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Digital coffee breaks

A digital coffee break is a good way for you in your home office to exchange ideas and stay in touch with your colleagues. During a coffee break, you can even use web tools such as Zoom, Skype or Microsoft Teams not only for customer meetings, but also for internal meetings a delicious cup of coffee.

Variety in coffee making

If you don’t have a coffee machine at home and still don’t want to do without your daily coffee in your home office, you can use alternative ways of preparing coffee. Alternatives would be: The French press, stovetop pot or the classic filter coffee, for a varied coffee enjoyment.

The advantage: the coffee dose can be determined individually with this preparation method. A professional coffee machine in the office can offer a variety of different coffee specialties. A café crème to wake you up in the morning and a delicious cappuccino in the afternoon – treat yourself to your favorite coffee at home. You can find delicious recipes for a latte macchiato or an iced coffee on our coffee perfect page for coffee recipes. Have fun preparing!

Coffee alternatives

Another tip for your coffee break is to try coffee alternatives. It’s no longer a secret that green and black tea also contain caffeine, a stimulant. Why don’t you give it a try? A hot lemon can also push you just as much as coffee!

Unlike caffeine, the high vitamin C content of the citrus fruit is the reason for more energy and focus. The metabolism is stimulated, which is an absolute advantage due to the reduced movement at home. Mate tea is also popular these days. The drink is made from the leaves of the Mate tree (Yerba / Erva), which are infused with hot or cold water. These can be bought in every supermarket and are a good change for the otherwise classic coffee break in everyday office life, which also keeps you awake.

Walks and coffee to go

Anyone who works all day from home in the home office or spends hours in the office in front of their own computer quickly forgets to go out into the fresh air. The lunch break is ideal for a short walk, because fresh air also gives you a new energy boost. If you don’t want to just start walking aimlessly, you can get a coffee to go from the bakery, café or kiosk. So you get your beloved coffee and at the same time have some exercise before you go back to your desk.

Conclusion: treat yourself to a coffee break

Treat yourself to a coffee break and enjoy a cup full of energy from the coffee machine in your office. Funny coffee breaks should become an integral part of your everyday office life, taking a coffee break with your colleagues will do you and your entire team good. Take advantage of the good properties of coffee, these are diverse and can be combined with our tips for your coffee break with every day at work. Whether in the office or in the home office, a coffee break has many advantages and positive effects on your everyday work. Don’t have a fully automatic coffee machine for your office yet? Use the service to rent a professional fully automatic coffee machine and benefit from the many advantages of a coffee machine in the office.

What we eat has a significant impact on our mood. Foods in which this effect is particularly evident are considered “mood food”. In this article, you will find out what these are and how they increase well-being.

What is mood food?

Foods that can influence a person’s mood are called “mood foods”. Some hormones are responsible for and influence our feelings and moods. In order to produce hormones such as serotonin, dopamine or oxytocin, the body needs special building blocks. Foods that contain a particularly large number of such substances can therefore function as mood food.

If the brain is not supplied with enough nutrients, this becomes noticeable through mood swings, lack of concentration or even depressive moods. Many foods contain nutrients that our brain needs for all its functions. Magnesium, thiamine, vitamin B6 and folic acid are particularly important for a well-functioning nervous system. Viewed in this way, basically all healthy, nutrient-rich foods can be mood foods.

Good to know: You will often find the term “soul food” synonymous with mood food. That means something like “food for the soul”. This term originally comes from the Afro-American culture in the USA, when slavery still existed there. At that time, food often consisted of cheap foodstuffs that were prepared with fat, salt and sugar to make tasty and high-calorie dishes. Food should bring comfort to the soul. Regardless of this original meaning, soul food is now used differently and partly as a synonym for mood food – for food that lifts the mood.

Serotonin as the most common active ingredient behind mood food

One of the most important substances associated with mood food is said to be serotonin. It is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone: as a messenger substance, it transmits information between nerve cells. Serotonin acts in the central nervous system, blood, cardiovascular system and digestive tract. For example, it ensures smooth digestion by increasing intestinal peristalsis. Serotonin is also important for healthy sleep and a good memory. So it has a variety of tasks.

Serotonin is colloquially known as the happiness hormone. In a way, that’s true, but the term is a bit misleading. The hormone does not make you feel euphoric or overly happy, but it creates a general sense of well-being and makes you happier.

