Baking at High Altitudes

We’re located in Ogden Utah at an altitude ranging from 4,300 feet to 5,200 feet. Not much can be more disheartening than finding the perfect recipe, baking it, and having it fail in some way.

Baking at high altitudes can be a bit challenging at times. Fallen cakes, flat cookies, dry doughs, and more. We hope our tips will help guarantee your baking success…even at high altitudes.

Recipes developed at sea level often react differently when baked at high altitudes. The reason for this is a reduction in atmospheric pressure, or in other words, there’s less air pressure.

This means that water boils at a lower temperature, leaveners react with more force, whipped eggs expand more quickly, and sugar becomes more concentrated (due to rapid water loss). Imagine that! Baked goods will actually end up sweeter the higher up they’re baked.

Fats can cause problems too. When the gases are expanding and stretching the structure of the baked good, fats can concentrate, resulting in greasiness or mushiness. Decreasing the amount of fat by even a tablespoon can solve that.

Now, keep in mind that recipes baked at lower high elevations (like 4,300 feet) may turn out just fine, but the higher you go, the more adjusting you may have to make. We’re just giving guidelines and suggestions so that in case something does go wrong you have an idea of how to fix it.

Here’s to your high altitude baking success!

Do you have experience baking at high altitudes? We’d love to read your stories and tips in the comments section below.

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Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons have so many secret health powers. They are simply amazing and can do wonders for your health. Drink a glass of lemon water every morning to kick-start your digestive system. Lemon oil is highly antibacterial, making it an excellent household cleaner. Read on and discover what lemons can do for your health.

Restore pH Balance

One of the most amazing health benefits of lemon juice is its ability to balance pH. pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity on a scale of 0 -14. 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. 7 is neutral, and your body’s ideal pH is around 7.4.

Lemon juice has a pH of 2.3 (very acidic). However, after being ingested it alkalizes the blood and body tissues. Many people think that because lemon juice has an acidic pH it is acid forming in the body, but it actually alkalizes in the body.

Many people are too acidic from eating too many meats, refined foods, and sugars. pH imbalance manifests itself through aches, pains, arthritis, or gout. Most fruits and vegetables have an alkalizing effect on the body and lemon juice is one of the best. Those who have a balanced pH are more able to fight off the cold, flu, and even cancer.

Aid In Digestion

Lemons can also relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, bloating, gas and cramping. Drinking lemon water regularly will help cleanse the bowels, which in turn helps eliminate constipation and diarrhea.

Weight Loss

Lemons contain choline, a nutrient that is lipotropic, meaning it helps your body break down fats. Lemons can also slow down the absorption of sugar in the body.

Detoxification

As mentioned in the weight loss section, the choline in lemons helps to remove fats in the liver, thus serving as a great liver detoxifier. It also helps cleanse the kidneys and digestive track.

Anxiety

Lemon oil has a calming effect and therefore may help you to fight anxiety, nervousness, and tension.

Fight Fatigue

Lemon oil stimulates brain activity. Whenever you are feeling a bit run down, diffuse some lemon oil or drink a glass of lemon water every few hours.

Repel Bugs

Mix 20 drops of lemon oil and 1 cup of water and spray it into the air. Not only does it repel insects, it also smells great!

Lower Cholesterol Levels

A little less than 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice per pound of body weight per day significantly lowers the blood cholesterol levels. One study suggests that this cholesterol-lowering effect of lemon juice is due to its antioxidant activity. The essential oils in lemons also have the ability to dissolve cholesterol and other fats in the body and promote its elimination from the body.

Control Blood Sugar Levels

Lemons contain a compound called hesperidin, which can positively alter the function of enzymes in the body that affect blood sugar levels. This action helps lower blood sugar levels, protects the body from the early stages of diabetes and helps prevent complications from diabetes if high blood sugar is already present.

