Father’s Day is an ideal time to bring together family and friends for a festive barbecue. Celebrating the special men in our lives with great food, fun activities, and enjoyable company makes the day memorable. Whether hosting in your backyard or at a local park, setting up a delightful atmosphere is crucial. Let’s explore mouthwatering recipes and exciting activities to ensure this Father’s Day stands out.

Tasty BBQ recipes for the grill

Explore creative variations on classic favorites for a standout Father’s Day BBQ. Burgers are a staple, but add unique toppings like caramelized onions, blue cheese, or avocado slices for a gourmet touch. Spicy lovers can enjoy jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for extra flavor. Don’t overlook grilled corn on the cob — enhance it with a seasoned butter made from garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of chili powder. This butter melts perfectly over the hot corn, infusing each bite with rich, savory notes. For those seeking something different, consider grilling marinated chicken skewers with colorful bell peppers and onions. This adds both visual appeal and delicious variety to your BBQ spread.

Side dishes to complement the BBQ

Side dishes are essential for rounding out your BBQ menu. Consider serving refreshing summer salads such as a watermelon and feta mix or a tangy classic coleslaw, which can provide a crisp contrast to your grilled items. Baked beans with a BBQ twist bring a comforting, savory element that pairs well with meats. Another great option is a grilled vegetable platter featuring zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus, lightly seasoned and charred to perfection. Potato salad, whether traditional or with a modern twist like adding bacon bits and chives, is always a crowd-pleaser. For a bit of sweetness, a fruit salad made from seasonal fruits like berries, melons, and citrus can refresh the palate. These side dishes enhance your main course and ensure there’s something for everyone to savor.

Fun activities for family enjoyment

Outdoor activities are a great way to keep everyone engaged and entertained during a Father’s Day BBQ. Set up classic yard games like cornhole, horseshoes, or even a friendly game of frisbee. These activities are easy to organize and provide endless fun for all ages. Consider a scavenger hunt with small prizes for the younger kids to keep them excited and active. Arts and crafts stations can also be a hit; provide supplies for making personalized gifts or cards for Dad. This keeps the kids busy and adds a meaningful touch to the celebration. Music is another fantastic way to elevate the atmosphere. Create a playlist of Dad’s favorite tunes and let it play in the background to keep the vibe lively. Setting up a small area for a family talent show can be hilarious and heartwarming if you have space and it’s safe to do so. Encourage everyone to participate, whether singing, dancing, or showing off a unique skill. These fun-filled activities ensure that the day is not just about eating but also about creating lasting memories with family.

Setting the scene for a perfect BBQ

Creating an inviting environment is key to a successful BBQ celebration. Start by organizing your space with Keter’s large shed collection, perfect for storing all your outdoor equipment and supplies. This ensures everything is within reach and keeps your area tidy. Use these farmhouse table runners to enhance the table setting for a rustic and cozy vibe. Simple decorations, like string lights or lanterns, can add to the ambiance, making your gathering feel warm and welcoming. Arrange comfortable seating with cushions and blankets for a relaxed atmosphere.

Incorporate natural elements like potted plants or fresh flowers to bring a touch of greenery to your space. Setting up a drink station with various beverages can also be a nice touch, allowing guests to help themselves and stay refreshed. If the weather is warm, consider providing fans or shaded areas to keep everyone comfortable.

For the evening, lighting is crucial. Besides string lights, use candles or solar-powered garden lights to create a soft glow. This helps with visibility and adds a magical touch to your gathering. A fire pit can serve as a focal point where guests can gather, roast marshmallows, and enjoy each other’s company as the night goes on.

Lastly, ensure a designated area for games and activities to keep the fun going throughout the day. With these thoughtful touches, your Father’s Day BBQ will be organized and efficient, and exude warmth and charm, making it a memorable event for everyone involved.

As your Father’s Day BBQ draws close, take a moment to savor the connections and memories created. These elements come together to create a day that celebrates not just fathers, but the love and unity within the family. Here’s to many more family gatherings that foster love and happiness.

 

Getting older can make life’s simple pleasures taste even sweeter. Take eating, for example. It becomes more than just fueling up the body. It turns into a real treat and sometimes feels like an event or luxury. Fancy dining at Michelin star restaurants is known for its top-notch quality and creativity!

