The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>So much of our time is spent at home, and that’s true for most of the hours when we crave junk food. Let’s be real, it’s incredibly easy to just grab that unhealthy food we love so much in those down moments. Sometimes, it can seem downright impossible to avoid it. Therefore, the best option for some people is to simply throw it all in the trash.
It seems obvious, and yet so many aspiring dieters keep plenty of junk food lying around the house. This is hurting you more than you realize. You may think that you’re “practicing self-control”, but you’re actually shooting yourself in the foot by enabling yourself. If you really want to practice self-control, don’t buy unhealthy foods when you’re at the supermarket, and eventually, it’ll seem like second nature to you.
The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post These Simple Tricks Will Up Your Polenta Game appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>A simple rule to remember when it comes to cooking polenta is one to four. Take a small bowl and fill it with cold water. Tip four bowls of water into a pan, salt with half a teaspoon of salt, and let this come to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add one cup of polenta – this ratio will ensure that your polenta is neither tough nor dry or undercooked and sloppy.
For the smoothest, lump-free polenta, you will want to sieve the polenta into the boiling water whilst whisking it. This is quite a dextrous task, so ask a friend to help if needed. Keep whisking until the polenta thickens and begins to come away from the sides of the pan. You will want to keep stirring for five minutes or so beyond this point, but take care as the hot polenta can start to splutter and fly out of the pan.
For a really flavorsome, creamy polenta, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and four sprigs of rosemary in a pan. Allow the rosemary to steep in the melted butter for ten minutes, then remove the sprigs of rosemary and stir the melted butter through the cooked polenta. This really improves the texture and taste of your polenta.
The post These Simple Tricks Will Up Your Polenta Game appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post How to Prepare a Large Meal On Your Own appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Before even beginning, don’t just assume that you have to everything yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. While it might seem like a deviation from the initial plan, seeking assistance can significantly ease the burden. Asking friends or family members to lend a hand with chopping vegetables, stirring pots, or setting the table can really make things a lot easier.
A few days ahead of your cooking marathon, put your thoughts and ideas down on paper. Create a detailed plan for the entire cooking process. Start by listing every dish you intend to make and all the ingredients you’ll need. Then, take it a step further by mapping out when you’ll be preparing each dish and how long each step will take. This will give you a lot of peace of mind for your process.
The post How to Prepare a Large Meal On Your Own appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post What Does it Mean to Put Love Into Your Cooking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>In all the different things we do in life, a person is given a choice. Are they going to do the bare minimum, or are they going to go above and beyond? The spirit behind doing the bare minimum means that a person followed the rules. They did everything they were supposed to do, right? No one can fault a person for doing the bare minimum, because they can always point to the rulebook, or the recipe book, and claim that they did their job.
However, while doing the bare minimum can technically produce good results, these results are fake and devoid of love and passion. When you do a task out of love and not out of requirement, you go above and beyond. You take an interest in the little things. You put in the extra hours to ensure that the final result is exactly how you want it to be. In conclusion, putting love into a recipe isn’t something that can be quantifiably measured—and yet it’s also the very thing that makes a good recipe great.
The post What Does it Mean to Put Love Into Your Cooking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 3 Ways To Stay Hydrated Without Water appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Sometimes it’s not that you need your drink to be sweeter, but rather just need something with a bit of kick. Soda water offers that with its crisp carbonation, and it’ll be just as sugarless as regular water.
Just because you drink some sweet doesn’t mean it has to be loaded with sugar. Many vitamin water drinks offer a much more subtle approach to sweetened water, and throw in a handful of vitamins too. This is an excellent option for those who find water a bit too bland.
This is a natural combination of the previous two options on this list, and it’s a great one at that. Not only are many flavored seltzers healthy and low on sugar, but they give drinkers a carbonated kick as well as a subtle, tasty flavor.
The post 3 Ways To Stay Hydrated Without Water appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Jamie Oliver’s Tips To Make Cooking Easier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Find a quiet time during your weekend to set aside to do some bulk cooking for the week ahead. Not only does this save you time during your week, but it also makes it far easier to meal plan. You’ll also be able to free up some space in your freezer for the next batch.
While you may feel tempted to throw out your leftovers, don’t. You could always repurpose your old ingredients in new dishes. If you have any leftover chicken, beef, or vegetables, then consider tossing them in a salad or perhaps throw them in a pan for a stir fry.
Not every meal requires you to slave away at your oven or stove. If you’re short on time or perhaps don’t feel the desire to try a complicated recipe, then there’s no shame in using your microwave to heat up a quick and tasty meal.
The post Jamie Oliver’s Tips To Make Cooking Easier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Nigella Lawson’s Essential Rules For Any Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>In Nigella’s eyes, orzo pasta is a highly-versatile ingredient that can work with a wide variety of dishes, from salads to quick and easy pasta dishes. Also, orzo makes for a decent filler if ever you forget to pick up some ingredients the next time you go grocery shopping.
While cooking often involves many steps (some even at once), plenty of concentration is necessary. Still, while following all these steps, you may end up forgetting to taste your food as you cook. Don’t forget this step, Nigella warns, as at the end of the day, it’s important that you enjoy the dish, no matter what the recipe says.
