Unique Serving Platter

No matter what diet fads come and go, there is one standard rule when it comes to weight loss and weight management. You want to take in fewer calories than you use during the day. For this reason, low calorie recipes are some of the most important tools that you can use for your personal weight loss or weight management goals. Consider all of the different programs that you have tried. Each one, even the ones that really don’t seem to take caloric intake into consideration, does work with low calorie recipes. I have found that the best approach to keeping my figure in check is to keep my caloric intake under control.

This task isn’t as easy as it may seem. Those calories really sneak up on you. For example, I was instructed by my doctor to take in an extra 300 calories each day while I was breastfeeding my daughter. “Woo Hoo!” I thought. It’s time to party. I went crazy adding yummy foods to my diet that I would normally avoid using my typical low calorie recipes. In no time at all I found myself struggling to get into my favorite pair of jeans. How could this be? I mean, the doctor said that I needed the extra caloric intake and I know that I was burning an extra 300 to 500 calories each day. I didn’t need to use my low calorie recipes anymore. Or so I thought.

Actually, I discovered, much to my disappointment, that 300 calories is really not very much at all. I quickly added the extra calories just by eating a cookie or two during the day. No wonder I wound up getting a little chubby in the process. I was so used to running on auto pilot with my low calorie recipes that I had no idea how easy it was to rack up too many throughout the day.

No more flying solo for me. I like to stick to using my low calorie recipes. It’s the easiest way for me to keep my figure in check. Now that I really can see that a couple cookies can add a significant number of calories into my daily intake, I opt for smarter options. After all, I like to eat and I can eat more when I have lower calorie foods than fatty ones. Who wouldn’t prefer to eat a whole plate full of tasty, healthy foods than a small bit of junk food? Low calorie recipes are the perfect tool for making good foods even better.

When you think of velvet, doesn’t it connote a feeling of luxury and times past? In the Victorian era, velvet was a hallmark of the genteel style of living, comfort and luxury rolled into one statement. Even today, a velvet dress is worthy of your Christmas party, New Year’s event, a romantic date at the theatre, symphony or ballet event. When you want to look your best, velvet bespeaks sophistication and glamor. Velvet fabric is luxury and grace, the fabric equivalent of diamonds or pearls. If you’re looking to redecorate a room in a sensuous way, give velvet a thought for an elegant makeover. Velvet drapes can be a knockout. Velvet drapes can turn your living, dining or bedroom into a luxurious and sensual space of delightful proportions.

Velvet comes in grades of quality. Short cut velvet is the lesser of the velvet grades because less light is reflected, with a decreased sumptuousness. It is a flatter look which more closely mimics velveteen. Long cut velvet reflects more light and thus sheen, making a more sensuous statement. Long cut velvet is more expensive and requires more care, but if you’re looking for a sensuous statement, go for the long cut velvet. In the short term, your velvet drapes will seem expensive. In the long term, velvet drapes will go the mile, stating their intrinsic elegance for years to come.

One cardinal rule when choosing velvet drapes is to be sure you have adequate yardage. All drapes should measure at least 2 ½ to 3 times the width of the window, to give the necessary fullness required for generous and ample coverage. Velvet drapes are no exception and in fact should err on the side of generous coverage. After all, if you’re investing the money for this romantic Victorian look, you’ve got to pull out all the stops! Don’t go halfway. If you’re going to do velvet drapes, you should go all out with the trimmings. Gold rope pullbacks will certainly enhance the look, as will tassels on the hems or tie backs. Gold lace trims, at the hem or used as pullbacks, will only add to the romance.

Once you’ve chosen velvet drapes, be aware that special care of the fabric is required. Get a can of 3-M to waterproof and protect the fabric from dust and stains. The best method involves treatment of the fabric before sewing, assuring an even coat of protection. There are numerous styles of velvet drapes, from the full length window to floor length, “I’ve got a butler”, style to the fish tail valance style of the old Virginia plantation style. Velvet drapes can add a lot of panache to your decor. Just remember to buy the best quality you can afford. Velvet is supreme in the luxury of house decor and is within your reach!