Monday, November 7, 2016

4 Health benefits of Grilling

The interior design of your kitchen needs to have a balance of beauty and resourcefulness. The kitchen needs to be built to your needs and a well designed kitchen will increase productivity while cooking. Keeping that in mind, are you someone who is in the process of rebuilding your kitchen but can't decide whether to have a grill setup or not? Let us help you make that decision with 4 health benefits to using a grill in your kitchen.

1. Less Butter = Fewer calories

Whether you are new to grilling or refer to yourself as a grill master, not overcooking your food is a vital step. In normal day cooking to add moisture to your cuts of meat and veggies, you'll reach for common ingredients such as butter or cooking oil. The Benefit of having a grill is that the grill retains the moisture and would require less butter which equates to fewer calories and ultimately a less unhealthy dish.


2. Grill Retains Nutrients

Tossing your cut of meat on the grill will actually preserve more riboflavin & thiamine and your vegetables will retain more of their healthy nutrients, which makes it easier to enjoy a mean part of your healthy diet.

3. Fat cooks off

Have you ever cooked a burger on your stove-top ? If yes, you will agree that at the bottom of your pan theres a pool of fat that is always re-absorbing itself to the meat being cooked. When you grill your meat, the grill will let the excess fat drip off the grates and you'll end up with a healthier option.

4. Vegetables Detox

Grilling vegetables will act as a passive detox to your system. Vegetables are not only low in calories but they are high in fiber which is perfect to make you feel full while still helping you lose weight.
Those are just 4 healthy reasons why to consider including a grill inside your kitchen or even adding easy access to a grill outside. Don't forget outside grilling can always be accompanied with outdoor activities which helps in keeping active and bonds family and friends together !

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

5 Tips for Kitchen Renovations

5 Tips for Kitchen Renovations

As a homeowner, the time to consider kitchen renovations will come when, you have lived in a house for years, when you buy an old house, or when you want to sell the house. The kitchen is one of the most important part of the house if not the most important as it can add great value to your home.


For those of you who are contemplating renovating your kitchen, here are the 5 tips you might want to consider:

  1. Imagine and plan ahead. How do you want it to look? what materials or appliances do you want to use? how do you want to design it ? etc. Sketch your desirable kitchen as it viable to set your goals before you actually start working on it to avoid costly replacement once it's in production.
  2. Consider quick renovations. In many cases, we have to fight with our budget. There are so many things we can do to the kitchen and the costs can be extremely high if we want everything to be done perfectly, using expensive materials. Focusing on what we want the most is important whether you want to replace your dirty sink or you want to build more cabinets for extra storage space. For those of you who have a tight budget, here are some quick renovations you can consider:
  • Upgrade appliances: Dishwasher, stove, fridge
  • Replace countertops
  • Replace lighting
  • Change the wall/cabinet colours
Those small renovations can be done quickly, are less expensive, yet they can give you the new kitchen feel.  
 
  1. Optimize kitchen layout. You want to think how you work in the kitchen. You want to place the sink next to where you would cut your vegetables so you can wash them. Dishwasher should be also located near the sink so you can easily put your plates in the dishwasher after you rinse them. It is good to have a seasoning cabinet close to the stove so you can season your food while you are cooking. You don’t want to have your food storage next to the stove because the food can go bad faster.
  2. Avoid adding square feet and a corner sink. Both adding square feet and a corner sink can be a very complicated job and pricy. Try to find additional space by eliminating closets or hallways rather than adding square feet. The countertop must be constructed to keep any joints far away from the sink. This is because of the moisture that can build up around the sink. In some cases the countertop will have to be custom built and this will cost more.


  1. Consider having an island. If the space allows, having an island can be beneficial. It is not only convenient to have extra space to prepare your meal, but it also brings people together around it. You can have a bigger space to bake or you can use it as an appetizer table when you have people over.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Best Beverage for Breakfast


Most of us in the mornings feel thirsty and want to start our day with something that can support us for an energetic day. Coffee is a popular beverage for breakfast that nobody knows about its benefits. Drinking the right beverage can give you energy and make you feel fresh for the rest of your day. There are some other nutritious beverages for the morning that can provide you with sufficient amount of nutrition.

Coffee

Coffee is one of the perfect beverages to start your day with. It does not only keep you awake but also makes you smarter!  Caffeine is the active ingredient in coffee. Caffeine has proven affect to improve mood, alertness and mental performance.
Even small amounts of caffeine can achieve these high effects. The most proper dose of coffee per day must be 38-400 mg which is roughly 0.3 to 4 cups of coffee per day depends on its strength.
Also coffee has been recommended for fat burning and increasing metabolic rate by nutritionists.
Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants which may reduce cavities, boost athletic performance, stop headaches and decrease diabetes and liver disease risk.


