Showing posts with label healthy food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy food. Show all posts

Monday, 7 October 2013

Healthy Juicing

We know that eating healthy food is good for us, but why is it that we don't eat right the majority of the time? What has become so important that we can't seem to manage to eat a balanced meal? Perhaps maybe we are just asking too much; perhaps we should start with something a little easier like juicing. The Juicer Health Benefits that can be achieved are those that our bodies need on a daily basis.

Learning the Juicer Health Benefits
 
Most of us know that oranges contain Vitamin C and bananas are full of potassium. Spinach provides a ton of antioxidants and is a great anti-inflammatory. Bell peppers provide a wealth of benefits that are good for the heart; benefits such as necessary folic acid and lycopene. Did you know that brussle sprouts contain Vitamin B, C and K along with fiber, omega-3 and potassium? Then it ain't bad to add it to your quick recipes.

Juicing not only provides nutrition to our bodies, but it also educates our minds. We have to know what certain foods contain before we juice them. We need to know why we are going to juice them. Juicing is more than a tasty drink, it is a way of life.

Juicers are simple to use so creating a serving of juice is an easy process. It's knowing which foods to juice in order to obtain the maximum benefits possible combined with a great taste. If you are unsure where to start, there are numerous recipes on the Internet today that offer the Juicer Health Benefits that you are after.

Implementing Your Healthy Knowledge

Now that you have learned about a variety of fruits and veges, it's time to use your juicer. The process to prepare your juicer should be pretty straight forward. The next step is to prepare your produce. It is best to remove seeds, peels and rinds prior to juicing. For some fruits, such as grapefruit and oranges, you may want to remove the white pith that is found on the fruit when peeled. If the chute on your juicer is not a "wide mouth" one, you will want to cut/slice your produce so that it each piece will fit without any unnecessary force.

Which recipe will you be making to obtain the Juicer Health Benefits that you have been learning about? Is it strictly vegetables or a combination of fruits and vegetables? Whichever one you have chosen, I am sure that you will enjoy the final results.

Continuing Your Education

If you have any questions regarding your health and juicing, you should consult with your doctor. Do not rely solely on juicing to obtain your daily nutrition requirements. Juicing can be used to assist with your dietary needs. Juicing can be a refreshing summer drink or a quick pick-me-up after a workout.

One of added benefits to juicing is the pulp that is extracted. The pulp can be used in a variety of other recipes like muffins, casseroles or even soups. You can increase your overall health by maximizing the Juicer Health Benefits you learn and incorporate them into daily diet which will benefit you and the rest of your life.

Friday, 4 October 2013

Gluten Free Soups


Honey, I'm home! rang the familiar phrase as the man entered the home after a hard day at work. The father and husband would be greeted by a loving wife who had slaved over a hot stove to make a pleasant meal after his exhausting day. He would sit down at the table and indulge in the home cooked feast. Does this really have to be a fantasy or an image of the past? Or, can there still be a permeating smell that envelops the house and excites all who enter in the present? Yes this can be a reality. After the savory scent is detected, the mouth waters as the salivary glands are activated. Then, the stomach grumbles in anticipation of the upcoming dinner. No matter what gluten-free soup recipes are on the menu; whether it is Chicken Noodle, Hamburger, or Potato, it is sure to please the palate.


The best way to make a fabulous gluten-free Chicken Noodle Soup is to add homemade broth. Homemade chicken broth has a soft enticing taste that is free of added flavor enhancers. It is so pleasant that it brings on nostalgia from the days when grandma always slaved away at the stove for hours making her own broth. All that is needed is two cups of broth, along with one cup of water. Just dice one long carrot and one celery rib and add it to the mixed liquids. Next, add 1 cup of shredded chicken, 3/4 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and some gluten-free noodles. It is as simple as it sounds and those who consume this savory meal will suppose that it took hours to create. Let them assume that, and in the meantime enjoy this delightful recipe.

