Why people participate in Veganuary?

There are many reasons why people choose to participate in Veganuary and follow a vegan diet. Some people do it for animal welfare reasons, as a way to reduce their impact on the environment, or for health reasons. A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. Some people choose to follow a vegan diet because they believe it is more humane to animals, as it does not involve the exploitation and mistreatment of animals that is often associated with animal agriculture. Others follow a vegan diet because of the environmental benefits, as animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Some people also follow a vegan diet for health reasons, as a plant-based diet can be high in nutrients and low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

What is a vegan diet?

There are many reasons why people choose to follow a vegan diet. One of the main motivations is ethical concerns about animal welfare. Many vegans believe that it is wrong to exploit and kill animals for food, clothing, or other purposes, and that a vegan lifestyle is more humane. Veganism can also have environmental benefits, as animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. A vegan diet can also be healthy, as it can be high in nutrients and low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Adopting a vegan diet can be a significant change, and it can take time to learn about vegan nutrition and how to meet your nutrient needs on a plant-based diet. It is important to plan your meals carefully and include a variety of plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds, as well as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It can also be helpful to seek guidance from a registered dietitian or a healthcare professional with experience in vegan nutrition.

There are many resources available to help people transition to a vegan diet, including recipe ideas, meal plans, and tips for shopping and cooking. Veganuary is a campaign that encourages people to try veganism for the month of January, and it provides a range of resources to support people in making the transition.

While following a vegan diet can have many benefits, it is important to be aware that it can also pose some challenges. For example, it can be more difficult to get certain nutrients on a vegan diet, such as vitamin B12, which is found almost exclusively in animal products. It is important for vegans to pay attention to their nutrient intake and consider supplementing their diet as needed. It is also important to be aware that vegan diets may not be suitable for everyone, particularly for young children, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. It is always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

Let’s get more veggies not our life.

In conclusion, Veganuary is a campaign that encourages people to try veganism for the month of January. Veganism is a lifestyle and dietary choice that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. There are many reasons why people choose to follow a vegan diet, including ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental benefits, and health benefits. Adopting a vegan diet can be a significant change, and it is important to plan your meals carefully and seek guidance from a registered dietitian or healthcare professional with experience in vegan nutrition. While following a vegan diet can have many benefits, it is important to be aware of the potential challenges and to speak with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

In recent years, the original cuisine of Italy has become one of the most popular and desired cuisines around the world. Many countries have opened numerous restaurants and cafes, cozy trattorias with a homely atmosphere, pizzerias and other bars offering original Italian dishes and drinks.

Diverse Italian cuisine means the originality and individual character of the dishes, the preparation of which requires the use of fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fruit and olive oil. All this in combination with a reasonable amount of wine contributes to maintaining good health, because the basis of Italian nutrition is only healthy food. It is precisely thanks to a healthy diet, poor in fast food, that Italians are much less overweight than other European nations. Moreover, Italians do not like carbonated drinks and they are not willing to ignore eating fruits or vegetables, as happens in American cuisine, for example.

What is the secret of Italian dishes?

Traditional Italian cuisine is a real treasure and every treat is a kind of ritual aimed at communicating with friends and family. Italian national dishes are considered one of the healthiest and lightest dishes, so if we start a trip to this beautiful country, we don’t have to worry about excess kilograms. Italian dishes are always freshly served in every restaurant, because Italians consider it bad manners to prepare dishes from frozen fish or to serve stale bread.

Aperitivo italiano

Of course we start with the aperitivo – in Italy this is more than just an appetizing drink before a meal. Italians love life, and that is exactly what is celebrated with the aperitivo. It’s part of the Italian lifestyle to meet up in the squares in front of the bars after a day’s work and enjoy refreshing, light drinks like wine or Campari. In addition, small appetizers are eaten and the end of the day and dinner are heralded with relaxed conversations in the sunset.

Pasta Pasta!

The Italian national dish is the noodle, which is indispensable in any kitchen. Italians usually eat pasta as “primo piatto”, as the first course before the main course. Linguine or Farfalle are well known, but do you also know Strozzapreti or Lumaconi? There are a total of several hundred types of pasta! A wonderful pasta dish, for example, is “pasta alla norma”. The Sicilian recipe is prepared with macaroni, aubergines and feta cheese, together with sun-ripened tomatoes and plenty of basil. The colors of the ingredients (white, red, green, black) are said to reflect the colors of the Italian flag, and the black of the aubergine and the white of the ricotta are symbolic of the lava and snow-covered slopes of the Etna volcano.

