Instructions

⑴ (把豆腐切成 ……) small cubes.

⑵ (把水加热) over a high heat.

⑶When the water is hot, (加入豆腐) and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes.

⑷ (把豆腐装入碗中).

⑸Add salt, spring onion and sesame oil, and (搅拌大约30秒).

⑹Put the tofu cubes on a plate and (上菜).

    Hamburgers were first introduced to the United States in the early 20th century, and the first fast-food restaurant chain opened its doors in 1921. However, it was only after World War II that fast food became popular in the whole country.

    After designing their hamburger restaurant to make food in a simpler and more effective way, the McDonald brothers reduced the costs of production. They ended up earning $275,000 by 1951which was quite a fortune for a small restaurant at that time. Along with other pioneers in the fast-food business, by 1990 fast-food restaurants had taken over the American landscape. Today, at least 50 million Americans are fed by more than 180.000 fast-food restaurants every day.

    When analyzing these data, we might find it shocking that the decline of our health has moved in direct proportion(比例) to the rise of fast-food consumption. This, sadly, is not a coincidence(巧合) Since1990, various kinds of fast food have led to more consumption of calories compared to homemade meals.

    The US government has conducted several surveys on this issue, and they have pointed out some alarming facts. Fast food and ultra-processed snacks are now taking the lead in more and more Americans' daily diets. Rather than healthy food, more people prefer quick, easy treats with high calories like fried chicken and potato chips. Moreover, according to the surveys, fast-food consumption has more than doubled since the 1970s among people aged between 19 and 39. In a relatively short period of time, the fast-food industry has changed not only the way Americans eat, but also their economy and cultural landscape. The rapid development of the fast-food industry also triggers the problem of increased overweight population in the US.

    In fact, afternoon tea is a relatively new English custom. Though the custom of drinking tea dates years back to Ancient China and became popular in England in the 17th century, the idea of "afternoon tea" didn't appear until about 200 years later.

    It is said that the afternoon tea was introduced into England by Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the mid-19th century. The evening meal was usually served around 8 o'clock at that time, thus leaving a rather long period of hunger between meals. The Duchess therefore added a tray of tea and some light snacks during the late afternoon. It later became her habit, and she started to invite other friends to join her.

    This extra" meal" of tea and desserts later became a popular social event. During the 1880safternoon tea was usually served in the drawing room between 4 and 5 o'clock, and women from high society would dress themselves up with long gowns, gloves and hats for it.

    Traditional afternoon tea usually includes delicious sandwiches, scones(烤饼), cakes, other desserts, and most importantly, tea. Nowadays, however, in most British households, afternoon tea is more likely to be just a cup of tea out of teabags, with some biscuits or small cakes。

    The first time I went to France, I was shocked by the cultural differences in daily routines and manners. Born and brought up in Britain, I used to believe that we share the same cultural manners with our European neighbour. But how wrong I was!

    The most challenging difference for me was the food and eating time. After one month of living here, I still got strange looks as I ate my homemade sandwiches behind a computer screen while the other colleagues enjoyed a three-course meal in the canteen. They also had a two-hour "pause" which seemed to involve every employee in France. What's more, having evening meals at 6 pm was a common habit for people from the north of England, like me. Therefore, an evening meal at 9 pm was quite challenging for my stomach. After realising the fact that the local snacks were worth the wait, however, I quickly accustomed to this more relaxing way of life, which was hard to imagine before I came here.

    Another aspect of French food and drink culture that I found hard to adapt to at first is the cafe culture. I am getting used to a quick espresso(浓咖啡), but deep down I have to admit that when catching up with an old friend, nothing suits more than a tall latte(1#)and a slice of homemade cake, preferably in a comfortable English tea room

    Finally, there go greetings. At home I feel comfortable shaking someone's hand on the first meeting. So when I greeted a stranger with two kisses on the cheeks, I felt slightly out of my comfort zone. I do, though, appreciate this part of the French culture.

    Being exposed to cultural differences is a unique experience which makes you appreciate your roots more and open your eyes to the diversity of the world.

    Weight control isn't that hard actually. It's just about making small changes that you can live with forever. As you make some changes to your lifestyle, you'll see how effective they are in big calorie savings and weight loss. Here are my top 5 habits to help you lose weight.

    ⒈Evaluate your eating habits. Do you often eat late at night? Do you eat while cooking? Think about your eating habits carefully, and it won't be hard to find out a few things that you can change for a healthier lifestyle.

    ⒉Plan to fail. You need a strategy for your meals and snacks. There are always days when you're particularly hungry and may break your eating plans. Remember to prepare some healthy snacks for those moments.

    ⒊________Figure out the frequency of your meals and stick to it. Regular meals help prevent overeating.

    ⒋Don't eat after dinner. This is how people gain the extra pounds. If you are hungry, try some calorie-free drinks or a piece of hard candy. Brushing your teeth after dinner is also a good way to stop yourself from eating again.

    ⒌Breakfast is very important. After a long night's rest, your body needs the fuel to get your metabolism(新陈代谢) going and give you energy for the rest of the day.