For a more labor intensive (yet worth all of the effort) recipe, attempt the gluten-free Hamburger Soup. While chopping all of the luscious vegetables that grace this filling meal, turn on some music to take pleasure in during this process. Chop one cup of carrots, celery, green cabbage, and potatoes. Add these vegetables to one pound of cooked ground beef and 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice. In order to obtain liquid, use one quart of home canned tomatoes and water. Then to enhance the flavor, add thyme, basil, sea salt and black pepper. After listening and dancing away to music during the preparation of this soup, take a hot bath while it simmers. After an hour of relaxation, dinner will be ready and the fragrance of the ground beef, vegetables, and spices will entice everyone to the table to begin the feast.

Another great tasting recipe is gluten-free Potato Soup. The wonderful feature of this recipe is that it can be made dairy-free and vegan as well. I make it gluten-free and dairy-free to meet the special needs of my family, but regular milk can easily be substituted. Simply pour four cups of coconut milk into a large pan. Then, chop three red potatoes, two long carrots, and two celery ribs. Combine these vegetables with the milk and add paprika, sea salt, and pepper. Once the vegetables have simmered for 45 minutes, add four tablespoons cornstarch to a half cup of water and mix well. Add the mixture to the completed meal and thicken. The blend of spices combined with the coconut milk gives this soup a unique taste that will lure those present back for seconds.

With the choice of these three gluten-free soups, dinner will be a smashing hit for those who indulge in it. The permeating smells that induce the salivary glands to be excited and the stomach to beg for food will leave everyone ecstatic for dinner. "Honey, I'm home," will now be a phrase that everyone excitedly recites as they enter the walls of their home knowing that a luscious meal waits.

Saturday, 28 September 2013

Healthy Mangosteen



As we people are getting too much dependent upon technology with every passing day, our life is growing longer. But the quality of life is not improving, in fact, it is getting worse. Stress, depression, mental or physical exertion and various other health problems have become a part of our daily life. Even the people who work out on daily basis are not able to attain complete fitness. It is mainly because of unhealthy eating practices like eating in bulk, eating at wrong time, following a random diet plan etc. So, if you really want to become fit then, you need to stop all these practices and add healthy foods to your diet recipes.

By healthy foods, we do not mean protein shakes and chocolate bars. Rather, we mean adding multi-beneficial fruits and vegetables to your diet recipes. One such fruit is mangosteen which is super beneficial for human health. This fibrous fruit has a sweet and tangy taste. This super fruit is founded in tropical areas of South East Asia. Consuming mangosteen fruit juice on a daily basis can do wonders for your fitness regime. But since it is an Asian fruit, therefore it can be rarely seen at grocery stores of North America.

Though, there are some fruit supplement manufacturer companies who manufactures fruit juice from the exotic super fruit mangosteen. But, the quantity of mangosteen juice varies from brand to brand. And thus, it is imperative to compare all the fruit juices and select one that can provide you with maximum nutritional benefits.

Mangoxan fruit juice is much more beneficial than the pure juice of mangosteen as it fulfills the shortcomings of our daily diet. It is especially beneficial for the people who have a sweet tooth as sugary taste sensation with none of the drawbacks of candy, chocolate, cookies or cake. Hence, you will remain satisfied without snacking on sweet foods. The health benefits of this fruit juice are immense because it contains some highly vitamin and nutrients like Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate and Vitamin C.

Mangoxan is the best tasting mangosteen beverage available in the market. This fruit juice contains many types of antioxidants. The best among all of them is xanthones, a super beneficial antioxidant which is rarely found in other fruits. In fact, this is an antioxidant which is not found in human body also. This antioxidant can cure various kind of human illness; it is effective on the major ones like cancer. By consuming such rich mixture of fruit juices on a regular basis will help you to achieve that level of fitness that you have always dreamt about.

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Beyond Pea Soup


With a few simple ingredients including fresh peas, tapioca, butter, water, and salt and pepper to taste make a sumptuous soup in less than thirty minutes. The soup’s thick and smooth consistency is because of the tapioca while the butter gives it a rich and luxurious taste. You can enjoy the peas at its utmost flavor and freshness when its delicate sweetness stands out. For best results, use freshly shelled peas to make this recipe. This recipe is great to try when peas are in season. Otherwise, you can still make one of these soups recipes with frozen peas. Bake the peas out of the pod and wash them gently yet thoroughly by placing them in a colander and under cold running water before cooking the fresh peas.

