How to Clean, Fillet and Cook a Fish

Photo courtesy: recipe-update.blogspot.com

So.. you've caught a beautiful trophy fish for dinner. Congratulations! Once you're done bragging and sharing pictures on facebook, here's what you'll need to do:

Cleaning.

1. Rinse the fish thoroughly with cold water.
2. Remove the scales using a sharp knife.
3. Insert your knife into the vent, and using a fluid motion, slit the fish up to the head. (See diagram below)

Photo courtesy: fao.crg

4. Remove the entrails.
5. Cut off the head, tail and fins. Note: for smaller fish, you can leave the tail on.
6. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove any debris or bone fragments

Fillet

To fillet, use a sharp fillet knife and gently run it along the backbone of the fish, starting at the tail and working your way up to the head. Remove.

Cooking Tips:

Fish (all types) should be cooked quickly and gently over low heat. You'll know your fish is done when the flesh flakes easily with a fork. The best methods for cooking fish are to bake, fry, broil or poach. Fish should never be stewed, as the juices will make the meat tough and not very palatable.

For some insanely fun, interesting recipe DIY's.. visit:

http://www.nickpiercefood.com/

Until Next Time..

Be Well!

Choosing Eco-friendly flooring

photo courtesy: csowp.com

Choosing environmentally-friendly flooring for you home is becoming a little easier these days, thanks in part to a growing number of new products on the market. One of the most popular Eco-friendly flooring options is bamboo. Bamboo is durable, natural, biodegradable and because the plants grow so quickly (they can grow up to a foot or more in a single night!), highly sustainable. Bamboo holds a nice finish and adds a unique decorative flair. However, bamboo is a soft wood, making it susceptible to scrapes and damage from heavy furniture and traffic. That being said, bamboo is best suited for low-traffic rooms such as bedrooms. Engineered and stranded bamboo are two types of bamboo products which combine real bamboo with adhesives, making it much more durable. These might be a better option for higher traffic rooms. Bamboo is not recommended for areas that are consistently damp or in regions with high humidity, as moisture can cause the bamboo warp. For those areas, laminate flooring is a good option. Laminate flooring is made from wood chips and paper infused with melamine. The bonus to laminate is that it is highly durable, moisture-resistant and cost-effective. The downside, is that once installed, it cannot be refinished, and lowers the resale value of your home. Melamine, the plastic component of laminate is toxic and was the ingredient responsible for the injuries of more than 300,000 babies in China in 2008, 6 of whom died. Though generally considered safe in it's resin form, there is a growing debate about the relative safety of melamine in household products.

Cork flooring is another favored option because it's not only biodegradable and naturally mold and mildew resistant, it also provides a softer cushion under foot than hardwood or laminate flooring. The downside to cork is that it is a lot more expensive, is prone to damage from heavy furniture and can become discolored over time when exposed to ultra-violet light. 

Tile and stone are two wonderfully natural alternatives to flooring. All natural, durable and biodegradable, they add real charm to any room. Tile and stone are particularly favored in bathrooms and kitchens because they are easy to clean and allergen-free. The only real downside to tile or stone is that they can feel cold, especially in climates where it gets below freezing. 

Last but not least, carpeting has been the source of some real debate within the green community. Many carpets contain formaldehyde, which is a known potent carcinogen. Additionally, carpets are perfect breeding places for dust mites, mold and mildew, making it a poor choice for people with allergies or breathing issues such as asthma. However, for those who just love that soft padding, there are some newer carpets being created using natural and/or  post-consumer materials. PET carpets are made from recycled plastics and are a great way to help the environment. Corn Carpets are being marketed as natural, however, though they do contain some starch made from corn, the fibers mainly contain polymers, which are essentially plastics. And since most of the polymers are not post-consumer, it makes this type of flooring a poor green choice. 

When considering flooring for your home, there are three things you need to consider before deciding on which green option works best for you: Climate, traffic and health. Weigh your options based  on where you live, how you live and your overall general health. For example, if you have young children and live in a humid region, cork and bamboo flooring may not be an option for you. Tile, stone, carpet or laminate would be your next best choices. However, if one of your children suffers from allergies or asthma or if you are concerned about the health effects of long-term exposure to toxic chemicals, you might want to limit your flooring choice to stone or tile. As with any investment, do your homework and make your choice based on what works best for you and your family.

