Enjoy Summer with Kitchen and Dining Essentials

Summer Best Sellers 

Ball Jar Heritage Collection Pint Jars with Lids and Bands

Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice

Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juice Extractor

Hamilton Beach 51101B Personal Blender with Travel Lid

Hamilton Beach 58148 Power Elite Multi-Function Blender

Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set

Norpro 431 4-Piece Silicone Ice Pop Maker Set

Presto 04213 Electronic Digital Timer

PUR 2-Stage Water Pitcher Replacement Filter, 4-Pack

Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds, Set of 2

Scrupulous Kitchen Hygiene Is vital for Large Scale Catering in Summer

Warmer summer temperature is the season for weddings, outdoor parties, barbecues and going out to restaurants, which makes the summer another time when caterers must be even more aware of food hygiene and also the dangers of bacteria lurking in raw and undercooked meats.

Two main types of bacteria cause food poisoning, Campylobacter and Salmonella, as well as the UK's Food Standards Agency has warned that up to 65 % of fresh chicken in the country is infected with Campylobacter.

Even though this meat is safe to eat if cooked properly there were outbreaks of food poisoning especially at large catered events where such foods as chicken liver pates have been served, as the tendency is to serve it pink and slightly underdone.

The most frequent form of food poisoning in britain is simply by Campylobacter and can lead to hospitalisation or even death therefore the wise caterer who expects a boost in summer diners whether at an event or even in a pub or restaurant will want to focus on thorough kitchen hygiene both in the preparation and cooking of food.

This implies storing raw meats on the correct temperatures, using scrupulously clean utensils and worktops, regular hand washing and thorough cooking of meats.

However, unless particular attention continues to be paid to keeping the commercial kitchen hygienically clean the results of careful cooking and preparation risk being undermined.

Where cooking over a large is carried out throughout the year grease and dirt can build through to walls, floors and around preparation tables, regardless of how thorough the daily cleaning arrangements are.

For any caterer inside a hotel or pub which is anticipating a boost in large-scale events such as weddings choice makes sense to be well prepared before the onslaught and possess the professionals directly into do a thorough kitchen deep clean.

You'll have a professional commercial cleaner receive the premises and do a thorough inspection beforehand. They are going to create a report indicating what must be done and whether there are any difficulty areas needing particular attention.

The business will be able to advise on whether or not to use appropriate chemical cleaners which will be safe in the cooking area, or whether you'd be advised to have the kitchen steam cleaned, which may penetrate to the surfaces to ensure there's no potentially hazardous dust or bacteria lurking there.

A comprehensive kitchen deep clean will begin in the top of the room and work downwards, removing grease and the particles embedded in it from ceiling, walls, under the feet of kitchen furniture and from the floors in order that the kitchen stays sparkling and managers have the confidence that it's hygienically ready for major catering.

Colour in Interiors

White - Pure Bliss

In interior planning and styling white is a neutral background colour but can also be utilized to highlight stronger hues inside a color scheme. By mixing colours with white (tinting) you are able to soften them to pale pastel shades. However white could make strong colours even more prominent.

Trend forecasters in Europe predict the color white to become the hero of spring and summer 2013. Bright, breezy, light, summer, young and fresh, joyful, lifting the spirits, shade of purity and innocence - feelings linked to the colour white. White is mixture of all colours within the visible spectrum and reflects 100 per cent associated with. White aids mental clarity and encourages us to clear away clutter and remove obstacles.

Lidewij Edelkoort in her own Trendletter: "Forward-thinking editors at Vogue (Germany, Italy) already herald the strength of white standing most importantly others, whether in romantic baptism dresses or in clean business tailoring, they promote white being a more abstract and mental choice. Along with white will absolutely become essential for spring/summer 2013. Use make the right fabric choices and do not get blinded by another rainbow of brights; reassurance is within the making, making a feeling of bliss." Be inspired by my Pinterest board Pure Bliss!

Red - How to create a center point

If you wish to draw attention, use red inside your interior. Red is easily the most stimulating colour. The anterior pituitary gland reacts if this sees red. The hormone epinephrine is released and changes the body chemistry. You breathe more rapidly, your blood pressure levels, pulse rate and heartbeat increase. We have no treatments for these physiological reactions. Consequently, red is assigned to high energy, movement and excitement.

