
What Should You Eat For A Healthy Gut? Find Out Here!
The human gut is a lot more intricate than many people believe it to be. It can influence your entire body’s health. A healthy gut can promote a robust immune system, a better mood, a healthy heart, better sleep, and of course, effective digestion. Maintaining good gut health can also prevent the development of autoimmune diseases and certain kinds of cancers. Gut health is the balance of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract. Maintaining the health of your gut and keeping the right balance of these microorganisms is necessary to ensure good mental and physical health.
The gut flora or microbiome is made up of trillions of these viruses, yeasts, and bacteria. Various microbes are beneficial for our health. Some of them are even vital. However, others, especially when found in abundance, can be incredibly harmful. Fortunately, there are several lifestyle changes, including dietary changes, that you can adopt to guarantee better gut health, and in turn, improve your general health. Read this article to find out what you should eat for a healthy gut.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, which are considered to be a type of friendly and beneficial bacteria. Your best bet is to search for brands with full-fat and sugar-free yogurt versions. For a delicious breakfast or snack, you can combine it with a fruit of your choice. If you prefer yogurt drinks, these are great too, as they include an abundance of bacteria that is beneficial for the gut. Yogurt drinks actually have higher numbers of good bacteria than you would find in a regular cup of yogurt. Beware, however, since some of these drinks, especially the flavored versions, are high in sugar content.
Kefir
Kefir is another type of probiotic drink. This beverage is made of fermented milk, which is then enriched with good bacteria. Kefir originally comes from Russia, Central Asia, and the mountainous area that lies between Europe and Asia. Kefir makes a great base ingredient for salad dressings. It tastes great when combined with seasoning and lemon juice. Many people also add it to soups and smoothies.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is among the best food items that you can eat to ensure a healthy gut. This is because it is very rich in probiotics, vitamins, and fiber. Sauerkraut is finely chopped fermented cabbage. It is widely known to be a German dish. However, Central and Eastern Europe and Australia also have their own versions of this recipe. When you set out to Buy Sauerkraut, make sure that you select one that hasn’t been pickled in vinegar. This is because it loses many of its benefits. It is very appetizing when served alongside sausages. This meal is very affordable and is easy to prepare at home.
Miso
Fermented soybeans are added to rice or barley to make miso. Miso is abundant in numerous beneficial components, such as enzymes and good bacteria. This recipe is a great savory paste that is typically incorporated into soup, dressings, and dips. Many people also use it as a marinade while making tofu or salmon. If you’re into Japanese food, then chances are that you know this cuisine staple. Miso also makes for a great flavor booster in dairy-free cheeses and sauces. However, there isn’t sufficient research for sure to tell whether the bacteria found in miso can effectively reach the human gut. It is certain though that people who live in regions where Miso is the predominant food item have lower rates of bowel disease and overall better gut health.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a Korean food item that is made with fermented vegetables. This popular dish comes with the endless benefits of probiotic bacteria along with a high content of fiber and vitamins. Kimchi makes a great side dish when it’s served with eggs, meat, or salad. Did you know that Kimchi is so popular in Korea that they say “kimchi” instead of “cheese” when they’re being photographed?
Almonds
Almonds make a great snack whenever you could use something to eat. Besides being very good for gut health due to their great probiotic properties, almonds are awesome sources of nutrition. They are rich in healthy fats, fiber, polyphenols, vitamin E, magnesium, and protein. Almonds can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.
Sourdough
You may have noticed the rising, yet very confusing obsession with sourdough. We are here to tell you that it’s all for good reason! To make sourdough, you must first ferment the dough. The fermentation process makes it much easier to digest than other, unfermented types of bread. Not to mention that the energy in sourdough releases slowly, which means that it’s likely to keep you full and energized for longer. You can replace your regular toast with sourdough to make very delicious sandwiches and an all-around healthier meal.
Kombucha
Kombucha is also very popular at the moment. This beverage, which is believed to have originated in Manchuria, is basically fermented tea. This makes it an excellent source of probiotics and good bacteria. This tea has a tangy, sharp taste that is rather vinegary. You can either drink it on its own to enjoy its refreshing essence or season it with spices and fruit. If you like cocktails, you can use kombucha as a base for a refined taste.
Garlic
Garlic is enriched with antifungal and antibacterial properties. While this won’t bring good bacteria in, it surely will regulate bad and harmful bacteria, as well as aid in balancing the yeast in the gut. While you won’t eat garlic on its own, you can incorporate it into savory dishes for a great flavor. Additionally, garlic and its beneficial properties can prompt the bacteria to perform their job efficiently and improve the function of the gut.
Ginger
Fresh ginger aids in the generation of stomach acid. It also helps the digestive system maintain the movement of food throughout the gut. You can incorporate grated fresh ginger into various recipes, including stews, sauces, and smoothies. You can also make ginger tea for a refresher.
Maintaining good gut health is essential if you want to stay healthy. When left out of balance, the microorganisms that inhabit the body can cause severe harm. Fortunately, there are various things that you can eat to promote good bacteria functions, increase the number of helpful bacteria in the gut, and keep harmful bacteria under control.


