Advantages of Using Food Saver

A food saver is any container that is used to store food fresh. It can be in various forms like freezer bags, plastic zipped bags, covered containers, cereal keepers, canisters, cookie tins and jars etc. These containers are very economical too. Another type of device that is used for food preservation is the food sealer. This is used to seal the containers with a vacuum seal. By using the sealer, you can remove the air from the bags that contain the these items and seal them air tight. This helps to increase the shelf life. There are different advantages of using the food savers.

Retain freshness for longer time: By using the food saver and sealer you can keep items like meat, fish etc for a very long time in freezer without getting freezer burn. You can preserve all kinds of eatables like cheese and other pantry goods for a long time without causing any damage. By keeping them fresh for longer time you can reduce your grocery bills considerably. All your eatables can be vacuum packed and kept in the refrigerator and used whenever you want. Things like chips, cookies and cereals will remain fresh. Your frozen meat and fish will taste fresh for many months.

Reduce wastage: If you are not able to store the items then most of them go waste. You can prevent the wastage of items and leftovers because you can simply seal them in the savers and store them safely until you want to use them again. If you are a busy person you can also cook in advance and store them for later use. If you have garden fresh produce you can enjoy your own fruits and vegetables all through the year. Instead of wasting your hard earned produce you can simply blanch, vacuum pack and freeze them.

Store meat and fish: The best way to store your game and fish is to use the food saver. Vacuum pack these items in different containers and preserve them for long. They will remain safe without any freezer burn and taste fresh even after 2-3 years when packed properly.

The greatest advantage of the food savers is that they come in various shapes, sizes and types. You can choose the containers according to what you need to preserve. So choose them according to your specific needs and keep all your fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, cookies, chips and cereals fresh for a longer time

Sangiovese-buy Wine Online Australia Food Paring & Suggestions!

A red Italian wine, the Sangiovese the name comes from the Latin sanguis Jovis or the blood of Jove”. The translation of the wines name, the “blood of Jove”, speaks of the Roman god Jupiter and according to the legend, the name was created by monks from a commune in the province of Rimini.
It is the grape of central Italy from Romagna to Lazio, Campania and Sicily, and outside of Italy it is famous as the only component of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino and as Italy is the home of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, it represents about a third of the worldwide wine production and distribution of brad variety and contribution of 50 million hl per year.

The Sangiovese was much known in the 16th century. Italy’s claim to fame and the Tuscany pride- is traditionally made and the Sangiovese wine is all cherry fruit, earth, and cedar flavour. Many of the Super-Tuscans are Sangiovese flavour blended with Bordeaux varietals and normally aged in oak barrels wines.
Fresh Sangiovese wine has fruit flavours of strawberry, while not as aromatic as other red wine varieties as the Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wine that usually has a flavour of sour red cherries with earthy notes and tea leaf aromas with medium-plus tannins and increased acidity.

Early theories on the origin of Sangiovese dated the grape to the ancient time of Roman winemaking. It was said that the grape was first cultivated in Tuscany by the Etruscans from wild vines such as Vitis Vinifera.
Besides the fact that the Sangioveses is one of the most famous wines in Italy it is consumed worldwide and is preferred by many wine tasters it is very famous in Australia, also found online, it is consumed very frequently with classical food pairings and Italian cuisine tomato pasta and pizza-sauce. The one that has been subject to more aggressive barrel treatment in oak are easily combined with grilled food and BBQ. Varietal Sangiovese or the ones with a smaller proportion of the powerful, full-bodied and blended Cabernet can highlight the flavours of relatively tasteless dishes like meatloaf and roast meat (chicken).
As the person that has tried few of them, if you are the one that is seeking a quality and not quantity in your glass then try the fragrant dark cherry with dark aroma of savoury herby elements and more opulent blackcurrant and olive flavours – Stella Bella Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2009.

Cure Uterine Fibroids By Reducing Estrogen And Balancing The Hormones

Many women of childbearing age suffer with fibroids and fibrocystic breast disease. For many the condition will prohibit planning a pregnancy.

