Author: emily (Page 18 of 20)

The Weekly Whet: The Hostess with the Mostess

by Emily King

I have seen many-a-dinner party in my day (mostly catering from the kitchen), so naturally, I have also observed many-a-host(ess). While there are different ways to approach this  role, I find that the host(esses) who are most successful have a well-stocked bar and start drinking before the guests arrive.

The buzzed hostess graciously accepts even the most bizarre gifts like “chile-prickly pear jam” and fancy packages of table-water crackers, which, like twinkies and cockroaches, could out-last all living beings in the event of a massive, world-wide disaster.

Of course, in addition to enjoying yourself, it’s always fun to impress your guests with a jazzy-little cocktail, so give them something that they will remember! It also might encourage them to ditch the crazy jam-collection for a more sensible gift next time like…wine.

(NOTE: Here at intotheSoup.com, we do not discriminate against male dinner party hosts so please, embrace “Hostess with the Mostess” for its rhyme and rhythmical properties…seriously–we LOVE guys in the kitchen).

Our friend, Gordon Parlova, contributed this recipe which I have nick-named:

The Hostess with the Mostess (Moscato D’Asti with French Vanilla Ice Cream)

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle Moscato D’Asti.
  • 1 container French Vanilla ice cream 
  • Chill the martini glasses and the Moscato until ready to serve.
  • Using a melon baller, scoop out 3-4 balls of ice cream and put them in the bottom of a martini glass.
  • Slowly and carefully pour the Moscato into the glass.
  • Serve immediately, with spoons.

NOTE: Make sure you use the D’Asti variety of Moscato. The others have no bubbles and are very sweet.

Your guests will love it.  Really. They will.

This is from Gordon’s “Dessert & Decadence” blog:http://bit.ly/ajj34q

5 Tips on Healthy Living Through Food with Kami Pastis: November

by Kami Pastis

Unfortunately, stress is part of everyone’s daily routine—especially during the holiday season, however it can be managed. Rather, it must be managed so that it does not overcome us at inopportune times in the form of anger, fatigue, depression or illness. The foods we eat greatly influence our well-being right down to our brain chemistry especially if applied in a consistent manner.  The following five tips can help you deliciously manage stress with grace & aplomb.

5 Tips

1.     Research has shown foods high in omega 3 essential fatty acids effect the brain in a positive, calming way. Some common sources of these calming Omega 3’s are walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds. Grab a handful for a quick snack or sprinkle them in granola or oatmeal and feel your brain dial down the stress o’meter.

2.     Herbs are also powerful relievers of stress and anxiety. Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian root are just a few examples that can be steeped in hot water and sipped as a tea.  Using lavender (either in flower form or oil) in a hot bath is also very helpful both from the inhalation of the aroma and from the absorption of the oils through the skin. A couple of drops of lavender essential oil dropped into a tissue & inhaled can produce a soothing effect on frazzled nerves anywhere, anytime.

3.    If you experience high levels of stress on a consistent basis you could be deficient in B vitamins which help calm the central nervous system and energize you at appropriate times. Healthy, plant-based foods high in B-vitamins are bananas, oats, avocados, legumes, potatoes and Brazil nuts.  

4.     Foods that contain stimulating substances can also put our sensitive nervous systems into overdrive. Coupled with a stressful day, these substances may leave the body feeling physical and emotional tension. Avoiding stimulants like coffee, sugar, non-herbal teas (which usually contain caffeine), chocolate, or other foods that you know stress your system can be an intelligent choice for many people.

5.     Finally, food for the soul. It’s really imperative to make time for yourself EVERY DAY–even if it’s only for 10 minutes. This type of food comes in the variety of a barefoot-walk on the grass, connecting with nature by gazing at the clouds or enjoying the sunrise, breathing slowly in and out through the nose for 10 breaths, talking with a close friend or loved one, closing your eyes and being quiet, receiving a slow, relaxing massage, or simply counting your blessings. There are endless ways of showing yourself love and nurturing the calm in your life, so pick just one today and do it. You’ll feel well-nourished and you’ll be a source of radiant positivity to all who surround you.   