Seniors living anywhere, even those in senior living apartments, would love this experience. These high-end places know how to cater to seniors’ refined tastes and dietary needs, making every meal unforgettable. Let’s dive deeper into what makes these meals so luxurious during our golden years by focusing on four main points that set them apart.

Tailored Culinary Excellence

Michelin star restaurants are famous for top-notch food and fresh ideas. For older folks, this means delicious meals that also fit their diet needs. Chefs at these places are pros at making dishes that mix great taste with good health. They use only the freshest, best ingredients.

These culinary wizards can whip up low-sodium and sugar-free options without skimping on flavor. This way, seniors get to enjoy tasty treats while keeping healthy, too. Plus, chefs here often tweak dishes based on allergies or likes/dislikes of diners, so every meal feels like it’s made just right.

Elegant and Accessible Ambiance

Michelin star restaurants aren’t just about great food. The vibe of the place matters, too! They’re designed to be fancy yet comfy—perfect for older folks who like a chill dining scene.

The decor is usually classy, with cozy seats and an atmosphere that’s all about taking your time over meals. And guess what? Many Michelin-starred places are also very accessible!

They’ve got everything from wheelchair-friendly entrances to roomy layouts and thoughtful staff members on hand. This way, everyone (seniors included) can have a hassle-free meal experience.

Unforgettable Dining Experiences

Michelin star dining isn’t just about the food. It’s all about making memories that stick! For older folks, this could mean marking big moments in a place dripping with class and style.

Do you have a landmark birthday or an anniversary coming up? Maybe it’s just for kicks on any given night. These restaurants pull out all stops to make things special. The service is top-notch and dishes look like works of art—every bit designed to wow diners!

This focus on crafting unforgettable times matters even more for seniors as they get chances to relish life’s luxuries while creating lasting memories.

Community and Connection

Eating at Michelin star restaurants also gives older folks a chance to hang out with others and feel part of the crowd. Sharing good food in such classy places can be an awesome way for family and friends to bond. What’s more, many senior living spots plan group trips to these fancy eateries.

This lets residents mingle while enjoying top-notch meals together. The social side is very important. It helps keep spirits high by letting seniors interact with others as part of a lively community. The sheer joy that comes from sharing amazing dishes in stunning surroundings could really boost their quality of life!

Conclusion

So, to wrap it up, Michelin star dining is a fantastic chance for older folks to enjoy fancy meals that suit their tastes and diet needs. These restaurants offer custom-made culinary delights, classy settings, unforgettable times, and chances to connect with others.

For seniors living in apartments or communities, trips like these can become treasured highlights! They add some sparkle of elegance and happiness into the golden years.

Cooking for a large family can be tedious. You have to cook enough food to feed everyone, making sure that the food is healthy and nutritious while taking into consideration everyone’s dietary allergies and preferences. Luckily meal prepping can help you save time and money, while still providing your family with healthy meals.

Here are some tips for meal prepping with a large family.

Create a Comprehensive Menu

The first step to meal prepping is creating a comprehensive menu. This means deciding on up to a week’s worth of meals in accordance with everyone’s dietary needs and preferences.

Try to include meals that can be easily customized. For instance, a spaghetti meal means you can make a plain tomato sauce for any vegans and then have cheese on the side for everyone else. Or, a chicken meal option means you can make a spicy herb-rubbed whole chicken for adults and barbeque sauce chicken breasts for kids.

Then, incorporate leftover ingredients into your menu. For example, if you have some extra roasted chicken from the previous week, you can include chicken salad or chicken soup in the current week’s menu.

Take Advantage of Meal Kits

Getting ingredients for meals can be tricky, especially for large families. You have to make sure that you get enough of each ingredient without having too much left over.

Meal kits can be a great solution to this problem. With a meal kit, you get all the ingredients you need for a specific recipe, in the exact quantities that you need.

When choosing a service for this purpose, make sure to pick one that offers a variety of recipes and caters to everyone’s dietary needs.

Invest in Quality Food Containers

One of the keys to successful meal prepping is having quality food containers. Without them there’s a huge risk of your food spilling or worse, going bad.

For large families, it’s best to invest in stackable containers of various sizes. This way, you can easily store different types of foods and also pack individual meals for everyone.

