Articles by Roger

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A Food Processor Worthy Of Your Countertop Space

While it is fun and extremely manly to want to use a knife for everything you do in the kitchen, having a food processor is just smart. It can also be as much fun, or even more fun, as you get to use a power tool to chop and slice any type of food that you drop into it into tiny pieces.

For those looking to up their game while they cook, the Cuisinart Prep 9 (DLC-2009CHB) is a great choice. Not only does it have a robust motor, it delivers reliable performance to make quick work of even the toughest vegetables. There is nothing too manly about crying when you are trying to dice those onions, so getting a food processor can help you save face while you work…literally.

The Prep 9 is currently ranked as one of the best Cuisinart options currently on the market. It has a lot of things going for it that have made it one of the more popular small kitchen appliances of 2019. From its sleek styling to its stainless steel cutting discs, this machine has just about everything you need to save time while you cook. So what makes this little powerhouse so great?

Food Processor Features

While it might not have cracked the current top echelon of today’s most popular food processor options, it still should get some serious consideration. This smaller kitchen machine is packed with outstanding features that might make it excellent for your kitchen. These include:

One-Piece Supreme Large Mouth Feed Tube

This nine-cup food processor may seem to have a small bowl at first glance; however, for most of us, the capacity best suits our cooking requirements. One thing that makes this bowl perfect is the Cuisinart’s supreme and big mouth feed tube. The tube is wide enough to handle full-sized vegetables and fruits with ease, including medium to small potatoes. This capability can incredibly minimize your food preparation time because it will be needless cutting your vegetables down to size prior to shredding or slicing.

One vital safety factor to consider when using any big mouth food processor feed tube is the fact that you must always use the food pusher and not other utensils or your finger. If you are not cautious, you could easily get severely injured. This limitation not only exists in the Cuisinart but also in all food-processing devices that have wide mouth openings. To help minimize the problem or eliminate the danger, Cuisinart has a pusher assembly that works easily and smoothly. The center tube in the assembly makes it easy to feed smaller items.

Small Size but Big Power

Though this food-processing machine has a small footprint, it is not a let down when it comes to power. It is powered by a 600-watt motor, which has the same size as many 10 and 12-cup food processors. Because of this, it never leaves its users short on power. Despite taking up less than one square foot on your countertop, this processor can still power through yeast dough using four cups of flour, sufficient to make three loaves of bread.

Ideally, it uses a simple control system using only three buttons; a pulse button, and the on switch and off switch buttons. Consider the pulse button when you want to use greater control of the slicing or mixing operations. When you possess a powerful food-processing machine, you need to have safety as well. Cuisinart is not only built in a secure dual cover but also features bowl interlock mechanism. Make sure the cover and bowl are securely locked on the bowl prior to using the Cuisinart DLC-2009CHB.

Other Features

The Cuisinart box comes bundled with the common discs and blades you need for daily use. It has the multipurpose mixing and chopping blade, which probably you will use the most. This box also contains a medium shredding disc, which is ideal for shredding cheese for your Mexican food or pizza or potatoes for hash browns. There is also the medium slicing disc that slices apple and carrot beautifully, and will even slice a stick of salami or pepperoni perfectly well. The final attachment in this bundle is the dough blade, essential for baking bread or making pie dough.

Dimensions, Color Options and Weight

The size of this food processor is among the most impressive features of all. Its smaller size makes it suitable for many homeowners. Its physical specifications include:

o Width: 9.5 inches

o Height: 13 inches

o Depth: 7 inches

o Weight: 9 pounds (Base Unit)

o Shipping Weight: 31.4 pounds

o Color Options: Red, white, black, purple, blue and brushed stainless

The Pros and Cons of the DLC-2009CHB Food Processor

Pros

  • Numerous color options allow you match the décor of your kitchen
  • Powerful mixing, shredding and slicing discs with 600-watt motor
  • High-quality user manual and training video
  • Longest warranty and great customer assistance and support
  • Easy storage and clean-up because all parts are dishwasher safe
  • Incredible capacity and capability for a nine-cup food processor
  • Sturdy bowl designed from shatterproof Lexan
  • Small footprints make them perfect for small families and tight kitchens
  • The large mouth feed tube allows you feed whole vegetables with ease