Many post-menopausal women are taking estrogen replacement drugs that help control hot flashes and mood. However there are so many research studies implicating estrogen replacement with an increased risk of cancer, it hardly seems worth it to use this treatment to control hot flashes.

Many post-menopausal women are surprised to learn that despite their wise refusal of estrogen replacement, they too are estrogen dominant, and this excess estrogen in fueling the growth of fibroids and fibroid cysts in the uterus and breasts.

So what do you do? It you are on oral contraception or any type of hormone contraception (i.e, DeproProvera, etc.), discontinue it and use an alternative that is hormone free. If you are currently on estrogen replacement, tell your doctor that you want to discontinue it. (Later you can explore bio-identical hormone replacement with a qualified practitioner.)

Avoid drugs that contain hormones such as cortisone and prednisone. Avoid hydrocortisone cream.

Avoid estrogen-rich foods such as: soy products (tofu, soy yogurt, soy milk, etc.), flax seeds and flax oil, canola oil (from the rapeseed) as well as all seeds, pods, and beans. Think of every seed, pod and bean as a mini uterus ready to reproduce and consequently high in estrogen. Yes, many of these foods are famous for their nutritional value. However, for the individual with fibroids these foods will fuel the growth of the tumors. Soy in particular is everywhere in processed food products.

Avoid the so-called womens herbs or herbal formulas as these contain herbs known to be high in phytoestrogens. This can be the ultimate in irony as many natural approaches to treating fibroids recommend herbs that will in the short term have a positive effect, but in the long term fuel the growth of fibroids due their high content of estrogens.

Avoid herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals are known as xenoestrogens since they mimic the activity of natural estrogen. Stay away from golf courses, commercial farms, pest control sprays, fuel and solvent fumes. Always soak fruits and vegetables in a sink of water and a tablespoon of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of one half vinegar and water for 20 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse. Seek out my article on identifying estrogenic foods and herbs.

Metabolizing excessive estrogen is possible with a specific herbal formula developed by an oncologist with training in Chinese medicine (check below) and the use of a pure progesterone cream. Progesterone supplementation via a transdermal cream is an easy and powerful way to recover from the estrogen dominant condition that causes the growth of uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts and endometriosis. Progesterone quite simply puts excessive estrogen into balance. However, many formulas contain ingredients that are estrogenic in a misguided attempt to improve on pure progesterone. Read labels!

Estrogen is stored in body fat. Body fat is most often the result of a lower metabolism due to a sluggish and toxic liver. Excessive estrogens are contributing factors to weight gain. When the liver fails to eliminate estrogens efficiently, the excessive estrogens stimulate fat cell production from the lower abdominal area to the knees where estrogens are more concentrated.

Estrogens also bind to sodium which retains water and leads to weight gain. Chinese bitters can be helpful in detoxifying the liver and increasing the flow of bile. However, the fast track to a more functional liver can be realized by engaging in a series of liver-gallbladder flushes to remove the cholesterol pellets that clog the bilary ducts of the liver and impede the flow of bile. The easiest and most effective L-G flush uses an ozonated olive oil product, Olive Gold 03.

The best natural treatments for uterine fibroid tumors address the cause and the symptoms of the problem. Fibroid tumors develop due to excessive estrogen. The fibroid tumor is the symptom and product of the cause. Since fibroids are composed of fibrin, the same material of scar tissue, taking a professional strength systemic enzyme formula will dissolve the fibroid and remove this tissue altogether over time. When combined with the hormone balancing strategy this protocol offers the best natural approach to defeating uterine fibroids once and for all.

The Many Tastes of Venetian Recipes

Traditional Venetian recipes are unique from the rest of Italy and reflect many different neighboring cultures. The foods are delicious and there are some certain recipes that stand out as being classics in Venice.

Venetian recipes often revolve around fish, which is natural given its coastal location.

