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How To Make The Perfect Wine Choice For Your Meal

2006-11-03T00:37-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Actually, there is no such thing as a "perfect" choice when it comes to choosing wine to go with your meal. Taste is too subjective, and what is perfect for one person could spell a disaster for someone else.

However, there are some rules that do need to be taken into consideration, such as red wines going with beef, and white wines going with fish, chicken, and seafood. Just make sure you choose the best wine you can afford, mainly because they are usually higher quality and provide much more variety when it comes to aroma and flavor.

If you're planning on a main course featuring beef, it is important to weigh the strength of its flavor against the strength of the wine's bouquet. If you're looking for a wine to go with your rather flavorful meal, choose a wine that is equal in its intensity. On the other hand, you could always choose a lighter wine to go with this type of meal, if you're looking for a contrast. It all depends on what you're trying to feature, the wine or the food.

One popular pairing is a Grenache, with its rich black pepper bouquet, and Steak au Poivre (steak with pepper). If you happen to find a Grenache from the Gigondas region of the Rhone Valley in France, you're in luck. A more subtle dish, such as Steak Tartar, goes best with a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, as these wines are less intense in flavor and bouquet.

When it comes to white wines, there's a reason why they go best with seafood, chicken, turkey, etc. These are usually lighter meals, and as such are complemented well by the more subtle flavors of white wines. It is usually the sauces these meals are prepared in which help determine the wine to be enjoyed. The Alsace region has a great Pinot Blanc, which has a spicy taste to it, and thus it goes well with a turkey dish flavored with paprika. One should not count out a Burgundy, though, as it has its place among spicier poultry dishes.

There are some forms of poultry which are richer than others, and duck is a good example. Dishes like this are best served with an acidic wine, such as those from the Sangiovese area of Tuscany. If you're going for a grilled chicken or turkey dish, though, you should probably choose a German Riesling or Chardonnay.

Sometimes, people focus too much on what meats to serve with wine. Cheese and fruit are often forgotten, but these foods can bring out a wine's flavor in different ways than meats can. There is an old tradition followed by many Portuguese involving serving a high quality Port with fruity desserts. A touch of a fine Gewurztraminer can often bring out the best in some of the stronger cheeses on the market.

Perhaps you're looking for something to complement your bisque, or cream based soup. You can't go wrong with a Chardonnay, with its hint of apple or pear flavor. But, perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc would be more to your liking, as it has vegetable undertones and would emphasize the flavors of your soup.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as wine gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

Healthy Foods That Can Help You Control Your Blood Pressure

2006-11-03T00:34-05:00

by Gregg Hall

If you find your blood pressure has risen, do not panic. There are many foods that can be removed or added to your diet that will help get the numbers back in control. Stress plays an important factor in blood pressure, so the most important thing is to not worry yourself into a panic that will definitely make the blood pressure rise.

Blood pressure is linked to heart disease, so it is important to get your blood pressure readings under control. This is especially true if your cholesterol readings are also high.

Foods to restrict:

The first thing to do is cut salt from your diet. Many meats, fruits, and vegetables contain natural sodium, so they already add salt to your diet. Avoid adding additional salt to your diet. Sodium allows vessels to expand. This increases the amount of blood flowing throughout the body, hence the raised blood pressure reading.

If you find the reduced levels of salt alter your enjoyment of food, use herbs for seasonings. Thyme, oregano, dill, marjoram, rosemary, and tarragon can all add loads of flavor to any meal. Mrs. Dash, a no-salt additive, uses lemon and orange peel as well and can be very useful in flavoring food.

Cut back the amounts of saturated fats. These can add weight to your body, which in turn can raise blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. Stay away from cheese, butter, fatty meats, and processed foods.

Cutting meats from a diet has been proven to drop blood pressure readings by up to 2.8 points. Beef, pork, veal, and liver can all be high in saturated fats. Chicken breast and turkey breast are better options.

Add these foods:

Potassium is an important mineral. It helps regulate the water that is able to flow through the blood vessels. High blood pressure restricts the amount of water so you need to balance it out. Bananas, avocados, grapefruit, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes are all potassium rich. Add these to your diet.

