Month: February 2019

2019-01-31T13:01:01

(BPT) – Today’s chefs and home cooks alike are seeking more meaningful food experiences, with smart, intuitive technology that’s high-performing and saves time. This year, leading brands are changing the way culinary enthusiasts source and prepare their food, emphasizing a heightened level of respect for all ingredients throughout the process. The result? Delicious food and healthier lifestyles. Here are four trends driving the evolution of home cooking in 2019:

1. Farm fresh, locally sourced food. More than ever, home cooks strive to use fresh, locally grown or raised organic products, both in the interests of sustainability and to achieve the best tasting, most nutritious dishes. While some at-home chefs grow their own produce, others turn to sources like farmer’s markets and community-supported agriculture for the freshest ingredients in an effort to consume less processed food. Luxury kitchen appliance brands are starting to recognize this and educate consumers on how to stay “true to food.” For instance, Signature Kitchen Suite is producing short films that highlight food experts around the country who can help guide others to get the best out of everything we cook.

Food journalist, author, educator and True to Food film host Mark Bittman says, “Cooking with consciousness is a lifestyle philosophy I live by. It gets people thinking about the food they’re consuming, where it’s sourced and how it’s prepared. That’s why I believe so strongly in the True to Food mission.”

Creativity, efficiency and sustainability are keys to today’s kitchen, according to Bittman, who recently led a panel discussion of culinary and wine experts to amplify the True to Food conversation at the new Signature Kitchen Suite “Experience and Design Center” in the heart of culinary-centric Napa Valley, California.

2. Waste reduction. Along with a growing interest in food sourcing comes the need to properly store and preserve it, not only to maintain freshness, but also to reduce waste. Important tips like decluttering your refrigerator and freezer, and making sure food is stored in the correct place are good first steps, but what about the quality of your appliances? Many new built-in appliances like integrated column refrigerators and freezers are purposefully designed, from their spacious capacity to their ability to preserve fresh food through optimum temperature control, thanks to innovative features like a linear compressor and engineered all-metal interior.

3. Smart technology and modalities. Many of today’s home cooks represent a new generation of forward-thinking individuals called “Technicureans,” or those who have a passion for food and appreciation for innovation. Imagine preheating your oven remotely or having the opportunity to use a go-to cooking method used in the world’s best restaurants. Take, for instance, the versatile new 48-inch Dual-Fuel Pro Range, which is the first on the market with built-in “sous vide,” directly on the cooktop, along with induction and gas, delivering the ultimate in precision cooking.

“Sous-vide is a revolutionary professional cooking technique that is now making its way to the home kitchen,” said AJ Schaller, executive chef at Cuisine Solutions and the Culinary Research and Education Academy.

“Sous-vide allows food to cook at a precise temperature to enhance flavors and maintain moisture, consistency and nutrients that are typically lost through conventional cooking methods,” she explains. “It requires more planning for the home chef, because you increase the time you cook when using lower temperatures, but it makes life easier since it’s such a simple process that when done well can increase conservation.”

4. Food and wine pairings. Interest in wine culture is always evolving, and many at-home chefs have an affinity for curating their collections. Investing in proper storage is also key, especially for wines that are best served chilled. New integrated wine column refrigerators are bringing unique “wine cave” technology to wine connoisseurs. This technology from Signature Kitchen Suite significantly reduces vibration — a primary impediment to wine preservation that can cause chemical imbalances affecting the quality, flavors, aromas and texture. It also minimizes temperature fluctuations, limits light exposure and locks in humidity so aspiring sommeliers will have their sparkling wines, whites and rosés at the ready.

2019-01-31T14:58:32

(BPT) – The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness. Colder temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and shortened daylight hours all mean we spend more time inside than we would like.

This poses a challenge for guys, who after months of hibernation are surely climbing the walls. Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside creative outlets for guys to help maintain their sanity.

B.Y.O.B. (Brew Your Own Beer)

The craft beer craze continues to grow, with nearly 1,000 new breweries opening across the country each year, according to the Brewers Association. But no need to venture out to the local taproom if you can serve the fruits of your own labor from the comforts of home. Given the right ingredients and equipment, brewing homemade beer is as simple as following a recipe. After brewing, fermenting and bottling over a couple of weeks’ time, invite the pals over to show off your own brand of beer.

