unorthodoxchef

Did anyone ever tell you to remember to eat your greens? Of course, all of us have heard that expression once or twice. These days going green can mean operating a solar powered vehicle, keeping the air clean and free from pollution, using recycled products, using less energy, and washing your clothes in cold water-which I do all the time.

However, in my case, I am making the choice to load my refrigerator full of greens in order to lose the weight I have been struggling to lose for years. It’s a conscience choice, and after seeing what greens can do for your body, I will make the necessary changes to make this happen.

So why the sudden change you ask? My fiance and I had a long talk today over dinner about why the nation is so overweight. As we sat and looked upon several diners weighing over 250 lbs stuff their mouths full of greasy fries and hamburgers, and lets not forget all the ladies on their way to the bathroom with their low rise jeans and rolls of fat spilling over their tight jeans-well anyone would want to jump on a treadmill after that.

It’s a harsh world ladies and gentlemen. And for those of you ladies who never find yourselves at the beach or a pool because you’re just to uncomfortable to squeeze those cheeks into a bikini-well, I think it’s time to assess the damage.

You’re not alone, trust me. However, the more I see pictures of  women with phenomenal figures who only eat off the perimeter of the market, and by perimeter I mean vegetables, the more I want to succeed.

These ladies love their greens and it shows!

The Lettuce Ladies

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That better be a soy hot dog!

Playmates Lauren Anderson and Laura Guttridge posed as “Lettuce Ladies”
in PETA’s annual Capitol Hill veggie dog giveaway.-2007

The Vegan Vixens

The Sexiest Vegetarian

Ice sculpture is simply the art of sculpting a large block of ice into a type of abstract or realistic form which can act as a centerpiece or in a functional capacity. In fact, many people choose to use these in extravagant events to keep the wine chilled in a fountain like fashion and also at weddings to frame doorways and to promote a sense of blissfulness or romance.

Temperature is key! A sculpture can last from minutes to possibly months depending on the storage circumstances. Ice Sculpture may reside in a chilly environment for travelers to walk through or possibly at ice festivals where artists pull out all the stops to wow the crowd.

The Quebec Ice Castle

The Quebec Winter Carnival  is an annual winter carnival that takes place in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The festival typically starts on the first Friday of January and continues for 17 days. “With close to one million participants, it has grown to become the largest winter celebration in the world.”

The castle is located on the Plains of Abraham where the grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland including activities like snow slides, skiing, snow rafting, sledding, ice fishing, and a snow sculpture contest. You can also grab a cup of hot cocoa at the end of the day in the bistro.

Building’s

The Ice Castle at the International Ice Sculpture Competition and Exhibition 2005, Lake Louise, Alberta

Civil Works Administration: “The New Deal Ice Palace”, Lake Bemidji, Minnesota–1934

The 2004 Saint Paul Winter Carnival ice castle.

Main Hall in ICEHOTEL Jukkasjärvi. Sculptures by Jörgen Westin (January, 2007)

Existing each year between December and April, the Icehotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi, about 17 km from Kiruna, Sweden was the world’s first ice hotel.

Sculptures

“Mysterious Pearl” as taken with 400 ASA film in a Minolta Dynax 7: March 2006 in Fairbanks, AK

Compliments of Seaway.org

Recognize who’s in the Picture?

Ice carvers from all over the world came to Fairbanks, Alaska to compete in the single and multi-block competitions. Governor Palin stands before the ice sculpture that won the Artist’s Choice Award presented by the Governor at the awards ceremony.

Compliments of Fiax Charities

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Here’s some more crafty art and wacky structures

• He’s Got Lego and He Knows How to Use Them: Insane Lego Models
• What Goes Up Must Stand Still: Six Life Size Pieces of Balloon Art
• Urban Glass Blowing: Organic Sculptures From the Minds of Artists
• Historical Artistic Creations From Concrete Park in Wisconsin
• 10 Crafty Scrap Metal Creations From Art Park in Wisconsin

Tidbit of History

Archaeologist’s believe that the cocoa tree is several thousand years old and originated in the South Amazon.  “The first documented trees comes from the Aztecs who were said to bring the trees from the Yucatan around 600 AD.” According to the Mayans, cocoa had magical powers, enabling people to possess certain qualities they may have never had without consuming the beans.The most important use of the cocoa bean, documented by historians, was in the culinary field where it was used in a liquid form called xocotlatl.

After centuries of trade and experimentation, the cocoa bean made it’s way all over the world where it found it’s rightful place in coffee houses and chocolate factories. The first chocolates ever made were in Germany in 1663 when a special delicacy was made from almonds, dates, and marzipan covered in chocolate. It was called “Praline”.

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Types of Chocolate Used

Dark Couverture-Dark is usually bittersweet and quite solid depending on the amounts of solids and sugars used.

Milk Couverture-Herseys does not count in the culinary world. Milk couverture is usually pale brown to almost dark.

White Couverture-Typically this comes in different colors and is mostly used as a garnish considering many Chefs do not consider this to be true chocolate.

Bakers Chocolate-This is a soft cutting chocolate which contains no cocoa butter, however it doesn’t require tempering so it’s preferred chocolate by many.

Cooking Chocolate-This is a cheap option for flavoring, and it’s especially never used by bakers or chocolatiers.

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When a Chef, artist or chocolatier decides to embark on a huge sculpting task, the initial planning is sometimes the most difficult. It’s not as easy as obtaining an enormous chunk of chocolate. Many individuals will use different processes, grades, and structural pieces to maintain and construct their chocolate sculpture. Often times, molds will be handmade, chocolate will be shipped in from all over the world, along with tools that the artist may not already have.

All in all it’s a daunting process, but the outcome is extraordinary.

by jiji357i

Compliments of  Hyd-Masti

Compliments of Elimona.com

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by emilywjones

by emilywjones

by jamescronin

When choosing the cut of prime rib to cook, make sure the meat is a color of deep red and the fat caps should be perfectly creamy and white. The prime rib should not only smell fresh but be free of excess liquids within the package.

Prime rib cooking times depend entirely on the method you plan to use to prepare the rib. If you are planning on roasting the prime rib the cooking temperature and time are as follows:

ROASTING

Prime rib cooking times can be calculated by internal temperatures. The following cooking times are based on a rib roast that weighs approximately 4 to 6 lbs.

• 1) Rare requires an internal temperature of 125 degrees: Cooking time calculates to roughly 1 hour.
• 2) Medium rare requires an internal temperature of 135 degrees:  Approximately 1 ½ hours
• 3) Medium has an internal temperature of 145 degrees: Roughly1 hour and 45 minutes
• 4) Medium Well has an internal temperature of 155 degrees: Generally 2 hours

Cooking at higher temperatures and at faster rates in a conventional oven tends to dry out the cut and make the meat rubbery.

BROIL or GRILL

Make sure you test the coals or gas burning grill by placing your hand semi close and if you pull your hand away within 3 seconds, it’s ready to go.

The greatest tip for Prime Rib cooking times using this method is to cut your roasting times in half. Direct heat from these sources is going to speed up the cooking process so keep a good eye on the situation and have a biotherm or a thermometer handy.

Pan Frying uses oils or butters to create friction which will also speed up the process. It’s quite possible to achieve a med rare steak within 2 minutes on each side in a frying pan.

In accordance with Prime Rib cooking times, it’s in your best interest to consume this delicately and flavorful cut of meat on the rare side. Why you ask? The longer you cook Prime Rib, the more minerals you are disposing of. Since beef contains high-quality proteins with most of your daily required amino acids, it’s in your best interest to consume it at least once a week.