For the synthesis of serotonin and to benefit from its effects, the body needs the following substances:

The amino acid tryptophan – it is mainly contained in soybeans, dairy products, Brazil nuts, plums or bananas.
Carbohydrates – They are important for tryptophan transport and absorption in the brain.
Magnesium – you can find the mineral in cocoa, broccoli, wheat bran and sunflower seeds, for example.
In order for Mood Food to work, you have to get everything you need with the food you eat. Tryptophan has difficulty getting through the so-called “blood-brain barrier” on its own. At this point, several amino acids compete for uptake in the brain. Carbohydrates make it easier for tryptophan to access it: Carbohydrates increase insulin in the body, which in turn increases the uptake of amino acids into the cells.

Overall, an ideal mood food is primarily a combination of carbohydrate-rich foods and foods that contain a lot of tryptophan. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D influence the effects of serotonin in the brain.

Which foods are mood foods?

Dark chocolate

Very popular and rich in tryptophan: the mood food chocolate, preferably vegan. Sugar is present as an accompanying carbohydrate. Cacao also contains caffeine and theobromine, a caffeine-like substance. Both have a stimulating effect and lighten the mood. The higher the cocoa content in the chocolate, the better.

Milk chocolate contains a lot of sugar in relation to cocoa. This can also cause a mood high, but more because of the increased blood sugar level. In the long run, this is not healthy and poses health risks. Don’t eat too much dark chocolate either. It is best to choose fair trade chocolate from organic farming.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts contain a lot of magnesium, are rich in B vitamins and contain trypotphan, which is important for the formation of serotonin. They are a great mood food for stress: the magnesium promotes communication between the nerve cells. A deficiency manifests itself in nervousness and concentration problems. B vitamins are particularly important for strengthened nerves.

Whole grain bread

It contains tryptophan, complex carbohydrates and is rich in important minerals such as iron and magnesium. All in all an effective mood food and a simple nutritional basis.

Other foods that are high in tryptophan include:

soybeans
cashew nuts
peanuts
lenses
oatmeal
curd

Spicy foods

The capsaicin contained in chillies and hot peppers provides the strong, burning sensation in the mouth when eating. Our body reacts to this feeling with a pain reaction: it releases endorphins, another happiness hormone. They have an analgesic, stress-relieving and euphoric effect. Pepper contains piperine, ginger contains gingerol. Both have a similar effect to capsaicin.

Omega-3 fatty acids in food

Mood food also includes foods with essential omega-3 fatty acids. Oily sea fish, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, walnuts and walnut oil contain particularly large amounts of them. The consumption of fish is generally ecologically very problematic.

Saffron

The expensive and exotic spice has been well researched in terms of its positive health effects and can even be used as a medicine. It has been scientifically proven that saffron can help against depression due to the crocetine it contains. If you want to cook with saffron, save it for special occasions. It is very expensive and not regional.

Probiotic Foods

A lot of research is currently being done on how the gut and the psyche are connected and some things have not yet been definitively investigated. But many results indicate that a healthy intestinal flora is also noticeable in a generally better mood. The RND reports in an article from November 2021 that serotonin is largely produced in our intestines and that intestinal bacteria can promote production.

A recent Belgian study found that the composition of the microbiome in depressed people typically differed from that in healthy people. They lacked certain types of gut bacteria. Probiotics and prebiotic foods help to rebuild and strengthen the intestinal flora.

Healthy and sustainable food as mood food

The best mood food is still a balanced and healthy diet. If you feel comfortable in your body and it is provided with everything it needs, then this also affects your mood. An interesting example from research shows how much a healthy diet influences mental health: A 2017 Australian-New Zealand study followed depressed test subjects for three months. In the group that ate healthier, almost a third of the people were no longer depressed. In the control group it was only eight percent.

Knowing about the foods mentioned above is an opportunity: we can, to a certain extent, determine how we feel and support ourselves with food choices in stressful and difficult times. The influence of food on our mood is great, but of course not the only decisive part. You should always be aware of that. There are many factors that come into play for a healthy and happy life.

Also note that many mood foods are less suitable for everyday nutrition from a sustainable point of view. Exotic foods should not be seen as commonplace. Of course you can also eat chocolate or cashew nuts, but you should pay attention to the amount and origin. The same applies to products of animal origin: not in excess, preferably regionally and from organic farming. When your food is responsibly sourced and made without suffering, you can enjoy it with a clear conscience.

Recipe: Vegan Good Mood Breakfast

The following recipe is a simple vegan example of how you can combine mood foods and integrate them into your everyday life. The ingredients used contain everything your body needs to produce serotonin, keep your nerves strong and support a healthy intestinal flora: tryptophan, magnesium, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts and probiotic bacteria from soy yoghurt. A cup of fresh ginger tea, for example, goes well with this.

