Does the thought of buying your wife, mother, or sister a Christmas gift make your hands sweat? When you imagine yourself skimming the racks of department stores does it induce nausea? Pick something off this list of the top ten Christmas gifts for women and save yourself a headache.
1. Day at the Spa: Women love to be pampered and will appreciate the chance to relax after the holidays. Give her a gift certificate to get a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage.
2. Handbag: Do you know your girlfriend's favorite handbag designer? Show you pay attention by scooping up the latest Coach or Vera Bradley purse for the perfect gift. Every time she carries the bag, she'll think of you.
3. Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer: If the woman in your life constantly snaps photos, give her the gift of instant, wireless printing.
4. La Mer The Luxury Essentials: This set of beauty products includes Crème de la Mer, The Lifting Face Serum, and The Eye Concentrate and costs anywhere from 0 to 0.
5. Luxurious Sheets or Bedding: Give the woman in your life the gift of a comfortable, cozy bed. Buy her Egyptian cotton sheets with a high thread count.
6. Personalize a simple gift: Get a picture frame or jewelry box engraved for your girlfriend or mother. She'll appreciate the time and thought you put into the gift.
7. KitchenAid Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer: Does your mother, sister, or girlfriend love to cook? This is just the thing for the woman who likes to spend time in the kitchen. Hopefully, you'll benefit from this present too when she whips up homemade chocolate chip cookies for the family.
8. Gift certificate from her favorite store: Give the book lovers a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Give the fashion lover a gift certificate to a department store. Give your fiancé a gift certificate to Victoria's Secret for fun in the bedroom.
9. Pearls: Christmas and pearls go together. Check her jewelry box to see what she already has and add to her collection. If you want to make her really happy on Christmas morning, add diamonds to a pearl ring or necklace.
10. Framed picture of the family: Get one of her favorite shots blown up in black and white and framed. Many women plan on framing their favorite shots but never get around to doing it due to the never ending pile of laundry and list of errands.
Top Ten Christmas Gifts For WomenWith all of the bad publicity that Teflon and aluminum cookware has received, many of us are searching for healthy non toxic cookware. It doesn't make any sense to purchase healthy whole foods and then cook them in toxic pots and pans.
Although stainless steel cookware has been considered a safe alternative, it does have one drawback. Stainless steel cookware is made with a combination of stainless steel, chromium and nickel. None of these are harmful in small doses, but many people are allergic to nickel. If you are allergic to nickel, you should refrain from using stainless steel cookware.
Another concern that many people are not aware of is that some glazes used on crock pots have small amount of lead. The recommendation is to use terra cotta crock pots without the lead glaze.
The best cookware which is healthy and non toxic is anodized aluminum cookware. The process used in making the hard anodized aluminum seals the aluminum with an extremely hard surface coating which is non-reactive and prevents any aluminum from leaching into the food we are cooking.
The following three companies have excellent hard anodized aluminum cookware sets that are healthy and non toxic:
Calphalon is the leading manufacturer but many other companies are now producing cookware sets made with the hard anodized aluminum. Calphalon cookware cooks evenly on lower heat and is stick-resistant. They have stainless steel handles which will stay cool during stovetop cooking. The pans and lids can be used in the oven and broiler.
Cuisinart has introduced a line of non-stick cookware called Cuisinart Green Gourmet Hard Anodized Cookware. They work just like the Teflon cookware, except they don't emit any of the toxic fumes that Teflon pans do. Just like the Teflon pans, they allow you to cook with less oil and they are also energy efficient and eco-friendly. This Green Gourmet cookware set is oven and broiler safe.
KitchenAid has their own set of non-stick anodized aluminum cookware called KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials. This cookware set features stainless steel handles coated with silicone grips. The lids are break resistant glass which makes it nice to see what you are cooking. These pots and pans are oven safe up to 400 degrees.
All three of these companies cookware sets are highly recommended healthy non toxic sets. I use the Kitchen Aid Gourmet Essentials cookware in my kitchen. It is the best value out of the three.
