Health Food Recipes



             


Saturday, July 26, 2008

Citric Fruits - A Healthy Food

Citric Fruits - A Healthy Food

 by: Dr. John Roberts

New studies suggested once again that citric fruits including oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits help fight cancer, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Studies both at Texas A&M University and Kanazawa Medical University in Japan showed that compounds in citric fruits can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Researchers at Texas A&M University found that freeze-dried grapefruit, similar to the whole grapefruit, can reduce the incidence of early colon cancer lesions in animals. The Japanese researchers found anti-colon cancer properties in nobiletin - a compound found in tangerines.

Grapefruit can also reduce the risk of cancer caused by smoking. A study on the cancer prevention was done by the researchers at the University of Hawaii. The researchers found that drinking 6 ounces of grapefruit juice a day reduces the activity of a liver enzyme that is thought to activate toxic chemicals in the smoke.

On another front, scientists from the USDA and a Canadian company isolated a compound - polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) - from orange and tangerine peels that can actually lower cholesterol in animals. They found that use of food containing 1% PMFs can lower cholesterol by 32 to 40%.

Grapefruits also promote weight loss. Researchers at Scripps Clinic in San Diego found that grapefruit may trigger weight loss by lowering insulin levels, an excess of which is linked to weight gain. Effect of grapefruits on weight loss was confirmed in humans. An early study by the same researchers confirmed that eating grapefruit or drinking juice with meal can help the obese lose weight.

Even the interaction of grapefruit juice with drugs, a bad trait for grapefruit, has been explored. Researchers at Texas A&M Citrus Center studied the interaction between grapefruit compounds and drugs in hopes that this interaction can be taken advantage of to increase bioavailability of drugs in humans.

These studies were presented in the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting being held in Pennsylvania during Aug. 22 through 26.

John Roberts is a freelance writer for http://www.foodconsumer.com. This article was originally published at http://foodconsumer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1241
kontact@foodconsumer.com

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

How to Reverse the Signs of Aging through Healthy Eating: A brief guide to anti-aging foods

Growing old is an inevitable part of life. We all get older year by year, the hair begins to go grey, the wrinkles and line start to appear, and before we know it the transition has occurred. We look in the mirror one day and we have become old. However, it doesnt happen like this for everyone. Some people have learned how to keep the signs of aging at bay, so although they may be getting older in terms of years this isnt reflected in the skin. In fact, some people can reach their fifties and sixties and still look amazing and without having to resort to surgery and chemical procedures.

One of the factors that can contribute to younger looking skin is our diet. What we eat can affect both our physical and mental well being, and by eating the right foods you can improve the health of everything from your joints and bones to your skin and hair. Weve all heard the saying, You are what you eat. Well, if you eat loads of unhealthy foods such as refined sugars and rich foods, you are going to end up looking and feeling unhealthy both inside and out. If you are eating healthy, nutritious, vitamin-rich foods, then you are more likely to enjoy healthy looking skin and body.

Dr. Atkins Theory

Dr. Robert Atkins has become world famous for his once-radical diet based on minimal carbohydrate consumption. However, this wasnt Dr. Atkins only diet-based theory. He also wrote about what he claimed was an effective anti aging diet, which could reverse the signs of aging. Atkins stated that a lifetime of eating rich, refined, processed foods is what often led to the signs of aging, and that by assessing and changing our eating habits we could start to turn back the clock.

Atkins believes that in order to beat the signs of aging we need to eat more protein and fewer refined carbohydrates. He recommends eating plenty of nuts and sunflower seeds, which are rich in protein and in the recommended vitamins C and E. These vitamins contain anti aging properties that will help keep your skin healthy and retain more elasticity and resilience, which resultantly cuts down on wrinkles and lines. Dr Atkins believes that a healthy diet that is rich in the right nutrients and vitamins can help to reverse the signs of aging in the skin as well as in the brain and other parts of the body.

Recommended foods

There are a number of foods, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that are known to slow or delay the signs of aging both in terms of the skin and the brain. Some of the most well-known anti aging foods that are recommended include:

Olive Oil: This contains antioxidants that can help to slow down cell damage and deterioration, therefore keeping the skin looking fresher and younger. This can also help with joints and internal organs as well as skin.

Seaweed: This contains a valuable source of Iodine, which helps to produce a hormone called thyroxin. This hormone stimulates the nervous system, which helps to slow down damage and oxidization of the cells.

Various fruits and vegetables: These can be rich in antioxidants, which play a large part in delaying the signs of aging. You can enjoy fruits and veggies such as: prunes, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, broccoli, spinach, beets, peppers, sprouts and more.

