Cuisine Diva

Digital Restaurant Menu Board Pros and Cons

GUEST POST

Digital menu boards for restaurants are deemed to be the next wave in customer interaction at eating establishments of many different types. Indeed, an increasing number of dining establishments have begun to integrate digital menu boards into their overall operational schemes.

As is the case with any new technological innovation, including those associated with signage, there exist pros and cons with digital menu boards for dining establishments.

Enhanced Customer Engagement

One of the benefits being extolled by companies that manufacture restaurant digital menu boards is that these devices enhance overall customer engagement. The belief is that because these types of menu boards are more visually diverse by design, they attract and hold the attention of customers more significantly than is the case with more traditional restaurant signage options.

The enhanced customer engagement results in patrons spending more time perusing a greater amount of a digital menu board than would occur with a traditional option. Through this process, patrons become exposed to more of the menu offerings of a dining establishment than would otherwise occur with a traditional restaurant placard.

Increased Sales

The argument that digital menu boards enhance customer engagement carries forward to the contention that these sign options increase a venue's revenue. Because of the manner in which a particular digital menu board can be customized, patrons can be directed to a wider array of different offerings in an efficient manner -- a transition that is not always possible through static, traditional menu boards. Of course, the ultimate purpose of any type of restaurant menu -- in either a board or handheld derivation -- is to make if not increase overall purchases made by individuals patronizing a particular establishment.

Efficient Alterations

Another of the positive elements associated with digital restaurant menu boards is found in the fact that they can be altered readily and efficiently. Menu items and prices can be manually changes on these displays in a matter of seconds.

On a related note, another of the pros of this type of restaurant signage is found in the fact that these alterations can be programmed into the digital system. For example, a restaurant owner or manager can pre-program a digital menu board to change throughout the course of the day. Of course, obvious changes include moving from breakfast to lunch to dinner menus. However, a digital menu board is capable of more intuitive automatic adjustments and alterations throughout the course of any given day.

Some restaurants take advantage of the programming possibilities by adjusting menu items automatically when sales rise above or go below a certain predetermined level. In some instances, these displays can be tied into a venue's inventory control system. In such cases, a menu item is automatically removed when the inventory control system alerts that the particular dish is temporarily out of stock.

User Friendly Interfaces

The restaurant business is recognized for its hustle and bustle nature. Even tasks like addressing a menu board must be something undertaken without unnecessary complications. Another of the benefits associated with a digital menu board for these types establishments is found in user friendly interfaces.

The reality is that the typical digital menu board for the restaurant and hospitality industries is designed to be readily accessible to staff members with even a minimal amount of computer or tech experience. The typical interface is designed to be readily mastered in a very short period of time.

Menu Integration and Portability

Another of the plusses associated with a digital menu board is found in its potential for broader integration and portability. Many digital menus systems today are capable to being integrated with tablets that can be utilized by wait staff. This type of seamless design permits uniform changes to any aspect of a menu without any inconsistent information anywhere within the working structure of a dining establishment. In short, with an integrated digital menu board system connected with wait staff resources, the overall patron experience is once again capable of being significantly enhanced.

Menu Disruption

Very few cons or negative elements are associated with a good quality restaurant digital menu board. Perhaps the most significant negative aspect of this type of solution is found in the need to maintain a backup system in the event of menu disruption.

No technology is perfect. Even the most well constructed digital menu board can experience a blip of some sort that brings it down for what usually is a brief period of time. A thoughtful restaurant owner or manager is always prepared for these types of possibilities and maintains a more traditional menu board in reserve to be called into service on those likely rare occasions when it is needed.

Professional Sign Creation

A restaurant, or any other business enterprise, should turn to professionals when it comes to appropriate, compelling sign creation. IS Installationsis an example of a sign creation and placement enterprise that is adept at serving the unique needs of businesses of different types, including restaurants and bistros. 

Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

This is an old, but favorite recipe I originally posted online when I was the Herbs & Spices Feature Writer for Suite101.com. That site has pretty much disappeared although you might find the original recipe online.  

Recipe Summary - Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

Learn how-to make a simple appetizer out of peppers, tomatoes, black olives, green onions, garlic, parsley, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Bruschetta is a topping for bread, which can be made from a variety of ingredients. Bruschetta is typically served on top of toasted Italian or French bread, and is offered as an appetizer at many Italian restaurants.

Besides being used as a bread spread, bruschetta can also be tossed with pasta, served with an assortment of crackers and bread sticks, or used as a baked potato topping.