Also, be sure to get containers that are made from durable materials like glass or stainless steel. And, find containers that are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Invest in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have been all the rage for some time, and for good reason. They allow you to cook food with little to no oil, making them a healthier option than most traditional methods. They also cook food quickly and evenly, making them ideal for meal prepping.

When choosing an air fryer, make sure to pick one that is large enough to accommodate your needs. Some air fryers are small enough to only cook one or two servings, while others are large enough to cook an entire meal.

Then, look for additional features like a reheat function or a timer.

These are some top tips for meal prepping with a large family. By following these tips, you can save time and money while still providing your family with healthy meals.

 

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential. An unhealthy diet can lead to serious health problems. Unfortunately, many people fail to follow a good diet plan. Nutrition is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for athletes who exercise often and put their muscles under stress. Chef’s and nutritionists like Javier Burillo have taken the time to plan and develop an appropriate diet that helps anyone achieve their fitness goals.

It is easy to forget how important it is for athletes, especially those who frequently exercise, to maintain a healthy diet. However, this is one of the most important parts of training. Without a proper diet, your performance will suffer dramatically. A balanced diet means getting the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and water. This ensures that your body will function properly.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy diet:

– Eat carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in approximately the same amounts. For example, if you have a snack containing carbs, add a source of protein too. If you eat meat or dairy products, then add a serving of whole grains or veggies.

– Eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that you can’t get in any other way.

– Drink three liters of water every day, not including what you drink from other sources such as coffee, tea, or fruit juices. This is the minimum amount required to keep your body healthy. If you exercise, it would be wise to drink more than 3 liters a day.

– Eat a large breakfast that includes carbs and protein. This will give you energy for your morning workout. Try to avoid eating a lot of carbohydrates at dinner time, as this tends to make people feel sleepy.

– Find out how many calories your body needs each day to maintain your weight. If you want to gain weight, eat more than this amount. If you want to lose weight, decrease your intake of calories and increase your exercise routine.

– Make sure that at least 70% of the food you eat comes from healthy sources. This means that fried foods, candy, and other junk food should be eaten sparingly, if at all.

– Don’t skip meals. If you do, your blood sugar and insulin levels will drop, making it difficult for you to concentrate on your work or your training.

– Eliminate foods containing trans fat from your diet. Trans fat increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and is linked to heart disease.

– Don’t assume that you will receive the necessary nutrients by taking vitamin supplements. Supplements cannot replace a healthy diet. If you eat a varied diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you probably don’t need to take supplements.

– Eat when you are hungry, but don’t go overboard. If your stomach is full, it will be difficult for your body to process the food efficiently. Additionally, eating too much in one sitting may result in poor digestion or stomach problems.

– Cut down on the amount of caffeine you consume to avoid dehydration and other negative side effects, such as headaches and muscle cramps. It’s easy to forget that caffeinated drinks should be included in your daily intake of water.

Fruit juices make for the best kind of beverages for kids and adults alike. Most fruit juices are made from real fruit pulps and are rich in vitamins minerals and antioxidants. Pineapple juice is one such juice. Pineapple juice brings the goodness of pineapple with a dash of tanginess and gives you the best experience ever. Pineapple juice is also very versatile and can be easily used in making delicious mocktails too.

Mocktails are the best kind of beverages to have if you’re hosting a party, a luncheon, a get-together, or even when you’re just feeling fancy at home! Here are some easy to follow mocktail recipes you can make at home with pineapple juice:

Pineapple Mojito Mocktail

A Mojito is a popular Cuban drink that usually contains lime juice, mint and soda. In this variation, we will add pineapple juice to the mix!

Ingredients

• Fresh mint leaves
• Pineapple juice
• Lime juice
• Club soda
• Ice

Procedure

• In a glass or a cocktail shaker, crush 10-12 mint leaves.
• Pour pineapple juice and lime juice into the vessel.
• Shake this vigorously until all the flavours mix.
• Strain this into a tall glass with club soda and ice!

Pineapple Ginger Mocktail

• The sweet taste of pineapple pairs well with the intensity of ginger to give you the best mocktail. While kids might not enjoy ginger as much, this cocktail will definitely be liked by the elders!

