When you are hosting a corporate party, the last thing you need to deal with is assigning people to bring salads, deserts, and main dishes. Furthermore, it is quite a burden for only one person to supply all the food. By hiring a corporate party catering company, you free up your employees to focus on enjoying the party.
Throughout the year, there are many occasions to host a corporate party ranging from holiday parties to sales events to company retreats. A well-planned and executed party is often remembered and talked about for months afterward. A corporate party can not only be fun but can be an effective way to reward employees.
Unique Corporate Party Catering
A unique theme can go a long way when trying to create a memorable event. Holding a clambake is a popular choice for a exceptional corporate event, boosting company morale and creating bonds between departments. Whether you are located in New England or on the West Coast, people love clambakes, and co-workers are no exception.
If you are looking to hire a corporate party catering service, you should look for one that takes care of more than just your food needs. A quality catering company will provide all the amenities such as tables, chairs, and tents, to make your event as comfortable as possible. Since caterers have often worked at many local venues, they can often either secure or recommend a venue that will be perfect for your needs.
When you are hosting a corporate party, the last thing you need to deal with is assigning people to bring salads, deserts, and main dishes. Furthermore, it is quite a burden for only one person to supply all the food. By hiring a corporate party catering company, you free up your employees to focus on enjoying the party.
Throughout the year, there are many occasions to host a corporate party ranging from holiday parties to sales events to company retreats. A well-planned and executed party is often remembered and talked about for months afterward. A corporate party can not only be fun but can be an effective way to reward employees.
Unique Corporate Party Catering
A unique theme can go a long way when trying to create a memorable event. Holding a clambake is a popular choice for a exceptional corporate event, boosting company morale and creating bonds between departments. Whether you are located in New England or on the West Coast, people love clambakes, and co-workers are no exception.
If you are looking to hire a corporate party catering service, you should look for one that takes care of more than just your food needs. A quality catering company will provide all the amenities such as tables, chairs, and tents, to make your event as comfortable as possible. Since caterers have often worked at many local venues, they can often either secure or recommend a venue that will be perfect for your needs.…
Summer time is almost here. So, it is time to indulge in some tasty summer super foods. They will keep you hydrated and cool this summer. Here are some great superfoods for the summer:
Watermelon: Watermelon contains mainly water. This helps keep the body well hydrated. By staying hydrated, you it will keep you in a good mood and your memory sharp. It will keep you full without many calories. Watermelon is high in antioxidant content, which reduces the risk of certain complications, such as heart disease, cancer, or hypertension.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers are high in water content. They will keep you cool and refreshed. Cucumbers contain erepsin, which improves digestion. Since cucumbers contain vitamin C, they also helps protect the skin from UV rays. This helps prevent wrinkles and sun damage.
Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt cools the body and keeps your digestive system working properly. It will help to boost your immunity and prevent yeast infections. Greek yogurt will also help you lose weight. You can eat it plain or with a fruit added, such as strawberries or blueberries.
Mangoes: Mango will keep you cool and energized during the summer months. Mangoes are a great source of vitamins, which helps to maintain your overall health. You can eat it as a fruit snack or make it as a smoothie.
Sources:
Top 10 Home Remedies. Top 10 Superfoods For Summer.
10 Summer Foods to Help You Beat the HeatHow Stuff Works. 9 Slimming Superfoods For The Summer. Author: Sara Novak. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/9-slimming-superfoods-for-summer.htm Joy Bauer. 8 Summer Superfoods You Should Be Eating. http://www.joybauer.com/photo-gallery/summer-superstars.aspx Weather.com. 21 Must-Eat Summer Superfoods. Author: Annie Hauser. http://www.weather.com/health/21-must-eat-summer-superfoods-20130705 …
If you have ever experienced a "pinched nerve", you understand the odd, uncomfortable sensation that results. When in your neck, it can make it difficult for you to raise your arm. When in your lower back, it can make something as simple as walking a chore. It can also be uncomfortable to sit or stand for more than a few minutes at a time.