Rolled and shaped

Malfatti and gnocchi are the Italian answer to dumplings and gnocchi. Even if Malfatti literally translated from Italian means “failed”, they taste delicious. They are ricotta and spinach dumplings with parmesan and nutmeg, which are best lovingly hand-rolled like the Italian grandmother used to make them. Freshly lifted from the boiling salt water and tossed in sage butter, they are enjoyed with the whole family.

Italian table culture

Did you know that Italians only have a sparse breakfast, but that lunch and dinner are celebrated extensively? Conviviality and enjoyment are inseparable in Italy. A cozy “cena” (dinner) often lasts over two hours! It often consists of four courses, from antipasti to dolce (dessert). Incidentally, in Italy, desserts can be really sweet and luscious, such as the “Zuppa inglese”. Here biscuit meets liqueur, vanilla cream, candied fruit and chocolate. In addition, freshly brewed espresso and grappa are drunk as a digestivo. Also typical at the Italian dining table: white bread, which is served with every meal, and beautiful cloth napkins!

Specialties from Italy

When you think of Italian gourmet products, you want to get in the car right away and start a tour of bella Italia! In the northeast lies the Prosecco region – the origin of the popular sparkling wine. Further east, in the Po Valley, Parmesan is made and aged for at least 9 months. Olive cultivation begins further south in Liguria, extending into the toe of the boot in Calabria. The variety of varieties is great, as is the range of pleasures: have you ever tried olives with garlic, thyme or rosemary? In Sicilian style, lemon, mint and chili are even added to the olives before they are served! Back in central Italy, of course, Neapolitan salami should not be missing in the gourmet package. It is very spicy and even slightly hot – perfect on the antipasti plate.

What vegetables are available in March?

Strawberries, raspberries and green asparagus – at temperatures just above zero, these foods are already in the supermarkets. But the fact that they cannot be outstanding in terms of taste. Not to mention the life cycle assessment.

The mutuality of green tea and black tea

Both green tea and black tea are made from the same plant. The basis of both are the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, which grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. The best-known regions for tea cultivation are located in Asia. The different types of tea are created by the different further processing of the leaf material and then let them become either green tea or black tea.

The differences between green tea and black tea

The differences between the two types of tea begin shortly after picking. With green tea, the leaves are usually processed directly in the tea gardens after harvesting. The leaves are steamed so that oxidation is prevented by the heat and thus the typical green color of the leaves is preserved. With black tea, on the other hand, the leaves in the tea garden are rolled up and crushed by a machine. As a result, the cell walls within the leaves break open and cell juice is released. Subsequently, in moist warm air, the fermentation or oxidation process begins. The escaping juices react with the air and the black tea acquires its characteristic dark color and its typical, tart aroma.

The right preparation

It is important that both, during preparation, pay attention to the right water temperature, as this affects the taste result. For black and green tea, the ideal infusion temperature is around 100 degrees Celsius. In addition, it is generally true that the tea – both green tea and black tea – is tart in taste the longer it steeps. If the tea should taste milder, it must therefore not steep too long.

The influence of water quality on taste

In addition to the quality of the tea leaves, the quality of the water also has a significant influence on the taste of the tea. The harder the water used, i.e. the more lime it contains, the more bitter the taste becomes.

Green tea and black tea – support for losing weight

For a healthy lifestyle, not only nutrition is important, but also adequate hydration. This should be as low in calories as possible. So if you do not want to drink only water, you will find an ideal change in black and green tea. In addition to the fact that tea contains no calories – as long as neither sugar nor milk is added, green and black teas also have a stimulating effect, which can promote the desire for exercise and thus also contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

The top tips for your next party

The invitation

In the run-up to the party, it is important to inform the guests comprehensively. Send your invitation by post, e-mail or Whatsapp early. Leave no question unanswered: The invitation should include your exact address, date, time, dress code and occasion.

At the beginning of the celebration

If it is not a dinner with your closest circle of friends, introduce the guests to each other as soon as they arrive. The introduction of the guests is the task of the host and facilitates the making of new contacts.

