Another blog about linwoods goji berries

Food Trade Review - A new range of superfoods.(New Products)

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:00:00 GMT
September 1, 2007 -- A range of healthy superfoods have been launched by Northern Ireland-based Linwoods Foods, traditionally suppliers of bakery and dairy products and...

Linwoods takes superfoods to supermarket

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:23:57 EDT
Starting on 7th April, Linwoods, a manufacturer of such fine foods, struck the deal with the multiple to stock their range of Flaxseed, Goji Berries, Flax &...Linwoods offers unique and locally produced solution to Sainsbury’s supply needs in NI. ... However, in this case, they have found a range of foods thast are not only nutritious and healthy, but also local (except for Goji Berries)....

linwoods goji berriesDinner Party Etiquette for the 21st Century!

Dinner party etiquette, and indeed the subject of etiquette in general is wrapped up and disguised in layer upon layer of old school tradition!

I intend to dispel some of the mystique of dinner party etiquette. Here you will find easy, commonsense advice and tips to help you through any modern day formal or semi-formal dinner occasion.

Whether you happen to be hosting a party or attending as a guest, this information is for you...............this is dinner party etiquette for the new millennium!

Dinner Party Etiquette - the Basics

• Even in today's fast and ever changing lifestyle, there is one very simple skill which if we don't already possess, can easily be learned that is guaranteed to get you through even the most trying social occasion - good manners! Yes, something as simple as politeness and good manners will make up ten fold for any lack of etiquette know-how.

• And if you are not sure if your manners are good enough, pick a role model and compare your behaviour with them. This could be someone well known on screen or television, or perhaps a friend, colleague or business associate. Pay attention to how they behave around other people. Learn from them!

• Learn to be confident in yourself. Unease and nervousness in social occasions will undoubtedly make you feel uncomfortable and thus more prone to unnatural behaviour. A good tip before any important occasion is to go somewhere quiet on your own and sit or preferably, lay down. Close you eyes - and relax by taking long, slow, deep breaths. Then in your imagination, see yourself at that social event looking calm and confident. Imagine yourself interacting comfortably with other guests - you are a total success! Feel the experience - really let it sink in. This type of mental programming will assist you tremendously.

• As host or dinner guest, never allow yourself to be persuaded into believing that the more you spend, the greater the impression you will make! That may be true in certain (frivolous!) circles of society, but it is generally not so, and it is certainly quite unnecessary. Spend only that which you can comfortably afford.

Dinner Party Etiquette - Myths and Unnecessary Trivia

What rules? There are no rules!!

• We hear a great deal about rules of etiquette, as though they were written in stone somewhere, or part of the Constitution! What is acceptable to one person or one society may be totally unacceptable to another. If you must live by rules, then develop your own list of rules! Rules of etiquette steeped in history and tradition have very little real relevance in today's society.

• Some folk firmly believe that unless you come from a background of substantial wealth and a particular upbringing, then you are automatically excluded from certain social choices. This is completely, and utterly, ridiculous! In my profession, I have performed the role of Butler at numerous very grand and formal social occasions for the wealthy and upper classes. And I do not exaggerate when I say that on occasions, the behaviour of some of those attending was truly appalling. Social background, education and wealth are no guarantees of good manners and proper behaviour!

• Often a dinner host or hostess believes that the more complex the menu, the more extravagant the occasion, the more elaborate the table setting ......the more he or she will impress the guests! That is far from the reality! A simple yet stylish, well executed dinner party delivered with thought, care and attention, will achieve a far greater result........for a lot less stress!

• Dress code? Just as there are no rules in modern day entertaining, there is also.....no dress code! However, if it's a formal affair and the host has clearly indicated a dress style (black tie, lounge suits, smart casual etc) then clearly, the dinner guest should respect that. As a host however, do consider carefully whether such a stipulation is really necessary. The trend these days is very much towards casual dining and generally speaking, most dinner guests will be more relaxed in that situation.

Dinner Party Etiquette - Social Behaviour

• If you are hosting a dinner party, use yourself as an example of what you consider to be acceptable social behaviour. Most dinner guests will take their lead from you - and if they don't, they probably shouldn't be there and are unlikely to be invited again!

• The art of conversation! The successful dinner party host should always encourage lively and varied conversation with honest opinions being expressed and shared. However, proper dinner party etiquette should encourage avoiding sensitive issues or subjects that some guests may find uncomfortable. As a considerate dinner host, if such a conversation is under way, discreetly interject and carefully change the subject. Or if that fails, interrupt by introducing the next course!

