Food

Food / Recipes — No Comments
16
Oct 10

Two Dishes from Northern Italy

Two traditional  dishes from Northern Italy are risotto and tagliatelle. Risotto is said to have been discovered by accident when some one tried to cook rice in a pan that was far too small and therefore had to add water little by little. To make a good risotto you need a type of rice rich in starch, ideally a type that grows in Northern Italy called Arborio rice, which is widely available elsewhere these days. You should use a wooden spoon to stir your rice but you do not want to stir too much not too break the grains as the starch should be released gradually from the grains. Once you learn how to make a decent risotto you can then experiment with hundreds of different combinations. Risotto is easy to make, cheap, can be vegetarian or even vegan and can be adjusted to fit different dietary requirements and  be served in so many different ways. Here you can try a strawberry risotto recipe which is not something that you would expect but I assure you that it is delicious.

If you prefer to try some pasta you could start with tagliatelle. Unlike other types of pasta tagliatelle do not come from the South of Italy but from the area of Bologna. The legend says that they were invented by a creative chef for Lucretia Borgia’s wedding. You can add many different types of sauces to tagliatelle the most common one is the famous bolognese sauce but you can find here recipes for tagliatelle with pumpkin flowers. Again tagliatelle can be a vegetarian dish and also part of a healthy Mediterranean diet,  it is also a cheap and quick dish to prepare.  Tagliatelle are long and  flat ribbons of pasta commonly yellow but there is also a green version often made with spinach and occasionally with nettles.

Food / Nutrition — No Comments
11
Oct 10

5 Natural, Healthy, and High Energy Foods

Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up in the afternoon or just want to make energy boosting foods part of your regular diet, you can be sure that making natural and healthy selections will be better for you in the long term. There is little wrong with having a soda or energy drink every once in a while for a quick burst of alertness, but usually they wear off just as fast as they get you going. Choosing high quality, high energy foods will keep you going longer and benefit you more in the long term.

What characteristics should you look for when scouting out foods that will give you energy? Unfortunately, it isn’t a cut and dry selection process. There are several variables that factor into whether a particular type of food will increase your energy level, including what you’ve already eaten that day. The main factors to look for are complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and high levels of vitamins and nutrients such as fiber, iron, and calcium.

You will probably want to avoid highly processed foods that are labeled as energy drinks and foods. The problem with these widely marketed energy drinks and supplements is that they’re nutritionally deficient. They may temporarily boost your energy due to high sugar and caffeine content, but the sugar will quickly wear off and may leave you more deflated than before. In addition, they provide no nutritional value to benefit your health long term.

The following list contains natural energy foods that will not only increase your alertness and productivity in the short term, but also give you the long term benefit of a diet with robust nutritional content.

1. Water
Most Americans are constantly in a state of dehydration. Due to the large consumption of soft drinks, alcohol, and other unhealthy drinks, Americans don’t drink nearly enough water. The long standing recommendation is to drink six to eight glasses of water per day for the average sedentary adult. Anyone who leads an active lifestyle will need even more than that.

After getting enough water for several days, you’ll feel a huge impact on your energy levels throughout the day. Drinking enough liquids should be the first step to conquering your afternoon drowsiness.

2. Bananas (and other fruits)
Bananas are composed primarily of various natural sugars. These will give you an immediate energy burst when your digestive system processes them. In addition, bananas contain solid levels of fiber and iron which are helpful to the body in numerous ways.

All common fruits are heavy in natural sugars, so they can provide the same spark to your energy. Unlike the processed sugars in energy drinks, your body can quickly utilize these natural sugars while also absorbing the other natural vitamins and nutrients that the fruits contain. Although a diet completely composed of fruits would have some nutritional holes, they’re great for a snack at any time of the day.

3. Soy Milk
Soy milk is a disguised energy food. A lot of people just think of it as a milk replacement, but it is an amazing drink in its own right. It is naturally high in protein and fiber and naturally contains a variety of nutrients including Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. In addition, it is fortified with a variety of other vitamins including a slew of vitamin B varieties which are known for energy and mood improvement.

Drinking soy milk regularly has also been shown to have several important health benefits, mainly a reduced risk for osteoporosis, various cancers, and several chronic diseases. A glass of soy milk can quench your thirst and your body’s needs.  Processing these nutrients can immediately brighten your mood.

4. Quinoa
This is perhaps nature’s perfect food. The term is tossed around a lot, but quinoa has to be in any discussion of the sorts. It is one of the few natural, complete proteins not derived from animal sources. It is a complex carbohydrate at heart, so the caloric energy gained is long term. High in fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, you should be desperately trying to fit quinoa into your diet whenever possible. I don’t think further explanation is really necessary as to why this will give your energy level a boost.

5. Nuts
A varied selection of nuts can give you an energy boost as well. They generate a long term benefit because they contain a slew of healthy elements. Healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants are naturally occurring in tree nuts and make them one of the best foods you can find.

Bonus! Coffee and Tea
They didn’t make the list of five because they are so commonly thought of as energy boosters. The list needed to be comprised entirely of healthy energy foods, which coffee and tea seem on the edge of. Although they can both be made of all natural ingredients, usually people fill them with less healthy additives like cream and sugar. They’re naturally low in any kind of carbohydrates, so any energy benefit that you get is entirely from the caffeine. This is both a positive and a negative aspect. It won’t help your nutritional intake for the day, but then again, it doesn’t fill you with junk calories like many snacks do.

