Of course if you've been consistently depressed or lethargic, you should go see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Otherwise, go ahead and use food as your pill of choice: It can help make up for nutritional deficiencies that are draining your energy and brainpower, and help stabilize blood sugar to prevent fatigue. It can also help lower blood pressure to keep you calm, or jump-start your system when your energy is low.

What you eat can raise or lower levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters to help you function at your emotional and physical best. Here, your guide to creating your own personal feel-good menu. There are plenty of foods out there that you can eat to improve your mood. The key is to pick foods that contain natural feel-good properties.

As science will tell you, the body produces its own uplifting chemicals, known as endorphins, by breaking down food, and it is therefore possible to raise the levels of these substances in the brain by eating foods containing a combination of nutrients which release endorphins.

Low endorphin levels can be caused by certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Certainly, a lack of B vitamins (particularly B12) and vitamin C, or of minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc, can cause you to feel low. With this in mind, it is obviously important to include these so-called happy foods in your diet to stave off low mood swings, depression, and to keep you happy and sane.

Chocolates

The N-acyclethanoloamine group of chemicals found in chocolate stimulates channels in the brain to release endorphins. As every chocoholic knows, a quick fix will, as scientists at the Neuro-sciences Institute in California claim: 'heighten sensitivity and produce euphoria'. Of course, we have to be careful with chocolate intake.

Chocolate does contain high quantities of phenols, antioxidants which boost mood, but it also contains large amounts of fat and sugar and so piles on the calories. Because chocolate is sugary, it increases blood sugar levels very quickly, causing an energy boost, but this is followed just as quickly by a slump. So chocolate is best saved for an occasional treat when you really are feeling down in the dumps.

Strawberries

These are a rich source of vitamin C, which helps in the production of endorphins and aid the absorption of iron. They are also a good source of potassium, which helps in the generation of nerve impulses. The red colour of strawberries is due to anthocyanidin, a flavonoid known as pecargonidin. These also change our mood for the better.

It’s best to take this fruit in moderation too. Strawberries are sweet enough from their own sugar, and strawberries are carbohydrate (starch) free but do contain some fibre. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants, which help rid the body of harmful toxins.

Ice cream

Most varieties contain a good source of vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium and protein from the milk. Again, this is a kind of food that needs moderation. The best-tasting ice-creams tend to be high in fat and sugar so this kind of food is best eaten as occasional treats. Less fattening alternatives include calcium-fortified frozen yoghurts and desserts containing just small amounts of fat.

Pasta

A great source of protein with no fat, pasta is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which fill us up while releasing energy slowly. Protein contains two amino acids, tryptophan and L-pheny-lalanine, which also produce endorphins. It has been shown that a lack of protein in the diet can cause depressed moods in people with low intakes of these amino acids.

Its nutritional value is excellent. Pasta made from wholemeal flour is an even better choice, as it contains a high quantity of fibre and vitamin B complex.

French bread

French bread is a good source of energy, because it contains vitamin B complex, and when traditionally eaten—while still warm, it helps to provide an even more comforting feeling. Wholemeal baguettes in particular provide a good source of fibre, vitamin B complex and calcium. French bread tends to be high in sodium or salt.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium, which is a vital mineral for nerve function. The natural sugars in bananas are released quickly into the bloodstream, making you feel energetic. This fruit contains plenty of starchy carbohydrate, which sustains your good mood. There’s a reason why the doctors usually prescribe bananas for people with mood problems.

One of nature's ideal snacks, bananas contain plenty of potassium, fibre and starch. It also has antibiotic activity and strengthens the stomach lining against acids.

Grapes

This fruit is high in endorphin-producing vitamin C and full of natural sugar for energy. It is also a good source of potassium. Red and black grapes are high in poly-phenols, which are a powerful source of antioxidants and help to protect against cancer and heart disease.

Loaded with vitamin C, oranges produces endorphins, and is one of the best fruits to eat to give you a good mood. It also contains good quantities of B vitamins and flavonoids. Oranges, like all citrus fruits, are an excellent source of antioxidants.

Nuts

Nuts are rich in B vitamins, proteins and selenium, a mineral which has been shown to have positive mood-influencing properties. Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium.

Be careful with nuts though, because it is high in fat, which means it is high in calories. However, the fat is unsaturated and therefore does not contain cholesterol, so nuts are a good source of fat for our diet. It is a useful form of protein for vegetarians.

Sesame seeds

These small seeds are a good source of protein, antioxidant vitamin E and calcium. They are also a great source of protein for vegetarians. It is a high source of fat but, as with nuts, this is largely unsaturated and therefore good for us as long as it is eaten in moderate amounts. You can also use sesame seed oil if there are no sesame seeds to be found.

There are many ways inwhich one can pull off a successful catering business. But do you know what will literally drive your catering business to success? It’s getting the right catering vehicle that will be used for delivery and pick-up of food, equipment and utensils. You can either buy or rent, but if you decide to rent, you can use availablenovated lease calculator to estimate costs.