Ingredients:

1 banana

1 handful of walnuts
20 dark vegan chocolate
50 grams of rolled oats
150 ml soy yoghurt

Directions:

Slice the banana and chop the walnuts into small pieces.
Grate the dark chocolate with a suitable kitchen tool or chop it up with a kitchen knife.
Put the oatmeal and soy yoghurt in a bowl along with the chopped ingredients and enjoy your breakfast.

These vital biscuits are suitable for giving you energy all year round – not just for the baking time at Christmas. We’ll show you how to prepare them here.

Anyone who likes to eat nuts or trail mix will probably like these biscuits too. You can vary the dry ingredients as you like, as long as they have a similar consistency – for example, pumpkin seeds instead of oatmeal.

You don’t need flour, butter or sugar for vital biscuits, so it’s not a conventional biscuit dough. They contain honey, which can liquefy again after the biscuits have been stored for a long time. To counteract this, you can simply bake the cookies again at around 170 degrees so that the honey caramelizes further.

Vital biscuits: Quick recipe for the high-energy pastry

Ingredients:

75 g sesame
75 g hazelnuts, chopped
75 g almonds (chopped)
50 g seeded oat flakes
30 gcranberries 1organic egg
2.5 tbsp honey
1 drop of vanilla flavoring
1 pinch(s) of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 180° top/bottom heat. This is necessary to caramelize the honey – this only works if heated quickly.
Place all the nuts, sesame seeds, rolled oats, and cranberries in a bowl and mix together.
In another bowl, mix the egg with the honey and vanilla essence and add the salt. Add the liquid mass to the grain-nut mix and fold it in with a tablespoon until everything sticks together.
Use two tablespoons to scoop small amounts of the mixture onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper alternative or parchment paper.
Place the tray in the middle of the oven for 10 minutes.
Let the biscuits cool down.

Tips and tricks for vital biscuits

Try to look for an organic seal for as many ingredients as possible. This shows you that the goods have been organically grown in a controlled manner. The Naturland, Demeter and Bioland seals are particularly recommended. Here you can find out why you should prefer them to the EU organic seal: EU organic seal: These things are prohibited with organic

Also, pay attention to the Fairtrade seal, especially for imported nuts and grains. It guarantees fair trading conditions for farmers and also rewards organic farming.

You can also prepare the vital biscuits without eggs, but you should then use half a tablespoon more honey. However, with this variant there is a risk that the cookies will get lost. Then, after baking, while the cookies are still lukewarm, shape them back into cookies to let them cool completely.

If you use egg, you can buy organic eggs without chick shredding, i.e. ones that guarantee the rearing of male chicks.

Are you in the process of moving into a new house? If so, it’s important to take some time to make sure your family is safe. Inspecting the locks of your home is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Keyless entry solutions are considered to be the best way to keep your home safe. You should also consider investing in a home security system that can detect burglars, fire, and water leaks.

A crucial aspect of home safety that is often overlooked is checking for potential fire hazards. Make sure your smoke alarms are in working order and keep flammable items like matches and lighters out of reach of children. It’s also important to have an evacuation plan in case of a fire emergency.

Additionally, be mindful of potential environmental hazards. Test your water for lead, check for mold growth in damp areas, and properly dispose of any chemicals or pesticides. Keeping these considerations in mind will help ensure the safety and well-being of you and your family in your new home.

Here is a list of things you can do to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

  1. Have your home inspected by a professional to identify any potential problems
  2. Have all door and window locks inspected and have the locksmith change the front door locks
  3. Check for lead paint and asbestos in the home before you buy it
  4. Install carbon monoxide detectors in each room of the house
  5. Make sure all of your fire extinguishers are up-to-date and properly functioning
  6. Get a security system installed to keep your family safe while you’re away
  7. Create a disaster preparedness plan in case of an emergency
  8. Check the age of the home and whether it has been updated with safety features
  9. Check the age of the home and whether it has been updated with safety features
  10. Look for potential fire hazards, such as faulty wiring or overloaded outlets
  11. Make sure there is a working smoke detector in every room
  12. Check that all windows and doors can be opened and closed easily
  13. Inspect the yard for any potential dangers, such as sharp edges or poisonous plants
  14. Ask about the neighborhood – is it safe to walk around at night, etc.?
  15. Check the crime rate in the neighborhood
  16. Make sure there is a fire station nearby
  17. See if there are any registered sex offenders living in the area
  18. Ask if the house has been updated with newer safety features, such as carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms
  19. Find out how long it would take for emergency services to respond to your address in case of an emergency
  20. Drive or walk around the neighborhood during different times of day to get a feel for what it’s like living there

 

A properly cooked steak is a piece of incredibly juicy meat that just melts in your mouth. To prevent it from turning into a rubber sole, you need to know 10 secrets that will completely change the idea of cooking.

