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Lard is back and although we were so cruel to it for so many years, it”s still soft, mild and yielding. It”s not bitter and hardened after our rough treatment at all.

Recipes that use lard (pork, duck and goose) for pastry and savoury dishes have been turning up frequently the last few months. Likewise, gourmet shops are selling clarified duck and goose fat for people who don”t want to cook the meat ahead so that they can have the fat for later.

Not convinced? Consider that Jennifer McLagan”s Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient (Ten Speed Press) won a 2008 IACP award. Her book is just teeming with recipes that depend on delicious fatty ingredients and if her success doesn”t provide ample evidence that lard is finding a place in the kitchen once again then I guess I”ll just have to tell you about how lard is elbowing butter off the table. It”s totally true. I”ve seen it myself. Seasoned lard-based butter substitutes such as Italian lardo and Ukrainian salo (pictured above) are keeping breadbaskets company on many restaurant tables.

How do you feel about lard? Will you use it as an ingredient but stop short of spreading it on bread? Or, are you revolted by the whole idea and reading this post only from the corner of your eye to avoid full contact with such evil messages?

Note:  If you want to read more about food trends, the Spring ‘09 issue of my Topline Trends newsletter went live just a few hours ago!

By:  danamccauley                        Source

Editor”s Note:  Recently, one of our writers reviewed the new Food Network show, 5 Ingredient Fix.  Today, a different writer, a different review.  Read on!

Upon seeing the first few trailers for Food Network”s new show 5 Ingredient Fix I had the same thought that many others did, “It”s another 30 Minute Meals.”  After having digested it a little, I am now left with the impression that, “It”s another 30 Minute Meals,” sort of.

Host Claire Robinson has that cute perkiness one associates with Rachael Ray; she even has the gravelly voice that Ray has developed over the past few years.  However, there are major differences.  Though Robinson has the cool, gruff voice, her speaking pattern is quite monotone and it lacks the emotion that her genuine facial expressions convey.  She also does not employ the heavily choreographed hand gestures that on occasion distract Ray”s viewers from her message.

By:  Editor                        Source

As parents, we are always looking for ways to keep our children entertained and the cost down. Having 5 to 8 children at home, keeping them entertained and out of trouble was one of my hardest jobs as a parent.

Here are a few things I did:

[1] Movie Matinees

When we went to see the latest release it was always in the early afternoon when the prices were discounted. Each child was given a limit as to what they could spend on snacks. While I know bringing food into the theater was frowned upon, I often did it. I had a special purse that was large enough to hold candy, cookies and sippy cups. The kids would get excited when they saw that bag on the kitchen counter because they knew it was movie day.

[2] Make Your Own Water Park

Kids are the best at having fun with a water hose and a piece of plastic. A slippy slide isn’t expensive but it’s small and when you have multiple children all wanting to use it at once, it can become a fight to the finish as to who gets to slide first or more often.

I spent about fifteen dollars on a large [12 feet x 25 feet] sheet of plastic. I cut it in half, making two 6 feet by 25 feet pieces. I found a small downhill incline in my yard and laid it plastic on it. First checking for rocks, sticks or anything that might cut through the plastic.

At the top of the incline I placed the water hose, releasing enough water to form a stead stream. You will want to wet the plastic completely before trying it out. The child has to be able to slide smoothly down the hill.

If for some reason your plastic isn’t smooth enough to allow sliding, mix a small amount of dish washing soap in the flowing water, spreading it with your hand or a clean mop. Don’t worry about the grass as a small amount of soap will not hurt it. Remember to move the plastic every couple days, so it will not damage the grass from wear and tear of the children.

When all is smooth and slippery stand back and watch the fun begin. Go on mom and dad join in, take a dive!

[3] Search the Internet for Local Fairs and Festivals

Children love to explore, so going to a local event is the prefect place for that. I used the buddy system when taking the children to fairs and street festivals. They were to always be together, no matter what. Mostly until they were in their mid teens they had to be within my view but the buddy system worked well for me at all age levels.

Lots of fairs have displays for children to learn new things. Foods from far away places, that you might not have on your home menus, for them to try. Any of these avenues can captivate a child’s mind and help keep them occupied.

Use your imagination and online research to come up with low cost places for family fun. It’s out there, just waiting for your family to explore and enjoy.

Faylee

Author: Faylee James

Faylee James is a Life Coach/Writer/Speaker from Northeast Tennessee, who has an above average interest in cooking, people and living life to the fullest. Her website http://www.HassiesKitchenTable.com is in honor of her mother who passed away last October. Recently she added a blog where you can find more recipes and life enhancing ideas. http://www.HassiesKitchenTable.blogspot.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Glass Beaches.
If you are planning to visit a beach on your vacation, we are sure these “Glass Beaches” are going to get your attention. These are some of the most unique beaches in the world, not because nature created it that way, but because time and the waves have corrected one of the man”s mistakes and Mother Nature has reclaimed these beaches. And even if you aren”t planning for a vacation, still these aren”t the ones that should be missed!

