Swerve Magazine Cooking Blog

Did you ever think you would hear the words “Eat more chocolate to stay healthy”? That’s right, studies are now showing that eating small amounts of gourmet dark chocolate can help lower stress levels and give you a daily dose of antioxidants needed to stay fit. Flavonoids found in cocoa have been proven to benefit dark chocolate lovers by boosting their immune system. Our days are so busy with work, kids, and other activities that our immune system takes a beating. We rarely stop to give it another thought until we get sick. Now staying healthy does not have to be a burden or add any stress to our schedules. Choosing the right foods, drinking plenty of water and eating Healthy chocolate can help bring your body to it’s full capability. 

Having a sweet tooth now has its benefits. A recent study done on several adults with mid to high stress levels was conducted and the participants had to eat 1.4 oz of gourmet dark chocolate twice a day for two weeks. Different samples were taken at the start and end of the test. Over half of the adults were found to have lower blood pressure and were happier throughout their day, which are just some of the chocolate benefits.

Stress acts as an obstacle in trying to lose weight. When a person is less stressed, they can actually find it easier to lose weight. Scientist have stated that a piece of gourmet dark chocolate helps satisfy other cravings for high sugary snacks and salty chips. Due to it’s low sugar count, about 74% cacao, it has less of an effect on the brain after you eat it. The sugar in milk chocolate triggers the brain to want to consume more unhealthy foods, full of fat and sugar.

A bar of dark chocolate contains stimulants that help the transmitters in your brain function on a higher level. When the transmitters experience “pleasure” they are awakened in a sense, helping us to focus better on our daily tasks with less stress. Who knew that a little piece of chocolate could pack such a big punch in our diet and overall well being. The next time you need to surprise your loved one, give them a chocolate gift, you could save their life.

First it was the impudence of Log Cabin syrup’s parent company Pinnacle Foods, Inc. to package its “all-natural” syrup in familiar beige jug-like containers known to contain pure maple syrup.  They further insulted the maple syrup industry by placing the artificial topping alongside 100% maple syrup containers at grocers throughout North America.  This infraction caused uproar in Vermont, the nation’s number one producer of maple syrup.  They complained that the product contained caramel coloring, an artificial ingredient.  However the more important claims are related to the formula containing only 4% maple – a travesty in a state whose laws serve to protect its most delicious commodity and the integrity of the term “maple.”

Now the maple syrup industry and its protective measures are back in the headlines, as McDonalds Corporation has agreed that starting February 1st they will provide 100% maple syrup or sugar to Vermont customers purchasing their Fruit & Maple Oatmeal product.  The breakfast item in fact contains no maple, and its label including the word “maple” is a violation of Vermont’s maple protections.   After agreeing with the complaint filed by the attorney general’s office, McDonald’s stated its intention to provide real maple syrup to customers, but only to those customers in Vermont.  No statement has yet been made as to whether customers in other states will also receive the real syrup, but the governor of Vermont has made clear his intentions to persuade McDonalds to do so.

As for the Log Cabin All-Natural Syrup, it remains off the grocery shelves for now, presumably while its formula is being recreated after the removal of the caramel coloring.  When it returns to grocery shelves, it may return to the headlines as well, depending on its placement near 100% maple syrup.

You have noticed that our forefathers will never had faced a question like how to lose 20 pounds in a month.  The reason is quite simple. They had led a healthy and simple life. They never had any junk food in their diet, and also they did lot activities, which involved body movements.  Only simple fruits and vegetables were there in their diet. They utilized the natural products like leafy vegetable, fibrous food items, milk products like yogurt, etc. Instead of artificial soft drinks, they used water and fruit juices in plenty.  They also followed proper timing in their food habits. Those were the key points that led to a good healthy life for them. Now you may have got the answer to the riddle “how to lose 20 pounds in a month”.By simply following our forefather’s routine, we can achieve the goal. I know it cannot be implemented as it is. However, why don’t we give a try. Small changes can make a big effect. Not only that we can never earn anything with shortcuts. Even if it is possible, it will not last long. So give up those easy ways.Controlling food alone cannot bring about changes you also need to take regular exercise and workouts. Understanding this factor is little difficult because controlling the temptation is not as easy as you think. However, if you are ready to take actions from your end that will be a good sign. So try for that, don’t give up. I am sure you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

One of the biggest drinking nights of the year is rapidly approaching: Super Bowl Sunday! The Steelers and Packers are facing off, and sports fans everywhere are anticipating a rowdy night of friends, football and booze.