Cons

  • Has no storage case
  • Only has a ship-in warranty. No cross-ship option
  • Liquid leakage has been reported
  • Liquid capacity is excessively low: Only a maximum of six cups of thick liquid and three cups of thin liquid
  • Sometimes, slicing leaves larger chunks fall through gaps, or even leaves uneven pieces

Conclusion

If you are a couple, a family of four or a single person, the Cuisinart DLC-2009CHB is the ideal food-processing machine for your kitchen. The small size ensures easy storage for persons who do not have storage facilities in their kitchens or have tight apartment kitchens. Ideally, the combination of size, high quality and power makes it a stunning choice for many amateur chefs.

Having a food processor will end up saving you a lot of fuss while cooking your favorite meals, and this is an excellent option for those who don’ want to break the bank to add something incredibly useful to their kitchen arsenal.

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Indulgent Treats That You Can Prepare In A Toaster Oven

smoresNow before we get to that New Year’s resolution of getting ourselves to eat better and exercise more, let’s have one last gluttonous experience to cleanse our self of our decadent desires. Some of the recipes below do have some health ingredients, but if you stuff your face it will kind of defeat the whole purpose.

For this exercise you are going to need a toaster oven.  If you do not own one of these then you may be missing out on an opportunity to make quick and delicious meals in half the time and with a fraction of the energy costs of a full sized cooking oven. Before buying one of these small appliances for your kitchen you can check out current toaster oven reviews at http://www.gourmetworrier.com to see which models are the best on the market. Here are just a few examples of some of the things that you could be doing with one of these top countertop ovens. They certainly can do a lot more than just make toast.

Fast and Simple Toaster Oven Recipes

My personal favorite toaster oven recipe is the good ol’ tortilla chip sandwiches. Many toaster ovens have a little pan that can be placed right onto one of the racks. Pull this out and spray it down with some cooking oil. Place a tortilla chip on the pan and load it up with your favorite taco toppings. I like to plop some refried beans and spicy tomato salsa on top. Then, just as a finishing touch, I carefully add a few jalapeno peppers. Once you’re satisfied with your filling, squash another tortilla chip over top of everything. Make as many of these sandwiches as you can fit on the pan and then throw it in your toaster oven. Set the temperature to about 350 and only keep them in long enough to heat everything up.

S’mores

While we’re on the subject of sandwiches, let’s talk about s’mores! That’s right, you can even make a few s’mores in your toaster oven as a delicious dessert. Or, in my case, a reward for a nice, long run. Assemble them just as you would as you stand over a campfire. Just make sure you leave the top graham cracker off for now. Toast those puppies up until the marshmallows develop a brilliant golden brown color. Then top it off with your final cracker and chow down!

Say Cheese

S’mores are just one example of toaster oven twist on a classic. Did you know you can even make grilled cheese sandwiches in your little oven-toaster hybrid? Just pretend you’re cooking up some of that cheesy goodness on the oven top, just throw it in your mini version instead. Make sure you pay close attention to where the heat is concentrated, however, or else you may get some strange toasting.

Let’s Go Nuts

Let’s get off this sandwich trip and delve into something more creative. For those of you who love toasted nuts, a toaster oven has you handled in a quarter of the time it takes to make these healthy treats in a normal oven. Experimentation is key here but I do suggest you try out a recipe with a special chocolate twist. Lay a baking liner on your pan and spread some unsalted, raw cashews on the pan in a single layer. Let that toast up for about eight minutes at a temperature of 350. Meanwhile, mix up cocoa powder, powdered sugar and just a touch of salt in a large bowl. While the nuts are still nice and warm, dump them in your mixture and toss them about. These will keep for about a week.