Reds can be fiery, passionate, sophisticated and warm. There are lots of shades of red to experience with: blood-red, blush, brick, burgundy, flame, scarlet, rose for starters. Use red being an accent in interiors. Because it energizes the appetite red is an ideal colour for kitchens and dining rooms. Red accents in playrooms create energy and excitement. Red works well with other warm colours like orange and yellow, the neighbours on the colour wheel. With shades of blue you may create a nautical look. Neutrals or chocolate-brown balance red's energy.

Yellow - Allow the Sunshine in!

The color yellow is assigned to optimism, happiness, and the sun. It enhances positive thoughts and creativity and signals power.

In interior styling put it to use in offices or kid's rooms, because yellow can be stimulating. It gives a warm, happy and welcoming feeling to the entrance of a house. Bright yellow works best as accent colour and pairs well with shades of grey for any very contemporary look. Neon yellow happens to be very trendy and appearance great as accent colour paired with pastels. Generally speaking use yellow in artwork, cushions, decor or perhaps an carpet to inject a splash of colour to your interior.

Orange happiness

Orange will be the only colour named after a physical object. Orange is a secondary colour mixed from red and yellow and therefore combines the energy and drama of red using the happiness of yellow. Temperature wise orange can be regarded as the hottest of most colours. It induces a feeling of warmth, fun and creativity. Orange encompasses anything from bright, acid shades through to earthy dusty tones and is also called ochre, terracotta, peach, tangerine, sienna, mandarin, pumpkin, mango, apricot and saffron. Pantone chose Tangerine Tango as their Hue of the Year 2012.

Orange in interiors produces a sense of warmth and protection and supplies the boldness being creative and initiate new projects. Orange is a superb colour if you wish to develop a retro mid-century try your parking space. Bright oranges as accents in a room can provide a focal point and could be used in playrooms to stimulate creativity. Touches of orange within the kitchen and kitchen stimulate your appetite. For any friendly and inviting atmosphere within your entrance hall use orange as wall or accent colour. Contrast orange with a cool turquoise and add warm neutrals to create a vibrant and interesting scheme.

Green - achieve balance and harmony

Green is really a fantastic colour, it's the hue of nature and surrounds us every day. It is great to wind down and re-energize. The Pantone Shade of the entire year 2013: PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, is a lively, radiant, lush green.

Bring calmness and relaxation for your interiors by introducing the color green. It influences our bodies on the physical and mental level. It helps to stop nervousness and anxiety. And zilch is easier than introducing pot plants or green cushions and accessories for your space, if you want to try out before painting a complete room. Plants not just clean air, the give a splash of colour in your room and so they can easily being moved around and altered. They could actually help making a small space appear larger since they optically recede.

Green is useful in areas of your home in places you want to achieve a calm, serene and fresh atmosphere. Utilize it in bedrooms, lounge rooms, reading areas or perhaps in a bath room. Mix yellow-greens and blue-greens to produce a fantastic colour pallette.

Blue - a consistent inside our lives

As the colour blue is assigned to the ocean as well as the sky, it's seen as constant aspect in our lives. Blue is one of the most favored colours and called the widely used colour by many people, especially by men. It evokes feelings of calmness and serenity. It's called peaceful, tranquil, secure and orderly. Dark deep blue is easily the most serious and powerful blue, whereas lighter tones of aqua could be uplifting and energizing. Turquoise enhances creativity, inspiration and transformation.

In interiors the soothing quality of blue makes it a fantastic choice for kid's rooms - utilize it as paint colour for that walls or in accessories and bedding. If your kid is extremely energetic and agile make use of a blue room to calm him down and supply the floor for a good night's sleep.

Blue can be accustomed to decorate offices as research shows that folks are more productive in blue rooms.

Grey - Depressing or Versatile?

For a number of people grey is dull and depressing, grey rainy days, grey winter days (mainly in the Northern Hemisphere), grey faces. Silver, Oyster, Pearl, Mist, Driftwood, Aluminium, Flannel, Pewter, Elephant, Ebony, Cement, Zinc, Steel, Smoke, Cashmere, Dolphin, Ocean, Donkey or Pebble - just a few names for shades of grey. Grey lives in the middle between grayscale and appears to have no own personality.

In cooler climates or perhaps in cold rooms and under cold light it can be difficult to brighten using a cool grey since the closer the grey reaches black, the harder light it absorbs as well as the more it demands looking at the surroundings.

In interior styling, grey in every its shades is really a versatile and flexible colour. This is a fantastic background for brighter hues as yellow, red, pink or purple and it can round any interior.