The Top Three Healthy Non Toxic Cookware Sets
Pots and pans are the basic essentials for the average kitchen, but before you buy, you might want to consider all of the choices you have to choose the best ones for you and your kitchen. Pots and pans come in different materials like aluminum, anodized aluminum, cast iron, copper, non-stick, and stainless steel.
Aluminum
Aluminum pots and pans are usually cheaper than most other kinds of cookware. Aluminum is lightweight but fairly durable and can withstand high temperatures. One drawback is that it reacts with acidic and alkaline foods altering the taste, you can still use aluminum and avoid this problem by using anodized aluminum.
Anodized Aluminum
This type of aluminum cookware has a special coating to prevent the aluminum from reacting with certain foods. It is a great choice to cook with, but the coating can be sensitive. To avoid damaging the coating, do not cook highly acidic and alkaline foods in them, also, hand wash these pots in warm, soapy water instead of putting them in a dishwasher with harsh soaps.
Cast Iron
Cast iron pans are also fairly inexpensive, but can be a little more than aluminum. This type of cookware takes longer to heat up, but once heated, holds the heat well. This makes it ideal for slow cooking and frying. The drawbacks are that it's very sensitive and rusts, stains, and becomes pitted easily. To best care for your cast iron, do not wash it with soap, but run a damp paper towel over it after cooking to clean any excess food off.
Lined Copper
Copper pans are more expensive than most, but conduct heat extremely well. They heat up fast when on the burner and cool down fast when taken away from the heat. Copper pans must be lined with another material, otherwise the copper reacts badly with food making it poisonous and altering the taste. For this reason, copper should be delicately hand washed and relined every few years.
Non-Stick
These pots and pans simple have a special coating that keeps foods from sticking to it. These should not be washed in the dishwasher or with abrasive scrubbers, but gently washed in warm soap and water.
Stainless Steel
This moderately priced material is very durable, but alone, does not conduct heat well at all. For this reason, when shopping for stainless steel, look for pots and pans with a thick layer of copper or aluminum on the bottom for better heat conduction. It is best to wash these in warm soap and water, and these can withstand nylon scrubbers.
These are the main materials that pots and pans come in. And for the adventurous cook, there are other wonderful and exciting types of pots to choose from like crock-pots, stockpots, saucepans, and crab pots to name a few.
Different Types of Pots and PansChristmas is approaching very fast and people are starting to look for the top Christmas gifts for women in 2011. Since there are very many choices out there, choosing the best gift can be overwhelming. If you do not want to be caught up in the shopping rush, you should start searching for the perfect gift right now. You should identify the best item and buy it immediately because most gift items usually sells out quickly. Below is a short list of the best gift ideas you may want to consider.
The Top Christmas gifts for women in 2011 for Stay At Home Moms
The following are the best gift ideas if that special woman in your life spends her day at home:
• A 5-Quart Mixer - KitchenAid Artisan Series
If your spouse, girlfriend, mother or sister, likes to bake bread, cookies and make pizza for you, she will appreciate this device. The mixer has a powerful 325 motor that can be used on the toughest dough. The mixer has three dedicated mixers. The flat beater is designed for daily mixing while the wire whip is designed for mixing creams and sauces. When dealing with tough bread dough the most suitable mixer to use would be the dough hook.
• Bond 6930 Gardening Bag Gift Set
If she is a gardening enthusiast, she will love this gift set. The bag is made of pink canvas that has pockets on its outer lining for holding different types of garden tools. The bag can be used to hold heavy duty scissors, a pruner, a trowel and a handy cultivator. The cultivator and the trowel have an ergonomic grip that simplifies weeding. Since everything in the gift set is pink, you will have an easy time distinguishing her tools from yours in the shed.
• A Moroccan Lantern
Women who love antiques would really appreciate the Blue Glass Moroccan lamp or lantern. This lantern looks great when used with tea lights or votive candles. Since the lanterns come in different colors, you have to find out what her favorite color is and buy a Moroccan lantern that suits her best.
