Become An Herb Distributor

There are two types of herb distributors: a retail herb distributor and a wholesale herb distributor. For both approaches you will need to have either work experience or basic training in business. If you do not wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in business, you have the option of taking business courses from the Small Business Administration. The SBA can help you design a business plan and even grant you a small business loan.

Instructions

Education and Research

1. Decide whether you want to be a retail herb distributor or a wholesale herb distributor. This step is important because as a retail herb distributor you will need a storefront and you will deal directly with consumers. As a wholesale distributor, you will be selling to various retail stores, shipping your herbs or making personal deliveries.

2. Visit your local Small Business Administration Office. You will find helpful information on business training courses that will help you run a successful business. Also, you may apply for a small business loan that will have very low interest rates designed to support your entrepreneurship.

3. Take courses that relate to business administration and also take courses that are specific to distribution. Learn as much as you can about running a business, having a budget and filing your taxes. The more you learn, the better service you will provide as a distributor.

4. Decide which kinds of herbs you want to distribute. You may want to focus on a certain type of herb, such as aromatic or medicinal herbs. You can also focus on herbs from a specific geographical region.

5. Research what prices existing retail and wholesale distributors offer for the herbs you are interested in distributing.

6. Contact local farmers that harvest the herbs you want to distribute. If you are thinking of being a retail distributor, get in touch with different wholesale distributors that handle your desired herbs.

Getting Started

7. Compare all of your research findings and come up with a price that would work for your business. Remember to stay within market value in order to keep your distribution business competitive.

8. Make business cards and order forms that include your contact information. Make the order forms simple to understand so that your clients can easily become familiar with your distribution business.

9. Contact any retail stores that you think will be interested in the herbs you carry if you are a wholesale distributor. Otherwise, set up a retail location where you will run your retail herb distribution business.

10. Purchase a large order of herbs to make the shipping costs and price per pound affordable for resale. Keep the herbs in a cool and dry storage area.

11. Maintain good quality herbs in your inventory in order to build customer satisfaction and trust. Keep your inventory in check so you don't run out of merchandise before your next order arrives.

Tags: herb distributor, retail herb, courses that, distribution business, retail herb distributor, Business Administration

The Advantage Of Using Vegetable Oil As A Fuel

Vegetable oil has the potential to be a fuel of the future.

Converted to biodiesel, vegetable oil offers an effective alternative to regular diesel fuel. Vegetable oil can also be used "straight" in specially converted cars, where the oil is pre-heated to make it less viscous, or thick.

Cost

Vegetable oil may be cheaper than standard diesel if bought in bulk. Used vegetable oil can sometimes be obtained free.

Availability

Waste vegetable oil (WVO) can easily be obtained from restaurants. Vegetable oil is also readily available in supermarkets.

Toxicity

Unlike fossil fuels, vegetable oil is not toxic and will not require hospitalization if it hits the skin or is swallowed.

Environment

Growing plants for vegetable oil produces no emissions and is a natural process. Vegetable oil fuels are clean and do not increase carbon dioxide or release other harsh pollutants into the air.

Potential

Growing plants for vegetable oil fuel may result in more jobs, revitalized local agriculture and give people in developing countries a chance to lift themselves out of poverty. However, crops for fuels may impact the land available to grow crops for food. Biofuel is, therefore, a balancing act.

Warning

Before using vegetable oil in your car, check local laws. For example, the UK Revenue and Customs website notes that it is illegal to use alternative fuels without first paying duty.

Tags: Growing plants, Growing plants vegetable, plants vegetable, Vegetable also

Consecrate Olive Oil

Olive oil can be consecrated for religious purposes.

People of many religious faiths use oils and balms for blessings, to annoint the sick and to protect people and places. Before oil or balm can be used for religious purposes, it must be consecrated -- blessed, or dedicated to a sacred purpose. When consecrating olive oil, take care to select a good-quality brand. A person of the specific religion involved should be the one to perform the consecration.

Instructions

1. Hold an open container of olive oil in your hands.

2. Say a prayer to God the Father (or Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, etc., depending on the religion) asking Him to sanctify the oil and stating the authority (e.g., Jesus) by which the oil will be consecrated. The authority, again, will depend on the religion.

3. Close your prayer in the name of the authority you stated at the beginning of your prayer. An example of a consecration prayer is: "Dear God, by the authority of Jesus, I consecrate and dedicate this oil for the purpose of anointing anyone or anything for any (insert your specific religion) purpose. I do this in the name of Jesus. Amen."

Tags: authority Jesus, religious purposes, specific religion, your prayer

Restaurants On North Illinois St In Indianapolis

Cold deli food on a hot summer day can hit the spot--and many restaurants on North Illinois Street offer it.

Dining out can be relaxing, and the opportunity to choose from so many options on a menu can be exciting. Often we're sick of dining at the same places, and we need a new experience. By doing a little research, we can increase the odds of having a fine meal. North Illinois Street in Indianapolis, Ind., is heavily populated with a variety of restaurants, and can be the site of a culinary adventure. Add this to my Recipe Box.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

McCormick & Schmick's is a high-class restaurant with high-quality dishes. The restaurant assures customers that its seafood is fresh by printing a new version of its menu twice a day; if a menu item cannot be served fresh, it is deleted from the menu until the new seafood arrives. McCormick & Schmick's serves fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, lobster and crab. It also serves a variety of nonseafood dishes, including salads, pastas, poultry and steaks.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

110 North Illinois St.

Indianapolis, Ind. 46204

317-631-9500

mccormickandschmicks.com

Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo is an Italian restaurant that specializes in serving food from both Northern and Southern Italy. Dishes include pastas with a variety of sauces, salads such as the antipasto, and pizzas. Bring in the family and enjoy a family-style meal served, or order curbside pickup and have the meal delivered to your car, and share your meal at home.

Buca di Beppo

35 North Illinois St.

Indianapolis, Ind. 46204

317-632-2822

bucadibeppo.com

Weber Grill

In business for 50 years, Weber Grill offers meals including burgers, steaks and other slow-smoked regional barbecue. Weber Grill also offers Smokey Joe's Bar, a full-service bar for mingling with friends, meeting dates and watching sports.

Weber Grill

10 North Illinois St.

Indianapolis, Ind. 46204

317-636-7600

webergrillrestaurant.com

Illinois Street Food Emporium

Illinois Street Food Emporium specializes in deli classics and cold cuts with classic cold salads or chips. Diners can choose a trendy traditional box lunch or a delicious gourmet box lunch, and have pastries for dessert. Menu items hit the taste buds of all food lovers, including those looking for a bit more and those on a diet. The Food Emporium is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and guarantees a fresh tasty meal.

Illinois Street Food Emporium

5550 North Illinois St.

Indianapolis, Ind. 46208

317-253-9513

eatincarryout.com

Tags: North Illinois, Illinois Indianapolis, Illinois Street, North Illinois Indianapolis, Food Emporium, McCormick Schmick, Weber Grill

Wheat Free Baking

Most gluten is derived from wheat or wheat-based products.

Wheat-free or gluten-free diets tend to incorporate fewer overall calories, more dietary fiber and less simple sugar than high-starch diets, which prompts many health-conscious individuals to make part or all of their food consumption gluten-free. Also, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately one in 33 people in the United States have celiac disease -- a digestive condition that inhibits the uptake of gluten. As a result, wheat-free diets have influenced the eating habits of many, and resulted in increased use of gluten-free flours, foods and food alternatives. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Gluten-Free Solutions

1. Explore alternatives to wheat flour. Wheat flour alternatives, when combined with xanthan gum, provide elasticity to dough comparable to gluten, and the body and texture offered from wheat-based products. Substitutes for wheat include potato starch, tapioca, soy, quinoa, rice and nut flours.

2. Create a unique blend of non-gluten flours to address your baking needs. It is important to remember when creating gluten-free flour that flour mixes work better than single substitutions. For instance, the graininess of rice flour has to be balanced with a fine-textured flour, such as tapioca, to achieve an ideal consistency.

3. Use xanthan gum to add pliability to non-gluten flour. Xanthan gum, a corn-sugar derivative, acts as a thickener, emulsifier or stabilizer, depending on the application. According to Bette Hagman, author of "The Gluten-Free Gourmet: Living Well without Wheat Revised Edition," use .75 teaspoons of xanthan gum per cup of non-gluten flour when baking bread, use .5 teaspoons per cup for cakes and .25 to .5 teaspoons per cup for cookies.

Gluten-Free Flour Mix

4. Add 2 cups white rice flour, 2.5 cups brown rice flour, .75 cups and 2 tablespoons of. potato starch, .75 cups and 2 tablespoons of tapioca flour, .5 cups corn starch and 3 tablespoons xanthan gum to a large mixing bowl.

5. Mix thoroughly with a whisk. As an alternative, place the ingredients in a stand mixer, and, using the whisk attachment, mix on low for two minutes.

6. Store the flour mix in an airtight food storage container. Use the gluten-free flour mix in recipes that prescribe all-purpose flour or other wheat-based flour.

Tags: flour cups, rice flour, cups tablespoons, flour Wheat, non-gluten flour

Get Rid Of Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes illnesses such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and cramps. It is transferred through fecal matter, and can be transferred either from animal to human, or human to human. It is possible to kill the salmonella germs before being infected. Simply follow the correct preparation and cooking procedures to be sure the bacteria is killed before ingestion. Once you have been infected, there are also simple ways to get rid of the infection.

