Neha AggarwalLeave a comment

BATHROOM SCALE BASICS

With a couple of days into the new year, we’re sure you all are highly motivated to achieve your fitness goals. Whether it is to get fit, exercise more, or even just eat right, Salter has a range of Bathroom Scales that not only measure your weight but also help you understand your body composition thereby giving a more accurate measure of your overall health and fitness.

We interviewed our in-house expert to answer a few your queries. Read on!

  1. How have Bathroom Scales evolved over time?
Evolution of Bathroom Scales
Evolution of Bathroom Scales – Click to Expand
  1. Where should I start when looking to buy a Bathroom Scale?

When you are considering purchasing a new Bathroom Scale you have four basic options to choose from:

  • Mechanical
  • Digital
  • Analyser
  • Smart

MECHANICAL BATHROOM SCALES

Salter Mechanical Bathroom Scales
Salter Mechanical Bathroom Scales

Mechanical Bathroom Scales are the simplest and most straight forward way to monitor your weight. They require no batteries, little or no set up and will last years. They are good for measuring weight only and do not display body composition measurements such as Body Fat, Body Water etc.

A typical mechanical scale may have a maximum capacity of 21st (136kg) and graduations of 1lb (1kg) while digital scales typically have a maximum capacity of 31st 8lb (200kg) and graduations of 1/4lb (0.1kg). A digital scale will weigh a higher capacity more precisely. With a mechanical scale, you will struggle to see small changes in weight.

If you monitor your weight once a month, irregularly or really don’t require precise measurements, a Mechanical Bathroom Scale might be the right choice for you.

DIGITAL BATHROOM SCALES

SALTER DIGITAL BATHROOM SCALE
SALTER DIGITAL BATHROOM SCALE

Digital Bathroom Scales are very simple to use as they display weight only. They come equipped with an easy to read LCD display and typically have of 1/4lb (0.1kg) while some models may be as precise as 1/8lb (0.05kg).

Accounting for a 10 to 20 times more precision than a mechanical scale, digital bathroom scales may have higher maximum capacities 39st 6lb (250kg). You can choose your preferred units of st, kg or lb. Depending upon the model you choose, some scales are equipped with the facility to show the difference between your current weight and your previous weight.

If you are weighing yourself regularly once a week or more frequently and wish to track small changes they Digital Bathroom Scales might be the right choice for you.

 ANALYSER BATHROOM SCALES

SALTER ANALYSER BATHROOM SCALE
SALTER ANALYSER BATHROOM SCALE

Analyser Bathroom Scales use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to measure weight and impedance. From this, the quantity of fat and water can then be estimated.

These measurements include Weight, Body Fat %, Body Water %, Muscle Mass, Bone Mass, BMI, and BMR.

Understanding your body composition gives a more accurate measure of your overall health and fitness than weight alone. You may go to the gym and be disappointed to find your weight has increased. This could be because you are gaining muscle mass, losing body fat and your body composition is changing.

If you are embarking on a new diet or exercise regime and want a more detailed picture of your body composition an Analyser Bathroom Scale might be right for you. 

SMART BATHROOM SCALES

SALTER SMART BATHROOM SCALE
SALTER SMART BATHROOM SCALE

Smart Bathroom Scales will transmit your results via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. Trends can be tracked and measurements explained with healthy/recommended ranges. This gives a much better picture of your overall health and fitness. It is quite normal for your weight and body composition to vary throughout the day depending on when, for example, you last ate or drank.

Taking a single reading gives a snapshot only.  It is only through monitoring measurements over time that trends can be established which can track your health and fitness choices. If you can see over a period of several months your weight is gradually increasing you may wish to change something in your diet or exercise plan to prevent it from continuing to rise. Equally, if you are making healthy choices, a smart scale can show you just how far you have come and keeps you motivated.

If you want to have the most detailed picture of your health and fitness available a Smart Bathroom Scale might be right for you.

  1. Is there a difference between a Body Analyser Scale and a BMI Scale?

Body Mass Index or BMI is just one of the measurements an analyser scale can monitor, however, it does not use BIA. BMI is an index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity by medical professionals. It is a good indication of if you are a healthy weight however it is not perfect.

