True Leaf Micro Greens A Specialty Produce With Multiple Uses

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Many Americans enjoy fine dining. As a result, they may be familiar with micro greens, which have been available in quality restaurants and speciality produce stores for 20 to 30 years. Whether organic micro greens and micro herbs are added to salads, sandwiches, or crystalized for desserts, there are many varieties of true leaves.

It’s interesting to note that some vegetables are edible flowers, such as squash blossoms. There are quite a few other varieties of edible flowers, which includes hibiscus, pansies, roses, and violas. In addition to these, there are around a total of 100 common garden flowers that are both edible and taste delicious. In addition to being used plain or sugared for desserts, other types of flowers are dried and then steeped for making hot or iced teas.

So much of the fine dining experience is how appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts are presented, or plated. Adults usually prefer to have three colors and three food components on their plates. Children, however, tend to prefer six food colors and seven different food components. When micro greens and edible flowers are added to a plate, they can provide color and also serve as a food component.

In addition to experiencing true leaves at fine dining establishments, many people purchase them from specialty produce stores to create a fine dining experience at home. Prior to purchasing micro greens, it’s important to be aware of their ratings as well as the temperature at which they should be stored.

In general, micro greens are rated on a scale of one to five, or poor to excellent quality. When purchasing micro greens, the visual quality scale should be from three and up. In order to maintain their freshness, micro greens should be stored at four degrees Celsius or 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s not surprising that more Americans are choosing to experience fine dining. Within the past year, for example, visits to these types of establishments were up three percent. Since fine restaurants tend to offer specialty items prepared by experienced chefs, more and more Americans will be able to experience micro herbs and other types of micro greens.

Why Mexican Food Can be the Healthiest Option When Eating Out

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Francis Pitt

When searching for the best Mexican restaurants, people might not peg them as the place to go if one wants to eat healthy. Mexican food is a great alternative for many individuals-those that are on a diet, need to eat gluten free, or simply want to look for clean eating options on the go. There are many ways that Mexican dishes can be enjoyed, and the best part is, most can be customized based on the needs of the individual ordering. No matter where one is at, it is usually easy enough to find these wonderful eateries that allow for custom Mexican food with variety and flavor to boot. Over 70% of households use Mexican food and spices in daily cooking, so the flavor is something most people are already used to and enjoy. Here are is how everyone benefits from eating Mexican.

Mexican is Ideal for Vegetarians

Vegetarians are individuals who do not eat meat. Although Mexican food is often made up of some kind of meat component, it can be personalized in a way that is filling and friendly for those who don?t consumer meat. The best Mexican restaurants are often set up so individuals can make up their own bowls and burritos, and choose what type of filling they would like. Many will go for beans, or add extra rice. Topped with a choice of spices and lecture, this can make for a filling vegetarian meal. Because individuals can make their dish as customized as they would like, the sky is the limit when adding different types of beans, rice, and salsa. Some restaurants even add a tofu option, so that vegetarians can have their own kind of meat to choose from, creating a more filling and tasty dish.

Mexican Offers a Gluten-Free Option

Gluten can be difficult to avoid, for those that are suffering from it. Over 607,000 Mexican restaurants serve burritos, but flour form doesn?t have to be the only way to eat them. One step can be to customize a burrito and use corn tortillas instead of flour. This way, the individual can still enjoy eating in the same form as everyone else, but not have to suffer any side affects because they consumed gluten. Some of the best Mexican restaurants are offering bowls and even salad bowls, which allow for all the flavor that other dishes offer. Because so many people have allergies and intolerance to different types of food, these provide the best ways to enjoy a filling and authentic Mexican meal, without the worries of an upset stomach latter.

Mexican Food Can Be Healthy

As more individuals strive to practice clean eating, which involves eating whole and unprocessed food, they may feel unsure of where to turn when they are out and on the go. The best mexican restaurants offer many options that include freshly cooked and chopped ingredients each day. These range from steak, pork, chicken, to fresh rice and beans. There are also options for salad and salsa that will taste perfectly seasoned, and keep people feeling full, without the worry of how to eat healthy at the same time. Salsa that is made fresh can be a flavor-inducing, and a low calorie way to season any food. Salsa now outranks ketchup, as the number one condiment used in restaurants across the country.

