Before the holiday party season begins set up the essentials for a home bar.Many of the items you need may all ready be in your kitchen. Take a quick inventory and create a list using the following suggestions for the basic necessities to whip up some of your favorite cocktails. Start with the basic liquors used in the majority of drinks by purchasing the spirits in 750 ml bottles.Rum, vodka, tequila, Canadian whiskey, and a coffee liqueur or Irish cream will stock your bar with the bare minimums for conjuring up popular cocktails. Mixers add flavors and pizzazz to drinks.Purchasing all the mixers at once may be too pricey, so start off with the ones you use most often. The basic mixers are: cola (diet and regular), ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, club soda, tonic water, orange, lime, lemon, pineapple, cranberry, grapefruit and tomato juices, also Mott's Clamato juice. Add a garnish for great presentation.A few basic garnishes follow: sugar, salt, pepper, cinnamon, maraschino cherries, olives, cocktail onions, celery stalks, orange, lemon, and lime slices or wedges; Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, Angostura bitters, and Cassis. It's not necessary to have all these garnishes on hand all the time. Many you'll find in your kitchen all ready; purchase the rest as the need arises. You're going to need the tools of the cocktail mixing trade.Again, there's no need to purchase every tool in the mixologist's repertoire, but a few basics make life easier for the home bartender. The mixing tools to get you started are: Barspoon: The barspoon is used for stirring and measuring ingredients so it's very important to have on hand. It can also be used to crush ingredients before adding them. Made of stainless steel, the barspoon is usually about ten inches long and holds 1/6 ounce of liquid or one teaspoon. A can/bottle opener is a must.Also a must for a home bar is a good paring knife and cutting board to slice fruit and cut up ingredients. A corkscrew is a must have tool to open bottles of wine. Finding the perfect corkscrew for you means searching the wide array of prices and styles. A bar isn't complete without a bar measure or jigger.Just pouring in the amount of liquor that you think looks good will not make a delicious drink. It's important to have a stainless steel jigger which is 1 ½ oz or 50 ml on one end with the other end, called a “pony,” holding ¾ oz or 25 ml. A glass jigger generally holds 1 oz or 2 tablespoons. Don't forget the all important shaker to mix cocktails.There are two styles, the Boston shaker and the Cobbler shaker. The Boston shaker consists of two parts, a glass that holds about 500 ml and a metal container that holds around 900 ml. The two fit snuggly together creating a seal for shaking the ingredients. The Cobbler shaker is actually three pieces: a steel tumbler, a lid, and a small cap that fits over the lid with a built-in strainer. You'll find this shaker at most kitchen shops. If you decide to go with the Boston shaker you'll need a bar strainer.There are two kinds of strainers, the Julep strainer fits over the glass end of the shaker and the Hawthorne strainer fits over the metal end. Using either of these strainers takes some practice. You may want to include stir sticks, cocktail napkins, and a large pitcher as part of your bar paraphernalia.Three types of glasses such as the highball glass, the old-fashioned glass, and stemmed cocktail glasses, all basics, are a good start to a collection of glassware. Setting up a home bar can be simple or as extravagant as you wish.Starting with the bare essentials will help you on your way to being a fun holiday host or hostess. Cheers! ...read more

This is where you can find out about what inspirers me and some recipes that are favorites. I want to know more about you also, be sure to leave a comment if you see something that interest you or maybe want more details about. ...read more

At Your Service Catering is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.We specialize in large event catering as well as private affairs. We can offer informal breakfasts, company picnics,box lunches, formal luncheons, and dinners for any number of guests. We also cater weddings, holiday parties and company or family functions. We are fully licensed for both food and liquor service. We have relationships with a range of vendors, fromface painters to string quartets, florists, prop rentals,tent and furniture rental and more. ...read more

At Your Service Catering is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.We specialize in large event catering as well as private affairs. We can offer informal breakfasts, company picnics,box lunches, formal luncheons, and dinners for any number of guests. We also cater weddings, holiday parties and company or family functions. We are fully licensed for both food and liquor service. We have relationships with a range of vendors, fromface painters to string quartets, florists, prop rentals,tent and furniture rental and more. ...read more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUVn4iAoWWrblR-hHixe5agg&v=gLS4mta7STI&feature=player_embedded Here is our interview for " The Will Edwards Show ". ...read more

Stress and Nutrition: Stress can be a problem in itself, of course. But stress can sometimes lead to unhealthy lifestyle patterns—which lead to more stress! For example, when we’re harried and under stress, we tend to make poor food choices. Unfortunately, these food choices can create more stress in the long run, as well as other problems. As you read the following ways in which stress can affect our nutritional choices, ask yourself this: when feeling overwhelmed, have you found yourself doing any of the following? Drinking Too Much Coffee: When burning the candle at both ends, people often find themselves using coffee drinks to jump-start themselves in the morning, and a pattern of all-day coffee drinking often ensues. Eating The Wrong Foods: Due partially to increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, stressed people tend to crave foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Think about it: how often have you turned to your good friends Ben&Jerry after a long, stressful day? Skipping Meals: Another thing overly stressed people tend to do is skip meals. Have you ever found yourself rushing out of the house without a healthy breakfast (picking up a latte doesn’t count!), or realizing you’re starving in the late afternoon because you didn’t eat enough? Mindless Munching: Conversely, stress also makes us prone to emotional eating, when we eat when we aren’t hungry, or eat foods that are bad for us. Have you found yourself mindless snacking on junk food, or eating when you aren’t hungry, because of stress? Forgetting Water: With busy lives, it’s easy to forget to drink your water, In fact, a good portion of Americans drink no water, and get water only from soda or coffee. Do you get a full eight glasses per day, or even four? Fast Food: People these days eat at home less than in generations past, as it’s easier to just drive through a fast food place or go to a restaurant than to go home and cook something. Unfortunately, this gets expensive, and is often unhealthy. Crash Diets: Because of weight gain from stress, some people intentionally eat less food than they need, or try dangerous fad diets in order to lose the excess weight. Diets that aren’t balanced with fruits and vegetables, protein and healthy carbohydrates can often be bad for your health in the long run, even if they look attractive short term. ...read more

Your body is the flower to your soul…detox your body and your spirit will fly…let the flower come into full bloom and get the health glow and vitality that you have always wanted. It is the beginning of a new year, so why not kick start it off with vitality….why not honor and respect your body by choosing foods that support and nurture it. Detoxing is a sacred act of healing — an act of self-love. Juice cleansing is not just about restricting your diet to lose weight. And it’s not just about cleaning toxic sludge out of your body. A cleanse should be a spiritual experience as well. It’s all about connecting with your inner sanctum and wanting to nourish it with the right foods, self love, affirmations, exercise and everything else holistic. When we begin to treat food as raw medicine, our kitchen becomes an ashram, a retreat, and a holistic place of healing. Every glass of juice we prepare, we do with love and appreciation – knowing that our bodies are going to glow from this elixir of life. Our skin glows due to the nourishment of vitamins and the reduction of toxins, our spirit shines as we feel full of hope and positivity and our body is vibrant and light due to all the energy we have due to natures own garden – the humble raw juice.  Couple of carrot sticks to repair collagen. Couple of apples to strengthen the heart.
 Beet or two to nourish your blood.  Cup of spinach to enhance glowing skin. When we eat to nourish, we come fully alive. We vibrate. We radiate. We inspire.
We connect with our higher source more easily. Our vitality increases and we have energy to spare. Our compassion increases as we learn to accept ourselves and others more easily. Juice is the elixir of life; it will make you glow with health, happiness, vitality and love. A three day juice cleanse is a great way to start. Then ideally one day every week should be a juice fast. Instead of trying to cure our illnesses, let’s prevent our illnesses. Our bodies are miracles, and if treated with love and respect, they have the power to heal almost anything. You can mix anything in your juices; it is only limited to your creativity and your taste buds likes and dislikes. ...read more

We are all familiar with the saying "you are what you eat." Well as true as it is, we not only are what we eat, but how we eat. When and how we eat affects our enjoyment of the food we eat. Healthy digestion and assimilation of our food is effected by our food choices, our attitude and environment of consumption, both external and internal. Have you ever wanted a good meal and eaten a bad one, then walked away still feeling hungry? Somehow unfulfilled, even with a stomach full of food? Can you remember what you ate for dinner last night? You may have forgotten, but perhaps you didn’t notice to begin with. Bringing more attention and thought to our meals may help us to make healthier food choices, and experience the joy of our food.Isn’t it time to stop diet – even detox or cleanse. Instead let’s focus on how to get off the diet merry-go-round and find a way to eat (and enjoy) food for the rest of your life. The focuses on a dozen healthy habits, along with an action plan. Nearly all 12 habits are positive changes – things to add instead of eliminate, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, seafood, and breakfast. The first habit is cooking three more meals per week – which is certainly one of the best ways you can implement the rest of the habits.Searching for the “miracle pill” du jourIt seemed like every day in 2012 there was a new “breakthrough” weight loss supplement that promised to melt fat – from raspberry ketones and green coffee bean extract to the latest Garcinia Cambogia, or tamarind extract in a pill. There’s a lot of hype, but little evidence that these pills will make any meaningful difference. But one thing’s for sure: these pricey supplements will certainly burn a hole in your wallet.Eating like a caveman-It became fashionable to go Paleo, but any diet that restricts such wondrous foods as cheese and yogurt or forbids nutrient-rich powerhouses like whole grains and beans is too limiting and not sustainable.  followers are a passionate bunch, but that doesn’t mean you need to jump on the hunter-gatherer bandwagon. We can all benefit from reducing refined, sugary grains (which is a positive part of the Paleo plan), but there’s no need to go to this extreme, in my opinion.Going gluten-free for weight loss-All the celebrities are doing it, but that doesn’t make it a good thing to do. Unless you have celiac disease or truly suffer from gluten intolerance, simply deleting gluten won’t do you much good. In fact, it could backfire. Some studies suggest gluten-free diets may actually make matters worse for some overweight and obese individuals. Often gluten-free diets can be inadequate in essential nutrients, especially B vitamins, iron and folate. That’s because many of the popular gluten-free baked goods (which are often high in fat and calories) are frequently not fortified. Plus, going gluten-free to lose weight means you’re taking your eye off the ball – you’re not focusing on other factors that could be making a more dramatic difference in your weight, and your health.Overall, Restrictive regimens and quick-fix approaches don’t work. There’s not a product on the shelf – or sold on the Internet – that will be the answer in the coming year. It’s not a juice cleanse, crystals you sprinkle on food you eat, or “skinny” shake that will make the difference. What really works is changing your habits. ...read more

To Change your Health, you must first Change your Mind! Mindset. We’ve all heard this word&probably even used it. But, do we really know what it means & how it works? Let’s start with the formal definition of mindset: fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations. The word “fixed” is why it is so hard to “change” our mindset. It takes more than a thought, or a discussion, or a consideration. It takes conscious intentional desire to create any kind of mindset change. Our internal monologue goes something like this… “This means I am a bad mom.” “This means I am dumb.” “This means my husband doesn’t love me.” To create change, we must foster a growth mindset. With this mentality, you still monitor what’s going on, but your internal monologue is not about judging yourself, it’s about using positive & negative information for learning & taking action. How can I improve? How can I find a solution & not an excuse? How can this become my reality? Thoughts turn into feelings, Feelings turn into Actions, Actions turn into results! Now let’s tie mindset to “health.” How many times have you decided to “start a new diet,” “eat more fruits & vegetables,” “walk 30 minutes per day,” etc? Let’s look back at the key word “decided.” Making this decision is only the first step. Now we have to back up the decision with action. Although our self talk is important & we must first make a conscious decision to make a change, we then must follow up with very specific action steps. A thought is just a thought, it is not reality. Your reality is based on a set of beliefs. A belief is a story you have told yourself over & over. As human beings, we have a right to choose. So, make a conscious choice to re-write your story TODAY! Definition of Insanity: Doing the same thing over & over, but expecting a different result. If you are ready to make a change & “walk the walk,” here’s a little exercise for getting started. Ask yourself the following question: If nothing held you back, what would you want to accomplish within the next year? * Write your top 10 list. Choose one item at a time & completely focus on it. For example: “I would like to fit into a size 8 for my class reunion.” * Create the action step(s) necessary: “I will set my alarm earlier 3 days a week & walk 30 minutes before work.” Post your statement where you can see it throughout the day. Don’t describe your success as things you “hope” to achieve—describe them as things you will accomplish. * GO PUBLIC! Tell a friend or family member about your new mindset & tell them why it’s important to you. Tell them when you plan to reach this goal & how you plan to accomplish it. By “going public,” you create accountability in your mind. Now other people know what you’re thinking & it helps turn your thought into a reality. Remember, positive thoughts are the first step. But, to get results, action must follow…or you’re right back where you were. “If it’s important to you, you will find a WAY! If it’s not, you will find an EXCUSE!” Live intentionally, not accidentally. When you determine what you want your future to be, you have decided to grow—to live—not just exist! Change must exist for a healthier tomorrow! “All  we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” ~Buddha   ...read more

Want to keep your mind sharp and nourished? Here are 10 highly effective brain foods that improve memory, mood, concentration, and overall clarity. Eat up. 1.    Blueberries—Blueberries serve a wide range of functions for improving mental function. Most notably, regular blueberry consumption has been shown to improve memory function. Furthermore, blueberries are rich in antioxidants, helping to prevent free radical damage. Still not convinced? Research has found that blueberries can also reverse age related declines in motor function, balance, and coordination. 2.    Salmon—Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps your brain develop tissue for increasing your brain power. Furthermore, salmon also plays a key role in fighting Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive disorders. 3.    Flax seeds—Flax seeds are crammed with ALA- a healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex in functioning better. This is the portion of the brain responsible for processing sensory information. Keeping it sharp is vital. 4.    Coffee—Regular coffee drinking has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other mental disorders. That’s because caffeine is good for the brain (in moderation), and it contains antioxidants. The important thing to note is you shouldn’t add in all the other junk to your coffee (the ridiculous Starbucks drinks crammed with sweeteners and fatty products). 5.    Mixed nuts—Peanuts, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts contain properties that help with everything from fighting insomnia to promoting mental clarity and strong memory. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids while almonds contain natural mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. 6.    Avocados—Don’t let the avocado’s fat content fool you. It’s a healthy fat that promotes blood flow, keeping your mind functioning at its peak. That’s not all: Avocados have also been shown to reduce blood pressure. 7.    Eggs—Egg yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient to improving memory function. 8.    Whole grains—From oatmeal to whole grain bread, whole grains are excellent brain foods as they improve circulation and contain essential fibers, vitamins, and even some Omega-3. Just make your sandwiches from whole grain breads to enjoy the benefits. 9.    Chocolate—For me, this is the yummiest brain food of all. Dark chocolate is antioxidant-rich, and it also improves focus and concentration. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, improves memory and reaction time. 10.    Broccoli—Broccoli has been shown to improve memory function as well as slow the aging process. This means a broccoli-rich diet will keep you young and sharp. ...read more

Join Chef Mayra at the party of the season to celebrate the pre-grand opening of Pura Vida Bakery&Bystro;! Mojito Moves Caribbean Energy Party July 15, 2011 at 6:30pm Pura Vida Bakery&Bystro1236 Western AvenueLas Vegas, NV 89102(702) 722-0108 Come celebrate the first 100% Cruelty-Free Kitchen Bakery&Bystro in Las Vegas with a PARTY! This will be an unforgettable evening with the best in Caribbean cuisine. Both vegan and raw vegan delights will be served, so there’ll be something for everyone. Have fun! Celebrate your Life! Celebrate the pre-opening of Pura Vida Bakery&Bystro with a 3-course vegan dinner, live DJ music and a cash bar with vegan wines&vegan beer. This is not a Lecture- book signing- etc.. THIS IS A PARTY!!!!! 3-Course Vegan Dinner Music by a LIVE DJ Cash Bar with Vegan Wines and Vegan Beer Ticket Prices:                                                                                                 click below                               http://www.chefmayrakitchen.com/mojito-moves-caribbean-energy-party-2 $55 in advance, $65 at the doorSign up for the Newsletter before July 1, and you’ll get a $5 Pura Vida Bakery&Bystro coupon at the door.Only valid with ticket purchase. Coupon expires August 31, 2011.  Stay tuned… The menu will be released soon! Related posts:Vegans in Vegas Bachelor Party 20114th Annual Herb Day EventHow to Make Your Own Vegan Tapas BarVibrant Health FairPura Vida and Nicole Carter The Herbal Experience ” Herb Day 5/07/2011″ Recipes ...read more

http://www.chefmayrakitchen.com/chef-mayra-holiday-greeting-2010-to-you Click the below Link to view the Chef Message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adhUb55gkJg We LOVE YOU !!!! Happy NEW YEAR!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! The Below pictures credits&fun; Pictures Courtesy of www.Hardy702.com www.GoingGreen.com Rebekah Mae www.rebekahmaephotography.com Chef Mayra www.MutinyMarketing.com ...read more

http://www.chefmayrakitchen.com/ Vegan New Year's Eve Party Food IdeasFinger Food IdeasVegan: Antijitos or nachosVegan: Samosas, kebabs, pigs in a blanket.Cold Spring RollsStuff with crunchy carrots, marinated cucumber and a leaf of butter lettuce.Serve with crispy fried tofu and homemade vegan peanut dipping sauce.Greek-style AppetizersVegan: roasted garlic, tapenade, red pepper spread, hummus, pickles, onions; for dessert, walnuts, dates, plums, figsVegan: cream cheeseFalafel dipped in tahini sauce (vegan)Italian AntipastoVegan: olives, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, pepperoncini peppers, fresh vegetables, vegan pate, smoked wheat or meatless salami slices, baguette slicesFestive CrostiniVegan: Hummus with red and green pepper or jalapenosVegan: Walnut pesto or sun-dried tomato pestoCasualVegan Seven Layer Dip with ChipsVegan Black Bean and Avocado Salsa (Cowboy Caviar)PopcornThe Ultimate Vegan NachosMeatless pizza or panzerottiBeveragesVegan Hot ChocolateGUAPOS-Olive Penguins"These tuxedo-clad tidbits are actually ripe olives stuffed with a mildly seasoned cream cheese filling."Wha'Cha Need:1 (5 3/4 ounce) cans jumbo pitted ripe olives, drained1 (tub) package vegan cream cheese, softened1/2 teaspoon dried onion flakes1/4 teaspoon prepared vegan horseradish1/8 teaspoon seasalt1 dash pepper1 dash garlic powder1 medium organic carrots, cut into 1/4 inch slices12 small pitted ripe olives12 toothpicks, with cellophane frilled tops1 (2 ounce) jars sliced pimientosWha'Cha Do:Cut a slit from the top to the bottom of 12 jumbo olives; set aside.In a mixing bowl, combine the next six ingredients; mix well.Fill a small heavy-duty plastic bag with cream cheese mixture.Cut a small hole in the corner of the plastic bag; carefully pipe mixture into jumbo olives.Set aside.Cut a small triangle out of each carrot slice; press triangles into small olives for a beak.On each notched carrot slice, position a jumbo olive so the white chest is lined up with the notch for the feet.Place the small olive, hole side down, over the jumbo olive so the beak, chest and feet are aligned.Carefully insert a toothpick through the top of the head into the body and carrot base. ...read more

Mobile Kitchens Las VegasbyThe Caterers Inc.has been servicing theLas Vegas area for over 20 years. We provide a wide range of commercialkitchen equipment,mobile kitchens, andparty rentals. Our mission is to simplify your foodservice production by providing you with clean, safe, top quality equipment. Our reliable, friendly staff  are on call to make your event a complete success. We can supply a wide range of both kitchen and front of the house equipment. We deliver 24/7 365 days a year. Just give us a call(702) 604-8111.Equipment Rentals Las Vegas:Mobile Kitchens, Refrigeration, Ovens and Warmers, Stoves, Grills and Fryers, Appliances, Plumbing , Service Equipment,&Tables ...read more

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