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It’s well-known that English could be the universal language, but anyone saying that hasn’t tried fusion cuisine before. There’s possibly nothing else that’d uniquely bring two places together as food could. Friends and families share meals every day, bonding over delicious food and drinks. Every person has their own unique food flavour preference. Some would add more spices, others like fresh ingredients, many mixes various flavours in one sitting.The coming together of traditional foods from different parts of the world is called fusion cuisine. There’s so much more for all to learn about this fascinating cooking, so here are a few more things you must know:
1. Fusion Is Designer And Not
Although fusion cuisine is usually seen in high-end restaurants with chefs skilfully weaving flavours together, it’s believed that fusion started in a more everyday setting, as seen here at https://gotzinger.com. Many generations of cultures have unknowingly created fusion food using ingredients from many different sources.Chefs specialising in fusion cuisine have achieved great success from this cooking style, and most of them sell their creations at astronomical prices. The good news is that these dishes can easily be recreated at home with just a bit of skill and practice.
2. It Promotes Cultural Diversity
For as long as humans can remember, wars have been fought around cultural differences. If ingredients from different cultures can come together and create such lovely dishes, humans can take some lessons from fusion cuisine.Eating a cuisine that’s not part of the regular diet could spark interesting conversations about cultural diversity. It may make people more curious about where the food came from, how it’s traditionally prepared, and how the natives would make it part of their customs.
3. Provides An Exploration Of Tastes
Some people are more adventurous than others, and fusion cuisine gives them the perfect opportunity to try something new. Be daring and find a new go-to favourite for a snack, learn to cook with spices previously never used, or have a virtual tour around the world by inhaling thearomas. People who eat the same kind of food day in and day out may want more, a new and fun experience. With so many options stemming from the fusion style of cooking, the chance of having a bland meal is slim to none.
Even picky eaters may find fusion cuisine fascinating, and they can combine what they like. Eating in this way could challenge them to explore textures, tastes, and types of food they’d never otherwise think of eating.
4. Recipes And Ingredients Have Traditions
Food can be associated with many traditions and plays a big part in celebrations worldwide.What would the holidays be without those yummy snacks everyone’s looking forward to all yearlong? Roast turkey is seen at Thanksgiving for Americans, halva or laddu for the Hindu celebration of Diwali, and dumplings and spring rolls for Chinese New Year. Over the years, many other cultures have shared some of these traditional favourites, including them in their festivities.Fusion cuisine brings all these traditions together, and people from all walks of life can participate in the celebrations of flavours presented on one plate. Cross-cultural relationship shave embraced the fusion lifestyle, and they’d confess that it has certainly made their lives more colourful.
5. Try Different Of The Same
Many restaurants, taverns, fast food places, and homes have combinations of various meals and ingredients. All dishes would vary in taste even though the same ingredients were used. Again, it comes down to personal preferences regarding the cooking method and food spicing that makes all the difference.There are millions of blends possible, so it’s likely that one dish may not impress as much as a similar one. With fusion cuisine, the idea is to merge two or more cultural palates into one, and these need to be explored.
Blending It Into OneFor a flavourful fantasy of taste explosions, try fusion cuisine and see what all the hype is about.Learn new facts about traditions, cultures, and how to combine the best flavours worldwide. Be transported to the best destinations by putting a forkful of unique blends into your mouth and feeling part of a greater community.Fusion cuisine is indeed one of the best happy accidents ever stumbled upon, and sharing this with family and friends could make for a few content stomachs as well. Become part of the more significant global majority that’s raving about this new fun cooking style. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.

Sugar is one of the most common ingredients in our diet, but it also might be the most harmful. Our bodies were not designed to process large amounts of sugar, and all that excess sugar can lead to many health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. So here are 10 substitutes for sugar that will help you (or your loved ones) cut out excess sugar from their diet:
1. Honey
Honey is one of the most popular substitutes for sugar. There are many different types and flavours of honey with varying levels of sweetness so you might be wondering how much honey do you need? As a rule, for every 1 cup of sugar, substitute 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey. We recommend buying raw local honey to ensure you get a natural product with no additives.
2. Stevia
Stevia is a herb made from a plant called Stevia rebaudiana. It is native to South America but is also grown in Taiwan and China. This herb has been used for hundreds of years by certain tribes in Paraguay to sweeten their food. The sweetness comes from an extract made from the leaves of the plant. This extract is about 200 times sweeter than sugar! So it only takes a small amount to give you that sweetness that you want without all those empty calories and negative side effects of sugar.
3. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees and has the same amount of calories as regular sugar. Using it in place of sugar will add a little bit of additional sweetness and will add some minerals and nutrients that are not found in regular sugar. Maple syrup can be used in many recipes but should be limited to avoid unwanted calories.
4. Agave Syrup
Agave syrup comes from the agave plant, which is a plant native to Mexico. It is very similar in taste and texture to honey, but it has a little fewer calories. However, I don't recommend it for most people as it's not something that you should consume very often because of its fructose content.
5. Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is made from the flowers of the coconut palm tree. It is not refined and contains some nutrients such as iron, zinc and potassium. It also doesn't contain any fructose and has a low glycemic index. Coconut sugar is much sweeter than white sugar and a little bit goes a long way.
6. Unsweetened Applesauce
By replacing regular sugar with unsweetened applesauce you can save yourself some calories, but don't expect it to taste like applesauce unless you add other ingredients like cinnamon and nutmeg.
7. Molasses
Molasses is the byproduct of refining cane juice into table sugar. Its rich flavour adds a depth that sugar can never equal. Many people use molasses in baked goods, but it's great in any savoury recipe.
8. Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is the byproduct of sugar refining. It has a more complex taste than regular molasses and contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals. It is slightly less sweet than regular molasses.
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be used in place of butter or oil for certain dishes. You can cook with it and use it in baking. However, coconut oil is only naturally sweet in its raw state and doesn't taste very good on its own.
10. Unsweetened Chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate has a strong cocoa flavour that cannot be replicated by any amount of sugar. The cocoa powder can be substituted one for one with unsweetened chocolate. The melted chocolate can replace chocolate chips or milk chocolate in a recipe to give some variety to your diet.
Conclusion
And that's it - you have the above 10 alternatives to sugar. Give them a try and we are sure you will be able to reduce your sugar intake in no time.

