Great Food Types to Serve for an Easy and Mess-Free Party

It isn’t easy to plan the perfect party.  There is so much to do and so much to remember.  You need to send out those invitations on time, list your RSVP’s, plan your meal, plan your snacks, do table arrangements, get decorations, choose a theme, select a music list and so the list goes on and on.

Planning the perfect party can be exhausting and one of the toughest parts of a party is to select the right food types.  In most modern parties there just isn’t time for guests to sit down for a full meal.  Most parties today consist of a table with all sorts of yummy treats and foods that guests can enjoy throughout the party while they mingle, chat, dance, have fun and catch up with old friends.

Great Food Types to Serve for an Easy and Mess-Free Party

Great Food Types to Serve for an Easy and Mess-Free Party

For your food table, you need to select food types that can be out in the open for long periods of time without spoiling or melting.  You also need to be sure that insects won’t get into your foods and you need foods that won’t mess up your guest’s outfits while they dine.  Here are a few party food ideas that are perfect for any type of party and any type of guest;

Cupcakes in a jar

Cupcakes are easy treats that everyone loves but it can be hard to keep your cupcakes in perfect condition while you transport them and there really is no good way to cover up a cupcake so flies won’t get to it.  A cupcake in a jar is the perfect solution.  These are glass jars that contain the entire cupcake complete with layering and topping.  These cupcakes look mouthwatering and they stay in perfect condition no matter how shaky things get and no matter how long they remain on the table.  Check out these yummy cupcake flavors and you will see exactly why this is the perfect party snack.

Slices

Slices like brownie slices, jelly slices, chocolate hedgehog slices, vanilla custard slices and more are also great party snacks. They are great to look at, they taste fantastic and they are so easy to grab and eat as you mingle.

Truffles

There is nothing easier or tastier to eat during a party than a truffle.  These cute balls are perfect for decorating any tasty table and you can make a huge variety of different truffle flavors like chocolate chip truffles, peanut butter brownie truffles, mint chocolate chip truffles and so much more.

Mini burgers

Mini hamburgers are very filling, easy to make and they taste great.  These are a definite must for your food table.

Baked rollups

This is another tasty food source that you can make a thousand different ways.  Make baked rollups with ham and cheese, bacon and cheese or any other topping you like, cut them and serve them as an easy to grab and eat food type.

Veggie cups

Everyone is trying to live healthier and veggie cups are the perfect snack for those who cannot eat lots of carbs and sugar.  Simply trim veggies into sticks and serve them in cups with a delicious dip sauce.  They are healthy, tasty and they brightly colored.…

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Making Healthy Desserts: How to Pick Better Options and Substitutes

After eating meals, we all often look forward to the dessert part of the meal. The dessert could be pastries, sweets, pies, and other options, all depending on our preferences. Despite the fact that desserts form an important part of the meal for many of us, they could also be the possible cause of uncalled for health problems that could have been avoided if we had been a little more selective. In this article, we are going to discuss making healthy desserts, and how to pick the better options and substitutes.

Making Healthy Desserts: How to Pick Better Options and Substitutes

Making Healthy Desserts: How to Pick Better Options and Substitutes

Dessert Diet Culprits

The main culprits that make desserts unhealthy are saturated fats and added sugar. Saturated fats are common in animal foods, and they can make the blood and arteries clogged with cholesterol. These desserts mainly could contain

shortening, egg yolks, butter, high-fat dairy, and chocolate in their ingredients, sources of the saturated fats.

Blood sugar levels tend to rise when we add high amounts of sugar to the desserts. The sugar also increases the risks of metabolic disorders like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. These added sugars can be found in white sugar, brown sugar, honey, chocolate, and sweetened fruit (such as raisins or dried cranberries).

Substitute Ingredients

There are many substitutes that people can use in the ingredients, and these include:

  • Cow’s milk can be substituted with almond, soy, or coconut milk.
  • Butter/shortening can be substituted with vegan butter, Greek yogurt, coconut oil, applesauce, avocado, pureed pumpkin, or a nut butter such as peanut or almond.
  • Eggs have substitutes like banana, peanut butter, silken tofu, or applesauce.
  • Sugar can be substituted with applesauce, mashed banana, or another mashed fruit.
  • Honey
  • People should also focus on adding fruits instead of sugars into their deserts.
  • They could go for vegan desserts that don’t use animal products.

