Preserving Fresh Cut Flowers

More often than not flowers are viewed as temperamental gifts. Ephemeral in their nature, it's beauty wilts so fast, that they are only appreciated in fleeting moments, especially if they are not taken with adequate care and attention.

Flowers are often just stored in a water filled vase and then, at one, or at most two weeks, they begin to wilt and loose their splendor. Why not make your stunning red rose bouquet last longer than a week after you have been gifted with them? You can try these simple steps to help preserve fresh cut flowers.





Warm, not cold water can do wonders


After receiving your beautiful bouquet of flowers, instantly arrange and pour warm water inside your vase. This would likely hasten the aging of your flowers and will keep the flowers' shape longer.





Also, do try to put the flowers in a well-ventilated room and away from ethylene producing products, as this gas would permeate and promote aging.





Soda and bleach equals longer flower power


Believe it or not, your regular soda and bleach can be very beneficial for flower preservation purposes. Past research had confirmed that soda provides substantial energy for the fresh cut flowers, while the bleach act as bacteria repellent.





These two ingredients would be more than adequate, as bacteria would start appearing and affecting your fresh cut flowers as early as three hours of immersion of it in water. The bleach would help keep the stems from bending and steadily help in keeping the growth of the flowers.





Here's a list of the things you'll need to have a longer lasting flower arrangement:


1 cup 7-Up


1/2 teaspoon household bleach


1 cup water





Now you can enjoy the smell and sight of your gorgeous flower bouquets for a longer period of time.

About the Author:

Flowers To Go is a premiere flower retailer in and around the Washington area. Their services include creating gifts for special occasions, providing decor for events, providing business gifts, wedding bouquet arrangements, providing designs and plants funeral and sympathy, and making lasting memories.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/preserving-fresh-cut-flowers-238912.html

Author: arlene magbanua

How to Pick Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at a Store

Eating fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to maintain good health. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain vitamins, phytochemicals, and minerals that can protect your body from diseases like diabetes, cancers, and heart diseases. Ideally, you should consume five kinds of vegetables and two kinds of fruits each day.

If you want to enjoy the maximum nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables, it is best to select those cultivated in your local region. Imported fruits and vegetables may not have the inherent taste and flavor as they have been picked and packed some time before.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables have a natural taste and flavor of their own and may be easier on your wallet.

Apples: Choose firm and unbruised apples. Handle them gently. If you choose red or yellow colored varieties, they should be mostly of that color. Red or yellow apples with green patches may not be ready to eat.

Asparagus: Choose asparagus with straight and bright-green stalks and stiff tips.

Bananas: Bananas should be firm and not soft. They should not have any bruises, especially along the underside. Normally, bananas with little shades of green ripen in room temperature. Some people claim that bananas that are partly green are better for helping your digestion of other foods.

Beets: Beets should be firm and should remain attached to red stems and fresh green tops. Do not choose loose beets without tops.

Blueberries: Choose firm and fresh blueberries. Frozen wild blueberries are normally available all year through.

Broccoli: Choose broccoli with tight bud heads and dark green in color. Brocolli stems are eaten by many people and also a great treat for small parrots when split so that the birds can get at the soft pulp inside.

Carrots: Choose carrots with smooth skin. Do not choose thick carrots, as their centers could be hard too. If you buy fresh, bunched carrots with green tops, remove the tops before storing.

Cucumbers: Choose firm, dark green and unblemished cucumbers.

Eggplant: Choose heavy and smooth-skinned eggplants.

Fresh Figs: Pick heavy and plump figs. Also, choose the nice-smelling ones as sour-smelling figs are normally old ones.

Garlic: Pick those surrounded with tissue that have firm bulbs. Do not pick garlic with green sprouts.

Grapes: Choose firm grapes. Soft ones could be too ripe.

Hass Avocados: Choose avocados with rough skin as smooth-skinned avocados may have less flavor. Dark-skinned avocados are good to eat.