Dangers of Ibuprofen
Many doctors will prescribe ibuprofen therapy as the first remedy for this ailment. Ibuprofen is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. However, many people do not know that overuse of ibuprofen can lead to a raging cancer in the kidneys that can kill within weeks. Pharmaceutical companies downplay this deadly potential side effect of ibuprofen. You may not realize it, but the reason doctors tell you not to give ibuprofen to an infant under 6 months of age is that it is difficult on their tiny kidneys.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve
To understand why ibuprofen is effective for treating pinched nerves, you need to know a little bit about your anatomy. Your nerves branch out from your spinal cord, which is encapsulated within your spinal bones. The vertebrae have small holes in them, called lamina, that allow the nerve branches to extend from the spinal cord. These exit holes can become restricted over time because of bony build up called plaque. Plaque build up is a natural result of aging, but it can worsen due to injury.
When the lamina become restricted, there is less room for your nerve to pass through. If you over exert yourself, the nerve can become irritated and inflamed, causing it to rub against the restricted space in the lamina. This often results in discomfort, pain or tingling sensations in the extremities. Because your nerves also deliver vital nutrients to muscles, it is especially important to keep the pathways unrestricted.
Ibuprofen is generally a safe medication when taken intermittently, but taken as a therapy, it can be dangerous. This is why you should know about natural ways to lessen inflammation and relieve the discomfort because of your pinched nerves.
Natural Foods that Fight Inflammation
The best natural treatment for inflammation is to increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. While supplements can be helpful, they are much less effective that eating foods containing Omega 3. You can find the highest concentrations of this healthy nutrient in salmon, walnuts and flax seed.
Antioxidants are also effective at reducing inflammation. The best foods to eat are onions, blueberries, garlic, spinach and ginger. By adding these foods to your diet, you will be taking in a wide range of helpful antioxidants that fight free radical damage and reduce swelling.
You can get more of these healthy inflammation fighters by cooking with onions, garlic and ginger. Spinach is easily added to a salad. Blueberries are excellent on your morning cereal or with yogurt.
Adding these foods will not only fight inflammation, they will also lessen your risk of a wide range of…
Nearly two million tourists visit Mazatlán, Mexico, annually. Golden sand beaches, first class fishing, warm surf and seafood are the primary attractions. Excellent restaurants are found all along Mazatlán's 15-mile peninsula, but blue-ribbon pastries are much harder to find.
Mazatlán, in Sinaloa, Mexico
Mazatlán, in the state of Sinaloa, lies just 800 miles south of Arizona. This popular coastal resort lies below the Tropic of Cancer, and enjoys balmy year-round weather. Soft breezes caress the golden beaches, and offshore, the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
Mazatlán has long been a destination for fishermen, beach-lovers and birders. Mazatlán extends along fifteen miles of sandy beaches, and continues to expand with new hotels and condominiums north of the metropolitan area. The Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone, lies close to the middle of this peninsula, and is the heart of the tourist business, with hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. At the south end of the peninsula is the historic district, with nineteenth century architecture, the 110-year old central Pino Suárez market, the Basilica de la Purisma Concepcion (The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) and the original Panamá Restaurant and Pasteleria.
The Panamá Restaurant and Pasteleria in Mazatln's Historic District
The Panamá Restaurant and Pasteleria lies directly across from the historic cathedral, the Basilica de la Purisma Concepcion. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and displays a mouth-watering showcase of refrigerated pies, cakes and specialty pastries. These pastries, probably the best in Mazatlán, are also available at the main bakery, just a block from the Historic District's popular Plazuela Machado, at the corner of Calle Belasario Dominguez and Sixto Osuna
The main restaurant is six blocks north and east of Plazuela Machado. The restaurant is spotless and bright, with a well-trained staff dedicated to satisfying their guests. This is not an upscale restaurant for a formal meal, but rather a friendly place to take a lunch break from shopping, meet someone for breakfast or to have a fabulous mid-afternoon dessert. Meal specials are displayed as culinary works of art, and the tempting dessert cart that is rolled to your table after a meal is irresistible. Trip Advisor feedback rates the Panamá Restaurant at 4.5 stars out of 5, and lists the restaurant's popularity ranking at 14th of 73 restaurants in all of Mazatlán.
The refrigerated pastry and cake case takes up most of one wall, and is kept filled with beautiful cakes, pies, cheesecakes, ice-cream pies and French pastries. Many of these are filled with tropical and other fruits including guava, pineapple, mango and strawberries. Prices range from 110 to 145 pesos (about $9 to $11 U.S.) for smaller, Chico, versions, and from 185-260 pesos (about $14 to $20 U.S.) for full-sized desserts.
