KJOY Cooking Club News

No Fast-Food For this Team?

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:23:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

As an athlete, your diet normally consists of healthy foods. But like any normal human being, it’s okay to treat yourself to a burger and fries at least once in a while. For pro football coach, Chip Kelly however, fast food is not an option.

Rivals of the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles team are prohibited of consuming fast-food (or junk food) meals. They are urged to eat healthy as Kelly decided to go with a total overhaul for his first season with the Eagles. So far, he has definitely made his imprint well known throughout the team organization.

For those that are unfamiliar with NFL players and coaches, Chip Kelly is known for implementing a fast and quick-paced offense. With the abundance of speedsters that are currently on the team, it does help the cause to keep the players off of the sugary sweets and junk foods of all sorts.

The diet change has caused a buzz in the sports section of the Twitter-sphere. Sports writers and journalists for the Eagles organization have shown images of some of the team’s new drinks and meals. After practice, Kelly has fruit juices prepared for the team along with custom-made fruit smoothies for each player.

Starting tight-end, Brent Celek stated in regard to the smoothies, “It tastes good and it helps you maintain weight.”

All of the traditional meals that the Eagles had in the past like Meatball Monday or Taco Tuesday will be nothing more than a distant memory once the next NFL season gets underway. As for now, it looks like they’ll be laying off of Philly cheesesteaks for a while.

Bizarre Ballpark Meals

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:49:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

With May right around the corner, spring and summer weather is bound to be in the air. That means the baseball season is well underway and that the smell of ballpark food will roam through the breeze as well. At every ballpark in the U.S., it’s a common sight to see food like crackerjacks, hotdogs, hamburgers, cheese steaks and funnel cakes. Each ballpark however has their own distinct version of some of these common meals.

In Yankee Stadium, they have a meal called the Sliders Family Deal Meal. It’s a bucket of five slider burgers with about a pound of French fries to go with it. As a bonus, Mastercard users get a free liter of Pepsi soda. Talk about a family deal.

Named after their trademark logo, the Atlanta Braves features "the Hammer" as one of their popular meals. It’s a large burger made with bacon, cheese, fried chicken and mayonnaise that’s sandwiched with waffles. This’ll surely take your taste buds for a ride.

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles serves a 2 lb. pretzel called the Victory Knot. It is equivalent to the size of home plate and it comes with plenty of dipping sauces that’ll satisfy your sweet, sugary desires.

Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin serves probably the most bizarre sundae in America. It’s called the Pulled Pork Parfait. Its design is just like that of an ice cream sundae. The only difference is that instead of using traditional ice cream, they blend pulled pork with mashed potatoes. Basically, it’s dinner served in a cup.

Last but not least you have what Camden Yards calls "the Walk Off". I would suspect that the name came from the Baltimore Orioles’ late inning heroics from last year as they posted a 29-9 record in games decided by one run. The meal itself is pretty spectacular as well as it’s a large Old Bay Roma sausage wrapped inside of a pretzel roll. It’s topped off with crab dip sauce and of course, some more Old Bay seasoning.

These are just a few of the major ballparks in America so feel free to check out ballparks near you for bizarre and amazing dishes. Maybe you’ll be even more surprised with what you find compared to the meals in this article.

Safety First

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:19:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

One of the main concerns in America over the last few years is the safety and healthiness of our food. Families want to make sure that what they consume is indeed delicious but nutricious as well. It is important that you know exactly what you are putting in your body and sometimes it takes more than just reading the label. Only the food experts can break down everything that you need to know about safe food and the Food Safety Summit Expo & Conference does all of that plus more.

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Food Safety Summit prides itself in educating and informing everyone in the food industry on a professional level. They speak to people such as food processors, plant growers, food service operators and retailers in order to help create a more safety-minded. They provide feedback to families around America on learning the basics of what really goes on behind the closed doors in the food business. They cover exactly how food is handled in some places and how healthy food is supposed to be handled.

Next Tuesday on April 30^th will be the first of three days in which they start their annual conference to be held for the public at the Baltimore Convocation Center. Their promising outlook on food heatlh and safety for the future makes it worthwhile to make the trip hence their slogan, “Solutions for Today, Planning for Tomorrow”.

Chocolate Hotel

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:16:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

Ever imagine a room or a house filled with chocolate of all kinds? You know, chocolate fountains, drinks, cakes or any other imaginable kind? You can stop dreaming, because the world’s first and only chocolate-themed hotel has opened in the United Kingdom. Located in the city of Bournemouth, The Chocolate Boutique Hotel has several chocolaty assets that any chocolate lover would crave for, especially during a getaway or vacation.

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel features 13 different chocolate-themed bedrooms that can house up to 25 people. As for the kinds of chocolate presented, they feature chocolate cooking classes, chocolate fountains in all of the bedrooms and even a cocktail-bar that specializes in none other than chocolate.

