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Best Ways To Detox After Halloween

Halloween is known for spooky things, costumes and eating too much candy. Here are some tips that can help you get your body back on track.

Halloween brings a lot of things to mind, most of them being candy and sweet. October 31 is one of those days where we sort of give ourselves a free pass for overindulging, even if we end up eating all the candy and chocolates within out vicinity. Think of it as a the start to get ready for Thanksgiving. Here are the best ways to detox after Halloween!

Let go of guilt

So you ate everything within reach and now you’re feeling extremely guilty and sorry for yourself. What happened, happened, and the faster you realize that, the faster you can get back on track. Remember that more holidays are coming, opening the door for plenty of temptations. The sooner you get over your Halloween induced stupor, the better off you’ll be.

RELATED: Food Coma: 3 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Too Much

Taco Bell
Photo by Flickr user slgckgc

Drink tons of water

Water is always important, but even more so when you’re system is packed with sodium, sugar and your body feels super bloated. Drinking water will help you clean your body and make you feel energized, something you’ll need if you had too much food or alcohol the day before.

Don’t skip meals

While some might think that skipping meals is a good idea after you’ve eaten so much the day before, most experts would disagree. In order to keep your metabolism moving, you need to eat. It’s also likely that if you ate a lot the night before, you might also feel some pretty intense cravings as soon as you wake up. Aim for meals that contain veggies and good portions of lean protein. Eat as clean as possible but don’t forget to do it.

RELATED: 5 Scary Things To Make With Leftover Halloween Candy

even charlie brown wouldnt fall for this halloween myth
Photo by pixel1 via Pixabay

Work out

While working out is the best thing you can do to ease your conscience and put your body back on track, moving around also helps a lot. Try to walk and move more than usual, that way stimulating your digestive system and improving your mood.

Take a 5 day sugar break

If your Halloween indulgences weren’t limited to October 31st, celebrity trainer Jackie Warner believes that taking a 5 day sugar break can be the best way to get you back on track. While explaining the program, she says: “By the third day of no sugar, man are these people grumpy. I can totally tell by Wednesday that they have a habit and they’re craving that sugar. And then by Thursday, Friday, which is the fourth and fifth day, they completely stop that craving for sugar.”

RELATED: How Much Candy Does It Take To Kill You?

American Toddlers Are Eating More Sugar Than The Adult Recommendation
Photo by rawpixel.com

Best Marijuana Hacks For Winter

Snow is hitting parts of the country and the chill is driving people indoors…how do I consume so I manage the winter months

Snowstorms are raging in parts and the country and the holidays are nest month.  We now have darkness in the evenings and always need a coat or scarf. rWith less incentive and options to go out and have fun, it looks like the majority of our time will be spent indoors. And here are the best marijuana hacks for winter. While you’ll hopefully spend your time doing a healthy mix of different activities, don’t beat yourself up if you end up smoking more weed than usual.

Look for sales and hint for Holiday gifts

Holiday sales are later this month and find out if your local dispensary is going to put any of your favorites on sale?  Maybe talk to the bud tender beforehand so you can be prepared to stock up! Even after the holidays, in the the slow months, sales are not uncommon.

Also, for either Friendsgiving or a Green Christmas, do you friends know what you like, never hurts to share which brand and flavor of gummy is your go two. Unfortunately, in some states there is no way to legally provide any form of gift card or offer deemed as a “coupon” by the state.

Store it correctly

Businesses Are Better In States With Legal Marijuana
Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

RELATED: 8 Ways to Enjoy Marijuana Without Smoking It

If you are buying edibles and oils, they are already pre-packaged, but think of a place to put them were they are not “shared” accidentally (be it kids or a greedy relative/roommate). When purchasing significant amounts of flower, it’s important to store it properly in order to not waste any money or product. Don’t store large amounts of weed in Ziploc bags, since they’ll lose all of their stickiness. Place your weed in mason jars, with airtight lids, and place them in areas where there’s no direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This will preserve the quality of your product without losing smell or flavor. Need more suggestions? Here are 8 Ways To Properly Store Marijuana For Freshness.

Have a comfortable consuming space

With edibles and oils, you don’t really need to special place, they are the perfect on the go treats.  Vaping has less of an odor and it great for moving around. But if you want to go old school, a good smoking space can transform your smoking experience. Whether your bedroom or your couch, make the space comfy and inviting, someplace you’d be happy to spend hours on end. Make sure there’s a window nearby so  the smell and air will clear out. You will also need to wash nearby blankets and sheets with some regularity.

