How to make rock candy?

Simple! First you find a good rock... then you get out your candy-making wand, wave it over the rock a few times... and then... WALLA! Rock Candy!

Well it is not quite that magical, but the results of homemade rock candy is about as magical as it gets in candy making. It is not only fascinating but it is also very, very easy... and on top of that, it taste good and is unique as a snowflake.

Indeed, one of the easiest and most intriguing candies for you to make with your kids is rock candy... and other hard candies come in second. Rock candy is a great way to use the kitchen to introduce many things beyond kitchen art.

Among those "other things" is the fact that cooking is chemistry in action... action that you can monitor, and even control to some extent. Some of the best learning is accomplished when the atmosphere does not suggest "school" or "study." In the making of candy such insights and enlightenments are part of the learning experience. In addition many, many, aspects of the physical world can be observed through making candy in general, and rock candy in particular.

Truly, rock candy is very easy to make. It takes about an hour to make... at least to prepare it to the point where it does its own thing. The actual forming of the candy can take anywhere from an hour to several days... depending on the concentration of the recipe. In fact there are several ways to make rock candy... all quite simple.

The only ingredients needed to make rock candy are sugar and water. The basic recipe can be modified by adjusting the proportions of the ingredients. All you really do is prepare a sugar syrup, set up conditions that allows the sugar in the solution to form crystals as it cools... or as the water evaporates. And that's it!

This is how it is done!

Collect and prepare your materials: Materials: Clean jar or jars; cotton string cut to the length of height of the jars plus an inch; tape; pencils and the ingredients for the candy itself, sugar and water. Prep: Tie a thick cotton thread to a pencil and place it across the top of a jar, making sure the string is about an inch from the bottom of the jar. Wet the thread and roll it in granulated sugar Let the sugar coated thread dry. This will make the thread a "seed" or "magnet" for the rocks of candy to be attracted to and to grow on.
Prepare the syrup. In a medium-sized pan bring about two cups of water to a boil. Begin adding the sugar to the boiling water, one cup at a time... four cups total. Stirring after each addition. The task is to totally dissolve all the sugar into the water. As you add the sugar, the longer it will take for the sugar to dissolve. Be patient... Continue to stir and boil the syrup until all of the sugar has been added and is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.
Allow the sugar syrup to cool for approximately 10 minutes, then pour it into the prepared jar. Lower the sugared string or skewer until it hangs about one inch from the bottom. Carefully place your jar in a cool place where it can sit undisturbed, away from harsh lights. Cover the top loosely with plastic wrap or paper towel.
In about two or three hours, you should start to see sugar crystals forming on the string. If after 24 hours you see no crystals, try boiling the sugar syrup again and dissolve another cup of sugar into it, then pour it back into the jar and insert the string again.
Allow the rock candy to grow until it is the size you want. Be careful, however, not to let it grow onto the sides of the jar. Once it has reached the size you want, remove it and allow it to dry for a few minutes.
What you end up with is rock candy on a string. The technique used to make various types of rock candy is to increase or decrease the amount of sugar dissolved in the syrup dissolving even more sugar into the same amount of water will result in larger crystals. A variety of taste and color may be achieved by adding a little food coloring and/or flavoring of choice.

Rocky Sanders, also known as Rocky Sweet, has been making candy at home ever since they gave him the nickname, "Hard Rock Candyman" in his 9th grade science class. Since then, he has gained a huge amount of knowledge about candy making, and has been sharing the delights of that knowledge with the world. So he'd like to share his expertise and knowledge with you, free of charge. For more great information on making candy, visit http://www.makingcandyathome.org/

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Most of us would like to eat healthier, but have trouble with breaking old habits and starting new ones. Maybe you've been eating the typical American diet for so long now, that it seems almost impossible to learn to appreciate the flavors of real food, as opposed to the highly-sugared, salty, processed food that you're accustomed to. Or maybe, you are currently a pretty healthy eater, but would like to learn a little more to "tweak" your diet. Well, read on, and you will learn how to get the most out of your diet by making the necessary changes to make the transition from unhealthy to healthy foods.