Foods rich in calcium and magnesium also help with high blood pressure. Add sardines, spinach, tofu, all beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas), skim milk, soymilk, and fat free yogurts. You can use many items from this list to put together a quick breakfast shake. Mix some frozen fruit with yogurt, skim milk, or soymilk, add a touch of honey or the herb stevia, and blend until creamy. Add some flax seed oil for additional health benefits.

Increase all fruit and vegetable servings. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower are only a sampling of the vegetables that can help reduce blood pressure readings. Oranges, strawberries, melons, and blueberries are great additions to your diet because of their high levels of vitamins and minerals.

Seafood, especially salmon, is rich in good cholesterol. You should add seafood to your diet immediately. Poached salmon with fresh vegetables is a quick and easy meal that will go a long way in helping lower blood pressure readings.

A high blood pressure reading is scary, but it does not have to mean your world is coming to an end. Taking a proactive stance and changing your diet is a great way to get your blood pressure under control.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as food gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

Foods That Will Allow You To Lose Weight While Snacking

2006-11-03T00:31-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Today's current trends of diets have people turning from carbohydrates, alcohol, and other guilty pleasures. This is causing failure in many diet attempts, but it does not have to be this way. You can enjoy many snack foods without feeling bad about your binge. The trick is learning which foods are okay for snacking.

Yum! Chicken nuggets. Virtually every person craves these tasty morsels. Their fat content is horrifying, however. Instead of a fried chicken nugget, try baking them. Slice up some boneless chicken breast; dip it in a mixture of egg white and water and then coat in ground almonds or whole wheat bread crumbs. Bake at 400 for half an hour and you have a new twist on an old favorite.

There is a wide array of baked potato and tortilla chips on the market. Salsa is rich in antioxidants and fat-free. You can enjoy a bowl of baked tortilla chips and serve some delicious salsa alongside it. This snack is both good for you and will satisfy your chip craving.

If you prefer guacamole with your baked tortilla chips, go for it. Avocados are rich in fats that raise good cholesterol levels. If you do not like the taste of avocado try using mashed peas instead.

Baby carrots served with a low-fat or no-fat dressing are an easy to make and delicious treat for any hour of the day.

Cook a couple of potatoes in the microwave and then scoop out the middle flesh. Slice the remaining skin into large sections and pan fry in a skillet sprayed with non-stick spray. Serve these potato skins along with some fat-free sour cream.

Popcorn is a neat treat that can be very healthy. Air pop it and eat it without butter. If the taste of unbuttered popcorn is too much, use some of the fat free butter sprays (Olivio uses a blend of olive oils that is scrumptious and available in many countries) to add a little flavor.

Jell-O, a childhood favorite, is fat-free and satisfying. The sugar-free versions cut calories completely. Add a dollop of fat-free whipped cream and you have a perfect dessert.

Deviled Eggs, if eaten in moderation, can be made with fat-free mayonnaise. Add some horseradish for extra zip.

Pita Bread, especially if the pita bread is whole wheat, can be baked crispy and served in place of tortilla chips. Serve wedges of fresh tortilla bread with fresh vegetables and yogurt-based dips.

You can also make a version of croutons using whole wheat bread, olive oil and garlic along with other desired seasonings. Bake these in an oven set at 300 for a couple hours. The resulting product is a crouton that is good for you and extremely satisfying.

Regardless of your desires, there are alternatives to high-fat, bad for you snacks. Use your imagination and you will find you do not have to run crying from some of your favorite guilt foods.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as custom gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

How To Avoid The Fast Food Overload That's Creating The Obesity Epidemic

2006-11-03T00:27-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Your family is not alone if most of your meals consist of pizza, burgers, and chicken purchased at fast food chains. You can't drive down a street without seeing a fast food place, and it's that convenience they rely on. With our fast-paced lives, it is easy to make a stop at a drive-thru window, as opposed to going home at the end of the day and making a meal. With this mindset, it's no wonder that obesity is a huge problem facing a great deal of families these days, as fast food is usually full of fat and salt, not to mention lacking in vitamins and minerals.

