How Does the Food You Eat and Drinks You Drink Affect Your Health Insurance?

By Elizabeth Newberry


We Americans love our food and drinks, don’t we? It seems like with every turn of your car’s steering wheel, there’s a McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Hardees, KFC – well, the list of fast food restaurants could go on forever. The point is, they keep popping up all over the place because of consumer demand. We want the cheap, fast food and drinks offered by these fast food restaurants, and we want them everywhere. It’s all about cheap convenience.

However, the convenience of this cheap, fast food and drinks can actually come with quite a high price – poor health. Eating this food, such as greasy cheese burgers and salty French fries, and drinking these drinks, such as high calorie sodas, may be alright in moderation, but many Americans have made cruising through one or two of these drive-thrus a weekly, or even daily, ritual. Americans are on the go, day in and day out, and these easily accessible restaurants are too tempting to pass up.

Yet, too much of this kind of food and drinks can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity, just to name a few of the health problems, and when we develop health problems, we either rely on our health insurance to bail us out, or wish we had health insurance in the first place. By avoiding this kind of food and drinks, or at least only indulging in moderation, we can avoid these health complications.

It is always wise to have a good health insurance policy, even if it means purchasing an individual health insurance policy if your employer doesn’t offer a health insurance package; however, by eating health foods and drinking healthy drinks and exercising, you can help take care of yourself before these kinds of health complications kick in and necessitate health insurance, or at least health insurance coverage for the kinds of health complications that this food and drinks can cause.

Portuguese Food and Cuisine

By Briony Stephenson


Briony Stephenson introduces the hidden delights of Portuguese cuisine.

Despite the lasting influence it has had on food in such far-away places as Macau and Goa, Portuguese cuisine is hugely underrepresented outside Portugal. Often confused with Spanish cooking, it is, in fact, quite distinct. At its best, Portuguese food is simple ingredients impeccably prepared. Based on regional produce, emphasising fish, meat, olive oil, tomato, and spices, it features hearty soups, homemade bread and cheeses, as well as unexpected combinations of meat and shellfish.

For a relatively small nation, Portugal has surprising gastronomic variety. The Estremadura region, which includes Lisbon, is famous for its seafood - the fish market at Cascais, just outside the capital, is one of the largest in the country - while the production of sausages and cheese elsewhere adds another dimension to the national cuisine. The Algarve, the last region of Portugal to achieve independence from the Moors, and situated on North Africa's doorstep, contributes a centuries-old tradition of almond and fig sweets.

Traditional Portuguese food is typified by fish.Indeed, the Portuguese have a long history of absorbing culinary traditions from other peoples. The age of discovery was propelled by the desire for exotic spices and ever since Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India at the turn of the sixteenth century, they have proved enormously popular. Peri-peri, a Brazilian spice transplanted to the former African colonies is used to flavour chicken and shrimp. Curry spices from Goa are common seasonings. These spices are typically used very sparingly, adding subtle flavour and depth to dishes. It is these influences that have helped make Portuguese food so markedly different from that of other Mediterranean countries and in Lisbon today there are scores of restaurants specialising in the cuisines of the old empire as well as Brazilian-style juice bars, offering drinks and ice-cream made from exotic fruits.

If there is one thing that typifies traditional Portuguese food, however, it is fish. From the common anchovy to swordfish, sole, sea bream, bass and salmon, markets and menus reveal the full extent of Portugal's love affair with seafood. In Portugal, even a street-bought fish burger is filled with flavour. Bacalhau, salted cod, is the Portuguese fish and said to be the basis for some 365 recipes, one for each day of the year. Two dishes are particularly notable. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, essentially a casserole of cod, potatoes and onion, is an Oporto speciality and considered perhaps Portugal's greatest bacalhau recipe. From Estremadura comes bacalhau á bràs, scrambled eggs with salted cod, potatoes and onions.

