Kamis, 14 Januari 2016

22 All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Hacks That Will Make Your Stomach A Superstar

Not eating all day, waiting for the lull between lunch and dinner, only eating the fancy stuff — we all have our tricks for ensuring we get the most out of our buffet dining experiences. Still, a few more pointers never hurt. Here's some of the best advice reddit had to offer on how to game the all-you-can-eat buffet.
(Pro-tip: might be better not to listen to #10. Just saying.)

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1. Dash and Dine

"Pull the fire alarm, let the place empty out. Grab a bunch of grub and run"
— Felicity_Badporn

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2. Food Pyramid, Shmood Pyramid

"I'm a bit of a cheapskate, so I go for the more pricey things on the buffet that I enjoy, namely the proteins. I'm a bit of an ass about getting my money's worth."
— FaeriesTeacup

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3. Down to a Science

"Plate One: The Recon Plate, and also satisfies my desire for variety. I take a small portion of whatever looks good, try not to waste anything when eating, compare with the people I'm eating with what they thought was particularly good.
Plate Two: A smaller plate evaluating recommendations of others and getting anything I missed on Plate One.
Plates Three + (Pre-dessert): Plates of only the best. I only take what I'll eat comfortably, so sometimes there is only a plate Three, I've gone as high as Five.
Dessert: Ignore Little Ice Cream Bowl, get Salad/Soup Bowl, put a portion of the best looking cobbler in there, top with soft-serve vanilla.
Been working on this for decades, refined the plan when working at a therapeutic high school for troubled kids. The preferred reward for good behavior was a buffet trip, so I got this stuff down to a science."
— DocStout

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-2.jpg

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4. Little Bitch Bowls Are For Little Bitches

"Those little bitch bowls they put by the ice cream? Yeah...don't use those. Go over to the soup bar and grab one of the giant soup mug/bowls and use that instead."
— jamnich314

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5. Tricky, Tricky

"Eat fast. We've all heard that when you get full, it takes about 20 minutes for the message to get to your brain, right? Once you start, you have about 20 minutes to eat as much as you can before you know you are full. By the time your brain thinks you are full... it is too late! Ha, you just outsmarted your brain!"
— InTherapy

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6. Style Points

"Always wear comfy pants with elastic […] Call a cab/DD or try not to fall asleep when you're driving home. Once home remove shirt, shoes, socks, turn on TV, recline chair and do not move for the next 6 hours."
— DoDaDrew

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-3.jpg

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7. Red Alert

"I use the current terror level color codes to prioritize my eating: greens go first, then bananas, anything orange and lastly the red spicy foods."
—4apalehorse

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8. GET THE SEAFOOOOOD

"I was a young kid when I first ate out at a buffet
Dad: OK guys have fun, eat as much as you can, I paid top dollar for this
Me: Takes bread and butter
Dad: What are you doing with bread and butter
Me: I'm hungry, aren't I allowed to choose anything I want since this is a buffet
Dad: No this is a BUFFET, ALWAYS always always get seafood
...and to this day everytime I see a buffet or go into one I hear a voice in my head go 'get the seafood..the seafood, SEAFOOOD'"
—sscarcity

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9. Thanks Grandma

"If it is at a wedding, or other potentially well catered event, and the food looks really good, but you don't want to rush the line for fear of appearing uncouth, find Grandma. Take Grandma through the line helping her get a good plate, and helping yourself to a plate at the same time. You are now a hero, and you also got plenty of the best items."
— 2abyssinians

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-4.jpg

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10. Well, that's one way to do it

"Immediately pee on everything to assert your dominance, then take a little of every dish. To be fair, this is also my strategy for shopping for clothes."
— guffication

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11. Two Simple Rules

"My family has two rules. Never drink alone and all events are open bar. Wedding? Open bar. Divorce party? Open bar. Funeral? Open bar."
—themanwhoknowsnothin

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12. Good Men Don't Need Rules