If you’re throwing a Super Bowl party this year and want it to be a wild night your friends will be talking about for years, try incorporating some of these key ingredients for a successful Super Bowl bash:

Plenty of Drink

Beer and soda are Super Bowl staples, but the best hosts venture beyond the norm. To really get the party started, offer your guests a specialty shot — the Tequila Field Goal, for example. Serve 2 oz of tequila with a splash of Tabasco in novelty shot glasses with team logos or colors. Everybody has to down one for each successful field goal.

Great Food

It’s not a party without chips and dips, but you should also try providing something creative in the food department. Here’s a recipe for cheddar and bacon-stuffed crescent rolls — a treat your guests won’t be expecting and will gobble up in a hurry.

2 pkgs. crescent roll dough

1 c. cooked bacon, crumbled

1 c. cheddar cheese, thinly sliced

Roll out the dough and put a slice of cheese and some bacon onto each triangle. Roll it up gently, wide end first, and pinch the ends together to keep the cheese from leaking out. Follow package instructions for baking.

Team Colors Everywhere

Team decorations are always a great way to charge the party atmosphere, especially when the element of competition is as high as it is for the Super Bowl. To really get your guests pumped, serve drinks in team beer glasses or hand out themed beer koozies. Continue the theme with Astroturf coasters and plates and serving trays in team colors. You could also split the room in half with colored masking tape and decorate each side in a different team’s colors.

Football Drinking Games

Instead of letting the party flag during commercials and down time, provide some drinking games to play. Get a game of beer pong going at half time, and pit friends with opposite team allegiances against each other. During the game, play “Drink to the Announcer.” Each person is assigned a football catch phrase (such as touchdown, interception or it’s good) and has to drink each time the announcer says that phrase.

Crazy Drunken Fan

Every football game needs a crazy, drunken fan to get the crowd psyched. You know the guy, with the face paint and weird hat. Since you’re the host, it’s your job to be that fan. Paint your face in team colors, and offer paint for both teams so your guests can join in. Put on a funny beer t shirt or a team jersey and a crazy hat. Your behavior sets the tone for your guests, so play it up.

      Kobe Beef is considered to be the most exclusive and savory beef in the entire world. The Kobe name comes from the place where the beef cattle is raised. It is also known as Tajima beef after the ancient city where it all started. It is now the province of Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe is the capital. The honored ancient cattle better known as Wagyu beef in most venues. To make the cattle happy which is thought to produce the best beef, they are massaged daily and during the final fattening process, the cattle are given sake and beer mash.

      The best tasting Filet Mignon you will ever taste will come from these spoiled and strictly diet-controlled cattle. The stock of beef is not readily available to just anyone. There is a limited supply and it is often sold to the high-end restaurants. Allen Bros. is a company that always has the Wagyu beef on hand. Better yet, you can order it and have it delivered to your front door. The beef is delivered fresh with a seal of rigorous inpection from the U.S.D.A. and the Department of Agriculture. You will receive nothing but the best service and products.

      You can order several different cuts of the best Steaks in the world. You can also order other items to accompany your Delicious Beef, such as seafood soups, lobster stuffed ravioli, pork, lamb, veal and game, even hot dogs and hamburgers. Allen Brothers have something for every pallet.

       Allen Brothers offers a great many different types of foods along with the beef. If you are going to be hosting a dinner party, then you can serve the most delicious meal from a mouth-watering appetizer to the most delectable main course of Wagyu beef items such as filets, strips, or ribeyes. You can close your dinner party with some of the most incredible tasting desserts as well. Your dinner party will be the talk of all of your friends for a long time to come.

        Kobe Links Prime Beef with companies that understand what it means to serve the best prime grade of beef to those who will appreciate a perfect dining experience. There is no easier way to have the best than to order from Allen Brothers and have your favorite cuts of beef delivered to your home. Even if you don’t want to have a dinner party and want to keep it all to yourself. Who could blame you for that?

Chicken has become one of the staple foods in today’s homes. It is a healthy option that provides the protein and fuel for your body to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight. The only problem for some people is that they do not know how to make different meals with chicken and they get bored with eating it. There is a better way to find great and interesting chicken recipe solutions online. Here are a couple of examples of recipes for chicken you can find.

