Plan for Progress  

It is almost like opening a present when a Christmas hamper arrives on the doorstep – full of surprises, delights and the knowledge you won’t need to go out and buy any cranberry sauce this year to go with the turkey.

Yet filling a Christmas hamper can be tricky – should there be booze, how do you cater for vegetarians and what is the secret to creating a really special one?

One great way of overcoming this is to have a theme for the Christmas hamper. It could be one that is just full of treats that most people wouldn’t buy for themselves very often like speciality cheese biscuits, unusual chocolates, champagne and a Christmas cake. Or the theme could be a traditional Christmas one with a turkey, the ubiquitous cranberry sauce, brandy butter, some crackers and a Christmas pudding.

Other ways to go are selecting a purely meat Christmas hamper with all the trappings, festive goodies that will please the whole family, or a Fair trade hamper, filled with eco-friendly food.

It is best not to fill with products that most people wouldn’t ever use or even know what to do with. The products should be practical otherwise they will go to waste. However on the other hand, unusual foods are great in a Christmas hamper because it means the receiver might experiment with something they have never tried before. A good example of this is an herby/spicy mix that can be blended with mayonnaise or yoghurt for a simple dip to go with carrot sticks or crisps.

Christmas is all about indulgence so even if there aren’t many products in the hamper, make sure they are special and that little bit different, from unusual sweets and fudges to Christmas chutney that is great with cold meats.

The look of the Christmas hamper is very important too. A wicker basket, the traditional method, is sturdy enough and can be used for storage afterwards.
Or you might want to be a bit different and think of another way of packing up the hamper, perhaps in a small old suitcase or a cardboard box that has been decorated with Christmas scenes.

Adding a bit of sparkle never disappoints so try bits of shiny ribbon scattered about or tiny crackers nestled in amongst the packaging straw.

If you are sending the hamper through the post, remember it must be very well protected especially if it contains glass jars and bottles.

Then sit back and wallow in the praise you get when your hamper is received with thanks and gratefulness.

Image courtesy of the Christmas Hampers 2010 page @ Interflora.

Happy Christmas!

If you are especially concerned about the amount of calories you are eating everyday there are low calorie options that can take the stress out of searching for a suitable snack. Though many of these will not truly replace a well cooked meal they are the perfect treat when no other options are available or when you simply do not have the time to invest in something better. Remember that even though many of these are low calorie snacks do not confuse them with healthy foods which will have more or actual nutrients.

Tasty Treats

The 100 Calorie Little Debbie marshmallow treat is similar to the well known Rice Krispie Treat except that it is cheaper. It is a bit sweeter and perhaps a bit too gummy however, if you are on a budget then it is the perfect treat. This will give you a instant boost when you are on the go, however it may not necessarily give you a full feeling.

You can try Jello’s collection of 100 calorie snacks puddings which are available in a number of flavours. They are very tasty and are all fat free. The flavours include vanilla/chocolate combo pack, chocolate-vanilla swirl, tapioca and devil’s food. To make it even more flavourful you can add some fat free cool whip. You can find them at most supermarkets and quite often at discount stores.

100 calorie Sierra Mist

If you would like a drink instead of actual food then this 8-ounce can of soda is perfect. It has 100 calories and comparatively convenient to take with you. It’s not actually cheaper than the 12 ounce version of the drink but at least you’ll be cutting down on your calorie intake. It’s essential that you remember it is soda so try to not to rely too heavily on it as an in between filler.

Klondike Slim-a-Bear

Klondike Slim-a-Bear bar is a great tasting treat. It is coated in chocolate and caramel with delicious vanilla in the middle. The ice cream is slow-melting which means you’ll have a lot of time to enjoy this snack without worrying that it will completely melt before you are done. The low calorie ice cream filling coupled with its small size ensures you won’t be consuming too many calories. However, try not to eat more than one bar which will dampen any attempt at cutting down your caloric intake.

Healthier Snacks

Mott’s Original Apple Sauce

This is a healthier snack that tastes fantastic. It won’t give you the same amount of fibre but it is still considered a full serving of apple.

Earthbound Farm Organic Mini Peeled Carrots with Ranch Dip

This is actually a serving of vegetables and a bit of dip.

Stonyfield Farm Light yogurt

These are high in protein and fiber, and will provide you with ¼ of your calcium needs.

FrozFruit Gourmet Frozen Fruit Bar

Is a great snack that is high in Vitamin A and C.

Cracker Barrel 2% Milk Cheddar Cheese Sticks

Though it has slightly high fat content it is rich in protein calcium and other nutrients.

Bars are everywhere – in major cities and towns, on roadsides, rural communities and also in hotels. Peoplep particularly men love to go to the bar for various reasons, the major one being to consume alcoholic drinks. For some persons it’s a place to hang with peers. It is delightful for others as some bars have games accessible such as chess, cards and pool, to amuse the patrons. Some individuals go to the bar to drown their problems in alcohol. Whatsoever the motive, the bar is well supported. If you are doubtful of what a bar is, it is an establishment that serves drinks, alcoholic beverages and cocktails. Some bars take the enjoyment to extent by supplying live entertainment.

Bars are very widespread and because of this, each bar owner needs to discover means and strategies to lure clients to their establishment and to keep present and newcomers. Many clients come to the bar but when they leave they not only leave empty glasses, bottles or only a tip, they also leave many jokes and tricks behind. Here are some very common bar tricks:

1. Anti-Gravity Beer – the consequence of this trick is a someone who left the bar for a moment returns to find his beer upside down without any beer pouring. You will need a knife, a pack of cigarettes, full bottle of beer and a beer mat. Remove the plastic packaging off the cigarette box. Cut a hole using the knife in the plastic big enough to cover the bottle brim. Wet the bottle brim and stick the plastic circle over it. Put a beer mat on top and hold it in position while you turn the bottle upside down. Cautiously take off the beer mat and leave the plastic to hold the beer inside the bottle. When the individual returns, hand them the beer and knock on the bottom to release the beer to get a great laugh.

2. Dragon’s Breath – The consequence of this trick is to prove to your friends that you can take out water from an ashtray using only a few items without moving the ashtray. You will require a glass, a matchbox, 6 quarters and an astray filled with water. Stack the six quarters in the centre of the ashtray with the water. The two top quarters must be over the water. Put four unlit match sticks on top of the quarters. Light the match sticks and use the glass to cover the flames immediately. The water will be drawn from the ashtray and into the glass.

3. Rising Beer Bottle – take a regular beer bottle (one that has a flat bottom). Drink the beer speedily. Put the bottle to stand upside down on the counter and place your fingers on the bottom of the bottle and your thumb on the side. Your thumb and your first finger must be positioned to form a right angle. Pick up the beer bottle slowly without using any other fingers other than the two.

4. Great Dollar Escape – you will require two empty beer bottles and a dollar bill or how much you want. Place one beer bottle on the edge of the table and place the dollar bill on the bottle mouth. Put the next bottle upturned on the dollar bill so that you have two bottles mouth-to-mouth and a dollar bill between. The trick is to remove the note without knocking down the bottles. Use your left thumb and index finger and draw the note right out towards you. Hold it there and make a fist with your right hand with the index finger pointing out. Bring the index finger down rapidly and hit the note in between your hand holding it and the bottle. It should come right out and the bottles remain standing.

Here’s more interesting information on how to build a bar at home.

Sushi originated in the 7th century when the Japanese presented the process of pickling. Fish was packed with rice and as it fermented, lactic acid was produced. This long process (taking two months to a year) gave the fish the signature flavor that is now known as Nare-Sushi. Sushi making has since grown into a culinary art that has been perfected by chefs worldwide and sushi itself became known as the pieces of raw fish placed rice on or wrapped in seaweed (nori), rolled and cut into slices. Stylish Sushi eateries are known for their ambience, sake (rice wine) and exhibitions the chefs put on of their knife skills as well as the excellent sushi. There are many different types of sushi:

1. Nigiri-zushi – bundles of rice, topped with wasabi and fish.

2. Sashimi is simply raw fish, sliced thinly, served without rice.

3. Chirashi-zushi or sushi salad is prepared in a bowl, with several different kinds of fish and vegetables mixed in with rice.

4. Maki-zushi is rice and seafood, rolled up in nori seaweed. This is the most popular type of sushi

If you want the sushi without the restaurant, this beginners’ guide to how to make sushi will get you on your way.

How To Make Sushi

Required Materials

Japanese rice

Japanese rice vinegar

Meat: Sashimi-Grade fish (fish that has been frozen at under -4 F for to kill any parasites) shellfish tofu or eggs

Vegetables: avocado, carrots, and cucumber

Nori – thin sheet of seaweed

Ginger root

Wasabi

Soy sauce

Sushi (bamboo) mat

Chopsticks (optional)

Sharp kitchen knife

Instructions

Part one: Preparing the rice

Step one:

Heat the rice vinegar with and melt sugar and salt in it.

Step two:

Clean the rice in cold water.

Step three

Steam in a rice cooker or boil water add the rice, then cook over very low heat until the water is vaporized. This will leave the rice sticky and just right for spreading on your nori. Use the rice soon after preparing it, or cover it with a damp cloth to keep it damp.

Part two: Rolling and Cutting the Sushi

Step one:

Put a sheet of clear plastic wrap over the bamboo mat.

Step two:

Put the Nori down on the bamboo mat with the shiny side face down

Step three:

With damp hands, grab the cooked rice and place it onto the Nori. The layer of rice should be thin enough so that you can see the nori beneath.

Step four:

Leave about half an inch of space at the edge of the nori furthest from you. Put a little warm water on it to permit the two sides of nori stick together.

Step five:

Place your constituents in the center of the nori.

Step six:

Using the closest edge of the bamboo mat, roll the sushi away from you.

Step seven:

Tighten the roll as you go, do not make it too tight as the fillings will fall out

Step eight:

Unwrap the bamboo (if rolled correctly, it will not fall apart).

Step nine:

Place the bamboo mat over the roll and compress to squash the roll further.

Step ten:

Move your full roll to a cutting board. Cut it first down the middle. From there you can cut it into sixths or eighths.

Step eleven:

Place sushi on an open plate, garnished with wasabi and ginger root.

To eat, pour a small amount of soy sauce into a small platter or dish, place wasabi and ginger root onto a roll and dunk in the soy sauce and then place the entire roll in your mouth and enjoy!

Tips and warnings:

1)Only use Sashimi-Grade fish when making sushi, regular frozen fish is not safe to be eaten raw and can result in severe cases of food poisoning. In order for seafood to be safe for consumption in sushi, it must be frozen at under -4 F for a long enough time to have killed any parasites.

2)Always use Japanese rice, regular rice is not sticky enough and the roll will come apart