chocolate has been in the news being declared as a new heart healthy food. Dark chocolate retains more flavonoids that other varieties of chocolate such as milk chocolate, white chocolate, cocoa or chocolate syrup. New research has also determined that eating a diet high in flavonoids helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Obviously this doesn't mean that you should run to the store to buy some candy bars. But it does mean that when eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can be a healthy choice as a dessert.

And whether is good for you or not, who can resist a fondue pot of hot melted chocolate just waiting for your to dip something into it. What better way to enjoy strawberries, bananas and other ripe fruits. But don't stop there. Be sure to try dunking some salty treats into the chocolate such as pretzels and potato chips. Mixing sweet and salty foods creates a unique flavor that you are sure to enjoy.

So not only is chocolate delicious, but it is now considered a heart healthy food as well. Those are some excellent reasons to add a few chocolate fondue recipes to your recipe book. Why not try one of these chocolate fondue recipes tonight?

Dark Chocolate Fondue
12 ounces Premium Dark Chocolate (chopped)
3/4 cup Whipping Cream
2 teaspoons Kahlua or other coffee liqueur (optional)

Over low flame, heat whipping cream until warm (DO NOT BOIL)
Slowly add the chopped dark chocolate while stirring
Stir until the mixture becomes smooth
Stir in liqueur
To Dip:
Strawberries, Bananas, Sliced Apple, Cubes of Pound Cake, Cubes of Angel Food Cake, Pretzel Sticks, Chunks of Pineapple, Marshmallows, Potato Chips

Mint Chocolate Fondue
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 tablespoons Peppermint Liqueur
8 ounces Semisweet Chocolate

Warm the heavy cream over medium low heat
Add liqueur
Grate the chocolate or break into small pieces and slowly add to mixture while stirring
Stir until the chocolate is melted

To Dip:
Candied Fruit, Pears, Peach Slices, Cubes of Pound Cake, Cubes of Angel Food Cake

Chocolate Bars - Still Delicious!

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The term chocolate bar is a popular way of describing a confectionery treat in the form of a bar. This is usually packaged in a bar shape with individual perforations or in a long, narrow, shaped log covered with chocolate. Many types of chocolate bar exist and there are thousands of companies that create chocolate bars. Some of these companies produce many choices of fillings in their chocolate bar, such as nuts, fruit, mint, coconut, marzipan and many more.

The chocolate bar evolved in approximately the late 1900s. Chocolate had become popular many years before the introduction of the bar but the idea of creating a chocolate bar was to provide a more convenient way of consuming the chocolate. The bars could be packaged and sold to eat easily by hand or while on the go. Up to the invention of the chocolate bar, chocolate had been sold by bulk with loose, irregular or formed pieces.

During the Great Depression, the cost of a chocolate bar was five cents. The price rose to ten cents after World War II and remained that price for many years. More advanced packaging and advertising contributed to the increase in cost to the consumer of many types of chocolate bars. Many chocolate companies still make the same bars they started out with, also adding many more varieties. Some popular chocolate bars that are still popular today are Clark Bar 1917, Baby Ruth 1920, The Charleston Chew 1922, Three Musketeers 1932, Fifth Avenue 1936 and many more. The Hershey Chocolate Company makes several chocolate bars that have been enjoyed for many years. The Krackel Chocolate bar was introduced in 1938 and the bars first contained almonds and then in 1939 peanuts were added alongside of the almonds. In 1941 the Hershey company changed the direction of the Krackel bar and removed all nuts and peanuts, which is the way we know the Krackel bar today. The shape of the York Peppermint Pattie may be round but it is still considered a chocolate bar. The Peppermint Pattie was introduced in 1940 and is still enjoyed today.

Chocolate bars can be used for fundraising, as where a sports team, corporation or school uses the chocolate bars to raise money for needed supplies. There are companies that put their corporate logo on the chocolate for use at promotional shows, incentive programs, and customer appreciation or to encourage attendance at board meetings. Wedding favors and other special parties, such as Bar Mitzvahs or milestone birthdays or anniversaries, are perfect occasions to use personalized chocolate bars to mark the day.

Chocolate - History Of Hershey

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In this article we're going to review of brief history of one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate in the world, Hershey.