Shellfish, including clams (amêijoas) and mussels (mexilhões) are also of a high quality. Crab and squid are often stuffed, and lulas recheadas à lisbonense (stuffed squid Lisbon-style) is a great example of Portuguese seafood. Visitors to Lisbon can find traditional shops by the docks selling snails (caracóis).

There are plenty of options for the meat-lover too. Espetada, grilled skewers of beef with garlic, is popular, as is suckling pig (leitão). Cozido à portuguesa, a one-dish meal of beef, pork, sausage and vegetables, reflects the resourcefulness of traditional cooking. A rather more unusual combination is the pork and clams of porco à alentejana (pork Alentejo-style). Pork is also cooked with mussels na cataplana, with the wok-like cataplana sealing in the flavours. Meanwhile, the city of Oporto boasts tripa à moda do Porto (Oporto-style tripe), supposedly a legacy from the days of Prince Henry the Navigator, when the city was left with nothing but tripe after providing the Infante's ships with food. To this day Oporto natives are known as tripeiros, or tripe-eaters.

Broiled chicken (frango grelhado), seasoned with peri-peri, garlic, and/or olive oil, is one of the few things that has made its mark outside Portugal, where it can be found in cities with a large Portuguese population. The highly aromatic peri-peri chicken is often served in specialist restaurants.

Portuguese food: a hidden treasure.Soups constitute an integral part of traditional cooking, with all manner of vegetables, fish and meat used to create a variety of soups, stews and chowders. Caldo verde (literally green broth), made from a soup of kale-like cabbage thickened with potato and containing a slice of salpicão or chouriço sausage, originated from the northern province of Minho but is now considered a national dish. Along with canja de galinha (chicken broth), caldo verde is a filling, comforting and ubiquitous favourite. For the more adventurous, caldeirada de lulas à madeirense (squid stew Madeira-style) features a characteristically Portuguese combination of seafood, curry and ginger. Another typical dish is the açorda where vegetables or shellfish are added to thick rustic bread to create a 'dry' soup.

Those with a sweet tooth may be interested to learn that one of Portugal's best-kept culinary secrets is its vast and distinctive range of desserts, cakes and pastries. A staple of restaurant menus is chocolate mousse - richer, denser and smoother than foreign versions, while other favourites include arroz doce, a lemon and cinnamon-flavoured rice pudding. The most famous sweets, however, are the rich egg-yolk and sugar-based cakes, influenced by Moorish cooking and perfected by Guimerães nuns in the sixteenth century. For a uniquely Portuguese experience, the visitor should head for a pasteleria (or confeitaria), where the many varieties of cakes and other confections, as well as savoury delicacies like bolinhas de bacalhau, cod balls, are served. The Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, where the legendary pastéis de nata, delicious custard-filled tarts, are baked, is a Lisbon highlight. Nearby Sintra has its own traditional pastry, queijadas de Sintra (a type of cheese tart), which street vendors sell in packs of six.

The Portuguese attitude to food is simple and imaginative, traditional and inventive. Above all, enjoying good food and the social aspects of eating out is an esteemed part of everyday life. From informal cafes to world-class restaurants, all budgets and occasions are catered for. Tiny cafes and tascas, often no more than holes in the wall, abound. The opportunity to sample this largely unknown cuisine in all its variety is one of the real rewards of visiting Portugal.

(c) http://www.portugalvisitor.com

Food and Drinks Blender Buying Tips

By Rocque Bowen


Almost every kitchen has at least one blender. There are many different makes and models out there to choose from, and now there are even multi colored blenders that are affordable.

Most blenders are versatile small appliances that you can fit into any budget. Blenders can do the job of several other kitchen tools such as a food processor, a juicer and even a coffee maker. This is due to the fact that blenders are powerful enough to mash vegetables and fruits and turn it into thick purees like a food processor. They can make juices, cocktails and smoothies like an ordinary juicer, too. Another popular feature of a blender is that you can buy coffee beans and enjoy freshly ground coffee. These are just a few examples of the endless list of uses for a blender.

Is it time to buy a new blender? Do you already have one, but have it hidden away somewhere, and rarely use it? Have you noticed that blenders are now coming in shapes and sizes to ompliment any kitchen? This article is going to show you why you should be using a blender, and why you might consider buying another one if you already own one.

Blenders are used to create healthy food and drinks for you and your family. If you are on a specific diet plan or have turned vegetarian, you will be amazed by the usefulness of this small appliance. Now is a great time to buy a new blender. Here are some tips on how to find a good blender.

1. You can never go wrong by choosing the best brands.

One of the best blender brands in the market year after year is the Oster. The company has the honor in the apliance field of having the name "blenders" often called "osterizers". This is the same way that you often hear "tissues" called "Kleenex". The Oster brand blenders are the top of the line, and might be the most expensive. However, it is known for being sturdy, and worth the money. Especially if you are going to make shakes and smoothies, or protein blended drinks often. These drinks necessitate crushing hard ice to give them that extra special taste and texture.

If you are going to be crushing coffee beans, the Oster blender will not have any problem with multiple uses. You can also use the blender to chop nuts for garnishes or to add to cooking. If you are going to use the blender for mainly making purees or juices, and not crushing a lot of ice, you can probably settle for the cheaper brands that are also well suited for this purpose. While a cheaper blender will crush ice, nuts, and coffee beans, remember not to overdo it just in case. Pay attention to how hard your blender is having to work to complete these tasks.

2. Do not buy a used blender

If you can avoid buying a used blender, you should. Used blenders can last a long time, but you never know how much wear and tear it has on it, or how it was stored and taken care of. Your blender will be a well used appliance so getting a new one gives you the advantage of being able to exchange it if you are not completely happy with it. However, if you are sure that the second hand blender has not been used often, then it will probably be a good buy, and you can learn whether or not you want to upgrade to a new one in the near future.

If you are going to buy a used blender you should check the product and make sure that there are no cracks in the container and the stainless steel blades are in good shape. Check the seals on the blender, too, so you know that it is not going to leak, and make sure there are no oil leaks or grease built up around the base.

3. Get a blender powerful enough to meet your needs.

The amount of power a blender has will vary by the model and the manufacturer. Not all blenders are the same. You will want to know if the type of blender you are considering will be able to crush a lot of ice, if you want to make lots of drinks that need it. Remember there are a lot of blender types available, and get your questions answered before you buy.

Making purees, or crushing cooked veggies, or most raw veggies, won't need the same power requirements as a blender that you want to use for making peanut butter, or grinding a lot of coffee.

4. Pick the size of a blender that fits your kitchen.

There are different sizes of blenders now, and there are even different colors of the same model. When you shop for a blender have an idea where you want to keep it. Look for one that has the size that meets your storage needs.

To summarize, there are several blender choices available now including different sizes, power for a variety of purposes, and price ranges. When you are ready to buy a new blender be aware of what you are going to want to use it for, and how often you plan on using it. Blenders can and should be used daily to add to a healthy diet, and just making good food and beverages.

Find a blender that you are going to enjoy using over and over.

Food and Drinks Made Easy With Oster and Cuisinart Blenders

By David Urmann and Wasim Ahmad


Choosing the best blender means it has to be tough, long-lasting and convenient to use. Oster and Cuisinart are brand names that guaranty first class performance every time. They dedicate their time, energy and research to provide customers with what they are exactly looking for.

Oster blenders are known for its quality and durability. It has millions of loyal users and followers because their products last for years. It is an excellent appliance for food preparation. They have produced so many models already but we mention here a few.

You can get the Oster Contemporary Classic Beehive Blender at $75. It has two speed settings to better control precision in grinding. The classic Beehive is resistant to scratch with a jar that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. It can serve up to five cups and has a stainless steel ice-crushing blade.