When looking for a healthy way to eat that will work with almost any type of diet, consider dining at the best mexican restaurants in the area, and see how easy it is to enjoy filling food. Mexican food is helpful for those that do not eat meat, have to have gluten-free diets, and want to have a diet that is considered clean, or otherwise free from overly processed food. It is a low cost and easy way for everyone in the family to enjoy the meal of their choice.

Where Do You Purchase the Quality Meat That You Serve Your Family?

Posted on October 8, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Finding a tasty and affordable meal to serve to your family night after night can be a challenge. Finding the right source for the vegetables, fruits, and meats that you serve your family, however, is a start in the right direction. If you are someone who is always looking for your meal ingredients at the last minute or you are an organized cook who does all of the necessary shopping at the beginning of every week, it is important to know where to find the ingredients that you need. And while it may be tempting to simply buy what is advertised as being on sale for the week, the best commercial chefs and home cooks often pride themselves on making sure that they have a reliable resource for the meals that they serve.
Whether you are someone who buys your protein items at local meat markets once or twice a week or you are someone who purchases online meat sales once a month, you likely know the value of finding quality and affordable options for the meat that you serve your family or your customers. Cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep make up the livestock “big four,” and it should come as no surprise that home cooks and professional chefs rely on specific resources for each of these different types of protein.
Affordable Butcher Shops Near Me
The reality is that more and more families have to work within a budget when they are planning the meals that they serve their families. For many home meal planners, online meat packages are the best option. And while some local butcher shops will run some pieces of meat on sale every week, many of the other cuts of meat are sometimes out of the price range of many home budgets. Relying on online steak bundles, however, can help some families afford to serve a higher quality piece of meat.
Quality Butcher Shops Near Me
Not all Americans have the advantage of living close to a quality meat shop. And while some big chain stores sell a lot of meat, few of them have their own butchers on site. Small, local butchers, however, can provide high quality pieces of meat to their weekly customers.
The average American consumed approximately 198 pounds of meat in the year 2014, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. How about you and your family? Do you serve meat every day to your family? If so, you have probably spent a good amount of time deciding where the most affordable and highest quality meat can be found. If you find yourself trying to find answer the question where are the butcher shops near me, you have likely also considered the option of ordering meat online as well.

How Much Do You Know About Peanuts? Put Your Knowledge To The Test

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Francis Pitt

What do you know about peanuts? This can seem like a basic question. They’re tasty, right? They’re healthy, available in pretty much any grocery store and can be at home on a sandwich or in a bag of trail mix. But what about the nutritional benefits? How about where this amazing creation comes from and how peanut products have changed over the years? It doesn’t hurt to learn a little more about the food you come into contact with almost every day and the list below will shed some light on common to lesser-known facts.

Quick Facts

Peanuts are just about everywhere. Does that mean you know everything there is to know about them? Dr. George Washington Carver is often credited with creating peanut butter, a mainstay in many an American household, but the fact of the matter is rather different. He invented over 300 different uses for peanuts during his career, including hair products and massage oil, and actually had little to do with peanut butter. Peanut butter must be 90% peanuts or more by law. Lastly…the peanut vs groundnut debacle is a bit of a trick question.

Peanut vs Groundnut

Where do peanuts stand on the old-fashioned peanut vs groundnut debate? Let’s start with a lesser-known fact…peanuts are not actually a true nut. They’re what’s known as a legume (basically a seed in a pod), but for brevity’s sake they’re pushed into the nut family. Unlike walnuts, peanuts are grown above the ground rather than underground. Keep this knowledge tucked away next time the peanut vs groundnut debate crops up in polite company. You might find yourself turning heads.

Health Benefits

Peanuts are chock full of protein. This is especially useful if you’re on a vegan or vegetarian diet that has you eliminating meat and searching for alternatives that can keep you up to speed on all the nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle. A mere ounce of raw peanuts has over seven grams of protein as well as a strong amount of dietary fiber, meaning you can get back that energy you thought only existed in chicken and pork. Peanuts also boast an impressive healthy cholesterol count and can work as an appetite suppressant.

Widespread Popularity

Who enjoys peanuts? Just about everybody. American residents eat over 700 million pounds of peanuts every year, with peanut purchases exceeding 65% of all nut purchases. That includes even popular staples like walnuts, cashews and pine nuts. Peanuts are very beloved in other parts of the world, with Thailand and Peru being some of the most notable examples on an already long list. When you consider peanuts can be enjoyed as they are or mixed into a variety of recipes, it stands to reason why they’d remain at the top of the food chain.