Baked Chicken and Cream Sauce:

This is ranked as a healthy meal that includes a great flavor combination. It has also gotten high marks for ratings from people that have made it and eaten it. The ingredients you need for this meal include four chicken breasts, one stick of real butter (a whole food your body digests easily), a carton of plain yogurt, bread crumbs, heavy cream (another whole food), chicken bullion cubes, corn starch and salt, pepper and whatever other spices you like to use. This recipe cooks up nicely in the oven at 400 degrees and makes a delicious family dinner that can easily be reheated the next day in case of leftovers.

Tandoori Chicken:

This is a delicious Indian-style recipe with plenty of great spices to give you something different to make and eat for dinner. It is also a healthy meal option. You will need chicken pieces (breasts preferably cubed or in small slices), onion, freshly chopped ginger, tomato sauce, non fat plain yogurt (Are you seeing a trend?), coriander, cloves, garlic, cumin seed, salt (to taste), cayenne pepper (leave out if you don’t like spicy foods), cardamom pods, red food coloring (for presentation) and garam masala (you should be able to find this at your local market). This chicken should be skinless or you can remove the skin before baking. This will delight your mouth.

This is only a little teaser at the many other options you can find to create tasty and unique chicken dinners that are not boring. You can find other chicken recipe options online to keep your taste buds interested in eating healthy.

There are so many books available for fitness, diets, exercises and bodybuilding. If you read Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle Reviews you will come to know in what way this book is different from other books. Tom says in his book, one should establish the proper diet for his needs only after knowing your body type and how it reacts to fat, protein and carbohydrates. He doesn’t suggest common diet for all bodybuilders.

All his information is scientifically proven and soundly based. For an average dieter it may look too much as he goes into great details. You may find Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle program very complex. But once you are able to understand the concept and able to navigate through you will find those information the best. You can never find this type of detailed information anywhere.

The author Venuto believe all the nutrients needed to build body should come from proper diet program and not from supplements as he is a natural bodybuilder did not use any chemical performance enhancer. He emphasizes on goal setting. He makes you set your goals, maintain and achieve it. The book goes beyond dieting and can change your life beyond your expectation and forever. This is not useful only to bodybuilders but for those who are looking for serious weight loss. It gives you information about both diet and workouts. Anybody can say this is the best book in this field and let you reach your goals in bodybuilding.

Although the origins of pinata is Chinese, most people believe it is Mexican. Be it Chinese or Mexican, one cannot deny the popularity of this party game in today’s world. It is usually a bright container that is suspended on a rope, from a ceiling or a tree branch and is filled to the brim with toys and candies that can be handed out as party favors. The container (usually a balloon) is broken with a stick by blindfolded children and people who are young at heart. This tradition has been in practice for over 100 years and still going strong. In the olden days, Pinatas are available in the shape of donkeys in the US. However, these days, they are available in countless shapes and forms. Knowing how to make a pinata can add a dash of party spirit to the entire gathering. There are a handful of things one requires to make a pinata. They are listed as follows:

Materials Required:

3 cups water

2 cups flour

Newspaper strips

1 balloon

tissue paper

Paint, markers, crayons

colored crepe paper

tissue paper

String

Method:

Fill a balloon with air and the end has to be tied securely

Flour and water need to be mixed well to make a smooth paste

The newspaper should be cut into 1 inch thick strips and dipped into the mixture and creating paper mache strips

The strips of the newspapers need to be placed on the balloon in a single layer, patting the paper in such a way that the balloon is covered entirely except a hole on the top which is large enough for the candy. The balloon should be allowed to dry overnight.

The above procedure is necessary in how to make a pinata. The procedure needs to be repeated as many times as possible for the desired effect.

Paper or smaller paper-mache, lightweight wire shapes, can be used to make the pinata into any shape that you want.

The pinata can be painted or can be covered with bright and colorful tissue paper to add the party spirit. To add to the festivity, one can hang colored crepe paper from the sides and the bottom.

One can punch 2 holes near the opening and can string a piece through it.

The holes in the pinata can be filled with candy, toys, or other surprises. The treats can be spread by mixing them with tissues and strips of newspapers to keep them even throughout the pinata.

The pinata can be hung in air and enjoyed by everybody!

