Hobbies

Have A Nice Home Garden Through Ten Steps

October 19, 2018

Gardening is both a good hobby and a very productive project. To have a small home garden of your own is a wonderful idea. It proves a very adventurous task as well because it is also not too easy to undertake at times. You will have to be very vigilant about this from time to time. We have worked out the various steps involved in the creation of a small home garden. These are ten very useful steps to make it possible for you to dig into your first garden adventure.

  1. When to plant

You cannot plant each and everything at each and every time if you want to get perfect results. You should start your planning before the snow melts and begin digging and planting just at the start of spring, the best time for growing. You will spend your whole spring digging and planting your new plants and the summer watering, weeding and watching your young plants grow handsomely. However, it is much better to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs and some perennials during the autumn. So, when to plant depends on what to plant.

  1. Decide what to plant

You may develop a vegetable garden, an herb garden, a flower garden or an all-round garden depending upon your inclination and the availability of space in your house. Whatever you choose, start at a small scale because it is always better to succeed a little than to fail grandly.

  1. Pick a place

You must select the portion of your house most suitable for gardening. It must receive sunlight for most of the time of the day because almost all the vegetables and most flowers need about six hours of full sun every day. Watch how the sun moves across your selected space before you finalize it for your upcoming garden. Still no need to worry if you do not have a full sunny place, for many plants can grow in shade as well. You can consult with your local garden centre to find out how much sunlight a plant requires.

Secondly, your garden will need your rapt attention frequently, so it has to be within your eye-reach, and also close enough to a water spigot to be watered easily.

  1. Dig the ground

No sod should be there covering the area you want to plant. So get rid of all the sod at once. For the quick results, you can dig out the ground with a spade or spading fork bought from some legends like Bradshaws Direct, etc. The top 8 to 12 inches of soil must be removed but only when the soil is neither too wet nor too dry. Rather, it must be moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Turn the soil only once a year if you have a vegetable garden or beds of annual flowers.

  1. Improve the fertility of soil

The fertility of all sorts of soil improves naturally and can be boosted by adding a 2 to 3 inch layer of simple organic matter. It includes compost, decayed leaves, dry grass clippings, old manure, etc. Nowadays, soil tests have been introduced to check what your soil lacks and how to enrich it.

  1. Select your plants

Always select the plants which suit the climate, soil and the span of sunlight in your garden place. Though you may search online, we have prepared a list for you to choose from.

  • Vegetables

Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Chillies, etc.

  • Annuals

Sunflowers, Marigolds, Cosmos, Geraniums, Zinnias, etc.

  • Perennials

Russian sage, Lamb’s ears, Phlox, Pansies, Day lilies, Coneflowers, etc.

  1. Sow the seeds or plant the seedlings

You can sow the seeds or dig a hole and plunk the young plant or seedling in the ground. Sowing the seeds is not the same for various plants. You must get the information from the seed packet about when to plant, how deep to plant and how far apart to plant the seed. Also, the seeds and the seedlings should be moist but not wet, for they may rot if they are wet.

  1. Water frequently

Water your seeds, seedlings or transplants daily in the beginning for their rapid growth. Later on, their water needs depend upon your soil, climate, rain-fall, etc. Water slowly and deeply so that they may absorb or diffuse it inside. Watering early in the morning minimizes evaporation.

  1. Mulch

Mulch always helps keep the weeds out and water in. So cover your soil with a couple of inches of Mulch. Pine needles, Cocoa halts and bark chips may be used as Mulch.

  1. Be consistent

Your garden is quite ready now. You only need to be consistent with watering and weeding. Also fertilize it with a dry fertilizer halfway through the season. In case of a liquid fertilizer, use it every month.

In this way, you can plant a home garden of your own and proceed with it quite smoothly.

Food

The Growing Culture of Foodies

October 9, 2018

Thanks to a variety of phenomena, such as different kinds of wealth distribution, different uses of time for various people in society and the abundance of restaurants that continue to crop up, we’ve seen an emergence of a new hobby, a new interest to jot down on a dating profile or even on a resume if one felt so compelled to do so. If you haven’t figured it out by now, it’s that of a foodie.

This trend is fanned by shows such as Top Chef, Hells Kitchen, The Food Network, Rachel Ray, travels with the late Bourdain, and many other cooking and eating shows in the market.

Being a foodie is not something to take lightly either, food is a staple of our lives and being a card-carrying member of the foodie club requires more, it requires a bit more Joie de vivre and a longing for je ne sais quoi, a search for the interesting and the distinct, a yearning to continue to strive and discover more about the world and more about life through the joy of food.