Usage In Popular Culture

What do you know about peanuts used in the mainstream? Probably more than you think. According to a study provided by Little Brownie Bakers, over 145,000 pounds of peanut butter are used during peak production periods to create some of the Girl’s Scouts most popular selections. One of America’s most iconic candy bars is the Pay Day, made out of peanuts and caramel, though it’s not the only treat that uses peanuts as part of the base.

Enjoying Everything Peanuts Have To Offer

Peanuts come in nearly every form you can think of. You can eat them raw and have a great snack to supplement your busy schedule. Organic peanut oil is perfect for the gluten intolerant, while the health benefits of peanuts can supplement any diet low on calories. Peanut butter benefits can also be rather interesting in their more creative uses, such as slapped onto celery sticks or used to trim down an overeager appetite. Thinking of reaching for a bag of peanuts?

How to Find Authentic Mexican Food in Your City

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Everyone should have authentic tasting Mexican food, at least one time in their lives. It is likely that there are many Mexican restaurants in your local area. However, it is also likely that many of them are not authentic and the menu items actually have very little to do with Mexican food. How can you experience the authentic taste of Mexican food?

Travel to a different area

Traveling is one of the best ways to expand your Mexican restaurant experiences. Of course, you could travel to Mexico and have a real authentic taste of the Mexican food options. However, if traveling outside of the country is not an option for you, you will find that there are many high quality Mexican restaurants in the country that are close to the real thing. You will simply have to do a little research to find the best Mexican restaurants. Traveling more south and closer to the borders will give you the best options.

Look up local Mexican restaurant reviews

Even if you live in the northern most part of the United States, you probably have a few Mexican catering options. As of 2011, there are 38,000 Mexican restaurants dispersed across the American landscape. You can usually get a good idea of the foods that a Mexican restaurant serves by looking up local reviews. Pay attention to the factors that are most important to you including the cost, the taste, and how authentic the food is. Customers enjoy rating local restaurants and you can get a lot of valuable feedback about how authentic a restaurant is, based on these reviews.

Choose a Mexican restaurant based on food preferences

There are many different types of Mexican food. You might even find that you do not prefer what is considered to be authentic Mexican. Try out a couple of different restaurants to learn what your Mexican preferences are. You might prefer the fast casual restaurant Mexican option. This is a little different than the traditional restaurant setting. Instead of immediately sitting and waiting for a server to take your order, you go through a cafeteria like line and select the specific toppings you want. This is a great way to try new Mexican food dishes and to make substitutions for food items that you do not enjoy. Keep track of these food preferences and you will find it easier to choose a local Mexican restaurant.

Follow your favorite Mexican chefs

Authentic Mexican food usually comes from Mexican chefs. If a local Mexican restaurant is opened by a local with no ties to Mexico, you can guess that it is not going to serve authentic Mexican food. A lot of the restaurants today that claims to be Mexican actually have little to no ties to the Mexican culture. One out of every 10 restaurants in the U.S. sells Mexican food, making it the most popular style of international cuisine in the country. However, if you follow your favorite Mexican chefs, you can be the first to know about real Mexican restaurants opening in your area. Follow these chefs on social media, TV, and news publications.

Make your own Mexican food

If you are finding it difficult to locate authentic Mexican food in your area, consider making it yourself. With a little research and high quality ingredients, you can make a Mexican meal that is more authentic than the local Mexican restaurant. Approximately 71.08% of American households use Mexican food and ingredients anyway. Look up Mexican recipes and choose ones that appeal the most to you.

There are many restaurants that claim to serve authentic Mexican food. Yet, if you have ever been to Mexico or had a real Mexican meal, you know this is not the case. You can usually judge the authenticity of a Mexican restaurant based on their knowledge, reviews, and the chef. Make your own preference decisions and find the best Mexican restaurants in your city. If your search does not produce any good results, consider making your own Mexican inspired meals.

3 Beneficial Reasons to Consume Microgreens

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Microgreens have only been around for two to three decades. However, these greens continue to be something that every diner looks forward to seeing on a dinner plate. There are many uses for microgreens in both restaurants and home kitchens around the world. The wide range of micro green varieties ensures a chef always has plenty of options with this type of food. Here are three benefits of consuming microgreens.

