Archive for October, 2009

All About Caffeine

If you are like me, this is a weakness of yours too. I digest way too much caffeine each day. I probably have at least six or more servings each day. More than I should consume in several days. I drink too much cola. That is my problem. Not only is it loaded with sugar, it has caffeine in it too. A cup of coffee in the morning to get you going isn’t going to hurt. It can help you wake up and be more alert. It can help jump start your day into something worthwhile. Instead of feeling sleepy and tired. Though, if you drink too much caffeine, you can have the opposite effect that you are looking for. It can drain all of your energy and make you feel very tired. It can also cause you to have problems sleeping. This can be a very big problem.

You may not think of it as a problem, but it is. Caffeine is addictive. Yes, you can get hooked to it. I’m not saying that you will be like a crack head if you don’t get a cup of coffee. But anyone who is addicted to caffeine knows how it feels to get the shakes when you don’t have any in your system. This is the addictive qualities of it. You are shaking because you are going through withdraw. Your body is craving it and letting you know.

Caffeine is a great pick me up. From that morning cup of Joe to the extra pep it gives you in your energy drink, it can be very helpful. The key thing is, you must use it right. You can’t over due it. Caffeine can have very bad side effects if not used properly. Studies show that drivers who think they can substitute caffeine for sleep are a risk to everyone on the road. Your reaction times are slower and that may cause you to have an accident.

The key thing is to understand the use of caffeine and how to use it right. If you are a bit tired in the evening, a cup of coffee is a great way to give you a little pep. If you are going to be using something dangerous like a chain saw, you should wait until you are fully alert to operate it. Don’t think coffee will make you alert enough to be able to run it safely. So, you are tired at work. You need a little pick me up, but don’t want to use caffeine. Well, there are some things that you can do to help you out.

Avoid foods high in sugar. Don’t run for a candy bar when you are feeling sluggish. Don’t drink sodas with your lunch. This will give you a burst of energy, but it will make you tired when the energy is gone. I would suggest to you that you keep some fruit on hand for when you are feeling sluggish. Keep an apple in your desk or some other fruit that you can easily eat and not have to prepare. You can also try pears, peaches, or oranges. You do have to peel an orange, so that might not be the best solution for you if you need a pick me up right away.

Drinking juice is another great way to get that pep you are looking for. You should consider buying a juicer. They aren’t too expensive and the benefits of fresh juice are well worth the money. Also, you can make different kinds of juices. You can make an apple and pear drink. There is no end to the kind of drinks you can make. Also, you don’t have to worry about what is in them. You make it, you know it is 100% juice.

A serving of juice will help you regain your strength. It will give you the energy you need to get through the day. You might also want to drink juice with your lunch. If you do this instead of drinking sodas, you won’t get burnt out as fast. Energy bars are a great thing if you have them on hand. Don’t get ones that are full of sugar or honey. That will give you a burnt out feeling. Instead, go with something that is good for you. I have seen some chocolate covered energy bars, don’t get this. Run like hell from these bars. It is a expensive candy bar.

Of course, you can always take a nap. This is a great way of increasing your energy. Though, it is not always possible to do. You also should avoid a high fat diet. If you eat too much fat, it will drain you. It will also make you depressed. When you are depressed, you won’t have the energy that you should have.

The important thing is this in regards to caffeine. Have a cup of coffee from time to time if you are feeling a little tired. Don’t let it replace sleep. Don’t think that you can function the same on caffeine as you can fully rested. Don’t think that because you had two cups of coffee that it is safe to drive your car even if you are drop dead tired.

Mick enjoys writing articles and web design. Check out his latest web site about the coffee bean roaster products. If you are interested in gourmet flavored coffee then it is the place for you!

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French press Coffeemakers to Consider

Coffeemakers that are all about flavor are the French press coffee makers. This is the belief of many coffee connoisseurs. They believe that the best way to make a pot of coffee is by a French press model of coffee maker. A fine screen, usually of nylon or steel mesh, is pressed down on the coffee grounds after they have steeped directly in hot water.

French press coffee makers come in non-electrical and electrical models. The electrical model allows you to boil and brew your coffee (or tea) all in one carafe. A solid state heating element boils the water in just 4 minutes, faster than on a stove or in a microwave, and will automatically shut off once the water reaches a full boil. The brew cycle is shorter than most conventional coffee makers thanks to the unit’s ability to brew at the optimum temperature of 195 -205 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in superb flavor and aroma. The ingenious German-made Cordless Electric French Press brews this way and comes with a boil-dry alert, safe Lid Lock system for easy pouring, heat-resistant glass carafe, easy-to-clean stainless filters and an extra lid for use as a hot pot. This Chef’s Choice Electric Cordless French Press coffee maker has an 8 cup capacity and the cord stores in the base.