Stock up on healthy snacks

vegan cannabis fruit snacks
Photos by Danielle Guercio

RELATED: How To Make Your Joints Burn Slower

The holidays are already a tough time on everyone’s waistline. If you’re the type of person who gets very intense munchies, save yourself some stress by stocking up on healthy snacks  can be stored and preserved. Limit the amount of junk foods you purchase, since they’ll look extra appetizing after you start your journey.

RELATED: Science Explains How Marijuana Inspires Awe 

Build up your kief stash

Buy a grinder with an extra level on the bottom, perfect for storing kief. Build up your reserves and use these to add an extra kick to your joints. Your kief will build up naturally, without much work from you. Just be sure to store your grinder in a dark and cool space, way the quality of the kief won’t be messed with. But first, What Is Kief And What To Do With It.

Enjoy the best hacks for marijuana this winter and, remember, spring isn’t too far away.

What You Need To Know About Cannabis And Your Gut

CBD has been shown to promote stress resilience and decrease anxiety, adding to its powerful role in gut function.

It is becoming the rage to learn more about our gut health. The breaks down the foods you eat and absorbs nutrients which support your body’s functions. The medical community is starting to recongize its imporanta ce and increase research. Data indicates the gut microbiome can affect every organ in the body.

From probiotics to diets specifically for health issues, more attention is being paid to the stomach (and its contents) than ever before. And CBD is starting to get attention for its benefits in gut health. 

The CBD-Gut Link

Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney, a naturopathic physician believes in the power of a good gut bacteria and thinks CBD offers benefits not yet completely understood. During a recent interview she shared, “CBD is an immune modulator and a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, it helps to balance the ECS (endo-cannabinoid system), and therefore has tremendous potential to positively impact a variety of digestive complaints.” 

RELATED: Cannabis And Gut Health: Does It Boost Your Gut Bacteria?

Taking it one step further, Dr. Shunney demonstrated the link between stress, anxiety and the body’s digestive system, citing, “stress exacerbates our gut, and managing stress is crucial to keeping symptoms at bay. CBD has been shown to promote stress resilience and decrease anxiety, adding to its powerful role in gut function.” 

Cannabis And Gut Health Does It Boost Your Gut Bacteria?
Illustration by MEHAU KULYK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

Studies back up Dr. Shunney’s claims, including 2017 research by the U.S. National Library of Medicine looking into the often misunderstood condition of inflammatory bowel disease and the potential of cannabinoids. The study found cannabinoids held promise in fighting bowel diseases (such as IBS and Crohn’s,) and more research is needed. 

Medicine can hurt the gut as well

Another study from the Netherlands reported tdrugs once marked safe could pose a risk to the microbiomes in the gut, eliminating good bacterial and posing the potential to allow for infections and obesity to occur. 

Lead researcher Arnau Vich Vila shared, “We already know the efficiency and the toxicity of certain drugs are influenced by the bacterial composition of the gastrointestinal tract, and tgut microbiota has been related to multiple health conditions.” Vich Vila continued, “Our work highlights the importance of considering the role of the gut microbiota when designing treatments and also points to new hypotheses which could explain certain side effects associated with medication use.”

RELATED: How Effective Is Marijuana In Treating IBS?

In fact, the study published in October and presented at UGE Week in Spain, found over half of commonly-used drugs affected the gut and posed a risk. The list of drugs posing the greatest risk included: 

  • Metformin, which is used for diabetes
  • Antibiotics often used for bacterial infections
  • Laxatives to treat constipation
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) used for dyspepsia

(See a full list of the study’s results here.)

With gut health often dictating the wellness of the human body as a whole, there’s an interesting discussion to be had if cannabis or CBD oil could help the body from the effects of other medicines. While more research is needed to understand the role of cannabinoids on the body and its effects on specific medicines, it’s something to certainly talk to your care team about.

Does Soon To Be Zoe Kravitz Tatum Smoke Weed

Zoe Kravitz is the daughter of music royalty and now engaged to another A List star…but does she ever consume marijuana and celebrate her awesome life?

She is stunning, talented and irreverent.  She is the daughter of music royalty, recognized for her acting ability and Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2022.  And she just become engaged to Channing Tatum, himself a star, fun, funny and recognized as an all around good guy.  But does soon to be Zoe Kravitz Tatum smoke weed?

She made her acting debut in 2007 with a role in the romantic comedy film No Reservations The big breakthrough came in 2011 playing Angel Salvadore in X-Men: First Class, earning  nominations for a Teen Choice Award and a Scream Award. Big Little Lies was another success and she jumps from one great role to another.