Ingredients for Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

• 1 seven ounce container roasted red peppers packed in oil - drained and diced
• 1/2 cup black olives - diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes - diced
• 1 bunch green onions - sliced thin
• 2 cloves garlic - minced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cilantro - minced

Directions for Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

1. In a medium mixing bowl, stir in the roasted peppers, black olives, cherry tomatoes, green onions and garlic.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to make a dressing for the bruschetta.
3. Stir the bruschetta dressing into the bowl of vegetables.
4. Stir the cilantro into the bowl of bruschetta topping.
5. Serve the bruschetta immediately, or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
6. Left over red pepper bruschetta can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for a few days.

Preparing Bread for Bruschetta Topping

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cut a loaf of French bread into 1 inch thick, diagonal slices, using a serrated bread knife.
3. Place the bread slices on a large baking sheet.
4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and turn the bread slices over.
6. Place the bread back in the oven, and back for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove the bread from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool slightly.
8. Serve the toasted bread along with the roasted red pepper bruschetta.

Recipes Tips and Suggestions

1. Sprinkle a bit of cheese, such as feta or Parmesan, on top of the bruschetta before serving.

2. Basil or flat leaf parsley may be used in placed of the cilantro.

3. Red, yellow or orange tomatoes may be used to make the bruschetta recipe.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Cuisine Diva

What To Look For In Good Measuring Cups

Today's guest post is written by Victoria Stotts.

Good measuring cups have three things in common. They allow for accurate dry or liquid measurements, are made of durable, long-lasting, high-quality materials and include markings for various units of measure like ounces, milliliters and cups. Trendy, angled designs, colorful, stackable and enjoyable measuring cups of all sorts should always include these important features so that they effectively measure up. A recipe can only be as good as the culinary tools used to prepare it. Utilizing good measuring cups allows cooks to confidently compile ingredients into delectable cuisine.

Dry and liquid measurements, what's the difference
The primary similarity of dry and liquid measurements is that they can each be measured in terms of volume. The difference is that liquid measuring cups typically have a fill-line below the edge of the measuring cup so that the wet ingredients are not spilled when being measured. Moreover, liquid measuring cups are generally larger and can be measured in say, up to eight-cup increments at once. Alternatively, dry measuring cups are intended to be filled completely, to the top, and then leveled off, effectively removing excessive ingredient.

Knowing how to use measuring cups that are intended specifically for dry or liquid measurements will make sure that, ounce-wise, ingredients are measured as accurately as possible. Other nice features of liquid measuring cups include a pour-spout and markings that are visible both inside and out. Good dry measuring cups are generally straight and easy to use in "scoop" fashion to get bulk ingredients like flour and sugar.


Glass, plastic or stainless steel
When it comes to high-quality materials that good measuring cups are made from, the International Organization for Standardization, ISO, certifies the quality of products for global food safety purposes. Companies like Measurex provide excellent products that are as safe as they are outstanding. Glass measuring cups are iconic for liquid measurements and are durable, transparent and have large ingredient capacity. Stainless steel measuring cups also have many benefits like non-porous surface, easy to clean and are comparably, if not more so, long-lasting than glass measuring cups. Presently, FDA-approved plastic measuring cups and scoops are the most popular for their great design, affordability and customization.

Tips for choosing a good measuring cup
Being thoughtful in selecting a single, or a set of good measuring cups comes down to knowing how it will primarily be used and considering how often size will be meaningful. Both a 1 tabelspoon scoop and a 4 oz scoop, such as, can make a difference in how much time it takes to measure ingredients when a cook routinely uses the same measurement day after day. Products like protein powder, formulas and various supplemental-ingredients can quickly be measured and added to cuisine when the right measuring cup is readily available. Moreover, having both a 4 oz scoop and a 1 tablespoon scoop handy means never having to guess at measuring out a 5 ounce bottle of infant formula, haphazardly again.

To select the perfect measuring cups:

• Consider how and what is cooked most often
• Think about style
• Contemplate handy details and "extras"

If, for instance, baking is a favorite past-time, selecting more than one set of good measuring cups may prove worthwhile. Having good measuring cups that correctly measure baking ingredients allows tricky chemistry to successfully result in delectable breads, cakes and treats.

Style
Good measuring cups never have to lack style. Color is one feature, right off the bat, that not only looks great and can compliment the kitchen, but it also delivers a benefit of being able to recognize sizes quickly. From innovative storage to beautifully designed measuring cups, products featured on the market today are both truly attractive and useful.