Varicose Veins

Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties that can help fight varicose and spider veins. For spider veins, take 2 to 3 drops of lemon oil every day and mix in a small bowl with jojoba, avocado or almond oil and massage the affected area.
For varicose veins,add 6 drops of lemon oil to 1 ½ oz (50 ml) wheat germ oil, and 2 drops each of cypress and juniper oil. Use this mixture daily for a gentle massage of the legs from bottom to top, in the direction of the heart. For a vein and vessel-rejuvenating bath add 8 drops of lemon oil to a warm bath. Also add 4 drops of cypress oil blended with 1 tablespoon (15ml) of honey. Soak in the bath for 15 minutes and when you come out, pat your skin dry – don’t rub it.
– See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx?p=16#sthash.Wr3T1DKz.dpuf

Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties that can help fight varicose and spider veins.

For spider veins, combine 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil with jojoba, avocado, almond, or coconut oil and massage it into the affected area.

For varicose veins add 6 drops of lemon essential oil to 1 1/2 ounces of wheat germ oil. Add 2 drops of juniper essential oil and 2 drops of cypress essential oil. Massage daily into the legs, working from the bottom to the top toward the heart.

Nutrients in Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C, Folic acid, Potassium, Vitamin A, and Choline.

How Much Lemon Juice Should You Drink?

If you weigh less than 150 pounds and are in good health, squeeze half a fresh lemon (about 2 tablespoons) in 12 to 16 ounces of filtered water first thing in the morning for the best benefits.

If you weigh over 150 pounds, squeeze a whole lemon (about 4 tablespoons) into clean water and drink it twice daily. However, if this is too strong, dilute it to taste.

Drinking it once a day is beneficial, but twice a day is even better. If you drink more than that, it is best to add it gradually over time since the lemon juice will accelerate body detoxification.

Too much lemon water too quickly can cause uncomfortable detoxification symptoms such as headaches, bowel changes, or fatigue.

It is best to drink it about 30 minutes before a meal to help your body get the most energy and nutrients from the food you eat

*Disclaimer* Please be aware that information on this blog is provided to supplement the care provided by your health care provider. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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Long-Term Storage – Brown Rice vs. White Rice

Have you ever wondered what type of rice to store? Do you want to store brown rice because of it’s nutritional value, but you’re hesitant because it doesn’t store as long? We have you long term storage knacks here.

Here’s a run-down of the pros and cons of storing both rices so you may choose for yourself what would be best for you.

Brown Rice Cons

Yes, the biggest drawback to storing brown rice is that after about 6 months it goes rancid. However, the rancid oils are only on the surface of the rice. Do you know what that means? Give it a quick rinse in warm water before you cook it and all those rancid oils wash off. Cook it up and you’d never know it was rancid.

Yes, you can store brown rice for 15+ years! We can attest to this because we’ve done it.

It also uses more water and takes a lot longer to cook than white rice. For you this may be a drawback or it may not matter much.

Brown Rice Pros

The biggest factor in choosing brown rice over white rice for long-term storage is the nutritional value. Brown rice is rice in its un-tampered-with form.

Brown rice:

Still has the bran in tact (fiber)
Has 2.5 times the amount of iron
3 times the vitamin B3
4 times the vitamin B1
10 times the vitamin B6

White Rice Cons

The drawback to storing white rice is that it’s less nutritious and the vitamins and minerals that it has are mostly sprayed on and man-made. This is really the only drawback. White rice is such a common staple in many diets that it would be wise to store some.

Suddenly transitioning from white rice to brown in times of need could be a shock to your system and could cause stomach discomfort. We recommend adding brown rice to your diet slowly if you’re not used to it.

White Rice Pros

White rice will last as long as brown rice without the need to rinse it before cooking.

White rice takes much less time to cook and uses less water. It’s also a great filler for times when you just need a little extra something to fill you up and don’t necessarily need the nutrients.

Now that you’ve decided which rice to store, put it in air and water-tight plastic buckets. Since rice is very susceptible to weevils, be sure to put oxygen absorbing packets or CO2 in the bucket before sealing it.

You could also freeze it for 3 weeks if you have the space. This will eliminate the need for oxygen absorbers or CO2.

Do you have any questions that didn’t get answered? Ask in the comments section below.

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Baking at High Altitudes

Health Benefits of Lemons

Long-Term Storage – Brown Rice vs. White Rice

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