Chemicals

First and foremost, get in the habit of reading labels. Awareness is the key. Becoming aware of the chemistry in your food is one of the first steps to become healthy, and is probably one of the most important of all. When you get into the habit of reading what you are eating, it will make a big difference. Don't become overly obsessive, just become aware. If you cannot pronounce it, you shouldn't be eating it. And chances are, if there are more than 6 ingredients, it's probably a processed food. Your goal should be to eat whole foods that have no other ingredients but themselves. The flavor of whole foods will make such a difference that soon (with consistency) your taste buds won't want for anything else. You will soon find that any food that has chemicals and preservatives in it will taste medicinal and fake. When shopping in any store, whether it is your local grocery store or a health food store, remember it is best to shop the perimeter (outside aisles) as much as possible. That is where you will find most of the whole foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs, dairy, and so on. The inner aisles, with the pre-packaged foods, will do the most damage to your health.

Sugar

Refined sugar is a huge health-robber, but one of the easiest to wean yourself from because there are many treats that you can buy at a health food store that are made with "legal" sugars: raw honey, barley malt, fruit juice maple syrup, Sucanat, stevia, Rapidura, raw cane juice, and agave. These sugars have not been put through a process that removes all of the nutrients. They will give you an energy boost, but not so high that you will come crashing down 20-30 minutes later with the awful feeling a "sugar crash" gives you. I know it's hard to conceive, but if you start to eat more real-food and more earth-centered food, your cravings for sweets of any kind (even the "legal" ones) will decrease tremendously. The best way to start the weaning process is to stop buying refined sugars and sweets and bringing it into the house.

Meat

Now, everyone is not going to go for this one, and I am aware of that. But you nay-sayers please still read on, because you are bound to get something out of this section. In years past, there were very few substitutes for meat, but now you can get almost anything you want in any form or flavor that you can imagine, based on turkey, chicken, fish or soy products. These red meat/pork alternatives are so well-seasoned, at times, that you'll be convinced that you are eating the real thing. Most of the dishes we make with ground beef are really about the seasoning or condiments. If you dress up a veggie burger with goodies like tomato, onion, lettuce (other than iceberg), pickles, ketchup, and mustard, your brain will tell you that you are eating the real thing. For other ground beef dishes like meatloaf or sloppy joe, you can add your "special sauce" and other ingredients to ground turkey or texturized vegetable protein (soy protein crumbles) and fool even your biggest meat eaters. If you are trying to wean yourself and/or your family off beef and pork products and are not ready to become completely vegan, try Shelton Farms turkey and chicken products. They are preservative-free and made from free-range poultry meat. With all of the panic surrounding mad cow disease, it's good to know that you don't have to sacrafice your health for flavor anymore.

Dairy

If you make the commitment to give up dairy products, you will realize how easy it is to make many of you favorite dishes with a milk substitute. You can find healthy milk alternatives that will not only taste good, but will also make you feel better because your nose won't be stuffy, your throat won't be phlegmy, and you digestion will be greatly improved. For a milk alternative, I usually recommend Silk Soy Milk by White Wave- this is the Cadillac of all soy milks on the market. Or, if you're allergic to soy, I recommend Original Enriched Rice Dream by Imagined Foods. Both can be used in cooking and baking, but I recommend you use the unsweetened versions of either one. Also, Earth Balance Margarine is a good butter substitute because it has no hydrogenatated oils. As for cheese, Veggie Slices are great and they come in a variety of flavors (American, Swiss, Provolone, Monterey Jack). The same manufactuer of Veggie Slices brand makes shredded versions of the cheese, too. There are also substitutes for sour cream, cream cheese, and dairy creamer to replace half-and-half. And let's not forget yogurt. There are soy substitutes for that as well. Going cold turkey may be hard for some, and in that case, you may need to gradually wean yourself off dairy. Gradually decrease the dairy products you use while substituting the alternative version. You will notice that there isn't much difference, except that you will begin to feel better.

It is my hope that you have learned a lot from this issue, not only about what is written here, but about yourself and the things that you need to work on to gain better health. If it all seems overwhelming, then just start with one thing at a time. You may want to start at the top of the list, and each 2-3 weeks work your way down the list. I recommend at least 3 weeks of consistent work on each topic before moving on to the next, in order to create a habit of change. Before you know it, you will have incorporated 4 important steps into your lifestyle that can do nothing but make YOU a healthier YOU!