For more tips on Health & Wellness click here

 

About Kami

Kamara Pastis is a certified personal trainer, life style educator, group fitness instructor and licensed massage therapist in the Phoenix area. Clinical, therapeutic massage has been her mainstay for seven years where she has experienced the lasting therapeutic changes massage can make in cases with debilitating pain and disfunction. The traditional Thai and Yogi tradition of metta (literally “loving kindness”) is Kami’s healing philosophy. When not healing her patients, Kami is more than blissfully occupied with her husband and three kids.

To contact Kami and learn more about her services Click Here: www.kamaralmt.com or call (602) 622-1046. Tell her you saw her on intotheSoup.com

 

 

Cruisin’ Together: Real Deals and Discounts

by Chris Owen

I wish I could sit here and tell you that the cruise lines give discounts because they love certain groups of people and want to be nice to them, but that would be a lie. You may not like what I have to say about the reality of specials and discounts, but let’s face it—you want answers to your cruise queries and I think you can handle the truth!

 

So here it is folks: Cruise lines discount for one reason and one reason only, and that is to fill up the ships. 

While safety will always be at the top of a cruise line’s agenda, occupancy is the second most important goal.  They must sail with full ships to make the money necessary to provide all of the activities and services that their cruisers expect and desire.  Empty berths simply don’t generate money. If you take off the rose-colored glasses for a moment and look at cruising from a business perspective, you’ll see that discounts and specials are strategically planned marketing ploys.

The big-name lines have done a great deal of research pertaining to cruise-demand patterns and have a pretty good idea of how any given cruise will sell.  They know that for the most part, these demand patterns depend on a ship’s itinerary and the season during which the ship will be sailing. Of course, economic events, world-news, and other unpredictable factors can influence booking patterns.   

Smart businesses are prepared for uncertain times, and cruise lines are no different. They understand that at the end of the day, everyone wants a good value. As your trusty cruise expert, it is my responsibility to remind you that “good value” and “cheap price” are not necessarily interchangeable terms. A cruise for $199 may sound like a steal, but a glance over the fine print will reveal that there are several hundred dollars in port charges, taxes and fees.

Many people (maybe even you) have fallen into the jaws of a menace to the cruise world: Discount internet cruise brokers. Lack of service, hidden costs and junk fees, bankruptcy, and unethical business practices were commonplace among these brokers who had truly become the shady used car salesman of the travel industry.  Luckily, the tide changed in favor of the honest, hardworking travel agents when Royal Caribbean, a leader among cruise lines, announced that they were going to refuse to sell packages to organizations that they viewed as “card mills.”

Suddenly, travel agents were busy and back in the game as saavy cruisers realized that there was more to planning a successful cruise than just finding the rock-bottom price.  A skilled travel professional has the ability and the resources to find and apply all discounts available to his or her clients without compromising their comfort or specific preferences. Still not impressed by the worth of a good travel agent?  Get this: the discount internet cruise brokers watched for prices and discounts too, but they often pocketed any savings for themselves.  Even customers who contacted the brokers requesting new, lower fares advertised on a cruise-line website were denied or ignored. How’s that for customer service?

In other words, smart travelers find and use a good travel agent, and one that specializes in cruises is preferable for those looking to jump ship.

The following discounts are the kind that a good travel agent will seek out to ensure that his or her client has the best experience possible:

Resident Discounts

Cruise lines do their homework and pin-point the states from which they are not drawing many passengers.  People love to talk about their experiences and a cruise-vacation is quite an experience. Whether it’s around the office water cooler or in line at the grocery store, cruise-lines depend on cruisers to give mini-testimonials to further their reach. This is why cruise lines will often offer discounts to residents of states where the popularity of cruise-travel is lacking. They figure that if they can get people talking about their great experiences, more people are likely to literally “get on board.”