Extras
Some brands of good-quality measuring cups boast extra features like angled design, spill-proof ease for portability and even collapsible versions that become completely flat when not in use. Good measuring cups are all about unexpected, practical details including their ability to be heated and chilled, used often and even withstand the occasional drop or bump on the sink or kitchen counter. Whether measuring cups are used very often or more intermittently, the longer they last, the better. No one likes to replace items that are meant to be long-lasting.

Looking for a set of good measuring cups can be accomplished fairly painlessly. It can even be a rather enjoyable adventure once consumers embrace that shopping for cups involves keeping in mind the differences between dry and wet ingredients, and how they are correctly measured, in addition to recognizing the importance of healthy, high-quality materials and then really visualizing using the chosen measuring cups. Once good measuring cups are purchased, they will provide many years of reliable, purposeful, kitchen service.

About the author: 

Victoria Stotts, 37 | Sandpoint, Idaho
I enjoy educating readers on various topics close to my heart and providing articles that are unbiased and that include the maximum amount of helpful information for the reader. Writing press releases, product reviews and articles on both cooking and aesthetic design are a distinct pleasure. After traveling the world in my youth, I now live and write professionally from Sandpoint, Idaho. In my business career I have enjoyed many dynamic positions with various companies including those in: manufacturing, medical, and technology. It is my passion to communicate with others and to provide useful information through my writing talent.

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Why the Label on Wine is So Important

Above: wine labels for Dunlor Wine

Although the popular adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ seems to apply to most things, the same cannot be said about wines. Wines are not just described by their notes, but also by their label. In fact, bottle labels on a wine are what catch customers’ attention. An article of Practical Winery and Vineyard Journal explains the message that the label on the wine sends across to people. Fine Dining Lovers’ Domaine Dorléan has also investigated how the wine label impacts people’s decisions when they decide to buy a bottle.

The label matters and thus, its design should be done with great care. The following are a few reasons why the label on wines is so important.

Personal Connection and Identification

People often judge a wine by the beauty of its label. Cornell University’s Brian Wansink is a Marketing Professor and he conducted an experiment to gauge people’s responses to wine labels. A restaurant like setting was set up by him, and half the wines had a California label while the other half had a North Dakota label. In truth, they were all $2 cheap wines that tasted just the same. The result of the experiment revealed that people who chose to drink the California label wine not only sat at the table for a longer time, they also ate more and gave a higher rating to the food and wine as compared to people going for the North Dakota label wine. It was just because of the wine label that such different responses were collected from people.

Catching Consumer Attention

When a label is eye-catching, that is when it becomes a success. Because of the severe competition in the wine business, it is important that the wine looks unique and different, giving it an edge over others. Because of the reliance that millennial drinkers (21 – 30 years) place on the wine label, having a creatively designed label is even more important than ever before. Wine companies get a lot of business from the current generation and thus, they have to ensure their customers are kept happy. Some studies would even suggest that there are some non-millennial drinkers as well who focus on the label instead of the taste of the wine. If the wine seems sophisticated and cool, consumers tend to buy it. If the wine’s label doesn’t look attention grabbing enough, even if it tastes good, people will not buy it.

Memorable

This is pure psychology that most people tend to remember things by visual cues (and smell) instead of taste. Thus, when the label is customized and designed properly, it is the thing that will stick with the customer later and they will come back for it. Scotland’s Edinburgh Science Festival proved the memorable impact of labels in a blind tasting where people simply could not remember the taste of the wine they were offered. This proves that the desirability of a wine is based on its appearance. In fact, there are many drinkers of wine who cannot differentiate between an original and rebottled wine. If the same wine was packaged under different designs, the perception of people towards it shifts considerably. Because of the label, the customer remembers the wine and forms an association with it, going back to purchase it.

Success of Other Marketing Tools

Do the above points prove that a wine label is everything? Of course not. If one marketing tactic was enough, companies would never look for new ways to make customers buy their products. Also, not all people use the wine label to base their decision but that doesn’t mean that the design of the label isn’t one of the important factors that come into consideration when choosing a wine. For instance, the new trend is that people go into a wine shop and choose a wine after scanning the bar code with their smartphones. The manufacturers making use of the RFID technology have come up with something pretty interesting here because, as soon as the code is scanned, the buyer is taken to their website to watch videos, read reviews, look at the grapes used to make wine, their winery and vineyards et al. However, the big question is – what makes a customer pick up one wine bottle over another to make a conscious choice of scanning the bar code and learning more about the brand? It’s the wine label.

What Appeals to the Consumer?

