Are your Food Safety Systems Setting You Up For Disaster?

By Malcolm J. Richmond

If you own your own restaurant no doubt you are already aware of how lucrative the food business is. However, it is very easy to ruin your restaurant business if you do not pay attention to the sanitation of your food.

There are many things to keep in mind when you are looking at making sure that your kitchen meets the standards that have been set by the health code, but the truth of the matter is that for even the most conscientious of kitchens, it can be easy to get sloppy.

When you are looking at the sanitation of your kitchen and the good health practices of your staff, there are many things that are at stake. The goal of many restaurateurs is to ensure that customers have an enjoyable experience and that they associate the restaurant with good times. This is much harder to do if they get sick.

There is also the fact that if you are careless with your sanitation you can, and most likely will run into legal difficulties. There are many things that you can do to help leave legal matters out of your life, and taking care of your health issues is one of them. Also keep in mind that it doesn't take much to ruin the reputation of even an established restaurant.

There are some very basic things that can be done to reduce the chances of a food poisoning outbreak at your restaurant. First, make certain that your staff are educated on matters of food safety. Verify that they are aware that spoiled food does not necessarily look or smell different from food that is good, and let them know that food must be kept hot or very cold in order to make sure that bacterium doesn't grow on it.

Remember that all food should always be covered and that raw and cooked foods should always be kept separate. Take some time to make sure that food is not defrosted in the open air and that hands are washed before and after handling food.

Also take care that the various hot and cold places in your kitchen meet the requirements of the local legislation, and always store meats on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator in order to keep juices from dripping down onto other foods. These are the basics for a commercial kitchen, but remember that as a general rule, the busier the kitchen, the more stringent food safety procedures need to be.

During peak serving times kitchens can resemble something of a war zone. It is important to ensure however that even during these busy times proper food safety procedures are adhered to. With well educated staff, streamlined, well enforced procedures will become habits and quality food hygiene will follow. To help create this streamlined environment it may be worthwhile to consult with a food safety expert. They can monitor procedures already in place and offer suggestions to help improve your restaurants ability to offer quality, safe food.

About the Author:

Author: Malcolm J. Richmond stresses the importance of food hygiene on his site where you can find information and advice to help ensure that your food safety procedures are always up to scratch.

Lose the Weight and Your Worries in 2009!

By Julie Morris and Sarah Morris Cherry

Do you arm yourself with a candy bar when battling your worries? I did, for more years than I'd like to admit. When I turned to food to fix my worries, food fixed me real good! The more I ate, the fatter and more stressed out I got. But for some strange reason, that didn't stop me from heading for the refrigerator or grabbing a few of my favorite candy bars when I was upset. And I was upset A LOT.

I was the RN supervisor of a large medical-surgical floor in a hospital-telling everybody what to do to get healthy, and I felt like a dummy because I couldn't stop overeating even though it made my blood pressure soar. My doctor told me I could have a stroke if I didn't lose weight, so guess what I did: I went home and ate everything I could get my hands on. A doctor I worked with congratulated me for being pregnant--when I wasn't--and I swore I would eat 500 calories until I wore a size 3, but I'll bet you can guess what I did instead: I ate until I was about to pop.

I wanted to be thin more than anything in the world, so why couldn't I quit overeating? I didn't understand it then, but I do now. When we eat, our bodies secrete feel-good brain chemicals--neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. So eating really does relieve stress temporarily.

The problem is that when we turn to food to fix our problems, they only grow, and so do we!

Twenty-five years ago, after a lifetime of overeating and stressing out, I began discovering practical ways to lose the weight and worries that weighed me down. Here are three things that did, and still do:

I started writing in a Prayer Journal about things that were stressing me out. I learned that resentments are fattening, pouting puts pounds on and worries widen hips so I cast those cares on God, and not on the refrigerator. I stopped playing games with my eating. Some of my favorites-- "Broken Cookies Don't Count," "Fudge Is My Fortress," "I've Already Blown It Today So What I Eat Now Won't Hurt Me."

I stopped playing games with my eating. Some of my favorites-- "Broken Cookies Don't Count," "Fudge Is My Fortress," "I've Already Blown It Today So What I Eat Now Won't Hurt Me."

I joined a group of people who wanted to lose weight. I love talking to others who think like I do and have the same struggles with food I used to have. We have fun while getting to the roots of our overeating. After awhile, most of them are amazed to find themselves shrinking outside while growing inside. So join me. Make 2009 THE YEAR you lose your weight and the worries that weigh you down!

Julie Morris is the author of 12 books and founder of Guided By Him-a brand new light and easy 12-week Christian weight-loss program.

About the Author:

Check out Julie's Website Guidedbyhim

Facts On the Acai Berry

By Paula Franks

By now, you may have heard all about the Acai berry and how it is one of the hottest things in the health market. Many news reports talk about the acai berry. Oprah talks about the acai berry. Rachel Ray also featured the acai berry on her show. There are many credible and popular sources that have mentioned the acai berry in one way or another.

The acai berry is not a new type of fruit. It is not a hybrid berry and its nutrients and health benefits are natural, not artificially created. The acai berry is native in low-lit, swamp areas. There are a lot of acai berries in the Brazilian rain forest where it is hard to get to.

The acai berry grows on a tall, large tree called Euterpe oleracea but most people just refer to the tree as the acai palm tree. The acai palm tree can have many trunks. Some of them have just a few trunks but there are some that have 25 trunks. Each acai berry tree can be as tall as 25 meters tall and as wide as six inches in diameter.

On each acai palm trunk, you will see many strands of ribbon-link branches hanging from it. Acai berries are found on the branches. Each acai berry is attached to a thin, small but long branch. Each branch has many acai berries on.

An acai berry looks very similar to a blueberry when ripe. The acai berry is round and small, similar to most berries. It is dark in color. Some are darker than others but most of them are dark purple in color. Each acai palm tree can produce as much as 20 kgs of acai berries a year.

Like most berries, the acai berry is edible. Many people eat the acai berry as fruit but some make use of other parts of the berry too. The acai pulp is where most of the nutrients are and it is very commonly used in wines, liqueurs, or as food flavoring or colorant. The acai berry has many uses so it is not surprising that there are many acai berry products around.

The acai berry has many healthy and medicinal properties. It is one of the best antioxidant and contains many minerals, essential fatty acids, and lots of other nutrients that the body needs to be healthy. The acai pulp is where most of the nutrients are found so to get the most health benefits of the acai berry, eat the pulp too.

Since people now know that the acai berry is so healthy, the acai berry is more in demand now than ever. In the past, the acai berry used to be hand picked but nowadays many companies have them mass harvested to meet the world demand of the acai berry. Unfortunately, automation will always decrease the effectiveness of the end product.

About the Author:

Searching for more factual information on the interesting Acai Berry? How about a website full of non-biased reviews comparing all of the products made of Acai that are available in the United States? Just click here to visit us at the Acai Berry Products free information & reviews site!

Can Repositioning Cruises Save Vacationers A Lot Of Money?

By Dorothy Yamich

Repositioning cruises are not a new phenomenon, they're just the best kept secret in the cruising industry. Just like migrating birds, many cruise ships leave for warmer climates in the Autumn and return in the Spring. Some sail south for the winter months and then sail back for the summer months. Other cruise ships sail across the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans to "reposition" themselves in warmer weather. Just like most vacationers, these large fleets of ships are seeking seasons in the sun.

These specific one-way cruises are offered at incredible discounts to attract new and seasoned cruise lovers alike. No cruise line wants to ever have the expense of moving a huge ship across hundreds or thousands of miles of ocean without having any paying cruise passengers onboard. This is a great opportunity for vacationers to get a luxury dream cruise for a bargain basement price.

A repositioning cruise is not just a stripped down version of a luxury cruise. It is a luxury cruise! All passengers enjoy the same meals, the same entertainment, and have the same onboard privileges. And your deeply discounted ticket, sometimes costing as low as fifty dollars per day, entitles you to everything that is usually included in a luxury cruise.

The main difference between a standard cruise when compared to a repositioning cruise is that the latter is longer, usually lasting from two to four weeks, with more time spent at sea and fewer, or possibly no ports of call. This will mean more peaceful, relaxing days at sea and a less hectic itinerary. And on certain repositioning cruises some ships will drop their anchors in very unique ports of call that are normally reserved for extremely expensive world cruise itineraries.

Usually these repositioning cruises take place from September through October, and from March through April. Some destinations in the Winter are Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America including the Panama Canal, as well Asia. The destinations in the Summer are Canada, Alaska, New England, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Depending on the season, vacationers can sail to or from Europe and North America; Alaska and British Columbia, and the United States southwest coast including ports in Mexico; the northern United States and the Eastern coast of Canada, and a number of southern U.S. as well Caribbean destinations. Some repositioning cruises sail to and from Asia, Africa, as well as the Middle East.

There are a few important things that you should consider if you want to go on a repositioning cruise. First is booking an "open jaw" flight where you fly to the departure port of call and then fly home from the cruise ship's destination port. These air flights can be pricey compared to the usual return airfares that most travelers are familiar with. Sometimes it is possible to book your flight through the cruise line, but not always. Even with the usual extra cost for an open jaw ticket over a regular airline return ticket, a repositioning cruise is still an incredible value for your travel dollar. However, if you are fortunate to live close by, or within driving distance of your departure port, then you would only have to book a one-way airline flight back to your departure port and then drive back home.

When booking your flight it may be advisable to arrive at your departure port a day before you sail and stay at a hotel overnight. This will avoid the problem of any unforeseen flight delays that can sometimes happen and leave you standing on the pier waving goodbye to a cruise ship that has left without you.

If you think you would enjoy a relaxing and long luxury cruise then you'll love a repositioning cruise which usually is not filled to full capacity with passengers and spends more time at sea.

P.S. Don't forget your camera and a wardrobe that reflects the possible weather conditions that you may encounter on your cruise.

About the Author:

To quickly find and book cheap cruises, at the best possible price, whenever you feel like traveling, go to Travel Tips Guide, for more information.

Product Review for the Panasonic EP-1272 Massage Chair

By Steve Esquire

This review is of the Panasonic massage chair model EP 1272. The EP 1272 is part of the Real Pro Elite series of massage recliners. Panasonic is known for its advanced massage techniques and simple electronics. This review will point out the main features, functions and warranty coverage for your perusal.

One of the important aspects of the purchase is your long term protection. The warranty coverage is designed to remove the longer term risk from the purchase. Let us take a look at what Panasonic offers with the EP-1272. This model comes with 3 years parts and 1 year labor. Labor is only available at authorized outlets which is not too convenient. Panasonic now offers in home service, but does not include it with this model. We find this warranty under par for the rest of the industry.

Let's look at some of the more important features of this shiatsu recliner. There are many therapeutic massage functions incorporated into this model. There are 4 automatic massage programs, 8 manual massage programs, and 3 manual back massage courses. There are also lower body air massage capabilities for the calves and feet.

The 4 automatic programs include: shiatsu, Swedish, stretch and quick. Shiatsu provides overall stimulation of the back, neck and shoulders utilizing the soft shiatsu, deep rubbing and tapping actions. Swedish provides overall loosening of the muscles in the back, neck and shoulders using longer strokes, circular motions and rhythmic actions. Stretch provides overall stretching of the back muscles using the rolling, pressing, shiatsu and kneading massages. Quick provides loosening of the back, neck and shoulders using rhythmic actions, circular motions, squeezing and tapping.

The 8 manual massage modes include the following massage techniques: kneading, compression, Swedish, Hawaiian, soft shiatsu, tapping, regional rolling and full rolling. Kneading is particularly effective for the neck and shoulders. Compression is recommended for full body relaxation. Swedish loosens up large areas of the back. Hawaiian helps to relieve tension in the lower back. Soft shiatsu is excellent for loosening up knots in the back. Tapping loosens up the finer muscles of the neck or as a finishing massage. Regional rolling provides focused rolling out of the back muscles. Full rolling provides overall stretching of the back muscles.

The leg rest has a dual purpose massage. It can be used to massage the calves or the feet. If you place your legs into the leg rest, then it will target your calves. To massage your feet, the leg rest must be raised more horizontal and you must bend your knees to place your feet in. The leg rest provides an air compression massage. This is accomplished by energizing airbags built into the leg rest. They provide a gentle or firm squeeze, hold and release massage. This is particularly effective to relieve tight, sore or aching muscles in the calves and feet.

We like the simple design of the Panasonic remote control. They have certainly set the standard over the years for the industry. The one touch automatic programs are excellent for a full body massage. Need a little customization, then just flip open the hidden panel and select from the eight manual massage treatments. Select exactly the area or pinpoint a specific point to work over in your favorite technique. You can even adjust the roller width and set the massage intensity. This massage recliner is very versatile.

Overall, the Real Pro Elite model EP 1272 is a well designed shiatsu recliner. It comes with an excellent variety of massage therapies and can be effectively targeted to specific regions. The design aesthetics of the chair could have been better along with the warranty. The Panasonic EP 1272 does deliver effective massage therapy, so if you are in the market for a mid range massage chair, then this deserves your serious consideration.

About the Author:

Our review presented the EP-1272 Massage Chair by Panasonic. We carry Panasonic as well as all the top massage chair models from Omega, Human Touch and Sanyo. We have massage chairs for effective massage therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Whitening your Teeth

By Gregory Chase

Afraid to smile? Afraid to show those not-so-white teeth? Afraid that you'll be looked down upon because you don't have pearly white teeth like the movie stars? Well, relax. Not to worry. We've put together the top 10 teeth whitening questions here, so you can find out what it takes to brighten that smile. Check it out, and prepare to get noticed!

Can anyone benefit from teeth whitening? Everyone wants a bright, white smile. Unfortunately, not everyone can get one, at least not without spending a lot of money. Those who are fortunate enough to have healthy teeth can easily benefit from teeth whitening.

However, the teeth whitening systems of today can't do too much for those who've had re constructive dental work. Also, those with really bad teeth stains aren't guaranteed of totally white smiles, either, although they will see some improvement.

What does a teeth whitening system consist of? There are different types of teeth whitening systems, ranging from an hour-long procedure done in the dentist's office, to teeth whitening strips you can put on your teeth as you go about your daily activities.

The most popular systems use bleaching trays and a whitening gel. That's about all there is to it - simple and effective. Of course, there are all kinds of whitening toothpastes available on the market, and they do a good job, too, although they're a little more superficial.

How does a teeth whitening system work? Probably the most common tooth whitening system today uses a bleaching tray, which either you or a professional lab, mold to the shape of your teeth. Then you fill the tray with whitening gel, and wear it from one to four hours a day.

Most gels have hydrogen peroxide in them which chemically breaks down the stains on your teeth. Some gels use carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, but the results are good, either way. Over a period of time, the gel bleaches your teeth, getting rid of stains, and returning your teeth to their original, natural shine.

How long will it take for the bleaching system to whiten my teeth? If you want your teeth whitened quickly, say perhaps for an important date, then you can take advantage of a system like the Zoom! Teeth Whitening System. This is done in a dental office, and takes an hour. Your teeth will come out about six shades lighter in that short period of time. Or, if you have a bit more time, you might want to use the Zoom! Take-Home System. That system uses the bleaching trays and the whitening gel to brighten your teeth. There are many other systems that use the same principal, so shop around to find the one that suits you best.

How do my teeth get stained in the first place? There are a number of things that'll stain your teeth. They're referred to in the industry as chromogenic agents. The most common chromogenic agents are tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking.