Royal Caribbean is the king of Resident Discounts while Princess comes in second with “regional discounts”.  If you’re a Florida resident, who enjoys cruising, you’re in luck! The state that receives the most resident discounts is Florida. It really isn’t hard to see why: There are many ships, many people, and many opportunities for cruising.

Senior Discounts

The basic rule of thumb is that at least one guest in a cabin must be 55 or older to get a senior discount, but be aware that cruises are not like movie theatres; not every cruise line gives senior discounts. Even those that do, don’t give them all the time. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity are best known for giving senior discounts, but it’s often because they foresee problems with filling up the ship for a particular cruise. Don’t get me wrong though—senior discounts are not always last minute. These lines will sell senior-discounted packages in the beginning stages of booking as well.

Last Minute Deals

Don’t count on them.  They exist for those who can sail with as little as 30 days notice.  As recent as several years ago, you could rely on the existence of last minute deals to the point where you could book airfare for a particular cruise without actually buying the cruise until 30 days before sailing. Some risk-takers enjoyed this method of bargain vacationing, but these days, it’s likely that those risk-takers would be stuck with a suitcase full of Bermuda shorts and airfare to nowhere. Ships tend to sell-out early these days, but if you come across a last-minute deal—more power to you and enjoy your vacation!

 Military Discounts

Like many major businesses, cruise-lines are sensitive to the importance of military service. If they can fill up ships while offering reduced rates to those who may have risked their lives for their country, they’re happy to do it.  Carnival is most generous with this discount, but other lines do as well. Again, none of the cruise lines offers this discount all the time, on all sailings, but it never hurts to ask your travel agent if you qualify.  Active or retired members can get this discount for their entire cabin and sometimes even an additional cabin with proper military ID.

Past Guest discounts

This is a very popular, common and appropriate discount.  The cruise lines want to keep you coming back and will often make it worth your while to sail again and again with them.  Perks, amenities and even different pricing are afforded to repeat guests.  After you’ve sailed a line, you become a “past guest.”  Record your past guest numbers and be sure they are entered into your bookings.  Your good travel agent will keep these on file and use them to your advantage. 

How to find out about the deals?

I know it can be a hassle, but sign up for everyone’s mailing list.  Get an email address other than the one you use for your regular daily email.  Go to every cruise line website and sign up for their mailing lists. You will be the first to know of specials, discounts and extra-value sailings being offered, but be aware that you will also receive a great deal of spam as cruise lines sell your email address to other companies.

About Chris Owen

Chris Owen is a travel writer, blogger and agent from Orlando Florida charged with sharing frank, inside information on cruise vacations with travelers.  A graduate of Washburn University in Topeka Kansas, Chris moved to Florida after successful careers in the restaurant and newspaper business to focus singly on travel with a concentration on cruise vacations.  Certified a Master Cruise Counselor by the Cruise Lines International Association, Chris can be found via his popular cruise vacations column on Examiner.com, through his blog, ChrisCruises.net and on his long-running cruise information website, YourCruiseDream.com. 

Email Chris: Chris@YourCruiseDream.com

 

 

 

Spice Up Your Life

by Katie Haarala R.D.

Sure, we want dishes that are delightfully delicious, but all too often the addition of flavor stems from butter, salt, heavy cream, or sugar; ingredients that can have detrimental effects on your health if consumed beyond moderation.  However, there are flavor aids as old as your grandmum’s greatest grandmum, ready to tantalize your taste buds, add a nutritional punch, and that might possibly help you tighten your belt a notch or two.  Sound too good to be true? Read on, friends, and decide for yourself.  

Cayenne

Turn up the heat!  The chemical found in hot peppers that adds the kick is capsaicin. For those who will brave the heat, cayenne may provide a couple bodily benefits such as relieving respiratory congestion, improving digestion, fighting inflammation, and slightly increasing your metabolism for up to 20 minutes after you consume the spicy food. It’s also known as a great source of vitamin A from the pro-vitamin A carotenoids. How’s that for getting spicy? Place it in chili, soups, or anywhere you want a zesty kick.

