Making Cappuccino Panna Cotta at Home

Going to Starbucks on the regular to get your daily dose of caffeine through gourmet beverages can take a serious toll on your waistline and budget. Learning to make some of those gourmet coffee drinks at home is easier and less expensive than you might think at first. With a little bit of planning and some easily sourced ingredients, you can be on your way to enjoying a delicious cappuccino in the comfort of your own home in no time flat. Perhaps one of the best reasons to convince yourself to try making some of these coffee favorites at home is that the act of having to prepare them can slow down your urge to consume more calories than necessary to cure your sweet tooth.

If you really want to kick up your coffee based culinary skills a notch, you can try making cappuccino panna cotta at home. This delicious dessert is an Italian mainstay and is the perfect option to serve to guests or on a special occasion. It translates to "cooked cream" but is served cold. You can always add a few of your favorite berries to garnish the dish once ready to serve. However, the cappuccino panna cotta is actually served more as a dessert drink. All you need to get started is skim milk, a packet of gelatin, espresso powder, one can of sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and chocolate sauce or syrup. You should also have several glasses, a whisk and some cling wrap handy for storage.

Measure about one cup of skim milk into a glass cup and pour the gelatin packet contents on top. Allow the mixture to sit still for about five minutes before beginning to stir it completely. Then microwave the mixture on high for about 5 minutes or until it is boiling. Carefully remove the cup and mix in two tablespoons of espresso powder, a teaspoon of vanilla extract and the can of sweetened condensed milk using a whisk. You can use any type of glass you'd like, but this dessert is particularly appealing in a martini glass. You should be able to fill about six glasses with the mixture. Use a sheet of cling wrap to cover each glass before placing them in the fridge to cool. It typically takes about two hours for the mixture to cool completely. You will know that the dessert is ready when the mixture appears firm. Use the chocolate sauce to garnish each serving for some extra sweetness. 

While this dessert is extremely delicious, it is best enjoyed in moderation, which is true of any sweet. If you are looking for a guilt-free way to indulge in this frozen delight, consider leaving enough time to take a walk after dinner to burn off some extra calories. You can also substitute fat-free milk so that you consume even fewer calories.

Common Houseplants Can Rid Toxins from Your Home

Many of us know that plants release oxygen, and help to make our homes look more inviting – but many may not know that plants can rid a room of harmful toxins. By adding certain plants to different rooms in your house, you can clear the air of mold, formaldehyde and xylene.

The blog Healthy Sustainable Living notes that plants in the home may clear air better than air conditioning and heating systems. By targeting specific pollutants, you can even help improve certain allergies you or a family member may be experiencing.

One great plant to put in bedrooms is aloe, as it multiples the transportation of oxygen and improves the diffusion of red blood cells. Another plant perfect for the bedroom is the snake plant – which is very easy to take care of and difficult to kill (a little water and sunlight is all it requires). It removes toxins such as xylene and benzene.

Another plant that is easy to take care of is the spider plant, which can survive on minimal light. Just one plant can clean air up to 2,100 square feet, and its simplicity makes it perfect for beginners.

Looking for a pet-friendly plant? Try chamaedorea seifrizil, or bamboo palm, which filters formaldehyde. Keep it in bright light, and in a room with high ceilings – bamboo palms can grow up to 12 feet high. Those who have cats and dogs should stay away from dracaena. Although they are great at cleaning toxins from the air, they can be deadly to pets. Those without pets may choose them for their long, wide leaves that can have touches of red or cream.

Another plant that needs bright sunlight is the ficus, which is perfect for air purification. It, too, removes formaldehyde, as well as trichloroethylene and benzene. Many people tend to put these in offices, where they’ll survive on illuminated light.

For those who are looking for an inexpensive option, opt for garden mums. NASA conducted research that proved mums capable of getting rid of ammonia, xylene and other toxins from air. Once they bloom indoors, you can plant them outside.

One popular ornamental plant is English ivy, an evergreen vine that removes multiple toxins from air. While not always best for growing indoors (it can grow up to 100 feet), it is one of the best options for removing trichloroethylene.