Ingredients

• Ginger Ale (non-alcoholic)
• Cinnamon syrup
• Pineapple juice
• Lime juice
• Mint leaves
• Ice

Procedure

• Cook cinnamon in water and sugar for 10 minutes and stir continuously. The let the cinnamon sticks stay in the syrup of about 20 minutes. Remove the sticks and you’ll have cinnamon syrup ready.
• In a glass or a mocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves. Add lime juice and some ginger in this and mix it.
• Then pour your cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice and ginger ale.
• Add ice and mix all the ingredients well. You can also you some mint leaves as garnish!

Pineapple guava mocktail

• This fruity mocktail will not only give you the sweetest taste, it will also be extremely lovely to look at! In this mocktail pineapple juice is mixed with the delicious guava juice to give us a healthy yet sweet drink.

Ingredients

• Pineapple juice
• Salt
• Guava juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Grenadine syrup
• Ice

Procedure

• In a glass filled with ice, add pineapple juice and a pinch of salt.
• The pour guava juice and a spoonful of grenadine syrup
• Also add a spoonful of lime juice to this mix and stir well!

Pineapple coconut orange mocktail

• If you want to make the perfect tropical mocktail, what’s better than a mix of coconut, orange, and pineapple. This cocktail is easy to make and does not need any added sugar either!

Ingredients

• Pineapple juice
• Coconut milk
• Orange juice
• Ice
• Pineapple slices

Procedure

• In a glass pour fresh coconut milk
• Add pineapple juice and orange juice to it
• Add ice cubes for a chilled effect
• Lastly decorate with pineapple slices and enjoy!

To make all these mocktails and more in an easier manner, it is advised to keep some high-quality packaged pineapple juice around. One of the best packaged pineapple juices in the market is the B Natural Pineapple juice. It is made with real fruit pulp and not from a concentrate and has no added colours or preservatives either! B Natural Pineapple juice promises the best taste of pineapples along with all the important vitamins minerals and antioxidants that you will find in the fruit too!

 

There’s a reason why the cannabis beverage market is worth an estimated $901.8 million. More people than ever before are realizing the potential of these drinkable hemp products.

Maybe that’s why hundreds of major corporations are rushing to get in on the vast demand. At the center of this market are water soluble cannabinoids. This is the advancement that’s made this type of cannabis beverage possible.

But exactly what are water soluble cannabinoids? And why are they important? If you want to know the answer to these questions and more, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about this incredible new product. Let’s get started!

What are Water Soluble Cannabinoids?

Before we begin it’s important that you first understand what cannabinoids are. At its most basic definition cannabinoids are the compounds found in cannabis. Often, the only thing that people think of is the Delta 8 and Delta9 THC cannabinoids.

However, the reality is that there are over 113 isolated cannabinoids, including things like CBD, CBG, CBC, and CBN. Typically these cannabinoids, which all have unique benefits, have been accessed through hemp oil.

This method has been great for things like tinctures and capsules. However, it comes with a serious problem. Anyone who has tried to mix oil with water knows the issue. When you try to mix hemp extract with water the inevitable happens: it stays separate.

Because it’s next to impossible to mix oil and water it’s been difficult for cannabis/hemp companies to offer good beverage products. That is until the advent of water soluble cannabinoids. As its name suggests, this breakthrough allows cannabinoids to completely dissolve into the water. Let’s find out how.

What Are the Two Types of Water Soluble Cannabinoids?

As of the time of this article, water soluble cannabinoids are available in two different forms. These include water soluble powder and water soluble liquid.

As you can guess, the powder product looks like a powder similar to the type you would get if you’ve ever ordered CBD isolate. The biggest benefit that comes with this type of product in the range.

Many of the cutting-edge companies have been able to make a water soluble extract out of almost any type of cannabis extract that’s oil-based. As such, it’s great for businesses that want you to use their own, personal extracts.

The other type of product that’s offered is water soluble liquid. This product can be made from most types of extracts and arrives at your location ready to be put into any type of cannabis-based beverage. As such, it’s a good option for business owners that want to save a little time during the manufacturing process.

Benefits of Water Soluble Cannabinoids

The most obvious benefit that comes with water soluble cannabinoids is that they can be used to finally make good drinks. However, this isn’t the only benefit that they come with. In this section, we’ll be going over five other reasons why you should consider giving this cutting-edge product a try.