Risotto with fish is a perfect example, and there are so many delicious ways to serve it. These rice dishes can be made with fish as well as other kinds of seafood, such as shrimp, mussels, prawns or even lobster. For something a little bit different, try risotto al nero di seppia which is risotto with cuttlefish ink. It’s a deep black color that you almost never seen in cuisine.

In many Venetian recipes, the fish is either fried in oil or grilled. As an appetizer or snack, you should try the sardine in saor which is a cold dish with sardines, onion, pine nuts, raisins and a dressing of oil and vinegar. It’s sweet, sour and salted all at once.

For something a little different, but still with great Venetian history, try the baccala. It’s a dried and salted codfish that was introduced to the area in the 1400s when Venetian seamen were wrecked on Norway’s Lofoten Island. They loved the fish and brought it back with them, though the specific recipes have changed over time to suit Venetian tastes.

There is more to Venetian food than just fish. With such close associations to the Middle East, you can find many meals with other meats and cheeses as well. Fegato alla veneziana is a sour and spicy dish made with liver, onions and oil and vinegar. Local vegetables are frequently used, such as artichokes, radishes and peas. Rice with peas (risi e bisi) is a well-known Venetian recipe.

If you are going out to eat, you might enjoy cicchetti which is really a term for a wide mix of finger foods that you can enjoy casually at a wine bar or local restaurant. Grilled breads, meatballs cold cuts and vegetables all make excellent cicchetti.

Venetian sandwiches are known as tramezzino, and can be found all across Italy with many variations. The base is soft white bread and mayonnaise, but the fillings can include ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, tuna, olives, ham, eggs, mushrooms or artichokes.

When you visit Venice, you must try at least a few of these traditional Venetian recipes while you are in the city.

Food And Wine Pairing Made Easy!

If you like to follow the rules then here are two basic ones that should get you through the night:

Rule One: Drink red wine with meat, white wine with fish and poultry.
Rule Two: Disregard rule one and eat and drink what you like. You will hear this over and over again and it’s so true. Always go with your personal preference first!

Of course, there are some classic matches that satisfy again and again and bring out the best in both wine and food. Wine can often enhance the flavors of your food tantalizing your taste buds in ways you never knew possible and vice versa. A prime examplemy husband HATES white wine. When he tries it he makes a face like someone just gave him a spoonful of cough syrup. One day we went to a wine and cheese paring and he was given Blue Castello and Sauvignon Blanc. It was then that I heard words I never though would come out of his mouth, “This wine is not bad. I actually like it.” It was a breakthrough among breakthroughs! It was his first true experience of food enhancing wine and bringing out flavors in the wine he had never experienced before. Food can have that sort of magical effect on wine and when you find that magic you just can’t help but searching for more of it.

Here are some of our favorite and classic food and wine pairings. I also like to say if you don’t know what to serve, then serve champagne or sparkling wine. It’s fun and extremely food friendly.

APPETIZERS & STARTERS
ANTIPASTO – Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Malbec
ARTICHOKES – Usually a no no with wine, but I love them with Chardonnay
ASPARAGUS – Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
CARPACCIO (beef) – Pinotage, Shiraz, Shiraz/Pinotage blend, Malbec
CARPACCIO (tuna) – Sauvignon Blanc
CAVIAR – Chenin Blanc, Champagne!
COLD MEATS – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
NUTS AND/OR OLIVES – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
OYSTERS (raw) – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
PASTA SALAD – Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
PASTA WITH CREAM SAUCE – Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
PASTA WITH SHELLFISH – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
PASTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz
PASTA WITH VEGETABLES – Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinotage, Malbec
PATS – Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
QUICHE – Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage Ros, Merlot
SCALLOPS – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
SMOKED FISH (Trout, Herring) – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

SEAFOOD
CRAB – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
LOBSTER – Chardonnay, Chardonnay/Sauvignon blend, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
MUSSELS – Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
RED SNAPPER – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SALMON – Pinotage Ros, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SASHIMI, SUSHI – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SHRIMP – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
STRIPED BASS – Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
SWORDFISH – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Pinot Grigio
TUNA – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay
OTHER WHITE FISH – Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc

MEAT & POULTRY
CHICKEN – Chardonnay, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage
CHICKEN SALAD – Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Ros, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
CHICKEN (smoked) – Pinotage, Merlot, Malbec
DUCK – Pinotage, Merlot, Pinotage Ros, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec
HAM – Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Malbec, Pinotage Ros
HAMBURGER – Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
LAMB (grilled, broiled) – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage
PHEASANT – Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
QUAIL – Pinotage, Malbec
RABBIT – Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec
SAUSAGE – Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Ros, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec
STEAK (grilled, broiled) – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
TURKEY – Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinotage Ros
VEAL – Chardonnay, Merlot
VENISON – Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
COUSCOUS – Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage Ros
CURRY, FISH or CHICKEN – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage Ros
PIZZA – Merlot, Pinotage Ros, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Malbec
SPICY CHINESE – Savignon Blanc, Pino Grigio, Merlot, Pinotage Ros
SPICY MEXICAN – Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Malbec
THAI – Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio

CHEESES
*GOAT – SOFT: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage
– HARD: Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

*COW & SHEEP – MEDIUM: Pinotage, Shiraz
– HARD: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc

If you are a true rule follower here are some more:

Generally, wines and foods belonging to the same culture are compatible; for example, think Italian wines with Italian food.

Good red wines tend to be dry and rich, sometimes with a tart or astringent quality. They will go better with hearty or highly seasoned foods such as beef, pork, game, duck, goose and pasta dishes. The ‘red with red’ rule works well because the astringency of the tannins cuts through the viscosity of the fat. Reach for a tannic Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Petite Syrah or Zinfandel, especially if the meat is served with a heavy sauce. Rare prime rib tastes almost sweet, so it’s perfect with a lighter bodied Merlot or Beaujolais.

White wines are usually lighter in body and flavor and can range from dry and crisp to sweet and fragrant. Serve these wines with foods such as chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, ham and veal. Pair a honey or brown sugar glazed ham with a white wine that’s not too dry – possibly a Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer or Riesling.

Ros wines are in fact pale red wines; their lighter color is due to the shorter time the skins are left with the juice during fermentation. Ros, or blush, wines can range from dry to sweet. These wines should compliment ham, fried chicken, shellfish, cold beef and picnic style foods.

Ahhh, holiday stress. In my opinion if you can’t decide what wine to serve, then serve Champagne. You can find a great budget friendly champagne that will really get the festivities kicked off in the right way. Gloria Ferrer has some really nice sparkling wines to try that won’t hurt your wallet. ORIf you serve turkey with sweet side dishes like glazed carrots or sweet potatoes, choose a white wine with a hint of sweetness, like Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Gewurztraminer. If some dishes have a more savory flavor, try Sauvignon Blanc or a lighter bodied Chardonnay. For a bird with spicy sausage stuffing, serve Pinotage or a try a Pinot Noir.

Don’t match strong to delicate. Pairing a big, powerful, high-alcohol or high-tannin wine with a light, delicate dish (and vice versa) is rarely a good idea.

Acidity is your friend. People tend to be wary of wines described as “high acid,” like Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet. But there’s no better quality in a wine for matching rich, creamy or cheesy sauces, deep-fried foods or fish dishes; also note, tart wines go better with tart foods.

Follow the don’t-upstage-the-star rule. If you have an amazing bottle of wine you want to show off, especially an older vintage (they tend to be more subtle, their flavors less flamboyant), don’t serve a wildly complex dish with it. A simple dish will allow the wine to be the center of attention.

Dessert, or fortified wines, are heavier and sweeter than table wines and frequently have a higher alcohol content. They are usually served alone or with cheese, nuts, fruit or sweets at the end of the meal.

If you don’t like rules, like me, then toss all of these out the door and start experimenting. I’d love to hear about combinations that have worked for you that you can’t get enough of. My rule-breaking favorite is steamed artichokes dipped in butter and a nice oaky California style Chardonnay. Send me your favs and I’ll post them here!

CHEERS!