Archives for February 2016

Do you feel like you don’t ever have time to make things from scratch at home? You probably have a lot of jars and cans in your kitchen, which are so convenient to open and use. But do you know what’s in them? Even supposedly healthy foods can be not so healthy when you buy them from the store. They can contain preservatives, added sugar or other ingredients you might not expect. It’s not that they’re going to kill you, but they aren’t as healthy as they could be. Making these products at home could save you money and make them healthier. You’ll need a bit of spare time, but they can still be quick and simple.

Credit: Jessica Merz

Nut Butter and Nut Milk

Alternatives to dairy products have grown in popularity in recent years. Some people use them because of a food intolerance and some because of a dietary preference. Some people just like them and enjoy experimenting. One of the things you can find on the market is nut milks, such as almond or hazelnut milk. You can easily make these at home, as well as nut butter, including peanut butter. To make nut milk you need to soak nuts overnight and strain them through a muslin cloth. Nut butters are as easy as putting roasted nuts and a little oil through a food processor. You can add salt, sugar, honey or even cocoa too.

Credit: Craig Dugas

Dips

Dips are great to have with fruit, crackers, chips, and other snacks. Dishes like hummus, guacamole, and salsa are so easy to make at home. To make hummus super simple, you can get hummus recipe kits. The chickpea-based dip is so tasty if you make it at home. Both guacamole and salsa are cheaper to make at home instead of buying. Plus, you have the bonus of being about to make it how you like it. If it you like it spicier, salty or even sweet, you can control the flavor. And everything will be as fresh as you can get it.

Credit: Ian Brown

Cheese

You might think that making cheese isn’t something that’s possible to do on a small scale at home. But soft cheeses are actually simple to achieve. Two of the types you can try are ricotta and mozzarella. You could also have a go at making paneer, which is used a lot in Indian and other South Asian cuisines. If you’re not sure how to get started with these cheeses, buy a cheese making kit. Once you’ve done your first bath, it will be easy to do it on your own.

Credit: poppet with a camera

Condiments and Preserves

A lot of the things in our pantries are condiments and preserves that are so easy to make ourselves. For example, mayonnaise can take a matter of seconds to whip up. Things like mustard, jam and pickles take longer, but they can be so easy. The great thing about a lot of preserves is you can make big batches. Once you’ve sealed your food in sterilized jars or bottles, they can keep for months.

Making your own food at home can save you plenty of money, even if it doesn’t save you time. Try these foods to stock your kitchen with healthier dishes.

Suspecting a loved one of being an alcoholic can be a scary and upsetting revelation. There could be a number of reasons why this conclusion has become apparent. Maybe he or she has been stealing to fund their addiction or find any excuse to go out drinking. Maybe they spend their evenings drinking alone to hide their problems from their loved ones. Whatever the reason for such a cause for concern,  something needs to change. Here are three tell-tale signs that will confirm all suspicions and get them the best help available to recover from their alcoholism.

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They suffer from regular blackout

A significant sign that your loved one is drinking too much is if they suffer from frequent blackouts. Blacking out means that a person is unable to recall the events leading up to them waking up and is a very scary situation to be in. For addicts, this is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. If this is a regular occurrence and they are often found in strange and unsafe locations, this should be a huge red flag. This clearly someone who is unable to control the amount they drink and they need help from a rehabilitation centre. To gain some useful insight they can learn more on this page about a typical day at one of these establishments. This may convince them on the benefits of rehab and how the counselors can help them deal with their issues.

They neglect all of their responsibilities

If a person starts to neglect their responsibilities at home or work, it should be relatively easy to tell. They might miss work or college regularly due to their hangovers and become disinterested with their children. When they are passed out, they are unable to do chores or maintain healthy relationships with those around them. If this is becoming worse over time, it’s time to try discussing their alcohol dependency with them and how it is affecting their family. To learn how to talk in positive and supportive manner, take a look at this page.

They frequently lie about how much they drink

Lying is a common trait with those suffering from alcohol addiction. So if your loved one is constantly lying about how much they drink, alarm bells should be ringing. This is a more difficult sign to spot as many alcoholics become excellent at concealing their issues. Some will even make a joke about how much they drink to throw their family member off the scent. Hiding the severity of their problem could be due to embarrassment or being in denial. Rehab and Residential treatment facilities are equipped to deal with addicts who are in denial. So if there is evidence of mistruths and lies, it’s time to start talking and seeking help.

Alcoholism is a growing problem and the sooner they seek help for their addictions the better. It is not something that will go away with time and it will most likely be the hardest thing they have ever had to overcome. So keep an eye out for these signs in particular and offer support to assist them in seeking treatment as soon as possible.