Other Panamá Restaurant Locations in Mazatlán
Two other Panamá Restaurants are conveniently located in primary tourist areas, one in the Olas Altas district and one in the Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone. Both are located along the primary waterfront drive, which is called Camaron Sábalo in the Golden Zone …
Chicken nuggets, greasy burgers, roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken, unhealthy tacos and burritos are all reasons why I chose to quit my fast-food habit. When I was a kid, I would eat fast-food for lunch and sometimes dinner. It was cheap and easy to get. I would eat it and feel satisfied without thinking of the consequences. When I was in middle school, I noticed that I was gaining weight and the primary reason was of unhealthy eating. I went to a smaller school and saw that most of the people around me were skinnier. I was not very overweight so I never was encountered with serious health issues but still was a few pounds heavier then I should have been and knew I had to lose weight or do something to slim down because I was still young and if I continued then it would get worse when I became older.
I then quit eating as much fast-food. I would still eat some because it was what was for lunch but I lowered the quantity. Before, I would get multiple things including side orders and eat it all in a short period of time. A restaurant that I started eating more of was Subway. I always liked Subway because it was fresh and delicious. I did not choose to get it as much before because places like McDonald's were cheaper. Even though Subway is still not the most healthy thing to eat when trying to lose some weight, it was way better then eating greasy fattening fast-food.
I think what made my story of quitting fast-food habit was the fact that I did not have anyone have to tell me that I needed to lose weight. I am sure that people thought that I was a little overweight but the decision to lose weight was mine. I knew that quitting fast-food may be hard because fast-food restaurants are located close to me.
Now that I am older, I have lost a few pounds since then and at an average weight. I have decreased my fast-food eating and have started working out more. I did Tae Kwon Do and other home exercises to try and lose weight. I learned that I was someone that could break a habit most people can't. I did not want to be someone who grew up overweight and then become an adult who was overweight. I did not want to be labeled as one of the people in America that was overweight. I am not a guy that has six-pack abs but someone who has graduated high school at a decent weight.…
Plenty of eateries in America boast "fusion" dining- a blend of cooking styles and ingredients from different cultures. Ever wonder what other countries are doing to American and other Western foods? Here are a few quirky blends concocted in Asia that you have to try (if you can find them!).
Donuts
Ah, the donut. A wholly American invention. But after a Japanese company acquired the rights to franchise Mister Donut (owned by Dunkin' Brands under the Dunkin' Donuts name in America) in 1983, some very "Asian" flavors started to appear. Their current menu in Taiwan contains no fewer than five variations of green tea, with two containing red azuki beans. Similarly, Krispy Kreme only opened in Taiwan a few months ago, but Green Tea Stripes is already one of their menu staples. Personally, I can't say I care for green tea flavoring, but it's a big hit here in Asia.
Potato chips
Some days you just want some "normal" chip flavors. You know, sour cream and onion, or salt and vinegar. In Taiwan though, it's much easier to find flavors like wasabi, Thai spicy crab, Indian curry chicken, or seaweed. Seaweed is such a popular seasoning that it is found on a variety of snacks besides potato chips, including crackers and popcorn. While I can't say these flavors are really my cup of tea, potato chips are the easiest items to find on this list. You can try your luck at a local Asian supermarket, or ask a friend traveling back from Asia to pick some up for you!
Popcorn
Speaking of popcorn, "buttered" isn't the standard at movie theaters in Taiwan. All theaters will give you an option of "salty," or "sweet." The sweet version is sometimes caramel flavored, sometimes more similar to kettle corn. Pre-packaged popcorn is quite popular here, though, and that's where the varieties start getting that Asian spin. The afore mentioned seaweed, green tea, and Indian curry are all easily available, and one brand even has a Korean kimchi flavor.