RELATED: Marijuana And The Creative/Programmer Set

In her spare time she is a model and musician. She has been part of campaigns for Tiffany & Co, Alexander Wang, Coach and more. She is also part of the band Lolawolf and released the albums Calm Down in 2014 and Tenderness in 2020.

Born to rock legend Lenny Kravitz and famed actress Lisa Bonet, she grew up in California. She is also related to Al Roker of the Today Show.  Her dad shared “Marijuana and rock ’n’ roll became my steady diet,” in his book  ‘Let Love Rule,’ chronicling his first 25 years.  Lenny Kravitz was a star known for his sexy look and smooth singing.  Bonet, whose career tskyrocketed when she in the Cosby show, is also a fan. Zoe shared the first time her mom busted her with weed, they ended up smoking a joint together.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

Her parents are divorced and Zoe recently announced her engagement to talented Tatum who is also known for enjoying marijuana. So, for so many reasons it could be a match made in heaven.

It should come as no surprise Zoe is a big fan of weed. In fact, during the lockdown she did a set of videos and interviews where she shared baths, wine, watching films, cooking, smoking weed and listening to music, is a surefire boredom remedy.

Zoe is a great ambassador and face of the 90% of citizen’s who believe marijuana should be legal in some form.  We wish her the best with her engagement!

 

Delicious Candy Pie And You Can Add A Weed Twist

What do you do with all the leftover candy? Why not make it into an even taster treat? And maybe make it a bit “fun sized”

You buy bowls or buckets of candy and suddenly you have a ton leftover and you don’t want to gorge on it for the next week. Why not try something new?  You can make a candy pie and if you want to add a little marijuana – you have a leftover “Hallo-weed” pie.  This recipe is for a delicious candy pie and you can add a weed twist!

It’s a dangerously delicious concept: simply take a bunch of fun-size candy bars and make them a whole lot more fun by mounding them in a pie crust brushed with cannabutter. All you have to do is bake until melty and gooey to your liking, let cool briefly, and enjoy. Trick or treating may be for kids, but this pie will make you proud to be an adult.

RELATED: 5 Scary Things To Make With Leftover Halloween Candy

Makes 8 servings

● 1 unbaked pie crust (homemade or store bought)

● About 1 pound halloween candy

● 2 Tbsp plus 2 tsp cannabutter, melted (optional)

1. Preheat The Oven To 350

Have your unbaked pie crust at the ready.

2. Bush Your Crust

Using a pastry brush, gently brush the entire bottom and the inner sides of your pie crust with the melted cannabutter. Take care to apply it evenly along the surface or the party may not be equally as fun for everyone.

Photo by Jessie Moore

3. Unwrap A Big Ol’ Bunch Of Halloween Candy

I was working from an assorted bag of fun-size chocolate treats, and I used about half of the two pound bag (so, about 1 pound of candy). You can use whatever mix of candies you like. Mound the candy into the pie shell. Make sure to evenly distribute the candy. Fill it fairly close to the top of the shell, because the candy will lose a little volume as it melts.

Photo by Jessie Moore

4. Bake Until The Candy Is Melty And The Crust Is Toasty

About 35-40 minutes. If you feel as if the crust is browning more rapidly than the candy is melting, you can tent some foil over the edges of the crust.

RELATED: How To: Make Your Marijuana Edibles Taste Less Like Weed 

Photo by Jessie Moore

5. Serve While Still Slightly Warm

Photo by Jessie Moore

Do not let your pug have any, no matter how nicely he asks.

A note on dosage:

This recipe is “dosed” with 1 teaspoon of cannabutter per serving (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon). The strength of your finished product will depend on many factors, including the type of marijuana you used and how you made your cannabutter.

Should You Consume Marijuana Before Getting A Tattoo

Consuming marijuana before any activity can make things better. While large quantities of cannabis can make some people anxious, the majority of experienced cannabis users know their bodies well enough to prevent this from happening. But you never really know how you’ll be effected until you smoke and in what situation.  So, should you smoke marijuana before getting a tattoo?

Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Smoking before getting ink can get complicated. While marijuana may relax you for a semi unpleasant experience, it might also make you more anxious and sensitive to pain. Having anxiety while someone’s punching a needle through your skin doesn’t sound like a walk in the park.