How to Buy, Store and Prepare Chicken?
Australians eat more chicken every year than any other meat or protein. It can be a nutritious and tasty choice, but raw chicken often contains nasty salmonella. If not handled properly, the bacteria could make someone really sick! Poultry is a product that deteriorates quickly, so it’s important to know when it is fresh or not. Here are some hints to find the freshest chicken and the best way to store it.
Buying Chicken
- When purchasing chicken, make sure there’s no ‘off’ smell. Fresh poultry should have very little, or no aroma.
- If buying a whole bird, ensure the skin, flesh and bones appear undamaged.
- Chicken breasts should be plump with a very pale pink flesh.
- Chicken thighs have a darker meat. They should have a dark pink flesh and a little white fat.
- Make sure to purchase from a reputable supplier who has been approved by local authorities.
- Check that the chicken is delivered at 5C or below.
- Confirm that frozen chicken products are completely frozen and inspect the packaging for any signs of thawing.
- Don’t accept any chicken that is soft, discoloured or sticky. Pay particular attention to the wings and joints.
Storage
To store chicken, leave it in its original packaging or place in a container and cover completely. Store on the bottom shelf (or the coldest part) of your the fridge for up to 2 days. This helps prevent contaminating any foods below. Cook any raw chicken within two days of purchase and freeze whatever you don’t use. Ensure to wrap your chicken in airtight packages. Label, date and keep refrigerated at 5C or below, or frozen at -15C or below.
If freezing fresh portions, do so immediately after purchasing (in its original packaging) for up to 2 months. Alternatively, separate the chicken into serving portions, thoroughly wrap in plastic bags or cling film and freeze for up to 2 months. It is very important to thaw chicken completely before cooking. To defrost, place the chicken in the fridge on a large plate (in its original packaging). This will take between 12-24 hours. Never refreeze chicken that has already been thawed. Cooked chicken can then be frozen for later use.
Commonly Used Cuts
Whole Bird
A whole chook can be used for roasting, poaching, making stock or dishes like Vietnamese pho or Hainanese chicken rice. Alternatively, you can flatten or “butterfly” a chicken. This is a great way to roast or barbecue a whole bird, that promotes quick and even cooking. The secret to a delicious chicken is buying the best quality you can find, such as free-range, locally sourced or organic.
Breast & Tenderloin
Chicken breast is such a versatile cut of poultry. It’s a white meat with very little fat, perfect for throwing into stir-fries, grilling, steaming, pan-frying and oven roasting. They are also great for poaching to be used in salads, soups or sandwiches. Another method brilliant for cooking a chicken breast is crumbing. Not only do the breadcrumbs keep the chicken moist, but they also give a wonderful, crunchy texture (as seen in a chicken parma or katsu).
Chicken breasts found in the supermarket tend to be quite large with the tenderloin attached. This can make them difficult to cook through perfectly, without drying out. To ensure your chicken cooks evenly and remains juicy, you can slice the breast into even cuts or use a rolling pin to slightly flatten it out. There’s nothing worse than eating a dried-out piece of chicken, so the key is to keep it moist without overcooking. Chicken is cooked through when a temperature probe reads 73C.
Tenderloins, found underneath the breast, are a delicious and speedy cooking option. They are slightly more tender than the whole breast and are great crumbed, fried, baked, or quickly marinated and chargrilled.
Thighs
Thighs can be bought as fillets (with or without skin) or cutlets with the bone attached. Chicken thigh meat is generally darker and has a little more fat than the breast. It’s a working muscle and therefore has more flavour comparatively. Diced chicken thighs are great for BBQ skewers, slow cooking, stir-frying or thrown into soups and curries. Use the whole thigh or cutlet for roasting, bakes, barbecues and stews.
Chicken Maryland is a cut where the thigh and drumstick are attached. Marylands are good for roasting, poaching, braising and baking. They are ideal for cooking slowly over a barbecue or char-grill.
Drumsticks & Wings
Chicken wings and drumsticks are typically cheaper per kilo but are often seen as the most flavourful. They are great baked, fried or simmered in a sticky glaze or marinade and eaten with your hands. The skin to meat ratio is greater in these cuts, so the outside gets nice and crispy, while the inside stays juicy. No matter what you do with this part of the chicken, it’s bound to taste good! It’s also really difficult to overcook wings and drumsticks, making for less stressful cooking.

If you’ve ever been to a Chinese, Indian, or Thai restaurant, you likely already know how intentional Asians are when it comes to preparing food. Their dishes can’t be easily replicated using the typical options you find around you, so you’ll need to look for a good source of Asian ingredients.
It’s popular knowledge that to make the best Asian cuisine, you should have the best ingredients. You probably want to try cooking some Asian meals at home, but you don’t even know where you can get everything you need to do so. Fortunately for you, the answer is right here. Just read on to know how you can search for and get your hands on quality ingredients for Asian cuisine.
Browse Catalogues
You’re probably wondering why you haven’t thought about this. Or maybe you have. Either way, checking catalogues is a great way to locate specific shops where you can get good ingredients for the Asian food you want to serve.
Not only will a catalogue provide you with store names, but it’ll also help you know the prices of the ingredients you’re after. Browsing a Coles catalogue and others similar to it will even allow you to discover special offers you can take advantage of.
Visit An Asian Supermarket
You may have already gone to different supermarkets in your area numerous times to purchase ingredients for your everyday meals. However, those places might not have the specific ingredients that’ll allow you to prepare Asian dishes the right way. You have to go to Asian grocery stores to buy those, so keep an eye out for one whenever you’re walking around or traveling from one place to another.
Do An Internet Search
In a world where nearly every business is online, you’ll surely be able to find an Asian online store offering high-quality ingredients. Some of them may even offer discounts on certain items. You only have to take your time and ensure that you choose the right one for you.
Although many of them have physical shops, it may be more convenient for you to order from them online and have your items delivered. In doing so, you’ll save time and effort and get your Asian ingredients at excellent prices.
Ask An Asian Friend Or Neighbour
Of course, your Asian friends and acquaintances would know exactly where you can buy fresh ingredients for Asian cuisine, and they’ll be delighted to share that sort of information with you. Don’t be surprised if they even offer to accompany you to the particular stores they mention. And when they do go with you, they might just be able to teach you how you can determine the freshness and quality of certain food items.
Common Ingredients In Asian Cuisine
If you’re wondering what ingredients you’ll need for Asian dishes, check the list below. Unlike Western cuisine, Asian cuisine has plenty of plant-based options that aren’t merely salads or sides. So if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll definitely want to try your hand at cooking with some of these ingredients:
Tofu
Tofu is highly favoured among Asians since it’s low in fat and rich in protein. It’s made from soybeans and can be easily incorporated into all sorts of dishes since it absorbs the flavours of the other ingredients you cook it with.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a unique vegetable often used in Asian cuisine. There are many edible species of bamboo, and they can either be tough or tender. What’s more, they’re rich in protein, fibre, and vitamin B.
To make the most of bamboo shoots, they’re often boiled before use. This helps get rid of their naturally bitter taste. Then, they’re thinly sliced and added to soups or stir fries to give them a pleasant yet subtle flavour.
Chili Pepper
The chili pepper is an all-time favourite of Asians to make a wide variety of dishes more exciting and add a nice kick to them. It can even be processed into powder form. Powdered chili pepper is convenient for storage and can be found not only in Asian stores but in most regular stores.
Fish Sauce
Unlike tofu, bamboo, and chili pepper that are plant-based ingredients, fish sauce is animal-based. It’s prevalent in Southeast Asian countries. This liquid condiment is processed from small fish just before fermentation. It has a strong, salty flavour that may not be appealing to some people. The key to using this in your dishes is to avoid adding too much of it at a time.
Conclusion
Asians can be rather particular about their meals. Although many of them enjoy plant-based dishes, meat is just as abundant in their cuisine. To prepare a delicious Asian meal, you have to get the freshest ingredients you can find, and you’ll be able to do just that by following the tips discussed above.

There's no better time than now to take a full check of your kitchen essentials as a budding chef. If you still keep old and destroyed pots, stubborn knives, and worn-out chopping boards, it’s time to change those. These essentials have reached their end of life when it doesn’t serve its purpose anymore. Chefs know that while cooking skill and technique matter, it doesn’t hurt to invest in top-quality materials to make cooking easier, more efficient, and speedier, too.
You have that drive within you now to take your cooking to the next level. So, as you hone your skills, your kitchen tools should contribute to that purpose as well. Yes, there are gadgets and gizmos for just about everything in the kitchen. But you don’t need to have them all at once as a budding chef. You can start with the bare essentials.
With that said, here’s a list of the top kitchen essentials you must have as a budding chef:
1. Store Catalogue
Grocery store catalogues are still present nowadays, and that’s for a good reason. Budding chef or not, it’s advantageous to have copies of grocery store catalogues like the ALDI catalogue and others. This keeps you on the loop as to what supplies are in store, what’s on sale or special, and what’s new on the shelves.
In keeping with digital times, many store catalogues are also available online or through digital form. So, there’s no reason for you not to subscribe to those on your mobile phone. Within the pages of catalogues, you may also find discounts, coupons, and promo codes that are exclusive only to the catalogue subscribers. As a budding chef, those discounts are great! That means you can source out ingredients for lower prices.
2. Sub-Zero Refrigerator
Of course, every kitchen needs to have a refrigerator. But as a budding chef, you can take it further by having a sub-zero refrigerator. This type of fridge has a stronger ability to preserve the flavour of ingredients. Prolonging the freshness is key to having the best-tasting dishes, unless you have the luxury of time to buy fresh produce every single day.
Sub-zero refrigerators also come with a lot of added features to ensure overall safety. These include an air purification system and an antimicrobial system to keep food fresh, safe, and clean.
3. Three Knives
You want to have a whole block of knives for various uses. There’s such a thing called three knives. These are your paring knife, chef’s knife, and serrated bread knife. If you can invest in those three, then you’re good to go.
Those three knives, no matter how top-quality they may be, will eventually get dull. So, as you invest in those three, it makes sense also that you invest in a good quality knife sharpener.
4. Heavy, Wooden Chopping Board
If what you have are still the old, plastic, flimsy chopping boards from many years back, it’s time to let go of those. A budding chef needs heavy, wooden chopping boards to match. Wooden chopping boards can withstand even the heavy chopping of meat.
To practice best sanitary practices, be sure to get at least two—one for raw meat, fish, and poultry, and another for vegetables and fruits.
5. Stock Pots
Stock pots are great as they can form the foundation of complex recipes. On the stock pot, you can start sautéing the vegetables and spices without the need of transferring to another pot. There, you can also make pasta, soup, and other dishes.
When shopping for a stock pot, be sure to check its efficiency, material quality, and its compatibility not just with your stove at home but with a wide range of other stoves as well.
6. Cast-Iron Pan
Cast iron is one of the most inexpensive ways to have a good pan that conducts heat quite well. This is great for frying and grilling, especially if you’re cooking steak and chicken. While using a cast-iron pan takes a lot more work than using a non-stick pan, the food taste coming out of the cast-iron pan is worth all that effort. Not to mention how cast-iron pans can last for a long time.
Conclusion
The list above enlightens you on the top essentials you need to have in your kitchen as an aspiring chef. While not exhaustive, it’s up to you to tweak and add based on the dishes you usually make and the tools you personally swear by. Little by little, as you hone your skills, you can add more to your list as well. There's a tool for every chef, with that perfect balance of the tried and tested must-haves, as well as new ones on the rise.

The quality of meals you consume regularly can affect your health in many different ways. Consuming healthy meals regularly can improve your immune system and keep you healthier in the long run. Eating healthy can also boost your energy levels and make it easier for you to maintain or lose weight.
But regardless of how much people would want to eat healthier meals, not all of them can do it. People usually have a lot of things on their plate, making it challenging for them to prepare healthy meals from scratch. Fortunately, you can now utilize delicious meal delivery services and ensure that you’ll be provided with healthier meals whenever and wherever you want to.
Meal delivery food services is something worth trying out because it offers the following benefits:

Hosting dinner parties is an excellent way to connect with people, bond with friends, catch up with each other, and enjoy great-tasting foods and drinks. Even with the ongoing pandemic, you can still host dinner parties for yourself and the people in your bubble. But hosting parties can be quite stressful as well, especially if you're deciding what foods and drinks you should prepare for the night. You only want the best pairings for everyone to enjoy!
If you’re planning on hosting a dinner party for you and your bubble, no worries about getting the right wine selections—you can easily get wine online without having to risk going out and to a wine store that won’t have what you were specifically looking for. If you have an at-home dinner party, here are some excellent food and wine pairing options to help you decide. These pairings can help make a luxurious dinner even in the comfort of your own home.

Drinking tea is an ancient tradition when it comes to human civilization. It’s even been estimated that the Chinese have been drinking tea for over 10,000 years. All true teas come from the plant Camellia Sinensis, and there are four basic types of true teas derived from this plant. These teas are green, black, white, and oolong tea. All of these have many health benefits, and the difference between them lies on the degree to which the leaves of the plant are oxidized.
Although drinking is the most popular way people consume tea, there are other ways that you can incorporate this in your daily meals. Here are six of them:

How to Buy Real Indian Spices Directly From the Source
Fragrant, rich Indian spices awaken the senses, bring health and unlock the secret to creating authentic dishes! It's hard to live a life without authentic Indian cardamom, coriander, cumin, black pepper, turmeric and more once you've experienced these flavors! Some popular Indian spices are added at the final stage of preparation to create a perfect finish. Others are heated to perfection in a pan with ghee before being poured over a simmering dish. Here's a rundown of the best ways to use Indian spices when whipping up authentic dishes:
- Marinating.
- Frying spices in hot oil.
- Stirring Indian spices into sauces.
Of course, some people simply like to use real Indian cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or cloves to create hot elixirs that are full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the best things about Indian spices is that their quality and potency allow for "a dash" to do! That means that going with quality will allow you to use less product because you'll be getting vibrant, potent flavors in every pinch.
Anyone who has ever been on a quest to get their hands on authentic Indian spices knows that it can be hard to find the real deal. Unfortunately, the spices that you find on the shelves at the grocery store can be quite tasteless and bland. How can you get real Indian spices at home? It turns out that your home can turn into spice central with a little bit of digging for real Indian spices online! Let's explore why getting a true taste of India may be easier than you think!
How Do You Buy Spices Directly From India?
The best way to buy Indian spices directly from India is to go straight to the source. You'll want to find genuine sellers located in India to avoid issues with quality or authenticity. It used to be extremely difficult to track down spice merchants in India if you weren't in the industry. However, many spice sellers in India today actually list their products on major selling platforms like Amazon and eBay. You can also typically buy directly from spice sellers without going through a third-party platform by using "bulk spices from India" or a similar search term.
The key to making sure you're getting authentic Indian spices is to check where your spices will be shipped from once you place an order. Always check to see that sellers are located in India when purchasing on a major site like Amazon. Generally, it pays to place a bulk order of spices to ensure that you'll get a good rate without the need to pay new shipping fees the way you would if you ordered small batches. The fact that most Indian spices are dried means that they have long shelf lives.
Paying for Spices Shipped Directly From India
The payment methods that you typically use when making purchases online may not apply when making an international purchase from India. It's possible that the merchant you're purchasing your spices from may prefer that you send a money transfer to India. This request shouldn't intimidate you. It's actually quite easy to simply complete a money transfer to someone in India via a widely used company like Western Union.
Real Indian Spices Don't Have to Be a World Away
Many of the spices for sale at mainstream grocery stores really are a dime a dozen. The truth is that you need to source spices from India if you want the real deal in your kitchen. Start stocking up your pantry with the tastes and fragrances of India today!

