Maggie is from Beijing but now based in Austin. To be honest, I really enjoy reading her blog posts. I've chanced upon her blog because I was thinking about how similar the Hungarian Beigli is to the Chinese Mooncakes. I must really say her write-up about the making of mooncakes impressed me a lot! There is a 'chemistry lesson' within where I learn about making a homemade 'baked baking soda' alkaline solution (kansui/lye water)
INTERVIEW: Anna Knishevitskiy is a Jewish refugee from Ukraine who came to America 19 years ago. She invented patented and trademarked the world’s first easy-open thermometer case - Caremometer. We have conducted an interview with her.
Where are you originally from and what is your educational background?
My name is Anna Knishevitskiy - I am a Jewish refugee from Ukraine who came to America 19 years ago. I had a Bachelor degree in electrical engineering but I always wanted to study restaurant business and food safety, so I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from NY City Technical College. It was not an easy task studying with a language barrier, raising a toddler, and working two jobs but I managed. Being the proud recipient of James Beard Foundation Scholarship helped immensely and I graduated summa cum laude.
How did you start on Food Safety invention? What did you discover?
I worked as a Food Service Manager for NY Board of Education and Beth Israel Hospital for a combined 15 years and every day I observed cooks under my supervision potentially contaminate their pocket thermometers by forgetting to sanitize the probe before inserting into the case. This unfortunate reality was disturbing to me since it jeopardized children’s and patient’s lives -people with weak immune systems.
According to the CDC every year millions of people in the United States become ill from food-borne bacteria - of these, up to 5,000 people die. So, I invented patented and trademarked the name Caremometer – world’s first easy-open thermometer case.
What can Caremometer do and why is its design so unique for its function?
The innovative design will greatly reduce the risk and incidence of food poisonings caused by cross-contamination in any kitchen. By simply opening this case the user can easily examine, clean and sanitize the internal surfaces. Other thermometer cases do not open, creating a buildup of food particles that can capture and grow dangerous bacteria. In this situation, people can become tainted with potentially deadly bacteria that travels from the thermometer to their food.
Caremometer is designed to reduce cross-contamination, and it also has other benefits. The lightweight case can be used with various thermometers, and it can even be adapted to suit thermometers in other fields, such as medicine and science. The Caremometer can save consumers and industry costs associated with food poisoning.
How challenging was it for you at the beginning of your journey in food safety invention?
In June 2014 I got into a major car accident that left me temporarily disabled and jobless. It was a dark and scary time for me, but not first time rebuilding my life from zero and learning how to walk step by step. Suddenly I realized that this was my chance to dedicate myself to my invention and food safety. So I decided to become an entrepreneur. I had no idea how or where to start, but thankfully, I had the tremendous support of my son and husband who helped and learned every step of entrepreneurship with me.
I found a factory to manufacture the mold then mass-produced it for sale. I designed the packaging, built a website, made promotional videos, brochures, business cards and created social media accounts. I met with Food Network chefs and Terry French tweeted “Simply genius, hands down best kitchen equipment design I’ve seen in years” and I received postcards from chefs Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis who were amazed by my “brilliant innovation” and wished me luck. At present, my company is only several months old but my product can be purchased at www.caremometer.com or on EBAY and Amazon.
How did you come up with your company name? What is one favorite quote that guides you to your success?
The name ‘CAREmometer’ was easy to come up with - we truly care about this industry and its consumers! My favorite quote is - "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney
8:52 PM
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Made these Takoyaki today, but with chicken drums meat. It was very delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
Makes about 20-25 pieces
Tako (Octopus)
Green Onions
Benishoga (Red Pickled Ginger)
To Make Takoyaki Batter:
1 Medium Size Egg
1 cup Flour
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tbsp Dashi
270 mL Water
1 tbsp Mirin
Pinch of Salt
Optional Toppings:
Takoyaki Sauce or Okonomiyaki Sauce
Aonori (Green Dried Seaweed)
Katsuobushi (Dried Bonito Flakes)
Procedures:
In a large bowl, mix well Dashi, eggs, soy sauce, salt, and flour with a whisk.
Heat a Takoyaki pan with oil to very hot, just until the oil begins to smoke. Use enough oil to coat the pan using a paper towel so that the batter won't stick. Then pour batter to fill the holes of the pan.
Drop octopus (chicken) pieces in the batter in each hole, and sprinkle chopped green onions and ginger all over the pan.
Cook at medium heat for 1-2 minutes and turn over using a Takoyaki turner (you can use a skewer). Cook another 3-4 minutes, turning constantly.
Place the cooked Takoyaki on a plate and pour Takoyaki sauce and mayo over them (to taste). Finish the dish by sprinkling the Takoyaki with Aonori (green dried seaweed) and Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes).
9:29 AM
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Here is a super quick healthy Kidney Beans Salad Recipe that is put together with a brilliant Honey Mustard Salad Dressing.
10:15 PM
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3:02 AM
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Beautifully tender chicken with Albanian Salami on skewers forming a delicious combination of textures complimented with spicy and smokey flavours. A perfect quick dish for the BBQ or grill.
5:32 AM
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Quinoa is a gluten-free, high(er) protein, clean-eating pantry staple.