Instructions

Getting Rid of Salmonella

1. Make sure that the food is fully cooked before eating. Salmonella is often contracted by eating contaminated foods. Cooking food to the proper temperature will kill the bacteria. Foods that can be contaminated are most often meat and poultry, but can also be eggs, dairy, and vegetables. Use an oven thermometer to be sure the meat has reached a safe temperature.

2. Avoid cross contamination of food. Do not cut raw meat and vegetables on the same cutting board. Make sure your vegetables are washed thoroughly before cooking.

3. If you have ingested Salmonella, drink lots of fluids. Your body will usually be clear of infection in five to seven days. You can easily become dehydrated with diarrhea. Any liquids will do.

4. Eat if you can. Avoid greasy foods, but anything else for adults should be fine. Rice, bananas, toast, and applesauce are good foods for children.

5. If the diarrhea is sever, see your doctor. You may be admitted to the hospital and given fluids intravenously.

Tags: human human, Make sure

Kraft Foods Careers

Kraft is a food production company. Kraft has locations in various cities across the globe, from North America to Africa and through Europe. Kraft manufactures food products such as Oreo, Velveeta, Crystal Light and Oscar Meyer. Various employment opportunities are available with Kraft at all of their locations. The Kraft website offers a helpful job opportunity search tool for prospective employees.

Corporate

Corporate positions are available at Kraft. Searching for corporate positions is available online and is divided by country. Employment opportunities in the corporate sector for the United States Kraft locations include Human Resources professionals, research development, legal, logistics and engineering. To apply for these positions use the website's search tool to find an open position in your area and simply follow the application instructions on screen.

Hourly Positions

Hourly positions are also available at Kraft. To find open employment opportunities for hourly employees, simply select "hourly" from the job search options on the Kraft website. Job search for hourly employees is also separated by nation. Some hourly positions at Kraft in the United States include sales and customer service. To apply for these positions simply use the job search tool for hourly positions in the same format as above for the corporate positions.

Job Titles

Kraft is always looking for prospective employees with dedication and initiative. In the United States, Kraft is constantly accepting resumes for full-time work in production, warehouse and maintenance. In February 2010 the Cadbury company became part of Kraft. As of August 2010 Kraft foods is actively looking to staff multiple positions for the Cadbury brand in brand manager, engineering, sales planning and associate director.

Tags: search tool, United States, apply these, apply these positions, available Kraft

Rules For Uses Of Chicken Manure

Compost is organic matter decomposed and recycled as fertilizer and soil.

The average chicken produces one cubic foot of manure every six months. Chicken manure is one of the richest animal manures. Many chicken owners collect manure and soiled bedding on a daily basis. It is considered "hot" and must be composted before you can add it to a garden, or else it will burn the plants it comes in contact with. Does this Spark an idea?

Chicken Manure Benefits

Manure is a great asset for home gardener, but chicken manure is very strong and cannot be used in raw form on your flowers or vegetables. Therefore, chicken manure should be composted and converted to "black gold." After it is composted, it will be a good soil additive, adding organic matter and increasing the capacity of the soil to hold water. It is also provides Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium to plants.

Collect Manure and Bedding

Chicken coops are filled with bedding composed of shavings, dry leaves, saw dust or straw. The bedding provides a dry cushion for chickens while controlling odor and pests. The coop bedding is often collected with the manure and dumped into a compost bin.

Chicken Manure Safety Tips

Chicken manure contains diseased organisms that could contaminate root crops and leaves, such as: carrots, radishes, beets, lettuce, and spinach. Spreading non-composted manure will burn any plants in your vegetable garden. Only apply aged or composted manure to the soil. Wear gloves when handling manure. Wash raw vegetables before eating, because people who are susceptible to food borne illnesses may become sick.

Composting Chicken Manure

Use a "hot compost" recipe to prepare the chicken manure. Combine the correct ratio of manure and bedding at one time to form a pile (about one cubic yard), then add moisture material. This will produce a hot pile of 130-150 degrees F. Maintain that temperature for three to four days to destroy pathogens, but make sure the temperature does not rise above 160 degrees, because that will kill any beneficial microorganisms. Purchase a compost temperature gauge from a local nursery to help you achieve appropriate temperature. Once the compost pile has reached the required temperature, let it cool while pulling the center apart and moving the core material to the edges. After it has been heated and cooled, monitor the pile and loosely cover it. Let it cure for 60 days before use. When it is done, the chicken manure will be dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling.

Tags: burn plants, Chicken Manure, manure will, organic matter, will burn, will burn plants

Cook A Turkey In A Deep Fryer

You can deep fry a whole turkey in less than a third of the time takes to bake one in the oven. Deep frying instantly surrounds the raw turkey in hot oil to create a crispy brown skin and seal moisture into the meat. Working with large quantities of hot oil requires constant attention to avoid injury. Treat your guests to a holiday turkey that is more tender and juicy than the dried out oven cooked varieties. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Unwrap the turkey and remove the bag of bones and giblets from the internal cavity. Discard the bag and its contents or save them for a stock or gravy by storing them in the refrigerator.

2. Lower the whole raw turkey into the empty deep fryer pot on a hook or in a fry basket with the wings facing up.

3. Pour cold water on top of the turkey until the level of the water is two inches above the top of the bird.

4. Lift the turkey above the deep fryer and allow the water to drain back into the fryer pot before moving it to a cutting board.

5. Measure the height of the water left behind in the deep fryer by lowering a clean ruler straight down to the bottom of the pot.

6. Pour all the water out of the fryer pot and dry it completely with a kitchen towel.

7. Lower the ruler into the bottom of the pot and pour in peanut oil until the level reaches the previous height of the water.

8. Lower the fryer thermometer into the oil and secure it to the side of the fryer pot.

9. Light the deep fryer burner and set it to medium high heat until the oil reaches between 325 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The oil will take between 15 and 20 minutes to reach temperature.

10. Pat down the turkey with a kitchen towel to dry all the interior and exterior surfaces completely. Exterior seasonings tend to wash off in the deep fryer and can quickly give the oil a burnt flavor. Seasoning injectors can be used to squirt marinade directly into the raw turkey meat and add extra flavor.

11. Place the dry turkey into a fry basket or onto a hook and cover your hands with heat resistant gloves.

12. Lower the turkey into the hot oil slowly to reduce splashing and allow some of the steam to release before the turkey is completely submerged. Take a full minute to drop in the turkey a little at a time if your arms are strong enough.

13. Cook the turkey in the deep fryer for approximately 3 minutes per pound before testing the internal temperature with a probe thermometer.

14. Lift the turkey above the oil with covered hands to let it drain when it is finished cooking. Temperature readings in the thigh need to be about 180 degrees F and readings in the breast meat around 170 degrees F for the turkey to be cooked.

15. Move the deep fried turkey to a cutting board and allow it to cool for 1 minute per pound before carving to serve.

Tags: deep fryer, turkey into, cutting board, height water, kitchen towel

Smoke A Turkey On A Wood Smoker

A 12- to 14-pound turkey is the ideal size for the average smoker.

When you think of Thanksgiving, you probably think of the traditional roasted turkey, but the same old turkey with the same old flavor every year gets boring. Fried turkeys have become an alternative to roast turkey, but frying can be a risky undertaking. Another alternative for your Thanksgiving feast -- or for a weekday dinner -- is to put your turkey on a grill or smoker to cook. When a turkey is smoked, it takes on the flavor of the wood chips used to smoke it, which adds a new dimension of flavor to the traditional Thanksgiving bird. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Combine all the brine ingredients for the brine marinade in a bucket large enough to hold 2 gallons of water. Brining requires water and salt, which adds much-needed flavor and moisture deep into the turkey. Add or omit seasonings, depending on how you want the turkey to taste. Let the turkey sit in the brine overnight for between 10 to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Fill the charcoal bowl on the smoker halfway with coal. Place a few chunks of damp hickory or oak wood chips on top; top up with more charcoal. Light the top charcoal for a slow, progressive burn. Alternatively, use apple or mesquite wood, which are also good woods for smoking; each imparts its own flavor to your turkey.

3. Fill the water pan two-thirds full of hot water. Keep the temperature between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan to smoke the turkey about 30 minutes per pound.

4. Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse off thoroughly to remove excess salt. Pat dry with a paper towel. Brush a little melted butter over the top of the turkey. For more flavor, stuff the cavity of the turkey with celery, carrots and and apple. Tie the legs together with twine.

5. Place the turkey on the smoker with the breast-side down. Cover the smoker with the lid and allow the turkey to cook and so the wood-smoked flavor to permeate into the meat. Baste the turkey about every hour with more butter. The turkey is ready when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit and the thickest part of the breast reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Remove the turkey from the smoker and place it on a serving platter. Cover the turkey in aluminum foil. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the juices to settle throughout the turkey. Carve and serve.

Tags: degrees Fahrenheit, about minutes, Remove turkey, Remove turkey from, smoker with, thickest part

Make Spelt Pizza Crust

Spelt flour is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional wheat-based flours and can often be substituted easily in many recipes. The best part is, you will hardly notice the difference in taste; chances are you will even find this flavorable grain more preferable than wheat. It is easy to work with and in addition to making an excellent pizza crust can be used for cookies, cakes, breads and coating for fish and chicken. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Preparing the Dough

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and mix with large spoon.