Cooking is one of life’s most essential skills, and while most of us can wrap our heads around a few basics, more advanced skills require tutelage to truly absorb and master. Unless you have a professional chef who’s eager to teach you in their spare time (something they probably don’t have a lot of to begin with), then your best bet is to enrol in a cooking class.
While there are many apparent benefits to joining a cooking class (learning to cook, learning food-safety practices, etc.), there are also some hidden and lesser-known benefits as well. Let’s take a look at some of the less obvious benefits of joining a professional, group cooking class.

As a city that has more than 300 suburbs, there’s never a shortage of interesting places to explore in Melbourne. If you feel like going to a place that exudes a “melting pot of culture” kind of charm, a drive or a tram trip to Brunswick can give you just that.
Located only 6 kilometres away from the city centre, you can already feel what it’s like to be in significantly different cities all at once.
Brunswick Itinerary: What Can You Do In This Suburb?
Brunswick is a place that will surely be loved by curious tourists. Even locals don’t run out of things to do despite having been there for a long time!
If you’ve decided to put Brunswick in your Melbourne itinerary, here are 9 things that are worth checking out:

Planning a year of the event party in Sydney? Then one of the essentials you need is a great function room with good food. No matter how well-planned and grandiose your event is, if you don't choose the best function room, you'll end up ruining your efforts. Because a function room makes your guests feel special, sets the mood, and works as your event's backdrop, it's vital to find the best venue.
So to help you celebrate a magnificent event, here are ways on how you can find the best venue with superb food in Australia's capital city:
1. Know The Size Of Your Attendees
Before you go and hunt for the best venue, you must have a good grasp of your event, especially the number of expected guests. Although you have a number of the guests who have confirmed their attendance, you should overestimate. For instance, if your guest list says 120, then the venue should fit at least 180-200 people. This way, you can still have room for last-minute attendees as well as unexpected guests.
However, you shouldn't pick a venue that's too spacious. Not only will it give a feeling of emptiness, but your guests might think that many have decided not to come.
2. Feel The Overall Ambience
After knowing the number of invitees and the size of the venue, you must visit the venue itself. Although you can decorate a function room, the structure, the exterior, and its interior, you still need to check the ambience of the venue personally.
On that note, if you host a corporate event, it's best to book event coordinators like Corporate Events by Deckhouse. Choosing the right ambience sets the mood of the event. On the other hand, if you book a function room with a vibe that doesn't go well with the event, it might contradict your event's goal.
3. Choose The Best Location
Since you have eliminated the function room hires that don't compliment your event, it's now time to choose the best location. Choose the wrong location, and many of your guests might not show up. But if you had a good location, chances are, your guests will love and give a thumbs up on your event.
To help you find the best location for your event, here are some factors you need to consider:
● If your attendees are local guests, then a venue located in the central part of Sydney may be perfect. That way, it's near their homes and even shopping centres where they can run their errands.
● If your event consists of attendees from out of town, Sydney East or South should be your choices. It's because of the famous beaches in these parts. Since they're not Sydney locals, your guests might extend their stay after your event to relax in some of the beaches.
● Lastly, and probably the most essential factor is the location's accessibility. Especially when your hosting in a traffic-prone area, maybe you can give your guests a ride to and from the airport. With such, you won't hassle your guests with the burden of looking for the best transportation to get to your venue.
4. Consider Their Amenities
The next is to know the function room's amenities. It's best if you choose the venue with a lot of amenities so you can focus on the event itself. Unlike with incomplete facilities, you might end up looking for stuff that your guests might need on the event itself.
For instance, your venue must have the following to consider signing a contract with them:
● AV Equipment - Instead of bringing your own audio-visual equipment, your venue should provide such. However, you must test the equipment's functionality to avoid interrupting the event with AV issues.
● In-house Kitchen - One of the things that your guests will remember is the food during the event. That's why it's also vital to check what food do the function room cater to. Although they might have a mouth-watering menu, search on reviews whether they prepare food safely or do they comply with food sanitation.
● Essentials - Choose a venue that provides linens, chairs, and tables during the event. With such, you can save a lot of effort and money getting these essentials. Also, the function room should have its own comfort rooms so your guests won't feel discomfort.
Conclusion
So if you want to host an event in Sydney, you should do it in the best function room possible. Not only will it keep your event meaningful but the function room suitable for your event can make your event memorable. That’s why you should follow the tips above if you want to locate the best venue for your upcoming event.
Planning a year of the event party in Sydney? Then one of the essentials you need is a great function room with good food. No matter how well-planned and grandiose your event is, if you don't choose the best function room, you'll end up ruining your efforts. Because a function room makes your guests feel special, sets the mood, and works as your event's backdrop, it's vital to find the best venue.
So to help you celebrate a magnificent event, here are ways on how you can find the best venue with superb food in Australia's capital city:
1. Know The Size Of Your Attendees
Before you go and hunt for the best venue, you must have a good grasp of your event, especially the number of expected guests. Although you have a number of the guests who have confirmed their attendance, you should overestimate. For instance, if your guest list says 120, then the venue should fit at least 180-200 people. This way, you can still have room for last-minute attendees as well as unexpected guests.
However, you shouldn't pick a venue that's too spacious. Not only will it give a feeling of emptiness, but your guests might think that many have decided not to come.
2. Feel The Overall Ambience
After knowing the number of invitees and the size of the venue, you must visit the venue itself. Although you can decorate a function room, the structure, the exterior, and its interior, you still need to check the ambience of the venue personally.