• A Chocolate Gift Box
One of the top Christmas gifts for women in 2011 is the chocolate gift box by Ferrero Rocher. Chocolate lovers will find this Hazelnut chocolate gift irresistible. Each of the 48 chocolates in the gift basket is sprinkled with pieces of hazelnut and covered with creamy chocolate then covered with a golden foil.
Women love to stay in touch with the latest fashion trends. Therefore, you should find the latest clothing, footwear and accessories for her this Christmas. Below are some few suggestions:
• Ugg Boots
If she loves boots, then you better get her a pair of ugg boots. These boots are made with soft sheepskin and feel very warm and comfortable even during the winter.
• Oversized Ostrich Handbags
An oversized ostrich handbag that has two handles is among the top Christmas gifts for women in 2011. This bag is stylish and can be worn with almost every type of clothing.
• A Flower Necklace
This Birth Month neck-wear is a unique and personalized item that would make a great gift for any woman regardless of her taste.
While finding the best gift for that special someone in your life might seem difficult, it can be very simple if you know her well enough.
Read About The Top Christmas Gifts For Women In 2011
The humble potato has traveled all around the world and every where it lands, it makes a lasting impression on the people who eat them. But there was a time when no one but the ancient Inca's were eating them. In fact the word potato is derived from the word batata which means sweet potato in Spanish.
The reason only the Inca's were eating them is because all the other civilizations new the potato to be a member of the nightshade family which are poisonous. So how did the Inca's eat them? Well, they learned how to domesticate them and essentially cultivated a variety that was not poisonous. Christopher Columbus brought them back to Spain in 1492 and from there they spread around the world.
In todays modern supermarket with super variety we can find dozens of kinds of potatoes. In reality there are only 3 kinds to be concerned with. The best way to group them is by the starch content. There are high, medium and low starch varieties. High starch varieties, like the russet and best for baking and making mashed potatoes. The medium starch varieties, like the yukon gold are good all purpose potatoes and they go well inside soups. The low starch varieties such as the norland red are best for boiling and making into potato salad.
So, for our recipe, we are going to need the high starch russets. In total you will need 2.5 to 3 pounds for 10 servings.
We first start out by peeling the russets. You want all the potatoes to be the same size so that they cook evenly so cut up the big ones to match the small ones. Next we add them into a heavy pot. Add just enough cold water to barely cover them. Bring the pot to the stove and salt the water liberally (at least 1 teaspoon or more). Turn the heat to high and cover the pot.
Now, don't go too far. When the water starts boiling, you need to turn down the heat. You don't want to have a rolling boil in the pot. That tends to break up the potatoes and turns the whole thing into soup. Once you have lowered the temperature check them every 2 minutes. The way to test for doneness is to squeeze one with a pair of tongues or 2 spoons. If the potato yields to the pressure and falls apart, then they are done.
While the potatoes are cooking, there is other work to be done. Everyone knows that you have to add dairy to mashes potatoes. Here is the best way to do this. Take 2/3 C of low fat buttermilk. Add to that 2 or 3 tablespoons of whipping cream. Take 2 or 3 garlic cloves and cut them into small pieces (about the size of a small pea). Add the garlic to the milk mixture and heat just to simmering for about 15 minutes. Do not overheat this mixture or the milk will curdle.
Now, you have your garlic infused milk and the potatoes are cooked and drained. The best way to mash them is with a mixer. But not just any mixer. You really should use a stand mixer like a Kitchenaid. They make short work of this arm twisting chore. Place the hot potatoes in the bowl of the mixer (if you want, you could have added the hot potato water into the bowl to heat it up first). Next using the flat beater and the mixer on speed 2 or 3 start mashing the potatoes. Gradually add the milk mixture (be careful not to add the chunks of garlic). You have to eyeball this part. The amount of liquid needed really depends on the potatoes you use. When you have added just enough liquid increase the speed to 5 or 6 and beat for about 1 minute.