The Hershey company itself started with a decision that its founder, Milton Hershey, made in 1894 to produce sweet chocolate as a coating for his caramels, Milton's first business. He set up his new shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and called the company the Hershey Chocolate Company. By 1900, only six years after its chocolate covered caramels first hit the scene, Hershey was producing milk chocolate in bars, wafers and other shapes. Because of the Industrial Revolution and mass producing methods, Hershey was able to lower the cost of his products and thus make what was once an item only for the rich, something that everyone could enjoy.

Because of the company's immediate and overwhelming success, Milton decided to greatly increase his production facilities. So he decided to build a new production facility in south-central Pennsylvania, in Derry Township, where he was born. This facility was in an excellent location as it was close to the ports of New York and Philadelphia where he could easily get his supply of sugar and cocoa beans. It was also surrounded by dairy farms so he was able to get all the milk he needed. Add to that a location where there were plenty of people eager to go to work and everything couldn't be more perfect. By the summer of 1905 the factory was in full production manufacturing their milk chocolate.

In 1907, Hershey decided to expand his product line and came out with the ever popular Hershey's Kisses. At first they were individually hand wrapped in foil but in 1921 when the wrapping machine was invented this process was greatly speeded up. This process was also used to add that "plume" at the top of the Kiss that we come to expect. As a matter of fact, in 1924 the company actually had the Hershey Kiss trademarked.

Over the next twenty years a number of other very popular products were introduced such as Mr. Goodbar in 1925, Hershey's Syrup in 1926, chocolate chips in 1928, and the Krackel bar in 1938. In spite of the great depression of the 1930s these new products helped Hershey maintain its profitability and avoid having to lay people off.

Hershey helped the war effort during World War II. For starters, a number of new products were introduced and an old company had been acquired by the name of H.B. Reese of the famed Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Hershey ended up making the chocolate coating for those cups and a perfect marriage was made. In 1963, seven years after Reese's death, the company was sold to Hershey.

Over the years since, Hershey has grown considerably. Today, they are the leading manufacturer of chocolate and chocolate products. Their products are exported to over 90 countries. They have over 13,700 employees worldwide and have net sales of more than $4 billion annually. And in all this time they have never deviated from the values established by the man who started it all.

Cherish Your Loved One with an Amazing Birthday Gift

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Giving gift to someone is a disturbing matter. Sometimes you want to get the special attention of your loved one, but you get failed in this task. Because! You do not get the right idea of what to gift. To sort out this problem we have come up with amazing birthday gift ideas. You will definitely get the tips from this, what to carry for your dear one.

Birthday Flowers for Loved one

Soulful decoration of flowers bouquet to can snatch all your dear ones attention towards you. If you really want a surprising smile on your dear ones face book a special happy birthday bouquet and send in to office, home or party premise. The special scent and aroma of fresh flowers will surely take him or her into the deep world of peaceful life.

Colorful Balloons

Spread special joy and color into your nearest ones life by sending a gift of colorful balloons. Floating personalized balloons will showcase your special greetings. You can book heart shaped balloons, smiley balloons, special printed balloons for express your in-depth emotions. Either you can also book singing birthday balloons to sing a song of birthday on behalf of you. There are so many choices of balloon delivery available here to buy and order online anytime.

Sweet Chocolates for Love

For your chocolate lover sweetheart, chocolate gift giving is an ideal choice. Give a gift of Godiva chocolates, Belgian chocolates and recall the sweet memories of romance. please refer to the delicious options of Choc dipped strawberries collection, chocolate truffles box, classic and exotic collection of dark and dense dark chocolates, reach and creamy caramelized white chocolates boxes to give the tastiest treat to your sweetheart.

Amazing Gift Baskets for Loved one

If you are really striking the stunning gift for your loved one, best is here to send. Buy and send amazing gifts baskets to throw a special surprise on your dear ones doorsteps. If your boy is wine lover, crispy snacks with wine or personalized wine glasses with wine basket is perfect hit. Get spa and beauty products basket to give a special charm to your girl friend or wifes face. Healthy fruit basket to organic cookies basket is also a great choice if she or he loves healthy food every time.