Imagine a rugby player or a bodybuilder. They may have a very high Muscle Mass %, a high weight and therefore a high BMI. Their BMI reading may say they are obese, however, in reality, they are extremely physically fit athletes. Now imagine a marathon runner. They may be very lean, have a low weight and therefore a low BMI. Their BMI reading may say they are underweight, however, in reality, they are extremely physically fit athletes.

Despite these extremes for most people, BMI is a good indication of a healthy weight for height and it is a medically accepted guideline. Body Analyser scales use BIA to measure weight and impedance. From this, the quantity of fat, water, muscle mass etc. can then be estimated. 

Understanding your body composition gives a more accurate measure of your overall health and fitness than weight alone and BMI alone.

  1. How can I track my progress with the MiBody App? 
Salter MiBody App
Salter MiBody App

The Salter MiBody Scales will transmit your results via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. Trends can be tracked, and measurements explained with healthy/recommended ranges. This gives a much better picture of your overall health and fitness. It is quite normal for your weight and body composition to vary throughout the day depending on when, for example, you last ate or drank. If you can see over a period of several months your weight is gradually increasing you may wish to change something in your diet or exercise plan to prevent it from continuing to rise. Equally, if you are making healthy choices, the MiBody App can show you just how far you have come and keeps you motivated. You can also track Blood Pressure and Body Measurements. This can allow you to see not only that you have lost 1st and 3% Body Fat but also that your waist has decreased by 2 inches. Tracking these changes can keep you motivated and highlight areas where you can tailor your diet or exercise plan towards.  

  1. In the day and age of technology, why should I go for Mechanical Scales?

Mechanical Bathroom Scales are the simplest and most straight forward way to monitor your weight. They require no batteries, little or no setup and will last for years. They are good of weight only and can’t display body composition measurements such as Body Fat, Body Water etc. They often have lower maximum capacities and wider graduations than digital versions as they are limited by the size of the dial.

With a Mechanical Bathroom Scale, you will struggle to see small changes in weight as they usually have graduations of 1 lb (1kg). If you monitor your weight once a month, irregularly, infrequently or really don’t require precise measurements a Mechanical scale might be the right choice for you.

 

HOW A KITCHEN SCALE CAN KEEP YOU HEALTHY

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HOW A KITCHEN SCALE CAN KEEP YOU HEALTHY

When it comes to baked goods and other recipes, weighing ingredients is a mindful practice.

It’s already 2019! How many people can say they’ve kept up their New Year’s resolutions so far? Maybe yours was to keep fit and improve the way you eat? Keeping yourself motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle can be tricky, we’ve all been there. In this article we’ll be discussing how your very own kitchen scale can help keep you healthy, it has much more to offer than you think.

  1. No More Guessing Portion Sizes
No More Guessing Portion Sizes
No More Guessing Portion Sizes

A great place to start when trying to go down the healthy route is your portion sizes. Without knowing it, a lot of us eat more than we really need to. Are you eating to finish everything on your plate or are you still hungry? Kitchen scales nowadays are equipped with the function to monitor small portion sizes with precision which can be of great use while also being mindful of what you eat.

  1. Accurate Measurements
Accurate Measurements
Accurate Measurements

Once you’ve figured out what is a healthy and balanced diet for yourself, you can start to measure your ingredients which can help you from overeating. Accurate and consistent measurements are key to get the correct portion sizes!

  1. Monitor Calorie Intake
Monitor Calorie Intake
Monitor Calorie Intake

If you like to be precise while referring to the nutrition label on the food bags, kitchen scales can be of great help! They also assist in measuring the real serving sizes. For example, if the packaging reads that there are 100 calories in 10 grams, which is 10 pieces, however, on placing those 10 pieces on the scale may not actually weigh 100 grams!

  1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness
Mindfulness

Weighing your food can encourage healthier eating habits. Once you’ve gotten used to using kitchen scales, you will have a fair estimate of what a healthy portion size and intake may look like. This enables you to be mindful while eating at a restaurant and ordering food off the menu.

  1. Easy Cooking
Easy Cooking
Easy Cooking

With the Add and Weigh feature in kitchen scales, it saves the hassle of using multiple bowls and makes cooking an easy process. You can measure multiple ingredients in one bowl saving your time in the kitchen!