2. Add oil, rosemary and salt, mixing well.

3. Mix in the rest of the flour and turn out onto a well-floured surface; knead for 5 minutes. Add more flour until dough is no longer sticky.

4. Rinse and dry the bowl and lubricate with olive oil. Return dough to bowl, turning once to cover in oil.

5. Cover dough with clean kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place in the kitchen.

Perfect Crust

6. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and divide dough into two or three pieces, depending upon pan size and crust preference; on flat, floured surface roll out each piece to approximate pan size.

7. Sprinkle each pan with a light dusting of cornmeal and lay dough in the pans. Oil your fingertips and press pizza dough into each pan.

8. Lightly precook the crust before adding sauce and toppings. You want the dough to rise enough in the oven to form bubbles but remove before it begins to brown, less than 5 minutes.

9. Remove crust from oven and put on sauce and toppings. You can use an instant sauce (Prego basil or traditional spaghetti sauce works well and is enough for all pizzas) or make your own.

10. Add mozarella or pizza cheese and your favorite toppings. Return to oven until cheese is warm and bubbly and slightly brown. Check after 10 minutes as oven times may vary.

Tags: dough into, sauce toppings

Live Healthy With Ayurveda

Live Healthy with Ayurveda

Ayurveda is grounded in an ancient Vedic source of wisdom for physical and spiritual health. Incorporating healthy eating, physical remedies and the "Wisdom of Life," Ayurveda offers the seeker a path to harmony and balance within her own self and with the natural world.

Instructions

Ayurveda: The Wisdom of Healthy Living

1. Consult an Ayurveda expert who can help to establish a rhythm that meets your unique characteristics and needs.

2. Live in accord with your natural rhythm and the rhythm of reality. Begin with what you eat. Ayurveda eating emphasizes fresh, seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables. Three divisions of foods are Sattavic, Rajasic and Tamasic, which correspond to the body's Sattva (clarity), Rajas (energy) and Tamas (inertia). Tamas is to be avoided.Develop a daily routine. Allow Ayurveda to integrate into your life's affairs. Ayurveda provides suggestions for waking, cleansing, eating and prayer.

3. Make a schedule for your days and nights and stick to it. Your schedule will help to create balance among the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Details even address which side to sleep on from one night to another.

4. Breathe, move, contemplate. Breath (pranayama), physical exercise and meditation are essential Ayurveda activities for healthy living.

5. Practice the ancient wisdom of Yoga. There are many schools of Yoga. Research and select a school that resonates with you. Yoga schools include Anusara, Integral, and Bikram.

Tags: Live Healthy

Make Bark Chocolate Flavoring

Chocolate bark can be made using a multitude of flavorings and ingredients. The following recipe shows the basic technique that almost anyone can do. Chocolate bark makes a great gift idea or holiday treat. Peppermint flavored chocolate bark is very popular and can be made with peppermint extract and some candy cane chunks. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place the quart pot half filled with water on the stove over medium heat. Place the bowl over the pot. This makes a double boiler that will melt the chocolate with out burning it. Keep it on medium heat so the water doesn't boil over.

2. Put the chocolate in the bowl and let it melt, stirring regularly. The indirect moist heat of the double boiler will insulate the chocolate from burning. Don't walk away from the stove, as you want a nice smooth consistency of melted chocolate.

3. Remove from the heat. Add a few splashes of Grand Marnier, an orange flavored liqueur. This will produce an orange flavored chocolate bark. Any flavor combinations can be made at this stage by adding flavored extracts, chopped nuts, peppermint or candied fruit.

4. Spread the chocolate on the wax paper lined cookie sheet and let dry. Ideally the chocolate should be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick on the cookie sheet.

5. Use the knife to rough cut the chocolate into pieces once hardened. Do this by half cutting, half breaking the pieces, this adds to the bark look of the chocolate. Enjoy

Tags: cookie sheet, double boiler, flavored chocolate, flavored chocolate bark, medium heat, orange flavored

Cook Turkey With Red Wine

Despite how intimidating it may seem to the beginner cook, roasting a turkey is actually quite easy. There are hundreds of ways to prepare a turkey and everyone has their own favorite technique. Some families enjoy deep frying their turkey while others wouldn't dream of settling for anything less than Mom's all-day roasted bird. Wine is usually an ingredient found in the gravy that accompanies the turkey. You can, however, actually cook the bird with red wine and it will help to crisp up the skin and add a slightly tangy flavor. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Remove the top rack in your oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Rinse the bird thoroughly, both inside and out, with cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels. Make sure the bird has no moisture left on the outside.

3. Using your hands, rub olive oil over the surface of the turkey. Sprinkle thyme, salt and pepper over the turkey and rub it around evenly.

4. Cut the butter into thin squares, if cold. If it is room temperature, use 1/4 teaspoon at a time and push it gently, under the skin of the turkey. Be very careful not to puncture the skin.

5. Stuff the cavity with stuffing, if desired, and truss the legs.

6. Pour one to two inches of red wine into the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the turkey on a rack and then into a roasting pan and place it in the oven.

7. Baste the turkey with a mixture of 1/2 cup dry red wine and 1/2 cup melted butter every 30 minutes.

8. Continue cooking until your meat thermometer, inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, reads 170 degrees F. This should take 3 hours, or 15 minutes per pound.

9. Allow the turkey to sit in a warm area for 30 minutes after you remove it from the oven.

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Can A Greenhouse Be Heated With Biogas

Heating greenhouses with biogas increases yields.

Biogas is a byproduct of organic waste. It is usually flared or ignited onsite to destroy toxic contaminants and then left to disperse into the atmosphere. Biogas can provide an inexpensive, though imperfect, option for heating horticultural greenhouses. Does this Spark an idea?

Concept

You can ferment greenhouse waste, municipal solid waste, wastewater sludge, biodegradable feedstock and energy crops in an anaerobic digester to produce biogas, which can then be recirculated through the greenhouse as a heating source. Plant biogas contains approximately 80 percent methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

Benefits

In addition to producing heat, biogas can also provide a beneficial carbon dioxide supplement, as well as nitrogen supplement if animal waste is included in the biogas production process. In 2002, French researchers demonstrated that by converting a commercial boiler to biogas and purifying carbon-dioxide-rich combustion exhaust gases of toxic residues, crop yields were much higher than those in a control group. The researchers also found that the economics of heating greenhouses with biogas outweighed the heating cost-savings from burning up biogas onsite.

Drawbacks

Predicting the exact chemical composition of biogas is nearly impossible. You can measure it only after it has been produced. Biogas is less abundant in winter, when a greenhouse needs heating the most.

Tags: greenhouses with, greenhouses with biogas, with biogas

Remove Stains From Inside Pots & Pans

Clean pots and pans soon after stains appear.

Stained pots and pans not only look unsightly; the stains can affect the flavor of the food cooked in the pots and pans. Some stains, especially those stains that are cooked on, can be difficult to remove. You can remove stains from your pots and pans using ingredients from your kitchen. Once you remove the stains, you'll be ready to use your clean, stain-free pans to cook your next meal. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

1. Fill your stainless steel pot or pan with white vinegar. Ensure you have enough white vinegar in the pot or pan to completely cover the stains. Soak the stains in the white vinegar for 30 minutes.

2. Pour the white vinegar out of your stainless steel pot or pan. Fill a dishpan with hot water and add a few squirts of dish washing liquid to make the water soapy. Rinse the pot or pan in the hot soapy water.

3. Run cold water in your sink and rinse the stainless steel pot or pan thoroughly. Allow your clean cookware to dry, upside down, in a dish rack.

Glass Cookware

4. Fill your glass pot or pan with a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water. Place your glass pan or pot on the stove top and heat the mixture to a boil over low heat.

5. Boil the vinegar solution in the pot or pan for five minutes. Remove the cookware from the heat and allow it to cool completely.

6. Pour out the vinegar solution and fill the glassware with hot water and a few drops of dish washing detergent. Add 1 to 2 tbsp. of baking soda to the soapy solution to add abrasiveness and cut through grease.

7. Scrub the glass pot or pan with a dish scrubber.

8. Rinse your glassware with cool water and allow it to dry in a dish drying rack.

Cast Iron Pots and Pans

9. Pour club soda into your stained cast iron pot or pan while it is still warm. Allow the club soda to remain in the pot or pan until it cools.

10. A scrub brush is an important tool for cleaning cast iron.

Scrub with a scrub brush to remove food stains. Use a stiff-bristled brush to help scrape off and loosen food particles.

11. Dampen a clean sponge with water and squeeze out the excess liquid. Wipe the inside and outside of the cast iron cookware with your sponge. Rinse the sponge with water frequently as you wipe down your pot or pan.

12. Dry the cast iron thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Enamel Pots and Pans

13. Fill the enamel pot or pan with hot water.

14. Add 1 tbsp. of liquid fabric softener to the water and stir to mix. Soak your enamel cookware in the fabric softener solution for one hour.

15. Rinse the enamel cookware with warm water and scrub the stain with a dish scrubber.

16. Fill the pot or pan with warm water and one or two denture cleaning tablets if any stain remains. Allow the solution to sit until the denture tablets stop fizzing. Pour the denture tablet solution out of your enamel pot or pan.