On that note, if you host a corporate event, it's best to book event coordinators like Corporate Events by Deckhouse. Choosing the right ambience sets the mood of the event. On the other hand, if you book a function room with a vibe that doesn't go well with the event, it might contradict your event's goal.
3. Choose The Best Location
Since you have eliminated the function room hires that don't compliment your event, it's now time to choose the best location. Choose the wrong location, and many of your guests might not show up. But if you had a good location, chances are, your guests will love and give a thumbs up on your event.
To help you find the best location for your event, here are some factors you need to consider:
● If your attendees are local guests, then a venue located in the central part of Sydney may be perfect. That way, it's near their homes and even shopping centres where they can run their errands.
● If your event consists of attendees from out of town, Sydney East or South should be your choices. It's because of the famous beaches in these parts. Since they're not Sydney locals, your guests might extend their stay after your event to relax in some of the beaches.
● Lastly, and probably the most essential factor is the location's accessibility. Especially when your hosting in a traffic-prone area, maybe you can give your guests a ride to and from the airport. With such, you won't hassle your guests with the burden of looking for the best transportation to get to your venue.
4. Consider Their Amenities
The next is to know the function room's amenities. It's best if you choose the venue with a lot of amenities so you can focus on the event itself. Unlike with incomplete facilities, you might end up looking for stuff that your guests might need on the event itself.
For instance, your venue must have the following to consider signing a contract with them:
● AV Equipment - Instead of bringing your own audio-visual equipment, your venue should provide such. However, you must test the equipment's functionality to avoid interrupting the event with AV issues.
● In-house Kitchen - One of the things that your guests will remember is the food during the event. That's why it's also vital to check what food do the function room cater to. Although they might have a mouth-watering menu, search on reviews whether they prepare food safely or do they comply with food sanitation.
● Essentials - Choose a venue that provides linens, chairs, and tables during the event. With such, you can save a lot of effort and money getting these essentials. Also, the function room should have its own comfort rooms so your guests won't feel discomfort.
Conclusion
So if you want to host an event in Sydney, you should do it in the best function room possible. Not only will it keep your event meaningful but the function room suitable for your event can make your event memorable. That’s why you should follow the tips above if you want to locate the best venue for your upcoming event.
Planning a year of the event party in Sydney? Then one of the essentials you need is a great function room with good food. No matter how well-planned and grandiose your event is, if you don't choose the best function room, you'll end up ruining your efforts. Because a function room makes your guests feel special, sets the mood, and works as your event's backdrop, it's vital to find the best venue.
So to help you celebrate a magnificent event, here are ways on how you can find the best venue with superb food in Australia's capital city:
1. Know The Size Of Your Attendees
Before you go and hunt for the best venue, you must have a good grasp of your event, especially the number of expected guests. Although you have a number of the guests who have confirmed their attendance, you should overestimate. For instance, if your guest list says 120, then the venue should fit at least 180-200 people. This way, you can still have room for last-minute attendees as well as unexpected guests.
However, you shouldn't pick a venue that's too spacious. Not only will it give a feeling of emptiness, but your guests might think that many have decided not to come.
2. Feel The Overall Ambience
After knowing the number of invitees and the size of the venue, you must visit the venue itself. Although you can decorate a function room, the structure, the exterior, and its interior, you still need to check the ambience of the venue personally.
On that note, if you host a corporate event, it's best to book event coordinators like Corporate Events by Deckhouse. Choosing the right ambience sets the mood of the event. On the other hand, if you book a function room with a vibe that doesn't go well with the event, it might contradict your event's goal.
3. Choose The Best Location
Since you have eliminated the function room hires that don't compliment your event, it's now time to choose the best location. Choose the wrong location, and many of your guests might not show up. But if you had a good location, chances are, your guests will love and give a thumbs up on your event.
To help you find the best location for your event, here are some factors you need to consider:
● If your attendees are local guests, then a venue located in the central part of Sydney may be perfect. That way, it's near their homes and even shopping centres where they can run their errands.
● If your event consists of attendees from out of town, Sydney East or South should be your choices. It's because of the famous beaches in these parts. Since they're not Sydney locals, your guests might extend their stay after your event to relax in some of the beaches.
● Lastly, and probably the most essential factor is the location's accessibility. Especially when your hosting in a traffic-prone area, maybe you can give your guests a ride to and from the airport. With such, you won't hassle your guests with the burden of looking for the best transportation to get to your venue.
4. Consider Their Amenities
The next is to know the function room's amenities. It's best if you choose the venue with a lot of amenities so you can focus on the event itself. Unlike with incomplete facilities, you might end up looking for stuff that your guests might need on the event itself.
For instance, your venue must have the following to consider signing a contract with them:
● AV Equipment - Instead of bringing your own audio-visual equipment, your venue should provide such. However, you must test the equipment's functionality to avoid interrupting the event with AV issues.
● In-house Kitchen - One of the things that your guests will remember is the food during the event. That's why it's also vital to check what food do the function room cater to. Although they might have a mouth-watering menu, search on reviews whether they prepare food safely or do they comply with food sanitation.
● Essentials - Choose a venue that provides linens, chairs, and tables during the event. With such, you can save a lot of effort and money getting these essentials. Also, the function room should have its own comfort rooms so your guests won't feel discomfort.
Conclusion
So if you want to host an event in Sydney, you should do it in the best function room possible. Not only will it keep your event meaningful but the function room suitable for your event can make your event memorable. That’s why you should follow the tips above if you want to locate the best venue for your upcoming event.