Everyone has seen a bad wine label and a great one. If the bad label was bad enough, consumers would remember the brand name (and disassociate themselves from it). The big question of what appeals to the consumer has been asked by many wine label designers and the answer is – who knows? People have different tastes and reactions to bottle shapes. However, when it comes to colors, typography, designing and graphics, everyone responds differently. There are people who don’t like Van Gogh’s style and there are those who prefer him over Da Vinci. So, while designing wine label, the focus should be on creating a unique design and hope that the consumers will like it.

A label that is well designed can have a great impact on profits as well. As a recommendation, images on wine labels are known to attract people more than anything else. The focus on typography and designing of labels for wine manufacturers has also seen a considerable shift because of this reason. 

About the author: 

My name is Daffy and I am an accountant and writer. I am a health enthusiast. I read a lot of stuff about health. I love writing about it coz, it gives me the chance to learn more about things that are related to it. My Dad is a herbalist or an alternative doctor and my mom is a vegetarian. I learned a lot about how to live a healthy lifestyle from both of them.

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Cuisine Diva Likes KitchenMade Measuring Cups

KitchenMade™  was kind enough to send the Cuisine Diva a set of their stainless steel measuring cups so I could test and review them for the blog.

I am a bit of a kitchen gadget nut so I'm always looking for the latest and greatest products to test. What I really like about this set of measuring cups is that they come as a set of 6. Most measuring cups come as a set of 4. The KitchenMade™ measuring cups come in the following sizes:

• 1/4 cup
• 1/3 cup
• 1/2 cup
• 2/3 cup
• 3/4 cup
• 1 cup

You don't normally find the 2/3 or 3/4 cup sizes in a set of measuring cups. That was a nice addition and what makes this set stand out from the rest.

I also prefer stainless steel measuring cups, over plastic or other materials. Stainless steel is the best material, in my opinion, for a commercial or home kitchen. I have stainless steel measuring spoons and 2 stainless steel mixing bowls that I use all the time.

The Cuisine Diva recommends this set of stainless steel measuring cups by KitchenMade™. 

Find KitchenMade™ Online

You can order the stainless steel measuring cups on Amazon.com. 

Website: www.kitchen-made.com 

Measuring Cup Product Description

• Made of top quality polished stainless steel.  
• A set of 6 nesting measuring cups in mls and cups engraved on the handle and side of the cup so markings will never rub off.
• This sturdy set will suit home bakers or commercial kitchens.  
• With pouring lip so great for measuring liquids or dry ingredients.  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Is Cardamom One of Your Favorite Spices?

The Cuisine Diva recently got to try out some organic, green cardamom. Jiva Organics was kind enough to send me an 3.5 ounce (100 gram) bag of their cardamom pods.

Visit the Jiva Organics Facebook page: www.facebook.com/jivaorganicfoods

How to Use Whole Cardamom Pods

This is how I use whole cardamom pods. I open a few of the green pods and extract the seeds, which range in color from brown to black. The black seeds are the most aromatic/flavorful. Discard the outer green pod and place the seeds in a coffee grinder and grind to the desired consistency. I like to grind cardamom seeds in my marble mortar/pestle set.

I've been a HUGE fan of cardamom for many years. My favorite way to use the spice is to add a bit of the ground cardamom to my coffee grounds then add the spiced coffee to the filter basket of my drip coffee maker. I've also used a bit of cinnamon to make spices coffee but sometimes that is a bit too sweet.

Cardamom is one of the main spices used to make Chai tea. I've made my own chai tea blend using black tea leaves, cardamom seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves and black pepper. I guess I should write-up the recipe and instructions for making chai tea in a future article on Cuisine Diva.

You can find organic, green cardamom pods on Amazon.com. 

Above Left: green cardamom pods and ground cardamom. Above Right: green caradamom pods with one broken open showing the individual black cardamom seeds.

Green Cardamom Product Description

Jiva Organics is a line of certified organic spices that offer a tremendous value over mainstream alternatives.  This is a USDA certified organic Green Cardamom that is of extremely high quality and perfect for your next dish or tea! The 3.5-ounce bag size is almost a quarter of a pound, which contains the same product, and provides almost 3-4x more than what you get in a traditional grocery store.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Homemade Cheddar Chive Biscuits

This recipe makes a light and flaky buttermilk biscuit loaded with loads of cheddar cheese and savory chives. The secret to making light and flaky biscuits is to leave the butter in the refrigerator until ready to use. DO NOT let the butter warm up to room temperature. 