Establish the indoor work station

Tackling the list of projects around the house requires a work station where you can get things done, though being confined indoors means that space is at a premium. The portable Keter folding work table from Northern Tool + Equipment is an efficient way to establish this home base that you can easily fold up and store when finished. Use the table for working on any number of household odd jobs or help the kids with their hands-on school projects. Better still, park the table in the garage and treat it as a hang-out place for chips and beer with the buddies.

Man-décor the den

If time must be spent inside, add some intrigue from the great outdoors to your den or man cave. Nothing sparks some good storytelling like a realistic taxidermy specimen mounted on the wall, and the Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s is sure to turn heads. No two of these creatures are alike, so regale your pals with epic tales of the chase until you can all get out on the trail again.

Embrace the elements

You know what they say: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The only surefire way to overcome stir-craziness is to get outside, no matter what the elements may present. If it’s snowing, try an hourly or full-day snowmobile rental. If your area has been hit with heavy rains, fight back by taking the truck out. Be creative and get the whole family involved so that when the day is done, all will be happy to enjoy the comforts of the indoors once again.

2019-01-31T15:15:00

(BPT) – What if you were 60 but felt more like you were 30? Consider taking charge of your nutrition by adding in foods that help you feel decades younger.

“What you eat and drink can have a tremendous impact on how you look and feel,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. “Eating healthy is important at any age, but as you get older, certain foods can have a powerful impact on your overall well-being.”

Dawn’s top picks for food that fight aging include:

Fish

“Try substituting fish into meals a few times a week,” says Dawn. “Americans tend to eat less fish than people in other parts of the world and they are missing out on great-tasting protein that’s packed with omega-3s.”

Omega-3s support brain and heart health, two important considerations as you age. In fact, Mayo Clinic doctors believe that omega-3s reduce the risk of dying of heart disease.

“Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are good options,” she says. “Try buying wild-caught versus farm-raised when possible.”

Eggs

“Many people don’t realize the benefits of eating eggs, and when you choose the right type of egg, you get higher levels of omega-3s, B12, and vitamin E, all nutrients needed for healthy aging,” says Dawn.

She suggests Eggland’s Best eggs, which have 25 percent less saturated fat, more than double the omega-3s, 10 times more vitamin E, and more than double the amount of vitamin B12. Eggland’s Best has superior nutrition due to its proprietary all-vegetarian hen feed that contains healthy grains, canola oil and a wholesome supplement of rice bran, alfalfa, sea kelp and vitamin E.

Our ability to absorb energizing B12 decreases with age, so getting B12 in places like EB eggs is important. Also important in EB eggs is the antioxidant vitamin E, which can act like an internal “sunscreen” to protect skin from sun damage and help skin age more gracefully.

“A better egg equals a better recipe,” she says. “Eggland’s Best eggs are the only eggs I recommend to my clients and serve to my family — double the omega-3s will help promote healthier aging.”

Berries

“Antioxidants protect your cells from damage and support a strong immune system,” says Dawn. “This is incredibly important as you age so you can stay healthy and feel younger.”

Packed with vitamins C and E, berries are a superfood great for snacking and cooking. Try eating an array of colorful berries each week to give your body the antioxidants it craves. Blueberries are particularly well-known for their antioxidant properties.

“The sky is the limit for berry versatility,” she says. “Sprinkle some in yogurt, make a smoothie, add some to a salad or eat as a healthy dessert.”

Cruciferous vegetables

“Pack your plate with cruciferous vegetables as you age,” says Dawn. “These are members of the cabbage family and include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale.”

These tasty greens are great fresh or cooked, providing plenty of fiber to help keep your digestion on track, which is a concern for many as they age. But there’s more: The National Cancer Institute states that cruciferous vegetables may help reduce the risk of some cancers.

“These dark-green powerhouses pack a nutritional punch that supports healthy aging, so discover recipes that include cruciferous vegetables and other ‘anti-aging’ foods.”

Dawn shares one of her favorite recipes featuring some of these ingredients.

Omega 3 Burrito

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped red onion

2 tablespoons cream cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

4 Eggland’s Best eggs (large)

4 lacinato kale leaves, de-stemmed with leaves finely chopped

4 ounces sliced smoked salmon

2 10-inch whole-wheat tortillas

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Once oil is hot, add onion stirring occasionally until softened, approximately 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for one minute.