Creative Centrepiece Ideas for Christmas

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Creative Centrepiece Ideas for Christmas

Christmas is around the corner and it wouldn’t be a festive feast without the magnificent centrepiece! Thanks to a national fondness for tradition, turkey may remain the centrepiece. However, for those who aren’t the bird’s biggest fan, we’ve gathered a few non-turkey crowd pleasers that you can bring to the table instead and make it a December to remember!

Something large, something show-stopping, something that looks like a centrepiece deserves the most prominent place especially if you’ve gone through the trouble of dressing a Christmas table!

  1. Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is a show-stopping centrepiece for any occasion and a celebration of the luxury of a fillet of beef. The classic recipe either has mushrooms or pâté around the beef with a thin layer of pancakes to hold it all together. However, you can also use a mushroom filling and replace the pancakes with thinly-sliced Parma ham. It may not help with soaking up some of the juices as pancakes do but it sure adds a lovely flavour to the dish!

  1. Spinach Pie
Spinach Pie
Spinach Pie

If you’re a vegetarian, then this easy spinach pie is a great option for Christmas. The beautifully crisp filo pastry is a treat at the centre of the dining table while the golden folds hide a rich and deliciously cheesy spinach filling.

  1. Vegan Wellington
Vegan Wellington
Vegan Wellington

Packed with roasted red peppers, cooked beetroot and kale the Vegan Wellington is sure to make a statement to your Christmas dinner table. Plus, a vegan stuffing and glazed the pastry in Marmite is sure to take this dish on to the next level – the perfect way to impress your vegan friends over the festive season!

  1. Slow Roast Lamb in Sloe Gin
Slow Roast Lamb In Sloe Gin
Slow Roast Lamb In Sloe Gin

Sloe gin is a wonderful winter treat and adds a touch of class to your roast lamb, making a fitting addition to the Christmas dinner flavours. This dish is bound to cause a stir when you present it as the highlight of the meal.

  1. Vegetarian Christmas Wreath
Vegetarian Christmas Wreath
Vegetarian Christmas Wreath

Vegetarians are often forgotten about at Christmas. Amidst the traditional trappings of turkey and pigs-in-blankets, there is often not much left for vegetarians to eat. The epic vegetarian wreath recipe, filled with roasted butternut squash and creamy ricotta is perfect for when your veggie relatives descend on your home for the Christmas holidays!

 

How to make the Perfect Christmas Dinner

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How To Make The Perfect Christmas Dinner

Preparing a roast dinner any time of year can be a stressful process, let alone on Christmas Day! With lots of people to cook for and all the trimmings to prep amongst presents being opened and the excitement of Father Christmas coming to visit, you need an easy and effective way to remember and prepare everything from the stuffing to the pigs in blankets! With the benefits of using digital kitchen appliances, you can be sure to enjoy the day whilst making a delicious meal!

Most definitely one of the key parts of making the perfect Christmas dinner is to prepare early!! Getting organised will really help you on the day and you would be surprised at how many of the dishes you can make in advance, saving you so much time and stress. One of my mum’s tips is to parboil your potatoes the night before and freeze them meaning you don’t have to be peeling potatoes from 9 am on Christmas morning. Some other elements you can also make in advance include your gravy, bread sauce and of course Christmas pudding. This, in fact, tastes better when made a few months in advance as it allows all the juices and alcohol to really penetrate the fruit!

Another really important tip is to make sure you have all the right equipment including pans, oven trays and knives. If you’re planning on making lots of dishes from scratch, Salter Cook can provide you with an ultimate interactive and digital experience, whether you need to weigh out the sugar for your cranberry jelly or measure up how many sultanas you’re going to need for your Christmas pud, our top-of-the-range Bluetooth Pro Kitchen Scale equips you with modern advantages to the traditional mechanical scale. Allowing you to save recipes with our Salter Cook App you can ensure you have everything ready for the big day way in advance and if you’re stuck for ideas, recipes are only a click away! Timing and accuracy are essential on Christmas Day but with the app you can easily plan and set multiple timers and name them, ensuring everything is cooked to perfection without confusion! Part of the Salter Cook Bluetooth range includes a thermometer which can measure both oven and food temperatures. The recommended temperature for a perfectly cooked turkey is around 65 degrees Celsius, so with the Salter Cook app just set the required temperature as a target and wait!