Vitamins C & E: These are essential vitamins that can help delay the signs of aging in the skin and other parts of the body. These vitamins can help to produce natural collagen, which helps the skin to retain elasticity, thus reducing the signs of wrinkles. You can find these vitamins in a range of foods, but can also buy them in supplement form.

Water: This is one of the most important considerations when it comes to your diet, as it is water than keeps us hydrated and alive. Drinking plenty of fresh water every day and minimizing on alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks can help to replenish your skin and keep you feeling and looking hydrated both inside and out.

Foods that cause healthy and unhealthy cell regeneration

Scientific studies have shown that cells can regenerate themselves in two ways; either by replacement with a weaker cell or by replacement with a stronger cell. The foods that we eat contribute to which route cell regeneration takes. There are certain foods and food types that promote weaker cell regeneration, which can lead to signs of aging, and there are foods that promote healthier cell regeneration, which can keep the signs of aging at bay.

Unhealthy cell regeneration can be caused by the following foods:

Refined carbohydrates
Sugar
Caffeine
White flour
Processed foods
Artificial sweeteners
Alcohol
Artificial colourings and additives
Fatty and processed meats
Vegetable and hydrogenated oils
Fried food
Foods containing mercury (e.g. many types of fish such as tuna)
Genetically modified foods

Healthy cell regeneration can be promoted through the following foods:

Raw seeds, nuts and grains
Fruit
Vegetables (including leafy greens)
Bean and lentils
Seaweed
Barley greens
Antioxidants
Olive and evening primrose oil
Foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids
Foods containing Omega 4 or 5 fatty acids

It is important to base your diet on certain types of foods if you are looking to delay or reverse the signs of aging, and the good news is that a great deal of this food is probably incorporated into your daily diet anyway. All you have to do is identify the good foods from the bad, and make sure that your diet leans heavily towards the good foods. Quite simply, you need to:

Incorporate a variety of foods into your diet
Eat a diet high in grain products, fruits and vegetables
Eat a diet low in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol
Use low to moderate amounts of sugar, salt, and alcohol
Balance energy intake with physical activity

Although diet plays a large part in the anti aging process, it is important to remember that there are other factors in play in the skin rejuvenation process as well. It seems pretty pointless to change the things that you eat if you are simply going to smoke twenty cigarettes a day, allow your skin to frazzle in the midday sun, and gulp back twenty cups of coffee. You need to ensure that you take all of the necessary steps to promote health and well being. This includes:

Cutting out cigarettes: Apart from putting you at risk of cancer and heart disease, cigarettes can make you look older than you are. Long term smokers tend to end up with very deep wrinkling of the skin, premature age spots, and a host of other skin problems.

Avoiding unprotected exposure to sun: The suns UV rays can have a very damaging effect on the skin, and can result in very haggard, old looking skin and deep wrinkles. Like cigarettes, unprotected sun exposure also puts you at risk of getting cancer. You should ensure that you always wear UV protection in the form of a barrier cream or sunscreen, which can block the suns rays. Also, minimize time spent in intense, direct sunlight (usually midday) as this has a damaging effect on your skin.

Take care of your skin: It is still important to look after your skin even if you have developed a good anti aging diet plan. This means cleaning, toning, and moisturizing twice daily with appropriate products. You can find plenty of anti aging products on the market these days, and you can even try natural skin care products and home remedies. A good facial skin care routine will help to keep your skin feeling fresh, rejuvenated, supple, and soft.

Summary

If you want to enjoy the benefits of younger, fresher skin and all around health without having to resort to medical procedures and surgery, the combination of a good diet and healthy living can make a real difference. With a little time and commitment, you should be able to see a real difference in the way you look and feel.

One of the factors that can contribute to younger looking skin is our diet. What we eat can affect both our physical and mental well being, and by eating the right foods you can improve the health of everything from your joints and bones to your skin and hair. Weve all heard the saying, You are what you eat. Well, if you eat loads of unhealthy foods such as refined sugars and rich foods, you are going to end up looking and feeling unhealthy both inside and out. If you are eating healthy, nutritious, vitamin-rich foods, then you are more likely to enjoy healthy looking skin and body.

Dr. Atkins Theory

Dr. Robert Atkins has become world famous for his once-radical diet based on minimal carbohydrate consumption. However, this wasnt Dr. Atkins only diet-based theory. He also wrote about what he claimed was an effective anti aging diet, which could reverse the signs of aging. Atkins stated that a lifetime of eating rich, refined, processed foods is what often led to the signs of aging, and that by assessing and changing our eating habits we could start to turn back the clock.