• For both the dinner host and guest, excessive behaviour of any sort is to be avoided. That should include excessive drinking, excessive talking (being overbearing!), excessive joke telling (particularly bad ones!!) and even excessive eating! A healthy appetite is to be enjoyed, over indulgence however, is not an endearing feature!

• To smoke, or not to smoke? Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the host or hostess to dictate on this. As smoking becomes less and less acceptable publicly, it is quite unacceptable to do so at a dinner table unless expressly invited to do so. It can be a sensitive issue. Personally, I would advise that the host makes another room available (perhaps where after dinner coffee will be served) for any guest wishing to smoke. Again, there are no strict rules on this subject - as dinner host, you must make this choice for your guests.

Dinner Party Etiquette - Place and Table Setting

• The days of making an impression by setting out enormous and extravagant place settings with numerous pieces of (sometimes confusing!) cutlery and glassware for an excessively long menu are thankfully, largely over. Keep the setting simple by putting in place only that which is required up to and including the main course. Cutlery for any following courses can acceptably be provided as the dinner progresses and concludes.

• Excessively large, elaborate table decorations and expensive, hall marked tableware are quite unnecessary (unless ofcourse they are family heirlooms!). A simple yet thoughtfully styled table using the best that you own and can afford can be very affective. Don't be led into the trap of believing that your table must look like something off the front of a glossy home design magazine! I said earlier that there are no rules. Well infact there is one golden rule...........keep it simple!

• If you are hosting a large dinner party, then a table plan and place cards are essential. For a smaller party however, avoid such unnecessary protocol. Simply, casually direct dinner guests to sit where you would prefer them to.

This is dinner party etiquette for the 21st century. All of the above is no more than plain, common sense! And it is also about behaving responsibly and not offensively!

As a final word, please remember that the true art of entertaining has one prime goal...........that of pleasure! It should be enjoyed by host and guest alike. So at all costs, avoid being overly concerned about what is "right, and what is "wrong". Do what you feel is right ........and if you do happen to make the odd gaff - as long as you carry it off with grace, honesty and humility, you will happily survive the day! After all, it is only a dinner party!

Relax..............and enjoy!

Robert Jackson has worked all of his life in the hospitality business. Now at http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com, he shares his views, ideas, tips and guidance on entertaining at home.......with style, and ease!

4 Essential Oils to Stop Hair Loss During Menopause and Stimulate Regrowth

How to use Essential Oils to Treat Thinning Hair

Aromatherapy dates back to the Egyptians and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of bodily conditions. Losing hair causes both women and men anxiety and has generated a multi-million dollar industry. But studies show that inexpensive, home-grown remedies might just be the best answer. Aromatherapy consists of concentrated flower extracts, leaves and roots from different plants that aid regeneration.

This kind of hair loss is referred to in medical terms as Alopecia Areata. It's a patchy kind of baldness thought to be related to an autoimmune disorder. Scottish dermatologists, including Isabelle Hay and colleagues from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, ran a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 86 people with alopecia using the following essential oils:

Thyme vulgaris, Thyme (2 drops, 88 mg)
Lavandula angustifolia, Lavender (3 drops, 108 mg)
Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosemary (3 drops, 114 mg)
Cedrus atlantica, Atlas Cedar Wood (2 drops, 94 mg)

These oils were mixed in a carrier oil which was a combination of 3 ml of jojoba and 20 ml of grapeseed oil. The control group received unscented carrier oils alone with no essential oils added.

The oils were massaged into the scalp for a minimum of 2 minutes and a warm towel was wrapped around the head to aid absorption of the oils. Patients were advised to use this technique every night.

Professional photographs of each patient's scalp were taken at baseline, three and seven months. Observed changes over this time period served as the primary outcome measure. Outcomes were also measured by mapping bald patches and severity of alopecia with a four-point scale.

At the end of 7 months the results were impressive: 44% (16 of the 35 patients) had noticeable improvement compared to 15% (6 of 28 patients) in the control or placebo group. The average hair regrowth with the essential oils was 104 square cm compared with nearly zero for those in the control group. (see Hay, Isabelle C., et al. ?Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy: Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata.? Arch. Dermatol. 1998; 134:1349)

Is 44% response rate worth the effort to try these essential oils? It's important to note that according to the authors of this experiment, this percentage is approximately the same response rate dermatologists expect with standard medical therapies.

The results indicate that aromatherapy is a safe and effective treatment for this kind of hair loss. Trying this alternative treatment is a lot less expensive, requires fewer or no doctor visits and has a lower risk of side effects. So what have you got to lose?

Cathy writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly menopause and andropause. A copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com