One of my family’s favourite Christmas desserts (other than Christmas Pudding) to have over the festive season is a yule log- my Grandmother has been making one for years and its definitely something I store in my Salter Cook app so I can use it every year, making sure I get all the quantities right. If you don’t have your own recipes to enter into the app, you can easily save them straight from the internet. You could even try an alternative to the traditional chocolate recipe by using salted caramel, making a great centrepiece for the table! There are many other festive treats you can try; mince pies, trifle, hot toddy fruit cake or maybe a festive cheesecake! Remember to cook what you and your family like on Christmas Day, don’t feel the need to have to produce every single dish especially if you don’t like them! Trust us, you won’t enjoy the process!

It’s near enough impossible to think there will ever be the ‘perfect’ Christmas dinner, however with a little bit of organisation and preparation in the run up you can make the day stress-free and enjoyable! Get the family involved and show everybody how convenient the Salter Cook app can be on a busy day in the kitchen. Of course, a little wine may help along the way!

Neha AggarwalLeave a comment

BENEFITS OF TRACKING YOUR WEIGHT

When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.

If you’re someone who loves staying fit, you’ll probably be aware of the process of tracking and monitoring your weight and its benefits. However, with our busy schedule, it can be easy to lose track of your current health situation. Depending upon how much you exercise, the process may vary from person to person, and with the advent of digital technology, tracking progress is only getting easier and beneficial to your training.

If you regularly track your weight, you may not need to be convinced. However, still, keep reading as this is still for you! If you do not normally track your weight, read on to understand why it may be important.

Here are 5 benefits of tracking your weight

  1. Efficiency

Tracking your weight increases your efficiency in terms of your time and workouts. Not only will it push you to do better, but will also drive you to be your own competition!

  1. Added Motivation

Tracking your weight is surely motivating and reinforces to remind you why you are doing this in the first place. When you notice progress, by looking through your logs, it immediately makes you realise how far you’ve come, only motivating you further. There is absolutely nothing like hard work being paid off!

  1. Forming Healthy Habits

While you’re working hard to shed off those extra pounds, or even just to stay fit in general, tracking your weight on a regular basis makes you choose healthy food options for your regular meals. Make this a regular affair, and staying fit will be your second nature!

  1. Improved Mood and Habits

Research shows that staying fit in general can improve your mood and decrease symptoms of depression. Better nutrition, higher self-esteem, and the benefits of exercise all contribute to an improved outlook on life.

  1. Cancelled Cravings

As you make eating healthier foods a habit, you’ll notice that your tastes and food preferences will change. While you will always have a favourite indulgence, but over time you will become more selective on where you save and where you splurge calories. For example, you may splurge on chips or fries and not like how you feel afterwards, which will reduce the likelihood that those cravings will creep up again.

Even though the conventional wisdom says to weigh yourself once a week, it might be time to rethink that advice.

How do you track your weight? Our favourite scale is the Salter Memories 180kg Digital Bathroom Scale which perfectly shows you the difference between your current weight and your previous weight measurements! Detailed with helpful up and down arrows, you can quickly tell how well you’re progressing.

 

Sarah LovellLeave a comment

How To Throw A Last Minute Halloween Party

Planning any party can be stressful however when it comes to Halloween there seems to be a lot of pressure to throw the most extravagant and spooky party ever! However, with a few simple and quick recipes as well as easy DIY decorations, throwing a last-minute party has never been easier.HOW TO THROW A LAST MINUTE HALLOWEEN PARTY

  1. Spooky Spider Biscuits 

This super quick recipe could even be completed by little ones at the party as they will love decorating the vanilla biscuits with spooky spider legs and goggly eyes! Simplicity is key when baking last minute and biscuit decorating can act as an activity at the party if you run out of ideas!  DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE

  1. Pumpkin Cupcakes 

Using the iconic vegetable associated with Halloween makes for a brilliant party recipe plus you can make use of your pumpkin carving leftovers! Again, this recipe is quick and easy and will go down a treat with all ages. You could decorate the icing with pumpkin shavings, orange coloured sprinkles or make little pumpkins out of fondant icing.