Surprise with Delicious Cake

Very sweet and very simple but thoughtful gift you can send is a delicious happy birthday cake. If you know her or his taste you can start with the flavor of the cake she would like to have on her or his day. There are so many varieties of cakes available to choice. You can order cheese cake, red velvet cake, fondant cake, special photo cake, strawberry cake or any flavor you desire. You will get lots of ideas of cakes from here. You just need to click on the wish and get the right cake for your dear one. We guarantee the quality and freshness of the cake. You will get only the freshly baked cake from our site.

There are unlimited ranges of gifts you can choose for Birthday Gift Delivery from here. You just need to select the gift what your dear one would like to choose first. Give the gift of thoughtfulness, give a gift of delightedness, give a gift of love from our online shop. Yeah! You have come to the right place, here you will find lots of choices of gifts delivery in lesser price. We have high quality gifts with most affordable prices. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and book your gift now.

Chemical Leavening Agent For Bread

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CHEMICAL LEAVENING is brought about by the action of gas produced by an acid and an alkali. All chemical leavening agents are Similar in their action, and they are composed of an acid and an alkali. When an acid and an alkali are brought together in the presence of moisture and heat, the result is the rapid production of carbon dioxide, a gas that expands on being heated, just as all other gases do. In expanding, the gas pushes up the batters or doughs, and these, when baked, set, or harden, into porous shapes. In addition to forming the gas, the acid and the alkali produce a salt that remains in the bread, and it is this salt that is responsible for the harmful effect usually attributed to chemical leavening agents.

The first chemical leavening agents were devised by housewives themselves. They consisted of a combination of saleratus, an alkali made from wood ashes, and sour milk or molasses. The results obtained were more or less satisfactory, but never entirely accurate or certain. Later on, chemists by employing the same idea combined an alkali with an acid in powder form and produced an accurate and satisfactory leavening agent in the form of baking powder. The discovery of baking powder, however, has not displaced the use of other combinations that form chemical leavening agents, for soda is still combined with sour milk, molasses, and cream of tartar in the making of various hot breads. Therefore, so that a proper understanding of the various chemical leavening agents may be obtained, a discussion of each is here given.

SODA AND SOUR MILK - When soda is used with sour milk for leavening purposes, the lactic acid in the milk is so acted upon by the soda as to produce gas. However, these two ingredients--soda and sour milk--do not make an absolutely accurate leavening agent, because the quantity of acid in the sour milk varies according to the fermentation that has taken place. For example, sour milk 48 hours old contains more acid than sour milk that is kept under the same conditions but is only 24 hours old.

The proportion of these ingredients that is usually effective in batters and doughs for hot breads is 1 level teaspoonful of soda to 1 pint of sour milk. So as to derive the best results in using these chemical leavening agents, it will be well to observe that if they are mixed together in a cup the milk will bubble and may, provided the quantity is sufficient, run over. These bubbles are caused by the gas that is formed when the acid and soda meet, and when they break gas escapes, with the result that some of it is lost. Formerly, it was the custom to mix these leavening substances in this way, and then to add them to the other ingredients. Now, however, in order that all gas produced may be kept in the dough mixture, the soda is sifted in with the dry ingredients and the sour milk is added with the liquid ingredients.

A point well worth remembering is that sour milk and soda may be substituted for sweet milk and baking powder in a recipe that calls for these ingredients by using 1 teaspoonful of soda to each pint of sour milk. This information should prove valuable to the housewife, especially if she has accumulated a supply of sour milk that should not be wasted. Occasionally it will be found that baking powder and soda are required in the same recipe, but this occurs only when an insufficient amount of soda to produce the desired result is specified.

SODA AND MOLASSES - Although molasses, which is a product of sugar cane, is sweet, it contains an acid that is formed by the fermentation that continually occurs in it, an evidence of which is the tiny bubbles that may be seen in molasses, especially when it is kept in a warm place. Because of the presence of this acid, molasses may be used with soda to form a chemical leavening agent, and when they are combined in hot breads or cake, the chemical action of the two produces carbon dioxide. However, accurate results cannot always be obtained when these ingredients are used, for the degree of acidity in molasses is as uncertain as it is in sour milk. Molasses that is old or has been kept in a warm place will contain more acid than molasses that has been manufactured only a short time or that has been kept cool to retard fermentation.

