All About Food

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Coconut Juice Benefits

Botanically, coconut plant belongs within the Arecaceae family of palm trees and has the scientific name: Cocos nucifera. Each nut may contain about 200 to 1000 ml of water depending on cultivar type and size. Any nuts younger than five months of age tend to be bitter in taste and devoid of nutrients. In contrast, mature nuts contain less water, and their endosperm thickens quickly to white edible meat (kernel). Coconut milk obtained from the meat is therefore should not be confused with coconut water.

The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels within the body.
Research studies suggest that cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) in coconut water showed significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects.
Has been generally offered to patients with diarrhea in many tropic regions to replace the fluid loss from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the need for intravenous therapy. Coconut water contains a very good amount of electrolyte potassium. 100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and 105 mg of sodium. Together, these electrolytes help replenish electrolyte deficiency in the body due to diarrhea (loose stools).

Coconut water is composed of many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase, RNA-polymerases etc. In effect, these enzymes help in the digestion and metabolism.
Its water has much better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of the fruits like oranges.
Its water is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish.

Cinnamon for Health

Cinnamon is a small tree that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt.
It's one of the oldest known spices. To prepare it, the bark of the cinnamon tree is dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks, also called quills. Cinnamon can also be dried and ground into a powder.Ceylon cinnamon is sometimes called true cinnamon. It is more expensive and has a sweet taste. The quills are softer and can be easily ground in a coffee grinder. Ceylon cinnamon is sold in specialty stores.Most cinnamon sold in supermarkets in North America comes from the less expensive variety, Cassia cinnamon. It has a darker color and the quills are harder. Unlike Ceylon cinnamon, it can't be easily ground into a powder using a coffee grinder.Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Cassia cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation and be particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet.
In Ayurveda, cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds, and it is often recommended for people with the kapha Ayurvedic type.
It's a common ingredient in chai tea, and it is believed to improve the digestion of fruit, milk and other dairy products.
*** To read more about health benefits, research studies and safety of cinnamon, visit http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cinnamon/a/cinnamon.htm.

Ginger Benefits

Ovarian Cancer Treatment - Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.

Colon Cancer Prevention - A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
Morning Sickness - A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.
Motion Sickness Remedy - Ginger has been shown to be an effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation - One study showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful natural painkiller.
Heartburn Relief - Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.

Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment - Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flus or food poisoning, which is not surprising given the positive effects ginger has upon the digestive tract.
Migraine Relief - Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
Menstrual Cramp Relief - In Chinese medicine, ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.
Visit http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis to read more about health food and nutrition.

Blunt the effect of salt in your body...

It might seem surprising that a simple banana could help you control the effect of sodium on your body, but tit's true:
Bananas are rich in potassium - the mineral that helps regulate sodium. The benefit:

A banana a day may help lower your blood pressure, prevent your arteries from clogging, reduce your risk of stroke and keep your heart healthy and strong. Yes, it is as simple as that.

Know more about Cassava Root!

The cassava plant is a staple crop in Africa, Asia, and South America also called Yuca, Mogo or Manioc.
Cassava is the third largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics.
Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for around 500 million people.
Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava.
The bitter variety leaves are used to treat hypertension, headache, and pain.
Cubans commonly use cassava to treat irritable bowel syndrome, the paste is eaten in excess during treatment.
Cassava root is essentially a carbohydrate source but low content of vitamins and minerals. However, the roots are rich in calcium and vitamin C.

Watermelon... sometimes used as a vegetable?

A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. As with many other fruits, it is a source of vitamin C.
Watermelon rinds, usually a light green or white color, are also edible and contain many hidden nutrients, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor.
In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled. When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum.
Watermelon juice can be made into wine.
Watermelon contains large amounts of beta carotene. Watermelon with red flesh is a significant source of lycopene.
In Asian and Middle Eastern countries, watermelon seeds are collected and roasted so they can be served as a snack. In Nigeria, watermelon seeds are used in certain soups. Watermelon seeds have their own nutritional makeup, including proteins, fats, iron and other nutrients.

Corn - America's #1 Field crop!

Corn leads all other crops in value and volume of production.
Your bacon and egg breakfast, glass of milk at lunch, or hamburger for supper were all produced with U.S. corn.

Corn is a major component in many food items like cereals, peanut butter, snack foods and soft drinks.
Corn is used to produce fuel alcohol. Fuel alcohol makes gasoline burn cleaner, reducing air pollution, and it doesn't pollute the water.

An ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows.
A pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels.
100 bushels of corn produces approximately 7,280,000 kernels.
Each year, a single U.S. farmer provides food and fiber for 129 people - 97 in the U.S. and 32 overseas.
In the U.S., corn production measures more than 2 times that of any other crop.

Bell Peppers.... Why should you eat them?

These extremely versatile vegetables are not only easy to find, store, and prepare, they are also super good for you! One pepper contains your entire days worth of vitamin C and A.
They’re also high in fiber, vitamins K, B6, E, Potassium and Manganese. The bright colors assure you that they are high in antioxidants which are important to fight free radicals.

Compared to green peppers, red peppers have more vitamins and nutrients and contain the antioxidant lycopene. Red peppers are very high in lycopene. You’ve probably heard of lycopene in relation to tomatoes.

It is essential for fighting all types of cancer.The level of carotene, like lycopene, is nine times higher in red peppers. Red peppers have twice the vitamin C content of green peppers. Also, one large red bell pepper contains 209 mg of vitamin C, which is almost three times the 70 mg of an average orange.

The Wonders of Baking Soda

BAKING SODA is good for way more than just baking? Baking soda is a very effective and inexpensive household cleaner!
It can be used:

As a refrigerator deodorizer. Simply keep a half-open box in a back.
As a fabric stain remove, particularly in treating perspiration stains. Moisten and brush a little right into the stain before putting the garment in the wash.
As a paste, made by mixing with water.
To take the bite out of bee stings, bug bites and burns.

As a toothpaste and gum freshener. Make a light paste with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, and gently brush all areas of your gum. Your mouth will be cleaner than ever.
To clean carpeting beset with wine or grease stains. Put a little damp cloth, then blot the stain. Be careful not to rub too hard.
To clean enamelware. If food sticks to the bottom of pan, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to enough boiling water to recover the bottom of the pan. Let it soak for an hour.
Sprinkle in shoes to absorb odor.

Eggplant is a fruit?

The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.

Eggplant is high in fiber, folate, potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. They are low in calories.
The plant is native to India. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia.

Production of eggplant is highly concentrated, with 85% of output coming from five countries. China is the top producer (56% of world output) and India is second (26%); Egypt, Turkey and Indonesia round out the top producing nations. More than 4 million acres (2,043,788 hectares) are devoted to the cultivation of eggplant in the world. In the United States, Georgia is the largest producing state. (to read more visit www.wikipedia.com)

Cayenne Chili Peppers

The cayenne chile is a bright red chile that ranges from 2-5 inches long and about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cayenne chiles are generally sold dried and used in soups and sauces. The majority of cayenne chiles are used to make cayenne pepper.

Used both in cooking and medicine, it owes its hot flavor to a chemical called capsaicin, which comprises about 12% of the chile. The word cayenne seems to come from kian, the name of a pepper among the Tupi Indians in what is now French Guiana and was named after either the Cayenne River or the capital of the country. (http://www.food.com)

It was one of the major foods of the Hunzas who are reported by many to have extraordinarily long lifespans, although this is debatable.
It was also used quite extensively by the Aztecs and Mayans. In fact, historians assert it was a staple of the Aztec diet.
Cayenne is also revered in the alternative health community and chiefly by medicinal herbalists for its remarkable array of health benefits.

Quail Eggs

Quail eggs are considered a delicacy in many countries.

In Japanese cuisine, they are sometimes used raw or cooked as tamago in sushi and often found in bento lunches.
In Colombia and Venezuela, a single hard-boiled quail egg is a common topping on hot dogs and hamburgers, often fixed into place with a toothpick.
In the Philippines, kwek-kwek is a popular street food delicacy, which consists of soft-boiled quail eggs dipped in orange-colored batter before being skewered and deep-fried.
In Vietnam, bags of boiled quail eggs are sold on street stalls as inexpensive beer snacks.
Nutritional value is 4x higher than that of chicken eggs.
Do not have "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and are very rich in "good" cholesterol (HDL).

Garlic Pointers:

Garlic is most effective when crushed or chopped and when raw.
One clove a day can improve your health and 2-3 cloves can help prevent a cold.
When cooking garlic wait until the last 10 minutes of cooking to add the garlic.
Be careful about taking too much garlic as it can irritate your digestive system.

Pandesal

"PANDESAL (Salt Bread)" Despite the obvious Spanish origins of its name, Pan de Sal was introduced to the Philippines in the 16th century.
Pan de Sal is the most popular yeast-raised bread in the Philippines.
Some Filipinos love to eat their pandesal by dipping it in hot coffee. Yummy!

Coconut milk

COCONUT MILK is considered very healthy in Ayurveda, (India's traditional medicine) and in modern times has been found to have hyperlipidemic balancing qualities as well and antimicrobial properties in the gastrointestinal tract and topically.
It is also used for healing mouth ulcers. Wow, that's good to know!
Coconut milk is a common ingredient in many tropical cuisines, most notably those of Southeast Asia as well as Brazilian, Caribbean, Polynesian, Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines. It is also used as a vegan base for many alternatives/substitutes of traditional dairy products.

Would you like to try one of the recipes here with coconut milk? Here's the recipe.

Tomatoes

TOMATOES originated from South America but distributed around the world after Spanish Colonization.
Botanically, it is a fruit but considered a vegetable for cooking purposes.
China is the largest producer of tomatoes, followed by US & Turkey.

Tips: If you have a bunch of tomatoes in your fridge, you can prepare a yummy Fish Sarciado for your family. Why don't you try it? Here's the recipe.

Torta

TORTA is a Spanish word with a huge array of culinary meanings depending from the area and period of history in question.

In ITALY, 'torta' means a SWEET CAKE. In MEXICO, torta is a kind of SANDWICH.
In the PHILIPPINES particularly among Northern and Tagalog speaking provinces, 'torta' refers to a kind of OMELETTE made with eggs, ground meat and sometimes minced onion and potato. In Visayas and Mindanao, 'torta' refers to a SPONGE CAKE.
Hmmmm... That's good to know!

Cook from the heart

Did you know that in COOKING... Even if you have the best recipe & have all the ingredients but DID NOT COOK FROM THE HEART..., it WILL NEVER taste GOOD!?