Chia Seeds

Chia seed is full of nutrition and is one of the best sources of fiber. Viscous fiber absorbs water, which increases the volume of food moving through your digestive tract and helps you feel full and satisfied.
Chia also contains essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, mucin, strontium, Vitamins A, B, E, and D, and minerals including sulphur, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, niacin, thiamine, and they are a rich source of anti-oxidants.
By eating Chia seeds you can reduce your hunger, along with improvements in blood sugar and blood pressure.
One serving of Chia seed provides almost 4 grams of protein. Therefore for an optimal breakfast you can make Chia pudding that contains more than 25 grams of protein.


Green Tea

Green tea is more than just green liquid; it is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet because it contains large amounts of important nutrients. Many of the bioactive compounds in the tea leaves and loaded amount of polyphenols which work as powerful antioxidants do make it into the final drink.
Green tea contains caffeine and it provides about half the amount caffeine in coffee per cup.
Green tea may be especially helpful against diabetes as it is a hydrating calorie-free beverage whose consumption is recommended up to eight cups per day.


Protein Shake

Drinking protein shakes or smoothies is another great way to start your day. If you exercise regularly, you may need more calories and protein. Protein shakes can range in their protein content, but all contain some carbohydrates and maybe a little fat. 
There are several types of protein powder, including whey, egg, soy and pea protein. However, whey protein is absorbed the most quickly by your body.
Additionally whey protein reduces appetite more than other forms of protein. If your goal is to lose body fat, change to a protein shakes that's mainly protein, has fewer carbohydrates, and only a little bit of fat. It can also preserve muscle mass during weight loss and aging.




Thursday, September 15, 2016

HOW TO GET RID OF BURNT SMELL IN THE KITCHEN

This has happened to everyone - you're cooking or baking, you receive a call and lose track of time, and suddenly you notice that forgets to turn off the oven, or select the wrong temperature. When you get to the oven there isn’t any fragrant aroma of food baking  anymore and that disgusting smell of burnt food spread in your kitchen ,and you can find it everywhere in your home. Here are a few simple steps that can be used fairly easy to get rid of the burnt smell.

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1# Get rid of the burnt food entirely: When you are disposing of the burnt food, you should put all burnt food in a plastic bag and get it out of the house, don't simply throw it away in the kitchen garbage can!

2# Open all windows: Get some fresh air into the mix, and help remove the smoke and if the fan is available turn it on for circulation of fresh air.

3# Get use of Lemon-Aid: Use several chopped fresh lemons and put them in 1 1/2 cups of boiling water and add your favourite fragrant spices. Let it boil for 30 minutes for the scent to penetrate the surrounding air of kitchen and freshen up the house.
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4# Bake something:  If you don't have any cookie dough there is a very easy and inexpensive alternative. Preheat the oven to 200 °F. Place some sugar, cinnamon along with a tablespoon of butter onto a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for 30 min. Turn the oven off and Let the cookie sheet sit in the oven for 2-4 hours. Doing so and make the house smell like you've just baked something tasty.

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5# Onion Water: Put the bowl of water with sliced onion in the middle of the kitchen. If your entire house smells bad, consider placing multiple bowls in different locations of the house.

6# Baking Soda: use a half cup baking soda and put it into various bowls. Place the bowls in locations with bad odours around your kitchen to absorb the odours.

7# Chemical-Free Freshener: Pour equal parts lemon juice and water into a sprinkler bottle. Spray it around your kitchen and home. It will absorb the odours and leave a natural, chemical-free lemon scent.

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Friday, September 2, 2016

7 Easy Cleaning Tips for the Kitchen

Cleaning the kitchen can seem so intimidating. Many people would pick laundry duty or weed patrol in the yard any day, because with dishes piled up in the sink, splashes from last night's lasagna on the oven walls, and rings around the faucet, it seems like the only way the kitchen will ever be clean is if you dedicate an entire week to fighting it.


1- Greasy Dishes

Washing them may be easier than you think, though. Attack extra-greasy dishes, pots and pans by filling a sink full of hot water and adding 3 to 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, along with a squirt of your usual dishwashing liquid. Vinegar's natural acidity will cut through that stubborn grease like a knife through butter, leaving you more time to try out the next 9 kitchen tricks.