If you don't want to use buttermilk you can substitute regular milk, soy milk or even water. You can use parchment paper to line the baking pan, instead of greasing it, to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the bottom.

Above: a pastry knife is used to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients. If you don't have a pastry knife, substitute 2 butter knives.

Above: a pan filled with homemade cheddar chive biscuits.

Cheddar Chive Biscuit Recipe

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter - cubed
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup buttermilk

Above: enjoy cheddar chive buttermilk biscuits straight out of the oven.

Cheddar Chive Biscuit Directions

 

1. Pre-heat your over to 375°F
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl
3. Use a pastry knife to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients
4. Stir in the chopped chives and shredded cheese
5. Use a large spoon to stir in the buttermilk until a soft dough is formed
6. Lightly flour a large work surface so the dough doesn't stick to it
7. Place the biscuit dough onto the work surface and coat your hands with flour, as necessary, to prevent sticking
8. Knead the dough 10 to 12 times until smooth
9. Pat the dough out into a 1-inch thick rectangle
10. Use a sharp knive to cut the biscuits into 12 equal pieces
11. Place the biscuits onto a large, lightly greased baking pan
12. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18 to 23 minutes until light golden brown

Enjoy!

Lynn Smythe, AKA the Cuisine Diva 

 

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Cuisine Diva Reviews Skinny Noodles

The Cuisine Diva recently had a chance to try Skinny Noodles Shirataki. Genki USA was kind enough to send me a box containing 10 packages of their skinny noodles. They sent me 2 packages of each of their 5 noodle varieties:

• Shirataki rice
• Shirataki angel hair noodles
• Shirataki spaghetti noodles
• Shirataki spinach fettuccine noodles
• Shirataki macaroni noodles

The noodles are made from the konjac root and are the perfect addition to your diet if you have diabetes or are trying drop a few pounds of extra weight. The noodles are gluten free, vegan and have 3-4 grams of fiber per serving.

What Are Skinny Noodles?

Skinny noodles are made from the root of the konajac plant. According to the Konajac Foods website: "Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a water-soluble dietary fiber derived from the root of the Konjac plant. Konjac foods, also called Shirataki Noodles In Japan, are traditional Chinese foods with a history spanning over two thousand years."

Shirataki skinny noodles remind me of clear cellophane noodles, the ones made from mung bean flour, found in Asian-style cooking. I liked the angel hair, spaghetti and fettuccine style noodles but did not care for the macaroni or rice style skinny noodles. The macaroni noodles were too thick for my taste and the rice style reminded me of tapioca, not rice.

Skinny noodles are packed in water, and need to be drained and rinsed off before using. You can cook the noodles by heating them in the microwave for a few seconds. The angel hair noodles are the perfect addition to a homemade soup and I liked the angel hair and spaghetti noodles mixed with a bit of marinara sauce. Skinny noodles have a faint, earthy scent. I'm not entirely sure this earthy scent went away after rinsing. 

Find Skinny Noodles Online

• Website: www.getskinnynoodles.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/skinnynoodles
• Twitter: twitter.com/SkinnyNoodlesUS
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/skinnynoodles

  

Skinny Noodle Product Description

Skinny Noodles Shirataki are low calorie, low carb, gluten-free, and soy-free pasta and rice alternatives. Available in five varieties (spaghetti, angel hair, spinach fettuccine, macaroni, and "rice"), Skinny Noodles are made from a root native to Asia called konnyaku or konjac. The products are weight loss and diabetic friendly with 3-4 grams of fiber per serving. To prepare, simply drain and rinse thoroughly; then parboil, microwave, or pan fry for 2-3 minutes. Skinny Noodles are a healthy alternative to traditional pasta, in soups, salads, or stir fry and made in America.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Try Giant Ice Balls for Your Cocktails

Cuisine Diva Reviews Ice Sphere Molds

Are you looking for a cool way to jazz up your cocktails? How about adding a giant, round ice-cube to your favorite frosty beverage? Infernal Innovations was kind enough to send me a set of 2 of their round ice sphere molds to try and review for the Cuisine Diva blog. 

Each mold makes a huge, 2.5" round ice-cube. It's a neat way to cool down your beverage without watering it down. Large ice spheres, like these, take longer to melt down than regular ice cubes. You can get creative with the ice sphere molds and use fruit punch or your favorite fruit juice instead of plain water. Place the resulting fruit infused ice cubes in your punch bowl for a bit of fun.