The proportion of soda to molasses that can usually be relied on for hot breads and cakes is 1 teaspoonful of soda to 1 cupful of molasses, or just twice the quantity of soda that is generally used with sour milk. To produce the best results, the molasses should be mixed with the liquid ingredients and the soda sifted in with the dry ones. As molasses burns very quickly in a hot oven, all breads or cakes containing it as an ingredient should be baked in an oven of moderate temperature.

Cheerleading Fundraising Bake Sale

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For more than a few years there has been an increasing need for Cheerleading Fundraising. Choosing the most beneficial Cheerleading Fundraising program isn't always easy. It's imperative to be sure that the fundraiser you choose will be successful for your area. There are things to consider when choosing a fundraiser including cost and potential profit. A bake sale is a great choice for cheerleaders to raise much needed funds.

A bake sale is easy to put together and with a little effort, you can turn yours into a successful event. The basic idea is that all cheerleaders on the squad bring homemade baked goods that are sold to the community. There are various ways you can bring some extra excitement to your event. Adding a cake walk is one way to do this. This is similar to musical chairs. The person standing on the winning square when the music stops wins a free cake. You can even sell cake raffle tickets for $1 each. One advantage to the participant is that you don't have to be present to win. You can sell the tickets in advance. This can be very exciting to the people waiting for their raffle ticket number to be called. And of course, while they are waiting, you can have silent auction bids on other mouth-watering baked goods, gift certificates, and other donated items. You could also invite local chefs there to prepare goodies for customers to taste. They can garnish the goodies in the school color.

Besides the silent auction mentioned, there are a lots of ways to increase profits. You can sell raffle tickets to all attendees or include them as part of an admission fee. Even $1 a head can in truth add up. Raffle prizes can be goods or services donated by local businesses, premium baked goods, or even a new 8G iPod. Any event that attracts a large crowd should always include several ways to raise funds and your cheerleading fundraising is no exception. Consider other related items that you can auction off or can sell at a good mark-up. You don't have to purchase these items or services, you can have them donated. Exposure will greatly increase attendance at your cheerleading fundraiser, so be sure to endorse it with posters, flyers, roadside signs and of course word of mouth. If you have a school newsletter be sure to make use of it.

With a little effort, your cheer squad will soon have the uniforms and cheer supplies needed to leave a lasting impression. However, the most important thing to remember is that no mater what fundraiser you choose be sure to keep your group motivated and remember to have Fun!

Cheap Wedding Centerpiece Ideas That Are A big Trend

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Choosing a cheap wedding centerpiece usually meant a mirror tile or glass bowl with candles, both look nice but you will have seen that look at a number of weddings you have been to. If you want something a bit different and a bit funky, then think retro.

The retro look has been big in fashion and vintage style wedding dresses are becoming more and more popular, now the same retro and vintage look is looking great as your wedding decorations, and the great thing is it wont cost you a fortune.

Vintage and retro are cheaply available at your local thrift stores, look out for glass vases and unusual glass bowls that you will be able to display as centerpieces, fill them with local and in season flowers mixed with ivy. The ivy represents wedded bliss! Your glassware will not all match and this is fine you dont want it to, instead look out for glasses that complement each other, or stick with a color theme. You can group different glasses together at the same table if you cant find individual ones big enough.

Another great idea is to look out for cake stands, you want the old fashioned afternoon tea ones, and again they wont all match. Use the cake stands to display an individual wedding cake or the wedding cupcakes for each table. You could then visit it each table to cut the cake or ask a couple from each table to join you cutting the cake at the same time. The savings on this type of centerpiece are double as you have your wedding cake and the centerpiece costs in one.

You will also find thrift stores a great source for vintage fabric, think curtains, table cloths, net curtains, and shawls. Stick with a color theme and find fabrics that work for a table runner or as drapes for the top table, dont go mad with patterns as this can get a bit busy and overwhelm the room. Lace is the most versatile for this as lace matches lace.

Lanterns and candelabras can be found at thrift stores, somebody may have even donated all of their old wedding decorations, so it is definitely worth having a hunt around for bits for your cheap wedding centerpiece. Build up relationships with the thrift store manager and staff, it is likely they will put pieces to one side if they know you are looking for your wedding.

