How Does Coffee Affect the Environment?

The growth and cultivation of coffee plants have seen a number of changes over the years, resulting in a different impact on the environment. Every American considers coffee to be a popular social beverage and a wonderful way to start the day, but many people do not consider where their Java may come from, and what type of effect it has on the environment!

For this reason, many coffee companies have begun to create specialized styles of coffee that work to benefit the environment instead of affecting it negatively. Many of these coffee companies are created to have a conscience, and even the leading coffee brand, Starbucks, has begun to contribute to environmentally friendly coffee growing practices. Some examples of this are shade grown, organic, and fair trade coffee practices. In fact, socially responsible coffee growing styles are used in over 40 countries, including Mexico, Peru, and Ethiopia.

Shade grown coffee is where the coffee trees are cultivated under the shade of larger trees, which creates a natural habitat for native insects and animals within the ecosystem. This offers a climate that is temperate to promote the growth of the coffee trees, and all of the leaves from the larger shade trees that fall to the ground work to fertilize the soil. Many times, these coffee farmers will also use composted coffee pulp as opposed to harmful chemical fertilizers, making it even better for the environment. Within this system, coffee crops will normally be rotated among other crops, which will create an additional income for the coffee farmer.

Sun grown coffee is another alternative to increase the yield of the average coffee crop. Sun cultivation is not a preferred method that is friendly to the environment because trees must be cut down, and it also uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This creates a number of environmental issues, such as pollution, destruction of ecosystems, deforestation, and soil degradation. However, up to 40% of the plantations in Latin America have begun to use sun farming techniques, which may soon replace the shade grown style of coffee cultivation. This will cause a negative impact on the environment, with detrimental effects from this coffee growing practice that include the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and harmful chemicals to help the coffee beans thrive under the harsh rays of the sun.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is also important to choose fair trade coffee that is shade grown, which guarantees a set wage to the farmer. Shade grown coffee calls for more labor than sun grown coffee cultivation, making it important for the farmer to be protected through fair trade practices.

When you begin to make educated choices as American coffee drinker, this is your opportunity to still enjoy a delicious cup of Joe while also benefiting the environment! There is no reason to turn a blind eye to the coffee practices being utilized worldwide that may or may not affect the environment for the worse. The choice is up to you!

Another popular coffee choice is flavored coffee beans! For a great selection, check out Mark Ramos' website, The Coffee Bump.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Ramos

A Hangover Cure - How to Cure a Hangover

Now before you look at the title and turn the page, realize there is more truth to these cures than you would think. I have been using cure a hangover's recommended product hangover magic for the last 2 years successfully. Since then, whenever i want to have a night out on the town and tear it up, I pop a couple of these bad boys and a bottle of water before I leave with friends. I would like to expand upon the idea of how these actually work, and the science behind them.

A hangover cure is something that many people would dream of having, if they only worked. Unfortunately there really isn't anything that will completely overcome a bad hangover, but curing a hangover or at least making it a lot less painful can be done. You see when we drink our bodies get dehydrated and lose a lot of needed vitamins and minerals. As much as we like alcohol, it has a nasty side effect on the body, and that is a hangover. Many people try water and Gatorade, or extra sleep to help cure a hangover, and while those help, there are better ways of avoiding one all together.

Basically most of these pills such as Hangover Magic & Chaser use packed amounts of minerals as well as linings to help protect your body from absorbing the toxins in alcohol that will deplete the water and minerals in your body. Stopping a hangover from happening can be done as easy as taking a pill for the cure to a hangover. Since I prefer Hangover Magic to cure my hangovers I have decided to list some of the specifications and reasons why it is so good as a cure for a hangover:

1) Contains all natural herbs & vitamins to reapply into your body, that alcohol robs from you.

2) It helps your body retain the natural fluids and minerals so that you cannot lose as many mineral leaving your body, this is the main cause of a hangover.

3) Its Cheap! I got a free 30 day trial. Well it was almost free, I did have to pay for shipping, I think it was 5 or 6 bucks. For more info and advice please visit our website at Cure A Hangover

-BD

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brent_Dewolf

Foods You Should Be Eating Regulary

Have you ever heard of the book called Eat This not That? The book tells you which pre-made foods not to eat. My article deals with which unprocessed foods to eat. In my opinion you should never eat processed foods. I know for the majority of people this just isn't feasible. And believe me I eat a frozen pizza every now and then. Our bodies have a hard time digesting these foods and this is primarily why a lot of people are overweight.

Let us start with foods you should try to consume as often as possible. Yeah you guessed it, leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C.They can lower your risk of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The next one may raise some eyebrows because of the pungency. It is onions and garlic, but the longer you cook them the less offensive they become. Eaten on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Nuts should be consumed on a regular basis because of their high fiber content.Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger at bay. It's always best best to eat them raw and almonds, cashews and walnuts are the best.

Choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats for a way to flatten your belly by reducing fat storage. Stay away from unrefined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process.

And lastly making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion.Just make sure the label says "active cultures" so you're getting healthy probiotics.

Let's stay healthy together,
Dena

http://denabeckwith.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dena_Beckwith

Ideas For Homemade Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is the ultimate frozen dessert and with the summer on its way it is going to become very popular again. With all the good ice cream makers you can get these days it is also not a problem making it any more. Some of the machines are better than others and looking around will be well worth your trouble. Back to the ideas. Plain vanilla is always a good starting point and then you can continue from there. Depending on the kind of machine you have the following recipe can serve as a basis for all your variations.

Plain vanilla:

• 4 Cups of cream
• 3/4 Cup of sugar
• 1/4 Teaspoon of salt
• 3 Teaspoons vanilla

If you are lucky enough to have a machine with a stirring function all you have to do with this recipe is place all the ingredients in the machine, set the stirring action and freeze according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

For the "custard" kind you can use the following recipe, it takes a little longer but is well worth the trouble.

• 2 Cups of hot milk
• 4 Egg yolks whipped
• 4 Egg yolks whipped 1/2 cup of sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups of cream
• 1 Tablespoon of vanilla

Method:

1. Heat the milk.
2. Mix the egg yolks, sugar and salt.
3. Add a little of the hot milk to the egg mixture
4. Pour it back into the hot milk and boil over a double boiler until done
5. Allow to cool down, add the cream and vanilla and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

This will give you a basis to work from. Now you can start adding to your ice cream to make the one of your dreams.

Variations you can try:

1. 2 Cups of very ripe strawberries crushed with 1/ 2 cup sugar. Simply add this to you mixture from the start.

2. Add 1 cup of chopped nuts and a teaspoon of almond extract for a sinfully almond and nut ice cream.

3. For a sinfully caramel one you can melt the sugar in a heavy bottomed pan and dissolve it in milk before you use it. This kind is probably more suitable for the "custard" kind of recipes made with eggs as well.

4. Avocado ice cream. This sounds strange but it is delicious. You have to make sure you mash the avocado very finely before you add it. You also have to make sure you add a little lemon juice to prevent the avocado from going black. I normally mix the avocado and lemon juice before I add it to the mixture.

5. Chocolate chip cookie ice cream. This is easy, you simply crunch a packet of chocolate cookies and add it to the mixture. It is of course also possible to add a little chocolate syrup to the mixture, it all depends on how sinful you want to go.

6. For a tasty coffee one, all you have to do is add a 1/3 cup of very strong coffee to your mixture, for a mocha taste you can also add a little chocolate syrup.

I think it is clear to you that just about anything can go. Make sure you think about your flavors before you start to make sure they will work. Homemade ice cream can be as rich or as healthy as you choose. You should be able to make very rich ones and on the other side you can make tasty fruit ices, it is all up to you and the kind of homemade ice cream maker you have.

Good news! I have found an ice cream maker that can have it ready for you in 30 minutes. The name is the Lello Musso Lussino 4080 and it is very easy to use. You simply add all the ingredients, push two buttons and you are done. Go and have a look at it: http://www.squidoo.com/MussoLussino4080

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rika_Van_Aardt

Why People Enjoy Having Coffee in the Morning

One of the most amazing things about drinking coffee in the morning is how it makes you feel once you are done. It is not about the buzz itself but the comfort of knowing that you are starting a new day.

Many countries in the world have their own traditions. Some of them begin their day with tea. Others begin with a nice blend of native juices from fruit that is grown in the forest.

Others do not drink anything at all. Breakfast is served mid day and they will eat hearty portions of meat and nuts to fill themselves before working in the fields or going out to fish on the river.

The most reward thing about coffee is the smell. If you have freshly ground java in the morning, it will fill the house will an aroma that is awe inspiring to some.

Many people do not like the taste of java. They are only able to drink it if it is mixed with a variety of other ingredients such as sugar or cream.

Many people prefer using only crème as a substitute for milk. With the rise of lactose intolerance, there is a growing trend to avoid dairy product altogether.

At many shops nationwide, they are catering to those that are on the lookout for a beverage that they can enjoy and at the same time not be affected by the foods that they are allergic to.

Overall, coffee in the morning is more of a mindset than it is a fix. People that are not addicted to caffeine are just happy to have a cup of Joe ready and waiting for them whether at home or at their favorite restaurant. It is all a matter of taste and the routines that each of us has.