"Eat until they kick you out, or have to make new rules based on how you behaved at the buffet last time you were there."
— ReallifeTonyStark

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-5.jpg

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13. Here's why you really don't wanna be that guy

"Never be the first guy going for seconds. Wait patiently for the fat guy to break the ice then go for the kill."
—Emighty And reddit's response:
"Instructions unclear, killed fat guy with ice-bucket"
— Hoodafakizit "instructions unclear. Killed ice guy with fat bucket"
— TheJerzeyDragon

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14. Timing Is Everything

"Timing is everything too. If they switch from the lunch menu and lunch pricing to the dinner menu and dinner price at 4PM, go in at 3:30. That gives you enough time to get your 1st plate from the lunch menu and subsequent plates will be fresh dinner selections at the lunch price."
—ComputerSavvy

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15. Remember to bring entertainment

"The buffet near my old house had a very out of the way back room that had both WiFi from the cafe next door, and power outlets.
I had a gaming laptop.
You can probably imagine where this is going...
Several times I went there and just slowly got different nibbles / drinks over the course of a few hours while either studying or playing games.
I'd asked the manager ahead of time if they minded, and he said that as long as I wasn't taking up a table that they needed for incoming customers (It wasn't at peak-hours) or wasting food, he didn't have a problem with it.
I suppose that whether you eat your fill in 15 minutes or over the course of 3-4 hours, the cost to the restaurant is the same."
— Sack_to_the_Future

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-6.jpg

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16. Pace Yourself

"Take less of each dish than you think you want. If you like it, you can always get more; if not, you won't be wasting space on your plate or in your stomach."
—CyanManta

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17. The Art of War

"Here is a tip to remember while you are eating: be vigilant. Be ever aware of your surroundings and know when the premium items are going to come out. Plan your trips accordingly. Know your enemies and try to be one step ahead of them at all times. If you time it right, those crab legs will walk right onto your plate."
—BuffyArlington

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18. About starving yourself beforehand …

"If you know you're going at least a day in advance, eat a huge huge pasta dinner the night before to stretch your stomach. Then starve all day with just lettuce and water. Then pig out in the evening at said buffet."
—batwhatman

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image: http://cdn.foodbeast.com/content/uploads/2014/07/buffet-7.jpg

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19. … and an amendment

"Amendment to your finale: Dont eat nothing either. Your stomach will have shrunk and you will fill up on the first two plates of food."
—TheoQ99

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20. Challenge Accepted

"All you can eat is not a suggestion, it's a challenge."
— Manshacked

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21. Srs Bsns

"This is not a sarcastic, funny or otherwise 'not to be taken seriously' comment.
Take the cost of the buffet, multiply that by three. So, for an example, we'll say the buffet costs $12, all you can eat.
Your goal is now to eat $36 worth of food. Bread is cheap, fuck bread. Vegetables are cheap, fuck those, too.
You want to hit the roast beef, the teriyaki chicken, the slow roasted pork, beef fillets, mother fucking lobster; anything and everything that looks and tastes expensive.
Buffets hinge on the idea that you came there to eat a normal meal, with some meat and a shitton of starch and carbs and vegetables, leading you to fill up on the inexpensive stuff.
The higher your cost:benefit ratios, the better. Eating is serious business."
—1800OopsJew

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22. "So that's what I've been doing wrong"

"Eat"
—cerberus6320

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- See more at: http://www.foodbeast.com/news/venomous-snake-fridge/#sthash.YjFZnJFj.dpuf
Read more at http://www.foodbeast.com/news/22-people-on-the-best-way-to-game-the-all-you-can-eat-buffet/#JvEPsRmG4TaWFr2B.99

10 Best Frequent-Flier Secrets for Business Travelers

As someone who travels over 175,000 miles a year, I know first hand how delayed flights, long layovers and sleepless nights can put a big damper on travel plans.
While you can cut corners when traveling, sometimes putting a little extra thought and effort can go a long way. Use these 10 travel hacks to make your next trip stress-free while traveling like a pro.

