Food — No comments
13
Nov 10

The Benefits of GABA Rice

It has long been known that eating brown rice was nutritionally superior than processed or white rice. However, in 2004 it was discovered that GABA rice or GBR (germinated brown rice) could provide even more nutritional value than in its traditional state. GABA is a gamma-aminobutyric acid, an amino acid that has gained a huge following in the areas of health and nutrition. This simple food packs a nutritional powerhouse that had been unknown until recent years.

GABA rice has become increasingly popular throughout Asia, the U.S. and around the world. Basically GABA rice is simply brown rice that is enhanced nutritionally by allowing it to germinate naturally. By allowing the rice to germinate before cooking it, essential amino acids in the brown rice are significantly increased. Scientific research has also discovered a wealth of other health benefits in GABA rice as well.

GBR or germinated brown rice has approximately two times the amount of GABA than regular brown rice and more than ten times that of white rice. This GABA also has the ability to promote fat loss, give the immune system a boost, lower blood pressure, inhibit cancer cell development and is even used in the treatment for anxiety disorders and can help provide a deeper rest by increasing the sleep cycle. Studies show that GABA plays a part in the retention of memory as well as regulating muscle tone. There is something extremely powerful with this simple germinated brown rice.

GABA rice is made using regular brown rice. White rice can not be used because the hull has already been removed making it impossible to germinate. The brown rice should be rinsed, then left to soak. As the rice begins to germinate the presence of GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid will increase. There are a number of methods that are used to help keep the rice germinating at the right temperature, such as a basking light, hot plate or even some types of rice makers.

Blenders — No comments
08
Nov 10

Using the Magimix Food Processor as a Juicer

We all know the health benefits of eating five potions of fruit or vegetables a day but many of us struggle to achieve this on a consistent basis. One device that helps you achieve this is a juicer. A refreshing juice in the morning for breakfast is a great way to start the day and can almost achieve your goal of five portions in one sitting. However juicer’s are not cheap and can take up a lot of kitchen space. One option is to buy a device that will do more than just juice. The Magimix food processor is one such device. Although many people know the Magimix can be a food chopper or mixer the juicer optional attachment is less well known.

How to use the Juicer Attachment

After you have fitted the juicer basket onto the motors shaft, put the lid on the bowl and rotate it until it locks into place.

Prepare the fruit or vegetables by washing them and cutting them into pieces that will fit into the feed tube. There is no need to peel them and you only have to remove hard stones or skins. Introduce the fruit or vegetables into the Magimix one at time helping them down the feed tube with the supplied pusher. Never put your fingers or foreign objects into the feed tube.

Once all the fruit or vegetables have been juiced, wait for the machine to stop before opening the lid. Wash the juicer basket as soon as possible after use as it will clean quicker if the vegetables or fruit has not been aloud to become encased or dried on.

The Magimix food processor can juice any number of fruit or vegetables for example apples, peaches, pineapple, beetroot, carrots, celery and cucumber. Try experimenting with different combinations as adding a small amount of some types of fruit can bring great health benefits without the awful taste. An example of this is the humble sprout.

Health / Natural Remedies — No comments
04
Nov 10

Foods That Contain Probiotics and What That Means For You

You may have heard or seen the word probiotic either on TV, in a magazine, at the gym, or at the supermarket. Chances are that you heard probiotics are essential and nutritious for our diet, but what are they and what foods contain probiotics? Hopefully this article will shed a little light on the topic and educate you on living a healthier life.

What Are Probiotics?

The word probiotic means “for life.” In short, they are a type of bacteria. Although, many people have related the word bacteria with something being harmful to you, probiotics side effects are helpful in making your body function properly.

What Foods Contain Probiotics?

You may be thinking that you have to go to a specialty store or natural food store to purchase foods that have good bacteria in them. Surprisingly, you don’t! Actually, you may have everyday foods in your refrigerator or cabinets that contain high levels of probiotics that you consume daily.