For more interesting facts about coffee, you can CLICK HERE

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Silva

Lasagna Roll Ups For Two

Lasagna roll ups are a wonderful way to make lasagna for two people without having to make an entire casserole.

You'll start with lasagna noodles. For two people, usually four lasagna noodles enough. It's two per person. Cook the noodles according to package directions using the minimum cooking time. Allow the noodles to cool while you prepare the stuffing.

In a skillet, brown one quarter pound ground meat. I almost always use ground turkey. I also tend to use a bit more meat than the directions call for as I like my noodles full. Add 3 tablespoons diced onion to the meat. Cook until meat is cooked through. Drain off the excess fat and add in one half cup of spaghetti sauce. Mix and heat through. I tend to like a specific brand of jarred sauce. You can use homemade sauce or any brand of jarred sauce.

In a small bowl combine one egg white beaten, one-half cup ricotta cheese, two tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, one-half cup mozzarella cheese and one teaspoon oregano. Mix well.

Use an eight inch casserole dish. Place about three tablespoons of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. You want the bottom covered. This will help prevent the noodles from sticking.

Take one noodle and put one quarter of your cheese mixture on the noodle. Add one quarter of your meat and one quarter cup of spinach to the noodle. You can use fresh spinach leaves or frozen spinach. If you use frozen, defrost and drain the liquid before suing. Roll the noodle from one end to the other. Place the noodle in the casserole dish, seam side down.

Repeat with the other three noodles. Cover your dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees about thirty minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake five more minutes and then serve.

You can make this same dish but use a white sauce instead of tomato sauce. You can either make your own Alfredo sauce or you can buy a jar at the store.

You can also make this recipe with chicken instead of beef. Use cooked, chopped chicken and spinach with a white sauce.

Many people like mushrooms with their lasagna. Slice mushrooms very thin and add them with the meat when you spoon on top of the lasagna noodles.

If you wish to eliminate the meat or chicken, you can make vegetable lasagna roll ups. We love using zucchini and broccoli in our vegetable lasagnas. Cook the vegetables according to the package directions or if fresh, cook until tender. You'll use about one ounce of broccoli and one ounce of zucchini on each noodle. You'll use the same cheese mixture and same sauce mixture.

I love having leftovers for lunch the next day. I'll often double this recipe so that I have enough stuffing for eight noodles.

The combination of ingredients you can use are endless making this a wonderful meal that pleases everyone.

Audrey's mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at http://www.recipe-barn.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Okaneko

Beer - History's Oldest Drink

Beer is the world's oldest alcoholic beverage, and was one of the first drinks ever produced by human beings. It is estimated that it may date back to as early as 6000 BC, and it is mentioned in the recorded history of the most ancient human civilizations, including that of Sumeria, Mesopotamia, and ancient Egypt.

Since beer can occur naturally, through the fermentation of any substance containing carbohydrates, the beverage was probably discovered before it was invented. This also means that the secret of producing it was probably learned in many different locations, independent of one another. The earliest archaeological evidence for the consumption of beer that we have is from chemical remains dating back to about 3500 BC.

Some archaeologists have theorized that civilization was developed, to give people the tools necessary to produce beer on a large scale, for entire populations.

We know that the production and consumption of beer in Europe dates back as far as 3000 BC, carried by Germanic and Celtic Tribes.

Early forms of beer would not be recognizable by today's standards because they did not contain hops, and were often made from a variety of fruits, honeys, and various plants and spices. Many beers were also made using various hallucinogenic and narcotic substances found growing in local areas.

The first mention of the use of hops comes from a Carolingian Abbot in the year 822 AD, although it certainly could have been in use before that time. The use of hops in beer production was also mentioned later by writings of the Abbess Hildegard of Bingen.

Most pre industrial beer was produced on a domestic scale, town by town, or household by household. However in Europe during the Middle Ages monasteries did start to produce the beverage on a larger scale.

The industrial revolution changed the way that beer was made, turning it into a large scale business. This would eventually put an end to most significant domestic and small scale production, in favor of mass produced corporate beverages manufactured in factories and exported worldwide.

Today beer is produced in countries around the world. While there are several larger companies that dominate the market, there are also a wide variety of smaller niche brewing businesses that range the gamut in size and product. There are also a wealth of small individual pub breweries and cottage industry manufacturers.

This article was written by Joey Pebble, on behalf of his line of naturally absorbent stone beer coasters

These natural kitchen accessories are made from a variety of different stone materials including sandstone, slate, marble, quartz, onyx, and limestone. This coaster collection includes both natural coasters, with multicolored features, and painted natural stone pieces, with unique designs, crafted by artists and designers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joey_Pebble