17.Wash the pot or pan with warm water and dish soap. The food stains will come off easily after you use denture tablets. Rinse your enamel cookware well with warm water and allow it to dry in a dish drying rack.

Tags: white vinegar, with water, cast iron, warm water, with warm, with warm water, enamel cookware

Rent Trailer Homes

Trailer homes are a very common type of rental unit. Actually searching for a trailer home to rent is a relatively easy task. But you make it easier when you know sort through what is available and recognize possible matches for your specifications, instead of spending needless effort on research and needless time on visits to trailers that don't accommodate your needs. Since the best deals are likely to move quickly, waste no time in getting started on your trailer home rental hunt. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Decide what type of trailer home you are seeking to rent. Single-wide trailers are under 90 feet long, and 18 feet wide or smaller. Double-wide trailers are actually two joined trailers. Triple-wides exist, but are far less common as rental units.

2. Calculate your rental budget. Financial experts usually advise that you should not spend more than 30 percent of your net income on rent. Of course, you may also want to consider the cost of utility bills in your rental trailer. Older trailers, just like older houses, often have higher heating and electric bills.

3. Gather your references, your credit report and your proof of income before beginning your phone calls. Trailer owners seeking to rent may be eager to show the home right away, and if you know that a particular trailer is a potential match, you will want to provide the owner with your information right away. The responsibility you show in your preparedness will stand out, and the landlord can get right to work on checking your information, perhaps even putting a halt to future showings at that point.

4. Begin a thorough search of rental-home advertisements. While your local newspaper is a traditional place to start, Web sites such as craigslist.org are common places for Internet-savvy landlords to advertise their rentals. Real estate agents often know of rental units, and visiting a trailer park's management office will almost surely lead to a walk-through of rentals. The largest Web site for mobile home sales and rentals is mhvillage.com.

5. Compare your options after viewing several trailers. Consider affordability, the age, condition, and durability of the trailer, the availability of owner maintenance and emergency repairs, your own location preferences, the laundry facilities, and any other factors that may be of importance to you in choosing your trailer home rental.

Tags: trailer home, your trailer home, home rental, rental units, right away

Hanukkah Food Gifts

Fried potato pancakes ("latkes") are a special Hanukkah food.

Almost every Jewish holiday has some type of special food, and Hanukkah is no exception. Foods cooked in oil are especially favored, from jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot) to fried potato latkes (pancakes), in commemoration of the oil that burned in the Temple candelabrum for eight days. With some creativity, you can create a Hanukkah food gift that will please every palate.

Traditional Food Gifts

A traditional theme would be a gift basket containing homemade (or store bought) potato latkes, some sufganiyot, candles, a driedel (spinning top) or two, some chocolate gold coins, and some nice ribboning or tissue paper. Dress up your gift basket nicely, and deliver.

Dairy Food Gifts

Dairy foods are also eaten on Hanukkah, in commemoration of Judith's victory over Holofernes, which involved salty cheese. Decorate and fill your gift basket with all types of dairy goods such as cheese latkes, sour cream, atayef (cheese-stuffed Syrian pancakes), spiced hot chocolate (use Hanukkah chocolate coins). Decorate the gift basket and deliver.

Dreidel Theme

An adorable Hanukkah gift basket can be made by creating edible dreidels (spinning tops). Stick a toothpick into a big marshmallow, so that it pops out the other side. Then cover a chocolate kiss with icing (preferably the color of the marshmallow) and attach the chocolate kiss upside down to one end of the toothpick. Use the icing to label the four sides of the dreidel with the appropriate Hebrew letters (see Resources). Place a few in a box with other desired food items and send to your loved one.

Cookies

When in doubt, bake or buy cookies in traditional Hanukkah shapes, including the driedel (top), Jewish star and candelabrum. Alternatively, make them all in one shape and then decorate the tops with these symbols in colored icing.

Tags: gift basket, Food Gifts, chocolate kiss, Hanukkah food, potato latkes, your gift

Alternative Flours

Wheat allergies are one of the eight groups of food allergies classified by the Food and Drug Administration. 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, a genetic intolerance to wheat gluten. Flours that do not contain wheat or gluten require mixing multiple types to achieve optimum results.

Brown Rice Flour

Made from unpolished brown rice, it can be used alone for thickening gravies and soups or in combination with other flours for baking. Purchase in small amounts and refrigerate; it spoils quickly.

Buckwheat Flour

Not a grain at all, but a relative of rhubarb, buckwheat flour is rich in protein. Made from ground buckwheat groats, it is commonly used to make Japanese soba noodles and pancakes.

Qunioa Flour

As a complete protein, quinoa flour contains the perfect balance between vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It adds moisture when baking and is the least likely flour to cause an allergic reaction.

Soy Flour

Made from roasted ground soybeans, soy flour adds a protein boost to baked goods, can be used as a thicker and mixed with water makes soy milk.

Tapioca Flour

Derived from the cassava plant, its uses range from tenderizing baked goods to binding pharmaceuticals. If it is hard to find, check an Asian market.

Tags: Made from, baked goods, Flour Made, Flour Made from, wheat gluten

Homemade Vegetable Washing Machines

Enjoy fresh, crisp and clean vegetables after washing.

It is important to wash all vegetables and other produce before consuming them. Non-organic vegetables might still have traces of pesticides or other chemicals used to grow the vegetables. Even organic vegetables grown naturally can still be dirty from the soil and during transport from the farm to the store to your kitchen. You can build your own vegetable washing machine to clean your produce at home. Does this Spark an idea?

Manufactured Machines

Several companies make manufactured vegetable washing machines. These machines are large and bulky, not designed for home kitchens. Instead, restaurants, stores and other produce-related businesses buy these bulky machines, which operate using a conveyor belt and a tub for washing. You would not want to build something this large at home, and you likely don't need a conveyor belt since you probably don't need to wash large quantities of vegetables. However, you can apply some concepts of these manufactured vegetable washing machines to the one you build at home, such as the large washing basin.

Simple Contraption

A homemade vegetable washing machine should be simple and easy to use. It should also be small enough to store in a cabinet, pantry or closet. You can use a plastic bucket or small plastic tub as the washing basin. You can wash produce right in the basin, or place a strainer in the basin to wash the produce in the strainer -- this helps you wash and drain the vegetables at the same time. When you are finished, simply dump the water out. You can also attach a scrubbing brush with gentle bristles to help you scrub vegetables clean. Other elements of a homemade vegetable washing machine include a faucet hose adapter that attaches to your kitchen sink for easy water control, and a platform or rack to air dry the produce after washing.

Washing Solution

Water is one way to wash vegetables in your vegetable washing machine. You can also buy a vegetable washing solution, or make one yourself. To make your own vegetable washing solution, combine equal parts of water and white vinegar. Scrub hard skinned vegetables, and just let soft skinned vegetables soak in the solution for a minute or two. Then, rinse thoroughly. The vinegar is more effective for getting rid of bacteria than water alone.

Considerations

Homemade vegetable washing machines can also be used to wash fruits and other foods in your kitchen. You should make a machine that is easy to clean. A plastic bucket or tub is inexpensive and easy to clean, which is why they are a good option for a homemade vegetable washing machine. They fit right into your sink, so the rest of the kitchen doesn't get wet or messy during use.

Tags: vegetable washing, vegetable washing machine, washing machine, homemade vegetable, vegetable washing machines

Gourmet Healthy Wrap Recipes

Wraps make a healthy, low-carbohydrate lunch.

Wraps are a good alternative for sandwiches. Nutritious wraps are easy to make. Use whole wheat to make your wraps, and select your ingredients carefully, avoiding unhealthy oils and sugars. A delicious, healthy, portable meal awaits. Add this to my Recipe Box.

History of Wraps

A sandwich wrap is a variant of a taco or burrito. In a sandwich wrap, traditional sandwich ingredients are wrapped in a soft flour tortilla or other soft, flat bread. The wrap was reputedly first served at a restaurant owned by major league baseball player and manager, Bobby Valentine.

Turkey Avocado Wrap

Turkey is a low-fat food that pairs well with stronger flavors. This wrap takes advantage of turkey's health benefits and adds avocado, which is high in healthy oils. The proportions in this wrap aren't precise. You can adjust them to your taste.

Handful of turkey

Handful of baby spinach

Vinaigrette dressing

Whole-wheat wrap

1/2 an avocado

About 2" of cucumber, sliced thinly

Tomato, sliced thinly

Salt and pepper

Shred the turkey and add it to the spinach in a bowl. Toss a tablespoon or so of vinaigrette dressing to coat the turkey and spinach. Dressings based on olive oil are healthier than those using other oils. Spread the turkey, dressing and spinach evenly on the whole-wheat wrap. Add sliced avocado. Cover this layer with the thinly sliced cucumber and tomato. Salt and pepper to taste. Wrap and eat.

Spicy Asian Wrap

This wrap uses chicken, a low-fat healthy meat, and combines several Asian flavors for a unique take on the wrap concept.

Soy sauce

Rice vinegar

Sesame oil

Handful of chicken

Handful of baby spinach

Whole-wheat wrap

About 2" of cucumber, sliced thinly

White pepper

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce with 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar. Add several drops of sesame oil. Adjust the proportions of this sauce to your taste. Shred the chicken and add it to the spinach in a bowl. Toss the chicken and spinach with the soy vinaigrette. Spread the chicken, vinaigrette and spinach evenly on the whole wheat wrap. Cover this layer with thinly sliced cucumber. Add white pepper to taste. Wrap and enjoy.