One thing to note when learning how to make a pinata is, only the portion holding the candy needs to be fragile. The frame of the rest of the pinata is dependent on the way a person wants to shape it. The important thing is, as long as the candy bearing part is bearable, the pinata will be a success.

I. What does one need to make a delicious Chicken tetrazzini?

Materials needed:

1 packet thin spaghetti

3 boneless chicken breasts

2 packs shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 tbsp sour cream

Pepper

Salt

Method:

The chicken breast is first washed and then seasoned with salt and pepper. In a large pot, the boneless chicken breast until they are tender and coming apart. Next, the water is boiled for spaghetti. After the chicken breast and spaghetti are done, save the broth left over from the boiled chicken. The chicken needs to be cut into pieces. The pieces and the 1/2 cup of the broth from the boiled chicken for flavour. Next, 2 tbsp of sour cream need to be added, the can of cream of mushroom soup, and 1 packet of shredded cheese. It is all stirred together to make a chicken tetrazzini casserole. Turn oven 350 F. Spoon tetrazzini mixture into casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. Next, it has to be placed in oven till all the cheese has melted.

It is served best with garlic or buttered toast.

II. There are many versions of preparing Chicken Tetrazzini. For instance there is one called freezer OAMC which stands for once a month cooking. The steps for that are listed as follows:

Break the spaghetti in half and it is to be cooked until it is almost done, drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process

The onions need to be saute until they are transparent. This may take around 10 minutes.

The onion needs to be mixed with the rest of the raw materials and add the noodles together

The mixture can be divided between two containers and can either be frozen or eaten immediately.

III.Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Materials needed-

4 tbsp unsalted butter

1 package sliced mushroom

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 can low-sodium chicken broth

3 tbsp dry sherry (optional)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 coarsely ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 cups cooked boneless, skinless chicken cut into strips

1/2 pound spaghetti, broken in half and cooked according to packet directions

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method

1)The oven should be preheated to 425 F.

2) The butter needs to be melted in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and saute it for approximately 4 minutes or until it turns brown. Sprinkle with flour and toss to combine. The broth needs to be introduced at this point of time. It can be cooked and stirred often until the mixture is boiling. The heat needs to be reduced and it should be allowed to simmer for 2 minutes and stirred continously. The sherry may be stirred (if in use) in salt, pepper and nutmeg. Then it needs to be removed from heat and stirred in chicken.

3)The spaghetti and the chicken mixture should be combined and then tossed gently and spoon into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish or shallow 3-quart baking dish sprinkled with cheese. Should be baked till 20 minutes or until it turns golden brown.

What great questions for the lover of quality food to ask: ‘What is the menu like at a seafood grill?’ And, ‘Where Is The Closest One—I’m Hungry!’

At a seafood grill you will find many mouthwatering options: the Maine red lobster, the Maryland blue crab, the Louisiana battered jumbo shrimp and the great Hawaii Mahi Mahi fish may all be your dining companions when you choose a great seafood grill.  Consider all of the possibilities that may be yours when dining at a seafood grill. Many seafood grills have their share of flame-broiled steaks as well and specialize in the ‘surf-n-turf’ eating experience.

There may be a specialization to seafood like shrimp, crab, lobster, and assorted fishes.  These options are all vast in their selections.  In the category of shrimp, for example, there are more than two dozen varieties and styles cooked up in the seafood grills across the country.  It really is your choice when you’re dining out at a well-established seafood grill.  Many people will opt for the freshest of fare and spend extra money to buy fresh steamed lobsters at market price.

Others will prefer to go for the huge variety of fish that may be available—everything from the strong-flavored salmon caught off the coast of Alaska to the Atlantic swordfish.  There are all kinds of fish from the oceans of the world, as far north as Alaska and Maine, and as far south as Hawaii and the South Pacific.  These wide varieties of fish are generally on the more expensive side and come in at ‘market price,’ which varies from season to season and month to month.

What is the menu like at a seafood grill seafood grill?  Simple.  Very diverse.  You can have just about any kind of fresh-catch seafood at most seafood grills.  For the discriminating diner, seafood grills represent one of the best combinations of available dining experiences to accommodate a variety of palate types.  Consider carefully which seafood grill you are going to dine at and read reviews ahead of time.  Almost every quality restaurant open nowadays has reviews online at a food-review website.