The Difference Between Homemade and Jarred Gourmet Pasta Sauce

Is There A Difference Between Jarred and Homemade Sauces?

If you love pasta sauce, then you know there’s a constant debate going on about whether or not jarred pasta sauce is as good as homemade. This is a debate that just goes back and forth, with people choosing one side, and then another. Of course, there are some definite pro’s for the homemade, but there are for jarred sauce as well. Time for a pro’s and cons list.

Pro’s and Cons: Homemade Sauce Continue reading “The Difference Between Homemade and Jarred Gourmet Pasta Sauce”

Country Cooking Comforts – Pinto Beans, Turnip Greens, and Cornbread

Having grown up and lived in the south all my life, I’ve eaten my share of country cooking. After I left home and went out on my own, I found there were many country cooking comforts I’d left behind. As the years passed, I collected recipes, especially from my mom, and spent countless hours in the kitchen doing something I love, which is cooking.

I do believe in eating healthy as often as possible. However, some of the foods mentioned in this article contain butter, bacon, bacon grease, salt, and so forth. So if you are watching your salt and fat intake, some of these dishes may not be for you or may require modifications. Alterations, however, will affect flavor.

Here’s a rundown of some of my country cooking favorites: Continue reading “Country Cooking Comforts – Pinto Beans, Turnip Greens, and Cornbread”

Benefits Of Honey And What Is Wild Forest Black Honey?

Honey is a natural antiseptic which is effective to wounds healing by killing the bacteria on the wounds. Other than anti-bacterial,honey also draws body fluids and nutrients to the wound area that can accelerate the healing.Honey has been popular for thousands of years due to its unique nutritional content. It is a natural antiseptic which is effective to wounds healing by killing the bacteria on the wounds. It contains glucose and fructose that are ready absorbed by the body, amino acids which include 8 essential ones, over 20 kinds of minerals, over 20 kinds of vitamins and enzymes.

Research shows that honey improves chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, sinus problems, and allergies. Continue reading “Benefits Of Honey And What Is Wild Forest Black Honey?”

Tazo Tea – History and Rise to Popularity

Many people have become familiar with Tazo Tea through their relationship with Starbucks coffee. The tasty and stylish tea has gained in notoriety and is now available in most fine food stores as well as exclusively through Starbucks Coffee. Many Starbucks even sell a bottle variety of Tazo Tea’s cold drinks line. Of those who have become accustomed to enjoying a hot cup or even cold bottle of a flavor of Tazo Tea, few know the interesting history behind the company.

Believe it or not, Tazo has only been around since 1994; a very brief time for a company to rise to such prominence in the beverage world. Tazo Tea was founded by Steve Smith, who retired from Tazo in 2006. Mr. Smith co-founded the company with Stephen Lee, who still remains with them today. Tazo was an offshoot of their original venture, Stash Tea Company which was founded in 1972. In 1998, while seeking capital for his business through investors, Mr. Smith approached Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz as a potential suitor. Schultz became so enamored with Tazo, that in 1999, Starbucks purchased them in 1999 for $10.8 million. Continue reading “Tazo Tea – History and Rise to Popularity”

What Foods Have the Biochemicals That Promote Penis Growth – Foods For Bigger Penis?

Are you looking for the ultimate way to finally grow your penis to the size of a giant? I know that sounds ridiculous. No one needs it to be that huge but it wouldn’t hurt to see it grow a little more, I bet. Men have been and seem to always be on the lookout for a way to make themselves more presentable. This can be either in the locker room or in front of their mate in bed. What foods have the biochemicals that promote penis growth? Read on to finally learn.

Now while having a good diet is essential to maintaining a good body,as well as, sex drive. There are several foods out there that give you that extra boost when it comes to the bedroom. They have the nutrients and natural chemicals to create a nice time for you in the bedroom. While no one of these alone or together can make you grow to mammoth sizes. They can make your erections and further activities better. Continue reading “What Foods Have the Biochemicals That Promote Penis Growth – Foods For Bigger Penis?”

The Great Dane Loves Bully Sticks

Recognized as one of the giant dog breeds, the Great Dane is a dog which demands respect and admiration for its exceptional beauty and stature. These dogs are almost instantly recognizable due to their great size although they are not particularly heavy dogs, as one would expect. Their beautiful physique has earned them the nickname, ‘Apollo of Dogs’ and the fantastic personality of a Great Dane has made them an incredibly popular dog with many families due to the abundance of love, affection and friendliness they give to their family.

