(ARA) – Literally soaked in flavor, marinated foods are undeniably delicious. But did you know that marinating also makes your grilled foods safer?

Anyone who loves the delectable flavor of hot-off-the-grill foods has probably heard that cancer-causing substances — such as heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs or HCAs) — form when the proteins in red meat, pork, poultry and fish react to the high heat of grilling and when fat drips off the meat and produces smoke.

But the researchers aren’t just pouring water on our coals; they’re coming up with solutions, too. Chemists at Kansas State University found that marinating meat for an hour in spice blends can reduce the formation of HCAs by 80 percent or more. They credit the antioxidant properties of spices with this change. Other researchers suggest that marinades may buffer the heat that causes the problematic chemical reaction, or that a combination of sugar, oil, and acidic ingredients decreases the carcinogenic compounds.

Not that you need a scientific reason to marinate. Savvy grillers know marinating improves flavor and the process isn’t labor-intensive. You can make your own signature marinades, or rely on the guaranteed results of quality mixes.

For safe and delicious grilling with marinades:

• Choose lean cuts of meat, which will drip less and produce less smoke. Trim excess fat.
• Prick the surfaces of meats with a fork before marinating to allow flavors to penetrate.
• Marinate foods in the refrigerator — not on the counter — in a glass, plastic, or stainless steel pan.
• Keep in mind that marinades that have been used for raw meat, poultry or seafood need to be cooked thoroughly before eating. So don’t baste with them during the last few minutes, don’t dip your finger in the pan to taste and don’t use the leftover marinade for sauce without cooking it first.
• Consider cooking meats in the microwave for a minute or so before placing them on the grill. Discard any juice that’s produced during microwaving. Use tongs or a spatula, rather than forks, to reduce drips when turning foods on the grill.
• Cook over medium (rather than high) heat to avoid charring foods. Let flames settle down before cooking over coals or wood, and turn the temperature down to medium on a gas grill. If you do char a portion of the food, cut off that section before serving.
• Flip those burgers. Again. They’ll cook faster (and produce fewer HCAs) if you turn them often.
• Consider other options, too, like soy burgers and soy hot dogs, portobello mushrooms and other vegetables. These foods don’t have the same potential to produce harmful substances that can result from unsafe cooking procedures — but they’re delicious when marinated nonetheless!

Here’s a simple, tasty recipe from Chef Kendall McFarland, research and development manager at Simply Organic:

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked pasta
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 package of Simply Organic Steak Marinade Mix

In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the olive oil and the Steak Marinade Mix. Serve as a warm or cold side dish.

Add olives, cheese or other vegetables if desired.

Staying with the same marinade for the complete meal, Chef Kendall also has this tasty recipe:

Tarragon Encrusted Salmon

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package Simply Organic Steak Marinade Mix
1 to 1 1/2 pounds salmon steak — minimum of 1-inch thick

Preheat grill. In a small bowl blend butter, lemon juice and Steak Marinade. Lay salmon on grill using a fish grill plate, skin side down. Spread a thin layer of butter mixture on steaks. Grill eight to 10 minutes or until salmon is just flaky.

Serve with sliced fresh tomatoes as a garnish.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – No matter the occasion or season, love of chocolate is universal. America’s cocoa worship continues to grow and, despite a down economy, people are treating themselves to a small luxury with premium chocolates.

Though they may skip a trip to their favorite restaurant or bakery for dessert, chocolate enthusiasts continue to look for everyday indulgences in products with the finest ingredients. In fact, U.S. chocolate sales are expected to grow to nearly $18 billion by 2011.

Often times, those who prefer premium chocolate reach for darker varieties, and have taken up using only cacao percentages to measure what makes a “better” chocolate. The percentages refer to the total amount of cocoa beans in the bar by weight. Traditionally, a higher percentage provides a more intense and less sweet flavor. What they often forget, however, is that it’s not just cacao percentages, but also the overall quality that can make the difference between a good chocolate and a great one. Milk chocolate must be at least 10 percent chocolate liquor by weight, and the current trend favors formulations that contain more than that amount, which produces more chocolate flavor and less sweetness.