Stop the mixer now, scrape the bowl if necessary and change the beater attachment to the whip attachment. Next we whip on speed 9 or 10 for 2 more minutes. We are almost done. Remove the bowl from the mixer.
It is decision time. We now have light fluffy whipped potatoes that are infused with garlic. If you like, at this stage you can decide to fold in some chives, some bacon bits or some Parmesan cheese. I would add 2 or 3 tablespoons. Of course you don't have to fold in anything because the potatoes will taste amazing by themselves.
Serve immediately with your favorite meal and enjoy the sounds of 'mmm' that are sure to come from your friends and family.
Best Ever Whipped PotatoesConvection oven roasting is different than doing the same job in a conventional oven, but it doesn't have to be hard. A convection oven, such as those produced by Anvil America, works by circulating the hot air through the oven. This allows faster, more effective cooking at lower temperatures, more even baking (with no hot or cool spots in the oven) and moist, delicious foods. Roasts get a dark, even crust that seals in juices and keeps them moist, and there's less need to baste or turn your meat. Let's take a look at convection oven roasting and how you can do it.
You'll want to choose your roast as usual, picking a good quality cut of meat. Even the best convection oven can't turn a lower grade into Prime, after all. Season your meat as you normally do, with a dry rub, some salt, pepper and olive oil, a marinade, or your favorite seasoning method. Then, place it on a baking sheet (with a drip plan situated below it) or in a broiler or roasting pan. If you usually cover the meat, omit this step. Roasting in a convection oven requires no covering of any kind.
Now, set the oven temperature to your usual temperature and allow it to preheat with only the lowest rack remaining in the oven. Once the oven has properly preheated, place your roast in the oven. Allow it to cook at the normal roasting temperature for fifteen minutes only. Then, reduce heat by twenty-five degrees for the rest of the cooking. Convection oven roasting is done at a lower temperature than ordinary roasting.
The roast should be cooked for about three quarters of the time that it would normally take in a conventional oven. This means that a roast which ordinarily cooks for two hours will cook only for an hour and a half using a convection oven. Begin checking the roast for doneness about fifteen minutes before you expect it to be finished, however. You don't want to accidentally over cook your meat!
Take your roast out of the oven and allow it to rest for twenty minutes to preserve the juices, then carve! That's all there is to this kind of oven roasting - a little less time and a little less heat for a perfect roast with next to no effort. It's amazing what a difference a convection oven can make in your cooking. Try it with other foods, too. Vegetables roast very well, for instance, and are done extremely quickly. Convection ovens are a great choice for any home!
Roasting With a Convection OvenIf you're looking for the KitchenAid K45 Mixer, you've made a smart choice. This is one of the most popular and durable stand mixers around.
In this article you will discover the power of this mixer, where to buy it and how to get a great price on it.
Power Up Your Mixing
This mixer runs at 250 watts. That's high enough powered that it needs ten different mixer speeds to cover it. This makes sure that no matter what project you want to undertake in the kitchen that your mixer won't give out on you.
Shopping Online is Fast
Many people hate the stress associated with going out and shopping. It takes time to drive around, find what you're looking for comparison shop, and come back exhausted.
When you shop online you can find exactly what you're looking for, sift through the better prices, and have it paid for and in the mail before you could even drive to one store.
How to Get a Great Price on the KitchenAid K45 Mixer
To get a great price on the KitchenAid K45 Mixer you need to strategize your search by using one of a few key product modifiers. Today the modifier is compare or comparison.
By typing in Kichenaid K45 Mixer compare or comparison into a search engine, you will pull up any relevant comparison sites. These give you an idea of what you should be paying and when a store is trying to rip you off.
Don't forget to factor in shipping costs and store reputation when you check these out. You aren't doing your budget any good if you pick a store that may never give you your item.