A catering vehicle is used to transport food and food service equipment to a catered function.In choosing your catering vehicle, it’s important to think of space. A small vehicle isn’t exactly the best choice,but it can still be helpful in transporting yourself, the manager, to the venue of which you can convoy with a large vehicle where the food and other catering equipment or materials such as tablecloths, tables, drinking glasses, and plates are carried. It’s absolutely vital to have one, but if your budget is not enough to buy one, you may have to rent first for your marketing and delivery service needs. There are fleet management and catering truck and trailers available both for sale and for rent. Ask for help from other vehicle owners to find out about dealers in your area. Remember to check with the dealer for reliability. If you are purchasing a new one, make inquiries about warranty and what is covered. Make sure to test-drive the truck to see if everything in it works especially if you are renting.

Owning the right vehicle for your catering business is crucial. Aside from the food you serve and services you provide, the right vehicle of transporting your business is your key to success.

There are many types of food that can last long that you can store, but keep in mind to maintain your food pantry balanced with nutritional, wholesome foods.  Remember you are stocking a food pantry not a snack bar.  Keeping it nutritional and balanced is more efficient and cost effective than purchasing food with no value at all.  Here are tips of food items you can store in your food pantry:

Canned goods.  Almost every food type can be canned safely and kept indefinitely, from tuna and vegetables to fruits and jellies.

Freeze drying food.  Freeze-drying is a method of preservation that will also preserve the nutrients found in naturally in foods.

Dehydrated food.  Another method of food preservation is dehydration.   A lot of popular foods can be dehydrated from fruits, meat for jerky, vegetables, and legumes which can later be rehydrated and used.

Seeking accreditation from these quality management organizations assure high-calibre of detail dedicated to food safety. It gives confidence to the organization and the consumers who will then pick these items from a local grocery store or restaurant. Quality assurance is just as important, if not more crucial, in the food industry. From packaged foods to catering services, standard procedures in every step of serving edible goods to consumers cannot be any less than safe.

ISO 9001 and other food accreditation organizations establish a basic ground and takes up all necessary precautions to guaranteeing food safety. This extends from acquiring the ingredients to actual serving or consumption. It is an endless loop in guaranteeing safety for consumers; making sure that food remains safe goes way back from every part of all ingredients prepared.

In food catering business, checking the quality of handling, preparing, and storing of foods may not always be monitored and guaranteed. On one hand, certifications like ISO 9001 gives confidence to consumers that the service they will be receiving above average in quality. Food catering services, on the other hand, would strive to achieve standards worthy of the accreditation. This serves as bragging rights and boost confidence in providing top quality foods.

The process of making sure that foods are safe for public consumption begins not only when the ingredients are sliced, cooked, and put on a nice plate. Food safety begins in monitoring and controlling food sources--when basic ingredients are planted or produced. From the method of farming to the fertilizers used, from the quality of seedlings to the farming equipment and technology harnessed to cultivate foodstock, various organizations take the proactive role in guaranteeing the quality of goods. The role of food catering services begins in securing the ingredients necessary to what they would be serving. Their orders of basic ingredients and how it is transported matter. Even the packaging wherein these ingredients are put would contribute to the safety or risk that it could cause.

Food catering services usually arrive on the location with all prepared foods. These are packed and reheated and exposed to the public. A good catering business would take all measures possible to guarantee freshness of every plate served. Since there could be many sources of health hazards, even the public themselves, chefs and waiters must be vigilant of any uncertainty that may compromise the quality of foods. For instance, the length of time that foods are waiting before serving. If too long, obviously the foods may spoil. Even the location of the event affects the service, that is why it is the responsibility of the service provider be able to provide delicious meals without substandard food safety.

Vending machines

Food and Drinks

A survey indicated that the vending market’s 40% share is that of canned beverages, followed by snacks, food and hot beverages.  Food and beverages are definite profitable products however your problem is to ensure that your machine does not run out of stocks.  No one will buy on an empty machine even if it will be filled the week after.  So make sure that you have eyes on your machines and track your inventory supply, then make sure to fill up empty products immediately.

Candies and Gumballs

Most experienced vending machine business owners said that junk food and soda are more popular and more profitable than fruit juice and health bars.  Gumballs and candies are also profitable vending items.  These machines are profitable in location where there are many children.

Stickers and Toys

These are another popular item among the kids and will profit more on locations such as the school, children’s hospitals, etc.

Newspapers

Vending machines that sell newspaper can profit a lot when place in a location where there’s huge traffic of people such as the railway station, markets, airports, and commercial complexes.

Cigarettes

Used to be very profitable but with the introduction of the anti-smoking rules, its popularity has reduced.

Basic hand tools like round and flat-nosed shovels, sharpshooters, a wheel barrow, leaf and garden rakes, garage brooms, and a post hole digger.  Protective equipments are also necessary such as gloves, goggles, water coolers, hats and sun protection while working in the heat.

Commercial mowers are important as well or stand on self propelled mowers are highly maneuverable and fast and make good first purchases.  Gas-fueled leaf blowers, line trimmers, edgers, hedge trimmer and a trailer to load your equipment on are also needed.

For advanced power tools, just rent those that you don’t use every day and buy only those you need.  As your business expands, you may buy what you need as your business grows.  Riding mowers, skid steer loader, edging machines, concrete extruders, and supplies of herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides are tools you will need to buy as you go.

To adapt to technology, you will need to buy electronic tools as well.  The two items you must have are a computer and software for keeping your books.  You may also want to consider purchasing a GPS system in the future once your business continues to expand.

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