Black Pepper

Not just the best friend of salt, black pepper has health benefits that help it stand on its very own.  Found first in the presence of the peppercorn, black pepper is believed to improve digestion and promote optimal intestinal health.  The black pepper has a way of stimulating our taste buds and informing the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid production; this production of acid is imperative for the breakdown of our food, especially proteins.  If I haven’t convinced you yet to top your next dish with pepper (unless it’s cherry cheesecake, because that would be gross), then perhaps I will sway you with thes

e last bits of nutritional information.  Studies have shown that piperine, found in black pepper, may help you absorb some nutrients found in your food such as vitamin C or beta-carotene.  Additionally, black pepper appears to slightly improve fat metabolism for several hours after consumption.  To receive the most nutritional impact from pepper, make sure you purchase whole peppercorns with a built-in grinder.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices. It has a warming nature that evokes holiday cheer! The component cinnameldahyde found in cinnamon has proven to have anti-inflamm

atory properties and helps reduce the likelihood of clot formation in the blood. It has also been found to reduce blood sugar levels in individuals suffering from type 2 Diabetes. If you would like to delve even deeper into the topic of cinnamon, take a look here: Cinnamon is grand.

Turmeric

Sometimes referred to as the “Indian saffron” due to the rich yellow-orange coloring of the spice.  The component that benefits your health in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and aids any part of the body that is experiencing ailment, from toothaches to bruises. More research is needed, but recent studies have shown that turmeric may suppress the growth of fat tissue. With those health benefits, I concur: This spice is rather nice.  

Here is the moral of the story of spices: they add flavor without adding calories, have nutritional benefits, and may even help you burn a few calories.  However, adding cinnamon to your second helping of apple pie and assuming it will be useful in weight loss would be silly.  But please, add pepper to your soups, tumeric to your favorite Indian dishes, cayenne to anything needing an extra spice note, and cinnamon to that morning bowl of oatmeal.  Reap the benefits of the spice world.  Revel in natural nutrition. And spice up your life!  

Eat Intelligently, Friends!

To read more of Katie’s Health & Wellness Advice on intotheSoup.comClick Here

About Katie

Kate Paige Haarala is a registered dietitian (R.D.) from Minnesota who has an undying passion for nutrition education and helping others incorporate healthy dishes into their daily menu.  She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Food, Nutrition & Dietetics along with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science. You can catch more of Katie on her blog by clicking here.

Capistrano’s Breakin’ Bread Holiday Edition: The Dinner Roll

By Emily King

Ahhhhtumn….The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing color, and the sweater collection holds center stage in the closet. Time to pair them up with those elastic waistband-pants and enjoy the family, friends, and feasting that go along with the season!

Holiday gatherings offer the best noshing. That is, as long as the turkey doesn’t turn out like the one in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Take-away lesson: Cousins who show up in an ugly, old RV probably don’t have the equipment necessary to produce an award-winningly succulent bird. Those are the cousins who are better suited to provide that “beloved” can-shaped cranberry mold.

The spread at these gatherings is always incredible: vegetable casseroles, stuffing, gravy, meat, mashed potatoes, and, arguably the most important part of the meal, the dinner roll. Now this may seem like an outrageous claim, but just stop and remember the best dinner roll you ever had. Did it have a slightly chewy golden crust? Was the white crumb inside soft, light and airy, almost like biting into a cloud? Did a wisp of steam escape as you pulled it apart to slather on the butter? See what I mean?

The turkey or ham might be the A-List celebrity of the dinner table, but a delicious dinner roll is the loveable supporting actor that never makes it to the big leagues, but seems never to be out of work either. This is because they remain under the radar during clean up, shielded by the linen napkin lining the breadbasket. Then, four hours later as the feasters are waking from their food-induced comas, the dinner rolls are still hangin’ around ready to play their next part as the external component to the infamous sandwich. Choose your favorite meat color and whatever accoutrements and condiments tickle your fancy, grab a big glass of milk and roll yourself back in front of the TV.