The Best Treadmills of 2018

If you’re watching what you eat, it means that you’re very conscious about your health. This means that you also exercise a lot, whenever you get the chance. One of the most popular ways of exercising is the treadmill, hugely popular because it can take up very little space in the house. In this article, we are going to feature the best treadmills of 2018 in different categories.

The Best Treadmills Under $1,000

​Winner: ​NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill

​The NordicTrack NTL T6.5 S is built for people that are serious runners that wish to track their progress and make gains with everything at the touch of a button. This is a foldable unit that features StrikeZone 4 cell cushioning help provide a softer, stable surface for runners, absorbing the blows of even the heaviest steppers. Everything is adjustable including the speed and incline, while an integrated screen displays the controls and information. ​This treadmill is iFit compatible, meaning that it can access Google Maps, creating runs on different locations across the globe.

​Runner-Up: Nautilus T614 Treadmill

​The Nautilus T614 comes with a 20”x55” running belt on the platform, adequate for comfortable motion. A 2.75 CHP motor powers the treadmill, reaching speeds of up to 12 mph and inclines of up to 12 degrees. A 5”x5” blue backlit screen displays the stats, averages, goals, etc. compatible with NautilusConnect, one can track and export data. It also comes preloaded with 22 programs and quick access buttons.

​The Best Treadmill Under $500

​Winner: ​Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 Treadmill

​The best treadmill under $500, this treadmill comes powered by a 2.20 peak HP motor, going to speeds of 9 mph. It features a backlit LCD monitor with a power saving option, 9 different preloaded programs, and designated speed select (or manual mode), and a console that measures time, distance, calories, and pulse.

​​Runner-Up: Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill

​The Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill features a tread belt size of 16”x50” for comfort. It is powered by a 2.5HP Impulse motor for speed and endurance training. A Comfort Cell cushioning system in between the frame and board ensures a light impact no matter the speed, reducing the impact on the joints. This treadmill features 6 pre-programmed workouts, 3 specific weight loss programs, and 3 interval training programs.

​​Alternative Pick: Exerpeutic TF1000 Treadmill

​This is perfect for walking or jogging in comfort while providing plenty of fitness tracking data in real time. Accommodating up to 400 pounds, this treadmill offers speeds of 0 to 4 mph. It can be folded when not in use. ​An easy to read LCD screen shows data such as calories burned, heart rate, total time, and total distance.

Summary

Good health is something that we should all observe, whether it is in the meals that we eat, or through exercising activities like jogging or walking. The treadmills mentioned above are some of the best that one can use to jog while keeping their health in check.…

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Gorgeous Décor Ideas for Your Cake Boutique

The look of a cake boutique can have a huge impact on the success of this type of business.  Cakes and tasty treats are mostly enjoyed during celebrations or for a special treat on a special occasion.  These occasions are always loaded with plenty of pretty decorations and beautiful flowers.  It only makes sense that your cake boutique should also fit in whit this luxury and fun vibe.  With a great boutique vibe, everyone will feel joyous the moment they step into your boutique which might just inspire quite a few additional sales.  Here are a few gorgeous décor ideas for a fabulous looking cake boutique.

Gorgeous Décor Ideas for Your Cake Boutique

Gorgeous Décor Ideas for Your Cake Boutique

Beautiful organic hammock

There are few things that look as fun as a hammock.  Hammocks are so cozy to sit in, they allow you to move in the wind and guests can enjoy a peaceful swing while observing all the yummy treats your shop has to offer. Mission hammocks are by far one of the best buys you can possibly make because these hammocks look brilliant.   They are incredibly soft, very strong, nice and roomy and these hammocks are handmade from organic materials.  Each and every hammock is completely unique and a great décor and comfort investment for your boutique.