The non-electrical French Press coffee makers usually use a fine screen to press down on the coffee grounds after they have steeped directly in hot water. An electric tea kettle is a fast and convenient way to have the right water temperature. After the water comes to a boil, wait one minute and the water should be between 195 and 205 degrees, again, just the right temperature for the best flavor and aroma. The grind of the coffee cannot be forgotten here. Remember, whole coffee beans that you grind yourself give you the freshest ground coffee all of the time. The grind of the beans needs to be a much coarser grind so that it won’t clog the filter of the French press plunger.

 French Press coffee makers come in different brands. The Bodum is the most popular. It makes the most French Press coffee makers and was the first company to make French press coffee makers. There glass beakers are temperature safe borosilicate glass or polycarbonate with stainless steel. There Columbian French Press is a double-walled stainless steel thermo press. This means it is a thermally insulated pot so the coffee you make will stay hot for up to 2 hours. This feature makes this a durable and practical coffeemaker that is great for small group settings at home or at an office. Other brands include the BonJour, which offers a selection of 9 French Press coffeemakers. Many of BonJour’s French press coffee makers have a secondary filter on the lid that further filters the grounds from the coffee. Some of them are made of glass and others are metal. The Trudeau Chrome Coffee Press 17 oz. will join the 34 oz. size in late November; both use stainless steel filters. All French press coffeemakers come in various serving sizes from a 3 cup to12 cup size; remember a cup is between 4-6 ounces. Bodum also offers French press coffee maker travel mugs. 

Joyce Kaaland is the owner of coffeemakersshop.com. I have designed kitchens for churches and know what appliances are best based on the purpose of the kitchen, wants and space.

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Features to Look for When Purchasing a Stainless Steel Coffee Maker

Purchasing a stainless steel coffee maker may seem like an overwhelming task with so many choices available but it’s not so bad once you know what to look for. Of course, which one you end up buying is entirely dependent on a number of factors and is ultimately your choice. The following are just some of the features you should look for in a coffee brewing machine.

Safety is extremely important as the last thing you want is starting a fire in your kitchen because the unit wasn’t turned off. Be sure to get a machine that automatically turns off when you are not using it for a prolonged period of time. This is absolutely essential as it is very easy to forget these things if you are busy with other objectives for the day.

Another feature that you should have is the ability to pause the machine whenever you want so you can quickly grab a cup of coffee. This can be extremely convenient so you don’t have to wait until the pot is fully brewed which can take a while depending on the model. Just be sure that the brewing will continue if you pause it as some units will just completely stop.

One final feature that’s important is being able to easily program your machine so you can wake up in the morning to a fresh cup of coffee. Be sure that the device is also fairly easy to clean as you may need to do this on a regular basis. These above factors should always be taken into consideration if you are serious about purchasing a coffee brewing machine for the home.

Want to learn more?

Get free tips on single cup coffee makers including product reviews and ratings on popular brands.

Read more about the Capresso coffee maker grinder and how a brewer can benefit you.

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How to Find Discount Coffee Makers for Sale at Affordable Prices

26th October, 2009 by tommy

Depending on the type of coffee maker that you choose, they can easily cost over a hundred dollars which is certainly pricey to be paying for an appliance. However, it is generally well worth the investment as you won’t have to pay for coffee at a local cafd. The following are tips to helping you find discount coffee brewing machines at affordable prices.

Before getting started, it’s important that you know ahead of time exactly what brand and model you want so you can do your research online. If you haven’t done this yet, simply go to your local department store to compare different units that are available. Keep shopping around until you find one that best suits your needs.

Once you know what you want, you can then easily compare prices at online retail stores or even auction sites until you find a coffee maker that fits your budget. This is extremely easy to do and you can even read online reviews while you’re at it. This is beneficial for many reasons so that you can get an idea of what other individuals have said about the product you are interested in purchasing.

Most department stores will need to clear out old inventory to make room for new items so this can easily translate into huge savings for you. This can also let you practice your negotiation skills as you might be able to bargain for lower prices on other item you may need. Be sure to take these factors into consideration for finding a coffee brewer at discount prices.

Want to learn more?

Get free tips on the stainless steel thermal carafe coffee maker including product reviews and ratings on popular brands.

