Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

5 Must-Read Rules Of Successful Meal Prep

by

Meal prep is often a hassle even for veterans. However, it can be something you look forward to every week if you plan it very well. You can opt for a pre-cook two days of the week if one day seems overwhelming.

Consequently, you can order in some meals to avoid having too much pre-cooked food in your freezer or fridge. Nowadays it is not hard to find a meal prep delivery service that delivers within your area. For example, if you are in Toronto, Canada, make use of Toronto healthy home delivery meals and you will not regret it.

Nonetheless, to succeed at meal prepping, you will need a plan and a set of rules to follow in order to prevent any mismanagement. Here are some five rules of successful meal prep.

[Read more…]

Tackling Picky Eaters

by

Toddlers can be rather picky eaters where they refuse to eat nothing but chicken nuggets, if at all. Any attempt to feed them alternative is often met with resistance and tantrums. As they rage on, usually some parents give in and let the child have their way despite their best judgment like knowing when to call an accident injury lawyer. It is not that it’s bad parenting; it is a phase that is entirely unavoidable for some. If you’re currently wondering what to do to have your child eat, try out these ideas if you haven’t already.

Let them be

It sounds contrary to what you might expect as a tip, but respecting your child’s meal choices is one way to remove any ill feelings that might develop during mealtimes. When they refuse to eat, trust that their bodies are intelligent enough to detect when they need a particular type of nutrient. If you look at the entire week, there are days they can get in a substantial variety of food. Positively reinforce those days, but serve fewer portions on the other and leave it open to them to ask for seconds. They just might not be hungry. When you respect their body, they will learn to do the same when they grow up. [Read more…]

Three Root Vegetables to Add to Your Fall Diet

by

Autumn is well on its way, and so are the seasonal foods that come with it. Don’t miss the changes to give your body the goodness that comes with the fall harvest. Most are root vegetables that are typically abundant in fiber and antioxidant. These foods and others will keep you healthy throughout the season as it gets increasingly chilly. You don’t want to call the best personal injury lawyer in BC to give you a referral after dozing off in the road after catching the bad flu.

Health benefits

Foods you’ll expect to see more of are pumpkins, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, and parsnips, not to mention ginger, onions, and garlic. You want to stock up on these are they make the perfect ingredients for a seasonal soup. Apart from fiber and antioxidants, these root vegetables are excellent for metabolism and cell and bone growth, including making your vision better. They are also what you need to keep allergies and flu at bay.

Let’s now list the must-have foods to try out this autumn. [Read more…]

Potbelly Sandwich Shop Comes to Pittsburgh

by

Spreading Good Vibes, Great Sandwiches and the Potbelly Neighborhood Hangout Experience in a Multi-Unit Expansion Plan

Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB) (“Potbelly”) has announced a franchise growth plan throughout Pittsburgh: a strategy that positions the lively neighborhood hangout, known for its signature toasted sandwiches, for expansion initially in neighborhoods like Regent Square, Shadyside and Bloomfield, as well as the surrounding suburbs.

“When we look at the restaurants that are opening Pittsburgh, it’s clear that Potbelly is perfectly positioned to be part of the neighborhood-focused feel of the food scene in the area,” said Chris Birkinshaw, Senior Director of Franchising for Potbelly. “We expect our franchisees to possess the entrepreneurial drive to be multi-unit operators, and to be brand ambassadors who will make Potbelly an essential neighborhood hotspot. With our franchising strategy, Potbelly will be the perfect match for Pittsburgh.”

With a strategic plan in place, Potbelly will grow into Pittsburgh and is now accepting franchisee inquiries. Pittsburgh has been selected for Potbelly’s next expansion because of its strong local consumer interest in neighborhood-centric dining options and delicious ingredients. As the local neighborhood hangout spot, live music, local décor and warm, toasty sandwiches with high-quality ingredients make it feel like home. Potbelly plans to join the local Pittsburgh community, adding a new dimension to the already growing food scene. [Read more…]

Huddle House Poised For Growth into Pennsylvania

by

Huddle up, Pittsburgh.

Huddle House announced today that it’s spreading its “Any Meal, Any Time” mantra into Pennsylvania, revealing plans to open a new location in Pittsburgh.

The iconic neighborhood diner has much in store for Pittsburgh, a community clamoring for a warm hometown hub where every conversation, sip of coffee and bite of home-cooked meals are savored.

Known for its round-the-clock breakfast, Southern hospitality and big portions at fair prices, Huddle House has plans in place to open an additional 100 restaurants over the next few years, including Pittsburgh locations. Showing strong growth potential, the brand is expanding its warm, friendly atmosphere and charm into key markets throughout Texas and North Carolina, and into attractive DMAs such as Pittsburgh, Nashville and Cincinnati. The growth represents a 25 percent increase in unit count.

“What we’ve done extremely well is maintain our neighborhood, hometown vibe while also pushing the brand forward with modern design, menu innovations and operational advancements,” said Michael Abt, CEO of Huddle House. “Pittsburgh is a natural next step for Huddle House. The brand is sailing on a new plane – advancing with our talented group of existing franchise partners and a new collection of owners that value how we’re evolving and see the benefits of being part of it.” [Read more…]

The 12 Cooking Oils You Need to Know

by

By Chef Gerard Viverito

Back in the 80s, the only cooking oil in your pantry may have been all-purpose vegetable oil (the exact vegetable a mystery). Today, there are more than a dozen options. Don’t be stuck in the oily dark ages. Use our handy guide to determine which cooking oils you need to add to your culinary collection.

The Everyday Healthy Oils

Each of these healthy fats deserves a place in your pantry.

Olive oil. Rich in monounsaturated fat, this oil is great for your heart and skin health. Use it for salad dressings and drizzling over breads, but don’t use for high-temperature applications. This healthy oil starts to degrade before you hit 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butter. There’s no need to avoid this tasty fat. The myth about saturated fat has been busted. Butter is fine to use in moderation for adding flavor to veggies or potatoes.

Malaysian palm oil . This up-and-coming healthy tropical oil is a popular replacement for harmful trans fat. This non-GMO, balanced and ultra-nutritious oil can already be found in many of your favorite packaged foods. It tolerates heat extremely well, so it’s an ideal all-purpose cooking oil. All palm oil isn’t the same. Look for Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil. The Malaysian palm industry adheres to the 3Ps sustainability model.

Coconut oil. Another tropical oil which is gaining in popularity, coconut oil’s medium chain fatty acids (also found in grass-fed butter and palm oil) are easily utilized as body fuel, which may help you manage your weight. Coconut oil’s natural sweetness makes it a great choice for baking.

The Special Occasion Oils

These oils have limited uses, and often a high price. [Read more…]