1. High Bioavailability and Fast Acting Effects

Bioavailability is an important term when it comes to cannabinoids. It refers to the percentage of a cannabinoid that gets absorbed into your bloodstream.

The higher the bioavailability, the more efficient your body is at absorbing the full concentration of a hemp product. Unfortunately, products like tinctures and edibles need to go through the digestive system before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This results in only 10% to 20% of the cannabinoid getting through.

That 90% to 80% of the product that’s getting wasted. Water soluble cannabinoids, on the other hand, get absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mouth. As a result, they have a much higher bioavailability.

One study found that over 90% of cannabinoids are absorbed through beverages. What’s more, you will feel the effects quicker. Instead of having to wait an hour or more to feel anything you can typically feel it in a matter of minutes.

2. Easier to Dose Properly

Consistent dosing is important when it comes to cannabinoids. That’s why people enjoy products like tinctures, edibles, and capsules. It tells them precisely how much they’ll be getting with their dosage. However, water soluble cannabinoids are even better than these products for dosing.

Why? Because not only do you get an exact dosage, but it also accurately reflects the amount of the cannabinoid that will be entering your system. Remember what you discussed in the last section?

When you ingest an oil-based cannabis product 90% of it is getting lost in your digestive system. Since this isn’t true for water-soluble products they more accurately reflect the amount of dose that you’re going to feel.

3. More Convenient For Consumers

Water soluble cannabinoid products are also much more convenient for the consumer. As we’ve mentioned, water and oil don’t mix. So, when a customer tries to make coffee infused with CBD oil, it’s all going to float to the top.

This simply isn’t true for water soluble products. As such, it opens up the entire world when it comes to things that the consumer can mix it with. Smoothies, sodas, beers, wines, coffee, and cocktails are just some of the things it can go with.

These products are also more convenient because the customer can truly take them anywhere. No more having to worry about your tincture spilling when you try to transport it.

4. Tastes Great

The problem with cannabinoid-infused beverages in the past has been the flavor. Putting aside the issue that the oil runs to the top of the drink, let’s discuss the taste. Many people complain that the taste is too earthy.

The terpenes typically overwhelm any other flavors in the beverage. Water soluble cannabinoids on the other hand offer more subtle flavor profiles. Some of them are completely flavorless. This appeals to the customer base that doesn’t enjoy the overwhelming taste of some hemp strains.

5. Lasts Longer On the Shelf

The final benefit of water soluble cannabinoids is the extended shelf life. Most types of water soluble products last two years or longer. This is twice the amount of time that most hemp oils last.

This means you have a lot more time to sell your product before it goes bad.

Different Types of Products For Water Soluble Cannabinoids

Water soluble cannabinoids work well in a variety of different products. Honestly, you’re only limited to your imagination in terms of what water-based product you want to put it in. In this section, we’ll be going over some of the top-selling ones. Just make sure that you know and trust the supplier that you’re going through.

You can also save money by purchasing your water soluble cannabinoids in bulk. For example, look at the savings you get when you buy this CBN distillate bulk product.

1. Beverages

It should be no surprise that beverages are one of the prime targets for water soluble cannabinoids. Doesn’t the idea of a CBD-infused beer sound great? Or how about a CBG beer?

With this technology available it will only be a matter of time before we see these types of products popping up in grocery stores and bars. Manufacturers are only limited by their imagination, so it will be interesting to see what types of products they create.

2. Topical Products

Topical products and cannabinoids together are nothing new. CBD oil lotions have been a popular product for almost a decade. However, the oil in these types of CBD oil sometimes just sits on top of the skin.

Products made with water soluble cannabinoids on the other hand come with greater skin permeability. As such, they’re better for these types of topical products.

3. Shots

Energy shots remain popular with fitness enthusiasts and tired college students. As such, they make a smart choice for water soluble cannabinoids. Not only does the product provide a burst of energy, but the calming effects of many cannabinoids can offset some of the bad properties.

For example, CBD often reduces feelings of anxiety. As such, they can cancel out the jittery, nervous feelings that sometimes accompany these types of energy shot products.