Oster also takes pride in another product, the Oster 14 Speed Blender with Food Processor. It has a first-rate mincing and chopping performance from its chopper blade or the reversible disc blade. This type of blender is convenient to use that can fill five cups. It has a scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe glass jar. The food processor has a three-cup capacity. You can pour in liquids as you use it with its food pusher and cover. This fine blender with food processor can also be put away conveniently with its cord storage. You can purchase this for only $46.38.

Oster offers another product, the Oster 14 Speed Blender minus the food processor. This costs $47.37. Having the same capacity and quality, this model includes a five-cup scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe glass jar. It also has a stainless steel ice crusher. It is designed with 14 possible speed options and brushed with chrome to look good on top of your counter. It also has cord storage so you can neatly put it away.

Cuisinart Blenders is another leading brand that equates to quality. Its PowerBlend 600 Blender features a 500-watt motor. It has a large capacity with a 56 oz glass blender jar where you can also pour in liquids through its clear 2 oz measure pour lid. Use its 7-speed touchpad controls to adjust its blending performance. You can pulse, stir, chop, mix, puree, liquefy and crush ice with it. Simply pack it away without the tangle of cords with its brilliant push-in cord storage. Buy this product for $59.95 with a limited 3-year warranty.

Food processors and blenders are good together with the Cuisinart SmartPower Duet blender/food processor. Its large capacity of 40 oz glass blender jar can prepare ice and frozen drinks for several people. The work bowl can handle a volume of 3 cups. This model is so easy to use with its electronic touchpad and 7-speed controls that has separate buttons for ice crushing and food processing. You can pulse, too, at any speed rate. The stainless steel chopping blade, reversible slicing/shredding disc and any removable parts are scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe. At $99.95, it comes with an Instruction and recipe book. Enjoy Cuisinart's 3-year warranty.

For quality and style, Cuisinart presents the SmartPower Premier 600-Watt Blender. You can buy this for $99.95 and enjoy its durability and flair from the cast metal and stainless case that has an embossed Cuisinart logo. Its special feature is the count-up timer that helps you keep up with the time indicated in recipes. The powerful 600-watt motor can crush ice with no hassle and can handle the roughest blending jobs with ease. You can serve your recipe to as many people as you want with its 50 oz glass jar capacity.

This particular model also features the Cuisinart easy-to-use push-button controls and an easy push-on cover with a removable measured pour lid. Enjoy Cuisinart's 3-year warranty service and explore new food ideas with the instruction/recipe book that comes with it.

Career in Food and Beverage Industry

By Tom Justa


In the later years a career in the food and beverage industry was a big No! No! Times have changed and people find the Food Industry more exploring, interesting and interactive, apart from the excellent salary package. If you hold an inclination to do something big in the Food Industry, initially you will have to start with little things. A skilled worker has more openings in this industry. A degree in culinary arts, nutrition & dietetics, food and beverage operations will do the magic. The Food and Beverage industry is all about Serving. The more you serve, the more you earn.

The Food and Beverage Industry is a huge industry, not limiting the job opportunities to specific openings. Food Service management requirements are similar to those of any other management position in the service industry. Any person, who is willing to work hard, enjoys dealing with people and supervising others can enter in the management level jobs.

Highlights on the various Divisions of Food and Beverage Industry

Bakery Industry

This sector is doing brisk business. Stiff competition in the global bakery market is a driving force for growth potential. The mindsets of people are changing, now people just don't want a round cake but designer cakes. The Job is not just limited to Baker and a Helper, it has moved on from just a "Bakery" to a giant size Bakery Industry. There are top level job positions namely Vice President, General Manager, Chief Financial Officer to name a few.

Hotel Industry

This is yet another section doing overwhelming business. Huge number of Job Vacancies lies in this area. Beginning from a Bartender, Chef and Room Service Boy right up to top managerial level jobs. This industry is also known as the "Hospitality Industry". This industry is directly associated with Free Time. The Hotels in Exotic Holiday Destinations are striving towards having brisk business. They try to reduce rates, brush up the facilities available and try to see that none of the rooms are empty.