This new interest in treating food as not just an input and as something more, as something that can be enriching to our lives in more ways than one, something that transcends many boundaries in life and unites people from all backgrounds.

A common cause, united for the love of great artisanal, organic and natural food. A hobby that is sought not only to feed the stomach but to feed the mind and the soul as well.

The rising craze defeats many a bland purveyor of cuisine, the traditional chain restaurants that have been around lament the loss of the dollars of the new class of food lovers and seek to find ways to innovate and capture their interest once more. They seek to draw the millennial and their insatiable wants into their fine or not so fine establishments once more.

Let’s talk more about how foodies came about and the sorts of changes that they will bring to the food sector.

A brief history foodies and their impact on the restaurant landscape

This is a time where we not only have pizzas but pizzas of all sorts and styles made from different regions and places, pizzas with stuffed crust, gluten-free, or pizzas that are woodfired, this is a time of many different food innovations that stroke the inner fire of many a foodie.

But where did the foodie come from? Who was the first foodie? We may never know but we can try and understand how the trend came to be.

The first theory is that of loneliness and homesickness. This theory was posed by the great and late Anthony Bourdain. There is certainly a lot of credence to this theory, due to globalization many people had to move from one place to another. They might not have had the same networks, experiences, and events that they had when they were back home and so food comes in and plays the role of a comforter and a connection to something that once was.

Sites such as Instagram and Yelp might have had something to do with it as well.

Instagram allows one to take beautiful pictures of their food and show it to the rest of the world. Not too many people are Instagramming a twinkie or a peanut butter sandwich that they made at the house. They are Instagramming finely created and presented meals from various restaurants across the world.

Yelp provides a review platform for one to consciously think about their food and write about how great or poor it was, the reviews can go on about experiences, the food, the presentation and even more.

A culmination of a variety of these factors might have led to the rise of the foodie. We know that depending on their interests and wants, food suppliers, restaurants and others in the industry will have to follow to thrive and succeed.

Yet it is also important that foodies have a resource to go to in regard to making sure that they are following positive and healthy trends. This is where an important resource such as the Consumer Health Digest comes in.

The Consumer Health Digest

The Consumer Health Digest is a resource that allows people to manage their health and the different aspect tied to their health in a fresh and rejuvenating manner. Individuals can find that they will be able to see a medley of different types of information that will be relevant for their lives and the lives of the people around them.

Individuals can find research and information related to issues such as weight loss, sleep disorders, fitness tips and interesting topics such as an examination of bone broth and its relevance to your health.

Foodies can turn to such a resource to have a well-balanced life that accounts for overall health from fitness to the necessary nutrients and combating obesity and other matters as well.

The Consumer Health Digest is a valuable resource for foodies, their friends, and their families to learn more about health and how to maintain it in the best ways possible.

While we may never know where the first foodie came from we do know that with resources such as Consumer Health Digest we can keep people healthy and keep the trend going for years to come.

Food

All That You Wanted To Know About Vitamins

October 6, 2018

Vitamins are essential for good health and overall well-being as they play a crucial role in a number of bodily functions, such as immunity, metabolism, and digestion. While we need them in tiny amounts, their deficiency is linked to serious health outcomes, including increased risk of diseases like scurvy, night blindness, rickets, and pellagra, among others.

If you are wondering why we need these micronutrients or are worried that your family might not be getting them in recommended amounts, this post is just for you.

In this post, we’ll discuss the following:

  • Different types of vitamins

  • Why we need vitamins

  • Food sources rich in vitamins

Different Types of Vitamins

According to our friends from MedAlertHelp, there are 13 vitamins in total, divided into two categories: fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.

  • Fat-soluble vitamins – The body absorbs these vitamins through fatty tissue. There are four fat-soluble vitamins, namely A, D, E, and K. Our body stores these vitamins in fatty tissue and the liver.

  • Water-soluble vitamins – As the name suggests, these vitamins dissolve in water. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and C are all water-soluble vitamins. Our body doesn’t store these, except for B12. Instead, it absorbs whatever is needed and flushes out the excess through urine.

Why We Need Vitamins?

Here’s a brief description of the role each vitamin plays in the body.

  • Vitamin A aids immunity function, promotes healthy appetite, fights cell damage, and helps maintain healthy bones

  • Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and teeth, besides offering protection against diabetes and cancer

  • Vitamin E helps reduce free radical damage and promote healthy skin

  • Vitamin K helps in wound healing by ensuring blood coagulation and improves bone health

  • Vitamin B7 aids metabolism and fetal growth

  • Vitamin B9 supports healthy fetal development, enhances brain function helps reduce free radical damage, and improves immune function.