First the practical reasons.  Cannabis has blood-thinning properties. During a tattoo session, this can lead to increased bleeding, which may make it more challenging for the artist to implant the ink correctly, potentially affecting the quality and longevity of your tattoo.

Although some might think that cannabis could help manage the discomfort associated with getting a tattoo, it can actually heighten your sensitivity to pain. It’s also important to remember that pain is a vital signal that helps us understand if something is not quite right. Dulling this signal can complicate communication about your comfort levels with your artist.

Levi Moodie, owner and artist from The Drifter’s Ink, believes clients should be careful when it comes to cannabis and tattoos. He prefers to tattoo people who are sober, who are clear on their idea of the tattoo, and who really want it and won’t change their minds mid-session.

Moodie shares:

“Oftentimes, people who smoke marijuana go from being cautious, as they should be, to over-thinking their tattoos, flip-flopping on ideas, or their tattoo placement, and then when the needle hits the skin, they can potentially overthink the experience and get freaked out. I’ve seen it happen a few times.”

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

While you shouldn’t smoke prior to getting a tattoo, you could definitely take advantage of marijuana’s healing properties afterwards. THC is a known anti-inflammatory agent, and it can help lessen soreness and pain during your skin’s recovery process.

Cannabis Cocktails And Other Fun Halloween Drinks

The Boo Day is arriving and people either stay at home or head to some sort of party/bar/ thing.  In either case, what about a some cannabis cocktails and other fun Halloween drinks. Why do kids get to have all the fun with trick or treating and candy. Why not have some adult beverages which are even better than candy!

Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

The Crypt Robber: Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Overproof rum (pot still)
  • 4 oz. hot chocolate (Bitter is preferred)
  • 2 oz. whipping cream
  • 1 oz. rich simple syrup- 2:1 dark (2 cups sugar in the raw to 1 cup boiling water)
  • scant teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • Mexican spicy mole bitters (of your choice)

Prep:

Preheat a ceramic mug with boiling water, pour out when steaming hot. Add the Overproof rum. Top with the bittersweet hot chocolate. Top with the whipping cream. Dot with the mole bitters. Scrape nutmeg over the top. Sweeten with dark simple syrup as necessary.

You can flame this drink with a capful of the Over proof rum on top of the whipping cream and a sprinkle of the raw sugar, then set ablaze. Like a Baked Alaska!

The Decapitation Waltz is a take on the classic rum punch with a few tricks thrown in for fun and seasonality.

Decapitation Waltz

A head banger of a drink!

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. raw rum (pot still rum is much preferred) infused with just the amount of THC that you desire
  • 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 oz. orgeat syrup (almond in flavor)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly scraped nutmeg
  • 1 oz. Angostura bitters (for good gastric health)
  • grilled orange round
  • splash of grenadine syrup

Prep:

To a cocktail mixing glass: Add one or two large cubes of ice. Add the infused rum and the fresh juices. Stir to combine. Add the orgeat. Stir. Add the nutmeg. Stir. Add the Angostura. Stir again. Strain into rocks glasses with a few cubes of ice and a grilled orange round. Serve with a splash of grenadine for a blood curdling effect.

RELATED: Does Marijuana Really Make You Frisky

Slowly Dragged Across the Burning Coals

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. Smoky Scotch Whisky (your choice)
  • 1 oz. Mezcal, infused with the THC of your choice – at the strength of your own choosing*
  • scant sprinkle of espresso powder
  • scant sprinkle of charcoal powder
  • crushed coconut water ice

Prep:

To a Boston Shaker filled ¾ with regular bar ice: Add the Scotch and the Mezcal. Add the espresso powder and the charcoal powder. Cap and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain over crushed coconut water ice. Serve.

Boiled Bags of Brains

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Bourbon Whiskey- infused with THC to your specific need and strength*
  • 1 oz. dry Vermouth
  • 2 oz. Raki or ouzo
  • ¼ oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
  • ½ oz. freshly crushed carrot juice
  • 1 teaspoon heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Peychaud’s bitters

Prep:

Add all the ingredients to a Boston shaker filled ¾ with bar ice. Pre-chill some coupes. Shake the Boston Shaker hard for 20 or so seconds. Strain into the coupes and spoon the heavy cream over the top. Spoon the Peychaud’s over the cream and serve.

*Infusions

To make a cannabis infusion, add 7 grams—or the dosage recommended by your caregiver—of ground, decarbed cannabis to 250 ml (about 1 cup) of a liquor of your choice in a heat-proof mason jar. Do not seal the jar, it could burst. Place the jar in the top of a double boiler on a hot plate or electric stove top.