Something Smells Fishy

Who says you can’t go a little gourmet with a toaster oven? This next recipe will prove those nay-sayers wrong! How does some glazed salmon sound? Get your salmon marinated in a mixture of miso, sake (which is a type of Japanese wine), soy sauce, oil and sugar for a minimum of a half hour. Once the salmon is nice and flavored, crank up your toaster oven’s broiler to high. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, rub the extra marinade off the salmon and place that fish right on the foil. Broil for about five minutes are until the top is beautifully charred.

Let’s Do A Little Italian Food

I’ve got one more recipe for you. This is sure to be a hit for you and the whole family. I know this because I lived off this particular recipe when I was a kid. Grab some bagels and rip them apart. Spray down your toaster oven pan and plop the bagel halves on top, flat side up. Grab some tomato sauce and spread it evenly over the bread. Then sprinkle a bit (or a lot) of cheese on the sauce. You can even throw Parmesan cheese on there for some added flavor. Finish it off with your favorite pizza toppings: pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers or (in my case) some jalapeno peppers. Plop your creation in the toaster oven until the cheese is melted and everything is nice and cozy warm.

There you have it! Once you’ve finished making all these recipes in your nifty toaster oven, you and that strange mini oven will have developed a special bond. For another great recipe that you can use to cook a delicious meal in your toaster oven, check out this fantastic video below.

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Changing Up Your Exercise Routine With A Jogging Stroller

Benefits of using a jogging stroller

Having a kid is a real game changer. All of a sudden your life takes on a different perspective as you not only have yourself to take care of but a new precious young one to take care of as well. While it may be hard to find the time, being proactive about your health can enable you to be there for all of the important years of your child’s life for decades to come. This is why a lot of parents looking into purchasing a jogging stroller, for the health aspects. However, there are other benefits to getting a running stroller. Below are just some of the positives to getting out there on the road (or sidewalk) with your children.

Benefits of Jogging Strollers

While studying the latest running stroller ratings, it became clear to see that this type of child exercise equipment is not going to be for everyone. First they can be on the expensive side and they are not all too budget friendly. Second, it actually takes time and energy to make use of these, something that young children tend to drain out of you. If you can somehow find the motivation to get out of the house then you can take full advantage of this activity.

Positive Health

This is the obvious prime benefit for parents. Running, jogging, and even walking at a brisk pace elevates the heart rate and increases oxygen intake in the body. It uses stored calories and burns fat. Aerobic exercise is terrific for the heart. This type of activity also releases certain chemicals in the brain that help reduce stress and leave you with a better feeling of overall well being. It helps not only the body, but it also helps the mind. Nothing new here.

Teaching Kids Healthy Habits

Children with parents that are active are prone to be more active themselves. You are an example to your kids everyday, and if you are out and about trying to take care of yourselves, your little ones will follow suit. This not only goes for exercise, but for diet as well. Take your children out for a ride in a jogging stroller is a wonderful way to introduce them to the world and have them see that Mom and Dad take their health seriously. This can have lifelong effects that stay with your child. They in turn may be more apt to be health conscious when they are older.

Outdoor Adventure

In the computer and game age, it is hard to find something that gets your kids out of the house. Starting them at a young age to enjoy the outdoors is a great way to introducing them to high activity fun. Toddlers and infants love to ride in these strollers and go on their own adventure with whoever is pushing them. Getting fresh air is also good for them and is a great alternative to sitting in a chair for hours at a time.

Family Activity

Doing things together, even it is just a jog around the block can have tremendous positive impact on children. The sense of family is imprinted at an early age and the bond of doing something together can have a lasting impact. They also feel a sense of inclusion as they get to come along with their parents. It may seem like a little thing to you, but it is probably a big thing to them. There are plenty of inventive outdoor family activities that you can do with your children, jogging is just one of them.