Once you’ve finished preparing a dish that involves mashed potatoes, don’t let the remainders go to waste. Instead, put some of the leftovers in your waffle maker for some crispy potato waffles. You can also put them towards your next shepherd’s pie.
The post Nigella Lawson’s Essential Rules For Any Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 3 Great Foods to Eat After an Intense Workout appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>For non-vegetarians, chicken is an excellent and widely popular source of protein to eat after finishing an intense workout. Assuming it’s not fried or glazed, grilled chicken is one of the healthiest things you can eat when you’re craving some food after leaving the gym.
If you’re not a meat or chicken-eater, oatmeal is another great option. It’s a good source of carbs that won’t make you feel bloated, and it’s pretty darn warm and tasty. Just make sure not to add sugar, and instead add some fruit such as bananas.
It’s not called a super-food for no reason. Avocado has emerged in modern society as one of the healthiest foods around, providing a source of “good fat”, as well as protein and other vitamins, making it another great post-workout option.
The post 3 Great Foods to Eat After an Intense Workout appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Gather the overripe bananas that you don’t want to eat anymore. Peel the skin and slice them into small chunks. One to two inches per slice is okay. Depending on what you will use them for, you can adapt the size of the pieces, but in general, smaller pieces are better for blending later.
Layer the banana chunks on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You want to carefully arrange them so they aren’t all over the place. Doing that will allow each chunk to freeze separately, and for example, if you just toss them into a freezer bag you will end up with a big frozen banana brick you can’t really use.
Once the bananas have frozen on the baking sheet, you can transfer them to plastic bags for easier storage. Then simply use as much as you need at a time without a single worry!
The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post The Best Meal Prep Tips for Beginners That Save Time appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>If you want to make fruit conveniently available at all times, the best thing you can do is to wash and prep it as soon as you get home with it. Separate it into containers and enjoy a healthy snack whenever you want.
You know how one-pan meals are amazing because you don’t have to wash a ton of dishes later? Apply the same principle to meal prepping and roast three or four types of vegetables together. Save time on cooking and on washing up!
Similarly, you can cook two or three types of meat at once if you wrap each in aluminum foil. Cook chicken, pork, or fish flavored with different seasonings and you’ll have enough meat for a week’s worth of sandwiches, wraps, burritos, and salads.
If you enjoy healthy snacks like nuts, you already know that they are dense in calories. It’s a good idea to portion them out for the week so you can have just a little and avoid mindlessly eating too much.
The post The Best Meal Prep Tips for Beginners That Save Time appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>So much of our time is spent at home, and that’s true for most of the hours when we crave junk food. Let’s be real, it’s incredibly easy to just grab that unhealthy food we love so much in those down moments. Sometimes, it can seem downright impossible to avoid it. Therefore, the best option for some people is to simply throw it all in the trash.
It seems obvious, and yet so many aspiring dieters keep plenty of junk food lying around the house. This is hurting you more than you realize. You may think that you’re “practicing self-control”, but you’re actually shooting yourself in the foot by enabling yourself. If you really want to practice self-control, don’t buy unhealthy foods when you’re at the supermarket, and eventually, it’ll seem like second nature to you.
The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post These Simple Tricks Will Up Your Polenta Game appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>A simple rule to remember when it comes to cooking polenta is one to four. Take a small bowl and fill it with cold water. Tip four bowls of water into a pan, salt with half a teaspoon of salt, and let this come to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add one cup of polenta – this ratio will ensure that your polenta is neither tough nor dry or undercooked and sloppy.
For the smoothest, lump-free polenta, you will want to sieve the polenta into the boiling water whilst whisking it. This is quite a dextrous task, so ask a friend to help if needed. Keep whisking until the polenta thickens and begins to come away from the sides of the pan. You will want to keep stirring for five minutes or so beyond this point, but take care as the hot polenta can start to splutter and fly out of the pan.
For a really flavorsome, creamy polenta, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and four sprigs of rosemary in a pan. Allow the rosemary to steep in the melted butter for ten minutes, then remove the sprigs of rosemary and stir the melted butter through the cooked polenta. This really improves the texture and taste of your polenta.
The post These Simple Tricks Will Up Your Polenta Game appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post How to Prepare a Large Meal On Your Own appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Before even beginning, don’t just assume that you have to everything yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. While it might seem like a deviation from the initial plan, seeking assistance can significantly ease the burden. Asking friends or family members to lend a hand with chopping vegetables, stirring pots, or setting the table can really make things a lot easier.
A few days ahead of your cooking marathon, put your thoughts and ideas down on paper. Create a detailed plan for the entire cooking process. Start by listing every dish you intend to make and all the ingredients you’ll need. Then, take it a step further by mapping out when you’ll be preparing each dish and how long each step will take. This will give you a lot of peace of mind for your process.
The post How to Prepare a Large Meal On Your Own appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post What Does it Mean to Put Love Into Your Cooking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>In all the different things we do in life, a person is given a choice. Are they going to do the bare minimum, or are they going to go above and beyond? The spirit behind doing the bare minimum means that a person followed the rules. They did everything they were supposed to do, right? No one can fault a person for doing the bare minimum, because they can always point to the rulebook, or the recipe book, and claim that they did their job.