Tapioca is a vegetable-based thickening agent. Instead of using flour or cornstarch to thicken the soup, you can use tapioca to make the dish turn pasty or taste floury. Tapioca adds a sumptuous texture and a neutral taste. Sold in flour form or in pearls, tapioca is also known as Manihot esculenta or dulcis. It is the starch of the tropical cassava root and is made by grating the fresh roots and allowed to dry and ferment. Then the grated roots are pressed and baked into a flat cake then powdered to make pure starch.

When the flour or starch is diluted in water or moistened, quickly heated tapioca is achieved. Quick-cooking tapioca thickens the soup excellently. But it will leave tiny gel-like particles suspended in the liquid. If you don’t like this appearance and texture, use tapioca flour to make the soup. You can process quick-cooking tapioca in the blender until it is reduced to a fine powder. Tapioca pearls derived from tapioca flour and are already cooked. They are often used for making desserts and bubble tea drinks.

Ingredients
300gms shelled peas
1 cup tapioca, washed
6 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings to taste

1. Add all ingredients in a kettle and allow it to cook for 20-25 minutes. Keep stirring often. Cover it. Let it cook on medium flame.

2. Towards the end add the seasonings. Stir well. Then strain this mixture and serve hot in a soup bowl.

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Healthy Meal Recipes: Strawberry Salads


Strawberries are among the tastiest of fruits. They're sweet and make for an excellent treat on their own. But within this small berry, there lie many benefits and a versatility that makes it a great addition to just about any healthy meal recipes that you can serve. A single cup of strawberries result in astounding health benefits. Within this small berry, there are large quantities of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that are needed to ensure quality health and ongoing wellness. One benefit is that it helps ensure good healthy digestion with valuable dietary fiber. In addition to vitamin C, antioxidants known as phenols help to remove toxins from the body. They also contain the mineral, manganese, which is used to not only detoxify the body, but decrease cellular inflammation and oxidation, which are often causes of heart disease. Manganese, vitamin K, and the potassium found in strawberries also help ensure proper bone growth and continuing health throughout life. Strawberries are renowned for their ability to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) which affects those suffering from arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory issues in the body. While small in size, these tiny fruits can make a huge difference in our daily lives.

But, the benefits aren't just in health, they're tasty as well. Strawberries are famous for their incorporation into pies and desserts like Strawberry shortcake and Strawberry lemon pie. Even cold desserts, like strawberry and yogurt, and other parfait desserts that don't require any baking or cooking, make for an increasingly tasty dessert table. But, did you know that chicken and strawberry salads are another way to enjoy a main course? That makes for a healthy treat for your mouth and body. There's even the tasty strawberry and avocado salsa that can make for an excellent dip at your next party or event.


Famous classics would have to incorporate the favorite strawberry daiquiri, whether or not alcohol is involved. Strawberry ice cream is a familiar treat to many children, as well as the strawberry jam which makes for a great addition to sandwiches and salads or just about anything you want to sweeten up.

Preparing an assortment of the many sides of strawberries can take some time, and not everybody preparing for their next event will be able to focus on preparing and taking advantage of the many recipes that a strawberry can offer. Consider catering to your fellow west Texans by involving a Midland caterer to help you create a fantastic meal arrangement for your next event. Not only can you enjoy the tasty strawberry desserts, but you can incorporate a variety of main courses that put strawberries at the front of your mealtime special.

Strawberries aren't just good for you, they're possibly one of the most flavorful, and yet such healthy treats that you can add them to any meal. Whether you want a sweet dessert or have the desire for a healthy main course and appetizer, strawberries can find their way onto just about any part of your table.