Beverage Industry

When it comes to wine, drinks, the Beverage Industry rushes into action. The Key positions for this industry are Quality Analyst. People are so particular about food; there is a need for a Quality assurance manager in the Beverage Industry as here is it more dealing with drinks. Apart from this there are various other Jobs available here.

Bright Career Prospects

The career opportunities are brighter in the Food and Beverage Industry. Here you could choose the area of your interest. If you are a foodie and love to cook you could opt for the Hotel Industry and if you love to meet people and move to places the Hospitality Industry is calling you. Variations in Job profile is what the Industry offers. All you need to do is to slog it out and excel in your work.

Conclusion

From the industry analysis we can conclude that the Food Industry progressed in leaps and bounds. There are openings in various sectors namely Food Science, Food Technology, Food Machinery to name a few. It has become a field of variety wherein you could explore your potentials and work within the areas of your interest.

A Simple Solution to Fast Food and Obesity in America

By C R Akomas


America is the most powerful and richest country on earth. Due to its wealth it has also become the most obese nation on earth with 28%-31% of the population obese in 2003, and 35%-40% by 2009. These are drastic and worrying figures. It has been estimated that by 2040, 70% of the population will be obese. There must be a way to reduce fast food and obesity in America.

Why i mentioned obesity is because it is one of the chief factors that contribute to the prevelance of obesity.

During the past 20 years there has been a steady rise in obesity. Americans are getting fatter and fatter each year. It is estimated that one in five Americans are obese. As the health care costs of treating obesity rise some people blame the plight on fast food.

Facing fierce competition for customer loyalty some fast food organisations such as McDonalds and Burger King have promoted their over sized burgers, extra large fries and soda drinks at very low prices just to target low income strapped families who rely on large take out portions that can feed their children and themselves economically.

This leads to wide spread obesity amongst the population. The portions served by these fast food outlets are far bigger than the recommended portion sizes for most foods. As Americans eat more and more frequently they become more accustomed to those oversized portions and then think that it is normal. The large portions of these meals lead to weight gain.

It is true that fast food has become a large percentage of American's diet, so it is no wonder that a link has been considered between fast food and obesity.

There is a simple solution. We have just got to cut back on this fast food type of diet. Fast food does not have to be cut out altogether and at all costs.

It just needs to be considered the exception rather than the rule in your families diet choices. You should eat the bulk of your food at home and when you do make sure that you are serving vegetables, fruits, whole grains on everyone's plate. That big mac and fries should be a treat enjoyed on occasion and not the regular on the home menu.

With these few wise choices and an understanding of good health and nutrition, this can be a simple solution to fast food and obesity in america.

Food and Behavior in Children - Does What You Feed Your Children Affect Their Behavior?

By Barbara Hillary, PhD


Have you wondered if the food your children eat every day might affect their behavior?

The Food for the Brain Foundation in England carried out a survey on over 10,000 British school-aged children, ages 6 through 16, in an attempt to compare aspects of their behavior with academic performance, score tests, and health. The results revealed a significant association between diet, behavior, and school performance. The outcomes of the survey show that 1 in 3 children had problems with attention, tantrums, mood swings, and almost half of them constantly craved sugar.

Key findings of the survey:

- The average intake of dark green vegetables is only 1 serving a week!

- Average intake of seeds/nuts is half a serving a week.

- Average sugar servings in or added to food and drinks is 3.5 a day.

- Children who eat diets high in fried and processed foods are three times more likely to be badly behaved.

- Children who eat vegetables, oily fish, nuts, and seeds do best in school.

- Children with better diets have higher test scores.

The survey found that fruits and vegetables were associated with better behavior than fried foods. Children eating more fruits and vegetables were twice as likely to have better behavior. Processed foods, such as fast food, sweets, and meats, were more likely to contribute to behavioral problems. About 44% of children consuming processed foods had bad behavior on most days, according to the survey.