Huge glass door fridge

The best way to get people to buy your delicious treats is by ensuring that everything is displayed as well as possible.  Invest in a big glass door fridge where you can display all the unique and beautiful cakes your boutique bakes on order and especially for those on sale.

retro cupboards

Plenty of retro kitchen cupboards have glass doors and is known to have incredible detail on the cupboards itself.  Revamp your retro cupboards with beautiful chalk paint and install lights in the cupboard so you can display tasty treats in these timeless cupboards.

Get delicious décor

A few paintings on the wall can make a world of difference in the overall look of your cake boutique.  A great way to bring some color to your walls and to make guests feel hungry the moment they step into your shop is by investing in artworks with a bakery theme.  A gigantic cupcake painting is a good example of décor that looks beautiful and tasty.

Glass jar candy wall

Glass jars are superb for giving your cake shop a sense of luxury.  Install a lot of shelves on a wall and stack plenty of identical glass jars on these shelves.  You can then fill these jars with all types of yummy treats like cookies, sweets and much more.  Sell the content or even the entire glass jar of cookies as gifting.

Create a cake tasting corner

A cake tasting corner can be brilliant in your boutique.  Create a small area where guests can sit back and enjoy all of your best tasting cakes with a cup of tea while they discuss the wedding or party cake and work out the fine detail with regards to their menu.

With a few gorgeous decorations, your cake boutique will be beautiful and customers will keep coming back for more of your business’ charm and delicious treats.…

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How To Start Your Own Bakery

Baking is a talent only a few possess, and making a successful business out of such a passion is something very few get to pursue, either because of a lack of knowledge of how to start up the business, or a fear of handling a new business all on your own. Regardless of the situation, you should know that having the passion and talent is more than enough to start your very own successful bakery. Once you focus on the points listed out in this guide, you should be able to open your own bakery in no time:

How To Start Your Own Bakery

How To Start Your Own Bakery

Make a plan

The first thing you should focus on is planning. What bakery do you see yourself running? What are the working hours looking like? What are your prices and rates going to be? Can you afford the things you need for your bakery? You’ll have to target all these points through good planning.

Decide on the kind of bakery you want to work with, whether it’s for cakes, cupcakes, bread etc. This helps you plan out the timings and budget for your bakery, depending on the kind of items you’re serving. If you plan to make custom items, you can have them sent within 3-5 working days. Serving bakery items on the spot will involve more kitchen work and hence a longer run bakery.

Furthermore, the kind of items you are selling helps choose the theme and color setting of your bakery. Cakes and cupcakes call for a vibrant and elegant bakery that invited clients. Bread and sandwiches call for a more homely setting where customers can sit and relax.

Get the right equipment

Once you have analyzed and planned your baking needs and budget, you can start getting things ready for the bakery. Buy the proper baking equipment that is standard for any bakery in your area. Choose from different types of items, like gas or electric ovens, hand or electric mixers etc.

Make sure to research and evaluate different materials of all the cutlery and dishes you’ll be using, whether they’re metal, glass or plastic so that you can see whether you can afford them and if they suit your baking style. You should also get other basic kitchen equipment of good quality, such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, stoves etc. All your equipment should be updated and properly work.

Find the perfect location

Finally, once you have your plans and equipment on hand, you need to find the right place to set everything up for your bakery. The bakery should be spacious and equipped with proper sanitation and ventilation facilities, all within an affordable range.

Sugar Wharf Condominiums offer you the perfect place to set up your bakery. These condominiums are part of a huge metropolitan project involving the construction of fine-looking condo towers by Menkes Developments Ltd. within the heart of the city of Toronto. Choose from a number of large luxury condos available for residential, rental and commercial purposes, with the most up-to-date designs and facilities.

You can benefit from the indoor facilities in the condominium towers like gyms, rooftops, and pools, as well as enjoy the scenic view around the areas with the different gardens and public spaces. Being constructed in on of Toronto’s busiest intersections also gives you the advantage of a large number of passerby’s and commuters who can come and go from your bakery all day, every day, along with the numerous residents within the condos and surrounding area as well.

If you are looking for great views, good crowd numbers, amazing facilities and brilliant designs, all within an affordable registration fee of about $400,000, then look no further. Take advantage of the metro hub that is Toronto by getting yourself a lovely condo to set up your own bakery business today!…

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