Add kale to skillet and toss to combine with garlic and onion.

Continue sautéing for five minutes, or until kale becomes tender.

Add Eggland’s Best eggs into skillet with kale and scramble until cooked through.

Remove mixture from heat and set aside.

If warm tortillas are desired, simply place them on a microwavable plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.

Spread cream cheese on the tortillas and lay salmon onto tortilla.

Spoon egg and kale mixture into center of tortillas.

Roll up burrito-style, tucking in the ends and enjoy.

2019-01-31T16:17:01

(BPT) – Getting sick is not fun at any time of year, and feeling under the weather can definitely cramp your style. Acclaimed American figure skater Adam Rippon knows that when you’re trying to win a skating or dance competition, for example, there’s no time for being sick.

Rippon shares five of his top tips for getting through if you get sick this year:

Tip 1: Keep your germs to yourself.

Whether you’re going to a big family gathering or traveling on a crowded flight, there’s no reason to share the sickness. Always wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer and, if you can, stay home.

Tip 2: Feed a cold.

In addition to the classics like orange juice and chicken noodle soup, Rippon also likes to indulge himself and eat things that remind him of childhood, that make him feel good. No reason to be sick AND hangry, right?

Tip 3: Get a med that gives you the feels.

The new Vicks^® DayQuil™ and NyQuil™ SEVERE with VapoCOOL™ pair the powerful cold symptom relief you can trust with a soothing rush of Vicks^® Vapors. It’s like a full-on body vapor hug.

Tip 4: Do you (or just pretend to).

Rippon says, “When feeling sick, I sometimes like to fake it till I make it, and trick my brain back into the swing of things. Get back to the gym, sweat or skate it out.” Do those things you love to feel like you again.

Tip 5: “You might find this surprising, but I like to talk,” says Rippon.

“When I’m sick, my throat can get sore easily. I keep a drop handy, like the new Vicks^® VapoCOOL™ SEVERE Medicated Drops, which are stronger than any other leading cough drop brand because they have the most menthol allowed in a throat drop. You’re welcome.”

Even if you’re not a champion figure skater, it is still possible to glide through the season. Just remember to follow these tips so you can cope with whatever the cold, cough and flu season brings! For more information, visit https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/vapocool.

2019-01-31T14:01:01

(BPT) – Maybe it’s the follicular pheromones, or the fuzzy feel, but one thing is certain — women love men with beards. In fact, research has revealed the majority of U.S. women prefer a man with facial hair over a clean-shaven face. Something women don’t love, however, is the mess a neatly groomed beard can leave behind. Not to worry ladies, just in time for Valentine’s Day, there’s a new beard trimmer on the market designed for bearded men, and the women who love them.

If you’re looking for the perfect present for your bearded beloved, you can’t “mess up” with the new Wahl Lithium Ion Vacuum Trimmer. Its special vacuum intake solves the woe of wayward whiskers in the sink or covering the counter.

For the love of beards

Wahl’s had a hunch for years, but an online survey from market research leader ORC International confirmed it — the majority of U.S. women prefer a man with facial hair over a clean-shaven face (58 percent vs. 42 percent, respectively). Millennial women showed a particular panache with a 71 percent preference. In general, 65 percent of women find facial hair attractive, and 57 percent describe men with facial hair as masculine or handsome. As far as style, stubble topped the preference list and a well-groomed beard was a close second.

While women prefer a well-groomed beard, achieving this look often leaves a hairy aftermath. Thankfully, the new Wahl Lithium Ion Vacuum Trimmer is designed with easy cleaning in mind. The trimmer crushes the competition with the highest air velocity in the industry. This translates into virtually all of the hair trimmings being captured — and no more mess.

Features special to the trimmer include an adjustable vacuum intake to control the amount of suction, and anti-choke exhaust ports on the front and back for high-performance. Clean up is a breeze with a hair canister that can either be removed and emptied, or popped open and dumped.

Standard to Wahl, the Vacuum Trimmer doesn’t compromise on its grooming capabilities with the power of lithium ion technology, a 90-minute run time, self-sharpening precision blades, LED charge indicator, nine guide combs and the option for corded or cordless operation.

The new Wahl Lithium Ion Vacuum Trimmer has an MSRP of $59.99 and is available at select retailers nationwide, or at WahlUSA.com.