5 Tech Trends You Can't Ignore

http://www.inc.com/eric-markowitz/mary-meeker-5-bold-predictions-from-a-silicon-valley-luminary.html?cid=01902au

Business Names

Every Business wants a good name that's unique and will distinguish it from its competitors and create a good image. You also need to be aware that registration of a business, company or domain name does not in itself give you any proprietary rights - only a trade mark can give you that kind of protection. http://www.business.gov.au/Howtoguides/Thinkingofstartingabusiness/Pages/HowdoIchooseabusinessname.aspx This is a good article about Business names. Especially the Ten Tips.... TEN TIPS FOR COMING UP WITH A BUSINESS NAME: 1. Make it unique 2. Give it authentic meaning or a story 3. Keep it simple 4. Make sure it's easy to remember 5. It should make sense and give clues to what your business does 6. Don't make it hard to spell or pronounce 7. Check the business name and domain name are available 8. Make sure it doesn't limit the future scope of your business 9. Test it with your target market 10. If you plan to expand into international markets, check its meaning there http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/insurance/how-to-come-up-with-a-business-name-20130610-2nzcc.html http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/get-the-right-ip/trade-marks/apply-for-a-trade-mark/

Tea Plantation Workers

Recently I heard an interview about Tea and the plantations in Sri Lanka. The words used to describe the workers were beautiful, happy, the area was romantic and misty. They couldn't believe Sri Lanka was so beautiful.... Unfortunately very few people know about the plight of the tea plantation workers or their history. The women who work on these estates were from South India (Tamil Speaking workers). The Sinhalese did not want to work in the plantations so workers were brought in from South India. Just as the Africans were moved from their tribal homelands to work on cotton and sugar plantations, Indian workers were brought to Sri Lanka to work as laborers on estates. These workers travelled by foot from India to Sri lanka in 1824. Many perished and died when they crossed the mannar gulf. Those who survived then had to walk through jungles, some were attacked by wild animals and others died from malaria. It was no better for those workers once they reached the plantations. They were exploited and permanently settled within these tea plantations and houses were built for them. The Tea industry brings in a significant revenue to Sri Lanka. Therefore they still economically depended on the sweat and blood of these plantation workers........ http://isdkandy.org/pdfs/Tea%20Plantation%20Workers%27%20Museum%20-History.pdf

Hot Mulled Cider Winter Warmer

I love Cider......even more than wine so this is great for winter...... 1 Litre Apple or Pear Cider 1 orange 15 cloves 4 sticks of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of nutmeg 7 pods of cardamon 1/4 cup brown sugar *Rum to taste *extra Cinnamon/nutmeg taste Method Pour apple cider into a saucepan, Cut up the oranges, add this to the pan along with cloves and remaining ingredients. Let the mulled cider mixture simmer and reduce heat to low. simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on a low heat. Strain the hot mulled cider away from the orange, cloves, add dash off rum.

Is Processed Progress

Yes we need need some sort of processing for example Processed foods are usually less susceptible to early spoilage than fresh foods and are better suited for long distance transportation from the source to the consumer. When they were first introduced, some processed foods helped to alleviate food shortages and improved the overall nutrition of populations as it made many new foods available to the masses. Processing can also reduce the incidence of food borne disease. Fresh materials, such as fresh produce and raw meats, are more likely to harbour pathogenic micro-organisms (e.g. Salmonella) capable of causing serious illnesses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_processing Raw is best but unfortunately every way I turn someone is trying to promote some new processed way of doing things. Whatever happened to simple cooking, authentic cooking the way our grandmothers and mothers have been doing it for centuries. I know we need progress but is processed progress..... Everyone follows today...let's hope they join the Raw Bandwagon....

Not Brewing Chai on site can it be transported

I had a request recently to brew some Chai. Now I don't have an issue brewing Chai, however when someone asks me to provide a few hundred cups and wants me to transport it it raises a lot of questions in terms of food safety. It got me thinking how hot does milk have to become before it curdles, how many times can you boil milk before it loses its goodness and flavour. Transporting hot chai already made...hot milk..bad combination. Food & Safety 4 hour Rule, Keeping Food out of the danger zone. Milk can curdle let alone the logistics and occupational health and safety... It is best brewed on site... Fresh milk can be heated to boiling point without curdling. However if it is boiled too much it can curdle. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_milk_curdle

Food Labelling may change for Grocery Items (in order to reduce obesity)

http://m.theage.com.au/national/groceries-may-get-health-star-ratings-20130613-2o6dr.html

Aromatheraphy And Cloves

It can have a stimulating effect and has analgesic and antiseptic properties.

The  Antiseptic properties  may prevent viral infections and helps with toothaches.

The Clove oil has been beneficial in treating Rheumatoid Arthiritis, skin sores and ulcers.

 

 

http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-cloves.htm#Properties

Unusual Combinations With Cloves

Cloves are considered a very strong spice due to the eugenol chemical that makes up most of the clove's taste (85 percent). 

Cloves can be combined with the following unusual combination: Cinnamon, AllSpice, Vanilla, Red Wine, Basil, Onion, Citrus Peel, Star Anise and Peppercorns.



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

Cardamom Infused Coffee

Cardamom seeds are ground with Coffee beans,  It is normally one coffee bean to one cardamom.  You can either grind cardamom or buy cardamom powder.  Why not add some cinnamon.