2- Sauce Staines Containers

Now you can teach your mom a thing or two. Before storing any kind of tomato-based food or sauce in a plastic container, rub the inside of the container with vegetable oil to form a protective barrier against stains. Applying a thin coating of vegetable-oil cooking spray will work, too.

3- Ceramic Tiles

To clean splatters and spots from a ceramic tile back-splash, wipe the tile down with a clean sponge dampened with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will not only get rid of the gunk, it will disinfect the backsplash, too.

4- Wooden Surfaces
You can then bring back the wood's natural finish by coating it with boiled linseed or vegetable oil and using fine steel wool to rub the oil in. Apply a couple more coats of oil 24 hours apart, wiping off the excess between each application.

5- Oven
Don't sacrifice chocolate cake just because of a few spills, because you don't have to spend hours cleaning it if you use our trick. Coat oven spills and splashes with salt as soon as possible after they occur. Be careful though! Wear an oven mitt and use a long-handled spoon to sprinkle salt on harder-to-reach spills. Once the oven has cooled down, use a damp rag or sponge to easily wipe them away. Watch out, because now you're going to want to bake that chocolate cake everyday just to prove you can clean it up without a hassle!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Change Your Kitchen Decor Style

A new table runner, colorful pottery, or a wooden bowl filled with fresh fruits and veggies might be all you need to liven up the room.  You can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen with a few tweaks. Here are some ideas for inspiration… starting with our homey “food decorating,” which not only looks good but gives you plenty of healthy food at your fingertips.

Modern Accents: You can add some modern pieces like an interesting vase, chair, or abstract painting for some unexpected style. 


French Flair: Imagine hot baguettes coming out of the oven, French linens, and a touch of vintage enamelware or copper. Whether your aiming for a lavishly formal kitchen or one with country charm, try mixing a little old and new and maybe finding a great set of French bistro chairs


Make it Formal: If your kitchen style is formal, you can add sophisticated, stunning details during the design process. Think furniture-grade cabinetry, molding details, elegant lighting, glass doors, coffered ceilings, and a mixing of elements such as natural stone, glass, wood, metals, and fabulous hardware.


Go for Color: Adding a splash of brilliant color can be an instant mood changer. Introduce it into your kitchen accessories, fabrics, walls, cabinetry, countertops, or backsplashes. Paint the walls, add a new rug or swap out the draperies for a whole new look. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

5 Tips To Cook Your Favourite Meals The Healthiest Way

Here's a few tips to cook your favourite meals the best way possible and avoid unecesssary fats.


1. Make creamy dishes without the cream

We ditch heavy cream and make velvety sauces with low-fat milk that’s thickened with flour. To make your own cream substitute: Combine 1 cup low-fat milk with 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour; whisk over medium heat until bubbling and thick. Cup for cup, thickened low-fat milk saves more than 680 calories and 53 grams saturated fat vs. heavy cream! For creamy salads, such as potato salads, opt for low-fat mayonnaise and/or reduced-fat sour cream; a blend of the two tastes great.

2. Use less oil

Extra-virgin olive oil and canola oil are our go-to, heart-healthy oils for many recipes. But they still pack about 120 calories per tablespoon. To fix that issue, the investment in good cast-iron, nonstick or enamel-coated skillets and pans for less sticking on the material.

3. Get crispy “fried” food without the grease

Here’s a very healthy alternative for all any fans of fried food..Try our oven-frying technique: Dip chicken, fish or vegetables in milk, buttermilk or egg, dredge in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, then coat with canola or olive oil cooking spray. Place on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and bake at 425° to 450°F until crispy.

4. Egg whites in place of whole eggs

An egg white has only 16 calories and 0 grams of fat compared with 54 calories and 5 grams of fat in an egg yolk.

5. Less cheese, keep the flavor


Using less cheese gives any dish an easy health upgrade. Opt for bold-flavored cheeses, such as extra-sharp Cheddar, goat cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano, to give more flavor impact with fewer calories and less fat.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Healthy Eating Starts in the Kitchen

It's no secret that one of the best steps anyone can take to nourish their family is to start cooking at home. But are you doing it safely? 

What you put in your fridge, your pantry and your cupboards matters, If you don't have ingredients on hand you won't cook it. Kitchens are one of the most highly used spaces in a home - when thinking of your families health you have to consider even more than just the food you serve.


Making sure your kitchen is efficient and organized to match your cooking behaviors so that you do not have food go bad and do not waste food or time unnecessarily is an often overlooked step on the path to providing a healthy life for you and your loved ones. duenasinc.com can help you with an assessment of your cooking behaviors to determine what your most efficient and inspiring kitchen can be.