Read more about the Capresso coffee maker and how a brewer can benefit you.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/coffee-articles/how-to-find-discount-coffee-makers-for-sale-at-affordable-prices-1376949.html

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Best New Jersey Pizza

26th October, 2009 by tommy

New Jersey is fortunate to be among the few states with an abundance of excellent Pizza restaurants. With a large Italian population and bordered by New York on the northeast and Philadelphia on the south west, both cities with large Italian populations, New Jersey lies in the heart of what is affectionately known as the  Pizza Belt .

Contrary to popular opinion, pizza was not Italian in origin, but it was the Italians who gave it the name  pizza , improved upon it, and introduced it in the United States. Pizza was invented by the Greeks around several hundred years B.C. who were the early pioneers and skilled bakers, settling in Southern Italy around the Naples Region.

Pizza was introduced in the United States towards the end of the nineteenth century, along with a wave of largely southern Italian immigrants who operated Italian bakeries and grocery stores. At this time, pizza was primarily found in the cities with large concentration of Italian immigrants like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

It was not until the end of WW II that pizza in the United States became popular as soldiers returned from assignments in the Naples region of Italy with an acquired taste for pizza.

The Crust is the Foundation of good Pizza

The crust is the foundation of a pizza and is largely where the care goes into. Good pizza has a crust that is soft, chewy and doughy on the inside and crusty on the outside with a bread like tastiness to it. The type of crust is one of the main things that separate the different styles of pizza. The cheese should be fresh made and with either fresh crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. No oil is to be added to a pizza as the yellow oil like drippings should come from the fresh cheese. The toppings complement the pizza and should contain fresh, quality ingredients as well.

Unfortunately the popularity of a pizza restaurant is usually not based on the quality or the authenticity of Italian pizza, but more on the taste and preferences of the patrons.

Types of Pizza Popular in New Jersey

Authentic Neapolitan

Normally cooked in a wood fired or brick oven, good Neapolitan pizza has a light, crisp, bubbly, chewy crust with a puffy lip or end crust that is slightly charred. Authentic Naples pizza is baked in an oven at 1,000 degrees for one minute to produce the perfect crust. Crushed tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil are used.

Authentic Tuscan

Tuscan pizza, while still considered a thin crusted pizza, has a thicker crust, more bread like, than Neapolitan pizza. The pizza is saucier, and usually has a combination of cheeses with a meat garnish, and fresh herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. New York Neapolitan

New York Neapolitan is basically an Americanized style of Neapolitan pizza and differs by being slightly larger and thinner, more crisp and charred, and served with more cheese and sauce. Baked with a lower oven temperature than the true Neapolitan Pizza to 600 degrees and cooked for 2or3 minutes to produce a more crispy, charred crust that suits American taste.

New York Style

New York style pizza is thicker both in body and crust with a similar soft, crisp, chewy crust on the outside with a bread like tastiness to it, generally with no more than two toppings to maintain the crusts crispiness. It can be found with an abundance of yellow oily trails from the fresh Grande mozzarella cheese. The regular or standard New York style pizza comes with no toppings, just cheese.

Sicilian Style

A rectangular pizza with a thick crust and its toppings baked directly into the crust, and usually has a strong presence of garlic.

The Best Pizza Restaurants in New Jersey

Northern New Jersey

Amano, Ridgewood, NJ  Serves thin crusted pizza with close to authentic Neapolitan style, with soft, chewy, crispy, and tasty crust.

La Casa Bianca, Whitehouse Station, NJ   While they serve up a menu of creative dishes of Italian and continental cuisine, all at a reasonable price, it is their brick oven Tuscan pizza that stands out.

Central New Jersey

DeLorenzos Tomato Pies, Trenton, NJ   When in Trenton, pizzas are called  Tomato Pies  and whatever you call them, Delorenzos in Trenton is an institution and is one of the best places in Central New Jersey for pizza and is as close to it comes to authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Contes Bar, Princeton, NJ  This tavern style restaurant is ideal if you are looking for a place to join a group of friends or family for some good pizza and a beer.

Southern New Jersey

Tacconelli s Pizzeria, Maple Shade, NJ   They are a spin off of the original Tacconellis in Philadelphia, and serve thin crust pizza that is chewy, crunchy, and bread like tasty, with fresh cheese, sauces, and toppings.

Tony s Baltimore Grille, Atlantic City, NJ   This Atlantic City long time favorite with the locals, is like going into a time warp. They are noted for their great pizza, traditional Italian dishes, at a very low price.

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