I hope all of this chocolate doesn't overwhelm you because every meal on their food menu features some type of chocolate. In addition to the cooking classes, they have chocolate workshops where you can create painted portraits with white and dark chocolate.

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine rated this hotel as one of the top six novelty hotels in the world. For those who can’t get enough chocolate in their lives, be sure to take a trip to the UK one day and visit the one and only Chocolate Boutique Hotel.

Fruitful Ways to Treat Asthma

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:51:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

Asthma for many people in the U.S. can be a troubling thing to cope with. Kids more so can have a tough time growing up with asthma while they try to have a memorable childhood. For them, the asthma pump just isn’t enough for managing asthmatic problems on a daily basis. New studies however in food and health conducted by researchers have revealed that you can treat the symptoms of asthma by indulging in a more fruitful diet.

Health experts suggest that a diet that consists of vegetables, fruits and probiotics can help to alleviate asthma in children and adolescents. A treatment group filled with children from ages 10-12 were put together by researchers at the College of Life Science and a study for over 190 kids was recorded. They each had a well-balanced diet that mainly featured fruits and vegetables. A supplement that combined these foods known as FVFP was given to the kids and it showed many positive results.

Based on the feedback, medication use was heavily reduced and kids saw considerable improvement in pulmonary functions. Other trials proved that foods outside of these food groups may boost the issue that is asthma. Based on the research, it turns out that fast food is the most common food that is correlated with the buildup of asthma.

Under this controlled environment, fruits and vegetables seem to be the way to go in an effort to treat asthma. People that include fruits and veggies such as apples, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, carrots, oranges and bananas in their daily diet from an early age can protect themselves from developing any form of asthma. It just goes to show that an apple a day can keep asthma away.

National Grilled Cheese Month

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:49:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

There’s nothing like melted cheese smacked between toasted bread. If you’re a fan of grilled cheese, then this month will be one your favorites. April marks the start of National Grilled Cheese Month.

For many years, grilled cheese has been as one of America’s favorite dishes. Whether it’s summer, winter, spring or fall kids and adults alike indulge in this cheesy sandwich. Nothing truly compares to it, and so chefs across the U.S. today are making this meal into a popular mainstream dish.

Several new styles have been integrated into the making of grilled cheese. Sandwiches can be made with whole wheat bread, honey wheat, bagel bread and even homemade waffles! Chefs throughout the country even utilize different cheeses such as the traditional American cheese, Swiss cheese, blue cheese and so forth. With so many styles to choose from, it’s hard not to become a fan of grilled cheese.

Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, CA, N.Y.C. and Chicago, IL are a few of the main sites where you can find some of the most remarkable grilled cheese sandwiches as it is highly praised in those cities. However, wherever you live, make sure to take part in the festivities of this month by enjoying a hot, steamy and cheesy grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasty Easter Treats for Kids

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:36:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

Easter is here once again! Young boys and girls are impatiently waiting for the festivities to begin on Easter Sunday as they celebrate Easter eggs filled with sweet candy and chocolate bunnies. Want to get creative this Easter with your kids? Here are some fun treats you can put together that are easy to prepare.

A delicious treat that kids (and even adults) can’t keep their hands off of are cupcakes. The preparation for an Easter-themed cup cake is pretty much the same as any regular cupcake. The only real difference is that you can be more decorative with the color cream you use and toppings such as Skittles, jelly beans and so on.

Easter Bunny race karts are a cool and fun treat that the kids will enjoy. Basically, you can put together Swiss rolls that you can find at your local supermarket and then add M&Ms or skittles on the sides. Finally, place the bunny in the middle as if it is the driver.

Nutter Butter Easter Bunnies are yummy treats that you can assemble yourself with a few simple steps. Cover the Nutter Butter cookie with vanilla cream and then you can draw in their face with your favorite filling.

A classic yet still tasty treat are chocolate cream-filled Easter eggs. Whip up some hard-boiled eggs and dip it into a bowl of sweet chocolate and then let it cool off to perfection.

Another great meal are Easter egg nests made with Rice Krispies. Just like most of the other Easter Day treats, you can add chocolate bunnies, eggs and colorful jelly beans inside the nest-shaped Rice Krispy to make it a festive treat.

The main theme with each Easter treat is to be creative and have fun with it. It’s that simple. You can use most of these treats above as a basis to create treats to your own personal preference when it comes to what kind of flavor (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, etc.) you want, what colors to use or what candies to include. If you follow this concept, you and your kids will definitely have an enjoyable Easter.

Happy Easter!

10 Foods That Relieve Stress

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:07:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

Stress is something that more or less everyone deals with at some point of their lives. With each person, it occurs differently depending on the situation. Other than meditating and sleeping, you can reduce stress by consuming specific foods and drinks. According to FoodNetwork.com, there are 10 healthy foods that can relieve stress.

Avocado and banana are great fruits to eat when you’re feeling stressed out. Why these fruits in particular? They both contain high levels potassium which is an important mineral when it comes to keeping your blood pressure low.