Honeydew Melons: Melons should not have any bruises or broken skin or rind. It should be easy to open them with a little pressure. Melons with some wrinkled skin may be a good buy. Also, check for a mild fragrance. This indicates the melons are ripe enough.

Leeks: Choose leeks with white bulbs and dark green leaves. Do not pick ones with yellow and brown spots, as they could be over-ripe.

Mushrooms: Choose unwrinkled, plump, unbruised and blemish-free mushrooms for those with the best taste.

Onions: Choose firm onions without any soft spots. Green onions should have bright green leaves or shoots.

Oranges: Oranges should be heavy and bulky. They should be free of any blemishes.

Peaches: Peaches should have a smooth skin and should give when you apply just a little pressure. They should not have any bruises.

Pears: Smooth-skinned and unbruised pears are the best.

Potatoes: Choose firm potatoes without any cracks or bruises.

Raspberries: Choose bright red raspberries. Be sure to check for any white or cotton-like strands around berries. These may indicate the growth of mold.

Red Peppers: Choose red peppers with smooth, thick skin.

Spinach: Choose spinach with dark green leaves and without any signs of yellowing.

Strawberries: Choose dark and bright red plump fruits without any bruises. Also, choose the ones with a fragrance.

Tomatoes: Pick tomatoes that are firm and bright in color. They should be free of any bruises.

Watermelon: Watermelons should have a tight, dark-green rind. Tap the melon slightly. If it gives out a hollow sound, it indicates a juicy and full melon.

Winter Squash: Squashes should have a hard, smooth skin.

Yams: Yams should be free of any cracks or soft spots.

Zucchini: Choose zucchini with firm, dark-green skin. Soft and wrinkly zucchini are old.

To find out more fabulous information about how to incorporate a healthy lifestyle with more fruits and vegetables order your copy of Fabulous Fruit and Vegetables today.

About the Author:

Georgina Cundall



Georgina Cundall started to learn about the benefits of adding more fruit and vegetables to her diet when she had some minor health problems.



She was also starting to worry about how she could give her young children a healthier range of foods on a very limited budget.



An additional problem was finding things which the children would actually choose when she wasn’t around to supervise.



She discussed this with friends and found her concerns were widely shared, so she decided to put what she found into this book so that other people, especially women with a job and a young family, could benefit from her tips.



Georgina tried many things over the last couple of years and believes that almost everyone will find value in her suggestions in this book, whatever their situation.



You can get the ebook from http://www.fabfruitveg.ebooks-excel.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/how-to-pick-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-at-a-store-701079.html

Author: Georgina Cundall

How to Buy Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

Experience is the best teacher in choosing quality but here are a few pointers on buying some types of vegetables.

ASPARAGUS.....Stocks should be tender and firm, tips should be closed and compact, choose the stalk with very little white...they are more tender. Use your asparagus soon after purchasing...it toughens rapidly.

BEANS, SNAP.....Those with small beans inside are the best. Avoid beans with dry looking pods.

BROCCLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, and CAULIFLOWER.....Flower clusters on broccli and cauliflower should be tight and close together. Brussels sprouts should be firm and compact, Smudgy dirty spots may indicate insects.

CABBAGE and HEAD LETTUCE.....Choose heads heavy for size, avoid cabbage with worm holes and lettuce with discoloration or soft rot.

CUCUMBERS.....Choose long slender cucumbers for best quality. May be dark or medium green, but yellowed ones are undesirable.

PEAS and LIMA BEANS.....Select pods that are well-filled but not bulging, avoid dry, spotted, yellowed, or flabby pods.

ROOT VEGITABLES.....Should be smooth and form, very large carrots may have woody cores, oversized radishes may be pithy, oversized turnips, beets and parsnips may be woody, Fresh carrot tops usually mean fresh carrots, but condition of leaves on most other root vegetables does not indicate degree of freshness.

SWEET POTATOES.....Porto Rico and Nancy Hall varieties...with bronze or rose skins...are soft and sweet when cooked. Yellow to light brown ones of the Jersey types are firmer and less moist.

