Krapfen

Wikipedia says Krapfen(Austrian, in Germany they are called Berliner) are the same as French crullers...it could be in the way they are baked/cooked but looking at them I'd say they are filled donuts that lack chocolate toppings :D.  Above are vanilla-filled Krapfen with the standard confectioner's sugar on top, should that have been chocolate then I'd have Boston creme! (my...how I miss Dunkin' Donuts!) Krapfens take the sour rather than sweet side with its filling...strawberry and apricot are the most popular ones but I won't say no to those with chocolates or caramel.

Here's a simple recipe I got from a book...Ich helf dir kochen by Hedwig Stuber...

Ingredients (for about 25 Mini-Krapfen):

500g all-purpose flour

20g yeast

50g sugar

250ml lukewarm milk

3 egg yolks (L)

100g melted butter, lukewarm

a pinch of salt

about 750g clarified butter, lard or coconut oil for frying

jam for the filling (pick your choice)

confectioner's sugar for dusting

How to:

1. Sieve flour into a large non-sticky mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add a tablespoon of sugar and the yeast, crumble the yeast as you put them in.

2. Pour lukewarm milk into the well. Add the other ingredients (sugar, egg yolks, melted butter and a pinch of salt).

3. Knead well, either by hand or with a mixer until dough can be easily removed from the bowl. Add a bit more flour if the mixture feels sticky. Let the bowl rest in a warm place for at least 30 minutes or until the dough has almost doubled, cover with a kitchen towel.

4. Roll out the mixture with a rolling pin about 2cm thick and shape your Krapfen. You can also make minis by using your cookie cutter.

5. Leave the pieces on a floured tray, cover again.

6. Heat the oil of your choice in a large pot (or deep-fryer) to 175°C (~345°F).

7. Drop in the dough one at a time. Close the lid after...the steam helps the Krapfen to float...which gives the Krapfen its distinct middle ring (lol). Flip them in case the other side didn't turn brown. Scoop out the Krapfen in time and let sit on paper towels to remove the oil.

8. When they cool, fill them with your favorite jam using a long piping nozzle. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Chocolates on top won't hurt too! ;)

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Supplements

Aside from ensuring my kids get the needed glow, grow, go foods, I also give them a daily supplement, that is for better appetite and for them to grow a "bit" taller. I myself take vitamin C supplements from a friend in Japan, helps my skin glow! ;-) I also see to it that hubby takes in his required vitamins and minerals with a daily balance supplement. So far, I've seen good outcome from it. He has less sneeze attacks now. Though spring hasn't come yet, I am certain he won't be having the allergies like the past 2 years. My mom gets joint supplements from time to time as well. She's 60 and of course, she gets the feeling of being a bit out of tune, hehe.

If you are looking for a particular supplement for yourself or anyone in the family, browse the supplement reviews page SupplementCritic.com. The site provides a categorized page for different supplements, a page for the best online prices that customers can compare and lists of users' recommended supplements.

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Burn

While browsing at a friend's page of skin supplements, I noticed one that seem to not belong to the group...the section:

fat burner. I was almost tempted to try it because there were lots of comments from those who have bought the product. Seems as though they are giving out good testimony for the effectivity of the product. In the end though, I just bought what I originally planned to buy, the skin vitamin supplement...I just told myself, I will get there: to losing weight, soon, hihi.

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Haiti donations

I am not a philanthropist like Richard Willich and I don't have that much to give...only my prayers are what I can offer. Thank God for all the organizations and individuals in their effort to help. As relief assistance continues in Haiti, they are those asking for money, not material goods, to keep those efforts going.  The money donated will be used to purchase immediate needs, such as water, food, shelter and medical supplies. They have set up phone lines, online donation pages and even texting for individuals to contribute to their relief efforts.

However, there are also organizations you can contact to donate food and clothing, the UN World Food Programme is one, please click here, to contact Food for the Poor call 1-800-487-1158, you can also contact Habitat for Humanity at 1-800-Habitat.

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