There are many alternatives, however, which are much healthier and are still as convenient as going through a drive-thru window at your favorite fast food restaurant. More and more food companies are making ready to eat meals, or at least ready to heat meals, which are much healthier and provide more variety than relying on that burger place down the road when you're short on time. Check out your grocer's freezer section, and make sure to go down the prepared food aisle. By making one trip to the grocery store, rather than several trips to the local fast food establishment, you can save money on gas as well. Your budget and your family, and perhaps your waistline, will thank you for choosing this route.

Sometimes, though, there really is no choice but to eat out. Thankfully, restaurants are attempting to provide more healthful choices besides the standard burger and French fries. It is not uncommon to have a choice of a side salad, baked potato, or even baked potato chips to replace your fries. They also offer full-size salads, which are definitely more healthful, as long as you don't go overboard on the toppings! If you're tired of burgers, you could always try the grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, or deli style sandwiches, which are often lower in fat. But it's still a good idea to limit your fast food meals to special treats, as nothing really replaces the nutrition of a home cooked meal.

By choosing to prepare a home cooked meal for your family, not only will you be doing something to stem the obesity epidemic in this country, you will also be getting to spend valuable time with them. Think of how much more fun it is to sit around a table and talk about your day, rather than standing in line or waiting in your car at a fast food place. By being more proactive in your approach to meals, you will be able to provide more healthful choices, and possibly get in some valuable together time you might miss out on. It's really a win-win situation all around, so it can't hurt to stop by your local grocer and see what they have to offer.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as food gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

Express Your Gratitude With A Thoughtful Handmade Gift Basket

2006-11-02T00:49-05:00

by Gregg Hall

In certain situations, a few simple words do not cover the extent of gratitude one feels. If someone has gone above and beyond the call of duty, presenting them with a gift basket is a classy and thoughtful way to say thanks. With so many options in today's world, it is easy to find the perfect gift.

Homemade gift baskets or gift boxes are simple to arrange. Many dollar stores or discount stores sell fancy baskets or boxes that you can then line with tissue paper and stuff with a wide array of goodies from flowers, to candy, to room sprays. It is important to have a grasp for the other person's likes and dislikes.

If the recipient is a chocoholic, consider creating a basket that has one large chocolate item in the center, such as a chocolate orange, and then circle it with smaller truffles, chocolate kisses, mini chocolate bars, and similar treats.

Baskets of fancy soaps, room sprays, or candles will appeal to women who enjoy filling their home with an array of fragrances. Place a larger decorative soap in the center and then surround it with other smaller items.

If you know the person enjoys bubble baths, create a box or basket with a variety of bath products. Bath oil beads, fizzing bath tablets, bottles of bubble bath, loofah sponges, and even body scrubs will delight any bath lover.

Try creating a theme basket. Children needing thanks will love baskets full of their favorite toys or television characters. Sports lovers will enjoy baskets or boxes with t-shirts, team merchandise, key rings, pens or pencils shaped like baseball bats, pennants and more.

Animal lovers will enjoy a basket with a stuffed replica of their favorite animal. Add a similarly themed notepad, calendar, and t-shirt. If the recipient enjoys gardening, purchase a variety of seeds, gardening gloves, tools, and small pots. Aspiring chefs will enjoy a variety of spices, cooking utensils, a bottle of wine, and similarly themed items.

If your friend is a baker, purchase boxed bread mixes, dessert mixes, and other neat treats. Pack them into a decorated box with a new set of pot mitts.

If putting together a gift basket is not to your liking, visit area shops. Many candy stores, florists, and gourmet stores will create a gift basket from items you pick out. The cost includes the cost of the items you select and then a minimal surcharge for the basket and any wrapping.

Also look into home businesses that create gift baskets or gift boxes for you. Many moms and dads are leaving their 9 to 5 job behind and tapping into the gift basket craze. Their prices are generally lower than a store and the quality is top-notch.

No matter the gift, there are ways to stick with your budget and give a gift of thanks that will never be forgotten. Use your imagination and you are guaranteed that the recipient knows how much you appreciated their help.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as handmade gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

The Diet Of Costa Ricans And How It Keeps Them Healthy

2006-11-02T00:42-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Located between Panama and Nicaragua in Central America, Costa Rica boasts a proud culinary heritage. Many scorn Costa Rica food selections for being high in saturated fats, but in actuality Costa Ricans are far more active than other cultures.