The seating arrangement

The seating of the guests is also the responsibility of the host: He is familiar with all those present and can thus assess personalities. By a sensible seating arrangement, group formation can be avoided. Interesting mix and good communication is what it’s all about.

During the evening

The linchpin of every celebration is the common meal. For this, check upfront any food intolerances and dietary style of the guests. Despite different dishes, meals should be served at the same time. To give his guests full attention, the host should prepare as much as possible before and at the beginning of the meal. Less time in the kitchen during the event means more time with the guests.

The best souvenirs for the host

As a guest, you want to express your appreciation for the efforts of the host. Make him a little happy with a souvenir! Consider the occasion of the event: At a glamorous dinner party, you will convince with high-quality bar accessories – a cocktail shaker, cocktail glasses, coasters or a corkscrew. These can be used right away!

For an evening among friends, entertaining board games or decorative items are suitable – after all, the taste of the host is well known to you. A hostess will be happy about a beautiful scented candle, a cuddly plaid or a hand-painted decorative vase. A host will be happy about a nice whiskey set or useful items such as storage boxes, a laptop sleeve, or earplugs.

With these host tips, your party will be a success for guests as well as for yourself! In a beautiful environment, your guests will feel comfortable – but the most important thing is the mood and the memories that remain!

1. Pots and pans: You don’t just want to eat cold food. A selection of pots and pans is part of the initial equipment in every kitchen. Oft they are offered in a large set. But as long as you have two small and two large pots as well as a frying pan in the kitchen cabinet, you are well equipped. So that you do not burn yourself or your table, potholders and pot coasters are also a must.
2. The cutlery set: You have cooked and now want to dine in style? Then a nice cutlery set should not be missing! This should consist of four to six copies with knife, fork, soup spoon, teaspoon, and a cake fork.
3. Which knives you absolutely need: Essential when preparing: Minimum a sharp knife. Over time , you can expand your knife repertoire with a small chef’s knife, a vegetable knife and a bread knife. Whether you are a novice chef or a kitchen professional: Since these are often in use, it is worth investing a little more in their selection. Of course, you also need the right base for cooking – a cutting board is also part of the kitchen equipment!
4. The dishes: In the morning at breakfast as well as in the evening at dinner, serve your food & drinks in and on the matching dishes. For the snack in the evening it is the smaller breakfast plate, for soups the bulbous soup plate and for the main meal a flat large plate. Are you a muesli fan? Then you should not forget small bowls on your shopping list. For all coffee and tea lovers, the following applies: Coffee cups or cups are also part of the basic equipment in the kitchen.
5. Glasses: Drinking glasses are an absolute must. You can also have more of these – we recommend at least six to nine. If necessary, you can then supplement the kitchen equipment with wine, champagne or shot glasses.
6. Electrical appliances: The selection of electronic kitchen appliances is huge. Which one you choose always depends on your habitsand needs. But the most common are toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, kettles, blenders, and hand blenders.
7. Cleaning: To keep your kitchen nice and clean, the right cleaning aids and cleaning agents should not be missing. Especially if you do not have a dishwasher, you should not do without rags, sponges and dishwashing brushes. Tea towels are practical for quickly drying dishes or wet surfaces. And kitchen paper and garbage bags should also be part of your basic kitchen equipment.

Other utensils

The basic kitchen equipment includes pan turners. These prevent nasty scratches in your coated pan and make it easier to fry without burning. The bottle opener (preferably with corkscrew) and the can opener are also used again and again. In  order  to be able to peel your vegetables and fruits more easily, a paring knife or peeler is essential – this saves you an incredible amount of time when cooking. Which also proves to be very useful:

• Wooden spoon
• A sieve
• Kitchen scissors
• A grater
• Salad bowl(s)
• A bread box
• A rolling pin
• Aluminium and cling film

For baking enthusiasts – this is what you need in a kitchen equipment

At least to put traditional recipes into practice, you need a certain basic equipment for baking. A basic is the mixing bowl – in it dough, fillings and topping are prepared. For the cake dough you also need a measuring cup with different measuring scales to portion sugar, flour but also liquids such as milk. Or you can use a kitchen scale for it. No cake without a whisk: To stir the dough or the pour, or to make a pudding, this is essential. And then, of course, the right baking pans should not be missing. Among the most common are the baking lick, the springform pan, the casserole dish and the box pan. You  then serve the  finished result stylishly on an etagere or a cake plate.