11:32 AM
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Delicious examples of Danish smorrebrod "Smørrebrød". These open face sandwiches are a cornerstone of the Danish diet and one of the most traditional Danish foods you'll find. These fancy examples of modern Smørrebrød were prepared at Utzon Restaurant in Aalborg.
10:40 AM
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How to Make Mango Panna Cotta
3:59 AM
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Originally uploaded by zannnielim
Ingredients:
Cauliflower, cocktail tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, crabmeat, lettuce, cheddar cheese, onions, red bell pepper, capsicum, beetroot
Dressing:
mayonnaise, pepper, salt, lime juice, parsley
5:55 PM
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Cucumber Salad Recipe
Prep time
Wait time
Total time
Cucumber Salad go with just about any meal. They're not just for stews.
Author: ©Deelish Recipes | Zannnie
Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup water
- pinch of paprika powder (garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber.
- In a large bowl, add minced garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt and water.
- Add sliced cucumber and keep it beneath the mixture overnight in the refrigerator.
- Before serving, top with sour cream and sprinkle a pinch of paprika powder.
12:01 PM
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Relishing a mug of coffee in the morning can be refreshing. Brewing the morning coffee on the coffee maker is an excellent skill. Coffee has its load of goodies for the body. The same coffee can be fatal.
Everything should always be taken in moderation. When simple things are abused, they become poisonous. Let's have a look at the advantages and the disadvantages of the morning cup of coffee.
Advantages of the Morning Coffee
Alertness
The most obvious advantage is that coffee keeps one alert. This reason is precisely why most people will not step foot outside their homes without a cup of coffee. A study by EFSA revealed that caffeine increases both sustained attention and selective attention. If you are taking that driving test and you need to keep your eyes on the road, or you need to stay awake during that boring lecture, a cup of coffee is your best bet. You are almost guaranteed of full attention.
What the caffeine does in your body is to increase adrenaline production which in turn boosts your energy levels. Caffeine causes a blockage in the receptors for adenosine. This chemical is responsible for regulating your sleep patterns.
Reduces cancer risk
Your morning cup of coffee could reduce the risk of liver cancer by half. Recent studies have linked coffee to the decrease in the progression and recurrence of prostate cancer. Caffeine works by enhancing the death of cancer cells. The result is a reduction in the progression of cancer.
If you have a problem with caffeine, decaffeinated coffee also contains the cancer-fighting effects. Coffee contains natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These elements act as inhibitors for the growth of cancer cells.
The anti-cancer properties have been found in people who drank more than four cups of coffee. It is okay to partake in that cup of coffee in the morning plus much more throughout the day without any feelings of guilt.
Weight loss
Many people who struggle with weight will welcome the weight loss benefits of coffee. Caffeine stimulates the body to burn fat in the fat stores. This prompt prevents the burning of carbohydrates. Fat burning results to weight loss and the general body health.
Caffeine in coffee improves your physical performance in endurance workouts like running. A run after a hot cup of coffee in the morning could make a significant difference in your fitness journey.
Black coffee does not contain calories when the sugar and cream are left out. According to a 2012 study by Food & Function, caffeine increased thermogenesis, a process of burning calories in the body.
Disadvantages of the Morning Coffee
Acid Reflux
Have you ever experienced heartburn after taking your morning cup of coffee? This is one of the effects of coffee intake. Coffee has been found to irritate the esophageal sphincter.
This muscle is made to remain naturally tight. When coffee intake relaxes the esophageal sphincter, the stomach contents flow back up causing the acid reflux. Before you brew that morning addiction, think about the sour taste that might follow in your mouth.
HCL
Almost all morning coffee drinkers take their first cup on an empty stomach. This habit could cause severe irritation to your stomach. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, an acid that aids in digestion. This acid is produced when food reaches the stomach.
When coffee is taken on an empty stomach, the acid is produced, ready for digestion. There is little or no digestion of coffee. The elevated levels of the acid irritate the lining of the stomach. The results are stomach ulcers, IBS, and GERD.
It is advisable to take a snack before downing that cup of coffee. The hydrochloric acid will have plenty to do with the snack.
Elevated Peristalsis
Peristalsis is the constriction and the relaxation of the intestinal muscles. These movements propel the stomach contents towards the colon, and the result is a trip to the bathroom.
The stimulation of the intestinal muscles increases with coffee intake. The result is incomplete digestion and less absorption of essential minerals in the small intestines.
The natural process of peristalsis happens when digestion is complete, and the excretion process is ready to begin. Some people have used coffee as a laxative because of the effects mentioned above. The abnormal peristalsis may result to loose stools as the colon has little time to absorb more liquid.
Coffee has great taste and smell. Weigh the advantages and the disadvantages of coffee and make a decision before you give up and toss your coffee maker in the trash. Moderate the intake of coffee is important.
If your body has rejected the morning cup of Joe, do not force it. There are other healthier options out there. Extra care should be taken by pregnant women and people under medication when taking coffee. The coffee contents could reduce the drug absorption into the body.
Jeanne McDonald is the founder/main editor of YourDiningCenter.com – a great website with Tips, Guides and Reviews to help people who have passion in Coffee, Foods, Drinks and Cooking. Follow us on Twitter
1:05 AM
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