Apple Pork Wraps

Pork is another low-fat healthy meat. This recipe combines some unusual ingredients that are not often found in wraps and sandwiches.

Fresh sage

Handful of pork

Olive oil

A few leaves of romaine lettuce

Whole-wheat wrap

About 2" of cucumber, sliced thinly

1/2 an apple, sliced thinly

Salt and pepper

Chop the sage finely. Mix the pork and fresh sage with 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Lay one or two leaves of romaine lettuce on the whole-wheat wrap. Spread the pork evenly over the lettuce. Cover this with thinly sliced cucumber and apple. Add salt and pepper to taste. Wrap and eat.

Creative Use of Seasonal Ingredients

Wraps don't necessarily require a recipe. Consider fresh, seasonal ingredients and make your own wrap creation.For example, a tomato, basil and mozzarella wrap is easy to make and, if you use olive oil or an olive oil vinaigrette, very healthy. If you grow herbs or can get fresh herbs at your local grocer, add fresh dill to other ingredients to make an unusual, but very tasty, wrap. If you live near the ocean, try creating a fresh-fish wrap.

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Play The Party Game "Killer"

Killer is a great party game for ages 10 and up. Don't worry--it isn't as scary as it sounds! It is actually a game of quiet concentration and being just plain sneaky. If you have a big group of friends and some paper, you are good to go.

Instructions

Play Killer

1. Make an X on one slip of paper.

2. Fold all pieces of paper so that they are the exact same size.

3. Put all of the pieces of paper in the bowl or hat.

4. Shake up the bowl or hat to mix up the papers.

5. Every player takes one slip of paper, but does not open it.

6. All players sit in a circle.

7. At the same time, all players open their pieces of paper without showing one another if it is blank or if it has the "X" mark. If the paper is blank, the player is a potential victim. If the player has drawn the paper with the "X" mark on it, he or she is the killer.

8. All players look at each other one at a time.

9. If a player is the killer, he or she winks at the potential victim when they are looking to "kill" them.

10. Once a potential victim is winked at by the killer, he or she must say, "I'm dead" and push back from the circle without indicating who the killer is.

11. If a player thinks that they know who the killer is, they announce who they think it is. If they are wrong, they are out of the game. If they are right, they win the game.

12. The game ends when the killer is guessed correctly, or when the killer and one potential victim remain. If the killer and one potential victim remains, the killer is the winner of the game.

Tags: potential victim, pieces paper, killer potential, killer potential victim, slip paper, that they, they game

Cures For Legume Allergies

No cure yet, but research brings promising news.

Legumes are the edible parts of certain plants. Typically seeds or pods, this food group includes peas, lentils, soybeans and peanuts. Some human immune systems see these foods as harmful and fight back by releasing chemicals. These chemicals cause allergic reactions such as itchy, watery eyes, runny noses and upset stomachs. Peanut allergies, the most common and severe allergy in this food group, can also cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that affects the airway. There is no known cure for legume allergies; however, due to the prominence and severity of peanut allergies, doctors and scientists around the globe are searching for a cure. Some of these studies have produced promising results.

Significance

Peanut allergies cause close to 80 deaths in the United States each year, according to Duke University. Not only are more people allergic to peanuts than any other food, but tiny particles can cause severe, life-threatening reactions. In 2006, a food labeling law made it easier to determine which packaged foods contain peanuts, but people with allergies still have to be very careful about cross-contamination. Any food, dish or utensil that comes in contact with peanuts can cause an anaphylaxis episode. Because the possibility of accidental exposure is so high, doctors advise keeping epinephrine readily available for immediate treatment.

American Research

After participating in a 2009 study conducted by Duke University Medical Center and Arkansas Children's Hospital, a select group of children can eat peanuts every day, despite their allergies. According to physician Wesley Burks, chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Duke, gradual exposure to peanuts has built up their tolerance. Children who couldn't tolerate a sixth of a peanut at the beginning of the study ingested 13 to 15 peanuts after six months of treatment. Through daily administration, nine of the 33 children have maintained this tolerance for more than two years. Four continue to eat peanuts after discontinuing treatment for more than a year. (

British Research

British researchers conducted a similar study in February 2009 at Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge. Using capsules that contained controlled amounts of peanut flour, they were able to increase the amount to 800 milligrams, or approximately five peanuts, within six months. Research leader Dr. Andy Clark says it's not a permanent cure, but as long as the daily treatment allows children to maintain this level of tolerance, the children should be able to handle peanut residue found in some processed foods without suffering any ill effects.

Chinese Research

The botanical drug known as Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF-2) provided long-term protection against anaphylaxis in mice with peanut allergies. Physician Xiu-Min Li, associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and Asthma, conducted the study in 2009 at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. According to physician Hugh Sampson, professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai, FAHF-2 may be one of the first effective treatments for people with peanut and other food allergies.

Warning

Despite the promising research, Dr. Burks warns against trying gradual exposure to allergens at home. These studies are still pending and more research needs to be done. It takes years to determine the safety and long-term effects of treatments. He says avoidance is still the best policy.

Tags: According physician, cause anaphylaxis, Duke University, food group, gradual exposure, more than

Meal Ideas For A Ten Month Old Baby

Finger foods work well for older infants.

Most babies are eating solids and expanding their food selection by 10 months of age. Your baby likely has a few teeth and is able to chew and swallow food more easily. A 10-month-old still needs breast milk or formula in addition to solids. A balance of proteins, dairy, fruits, vegetables and iron-fortified cereals create a nutritious menu for these older infants.

Eggs

Scrambled eggs are an excellent source of protein for infants. The soft texture makes scrambled eggs safe to eat, even if your 10-month-old doesn't have teeth. A baby can also pick up the scrambled pieces himself because the pieces don't flake apart easily. Pair the egg with a serving of his favorite iron-fortified cereal and some small pieces of soft fruit or vegetables.

Finger Food Combination

A baby doesn't need a three-course meal like some adults. Combine a few of her favorite finger foods at meal time and let her practice feeding herself. Don't get into the habit of giving her the same finger foods every day; introduce new finger foods to expand your child's diet. Good finger foods for a 10-month-old include peaches, blueberries, avocado, cooked vegetables, soft cheese, beans and small pieces of soft meat.

Pasta Dishes

There's are lots of foods that can be made with pasta for a 10-month-old. Cook the pasta until it is soft and easy for your 10-month-old to chew. Penne, rotini and other shaped pastas are usually easier than spaghetti for a 10-month-old to grab. Cut the pasta into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. A pasta casserole with sauce, cooked vegetables and soft meat makes an excellent meal for a 10-month old. Macaroni and cheese or noodles with pasta sauce is another good option.

Rice Dishes

Rice creates a good base for meals for a 10-month-old. Cook the rice until it is soft and easy to eat. If she doesn't like the texture of the rice, puree the rice in a food processor to smooth it out. Add cooked vegetables, cheese and cooked meat and puree longer for more flavor and nutritional content. Feed her the puree with a spoon or form it into balls or patties for your baby to eat on her own. If your baby prefers larger pieces, skip pureeing the meal and just mix together the rice, vegetables and small meat pieces.

Tags: cooked vegetables, finger foods, 10-month-old Cook, cooked vegetables soft, older infants, pieces soft, small pieces

Make A Cheesy Potato Dish

Boil the potatoes before baking them.

Planning the main dish for a dinner party is often the easiest part. You know you want to make a sugar-crusted ham or a moist pot roast and set about preparing your dish. But, what should you serve with your main course? A good selection of side dishes means rounding out your dinner and giving your guests a special treat. This side dish goes well with just about any main course. From turkey to steak, you just cannot go wrong with cheesy potatoes. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes in a large pot until you are able to easily stick a fork into them. This usually takes from 45 minutes to an hour.

2. Cut the potatoes into pieces that are approximately 1 inch in size. Place the potatoes into a medium casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Spread the mayonnaise over the potatoes. Coat them as evenly as possible before proceeding to the next step. The mayonnaise cooks down and blends with the other ingredients in the recipe to make the dish moist and creamy.

4. Cube the Velveeta cheese. ideally, the cubes should each be about 3/4-inch. Place the cubes on top of the potatoes.

5. Sprinkle the bacon bits over the top. Distribute the bacon as evenly as possible over the dish.

6. Bake at 350° F for 25 to 30 minutes. The dish is ready when the Velveeta melts and begins to get brown around the edges.

Tags: Boil potatoes, evenly possible, main course, potatoes into

Major Components Of The Bakery Industry

Personnel comprise one of the key components of the bakery industry.

Bakeries around the globe bake bread and create cakes, muffins and other desserts. Large bakeries use machines for production while smaller bakeries work with smaller equipment. Confectioneries focus on creativity. The components or basic elements and ingredients of the bakery industry cover the entire parameters of small and large bakeries worldwide.

Labor

Labor comprises one of the key components of the bakery industry. Larger plants run mostly through automated production equipment, but workers need to oversee the management, quality and output of the machines. Bimbo Bakeries, USA, the largest bakery in the nation, operates 35 bakeries and mans over 7,000 routes. They own such brand names as Mrs. Baird's, Oroweat, Tia Rosa and Old Country.