The ice sphere molds are easy to use. You simply fill them with water to the fill line, snap on the lid and place in your freezer for 4 to 6 hours. To unmold the ice spheres, run them under warm tap water, peel off the cap of the mold then squeeze the sides of the mold to release the giant ice ball.

 

 

Find Infernal Innovations Online

• Website: InfernalInnovations.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/InfernalInnovations
• Twitter: twitter.com/infernalinno
• Google+: plus.google.com/+Infernalinnovationsstore
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/infernalinno

 

 

YouTube video:

 

Infernal Innovations Ice Sphere Molds

• Distinctive ice molds are sleek and stylish and are a 100% sure crowd pleaser
• Each ice sphere is the EQUIVALENT OF 5+ STANDARD ICE CUBES so to you can stop running to the freezer end enjoy your party
• ULTRA SLOW MELTING premium 2.5" ice spheres are sure to outlast your drink
• Quickly cools ANY BEVERAGE like juice, iced tea & lemonade so throw a few ice balls into a pitcher on HOT SUMMER DAYS!
• Ice balls have less surface area than cubes and won't dilute your expensive Scotch or Bourbon

FEATURES
• Neatly stackable so they won't tip-you can find room for them in any freezer
• BPA free and dishwasher safe for quick & easy care
• Quality materials consist of a durable plastic base & Infernal Orange silicone top, specially designed with grooves to catch excess water & prevent leaks
• Clearly indicated FILL-LINE takes the guesswork out of how much water to pour
• INFERNAL flame logo freezes into every sphere to certify authenticity

Infernal Innovations' Ice Sphere Molds Create Each Ice Ball Individually To Produce Better Results Consistenly So You Can Sit Back, Relax & Enjoy!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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What the Heck is Yacon Syrup?

Above: yacon tubers look a bit like sweet potatoes. 

Have you heard of yacon syrup? Yacon syrup comes from the tuberous root of the yacon plant, Latin name Smallanthus sonchifolius. The plants are indigenous to the Andes Mountains from Columbia to Argentina. According to the Yacon Syrup Health Benefit website, "Yacon is considered one of the most preferred natural sweetener because it contains about 50% FOS or Fructooligosacharides, which do not in any way increase blood glucose levels." This fact makes the sweetener safe for diabetics to use. 

Life & Food Inc. was kind enough to send me an 8 ounce bottle of their yacon syrup to try out and review for the Cuisine Diva blog. The syrup is a thick, brown liquid which reminds me of black strap molasses. In fact, the syrup is so much like molasses that I wasn't sure I liked it at first. It is an extremely sweet and extremely thick syrup. But after a bit of experimenting I ended up making a blueberry pancake syrup with it.

I placed a small sauce pan on low heat and stirred in about 1/3 cup of yacon syrup, 1/3 cup of agave syrup, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup of blueberries. I let the blueberry syrup simmer for around 20 minutes then turned off the heat and left the syrup cool to room temperature. The resulting blueberry syrup makes a terrific pancake syrup substitute - I use it on pancakes, waffles and French toast. Leftover syrup can be placed in a container and stored in your refrigerator.

So if you are looking for a low-calorie, low sugar sweetener give yacon syrup a try.

You can read my review of Life & Foods Garcinia Cambogia weight-loss capsules on the Beauty Diva blog..

Find Life & Food Online

• Website: www.lifefoodpro.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifefoodpro

Yacon Syrup Product Details

• 100% pure Yacon syrup has shown to assist in weight management, increase fiber intake and promotes good bowel function.
• Other benefits include: Lowers blood sugar. Prevents and controls hyperglycemia (over activity). Restores renal activity. Is a powerful Antioxidant.
• High in prebiotics and probiotics, this syrup contains up to 50% of FOS (fructooligosacharides). It has been found that consumption of FOS does not increase blood glucose, and helps boost your bodies metabolism.
• Naturally grown and sourced from the fields in Peru. Organic certified by our manufacturing specialists.
• 100% pure raw organic syrup formula with no added preservatives. Bottled and tested in a FDA certified GMP facility in the USA.

Life & Food 100% Pure Raw All Natural Yacon Syrup

Our Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Syrup is sourced from naturally grown organic Yacon fields in the country of Peru. We use the HIGHEST quality Yacon plant to make a premium pure syrup formula.
Yacon syrup has shown to remains low in calories and low on the glycemic index scale. This is due to the fact that the sugar contains high levels of oligofructose (inulin), a form of sugar that is not metabolized readily by the human body. For this reason, Yacon is ideal for diabetics and acts as a great alternative to conventional low calorie sweeteners.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.