Are Running Strollers Worth It?

If you have the budget for one of these, then it would definitely be worth considering. It may seem like an overpriced piece of equipment, but a jogging stroller can have many long lasting benefits on your health as well as your child’s health and well-being. The hard part is finding the time and the motivation to do it.  For parents looking to regain their youth and get back into shape then this is something that can have several benefits for the entire family.  Running strollers can be an investment that continues to pay off for years to come.

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Cucumber Nutrition and Benefits

We often consume cucumbers as a topping for salads or in the form of a pickle, but this fruit is packed with many nutrients that should makes want to find more ways to incorporate it into our diets. Cooking and juicing cucumbers have grown in popularity as more people realize the health benefits that it can provide. It contains a number of components that are good for our health and also help protect the body from different ailments. Including this fruit (yes, technically it is considered a fruit) in some of your juicing recipes can have a significant positive impact for you.

Health Benefits

Cucumbers are 95% water, which is the most essential component of the body as it helps the body function properly. Every process in the body needs water to run smoothly, be it digestion or cleansing. Cucumbers have high water content and therefore are a good way to ensure your body is always hydrated. This diuretic fruit also helps the body get rid of toxins through urination. In fact, according to some research, cucumber consumption on a daily basis can aid in kidney stone dissolution.

Vitamins and Minerals

Cucumbers also contain numerous vitamins and minerals, each of which comes with its own nutritional and health benefits. The alkalinity of the minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus for example helps in neutralizing the body’s acidity. In a world where fast foods are the in thing in our too busy schedules, incorporation of this vegetable in the diet, will ensure body pH is always at the required level. Another important mineral component of this vegetable is silica, which promotes construction of connective tissues such as muscles, cartilage, bones, ligaments and tendons. Silicon and sulphur minerals are known to stimulate hair growth and shininess.

Like the other members of the cucurbitaceae family, this vegetable is also a rich source of vitamin A, B, C, D and E, otherwise known as cucurbitacins. All these vitamins are highly under scrutiny for their anti-cancer properties. In fact, scientists have established that cucurbitacins activities can block different signaling pathways required for cancer cell development and survival. Moreover, vitamins A, B and C boost body immunity as well as energy levels.

Cucumbers contain three types of lignans (lariciresinol, pinoresinol and secoisolariciresinol) which have been researched for a long period as possible cures for different types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, cucumber extracts have recently been established to have both anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is a common ingredient in most beauty products that are geared towards treating acne, eczema or other skin conditions due to its anti-oxidant nutrients including vitamin C, Manganese and beta-carotene. It also contains minerals that are naturally good for the skin like potassium and silicon.

Too much body water retention can also be taken care of by eating cucumber. It has the necessary electrolytes that restore hydration of the body cells hence reducing water retention. Puffy eyes are a result of too much water retention in the body, putting two slices of fresh cucumber on the eyes for ten to twenty minutes reduces the puffiness. It’s skin can also act as a sunburn healer, besides its cooling effect.

Weight Loss

Cucumber is also recommended for weight loss diets and is good for the digestive system. It has high digestible fiber and water content , both of which are good ingredients for weight loss. It contains a substance called sterols that helps reduce cholesterol level. Moreover, the vegetable itself contains low calories and zero cholesterol.

Blood Sugar

Another health benefit of cucumber is that it is good for blood sugar regulation. It has a special hormone that is needed by the pancreas cells for insulin production; it is therefore healthy and highly recommended for diabetic patients. Potassium, sodium, magnesium and fiber contents of this vegetable are also responsible for making it a good blood sugar regulator.

As you can see, cucumbers have numerous potential benefits that you should try and take advantage of. Juicing this fruit should be no sweat for any of the top rated juicers on our list. Both masticating and centrifugal juicers will be able to get the most out of this wonderful produce and deliver all of its goodness into your glass. For a refreshing example of a juicing recipe that includes cucumber check out this video below.