The best foods for good academic performance were dark green leafy vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, oily fish, and water. The survey showed that children who included these foods in their diets have 11% higher test scores. The take home message form this survey is to increase your family's intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and decrease the amount of processed foods eaten during the week.

Brain boosting breakfasts to keep your child full:

- Oatmeal with 1 tablespoon ground seeds (flax, sesame, pumpkin, sunflower), or nuts, and chopped fresh fruit.

- Wholegrain toast with peanut butter and sugar free jam.

- Poached, boiled, or scrambled eggs with wholegrain toast or pita served with sweet cherry tomatoes or low sugar ketchup.

- Sliced fruits, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and wholegrain toast cut into fun shapes with a pastry cutter.

Brain boosting lunch tips:

- Offer raw vegetables (carrot, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby corn, celery, broccoli, radishes), rice cakes, or fruit.

- As dip, use a small container of hummus, low-fat cream cheese, or yogurt.

- Serve dried fruit and nuts.

Money Saving Tips For Food and Drink Expenses

By Joe Deacon


Everyone faces those days when it is just easier to eat out than go home and cook. In today's fast paced society, it can be very hard to have time at the end of the day to fix a four course meal. However, this can be an expensive habit if you go out often. There are steps you can take to lower the tab when you just need a break or you are treating yourself to a night out.

Cut Out the Soda

Soda is one of the highest marked up items on any menu. Most restaurants will charge almost two dollars for one drink and some don't even offer free refills. When you consider that for a party of five that is an extra ten dollars on the check, you will probably agree that water is a much better choice. The other option you might consider is purchasing a meal that includes a drink.

Deserts Are a No-No

Many deserts cost almost as much as the main course and very few people ever finish them. You are much better off to wait until you get home for something sweet or stop somewhere and buy a whole cake on the way home. You can usually buy a whole pie or cake at the grocery store for less than the cost of four slices at a restaurant.

Learn To Share

Sharing large entrées is a great way to save money on a meal. Many restaurants offer large portion that end up going to waste. This is a great idea if you have children or babies. Rather than buying a kid's meal you can just ask for an additional plate. Be aware some restaurants frown on this practice and will charge for an additional plate.

Take Advantage of Kids Night

If you will be eating out with kids look for a restaurant that offers free kids meals or very cheap ones. Some companies have one night a week that they designate as kids day and all kids under 12 eat free. You can also look for restaurants that have special kid's menus. These menus will often have many of the same items on the adult menu, just at a scaled down size.

Limited Time Specials

Some restaurants will offer limited time deals like buy one get one free, or two meals for a set price. You should also check for the special of the day. In most establishments, one meal is offered at a discounted rate each day. You might even find some restaurants offer a free appetizer or desert with your meal. These specials can be a great way to stretch your dollar a little further.

Download or Buy Coupons

There are two types of coupons to be considered when you are considering going out for dinner. You can download regular coupons online for special savings or free items with you meal. However, you can also buy coupons or gift cards for many places online. Check your local radio or television site. With these deals, you can purchase a certificate or coupon to spend twice as much as you pay. For example, if you buy the coupon for 25 dollars you get to spend it for 50 dollars.

Save Money on Food and Drinks

By Elena Price


The weekly grocery shopping bill is many people's biggest expense after housing. While it's difficult to save money on mortgages and rents there are plenty of savings to be made by being careful with food and drink expenditure.

Plan a weeks worth of meals, create a list of ingredients and only purchase these items. By sticking to this no food will go to waste and you will be less tempted to purchase extra goodies. When you are in the supermarket where possible try to purchase "own brand" items. You'll find them much cheaper than leading brands and often the product tastes very similar if not exactly the same.

When you visit your supermarket don't go in hungry. Research suggests that you will spend around 20% more when you food shop hungry as opposed to shopping after a meal.