Food / Fruit — No Comments
23
Sep 10

The Truth Behind the Chia Seed

The seed that has been getting more attention today is the chia seed, from the species Salvia Hispanica, a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It existence dates back to the ancient times of Mexico when Aztec warriors rely on the seed to sustain them for an entire day, complete with hydrating, endurance and energy components to keep them going. However, the cultivation of chia plants to preserve chia seeds has been dismissed due to religious and agronomic reasons when the conquistadors have arrived to colonize the Aztec empire.

Today, commercial production of the chia is widespread from Mexico to Guatemala, to as far as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Australia. Its rebirth is attributed to the efforts made by University of Arizona professor Dr. Wayne Coates when they began their research in cultivating new crops in Argentina. He co-authored a book with Ricardo Ayerza entitled Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs.

Chia has about 16% protein, 31% fat, and 44% carbohydrates (by which about 38% is dietary fiber). Its seeds are very flexible when it comes to storage. As long as it is stored in a dry place, it can be stored for several months to more than a year. It doesn’t go rancid too easily. Even when you grind it, its benefits are still present because of its natural antioxidants.

It is convenient to mix it with fresh fruit juices and as a part of a dish or recipe. It is best consumed uncooked so that its nutrients won’t be affected by heat. The chia doesn’t have a hard seed coat, so grinding the seeds isn’t really necessary at all. You would just have to add or sprinkle the seeds to your salads, sandwich spreads, cereals, or oatmeal.

Both black and white chia seeds are not grown with pesticides. The reason for this is that insects do not like the taste of the seeds.

Food / Uncategorized — No Comments
24
Jul 10

List of Healthy Foods: Top 10 Super Foods to Keep You Healthy

In an age when toxic schedules and rushed mealtimes are proving more and more deleterious to the health & overall well-being of many people, taking a closer look at our diets has gained paramount importance. Getting a nutritional boost from natural foods is one of the best things you can do for your body, if you want to live longer, richer, and more productive lives, and help your family members do the same.

Relying on medical experts and nutritionists for good advice on the best foods to consume is a good start.  Occasionally, some people stumble into wonder food products that heal or alleviate some of their bodily conditions.  In truth, there are many super foods that have taken centerstage in recent years.  They certainly number beyond 10.  Zeroing in on the top 10 from the perspective of doctors may anyhow prove to be useful.  Here’s one list of healthy foods touted to slow the aging process and prevent numerous degenerative diseases, from the standpoint of a former clinical professor of dermatology and author of several bestselling health books, which may ring a bell:

Açaí
Green Foods
Nuts & Seeds
Barley
Beans and Lentils
Buckwheat
Hot Peppers
The Allium Family
Sprouts
Yogurt and Kefir

Only one fruit is listed above – the deep plum-colored acai berry with skin-enhancing, immune-boosting, and energy-providing antioxidants, phytonutrients, amino acids, fiber and beneficial fatty acids.  There are other super fruits, though, which rank high on other people’s list of healthy foods. Not all people will find the following super foods suitable, though, as they may have certain medical conditions requiring medications that may negatively interact with some items falling on the list.

In any case, given normal health conditions, another list of healthy foods is topped by antioxidant-rich grapefruit (which is rich in vitamin C, fiber and phytonutrients, and versatile) and pomegranate (whose polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins, serve as useful antioxidants). Joining the list of superfoods are mushroom (which can lower elevated blood pressure contribute to a healthy immune system), fish, flax seed, garlic, whole grains, beans & legumes, and colorful veggies like tomato and sweet potato.

The benefits of eating healthy are numerous and if you compound choosing healthy super foods, you are bound to increase energy, feel better, and live a long, healthy life!

Food — No Comments
30
Jun 10

Quinoa – A Super Food that is Great for Vegetarians!

Whether you are trying to make healthy changes in your diet or are just looking for something new to try, you should consider cooking quinoa.  Not only is this versatile seed good for you, it tastes great!

Quinoa, which is actually not a grain but a seed, has been called a “supergrain” by many nutritional experts.  The reason for this is that it is one of the few foods that provides your body with an ample supply of everything it needs – carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and fats.  In fact, New Crops Agronomist Dr. Duane Johnson of Colorado State University has said “If I had to choose one food to survive on, quinoa would be the best.”

Quinoa is not a part of the grass family and is gluten free.  This makes it great for those who suffer from food sensitivities.

Perhaps one of the best things about quinoa is that is one of the most perfect foods around for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.  Most grains do not provide a complete source of amino acids.  Specifically, many grains lack lysine, which is critical for cellular repair.

Quinoa is considered a complete protein as it supplies your body with all eight of the essential amino acids, including lysine.  This amino rich protein is critical to the health of all vegetarians.  Just one cup of cooked quinoa provides you 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.  With only 220 calories, quinoa works great for those who are trying to watch their diets.

Quinoa has a creamy texture that can also be crunchy depending on how it is prepared.  Cooked quinoa has a slightly nutty taste to it.  It can be substituted in recipes for just about any grain.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy quinoa is to mix cooked quinoa with oatmeal and almond milk.  Top with some nuts and dried fruit and enjoy!

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