  1. There is no need to take meat out of the refrigerator and leave it for half an hour or an hour to warm it up to room temperature. This is a completely useless procedure. We take a piece of meat from the refrigerator and cook immediately.
  2. Yes, the meat should be marinated in natural yogurt, which will make the steaks tender and flavorful.
  3. When frying in a pan, the pepper will simply burn out, so you need to pepper the meat when it has been removed from the stove or grill. It is enough just to salt it, if desired, you can lightly sprinkle it with cornstarch, which will help form a beautiful golden crust.
  4. The butter often burns while the steak is fried. Therefore, it is recommended to cook meat with animal fat or ghee. But thanks to bacon, the steak will have a more pronounced meat flavor.
  5. Gordon Ramsay suggests using the easiest way to determine the degree of doneness of a steak. This is its own face. The bloody steak feels like our cheeks, the medium-rare steak matches the chin, and the well-done can be compared to the forehead.
  6. Everyone loves the grill marks on the meat. And in vain, because they are nothing more than burnt meat. A properly cooked steak is a completely caramelized piece.
  7. Another myth is that a steak is flipped only once. Chefs recommend doing this at least six times, frying for a total of 3-4 minutes on each side.
  8. This is the most difficult task when preparing steak. The meat should rest for 10 minutes so that all the juices are distributed over the piece. To keep it warm, you need to cover it with foil.
  9. It is customary to first fry the steak in a pan, and then bring it to readiness in the oven. We suggest doing the opposite. We bake the steak in the oven at a low temperature, and then fry it in a pan and get a piece of fragrant and juicy meat with a beautiful crust.
  10. It is possible to marinate meat before frying, but this often complicates the process of obtaining a crust on the steak, in addition, the sugar, herbs and garlic contained in the marinade can burn. It is best to marinate the meat after cooking when it is resting.

Salads are a delicious and healthy dish with a huge variety in preparation. However, cooking them often takes a long time. These simple tips can help you save time and add nutritional value to your salad.

  1. MORE COLOR. If you’ve been eating the classic set of iceberg, cherry tomato and feta cheese for a long time, it’s time to change something. Add more colored vegetables or fruits to the salad.
  2. ADD CANNED CHICKPEAS. Firstly, you will save time on cooking regular chickpeas or other ingredients, and secondly, it is delicious! The aroma and flavor of the product can even make you skip the salad dressing.
  3. ADD CEREALS. While many people think that salads should only consist of vegetables or fish, this is not the case. Cereals like quinoa or brown rice will make your salad tastier, fuller, and more fiber-filled.
  4. COOK VEGETABLES IN ADVANCE. If you love eating your favorite salad for dinner, but taking every ingredient out of the refrigerator, washing and cleaning it makes you twitchy, cook the vegetables ahead of time. In your free time, wash and cut them into a container, and when you feel like eating, just take out and mix.
  5. PREPARE SALADS BEFORE. To save even more time, use the previous tip, but do so with the ingredients for several salads so that you have enough for a couple of days.
  6. STORE THE GREENS CORRECTLY. Regardless of whether you buy lettuce and greens from the market or supermarket, proper storage will extend the shelf life of the product. To prevent the leaves from withering or drying, place them in a plastic wrap or container.
  7. FREEZE INGREDIENTS. Sorting and putting food in the freezer in advance will extend their life and save time for yourself. All you need to do is take out and defrost / reheat the food.
  8. MARINATE TOFU. There are tons of easy recipes for pickling tofu. This procedure will add flavor to the salad and shorten the cooking time.
  9. USE A SPECIAL VEGETABLE CLEANER NOT A KNIFE. Firstly, it peels vegetables faster and better, and secondly, if you have a specially shaped cleaner, you will add a little creativity to the salad, even if you get just star-shaped cucumbers.
  10. PREPARE SALAD CONDITIONING YOURSELF. It tastes better and has less calories. The procedure does not take long – choose the ingredients to taste and mix in a blender.
  11. KEEP DRY INGREDIENTS DRY. If your salad includes nuts or croutons, it is best to add them immediately before eating. Dry lettuce leaves in a drier to avoid excessive amounts of water in the lettuce.

Thanks to these life hacks, you will get the most out of your pizza!