KitchenAid K45 Mixer - How to Get a Great Price When You Buy Your KitchenAid K45 Mixer
KitchenAid commercial mixer is a good investment even if you are not a chef and just an ordinary people who love to cook. In fact these days in every household kitchen the stand mixer is quite a necessity. If you love to bake cakes, cookies and etc. but you are getting tired of mixing the ingredients with your bare hand, then you should buy a stand mixer. Nevertheless if you are getting one make sure to consider the usage of this kitchenware. You can choose from the high quality one that will allows you the durability that you need if ever you want to start a baking business. This is very helpful especially in regards of the time spent since you can save a lot of time than mixing manually. This will permits you to make more than pastries, cakes and cookies in much shorter period. Nevertheless if you will be going to use the mixer occasionally whenever only there's celebration and party then low-end mixer is suggested. Even though the durability is not that high as the high-end mixer but it will work just fine.
There are different types of stand mixer available in the market today. You can choose from these depend on what you need. There is the Single beater that spins and mixes in one direction. You can see some of this on cooking show like in Rachel Ray, this is advisable if you want to bake cookies and just want to mix small amount of ingredients. Another type is the Double beater that spins and mixes against one another, this mixer according to the expert simply used for beating of eggs and whisking. However make sure that this is not for kneading dough, like the used of Single beater. Make sure to know the purpose of your KitchenAid commercial stand mixer before purchasing one.
You can at the same time maximize all the features of a mixer to fully enjoy the baking and cooking. Even common stand mixer has its own feature; you can change the range from 225 watts to 1,000 watts. This will allow you to manage the speed of the mixer in order to get the right texture of your mixed ingredients. There is also option that you can lock the stand while using, this way you can guarantee that the beater is not going to lift up. The lock will make your stand mixer to stay put that avoids the mess up all over your kitchen.
Lastly, before buying a mixer make sure that you will consider the capacity of the bowl as this is very important as well. The capacity will give and provide you the amount of ingredients that you can mix on the bowl.
Happy Shopping!
The KitchenAid Commercial Mixer Has No Equal!Since 1919, KitchenAid appliances have been a fixture on millions of kitchen countertops. Though the ubiquitous stand mixer is perhaps the most well known item produced by this legendary company, their product line includes numerous other home appliances, to include ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators. All of these appliances share a trait common to products made by this company; they are simple in design, highly effective in executing the tasks they were made for and they are very easy to use.
KitchenAid has always stood at the forefront of appliance innovation and has introduced many new inventions and products over nine decades of continuous operations. Starting with the famous stand mixer series in 1919, the company has continued to meet the needs of cooks around the world and has introduced such appliances as the dishwasher, which it unveiled in 1946 and the high speed home blender in 1991. During the many years in between these notable dates, the company rolled out a never ending stream of new products or greatly enhanced models of existing kitchen appliances and tools.
Today the product line offered by KitchenAid is vast and encompasses most aspects of household cooking, food preparation and storage, cooking tools and various other products used in the home or on backyard patios to prepare meals for hungry families. While the stand mixer is still a best seller, the company has earned a reputation for producing high quality stoves, microwave ovens, trash compactors, toasters, coffee makers and many other countertop appliances.
As you'd expect, these products are all backed by a full one year warranty and you may also purchase additional service plans that extend coverage for one or more years. The company has a solid reputation for repairing or replacing broken or defective products and quite honestly, most of their products are built to last for decades and most simply do not break!
You can find KitchenAid appliances at various local stores and on various internet stores. We recommend that you purchase all large appliances from a local store as it makes delivery and scheduled service and maintenance a bit easier to arrange. For smaller appliances we feel that the best bargains are to be found online, where the heavy competition among merchants creates a buyer's market and produces some amazing deals!
Wherever you decide to buy from, you can rest assured that when you purchase a KitchenAid Appliance you are buying over 90 years of tradition and customer oriented, fully functional products that are built in most cases to last a lifetime!
KitchenAid Appliances Stand the Test of Time!