1. Take The First Flight Out

The early bird catches the worm and the seasoned traveler catches the first flight out. It pays to set your alarm a little earlier and catch a flight in the morning rather than later in the day. Flights departing between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. are often the most on-time. If your early flight does end up being cancelled, it's easier to find an alternative flight that same day.

2. Fly Direct

How much is your time and peace of mind worth? If a direct flight costs $125 more than one with a connection and a 4 hour layover, ask yourself how much you value arriving at your destination earlier and with less hassle. With a direct flight, you'll be more productive than if you'd wasted energy switching from plane to plane.

3. Dress Nice--Get Upgraded

While you want to choose clothes that you'll be comfortable in for your flight, my experience is that people treat you better when you're dressed well. If there's an open seat, the airline staff probably won't upgrade someone in flip flops and sweatpants. Dress like you should be flying first class and others might decide you should be, too.

4. Don't Skimp On Hotels

A great night's sleep is critical. If you can, spend a the extra money and stay at a good, safe hotel. Take advantage of any points you've collected to upgrade your room for a more relaxing experience. Having a comfortable space you can return to between meetings and seminars will help you decompress.

5. Skip the Room Service

You shouldn't cheap out when choosing a hotel, but paying the 18% service charge on a late night snack isn't the wisest move for a cost conscious business traveler. Instead, eat food in the hotel restaurant or order in from a local spot. Both are just an elevator ride away and you'll end up with something that's more reasonably priced.

6. Select Your Seats When Booking

Amateurs forget to do this. Don't let the airline squish you into a middle seat or place you in the dreaded last row. Take a moment when checking in to look at all the available seats and choose the best one. You'll thank yourself in the eleventh hour when you have a window to lean up against when trying to sleep.

7. Bring Your Own GPS

Rental car GPS systems can be pretty terrible. Don't risk missing your turn and instead, bring your own. Keep it up to date with latest software so it can take you to your destination on time. And definitely don't use your phone--calendar reminders and calls will be a distraction while you're driving.

8. Eat Healthy

Deep dish pizza in Chicago, tonkatsu in Tokyo, butter chicken in Mumbai--every city has a signature dish that you have to try. While you shouldn't deprive yourself, it's still important to eat healthy when you're on the road. Travel with a TSA-approved blender, bring protein powder and make your first stop after leaving the airport a grocery store.

9. Invest in Airline Lounge Plan

If you spend tons of time at the airport, invest in an airline lounge pass. On average they cost between $100 and $550 a year. While that may sound pricey, it often includes all the snacks and drinks you would purchase anyway. Plus, as a business traveler, in most lounges you'll have access to a shower, a desk and opportunities to network. Can you really put a price on comfort and convenience?

10. Loyalty Wins

Yes, sometimes you just have to go for the best rate when a cheap flight offer presents itself. More often than not, it pays to be a frequent flyer. Fly enough with one company and you'll receive a loyalty card, which can get you discounts on things such as checked baggage fees, access to club lounges and free upgrades.

Source : INC.com

Mom Hoped For a Quick Trip to Target But What She Sees Employee Doing Has Her Heading for a Manager.

Sarah Owen Bigler had hoped for a quick and easy trip to Target. Her husband was sick and she had her two kids in tow.
She thought the odds were in her favor when she got in a line with just one customer in front of her.
Then she noticed the patron who was paying. It was an elderly woman who was not only paying for each of her purchases separately, but was paying with change.

At first, Sarah was annoyed. She explains:

“Part of me, the part that had a long day at work, the part of me who had a 1 1/2 year old having a melt down in the cart, the part that had set an unnecessary timeline for Target and getting home, was frustrated with this woman and the inconvenience she had placed on me.”

But then she took notice of the Target employee who was manning the register.