Ginger Tea is a well known remedy for sickness, but it is also quite beneficial for stress relieving purposes. Drinking tea can help to ease the nerves and tension inside your body that ultimately exudes stress.

Swiss chard is an extremely nutritious vegetable that is another great option for relieving stress. Along with other leaf-like veggies, Swiss chard is filled with magnesium which can balance out cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. Adding this to your dinner plate is definitely a smart and healthy choice.

If you’re a seafood lover, then fatty fish is the way to go. You can choose from a wide array of fish such as sardines, salmon and tuna which all contain omega-3 fats, a strong nutrient that can keep you cool and relaxed.

Another popular food that can be eaten for the means of reducing stress is whole-wheat pretzels. With all the fiber, it packs a punch in filling your appetite. The carbohydrates are a great source of energy that tells the brain to release serotonin, a chemical that raises your overall energy.

Vegetables as explained earlier are great stress-relieving foods. Carrots however stand out as one of the best vegetables to eat when you want to eliminate your stress. Chomping down on crunchy veggies in general fills you with the right amount of nutrients to keep you stress-free.

Got milk? If you do, then you can check this off as another drink to alleviate stress-like symptoms. The bone-building nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium and B-vitamins can lessen the tension of muscles. Drinking this before bed will ensure rejuvenating sleep.

Fresh yogurt is a delicious choice if you’re feeling stressed out. As expected, it contains similar nutrients to milk. You can even get creative with this one however by including some of your favorite fruits.

Almonds, pistachios and walnuts are healthy nuts that can strengthen the immune system and lower stress in the process. Just a handful of nuts can make all the difference in changing your mood for the better.

Last but not least, dark chocolate is probably the most scrumptious food to eat when you’re feeling stressed out. It is noted by food researchers that it can lower stress hormone levels. With the sugar it contains, it also helps to release the positive mood changing chemical, serotonin. Of course like all of your other foods, it is important to eat chocolate in balanced portions.

And so there you have it. Ten different healthy foods and drinks that can reduce stress are all generally common foods that can be found at your local food market. Whichever one you decide to choose is all up to your personal preference.

Sea Cove Restaurant Review

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:04:00 GMT

Sea Cove Restaurant is the Place to Dine

By: Nakeem Grant

Sea Cove Restaurant in Center Moriches, NY has it all. Only a few places do fine dining the way this restaurant does with the wide range of dishes that it has to offer. Dating back to the late 1800s, they pride themselves in satisfying their customers with meals that will leave them licking their fingers.

This Italian-American restaurant features a wide array of mouth-watering dishes that includes sandwiches, burgers, pastas, chicken & veal and steaks & chops. They even serve baked meals as well such as lasagna, stuffed shells and eggplant parmigiana. On top of that, they also serve barbecued dishes showing that there’s absolutely no occasion that they don’t celebrate.

Their wine menu displays an exquisite variety of drinks that will make the whole experience of fine dining at Sea Cove worthwhile. Whether it’s white wine, red wine or sparkling wine, you really cannot go wrong.

To cap it off, their dessert menu has seven different irresistible choices that will make your captivating experience at Sea Cove complete. What better way to end your night than to sink your teeth into molten chocolate cake or Italian cheesecake. With all of the dinner prices under $30, it’s a steal to dine at a restaurant that serves five-star meals. It’s no question that Sea Cove Restaurant is indeed a five-star restaurant.

The Perfect Cake: 5 Important Secrets

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:08:00 GMT

By: Nakeem Grant

Everyone loves a well made cake. Whether it is at a birthday party or a wedding, it is the last meal we consume before the night is over. For cooks, you want to make sure that this dessert is enjoyed to the fullest. In an interview with Food & Wine, cake experts Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito describe their experience on the best ways to make a great cake.

The first rule on their list was to use the best available ingredients. After putting in all that time and effort, it makes it feel worthwhile knowing that you used only the best for your cake.

Along with using the best ingredients, it would be wise to use the best equipment as well. “You don’t need anything fancy,” Lewis and Poliafito stated. In essence you don’t have to have supplies that are as flashy as the chefs you see on TV, but it makes your life a lot easier to use equipment that has good, reliable quality.

The next rule on their list is to pay attention to the room temperature. In cooking and baking, this is an important element that can affect and alter the outcome of your meal, or in Lewis and Poliafito’s case, your cake.

Their fourth rule is a common one in the culinary world, and that is to be gentle. When it comes to preparing a cake, bake it with caution and care. Lewis stated, “If you overdo it, everything starts to get tough.”

The final rule on their list is to invest in a thermometer. Lewis and Poliafito stress the temperatures that the cakes are exposed to due to the fact that it can really be the difference between a delicious dessert and poorly prepared dessert.

Most of these rules are fairly simple to follow. If you are someone that loves to savor their meals, then applying the five important rules that Lewis and Poliafito use to make their cake will ensure a great dish.