Wine Sauce and Eggplant In Tomato


This simple dish is full of flavor. It is also quite beneficial for the health. Here the eggplant is cooked with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and garlic and flavored with vinegar, chives, tomato sauce, red wine, oregano, salt and pepper to make a gourmet sauce. This is excellent for pasta shells or even rice. This vegetarian dish can be included in your weekly family menu as it makes a light and healthy meal. This colorful and delightful dish is best enjoyed with a good glass of the perfect wine companion the red wine like Merlot of Pinot Noir.

In this healthy recipe, various flavors meld together to make an unforgettable tasting dish. The tanginess of the vinegar enhances the tomato sauce. The sweet peppers are the ones that balance the tart. To make your mouth water chives, onions, garlic and hot peppers give the dish just the right amount of spice. Mushrooms, on the other hand, give delicate and earthy flavor and a wonderful texture in the palate. It is the wine that gives a depth flavor and exquisite aroma. The wine also deepens the color of the red sauce and makes the dish look elegant. The eggplant, which is the star of this dish, turns silky, sour and sweet that makes this dish a memorable experience.


The eggplant turns sweet when cooked especially when combined with the peppers and the onions. When it comes to how the eggplant is cooked, some like their eggplant firm and with some texture. Others like it really cooked almost to the point of melting. In this recipe, the eggplant is cooked until soft so that it melts in the mouth. The pasta is cooked separately. It is then combined with the sauce later on. You can peel the skin of the eggplant to make it even silkier. But the skin contains substantial nutrition so it is also good to keep them on the eggplant. It is the skin that adds texture and body to the sauce.

Ingredients
2 cups pasta shells
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 large sized, peeled and cubed eggplant
1 finely chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1 chopped green bell pepper –
1/2 cup chives - chopped
2 tablespoon garlic - finely chopped/minced
1 each tomato - medium sized, chopped
4 tablespoon tomato sauce
4 tablespoon oregano
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1/4 cup red wine

1. Cover pasta shells in water and cook in a saucepan according to package directions.

2. Add water and vinegar in a separate saucepan, and bring it to a simmer. Then add chopped eggplant, onion, chives, garlic, green peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

3. Drain when vegetables are cooked then add to the cooked pasta along with tomato sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and red wine. On low temperature stir and heat gently.

Friday, 20 September 2013

Deliciously Sinful Salad


If you're into tasty salads and care more about taste than a high calorie and fat count, then this salad is for you. Just about everything goes great with a warm flour tortilla, and this fat-laden salad is no exception. Rich in taste and exploding with calories, you'll enjoy this combination as a delicious spread on any type of breading, but particularly on warm tortillas. The salad I highly recommend you make and enjoy uses the following ingredients: mayonnaise, avocado, corn, bacon, and fresh hard boiled eggs. Sounds good already, doesn't it?

There are two types of salads in this world: those that rabbits would love to eat, and those that are creamy and full of sinful calories. Which do you prefer? Most people think of green, red, and yellow vegetables when they think of salad recipes; lots of lettuce, lots of juicy veggies (like tomatoes), maybe some sunflower seeds, and finally a teaspoon of salad dressing. But that's not the kind of salad this article is going to teach you to make. This salad is for the kind of person that enjoys egg salad, seafood salad, potato salad, and chicken salad. All of those types of salads use one chief ingredient other than the meat: lots and lots of mayonnaise!

Perhaps the simplest of all mayonnaise-based salads is egg salad; crack open a half dozen hard boiled eggs, cut them up, and then add several heaping tablespoons of mayonnaise and mix it all together. While a traditional egg salad is delicious on its own, you can take the taste to a whole new level by adding corn, avocado, and freshly cooked peppered bacon. But be warned, this type of salad is laden with calories and fat! Calorie counters should avert their eyes, and go chase down a head of iceberg lettuce and some low fat dressing.


Step one is to hard boil a bunch of eggs. How many you make will obviously determine how many people can feast on this salad (or maybe you can make a large amount of it and eat it all by yourself over a few days). Spread a single layer of eggs in a deep pan, and then fill the pan with enough water to cover them by at least one inch. Fire up your stove and bring that water to a boil, then lower the heat down to medium and let the eggs simmer for three minutes. After those 180 seconds have passed, remove the pan from the heat and cover with a lid. Leave the eggs in that water (and covered) for at least thirteen minutes. This will make perfect hard boiled eggs. Before you consider them done, however, it's always a good idea to crack one open and see if it's cooked to your liking. After the eggs are done, set them aside in a cold bowl of water to cool down.