“I watched him help her count her change, ever so tenderly taking it from her shaking hands. I listened to him repeatedly saying ‘yes, mam’ to her. When she asked if she had enough to buy a reusable bag, he told her she did and went two lines over to get one for her and then repackaged her items. Never once did this employee huff, gruff or roll his eyes.

She realized that her young daughter was also watching the man’s every move— paying attention to his utmost patience and kindness. At that moment, Sarah knew that she had not been inconvenienced at all.

Image Credit: Facebook

In fact, she was certain that she was in the right place at exactly the right time.

“My daughter was… being taught this valuable lesson by a complete stranger; furthermore, I realized that I too needed a refresher on this lesson,” she says.

After the woman finished paying, the Target employee, who Sarah learned was named Ishmael, apologized for the delay. Sarah responded that there was no need to apologize; she was thankful for what she had just witnessed.
He quickly rang up he items and when he was finished, Sarah made a point to relay her experience to Ishmael’s manager.
It wasn’t the in-and-out trip to Target that she had hoped for, but as her experience proves: sometimes God doesn’t give you what you want, instead he gives you what you need.
“We left Target with a cart full of consumable items, but what is more a heart full of gratitude for such an invaluable lesson,” she says.

Source : LiftBump

Selasa, 12 Januari 2016

9 healthy meals you can batch cook and freeze

1. Curry

Curry is one of those brilliant lazy girl dishes that tastes better the longer you leave it, so it's ideal for making in bulk. Both thick, tomato-based curries and creamy, Thai-style coconut curries survive the freezer well – invest in some of those 2-minute brown rice pouches to bung in the microwave alongside them and you're good to go.
Try it: This Burmese curry from Honestly Healthy is a revelation, with three of your 5-a-day in one bowl. The chia poppadums on the sidearen't essential, but if you've got time, they're worth the effort…

9 healthy meals you can batch cook and freeze

2. Chilli

Beans are proper nutritional powerhouses, packed with fibre, protein and other good stuff like iron and potassium. If you're aiming to eat more of them, chilli is a fab, filling option - you can throw in all sorts of vegetables and pulses as well of or instead of the usual mince, and if you get bored of it on its own, stuff it in to wholewheat wraps and use a sprinkling of cheddar to turn it into enchiladas.
Try it: Sam Smith's nutritional guru Amelia Freer has a fab turkey and pumpkin chilli that makes a tasty twist on the classic. Top with fresh coriander and chilli when reheated to add freshness to the flavour.

Amelia Freer

3. Lasagne

A basic bowl of pasta only takes about 10 minutes to prepare, but a lasagne is way more faff, and because it's a traybake, you basically have to make at least six servings just to make it worth your while. Whilst lasagne usually loaded with white sauce and cheese to get that trademark crispy top, you can use tricks like replacing courgette slices with pasta sheets to keep down the cals in your healthy version.
Try it: This sweet potato and courgette lasagne by Madeleine Shaw uses clever swaps and a bean-based béchamel to lighten up the layers.

4. Soup

A hug in a bowl becomes a hug in a microwavable Tupperware when you make enough homemade soup to save. The basic ingredients are just veg and stock, but you can thicken it up with pulses or potato, and add fresh herbs for punch. Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds on top instead of oily croutons.
Try it: Thug Kitchen's roasted tomato soup has extra veggie goodness from its cauliflower base. Double or triple the recipe depending on how many servings you want – it'll keep for months.

5. Stew

Deliciously Ella

Not a fan of liquid dinners? A chunkier stew will deffo fill your belly, and the only extra work is a little more chopping. Have a smaller plateful served over couscous or cauliflower mash on the first day, then enjoy larger tubs of the leftovers as a complete meal.
Try it: Deliciously Ella's sweet potato and chickpea stew is a vegan option made with root veg and creamy coconut milk – perfect for taking to work for lunch or popping in the microwave on cold evenings.