  1. Try making “dessert pizza” with Nutella.
  2. Make a pigtail pizza.
  3. Make pizza-style thin dough rolls.
  4. Turn an empty pizza box into a laptop stand.
  5. Prepare a “pizza in a jar” that you can always take with you.
  6. Reheat leftover pizza in a crepe maker.
  7. Make a huge rollout of a huge pizza, which is easier to take with you.
  8. Another idea is pizza chups!
  9. Finally, use the tiles to simulate a brick pizza oven!

Pizza is a very popular, convenient, quick, and delicious dish. The pizza tastes good both cold and hot, and it’s easy to reheat from a cold state: you just put a piece in the microwave – and voila! You are already sinking your teeth into a hot and delicious bite. To make your pizzas even tastier – try the tips from this post!

  1. Place a glass of water in the microwave along with the pizza to avoid the appearance of a dry crust on the pizza.
  2. Make a pizza dough with Greek yogurt and yeast flour. 1 cup Greek yogurt and 1 cup yeast flour and your simplest pizza dough are done!
  3. Keep your pizza hot in the car too: turn on the heated seat wherever it lies!
  4. Tear the pizza box into “plates”
  5. Make pizza cupcakes at home. Step 1: Cut circles out of the dough. Step 2: Place them in cupcake tins. Step 3: Fill the dough with the filling. Step 4: bake!
  6. Make croissant dough pizza rolls. Prepare croissant, pepperoni, and cheese dough with chopsticks. Place pepperoni and a piece of cheese on top of each dough triangle. Tighten it well. Bake until the dough is brown and the cheese is melted. Wait a few minutes for the rolls to cool down and enjoy!
  7. When you are driving and your pizza is sitting on the seat, place a bottle of water under the box so that the filling does not slide off the cake.
  8. Heat the pizza with a hairdryer on the surface of the iron.

Introduction: The Unique Flavor of Crocodile Meat

Crocodile meat is a unique delicacy that is becoming increasingly popular among foodies. It has a tender texture and a distinct flavor that is similar to chicken, but with a slightly gamey taste. Crocodile meat is also low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthy alternative to beef or pork.

One of the best ways to enjoy crocodile meat is by making a juicy crocodile burger patty. Not only is it delicious, but it is also a great way to introduce this exotic meat to those who may be hesitant to try it. With the right recipe and toppings, you can create a mouth-watering dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Recipe: How to Make a Juicy Crocodile Burger Patty

To make a juicy crocodile burger patty, start by purchasing high-quality crocodile meat from a reputable supplier. You can use either ground crocodile meat or finely chopped crocodile meat for your patty.

In a mixing bowl, combine the crocodile meat with bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped onions, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings. Mix well and form into patties. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

Make sure to handle the crocodile meat with care and follow proper food safety guidelines. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 160°F to ensure it is safe for consumption.

Serving Suggestions: Toppings and Condiments for the Perfect Crocodile Burger

The toppings and condiments you choose for your crocodile burger can make all the difference in its flavor. Try adding sliced avocado, caramelized onions, bacon, or a fried egg on top of your patty. You can also use a variety of sauces, such as BBQ sauce, aioli, or spicy mayo to enhance the taste of your burger.

Don’t forget to choose the right type of bun, too. A soft brioche bun or a sturdy sourdough bun will hold up well against the juiciness of the crocodile patty and all the toppings.

In conclusion, a crocodile burger is a unique and delicious way to enjoy this exotic meat. By following the right recipe and using your favorite toppings and condiments, you can create a mouth-watering dish that will have everyone talking. Give it a try and add some adventure to your next meal!

Introduction: Emu Burger Recipe

If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful twist on a classic burger, then look no further than the emu burger! Emu meat is lean, high in protein, and has a rich, beef-like flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings. With a little bit of preparation, you can create a delicious emu burger patty that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients and Preparation Steps

To make emu burger patties, you will need:

  • 1 pound ground emu meat
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

To prepare the emu burgers, follow these steps:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground emu meat with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
  2. Form the meat mixture into 4 to 6 equal-sized patties, depending on how large you want your burgers.
  3. Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat and lightly grease with cooking spray or oil.
  4. Cook the emu burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The burgers should be browned and slightly crispy on the outside, but still juicy and tender on the inside.

Serving Suggestions for Juicy Emu Burgers

Once your emu burger patties are cooked to perfection, it’s time to assemble your burgers! Here are some tasty topping suggestions to try:

  • Grilled onions and mushrooms
  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Crispy bacon
  • Cheddar, Swiss, or blue cheese
  • Lettuce, tomato, and pickles
  • BBQ sauce or aioli

To serve, place your cooked emu burger on a toasted bun and add your favorite toppings. You can also serve with sweet potato fries or a side salad for a complete meal. Enjoy your juicy, flavorful emu burger!