Machinery

The machines of the baking industry comprise another major component. Every bakery, no matter the size, needs ovens to bake the bread. Other necessary machines and equipment for smaller bakeries include sifters, slicers, molds, freestanding and electric mixers, a variety of refrigerators and cooling equipment, and all types of kitchen tools. Larger bakeries use dough proofing machines, large scale mixers, machines to roll out or shape dough and huge ovens.

Government Regulations

The bakery industry must comply with all types of federal regulations regarding food, which vary from state to state. States address such details as the cleanliness of floors, walls and ceilings; the state of the vehicles used to transport bakery products and the storage of ingredients. Other considerations include furniture and utensil sanitation, staff clothing, smoking policies, hand washing procedures, the proximity of animals and licensing. Government regulations also address the vitamin enrichment of bread, including thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.

Product

While bread may be the mainstay of the baking industry, shows such as "Ace of Cakes" and "Cake Boss" have extolled the virtues of creativity in the market. Confectioneries enjoy the process of coming up with new delicacies for consumers to enjoy. Whether it's a new flavor of an already existing product or a completely new dessert creation, producing quality items is a major process in the baking industry.

Tags: bakery industry, baking industry, bake bread, smaller bakeries

Grow Mushrooms With Rye Seed

Use seeds from rye grass to produce a variety of mushrooms.

Wandering in wooded areas, you see mushrooms growing on logs, trees and straight out of the ground. Home mushroom cultivators strive to duplicate those natural effects in their growing efforts. Some growers try to grow sclerotia, a hardened mycelium that contains nutrition similar to mushrooms, and use rye grass seed for a substrate. This seed is easy to find and the seed easily mixes with mushroom spawn to create a productive growing environment, but it needs proper preparation to produce mushrooms. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Sterilize a quart-sized glass jar by washing with disinfectant soap and hot water. Rinse the jar well to remove all residual soap; leftover soap can damage the mushrooms.

2. Pour 1 1/4 cup of rye grass seed into the jar. Follow this with a pinch of gypsum or calcium carbonate, using 1/2 teaspoon or less to control moisture and encourage spawning.

3. Pour 5/8 cup of water into the jar. You can use weak coffee instead of water to add nutrients, but the coffee must be diluted to 1/2 the normal drinking strength or less. Add 1 part coffee to 2 to 3 parts water to achieve the proper dilution.

4. Seal the jar with a non-vented lid and shake to mix the seeds and water. Leave the jar undisturbed for at least 60 minutes so that the seeds can absorb the water or coffee.

5. Remove the lid and cover the jar with a cheese cloth or coffee filter, followed by a vented lid; you can simply drill or poke five or six holes in a new lid and cover the jar. Place the jar in a pressure cooker and set the pressure for 15 pounds per square inch (PSI). Allow the jar to cook for one hour.

6. Remove the jar carefully from the pressure cooker; it will be very hot. Allow the jar to cool completely. Remove the lid and sprinkle or pour in your chosen mushroom spawn. Cover the jar with the filter and vented lid. Mushrooms should begin to spawn within two to three months.

Tags: grass seed, mushroom spawn, pressure cooker

Make Easy Bake Dog Biscuits

Make healthy dog biscuits at home with fewer preservatives and artificial ingredients.

Homemade dog treats have fewer preservatives and artificial ingredients, making them a much healthier option for your pet than commercial products. Not only are dog biscuits easy to make, they are inexpensive and can be frozen. Biscuits made from items such as peanut butter, oatmeal, liver, cheese and garlic are easy to bake and your dog will love them.

Instructions

1. Make peanut butter biscuits by preheating oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1 cup water in a bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour and white flour, a little at a time, until a dough consistency forms or use a food processor. Knead into a firm ball and roll out flat to 1/4 inch in thickness, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces and place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes. The recipe makes 2 1/2 dozen biscuits.

2. Make liver treats by preheating oven to 200 degrees F. Cut 1 lb. of partially thawed liver into strips and place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper so that they are not touching. Bake for two hours, rotating the pan after one hour, cool for 10 minutes. Lift off parchment paper with liver strips from cookie sheet and place on wire rack until cool and completely dried out.

3. Prepare cheese and garlic biscuits by grating 1 1/4 cups of cheddar cheese. Let stand until room temperature. Combine cheese, 1/4 lb. corn oil butter, pinch of garlic salt, one clove crushed garlic and 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour in a bowl. Add milk until a ball is formed and chill for one hour. Roll out on a floured board and cut into shapes. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes or until brown and firm. Recipe makes two to three dozen dog biscuits.

4. Create oatmeal biscuits by stirring together 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup butter or margarine and 1 tbsp. beef or chicken bouillon granules. Let stand for five minutes. Add 3/4 cup dry milk powder, 3/4 cup cornmeal and one egg beaten. Mix well. Slowly stir in 3 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Combine thoroughly. Knead dough for four minutes on a floured surface and then roll out flat, 1/2 inch thick. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and place on a greased sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes. Cool and dry on a wire rack.

Tags: cookie sheet, cups whole, cups whole wheat, parchment paper, peanut butter, wheat flour

Pluck A Turkey

Turkey hunters not only enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but the delicious meal that follows. The best way to pluck a turkey is to do it before it is field-dressed. You will keep more moisture in the turkey, making it tastier when you cook it whole by smoking, roasting or deep-frying it. Follow these steps to get your turkey ready for the dinner table. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Place a large pan of water on the stove. You may need two large pans of water depending on the size of the turkey. Bring the water to a boil or near-boiling (around 140 degrees is best). Remove the pan from the stove and take it outside.

2. Pour the hot water into a large washtub (a large plastic storage container will also work-anything large enough to hold the water and turkey).

3. Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves and grab the turkey by its feet. Put the turkey in the hot water.

4. Hold the turkey underwater using a long stick or cooking utensil (such as a wooden spoon). Push it around in the water to make sure all of the feathers are thoroughly soaked.

5. Remove the turkey from the water after 5 to 10 seconds so you don't start cooking it. Start plucking out the feathers, one handful after another.

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The Best Diet To Kick Start Weight Loss

According to a 2006 Gallup poll, 56 percent of Americans say they'd like to lose weight. If you're one of them, a quick start to your weight loss plan can give you fast results that motivate you to keep going. Fortunately, shedding pounds fast isn't a pipe dream. It's not easy, but if you commit to a fairly strict diet regimen, you can kick start weight loss.

Counting Calories

Plan to reduce your daily caloric intake to about 1,200 calories per day. (Since most people consume between 2,000 and 2,200 calories each day, this is a significant calorie reduction for many dieters.) It's easy to underestimate how many calories you're getting, so be vigilant about keeping a food journal and measuring every portion of food before you eat it. To make sticking to your plan easier, measure and prepare several meals and snacks ahead of time so that you can grab them when you're ready to eat. If you have to guess the calorie count of a particular food, add about 200 calories to your best guess---it's better to overestimate than to underestimate. Sticking to this calorie count will help you to lose about two pounds a week

Choosing Foods

Plan to eat three meals and one or two snacks each day. Look for foods that will give your body the nutrients it needs and help you to feel full after eating, such as lean proteins, nonfat dairy products and lots of fruits and vegetables. Stick to grilled and baked foods, and bypass foods that are fried or smothered in butter or creamy sauces. Also avoid foods that have trans fats and saturated fats, including baked goods, fried foods and solid spreads like butter and margarine.

Pass up starchy foods, including potatoes, white bread and white pasta. Because starch stores water in the body, cutting it out of your diet can help you lose 5 pounds of water weight within about a week. Limit your salt intake for the same reason.

Finding Balance

Don't eat more calories than you burn if you want to lose weight. Incorporating a daily workout into your routine can help your body shed even more pounds, and an hour of vigorous cardiovascular exercise can help balance out the occasional diet cheating.

Tags: foods that, about calories, calorie count, help lose, lose weight, meals snacks

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts To Make For Men

Christmas gift giving can be a confusing and expensive proposition. One way to cut down on costs and show your thoughtfulness at the same time is with a homemade gift made especially with the recipient in mind. Although homemade gift ideas for men can be particularly challenging, there are many ideas that will please just about every man on your list.

Food Gifts

Take a glass jar with a lid, such as a mason jar, and fill it with brownie mix, soup mix, cider mix or cocoa mix, with instructions attached. Or you can fill a tall glass jar with homemade gourmet cooking oil infused with fragrant herbs.

For an even simpler idea, fill a mug with a spice mix or barbecue rub and wrap it up in cellophane and ribbon. You can use a basic mug for this purpose, or you can look for an inexpensive mug you can write on with a permanent marker to create your own messages and designs appropriate for the recipient.

If you're a handy baker and cook, then consider cooking or baking goodies like pies, brownies, candy, cookies, popcorn balls, granola or chocolate dipped pretzels or strawberries. Arrange them into baskets, tins or any decorative container.

Toiletry Items

Fill a jar with a homemade toiletry item such as aftershave or shaving soap.

To make your own aftershave, blend together 1/2 cup pure aloe vera gel, 1 tsp. water, 2 tsp. rubbing alcohol, 2 tsp. witch hazel and 10 drops of essential oil.

To make shaving soap, boil 1/2 cup grated castile soap in 1 cup water until dissolved, then place it in a blender with 2 tbsp. melted coconut oil, 3 tbsp. sweet almond oil, 1 tbsp. borax, and 10 to 15 drops of any essential oil like cedarwood or sandalwood. Stir the mixture until it's fluffy and pour it into your container.