  • Vitamin B3 boosts brain function, may help lower cholesterol, and improves skin function

  • Vitamin B5 aids metabolism, promotes heart health, supports liver function, and helps keep skin healthy

  • Vitamin B1 promotes energy production, protects nerves, improves memory, and helps prevent heart diseases

  • Vitamin B2 plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells

  • Vitamin B6 helps maintain brain function and formation of red blood cells

  • Vitamin B12 helps produce red blood cells and supports metabolism

  • Vitamin C promotes oral health, helps maintain healthy tissue, and aids wound healing

Food Sources Rich in Vitamins

The best way to obtain vitamins is by adhering to a well-balanced diet. However, there’s one vitamin that can’t be obtained from food only—Vitamin D. The most natural way to obtain it is by being out in the sun.

Now, let’s see which foods provide which vitamins.

  • Vitamin A – Dark leafy vegetables, dark-colored fruits (like blackberries and apple), egg yolk, fortified milk, and dairy products

  • Vitamin D – Fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, and mackerel), cheese, egg yolks, beef liver

  • Vitamin E – Dark green vegetables, avocado, papaya, mango, oils (sunflower, corn, and safflower), and nuts

  • Vitamin K – Dark green vegetables, cabbage, dark leafy vegetables, cereals, fish, and eggs

  • Vitamin B7 (Biotin) – Egg yolk, milk, nuts, chocolate, cereal, and pork

  • Vitamin B9 (Folate) – Beets, fortified cereals, asparagus and broccoli, green, leafy vegetables, dried beans, peanut butter, and lentils

  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – Eggs, avocado, lean meats, fish, potato, legumes, and poultry

  • Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – Eggs, avocado, broccoli and kale, mushrooms, milk, and legumes

  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – Eggs, dried milk, lean meats, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and peas

  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – Beef, milk, mushrooms, spinach, pork, fish, and tofu

  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) – Banana, avocado, legumes, nuts, meat, whole grains, and poultry

  • Vitamin B12 – Eggs, meat, milk, fortified foods (like soymilk), shellfish, and poultry

  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, citrus fruits, and spinach

A healthy diet minimizes the chances of developing the vitamin deficiency. However, certain health conditions (like intestinal or liver disorders), alcoholism, and emotional disorders can make it difficult for the body to properly absorb vitamins, even when your diet is well-balanced. If you or a loved one constantly feels lethargic and suffers from chronic health problems, consult a doctor to rule out vitamin deficiency.

Food

A Guide to Food and Drink on Cruise Ships

October 4, 2018

So, you’ve decided on a cruise for your next holiday, but what can you expect from your onboard experience when it comes to dining? There are lots of options, but here are my tips on how to get the most from your experience and satisfy your inner foodie.

Is food included?

The great thing about cruising is that whichever company you go with, all your meals while onboard are included in the upfront price of your holiday – this includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, some speciality restaurants or franchise coffee shops may charge an additional fee, so make sure you do your research.

Dietary requirements

If you have specific dietary requirements, food intolerances or allergies, it’s always worth flagging these to your cruise line ahead of your voyage, as they’ll usually be very accommodating to your needs. It’s worth researching the best cruises for vegetarians and vegans, as some ships will allow you to bring vegan wine onboard, although a corkage fee may be charged in the restaurants.

What about drinks?

Drinks are usually extra but it’s possible to purchase drinks packages in advance; these can be a cost-effective option. Some cruise lines do offer fully inclusive options, which means all meals and selected alcohol and soft drinks are included in the initial cost. If you’re on a budget, consider choosing a cruise line that offers this.

What type of drinks can I get?

Generally speaking, you’ll be able to get any drinks you’d expect to get on dry land, with most ships offering a good selection of wines, beers and spirits in their bars. If you’re after elegant evenings, choose ships with upmarket cocktail bars, some of which have floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can enjoy the views whilst sipping a Martini or glass of bubbly.

Buffet dining

Most cruise ships have a buffet restaurant, offering relaxed and informal dining and a feast of fabulous food. You can help yourself to a mouth-watering selection of foods and refill your plate as often as you like. Beware those infamous cruise kilos though, and consider counteracting a little indulgence with a trip to the onboard gym!

Breakfasts

Ships will usually lay out breakfast options in their buffet dining area where you can expect to graze on fresh fruit, go for a full English or enjoy toast, pastries and pancakes, accompanied by a choice of teas, juices and coffees.

