A wok is one of the most multifunctional kitchen utensils you may know. It can be fried, steamed and deep-fried with the least amount of oil possible.

This is a kitchen appliance that is popularly known for making Chinese dishes. And sure enough, you can invest in a wok to make Chinese and other dishes.

Currently, a carbon steel wok is gradually becoming a popular choice because it can spread heat evenly and extremely durable.

However, how do you choose a best flat bottom carbon steel wok without much experience?

Don’t worry, refer to some of the criteria we have summarized below:

#1 Size

Size is one of the characteristics that you should consider before buying a wok. The size of wok depends on the frequency of use, personal preferences and the type of food you can make with wok.

If you use wok for commercial kitchens, a large wok is a good choice. If you’re using a home kitchen, a small or medium-sized wok is a good choice.

#2 Non-stick

The non-stick layer is one of the factors that helps food not stick on the wok. You should choose a wok with non-stick layer to make your cooking easier.

#3 Handle

The handle of the wok is a part that you can easily adjust when cooking and is the part that keeps your hands from burns. Therefore, it should be firmly fixed with wok so as not to cause any accident.

Nowadays wok has improved the handle compared to traditional Chinese wok. It is designed with a longer handle, making it shaped like a pan.

You should choose the solid handle, which comes with a small handle on the opposite side to be easily moved.

#4 Lid

A wok with lid will make your cooking process a lot easier. There are many dishes that need to be cooked under low heat and need the help of a lid.

Therefore, you should choose woks with lid to optimize the function of this kitchen appliance.

These days, more and more people are recognizing the benefits of alternative medicines. Peppermint oil is one such growing trend but what is peppermint oil, what is peppermint oil good for, and how much peppermint oil is too much? Read on, for a crash course in what peppermint oil has to offer.

What is peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is a cross between spearmint and water mint. Simply put, peppermint oil is the extracted nutrients and fluids of the peppermint plant. It is often used as a flavoring in food and drinks but also has a range of medicinal benefits from aiding a sore throat to easing indigestion and even having benefits for things like irritable bowel syndrome. Some people also find it helps ease headaches and sore skin although more studies are needed to understand this better.

How can I use peppermint oil?

So how do you use peppermint oil to reap the rewards? Here, we outline 5 ways to use peppermint oil.

#1 To ease a sore throat

Peppermint oil can be gargled with hot water to ease a sore throat but don’t swallow the mix of 3 drops and 1/2 a cup of water. Rubbing it onto the affected area can also be beneficial.

#2 To clear congestion

For respiratory relief, you can rub it into your palms and deeply inhale. For a more intense method of decongestion add 5-7 drops to a bowl of steaming water. Breathe in over the bowl with your head covered by a towel to maximize the effect.

#3 For indigestion

Adding a drop or two to your favorite hot drink can help ease indigestion or the effects of irritable bowel syndrome.

#4 For dry skin

Some people find peppermint oil mixed with water can be applied to cracked or dry skin to relieve irritation.

#5 To soothe a headache

You can help ease a headache by rubbing peppermint oil into your temples gently. Be careful to keep it away from the eye.

How to use peppermint essential oil for hair

Peppermint oil can promote hair growth and improve thickness and volume. One cause of this is driven more the cold tingling feel you sometimes get with menthol and mint products. This effect actually draws blood to the area, helping to promote follicle growth. Just mix 2-3 drops of your favorite peppermint essential oil into enough olive or coconut oil to cover your hair. Once mixed together, apply this to your hair and massage the scalp as you would with shampoo. Give it at least 5 minutes before washing out for better effects.

How much peppermint oil is toxic?

As mentioned above, when using peppermint oil to gargle, it is best not to swallow the mixture as too much can potentially be toxic and even fatal. However, small amounts can be beneficial for certain conditions, such as IBS. Adults should take no more than 0.2-0.4 mL of peppermint oil 3 times a day. For children or anybody weighing less than 45 kilograms, no more than 0.1 mL should be ingested 3 times daily.

Read more:

• How to Cook Frozen Tamales in Several Ways?
• How to Eat Jackfruit? Just Follow These Simple Steps!
• Out of the Blue Facts: How to Make Yourself Fart?

When it comes to eating healthily it isn’t as hard as you might think. With a few small changes and a fresh outlook on cooking, you can prepare healthy meals that not only taste good but are beneficial for your health and well-being also. In this post, we take you through some top tips on how to prepare healthy meals as well as giving some ideas for that most important meal of the day – breakfast.

How to make your meals healthier

Eating healthy foods certainly does not mean sacrificing on the flavor, in fact, you may find that when you start to cook healthy food your meals actually taste even better! Through following these health-boosting tips this is a great place to start.

#1 Be creative with your proteins

Eating healthily doesn’t mean cutting out meat from your diet, rather think about introducing some different proteins as an alternative to meat to give you a more balanced diet. Vegetarian proteins such as tofu, chickpeas, lentils, etc. make for some delicious and filling alternatives.

#2 Keep the salt down low

Being mindful of the salt you use to flavor your meals is important when it comes to preparing healthy meals. Alternatives to salt such as spices, herbs, pepper, and even lemon juice can be used if a recipe indicates that a hefty quantity of salt is required.

#3 Look for whole-grain alternatives

If you love pasta and bread a good way of making these choices a little healthier is by choosing wholemeal versions instead. Look out for things like brown rice also and other whole-grain foods such as quinoa, oats, barley, and millet which can make nice side dishes or accompaniments to soups, stews, and salads.

#4 Make it yourself

One of the key ways of eating healthy food is to prepare your meals yourself. This way you know exactly what is going in them. Of course, this isn’t possible for everyone, but making a food plan when you have the time and even pre-preparing food and popping it in the freezer is a great way to have healthy food to hand when you’re busy. Here are some ideas on how to prepare healthy meals.