Yogurt is the most commonly known source to get these good additions to your body. Yogurts that contain” active and live cultures’ are your best choice. Some yogurts claim to have as much as 100 million active bacterium, so remember to read those labels.

Miso is also a great source of probiotics. Miso is a type of soybean that has been fermented and is used often in Japanese cuisines. Miso is described as having a salty flavor, and is also used in many soups, in a dried out form. However, we all know that fresh is the best and fresh miso will provide up to 50 times more probiotics.

Sauerkraut or Fermented Cabbage

Next time you are at a family cookout don’t shy away from the hot dogs, pile on the sauerkraut. Unlike foods that start with a dairy base, cabbage doesn’t need bacteria to begin the fermentation process. The only real ingredient required is salt and also a temperature controlled area. The combination of adding the salt and keeping the cabbage at the correct temperature will begin the process.

Ok, so you don’t like any of the foods mentioned above, so you want to know how you can still add probiotics to your diet. Manufacturers are beginning to add the good bacteria to our everyday foods and beverages. In fact, Kashi was one of the first companies to introduce probiotics into their products with Kashi Vive Probiotic Digestive Wellness Cereal. No matter what foods you eat to increase your probiotic levels, your body will thank you.

Cooking / Uncategorized — No comments
31
Oct 10

Programmable Slow Cooker

Learning how to cook is something that could save you a large amount of money, but many people are hesitant to attempt this because of the fact that they would like to eat out at a restaurant. While this may be the easiest option, it is also expensive and can cost you several hundred dollars each month to feed the members of your family. Financial debt is avoidable, there is no reason why you need to eat every meal from a restaurant or microwave, you can create better meals with the programmable slow cooker.

All you need to do to cook with this machine is choose the ingredients that fit best into a mixture. You can set the food into the pot and select from the settings that are available, you will then be able to set the food to cook from the appropriate amount of time and no longer need to worry about it. Foods that are commonly cooked with this product include vegetables, potatoes and stews. Home cooking is only possible with time, the programmable slow cooker will allow you to cook these items without having to watch over the few.

Within hours you will have an amazing stew that is similar to any your family would make, cooking is about having the right tools. The programmable Rival slow cooker is very easy to use, it is also easy to clean and you can begin learning how to cook. It is very simple to set all the food into the cooker and leave the rest to the machine. A Rival slow cooker is also available for a less expensive price, you need to select the ideal machine for your needs based on the amount of food you want to cook and the optional programmable feature available on some products.

Cooking / ovens — No comments
30
Oct 10

Many Benefits Of Using A Halogen Oven

Streamlining your kitchenware has never been easier than with a halogen oven.  This specially made oven functions as a traditional oven, a broiler and a toaster, all rolled into one convenient kitchen appliance.  It is a great option for those who love cooking, have limited kitchen space, and enjoy the art of cooking and baking without hassle.

Halogen ovens continue to grow in popularity.  This is mainly due to the fact that these ovens save both money on appliances and time on cooking.  Without taking up a ton of space in your kitchen, you can cook, bake, toast and warm a variety of foods easily and effortlessly.

A halogen oven uses halogen bulbs in order to emit infrared heat to the food that is being cooked.  Since infrared rays are used for cooking with a halogen oven, users do not have to worry about food being overcooked or getting burned.  Covering the food is optional as well.  Without the use of aluminum foil, your food will be cooked to the desired consistency.

Halogen ovens are also very easy to clean.  Most folks know that cleaning a conventional oven, broiler, or toaster oven can be a hassle.  This is certainly not the case with a halogen oven.  This great oven can make food crispy, soft, firm, tender or juicy without making a big mess.

If you are in the market for a great oven that does the job of multiple appliances without taking up a large amount of space, a halogen oven may be just what you are looking for.   These ovens are convenient, reliable, extremely easy to operate and very affordable.