Cheap Plane Tickets to USA

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With life getting busier with each passing moment, and with aspirations increasing even at a faster rate; the only way to soothe you is to go away from this invariant world. Break that monotony and make your way to the much sought after destination in the world- The United States of America. Discovering a place to get your cheap plane tickets to USA is just what the doctor ordered.

It has much to offer to everyone; to the tech savvy generation it offers speed, to the nature loving people it offers beauty, and to the ones who want to make the most out of life it offers opportunities! If worrying thoughts about your hard earned money are the only hindrance to your dream destination, then we suggest an easy passageway through that too. Say no to standing in queues and paying money in bagfuls, rather be at home and clutch your cheap plane tickets to USA with few mouse clicks.

Now cheap airfares are just a click away from you. Access any travel website from your comfort zone and click your way to the United States in a jiffy! These sites bring together at one place all the schemes, offers and discounts being run by the airlines which makes it faster for you to choose from. The wide range of options that it opens in front of you is unimaginable. Choose your cheap plane tickets to USA that best fit with your itinerary.

When a whole lot of flying machines from various airlines are all set to give wings to your dreams, dont let the petty thoughts stop you. Spread your wings and take flight into the world of bliss and fun. The paradisiacal world of the United States is sure to take your breath away in more ways than one. Where the skyscrapers stand high and nature is close at hand, life is going to be beautiful and full of enjoyment. The company of your loved ones will be the cherry on the sweet cake of life.

The United States has something to offer to everyone, no matter if you are six or sixty, it is an irresistible world that is all set to cuddle you into its arms and take you into an altogether different world. Experience the beauty of life in the midst of all harsh realities, travel smart by using the best possible option. These travel sites reduce your work two-fold. They not only provide information about the best air fare plans, they also plan the whole trip for you including your hotel accommodations and sight seeing.

Reap the benefits of your hard work sitting at home, and make way for an amazing trip. Whether it be a holiday, a business trip, or just a get-away from the monotonous world that holds on to you; your cheap plane tickets to USA would turn up to be the best deals are at your service. Choose the best and step into the surprising and mesmerizing world of the United States.

Challah French Toast Casserole For Breakfast

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One of my favorite breads is Challah. Many weeks, wed start a loaf on Friday and by Monday, it was gone. French toast made with challah is just wonderful.
We have made our own challah and weve bought challah at both stores and bakeries.

If you make your own challah, you can knead by hand and allow to rise, or you can use a bread machine. Weve tried many different challah recipes. We do have our favorite but several of them have been very good.

There are also a few stores that make challah that we all like.

Id like to share a French toast casserole recipe that uses one full loaf of challah.

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf of challah 1 cup of milk (whole milk or half and half works best) (if your challah is large add additional liquid to the recipe) cup brown sugar 8 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla teaspoon cinnamon Salt to taste

Slice the challah into 1 inch thick slices. Place in the bottom of a casserole dish. Tear the bread as needed to fit into the casserole dish. Mix together the remaining ingredients. Pour over the casserole, cover and store in refrigerator over night.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes.

I have seen both ginger and nutmeg used in French toast casserole recipes. If you like those flavors, you can add teaspoon of nutmeg or teaspoon ground ginger. Both will add additional flavor to the casserole.

You can also add either cranberries or raisins to the recipe. Pour the fruit on top of the bread in the casserole dish before pouring the liquid mixture on top.

When the casserole is done, cut into squares to serve. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top, spoon fruit filling over the top or pour syrup on top.

~ ~ Child Friendly Recipes

Kids like to help in the kitchen. Kids enjoy cooking. I think one of my favorite recipes for kids is Dump Cake. This is literally a cake where you dump everything into the baking dish and then bake.

Dump Cake

20 ounces crushed pineapple 16 ounces cherry pie filling 1 package yellow cake mix, dry 1 1/2 sticks butter, sliced

Dump all ingredients into baking pan and bake at 350 F until brown, approximately 1 hour.

Have fun with the kids. Try blueberry or strawberry instead of the cherry pie filling. If you like nuts or coconut, throw some of that in the dish also.

If you prefer a chocolate cake, try a chocolate cake mix instead of the yellow cake mix.

This is such a fun recipe and kids love that they made the cake.