Miscellaneous

Make a music CD for the music lover on your list. You can download tunes from the Internet or borrow some of his CDs to create a mix of his favorite tunes or a themed mix.

If your recipient is a family member or close friend, consider making a scrapbook, since men sometimes have a tendency to forget to set aside pictures, notes and small gifts from past events. Collect some of the most meaningful mementos and create a memory book keepsake.

Coupons are a great and easy way to give a gift and are often virtually free, especially if they're for a gift of your time. They can be for labor-intensive gifts such as a car wash, or entertainment gifts such as a movie rental, bowling game or golf game. You can make the coupons yourself by hand or print them from a computer on business cards to put in a small photo album or new wallet, or print them on index cards and place them in a book.

Gift baskets are another great idea for homemade gifts. For the sport enthusiast, fill the basket with a ball or puck, a sports video, sports magazines, posters of their favorite player or drink cozies. For a science fiction fan, collect science fiction novels, movie DVDs or a gift certificate for rental, tickets to a sci-fi convention and popcorn. For the beach bum, fill the basket with flip flops, sunglasses, and sun block and a beach towel. For the BBQ grilling champion, add an oven mitt, apron, seasonings, marinades and grilling accessories. For the games expert, layer a basket with playing cards, crossword puzzles and dice.

Tags: basket with, with homemade, drops essential, fill basket, fill basket with, fill with

About Indoor Dog Repellent

About Indoor Dog Repellent

Dogs love to chew, so they love getting their mouths on just about anything. Dogs' brains release endorphins when they chew, so training your dog not to chew on certain items can seem like a loosing battle. In order to help train your dog or puppy to leave some items alone, you can use an indoor dog repellent, also called training spray or bitter apple spray.

Warning

Indoor dog repellent is no substitution for training. You need to teach your dog the "leave it" command and do not keep anything you don't want him to chew out of the reach of his mouth. You can also leave many things around that you want her to chew, like rawhide, Nylabone or toys. The goal is to one day never need the indoor repellent at all.

Function

Bitter apple or training sprays coat the surface of things like furniture or electrical wires with a taste that is beyond foul. You can spray it onto your own tongue to see how foul the taste is. When the dog tastes something coated with the spray, they back off of the object. Ideally, you should be there to praise your dog when they back away from the object. There are similar sprays to be put on furniture that smell bad to the dog and keep them off of it.

Misconceptions

You do not spray the dog with the indoor dog repellent. The spray has to be on the objects that you know your dog likes to chew but you don't want him to chew. Grabbing the dog and spraying him when they chew or jump up on something forbidden will only teach the dog that you are incredibly scary. Dogs have very short attention spans. You have to catch them in the act of chewing or lying on the bed for your yelling to pair the association of "chew this equals getting yelled at."

Types

Most types of training sprays have a combination of plant extracts, essential oils, vinegar and isopropanol with a fixative added, like a very light oil or plain water. There are sprays specifically for anti-chewing and those just to keep a dog off of a certain piece of furniture.

Considerations

Some dogs can't taste or smell the repellent and completely ignore it. Indoor dog repellents do not work for all dogs.

Tags: indoor repellent, want chew, when they, About Indoor, About Indoor Repellent, they back

Make Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

Whole wheat flour contains a wheat berry's endosperm, bran and germ, unlike refined (regular) flour, which only contains the endosperm. Because of its high oil content, its shelf life is considerably shorter than white flour's. Therefore, it is best to grind it fresh as you need it. Whole wheat flour is tastier and more nutritious than refined flour, and is used the same way and in the same amounts. It is surprisingly easy to make. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Making the Flour

1. Purchase wheat berries from either a health food store or from an online supplier. If you want to make bread, then make sure to purchase "hard" wheat berries. But if you plan to make pastries instead, purchase "soft" wheat berries.

2. Put a small amount of the berries in the grain mill or food processor. A grain mill is easier to control for consistency of the milling, and it is also the traditional method for making flour. A food processor also does the job, although the blades will have to be sharpened periodically.

3. Grind the berries. Once they have been ground to the consistency of flour, pour the powder into a measuring cup to make sure you ground the amount you need. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as necessary. Unless you are using an industrial-sized grain mill, grind a small amount at a time.

4. Use the flour immediately, or store it in a cool, dry place. Pour any excess ground flour into a plastic bag or container, sealed tight so pests can't get in. Fresh whole wheat flour is used exactly the same way as refined flour and can be substituted in the same amounts.

Tags: grain mill, wheat berries, wheat flour, flour used, food processor, make sure, refined flour

How Much Waste Save By Composting

Up to 25 percent of materials sent to landfills is compostable.

The average American creates 4.3 pounds of waste per day, according to the University of Kentucky. Instead of sending all that waste to the landfill, compost organic materials to help save the environment. Does this Spark an idea?

Facts

According to the University of Kentucky, between to 10 to 25 percent of the waste sent to landfills is made of compostable organic matter.

Types

Traditional composting uses the natural elements to decompose organic matter into compost. Vermicomposting uses worms to help speed up the decomposition process.

Considerations

Although most food wastes are compostable, some items such as meat scraps cannot be placed in the compost bin. Although composting is primarily for organic matter such as garden waste and table scraps, you may add shredded cardboard, newsprint and paper to the compost bin to further reduce your family's waste.

Benefits

Not only does composting save waste from being sent to the landfills, it creates organic matter suitable for use in your garden and replenishes eroded soil.

Tags: organic matter, sent landfills, University Kentucky

Find Red Wine

Find Red Wine

Finding the perfect wine to fit your tastes all depends upon what flavors and scents appeal to you. Understanding the most common types of flavors in different types of red wine is essential in deciding what you enjoy drinking. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Red wines are made from different grape variations, and their flavor depends upon what the vines pull from the surrounding environment, region, soil, rainfall and surrounding vegetation, to name a few. Red wine may be sweet, dry or fruity. Each wine varies in consistency and flavors, but not one tastes the same. What you favor depends upon your palette's preferred flavors, both in wine and food. This is an effective way for a beginner to understand what type of wines he likes. I will explain in the next four steps the most common varieties of red wine.

2. Pinot Noir: If you are a lover of lamb, pork, turkey, soft cheese (such as Brie or Camembert), salmon and chicken, pinot noir pairs with all of these nicely. It is very silky on the tongue with a nice consistency. Scents vary from berries to deep spiciness, and the flavors can include truffles, fruits such as cherry, strawberry, plum and other jammy rich fruits; oak, chocolate, game, incense, damp earth, tea and leather. All of these flavors together might not sound appetizing, but a Pinot Noir can go from being a jammy wine with only a hint of leather, to combining all of these flavors for a complex, full-bodied red.

3. Merlot: This red pairs well with most all meats (prime rib and steaks) and pasta dishes, and is known as a "beginner" wine for people trying to discover what they like in reds. It does not pair well with salads and fruit usually. It can come off as being quite heavy, but is thought to be less tannic than cabernet. If you want to explore complex flavors, merlots can possess a combination of dark heavy fruit such as black cherries, black currant, plums, as well as grass, herbs and mint.

Occasionally blueberry, chocolate and various spices are present.

4. Cabernet: If you are a lover of red meats, cabernet is a good red for you. It also goes well with dishes such as stroganoff, steak, pasta dishes with red or white sauce, duck and salmon. Pairing it with compliments can make an amazing and simple meal. For example, pairing a spicy cabernet with a pepper-crusted steak would suffice nicely. Other flavors include black currant and chocolate, and its scents are woodsy, full of cedar and oak; with a touch of vanilla or coffee. It is silky on the tongue.

5. Zinfandels range from blush-colored to rich ruby colored varieties. It pairs nicely with meals such as pasta with a tomato sauce base, pizzas, grilled meats, BBQ meats and salads, depending upon the heaviness of the zinfandel that you choose.

The flavors can range from fruity to spicy, but always compatible for a person who longs for a little pepper and zest in their wine. Berry flavors are also usually prevalent.

Tags: depends upon, well with, black currant, depends upon what, Find Wine, flavors include

Open A Maternity Store

Open a Maternity Store

If you ever thought of starting your own business, you might consider opening a maternity store. Maternity stores serve the needs of expecting mothers, but they can also provide much-needed baby products after the delivery. As with any business, launching a business involves planning and hard work. If you feel you don't know where to start, follow a few guidelines, and you can open a maternity store in your area.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Prepare a business plan which is comprised of a detailed outline of your business, what it will sell, how it will sell it, and how it will survive. A business plan helps you plan your marketing strategy, your product line, and you managerial staff. It also helps you determine how much money you will need to launch your business. You can find no-cost business plan templates at http://www.bplans.com.

2. Determine if you have enough funding. For instance, you will need adequate startup capitol for purchasing product supplies, office supplies, and display units. Wholesalers require that you buy in bulk, so budget $5,000 to $10,000 for products. Office supplies cost $1,000 to $3,000, but you can get some of your office supplies used. Display units cost $60 to $120 depending on the type. You will also have to establish utilities and have enough left over for marketing. If you will operate your store full time, you will also need money to cover employee salaries and your own salary. The general rule dictates that you have enough revenue to cover 2 to 3 years of business operation. The average startup capital requirments for any business ranges from $30,000 to $100,000 depending o your salary. This startup capital ensures you can survive until your business sales increase and stabilize.