When it comes to cooking in your home kitchen, a halogen oven is unmatched by other appliances in convenience, ease of cleanup and overall appreciation. Traditional electric range cookers still have their place in the home, but smaller appliances like those of the halogen variety are definitely making quite a splash in the marketplace and in the home.

Food / desserts — No comments
29
Oct 10

How to Make Ice Cream at Home | An Easy and Healthy Idea

When the warm weather comes around, kids and grown-ups think ice cream is a giant hit. Of course you can buy ice cream down at the local shops but their ice cream display would  just have a few flavors and a few have artificial this and that, that can not be good for you.

So instead of store purchased try making some at home with a simple ice cream maker. Ice-cream makers aren’t  expensive and are easy to get hold of these days. And it won’t take long before you start enjoying some ice cream because they’re really easy to use.

Using one of these makers isn’t particularly hard. The more expensive electronic ones are a lot better  because they’re simpler however you can nonetheless make ice cream with the manual versions.

The best part of home made ice cream is you know what you have put into it. You aren’t eating ice cream that is full of stuff you should not have like nasty additives. You are enjoying some nice tasting and fairly healthy ice cream because you know what you have put in the recipe. For many people with kids, this is very important because we need to guarantee our kids eat a balanced  wholesome diet. It seems that more and more kids are getting allergic to certain ingredients in sweets and ice cream.

Of course, the other huge benefit is that you can make ice-cream of any flavor you want. So experiment and design a flavor that can’t be found in any store. A few of the more uncommon flavors to try cherry blossom, green tea , even garlic! Don’t just accept a single flavor though mix it up by making flavor combos. Why not try out a cream cheese and raspberry flavored ice cream. All you do is use the base syrup and custard mix and then you add your ingredients to the mix. After that just freeze it, wait a short time so it does its thing and then enjoy!

Of course, you don’t need to come up with unusual flavors, you can stick with the good old favorites such as  vanilla ice cream or chocolate or strawberry. If you have kids you could also indulge them and make some from  their favorite flavors which they will really enjoy.

Home made ice cream with an ice cream maker is not difficult to make and can provide you and your family  with hours of fun. Imagine how impressed you family and friends would be when you show them that it is home made. Home made ice cream is yummy anytime especially at barbecues and parties.

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.

Nutrition / Supplements — No comments
23
Sep 10

B Vitamins – Can They Help Depression?

If you are currently experiencing depression, chances are you believe that the culprit is what is going on in your life.  While there is no doubt that dealing with disappointments and excessive stress can lead to feeling down, the truth is that very often it is much more than that.  When your body is not getting the nutrients it needs, it becomes very difficult for you to deal with what is going on around you.  This is why integrative health professionals are now looking at the role of B vitamins in the treatment of anxiety and depression.  It has proven to be effective for everyone, especially vegetarians and vegans who may have a hard time in getting enough B12 in their diets.

Science has recently shown that the levels of B12 in the bloodstream that were once believed to be perfectly acceptable are instead seriously low.  Just a few years ago if you had gone to the doctor and tested as having levels of 200, this would have been fine.  Now we know that when you have blood levels anywhere below 400, you are at great risk of developing vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms.  These symptoms can include depression, anxiety, confusion, and anorexia.  In addition to this, you are also at an increased risk of developing heart disease.  Because of this, most integrative practitioners are now suggesting that we maintain blood levels closer to 800.

James Gordon, MD, a psychiatrist, has said that through his clinical experience he has found that there are many times when simply adding B12 and folate to the nutrient therapy of patients with depression can be enough to significantly impact their symptoms.  Research has backed this up, by showing that patients with low levels of folate, B12 and B6 have a much higher chance of experiencing depression.  The reason for this is that the B vitamins are very important in regulating how our bodies deal with stress through the adrenal response.

Therefore, if you are going through a serious depression you may want to talk to your doctor about supplementing with b vitamins.  B12 shots have helped a lot of people and they could help you!

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →