Raines Realm

I've recently been trying to add a lot more hygge to my life. Pronounced hue'gah, the Oxford dictionary defines it as  A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). To put it simply, its the little moments. Its a hot cup of tea by the fire, its a picnic in the woods, its enjoying the sounds of the evening. Its putting the phone down! (After you read this, of course). When you take the time to truly experience and observe your atmosphere, you create a calming and fulfilling effect that benefits you mentally and physically. Our lifestyles can be very demanding and cause us to have to rush around, rarely enjoying life's little pleasures. It is crucial that we take the time to savor those little moments throughout the day. When you incorporate hygge into your life, your mind will start to be able to focus and concentrate in a more productive way,...

Welcome to the third part in my functional food series. If you missed the first two, you can find Tumeric here  and Apple Cider Vinegar here . The use of honey by humans has a history that spans back at least 10,000 years. Originally, it was gathered from wild hives that were sought out through definite peril. The earliest recorded "apiaries" can be credited to the ancient Egyptians. During that time hives were made out of old tree trunks and logs to imitate wild hives. Since that time, honey has been studied through extensive methods by a variety of scientists and health professionals to substantiate the claims of benefits associated with it. The list of benefits include preventing heart disease and cancers, blood sugar regulation, reducing ulcers, reducing and eliminating throat irritations, probiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, and it aids in healing burns and wounds. That is a very comprehensive list of abilities! So, if you want to incorporate the benefits ...

Sweet breads are amazing, although you should never get them confused with sweetbreads, totally different ball game. One of the great things about breads like this is that they freeze well. You can make a batch or two ahead of time for when you need it and its a great way to take some of the stress out of planning teas and brunches. I always keep some in my freezer for just such occasions. This is a mild orange bread so it pairs well with a lot of things. You can serve it with butter and fruit spreads if you like, but it doesn't need them. This means that it can stand alone as part of a variety of finger foods, (such as for afternoon tea), or it can play a supporting role as a dinner bread, or perhaps even dessert. Orange Bread Recipe 1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour 1 tsp Baking Soda 1/2 tsp Baking Powder A Pinch of Salt 3/4 cup Sugar 1/3 cup Oil, such as Olive Oil 1 cup Orange Juice Directions ( Step-by-step video ) 1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease pan(s). 2. ...

Though the terms have become interchangeable, Afternoon Tea and High Tea are very different things. So, for those of us who do not hail from the UK, here's some clarification. Afternoon tea, also known as Low Tea, is the occasion that most of us are familiar with. Generally held between two and four in the afternoon, this tea is the dainty, snacking affair that boasts elegance in every aspect. Historically, Afternoon Tea utilized delicate china tea cups and saucers. One would find spreads of sweet cakes, tea sandwiches, and scones. Clotted cream and fruit spreads were customary as well. Also known as Low Tea because it was typically enjoyed at low tables in parlors. High Tea is pretty much the opposite of Afternoon Tea. Aptly named because it was originally enjoyed at high dinner tables, it cannot be described as particularly elegant or dainty . Enjoyed sometime between five and seven in the evening, a stronger tea was enjoyed out of heavy mugs. The fare was t...

Its not enough for food to taste good and fill you up. If it's not increasing your health or protecting you from illness, you're doing it wrong. The functional food trend has been on the rise for a few years now. The ingredients change, but the ideals remain the same. One of the hottest functioning food ingredients, (for the moment), is Tumeric. There was a time that this mildly aromatic spice was primarily associated with curries and it wasn't a common kitchen staple. But, oh how times have changed! The earliest known use of Tumeric is thought to be around 2500 BC. Pots uncovered near New Delhi were analyzed and showed tumeric residue. Before it's medicinal properties were discovered, it was originally used as an orange dye. A fact that a few of my dish towels can attest to, I'm afraid. Health benefits boasted by Tumeric include reducing inflammation, dramatically increasing antioxidant levels, improving brain function, lowering risk of heart disease, figh...