Costa Rican's, locally called Ticos, never eat excessively. Limiting their portions is one way they stay so healthy. Also, lunch is the most important meal of their day. In fact, like many Latin nations, businesses and schools close down for a couple of hours at lunch so that employees and students can go home and have a leisurely meal with their family. This allows both a strong focus on family life, but also on slowing down a meal. In America, a typical school lunch lasts a mere twenty minutes at most and work breaks are usually an hour tops, so many must eat at their desk or machine. A Costa Rican's lifestyle is completely different.

Costa Rica food often revolves around rice and beans, such as Gallo Pinto, a dish that translates to "Spotted Rooster". Gallo Pinto is a dish that includes black beans at a three to two ratio to rice. Also added are onions, garlic, and salt. Meats are eaten sparingly, while beans provide a high content of fiber. Fiber can help counteract the saturated fats. Costa Rica food choices rarely include dairy or cheese.

As Costa Rica has water on both sides with the Pacific to the west and the Caribbean to the east, fresh seafood is always available. Unfortunately, the seafood is also extremely expensive as the country exports the bulk of its seafood. Chicken, pork, and beef are the more popular meats. Costa Rica food supplies use organ meat as well; so expect to find dishes involving stomach, brains, and other organs on the menu. Other staples of Costa Rica food choices include fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and a variety of beans, fruits, including plantains, and rice.

Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose, is packed with outstanding restaurants and cafes. In San Jose, one can experience bold foods and beverages. Staple beverages such as sugarcane soaked in hot water are second only to the nation's delicious Costa Rican coffee. Drinks mixing corn meal and milk are also common. Plantains are similar to bananas in appearance, but they cannot be eaten raw. Plantains are pounded flat, battered, and fried tender.

As one travels to other regions, the choices for Costa Rica food also decrease and become more traditional with the beans and rice dishes. Beans and rice dishes are usually served alongside a carrot and cabbage or lettuce and tomato salad. Sometimes Arroz, (fried shrimp or chicken), are found on the table instead of beans and rice. The salads are typically larger than the portion of beans and rice and that helps the Ticos to stay fit.

It is possibly to choose healthy selections of Costa Rica food. Stick to plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and enjoy the delightful blend of culinary flavors.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as food gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

If You Are Seeking A Healthy Diet You Must Include These Foods

2006-11-02T00:37-05:00

by Gregg Hall

With all of the emphasis being put on how overweight we, as a society are, more and more people are looking for ways to improve their nutritional intake. It might seem easy to figure out how to do this, but unfortunately, the grocery stores make it difficult to stay on track. As soon as you enter the store, you are presented with displays of fattening foods that somehow find a way into your grocery cart. By recognizing the types of foods that you should be eating, you can better steer clear of fattening foods and focus on the healthy ones.

Your diet should include six ounces of grains. You can achieve this by eating three ounces of breads, rice, whole grain cereals, crackers or pasta. One ounce of grains can be consumed in a single slice of bread or in one serving of cereal.

Everyone knows that they should increase their amount of vegetable intake. This can be done by consuming 2 ½ cups of veggies, each day. Dark vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli are particularly good for you. Sweet potatoes and carrots are very healthy as well.

Fruits are another type of food that should be eaten liberally. Try to eat at least two cups per day. It is a good idea to eat different types of fruits, including fresh, frozen, canned and even dried fruits. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar so they shouldn't be drank in excess.

Milk is an important part of your diet and is rich in calcium. Three cups per day is recommended for adults and two cups per day is recommended for kids, ages 2-8. Opt for nonfat or low fat milk products versus whole milk products. This applies to foods such as yogurt. Those who do not prefer to drink milk or who are unable to due to allergies, should opt for lactose free milk and milk products. Besides dairy products, there are many other foods and beverages that are fortified with calcium, and will provide you with your dietary requirements, too.

The daily recommendation for meat and beans, which provide much needed protein, is five ounces per day. Lean meats or meats that are low in fat are preferable. It is best to bake, grill, or broil meat, to prevent eating too much grease or fat. Protein can be added to your diet by eating fish, beans, peas and nuts as well. It is a good idea to vary your protein rich foods with these choices.