6. Ragu

Tomatoes, mince, veg and a little love are all you need to make a giant pan of this versatile sauce, which will stay delicious in your freezer for up to three months. It's great served with spiralized courgette or butternut for the ultimate in healthy and hearty fare - and if you don't have a spiralizer? Use a potato peeler for wide, papperdelle style noodles instead.
Try it: Carnivores, rejoice – the uber-healthy Hemsley sisters are big believers in good quality meat – this rich beef ragu recipe is perfect for spag bol lovers looking for a nutritious alternative (and you can still have parmesan on top!)

7. Pizza

Detoxinista

Yes, you did read that correctly – it's pizza, but not as you know it. Cauliflower crust pizza is a big healthy recipe trend, and one that's seriously tasty, yet pretty time consuming to make from scratch. If you know you're gonna have a pizza craving again pretty soon (and let's be honest, who isn't?), get ahead and make a batch of bases so you can always have that cheesy goodness to hand.
Try it: Detoxinista has a mean cauli pizza crust and actually recommends doubling up batches to freeze within the recipe. Wrap it up, toppings and all, and store in the drawer until you're ready for round 2.

8. Burgers

Whether you're an avid meat-eater or a strict veggie or vegan, the one thing we can all agree on is that burgers out of boxes just don't compare to the ones you make by hand. Most recipes make around 8-10 patties, so a single cooking session can yield serious results – great when summer BBQ season rolls round.
Try it: Oh She Glows' perfect veggie burger really delivers what it promises – freeze them individually before cooking and serve them in buns with salad for a speedy Friday night feast.

9. Smoothies

Don't forget about breakfast when you're planning your week of virtuousness! There are two ways of doing advance smoothie prep to eat later – chopping and bagging the ingredients into individual portions and blending them straight from the freezer, or blending them anyway and freezing them into sweet smoothie lollies to grab and go in the mornings. Both are equally yummy, and help prevent berries and bananas turning quicker than you can use them – important for saving both time and your hard earned dollar.
Try it: Few people know smoothies better than Reboot with Joe – this berry green summer smoothie is delicious, as are the hundreds of other recipes on his site!

Source : CosmoPolitan

5 International Cookbooks for Learning Global Cuisines

Take a Deep Dive Into International Cuisines With These Cookbooks

All it takes is a trip to an international supermarket to stock up the pantry and one of these awesome cookbooks to travel the world from your own kitchen.

Empanadas in Argentina. Tajine in Morocco. Chaat in India. Ramen in Japan.
Some years, your New Year's resolution might be to go eat one of these iconic dishes from far-off lands. But other years? Your resolution could be to tighten your wallet. Or eat out less. Or learn new recipes. And when that happens, it's cookbooks to the rescue.
A cookbook will never replace the thrill of travel, but it's certainly cheaper than an airline ticket. And if you pick the right cookbook, you'll find more than just recipes, but a solid grounding in a whole new way of cooking. Here are five of my favorite international deep dives to give you a fresh perspective for the New Year.

Made in India

By Meera Sodha
What cuisine is better suited for how people eat these days? Indian food is so versatile: it encompasses everything from meaty snacks to vegetarian feasts, from light salads the rich, vibrant curries. One thing it all has in common: it's packed with flavor.
Meera Sodha grew up in London, and Made In India is her approachable take on Indian home cooking. Indian food, she says, gets a bad rap for being overly complicated: "My family's home cooking is unrecognizable from a lot of the food that is served up in most curry houses...ours is all at once simple, delicious, and fresh."
Sodha's recipes are easy, often healthy, and, with a well-stocked Indian pantry (think: chickpeas, canned tomatoes, spices), a breeze to pull off without extra trips to specialty stores. You'll learn how to deploy spices to make everyday vegetable dishes sing, a ton of easy, a bunch of fantastic weeknight chicken dishes, and how to put lentils to work in dal.