Despite the attention on dark varieties, milk chocolate is Americans’ true love, accounting for 80 percent of total chocolate sales, according to the market research firm ACNielsen. Milk chocolate fans have cause to rejoice — more premium offerings are becoming available with launches of new products, including Ghirardelli LUXE milk chocolate.

With delectable all natural flavors including milk, hazelnut, almond, crisp and duet, the Ghirardelli LUXE milk chocolate collection offers satisfaction for every craving.

What should you look for in a high-quality chocolate?

• An attractive gloss — The surface of chocolate should be tight and even-colored.
• A pleasing aroma — Before even tasting it, rub the piece of chocolate with your thumb to warm and release its aroma. Milk chocolates often give off aromas of milk, cream, caramel or malt.
• The “snap” factor — It’s the first clue to texture. Milk chocolate bars have a gentler snap than dark or semi-sweet chocolate because their milk and butter fat content make them naturally softer.
• Creamy feel in your mouth — Premium chocolate should not be described as “gritty” or “waxy.”
• Flavor — It’s the ultimate criterion for quality in chocolate. Every palate is different, but don’t forget that above all, your chocolate must taste delicious!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) — The days of frivolous spending habits have passed. We’ve managed to admit we’re in a recession, but how exactly do we shop — both for pleasure and for necessities — during these hard economic times?

The ways to save money these days are countless and living on a tight budget is not as difficult as it seems. Here are some tips to stay budget-friendly and become a recession-style shopper:

Make a List

The luxury of roaming around a department store or strolling through a mall is wonderful, but that can only lead to unnecessary purchases. Before you set out on your shopping trip, decide what exactly it is you want or need. No matter how large or small the item, making a list will keep your shopping fixed and focused.

Cut back on driving

Once you’ve established what you need to buy, plan a driving route for your shopping outing. Establish where you’re going, in what order and do a little research to find out the quickest way to get there. Gas prices may be on the decline for now, but who knows what will happen in the future. Be strategic with your transportation and better yet, ask a friend to carpool.

Purchase online

Everything found in brick and mortar stores can be bought online, often for less.

Never shop hungry

When it comes to grocery shopping, shopping on an empty stomach can empty your wallet pretty fast. Make sure to have a snack before heading out. Roaming up and down food aisles will lead to impulse grocery spends. Not only will having a snack make your tummy a little more full, you’re sure to be saving a few calories as well by skipping the pint of ice cream. It’s always a good idea to keep a box of granola bars (or an alternative healthy snack) in the car for emergency situations.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Ah, the love of the burger – it’s a unifying American experience. But if the fat content in fast food burgers makes your heart burn with shame, and meat recalls have you worrying about what’s in that burger you made at home, you’re not alone. Is it any wonder that interest in vegan alternatives to traditional meat meals is on the rise – even among people who still consider themselves meat-eaters?

“People are understandably concerned about what they’re serving their families,” said Gary Torres of Food for Life, a vegan food company that is seeing increased interest in meat-free foods. “But it’s not just confirmed vegans who are seeking these alternatives. We’re seeing increased interest in vegetarian and vegan foods by people who don’t consider themselves to be followers of either lifestyle.”

The health advantages and expanded availability of more vegan choices seem to be key factors inspiring more people to incorporate meat-free meals into their lifestyles, Torres says.

Not sure if you can incorporate vegetarian or vegan foods into your family’s diet? Consider the following:

• A simple Google search turns up hundreds of Web sites designed to help you “go vegan.” In fact, you can even find sites that will help you locate restaurants in your area that serve vegan or vegetarian dishes.
• It’s easier than ever to find cookbooks filled with delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes you can prepare at home.
• Numerous studies point to the health benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets – from help in losing weight to alleviating symptoms of some types of arthritis and diabetes.
• Vegan and vegetarian food products are going mainstream in grocery stores. Many products deliver the benefits of vegan foods without sacrificing the flavor and texture consumers demand. For example, Food for Life’s new baked (not fried) Moophrey burgers mimic the flavor and texture of quality ground beef. And in taste tests conducted by the company, more kids chose baked Cluckphrey Patties over traditional chicken nuggets. Both products are made with all-natural, non-genetically modified vegetable ingredients.