If you drink a lot of any of those liquids, or if you smoke a lot, then you're probably going to have some discoloration in your teeth. As you get older, the enamel on your teeth breaks down and you're more susceptible to stains.

Do teeth whitening systems hurt? Since most teeth whitening systems use some form of peroxide, then it's possible that you could experience a small amount of pain. But it's nothing like getting teeth pulled or anything like that. It's more of just a discomfort, and it doesn't last very long. The discomfort is usually felt in the gums, because that's there the nerves are. If you have too much discomfort, you should contact a professional and find out what you can do to prevent it.

What are moldable bleaching trays? Moldable bleaching trays are an integral part of the teeth whitening system. They're the parts that hold the whitening gel against your teeth which, ultimately, cleans and brightens your teeth.

It's important that you have a bleaching tray that's exactly formed to your teeth, otherwise the gel may not get even coverage of your teeth, and you may get what they call zebra teeth. It may also take a lot longer for the system to work if the gel isn't in constant contact with your teeth. And that means you'll have to buy extra gel.

If you don't think you can get a proper fit by yourself, then you can take the bleaching tray and make a mold of your teeth. Then you send it to a professional lab who'll make the tray for you and return it to you within a few days. Then you're sure of the right fit.

How long will my teeth stay white after using a teeth whitening system? The actual time your teeth keep their natural shine depends on what you eat and drink. If you come into contact with a lot of chromogenic agents, then your teeth won't stay white as long.

Most teeth whitening systems last for a couple of years, but it's recommended that you do touch-ups every 6 months to a year. That way, you'll keep your lovely smile all the time.

What's the difference between Boil-and-Bite trays and the trays you send to a lab? The general rule, when dealing with a profession, is to use a professional. After all, that's what they're there for. However, if you want to save a little money, there's no reason you can't do a reasonable job yourself.

So the choice is yours. If you're confident that you can make your bleaching tray yourself, then by all means, use the Boil-and-Bite trays. All you do is soften them by dipping them in boiling water, then mold them to your teeth. It's quite a simple process. However, as always, if you're not able to do something yourself, then there are professionals waiting to help you out. And you know the job will be done right because that's what they're trained for.

Do I have to stop drinking coffee and red wine to keep my teeth white? It's not necessary to change your lifestyle just to keep your smile bright and shiny. If you see your teeth starting to discolor, then it's ok to do a little touch-up for a few days, every four to six months.

In Summary everybody wants to have a winning smile. It's the first thing other people see, and first impressions are important, whether your in the business field or engaging in social activity. A bright smile is an icebreaker in any situation.

So that's why teeth whitening systems were developed. Whitening teeth isn't rocket science. That's why you're given the choice of doing it at home on your own if you want. Or you can go to a dentist's office and get more sophisticated treatment, like laser teeth whitening.

Whichever method you choose, you don't need to go to the great expense and hassle of cosmetic dentistry. All you need is a good teeth whitening system. And where do you get that? Check out all the great online teeth whitening systems - they'll have your smile back to its natural whiteness and brightness before you know it. Then you can go around flashing that lovely smile!

About the Author:

Greggory Chase writes for http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com where you can read about the latest on laser teeth whitening

Kombucha Recipes for a Healthier You

By Virginia Pipolini

Have you heard of Kombucha tea? This unusual elixir is known around the world and is an ancient remedy. In areas of Japan and China the Kombucha starter was given as a wedding gift as a blessing for good health.

Growing Kombucha is easy, and starts with a piece of Kombucha. Thoroughly clean a gallon ceramic or glass jar, and add to it a tea mix made from two liters of boiling water, one cup of sugar, and 4 tea bags. Let the tea bags sit in the water as it naturally cools to room temperature. You are then ready to add your Kombucha start along with one cup of the fermented Kombucha brew.

Just remember a few things before you work with your Kombucha. Clean your hands thoroughly, and rinse them with a little Kombucha tea before you touch the mushroom. Don't ever touch metal to your mushroom, either. Store your new tea mix in a dark place, covered with a cloth or paper towel that's secured in place to keep out insects.