"Italian" ramen
Taiyo no Tomatomen is a Japanese ramen chain that specializes in "Italian" flavor based soups. The noodles are still restaurant-style Japanese ramen noodles, but rather than the standard pork broth, Taiyo uses chicken broth. The broth is then flavored with tomatoes, or even pesto. Grated cheese can be added on top of the noodles as an option. The concoction may sound strange, but is actually quite delicious. Unfortunately, this is one item you'll have to travel to Asia to try, as currently there are only locations in Japan and Taiwan.…
Anyone who has ever had food poisoning knows what a miserable experience that is. For anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to experience food poisoning, consider yourself lucky. Food poison is not a fun way to spend your day, and it can be dangerous. It's impossible to spot foodborne illness because you can't see, smell or taste them. The government can't regulate and keep meat products safe in the home, but you can by following some simple guidelines:- Wash your hands and any surfaces meat has touched often.
- Don't cross-contaminate your meats.
- Cook meats to their proper temperatures.
- Refrigerate all meats immediately.
Let's look at these guidelines in further detail.
Clean
When I work with meats, I wash everything constantly, especially my hands. Always wash hands in hot, soapy water before and after touching meats as well as all surfaces the meat has been on. Washing hands before handling meats will help prevent adding bacteria to meats. Cleaning and washing hands and surfaces immediately after handling will help eliminate bacteria that is laying around quickly. You don't want to accidentally put your fingers in your mouth after touching meat, or after touching a surface that meat has been on. Additionally, you don't want to spread the bacteria to other areas or people.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
One thing I do when preparing meats and other foods is to use a separate cutting board for the meats, especially when working with chicken. This helps prevent cross-contamination. In addition, you should also wash utensils that have cut meat before using them to cut something else. Don't just rinse them. You should use hot, soapy water with these items as well. Cleaning your grill surface after meat has been cooked on it will also help you avoid cross-contaminating other foods.
Cook to Proper Temperature
All meats have specific temperatures that you should cook them to. Having a cooking thermometer on hand will help you in knowing when meat has reached the proper temperature. The suggested internal temperature for most meats is 165 degrees. This is medium done for most meats, with the exception of chicken which needs to be cooked completely to avoid illness.
Chill
Meat should always be chilled immediately to prevent bacteria from growing. In fact, temperatures between 40 degrees and 140 degrees are considered the "danger zone" because this is the range in which bacteria grow most rapidly. Keep meats cold at a temperature below 40 degrees and do not leave out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours. Of course, when temperatures reach 90 degrees you shouldn't leave meats out longer than 1 hour.
Follow these simple rules and you should be able to avoid nasty foodborne illnesses.
USDA
Meat safety.org…
There are many popular soul food cookbooks on the market and all of which feature a nice variety of recipes for comfort food and what are considered soul food dishes. Each of the soul food cookbooks lends its own insight into the art of preparing and serving soul food. The reviewed soul food cookbooks are a few of many that feature some of the most popular, tried and true recipes served in many of the nation's leading soul food restaurants.Sylvia's Family Soul Food Cook by Sylvia Woods is one of the most popular Soul Food Cookbooks. What started out as a small lunch counter business turned into one of the leading New York City soul food restaurants. The popular soul food cookbooks features some of the same dishes served in the popular restaurant such as Holiday Chitlins, Candy Yam Soufflé, Frances Old-fashioned Collard Greens, Chicken Soul and more. The author also shares a bit of family history as it pertains to the love of food and family and the connection of cooking and family. Overall Sylvia's Soul Food Cookbook is an excellent cookbook, which will certainly have you trying exciting dishes whenever possible. The popular soul food cookbook retails for approximately $27 at Amazon.
Soul Food: Classic Cuisine from the Deep South by Sheila Ferguson is another of the more popular soul food cookbooks. This is certainly a book you will want to add to your collection as the author shares her life experience with soul food and recipes on which she grew up. The cookbook includes some 200 recipes which include photos, a few anecdotes and other culinary insight as it pertains to the preparation and serving of soul food. The instructions are clear, the recipes incredible and the use of alternative ingredients in several recipes is insightful. Overall Soul Food: Classic Cuisine from the Deep South is a great cookbook and an excellent buy at $15 at Powells Books.
