Archive for Breakfasts

Finding Home Espresso Machines

// December 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Beverages, Breakfasts, Kitchen Equipment

Home Espresso

When looking at espresso machines you need to know what and how espresso is made.. Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage made from finely ground coffee beans processed with high pressure hot water. This produces a rich crema foam when the espresso is brewed correctly. Coffee lovers know that the thicker crema with rich flavors is what espresso is all about.

The original hand pulled lever machine is responsible for the common term “pulling” a shot. By pulling the level enough times the water pressure built up to the right level. The the barista (bartender) forced the very hot water through the finely ground coffee. Today most of the home espresso machines use a electric pump to build up the proper pressure.

Espresso based drinks are very popular in the USA and world wide. With the espresso beverage you can add flavors, spices and syrups for variety of flavors producing lattes and cappuccinos.

As the popularity of espresso increased the use of home espresso machines has also increased. Espresso machines were not always available for home use. In todays market we have a wide a range of home espresso machines to choose from and available from online sellers.

With the invent of the counter top home espresso maker, making espresso at home has become easy. A good home espresso machine is not cheap so the home barista needs to do a little investigating on the major brands when looking for a espresso maker.

Since 1970′s history has shown that buying a cheap espresso (under $200 ) machine is not worth your effort. Trying to make a acceptable shot is frustrating with the cheaper machines and the finished product is not top notch espresso.

For those of you who a looking for espresso information the five best espresso machine manufacturers, Breville, Delonghi, Gaggia, Jura and Rancilio are discussed in the Best Espresso Machine Review. Here you will find company information and reviews on home espresso makers they produce like the Roncilio Silvia.

Quick and Satisfying Mediterranean Diet Breakfast Ideas

// November 17th, 2011 // No Comments » // Breakfasts, Healthy Cooking

Mediterranean diet breakfast ideas can get your days started off in satisfying and healthy ways. Based on consuming whole grains, healthy proteins, and a significant amount of fruits and vegetables, this is a dietary choice that may protect your heart and your overall health as well. By emphasizing greater servings of vegetables and fruits and relying less on red meat, your risk to certain heart and neurological ailments may be reduced. Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of eating a good breakfast, as well as the consequences of skipping breakfast or eating breakfast foods that are high in fat, sodium, sugar, or cholesterol. Accordingly, this beneficial diet has options that will likely satisfy virtually anyone, and make the most of this extremely important meal.

You can start introducing healthy breakfast choices such as oatmeal flavored with pure maple syrup or molasses to children after they have reached about one year of age, or when they are proficient at eating solid food. Your entire family, in fact, may enjoy oatmeal made with whole grains and flavored with fresh or dried fruit. The key here is that the breakfast cereal should be an unprocessed variety, and sweetened with natural as opposed to processed sugar. Accordingly, plain yogurt or a variety that is not highly processed would be a good choice as well, and may be flavored with virtually any mix of fresh fruits. Adding healthy granola will provide texture, and this can be prepared and eaten even if you are on the go relatively quickly in the morning.

Fruit smoothies made with fresh fruit, soy, or other beneficial milk products can also be prepared quickly and easily. To get your morning requirement of healthy protein, an egg or a bread product that is made with whole grains and topped with a bit of minimally processed fruit spread or peanut butter are ideal choices as well. Tasty vegetable omelets or even breakfast pizzas made with lean turkey sausage may be wonderful Mediterranean diet tips ideas that keep your entire household healthy and happy each morning.

My Smoothies Kick Butt!

// March 8th, 2011 // No Comments » // Breakfasts, Smoothies

I made the ultimate smoothie this morning! It’s so good I must share it with you!

I usually make 2 kinds of smoothies – either APPLE based or CITRUS based.

I ALWAYS include LOTS of greens! That’s the whole point – right? To get those good greens in our bodies!

Well… that’s why I do it. I know a lot of people just put JUNK in their smoothies and it’s really not much better than having ICE CREAM.

Me – I am not doing this for PLEASURE although it does almost ALWAYS taste great – but it’s not to satisfy my sweet tooth or cravings for junk – it’s the opposite!

I do this to make myself more healthy and vibrant! And it’s working!

The secret is to NOT throw in that crappy stuff ost people think shouldbe in smoothies.

OK – so let’s look at my creation this morning – every day I do something fun and new.

1 Granny Smith Green Apple (Organic)

2 Handfuls of Bagged and Washed Spinach – lots of it

1 Small Pearl Tomatoe (very ripe)

Small amount of Sprouts (Pea Sprouts – not too much!)

Red Grapes – handful

Frozen Raspberries – handful

Frozen Strawberries – handful

Frozen Blueberries – small handful

Frozen Banana – (half of one – frozen before too ripe)

Frozen Peaches – a small amount

1/4 glass of filtered water

I combined all of that in my Vitamix blender and blended it for 2 mintes and swiggd down a giant glass of it. There was still some left over which I had with lunch.

The sprouts I used are a bit on the strong side – I used too much yesterday and while it was not ruined – it was funky – so today I went easy on the sprouts and while I could still taste it – the blend was perfect!

Lots of healthy stuff with vitamins and minerals galore and I got my servings of healthy green vegetables in those 2 glasses!

Now – is there an easier way to get that kind of healthy food in your body? It’s fast – easy and tastes so good!

Unlike a lot of people – I did not add any extra honey – or sugar – or yogurt or milk or ice cream or any kind of crap.

Only fresh and fresh frozen ingredients – 100% natural – no sugar added!

Cheers!