Want More Content? Keep Reading

We hope this article helped you learn more about water soluble cannabinoids and why they’re changing the market. As you can see, the introduction of workable water soluble material makes it easy for manufacturers to make their unique cannabinoid beverages.

Just make sure that purchase you concentrate on from a supplier you can trust. Otherwise, you’ll get a subpar product that doesn’t mix properly into the water.

Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.

 

Wine collecting is an expensive hobby, there’s no doubt about it. However, it doesn’t mean that you should go all out, especially if you’re just getting started. There is a very high chance that you will make errors at the beginning. For instance, we recently read an article about natural wines and whether they’re a scam or not. As it turns out, these wines do have some attributes, but that doesn’t necessarily make them more valuable.

These are the types of nuances that you will need to understand before you start your collection. The people at Underground Cellar have a few tips on how you can start a great collection on a reasonable budget. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Start Planning

You first have to evaluate what your actual budget is. Though it won’t be massive, you can start a respectable collection for under $1000. You will have to be wise with the wines that you pick, however. Instead of buying aged wines, you might have to buy them young and age them yourself. You will need to know how good the year was for this particular wine. And, if your goal is to age a wine, stay away from anything in the discount aisles as these are usually meant to be drunk immediately.

Mix Your Selection

You should also make sure that you mix and match your selection if you also want to enjoy your collection. Your cellar should consist of a good mix of bottles that you’ll be aging, and young, ready to drink wines. Some will advise that you go for 50% ready-to-drink bottles, or blue chips as they’re called, and 50% aging wines. These are wines you will be aging for at least 5 years as this is when they start to develop more character. Note that all wines will not get better as they age, however.

We also suggest that you stock for specific events in advance. The goal of a collection is also to have a good inventory on hand for any occasion, so timing your purchases will make sure that you won’t have to scramble at the last minute for the perfect bottle.

Look at Storage Options

There are many ways that you can store your wines. You can buy storage yourself, build a cellar room, or get someone to store them for you. All of these options have their pros and cons, but building your cellar is the most labor extensive. Some will even store their bottles in a cardboard box with blankets over it to block the sunlight, but this is not the best option.

Know what to Look for in a Bottle

Next, you have to know exactly what you’re looking for in a bottle. If it’s to drink, scores and your palate will be your best friend. If it’s as an investment, look at the history of the vineyard, the location, and scores again. Things like weather can also affect the supply of grapes and increase scarcity, which can make a wine more valuable.

So, if your goal is to start a wine collection with a modest budget, follow these few tips. Starting small is the best way to go as you’ll gain experience and become better at finding great deals.

 

We’ve all got at least one friend who loves cooking up a storm in the kitchen. They’re the first to try the latest and greatest gadgets and they’re always excited to share their favourite new recipes or techniques that they’ve learnt. Since you’re sure to get a delicious feed whenever you visit, why not fuel their passion and your shared culinary experiences with one of the gifts on this list:

A Quality Cookware Set

The most common pots, pans, and utensils in a food-lover’s kitchen see a crazy amount of action. Because of this, your friend may well have some pretty sad looking cookware. Though top-quality cookware is a wonderful gift idea, it’s best to go with an induction cookware set. That way, you don’t have to worry about remembering what type of stovetop they have. Induction cookware can be used on any stovetop, but induction stovetops can only take induction cookware.

Fancy Ingredient Holders

Some creative cooks will already have these in their kitchens, but if your friend doesn’t own a set of stylish canisters for the flour, sugar, and other powered ingredients, they could be an ideal gift. The new canisters will look gorgeous on display in the pantry or on the kitchen counter. They’ll also keep ingredients fresher for longer, making it easier for your friend to find what they’re looking for mid-recipe.

An Indoor Herb Garden

Speaking of fancy ingredient accessories, if your friend has the room and enjoys indoor plants, why not get them everything they need to create their very own indoor herb garden? These tasty little decor additions will quite literally liven up the kitchen, and fresh herbs tend to taste better and offer more health benefits than dried ones.