3. Locate several reliable wholesalers. For instance, you will need to establish accounts with several reliable wholesalers. Some wholesalers such as Nicolematernitywholesale.com specialize on mothers' clothing. Others specialize in baby products such as diapers or bottles or baby books. Others might specialize in vitamins or natural foods targeted specifically for expecting mothers. Setting up purchasing accounts with several wholesalers ensures you have access to products if one company runs low or faces production problems.

4. Locate retail shelves and displays. For instance, you will need retail shelves to hang things on. Retail shelves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and appearances. Find some that convey the look you want to convey. For instance, chrome displays might seem modern but cold. For a maternity store, wooden shoves might seem more cozy. Check your area for business closures. You might find reduced-priced shelving units. If you shop online, you can find retail shelves at www.displaywarehouse.com

5. Choose an attractive name. An attractive business name lures customers in. An unattractive business name repels potential customers just as easily. Make sure it fits your personality or has something to do with maternity. Have friends help you choose a good name, and once you decide on 3 or 5 names, check the online business name and trademark registry to determine if someone already claimed it.

6. Hire at least one employee. Unless you plan to never leave for lunch or for a break, you will need at least one part-time employee to help you run your business. Make sure you find someone reliable and familiar with your products. Find someone who works well with expecting mothers.

7. Choose a retail location. Choosing a retail location might seem like the first step, but it isn't. If you do not have enough startup revenue or if you can't locate a quality wholesaler, you should not shop for a retail location. Once you shop for a location, choose a space that fits in with existing customers. For instance, do not choose a retail location for maternity clothes among retailers that specialize in tires or medical supplies. Choose a location that specializes in other types of clothing or bath and beauty supplies. Expecting mothers who already shop at these location will be more likely to find your store.

8. Negotiate the lease. Your lease will dictate the price per square foot you must pay on a yearly basis. For instance, a 1,000 square foot retail location might charge $20 per square foot. That total annual cost equals $20,000 per year. The monthly rent would equal $1,667 per month. Additionally, you will have to pay an additional square foot feet for maintenance fees that cover such things as trash removal and groundswork. When you negotiate the lease, ask for a slightly cheaper fee per square foot. Also ask for at least 3 months free, so you can move in and setup shop. Finally, if you sign a 2-year or more lease, ask if you can scale your monthly rent to pay less the first year when you can least afford it and more the second year when sales have picked up.

9. Hire a sign maker. You will require a sign maker to create a sign for you. The sign should reflect the nature of you're your business while prominently displaying your business name. If your store rests in a retail location or a strip mall, check to see what the landlord places limitations on the type of sign you might need.

Tags: your business, retail location, square foot, will need, business name, have enough, business plan

Agricultural Business Careers

Agricultural Business Careers

Product management as an agricultural business career can be exciting and rewarding. It is similar to running your own business, except you receive a salary rather than worrying about whether you will make enough money to provide a good living. A product manager has opportunities to improve his business skills through in-house training, coordination with peers and coaching from supervision.

Significance

American Farm Bureau Federation reports that each U.S. farmer fed 143 people in the United States and abroad during 2008. This feat could not have been accomplished without technology and state-of-the-art production tools such as seed, fertilizer, feed, equipment and other supplies. Product management plays a key role in building and maintaining a marketing package that puts needed products into the hands of the producer.

Function

Product management in a manufacturing company is usually a group of managers who each manage a specific product or a group of products. A product manager is totally responsible for creating and maintaining a profitable market for his product(s). This person writes a marketing plan, which includes a three- to five-year budget, sales forecast and profit plan.

Using this marketing plan as a guide, a product manager determines what the price of the product has to be to return an acceptable profit. At the same time, the manager must be able to determine how much the farmer or rancher is willing to pay for the product. Product management commissions and interprets market research studies to help determine a price that will be accepted by the customer.

In cooperation with market communication specialists, the product manager develops and implements a promotion plan to create product demand. A promotion plan can include product brochures, advertising, articles in trade journals, field demonstrations and farmer or rancher meetings.

Package design also helps sell product. Product management must determine which package size will be most convenient for the customer and most economical to his company. They need to design the container for easy recognition and rapid

establishment of product identity.

Product management must maintain good rapport with their field sales group to ensure the sales people understand the product and are motivated to sell it.

Qualifications

Ideally, a person who chooses agricultural product management as a career has a college degree in agribusiness and a farm or ranch background. However, people have chosen various agricultural business careers without these credentials. Often people in these careers have some type of business degree and no background in agriculture. The most important criteria is to enjoy the profession and have a desire to learn.

Training

The real training in agricultural business begins when a person joins a company. Most corporations start new hires in sales. Field sales provide excellent training for product management. In this job, you develop the ability to work with people and obtain insight into what motivates a farmer or rancher to buy a product. Field sales is also a great place to learn your company and how it functions. Personnel who have a desire and the ability to work in product management are usually moved into these jobs from sales. Sometimes they are moved into market communications or market research before entering product management.

Rewards

Product management as an agricultural business career often presents opportunities to advance higher on corporate ladders.

The first step in advancement is usually to the position of a group product manager who supervises product managers. Business managers, who manage entire businesses, are normally chosen from product management. Many product managers progress to department heads and even become corporate executive officers (CEOs).

Tags: product manager, farmer rancher, Product management, ability work, agricultural business, agricultural business career

Start A Specialty Retail Business

Make shopping a special experience, and customers will return.

Starting a specialty retail business takes time and careful planning. It also requires a sense of creativity and the willingness to take risks. Yet with a retail business, you have the chance to specialize in your area of interest. Perhaps that's why of the 500,000 new businesses started in the United States each year, one third or more are retail businesses, as the Entrepreneur website says.

Instructions

Research, Plan and Implement

1. Research your market. When starting a specialty venture, you may not be able to find other companies with similar goods or services. This can be good, of course, but also might make it difficult to gauge how good sales will be. Instead, talk to local businesspeople to find out if they think a gap in the market exists. Alternatively, if another business has a similar focus, decide how yours will be different. If a bookstore already exists in your area, you might start a children's book store with a play area and story times, for instance.

2. Create a budget. Determine whether you'll need to rent store space or a warehouse, or if you can run the business from your home. Consider what types of equipment you'll need, especially if you'll be producing your products at home. Think about how much you'll need to spend on your stock of products at the outset, insurance expenses, employee wages, and advertising. Based on your market research, consider when you expect to turn a profit and how much you expect to make. Determine whether you have the funds necessary to start the business. If not, apply for a loan or borrow from friends and family.

3. Design a store atmosphere that draws people in, creating a warm, personal atmosphere---small stores often succeed in the specialty retail business, says Entrepreneur. Soft lighting, a homey feel, and personable staff will encourage people to stop in and browse. Set your store in a location where people pass by on foot, encouraging them to stop in for a first look. Start by renting your facility, and consider buying property as your business proves itself successful. Consider starting with a kiosk or cart in a mall to test your market, suggests the Specialty Retail website.

4. Design your store. According to Entrepreneur, specialty retailers usually sell products that people want rather than need. Buying the products is part of the fun. Design a store atmosphere that draws people in, creating a warm, personal atmosphere. Small stores often succeed in the specialty retail business, says Entrepreneur. Soft lighting, a homey feel and personable staff will encourage people to stop in and browse. Set the store in a location where people pass by on foot, encouraging them to stop in for a first look.

Tags: specialty retail, your market, atmosphere that, atmosphere that draws, business says, business says Entrepreneur

What Is An Average Monthly Budget For A Family Of Five

What Is an Average Monthly Budget for a Family of Five?

A family of five is naturally going to have a lot of expenses. After all, three children and two adults don't come cheap. Without a budget, a large family is at a disadvantage, because the amount of money needed per month is unknown. The average budget for a family of five varies depending on location and income.

Average Annual Expenses

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a three-child household with two parents had an average annual childhood expense of $30,970 in 2009, assuming the youngest child was 12 and older two were 13 and 16 respectively. The annual expense translates to a monthly expense of $2,580. Although the average monthly expense is $2,580 for three children, that doesn't mean a family of five should create a budget using this exact number.

Location

A family of five is going to have a drastically different budget in a state with a low cost of living versus a state that has a high cost of living. For example, the average monthly budget for a family of five in Hennepin County, Minnesota, was $5,594 in 2007. If that family moved to Brooklyn, New York, the family budget could nearly double in 2010. For example, housing costs alone would increase by nearly 181 percent, while the cost of groceries would go up by 16 percent.

Income

A budget for a family of five is typically directly proportional to the income of both parents. If two parents are pulling in over $100,000, the family budget will in turn increase. An income of $50,000, however, doesn't allow for a lot of wiggle room in the budget. Although a higher income usually means a higher budget, that's not always the case. If the parents have incurred debt, the family budget for everyday living expenses goes down, because money must be paid to resolve the debt. Low-income families can usually qualify for assistance programs, such as energy assistance, to help decrease their budget.

Cost Per Child

Children cost a lot of money to raise, and that is the primary reason family budgets skyrocket when children are born. According to the USDA, children born in 2009 cost middle-income families an average of $286,050 to raise to age 17. That figure jumps to $858,150 when factoring in three children. Low-income families pay an average of $205,960 per child for the same time span, while high-income families pay an average of $475,680.

Tags: family five, budget family five, families average, family budget, three children, Average Monthly Budget