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE 

  1. Chocolate Covered Halloween Pretzels 

Getting perfect melted chocolate to cover the sweet n’ salty pretzels requires the perfect temperature. Using a kitchen thermometer helps to achieve the temperature required; 40-45 degree Celsius, making the process quicker for those in a hurry! These sweet treats can be decorated in any style to make them as scary as you want.

CHOCOLATE COVERED HALLOWEEN PRETZELS

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE 

  1. Halloween Pizzas 

For those with less of sweet tooth, these savoury slices are great for parties as they can feed so many! Decorate the pizzas with spiders using peppers, olives, salami or mushrooms. You could even make a healthy version using a cauliflower or sweet potato base as an alternative to wheat-based.HALLOWEEN PIZZA

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE 

  1. Frozen Halloween Ghosts 

Only 4 ingredients are required for this recipe and they look really effective once they’ve been dipped in chocolate and desiccated coconut. If your party isn’t so last-minute, you can keep prep them early and leave them in the freezer until the day.

FROZEN BANANA GHOSTS

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE 

Decorations for Halloween parties are by far one of the most important elements but if you don’t have enough time or money to splash out on fancy lanterns or table decorations, there are some simple yet effective DIY alternatives. One of the most obvious and cost-effective decorations is pumpkin carving! Carve as many pumpkins of all different shapes and sizes, fill them with candles and place all around the venue. They can be used in recipes afterwards or thrown on the compost so completely re-usable! You could even paint or decorate your pumpkins using glitter or craft accessories to make them completely unique!

So, if you decide to celebrate this frightfully fun holiday last minute, you can still enjoy making ghostly treats young and old without the need for precise planning and stress.

 

 

 

 

Neha AggarwalLeave a comment

5 BUDGET BAKING RECIPES

Getting your bake on doesn’t have to break the bank!  If you’re inspired by The Great British Bake off, baking from scratch, without using packet premixes, is cheap and easy. With a few basic techniques, you can create tasty treats at home in no time.  Baking like any new skill, the more you practice, the better you will be at it.

5 BUDGET BAKING RECIPES
5 BUDGET BAKING RECIPES

Whether you’re doing a quick bake to impress your housemates or celebrate the end of the exams, these 5 simple budget recipes are the answer to everything.

  1. Basic Muffins

 “A simple, chocolate chip muffin recipe, to which you can add fruit, chocolate or nuts.”

What could be nicer than warm muffins on a morning breakfast table? Quick and easy to make, particularly since the ingredients are only lightly mixed, not beaten smooth, they are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks!  

Basic Muffins
Basic Muffins

Download the Recipe Here

2. Lighter Gingerbread

“This dark and sticky ginger cake is made healthier with naturally sweet dates, buttermilk and plenty of cinnamon and fresh ginger.”

Craving for cakes? This quick Lighter Gingerbread recipe just proves that baking doesn’t have to be time-consuming – this easy and cheap recipe takes just 35 mins to prepare and about 40 mins to cook which makes it perfect any night of the week. If you’ve got some spare time during the holidays or looking for a way to procrastinate, this is the perfect hassle-free recipe.

Lighter Gingerbread
Lighter Gingerbread

Download the Recipe Here

3. Buttermilk Scones

“These savoury scones are perfect with potted fish. Make early in the day then warm before serving, for the best results.”

Scones are the ultimate go-to snack solution when unexpected visitors turn up or you’re hungry in the afternoon. They are cheap, easy to make and incredibly versatile – basically, everything you need a snack to be. Perfect for the afternoon tea, these scones are a delicious treat!

Buttermilk Scones
Buttermilk Scones

Download the Recipe Here

4. Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies

“An easy chocolate chip cookie recipe for soft biscuits with a squidgy middle that will impress family and friends. Make plenty as they’re sure to be a hit”

Is there anything even better than chocolate chip cookies with milk? Passed down through generations and always baked with love, these vintage cookie recipes are a must-have in every baking list. Beware: you might see an increase in the amount of love that your housemates shower you with once you serve them this.

Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies

Download the Recipe Here

5. Classic Victoria Sandwich

“The perfect party cake, to bring a gathering or serve as dessert for a potluck, a Victoria sponge is a traditional bake everyone will love.”