Until next time, 

Be Well!

sources: 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/254487-is-melamine-dangerous-for-children/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine

http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/20/2/245.full

http://homerenovations.about.com/od/floors/a/artengineerflr.htm

http://www.carpetsforless.ca/2011/10/pet-carpet-made-from-recycled-materials/

http://www.carpetsforless.ca/2011/10/pet-carpet-made-from-recycled-materials/

http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/carpet-q-and-a/3247-carpet-made-from-corn.html

http://www.corncarpet.com/

The Smart Eco Shopper - 5 Habits That Will Save You $ and Help the Environment.

Photo courtesy: openclipart.org

1. Make a list before you go shopping. Take your time. Before you write something down, ask yourself these questions: “Can I live without it?” “How important is it? On a scale of 1 to ten, ten being a life-or-death item, how would I rate this item?” If it's less than a 5, consider holding off and trying to find a greener alternative.
2. Take a break for a few minutes, then go back over your list and cross off any items that you can make out of reused or recycled items in your home. These include organizers, furniture, cleaners, decorations, simple gifts, toys, linens, etc. Surf the internet and look for DIY project ideas. Have fun with it!
3. Once you have a list of things you need to purchase, circle the items that can be purchased in bulk and stored and/or used in smaller containers you already have, such as old spaghetti jars, baby food jars, shampoo bottles, etc. Make it a point to try and buy those items in bulk.
4. Stick to your list! Leave your card at home and carry enough cash to cover what's on the list and nothing more. That way, if you're tempted to make that impulse purchase, you won't be able to.
5. Give to get. Before you go shopping, go through your shopping list and make a resolution to get rid of one item for every item you intend to purchase. So, if you intend to purchase a new coat for the winter, for example, you have to get rid of one clothing item to make room for it. When grocery shopping, pull items off your shelves our out of your fridge that are about to expire and make a menu that will include using those items first before the fresh food.   

What You Need to Know about Citronella

photo courtesy: livinggreenwithbaby.com

With the warmer weather fast approaching, many folks are already making natural insect repellents to have on hand for that impromptu outing or cookout. One ingredient commonly used is Citronella essential oil. Citronella is derived from the lemongrass plant and has been used throughout the world for decades in perfumes, soaps, candles, cleaning products and even incense. Citronella extract has a delightful lemon tang that is used in food and candy flavorings. Generally considered non-toxic, Citronella has a number of uses besides that of a bio-pesticide. For starters, Citronella, like Tea Tree oil, is a potent anti-fungal. It is also a calmative for dogs and has been used by trainers and pet owners the world over to deter dogs from chewing on household furniture and personal items. Sprayed around the garden, it also helps keep small animals such as squirrels, mice and rabbits away as well.

As an essential oil, Citronella is typically made using either cold-press or steam distillation process. However, some citronella oils are manufactured using turpentine which can irritate the skin, cause severe eye irritation, and if used in a concentrated amount or over a period of time can cause symptoms ranging from dizziness to liver damage, heart palpitations, damage to the central nervous system and kidney damage among others. Always check the MSDS before buying a particular brand to make sure it's safe, especially if you're planning on using it on or near small children. As with any new personal care product, be sure to test in on a small patch on the inside of your arm before use.

Though most citronella oils are considered safe for topical use, they are not intended for internal consumption. Only citronella labeled as “Food Grade” extract is safe to use in food or food flavorings. NEVER use an essential oil internally. If accidental ingestion occurs, call the poison control center (In the US: 1-800-222-1222.) or 9-1-1 right away. For internal consumption , you want to use extracts only. Extracts are manufactured differently and under strict food safety guidelines regulated by the FDA.

As always, know what your buying before you buy it. Citronella is generally considered safe, however there are a growing number of oils on the market that are unsafe for regular use. Be sure to check the label and the MSDS before using any kind of essential oil.

Until Next Time,

Be Well!