However, while doing the bare minimum can technically produce good results, these results are fake and devoid of love and passion. When you do a task out of love and not out of requirement, you go above and beyond. You take an interest in the little things. You put in the extra hours to ensure that the final result is exactly how you want it to be. In conclusion, putting love into a recipe isn’t something that can be quantifiably measured—and yet it’s also the very thing that makes a good recipe great.
The post What Does it Mean to Put Love Into Your Cooking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 3 Ways To Stay Hydrated Without Water appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Sometimes it’s not that you need your drink to be sweeter, but rather just need something with a bit of kick. Soda water offers that with its crisp carbonation, and it’ll be just as sugarless as regular water.
Just because you drink some sweet doesn’t mean it has to be loaded with sugar. Many vitamin water drinks offer a much more subtle approach to sweetened water, and throw in a handful of vitamins too. This is an excellent option for those who find water a bit too bland.
This is a natural combination of the previous two options on this list, and it’s a great one at that. Not only are many flavored seltzers healthy and low on sugar, but they give drinkers a carbonated kick as well as a subtle, tasty flavor.
The post 3 Ways To Stay Hydrated Without Water appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Jamie Oliver’s Tips To Make Cooking Easier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Find a quiet time during your weekend to set aside to do some bulk cooking for the week ahead. Not only does this save you time during your week, but it also makes it far easier to meal plan. You’ll also be able to free up some space in your freezer for the next batch.
While you may feel tempted to throw out your leftovers, don’t. You could always repurpose your old ingredients in new dishes. If you have any leftover chicken, beef, or vegetables, then consider tossing them in a salad or perhaps throw them in a pan for a stir fry.
Not every meal requires you to slave away at your oven or stove. If you’re short on time or perhaps don’t feel the desire to try a complicated recipe, then there’s no shame in using your microwave to heat up a quick and tasty meal.
The post Jamie Oliver’s Tips To Make Cooking Easier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Nigella Lawson’s Essential Rules For Any Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>In Nigella’s eyes, orzo pasta is a highly-versatile ingredient that can work with a wide variety of dishes, from salads to quick and easy pasta dishes. Also, orzo makes for a decent filler if ever you forget to pick up some ingredients the next time you go grocery shopping.
While cooking often involves many steps (some even at once), plenty of concentration is necessary. Still, while following all these steps, you may end up forgetting to taste your food as you cook. Don’t forget this step, Nigella warns, as at the end of the day, it’s important that you enjoy the dish, no matter what the recipe says.
Once you’ve finished preparing a dish that involves mashed potatoes, don’t let the remainders go to waste. Instead, put some of the leftovers in your waffle maker for some crispy potato waffles. You can also put them towards your next shepherd’s pie.
The post Nigella Lawson’s Essential Rules For Any Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 3 Great Foods to Eat After an Intense Workout appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>For non-vegetarians, chicken is an excellent and widely popular source of protein to eat after finishing an intense workout. Assuming it’s not fried or glazed, grilled chicken is one of the healthiest things you can eat when you’re craving some food after leaving the gym.
If you’re not a meat or chicken-eater, oatmeal is another great option. It’s a good source of carbs that won’t make you feel bloated, and it’s pretty darn warm and tasty. Just make sure not to add sugar, and instead add some fruit such as bananas.
It’s not called a super-food for no reason. Avocado has emerged in modern society as one of the healthiest foods around, providing a source of “good fat”, as well as protein and other vitamins, making it another great post-workout option.
The post 3 Great Foods to Eat After an Intense Workout appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Gather the overripe bananas that you don’t want to eat anymore. Peel the skin and slice them into small chunks. One to two inches per slice is okay. Depending on what you will use them for, you can adapt the size of the pieces, but in general, smaller pieces are better for blending later.
Layer the banana chunks on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You want to carefully arrange them so they aren’t all over the place. Doing that will allow each chunk to freeze separately, and for example, if you just toss them into a freezer bag you will end up with a big frozen banana brick you can’t really use.
Once the bananas have frozen on the baking sheet, you can transfer them to plastic bags for easier storage. Then simply use as much as you need at a time without a single worry!
The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post The Best Meal Prep Tips for Beginners That Save Time appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>If you want to make fruit conveniently available at all times, the best thing you can do is to wash and prep it as soon as you get home with it. Separate it into containers and enjoy a healthy snack whenever you want.
You know how one-pan meals are amazing because you don’t have to wash a ton of dishes later? Apply the same principle to meal prepping and roast three or four types of vegetables together. Save time on cooking and on washing up!
Similarly, you can cook two or three types of meat at once if you wrap each in aluminum foil. Cook chicken, pork, or fish flavored with different seasonings and you’ll have enough meat for a week’s worth of sandwiches, wraps, burritos, and salads.
If you enjoy healthy snacks like nuts, you already know that they are dense in calories. It’s a good idea to portion them out for the week so you can have just a little and avoid mindlessly eating too much.
The post The Best Meal Prep Tips for Beginners That Save Time appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>