This tasty tea-time treat consists of strawberry jam and vanilla. The jam and cream are sandwiched between two sponge cakes; the top of the cake is not iced or decorated apart from a dusting of icing sugar.

Classic Victoria Sandwich
Classic Victoria Sandwich

Download the Recipe Here

BONUS TIP:

Always Preheat the Oven. If the oven isn’t hot the fat in your baking will melt before the mixture cooks and may result in flat, greasy baking (pastries in particular). Mixtures will not rise properly and may end up overcooked or undercooked depending on the recipe.

Always Preheat the Oven
Always Preheat the Oven

You can be a great baker. Baking isn’t a mystical gift passed down from mother to daughter in secret rituals. It’s not a talent one must be born with, nor does it take years to master.

You can save a lot of money by baking simple cakes, muffins, biscuits, and cookies at home to satisfy your sugar cravings. It’s cheap and easy.

5 Simple Dinner Recipes For Students

Neha AggarwalLeave a comment

5 SIMPLE DINNER RECIPES FOR STUDENTS

They say cooking is an art, however, it can be a daunting task for some. Many people find it difficult to eat on time, leave alone cook for themselves as the basic idea of cooking can seem exasperating. And when it comes to students, we can all imagine how tough it can be for them to manage everything on their own. While some may often trade a healthy home-cooked meal in favour of an expensive take-away pizza, others may rely on microwave meals to get them through their time away from home.

5 Simple Dinner Recipes For Students
5 Simple Dinner Recipes For Students

We’ve put together 5 simple recipes that are sure to help every student hone their cooking skills:

  1. Chorizo & Fried Egg Wraps

Cooking as a student must be cheap and relatively easy but also hearty and nutritious to sustain you through long hours of essay writing – and socialising. Enjoy this super speedy flavour-packed wrap as a cheap and light supper.

Chorizo & Fried Egg Wraps
Chorizo & Fried Egg Wraps

Download the Recipe Here

2. Refried Bean Quesadillas

Craving something Mexican? Here we give you a wonderful nutritious healthy version of this lovely evening meal. Beans are nutritional powerhouses; they are full of fibre (great for bowel and digestive health) plus they release energy slowly, meaning that you have more consistent energy throughout your day. This casual meat-free main is a cheap and cheerful way to fill you and your friends up as you revise for those heavy uni exams!

Refried Bean Quesadillas
Refried Bean Quesadillas

Download the Recipe Here

3. Kidney Bean Curry

Being a common addition to most delicious meals across the globe is what makes kidney beans so popular. Their name comes from their close resemblance to kidneys, and their nutritional profile is linked to lowered rates of cancer and heart disease. If you’re looking for a satisfying meal that comes together in less than half an hour, this is an excellent choice. An easy recipe when you fancy something pocket-friendly, delicious and filling at the same time.

Kidney Bean Curry
Kidney Bean Curry

Download the Recipe Here

4. Quick Mushroom & Spinach Lasagne

This quick mushroom and spinach lasagne just proves that making lasagne doesn’t have to be time consuming – this easy and cheap recipe takes just 15 mins to prepare and about half an hour in the oven which makes it perfect any night of the week. A great way to consume greens, this preparation also freezes well – making it perfect for make-ahead meals for those days when you are tired from the day.

Quick Mushroom & Spinach Lasagne
Quick Mushroom & Spinach Lasagne

Download the Recipe Here

5. Minestrone Soup

Filled with goodness, vegetables & energy boosting carbohydrates, this big bowl of carb-based joy with a hefty garnish of vegetables will surely gladden the heartstrings of your health! This soup is cheap and super easy to tweak according to the vegetables you currently have in your fridge.

Minestrone Soup
Minestrone Soup

Download the Recipe Here

So, whether you’re revising for exams or are on the next Summer Holiday countdown, we have got you covered! From being pocket-friendly, nutritious and super speedy, these recipes are here to make your life in the kitchen easy and delicious, all the while preparing you to master the art known as cooking! 

 

Neha AggarwalLeave a comment

The Benefits of Swimming

Exercise in general, as we all know is always beneficial. However, many of us have certain preferences for one exercise over the other. While some may focus on yoga, others may choose dancing. No matter what your fitness level is, many exercises allow you to go for a full body workout in a fun way, and swimming is one of them!