Another of my favorite kid recipes is trail mix. The kids get to make their own trail mix. Buy a bag of nuts, a box of Chex cereal, a bag of chocolate chips, a bag of pretzels, a bag of raisins and any other goodies you want in the trail mix and then get out the snack size Ziplocs. The kids get to make the trail mix and bag it up for lunches and snacks. When they make it, they love eating it. This is a great healthy snack.

Have you ever had a waffle sandwich? Buy some Eggo waffles. Let the kids toast the waffles and then spread peanut butter and jelly on them. You can also let the kids cut up bananas and add them. They love this breakfast sandwich that they can make all by themselves.

Do your kids like burritos? Let them make their own burritos. Set out containers of tomatoes, cheese, olives, chopped chicken and anything else you might have in the fridge. Give the kids tortillas and let them add the ingredients they like and then wrap and eat.

My final suggestion is kabobs. Kids love to make their own kabobs. Chop up some apples, pineapple or melons. Cut some cheese squares and let the kids make their own fruit and cheese kabobs. Use a yellow cheese and a white cheese. Use a red melon and an orange melon. This lets the kids make colorful and delightful kabobs that theyll enjoy both making and eating.

~ ~ ~ ~ Audreys mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at www.recipe-barn.com

Celebes the Real

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WHY CELEBES?
From a modest beginning, the company has emerged to be the Philippines largest manufacturer and supplier of the Organic Certified products - right at the onset of the New Millennium. Today, it is one of the countrys largest export-oriented enterprises in organic RBD coconut oil, organic coconut water concentrate.

The Management Team of Celebes Oil Mill continually expands its entrepreneurial endeavors. The rich harvest from its surrounding water soon led the company to focus its vision and energy on becoming a truly diversified quality food supplier to the local and Global market. Our goal is to supply our customers with excellent services and products, based on our competence and experience. We have been following ethical business principles of quality and customer satisfaction to deliver the best to our valuable customers.
Our plant is HACCP Certified and our products are Organic and Kosher Certified.

EXISTING PRODUCTS UNDER CELEBES
'VIRGIN COCONUT OIL
'RBD COCONUT OIL
'CRUDE COCONUT OIL
'COCHIN COCONUT OIL
'DESICCATED COCONUT
'COCONUT FLOUR
'COCONUT MILK
'COCONUT WATER
'COCONUT JUICE
'COCONUT SUGAR
'COPRA MEAT/CAKE
'CREAMED COCONUT
'BANANA CHIPS

RESOURCES USED BY CELEBES
'United States Department of Agriculture
'Fair Trade Sustainability Alliance
'Star K
'Islamic DaWah Council of Philippines
'Organic Farming
'Philippine Coconut Authority & many more.

TOP PRODUCTS UNDER CELEBES
ORGANIC COCONUT WATER CONCENTRATE: The ingredient is a natural, low-sugar, and low calorie alternative to existing filler juices. Natural coconut water is the water inside a coconut. It is naturally filtered for nine months through the dense fibers of the coconut creating a nutritious, pure and refreshing isotonic beverage. Coconut water is naturally sterile and has five essential electrolytes, more potassium than a banana, no added sugars, no fat, no cholesterol and no preservatives. It is excellent for replacing lost electrolytes from exercise and illness. It can be incorporated in many beverage applications and is regarded as a natural sports drink. In addition to health benefits, coconut water concentrate (CWC) has a compelling attribute for beverage companies: efficiency. The standard for coconut water is 5 brix; this 60 brix concentrate can be diluted from 6.436 solids to 0.424 solids per gallon. This equates to one gallon of concentrate to 15.2 gallons of single strength.

UHT COCONUT CREAM: UHT Coconut Cream is that it has fewer additives than canned products and seems a good compromise for making your own from actual coconut. The stuff is really amazing.
One reason why it may not be bad for you is because the fats in coconut remain stable at high temperatures which are why coconut oil is so great for cooking.
The organic RBD coconut oil, aseptic coconut milk, RBD coconut oil, organic coconut water concentrate, coconut flour also used for cooking and many work.
Contact Information:
Address: Celebes Oil Mill Incorporated Kilometer 9, Barangay Taguibo Butuan City 8600, Philippines
Tel No: +63 85-342-7777
Fax No: +63 85-342-8888
Email: celebes.marketing@gmail.com
Website: http://www.celebes.com.ph/contact.html