Large Amount of Vitamins and Nutrients

One reason this food is highly beneficial is that there are many micro green varieties available. Many people combine various micro green varieties to receive multiple types of nutrients. Microgreens are known for being rated on a unique scale, receiving a rating from one to five. If microgreens receive a rating of less than three signifies this food as unmarketable.

High Concentration of Antioxidants

The way that microgreens are grown allows them to retain a lot of antioxidants. Organic micro greens are known to contain higher levels of antioxidants when compared to raw vegetables. One reason for this increase is because eating microgreens allows someone to consume more of a plant. Many vegetables purchased from a supermarket have these additional pieces removed before arrival. In order to keep microgreens in optimal condition, they need to be stored at a temperature nearing 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Easy to Digest

One problem with getting nutrients and vitamins from vegetable is that you have to eat a lot of them. Certain people may find that they have difficulties digesting such large quantities of food. A microgreen is a much smaller form of vegetable that is often easier to consume. In addition, microgreens are made in a way that reduces certain nutrients known to cause digestion problems.

In summary, there are many benefits associated with microgreens. This type of food is known for having large amounts of vitamins and minerals. Regularly consuming vitamins and minerals has been shown to reduce certain the risk of certain diseases. Microgreens have a high concentration of antioxidants which are beneficial for cleansing the body. Many people find that antioxidants are easy to digest since they are smaller types of food. Microgreens have risen to popularity since the 1980s and remain a favorite among foodies.

3 Steps to Save Yourself Time During Your Busiest of Days

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Are you always in a hurry? Maybe you feel like you?re always trying to run to get to the office on time. When it comes to meals, you prefer grab-and-go options so that you don?t feel like you?re wasting time sitting and eating. Either way, you?re someone who values every single minute of your day. You can?t waste any time waiting in long lines, getting stuck in traffic, or trying to prepare meals. There are plenty of alternatives that can help you get through your daily tasks and meals quicker so you feel like you?re making the most of your time.

Interested in learning more about how to make the most of your busy day? Keep reading to find out why coffee shops and delis that offer options like paper soup cups to go and sandwiches could be a lifesaver for your busy schedule.

How to Make the Most of Your Busy Day

Step 1. Don?t waste time in the morning

One of the best ways to kick-start your day is to get through your morning smoothly. You don?t want to be fumbling around getting out of bed and getting ready for the work day. You should always prepare what you?re going to wear the night before to save time in the morning. If you have kids, you can implement the same strategy with them to make mornings easier.

Get up right when your alarm goes off, and start getting ready right away. You quicker the move, the more you?ll wake up. You?ll waste less time, be more efficient, and get out the door and on your way to work with time to spare.

Step 2. Use leftover time to stop at a coffee shop

Don?t try to make your own coffee at home before work. You likely won?t have time to make the coffee, let alone drink it, especially if you have children. By the time you get around to starting the pot, it?ll be too late to the cup cool before you need to drink it and run out the door. This opens up opportunities for burning and spilling on your clothes. Chances are, you don?t have the right type of carrier cup to make transporting your coffee easy. So, stop by a local coffee shop on the way to work, instead.

With the average American drinks around 1.5 cups of coffee every day, it?s important to make sure you pick a coffee shop that doesn?t usually have long lines. Around 65% of coffee drank is consumed for breakfast, so you may need to allocate a little extra time in case the shop is busy. Even so, they?ll be able to provide you with coffee cups with lids, coffee stirrers, and creamer just as you like it.

Step 3. Stop by a deli for lunch

On your lunch hour, don?t go out for a sit-down lunch. This will end up taking much longer than you expect. Chances are you can?t actually do any work while you?re at lunch either. Worst case scenario, a sit-down lunch means you have to stay at work an hour later that night, and no one wants that.

Instead, find a good deli near your office and make it your usual lunch stop. One of the easiest things to get at delis is hot soup. In fact, soup is becoming so popular that around 30% of delis are looking at ways to enhance their soup stations for customer satisfaction. You might not believe it but every year, there are around 10 billion bowls of soup eaten by Americans. Soup is so easy to grab-and-go that you can eat it quickly in the deli or take it back to the office to eat while you continue working. Also, there?s so many different varieties of soup that you?ll never get bored with your selection.

What steps do you take to make sure you have more time in your day? How do you get everything done without wasting any time? Let us know about your busy days in the comments.

Organic Food Benefits

live happily, healthily and deliciously in the fast food nation