How to make a healthy breakfast smoothie

Having a smoothie for breakfast is a quick and healthy way to start the day. If you’ve ever wondered ‘how much is a smoothie?’ then wonder no more as we show you a way of making a cheap yet healthy breakfast smoothie yourself.

Blueberry & Kale Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients: Blueberries, Kale, Almond Milk, Honey

Blueberries are an excellent antioxidant and are also high in fiber and Vitamin C. Paired with iron packed kale this is sure to give you the health boost you need when you wake up. The only preparation needed for this breakfast smoothie is to tear the kale leaves from their tough stalks. Once this is done throw all of the ingredients into the blender and blitz it. If you prefer a slightly creamier breakfast smoothie try adding your yogurt of choice rather than the almond milk. And if you want to reduce the sweetness you can leave out the honey. All that is left to do is drink it!

With a few adjustments to how you cook and eat it can be easy to prepare healthy meals for you and all of your family.

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• Best Starret Knife(Review 2019) – The Complete List 12 types of Starret Knife
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• Out of the Blue Facts: How to Make Yourself Fart?

CELEBRATE FOOD AT ITS SOURCE.

We invite you to enjoy an evening of fine dining in the fields at our Plated Landscape Dinners, Northeast Ohio’s first and finest farm-to-table dining experience. Imagine linen-draped tables among forests overlooking the sunset. Five-courses, expertly paired with wines, featuring ingredients that you may have picked yourself.

With this exclusive traveling restaurant concept, our incredible chefs are given full creative license with the best ingredients each farm has to offer.

Seats are $150/each ($125 for F&B professionals), which include a multi-course, wine-paired menu featuring foods that you just might pick yourself.

The 2016 dinner schedule will be released to our mailing list on the first day of Spring! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for advance reservations.

CORPORATE EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Spice up your next meeting, retreat or holiday celebration with the creative presentation and professional delivery, customized to your location and theme. From corporate boxed meals, hot buffets and plated meals – it’s one investment that guarantees great returns.

Locally farmed & thoughtfully boxed.

From our farm to your office – Spice of Life Catering now offers a fresh box alternative for the corporate lunch crowd! Check out our menus below to order for your next company lunch meeting or event.

BUSINESS MENUS

2015 SPRING MENU
2015 SUMMER MENU
2015 FALL MENU
2015 WINTER MENU

Need a place to gather? Use the Private Dining Room at Spice Kitchen + Bar for your next meeting or event! For more details on using the Spice Kitchen + Bar Private Dining Room, please contact Sarah at [email protected]

NORTHEAST OHIO’S PREMIER OUTDOOR CATERER

Spice of Life Catering Co. is Ohio’s only caterer with both extensive fine dining expertise and deep-seated relationships with regional farmers. All menus are customized to the season and occasion using local and sustainable ingredients.

We are uniquely structured to facilitate fine dining experiences in the great outdoors. For more traditional events, we work to bring the outdoors inside with nature-inspired presentations that spotlight Ohio’s lush local foods landscape.

We source 80% of all ingredients from small family farms practicing sustainable forms of agriculture within 150-mile radius of Cleveland, Ohio. We are also active in associations and initiatives that educate the public on the importance of supporting our community by eating local, including our own Plated Landscapes events.

Founded in 2006, Spice of Life Catering Co. moved to Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District in 2011 to accommodate broader demand with a restaurant (Spice Kitchen+Bar) and urban gardening initiative (Spice Acres).

GREEN CATERING CALLS FOR THE GREENEST LANDSCAPES

Spice of Life Catering Co. is currently a preferred caterer at these beautiful locations… including, of course, your own home. If you don’t see the venue you have in mind, be sure to ask us!

EXCLUSIVE VENUES

The Ballroom at Park Lane
Mahall’s 20 Lanes
Spice Kitchen + Bar
Silo Theater

GORDON SQUARE

78th Street Studios
HEDGE Gallery

DOWNTOWN

Dunham Tavern
Ariel International Center
The Old Court House
Whiskey Island
Grays Armory
Trinity Cathedral

WEST

Lake Erie Building
Bay Arts Center

EAST

Manor House
ThornCreek Winery
Holden Arboretum
Silo Theater – Squire Valleevue Farms

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Hines Hill Conference Center
Happy Days Visitor Center

PENINSULA

G.A.R. Hall

AKRON/CANTON

Brookside Farm

MID-OHIO

Mohican Grand Bar

BUSINESS EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Spice up your next meeting, retreat or holiday celebration with the creative presentation and professional delivery, customized to your location and theme. From business boxed meals, hot buffets and plated meals – it’s one investment that guarantees great returns.

Locally farmed & thoughtfully boxed.

From our farm to your office – Spice of Life Catering now offers a fresh box alternative for the business lunch crowd! Check out our menus below to order for your next company lunch meeting or event.

BUSINESS MENUS

2015 SPRING MENU
2015 SUMMER MENU
2015 FALL MENU
2015 WINTER MENU

Need a place to gather? Use the Private Dining Room at Spice Kitchen + Bar for your next meeting or event! For more details on using the Spice Kitchen + Bar Private Dining Room, please contact Sarah at [email protected]

A once in a lifetime event deserves a menu as memorable as the day itself.

Spice of Life Catering Co. will partner with you to personalize every aspect of your wedding day dining experience, from aperitif through after party.

SAMPLE MENUS

Plated Wedding Menu: Summer
Plated Wedding Menu: Late Summer
Stationed Wedding Menu: Late Summer

Read our wedding stories.

Contact us to customize a menu for your next event.