Christine Watson has been teaching health, wellness, and nutrition since 1992. She is a nutritionist, registered dietitian, and certified wellness coach. As the owner of Compassionate Nutritionist, LLC, Christine's goal for her clients is to help them incorporate healthy eating, wellness, and fitness into their busy lives. To learn more about the services Christine offers, go to her website at http://www.CompassionateNutritionist.com or email her at Christine@CompassionateNutritionist.com

As you know - I have been on a health kick...so today I've got some tips for making healthy food chioces to help you on your road to a better life!

You'll be pleased to discover that a hectic life doesn't mean that every meal has to be fast food on the run! Sometimes it's difficult to make healthy changes, but with a little planning and know-how, it can be done.

You already know how important it is to make healthy food choices for you and your family. But how can you fit the best choices into your busy life?

Here are some strategies to help you and your family make healthy choices:

1. Make dinner time a social experience.

Dinner should be about enjoying your company and taking pleasure in the foods you're eating.

Dinner becomes a great experience when you're able to enjoy healthy foods together. Take time to eat as a family and enjoy a real conversation with each other. Talking will naturally slow down your eating pace, while also reconnecting you with your family members.

When you begin to look at mealtime as a social experience, it becomes easier to make the right choices about healthy foods. Suddenly you aren't so worried about rushing through and making it quick.

2. Avoid temptation.

It's so easy to walk into the store with good intent, but walk out with bags full of unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, our wills are weak, especially if we've trained ourselves over the years to buy junk foods.

* Think of healthier alternatives to your family's favorite unhealthy foods. Rather than high calorie chips, try trail mixes or rice cakes. Low calorie puddings or frozen yogurts are better alternatives to higher fat ice creams.

* Never shop when you're hungry. This way you won't pick out unhealthy choices because they look good at the moment.

* Get rid of the unhealthy foods in your home. If they aren't around, you won't be tempted to eat them.

3. Eat fast and healthy meals at home.

When you're tired at the end of the day and you realize you still have to feed the family, it's easy to go to a fast food chain and throw fast food on the table. It may save some time, but it won't save your health - or your pocket book!

* Look online for quick and easy recipes made with all natural ingredients. Many recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less and only have 5 ingredients. Taking the time to do some recipe research will save your sanity in the long run. Then once you find a "hit" with the family, store the recipe in a book or on your computer.

* The great thing is that there are many easy, fast, and healthy foods you can make at home. This takes some planning, but you'll be more satisfied, save money, and be healthier as well.

* When you cook, make large batches and freeze the leftovers. This way, you'll already have meals in the freezer that you can just thaw, heat, and serve. No mess, no fuss! This is the opportune way to enjoy "fast" food at home.

4. Eat Slower.

Since the brain takes about 20 minutes to get the signal that the stomach is full, if you eat too fast you'll pack in a lot more food than you need. When you're still thinking you're hungry, it's easy to make the wrong choices about food. If you slow down while you're eating, you'll eat less and you'll still feel full.

* Set a calming mood before sitting down for a meal. Avoid having the television on or eating as you're rushing the kids out the door to another activity. Sitting calmly at the table will allow everyone to relax and enjoy their meal.

Using these techniques will bring all kinds of healthy benefits to your family and teach your children a healthy lifestyle. Healthy food choices are a possibility in your busy life if you take the time to plan ahead and make dinner time a priority in your home.

I'll keep you up to date on my health kick and the benefits I am receiving for making the effort to chooses healthy food. I would love to hear about what you are doing to improve your health and how you are going with your efforts in making healthy food choices - let me know.
Kymmy Link is a Personal Development Author and Enthusiast, who loves sharing education and experience with people looking for answers! Visit http://CompletePersonalDevelopment.com for quality information, Free self help ebooks, audios and downloads. Signup on site for a Free Personal Development and Motivational ecourse that comes with several Best Selling books as a great gift to You!