Be sure to limit the use of solid fats such as margarine, butter, shortening and lard when cooking your food. Although they are tasty, they are not heart healthy and can elevate your cholesterol. It is a good idea to avoid foods that contain these fats as well.

Check nutrition labels when buying food, to regulate your saturated fat, trans fat and sodium intake. The labels with nutrition information can be found on just about every type of food package and you can improve your health by making a habit of reading them and adjusting your diet.

You can maintain a healthy lifestyle by choosing your foods wisely and monitoring what you eat. Adding regular exercise to a healthy diet will greatly improve your health as well. Whatever your age may be, a healthy diet and active lifestyle will benefit your health for the duration of your years, and likely lead to a better quality of life.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as fruit gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

If You Like Variety In Your Cuisine You Must Try The Culinary Delights From The Dominican Republic

2006-11-02T00:34-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Those who believe the Dominican Republic serves typical Caribbean cuisine, guess again. With a plethora of fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and meats, the Dominican Republic blends culinary styles from Latin America, Spain, and France. As a result, the dishes are an amazing blend of flavors, mild spices, and varying textures.

Unlike the chain stores in many countries, the Dominican Republic prides itself on selling fresh ingredients from their local markets. Typical foods are sweet potatoes, goat meat, pig meat, fresh saltwater fish, shellfish, mangoes, papayas, plantains, cassava melon, coconuts, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and passion fruit. Given the abundance of high quality foods, it is not surprising that locally prepared dishes are delightful treats.

Pigs are an important aspect in the Dominican Republic's meat markets. Spicy longaniza sausages hang from racks in many butchers. Pork is slowly roasted over a spit to a tender state of perfection.

The Dominican Republic follows a traditional Spanish custom in which workers leave their jobs at noon and go home for a leisurely meal with their family before returning to work two or three hours later. This leisurely break is called La Bandera. During these lengthy meals, bowls of rice, meats stewed with beans, vegetables, fried plantains, and pitchers of water or other beverages are shared. The family enjoys time together, clean up, and then return to finish their work or school day.

Many see the Dominican Republic as a poor area, but despite this image, their food is rich and hearty. The lack of wealth for some does not cause the dinner table to go empty. Full lunches together still occur five days a week. Many wealthy families in other countries cannot boast having so much quality family time!

Sancocho, a delightful soup filled with huge chunks of meat and vegetables, is served for many meals. The soup usually contains pork or beef and then onions, sweet potatoes, potatoes, yucca root, plantains, cassava root, and broth. For celebrations, seven meats are mixed to enhance the glamour of this dish.

Pastel en Hoja blends marinated meat cubes with other ingredients and then slowly steams the mixture inside banana leaves. Fish steamed with vegetables in coconut milk is also served in many homes. For dessert, fried portions of dough similar to Churros or fresh fruit are both extremely popular.

Chicharrones de Pollo is the Dominican Republic's answer to fried chicken. Chicken pieces are coated in a mildly spiced flour mixture and then fried to golden perfection.

The food of Dominican Republic is a culinary treat that no person should miss. Even if one is not traveling to the area, it is easy to make some of these dishes in the comfort of your own home. What a way to celebrate a fabulous country's cuisine.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as food gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

How To Prepare Satisfying And Enjoyable Food For A Bridal Shower

2006-10-29T14:55-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Preparing for a bridal shower is difficult in it of itself, but its creating a menu that can be most challenging. There are so many details to take into consideration. Not only do you have to consider the bride's preferences, but you also have to worry about your guests who might be allergic to certain types of food. There could also be vegetarians in your midst. These concerns, though, are usually overshadowed by the entertainment good food can provide.

Everyone loves Sunday brunches, right? A brunch theme will be casual, yet provide enough food for those looking for a full meal. Baked goods are a staple in any brunch, and you can't go wrong with different types of fruits as another side. If you're looking for a main dish, quiche is always well-liked. When it comes to drinks, coffee, tea, juice, and milk are ideal choices, but you could also provide champagne punch or Bloody Marys as more fancy alternatives. To top off your brunch with a dessert, it's a good plan to stick to fruity desserts, such as lemon squares or chocolate covered strawberries.