Fast-forward a few days. Now, those yummy dinner rolls are ready for another transformation. It’s time to make bread pudding, croutons, or breadcrumbs to make a crispy coating for chicken cutlets. And remember, bread puddings are not just for dessert anymore. You can add salt, pepper, herbs and cheese to make a weeknight entrée that goes great with a tossed salad. (Pudding Ratio: ~2 Large Eggs per 1 Cup of Cream)

Of course, none of this is possible unless you start with a really fantastic roll. That’s when all of us here at Into the Soup turn to Capistrano’s Wholesale Bakery because waiting for dough to rise is like… well… waiting for dough to rise. Plus, that strange little dough-boy character who reps those “biscuits in a can” creeps me out.

Visit Capistrano’s Wholesale Bakery online by clicking here.

Click Here to read more Breakin’ Bread Features

Or, in Arizona, Capistrano’s artisan breads are available at Vincent’s Saturday Market on Camelback when it is open, at Holsum Outlets, and now at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace. Here are the locations.

  • Apache Junction – 10107 E. Apache Trail
  • Casa Grande – 823 N. Pinal
  • Chandler – 7275 W. Detroit
  • Peoria – 9210 W. Peoria
  • Tucson – 2801 S. 4th Avenue
  • Luci’s Healthy Marketplace -1590 East Bethany Home Road, Phoenix

 

Cruisin’ Together: Debunking Common Cruise Misconceptions

by Chris Owen

Even if you’ve never been on a cruise, chances are, you have heard stories about never-ending buffets, complimentary, 24-hour room-service and all kinds of gaudy bells and whistles. The common misconception among “non-cruisers” is that the culinary experience is reminiscent of an 80’s Vegas-buffet. The problem with this visual is that unless you happen to really love Elvis impersonators and scrambled eggs that are rapidly drying-out under heat-lamps, it doesn’t make onboard dining seem all that appealing. (Cue super-hero music) But that’s where I come in!

 In this series, I will give you frank, up-to-date information about what you will and won’t find on modern cruise vacations. I’ll start by addressing some general misconceptions about cruising, and of course, move on to discuss the “all-important” dining situation, which indeed has a significant influence on your level of satisfaction with your vacation.

The Rocking and Rolling of the Ship

One of the biggest worries I had before my first cruise had to do with the motion of the ship on the water.  I thought it would be rocking and rolling like the Mayflower, causing hoards of people to lose their lunch…and dinner…and breakfast…

Not so.

Cruise ships are like moving islands with giant stabilizer arms that are designed to minimize the “motion in the ocean” you are bound to feel. These arms extend from the hull of the ship, much like wings on an airplane.  If Christopher Columbus had a set of these babies, he’d have touched base in America and swung right on down to the Caribbean for sure.

Will I get sick?

Not likely. 

If you occasionally got car-sick as a child, the rocking and rolling of the ship will probably not have a serious effect on you. However, if you find that your sensitivity to motion is such that you have to close your eyes during some movie scenes because the action depicted makes you ill, this can be a deal-breaker. Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take.

The fact is, you will feel some movement—you are on a boat after all.  This feeling should pass as you become accustomed to it and get your “sea legs”. On the flip-side, don’t panic if your sea legs don’t disappear right away. The condition usually lasts for a short time after you return to dry-land as your body adjusts to its stagnant surroundings once more.  I personally think it might be a dirty trick the cruise lines play to get you to think about booking your next cruise as soon as you get home…

If you are prone to motion sickness, the best advice I can give you is to avoid it in the first place.  Once “sea-sickness” sets in, it’s too late.  You’ll have to take a trip to the ship’s medical center, get a shot, and spend the next 24 to 48 hours in misery getting over it.   An over-the-counter medication called “Bonine” does the trick for just about everyone.  If you have questions about it, give your doctor or pharmacist a call!  I have heard that if you begin taking it the day before sailing and then once a day throughout the course of your trip, it is highly successful in eliminating potential problems.