Swimming is the perfect way to work your entire body and the cardiovascular system being an all-rounder activity for people of all age groups. Having a low-impact workout and a way to relax. – that’s what it’s all about! An hour of swimming burns off all those calories, without impacting your bones and joints.

Here are a couple of benefits of swimming:

  1. Entire Body Workout:

Using all the muscles in the body from head to toe, swimming works out your whole body. Whether it is a gentle breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle or a butterfly, by swimming you can increase your heart rate without stressing your body. Each style focuses on different muscle groups and the water provides gentle resistance thereby toning your muscles, building strength and endurance. As exercising in the water makes your body work harder, 30 minutes in a pool is worth a good 45 minutes on land.

  1. General Wellbeing:

While your muscles are getting an excellent workout, so is your cardiovascular system. Swimming makes your heart and lungs strong thereby reducing your risk of high blood pressure and an irregular blood sugar. Spending 30 minutes swimming, twice a week, alongside a balanced diet, is one of the best ways to stay fit. It not only impacts your physical health but also helps you gain a positive mental outlook too.

  1. Destress and Relax:

Spending some time in the water alone can calm our minds down. Studies have shown that by swimming regularly, one can lower their stress levels, panic attacks and even improve your sleep pattern. To feel the mental benefits of swimming, take a light swim today and notice the difference!

  1. Burn Calories:

Swimming has proven to be one of the most effective ways to burn those extra calories. A light swim can burn around 200 calories in less than an hour, which is more than 2 times that while walking!

  1. Exercising Without Sweating:

Sweating may put many people off while exercising. However, as self-explanatory as this may be, as a swimmer you won’t have to even be concerned about sweat!

So, if you’re just starting out to exercise, or are looking to try something new, reach for your cossie and take a plunge into the pool today. Once you’re through with the basics, aim for 20-40 minutes of regular swimming to keep your heart rate elevated. As well as being beneficial, swimming is a great way to make new friends!

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5 Benefits of using a cooking thermometer

It’s easy to fall into a routine when cooking your favourite meals, but it’s always important to ensure that your food is safe to eat. After enjoying a fun-filled barbecue, some of us may complain that we feel unwell from sitting out in the sun too long when instead, it could have been something you ate. We’ve all been in a situation where we eat something and think – is that cooked properly? Thankfully, there are a variety of different tools available that can maintain your peace of mind when it comes to food, and a cooking thermometer is one of them.

Eliminate the Guesswork

You cannot tell if a piece of meat is ready simply by looking at it. If you only use cooking time to determine that, you may end up with some pieces being perfectly cooked whilst others may still be underdone or in worst case scenarios, even burnt! By referring to a target temperature you can ensure your favourite meals are cooked to perfection every time.

Prevent Overcooking

Don’t let your brilliant barbecue be ruined by dry, overcooked meat. With a cooking thermometer, you can easily beat the heat! When cooked at the correct temperature, the meat will stay juicy and tender for you to enjoy. Different types of confectionery, such as caramel, also need to be cooked with precision when it comes to timing and temperature. A cooking thermometer can help ensure your favourite sweet treats are ready to go, whilst also saving your saucepans from being burnt.

Sublime Steaks

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to how a steak should be cooked. If you’re used to cooking a steak well done, it may be a daunting task when one of your guests requests their steak to be done medium rare. By using a cooking thermometer, you can make sure your cut of steak is just right, even with different requests. By double checking the temperature, you can reassure yourself that everything will be cooked to perfection.

Maintain Safe Temperature

If you’re serving a barbecue buffet, some of your food may be left out for a longer period than other pieces. As meat begins to cool, it tends to become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you’re worried about how long a piece of meat has been out in the sun or even out of the fridge, you can check if it’s still edible by checking the temperature.

Reheat Foods to Safe Temperature

When it comes to organising lunch at work, many will now choose to prepare a meal the night before or use leftovers from their previous dinner. Whatever you choose to eat at lunchtime, it’s important to reheat meats to safe temperatures. A kitchen thermometer will come in handy in these situations.

Whether you’re a barbecue beginner or a pro at pulled pork, there are a variety of thermometers to suit your cooking needs. With easy to read displays and distinctive silicone grips, our range of kitchen thermometers not only look good but deliver precise measurements for safe cooking as well.