If your bridal shower is in the late afternoon or evening, you will want to keep your menu simple so that you can be a good host. Preparing a meal ahead of time, such as a casserole, is a good plan because the casserole can bake while you see to your guests. Lasagna is a popular option for this. Keep your side dishes basic too. Something like a salad is ideal in this situation, because like the casserole, it can be made in advance and be ready to serve.

Another alternative to a casserole would be grilled or smoked meat, as again you can prepare them in advance. This type of main course is for great presentation and provides you with the opportunity to individually serve your guests, so it's probably best to reserve it for more formal types of bridal showers.

It is also a good idea to provide vegetarian alternatives for those in your crowd who do not eat meat or animal products. The casserole and salad menu is an ideal choice in this case, and the Web is a great resource if you need to find vegetarian or vegan recipes for planning this sort of menu.

Cake is probably the most time-honored dessert when it comes to bridal showers. However, with more and more brides going against tradition, this might present a problem. A dessert buffet with several different choices, including cake, is a good solution to this dilemma. Or, you could serve the bride's favorite dessert in place of cake. But, if you feel cake is necessary, serve it with other alternatives such as spiced fruit pies. You could also serve only desserts as your shower theme. A fun option might be a chocolate fountain, if your desserts involve chocolate covered items like strawberries.

You can't go wrong with a large selection of hors d'oeuvres either. Provide a great deal of finger food, such as cheese, crackers, muffins, veggies, and dips for your guests to choose from. This setup is ideal if you do not have much space for a sit down type meal.

While making good food choices for a bridal shower may be difficult, it still provides the perfect wedding shower backdrop and setting for your guests.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as gourmet giftbaskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

A Look At The Dining Habits Of Ancient Romans

2006-10-29T14:48-05:00

by Gregg Hall

Modern society is quick to lay claim to inventing things that were actually introduced to society, many generations ago. We may take credit for wireless communication; however, from the beginning of time, this type of communication has been in existence. Tribes would communicate with other tribes by beating a code out on drums. Others used smoke signals. This is also true in terms of meals. It is only recently that the term brunch, referring to the time period between lunch and breakfast, came into fashion. This popular pastime was actually begun in Rome. The only difference is, is that they called it dinner.

Dinner for the ancient Romans was simple as compared to the late morning meal. It consisted primarily of vegetables. This meal was prepared by the wife or mother of the family, or by servants, as directed by the wife, if the family was affluent. The family would gather and dine in a room called the atrium and sit on stools at tables, once dinner was served. When it came to utensils, forks and knives were viewed as being very cryptic, and so the ancient Romans preferred to eat with spoons. They would also eat things like meat, cut into small, thin slices, with their hands. However, by the time there were councils in the senate, in the last two centuries of the Republic, the dining style had changed to some extent. During the time of industrialization, further changes took place. These changes included separate areas in which people of different classes would feast. The people no longer sat on benches during meals, but instead sat on couches.

The lowest class in society was that of the plebeians. They survived almost entirely on porridge that was made from vegetables. When they were able to afford it, they would enjoy eating olives, fish, meat, bread and wine. The government helped the plebeians under a program that was similar to a welfare system, called the "annona". In the early 2C AD, a separate but similar system was established for children, called the "alimenta". This involved giving little tokens to each child, called "tessarae". The children had special containers in which to carry wheat and flour, which were filled in exchange for their tokens. Meat was given to the children on special occasions.

In contrast to the plebians, the upper class patricians of ancient Rome dined on much more extravagant cuisine. Separate parties were held for men, while others were held for the women and children. These parties went on for many hours; they were spent socializing and drinking plenty of wine. The party also included music. Some of the guests played instruments, while the others danced. Each party was a celebration, filled with entertainment.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as gift baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

Keep Your Gift Giving Easy With Gourmet Food And Wine Baskets

2006-08-26T15:45-04:00

by Gregg Hall

There are many holidays and events worth celebrating throughout the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's & Father's Day, Halloween, anniversaries, and birthdays.

With so many holidays, so many occasions, and so many events, there is not 'so many questions', but one, which ends up burning at the back of our minds, that we must answer several times a year: what is the perfect gift that I can give them?

The world is so diverse. There are so many different people who like such different things that it becomes stressful, but incredibly difficult to think of a present you can be proud to give every holiday.