Just a bunch of old-timers?

In a word—NO.

That may very well have been the case in the early 1970s, but Carnival, always at the top of its game, recognized the deterioration of the industry and responded with a fleet of “Fun Ships” that forever changed the nature of cruise vacations.  They turned a sleepy crawl across the Atlantic or around the Caribbean into an action-packed getaway that allowed travelers to leave all their cares behind and truly unwind. Other cruise lines got on board with Carnival’s new concept of cruising and revamped their own offerings.

Older people often do enjoy the variety of amenities that a cruise offers, but so do families, couples, singles, and groups. The point is, cruises offer such an impressive assortment of activities, that people of all ages, ethnicities, and lifestyles can spend their vacations doing (or not doing) whatever they please.

“A cruise is all-inclusive”

Nothing is “all-inclusive” these days. While your onboard activities, entertainment, and even standard-fare meals are generally covered on a cruise, there are plenty of opportunities to spend more.  Soft-drinks, and cocktails add-up quickly! Throw a spa treatment, shore excursion, some casino action, and a souvenir or five, into the mix and you can be well on your way to paying as much for the extras as you did for the whole cruise package. Consider yourself forewarned.

Nevertheless, it’s still a great value if you restrict your little splurges.  I recently compared an average cruise with an average stay in Vegas and the ship came out way ahead financially.  I might be a tad biased though.

How big is the pool?

You will NOT be swimming laps here. 

Though there are usually several pools and whirlpools onboard—maybe even a huge water slide or attraction, they are not “swimming” pools.  They are more like “gathering and games” pools.  They also tend to be centrally located so they get crowded. Another interesting quirk is that many of them contain filtered sea-water. This is good to know before you take a plunge with your mouth open. In short, I suggest that you save the real swimming for home or one of your excursions to the shore.

So what about the food then?

For those of you who were really looking forward to that 80s Vegas-style buffet, the likelihood of you being able to fulfill your “all-you-can-eat” dreams is very high. Most ships have at least one buffet. Depending on the cruise line though, you may find that your dining choices are much more extensive.

Most recently, I was on the Norwegian Epic, a new ship that features “Freestyle Dining.” In addition to a main dining room and buffet that are available during certain hours, Epic hosts a variety of trendy dining venues.  Cirque Dreams and Dinner is a night-time dining experience with a prix-fixe menu that revolves around a Cirque du Soleil-style show.  As I recall, a tapas bar, a steak house, and a home-style restaurant were just a few of the other restaurants present on the Epic.

Celebrity Cruises adds flavor to an already robust onboard experience with special interest cruises. Some of these cruises are geared to those with an appreciation for fine food and wine. Celebrity Cruises arranges for a renowned chef or wine-maker to design menus and lead participants through wonderful eating and drinking experiences. Can you think of a better way to unwind after a busy day of ship activities or excursions than with a truly great meal? Neither can I.

We have only just scratched the surface of the cruise-experience, but I can assure you that by the end of this series, you will have all the information you need to decide whether or not a cruise is in your future vacation plans.   Along the way when you have questions, please don’t hesitate to write me.   As a travel writer, blogger and agent, answering questions is what I do.  See my blog at ChrisCruises.net for more and email me with your specific questions about cruise vacations

About Chris Owen

Chris Owen is a travel writer, blogger and agent from Orlando Florida charged with sharing frank, inside information on cruise vacations with travelers.  A graduate of Washburn University in Topeka Kansas, Chris moved to Florida after successful careers in the restaurant and newspaper business to focus singly on travel with a concentration on cruise vacations.  Certified a Master Cruise Counselor by the Cruise Lines International Association, Chris can be found via his popular cruise vacations column on Examiner.com, through his blog, ChrisCruises.net and on his long-running cruise information website, YourCruiseDream.com. 

Email Chris: Chris@YourCruiseDream.com

 

 

 

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