The Food of Morocco

By Paula Wolfert
Despite its warm weather origins, Moroccan food is perfect for cold weather. A richly spiced meat stew with couscous: what more could you ask for on a chilly January weekend?
Renowned cookbook author Paula Wolfert made a career writing about the foods of the Mediterranean, and The Food of Morocco is her career capstone. It encapsulates a lifetime of traveling through Morocco, eating, cooking, and learning about its food.
The recipes run from intensive, all-day projects to simple snacks. You'll learn the Moroccan art of blending spices—similar and yet so, so different from Indian techniques—how to use a tagine, the lidded Moroccan cooking vessel made of clay, and how to make all kinds of Moroccan cookies and baked goods. It's enough cooking to last you all year.

Gran Cocina Latina

By Maricel Presilla
Think you understand the foods of Latin America because you make a mean taco? The cuisines that comprise the Caribbean and Central and South America are so much more intricate and varied than that. Why limit yourself to Mexican food when you can discover the ceviches of Peru, the pupusas of El Salvador, and the fresh corn tamales of Ecuador?
Maricel Presilla's immense tome documents all these and more: Gran Cocina Latina won the James Beard Cookbook of the Year Award when it came out, and for good reason.
It spends 900 detailed pages exploring the cuisines of this gigantic, vibrant, and delicious corner of the world. Standout lessons include the magic and art of the sofrito (the cooked-down base of garlic, onions, and peppers that is the foundation of so many Latin dishes), an entire world of braised meats, and thorough instructions on making all manner of tamales.

Japanese Soul Cooking

By Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat
Sushi is great, sure. But what do the Japanese eat when they want comfort food? When the wind's howling or the rain's pouring and they just want to curl up with a warm bowl of something? Think curries, tempura, dumplings, and lots and lots of noodles.
Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat's Japanese Soul Cooking take you into the kitchens of Japan, exploring home cooking, street food, and more. Whether you're looking for some healthy(ish) soba noodles or looking to sink into a deep bowl of sweet-spicy Japanese curry or want to try throwing a tempura party, they've got you covered.

Mamushka

By Olia Hercules
Eastern European means brown food, right? Wrong: Olia Hercules mines her Ukrainian background and the recipes of her extended family to show you how vibrant and bright the foods of this region can be in her cookbook Mamushka. Think vegetable soups—borscht!—roasts, and pickles.
And yes, okay, more dumplings and homemade noodles and cheesy breads and braised meats than you know what to do with, because come on. It's winter and it's cold out and you want some varenyky. Brown food is delicious, too.
Prepare to learn how to deploy sweet and sour flavors to savory dishes in ways you never dreamt possible, how to pickle all manner of produce, and how to fold enough dumplings to get you through the winter.

Souce : Epicurious

10 Genius Food Hacks For Kitchen Mastery

There's two things everyone does: they cook and they eat. Sometimes those things can be a burden, so why not make both easier? Here are 10 genius food hacks for kitchen mastery. Never let cooking and eating ever make a fool of you again.

1. Want to make a perfect, edible chocolate cup to put your desserts in? Use a balloon!

(via Diply.)

2. Want your bananas to last as long as possible? Separate each banana individually then put plastic wrap on the tops!

10 Genius Food Hacks For Kitchen Mastery

(via Life Hacker.)

3. For perfect hard-boiled eggs, bake them, not boil! Set an oven to 325F and bake up to 4 dozen eggs at once for 30 minutes. Plunge into ice water after!

(via Greetings from the Asylum.)

4. Hate when your burgers turn into golf balls and don't cook evenly? Solution is simple! Put a small indent in the middle using your thumb.

(via Mom Filter.)

5. We don't all have pizza stones, so he's a $5 hack to give you the best homemade pizza!

(via Life Hacker.)

6. Homemade taco shells are easier than you think. Preheat oven to 375F and warm the tortillas until they're pliable. Cover the tortillas in cooking spray then drape over the oven racks.

(via Eating Well.)

7. Skip using ice cubes with water in your coffee! It just dilutes your drink. Instead, put some crushed Oreos in an ice cube tray and cover with milk.