It only takes a week or so for the blend to ferment. Now you can strain off all but about a cup of the blend and bottle it. Store your fermented tea in the fridge to slow further growing. Mix a new batch of sugar tea as you had before to replace what you strained off. Now you can put the jar back in its dark storage space for another week.

With your new batch of Kombucha tea ready to drink it is recommended that you start slowly. Drink about a quarter cup in the morning and the evening. You can increase this amount as you feel comfortable. This tea is very good for your digestion and is very calming as well.

About once a month you will need to clean the jar. You can start another gallon supply as you had with your earlier batches. The oldest bottom layer of mushroom can be taking out at this time. You can bury bits of the mushroom in the soil for your house plants, or under a tree in the garden as a supplemental nutritional treat.

Don't forget your friends! Kombucha makes a great gift. Give away the extra layers along with a little of the tea, and your friends can enjoy this same healthy drink. You can also keep those layers in the fridge or freezer, they keep for months.

About the Author:

Learn more about Kombucha Tea and its many health benefits. Author Virginia Pipolini shares her holistic health knowledge on sites like Gucamole.com

Knowing When to Replace Your Contacts

By Amy Nutt

Wearing contact lenses requires a little more attention than using glasses. The contacts need to be cleaned and after a certain amount of use, they will need to be replaced. Your contact replacement schedule will depend entirely upon the type of contact lenses that you choose to go with.

Types of Contact Lenses There are several different kinds of contact lenses, each has a different life span and it is really a matter of personal preference as to which one you use. There are two main types, hard and soft.

Hard Lenses Hard contact lenses are rigid and cannot be used overnight. These lenses are very durable, however, and can be cleaned daily to maintain them. With proper care, hard contact lenses will last a very long time, often up to two years. However, it is possible for the harder plastic to become contaminated or end up with mineral buildup if they aren`t carefully looked after, which will shorten their life span.

In general, hard contacts will be replaced if they are lost, damaged or have become too contaminated to fix.

Soft Lenses Soft contacts, on the other hand, do not last as long since they are made of thinner material. There are far more varieties of these lenses and many people prefer them for comfort. It takes less time to get your eyes used to soft lenses than it does for hard ones.

Regular soft contact lenses should last up to a year with proper care. This means taking them out each evening like hard contacts and cleaning them. Keep in mind that the material tends to tear easily, so they need to be handled very gently while cleaning.

Daily wear lenses are just that, meant for daily use. You toss the contact lenses at the end of each day. This ensures fresh, clean and sterile ones are used in the morning and prevents infections and possible injuries due to improper cleaning, something that often occurs when people are using long term contacts.

Special silicone lenses allow you to wear them non-stop for an entire month. This is possibly the most popular option these days. You don`t need to think about your contacts, just put them in at the beginning of the month and wear them day and night for up to 30 days. These will need to be replaced each month, an easily remembered date.

It`s important to replace your contacts when needed. When older lenses are used, they can end up with bacteria and mineral buildup. When the encrustations scratch your eye, they open the path for those bacteria to creep in and cause infections. Since the eye is a very delicate organ, infections can be serious. Some even cause blindness.

Eye doctors often recommend daily use or frequent replacement lenses to prevent problems. When you use completely new and fresh lenses on a daily basis, or whenever you take out the old ones, the chances of developing issues with this type of eyewear are extremely low. It`s a good idea to check out this option if you aren`t interested in cleaning your lenses on a regular basis with contact lens solutions or dealing with the constant upkeep required.

To prevent possible problems, be sure to change your contact lenses when necessary. Not all lenses make it to the supposed change-by date, so if you notice that they seem cloudy, scratched or smell funny, toss them and replace. It might mean a little more cash outlay, but that`s well worth it to keep your eyes healthy and safe.

About the Author:

Canada's largest online optical store for designer glasses, eyeglasses and color contacts. Features the latest designer frames, colour contacts, theatrical lenses.