Atkins believes that in order to beat the signs of aging we need to eat more protein and fewer refined carbohydrates. He recommends eating plenty of nuts and sunflower seeds, which are rich in protein and in the recommended vitamins C and E. These vitamins contain anti aging properties that will help keep your skin healthy and retain more elasticity and resilience, which resultantly cuts down on wrinkles and lines. Dr Atkins believes that a healthy diet that is rich in the right nutrients and vitamins can help to reverse the signs of aging in the skin as well as in the brain and other parts of the body.

Recommended foods

There are a number of foods, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that are known to slow or delay the signs of aging both in terms of the skin and the brain. Some of the most well-known anti aging foods that are recommended include:

Olive Oil: This contains antioxidants that can help to slow down cell damage and deterioration, therefore keeping the skin looking fresher and younger. This can also help with joints and internal organs as well as skin.

Seaweed: This contains a valuable source of Iodine, which helps to produce a hormone called thyroxin. This hormone stimulates the nervous system, which helps to slow down damage and oxidization of the cells.

Various fruits and vegetables: These can be rich in antioxidants, which play a large part in delaying the signs of aging. You can enjoy fruits and veggies such as: prunes, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, broccoli, spinach, beets, peppers, sprouts and more.

Vitamins C & E: These are essential vitamins that can help delay the signs of aging in the skin and other parts of the body. These vitamins can help to produce natural collagen, which helps the skin to retain elasticity, thus reducing the signs of wrinkles. You can find these vitamins in a range of foods, but can also buy them in supplement form.

Water: This is one of the most important considerations when it comes to your diet, as it is water than keeps us hydrated and alive. Drinking plenty of fresh water every day and minimizing on alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks can help to replenish your skin and keep you feeling and looking hydrated both inside and out.

Foods that cause healthy and unhealthy cell regeneration

Scientific studies have shown that cells can regenerate themselves in two ways; either by replacement with a weaker cell or by replacement with a stronger cell. The foods that we eat contribute to which route cell regeneration takes. There are certain foods and food types that promote weaker cell regeneration, which can lead to signs of aging, and there are foods that promote healthier cell regeneration, which can keep the signs of aging at bay.

Unhealthy cell regeneration can be caused by the following foods:

Refined carbohydrates
Sugar
Caffeine
White flour
Processed foods
Artificial sweeteners
Alcohol
Artificial colourings and additives
Fatty and processed meats
Vegetable and hydrogenated oils
Fried food
Foods containing mercury (e.g. many types of fish such as tuna)
Genetically modified foods

Healthy cell regeneration can be promoted through the following foods:

Raw seeds, nuts and grains
Fruit
Vegetables (including leafy greens)
Bean and lentils
Seaweed
Barley greens
Antioxidants
Olive and evening primrose oil
Foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids
Foods containing Omega 4 or 5 fatty acids

It is important to base your diet on certain types of foods if you are looking to delay or reverse the signs of aging, and the good news is that a great deal of this food is probably incorporated into your daily diet anyway. All you have to do is identify the good foods from the bad, and make sure that your diet leans heavily towards the good foods. Quite simply, you need to:

Incorporate a variety of foods into your diet
Eat a diet high in grain products, fruits and vegetables
Eat a diet low in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol
Use low to moderate amounts of sugar, salt, and alcohol
Balance energy intake with physical activity

Although diet plays a large part in the anti aging process, it is important to remember that there are other factors in play in the skin rejuvenation process as well. It seems pretty pointless to change the things that you eat if you are simply going to smoke twenty cigarettes a day, allow your skin to frazzle in the midday sun, and gulp back twenty cups of coffee. You need to ensure that you take all of the necessary steps to promote health and well being. This includes:

Cutting out cigarettes: Apart from putting you at risk of cancer and heart disease, cigarettes can make you look older than you are. Long term smokers tend to end up with very deep wrinkling of the skin, premature age spots, and a host of other skin problems.

Avoiding unprotected exposure to sun: The suns UV rays can have a very damaging effect on the skin, and can result in very haggard, old looking skin and deep wrinkles. Like cigarettes, unprotected sun exposure also puts you at risk of getting cancer. You should ensure that you always wear UV protection in the form of a barrier cream or sunscreen, which can block the suns rays. Also, minimize time spent in intense, direct sunlight (usually midday) as this has a damaging effect on your skin.

Take care of your skin: It is still important to look after your skin even if you have developed a good anti aging diet plan. This means cleaning, toning, and moisturizing twice daily with appropriate products. You can find plenty of anti aging products on the market these days, and you can even try natural skin care products and home remedies. A good facial skin care routine will help to keep your skin feeling fresh, rejuvenated, supple, and soft.