BERRIES.....Select plump, solid berries with good color. Avoid stained containers indicating wet or leaky berries. Berries such as blackberries, raspberries with clinging caps may be unripe. Strawberries without caps may be too ripe.

MELONS.....In cantaloupe, thick close netting on the rind indicates best quality. Cantaloupes are ripe when the stems scar is smooth and space between the netting is yellow or yellow-green. They are best to eat when fully ripe and fruity odor.

Honeydews are ripe when rind has a creamy to yellowish color and velvety texture, Immature honeydews are whitish-green

Ripe watermelons have some yellow color on one side but watermelons that are white or pale green on one side. They are not ripe.

ORANGES, GRAPEFRUITS, and LEMONS.....Choose those heavy for their size. Smoother, thinner skins indicate more juice. Most skin markings usually do not affect qualith. Oranges with a slight greenish tinge may be just as ripe as fully colored ones. Light or greenish-yellow lemons are more tart than deep yellow ones. Avoid citrus fruits showing withered, sunken, or soft areas. Fresh Fruit & Vegetables are essential for good health.

When giving someone a gift give them a fresh fruit & vegetables basket.

About the Author:

Andrew Krause is a Chef and Pastry Chef for over 30 years, at persent I own a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at For Free Recipes.net NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/how-to-buy-fresh-fruit-vegetables-573202.html

Author: Abdrew Krause

Flower Arrangements Add Beauty to Lovely Fresh Flowers

Isn’t wonderful when you receive lovely surprises such as a dozen of flowers? Yes, it is and what makes it more special is the way the flowers are arranged. Flower arrangements add life and attraction to the flowers. Fresh flowers may look good by nature, but they will not be as lovely and attractive when not arranged properly.

The best way to impress someone is by sending her fresh and lovely flowers. Most of us love flowers and would like to receive them from anybody. Fresh flowers are wonderful presents and good mediators. They can be used to surprise someone on special or ordinary days. Flowers can convey and give signs of what is inside you when there is no other way you can think of. If you need to show a girl you like her then give her fresh flowers. As simple as it may look like, but the footprints you left on her heart will be extraordinary.

One can also use flowers as decorations. These elements add color and elegance to a place. Corner sets can be topped with flowers and become the focal point of visitors. Instead of having expensive decorations, fresh flowers can take the role and offer the same beauty and enhancement to a home.

Flowers arranged properly are more attractive and can definitely capture the eyes of anyone who sees it. Arrangements add more beauty and life to the flower aside from its natural gift. Flowers can be arranged to match what you want to express. If the purpose is for anniversaries then it can be shaped with the triangular arrangement to look more elegant.

Have you noticed that during weddings and other special gatherings, most ladies prefer to look at how flowers are arranged than any other things around? This is one good reason why appropriate flower arrangement is required in many occasions. Different occasions demand different types of flower arrangements. They bring meaning to the environment and the occasion.

Designs such as oval, horizontal, triangular, and vertical are common ways of arranging flowers. A combination of fresh flowers arranged appropriately will produce nicely crafted finish product that you can be proud of. It is just wonderful to offer someone your best product that you know will take her heart away.

So, if you’re planning to send someone a bunch of flowers, make sure to pick the right flower arrangement. They will know how creative you are when it comes to picking the right package. If you’re having some problems in looking for the appropriate design then you can look for professional designers over the Internet. There are plenty of designs and flower arrangements you can pick over the Internet.

About the Author:

If you are looking to send fresh flowers, roses, gift basket, or any other of our beautiful flower arrangements then feel free to visit 1800flowers.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/flower-arrangements-add-beauty-to-lovely-fresh-flowers-686213.html

Author: Roberta Groche

Fresh With Orange Facial

Orange fruit is always fresh. Look on the color which look fresh. The fruit which got this fresh color is also known to have lot's of benefits.

The Vitamin C inside it is good for your health and can prevent hot in your body. Beside that, Orange is good too to be used on your skin. This fruit also contain astringent which can be use to reduce the oil content in the face.

The orange facial is good for urban people who live in big cities because the busy life of peoples in big cities is likely can make stress.