(Never, ever use a gas stove or an open flame.) Fill the top of the double boiler with enough water to cover the mason jar halfway.

Simmer lightly at around 160ºF (71°C) for 30 to 60 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. Alcohol flames just over 170ºF (77°C), so pay close attention to the job at hand, and don’t go running out for a pizza. Plus, a low heat will keep evaporation to a minimum.

Let the mixture cool, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, then funnel it back into the empty liquor bottle. Top up the bottle with the remaining un-infused liquor until it’s back to a volume of 750 ml. This ensures that the THC will be dispersed throughout the infusion. Your infusion is now ready to use in your handcrafted cocktails.

Warren Bobrow, a.k.a. The Cocktail Whisperer, is the author of four books, including his latest: Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics.

The Difference Between Smoking And Eating Weed

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There are key differences between edibles and smoke marijuana, from their dosage to effects.

If you’ve been consuming marijuana for a while, you know consumption methods can greatly affect your high. While both edibles and flower contain THC, the highs they produce are different. So what is the difference between smoking and eating weed?

While some enjoy a healthy mix of mingling pre-rolls with edibles, the majority choose a path and stick to it. Gummies are consumed by almost 50% of all who indulge while joints/smoking is used by the older more traditional user. a

It’s all about THC

Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

RELATED: How To Make Your Edibles Taste Less Like Weed

While smoking cannabis is like taking a walk through a vivid park, ingesting an edible is like eating an glitter bomb. There’s a scientific explanation behind this bad metaphor. According to Green Entrepreneur, when cannabis is ingested, the THC is metabolized by the liver, transforming itself into 11-hydroxy-THC. For some reason, this compound is up to four times faster in crossing the blood-brain barrier than average THC. This is why edibles are associated with intense, vivid and hallucinatory experiences.

Both require different dosages

7 Weed Hacks That Can Make Your Life Better
Photo by Matt Moloney via Unsplash

Edibles require more experienced users because their dosage is so damn complicated. If you’ve ever prepared your own batch of edibles and have tried to figure out what’s in them, you know what I mean.

In legal markets, 10mg is the standard dose for an edible, which typically delivers mild effects. It’s also important to account for your tolerance and experience.

Smoking weed kicks in way faster

Photo by Greg Raines via Unsplash

Inhaled marijuana takes 10 to 20 minutes to kick in, lasting for an hour or so before the effects start to fade. Edibles take up to two hours to kick in, and their effects can last for a couple of hours. This is why dosage and experience is so important when ingesting edibles. If you get it wrong, you’ll feel sick for a long time.

Edibles are more difficult to dose

CBD Edibles Not All They Claim To Be
Photo by SageElyse/Getty Images

RELATED: Cannabis 101: How Long Will You Be This High?

As we’ve mentioned before, edibles are tough to dose, taking a long time to kick in. This opens the door for a lot of waiting and not knowing what to do, making it very common for people to have an edible and to eat more thinking they never got high in the first place. Don’t do this. Edibles take a while to kick in and favor a paced approach, giving it a couple of tries to fully understand the way they affect your body.

They produce different effects

marijuana overdose
Photo by PeopleImages/Getty Images

An overdose on edibles is not the same as an overdose on flower. While the latter may force you to nap for a half-hour in order to relax and escape a bout of paranoia, ingesting a large dose of edibles could result in a really unpleasant time.

They’re absorbed differently by the body

women in cannabis
Photo by Volodymyr Bondarenko / EyeEm/Getty Images

RELATED: 4 Tips To Help You Stretch Your Weed And Save Money

Smoked weed is absorbed through the bloodstream, which is why it’s fast-acting. The THC in edibles is absorbed through the stomach lining and then processed by the liver, taking a long time to process and having long-lasting effects.

There’s no clear “best” method

Difference Between Spliffs, Joints And Blunts
Photo by Petri Oeschger/Getty Images

While inhaled cannabis is easier to administer and control, you’ll always have to reckon with the negative side effects of smoking, especially if you’re a regular consumer. On the other hand, while edibles are harder to manage, they’re also discreet and won’t affect your health negatively. In fact, you could even stay away from sugary treats. Nowadays, there’s plenty of delicious edible options.