According to statistics, a male Great Dane will be at least 34 inches in height, with the average Dane measuring at close to three feet in height. How their physique develops with primarily depend on his or her gender; for example, a male Dane can complete all phases of his development within three years, whereas a female Dane will completed development within just 12 months or even less. Great Danes will remain as puppies for around 18 months and after this period of time, owners will witness a great change in their Danes’ mental and physical maturities in the 10 months that follow. Continue reading “The Great Dane Loves Bully Sticks”

MSG: More Than a Flavor Enhancer

History of MSG

For thousands of years, people in Japan used seaweed to enhance the flavours of their foods. Scientists began wondering what was it in seaweed that enhanced the food. Eventually, Kikunae Ikeda discovered what it was. His discovery was soon manufactured on a large scale. In 1908 the industrial giant Ajinomoto began manufacturing the chemical compound known as free glutamic acid, otherwise known as “MSG”. The substance was patented in 1909 by a company in Japan. During the second world war, American soldiers noticed that Japanese army rations were tasty. Army quartermasters discovered that the reason for this was MSG.

Subsequent to this discovery, use of the substance spread to the United States. Use of MSG in food became widespread in the United States in the 1950’s through restaurants and home use. The main product used in spreading this influence was labeled as Accent. The product was pure MSG. When the standards for food additives took effect in 1958, the additive MSG was ‘grandfathered” in without any testing since its use was so widespread. Technically it is classified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as “generally regarded as safe” without any testing of the substance. Continue reading “MSG: More Than a Flavor Enhancer”

Must-Try Pasta Recipes: 3 Creative Spins to the Classic Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a dish that is well-loved all over the world. It could be as simple with just tomato sauce or as fancy with giant meatballs. Both the pasta and the dish, both called spaghetti, is truly a classic. Why not add a unique spin to it and surprise your guests or family?

Here are delicious, creative spins to the classic spaghetti:

Creamy Bacon and Beer Pasta

What you need:

1/2 kilogram spaghetti, cooked to al dente
3 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
1 sweet onion, chopped
6-8 slices bacon, chopped
2 cups sweet grape tomatoes
1 cup dark beer
1 cup Parmesan cheese

Continue reading “Must-Try Pasta Recipes: 3 Creative Spins to the Classic Spaghetti”

The Flood of ’96

The phone rang just a few minutes after Eleven PM. My wife, Marie, answered it. She yelled “it’s Bob, turn on Channel 28”. I turned on the T V and tuned to WBRE-TV 28. A reporter was interviewing the EMA Director, Jim Siracuse who was stating they expected the river to reach 36 feet. The dikes are between 37 feet and 39 feet and he stated it was going to be too close to call. The Emergency Management Agency of Luzerne County was ordering a precautionary valley wide evacuation. By seven AM it was mandatory.

De Ja Vu. We live a few block from the Susquehanna River in Forty Fort Pennsylvania. On June 22, 1972 the river topped the dikes and flooded the entire valley to a level of almost 40.6 feet. At that time we had two Giant Schnauzers, Ch. Camoli’s Gem of the East and Ch. von Russ Brinny Brite, a mother-daughter pair. We had very short notice that time. I had Marie drop me off at my office a few blocks away to move some files to the second floor and pick up the State Car that was parked there. I returned to my home and was putting the dogs things in my personal car when the sirens started to sound. Until you experience the sound of wailing sirens and know that it means that the river had topped the dike or that the dikes have broken and the river coming through you cannot realize what a terrifying sound it is. When I was leaving the house with Gemma, the water was coming down the street. Marie had left a few minutes earlier and had taken Pazazz with her in the other car. We were to meet at a friends house out of the flood plain. We had taken some clothes and enough food and water for the dogs for a few days. Little did we know that we would have almost fourteen feet of water in our home and that we would be out of our home for weeks. Continue reading “The Flood of ’96”

The Fish We Cook, Swaii And Barramundi

SWAII The swaii is a form of catfish that is imported from fish farms mainly in Vietnam. Its popularity has increased greatly in the United States since the trade embargo was lifted in 1994. The swaii is a river fish that can grow up to 4 feet long but the farmed fish are usually sold in the 2-4 pound range. The adult fish is almost uniformly gray. Often swaii is sold under the name of pangasius or basa. The basa is a similar fish that is actually a little better in quality so you need to check labels. The basa fish is much more expensive because it takes up to 4 times longer to raise. The swaii is a very important fish commercially and is sold all over the globe. It is similar to the American catfish but usually has a cheaper price which has caused the United States government to be very specific with labeling. The basa is a mild fish with white meat and a texture similar to the American catfish. The swaii is also a mild fish but the meat is a little darker in color and the fillets are thinner than the basa fillets. The best way to cook swaii is to bake, pan fry, deep fry or broil. Continue reading “The Fish We Cook, Swaii And Barramundi”