Hanging Storage

Hanging storage for their cookware is another great gifting option for the friend who loves to cook. While storage may not sound all that exciting, hanging storage will greatly improve your friend’s access to the pots and pans they need to whip up their culinary delights. With the right kind of storage setup, the cookware itself can actually be quite nice as decor. Plus, you’ll be helping your friend free up space in their cupboards and drawers for more fun gadgets to experiment with, so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Cute Matching Sets

For those who like a matching aesthetic, cute sets are always a win. Think aprons, tea towels, oven mitts, and for friends who take their cooking a little too seriously, a chef’s hat is an adorable gift. While this type of gift won’t necessarily make cooking any easier, it will certainly make things more fun, which will score you some brownie points in your culinary loving friend’s cookbook.

A Cute A4 Diary Or Scrapbook

Speaking of cookbooks, your creative friend probably has a whole host of recipes that they’ve made up during their adventures. While there are plenty of pre-made books out there that they can copy their ideas into, a cute A4 diary or scrapbook allows for far more customisation. It means they won’t have to worry about fitting all of their ingredients and method into a predefined amount of lines.

Alternatively, you can decorate the scrapbook and then add your own selection of templates. Bonus points here if you customise it with stickers, ribbons or other crafty things to make it a bit more personal and special.

So there you have it – our top six gift ideas for friends who are creative in the kitchen. Let us know your favourites in the comments, and then go update your shopping list.

Babies eat baby food. Everybody knows that. That’s why baby food is a multi-billion dollar industry, and the companies involved in making it have released so many different products and formulas. Babies don’t only eat baby food, though. They’re naturally curious, and they’ll eat almost everything we feed to them. They won’t be able to cope with every type of food before they get their ‘real’ teeth, and they’ll enjoy some foods more than others as they develop their taste buds, but experimenting with different food types is something that all parents do as they prepare to transition their newborn away from baby formulas and on to conventional food.

As is the case with most things in life, moderation is the key to success. We all know which foods are bad for us, and because of that, we all know which foods we should only eat in small portions, or only on occasions as opposed to every day. Even then, though, there are some foods that are more dangerous to babies than they are to adults – and they’re food types that would never occur to you as being dangerous. All of us would be horrified to discover that we’d accidentally put our baby’s life at risk by feeding them something that they shouldn’t have eaten, so let’s avoid the risk of that happening. Here are five things that you should never feed a baby who’s less than one year old.

Citrus Fruits

Scientists and dietitians are forever telling us that we should eat more fruit. We all know that we should be getting our ‘five a day,’ and many of us fail in the attempt to do so, but we’re keen to ensure that our babies get their fill of fruit because we know it’s good for them. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Citrus fruits (that’s limes, oranges, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries) have exceptionally high levels of Vitamin C. Those Vitamin C levels can cause rashes in adults with allergies, but those rashes are far worse in infants. Stomach upsets are also common. In very extreme cases, such reactions can be fatal. Stick with non-citrus fruits and fruit juices until they’re past their first birthday.

Cow’s Milk

This is similar to the situation with citrus fruits. We’re all told that milk is good for us because it helps to build healthy bones and teeth. In fact, many of us were ordered to drink cow’s milk every day when we were at school! We’re not saying that milk isn’t good for you, because it is, but where that milk comes from matters to very young children. Breast milk is still the best option, but we appreciate that not everybody can or wants to go down that route. There are still substitutes available, though, and they should be used in place of cow’s milk because cow’s milk contains such high levels of lactose that it will inevitably lead to stomach upsets. Surprisingly, it’s a myth that cow’s milk is essential to any step of a child’s development – other forms of milk work just as well.

Shellfish

Some people never develop a taste for seafood in their whole lives. Others swear by it, and because they swear by it, they’re keen for their children to start eating it as soon as possible. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s totally up to you as a decision – but save their first dose of shellfish until they’re at least one year old. Even then, it’s probably wise to consult your pediatrician before they enjoy their first portion. Aside from the fact that shellfish and seafood allergies are reasonably common, some shellfish contain high levels of mercury that your infant’s developing digestive system simply won’t be able to process and cope with. The best fish to start developing your baby’s palate with are softer, gentler fish like cod and flounder. They can work their way up to shrimps and lobster as they get a little older!

Sugar

While we could start listing things like chocolate and ice cream one at a time, it’s easier for us to put them all in one category and say that any babies younger than twelve months old should be kept away from sugar. We’re not sure whether sugar should be more accurately referred to as a food type or a national obsession. It inspires such devotion that it’s even been used as a theme at online slots websites, where you’ll see it in free spins casino like “Sugar Train” and “Sugar Rush.” Perhaps there’s a clue in that. Online slots websites are targeted at adults, so we should take the hint that sugar is for adults, too! You shouldn’t be any more inclined to allow a small child near sugar than you would be to allow them access to online slots – by which we mean they shouldn’t be consuming any of it at all. It can turn them off breast milk, cause obesity, and prompt them to reject other foods that don’t taste as sweet.

Raw Vegetables

Yes, just like fruit and milk, raw vegetables are bad for small children. We’ve spent our whole lives believing that eating fruit and vegetables and drinking milk is the key to a healthy lifestyle, but it won’t be for our children if we start them on it too early! There are two reasons why you shouldn’t give raw vegetables to a baby. The first is an obvious one – they’re hard and chunky, and so they present a risk of choking. The second is something that most people don’t know, which is that raw fruits contain a surprisingly high level of nitrates. That won’t be a problem for a child who’s two or three, but it could easily be too much for a younger child to deal with. Processed or cooked vegetables are a different matter, and you can start introducing those at around the six-month mark, but raw vegetables should only be on their plate after their first birthday.

How many of these surprised you? We all knew sugar wasn’t good for us, and perhaps some of us could have taken an educated guess about shellfish, but milk, fruit, and vegetables? We were as shocked as you are when we found out! Now you know, though, and so you can keep them off your baby’s menu!

The T-bone steak is a high-quality cut of beef known for its meaty flavour and tenderness. Its premium price at steakhouses and upscale restaurants reflects its position on the animal, coming from the area along the spine with the least used muscles. The T-bone steak is closely associated with the popular porterhouse steak due to both having been cut from the short loin area, but the T-bone is generally slightly smaller in size than the prized porterhouse. It does still have the same desirable qualities, though, with a strip of the top loin on one side of the bone and an extra-lean and beautifully soft tenderloin fillet on the other side. The T-bone boasts moderate marbling and is a classic steak lovers’ steak, perfect for a special occasion.

The T-bone steak is great for grilling on the barbecue on a summer’s day, with most restaurants preferring to cook this cut of beef over open flames for a brown, crusty surface and a nice pink or red interior. However, it tastes just as delicious cooked in the kitchen using a griddle or in a frying pan, which is likely a more familiar method of cooking for first-timers. In this recipe, the connoisseurs of steak at The Dorset Meat Company explain how to do just that, with guidance on how to get the most flavour and tenderness out of your T-bone steak.

The T-bone has generous bits of fat to keep it moist while the tenderloin fillet adds tenderness and plenty of flavour. The intact bone provides a useful handle to easily grab hold of the steak and flip it without puncturing the meat, effectively locking in all the juices. For this reason, you don’t need to go overboard with adornments and need only add a drop of olive oil and a little seasoning. This popular steak is cooked hot and fast in a griddle or heavy based frying pan and is best served medium-rare, with a golden outer crust and pink and juicy centre.

1. Remove your T-Bone steaks from the packaging, make sure you pat them dry and leave them out until brought to room temperature.
2. Preheat your pan or griddle at a high heat for around 10 minutes.
3. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
4. Add a drop of olive oil to the pan. When it begins to smoke, add the steaks. For best results, position the fillet farthest from the heat, as this is the fastest cooking part of a T-bone steak.
5. To prevent the cooking base from becoming overcrowded, avoid cooking more than two steaks in one pan.
6. Start with a quick sear, turning each steak until they form a crisp golden outer crust. If the meat is burning rather than browning, take the pan away from the heat and allow to cool slightly before you resume cooking.
7. Cook on each side for 5-6 minutes for medium rare. The steaks will become firmer as they cook, so you can determine how well done they are by gently pressing on each one with your thumb. For a medium rare steak, it should feel tender, but with a little resistance.
8. Set aside to rest in a warm place for at least 5 minutes.
9. Cut each steak from the bone and carve the meat into strips across the grain.
10. Serve with your preferred sides. We love onion rings and salad for a classic American take on the dish, or creamy sautéed mushrooms for an extra special dinner.

Now if that’s not a mouth-watering prospect, we don’t know what is.