And if you’re still not convinced that vegan foods fit into your family’s lifestyle, consider this – you may already have vegan foods in your pantry. Items you already use, but never knew were vegan range from Kool-Aid and Fritos to Sunbeam bread, Krispy Kreme fruit pies and Ore-Ida Tater Tots, according to Peta.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) — Holiday season is diamond-buying season, whether you’re looking to get engaged, upgrade your wedding set or just give a gift that will leave her gasping in delight.

More holiday shoppers than ever are eschewing long mall lines in favor of online shopping, and diamond buyers are no exception. Think few people buy diamonds online? Think again: Google “diamond shopping online” and you’ll get about 5 million results, many of them Web sites that specialize in the sale of diamonds. Online jewelry sales in the United States topped $2.45 billion in 2006, a 20 percent increase over the year before, according to data from IDEX Online Research.

“The online market is a natural evolution for diamond shopping,” said Isaac Gottesman, a diamond expert and owner of dimend SCAASI of Chicago, a leading national jeweler whose company entered the e-market in 1997 and now does more than 70 percent of its business online. “In the old days, you went to your local jewelry showroom to look at loose stones and settings. Then large jewelry chains evolved and became mall staples. Next came jewelry sales on television shopping channels. Now jewelry shopping, including diamond buying, has moved online.”

Shopping for diamonds online provides all the advantages of the Internet: huge inventory and selection, competitive prices and exceptional speed and convenience. The pitfalls, however, are just as many: disreputable sellers, questionable products and undereducated buyers. Before you log on to make your diamond purchase this holiday season, consider these do’s and don’ts of online diamond buying:

* Do seek out sites with exceptional customer service standards. “Online shopping can often mean less customer service than you might hope for,” Gottesman said. “But when you’re purchasing something as important as a diamond, you can’t afford to deal with a site that is lacking in customer service.”

Look for sites that allow you to speak directly to a customer service representative, either by phone or live chat, both during your diamond selection process and after you’ve made your purchase. Buying a diamond is more complex than many other online transactions and you’ll want expert advice and attentive service.

* Don’t overlook the importance of the site’s privacy and security measures. Be sure you fully understand the site’s policies before you buy. The site should use encryption and security software. When you get to the payment page, be sure the web address includes https.

* Do look for sites that use technology innovations to give you the best overall picture of the diamond you are buying. “A site that offers you just one image and a brief description of a stone isn’t giving you enough information to make an educated purchase,” Gottesman said.

Gottesman’s dimend SCAASI invented a proprietary, patent-pending software system, dubbed “InnerView,” to allow potential buyers to view diamonds and gemstones online in real time. After choosing the diamond they are interested in at www.dimendscaasi.com, buyers can request an InnerView appointment by phone, e-mail or directly online. Or, if they’re unsure what stone or setting they are looking for, they can request an appointment in which a gemologist helps them decide what they’re looking for in a stone and setting.

During the InnerView session, a gemologist places a diamond or gemstone under powerful magnification of up to 300 times to show its unique characteristics, including the cut, any inclusions the stone may have and a close-up of the laser inscription correlating to the certification number. The buyer can view these features magnified and also see how they appear to the naked eye. InnerView also makes it possible for the customer to view the diamond or gemstone in different settings

* Don’t assume every Web site will take the diamond back if you’re dissatisfied with it. Be sure you know the site’s return policy before you do business with them. Look for sites with a clear and fair return policy, and find out what, if any, restocking fees are associated with returning an item.

* Do be sure the site takes every precaution to ship swiftly and securely. "The site should only ship through reputable carriers who offer a system for tracking your package," Gottesman advises.

* Do look for certification from reputable labs such as GIA and AGS. The certification should detail the characteristics of the diamond.

* Finally, do search the Web for consumer reviews of online jewelers, and visit sites like Citysearch or Yelp to find customer feedback.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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