Speciality restaurants

Depending on the size of your ship, you’ll usually have a choice of speciality restaurants to dine in. Obviously this will vary, but you can expect international favourites such as grilled steak and chicken through to Italian, Japanese sushi and Mediterranean morsels. Some ships also offer afternoon tea, allowing you to enjoy finger sandwiches and a selection of sweet treats as well as a pot of tea.

Always check the dress code before you head to your chosen eatery, as some require formal attire.

Food

Inn Supplies – Future Trends in Coffee 2018 and Beyond What can we expect for the coffee sector in the future?

September 27, 2018

What can we expect for the coffee sector in the future?

From premium coffee brands like Starbucks to independent stores in a quirky location, coffee shops are popping up nationwide — with already around 21,000 in the country. The selection and availability of one of the world’s most loved beverages has expanded massively in recent years, with ingredients and ways of offering the ‘coffee drinking experience’ becoming more innovative with every new creation.

With a great focus on sustainability, organic sources, health-conscious options, and quirky flavours, we look at the rise in popularity of coffee beverages and which trends we can expect to become the standard in UK coffee shops of the future.

Coffee worldwide

You can’t deny that coffee is one of the most consumed drinks around the world, especially in developed nations. World coffee production for the 2017-18 period is estimated at around 158.78 million bags — an increase of 0.7% compared to 2016-17 — while coffee’s global market value is anticipated to see a 5.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Looking at the industry from a UK perspective, the British Coffee Association claims that we drink around 95 million cups of coffee a day.

Have you tried cold-brew coffee?

Expect cold-brew coffees to become a momentous trend here in the UK. Cold-brew is more than just ‘cold coffee’ — and it’s not iced coffee either. Cold-brew coffee is brewed with cold or room-temperature water over 12 to 24 hours. The reason it’s growing in popularity is because it often features a mellower, sweeter, more full-bodied taste with less acidity. More than that, it’s easily bottled and ideal for on-the-go coffee consumers, which makes it convenient for those who don’t have time in the morning to queue and order a hot option.

Considering that cold-brew coffee is also easier to brew in large batches, there’s no reason that coffee shops shouldn’t be on board.

Have you tried nitrogen-infused coffee?

There’s a great space in the market for nitrogen infused coffee. Nitro-brew coffee is a type of cold-brew beverage served on tap and infused with nitrogen that delivers a creamy, ice-cold drink that has the look and texture of a pint of ale! Recently, Starbucks introduced it to its UK outlets after success in the United States and it’s highly probable that other chains and independent shops will follow suit.

Have you tried flat coffee?

Research has suggested that through premium coffee shops, flat whites make up 10% of all orders. Currently an emerging trend and set to become a regular entry on most coffee shops’ menu boards, drinks such as flat blacks and even flat mochas are gearing up to challenge the popularity of the flat white — so keep an eye out for it at your local cafe.

A look at alternative coffee mixers

Figures released by Agribusiness Intelligence found that in Britain, the alternative milk sector is set to increase by 43% in the next four years — currently worth an astonishing £6.9 billion. Recently, the trend for non-dairy foods and drinks and other milk-substitute products that suit lifestyles, like vegetarianism, and conditions, such a lactose intolerance, has grown — and this is affecting the coffee shop industry, too.

There’s a lot of variation too. Oat, soy, rice, almond, cashew, coconut, and macadamia milks will likely grow in availability in UK coffee shops, with greater creativity around how baristas infuse their gourmet and speciality drinks with these alternative mixers.

Pop-up street coffee

There’s no reason why independent coffee shops should be taking advantage of the pop-up street market — all they need is great coffee and sturdy paper coffee cups. Head of marketing at KERB — a street food event organiser — Alison O’Reilly, said: “Now a lot of people are leaving nine-to-five jobs in finance, tech and marketing. They see it as a low-risk way of setting up a restaurant without having to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

The idea has caused a lot of conversation and has led to many great experiences for coffee drinkers. Considering the rising popularity of cold-brew coffee — suited to spring and summer — alongside hot-coffee options — ideal for autumn and winter; launching a coffee street food business offers the potential to be a lucrative, year-round venture.

Sources:

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/coffee-market

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/uk-coffee-week-2018-british-people-drinking-millions-cups-day-consumption-rise-a8307206.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/flat-white-coffee-culture-antipodean-mcdonalds-advert-starbucks-latte-a8246111.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/street-food-2018-sophistication-why-kerb-club-mexicana-bao-pop-brixton-street-feast-a8186716.html

https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/uk-milk-alternative-sector-to-soar-by-43-by-2022

https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-to-pilot-bean-to-cup-traceability

https://www.ft.com/content/a3f69e50-51c8-11e7-a1f2-db19572361bb

https://www.statista.com/statistics/779089/coffee-sales-growth-type/