The second step in making this awesome salad is to pan fry some peppered bacon. Make it crispy but don't burn it! The trick to cooking bacon is to remove it from pan the moment it looks almost done. This works because the bacon continues to cook after you remove it from the pan. The hot grease, even though it's cooling down, will cook the bacon for another few minutes. Place the bacon on a few sheets of paper towels to drain the grease.
Now that the bacon is done, let's get back to those perfectly hard boiled eggs. Peel them and slice them into small squares. Then do the same for the avocados (small squares), and place both of them into a bowl. Don't cheat and start eating! Wait until everything is mixed together.

The dressing is next. Add the mayo, drained corn, mustard, curry, and the chopped and diced tomatoes to a bowl. Mix together, and then add the lemon juice and bacon. Mix again. Now pour that creamy dressing concoction into the bowl with the hard boiled eggs and avocados. Mix together, and enjoy!

10 hard boiled eggs, peeled 
3 ripe avocados 
2 large tomatoes 
6 slices of cooked, peppered bacon 
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard 
2 cans of drained corn kernels 
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 
1 tablespoon curry powder 
4 tablespoons lemon juice

Sunday, 15 September 2013

Sprouting Out Health


Seeds for sprouting purposes make essential supplies for survivalists' pantries, and keeping your seeds fresh causes no economic hardship because you can rotate these seeds and use them for everyday cooking recipes. You need not fear waiting for crops to grow to get needed vitamins and nutrients should the unthinkable occur because sprouts grow in just a few days. By rotating your stock and adding sprouts to your diet, you can enjoy a more nutritious diet, eat them raw or cooked, and the variety allows you to compose fabulous dishes that look as good as they taste. The nutritional value of sprouts exceeds the vitamin profile of mature plants and vegetables, so you enjoy many advantages by adding sprouting seeds to your daily diet.

What is Sprouting?
Sprouting refers to germinating seeds into shoots, which you can easily do at home with minimal trouble. Sprouting allows you to enjoy fresh vegetables year-round, and you have enough choices to find flavors you really appreciate. Simply soaking seeds and allowing them to germinate in a covered glass jar or commercial sprouting device begins the miracle of renewed life. Seeds and young sprouts need regular rinsing to prevent them from turning sour, and you must consume them before leaves start to grow. Plants allowed to grow foliage become baby salad greens, and offer more food choices for committed survivalists.


You can sprout any viable seeds, but mishandling of seeds or the sprouting process causes bacterial growth, making sprouts unsafe for raw consumption. Sprouts from some plants have toxins that make them unfit for eating either raw or cooked. You cannot eat sprouts from members of the solanacae family such as tomatoes, potatoes, paprika, and eggplants. Manufacturers treat seeds intended for crops with chemicals, and some countries require heat-treatment of edible seeds, so consumers should choose seeds intended for sprouting purposes for safety.

How to Begin 
Germination takes a few days at home, and you begin by rinsing seeds to remove any traces of soil or contaminants. Soak the seeds in water for the recommended time, which ranges from 20 minutes up to 12 hours. Soaking allows water to penetrate the seed husk and activate the baby plant. Some seeds only need moistening instead of soaking. After soaking, place seeds in a container; glass jars work well, and a simple colander works perfectly to sprout lentils. Commercial sprouters often have many levels that allow you to grow different sprouts in one convenient vessel.
Rinse sprouts two to four times daily, depending on seed type, climate, and seed-producer instructions.

Sprouts grow quickly, and you eat them in three to five days.

Refrigeration slows or halts the growing process until you can use your supply for regular meals.

Consider staggering your sprout choices because this technique allows you to keep a sustainable supply of each type.

You can sprout whole-grain oats, but dehulled grains will not sprout including oat groats sold in health-food stores.

Sunlight causes some sprouts to dry out if left in the sun too long.