Summary

If you want to enjoy the benefits of younger, fresher skin and all around health without having to resort to medical procedures and surgery, the combination of a good diet and healthy living can make a real difference. With a little time and commitment, you should be able to see a real difference in the way you look and feel.
Reno Charlton is an experienced freelance copywriter and an award-winning childrens author from the United Kingdom. Aged 33, she lives near to the city with her husband, Phil, and their two cats. Her articles on anti-aging skin care can be found at http://www.look-younger-now.com

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Healthy food

Tulasi ( Ocimum sanctum, Basil )
Useful for respiratory problems, an expectorant, anti-oxidant, anti-stress and anti-depressant.

Garlic ( Allium sativum, Lasuna )
Lowers cholesterol, arrests platelet aggregation and suppresses Helicobacter pylori, the bug that causes stomach ulcers. Contains bioflavonoids, compounds which neutralize carcinogens.

Bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia, Bitter melon, Karela )
Best known as treatment to lower blood sugar, also used as a antiviral, anti-microbial and to lower total cholesterol.Tulasi ( Ocimum sanctum, Basil )
Useful for respiratory problems, an expectorant, anti-oxidant, anti-stress and anti-depressant.

Garlic ( Allium sativum, Lasuna )
Lowers cholesterol, arrests platelet aggregation and suppresses Helicobacter pylori, the bug that causes stomach ulcers. Contains bioflavonoids, compounds which neutralize carcinogens.

Bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia, Bitter melon, Karela )
Best known as treatment to lower blood sugar, also used as a antiviral, anti-microbial and to lower total cholesterol.

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How to Grow Healthy Food

To grow healthy food, you literally have to start at rock bottom. No matter what youre growing, from chickpeas to chickens, the truth is that you are what they eat!

To grow healthy food, you literally have to start at rock bottom. No matter what youre growing, from chickpeas to chickens, the truth is that you are what they eat!

Its no secret that all life begins with the soil. Although it may look like dirt to the naked eye, organically rich soil is a living, breathing community of microorganisms. These little denizens of the dirt are born, grow, breed, give birth and die leaving an estate of nutrition-filled remains to the soil. While they live, many of these little critters feed on undesirable elements like harmful bacteria.

Every year, gardeners spend thousands of dollars on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that are little more than a quick fix to gardening problems and create long-term health hazards for everyone, from humans to single-celled organisms in the soil. If you really want to grow healthy food, the first step is to keep your underground colony in good health.

There are two things you need to do to maintain healthy soil. The first is to keep out the chemicals. The second is to add rich organic matter to your soil at regular intervals.
Keep out the chemicals

No matter what amount of chemical you use in your gardening, a drop is a deluge to a microorganism. More to the point, most chemicals dont fade away. They leech into your garden and wait to attach to some growing thing like your plants. One example is a gardener who claims to grow organic apples. He doesnt spray his trees, but he does use a chemical weed & feed application on his lawn, seemingly unaware of the systemic consequences of using chemicals.

Feed your soil

The best way to enrich your soil is to give it regular applications of composted organic matter. Compost can be anything from yard mulch to kitchen vegetable waste. If you dont have the time to maintain a compost bin, an easy way to add organic matter to your yard is through mowing your lawn with a mulching mower. Prepared compost is also available for purchase from nurseries and home garden centers.

Remember the house that Jack built? Its similar in your garden. The roots take from the soil to give to the stems that bear the buds that turn into the fruit. Whether or not the fruit is healthy depends on what was in the soil.

Linda is editor of Gardening Guides

 

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Monday, July 7, 2008

Healthy Seafood Recipie

I try to have a bit of laugh along the way so, humour me try to laugh at my jokes I think their funny and most of all have a great time, and lets start cooking.

I try to have a bit of laugh along the way so, humour me try to laugh at my jokes I think their funny and most of all have a great time, and lets start cooking.

If you have any questions or you would like some advice on what is good kitchen equipment, where do you go for good fruit and veg or how to be funny, contact me at
6degrees.net.au

My recipe I am going to give you today is Moules Provencale, (you can say it to all your friends and impress them with your French)

Moules Provencale (Mussels Provencale Style)
Serves 4 as entre, 2 as main course

You will need, for the Provencale sauce

600gr tinned chopped tomatoes
6 cloves chopped garlic
1 onion finely diced
1 med red chilli diced (seeds in if you like it hot, seeds out it you like it mild)
75ml of white wine
5 tbsp of fennel seed, or 1 small head of fresh fennel about 100-150 gr finely chopped
2tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
bunch of basil leaves chopped
3 sprigs of thyme picked or chopped
3 bay leaves (look like eucalyptus leaves well that is what my niece thinks, available in the dry spice isle of the supermarket)
Salt and pepper
Pinch of sugar
Method: Get a heavy based sauce pan heat it up over a medium heat, add your olive oil, diced onion, chilli, garlic and fennel, cook for 1-2 mins until the onion has softened add your white wine, tinned tomatoes, basil, thyme and bay leafs, allow it to come to the boil and simmer for 10-15 mins, season with salt and pepper and a pinch of sugar

For the mussels
2kg of fresh black mussels
1 carrot small dice
onion small dice
1 stick of celery small dice
2 cloves of garlic diced
2tbsp olive oil
bunch of chopped basil
100ml white wine
150gr of chopped black olives

Method: To clean your mussel (stop smirking), give it a shower under the tap give it a scrub, and dont forget to give it a manicure by pulling off its beard. Get a heavy based pan with a firm fitting lid and place it on a high heat (if you do not have a pot big enough for your mussel do it two times). We want our mussel to have a really quick hot steamy time. Now after your pan has heated up place your diced vegetables and chopped garlic in the pan quickly give it a mix so it does not burn, add our white wine and our mussels, quickly put the lid on and leave for a few minutes. If you see it steaming, it means the mussels are having a great time so dont open the lid and spoil their fun. After a few good minutes all the mussels should be open, add our Provencale sauce black olives and basil. Serve it up heaped up in a big main bowl with a few slices of crunchy wholegrain bread to mop up the beautiful sauce. This recipe is great with some cooked cous cous, a fresh green salad or some cooked spaghetti with some mussels tossed through. Now your'e cooking with gas.

Some handy tips for your mussel.

How do you pick good mussels (besides the ones at the gym)?

  • Your mussels should Pick up your mussel and smell it, it should smell fresh like the ocean not like sweaty armpits.
  • The mussel should feel heavy, like it should after a good work out
  • Ask your fishmonger when he got his mussels (dont be shy now)

Why would you want good mussels?

  • They are low in saturated fat and high in omega 3
  • Omega 3 the good fat (sounds funny doesnt it?). Omega 3 has been linked to reducing inflammation, increasing immune system function, improving blood lipid profile
  • Low in sodium
  • You can be strong with good mussels, because they are packed with muscle building protein.
  • Good for your love mussel (thats what we hear)

Ps: Robert Lugton is responsible for all the bad jokes in this recipe and would like to apologise for any damage or discomfort caused by these jokes,

Dont scroll any further there is nothing to zee down here

Told you

Why do it?

That it no more THE END

Okay okay one really bad last joke
What happened to the prawn when he went to disco?
He pulled a mussel and had to go home.


written by Robert Lugton
6degrees.net.au

7 years experience now as a chef. I have an avid interest in fitness and nutrition. I am completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Queensland Brisbane Australia.chefrobbie@6degrees.net.au

 

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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

5 Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy Foods

Parents can help their kids to eat better, and make it fun! Here are some tips to increase your childs interest in healthy foods.

1. Bring your kids grocery shopping
While in the produce section, let your kids pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try. Kids are more interested in trying new foods when they get to pick them out.

2. Prepare meals together
Let your child be part of the preparation. Whether they mix something in a bowl or pour a sauce they will be happier to eat and try new foods when they played a part.

3. Incorporate fun foods
Kids are drawn to foods that have different shapes, and bright colors. There are many fruits that can fall into this category such as kiwi or star fruit. You can also be creative! Instead of handing your child a whole orange, break it up into pieces and make a smiley face on the plate. You would be amazed what simple creativity can do!

4. Make desserts healthy
You can still have dessert and make it healthy too. Instead of depending on store bought cookies and candy (which provide minimal nutrients), try dipping fresh strawberries in chocolate sauce, a fruit smoothie, or a berry cobbler. These choices may have some sugar but are also adding nutrients at the same time. Remember- everything is healthy in moderation.

5. When your child wants candy
Candy is a once in a while treat. Try using one ounce of trail mix with a few m&ms instead of a whole candy bar.


Be a role model for your children. If you enjoy physical activity and eat healthy your children will likely do the same. Encouraging physical activity and healthy food choices during childhood will help build these habits for a lifetime.

Meri Raffetto, 2005

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. Get her free monthly newsletter to receive nutrition tips, healthy recipes, and more! Sign up at www.reallivingnutrition.com

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