One of the most in demand soul food cookbooks is the New Soul Food Cookbook: Healthier Recipes for Traditional Favorites by Wilbert Jones. In this unique and well laid out soul food cookbook the author shares over one hundred recipes, all of which are soul food, but with a bit of a different twist. The focus of the delicious recipes is to present healthier soul food dishes by using low-fat ingredients. The author uses several alternatives in terms of ingredients and seasoning to prepare delicious soul food that can be enjoyed by all. This is a great cookbook which allows readers to enjoy authentic soul food while eating healthy. One of the most popular soul food cookbooks, the New Soul Food Cookbook: Healthier Recipes for Traditional Favorites was found for under $10 at Barnes & Noble.
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com
www.powells.com…
Personal chef catering differs from the catering the public is used to, where food is prepared in commercial kitchens and transported in large stainless steel, covered containers to an event. Those events can be wedding receptions, company picnics, retirement dinners, even church socials where local authorities have not granted a restaurant license to the church's kitchen. Regular catered food for large groups has therefore been cooked or prepared several hours ahead of time.
Personal chef catering, on the other hand, means two or three chefs go to the customer's residence to cook the food. They may have done some initial preparation in their own homes, but will take all necessary pots, pans, and groceries to the residence and cook the catered meal right there. They may spend as little as three hours in the home, including cleanup. Obviously, they need to plan as carefully as the large caterer, so that they can make a profit while preparing a culinary delight.
If you live in a state or county where your church kitchen doesn't have a restaurant license, it means food can only be kept warm or reheated in the church's ovens because state/county inspectors have declined to issue a letter grade to the kitchen. (Commercial restaurants strive for an A, of course.) The food can't actually be prepared and cooked at the church, even if the ovens are brand new, refrigerators work as they should, and floors and counters are spotless. There is that matter of hairnets and other items. What happened to the good old days?
Personal Chef Catering Can Be Learned
The ins and outs of personal chef catering are best learned through professional instruction. Whether it's a self-study course or an on-location class where you can exchange concerns with others and obtain answers, you'll gain expertise you didn't have before. If you decide to join a group of professional chefs with a website, many more tips can be instantly available. Knowing what to look out for beats just jumping into the deep end of the pool any day.…
Before Kaori came to be, the restaurant was an Outback, and as such, the decor still has a Down Under feel. Aside from the paper screens and lanterns, wooden booths surround the dining room while a sushi bar in the middle allows patrons to watch their food being prepared. The dining area is large, the seating is comfortable and diners do not feel rushed through their meals. Buttons are located on each table so that servers can be summoned, and private rooms of any size can be reserved, thanks to sliding panels used as dividers.
The Meaning of Sharing
In another example of the unusual service of Kaori, only two menus were offered to a party of 10. Additional menus were never provided, making for a lengthy process when preparing to order. And yet, for smaller parties of three or four, menus are provided for each and every person. If menus were in short supply, would it not have been more efficient to leave two menus for smaller parties and provide four or five for larger ones? However, the restaurant seeks to make up for this inefficiency with such gestures as complimentary edamame and flavourful mackerel and turnip offered as appetizers. In addition, the food arrives promptly and the cup is always full of hot tea.
The menu describes an extremely large variety of dishes, including a wide selection of well-made seafood. A donburi dinner ranges from $10 to $13 CDN while sushi and sashimi dinners range from $15 to $20 CDN. Specialty rolls, though not particularly abundant in choice, also range from $10 to $13 CDN. The miso soup is a little on the salty side and the sashimi is cut into large, fresh, but veiny slices. The kalbi is extremely tender and succulent, while the tempura, which comes in either a large basket or as part of combination courses, is light and crispy without being too oily.
Plenty of Fish
One issue that should be noted by all patrons is the size of the portions offered at Kaori. Though the food is delicious, the meals are very large in size. For example, the tempura and sashimi combination is described according to the menu as containing 5 pieces of nigiri sushi and 8 pieces of sashimi, but the actual meal comes with 6 pieces of nigiri sushi and 16 pieces of sashimi, not to mention the large amount of tempura. This small example of false advertising would seem generous in nature, but in actuality leads to overspending on the part of the diner. Had patrons been accurately informed, they could have shared meals, which are certainly large enough for two. After diners have eaten their fill, it is not uncommon to see half the food still remaining on the table, with everyone looking on wearily and wishing they had ordered less. Complimentary ice cream is also provided at the end of the meal.
Kaori Restaurant is located at 30 High Tech Road in Richmond Hill, …