Kauai”s Glass Beach: Kauai”s Glass Beach is one of the most unique beaches in all of Hawaii. The entire far side of the beach is filled with smooth, polished pieces of glass.

California”s Glass Beach: Early in the 20th century, Fort Bragg residents threw their household articles (which of course included lots of glass), appliances, and even old cars straight into the ocean. Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California was created from years of such practices into an area of coastline near the northern part of the town. The land was owned at that time by the Union Lumber Company. By the early sixties, attempts were made to control it and finally in 1967, the North Coast Water Quality Board realized what has gone wrong and various cleanup programs were undertaken. Over a period of time Mother Nature has reclaimed these beaches; waves cleansed the beaches, reducing the discarded glass into beautiful, soft textured, smooth, colored trinkets that sparkles in the sun on the beaches today. In 2003, the California State Parks department acquired the 38-acre site, making it part of MacKerricher State Park.

By:  Venus                        Source

February 2, 1912 - May 31, 2009

Her last words: "don’t swim if you are on your period….it attracts sharks."

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millvina…

The legendary Millvina Dean died today, 31 May 2009 at the age of 97, 98 years to the day after the Titanic was launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was the last living survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic and the youngest passenger aboard at the time. Her age upon death also matches the year of release for the blockbuster film, "Titanic" The stars of which she met in May 2009 after they created an aid fund in her honor in order to pay her growing medical bills.

Hopefully now she can now meet her father once and for all time.

Are you just like all the newbies looking for ways to start making money investing in the stock market? Proper trading knowledge can help you profit tons of money in the stock market. Here is a guide for newbies:

1. Don’t buy a stock based on your gut feeling. If you randomly pick something that you think will help you make money, you are going the right path to failure.

2. Be very careful of who you listen to in the stock market. Most analysts are just doing bunch of guesswork because you really can’t predict what the future market looks like.

3. Start off with a small portfolio, but whatever you do, don’t just focus on one stock because you do not want to put all your eggs in one basket. Three stock choices are ideal for newbies.

4. Investing should only be a small percentage of your savings. If you have ten grand on you, you should not invest more than two grand. You need to start off making small sums of money first.

5. You need to follow a good strategy. Do not just randomly go from one method to the next.

6. You will expect to lose every now and then. Not one single guide or tip can guarantee you profit 100% of the time.

7. Be very patient because there is no overnight success. Take the time to learn as if you are going to school to learn about the stock market and the trading system.

8. A lot of newbies quit within a month because they are afraid to see a loss. The main problem is that they do not know when to get out of a losing stock.

Author: Kai Lo

Newbies who are looking for a well planned out strategy should look into Karl Dittman’s Stock Index Trading Secrets. He is a wealthy investor who has 30 years of trading experience in the stock market. You can start making money today by following his guide. Click Here.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

If you are going to travel, it pays to visit those regions where you will be able to discover rich cultures so you will not only broaden your experience but this will also help you to augment your knowledge about a certain localities. Now, one of the most well known cultures is the presence of Celtic music in Canada.

Celtic music is basically linked with the folktale traditions of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Large areas of the world are famous for using Celtic musical techniques as well as styles to make their life even more colorful, these places would comprise of Newfoundland, and on Canada’s Maritimes especially on Cape Breton Island.

Truth is, there is a wide range of Canadian rock bands which is being influenced by Celtic folk traditions and unknowingly, other people from different regions of the world are also being swept to the rich culture of Celtic music.

If you want to discover more about this kind of music then you can visit these places for you to be able experience how it truly feels to be among people who know about Celtic music more than anyone else. You can search the web for places that you can travel into, you need not to worry since you are bound get a tour guide that will help you smoothen up your travel. Prepare yourself for this one-of-a-kind adventure because you are going to have all the kind of fun that you need to experience in this world, as you also try to discover the rich culture of Celtic music.

Author: Paul Weinberg

Do you want to relax and feel the serenity of nature? Take your friends and family in an adventure vacation and experience a life-transforming journey.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Trailer for Eminem’s new short film. Watch the MTV Movie Awards live Sunday, May 31 at 9PM ET.

Spain”s Prado Museum has teamed up with Google Earth for a project that allows people to zoom in on the gallery”s main works. The initiative, announced yesterday, is the first of its kind involving an art museum. It involves 14 of the Prado”s paintings.

Open Google Earth, then type in “prado museum spain” in the search engine. Once the museum zooms into focus, click on the square with the name of the museum.

By:  Gerard                        Source

Sometimes it's easy to forget that there's more than one type of due diligence. At the start-up stage, remembering to do both legal due diligence and business due diligence is critical.

Scott Dig posted a good description of the two type of due diligence earlier this month. He's applying the concept the VC funding, but it works with anyone you enter into a partnership or business relationship with.

I liked his use of the W. Edwards Demmings quote, "In God we trust. Everyone else must bring data." And in the end, it really is mostly about the numbers….

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 4623024

By:  Greg Cruey                        Source