How to Make Great Chili WITHOUT Harmful Ingredients

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I don't know about you, but I get sick and tired of all the additives that are added to our food these days.  In fact, I think they literally make us sick and tired.  We have sacrificed our health to convenience, and the food companies love the money they pull in.

It isn't difficult to make foods without all the additives.  But it does require a shift in thinking and food preparation.

Well, I found a great (and easy!) recipe for chili, that doesn't contain all that false stuff.  You can even "make-it-ahead" for busy days.

Here's what the author said about it:

This recipe is a great make-ahead meal too.  I will often cook the meat and add it with the rest of the ingredients (except beans) into the slow cooker.  When I get home, I add the beans and dinner is ready when they are hot!  I can fit 3 batches of this in my 6-Quart Slow Cooker.Rachel, Rachel's Recent Rambles, Feb 2010

Get the recipe for Easy Chili - MSG free at Rachel's website, and enjoy some great-tasting, healthy chili!

How to Enjoy Grilled Food Even in Winter

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I love the smokey taste of grilled food.  It's something I don't want to give up even when cold weather sets in.

Growing up, my mom grilled food year round.  It was so delicious and brings back such great memories.

Well, I too have figured out how to grill even in the cold of winter.  All it takes is determination and a plan. Ready to Grill in Winter Weather? Here's the Strategy You Need!& gives the 4 P's necessary for safety and success.

Get Ready
Get Set
Grill!

How to Quickly Make a Delicious Latte

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A good cup of coffee is part of my day.  But a latte is a thing to be enjoyed!

But I don't have time to always run to the coffee shop, nor could I afford it.  But the Nespresso Essenza C100 allows me to quickly make a great tasking latte in my own kitchen.  All I need to do is add water, insert an espresso capsule in the machine, and press a button.  A full-bodied espresso is dispensed within seconds.

I then use the milk frother that came with it to heat milk and add it to the espresso.  The result - a delicous latte in less time than it would have taken to go buy one. See a video review of the Nespresso C100 and see how delicious life could become!

How to Choose a Car Seat

With many car seats on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your child.  There are many things to consider.  Some of them are

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• Seat Dimensions
  
• Safety Features
• Height/Weight Limits
• Ease of Installation
• Ease of Use
• Available Colors
  

Be sure to read reviews from current users.  Learn about the development and manufacturing of the different brands.  Measure your car and realistically determine what will fit in the space available.  Remember to include any other car seats or passengers that must share the backseat of your vehicle.

Learn about the installation of the different seats as well as how to properly restrain your child in them.  Take note of the materials used and the safety features designed into the seat.

Note the weight limitations of the seats and determine how long your child will be able to use each one.  Some car seats such as the Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat can accommodate a child in any stage of growth.  A convertible car seat can properly restrain infants, toddlers, and small children. 

After doing your research and purchasing the seat of your choice, install your seat according to the manufacturer's instructions.  There are many sites around the country that will verify the seat is installed correctly.

How to Heat a Room with Style

With the colder weather here, I try to find ways to stay warm.  Oh how I would love to be able to curl up on front of a fireplace, be mesmerized by the flames, and be toasty warm.

Well, I found a way that I could do that in our old, drafty house without having to build a fireplace (an extremely unpractical idea!).  An electric stove or fireplace offers the ambiance of a traditional fire and all you need is a household plug!  They also serve as space heaters, warming up the room just as a real fire would.

I have become fascinated with the Dimplex CS3311Compact Electric Stove.  Its small size and light weight allows it to be moved from room to room with ease.  It even has year-round appeal since the heater can be turned off so the coziness and comfort of a visual fire can be enjoyed all year.

Its realistic cast iron appearance and 3D flames make it a great way to heat a room with style!

How to Make a Great Steak at Home

While I enjoy going out to eat, I don't enjoy paying for it!  So as much as possible, I try to figure out how to cook great meals at home for less.

It's not necessary to go to a steakhouse for great steak.  You can do it at home.  Here's how:

1. Start with a good cut of meat.  I'm not great at this, so I enlist the help of the butcher at our local store.
2. Marinade for tender meat with great flavor!  This takes time so plan ahead.  And don't think you have to buy some expensive marinade.  Search the internet for recipes.
3. Grill the stake over charcoal for a great smoky flavor.

There's a lot of grills on the market, and even the cheap ones will work for making a good meal.  I personally don't like to use lighter fluid because of the chemicals that can affect the taste and health of the food.  A grill like the Weber 841001 Performer starts the charcoal for you with gas ignition.  It sure is convenient!

Try your next steak at a home.  With a little practice, you'll make it better than the local steakhouse!

How to Save Money on Groceries

With the economy as it is, many of us are trying to cut down on expenses.  While food is a necessity, there are ways we can lower our food bill. Reduce Food Costs Through Planning and Preparation lists several ways to accomplish this goal.  They will take some time and planning, but the end result will be worth it.  These tips include:

• Have a plan - 2 of them!
• Buy Store Brands
• Make It Fresh
• Prepare Multiple Items

Check it out for the rest of the information.  You'll be glad you did!