One common mistake that people make is waiting until the last minute to make their appetizers. What you might not know is there are a number of make ahead appetizers that can be created that will save you time and will give the appearance that you were in the kitchen all day making these delicious recipes. Something you do need to consider is that when you are preparing these dishes, you will need to note the length of time that they require to sit if they are chilled to ensure the best possible flavor.

Many times when you have the make ahead appetizers that are available, you will find that they offer a simple base to the dish with a series of different spices to give them flavor. Some common choices you will find include items like deviled eggs and even salsa. They are good when they are served last minute in a pinch, but they will have an even better flavor if you take your time to explore the options you have with them in advance.

It is important that as you make your selections for an event that you verify there is enough room in your refrigerator. Be sure you can securely place each dish in here and then pull it out without creating a mess in the process. If you find that this is a problem, you will want to consider some different options instead. Just be sure you take a few moments to consider all your different options as well. Many times, you will find that these dishes may not be as simple as you would like them to be. Pay close attention to the directions and determine if the dish you are making is going to be one that you end up enjoying at the same time.

Above all, do not be afraid to make several versions of one item in advance. This will give you the chance to explore the different flavors available and can help you to determine which one you think your guests will enjoy more and at the same time will leave you having more time to spend with your guests as well. This can be an important thing to consider when you do not want to spend half the night serving food instead of socializing.

Remember that while your choices might seem limited at first, if you browse through all the different make ahead appetizers you find there is going to be one that really stands out. Be sure you take your time and never just assume a recipe is going to be perfect either. Many times you will need to make adjustments and taste the dish to ensure that it turns out perfect in the process.

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Summertime is grilling season. The warm weather just seems to bring out the charcoal, the grills and the tantalizing aroma of food cooking to perfection on an open flame. But grilling is an art style and creating the perfect burger can be the Holy Grail for anyone who considers themselves a master griller.

There are a few tips and tricks that can be used when trying to produce the best possible burger. First of all you want to start with a prime cut of meat. Hamburger is not all created equal. The freshest meat that you can find is the best and you will want to lean towards ground Angus steak vs. ground chuck. The reasoning behind this is twofold. Not only will you have less fat and burger shrinkage but also that ground Angus steak has a much better flavor than ground chuck.

You also need to pay strict attention to the seasonings that you put into your burgers. The combination of spices is imperative to the flavoring of your burger. Many people go way beyond the typical salt, pepper and onion mix. Ranch dressing mixes have become increasingly popular in seasoning your burger. Some people choose steak seasonings to further bring out the Angus flavor. Some even choose blackening spices to give your burger that extra bite to make things a bit interesting. This is a personal preference in flavor and the perfect mixture can be obtained only by trial and error.

When forming your burgers you will want to add something to the mix to help your burgers hold together. Egg is a great binder for burgers. This will prevent your burgers from splitting while turning on the grill. Breadcrumbs are also effective and seasoned bread crumbs can also add just an extra hint of flavor to your perfect burger.

You also are going to want to experiment beyond the flattened balls to make a great burger. There are many inexpensive devices that can create wonderful burgers. These patty formers have rings that are pressed into the burgers themselves in order to retain the juices and therefore the flavor of the burgers. By choosing to use one of these, you will ensure that you will have the juiciest burgers in town.

Next comes the grilling. Grilling is considered an art form too many, but the key to perfecting a burger, and almost everything else on the grill for that matter is to cook it slowly and turn often. By applying a low even heat to your burgers, you will not scorch the outsides while the insides stay raw. The entire burger will cook evenly and thoroughly. One other aspect to mention is not to over cook the burgers themselves. Burgers taste best at medium well. This allows for the meet to be cooked completely but still retain the juiciness that you desire.

The quest for a perfect burger may take a lot of trial and error. But by taking care to use the tips and tricks that you are given will help you to get the very best burger sooner than you ever thought possible.

Michelle just had basically no concept just what exactly a crock pot was basically before her close friend invited her home for an evening meal 1 evening. Sarah agreed to, assuming they'd possibly be having leftovers or take-out Chinese. Instead, they received a tasty slow cooker chicken recipes, which had been gradually cooking away all day when both the young women had been to work.

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