Otao kitchen wins Business Excellence Award at the Northern Multicultural Small Business Awards in 2019.

Some people believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the magic happens, as they say. A hearty meal shared with people you love always makes a house feel more special.
If you’re someone who enjoys cooking and spending time in the kitchen, you’re probably looking for ways to improve it. One crucial aspect you should focus on is the lights. Without proper lighting, you may end up injuring yourself or unknowingly poison the food you serve.
Kitchen pendant lights are excellent lighting solutions if you’re looking to boost illumination for your favourite area in the house.
Here are the benefits of these bulbs that you should seriously consider:

According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, about 48 million people experience food-borne illness, and 128,000 of which are hospitalised, with 3,000 patients dying every year.
That's why it's crucial to ensure food safety by knowing the important things you need to use to make your food safe both at home and in a commercial setting. These things are often underestimated, but are helpful to practice and ensure food safety, so continue reading below to find out more.

Be inspired by our young people who’ve discovered their ability to take action to change the world. This home booked goodness program supported by Otao Kitchen in partnership with KiP has discovered the magic of volunteering. These young people learn to volunteer and help less fortunate people to have a home cooked meals.

Key Tips On Finding Healthy Snack Options For Your Daily Life
Finding snack options for your daily life is actually very easy. Regardless of where you live or what your preferences are, there will always be a food establishment that suits your needs. You can even find nearby food establishments at your fingertips by using different websites such as HeyYou. But if you’re looking for snacks which have nutritional content, you might be having some problems. Food establishments today have limited to zero healthy snack options; most of them offer junk or fast foods.
Aside from paying attention to what you eat during your meals, you should also do the same when it comes to your snacks. What you eat throughout the day can drastically affect your well-being in the long run. So if you want to experience optimal health all the time, follow these tips on finding healthy snack options for your daily life:
Finding a great Mothers Day gift can often be hard. Trying to find something that will show just how much you appreciate your mum can be a difficult task. But shopping for the perfect Mothers Day present needn’t be a chore. If you’re looking for Mothers Day gift ideas or inspiration, take a look at our cooking experiences.
Select any of the voucher here for choose any of the classes. Either way the gift voucher will be delivered to your mum email instantly with 3 year valid. Why not join the class with mum later for double the fun?

Nothing beats being gifted an experience, whether it's a cooking class or an adventure, it's a present they won't forget. And the joy of experience day Christmas gifts is that you have the luxury of also going with them if you fancy. So, it's a gift for both you and them.
It could be that they don't need anymore physical items or that it would be nice for them to have something exciting to look forward to in the new year. From delightful afternoon teas, to exciting adventure days out - there really is something for everyone is this list.
Whatever the reason, here is a round-up of the best experience gifts for individuals, couples, families or groups of friends, and where to buy them. Hopefully these will help create some beautiful, fun, exciting moments that your loved ones cherish forever.

Give your old man a hug and laugh at his funny jokes. Dad loves cooking? It's Father's Day! Melbourne has much to offer your old man. Do some sight-seeing or visit a bar, or buy him some more gadgets.
When is Father's Day?
Father’s Day is on Sunday 3 September and if you’re struggling for inspiration on what to buy Dad, a cooking class is a great idea. Let's step away from the gifting of gadgets. Take a second to appreciate what our father's taught us in the kitchen.
We cooked and really enjoyed Mother's Day. It was so much fun to see how our family kitchen was shaped by a parent. This time around, be inspired with some things our dads taught us about cooking. Surprise your dad with this weekend with the gift of cooking.

Hanoi is very graceful and exotic capital city of Vietnam. The city is well known with grand old boulevards and ancient temples and pagodas. Locals works on their tai chi moves beside tree-fringed lakes. For all of its timeless charm it also changes quickly to a modern city today but the music is new and old to compliment with its culture in 36 hours travelling to Hanoi. She talked about food
Full articles can be from here
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/travel/things-to-do-in-36-hours-in-hanoi.html?_r=0

Here is the best things to do in melbourne on a rainy day, from cheap and cheerful restaurants to learn to make Vietnamese Foods at Otao Kitchen
Christmas is coming and we can no longer postpone the daunting task that is Christmas shopping! Hence, we will present our ultimate Christmas gift guide to help you get through Christmas shopping this year.