Buy in bulk. Markets and greengrocers will give good deals on produce if you buy in larger quantities. Supermarkets often have BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) offers. Take advantage of these: freeze the extra items for use in the future. Grow your own, find an allotment or convert part of your garden into a veg patch. You'll be surprised by the savings and how good home-grown produce tastes.

Shop around - don't just stick with one shop play the supermarkets against each other. Special offers tend to move from one chain to the next so use price comparison sites to find the best deals before you set off shopping. Buy local. By supporting your local farmers market more money makes its way back to the local economy. Check out old Christmas gifts - there may be food hampers that you have forgotten about full of luxury food and drinks

Try to cook just what you planned for in your recipe, this way you'll only use the ingredients you've bought and not extras. Don't cook too large a portion, when cooking pasta and rice use a mug to measure out the amount needed. Consider taking a packed lunch to work, cook up a bit more of an evening put it in Tupperware and freeze them.

Once you've finished cooking, use up the leftovers. The end of a chicken, cut offs of vegetables can be turned into stock or a tasty homemade soup. Don't buy bottled water or soft drinks. Drink tap water! A water filter will do wonders if your tap water isn't too nice or just leave a glass of tap water in a window for around 30 minutes for the chlorine taste to go away.

Shop around - don't just stick with one shop play the supermarkets against each other. Special offers tend to move from one chain to the next so use price comparison sites to find the best deals before you set off shopping.

Ten Ideas For Creating Food and Drinks in the Blender

By Joseph Nyamache


Smoothies are a delicious example of a drink that can be made in the blender. You can be as creative as you like with the ingredients and experimenting with tastes and textures is a lot of fun. You can whiz up milk and fruit, mixed fruit with honey and much more. If you have a blender and you only use it occasionally for making a smoothie now and then, you are missing out on a lot of other ways your blender can help you.

Here are some handy tips on how to make the most of your blender.

1. You can make your own baby food using the blender. This works out cheaper than buying baby food, plus you will know exactly what goes into it.

2. Blenders can help you with cooking because you can use them to chop and puree your ingredients, which is a real time saver. Some people prefer not to cook because they don't have time but using a blender can solve this problem. You can liquefy, chop, blend and puree in a blender and they come in handy with a multitude of different recipes.

3. You can make nice sauces using the blender to chop ingredients evenly. This is a great time saver as well as being easier and safer than using knifes to chop your herbs, vegetables or whichever ingredients you are using.

4. If you have family or friends coming for a visit, you can whip up spreads, dips and other exciting mixtures in the blender. You can even make a business out of it if you are good at creating culinary masterpieces. All it takes is some experimentation and practice.

5. You can grate hard cheeses such as Swiss and Cheddar in the blender. Cut it into cubes and add them through the feeder cap while the blender runs.

6. Make breadcrumbs in the blender. Use fresh bread for soft breadcrumbs or stale bread for dry breadcrumbs. Again, you should add the pieces through the feeder cap while the motor runs.

7. Your blender can grind whole spices, coffee beans, nuts and crackers. You can make delicious nut butters or spice butters in this way.

8. Use the blender to grind poppy seeds, grate fresh coconut, dissolve gelatin and reconstitute frozen fruit juice and dry milk.

9. You can puree hot soup in the blender. Only fill it half full and leave the feeder cap open for the steam to escape. Begin on a very low setting and turn it up gradually.

10. And of course, there are smoothies!

The blender was invented in 1922 by Stephen Poplawski to create soda fountain drinks. He placed a blade at the base of a tall container and the first blender was born. Of course, the blender has been developed more since then and a blender is a frequent sight in most people's kitchens these days. Blenders come in glass, plastic and steel.

You can get ready-made mixes for smoothies or make your own from scratch. Whether the sun is shining or it is a cold day, juices and smoothies always go down a treat. A blender is designed to add air to a drink, to make it frothy, which is why blender smoothies always come out so good. So if you have a blender and hardly ever use it, why not try out some of the above ideas!