But here's the part MANY people forget about. The quality of your countertop can make the difference between build up of bacteria and an easy to clean microbe free surface. 

Think about how many fingers touch the counter, touch the food, touch the eyes; you can't overlook the quality of your surfaces & storage solutions for safety not just style!

Did you know that Silestone is the only countertop with built in AntiMicrobial Protection! Silestone quartz exhibits exclusive properties that contribute to the safety, durability and hygiene of a kitchen.





There are many small details like this that you only really "know" like the back of your hand once you've cooked in enough kitchens - and we have that hands on experience. We love to cook; but more importantly, we always want to keep ourselves, our friends & our loved ones safe and germ free while we provide nourishing delicious food and we know you feel the same the way!

Call (905) 482-4349 to discuss your kitchen's needs.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Blum - Mesmerizing Motion in your Kitchen

The vision of perfect motion: Blum has many ideas on "perfecting motion" and will help you make your kitchen even more practical.


A Synergy of Design & Function: Make kitchen chores easier and organize interiors with Blum & a Duenas Kitchens Specialist. Spices, knives, plate holders, film/foil dispensers, drawers and more; we will ensure that everything is exactly where it should be by assessing your cooking behavior and choosing the latest technology to match your needs.

At Duenas we carefully select your Kitchen's Appliances & we know that Blum Kitchen Accessories make kitchen chores easier and organize interiors with beautiful and refined modern technology.



Three Blum products have just won the “German Design Award 2016 – Special Mention” for excellence in design read more about it here. Blum specializes in the production of functional hardware. The reliability and innovation is unprecedented in their cooking solutions with a focus on Safety and Functionality.
duenasinc.com


We are proud providers of Blum's innovative Kitchen Technology, like the sophisticated motion technology featured in the video above. Imagine this technology in your own Kitchen... Call 905-482-4349 or visit our showroom to discuss you custom kitchen ideas, your cooking behaviors, your needs, and how we can help bring your dream kitchen to life and into motion with the perfect combination of Beauty & Functionality!

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Kitchen Renovation 101: tips for a successful remodeling process

Kitchen Renovation: Where do I start? 

completed classic kitchen

 




About Duenas Kitchen Specialists

Duenas Kitchen Specialists is a kitchen renovation company in Vaughan and Concord areas in Ontario. We specialize in kitchen redesigns, remodeling and complete makeovers. One thing that we often get asked is how to get started with the kitchen renovation process. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process and show you what you can expect when you hire a professional company to .


Step 1: Find a kitchen design company

If you live in Vaughan, it's best to limit your search only to kitchen renovation companies in Vaughan. On the long run, you will see that it's more convenient to deal with a local company. Depending on your kitchen needs, you can ask around to see which company has the most expertise in your technical requirements. 

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Step 2: Kitchen evaluation

The chosen kitchen design company will go to your home and take some measurements. However, the overall process of evaluation does not stop there: this is the step where they will analyse your space, quiz you on your preferences and budget and give you a rough idea on the cost of your kitchen renovation project. 

It’s best to prepare for this meeting by listing out some of your own ideas. Some people like to do some research online first and print kitchen designs that are the closest to what they want to have. The kitchen design company will give you feedback on the practical implementation of your concept.
A good kitchen design company will also factor in important elements like safety measures and overall functionality.


Step 3: Kitchen cabinet selection

The most striking part of any kitchen is the kitchen cabinets. There are many different styles, colours and finishes of kitchen furniture on the market. Your kitchen company will guide you to choose the one that works best for your space. You will have to select:
  • ·       The doors and drawers
  • ·       The colours and finishes
  • ·       The material and species
Selecting the right kitchen cabinets can make or break a well-design cooking area!

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Step 4: Kitchen counter top selection

When it comes to kitchen countertops, practicality becomes head-to-head just as important as style and beauty. Since you will be using your countertops the most heavily (think cooking, baking, cutting, preparing and other kitchen activities), they need to be durable enough for years. You will have to select:

  • ·       The material
  • ·       The colour
  • ·       Type of edge profile

Step 5: Appliances selection


If you are doing a complete kitchen makeover, you will most likely be getting new kitchen appliances, as well. Your kitchen renovation company will help you decide on the type of appliances that reflect your style and needs the most. 

The most important part of kitchen renovation is making sure that you get a kitchen that is beautiful AND functional. As it is the soul of your home where your family gathers to spend quality time together, you want to make sure that it reflects your style and helps to make your life easier at the same time. 

Duenas KitchenSpecialists has been in business in Vaughan since 2008 with a wide array of kitchen design projects. Call us at any time to discuss your ideas. 905-482-4349