The Legalities of Putting Up A Catering Business: Complying With All Legal Requirements

Choosing the Type of Business Structure

As you start offering catering services, you may notice your income increase overtime, especially when you cater to corporate functions. Of course, this is good news to your business, but all your efforts will be for nothing when the governing authority flags you for operating a non-registered business. So it is very important to decide the type of business structure and then proceeding with the registration. For example, in the US, the IRS will red flag a caterer earning over $600 without being incorporated.

The chosen business structure will be dependent on how you want your business to be taxed and what liabilities you can risk. A sole proprietorship company entails you, as the owner, to be held accountable to whatever unfortunate incidents in your operation. This is riskier compared to limited liability caterers and corporations. Remember that you will be serving food to the public so it would be best to go for a business organization that’s able to protect your own personal asset against any lawsuits. Continue reading “The Legalities of Putting Up A Catering Business: Complying With All Legal Requirements”

Microgreens Versus Sprouts

Microgreen Facts

Microgreens (micro greens) are a tiny form of edible greens produced from the seeds of vegetables, herbs or other plants. They range in size from one to two inches long, including the stem and leaves. Microgreens can have surprisingly intense flavors considering their small size, though not as strong as mature greens and herbs.

Microgreens are used as a garnish and flavor accent primarily in fine dining restaurants. These restaurants place a strong emphasis on both the creative presentation and flavor of their dishes. Microgreens’ delicate, fresh appearance adds beauty and dimension combined with a range of distinct flavor elements.

Dubbed one of 2008’s culinary buzzwords by National Public Radio, microgreens are a popular food trend. Used by chefs to stimulate and enhance the dining experience, microgreens infuse taste and innovation into their culinary creations. Continue reading “Microgreens Versus Sprouts”

10 Surefire Ways To Handle Anxiety & Amplify Your Writing

AGITA [aj-I-tuh] n. That feeling of agitation or anxiety can hit the pit of your stomach as quickly as food poisoning. And that’s what it is.

An unhealthy infection or virus. It will linger for days, months, or even years. This feeling came to me after the loss of an emotional state or attachment.

The law of human attraction works in two ways:

1. There are traits within you that are like magnets, which draw others to you or move them away.

2. The ideas of people try to profoundly influence and introduce you to new habits, new behaviors, and new characteristics.

When the heart opens, it can sometimes take control of your life. Meaning, you allow it to think for you instead of what the mind knows to be fact and reality. Continue reading “10 Surefire Ways To Handle Anxiety & Amplify Your Writing”

Nine Effective Ways to Avoid the Stomach Flu

Stomach flu isn’t really a flu. It’s a form of digestive upset which is caused by a virus. It’s very like food poisoning, but that’s caused by a bacteria.

Medically, flu is also considered to be caused by a virus, hence the name of stomach flu.

Symptoms are typically nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, but really any digestive symptoms can be present.

If you are prone to stomach flu, it shows two things. One is that your immune system is not strong enough to prevent a virus taking hold. The second is that your weakness is your stomach.

Everyone has a weakness. For some it’s their lungs. For others, it’s their joints. Maybe yours is your digestive system. Continue reading “Nine Effective Ways to Avoid the Stomach Flu”

Where Does Botox Come From?

Botox is a purified protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum type A, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning. The Botox treatment is a non-surgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. During treatment, very low doses of Botox Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines.

In highly purified form Botox is a chemical that is found in nature. This extraordinarily powerful natural chemical produced by bacteria that commonly present in spoiled foods was first discovered in 1895. But it is only in the last few decades that many medicinal properties of Botox have been identified. The most popular form of Botox currently in use is Botox® manufactured by Allergan Corporation. The Botox® is the result of years of careful research and testing by medical scientists. Allergan Botox product is the only one of its type. As of now no other company in the world manufacturers anything like it. Continue reading “Where Does Botox Come From?”

How to Safeguard Your Immune System

The immune system of a human body is a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to defend the body against the attacks by the ‘foreign’ invaders. The term ‘foreign invader’ is used for the bacteria, parasites, fungi and other viruses that can lead to illness through infections. It is the job of an immune system to keep these infectious organisms out and destroy them.

Though unseen, the immune system cells are constantly gobbling up with the bacteria and blocking viruses from invading your cells. Similar to your heartbeat and indigestion, the immune response is a system that functions on its own and you don’t control them. But, there are a lot of practices that can work as your helping hand. Some of such practices are: Continue reading “How to Safeguard Your Immune System”

Are Eggs Good for Dogs?

The fact is that dogs love eggs. But are they good for them?

Question: Is it OK to mix a raw egg with your dog’s food?

Well there seems to be 2 schools of thought, one being that raw eggs are great for dogs and the second is that they are very bad for dogs. This is not an article on biochemistry but I will try to explain the information into basic terms.

Let’s look at the plus side of giving your dog raw eggs. Eggs are one of the best sources of protein as well as amino acids and fatty acids which are needed for your dog’s skin and coat. They also provide a great source of vitamins and minerals for the body.

All of this doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Continue reading “Are Eggs Good for Dogs?”

Microscopic and Macroscopic Identification of Moulds in Foods

Like bacteria, moulds play an important role in foods. They can usually be seen by the naked eye (unlike bacteria). They are multi-cellular, consist of many cells connected with together.

Moulds are saprophytes and break down complex organic materials into simpler substance. This can encourage the decay of rotting matter. In this way moulds contribute to food spoilage, i.e. the visible decay of foods that occurs after ripening or damage but which is itself does not normally lead to food poisoning.

Basically most foods can be affected by moulds. Their presence will be apparent when they start to produce blue/green ‘fur’ or orange spots on foods. Continue reading “Microscopic and Macroscopic Identification of Moulds in Foods”

Are Eggs Good Or Bad For You? – The Final Verdict

Over the years there have been several health scares concerning hen’s eggs. The two main concerns have been Salmonellosis, food poisoning caused by the Salmonella bacteria and those of cholesterol. Other concerns are that because of the cholesterol in eggs, eating them could increase the risks of heart disease and strokes.

The Salmonella bacteria can be found in eggs that are clean and uncracked as well as damaged ones, but cooking eggs well will kill the bacteria. If you eat raw eggs, then make sure they are organic as these have less risk of contamination, especially if they are from your own hens which have been fed on flax seeds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Having a fried egg sunny-side up is perhaps not such a good idea, but a hard boiled, scrambled or poached eggs shouldn’t harm you.

Continue reading “Are Eggs Good Or Bad For You? – The Final Verdict”

Stocking a Non-Toxic Spice Rack

I recently had someone ask me what was wrong with sassafras–I did not include this item in the main spice section of my book. My answer was that if you bought it in a store, it was probably fine. The FDA banned its use because it contained safrole, which causes liver damage and some kinds of cancer, if taken over a long period of time. Root extracts from the plant do not contain this substance and are, thus, still used in making tea and root beer. I would not use it in the wild, because the leaves may contain safrole.

When I was deciding which spices and herbs to include in the book, items that I felt were of concern were placed in the back of the spice section and defined. Licorice, MSG (monosodium glutamate), rue and sumac were also defined as flavorings to avoid, regardless of the fact that they may have some positive uses. Even common herbs and spices, such as juniper, lovage and nutmeg may cause problems.

Continue reading “Stocking a Non-Toxic Spice Rack”