Black can be a force

Black is definitely a force. As black absorbs all light and colour it is literally speaking the lack of all colour. Whereas in Western societies black is the hue of death, grief and penitence, in China and Japan black is assigned to honour. Black clothing is often worn by those that reject society and also the norm within society. It is also along with of authority and power and popular in fashion as it makes people appear thinner. Priests wear black to demonstrate their submission to God.

In home decor use black and white to produce interest with a contrasting color scheme. Black adds drama and elegance with a space. Paint a wall in black, blend it with white and inject a bright accent colour to produce an elegant interior. I have already been in a hair dressing salon in black and white, with bold monochrome square stripes on the ceiling and pink and coral feature walls. Chandeliers give this commercial space a glamorous atmosphere.

Make use of the same idea to produce a wow factor in a small bedroom by obtaining a bold grayscale stripe on the feature, a bedhead or bedspread. Use the power black in high shine kitchen cabinetry and offset it with timber veneer. A black chalkboard wall isn't only ideal for writing down notes and shopping lists but additionally an innovative space for your family. Black chalkboard paint put on a wall or door is also a great option for a kid's rooms.

Connect with the planet earth

Brown is a comforting colour and connects us with the earth. It gives us a sense of home, stability and substance. Brown plays an important role in the health food industry: brown bread, brown rice, brown cereals are ultimately related to healthy and organic food. Brown is therefore a popular colour for coffee shops and restaurants. Besides green, brown can be a hue of nature and earth. In Western societies brown is associated with stability, reliability, comfort, warmth and simplicity.

In interiors brown is a versatile colour to decorate with. It isn't as dark as black, but an abundant hue that gives a backdrop for plenty of other colours. Contrast a hot chocolate-brown using a light tone of blue and white to produce a rich contrast along with a sense of ease and space. Brown utilizes other earthy colours like orange, yellow or red in lounge rooms, kitchens or bedrooms. Use brown for focal pieces of furniture like platforms, sofa tables, lounges or sideboards and decorate with brighter accent colours in cushions, art and decor.

Purple - Get inspired and inventive

Purple Body of the best colours - is mixed of the primary colours blue and red and combines the power of red and also the calmness of blue. Perhaps you have wandered through a field of lavender and bathed in the colour and scent? In colour therapy purple enhances talent with art and creativity and helps individuals to find spiritual strengths, creativity and inspiration. The German composer Richard Wagner worked in a violet room to compose his operas. Purple is also the shade of royalty and it is related to luxury, wealth and sophistication.

For your interior styling projects you can choose many shades of purple. A gentle Lavender for instance is effective in bedrooms as it results in a feeling of calmness and is not too overwhelming. It's also an appropriate colour for children's rooms plus an alternative to blue and pink.

Summer Outdoor Entertaining Essentials

Outdoor entertaining is among life's greatest pleasures. Summer just appears to beg us to decelerate and revel in life. Believe to consider pleasure in relatives and buddies rather than to invite them over for a casual afternoon of warm hospitality and great food? Get your grill on and follow these easy suggestions to help make your outdoor summer entertaining successful!

1. Spruce your outdoor space; cut the grass, sweep the patio, clean the furnishings.
2. Check the weather and plan accordingly. Invite your invited guests by telephone or e-vite about 1-2 weeks before your gathering.
3. Keep your friends and relatives comfortable by providing shade with a market umbrella, a shade structure or set your table up within shady tree.
4. Set up 2 trash cans, one for recyclables.
5. Use containers with lots of ice to maintain drinks in. A cooler, aluminum tub, child's red wagon can suffice. Arrange 2 or 3 in numerous locations within the yard so there is much more than the usual location for guests to acquire beverages.
6. Set the grill inside a rut. Put barbecue utensils and serving platters from the barbecue. Don't serve cooked meat for a passing fancy platter employed for raw meat.
7. Have a lot of folding chairs, garden furniture, benches, and when you have planters that might be suited to sitting, top them with colorful pillows for comfortable, extra seating.
8. Set your folding six foot table since your buffet table and overwhelm things like napkins, paper plates with stones or shells so they really will not blow away whether it gets breezy. Wrap forks and knives in the napkin tied with ribbon and put at the end of the table.
9. A basket with bug spray, sunscreen and spray bottles of cold water for misting could keep your guests protected and comfortable.
10. If hosting a pool party, make sure there is certainly adult supervision at the sea EVERY MINUTE. Have blow-up rafts, diving rings, etc. for fun.
11. Play your favorite music from iPod or wireless stereo speakers.
12. Plan a delicious, easy menu.
13. Have fun and enjoy the day!

Patricia Mendez, copyright 2010
Patricia is the author of the book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners.