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Ideas, insights and inspiration for people on the go December 3, 2004 |
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Editor’s Scribbles
I’m also really excited to be getting this ezine out to you in time for the holidays. Tis the season to be cracking your head over gifts and menus, and playing catch-up with friends and family you haven’t seen in a year.
Yep, I know that feeling, and I’m thinking it too (lol). Major stress, right?! But wait, there are ways to get around it. Read on for ideas...
I don’t know about you but after all week of gobbling turkey leftovers in various forms, from sandwiches to pastas to pies, I’m just about ready for some lighter stuff. Hey, how about tofu?
Here in Asia, and increasingly in the West, tofu is a popular eat-and-run dish, versatile, quick to prepare, easy to swallow, great for health. You can eat it, even drink it, hot or cold. It’s perfect for everyone from teething babies to toothless granddaddies, and superbusy persons too (lol). Read on...
I hope you enjoy this issue. I’d like to know what you think of this first issue. Like it? Or not? Am I doing it right? Gimme a shout. Your feedback keeps me on track.
Thanks for being here. Keep smiling. Ciao for now.
Kit Editor/Publisher Website: http://MinuteChaser.Go-GetGlobal.com Email: chaser@go-getglobal.com
P.S. To ensure your issue doesn’t get eaten up by spam filters, please take a minute to add the domain ‘go-getglobal.com’ to your address book.
Brainwave How to Buy the Perfect Gift for Anyone?
by Gary Gresham Shopping online for gifts rather than going to a store is not only convenient, but you save time, money and have an incredible variety of gifts to choose from. It's no wonder online shopping is growing at a phenomenal rate every year. But with so much to choose from, how do you buy the perfect gift for someone? The mistake most people make is buying something that they like instead of thinking hard about the interests of the person they are buying for. Admit it; you have probably done this before. If you want to buy the perfect gift for your recipient, take the time to learn about the interests of that person even if it's something you don't particularly enjoy. Once you know their interests, you can shop smarter and have a much better chance of getting that perfect gift with the thought that says: I picked this gift only for you. If you are shopping for a gift for your sweetheart or partner, just apply the same rule. Try to focus on their interests. Remember, it's not what you want; it's what your partner wants that matters. Listen close to your conversations then casually ask questions to get more specifics. You'll get clues about gifts they desire. Once you apply this new method of gift shopping, your partner or sweetheart will end up with the perfect gift and you will be surprised by the response you receive. But what about buying a gift for the person who has everything? Here are a few ideas that work well for that problem. Gift Baskets make wonderful gifts for the person who has everything and are available for everyone and every occasion. Again the rule here is look for one that is themed toward your recipient's interests. Gift baskets come in every theme imaginable and can be tailored to suit the particular occasion or interest perfectly. They are filled with lots of small presents for the gift recipient making them an excellent value. They come in a variety of price ranges, so they are an ideal gift for any budget. Another gift idea for the person who has everything is a gift certificate. Gift certificates are convenient and easy to redeem. But don't think a gift certificate is a quick solution or an easy way out because it isn't. If you purchase a gift certificate from a store that offers gifts related toward your recipient's interests you may be doing them a huge favor. Not only do they get a great gift that interests them but they can choose something that they will actually use and enjoy. As you can see, it's not difficult to find the perfect gift for anyone. It just takes taking a little extra time to learn about the interests of the recipient. But the result is worth it because it will produce the perfect gift that anyone will be absolutely delighted to receive. ----- About the author: Gary Gresham is the webmaster for http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com. If you are looking for the perfect gift his online shopping site offers you gift solutions at http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com/gifts.html to easily find the perfect gift for anyone.
Modern Living Six Ways to Beat Holiday Stress 1. First Things First :
2. Plan Meals Ahead:
3. Delegate :
4. Take Care of Your Body:
5. Get a Handle on the Holiday Helpings:
6. Keep Expectations Realistic:
Offpeak Hours Terrific Tofu "Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart soft as tofu" (Chinese Proverb) Tofu has an image problem in the west. Even chefs will sometimes claim it lacks flavor. And it's true that the custard-like white substance - also known as soybean curd - doesn't look very appetizing. Still, tofu has a lot going for it. Nutritionally speaking, it's high in calcium and vitamins, but low in fat and sodium. Tofu makes a great meat substitute, not only for vegetarians, but also for individuals who have trouble digesting meat, or suffer from medical conditions such as chronic heartburn. And if that isn't enough, tofu has been credited with offering protection against diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis. Of course, that does leave the not so small matter of flavor. There is no question that, served alone, tofu tastes rather bland. But tofu - or doufu to use its Chinese name - is not designed to be eaten alone. The beauty of bean curd is that it absorbs the flavors of the food it is cooked with. Picture a large white sponge and you've got the basic idea. Besides blandness, another common complaint about tofu is the texture. However, today you can choose from a wide variety of tofus that vary from firm to extra firm, which are fairly dense and solid, to soft, which is more jello-like. There is also silken tofu, which has a creamy, custard-like texture, and also comes in varying degrees of firmness. The firmer tofus are recommended for stir-fries and grilling, while soft tofu works well in soups and silken tofu is great for blended dishes like pudding. But there are no rules - it all depends on your own preference. Recipes normally specify which type of tofu to use, but if they don't, it's safest to stick with medium firmness. Normally located in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, tofu comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes - from individual cakes to larger blocks. One company even packages their tofu in a convenient, plastic-wrapped cylinder - all you need to do is peel back the plastic and slice. If you live near an Asian market, try the Chinese-style tofu packaged in water. It is softer than Japanese tofus, but still firm enough to hold its shape during cooking. I find it gives the best results when cooking Chinese dishes. In the Kitchen How do you store tofu? Like any perishable product, you need to check for an expiry date. (If the tofu smells sour, throw it out). Also, depending on the type of packaging, it may need to be refrigerated immediately. Either way, once you've opened it, cover the leftover tofu with water and store it in the refrigerator, being sure to change the water daily. (If possible, use distilled instead of regular tap water). The tofu should last for up to a week. Tofu can also be frozen, which gives it a more meaty texture. The regular to extra firm tofus are better for freezing, as the softer tofus do not hold their shape as well. But no matter what type of tofu you're working with, you can add extra firmness by draining it before freezing. Simply place the tofu between paper towels or tea towels and lay a heavy pot or board on top of it for fifteen to thirty minutes. Frozen tofu will last for at least three, and up to five, months. Many recipes also call for tofu to be drained before cooking. This will increase its capacity to absorb other flavors, making for a tastier dish. Another way to increase tofu's flavor is to marinate it. There are no hard and fast rules here, but the longer the tofu is marinated, the more flavorful the result. After marinating, you can either fry it or add it to a soup or salad. You don't even need to use it immediately - stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, marinated tofu should last for several days. About the author: Rhonda Parkinson is an avid lover of cooking whose father was a professional chef. As a freelance writer, Rhonda has written extensively on food-related topics, taking a particular interest in Chinese cuisine. She is the author of The Everything Chinese Cookbook (Adams Media, 2003), and The Everything Fondue Cookbook (Adams Media, November 2004). Article from http://chinesefood.about.com
More: Soyfood Reduce the Risk for Osteoporosis High Soy Intake Linked to Low Cholesterol Levels
Over Coffee
I know you’re busy but won’t you join me for a quick coffee break? Simply respond to this week’s question, and receive a Classified Ad FREE! There are no right or wrong answers, these are just for fun.
Kit’s Take Not all Asians are crazy about tofu. I’m not (lol). I’ll eat it if it’s on the menu but I wouldn’t go to any lengths for it. Also I like it better sweet than savory. I love soy bean curd blended to a smooth white consistency served with a touch of sugary syrup. The sweetness seems to bring out the best in tofu’s notorious tastelessness. But lately I seem to have acquired a taste for the savory too, if it’s done MY way.
This week’s question is:
What’s your favorite tofu dish or style of cooking?
Submit your response, and your 3-line by 60-character classified here. Remember to tell me where you’re from.
I’ll be posting your responses in this ezine next week. One more thing, you must be a Minute Chaser subscriber to participate. Take a minute to subscribe.
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IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Scribbles Brainwave How to Buy the Perfect Gift for Anyone? Modern Living Six Ways to Beat Holiday Stress Offpeak Hours Terrific Tofu Over Coffee Hang out with us and get a free classified ad
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Issue 0412-03. Copyright 2004-2005 Minute Chaser Ezine. All rights reserved in all countries. |
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Hello and welcome to our maiden edition of Minute Chaser. I can’t tell you how excited I am that a bunch of readers from my business ezine, Go Get Global, have opted into this one. I wouldn’t be here without your support. Thank you all so much :o).