Increase Your Energy WIth These 4 Daily Habits

Another Monday, another day of memes about it being a rough day.  But Monday start the traditional work week and sets a pace of productivity. Sometimes, after a fun weekend, your energy level can be low to really throw yourself into completion the big project before the deadline. By managing your energy effectively, you can optimize productivity and performance, and achieve more in less time. One of the key benefits of energy management is that it allows you to be more resilient and adaptable to change,

The Fresh Toast – Mondays get a bad rap, so increase your energy with these 4 daily habits

Do Something Creative

https://giphy.com/gifs/piano-drama-dramatic-8nhgZZMKUicpi

Gene Caballero, a personal trainer and small business owner, claims that the best way to wake up with energy is to do something creative that you enjoy, helping you be more productive through the day. Make some time in the morning, right after you wake up, to do something that fuels your creativity and that makes you feel good, which will reverberate through your day.

Have A Big Breakfast

https://giphy.com/gifs/amber-heard-s-we5LCBmE7i944

This should come as no surprise since your parents have been telling you for forever that breakfast is the most important meal. It’s natural and necessary that your body wants to replenish the nutrients (and water) it lost during a night of sleep. Breakfast also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus at work or school.

Your meal should be balanced and healthy, giving you energy and stabilizing your blood sugar levels. To prevent a crash in energy later, pack up on carbohydrates.

RELATED: Science Explains How Marijuana Inspires Awe 

Water!

https://giphy.com/gifs/fitness-motivation-weight-loss-fyn7F5fh4vFVC

Everyone knows you’re supposed to have eight glasses of water a day but a lot of people don’t do this. Drinking the right amount of water will leave you feeling energized, hydrated, and in a better mood. You should also moderate your drinking of sugary beverages, sodas and others, which might dehydrate you depending on your blood sugar levels.

Sleep

https://giphy.com/gifs/tired-winnie-the-pooh-goodnight-l3M7smiKhkOcw

Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

It’s very important to sleep 7 or 8 hours a night, something that a lot of people struggle with. If you have trouble sleeping then power off devices before bedtime and avoid blue light, which is really rough on your eyes and sleep cycles.

 

Simple Ways To Beef Up Your Basic Burger

 

The burger is a staple of meals, so delicious, messy, full of proteins and veggies (sometimes) and it hits the spots. And it is the all weather perfect meal. And certain places just nail the perfect burger.  In-N-Out has a reputation for doing it right with onions, others go all out with truffle, exotic ingredients, or artisan buns.  Restaurants have plenty of resources, but at home you can use a few hacks to make yours even better.  Here are some simple ways to beef up your basic burger.

1. Cold Hands 

The heat of your hands “melts” the hamburger, creating a sticky mess that makes it super challenging to make a killer patty. Dip ’em in ice water first and watch your patties shine!

2. Grate Your Onions

Don’t bother slicing those suckers. Grate them directly into the hamburger. The onion juices will incorporate nicely into the raw meat.

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

3. Put a Thumb on It

Place a thumb print in the center of the patty to allow it to fill up with flavorful juices while it’s cooking. It will stay moist by evaporating its own delicious meat nectar.

fried egg, egg, egg yolk

4. Put an Egg in It

So basic, but such a winning tip. Before cooking, cut out the middle of a patty (a cookie cutter, mason jar lid or cup works great) and crack an egg into the center, like a Toad In the Hole but with meat instead of bread.

4. Chill Out

Unlike a steak that cooks best at room temperature, you want your burger patties to be chilled before cooking to retain the firmness of the fat, like a stick of butter, so it won’t melt off when cooking.

5. Don’t Cook Frozen Meat

Thaw a patty in minutes, just like you would a steak, by placing the sealed bag it’s in between a pot of water and a sheet pan. After it’s thawed, stick it in the fridge to chill (see #4). It really is that easy.

6. Make a Cheese Dog

Who says your hamburger has to be in patty form? Press the meat into a rectangle, lay down some cheese strips, then roll that thing into a hot dog and serve it in a bun.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

7. Get Fat

Skip the lean meats for fattier ones (looks for a ratio of about 80/20 —  lean vs fat) to make sure your burgers have flavor. If you’re that worried about calories (for one, you should’t be eating hamburgers), just make smaller patties. You’ll ultimately feel more satisfied anyway.

8. Don’t Flip Out

Patience, young Grasshopper. The burgers will lose their juices if you keep flipping them. Try to limit yourself to just a single flip. Otherwise, you risk having a dry burger.

chilli, habanero, sharp

9. Spice Is Nice

Add some jalapeños, red peppers, hot peppers or any kind of pepper to your raw burger mixture to add a little extra heat to your hot grill.

So tonight may be the night you use these simples ways to beef up your basic burger and a. have tasty dinner!

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