If there were a perfect present, nearly guaranteed to make nearly anyone happy, it would alleviate a lot of pressure. But consider that pressure alleviated, because there is, indeed, a present much like that: wine gift baskets.

Appropriate for nearly every occasion, holiday, or event, wine baskets are always a pleasant, appreciated gift, which you will be glad to give, and they will be glad to receive.

Not only are they a good gift, but also it is quite simple to accessorize, pay and send them. As you do with flowers, you can send a wine basket either through phone or by getting online and ordering it. You can have it delivered either to the intended person, or you can send it to yourself and give it to them, personally!

Wine gift baskets are not limited to simply wine. In fact, they go far beyond wine. You can create the perfect basket by pairing the wine of your choice with many different options, ranging from things like: cookies, meats, chocolate, nuts, biscuits, cheese, breadsticks, crackers, pasta, and more!

You can call and place an order for a certain amount of money, which will result in the company choosing the best-suited basket for your budget. Nonetheless, it is encouraged that you choose the accessories for the basket. For example: ordering the same wine from various wineries, or ordering a certain wine and choosing the accessories which best fit the intended recipient's taste (for example: if they love bread, pair your wine with an assortment of various breads).

Creating the style of the wine basket makes it personal, and then you have a chance to create intimacy with your recipient. Wine baskets are very appealing to a diversity of different people, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, social class, location, etc.

If you want to give a gift sure to elicit a good response, buy a wine basket! People tend to not spend money on wine to enjoy for themselves, and nearly everyone enjoys the refined taste of wine.

Wine becomes a gift, which goes beyond the recipient, as the recipient can serve and share it with others, while enjoying it themselves. They will think of you as they appreciate the thoughtful gift that they can share and enjoy with those that they love.

The next time you find yourself trying to figure out the perfect present for someone, whether personal or professional, remember what wonderful perks you can enjoy buy giving a wine basket.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Food Gift Baskets at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

How To Read Food Labels So You Know Exactly What You Are Eating

2006-08-26T15:35-04:00

by Gregg Hall

More and more food companies are coming up with more and more ways to make food cheaper, more convenient to consume, and tastier. With these come new ingredients, skewed nutrition and a lack of understanding for what you are consuming.

When you don't understand what you are consuming, you are risking your health. For instance: not knowing a bag stating "50 calories per serving" means you have to multiply servings to know the total amount of calories, rather than the common misconception that "per serving" means "per bag".

As the average food intake increases, so does the perception on what a serving size means. It is surprising that many people find their perception on what a single serving is, turns out to be about two or three servings in reality!

The ability to read food labels is one of the most effective ways to make good food selections. It spells out the amounts and types of nutrients in the food per serving. However, for this label to be helpful and expend its effectiveness, you must be able to understand what it is saying:

Serving Size

States amounts of nutrients per serving. If you follow the serving size, you acquire the amount of nutrients the label states you will get "per serving".

For example, if you read "one serving equals 5 chips", and that there are 50 calories per serving, eating 5 chips would give you 50 calories. Eating 10 chips would give you 100 calories, and so on. If the bag says it contains 5 servings, you would take 50 and multiply it by 5 to figure out the total amount of calories you've consumed.

Nutrients

The nutrients are generally based on the daily dietary allowance stated (these are usually based on 2,500 or 2,000 calorie diets).

To understand what you are taking in, know that these are based on how the food corresponds to the dietary allowance for a 2,000 calorie diet. If you've purchased something different from the 2,000 calorie diet, divide the amount by 2,000 and you will find your nutrient's % daily value.

Ingredients

A list of all of the items used to produce the product. The list generally begins with the most heavily-used ingredient, and descends into the ingredient least used in the product.

Label Claim

This is the term used for sayings such as "sodium-free!" (Which simply means that it has less than 5 mgs per serving).

Understanding food labels is a very good thing to learn and do. It's important to take care of your body, by taking notice of what you intake, and rationing it out so it stays at a healthy level. Once you understand how to read food labels, you hold the power to take care of yourself.

Indeed, reading food labels can be very tedious and confusing. Nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, it would be easier for you to watch your diet because you can already control the amount of food that you take.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Gift Baskets Plus at http://www.gourmetgiftbasketsplus.com

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