This treatment is good to make fresh your body and face.

"This orange facial actually can be used by any skin type but will be more effective for sensitive or oily skin"

The steps of Orange Facial Treatment

In this treatment, you need to clean up your face first using a cleanser which come from honey and yoghurt because this ingridients have been proven can remove dirt and any make up materials which is still stick on your face.

Honey is the part of this treatment. This natural product have lot's of benefits for your health specially for your skin. Therefore there is a stages to spread natural honey on all of your face. The purpose is to make your face more elastic and humid.

Af ter using honey, you should clean up your face to cleaning any honey with still stick on your face then after it you will start the main point of orange facial for your face which is spread two pieces of fresh citrus to the surface along with a face massage.

"Vitamin C in the orange will be merged into the skin and this can help tighten your skin, and take up your lax skin face."

At the end, you should use cuke and put it on your entire face. This fruit got lot of nutritious contents which can be used to overcome many of skin problems. Cuke and your skin face have a equivalent level so that this fruit is very easy to adopting this fruit in range of treatment. Cuke nutritious contents can refine and refresh your skin.

After Orange Facial Treatment

You must wait for an hour after the facial before doing your outdoor activity to prevent being exposed to direct sunlight or make up your face.

About the Author:

http://nimbrung.net/fresh-with-orange-facial.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/fresh-with-orange-facial-743824.html

Author: Nicolas Setiono

3 Ways To Cook Freshly Caught Fish

You can cook a freshly caught fish in dozens of ways. Most anglers have their unique style of cooking freshly caught salmon, trout, or any other fish. In fact, anglers all over the country are a rich source of information on how to cook freshly caught fish. The following tips will help you create mouth-watering dishes with the fish that you have just caught.

1. Fried Fish



One of the best ways to cook freshly caught fish is to bread it and fry it. The aroma of fish frying in butter is almost too good to be true, and the sight of a fisherman flipping his catch in the frying pan is awe-inspiring.



If you are an amateur, ensure that the butter is very hot, but not burning hot. Also, ensure that you have completely coated the fish with batter. You can season your batter with as much salt and pepper as you wish. In addition, you can also experiment with other spices and herb to produce a really srumptious dish.



2. Grilled Fish



At first, grilling seems to be the easiest method of cooking fish. An amateur, especially, might make the mistake of thinking that the experience of grilling fish is similar to that of grilling meat.



Amateurs will soon learn that fish tends to give some trouble when it is being grilled. It releases some juice when it is cooked, unlike chicken or steak. When you are grilling fish for the first time, you might let the delicious juice drip into the burning coals. This could reduce the quality of the dish you are preparing.



To avoid loss of moisture, give the fish a coating of oil. Oil serves to trap the moisture within the fish. Instead of giving the fish a coating of oil, you can pack it in an aluminum foil, which serves to prevent the loss of moisture from the fish. It also enables the marinating of fish in its own delicious juice. You can also put some spices and herbs inside the foil so that you can get grilled fish that tastes wonderful.



Keep a sharp watch on the fish and turn it over when it is half done. You can make a cut into the fish to find out the extent to which it is cooked. After flipping the fish over, watch it carefully, and remove it when it is perfectly cooked.



3. Baked Fish



If you don't have the time to watch fish while it is cooking, you had better go in for baking. Prepare the marinade for the fish and heat your oven. Simply place the marinated fish into the pre-heated oven for a short while. You might have to check the fish from time to time in order to avoid overcooking.



Irrespective of the type of freshly caught fish, a good recipe coupled with skillful cooking can give you a simply delicious dish. Fish that is badly cooked can spoil your fishing trip. So take your time with regard to cooking the fish. The golden rule of cooking fish is not to overcook it because overcooking simply ruins the dish.

About the Author:

Abhishek is an avid Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fishing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 116 Pages Ebook, "Fishing Mastery!" from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/772/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/3-ways-to-cook-freshly-caught-fish-776231.html

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Sebi on Insider Trading

SEBI ON INSIDER TRADING

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as SEBI) mandates that a company making public issue of shares lists them in a stock exchange. After the shares are listed on a stock exchange, they are allowed to be traded like goods. Like in any other form of market, the forces of demand and supply regulate the prices of shares as well. When people buy the shares of a particular company from the stock market (i.e. the demand for the share increases), the price of the shares of that company increases. Similarly, it decreases when people sell the shares (supply increases than demand).

By investing in a company's share, an investor (share holder) becomes an owner of that particular company to the extent of the value of the shares held by him. He therefore is entitled to a share in the profits earned by the company. This share in profits that is distributed to a shareholder is known as dividends. Apart from the ownership, it is the dividend or the anticipation thereof that lures an investor into buying the shares of a particular company. The performance of a company is of primary importance to the investors and the general public who might invest in the company. The Indian company law provides that a company should prepare an annual account showing the company's trading results during the relevant arrear (section210, Companies Act, 1956).It also makes it mandatory that the company publishes its assets and liabilities at the end of the period along with the financial results. This has been provided to ensure transparency in the functioning of the company which the shareholders also have a right to know. Also, action 166 provides that the company calls at least one meeting of its shareholders each year. This meeting is known as the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) and is kept with a view to ensure that the shareholders come together once in a year to ensure and review the working of the company. The information released in Annual Reports and Annual General Body Meetings relate to the performance of the company and hence play a valuable role in shaping the minds of existing and prospective shareholders.

The General public and shareholders get knowledge of this information only during AGM or Annual Reports or when the company announces it in a press conference etc. However persons in the company itself or otherwise concerned to the company are in possession of such information before it is actually made public. For example, a Chartered Accountant auditing the accounts of the company, a lawyer giving the company any advice on its future endeavors, directors of the company taking decisions etc. come into possession of knowledge on the company's performances.

The knowledge of this unpublished price sensitive information in hands of persons connected to the companies puts them in an advantageous position over others who lack it. Such information can be used to make gains by buying shares a cheaper rate anticipating that it might rise. Similarly, it can be used to insulate themselves against losses by selling shares before the prices fall down. Such transaction entered into by persons having access to any unpublished information is called Insider Trading. Such trading is not based on a level playing field and can prove detrimental to the interests of the shareholders of the company. Consequently, SEBI banned insider trading and laid down the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulation 1992.

Regulation 2(e) defines an 'insider' as a person connected or deemed to be connected and who is reasonably expected to have access to any unpublished price sensitive information in respect of securities [i.e. shares, debentures etc.] of a company, or who has received or has had access to such unpublished information. The directors, officer, employers of the company, & persons involving a professional or business relationship [like CA's lawyers etc.] are connected person as per regulations 2 (c). The definition of person would include a company, association or body of individuals whether incorporated or not. Apart from connected persons, the regulation also provides for 'deemed to be connected persons' which generally include intermediaries like an investment company, trustee company etc. Also included in the list is subsidiary of a company and relatives of connected persons etc.

It is important to note here that an employee, director or officer of a company does not become a connected person solely by virtue of his position in the company. To be considered as a connected person, it is important to prove that they have indulged in insider trading. Regulation 2(ha) defines price sensitive information as any information which relates directly or indirectly to a company, and if published, would substantially affect the price of securities of the company. It also provides a list of information that it deems to be price sensitive information which includes:-

•Ø Periodical financial result of the company.

•Ø Intended declaration of dividends.

•Ø Issue or buy-back of securities.

•Ø Any major expansion plans or execution of new projects.

•Ø Amalgamation, mergers or takeovers,

•Ø Disposal of the whole or substantial part of the undertaking

•Ø Any significant change in policies, plans or operation of the company

A mere perusal of the list gives an impression that a price sensitive information would be any information that has direct nexus with the performances of the company in present and future time.

Regulation 3 & 3A enumerates the various acts that an insider and company are prohibited to do. These regulations prohibit an insider and a company to 'deal' in certain circumstances. The term 'deal' is defined under regulation 2(d) which describe dealing in securities to mean an act of subscribing, buying, selling or agreeing to do so by any person either as principal or agent.

Regulation 3 prohibits an insider to deal either on his behalf or on behalf of any other person in the securities of a company listed on a stock exchange when in possession of unpublished price sensitive information. It also prohibits the communication, procurement, counseling of such information directly or indirectly in writing or verbally unless such communication has been made in the ordinary course of business, profession, employment or under any law. Regulation 3A puts a similar prohibition on companies to deal in securities of another company or an associate of that company when in possession of unpublished price sensitive information. However, Regulation 3B provides that if the company proves that though the transaction was entered by an officer on its behalf, he was not aware of any such information. In such a case the company will not be held guilty of insider trading. It also provides with some other defenses which a company may advance in a proceeding for an offence under Regulation 3A.

Thus, Regulation 3 & 3A provides the acts that an insider or company is prohibited to enter into. Contravention of this provision shall amount to insiders trading and is punishable as per section 24 of SEBI Act, 1992. The section provides for a punishment of imprisonment for a term up to 10 years or a fine up to Rs. 25 Crores or both.

The SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulation), 1992 also provides for certain measures that every listed company and other entities need to incorporate to facilitate prevention of insider trading.

Regulation 13 provides that any person holding more than 5% shares or voting right in any listed company shall disclose to the company the number of shares or voting rights held by him. It also requires a director to inform the company about the number of shares or voting rights held by him within 4 days of his appointment. It also requires such shareholders and directors to make continuous declaration of any change in their share holding or voting rights to the company. The company in return is required to disclose such information received to all stock exchanges where the company is listed.

Regulation 12 requires all listed companies and organizations associated with securities to frame a code of internal procedure. The regulation also provides a models code to which the internal procedure should be in consonance. The model code provides that a listed company shall appoint compliance officer who shall set forth policies, procedures and also monitor adherence to the rules for preservation of price sensitive information. It also lays down certain trading restrictions that all directors, officers and designated employees are subject to. Designated employees are officers comprising the top three tiers of the company's management or the employers designated by the company to whom the restrictions shall be applicable. It provides that such directors, officer and employees shall be eligible to deal in securities only during a trading period known as "Trading windows", which shall be close at the time of:-

•Ø Declaration of financial results.

•Ø Declaration of dividends.

•Ø Issue of securities by way of public/right/bonus etc.

•Ø Major expansion plans or execution of new projects.

•Ø Amalgamation, mergers, takeovers and buy back.

•Ø Disposal of whole or substantial part of the undertaking.

•Ø Any changes in plans, policies or operation of the company.

The directors, employees or officers of a company shall only be eligible to deal in securities when the trading windows are open.

It also provides that the directors etc. wanting to deal in the securities of the company beyond a threshold limit, which shall be decided by the company, a pre clearance of the same must be taken from the compliance officer. The deal should be affected within 7 days of pre-clearance failing which a fresh clearance is required.

The model code also provides for prevention of insider trading in other entities that may come in possession of unpublished price sensitive information due to their nexus to a listed company. It provides that such entities should adopt the 'Chinese Wall' policy which demarcates the area of the organization having access to confidential information- known as 'Inside area'- from other areas of the organization - known as 'public area'. The employees in inside area shall not communicate any information to an employee in public area. It provides that in order to monitor Chinese wall policy and trading in client securities based on insider information, the organization / firm shall restrict trading in certain securities and designate such list as restricted / grey list. Trading in any security on the restricted list by designated employees, directors etc. may be blocked or disallowed during pre- clearance.

The SEBI 'has been indeed circumspect in formulating this regulation. It covers all possible incidences of insider trading and also provides for measures that facilitates its prevention. Thus it will not be wrong to say that SEBI has ensured a level playing field for all shareholders of a company who otherwise would have been at a loss in the absence of such regulations. These regulations have also ensured that insider does not undermine the interests of small shareholders in his endeavor to make profits or insulating himself against a prospective loss

About the Author:

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/sebi-on-insider-trading-596312.html

Author: robin george